Stepping Out Theatre Trips 2024
Feb 2024

Memorable group theatre trips over recent years have included those to see our Patron Mark Rylance in 'Jerusalem', the award winning 'A Monster Calls' at the Bristol Old Vic and many other productions by leading companies such as Kneehigh Theatre and Wise Children in Bristol and Cornwall.

We will be running our usual series of free or heavily subsidised theatre trips during 2024. The Bristol Old Vic, the Tobacco Factory and the Alma Tavern Theatre are just a few of the venues where we meet regularly to watch the best of live theatre locally. If you are interested in finding out more about us, theatre trips are an ideal way to meet up with the group for the first time in a relaxed and friendly environment while enjoying great theatre. To register your interest in our theatre trips, please contact Project Co - Ordinator Mark Breckon on mark@steppingouttheatre.co.uk or 07896 684097.

Mother Christmas ticket details
Dec 2023

Festive fun from Stepping Out Theatre in a charity fundraiser raising money for SALVE International who work with street children in Uganda's second city of Jinja.

Showing for 2 nights only!
Hen and Chicken, Southville, 3rd Dec at 8pm
Backwell Playhouse, Backwell, 4th Dec at 8pm

For tickets, please donate £5 to Stepping Out Theatre using the link here. Please leave your name, address and email address and tickets will be emailed out to you.

Doctor Semmelweis at the Bristol Old Vic and Meeting with Mark Rylance
Feb 2022

Twenty members of our group watched Stepping Out Theatre Patron Mark Rylance perform in the title role of the Bristol Old Vic's brilliant production of 'Doctor Semmelweis' on Feb 7th. After the show Mark joined the group in the bar for a chat about the play. He is pictured here with Diversity Ambassador Charlie Ekpaloba and other members.

Stepping Out Theatre and Coronavirus Update
Dec 2021

During 2020-21, we mounted four productions which were created, rehearsed and performed wholly online. For as long as physical meetings remained difficult because of the coronavirus emergency in 2021, Stepping Out continued to run a programme of online activities, workshops, rehearsals and productions serviced by our WhatsApp groups and Zoom meetings.

On June 9th, the group held its first physical meeting for almost 18 months, and the summer saw a series of outdoor social, theatre, food and film events. In August 2021, the group mounted three live physical theatre productions - two in London, and one in Bristol.

After a gruelling pandemic year and a half, we have a number of fully risk assessed, Covid safe activities and productions going forward for 2021-22.

We are back!

To know more about forthcoming activities and productions, please contact Steve Hennessy on 07790 980688.

Stepping Out Theatre Partnership with SALVE International, Uganda
Dec 2021

In November 2021, Stepping Out Theatre began a new partnership with SALVE International, a charity working with street children in Jinja, Uganda.

You can see more about SALVE's wonderful work, or on their website here - https://www.salveinternational.org/salve-explained/

Or take a look at their Youtube video here - https://youtu.be/J6ikf2HE4yY

We are currently working with SALVE towards sending Stepping Out workers out to Uganda in 2022 to offer drama workshops to the young people they work with.

We also took part in the Big Give Xmas Challenge in December 2021 in support of SALVE International's work. With Big Give match funding and Gift Aid, Stepping Out members raised £2740 for SALVE. We were delighted to receive a personal thank you from our partner group in Uganda.

Our Xmas production this year will also be a dedicated fundraiser for SALVE, and we will be fundraising right up until Dec 19th, which is our Xmas show at the Alma Tavern Theatre as well as our Xmas dinner and social evening.

Our partnership with SALVE has energised charitable giving among our members. If you support Stepping Out Theatre, PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TO HELP THE WORK OF SALVE IN UGANDA!

https://www.salveinternational.org/get-involved/donate/

Exhale Book Launch
Nov 2021

On 9th November, we held a launch event for a new anthology of poetry, prose and artwork by members of Stepping Out Theatre and Mind Your Music. The event followed on from a similar successful venture last year held online during lockdown for the first anthology from the same group 'You Always Were More Than Enough'.

Both anthologies are available and on sale from the Stepping Out office for a suggested donation of £10.

