Bristol Old Vic reveals 2027 season including new musical Disco Dracula
Bristol Old Vic has unveiled its 2027 season, featuring a mix of revivals, new productions and touring shows including the new musical Disco Dracula. The diverse programme highlights significant works such as Winsome Pinnock’s Leave Taking and a fresh take on Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya.
Bristol Old Vic’s 2027 line-up opens with Disco Dracula, a new musical co-produced with Disco Dracula Productions, running from 27 May to 19 June. The show features music by Charlie O’Connor with book and lyrics by Alena Henke and O’Connor, and is directed by Robyn Grant. The story follows John and Mina as their night out descends into a disco vampire lair where Dracula holds auditions, challenging their relationship through an original disco score and audience participation.
A key season highlight is a 40th anniversary revival of Winsome Pinnock’s Leave Taking, staged from 23 September to 16 October and directed by Nancy Medina. Pinnock’s play, which premiered at Liverpool Playhouse in 1987, was the first by a Black British woman produced by the National Theatre in 1994 and won the George Devine Award in 1991. Set in North London, the story focuses on Enid, a British-Jamaican mother who migrated as part of the Windrush generation, and her daughters. Pinnock is also the inaugural writer in residence under Bristol Old Vic’s Five Year Commitment.
From 22 April to 15 May, the theatre will present Uncle Vanya, directed by Rikki Henry in partnership with Stratford East. This production relocates Chekhov’s classic to a rundown office and uses David Lan’s English translation. It revisits a cast of characters disrupted by the arrival of Alexander and his new wife Yelena, previously staged at Theater Dortmund in 2023.
The season also includes visiting productions such as Dog Man: The Musical based on Dav Pilkey’s books (24 to 27 June), Hijinx’s Housemates in association with Sherman Theatre (30 June to 3 July), and Being Mr Wickham starring Adrian Lukis (22 to 23 June). Other confirmed visiting shows include The Signalman, Food of Love, Austentatious, and Bristol School of Acting’s Merrily We Roll Along.
In the studio, Until I Find You by Ad Infinitum and Mexico’s El Ingenio del Caldero will investigate a mother’s search for her missing daughter in Mexico from 6 to 17 April. New Perspectives and Royal & Derngate’s Let The Whale Die follows from 18 to 22 May.
Bristol Old Vic will announce further productions for 2027 in November, with general ticket sales opening at midday on 14 October. The 2027 season reflects the theatre’s continued commitment to a blend of bold new work, landmark revivals and collaborative projects.
