SPRING 2017
SEASON
Jason and the Argonauts
Our Town
The Two Gentlemen of Verona
Directors’ Cuts Season
Under Milk Wood
World Class Training – Made In Bristol
oldvic.ac.uk
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Contents:
Welcome
When you see a production at Bristol
Old Vic Theatre School, it really is worth
hanging on to the programme to help you
follow the careers that you are seeing
launched. Recent graduates now making
a mark include Billy Howle in the BBC
Christmas Drama The Witness For The
Prosecution, Faye Marsay as Nina in
BBC1’s Love Nina and Pearl Mackie as
Doctor Who’s new assistant. And it’s not
just actors: Anna Orton is designing The
Messiah at Bristol Old Vic, Charlie Poole
made costumes for Young Victoria and
Jack Metcalfe is helping to film Poldark.
The students you see this spring will go on
to equally exciting things so do book now
to witness the start of these illustrious
careers.
We bring you an American classic, Thornton
Wilder’s Pulitzer prize-winning celebration
of small-town life, Our Town. It is a
wonderful evocation of everyday humanity,
on in mid February in our promenade
production at Circomedia.
Love and friendship are explored
in Shakespeare’s comedy, The Two
Gentlemen of Verona, at the Redgrave
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World Class Training – Made In Bristol
in late February and early March. We are
delighted to welcome back Bill Alexander
(RSC, Birmingham Rep) to direct this
production; comic tension abounds, as
does Crab the dog!
In May we make our first visit to the
Wardrobe Theatre in Old Market for our
month-long season of Directors’ Cuts four shows by our MA directing students,
presenting cutting-edge work by Stefan
Golaszewski, Nicolas Billon, Jon Fosse and
Sarah Kane. These are plays to stop you
in your tracks; contrasting, challenging
and insightful, come along to see the new
directing talent from the Theatre School.
Our commitment to community touring
continues this year with Jason and the
Argonauts, especially created for young
audiences, and the evergreen Welsh classic
Under Milk Wood. All details are inside this
brochure.
This season of theatre productions
continues our 70th birthday celebrations –
join us as the party continues
Paul Rummer Principal
Jenny Stephens Artistic Director
oldvic.ac.uk
Jason and the Argonauts
4–5
Our Town
6–7
The Two Gentlemen of Verona
8–9
Directors’ Cuts Season
10–11
Under Milk Wood
12–13
Full time & Short Courses
14-17
Support the School17
Calendar
18–19
Book all shows through our box office:
0117 973 3955 or online at oldvic.ac.uk
Mon - Fri 11am –2pm. Online booking is 24/7.
Venue information:
Jason and the Argonauts
The Two Gentlemen of Verona
Redgrave Theatre
Percival Road
Clifton
Bristol BS8 3LE
Directors’ Cuts
The Wardrobe Theatre
The Old Market Assembly
25 West Street, Old Market
Bristol BS2 0DF
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School
Our Town
Circomedia
St Paul’s Church
Portland Square
Bristol BS2 8SJ
Under Milk Wood
West Country Tour
Backwell Playhouse
23 Mariner’s Drive
Backwell
Somerset BS48 3HT
@BOVTS
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Redgrave Theatre
Jason and the
Argonauts
Image: markbeechillustration.com
Written & Directed by Toby Hulse
A refugee forced out of his own land, Jason sets out on an
epic quest across the known universe to find the magical
Golden Fleece that will prove his identity, and allow him
to find a home.
Around him, Jason assembles the ultimate crew of
misfits and outcasts – Heracles, the strongest man in
the world, doomed to perpetual wandering; Zetes,
part-man part-god, possessed with the power of
flight; Atalanta, warrior princess, raised by wild bears;
Orpheus, the legendary musician, driven mad by grief.
His journey brings him face-to-face with terrifying
dangers – the Harpies, the giant Amycus, an army of
skeletons – before having to face the ultimate peril…
himself.
A bold theatrical style, clear, accessible storytelling,
and live music bring these Ancient Greek legends
vividly to life for a new generation.
Suitable for anyone over the age of five
with a taste for adventure!
Sat 4 & Sat 11 February
10.30am
All Tickets: £8
Box Office: 0117 973 3955 / oldvic.ac.uk
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World Class Training – Made In Bristol
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Circomedia
Our Town
By Thornton Wilder
Directed by Paul Clarkson
“Some things are eternal..."
