Bristol Old Vic launches career-making playwright residencies

Artistic director of the Bristol Old Vic, Nancy Medina, has set out a five-year plan to support the development of new British writing. 

Concluding her first year at the theatre, she announced the return of a literary department that will focus on supporting writers and script development. 

Alongside this, she will establish a new initiative that will provide three five-year residencies for legacy, mid-career and early-career writers. 

The schemes will provide a space for writers to build their craft, and also commissioning support. 

This comes at a time when there are dwindling opportunities for developing playwrights, with funding cuts impacting opportunities dramatically. 

On the news, Medina says: ‘In 20 years’ time, we don’t want to be looking back asking where all the new British plays are. So, we are intentionally refocusing our support on writers; developing new voices for the stage that speak to new, diverse audiences, with stories that reflect the world as it is today.’ 

She continues: ‘We will commission and develop work that enthrals existing and new audiences alike, making a lasting contribution to a new canon of British plays which speak to Bristol and Britain.’