Photograph of the Thunder Ru

The 18th-century Thunder Run is a wooden trough which slopes above the Stage. Spherical iron weights were rolled down it during performances so that peals of 'thunder' would reverberate above the heads of the audience.

It was last used in the 2016 production of King Lear as part of Bristol Old Vic's 250th anniversary celebrations. Prior to this, its last recorded use was in 1942.

This item was digitised by Bristol Archives 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.