Bath Life

Theatre

Alan Bennett
Enjoy is a rarely-performed comic gem by one of the theatre’s greatest observers of the English way of life, Alan Bennett. With its cast of 15 extraordinary characters and a stunning visual denouement, Enjoy promises to be an absolute theatrical treat (until 30 August). See our interview with Alison Steadman on pp52-54. Theatre Royal Bath; 01225 448844.

17 AUGUST

Little Theatre Cinema
Bathonians have the chance this summer to sample in high defnition on the big screen some truly world-class performances recorded at the Royal Opera House and the San Francisco Opera House. For ballet lovers, Romeo & Juliet is on 17 and 19 August, while opera fans may like to know that Madam Butterfy is showing on 10 and 12 August, and Carmen on 24 and 26 August. For tickets call 08717 042061.

20 AUGUST

The Seven Year Itch
To mark the fabulous exhibition at the Fashion Museum, Travilla, the Man who Dressed Marilyn Monroe, the Little is screening the finest performance by a dress in movie history. Oh, and Marilyn Monroe’s in it too...8pm. 08717 042061;  www.picturehouses.co.uk.

Storm on the Lawn
Storm on the Lawn brings together 60 local young people and a group of theatre professionals to create a truly spectacular piece of outdoor theatre. This year, Metropolis comes to the stage in a thrilling new adaptation. The epic world of a divided city is on the brink of change. A love story entwines with a revolution and the damage is indiscriminate. There must be a mediator – the heart? (until 24 August). Prior Park College; 01225 448844.

2 SEPTEMBER

The Glass Menagerie
Oscar-nominated  actress Brenda Blethyn visits Bath for the frst time in this new production of Tennessee Williams’s autobiographical first play which the critics praised for both its high comedy and superb ensemble acting when it opened at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre earlier this year. Tenessee Williams’s lyrical masterpiece is widely regarded as one of the landmarks of American drama (until 6 September). Theatre Royal
Bath; 01225 448844.

9 SEPTEMBER

The Year of Magical Thinking
Following a sell-out run on Broadway in 2007, Vanessa Redgrave reprises her extraordinary award-winning solo performance in David Hare’s celebrated production which visits Bath direct from its UK première at the National Theatre. Undoubtedly one of the must-see performances of the year, this deeply poignant work was adapted for the stage by Joan Didion from her best-selling memoir of the same name (until 13 September). Theatre Royal Bath; 01225 448844.

10 SEPTEMBER

Bouncers
It’s Friday night, it’s disco night – time for Bouncers to come alive! Judd, Ralph, Les and Lucky Eric invite you for a night on the town in this hilarious and outrageous look back at the 80s nightclub scene (until 12 September). Rondo Theatre; 01225 463362.