Theatre Royal Bath
Main House
Absurd Person Singular
At the start of the autumn season, the Theatre Royal welcomes Alan Ayckbourn’s comic masterpiece Absurd Person Singular appearing from Tuesday 31st August to Saturday 4th September.
This much-loved vintage comedy features three married couples at three different parties as they take it in turns to entertain each other at pre-christmas drinks.
Havoc ensues at the first bash as the Hopcrofts attempt to impress their high-powered friends – but that’s nothing compared to what happens over the next two years when the Jacksons and Brewsterwrights return their hospitality!
Now presented by London Classic Theatre as part of their 20th anniversary celebrations, this comic tour-de-force about social climbing in 1970s suburbia fuses a potent mix of farce and black comedy.
The Dresser
From Thursday 9th to Saturday 18th September, Bath audiences will be the first to see a new production of Ronald Harwood’s Broadway and West End hit, The Dresser, featuring a 12-strong cast led by Julian Clary and Matthew Kelly, directed by multi award-winning Terry Johnson.
In the early 1940s, in a war-torn provincial theatre, an ageing actor manager known to his loyal acting company as ‘Sir,’ is struggling to cling on to his sanity and complete his two hundred and twenty seventh performance of King Lear.
It is down to Norman, Sir’s devoted dresser, to ensure that in spite of everything, the show goes on.
For 16 years Norman has been there to fix Sir’s wig, massage his ego, remind him of his opening lines and provide the sound effects in the storm scene.
While air raids continue, Norman tries desperately to bolster up the tired and broken actor-manager creating the cosy security of the ‘bunker’ backstage for the fading genius.
Written in 1980 and inspired by memories of working as Donald Wolfit’s dresser as a young man, Harwood’s evocative, affectionate and hilarious portrait of backstage life is one of the most acclaimed dramas of modern theatre.
The role of Norman will be played by Julian Clary, one of the UK’S most unique and best loved entertainers.
The role of ‘Sir’ will be played by Matthew Kelly, winner of an Olivier Award for Of Mice and Men.
Beginning
From Friday 24th September to Saturday 2nd October, David Eldridge’s Beginning receives its Bath premiere.
Described by The Independent as a “gorgeous new play” and by the Evening Standard as “a must-see hit” and “quite simply, magnificent”, this tender and funny, critically acclaimed drama received its world premiere at the National Theatre in 2017 before transferring to the West End.
It’s the early hours of the morning and Danny is the last straggler at Laura’s housewarming party.
The flat’s in a mess. And so are they. One more drink? Laura is 38, single, childless and with no immediate family; Danny is 42, divorced, living with his mother and has not seen his daughter for a number of years.
Beginning takes a touching look at the first fragile moments of risking your heart and taking a chance on a new relationship.
The Secret Life of the Savoy Also in the month ahead, the Theatre Royal’s Special Events programme features The Secret Life of the Savoy with Olivia Williams on Friday 3rd September at noon, revealing tales from behind-thescenes of Britain’s first luxury hotel.
Draw Back the Curtain
On Friday 10th September at 4pm and Friday 17th September at 12.30pm, Draw Back the Curtain sees the Theatre Royal’s Special Events Organiser, Jane Tapley, give an illustrated talk on the theatre in Georgian Times as part of this year’s Jane Austen Festival.
Thirteen Lives: The Thai Cave Rescue
In Thirteen Lives: The Thai Cave Rescue John Volanthen, the man behind the 2018 rescue, recounts the nail-biting mission to save 12 boys and their football coach from a flooded cave complex in Northern Thailand. Presented on Friday 17th September at 2.30pm by
Tickets for all performances are on sale at the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 and online at www. theatreroyal.org.uk.
The Ustinov Studio
Dead Funny
The Ustinov Studio’s vibrant Visiting Company Season continues in September with three one-night shows starting on Saturday 4th September with Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Myra Dubois in Dead Funny.
Myra is dead: long live Myra! Realising she stands to miss out on the most attention she’ll ever receive, Myra brings forward her funeral to make sure people get it right!
Direct from sell out runs at Edinburgh Fringe and Sydney Opera House, and recommended for everyone aged 16 and over, Dead Funny casts an irreverently sardonic sideeye at death, dying and the theatrics of grief.
