Popular Bristol Hippodrome shows cancelled in 'deep disappointment'

An opera company’s shows at the Bristol Hippodrome have been cancelled due to ‘increasing financial challenges’.     

Welsh National Opera (WNO) has announced it has made the ‘difficult but unavoidable’ decision to pull Bristol from its 2024-25 season. 

A planned tour to the Hippodrome in February 2025 has been cancelled, alongside a tour to Venue Cymru, Llandudno in May 2025.       

This means performances of Rigoletto and The Marriage of Figaro will no longer be held in the city.       

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WNO said it has taken the decision due to the ‘challenging economic times’ and ‘substantial reductions’ in funding.       

In Arts Council England's recent funding announcements, it confirmed that WNO would receive a 35 per cent (£2.2m) reduction in its funding from ACE, and an 11.8% reduction in its funding from ACW for 2024-25 (against its £4.5m application). 

WNO interim general director, Christopher Barron said: “We have had to make the regrettable decision to make changes to our 2024/2025 Season, which we know will come as a deep disappointment to our audiences in Bristol and Llandudno.     

“Our venue partners will of course be contacting all those who have already booked to arrange exchanges or refunds.   

“Our new financial situation means that we have the challenge of balancing a reduced budget whilst maintaining artistic standards in providing a stimulating programme of performance and engagement activities. 

“This means taking decisions that are difficult but, in the circumstances, unavoidable.  These have been carefully considered and have been discussed with both our venues and the Arts Councils.”