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The Bloomsbury Studio, which officially launched on 17 June, aims to explore the intersection between research and performance by creating an experimental and vibrant space to nurture the talent of ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº staff and students.

The Studio is designed to accommodate both live performance and film, seating between 60-80 audience members. At least half of the ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº shows will be for a public audience, with a focus on performance and activity which puts the spotlight on ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº research

Simon Cane, Director of ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Public & Cultural Engagement, said: "The Studio is a flexible, intimate space that will focus on innovative performance - we want students and staff to try out new things, explore ideas and take risks. It complements the larger and more formal Bloomsbury Theatre space although we hope that some ideas will transfer to the big stage!"

The Bloomsbury Studio will become the home of Bright Club, Science Showoff and Museum Showoff - three collaborations between research and theatre - as well as providing space for student led public engagement programmes, debates and film screenings as well as events from like-minded commercial producers.

Speaking at the launch Professor Sophie Scott (¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience) said: "I encourage all my students to do stand-up comedy along with their studies as it's such a great way of improving your communication skills. Taking part in performances like Bright Club has not just made me a better speaker, it's made me a better scientist - it encourages you to ask different questions and look at things in a new light. None of this would have been possible without the support of ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº."

The development forms part of an extensive refurbishment of the Bloomsbury Theatre, which re-opened at the start of the academic year 2014/15. This was one of a number of projects taking place across the ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº campus as part of a vision to transform ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº into a more vibrant student focused environment, to support teaching and learning and improve the student experience.

Links

Image

• Bloomsbury Studio Launch (Courtesy of Richard Davenport)

Media contact

Siobhan Pipa

Tel:Ìý+44 (0) 207 679 9041

Email: siobhan.pipa [at] ucl.ac.uk