Relatively Speaking Opens With a Bang!

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Relatively Speaking by Alan Ayckbourn

presented by Next Stage Theatre Company

Next Stage Theatre Company. Cast of Relatively Speaking (from left to right), Jonathan Taft as Greg, Mike Stevens as Phillip, Liz Wilson as Ginny and Hayley Fitton-Cook as Sheila.

Review:

A trip to The Mission Theatre is never to be resisted, especially if an Alan Ayckbourn play is involved. The personal connection of one of our greatest living playwrights to this gorgeous theatre adds an extra layer of excitement to the evening. I've been a fan since watching my brother in a school production of Gosforth's Fete, I've directed two (A Chorus of Disapproval and Life of Riley) and watched many others, but this one has until now escaped me. Funnily enough, this play is referenced in Life of Riley as the plot involves some of the characters putting on Relatively Speaking, so I feel as if I already have a good reason to be here to join the dramatic dots. Theatre in the round is the specialty of The Mission, and this is perfect for Ayckbourn who designed his material to be performed in this way. The attention to detail in the set design is everything we've come to expect from Next Stage. I loved Ginny's London bedsit flat, but the garden was the stand-out set ("Ayckbourn and the power of gardens as a dramatic setting" -discuss) complete with the lightest of touches from Kris Nuttall and Andy Punt (leaves on the lawn, birdsong and a gobo effect) to enhance the effect.  I particularly liked the 1960s music vibe, placing it squarely in the era in which it was written, signalling the changing attitudes toward relationships and sexuality and the power dynamic between men and women. Not his first play, but an early one that put him on the map, Relatively Speaking gives us Ayckbourn at his best capturing middle-class coupledom with all its attendant relationship issues. It has the technical challenges that are his trademark, carefully maneuvering the cast on and off to maintain the narrative confusion in the manner of a farce without the opening and closing of doors or the dropping of trousers. The joy of farce lies in the audience understanding that characters telling the truth and clearing up any misunderstandings would end the play very quickly and deprive us of the fun of watching them dig deeper holes for themselves. This play works because of the very English idea that it would be rude to ask direct questions, leaving us a wonderful comedy of manners full of awkward silences and small talk. It was clear that the cast, under the direction of Ann Ellison (supported by the steady hand of Andrew Ellison as stage manager), were very much up to the task. Liz Wilson was excellent as the liberated young swinging-London Ginny, living on her own terms in her flat, but very much unseated when at the home of her married lover to break off the relationship only to discover that her boyfriend Greg is already there under the impression that it is her parents' house. Jonathan Taft was the perfect Greg, possibly the only decent character in the play; well-meaning, as yet uncorrupted and disillusioned by life, and ready to take a chance on love. Phillip was brought to life beautifully by Mike Stevens with shifty mannerisms and a passive-aggressive tone that encapsulated a man who has his cake and enjoys eating it, keen to prolong the affair with Ginny by underhand means if necessary. But my Man (or rather Woman) of the Moment has to be Hayley Fitton-Cook and her portrayal of Sheila. She moved seamlessly between polite bafflement and well-worn annoyance, and her handling of the genteel conversation to mask the confusion and giving as good as she gets to her grumpy husband was a joy to behold. It was only fitting that she got the final line, turning the whole play on its head. Fans of Ayckbourn and those new to his repertoire will thoroughly enjoy this production. It might not be the same as a dirty weekend or even a dirty great lifetime, but it will be a wonderful night at the theatre that will keep you laughing long after the final applause. Don't miss it.

Rebecca Beard.

Mid-Somerset Drama Festival 2026

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Crisp Cowley Cup winners (from left to right) Elspeth Geddis, Finn Zanelli, Millie Godfrey

Next Stage Youth (NSY) had very successful results in the Mid-Somerset Drama Festival on March 10th. Our 11-18 year old theatre group competed in two classes with our younger members in the Year 9 and under Group Acting and our older members entered for 19 and Under Group Acting.

The younger group came second in their class, achieving honors for their engaging extract from The Witches. The adjudicator applauded them for their group work, their use of space and excellent mime. Eilidh Henwood received particular praise for her depiction of The Grand High Witch and Theo Sharma was outstanding as beastly Bruno!

Our three older groups performed scenes from Noughts and Crosses and The Children’s Hour. The first group was commended for a powerful scene from Mallory Blackman’s story of teenagers who fall in love against all the odds of class and race. Strong performances were delivered by the NSY actors Juliet Stanbridge and George Chivers portraying Sephy and Callum and they in turn were well supported by the other coherent and focused group members.

