Performance with PassionArchive
Click on the image for each show to read about it and to see the photo gallery for the show
Clickable list of all our Past Productions in chronological order. Click on the show link to view full details including cast and creative team credits together with images of the production. Guildburys Theatre Company have been staging plays in Surrey since 1963 and the company has an enviable reputation for high quality productions and well-crafted […]
Reviewer Janice Dempsey – Essential Surrey ‘An evening of immersive, hilarious, bitter-sweet theatre in Guildford….’ ★★★★★ Happy Now – read the full review here Reviewer Jane Turner – NODA South East. ‘This was a thoroughly enjoyable, lighthearted but poignant, story.The script was quietly humorous from the start. The first thing to say is that it […]
‘A fun filled playful evening for everyone’ – ★★★★★ Janice Dempsey Essential Surrey review ESSENTIAL SURREY REVIEW – READ IT IN FULL HERE ‘Paul Baverstock’s performance as Cyrano is brilliant: he electrifies the atmosphere with his boldness and his throwaway delivery of witty riposts. The ensemble performances are very strong too. Richard Walter plays the […]
A masterstroke of villainy – served with tea and biscuits. Guildburys Theatre Company is delighted to bring this witty, madcap farce to The Electric Theatre, Guildford. Sardines Magazine ★★★★★ As is usual with Guildburys, the set was bold, striking, well-built … if it walked into a pub everyone would turn to look. And the players […]
A delicious dollop of Comedy gold, beautifully gift wrapped by Guildburys and ready for you to open. REVIEW – ‘Marvellously observed, very very funny, but also full of very sad moments, this is a play I would very much like to see again, there was so much in it…… This production was a great team […]
The ride of your life and the journey of a lifetime! ESSENTIAL SURREY REVIEW – Janice Dempsey ★★★★★ Read the review in full here ‘In one of the hottest July weeks of this century, we picnicked, laughed and thoroughly enjoyed this immersion in true theatre.’ ‘There are wonderful moments of comedy and wit. The elephant […]
★★★★★ Essential Surrey. Guildburys carry off a complex performance: more than social comment, this is an evening about romance, loss, and reality. Read the Essential Surrey review in full here NODA. This production benefitted from a great Director, superb casting, and very fine nuanced performances. This was theatre at its very best, with a bucketful […]
★★★★★ Essential Surrey. ‘Guildburys’ new production of People by Alan Bennett is a real joy. All the ingredients of farce are there, and they’re fully exploited to hilarious effect. ★★★★ Guildford Dragon. ‘A door opened, a man walked in, and an audible gasp went around the audience. What a beginning! A brilliant 4.5 stars.’ Production photography […]
Love or knowledge – which would you choose ? Review: ‘This play is a delight from start to finish ….. all our characters were very believable indeed, from the stuffy Dons, through the inspiring Girton staff, down to the cheery (usually) students, male and female.’ ‘Wonderful attention to detail and colour – a feast for the […]
An aerial view of The Government Inspector at The Minack Theatre. Aerial photography Kevin Malam Our 2019 Picnic Theatre production of The Government Inspector toured to the renowned Minack Theatre in Cornwall. Every performance sold out and we played to capacity audiences of over 4,000 people. We are delighted to announce that we will […]
REVIEWS of our Merrist Wood Production ★★★★ The production is highly entertaining and hilarious from start to finish with most, if not all, characters extremely humorous. Every actor made me laugh out loud at points, sometimes just from small head movements or expressions. Guildburys Theatre Company are clearly a talented group of people who ‘do’ […]
We are excited to be joining the Fringe line up at the 2019 Guildford Fringe Festival on July 5 & 6 with ‘ Late Night Shorts’ Three quick bursts of theatre to round off your weekend evening to perfection. Funny and poignant, short and to the point.Transport yourself to a US airport which […]
Theatre Up Close, and personal 2 plays, each set in a pub are performed in a pub. In Catherine Medbh by Declan Feenan, we eavesdrop as two former lovers meet in a bar for a drink. Gerry and Daisy are looking for love with a brand new dating agency in Peas by David Tristram – […]
Essential Surrey ★★★★ A rumbustious take on Shakespeare…. as always, the Guildburys have brought all their enthusiasm and dramatic skills to bear on this production. Ian McShee as the preening ghost of Shakespeare is brilliant. His dancing, self-congratulatory body language and swift changes of oral tone and register are a delight.This satire was written after […]
Rule One for becoming a vampire victim – “First of all you have to invite him in”……. The enduring gothic vampire horror, Dracula, is given a modern twist in this acclaimed adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic novel. An English lawyer visits his mysterious Transylvanian client, only to be imprisoned in a castle filled with unspeakable […]
