
On
8 November 2004, the City of Bath added to its already rich cultural
heritage when Next Stage Theatre Company took possession of the 'People's
Mission', soon to be transformed into The Mission Theatre.
After an
extensive programme of renovations, the building now houses a 100-seat
auditorium (The Mission Theatre itself), a smaller 30-seat performing
space (the Theatre Upstairs), and a Bistro with full Bar Licence.
Also included is access and toilet facilities for disabled persons.
Three years on, The Mission Theatre is now a vibrant and busy venue for
all manner of events such as plays, rehearsals, workshops, educational
initiatives, live music, film shows, arts festivals, business meetings,
conventions, and, shortly, our first wedding reception!
Ann
Garner, Artistic Director, writes: "It is amazing to think that it
took three and a half years' work from when Andrew Ellison and I
first saw the Mission and realised its potential to the completion of
the contract on 8 November 2004."
She
adds: "Given the time-consuming complexities of the final legal
drafts, we were extremely grateful to the Council that we had been
allowed to begin a transfer of props and costumes to our new home from
September. Many Next Stagers gave up hours in evenings and
weekends to sort, store, box and transport to The
Mission the paraphernalia associated with running a theatre
company." Click
on the thumbnails below for images of The Mission before and after Next
Stage took possession.
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Toilets |
Auditorium |
Auditorium |
Theatre
Upstairs |
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| Work in
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| After...... |
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Toilets |
Auditorium |
Auditorium |
Theatre
Upstairs |
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