Theatre Royal Bath - Ustinov Studio Sets Spring, Summer 2016 Seasons

We are delighted to announce the spring 2016 Ustinov Studio French Canadian season, running from 18th February until 30th April. This is a rare opportunity to experience Canada's contemporary theatre scene, one of the most vibrant in the world, reflecting a rich diversity of regional and cultural identities.

The season opens with a new piece, a thrilling dark comedy, Catherine-Anne Toupin's RIGHT NOW, directed by Michael Boyd. This is followed by the UK premiere of Michel Tremblay's FOREVER YOURS, MARIE-LOU, directed by Laurence Boswell.

UK PREMIERE

Thursday 18th February - Saturday 19th March

RIGHT NOW by Catherine-Anne Toupin

Translated by Chris Campbell

Directed by Michael Boyd

As Alice and Ben settle into their beautiful new flat they realise that the family across the hall hope to be more than just good neighbours.

Soon, Juliette, Giles, and their son Francis are wearing out the welcome mat; suggesting drinks, hors d'oeuvres and dancing. Things begin to heat up as innocent invitations lead to passionate encounters and unsettling revelations.

Translated by Royal Court Literary Manager, Chris Campbell, Right Now was originally written and performed in French as A Présent by Québécois actor and playwright Catherine-Anne Toupin, and presented by Théâtre de la Manufacture atThéâtre la Licorne, in Montréal. It walks a delicate line between playful laughter and deep trauma, teasing and thrilling audiences from beginning to end.

Laurence Boswell, Artistic Director of the Theatre Royal Bath Ustinov Studio said, "The Ustinov is devoted to the discovery of international writers of special talent, and so we are delighted to be working with our partners at the Traverse and the Bush on the presentation of this fresh, imaginative and provocative new play by Catherine-Anne Toupin. We are proud to have secured the services of Michael Boyd to direct this important new project; this is his third Ustinov outing, he has a long and distinguished association with Scottish theatre and has huge experience of discovering the plays from French Canada. I can think of no one better to direct this bold collaboration which will seeRight Now play in Bath, London and Edinburgh."

Performances: Monday - Saturday, 7.45pm

Thursday matinees: 2.30pm (not 18th February) Saturday matinees: 2.30pm

Press night: Wednesday 24th February 7pm

Post show Discussion: Thursday 3rd March after evening performance

Tickets: £19.50 / £14.50 discounts (Preview Performances and Mondays, all seats £12)

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

Presented in association with Traverse Theatre Company and Bush Theatre.

RIGHT NOW runs at the Bush Theatre from Wednesday 23rd March until Saturday 16th April and at the Traverse Theatre from Tuesday 19th April until Saturday 7th May.

UK PREMIERE

Thursday 24th March - Saturday 30th April

FOREVER YOURS, MARIE-LOU by Michel Tremblay

Translated by Michael West

Directed by Laurence Boswell

Translation commissioned by the Ustinov Studio.

Ten years after their family is torn apart, two estranged sisters meet. Carmen now sings Country and Western in a cheap night-club; Manon is devout, reclusive and haunted by the past. As they struggle to reconcile their versions of what happened back in 1961, we listen in on their parents, Marie-Lou and Leopold, as breakfast goes downhill and arguments intensify on the morning of the tragedy.

Told in a form that is utterly unique, this brilliantly witty, imaginative and perceptive exploration of a chronically dysfunctional family is widely considered to be one of the masterpieces of Canadian Drama.

Michel Tremblay has been a dominant figure in Quebec's theatre scene since the end of the 1960s and he has received countless prestigious honours and accolades including the Governor General's Performing Arts Award, Canada's highest honour in the performing arts. His works have been translated and performed in more than 20 countries, making him one of Canada's most prolific writers.

Performances: Monday - Saturday, 7.45pm

Thursday matinees: 2.30pm (not 24th March) Saturday matinees: 2.30pm

Press night: Thursday 31st March, 7pm

Post show Discussion: Thursday 7th April after evening performance

Tickets: £19.50 / £14.50 Discounts (Preview Performances and Mondays all seats £12)

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

---

The Theatre Royal Bath is delighted to announce its 2016 Summer Season, 22nd June - 20th August, comprising three productions.

The season begins on 22nd June with Noël Coward's PRESENT LAUGHTER, continues with WHILE THE SUN SHINES by Terence Rattigan and concludes with the William Shakespeare's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, directed by Laurence Boswell.

