Bush Theatre

Bush Theatre
Bush Theatre
Address Shepherd's Bush
London, W12
United Kingdom
Coordinates 51°30′19″N 0°13′33″W / 51.505277°N 0.225939°W / 51.505277; -0.225939Coordinates: 51°30′19″N 0°13′33″W / 51.505277°N 0.225939°W / 51.505277; -0.225939
Public transit London Underground Shepherd's Bush Market
London Underground National Rail Shepherd's Bush
Owner Alternative Theatre Company
Type Theatre
Capacity Theatre: 180 seats
Studio: 70 seats
Production Seasons of guest and commissioned productions
Opened 6th April 1972 (6th April 1972)
Years active 1972 - Present
Website
bushtheatre.co.uk

The Bush Theatre is based in Shepherd's Bush, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. It was established in 1972 and has since become one of the most celebrated new writing theatres in the world. The Bush strives to create a space which nurtures, develops and showcases the best of new artists and their work.

A seedbed for the best new playwrights, many of whom have gone on to become established names in the industry, the Bush has produced hundreds of groundbreaking premieres, many of them Bush Theatre commissions, and hosted guest productions by leading companies and artists from across the world.

Artistic Directors

History

The Bush Theatre's Original Home (2005)

On Thursday 6 April 1972, the Bush Theatre was established above The Bush public house on the corner of Goldhawk Road and Shepherd's Bush Green, in what was once the dance studio of Lionel Blair. It was established by a maverick actor, Brian McDermott, who used to tour the Fringe.[5] The venue, despite its fame and massive output, was intimate, only holding a maximum audience of approximately 80. The first production was an adaption of The Collector by John Fowles, directed by John Neville and starring Annette Andre and Brian McDermott.

Throughout 1992, the Bush Theatre celebrated 20 years at the frontier of new writing. "What has held the Bush together for 20 years? Blind faith, youthful commitment and a tenacious belief in new writing: above all, perhaps, the conviction that new work deserves the highest standards in acting, direction and design," The Guardian. The Bush won The Empty Space Award for the year's work, which included Billy Roche's Bush plays A Handful Of Stars, Poor Beatin The Rain and Belfry playing in repertory as The Wexford Trilogy, which toured to Wexford Opera House and the Abbey Theatre, Dublin.

In November 2010, the Bush Theatre announced it would be leaving its home of nearly forty years and moving to the old Passmore Edwards Public Library building, round the corner from its own home, on Uxbridge Road.[6]

The relocation took place in 2011 and opened with the "Sixty-Six Books" project.[7] This was a celebration of the anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible, which used 66 different writers, many of whom were veterans of the Bush.

That same year, Artistic Director Josie Rourke announced her departure from the Bush to take up the position of Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse. The Board appointed Madani Younis as her successor from January 2012. In 2013, newly appointed Madani Younis programmed the theatre's most successful season to date, which saw the theatre play to 99% capacity.

In Spring 2016, the Bush Theatre relocated its plays to found spaces around Shepherd's Bush and Notting Hill, as the former library building closed for the largest capital project in the theatre’s history.[8] Borrowing new and iconic spaces with their own histories and tales of the local community, this season of work welcomed new audiences and residents by offering a number of free and subsidised theatre tickets to local people.[9]

In March 2017, following a landmark year of taking plays into the communities of West London, the Bush Theatre will return home following a £4.3m revitalisation of the venue. The year-long redevelopment was driven by the aim of realising Artistic Director Madani Younis’ vision for a theatre that reflected the diversity and vibrancy of London. Upon reopening, the building will be more sustainable and entirely accessible, with a new entrance, front-of-house area and exterior garden terrace to the main street.

The Bush Theatre's 2013 production of Pulitzer Prize for Drama winning Disgraced by Ayad Akhtar.

Venue

Following the 2016/17 redevelopment, the Bush Theatre now has two performance spaces:

  • The Theatre, which is a reserved seating venue with a maximum capacity of 180. It has remained in its original location and can be configured in a thrust, end on or in the round layout.
  • The Studio, is an unreserved seating venue with a maximum capacity of 70 and is a home for emerging artists and producers. Similarly, this space can be configured in a thrust, end on or in the round layout.