Our entry in the 2018 Woking drama festival was ‘Hot Fudge’ by Caryl Churchill. Caryl Churchill is one of the most influential and significant contemporary British dramatists working today. The author of more than 30 plays, as well as a number of adaptations and translations, she has reshaped the theatre landscape. In powerful vignettes, Hot […]
The perfect accompaniment to a summer evening in the beautiful surroundings of Guildburys’ Picnic Theatres in Farnham and Guildford. Essential Surrey review – read full review here ★★★★★‘ The talented Guildburys have created another great evening of Picnic Theatre in the beautiful setting of Waverley Abbey House this weekend.’ Sardines Magazine review – ‘ The […]
‘I can only say that I enjoyed this production enough to recommend it to all of Guildford. Five star theatre.’ ★★★★★ The Guildford Dragon. The Kellers are an ideal family – apparently. In his iconic play, Arthur Miller lays bare their hopes, secrets and self-delusions – and exposes the reality of lives and relationships built on deceit, lies […]
‘At the end of this moving play, as the cast, clutching candles, emerged from the shadows to take their bows, there was no immediate burst of applause. For just a few seconds, the audience were too moved, too deep in thought, to clap. A sure sign of a great piece of theatre.’ Pauline Surrey (N.O.D.A.) […]
‘All round, this would rank with the best open-air theatre experiences – professional or amateur – I’ve had’. FARNHAM HERALD ‘This is an excellent evening’s entertainment by this accomplished Surrey theatre company. If you can get tickets don’t delay, you won’t regret it’ ★★★★★ ESSENTIAL SURREY ‘Fine casting, able direction by Laura Sheppard, great performances […]
Winner – 2016 Olivier Award for best new comedy, performed open air. Jessica Swale’s award winning comedy is a poignant, tender & rumbustious romp, liberally sprinkled with comedy, truth and musical delights. Perfect for Picnic Theatre ! Performed open air in the grounds of stunning Waverley Abbey House – pack a picnic, uncork the wine […]
When Mary Shepherd parked her home (a van) on a street in a trendy part of London no-one knew what to expect. She was cranky, smelly, infuriating and gloriously indomitable. The neighbours complained — but one took a particular interest and invited her to move her van onto his driveway where she remained for […]
‘Wot a great delight from one end to the other and everything in between. Wicked word play…farce at its very best. Great direction and a great cast giving it all they got with great gusto….and enjoying it immensely themselves. A treat for the mind and you will leave the theatre thoroughly thoroughly pleased with yourself […]
Guildburys triumphant return to Cornwall’s beautiful Minack Theatre! 2013 saw Guildburys production of ‘Tartuffe’ play to packed houses at The Minack and in August 2016, fresh from a successful run at their summer home open air at Waverley Abbey House in Farnham, Guildburys Theatre Company returned to perform at The Minack Theatre, bringing The Merry Wives […]
Picnic Theatre is special – the perfect summer evening Open Air at Waverley Abbey House, Farnham. “A fantastic production with plenty of humour! Thoroughly enjoyed by the whole family.” With excellent reviews, and huge enjoyment all round our audiences toasted the summer in the company of some of Shakespeare’s most colourful characters, including the infamously […]
With 5 star reviews, innovative staging set against a post apocalyptic backdrop, Guildburys stylish interpretation of this fascinating play added to the intrigue that is Beckett’s masterpiece. A play that famously bemuses and amuses whilst challenging every answer the audience comes up with certainly lived up to its reputation. Described as a play where nothing happens twice, plenty happened […]
Guildburys production of Daphne Du Maurier’s iconic tale, adapted for the stage by Lisa Evans, received rave reviews, and was thoroughly enjoyed by the large numbers who came to see it. With strong performances from the principles, supported by a talented ensemble and an innovative narrative chorus, this was a brave and exciting production with […]
With some of the Bard’s most oft quoted lines and many of his best loved characters, this production was a delight, as Guildburys returned to perform at Waverley Abbey House and once again in the gardens of Haslemere Educational Museum – a wonderfully intimate venue with a picturesque outlook over Black Down. The […]
Love or knowledge – which would YOU choose? ‘Was at last night’s performance with a group of friends and we all thought it was a terrific show, very thought-provoking, well-acted and well staged. We agreed, too, that the scenery changes were fascinating!’ Audience comments on Guildburys’ production Magnificent. I was privileged to be there last […]
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde at The Electric Theatre, Guildford A play by David Edgar based on the story by Robert Louis Stevenson. London. 1886. Autumn. The streets of the city, swirling with yellow fog, are chill and gloomy. Stalking them is the monstrous Edward Hyde, a murderous brute who seems to appear and […]
