Latest News:

BATH LIFE AWARDS

Natural Theatre Co has once again been shortlisted for the Arts Award in the Bath Life Awards 2012.

The ceremony will take place at the Bath Assembly Rooms on February 23rd. Thank you everyone who nominated us!

For full details of the event see www.bathlifeawards.co.uk

 
THEATRE STUDIO

Natural Theatre's beautiful studio, which opened in May 2011 after a massive fundraising campaign, is proving to be a well-used asset both for the local community and for arts and cultural organisations, as predicted.

As well as the regular Natural Youth Theatre, which has around 50 members, several local theatre groups both amateur and professional have been using it as a rehearsal space.("The best rehearsal space in Bath": Eamonn Fleming, Actor)

There have been one-man shows, public rehearsals, a Rotary Club buffet, fundraising events, yoga workshops, team building exercises, a craft sale, kids' summer schools and meetings.

Regular users include Bath City College, Bath Spa University and Bath Theatre Royal.

Thanks to local Widcombe resident Sarah Cottle, the big Lottery-funded curtains from the old NTC hall have been altered to fit the new room and are now in situ. They look fabulous and have all but dealt with the annoying echo!

For Widcombe Rising on 17th June, when the local streets are closed for a gigantic street party and community festival, the studio will become a sophisticated palm court café, to be called 'Not the Pump Room' (complete with its own 'Not the Pump Room Trio').

Click here for venue hire details

 
Latest News:

NATURAL THEATRE IN BATH THIS CHRISTMAS

Natural Theatre has created what seems to be a traditional back-stage theatre dressing room in the window of the former Habitat store in New Bond Street.

Every late-night shopping Thursday and Friday from now until Christmas the public can peek in through a 4th wall and amongst the feather boas, powder, paint and glitter, the profusion of good luck cards and telegrams, false noses and fake bosoms they can spy on a grand knight of the theatre as he gradually transforms himself into a befrocked and bebloomered Ugly Sister. After an hour, he nervously checks on his script, does a quick twirl, has a swig of gin from a teacup, turns off the lights around his mirror and heads off to the imaginary stage.

On Switch-on Night about fifty people stood (and sat) in the road and watched fascinated as the transformation from dude to dame took place before their very eyes!

Thursdays 8th, 15th and 22nd Dec 6.30pm-7.30pm Fridays 9th, 16th, 23rd 5.30pm-6.30 pm

Sponsored by BID and supported by B&NES

Concept: Richard Neale. Designed and built by Ralph Oswick and Pavel Douglas. Dames: Pavel Douglas, Ric Jerrom, Alastair Goolden, Mark Bishop

You can also spot our characters on the streets on Thursday evenings from 4pm and at various times at the Christmas Market

 
NATURAL YOUTH THEATRE

Do you like performing and creating crazy characters? Why not join the world renowned Natural Theatre Company and perform on the street.

Scores of kids and young people have already experienced the fun and excitement of the Natural Youth Theatre activities. Many have already signed up for the next series, but there's always room for more!

Group 1 - Age 11-14 6.00pm-7.30pm
Group 2 - Age 15-18 8.00pm-9.30pm
Both groups meet on Wednesdays

NYT takes place in our beautiful new youth studio at our production centre in Widcombe, which also houses our huge collection of costumes and all sorts of other exciting props.

Each term the NYT will have a chance to try out the well known Naturals pieces as well as create street performances of their own. Working with professional actors the NYT plays lots of theatre games and learns all the basic techniques of Street Performance. Every term the NYT performs at a major public event in Bath.

Spring 2012 Dates:
Wednesday 11th January - Wednesday 28th March
(Half Term break 15th & 22nd February)

There are places available in both groups if you know anyone who would like to join.
The cost for the Term (10 sessions) is £54.00. Please send cheques for £54 made payable to Natural Theatre to book your place.

We have had confirmation that the Youth Theatre will be performing on the opening weekend of The Bath Comedy Festival on Sunday 1st April (April Fools Day!). This is a very exciting opportunity for us all and should generate lots of publicity.

