Meet the categories: Bristol’s performing arts legends

Nominations are coming in fast for Bristol24/7 newest project, Bristol Legends.

With Bristol Legends, we want to spotlight the talent and people that make Bristol unique. One of the lenses we’re looking at this through is the performing arts.

There are so many wonderful performing arts venues, shows and individuals to celebrate in Bristol.

We want to hear which you think deserve to be celebrated as our performing arts Legends.

In this category, we are looking to celebrate legends in the areas of:

Events

Newcomers

Performers

Venues

Along with any other causes you believe deserve recognition.

Once we have your favourites, our team of expert panellists will whittle down the list and decide who will be named a Bristol Performing Arts Legend at our event in March 2026.

This year’s Bristol Legends performing arts panel features some of the frontrunners working on Bristol’s stages and beyond. Championing diversity, inclusion and creating safe platforms for others to excel in the performing arts, they are:

Nancy Medina

Nancy Medina is a renowned director and performing arts visionary – photo: Camilla Greenwell

Nancy is the head panellist of this year’s performing arts panel. She is the artistic director of Bristol Old Vic and a renowned theatre director in the UK and beyond. She co-founded the Bristol School of Acting and has directed acclaimed productions including Choir Boy and Yellowman.

Nancy’s work emphasises new writing, diversity and reimagining theatre for contemporary audiences, bringing extensive leadership experience and creative vision to the performing arts panel.

Aisha Ali

Aishi Ali is an artist, improviser and composer focusing on community and social justice in performance – photo: Aishi Ali

Aisha Ali is a Bristol-based non-binary, queer, South Asian artist, improviser and composer. Co-founder of Kiota, a collective supporting BIPoC artists, they focus on voice, body, improvisation and social justice in performance. Aisha brings insight into inclusive, community-driven and experimental approaches to the arts.

Vandna Mehta

Vandna Mehta champions diversity, youth engagement and community-driven arts projects – photo: Diverse Artists Network

Vandna Mehta is a creative producer and community arts leader, co-founder of the Diverse Artists Network (DAN) in Bristol. She champions diversity, youth engagement and community-driven arts projects, offering expertise in cultural equity, access and supporting underrepresented artists.

Wim Penhaul

Wim Penhaul is an expert in site-specific perfomance and innovative arts infrastructure – photo: Artspace Lifespace

Wim Penhaul is a Bristol-based arts professional and co-director of The Invisible Circus, known for large-scale, community-focused performance events. He co-founded Artspace Lifespace, transforming unused spaces into creative hubs. Wim contributes expertise in site-specific performance, community engagement and innovative arts infrastructure.

Roseanna Anderson

Roseanna Anderson is a dancer, choreographer and company director – photo: Bristol Old Vic

Roseanna Anderson is a dancer, choreographer, and co-director of IMPERMANENCE, a Bristol-based contemporary dance company. She creates work for stage, film and site-specific settings as well as developing local arts venues and training opportunities. Roseanna brings deep knowledge of choreography, dance performance, and arts development.

Bertel Martin

Bertel Martin is a key figure in community engagement, arts leader and cultural heritage – photo: Craig Fuller

Bertel Martin is a long-standing figure in Bristol’s arts and voluntary sectors, founder of the Bristol Black Writers Group, and chair of Tobacco Factory Theatres. His work spans production, directing, poetry and community arts leadership. Bertel provides perspective on cultural heritage, community engagement and arts leadership in Bristol.

Main photo: Andre Pattenden

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