Celebrating 30 Years of Next Stage Theatre Company

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The time is finally here - this month Next Stage Theatre Company turns 30 years old, and we could not be more proud of this tremendous milestone. As we celebrate this achievement and look forward to many more years of operation, we also recognize that it’s a perfect time to look back on the rich history of the company and acknowledge many of the huge achievements that wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our actors, patrons and directors.

1994: Ann Ellison BEM starts up Next Stage Theatre Company with just 10 members. On Wednesday 18th May 1994, this small collective opened Willy Russell’s Educating Rita at The Rondo Theatre - and from there never looked back.

In September of the same year, Next Stage Youth, the company’s youth acting group for 11 - 18 year olds, began its first year of operation and, in 1995, performed in “Oh! Brave New World” an open-air show programmed as part of The Bath International Music Festival.

Ann Ellison with keith Michell in 1990

1995 saw the company’s first patron - Keith Michell, an Emmy Award winning actor, singer and artist as well as Artistic Director of Chichester Festival Theatre - supporting the work of Next Stage. Keith stayed in touch with Artistic Director Ann Ellison for many years and even provided the original artwork for the publicity of Next Stage’s production of Timberlake Wertenbaker’s Our Country’s Good (1996).

1998: Next Stage toured to the Minack Theatre, Cornwall for the very first time with Sisterly Feelings. This would be the beginning of a special relationship Next Stage would come to build with the Minack, returning to tour shows every 2 years.

Sir Alan Ayckbourn, Ann Ellison and Sir David Hare in 2000 at Stephen Joseph Theatre

1999: Sir Alan Ayckbourn became Next Stage’s second patron and invited the company to the Stephen Joseph Theatre to perform David Hare’s Skylight.

In 2000 the company would return to the SJT with Blue Remembered Hills. Later that year Sir David Hare became a patron of the company.

2001: The Royal Hunt of the Sun wins high-acclaim at The Minack Theatre, which is when Next Stage was invited to perform at this world-famous theatre on a biannual schedule.

The Mission Theatre

2001: Dame Harriet Walter, known for her work on stage and TV becomes Next Stage’s first female patron.

2004: In its 10th year, Next Stage Theatre Company acquires the lease of a derelict Grade II listed chapel in Corn Street Bath and creates The Mission Theatre, opening on January 24th 2005.

2007: Next Stage tours His Dark Materials Parts 1&2 to the Minack Theatre. In a meeting with Nick Hytner a few years ago he commented to Ann that she’d taken on quite a challenge with this project!

The cast and crew of “Intimate Exchanges” at the Workshop Theatre, New York.

2008: Next Stage Theatre Company tours to The Mid-Town Festival at The Workshop Theatre in New York with Alan Ayckbourn’s Intimate Exchanges. Kay Francksen and Andrew Ellison play all the characters and Andrew wins Best Actor Off Off Off Broadway.

2008: Next Stage’s production of Festen was the first to be staged in-the-round and international producer Marla Rubin comes to see it on the final night at The Mission Theatre.

2009: Having been spotted by scout in New York, Next Stage is invited to tour to the Jermyn Street Theatre in London’s West End with Torch Song Trilogy.

2012: Next Stage Theatre Company become the first non-professional company to stage Jez Butterworth’s Jerusalem a week after Mark Rylance’s version closed in London’s West End. The show was so popular the company staged a second run of it later the same year and will revive it again in January 2025 to celebrate The Mission Theatre’s 20th Birthday.

Sir Alan Ayckbourn making the closing speech at Next stage’s roman baths reception in 2014

2014: On the company’s 20th anniversary, Sir Alan and Lady Ayckbourn came to Bath to watch both House and Garden performed simultaneously as The Mission Theatre by Next Stage, followed by a reception at the Roman Baths in Bath.

2015: Ann Ellison awarded the British Empire Medal for Services to Theatre in the Queen’s New Year Honours list.

2019: Robert Lindsay, actor for stage and TV, becomes Next Stage’s Silver Anniversary patron.

2021: Next Stage Theatre Company achieves a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) of The Mission Theatre ensuring its future for the following 99 years.

2022: Next Stage Theatre Company opens Burdall’s Yard in Bath as a performing arts venue and community hub.

Next Stage Youth in West Side Story (2023)

2023: Next Stage Youth bring West Side Story, Next Stage’s first full-length musical, to The Mission Theatre and the show sells out.

2024: On May 18th Next Stage Theatre Company will celebrate 30 Years of bringing high-quality theatre, plus 2 performance venues to the city of Bath. The company are delighted to be staging the Bath premiere of The Girl Next Door by patron Alan Ayckbourn.

