10 Responses to “what does theatre mean to you?”

1. Amy Belson says:

   Is theatre in Bristol dead? We have one of the top theatre schools in the country and two Universities in Bristol producing the best theatre academics, writers, actors, designers and directors of tomorrow. But will any of them base themselves in Bristol? Does Bristol offer young theatre professionals opportunities to stay in the city? Or is the only realistic option London?

   We want to hear from the students of Bristol - are you planning to stay in the city? What does Bristol need to do to keep the talent that it creates? Some of the big names of the theatre trained in Bristol- but are any of them still here? There are not jobs in theatre for a new graduate especially with the Bristol Old Vic closed. You just do not get the same theatre buzz here like you do in London. Bristol Student If I based myself in Bristol I just would not get the same level of work like I would in other cities. Bristol Actor I love the city, but there is not enough going on in theatre to keep me here after I graduate. Bristol Student Speak up, be heard! Have your say. What needs to change?

   Can Bristol become a city at the forefront of theatre?

   March 26th, 2008 at 10:46 am

2. Felix says:

   I have just got back from seeing Roberto Zucco; beautifully performed by the Youth Theatre.

   With all the publicity surrounding the renovation of the theatre, i feel many Bristolians and other theatre goers believe Old Vic productions have crumbled into nonentity, yet this is not the case! Tonights performance simultaniously highleighted the raw talent and ability of the actors, and in doing so made me feel solumn at the fact that there were not more in the audiance to get bewitched into such a world. Although the amount of people watching should not affect a piece of theatre, i felt a sense of despair that the very people who post these you-tube videos claiming their love for the place, appeared absent.

   Perhaps this is a direct consequence of the Youth Theatre s neglect or merely the un commercial non narrative aspect of some of the works of the Youth Theatre. Ive seen Old Vic Theatre School productions, thus some of the actors in those pieces should be in awe of the organic acting and loose, more liberal structure of the story seen in works like Roberto Zucco. A section of text from the flyer reads Not suitable for children under 14. Whilst this is sensible, as the issues the performers tackle range from murder, violence ect… a part of me felt that all human beings should play audiance to such a narrative; it will set you up for life! Moreover, the costumes and set design demand appreciation from more than those who had the pleasure of viewing them. All of the cast owned a grey skin (made from material which looked like tights) making them move as if a blur behind a fogged up pain of glass. After all, arts audience should not be limited to those of a particular age. Picasso s blue period was a reaction to a horrific chapter in Spains history, of bloodshed under Franco’s regime. These works by picasso are not off limits to children, for it is their very abstractisity (not sure if thats a real word) which deems them acceptable.

   Maybe i am making a point out of nothing… Still, i urge anyone to go and see Roberto Zucco because at times the poetic language, along with haunting sound, captivateted me. Furthermore there was hilariouse moments which were created from the most least likely laugh out loud moment. Parts of the story were so poigniant and inadvertantly truthful. I can not say which specific bits im talking about, as you should go and see it. Really the magic was the fact that there was no SPECIFICLY engaging part. The whole of it was.

   March 27th, 2008 at 10:22 pm

3. Sarah says:

   we enjoyed a fantastic day at BOV yesterday. we saw truly teriffic theatre in the productions of persephone and narcissus and echo. also we partook in a very lively debate about the future of the theatre. i feel that the future is assured with so many young people visibly having a great time and with two such vibrant directors at the helm. good luck

   April 14th, 2008 at 1:46 pm

4. Louis says:

   I think the bristol old vic is a great place bursting with drama and fun, alot of celebrities have started from the bristol old vic e.g. Gene Wilder famously known in Roald Dahl’s charlie and the chocolate factory- I hope by attending the youth theratre classes I could end up like him.

   April 14th, 2008 at 1:47 pm

5. Stuart says:

   Theatre, for those involved is a passion. You can not be “sort of involved” with out wanting to be fully involved. Wether you just like watching shows or wether you are a performer, theatre can not be ignored. The Bristol Old Vic is a fantastic theatre involved in not only providing great entertainment, but ensuring that it will carry on.

