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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! The sands sing for one night only! Dune The Musical turns Herbert’s dense desert saga into a one-man song cycle, with Gurney Halleck soundtracking destiny on baliset and guitar. Knowing jokes for book obsessives, and big choruses for newcomers... this is surprisingly moving, unsurprisingly wormy, deeply nerdy fun. Dune The Musical at Bristol Music Club.

Sell out warning! A fresh and accessible way into the Bard from award-winning writer, director and performance storyteller Debs Newbold. She transforms the Cube’s stage into the Tempest’s otherworldly isle in a playful, one-woman reimagining of Shakespeare’s most enigmatic work. The Tempest - Retold, by Debs Newbold at The Cube.

An LGBTQ+ History Month special from the good folk of Raise The Bar, showcasing four visionary queer voices in verse: award-winning British-Syrian writer Lisa Minerva Luxx, former Birmingham Poet Laureate and beatbox maestro Jasmine Gardosi, radical poet-activist Aflo and theatre-maker-cum-storyteller Anita Karla Kelly. All profits to MAP, so dig deep! A special Queer Solidarity event to mark LGBTQ+ History Month.

Sell out warning! Get your teeny tiny eyebrows and best Canadian tux to the Cube for a second annual nostalgiafest of live 00s-core cabaret + a showcase of music video greats. Hair whips! Rain machines! Futuristic filmed-inside-a-cheese-grater favourites! It’ll all be here! Plus it’s Party Girls so: heckling and singalongs are hiiiighly encouraged. The Party Girls are back again this January with a music video inspired night, because you all loved the last one so much

What our editors say

“Join us on Wednesday 20 May at The Jam Jar for a one-night takeover celebrating bold, brilliant, experimental performances by emerging queer ESEA (East & Southeast Asian) artists — plus a special performance from our host, the iconic Miss Dynasty Expect a joyful mix of theatre, comedy, music and surprises, all in a safe, inclusive, and seriously fun space. When the performances wrap, DJ FFINN will be on decks to keep the party going”
From: TASTE Bristol

“Uncovering a mysterious series of visions and omens, Ways of Knowing is a dance-theatre work which investigates the tools we use to predict and prophesy the future, from early meteorological devices to corporate trend forecasting and divination. Amidst an intricate system of set and improvised choreography, found text and visceral sound design, award-winning artists Emergency Chorus wield both science and magic to reckon with our precarious present and enter into the unknown.”
From: Emergency Chorus: Ways of Knowing

“Emergency Chorus is the collaboration between Ben Kulvichit (he/ him) and Clara Potter-Sweet (they/them). Since 2017, they have been working across theatre, live art and dance, creating collage-like performances of text, choreography, music and image. Their work deals with states of crisis and emergency, the relationships between ecology, capitalism and technology, and ways of approaching the future — all with complexity, strangeness and playfulness.Ben and Clara live in Bristol and are proud members of artist collective, Interval.”
From: Emergency Chorus: Ways of Knowing

“Hopefully hopeful, The Rest of Our Lives is a joyful dose of dance, theatre, circus and games. A cabaret of life and near death. Two middle-aged lives in an eclectic, spontaneous, predictable and random decline.”
From: The Rest of Our s

“Emergency Chorus is the collaboration between Ben Kulvichit (he/ him) and Clara Potter-Sweet (they/them). Since 2017, they have been working across theatre, live art and dance, creating collage-like performances of text, choreography, music and image. Their work deals with states of crisis and emergency, the relationships between ecology, capitalism and technology, and ways of approaching the future — all with complexity, strangeness and playfulness. Ben and Clara live in Bristol and are proud members of artist collective, Interval.”
From: Emergency Chorus: Ways of Knowing