FIRST POST-LOCKDOWN RURAL TOURING EVENT: IN ASSOCIATION WIT LIVE & LOCAL – TOWNSEND THEATRE PRODUCTIONS’ `THE RAGGED TROUSERED PHILANTHROPISTS’

TOWNSEND THEATRE PRODUCTIONS TO STAGE FIRST POST-LOCKDOWN RURAL TOURING EVENT IN ASSOCIATION WITH LIVE & LOCAL

THE RAGGED TROUSERED PHILANTHROPISTS’ CHOSEN AS TRIAL RUN FOR THE RETURN OF RURAL TOURING

 

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Previous praise for Townsend Theatre’s Previous productions of ‘The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists’

 

‘A company making a name for delivering, vivid politically committed theatre’ THE OBSERVER

“A strong and robust show that brings the characters, humour and inspirational ideas of this great book to life. It is needed now more than ever. You’ll leave the theatre and join the struggle!” – Ken Loach

“Tremendous” – The Times

10/10     “Sensational” – Liverpool Echo

“Highly entertaining” – Whatsonstage ★★★★

MUST SEE – The Guardian

‘A powerful story, powerfully told.‘ Clare Brennan. The Observer ★ ★ ★ ★

Magnificent Play” The Morning Star ★★★★★

 

Townsend productions are delighted to have been chosen by Live & Local to stage the very first trial run of a rural touring production. ‘The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists’ will be staged at Reepham & Cherry Willingham Village Hall in Lincolnshire on the 25th September

 

Professional rural touring, where professional performances take place in rural venues, has been a vital part of the touring infrastructure in the UK for many years; but of course, as with all theatre, performances were stopped in their tracks with the outbreak of COVID.

 

Now rural touring schemes including Live & Local are looking into how to safely perform professional productions once more in Village Halls and Community Centres, libraries and outdoors.

 

John Laidlaw from Live & Local said, “ensuring that a show is professionally managed in a setting that is rarely a fully equipped arts venue can bring challenges at any time; but with Covid, we have to be redouble our efforts to make the space work for us, so that shows can be performed safely. We’re delighted to be able to work with Townsend Theatre productions and our wonderful local Promoters at Reepham & Cherry Willingham to bring ‘The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists’ to Lincolnshire, giving local audiences the chance to once again experience high level professional theatre on their doorstep This first trial will be carried out with strict social distancing measures in place to reassure audiences, allowing for performance to go ahead in a “Covid-safe” environment”

 

Originally a novel written in 1910 by Robert Tressell; ‘The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists’ is a classic representation of the impoverished and politically powerless underclass of British society in Edwardian England, ruthlessly exploited by the institutionalised corruption of their employers and the civic and religious authorities. Epic in scale, the novel charts the ruinous effects of the laissez-faire mercantilist ethics on the men, women, and children of the working classes, and through its emblematic characters, argues for a socialist politics as the only hope for a civilised and humane life for all.

 

In Neil Gore’s adaptation, this famous working-class classic novel is reimagined as a one-man magic lantern show using Magic Lantern and projected animation, with political conjuring tricks, live music and song.  This piece was originally designed to allow one actor to control the whole performance; from the lighting to the music they alone control the story and the stage. Meaning this interpretation is perfect for a socially distanced performance.

Compelling, humorous and clear in its modern-day relevance, with reference to the current economic climate, job security, workplace scenarios, party politics and class systems, the work combines storytelling with stirring song, poetry and movement

Juliet Stevenson, Linda Bassett, Sophie Thompson and more unite for digital revival of Little Wars | Streaming worldwide 3rd – 8th November 2020

All-star cast unite for digital revival of Steven
Carl McCasland’s Little Wars
Streaming worldwide: Tuesday 3rd – Sunday 8th November 2020
Thomas Hopkins & Michael Quinn for Ginger Quiff Media in association with
Bailey Harris Kelly and Guy Chapman

