Bristol Old Vic Announces Latest Productions For 2017

Bristol Old Vic today announced the next raft of productions to hit its stage throughout 2017.

Classic theatre for the 21st century

Highlights include a brand new co-production with Royal & Derngate, Northampton of Pinter's 20th century masterpiece, The Caretaker, which changed the face of modern theatre. Now directed by one of the UKs hottest young directors Christopher Haydon, in his first production since stepping down as Artistic Director of the Gate Theatre, this production will explore the 21st century resonances of a play dealing with the desire to belong, the threat of alienation and the paranoia of living in a changing cultural landscape.

In Autumn 2017, English Touring Theatre will present Conor McPherson's chilling, modern classic The Weir. This Olivier award-winning play comes to Bristol Old Vic as part of its first ever UK tour, marking its 20th Anniversary year.

The semi-autobiographical play Rita, Sue and Bob Too, which was adapted into a cult film, returns to the stage in all its sharp, vivid and disarmingly direct glory. The classic 1982 play's original director Max Stafford-Clark directs this major new production for one of the UKs most exciting theatre companies, Out of Joint in co-production with Octagon Theatre Bolton and The Royal Court Theatre.

New work in 2017

Kneehigh Theatre bring their brand-new show The Tin Drum to Bristol Old Vic this autumn. From the team that brought the internationally acclaimed Dead Dog in a Suitcase.., writer Carl Grose, composer Charles Hazlewood and director Mike Shepherd, The Tin Drum is a folktale for troubled times: one political, profane and profound.

Bristol Old Vic is also delighted to announce two Bristol Old Vic Young Company alumni, The Wardrobe Ensemble and Young Company director Jesse Jones, who present their brand new co-production with Royal & Derngate and Shoreditch Town Hall. Education, Education, Education explores power, responsibility and change through the eyes of a hapless group of schoolteachers trying to make it through the day.

Devised by The Wardrobe Ensemble, who won huge critical acclaim with their 2015 production of 1972: The Future Of Sex at the Edinburgh Fringe, they use their trademark inventive theatricality and humour to explore the stories that have shaped our recent political history, and what the future might look like. We are delighted to welcome them back to Bristol Old Vic for this innovative and irreverent production.

Family theatre

The highly anticipated early years Christmas show was also announced today as Kid Carpet once again brings his unique and much-loved style to Bristol Old Vic's audiences with Snow Globe. Taking place once again at The Lantern Theatre in Colston Hall during the Bristol Old Vic refurbishment, audiences will be swept away in a magical tale of mixed up stories and music for the littlest theatre fans.

Little ones can also see Julia Donaldson's magical Stick Man on the theatre stage in November as part of a nationwide tour. Scamp Theatre's delightful adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's hugely popular children's book is back by popular demand. Touching, funny and utterly original, this award-winning production features a trio of top actors and is packed full of puppetry, songs, live music and funky moves.

For slightly older families, Metta Theatre bring their high-octane version of The Jungle Book to the Theatre this summer. Complete with spectacular street dance and circus skills, Kipling's classic story is transported to the urban jungle in a heart-warming and critically acclaimed production.

Looking to the future, engaging with the city. Now in its 7th year, Bristol Old Vic's ground-breaking Made in Bristol project provides training for 18-25 year olds from across the southwest to become theatre makers. This year's Made in Bristol theatre company, INKBLOC ensemble will perform a brand new piece of theatre this July. This annual Made in Bristol show has been a springboard for young theatre makers to begin touring their work, and gives audiences a chance to see the freshest theatre created by one of Bristol's newest companies.

The Engagement team also announced Bristol Old Vic Young Company's latest collaboration with St Brendan's Sixth Form College Performing Arts Academy. This production will feature young people from both organisations, inspired by their own personal stories, exploring the relationship between youth and power. The last collaboration between St Brendan's and Bristol Old Vic Young Company led to the acclaimed production The Grandfathers, which was presented at the National Theatre in 2013.

These productions join other Bristol Old Vic shows already on sale, including new Greek tragedy Medea which weaves the ancient myth together with a modern day story of a mother's fight for her children; Julian Glover returning to his favourite theatre to play the title role in Julius Caesar alongside the graduating year of Bristol Old Vic Theatre School students; and the long-awaited return of the Bristol Proms 2013 phenomenon Messiah.

For more information, visit www.bristololdvic.org.uk.