Ad Infinitum Retrospective

Next week, the Theatre welcomes Bristol’s own Ad Infinitum with their new show Last Rites, a stunning visual show in their signature physical style. We follow Arjun, a Deaf man whose father never learnt to sign - now that his father is gone, how does he say goodbye when words were never there? In a world where ancient traditions meet modern reality, Arjun embarks on a deeply personal and visually mesmerising quest to create a farewell ritual for his father – one woven from memory, love, and loss.

Created by Co-Artistic Director George Mann and internationally acclaimed theatremaker and Deaf artist Ramesh Meyyappan, this boundary-breaking show is a feast for the senses and is accessible to Deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing audiences. But it’s not their first time at Bristol Old Vic - do you recognise some of their past work?

Wonder Boy (2022 & 2024)

In 2022, Ramesh Meyyappan starred as Captain Chatter in Sally Cookson’s production of Wonder Boy by Ross Willis. The story of a young boy trapped behind a debilitating stammer in a failing education system, Wonder Boy fused spoken English, creative captions, and BSL onstage. This critically acclaimed show was revived in 2024 (with fantastic local BSL actor Ciaran O’Breen taking over from Ramesh) and is even available to watch online!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"It’s some kind of wonderful"

Guardian

If You Fall (2023)

Ad Infinitum’s most recent Bristol Old Vic show played to a packed out Weston Studio during its two-week run in Spring 2023. This gentle, humorous and poignant look at the UK care system, and at what it means to lose your independence, had audiences laughing and crying in equal measure.

★★★★★ 

"Eloquent and impassioned - it deserves to be seen far and wide"

Bristol 24/7

★★★★

"Harmonically beautiful"

The Stage

Extraordinary Wall [of Silence] (2019)

Extraordinary Wall [Of Silence] explored the troubled history of Deaf culture in the UK. With three Deaf actors and one hearing actor, the show fused British Sign Language (BSL), spoken English and captioning to tell three incredible, important stories.

★★★★ 

"Subtly profound" 

The Guardian

★★★★★ 

"Poetic enough to be beautiful and confronting enough to be powerful" 

Broadway World

★★★★ 

"A deft demonstration of how language is not limited to voice" 

WhatsOnStage

Chloe and the Colour Catcher (2018-2019)

Co-produced with Bristol Old Vic, Chloe and the Colour Catcher was Ad Infinitum’s first children’s show and opened to critical and audience acclaim during its Christmas run. It also celebrated the opening of the then-brand new Weston Studio!

★★★★★ 

"Five-star Christmas show that underlines the importance of imagination, courage and transformation"

Fine Times Recorder

Pink Mist (2015)

As well as co-leading Ad Infinitum since its founding in 2007, George Mann was also Associate Director at Bristol Old Vic from 2015 - 2017. During this tenure, George directed Owen Sheers’ critically acclaimed Pink Mist, the story of three Bristol servicemen returning from Afghanistan. Following a revival in 2017, the theatrical film of the show was most recently shared as part of Bristol Old Vic At Home during the Covid-19 pandemic.

★ ★ ★ ★ 

"Beautifully performed...heartbreaking"

The Guardian

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"Pink Mist may be the most important play of the year. It is certainly one of the best."

Whats On Stage

TRANSLUNAR PARADISE (2012)

Ad Infinitum’s very first visit to Bristol Old Vic was 13 years ago, with one of their most well-loved shows, Translunar Paradise. A poignant, life-affirming show without words, the show has won multiple awards and began the company’s love affair with Bristol Old Vic and with Bristol itself - so much so, that the company permanently relocated here soon after!

★★★★ 

"An admirable, infinitely gentle and wordless story of loss and remembrance" 

The Times

★★★★★ 

"This is a show that will steal your heart". 

The Scotsman