BRISTOL OLD VIC RECOGNISES MERCHANTS’ GIFT WITH HISTORIC SILVER TOKEN
Bristol Old Vic theatre has presented a replica of a historic silver token to the Merchant Venturers, recognising their donation of £50,000 to the theatre’s re-development programme.
The silver memento is a reproduction of the special numbered tokens crafted for the 50 original Bristol citizens, who donated £50 each making possible the building of the theatre on King Street in 1766.
Originally, each supporter (only 49 paid in the end) was given a share in the theatre and a numbered silver token that gave them ‘sight’ of every performance in the Theatre Royal. These are still honoured when presented today.
In order to secure its future, Bristol Old Vic has decided to revisit its past and issue a further 50 solid silver tokens, each individually hand-crafted and numbered from 51 – 100.
The presentation was made by Dick Penny, Executive Chair of the Bristol Old Vic to Nick Hood, Master of the Merchant Venturers. Also present was Trevor Smallwood, the Merchants’ Senior Warden who has already been presented with a silver token in recognition of his personal donation to the theatre.
Dick Penny said: “With 12 Bristol merchants numbering amongst the theatre’s 50 original benefactors, it is appropriate that the Merchant Venturers are amongst the first to support our new fundraising initiative.
“We urgently need these funds to support the redevelopment of one of the most historic buildings in Bristol and to secure a future for exciting and innovative theatre in the city.
“We are extremely grateful to the Merchant Venturers and many other supporters – with their help we can take the theatre forward into the 21st century and beyond.”
Nick Hood said: “We owe an immense debt to the forward thinking men and women who supported the creation of this beautiful theatre.
“We are inspired by Bristol Old Vic’s development vision, creating a new theatre concept for making, showing and sharing productions. We share the enthusiasm of the Bristol public for the theatre’s bold plans.”
The Merchant Venturers involvement with Bristol Old Vic extends to the newly created Merchants’ Academy in Withywood. The theatre will be working with staff and students to create four new pieces of theatre for performance at the school at the end of the year. The BOV Young Company will also be forming its first satellite Youth Theatre in Withywood.
ENDS
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