On Friday 24th January 2025 we are proud to be celebrating 20 year of The Mission Theatre in Bath. This is a great achievement for an independently run theatre space in the heart of Bath and we are hopeful that we will continue to be able to operate for many more years to come. But before we look ahead to the future, let’s take a look at what has got us to where we are today.
From 2002 to 2004 Next Stage Theatre Company negotiated with Bath and North-East Somerset (B&NES) Council for a lease on a derelict chapel in Corn Street.
Despite rival bids from local businesses and B&NES putting the chapel on the market for some months, Next Stage – thanks to the intervention of Lib Dem councillor Colin Darricott – was finally awarded a 10-year lease in November 2004.
In 11 weeks, Next Stage converted the Grade II listed chapel into a working theatre with contractors on-site, cement mixers in the main theatre, no sophisticated heating or lights and rehearsals underway for the opening night show on January 24th 2005 of patron Sir Alan Ayckbourn’s Comic Potential.
After being awarded £20k in arts council funding to buy a free-standing lighting rig for The Mission’s Main Auditorium, Next Stage managed with the generous help of local businessman Andrew Brownsword to raise an additional £11k to fit the rig out with lanterns.
Local much-loved actor Chris Harris cut the red tape and officially opened The Mission Theatre in January 2005.
In the years that followed, various fundraising campaigns and a steady flow of talent through the theatre’s doors ensured that The Mission Theatre could receive valuable upgrades to its exterior and interior spaces to keep the building weather-tight, warm and full of state-of-the-art equipment.
In 2011 Next Stage acquired a lease on The Old Bakery – a building at the back of The Mission Theatre – and transformed it into attractive and spacious dressing room facilities. Over £70,000 was raised to achieve this.
Whilst Next Stage thought it was merely opening its own theatre, within months The Mission had become home to popular festivals such as the much-loved Bath Children’s Literature Festival, the world-renowned Jane Austen Festival and the Bath Fringe.
The theatre has also provided an affordable and versatile space for fledgling theatre groups, students from the city’s universities and has given regional and national touring companies the opportunity to stage productions and showcase their talents in our city of culture.
From the start of its lease Next Stage was aware that the very existence of our historic building was threatened by a degrading and leaking roof. Emergency repairs were undertaken at considerable expense until finally, thanks to a huge fundraising campaign in 2020 and 2021, Next Stage managed to raise £110k to replace the roof of the theatre, thus protecting the much-loved building from the elements for years to come.
In 2021 after a public campaign of support and many months of work, Next Stage was delighted to be awarded a Community Asset Transfer by B&NES council of The Mission Theatre.
As it celebrates its 20th birthday the theatre continues to thrive as an independent community asset, taking in a variety of events from informative public lectures and author talks to vibrant candlelit concerts and experimental performances from young companies.
Next Stage has produced over 200 plays at The Mission since 2005 with both the adult and youth company receiving local and national acclaim.
Ann Ellison BEM, Artistic Director of The Mission Theatre says:
“I really don’t know where the last 20 years have gone, it seems like yesterday that we were putting the final touches to the transformation of an empty derelict building and turning it into a warm, vibrant and much-loved performing space in the heart of Bath. It has been a privilege to be at the helm of a venture that has seen so many wonderful people involved and committed to Next Stage’s vision of providing an affordable and versatile venue for the community and which has breathed life into a beautiful, but previously derelict building. Here’s to an exciting and secured future for The Mission Theatre.”
Testimonials from public figures, friends and company members:
“My warmest congratulations to Ann and everyone involved with The Mission Theatre on this remarkable milestone. Local theatre is an essential part of Bath’s cultural heritage, providing a space for creativity, community, and the arts to thrive. I have so many fond memories of the fabulous productions at The Mission Theatre over the years, including only very recently Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Ruddigore” featuring my own husband William in the chorus! The dedication of everyone involved with The Mission Theatre over the past 20 years is truly inspiring and it is amazing to see all that has been achieved. Here’s to the next 20!” - Wera Hobhouse, MP for Bath
“I am absolutely thrilled that this milestone has been reached after 20 amazing and highly successful years. It’s a tribute to Next Stage, and the many others who have worked with you and the company, that difficulties have been overcome, the facilities have been improved almost beyond recognition, that so many productions have taken place and, above all, so much pleasure has been given to so many audiences (and to the innumerable performers). It’s a huge achievement and I am confident that there’s even more to come in the next 20 years.” - Baron Foster of Bath - former MP for Bath
“The Mission Theatre has been important and integral to Bath Fringe's programming over the last 20 years, presenting many wonderful productions. We're looking forward to more to come - congratulations!” - Wendy Matthews (Bath Fringe Festival)
“When my wife, Gill, and I set up the Bath Children’s Literature in 2007, The Mission Theatre was the first venue to throw open its doors to us. We continue to stage book events in this most welcoming of venues and we’ve had some memorable moments there over the years. It’s been very satisfying filling this special place with children and families. All venues need the next generation!” - John Mclay (Bath Literature Festival)
“We have had some of our best theatre experiences at The Mission Theatre. The plays and shows we have seen there have never disappointed, and have frequently been outstanding. The choice of material (often challenging), the acting and the staging are impressive. This small theatre on a limited budget often outshines better funded, better-known theatres. It is wonderful that amateur performers contribute their time, energy and talents show after show. We've come to recognise many of them, and know that if certain people are in the cast, we're in for a good evening. The direction is always creative, surprising and fresh.” -
