Bristol Old Vic reveals new productions for 2026 including world premiere adaptation of folk horror Lanny

Exclusive: Bristol Old Vic has revealed plans for its upcoming 260th anniversary year.

The organisation has committed to supporting theatre makers of the future and championing stories from the South West.

Artistic director Nancy Medina will direct the world premiere stage adaptation of Max Porter’s acclaimed novel, Lanny, adapted by Bea Roberts. A Bristol Old Vic production in association with ETT, it follows a family who move out of London to a West Country village, where their son awakens the interest of the mythical figure Dead Papa Toothwort.

Medina confirmed that “…Lanny is a brilliant example of the work we want Bristol Old Vic’s reenergised literary department to cultivate; a story with its roots firmly in the South West, created by phenomenally talented artists, whose work we cannot wait to platform…”

Roberts expressed her excitement to be working on “this extraordinary, mischievous and feral tale,” before explaining, “Max Porter is one of the most exciting and innovative authors working today, and I’m so blessed that Max is trusting me with Lanny, his much beloved modern cult classic. It’s a novel unlike any other, and we’re collaborating with some amazing West Country talent to craft a stage show that I hope captures the story’s wild and beguiling essence”.

Porter said, “It’s a dream come true to work with the Bristol Old Vic, and to see Lanny coming to life through Bea Roberts’ extraordinary reimagining.” He teased, “She’s brought the weird folk mysteries of the book alive but also created an incredibly moving polyphonic portrait of contemporary life that I think will really astonish audiences…”

The folk horror will run from 16 October to 7 November, with a press night set for 22 October.

At Christmastime, Bristol Old Vic will present a new production of Cinderella: A Fairytale, devised by Sally Cookson, Adam Peck and the original Olivier-nominated company. First seen at the Tobacco Factory in 2011, the Travelling Light co-production reimagined the story as that of the free-spirited Ella and her love of birdwatching. It will be directed by Lisa Gregan and run from December.

Cookson remarked: “We have been lucky enough to see several different productions performed throughout the UK since its conception, but it feels especially poignant to have it produced back in Bristol, where it all began. It is quite lovely to hand the baton on to Lisa and her team at Bristol Old Vic to bring new life to our adaptation. Lisa is not only a cherished friend but also a director with a powerful imagination and one who truly understands the importance of collaboration and ensemble – I can’t wait to see what she cooks up!”

Visiting work to Bristol Old Vic includes Bryony Kimmings’ Bog Witch from 4 to 5 June, improvised murder mystery Murder She Didn’t Write from 15 to 19 September, and Lost Dog’s Juliet & Romeo from 22 to 26 September.

Further highlights include Richard Marsh’s 80’s homage Top Gunchained (29 to 3 October) and Sh!t Theatre’s acclaimed Evita Too (11 to 14 November). Meanwhile, in the Weston Studio, young artists will take over for two weeks in April, while I’m Not Being Funny will play in June. There will also be comedy from the likes of Ceyla AB, Morgan Rees, Kiell Smith Bynoe & Friends, Flo and Joan, Stevie Martin, and Lucy Beaumont.

A Bristol Old Vic co-production with Curve and Mayflower Southampton, Kiss of the Spider Woman, will also visit the venue from 29 April to 16 May.

Further organisational changes include Rikki Henry joining Bristol Old Vic as associate artistic director for 18 months as part of the RYTDS Fair Play scheme, Maddie Wakeling taking the role of Young Company Director, and Isabella Monaghan-West becoming the theatre’s resident Stage One Trainee Producer. Fabio Campus has become a Costume Technician Apprentice, thanks to the Mackintosh Trainee Apprentice scheme.

South West playwright Ross Willis will be leading the 2026 cohort of Early Career Writers, and the 15th year of Made In Bristol sees Muneera Pilgrim and Sam Parker create two new plays that Made In Bristol 260 will perform for free in secondary schools across Bristol during 2026, filling the gap in cultural engagement many schools are currently unable to offer. Finally, applications will also open soon for the new intake of Bristol Old Vic’s associate artists, who will be in place for a two-year programme of support and collaboration.