Controversial drama to reopen the Ustinov Studio next week
- OLEANNA rescheduled from lockdown to run in the Ustinov Studio through December and January.
- Social distancing and Covid secure measures in place throughout the Ustinov Studio, which reopens for the first time since March.
Following the Government’s announcements regarding post-lockdown tiers today, the Theatre Royal Bath is delighted to confirm that the hotly anticipated production of OLEANNA, David Mamet’s provocative drama, will now open in the socially distanced Ustinov Studio from Thursday 3 December.
When David Mamet’s Oleanna opened nearly thirty years ago, it caused uproar amongst audiences from New York to London. Set on an American campus, a seemingly innocuous conversation between a college professor and his female student warps into a nightmare which threatens to destroy them both, when she files a claim of sexual harassment against him. With its take on the corrosive excesses of political correctness and exploration of the use and abuse of language, this is the ultimate drama of pupil power and student revenge.
Addressing issues which are strikingly current, this will be a fascinating opportunity to see this landmark play from the perspective of our #MeToo era. This powerful new production stars Jonathan Slinger and Rosie Sheehy, and is directed by Lucy Bailey.
Jonathan Slinger is the leading Shakespearean actor of his generation, having played a remarkable number of leading roles for the RSC including Hamlet, Macbeth, Richard II, Richard III, Prospero and Malvolio. He starred in Plastic at the Ustinov Studio and in the West End transfer of Trouble in Mind. Jonathan has also worked extensively for the National Theatre and Shakespeare’s Globe, and other significant West End roles have included Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Bernard Woolley in Yes, Prime Minister. He was recently seen on screen in The Salisbury Poisonings, I May Destroy You and Kiri.
Rosie Sheehy’s theatre credits include the title role in King John for the RSC, Uncle Vanya (Theatre Clwyd/Sheffield Theatres) for which she won the ‘Best Female Performance in the English Language’ award at the Wales Theatre Awards 2018; The Whale (Ustinov Studio), Strife (Chichester Festival Theatre), The Hairy Ape (The Old Vic) and Chicken (Paines Plough). Her recent screen credits include IRE, Call The Midwife and Chernobyl.
Director Lucy Bailey is well known to Bath audiences from her productions of King Lear staring David Haig, and Switzerland starring Phyllis Logan, in recent Theatre Royal Bath Summer Seasons.
David Mamet is one of the most distinctive voices in stage and film writing today. His multi award-winning plays include Glengarry Glen Ross, Speed-the-Plow and American Buffalo.
OLEANNA runs at the Ustinov Studio from Thursday 3 – Tuesday 22 December, and again from Monday 4 – Saturday 16 January. This replaces the original timescale and venue of November and December in the Main House. Full details and ticket information can be found at www.theatreroyal.org.uk
Following all government guidance and in consultation with health and safety advisors, covid-secure measures in place include reduced capacity to allow for socially distanced seating, mandatory face coverings (unless exempt), hand sanitiser units, thermal temperature checks, dedicated entry points, staggered arrivals and audience flow, fresh air circulation and enhanced cleaning. In line with the regional regulations, patrons are advised to only visit the theatre with members of their household or support bubbles.