September to December 2013Box office: 01225 463362

Welcome to The RONDO – Autumn 2013

Comedy Store management

Steve Hughes: While It’s Still Legalthu 12 Sep • 8pm • Full £15 • Comedy

Direct from sell-out shows at the Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and New Zealand Comedy Festivals, the sublime Australian comic and ex heavy-metal drummer returns to UK shores to embark upon his second solo tour.

He stormed the UK last year with his sell-out debut tour, with extra dates added due to phenomenal demand. On TV, he’s recently performed stellar sets on Live at the Apollo and Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow (BBC One), Stand Up For The Week (CH4) & One Night Stand (Dave).

This brand new show features more thoughtful, outspoken social commentary courtesy of a masterful, erudite and provocative performer. Laid-back, effortless charm and caustic anti-establishment humour from a truly unique, world class performer.

“Outstanding. Hughes is gold” – Metro

“Hard-edged social commentary at it’s best” – Times

Please note: this show is suitable only for people over the age of 16.

Mellow and fruitful...That’s how we’re feeling here at The Rondo this Autumn. As the leaves redden and the crops are brought in, we’re all set to harvest a fantastic variety of new and exciting shows – and serve them up for your pleasure.

We’ve delectable comedy, from the likes of Steve Hughes, Paul Foot, Alex Horne, Brian Appleton – and Rondo fave Robin Ince, who’s dragging his mate Josie Long along with him this time for a special treat. We’ve scrumptious music from Gordon Giltrap, Keith James, and local heroes Jennifer Crook and Kevin Brown. We’ve mouth-watering theatre from Second Face, Living Spit, Reform and Three Short Planks (to name but a few...) And finally, we have the delicious smorgasbord that is our amazing Christmas show, The Bluebird – an incredible Festive treat for all the family.

So, come on over to The Rondo this Autumn. We’ll keep you warm.

Ian McGlynnTheatre Director

Box office 01225 463362

SeCond FaCe theatre Company

The Malting DoorFri 13 & Sat 14 Sep • 8pm • Full £12 Concs £10 professional theatre

From a moment of shock your mind will always protect itself; whether real or imagined, a series of Kafka-esque events unfold inside an old malting factory.

Unbidden by boundaries of any theatre style, this devised piece of theatre moves with grace through the physical, the musical and the scripted as we grapple with questions like - What makes us human? Where is my place in life? Does it really matter anyway?

Four people. One storm. A day never to be forgotten.

roughhouSe theatre and Innerroom theatre Company

The Misunderstood Dr. Beeching By Shane Morgan and Andy Burden

Wed 18 Sep • 8pm • Full £12 Concs £10 professional theatre

A whimsical whirlwind of fact, ripping up the tracks of modern myth to find the cycle path of truth.

Shane Morgan’s one-man show is a Wikipedic evening of storytelling, fact finding and legend building about the man often referred to as being Britain’s Most Hated Civil Servant.

Using real life accounts, uncovered anecdotes and seemingly unconnected facts (with a peppering of fictitious characters) Actor Shane Morgan and Director Andy Burden celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Beeching’s Reshaping of British Railways by embracing their inner anorak and ripping the report wide open.

It’s like the best biopic with an all-star cast, but played by just one actor.

“Shane Morgan is a lively and versatile performer” – Venue

Box office 01225 463362

ButterFly pSyChe

The Persistence of MemoryBy Alison Farina

Fri 20 & Sat 21 Sep • 8pm • Full £12 Concs £10professional theatre

Dante DeLucca is an ageing classics professor. He and his daughter Iphee must come to terms with his fading memory and how it will change their relationship. But they are not alone, with the unlikely appearance of Mneme, the Muse of Memory, father and daughter find the strength to make the transition together.

The Persistence of Memory addresses with compassion and humour the delicate issues of memory, how it defines us and our utter dependence on it.

