Each week Bristol Business News gives a prominent member of the city’s business community the last word on its weekly e-bulletin.
This week Emma Stenning, chief executive at Bristol Old Vic, which celebrates its 250th anniversary this year and is in the final phase of its fundraising to complete its redevelopment, answers our 10 questions.
What was the LAST: 
Film you watched? It was the new Star Wars, I must confess, and I RACED to the cinema to see it the first weekend it was released! I’ve loved Star Wars right from the start, and so it’s such a thrill to begin a new chapter of the story.
Book you read? I Am Pilgrim, by Terry Hayes, and it was excellent. I love a thriller, so when a new writer gets such glowing endorsements by the reviewers I most trust I’m quick to get on the bandwagon. I don’t read much during most of the year, I just don’t find time for it, but I devour books whenever I’m on holiday or travelling – usually a novel a day.
Music you bought/downloaded? It was most of the artists who played in our third Bristol Proms. I didn’t particularly grow up with classical music, so our Proms are a real education for me. After the week of concerts, I usually find myself addicted to certain pieces which I then download to listen to obsessively. This year is was everything from classical guitarist Milos, and the David Glass string quartets which were brilliantly played by Hakon and Mari.
Concert or play you went to? I see a LOT of plays, as you would expect, but the latest was Eloise and the Golden Whisk at Exeter’s Bike Shed Theatre, co-produced with The Wardrobe Ensemble. It’s always such a treat to see work at the gorgeous Bike Shed, particularly by local artists. The Wardrobe Ensemble emerged from Bristol Old Vic’s Young Company, and whenever I see their work I know that I sit there in the audience with a huge grin of pride on my face.
Sporting event you attended? This I don’t do so much, although I have recently come to enjoy an annual trip to see England play at Lords. My Dad is a cricket fanatic, and I was never much into it growing up – although my first trip to Lords about four years ago really unlocked the drama of it all for me, and now I get it! We go together when we can and it’s a really great day out.
Holiday I went on? St Tropez in October for a long weekend with friends. Bliss.
Restaurant you ate in? It was an end of year supper with our artistic director Tom at Bell’s Diner in Montpelier. I love it there. The food is excellent, and I love the Victoria Coombes paintings on the wall – I’ve been a huge fan of her work ever since I first visited her studio at the Spike Island open about five years ago.
Thing that annoyed you? I don’t know that much annoys me, but there are certainly things that concern me. Arts education in our schools, space and resources for creative learning, making sure that cultural engagement can be a meaningful part of EVERYONE’s lives… These are the big questions with which organisations like ours grapple…..and I’m proud to be part of the steady progress being made in our city.
Piece of good advice you were given? A genuine top-tip from my osteopath that turmeric is good for easing sore muscles. I’ve been taking a daily supplement for a few months now, and all the usual twinges in my back have just gone.
Thing that made you laugh out loud? My godson Sam. I spent most of yesterday building Star Wars Lego with him, and he’s just great.
Emma Stenning is chief executive of Bristol Old Vic, which becomes the first British theatre in history to survive 250 years in May this year. Emma has been with Bristol Old Vic since 2009, joining in partnership with Tom Morris. Previously she was head of producing at Manchester International Festival, head of theatre at Arts Council England (London), cultural programme advisor to London 2012, executive director of Battersea Arts Centre and administrator at Complicite. She is chair of the Bike Shed Theatre, deputy chair of Shakespeare’s Globe and a trustee of Headlong and Cheek by Jowl.
