PLEASE GIVE US A BOOST

Next Stage Theatre Company needs to raise at least £50,000 to perform miracles and transform this dilapidated building into much-needed backstage facilities for The Mission Theatre.





























After twelve months of negotiation, Next Stage Theatre Company has acquired a long-term lease on the two-storey building at the rear of The Mission Theatre, known as The Old Bakery. The structure has great potential and, once converted, would provide all the theatre’s performers with warm, comfortable, bright dressing rooms and would give Next Stage Youth the option of extra rehearsal spaces. Backstage facilities are currently at a bare minimum in the theatre’s main building but if we can realise our vision for The Old Bakery, all of this will change.

An added bonus of acquiring The Old Bakery is the fact that there will be access from the current Stage Right dressing rooms into the new building, thus enabling actors and performers in the Main Auditorium to exit from one side of the end-on stage and move backstage to the opposite side via the new dressing rooms.

Despite its central Bath location, The Old Bakery has been derelict for many years and in its current state is inhospitable and unsafe. Before our vision can become a reality, The Old Bakery desperately needs:

  • a new roof
  • new walls
  • new flooring
  • new windows
  • an electricity supply
  • a drainage system
  • a new staircase

Next Stage has been extremely fortunate to secure matched funding from the Brownsword Charitable Foundation for this project so every pound we receive for Space-Mission will put us £2 nearer our goal of £50,000.





























Andrew Brownsword (right) and Bob Calleja (left) with Ann Garner, the cast of “Shakers” and members of Next Stage Youth in front of The Old Bakery.

Andrew Brownsword’s support of Next Stage’s work at The Mission Theatre has been a major factor in the success of the building’s restoration. The last Brownsword Challenge here in 2007 provided matched funding to enable us to raise the £20,000 we needed to repair the old and leaking roof.

If anyone can, we can – Next Stage renovated The Mission Theatre in just 6 weeks starting in November 2004 and opening as a fully functioning performing space in January 2005. We did it without public funding – the project was made possible by the dedicated hard work of our volunteers and the outstanding generosity of members, friends and supporters, including Andrew Brownsword.

Last year Bath and North East Somerset Council granted Next Stage a long term lease on The Mission Theatre, ensuring its future until at least 2030. With this security in place, the company is now committed to providing the extra space that will prove invaluable to all groups performing at The Mission.

The sky’s the limit. Your support will be invaluable and of inestimable benefit to the hundreds of local actors, musicians, dancers, Festivals and youth companies who rehearse and perform at The Mission.

How to donate:

  • We gratefully accept cheques payable to Next Stage Projects. Please send to:
    The Mission Theatre, 32 Corn Street, Bath BA1 1UF along with a completed donation form to be found here.
  • Alternatively drop into the theatre with cash or a cheque and ask us for the latest news on the renovation.
  • Donations can be anonymous if preferred.

Full details can be found on The Mission Theatre’s website www.missiontheatre.co.uk/fundraising.html.