The second group, who also did an extract from Noughts and Crosses, came second with honours for a gripping scene between Sephy (Dilys Hughes) and her mother Jasmine (Willow Adams) and father Kamal (Alex Tarasevych. The three actors were congratulated for effective use of dialogue and their movement around the stage.

Finally, the last group were awarded first place and the Crisp Cowley Cup for their excellent three-hander scene from The Children’s Hour. Finn Zanelli played Dr Cardin with Elspeth Geddis as the grandmother figure and Mllie Godfrey as the scheming and manipulative schoolgirl, Mary. Their mature depiction of a tense exchange from this thought-provoking play gripped the adjudicator and the audience alike.

Next Stage Youth’s Artistic Director, Ann Ellison BEM says:

 ‘I am so proud of what our youngsters achieved in this year’s Mid-Somerset Drama Festival. All of them have worked hard since Christmas during their weekly Sunday get-togethers to ensure that their work was of sufficiently high calibre to achieve the marks and comments they so deserved. All of them did a final Showcase of their work to parents and friends at their weekly session on Sunday March 15th at Burdall’s Yard where they meet regularly throughout the term time.’

The NSY Summer term will start on Sunday 26th April. If you are interested in getting involved with this well-established and prestigious theatre group, why not get in touch by emailing nextstagebath@aol.com or calling 01225 428600

The Bridget Casse Award 2025

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We are delighted to announce that talented members of Next Stage Youth have been awarded certificates and The Bridget Cassé Award for Excellence in Youth Theatre for 2025. 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/s in Next Stage Youth who have 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 usually selected. However this year we are recognising the talents of five youthers – George Chivers and Finn Zanelli as Joint Winners, Elspeth Geddis and Millie Sharma as Runners-Up and Alex Tarasevych who was Highly Commended. We are really proud of the incredible work and commitment to theatre which all these individuals have shown throughout the last year.

Our Next Stage Youth tutors say of the five young actors:

George always seems to be focused and listening to what the next task is. He brings a lovely calming nature to the group and gets on well with all. He shows a great willingness to learn. George first took to the stage with NSY as Chino in West Side Story (2023), he then played a trio of roles (Sir Willoughby, Mr Gripe and School Inspector) in The Wolves of Willoughby Chase and was Ed in Blood Brothers earlier in 2025. George is playing Mr Briggs in the forthcoming production of Our Day Out.

Finn always brings a positive attitude to the class and is always happy to join in and get involved and gives every session his all - you can really tell that drama is what he wants to do. Finn’s first show with the company was The Wolves the Wolves of Willoughby Chase (2024), going on to perform in Blood Brothers (2025). Finn is playing Reilly in Next Stage Youth’s upcoming production of Our Day Out in October.

Elspeth Geddis and Millie Sharma - our runners up are excellent actors, and both have a willing and helpful attitude to Youth sessions always being prepared to help others both on stage and backstage.

Elspeth joined us for her first show - West Side Story in 2023 going on to be the Narrator in The Wolves of Willoughby Chase (2024). Elspeth then played Mrs Lyons in Blood Brothers (2025) and will be performing as Digga in Our Day Out in October.

Millie played Sylvia in The Wolves of Willoughby Chase (2024) and Mrs Johnston in Blood Brothers earlier this year. Although unavailable to perform in Our Day Out Millie has been along to rehearsals helping and encouraging her fellow Youthers along their creative journey.

Alex is a worthy recipient of our Highly Commended Award. He has come to a different country from Ukraine, learnt the language and has found the confidence to get on a stage and perform in front of strangers. Alex joined us to assist with lighting for Blood Brothers (2025) and went on to tour with the adult company to The Minack Theatre in Cornwall this summer in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. Alex is playing the role of Colin in the forthcoming production of Our Day Out.

A huge congratulations to all five recipients this year. You continuously raise the bar for young performers in the local area with all the hard work you do, and your enthusiasm for acting and kindness to other members of the company has helped to make Next Stage Youth a highly successful and popular youth theatre group in Bath.

Next Stage Theatre Company on tour with 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time'

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The Minack Theatre at Lands End July 28th - 31st 2025 

No one in their right mind would contemplate delivering high-end entertainment on a sheer cliff face with crashing seas below, frequent inclement weather and difficult access. No one, that is, unless you are one of the few privileged companies invited each year to perform at The Minack Theatre on the Lands End peninsula in Cornwall. The furthest flung theatre in the west of our United Kingdom the theatre was the vision of Rowena Cade whose family home in the early 1900s was atop the cliff overlooking Porthcurno Bay.

