Bristol-linked musicals dominate the line-up at the Bristol Old Vic theatre this autumn and winter
As tickets go on sale this week for the return of the theatre’s successful musical Starter for Ten, the Bristol Old Vic announces the raft of treasures showing at the South West’s flagship theatre.
First staged in February 2024, Starter for Ten is a musical adaptation of David Nicholl’s coming-of-age novel of the same name. Running again this year between 10 September an 11 October, audiences will once again be able to enjoy Mel Giedroyc reprising the roles of Brian’s mum, Irene Jackson, and Bamber Gascoigne’s side-kick Julia Bland. ‘I am genuinely so proud of our show and cannot wait for even more people to see it!’ says Giedroyc. Further cast members to be announced soon.
This musical will be followed by a Christmas-time production of Treasure Island, running 4 December to 10 January. The UK premiere of this new musical is created by Jake Brunger and Pippa Cleary, who both met at Bristol University, and were inspired by the Bristol links in the original novel by Robert Louis Stevenson.
For younger audiences, Bristol Old Vic have partnered with Little Bulb to produce Antarctica – a show filled with songs, clowning, puppets and ‘snowy surprises’. Of the production, which is suitable for those aged 3 plus, Little Bulb co-founder Clare Beresford said: ‘We’re over the moon to be bringing Antarctica back to Bristol Old Vic where we first created it in 2013! It was our very first show for children at the time and though it was a big learning curve we found that we absolutely loved creating work for that age range.’
For October half term, the Little Angel Theatre and Polka co-production of the best-selling picture book The Paper Dolls will be staged between 28 October and 1 November. The show features a combination of puppetry and original music.
For more information about other shows planned for autumn and winter 2025, go to bristololdvic.org.uk