Next Stage Theatre Company tours to The Minack Theatre, Cornwall, this Summer

Next Stage Theatre Company is thrilled to announce that it will be returning to the Minack Theatre on the Lands End peninsula, in August this year. A glorious open-air amphitheatre in Porthcurno, the Minack was created by Rowena Cade and has stunning views across the sea to the Lizard. From an actor's point of view, stepping out onto the stage of The Minack is certainly one of the most exciting experiences possible. But being a spectator is just as amazing. Audiences return again and again to be captivated by a stage framed with cliffs and sea - a stunning backcloth to the dramas unfolding before them.

Since 1998 Next Stage has toured 11 shows to this outstanding theatre and the company is well underway with preparations to bring its 12th Minack production - A Streetcar Named Desire, by Tennessee Williams - to Cornish audiences. Next Stage was last seen at the Minack in 2019 with Great Expectations – a highly acclaimed show that played to sell-out audiences. Prior to 2019 Next Stage productions of Birdsong, His Dark Materials and The Royal Hunt of the Sun were just some of the company’s stand-out shows.

Great Expectations (2019) Royal Hunt of the Sun (2001)

A Streetcar Named Desire

Sunday 6th - Thursday 10th August 8:00pm

Matinee Tuesday 8th August 2:30pm

Matinee Thursday 10th August 2:30pm

Tennessee Williams’ masterpiece set in the jazz-soaked streets of New Orleans is a powerful and iconic portrayal of love, lust and loneliness.  

The fragile Blanche comes to stay with her sister Stella and husband Stanley. Amazed at their frugal lifestyle and Stella's dependence on her chauvinistic husband, Blanche is seemingly unaware of the unsettling affect her presence has upon the couple. 

Drawn like a moth to a flame Blanche is both attracted and repelled by Stanley.  She watches as he and his friends play poker during the hot New Orleans nights, and Stella grows big with Stanley's child. But, in a city of winners and losers, it is Blanche who ultimately pays the highest stake of all. 

Since its inception in 1994 Next Stage Theatre Company has achieved an enviable reputation for its interpretations of Tennessee Williams’ works. On this, the company’s 12th visit, Next Stage is delighted to bring A Streetcar Named Desire to The Minack stage. It will be the first time that this iconic American masterpiece – heralded as one of the “greatest plays of the twentieth century” – has been produced at The Minack. 

The Bridget Cassé Award for Excellence in Youth Theatre

Each year, the Next Stage Youth tutors nominate youth members for this prestigious award from which one individual is selected. Inaugurated in 2010, in memory of a talented Next Stage actress - Bridget Cassé - who had also been a Youth tutor.

The trophy is given to somebody who has shown theatrical talent, enthusiasm, a willingness to help out and a positive attitude towards fellow members. The Bridget Cassé trophy was awarded for the first time in 2010 to Philip Davies and the winners of the prestigious 2022 Bridget Casse Award for Excellence are Fin Hancorn and Miranda Webb.

Both young actors have shown outstanding flare onstage whilst also being friendly and helpful to other members of the company. They are both always happy to work in a team and enjoy new acting challenges.

Miranda’s credits include Lily in Living with Lady Macbeth in 2022 and Young Esme in Arrivals and Departures working alongside the adult company in 2022.

Fin’s credits include Callum in Noughts and Crosses in 2021 and Nick in Four Minutes Twelve Seconds working alongside the adult company in 2022

Runner up, Sophia Punt, was a very close contender for the trophy this year due to her excellence in acting and her contribution to the youth theatre. A friendly and popular member of the group Sophia gave a memorable performance as Monica in the youth production of Living with Lady Macbeth.

Dara Tiernan deserves the highly commended certificate as someone who has been a friendly and talented member of the company. In the 2022 production of Living with Lady Macbeth, Dara played Gail and she showed her brilliant acting skills when performing her skydiving scene.

Winners Fin Hancorn (R) and Miranda Webb (C) with Artistic Director Ann Ellison BEM (L)

Runner up, Sophia Punt (L) with Artistic Director Ann Ellison BEM (R)

Highly Commended, Dara Tiernan (L) with Artistic DIrector Ann Ellison BEM (R)

Next Stage Youth members awarded bursaries

In May 2012, Next Stage Theatre Company announced the creation of the Come You Giants (CYG) bursary, open to all members of Next Stage Youth who have been in the company for at least 1 year. The £1000 grant has been set up specifically to help young and talented actors who wish to pursue further training in performing arts.

