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The Ultimate Guide to visiting the Old Vic

The old vic ultimate guide.

With a ton of award-winning plays, performances and musicals, to a royal and Kevin Spacey connection, The Old Vic shouldn’t be missed by any theatre fanatic during a visit to London.

Not only is The Old Vic one of the oldest theatres in London and one of the most famous theatres in the world, it’s also become known as “The Actors’ Theatre” thanks to jump-starting the careers of some of the best actors and actresses in British history.

The theatre now known as The Old Vic first opened in 1818 as the Royal Coburg Theatre, and was designed by architect Rudolph Cabanel. The Old Vic has gone through several refurbishments and name changes throughout its history, and was renamed as the Royal Victoria Theatre in 1833, the Royal Victoria Palace in 1871, and the Royal Victoria Hall in 1880 in honour of Queen Victoria.

Under the direction of Lilian Baylis (who acquired the theatre in 1912 after the death of her aunt, Emma Cons), The Old Vic became known around the world for showcasing countless Shakespearean productions such as Hamlet, Richard II, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet and Othello, just to name a few.

The Old Vic has also helped catapult the careers of countless successful British actors and actresses, and some of the many famous names who have once performed on its stage include Ian McKellen, Laurence Olivier, Peggy Ashcroft, John Gielgud and Ralph Richardson to Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, AlbertIan Mc Finney, Peter O’Toole, and many, many more.

In recent years, The Old Vic has become synonymous with the famed American actor, producer and director Kevin Spacey, who spent 12 years working as the Artistic Director for the theatre between 2003 and 2015. Under his direction, the theatre has put on countless highly-raved about productions such as Cinderella, The Taming Of The Shrew, Dancing at Lughnasa, Kiss Me Kate, and many more.

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The Old Vic Highlights

There are several different performances held at The Old Vic throughout the year, and each performance usually runs for about one or two months.

But besides watching an unforgettable and award-winning performance at one of the most prestigious theatres in the world, visitors can now take a tour around The Old Vic with the Stage Door Manager Ned Seago, learn more about the theatre’s most famous patrons, and even hear some ghost stories as well.

The tour covers some of the many famous actors and actresses who once worked at the theatre (such as Ian McKellen, Judi Dench, Kevin Spacey, and Laurence Olivier), and will lead visitors through the backstage areas.

Every December Ned also hosts the theatre’s ever-popular Christmas Tour, where visitors can sip on a glass of mulled wine and munch on mince pie after taking a tour around The Old Vic.

Special Tips

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Getting There

Visiting the old vic.

Try to dress as conservatively and respectfully as possible during your visit to The Old Vic (especially for a performance).

There is a cafe and bar at the premises, and toilet facilities located on every level of the theatre.

There is a cloakroom where you can keep your coats and luggage during the performance which costs £1 per item or £2 for larger suitcases. The cloakroom opens one hour before the start of each show, and closes 15 minutes after the performance.

It is highly recommended that you purchase your tickets either over the phone or online beforehand, as The Old Vic’s Box Office can get incredibly busy on performance nights. Customers can either have their tickets posted to them, or pick them up at the Box Office up until 7:30 p.m.on the night of the performance or 2:30 p.m. for matinee performances; (however, make sure arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of each show as the queues can get quite long).

If you arrive late for a performance, there will be a monitor so you can watch the show while you wait for a latecomer’s entry point, and all theatregoers can see more information on the performances at the front-of-house-boards on the night of each performance.

Tours of The Old Vic last for approximately 75 minutes, and booking in advance is highly recommended as spaces are limited. For more information on tour dates and times, visit The Old Vic’s official website.

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When to Visit

There are three levels of seating (Stalls, Dress Circle and the Lilian Baylis Circle) which range in price and view, and tickets cost anywhere from £27 to £75 depending on which performance time or seat you choose. Evening performances are usually more expensive, while seats in Lilian Baylis Circle tend to be cheaper.

There are discounted tickets available for purchase on the day of a performance, as well as PwC £10 Previews tickets given out for the first five performances of every show.

Tickets can be exchanged, but only if the theatre is given more than 48 hours’ notice before the original performance, and there is a £2 exchange fee for each ticket.

Performances usually take place at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and The Box Office is open from Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Penny Bar at the theatre is open from:

  • Monday to Wednesday, 8 am. To 1 a.m.
  • Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.
  • Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.

If you’re interested in going on one of Ned’s Tours of The Old Vic, tickets cost £10 per person, or £8 for seniors and students.

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The Old Vic

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Who are some of The Old Vic’s most famous patrons? What happened to the fourth level of the theatre? Are there any ghosts lurking backstage? Acting legends from Laurence Olivier to Judi Dench to Ian McKellen have all trodden the boards at The Old Vic. For a chance to follow in their footsteps, hear about The Old Vic’s fascinating past and see the theatre in a new light, book a tour with Stage Door Manager Ned Seago.   Ned's Tours Duration  75 minutes. Tour Information. How to book  Contact the theatre for more information phone 0344 871 7628. Cost  Check with the theatre. Other information  Bespoke tours for groups can be arranged, as well as adapted tours for people with access requirements. Please note that standard tours are not step-free.

How to get there

The Old Vic is located in south London and is easily accessible on foot and by public transport. The nearest London Underground lines are Southwark (Jubille Line) and Waterloo (Northern Line and National Rail).

For further information please see the theatre's website

With over 48 theatres in the West End alone, London provides visitors with a wealth of diverse theatre architecture both new and old, from major playhouses to small music halls. The following London theatres currently offer tours:

Normansfield Theatre Royal Opera House Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Royal Drury Lane Theatre Royal Haymarket Wilton’s Music Hall

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Great Britain

Tel: +44(0)844 871 7628

The Old Vic, as it is now known, first opens on 11 May 1818 at a cost of £12,000 with design by architect Rudolph Cabanel. Building work had commenced two years earlier after Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg and Princess Charlotte of Wales laid the foundation stone. Some of the material for the new theatre, named the Royal Coburg, is recycled from the original Savoy Palace on the Strand. In the 1830s Edmund Kean played Richard III, Othello, Macbeth and King Lear during a six-night engagement. He tells a rowdy audience: ‘In my life I have never acted to such a set of ignorant, unmitigated brutes as I have before me’. In 1833 the theatre went through a refurbishment and was renamed The Royal Victoria, in honour of Princess (later Queen) Victoria. The history of The Old Vic was not always happy. London theatres were prone to fire and in 1858 a stampede ensued when an audience member called a false alarm in the theatre’s upper gallery. Sixteen people were killed as a result. By 1871 the theatre was put up for auction and sold to new owners who commission an entire reconstruction of the interiors by architect Jethro T Robinson, resulting in the removal of the upper gallery. The Old Vic is today one of the only two surviving examples of Robinson’s work. Back in 1871, the theatre is rebranded and reopened as The New Victoria Palace in an attempt to shed earlier misfortunes but financial troubles persist and it is twice put up for sale during the decade. In 1898, Lilian Baylis was appointed acting manager aged only 23. The theatre ran a number of successful plays throughout the early-20th century and in 1962 Lawrence Olivier was appointed first director of the National Theatre. The Old Vic governors agree to offer the theatre as its temporary home. The following year The Old Vic company disbanded and the National opened with Hamlet, starring Peter O’Toole. Over the next 13 years company regulars include Albert Finney, Anthony Hopkins, Geraldine McEwan, Joan Plowright and Maggie Smith. Today The Old Vic is supervised by Artistic Director, Kevin Spacey, and continues to have a successful run of plays and musicals.

