Backstage Bristol Theatre News

The Last Picture - Weston Studio of Bristol Old Vic
2026-02-24 - 2026-02-28 | The Weston Studio BOV, BS1 4ED
Imagine yourself in a theatre in 2026. Now, picture yourself as a Year 9 student on a school trip. And then, as a citizen of Europe in 1939, watching history take a dark turn.
While you imagine, Sam will be by your side. Sam is an emotional support dog. Sam is here to look after you. Sam will keep everyone safe.
The Last Picture tells a story through images, tracing a path through a history we think we know. This is a play about empathy – its power, its limits, and what it asks of us. It’s about our shared past, our present, and the choices we face today.

Diverse Artists Network Community Celebration - Arnolfini
2026-02-21 | Arnolfini, BS1 4QA
Diverse Artists Network hosts a community celebration bringing together the network and wider creative community.
This gathering honours the power of artistic expression and highlights community resilience in the face of unrest, amplifying creativity as a force for connection, healing and change.
The day will be inclusive and family friendly.
Events taking place include:
– creative workshops for all ages
– live music
– theatre and dance performances
– open mic
– a raffle with exciting prizes
– delicious food and space to relax and connect.

Jon Udry’s Variety Bungalow - Circomedia
2026-02-20 - 2026-02-21 | Circomedia, BS2 8SJ
Born as an online experiment in 2020, Variety Bungalow is now back with an in real-life show you simply won’t want to miss.
Originally created to spark a little joy when the world felt uncertain and performers were out of work, it returns with that same spirit – but this time, the artists are back, bold, and ready to light up the stage.
Expect a night of high-quality cabaret, dazzling circus, a pinch of burlesque, and much more, all tied together by your host for the evening, Jon Udry. Relax and enjoy the show from cabaret-style seating with table service throughout the night.

Macbeth - Wickham Theatre
2026-02-18 - 2026-02-20 | Wickham Theatre, Cantock's Close, BS8 1UP
‘Something Wicked this way comes…’
After hearing the prophecies of three Witches, war hero Macbeth embarks on a savage killing spree to secure the throne of Scotland.
Shakespeare’s thrilling tragedy is presented by InterAct in an exciting psychological take on the classic. Plunged into Macbeth’s psyche through ambitious sound design and movement, audiences can expect to witness the propulsive tragic fall of literature’s greatest ever couple.

Squidge - The Wardrobe Theatre
2026-02-18 | The Wardrobe Theatre, BS2 0DF
White Noise Theatre brings Squidge to The Wardrobe Theatre this February.
It’s written and performed by screenwriter and actress Tiggy Bayley and directed by Selwin Hulme-Teague.
Squidge is described as a ‘powerful and poignant dark comedy’ which looks at the challenges in the education system. It’s been lauded by audiences for its honest and humorous portrayal of a reluctant teaching assistant’s journey of self-discovery.
It was a 5-star hit at Edinburgh in 2024, shortlisted for the Popcorn Writing Award.
It also went on to be a sell-out success at Soho Theatre.

Boxville - Weston Studio of Bristol Old Vic
2026-02-17 - 2026-02-21 | The Weston Studio BOV, BS1 4ED
Work with the Boxville engineers to craft-a-long with the story and build your own way through the tasks and trials of Boxville, earning everything you need to become a fully fledged cardboard engineer!
Using designer Sam Wilde’s trademark sustainable cardboard puppet style you will travel to Boxville, a land made entirely from sustainable cardboard.
You will meet paper dragons, corrugated crabs and cardboard space robots in this STEM skilled, hands on, interactive, cardboard adventure.

Contact Contemporary Dance Workshops - The Station
2026-02-17 | The Station, Silver Street, Bristol, BS1 2AG
South West Dance Theatre is running a series of workshops this half term in central Bristol.
The company behind Aperiodic by Way of Ballet Breakdancing and Hofstadter’s Butterfly, has sessions taking place for ages 7 years upwards.
Workshop Contact, will be looking at the science of how dancers make contact during movement.
It will be taught by Anna Davis and Owen Ridley-DeMonick.
11-1pm Session: kids and families (under 7s should attend with a grown up) – £9 each/£12 for 2 (or £5 each early bird)
2-4:30pm Session: teens £10 each/£15 for 2
For more informatino about South West Dance Theatre: https://www.instagram.com/southwestdancetheatre/