The building also contains an Attic rehearsal space and Writer's Room, along with a Café Bar, garden terrace and playtext library, which is the largest public theatre reference library in the United Kingdom.

New writing

The Literary Department at the Bush Theatre is committed to discovering the best new plays from playwrights from the widest range of backgrounds and therefore seek unsolicited submissions throughout the year in dedicated script windows. The Bush is a proud champion of playwrights with a keen interest in those voices not often heard and reflecting the contemporary culture of London, the UK and beyond. The Department receives nearly 2000 scripts a year from new and established playwrights all of which are read and considered for production or development at the Bush.[10]

The Bush Theatre look for exciting new voices that tell contemporary stories with wit, style and passion and have produced hundreds of ground-breaking premieres since its inception in 1972, many of them Bush Theatre commissions, and hosted guest productions by leading companies and artists from across the world. The Bush has won over 100 awards, and developed an enviable reputation for touring its acclaimed productions nationally and internationally.

Awards

1977 - George Devine Award to Robert Holman for German Skerries [11]
1979 - George Devine Award to Jonathan Gems for The Tax Exile
1982 - Samuel Beckett Award for Coming Clean by Kevin Elyot [12]
1986 - Laurence Olivier Award Nomination for Outstanding Achievement to Robert Holman for Making Noises Quietly [13]
1989 - John Whiting Award for Handful of Stars by Billy Roche [14]
1993 - Laurence Olivier Award Nomination for Outstanding Achievement to Billy Roche for The Wexford Trilogy [15]
1993 - Susan Smith Blackburn Award to Jane Coles for Backstroke In A Crowded Pool [16]
1993 - John Whiting Award for The Clearing by Helen Edmundson [17]
1994 - John Whiting Award for Beautiful Thing by Jonathan Harvey [18]
1995 - Laurence Olivier Award Nomination for Beautiful Thing by Jonathan Harvey [19]
1996 - Susan Smith Blackburn Award to Naomi Wallace for One Flea Spare [20]
1997 - Meyer-Whitworth Award to Conor McPherson for This Lime Tree Bower [21]
1998- George Devine Award to Helen Blakeman for Caravan [22]
1998 - Meyer-Whitworth Award to Daragh Carville for Language Roulette [21]
1999 - George Devine Award to Mark O'Rowe for Howie the Rookie [23]
2005 - Meyer-Whitworth Award to Stephen Thompson for Damages [24]
2006 - Susan Smith Blackburn Award to Amelia Bullmore for Mammals [25]
2007 - Susan Smith Blackburn Award to Abbie Spallen for Pumpgirl [26]
 2013 - Pulitzer Prize for Disgraced by Ayad Akhtar [27]

Books

To celebrate 40 years of the Bush Theatre, "Close-Up Magic": 40 Years at the Bush Theatre[28] was published, charting the history of the theatre and including contributions from past directors, actors, writers and audience members.

Productions

Selected past productions

This is a list of selected productions of the Bush Theatre:[29]

Bibliography

  • Burkey, Neil (2011). "Close-Up Magic": 40 Years at the Bush Theatre. Google Books. London: Profile Books Limited. ISBN 978-1906-50765-7.

