The Tobacco Factory Theatre, Bristol

The Tobacco Factory Theatre in Bristol is located on the first floor of the Tobacco Factory building at the intersection of North Street and Raleigh Road in Southville. It has a studio-style space with a low ceiling, fixed grid, and structural pillars encroaching on the acting area. The theater includes a bar/foyer area, a dance studio, and Box Office. Its seating capacity can reach 350 but typically accommodates around 250 people.

The theater offers a diverse program of classic and contemporary theater, comedy, dance, puppetry, film, opera, music, and family shows. It has received consistent national critical acclaim, with over 100,000 visitors in 2012 alone.

The Tobacco Factory building has historical significance as the primary industry in South Bristol during the early 20th century. After suffering from the relocation of Imperial Tobacco in the 1980s, the building fell into disrepair. However, in the late 1990s, George Ferguson transformed part of the first floor into a theater space. It became the Tobacco Factory Theatre, featuring a café-bar and a 250-seat studio theater.

The theater became a charitable trust in 2005 and received Key Arts Provider status from the Bristol City Council in 2007. It has expanded to include the Factory Theatre, the Brewery Theatre, and two rehearsal spaces. Notable improvements include a renewable energy system. The theater is known for its Shakespeare productions, family-friendly shows, comedy lineup, and a variety of performances in theater, dance, puppetry, film, opera, and music.