Grantham dramatic society
Grantham Dramatic Society are a local amateur dramatic society in Grantham, Lincolnshire, England.
The aim of the society is to put on plays in as professional a manner as possible, whilst enjoying and gaining from the experience. At least two plays are staged each year, usually in May and October, at the Guildhall Arts Centre on St Peter's Hill (Grantham town centre).
The group meets on Tuesday and Thursday NiGHTS from 8pm to about 10pm in the Green Room - part of the Old Malt House - on Springfield Road. This is for play readings or rehearsals and anybody is welcome to attend any night. There are regular social events, and again all are welcome. We also arrange group visits to theatres such as the Nottingham PlayHouse.
History
Grantham Dramatic Society was formed in June 1945 with the principle object of raising money for charity. The first production was The Case of the Frightened Lady, and was put on in November 1945 at the Empire Theatre in George Street. Another 12 productions were put on at the Empire Theatre until it closed at the end of 1951. This building still exists, and until recently was used by ATS Tyres.
GDS put 5 plays on at St John's Parish Hall from 1952 to 1954, and another two plays were produced at the Methodist Church Hall in Chapel Street in 1954/5. From December 1956 to November 1971, 39 plays were performed in the George Theatre behind the George Hotel before its make-over. When the George Theatre closed, there were no other theatres in Grantham and GDS became homeless. GDS were forced to put on plays in school halls; however, it was difficult to stage major productions in such circumstances and for a few years GDS survived by taking theatre out to people, that is, performing one act plays at local groups, such as the WI.
The first major production in the modern era was I'll Get My Man which was staged at St Hugh's School in October 1981. The turning point came when GDS rented a couple of large rooms at The Stables in Bridge Street, which enabled us to store and build sets, rehearse and hold social events. The social events are important as they bring in potential new members and raise money to keep us going. These premesis were known, appropriately enough, as The Green Room. Another significant event was the opening of the Guildhall Arts Centre, which enabled GDS to put on plays again in a proper theatre.
Since 1945 well over 100 plays have been performed by GDS ranging from high drama [...] in the Cathedral, to farce No [...] Please, We're British. GDS has an excellent reputation for its comedies and farces, but stages occasional serious plays, showing versatility.