JANUARY 24 - 29 2005, BATH: Bath-based Next Stage Theatre Company capped its tenth anniversary celebrations last year by moving into its own 100-seat theatre.

Its inaugural production in The Mission Theatre in Corn Street a 200-year-old former Congregational chapel is appropriately the work of one of the company's patrons, Sir Alan Ayckbourn.

Set in the future, where human actors in a television soap opera have been replaced by robotic 'actoids,' the story centres on Adam, a young playwright who falls in love with his leading actoid lady.

To avoid megalomaniac power struggles and jealousy from other humans, the couple abscond, with hilarious but ultimately poignant consequences.

The Mission Theatre has been designed for theatre-in-the-round, a theatrical form Sir Alan has spent a lifetime promoting, as well as end-on staging.

It will also have a Theatre Upstairs for informal and more intimate performances, together with a bistro.

It took the company three and half years of negotiations to obtain a lease for the listed building as a theatre and arts venue. The bricks and mortar belong to Bath and North East Somerset Council.

Until acquiring its own space Next Stage performed regularly at The Rondo in Larkhall, Bath and at the QEH school theatre in Bristol.

Comic Potential will be presented January 24-29. Tickets are available now from the Next Stage Box Office on 01225 428600, or the Bath Festivals Box Office on 01225 463362.