15 Bristol Hippodrome shows to look forward to in 2023

15 Bristol Hippodrome shows to look forward to in 2023

Posted on: 02 Dec 2022

As always, Bristol Hippodrome has a stellar selection of theatre productions, musical performances and comedy shows taking place in 2023. Read on for our pick of the bunch!

 

We may well be in the midst of The Hippodrome’s busy festive period but that doesn’t mean that Bristolian theatre fans can’t start planning ahead.

 

From angry ogres to disco-dancing nuns, Bob Dylan to the crème de la crème of drag queens, Bristol’s biggest theatre already has 40 events scheduled for next year. 

 

So, to help you wade through this theatrical soup, we’ve picked our top 15 must-see Hippodrome shows of 2023…

 

 

Jersey Boys | Tuesday 10 – Saturday 21 January

 

Opening our list is a production that is set to be Bristol Hippodrome’s first dip into music musical theatre of 2023. An internationally acclaimed sensation, Jersey Boys takes the audience behind the music and inside the story of the timeless pop group Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.

 

The Olivier Award Winning Broadway production is not only a great story, it also features a raft of the band’s hits including ‘Sherry’, ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’ and ‘Walk Like A Man’.

Girl From The North Country | Monday 30 January – Saturday 4 February

 

An Olivier and Tony award-winning West End and Broadway triumph, Girl From The North Country sees renowned playwright Conor McPherson put his own stamp on the discography of an all-time great – Bob Dylan.

 

This heartbreaking tale of family and love transports audiences back to 1934 and a time-weathered guesthouse in the heartland of America. A group of wayward souls staying at the house, all at an important juncture in their lives, soon realise that nothing is what it seems.

Garth Marenghi’s Terrortome | Friday 10 February

 

Matthew Holness’ cult horror writer character, Garth Marenghi has returned once more from the shadows. A conceited horror writer, the character is an extreme parody who grew to prominence thanks to the 2004 Channel 4 slasher comedy, ‘Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace’.

 

Marenghi will drop by Bristol in February to support the recent publication of his Sunday Times Bestseller, TerrorTome. Fans can expect a reading from the book, a Q&A and a book signing.

My Fair Lady | Tuesday 14 – Saturday 25 February

 

Fresh from a critically acclaimed stint on the West End, the Lincoln Center Theater’s multi-award-winning production of the classic 1913 play My Fair Lady is set for a two-week run at The Hippodrome in February.

 

This beautiful production of Lerner and Loewe’s celebrated musical – filled with lavish sets and costumes – features all the best-loved songs from ‘I Could Have Danced All Night’ to ‘Get Me to the Church on Time’, from ‘Wouldn’t It Be Loverly’ to ‘The Rain in Spain’.

Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty | Tuesday 28 February – Saturday 4 March

 

10 years after its glorious premiere at Sadlers Wells when it became the quickest-selling production in the history of the company, Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty returns to UK stages in 2023.

 

Bristol theatre fans will be able to immerse themselves in the wondrous world of magical fairies, vampires and (of course) princesses in this gothic and supernatural love story that tips the timeless tale of good versus evil upside down.

Sister Act | Monday 6 – Saturday 18 March

 

Featuring fun-loving nuns and plenty of classic tunes, a brand-new production of the Broadway and UK smash hit musical is coming to Bristol Hippodrome next March complete with a stunning cast including West End legend Lesley Joseph and Tracy Beaker’s Clive Rowe.

 

Disco diva Deloris’ life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Placed under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she shouldn’t be found – a convent! Queue singing and dancing aplenty. 

Stewart Lee – Basic Lee | Monday 3 April

 

Stewart Lee has been at the top of the comedy game for over 20 years and, for the last decade, has presented a plethora of ground-breaking concept shows involving an interlinking narrative, high-budget sets and enormous props.

 

Now, post-pandemic, Lee is going back to basics with his stripped-back stand-up show, ‘Basic Lee’. This Spring show is certainly not to be missed!

