Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Glasgow's Premier Community Theatre Since 1949
Established in 1949, Giffnock Theatre Players has been a cornerstone of Glasgow's South Side cultural scene for over seven decades. Our company was founded on the vision of creating a community theatre that would serve as both a creative hub and a source of high-quality drama. From our inaugural production of Grand National Night in 1949 to our current season featuring classic works like Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, we have consistently delivered professional-standard performances. Our journey has seen us evolve from temporary rehearsal spaces to securing our own dedicated premises in 1983, while maintaining a commitment to theatrical excellence.We pioneered Theatre In Education initiatives and continue to engage local schools through workshops. With a loyal patronage system supporting our operations, we present four to five productions annually at Eastwood Park Theatre. Our history includes collaborations with notable talents like Rikki Fulton in our early years. While our founders' dream of a dedicated repertory theatre remains unfulfilled, we remain dedicated to preserving local theatrical traditions through our annual seasons of drama.
Services
Theatre productions
Educational workshops
Community events
Drama workshops
Venue hire
Details
- Year established: 1949
Highlights and features
- We have produced quality theatre for over 75 years
- Our dedicated premises support full production capabilities
- We offer educational workshops for schools and colleges
- Our patronage system ensures consistent audience support
- We maintain historical continuity with our founding vision
Associations and certifications
- Registered Scottish Charity SC014906
Services
Theatre productions
We produce high-quality drama across multiple genres at Eastwood Park Theatre. Our seasons feature classic works by playwrights like Oscar Wilde alongside contemporary pieces. Each production benefits from decades of experience and professional-standard direction.
Educational workshops
Our Theatre In Education programme delivers practical workshops for schools and colleges. These sessions combine performance skills development with curriculum-linked content. We've hosted successful educational initiatives since the early 2000s.
Community events
We organise regular community-focused performances and events at our East Kilbride venue. Our activities support local talent development and cultural engagement. We've maintained community ties since our 1948 founding.
People
Tom Craston
Founder
One of three founding members who established the dramatic club in 1948. Presented the original vision for a community theatre at the inaugural meeting.
Alan Mackill
Founder
Co-founder and director of the first production Grand National Night. Played key role in establishing early operations and attracting talent.
Major Gray
Founder
One of the visionary trio that started Glasgow's South Side theatre company. Contributed to forming the constitution at the 1949 Extraordinary General Meeting.
Questions
How can I join Giffnock Theatre Players?
Contact us via email at [email protected] to discuss participation in future productions or volunteer opportunities.
Where do you perform?
We primarily perform at Eastwood Park Theatre in Giffnock, with occasional shows at East Kilbride's Village Theatre.
What types of productions do you stage?
Our seasons feature a mix of classic dramas, comedies, and contemporary works, including recent productions of Whisky Galore! and The Importance of Being Earnest.
Do you offer educational programs?
Yes, we provide Theatre In Education workshops for schools and colleges as part of our seasonal programming.
How long have you been operating?
We've been producing drama since 1949, making us Glasgow's longest-established South Side theatre company.