John Nicholls
Mar 2021

It is with great sadness that Stepping Out Theatre has learnt of the passing of John Nicholls. John's 'proper job' was as a musician, and here he is enjoying some time behind the drums. But he also moonlighted as a most reliable roadie and driver to Stepping Out Theatre, Theatre West and others, taking huge sets, and occasionally actors and crew, on epic journeys between Bristol, London, Brighton, Frome and Edinburgh to name just a few regular stops. John will be remembered for his gentle energy and unflappable calm under the stressful circumstances of touring theatre.

The funeral service for John will be held on Wednesday 14 April, 12.30pm - 1.30pm, and live streamed via this link: https://www.obitus.com/

Once you're on the website, please log in by typing in . .
username: rele7230
password: 470513
. . which will allow you to access the service.

In lieu of flowers John's family are accepting donations in his name for the 'angel people' at St Peter's Hospice.

The link for donations to them is: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/john-nicholls-memorial

Stepping Out Theatre and Coronavirus Update
Jan 2021

In 2020, we mounted our first two productions which were created, rehearsed and performed wholly online. For as long as physical meetings remain difficult because of the coronavirus emergency in 2021, Stepping Out will continue to run a programme of online activities, workshops, rehearsals and productions serviced by our WhatsApp groups and Zoom meetings. To know more about these activities, please contact Steve Hennessy on 07790 980688.

You Always Were More Than Enough - New Poetry Anthology now on Sale after December 2020 launch
Dec 2020

A new poetry anthology from members of Mind Your Music and Stepping Out Theatre was launched at an online event on 18 Dec 2020 with readings from the poets involved. Beautifully illustrated with original artworks by members of both groups, this anthology is now available to order online for a suggested donation of £10. To order your copy, please email info@steppingouttheatre.co.uk.

Stepping Out Annual General Meeting 2020
Nov 2020

The latest AGM was held on Friday 20th November 2020 on Zoom. There were 20 members attending. The following candidates were elected or endorsed as trustees. Trustees serve a three year period from their year of election.
Mark Breckon
Dr. Sue Chambers
Hugh Groves
Steve James
Elinor Martell
Danann McAleer
Ian Robinson
Emma Stadon
Eleanor Wilson

Stepping Out Theatre and Coronavirus Update
Aug 2020

In the absence of physical meetings during the coronavirus emergency, Stepping Out has a programme of online support, activities and connectedness via WhatsApp groups and regular Zoom meetings.

To know more about these activities, please contact Associate Director Cher Douglas on 07505 144372.

Steve Franks
Dec 2019

In a year where Stepping Out Theatre have already suffered the loss of two longstanding group members, we are sad to announce that a third, Steve Franks passed away suddenly on Tuesday 3rd December after suffering a stroke at home that day.

'Stevie' as he liked to be known was one of our most active and enthusiastic members in recent years. He performed in 4 shows over the last two years, attended almost all of the workshops and theatre trips run by the group in that period, and came with us to Finland in 2018 and France in 2019. Stevie had been an enthusiastic participant in the series of workshops run by Holly Stoppit during November and December. His unexpected and very sudden death comes as a huge shock to his many friends in the group, and he will be hugely missed. Stevie's funeral will be

January 8th at 2.15 at Canford Crematorium, Westbury on Trym.

Ann Wilson
Jun 2019

Ann Wilson, one of our best loved, and longest standing members who joined the group in 2001, and appeared on stage in 16 different productions over her 18 years with us, passed away peacefully at the BRI at the end of May.

Ann had been unwell for a long time and spent a large part of the last 9 months in and out of Hospital. She bore her illness with a lot of resilience and cheerfulness, and made a point of still getting along to group activities whenever she was well enough, including workshops back in April this year. She will be hugely missed.

Stranger on the Bridge on Bristol TV
May 2019

The Stranger on the Bridge has been featured in 3 articles on Bristol TV. Check them out below -

Clip 1 - Tackling the stigma of mental health
Clip 2 - Tackling mental health one performance at a time
Clip 3 - Local Legend

Lunar Sea gets article in The Stage
Sep 2018

The adventures of the Lunar Sea team in Finland have been recognised by The Stage.

Click on the image below to read their article.

Mind Your Music Crowdfunding Launch!
Aug 2018

The joint Stepping Out Theatre / Mind Your Music event Baroque and Roll at Kings Weston House will launch a 6 week crowdfunding appeal that will decide the future of our sister mental health music group Mind Your Music. Their funding is running out fast and the stakes could not be higher. Will Mind Your Music survive into 2019 and beyond?