“…takes on a ‘Big Issue’ without (a) boring the pants off you, or (b) slipping into yawnful predictability…witty, warm and accomplished writing.” What’s on Stage review of Fertility Objects, 2012

“One of the best pieces of theatre I’ve seen this year.” What’s on Stage Review of Bike 2012 and Winner of The Public Reviews Best of 2012 in the South West reviewer picks.

Sue WeBSter muSIC

Gordon Giltrapthu 19 Sep • 8pm • Full £14 Concs £12 • acoustic music

One of the most innovative acoustic guitarists in the UK today, Gordon Giltrap has developed his own unique style, much copied, but never bettered. It is impossible not to be awestruck as he coaxes incredible melodies from his instruments; you almost suspect a second pair of hands.

With over 40 years in the business, Gordon will satisfy fans with his most well loved hits, as well as explaining the history of his many different guitars. Be prepared for beautiful compositions that cross all musical genres, wit, charm and unbelievable talent.

Well known for his collaborations with other artists and his work for both the BBC and commercial television. “Heartsong” is instantly recognized as the theme for the holiday programme. Gordon continues to delight his audiences and no two concerts are ever the same.

Web bookings: www.bathboxoffice.org.uk

muSIC IS lIFe produCtIonS

Pencoweth By Dan Lashbrook and Rob Pratt

Wed 25 – Sat 28 Sep • 7:30pm • Full £14 Concs £12 • Community theatre Sat 28 Sep • 2:30pm

Following the triumphant double award-winning new musical The Decent Rogues, Music is Life Productions are back with a new tale of 1850’s Cornish life. Set in the harbour of Pencoweth, the fishermen work to earn their keep and celebrate their forthcoming nuptials. However, a plan of disguise and deception has a devastating impact on the community such that they must face the raging seas once more.

With stunning music and rousing ballads, Dan Lashbrook and Rob Pratt have proved themselves worthy of another London run. Directed by Petra Schofield, this is a Rondo premiere destined for further shores.

Spare room theatre

Gutenberg! The Musical!By Scott Brown and Anthony King

Wed 2 & thu 3 oct • 8pm • Full £10 Concs £8 • Community theatre

Gutenberg! The Musical! An ode to complete commitment to a terrible idea. Bud and Doug have written a musical about Johann Gutenberg, the man who developed the printing press… Tonight they’re performing it to you, an audience including several very important Broadway producers! With gusto, Bud and Doug perform every character for you with nothing but baseball caps for costume, and for set, they have a box and a pencil.

three Short plankS

The Zoo Story By Edward Albee

Fri 4 & Sat 5 oct • 8pm • Full £12 Concs £10 • professional theatre

On a Sunday afternoon in Central Park, New York, Jerry is on a mission to tell his story - to anyone. Peter just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Following it’s successful run in Bristol and subsequent school workshops (“Excellent”, “slick and professional”: Hayesfield School); Paul Dyson and Steve Leanaghan have teamed up once again with director Alex Needham to bring Albee’s iconic mini-masterpiece of Absurd Theatre home to Bath.

Fifty years on and still frighteningly fresh; from its inception in 1959 to 2013, people and the stories they tell are a constant. Maybe we just don’t listen hard enough.

Welcome to the Zoo...

Web bookings: www.bathboxoffice.org.uk

lakIn mCCarthy entertaInment preSentS

Robin Ince and Josie Long in Robin and Josie’s ShamblesWed 16 oct • 8pm • Full £15 Concs £10 • Comedy

Robin Ince and Josie Long have been working together since she was just a teenager and Robin was only a young old man. Their Comedy Central podcast has had more than 500,000 downloads per episode and now they are taking the show on the road.

This will be Josie’s first tour since her Edinburgh Fringe Comedy Award nominated Romance and Adventure. This show will mix up brand new solo material from Robin and Josie, as well as extracts from the Dirty Book Club, Robin’s follow up to his award winning Bad Book Club show. And of course, some mucking about and nonsense together on stage.

Grace Petrie, a brilliant Billy Bragg endorsed songwriter, will join them where possible. Expect a night of politics, science and grisly excerpts of gory killer crab novels.