Knowle West Literacy Project - Spielman Theatre
2026-02-15 - 2026-02-16 | Spielman Theatre, BS3 1TF
London, 1950’s. D.I. Jack Payne is drafted in to investigate a murder, this is a crime the likes of which have never been seen before and the murder scene is, well, rather bizarre. Jack has unconventional methods to say the least; he sees the world differently, but his superiors and everyone around him want him to conform and do things “by the book” the way everyone else does. Jack’s unconventional approach lands him in trouble as he gets in deeper water trying to catch the murderer. But is it this very approach and Jack’s unique way of looking at the world that means he is the only one that can bring the murderer to justice? Should Jack change to fit the world, or should the world change to fit him?
This new theatrical work has been co-created with young people from Knowle West. The project aims to support literacy, creativity and confidence through the development of new theatre and has been made possible through funding from DJS Arts, The JJ Charitable Trust, The Jackson Family Fund and Arts Council England.

We’re Going on a Lion Hunt: Early Years Session - Circomedia
2026-02-14 | Circomedia, BS2 8SJ
DragonBird Theatre are bringing thisAmerican folk song to life with singing, theatre and play.
We’ll be hunting through swishy grass, mud, trees, a river full of fish and an exciting snowstorm!
Are you up for the adventure? Get your welly boots and binoculars ready and come and join us!
This interactive early-years show is perfect for ages 0 – 5 and their grown-ups.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - Winston Theatre
2026-02-11 - 2026-02-14 | Winston Theare, Richmond Building, Bristol, BS8 1LN
Music Theatre Bristol brings Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd musical to the Winston Theatre this February.
The Tony and Olivier Award winning musical tells the story of exiled barber Sweeney Todd. He returns to London seeking vengeance against the judge who framed him and ravaged his wife. His revenge leads him to Mrs Lovett, a failing pie shop owner. Mrs. Lovett’s luck sharply shifts when Todd’s thirst for blood inspires the integration of an ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up, and the carnage has only just begun.
Featured Image: https://www.instagram.com/emmasperfectphotos/

Nine Sixteenths at Tobacco Factory Theatres
2026-02-09 - 2026-02-10 | Tobacco Factory Theatres, BS3 1TF
Theatre maker Paula Varjack, brings Nine Sixteenths to Tobacco Factory Theatres in February.

It’s set in the world of mainstream pop cultures and based around the Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake ‘nipplegate’ incident at the Superbowl in 2004.

Described as a fun, fast and “hugely entertaining” show, it explores how Black women are treated by the media – as well as the public’s need for icons and positive role models.

Paula Varjack uses ‘nipplegate’ to examine how the media treatment of middle aged women has changed since the turn of the century.

Calm Session - Brunel’s SS Great Britain
2026-02-08 | SS Great Britain, BS1 6TY
The sessions have been designed for neurodivergent people

A calm session aboard Brunel’s SS Great Britain will be taking place in February.
The session has been designed for people who need to visit at quieter times, particularly benefiting neurodivergent people of all ages.
Staff at the ship worked with organisations including Bristol Autism Project and Bristol Autism Support to create the right environment.
And it’s not a static session either. Feedback is always gathered to make sure the sessions are best meeting the needs of its visitors.
For those familiar with the ship, you might remember the strong smells aimed at enhancing the visitor experience. There’s also a variety of soundscapes recreating the noises and chatter of what life would be like onboard.
For the calm sessions, loud noises and strong smells will be turned off or reduced.
This also includes the use of hand-dryers, with hand towels provided instead.
For those who do find themselves overwhelmed, there is a dedicated quiet space they can retreat to.
The upcoming dates that have been announced for calm session in 2026 are:
Sunday 08 February 10am – 4pm
Thursday 09 April 9.30am – 1pm
Saturday 13 June 1pm – 5pm

A Life with PIP - Tobacco Factory Theatres
2026-02-07 | Tobacco Factory Theatres, BS3 1TF
A Life With PIP, is a bold, short-form solo piece, written and performed by award-winning poet and disability-rights advocate Stephen Lightbown.
Stephen Lightbown is a Bristol based wheelchair-user, poet and storyteller whose work interrogates the lived experience of applying for benefit and navigating the UK welfare system. In A Life With PIP, he turns his own story of applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) into theatre—sharp, honest, evocative and full of humour, frustration and humanity.
Blending spoken word, storytelling and raw performance, A Life With Pip is particularly relevant today given recent proposed changes to the UK’s disability benefits system. The show takes the audience through the absurdity of a process stripped of humanity, a process that is designed to assess need but too often leaves the applicant feeling humiliated.
Based on lived experience, this is a show that speaks to anyone who’s ever had to justify their existence to a system that’s supposed to help, and is necessary viewing for anyone who wants to understand the system more.
The show was originally commissioned by Theatre Absolute and first performed at the Shop Front Theatre, Coventry on August 12 2021.
“This is my story, yes—but it’s also our story: every time someone is made to feel less than simply because they live with a disability, that’s the system telling them they don’t belong. I wanted to push back. I wanted to say: I am here, I will tell you how it really is.” — Stephen Lightbown

