Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal Bath Autumn Announces Casting for 2014 Season

The Ustinov Studio, Bath is delighted to announce casting for its Autumn 2014 season, which will comprise three black comedies from some of the greatest names in European drama: Friedrich Dürrenmatt's "Play Strindberg," Florian Zeller's "The Father" and Eugène Ionesco's "Exit The King."

PLAY STRINDBERG by Friedrich Dürrenmatt in a new translation by Alistair Beaton

Thursday 11th September - Saturday 11th October

Directed by Nancy Meckler

Greg Hicks, Sally Dexter and Richard Clothier will open the season in "Play Strindberg." Hicks and Dexter play Alice, a resting actress and Edgar, an old soldier. Their 25 year marriage would be perfect - if they didn't want each other dead. The vicious cat and mouse games they play on the desolate island outpost which is their home, are interrupted by the arrival of Alice's cousin, and former lover, Kurt (Clothier).

One of the UK's leading classic actors, Greg Hicks has played numerous major roles for the National Theatre and the RSC including, recently, "King Lear." He won the 2003 Critics' Circle Award and received an Olivier Best Actor nomination for his performance as Coriolanus at the Old Vic.

Multi-award winning Sally Dexter is one of Britain's most respected actresses. Her stage credits include Sam Mendes's "Oliver!," Patrick Marber's "Closer" and she played Lady Macbeth opposite Rufus Sewell. Her many film and television roles include credits include "Day and Night" and "A Touch of Frost."

Last in Bath in Laurence Boswell's "Fifty Words," Richard Clothier has worked extensively with the National Theatre, the RSC and Propeller.

Translator Alistair Beaton is regarded as Britain's leading writer of political satire, with credits across theatre, television, radio and publishing.

Director Nancy Meckler was Artistic Director of Shared Experience for 22 years and was the first female director at the National Theatre where she worked on "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" She has also worked extensively with the RSC.

20th Century master Friedrich Dürrenmatt is best-known for "The Visit," which won the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award as the best foreign play in 1959.

Designed by Max Jones and Ruth Hall; lighting designed by Tina MacHugh; sound designed by Andrea J Cox; Musical Director and Arranger Jon Nicholls; Movement Director Heather Habens.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

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

Dates: Thursday 11th September - Saturday 11th October

Times: Monday - Saturday, 7.45pm; Thursday and Saturday matinees, 2.30pm (not 11th September)

Press night: Wednesday 17th September, 7pm

Post Show Talk: Thursday 2nd October after evening performance

Tickets: £19.50 / £14.50 discounts (preview performances 11th - 16th September and Mondays: all seats £10)

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

THE FATHER by Florian Zeller in a new translation by Christopher Hampton

Thursday 16th October - Saturday 15th November

Directed by James Macdonald

Kenneth Cranham and Lia Williams will perform in Florian Zeller's Moliere award-winning play, "The Father (Le Père)."

Now 80 years old, Andre was once a tap dancer. He lives with his daughter Anne and her husband Antoine. Or was he an engineer whose daughter Anne lives in London with her new lover, Pierre? The thing is, he is still wearing his pyjamas, and he can't find his watch. He is starting to wonder if he's losing control.

Nominated for a Tony Award for Stephen Daldry's "An Inspector Calls" on Broadway, Kenneth Cranham's numerous stage credits also include "The Cherry Orchard" at the National Theatre, "The Homecoming" at the Almeida and West End productions of "Entertaining Mr Sloane," "Loot,"The Birthday Party" and "Gaslight." Screen credits range from the title role in "Shine On Harvey Moon to Layer Cake," "Maleficent," "Hot Fuzz," "Oliver!" and "Hellbound: Hellraiser II."

Lia Williams' extensive stage credits include "Oleanna," "Old Times," "A Streetcar Named Desire" and she received a Tony Award nomination for "Skylight." Her films include "Dirty Weekend," and she starred in Mr. Wroe's Virgins, "Seaforth" and "Secret State" on television.

James Macdonald has worked extensively off Broadway where he was recently the winner of the 2014 Obie Award for Best Director for "Love and Information." He was Associate Director of the Royal Court from 1992 to 2007 and his credits include "Cock, Drunk Enough to Say I Love You," the European and US tours of Sarah Kane's "4.48 Psychosis," "Exiles" at the National Theatre, and "Glengarry Glen Ross" in the West End.

Translator Christopher Hampton's own work includes "The Philanthropist," "Savages", "Tales From Hollywood" and "Les Liaisons Dangereuse." He has translated plays by Ibsen, Molière, Chekhov and Yasmina Reza (including Art and Life x 3).

Designed by Miriam Buether; lighting designed by Guy Hoare; sound designed by Christopher Shutt.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

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

Dates: Thursday 16th October - Saturday 15th November

Times: Monday - Saturday, 7.45pm; Thursday and Saturday matinees: 2.30pm (not 16th October)

Press night: Wednesday 22nd October, 7pm

Post Show Talk: Thursday 30th October after evening performance

Tickets: £19.50 / £14.50 discounts (Preview performances 16th - 21st October and Mondays: all seats £10

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

EXIT THE KING by Eugène Ionesco in a new translation by Jeremy Sams

Thursday 20th November - Saturday 20th December

Directed by Laurence Boswell

The once great King Berenger the First is 400 years old, on his last legs and ruling over a decaying kingdom. Now the party is over and the end is nigh.

Alun Armstrong, one of the UK's most recognisable and acclaimed character actors will play the lead in "Exit The King." He spent nine years with the RSC, originated the role of Thenardier in "Les Miserables" and won an Olivier Award for playing the title role in "Sweeney Todd." His numerous television credits include "Bleak House," "Little Dorrit," "Garrow's Law," "Penny Dreadful" and "New Tricks."

In his youth King Berenger the First reigned over millions of subjects, battled thousands of enemies, single-handedly split the atom and invented the car. He even controlled the weather. But now the heater is broken, the cows have stopped producing milk and the sun is late. While his two queens bicker about whether he should be made aware of his imminent demise, it is clear that Berenger won't surrender without a fight. But the fact is, this is the last day of his life and the end of the play could mean the end of everything.

Ionesco's darkly hilarious and sparklingly witty comedy makes fun of all the things that tragedy usually takes seriously.

Eugène Ionesco was one of the greatest innovators in European drama. His incomparable works include "The Chairs," "Rhinoceros" and "The Bald Soprano" and he influenced a generation of playwrights.

Translator Jeremy Sams is an award-winning director, writer, translator, orchestrator, musical director, film composer and lyricist. His many translations include "Les Parents Terribles," "The Miserand Mary Stuart" for the National theatre and "The Threepenny Opera" for the Donmar Warehouse.

Director Laurence Boswell is the Artistic Director of the Ustinov Studio where his seasons of UK premieres have received huge national acclaim. He is a multi award-winning director who has directed a number of hits in the West End and on Broadway. He was also Artistic Director of the Gate Theatre, Notting Hill. He is an Associate Artist of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Designed by Anna Fleischle; lighting designed by Joshua Carr; Sound Designer and Composer Isobel Waller-Bridge.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

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

Dates: Thursday 20th November - Saturday 20th December

Times: Monday - Saturday, 7.45pm; Thursday and Saturday matinees, 2.30pm (not 20th November)

Press night: Wednesday 26th November, 7pm

Post Show Talk: Thursday 11th December after evening performance

Tickets: £19.50 / £14.50 discounts (Preview performances 20th - 25th November and Mondays: all seats £10)

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

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