Learn about the incredible people interwoven into the history of Bristol Old Vic
Posted on: 13 Jan 2022‘The People’s Tour’ is a building-wide tour of Britain’s longest continuously working theatre, teaching visitors about the hard-working and remarkable people behind its rich history.
‘The People’s Tour’ aims to teach the public about the incredible people, performers and players who have helped to create the world class theatre that we know today – from its running to the breath-taking performances that have taken place within it.
Tickets for the tour are £50 for a group of up to six and can be found on the Bristol Old Vic website.
Experienced tour guides will take attendees on a physical and historical journey, exploring the astonishing true stories extracted from various myths and Bristolian folklore – a truly instructive and revealing trip.
Built in 1766, the theatre has a remarkably resilient history; surviving the 1831 Bristol Riots, the sale of the building in the 1940s and the threat of closure in 2007.
Originally known as The Theatre Royal, the building is famed for its architectural charm with Academy Award winning actor Daniel Day-Lewis (pictured below performing at the theatre) describing it as “the most beautiful theatre in England”.
Today, the Old Vic boasts a 350-strong Young Company as well as a recent multi-million-pound redevelopment project. The theatre now has a new Studio Theatre, an open front of house space and a bar and kitchen.
‘The People’s Tour’ is the perfect opportunity for anyone interested in 18th–20th century theatre and the human side of the Old Vic’s rich 250-year history thus far and, as it runs between 27 January and 26 March, there’s plenty of opportunity to visit.
Some of the theatre’s spaces included on the tour are the new Bristol Old Vic foyer; the Georgian Auditorium, stage, gallery an pit passages; the Linbury Paintshop, the Weston Studio and Coopers’ Hall.
The tour organisers recommend comfortable shoes and require attendees to book their tours 72 hours beforehand. A step-free route for those with access needs is also on offer by calling 0117 987 7877 or emailing tickets@bristololdvic.org.uk.
This tour is venue-wide, and tickets can be purchased from the Old Vic website for £50 per group (of up to six). The tours last for one hour and are suitable for all ages.
To find out more about what’s coming up at Bristol Old Vic head to their website.
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Stan is a born and bred Bristolian, recently graduated from studying English Literature in Sheffield. His passions are music and literature and he spends the majority of his time in venues all over the city, immersing himself in Bristol’s alternative music scene. A lifelong Bristol City fan, Stan’s Saturdays are spent watching his team both home and away.
