THE RICHARD WHITELEY THEATREa t G i g g l e s w i c k S c h o o l

In 1863 the then Headmaster, JR Blakiston, wrote of hispupil John Fairs: “This boy is fit for nothing but the stage.”Fairs left Giggleswick aged 18, and changed his name toHare. Within 20 years he had become the leading ActorManager of his generation. He was knighted for his servicesto drama by Edward VII.

In recent times actors such as William Gaunt (RSC), AnthonyDaniels (Star Wars), and Jonathan Broadbent have leftGiggleswick to pursue careers in the Theatre.

Another enormous influence on drama at Giggleswick wasthe legendary Russell Harty. Russell came to the School inthe late 1950s, where he taught English to the youngRichard Whiteley.

Russell was not the first teacher to put on plays, but hisenergy and enthusiasm led to the formation of the DramaSociety, under the patronage of local author and playwrightAlan Bennett. For nearly 50 years the Society has put onproductions ranging from drama by Shakespeare and Brechtto musicals such as Les Misérables and We Will Rock You.

TRADITION OF PERFORMANCE

“ I have been a parent at Giggleswick since 1980. Over that timeI have seen many performances and I have never been disappointed. The productions are always first class. ”

Jennifer Pejcinovic, Parent

1960

For nearly fifty years Richard Whiteley wasdeeply involved in the life of Giggleswick.Throughout that time nothing was dearer tohis heart than performance.

Whilst a pupil, he co-produced a number ofplays directed by the late Russell Harty. As aGovernor he continued to support music anddrama at the School for over 25 years.

Whether by bringing high profile guests toSchool performances, or taking three weeks offto tour Australia simply to “carry the bags” forpupils, Richard always went that extra mile tosupport performance at Giggleswick.

It was only natural that, when the Schoolstarted to plan to build a theatre, it would lookto commemorate one of its most famous andsupportive pupils.

THE RICHARD WHITELEY THEATRE

1987 1999 2008

Kathryn Apanowicz

Jonathan Broadbent

Warwick Brookes

Michael Day

Dame Judi Dench

David Fox

Sarah Fox

William Gaunt

John Helliwell

Nicholas Hytner

Anthony Millard

Geoffrey Moore OBE

Sir Tim Rice

Alan Shallcross

Lord Shuttleworth

Carol Vorderman MBE

Zoë Wanamaker CBE

Many of Richard Whiteley’s friends from theperforming arts are working with others from theGiggleswick community to help support this lastingmemorial to his life and work. We hope that you willbe able to join them.

Music and drama are an important part of the curriculum atGiggleswick School. The ability to express oneself throughperformance is something that all our pupils have theopportunity to experience.

Music and drama are just two of the ways our pupilsdevelop the dedication, confidence and communicationskills that are so sought after once they leave Giggleswick.

Giggleswick has a strong reputation for performance.Since 2002, 100% of pupils taking A-level Theatre Studieshave achieved A or B grades. During this time a numberof pupils have won places at the National Youth Theatre.This remarkable achievement reflects a rich vein of talentin the School.

“ There is now widespread recognition of the valueof curricular drama in pupils' personal and intellectual development.”Geoffrey P Boult, Headmaster

ACADEMIC STRENGTH ANDCREATIVE PASSION

Modern theatre is increasingly dependent on the technicalskills of those involved with lighting and sound. At thecentre of the plans for this theatre are catwalks that willallow pupils to get hands-on experience in usingstate-of-the-art technical equipment.

Retractable seating will allow for theatre in-the-round. It willalso create a space suitable for events and exhibitions.

The theatre is more than an auditorium. A new greenroomand rehearsal area will be created behind the stage.

As well as being a comfortable area for guests, the newglass foyer will provide a display space for creative work.

New facilities, including a lift and larger washrooms, willenhance the theatre experience for pupils and guests.

BEHIND THE SCENES

“ I thoroughlyenjoyed drama at Giggleswick.”Rob King, Paley 1981

THEATRE PATRONS

“This Theatre will enrich the lives of generationsof Giggleswick pupils.”

Gareth WarburtonDirector of Drama

Theatretech have created a design that provides a host of new possibilities both on and around the stage including:

• A professional quality control room for

lighting, sound and technical control desks

• A comfortable and spacious foyer which will

provide a display space for creative works

• A flat, flexible stage area

• Semi-sprung wood floor for dancing

• Enhanced back stage facilities

• Raked seating for 300 people

• A studio theatre for rehearsals and teaching

HELP TURN VISION INTO REALITY

NEWUPPER FOYER

NEWLOWER FOYER

STAGE AREA

NEW CONTROL

ROOM

NEW CATWALKS AT HIGH LEVEL OVER THE AUDITORIUM

LADDER UP FROM CONTROL ROOM AND ENCLOSURE

HOIST BARS OVER STAGE

NEWSTUDY AREA

SEMINAR ROOMS

REFRESHMENTCOUNTER

RETRACTABLESEATING

“ A superb venue for School music.”