Rowena, a Cheltenham Ladies educated spinster, made an inspired decision in the 1930’s to use the sloping cliff down from her back garden to the rocks below as an auditorium for some Shakespearean productions aimed at entertaining the local villagers. Nearly 100 years later Rowena’s simple vision has become an internationally famous, high-tech, state of the art theatre with over 500 eager audience members cramming the terraces and cliffside seats at each show to watch everything from opera to Shakespeare, from Noël Coward to this week’s current production –The Who’s Tommy.  

Next Stage Theatre Company has been lucky enough to achieve a regular visiting slot at the Minack since 1998 performing again in 2001 and then every two years until their latest outing two weeks ago. On this most recent visit Next Stage took Mark Haddon’s brilliant story The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time -adapted for the stage by Simon Stephen - and performed it six times to sell-out audiences.

The logistics of getting props, set, costumes, technical kit, actors and all their paraphernalia down the steep cliff at 9 am on a Saturday morning knowing that by Monday at 8pm you will be performing a fully rehearsed, costumed and technically lit show – complete with sound effects and perfectly timed exits and entrances - can seem daunting. Over the years Next Stage’s solution has been to create a chain of people – often 30-40 strong - arranged on the cliff side passing all the necessary bits and pieces down to the stage. This year the company’s Artistic Director Ann Ellison BEM had made everyone’s life a lot easier by designing the show around eight boxes and 12 planks, with the cast all in black! It was the quickest get-in and get out ever!

This year, unlike some others, the weather gods smiled on us and although the seven days of warm and still air did lead to hot conditions, regular plagues of flying ants plus the inevitable distraction of paddle boards, fishing boats, tourist boats and the occasional passing dolphin all being able to get close up and personal in the matinees, it was a joy to have such perfect conditions.

Of course, all any company really wants to do at The Minack is celebrate and enhance the reputation of this quite extraordinarily beautiful and inspirational performance space. Luckily Mark Haddon’s story worked its charm and without a doubt Next Stage received more enthusiastic comments about the show than it could’ve dared to hope for. Visitors’ comments such as:

‘Last night was fantastic’

‘What an amazing evening!’

‘The show - Curious Incident - was the absolute best we have seen - probably ever in about 25 years of coming to The Minack. It was exceptional. Thanks to all concerned.’

‘Loved the performance - thank you’

‘Excellent’  

The standing ovation at the end of each performance meant the months of hard work, rehearsing in a back garden to simulate the Minack Stage, the long journey to Porthcurno, and even longer performance days were all worthwhile.

The cast and crew of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time once again flew the theatrical flag of excellence high for their home city of Bath and, without a doubt, enhanced their own considerable national and international reputation with the 3500 tourists and locals alike who flocked to see their work.

Cast

Christopher Boone - Fin Hancorn
Siobhan - Tania Lyons
Ed - Mike Stevens
Judy - Antonia White
Mrs Shears/Mrs Gascoyne/Passenger/Shopkeeper - Kitty Muffett
Mrs Alexander/Posh Woman - Kay Francksen
Roger/Duty Sergeant/Rev.Peters/Station Policeman - Brian Fisher
No. 40/Information/Drunk 1/Punk Girl - Sophia Punt
Policeman 1 & London Policeman/Man Behind Counter/Drunk 2/ Mr Thompson/Man with Socks - Alex Tarasevych

Production Team

Director - Ann Ellison
Stage Manager/Tour Manager - Andrew Ellison
Assistant Stage Manager - Alexa Garner
Assistant Stage Manager - Alan Vine
Light Design and Operative - Kris Nuttall
Sound Operative - Andy Punt
Fight Choreographer - Nicky Wilkins
Set Design - Ann Ellison
Set Construction - Brian Fisher
Photography - Mike Stevens

The Winner of Tina's Trophy 2025 - Kay Francksen!

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Every year Next Stage Theatre Company awards one lucky member Tina’s Trophy. It is a recognition of Excellence in Theatre, initiated in 2019 for the company’s Silver Anniversary. Since then it has become a yearly opportunity to recognise company members who have gone above and beyond both on and offstage.

On Sunday 27th April we had the pleasure of being able to present Tina’s Trophy for 2025 to Kay Francksen. Kay has been a member of the company for over 25 years and have been in nearly 50 shows, she is also a committed and reliable member of our volunteer team and more recently has taken to running a number of accent workshops with Next Stage Youth.