Ann Ellison says: “Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined the journey Next Stage has been on since I started the company in 1994. Then I had just 12 actors and directed the 2-hander Educating Rita. Many hundreds of actors and youthers later and the dream I had of producing 20th and 21st century plays in exciting and innovative stagings – usually in-the-round – has brought international recognition to the company. I would never have imagined directing nearly 200 shows for Next Stage since 1994. The company is still largely run by volunteers and has flourished thanks in no small part to the generous support of local patrons and the unstinting work of our brilliant volunteers.”

So happy 30th Birthday Next Stage! We hope as many of you as possible will join us to celebrate from Tuesday 14th - Saturday 18th May to see The Girl Next Door at The Mission Theatre, we’d be delighted to have you there with us.

Book your tickets for The Girl Next Door here.

Next Stage Youth Triumphs at this Year's Mid-Somerset Drama Festival

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On Tuesday 5th March, Next Stage Youth took part in the annual Mid-Somerset Drama Festival, competing in both the ‘Year-9 and Under’ and the "‘Under 19’'s’ Group Acting Classes.

Our three groups all excelled with two of them performing extracts from A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness and the other group delivering a scene from The Children’s Hour by Lillian Hellman.

The adjudicator, Stephen Owen, said of our younger actors that they “worked well together establishing and developing their characters.” They made “creative use of the stage” and “delivered thoughtful and expressive work”.

Despite strong competition, this group won their class with Distinction and were awarded the trophy.

Our older actors split into two groups and were awarded third and first places. Stephen thought there was “good physicality” in A Monster Calls and that “all the characters were very well-established.”

The winning group, who performed the scene from The Children’s Hour, were commended on “creating a suitable feeling of emotional tension” and “an appropriate sense of ‘style’”. The adjudicator felt it was a “well-paced scene” that “used the stage effectively” with “convincing performances throughout.”

This group achieved Distinction and were awarded the Crisp Cowley trophy.

Many congratulations to all our talented young actors. Everyone should be extremely proud of what they achieved in a very short rehearsal period. Well done to all.

A fitting end to Next Stage Theatre Company's production of 'Beginning' by David Eldridge

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Following Next Stage Theatre Company's production of Beginning that ran from Wednesday 6th to Saturday 9th September 2023, the show's director, Alexa Garner - making her directorial debut with this show - was delighted to have the opportunity in November to meet with David Eldridge at Birkbeck, University of London, where he is a lecturer in the School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication.

SMiling for a selfie: David Eldridge and alexa garner pictured at their meet-up

During the meeting, they discussed the process of taking a play from the pages of a script to the stage – particularly how the characters evolve and emerge throughout the rehearsal process, and how the play changes with the different dynamics the audience brings.

Alexa shared her experience of directing her first play, and the challenge of staging such an intimate piece 'in-the-round', and David offered some insights from other productions of the show. Alexa was also able to ask some of the questions about the play that had been discussed with the cast during rehearsals, and to hear more about David's inspiration for writing the piece.

Speaking of the meeting, Alexa said, “I feel incredibly lucky to have had the chance to talk about Beginning with the person who created the complex, relatable, and engaging characters of Laura and Danny.”

As a play that leaves Laura and Danny's future up to the audience's imagination, Alexa got the opportunity to ask David whether he had any thoughts as to how his characters' lives would have unfolded.“I get to have my cake and eat it” David replied, and went on to explain that he creates characters that live and react in the moment, whereas the audience imagines their future. As such, each person who sees the show brings their own perspective and experience, thus deciding the outcome.

“It was a real pleasure to meet with Alexa Garner and hear about her revival of ‘Beginning’. One of the most rewarding parts and greatest pleasures of being a playwright is when a play slips the moorings of its first production and journeys into the world making new connections and meanings with new audiences I never dreamed of. I wish I’d been able to see Alexa’s production, it sounds fabulous” - David Eldridge

Although written as a stand-alone play, Beginning subsequently became the first of a trilogy of plays. In April 2022 it was followed by Middle, which premiered at The National Theatre's Dorfman Theatre. Alexa and David discussed the themes of love and relationships which are explored in both plays, and some of the echoes from Beginning that appear in Middle. And as for End – Alexa is very much looking forward to seeing the final instalment in David's trilogy, but no spoilers here!

[Pictured: Sam Fynn and Antonia White as Danny and Laura in Next Stage Theatre Company’s September 2023 production of ‘Beginning’ at The Mission Theatre]

Meet the Winners of 2023's Bridget Cassé Award.

