As another year draws to a close and the air is full of festive cheer, we here at The Mission Theatre are delighted to reflect on what has been yet another wonderful year.
Our resident Next Stage Theatre Company strode into 2018 with a sterling production of John Osborne’s Look Back In Anger. In February the talented Next Stage Youth revisited Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials Parts I and II, performing to sold-out audiences. April saw a highly successful Next Stage production of David Auburn’s Proof, with a debut from Next Stage’s youngest Director, Charlotte Claydon. We closed the Summer season with Tennessee Williams’ The Night of The Iguana, with a notably magical set.
The Autumn season opened with Next Stage's elegant production of J.B.Priestly’s Dangerous Corner, directed by Bob Constantine. In the October half term both Next Stage adult and youth actors trod the boards in a heart-warming performance of E. Nesbitt’s The Railway Children. This production was immediately followed with the moving and unforgettable Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo – an ambitious one-man show, exceptionally-well performed by Next Stage's Kris Rose. Signing off this busy and exciting year, the company closed with one of Alan Ayckbourn’s funniest plays: Bedroom Farce, set in-the-round. Those of you who were lucky enough to catch the play last week will know what a hilarious production this proved to be.
With eight Next Stage productions this year, it certainly has been a busy one at the theatre, but that is just the tip of the iceberg! This year The Mission has been host to the Bath Fringe Festival, Bath Comedy Festival, The Jane Austen Festival and more than 50 visiting companies, including returning favourites from previous years. From magic shows to musicals, from Shakespeare to cutting-edge drama, from children’s shows to dance, we have had a marvellous range of entertainment with something for everyone to enjoy.
Looking ahead, 2019 is already set to be another exciting year, with Next Stage celebrating its 25th Birthday in May. The company returns to the Minack Theatre in Cornwall in late-July to perform the outstanding Great Expectations with a cast made up of our adult and youth actors.
To kick off our new season, we have the elegant masterpiece that is W. Somerset Maugham’s For Services Rendered. Next Stage cast and crew are in intensive rehearsals over the Christmas period, and tickets are now on sale from the Next Stage Box Office. Don’t leave it too late to get yours, as we anticipate that this will be a popular show.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all, from The Mission Theatre!