Bath drama

Woman in Mind By Alan Ayckbourn

Wed 9 – Sat 12 oct • 7.30pm • Full £10 Concs £8 • Community theatre

On an English summer afternoon Susan knocks herself out with the garden rake and wakes up to find herself in a fantasy world where she has the perfect family and lives in a palace. Reality though is very different with her boring vicar husband and his “kitchen disaster” sister picking away at her all the time and a son who never comes home - what does the future hold?

An Alan Ayckbourn classic for all ages.

Box office 01225 463362

avalon preSentS

Alex Horne: Seven Years in the Bathroomthu 17 oct • 8pm • Full £12 • Comedy

Star and co-creator of BBC Four’s comedy quiz show We Need Answers, award-winning comedian Alex Horne has established a reputation among critics, comics and audiences as a thoughtful and original stand-up, writer and solo performer.

Seven Years In The Bathroom is the ultimate stat-based fun-packed thought-provoking experimental-and-sometimes-stupid comedy show in which Alex aims to recreate your entire life. That’s right, he’ll do everything you’ll ever do but in one evening. So in an average lifetime you’ll spend two years shopping, two weeks kissing and eighteen months looking for lost things. You’ll also spend quite a while eating, queuing, crying and googling yourself. Alex is going to squeeze all those things into one show and it’ll be tremendous. And very funny. So come and laugh at your life.

“Beautifully structured, endearingly honest... joyous” – The Scotsman

lIvIng SpIt

The Six Wives of Henry VIIIFri 18 oct • 8pm • Full £14 Concs £12 • professional theatre

Two Actors. Too Many Characters. One Big Ego.

Howard Coggins looks like Henry VIII. There’s no escaping that.

Stu McLoughlin doesn’t really look like any of the wives, but he’s going to give it a go.

After their previous self-funded two-man historical drama is savaged in the press, Howard (Bristol Old Vic) and Stu (Kneehigh) are at their wits end.

Then they hit upon an idea for a show that could change everything...

But can two of the South West’s favourite theatrical sons put aside their differences and make it through to the end without killing each other?

The Six Wives of Henry VIII was an undisputed hit at the Bristol Old Vic, and with live original music, embroidery, barbie dolls, silly songs and historical hysteria, this promises to be an ill-researched lesson in cross-dressing Tudor history that you’ll never forget.

“A hugely enjoyable evening of daft comedy” – Venue

Web bookings: www.bathboxoffice.org.uk

rBm preSentS

Brian Appleton’s History Of The World In 3 DartsSat 19 oct • 8pm • Full £14 Concs £12 • Comedy

Brian Appleton, Selly Oak’s most bitter man-rock musicologist and part-time lecturer in Media studies, takes to the road with a brand new tour, after a lengthy absence.

Brian is the creation of Graham Fellows – the man behind comedy legend John Shuttleworth and Goole concreter Dave Tordoff.

Brian Appleton’s History of Rock’n’Roll was made into a BBC Radio 4 series. Brian will be looking into some major historical moments and characters and providing answers that even Terry Deary can’t fathom! As well as performing some of his greatest hits like My Turn To Be Poorly – the song that inspired Morrisey to create The Smiths.

“An inspired creation.. SPINAL TAP watch your back” – The Irish Times

“Ambient Comedy at it’s best “ – The Scotsman

Kevin BrownWed 23 oct • 8pm • Full £12 Concs £10 acoustic Blues

Kevin Brown has throughout his life dug deep into the heart of the blues, his original material inspired by everyday life and people. Renowned for his touch and tone, with 12 albums to his credit his worldwide reputation has gained respect from Mark Knopfler, Albert King, Martin Simpson and many more.

The KB quartet is a hard driving unit that fullfils Kevins ambition to transform his songs into vibrant rythmic journeys, featuring the mighty John Broomhall on piano/hammond, Mick Candler on drums and ‘Lazy’ Dave Hatfield on acoustic bass. Come and join Kevin on a highly amusing trail through his life and passions, discover just why he’s quoted by Mojo magazine as being a true ‘living legend‘.