Seven Drunken Nights – The Story of the Dubliners | Tuesday 18 April

 

Following on from the West End as well as a string of sold out dates worldwide, Seven Drunken Nights takes a look at the incredible 50-year career of one of Ireland’s most celebrated bands.

 

Invoking the spirit of Ronnie Drew, Luke Kelly, Barney McKenna, John Sheahan, Ciaran Bourke and Jim McCann, this musical production will transport the audience to Ireland with a selection of classic songs.

Russell Howard | Wednesday 19 – Sunday 23 April

 

Next up, award-winning comedian, television presenter and actor Russell Howard will be back on home soil for a string of four massive shows at Bristol Hippodrome.

 

Best known for immensely popular shows such as Russel Howard’s Good News and The Russell Howard Hour, the 42-year-old will be presenting Bristol audiences with 'Respite' – a show that has gained rave reviews over the past four years.

The Official RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season Four Tour | Sunday 7 May

 

Drag Royalty are werking their way up and down the country next year as the series 4 cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK head out on tour. All 12 of the stunning queens, including Danny Beard who was recently crowned winner, will be in attendance for a very special evening.

 

Last year’s series three tour sold out well in advance so Drag Race fans would be advised to secure tickets while they can!

Disney’s The Lion King | Thursday 18 May – Saturday 1 July

 

The Lion King has a lot of history with Bristol’s largest theatre; next summer will see the production appear in the city for an unprecedented third time with the last run taking place in 2019.

 

The much-loved musical is set amongst the majestic Serengeti Plains with the evocative rhythms of Africa as a soundtrack. Disney's multi-award-winning musical is a unique yet well-known theatrical experience that you will remember forever.

The Mousetrap | Monday 24 – Saturday 29 July

 

A piece of British theatrical history will be appearing at The Hippodrome in July 2023 when The Mousetrap rolls into town. Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap is the world’s longest-running play with the genre-defining West End production now celebrating its 70th year.

 

A murder is committed in London and when a group of strangers snowed in at a remote guesthouse are visited by the police, they are shocked to discover that there is a murderer amongst them. Can you work out which of them it is?

Shrek The Musical | Tuesday 22 – Sunday 27 August

 

From a classic theatre staple to a classic story adapted for the stage, Shrek The Musical is coming to Bristol in 2023, complete with family favourite characters such as Donkey and Puss in Boots and memorable songs like ‘I’m a Believer’.

 

The weird and wonderful world of Shrek and his friends has been reimagined by a new creative team with an iconic score and a gripping story from David Lindsay-Ahaire, plus original music by Jeanine Tesori.

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory The Musical | Wednesday 20 September – Sunday 8 October

 

Next autumn, theatre fans will have the chance to step into a world of pure imagination with Roald Dahl’s classic children’s tale, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. 

 

Based on the book, this West End and Broadway Hit brings new life to the tale with classics ‘The Candy Man’ and ‘Pure Imagination’ from the 1970s film bolstered by a whole set of new songs from the award-winning songwriters of Hairspray.

Annie | Monday 20 – Saturday 25 November

 

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Paul O’Grady passed away peacefully on 28 March 2023 and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. Updates in regards this show will be released at a later time.

One of the world’s favourite family musicals, the world-renowned West End production of Annie, is coming to Bristol for one week only in November 2023. Starring broadcaster, writer and actor Paul O’Grady as the devilish Miss Hannigan, this sing-along tale is sure to prove popular.

 

Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, the musical follows little orphan Annie and her search for her true family, a search that leads to her meeting famous billionaire Mr Warbucks. You can bet your bottom dollar that songs such as ‘It’s The Hard-Knock Life’, ‘Easy Street’, ‘I Don’t Need Anything But You’ and ‘Tomorrow’ will all feature.

This list is less than half of what Bristol Hippodrome already have scheduled for 2023, with plenty more yet to be announced. 

 

For a comprehensive list and to keep up to date with what’s going on at the theatre, head to the ATG website.

Paul O’Grady passed away peacefully on 28 March 2023 and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. Updates in regards this show will be released at a later time.

 

Article by:

Stanley Gray

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.