A gala dinner takes place on Sunday 15 October and will be attended by past students and local friends. The evening is hosted by Jeremy Irons and many illustrious ex-students including Patrick Stewart, Amanda Redman, Pete Postlethwaite, Rodney West and Samantha Bond are expected to attend. Tickets to the event, at the University of the West of England in Frenchay, are £65 and can be bought from the school. For further information contact Felicity Hazell on 0117 973 3535 ext 253 or email: felicity.hazell@oldvic.ac.uk £4m appeal
 | | Amanda Redman is a BOV graduate |
Jeremy Irons will also act as the president of an appeal to raise £4m for the school. Jeremy said: “The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School stood me and many of my colleagues in wonderful stead. "The fact that it now has the chance to expand is a tremendous boon for Bristol, the West Country and England as a whole. I trust you will join me in doing whatever is in your power to help.” Opened by Laurence Olivier in 1946, the school does not only educate would-be actors, but encompasses a multitude of technical and management skills. It is housed in large premises overlooking Clifton Downs and in the former BBC Christchurch Studios. The appeal funds are needed to expand the training space and equipment at the school, refurbish the existing premises and provide greater access for disabled students. The £4m breaks down into four key areas of investment:
- £1m will buy an adjacent property.
- £2m wil provide a new building, linking the two properties together and providing three large rehearsal studios.
- The final £1m will refurbish the existing premises and provide a lift to all training areas.
People are being asked to support the appeal with a one-off donation, a donation by Gift Aid, Give As You Earn or direct debit, or leaving a legacy to the development. Please contact Sarah Smith, Fundraising Director at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School on (0117) 973 3535 or smithsarah@btinternet.com Companies can help the Theatre School either through a donation with Gift Aid or through corporate sponsorship. The school also wants to develop partnerships with a number of companies locally and nationally. | 
