Bedlam Theatre is a student-run theatre owned by Edinburgh University.
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History
Bedlam is housed in the former "New North Free Church" at the foot of George IV Bridge in Edinburgh. The building was designed by Thomas Hamilton, an architect also involved in the creation of the 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. After the building was abandoned by the church it was obtained by 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. For many years from the 80s onwards, EUTC were unaware of where the building's power originated. Despite a long correspondence, Scottish Power insisted that no bills were owed.
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, 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, and will have its re-debut in 2008.
Fringe
The EUTC, being a student company based in Edinburgh, has always been involved in the Edinburgh Fringe. 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.
