A Potted History of the Leeds Civic Arts Guild & the Civic Theatre

The 43/43a Years:

Leeds Civic Arts Guild was based in the building across the street from the Leeds Civic Theatre, known simply as 43/43a. Built in 1864 by Leeds architect Cuthbert Brodrick, originally as shops, It was part of one of the smallest buildings designed by Brodrick who also designed in Leeds the Town Hall, the Corn Exchange and the Mechanics Institute (part of which was developed to create the Leeds Civic Theatre). The LCAG was forced to move out of 43/43a when the building was finally condemned by the council in July 1975 (it turns out that the building was listed and therefore couldn't just be knocked down).

	The small inner frame to the window to the far right of the photograph was used by Societies to advertise upcoming shows - posters and props were displayed within the frame. The building to the right (out of view) was where our scenery was stored and painted before being carried across the road to the Civic Theatre and assembled on stage.
	Meeting taking place in the first floor canteen area of 43.
	After many years of standing derelict and neglected the old building was finally renovated and became a popular restaurant and bar.
	Note the building that has been added onto the left side of 43 - it's a bar on the ground floor and apartments above, and the development overlooks Millennium Square. The bar is named after the architect of 43, Cuthbert Brodrick.

The Stansfeld Chambers Years

In July 1975 the Guild moved 150 yards, (down Cookridge Street and turn right) into Stansfeld Chambers on Great George Street. Stansfeld became our rehearsal and meeting base, while scenery had to be stored elsewhere. For a while this included the Gaumont on Cookridge Street, as well as places miles away such as Burley Mills and Meanwood Baths. Our flats traveled miles going back and forth in the back of lorries and trucks. The actual scenery workshop at this time was a small room (that was opposite the backstage door in the theatre), until the basement of the theatre building was vacated by City of Leeds School who had been using it as their dining hall. At last, all our scenery and props could be stored onsite, with a large workshop area.
Again, after a number of years the now almost derelict Stansfeld Chambers became a prime site for redevelopment (being next to the new Millennium Square) and the LCAG faced another major relocation.

Cosmopolitan Players rehearse at Stansfeld Chambers

Cosmopolitan Players again - "Last Tango in Whitby" rehearsals

The Civic Theatre - at last all our facilities on one single site:

Fortunately the basement rooms of the Leeds Civic Theatre were vacated when the Leeds College of Music moved out to their brand new buildings. At last, all our facilities could be accommodated in one place, at our 'spiritual home' the Leeds Civic Theatre. The basement rooms became our new rehearsal rooms (7 of them) and storage rooms for societies own costumes and props, and it was all next to the scenery workshops ....... everything on one single site.
It all seemed too good to be true. Within a very short time the Guild received devastating news. The Civic Theatre was going to shut.
The local council had decided that now that there was Lottery monies available, they wanted to close the theatre completely and convert the entire building into a city museum. This came as a huge shock to many people, as only a few years earlier the council had actually consulted with the Guild about how the building could be fully utilized as a city arts centre. Now the place was going to be wiped off the map completely. It became clear that the council wasn't considering the needs of the Guild, as we hadn't been consulted and no alternatives were discussed.

A new chapter in the Guild's history was about to start ....

The campaign to Save The Leeds Civic Theatre

The campaign was an incredible success, supported by thousands of Leeds residents and the local press (especially the Yorkshire Post). Letters and emails were sent to Councillors, MPs, famous 'past members' of the Guild and just about anyone and everyone who might support saving the Civic .... crucial to the future of the LCAG community based there as well as the theatre going public. The press, council and local politicians were flooded with letters supporting the Save The Civic Campaign. Members of the Guild held regular meetings with the politicians and councillors, and even presented the case for saving the Civic at Council Meetings in the Civic Hall. Many people worked tirelessly, but the council wouldn't budge ... the Civic would have to close as Leeds needed to replace the City Museum that had been bombed during WWII. The Heritage Lottery Fund were to be asked to pay for the museum's development. People pleaded with the council to reconsider, and build a brand new museum on one of the many other proposed city locations. The answer was a very definite NO. However, the huge amount of public support shown towards the Civic Theatre during the campaign led the council to reconsider their decission to just shut down the theatre and not replace the city centre facilities. They offered to build a replacement theatre, ironically within the old Stansfeld Chambers/Portland Chambers buildings. What's more, the council made the commitment that the theatre and it's facilities would be as good as if not better than we had at the Civic Theatre, and that the LCAG would be involved at every stage of the development. What's more, we wouldn't have to leave the Civic until the new theatre was ready. This wasn't seen by everyone as an ideal solution, as many people wanted to remain in the Civic Theatre, but it was the best (and only) deal available. The theatre would be completed in late 2004, and was to be called The Carriageworks.

	Civic Theatre, November 1960. (Note that the theatre had an illuminated sign over the arched entrance - later removed by the Council)
	29 March 2005
	The crypt before it became a scenery store and workshop
	Backstage 1960's
	View of the stage from the balcony, 2003
	Civic Theatre, 2004, viewed from across Millennium Square