Experience a behind-the scenes tour and interactive sessions throughout the building, with expert advice on career pathways into theatre and live entertainment at one of Bristol's most iconic venues!

Book for either the 4th or 6th November.

This opportunity is part of the West of England Discover! Creative Careers takeover, in collaboration with: Get Into Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, Bristol Beacon, St George’s, The Redgrave, Prime Theatre, The Egg Theatre and Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

Please note, this is for school groups only. Sign up and book via the Discover! Opportunity Finder.



Join us for a free ticket to the 2:00 pm matinee performance of 'Government Inspector' at the Tobacco Factory Theatre. After the show, stay for an exclusive talk and Q&A with members of the production team and cast, who will share insights into their roles and career journeys. This is a unique opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of how a production is brought to life—directly connected to the performance they’ve just experienced.

"It's not good, gentlemen, that's why I've gathered you all here. An inspector is coming... A government inspector!"

The news that a government inspector is due to arrive in a small Russian town sends its bureaucrats into a panicked frenzy. When a scheming stranger rolls into town, a simple case of mistaken identity exposes the hypocrisy and corruption at the heart of the community in Gogol’s biting satire.

Originally published in 1836, this caricature of politics and moral bankruptcy still rings true for today’s audiences – proving that some subjects will always be ripe for an inspection…

This opportunity is part of the West of England Discover! Creative Careers takeover, in collaboration with: Get Into Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, Bristol Beacon, St George’s, The Redgrave, Prime Theatre, The Egg Theatre and Bristol Hippodrome.

Please note, this is for school groups only. Sign up via the Discover! Opportunity Finder.

For: producers, artistic directors, people working in youth theatre, access coordinators, facilitators, directors, and people making work in the room.

This session will cover how Prime Theatre approach pastoral care and supporting the teenagers they work with, including support inside and outside of the rehearsal room and care practices.

We think it's important there are free, regular spaces to connect with other youth theatre makers, to learn together and to dream big for the sector. 

Since 2024, we’ve partnered with England’s Youth Theatre NPOs to offer free, regular online spaces to discuss the practice of running a youth theatre today.

In the Running a Youth Theatre sessions, you'll hear about their real-world perspectives and practice, participate in a task or provocation, and have space to ask any questions you have to the session leader and other makers in the room.

This is a space to learn, reflect, and connect with others working across the sector - whether you're new to the role or have years of experience. All sessions are free, held on Zoom and are open to anyone using performance in their work with young people.

 

For: facilitators, directors, and people making work in the room.

This session, led by Mortal Fools, will explore how to adapt a session when working with young people with different access requirements, to ensure everyone in the room can feel heard and enjoy themselves.

We think it's important there are free, regular spaces to connect with other youth theatre makers, to learn together and to dream big for the sector. 

Since 2024, we’ve partnered with England’s Youth Theatre NPOs to offer free, regular online spaces to discuss the practice of running a youth theatre today.

In the Running a Youth Theatre sessions, you'll hear about their real-world perspectives and practice, participate in a task or provocation, and have space to ask any questions you have to the session leader and other makers in the room.

This is a space to learn, reflect, and connect with others working across the sector - whether you're new to the role or have years of experience. All sessions are free, held on Zoom and are open to anyone using performance in their work with young people.

Mortal Fools Youth Theatre is open to young people aged 5–19 years. We run weekly Youth Theatre groups, split by age in Ashington. 

At Mortal Fools, we focus on supporting children and young people’s creativity, wellbeing, and self-belief, using the medium of drama. We believe youth theatre can be a brilliant a vehicle to help young people to build their confidence and skills, support their mental heath, and to make sense of the world around them.

There are no auditions, no drama experience necessary, and no fees (although donations are welcome!). All we ask for is a willingness to give things a go, passion for performing, and lots of curious creativity.

The theme for our summer programme this year is Books and Story Telling!

We will take inspiration from Oscar Wilde’s sparkling comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest. Participants will be encouraged to explore the play’s themes of mistaken identity, love, and social conventions, and use these ideas to create their own performances.

Through lively workshops and creative exploration, they will devise unique theatre pieces that capture Wilde's wit and charm, bringing his timeless satire to life on stage.

Taught by a team of professional facilitators, this course is perfect for those studying Drama/Performing arts for GCSE and A level.

At the end of the week, family and friends will have the opportunity to join us for a sharing of their work, showcased in the Naughton Theatre.

Dates: Monday 18 – Saturday 23 August

A workshop for the politically engaged and perpetually exhausted. In the face of arts cuts, climate collapse, and rising authoritarianism, what does it mean to keep making political theatre?

Is it still a tool for change or just shouting into the void? This session creates space to reflect, rant, and reimagine: to swap strategies, share frustrations, and ask what resistance looks like onstage today.

All ticket sales will be ​donated to WarChild. The workshop will take place on June 22nd at Riverside Studios, 1:30pm - 3:30pm.

About Sam Rees:

Sam Rees is a critically acclaimed theatre-maker whose work has been staged at leading UK venues, including Summerhall, Oxford Playhouse, Soho, Norwich Theatre, and Jermyn Street. His recent projects include Edinburgh Fringe 2024 sell-out show Lessons On Revolution, praised as ‘compelling and galvanising’ (James Graham), ‘one of my favourites of this year’s fringe’ (Natasha Tripney),‘a heartfelt paean to the politics of hope ★★★★★’ (The Scotsman), ‘the best thing we’ve seen this year ★★★★★’ (The Morning Star), ‘intelligent, questioning documentary theatre ★★★★’ (The Stage), and ‘one of the most talked about shows from this year’s festival’ (The Conversation), and The Food Bank Show, called  ‘utterly magnetic ★★★★’ by Broadway Baby, a show which ‘creates space for radical conversation to happen ★★★★’ by A Young(ish) Perspective), and ‘an exemplary production that defies the rules of the genre’ by Theatre Weekly.

Join WEST Youth Zone: Creative Collective 

Aged 13-19? Are you interested in scriptwriting, spoken word poetry, performing and acting? Want to brush up on your acting technique, build your confidence and meet new people?

Every Friday from 5-10pm @ WEST Youth Zone White City we are offering dedicated workshops to our ‘Creative Collective’.

Become a member of WEST Youth Zone for just £5 annual membership and 50p per entry, you’ll unlock a place where you can make new friends, dive into 20+ fun activities a night, relax in a chilled space or try something new. You can also enjoy a tasty hot meal for just £1 in our BiteCity Café!

WEST is open to young people aged 8 – 19 (up to 25 with additional needs) from all backgrounds, for all abilities, and all across West London and beyond, so come and join WEST – Where Everyone Sticks Together!

We hope the Studio will be a home for playwrights of all levels of experience, helping us to connect and making a range of opportunities accessible in a joined-up, sustained writing package.

If you become a member of the Studio (it’s completely free!) you can access:

If you’re serious about a career in makeup artistry, our 4-Month Hair and Makeup Course is the perfect choice.

Led by award-winning makeup designers at CBMA Makeup Academy in London, this intensive, hands-on program covers everything from beauty makeup to special effects (SFX) techniques. You’ll work closely with industry professionals to master the essential skills needed for film, TV, and fashion. By the end of this course, you’ll be ready to create a wide range of looks, from classic beauty to intricate special effects, giving you the tools to launch your makeup artistry career.

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