Verity Baetke (Friend of Next Stage)
“I was one of those lucky enough to witness Next Stage’s first production at their newly acquired Mission Theatre in 2005 of Alan Ayckbourn’s Comic Potential. How incredibly fortunate is Bath that the Mission was rescued, renovated and now placed on an even firmer footing for everyone to enjoy all its ongoing amazing variety of quality entertainment! Happy 20th Birthday!” - Suzanne O’Callaghan (Friend of Next Stage)
“My passion for live theatre has been re-ignited by the productions I have seen during the past five years at The Mission Theatre. I love the intimacy of the 'in-the-round' and 'thrust’ stage settings which are so inclusive for the audience.” - Janet Lince (Friend of Next Stage)
“I have been to many productions at The Mission Theatre over the years and I tell people about the theatre whenever I get the chance. It's such a valuable asset to the community, providing first-class theatre in a wonderfully welcoming and intimate space, and at a very reasonable cost. The programme is always varied, staging both well-known and not so well-known plays, as well as concerts and talks and the range of live performance. It's always a treat to attend and I'm very aware the city would be the poorer without it.” - Anne Kendall (Friend of Next Stage)
“It has been a great experience for me to have been involved in Ann and Andrew's wonderful achievement in establishing the excellent Mission Theatre.” - Martin Allsop (Next Stage Company Member)
“I remember the wonderful moment when Ann and Andrew announced that Next Stage would have its own home in what was to be called the Mission Theatre. In the 20 years that followed we have watched this fabulous space grow and become loved by companies and audiences alike - congratulations on this amazing milestone. Love to you all.” - Joanna Bowman (Next Stage Company Member)
“I was a painter and labourer as Next Stage converted the building whilst also rehearsing for the first production. I will never forget walking on stage with a tray of drinks to a full house laughing out loud in that very first play. So many great memories, how can that be 20 years ago?” - Alan Cassé (Next Stage Company Member and supporter)
“It’s easy to forget that the Mission is more than just a theatre - it’s a grade 2 listed building, in a prominent position in the heart of Bath. By rescuing this important landmark - and turning it into a vibrant and thriving performing space - Ann and her team of volunteers have performed a valuable public service for which all Bathonians should be grateful.” - Bob Constantine (Next Stage Company Member)
“The Mission Theatre has been part of my life as long as it has existed, having performed in the very first show presented there with Next Stage Youth. I remember it vividly, as it was when Next Stage took over the building, although I was only 12 years old! Now I have two children of my own and I cannot wait for them to make memories watching amazing productions in this very special place.” - Lydia Cook (Next Stage Company Member)
“Supper theatre was a feature of the Bistro upstairs at the Mission. Its intimate setting brought you, as the actor face to face with the audience whilst they ate. For me the most memorable play set upstairs was Alan Ayckbourn’s House and Garden. Both plays ran concurrently, House upstairs and Garden downstairs. Ann Ellison – director - magicked a coup for Next Stage’s 20th birthday in 2014 and we performed in front of the great man himself! I’ll never forget how excited I was peeping through the curtain at the start of the matinee of House to see where Sir A. was sitting and how relieved I was, subsequently to see him laughing! It was a pleasure to meet him later when he stayed on to play on some of the stalls in the Garden fete set and to talk to us all.” - Kay Francksen (Next Stage Company Member)
“Being with The Mission Theatre for 16 of its 20 years has kept me au fait with current theatre and given treasured experiences. Thank you!” - David Gosling (Next Stage Company Member)
“I was in the first production at The Mission, playing a robot, Jacie Tripplethree*. We rehearsed in the theatre which resembled a cold barn, gathering round a portable Calor gas fire for warmth. The actors joked that when the show went up, we would be holding torches to light the set. We arrived at the technical rehearsal to find the stage set, and a lighting rig in place. From unloved building to working theatre. The Mission is a unique performing space in Bath and long may it be so.” - Caroline Groom (Next Stage Company Member)
“In 2005, I was in the audience of Comic Potential and joined Next Stage in 2006. I love the intimate space and acting in the round up close to the audience. The space is versatile and can be used in different configurations to allow a range of performances, welcoming a diverse range of performers to the heart of Bath.” - Jane Lawson (Next Stage Company Member)
“Being part of the The Mission Theatre's resident Next Stage Company has allowed me to engage in theatrical performances across a range of genres, to a high professional standard. It has also given me a fantastic extended circle of friends.” - Reynold Leming (Next Stage Company Member)
“January 2005: following its first production, the Mission continued to undergo major re furbishment to prepare for regular use. Meanwhile, a cast of 6 plus Director and Stage Manager worked through the winter in the Mission rehearsing Dealing with Clair by Martin Crimp. Though surrounded by building works and with primitive heating and virtually no lighting it was a very exciting time and we could never have imagined that 20 years later we would look back on how important the Mission has become to audiences, directors and cast and crew alike.” - John Matthews (Next Stage Company Member)
To celebrate 20 years, we are delighted to announce the creation of a new charity – “Friends of The Mission Theatre”, whose aims are to look after and maintain this historic building. The upkeep and maintenance of The Mission Theatre is fundamental in ensuring its importance as a vital part of Bath heritage and its successful future as a city centre theatre and community asset. A donation to this charity would be the best birthday gift anyone could give us here at The Mission Theatre. Click the button below to find out more!
