Gatton Community Theatre

General information

Gatton Community Theatre (GCT) specialises in innovative theatre arts. It creates for local audiences highly original productions in exciting or unexpected venues and offers the opportunity for participants to experience and take part in something really unusual as well as the opportunity to work with professional directors and technical teams. The group is unique in this part of Surrey. In the fifteen years of GCT's existence we have staged both large scale open air promenade and interior site specific productions as well as theatre events for young children and dramatic readings in local churches.

GCT operates a policy of inclusiveness; anyone of any age, experience and ability may take part in its productions. Young people continue to play a vital part in productions. In the last open air production in 2014 the youngest performer was aged 8 and the eldest over 80. Participation in our theatre projects is open to all wherever they may live. There is no charge of any kind for membership nor a production fee. There may be a charge for special theatre training projects outside our usual programme of productions.

Starting in 1999 as an initiative from the Parish of Merstham, GCT was formed to stage a passion play to celebrate the new millennium bringing the story of Jesus Christ, from his baptism to resurrection, to a wide audience in an exciting and different way. A strong moral or spiritual theme or the promotion of a spirit of forgiveness and love remain key objectives and at the heart of our productions. Though now an independent organisation, GCT continues to maintain strong links with the parish.

GCT is keen to help raise awareness among participants and audiences of the environment of Gatton Park and its place in local history. Because of this GCT works closely with the Gatton Park Foundation and The Gatton Trust on a number of different projects. GCT's use of the site enables large numbers of people to visit Gatton Park who may otherwise have been unaware of its existence and stunning restoration. Restoration of the grounds is carried out by volunteers.