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Welcome to the Bloomsbury Theatre (Category B&C) Bidding Guidelines for 2026/27!
This year, we have introduced two new ways to put on a show in the Bloomsbury Theatre - Category B shows & Category C shows. These shows will be programmed throughout the academic year, and are intended to be less technically complex productions that perform for one night only.
These guidelines will explain what Category B&C shows are, how they work, and what the bidding process looks like. If you are looking for the Bloomsbury Theatre Bid (Category B&C) Application Form, you can find it here.
1. Some important things to consider first
Time & Capacity
The Bloomsbury Theatre is an incredible venue, with exceptional technical capacities and a team of highly skilled, dedicated technicians. However, Category B&C shows are limited by time and capacity - just because the venue or the team can technically do something, doesn't mean that it can be done in the time available to you, or with the number of technicians available to you.
Flexibility
We fully understand that not all ideas will be fully formed at the bidding stage, and this is absolutely fine! We do ask however that you keep an open mind about the way your idea is executed - time and staffing constraints might mean that something that was possible when planning, is no longer possible once you are in the Theatre.
Intention
Category B&C shows have been introduced as a way to give more students the chance to perform in the Bloomsbury Theatre, and this should be at the heart of your proposal - they should not rely on a complicated creative vision or significant technical requirements.
However, the show will still be presented to a paying audience, so professionalism and organisation are essential throughout the entire process.
2. Can you tell me about the Bloomsbury Theatre?
The Bloomsbury Theatre is UCL’s flagship 545-seat West End theatre. It’s a beautiful, proscenium arch theatre, and is managed by us here at Students’ Union UCL. As well as having an impressive technical specification for all types of theatre, it has an orchestra pit, cinema screen and projector. It’s a big space with the audience sitting on two levels – stalls and circle. It was refurbished in 2018, has luxurious seats, exceptional sightlines and can feel both epic and intimate at the same time.
Things to remember when thinking about the Bloomsbury Theatre:
- There are lots of seats! Are you confident you’ll sell enough tickets to make the show viable?
- All bidding happens through Clubs/Societies
- There is a 65-person backstage capacity limit for casts. However, you can run a rotation system to have casts larger than 65 people.
The Theatre is professionally run to industry standards and receive a number of commercial shows each year, alongside student-led productions. A certain number of days each year are also allocated to departmental use.
3. How much time do we get in the Theatre?
Category B
Category B shows get two days in the Theatre - 10:00am to 10:00pm on Day 1, then 10:00am to 6:00pm on Day 2, before performing at 7:30pm on Day 2.
This means that Category B shows can use Day 1 to get-in and run a tech rehearsal, then do a dress rehearsal on Day 2. As such, they can have slightly more complicated technical requirements than a Category C.
Some examples of a Category B show could be:
A large concert; A dance, vocal or cultural showcase; A drag show
Category C
Category C shows get one day in the Theatre - 10:00am to 6:00pm, before performing at 7:30pm.
This means Category C shows need to get-in, run a tech rehearsal, and do a dress rehearsal in 8hrs - as such, they must have very limited technical requirements.
Some examples of a Category C shows could be:
A monologue slam; A talk or panel discussion; a small concert
4. How does technical support work?
Technical support for Category B&C shows is provided by the Bloomsbury Theatre Technical Team - a team of professional technicians with plenty of experience working on both commercial and student-led theatre. Each Category B&C show will be assigned two technicians - one to operate from the control position, and one to be the on-stage Duty Technician.
Due to the limited time available for Category B&C shows, we have introduced the concept of a 'Technical Focus' for your show - this allows the assigned Technicians to be aware of what your show will focus on, whilst introducing some limitations on what is available to your show.
Technical Focus
You will need to select one of the below options when submitting your bidding form:
Lighting Focus
Your event has lots of lighting cues and will require a few hours to program your show. The operator will have to closely follow a “script” making sure the lighting cues happen at the correct time.
Due to this you will be limited to up to two hand-held microphones, basic pre-recorded music/effect playback and limited projection playback. Side lights (booms) are not available.
