New production in association with National Theatre, London
New production in association with Eclipse Theatre
New production in association with National Theatre, Bergen
World premiere of new Carol Ann Duffy commission

“Bristol Old Vic has really reinvented itself under its new artistic directors…into being a hotbed of European-inspired invention at the forefront of regional theatre’s revival… Bristolians will see that they now have a centre of excellence on their doorstep.” (Toby O’Connor Morse, Independent, October 2003)

Bristol Old Vic has enjoyed great success in 2003, producing nine popular shows, winning two national TMA awards for A Midsummer Night’s Dream -Best Director for David Farr, and Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Lyndsey Marshal for her role as Hermia - and the Bristol Venue Magazine Award for best production for The Comedy of Errors. 

At the 2004 Spring Launch David Farr and Simon Reade outlined their continuing commitment to relationships within Bristol while forging major new national and European partnerships.

 Spring 2004 heralds the Artistic Directors’ most ambitious project yet. Commissioned by the National Theatre, David Farr’s new adaptation of John Milton’s Paradise Lost will premiere at Bristol Old Vic in January. David Farr reunites the team behind The Comedy of Errors and A Midsummer Night’s Dream and introduces independent British film-maker Ben Hopkins and international movement director Isabel Rocamora to create an innovative theatrical retelling of Milton’s dramatic poem.

 Bristol Old Vic’s relationship with the Eclipse Theatre initiative continues with Mother Courage and her Children. Set in modern day Africa, this new adaptation of Bertolt Brecht’s greatest play is directed by Josette Mushell-Mingo, whose recent work includes the Young Vic’s musical hit Simply Heavenly (2003).

In March, David Farr directs Joe Orton’s irreverent comedy, Loot. Orton gleefully exposes the hypocrisies of the English establishment and lampoons the police, sexual propriety and religion.  

This Easter, Bristol Old Vic collaborates with the National Theatre of Bergen, Norway, on a major new commission for family theatre. Beasts and Beauties - Eight Tales from Europe is created by the team who revolutionised family theatre at London’s Young Vic theatre with Grimm Tales. Poet Carol Ann Duffy re-tells eight classic fables and folk tales of childhood. Music is composed by the Norwegian Terje Isungset, one of Europe’s most exciting percussionists and composers.

In the Studio we are delighted to present a Best of Bristol programme: the world premiere of Toby Farrow’s new Australian back-packer comedy Kangaroo Valley; Instant Wit’s comedy improvisation; Theatre West’s new production of Catherine Johnson’s hit play Shang-a-Lang; Hoax Productions’ surreal Raw Beef and an exciting two week Festival of Youth Theatre from acta, Bristol Old Vic Youth Theatre, Circomedia and Kuumba. Bristol Old Vic’s acclaimed Youth Theatre is also presenting two classic European plays: Fuente Ovejuna by Lope de Vega, adapted by Adrian Mitchell and The Visit by Friedrich Dürrenmatt, adapted by Maurice Valency.

Speaking at the launch, David Farr and Simon Reade said:

 "After an exciting first year at Bristol, 2004 sees Bristol Old Vic expanding its horizons. We are working with theatres across the country and beyond, from the National Theatre, London to the National Theatre of Bergen in Norway. We are committed to creating ambitious work in accessible productions, telling the stories that people want to see in ways never seen before."

 Main House

 30 January – 21 February
Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost reunites director David Farr with designer Ti Green, composer Keith Clouston and lighting designer Hartley TA Kemp following their recent success with The Comedy of Errors (Bristol Old Vic) and Coriolanus (RSC/Old Vic,London).

 Young British film-maker Ben Hopkins joins the team. His film credits include The Nine Lives of Tomas Katz and Simon Magus for which he received a nomination for the 2001 British Independent Film Award. 

The creative team is completed by international movement director Isabel Rocamora, co-founder of the Momentary Fusion Aerial Dance Theatre.

 Cast includes: Dave Fishley, Kananu Kirimi, Stephen Noonan, Christopher Staines

24-28 February
Mother Courage and Her Children

Josette Mushell-Mingo is one of the country’s most exciting young directors. As an actress in the original Lion King production, she was nominated for an Olivier Award. She recently directed the Young Vic’s musical hit of 2003, Simply Heavenly. Mother Courage is played by Carmen Munroe, whose theatre work includes The Amen Corner (Tricycle and Lyric) and Cain (RSC). She played Mrs Desmond in the C4 comedy series Desmonds.

Eclipse Theatre is a three year initiative which aims to develop the national profile of middle-scale Black theatre productions and projects. This new adaptation is the second Eclipse production following last year’s Moon on a Rainbow Shawl.