PRESENT LAUGHTER by Noël Coward

Wednesday 22nd June - Saturday 9th July

Monday - Saturday, 7.30pm; matinees Thursday & Saturday, 2.30pm (No matinee 23rd June)

Directed by Stephen Unwin

Samuel West will star in PRESENT LAUGHTER. The production - often thought of as semi autobiographical - is undoubtedly one of Noël Coward's funniest plays, as he looks at life behind the theatrical curtain and reveals a world of glittering wits, dashing dressing gowns and ostentatious personalities.

Actor, charmer and diva, Garry Essendine is determined to disregard his advancing years and receding hairline by revelling in endless tantrums and casual affairs. But just as he is about to depart for Africa, he finds himself besieged by a bevvy of would-be seductresses, not to mention his long-suffering secretary, his estranged wife, and an obsessed young playwright. As he attempts to disentangle himself from their clutches and demands, the humour escalates, accompanied by delicious dialogue and sparkling repartee.

Samuel West's film roles include Howards End, Notting Hill, Van Helsing and Hyde Park on Hudson. His television credits include Mr Selfridge, Waking the Dead, Cambridge Spies and Any Human Heart and he has portrayed both Richard II and Hamlet on stage with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Stephen Unwin was Artistic Director of English Touring Theatre and the Rose Theatre, Kingston. His 2010 production of Coward's Hay Fever received great critical acclaim and he also directed Coward's This Happy Breed for the 2011 Peter Hall Company Season in Bath.

Press Night: Wednesday 29th June, 7pm

WHILE THE SUN SHINES by Terence Rattigan

Wednesday 13th July - Saturday 30th July

Monday - Saturday, 7.30pm; matinees Thursday & Saturday, 2.30pm (No matinee 14th July)

Directed by Christopher Luscombe

WHILE THE SUN SHINES ran for over one thousand performances in the West End in the early 1940s, before transferring to Broadway. The leading critic of the day, James Agate, described it as "delightful, a little masterpiece of tingling impertinence".

On the eve of his marriage to the beautiful Lady Elizabeth, the Earl of Harpenden makes the mistake of allowing a drunken American Lieutenant to spend the night in his Albany apartment. Things start to go wrong the following morning when the Earl arranges a little female company for his charming and mischievous guest in the form of Mabel Crum, a former girlfriend with a penchant for Americans...but it is his fiancée, Lady Elizabeth, who turns up at the flat!

Add into the mix Colbert, a young French officer who also fancies his chances with Elizabeth, and her garrulous father, an inveterate gambler, and the stage is set for hilarious confusion. In this flurry of crossed-wires and mistaken identities Rattigan shows himself to be a master farceur.

Terence Rattigan's plays include The Deep Blue Sea, Flare Path, Separate Tables, The Browning Version, French Without Tears and The Winslow Boy.

Director Christopher Luscombe has worked extensively with the RSC and Shakespeare's Globe. His recent productions include Love's Labour's Lost, Much Ado About Nothing, Nell Gwynn, The Madness of George III, Enjoy, and Spamalot.

Press Night: Wednesday 20th July, 7pm

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM by William Shakespeare

Wednesday 3rd - Saturday 20th August

Monday - Saturday, 7.30pm; matinees Thursday & Saturday, 2.30pm (No matinee 4th August)

Directed by Laurence Boswell

Olivier Award- winning director Laurence Boswell directs this brand new production of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death in 1616.

On one magical night in the middle of summer the world turns upside down as fairies run amok, a troupe of manual workers rehearse a play and four lovers fall in and out of love. Shakespeare's best-loved comedy interweaves three stories set in Athens and the enchanted woods outside the city. As Theseus and Hippolyta prepare to marry in Athens, Hermia is ordered to wed Demetrius. When Hermia and Lysander elope to the woods, Helena and Demetrius follow... On the same night - in the same wood - the fairy king, Oberon, and his queen, Titania, are feuding over ownership of a little Indian boy. ...and Bottom, the Weaver and his band are rehearsing a play.

Laurence Boswell is the Artistic Director of the Ustinov Studio and an Associate Artist of the Royal Shakespeare Company. His recent work includes The Mother, Exit the King, Intimate Apparel and the Spanish Golden Age Season. He directed Popcorn in the West End and A Day in the Death of Joe Egg on Broadway.

Press Night: Wednesday 10th August, 7pm

LISTINGS INFORMATION:

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

Times: Monday - Saturday, 7.30pm (29th June, 20th July and 10th August, 7pm)

Thursday & Saturday, 2.30pm matinees (No matinees 23rd June, 14th July or 4th August)

Box Office: 01225 448844 / theatreroyal.org.uk

Tickets: £15.00 - £31.00