“Kevin is far more than just a great slide player” – Mark Knopfler

“What singles him out is his voice” Robin Denselow – The Guardian

“One of our most underrated acoustic blues players” – Martin Simpson

Box office 01225 463362

phIl mCIntyre entertaInmentS

James Acaster: LawnmowerBy Edinburgh Comedy Award Nominee 2012

24 oct 13 • 8pm • Full £12 Concs £10 • Comedy

It’s time for some low key stand up from an angular young man. James Acaster embarks on his 3rd UK tour and, believe you me, a whole host of topics are about to get what they’ve got coming to them. Quite frankly, it’s about high time someone gave it to them the way they’re about to get it. Here we go.

As seen on Russel Howard’s Good News (BBC3), Chris Addison’s Show and Tell (E4), Dave’s One Night Stand (Dave), Live at the Comedy Store (Paramount) and Edinburgh Comedy Gala (BBC3). As heard on James Acaster’s Findings (Radio 4) and weekly on The Josh Widdicombe Show (XFM)

“One of the sharpest comic minds to have emerged in recent years” – Guardian

“Deliciously daft and no slouch in the surprises department” – Evening Standard

“One of the best hours of straight stand-up at this year’s festival” – Time Out

Jennifer Crook TrioFri 25 oct • 8pm • Full £12 Concs £10 • acoustic music

“Utterly beguiling” – Properganda “A class act” – R2

With a life-long passion for real song-craft, a beautiful voice, and her considerable instrumental skills on lever harp and guitar, Jennifer’s live performances are gaining her a growing following across the UK and beyond.

Jennifer’s most recent album Merry-Go-Round (produced by Boo Hewerdine and also featuring Darrell Scott and Eddi Reader) earned her national airplay and a live session with the legendary Bob Harris on BBC Radio 2.

Tonight she will be joined on stage by top cellist Beth Porter (Eliza Carthy) and Mike Cosgrave (Jackie Oates) on guitar and accordion, playing songs from her forthcoming album.

“Amazing…the kind of thing that gives modern folk a good name” – Zeitgeist

Box office 01225 463362

FamouS & dIvIne

Tryin’ To Be Tom WaitsDevised by Famous & Divine Directed by Mike Carter

Sat 26 oct • 8pm • Full £12 Concs £10 professional theatre

Tryin’ to be Tom Waits is an original devised work about the life we always wanted to live... ‘til the ‘reality game’ got in the way. Only tonight we’re gonna live it... and we’re invitin’ the audience to come along for the ride.

Two women meet in a secret location to be witnessed by an audience as they play a dark and dangerous game of fantasy and transformation. As their alter egos (Frank, a hit-man and Dorothy, an exotic dancer) they embark on an emotional journey through a series of ‘vignettes’. They’re lookin’ for an escape from their everyday lives, but when reality an’ fantasy collide they question whether it’s possible to go back to ‘em ...

mICk perrIn WorldWIde preSentS

Luisa Omielan: What Would Beyoncé Do?!Wed 30 oct • 8pm • Full £14 Concs £10 • Comedy

Luisa Omielan’s What Would Beyoncé Do?! has just completed four sell-out runs at London’s Soho Theatre as well as smash hit runs in Edinburgh and Shoreditch, with every performance full to bursting!

ALL MY SINGLE LADIES, you know when you spotted your BABY’S FATHER FATHER, and you fall CRAZY IN LOVE but it all goes tits up and you’re all ME, MYSELF AND I, then you GET ME BODIED, and you’re like hold up, he’s the BEST THING I NEVER HAD, I must have bumped my head because WHO RUNS THE WORLD?

Well, if like me you’re an INDEPENDENT WOMAN who still lives with your mumma, come check out WHAT WOULD BEYONCE DO?!

I want you to say HELLO and let’s get this party JUMPIN’ JUMPIN’!

