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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

Free entry! Exploring youth isolation, male mental health and the unseen pressures of student life, multi-award winning short Contact Hours tells its story with stark beauty and masterful emotional honesty. It screens alongside a sensitively led discussion on suicide prevention from the filmmakers and local mental wellbeing professionals. Join us for the Bristol Premiere of critically-acclaimed short film Contact Hours, with a live panel Q+A and discussion.

Sell out warning! Schnap out of it! Nicholas Cage’s wooden hand and Cher’s giant hair come together under the Brooklyn moon for some good, old, incredibly overacted Italian-American amore… just like mama used to make. The campest romcom of the 80s is honoured in maximalist Party Girl fashion alongside live cabaret, celestial crafts, and plenty of audience participation. Mom, she IS a rich man. There will be Cher themed cabaret, MOONs, crafts, and you will surely be STRUCK in awe of Nick Cage's unibrow. Come watch Moonstruck (1987) at the Cube.

The much-anticipated UK debut of Akropolis I, the first part of Kennedy Junior Muntanga’s new dance trilogy. Performed solo, Muntanga embodies four distinct characters to explore fractured identity, cultural memory, and struggles of belonging in post-colonial Western contexts. A combination of fierce physicality with dynamic, theatrical storytelling, rooted in the African diasporic experience. The first part of a new trilogy by Kennedy Junior Muntanga exploring fractured identity, intergenerational legacy, and diasporic memory.

Nu-mythology-makers Detriti~Core turn Ashton Court into a phantasmagoria of unearthly ritual, combining live music, performance art, installations, and club culture in an immersive takeover inspired by death, transformation, and the spirit of Samhain. Dress to decompose! An immersive event exploring the dark underbelly of the undergrowth through music, installation, and performance.

What our editors say

“The theatre has 10-15 spaces for wheelchairs accessible by lift with an unrestricted view of the screen. Please let us know (email, instagram) if you're planning on using these spaces so we can ensure availability.”
From: CINEMA TRANSEXUÀL PRESENTS - CHALLENGERS IN IMAX

“acta has been working with an ever-changing group of Young Carers from Bristol for twenty five years now. In that time, we have supported hundreds of young carers to create and perform their own original theatre.”
From: Turn Back Time by acta's Young Carers

“He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and is a frequent collaborator with, and mentor to, musicians, artists, theatre makers and arts and literacy charities. He was previously Editorial Director at Granta Books, where he published The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton, which won the Booker Prize 2013, and The Vegetarian by Han Kang, winner of the International Booker Prize 2016. He was the Chair of judges for the International Booker Prize 2025.”
From: George Saunders: Vigil

“This month at DragonBird we're going on a lion hunt! We're very excited to be bringing this American folk song to life with singing, theatre and play. We’ll be hunting through swishy grass, mud, trees, a river full of fish and an exciting snowstorm! Are you up for the adventure? Get your welly boots and binoculars ready and come and join us!”
From: DragonBird Theatre

“She has devised and choreographed for ensembles, led improvisation scores for site-specific work, created spoken word/sound poetry performance, improvised music for theatre & dance productions, and designed and performed installation-based work; showing work at places including Tate Modern, The Place, Curve Theatre and Victoria & Albert Museum. ”
From: Somatic Movement Workshop: Our Bodies Need Time and Space to Digest Ideas