The Unremarkable Death of Marilyn Monroe
On Friday 17th September, Dyad Productions present a radical interpretation of a Hollywood legend in The Unremarkable Death of Marilyn Monroe, revealing Monroe as we’ve never seen her before, without the glitz and glamour.
Repeatedly stalked by a mysterious caller, the screen icon tells all about Joe Dimaggio, Clark Gable, Arthur Miller and her mother – revealing a biting intelligence and an imperfect body.
Written and directed by Elton Townend Jones and performed by Lizzie Wort, this fascinating drama leads in real time to the moment of Monroe’s passing in 1962.
An Evening Without Kate Bush Just a handful of tickets remain for An Evening Without Kate Bush on Thursday 23rd September which sees performer Sarah-louise Young join forces with theatremaker Russell Lucas to explore the fans and music of one of the most influential voices in British Pop culture.
Howl with ‘The Hounds of Love’ and dance on the moors with ‘Wuthering Heights,’ Kate won’t be there but you could be.
The Truth About Harry Beck
At the end of the month, The Natural Theatre Company invites audiences to join them in their 50th anniversary year as they present The Truth About Harry Beck appearing from
Tuesday 28th September to Saturday 2nd October, written and directed by Artistic Director Andy Burden.
Harry Beck survives the unemployment of the 1930s by occasionally working at London Transport, where he finds a solution to a problem that no-one knows they have – a better design for a transport map.
Yet – this beautiful design is not accepted with open arms… and so begins Beck’s obsession with making it perfect. But perfection comes at what cost?
Harry and Nora Beck take audiences on a journey of real-life characters, seemingly unconnected facts and their own relationship with the iconic Underground map.
Tickets for all performances are on sale at the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 and online at www. theatreroyal.org.uk/ustinov.
The Egg
The Living Tree
Welcoming audiences back in style this autumn, The Living Tree will transform The Egg into a living forest from Saturday 11th September to Saturday 18th September in partnership with Forest of Imagination.
With a real forest floor, a five metre high structure, sound and light, visitors will be able to immerse themselves in a fantastical outdoor indoor installation created by Andrew Amondson.
Watch out, the tree might be telling you something, the woodland creatures might be spying on you, and a glade of magical lighting that can hear you might just have a mind of its own!
The Living Tree installation is free and open to explore – just pop into The Egg to enjoy the experience between 11am to 5pm on Sunday 12th September, or between 4pm and 6pm on Monday 13th, Tuesday 14th, Thursday 16th and Friday 17th September.
Circle
On Saturdays 11th and 18th September at 11am, 1pm and 3pm, Roxana Vilk and the Vilk Collective will perform Circle featuring half an hour of live music and dancing, accompanied by immersive sound and lighting by tech company Squidsoup.
Tickets for Circle are free, but must be booked in advance.
Wood For The Trees
In addition, on Monday 13th September, Wood For The Trees, a workshop for pre-school children will take place with a session for youngsters aged 18 months to two and a half years starting at 9.30am, followed by a session for two and a half years to four year olds starting at 11am.
Wood For The Trees features a 30 minute workshop guided by the music of a cello and sounds made with found objects, discovering and creating sound stories to leave for the tree, followed by 30 minutes play time at the installation.
The Museum of Marvellous Things
On Saturday 25th September, Bath Children’s Literature Festival presents Kristina Stephenson and The Museum of Marvellous Things at 11am and 3pm.
Suitable for children aged 3 years and over, this interactive, fun-filled family event launches the new picture book by best-selling author and illustrator Kristina Stephenson.
With puppets, songs, movement, live music and craft, family audiences will be the first to meet the
book’s characters Norbert and Tilly T Pott.
The Mission
Norris
Tickets for Egg performances are on sale from at Theatre Royal Box Office on 01225 448844, The Egg on 01225 823 409 and online at www. theatreroyal.org.uk/whats-on.
Frankenstein
Geneva, 1818. Somewhere in a dingy garret, a creature – made in the image of a man - takes its first faltering steps.
But when creator Victor Frankenstein, appalled by his own attempt to play God, abandons his creation, the creature finds he has been born into a hostile world of prejudice and his fate is to be alone.
Nick Dear’s adaption of Mary Shelley’s classic novel, presented by Next Stage Theatre Company, throws its attention immediately on the creature. Cast out by his horrorstruck maker, he meets cruelty wherever he goes.