Watch the fantastic video promoting the appeal here.

Donate to the crowdfunding appeal here.

Spectacular Success of New Big Show!
Jun 2018

The Rise and Fall of Ronald J. Dump has become the most successful 'big show' in Stepping Out's 21 year history of mounting these ambitious productions which have put hundreds of local service users onstage for the first time over that period. Ticket sales and audience numbers this year were our highest ever for a production of this type.

Interviews with 'Made in Bristol TV' which you can see below tell more about the background of the production.

Clip 1
Clip 2
Clip 3
Clip 4

Mick Jagger tweets about #GreatApes
Apr 2018

Mick Jagger came to see our production of Great Apes and enjoyed it so much that he tweeted about his experience.

"I managed to catch a performance of #GreatApes at the Arcola last weekend, it's really funny, so if you get the chance to watch it in the future, I'd recommend it!"

The Provoked Wife,'A Phenomenal Success!'
Dec 2017

More to celebrate at the end of our 20th year! 'The Provoked Wife' has just become the best selling and most popular Bristol production in the entire history of the group.

More about this exciting production in our interview with 'Made in Bristol TV' here.

First read through of New Big Show!
Dec 2017

The first readthrough of Mark Breckon's The Rise and Fall of Ronald J. Dump will take place on Sunday February 11th 2.00 p.m. - 6.00 p.m. in the John Vanbrugh Room, Kings Weston House.

THIS PRODUCTION IS OPEN TO ALL, AND EVERYONE WHO COMMITS TO REHEARSALS IS GUARANTEED A PART!

If you are interested in being involved, or would like to know more, please contact Cher Douglas on 07505 144372 or email cheryl@steppingouttheatre.co.uk.

Theatre Workshops
Sep 2017

Interested in performing, acting, dancing, directing or designing theatre? Want to explore your creativity in a safe, fun environment?

We are running a series of free workshops where we will work together to make a performance for our Christmas Show! No experience necessary - just enthusiasm and commitment.

WHO - You! Workshops and performance will be facilitated by Viki Browne, an experienced performer, director and workshop leader, assisted by Olivia Ware

WHEN - Youth Group (16 - 25) Mondays 6pm to 8:30pm 25th Sept to 6th Oct
Adult Group Wednesdays 6pm to 8:30pm 27th Sept to 8th Oct
From 13th Nov both groups will be working together in the same space on Mondays and Wednesday nights

WHERE - 'Meanwhile BS3', Mill Ln, Bristol, BS3 4DG

20 Years of Stepping Out Theatre!
Aug 2017

The celebrations of 20 years of Stepping Out Theatre began with a revival of our Art and Soul Cabaret in July, and they continued with an open air music and poetry event in the wonderful surroundings of the Temple of Harmony in a beautiful country setting near the village of Goathurst.

Musicians and poets from Stepping Out Theatre and Mind Your Music brought life back to the classic folly temple where a statue of Terpsichore, the Muse of Song and Dance, watched over proceedings throughout a gloriously sunny afternoon and a warm summer evening. Later, for those staying at the Secret Valley campsite nearby, the Perseid meteor shower arrived to add a final touch of stardust to a magical day.

Stepping Out AGM
Jul 2017

The last AGM was held on 27th July 2017 at the ACTA Centre, Gladstone Road, Bedminster. The following candidates were elected or endorsed as trustees. Trustees serve a three year period from their year of election.

Mark Breckon (Chair)
Hugh Groves (Treasurer)
Emma Stadon (Secretary)
Gareth Pitt
Charles Thompson
Danann McAleer
Sandy Walker
Eleanor Wilson

Associate Artists

Stepping Out works more closely with a small number of artists to develop their careers in theatre. At the moment these are -

Chris Loveless - Associate Director
Olivia Dennis - Associate Artist
Viki Browne - Associate Artist

Summer Drama Workshops
Jun 2017

NEW DATES ANNOUNCED

YOUTH DRAMA WORKSHOPS (16 - 25 year olds)

WHEN - Mondays 5:45pm - 7:45pm starting 12th June
WHERE - Unitarian Church, Brunswick Square, Bristol

ADULT IMPROVISATION WORKSHOPS (16+)

WHEN - Wednesdays 6:30- 8:30pm Starting 14th June
WHERE - Unitarian Church, Brunswick Square, Bristol
CONTACT - Email info@steppingouttheatre.co.uk.

