Theatre / News
Artistic director Tom Morris to leave Bristol Old Vic
Tom Morris said that the future of Bristol Old Vic “has never looked fuller of excitement, opportunity and enriching creative challenge” as he announced that this upcoming season will be his last at the theatre.
Artistic director Morris has spent 12 years at the helm of the King Street building and will now embark on what he called a “fallow period” before taking on his next challenge.
Morris is the director of Dr Semmelweis currently playing in the main auditorium. During his time at the Old Vic, he has helped oversee a multimillion redevelopment programme, expanded the theatre’s engagement work across the city, and provided a platform for new work and new voices.
is needed now More than ever
Bristol Old Vic is the oldest continually-operating theatre in the English-speaking world – photo: Bristol Old Vic
Morris is an associate director of the National Theatre and was the artistic director of Battersea Arts Centre from 1995 to 2004. Prior to that he was an arts journalist and freelance producer.
“There is no job in British theatre as exciting as this one, and for much of the rest of this year I will continue to have the immense privilege of holding the relationship between the most beautiful theatre in Britain, the astonishing talent who relish creating and discovering their voices within it, and the endlessly inspiring city and people of Bristol,” he said.
“I will also be fighting as hard as I can to encourage all leaders in Bristol to seize our creative potential – the unique combination of energy, architecture, history, diversity, spirit and justice which make it the most creative city I’ve ever known.
“Imagine what might happen if we really committed to the celebration and release of creativity in each and every one of our citizens! Bristol could be a national and international benchmark of the value of creativity in society, cited and imitated as a trail-blazer across the world.”
Main photo: Bristol Old Vic
Read more: Breakfast With Bristol24/7: Tom Morris
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