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. 

The Bridget Cassé Award for Excellence in Youth Theatre

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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.

Next Stage Youth members awarded bursaries

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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.

To find out more about past recipients, click here.

Creative Bath Awards: Finalists in 4 categories!

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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.

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

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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

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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.