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12th November 2020

Innovation in learning and teaching maintains conservatoire training during COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic we have been faced with a variety of challenges in relation to our delivery methods. We are longstanding experts in the delivery of high intensity face-to-face collaborative training, and we have had to adapt very quickly for the benefit of our students and staff, whilst always taking into account the latest government guidelines […]

We are delighted to still be delivering a full programme of teaching to all our students, having welcomed back full cohorts from September 2021. We benefitted hugely from the innovation, flexibility and durability of our staff and students in developing an interactive online delivery of modules during the summer term when UK lockdown restrictions were in place across all of our sites. We have since then spent significant time and resources further evolving these programmes to make sure that the participative nature of our courses remains integral to our ongoing delivery, whilst of course ensuring that safety of staff and students remains at the centre of our approach.

This has allowed us to develop a specifically nuanced approach that reflects both the excellence and intensity of our teaching provision, one that is unique to performing arts education. The subsequent programmes also prioritise the health and safety of staff and students and safe operation in physical spaces. Consequently, we now deliver a blended learning experience that incorporates a combination of face-to-face classes, live online classes and independent study. Students are in small class groups for the purpose of face-to-face teaching. Innovation, utilising technology and fostering a spirit of cohesiveness has been paramount in achieving this success.

The sharing of ideas, experiences and difficulties has meant we have developed an effective and valuable integration of delivery methods during this first term back, and has ensured that we have been able to maintain conservatoire levels of training. It has also allowed us to capitalise on a great opportunity to use our knowledge to help students to increase their repertoire of skills and become highly adaptable, digitally literate artists.

Some great early examples of our schools’ blended delivery during the early stages of the UK’s initial lockdown can be found below, showcasing both the great talent of our student body and the willingness to adapt and produce challenging pieces in challenging times.

Back in the Studio:

We are Rambert School:

We have also been fully aware of the risk to the welfare and well-being of students including their financial, physical, mental and emotional needs as they undertake training under radically different circumstances. In many ways the Conservatoire schools are better placed to support students than traditional institutions due to the small cohorts, high staff-to-student ratios and high contact time. Each of our schools has also responded to the financial difficulties that some students have faced as a direct result of the pandemic, and all of the Conservatoire’s schools have their own hardship funds that are available as appropriate to help address this.

Our students have welcomed their return, and have had the following to say:

‘The blended programme is well balanced. Activities that require in person teaching/studio space take place when we are onsite, whilst virtual classes focus on activities that can be adapted to make them achievable in our homes. As a result, we can maximise our studio time and get the most out of our training in these strange times.’ (CSB)

‘I think NSCD’s response to COVID has been exceptional. The system of support bubbles has been a great asset to our training and gives some semblance to what life was like in regards to dance training before the global pandemic.’(NSCD)

‘Being back at London Contemporary Dance School, especially in the building, has brought a new sense of purpose to third year. Not only do we need to be engaged with our course, but we need to harness our enthusiasm like never before. Nothing beats seeing other people and friends in the flesh.’ (LCDS)

‘I feel that Northern as an institution is coping extremely well. They are keeping in constant contact with the students about any changes that arise with government guidelines and answering queries when they arise. They are also able to keep a normality with their training, keeping us all feeling like we have something to work on or towards.’ (NSCD)

‘Being back in the studio and having the freedom to express myself, makes me so happy. When I saw my fellow dancers, I realised how much I had missed the physical presence of people dancing alongside me, helping to uplift and motivate each other.’ (CSB)

The Conservatoire will continue to closely monitor ongoing and emerging risks as the pandemic continues, and we will ensure that we do this alongside a commitment to evolve and adapt our teaching to ensure that the specificity of a true conservatoire education is maintained.

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5th October 2020

BOVTS | Drama

BOVTS launches new course in Screen Acting

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, the alma mater of Hollywood stars such as Olivia Colman, Sir Daniel Day-Lewis and Naomie Harris, has unveiled plans for a specialist master’s degree in Screen Acting. The one-year course will launch in October 2021, coinciding with the School’s 75th birthday celebrations. Applications will be open to both UK and […]

The one-year course will launch in October 2021, coinciding with the School’s 75th birthday celebrations. Applications will be open to both UK and international students and will be accepted from 1 October 2020.

