THE Point will turn 20 in 2016 – and what a year of celebrations they have planned for audiences.

There’s everything from a Madhatter’s tea party and theatre seats digitally embedded with personal stories of the venue’s history, to a birthday gala and 20 new commissions that will showcase the best in emerging and established talent from international and UK-based artists.

Next year will see the 20 companies work with The Point to create new work from dance to theatre, work for families and aerial theatre.

The venue will also launch a new series called Open Space, opening the doors of its light-filled Creation Space to the public so that they can step behind the rehearsal doors and see the work of a range of companies who have been invited to stay in residence to develop their artistic practice.

The companies involved are: Sole Rebel Tap, Silvia Mercuriali, Sonntag Productions, Scarabeus Aerial Theatre, Stuff & Nonsense, ZoieLogic Dance Theatre, Kill the Beast, Gameshow, iF Platform, Domez Vous and Yvon Bonenfant, Verity Standen and Dan Canham, Richard Alston Dance Company, Tangere Arts, Rew Lowe, Blast Theory, Laura Dannequin, Russell Maliphant, Pirates of the Carabina and Kirsty Housley.