WELCOME & WONDER
OPERASponsorship
About us
Tobacco Factory Theatres is a place of welcome and wonder. A safe and inspiring place to share stories and be creative. Based in the iconic Tobacco Factory in South Bristol, our work connects people through the power of live theatre and the arts.
We present over 300 performances annually to audiences of over 50,000 including bold in-house productions and co-productions with nationally respected companies. We also receive many of the country’s top touring performances, from exciting new work to comedy, music, spoken word and work for families.
We have two dynamic spaces, The Spielman which houses our experimental and engagement programme and The Factory, a flexible and unique space which presents work in a variety of ways including our distinctive ‘in the round’ configuration.
Over 400 local creatives take part in our Artistic Development programmes; including our Acting and Writers Labs and city wide Artist Membership scheme. We are proud to offer thousands of creative learning and participation opportunities to local people through our Get Involved programme from regular workshops to bespoke offers.
In 2023,we made our work more accessible than ever with 1,377 financial difficulty tickets issued for those who would not be able to attend at the standard or concessionary price. At Christmas we were delighted to offer our first, free Community Performance for local youth projects, refugee charities who support asylum seekers, school children and organisation working with people with additional needs.
Read on to find out more about what we have ahead in 2024
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TFT Sponsorship
Opera at TFT: The Marriage of figaro
We are thrilled to be bringing opera back to the stage at Tobacco Factory Theatres. This year’s production will see TFT and Opera Project re-ignite their successful collaboration by presenting Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. This well-known story tells how the servants Figaro and Susanna succeed in getting married, foiling the efforts of the philandering employer Count Almaviva. From the opening notes of The Marriage of Figaro audiences will experience some of the most famous classical melodies up close; offering a thrilling and immersive theatre experience in TFT’s unique ‘in the round’ configuration.
Our drive to connect audiences with powerful artistic experiences is alive within this production as we look to house this fantastic piece of work whilst also breaking down stereotypes that come with the genre; allowing people, no matter their knowledge of the operatic world, to experience first-hand such a stirring and awe-inspiring art form.
“Outstanding. They make it work, they deliver with punchy, impactful theatre, and they cast with strength… ” - Opera Now: reporting on TFT’s partnership with Opera Project
opera project
In 2003 Opera Project presented our first operatic venture with Mozart’s Così fan tutte at Tobacco Factory Theatres. Such was the popularity, it immediately became an annual fixture.
Productions have since included an ‘“outstanding” (Opera Now) staging of Britten’s The Turn of the Screw (2006). Such was the impact of this production that there was almost a minute’s stunned silence after the first performance. Other memorable productions include Tosca (2008) with Amanda Echalaz stepping in at short notice in the tile role, and Eugene Onegin (2012) which “ was all realised with the highest musical values” (The Guardian).
In 2019, on our last collaboration before the pandemic, TFT and Opera Project presented The Barber of Seville, Rossini’s prequel to Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. The production saw the Introduction To Opera £12 tickets for 16 to 25 year-olds. Discounted tickets to this age group, acting as a gateway experience to Opera, will become an integral part of the campaign for The Marriage of Figaro.
In 2020, our relationship was paused expectantly, however Opera Project and TFT have now built the resources required to relight this exciting partnership. Embracing and re-imaging our historic successes in the heart of the South Bristol community; with our doors wide open to all.
Benefits
For sponsorship of £5,000 + vat we can offer a comprehensive package of benefits:
Sole sponsorship of the main house TFT production of The Marriage of Figaro
Credit and logo on the production’s promotional material.
Logo/sponsor line credit on landmark A0 poster displays on the front of the building and on prime sights inside Tobacco Factory Theatres.
Credit and logo on production pages, press articles and blog pages on our website.
A dedicated acknowledgment of support of the main house production on the freesheet to all audience members across the whole run.
10 tickets to the press night of The Marriage of Figaro
MORE Benefits
Sponsorship credit in all press releases as a supporter of TFT’s work.
Logo/sponsor line credit in media advertising in places such as Bristol Life, Bristol Magazine, Bristol 24/7, Metro (titles to be confirmed).
A dedicated blog on our website with details of the partnership and direct links to your website and services.
Inclusion in our On Sale e-newsletters featuring the Opera at TFT campaign to a 64,000 e-database.
Dedicated feature outlining the sponsorship in our Autumn members newsletter with a circulation of 500.
Social media announcement of the partnership across all platforms with a combined following of 49,000 .
Membership to our Business Club for 12 months from the point of sign up; to include logo and credit on the business club board at the theatre and all benefits of becoming a business club member.
opera At tft...
Before the pandemic, Opera was a growing art form at TFT.
Between 2012 and 2019 there were:
14 Operas
89 Performances
18,546 Tickets sold
The introduction of subsidised tickets for 16 to 26 year olds to acquaint opera with younger generations
With your support we can bring opera back to Bristol, better than ever before, in a way that only Tobacco Factory Theatres can do it.
Our Get Involved programme invites members of our community to dive deeper, to ask questions, to take some time for themselves, to be curious, imaginative and creative. With our skilled team, people of all ages and abilities take part in dynamic sessions which build life skills and confidence through workshops, discussions, regular classes and events.
Sponsors of our work and members of our Business Club can make all the differenceassisting our Get Involved team to increase bursary assistance, put on new workshops, subsidise financial difficulty tickets and support our community with accessing the arts for all.
What the press say...
‘I left the theatre reeling from the experience’ The Guardian on Eugene Onegin ★★★★
‘For opera novices and aficionados alike there is plenty to get to grips with in this La Traviata.‘
– What’s On Stage on La Traviata ★★★★
‘Opera is conventionally performed in lavish auditoriums... This production is staged in the round, which brings the singers much closer to the audience.’
– Bristol 24/7 on The Barber of Seville ★★★★
‘Puccini’s opulent score, played by Opera Project’s 12-piece orchestra... not only fits but fills the space to create a singular musical experience.’
- The Reviews Hub on Tosca
★★★★
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