“Feel good factor so pronounced they should prescribe it on the NHS” – Telegraph

Web bookings: www.bathboxoffice.org.uk

merry opera

The Magic FluteFri 1 nov • 7.30pm • Full £14 Concs £12 • opera

Part-pantomime, part-opera, Kit Hesketh-Harvey’s new production re-lives The Magic Flute’s sublime music and triumphant opening night in 1791. Lofty divas and low comedians flourish. Watching closely are the shadowy forces of Freemasonry. And the composer, Mozart, fears he is being poisoned. A delight for opera connoisseurs and new comers alike.

Kit Hesketh-Harvey is well known for his cabaret (Kit and the Widow, Kit & McConnell) and his appearances on Radio 4’s Just a Minute. But he also has an established track record translating opera for the Royal Opera House, ENO and Opera North and has directed The Merry Opera’s sell-out productions of La Traviata and La Belle Héléne.

Beyond eternIty promotIonS

Tea With The Old Queen By Graham Woolnough

thu oct 31 • 8pm • Full £14 Concs £12 • professional theatre

This superb and hilarious one man show is based upon the fictitious ‘secret’ diaries of ‘old queen’ William Tallon, one time Steward and Page of the Backstairs to HRH Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. During 40 years of service Billy, with discretion and diplomacy tidied up every little Royal mishap. He played Dame in the Christmas Panto, danced with ‘Her Maj’ and even sprayed air freshener whenever Prince Philip ‘let one off’.

We hear all the secrets – Princess Anne refusing to stop smoking indoors – even after the fire at Windsor, ‘Her Maj’ welcoming Chinese Ambassadors Mr Woo and Mr Wang, and the visit by Tony and Cherie Blair when a salt shaker went missing!

reForm theatre Co

Burt N Joyce By Mark Whiteley

Sat 2 nov • 8pm • Full £12 Concs £10 • professional theatre

Meet Burt and Joyce, an ordinary happily married couple, who are charity shop volunteers and are preparing for the grand opening of the new city centre charity shop: and non-other than the latest pop idol runner up will be cutting the ribbon.

Set amongst shoes, shirts and sparkling skirts, they waltz through the stock, getting ready for the big day to come.

But the day takes an extraordinary twist, with the discovery of a gun, a ski mask and a stack of fifty pound notes that throw a spanner in the works of the grand opening.

This happy go lucky couple are about to have one of the most extraordinary days of their lives...

A great comedy that’s right up your street!

“Mark Whiteley has crafted a wonderfully funny and insightful play” – The Stage

W.A. Mozart; Translated, adapted and directed by Kit Hesketh-Harvey

playIng up

The Dreadful PennyWed 6 – Sat 9 nov • 8pm • Full £10 Concs £8 • Community theatre

The Dreadful Penny is a ripping comedy adventure. The year is 1882 and Cecil Snerd has invented the world’s first comfortable bicycle saddle; a blessed relief to velocipedists everywhere who have already dubbed the penny farthing: the man slicer! Cecil, cheated out of his invention by teutonic cad Hans Von Bulge, languishes in debtor’s prison. It is left to his only son Mortimer to clear his father’s name and prevent Von Bulge acquiring the saddle’s patent for himself. On his quest Mortimer is kidnapped by pirates, acquires a talking camel and attempts to outrun a hot air balloon on a penny farthing.

This is a rip roaring comedy from Playing Up: “One of the city’s best theatre companies.” (The Bath Chronicle)

roughhouSe theatre

Henry Walker and the Wheel of DeathBased on Mr. Sebastian and the Negro Magician, the novel by Daniel Wallace. Adapted for the stage by Shane Morgan

13 – 16 nov • 8pm • Full £12 Concs £10 • professional theatre

Henry Walker was once a world-class magician performing to sold-out audiences. Now he has been reduced to joining Jeremiah Musgrove’s Chinese Circus as the shambling Negro Magician. One night in 1954, Henry disappears in the company of three rowdy white teens and is never seen again.

Based on Daniel Wallace’s Mr. Sebastian and the Negro Magician, Henry Walker and the Wheel of Death pieces together Henry’s incredible vagabond life – from a deal with the mysterious Mr. Sebastian, to the loss of his sister Hannah – and creates a tale of love, loss, identity, and the limitation of magic.

