Jonathan Church, Artistic Director of Theatre Royal Bath’s Summer Season, today announces the full 2018 programme. Some of the country’s most prolific actors will star in a selection of both UK premieres and renowned classics in the theatre’s historic Main House and the intimate Ustinov Studio.
Opening the season in the Main House will be Jonathan Church’s production of Oscar Wilde’s witty drama An Ideal Husband (18 July – 4 August), which transfers from a critically acclaimed West End run, followed by Arthur Miller’s The Price (9 – 25 August). The Main House season will conclude with the 10th anniversary production of Yasmina Reza’s God of Carnage (29 August – 15 September), directed by Lindsay Posner.
The summer season in the Ustinov Studio will open with Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory’s new production of Henry V (21 June – 21 July), directed by Elizabeth Freestone. As a hub for new writing, the studio will then host the UK Premiere of Joanna Murray-Smith’s thriller Switzerland (1 August – 1 September), which premiered in Australia. The final production in the season will be Terence Rattigan’s compelling drama In Praise of Love (3 October – 2 November), directed by Jonathan Church who makes his Ustinov Studio debut.
Jonathan Church succeeded Peter Hall as Artistic Director of Theatre Royal Bath’s annual summer season in 2017. His inaugural season included David Hare’s Racing Demon, Hugh Whitemore’s Sand in the Sandwiches, the stage adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest, Alan Franks’ Looking at Lucian and Alan Bennett’s classic The Lady in the Van. Church was previously Artistic Director of Chichester Festival Theatre, overseeing more than 100 productions including Taken at Midnight, ENRON, Macbeth with Sir Patrick Stewart, Sweeney Todd and Gypsy.
Introducing his new season, Jonathan Church said: “It’s a great pleasure to announce such a diverse and rich season of drama this summer and in particular to welcome this exceptional group of actors, directors and writers to the beautiful Theatre Royal Bath and Ustinov Studio. Alongside the well known work in the Main House there is an adventure to be had in the Ustinov with the rarely performed Rattigan play In Praise Of Love, the UK premiere of Joanna-Murray Smith’s Switzerland and the extraordinary Bristol based company Shakespeare at The Tobacco Factory tackling Henry V in their own unique style. My memories of the summer in Bath are powerfully linked to the work that Peter Hall created here so it’s a real treat to welcome his grandson Ben Hall to the season playing Henry V.”
