Garrick History

Lichfield Garrick Theatre was built on the site of the former Lichfield Civic Hall with investment from the European Structural Funds Programme and opened in 2003 as a  District Council-operated performing and participatory arts facility.  

Over the next ten years, the venue established itself as a key cultural destination for audiences from within Lichfield District, as well as attracting visitors from across the region, with more than 3.5 million people living within a 45 min drive time. 

In 2013, with pressure beginning to mount on local authority budgets, the operation of the theatre was transferred to a new independent charitable trust, with Lichfield District Council becoming a funder of the charity, albeit with an expectation that funding levels would reduce as the charity began to access its own sources of funding/income.

Lichfield Garrick Theatre’s charitable objects are ‘the advancement of the arts and education in relation to the arts for the benefit of the public, in particular through the operation of a theatre in Lichfield’ 

The theatre fulfils its charitable objects through the presentation of a broad programme of visiting artists and companies at the Garrick, the delivery of an extensive creative engagement programme in a range of community settings, and the production of in-house shows, playing to audiences in Lichfield and on tour, regionally and nationally. The theatre’s panto attracts an audience of 40k alone. 

The Garrick group also includes two trading subsidiaries – Lichfield Garrick (Productions) Ltd, responsible for producing Garrick shows, and Lichfield Garrick (Green Room) Ltd, responsible for operating the venue’s café and bars.  

After a period of steadily growing audiences and strengthening the charity’s financial position, the Garrick was hit hard by Covid in common with theatres across the UK and has spent the last few years rebuilding its operational capacity, reconnecting with local audiences, and re-establishing relationships with the touring producers and artists that are the life-blood of its programme. 

This work has clearly paid off, with 2023/2024 proving to be the theatre’s most successful year ever, with nearly 140k people attending a performance. 

Lichfield Garrick Theatre takes its name from David Garrick, one of the most celebrated actors and theatre managers of the 18th century—and a proud son of Lichfield. Born in 1717, Garrick was a true trailblazer in British theatre, known for bringing a more realistic, heartfelt style of acting to the stage. Instead of the stiff, exaggerated style popular at the time, Garrick’s performances were natural and full of emotion, which captivated audiences and set a new standard for actors everywhere.

By naming the theatre after him, Lichfield celebrates Garrick’s local roots and his huge impact on theatre as we know it. The Lichfield Garrick Theatre reflects his spirit of innovation and passion for the arts, giving locals and visitors alike a space to experience the joy of live performance—just as Garrick would have wanted.