The continuing survival of Bristol Old Vic was never going to be a simple process. Since the announcement was made on 10 May to close the theatre for an 18 month refurbishment, questions have been raised about the fabric of the building, the possible success of an appeal to refurbish, the artistic policy and our relationship with Arts Council England.
The harsh truth is that Bristol Old Vic has been living on borrowed time for several years, largely due to the limitations of our beautiful but flawed Georgian auditorium and its 450 usable seats. Two main problems came to light over recent months. The building was in desperate need of refurbishment, especially the extremely uncomfortable seating, and although largely critically successful, the shows were not reaching box office targets.
Our understanding of the state of the building became clearer in the week leading up to the announcement of closure, and the board was briefed on May 4 on the presence of asbestos, poor electrical wiring and poor plumbing. While these issues presented no immediate concerns for the remainder of the season, this detailed information as to the actual state of a public space and the potential future dangers to Bristol Old Vic’s workforce meant that we had now reached a point where to delay would have been irresponsible. On its own these problems could have been addressed - work could have been carried out to a basic level of repair and the autumn season could have continued. However, the decline of Bristol Old Vic’s box office, following over spends on some productions, brought our finances to the brink of failure, where trustees could not be confident that the planned programme for autumn winter 07/08 would be affordable or successful at generating necessary sales.
The continued collapse in ticket sales for the spring/summer season confirmed our fear that the work on stage needed to be reviewed. The trustees, working closely with the arts council, saw the need to review the work of Bristol Old Vic. At no point in this process did the arts council force the board to close Bristol Old Vic, nor does it have the power to do so. We continue to have a close and supportive relationship with the arts council and long may it continue.
A lot of comment has been made regarding our autumn season and the high calibre of productions due to take place at that time. The quality of that artistic programme was never in doubt. However, given the declining box office over the last season and its cumulative effect, the extremely high box office targets needed for the autumn season to work financially was too great a risk. It was therefore considered to be a more prudent business decision to close on August 1, leaving the organisation in a financially viable position to plan for the future.
On the question of the appeal, of course this is going to be tough in the current economic climate. Nevertheless, the fantastic news of the Linbury Trust’s contribution of £1 million towards the appeal, instantly doubling the contributions already raised from trusts and the private sector, gives confidence that the target can be reached. Alongside a funding pledge of £2 million from the arts council and £1 million from Bristol City Council, this brings the total to £5 million, at which point a significant amount of work can be committed to. However, we still have to raise an additional £2 million through the public sector to reach our £7 million target.
Where to go from here? This decision now allows a full and wide-ranging strategy review to be produced in consultation with BOV supporters, the arts council and Bristol City Council, theatre practitioners and the Bristol community, to ensure a relevant, vibrant and successful theatre for the future - for Bristol and the nation at large. There is no doubt that Bristol Old Vic does have a future, that it has a place in the theatre community, both locally and nationally, and that this future will be all the brighter for having access to a premises worthy of its rich history and heritage.
Rupert Rhymes
Chair of the Bristol Old Vic Trust
Nick Bacon
Chair of the Appeal Committee
Clarie Middleton
Interim executive director
Bristol Old Vic
King Street
Bristol
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