We’re absolutely thrilled to share the exciting news: The Wardrobe Theatre has been named a finalist for the Bristol Life Awards 2025.
This marks our 4th consecutive year being recognised at these prestigious awards, and we couldn’t be prouder to stand alongside so many incredible businesses in our vibrant city.
Celebrating the Best of Bristol
The Bristol Life Awards are a highlight of the city’s calendar, celebrating the very best of Bristol’s business community. Companies from a wide range of sectors compete for these coveted accolades, and the event itself is known for its glitz, glamour, and fantastic sense of community. Over 600 people come together for an unforgettable evening of celebration.
Finalists are chosen by a panel of independent judges, making it a significant achievement to reach this stage. Being named a finalist once again is a testament to the passion, creativity, and hard work of everyone involved with The Wardrobe Theatre – from our incredible team to our wonderful audiences who make everything we do possible.
A Look Back at Our Incredible 2024
Last year was an incredible year for us here at The Wardrobe Theatre. As Bristol’s leading fringe theatre, we were proud to showcase over 450 performances from 120 different artists, comedians, and theatre-makers, welcoming more than 34,000 people through our doors. Our programme was as eclectic and vibrant as ever, with a lovingly curated mix of theatre, comedy, storytelling, music, spoken word, drag, improvisation, cabaret, and family shows.
Here are just a few of our 2024 highlights:
- Ha Ha Ha (January 2024) – Julia Masli’s astonishing clown show, widely celebrated as one of the hits of the Edinburgh Fringe, delighted audiences with its spontaneous, audience-driven magic.
- Queer Planet (March 2024) – A hilarious David Attenborough parody by Bi-Curious George, featuring gay penguins, intersex snails, and transgender fish – a proud nod to our location in the heart of Bristol’s LGBTQ+ community.
- Princess Smartypants (April 2024) – A sparkling new adaptation of Babette Cole’s beloved children’s series, captivating young audiences and their families.
- Dragons & Magic (May 2024) – An unforgettable evening with Cressida Cowell, the author of How To Train Your Dragon, presented in collaboration with local indie bookshop Storysmith.
- Papaya Fest (October 2024) – This Anglo-Latinx festival transformed our venue into a tropical wonderland, featuring remarkable UK debuts from artists hailing from Chile, Brazil, and Peru.
- There’s Something About Typhoid Mary (November 2024) – Living Spit’s hilarious and heartfelt history-comedy, marking their triumphant return to the stage following the tragic loss of co-founder Howard Coggins.
- Notting Hell: The Greatest Love Story In The Underworld (December 2024) – Our adult Christmas comedies have become a Bristol institution, and this satanic twist on the classic rom-com Notting Hill was our fastest-selling Christmas show ever!
We were also proud to take The Good, The Bad & The Coyote Ugly on tour to Weston-Super-Mare – our first touring production since the pandemic.
Behind the Scenes: Milestones and Achievements
While the performances on stage brought joy and laughter to thousands, 2024 was also a year of transformation behind the scenes. We launched our own ticketing system after more than a decade with an external agent. This shift gives us greater autonomy, streamlines our processes, and enhances our ability to engage with audiences and fundraise effectively. Alongside this, we launched a brand-new website to better showcase our diverse programme.
As always, our commitment to accessibility and affordability remained central to our work. We continue to be the most affordable theatre in the region, with an average ticket price of just £12.37 in 2024.
Community Spirit in Old Market
Our home in Old Market remains a source of pride and inspiration. This vibrant, often-overlooked corner of Bristol showed its true colours last summer when reports of a far-right march prompted local businesses to close their doors. What followed was an impromptu street party led by the community – a powerful demonstration of unity, love, and resilience.
We want to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has supported us – our audiences, artists, volunteers, and the entire Bristol community. Your enthusiasm, laughter, and encouragement make everything we do possible.
“Such a good hidden gem of Bristol… The range of shows they have here is phenomenal.”
★★★★★ Google Review, February 2024
“The Wardrobe has consistently managed to find Bristol’s funny bone… with spirited performance.”
★★★★★ Stage Talk Magazine on Notting Hell
“The Wardrobe is one of those things that makes the world a better place.”
★★★★★ Google Review