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It is that time of the year to recognise the hard work and dedication of some of our talented members of Next Stage Youth with the presentation of The Bridget Cassé Award for Excellence in Youth Theatre. The award was inaugurated in 2010, in memory of a talented Next Stage actress - Bridget Cassé - who was a much-loved Next Stage Youth tutor. The beautiful glass trophy is awarded in September to the individual in Next Stage Youth who has shown theatrical talent, enthusiasm, a willingness to help out and a positive attitude towards fellow members.

Next Stage Youth tutors who have worked with the group over the past twelve months nominate youthers for this prestigious award from which a Winner, a Runner-Up and a Highly Commended recipient are selected.

We are delighted to announce that the thirteenth winner of the prestigious Bridget Cassé Award in 2023 is Phoebe Bartlett. The Runner up is Dara Tiernan and Malena Agathangelou has been Highly Commended.

[pictured from left to right] Artistic Director Ann Ellison BEM with Bridget Casse award winner phoebe bartlett and runner-up dara tiernan

Phoebe is a popular and well-deserved winner of this year’s trophy. She has demonstrated her talent as well as her commitment to the company throughout the year with excellent attendance records and an enthusiastic attitude that she brings to every session and rehearsal.

During the year, Phoebe has taken part in an Under-19’s Group Acting entry in the Mid-Somerset Drama Festival, helping to win the Crisp Cowley trophy with her group’s extract from The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Simon Stephens. Phoebe performed in Next Stage’s adult production The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole: The Musical in March 2023 and most recently she wowed audiences in her role as Anita in West Side Story: School Edition. Her hard work and dedication in all of these dramatic outings has not gone unnoticed. Congratulations Phoebe on your well-deserved award!

Runner up, Dara Tiernan, was a very close contender for the trophy this year, she too is a friendly and talented member of the company and a recipient of 2022’s Come You Giants bursary, using it to fund tuition for her LAMDA exam. Her most recent acting credits include one of the school girls in The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole: The Musical as well as fantastically depicting the boisterous and complex character of Anybodys in West Side Story.

Malena Agathangelou is Highly Commended in this year’s nominations, which recognises her natural flair for acting, particularly evident in her most recent role as A-Rab in West Side Story.

We want to thank all three of this year’s recipients once again for bringing such enthusiasm and energy to Next Stage Youth and supporting their peers whenever they can. Congratulations to you all!

The Right Worshipful The Mayor of Bath Cllr Dine Romero comes to see 'West Side Story'.

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THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL THE MAYOR OF BATH Cllr dine romero WITH THE cast of west side story.

On Wednesday 27th September 2023 Next Stage Theatre Company and Next Stage Youth were delighted to welcome The Right Worshipful The Mayor of Bath Cllr Dine Romero to The Mission Theatre to see the company’s production of West Side Story - The School Edition. The Mayor, accompanied by her daughter, very much enjoyed the show - the first full-scale musical in the company’s history.

The Mayor and her daughter were met upon arrival by show director Ann Ellison BEM who is also Artistic Director of Next Stage. Ann talked to the guests about the company which is celebrating its 30th birthday next year, and about the talented young cast all of whom have learnt song, dance and fight choreography for West Side Story and many of whom have never sung in public before. After playing to a full house, the cast and crew of the show were delighted to meet with The Mayor and chat about their experiences with Next Stage Youth.

In the theatre’s comment book, The Mayor wrote:

“We’ve had an amazing evening - such an excellent show, great talents, well done to everyone involved and good luck for the rest of the performances."

The Mayor expressed an interest in paying a visit to Next Stage Theatre Company’s other venue, Burdall’s Yard, later this year. Next Stage Youth meet weekly at Burdall’s Yard and enrolment for the autumn term is happening there on Sunday.

More Info on NSY.

THe cast of West Side Story dancing in the ‘Dance at the gym’ scene.

A Streetcar Named Desire at The Minack Theatre

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It is hard to imagine any more glorious setting for an outdoor theatre than the world-famous Minack Theatre created in the 1930’s on the cliffs of Cornwall, near Lands End, by the redoubtable Rowena Cade.

The impressive amphitheatre carved into the cliff is a 550 seater auditorium, which comes complete with free views of seals, dolphins, and basking sharks! These distractions, along with the regular criss-cross of the Scillies helicopters, the noisy RIB boats that roar up, and then bob around on the sea, giving their passengers a close-up of the theatre, the occasional flurry of Coast Guard activity, the calling and diving of seabirds, the fishermen on the rocks below, the boats passing by and the glorious views - both day and night - mean that the dramatic offerings, for which this amazing space was created, can often feel a bit of an afterthought!