Forum Theatre Workshops
Jun 2017

Have you experienced homelessness or been in temporary accommodation. Want to have a voice on issues that affect you? Stepping Out has teamed up with Cardboard Citizens and 1625 Independent People to offer some workshops to explore homelessness issues in Bristol.

WHEN - Tuesdays 5-7pm
WHERE - Pip n Jays Church, Tower Hill, BS2 0ET
CONTACT - Email info@steppingouttheatre.co.uk.

Spring Drama Workshops
Mar 2017

Want to explore your creativity in a safe and fun environment?

Our spring drama workshop programme is open to people aged 16yrs and over who have experienced mental health issues, their carers and allies. No experience necessary.

WHEN - Tuesday evenings 6-8:30pm. From 7th Mar to 2nd May

WHERE - Room 9, St Werburghs Community Centre, Horley Road, Bristol BS2 9TJ

CONTACT - Email info@steppingouttheatre.co.uk.

Workshops will be delivered by Viki Browne, an experienced performer and workshop leader who recently devised and performed an autographical piece about her own mental illness. She uses theatre to tackle complex and taboo issues in an informed and compassionate way. She is interested in exploring different methods including lighting, projection, text, humour, music, recognisable images from pop culture to say the unsayable.

Youth Devising Group
Feb 2017

We are looking for people aged 16 - 25 yrs who want to be a part of a project and create a performance piece from scratch about issues affecting young people. No experience necessary - Just enthusiasm and commitment.

Weekly sessions are free to attend and travel expenses will be covered.

WHEN - Monday evenings 6:30-9pm. From 6th Feb - 3rd April

WHERE - Hours Studio, 10 Colston Yard, Colston Street, BS1 5BD

CONTACT - info@steppingouttheatre.co.uk

Annual Sponsored Walk
Nov 2016

On Sunday 27th November 2016, a hardy group of Stepping Out members completed the sixth Annual Sponsored Walk from Fromeside to the Alma Tavern Theatre symbolising our collective journey from struggles with mental health to recovery through the healing power of theatre.

Autumn / Winter Drama Workshops
Nov 2016

Want to explore your creativity in a safe and fun environment?

Our autumn / winter drama workshop programme is open to people aged 16yrs and over who have experienced mental health issues, their carers and allies. No experience necessary. Travel expenses covered.

WHEN - Tuesday evenings 6-8pm. From 22nd Nov to 13th Dec

WHERE - Hours Studio, 10 Colston Yard. Colston Street. Bristol BS1 5BD

CONTACT - Email info@steppingouttheatre.co.uk.

Workshops will be delivered by Viki Browne, an experienced performer and workshop leader who has made and performed work about her own mental illness. In the workshops, we will be working with personal stories to put together short drama pieces with mental health themes.

We are looking for a Treasurer
Sep 2016

Stepping Out is looking for a new Treasurer to join the team. The role is voluntary to ensure that Stepping Out's finances are kept in order. The role is likely to suit an experienced book-keeper or accountant who wishes to give something back to a worthy cause and be part of a dynamic Board of Trustees. The primary aims are to provide accurate financial records and systematic reporting to support the Chief Executive and Trustees with decision making. If that sounds like you, we would love to hear from you.

For more information and a full role description, please email info@steppingouttheatre.co.uk.

Free Drama Workshops
Aug 2016

Want to explore your creativity in a safe and fun environment?

Our summer school drama workshop programme is open to people aged 16yrs and over who have experienced mental health issues, their carers and allies. No experience necessary. Travel expenses covered with bus / train ticket receipts.

WHEN -Tuesday evenings 6-8pm. From 2nd August - 6th September

WHERE -Tues 2nd - 9th August at St Werburghs Community Centre, Horley Road, Bristol, BS2 9TJ.
16th August - 6th Sept at Gasworks Studio on 27 Narroways Road, Bristol, BS2 9XB.

CONTACT - Email info@steppingouttheatre.co.uk.

