ABOUT US
The late Desmond Holt founded The Youth Centre Theatre Group in 1964.
The productions became grander and the "youth" got older, and so eventually the group was renamed Godalming Theatre Group (GTG).
GTG is known for producing some of the finest community theatre in Surrey.
Our standard season is built around a major spring or summer musical, an autumn play, and a Christmas pantomime or show.
Managed by highly experienced volunteers, we aim for professional standards and invest in challenging and adventurous productions.
These are usually staged at the Ben Travers Theatre, Charterhouse School, Godalming and Prior's Field School Godalming.
In the past, many of our drama productions won festival awards for directing, acting or technical excellence. We staged Old Time Music Halls and Musical Reviews across southern England, performed plays in Godalming’s twin towns (Mayen in Germany and Joigny in France), and through a Theatre exchange we performed a variety show in Augusta, USA.
Anyone over the age of 14 is welcome to join GTG. Performers audition for each production; other members are involved in administration, technical support or backstage.
We run a weekly Youth Theatre Group for people between age 12 to 18: www.gtguk.com/youth-group
They learn performing skills, take part in workshops and master classes, perform green room productions, and go on theatre visits and backstage tours. Many of them take part in GTG's main productions.
Performers aged 16 or under are subject to the same licensing laws as professional theatre. In our case, they are licensed by Surrey County Council and are in the care of registered chaperones during performances.
GTG provides an excellent grounding for people who want to venture into professional theatre. Some have gone on to full time training and are now working in the profession.
Ben Elton is President of Godalming Theatre Group
Ben’s relationship with GTG started long before he became one of Britain’s most successful comedy writers and novelists.
By aged 10, he was already an enthusiastic young participant in various community theatre shows in the Guildford and Godalming area.
GTG discovered Ben in1973 when GTG’s Director, the late Desmond Holt and Choreographer Keith Thomas, saw him playing the Artful Dodger in Godalming Grammer Schools’ production of Oliver! They were so impressed, they immediately invited him to play the same role in our own production of Oliver! in 1974. He was a huge success.
Ben went on to perform one of the shop apprentices in our production of Half A Sixpence and then he wrote a comedy double act for himself and Keith Thomas to perform in our Old Tyme Music Hall productions.
GTG played a key role in helping nurture Ben's passion for theatre and he kept in touch with us over the years as his career blossomed. We were delighted when he accepted our invitation to be President of the group. He has supported our activities ever since and sees our productions whenever he is in the UK.
Ben with the cast and creative team of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - 2024
Ben with Chris East
who played Joseph
GTG is a Registered Charity:1131714. We are also a member of NODA (National Operatic and Dramatic Association).