Image: Theatre Absolute at Shop Front Theatre

Any Objections? - The Wardrobe Theatre
2026-02-05 - 2026-02-07 | The Wardrobe Theatre, BS2 0DF
Bristol Harpist Scarlett Smith returns to The Wardrobe Theatre in Bristol with harp comedy show Any Objections ahead of a UK tour.
It was just a year ago that Scarlett charmed the Old Market audience with her wonderfully whimsical show.
Bringing together live looping of popular songs, wedding chat and comedy, it’s genuinely heartfelt and funny.
Any Objections? Will be on at The Wardrobe Theatre 05 – 07 of February 2026
And The Front Room Theatre in Weston Super Mare on 12 April 2026.
Tickets links:
The Wardrobe Theatre Bristol: https://thewardrobetheatre.com/shows/any-objections/
The Front Room Weston Super Mare https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/frontroomwsm/t-yzqovdn

CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation - Tobacco Factory Theatres
2026-02-01 | Tobacco Factory Theatres, BS3 1TF
No one knows who the killer is – not even the cast.
Everything about the crime is created live by the audience in this hit comedy improvised show.
“Each performance is created with the audience, making every show unique,” Co-creator of CSI Sarah Kempton says.
The show has been running since 2014, becoming a popular fixture with sell-out audiences at fringe festivals around the country.
CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation is just coming to the end of a UK tour, finishing at Tobacco Factory Theatres in February.
Cast
Lee Apsey
Steve Bond
James Cann
Kayleigh Cassidy
Danielle Downey
Sarah Kempton
Nicola Lucey

The Imposters! - Circomedia
2026-01-31 | Circomedia, BS2 8SJ
Presented by Circomedia and Slapstick Festival
Five characters on the run from the authorities escape capture, fall in love, fight their way through hordes of cops to solve the mystery of how they ended up on the wrong side of law.
With a live music score, The Imposters brings the charm, daredevil acrobatic stunts, romance, action and thrills of the Silent Movie Era live to the stage. Conceived and directed by Moira Hunt. Created and performed by Circomedia’s BA Contemporary Circus & Physical Theatre students.
Featured Image: Harley Strong

Men Behaving Badly - Barn Theatre
2026-01-30 - 2026-03-07 | Barn Theatre, GL7 1BN
The world premiere of the stage show based on the 90s TV series.
Four old friends and a wedding in the morning – what could possibly go wrong?
London, 31st December, 1999. Gary’s clinging to his youth, Dorothy’s had enough, Deborah’s got a plan, and Tony’s…still Tony. The world is bracing for Y2K as our favourite foursome prepare for their own Big Day, but when resolutions clash with revelations, the gang might just prove that the real millennium bug… is them.
Expect pints, fireworks, and a complete lack of adult supervision as we return to the flatmates where the TV series left off.
Written by Simon Nye and directed by Joseph O’Malley.
Men Behaving Badly The Play will be at Barn Theatre 30 January – 07 March 2026
Priority tickets on sale now
General sale starts Saturday 22 November at 1pm
For more information or to book, visit: https://barntheatre.org.uk/men-behaving-badly

Audrey Heartburn: Bingo at Tiffany’s - Tobacco Factory Theatres
2026-01-30 - 2026-01-31 | Tobacco Factory Theatres, BS3 1TF
Join the fabulously funny Tracey Collins as she brings you the hilarious, heartwarming, and bonkers Bingo at Tiffany’s, starring the one and only Audrey Heartburn!  This award-winning character comedian will have you in stitches as she takes you on a riotous ride through a night of musical comedy, bingo, and pure chaos.
Audrey’s traded the Hollywood hills for the real world—and she’s looking for love (and maybe a little bit of mischief) right here in Bristol!
Spin the bingo cage, shake those maracas, and dance the night away with this iconic character.

Artists Gathering All About Funding - Arnolfini
2026-01-30 | Arnolfini, BS1 4QA
Join Diverse Artists Network at the Arnolfini for its first Artists Gathering of 2026.

The session will be diving into funding.
There will be expert insight from Fleur Williams of Sasolo and Izzy Cross of Noods Levels.
Members of the DAN team will also be on hand to answer questions about how to fund projects.

