A studio can be a finale in its own right, it can be a stepping stone, can be seen as a rehearsal space or for some maybe the ultimate goal of a life long dream, the final and only destination they had in mind.

If we presume “the bigger audience the better” then how is that done. Set aside the negatives that are (but not exclusively) the bigger financial risk; stepping outside of the comfort zone of a small space that the front and back of house have become use to and the absolute necessity that is the support of the theatre, what about the audience and the actual show itself.

Maybe the audience you’ve built up through numerous studio style performances are comfortable in that space and so you’ll take none with you when you move over to the greener side. Maybe the show is built for small (er) and to change it to accommodate the quadrupling of the stage and auditorium will fundamentally change what it was in the 1st place.

Or maybe you’ve come to the conclusion that a 60 seater venue that is sold out (hurrah) is still a 60 seater venue. The 4 actors, 1 tech and 1 producer that make up the team are bored of playing “whose mortgage shall we pay this month.” Maybe your ambition isn’t fulfilled with knowing the names of each of the front row, and some of the back.

Maybe the theatre is right, studio spaces are for one man shows (except comedy of course) or for the fulfilment of Arts Council R and D grants prior to the Fringe. A company of 4 needs space to stretch out, to express. If you want to be a BIG name, well you only really perform in a small space when you don’t have to or its a “secret” performance ready to be beamed out to numerous arts cinema venues across the country.

Who knows, it might be that the intimacy of the theatre is the reason you started this whole crazy journey and it somehow feels like home. A home with 60 seats in it that is but a home none the less.