british theatre company based theatre royal bristol present company established london associated financially independent organisation 1990s runs popular highly successful young people aged theatre royal oldest continually operating theatre english speaking world built king street bristol hall built incorporated theatre designated grade listed building called beautiful theatre england theatre complex completed phase million refurbishment increasing seating capacity providing flexible performance spaces main theatre royal auditorium complex includes studio theatre basement performance areas whilst theatre closed company continued present work studio basement spaces sites bristol opened history theatre theatre situated king street yards public entrance hall earliest surviving building site hall built company guild bristol architect façade columns remained hands subsequently public assembly room wine warehouse baptist chapel eventually fruit vegetable warehouse theatre built design auditorium traditionally taken based variations theatre royal london bristol architect supervised construction theatre built designs carpenter lane provided drawings theatre richmond surrey built long section survey plan local studies library richmond theatre close similarities bristol theatre proportions relationship actors stage spectators surrounding sides site chosen roughly rectangular site row medieval houses hall possibly new built ground floor houses king street gave access inside theatre opened performance including prologue epilogue given able obtain productions announced concert specimen evade restrictions imposed theatres licensing act ruse soon abandoned production neighbouring hall fall foul law legal concerns eventually granted theatre patent theatre took theatre royal time theatre started opening winter season joint company established perform bristol featuring famous names including ghost according legend bristol theatre auditorium rebuilt new sloping ceiling gallery break bath theatre managed elder little success slowly rose widow 1850s following death son law took lost interest theatre royal fell decline opened prince theatre originally known new narrow entrance constructed adjacent building formation bristol old relinquished lease theatre royal concentrating business prince theatre destroyed bombing second world war lease owners building sale sale perceived possible loss building theatre public appeal mounted preserve use result new trust established buy building leased building trust successor arranged company staff forming bristol old early members company included making appearance major barbara artistic director early triumph occurred production transferred west end longest running musical london stage time remained involved role taken city_council year london old disbanded bristol company fully independent plays council owned present theatre complex designed completed entrance building demolished number surrounding buildings stage area theatre new stage fly tower built technical facilities offices seat new studio studio theatre built place old entrance hall provided theatre grand façade area previously lacked 1970s 80s productions received locally tour late 80s faced chronic revival leadership brought increase audience numbers followed new funding package appointment joint artistic directors briefly branded organisation new bristol old sole artistic director artistic highlights times included production mouth tenure received shakespeare productions refurbishment july board trustees took controversial decision close theatre refurbishment members theatre profession feared future following public meetings winter newly formed board trustees appointed director executive chairman february company announced time associate director artistic director appointed artistic director previously worked executive director october merger combined charity chaired managing director fundraising campaign million planned refurbishment assisted appearances million provided closure company staged productions studio theatre basement locations bristol including treasure island king street summer revival hall christmas plan flexible theatre complex areas available performance cited inspiration paris main auditorium gained optional thrust stage increase seating stage area redeveloped additional capacity creating option separate second auditorium spaces redeveloped performance areas included rehearsal room opened september work mainly area planned refurbishment phase completed coincide anniversary theatre opening touring long history taking productions tour united_kingdom overseas notable production toured include hamlet arms man man seasons ceylon pakistan hamlet measure measure america holland belgium man superman june festival company frequent visits edinburgh festival productions toured london london productions taken plays britain major theatres recently produced companies west yorkshire regional theatres companies production recently transferred london west end followed major tour production playing recent touring productions include bristol old shakespeare production artist development strand sees work developed theatre touring internationally artistic directors opened affiliate organisation securing highest standards training performing arts associate school school began life october months founding parent room fruit merchant warehouse near stage door theatre royal yard derelict nicholas school adjacent warehouse company rehearsals crowd scenes stage fights late early 1960s notably productions romeo juliet starring canadian actor student school students frequently played crowd scenes fights school continued premises royalties musical days given school purchase conversion large adjoining victorian remain base today donation formally recognised new custom built dance movement studio school garden named school provides comprehensive training courses theatre radio film television professionals graduates found key positions actors directors set designers designers lighting designers stage company managers world notable distinguished actors school list alumni academy_award winners alumni peter prize coincide opening theatre launched award called patron prize later renamed prize following actors death award month contract offered graduating actors bristol old theatre school inaugural winners emily smith
Bristol Old Vic