Celebrating 80 Years: Bristol Old Vic Theatre School Unveils Industry-Leading Theatre Director Lineup

As we celebrate our official 80th Birthday – the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School officially opened exactly 80 years ago today – we’re excited to unveil the full list of professional theatre directors who are working on productions with us this academic year.

For eight decades, the School has stood as a beacon of world-class dramatic training, preparing generations of actors, directors, designers, costume and prop makers, creative artists, and technicians for stage and screen. Marking this milestone year, our guest directorial lineup for the theatrical productions we’ll be staging brings an exceptional breadth of vision, technical skill, and contemporary industry practice directly into our rehearsal rooms.

Among this year’s cohort are three proud BOVTS alumni returning to their roots – Sir Gregory Doran, Erica Whyman OBE, and Aaron Parsons – alongside three of British theatre’s most visionary guest directors: Dawn Walton OBE, Monique Touko, and Tom Brennan. Together, they bring an incredible depth of expertise across classical text, devised comedy, contemporary writing, and physical performance to our graduating students.

Meet the Directors:

Monique Touko is an Olivier Award-winning director and multidisciplinary artist whose bold, vibrant work across London and UK regional stages has made her one of British theatre’s most sought-after directors. Winner of the Stage Debut Award for Best Director and the Olivier Award for Best Family Show (The Boy at the Back of the Class), Monique’s impressive credits include work at the Lyric Hammersmith, Almeida Theatre, Bush Theatre, and Soho Place. Monique brings infectious enthusiasm, precision, and a modern directorial lens that challenges acting students to deliver authentic, highly textured performances.She’ll be working with our MFA Professional Actors in the Summer season. 

Tom Brennan is an award-winning director, writer, and co-founder of the internationally acclaimed theatre company The Wardrobe Ensemble. Known for his inventive, highly physical, and ensemble-led storytelling, Tom’s work has been staged across major national venues, including Bristol Old Vic and the National Theatre. Tom is directing a revival of Eloise at the Redgrave Theatre – a magical, fast-paced family show he originally co-created with the Wardrobe Ensemble. His energetic, collaborative approach to character work and comic timing provides our acting students with crucial experience in devised ensemble work, physical comedy, and dynamic stage craft.

Erica Whyman OBE (Class of ’98) is an acclaimed theatre director, cultural leader, and former Deputy Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Renowned for pioneering inclusive, socially engaged performance, Erica led groundbreaking national initiatives at the RSC – including the historic nationwide tour of A Midsummer Night’s Dream: A Play for the Nation – and served as Artistic Director of Northern Stage. Her career is defined by bold re-examinations of classic texts, contemporary playwriting, and advocacy for underrepresented voices. Erica’s return to the School in the Spring season 2027 is going to be one to watch, with the title of the play being released in the coming weeks.

Dawn Walton OBE is an award-winning director of theatre, film, and radio with over 25 years experience as an artist and cultural visionary. Dawn is the founder and former Artistic Director of Eclipse Theatre – the UK’s principal Black-led touring theatre company – Dawn revolutionised regional touring and championed Black artists across the UK. Awarded an OBE in 2020 for Services to Theatre, her directing work spans major venues like the Royal Court, Young Vic, and Sheffield Crucible. Dawn brings a masterly approach to storytelling, rich contemporary perspectives, and she will be directing our third-year BA Actors in the Spring season.

Sir Gregory Doran (Class of ’82) Described by The Sunday Times as “one of the great Shakespeareans of his generation,” Sir Gregory Doran served as Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company from 2012 to 2022. Across an extraordinary four-decade career, Greg has directed every single play in Shakespeare’s First Folio, helming landmark productions featuring Sir Patrick Stewart (Another BOVTS Alum), Dame Judi Dench, and David Tennant. Returning to BOVTS to direct our autumn production of Romeo and Juliet at Tobacco Factory Theatres, Greg brings unmatched classical text expertise and a deep passion for actor training, giving our students a rare masterclass in text, voice, and large-scale storytelling.

Aaron Parsons (Class of ’18) is a dynamic theatre director, movement director, and facilitator specialising in physically expressive performance, accessibility, and co-created theatre. A graduate of the BOVTS MA Directing program, Aaron’s recent credits include directing the RSC’s national touring production of First Encounters: The Tempest, along with movement direction for Falkland Sound at the Swan Theatre. Having served as Associate Director at Prime Theatre, Aaron will bring energy and expertise in physical characterisation, ensemble movement, and inclusive rehearsal practice to this year’s cohort of MFA Professional Actors, when he directs them in the Summer season.

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Beyond the Stage: Screen & Audio

These theatre directors represent just one aspect of the professional industry talent guiding our students during this phenomenal 80th anniversary year. The visiting professionals directing and producing our screen and audio work are equally impressive, and we look forward to sharing more details about those in the coming weeks – watch this space.

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Book Tickets for Autumn Productions

Tickets are selling fast for our autumn season! Don’t miss the chance to see the stars of tomorrow directed by titans of the UK stage:

• Romeo and Juliet | Directed by Sir Gregory Doran | Tobacco Factory Theatres
• Eloise | Directed by Tom Brennan | Redgrave Theatre

👉 Book Your Tickets Here