Historic Bristol Old Vic Theatre is in Danger of Closing

According to London's Independent, one of the UK's most historic theatres is in danger of closing.

The Bristol Old Vic - not to be confused with the larger London Old Vic now headed by Kevin Spacey - recenly admitted it is in danger of permanent closure and needs £2m for its survival.  The 200 year-old theatre (and the oldest working theatre in the UK), the Bristol Old Vic is now relying on donations from individual benefactors and has launched a telephone hotline for public donations, as well.

The Independent states:  "The theatre has a shortfall of £2m for its £7m refurbishment programme which, it is hoped, will transform it from a venue that poses potentially life-threatening health hazards, with faulty electric wiring, asbestos and inadequate disabled facilities, to a state-of-the-art auditorium."  The theatre, which has also suffered waning audiences, "has now entered into dialogue with the local arts community in a desperate attempt to tailor its future artistic programmes to modern audiences. Nick Bacon, chair of the Save Bristol Old Vic appeal, said it was not just a case of refurbishing but also a mission to win back the 'hearts and minds' of audiences."

"People were not coming because they didn't like what they were seeing and because the building was worn out. We have to refurbish the building and win back the audience," said Bacon.

A consulation next month between the Bristol Old Vic and Bristol's artistic community will help decide the theatre's new direction, with a new funding program announced for the theatre's refurbishment plans.

The Bristol Old Vic was created in 1776 and given a royal license by King George III in 1778.  "By the Second World War, the theatre was in decline. However, surviving the bombing of Bristol's city centre, it was saved for the nation by a coalition of civic, corporate and citizen lobbyists," states the theatre's website.  "Then, in 1943, the theatre became Britain's first state-subsidised theatre.  And in 1946 it gained its first resident company, an off-shoot of London's Old Vic Theatre – hence a new name: Bristol Old Vic.  In 1972 the theatre opened its Studio Theatre and additional front-of-house areas incorporating the 18th-century guildhall, the Coopers' Hall."

Visit www.bristol-old-vic.co.uk for more information.

 

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