Vincent Riotta and Brian Doherty to Star in A STEADY RAIN from April 9 at Ustinov Studios

Rehearsals started today for the second play in the Ustinov Studio's American Season, the UK premiere of A STEADY RAIN by Keith Huff. Starring Vincent Riotta and Brian Doherty and directed by David Grindley, it follows on from Dan LeFranc's THE BIG MEAL.

Vincent Riotta plays Denny whose recent theatre credits include Enduring Freedom at the Finborough Theatre, Fridays at Seven at the Court Theatre, Hollywood, Shared Experience's True West and A Streetcar Named Desire at the Leicester Haymarket. Brian Doherty plays Joey, most recently seen in the West End in From Here to Eternity. Other recent theatre credits include Narrative at the Royal Court, Famine at Hampstead Theatre, Improbable Frequency at The Gaiety Theatre and Antony and Cleopatra, A Winter's Tale, Julius Caesar, King Lear and Little Eagles, all for the RSC.

A Steady Rain chronicles love and rage on the streets of Chicago where one ordinary day a deadly error of judgement sends the lives of two cops spinning out of control. A dark two-hander, filled with sharp storytelling and biting repartee, A Steady Rain opened on Broadway in 2009 starring Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig.

Joey and Denny, best friends since childhood, are practically family: Joey helps out with Denny's wife and kids; Denny keeps Joey away from the bottle. But when a routine domestic disturbance turns into something terrifying and tragic, it is clear someone must bear responsibility. As the need to serve and protect both consumes the two cops, and rips them apart, trust and loyalty struggle for survival against a backdrop of pimps, prostitutes, and criminal lowlife.

Director David Grindley's numerous credits include, recently, Daytona, Journey's End in the West End and The Philanthropist on Broadway. He also directed the hugely-acclaimed production of The American Plan in the Ustinov Studio's American Season 2013 which transferred to St James Theatre in July 2013.

Keith Huff won a Writer's Guild Award for 'Mad Men', wrote for the first season of 'House of Cards' and has also written the film adaptation of 'A Steady Rain' for EON Films.

The season concludes with Lynn Nottage's multi award-winning Intimate Apparel, directed by Laurence Boswell, 29th May - 28th June.

DETAILS:

Venue: Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal Bath, Sawclose, Bath BA1 1ET

Dates: Wednesday 9th April - Saturday 10th May

Times: Monday - Saturday, 7.45pm

Thursday and Saturday matinees, 2.30pm (not 10th April)

Press Night: Tuesday 15th April, 7pm

Post Show Talk: Thursday 17th April after evening performance

Tickets: £19.50 / £14.50 Discounts

Previews: 9th - 14th April and Mondays: All seats £10

Box Office: 01225 448844/ www.theatreroyal.org.uk/ustinov