Sound Focus
Your event requires up to 8 cast members having headset microphones and you may have lots of pre-recorded music/effects that need playback at specific points during your event, or your event will contain live music/instruments which require the operator to mix live sound including foldback monitoring.
Due to this you will be limited to 2 or 3 lighting states that are quickly programmable.
AV Focus
Your event will rely on the in-house video and audio playback software; QLab. You are likely to be using projection and make use of pre-recorded audio for music and/or sound effects. The operator will have to closely follow a “script” making sure the A/V cues happen at the correct time.
Due to this you will be limited to 2 or 3 lighting states that are quickly programmable and up to 2 hand-held microphones.
Stage Setup
You will also need to consider what stage setup you would like, choosing one from the below options:
FULL STAGE - you are using the full depth of the stage. From the front of the apron to the furthest upstage cloth. Approximately 11 meters.
HALF STAGE - you are using around half the depth of the full stage from the front of the apron to the mid-stage blacks. Approximately 8 meters.
PROJECTION SCREEN - you are using the area in front of the projection screen from the front of the apron to the screen. Approximately 6 meters.
APRON - you are using the area in front of the main house tabs. Approximately 4m
If your bid is successful, the Technical Team will send you a questionnaire to clarify your technical requirements in more detail. If you have any questions in advance of bidding, you can contact the team at [email protected]
5. How do the finances work?
Category B&C shows are cost-neutral events - this means they will not cost your club/society anything to put on, but your club/society will not receive any ticket income for the event. The aim of Category B&C shows is to get more students performing in the Bloomsbury Theatre, not to make profit or be a risk to your club/society.
We do not expect Category B&C shows to require a significant budget, however, Category B shows are able to apply for a budget of up to £500, and Category C shows are able to apply for a budget of up to £300.
6. What about ticketing?
Ticketing is managed by the Bloomsbury Theatre team, and tickets are sold through the Bloomsbury Theatre website, not the Students' Union website.
Ticket prices for all shows, including Category B&C shows, across the artsUCL Season in the Bloomsbury Theatre & Studio are standardised, as detailed below:
UCL Student/Staff - £8
Concessions - £12
Full Price - £16
If you would like to invite schools to attend your production, there is a schools rate that can be offered - schools should be directed to contact [email protected],.
7. What is bidding?
Bidding is the process of students pitching proposals for shows in the Bloomsbury Theatre. Each Category B&C bid will have a coherent plan for a show, including the name of the show, a description of the creative vision behind the production, the allocation of major roles (producer and director), the availability of performance rights, any particular financial implications, and a vision of how it will provide opportunities for UCL students.
It will usually be drawn up by the designated producer, alongside the president and/or treasurer of a club/society.
8. Do I need to bid as part of a society or can I bid directly?
Currently, all Category B&C show bids must come from a Union-affiliated club/society.
The President of a club/society must submit the bid application form for a proposal to be considered, as this demonstrates that your bid has club/society support.
9. Is there a deadline or period of time for bids?
Category B&C shows are programmed on a rolling basis throughout the academic year. Once you have submitted a bid, you will be invited to a bid interview, where you present you proposal to a panel. The panel will then decide whether you bid is to be accepted.
The Bloomsbury Theatre (Category B&C) Bid Application Form has a live list of available dates - this list will change, with dates being removed as bids are successful.
Please note that Category B&C bids must be submitted no less than 8 weeks before your proposed performance date.
10. How do I start?
1. Have a great idea!
What would be a great way to get more of your members/students performing on the Bloomsbury Theatre stage? Is it doable in one or two days? Can you sell enough tickets to make it viable?
2. Appoint a designated producer
You should next appoint someone as the productions 'designated producer' - this is the productions main point of contact for the Students' Union, and the person ultimately responsible for the production. This could be someone from your club/society, someone from your club/society committee or the person that had the idea!
3. Check the available dates
The available dates for Category B&C productions will change as bids come in - make sure the date you want is available, and that it works with your club/societies' calendar.
4. Complete the bid form!
If your club/society chooses to put your bid forward, the President of the club/society must submit the Bloomsbury Theatre Bid (Category B&C) Application Form on the society’s behalf - the link to the form is below: