"The Bull Theatre represents to me, a resident of 35 years plus and a one-time business owner with my head office in The High Street, an INSTITUTION! A valued, long serving, multi-faceted, loyal establishment we have all relied on (even become complacent about?), no matter what our needs or circumstances, during our various stages of life in High Barnet. We must shout loud and clear, 'thank you" to The Bull and ensure what we have been lucky enough to avail of over the years (even take for granted?) continues to be able to serve our ever-changing community, in these ever-changing times. Please, please may you continue…”
Leona Swords-Shannon, local resident
“Theatre is a vote of confidence in the human race. When it works it makes you glad to be alive
and grateful to be human. With professional shows, this is “undercut by the knowledge that it is
being done for money. In amateur theatre - however technically inferior - you get the added benefit
of seeing, or working with friends and neighbours, and finding that they can do things you didn’t
know they had in them. You become the member of an extended family; so, in that sense, theatre
and community are the same thing”
Irving Wardle, local resident.
The Bull Theatre works to enrich our community by offering experiences of and participation in live theatre and demonstrating good citizenship in the way we use our talents and resources. Our local community has supported us right from the outset – helping us to rescue an historic building on Barnet High Street that would otherwise have been lost to residential development in 2006. In turn, we support our community in as many ways as we can.
We offer our facilities for little or no fee to organisations that enhance the quality of life in Barnet including: Barnet Police and Neighbourhood Watch, The Barnet Society, The Barnet Residents Association, The Chipping Barnet Town Team, The Barnet Arts Council and Question Time with the leader of Barnet Council.
Hosting these activities in our theatre raises awareness of them amongst a wider audience including young people, people with disabilities and older members of our community. The local fayres and events that we organise are also much valued by local business because they increase the local footfall considerably.
We aim to provide opportunities for people of all backgrounds and ages who, otherwise, would not have the chance to have their talents recognised and developed.
IN HOUSE PRODUCTIONS FOR THE COMMUNITY
The Bull Theatre produce two in-house theatre shows a year, an Easter Show and a professional Christmas pantomime. Here members of the community can take a break, connect with others and immerse themselves in the magic of theatre. We pride our self on creating memorable moments with loved ones, therefore at the end of each show, every child has the opportunity to go onto the stage, meet the characters and have their photos taken with them. This experience is a free experience which is included with the ticket. We aim to create educational, safe, inspiring and joyful shows for our much loved community.
We believe that every individual should have the opportunity to experience theatre, therefor we always try to give back to the community:
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To enhance education, we invite local junior schools to watch our professional Christmas Pantomime for free or at a very low cost.
EASTER SHOW
Every year the Bull theatre produce an affordable Easter Show aimed at young children who may never have been to the theatre before. This has proven to be a very magical experience for all involved. Past shows have included Goldilocks and the three bears, Little Red Riding Hood and an Easter Wish.
CHRISTMAS PANTOMINE
Every year we write and produce our own inhouse Christmas pantomime. Our productions are a much loved popular and sold out show in the community, in which families are able to connect and submerge themselves into the magical world of Christmas. Previous productions have included Dick Whittington, Beauty and the Beast, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty.
“The Bull Team always go over and above, often organizing free pre-show and interval activities for kids to enjoy.
They make such a difference to our lives”.
S Mansell – Parent
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SUSI EARNSHAW THEATRE SCHOOL (FULL TIME END OF YEAR SHOW)
The Susi Earnshaw Theatre School end of year show is a hugely popular event often supported by young alumni returning to support and encourage young people. Our inhouse productions are a much loved highlight of the year and one that gives our pupils the chance to showcase their talent and hard-work. Past shows have included The Slammer, Finding Neverland and Little Shop of Horrors.
Pupils of the school continue to work professionally throughout the entertainment industry in Theatre, Film, Radio, Commercial and Television productions. A few of our student’s current and previous work have included the following productions: Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Lion King, The King and I, English National Opera, Game of Thrones, EastEnders, Holby City, The Physician (Feature Film), Finding Neverland (SKY), Almost Never (CBBC) and Boy in a Dress (Royal Shakespeare Company). An exciting, entertaining and joyous show which should not be missed!
FOR OLDER PEOPLE
There are 1.4 million chronically lonely older people in England (Age UK), a major issue which is widely recognized in society today. People aged 50 and over are more likely to be lonely if they do not have someone to open up to, are widowed, are in poor health, are unable to do the things they want, feel that they do not belong in their neighbourhood or live alone. Social activities are an essential component of successful approaches to tackling loneliness (Age UK).
In order to combat this issue, the Bull theatre works alongside a local charity called ‘Puddenecks’ providing social gatherings to senior citizens in the community. The charity support older people to maintain social connections, providing cream teas and theatre events such as Olde Time Music Hall extravaganza and Pantomime at no cost to the guests.
Events are held at the weekend, when people said they were loneliest and include people from nursing homes in the Borough. The feedback has been ‘uniformly brilliant’.
“Utterly brilliant” – a Puddenecks member
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BARNET CHRISTMAS STREET FAYRE
The Bull Theatre organize and take part in the Barnet Christmas Fayre with many other dedicated people from the Barnet Borough Arts Council. Our Theatre team co-ordinates everything from the closure of the High Street, the hire of the stalls and marquee, the children’s funfair and all the entertainment in the churches, the street, the marquee and The Bull Theatre. The annual festival draws around 20,000 foot fall onto the high street and helps to promote our local shops and businesses, and raises funds for charities. A spectacular event which provides connection, laughter, support and joy to our local community.
THE ANNUAL EAST BARNET FESTIVAL
An annual festival which occurs in Oakhill Park. The East Barnet Festival is run over three days in July providing music, entertainment, a fairground and hospitality for local residents. The Bull Theatre organises the programme of entertainment in the Dance tent, bringing together local dance schools and creating a free performance opportunity for hundreds of young dancers and their families from across the borough.