Multi award-winning stage and screen actress Juliet Stevenson (Truly, Madly, Deeply; The
Doctor,
Almeida; Blindness, Donmar Warehouse) leads an all-star female cast in the online
revival of Steven Carl McCasland’s dinner party drama, Little Wars. Joining Stevenson will be Linda Bassett (Call The Midwife; East is East), Debbie Chazen (The Smoking Room; The Girls, West End), Natasha Karp (Rags, Park Theatre; The Kite Runner, West End), Catherine Russell (Holby City; What The Butler Saw, Curve Theatre), Sarah Solemani (Him & Her; Bad Education), and Sophie Thompson (Feel Good; Present Laughter, Old Vic).

Bringing together six exceptional women, Little Wars unites literary figureheads Gertrude Stein (Bassett), her girlfriend Alice Toklas (Russell), Dorothy Parker (Chazen), Lillian Hellman
(Stevenson) and Agatha Christie (Thompson), with anti-fascist freedom fighter Muriel Gardiner (Solemani), in the most fantastical what-if dinner party imaginable. Tensions are high and secrecy lingers in the air, but with libations flowing and the threat of World War II looming the guests are close to boiling point.

Directed by Hannah Chissick (Flashdance, UK & International tour; Pack of Lies, Menier
Chocolate Factory) the new production will be filmed and made available to download and
stream online, in collaboration with Southwark’s The Union Theatre. The entire cast and
creative team are raising money in aid of Women For Refugee Women, a cause that remains close to their values, and the underlying message of the play. Notwithstanding the challenges of 2020, the producers believe that it is vital, now more than ever, to support causes such as this.

Previously workshopped Off-Off Broadway, this acclaimed play makes its digital premiere,
celebrating historical women of the 20th century, through an intimate, hilarious, and witty fly on-the-wall glimpse into a nostalgic fiction based on truths. Set in 1940s France, on the evening the country crumbled to Hitler’s tyrannical rule, the play acts as a brutal reminder of the mistreatment of the Jewish people. At a time when antisemitism is rife, gender politics are divisive, and LGBTQ+ hate crime has increased, it is a stark reminder that not much has changed.

Director Hannah Chissick comments, It is such an honour to work on this wonderful play about exceptional women, with such an extraordinary cast all coming together in support of other brave and courageous women.

McCasland adds, I am thrilled to see Little Wars find its way across the pond, and with such an extraordinary team of actresses. I hope the play’s message resonates with all during this
unprecedented time.

Alongside the streaming, GingerQuiff Media will be collaborating with Drink the iNK for a new pre-show conversation series, Open Creative Process, allowing audiences full-access into the creative process of making digital theatre – from start to finish.

New Trailer for Apollo 13: The Dark Side of The Moon

Original Theatre Company, the production company behind the critically acclaimed lockdown productions of Sebastian Faulks’s Birdsong Online and Louise Coulthard’s Watching Rosie, are delighted to present this new commission by Torben Betts.  

Marking 50 years since the launch of the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission and based, in part, on actual transcripts, this new online play is a captivating re-telling of one of the greatest space stories of all time.  Stranded 205,000 miles from earth in a crippled spacecraft, astronauts Jim Lovell, Fred Haise and Jack Swigert fight a desperate battle to survive.  77 hours into their mission they lose all communications with earth as they pass around the dark side of the moon. Apollo 13: The Dark Side of The Moon explores the outer limits of faith, hope and the power of the human spirit.

Apollo 13: The Dark Side of The Moon stars Christopher Harper (Holby CityCoronation Street) as Jim Lovell, Michael Salami (HollyoaksJust a Couple) as Fred Haise, Tom Chambers (Father BrownCasualty) as Jack Swigert, Philip Franks (HeartbeatDarling Buds of May) as Present Day Lovell, Geoff Aymer (Macbeth at Shakespeare’s Globe, To Kill a Mockingbird at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Young Vic and writing credits include Anansi and the Magic Mirror for Talawa Theatre) as Present Day Haise, Jenna Augen (EpisodesThe Night Watch) as Capcom and Poppy Roe (A Serial Killer’s Guide to LifeRoyal Matchmaker) as Patricia Cooper.

