Wonder Boy returns On Demand to anywhere in the world

Bristol Old Vic On Screen is making the smash-hit Wonder Boy available to stream in a limited run, in a new partnership with Digital Theatre who will host the streaming.

Written by Ross Willis’, the “unmissable” (Guardian) Wonder Boy celebrates the beauty in what makes us different, and is brought to life by Olivier Award-winning director Sally Cookson (A Monster Calls) in a blaze of colour, music and imagination.

It tells the story of 12 year-old Sonny, who is living with a stammer and trying to find his way in a world ruled by vicious vowels, confusing consonants and his ultimate nemesis – small talk. When he’s cast in a school production of Hamlet by the headteacher, he soon discovers that language is power and the real heroes are closer than you think.

After Wonder Boy's celebrated world premiere, which garnered huge audience and critical acclaim, Bristol Old Vic are  releasing a film of the production, recorded live at Bristol Old Vic, as part of their ongoing commitment for theatre to be accessible to everyone, anywhere in the world.

The original stage production took place in March 2022 and included a series of engagement projects around identity, belonging and being heard. Sally Cookson explained: “It is important that theatres continued to make connections, communicate and share ideas, particularly after the impact of the last few years. We decided it was hugely important to open up that conversation and make this production accessible to people who communicate in different ways”.

The show therefore focused on being as accessible to audiences as possible, with fully integrated creative captioning throughout, BSL interpretation, a socially distanced performance and three global live broadcasts during the run.

Its success was proof of the ongoing appetite for theatre performances to be available in a variety of ways to counter physical, economic or geographical barriers. So, from 23-29 May, we are pleased to be able to offer  Wonder Boy,  available to watch at any time or location best for you. There are also separate versions of the show with BSL interpretation or Audio Description.

Tickets for access to the streamed show are available to purchase in advance from 12 noon Monday 9 May, with the production released for a strictly limited digital run from 23-29 May.