Registered Charity Number:1103428
Our History
The Great Hall Theatre Company started life as a private theatre club, founded in 1961 by Donald Pyle. The name originates from his own home, the medieval Great Hall in Oak Street Norwich. The 'club' first performed in the roundusing members from the Conesford Players.
As the Company's reputation spread the high standard of their productions drew audiences from a wider public, necessitating greater seating capacity. In 1964 we set up in the Bakers Arms in Heigham Street, originally as a temporary residence, but it took us until 1974 to find a new home in the Friends Meeting House in Upper Goat Lane. Many people have fond memories of coping with such different venues as The Bakers Arms and the Meeting House.
In order to broaden our appeal further, another move was eventually made in 1988 to St Peter's Hall in Park Lane where The Company enjoyed their own suite of rehearsal rooms. 2005 saw us move to The Assembly House, in the heart of Norwich city centre, to become the resident theatre company, maintaining our tradition of arena performance.
Happy to work alongside and with our friends The Sewell Barn Theatre and The Maddermarket Theatre.
The Great Hall Theatre Company started life as a private theatre club, founded in 1961 by Donald Pyle. The name originates from his own home, the medieval Great Hall in Oak Street Norwich. The 'club' first performed in the roundusing members from the Conesford Players.
As the Company's reputation spread the high standard of their productions drew audiences from a wider public, necessitating greater seating capacity. In 1964 we set up in the Bakers Arms in Heigham Street, originally as a temporary residence, but it took us until 1974 to find a new home in the Friends Meeting House in Upper Goat Lane. Many people have fond memories of coping with such different venues as The Bakers Arms and the Meeting House.
In order to broaden our appeal further, another move was eventually made in 1988 to St Peter's Hall in Park Lane where The Company enjoyed their own suite of rehearsal rooms. 2005 saw us move to The Assembly House, in the heart of Norwich city centre, to become the resident theatre company, maintaining our tradition of arena performance.
Happy to work alongside and with our friends The Sewell Barn Theatre and The Maddermarket Theatre.
What People Have Said
“Excellent performance - Superb setting”
"Well defined and totally believable characters"
"excellent timing and delivery"
"it was slick, polished and highly entertaining"
"WOW! what a performance"
“Excellent performance - Superb setting”
"Well defined and totally believable characters"
"excellent timing and delivery"
"it was slick, polished and highly entertaining"
"WOW! what a performance"