Apollo 13: The Dark Side of The Moon is directed by Alastair Whatley and Charlotte Peters, designed by David Woodhead, edited by Tristan Shepherd, with sound design by Dominc Bilkey, original music composed by Sophie Cotton, movement direction by Simon Pittman and casting by Ellie Collyer-Brisow CDG.

Apollo 13: The Dark Side of The Moon, which is available to watch via originaltheatreonline.com from 7.30pm on Thursday 8 October until Thursday 31 December 2020.

https://we.tl/t-opT241sKmC

Northern Ballet returns for first post-lockdown live performances

Northern Ballet returns for first post-lockdown live performances
 


Leeds Playhouse: 21 – 31 October 2020

Northern Ballet is returning to the stage for its first live performances since the initiation of lockdown in March. The Company will perform three different hour-long mixed programmes at Leeds Playhouse from 21 – 24 October 2020 followed by four full-length performances of David Nixon OBE’s Dangerous Liaisons from 28 – 31 October 2020.

Northern Ballet’s season at Leeds Playhouse will be the Company’s first live performances in more than seven months. The last performance the Company held prior to lockdown was the world première of Kenneth Tindall’s Geisha. With government guidelines now permitting indoor performances with socially distanced audiences, working with Leeds Playhouse, Northern Ballet has been able to establish a viable programme to get the Company performing again. However, as ongoing social distancing restrictions continue to apply to the dancers, musicians and backstage staff, Northern Ballet is still unable to present its planned repertoire for 2020 and has instead selected work it can perform whilst respecting the current guidelines.

The first mixed repertoire programme will be Iconic Classics on 21 Oct. The performance will include excerpts from ballet classics including Don QuixoteSwan LakeLe Corsaire and GiselleA Celebration of Artistic Director David Nixon OBE on 22 Oct celebrates 20 years of Artistic Director David Nixon OBE’s creations for the Company including excerpts from The Great Gatsby, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Little Mermaid. The final mixed programme, Contemporary Cuts will be performed on 23 and 24 Oct including excerpts from 1984I Got Rhythm and a new work by Northern Ballet Choreographer in Residence Kenneth Tindall.

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From 28 – 31 Oct, Northern Ballet will perform David Nixon OBE’s Dangerous Liaisons in the first revival of this work in 10 years. Inspired by the original scandalous novel and acclaimed Hollywood retellings, danced to Vivaldi’s rousing The Four Seasons, Dangerous Liaisons is the bodice-ripping tale of two bored aristocrats as they spin a web of heartbreak and ruin.

With the exception of Contemporary Cuts, all performances will include live music played by members of Northern Ballet Sinfonia. All performances will be performed in full costume but ‘black box style’ without sets.

David Nixon OBE said: “Although we are still far from business-as-usual, we are thrilled to be able to return to the stage and present a significant run of live performances. This year has been incredibly difficult for everyone and the arts is one industry that has been badly affected by COVID-19. It is vital for our dancers to be able to return to performing and we feel fortunate that they are now able to do so. We recognise the challenges faced by our industry in ensuring the safety of staff and patrons and the financial viability of holding performances with reduced socially distanced audiences. So many arts organisations are still fighting for their existence and countless people have been made redundant. We hope that successfully holding our performances will contribute to setting a path for the curtain to lift on more live performance across the UK.

“We don’t know what the coming months will bring for our company, or the industry as a whole. However, we are continuing to liaise with our venue partners and explore more opportunities for live performance in the coming months. For now, we hope our audiences will feel safe and confident to join us at Leeds Playhouse, support our industry and have a brief escape from the uncertainty of the times that dance can so beautifully provide.”

