Simon Callow lends his support to Bristol Old Vic’s Studio Seat Appeal

Renowned Shakespearean actor and movie star, Simon Callow visited Bristol Old Vic today to see first-hand how the theatre’s multi-million pound redevelopment work was coming on and to launch the Sponsor a Seat campaign, part of the final phase of fundraising for the brand-new Studio theatre.

Simon Callow played the title role in Titus Andronicus (his first Shakespeare) in Bristol’s  original “New Vic” Studio in 1978, performing alongside relative newcomer Pete Postlethwaite and directed by Adrian Noble, who went on to run the RSC.

Simon Callow said:

"It is vital that every regional theatre has a successful studio and that's why I'm delighted to launch this appeal. That's why I'm asking you to sponsor a seat in the new Studio. It will be an investment down the years, down the decades. It will be sowing the seeds to turn into mighty oaks".

Sponsoring a Studio seat provides an opportunity to directly support the development of new writing, performers and artists – many of whom will begin their careers in this space from 2018 onwards. The seats can be sponsored for £500 and £1000 and would include an engraved plaque.

The original Studio theatre opened its doors on 30 May 1970 and over its 46 year life became an engine for theatre in Bristol, helping to establish the careers of many of Bristol and the region’s playwrights, artists and technicians. It has also been the home to many Young Company productions, some of the most cutting-edge new work from inspiring artists from the UK and beyond, and for the last 7 years Bristol Ferment, Bristol Old Vic’s much-imitated artist development programme.

In 2018, the spirit of the original Studio will be carried through to a new 188 seat Studio to be housed in the ground floor and basement of the beautiful Coopers Hall, allowing a new welcoming front of house areas to be constructed in the Studio’s original location.

You can sponsor a seat by visiting out website bristololdvic.org.uk/seat or pledge your support to Sarah Watts on 0117 317 8654 or by emailing sarah.watts@bristololdvic.org.uk