Lines wanted for book on Bush theatre

Its founder promoted shows as he stood on a beer crate at Speaker's Corner and stars from Bob Hoskins, Kate Beckinsale and Simon Callow made appearances early in their careers.

If you can recall incidents from the star-studded past of the tiny Bush theatre, writer Neil Burkey wants to hear from you. He is researching the history of the Shepherd's Bush venue for its 40th anniversary next year.

Key moments include its first play, The Collector, and its staging of Trainspotting. The roll call of actors who appeared at the Bush includes Antony Sher, Brian Cox, Jim Broadbent and Alison Steadman.

Terry Johnson, whose play Unsuitable For Adults was premiered there in 1984, said: "The Bush was an intense experience. The resources were as low as the standards were high. The space itself, a simple black rectangle of possibly magical proportions, seemed to demand that everything played within it achieve a simple perfection."

Stephen Poliakoff, who had three plays at the Bush in 1974-5, said: "It was a very important place for me."

Mr Burkey said they wanted to tell stories and anecdotes rather than record history. The aim is to publish this autumn when the theatre is due officially to launch its new home in a disused library not far from its existing site over a pub.

Email your anecdotes to bushtheatre@tmiltd.com