The Building

Bristol Old Vic is the proud custodian of its home, a centuries old theatre that first opened in 1766. 

As the English speaking world's oldest continuously working theatre, the building has changed a great deal in that time. Built as a symbol of pride for Bristol we have continued to evolve the space to meet the needs of today, and to maintain the site's long standing reputation for being a great theatre - a place of joy, discovery and creative adventure.

Multi-million pound investment over the last 15 years has vastly improved the experience for audiences, participants and artists, safeguarding the building for generations to come. It has also opened up the history and archive of this unique 250+ year old building which you can explore more below.

2018: Front of House Transformed 

In September 2018, we completed a 2-year multi-million-pound redevelopment project which transformed our front of house space into a warm and welcoming public building for all of Bristol to enjoy, created a new studio theatre and opened up our unique theatrical heritage to the public for the first time. Our new building:

• Greatly enhances our trading operation, with much improved catering facilities and Event Hire spaces
• Presents our unique Heritage to wider audiences as part of a major Heritage Lottery Fund partnership
• Includes a new studio theatre, accommodating more performances than ever before
• Celebrates and protects our Grade I listed Coopers’ Hall, returning its internal configuration to Georgian origins and providing an extensive suite of public spaces used for a multitude of uses
• Removes all barriers – physical or otherwise – to theatre access, for everyone; whilst improving our street-side visibility and creating a familiar, welcoming space for all to enjoy
• Ensures our building exceeds modern standards of environmental sensitivity and sustainability

Following the world’s leading sustainability assessment methods for masterplanning projects and buildings (BREEAM), the project team developed a building which reflects the values of higher performing assets within construction. 

You can read about the environmental, social and economic sustainability performance of the design of Bristol Old Vic in this case study.