References

  1. ↑ "Jenny Topper and Nicky Pallot", 40 Years of Close Up Magic
  2. 1 2 "Interview with Mike Bradwell", The British Theatre Guide
  3. ↑ "Josie Rourke New Artistic Director", The Stage
  4. ↑ "Madani Younis New Artistic Director", News, BBC
  5. ↑ "Brian McDermott", The Times (obituary)
  6. ↑ "Bush Theatre finds new home", OfficialLondonTheatre.com
  7. ↑ "24 Hour Events", Sixty-Six Books Archived 17 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine., Bush Theatre.
  8. ↑ "Bush Theatre to open new studio space after redevelopment". The Stage. 2016-02-23. Retrieved 2017-01-20.
  9. ↑ "Bush Theatre welcomes new audiences with free tickets". LBHF. 2016-09-12. Retrieved 2017-01-20.
  10. ↑ "BushGreen", Bush Theatre
  11. ↑ "German Skerries | Reading Rep Theatre | West Berkshire". www.readingrep.com. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
  12. ↑ "Nick Hern Books - Coming Clean". www.nickhernbooks.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-01-20.
  13. ↑ "Olivier Winners 1986". www.olivierawards.com. Retrieved 2017-01-20.
  14. ↑ "A Handful of Stars | Billy Roche | Largest Collection of Plays and Musicals in the World". www.stageplays.com. Retrieved 2017-01-20.
  15. ↑ "Olivier Winners 1993". www.olivierawards.com. Retrieved 2017-01-20.
  16. ↑ "The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize - 1990's". www.blackburnprize.org. Retrieved 2017-01-20.
  17. ↑ Able, Sane and. "Helen Edmundson - The Agency". The Agency. Retrieved 2017-01-20.
  18. ↑ Bloomsbury.com. "Bloomsbury - Jonathan Harvey - Jonathan Harvey". www.bloomsbury.com. Retrieved 2017-01-20.
  19. ↑ "Olivier Winners 1995". www.olivierawards.com. Retrieved 2017-01-20.
  20. ↑ "Naomi Wallace | Knight Hall Agency". www.knighthallagency.com. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
  21. 1 2 "Playwrights' Studio, Scotland | ProjectsPlaywrights' Studio, Scotland | Awards". www.playwrightsstudio.co.uk. Archived from the original on 1 January 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  22. ↑ Able, Sane and. "Helen Blakeman - The Agency". The Agency. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
  23. ↑ "Literature Ireland | Mark O'Rowe". www.literatureireland.com. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
  24. ↑ "Damages author Thompson wins Whitworth writing prize | News | The Stage". The Stage. 2005-12-06. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
  25. ↑ "Amelia Bullmore | United Agents". www.unitedagents.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
  26. ↑ "The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize - 2000's". www.blackburnprize.org. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
  27. ↑ "Disgraced, by Ayad Akhtar". www.pulitzer.org. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
  28. ↑ Burkey, Neil (2011). "Close-Up Magic": 40 Years at the Bush Theatre. Google Books. London: Profile Books Limited. ISBN 978-1906-50765-7.
  29. ↑ "Past productions". www.bushtheatre.co.uk.
  30. ↑ "Dismantle Festival". www.bushtheatre.co.uk. Retrieved 2018-07-25.
  31. ↑ "Hijabi Monologues London". www.bushtheatre.co.uk. Retrieved 2018-07-25.
  32. ↑ "Snookered", Bush Theatre, 2012, archived from the original on 29 February 2012
  33. ↑ "Chalet Lines", Bush Theatre, 2012, archived from the original on 25 March 2012
  34. ↑ "The Beloved", Bush Theatre, 2012, archived from the original on 25 March 2012
  35. ↑ "Mad About The Boy", Bush Theatre, 2012, archived from the original on 24 February 2012
  36. ↑ "Fear", Bush Theatre, 2012, archived from the original on 25 March 2012
  37. ↑ "Our New Girl", Bush Theatre Archive, 2012, archived from the original on 5 February 2012
  38. ↑ "The Kitchen Sink", Bush Theatre Archive, 2011, archived from the original on 29 December 2011
  39. ↑ "Sixty-Six Books", Bush Theatre Archive, 2011
  40. ↑ "This is where we got to when you came in", Bush Theatre Archive, 2011, archived from the original on 16 January 2012
  41. ↑ "Where's My Seat", Bush Theatre Archive, 2011, archived from the original on 17 August 2012