Accepting the trophy with delight, Kay spoke of her honour to be recognised for this award, remarking that what she loves the most about Next Stage is its sense of family, where everyone is truly passionate about their love of theatre and stagecraft.

Kay’s first Next Stage show was Arthur Miller’s A View From The Bridge in 1999 and from then she went on to leading roles in Miller’s other iconic plays. She has become one of the most experienced actors in the company with close to 50 Next Stage performances to her credit, including three (soon to be four) trips to the open-air Minack Theatre on the cliffs at Porthcurno. Kay isn’t a stranger to one-woman and two-hander performances, having starred in Shirley Valentine, My Brilliant Divorce and Intimate Exchanges on multiple occasions over the years.

Kay has taken part in some significant Next Stage tours, including two weeks in New York in 2008 performing in an off-Broadway festival in Alan Ayckbourn’s Intimate Exhanges. This tour was followed a year later with one to the Jermyn Street Theatre in London’s West End, where Kay performed over three weeks in Torch Song Trilogy.

Audiences last saw Kay onstage in A Monster Calls in November 2024 and she will be appearing in our Minack run on The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time in July.

Recently Kay has worked alongside other company members as an accent coach for Next Stage Youth, helping our talented youngsters to perform with excellent and convincing Liverpudlian accents during their March production of Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers. She will be helping to run further accent sessions for the youthers throughout the Summer term, much to their excitement!

Kay has also been a devoted member of our front-of-house team over the years, always consistent in showing up to support Next Stage and The Mission Theatre off-stage, despite living nearly an hour’s drive away!

There is so much we have to thank Kay for, and we hope that the awarding of Tina’s Trophy for 2025 not only demonstrates our immense thanks for all she has done but also recognises her talent and contributions to the company and what it has become. Thank you, Kay!

2024's Recipients of The Bridget Casse Award for Excellence in Theatre are here!

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[Left to right] Elspeth Geddis, george chivers, dara tiernan, ed punt and ann ellison.

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 thrilled to announce that 2024 sees us with four recipients - Dara Tiernan is our winner, George Chivers and Ed Punt recieved our Runner-Up awards and Elspeth Geddis came Highly Commended.

Dara, our winner, is a friendly and enthusiastic character within Next Stage Youth who has worked diligently and grown as a performer since recieving the Runner-Up award in 2023, showing great promise as a young actress. Over the years Dara has been in a number of Next stage and Next Stage Youth shows. This year she also participated in The Mid-Somerset Festival, performing an excerpt from A Monster Calls in Group A of the under 19s Group Acting class. Most recently she shone in the role of the wicked Mrs Slighcarp in The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, where her laugh-a-minute performance impressed audiences.

George and Ed, our Runner-Ups for 2024, have both been members of Next Stage Youth for just over a year and have shown great promise and improvement in their acting skills and confidence throughout their time with us.

George first took the stage with NSY as Chino in West Side Story (2023) and has most recently played a trio of roles (Sir Willoughby, Mr Gripe and School Inspector) in The Wolves of Willoughby Chase.

Ed similarly joined us in 2023 and landed the role of Snowboy, one of the Jets in West Side Story, then moving on to help NSY secure the winner’s trophy in the Year 9-and-Under Group Acting Class at 2024’s Mid Somerset Drama Festival. Last week audiences saw him play the role of the cunning Mr Grimshaw in The Wolves of Willoughby Chase.

Elspeth Geddis is our last, and very deserving recipient of this year’s Highly Commended award. She demonstrated a fantastic range of character in The Wolves of Willoughby Chase where she played five different parts effortlessly.

A huge congratulations to all four recipients this year. You continuously raise the bar for young performers in the local area with all the hard work you do, and your enthusiasm for acting and kindness to other members of the company helps make Next Stage Youth what it is.

Next Stage Youth's 30th Birthday!

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Tomorrow, on Thursday 12th September, Next Stage Youth Theatre Company will celebrate its 30th Birthday, having started up in September 1994.

To celebrate this milestone the talented members of Next Stage Youth are staging their rendition of Joan Aiken’s The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, adapted for stage by Russ Tunney and directed by Next Stage’s Artistic Director Ann Ellison. This fast-paced and technically advanced production sees the Youthers in gorgeous costumes and makes use of slideshow projection and a variety of other fun effects. You won’t want to miss it!

As we look forward to celebrating tomorrow, it is also a great time to look back at all Next Stage Youth has accomplished over the last 30 years:

·    1994: In September Ann Ellison BEM set up Next Stage Youth Theatre Company (NSY).

