Open Space 2007

So, where do we go from here?

In May 2007 Bristol’s major producing theatre, Bristol Old Vic, announced it was going to close for refurbishment for an indefinite amount of time. The reality was that during the winter and spring of 2007 costs had risen and earned income had declined to the point at which it was no longer possible to continue trading. In addition to struggling to achieve a sustainable artistic and management model refurbishment had become a matter of immediate necessity. What followed was an extraordinary year for the theatre industry in Bristol.

Writing in our online forum at the time, someone calling themselves “Small” suggested that Theatre Bristol should hold an open meeting. So we did. We asked the question: So, where do we go from here? And invited anyone who wanted to answer it to come and do so. 200 people negotiated a flooded country to get to Circomedia to shout, to talk, to discuss, to listen, to ask questions, and to suggest ways forward.

Bristol Live – A performance culture of ambition

The Open Space event kick started an enquiry into how Bristol might achieve a performance culture of ambition. In late summer 2007 Arts Council England commissioned Peter Boyden to work with Theatre Bristol to find a way to move the theatre industry forwards.

Since that time we have held four seminars inviting contributions from Lucy Neal, John Fox, Pax Nindi, Tony Reekie, John McGrath, Jonathan Church, and Dick Penny. We have consulted with over 100 people individually or in small groups from students and young artists to senior producers, directors, CEOs and policy makers. And we have consulted outside the industry. From that process we have produced a discussion paper: Bristol Live – A Performance Culture of Ambition.

Download Bristol Live – a performance culture of ambition discussion paper

Open Space 2008

So, how do we get there?

The Bristol Live document sets out what the industry wants from a performance culture of ambition and asks how we might achieve it. The next phase started with a second Open Space on 19th July 2008 when Theatre Bristol invited all those wishing to contribute to a performance culture of ambition to come together to discuss and to share what they will do to achieve the aspiration.

The Open Space event began an ongoing process of response to the Bristol Live document, to the changing needs of the industry and to the ongoing attempts of Bristol to achieve a performance culture of ambition.