.png)
Theatre and performance
From major West End shows, to stand up comedy and performing arts festivals, Bristol has plenty of plays and productions to suit all tastes. Check out some of the top venues below, and towards the bottom of the page you'll find all the upcoming shows, plays and performances.
Theatre and performance venues
Watershed
Enjoy a lively programme of independent film, digital media and events at this fantastic media centre in the heart of the Harbourside
The Tobacco Factory Theatre
A popular theatre and café bar in Southville, with a programme of touring and in-house productions, childrens' and music events
The Bristol Hippodrome
One of the country's top provincial theatres, which proudly continues to stage major West End and Broadway productions
Colston Hall Bristol
Enjoy concerts and entertainment by major pop, rock, classical, leftfield and stand up comedy artists in this magnificent concert hall
Bristol Old Vic Theatre
Autumn 2012 sees Britain's oldest working theatre throw open the doors to its newly refurbished theatre.
Circomedia
An internationally-respected centre of excellence of circus-theatre training in the heart of Bristol with courses for all.
St George's Bristol
One of the country's finest music venues, offering the best in classical, chamber, world, folk, blues and jazz
Theatre and performance events
This Month
Bristol Festival of Ideas
Openings
Festival of Ideas
3rd May 2013-31st May 2013Bristol's Annual Festival of Ideas aims to stimulate people’s minds and passions with an inspiring programme of discussion...
Mayfest 2013
Openings
Festival dates
16th May 2013-26th May 2013Bristol’s unique annual festival of contemporary theatre
Mayfest: Not Until We Are Lost
Ockham’s Razor, who trained at Bristol’s own Circomedia, return to Mayfest with their second full-length piece, Not Until We...
Comedy: Yes Prime Minister at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Date
20th May 2013-25th May 2013Following two sell-out West End seasons, Yes, Prime Minister comes to the Bristol Hippodrome for 1 week only.
Bristol Festival of Ideas: Darcey Bussell - A Life in Ballet
Darcey Bussell comes to Bristol to talk about her career in Ballet
Mayfest: Praxis Makes Perfect
Openings
Mayfest: Praxis Makes Perfect
23rd May 2013-23rd May 2013Mayfest welcome National Theatre Wales to the city,with Praxis Makes Perfect
Mayfest: Hook, Skip, Repeat
Openings
Mayfest: Hook, Skip, Repeat
24th May 2013-26th May 2013Maritime history and crochet come together in this year’s Mayfest with several large-scale rope ‘doilies’ appearing across...
Mayfest: Zero
Openings
Mayfest: Zero
24th May 2013-25th May 2013Clod Ensemble, in association with Mayfest present, Zero — a turbulent mix of dance, music and visual theatre, set to an...
Comedy: Jack Dee at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Performance
26th May 2013-26th May 2013After a six year absence from Stand-Up, Jack is back, agonising over the slightest of annoyances and misdemeanours.
Theatre: Bohemian Rhapsody at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Date
28th May 2013-1st Jun 2013Bohemian Rhapsody - A Spectacular Tribute to Queen, Starring Superstar finalist Nathan James
Children's Theatre: The Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean at Bristol Old Vic
Openings
Date
28th May 2013-1st Jun 2013Winner of the best show for childen and young people, The Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean, a story about an inquisitive...
Theatre: The Watery Journey of Nereus Pike at Bristol Old Vic
Openings
Date
28th May 2013-1st Jun 2013This is a new show by Fringe First Award-winning comedian and theatre-maker Laura Mugridge
Theatre: Napoleon - A Defence at the Tobacco Factory Theatre
Openings
Date
28th May 2013-1st Jun 2013An hilarious, roller-coaster ride through actual and imagined history, Napoleon: A Defence will take you to places you...
Theatre: Lionboy at Bristol Old Vic
Openings
Date
29th May 2013-1st Jun 2013Lionboy tells the story of eleven-year old Charlie Ashanti. He's a perfectly normal boy, except for one thing: he can speak...
Wild Girl, family outdoor theatre at Tyntesfield
Openings
Date
29th May 2013-29th May 2013An outdoor family theatre performance about Memmie, feral girl who has grown up in the forest.
Theatre: The Dug Out at the Tobacco Factory Theatre
Openings
Date
30th May 2013-15th Jun 2013Splice Theatre (Under Milk Wood, Sus) returns to the Tobacco Factory Theatre with an exciting, original new play inspired by...
