Bristol's two big theatres do very different jobs: the Bristol Old Vic, on King Street, is the oldest continuously working theatre in the English-speaking world and stages drama and new work, while the Bristol Hippodrome, a few minutes away, is the city's grand touring venue for West End musicals, opera and ballet. Here's what each one is, and which to book for.
Bristol Old Vic
Bristol Old Vic opened on King Street on 30 May 1766, built by theatre manager John Hippisley, and it has been staging shows more or less continuously ever since, making it the oldest continuously working theatre in the English-speaking world. The original horseshoe-shaped Georgian auditorium survives, along with the adjoining Coopers' Hall foyer; both are Grade I listed.
It wasn't always straightforward. Theatre was heavily restricted under the Licensing Act of 1737, so the building's entrance was originally hidden behind a row of ordinary-looking houses on King Street, and early audiences had to walk through a private home to reach their seats.
The theatre's reputation for training actors runs just as deep as its building's age. Laurence Olivier founded the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School here in 1946, and its alumni list includes Daniel Day-Lewis, Jeremy Irons, Olivia Colman and Naomie Harris. The programme today mixes new writing, reworked classics and shows transferring to and from London, in a building that seats around 600, roughly a third of its original 1766 capacity.
Bristol Hippodrome
The Bristol Hippodrome, on St Augustine's Parade near the Harbourside, opened on 16 December 1912. It was designed by Frank Matcham, the era's leading theatre architect, and was his last major work before he stopped designing new buildings. The stage is one of the largest in Britain outside London, a legacy of the Hippodrome's original variety and spectacle shows: its opening night production, The Sands O' Dee, famously used a 100,000-gallon water tank built into the stage.
Today the Hippodrome operates as a touring house, sometimes called Bristol's West End, with a programme built around big-name musicals, opera and ballet on national tours. Its scale (just under 2,000 seats) makes it the wrong venue for intimate drama, but the right one for a full orchestra pit and a large ensemble cast.
How the two compare
| Bristol Old Vic | Bristol Hippodrome | |
|---|---|---|
| Opened | 1766 | 1912 |
| Location | King Street, Old City | St Augustine's Parade |
| Capacity | Around 600 | Just under 2,000 |
| What's on | Drama, new writing, reworked classics | Touring musicals, opera, ballet |
| Listed status | Grade I | Grade II |
Booking and getting there
Both theatres publish their own current season and prices on their box office sites, and shows vary week to week, so check what's actually on before you travel rather than relying on a fixed schedule here. Both are within a short walk of the Harbourside and Old City, and King Street's historic pubs, including the Llandoger Trow near the Old Vic, make a natural stop either side of a show.
If you're coming from outside the centre, read the getting around Bristol guide first: neither venue has dedicated parking, and Bristol's Clean Air Zone charges older cars to drive into the area both theatres sit in.
FAQs
What is the oldest theatre in Bristol? Bristol Old Vic, which opened in 1766 and is the oldest continuously working theatre in the English-speaking world.
What's the difference between Bristol Old Vic and Bristol Hippodrome? The Old Vic focuses on drama and new writing in a roughly 600-seat Georgian theatre; the Hippodrome is a nearly 2,000-seat touring venue for big musicals, opera and ballet.
Who designed the Bristol Hippodrome? Frank Matcham, the leading theatre architect of his era. It was his last major design before he stopped building new theatres.
Is Bristol Old Vic connected to Laurence Olivier? Yes, he founded the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School there in 1946, which has trained actors including Daniel Day-Lewis and Olivia Colman.
Can you get a tour of Bristol Old Vic without seeing a show? The theatre occasionally runs building tours and open days; check its own website for current dates rather than assuming it's open to browse.
Is there parking at either theatre? Neither has dedicated parking. Both sit inside Bristol's Clean Air Zone, so check your vehicle before driving in and consider public transport instead.