Tickets go on general sale on Tuesday 29 September at 12 noon. To book visit leedsplayhouse.org.uk

In line with current government guidelines, audiences will be of limited capacity with social distancing and temperature checks in place. Audiences are also required to wear face coverings at all times. Ticket holders will be notified of these measures in advance

Dangerous Liaisons age guidance 12+

RYAN CARTER AND BETH GEORGE JOIN THE BARN THEATRE TEAM

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Barn Theatre | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Website

RYAN CARTER AND BETH GEORGE JOIN THE BARN THEATRE TEAM

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Ryan Carter and Iwan Lewis, Photo Credit: Benjamin Collins
  • THE BARN THEATRE ANNOUNCES THEIR DEDICATION TO DIGITAL THEATRE BY APPOINTING RYAN CARTER AS NEW CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL CONTENT
  • BETH GEORGE ALSO JOINS THE BARN THEATRE TEAM AS THE THEATRE’S NEW PRODUCER AND WILL OVERSEE THE THEATRE’S NEWLY ANNOUNCED THEATRE RECOVERY SEASON

The Barn Theatre in Cirencester has announced that they have welcomed two new members to the award-winning theatre’s team.

Ryan Carter, who recently received both critical and public acclaim for co-creating the online concert Turn Up!, joins the theatre as Creative Director of Digital Content. His new role will see him focus on the developing the theatre’s offering in digital theatre content, with a focus on innovation.

The Barn Theatre had over 330,000 audience members watch their online theatrical content during lockdown which has included their Shakespeare in Lockdown series Bard From The Barn (co-produced with Aaron Sidwell), the virtual concert series The Barn Presents: which celebrated emerging British musical theatre writers and the recent release of Relative Motion & the Barn Theatre’s virtual reality production of Marlowe’s Edward II.

Ryan Carter said of joining the theatre, “The Barn have been creating innovative, mould-breaking digital content throughout lockdown, and in inviting me to the team, they’re pledging that the programming of their digital realm is as important as the live spaces. I’m thrilled to be joining the team. The gravity of someone like me having a role like this isn’t lost on me at all.”

Beth George has also recently joined the Cirencester theatre as their new producer. She will oversee the theatre’s newly announced 2020 Theatre Recovery Season as well as upcoming projects. Her career has included working as a Production and Development Associate for Sonia Friedman Productions.

Beth George said on joining the Barn Theatre“The Barn’s ability to keep moving through such treacherous times has been astounding and I am thrilled to be a part of this brilliant team. Joining the Barn on the first preview of Private Peaceful and being back in the room with an audience and live performance was a very special start of a new venture for me. I look forward to the future projects and eclectic range of work that we have planned.”

Iwan Lewis said of the new additions, “I am absolutely thrilled that Beth and Ryan are joining our incredible team. The Barn’s media offering has been an integral part of the Barn’s survival over this period so now it’s time to commit to the digital and media realm. The world is changing, and we are changing with it. Ryan has been a driving force for many years in bringing theatre to new audiences and we feel confident that he can steer us into a new digital world creating exciting and innovative content across all platforms. 

We are still in difficult times, but we are committed to producing entertaining and culturally enriching theatrical content and Beth George joining our team solidifies that commitment. We have re-opened our doors and have adapted our model to ensure that we are operating in the safest way possible and now we need to bring live theatre back to not only the Barn’s stage but also stages across the UK as they prepare to reopen.”

Other staff changes announced by the theatre today are that Iwan Lewis’ role has expanded to Artistic Director and CEO of the Barn Theatre, Rachel Wright as Executive Director with Aeron James (PR & Socials) and Benjamin Collins (Media) heading up the theatre’s marketing department.

Jamie Chapman Dixon, who joined the theatre in 2018, will step into an Advisory Producer role at the theatre.

