Today, GMTG is a large and stable society with a diverse membership. We have continued to build on our reputation for professional quality shows and audience numbers have remained high. In the last year, we have brought in large numbers of new performers to the stage, as well as new and talented members for production, including directing, publicity, stage management, and every facet of musical production. Many talented members of the society are moving on and GMTG is rapidly becoming more original and vibrant, with many new members joining our ranks. We would love to hear from you if you are interested in the society in any way.

The cornerstone of GMTG are our two productions, which we stage typically at the end of the first term (around November) and the end of the second term (around March). For these, production teams bid for shows at meetings to which all members are invited to vote. The team consists of a Director, Choreographer, Producer, and Musical Director (though this role is sometimes split into Orchestral and Vocal Directors). The production team gives a short presentation on themselves and their chosen show, outlining their ideas for the show, their reasons for choosing it for themselves and the society and why they should be elected for the next show. This is followed bya Question & Answer session. Once all presentations have been heard, the teams are sent outside where they tend to smoke copiously whilst the society discusses and cast votes. They are then invited back in and the results are made known by the Chairman.
Once the show has been chosen, the successful team is given a budget and the society resources to create their show. This is left entirely to them, with the committee taking a very removed supervisory role only. Auditions are held at the beginning of the term, to which anyone is eligible to come. At auditions, auditionees are asked to sing and act an unseen extract from the show. This is then followed by a dance audition, then principal recalls. The cast list is then posted.
All members of the cast are then required to take part in an intensive rehearsal schedule lasting approximately 9 weeks, during which most actors will be required for at least 3 or 4 days a week. During this time, they are heavily trained to the required singing and dancing level requried by the production team. They work with musical director, choreographer, and director regularly, until towards the end of the run these various new skills are brought together in large rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and finally performance. The schedule is tough and punishing but all those involved not only hone their skills to a very high level but also partake in social events, often building friendships which last far beyond the shows end.
Meanwhile, the Musical Director assembles an orchestra. This varies in size and make up, but includes most classic instruments and often several more contemporary instruments as well. They practice seperately, typically around 5 or 6 times ensemble, until the final rehearsals, when they are brought together with the actors for the zitsprobe.
The Producer, who is entrusted with making sure the show goes ahead without any problems, sets about building a production team. Amongst his responsibilities are gathering a stage manager and crew, overseeing set design and construction, prop acquiring, publicity strategies, designs, and deployment, costume, and most crucially, making sure the show adheres to his budget as authorised by the committee. The society Treasurer assists in financial matters and receives reports from the Producer.

Once rehearsals are complete and the producer's primary roles finished, the show is performed over 6 nights in the Guild's Deb Hall. Tickets go on sale at least a week before the opening night and the publicity material, as orchestrated by the Producer, is distributed throughout the university and beyond. Audience numbers vary from show to show, but typically we average around 150-200 people per night, usually selling out on our last performance. This is then followed by a large after-show party, starting with drinks and skits on Deb Hall stage and continuing at a designated residence, finishing in the small hours of the next morning. It is then customary for those who can still walk to meet at a pub for the next day and chat and enjoy themselves late into the night.

If you are interested in auditioning or proposing a show, please explore this site for further information, or contact us.