Bristol Old Vic to be the first stop for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on their visit to Bristol
25 Jan 2019
Friday 1st February, 2019
Bristol
It was today announced that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will visit Bristol Old Vic as part of their tour of the city on Friday 1 Feb.
During their visit, Their Royal Highnesses will have the opportunity to meet members of the public, learn more about the city’s rich cultural history and visit organisations which support communities most in need.
Their Royal Highnesses will first visit Bristol Old Vic, which recently completely its major refurbishment project. Built in 1766 as a place where the people of Bristol could come together, and given its first royal seal of approval in 1778, Bristol Old Vic is the oldest continuously working theatre in the English speaking world. The Duke and Duchess will tour the recently renovated facility and find out more about the theatre’s unique history and links to the local community. The Duke and Duchess will also drop in on a workshop attended by local school children, which is part of Bristol Old Vic’s outreach programme.
Ahead of their visit of the Bristol Old Vic, Their Royal Highnesses will have the opportunity to meet members of the public gathered outside.
Speaking today, Bristol Old Vic’s Artistic Director, Tom Morris said:
“We are delighted to welcome the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to Bristol Old Vic – a theatre newly redesigned to welcome everybody from the region to our unique and beautiful theatre. As Bristol’s Year Of Change continues to resonate across the region, we look forward to sharing with our Royal Guests the city’s belief in the power of creative opportunity to transform the lives of everyone.”
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.