We are delighted to announce that 2022’s recipients are Dara Hopkins and Sophia Punt, who are using their funding to pay for their LAMDA tuition and exam fees.

Dara and Sophia have been enthusiastic members of Next Stage Youth in recent years and are both worthy recipients of help from Come You Giants.

Sophia Punt (right) as Monica in Living with Lady Macbeth (2022)

Sophia Punt (left) as Lynette McGregor in Noughts and Crosses (2021)

Dara Hopkins (right) as Gail Bentley in Living with Lady Macbeth (2022)

Dara Hopkins (right) as News Reporter in Noughts and Crosses (2021)

To find out more about past recipients, click here.

Creative Bath Awards: Finalists in 4 categories!

We are delighted to announce that Next Stage Theatre Company has been shortlisted in four categories at the Creative Bath Awards 2022! These highly coveted awards recognise exceptional creative talent and achievements made by companies and individuals in the city of Bath.

Our nominations are:

CREATIVE ARTS ORGANISATION for Next Stage Theatre Company

CREATIVE SPACE for Burdall’s Yard

PERFORMANCE: DANCE, MUSIC & THEATRE for Next Stage and Next Stage Youth’s Performances in 2021/22

INSPIRATIONAL PERSON for our Artistic Director, Ann Ellison BEM

Our nominations covered the truly extraordinary year that we have had including: The Mission Theatre’s grand reopening post-lockdown; the successful Community Asset Transfer of The Mission Theatre to Next Stage, Burdall’s Yard’s triumphant launch as Bath’s newest community centre and Arts’ hub, the incredible feat of raising £110,000 for Raise the Roof!, the highly-acclaimed Next Stage productions throughout the last year, and the tireless work of our Artistic Director Ann Ellison BEM. To be recognised for these accomplishments is a great honour in itself and we hope you’ll all cross your fingers for us when the winners are announced at The Creative Bath Awards Ceremony on July 22nd.

The Memory of Water, May-June 2021

The Memory of Water, May-June 2021

Next Stage Youth's production of Noughts and Crosses, Sept 2021

Frankenstein, Sept 2021

Frankenstein, Sept 2021

Ann (right) with the Mayor (centre) at the official opening of Burdall's Yard

Burdall's Yard

Raise the Roof!

Burdall's Yard Café

Ann Ellison, Artistic Director

Announcing the winner of Tina's Trophy for Excellence in Theatre 2022-23

Hayley Fitton-Cook (right) receiving her trophy from Next Stage Theatre Company's Artistic Director Ann Ellison BEM

At a Next Stage Social this week, Hayley Fitton-Cook was awarded the beautiful Tina's Trophy for Excellence in Theatre.

Many of you will have seen Hayley treading the boards for Next Stage, and I'm sure will applaud her as a worthy recipient of this prestigious award. Set up in 2019 in memory of Ann’s inspirational Mother, Tina Deacon, the award is intended to celebrate the talents of Next Stage actors and the contribution they have made to the company's work and reputation, both on and offstage.

Many of you will have seen Hayley last September in Brian Hudd's production of Frankenstein, and before that, she was in our covid-hit show, The Memory of Water, willingly rehearsing her part three times over before we successfully reopened the theatre in May 2021. Hayley is currently involved in touring the company's work to local and regional secondary schools, with a production of Four Minutes Twelve Seconds. Until recently, Hayley was also a Next Stage Youth Tutor, and is the Company's Dance and Movement choreographer. Somehow Hayley manages to balance her busy professional and family life with hectic rehearsal schedules and show weeks. Congratulations from all of us in Next Stage to our worthy winner.

Next Stage Youth’s Success at The Mid-Somerset Drama Festival

The Mid-Somerset Festival ran its Speech and Drama classes last week at venues across the city, showcasing the best of young talent in categories ranging from verse speaking and acting, to public speaking. The Festival concluded last Friday, with a concert of "The Best of The Best" hosted at The Mission Theatre.

Members of Next Stage Youth, have worked hard since January on their entries for the festival, and their performances last week were met with great praise. Our entry to Group Acting (19 years & under) took home the trophy on Tuesday night with a scene from Teechers by John Godber, and on Wednesday night Fin Hancorn and Darcey Eccles won best Duo Acting (year 11 and under) for their scene from The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾ by Sue Townsend. Fin and Darcey were asked to perform again at the final concert, where they were awarded the Adkins/Lawman Duo Award for best duo in the Festival.

