Next Stage Theatre Company gave a special production of The Girl Next Door by Sir Alan Ayckbourn as they celebrated their 30th birthday gala night at The Mission Theatre in Bath.
Attending the special evening at the Mission Theatre | Photo © The Next Stage Theatre Company
Among those attending the performance on Saturday 18th May was the city’s MP, Wera Hobhouse, who called the performance “truly magical”.
Sir Alan Ayckbourn is an Olivier and Tony Award-winning playwright and long-time patron of Next Stage Theatre Company. Next Door’s performance of The Girl Next Door, Ayckbourn’s 85th play, was its Bath debut.
Written in 2021, it is a time-travelling exploration of the lives of two characters, Rob and Lily, separated by 72 years yet both enduring tumultuous times marked by war, family conflicts, national shortages, and uncertainty about the future.
It’s a moving story about the ability of love to rise above adversity and reach across the generations.
It was a fitting production for the 30th anniversary as Next Stage’s inaugural show at The Rondo in 1994 was Educating Rita, also written by Ayckbourn.
Ann Ellison BEM, Artistic Director of Next Stage, said: “In 1994, I would never have imagined directing nearly 250 shows for Next Stage.
“The company is still largely run by volunteers and has flourished, thanks in no small part to the generous support of local patrons and the unstinting work of our brilliant volunteers.
“Thirty years of fun, friendship, creativity, excitement and yes some setbacks (not least the pandemic) but overall an overwhelming sense of what a privilege it has been to be a part of the vibrant arts scene in Bath, and to know that Next Stage has brought so much delight to so many people.”
Thousands of young people have been trained at the Next Stage Youth Theatre Company and they have also developed a vibrant Theatre in Education programme, taking workshops and plays to junior and secondary schools across the region.
Wera Hobhouse said: “We Liberal Democrats have supported Ann and her project from the beginning and I am delighted to be here tonight celebrating such a remarkable milestone for the company.
“Local theatre is an essential part of Bath’s cultural heritage, providing a space for creativity, community, and the arts to thrive.
“The dedication of everyone involved with Next Stage over the past 30 years is truly inspiring and it is amazing to see all that has been achieved.
“The performance tonight was truly magical – what a talented group of actors the company is lucky to have.”
