The the oldest continuously working theatre in the English-speaking world turns 250 years old today.

Bristol, England’s “Old Vic” opened May 30th, 1766 and after extensive renovations, it is ready for another 250 years.

The 18th Century “thunder run”, which recreates the sound of thunder above the auditorium by rolling coconut sized rocks down a trough has been restored.  It will be used for the first time since 1942 in a production of King Lear next month.

Graduates of the famous Bristol Old Vic Theatre School are a virtual whose who of actors including Sir Patrick Stewart, Jeremy Irons, Miranda Richardson and Daniel Day Lewis.