Bristol’s best for theatre and film

Culture and drama run through Bristol’s veins, so whether you’re a musical theatre nerd or a complete film buff, these top-notch theatre and film venues are guaranteed to provide something you’ll love.

Bristol Hippodrome
St Augustine’s Parade, Bristol, BS1 4UZ
www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome
With seating on three levels giving a capacity of 1,951, this grand venue is one of the most magical places to enjoy professional high quality comedy and theatre. As well as holding regular tours of the theatre, shows coming up at the Hippodrome later this year include Dara O’Briain’s Voice of Reason, Russell Howard and guests in Funny Bones, Madagascar the Musical, the English National Ballet and Cinderella.

Bristol Old Vic
King Street, Bristol, BS1 4ED
www.bristololdvic.org.uk
First opened in 1766, this Grade I-listed building is the oldest continuously working theatre in the English speaking world, and is a truly remarkable piece of heritage. Entertaining Bristolians for the last 250 years, the Bristol Old Vic has withstood riots, financial decline and war, and is still standing to bring you the best of spoken word, comedy and musical theatre. Upcoming shows include Touching the Void, FUP: A Modern Fable, Twelfth Night, Giants of Science and A Christmas Carol.

The Cube Cinema
Dove Street, St Paul’s, Bristol, BS2 8JD
www.cubecinema.com
Volunteers at The Cube work hard to present the people of Bristol with cinema, music, cabaret, amateur film-makers nights, performance art, comedy and many other events. They ensure that a lifetime membership card will be the best £1 you will ever spend, and the calendar for later this year includes Cold War, The Illusionists, Daniel Blumberg and Marconi Union.

Everyman Cinema
44 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2NH
www.everymancinema.com
Boasting two-person sofas and armchairs instead of regular seats, and being able to order hot food and drinks to your seat, this venue should be everyone’s favourite. Providing all the comfort that comes with watching a film at home and the experience of a high-quality cinema, the Everyman caters to everyone. Upcoming showings include The Winter’s Tale: Live from Shakespeare’s Globe and the explosive new play I’m Not Running, as well as recent film releases.

Tobacco Factory Theatres
Raleigh Road, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 1TF
www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com
Tobacco Factory Theatres, in the heart of Bedminster, is an innovative theatre with strong ties to its surrounding community. Currently expanding to build a second studio theatre, TFT is developing its programme to be more interesting and inclusive. Tickets, in advance, are relatively cheap, and the theatre runs various outreach programmes and opportunities to get involved in theatre-making. And if that wasn’t enough, Shakespeare’s Henry V is being performed from until October 6.

THE WARDROBE THEATRE
25 West Street, Old Market, Bristol, BS2 0DF
www.thewardrobetheatre.com

The Wardrobe Theatre is a thriving venue in the heart of Bristol showcasing the best local and national theatre-makers, companies and artists. Their programme features theatre, comedy, storytelling, poetry/spoken word, dance, puppetry, cabaret, drag, improv, new writing and family shows, with a special emphasis on emerging artists and Bristol-based work. Upcoming shows include Murder, She Didn’t Write, Story Slam, Rocky Shock Horror, Oedipuss in Boots and Zoe Lyons’ Entry Level Human.

WATERSHED
1 Canon’s Road, Bristol, BS1 5TX
www.watershed.co.uk
This fantastic cinema in central Bristol is renowned for the right reasons. Watershed hosts various film festivals throughout the year, including Encounters and Slapstick, and screen art house, alternative and less commercial cinema. Better yet, tickets are just £4.50 for under 25s. There’s also a cafe bar that overlooks the water, which makes for a perfect place to study in the daytime.

20TH CENTURY FLICKS
19 Christmas Steps, Bristol, BS1 5BS
www.20thcenturyflicks.co.uk
20th Century Flicks is by no means conventional. It’s one of the UK’s last remaining video rental shops, and in a constant war against the likes of Netflix and Amazon in order to stay open, yet the owner has found a way to boost business by turning it into possibly the country’s smallest cinema. You are able to rent out this mini-theatre with up to ten friends and screen any film you choose for just £50. Either bring your own DVD or rent one from the shop’s collection of around 20,000, and enjoy a new environment whilst helping out a local business in the process.