Next Month
Theatre: Bohemian Rhapsody at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Date
28th May 2013-1st Jun 2013Bohemian Rhapsody - A Spectacular Tribute to Queen, Starring Superstar finalist Nathan James
Children's Theatre: The Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean at Bristol Old Vic
Openings
Date
28th May 2013-1st Jun 2013Winner of the best show for childen and young people, The Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean, a story about an inquisitive...
Theatre: The Watery Journey of Nereus Pike at Bristol Old Vic
Openings
Date
28th May 2013-1st Jun 2013This is a new show by Fringe First Award-winning comedian and theatre-maker Laura Mugridge
Theatre: Napoleon - A Defence at the Tobacco Factory Theatre
Openings
Date
28th May 2013-1st Jun 2013An hilarious, roller-coaster ride through actual and imagined history, Napoleon: A Defence will take you to places you...
Theatre: Lionboy at Bristol Old Vic
Openings
Date
29th May 2013-1st Jun 2013Lionboy tells the story of eleven-year old Charlie Ashanti. He's a perfectly normal boy, except for one thing: he can speak...
Theatre: The Dug Out at the Tobacco Factory Theatre
Openings
Date
30th May 2013-15th Jun 2013Splice Theatre (Under Milk Wood, Sus) returns to the Tobacco Factory Theatre with an exciting, original new play inspired by...
Theatre: That'll Be the Day at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Performance
2nd Jun 2013-2nd Jun 2013The nation's favourite rock ‘n’ roll variety show returns by popular demand to Bristol
Comedy: Lee Nelson at Colston Hall
Openings
Date
3rd Jun 2013-3rd Jun 2013After hosting Live at the Apollo and selling out his three-times extended Lee Nelson Live tour, Lee Nelson brings a brand...
Theatre: Three Phantoms at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Date
4th Jun 2013-5th Jun 2013Three Phantoms from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s eponymous musical are set to haunt, host and perform in a unique event where...
Comedy: Reginald D Hunter at Colston Hall
Openings
Date
5th Jun 2013-5th Jun 2013Reginald D Hunter will be setting out to tour the country again in 2013 with his own unique blend of humour in a brand new...
Performance: Dreamboys at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Performance
11th Jun 2013-11th Jun 2013The Dreamboys are back with a brand new Show and Tour for 2013 titled - The Dreamboys Fit and Famous 2013 Tour
Comedy: Hugh Laurie at Colston Hall
Openings
Date
13th Jun 2013-13th Jun 2013The highest-paid TV actor in America (but still Bertie Wooster to you and me) showcases his “amazingly authentic” (The...
Performance: An Evening of Burlesque at The Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Date
14th Jun 2013-14th Jun 2013Camp and colourful, this fascinating art form is brought to life for your delectation!
Strictly Confidential at Colston Hall
Openings
Dates
14th Jun 2013-15th Jun 2013Craig Revel Horwood’s brand new show Strictly Confidential gives theatre audiences the chance to get up close and personal...
Comedy: Bill Bailey at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Performances
16th Jun 2013-16th Jun 2013Bill Bailey's show, Qualmpeddler has all the classic Bill Bailey elements, trademark musical mash-ups, multi-lingual riffs,...
Opera for Children: Benjamin Britten’s Little Sweep at St George's Bristol
Openings
Date
17th Jun 2013-17th Jun 2013An opera for children. The story of Sam the sweep boy, rescued by the children of the manor from the filthy chimney and...
Theatre: Moonfleet at the Tobacco Factory
Openings
Date
17th Jun 2013-18th Jun 2013Smugglers, shipwrecks, a haunted crypt, hidden treasure, vengeance and enduring love are the ingredients of J. Meade...
Theatre: The Pirates of Penzance at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Performances
18th Jun 2013-26th Jun 2013Pirates of Penzance - A production from Scottish Opera and D’Oyly Carte comes to Bristol
Make Sundays Special
Openings
Date
23rd Jun 2013-23rd Jun 2013Bristol city centre streets will be closed to motor traffic and community groups, activity leaders, artists and street...
Comedy: Al Murray - The Only Way Is Epic at Colston Hall
Openings
Date
23rd Jun 2013-23rd Jun 2013Broken Britain may be staring into the bottom of an empty pint glass, but don’t lose hope – Al Murray the pub landlord is...
July
Theatre: Soul Sister at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Date
1st Jul 2013-6th Jul 2013This brand new musical is inspired by the life and times of Ike and Tina Turner and features all the classic Tina Turner hits
Theatre: Diary of a Madman at the Tobacco Factory Theatre
Openings
Date
5th Jul 2013-6th Jul 2013Driven insane by government bureaucracy and hierarchy, Gogol’s dark comedy exposes one man’s reality spiralling deeper into...
