The Bristol Old Vic opened in 1766

It opened in 1766 and for 237 years its main auditorium has been known as the Theatre Royal.

But now the venue's managers have decided there are too many theatres with the same name all over the country.

And so along with new artistic directors David Farr and Simon Reade, theatre-goers will this week be welcoming a new name - the Main House.

Avoid confusion

David Farr said he hoped the name change would help to avoid confusion with other Theatre Royals in Bath, Plymouth and London.

He said: "It is a big change. When we were applying for the job, one of the big reasons was this absolutely stunning auditorium.

"We love it and we respect its history, but when we got here everybody said there was a lot of confusion over the name.

"So from now on when you come to the Bristol Old Vic, you come to either the Main House or the Studio - we think it makes things a lot easier."

The new season at the Old Vic begins on Thursday with a production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses, directed by Sam West and starring Dervla Kirwan.