WHAT WE DO
"This company is nothing short of miraculous. A beacon for the Arts” Brian Blessed OBE, GSC Honorary Patron
Art, in all its forms, contains the unparalleled ability to transform lives. Whether it is a watercolour being looked at, a book being read aloud, a dance at a wedding or a piece of live theatre, art has the power to take us to places we have never been and feel emotions we’ve never felt, inspiring us to new ideas and ways of looking at the world around us, and how we live in it.
Although much is made of art being easily accessible to everyone, it still carries certain misconceptions and stigma: that it is an expensive ‘hobby’; it’s for an educated elite; or something that’s ‘not for me’. At GSC, our mandate is to challenge those perceptions and encourage a new way to experience theatre-going and arts engagement.
“Inventive, entrepreneurial. Bravo.” The Daily Telegraph
Founded by Sarah Gobran and Matt Pinches in 2006, who still lead the company, Guildford Shakespeare began with a simple mission to create exceptional theatre in extraordinary places. By re-igniting people’s passion for theatre-going we've sought to break down the boundaries that preclude participation, encouraging inclusivity and accessibility for everyone.
Our site-responsive approach to productions place the audience right at the heart of the action, immersing them in the world of the play. Using churches, castles, galleries, museums, quarries, lakes, and even a real Boeing 747, we encourage audiences to interact with their shared space and heritage, engaging with the stories as more than just something to watch.
"Monday nights were filled with a purpose and over time a real sense of belonging and renewed connection." Parent
The GSC Outreach and Education department work with some 24,000 people, young and old, across the region, in a variety of settings. A large part of this work is aimed at improving engagement for socially excluded groups and the least advantaged in our community. Projects range from primary after-school clubs to programmes for families with teenagers living with mental health challenges and Young Carers.
We have received numerous awards for community engagement, including the Inclusivity, Diversity and Equality Award from the Institute of Directors in 2023.
GSC is based in Guildford, Surrey, 35 miles from Central London, at the foot of the Surrey Hills. Our office and rehearsal rooms are in the beautiful Stoke Park.