A weekend packed with workshops, performances and practical sessions designed for people who love theatre and want to see it thrive. Whether you’re a long-standing society member or someone involved in your local stage group, this is your chance to connect with others who share your passion.
From exploring the fascinating history of one of Britain’s oldest theatres to tackling modern challenges like accessibility, leadership and new writing, the weekend offers inspiration, insight and plenty of laughter. And with Agatha Christie on stage and a delicious group meal to kick things off, it’s also a great opportunity to socialise. If you’re not yet an LTG member, this is the perfect way to see what we do – and how your group might benefit.
16:00 – 17:00 – Registration: coffee bar open
17:45 – 19:15 – Evening Meal at Medusa Turkish restaurant Mezzes starter and choice of 3 mains + 2 glasses of wine £25.90.
19:30 – Performance of Agatha Christie’s The Spiders Web – Complimentary seating in circle.
After show Delegates meet cast etc
09:00 – 09:30 – Registration, coffee
09:30 – Welcome by LTG chair
09:45 – Theatre tours – a history talk then split into groups to tour various areas The Lancaster Grand opened in 1782, making it the 3rd oldest theatre in the UK. Many famous actors and performers appeared on its stage and it has survived multiple calamities which could have seen it disappear like so many other theatres of that age.
10:45 – Coffee break
11:15 – Main Workshop with Mark Hutton (Chair, Lancaster Grand)
How to Future-proof your theatre
The modern world is becoming increasingly chaotic, with a myriad of external and internal pressures on all organisations, with theatres being no exception. Mark will share insights into a range of leadership and governance techniques delegates may be interested in to help ensure their organisations are ready for the future, so that local Arts & Culture doesn’t just survive but continues to thrive, including:
12:30 – Buffet lunch in theatre
13:15 – Workshop Translating Comedy Charlie Gobbett is a professional translator and winner of the 2023 CTG Vicky Lane Trophy for Dramatic Achievement. Three plays he has translated from the French have been staged by amateur theatres. Will include an excerpt from Kiss me stupid by Nantwich Players.
14:00 – Split into sub-groups
14:15 – 14:55 – Workshops
Break-out Workshop 1
The Marketplace and I: Accessibility Training
Dr Leighanne Higgins and Dr Killian O’Leary, Lancaster University, carried out an accessibility audit for the Lancaster Grand, revealing that there is far more to accessibility than simply providing wheelchair spaces and ramps.
Break-out Workshop 2
Preparing for Martyn’s Law with Mark Hutton (Chair, Lancaster Grand)
Realising that theatres with 200+ seats fall into the “standard tier” under the new legislation, the Grand set about assessing its building and operations to see what practical changes were needed and also laid on training courses for staff and volunteers.
Break-out Workshop 3
New writing – assessing, staging, promoting with Kris Williams (Chair, Production Committee, Lancaster Footlights)
The Waiting Room, a new play by scriptwriting graduate Kris was put on at the Grand this year. How do you tell if it will work on the stage? Will the actors like it? How do you sell unknown writing to the public?
Break-out Workshop 4
Pros and Cons of Membership Software with Adrian Tayler (Membership Secretary, Lancaster Footlights)
Replacing 100 years of paper-based records and a complicated membership structure, Adrian reviewed various digital options, then helped install WhiteFuse software. Why was it chosen? How did it go?
14:55 – Tea break
15:00 – AGM and Open Forum Delegates to suggest topics in advance
16:00 – Close
To see the full information for this meeting including meeting access links (MS Teams and Zoom) where applicable, downloadable documents and details of the speakers, please log into the Members’ Backstage area below.
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