On Sunday, Next Stage Youth put on a Showcase of their work at Burdall's Yard, for parents and new members to watch.

Opening night of The Hothouse receives impressive reviews

Bath Voice Theatre Reviews: it may be cold outside but it’s a hothouse inside the Mission Theatre with the Next Stage Theatre’s production of Pinter’s lesser-known play set in an ‘institution’

Set in an unnamed institution which we presume is an old-style asylum dating from before the reforms of the 1970s and 1980s Harold Pinter’s The Hothouse is both a period piece and a morality tale.

Director Bob Constantine’s production of the play in the Mission Theatre in Bath faithfully portrays the dark comedy with chuckles rather than belly laughs. The drama is in a long line of plays and films set in institutions of one sort or another – including One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, the film Shock Corridor and the 2005 movie Lunacy plus more recently Blue/Orange at Bath’s Ustinov Studio.

The story hinges on the institution’s director Roote played with enthusiasm by Brian Fisher whose power is slowly usurped by an understated Gibbs (Dominic O’Connor), boozy Lush (an excellent Richard Matthews) and the manipulative Cutts expertly played by Vanessa Bishop. The narrative is sparked off by patient 6457’s death and resident 6459 giving birth – news that blindsides Roote who slowly loses influence as the drama unfolds on a snowy Christmas Day.

With some outstanding pieces of drama such as hapless Lamb’s terrifying electroconvulsive therapy and Lush’s speech on the nature of sanity the drama showcases Next Stage’s range of talented actors. Other members of the cast include George Gent as Lobb and Dave Dunn as Tubb who as with the rest of the cast gave superbly committed performances.

Staged in the round with two levels of settings – one for an office and one for an interview area – the drama’s lighting was at times seemingly too bright for such a gloomy scene. For the interrogation scenes and moments of high drama then Kris Nuttall’s lighting came into its own concentrating the audience’s attention solely on the actors. There were period props such as a green dial up phone and an archaic heater although the costumes were contemporary in style reminding us that although set in some forgotten institution of the 1950s the themes of how power corrupts and the prospect of power corrupts completely.

It’s not hard to see why this one of Pinter’s lesser-known plays with its setting within the glum surrounds of an asylum of sorts but also the feeling it’s a period piece describing an institution that’s largely been consigned to history. Revived in 2007 at the Lyttelton Theatre and at the Trafalgar Studios in 2013 the play was written in 1958 but set aside until 1979 when Pinter finalised the script ahead of production the following year.

Harry Mottram

The play runs to December 4th, 2021.

Details at http://www.missiontheatre.co.uk/whats-on

Introducing Burdall's Yard

The Burdall’s Yard Logo

Next Stage Theatre Company is thrilled to announce its acquisition of Burdall's Yard as a sister venue to The Mission Theatre. Situated near Cleveland Bridge, on the London Road, to the north of the city, Burdall's Yard will be run by Next Stage as a Community Centre and Arts Hub. Previously a brewery, then a nightclub and most recently a students' arts venue, this wonderful building has three atmospheric performance spaces with beautiful stone-vaulted ceilings - Main Stage, Gallery and Studio. The venue also features a large bar/cafe, a full catering kitchen, excellent toilet facilities and a large open courtyard.

The Main Stage at Burdall’s Yard

Burdall's Yard will open in January 2022, offering day time spaces to any local practitioner who would like to run classes there. We are already receiving interest from dance, art, music, yoga, martial arts, pilates and toddler group facilitators, and have bookings for literary and spoken word events. In the evenings, Burdall's Yard will become a vibrant performance venue suitable for hire by theatre, dance and musical  companies, stand up comedians, bands, musicians and open mic night events. 

Becca Jefferis, Venue Manager for Burdall’s Yard

Becca, who also works for Next Stage as their Youth and Schools' Co-ordinator, says: 

 'I have been thrilled at the reaction of those practitioners and performers we have already shown round Burdall's Yard. Every single visitor has loved the space and seen the potential for its use and some have already made bookings. There is real excitement that Bath and its residents will have a community asset that offers beautiful, accessible spaces at affordable prices to the many creative and recreational groups that seek to run classes in the city. I am sure Burdall's Yard will swiftly become a truly beneficial addition to the Bath community'. 