PIFF THE MAGIC DRAGON: LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS – SPECIALLY CREATED ONLINE MAGIC AND COMEDY SHOW STREAMED TO THE UK – SAT 26 SEPTEMBER AT 7PM

PIFF THE MAGIC DRAGON: LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS

STREAMING DIGITALLY TO THE UK

SATURDAY 26 SEPTEMBER AT 7PM

AS PART OF US LIVESTREAM TOUR

A MAGIC SHOW FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME

Tickets on sale now via www.piffthemagicdragon.com 

Piff The Magic Dragon along with his trusty sidekick Mr Piffles, The World’s Only Magic Performing Chihuahua™, and Jade Simon – a genuine Las Vegas Showgirl – announce the first UK date of their interactive livestream tour, PIFF THE MAGIC DRAGON: LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS, which has been entertaining audiences virtually across the US this summer. Broadcast live from the Piff the Magic Dragon Television Studio in Las Vegas (formerly known as his single car garage), this all-new one-hour interactive magic experience has been specifically created for online viewing, featuring Piff’s unique blend of sardonic British comedy and magic. 

UK audiences can now experience PIFF THE MAGIC DRAGON: LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS on Saturday 26 September at 7pm via Zoom, with further UK dates to be announced.

A stunningly good magician” — Penn & Teller

Piff is the best. A true original” — David Copperfield

A phenomenal talent” — Howard Stern

After breaking out on ITV’s Penn & Teller: Fool Us, Piff the Magic Dragon moved to Las Vegas where he stole the show on NBC’s America’s Got Talent in 2015. For the past five years, Piff has been performing nightly to sold out houses at The Piff the Magic Dragon Theatre in the heart of the iconic Flamingo Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas. Piff has been busier than ever these past few months with numerous appearances on US network and cable television. He vanished the Statue of Liberty with David Copperfield, taught tricks on Penn & Teller Try This At Home, and most surprisingly of all, emerged victorious from TBS’ comedy competition series, Tournament of Laughs. Yes. Somehow Piff beat some of the biggest names in comedy including Jeff Ross, Margaret Cho, Gilbert Gottfried, Michael Rapaport, Jim Norton and Fortune Feimster.

In 2019, Piff was named one of the 10 Comics to Watch by Variety, won “Best Comedian,” “Best Magician” and “Best Headliner” in the Best of Las Vegas Awards beating Lady Gaga AND was awarded the Casino Entertainment Award’s Casino Comedian of the Year. For an act that bills himself as The Loser of America’s Got Talent, this is getting awkward.

Piff the Magic Dragon said, “Nowadays it seems like everyone is working from home, so I thought why not a dragon? I’ve spent the last six months building a TV studio in the garage and coming up with a bunch of magic that will destroy from a distance. It’s finally ready, and the best part is I can visit my birthland and still be home in time for tea. As long as I have tea at 4am. I was gutted to miss my annual pilgrimage to the UK this year, and to all those who missed us too, I hope this in some small way makes up for it

STEAM.THEATRE launched. New online venue helping Arts organisations to stream content

Online venue stream.theatre has launched, providing full streaming services for the Arts

New online venue stream.theatre has launched providing solutions for arts organisations wishing to stream content online

From ticketing and box office solutions, full-service video capture and transmission, to a secure online video player specifically conditioned for live streaming theatrical events

stream.theatre can cater for one-off events or create long term solutions by purpose building a streaming platform for an existing brand

User-friendly and straightforward process, accessible for all audience demographics

Visit www.stream.theatre for full information

A brand-new streaming service has been launched offering arts organisations online hosting and production solutions for all their streaming needs. stream.theatre is available now for any organisation, producer, or artist needing support to stream content.

Venue

stream.theatre is a digital venue for any theatre, art, or performance based video content. Live-streamed, time scheduled or on demand: shows and content can be transmitted in a variety of ways and can be individually priced. Customers can browse upcoming shows and watch marketing materials. Video content is shown on ahigh quality, secure video player, available on a variety of devices and applications. Content can be geo-fenced to protect rights holders and authors.