   April 14th, 2008 at 1:47 pm

6. Tristan Darby says:

   Amy Belson.. YES Bristol can be at the forefront of the UK theatre scene but we need some pretty drastic changes in the way things work, and very importantly to have a lot more open discussion like there was at the open house on sunday, i was surprised at the little amount of time this was afforded on the day. I feel very passionate about this subject as there is SO much potential in a city like Bristol and an area like the south west, but things are not set up in a way to attract actors to move back here after training, or to stick around if they train here, and as an actor myself i’m sick to death with the thought that i MUST go to London to get work/Further Training/be a part of ‘the scene’ THIS is where I live and THIS is the place that needs Theatre o be a bigger part of society.
   Ironically, I was speaking on Sunday to a BOV Theatre School student director graduating this year, who is moving away to live and work in PLYMOUTH in a performing arts centre there to tackle exactly these problems that face Bristol by providing more training and events ect- Plymouth, although in the south west and not london is still miles away WHY ISN’T THIS SORT OF THING HAPPENING IN BRISTOL????!!
   There is also an issue with the way that we market theatre in the region from City to City and also within our cities from Theatre to Theatre. It seems to be that we think it is enough to put up a few posters around the place and give out a few brochures to our ‘mailing lists’ instead of looking into things like viral marketing like the RSC use with clips of their productions(-check out richard3rd and you’ll see what I mean). and the use of street theatre and the like. also whats wrong with having one totally free day of every performance as surely word of mouth is the very best form of adverising. We need to centralise promotion with all Theatre spaces working together not in competition to help promote theatre as a whole. Also-has anyone thought about using local actors to perform pre show snippets of their forthcoming productions in the theatre and also outside the theatre to create more of an atmosphere, or what about themed street theatre and the like and music outside and inside the building relating to the show on at the moment to create more of an ‘experience’. surely once a theatre gets people in through the doors it’s vital to keep them coming back for more by creating a buzz and giving them as much as possible for their ticket price-as well that it could use local actors in the process..!! This is a really exiting time for Bristol as although it is not good that the Old Vic is not functioning fully at the moment, it has put a real spotlight on the Bristol area as a historically vital theatre community and encouraged the sort of debate that we need to have accross the board in this sadly fading art form. I would welcome contact from anyone who feels the same so that we can approach who ever we need to get things MOVING!! darbnation@hotmail.com

   April 16th, 2008 at 5:12 pm

7. Corina Bona says:

   I think Theatre Bristol website is helping actors and companies in the south west to contact one another, know about work possiblities and promote their work.
   I think we need to take responsibility and see more theatre if that is what we want. Theatre venues need to help get audiences in by selling tickets at an affordable rate and considering and involving their audience in the theatre making process. Over the past few months the Tobacco Factory have been doing a night on Sunday called Prototype where local theatre companies can come along and perform extracts of their work and discuss it with the audience. It has given me the opportunity to create new work and help promote work that is happening. Mayfest which has traditionally had the Old Vic as a venue will still be on this year at the Tobacco Factory, the Arnolfini and the Alma tavern. Theatre in Bristol is Alive!! it is struggling and that is why if makes amazing and inspired work. We are not pandering to tourist and we are involving local people who have trained here. I agree that we need to do more marketing to help spread the word about what shows are on. We do have good publications that can help us do that. Like Venue and the Metro. We also have this Blog! So if anyone would like to come and support Fairground Theatre company May 5th we are fundraising for our production of The Red Man that will be on in June at the Tobacco Factory. May 5th will be a fun fill day with workshops cake and an open rehearsal of the produciton. Please tell as many people and come be entertained and involved.

   April 21st, 2008 at 10:50 am

8. Tristan Darby says:

   Hmmmm, Yes i’m aware of things like Theatre Bristol, which is a great way to speak to people and promote your work to and to post for jobs.. I think where I was getting at was that it would be great to actually meet everyone socially and chew the fat about what we care about and create a physical network of local people ‘in the business’ to bounce ideas ect off eachother, create even more new companies, the fact is for local performers the Bristol/south west based job posts from comapnies are too few and far between which is not a great insentive to stick around the area if you perform for a living(least of all because almost none of these positions are paid). Also yes, as people who live and work in the arts in the south west we should try and support eachother more in terms of attending performances ect, but ultimatley we need to look at expanding on the number of people that never/rarely attend performances, and I think that getting together and bouncing ideas is the best possible way forward. (hm, i can feel something organisational coming on) a lot of measures in place like tobacco factory night, TB website and theatre/performance sections in magazines do help to promote productions and local work, but only really to people already in the loop, we need to look at how we can best move forward together to extend this loop as far and as widely as possible.

   April 21st, 2008 at 1:45 pm

9. Alex.T says:

   It means to me what swearing means to Gordon Ramsay and chickens mean to terry.FAR FAR TOO MUCH!GOOOOOOOOOO THEATRE!
   WHEN I GET UP ON THE STAGE ITS ONE OF THE BEST FEELINGS
   EEEVVEEERRRRRR!YEAH ! !

   May 24th, 2008 at 7:53 pm

10. Nel says:

    hey guys,Nel here.
    had an amazing session on thursday. meant to be doing dance but we were in with 10 and 11. miranda ill. we were doing physical/dance theatre in pairs and everyone made some amazing stuff.
    great fun. was working with Emma and felt like a right spaz as she’s so good. made some thing quite nice though. loved Ella’s and Becky’s. well good.
    see all later,
    Nel

    October 2nd, 2009 at 6:28 pm

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