Refurbished Bristol Old Vic reopens with O’Keeffe’s Wild Oats

This historic theatre has been undergoing an £11million refurbishment for the last 18 months, during which time it has continued to produce a full programme of work in the Studio and in spaces across Bristol, including Colston Hall.

The main stage will officially reopen on 11 September 2012 (previews from 4 September) with a revival of John O’Keeffe’s 18th century comedy Wild Oats, centring on the exploits of a wayward actor. Directed by Mark Rosenblatt, the production runs in rep with Does My Society Look Big in This?, a satire devised by the company with writer Stephen Brown and Bristol Old Vic artistic director Tom Morris.

The Christmas show in the main house will be a new production of Peter Pan, directed by Sally Cookson, whose other credits for the venue include Treasure Island and Aesop’s Fables. Running from 4 December to 19 January (previews from 26 November), it promises “live music and a riot of colour, magic and merry mischief to fill the hearts of everyone this Christmas”.

Among the visiting productions are: Cheek by Jowl’s ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore (24 October – 3 November); Iron Shoes’ Mad About the Boy (27 – 29 September); Fuel’s Ring (16 – 20 October); You’re Not Like Other Girls Chrissy (23 – 27 October); and Chris Goode & Company’s God/Head (1 – 3 November).  

The Studio will also host Katherine Chandler’s Before it Rains (10 – 22 September), a co-production with Sherman Cymru, and children’s show Hey Diddle Diddle (28 November – 5 January), directed by Miranda Cromwell.

Launching the new season, artistic director Tom Morris, who has been with the venue since 2009, said: “This exquisite auditorium has been lovingly restored according to the brilliant geometry of its original design, placing the actor at the centre of an intimate storytelling space, which is a unique architectural survivor from an age when theatre was charismatic, subversive and dangerously live.  

“We are absolutely thrilled to announce this next stage in our relationship with this most beautiful playhouse, the artists who are as inspired by it as we are and the audiences who have so generously welcomed our programme over the last three years.”