# Gordon Craig Theatre

The Gordon Craig Theatre is a theatre in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. Opened in 1975, the 501-seat theatre on Lytton Way houses a rehearsal room, scenic workshop, wardrobe, café, bar, and art gallery.

## Overview

The theatre is housed in the Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre, which is situated on Lytton Way, and takes its name from Edward Gordon Craig, the theatre practitioner who was born less than a mile away. Designed to accommodate orchestral concerts alongside produced and visiting theatrical events, it has also been used to screen films and host organ recitals. The Theatres Trust describes the theatre as: "probably the best-designed civic entertainment centre of its type in the country".
The theatre was officially opened in February 1976 by HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
The Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre contains two halls. The smaller of these is the Gordon Craig Theatre itself, which has a capacity of 501. The stage features a proscenium up to 12.2m wide and the stage depth is 7.62m. The theatre boasts a proud tradition of presenting plays, pantomime, opera, dance and orchestral concerts.
Also located within the Arts & Leisure Centre is the Concert Hall, derived from a large gymnasium, which has a capacity of 1,200. The concert hall plays host to a variety of shows including live music and comedy.

## History

From the early 1960s there was discussion on the need for an Arts / Leisure centre in the new town of Stevenage. In 1968, Stevenage Arts Trust resolved to commence the building of an Arts Centre on land granted by Stevenage Development Corporation. Architects Messrs Vincent, Gorbing and Partners drew up detailed plans for a 488-seat theatre to cost £300,000. The scheme was put on hold due to a lack of capital. In 1968 a feasibility study was commissioned by Stevenage Urban District Council and the Stevenage Development Corporation for a combined Arts/Sports Centre. In 1969 Stevenage Urban District Council and Stevenage Development Corporation accepted the Initial Design Brief prepared by the architects. In 1972, the architects confirmed that the final design drawings were completed, the final cost was estimated at £1,610,218. The foundation stone was laid on 14 June 1974 by Baroness Lee, the former Labour minister, Jennie Lee. Opening for The Danesgate Theatre, as the building was then to be known, was planned for November 1975.

### Naming and Openings

On the suggestion of Roger Dyason, the first Arts' Manager of the Centre, proposal was made in August 1975 to a Full Council Meeting of Stevenage Borough Council that the theatre should be named The Gordon Craig Theatre. This motion was passed. The £2.7 million sports and arts centre opened to the public on 3 November 1975 with a gala variety bill produced by Bunny Baron featuring Ted Rogers. The Leisure Centre was officially opened in February 1976 by HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, accompanied by the Director of Leisure Services at Stevenage Borough Council, Mr M. L. Banks.

### Design

The theatre has a plain, fan-shaped auditorium with excellent sightlines. It is a modern, fully-equipped touring and, occasionally, producing theatre with fourteen dressing rooms, and an optional orchestra pit. it has also been used for cinema screenings.
Architect Ray Gorbing's original exterior design proved controversial. It attracted both admirers and those horrified at the aesthetic of the building. Panels of glass and reinforced plastic had been used to insulate the building against noise from rail, road and overhead aircraft. The orange coloured cladding led to it being nicknamed "Gorbing’s orange box". The Architects' Journal described the building: "designed as a simple rectangular coloured box… it reflects the integration of activities within and also expresses the introvert nature of these activities…the bright colour provides a positive image." The orange cladding was later replaced.

## Performances

The programme offered by the Gordon Craig Theatre is currently strongly focused on music (including tribute bands), comedy, popular dance, popular entertainment and family shows. The theatre also plays host to productions presented by local amateur and community groups. In addition, since 2012 the theatre has produced three shows in-house annually, incorporating musicals and drama.