 Francesca says:

'I am thrilled to have the opportunity to assist Becca with the running of Burdall's Yard - it is a beautiful venue with wide-ranging uses and potential. I can't wait to see it buzzing with life. We hope that by Summer 2022 our timetable will feature all aspects of the arts including acting and dance classes, geared at both our younger and our older customers, art exhibitions, themed activity weeks, Fringe and Festival events and a busy wifi cafe'.

Ann and Andrew Ellison, founders of Next Stage Theatre Company in 1994, say:

'This is the most exciting and significant development for Next Stage since we opened The Mission Theatre 17 years ago in January 2005.  For years we have realised there is a very real need in the community for day time practitioners to have opportunities to run classes and activities in a theatrical-style space. Unfortunately, The Mission has limited capacity for such events as there is nearly always a company performing in the Main Auditorium with set and props in place and The Theatre Upstairs has no disabled access or provisions for babes and toddlers. Burdall's Yard - with superb disabled and buggy access, different sized spaces, self-contained rooms, storage space, changing facilities and a large welcoming bar/cafe hub - has huge potential to become one of Bath's most versatile and popular arts centres. We hope that you will come along with us on the next stage of our journey and support our newest venture.'

We plan to host some open days and evenings at Burdall's Yard before Christmas when you will have the chance to see the venue for yourself, ask any questions or volunteer to get involved. Dates to be announced.

Meanwhile if you, or anyone else you know, would be interested in hiring the space, please do get in contact with us, we would love to hear from you our email is: burdallsyard@outlook.com and we will be launching our new website very soon.

Next Stage Theatre Company's Frankenstein is a triumphant start to The Mission Theatre's Autumn season

Chris Constantine as Victor Frankenstein and Richard Matthews as the Creature in Frankenstein

On Monday 6th of September, after a summer of rehearsals, Next Stage’s much - anticipated Frankenstein, adapted by Nick Dear from Mary Shelley’s novel, opened at The Mission Theatre. Directed in thrust by Brian Hudd, making his debut as a director with the company, the play was watched by an appreciative first night audience. Central to the story is the role of the Creature played, in this production, by consummate actor Richard Matthews. Richard, who only two months ago was the recipient of Next Stage’s prestigious Tina’s Trophy for exceptional theatrical work with the company, more than demonstrated in the role of the Creature why he was a worthy recipient of the award.

Richard’s extraordinary physicality and vocal range gives voice to the pent up misery and frustration experienced by the Creature as he is cast out into the world to face hostility and rejection wherever he goes. Umbilically linked to his creator, Victor Frankenstein played with passion and conviction by Chris Constantine, the Creature’s story as depicted in this interpretation is a gripping and compelling one. The scenes between Victor Frankenstein and the aberration to which he has given life are central to the play and held the first night audience gripped. Unsurprisingly a stellar cast, supported by a talented production team, has received outstanding reviews (see below). Tickets are still available here and the show runs until Saturday September 11th.

Review – Frankenstein at the Mission Theatre, Bath

7th September 2021

John Matthews as De lacey and Richard mATTHEWS AS tHE creature

Ian Wallers enjoys an impressive adaptation of a Gothic classic that puts the monster at the focus of the action. 

Frankenstein is certainly back and making his mark on Bath. Following the recent opening of the excellent House of Frankenstein museum in Bath celebrating the life of author Mary Shelley and the creation of her most famous creation, comes an excellent and superbly realised production of Frankenstein the play at The Mission Theatre. Written by Nick Dear, this thoughtful and creative adaptation puts the monster firmly at the centre of proceedings, starting with his rebirth and following his search for understanding, acceptance and ultimately love in an unforgiving society. From the very outset, Richard Matthews portrayal of the monster is magnetically awkward, incredibly skillful and full of pain, hope, anger and naive wonder. It’s a superb realisation of a terribly lost soul, damned and betrayed, cast out by his creator and yet desperate to be accepted.

Chris Constantine as Victor Frankenstein and Richard Matthews as The Creature (Photo Pharos Photography)

Frankenstein is, of course, so much more than a monster story. Written at a time when science was experiencing early breakthroughs in its understanding of areas such as the power of electricity and human anatomy, it is also written by an author dominated by both the romantic notions of poetry, but also the teaching of her father, the philosopher William Goldwin, and the reputation of her mother, the famed feminist innovator Mary Wollstonecraft, who died giving birth to Mary. As such, Frankenstein explores the terrible possibilities of the misuse of the potential powers of the new sciences, with man acting as God and yet failing in his responsibilities to care for the creature he creates. Here is a production that shows there’s so much more to this creature than its looks. This is a creation that learns to speak and read in an effort to desperately become more human. He quotes Milton and uses his almost extreme strength to initially help others, but this is no Marvel superhero, rather a tragic, disowned, fatherless lost creature who is cast out and mistreated by society.