See The Theatres Trust Database ID 1037 The Old Vic

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East City Films | Purpose-Driven Storytelling in VR, AR & Film

The Old Vic

A 360° video tour.

The Old Vic is one of the most successful, historical and renowned theatres in the world. It has entertained audiences with first class theatre for over 200 years. First built in 1818 the theatre had a capacity of over 1000 people but wasn’t built with access needs in mind. Much like with many of the West End theatres in London, entering the theatre in 2019 in a wheelchair is not up to the standards expected in the modern age. The Old Vic understands that access isn’t just about getting people through the front door, but also making sure that its whole experience is available to everybody - the many not the few - so in 2019 it set about making some pretty major changes.

“ We set out to make changes to The Old Vic that were reflective of the needs of today’s audiences and our local community. An accessible front of house, new lift, 10 auditorium wheelchair spaces, double the loo provision, an additional bar, and an ethically produced sustainable range of food and wine on offer, all feel like significant steps towards securing The Old Vic’s future as an artistic powerhouse and a vital civic resource. ”

The new accessible entrance on Waterloo Road.

The new accessible entrance on Waterloo Road.

In October 2019 the Old Vic celebrated the reopening of its front of house spaces following a major restoration project to improve accessibility. This marked the first phase of a multi-phased capital project to renew and the transform the 201 year old building for a 21st century audience.

This project is a physical manifestation of The Old Vic’s social mission to support, educate and welcome more people than ever before. The reopening is the culmination of several years’ work to transform the historic building, including importantly to enable wheelchair access into The Old Vic for the first time in 200 years. Notable features include:

an accessible entrance on Waterloo Road with a lift down to the Penny Cafe and bar and up to the new accessible Box Office and inner foyer areas

a redesigned accessible Penny cafe and bar with a doubled loo provision including a wheelchair accessible loo, baby changing facilities and two ‘roomier’ loos

an accessible Box Office and inner foyer space featuring a bespoke theatrical curtain designed by Rob Howell

the creation of a large outer foyer bar

The new lift in the new foyer and box office.

The new lift in the new foyer and box office.

The task for East City Films, which was presented to us by The Old Vic’s partner Price Waterhouse Cooper, was to create a 360° video tour of the new facilities to live on the brand new access section of The Old Vic website. Research has shown that being able to explore the full 360° of a location allows viewers to fully connect with a space and to trust that what they see, is what exists. This is of paramount importance for wheelchair users or people with access needs, as they need to know as much as possible about a public space before visiting it.

After researching other theatres and how they present the access of the theatre online East City Films, PwC and The Old Vic were keen to go the extra mile with the 360° tour. We found that many theatres simply presented the space with a nameless narrator explaining what you saw. We found this functional but lacking in the creative expression that otherwise runs through art institutions like these.

A panoramic of the new Penny bar & cafe

A panoramic of the new Penny bar & cafe

After brainstorming with the awesome creative team at PwC, The Old Vic encouraged our proposal to use its patrons to show off the new space. With help from the outreach team at The Old Vic, we were delighted to find four wonderful community members and Old Vic supporters that were willing to share their stories. Using testimony that centred around their relationship with the theatre, and clear guided description of the new areas, we were able to create a 360° video tour of The Old Vic that felt like a one-one-one tour given by an old friend. By including a wheelchair user (blogger Shona Louise ) and a visually-impaired person (regular Old Vic-goer Richard Parker), we were able to create a video that was trustworthy and reassuring for people with disability as well as able-bodied.

“ East City Films were a pleasure to work with and helped us produce a video which by and away was beyond all client expectations. Their team were highly professional and supportive throughout the three-month process. Always contactable and adaptable to a challenging filming schedule. I had a fantastic working relationship with East City and would highly recommend their services in the future. ”

Incorporating techniques which we have used in much of our 360° and VR documentary making we have produced a piece of content that is both informative and emotive - you get to see the new spaces whilst also building a deeper relationship with the theatre’s ethos through people who are just like you.

Sebastian Hagemeister with the Meta Camera in the new Penny cafe and bar.

Sebastian Hagemeister with the Meta Camera in the new Penny cafe and bar.

As this 360° video was primarily for online use we decided not to go stereoscopic and therefore had to select a monoscopic camera which best served the challenges with which we were presented. As we were filming in an open and busy theatre we needed to be able to work quickly - we needed to keep lighting to a minimum and particularly in the beautiful auditorium, that meant battling against some pretty low light. We had a shot from a seat which was just before the curtain went up on a sold out performance, so we also needed a camera that could handle filming people very close to the lens. We decided that the best camera to use was the Meta Camera, which is a back to back rig, with a low parallax, is excellent in low light and has some of the best lenses in 360° filming.

The crew laying track for the moving shot into the new entrance on Waterloo Road.

The crew laying track for the moving shot into the new entrance on Waterloo Road.

Audio is always incredibly important and we were keen to capture all the rich sounds of this bustling theatre, creating a video which found the truth of The Old Vic as it enters the 21st century. Working with Oliver Kadel we ended up with a spatial mix that brought the many elements of the building together in a powerful and atmospheric soundtrack befitting this world-class theatre.

As ever our team of Jon Boyce, Andrew Yardley, Conan Roberts, Oliver Kadel, Rachael Sutton, Ashley Cowan and Darren Emerson delivered a piece of 360° video work which is deep in emotion and rich in purpose. We hope you enjoy it. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you would like to discuss a similar project.

A flat image from the 360° Tour featuring the auditorium, the new wheelchair spaces and contributor Lana Rathbone.

A flat image from the 360° Tour featuring the auditorium, the new wheelchair spaces and contributor Lana Rathbone.

A flat image of the new Box Office and foyer, featuring our guide Obed Mayamona.

A flat image of the new Box Office and foyer, featuring our guide Obed Mayamona.

DIRECTED BY DARREN EMERSON | PRODUCED BY ASHLEY COWAN | SOUND & MUSIC DESIGN BY OLIVER KADEL |STITCHED & EDITED BY CONAN ROBERTS | CAMERA BY JON BOYCE, ANDREW YARDLEY & SEBASTIAN HAGEMEISTER | COMMISSIONED BY TOM MOORER, ROB PILKINTON & LAUREN PLEYDELL-PEARCE AT PwC

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Just For One Day The Live Aid Musical Tickets

★★★★ “A triumph” – Express

Just For One Day  is the extraordinary new musical about the story of  Live Aid  and the people united by it, coming to The Old Vic theatre in London in 2024.

From the director of  & Juliet  and writer of  Mrs Doubtfire , relive the day music brought 1.5 billion people together and changed the world.

This thrilling new musical features songs from Bob Dylan ,  David Bowie ,  The Who ,  U2 ,  Queen ,  The Police ,  Elton John ,  Paul McCartney ,  The Pretenders ,  The Cars ,  Status Quo ,  Paul Weller ,  Sade ,  The Boomtown Rats ,  Bryan Adams ,  Diana Ross ,  Ultravox  and many more.

On 13 July 1985 Live Aid – two benefits concerts, one in London the other in Philadelphia, took place and made history, organised by Rock stars Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money for the Ethiopian famine crisis. 70 artists performed in front of an audience of 1.5 billion, and $127 million was raised for famine relief.

Just For One Day is the story of that incredible day. In a decade of neon and noise, one moment made the world stand still and brought 1.5 billion people together – and they all have a story to tell about ‘the day rock ‘n’ roll changed the world’.  

