Theatre / closer each day
Closer Each Day: the Bristol phenomenon reaches its 13th year
Now in its 13th year, Bristol’s entirely unscripted soap opera and cult sensation Closer Each Day is back for its 28th season, taking place every other Monday at The Wardrobe Theatre.
Billed as an intoxicating mix of “the drama of Succession. The grit of Eastenders. The rumpy-pumpy of Sex Education,” the show also styles itself as “the unconventional and uplifting comedy hit” for which any given night is unique, and unpredictable.
Standing at well over 200 episodes, Closer Each Day has earned itself a loyal following of die hard fans. That said, the creators are passionate about ensuring that any given night stands up on its own and offers an equally fun experience for new audience members, or for those just visiting Bristol.
is needed now More than ever
Photo: The Wardrobe Theatre
“Who knows what will happen?,” they contend. “Maybe a passionate love affair, a murder, a spot of gardening or a nail-biting cliff-hanger?”
Lindsey Garwood is co-director of the show, as well as a cast member. “We are continuing to push ourselves,” she reflects; “and adapt and continue the longest improvised narrative in the world, the longest-running show outside of London ever, and one of the few serialised theatre shows in the world”.
Although integral to its nature, Garwood points out that the continuous aspect of Closer Each Day does render it difficult to access arts funding; most financial support is structured to support standalone projects with a fixed timeline.
200th episode of Closer Each Day – photo: Daisy Tian Dai
Despite this, the team is determined not only to keep the show running, but to constantly improve upon it, and to add value in other ways, too.
“As well as our regular show, we launched some very popular public masterclasses last year (2023) and we will be continuing with those,” says Garwood.
Photo: Daisy Tian Dai
“As our show is unique, we are able to offer workshops covering facets and techniques that nobody else does – we really enjoy them and get excellent feedback from our participants, too.”
The new season will include a Valentine’s Special on February 14, and the ever-dramatic season finale on May 27.
Photo: Daisy Tian Dai
Closer Each Day is at The Wardrobe Theatre every other Monday from January 15-May 27, at 7.30pm. For a full list of dates and to buy tickets, visit www.thewardrobetheatre.com. Discounted tickets are available to members of the show’s Neighbourhood Watch scheme (free to join).
Main photo: Daisy Tian Dai
Read more: Review: 200th episode of Closer Each Day: The improvised soap opera – ‘A vivacious showing’
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