About Guiseley Theatrical Productions (formerly GAOS)
Guiseley Theatre Productions (GTP) is one of the longest-established amateur theatrical groups in West Yorkshire. We changed our name in 2019 from Guiseley Amateur Operatic Society to better reflect the society as it is today. We usually perform one main production a year – typically a musical in February-March and in some years we also perform concerts, plays or another musical in the autumn.
We are a friendly and welcoming group, known throughout the local community. We have a reputation for putting on shows with a high standard of performance. We value our relationship with the community and with the continued support of our audiences hope to continue to provide high- quality performances building on our heritage.
How we work
We design and build our own sets and this enables us to get the maximum working space from a restricted stage area. We hire costumes for most shows and usually work with a pit orchestra of 10 to 12 players.
A successful production is a real team effort combining artistic and technical skills. We adopt a professional approach to our productions, working with experienced and professional production teams.
We usually cast by open audition. Find out about any upcoming auditions here. (link to somewhere that we post about auditions)
We design and build our own sets and this enables us to get the maximum working space from a restricted stage area. If you’re interested in set building or volunteering back stage contact us.
We hire costumes for most shows and usually work with a pit orchestra of 10 to 12 players.
Guiseley Theatre
Guiseley Theatre was built in 1867 by Sir Matthew William Thompson. He gave the building to the people of Guiseley for the use of the community. At that time it was known as “The Town Hall”, and although it was maintained by Guiseley UDC and then Aireborough UDC, it was never used as municipal offices other than housing a part-time Rates collection office. Shortly after Aireborough was incorporated into Leeds Metropolitan District, the Authority considered closing Guiseley Town Hall. The Hall, however, was still used by many community groups, including GTP, and so, with the cooperation of all the users, the Society took over the administration of the Hall in 1985. We have continued to administer the renamed Guiseley Theatre for the benefit of the whole community of Guiseley and its environs.
Guiseley Theatre was built in 1867 by Sir Matthew William Thompson. He gave the deeds for the building to the town council stating that it was “for the use of the inhabitants of Guiseley forever”.
The theatre has seen many different forms, from town hall, to cinema, and hospital to fire station, before being taken over by Guiseley Amateur Operatic Society in 1985, where the building was renamed ‘Guiseley Theatre’.
2019 saw the launch of a new Community Interest Company, Guiseley Theatre CIC, who have taken over the running of the building and have plans to bring the building in to the 21st century. Looking forward, the theatre is now on the brink of a new chapter in its life as redevelopment plans are being put together to make Guiseley Theatre a usable and accessible building to continue its use for another 150 years.
http://www.guiseleytheatre.org
Click here to see a seating plan of the theatre.
