Bristol Old Vic Takes Free Theatre Into Schools

School pupils will be watching free theatre this autumn as Bristol Old Vic takes two brand-new plays into secondary schools across Bristol.

The free programme was announced last year as a way of tackling the barriers in accessing theatre and creative arts.

Young adults from working class backgrounds are four times less likely to work in creative industries than their middle class peers. Bristol Old Vic has been working on the issue as part of its 260th year celebrations.

There are 19 Bristol secondary schools taking part in the initiative that will see the MIB260 company of young theatre-makers tour schools with two new productions.

A Brit?ish Museum by Muneera Pilgrim has been created for years 7-9. It explores friendship, belonging and what it means to be British.

Dead Air by Sm Parker has been written for years 10 and 11. It tells the story of a group of Bristol teenagers who have created a guerrilla radio station in an abandoned school. It’s a world where adults have disappeared and children vanish when they turn 18. Except, lead presenter MIC is about to turn 18.

The productions are directed by Lisa Gregan – Literary and Directors’ Associate and Rikki Henry – Associate Artistic Director.

The MIB260 company has been formed from the Made In Bristol free training programme for theatre makers aged 18 – 25. It brings together a group of people to cover all aspects of theatre making, from stage management, design and technicians to actors.

“This tour is about ensuring a young person’s opportunity to experience theatre is not decided by their postcode or the pressures on their school budget,” Rebecca Dawson, Executive Director of Bristol Old Vic, says.

“Schools are facing extraordinarily difficult choices, and creative subjects, trips and live performance can be among the first things to disappear. If young people cannot come to us, we have a responsibility to take exceptional theatre to them.

“Bristol Old Vic aspires to be a theatre for the whole city, which means working beyond our building. We want every pupil we meet to feel theatre is relevant to them, that their voice belongs within it and that creativity can be part of their future.”

The 19 schools taking part this autumn are:

Fairfield High School
Nailsea School
Abbeywood Community School
St Mary Redcliffe and Temple
St Bede’s Catholic College
Oasis Academy John Williams
Bristol Cathedral Choir School
Kings Oak Academy
Yate Academy
Cotham Academy
Oasis Academy Brislington
Ashton Park School
Brimsham Green School
Bristol Free School
Brunel Bristol Academy
Bedminster Down School
City Academy
St Katherine’s School
Montpelier High School

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