Today we had our first full rehearsal in the shop. Rehearsals began for The Reverse is Also True, an Arts Council funded piece written by Stephen May.

We’ve started blocking the piece and tomorrow will be working towards finishing the bulk of the work ready for Stephen to join us on Friday.

Working in an empty shop has given rehearsals a new dimension. The shop itself has a huge window with all work being visible from the high street. The doors are staying open and everyone is welcome to join us for rehearsals.

We finished in the space around 8 o’clock. On the journey back to the car I passed 19 empty shops, all unused, all with the potential to be reactivated like the Arts Centre. If the possibilities for projects like ours are there, they should be taken as they can only benefit the community in Bedford.

Sam Turton – Artistic Director