Directed by Luke Sheppard ( & Juliet , The Little Big Things ), with a book by John O’Farrell ( Mrs Doubtfire ), and in collaboration with Sir Bob Geldof , a talented cast of 26 includes Craige Els (Doctor Who, Antigone ), Naomi Katiyo ( Treason The Musical, Ain’t Too Proud ), Julie Atherton ( Sister Act The Musical ), Jackie Clune ( Billy Elliot The Musical ), Olly Dobson ( Back to the Future ), Joel Montague ( Hamilton ), and Danielle Steers ( Six ).

10% of the sale of all tickets will be donated to The Band Aid Charitable Trust

Just For One Day is playing at The Old Vic theatre in London from 26 January to 30 March 2024.

What's the story of Just For One Day?

Political unrest, social revolution, boom and bust. In a decade of neon and noise, one moment made the world stand still and brought 1.5 billion people together – and they all have a story to tell about ‘the day rock ‘n’ roll changed the world’.

Who is in the cast of Just For One Day?

Julie Atherton as Margaret Thatcher, Jason Battersby as David, Ashley Campbell as Jim, Jackie Clune as Suzanne 2024, Olly Dobson as John, Joe Edgar as Tim, Craige Els as Bob Geldof, Jo Foster as Bernie, Collette Guitart as Maria, James Hameed as Khalil, Naomi Katiyo as Jemma, Hope Kenna as Suzanne 1985, Freddie Love as Skye, Joel Montague as Harvey, Abiona Omonua as Amara, Emily Ooi as Ellie, Jack Shalloo as Midge, Danielle Steers as Marsha, Tamara Tare as Alicia, Rhys Wilkinson as Roger/Assistant Dance Captain, Cassiopeia Berkeley-Agyepong as Adwoa, Kerry Enright as Bella, AJ Lewis as Kai, Rachel Moran as Paige/Dance Captain, Dyd Wynford as Malcolm, Eddie Mann as Understudy Bob.

Who are the creative team of Just For One Day?

Directed by Luke Sheppard, with a book by John O’Farrell.

Matthew Brind (musical supervision, arrangements and orchestration), Ebony Molina (choreography), Soutra Gilmour (set design), Fay Fullerton (costumes), Howard Hudson (lighting design), Gareth Owen (sound design), Andrzej Goulding (video and animation), and Stuart Burt (casting).

An Old Vic Production by permission of The Band Aid Charitable Trust. Just For One Day is supported by Jamie Wilson Productions, Kevin McCollum, Sonia Friedman Productions, Gavin Kalin Productions, Kenny Wax Ltd and the Ambassador Theatre Group.

Cast & Creatives Highlights

Naomi Katiyo

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Important Notes

Access performances:

Audio Described: Mon 18 Mar, 7.30pm (Touch Tour, 5.30pm); Captioned: Fri 22 Mar, 7.30pm; Relaxed: Sat 23 Mar, 2.30pm; British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted: Mon 25 Mar, 7.30pm

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Official London Theatre tickets for  Just For One Day at the Old Vic, London

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Old Vic Theatre

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The Old Vic Theatre has featured superb performances for nearly 200 years

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The Old Vic Theatre was first established in 1818 at which time it was called the Royal Coburg Theatre. In 1880 it changed ownership and became the Royal Victoria Hall. Beginning in 1914 the theatre began running a series of Shakespeare plays. Heavily damaged by the air raids of 1940, the theatre was re-opened in 1950.

The Old Vic Theatre Company was established in 1929. In 1963 the company was dissolved and replaced by the National Theatre Company which played at the Old Vic until opening their own theatre across the river in 1976. The Old Vic continued to host both classic and new dramas. In 1985 it benefited from a substantial restoration. In the year 2000 the building was purchased by a charitable trust.

Well known American actor Kevin Spacey has been the artistic director of the new Old Vic Theatre Company since 2003, bringing new life and a mixture of British and American talent to the stage. He personally appears in one or two shows each year.

The Old Vic can accommodate an audience of a little over 1000 guests. For more information about the Old Vic Theatre as well as shows and schedules visit their official website link below.

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Regular Hours: May differ on holidays

  • Monday: 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM
  • Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM
  • Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM
  • Thursday: 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM
  • Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM
  • Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

Address: 103 The Cut, London SE1 8NB, UK

Phone: 0344 871 7628

Official Website: Old Vic Theatre

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From Waterloo Station exit onto Waterloo Road and go to your right (south). The Old Vic Theatre is a short walk ahead on the southeast corner of Waterloo Road and The Cut.

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Just For One Day

Relive the day music brought the world together with brand new musical JUST FOR ONE DAY at The Old Vic. Political unrest, social revolution, boom and bust. In a decade of neon and noise, one moment made the world stand still and brought 1.5 billion people together – and they...

Just For One Day

Written by American journalist and playwright Sophie Treadwell, MACHINAL is coming to the Old Vic for a limited run this year. Rosie Sheehy (Oleanna, Chernobyl) reprises her critically acclaimed role in Olivier Award-winning director Richard Jones' 'outstanding production' (Daily Mail). Based on the life of convicted murderer Ruth Snyder, Machinal...

Machinal

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Searching for the Oliviers in Australia

By Kendra + August 7, 2017

Any hard-core history geek knows the thrill of visiting places where one’s favorite historical figures lived, worked, or otherwise stayed. Perhaps even more thrilling is getting a first-hand look at objects and manuscript materials related to said historical figures. This is certainly the case for many Vivien Leigh fans. Long-time friend of vivandlarry.com, Shiroma Nathan , is a Vivien Leigh fan in Australia who recently took the opportunity to go where very few fans have gone before: The National Library of Australia in Canberra. Read about her trip and experience viewing a very special photograph album in this guest blog post.

In 1948, Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh led The Old Vic Theatre Company on a tour of Australia and New Zealand.  It was a symbolic gesture by the British Government to thank both countries for their war efforts. The yearlong tour, was the most influential by a Shakespearean acting troupe in that it brought to the Antipodes a type of highbrow culture that had never seen there before.

Olivier, the finest Shakespearean actor of his era, with Vivien Leigh his glamorous, famous, talented wife, made a dashing couple. Together they were treated like royalty and indeed, by 1948, they were known as the ‘King and Queen of the English stage.’ Newspapers wrote of nothing else , they were continually mobbed, invited to society balls, to give speeches, address Parliament, dine with leaders, lecture and scout for local talent. They were the first celebrity couple to be hounded by fans, media and idolized.

Olivier spoke much to the press and at lectures, encouraging Australia to establish theatre schools to prevent talent from  going overseas. His speeches caused ripples in theatre circles and prompted fresh ideas and thought. It would encourage other theatre companies to tour Australia and contributed to a Shakespearean boom in the 1950s.

The tour was a wonderful success, remarkable, influential, and fondly remembered by many. But it also marked the beginning of the end of one of the greatest love stories of its day. The Olivier marriage, which had come at a great cost (they had both abandoned their spouses and children to be together) never recovered from the stress, strain and exhaustion of the tour. Both suffered health issues with Olivier needing knee surgery in Auckland, and Vivien constantly suffering colds. It was also in Australia where they met Peter Finch, whom Olivier would go onto mentor and with whom Vivien would have an affair, causing irreparable damage to both the Olivier and Finch marriages.

