Amateur theatre and its possibilities

In a recent article in The Stage, Richard Jordan challenged the prejudice that exists when people think about the amateur theatre. In a world where arts funding is limited and professional bodies are being forced to reduce their access for economic reasons, ‘amateur dramatics societies, like schools, have a key role to play’, he says, ‘though professional theatre often fails to recognise this important part of the ecology’.

He's not wrong. Despite the snobbery about ‘amdram’ that is part of the artistic landscape, the amateur, voluntary or community theatre (you choose what you want to call it!) has a lot to offer. My involvement with the Little Theatre Guild has given me access to amazing productions of quality work and contact with some of the most exciting and experienced people that I have encountered in any theatre, anywhere.