What Was That About? — a new theatre-going group for “not really theatre people”
24 Oct 2025
If you're a regular at Bristol Old Vic, you may have been asked to fill in a survey about your visit. But we're just as keen to hear from people who don't usually go to the theatre.
We'd love to discover what some of the issues might be and how best to break down the barriers to coming along. A new research project with Bath Spa University is helping us do just that...
What Was That About?
— a new theatre-going group for “not really theatre people”
This winter, a new Bristol project is inviting six local residents to see a handful of shows, share what they think, and even try a bit of writing — no experience required.
What Was That About? is a free theatre-going and writing group designed especially for people who don’t usually go to the theatre. Participants will receive tickets to three performances at Bristol Old Vic, alongside three informal workshops led by writers to chat, reflect, and write about what they’ve seen.
Whether you think theatre isn’t your thing, find it too expensive, or just never got around to going — this is a chance to give it a try in a friendly, welcoming setting.
The workshops are open to all levels and focus on personal responses rather than reviews.
Participants will receive:
- Free tickets to three performances at Bristol Old Vic
- Three free writing workshops (two in-person, one online)
- Payment for attending workshops (£50 per session) and for providing feedback (£50 for a short focus group)
Key dates include:
- Legends of Them by Hackney Showroom – Sat 15 Nov, Bristol Old Vic (with workshop after the show)
- Lost Atoms by Frantic Assembly – 13–17 Jan, Bristol Old Vic (with online workshop on Mon 19 Jan)
- Smalltown Boy, by The Project People 28 Jan with in-person workshop on Wed 5 Feb)
- Online focus group in the week of 9 Feb
The group is led by Sarah Warden, a Bristol-based producer and writer, as part of Emergent Value — an Arts and Humanities Research Council-funded research project exploring new, audience-centered ways of understanding performance and theatre.
“We want to make space for people who don’t see themselves as ‘theatre people’ — those who might go to gigs, films, or comedy but haven’t yet found a way into live performance,” says Sarah. “It’s about curiosity, connection, and trying something new.”
Applications are open now, and expressing interest takes around ten minutes.
Apply by 30 October 2025 via: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/bathspa/writers-group-eoi
Selected participants will be notified by 1 November. For questions or access needs, please get in touch via the form — or reach out directly to Sarah and the Emergent Value team ( EmergentValue@bathspa.ac.uk )