From period drama icons to sitcom legends, and now luminaries of on-demand TV, countless stars of both the big and small screens have learnt their craft at the world-renowned School. Netflix’s Season 4 of The Crown, due to launch next month, will again see BOVTS alumni dominating the screen with Olivia Colman (The Favourite, Broadchurch, The Night Manager, Peep Show), Josh O’Connor (The Durrells, Emma, God’s Own Country) and Erin Doherty (Call the Midwife, Les Misérables) resuming their roles as the royal family, whilst newcomer Tom Byrne (Black Mirror), who graduated from BOVTS in 2016, will play the role of the young Prince Andrew.

Autumn 2020 will also see the release of the much-anticipated ‘Bond 25’ thriller No Time to Die featuring alumna Naomie Harris, whilst Sir Patrick Stewart is set to return in a new web series of Star Trek: Picard. Of the School’s more recent graduates, Tala Gouveia (BA, 2010) is set to resume filming for her titular role in ITV’s McDonald and Dodds, Taheen Modak (BA, 2018) will return as Med in Series 2 of The Bay, and Chris Jenks (BA, 2017) will reappear as a series regular in Season 3 of Netflix’s Sex Education. Luke Newberry (BA, 2011) can currently be seen in ITV’s The Singapore Grip and Rosy McEwen (FdA, 2017) in Season 2 of The Alienist.

Jenny Stephens, Artistic Director at BOVTS, explains:

“The School has long taught screen acting as part of its curriculum. Intensive conservatoire training produces graduates with a versatility to work across stage and screen, and the success of our alumni in securing film and television roles is clear to see.

“Changes in the drama production industries are, however, increasingly resulting in graduating actors securing early career roles – or even their first jobs – in screen media. This new course responds to this need by adapting the rigour of BOVTS training and teaching in an applied screen context. Students will experience professional ‘on set’ conditions, building their confidence to break out into screen acting when they graduate.”

Meanwhile, Bristol continues to consolidate its position as an internationally-renowned hub for the screen industries. The Theatre School’s new Principal and CEO, Fiona Francombe, established the city’s Bottle Yard Studios in 2009, which have recently been the filming location of high-end dramas such as the BBC’s The Pale Horse, Starz Inc’s The Spanish Princess, ITV’s Sanditon and McDonald & Dodds – all of which have featured BOVTS-trained actors, as well as harnessing the technical mastery of some of the School’s production graduates.

In her capacity as director of the Bottle Yard Studios, Fiona Francombe was instrumental in the city’s successful bids to become a UNESCO City of Film in 2017 and a Channel 4 creative hub in 2019.

Streaming giant Netflix have also been attracted by the bright lights of Bristol, having commenced filming in August for a new ten-part sci-fi series.

Fiona Francombe, Principal and CEO at BOVTS says:

“The last six months have been a difficult and turbulent time for the whole of the creative industry sector. The screen industries have been one of the first to resume work as lockdown eased and, though working practices feel very different, filming is underway and content being made.

“There remains very strong demand for the talented cast and crew we have in the UK and many of our past students have been very successful both on screen and on stage. The introduction of the MA Screen Acting course will equip our future students to forge careers in an ever-expanding on-screen world.”

The MA Screen Acting course will encompass training in voice, movement, screen combat and acting for motion capture, as well as areas such as self-taping and audition technique. A range of screen acting methodologies will be explored and students will experience professional ‘on set’ conditions. The programme will be delivered at the School’s specialist Film department, a short walk from the main premises in the suburb of Clifton.

Find out more about the MA Screen Acting course.

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29th July 2020

BOVTS | Drama

BOVTS launches innovative soundstage production live-stream of Edward Allan Baker plays

Next Friday (7th) and Saturday (8th), Bristol Old Vic Theatre School will present a live-stream production of two one-act plays by Edward Allan Baker, North of Providence and Dolores, This production is directed by MA Directing graduate, Victor Lirio, designed by MA Design graduate, Carly Brownbridge, and features BOVTS acting graduates James Burman, Esmée Cook, Nancy Farino, and Chanel Waddock. Originally part of the Directors’ […]

Next Friday (7^th) and Saturday (8^th), Bristol Old Vic Theatre School will present a live-stream production of two one-act plays by Edward Allan Baker, North of Providence and Dolores,

This production is directed by MA Directing graduate, Victor Lirio, designed by MA Design graduate, Carly Brownbridge, and features BOVTS acting graduates James Burman, Esmée Cook, Nancy Farino, and Chanel Waddock.

Originally part of the Directors’ Cuts 2020 season, the production was cancelled due to the global lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the recent UK government’s ease on restrictions and new social distancing guidelines has allowed for these local theatre artists to produce an innovative, filmed live theatre performance.