·    1995: Next Stage invited to perform Oh! Brave New World in the Bath International Music Festival – all of Next Stage Youth took part in this prestigious open-air event.

·    Mid-Somerset Drama Festival: from 1994 NSY established a strong link with Bath’s prestigious music and drama festival and NSY members have competed almost every year for the last 30 years. Many trophies have been won, particularly in the Group Acting classes.

·    1998: Next Stage Youthers performed in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead at Kingswood Theatre. This began a long and fruitful collaboration between Next Stage’s youth and adult companies which lasts to this day. Youthers love being involved in the adult shows and gain a lot from working with experienced actors. The most recent collaborative production was The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾  in March 2023.

·    2000: 17-year-old Giles Cooper, a Next Stage Youther, toured to the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough with Next Stage’s production of Skylight by David Hare. Giles was accepted at drama school later that year and has since gone on to have a prestigious acting career including touring with Ruby Wax, performing at The National Theatre and is now busy in TV and film - Giles was the first of many Youthers who have gone on from NSY to work as professionals in the performing arts industry.

·    Next Stage Youth has won numerous awards over the years. The September 2003 production of John Godber’s Teechers was nominated Best Youth Production in the regional Rose Bowl Awards. In February 2004 a performance of Dreamjobs in the AAD One-act Play Festival at The Rondo won an award, as did its 16-year-old director.

·    Touring opportunities: Next Stage Youthers have had the chance over the years to tour to Bristol, Scarborough, The Minack Theatre in Cornwall and London. In 2009 Next Stage took Torch Song Trilogy to the Jermyn Street Theatre in the West End and two members of NSY - Tom Babbage and Tom Ash-Miles - had the exciting experience of their work being seen by London audiences. At The Minack, most recently, Kes Joffe appeared in A Streetcar Named Desire (2023).

·   In 2012 Next Stage Theatre Company set-up the “Come You Giants”- CYG Bursary which awards up to £1,000 per year to current or past Next Stage Youth members to fund theatre-related training. Over the years many youngsters have benefitted from this bursary.

NSY Artistic Director Ann Ellison BEM says:
“Some of my proudest moments in the 30 years of Next Stage Theatre Company’s existence have been watching our youth members perform. The amount of talent that we have been blessed with over the 30 years is remarkable and I am so proud of each and every youngster who has been part of NSY over the years. Of course I am also deeply indebted to all the Next Stage adult actors and associates who have contributed to the tutoring of our young actors over the years  -  from fight and dance choreography to voice control, interpretation of scripts, rehearsal and performance techniques - Youthers have wanted for nothing in their weekly sessions. But perhaps best of all for the majority of youthers is the confidence, friendships and many happy on and off stage memories that they carry with them for the rest of their lives.”

And now let’s hear from some past and present members of Next Stage Youth:

“My favourite thing about Next Stage Youth is how much is develops your skills, and every single time you do a production you can feel yourself growing and improving as an actor.”

“I enjoy Next Stage Youth because it feels like we’re all part of a family, and it’s nice to be able to do a professional looking show.”

“I remember Next Stage Youth being a perfect balance of larking around with my friends with lots of laughter, creating teenage relationships, while also learning how to produce theatre to a high standard.”

"It cannot be underestimated how much Next Stage Youth shaped me as an actor and, ultimately, a person. In my seven years as a member, and five as a tutor, I took part in so many amazing productions, including tours to The Minack Theatre and one of the first shows performed at The Mission Theatre. Through Next Stage Youth, I learned teamwork, discipline, organisation, and many other important skills I may not have learned otherwise. Perhaps best of all, I met many people who I'm lucky enough to call best friends. Thank you NSY!”

“NSY was such a special, important part of my childhood that I’ll always cherish and remember my time in the company. From making lifelong friends, to acting at The Minack in the pouring rain, NSY is something I hold very dearly in my heart. Happy Birthday, Next Stage Youth.”

We do hope that as many of you as are able will join us tomorrow and throughout the weekend to celebrate this milestone birthday with all of our talented young actors.

The Winner of Tina's Trophy 2024 - Kris Nuttall!

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On May 19th 2024, Kris Nuttall was presented with Next Stage Theatre Company’s prestigious award: Tina’s Trophy. 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. Kris was awarded it for Excellence in Lighting Design.

