Theatre Royal Bath
Main House
Art
Yasmina Reza’s smash hit, comedy masterpiece Art is set to appear at the Theatre Royal Bath from Tuesday 3rd to Saturday 7th September.
Award-winning comedian Seann Walsh, Chris Harper (Call the Midwife, Coronation Street) and Aden Gillett (The Crown, The House of Eliott) star in director Iqbal Khan’s new production which visits Bath on tour, presented by Joshua Beaumont and Original Theatre.
A seemingly simple purchase of contemporary art - an all-white painting - ignites a debate amongst three close friends.
What begins as a light-hearted discussion about art quickly descends into a riotous exploration of the blurred lines between art and reality.
My Fair Lady
Award-winning local theatre company Bath Light Operatic Group make a welcome return to the Theatre Royal to stage a new production of the musical favourite, My Fair Lady, appearing from Tuesday 10th to Saturday 14th September.
This timeless classic, renowned for its captivating storyline, unforgettable characters and enchanting music, will be performed by a thirtytwo strong cast directed by Claudia Pepler White, with a nineteen-piece orchestra under the baton of Musical Director Matthew Finch.
Dawn French
Dawn French brings her latest stand-up show to the Theatre Royal on Sunday 15th September for one night only. With tickets sold out, to enquire about returns contact the Box Office.
1984
From Friday 20th to Saturday 28th September, a new staging of George Orwell’s 1984 opens at the Theatre Royal prior to a nationwide tour, marking 75 years since the publication of the famous novel.
Keith Allen (Steeltown Murders, The Others, The Pembrokeshire Murders) stars as O’brien with Mark Quartley (The Ipcress Files, Tell Me Everything, Lucky Man) as Winston, Eleanor Wyld (The Marlowe Sessions, Thirteen, The Critic) as Julia and David Birrell (Bodies, Heartbeat, Silent Witness) as Parsons, with Niamh Bennett, Lewis Hart and Paul Socket in the Ensemble.
In a world where every action is painstakingly monitored and controlled, Winston Smith’s simple diary puts his life in jeopardy.
A clandestine love affair with coworker Julia further enrages the authorities, but can they truly trust each other? And what of the mysterious O’brien? Will he help them overthrow the regime, confront them with their most terrifying fears, or worse?
Austen’s Arcadia
Lunchtime Special Events include Austen’s Arcadia, a glimpse into the private life of one of the greatest female writers of the 18th century on Fridays 13th and 20th September at 1pm, and Courtship, Kim Hicks’ wonderful renditions of well-known and less familiar passages featuring Austen’s beautifully drawn characters, which visits on Friday 20th September at 2.30pm.
Jane Tapley’s ever popular illustrated talks about the Theatre Royal Bath in Georgian times, Draw Back the Curtain, can also be seen on Friday 13th September at 2.30pm and Friday 20th September at 4pm, and Moonstone Theatre Company present another of their enjoyable murder mystery lunches, Murder at Kellynch Hall at the Abbey Hotel on Thursday 19th September at 12 noon.
Tickets for all performances and events are on sale at the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 and online at theatreroyal.org.uk.
Ustinov Studio
Recital series
Deborah Warner’s third and final season continues in the intimacy of the Ustinov Studio as the Recital series returns featuring more of the greatest names in classical music. On Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd September, British countertenor Iestyn Davies will perform a programme of lute songs, featuring works by John Dowland, accompanied by continuo player and principal lutenist of The English Concert and La Nuova Musica, Sergio Bucheli.
The season concludes when Franz Schubert’s Winterreise (Winter Journey) returns from Sunday 8th to Tuesday 10th September, performed by renowned tenor Ian Bostridge and pianist Julius Drake, directed by international opera and theatre director Deborah Warner. Following six performances in June which received rave reviews, the song cycle is back at the Ustinov Studio for three more sold-out dates which complete its Bath residency. Set to poems by Wilhelm Müller, Franz Schubert’s Winterreise is a cycle of twenty-four songs for voice and piano. Composed in 1827 towards the end of his short life, Franz Schubert’s Winterreise is considered one of the greatest and most powerful musical masterpieces.
Visiting Company Season
Later in the month, the Ustinov Studio’s Visiting Company Season opens with the first of a series of new shows appearing over the next three months.
From Thursday 19th to Saturday 21st September, Austen’s Women: Lady Susan tours to Bath for four performances.
Prepare to meet devil-may-care Lady Susan, the coquettish black widow, hunting down not one, but two, fortunes; oppressed, rebellious daughter Frederica; long-suffering sister-in-law Catherine; family matriarch Mrs De Courcy; and insouciant best friend, Alicia.
Lady Susan is charming, scheming, witty and powerful, taking on society and making it her own. But has she met her match?
Based on Jane Austen’s first fulllength work from 1794, this brandnew solo comedy show is performed by Rebecca Vaughan and directed by Andrew Margerison.
