History of The Bear Pit
The Bear Pit was formed in the autumn of 2008 with the aim of creating a permanent, sustainable home for the amateur arts groups in Stratford upon Avon and of creating a focus for the many arts groups in the town.
2009
January:
The Bear Pit organises the first Arts Showcase Day in Stratford’s Civic Hall, over twenty of Stratford’s arts societies involved – described in the press as ‘..a trade exhibition for the performing arts’.
July:
Award winning comedian Alistair McGowan performs his new one man stand-up show at the Civic Hall to raise funds for The Bear Pit.
2010
January:
The Bear Pit website was launched.
February:
- Bear Pit directors start to look for a suitable building in Stratford-upon-Avon which could be converted into a theatre. Also visit successful community arts venues operating around the country – particularly those which were run by volunteers and not supported by local councils.
- The Town Trust gives The Bear Pit a grant to improve and develop its website.
- Talks start with the Stratford Town Trust’s Chief Executive, Richard Eggington aimed at gaining support for the creation of a permanent home for the arts in the town.
- The Bear Pit directors meet the Rev. Graham Spicer of the United Reformed Church in Rother Street. Discussions begin with the aim of developing the church hall into a theatre and exhibition space.
- ‘Open House’ showcases the work of thirteen of The Bear Pit’ performing arts societies and plays with great success to a full house at the new RST.
- The Bear Pit’s performing arts groups are invited to assist the RSC by trialling its planned Open Stages workshops. The RSC launches its Open Stages project, with its aims of developing and celebrating amateur theatre.
- The Bear Pit under its new Chairman, Simon Allen, begins to forge links with Stratford businesses.
- The Bear Pit’s ‘What’s On’ flyer covering six months of events is distributed to over 6,000 addresses in and around Stratford.
- Geraldine Collinge offers The Bear Pit and its performing arts groups the opportunity of repeating the highly successful ‘Open House’ venture in the Swan Theatre in December.
- Talks with the United Reformed Church reaching a conclusion.
- Proposed plans for the redevelopment of the hall were drawn up and a feasibility study undertaken, The Town Trust agrees to pay half the costs.
- ‘Open House’ at RSC Swan Theatre, 11 performing arts societies take part.
- Reluctantly the Bear Pit directors decide to discontinue the ‘What’s On’ flyer which although very popular, is time consuming to organise and loses money.
- Confusions by Alan Ayckbourn, a collaboration between Second Thoughts Drama Group & The Bear Pit, the first to be staged in the proposed theatre space.
- The Bear Pit cast of ‘Bazaar and Rummage’ meet Sue Townsend at the Stratford Literary Festival.
- Kim Hartman becomes Patron of the Bear Pit Theatre
- Further fund raising performances of Faulty Towers are staged in collaboration with Wildwood Kitchen in Stratford.
- Existing path to theatre is repaired and improved.
- Nuworks Theatre Company returns to The Bear Pit on a further tour of the UK.
- Bear Pit gains membership of the Little Theatre Guild