Small Town Boy - Weston Studio of Bristol Old Vic
2026-01-28 - 2026-01-31 | The Weston Studio BOV, BS1 4ED
‘I want them to see it. To throw it in their faces in all its big, camp, messy glory.’
In the wake of their boyfriend Leo’s unexpected death, Edie – a drag queen from Bristol – travels down to Cornwall to meet the family they never knew of. Expecting small-town homophobia, Edie instead finds a community they didn’t expect. As Edie’s arrival awakens new emotions and old tensions, drag begins to trickle through this seaside town and truths begin to pour out.
How do you piece together a person who didn’t have time to find those pieces themself?
Written by Brenda Callis, directed by Frazer Meakin with sound design by Freddie Lewis.

Showstopper: The Improvised Musical - Bristol Old Vic
2026-01-27 - 2026-01-31 | Bristol Old Vic, BS1 4ED
With fifteen years as an Edinburgh Fringe must-see phenomenon, a BBC Radio 4 series, a critically-acclaimed West End run and an Olivier Award to their name, The Showstoppers have delighted audiences across the globe with their ingenious blend of comedy, musical theatre and spontaneity.
A brand new musical comedy is created from scratch at each performance of this award-winning show as audience suggestions are transformed on the spot into all-singing, all dancing productions with hilarious results. These incredible performers are guaranteed to impress as they create shows packed with drama, dazzling dance routines and catchy melodies – and it’s all made up on the spot!
So whether you fancy Hamilton in a hospital, Sondheim in the Sahara, or Cabaretat Cabot Circus, you suggest it and The Showstoppers will sing it!

Seder - Tobacco Factory Theatres
2026-01-27 - 2026-01-28 | Tobacco Factory Theatres, BS3 1TF
Anchored by the Jewish ritual of the Seder, this dynamic piece of live-scored physical theatre demands a new consideration of our survival stories. Through spoken word, explosive dance and an otherworldly score of harp, drums and distorted guitar, Adam Kammerling explores how we value our identities as survivors, and asks, is this safe?
The super-cohort features lead artist Adam Kammerling (Albany Associate Artist, Out-Spoken Press) and dancers, Si Rawlinson (Wayward Thread, Kakilang, My Neighbour Totoro) Elisabeth Mulenga (Goldfrapp) and musicians, Antosh Wojcik (How to Keep Time: A Drum Solo for Dementia, Bad Betty Press) on drums and Marysia Osu (Brownswood Recordings, Levitation Orchestra) on harp.
Together they create a highly dynamic environment for a non-linear storytelling experience that bursts into blasts of physicality and immersive sound.
Developed in response to the recent war crimes in Gaza and the ongoing oppression of the Palestinian people, this show, unable to tour in 2024 due to safety concerns, demands a renewed relationship with the loyalties we hold in grief.

Sam Hickman: First Woman at Strange Brew (WIP)
2026-01-25 | Strange Brew, Fairfax Street, Bristol, BS1 3DB
Sam Hickman is a British/American singing harpist. She will be bringing together comedy, cabaret and a bit of theatre as well as music in First Woman which will be at Strange Brew this January.
Performing as part of the Bristol Comedy Festival this year, First Woman looks at womanhood, motherhood, medical transition, and how to win it all.
First Woman asks how do we escape the trauma of our past and why do we wait to be happy?
Performed with the promise of ‘very elaborate and gorgeous’ costumes, this looks like a great show to kickstart your 2026
The Bristol Comedy Festival runs from 15 – 31 January 2026
Featured Image: Rhian Dixon Photography

CRIPtic Arts: The Acts - The Weston Studio
2026-01-23 - 2026-01-24 | The Weston Studio BOV, BS1 4ED
CRIPtic Arts presents… The Acts! Coming to Bristol Old Vic on 23 and 24 January 2026.
The Acts is a gathering of four daring new works from some of the UK’s most exciting disabled theatre makers.
Caitlin Magnall-Kearns weaves a love story of desire, guilt, and ageing with tender humour in The Ache of It.
Kathrine Payne’s dark comedy body job follows two lovers as they collide and unravel, exploring the growing phenomenon of lonely deaths in the UK and the tangled realities of shame, labour and love.
Tatum Swithenbank conjures REALMS, a spell-like journey through folklore, disability, and magick.
SO SHA invites us into Pruu the Pidj, a music-led ritual about survival, softness, and finding home in unlikely places.
In a cultural moment that asks disabled artists to fit into neat boxes, The Acts asks what happens when we refuse. When we choose mess, ritual, pleasure, grief, humour, and grit. When we make art on our own terms.
CRIPtic Arts: The Acts has Captioned, Relaxed and BSL performances.
Featured Image Artwork by Rachel Gadsden

