"I want to to establish Bristol Old Vic as a civic leader with national significance" | Meet Rebecca Dawson
5 Feb 2026
Rebecca Dawson arrived at Bristol Old Vic as our new Executive Director a mere 4 weeks ago and she's been busy getting to know the theatre and the city. We wasted no time chatting to her about legacy, the theatre's relevance today and how she's finding her new hometown.
Read the full interview in this month's Bristol Life Magazine...
When you spotted the job ad for Exec Director an BOV, what made it a good fit for you?
I was looking to return to a dynamic, innovative organisation making great work and this felt like the right opportunity. I love the theatre's vision of making a theatre for the whole community, and helping to dismantle the inequity of access to the arts and creative opportunity.
Tell us what makes BOV so special?
It's the coincidence of history and contemporary - it's particularly special as we look forward to what theatre will be in the next 10 years, and how our programme onstage and across the city will shape that future.
The world around us has changed dramatically in the 260 years this theatre has been in existence. There are more stories to be told and audiences to be inspired, so our job is to programme work that reflects the world as it is now. Bristol Old Vic works very hard to do that.
When did you decide theatre would be your career?
I started in commercial art galleries, which was a bit too static for me. I then had a stint at Arts Council England, followed by working with Candoco Dance Company, arriving at Punchdrunk Enrichment in 2016. I've landed in theatre quite late in my career.
What legacy do you hope to build here?
As a theatre making brilliant work for all, which has been intentional in opening its programmes, stages and spaces to a wider audience, and to support the city's rich creative potential.
Artists are really keen to work with us, and see the theatre as a great place to try new work due to the warmness of Bristol audiences. I want to build on that to establish BOV as a civic leader with national significance.
Quick fire round:
What are your earliest memories of theatre?
Mum taking us to see Shakespeare. The joys of the velvety seats and ice-cream - and the strange transformation of the stage into a different world.
What are you looking forward to discovering about the city?
I'm really looking forward to discovering Bristol's hidden gems, back streets, waterways and communities. I'm a cyclist, so the hills are going to keep me fit.
Do you have any secret skills?
I love swimming outdoors – the wilder the better. It’s not really secret but it’s something that might not come up when talking theatre!
What is your most regrettable habit?
I stay up too late.
What are you doing immediately after answering these questions?
Off to collect my 6 year old – who is also very excited about moving to Bristol!
