EMMA RICE COMPANY’S SMASH-HIT PRODUCTION OF
A CHILD’S CHRISTMAS IN WALES
TO RUN AT THEATRE ROYAL BATH THIS CHRISTMAS
★★★★★
“Exquisite Dylan Thomas adaptation has magic in every scene”
The Guardian
Following a critically acclaimed sell-out run at the company’s home base in Frome last year, the Emma Rice Company today announce the return of A Child’s Christmas in Wales at the Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal Bath. Adapted and directed by Rice with music by Ian Ross, the production opens on 16 December, with previews from 9 December, and runs until 24 December. Casting for the production will be announced shortly.
Emma Rice said today, “We cannot wait to bring our magical show to Bath this Christmas. And oh! A Child’s Christmas in Wales will nestle beautifully in The Ustinov! Sat invitingly between the spectacular of the Main House and the family fun of The Egg, this breathtaking production offers something a little different – a warm, funny, and heartfelt escape from all thatChristmas noise. This precious and surprising show is brim-full of music, memories, storytelling and timeless humanity. A festive gift indeed.”
In addition, the company’s production of Malory Towers is currently touring the UK, with North by Northwest about to begin a tour in the US, and later this year Tristan & Yseult will return for a tour, also opening at Theatre Royal Bath as part of the two companies’ three-year partnership, The Director’s Cut.
www.emmaricecompany.co.uk
Instagram: @EmmaRiceCompany
Facebook: @EmmaRiceCompany or Facebook.com/emmaricecompany
★★★★★
“Snow-stopping theatre”
Daily Mail
Dylan Thomas’
A CHILD’S CHRISTMAS IN WALES
Adapted and directed by Emma Rice
Music by Ian Ross
Lighting Designer: Malcolm Rippeth; Projection Designer: Simon Baker
9 – 24 December
Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal Bath
★★★★
“consummate inventiveness… a vivid, mischievous re-enactment”
The Times
When did Christmas become so hectic? Have you ever craved a break from the bright colours, bustling shops and music so loud you fear your ears will ring for days?
A Child’s Christmas in Wales is the perfect antidote to festive madness, taking young and old to a magical place of wit, warmth and wonder. Returning to the stage after a sell-out run at Christmas 2025, Dylan Thomas’ beloved poem is woven into a beautiful hour of heart-melting music, puppetry, candles, shadows and rare imagination.
★★★★
“an evocation of all the emotions that flood through Christmas”
WhatsOnStage
Emma Rice is the Artistic Director of Emma Rice Company and is an internationally respected theatre-maker and director. For Emma Rice Company she has adapted and directed A Child’s Christmas in Wales, North by Northwest, The Buddha of Suburbia, Blue Beard, The Little Matchgirl and Happier Tales, Wuthering Heights, Bagdad Café, Angela Carter’s Wise Children, Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers and Romantics Anonymous. As Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe: Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Little Matchgirl (and Other Happier Tales). Rice worked for Kneehigh as an actor, director and Artistic Director, creating critically acclaimed productions including: The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk, 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips, The Wild Bride, The Red Shoes, Cymbeline (in association with RSC), A Matter of Life and Death (in association with National Theatre), Brief Encounter (in association with David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers Productions), Don John (in association with the RSC and Bristol Old Vic), Wah! Wah! Girls (in association with Sadler’s Wells and Theatre Royal Stratford East for World Stages), and Steptoe and Son. She received the Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre award at the 2019 UK Theatre Awards.
Ian Ross is a Bristol-based multi-instrumentalist and Composer and leads the band Eleven Magpies. Previous work with Emma Rice Company as Composer includes The Little Match Girl and Happier Tales (The Lucky Chance), Wuthering Heights (UK, US tour, The Holland Festival, Australia and Asia tour), Bagdad Café (Old Vic), Malory Towers (UK tour)and Wise Children (UK tour). Other theatre credits include: Brief Encounter, The Red Shoes, Don John, The Wild Bride, Tristan and Yseult, Dead Dog in a Suitcase, The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk, The Very Old Man with Enormous Wings, The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk (Kneehigh); Twelfth Night (Shakespeare’s Globe); The Cat and the Canary (Told by an Idiot and Chichester Festival Theatre) and The Winter’s Tale (Tobacco Factory Theatres).As Music Director, his credits include Girl from the North Country (Toronto 2019, Runway) and London Tide (National Theatre).
A Child’s Christmas in Wales
Listings:
Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal Bath
Monmouth Street, Bath, BA1 1EY
Box Office: 01225 448844
9 – 24 December 2026
Adult tickets – £35; Concessionary tickets – £20
Age guidance is 8+
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Wednesday 9 December 6:30pm
Thursday 10 December 6:30pm
Friday 11 December 2:30pm & 7:30pm
Saturday 12 December 2:30pm & 7:30pm
Sunday 13 December 11:00am & 2:30pm
Tuesday 15 December 6:30pm
Wednesday 16 December 2:00pm – OPENING PERFORMANCE – & 7:00pm
Thursday 17 December 6:30pm
Friday 18 December 2:30pm & 7:30pm
Saturday 19 December 11:00am, 2:30pm & 7:30pm
Sunday 20 December 11:00am & 2:30pm
Tuesday 22 December 11:00am, 2:30pm & 7:30pm
Wednesday 23 December 11:00am, 2:30pm & 7:30pm
Thursday 24 December 11:00am & 2:30pm
www.emmaricecompany.co.uk
Instagram: @EmmaRiceCompany
Facebook: @EmmaRiceCompany or Facebook.com/emmaricecompany