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Theatre Shows in Bristol

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Bristol's Theatre Scene

Bristol’s theatres: an overview

Bristol’s theatres and art galleries are as world-renowned as it’s underground culture (Banksy, Tricky et al). Think Bristol Hippodrome, Bristol Old Vic, The Tabacco Factory, Redgrave Theatre and the Department of Theatre at the University of Bristol, where the theatre journey starts for many young Bristolians. While Bristol’s theatres are all smaller than those of the capital and there’s no dedicated theatre district, you’re just as likely to see West End plays like the Book of Mormon and War Horse as smaller more experimental productions at one of the city’s dramatic festivals like Mayfest, Young Blood Theatre Festival and the Bristol Shakespeare Festival. Even clubs like Loko Club act as a sort of in-between for Bristol’s more immersive theatre productions that stem from circus-based theatrics of Circomedia.

Bristol’s Old Vic Theatre is nationally renowned for big-budget shows and for empowering new theatrical talent with Bristol Ferment. While the Old Vic and it’s companion theatre school cater for both experimental and traditional performances, the popularity of physical theatre elsewhere in the city continues to rise. Cicrcomedia’s school for circus performance and physical acting hosts shows from both its students and scratch nights put on by Ausform. The Tobacco Factory Theatre is South Bristol’s artistic hub with tickets for experimental theatre, comedy and workshops all available. Other theatres of note include The Alma Tavern in Clifton and the Wardrobe Theatre in Old Market (part of the Old Market Assembly).

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Our recent theatre recommendations

Sell out warning! Proper pagan fun from the alternative community at Bridge Farm. Delve into the true meaning of Halloween with storytelling, ritual, fire ceremony, esoteric folk music and Wych Elm's eldritch grunge-horror - it'll be just like The Wicker Man (with a PG rating)! Samhain at Bridge Farm at Bridge Farm Community.

Sell out warning! Attack Pro crank up the masked mayhem and melting KISS make-up, flipping Loco into a subterranean spandex battleground with a spooky seasonal twist. Inside: Welsh WWE titan Mark Andrews celebrates 20 years between the ropes, Deathmatch Prince Drew Parker defends his title against Chris 'The Stallion' Bronson + more grudge matches TBA. ATTACK Pro Wrestling - GOOSEBUMPS 11 Night 2 at Loco Klub.

Free entry / PWYC! This bumper editions of the priceless Anarchist Bookfair spreads its disruptive tentacles over five venues in Old Market, with radical publishers, direct action crews, free childcare, workshops on resisting immigration raids, blocking the Israeli supply chain, and more. Everything you need to stop doomscrolling, get informed, and get involved... Bristol Anarchist Bookfair at Exchange.

The thespian life is not all greasepaint and curtain calls… Argento’s former assistant director Michele Soavi made his debut with this gloriously unhinged horror chimera, a hallucinatory stew of backstage paranoia, baroque bloodletting and Hitchcockian mischief. Stagefright is a queasy little treasure chest of surface pleasures featuring bodies cleaved in two, pickaxes through the gob and an absolutely deranged final act. STAGEFRIGHT at Bristol Megascreen.

What our editors say

“Elevate is a skills-building programme for socially engaged theatre-makers and artists who are interested in working with a specific community of people. It is designed as a practical, explorative course that we hope builds a lasting creative community. We have a cohort of practitioners signed up for the term, but we also open up some sessions for all to book on to.”
From: An introduction to social enterprise: running yourself as a business

“Whilst this work is done by us in a theatre setting, we feel this workshop would benefit more people than just theatre practitioners. We particularly think community organisers and campaigners may benefit, but also any artists that work in community settings.”
From: Community theatre practice: Engaging with communities. Why and How?

“This workshop will benefit anybody who is passionate about everyday heritage and people's history – not just for theatre practitioners. Writers, story tellers, film-makers, and researchers may also find this helpful.”
From: Engaging with heritage to create original theatre

“Spend a relaxed Sunday afternoon in the theatre drawing faces and meeting new people. Portrait club welcomes everyone, even those that say they can't draw! Complete beginners are welcome and all materials and drawing boards will be provided. Free tickets are available for anyone who feels they need one, documents will not be required.”
From: Adult Portrait Club

“What to expect? Each session will be a mix of physical theatre games and exercises, dance improvisation, expressive art and playing creatively with voice. Expect lots of moving, creating nonsense worlds and nonsense sounds and soundscapes - drawing from and soaring on our personal and collective imagination.”
From: Silly serious sessions