Olivier would later recall that he had in fact lost Vivien, his greatest love and inspiration, in Australia. He wrote in his autobiography, “Somehow, somewhere on this tour I knew Vivien was lost to me. I, half-joking, would say at odd moments after we had got back home, I lorst you in Australia”.

In 1994, The Australian National Library, acquired what was most likely the personal album the Oliviers kept of the 1948 tour, containing close to 600 photos. Ever since I first heard of this, I had been meaning to visit Canberra. And finally, I did last month. (Note: The National Library confirms that it does not have any information on the provenance of the album, but it is titled ‘Athol Shmith Album Australian Tour 1948, Laurence Olivier & Vivien Leigh & Old Vic Co’. Louis Athol Shmith was a prominent photographer who took portraits of Vivien during the tour. It is possible that the album was gifted to Athol Smith by the Oliviers at some point.)  

Canberra, the Capital Centre of Australia is about a 7 hour drive or one hour flight from Melbourne, where I live. I had last been there on the mandatory politics tour from school many, many years ago. Most Australians love to say that they don’t like Canberra because it is synonymous with being our boring administrative centre, lacking character and soul; another reason why I kept putting this trip off.  This time however, I was pleasantly surprised.  It’s very clean, safe, pretty and most importantly, there’s a smorgasbord of attractions for the culture/history-craving visitor to enjoy.

I chose to stay at The Hyatt Canberra , because of course, I always prefer a place with a story. It’s the oldest hotel in Canberra and was specifically built for visitors and parliamentarians back in 1924. The building itself was built in a Prairie style to evoke a welcoming atmosphere of a country estate. The hotel’s page of history says “Its precise angular forms, white rough cast walls and red tiled roofs, coupled with the arrangement of the pavilions around two garden courtyards, set a popular standard for subsequent buildings in Canberra.” Many political plots are said to have been contrived and consummated in its smoke filled rooms over the years.

The National Library of Australia stands proudly on the shores of  Lake Burely Griffin. It’s a fitting place for anything Vivien Leigh-related to be housed in my opinion. The album, which has to be requested by appointment, was to be viewed in the special reading room, on the first floor.  I was asked to sit right in front of the reception counter desk when I was handed the box containing the album.

My first feelings, upon unfolding the box that contained it was a deep sense of sadness. The front cover has their initials and is just titled ‘Australian Tour 1948’. It looks tired, worn and forgotten.    

Carefully turning the pages, one gets a never before seen look into the real world that the Oliviers lived in during that one year – away from the stage, the media and mobs. The first few pages show the company on board the SS Corinthic on its way to Fremantle. The first picture glued to the back of the cover is a version that is featured in Garry O’Connor’s book of the tour titled Darlings of the Gods , and shows the main players of the company sitting and standing with the Captain. Olivier is checking out the camera around his neck (most probably the one from which the album’s photos originated) and Vivien is sitting next to him holding her famous white sunglasses and smiling.

The next few photos show Vivien at the wheel of the ship, a recognizable scarf around her neck, sweater and woolen pleated skirt. There are many of the company playing popular games, lounging around on the decks, swimming, sunbathing and reading. One gets the sense of a leisurely intimate cruise. They are all casual shots and there are no photos of dinners at the Captain’s table, dancing or practicing their plays.

Once in Australia, we see many landscape photos. They are  very good and well composed. The photographer shows an appreciation to nature, farms, animals and native flora. Olivier had said upon arriving on Australian shores that they intended on seeing every kind of animal and bird there is and learn as much about the country that they could. The photos are a testament to that.   

Continuing on there are many photos of the couple being entertained by people in their homes and what appear to be country estates. One particular series show Olivier playing with a white dog on the steps of a house, Vivien sitting in a cane lazy chair, eating and smoking. Clearly the owners’ white dog got a lot of attention that day, including being the subject of his own photos.

There are pictures of picnics on random country side roads, beside rivers, bridges, and many beach trips. It’s obvious that the the Oliviers had mostly picked to stay in houses instead of hotels on this trip. I believe it was a preference they both had whilst on tours. I was most surprised by a few photos showing them staying in what appears to look like a very ‘out-backy’ basic wooden home, in front of a lake. It looks like in the middle of nowhere. By the looks of the house style – wooden on stilts – and landscape, I’d say it’s in North Queensland.  A poignant shot shows Vivien combing her hair on the verandah, towels casually draped on the wooden railing. They look like ordinary country folk at home on an Aussie outback farm.  

Intermingled with these casual photos, there are a handful of formal shots that we have been privy to before and have been digitized by the library. I have also noticed some photos taken in the same setting, which are from these series, in private collections.

The hundreds of casual photos cast a light on a side of the tour that is not conveyed in the mirage of newspaper articles, formal and press photos, video footage, and in Garry O’Connor’s book. There are many photos missing and some are disintegrating. There was also no information on the back of the photos I checked.

What one does see in the images is a company that truly had an authentic experience, a photographer that captured the amazing uniqueness of Australia, who appreciated its people, land, native flora, animals. The images illustrate a couple that played games, frolicked in the sun and sand, and looked after their company as God and Angel (the name the crew gave them). Most poignantly captured are the special but ordinary moments of happiness that speak a thousand words, and which they must have remembered for years afterward.

If I had to pick one picture that stays in my mind from this album, it will be the one of Vivien walking by herself on a hilly country road, far away, back to the camera, sun light streaming through the trees and ferns. She’s walking away, she’s leaving. Whoever took the picture was watching her from a distance. Maybe it was Olivier that captured this moment and maybe that was the moment he lost her in Australia.

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Tags: archives guest post laurence olivier the oliviers vivien leigh

Kendra has been the weblady at vivandlarry.com since 2007. She lives in Yorkshire and is the author of Vivien Leigh: An Intimate Portrait , and co-author of Ava Gardner: A Life in Movies (Running Press). Follow her on Twitter @kendrajbean , Instagram at @vivandlarrygram , or at her official website . View all posts

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Comments (11)

This is an amazing find at the Australian Library in Canberra. It must have been a thrill for Shiroma when she first had it in her hands but also disappointing at the poor condition of some of the photos and the album itself. …thank you so much for such an interesting account on this subject ,giving further insights on the Oliviers tour of Australia Audrey

Wow – truly a rare find and a rare treat! Is there any way to persuade the library to digitize this album so that it’s safe? What a shame if these rare photos disintegrate! Did Shiroma more pictures of them we could look at?

This is an amazing album to have seen, I bet it was worth every hour of the flight and drive! Sounds like you had the opportunity to see something that many of us won’t, a trip into that private year of theirs. I felt quite sad at your description of the last picture, I feel for them all in different ways. Thanks for sharing this with us Shiroma xxx

A love that lasted an eternity. For Vivien.

love the pics, well done shiroma.

