In commemoration of Julian Slade, his musical works and his long association with the Theatre Royal in the ‘50s, 60s and ‘70s, Bristol Old Vic and Julian’s family have jointly installed a plaque in an excellent position next to the box office in the foyer of the theatre. The main photograph above shows the detail of the plaque with, below, two moments from its day of installation.

The theatre itself is nearing the completion of an extensive programme of re-building and restoration and Bristol Old Vic are now looking at plans for the re-design and build of the whole front of house and entrance area. So the current site for the plaque is temporary but, when the new re-construction is completed (the target date is 2016), the plaque will be moved to a permanent and even grander position beside the new box office.

Pictured in 2013 (left) are Bristol Old Vic’s Head of Development, Alan Wright, and Julian’s brother, Adrian, who were both there to help supervise the installation of the plaque. Adrian comments:

“For some time our family had been hoping to do something like this to commemorate Julian, and we are very grateful to Bristol Old Vic for so willingly agreeing that a plaque in the theatre would be appropriate for them as well as for Julian. We are delighted to see him back in the theatre, as are Julian’s friends.”

The plaque was designed for the Slade family by Sue Boland.