Theatre Group Blogposts

Flora Gault

24 March 2020
Join us as we have a conversation with your TG President, Flora Gault.

In conversation with… The President.

FG: Flora Gault.

EP: Ed Patience.

The scene is set in a busy coffee shop on a drizzly Wednesday afternoon. The door opens and everyone falls silent. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the president.

EP: Flora Gault, Hello. How are you?

FG: Good thank you. Busy, busy, busy, but very good.

EP: Unless I am very much mistaken, you are the president yes?

FG: Yes. Somehow someone let this happen!

EP: What’s your favourite part about being president.

FG: Being in charge. (she laughs unconvincingly) No I joke, it’s working with an awesome committee and being famous around campus. It’s weird being introduced as president, you know being in charge of your society. Oh, I have to be careful not to swear in this don’t I?

EP: Don’t worry, this blog is well censored. When did you join TG?

FG: I joined in 2017.

EP: So, was your first show the Freshers Show?

FG: No! I didn’t get in. I was in an independent show called Red Mist, hardly anyone came to see it but that’s where I met a lot of my mates and what made me stick around in TG. I’m so glad I did.

EP: So, at that point, fresh from your starring role in Red Mist, did you know someday you would end up as president?

FG: Absolutely not! The PA award winning Charlie Randall was president in my first year, but I never really thought about it. I knew I wanted to join the committee though, to have more of a say in how the society was run.

EP: How did you get involved with committee then?

FG: Well I wasn’t in many shows in my first year, so I started going to the workshops every Monday. I met Rachel and Naomi who ran workshops at the time and just started chatting to them. I ended up getting to know so many people through TG as everyone has the same interests and are just so lovely. Eventually I met Bram and we discussed running together, and…

EP: And the rest is history! So, this must be your second year on committee?

FG: Yeah. The two roles are very different, there’s a lot of responsibility being workshops officer, but president is a step up. But I loved them both, I’m very lucky to have been a part of two wonderful committees over my time here.

EP: Do you have a message for anyone wanting to run for committee?

FG: Be committed! Committee is a lot of fun, but don’t just do it because you think it’s cool. If you commit, everything is a lot easier. There’s a lot of stuff that goes on behind the scenes that people may not know about, but it’s such an amazing experience and you can have a real say in what goes on with the society.

EP: When you became president, you must have had some big aims?

FG: Yeah, it’s always so exciting to be able to improve the society and make your own mark. I really wanted to improve the relationships between producers and directors, so they have more of a creative input into a show. I have had a few bad experiences with producing and thought there was an opportunity for some positive change. I also wanted to make production liaisons more of a thing to help shows run more smoothly.

I haven’t achieved everything I wanted to, but it’s always going to be hard when you don’t know what is going to be thrown your way. When you are managing a committee of 12 and a society of however many, there’s a lot to handle. But I know producers have felt a lot more involved this year, and our production liaisons have been keeping things running smoothly. TG has had a very prolific year and the shows we’ve produced have been of such a high quality and that makes me very proud. I have had fun as president, it’s been an amazing year and I have no regrets running. I like knowing all the secrets! Have you enjoyed me being president?

EP: I’m remaining impartial! But for what it’s worth, it has been a wonderful year. Are you going to miss TG?

FG: YES! Even though I complain a lot, I’m going to miss it so much. They’re my family, and as much as its been stressful, I wouldn’t have got through uni without it.

EP: So, What’s next for you?

FG: I’m moving back home to complete my teaching qualification to become a primary teacher. I really want to find an amature dramatics society because I don’t think I’m ready to leave the stage behind just yet. TG is the type of thing that sticks with you!

EP: Well, Flora, it’s been a pleasure, no an honour.

FG: Aw thank you! You too! This was fun.

She saunters away leaving me, two empty cups and the whiff of excellency behind. Ladies and gentlemen, the president has left the building.

In Conversation With...

We chat with the members of TG