Cabot Circus’ Cutlers’ Hall transformed into pop-up theatre for one-off Christmas event

A magical Christmas fairy tale will come to Cabot Circus on Saturday 9th December, as the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School performs a new adaptation of the Brothers Grimm’s classic The Elves and the Shoemaker and The Nativity: While Shepherds Watched.  Families and theatre lovers are invited to Cutlers’ Hall in Quakers Friars, which has been transformed into a festive and pop-up theatre. The two performances will be held at 11am and 2pm with tickets available for FREE through Eventbrite. 

These public performances immediately follow on from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School’s annual winter tour to local primary schools. The second year BA Professional Acting and technical students at the renowned drama school have just finished performing to over 5,000 schoolchildren in Bristol and Bath, many of whom were given their first experience of live theatre. Each show is bursting with music, song and a healthy dose of festive spirit. The performances form part of an exciting arts and cultural programme, as Hammerson - owner and asset manager of Cabot Circus - continues to enliven and reinvigorate the destination by introducing new concepts, brands and market firsts which excite and engage new audiences.  Memorable moments this year include a pop-up gig headlined by DJs Roni Size and Massive Attack’s Grant ‘Daddy G’ Marshall which saw The Friary Building turned into a music venue this summer, the return of the Skatepark, a Pride installation, Unicornfest and a colourful 11.5m mural by Aardman Studios celebrating Bristol’s creativity.  

Sarah Tinsley, Director of Marketing & Placemaking, Hammerson said: “This collaboration builds on the strong cultural partnerships we have forged this year, as we evolve Cabot Circus into a leading multipurpose ‘destination’ offering a real mix of social, cultural and entertainment uses. Through our events and activations, our Friary building is also becoming a cultural destination in its own right and we are excited about repurposing the space once again for a new use. This is just the start and there’s more to come in 2024.” 
 

Fiona Francombe, Principal & CEO, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, added: “Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and Hammerson are fostering a positive partnership that we will continue to develop in the future. Our upcoming performances demonstrate the School's commitment to utilising the Quakers Friars space and engaging the local community, with free admission for families. 
“Through established values, outreach initiatives, and dedication to equality, diversity and inclusion, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School provides part of the solution for increasing culture and diversity in City Centre spaces.”  
 

Ali de Souza, Director of Drama, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, said: "These performances are an exciting chance for our students to engage the public when the city centre is alive with festivities, and immediately following on from our tours to local primary schools, where some of the schoolchildren will have experienced lived theatre for the first time. We’re all very excited to have this opportunity and look forward to strengthening the Theatre School’s relationship with local families.”  

The Elves and the Shoemaker will be performed at 11am, whilst The Nativity: While Shepherds Watched will be performed at 2pm.  Tickets are free and available on a first come first served basis when pre-booked through https://www.cabotcircus.com/events/bristol-old-vic-theatre-school-performances