The Rivals
Presented by Theatre Royal Bath Productions
By Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Directed by Peter Hall
Tuesday 7th – Saturday 18th September
Starring Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles
FIRST SHOW IN THE NEWLY REFURBISHED AUDITORIUM
It’s 1775 and the fashionable world descends on Bath, to take the waters, show off their finery, enjoy the gossip and pursue romance. Amongst them are some of the most extraordinary comic characters to grace the stage: the verbally misguided Mrs Malaprop, her absurdly romantic niece, Lydia Languish, the blinkered Sir Anthony Absolute, the blustering Irishman Sir Lucius O’Trigger and the bumpkin Bob Acres. Throughout the course of single day these suitors and schemers and their servants indulge in an assortment of hilariously extravagant intrigues before everyone is paired off to their own satisfaction.
Much-loved actress Penelope Keith returns to Bath after many previous appearances. Her work includes Entertaining Angels, The Importance of Being Earnest, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Relatively Speaking and Blithe Spirit and The Good Life on television.
Peter Bowles is one of Britain’s most distinguished actors whose starring roles on television include The Bounder and The Irish RM. His work with Peter Hall includes Separate Tables, School For Wives, The Misanthrope, Major Barbara and The Browning Version and Swansong in the 2009 Peter Hall Company Season in Bath.
Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles starred together in one of the most watched British sitcoms of all time, To the Manor Born. The love-hate relationship between the formidable Audrey fforbes-Hamilton and the dashing Richard DeVere boasted viewing figures of many millions and they reunited in 2007 for a one-off television special. The Rivals will see them sparring together on stage for the first time.
Internationally-acclaimed director Peter Hall, this year celebrating his 80th year, has presented a hugely successful summer season in Bath for the past seven years and it is only fitting that it should be his production which reopens the beautifully refurbished theatre. Sir Peter Hall’s relationship with the Theatre Royal goes back many years. As Director of the National Theatre, he worked closely with Theatre Chairman Jeremy Fry, to ensure that the theatre was able to reopen after the last extensive renovation in 1982.
| Mon–Fri Evenings & Sat Matinee | £19.50 | £22.00 | £27.00 | £31.50 | £33.50 |
| Saturday Evenings | £20.50 | £24.50 | £28.50 | £33.50 | £35.50 |
| Midweek Matinees | £15.00 | £20.00 | £25.00 | £27.00 | £29.00 |
Please note that, due to the staging of some productions, the Grand Circle may be restricted view
Performance Times
Monday – Wednesday: 7.30pm
Thursday – Saturday: 8.00pm
Matinees: Thursday 9th, Wednesday 15th and Saturdays 11th & 18th 2.30pm
Described Performance: Wednesday 15th September at 2.30pm
Lunch and Listen Wednesday 15th
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