Our Town is about nothing, yet about everything. Following the
seemingly mundane suburban lives of the Webbs and the Gibbs
in a sleepy backwater of New Hampshire at the turn of the last
century, it charts the flowering relationship between two of their
children and speaks to all ages and all generations.
Thornton Wilder’s beautiful and simple writing attempts to stress
that the most important elements of life do not lie in measured
parts like achievements, popularity or wealth, but in passion, love,
friendship and a deep appreciation for all that exists in the world.
“While all of Wilder's work is
intelligent, non-synthetic and often
moving, as well as funny, it is OUR
TOWN that makes the difference.
It is probably the finest play ever
written by an American."
Edward Albee.
"No American play describes
more powerfully how we imagine
ourselves."
The New York Daily News.
Image: farrowscreative.com
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"Beautiful and remarkable one
of the sagest, warmest and most
deeply human scripts to have come
out of our theatre...A spiritual
experience."
The New York Post.
THIS IS A
PROMENADE
PRODUCTION
Fri 10 – Sat 18 February 2017
Eves: 7.30pm
Sat & Thu mats: 2.30pm
£15 full £10 concession
Box Office: 0117 973 3955 / oldvic.ac.uk
An amateur production presented by special arrangement with Samuel French Ltd.
World Class Training – Made In Bristol
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Redgrave Theatre
The Two
Gentlemen
of Verona
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Bill Alexander
How far would you go for your best friend if you were a young
man in love? Your love is returned by this girl of your dreams
but your dearest, oldest friend loves her too.
What would you do?
The eternal story of the love triangle is played out in the
young Shakespeare's first play.
Sexual confusion, young love, cross dressing and the
boundaries of loyalty and betrayal are all explored in this
modern dress version.
Image: farrowscreative.com
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Fri 24 February – Fri 3 March 2017
Eves: 7.30pm Sat / Tue / Thu mats: 2.30pm
£15 full £10 concession
Box Office: 0117 973 3955 / oldvic.ac.uk
World Class Training – Made In Bristol
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Sex with a
Stranger
by Stefan Golaszewski
Directed by Alex Moxon
Designed by Sarah Mercade
Tue 2 – Sat 6 May
Two strangers. One night. A brief
encounter. Adam and Grace have
just met; they are waiting for the
number 73 bus. Meanwhile Ruth is
at home...waiting for Adam.
Sex with a Stranger is a
brutally honest insight into
the era of casual sex and
broken relationships from the
BAFTA winning writer, Stefan
Golaszewski.
An amateur production presented by
special arrangement with Nick Hern Books.
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Iceland
by Nicolas Billon
Directed by Geoffrey Brumlik
Designed by Anisha Fields
Tue 9 – Sat 13 May
You Know What Money is?
Money Is Perfect.
Set against the backdrop of the
international banking crisis,
the lives of three strangers are
brought together through a bizarre
chain of events. But how are they
actually connected – and what has
that got to do with Iceland?
Winner of Canada’s top playwriting
prize, this dark and funny play
explores the nasty underbelly of
our global financial system.
The author is represented by Renauld &
Richardson, Paris ([email protected])
I am the
Wind
by Jon Fosse
English language version
by Simon Stephens
Directed by Charlotte Marigot
Designed by Charlotte Cooke
Tue 16 – Sat 20 May
Two souls on a fragile boat. A trip at
sea, a few drinks, a bite to eat. The
One decides to sail further out in the
threatening fog on the open ocean;
bound with The Other on a journey
into the unknown among the distant
islands, looking for a place to exist.
CravE
by Sarah Kane
Directed by Jessica Rose McVay
Designed by Eleanor Bull
Tue 23 – Sat 27 May
Set in an unidentified location,
Crave follows the fall of the
human mind in the midst of love,
loss and need.
We see four characters “A” “B”
“C” and “M”, or perhaps four
aspects of the human mind, who
have been singly, tremendously
traumatised by life.
The Wardrobe Theatre 7.30pm / Sat mats 2.30pm
Tickets: £10 / Season Ticket: £35 for all shows
Box Office: 0117 973 3955 / oldvic.ac.uk
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Backwell Playhouse
Under
Milk Wood
West Country Tour 2017
By Dylan Thomas
Directed by Christopher Scott
“It is spring, moonless night in the small town, starless
and bible-black, the cobblestreets silent and the hunched
courters'-and-rabbits' wood limping invisible down to the
sloeblack, slow, black, crowblack, fishingboat-bobbing sea...”
