The Bristol Old Vic may be 250 years old this year but there’s no way you can describe it as a stuffy, out of touch theatre. Yes, the grand old dame of King Street puts on serious plays on a stage that has seen the likes of Peter O’Toole, Daniel Day Lewis and Brian Blessed treading the boards, but it also embraces other forms of entertainment.
That was shown earlier this year at the Old Vic’s 250th birthday party when all sorts of performers entertained the crowds. We were there and had an amazing time. One of the highlights was RSVP Bhangra, an amazingly entertaining group. We were excited to hear that the band was returning to the theatre for a full set and jumped at the chance to see them again.
Bristol Old Vic is undergoing a major refurbishment so the main entrance is currently closed. You now enter through the backstage area which the staff have transformed in to a temporary bar. That just adds to the excitement, knowing that you’re having a pre-show pint where such legends of the theatre world have stood.
After ordering a few beers and the compulsory lemon sorbet for our little one we took our seats in the pit as the Old Vic rocked to the Indian beats. The contrast of the ornate surroundings and such rocky music is fantastic and it’s a great to see a new audience being introduced to this world class theatre.
We left the Old Vic with our feet still tapping and throughly pleased that there we’re now qualified, as the main guitarist said, in A-level Bhangra!
