Monthly News
The mission theatre's fifth birthday
1 / 2010
On January 24th 2005, The Mission Theatre opened its doors to Bath audiences for the first time. Five years on, The Mission has become an established part of the Bath cultural scene.
The attractive Grade II listed building that Ann Garner and Andrew Ellison, founders of Next Stage, first saw in 2002 had been derelict since The People’s Mission had ceased to worship there in 1998. The potential for the building to become a versatile arts venue was apparent from the outset, particularly to a theatre company specialising in theatre-in-the-round performances.
In November 2004. after negotiating a ten-year lease with Bath City Council, Next Stage Theatre Company was granted access to the building. Immediately the whole company was involved in an intensive 6 week refurbishment process to transform the building into a working theatre. Since all the alterations were being made to a Grade II listed building, detailed plans had to be submitted to architects and planners as well as the Council. The work included total electrical rewiring, installing a new block of toilets (including disabled facilities), complete redecoration, creating the bar/bistro in the 50 seater upstairs theatre and, of course, fitting purpose-made theatre curtains, installing lights, a sound system, seating, rostra staging and creating the dressing room and green room.
The Mission Theatre was officially opened in January 2005 by Chris Harris, and the first performance was a Next Stage production of Sir Alan Ayckbourn's Comic Potential, which opened on January 24th 2005. Although originally only intended as a production venue for Next Stage and a meeting place for Next Stage Youth, it soon became apparent that the theatre was going to be so much more than a home for the company.
The Mission has given local amateur performers an affordable home in the heart of Bath to put on a huge variety of events. Visiting small-scale professional drama companies love the versatility of the stage and performance area, and the theatre’s existence has allowed the creation of new non-professional theatre companies who find our hire charges within their means. The theatre has become a popular and vibrant venue, hosting music, drama and opera events, festivals, lectures, workshops, dance classes, youth groups, competitions and conferences. Our Bistro is a popular meeting place for the local community and has recently been rebranded as The Green Room, now offering an entirely vegetarian menu.
The Mission Theatre receives no public funding, but we are blessed with support from many sponsors, benefactors, funders and patrons. We have been extremely fortunate to attract funding from Arts&Business SW, The Andrew Brownsword Foundation, The Joyce Fletcher Charitable Foundation, The Medlock Charitable Trust and The Roper Family Charitable Trust, as well as donations from countless audience members, Next Stagers and friends. Without these generous gifts we would be without a roof and a permanent lighting system, and unable to afford the constant round of repairs and decoration needed to preserve this beautiful building.
Ann Garner, Artistic Director of Next Stage and Director of The Mission Theatre says: “I think trying to set up and run your own theatre, particularly in the current economic climate, is probably not the most sensible or safest project upon which to embark. However, in the last five years Andrew Ellison (Director, Next Stage) and I have learnt useful skills in fundraising, accounting, health and safety, marketing and time management. We are constantly buoyed up by the talent and enthusiasm of the people who seek to perform here, and by audiences and members of the public who appreciate and celebrate the existence of The Mission Theatre. These individuals repay with friendship, warmth and constant encouragement all the work and effort that goes into the day-to-day running of this very special place.”
If you have not already been to The Mission, why not come along to one or more of the many shows scheduled in the coming months or pop in during the week to sample the delights of our Bistro? We look forward to seeing you and will, of course, wish you:
MANY HAPPY RETURNS!
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