Her Green Hell
From Tuesday 24th to Saturday 28th September, Theatregoose brings Her Green Hell to the Ustinov Studio, reimagining the remarkable true story of seventeen-year-old Juliane Koepcke, who finds herself trapped in the Peruvian rainforest, utterly alone and hopelessly lost, following a plane crash and a fall of 10,000 feet.
But Juliane is the daughter of two Amazon zoologists - she knows what to do. In a spectacle of physical theatre and vivid storytelling, this fascinating performance tells a remarkable true story in an odyssey of survival, perseverance and discovery through the Amazon.
Sarah Mcquaid
On Monday 30th September, Cornwall-based, singer-songwriter Sarah Mcquaid will perform songs from her live-in-lockdown album The St Buryan Sessions as she returns to the Ustinov for one night only.
Recorded in a beautiful medieval church with acoustic and electric guitars, piano, floor tom drum, alongside Sarah’s lush, distinctive vocals, The St Buryan Sessions made it onto the “Best of 2021” lists on three continents.
To book tickets for performances appearing at the Ustinov Studio, contact the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 or book online at theatreroyal.org.uk.
The Egg
Elevate Festival
Elevate Festival makes a welcome return connecting theatre companies, performers, and audiences from across the region at The Egg from Monday 2nd to Saturday 7th September.
This year sees a wonderful breadth of work from 23 local companies and over 100 participants over the course of one packed week, staging comedy, drama and scratch performances, as well as theatre for a family audience. The Engage programme is generously supported by the Beryl Billings Charitable Trust.
Little Red Riding Could
September at The Egg also sees the welcome return of Roustabout Theatre to Bath, with a new production of Little Red Riding Could, a playful retelling of the familiar fairy tale.
On Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd September, audiences aged 4 years and over will follow Little Red Riding Hood deep in the woods on this mischievous new adaptation containing original songs.
Appearing for a run of four performances at 11.30am and 3pm both days, the performance shows audiences how straying from the path can help write your own story.
The Squeak-easy Party
The latest instalment from The Last Baguette’s Playtime series appears at The Egg with The Squeak-easy Party on Tuesday, 24th September.
Children from 2 to 6 years of age, can take part in a relaxed, participatory theatre session full of games and music, following Ratty as she organises her birthday party, in this gentle introduction to theatre. The performance is full of original music, puppetry and games.
The Little Prince
At the end of the month, Egg favourite Toby Thompson (I Wish I Was A Mountain) returns to the stage with a new adaptation of Antoine de
Saint-exupéry’s iconic tale, The Little Prince.
From Thursday 26th September to Sunday 6th October, audiences aged 7 years and over will embark on a whimsical journey searching the universe for the true meaning of friendship.
Adapted and performed by Toby Thompson, who is set to bring his enchanting signature style to the production,
The Little Prince follows the story of a pilot searching for his friend. The show is designed by Anisha Fields and directed by Nik Partridge.
Tickets for performances at The Egg are on sale now on 01225 823 409, or the Theatre Royal Box Office on 01225 448844 and online at theatreroyal. org.uk/whats-on/
Burdall’s Yard Crossrhythm
After a successful performance alongside Feedback in February 2024, Crossrhythm are returning to Burdall’s Yard.
This time they will be bringing a lively night of classics played from a range of genres such as funk, disco and jazz. This youth ensemble is no stranger to sold-out shows where every time audience members are guaranteed a great night. You will find yourself singing and dancing around in no time! Crossrhythm will be joined by friends delivering a selection of crowd-pleasers in the first half of the evening.
Tuesday 3rd September 7pm. Tickets £6. www. ticketsource.co.uk/ crossrhythm/tnoerypg.
Grief Opera in Support of Suicide&co
Nigel Linacre started the Grief Opera after he lost his son to suicide.
His son George was a rock musician, and with the help of Vladimir Miller, they created the Grief Opera using George’s bass rhythms.
The opera moves from a father’s last conversations with his son through the shock of the news to the challenges of continuing to exist in grief. It is a journey from shock and pain to profound love.
Suicide&co is a charity that supports those who have been bereaved by suicide. They do this through free counselling sessions, their helpline and their app. So far, they have provided over 8,000 counselling sessions.
The partnership was created out of the need to put a spotlight on suicide and the harrowing grief that comes with it.
Tuesday 10th September, 7.15pm. Tickets £10. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ the-grief-opera-performance-lovegoes-on-tickets-920227734927.
Trickster Makes This World
Folklorist Oliver Lavery and folk musician Tamsin Quin return to Burdall’s Yard for a mythical, musical mash up of surreal performance storytelling, presented by The Folk Bus.
The subject of this captivating collection of folktales is the Trickster. The Trickster Archetype is common to many of the world’s mythologies, always ruining everything for everyone with silly pranks, but somehow managing to make the world a better place - almost by accident.
From Peter Pan to Puck. From Crow, Coyote and Wolverine of Native American folklore, to the Norse god Loki, to the Greek Hermes, to the African Spider god Anansi – the world is full of Tricksters. They’re reflections of us: both wise and foolish - at the same time. Thursday 19th September, 8pm. Tickets £10. www.wegottickets.com/ event/620636.
