After 12 years at the helm of the prestigious theatre, overseeing the renewal of its mission, programme and building, Tom Morris has announced that he will leave in the autumn of 2022 and that this future-focused season will be his last at Bristol Old Vic.
Statement from Tom Morris:
“The future of Bristol Old Vic has never looked fuller of excitement, opportunity, and enriching creative challenge,” says Morris. “This theatre, with all its history and potential is a superb place to explore what theatre might be in the future and what role it might play in shaping our society over the next decade. This season is just a foundation for that change. I can’t wait to see what unforeseen discoveries and creations emerge from it in the coming years.”
“There have been many points since March 2020 when it has seemed questionable whether the theatre industry, which contributes so much to our economy, our international reputation and the health and well-being of our communities, would survive at all. Thanks to the investment of the Cultural Recovery Fund, we and many others have survived, and the next, urgent and thrilling priority is to work out how theatre can contribute to the economic, social and environmental recovery over the next decade.
This programme is about rebuilding our business after the pandemic and creating a platform for a fully engaged Civic Theatre in Bristol over the next decade. Everything we’ve done over the last twelve years has been the preparation for this transformation.
The shock of sudden closure has given us and others in the industry the chance to accelerate our change, both in the way our business works with the thrilling opportunities of digital technologies, and the chance to create a theatre that genuinely connects with and belongs to everyone in this city.
There is no job in British theatre as exciting as this one, and for much of the rest of this year I will continue to have the immense privilege of holding the relationship between the most beautiful theatre in Britain, the astonishing talent who relish creating and discovering their voices within it, and the endlessly inspiring city and people of Bristol.
I will also be fighting as hard as I can to encourage all leaders in Bristol to seize our creative potential – the unique combination of energy, architecture, history, diversity, spirit and justice which make it the most creative city I’ve ever known. Imagine what might happen if we really committed to the celebration and release of creativity in each and every one of our citizens! Bristol could be a national and international benchmark of the value of creativity in society, cited and imitated as a trail-blazer across the world.”
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Bernard Donoghue, Chair – Bristol Old Vic
“The departure of any Artistic Director is a very significant moment for any theatre, but even more so for all of us at Bristol Old Vic. Tom has been an inspiring, visionary, brave, utterly creative and hugely hard-working and passionate Artistic Director and leader. His leadership has been a Renaissance for the theatre; in his time he has transformed the theatre physically and artistically; he has broadened our networks and enhanced our national and global reputation as a place where astonishing magic is created; he has deepened and embedded our roots in Bristol’s communities; and set justice, equality and diversity at the heart of our work onstage and off. He has provided platforms for new work, new voices and new stories to be heard and shared.
Most recently, with co-CEO Charlotte Geeves, he has navigated one of the most challenging and difficult periods in the theatre’s history as our work, productions and indeed our very existence was threatened by the consequences of the pandemic. He has done all this with energy, flair, boundless enthusiasm and real passion. We owe him a very great deal and thank him.
The end of this chapter means the beginning of another as we begin to find Tom’s successor. We will soon start a recruitment process to find someone who can build on Tom’s foundation and shares our values and our commitment to quality, access, diversity and social justice, and who can create theatrical experiences that will change lives, entertain, broaden minds, provoke, educate and last a lifetime.”
Sado Jirde, Deputy Chair – Bristol Old Vic
“The arts are often a place of exclusivity and of privilege, but Tom has been pivotal in questioning the work we produce, how we present it and ensuring the accessibility and relevance of the theatre to Bristol’s local communities.
In a time in which racial justice and the free expression of racial identity have been a key discourse in national debates on inclusion, belonging, nationality, Tom has been a strong and clear voice in the work to effect change. He is the embodiment of the secessionist motto, “To every age its art, to all art its freedom”. Under his leadership, Bristol Old Vic has driven the development of new spaces and opportunities for marginalised communities to freely and creatively express and engage with the theatre.
The development and expansion of these inclusive ways of working will form a central aspect of Bristol Old Vic’s leadership for many years to come, I and the rest of the board are committed to building on this foundation.”