  42. ↑ "In The Beginning", Bush Theatre Archive, 2011, archived from the original on 21 June 2012
  43. ↑ "Moment", Bush Theatre Archive, 2011, archived from the original on 4 July 2011
  44. ↑ "Little Platoons", Bush Theatre Archive, 2011, archived from the original on 22 January 2011
  45. ↑ "The Knowledge", Bush Theatre Archive, 2011, archived from the original on 24 January 2011
  46. ↑ "My Romantic History", Bush Theatre Archive, 2010, archived from the original on 4 July 2011
  47. ↑ "The Aliens", Bush Theatre Archive, 2010, archived from the original on 4 July 2011
  48. ↑ "The Great British Country Fete", Bush Theatre Archive, 2010, archived from the original on 30 December 2011
  49. ↑ "Like A Fishbone", Bush Theatre Archive, 2010, archived from the original on 21 April 2010
  50. ↑ "A Little Gem", Bush Theatre Archive, 2010, archived from the original on 25 May 2010
  51. ↑ "Eigengrau", Bush Theatre Archive, 2010, archived from the original on 21 August 2011
  52. ↑ "The Whisky Taster", Bush Theatre Archive, 2010, archived from the original on 24 April 2012
  53. ↑ "The Contingency Plan", Bush Theatre Archive, 2009, archived from the original on 19 February 2012
  54. ↑ "The Stefan Golazewski Plays", Bush Theatre Archive, 2009, archived from the original on 14 December 2012
  55. ↑ "If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet", Bush Theatre Archive, 2009, archived from the original on 5 March 2010
  56. ↑ "Sea Wall", Bush Theatre Archive, 2009, archived from the original on 6 February 2012
  57. ↑ "2nd May 1997", Bush Theatre Archive, 2009, archived from the original on 16 July 2011
  58. ↑ "suddenlossdinity.com", Bush Theatre Archive, 2009, archived from the original on 11 September 2010
  59. ↑ "Apologia", Bush Theatre Archive, 2009, archived from the original on 5 November 2013
  60. ↑ "Stovepipe", Bush Theatre Archive, 2009, archived from the original on 2013-04-19
  61. ↑ "Wrecks", Bush Theatre Archive, 2009, archived from the original on 2013-04-19
  62. ↑ "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover At Christmas", Bush Theatre Archive, 2008, archived from the original on 16 June 2009
  63. ↑ "I Caught Crabs in walberwsick", Bush Theatre Archive, 2008, archived from the original on 23 March 2012
  64. ↑ "Broken Space Season", Bush Theatre Archive, 2008, archived from the original on 22 April 2012
  65. ↑ "Turf", Bush Theatre Archive, 2008, archived from the original on 2013-04-19
  66. ↑ "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover", Bush Theatre Archive, 2008, archived from the original on 18 November 2011
  67. ↑ "2,000 Feet Away", Bush Theatre Archive, 2008, archived from the original on 5 November 2013
  68. ↑ "Tinderbox", Bush Theatre Archive, 2008, archived from the original on 5 November 2013
  69. ↑ "Artefacts", Bush Theatre Archive, 2008, archived from the original on 2013-04-20
  70. ↑ "Helter Skelter/Land of the Dead", Bush Theatre Archive, 2008, archived from the original on 2013-04-20
  71. ↑ "tHe dYsFUnCKshOnalZ!", Bush Theatre Archive, 2007, archived from the original on 4 July 2011
  72. ↑ "How To Curse", Bush Theatre Archive, 2007, archived from the original on 5 November 2013
  73. ↑ "Flight Path", Bush Theatre Archive, 2007, archived from the original on 2013-04-20
  74. ↑ "Trance", Bush Theatre Archive, 2007, archived from the original on 2013-04-19
  75. ↑ "Elling", Bush Theatre Archive, 2007, archived from the original on 2013-04-19
  76. ↑ "Tom Fool", Bush Theatre Archive, 2007, archived from the original on 4 July 2011
  77. ↑ "I Like Mine With a Kiss", Bush Theatre Archive, 2007, archived from the original on 2013-04-20
  78. ↑ "Product: World Remix", Bush Theatre Archive, 2007, archived from the original on 2013-04-20
  79. ↑ "What Would Judas Do", Bush Theatre Archive, 2007, archived from the original on 2013-04-19
  80. ↑ "Whipping It Up", Bush Theatre Archive, 2006, archived from the original on 2013-04-22
  81. ↑ "Bones", Bush Theatre Archive, 2006, archived from the original on 2013-04-20
  82. ↑ "Pumpgirl", Bush Theatre Archive, 2006, archived from the original on 2013-04-20
