We will seek, at all times, and in everything we do:

• To serve the art of the theatre.
• To achieve the highest possible artistic standards.
• To be a theatre of learning and education.
• To be an outward-looking theatre.
• To be an open and inclusive theatre.
• To be a theatre of adventure.
• To remain an independent theatre.
  

‘To serve the art of the theatre’ is a noble purpose, and we believe that in serving our art, we serve our community. We are here because we love the theatre and believe in its unique power to bring people together, to educate, to give joy, understanding and fulfilment. We are here because we have the ability to make a contribution to this great art, and recognise our responsibility to make that contribution. In this way we gain our reward through service.

We strive for and measure ourselves against the highest possible artistic standards in direction, acting, design and technical skills. We may never achieve them, but it is always our aim to do so. We also set ourselves high standards in our choice of play. Our programme is balanced and varied, covering the broad spectrum of all that is best in theatre in terms of period, style, culture and country of origin. But it carries a particular emphasis, which is encapsulated in the phrase “The Classic, the Rare and the New”. We do not put on only what the majority of people want to see, but we do put on what we believe deserves to be seen.

Only a theatre of learning and education can achieve high artistic standards or secure the art of the theatre in the future. So we aim to provide learning opportunities to all those who participate in our work: experience, guidance, workshops and formal training. We have a particular duty to nurture artistic talent and help bring it to fruition, and we take this responsibility seriously. We also offer every opportunity and encouragement to young people to acquire a love of theatre, both by watching it and participating in it, and we reach out to young people who would otherwise pass the theatre by.

We maintain an outward-looking approach to the wider world of theatre. We invite other companies, local, national and international, to visit us, perform here and show us their work. We take our work out into the wider world, touring in the UK and abroad with our productions. We also look outwards into our local community, and explore the ways in which we can contribute to that community.

We welcome one and all into our theatrical community. We try hard to be open and inclusive. We are eager to attract new members and new audiences from all ethnic, social and cultural backgrounds, and to help them feel part of The Questors.

The spirit of adventure has been the greatest force behind the success of The Questors so far, and will continue to dominate our future. Without adventure there can be no innovation in the theatre. So as a theatre of adventure we believe in taking risks, experimenting, encouraging creativity, and being open to new ideas. If we are lucky, we can contribute something new to the theatre at large.

In order to fulfil our aims, we must survive. We must therefore remain an independent theatre. Artistic independence is impossible without financial security. This means that we must make money, and must charge for membership, tickets and everything else.

But the real key to our independence is the voluntary efforts of all those who participate at The Questors. We are, in the noblest and truest sense, amateurs. I f we were not, we could not possibly have survived so long, and would not survive in the future. Our voluntary work is therefore intrinsic to what we are.

And more than that, it is what binds us together and instils in us the desire to work together in serving the art of the theatre. Our voluntary work, in all the many forms it takes, is what keeps us going and gives us our fulfilment. And it is above all what we have to offer to those who may join us in the future.

© The Questors Theatre 2004