Theatre / Bristol old vic
Celebrating 260 years of Bristol Old Vic
Bristol Old Vic first opened its doors on May 30 1766 and is known as the oldest continuously working theatre in the English-speaking world.
Now, the historic venue is celebrating its 260th birthday with a citywide treasure hunt, a family fun day and a silent disco.
To celebrate the milestone, 260 commemorative wooden coins are being scattered across the city; with hints as to their whereabouts will soon be posted to social media.
Lucy Hunt, director of engagement and heritage, an Old Vic birthday coin – photo: Sam McEvans
Hidden at landmarks, community hubs and cultural venues, successful treasure hunters can keep the coins as a memento and also claim a free ice cream at the venue.
The coins are designed to resemble the theatre’s Victorian ceiling rose and are a nod to the fifty silver tokens handed to benefactors who funded the theatre’s original construction.
To this day, original tokens entitle owners to see performances for free.
The festivities kick off with a free family day party – photo: Bristol Old Vic
As part of the Old Vic’s efforts to reach new audiences, a free birthday party for families is taking place on May 27.
Activities will include celebratory crafts, an “interactive theatrical adventure” and live music from Mini Attack, “performing hits from 1766-2026”.
Lucy Hunt, director of engagement and heritage, told Bristol24/7 that this youth-oriented takeover of the whole building is intended to create a space where “everyone’s equal and can come in and have a fun time”.
For more mature audiences, the festivities will culminate with a silent disco event on May 30.
“Come and dance on our stage,” added Hunt, “where Olivia Colman, Lesley Manville and Ian McKellen have all performed.”
The Old Vic has thrown popular silent discos for the past three years on New Year’s Eve, but this will be the first party on the stage itself – photo: Bristol Old Vic
Lastly, the Old Vic is inviting members of the public to participate in its “Your Story Our Stage” project by sending in a significant date from their family history.
Its heritage team is then sharing back information from the archives about what was happening at the theatre on that person’s special day.
One couple shared their wedding date, August 28 2012, and learned that Wild Oats by John O’Keefe was being rehearsed on the day they were married in Bristol.
Nancy Medina, the theatre’s artistic director, said: “We really wanted this birthday celebration to be filled with fun, joy and connection – a true party atmosphere for the people of Bristol, who are at the heart of our story.
“Our mission continues to be about ensuring Bristol Old Vic is a place for everyone and a home for powerful, inspiring live performance for generations to come.”
One of the earliest pictures of the theatre is from approximately 1805 – image: Bristol Old Vic
Looking ahead to the theatre’s 300th birthday milestone, Lucy said that she hopes that people in 2066 will still come together to share experiences in the era of artificial intelligence.
“I think it will become even more important as people are working more and more with bots in their jobs. It’s about human connection,” she added.
To find out more about the 260th birthday events, visit www.bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/bov-260
Main photo: Bristol Old Vic
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