Fine post, thank you Shiroma for sharing this experience with us. it’s so sad that such great stars seem now to be so neglected

Thanks for that brilliant description,Shiroma.I have visited Canberra from Sydney on many occasions ,both for business & pleasure & can’t believe that I have been so very close to this spectacular album and not known about it.My parents-in -law worked there for many years and eventually owned a beautiful property about 40minutes out of Canberra which I and my husband frequently spent the weekend ,or if lucky,longer visits. It is the same as most cities in that if you are lucky enough to have a guide who is also a local, you will be party to many places only known to “the locals”.I loved visiting in Autumn when the many deciduous trees, not native to the rest of Australia , displayed every beautiful shade until they fell to the ground.As Australia`s capital city, the planning by it’s architect Walter Burley Griffin, is evident in the long avenue which lines up the War Memorial with Parliament House.When deciding on the location for the countries capital,there was apparently much competition between Sydney and Melbourne,until it was decided with questionable wisdom(?) that the new Capital be located approximately in the centre between the two cities.Therefore,unlike most cities, it was carefully planned and even the massive lake ,although it flows from a large river, was artificially created.By the late 1980`s it had settled comfortably into it’s surroundings,the many beautiful European trees had grown ,and with it`s many beautiful public public gardens , National Art gallery featuring Australia`s largest indigenous art collection and many international art tours, it had become a very unique place to visit. I have visited the High Court & National Library , which holds many important Australian documents, and as I am now aware,this very special album featuring candid (my favourite type!) shots of the actress I have been a great fan of, since I was twelve years old.I am now very keen to once again visit Canberra ,next Autumn/Winter (I have MS and the hot weather does not agree with me) & make an appointment to visit this special album.In the meantime,I will attempt to contact the National Library and encourage them to begin digital preservation at least; and preferably conservation of the album itself. I will advise you of my results!! Nene

Dear Janine

We’re you successful in your attempts to have the album digitised?

I believe peter Cushing and his wife Helen beck where also in the old Vic company on the tour and terence Morgan and his wife I can’t recall her name unfortunately. Morgan and cushing where both in Olivier’s film of hamlet made in 1947.

Also on this tour the Olivier’s met peter finch.

Evening Standard

Just For One Day at the Old Vic review: it's sincere, sure, but the Live Aid musical all feels a bit sanitised

Live Aid 1985 is one of those moments that will remain forever embedded in our collective cultural psyche. That moment when Bob Geldof and his mates took it upon themselves to ‘feed the world’, as is so famously quoted in the Christmas tune; or, specifically, feed Ethiopia, who at that time were experiencing their worst famine in a century.

If you’re in the mood for a heady cocktail of aggressive nostalgia, 80s bangers, and very impressive singing voices, then this might be the show for you. Just be prepared for a garnish of corny dialogue and a dash of white saviourism.

Ahead of the show, some might find themselves wondering what degree of self-awareness they can expect – will it acknowledge the potential damage it did to the world’s image of Africa, as well as all the money that was raised? To be fair, writer John O’Farrell employs a handful of framing devices with his book that give space for some self-critique.

There’s the Gen-Z Jemma (Naomi Katiyo) who’s keen to interrogate whether the concert is relevant today, dismissing the effort as ‘a load of old white guys taking a day off from snorting cocaine to help Africa’. There’s also aid worker Amara (Abiona Omonua), who listens in sceptically via her radio and eventually confronts Geldof (Craige Els) about his noble but simplistic motivations.

The show is keen to avoid lauding Geldof as a hero, and instead includes fictionalised stories of ‘the little people’ that made it all happen – but these characters are largely two-dimensional and speak in cringey one-liners (‘people like us don’t change the world!’).

If there’s a highlight, then it is – unsurprisingly – the music, which is rendered by an explosive on-stage band and a boundlessly energetic ensemble. Luke Sheppard’s production does a brilliant job of conjuring the communal spirit and inimitable magic of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with thousands of others at a big gig. And, despite the musical’s jukebox nature, the well-known songs are not just thrown at the story at random, but rather are tied to the narrative beats and often imbued with new, subtler meanings. Omonua’s rendition of Blowing in the Wind and Katiyo’s of My Generation are goosebump-inducing.

Nevertheless, it all feels a bit sanitised. With the show’s talk of children undergoing suffering and death, there are unignorable resonances with currently evolving humanitarian crises – but the closing message is essentially a vague, if well-intentioned, ‘there are issues going on right now but if we come together, it’ll all be fine’. This heartfelt belief in togetherness feels genuine, and you may well find yourself swept up by it. But despite the relentless insistence on showing us a good time, I couldn’t shake the feeling that we’d been fed a slightly hollow platitude.

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The History Hit Miscellany of Facts, Figures and Fascinating Finds

The Old Vic

London, England, United Kingdom

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Sarah Roller

21 jun 2021, @sarahroller8.

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About The Old Vic

The Old Vic is one of London’s key theatres and was formerly home to the National Theatre of Great Britain. It continues to host regular performances today and remains a much-loved institution in the performing arts scene.

History of the Old Vic

The Old Vic was originally founded in 1818 by James King and Daniel Dunn. With the patronage of Princess Charlotte and Prince Leopold, it was named the Royal Coburg Theatre although without letters patent, it was technically forbidden to show serious drama but in 1824, legendary actor Edmund Kean performed six Shakespeare plays in six nights, bringing high art to the masses.

In 1833, the theatre was renamed the Royal Victoria Theatre, after Princess Victoria, heir presumptive at the time. She visited only once, but this justified the theatre’s new nickname – the Old Vic – and the theatre’s ongoing claim to be ‘Queen Victoria’s Own Theayter’ from then on. Melodrama tended to be the majority of what was played, but occasionally opera was performed too.

Like almost all of London’s theatres, there was a fire-related disaster at the Old Vic in 1858. An actor’s clothing caught fire, panic ensued and 16 people were crushed to death as a result. The theatre went through various reincarnations, including a brief period as a temperance hall and coffee tavern, before become a hub for Shakespeare in 1912, when the theatre was under the management of Lilian Baylis.

The Old Vic was badly damaged during the Blitz, and spent most of the Second World War touring. In 1944, Laurence Olivier joined the newly re-established Old Vic Theatre Company, and the theatre re-opened following renovations in 1950. It was the home of the National Theatre Company between 1963 and 1976.

Today, the Old Vic is one of London’s best-loved theatres and has an acclaimed programme of performances every season.

The Old Vic today

The Old Vic has regular performances – tickets often sell out far in advance so it’s worth being organised. Unfortunately the theatre doesn’t run tours, but there is a café and bar which is open to use.

Getting to the Old Vic

The Old Vic is 5 minutes walk from Waterloo, on the Cut and Waterloo Road. It’s a short walk from Southwark Station too. The Southbank is 5 minutes away and teeming with excellent restaurants, bars and atmosphere if you want to grab something to eat or drink before the performance.

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  • Entertainment

‘Love you forever’: Taylor Swift issues heartfelt note to Sydney after Eras Tour

Taylor Swift may have left Australia, but the megastar has assured locals she’ll never forget them with a sweet message honouring her fans.

Lexie Cartwright

A-list stars spotted at Bondi hotspot

Image on fan’s phone infuriates Swifties

Image on fan’s phone infuriates Swifties

Major pop stars arrive in Australia

Major pop stars arrive in Australia

Sydney, Taylor Swift had the time of her life with you.

The US pop star has issued a heartfelt note to the harbour city after wrapping her fourth and final Eras Tour concert at Accor Stadium Monday night.

Swift, who has landed in Singapore ahead of six shows, took to social media saying crowds at her sellout Aussie concerts were “louder than I thought humanly possible.”

“Sydney, Sydney, Sydney, Sydney …” Swift began her Instagram post alongside a series of photos.

Taylor Swift performed four shows at Sydney’s Accor Stadium. Picture: Don Arnold/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

“What a whirlwind of endless magical moments with you. I’m so grateful that we got to be the first tour to play Accor Stadium 4 times.

“I’ll never forget singing with Sabrina [Carpenter], the chaotic acoustic mashups, and the crowds that were louder (singing AND screaming) than I thought humanly possible.

“I want to thank all Aussie fans for being so positive and passionate, so funny and wild and FUN.

