Leeds Civic Arts Guild-a potted history

photo of Civic Theatre view from the wings architectural detail exterior of Civic Theatre plaster detail from Civic Theatre foyer exterior of The Carriageworks construction
A potted history of the Leeds Civic Arts Guild & Leeds Civic Theatre

* apologies for an omissions at this time - this is very much a 'work in progress'

Personal recollections of some of the memorable times:

The 43/a Years:
Leeds Civic Arts Guild was based in the building across the street from the Leeds Civic Theatre, known simply as 43/43a. Built in 1864 by Leeds architect Cuthbert Brodrick, originally as shops, It was part of one of the smallest buildings designed by Brodrick who also designed in Leeds the Town Hall, the Corn Exchange and the Mechanics Institute (part of which was developed to create the Leeds Civic Theatre).
The LCAG was forced to move out of 43/a when the building was finally condemned by the council in July 1975 (it turns out that the building was listed and therefore couldn't just be knocked down).

The small inner frame to the window on the far right of the photograph was used by societies to advertise upcoming shows - posters and props were displayed within the frame. The building to the right (out of view) was where our scenery was stored and painted before being carried across the road to the Civic Theatre and assembled onstage.

Meeting taking place in the 1st floor canteen area of 43

exterior of 43/43a March 2005

After many years of standing derelict and neglected the old building was finally renovated and became a popular restaurant and bar.

exterior of 43/43a with new buildings attached

Note the building that has been added onto the left-side of 43 - it's a bar on the ground floor and apartments above, and the development looks out over Millennium Square.

The Stansfeld Chambers Years:
In July 1975 the Guild moved 150 yards, (down Cookridge Street and turn right) into Stansfeld Chambers on Great George Street. Stansfeld became our rehearsal and meeting base, while scenery had to be stored elsewhere. For a while this included the Gaumont on Cookridge Street, as well as places miles away such as Burley Mills and Meanwood Baths. Our flats traveled miles going back and forth in the back of lorries and trucks. The actual scenery workshop at this time was a small room (that was opposite the backstage door in the theatre), until the basement of the theatre building was vacated by City of Leeds School who had been using it as their dining hall. At last, all our scenery and props could be stored onsite, with a large workshop area.

Again, after a number of years the now almost derelict Stansfeld Chambers became a prime site for redevelopment (being next to the new Millennium Square) and the LCAG faced another major relocation.

The Civic Theatre - at last all our facilities on one single site:
Fortunately the basement rooms of the Leeds Civic Theatre were vacated when the Leeds College of Music moved out to their brand new buildings. At last, all our facilities could be accommodated in one place, at our 'spiritual home' the Leeds Civic Theatre. The basement rooms became our new rehearsal rooms (7 of them) and storage rooms for societies own costumes and props, and it was all next to the scenery workshops ....... everything on one single site.

It all seemed too good to be true. Within a very short time the Guild received devastating news. The Civic Theatre was going to shut.

The local council had decided that now that there was Lottery monies available, they wanted to close the theatre completely and convert the entire building into a city museum. This came as a huge shock to many people, as only a few years earlier the council had actually consulted with the Guild about how the building could be fully utilized as a city arts centre. Now the place was going to be wiped off the map completely. It became clear that the council wasn't considering the needs of the Guild, as we hadn't been consulted and no alternatives were discussed.

A new chapter in the Guild's history was about to start ....

the campaign to Save The Leeds Civic Theatre.

The campaign was an incredible success, supported by thousands of Leeds residents and the local press (especially the Yorkshire Post). Letters and emails were sent to Councillors, MPs, famous 'past members' of the Guild and just about anyone and everyone who might support saving the Civic .... crucial to the future of the LCAG community based there as well as the theatre going public. The press, council and local politicians were flooded with letters supporting the Save The Civic Campaign. Members of the Guild held regular meetings with the politicians and councillors, and even presented the case for saving the Civic at Council Meetings in the Civic Hall. Many people worked tirelessly, but the council wouldn't budge ... the Civic would have to close as Leeds needed to replace the City Museum that had been bombed during WWII. The Herritage Lottery Fund were to be asked to pay for the museum's development. People pleeded with the council to reconsider, and build a brand new museum on one of the many other proposed city locations. The answer was a very definate NO. However, the huge amount of public support shown towards the Civic Theatre during the campaign led the council to reconsider their decission to just shut down the theatre and not replace the city centre facilities. They offered to build a replacement theatre, ironically within the old Stansfeld Chambers/Portland Chambers buildings. What's more, the council made the commitment that the theatre and it's facilities would be as good as if not better than we had at the Civic Theatre, and that the LCAG would be involved at every stage of the development. What's more, we wouldn't have to leave the Civic until the new theatre was ready. This wasn't seen by everyone as an ideal solution, as many people wanted to remain in the Civic Theatre, but it was the best (and only) deal available. The theatre would be completed in late 2004, and was to be called The Carriageworks.