### Pantomimes

One of the major highlights of the yearly programme is the pantomime.
Pantomimes at The Gordon Craig Theatre :
| Year | Production | Cast Included: | Director | Producer | Ticket Prices | Features |
| 1975/1976 | Dick Whittington | George Chishold, Alan Wells, Don Crann, Sandra Carrier, Jackie Gaytone, Graham Woolnough | | Bunny Baron | £0.70–1.00 | |
| 1976/1977 | Cinderella | Adrienne Posta, Anita Graham, Elizabeth Suggars, Henry Metcalfe, Stanley Beard, Vivienne McKee | Robin Bowditch | Mark Furness | £1.00–1.40 | two real ponies |
| 1977/1978 | Babes in the Wood | Alan Granville, Davies and Gray, Elise Gilman-Abel, Eunice Black, Jan Austen, John Boulter, John Bromley, Rodney Diak | Tony Clayton | | £1.10–1.60 | |
| 1978/1979 | Mother Goose | | | | | |
| 1979/1980 | Aladdin | Alan Randall, Carol Leroy, David Barry, David Masterman, George Reibbitt, Roz Cole, Sara Rae-Maddern, Valentine Palmer | Ron Richards | Malcolm Knight | £1.40–2.00 | |
| 1980/1981 | Jack and the Beanstalk | Bob Grant, Charlie Gray | Ron Richards | Malcolm Knight | £1.80 - £2.50 | |
| 1981/1982 | Sinbad the Sailor | Alan Randall, Ken Wilson, Michele Breeze, Richard Wilding, Adam Daye and John O’Flynn | Ron Richards | Malcolm Knight | £2.20–3.20 | |
| 1982/1983 | Goldilocks and the Three Bears | Deborah Watling, Colin Baker, Michael Sharvill Martin, Spencer K Gibbins, Davis & Field | | | | |
| 1983/1984 | Cinderella | Peter Byrne, Betty Benfield, Kathryn Apanowicz, Ken Wood, Linda Hayden, Nigel Ellacot, Peter Robbins, Spencer K. Gibbins | Peter Byrne | Paul Elliott | £2.25–4.00 | Perrier Petite Ponies |
| 1984/1985 | Puss in Boots | Andrew Betts, Bobby Crush, Carol Leroy, Georgina Cole Young Set, Jane Stevens, John Ayldon, Mimi Law | | Charles Haley Productions | £2.25 - £4.00 | |
| 1985/1986 | Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs | Nicholas Smith, Nicola Bryant | Kevin Wood | Kevin Wood Productions | | |
| 1986/1987 | Aladdin | Floella Benjamin, Paul Laidlaw, Peter Denyer | | Kevin Wood Productions | | |
| 1987/1988 | Dick Whittington | Ian Lavender, Ricky Simmons, Jane Hardy, Peter Denyer | | Kevin Wood Productions | £2.80–5.30 | |
| 1988/1989 | Babes in the Wood | John Clegg, Nigel Pivaro, Paul Laidlaw, Tessa Hatts | Paul Laidlaw | Kevin Wood Productions | £3.25–5.95 | a real waterfall |
| 1989/1990 | Cinderella | Barbara Windsor, Richard Whitmore, Bobbie Lawrence, Paul Laidlaw, Steve Marsh, Richard Swerrun | Paul Laidlaw | Kevin Wood Productions | £3.25–6.50 | |
| 1990/1991 | Mother Goose | Alfred Marks, Terry Hall, Paul Laidlaw, Steve Marsh, Dorothy Vernon, Claire Woyka, Peter Russell, Nigel Makin | | Kevin Wood Productions | £3.50–7.00 | dancing fountains |
| 1991/1992 | Jack and the Beanstalk | Ruth Madoc, Paul Laidlaw, Steve Marsh | Paul Laidlaw | Kevin Wood Productions | £4.65–8.15 | |
| 1992/1993 | Puss in Boots | Jack Smethurst, Paul Laidlaw, David Horn, Terry Gleed, Andrew Truluck | Paul Laidlaw | Kevin Wood Productions | | |
| 1993/1994 | Aladdin | Barbara Windsor, Paul Laidlaw, Jeff Stevenson | Paul Laidlaw | Kevin Wood Productions | £5.00–9.50 | flying carpet, cascading waterfall |
| 1994/1995 | Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs | Maggie Dence (Neighbours), Michelle Hatch, Warwick Davis, Kim Smith, Andrew Truluck | Malcolm Farquhar | Kevin Wood Productions | | |
| 1995/1996 | Dick Whittington | John Altman, Colin Deveraux, John Pickard, Mark Rattray, Andrew Truluck, Amanda Noar | Peter Denyer | Kevin Wood Productions | | |
| 1996/1997 | Sleeping Beauty | Kate O'mara, Mark Rattray | Peter Denyer | Kevin Wood Pantomimes | £6.50–11.25 | |
| 1997/1998 | Jack and the Beanstalk | Toby Anstis, Jess Conrad, Colin Devereaux, Alistair Divall, Deborah Chad | Peter Denyer | Kevin Wood Pantomimes | £7.00–11.25 | |
| 1998/1999 | Cinderella | Romana D'Annunzio, Arvid Larsen, Paul Zerdin, Richard Cawley, Scott St Martyn, Richard Whitmore, Joanne Conway | Peter Denyer | Kevin Wood Pantomimes | | Ice Skating Scene |
| 1999/2000 | Aladdin | Diane Louise Jordan (Blue Peter), Colin Devereaux, Warwick Davis, Marcel Bracks (Heartbreak High) and Philip Madoc | Peter Denyer | Kevin Wood Pantomimes | £7.95–12.45 | jewelled cavern, laser spectacular |
| 2000/2001 | Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs | Toyah Willcox, Colin Devereaux, Warwick Davis, Jez Edwards, Scott St Martyn, Sophie Martin, Stephen Gaunt | Peter Denyer | Kevin Wood Pantomimes | £7.25–12.85 | laser in the forest |
| 2001/2002 | Dick Whittingdon | Jez Edwards, Jonathan Owen, Lynette McMorrough, Peter Duncan, Philip Madoc, Scott St Martin | Peter Denyer | Kevin Wood Pantomimes | | laser show |
