Theatre aside, the kitchen and bar is excellent. Top quality small plates and interesting local beers.

I've been coming to the old vic for many years so not only is it a great venue but for me it holds many great memories and is where my love of theatre began. The shows you get to see at the old vic are a far cry from the tacky unoriginal touring shows you get at the Hippodrome. Showcasing its own in house productions you find a lot more edgy and original theatre, so it's a must for all theatre lovers. On this occasion I took my one and half year old son to his first ever theatre production, Magic Elves. The show was in the small theatre downstairs and was perfect for small children and adults alike! He was engaged and mesmerised from the off and I hope this starts a similar love of theatre... read more

Bristol Old Vic - Performing Arts Near Me - Bristol, BST

The Old Vic is undoubtedly the best and most prestigious theatre in Bristol. How it has floundered in and out of solvency while the Hippodrome has kept packing them in over recent years probably says more about the public's taste for tacky touring shows than the quality on offer at the BOV. The Old Vic concentrates on serving up in house productions, which means their output is generally edgy and original, and that they are constantly developing new talent. Indeed, alumni from the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School include such stellar names as Daniel Day-Lewis, Pete Posthlewaite, Jeremy Irons and, believe it or not, Gene Wilder. They also attract many big names to perform in the grand main theatre, while the New Vic showcases quirkier and more experimental works. Thankfully both are currently back open, though the local community really needs to start supporting the Old Vic or it could easily be lost again. read more

Bristol Old Vic - Performing Arts Near Me - Bristol, BST

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Bristol Old Vic is the city's premier theatre and theatre company. A programme that's usually artistically ambitious (e.g. they don't just go for the crowd pleasers), it currently includes an improvised performance and a topical performance entitled 'Looking for Obama'. They recently closed down for a little while, probably because the stuff they put doesn't necessarily sell too many tickets. If you're serious about your theatre then definitely do come here. If, however, you're just looking for a sing-a-long, or something west end-y head to the Hippodrome. With that said, the annual pantomime is a great laugh. They don't just do contemporary stuff, and one of the best performances I ever saw here was of Paradise Lost. The building, the oldest theatre in the country, is beautiful, and an apppriate place to see something like this. Bristol Old Vic can probably claim to be a hub of the Bristol arts scene, and go here to see the city at its most creative in a very dignified setting. read more

Bristol Old Vic - Taken from their website - Performing Arts Near Me - Bristol, BST

A great drawing point for tourists and theatre goers alike. This theatre has such a rich heratige, and in recent years it has done amazing to power through and survive against all odds. With an amazingly diverse selection of shows on at all times, and a highly impressive youth program encouraging new work and young writers. Recentley an evening of scratch performance's where shown, people having a chance to test out work's in practice on the general public. I saw a couple of these shows and they looked like they were on their way to becoming fantastic pieces, i'm looking forward to seeing the final outcoem. Definatley worth keeping up to date with their program of events and performances. read more

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Set on historical Kings Street in the centre of the city, Bristol Old Vic is probably the best place in the city to see good quality theatre productions, which are often delivered brilliantly. The panto is excellent every year, for a little light hearted fun (this year being Hansel and Gretel) but the rest of the time, the well selected programme is aimed at more traditional theatre lovers, but isn't wildly out there. Look out for Shakespeare productions or other well known plays if you want to be assured of something good. The theatre is also soon to be renovated, which will ensure that the place stays up to date and remains a firm favourite among the people of Bristol. read more

A historical landmark with a fierce national reputation showcasing artistic innovation, what's not to like about Bristol Old Vic. The theatre was shut for a long period to undergo renovation and has returned bursting at the seams with exciting performances. The shows on offer invariably reach a high standard indeed, with strong casts and innovative staging. There's a wide repertoire of performances as well, from Circomedia's acrobatic contributions to the theatre school's excellent interpretations. For students advance buy tickets can get you in for as little as £3.50 last time I checked. Bristol Old Vic is pleasingly contemporary in the lobby, gloriously grand in the theatre itself. The original seats are preserved intact at the top of the theatre, a testament to its historical legacy. No matter which show you catch, whether it's a classic, a modern great or a contemporary experiment, Bristol Old Vic will deliver every time. The only shame is that there aren't more places thrusting theatre into the public eye like this. read more

