Theatre’s on a mission to bring great shows again
The Mission Theatre’s Autumn Season sees old and modern classics, new writing and exciting compilations.
If you enjoy festival events then look no further than the jampacked week of Jane Austen delights in September.
If you prefer scary treats then you can enjoy both Dracula and Frankenstein on stage.
And for some classics how about Mike Leigh’s Abigail’s Party or Harold Pinter’s The Hothouse?
Artistic director Ann Ellison said: “After the trials and tribulations of the past year and a half it is a real joy to be introducing The Mission Theatre’s exciting Autumn Season.
“Throughout the months of lockdown I found it very hard to go into the main auditorium of our lovely theatre. The reason?
“A theatre without people, without performers, without an audience feels like a building that has had all the oxygen sucked out of it.
“A building that normally throbs with life, excitement and creativity became a shadow of its former self.
“However, throughout the last 16
Once again the magic of theatre and all it means to so many of you has won through. Artistic director Ann Ellison
months, all of us who work at The Mission Theatre have been buoyed up by you the public and, in particular, the amazing waves of support we received when we launched our Raise the Roof! Appeal in March this year and then again when we needed support to finalise the Community Asset Transfer of the theatre from the council which has assured the future of The Mission Theatre for the next 99 years.
“It has been a real rollercoaster ride since March 2020 and, while hoping fervently it will not be repeated, I have to say it has been challenging, invigorating and, in the end, life-affirming.
“Once again the magic of theatre and all it means to so many of you has won through.
“The new roof is about to go on our lovely 250-year-old building, we are arranging the new 99-year lease with the council and, best of all, a wonderful Autumn Season awaits you.”
This Sunday the programme starts with autumn enrolment for the Next Stage Youth from 4.306pm. Welcoming youngsters of all abilities, with no audition or preselection process, Next Stage Youth (NSY) is one of Bath’s leading theatrical youth companies.
Rehearsing in three 10-week terms per year, and with the advantage
of their own theatrical space at The Mission Theatre, Nsyouthers usually stage one or two main productions a year.
To find out more email nextstagebath@aol.com or call 01225 428600 to register your interest.
From Monday (September 6) Next Stage presents Frankenstein, adapted from Mary Shelley’s novel by Nick Dear. The show runs until Saturday, September 11. The show is not suitable for under 12s as it contains some scenes of an adult nature.
Next Stage Youth presents Noughts and Crosses, adapted from Malorie Blackman’s novel by Dominic Cooke, from Wednesday, September 29, to Saturday, October 2, from 7.30pm. There is a matinee on the Saturday at 2pm. This show is suitable for ages 11-plus.
Bath Operatic and Dramatic Society presents Relatively Speaking by Alan Ayckbourn from Wednesday, October 6 to Saturday,
October 9, at 7.30pm with matinees at 2pm on Wednesday and Saturday.
Shakespeare Live presents the world premiere of Hamlet Act VI – a new play by William Shakespeare and Dennis Harkness and directed by Alison Paine from Monday, October 11th to Tuesday, October 12 at 8pm.
There’s another touch of Gothic horror on Thursday and Friday, October 14 and 15, when Downpour Theatre Company presents Dracula, adapted from Bram Stoker’s novel by Cully Morgan, at 7.30pm. This play is not suitable for under-12s as it contains scenes of violence and mildly explicit language.
The Apollo Theatre Company presents Ode to Joyce – the songs and monologues of Joyce Grenfell, compiled and performed by Cheryl Knight and co-devised and directed by Paul Knight on Saturday, October 16 at 7.30pm.
And on Thursday October 21 at 7.30pm, the inspirational adventurer and endurance cyclist Emily Chappell discusses her acclaimed books and remarkable life story in conversation with Duncan Steer.
There’s an invitation to Platform 8 Productions’ Abigail’s Party, by Mike Leigh, on Wednesday, November 10 to Saturday, November 13, at 7.30pm.
Bath Gilbert and Sullivan Society returns to The Mission with a new production of the famous duo’s first full-length comic opera, The Sorcerer on Tuesday, November 16 to Saturday, November 20 at 7.30pm.
And the Next Stage Theatre Company presents The Hothouse by Harold Pinter from Monday, November 29 to Saturday, December 4 at 7.30pm.
Further details of Next Stage productions and all events at The Mission Theatre can be found on www. missiontheatre.co.uk and www. next-stage.co.uk.