The best of The Bristol Hippodrome - which shows to look out for in 2018

The best of The Bristol Hippodrome - which shows to look out for in 2018

Posted on: 24 Jan 2018

Bristol's historic Hippodrome is the city's premiere theatre venue, having hosted some of the world's best on-stage productions over the course of its 106-year existence. With theatre, comedy, music and more on offer, 2018 is set to be another vintage year for the Hippodrome, with beloved productions like Wicked and Hairspray arriving in Bristol as well as stand-up comedy shows from acts like John Bishop and Kevin Bridges. Below is a compiled list of the best of The Bristol Hippodrome coming in 2018.

 

Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz, Wednesday 31st January-Saturday 3rd March

A month-long run of much-loved stage show Wicked gets underway at the Hippodrome at the end of January, with 28 dates scheduled at the venue from 31st January-3rd March.

Winner of over 100 international awards, Wicked has been casting its magical spell across the world for over a decade and continues to break records at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre, where it is already the 17th longest running show in West End theatre history.

An ingenious and witty re-imagining of the stories and characters created by L. Frank Baum in ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’, Wicked tells the incredible untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two young women who first meet as sorcery students.

 

Hairspray, Monday 5th-Saturday 10th March

The smash hit musical comedy Hairspray is coming to venues across the UK with a production guaranteed to have you dancing the night away!

It’s Baltimore, 1962 where Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, is on a mission to follow her dreams and dance her way onto national TV. Tracy’s audition makes her a local star and soon she is using her new-found fame to fight for equality.

 

John Bishop, Wednesday 28th & Thursday 29th March

John Bishop's two Bristol shows are two of the last three of his 2018 Winging It Tour

John Bishop is back in 2018 with his Winging It tour - a hilarious display of top quality comedy infused with a startlingly natural personality. The shows at The Bristol Hippodrome are two of the final three dates of the huge UK headline tour, which culminates in a performance in Bishop's hometown of Liverpool.

 

Awful Auntie, Tuesday 1st-Sunday 6th May

David Walliams' latest foray into theatre sees Awful Auntie come to Bristol's Hippodrome for a string of shows in May 2018. Produced by the award-winning team behind Gangsta Granny, Walliams' new production will take to the stage at The Hippodrome for ten shows over six days, kicking off at 7pm on Tuesday 1st May. 

 

Flashdance, Monday 25th-Saturday 30th June

Flashdance stars Strictly Come Dancing champion Joanne Clifton alongside A1's Ben Adams

Flashdance is the inspiring and unforgettable story of Alex - a determined welder who dreams of becoming a professional dancer. When a romance complicates her ambitions, she harnesses it to drive her dream of attending Shipley Dance Academy.

Prepare to be blown away by an astonishing musical spectacle with phenomenal choreography to this iconic score including the smash hits Maniac, Gloria, I Love Rock & Roll and of course the sensational title track Flashdance... What a Feeling. 

 

Thriller Live, Monday 9th-Saturday 14th July

Direct from London’s West End, where it’s in its record breaking 9th year, Thriller Live is a spectacular concert created to celebrate the career of the world’s greatest entertainer.

Already seen by over 4 million people in over 30 countries, Thriller Live continues to moonwalk around the world, taking you on a visual, audio and electrifying journey through the magic of Michael Jackson’s 40 year musical history.

 

The Play That Goes Wrong, Monday 16th-Saturday 21st July

The Play That Goes Wrong has received glowing reviews from critics and celebrities, including Joanna Lumley and Ant & Dec

Fawlty Towers meets Noises Off in this multi award-winning smash hit comedy, now playing on Broadway and enjoying its 4th year in the West End.

The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society are putting on a 1920s murder mystery, but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong… does! As the accident prone thesps battle on against all odds to reach their final curtain call, hilarious results ensue!

 

This Is Elvis, Monday 23rd-Saturday 28th July

It’s 1968 – the major musical event of the year is the first live TV special for Elvis Presley in what will come to be known as ‘The ’68 Comeback Special’. Drawing phenomenal ratings, this event re-establishes Elvis as the major entertainment star of the decade, and twelve months later Elvis stars at the International Hotel in Vegas, performing live for the first time in seven years, and securing his place in history as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll! 

This Is Elvis recreates all the drama leading up to the comeback as well as staging the monumental concert. It then proceeds with The King to his Vegas debut, featuring some of his greatest-ever hits.

 

Shrek The Musical, Wednesday 8th-Sunday 19th August

Shrek The Musical is a stage adaptation of the hugely successful and Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animations film.

Shrek The Musical is based on the story and characters from the Oscar®-winning DreamWorks Animation film, this hilarious and spectacular production turns the world of fairytales upside down in an all-singing, all-dancing, must-see musical comedy.

Join Shrek, our unlikely hero, and his loyal steed Donkey as they set off on a quest to rescue the beautiful (if slightly temperamental) Princess Fiona from her tower, guarded by a fire breathing love-sick dragon.

 

Kevin Bridges, Friday 24th & Saturday 25th August

Scotland’s biggest comedy export, Kevin Bridges, is back next year with his hotly anticipated live stand-up tour: Brand New.

Embarking on his biggest tour to date, The Brand New Tour will see Kevin perform at some of the finest venues across the UK and Ireland from August 2018, including four nights at London’s Hammersmith Apollo, as well as making a momentous return to his hometown with six nights at The SSE Hydro in Glasgow.

 

Madagascar The Musical, Tuesday 9th-Saturday 13th October

Madagascar The Musical is based on the original DreamWorks Animation from 2005.

Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the hip hip Hippo and, of course, those hilarious, plotting penguins as they bound onto your stage in the musical adventure of a lifetime.

Based on the smash DreamWorks animated motion picture, Madagascar – A Musical Adventure follows all of your favorite crack-a-lackin’ friends as they escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar.

 

Benidorm Live, Monday 19th-Saturday 24th November

The official world premiere of Derren Litten's smash-hit ITV comedy Benidorm is set to bring sunshine and smiles to the UK and Ireland in the stage debut production of the hugely popular TV show.

ITV’s award-winning comedy celebrates a decade of all-inclusive hilarity, having followed the ensemble cast of holiday makers and staff for nine series since it first broadcast in 2007, with series ten due early next year. Litten has now written an all new set of Alicante escapades for the much-loved cast members as they swap sangria for the stage - after a quick spruce up at the Blow ‘n’ Go!

 

Tickets for all of the above shows are available now - visit the ticket links in the article to book now. For more information, or to see more upcoming shows at The Bristol Hippodrome, visit the venue's website.

Article by:

Matt Robson

 

Editor - 365Bristol.com & LOUD Magazine
 

Matt is a Journalism graduate and writer, passionate about supporting Bristol music, art and independent business. Get in touch via email at matt@365bristol.com.