THE EARLY YEARS

GTC’s first incarnation, the SOCIETY PLAYERS (founder member Derek Green), came together in 1954, presenting mostly one-act plays for festival performance while also becoming, briefly, the GAINSBOROUGH AMATEUR DRAMATIC PLAYERS and then the COMEDY PLAYERS.
By 1963, they had transformed into the COLLEGE PLAYERS, presenting their first show, “BONAVENTURE” at Queen Elizabeth’s school hall. Building both an audience and a reputation, the company adopted the name of their home town in 1969 and became the GAINSBOROUGH THEATRE CLUB.

GTC & THE OLD NICK THEATRE

Several landmark performances were produced: in 1970 the company presented “THE CRUCIBLE” in Gainsborough’s medieval Old Hall as part of the Mayflower Celebrations; in 1978, their first in-the-round performance, “UNCLE VANYA”, was presented in the Town Hall; and in 1979 the company acquired the town’s old police station and magistrates court, a grade II listed building in the heart of Gainsborough.

GTC Patron Douglas Parkinson leased the venue to the company for a nominal rent, and they transformed the premises to create a Bar, Coffee Room, Costume/Props stores and a unique 55-seater theatre-in-the-round where the courtroom had been. The newly rechristened OLD NICK THEATRE opened to the public in 1980 with “DEAR BRUTUS”.

Douglas Parkinson became the company’s first Honorary President, enjoying the results of his generosity until he died in 1993, paying GTC the ultimate compliment by leaving them the Old Nick building in his will.

The company’s reputation continued to grow, not only at the Old Nick but through their occasional forays into other town venues with pantomimes and musicals, and their regular appearances at community events.

In 1992, they were awarded an unprecedented 5 awards, including Best Play, for their rock and roll version of Shakespeare’s “A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM” at the Skegness Drama Festival. The following year, they repeated this success with their original mystery play “CHRIST MASS”. That production was selected for the National All-Winners Drama Festival, one of just four plays chosen from companies throughout Great Britain, and GTC scooped the Adjudicator’s Award.

GAINSBOROUGH THEATRE COMPANY & MIRROR IMAGE

The new millennium saw another name change, to the GAINSBOROUGH THEATRE COMPANY, and the formation of an offshoot group. Responding to the increasing number of young people interested in joining, GTC set up the MIRROR IMAGE YOUTH THEATRE.

Run by its own senior members and supported by the parent company, Mirror Image have produced several full length shows and seasonal works, also providing actors and backstage personnel for GTC shows and events.
Also in 2000, the Old Nick Theatre, was featured in Yorkshire Televisions Calendar programme, as part of their series on unusual theatre venues in the region. Presenter Ian Clayton enjoyed an afternoon exploring the building and watching extracts from the latest production “SHIRLEY VALENTINE”.

In 2005, the Company celebrated 25 years at their unique venue with a new production of their first Old Nick show “DEAR BRUTUS”, attended by past members and local dignitaries. It also became part of the towns successful Ghost Walks programme.

In 2013 the company was awarded funding to establish plans for the major transformation of the Old Nick premises and facilities, these will continue to provide the best in local theatre well into the future. Also sadly this year Mirror Image has ceased to exist due to other commitments by it’s leaders, however the creation of a new Youth Theatre company as a part of the GTC took place the following year.

Subsequently the café and bar areas, which had been separate entities were remodelled with the assistance of a Grant from Wren and the work was undertaken by Gelders. The new much larger lounge café/bar area was formally opened by the Lincolnshire Police Chief Constable in September 2017.

The ground floor area of the building was converted into a Police Museum by our volunteers with the assistance of young people working for the Princes Trust. The majority of the exhibits on display are on loan from the Lincolnshire Police achive.

Another chapter in the history of Gainsborough Theatre Company is being written…