Darren EverhartDirector of Music

NEWCONTROL

ROOM

FIRST FLOOR PLAN

STAGE AREA

300SEATS

EXISTINGCLASSROOM

NEW SEMINARROOM

NEW SEMINAR ROOM

SEATING AREASFOR SMALL

GROUP LEARNING

OUTLINE OF MEZZANINE LEVEL ABOVE

NEW LIFT

NEWEXTENSION

NEWUPPER FOYER

SIXTH FORMCENTRE

EXISTINGCLASSROOM

EXISTINGCLASSROOM

NEW AIR SYSTEM

SLIDING FOLDING PARTITION

BLACK BOX STUDIO

CLEANERS

NEWBACK-STAGE

CORRIDOR

DRAMAOFFICE“ Drama is one of our best subjects in terms

of absolute and value added results.”Anna WoodDirector of Studies

Your support is needed to turn this vision of The RichardWhiteley Theatre at Giggleswick School into a reality.

The Foundation has already raised over £600,000 towardsthe £2m cost of the project. We need your support to raisethe remaining funds to benefit current and futuregenerations of pupils. Your gifts will make a real differenceto the future of music and drama at Giggleswick School andthe surrounding area.

Richard Whiteley’s popularity both at Giggleswick and inthe wider community has generated a broad base ofsupport. To turn the vision of the theatre into a reality asmall number of supporters will need to stand alongsideRichard in making a significant personal contribution.

The table below shows how we can achieve our target of £2m alongside a number of smaller gifts from a wider base of support.

We invite you to be one of the leaders of the campaign bymaking a vision-enabling gift to the theatre.

Gifts at the Champion, Visionary and Benefactor levels willbe recognised as such, in accordance with your wishes, inthe foyer of the new theatre.

Many parents, former parents and Old Giggleswickians havealready made gifts in support of the project. Will you joinwith them to make a real difference to Giggleswick School?

HOW YOU CAN HELP FURTHER INFORMATION

If you can help the Foundation by making a gift, orwould like to know more about how your gift willhelp current and future pupils please contact:

Andrew Beales, Foundation Director01729 893 008

abeales@giggleswick.org.uk

www.giggleswick.org.uk

Champion (6)

Visionary (11)

Benfactor (21)

No. of Gifts Value to our pupils Gift 1 (BR Tax) Gift 2 (HR Tax) 36 Monthly Gifts

1 £250,000 £200,000 £150,000 £5,5562 £150,000 £120,000 £90,000 £3,3333 £100,000 £80,000 £60,000 £2,222

4 £75,000 £60,000 £45,000 £1,6677 £50,000 £40,000 £30,000 £1,111

9 £25,000 £20,000 £15,000 £55610 £10,000 £8,000 £6,000 £22212 £5,000 £4,000 £3,000 £111

1 Gifts made through the GiftAid Scheme allow you to donate the basic rate tax paid on your gift to the School. Until April 2011 HMRC will make an additional contribution to your gift equivalent to 2.5% of the value of your gift.

2 If you are a higher rate tax payer you will be able to reclaim the difference on your tax return. Higher rate tax payers should make a gift as if a basic rate tax payer, then reclaim the Higher Rate tax using their tax assessment form. Alternatively they may gift the difference back to the School by entering XAB69SG in box 19A on their tax return.

Giggleswick School is a Registered Charity - No. 1109826

A sense of community is essential to the ethos of GiggleswickSchool. The theatre will be a focal point for our community.During term time the theatre will house assemblies, debatesand lectures alongside the performing arts.

Just as Big School served as an assembly hall for previousgenerations, the new theatre will be at the centre of dailylife at Giggleswick.

Giggleswick has an excellent record for sharing facilitieswith local people. The Richard Whiteley Theatre will be anasset for the whole community. As such it will host a widerange of community events including local music anddrama groups.

The theatre will be the largest and most modern venue inthe area. Its production facilities will be of a sufficiently highstandard to attract national touring productions beyond thecurrent reach of the local community.

AT THE HEART OF OURCOMMUNITY

“ It is small group teaching in the 6th Form that gives pupils the experienceto perform in real life situations. ”

Dr. Matthias Dörrzapf, School Governorand Senior Tutor, St John’s College, Cambridge

SUPPORTING EXCELLENCE ACROSS THE SCHOOL

As pupils progress through the School, there isan even greater focus on teaching throughinformal seminars and discussions with smallgroups. To support this teaching at A-level, theSchool plans to use the space vacated by theDrama Department as the venue for a newSixth Form Study Centre.

The centre will have small group study areas, aswell as two seminar classrooms. Upstairs, on anewly created mezzanine level, pupils will havespace to work with staff one to one to solveproblems and develop a better understandingof their subjects.

The architects have been sympathetic to theoriginal nature of Big School, whilst creating aspace that will serve the needs of futuregenerations of pupils.

DESIGN, PHOTOGRAPHY AND PRINT BY ROSSMANN HAIGH TEL: 01677 424626

Jenni Moxon, Style, 2001

“ Jesus Christ Superstar and Peter Pan -two brilliant memories and some great friends made. ”