| 2002/2003 | Cinderella | Bradley Walsh, Jack Edwards, Lynette McMorrough, Melissa Familly, Scott St Martyn, Stephen Hunt | Peter Denyer | Kevin Wood Pantomimes | | Real Ponies and Carriage |
| 2003/2004 | Jack and the Beanstalk | Bradley Walsh, Paul Laidlaw, Emily Brooks, Jack Edwards, Ben Dudley, Amanda Hall | Paul Laidlaw | Kevin Wood Pantomimes | | Laser Show |
| 2004/2005 | Aladdin | Gemma Harris, Graham Kent, Lucy Benjamin, Mike McClean, Paul Laidlaw, Scott St Martyn | Paul Laidlaw | Kevin Wood Pantomimes | £8.00–17.00 | Laser Show |
| 2005/2006 | Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs | Shane Lynch, Sarah Shepherd, Paul Laidlaw, Ben Roddy, Steve Walls | Paul Laidlaw | Kevin Wood Pantomimes | £10.00–17.75 | |
| 2006/2007 | Dick Whittington | Paul Laidlaw, Jack Edwards, Sheila Ferguson (The Three Degrees and I'm a Celebrity), Stefan Booth (Hollyoaks) | Paul Laidlaw | Evolution Pantomimes | £9.00–19.50 | Projection Underwater Scene |
| 2007/2008 | Cinderella | Ben Nicholas, Amanda Barrie, Paul Laidlaw, Scott St. Martyn, Ben Roddy, Rachel Jerram | Paul Laidlaw | Evolution Pantomimes | | Real Ponies and Carriage |
| 2008/2009 | Jack and the Beanstalk | Ben Nicholas, David Spinx, Claire Huckle, Kate Burrell, Keith Miller, Paul Burling, Paul Laidlaw, Scott St Martyn | Paul Laidlaw | Evolution Pantomimes | | Laser Show |
| 2009/2010 | Aladdin | John Altman, Paul Laidlaw, Tom Beard, Phil Holden, Junix Inocian, Kate Burrell, Craig Perry, Laura Emmitt | Paul Laidlaw | Evolution Pantomimes | | Laser Show |
| 2010/2011 | Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs | Sue Holderness, Daniel Boys, Paul Laidlaw, Katie Rowley-Jones, Chris Clarkson, Claire Rickard | Paul Laidlaw | Jordan Productions | | Snow Scene |
| 2011/2012 | Beauty and the Beast | Bernie Nolan, Paul Laidlaw, Leanne Jones, Chris Clarkson, Rachel Jerram, Graham James, Simon Pontin | Chris Jordan | Jordan Productions | | Magical Flying end of Act 1 |
| 2012/2013 | Robin Hood | Brian Capron, Paul Laidlaw, Tracey Penn, David Dobson, Ray Griffiths, Paul Bentley, John Alistair, Francesca Leyland | Chris Jordan | Jordan Productions | | Waterfall and Rain |
| 2013/2014 | Cinderella | Gillian Wright, Paul Laidlaw, Derek Walker, Scott Cripps, Rebecca Tyson, Rebecca Lisewski, Imogen Brooke, Graham James | Chris Jordan | Jordan Productions | | Flying Horse and Carriage |
| 2014/2015 | Aladdin | Shaun Williamson, Paul Laidlaw, Junix Inocian, Aidan O'Neill, Hannah Malekzad, CG Fraser, Micha Richardson, Christina Hoey, Adam Shorey | Chris Jordan | Jordan Productions | | Laser Show |
| 2015/2016 | Sleeping Beauty | Wendi Peters, Paul Laidlaw, Aidan O'Neill, Gregor Stewart, Daniella Piper, Nicola Bryan, Paul Bentley | Chris Jordan | Jordan Productions | | CO2 Jets, Flame Projections |
| 2016/2017 | Peter Pan | Tom Lister, Paul Laidlaw, Aidan O'Neill, Twist & Pulse, Ewan Goddard, Laura Baldwin, Amanda Coutts, Sinead Long, Amy Oxley | Chris Jordan | Jordan Productions | | Water Fountains and Ball Pit |
| 2017/2018 | Jack and the Beanstalk | Cliff Parisi, Melanie Masson, Paul Laidlaw, Aidan O'Neill, Lisa Mathieson, Victoria Farley, Sion Tudor Owen, Matt Lee-Steer | Chris Jordan | Jordan Productions | | Giant Beanstalk that was climable |
| 2018/2019 | Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs | Hannah-Jane Fox, Matt Lapinskas, Paul Laidlaw, Aidan O'Neill, Hannah Boyce, Ray Griffiths, Lee Hill, Greg Doherty, Hayley Burroughs, Karen Anderson, Mark Sealey, James Lusted | Chris Jordan | Jordan Productions | | Snow Scene |
| 2019/2020 | Beauty and the Beast | Carli Norris, Paul Laidlaw, Aidan O'Neill, Grace Lancaster, Alex Scott-Fairley, Rebecca Vere, Neil Stewart | Chris Jordan | Jordan Productions | | Auditorium Flying |
| 2021/2022 | Aladdin | Aidan O'Neill, Stuart Nurse, Alex Wright, Steven Serlin | Chris Jordan | Jordan Productions | | Water Pit and Slosh! |
| 2022/2023 | Cinderella | Aidan O'Neill, Chris Aukett, Christian Andrews, Harriet Bunton, Tara Yasmin, Gabby Williams, Rosemary Annabella Nkrumah | Chris Jordan | Jordan Productions | £12.50 - 27.50 | Flying Horse |
| 2023/2024 | Sleeping Beauty | Aidan O'Neill, Bobby Delaney, Glenn Adamson, Emma O'Dell, Nicola Bryan, Raquel Jones, Paul Kemble | Chris Jordan | Jordan Productions | £13.50 - 29.00 | Dragon, Time Machine |
| 2024/2025 | Peter Pan | Aidan O'Neill, Steven Serlin, Mark Siney, Billy Vale, Ellie Clayton, Jenay Naima, Rebecca Lisewski, Lyndan Barclay, Alfie Harris | Chris Jordan | Jordan Productions | £14.50 - 32.00 | Water Fountains, Rocking Boat and Ball Pit |

