Little Theatre Guild
Ralf Togneri is our Representative at the Little Theatre Guild.
It's worth visiting their website (click the logo).
If you have any issue you want to raise please contact Ralf
The what? - The LTG, formerly known as The Little Theatre Guild. Clear? No? OK, I'll give you the back ground of who and what the LTG is and what it has to do with Kelvin.
Background
The Little Theatre Guild was formed in 1946 as a way for small owner run theatres to have a say in rules and laws covering theatres – mainly of course the main theatres such as the West End in London and the big rep theatres across the country. Not all the legislation relevant to that group made sense nor was it even financially capable of being implemented by small theatre. The LTG acted as a lobbying body for its members from then until the present day and exists to represent the views of Amateur theatres across the UK. Membership of the LTG is open only to those amateur theatres that own or lease the theatre premises in which their productions are mounted.
How big is it?
LTG currently has in excess of 100 member theatres right across the United Kingdom, ranging from a 64 seat auditorium to a 450 seat auditorium. The membership increases each year. This includes theatres that present only four plays per year to those that present a continuous repertoire. In most years LTG theatres present well over 800 productions to an audience approaching three-quarters of a million. This means that LTG theatres not only create a huge financial turnover of several million pounds a year, but make a significant artistic and creative contribution to live theatre around the country.
How does it help Kelvin and the other theatres?
In a world of ever increasing legislation relating to such areas as Health and Safety, Premises Licensing, changes to the VAT regime, Children in Performance regulations plus the latest vetting and barring scheme, the LTG produces ‘Grey Papers’ to explain the law and regulatory requirements.
It holds regular national and regional conferences where there is the opportunity to network and share experiences, both good and bad, to learn from others experiences to help theatres avoid the pitfalls that others have experienced.
As a recognised national body, LTG is consulted by both the Department for Culture Media and Sports (DCMS) and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) on matters that affect the amateur theatre sector and its members. It is also keen to promote new writing and the acquisition of high-quality skills in all areas of the Performing Arts.
LTG recognises that theatre practitioners and venue owners are stronger if they all work together.
Where can I find out more about the LTG?
On the window ledge half way up the stairs to the Morris Room there is a selection of LTG News Letters and at least one copy of the Year Book which lists all the member companies and what plays they have performed in the previous year and what audiences they have had for each play. A handy guide to see what is currently attracting audiences across the country. Each member also gives a brief overview of their year gone by.
Ralf Togneri (LTG Rep)
LTG Produces a series of 'Grey Papers' being consultation/advice documents for its member theatres. The current selection of Grey Papers is listed below - each linking to a pdf of the paper in question:
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Grey Paper No. 2 - October 2001 – The Protection of Children and the CRB
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Grey Paper No. 4 - February 2002 – Applying to Policy Makers & Funders
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Grey Paper No. 6 - Writing a Health and Safety Policy for your Theatre.
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Grey Paper No. 7 - April 2003 – Guide to Some Aspects of the use of Copyright Music in Theatres
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Grey Paper No. 11 - September 2004 - Employment Law for Theatres
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Grey Paper No. 18 – March 2012 – Charities, Charitable Giving & Gift Aid
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Grey Paper No. 19 - December 2012 - Disclosure and Barring Service
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Grey Paper No 19a - May 2019 - Disclosure and Barring Service
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Grey Paper No. 20 - April 2013 - The Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme
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Grey Paper No. 21 - Improving Culture, arts and sporting opportunities through planning
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Grey Paper No. 24 - November 2014 - Health and Safety Risk Assessment
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Grey Paper No 29 - May 2019 - Child Safeguarding - Guidance and Best Practice