“Dylan Thomas’s beautiful, bawdy, affectionate, reckless
and deeply original play was justly crowned at its first
performance by a storm of cheers.” So wrote The Times on
Under Milk Wood’s stage debut.
Set in the fictitious fishing village of Llareggub, this twenty
four hour peek into the lives and loves of the likes of Captain
Cat, Polly Garter and Willy Nilly has continued to enthral its
audiences ever since. With its canvas of nonsense gossip,
feuds, affairs, fights, frauds and practical jokes, the play
pulses with the vitality and relish of real life characters reliving their dreams and desires.
Come closer now, and enter the world of Under Milk Wood.
“We are not wholly bad or good,
who live our lives under Milk Wood.”
Image: Zack Rieger.
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Thu 1 – Sat 3 June
Eves: 7.30pm / Sat mat: 2.30pm
£15 full £10 concession
Box Office: 0117 973 3955 / oldvic.ac.uk
Full tour details at: oldvic.ac.uk
An amateur production presented by special arrangement with Samuel French Ltd.
World Class Training – Made In Bristol
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COURSES
COURSES
Acting, Technical,
Production and
Management courses
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School is recognised
as one of this country's leading Conservatoire
Drama Schools, training students in a
professional environment for careers in the
Arts and Entertainment Industry.
Operating on three specialist teaching sites
and performing in the major producing theatre
venues in Bristol and on tour, our students are
trained to the highest standards for work in
theatre, film or radio drama.
The School has an outstanding graduate
employment record and an international
reputation as a centre of excellence. We have
strong links with all aspects of the industry
across the UK and beyond.
Our Courses:
• P
rofessional Acting
(FdA) (BA Hons)
• Professional Acting
(MA) International
• Professional Stage Management
(FdA) (BA Hons)
• Costume
(FdA)+ BA(Hons) top-up
• Theatre Design (MA)
• Scenic Art (MA*)
• Drama Directing (MA)
• Theatre Production Management (MA*)
• Film Production (MA*) * Subject to validation.
Short courses 2017
Short Acting Courses
Sing Out!
for 17 years+
Mon 24 – Fri 28 July Cost: £450
Intensive week-long courses in
professional acting especially designed
to sharpen and broaden your acting
techniques and skills. Classes focus on
Modern and Classical acting.
A five day singing course to develop and
explore your singing voice, giving you
technical tips to strengthen your voice,
extend your range, and give you greater
confidence in your singing.
Acting in
Contemporary
Drama
We will look at a wide range of repertoire and
styles through group singing, with optional
opportunities for solo work. An unmissable
chance to come and sing, explore, and have fun!
Mon 17 – 21 July Cost: £450
An intensive week long course in the
craft of modern acting. You will be learning
how to read and analyse a script in order
to create an appropriate and believable
character.
We will study the chemistry of human
relationships and the communication of
beliefs and feelings in order to portray the
message of the play and what it is saying
to the audience. This course is exciting,
rewarding, educational and life enhancing,
and hopefully, a lot of fun!
Acting in
Shakespeare Plays
Mon 24 – Fri 28 July Cost: £450
Shakespeare is arguably “one of the greatest
geniuses that ever existed”.
Photos: © Graham Burke
Visit our website for more information. Applications are made direct
to the Theatre School not through UCAS. oldvic.ac.uk
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World Class Training – Made In Bristol
Our aim in this week long course is to make
his work accessible to all. We will explore the
vagaries and complexities of the language
in order to expose the brilliant characters,
fantastic stories and emotional realities that
have made Shakespeare the world’s most
celebrated playwright.
“All the world’s a stage”... join us, join in, and
play one of the “many parts”.
World Class Training – Made In Bristol
Acting for Camera
An exciting and intensive three day course
working with industry professionals.
The course culminates in the shooting of a
scene with a professional director and crew
for use in your showreel. You will receive a
personalised DVD and data disc of your scene.
Cost: £395 each.
• Wed 29 – Fri 31 March
•
•
•
•
Mon 17 – Wed 19 April
Wed 12 – Fri 14 July
Mon 17 – Wed 19 July
Mon 11 – Wed 13 September
ACTiv8
Youth Theatre
for 7–18 year olds
Term time or holiday theatre skills experience.
See our website for dates of all youth courses:
For more information
and to book:
oldvic.ac.uk
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COURSES
NEW COURSE FOR 2017
Summer
Foundation Course:
10 weeks
An intensive actor training
course for students 18 years
or older. Mon 10 July –
Fri 15 September 2017
You will be working full time with top industry
professionals focussing on core skills that aim to
improve your artistry and make you a better actor.
