Following the success of the BedPop Shop in the former Pizza Hut unit, BedPop has joined forces with Novus Theatre to bring something completely different to the town centre.

Working closely with BedPop and property surveyors Stimpsons Eves, Novus Theatre's Sam Turton has been looking for a High Street location in which to rehearse and perform a new play by Stephen May and Mark Illis entitled The Reverse is Also True. Rehearsals and workshops will take place in the shop and members of the public are welcome to come in or watch through the window. 

A scratch performance of the play will take place in the empty shop on Friday 8 August at 7.30pm. Audience members will be invited to 'pay what you want'  and the event promises to be an exciting addition to Bedford's summer of cultural activities.

Said Sam Turton, artistic director: "We are excited to be bringing pop up performing arts to the High Street. Thanks to an Arts Council grant and the help of BedPop and Stimpsons Eves we have secured a great location.  We have curated a diverse programme of events over three weeks in August which we hope will entertain, challenge and involve the people of Bedford."

Erica Roffe of BedPop said, "We are thrilled to be collaborating with Novus Theatre to bring performing arts to the High Street. Since 2011, Bedford has enjoyed a pop up arts festival and art galleries, pop up cinema and a pop up record shop. BedPop is all about using empty spaces in unique and innovative ways to bring people into the heart of the town. Who knows where we'll be popping up next!"

To find out more information or to get involved, check out the website novustheatre.wordpress.com or follow @BedPopArtsC