We’re proud to support the arts and inspire a new audience through our partnership with The Old Vic.
'It don't always turn out like you think it is. You don't always have the kind of life that you dream about. You know what I mean?'
Directed by Tinuke Craig (The Color Purple) and following an acclaimed run at Leeds Playhouse, August Wilson's (Ma Rainey's Black Bottom) groundbreaking modern classic explores the fragile bond between eight men as they live, love and work in a racially segregated, post-Vietnam America. Cast includes: Geoff Aymer, Leanne Henlon, Wil Johnson, Leemore Marrett Jr and Tony Marshall.
An Old Vic, Headlong & Leeds Playhouse production
The Old Vic is one of the best known and best loved theatres in the world, synonymous with the greatest acting talent that Britain has ever produced.
Our partnership with The Old Vic began because we believe that the arts enrich not only our lives but also the business community. And we have a lot in common. Like us, The Old Vic plays a pivotal role in starting careers - nurturing young actors, writers and directors – and works closely with schools, neighbours and local communities.
PwC £10 Previews scheme was awarded bronze for Best Arts and Culture Programme at the Corporate Engagement Awards 2017 which recognise collaborations that have excelled and push boundaries.
Our PwC £10 Previews scheme helps to make theatre accessible to all by providing 500 £10 tickets for each of the first five performances of every Old Vic production. It’s designed to support Artistic Director Matthew Warchus' philosophy that there should be no barriers, financial or otherwise, for people who would otherwise find theatre engaging and exciting.
In total each season we make around 17,500 seats across our preview performances available for just £10. By making these available to anyone and everyone it is one of the few ticket initiatives within the arts sector with no criteria for access which we feel genuinely inspires a new audience to experience the joy and power of theatre.
During the COVID-19 pandemic when The Old Vic's doors were closed, we continued to reach and inspire new audiences through creation of PwC £10 Playbacks where previous shows at the Old Vic could be streamed from home.
“In total, 112,000 PwC Previews tickets have now been sold across the last 10 years.”
We have been supporting The Old Vic since 2012 when we became title sponsors of the PwC Under 25s Club, designed to make theatre accessible to the next generation and inspire a new audience. The scheme was a huge success with over 60,000 tickets being sold and so, in 2015, it was broadened and became PwC £10 Previews - making theatre accessible to all and inspiring to an even wider audience. Now in its 10th anniversary year our sponsorship continues to go from strength to strength with more events and discussions to come.
In February 2022 we held a reception and panel discussion at the Old Vic with Lennie James and Paapa Essiedu, actors in Caryl Churchill’s gripping drama A Number. We involved our multicultural and diversity networks, and London Colourbrave charities, in an inspiring discussion about diversity and inclusion, and the role of the arts in making positive changes in society.
The team behind the multi award-winning King Charles III reunite as Rupert Goold directs the world premiere of Mike Bartlett’s viciously funny The 47th, a chaotic glimpse into the underbelly of the greatest political show on earth – the next presidential race. With Bertie Carvel as Donald Trump, Tamara Tunie as Kamala Harris and Lydia Wilson as Ivanka Trump.
An Old Vic, Sonia Friedman Productions & Annapurna Theatre co-production
Every parent makes mistakes. Salter makes a number of them. Now 35 years later, his only child realises he’s not alone. Lennie James (The Walking Dead, Line of Duty) and Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You, Gangs of London) play father and sons in Caryl Churchill’s (Top Girls, Serious Money) gripping drama about what it costs to start again.
Following its extensive construction project to transform the physical accessibility of The Old Vic, we are proud to have worked with the theatre to create a digital gateway to the new building.
Our Experience Centre, in collaboration with The Old Vic, created the What’s Inside 360 virtual reality film series. It allows online audiences to explore the new spaces, offers insight into the stories of Old Vic visitors and provides practical visitor information.
The combination of these elements enable people to see ‘what’s inside’ the building and encourages their visit, potentially for the first time, by helping to break down some of the perceived barriers that often prevent people from going to the theatre.
“It’s been fantastic to build on the success of our partnership with PwC by additionally collaborating and drawing on their digital expertise and creative innovation to create a transformational film that revolutionised the way in which audiences can interact with The Old Vic prior to visiting.”
