Tanya Moodie Stars in INTIMATE APPAREL at Ustinov Studio, Bath, Beg. Tonight

Following Dan LeFranc's THE BIG MEAL, directed by Michael Boyd and Keith Huff's gritty two-hander, A STEADY RAIN, directed by David Grindley, is the final production in the Ustinov Studio's American Season 2014 - Lynn Nottage's multi award-winning INTIMATE APPAREL, directed by Laurence Boswell, tonight 29th May - Saturday 28th June.

INTIMATE APPAREL is arguably the greatest play of one of America's leading and most honoured playwrights, who was awarded the 2010 Distinguished Playwright Award and went on to win the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award, Outer Critics Circle Award and John Gassner Award, all for Best Play as well as the American Theater Critics Association's Francesca Primus Award and the Steinberg New Play Award.

This multi award-winning play, brimming with wonderful characters, is set in 1905 in New York City where Esther, a black seamstress, sews exquisite lingerie for clients who range from wealthy white patrons to prostitutes. She has saved enough to allow her to dream of one day opening a beauty salon for black women, and at 35 years old, longs for a husband and a future. When she begins to receive beautiful letters from a lonesome Caribbean man who is working on the Panama Canal, it looks like life may be about to take a different course.

The cast includes Tanya Moodie as Esther, who most recently appeared opposite Lenny Henry in the much acclaimed FENCES on tour and in the West End; Chu Omambala as George (The Nine O'Clock Slot for Ice and Fire and King Lear at Chichester Theatre Festival); Ilan Goodman as Mr Marks (SHIVER, Watford Palace Theatre; PAPER DOLLS, Tricycle Theatre; RED LIGHT WINTER, Theatre Royal Bath Ustinov Studio); Sara Topham as Mrs Van Buren (Gwendolyn in THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, Roundabout Theatre Company, New York; Laurencia in Laurence Boswell's FUENTE OVEJUNA); Dawn Hope as Mrs Dickson (THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, The Young Vic; Alison Soames in 'Coronation Street'); and Rochelle Neil who will play Mayme (Kitty in CHICAGO, Mrs. Weasel in FANTASTIC MR. FOX, Regents Park Open Air Theatre).

DETAILS:

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

Dates: Thursday 29th May - Saturday 28th June

Times: Monday - Saturday, 7.45pm; Thursday and Saturday matinees, 2.30pm (not 29th May)

Press night: Wednesday 4th June, 7pm

Post Show Talk: Thursday 12th June after evening performance

Tickets: £19.50 / £14.50 Discounts

Previews: 29th May - 3rd June and Mondays: All seats £10

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