The tinsel’s on the tree…

As a child in the fifties and early sixties, my first experience of theatre (apart from various roles in Nativities, of course) was the panto at the Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton. This is where I fell in love with theatre; all the magic, mystery and excitement, the way the audience buzz faded with the lights going down, the colours, the characters, the jokes, the boiled sweets hurled at the auditorium, the enjoyment of the live experience. It had a lasting effect on me…

Don’t talk about the money, money

Chasing funding has often been a struggle, despite the many reasons and benefits for the work we do. Neil Beddow, Artistic Director, recalls stories from the past 35 years and the ongoing determination to secure resources, to deliver more and better.

For Love Nor Money – adventures in Europe

International networking is so much a part of acta’s practice and programme these days, but it wasn’t always the case. In fact, it all started in 2003, when I was asked by the Arts Council to attend the second International Festival of Community Theatre (now ICAF) in Rotterdam.

This is how it was for us

or: Who needs chronology?… Neil tells the story of his work with the Malcolm X Elders’ Theatre Company over the last 15 years, following a recent performance of We Have Overcome at the Malcolm X Community Centre in St Pauls.

Doing it for love

Working with volunteers in the acta community garden today, reminds Neil how important volunteers have been to acta all the way. Remembering work with young people on the Bournville estate in Weston super Mare…

Blog – 35 stories for 35 years

acta will celebrate its landmark 35th anniversary in September 2020, and over the next 12 months, as part of our plans to mark the event, Artistic Director and Founder Neil Beddow will be writing about the work of the company – a story for each of the 35 years. First story: Everything has to start somewhere…