Happy Birthday to The Bush Theatre! Established in 1972, The Bush doesn’t let a little thing like 40 years slow it down because, as we all know, there are benefits that come with age. When you get glammed up for a night out with this middled-aged wonder you don’t just get one experience – oh no, you get three.
Number one is the theatre itself, an intimate space where the best new talent in playwriting is offered up for your enjoyment. And when I say the best, I mean it; the folks at The Bush are sent over 1000 scripts a year and read every one of them. With so many writers clamouring to be produced it is you, the audience, who ends up absolutely spoilt for choice.
Next we have the bar, which provides a relaxed scene where you can indulge in pre-drinks and post-show chat. The staff are friendly and well-versed in ‘what’s on’ at the theatre and – most importantly if you enjoy a night out on the cheap like me – the drinks are reasonably priced and the snacks delicious.
Completing our hat-trick is the library; a big room just off the main entrance, crammed with mismatched tables and arm-chairs and bookshelf upon bookshelf of plays. There is everything to suit your tastes from well-known classics to modern niche scripts and as The Bush opens early and closes late you’re left plenty of time to grab a coffee, snuggle down into a chair and peruse at your leisure.
Tickets range from £10- £20 with discounts for nearly everyone including young, old and local. For more information and bookings go to: www.bushtheatre.co.uk (Words: Beth Downey)