Instant Wit: The Quick-fire Comedy Improvisation Show
Instant Wit: the best in improvised comedy. Fresh and inventive, each show throws up new nuggets of hilarity crafted by a company of the highest calibre. It’s a pick-me-up tonic with unexpected twists and a dash of sauce.
There’ll be sketches, songs and general silliness – and all of it based around audience suggestions. And if you’re too shy to shout anything out? Well don’t worry, you’ll have the chance to write things down in the interval.
Friday 27th September, 8pm. Tickets £15. www.ticketsource.co.uk/ whats-on/bath/burdalls-yard-bath/ instant-wit/2024-09-27/20:00/tojoexgl.
Mission Theatre Brief Encounter
Noël Coward’s Brief Encounter remains one of the screen’s greatest ever love stories, its timeless, sensitive portrayal of an impossible affair enthralling generations.
Opening at Milford Junction Railway Station, perfect wife and mother Laura Jesson meets Alec Harvey, a respectable doctor, equally devoted to his family.
But when their accidental encounter becomes something more, the two find themselves helpless in the face of their emotions.
Adapted by Emma Rice, Coward’s story is energetically fused together with classic Coward songs and music to make a richly theatrical, witty and vibrant experience.
Featuring the talents of some of Next Stage’s finest actors, singers and musicians, don’t miss this firstclass ticket to romance.
Tuesday 3rd September – Saturday 7th September 7.30pm. Matinee Saturday 7th September 2pm. Tickets £17 concessions £13. www.missiontheatre. co.uk/tickets?category=brief%20 Encounter.
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase
Set in England in 1832, in the imaginary reign of King James III, Bonnie and her orphaned cousin Sylvia are threatened by wicked wolves and a grim governess as they await the return of Bonnie’s parents from an ocean voyage.
Whilst loyal James, the family servant, and the mysterious wild goose-boy Simon try to look after the girls, the evil Miss Slighcarp, with her accomplice Mr Grimshaw, pursue their wicked plans to take over Willoughby Chase, embezzle the family fortunes and banish the two girls to a forbidding school in Blastburn run by Mrs Brisket.
This classic story by Joan Aiken has delighted children and adults alike since 1962. Now adapted for the stage by local playwright Russ Tunney, this fast-paced play is brought to the stage by the talented Next Stage Youth Theatre Company.
Directed in thrust by Ann Ellison BEM and using imaginative projection to create the world of Willoughby Chase, this promises to be a hugely entertaining piece of theatre for all the family.
Thursday 12th September – Sunday 15th September, 7.30pm. Matinee Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September, 2pm. Tickets £17 concessions £13. www.missiontheatre. co.uk/tickets?category=the%20 Wolves%20of%20willoughby%20 Chase.
The University of Bath Minerva Lecture Series
Join one of the University of Bath’s free lectures to broaden your knowledge of a subject or learn about something new.
Tuesday 17th September, 6pm. Free to attend. www.bath.ac.uk/campaigns/ minerva-series-of-lectures.
The 2024 Jane Austen Festival
The Jane Austen Festival in Bath is the largest and longest-running Jane Austen Festival in the world.
The first Jane Austen Festival in 2001 took place over a weekend at The Jane Austen Centre, Bath, and has since grown into a 10-day programme, drawing over 3,500 people from around the world.
This year The Mission will be hosting a range of fascinating talks about the life and works of Bath’s most well-known resident, with a variety of topics ranging from regency fashion and music to intriguing analysis of her novels and literary prowess.
Between talks, you can head up to The Mission’s cafe upstairs and enjoy a cup of tea and a cake. Wednesday 18th September – Thursday 19th September. To find out more about which events will be taking place at The Mission Theatre and their ticket information please visit: www. missiontheatre.co.uk/whats-on/2024/ jane-austen-festival.
SLASH HER! The Musical
‘SLASH HER!’ is recommended for ages 14 and up, due to strong language, stage violence, fake blood, and sexual themes.
Friday 20th September – Saturday 21st September 7.30pm. Matinee Saturday 21st September 2pm. Matinee Sunday 22nd September 5pm. Tickets £12, Concessions £8, Generous £16. www. ticketsource.co.uk/cakehorseproductions.
After Dark - The Dark and Cheeky Side of Musical Theatre
Bath’s very own Maple Theatre Company are proud to present an evening lined up with tantalising performances blending a classic cabaret style with contemporary twists on beloved musical theatre numbers.
Captivating choreography and an intimate setting will make you feel as though you are part of the action.
Featuring songs from Hadestown, Avenue Q, Heathers, Mean Girls and many more, grab your tickets, and get ready for a night of unforgettable entertainment that will leave you begging for an encore!
Friday 27th – Saturday 28th September 7.30pm. Matinee Saturday 28th September 2.30pm. Tickets £15. www. ticketsource.co.uk/maple-theatrecompany.