Box Office

stream.theatre can work with third party ticketing facilities or provide a full ticketing service. If stream.theatre provides a box office service, customers are able to buy tickets to shows and events on the platform and come back to watch them at the time of the ‘performance’. There are no complicated codes or vouchers; the customer’s account remembers what they’ve bought and allows access to the event. Full reporting is provided with full financial statements, viewership statements, watch time analysis and remittances to content owners.

Production

stream.theatre can act as a full video partner in the creation of content. A full 4k camera solution as well as audio capture, live vision mixing and all equipment necessary for a multiple camera shoot is available. It can provide live stream technology for truly live performances or editing capabilities for pre-recorded productions. The experienced production team can advise, consult or general mange digital production processes.

The service is available now and can be found at www.stream.theatre

Martin Shaw & Jenny Seagrove reunite in LOVE LETTERS as Theatre Royal Windsor reopens

MARTIN SHAW & JENNY SEAGROVE REUNITE
IN BROADWAY HIT LOVE LETTERS
AS THEATRE ROYAL WINDSOR REOPENS

• THEATRE ROYAL WINDSOR IS TO REOPEN WITH BROADWAY HIT LOVE
LETTERS
BY A.R. GURNEY
• STARRING JUDGE JOHN DEED’S MARTIN SHAW AND JENNY SEAGROVE
• DIRECTED BY ROY MARSDEN
• FOR ONE WEEK ONLY! LIMITED SEATS AVAILABLE

Following the exciting announcement that our Pantomime, Cinderella, will go ahead this
year, we are delighted to confirm a further production for our Autumn/Winter 2020 Season
as Theatre Royal Windsor reopens! With more shows to be announced.

FOR ONE WEEK ONLY
After more than six months of closure, Theatre Royal Windsor is to reopen with Judge John
Deed
’s MARTIN SHAW
and JENNY SEAGROVE starring as two friends who share a deep
closeness through writing intimate letters across a lifetime
.

Martin Shaw and Jenny Seagrove are beloved stars of the Windsor stage; both recently
having featured in outstanding Windsor productions – Martin in Patrick Hamilton’s classic
Gaslight and Jenny in the starring role of the thrilling The Anastasia File. The pair last
performed together in Windsor’s 2015 live radio adaptation of the iconic movie screenplay,
Brief Encounter.

ABOUT THE SHOW
A. R Gurney’s Love Letters debuted in 1988 and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for
Drama. Celebrated American productions of this Broadway classic have seen huge star
names such as Kathleen Turner, Christopher Walken, Ali MacGraw and Ryan O’Neal take
on this piece.

When Andrew Makepeace Ladd III accepts an invitation to Melissa Gardner’s birthday party, Melissa writes a thank you note, and a romantic friendship and correspondence destined to last for almost half a century is born.

COVID-SECURE MEASURES
Love Letters will run for 8 performances with limited seating due to the social distancing
measures in place for the safety of our audiences – so book early to avoid disappointment!

Covid-secure measures will be in place across the entirety of the building, and performance
times have been adjusted. Further information regarding our Covid measures can be found
on our website.

Theatres Trust director responds to PM’s speech and new Covid restrictions

Jon Morgan, director of the Theatres Trust, has responded to Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s speech to MPs and the new Covid-19 restrictions: 

While not directly mentioning theatres, this curfew demonstrates that town and city centre businesses such as theatres continue to be under threat. Theatres that were considering reopening with social distancing in place will be less likely to take the risk. Crucially the six month time frame signals that we will not see theatres being able to fully reopen in the near future – the all-important Stage 5 in the government’s recovery roadmap. With the job retention scheme ceasing at the end of October, it will herald more job losses, will risk more theatres closing permanently – and will result in irreversible damage to our cultural landscape. It is imperative that the government considers sector-specific support such as extending the furlough scheme until such time as it is safe for theatres to reopen fully.