Much of the course follows the main structure of the
current 2 and 3 year courses, with tutors either
working at or associated with the school.
Support the School
Individual production sponsorship has many benefits
for businesses including:
•Hospitality opportunities for your clients and staff
• Invitations to a rehearsal • Complimentary tickets
• Signed cast photos
The curriculum includes classes in Acting,
Characterisation, Movement, Voice, Improvisation,
Singing, Stage Combat, Accents & Dialects, Scene
Study, Audition Techniques, Text Projects &
Masterclasses. There will also be a visit to a theatre.
The main aim of this course is to introduce students
to life at a conservatoire drama school. It will give you
the opportunity to see if this is the right vocational
pathway for you. We hope to provide you with the
skills and professional experience to improve your
confidence, maximize your potential and give you the
ability to succeed in the acting profession.
arketing opportunities can include:
M
• Credits on all publicity • P
hoto opportunities
•Local and regional press • Social media presence
• Your logo on our website and tickets
• Advertising in the season brochure
Cost: £5,500
Entry is via audition.
For audition details, application form
and further information: oldvic.ac.uk
or email: [email protected]
Dates: First Tuesday of every month
Times: 7.00pm – 8.30pm.
Cost: £10 (cash or cheque on the door)
For more information and to register, please email:
[email protected]
What to expect:
World Class Training – Made In Bristol
A thorough voice work out including exercises to release
habitual tensions, enhance breath support, expand
resonance, extend pitch range and work on muscularity
of articulation.
Held at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School
and led by Carol Fairlamb, Head of Voice, this
monthly workshop provides an opportunity
to ‘trouble shoot' and be ‘show ready’. For
professional actors – either Equity or
Spotlight only
We are looking for talented, highly motivated and
committed students who want to improve their
skills working with top class professionals in one
of the world’s leading drama schools.
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Voice Workout
for Actors
For more information and prices contact:
Amanda Boyd-McLaughlin Development & Communications Manager
0117 973 3535 / [email protected]
World Class Training – Made In Bristol
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Spring 2017
Calendar
Directors' Cuts
Book all shows through our box office:
0117 973 3955 or online at oldvic.ac.uk
Mon - Fri 11am –2pm. Online booking is 24/7.
Jason and the
Argonauts
Redgrave Theatre, Percival Rd,
Clifton, Bristol BS8 3LE
Tickets: £10
Season Ticket: £35 all four shows
Sex with a Stranger
May
Iceland
February
Sat 4
Sat 11
The Wardrobe Theatre,
The Old Market Assembly,
25 West Street, Old Market,
Bristol BS2 0DF
10.30am
10.30am
All Tickets: £8
Our Town
Circomedia, St Paul’s Church,
Portland Square,
Bristol BS2 8SJ
Tickets:
Full £15 concession £10
The Two Gentlemen
of Verona
Redgrave Theatre, Percival Rd,
Clifton, Bristol BS8 3LE
Tickets:
Full £15 concession £10
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World Class Training – Made In Bristol
I am the Wind
February
Fri 10
Sat 11
Mon 13
Tue 14
Wed 15
Thu 16
Fri 17
Sat 18
7.30pm
2.30pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
2.30pm
7.30pm
2.30pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
Crave
February
Fri 24
Sat 25
Mon 27
Tue 28
7.30pm
2.30pm
7.30pm
2.30pm
7.30pm
2.30pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
2.30pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
2.30pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
2.30pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
2.30pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
2.30pm
7.30pm
May
Tue 9
Wed 10
Thu 11
Fri 12
Sat 13
May
Tue 16
Wed 17
Thu 18
Fri 19
Sat 20
May
Tue 23
Wed 24
Thu 25
Fri 26
Sat 27
7.30pm
7.30pm
March
Wed 1
Thu 2
Fri 3
Tue 2
Wed 3
Thu 4
Fri 5
Sat 6
7.30pm
oldvic.ac.uk
Under Milk Wood
Backwell Playhouse, 23 Mariners Drive,
Backwell, Somerset BS48 3HT
Tickets: £15 full £10 concession
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School
June
Thu 1
Fri 2
Sat 3
@BOVTS
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SPRING 2017
SEASON
Image: farrowscreative.com
Design: Just Design / thisisjust.co.uk
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World
Class Training – Made In Bristol
oldvic.ac.uk