In line with Shelley’s original, however, this creature is no unthinking brute – he learns fast and, increasingly desperate and vengeful,
and aided by Frankenstein’s journal, he determines to track down his creator with the aim of striking a most terrifying deal.
Involving themes of scientific responsibility and loneliness, and taking its audience on an epic journey from 19th Century Europe to the frozen wastes of the Arctic, Dear’s thoughtful and exciting adaption premiered at the National Theatre London in 2011, winning Olivier and Evening Standard Awards.
And what of the Creature? Restored to Shelley’s original perception and suffering because of his creator’s presumption to usurp the power of God, his sad longing for human warmth and acceptance calls out to all our fears of being alone.
Retaining the disturbing power of Shelley’s gothic tale but also reinstating much of the heart-breaking quality which is often overlooked, Frankenstein will thrill audiences to the core.
Monday 6th-11th September, 7:30pm. Tickets: £14.50 (£12.50 concs) Students/ job-seekers £5Tickets available online at www. missiontheatre.co.uk/tickets.
Noughts and Crosses
In a society divided by racial bigotry, Crosses are the superior majority and Noughts are the underclass. As Nought separatists fight for equality and inclusion, two children from opposite sides embark on a bittersweet love story.
Sephy (a Cross) is the daughter of the Deputy Prime Minister; Callum is the son of a Naught agitator.
United by a shared sense of injustice as children, and separated by intolerance as they grow up, their desire to be together begins to eclipse all family loyalty.
Noughts and Crosses exploded onto the young adult fiction market in 2001. This brilliant adaptation by Dominic Cooke covers the first novel of Malorie Blackman’s trilogy and is brought to Bath by the talented members of Next Stage Youth.
Suitable for ages 11-plus.
Wednesday 29th September - Saturday 2nd October, 7.30. Matinee Saturday 2nd October, 2pm. Tickets: £14.50 (£12.50 concs) Students/ job-seekers £5. Tickets available online at www. missiontheatre.co.uk/tickets.
Festival 2021
As always The Mission Theatre is proud to be hosting The Jane Austen Festival. There are many events designed to appeal to all ages and interests taking place at the theatre throughout the week.
Here are a few. For the full programme visit: www.janeaustenfestivalbath.co.uk/festival-programme.
To Take a Dish of Tea with Jane Austen
A welcome return to The Mission of John White - ever-popular, informative, engaging and entertaining this one-man-show show will not disappoint. Mr Samuel Adams is butler in a grand Regency house and has been ‘in service’ for many years. As such he is well versed in the intricacies of ‘domestic economy’ and, in particular, the etiquette associated with the taking of tea!
Guaranteed to be both informative and amusing, this presentation is bound to be entertaining.
Monday 13th September, 8pm. Tickets: £16 available at: www.bathboxoffice. org.uk/whatson/to-take-a-dish-of-teawith-jane-austen.
From Promenade to Pandemic 2020 was to have been the Jane Austen Festival’s 20th anniversary but we all know what happened!
A one-off illustrated presentation by Jackie Herring in what is to be her last year as Festival Director. Sharing images and behind the scenes anecdotes, together with insights into some of the horrors and delights of running this world-famous festival for 20 years.
Tuesday 14th September, 11am. Tickets: £10 available at: www. bathboxoffice.org.uk/whatson/frompromenade-to-pandemic-20-years-ofthe-festival.
Almost Austen: Written and Performed by Louise Geller Catherine is a modern girl in love with Jane Austen’s world. Through passages from Northanger Abbey and songs from musicals and opera, we follow Catherine’s romantic ups and downs as real life and fantasy collide.
Friday 17th September, 8pm. Tickets: £18 available at: www.bathboxoffice. org.uk/whatson/almost-austen-bylouise-geller.
A Decent Proposal!
Jane Austen’s novels are notorious for their portrayal of romance, love, and the promise of marriage. But before a marriage, must come a proposal… Join the Natural Theatre Company on a hilarious journey through Austen’s most well-known, romantic (and sometimes unbearably awkward) propositions of matrimony. Swooning, possible rejections and plenty of laughter guaranteed!
Saturday 18th September, 8pm. Tickets: £22 at: www.bathboxoffice. org.uk/whatson/a-decent-proposalatural-theatre-company.