Never one to shy away from a theme, Bristol Old Vic artistic director, Tom Morris, has used the notion of, ‘Build back better’, in designing the theatre’s come-back season. Big hitters in the programme are Emma Rice, Sally Cookson and Mark Rylance, each of whom brings a production of international quality to the Old Vic. With the Old Vic’s eyes set on the possibilities, creative and commercial, from new live streaming technology the shows will also enjoy an international audience. Tom Morris noted in his launch talk (itself live streamed) that the recent Touching the Void broadcast was watched in Antarctica!

Sally Cookson’s new production of, Wonder Boy, by award winning writer, Ross Willis, will have her signature mix of music, dance and theatrical imagination and in addition will use the BOV’s outreach department to engage marginalized communities.

Emma Rice will bring her own adaption of Wuthering Heights to the BOV for its world premiere. This is a co-production with the National Theatre, Theatre Royal York and Wise Children and promises to have a modern gothic feel with Ms Rice seeing it revenge tragedy. With the addition of music and dance it has all the makings of an unmissable evening in the theatre.

Mark Rylance brings a delayed world premiere to Bristol. His play, Dr Semmelweis, written in conjunction with Stephen Brown is the story of the 19^th century medical practitioner who challenged the theories and practices of his day and introduced antiseptic procedures, which directly led to the saving of countless lives particularly in the field of obstetrics. Although conceived and written pre-pandemic the play takes on a particular resonance in the current world situation.

Seizing the current concerns about race, slavery and its legacy, Giles Terera’s, The Meaning of Zong, is based on the infamous massacre of human ‘cargo’ on the slave ship, ‘Zong’, in 1781. The incident was brought to the attention of abolitionist, Granville Sharp, by the freed slave and first black autobiographer, Olaudah Equiano, and is used by Mr Terera to make connections between then and the present day.

The inventive and highly successful Wardrobe Ensemble will be bringing a time travelling Chistmas Show, Robin Hood: Legend of the Forgotten Forest, to the Old Vic. When a time travelling 21^st century kid is time warped back to the 12^th century, adventures in Sherwood Forrest and battles between good and evil ensue.

With renewed emphasis on community engagement via their outreach department and the nurturing of local talent through the Bristol Ferment initiative the theatre will continue to play a central role in the cultural life of the city.   Graham Wyles  24^th June 2021