Bristol Old Vic marks 260th anniversary year with raft of newly announced shows and opportunities

Amongst a host of announcements coinciding with their 260th anniversary year, Bristol Old Vic have set out a new programme of commissioned and visiting productions to their main house and the Weston Studio.

Heading up their flagship productions for the second half of 2026 will be Lanny, adapted by award-winning west country writer Bea Roberts from the folk horror novel by author Max Porter.

It is directed by Bristol Old Vic artistic director Nancy Medina, and was commissioned in 2024 when the theatre renewed its commitment to supporting writers.

Lanny, Bristol Old Vic – artwork: Rosanna Morris

“Lanny is a brilliant example of the work we want Bristol Old Vic’s reenergized Literary department to cultivate”, reflects Medina; “a story with its roots firmly in the South West, created by phenomenally talented artists, whose work we cannot wait to platform. We could not be more excited to share Bea’s beautiful adaptation of Max’s extraordinary novel with our audience here in Bristol.”

Having originated at Tobacco Factory Theatres in 2011, Sally Cookson and Adam Peck’s Olivier-nominated Cinderella: A Fairytale will return to its home city for Christmas, in a remounted festive production for Bristol Old Vic.

Visiting work in the Autumn will include the critically acclaimed performance artist Bryony Kimmings with Bog Witch, her real-life story of uprooting her life to a cottage in the wilds.

Bog Witch, Bryony Kimmings – photo: Bristol Old Vic

Improvised whodunnit Murder, She Didn’t Write returns by popular demand, as does Richard Marsh of the Die Hard parody Yippee Ki Yay, who will present a new 80s homage, Top Gunchained, to audiences.

Physical theatre company Lost Dog will bring their re-mixed classic, Juliet & Romeo to the stage – a now famed production that has been performed in seven countries and translated into five languages.

EVITA TOO, Sh!tTheatre – photo: Christa Holka

And the inimitable Sh!t Theatre are back with Evita Too – in which they find surprising connections between the story of the infamous former Argentinian president Isabel Perón, and their own lives.

Newly announced comics set to be visiting Bristol in the coming months include Morgan Rees, Stevie Martin, Flo & Joan, Kiell Smith Bynoe & friends, Celya AB and Lucy Beaumont.

Kiell Smith Bynoe – photo: Corinne Cumming

In a continuing commitment to early career writers, actors and theatremakers, Nancy Medina has also outlined a range of opportunities for support and collaboration, designed to address systemic inequalities in the sector.

“The 260th anniversary is a moment for us to look to the future”, she notes, “and ask what sort of industry do we want to leave behind? How do we make it more equitable and with opportunities for all voices to form part of the story – on stage and off.”

Early Career Writers 2026,(l-r: Ayan Philip, Alice McKee, Deanna Rodger, Alex MJ Smith, Mercedez White) – photo: Bristol Old Vic

For more information and tickets to upcoming shows, visit www.bristololdvic.org.uk.

Find out more about Bristol Old Vic’s range of support opportunities for artists here.

Main photo: Bristol Old Vic (Made in Bristol, 2026)

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