While in Bristol one of the things you HAVE to do is go and see a play at the Old Vic. It's a legendary venue and has been around forever. I once saw an amazing production of A Midsummer Nights Dream there, and the experience has stayed with me for years. The seats are comfortable, although if you're going for the high up budget ones you don't get such a great view and have to sit on benches, best for short stays only! They have a nice bar and the place has an amazing atmosphere! read more

When I moved here from London I was initially really disappointed by the Old Vic and its seemingly doomed struggle to survive. I also wasn't that impressed by the quality of the productions on offer. But after a deep period of insecurity when it closed for refurbishment and almost shut totally due to a gaping hole in funds the city seems to realise it's use it or lose it. The building itself is a landmark of huge historical significance- the oldest theatre in the country, but be warned this doesn't make it an overly comfortable place to watch a play. My 6ft5 hubby was in 10 kinds of pain when we watched a show here. But the programme of events has been pretty interesting of late- although I think they could do more to attract some of the bigger touring productions. However, its first priority at the moment is engaging the community and reaching out to find new ways of staging theatre and ensuring the theatre survives. It has my wholehearted support. read more

Bristol Old Vic - Performing Arts Near Me - Bristol, BST

The Old Vic in Bristol is the oldest - continuously - working theatre in England. It is a gorgeous Georgian theatre, well worth a visit just to sit in the auditorium. Programmes are interesting, so not difficult to find something you would fancy seeing. The atmosphere of the place is magical. read more

This is a very old place, but they put on great shows for all the family.

This is a great venue and one of Bristol's architectural highlighs. There is a lot on, keep an eye on their listings. As always, expect to pay a lot for refreshments, and it might be a bit of a scrum as everyone goes for them at once in intervals. read more

very nice and relaxing. all sorts to wacth here and enjoyable for all ages. I have been once and would love to go again it is for all events and interests. read more

I went to see John Pilger here and realised why they were going to shut it down for renovations. The place is old and seems amazing but it has no air conditioning and the steps seemed steep and dangerous. The seats weren't great but the place itself is wonderful. A lot of great productions are put on and I loved being near the top on the balcony. read more

Really characteristic building, went there with the school and learnt alot about maintence of the building. Brilliant plays and scripts have been acted out in this place and it is brilliant value for money! read more

I know the Old Vic has been closed for some time under going restoration but I hope everyone remains supportive of this place because what they are doing is ensuring we keep this little bit of history intact. The Old Vic put on some amazing performances and really supports local talent, its a great place to go and support the thriving local talent that we have in Bristol read more

Probably one of those places that is such a Bristol institution that it gets overlooked. The few times I have been the interior alone has been worthy of a few hours worth of gawping. I can confirm that the seats aren't terribly comfortable but I guess I should've been thinking more about what was on the stage. But usually the production has been so absorbing I have forgotten about my discomfort and let the hind quarters go numb. I'm not sure after the risk of closure whether the Old Vic Theatre School is still running but one of the greatest things I saw was their production of The Vicar of Wakefield in the smaller studio auditorium. I went fearful that the school thing meant it would be full of teenage drama heads but was proved wrong (again) when I was faced with an accomplished team of grown ups who knew how to act. Very pleasant surprise and well worth giving a try. I don't consider myself the usual theatre-goer but I've never felt unwelcome at the Old Vic. read more

I visited Bristol late in 2006 and the Bristol Old Vic Theatre Royal was certainly the high point of my visit. The history surrounding the Theatre is clear and easy to understand. To be able to visit somewhere that dates as far back as 1766 was truly an overwhelming feeling. I saw a Celtic Concert at the Theatre, a wonderful selection of singers, mainly of Irish background, led by the beautiful, pure and haunting voice of Shanna Louise Nolan, accompanied by her beautiful playing of her guitar. The Theatre complimented this performance as no other could. Hearing those traditional Celtic songs performed in such an historical building, with wonderful acoustics was more than I could have asked for. Having said that, these singers could have put on this tremendous show anywhere and it would still have been an amazing variety of talent. Having also visited the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, the two Theatres still have similarities. Reading about the first performance at the Theatre Royal in 1766 and the trouble they had with obtaining the Royal Licence just added to the feeling that I was in a very special Theatre, that for so many years was shadowed by the Prince's. Although the rebuild in the 1970's changed much of the original look, like the entrance hall and the stage, the building itself holds much beauty from it's original design and as of yet, I have not been to a Theatre which even comes close to the Theatre Royal, Bristol. read more

the bristol old vic is homed to actors musicians etc......it is a theatre were people can come and watch plays and bands, some times you even get a famous comedian come and have a gig. read more