How To Win Against History
A riches-to-rags story in a hilarious, ripped-up musical⭐ Listed in the Guardian’s Best Arts and Entertainment to see this summer! ⭐
A work of genius
The Telegraph
On every front, this show is a winner
Broadway Baby
Henry Cyril Paget was one of the world’s wealthiest men, until he lost it all by being too damn fabulous.
The 5th Marquess of Anglesey blew his family’s colossal fortune on diamond frocks, lilac-dyed poodles and putting on simply amazing plays – to which nobody came – causing a very Edwardian scandal. His fabulous flame burned brightly, briefly and extremely cross-dressingly until he died at just 29, after which his outraged family destroyed every record of him ever having had existed. Now Henry’s back to tell his regrettable cautionary tale, with nothing to his name but savage wit, banging belters and a metric tonne of sparkle.
This fierce and tragi-gorgeous comedy musical is a true story about expectations, masculinity, privilege and failure on an epic scale. It’s about feeling desperately weird and alone, but knowing that to fit in would cost you everything.
How To Win Against History was the solid gold, diamante-studded hit of Edinburgh Fringe 2016, widely acclaimed by the critics and winner of The Stage Edinburgh Award and Broadway Baby Bobby. Now Bristol Old Vic and The Olivier Award-winning Producers of Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder!, Fleabag and Baby Reindeer are bringing it back in a new production: bigger and more sparkly than ever for 2025, marking the 150th anniversary of Paget’s birth.
He’s having a bit of a moment, and you’re all invited to his fabulous party.
Artwork by Feast Creative
Video by DMLK
A total pleasure
The Stage
Paget himself would be proud
WhatsOnStage
Dress up night on Fri 20 Jun!
Are you a bold fashionista? 👗Do you know your tweed from your tulle? 🤔 Could you rival our own Henry Cyril Paget on the catwalk?💅 Well this is your moment!
Come along to How To Win Against History on Friday 20th June in your most FABULOUS party outfit and you could win TWO FREE TICKETS to our Christmas show, Treasure Island*!
We’re thinking sparkles. ✨ We’re thinking bright colours. 🌈 Whatever makes YOU feel like your most extraordinary self! 💓
To enter, just share a picture of you in your outfit with the hashtag #HowtoWinAgainstHistory, and don’t forget to tag us on instagram @bristololdvic1766! We'll then be picking our favourite w/c 23rd June, and will reach out to the winner over Instagram. Good luck - let the diva off begin! 🎀💎🎈✨🪩(*T&Cs apply.)
(Please note that dressing up is by no means compulsory. The most important thing is feeling comfortable and having a great night!)
Director's Note from Lisa Spirling
18 Jun 2025
How to Make a Musical | 5 mins with Dylan Townley & Leo Munby
16 Jun 2025
Henry's World On Stage | 5 mins with Set Designer Hayley Grindle
16 Jun 2025
Fact, factoids and the fabulous lives of the 5th Marquess of Anglesey
9 Jun 2025
The glorious goings-on of ‘How To Win Against History’ rehearsals!
9 Jun 2025
Hilarious, beautiful and truly moving
The List
Fiendishly creative
FEST Magazine
Sparking piece of musical theatre
The Times
Crackpot fabulousness, high camp and unexpected poignancy
The Guardian
Gleeful, ludicrous – a larky collision of Gilbert & Sullivan and Monty Python
Time Out
Hilarious. Seiriol Davies is a joy
The Upcoming
Inside rehearsals
Photos: Pamela Raith
Dates & Times
- 7:00pmPress NightSold Out