Celebrating our 25th annual open air performance ! ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair’ A fabulous production of one of Shakespeare’s most performed plays which enthralled audiences – AND the reviewers ! REVIEW – Bob Heather. Sardines Magazine “The whole cast were absolutely brilliant and not a weak actor in sight…….. Every cast member […]
Guildburys pulled off a sell out success at The Electric Theatre, Guildford with their production of ‘Ten Times Table’, by the master of comedy, Alan Ayckbourn. With a delightful array of zany characters – at least one of whom you will have met, and all of whom you will recognise, it performed to packed houses. […]
‘Under the adept and skilled direction of award-winning director Laura Sheppard, local playwright Kathryn Attwood’s masterful new play ‘The Locked Room’ is a riveting drama from start to finish. The intelligent writing is something to celebrate and with first-rate performances, impressive backdrop and evocative costumes The Guildburys are once again demonstrating why they continue to […]
“Every performance in this production was brilliant… I must make mention of the fabulous costumes. Each and every cast member looks the part from head dress to shoes and everything in between; special mention must be made of a few who clearly had the audience in the palm of their hands from the start. Orgon, […]
Guildburys were delighted to bring this award winning play to The Electric Theatre. Following its opening in Dublin the production transferred to the National theatre in 1991 where it won the Olivier award for best play, and after a triumph on Broadway it went on to win the Tony Award for best play. A […]
Guildburys were awarded a National Operatic and Drama Association accolade of excellence for this production. Audience – Gordon Ayshford “Fantastic – a truly captivating plot brought to life by charismatic performances. The pace moved at a lick to cover the extensive scope and full dialogue of the complex main and sub-plots , then softened at the […]
The Marriage of Figaro – the play that inspired Mozart – was the perfect choice for a Farnham show. The marriage of picnicking in spectacular surroundings whilst enjoying the delights of outdoor theatre should have been a marriage made in heaven, but the wettest summer in years meant that the cast and crew were faced […]
SARDINES MAGAZINE ‘On top of excellent acting, the production was set beautifully. It may have only been a simple bedroom, but the use of projection through one wall, lighting, set dressing cannot be underestimated. Ian Nichols must be congratulated for his wonderful design, complemented by simple and effective lighting and evocative music.This attention to detail […]
Stranded in a lonely Cornish railway station late at night an ill-assorted group of characters find themselves caught up in the eerie tale of a spectral train and the series of startling events that its imminent appearance sets in motion. The Ghost Train is a thrilling and chilling suspense drama with plenty of twists and […]
As You Like It runs the glorious gamut of pastoral romance with cross-dressing and love-notes, poetry and brilliant conversation, gentle satire, slapstick and passion. The director of the 2011 version of As You Like It loved the play so much that she named her daughter after Shakespeare’s eponymous heroine, Rosalind! Performed open air with […]
This was the first amateur production of this critically acclaimed play since it was premiered at The National Theatre in 2009. An outstanding success for Guildburys. The year is 1936 and in a country dacha 20 miles outside Moscow, the grizzled old Red Army hero, General Kotov, and his much younger wife Maroussia are with […]
Six people with six very separate lives are strangely linked by circumstance. Does Nicola still love Dan? Can Stewart be on the verge of an office romance? Will Imogen ever find true love? Does Ambrose have a secret life? And what on earth is Charlotte up to? ‘The pace was good and the constant […]
ANOTHER SELL OUT AT FARNHAM CASTLE ! Guildburys celebrated their 21st year at the castle in style with this new adaptation of Shakespeare’s much loved tale of the battle of the sexes. The stormy relationship between the colourfully eccentric Petruchio and his scornful and unwilling bride Katharina was played against the magnificent castle backdrop, […]
A CLASSIC EALING COMEDY – FEATURING 2 TRAINS, A BUS AND A STEAMROLLER! The branch line between Mallingford and Titfield is losing money and British Rail is intent on closing it down. In desperation the villagers exploit the 1947 Transport Act and decide to take charge and run it themselves – with a train […]
Guildburys were delighted for the first time to be associated with The Rotary Club of Guildford district and the performance on November 4th raised funds for the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, Guildburys’ charity partners in Farnham. The performance raised £1500 for the hospice. Review by Jeff Thomson Surrey Advertiser theatre critic. It was a full house […]