For Bath’s very own Next Stage Theatre Company this was its 12th outing to the Minack. Having first performed there in 1998, Next Stage has been back every two years since 2001, until the company’s visits were put on hold by the pandemic. With the Minack closed in 2020, and only partially open in 2021, Next Stage has had to wait four years since its last production - Great Expectations in 2019 - before returning last week with A Streetcar Named Desire.

The Minack team had entrusted Next Stage with delivering the very first Tennessee Williams play ever to be performed at the Minack and there was therefore a lot resting on this production. Bath audiences had already had the chance to see it in July when it had played to sell out audiences at the Mission theatre and had received rave reviews.

The first challenge any company has to face when asked to perform at The Minack is getting the set, props and costumes from the top of the cliff to the bottom. The answer is to create the famous “Minack chain” whereby everything - other than very large and/or cumbersome items - are chained down the cliff by actors and crew, all standing close enough to each-other to allow items to be passed from one person to another without anyone having to take unnecessary steps and risk overbalancing on the steep, raked terraces.

The next challenge is provided by the elements. Any company appearing at The Minack has to bear in mind that, performing in the open, in a British summer, on the Atlantic Ocean is likely to mean that they will be drenched in rain, blown off their feet in thirty mile-per-hour gales, or severely burnt if the matinee performances take place in blazing sun. Last week the Next Stage company did not have blazing sun as a problem, but certainly experienced everything else that the unkind British summer wanted to throw at them - gales, rain, fog and unseasonably low temperatures.

However, despite all the challenges, including one of the company nearly losing her voice and another one sustaining injury to her knee, the show DID go on and proved to be as popular with Cornish audiences as it had been with Bath ones. Jenni Balow, the opening night reviewer, praised Next Stage’s “searing drama” and the “brave decision” by the company to undertake this particular play, which “simmers” and “does deliver” on all fronts.

Whilst any production week at The Minack is physically exhausting for all who are participating in the marathon, it is an extremely rewarding and exhilarating experience and one which gives memories that last a lifetime.

Ann Ellison BEM, Director of A Streetcar Named Desire said on her return from Cornwall:

 “I am incredibly proud of our intrepid band of talented actors, musicians, and crew, who supported me last week and pulled off such a memorable run of shows. They all worked so hard and truly deserved the standing ovations they received nightly and should feel very pleased with what they’ve achieved.”

Our Tina's Trophy winner for 2023 - Bob Constantine

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On April 2nd 2023, Bob Constantine was presented with Next Stage Theatre Company’s prestigious award: Tina’s Trophy for Excellence in Theatre. This award, created in 2019, is presented to a member of the company who has excelled onstage, backstage or in work behind the scenes supporting and promoting the company. When accepting the trophy Bob said: "Being in Next Stage is rather like being in a family. You look out for, and support each other and as well as all the fun onstage, we are all aware of how much help is needed keeping such a busy company and theatre afloat."

Since joining Next Stage in 2016, Bob has made a rich and full contribution to the company in a variety of ways. Bob has directed five plays for Next Stage and taken leading and support roles in a number of others. As well as his contributions to Next Stage’s artistic programme, Bob also gives up a lot of time helping our work behind the scenes. He champions the company at every opportunity and can frequently be found helping out front-of-house, or locking up after a visiting company. Bob distributes the company’s brochures around the city and his neighbourhood and is often to be found helping us out when the main auditorium needs a reconfiguration.

Bob is a consummate actor and an insightful and respected director. In 2016, Bob made his Next Stage debut as Sebastian Cruttwell in Terence Rattigan’s In Praise of Love. His performance was described as “…strong and convincing” (Petra Schofield) and “utterly believable” (Philip Horton.) In 2017 Bob toured to The Minack Theatre in Cornwall with the company’s production of Birdsong in which he played two significant characters: Rene Azaire and Colonel Barclay. Bob’s performances were “played with true style and conviction” (Philip Horton). In 2019, Bob delivered a “faultless performance” (Philip Horton) as Sir Andrew Charleston in David Hare’s Plenty. Since then, Bob has been  memorable as Professor Charlie Sharp in The Sweet Science of Bruising in 2022 – “consummately professional” (Rebecca Beard), and most recently stepped up at two weeks’ notice to take over the role of disreputable Bert Baxter in our March 2023 production of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13 ¾. “Seasoned actor Bob Constantine enjoyed himself as the grumpy but lovable Bert Baxter. With huge energy, his politically incorrect opinions and his song lit up the production” (Harry Mottram).

