Director Ali Robertson enthusiastically launched the new branding for the Bristol-based theatre group last night in the Tobacco Factory Theatre bar. He also announced the new summer season and the Christmas 2015 show.

The new programme is comprehensive with a wide and varied range of performances. Highlights include a new production of Living Quarters, by revered Irish playwright Brian Friel. Directed by Andrew Hilton, this is only the second time that the play will have been performed in this country professionally.

Tobacco Factory Theatres are partnering with the National Theatre of Scotland and Mayfest (Bristol’s annual celebration of trail-blazing performance) to bring Rites to the stage. Rites boldly explores the complexities, misconceptions and challenges that come with the deep-rooted cultural practice of female genital mutilation, and is based on recent interviews and stories from girls affected, their mothers, and the raft of professionals trying to affect change across the UK.

Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory is producing Sheridan’s School for Scandal, directed also by Andrew Hilton, and for the first time TFT are working with one of Bristol’s leading non-professional theatre companies – the Kelvin Players, established since 1929, in a production of Molière’s Tartuffe. This year will see the Bristol Festival of Puppetry back for its fourth season, Opera at TFT will be
back with Verdi’s Falstaff and there is a full programme for children and younger audiences. This year’s Christmas show will be The Light Princess, inspired by George MacDonald’s original fairytale, following on from the acclaimed production of 101 Dalmations from last year.

All details: tobaccofactorytheatres.com