October Programme at Bristol Old Vic is Packed with World-Class Artists

As Autumn draws in and we start looking for cosy indoor treats, Bristol Old Vic showcases the talents of world class artists that can light some theatrical fires in all of us throughout October.

Celebrated theatre company Headlong, who recently collaborated with Bristol Old Vic to create the Bristol musical Junkyard, return with People, Places & Things, their smash hit from the National Theatre, the West End, and now Broadway.

Out of Joint, the brainchild of the legendary director Max Stafford-Clark, returns with the classic 80s comedy Rita, Sue and Bob Too. Max directed the original production of Andrea Dunbar's semi-autobiographical play, and revisits this coming of age story for a major UK tour.

Other highlights through the autumn include the return of English Touring Theatrewith Conor McPherson's Olivier Award-winning The Weir. This chilling modern classic embarks on its first ever UK tour this autumn to mark its 20th Anniversary.

If you're after something completely different, The Bekkrell Effect is presented by Bristol Old Vic and Circus City, one of Europe's biggest contemporary circus festivals. And, back by popular demand, Bristol Old Vic and SS Great Britain's fright-fest The Spooky Ship takes place for Halloween on board the historic ship, bringing its history to life in ghoulish Bristol fashion.

And just creeping into November, former Made in Bristol company, The Wardrobe Ensemble, return to Bristol Old Vic. Hot off the Edinburgh circuit, they present their award-winning love letter to the schools of the 90s, Education, Education, Education.

3 - 7 Oct
Rita, Sue and Bob Too
Presented by Out of Joint, Octagon Theatre Bolton and Royal Court Theatre
Writer Andrea Dunbar
Director Max Stafford-Clark

10 - 14 Oct
The Weir
Presented by English Touring Theatre and Mercury Theatre Colchester
Writer Conor McPherson
Director Adele Thomas

18 - 21 Oct
The Bekkrell Effect
Presented by Bristol Old Vic and Circus City

24 - 28 Oct
People, Places & Things
Presented by Headlong, National Theatre, HOME and Exeter Northcott
Writer Duncan Macmillan
Director Jeremy Herrin with Holly Race Roughan

28-29 Oct
The Spooky Ship
at Brunel's SS Great Britain
6.30pm-9.50pm (Tours run every 10 minutes)

1 - 4 Nov
Education, Education, Education
Presented by The Wardrobe Ensemble, Royal & Derngate, Northampton and Shoreditch Town Hall

To book tickets: bristololdvic.org.uk / 0117 987 7877

Bristol Old Vic is the longest continuously running theatre in the UK, and celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2016. Under Artistic Director Tom Morris, the historic playhouse aims to inspire audiences with its own original productions, both at home and on tour, whilst nurturing the next generation of artists, whether that be through their 350-strong Young Company, their many outreach and education projects or their trailblazing artist development programme, Bristol Ferment.

They use their funding to support experiment and innovation, to allow access to their programme for people who would not otherwise encounter it, or be able to afford it, and to keep their extraordinary heritage alive and animated.

Since 2016, while the theatre continues to present work, it has simultaneously been undergoing a multi-million pound redevelopment project to transform its front of house space into a warm and welcoming public building for all of Bristol to enjoy, create a new Studio Theatre and open up its unique theatrical heritage to the public for the first time. The project is due to be completed in autumn 2018.

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