Workshops will be delivered by Viki Browne, an experienced performer and workshop leader who recently devised and performed an autographical piece about her own mental illness. She uses theatre to tackle complex and taboo issues in an informed and compassionate way. She is interested in exploring different methods including lighting, projection, text, humour, music, recognisable images from pop culture to say the unsayable.

Cinderella on Made In Bristol TV
Feb 2016

Company members were filmed performing extracts and interviewed about our work during our latest production at the Alma Tavern Theatre.

Watch it here between 5:30 and 8:30

Stepping Out - Duke of York Theatre 2015
Nov 2015

On November 21st, a group of 33 members of Stepping Out Theatre went to see our Patron Mark Rylance in Claire Van Kampen's play 'Farinelli and the King'. The play was a huge hit at the Globe last year before transferring for the current sellout West End run.

New trailer for 'The Divided Laing'
Nov 2015

Watch the new trailer for 'The Divided Laing' here. The show runs at the Arcola Theatre, London from 17th November to the 12th December 2015.
[more details . . ]

Prof. Steve Onyett's evaluation of Stepping Out Theatre
Sep 2015

The latest external evaluation of Stepping Out Theatre by Prof. Steve Onyett has just been published - a glowing endorsement of the group's work, which can be viewed here.

Funeral of Ernie Bell
Aug 2015

On 14th and 15th August, the wake and funeral of group member Ernie Bell took place. The wake, service and gig that followed were an unforgettable open air musical celebration of a much loved man and musician. Ernie and his music occupied a unique place in Stepping Out Theatre and Mind Your Music over many years. The songs he wrote over ten years for Stepping Out productions were recorded together on CD in 2011 and are available from the Stepping Out office.

Annual General Meeting 2015
Aug 2015

The Stepping Out 2015 Annual General Meeting and Social took place on Monday 3rd August at The Hen and Chickens, Bedminster. New trustees were duly elected and accounts were passed. After the business meeting, there was an evening of entertainment featuring group members and directed by Associate Marc Geoffrey.

Annual Summer Outing 2015
Jul 2015

Following successful summer outings to the International Storytelling Festival' at St. Donat's, the Edinburgh Festival, Sidmouth and Salisbury, in 2015 we returned to Cornwall for the second time in three years for a three night camping trip. Twenty one group members watched the odd tent blow away and a catering gazebo collapse in the storms of our glorious summer. In between seaside trips and midnight mask workshops, we saw the fabulous Kneehigh perform their new show '946' at the Asylum in the Lost Gardens of Heligan, and caught a production of 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' at the lovely Minack.

Xmas Meal, Social and Caberet!
Dec 2014

This year's Xmas meal and social was on the evening of Friday 19th December in the Greville Room at the Hen and Chicken, North Street, Bedminster. Our largest ever Xmas social with over 40 people attending. A special Xmas cabaret was provided by members and directed by Associate Marc Geoffrey. By common agreement, the best Xmas Social EVER!

Fourth Annual Sponsored Walk
Nov 2014

November saw the fourth annual Stepping Out sponsored walk. A large group of walked the journey from mental health problems to healing through creative theatrical fun raising money for the Gill Amphlett Social Fund for group social activities along the way. Didn't we have a lovely day?

Annual General Meeting
Jul 2014

The Stepping Out 2014 Annual General Meeting and Social took place on Wednesday 23rd July at St. Werburghs Community Centre. New trustees were duly elected, accounts were passed and the year's work ahead was sketched out. After the business meeting, there was a full programme of entertainment for the evening in the form of poetry, singing, magic and drama!

Annual Summer Outing
Jul 2014

Following successful summer outings to the Edinburgh Festival, Sidmouth, Salisbury and the Minack Theatre in Cornwall in recent years, this year's exciting summer offering was a three day trip to 'Beyond The Border - the International Storytelling Festival' at St. Donat's near Cardiff which took place over 4th - 6th July 2014. The event was our biggest ever summer outing with twenty group members camping out for 3 nights in the glorious setting of St. Donat's.

Poetry Anthology Launch at Bristol Old Vic
Feb 2014

Thomas Glover, author of 'Love's Gutter', published by Stepping Out and Dreamweavers, here signing copies of his new anthology at the highly successful Bristol Old Vic launch on February 25th last week. Tom's anthology has collected an amazing number of celebrity poet endorsements. It is available on Amazon and you can find him on Thomas Glover Poetry on Facebook.