Seven new shows announced for 2025/26 at Bristol Old Vic

A flurry of extra shows coming to Bristol Old Vic this Winter/Spring, with the spine-chilling West End hit THE WOMAN IN BLACK, and the joyous stage adaptation of the best-selling novel THE BOY AT THE BACK OF THE CLASS visiting Bristol Old Vic for the first time, and the welcome return of the hilarious, spontaneous musical comedy sensation, SHOWSTOPPER!

Bristol Old Vic's hugely successful stand-up comedy season of one-nighters includes new additions ANDY ZALTZMAN, ANIA MAGLIANO and ABI CLARKE.

Tickets are on sale to members from today and on general sale Fri 26 Sep, 10am.

The Boy at the Back of the Class is a Children's Theatre partnership and Rose Theatre production, based on the best-selling, award-winning novel by Onjali Q. Raúf. After delighting audiences across the country, the smash-hit, joyful play is back with a celebration of friendship kindness and compassion.

There used to be an empty chair at the back of the class, but now a new boy called Ahmet is sitting in it. He’s nine years old (just like me), but he’s very strange. He never talks and never smiles and doesn’t like sweets – not even lemon sherbets, which are my favourite!

After learning that he has fled his own war-torn country, Ahmet’s classmates have ‘The Greatest Idea in the World’ – a magnificent plan to reunite Ahmet with his family. An unexpected and often hilarious adventure follows, all topped off with a terrific twist. Told from a child’s perspective, balancing heart and humour, The Boy at the Back of the Class highlights the power of good friends and courage in a world that doesn’t always make sense and reminds us that everyone needs a place to call home. Running at Bristol Old Vic from 31 Mar - 4 April 2026 and suitable for ages 7+.

In April, the legendary production of Susan Hill's chilling ghost story The Woman in Black comes to Bristol Old Vic for the first time. One of the most successful and longest running theatre shows in the history of London’s West End, this gripping production is a brilliant study in atmosphere, illusion and controlled horror. Now seen by over 8 million people worldwide, The Woman in Black continues to delight and terrify audiences of all generations.
 
Obsessed with a curse that he believes has been cast over him and his family by the spectre of a Woman in Black, Arthur Kipps engages a sceptical young actor to help him tell his terrifying story and exorcise the fear that grips his soul. Running at Bristol Old Vic from 21 - 25 April 2026.

We're also thrilled to see the return of Showstopper The Improvised Musical to start the new year with a bang from 27 - 31 Jan 2026. A brand new musical comedy is created from scratch at each performance of this award-winning show as audience suggestions are transformed on the spot into all-singing, all dancing productions with hilarious results. On 31 Jan, we're also delighted to see the return of The Showstoppers' Kids Show where suggestions are taken from kids and anything can happen!

In April 2016, Showstopper... became the first improv show ever to be nominated, and subsequently win, an Olivier Award (Best Entertainment & Family Show). It  has since been at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for the past 12 years, had a 12-week run at  London’s Other Palace in early 2019 and continues to play monthly at the Lyric Theatre in London’s West End. So whether you fancy Hamilton in a hospital or Sondheim in the Sahara, you suggest it and The Showstoppers will sing it!

These productions join previously announced season of Theatre work including Noel Coward's Private Lives,  the new stage adaptation of The Talented Mr Ripley, improvised murder-mystery Murder She Didn't Write, best-selling paranormal show Uncanny, the family blockbuster Treasure Island, Frantic Assembly's Lost Atoms and the Bristol Old Vic, Shakespeare's Globe and Headlong production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Further Spring/Summer work for the Theatre and Studio will be announced in October, to mark the start of the theatre's 260th anniversary in May.