Bristol Old Vic’s Heritage Department launches new season of historical talks and discussions
18 Oct 2019
Bristol Old Vic’s Heritage Team have launched a new season of talks and discussion linking the theatre’s cultural world with that of those who came before it, inspired by the theatre’s 253-year-old history and its theatrical legends, uncovered treasures and collective memories.
Hosted in Bristol Old Vic’s Coopers’ Loft, the talks will examine topics pertinent to today’s world, through the lens of the past. From November 2019 – March 2020, speakers from the University of Bristol, the University of the West of England and Avon Archaeology will offer insightful and unique reflections on arts and culture – past, present and future.
RE:COLLECTIONS will feature 4 topics including audience behaviour (A Difficult Sort of Audience?), the unspoken secrets of King Street (The Mostly Scandalous and Often Curious History of King Street), the theatre’s history with the Transatlantic Slave Trade (Madge Dresser) and the recent discoveries made during Bristol Old Vic’s 2018 renovation (Avon Archaeology).
Each talk will last around an hour, with tickets priced at just £3.
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.