Casting announced for Theatre Royal Bath’s Autumn Season

Casting announced for Theatre Royal Bath’s WELCOME BACK Season

Casting has been announced for the first two plays in the Theatre Royal Bath’s WELCOME BACK Season this Autumn. Two of the country’s leading actresses, Nancy Carroll and Haydn Gwynne, are joined by a distinguished cast of experienced stage and screen performers.

BETRAYAL, Harold Pinter’s mesmerising masterpiece of relationships and adultery, stars Nancy CarrollJoseph MillsonEdward Bennett and Christopher Bianchi.

Nancy Carroll is one of the leading actresses of her generation. She won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress for her performance in Terence Rattigan’s After The Dance at the National Theatre. She is well known for her recurring role of Lady Felicia in seven series of BBC1’s Father Brown, has recently starred in the worldwide TV hit The Crown, and featured in Sky One comedy Agatha Raisin.

Joseph Millson initially came to public attention as Dr Sam Morgan in the long running medical drama Peak Practice. He has since played may leading roles at the National Theatre, the Royal Court, and at the RSC, where he won the UK Theatre Award for Best Performance in a Play for The Rover in 2017. He also won the Whatsonstage Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance in Love Never Dies, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sequel to Phantom of the Opera. His film credits include Casino Royale and Angel Has Fallen.

Edward Bennett has recently starred as Macduff in Macbeth, Berowne in Love’s Labour’s Lost, Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, all for the RSC, and Stanley Stubbers in the National Theatre hit comedy One Man Two Guvnors. He is well known to Bath audiences for numerous appearances as part of the Peter Hall Company in School For Scandal, Habeus Corpus and Measure for MeasureChristopher Bianchi has worked regularly for Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory and Bristol Old Vic.

BETRAYAL, directed by Jonathan Church is at the Theatre Royal Bath from Wednesday 14 – Saturday 31 October.

Michael Frayn’s multi award-winning COPENHAGEN stars Haydn Gwynne, Michael Gould and Philip Arditti.

Haydn Gwynne is one of our most popular stage and screen actors. She rose to fame as newsreader Alex in Channel 4’s Drop The Dead Donkey, for which she was nominated the BAFTA for Light Entertainment Performance, and has won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical for her role in the Broadway production of Billy Elliot The Musical. Other notable stage roles include Margaret Thatcher in Peter Morgan’s The Audience opposite Helen Mirren, and Queen Elizabeth in Sam Mendes’ Richard III at the Old Vic. Her numerous screen credits include the regular role of Dr Graham in Peak Practice, and appearances in Midsomer Murders, Silent Witness, Rome and Death in Paradise.

Michael Gould’s extensive stage career has spanned thirty years working with the RSC, National Theatre, The Globe Theatre and the Young Vic, amongst many others. His notable roles include Iago in Othello for the RSC, Oberon/Theseus in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Polonius in Hamlet for the Young Vic. His film credits include Rogue One and the BAFTA and Academy Award nominated wartime drama, The Darkest Hour.

Philip Arditti has recently worked with the Globe Ensemble, a ten strong company of performers producing all of Shakespeare’s History plays at the Globe Theatre in London. He has played Oliver in As You Like It, and the high priest Caiaphas in Salome, both for the National Theatre. Recent screen credits include Dr Silva in the psychological thriller series Sanctuary; Dan Brown thriller Inferno, directed by Ron Howard and BBC series Honourable Women. He first became known for his portrayal of Uday Hussein in the BBC/HBO series House of Saddam

COPENHAGEN, directed by Polly Findlay, is at the Theatre Royal Bath from Wednesday 4 – Saturday 21 November.

Casting for OLEANNA, the third play in the Autumn Season, will be announced shortly.

The WELCOME BACK Season is at the Theatre Royal Bath from Wednesday 14 October – Saturday 12 December 2020. Full details and ticket information can be found at www.theatreroyal.org.uk