Firebird’s History

1988–2005

Firebird Theatre was first established in 1988 as the Portway Players. The company evolved through meetings at the Portway Centre, a Bristol Social Services resource and activities day centre (RAC) for disabled people with learning difficulties. Prior to its inception, the members and staff at the RAC had undertaken an active research project funded by the Norman Holm Benefaction Fund made available through Doctor Dorothy Heathcote, Professor of Drama in Education, and the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. The purpose of the research was to establish genuine links between the RAC and people who lived and worked in the local community of Shirehampton, Bristol, where the RAC was based.

The research project worked on the very practical premise of people getting to know and understand each other through working together, e.g. projects with local schools, the Job Centre, the police, shops, the library, etc. Two of the overall findings were the need for the members of the RAC to be able to tell other people about their lives as a means of building understanding between communities and to take a meaningful, self-defining, active role within those communities. Through their commitment, skills and desire it became apparent that the members of the centre could best communicate and express themselves through the arts; members and workers alike realised that the arts provided a genuine platform and vehicle for this expression and communication. The Portway Players was formed on this basis, in response to a genuine love and commitment to theatre by its members, a desire to use theatre as a way of expressing their lives and a belief that theatre is about sharing and communicating with others.

Following performances for families, friends and the local community, the Portway Players decided they wanted to perform in the professional theatre. Their first performance in a professional theatre was at Bristol Old Vic in 1990 with Yellow Sun, Red Moon. Since 1990, the Players have devised their own work and interpreted and performed interpretations and adaptations of texts; most shows have been premiered at Bristol Old Vic. 

The company was supported by Bristol City Council Social Services until 2000 and from 2000–2005, by art + power (community arts projects) Ltd. The Portway Players became Firebird Theatre in 2005.