Perfil de PatrickHanlon

I visited Bristol late in 2006 and the Bristol Old Vic Theatre Royal was certainly the high point of my visit. The history surrounding the Theatre is clear and easy to understand. To be able to visit somewhere that dates as far back as 1766 was truly an overwhelming feeling.

I saw a Celtic Concert at the Theatre, a wonderful selection of singers, mainly of Irish background, led by the beautiful, pure and haunting voice of Shanna Louise Nolan, accompanied by her beautiful playing of her guitar. The Theatre complimented this performance as no other could. Hearing those traditional Celtic songs performed in such an historical building, with wonderful acoustics was more than I could have asked for. Having said that, these singers could have put on this tremendous show anywhere and it would still have been an amazing variety of talent.

Having also visited the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, the two Theatres still have similarities. Reading about the first performance at the Theatre Royal in 1766 and the trouble they had with obtaining the Royal Licence just added to the feeling that I was in a very special Theatre, that for so many years was shadowed by the Prince's.

Although the rebuild in the 1970's changed much of the original look, like the entrance hall and the stage, the building itself holds much beauty from it's original design and as of yet, I have not been to a Theatre which even comes close to the Theatre Royal, Bristol.