So, why do we do it? Well, there are  many reasons. For some, it’s a love of live performance, and the belief that quality arts and culture should be available to all. It’s about being able to enjoy a great  show in Crich, rather than having to travel to Derby, Nottingham or elsewhere (not easy if you don’t drive). For others, the Glebe is an important community resource – it matters to us, and we want to support it. Yet others want to get to know the wonderful Crich community better. We want to use our professional skills and knowledge to help make something unexpectedly good happen. And, selfishly, all of us enjoy working as part of a team where there’s always plenty of craic. 

The buzz we get as the hall fills up for the latest show affects us all. This is the culmination of weeks (if not months) of work. It gives us a warm glow as the audience meets old friends, and makes new ones. There’s an excited anticipation of the treat to come. We’re so pleased that our shows are seen as a safe place for people living on their own – now about 20% of our audience – to come. 

But you don’t have to be an expert to be a part of the team, you just need a willingness to roll up your sleeves (metaphorically) and get involved. For any show, there are myriad tasks that contribute to the success of the evening: writing press releases and social media posts; putting up posters; distributing fliers; selling tickets; building the stage; setting out the chairs: stocking and manning the bar; cooking a meal for the performers; selling raffle tickets – the list is almost endless.

We have put on more than 40 shows in the past seven years – we’ve had theatre, dance, mime, music, a dementia-friendly show, and an outdoor adventure for children. All have been supported by the local community, with a total of more than 4,000 tickets sold, and over £21,000 raised for the Glebe. 

Currently, we put on about one show a month. We could do more if new, especially younger, people were prepared to help. We’d particularly like to put on more children’s shows, relaxed performances and shows that appeal to the wider community.

To that end, we are working with Crich Medical Practice on a scheme, ‘And One’, which will enable people they identify as being socially isolated through health or financial reasons, to benefit from the opportunity to enjoy a show, free of charge. This scheme is funded through the generosity of ticket purchasers making donations, but you can contribute too.

Do contact me, or any of my colleagues, at david@joylane.co.uk or on 01773 853260 if you’d like to get involved in any way.