Royal Bank of Canada teams up with Old Vic
AS HOLLYWOOD star Kevin Spacey prepares to depart the Old Vic theatre this week the famous venue is going back to its roots – by striking a three year sponsorship deal with the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC).
Spacey is standing down as artistic director after 11 years but he leaves the RBC deal as a parting gift.
The tie-up cements longstanding historical ties between the theatre and Canada, one which recalls a previous era when the theatre endured harder circumstances.
The Old Vic was saved from impending disaster in 1981 by Canadian businessman Ed Mirvish. He went on to run the venue until 1998 with his son David Mirvish, leading it back to the top.
Now RBC is onboard, the Old Vic-Canada love-fest has gone full circle.
“This three-year partnership builds on that commitment and is a great opportunity for us to work with the Old Vic at such an exciting time for the theatre,” RBC’s Dave Thomas said. The man who is taking over from Spacey, Matthew Warchus, said it was a “privilege” to work with RBC.
We’re sure Mirvish Snr would have been proud.