Timothy West on stage at the Theatre Royal, home of the Bristol Old Vic
High drama in Bristol
In 1766, Mad King George sat on the throne, child prodigy Mozart wowed Europe, and the Theatre Royal in Bristol opened its doors for the very frst time. This month, the prestigious venue clocks up 250 years of drama – with the celebrations to match. The May bank holiday sees a whirlwind of events, from talks, workshops and guided tours to a street festival and a Sunday gala starring such illustrious alumni as Caroline Quentin and Sir Tony Robinson. Crowning the festivities is a season of world-class plays marking each of the theatre’s centuries, among them Sheridan’s The Rivals, Afghanistan veteran drama Pink Mist and a Eugene O’Neill piece starring Jeremy Irons – one of many celebrated thespians who cut their teeth at the theatre.