A Boost For Young People At Bristol Old Vic Theatre

2016 marked the 250th anniversary of Bristol Old Vic, the oldest and one of the most beautiful theatres in the English-speaking world. Alongside a year-long programme of special performances featuring alumni actors returning for celebratory events, 2016 also saw the start of the second and final phase of the £25 million restoration and redevelopment of the theatre complex. After decades of neglect, the first phase of the redevelopment was completed in 2012, with the auditorium and stage gloriously restored, attracting both popular and critical acclaim.

Following this, the ‘Anniversary Works’, an inspired design by RIBA Stirling Prize winning architect, Steve Tompkins, will replace the existing front-of-house with a soaring glass atrium with foyer, box office, bars and restaurant. In addition, the Coopers’ Hall staircase will be removed, allowing the Grade 1 listed hall to be restored to its former glory, and a new, much needed 200 seat studio theatre will occupy the ground and lower-ground floors.

Upstairs, the former ‘Cooper’s Loft’ studio will be used as a rehearsal space for the Young Company and Made in Bristol programmes. The 350 strong Young Company is home to young people between the ages of five and 25 from across the city, many benefitting from bursaries funded by Bristol Old Vic supporters. It also works with a range of schools, including Merchants’ Academy, encouraging children from across Bristol to participate in arts activities.

Made in Bristol specifically aims to help young people aged 18-25, from a diversity of backgrounds, by providing them with the opportunity to gain a foothold within the theatre industry. A number of these young people are from deprived families and connect with Bristol Old Vic through the Prince’s Trust, other youth charities and from young offenders’ institutes. In total, over 3,500 young people benefit from these programmes every year.

In 2016 the Society of Merchant Venturers gave over £700,000 to the ‘Anniversary Works’ – made up of a £50,000 charitable grant, and in excess of £650,000 contributed by the members themselves.

One of the theatre’s strategic objectives is to offer real and sustainable creative opportunities to young people from excluded parts of Bristol and the region.

2016 marked the 250th anniversary of Bristol Old Vic, the oldest and one of the most beautiful theatres in the English-speaking world. Alongside a year-long programme of special performances featuring alumni actors returning for celebratory events, 2016 also saw the start of the second and final phase of the £25 million restoration and redevelopment of the theatre complex. After decades of neglect, the first phase of the redevelopment was completed in 2012, with the auditorium and stage gloriously restored, attracting both popular and critical acclaim.

Following this, the ‘Anniversary Works’, an inspired design by RIBA Stirling Prize winning architect, Steve Tompkins, will replace the existing front-of-house with a soaring glass atrium with foyer, box office, bars and restaurant. In addition, the Coopers’ Hall staircase will be removed, allowing the Grade 1 listed hall to be restored to its former glory, and a new, much needed 200 seat studio theatre will occupy the ground and lower-ground floors.

Upstairs, the former ‘Cooper’s Loft’ studio will be used as a rehearsal space for the Young Company and Made in Bristol programmes. The 350 strong Young Company is home to young people between the ages of five and 25 from across the city, many benefitting from bursaries funded by Bristol Old Vic supporters. It also works with a range of schools, including Merchants’ Academy, encouraging children from across Bristol to participate in arts activities.

Made in Bristol specifically aims to help young people aged 18-25, from a diversity of backgrounds, by providing them with the opportunity to gain a foothold within the theatre industry. A number of these young people are from deprived families and connect with Bristol Old Vic through the Prince’s Trust, other youth charities and from young offenders’ institutes. In total, over 3,500 young people benefit from these programmes every year.

In 2016 the Society of Merchant Venturers gave over £700,000 to the ‘Anniversary Works’ – made up of a £50,000 charitable grant, and in excess of £650,000 contributed by the members themselves.

One of the theatre’s strategic objectives is to offer real and sustainable creative opportunities to young people from excluded parts of Bristol and the region.

Banner Image: ‘The Life After’, a Young Company production. Photo by Paul Blakemore