### Gordon Craig Theatre Productions

Productions made in-house at The Gordon Craig Theatre :
| Opening Date | Production | Cast Included: | Director | Musical Director | Set Design | Other Creative Team Members |
| 16 June 1999 | Noel and Gertie | Ian Lavender, Kate O'mara | Christopher Wren | Greg Arrowsmith | | Bob Bustance (LX) |
| 3 April 2002 | Pinocchio | | | Greg Arrowsmith | | |
| 26 August 2003 | Crazy for You | | | | | |
| 14 April 2004 | Hansel and Gretel | | Paul Laidlaw | Greg Arrowsmith | | |
| 24 August 2004 | Titanic: The Musical | | Paul Laidlaw | Chris Keen | | |
| 15 August 2005 | 42nd Street | | | | | |
| 2 April 2008 | Peter Pan: The Musical | Jeremy Barlow, Granville Saxton, Sarah George, Rachel Jerram | Paul Laidlaw | Peter Golding | Helga Wood | Bob Bustance (LX)Jacqueline Mason (Choreography) Luke Hyde (Sound) |
| 15 April 2009 | Beauty and the Beast | Katie Lavelli, Wesley Hughes, Jim Welsman, Amy Bird | Paul Laidlaw | Robert Cousins | Helga Wood | Bob Bustance (LX)Jacqueline Mason (Choreography) Luke Hyde (Sound) |
| 14 April 2010 | The Adventures of Mr Toad | Chris Nelson, James Rowntree, Matt Lee-Steer, Granville Saxton, Stuart Simons, Amy Bird, Nerys Martin, Emil Dale, Danielle Fennymore, James Williamson | Paul Laidlaw | Tom Gearing | Andy Newell | Bob Bustance (LX) Jacqueline Mason (Choreography) Dave Nott (Sound) |
| 16 August 2010 | Guys and Dolls | Elizabeth Pruett, Bradley Clarkson, Nerys Martin, Andrew Hodson | Tracy Collier | Chris Keen | Scenic Projects | Bob Bustance (LX) Drew Varley (Choreography) Luke Hyde (Sound) |
| 20 April 2011 | The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe | Kimberly Ensor, Chris Skinner, Amy Bird, James Williamson, James Rowntree, Emil Dale, Amber Wallis | Catherine Lomax | Tom Gearing | Scenic Projects | Bob Bustance (LX) Flik Swan (Choreography) Dave Nott (Sound) |
| 11 April 2012 | Pinocchio: Gepetto's Musical Tale | Harriet Lomax, Claire Rickard, Stephan Dean, Rakesh Boury, James Franklin, Nathan Lubbock-Smith, Caroline Rodgers, Rob Paice, Michelle White | Catherine Lomax | Rob Cousins | Andy Newell | John Maddox (LX) Philip Joel (Choreography) Luke Hyde (Sound) |
| 16 August 2012 | The Sound of Music | Natalie Blenford, Wendy-Lee Purdy, Amy Percival, Amy Bird, Michelle White, Lawrence Stubbins, Kim Taylforth, Matthew Waters | Catherine Lomax | Chris Keen | Scenic Projects | John Maddox (LX) Khiley Williams (Choreography) Luke Hyde (Sound) |
| 18 October 2012 | Woman in Mind | Chris Clarkson, Angie Smith, Tim Heath, Ian Houghton | Catherine Lomax | | Michael Humphries | Ben Locke (LX) Phil Nunnington (Sound) |
| 11 April 2013 | Peter Pan | Amy Bird, Grace Lewis, David Haydn, Sarah Lawn, Martyn Payne | Catherine Lomax | Phil Dennis | Andy Newell | John Maddox (LX)Khiley Williams (Choreography) Luke Hyde (Sound) |
| 22 August 2013 | Fame | Ricardo Castro, Brett Nelson, Matt Lee Steer, Kimberley Ensor, Cris Blackham | Catherine Lomax | Chris Keen | Andy Newell | John Maddox (LX) Khiley Williams (Choreography) Luke Hyde (Sound) |
