Under a Cardboard Sea: Production Pack

In the summer of 2016  Bristol Old Vic Young Company presented a major new production in celebration of Bristol Old Vic’s 250th anniversary - Under A Cardboard Sea. Performed on the historic Theatre stage, it featured a cast of 100 young people aged 5-25.

A year in the making, Under a Cardboard Sea took inspiration from the hundreds of child performers who performed on stages like ours throughout the 19th century. The initial seeds of the idea were sown during a research visit to the Theatre Collection at the University of Bristol, where writer Silva Semerciyan and Young Company Director Lisa Gregan stumbled upon Victorian theatre paintings which showed young children dressed up and filling the stage. They discovered that in Victorian times very poor children were often paid to put on costumes and stand on stage as set dressings.

Under a Cardboard Sea takes place in a nameless city. Beneath a cloud of smog there is a theatre - a little kingdom of its own, where secrets are hidden and lies are told. Outside, the wheels of progress grind on whilst hundreds of children are vanish from the streets. Eventually they reappear on the stage with painted smiles on their faces but behind the curtain nothing is as it seems...

Watch the show:

Under a Cardboard Sea was filmed in the main house at Bristol Old Vic in 2016.

Explore Under a Cardboard Sea

A word from the directors

In celebration of Bristol Old Vic’s 250th birthday, we began the process by looking back at the history of theatre and, in particular, the children who have worked in the industry. From this collection of stories, we found a narrative and characters that could only have come from within this beautiful building and the creative young minds that inhabit it. Throughout the devising process and into rehearsals the Young Company have shown a commitment and an intelligence beyond their years and have managed to create a show that belongs as much to each and every one of the cast as much as it does to the creative team.

Under a Cardboard Sea is a dynamic and engaging story that is imbued with the energy and imagination we have come to expect from this amazing group of young performers. It’s been hard work, it’s been hot, it’s been rewarding, sometimes frustrating and exhausting but always inspiring!

Every time we work with the Young Company we are impressed with their creativity, their determination and their talent, particularly with a show of this size. To have 100 young people working together on a devised piece of theatre is no mean feat but the cast have handled it with professionalism, kindness and a glorious sense of adventure!

Lisa Gregan and Matt Grinter

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Photography: Jack Offord

Some provocations

The following are some provocations inspired by Under a Cardboard Sea. If you do create a response to this show, we'd love to see what you make. You can email them to us here, or tag us on Twitter (@BristolOldVic) or Instagram (@bristololdvic1766). Or, feel free not to share and to just be creative for yourself. 

  • Create a scene from a fictional show which child actors might have appeared in. You can do this in writing, drawing or acting it out.
  • If you could create a Young Company show with 100 actors of all ages in it, what would that show be? Is it a well known story, or is it a new idea? Write down your idea alongside some images which have inspired you. 
  • Design an old-fashioned ticket for the Theatre Royal of the past.

Take Part

Theatre classes for everyone, family activity and lots of free things to explore. Take Part at Bristol Old Vic