Theatre and art to watch out for in Bristol this February and March

From long-standing tours to breakout artists, there’s an awful lot to see and do when it comes to art and theatre in Bristol throughout the next two months
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With so much to suddenly see and do in Bristol, it can be hard to decide what to prioritise. With the indulgence of winter and the lure of heading to the pub to get through the January blues, perhaps you’ve realised you’ve been lacking in culture slightly later, though?

It turns out February and March are full to the brim with brilliant theatre shows and art exhibitions, so we thought we’d make it easy for you and list out the best of the best that there is to see over the next two months. From new artists to watch out for to famous shows such as The Lion King heading to Bristol, there’s truly something for everyone.

THEATRE

Carmen by Opera in a Box

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Opera in a Box is a touring opera company in the South West of the UK aimed at bringing the opera genre to as wide an audience as possible. Expect to have your preconceptions of opera completely blown out the window as this innovative and unique portrayal of Carmen will surprise and delight you. With fresh artistic direction, a focus on presenting opera to younger audiences and an interesting use of venue, this isn’t one to miss. Carmen will be shown at the Old Fire Station in Bristol from 19th-27th February.

The Lion King at The Hippodrome

A national favourite, Disney’s The Lion King is at The Hippodrome from 17th February to 19th March. The award-winning musical is a bucket-list show to see, particularly for those of you who love musicals, and brings the magic and majesty of the Serengeti Plains to Bristol.

Wonder Boy at Bristol Old Vic

Written by the (as lauded by the Evening Standard) “fresh and fearless” Ross Willis and directed by the Olivier-award winning Sally Cookson, Wonder Boy, which is on at the Bristol Old Vic from 5th-26th March, tells the heartwarming story of 12-year old Sonny who lives with a heightened stammer. Packed with playful humour, live music, and fully integrated creative captioning, this honest production is sure to capture the imagination of hearing and deaf audiences alike.

Wonder Boy at Bristol Old Vic from 5-26 MarchWonder Boy at Bristol Old Vic from 5-26 March
Wonder Boy at Bristol Old Vic from 5-26 March

What Remains of Us at Bristol Old Vic

From 3rd-12th March, What Remains at Us will be playing at the Bristol Old Vic. The evocative production is in association with Bristol Old Vic, Bath Spa Productions and Korea National University of Arts and is about a young girl who hasn’t seen her father since she was three years old due to one of the world’s most militarised borders in Korea. The story follows them reuniting and portrays the compelling processes behind state-organised temporary reunions of divided Korean families.

Sorry You’re Not a Winner at Bristol Old Vic

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A Paines Plough and Theatre Royal Plymouth production in association with University of Plymouth, School of Society and Culture, Sorry You’re Not a Winner is striking new play from Samuel Bailey, whose debut play Shook won him the 2019 Papatango Prize and Times Breakthrough Award in 2021. This time, the story follows Liam and Fletch who grew up together and is a play that ask questions about aspiration, social mobility and getting caught between class’.

First Time production photos courtesy of Tobacco Factory TheatresFirst Time production photos courtesy of Tobacco Factory Theatres
First Time production photos courtesy of Tobacco Factory Theatres

First Time at Tobacco Factory

We’re incredibly excited for this one, written and performed at Tobacco Factory Theatres by award-winning HIV+ theatre maker Nathaniel J Hall of It’s a Sin fame. Running from 11th-12th March, Dibby Theatre present their critically acclaimed hilarious and heart breakingheartbreaking hit autobiographical show about growing up positive in a negative world.

Decadence at Alma Theatre

From 1st-5th March, Bristol-based theatre company Misplaced will be bringing Steven Berkoff’s Decadence to the Alma Tavern Theatre. The play is a dark comedy based on privilege of the upper classes and the gross decadence of the 80s so you can expect lots of humour, laugh out loud moments and some seriously good acting.

ART

Donna Huanca CUEVA DE COPAL #1-4 2021 Courtesy of Peres Projects, Berlin and ArnolfiniDonna Huanca CUEVA DE COPAL #1-4 2021 Courtesy of Peres Projects, Berlin and Arnolfini
Donna Huanca CUEVA DE COPAL #1-4 2021 Courtesy of Peres Projects, Berlin and Arnolfini

Donna Huenca: Cueva de Copal at Arnolfini

Donna Huanca, the popular American interdisciplinary artist is presenting a new and immersive site-specific installation at the Arnolfini from 5th February to 29th May. You’ll find performance, choreography, video and sensory interventions, all based around her exploration of the human body. Huanca builds her experiential installations around the history and architecture of scent, and texture. Her Cueva de Copal presentation at Arnolfini plunges the viewer into a cocoon-like space, encouraging viewers to separate their experience from the world around them.

Paula Rego: Subversive Stories at Arnolfini

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After her first exhibition in Bristol nearly 40 years ago, Paula Rego is returning the Arnolfini with her latest exhibition running from 5th February to 29th May. Seeing it as a chance to show a younger generation of viewers her style, the exhibition will feature over 80 prints from across Rego’s extensive career. It explores her interweaving wit and dark humour, delving into the art of storytelling through Rego’s reinterpretations of well-known narratives and classic tales, repositioning the role of women at their centre.

Polly Braden: Holding the Baby at Arnolfini

Polly Braden’s Holding the Baby is a portrait of the strength and resilience of single-parent families facing austerity and will be at the Arnolfini from 19th February to 29th May. Originally created by Museum of the Home, London (and curated by Sinéad McCarthy), this final installment of the series brings the poignant photography to Bristol and the Bristol version includes participants from the city, transforming national politics into a local concern.

As The Tide Turns At Porthmeor oil on canvas by Jack DavisAs The Tide Turns At Porthmeor oil on canvas by Jack Davis
As The Tide Turns At Porthmeor oil on canvas by Jack Davis

Jack Davis: The Zennor Series at Livingstone St Ives

This is one not to miss in the new Livingstone St Ives Gallery on The Mall in Clifton Village. Following on from a sell-out show in spring 2021, this exhibition showcases his winter collection. Alongside skyscapes reflecting the intense colour of the autumnal bracken comes a new body of seascape paintings exploring the beautiful and wild moorland stretching to the west of St. Ives. Pure escapism in art.

Ken Stradling at 100 at The Ken Stradling Collection

The exhibition telling the amazing life story of Ken Stradling MBE through his superb collection of C20-21st design and craft will be on display at the small Park Street premises from 12th February to 7th May. From 1948, Ken transformed a small craft shop into the cultural icon that is the Bristol Guild. The exhibition will reflect his distinctive personal taste through his extraordinary career as a retailer with entrepreneurial flair and a unique eye for design. Many pieces on display will be from Ken’s own house, never seen publicly before.

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