News

It’s been a really busy few weeks here at the TF and there’s lots of exciting stuff to show and tell! Read on for details of Pinocchio casting, priority booking, feature interviews and much, much more…

Henry V

Andy Burden’s stripped down version of Shakespeare’s power play has been going doing a storm with audiences and critics alike, picking up 4-star reviews in both the Guardian and Venue Magazine. There are only two performances left, so if you want to experience “an engaging drama bristling with the themes of the original” show get in touch to book now!

Bonnie & Clyde

Next week Fairground arrive at the Brewery with Bonnie & Clyde. The Bristol-based company’s version of the story is dynamic and engaging, focusing on the real human experiences behind the legendary figures and exploring themes that are relevant to our times. The company use inventive and awe-inspiring physicality to tell their stories and the writing is full of wit, humanity and emotional honesty. It promises to be an exhilarating theatrical experience –  click here to book now!

Click here to read an interview with Fairground’s Artistic Directors, Tid and Adam Peck, that gives a fascinating insight into their creative process.

PLUS! We’re really pleased to be offering a BSL interpreted performance of Bonnie & Clyde on Thursday 14 October. Please contact the Box Office to book for this show.

Burn My Heart

At the end of next week we welcome back Trestle with a brand new piece of unmasked theatre based on Beverley Naidoo’s award-winning novel. Adapted by local playwright Rina Vergano, this fast-paced and poignant show about friendship and betrayal has already picked up a cluster of great reviews. Read them and see a trailer and pics from the show here. 

Pinocchio casting

After receiving getting on for 700 submissions in response to our casting call for this year’s Christmas production of The Adventures of Pinocchio, we held auditions to see 70 short-listed performers. Whittling it down to the final 6 was very difficult indeed, but we are delighted to announce that the following actors have now been cast:

Peta Dennis (Peta is a regular performer with local children’s theatre group Creaking Door. Coincidentally, she was also the model for our Pinocchio marketing image!)
Felix Hayes (Felix played the Captain of the Thieves in Ali Baba last year and was also in 2008’s A Christmas Carol.)
Hannah Summers (Hannah played the Red Queen in 2007’s Alice Through the Looking Glass and recently appeared in Narrow House’s Anything But Love at the Brewery.)
Eoin Slattery (Eoin starred in Rum & Vodka at the Brewery last autumn and can be seen in Fairground’s Bonnie & Clyde from next week.)
Mark Ross (Mark can currently be seen in Henry V at the Brewery.)
Krissi Bohn  (Krissi will be making her Tobacco Factory debut!)

SATTF priority booking

Don’t forget that if you’re a Friend of Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory or a TF Fan, then booking for next spring’s SATTF season of Richard II and The Comedy of Errors opens today. Booking for the general public opens at the beginning of November.

COMING SOON…

Fishwife
Half term’s not far off and we’ve the perfect show for little ones on offer at the Brewery Theatre in the form of Fishwife: Fishing for Finery. A charming puppetry show for everyone aged 3 and upwards, Fishwife is based on the Brothers Grimm story of The Fisherman and his Wife. You can find out more and watch a video promo of the show here.
(Also on during half-term, we’ve got fantastic family entertainment from Slightly Fat Features with Variety in the Factory. Click here to find out more.)

1984
It’s a little way off still, but already Northern Broadside’s production of 1984 that arrives here in November is creating quite a stir. This week it picked up a cracking 4-star review from the Guardian and tickets are selling fast. To find out more and watch a video promo, click here.

And finally…

SITE: Residency Programme
Theatre Bristol and Tobacco Factory Theatre’s residency programme is now in full swing, with Dancing Brick already having completed a four-week stint in the Brewery Studio, working on their brand new show Captain Ko and the Planet of Rice. There’s a really great interview with the four SITE producers on the Theatre Bristol website at the moment. Do take a look – it’s really inspiring stuff. You can find out more about SITE here.