exterior of Civic Theatre in early 1960's

Civic Theatre, November 1960 (note that the theatre had an illuminated sign over the arched entrance-later removed by the council)

29 March 2005

the crypt before it became the scenery store and workshop

backstage 1960's

view of stage from the balcony, 2003

Civic Theatre, 2004-viewed from across Millennium Square

In January 1948	groups (including Leeds Children's Theatre) were approached with an offer to amalgamate and form the Leeds Arts Centre.
October 1960	the Leeds Civic Theatre now has a grid.
May 1963	reference was made to "the redevelopment programme" and the possibility that we might loose the theatre within the next 10 years.
March 1966	Civic Theatre manager Mr Holmes retired
December 1966	the Guild reported that the demolition of our rehearsal rooms (43 Cookridge Street) was due in early 1967. New premises should be ready by 3 June 1967. It was suspected that the groups may no longer be able to use the theatre and that it would only be available to the Music Centre and surrounding colleges (i.e. not a public theatre at all). No replacement scenery and storage facilities were mentioned.
1967	LCAG has 1200 members, each paying subs of 10 shillings pa. The Guild was estimating that they would need £1000 to paint the new accommodation.
January 1968	the move from 43 Cookridge Street was called off due to the extensive work that would be needed to make the alternative accommodation acceptable. Mr Derek Rose is the theatre manager. The 'Leeds Theatre Trust Fund' was set up in order to raise funds for a new Leeds Rep. Theatre (Leeds Playhouse). Many societies (incl Leeds Children's Theatre) supported this by 'purchasing' a seat for the new theatre.
October 1972	it was reported that the rehearsal rooms would close in less than a year. New accommodation rooms in "Chorley & Pickersgill's" weren't ready, so we might have to rehearse in various city locations, with a "division of our unit membership".
December 1972	reported that 43 Cookridge Street would be available to the end of the season. The new 'Music Centre' was the council's aim, with the Guild then using the theatre building.
February 1973	it was announced that the Chorley & Pickersgill building was due to be demolished in 10 years time, so Leeds City Council were not prepared to spend money on converting it. Assurance was given that 43 Cookridge Street would not be demolished until new premises were found.
December 1973	it was announced that the guild's new premises would be the Juvenile Employment Bureau.
July 1974	it was announced that theatre manager, Mr Derek Rose, was leaving for a new job (as FOH manager at the Alhambra, Bradford – then to St George's Hall. Mr Fred Mower became Theatre Manager/Stage Manager.
December 1974	the Leeds Playhouse cancelled the Amateur Drama Festival that had been planned to take place there in June/July 1975.
Mid July 1975	the Guild vacated 43 and moved to Stansfeld Chambers. Ian [resident theatre electrician at the Civic] left to go to Bristol.
December 1975	Guild affiliation fee rose to £1 pa per member, in order to cover the heating costs etc of Stansfeld Chambers (estimated to be £500 pa)
April 1976,	it was announced that a shower was to be fitted backstage at the Civic Theatre.
July 1976	announced that the Guild wanted to buy the Civic theatre a cyclorama.
September 1976	noted that the Guild did not have suitable accommodation for scenery painting, as the scene dock was being used for this.
June 1976	large increase in the theatre hire costs were noted by Guild societies
25 May 1977	the College of Music Opera Group did a commemorative performance of Falstaff, for Mrs Joyce Mower (wife of theatre manager, Mr Fred Mower)
October 1979	Guild scenery was now being stored at Meanwood Baths
March 1980	Mr Fred Mower retired. Mr Brian Goddard was appointed as the General Manager of Leeds Civic Theatre. During his five years in Leeds attendances rose steadily, necessitating a refurbishment and an increase in the seating capacity in 1984.
1984	Leeds Civic Theatre was refurbished
1985	Mr Brian Goddard left the Leeds Civic Theatre to take up the post of Director of Darlington Civic Theatre.
-	Mr G Mogridge became Manager of Leeds Civic Theatre
-	Mr S Cartwright became Manager of Leeds Civic Theatre
-	LCAG vacated Stansfeld Chambers and moved into the Civic Theatre
2001	It was announced that Leeds Civic Theatre was to close, and Leeds City Council will build a new Civic Theatre (cost £5 ½ million). The Museum Exhibition Gallery is to be located in the Institute building, by way of a HLF lottery bid (£23 million). Guild formed CAG to coordinate support for the Save the Civic campaign.
May 2005	Leeds Civic Theatre finally closed, with Leeds Children's Theatre's Peter Pan
	(source ~ taken from various minutes taken at guild society meetings)
November 2005	The new Carriageworks theatre finally opens its doors. Leeds Children's Theatre are the first Guild society to open, with The Ideal Gnome Expedition. The Carriageworks has a new manager, David Roche.