A sell out success at Farnham Castle July 15-18 2009 REVIEW OPEN-AIR theatre is always special, whatever the weather. As long as you have someone special to cuddle up with and a well-performed piece to keep you warm through the driving showers you are bound to enjoy the show. That was the case on Friday […]
‘Guildburys is one of Surrey’s most adventurous and successful drama groups. An accomplished company brings a fast paced story to life with intelligence and verve”. Surrey Advertiser ‘What’s On’ REVIEW Polly Teal’s script for ‘After Mrs Rochester’ is stylistic and frequently surreal. It is a challenge for any company but was confidently chosen by Guildburys […]
Dickens’ classic and best loved masterpiece is brought to the stage. A gritty adaptation of Dickens’ least sentimental love story with a cast of some of his most unforgettable characters. Whilst at his parents’ graveside, Pip is accosted by Magwitch, a convict escaped from one of the prison ships. Terrified, he is forced […]
‘Chaos that sparkled ! Liberally peppered with much hilarity, Goldoni’s classic farce stormed into Farnham.’ REVIEW. Sarah Hollands. Farnham Herald ‘Sumptuous costumes and a talented cast performed a real classic. A great recipe for a perfect summer’s evening ! Last week the Guildburys returned to Farnham Castle for their annual open air performance. Graham Russell […]
GUILDBURYS WIN BEST PLAY TROPHY AT THE LEATHERHEAD DRAMA FESTIVAL Four dogs lie in cages in an animal shelter. A Dog’s Life depicts the moment when a woman comes to the shelter and has to choose between the dogs — a choice that literally means life or death to the oldest, […]
It is 1919. The house is full of light and laughter as the prosperous Mrs Conway and her family gather to celebrate her daughter’s twenty first birthday and the return of her favourite son from the Great War. They seem a golden family – safe and well after the Great War, looking forward to future […]
Guildburys Theatre Company is one of Surrey’s foremost community theatre groups and we were delighted to be invited by The Mayor of Guildford to perform our 2007 production of The Government Inspector at the Electric Theatre in aid of his chosen charity, the Halow Project. From Emma Cunningham for and on behalf of the […]
Set in the late 17th century, April de Angelis’ play explores the world of the first women to perform on stage. Their status was precarious, the line between actress and courtesan all too permeable, and they were often exploited, used and then cast aside. It is a play that is by turns comic, poignant and […]
One of Shakespeare’s most endearing classics featuring the most famous battle of the sexes. Benedick, an arrogant and confirmed bachelor, and Beatrice his favourite sparring partner. While Beatrice and Benedick hide their infatuation beneath witty barbs, young love blossoms as Hero and Claudio race to the altar.When the wicked Don John conspires […]
One of the most famous comedies in world theatre, Gogol’s masterpiece depicts a small Russian town where corruption is rife. But when the powers that be learn they’re going to be subject to an undercover government inspection they panic. Mistaking a penniless nobody for the powerful official they swiftly fall victims to their […]
Bernard Shaw’s SPARKLING and BITING classic “You have no idea how frightfully interesting it is to take a human being and change her into a quite different human being…” When Henry Higgins makes a bet with Colonel Pickering that he can turn a cockney flower girl into a lady, he sets out to change […]
‘…… soon my mind was filled with one thought, one conception, one purpose. So much has been done…. more far more will I achieve; I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation.’ MARY SHELLEY. Adaptation and dramatisation by Ian Nichols from the original novel […]
Young people who are passionate, insecure and hormonal – standing on the brink of the rest of their lives….. Two devoted friends – Valentine and Proteus – are treading different paths. Valentine quits Verona to see the world and heads off to Milan where he falls in love with Silvia. Meanwhile Proteus stays at […]
Becky Sharp is one of literature’s most talked about heroines and this colourful production, specially adapted for the stage by the director, brought Thackery’s sweeping tale to life. Amelia Sedley, of good family, and Rebecca Sharp, an orphan, leave Miss Pinkerton’s academy on Chiswick Mall to live out their lives in Vanity Fair — a […]
A rousing, romantic escapade, Oscar Wilde dishes up scathing social satire, effervescent wit and high farce, making The Importance of Being Earnest one of the most cherished plays in the English language. In a stylish send-up of Victorian courtship and manners, charming bachelors Jack and Algernon lead double lives to woo the two young […]
Adaptation and dramatisation by Ian Nichols from the original novel In February 1815, when Mary Shelley was seventeen, her first child was born prematurely, dying a few days later, unnamed. It was the first death of many to cast it’s shadow over her life. She wrote in her journal: ‘I think about the little thing […]