Bristol Old Vic Round-Up 2022

20 Dec 2022

2022 has been a year of new writing and new optimism. 

From three barnstorming productions of ambitious new plays, to a brand new Artistic Director, here’s a quick look at the year’s highlights.

See you in 2023!

Jan. Dr Semmelweis opens. Mark Rylance in his first performance at Bristol Old Vic, with this world premiere production. Listed in Best Theatre of 2022 - Telegraph
Feb. After 13 years at the helm, Artistic Director Tom Morris announces his departure
Feb. Ross Willis' 5-star play Wonder Boy opens. Directed by Sally Cookson, it was nominated for Best Play at the Writers' Guild Awards in Dec 2022.
Feb. 2nd time luck for The Red Lion in The Weston Studio. The show returned after being postponed on its Press Night due to the first lockdown.
Mar. Launch of Bristol New Tix. 100 free seats for every Bristol Old Vic Theatre show to anyone coming to the theatre for the first time.

Find out more about Bristol New Tix

Apr. 5 years in the making, The Meaning of Zong opens. Written by and starring Giles Terera, co-directed with Tom Morris. Giles won the 2022 UK Theatre Award for Best Actor (transferring to the Barbican in April 2023.
May. Nancy Medina announced as new Artistic Director. She takes up her role full-time from Mar 2023.

Find out more about our new Artistic Director

May. Pay It Forward ticket scheme hits its 1-year anniversary. 6000 audience members 'paid it forward' this year to subsidise 14,000 people attending on an open concession.
Jun. Launch of Community Greenhouse. Part of our Unscripted Project partnership with Ashley Community Housing, working with refugee women to share stories and nurture ideas.

Find out more about our Community Greenhouse

Jun. Hosted by us, 4,500 people greet Little Amal on King Street

Find out more about Little Amal’s visit

Jun. 3-fold increase of commissioning budget for new work. This forms part of the Bristol Ferment revamp of its support for artists in the South West.

Find out more about Bristol Ferment

Jul. Engagement Showcase takes place. Schools Festival, Young Company:City, Made in Bristol's 12th cohort's end-of-year production - over 750 young people in total. Across the whole range of 2022, we have worked with over 20,000 people from across our community.
Aug. Bristol Old Vic new Kitchen + Bar Launches. Since then we've sold 51,388 pints and 34,215 cups of coffee

Find out more about Kitchen + Bar

Sep. Outlier returns to the stage after an acclaimed run in 2021. Co-produced with Bristol Ferment, written by Malaika Kegode, music by Jakabol and directed by Jenny Davies. Guardian Readers favourite stage show 2022
Oct. Hamlet, starring Billy Howle opens. Directed by John Haidar, it was named one of The Observer's 10 Best Shows of 2022
Oct. BOV Launches new membership scheme with 3 new levels

Find out more about Memberships

Nov. BOV Awarded ACE funding for the next 3 years. The funding will allow us to continue to engage 1,000s iof Bristolians of all ages, support SW artists and originate bold new productions.

Find our full statement here

Nov. Thanks to you, the Big Give Campaign raises £49.6k to suppor=t our 2023 community project, Orpheus and Eurydice.
Dec. 200 books borrowed from the Young SixSix Library, celebrating it's 1 year anniversary this month!

Find out more about the Young SixSix Library

JAN See International touring company Complicité’s latest new work Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead, at Bristol Old Vic ahead of West End opening. Directed by Simon McBurney FEB - You Bury Me - winner of the Women’s Prize for Playwriting, co-produced with Paines Plough, written by Adlam and directed by Katie Posner, arrives at Bristol Old Vic. MAR Nancy Medina, incoming Artistic Director and Joint CEO with Charlotte Geeves, will take up her post full-time from 1 March. Details of her first full season in April 2023.
Mar. Waldo’s Circus of Magic and Terror World, from Extraordinary Bodies, Bristol Old Vic and Theatre Royal Plymouth. Premiere of new musical by Hattie Naylor, Jamie Beddard and music by Charles Hazelwood. Apr. Giles Terera's The Meaning of Zong transfers to the Barbican Theatre 20-23 Apr. May - Olivier Award-winning Pride & Prejudice* (*Sort of) returns to Bristol Old Vic. Jun - Anna Karenina adapted by Lesley Hart. Co-produced by Bristol Old Vic and Royal Lyceum Edinburgh.

WHEN ARE OUR PRESS NIGHTS IN 2023?

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