Small theatre with cramped seats - no lobby area so intervals are a crush. Poor toilets and badly…read moretrained staff. I will not be going there again!

The Redgrave is a charming little venue tucked away in deepest, poshest Clifton. Affiliated to…read moreClifton College, its main output is productions of classic plays (Shakespeare features heavily) put on by their drama school, which, if you're as deeply untalented as me, is quite depressing as the standard is so good. They also fill out their programme with equally good productions from local amateur dramatics groups, and even find the time to put on the odd national comedian. A very small theatre, it's usually busy and generates a good atmosphere, while the prices are pretty low (a tenner or less) for the standard on offer. Unless you're a real theatre buff who expects the best, this is a good place to catch cut price productions.

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

I've been coming to the old vic for many years so not only is it a great venue but for me it holds…read moremany 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...

A cracking little venue. A tiny intimate little theatre, where you are never more than about 20 ft…read morefrom the performer. They have a great mix of music, comedy and drama. Cosy little bar downstairs where you can enjoy a drink before and during a performance. Well run, very friendly staff. Some surprisingly big names come here. If you get on their mailing list, you will get a quarterly programme of events in advance. Well worth a visit (or several)

In Swindon, if you are looking for a theatre, the main one that you will probably hear about is the…read moreWyvern theatre in the town centre, but lesser known is the Arts Centre, in Devizes Road, in the Old Town area of Swindon. This is a bit of a hidden gem. They have lots of good shows and bands playing. You can have a drink and generally have a good time. It is not a huge great place and because of this, it has a better atmosphere. You are never far from the stage and wherever you are seated, you have a good view. It is situated in a good area of town if you want to go to a local restaurant after the show, to round your evening off. There is car parking about 5 minutes walk away.

Quite amazingly the Bristol Amateur Operatic Society's performances span over three centuries (the…read more19th to the 21st), their first performance was in 1894! While none of those performers are still with us, there are many talented living ones on display at their regular performances slots. You've just missed "West Side Story" which was pretty good, so look out for their next show. Ticket prices aren't as cheap as chips, £10.50/£14.00 but that is reflective of how seriously they take their performances and the level of entertainment. If you want to actually join the group you'll probably have to audition and pay them a bit of yearly money.

The Tobacco Factory Theatre is an independent business to the Tobacco Factory Café Bar, but they…read moreshare access to the beer garden and each other, and of course, are located in the same building. The owner, the visionary and philanthropist, George Ferguson, leases the space to the theatre, who also offer acting classes as well as an impressive and innovative theatre programme. There's something special about theatre in the round. Before moving to Bristol and discovering this little treasure, I'd only seen one performance in the round before. It was an Oscar Wilde performance at The Corn Exchange in Manchester on St Anne's Square. A lot of Wilde's work is situational and so lends itself to this kind of treatment. Inevitably, I was a convert. Since arriving in Bristol I've seen a number of productions at The Tobacco Factory. All of them have been consummate, but occasionally a little over-ambitious. There are many restraints to a theatre in the round production, and as these theatres are rare, directors generally have little to no experience of it before they come to stage something here.

If you fancy going to watch a play, comedy, or a bit of Shakespeare then this is the venue for you…read more It's small but intimate and the quality of the shows are always of a high standard. Downstairs they have a bar that serves great food, and drinks, there is a small al fresco outside area and regular Sunday Markets and live music. The Tobacco Factory is independantly owned and is part of a growing campaign to encourage and support independant business in the Bristol area, so go along and support the cause. It's a 'one stop shop' for the perfect night out and one in which you will not be disappointed.

The Watershed is a welcome break on that row of bars and clubs by the waterside. Where all the…read moreother venues simply exist to be a bar where the rowdy Saturday crowd revel in, the Watershed is more focused on socialising, good food, and screenings of movies with depth and intelligence. Much like the Little Theatre is to Bath, the Watershed is a must -go for more alternative, independent films. I love coming here to watch films because you are ensured that every film being shown is a good film, and not something brainless that you might waste your money on. The cinema rooms are a fraction of the size of a big cinema like the Odeon, which just adds more charm to the movie watching. It feels much more intimate, comfortable and private. Much like you're watching a good secret. Prices are good too, if you come here for a film before 4pm, rates are £4.50 (£3.50 concessions), which is a real good price for a good film. After 4pm, prices go up to £7 (£5.50 concessions). They have movies and documentaries for children too, during their Cinekids days, where kids pay £2 for a movie, and £3.50 for accompanying adults. Plus their Cinebabies days (which I think is such an amazing idea), where parents can bring their under 12 month old babies to watch a movie! The Watershed provides great facilities like a place to change nappies, and even a bottle warming service! This is super for parents to enjoy a film with their newborns, and get to know other new mom's around. The watershed is such a great place, all the years I've been going here, it's never disappointed me in terms of the films they screen, or the friendly service they give you when you're here.

The Watershed function spaces are great for small to medium conference events. They are…read moremultifunctional; the three cinema rooms (seating 43, 102 and 198 respectively) offer comfortable, air conditioned lecture spaces and the watershed 1, 2 and 3 rooms can be used individually or joined together to create a large space. The cafe/bar/restaurant sits between the cinemas and function rooms, offering food, drink and free wireless Internet. The staff are extremely hospitable; catering for all of your needs throughout the running of the event; from setting up spaces, to catering and even running last minute photocopying or printing. The Watershed is newly refurbished, clean and welcoming and in an ideal central location.

A very well organised well established young persons Drama group. Annual productions of a high…read morestandard. Excellent direction and great opportunity for building confidence and experience.

The Watershed has great food, and is worth going there even if that's all you're looking for. You…read morecan see out of the big windows over the river and at night it is very beautiful if you sit by the windows and watch the lights on the water. The first thing that Watershed is known for however is the myriad of interesting and quirky films and documentaries. You'll never find the summer blockbuster about blowing-things-up here, or the not-so-funny romcom. The films I've seen here are always surprising, and much much better than anything you'll see at the Odeon etc.

This is one of my new favourite places in Bristol. I never subscribe to e-updates...but I have…read moregiven in as I definitely want to know what is coming up at Watershed. Their website is just so user friendly too. Everything about it just works for me, from the location and vibe to film line up and cafe. The cinemas are intimate and new - no crusty lingering popcorn, musty smell and lots of kids talking through the whole film! It is such great value if you go to a screening before 5pm (only £3.50). The cafe just oozes cool - it is spacious, calm and full of interesting people. There is free internet available and if I needed a venue for a function / meeting, I would pick the private room here. Two thumbs up from me.