'I don't think Clifton knows there's a theatre here'
Posted on: 25 Oct 2019Things have changed since the 1970s. Take the Redgrave Theatre in Clifton, for instance.
Once a place of school plays and the odd am-dram production alone, it's now a popular venue choice with well-known comics, producers and children's entertainers. But the theatre's current manager, Sue Ellicott, is unconvinced Clifton knows it:
"I don't think Clifton knows there's a theatre here - if I'm honest," she admits. "We're still getting people through now that go: 'I didn't know this was here!'"
Before a show: inside the Redgrave Theatre.
Despite this, Sue is on a mission to raise the theatre's profile in Bristol – and it seems to be working. After leaving London, and her decade-long career in stage management, she joined the Redgrave team just over a year ago. Since, she's tried to uncover the Redgrave's niche, whilst managing its ever-growing schedule.
From Stephen Merchant to Simon Reeve, the theatre's upcoming bookings put the Redgrave in competition with some of Bristol's biggest theatres, but there's something different about this former school theatre. Not only is it a much more intimate venue than the likes of the Tobacco Factory and the Hippodrome (the Redgrave has just 323 seats), its prices come at a fraction of the usual rate - something which Sue hopes will enable more people to enjoy great theatre in Bristol.
.jpg "Built in the 60s, the Redgrave Theatre was the first purpose-built school theatre in the country.")
Built in the 1960s, the Redgrave Theatre was the first purpose-built school theatre in the country. It was previously known as the Clifton College theatre.
"I trained at Lamda as a stage manager, and when I was at the school, there were people from all walks of life training. What they drummed into us is that 'it should be for everybody.' And that's what I strongly believe: theatre should be for everybody, from all walks of life.
"I just want to create something where everyone can come and feel welcome. Especially in an area like Clifton, where it can feel a little bit out of reach for some people in terms of the cost. We're just offering a night out for people who wanna have some fun."
And what's more fun than the festive season? 2019 marks the Redgrave's first venture into professional pantomime. This year, the theatre will welcome Beauty and the Beast.
Last month, the Redgrave's panto stars visited Cabot Circus.
Armed with the knowledge and expertise gained from working in some of London's biggest venues (including The National Theatre, Shakespeare's Globe and the Albert Hall), Sue has assisted with the casting and production of the panto, alongside theatre company Polka Dot Productions. A project that has been several months in the making, complete with professional actors and a panto pooch, audiences can bag a ticket for just £17. Yes, £17.
An affordable way to enjoy professional pantomime, the project certainly appears to be a commercial turning point for the Redgrave, which begs the question: what will happen to the amateur dramatic groups, who have used the space for decades, as the theatre continues to expand?
"I don't want to lose them - they've got such a long history in Bristol," Sue explains. "So, we have set amount of time throughout the year that we will allow them to do their shows. They bring in a huge amount of people, and they have a huge following!"
Earlier this month, Bristol Amateur Operatic Society (BAOS) performed Singin' In The Rain at the Redgrave. Read the review here.
"We're not trying to push them out," she continues, "but we're trying to make way for professional shows on tour to come through. I'd hate for them to lose a venue that they've been performing in since the 1970s – that'd be a shame for the community."
In the next few months, the Redgrave can look forward to an array of comedians, dance acts and even the 2020 Slapstick festival (featuring Stephen Merchant and The Goodies). In fact, Sue admits that the theatre's schedule is almost entirely booked up until Summer 2020! But like any other Bristol venue, the team are acutely aware of the current political climate, and the impact it may have on their audience.
"For a lot of people, theatre is a luxury. They're coming for a night out – they want to completely escape," Sue explains. "If we go into recession, what will scare me is that people won't have the chance to do that anymore – they won't have as much disposable income to come and watch things and to just switch off.
"Even when I was a student, and I had no money, I would come and watch stuff to switch off – and people need that. It's so important to have that, isn't it? And Bristol has so many good theatres, all doing something a bit different. That's why I really want to make people aware that we are here in Clifton. That's my goal."
To see what's on at the Redgrave Theatre, head to the website.
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