Translator Oladipo Agboluaje is a British born Nigerian playwright. His first play Early Morning was produced at the Oval Theatre in London in 2003 and he has recently completed a commission for the National Theatre.

5 – 27 March
Loot

Joint Artistic Director David Farr directs in collaboration with designer Tom Piper and lighting designer Hartley T A Kemp. Tom Piper returns to Bristol Old Vic where he previously designed Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Other credits include the award-winning Henry VI for RSC and The Birthday Party (National Theatre).

Joe Orton was described by the Observer as “the Oscar Wilde of the welfare state”. Orton’s acerbic and amoral wit made him a 60s icon, influencing a generation of theatre and comedy writers.

2 April – 1 May
Beasts and Beauties – Eight Tales from Europe

Award-winning British poet and playwright, Carol Ann Duffy’s most recent collaborations with Tim Supple include Opera North’s production of The Magic Flute,  and the Young Vic’s Grimm Tales which also included Melly Still as designer. Her poetry collections include The World’s Wife (1999), Standing Female Nude (1985), The Other Country and Mean Time, which won the Whitbread Poetry Award and the Forward Poetry Prize (Best Poetry Collection of the Year). Her latest collection for children is The Good Child’s Guide to Rock N Roll (2003). She is also an acclaimed playwright, having three plays performed at the Liverpool Playhouse and Almeida. She was awarded an OBE in 1995, a CBE in 2001 and became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 1999.

Melly Still has worked extensively as a designer at the Young Vic (Grimm Tales, The Jungle Book, Blood Wedding) the RSC (Tales from Ovid, Midnight’s Children) and at the National Theatre (Haroun and the Sea of Stories). She was also co-director and movement director on these productions.

Terje Isungset is one of the most innovative percussionists in Europe today. His individual sound is created by his use of self-made instruments and sound sources. He works mostly within free improvisation, often in collaboration with traditional musicians throughout the world including Germany, UK, Nigeria and Australia. His has also produced three critically acclaimed CDs including Floating Rhythms, and in 2002 he released Iceman Is, an album recorded using instruments made from ice.

12 – 17 January
Instant Wit

Legendary improvisation comedy show of sketches, gags, songs and surreal situations. And flying packets of Instant Whip.

 21 – 31 January
Shang-a-lang

Fresh from their successful season of new plays at Bristol’s Alma Tavern, Theatre West presents the Bristol premiere of Catherine Johnson’s raucous comedy. Three Bristol girls find adventure, love and sexual liberation as they relive their heyday in the Bay City Rollers’ tartan army.

Former writer in residence at Bristol Old Vic, Catherine Johnson’s work includes the international musical sensation Mamma Mia!, and the plays Dead Sheep and Too Much Too Young.

4 – 7 February
Raw Beef

A locked room where everything smells like something it isn’t, where life starts again every three minutes. After their appearance in Bristol Old Vic’s Mayfest, Hoax Productions return, drawing on improvisation and story-telling traditions and experimenting with circus, mime, dance and martial arts.

 7 February
The Water Babies

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School presents Charles Kingsley’s magical novel, adapted and directed by Toby Hulse.  Tom, an ill-treated chimney-boy, jumps into a clear stream and begins an extraordinary voyage of discovery to the Other-End-of-Nowhere. For 7-11 years.

Toby is Associate Education Director of Bristol Old Vic. His productions include the hugely successful No Loud Bangs series of plays. 

 11 – 28 February
Kangaroo Valley

Bristol Old Vic and The Convent Productions present the premiere of Toby Farrow’s Australian back-packer comedy set in an Earls Court Hostel. Professional swimmer Jez Brenneman flies in from Oz and embarks on a whistle-stop tour of self destruction, accompanied by an aging hairdresser, an artist turned pole-dancer and a second-rate skateborder.

Toby Farrow is Bristol Old Vic’s former writer in residence and Aardman’s Creature Comforts script editor. His productions include Aeroplane Bones and Gringos (Bristol Old Vic) and he has recently written an adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book for The Tobacco Factory.

Katie Sykes’ previous designs for Bristol Old Vic include Antigone, Endgame and the No Loud Bangs series. She also works extensively with Travelling Light and recently designed Cloudland for their UK tour.

March 1 - 5 
Bristol Schools Festival.

Folk tales created and performed by students from Bristol and South Gloucestershire schools.

 March 10 – 20
The Two Noble Kinsmen

Presented by the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Shakespeare’s adaptation of Chaucer’s Knight’s Tale.

Two noblemen, equal in all things, bound by ties of blood and friendship, fall for the same beauty.

April 3 – 4

Bristol Youth Theatre Festival.

acta, Bristol Old Vic, Circomedia and Kuumba join forces to present the best of youth theatre that celebrates the work of young people across Bristol.

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