“Love you forever.”

More than 600,000 tickets were sold to Swift’s seven shows in Melbourne and Sydney, including three sold-out shows at the MCG with record audiences of 96,000 fans per night.

Swift was captivated by Aussie crowds. Picture: Don Arnold/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

The 14-time Grammy winner’s visit down under – her first since 2018 – entirely captivated the nation, with her every move – from her glittering concerts, to her low-key dinner in Surry Hills and several visits at the Sydney zoo – leading breakfast shows and evening bulletins.

Even Swift’s boyfriend, NFL player Travis Kelce, got a rock star treatment when his arrival in Sydney via private jet last Thursday was broadcast live on several news channels.

There was one hiccup, with Swift’s father Scott , 71, accused of assaulting a paparazzi in Neutral Bay early on Tuesday morning.

Paparazzi photographer Ben McDonald alleges Swift’s father, Scott Swift, assaulted him at the Sydney ferry wharf.

McDonald told NCA NewsWire he had been covering Swift’s boat outing on Sydney Harbour at the time of the alleged attack, which left him with “a sore chop and a bruised ego”.

Taylor Swift and her father Scott Swift. Picture: Instagram

“Police have been told a 71-year-old man allegedly assaulted a 51-year-old man at Neutral Bay Wharf about 2.30am before leaving the location,” a NSW Police spokesman confirmed on Tuesday morning.

“The younger man reported the incident and inquiries are now under way by officers attached to North Shore Police Area Command.”

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A spokeswoman for Swift claimed the photographers were being “aggressive”.

“Two individuals were aggressively pushing their way towards Taylor, grabbing at her security personnel, and threatening to throw a female staff member into the water,” the spokeswoman claimed.

NSW Police are investigating the incident, which occurred after Swift celebrated her last show with a boat trip on Sydney Harbour.

Shortly after touching down at Sydney airport, the Jonas Brothers stunned onlookers as they casually rocked up at a popular Bondi Beach venue.

Footage from Taylor Swift’s sold-out concert in Sydney has sparked a fiery response from diehard fans who missed out on a ticket.

One of the world’s biggest boy bands has touched down in Australia for their very first tour Down Under.

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A list of former nfl and college football stars (matt corral) in the ufl for the 2024 season, share this article.

The UFL is about to kick off its inaugural season, as the XFL and USFL merged together to form one superleague for the 2024 season.

Training camp is underway for all eight UFL teams, and there are plenty of notable names that are competing for roster spots for the upcoming season.

Notable players include former first-round NFL draft picks, a former NFL sack leader, a beloved punter, a couple of siblings to NFL stars, college stars who are trying to make it in the big leagues and plenty more.

Let’s take a look at all eight teams and see who some of these names are.

Birmingham Stallions

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Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

  • QB Matt Corral (above)
  • RB Larry Roundtree III
  • WR Amani Rodgers
  • WR Deon Cain
  • TE Marcus Baugh
  • G Deonte Brown
  • DE Hercules Mata’afa
  • ILB Travin Howard
  • CB Terrell Bonds
  • K Chris Blewitt

Full Roster

Houston Roughnecks

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Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports

  • QB Jarrett Guarantano (above)
  • OL Robert Myers Jr.
  • RB Shermari Jones
  • RB Ryan Nall
  • TE Ryan Izzo
  • DE Ethan Westbrooks
  • DT Toby Johnson
  • DT Chris Odom
  • DT Olive Sagapolu
  • OLB Reuben Foster
  • CB Colby Richardson
  • K Luis Aguilar

Full Roster 

Memphis Showboats

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Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports

  • QB Troy Williams
  • WR Vinny Papale
  • TE Sage Surratt
  • OL Alec Lindstrom
  • C Jordan McCray
  • DE P.J. Hall (above)
  • NT John Atkins Sr.
  • NT Daylon Mack
  • OLB Jordan Brailford
  • OLB Vontae Diggs
  • LB Dylan Moses
  • CB Delrick Abrams Jr.
  • CB Quenton Meeks
  • CB Nehemiah Shelton
  • S T.J. Green

Michigan Panthers

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Journal Sentinel

  • QB Danny Etling (above)
  • QB E.J. Perry
  • RB Raymond Calais
  • WR Devin Gray
  • WR Samson Nacua
  • OT Chim Okorafor
  • DT T.J. Carter
  • DE Breeland Speaks
  • DE Kenny Willekes
  • LB Noah Dawkins
  • LB Frank Ginda
  • S Adonis Alexander
  • S Will Adams

Arlington Roughnecks

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Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY

  • QB Luis Perez
  • WR Deontay Burnett
  • WR Matt Landers
  • WR Caleb Vander Esch
  • OL Bobby Evans
  • DL Trevon Coley
  • OLB Vic Beasley (above)
  • OLB Christian Sam
  • LB Tuzar Skipper
  • CB Jamal Carter
  • P Marquette King

D.C. Defenders

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Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports

  • QB Deandre Francois
  • QB Jordan Ta’amu
  • RB Pooka Williams
  • WR Keke Coutee (above)
  • WR Chris Rowland
  • WR Preston Williams
  • OL Lamont Gaillard
  • DL Davin Bellamy
  • LB Francis Bernard
  • DB DJ Swearinger
  • DB Deandre Baker
  • DB Gareon Conley
  • DB Kentrell Brice

San Antonio Brahmas

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Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports

  • QB Tom Flacco
  • RB Anthony McFarland Jr.
  • RB Jaylen Samuels
  • OL Rashaard Coward
  • TE Cody Latimer
  • TE Alize Mack
  • DL Jalen Dalton
  • DL Caeveon Patton
  • OLB Wyatt Ray
  • OLB Delontae Scott
  • DB Teez Tabor (above)
  • DB BoPete Keyes
  • DB Darrius Phillips
  • DB Bryce Thompson
  • DB Quincy Wilson
  • K Matt Ammendola
  • P Brad Wing

St. Louis Battlehawks

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Ronald Cortes/Getty Images

  • QB A.J. McCarron (above)
  • RB Wayne Gallman
  • RB Jacob Saylors
  • G Dallas Warmack
  • WR Hakeem Butler
  • WR Marcell Ateman
  • WR James Bostic
  • WR Darrius Shepherd
  • WR Jamarcus Bradley
  • DT Antwuan Jackson
  • DT Kevin Atkins
  • LB Pita Taumoepenu
  • LB Callahan O’Reilly
  • LB Travis Feeney
  • DB Prince Charles Iworah
  • DB Mykael Wright
  • P Sterling Hofrichter

5 NFL trade destinations for elite Chiefs cornerback L'Jarius Sneed, including the Lions

Jets punter thomas morstead suggested mecole hardman was entitled during his time with the team, 5 nfl trade destinations for zach wilson, including the rams (seriously).

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The Chiefs 'reimagined' Arrowhead Stadium is mostly just more parking lots and NFL fans had jokes

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Tracking the biggest NFL cuts, including Shaquil Barrett and Mitch Trubisky, as teams clear cap space

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NFL fans are bracing for a Justin Fields trade after DraftKings removed his next team odds

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An Old Vic For Everyone

Anyone who visits or works at The Old Vic is engaged in a culture that values care and compassion for others and has a responsibility to ensure that a great experience is had by all.

We believe anyone should be able to access and experience theatre.