| 16 April 2014 | James and the Giant Peach | Louisa Roberts, Olivia Holland-Rose, Ryan Owen, Caroline Rodgers, Laura Crowhurst | Catherine Lomax | Robert Cousins | Andy Newell | Pete Kramer (LX) Khiley Williams (Choreography) Luke Hyde (Sound) Lisa Hickey (Costume) |
| 18 August 2014 | Hairspray | Francesca Fenech, Linda John-Pierre, Simon Anthony, Daniel Page | Catherine Lomax | Chris Keen | Scenic Projects | Pete Kramer (LX)Khiley Williams (Choreography) Luke Hyde (Sound) Lisa Hickey (Costume) |
| 15 April 2015 | Charlotte's Web | Harriet Payne, Cameron Leigh, Will Brechin | Catherine Lomax | Phil Dennis | Andy Newell | Pete Kramer (LX) Khiley Williams (Choreography) Luke Hyde (Sound) Lisa Hickey (Costume) |
| 18 August 2015 | Sister Act | Michelle Chantelle Hopewell, Arthur Bostrom, Pippa Winslow | Catherine Lomax | Chris Keen | Scenic Projects | Pete Kramer (LX) Khiley Williams (Choreography) Luke Hyde (Sound) Lisa Hickey (Costume) |
| 21 October 2015 | Moonlight and Magnolias | Mark Little, Alexis Caley | Catherine Lomax | | Al Rivers | |
| 24 March 2016 | Alice in Wonderland | Thomas Sutcliffe, Natasha Karp, Abbie Chambers | Catherine Lomax | Phil Dennis | Andy Newell | Pete Kramer (LX) Khiley Williams (Choreography) Luke Hyde (Sound) Lisa Hickey (Costume) |
| 17 August 2016 | Singin in the Rain | Mike Denman, Katie Warsop, Craig Armstrong | Catherine Lomax | Chris Keen | UK Productions | Pete Kramer (LX) Khiley Williams (Choreography) Luke Hyde (Sound) Lisa Hickey (Costume) |
| 5 October 2016 | Bedroom Farce | Caroline Rodgers, Chris Aukett, Ben Roddy, Paul Lavers | Catherine Lomax | | Al Rivers | |
| 13 April 2017 | Rapunzel | Samantha Noel, Cameron Leigh, James Donovan, Julie Stark | Catherine Lomax | Phil Dennis | Andy Newell | Pete Kramer (LX) Khiley Williams (Choreography) Luke Hyde (Sound) Lisa Hickey (Costume) |
| 29 August 2017 | The Producers | Ali Bastian, Paul Easom, Ryan Owen, Oliver Stanley, Daniel Page, Phil Joel | Catherine Lomax | Phil Dennis | Scenic Projects | Pete Kramer (LX) Khiley Williams (Choreography) Luke Hyde (Sound) Lisa Hickey (Costume) |
| 1 November 2017 | Up 'n' Under | Gemma Oaten | Ben Roddy | | Connor Norris | Dawn Meadowcroft (LX) |
| 1 April 2018 | Sleeping Beauty | | Catherine Lomax | Phil Dennis | Connor Norris | Pete Kramer (LX) Khiley Williams (Choreography) Luke Hyde (Sound) Lisa Hickey (Costume) |
| 9 May 2018 | Neighbourhood Watch | Victoria Fitz-Gerald, Catherine McDonough, Paul Lavers | Catherine Lomax | | | |
| 28 August 2018 | Oklahoma | | Catherine Lomax | Robert Scott | Scenic Projects | Pete Kramer (LX) Khiley Williams (Choreography) Luke Hyde (Sound) Lisa Hickey (Costume) |
| 2 August 2022 | Little Shop of Horrors(Co-Production withOutside the Box Productions) | Cameron Neale, Daisy Amphlett, Connor Daly, Toby Boutall, Ellie Muir, Taylor Crampton, Pippa Williams | Alison Kaby | Jonny Gibson-Smith | Scenic Projects | Matt Carney (LX)Emily Cusden (Choreography) Joe Leggett (Sound) Amber Botteley (Costume) Amy Ellis-Hall (DSM on the Book) |

