Auditorium from Pit (2018) by Mike HumeBristol Old Vic
Our Georgian auditorium has remained largely unchanged since the theatre opened.
Over the years there have been several alterations and different decorative schemes, but today the seating levels, horseshoe shape and décor look just as they did in the 1800s.
Drury Lane Theatre (1808) by John Bluck|Thomas Rowlandson|Auguste Charles PuginThe Metropolitan Museum of Art
The design of the auditorium was based on the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London which was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. It was built to designs by James Saunders, David Garrick's carpenter at Drury Lane.
Auditorium from Upper Circle (2018) by Mike HumeBristol Old Vic
Originally the theatre only had 3 levels: the Pit, Boxes and Gallery. The fourth level where the Gallery is today was added in 1800, creating space for another 500 people.
page from a volume of seating plans showing bookers for the Theatre Royal Bristol (1791) by UnknownBristol Old Vic
The Boxes were where the richest Bristolians sat. There were 9 boxes, each named after a leading dramatist.
Seating plans in our archive at Bristol Archives show the names of everyone who booked a Box in the 1790s.
Photograph of original Gallery benches (2018) by Mike HumeBristol Old Vic
The Pit and the Gallery were the cheapest places to sit. The wooden benches on either side of our Gallery today are original benches from the Pit.
A review from our opening night on 30th May 1766 said...
"Last Night Curiosity and the Fashion led me to ... the New Theatre in King-street. Upon entering, it appeared rather gloomy and disagreeable ... but when the whole was illuminated there then appeared one of the finest Scenes Imagination can conceive!"
Photograph showing part of the Pit and Dress Circle from the Stage (Oct 1931) by C.D. Ruding BryanBristol Old Vic
By the 1940s the theatre was derelict due to a lack of audiences and funding after the war. The management were loosing money and so the theatre was auctioned off for only £10,500 in 1942. It was brought by the Metal Agencies Company who planned to turn it into a warehouse.
Photograph of workman painting one of the columns of the Dress Circle. (1943) by Evening PostBristol Old Vic
After a struggle to raise funds to buy back the theatre, the Council for the Encouragement of Music and Arts (now Arts Council England) stepped in. They spent £8000 restoring the theatre and by the summer of 1943 it was ready to reopen.
Photograph of ladder to Fly Floor (2018) by Mike HumeBristol Old Vic
In the 1970s architect Peter Moro radically redesigned the backstage of theatre.
The original stage was altered and the 19th century machinery moved to make space for larger scenery. The theatre’s acoustics were damaged, but restored during the 2012 refurbishment.
Architect's Impression of alterations by Peter Moro & Partners, Studio Theatre (1972) by UnknownBristol Old Vic
Moro also created a second on-site performance space: the New Vic Studio. This flexible space for experimental theatre was a radical departure from the Georgian style of the main theatre.
Auditorium from Stage Left (2018) by Mike HumeBristol Old Vic
In 2012 we combined the old and the new. A £12 million redevelopment of the auditorium, protected the original design of the Georgian auditorium whilst allowing 21st century technologies to bring improved acoustics and increased comfort.
Photograph of Bristol Old Vic foyer from Cooper's Balcony (2019) by Mike HumeBristol Old Vic
Our building has changed a lot but our mission hasn't.
Our desire to inspire and entertain the people of Bristol and beyond is still going! Come on in and see for yourself.
All our heritage work is made possible thanks to National Lottery players and our archive partners at the University of Bristol Theatre Collection and Bristol Archives.
