Bedlam Theatre
Encyclopedia
Bedlam Theatre is a student-run theatre owned by the University of Edinburgh
and notable for being the oldest student-run theatre in Britain.
It is housed in the former New North Free Church building at the foot of George IV Bridge
in Edinburgh
; a building which was designed by Thomas Hamilton
, an architect involved in the creation of Edinburgh New Town
in the city. It is on the site of the old city poorhouse
, and its name is taken from the nearby site of the city's first mental health hospital, where the poet Robert Fergusson
died.
After the building was abandoned by the church in 1937 it was gifted to Edinburgh University. The University used it for various purposes, including a furniture store and a school of nursing. In 1980, the Edinburgh University Theatre Company (EUTC) moved in, the building being converted for their use.
The theatre stages over 40 shows every year. Some are small-scale, one-off lunchtimes performances, while others are larger budget, week-long productions known as Mainterms. The Bedlam is also home to Edinburgh's longest-running improv troupe, the Improverts
, who play every Friday.
Bedlam is also the central venue of the recently-revived 'FebFest', a festival of new work which incorporates drama, poetry, readings, site-specific performances, story-telling, film, technological pieces and debate taken from all over Scotland. It runs from the end of January to early February.
. Bedlam Theatre opens as Venue 49 each year. Again the theatre is run entirely by students during the Fringe, and has developed a warm and friendly atmosphere with many companies and audience members returning year on year.
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
and notable for being the oldest student-run theatre in Britain.
It is housed in the former New North Free Church building at the foot of George IV Bridge
George IV Bridge
George IV Bridge is an elevated street in Edinburgh, Scotland. Measuring 300-metres in length, the bridge was constructed between 1829 and 1832 as part of the Improvement Act of 1827. Named for King George IV, it was designed by architect Thomas Hamilton , to connect the South Side district of...
in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
; a building which was designed by Thomas Hamilton
Thomas Hamilton (architect)
Thomas Hamilton was a Scottish architect, based in Edinburgh. Born in Glasgow, his works include: the Dean Orphan Hospital, now the Dean Gallery; the Royal High School on the Calton Hill, long considered as home for the Scottish Parliament; Bedlam Theatre; the George IV Bridge, which spans the...
, an architect involved in the creation of Edinburgh New Town
New Town, Edinburgh
The New Town is a central area of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. It is often considered to be a masterpiece of city planning, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site...
in the city. It is on the site of the old city poorhouse
Poorhouse
A poorhouse or workhouse was a government-run facility in the past for the support and housing of dependent or needy persons, typically run by a local government entity such as a county or municipality....
, and its name is taken from the nearby site of the city's first mental health hospital, where the poet Robert Fergusson
Robert Fergusson
Robert Fergusson was a Scottish poet. After formal education at the University of St Andrews, Fergusson followed an essentially bohemian life course in Edinburgh, the city of his birth, then at the height of intellectual and cultural ferment as part of the Scottish enlightenment...
died.
After the building was abandoned by the church in 1937 it was gifted to Edinburgh University. The University used it for various purposes, including a furniture store and a school of nursing. In 1980, the Edinburgh University Theatre Company (EUTC) moved in, the building being converted for their use.
Running
Bedlam Theatre is the oldest student-run theatre in Britain. It is run by a student committee, elected annually. Any member can propose a show for selection by democratic company vote, and all aspects of the production from acting to lighting to taking the tickets are carried out by the student membership.The theatre stages over 40 shows every year. Some are small-scale, one-off lunchtimes performances, while others are larger budget, week-long productions known as Mainterms. The Bedlam is also home to Edinburgh's longest-running improv troupe, the Improverts
Improverts
The Improverts is the long-running improvisational comedy troupe of the Edinburgh University Theatre Company which primarily performs out of the Bedlam Theatre, Edinburgh...
, who play every Friday.
Bedlam is also the central venue of the recently-revived 'FebFest', a festival of new work which incorporates drama, poetry, readings, site-specific performances, story-telling, film, technological pieces and debate taken from all over Scotland. It runs from the end of January to early February.
Fringe
The EUTC, being a student company based in Edinburgh, has always been involved in the Edinburgh FringeEdinburgh Fringe
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the world’s largest arts festival. Established in 1947 as an alternative to the Edinburgh International Festival, it takes place annually in Scotland's capital, in the month of August...
. Bedlam Theatre opens as Venue 49 each year. Again the theatre is run entirely by students during the Fringe, and has developed a warm and friendly atmosphere with many companies and audience members returning year on year.