Open Stage: Bristol Old Vic's annual showcase gives 260 Bristolians the opportunity to perform on-stage

Bristol Old Vic is delighted to throw open its doors once again for its 2022 Open Stage showcase, giving people from across Bristol and the West Country the opportunity to perform on the main stage – for one day only!

Taking place on Sunday 5 June as part of the weekend of Jubilee celebrations, the showcase will be hosted by Joe Sims and includes 260 performers across 26 acts, performing in three shows at midday, 3pm and 6.30pm. These shows are free and suitable for all the family. Seats are unticketed and available on a first come, first served basis. 

Highlights include:

Local choirs: Bristol A Cappella, SHE Choir Bristol and Bristol Rock Choir, plus the theatre's very own BOV Community Choir.

Comedic poems and monologues all about theatre by Willa King and Neil & Sandra, an Improvised Twilight Zone by Real Positive Poles, Oi Polloi performing what happens when 10 people are trapped in a box on stage, Evelyn Bonela's one-woman play about neurodivergence, and Carl James' about struggles with OCD. 

Punk poetry by TS Idiot, Princess Sparkles (a Professional Princess), a dark inner story of a housewife Gladys Medcroft, Rosanna Turner's 'The APPreciation Awards', 9-year-old Harris Katiisa Cheney's poem and performance poetry by Gabrielle Finnegan.

Plus, see some Work-In-Progress shows including stand-up comedians Jaleelah Galbraith and Tom Denbigh's monologue on the worst poetry night ever, music by Adam DeSantis and Mica Sinclair, comedy songs by Chloe Thurlow and traditional African dance by AFIDANCERS.

Open Stage began in 2016 to celebrate the theatre’s 250th birthday and has taken place every year since, moving online in 2020 and now returning to the theatre.