Photograph of the Auditorium from Stage

By 1967, it was clear that the Bristol Old Vic Company had outgrown the backStage facilities which were available in King Street and on the 19th November 1968 an appeal was launched for funds for a major redevelopment.

During the redevelopment architect Peter Moro uprooted the original Stage and 19th century machinery to create more space for scenery and enable the Theatre to transfer shows efficiently to bigger Theatre s in London and receive touring companies from elsewhere.

The 1970s works also included the construction of a Studio Theatre , the New Vic, and the conversion of the Coopers’ Hall to the Theatre foyer.

This photo was taken ahead of the last performance before the Theatre closed for redevelopment.

This item was digitised by the University of Bristol Theatre Collection as part of Bristol Old Vic’s “Protecting and Sharing the Heritage of Britain’s Oldest Theatre ” project, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.