Bob’s shows never cease to shine, whether he’s on stage or sitting in the directorial chair. In 2018, Bob made his Next Stage directorial debut with Dangerous Corner, described as a “fast-paced piece – not one to be missed!” (Philip Horton). This was followed in 2019 with For Services Rendered, which was enthusiastically described as “a seriously good production, where the action never flags.” (Philip Horton). In 2020, Bob’s production of Collaborators was described as “A real cracker … The play is brought to life by the skill of playwright, director, and large cast in this superb piece of theatre” (Philip Horton). Bob directed one of Pinter’s lesser-known plays, The Hothouse in 2021, which was acclaimed as an “outstanding piece of drama, showcasing Next Stage’s range of talented actors with the cast giving superbly committed performances” (Harry Mottram).

Bob’s last directorial outing for Next Stage was at the end of 2022, when he took on our patron, Sir David Hare’s, play Racing Demon. This large-cast and wide-ranging play was recognised, in Bob’s sure hands, for its “Sophisticated dialogue, nuanced argument and complex characters…” (Harry Mottram).

A photo gallery of Bob in a variety of productions from 2016 - 2023

His Right Worshipful The Mayor of Bath and The Mayoress attend Next Stage’s production of “The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4”

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On Wednesday 22nd March we were delighted to welcome The Mayor of Bath back to The Mission Theatre to come and see members of Next Stage Theatre Company and Next Stage Youth at their very best in The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13 ¾. The show had received a 5* review the night before and, with a full house, the theatre was a-buzz with excitement as the Mayoral party took their seats.

Following their prior trip in February when they visited the theatre for an hour during half term to see some of our Next Stage Youthers in rehearsal, The Mayor and The Mayoress immediately booked to come and see the full show and were very enthusiastic to watch our rendition of a story they grew up on.

When the Mayor arrived he spoke with a volunteer from the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity, for which Next Stage is raising money at every performance of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole.

The Mayor spoke to Artistic Director Ann Ellison BEM in the interval and after the show. He was very interested in how actors became involved in the company and Ann explained that there were no membership fees and no auditions and that everyone, no matter how experienced or not, has always been welcome. We are sure that our company’s values resonate with the Mayor, whose focus throughout his year of office has been equal opportunities for people from different financial backgrounds; and children and their voice.

The Mayor was impressed at what a strong ensemble had been put together for the show with everyone seemingly perfect in their parts. He loved the fact that he had seen the “Disco Divas” in February and could see how the rehearsals had prepared them for the polished performances he saw last night.

After the show The Mayor and Mayoress met with and addressed the cast, congratulating them all on their amazing performances and posing for a photo or two!

Next Stage Theatre Company very much appreciates all The Mayor and the Mayoress have done in the last year to support our work at The Mission Theatre and Burdall’s Yard. THANK YOU!

Success for Next Stage Youth at The Mid-Somerset Drama Festival

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The Mid-Somerset Festival is running its Speech and Drama classes this 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 will conclude on Friday 10th March, with a concert of "The Best of The Best" hosted at The Mission Theatre havinge worked hard since December 2022 on their entries for the festival, and their performances this week were met with great praise.

One of our two entries in Group Acting (19 years & Under) took home the Crisp Cowley trophy having won the class with distinction and 89 marks. The group had performed scenes from The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime by Simon Stephens.  The adjudicator applauded the young actors for their contrasting roles, their reactions to each other and their ability to convey the emotional impact of the piece – flowing smoothly from scenes of humour, to those of pathos.

Our other entry in this class came second place with a scene from The Crucible by Arthur Miller. This group also received high praise for their portrayal of different emotions and their ability to adapt their body language to fit the time period of the play. This group gained 88 marks and a Distinction grade.

NEXT STAGE YOUTH 19 YEARS AND UNDER GROUPS WITH aRTISTIC DIRECTOR, aNN eLLISON

Our younger actors were in the class: Group Acting (Year 9 and Under) and came second with 87 – just 2 marks behind the winners. They performed the opening of The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe by Glyn Robbins, again receiving a distinction grade and lovely feedback which commented of their great use of space, their focus and their reactions to each other.

nEXT sTAGE YOUTH YEAR 9 AND UNDER GROUP WITH THEIR TUTOR, TIANA JAMES

Overall the adjudicator complemented all of NSY for their great teamwork and for bringing to the Festival such fine examples of Group Acting. He commented that memories of the evening would stay with him for a long time.

WELL DONE TO ALL OUR TALENTED ACTORS!


On Sunday March 12th 4.30-5.30 at The Mission Theatre, Next Stage Youth will be putting on a Showcase of their MSDF work for parents, family members and friends, new members and the public to watch. Entry is free. 

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

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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.