The Bristol Shakespeare Festival 2013
Openings
Dates
5th Jul 2013-21st Jul 2013Bristol Shakespeare Festival returns once again with an array of multi-media events
Theatre: Save The Last Dance For Me at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Date
8th Jul 2013-13th Jul 2013Dreamboats and Petticoats meets Dirty Dancing in an all new Rock 'n' Roll musical.
Theatre: My Robot Heart at the Tobacco Factory Theatre
Openings
Date
11th Jul 2013-13th Jul 2013Inspired by experiments about love using robots in Japan, Molly offers the tale of three generations of one family and an...
Theatre: The Boy Who Cried Wolf! at Bristol Old Vic
Openings
Date
13th Jul 2013-1st Sep 2013The Boy Who Cried Wolf!..and other stories from Michael Morpurgo's Aesop's Fables is this summer's open air show for Bristol...
Goldney Gala – a secret city festival in aid of Sue Ryder Care
Openings
Date
13th Jul 2013-13th Jul 2013The magical Goldney Hall is home to one of the oldest quartz grottos in the UK and is only open to the public once a year....
BrouHaHa Comedy Festival at the Tobacco Factory Theatre
Openings
Date
15th Jul 2013-20th Jul 2013Bristol BrouHaHa 2013 is the 5th annual showcase of the best in UK stand-up. Featuring well-loved comedians such as Richard...
Ballet in the Park at Ston Easton Park
Openings
Date
19th Jul 2013-20th Jul 2013Ston Easton will once again be hosting 'Ballet in the Park' with the Covent Garden Dance Company.
Make Sundays Special
Openings
Date
21st Jul 2013-21st Jul 2013Bristol city centre streets will be closed to motor traffic and community groups, activity leaders, artists and street...
Theatre: The Six Wives of Henry VII at the Tobacco Factory Theatre
Openings
Date
22nd Jul 2013-27th Jul 2013Two actors. Too many characters. One big ego.
Kids theatre: Dora the Explorer Live at The Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Performance Dates
26th Jul 2013-28th Jul 2013Join Dora the Explorer and her friends on a live musical adverture that all the family will love.
Bristol Proms at Bristol Old Vic
Openings
Date
29th Jul 2013-3rd Aug 2013Inspired by the hugely popular promenade concerts staged in the 1840s, the Bristol Old Vic are delighted to launch Bristol...
August
Theatre: The Boy Who Cried Wolf! at Bristol Old Vic
Openings
Date
13th Jul 2013-1st Sep 2013The Boy Who Cried Wolf!..and other stories from Michael Morpurgo's Aesop's Fables is this summer's open air show for Bristol...
Bristol Proms at Bristol Old Vic
Openings
Date
29th Jul 2013-3rd Aug 2013Inspired by the hugely popular promenade concerts staged in the 1840s, the Bristol Old Vic are delighted to launch Bristol...
Shakespeare: As you like it by The Lord Chamberlain's Men at Tyntesfield
Openings
Date
2nd Aug 2013-3rd Aug 2013One of Shakespeare's popular comedy plays, performed by The Lord Chamberlain's Men on two separate evenings.
Theatre: Hairspray at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Date
6th Aug 2013-17th Aug 2013Follow the story for Tracy Turnblad at this hit musical Hairspray returns.
Make Sundays Special
Openings
Date
18th Aug 2013-18th Aug 2013Bristol city centre streets will be closed to motor traffic and community groups, activity leaders, artists and street...
Theatre: The Rocky Horror Show at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Date
19th Aug 2013-24th Aug 2013The worlds favourite Rock 'n' Roll musical, Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show
Comedy: Jimmy Carr at Colston Hall
Openings
Date
23rd Aug 2013-23rd Aug 2013Jimmy Carr brings his UK tour to Bristol
Theatre: Ghost the Musical at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Date
27th Aug 2013-9th Sep 2013Based on the phenomenal Oscar-winning movie that captured the hearts and imaginations of a generation back in the 90s, Ghost...
September
Theatre: The Boy Who Cried Wolf! at Bristol Old Vic
Openings
Date
13th Jul 2013-1st Sep 2013The Boy Who Cried Wolf!..and other stories from Michael Morpurgo's Aesop's Fables is this summer's open air show for Bristol...
Theatre: Ghost the Musical at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Date
27th Aug 2013-9th Sep 2013Based on the phenomenal Oscar-winning movie that captured the hearts and imaginations of a generation back in the 90s, Ghost...