### Visiting Amateur Groups

The Gordon Craig Theatre was conceived by the local authority to provide amenities for Stevenage residents. It was built to a specification to allow use by large amateur operatic and dramatic societies with elaborate productions. Its design architect, Ray Gorbing, was an avid member of local group The Stevenage Lytton Players. Many local schools, colleges, dance, theatre, music, religious and Scouts groups have performed on the Gordon Craig Theatre's stage as well as these notable visiting groups:
* The Stevenage Lytton Players
* Letchworth Arcadians
* Hitchin Thespians
* Luton Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society
* Broadhall Players
* Stevenage Symphony Orchestra
* North Herts Music School Archived 25 February 2020 at the Wayback Machine
* Stevenage Ladies Choir
* Stevenage Male Voice Choir

### The English Sinfonia

The English Sinfonia was an orchestra who made the Gordon Craig Theatre their home in 1997. To celebrate the residency, they commissioned Michael Nyman to write Strong on Oaks, Strong on the Causes of Oaks, a five-movement orchestral work taking its name from the Anglo-Saxon name of the town, "Sithenaece" meaning "Strong on Oaks". The English Sinfonia's conductors, leaders and soloists at the Gordon Craig Theatre included Bramwell Tovey, Janice Graham, Nicolae Moldoveanu, John Lill, John Farrer, Julian Lloyd Webber and Evelyn Glennie. The residency at the Gordon Craig Theatre ended in 2006.

### Saturday Mornings 1975–1993

Saturday Morning shows for children were an integral part of the Gordon Craig programme in the theatre's early years. Jack Mayes lived and performed in the town and was a popular Stevenage personality, performing alongside his puppet Hairy Harry as "the almost famous Jack Mayes". His shows ran from 1975 until 1993, when he finally called it a day at The Gordon Craig Theatre.

## Organ

The theatre houses a still playable 1932 Christie theatre organ, which was installed in 1987 after originally being in the Carlton cinema, Tuebrook, Liverpool. The re-homed Christie had its Grand Opening Concert at the Gordon Craig Theatre at 3:00pm on Sunday 27 September 1987. Five organists performed that afternoon; Frank Fowler (Managing Director of Hill Norman & Beard), George Blackmore, Joanna Fraser, Janet Dowsett and finally William Davies. The console for the organ can be played in the orchestra pit or brought onto the stage.
The Christie Organ will be returning to the stage for the first time after a very long break, on 15 September 2022, and continues to play to audiences regularly, in association with the Cannock Chase Organ Club