Tobacco Factory Theatre

The Tobacco Factory Theatre occupies the first floor of a former tobacco factory at the corner of North Street and Raleigh Road in Southville, Bristol. The building once housed Imperial Tobacco, a major employer in the early 20th century. After the factory closed in the 1980s, the space fell into disrepair until the late 1990s. George Ferguson acquired the building and invited Show of Strength Theatre Company to create a small theatre there. The venue now includes two performance spaces, a bar, meeting rooms and a box office. The theatre is worth visiting for its lively programme of classic and contemporary theatre, comedy, dance, puppetry, film, opera and music. In 2012 over 100,000 people attended shows, and the theatre regularly receives national critical acclaim. It became a charitable trust in 2005 and a key arts provider for Bristol City Council in 2007. The current artistic director is Heidi Vaughan, appointed in 2022. The theatre has expanded since 2008 and installed a renewable energy system. Visitors find the Factory Theatre arranged as a theatre-in-the-round with a maximum seating capacity of 350. The Spielman Theatre is a smaller studio space seating up to 72. The main theatre has a low ceiling, fixed grid and structural pillars that intrude into the acting area. The foyer bar provides a place to meet before or after performances. The programme includes Shakespeare productions, family-friendly shows and comedy nights.