People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol favourites: Anna Harpin
Anna Harpin is the co-artistic director of the theatre company Idiot Child and works freelance as a director in Bristol. She is also an academic at the University of Warwick lecturing on theatre and film. Idiot Child are currently preparing to perform their new piece What if the Plane Falls Out of the Sky? as part of Bristol Old Vic’s biannual Ferment festival of new work. The show is on at 8.15pm on Friday, July 17.
Here are Anna’s top-five Bristol favourites:
The Arnolfini in the sun
is needed now More than ever
“Nothing beats strolling down to the harbourside on a sunny day and finding a square foot of concrete to sit on outside the Arnolfini amidst the throngs of others doing the same. You will always bump into someone you know, be offered a flapjack from a lady with plaits, and listen to busking of giddily varied quality. I love it there. And you can ramble round to The Cottage to watch the sun go down over the painted houses too. Aces.”
Portishead Lido
“Technically not Bristol, but its definitely ‘environs’ so I’m ‘aving it. Portishead Lido is an absolute gem. Once again, find a patch of concrete on the pool-side stoops, lay out your towel and book. Lounge about. Leap in the pool to cool off. Pop to the old-school tuck shop for a Chomp or Refresher bar. Splish splosh.”
The Bag of Nails
“The Bag of Nails is a pub full of cats and kittens where you can play records. I mean. Come on. My personal record has been having four kittens on my lap at once. I lost all feeling in my legs as I couldn’t move for over an hour but by god it was worth it. Kitty pile up with booze.”
Sunday southside stroll
“I love a stroll right the way up North Street, taking in such delights at the amazing shop Rhubarb Jumble which is full of vintage treats, meandering through the market at the Tobacco Factory, bimbling through Greville Smyth Park (above), winding up through Ashton Court for deer spotting (although beware the horse flies – bastards) and over the bridge. Time for a pint.”
The theatres
“A predictable choice but theatre and its folk have made my time so far in Bristol so it has be in this list. I have had exciting experiences in almost every theatre in the city (that sounds like I mean sex. Sadly I don’t). From the unexpected works-in-development at Ferment, to the array of work at the Tobacco Factory, the intense range of Mayfest shows, elegant works at Bristol Old Vic, the playfulness of the Wardrobe to name but a few. And all the bold initiatives that constantly crop up such as Raucous Collective’s upcoming show The Stick House under Temple Meads station. The theatre world here is collaborative and brilliant. And I loves it.”