ACCESS TO THE THEATRE

Stalls – Step free access available to seats, bar and toilets

Dress – Steps: 29 to seats and bar,  41 to toilets

Baylis – Steps: 49 to seats and bar, 21 to toilets

UPCOMING ACCESS EVENTS

Find out the dates for upcoming Audio Described, Captioned, BSL interpreted and Relaxed performances for each production below. Sign up as an OV Access Member to book access tickets online.

JUST FOR ONE DAY

Audio described : Mon 18 Mar, 7.30pm (Touch Tour now sold out) Captioned : Fri 22 Mar, 7.30pm Relaxed (also audio described and captioned) : Sat 23 Mar, 2.30pm BSL : Mon 25 Mar, 7.30pm

Audio Described : Fri 17 May, 7.30pm (Touch Tour 5.30pm) Captioned : Mon 20 May, 7.30pm Relaxed (also audio described, captioned and BSL interpreted) : Sat 18 May, 2.30pm British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted : Fri 24 May, 7.30pm

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted : Wed 11 Dec, 7pm Audio described : Fri 13 Dec, 7pm (Touch Tour, 5pm) Relaxed (also audio described, captioned and BSL interpreted) : Sat 14 Dec, 2pm Captioned : Mon 16 Dec, 7pm

Access Membership

Sign up to our free Access Membership to book your access tickets online and receive access news.

During a touch tour, an audience member feels the cuffs of an actor's jacket

SERVICES FOR ACCESS PATRONS

Find out more about our facilities, tickets and performances for access patrons.

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What's Inside

Watch the video below to learn more about our theatre.

Get the latest updates, events and more from The Old Vic

NFL

Antonio Pierce wants Raiders to be aggressive at QB, doesn’t want a ‘Band-Aid’

LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 14: Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce reacts from the sideline during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on December 14, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

INDIANAPOLIS — Antonio Pierce is taking a back seat this week.

After a busy end to the season, a long assistant coach search and a victory tour of media row at the Super Bowl, the Las Vegas Raiders coach is enjoying talking to draft prospects at the NFL Scouting Combine and watching general manager Tom Telesco go to work.

“I don’t know how it’s going to play out, but Telesco better start working his magic,” Pierce said with a smile Wednesday. “I told him: ‘It’s your turn now. All eyes are on you. I am going to be undefeated for six more months.'”

The Raiders pick 13th in the NFL Draft , and there are three quarterbacks — Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels — who might be gone in the first three picks. Should they give up future first-round picks to move up and get their guy?

go-deeper

Raiders GM Tom Telesco set to 'explore every avenue' at quarterback

“I am sure that’s something that Telesco has already spoken about, but that’s my personality,” Pierce said. “As you guys saw and witnessed, I am a go-getter. But obviously that has to be a collective agreement.”

It’s no secret the Raiders are looking for their next quarterback this week. J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. are also first- or second-round options.

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“I just want a leader,” Pierce said. “I want a guy that can lead, that wants to compete. I want a guy that’s not afraid of a challenge because this is a big challenge that we have in front of us. We’ve got the world champs in our division again. You know what you have to deal with each and every year as long as you have Patrick Mahomes in our division.

“I want somebody that says: ‘You know what? I am up for that challenge.’ That’s the same way I look at it going against these three coaches in this division.”

Antonio Pierce on what he is looking for in a QB: pic.twitter.com/PBYH0i3BjO — Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) February 28, 2024

The starting job won’t be handed to a draft pick, as Aidan O’Connell earned the right last season to compete for that spot. But the new player should relish that, as well as the chance to win games on the biggest stage.

“I want a guy who when the game is on the line, he wants the ball,” Pierce said. “Making the throws or doing it with his legs or putting us in the right call.”

Pierce said he doesn’t want to go with an unknown commodity, someone who could develop long term.

“I want to go with a proven winner,” Pierce said. “And somebody that knows what it’s like to grind and go through some adversity.”

While some may take “proven winner” to mean a veteran, that appears to be the backup plan to finding a starter in the draft.

“You want guys with a bunch of starts underneath their belts — you don’t want a one-hit wonder,” Pierce said. “You don’t want a guy who had one year of success and say that’s the guy. You want someone who has been battle-tested, that has been through adversity, had challenges and wasn’t just handed the keys. Because that’s going to be the process here no matter what we do.”

O’Connell, a fourth-round pick last year, improved over 10 starts as a rookie, and he has already returned to the facility to start working out and meet the new coaching staff.

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“He never blinks,” Pierce said. “With all this noise and all this stuff about the quarterback, he comes to work every day and does his thing. It’s beautiful to see.”

Obviously, the Raiders hope their draft pick wins the job. The game has changed in recent years, and quarterbacks’ ability to extend plays and run for yards has resulted in more immediate impact than a need for long-term projection and development.

“I would hope whoever we draft, that’s the route we go, that’s who the starter becomes,” Pierce said. “You don’t want to put a Band-Aid at that position. That’s old … that’s old, man. I think the Raiders … we’ve seen that enough in this organization.”

That’s an obvious reference to Jimmy Garoppolo , who lasted just six games as a starter after being signed in free agency to replace Derek Carr , the starter for nine years after being drafted in the second round in 2014.

“You want the face of your franchise to be the quarterback, to be that guy you can count on for the next 10 years,” Pierce said.

Speaking of fixtures, Pierce is hopeful that the Raiders re-sign Josh Jacobs , who is set to hit the free-agent market.

“Two-headed monster with him and (Zamir) White? Watch out,” Pierce said.

go-deeper

Raiders unlikely to franchise tag Josh Jacobs

Pierce said he has so much respect for Jacobs.

“The last four games, he battled and he tried everything possible to play,” Pierce said. “It didn’t work out, but he was trying up to the last game. He had a lot on the line and that was unselfish of him, and I really respected that and appreciated that. I know it’s a business and I know that he wants to get paid — and I hope he gets paid as a Raider. But regardless if he’s not here, man, he was one of my favorite players to watch, coach and be around because of his mindset. He is an alpha. He is what you want at running back.”

The Raiders will again lean on the running game, but the offense will look different next season. Pierce is excited about offensive coordinator Luke Getsy and the rest of the coaching staff that he put together.

“It was a long process. I interviewed 11 offensive coordinators and five offensive line coaches,” Pierce said. “I feel like we have a group of men who are well-rounded, have a lot of ideas. Some guys have done it at the highest level as far as being a head coach for multiple years. Some guys are just getting into the game, and we also have seven former players.”

Pierce also praised the fact that “17 to 25 players” have been working out daily at the team facility. Defensive end Maxx Crosby punched in again at 6 a.m. Wednesday.

“It’s shocking,” Pierce said. “All these guys coming in since the Super Bowl. I don’t know why, but they seem to like being around the building a bit more. They seem to understand what they can do to get better and help us win. There is some meat on the bone from last season, and guys feel like there is unfinished business. They wanted more, and that mindset has carried over.

“This is a tight-knit group, man. And that’s why when people ask me why I talk or do what I do, it’s because I am backed up by 53 dawgs, 53 dudes that are ready to go to war still in February. We just gotta temper it down a little bit, AP as well.”

Pierce chuckled at the notion some critics call him a “rah-rah” coach or question his resume. The former New York Giants linebacker and team captain , college recruiter and NFL position coach is not going to change who he is because he is now a head coach.

“When I leave this job, I am going to be the guy I was before,” Pierce said. “This is a temporary seat. I am not a fool. I got hired and I am going to get fired. But the one thing they are not going to change about me is who I am. How I talk, how I walk, how I act. I don’t mince my words or bite my tongue. It is what it is. Like it or love it or don’t, this is me. It’s not a gimmick. I walk through the halls and see all these coaches, former players and scouts. Those were the same guys who told me I couldn’t do what I was going to do or had my back. I keep receipts.”

