Theatre / Bristol old vic
Revealed: milestone in Bristol Old Vic redevelopment
Bristol Old Vic has reached a milestone in its ongoing redevelopment project. Captured by time-lapse photography over the last few months, the careful work undertaken by Gilbert-Ash to carefully remove the unwanted sections while protecting the iconic Coopers’ Hall can be seen in the video.
The old 1970s section of the building has finally been demolished, making space for Bristol Old Vic’s new entrance to begin construction.
While the space is clear of buildings, for the first time in living memory, the actual 251-year-old theatre – built on a plot of land behind King Street – can now be seen from the street itself. Since its construction in 1766, the Theatre has been hidden from view by either terraced houses – belonging to the now infamous Mr Foote and Mr Gill, or with various versions of a foyer space or later, a studio theatre and office space.
is needed now More than ever
The next incarnation, due to be opened in September 2018, will be a beautiful glazed entrance, housing a new bar, box office and the revealed 1766 wall of the theatre, open to view and accessible to all.
For more info, visit www.bristololdvic.org.uk/redevelopment.html
Bristol Old Vic’s King Street entrance through the years
Nineteenth-century version of the theatre entrance on the site of Mr Foote and Mr Gill’s house
Exterior of the theatre from 1902 until the renovation works in the 1970s, which then incorporated the adjacent Coopers’ Hall to create a new entrance
The 1970s building, which housed the studio theatre and office block
How the new theatre entrance will look upon reopening in 2018. Designed by RIBA Stirling
Prize winners Haworth Tompkins
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