Bristol Old Vic Nominated for The Stage Regional Theatre of the Year

Bristol Old Vic is delighted to be nominated for The Stage Regional Theatre of the Year award, as announced today.

The Stage Awards reflect the theatre industry's best performing theatres and theatre-makers. The open nomination process allows anyone to elect their favourite buildings, schools, companies and individuals, while an industry focus group steers the shortlist. The final cut is selected by a panel of senior editorial figures at The Stage and aims to celebrate the finest theatre achievements of the past year.

Receiving a nomination for Regional Theatre of the Year, the category recognises the top theatre outside of the capital over the past 12 months, judged on criteria including artistic quality, business success and innovation.

Bristol Old Vic was recognised by the panel as having impressed with its "strong work, both on and off stage" - remarking on the 250th anniversary celebrations, the transfer of two productions to the National Theatre, the announcement of The Ronald Duncan Prize and the ongoing redevelopment works, but it was the success of productions including The Grinning Man, Jane Eyre and King Lear that ensured "the work on stage continues to impress".

Emma Stenning, Bristol Old Vic Chief Executive said: "Today's announcement of our nomination for Regional Theatre of the Year is just the most perfect way for Bristol Old Vic to end 2016.

This was a year in which the theatre went from strength to strength; delivering a string of thrilling productions, kicking off the final transformative phase of our capital project and celebrating our 250th birthday in style.

It's a brilliant testament to the terrific work of the Bristol Old Vic team, the extraordinary imaginations of the artists who make work here, and the continued commitment of our fantastic audiences."

The winner will be announced at The Stage New Year Party, at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London, on January 27 2017.

This nomination comes hot on the heels of Bristol Old Vic production The Grinning Man receiving a WhatsOnStage Award nomination for Best Regional Production. The winner will be announced at a public ceremony on Sunday 19 February at the Prince of Wales Theatre, London. Winners are decided by public vote, and audiences can vote for the production here until 31 January 2017.

Bristol Old Vic, the longest continuously-running theatre in the UK, is a globally-renowned organisation, publicly funded by Arts Council England and Bristol City Council to support innovation and access for all.

This historic playhouse aims to inspire audiences with its own original productions, both at home and on tour, whilst nurturing the next generation of artists through its trail-blazing development programme, Bristol Ferment. It also has a celebrated outreach programme, including the award-winning Young Company.

2016 is a milestone year for the organisation as Bristol Old Vic celebrates its 250th birthday by both reflecting on its rich history and looking towards its future. The theatre is preparing for its next phase of capital development, as well as a wider business transformation that will see it turn into a major heritage destination, bringing its history and wonderful archive to life in new and exciting ways.

Having completed the refurbishment of the Grade 1 listed Georgian auditorium and backstage areas in 2012, the next phase of works is set to transform the front of house spaces, creating a warm and welcoming public building for the whole of Bristol to enjoy.

Photography by Jon Craig

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