Bristol Old Vic Theatre School

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School World-class training for careers in theatre, film & television. www.oldvic.ac.uk The building was officially opened in 1956 by Dame Sybil Thorndike.

The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School was opened in 1946 by Laurence Olivier as a training school for the Bristol Old Vic Company. It initially began its life in one room in a beautiful though cramped building behind the Bristol Old Vic stage door. It was affectionately then known as the ’fruit school’ as it was close to the fruit and vegetable markets, which surrounded the theatre. In 1954, Dorothy Reynolds and Julian Slade wrote for the Theatre School, the musical Salad Days. It went on to achieve enormous though totally unexpected success, with extended runs both in the West End and on Broadway. The show gave the Theatre School the much-needed funds to move to bigger premises in Downside Road - the School's current site. In 2003 the reputation and work of the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School was recognised by the government when it was invited to join a new scheme designed to provide secure funding for students. The Conservatoire of Dance and Drama invited the School along with RADA, the London Contemporary Dance School and the Northern School of Contemporary Dance to be a founder member ensuring the Theatre School can take the most talented students regardless of their own personal financial circumstances.

Introducing the cast of Romeo & Juliet ✨Get ready for this iconic story retold by our fantastic final-year BA Profession...
29/09/2026

Introducing the cast of Romeo & Juliet ✨

Get ready for this iconic story retold by our fantastic final-year BA Professional Acting students. Expect love, conflict, heartbreak and a brilliant night out for all!

🗓️ Sat 31st Oct – Sat 7th Nov

Tickets are on sale. Don't miss out get yours now, link in comments 👉

A fantastic end to our Summer Foundation course, with our students' Shakespeare project! ✨📸 Edward J Felton
28/09/2026

A fantastic end to our Summer Foundation course, with our students' Shakespeare project! ✨

📸 Edward J Felton

25/09/2026

We can’t wait for this very special event as part of our 80th anniversary celebrations this October! ✨

Join us for a live recording of The Good Listening To Show: Stories of Distinction & Genius hosted by Chris Grimes, who will be joined by luminary director and School alumnus Gregory Doran. 🎙️

Gregory will be here directing our BA Professional Acting 3rd Year students in Romeo & Juliet, and this is your chance to get a unique behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of theatre, directing and the making of this exciting production.

📍 1 – 3 Downside Road, Clifton
📆 Tuesday 13th October
🍺 FREE drink on arrival (sponsored by Bristol B**r Factory)

Get your tickets now, link in bio 👉

Introducing our BA Professional Acting Class of '27 ✨We are delighted to introduce our brilliant 3rd-year BA acting coho...
24/09/2026

Introducing our BA Professional Acting Class of '27 ✨

We are delighted to introduce our brilliant 3rd-year BA acting cohort! You can catch our actors on productions throughout the year, starting with our Autumn productions of Romeo & Juliet and Eloise.

Click the link in our comments to find out more about our BA Acting Class of 2027 👉

If you require any further information about any of our students, or would like to arrange a meeting with anyone, please contact Fiona Reed, our Industry Liaison at [email protected]

23/09/2026

Meet the star of our Autumn production of Eloise! ✨

We caught up with Jasmine Alleman to find out more about the production...

🗓️ Sat 21st - Sat 28th Nov 2026
📍 Redgrave Theatre

🎟️ Book now, link in comments ⬇️

Ready to take your acting to the next level? 🎭Dreaming of a future in stage, film or TV? Your journey could start here. ...
23/09/2026

Ready to take your acting to the next level? 🎭

Dreaming of a future in stage, film or TV? Your journey could start here.

The Young Conservatoire at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School is designed for aspiring actors aged 16-18 who want to develop their craft and experience professional-style drama training.

➔ Build your confidence
➔ Develop your acting skills
➔ Explore voice, movement & improvisation
➔ Learn from industry professionals

🗓️ Autumn Term: 1st Oct - 10th Dec 2026
⏰ Thursdays, 6–8 pm
💷 £205 for 10 weeks
🎭 Audition required - no audition fee

Your next step starts here. Apply now link in comments 👉

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Stephanie Cole OBE, an alumna of Bristol Old Vic Theatre School 1960.St...
21/09/2026

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Stephanie Cole OBE, an alumna of Bristol Old Vic Theatre School 1960.

Stephanie enjoyed a remarkable career spanning stage and screen, and was beloved for her many memorable roles, including in Coronation Street, Tenko and Doc Martin.

Our thoughts are with Stephanie’s family, friends and colleagues at this sad time.

RIP, Stephanie Cole OBE. ❤️

What a fantastic summer it’s been! 🌞✨Over the past 10 weeks, we’ve had the absolute pleasure of welcoming our Summer Fou...
18/09/2026

What a fantastic summer it’s been! 🌞✨

Over the past 10 weeks, we’ve had the absolute pleasure of welcoming our Summer Foundation students into the school, filling our rehearsal rooms with energy, creativity and an exciting buzz of learning.

It’s been wonderful to watch our students grow in confidence, develop their skills and embrace every opportunity along the way.

We’re so proud of everything they’ve achieved and can’t wait to see where their journeys take them next. Here’s to the next chapter! 🎭

Our recent BA Acting Graduates have been shining brightly over the summer! ✨Benjamin Cain (BA Acting Class '26) is starr...
16/09/2026

Our recent BA Acting Graduates have been shining brightly over the summer! ✨

Benjamin Cain (BA Acting Class '26) is starring in a one-man play and adaptation of Michael Morpurgo's Private Peaceful, currently on tour throughout the autumn. "What Cain is able to do with this story, written by famed author Michael Morpurgo, is nothing short of extraordinary." -Curtains Up.

Beau Bradfield (BA Acting Class '26) is in Owain & Henry, a Wales Millennium Centre and Welsh National Theatre Co-production. Showing from the 5th - 28th November 2026.

Elis Owen (BA Acting Class '26) has been cast in Pinocchio at the Sherman Theatre, a fully Welsh translation production running from 7th Nov - 30th Dec 2026.

Osian Davies (BA Acting Class '26) is in Season 3 of the BBC Drama Mammoth.

To check out our 2026 BA Professional Acting Graduates page, please click the link in our comments 👉

Address

1/3 Downside Road
Bristol
BS82XF

Telephone

+441179733535

Website

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