Where's My Seat?

Synopsis

One new theatre, three experts, three playwrights and you. As the Bush prepares to open the doors of our new home in Autumn this year, we’re asking you to test drive the space and be a part of its transformation from library to theatre. Over the course of one evening, you’ll see three short plays by three hot Bush playwrights performed in three different layouts. Each play will be inspired by nine curious props chosen by the National Theatre and a set of challenging stage directions created by Alan Ayckbourn, Michael Grandage and Bush Artistic Director Josie Rourke. As the stage transforms and the seats move around, we’ll ask you to feedback your views from the stalls - and to put to test other areas of the building from the bathrooms to the bar. Part of the Bush's 32 Degree West Season - the angle from the front door of our old home of 39 years to our new home at 7 Uxbridge Road

Latest User Review

Gareth James - 29 June 2011:

When I heard that the Bush Theatre was on the move, my heart sank. I've been going to that room above a pub in Shepherd's Bush for nigh on 30 years and have lost track of how many plays I've seen there (somewhere between 100 and 200 I'd think) with a 'hit rate' that is second to none. Other theatre moves, notably Hampstead, have resulted in a loss of magic associated with the space and I found the thought that this might also happen with the Bush positively devastating. So it was with some trepidation that I went to this playful exploration of the yet-to-be-finished new space in an old library round the corner, where three short plays in three configurations (thrust, in-the-round and end on staging) using nine props from the NT's store are coupled with wanders around the building, giving feedback on how you'd like it to be. It's a terrific idea and it was brilliantly executed (helped by an unplanned evacuation between the first two plays for the fire brigade to deal with an exploding light!). It has, for now, put my mind to rest, though my fingers remain crossed. The first play was the most successful for me as it fitted so well with the concept. Deidre Kinahan's piece shows a theatre company rehearsing a PC adaptation of Wind in the Willows and the resulting theatrical send-up seemed so appropriate. One of the contrivances is to ask three directorial luminaries to provide stage directions, and Alan Ayckbourn's for Tom Wells play seem longer than the play itself, which may be why it was less successful. Jack Thorne's piece was the best written, but coming last and being far from playful, it somehow didn't have the impact it might have done in other circumstances; maybe he should work it up for a proper production. They've attracted some great actors to participate in the experiment, with Nina Sosanya shining both as the first play's play-within-a-play director and a more tragic and moving role in the final piece. I liked Francesca Annis as the old school theatrical in the first play more than as dotty Helen in the second play. Richard Cordery, Hugo Speer, Debbie Chasen and Hugh Skinner complete the excellent cast. Nathan Curry, with designers Amy Cook & Lucy Osborne, has done a terrific job of covering the building with fun-filled opportunities for the audience to explore and comment on everything from desired seating to programming to the bar. I loved the fact that the playing space had been wallpapered with scripts of previous Bush shows, reminding us of tis illustrious past. This wasn't great theatre (I don't think it was meant to be), but it was a great experience and has moved me from dread to cautious anticipation of my old friend's new home!...

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