Bristol Old Vic announces winter season

Bristol Old Vic has announced more details about its proposed winter programme. 

During the national lockdown, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School students can be seen in a live streamed production of Lucy Kirkwood’s Hedda from 18-20 November. It is then hoped that the previously reported live stream revival of The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk will be able to proceed (with a live audience) from 3-5 December, permitting the national restrictions have been eased.

Following this, live performances of Living Spits’ two-person comedy production of the classic French tale of Beauty and the Beast is set to run from 8 December – 2 January. Sharp Teeth will also perform their adult-only version of Streaming Beauty via Zoom on 11 & 12 December.

Five archived productions will also be available on demand over the festive season with the first announced show being A Christmas Carol, starring John Hopkins as Scrooge. The other four shows are to be announced next week.

Artistic Director Tom Morris said: "Theatres all over the country have responded to the devastation of lockdown with wild invention. From the Minack in Cornwall to Slung Low in Leeds, the rules of theatre have been rewritten on an hourly basis.

"Inspired by our colleagues across the country, we are determined to do whatever is necessary to continue to offer live, inspiring entertainment to our audiences in Bristol, the rest of the UK and even internationally. This varied winter programme is for the audiences and supporters who keep us alive and without whom all our efforts would be pointless.

"Even amid the chaos of this lockdown we are pursuing a series of experiments which will bring laughter, entertainment, music and poeticism to you at home as well as in the theatre. The generosity of donations from the public allowed our work to continue with a string of new commissions in the summer and the experimental reopening of the Courtyard Theatre in our foyer. Now it's our turn to be there for you with live entertainment throughout lockdown and over Christmas. We hope you like this offering."

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