Comedy: Bill Bailey at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Performance
26th Sep 2013-28th Sep 2013Bill Bailey's show, Qualmpeddler has all the classic Bill Bailey elements, trademark musical mash-ups, multi-lingual riffs,...
Make Sundays Special
Openings
Date
29th Sep 2013-29th Sep 2013Bristol city centre streets will be closed to motor traffic and community groups, activity leaders, artists and street...
Theatre: Thriller Live! at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Date
30th Sep 2013-30th Sep 2013A spectacular concert created to celebrate the career of the world's greatest entertainer and undisputed King of Pop
October
Theatre: Evita at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Date
7th Oct 2013-12th Oct 2013Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s extraordinary musical Evita embarks on a spectacular national tour.
Theatre: CATS at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Date
15th Oct 2013-26th Oct 2013Don't miss CATS, Andrew Lloyd-Webber's extraordinary record-breaking, smash-hit musical!
Make Sundays Special
Openings
Date
20th Oct 2013-20th Oct 2013Bristol city centre streets will be closed to motor traffic and community groups, activity leaders, artists and street...
Circus of Horrors at Wookey Hole
Openings
Date
25th Oct 2013-26th Oct 2013The Circus of Horrors presents what is undoubtedly its greatest show to date London after Midnight at Wookey Hole.
Theatre: Slava's Snowshow at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Date
30th Oct 2013-3rd Nov 2013A global phenomenon Slava's Snowshow is unlike anything you have seen before - It will be snowing in Bristol this autumn!
November
Theatre: Slava's Snowshow at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Date
30th Oct 2013-3rd Nov 2013A global phenomenon Slava's Snowshow is unlike anything you have seen before - It will be snowing in Bristol this autumn!
Opera: Welsh National Opera's Tosca at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Date
5th Nov 2013-5th Nov 2013Date
9th Nov 2013-9th Nov 2013Brought to you by Welshe National Opera - Tosca is a fast-paced operatic thriller
Opera: Welsh National Opera's Anna Bolena at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Date
6th Nov 2013-6th Nov 2013brought to you by the Welsh National, Anna Bolena re-imagines Anne’s final days in the scheming court of Henry VIII
Opera: Welsh National Opera's Maria Stuarda at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Date
7th Nov 2013-7th Nov 2013brought to you by the Welsh National, Maria Stuarda transports you to a Britain at war with itself and overcome by...
Opera: Welsh National Opera's Roberto Devereux at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Date
8th Nov 2013-8th Nov 2013brought to you by the Welsh National, Roberto Devereux re-imagines the tale of Elizabeth I and her favourite, Robert...
Ballet: English National Ballet's Le Corsaire at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Date
26th Nov 2013-30th Nov 2013Le Corsaire (The Pirate) is a thrilling ballet about Conrad, a dashing pirate, and his love for Medora, a beautiful harem...
December
Pantomine: Cinderella at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Cinderella
6th Dec 2013-3rd Jan 2014Classic Pantomine Cinderella comes to the Bristol Hippodrome this holiday season starring TV personality, Louie Spence -...
January
Pantomine: Cinderella at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Cinderella
6th Dec 2013-3rd Jan 2014Classic Pantomine Cinderella comes to the Bristol Hippodrome this holiday season starring TV personality, Louie Spence -...
Theatre: West Side Story at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Date
28th Jan 2014-8th Feb 2014Still, one of the most successful stage shows of all time
February
Theatre: West Side Story at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Date
28th Jan 2014-8th Feb 2014Still, one of the most successful stage shows of all time
Comedy: Barry Humphries - Eat Pray Laugh! at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Date
18th Feb 2014-22nd Feb 2014Barry Humphries, whose alter egos include inebriated cultural attaché, the Honorable Sir Les Patterson, the grandfatherly...
March
Theatre: Dirty Dancing at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Date
15th Mar 2014-5th Apr 2014Don't miss your chance to see this truly spectacular musical theatre event. You'll have the time of your life.
April
Theatre: Dirty Dancing at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Date
15th Mar 2014-5th Apr 2014Don't miss your chance to see this truly spectacular musical theatre event. You'll have the time of your life.
Opera: Welsh National Opera's Manon Lescaut at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Date
11th Apr 2014-11th Apr 2014brought to you by the Welsh National Opera, Manon Lescaut is the tale of the classic Fallen Woman
Opera: Welsh National Opera's La traviata at the Bristol Hippodrome
Openings
Date
12th Apr 2014-12th Apr 2014brought to you by the Welsh National Opera, La traviata is one of the world's best loved operas
