Laycock Street Theatre has enjoyed a high level
of community patronage and useage since its opening
in 1988. Built in response to a perceived need by
stalwarts of the Gosford Musical Society (GMS),
the theatre has a history founded on community service.
Several applications were made for funding under
a Community Employment Program. The applications
were unsuccessful, but the NSW Bicentennial Council
Commemmorative Program offered GMS the opportunity
to make its dream a reality.
The
building of the theatre became a joint project between
the NSW Government, the NSW Bicentennial Council,
Gosford City Council and Gosford Musical Society.
A fundraising appeal was commenced by the former
Minister for Art, Heritage and Environment, Mr Barry
Cohen. Contributors included Ashton Scholastic,
Esanda Finance, Sara Lee and EJ and WA
Booth. GMS supporters Kevin Booth,
Hans Drielsma and Don Craig enlisted community groups,
and a number, particularly Probus, responded to
that call for assistance.
Attendance
at GMS shows (previously held at public
high schools and other venues) increased as most
people saw this as a way of supporting the project.
Work on the theatre construction commenced in July
1987 and former GMS president, Kevin Booth,
remarked "Laycock Street Theatre will be a
theatre built by the people, for the people, and
because of this it will succeed". Succeed it
has.
Laycock
Street Theatre is unique on the Central Coast. As
the largest tiered seating venue it is sought after
by many community organisations for schools programs,
dance groups, orchestral groups, touring and locally
produced plays, rock concerts, comedies and of course,
GMS musicals.
Laycock
Street Theatre and Peninsula Theatre are proudly
owned and maintained by Gosford City Council.
LAYCOCK
STREET THEATRE
The auditorium seats 392 in tiered
upholstered seating and is available to hire by professional
theatre companies, community groups, dance companies,
amateur groups, businesses and individuals.
The
Don Craig Room is a multi-purpose room which can be
utilised for intimate concerts or plays, business
meetings, parties, or presentations. The room can
be configured in a number of ways such as theatre
style in rows seating up to 100, in groups at tables
for up to 80 people, or in a u-shape table configuration
for presentations.
Laycock
Street Theatre is fully licensed with a range of beers,
wines, champagne, spirits, and softdrinks. The kiosk
also sells tea and coffee, confectionery, ice-creams
and chips.
THE
PENINSULA THEATRE
The Peninsula Theatre is located on
the Peninsula in the grounds of the Woy Woy Community
Centre. The theatre seats 100 in an intimate setting
suitable for small dance troupes, amateur and professional
live theatre, stand-up comedy, childrens' pantomime
or small production or presentation. The seating is
again upholstered and tiered. Other facilities include
a Box Office, foyer with areas suitable for the setup
of displays, kitchen with servery, backstage dressing
room, wheelchair access, and all the necessary audio/visual
and lighting technologies available for your production.
Peninsula
Theatre is home to Woy Woy Little Theatre who present
three plays per year at the venue as part of their
subscription offer.
All
enquiries for hire should be directed to Laycock Street
Theatre
t.
02 4323 7299
laycock@gosford.nsw.gov.au
Laycock
Street Community Theatre is proudly owned and operated
by Gosford City Council
