Launch night for the Balcony

Swindon’s latest arts space, The Bohemian Balcony, will have its official launch on Wednesday 1 March.

Having recently taken part in the January Swindon Soup event gaining a boost of £200 to go towards set up costs and further projects, the Bohemian Balcony is rapidly becoming a focal point for the artistic community of Swindon.

The space now hosts a monthly Swindon Scratch night for performers from across the arts to test new material, as well as acting as the base for creative writers, theatre groups, photographers, musicians and comedians, including former Swindon Live and Local radio presenter turned comic theatre producer Sean Hodgson.

Sean said: “Over the past few months I’ve been part of the team moving, shifting and painting to help create what will be quite a unique collective and collaborative arts space. It already gives off the vibe of a mid 1960s underground artsy rock club. All we need now is our own Pink Floyd and some lava lamps!

“The Swindon Scratch is an opportunity for theatre groups, writers and comedians to try out new material. The added benefit is that the audience are actively required to give feedback and tell the acts what they think (this is carefully managed). These nights are the second Tuesday of each month.

“Swindon’s own sketch troupe The Institute of Complementary Comedy are also setting up shop at The Bohemian Balcony and are looking for new members so if you want to perform and create new sketch comedy then come along to a free workshop on 15 March.”

The Balcony, sited at the Palladium Cinema building on Jennings Street in Rodbourne, has been utilised as a bingo hall and printing house before local teacher Dan Rivers struck a deal with the building’s owners to renovate and use the space for the creative arts once more.

Dan said: “We have so many thoroughly brilliant people living in Swindon, but our arts scene can sometimes be fragmented with people working in pockets. What we want to do is unite these people in a space that informs and excites them, that gives them somewhere to connect with other minds and share ideas. Launching this space will be the next step towards that I hope.”

For more information visit: bohemianbalcony.com