Black Lives Matter | Bristol Old Vic
3 Jun 2020
Bristol Old Vic stands solidly in support of Black Lives Matter at this time of injustice and civil protest in the USA, and of all those in our own communities who are witnessing and grieving for these events. Racism is wrong wherever it occurs and we must resolve collectively to eliminate it.
We also take it upon ourselves to reflect on the injustices in our own community now, including those revealed in the difficult circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the light of Bristol’s historical involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, and its continuing and visible social and economic legacies, it is our urgent duty to redouble our efforts to make our theatre, our city and our country fairer and more representative.
We also recognise that progress in this area is not something we can postpone until the pandemic is over. With whatever resources we have, we must renew our commitment to a process of immediate and ongoing change.
Bristol Old Vic is the longest continuously running theatre in the UK, and celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2016. The historic playhouse aims to inspire audiences with its own original productions, both at home and on tour, whilst nurturing the next generation of artists, whether that be through their 350-strong Young Company, their many outreach and education projects or their trailblazing artist development programme, Bristol Ferment.
They use their funding to support experiment and innovation, to allow access to their programme for people who would not otherwise encounter it, or be able to afford it, and to keep their extraordinary heritage alive and animated.
On 24 Sep 2018, Bristol Old Vic completed its 2-year multi-million pound redevelopment project, which transformed its 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 its unique theatrical heritage to the public for the first time.