Bedlam Theatre

Deep in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, stands the Bedlam Theatre. Don’t let the name fool you. This isn’t a place of chaos. It’s a place of creativity, a haven for students with a passion for the dramatic arts. The Bedlam Theatre has a rich history. The building itself dates back to 1848. It was originally built as a church, the New North Free Church, a testament to the religious fervor of the time. You can almost hear the echoes of sermons past within these walls. But fate, it seems, had other plans for this building. In 1980, after serving various purposes, including a rather un-theatrical stint as a university store, it was reborn as the Bedlam Theatre. The name, a cheeky nod to the city’s former mental health hospital nearby, stuck. The Bedlam Theatre is no ordinary theatre. It holds the unique distinction of being the UK’s oldest student-run theatre. Managed and operated entirely by the enthusiastic students of the Edinburgh University Theatre Company, or EUTC, it’s a hotbed of emerging talent. Over 40 productions grace its stage each year. The theatre truly comes alive during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Buzzing with activity, it transforms into Fringe Venue 49, hosting up to eight shows a day. The Bedlam Theatre is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a testament to the enduring power of creativity and the boundless energy of youth.