FIRST LOOK: David Hare’s Racing Demon at Theatre Royal Bath

Racing Demon by David Hare at Theatre Royal Bath

The Theatre Royal Bath has released these great first look production photos of David Hare’s play Racing Demon directed by Jonathan Church. Four clergymen seek to make sense of their mission in inner-city London whilst facing their own personal crises. There’s Lionel Espy, a cleric whose faith is wavering as his parishioners dwindle; tabloid-hounded gay vicar Harry Henderson; ‘Streaky’ Bacon, a genial reverend with a taste for tequila, and a charismatic young curate, Tony Ferris whose arrival is set to fan the flames, whilst his sexual relationship with his lover turns to ash. The day of judgement is at hand for all. The cast of Racing Demon includes Olivier Award-winning David Haig will star as Lionel Espy,  Sam Alexander, Michelle Bonnard, Anthony Calf, William Chubb, Paapa Essiedu, Andrew Fraser, Ian Gelder, Rebecca Night, Amanda Root and Ashley Russell. Racing Demon is the first production in Jonathan Church’s innaugural season as … Read more

FIRST LOOK: F Murray Abraham in The Mentor in Bath

The Mentor starring F Murray Abraham

We are pleased to bring you these great production images by Simon Annand of F Murray Abraham in Daniel Kehlmann’s comedy The Mentor which plays at Theatre Royal Bath’s Ustinov Studio until Saturday 6 May 2017. The play stars Academy Award-winner F Murray Abraham with Daniel Weyman, Naomi Frederick and Jonathan Cullen and is directed by Ustinov Studio’s artistic director Laurence Boswell. With a translation by leading playwright Christopher Hampton, this marks the first time a Kehlmann play has been performed outside of Germany. He previously translated Florian Zeller’s play The Father for the Ustinov Studio, launching its international success. The original production of The Mentor in German opened in Vienna in 2014. In a dilapidated art nouveau villa, somewhere in the German countryside, two massive egos are set on a collision course in this perceptive and compelling comedy about art and artists and the legacy of fame. BOOK TICKETS … Read more

Florian Zeller Takes On The West End With Three Productions

Florian Zeller

With the announcement that Florian Zeller’s The Father will return to the West End by popular demand comes news that two other Florian Zeller plays are to be produced. So who is Florian Zeller? Florian Zeller is a French novelist and playwright. His work has been translated into several languages, including English. He won the prestigious Prix Interallié in 2004 for his novel Fascination of Evil (La Fascination du Pire) and several Molière Awards for his plays. The Molières are considered France’s highest theatrical honour. Florian Zeller wrote his first novel Artificial Snow when he was twenty-two years old. His second novel, Lovers or Something Like It was well received but it was his third novel, Fascination of Evil (the 2004 Prix Interallié winner) which made him a household name in France. The book was selected for the Prix Goncourt. Theatre credits include L’Autre, Le Manège, Si tu mourais (Prix … Read more

REVIEW: Mrs Henderson Presents, Theatre Royal Bath ✭✭✭✭✭

Mrs Henderson Presents Theatre Royal Bath

There is no doubt that Mrs Henderson Presents should transfer to the West End. The material is first-rate and superior to many new musicals that have played there in recent years. It will need a bigger orchestra (and, accordingly, bigger orchestrations) and it could do with some casting fine-tuning and a larger ensemble (another dozen dancers at least) so that a grander sense of scale was permitted. In Bath, it comes across as a superb chamber piece, perfectly suited to the gorgeous Theatre Royal. In the West End, its aim can be higher.

Mrs Henderson Presents (The Musical) To Premiere In Bath

Mrs Henderson Presents The Musical To Open In Bath

Mrs Henderson Presents – The Musical will open at the Theatre Royal in Bath in 2015. Directed by Terry Johnson, the show is based on the 2005 film of the same name, with lyrics by Don Black and music by George Fenton and Simon Chamberlain who also composed the music for the film. Mrs Henderson is the true story of a widow (Mrs Henderson) who buys the Windmill Theatre in London to help fill her time, appointing Mr Vivan Van Damm as her manager. As war looms the pair search for ways of lifting morale with the help of beautiful girls, who pose in naked tableau on the Windmill Stage.  The original movie starred Judi Dench, Bob Hoskins and marked the film debut of Will Young. Rumour has it that Lesley Manville is looking at involvement with the show, which it is hoped will head to the West End after … Read more