Chronicle takes a tour of new Bush Theatre

THE Bush Theatre opened its doors for the Chronicle this week for a special tour as they prepared for their grand opening today. GREG BURNS went along to check the place out.

INTIMATE, welcoming and impressive.

Those were my first impressions when I walked into the new Bush Theatre this week for a guided tour of their new home.

Work was still going on and the pace was frenetic as they prepared for their mammoth opening. But everyone had a huge smile on their face because their dream was becoming a reality.

That dream was to have a world-class theatre that is also a base for the community.

As soon as you walk in you enter the new Bush Cafe Bar with a large open space for people to drop in, grab a coffee or some food.

With Natalie Bristow in charge, who previously ran the Cupboard Deli, a Bush Market Fruit Salad on the menu and adorned with artwork by Shepherd's Bush based renowned painter Anthony Malinowski, the cafe is sticking to its roots.

“We want the entire Shepherd's Bush community to feel comfortable coming in here,” said executive director Angela Bond. “This move has been such a community project anyway with volunteers and local businesses chipping in to help which has been inspiring for us.”

The auditorium remains an intimate performing space with space for small audiences of about 150 who will feel like they are on stage with the performers.

It is very much an interactive set with the seating locations and set-up able to be manouvered along with the stage and flooring.

Ms Bond said: “We have worked very hard to keep everything intimate and not go over the top for the sake of it. It was important that we didn't lose that essence of the Bush.

“The community seems excited by us moving here and people keep popping in to see what is happening. We hope that people in the community, who might not ever have seen a Bush Theatre show, will come along and see what we have to offer.”

ACTORS and directors have used Twitter to tell the world how much they love the new Bush Theatre. Here are just a few of their reactions.

Titas Halder said: “Tech done for The Goat at Midnight for #66books @bushtheatre – theatre looks absolutely amazing. Good luck to the others, can't wait.”

Syrus Lowe said: “About to tech at the new @bushtheatre for #66books. Very exciting. Love the new building.”

Samuel Barnett said: “At @bushtheatre for #66books tech. Too excited. Space looks extraordinary. And retains the intimacy of the old space. LOVE IT.”

James Northcote said: “I can't really explain how cool the new space is and the whole place. It's buzzing and crazy and hectic.”

Nathan Byron said: “So today I was @bushtheatre techin for #66books. The new stage n space is my favourite stage I have ever performed on wow like u need to c it.”

HISTORY OF THE BUSH

1972: The Bush Theatre opened on Thursday April 6 in the upstairs dining room of The Bush Hotel.

1973: The Bush hosted plays by David Edgar, Howard Barker and Edward Bond, and premiered Under The Bamboo Tree by a 20-year-old Tina Brown.

1978: Victoria Wood wrote her first sketch on an old typewriter she found in the theatre. She performed it with Julie Walters in the revue In At The Death.

1992: The Bush celebrated 20 years at the frontier of new writing and won The Empty Space Award for the year's work.

1996: The Bush went into temporary exile, producing Kiss The Sky, a psychedelic musical by Jim Cartwright, at The Shepherd's Bush Empire and Buried Treasure by David Ashton at The Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith. Mike Bradwell became the new Artistic Director of The Bush.

1997: The theatre re-opened on 8 January.

2002: The Bush's 30th Anniversary was celebrated with a season of new plays by Richard Cameron, Tony Bicat and Mike Packer.

2007: Josie Rourke succeeds Mike Bradwell as artistic director of The Bush.

2008: The year begins with the announcement of a proposed cut to The Bush's Arts Council funding. A successful appeal sees them retain their funding.

2009: For the first time in the Bush's history they open a second space - underneath the West12 shopping centre. In September they open a script reference library at the Old Shepherds Bush Library on Uxbridge Road

2010: In December, Hammersmith and Fulham Council agree to install the Bush at the Old Shepherds Bush Library. The agreement with the Council gives the Bush a 125 year lease.

2011: Artistic Director Josie Rourke announces her departure from the Bush to take up the position of Artistic Director of the Donmar Theatre. The Board appoints Madani Younis as her successor from January 2012.