Since joining Next Stage in 1995, his first production being All My Sons in 2002, Kris has worked on over 100 plays. He has toured with the company to The Minack Theatre, Cornwall, on numerous occasions and very much enjoys working in this amazing amphitheatre on the Land’s End peninsula. Kris has an uncanny ability to subtly and atmospherically light Next Stage productions whether they be intimate in-the-round pieces or large cast extravaganzas. He always delivers the directors’ visions whether that is making a dragon come to life, or a train pass straight through the auditorium!

Kris has also worked on Next Stage Youth Company shows lighting many memorable moments. A year ago, when the company produced West Side Story, Kris delivered an atmospheric feel of 1950s New York.

Some of Kris’ personal favourite productions to work on have been The Birthday Party (2007), Festen (2008), and His Dark Materials (2007) and Birdsong (2017), both at The Minack.

When accepting the trophy Kris said: “It’s lovely to think that Tina’s Trophy doesn’t just go to actors and that there is recognition of backstage skills as well. Being part of Next Stage Theatre Company has been very fulfilling and has given me lots of opportunities. I am very happy to receive this trophy in the company’s 30th birthday year.”

Kris is an extremely valued member of Next Stage Theatre company, he is friendly and trustworthy and always goes the extra mile. Congratulations to such a worthy trophy winner!

Highlights from Next Stage's 30th Birthday Celebrations - May 14th - 21st 2024

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It’s hard to believe that it’s been 30 years since Next Stage Theatre Company began operating in Bath, producing fantastic, high-quality productions of not only the greatest pieces of contemporary theatre out there but also a multitude of hidden gems. None of it would’ve been possible without the contributions of the company’s members, patrons and business partners throughout Bath and beyond - and our 30th birthday weekend was as much a celebration of them as it was of Next Stage itself.

Our chosen production for Next Stage’s 30th anniversary was a play written by one of the company’s patrons, Sir Alan Ayckbourn - The Girl Next Door.

Opening on Tuesday 14th May, reviewer Rebecca Beard said of the production: “Deftly delivered moments of humour and tenderly delivered moments of poignancy reveal a writer at the top of his game, and the talented cast and crew of Next Stage Theatre more than did this work justice. Congratulations to you all and here's to many more birthdays to come.”

Running throughout the week, The Girl Next Door recieved rave reviews from audience members and an exciting week culminated in our Gala Evening on May 18th - the day that, 30 years before, Next Stage’s opening night of Educating Rita was staged.

In attendance this May at The Mission Theatre were many longtime supporters of Next Stage, including business partners, Friends of Next Stage, family members and, most importantly, Bath’s local MP Wera Hobhouse and The Right Worshipful The Mayor of Bath Cllr. Dine Romero.

At the end of the performance, both The Mayor and Wera made speeches to the packed auditorium, highlighting the important role Next Stage has played in the local theatre scene in Bath. At the end of the speeches, all were invited to join in a toast and enjoy some birthday cake!

On Sunday 19th May, as the early summer sun beamed down, members of Next Stage took some time to relax, socialize and enjoy a 30th birthday barbecue.

At the company party, we announced the winner of 2024’s Tina’s Trophy - a beautiful crystal vase awarded annually to a member of the company who has excelled in on-stage or backstage roles with Next Stage. This year, long-serving Lighting Designer Kris Nuttall - who has been instrumental in the company’s high-quality productions for many years with his lighting expertise - was the recipient.

Finally on Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st May Next Stage Theatre Company, along with Friends and patrons, was granted the privelege of having two Civic Receptions with The Mayor of Bath, Cllr Dine Romero, in the historic Mayor’s Parlour in the Guildhall. Here everyone had the opportunity to chat with Madam Mayor, and to hear more about the history of their impressive surroundings.

It was an unforgettable week of celebrations, closing off the first 30 years of Next Stage’s rich history. Artistic Director Ann Ellison BEM commented:

“It was extremely rewarding to have so many people celebrating Next Stage’s 30th during the week and we were all particularly touched by the kind words from The Mayor and our MP regarding the important role Next Stage has played in the city since 1994. Andrew and I loved seeing so many friends and company members in the theatre, at the party and in The Mayor’s Parlour. We were delighted that past members of the company - some of whom were involved at the very start of our existence - were able to join us for the celebrations. Thank you to everyone for creating many happy memories.”

We would lastly like to thank all of you who are reading this article, but perhaps couldn’t make it to the celebrations, for your involvement in Next Stage’s history - no matter how big or small your contributions might’ve been, they have been vital to our continuing operation and we wouldn’t be where we are without you all.