The production will be filmed in a converted soundstage provided by Bristol-based Urban Creation using multi-camera live-stream technology of Mavis, another presenting sponsor.

Members of the production and technical teams—including both current BOVTS students and graduates of the production courses—are COVID-19 Safety at Work certified and Corona Virus Awareness on Production trained. Best practice for health and safety will be strongly enforced during production.

Director Victor Lirio commented: “This production was part of the Directors’ Cuts season originally scheduled at The Wardrobe Theatre in May as our final year directing and design collaboration project. We are grateful to BOVTS, and playwright Edward Allan Baker for allowing us to explore and present his compelling plays; to Urban Creation for providing us with a creative space; and to Mavis for the innovative technology for a filmed live performance. Because of this, we are able to amplify this theatre production to virtual audiences by using the internet, film, and live television broadcasting techniques. We will be able to reach a much wider audience than we would have reached in a traditional theatre space.”

The two plays focus on sibling relationships. North of Providence journeys through a painful crisis between brother and sister, uncovering old family wounds on the last day of their father’s life. In the play, Dolores, a woman escapes her dangerously abusive husband and seeks help from a sister who doesn’t want to get involved.

The live performances will begin welcoming audiences from 7.45pm for a behind the scenes feature, with the shows beginning at 8pm.

See the show page for links to the BOVTS YouTube channel.

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23rd June 2020

Central School of Ballet | Dance | Students

Ballet Central announces a new online performance by dancers in lockdown to a specially created music composition

Ballet Central has created a unique performance by the company’s dancers who are back at home across the UK and in countries worldwide following the coronavirus pandemic lockdown. Centrally Connected Performs, a new choreographic project realised in a three minute film, is based on a specially created piece of music by composer-in-residence Philip Feeney. With contributions from 27 student dancers and their individual choreography, the resulting film is being released online on the Ballet Central website and on YouTube: Centrally Connected Performs on 23rd June.

Each dance student is in their final year at Central School of Ballet and was given the challenge of choreographing and performing a solo with consideration of the setting, costume and the dance genre, allowing each person to interpret the music based on the skills and artistry gained during their BA (Hons) Professional Dance & Performance degree programme.

Artistic Director Christopher Marney explains: “This year’s Ballet Central tour was unable to proceed due to the Covid-19 pandemic so we created Centrally Connected Performs instead to allow dance students to create their own choreography using ballet or contemporary dance genres to Philip’s innovative music. The result is a unique collaboration, a unifying experience despite not being on tour together or rehearsing as a company at our studios in London.”

Composer-in-residence Philip Feeney explains his inspiration for the unique music that has stimulated the dancers’ performances: “Corona (virus) has the first six letters of the word Coronation so I have co-opted the music from Mozart’s life-enhancing Coronation Mass K.317 (1779) to bring the piece to life. The music takes a journey, starting with the Mozart piece which soon suddenly becomes suspended. The idea is one of growth and discovery, and ultimately defiance, daring to be triumphant in these challenging times.”

The film Centrally Connected Performs is part of Central’s remote learning, teaching and training initiative established to ensure continuity for dance students participating in the school’s BA and MA programmes even though its studios in Herbal Hill in London are currently closed. Centrally Connected is an online programme supporting 117 students in 12 countries and also provides online training for Junior, Prep and Pre-Senior students.

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17th June 2020

BOVTS | Drama | Stage Management & Technical Theatre | Students

BOVTS launches New Plays Season online in creative collaboration with Bristol Old Vic Theatre

Earlier this year, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School announced the New Plays in Rep season, featuring a collection of new plays developed by Bristol Old Vic’s Writers Department, discovered through their yearly call-out to West Country writers, the Open Session. When theatres and schools went into lockdown, the School decided to bring this upcoming season online. Students […]

Earlier this year, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School announced the New Plays in Rep season, featuring a collection of new plays developed by Bristol Old Vic’s Writers Department, discovered through their yearly call-out to West Country writers, the Open Session.

When theatres and schools went into lockdown, the School decided to bring this upcoming season online. Students and staff have risen to the challenge of crafting work for the virtual sphere and have been incredibly excited to produce plays in a way unlike anything the School has ever done before. Most importantly, audiences will be able to enjoy the performances from the safety and comfort of their own home!

