Actors' wedding photo donated to University Theatre Collection

Press release issued: 17 July 2003

A photograph of the wedding of actress Emma Thompson's parents has been given to the University of Bristol Theatre Collection after its owner paid a visit to the collection's current exhibition - The A-Z of Bristol Old Vic.

A photograph of the wedding of actress Emma Thompson's parents, Phyllida Law and Eric Thompson, has been given to the University of Bristol Theatre Collection after its owner, C H Smith of Filton, paid a visit to the collection's current exhibition - The A-Z of Bristol Old Vic.

Mr Smith worked Front of House at the Bristol Old Vic between 1956 and 1964 and remembers many of the people - both actors and behind-the-scenes staff - whose faces appear in the photographs in the exhibition.

Mr Smith's photograph, taken by Desmond Tripp, shows the marriage of the actor, Eric Thompson (best known for writing and narrating the BBC children's TV programme The Magic Roundabout) and the actress, Phyllida Law, parents of actresses Emma and Sophie Thompson, outside St George's on Brandon Hill, Bristol on Saturday 25th May, 1957.

The picture shows them with their family and friends, mainly from Bristol Old Vic Company, including Peter O'Toole, Wendy Williams, John Woodvine and Edward Hardwicke, as well as Mr Smith himself. Following the celebrations, the cast went back to the Theatre Royal for the evening performance - including the bride and groom!

Jo Elsworth, Keeper of the Theatre Collection said: "Personal memorabilia like this photograph really add value to the Theatre Collection. Our Registered Museums status ensures that this special piece of Bristol's theatrical heritage will be safeguarded well into the future. We are really pleased that Mr Smith brought the photo in as we are always interested in original items related to theatre to add to our Collections."

The A-Z of Bristol Old Vic exhibition runs until 30th September 2003, open Monday to Friday between 10.00am and 4.00pm (Closed Bank Holidays).

The exhibition contains about 60 images, mainly drawn from the Bristol Old Vic Archive, that is held by the University of Bristol Theatre Collection, based in the Department of Drama. Further articles of interest relating to individual items on display can be made available throughout the run of the exhibition between 10th June - 30th September 2003.

The University of Bristol Theatre Collection is based at 21 Park Row, Bristol BS1 5LT. All are welcome and admission is free.

Further details can be obtained from our website www.bristol.ac.uk/theatrecollection or by phoning 0117 9545464.

The University of Bristol Theatre Collection is a Fully Registered Museum and research centre dedicated to the study of British Theatre History, holding a vast collection of original documents, photographs and artefacts from theatres, actors, designers and much more. We welcome visitors locally and from all over the world.