Martin Alsop as the servant, Lydia Cook as Elizabeth and Reynold Leming as Monsieur Frankenstein

The strength in this production comes from Matthews’ ability to show all sides of the monster’s life, from his love of bird song and music, to the terrible revenge he inflicts on those who he sees as doing him wrong. One remarkable passage where he enters the bedchamber of his creator’s new wife, Elizabeth, played with a real strength and yearning by Lydia Cook, to speak to her about what has brought him to her home is full of tension and dark promise.

Absolute credit must also go to Chris Constantine as Victor Frankenstein, all entitlement and self wonder, and yet ultimately careless as to the effects of his grand schemes on those around him. His exchanges with the creature, at one moment full of hatred and anger, the next so impressed with his own powers of creation, are very well delivered.

There is a lot to admire about this brave and very impressive production, with the entire cast worthy of applause for bringing this challenging tale to life against a basic set and minimal props. In addition, huge credit – as ever – should go to The Mission Theatre, a wonderful Bath venue that continues to champion grassroots theatre with an admirable range of productions.

Ian Waller Editor, The Bath and Wiltshire Parent and Bristol Parent.

Frankenstein runs at The Mission Theatre until 11 September. For more information and to book tickets click here

Tina’s Trophy for Excellence in Theatre 2021

This prestigious award was created two years ago to celebrate Excellence in Theatre. The crystal vase, named in memory of Artistic Director Ann Ellison’s inspirational mother, is awarded annually to a member of Next Stage who has gone above and beyond: excelling onstage, backstage, around the theatre, or all three. Previous recipients have been Brian Howe (2019) and Caroline Groom (2020).

We are delighted to announce that, for 2021, Tina’s Trophy has been awarded to another outstanding recipient: Richard Matthews.

Realisation dawns on Richard as he realises he is going to be awarded Tina’s Trophy.

Richard has been part of Next Stage since 2006, playing outstanding roles in at least three shows every year since he joined. Richard is a charismatic and accomplished leading man, but is also humble and modest enough to take on smaller roles when required. Looking back over nearly 40 of Richard’s productions with Next Stage some of his most memorable performances have been in:

Humble Boy
His Dark Materials Parts 1 and 2
Festen
Orpheus Descending
Torch Song Trilogy
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
The Real Thing
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
The Winslow Boy
A Voyage Round my Father
Our Country’s Good
The Recruiting Officer
Norman Conquests
Sweet Bird of Youth
The Judas Kiss
Birdsong
Look Back in Anger

Richard is not only one of Next Stage’s leading performers, but he also helps the company and The Mission Theatre in a multitude of other ways behind the scenes.

Artistic Director Ann Ellison BEM says:
”It is always a delight to work with Richard. Like many outstanding actors he is quiet and self-effacing, but he has that amazing natural ability of all great actors to take on a role and “become” the character he is playing. Every one of Richard’s performances is authentic and totally believable. From Norman to Ralph Clark, Jimmy Porter to Oscar Wilde, from Brick to Chance Wayne; Jack Firebrace to Mike and many, many more, Richard has delighted Next Stage audiences for 15 years with his portrayal of some of the most memorable characters in recent theatrical writing.

The Norman Conquests (2014)

Our Country's Good (2013)

Look Back in Anger (2018)

The Judas Kiss (2014)

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (2010)

Sweet Bird of Youth (2014)

Birdsong (2017)

The Memory of Water (2021)

Working with Richard is a joy as he does not need “directing”. Over the rehearsal process Richard finds the character and gradually goes deeper and deeper in to his new persona. I have directed many of the plays he has been in and find it best to let Richard, in his own time and pace, slip gently in to his role - I learn from him!

Behind the scenes Richard is always the first to volunteer to help with the myriad backstage jobs that always need doing on any show, he is one of our most reliable Front of House volunteers and is an excellent ambassador for the company. Generous and undemanding on stage his fellow actors love being cast with such a sympathetic and talented performer.

Congratulations, Richard, on your award, everyone in Next Stage applauds you and hails you as a worthy recipient of Tina’s Trophy.”