In a creative collaboration with Bristol Old Vic and as part of the newly-launched city-wide Bristol Arts Channel, BOVTS is sharing four new plays with audiences via its YouTube channel from 19th June – 2nd July. Including Owen Sheers’ play celebrating the everyday heroics of the NHS, Skot Wilson’s piece exploring what unprecedented events can teach us, Anita Karla Kelly’s play about the connections we make and Chinonyerem Odimba’s script exploring political corruption – this season is relevant, striking and has been vividly adapted to suit the online world.

Buzzing by Anita Karla Kelly will be broadcast live on Friday 19th June at 2.30pm and available to stream until Friday 26th June.

62 Sperm Whales by Skot Wilson will be broadcast live on Saturday 20th June at 7pm and Monday 22nd June at 2.30pm. It will then be available to stream until Saturday 27th June.

To Provide All People by Owen Sheers (Pink Mist, Unicorns Almost), will be presented as a recorded production from 25th June – 2nd July.

Also in development is His Name Is Ishmael by Chinonyerem Odimba (Princess and the Hustler). Full details to be announced in due course.

BOVTS is sharing Buzzing and 62 Sperm Whales as live performances. The individuals in each company are in several locations across the country working to bring this show to life. They will connect with each other and with you the audience in an extraordinary moment of liveness. Join us as we embrace the world of online theatre, challenging ourselves in new and engaging ways to present wonderful new writing to you.

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2nd June 2020

BOVTS | Drama | Stage Management & Technical Theatre | Students

Statement of Solidarity with Black Lives Matter

#BlackoutTuesday The Conservatoire for Dance and Drama understands and acknowledges our role as both a higher education institution and one that plays a direct role in shaping culture in our artistic disciplines and the wider arts and cultural sectors. We also recognise the lack of diversity at all levels permeating these sectors, including our own institution, and how this lack perpetuates the existing systems of oppression. We continue […]

#BlackoutTuesday

The Conservatoire for Dance and Drama understands and acknowledges our role as both a higher education institution and one that plays a direct role in shaping culture in our artistic disciplines and the wider arts and cultural sectors. We also recognise the lack of diversity at all levels permeating these sectors, including our own institution, and how this lack perpetuates the existing systems of oppression.

We continue to see grave and incontrovertible evidence both in the UK and the wider world that the racial oppression of Black individuals and communities is a constant and ongoing struggle. Now, more than ever, is the time to act to break down the pervasive societal structures that maintain and reinforce this inequality and oppression. We know that ultimately, this costs lives.

We stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and are committed to fighting against white supremacy and systematic, institutionalised racism and racial inequality that continues to oppress and attack Black communities around the world.

We stand in solidarity with our Black students, staff, alumni, artists, audiences, community and everyone speaking out against racial injustice. We stand against inequality and will strive to do more through our work to challenge systemic racism.

We encourage our communities to call out racism, act in protest, donate to funds if they can and educate themselves. As an institution we are committed to being better allies: to listening more, doing better and building a supportive community where all members feel seen and heard.

As artists and educators, we have a duty to actively create change. Silence makes us complicit in the continuation of this oppression and inequality.

Donate to Black Lives Matter

Anti-racism resources for white people

For our White Friends desiring to be Allies

White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack

Beyond denial: effectively tackling racism as a white person

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21st May 2020

BOVTS | Drama | Stage Management & Technical Theatre | Staff

Fiona Francombe announced as new Principal of Bristol Old Vic Theatre School

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School are delighted to announce that Fiona Francombe has been appointed as the School’s new Principal/CEO. Currently Director of The Bottle Yard Studios in Bristol, Fiona will take up her new position at the School over the summer.  Fiona trained in technical theatre at Rose Bruford College, before embarking on a career in […]

Fiona trained in technical theatre at Rose Bruford College, before embarking on a career in stage management, working at Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre Company and the Royal Shakespeare Company. She moved into the TV industry in 1990 in London, joining the BBC’s Drama department as a runner.

Following her move to Bristol in 1993, Fiona worked both for the BBC and as a freelancer for a variety of television dramas as a location manager and producer, before going on to manage production liaison for South West Screen and Creative England. In response to the BBC’s 2009 decision to relocate production of dramas such as Casualty to Cardiff, she successfully lobbied Bristol City Council for support in retaining production industries in the city. In 2010 she went on to establish The Bottle Yard Studios in previously disused warehouses on a seven-acre site situated on the southern outskirts of Bristol. The Council-owned studios are now established as one of the leading production facilities in the country, contributing greatly to the millions generated by the media sector for the local economy each year.

