The Canterbury Tales

There aren't many shows still delighting audiences after over 600 years but this is one. 'The Canterbury Tales' is a touchstone of English literature, credited as an important moment in the popularisation of the English language in mainstream literature.

A colourful cast of characters set off on a pilgrimage to Canterbury. On the way they start a story-telling contest and compete to tell their tales of love, lust, adventure and chivalry. Brimming with verve and energy, Chaucer’s well-loved stories are brought beautifully and vividly alive by the students from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

All of medieval life is here, with the wide range of social strata rubbing shoulders as the Miller, the Steward and the Wife of Bath (among others) all have their tales to tell.

Opened in 1946 by Laurence Olivier, the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School has grown a reputation for attracting the very best in young acting talent and has some notable alumni to its name including Daniel Day Lewis, Greta Scacchi, Peter O’Toole, Olivia Colman and many more. The annual West Country tour gives you a chance to see the stars of tomorrow, on stage today!