Gosforth Civic Theatre is an independent theatre, café, and events venue in Gosforth, three miles north of Newcastle upon Tyne city centre.
GCT is a unique social enterprise; income from ticket sales, space rental, donations and food and drink sales is used to provide opportunities for young people and people with learning disabilities to train, perform, and belong, ultimately creating the world they want to live in.
In 2023 the Theatre was significantly upgraded, changes to the venue include a new heating system, solar panels on the roof and insulation throughout to reduce the theatre’s environmental impact, saving around 64 tonnes of carbon emissions per year. The venue’s foyer has been brightened thanks to the addition of a huge skylight that brings the outside into the building, while a theatre bar in the auditorium offers a stylish touch to events.
As well as that, the theatrical infrastructure in the auditorium has been completely upgraded, creating one of the most flexible, accessible and energy efficient theatre spaces in the region.
The new community studio, which will house wellbeing and youth activities, is the perfect place for workshops, meetings and small parties and gatherings.
Last but not least, the furniture throughout the building, including in the auditorium, has been updated along with the décor.
It was founded by disability arts charity Liberdade community development trust (pronounced lib-er-dar-jie). Founded in 2003, Liberdade began as an apprenticeship scheme to support and enable a group of young people with learning disabilities to set up and run their own theatre company. In 2012 the company members wanted to open a theatre where everyone was welcome, they wanted to have jobs in their theatre and to provide the opportunities they’d had for other young people, so Gosforth Civic Theatre became a reality. Now, those company members play an essential role in its governance and future direction.
Gosforth Civic Theatre, Regent Farm Road, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne And Wear, NE3 3HD