  83. ↑ "Cruising", Bush Theatre Archive, 2006, archived from the original on 2013-04-19
  84. ↑ "Crooked", Bush Theatre Archive, 2006, archived from the original on 2013-04-20
  85. ↑ "Trad", Bush Theatre Archive, 2006, archived from the original on 2013-04-20
  86. ↑ "Christmas Is Miles Away", Bush Theatre Archive, 2006, archived from the original on 2013-04-19
  87. ↑ "Try These On For International Size", Bush Theatre Archive, 2006, archived from the original on 2013-04-20
  88. ↑ "Monsieur Ibrahim and the Flowers Of The Qur'an", Bush Theatre Archive, 2006, archived from the original on 2013-04-19
  89. ↑ "When You Cure Me", Bush Theatre Archive, 2005, archived from the original on 16 July 2011
  90. ↑ "Bottle Universe", Bush Theatre Archive, 2005
  91. ↑ "After the End", Bush Theatre Archive, 2005, archived from the original on 2013-04-20
  92. ↑ "The Obituary Show", Bush Theatre Archive, 2005, archived from the original on 4 July 2011
  93. ↑ "Kingfisher Blue", Bush Theatre Archive, 2005, archived from the original on 2013-04-19
  94. ↑ "Mammals", Bush Theatre Archive, 2005, archived from the original on 2013-04-19
  95. ↑ "Take Me Away", Bush Theatre Archive, 2005, archived from the original on 4 July 2011
  96. ↑ "Bites", Bush Theatre Archive, 2005, archived from the original on 2013-04-19
  97. ↑ "Going Donkeys", Bush Theatre Archive, 2004, archived from the original on 2013-04-20
  98. ↑ "How Love Is Spelt", Bush Theatre Archive, 2004, archived from the original on 2013-04-19
  99. ↑ "Damages", Bush Theatre Archive, 2004, archived from the original on 2013-04-20
  100. ↑ "Adrenalin...Heart", Bush Theatre Archive, 2004, archived from the original on 2013-04-20
  101. ↑ "One Minute", Bush Theatre Archive, 2004, archived from the original on 7 July 2013
  102. ↑ "Christmas", Bush Theatre Archive, 2004, archived from the original on 11 January 2012
  103. ↑ "The God Botherers", Bush Theatre Archive, 2003, archived from the original on 9 June 2012
  104. ↑ "Airsick", Bush Theatre Archive, 2003, archived from the original on 2013-04-19
  105. ↑ "Nine Parts of Desire", Bush Theatre Archive, 2003, archived from the original on 2013-04-20
  106. ↑ "Little Baby Nothing", Bush Theatre Archive, 2003, archived from the original on 11 June 2013
  107. ↑ "Disco Pigs", Bush Theatre Archive, 1997, archived from the original on 19 April 2011
  108. ↑ "Love and Understanding", Bush Theatre Archive, 2003, archived from the original on 5 April 2012
  109. ↑ "St Nicholas", Bush Theatre Archive, 1997, archived from the original on 4 July 2011
  110. ↑ "All of You Mine", Bush Theatre Archive, 1997, archived from the original on 2013-04-19
  111. ↑ "Dreams of San Francisco", Bush Theatre Archive, 1987, archived from the original on 2013-04-20
  112. ↑ "Tattoo Theatre", Bush Theatre Archive, 1987, archived from the original on 2013-04-19
  113. ↑ "The Mystery of the Rose Bouquet", Bush Theatre Archive, 1987, archived from the original on 2013-04-20
  114. ↑ "Effies Burning", Bush Theatre Archive, 1987, archived from the original on 2013-04-20
  115. ↑ "People Show No 92 Whistle Stop", Bush Theatre Archive, 1987, archived from the original on 2013-04-19
  116. ↑ "Love Field", Bush Theatre Archive, 1987
  117. ↑ "More Light", Bush Theatre Archive, 1987, archived from the original on 2013-04-19
  118. ↑ "An Imitation of Life", Bush Theatre Archive, 1987, archived from the original on 2013-04-20
  119. ↑ "The Oven Glove Murders", Bush Theatre Archive, 1986, archived from the original on 2013-04-20
  120. ↑ "Making Noise Quietly", Bush Theatre Archive, 1986, archived from the original on 2013-04-19
  121. ↑ "Hard Feelings", Bush Theatre Archive, 1983, archived from the original on 2013-04-20
  122. ↑ "The Relief of Martha King", Bush Theatre Archive, 1972, archived from the original on 2013-04-19
  123. ↑ "Christmas Carol", Bush Theatre Archive, 1972, archived from the original on 2013-04-20
  124. ↑ "Plays for Rubber Gogo", Bush Theatre Archive, 1972, archived from the original on 2013-04-19
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