Over the past decade, more than 60 titles have been produced at the Studios, including high-end TV dramas Poldark, Broadchurch, Wolf Hall, The Trial of Christine Keeler and The Pale Horse, light entertainment programmes such as The Crystal Maze and Tipping Point, and children’s favourites such as the green-screen series Andy’s Adventures. Fiona has consistently championed Bristol as an international hub for film and TV production and was instrumental in the city’s successful bids to become a UNESCO City of Film in 2017 and a Channel 4 creative hub in 2019.

Commenting on her forthcoming move to the School, Fiona said: “BOVTS is a gem of an institution and part of one of the UK’s leading conservatoires. I have always respected and admired its extraordinary reputation for nurturing excellent talent, from my years starting out in theatre stage management, to my subsequent move into television and more recently as visiting guest lecturer for the BOVTS Film/TV department.

“I’m very excited to be joining the team, and personally pleased to be bringing my professional career full circle. I have always wanted to make a difference for Bristol; this move will allow me to continue to do so after ten years developing The Bottle Yard Studios into a competitive film and television hub the city can be proud of.”

Fiona is no stranger to BOVTS graduates either. Countless School acting and production alumni have filmed at the Studios for internationally-acclaimed productions including Tala Gouveia starring in ITV crime drama McDonald and Dodds, Sean Pertwee in the BBC’s latest Agatha Christie thriller The Pale Horse – along with BOVTS graduates serving as script supervisors, location managers and costume assistants; Theo James and Adrian Scarborough in ITV’s recent Austen adaptation Sanditon; and Laura Carmichael in Starz’ historical drama The Spanish Princess.

Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe winner and BOVTS alumna Olivia Colman also filmed the final series of Broadchurch at the Studios, the crime drama which propelled her to international stardom. The series was produced by another BOVTS alumnus, Dan Winch. 

Responding to the news, Dan – who also produced ITV’s recent Quiz, said: “Fi’s incredible experience, understanding of the complexities of creative relationships, passion for the creative industries and ambition have brought huge success to Bristol in recent years. Highly respected and admired by all those who’ve worked with and alongside her, both in front of and behind the camera, Fi’s warmth and supportive approach to all she undertakes makes her the most brilliant fit for BOVTS.”

The news of Fiona’s appointment comes following the announcement in December that current Principal, Paul Rummer, would be retiring after thirteen years at the helm of BOVTS – and thirty-five years at the School in total. Fiona is set to join BOVTS in August, as the School approaches its 75th birthday celebrations next year.

Lucy Bowden led the search for the new Principal as Chair of the School’s board of trustees. Lucy comments: “I am absolutely delighted that Fiona is joining the School and I believe that she will take it forward with passion, energy and confidence. This is an unprecedented time, when the pressures on conservatoire training have never been greater. But Fiona brings huge practical and commercial experience in the arts, and this will be invaluable in continuing the School’s success.”

She continued: “Fiona has a love for the city of Bristol. Under her leadership, I’m confident that the School will continue to thrive locally, as well as nationally and internationally, consolidating Bristol Old Vic Theatre School’s reputation as a world-class institution for drama and production arts training.”

Paul and Fiona will be working closely in the coming months to ensure a smooth transition in the School’s leadership. We look forward to welcoming Fiona to BOVTS in the coming months.

For further information, or for a full copy of the press release, please contact Matt.Carmichael@oldvic.ac.uk.

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21st April 2020

CDD | Students

Student queries regarding tuition fees (including refund queries)

During the current Covid19 pandemic, the Conservatoire and its Member Schools, along with other higher education providers, are having to make adjustments to the way in which our programmes of study are normally delivered, to ensure continuation of delivery. We understand that students will have queries about changes to the planned delivery of their programmes, […]

10th March 2020

BOVTS | Drama | Awards | Students

BOVTS student scoops a Carleton Hobbs Bursary Award

We’re delighted to announce that Bristol Old Vic Theatre School graduating actor Charlotte East has won a prestigious Carleton Hobbs Bursary Award. As a recipient of the award, Charlotte receives a five-month contract with the Radio Drama Company. Jo Patmore and Mark Milligan were two of the four runners up this year. They will receive the offer of freelance […]

4th March 2020

BOVTS and Central graduates nominated for the 2020 Olivier Awards

The Olivier Award nominations for 2020 have been announced, with graduates from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and Central School of Ballet among the nominees. Adrian Scarborough (BOVTS) is nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in Leopoldstadt at Wyndham’s Theatre. Sophie Thompson (BOVTS) is nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role […]