"I saw the girls dressed as angels walking round town. I teach one of them and I have never seen her looking so confident and happy!" - Surprised teacher

For further details contact:

Mark Bishop
Education Co-ordinator
Natural Theatre Company
Widcombe Institute
Widcombe Hill
Bath
BA2 6AA
Tel: 01225 469131
mark@naturaltheatre.co.uk

Click here for a video of our Youth Theatre performers in action and their new studio at the Naturals HQ

 
NATURAL THEATRE MEZZANINE PROJECT UPDATE

Not strictly a mezzanine but a fully-fledged 70 square metre studio with a semi-sprung dance floor and adjoining coffee bar/servery! What's more, downstairs is our splendid new wardrobe facility of which a visitor has said "It looks like TK Maxx, only tidier!"

Further down into the basement, the technical workshop has been considerably expanded and props storage rationalised.

Add a new small meeting room as part of the gleaming boudoir that is our Artistic Director's new office and there we have it, project completed.

Ingeniously designed by Aaron Evans Associates and beautifully (if noisily) constructed by Emery's, this rebuild has enabled the company to remain in Widcombe and to expand its education programme which is centred on the new studio.

The studio was declared open by the Deputy Mayor of Bath and Lady Margaret on May 16th, after which a throng of dignitaries, VIP's, benefactors, carpenters, plasterers and strange Natural Theatre street theatre characters demolished several crates of champagne donated by the various contractors. No damage was reported.

With NTC being about to suffer draconian cuts from the Arts Council, the new complex has to pay its way. So as well as the forty kids enrolled in the Natural Youth workshops every Wednesday and the various workshops and schools projects, the studio has already housed a rock band gig, theatrical performances, a cake and craft sale and a Rotary supper. Indeed, it is fast becoming the smart venue of choice in the local community.
Click here for more information on venue hire.

This capital project has been generously funded by Arts Council England, B&NES, Roper Rhodes Family Trust, Widcombe Association and countless other individuals and organisations, as well as ourselves.

With reference to the latter, Natural Theatre contributed approximately £40k to the project from its reserves, of which we need to recoup £18k. So although the project is done, dusted (and very dusty it was too) and paid for, strictly speaking we are still fundraising.

Donations to our Mezzanine Fund however modest (or large!) are very welcome. Donations can be made with just two clicks by using the orange Just Giving button.



Thanks!

 
BECOME A NAT!

Now there is a chance for you not only to support Natural Theatre Company's many exciting projects but also to encourage even more!

Natural Theatre has launched its friends and supporters scheme, known as The Nats.

For further info see the Support Us page.

 

 
MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL

30th March - 24th April 2011

Natural Theatre Company is returning to the famous Melbourne International Comedy Festival in March to perform their unique brand of street theatre, as the company celebrates its 40th year of making people laugh and the festival celebrates its 25th.

After two previous visits they are honoured to be invited back to show Australian audiences some of their new characters. The High Street Bowling Club will be dressed in their crisp white outfits and create a bowling competition anywhere and everywhere. In contrast, the horribly unhygienic costumed Pigeon Poo People have the passers by wondering if they are bird-like people or people-like birds. Both pieces have proved very popular since they premiered in Bath last year and in true Natural Theatre style they will be engaging and entertaining on the other side of the world.

The comedy festival will also be treated to an evening performance of the successful stage show A Night at the Bijou - where the Naturals bring to life one of the 'best' horror B movie's The Bride of the Monster starring Bela Lugosi. The beautifully renovated 1920's cinema The Capitol Theatre will be the perfect setting for this performance. The aged (and odd) staff of the Bijou Cinema have been brought out of retirement, and with the added assistance from 'smell-o-vision' and 'wet-o-rama', recreate a traditional 1950's cinema experience...including the popcorn! Further details: www.comedyfestival.com.au

But don't feel left out if you're not off to Australia, as the Naturals will also be appearing at the Bath Comedy Festival, Sunday 3rd April, with The White Wine Arts Trail. Please see www.bathcomedy.com for further details.