Theatre / News
The Red Lion gets ready for delayed kick-off at Bristol Old Vic
Joe Sims is a glass-half-full kind of guy. Despite the original run of The Red Lion being cancelled in March 2020 as cast and crew were preparing for press night, Joe says that at least they were able to enjoy the buffet before the Bristol Old Vic battened down the hatches.
Fast forward almost two years and The Red Lion is back at the Old Vic’s Weston Studio with the original cast and most of the original crew.
It’s a show set in the world of non-league football, with a team struggling to make ends meet until the arrival of a brilliant young baller hopes to restore the declining fortunes of the whole team.
is needed now More than ever
Taking a pause from rehearsals, Sims – a former member of the Bristol Old Vic Young Company now best known for his work on Broadchurch and Doctor Who – tells the Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast that he “can’t wait to get going”.
“For me, this is a play for Bristolians by Bristolians and it’s a love letter to Bristol and the people in it. It’s three generations of Bristolians in the dressing room of a semi-professional football club, and it’s a powder keg and it’s about to blow.”
Listen to Joe Sims on episode 35 of the Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Prior to the show’s original run, a casting call was put out to find a young actor who looked like a footballer.
After a citywide search, Thomas McGee from Patchway was cast in the role of Jordan, with his professional stage debut taking a little longer to come then expected.
The third member of the triumvirate on stage in The Red Lion is actor, screenwriter and former Bristol City FC match-day announcer David Lloyd.
Bristol City season ticket holder Sims himself grew up in Kingswood and later moved to Longwell Green, going to school in Cadbury Heath and Oldland Common.
“I think that talent’s everywhere but opportunity isn’t,” the 41-year-old continued. “That’s something I felt while growing up and I feel it acutely now.”
He added: “If you think that theatre isn’t your thing or you’ve never been to this beautiful building before, then come. You’ll be guaranteed a wonderful reception because I’m a working class Bristolian boy and I want to make things that I want my family and my friends to come and see…
“I want to see this bar filled with Bristolians of all walks of life, of all creeds and all colours. Just come and have a brilliant time because you’re more than welcome. You are in the right place.”
The Red Lion is at the Bristol Old Vic’s Weston Studio from February 3 to 19. For tickets and more information, visit www.bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/the-red-lion
Main photo: Bristol Old Vic
Read more: 33 things to do in Bristol in February 2022
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
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