Old Market Assembly 10th Birthday Party - The Old Market Assembly
2026-01-23 | The Old Market Assembly, 25 West Street, Bristol, BS2 0DF
The Old Market Assembly is turning ten years old.
As part of a week-long birthday celebration, The Old Market Assembly 10th Birthday Party, takes place on Friday 23 January 2026
It features live music from local legends The Bristol Hornstars.
Born from Bristol University’s Big Band Society, The Bristol Hornstars are one of the city’s most loved jazz bands.
Their 20-piece lineup blends jazz, funk, Latin rhythms and modern classics, turning any room into a proper party—the perfect soundtrack for the night.
Expect big brass energy, swinging grooves and a packed dancefloor in true Old Market Assembly style.
As a thank you for Bristol’s support over the last ten years, all tickets will be £10, with a limited number of student tickets available.*
Keeping the 10 theme going, you can tuck into discounted £10 pizzas from 19 – 24 January.
As we celebrate 10 years in partnership with The Wardrobe Theatre, the Snug Gallery will showcase never-before-seen photographs from the venue’s earliest days as a trip down memory lane into the making of the venue. Join their celebrations by booking a show via their website.
*Student tickets require a valid student ID card upon entry.
Entry requirements: 18+

Balance by Brainfools - Circomedia
2026-01-23 | Circomedia, BS2 8SJ
“Balance” is the latest original work from Brainfools, a company of exceptionally talented performers who expertly fuse dynamic circus arts with imaginative storytelling.
This is contemporary circus – an art form where breathtaking human skill, innovative object manipulation, and physical theatre take centre stage, offering a fresh and often surprising take on traditional circus.
Featured Image: Pablo Herrera

Living Spit Beauty and the Beast - Tobacco Factory Theatres
2026-01-22 - 2026-01-24 | Tobacco Factory Theatres, BS3 1TF
As North-Somerset based, Two-Person Comedy Theatre Companies go, Living Spit are widely known as being one of the most physically attractive to ever grace the British stage.
However, in this tale as old as time, one of them will be forced to portray a hideous, foul-tempered beast.
But which one will it be?
This is a re-worked, monstrously-musical, Disney-defying version of this classic French tale about what it means to be truly beautiful in the 18th century.

Community Open Doors Event - Circomedia
2026-01-17 10:00 - 14:00 (Europe/London) | Circomedia, BS2 8SJ
Drop into Circomeda at St. Paul’s Church for a free family event this January
Children and young people can try their hand at a range of circus skills like aerial hoop, trapeze, juggling and tightwire in Youth Circus Have-a-Go sessions.
Includes African Drumming and Dance Workshops with St. Paul’s creative and dance and drumming pro, Rubba.
Everyone is welcome – drop-in throughout the day and get involved.

EXPÖSED by Baby Lamb Productions - Alma Tavern Theatre
2026-01-16 - 2026-01-17 | Alma Tavern Theatre, BS8 2HY
Fashion designer extraordinaire “Ze Emperor” is on a ruthless rise to the top of Berlin’s fashion scene, but when his latest collection falls flat, he is in desperate need of something new.
Rumours of a cutting-edge fabric, spearheaded by an innovative Parisian duo, may be just what Ze Emperor needs to save his reputation and claw his way back to global fashion domination!
Featuring larger-than-life characters, a feel-good soundtrack and lots of silly jokes, Baby Lamb Productions brings you a tongue-in-cheek adaptation of The Emperor’s New Clothes, transplanted to the dog-eat-dog world of 21st century high fashion.
Following sell-out runs at the Bread & Roses Theatre and The Canal Cafe Theatre, and after becoming OFFIE-finalists for the latter, Baby Lamb Productions is thrilled to bring this “highly charged razzmatazz production” (Broadway Baby) to a new audience.

How Do You Sleep At Night - Weston Studio of Bristol Old Vic
2026-01-14 - 2026-01-17 | The Weston Studio BOV, BS1 4ED
It’s 3am and you’re wide awake. Your mind is spinning – exam results, unread texts, crushes, capitalism, that thing you said in Year 9. Homework’s due. The planet’s burning. Someone out there is sleeping soundly. How?
How Do You Sleep At Night? dives into the quiet (or not-so-quiet) hours before bed to explore everything that keeps us up – a late-night reckoning with the petty, the political, and the personal. With humour, honesty, and a lot of tossing and turning, this show follows a group of restless young people in pursuit of something that should be simple: a good night’s sleep.
It’s the latest show from Bristol Old Vic’s Young Company, devised by the company and directed by Paige Stevens.
