Home to the Edinburgh University Theatre Company, the Bedlam Theatre is the oldest student-run theatre in Britain. Clearly visible from Edinburgh’s Royal Mile in the heart of the city, Bedlam is a fully operational 90-seat repertory theatre housed in an imposing neo-gothic church.
The building was originally the New North Free Church, built in 1848, near the site of the Edinburgh’s Darien House Hospital or ‘Bedlam’ as it was commonly referred. In 1937 the congregation moved and the University of Edinburgh took over the occupation of the building, using it as the University’s Chaplaincy for 16 years among other uses such as a furniture store.
In 1980, the building was given to the EUTC, who named the building Bedlam Theatre and have been there ever since.
For more information about the building, head over to the EUTC Wiki here.
The Edinburgh University Theatre Company (EUTC) puts on over 40 shows a year, and workshops and productions alike provide students with a unique opportunity to learn about all aspects of theatre, including lighting design, soundscaping, stage design, producing, directing and acting. The EUTC presents a wide range of theatre: we frequently produce new writing, as well as old and contemporary classics, small musicals, physical theatre, promenade pieces, and even the odd clown show. We are proud to encourage new and developing talent in all fields, so whether you’re looking for a scratch night for your work-in-progress, want to brush up on your sound-scaping, get tool-safety-trained, stitch up some costumes, plan a party or just get up and act, you’re bound to find a supportive community of like-minded individuals who can help and learn alongside you.
Many Bedlamites go on to train at some of the best drama schools in the UK, while others move directly into the professional world – our alumni include critically acclaimed playwrights Ella Hickson (Boys, Eight) and Lucy Kirkwood (Hedda, NSFW), actor and comedian Miles Jupp (The Thick of It, Rev), and Fringe comedy favourites, ‘The Penny Dreadfuls’.
The EUTC is a democratic organisation, with all productions going through an open proposal process and the Company electing a Committee at the Annual General Meeting to manage the day to day of the Theatre Company. As a fully student-run theatre company, we are responsible for everything from the creative programming, our finances, and the maintenance and care of our home the Bedlam Theatre!
Aside from our weekly shows, we also host a series of workshops, including a weekly improvisation workshop at noon on Saturdays, and a weekly tech workshop before the Improverts show every Friday night from 9pm.
You can find out more by visiting our Get Involved page!
Additionally, if you want to learn about the history of the society, head over to the EUTC Wiki here. You can also read our Constitution here.