I’ve interviewed Katie Marrin, President of the Lancaster University Theatre Society, to discover what it’s all about.
Who are you, and what is your role in LUTG?
I’m Katie Marrin, I’m currently the president of LUTG, but I’ve been in the society for four years. I started as a fresher – many moons ago! Now I’m the President, so, in charge of overseeing all the exec and the whole society. It’s a nice big job!
What is the Lancaster University Theatre Group?
At its core, a group of people who love theatre in any way, shape or form. People who love acting, people who love stage management – but also people who love putting shows on and just being in that theatre community.
How much does it cost to join LUTG?
It’s £5 per term, £15 per year. That all goes into the society. All of our shows have a budget, and that budget comes from our bank account. Once you pay that £15 for the year, you don’t have to pay anything to be part of the shows.
When do you meet?
Our rehearsals are six until ten on a Monday and a Wednesday, then twelve until six on a Sunday.
Describe your favourite LUTG show you’ve been a part of?
That’s a hard question! As an actor, I loved my first show, Blood Brothers, but I think my favourite show was Parade. Just because of the amount of people I met, and the new experiences. In terms of directing… doing Jekyll and Hyde this term has allowed me to meet so many new people and I’m learning so much on the job which is lovely.
What upcoming events do you have in LUTG?
We do four shows a term. This term we have one show in week seven called Stop! The Play. Week ten we’re very busy, there’s Jekyll and Hyde the Musical from the 9th-11th December, we have Love from a Stranger from the 11th-13th December and we have The Tempest the last Friday and Saturday of term.
What kind of socials do you have for LUTG?
We tend to do something called an open drama night once a term, which is like an open mic night; a really nice night. We also do nights out! We start on campus but have a sponsorship with The Crafty Scholar. Quite often we hire out the top floor of there and go on a night out once a term. We have something in third term called the Oscars, and we hire out the whole of Crafty for that.
How many members do you have?
Around 130.
Describe LUTG using only play titles?
Only play titles? Wicked. I’m just going to go with Wicked.
If you could stage any show in the world with LUTG, what would it be?
I want to say Wicked again, I think Wicked would be phenomenal; the set would be phenomenal. We have to hope the rights come out – I’ll get it off the West End!
If LUTG was a musical, what would it be?
We’re not slick enough to be Wicked yet! I feel like we’d probably be the Play that Goes Wrong! Wonderful overall product, but the process is a bit shaky.
Why should someone join LUTG?
We don’t discriminate at all. Depending on your ability, depending on what you’re interested in – even if you just want to come along and go to our socials. We’re so happy to teach anyone anything. It’s a close-knit group of people where you can learn new skills.