(Top photo: Cooper Neill / Getty Images)

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Vic Tafur

Vic Tafur is a senior writer for The Athletic covering the Las Vegas Raiders and the NFL. He previously worked for 12 years at the San Francisco Chronicle and also writes about boxing and mixed martial arts. Follow Vic on Twitter @ VicTafur

IMAGES

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  2. Ultimate Guide To The Old Vic

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  4. The Old Vic (Londra): AGGIORNATO 2020

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COMMENTS

  1. The Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Old Vic

    THE OLD VIC ULTIMATE GUIDE. Open: Mon - Thurs: 9:30am to 5:30PM. Time Needed: 2,5 hours. Price: £18 - £34. With a ton of award-winning plays, performances and musicals, to a royal and Kevin Spacey connection, The Old Vic shouldn't be missed by any theatre fanatic during a visit to London. Not only is The Old Vic one of the oldest ...

  2. The Old Vic

    The Old Vic Theatre (originally opened in 1818 !) is just across the road from Waterloo Station, with excellent transport links for overground and underground trains, plus buses and taxis. Written January 1, 2020. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

  3. Home

    The Old Vic Hub offers free digital learning content devised by theatre creatives and professionals. Our resources are designed to welcome anyone, of any age, experience or abilit

  4. The Old Vic history tours

    Ned's Tours. Duration 75 minutes. Tour Information. How to book Booking in advance or online is recommended. For more information phone 0844 871 7628 or email. Cost £10, £8 (concessions). Other information Bespoke tours for groups can be arranged, as well as adapted tours for people with access requirements. Please note that standard tours ...

  5. The Old Vic 360 Tour

    The Old Vic A 360° Video Tour. The Old Vic is one of the most successful, historical and renowned theatres in the world. It has entertained audiences with first class theatre for over 200 years. First built in 1818 the theatre had a capacity of over 1000 people but wasn't built with access needs in mind. Much like with many of the West End ...

  6. Visit

    The Old Vic is located very close to lots of major transport networks, and the easiest way to get to us is usually by public transport. Please see below fo Visit | Old Vic Theatre

  7. The Old Vic

    The Old Vic is a 1,000-seat, not-for-profit producing theatre in Waterloo, London, England. It was established in 1818 as the Royal Coburg Theatre, and renamed in 1833 the Royal Victoria Theatre. In 1871 it was rebuilt and reopened as the Royal Victoria Palace. It was taken over by Emma Cons in 1880 and formally named the Royal Victoria Hall ...

  8. Sylvia: a movement, a musical. Coming 2023

    The Suffragettes in London. From 27 Jan-01 Apr 2023, Sylvia comes to The Old Vic - the world premiere of a musical uniting hip hop, funk and soul to celebrate the life of lesser-known Pankhurst, Sylvia, who was at the heart of the Suffragette movement. Read now.

  9. We've got three backstage tours now...

    The Old Vic Theatre. January 25, 2014 ·. We've got three backstage tours now on sale! Book your tickets now and let Ned, our stage door manager, shed new light on The Old Vic's fascinating past, present and future. oldvictheatre.com.

  10. Ultimate Guide To The Old Vic

    T he Old Vic is a 1000 seat, not-for-profit theatre which puts on a whole range of brilliant shows from comedies to Shakespeare and Kitchen-sink dramas. Located really near Waterloo station, its perfect to visit in conjunction with the Southbank. Over the years its artistic directors have included Laurence Olivier, Sir Peter Hall and Kevin Spacey.

  11. THE OLD VIC

    As part of the NT Live broadcast of Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead on 20 April, we created this short film where Daniel Radcliffe & Joshua McGuire give ...

  12. Ned's tour of The Old Vic

    It's #worldtheatreday ! 🎭 Welcome to The Old Vic, our 204 year old theatre. Take a tour backstage with our beloved Stage Door manager, Ned - who has been ...

  13. Vivien and the Old Vic World Tour...

    But this time Michael Fenthall from the Old Vic Theatre also offered a repertory and shared their plan with Jane Edgeworth about the whole tour: "The Old Vic is hoping to set up a company, led by Vivien Leigh, for a global tour during 1961 and 1962. The repertory of two or three plays will include Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night".

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    We visited the Old Vic today and i met some friends from America. I spoke to Rebecca and asked if someone could give my American friends a whistle stop tour. 10 minutes later Andy introduced himself and gave us a short and very informative tour and was so knowledgeable. He was so good giving us such a fab background on the theatre and loads of ...

  15. THE OLD VIC, LONDON : WHAT'S ON GUIDE

    The Old Vic, London Tuesday 27 February - Saturday 30 March 2024 ?We can be us, just for one day? Relive the day music brought the world together. Featuring the songs of Bob Dylan, David Bowie, The Who, U2, Queen, The Police, Elton John, Paul McCartney, The Pretenders, The Cars, Status Quo, Paul Weller...

  16. Just For One Day The Live Aid Musical Tickets

    ★★★★ "A triumph" - Express. Just For One Day is the extraordinary new musical about the story of Live Aid and the people united by it, coming to The Old Vic theatre in London in 2024.. From the director of & Juliet and writer of Mrs Doubtfire, relive the day music brought 1.5 billion people together and changed the world.. This thrilling new musical features songs from Bob Dylan ...

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    MISS VIVIEN LEIGH, leading lady in the Old Vic's touring company — and perhaps the entire theatre's leading lady — dispensed with dramatics when she arrived in Melbourne yesterday. Miss ...

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    The Old Vic Theatre Company was established in 1929. In 1963 the company was dissolved and replaced by the National Theatre Company which played at the Old Vic until opening their own theatre across the river in 1976. The Old Vic continued to host both classic and new dramas. In 1985 it benefited from a substantial restoration.

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  21. Searching for the Oliviers in Australia

    In 1948, Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh led The Old Vic Theatre Company on a tour of Australia and New Zealand. It was a symbolic gesture by the British Government to thank both countries for their war efforts. The yearlong tour, was the most influential by a Shakespearean acting troupe in that it brought to the Antipodes a type of highbrow culture that had never seen there before.

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    The Old Vic, to March 30; buy tickets here. Register now for one of the Evening Standard's newsletters. From a daily news briefing to Homes & Property insights, plus lifestyle, going out, offers ...

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    The Old Vic was badly damaged during the Blitz, and spent most of the Second World War touring. In 1944, Laurence Olivier joined the newly re-established Old Vic Theatre Company, and the theatre re-opened following renovations in 1950. It was the home of the National Theatre Company between 1963 and 1976.

  24. Taylor Swift issues heartfelt note to Sydney after Eras Tour

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    The UFL is about to kick off its inaugural season, as the XFL and USFL merged together to form one superleague for the 2024 season. Training camp is underway for all eight UFL teams, and there are ...

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    Get the latest updates, events and more from The Old Vic. Stalls - Step free access available to seats, bar and toilets Dress - Steps: 29 to seats and bar, 41 to toilets Baylis - Steps: 49 to seats and bar, 21 to.

  27. Raiders' Antonio Pierce 'doesn't want a Band-Aid' at quarterback

    Vic Tafur is a senior writer for The Athletic covering the Las Vegas Raiders and the NFL. He previously worked for 12 years at the San Francisco Chronicle and also writes about boxing and mixed ...