The LA Times called Wallace’s novel “Poignant and provocative”.

Henry Walker and the Wheel of Death is adapted for the stage and directed by Shane Morgan with kind permission from Daniel Wallace (Big Fish, The Watermelon King).

“Bold risk-taking theatre makers” – Bristol Post

“Stylish and innovative” – Bristol Culture

Opening night special deal Wed 13th November 2013: Pay What You Like (available on the door only).

Box office 01225 463362

Web bookings: www.bathboxoffice.org.uk

avalon

Paul Foot: WordsWed 20 nov • 8pm • Full £14 Concs £10 • Comedy

Paul Foot’s recent shows and tours have garnered a string of 5 star reviews and successive Barry Nominations at the Melbourne Comedy Festival.

Described by Chortle as “Inspired, surreal and incomprehensibly funny”, he is a true original, challenging comedic convention at every turn and delighting his connoisseurs. A BBC New Comedy Award and Daily Telegraph Open Mic winner, most recent UK TV credits include 8 Out 10 Cats Channel 4, Never Mind The Buzzcocks BBC2, The Alternative Comedy Experience Comedy Central and Russell Howard’s Good News BBC3.

“It’s baffling to me that Paul is not a household name in this country. His routines are like jazz clusters, loose hammocks, choked to the brim with jokes and ideas” – Noel Fielding

nICholaS Collett produCtIonS

Spitfire SoloWritten and performed by Nicholas Collett; co-devised and directed by Gavin Robertson

thu 21 nov • 8pm • Full £14 Concs £10 • professional theatre

It is June of the new Millennium.

For eighty-year old Peter Walker, ex-Battle of Britain pilot, an unexpected new challenge is about to begin.

As he re-lives past glories, losses, wartime experiences, family memories and the heady days of blue skies and battles, he searches for the answer to the biggest question so far!

Personal, charming, funny and inventive, Spitfire Solo blends theatre, music and film in a multi-layered and textured production. Ex-RSC and West End actor Nicholas Collett plays a multitude of characters and recreates the Battle of Britain - onstage!

“Hugely entertaining” – Adelaide Theatre Guide

Box office 01225 463362

keIth JameS

Duende A unique and breath-taking Concert by Keith James

Sat 23 nov • 8pm • Full £14 Concs £12 • acoustic music

The surreal, haunting and exotic poetry of the most celebrated writers in the Spanish Language: Pablo Neruda, Isabel Allende, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Federico Garcia Lorca.

Their dramatic and sensual poetry performed as Songs and painstakingly set to a collection of rich, daring and fiery Classical guitar arrangements in a way that embraces the very fabric of these beautiful words, both surreal and romantic, until every tear is shed, every picture caught.

Keith James is one of this country’s most cherished concert artists. Well known for his ability to bring depth and vibrancy to his interpretations. He has performed a thousand or more concerts celebrating the work of Nick Drake, Lorca, Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen.

This concert is sung both in English and Spanish and mostly features the Classical and Flamenco guitar.

“an elegant and beautifully crafted reinterpretation of great Artists’ words” – BBC Radio Scotland

rondo theatre Company

Anne Boleyn By Howard Brenton

Wed 27 – Sat 30 nov • 8pm • Full £10 Concs £8 Sat 30 nov • 3pm • Community theatre

Howard Brenton’s play, Anne Boleyn, is a free-wheeling, dramatic and often hilarious account of Anne’s story - a young woman whose marriage and death transformed England for ever.

With an astonishing opening the story crackles with energy right through to the final curtain. A heady mix of conspiracy, passion, ghostly apparitions and cross-dressing.... This play, a sell out success at the Globe Theatre in 2012, is not to be missed.

avalon preSentS

Carl Donnelly: Now That’s What I Carl Donnelly! Volume VFri 22 nov • 8pm • Full £12 • Comedy

Join Edinburgh Comedy Award Nominee Carl Donnelly (as seen on Mock The Week, Russell Howard’s Good News, Dave’s One Night Stand) for a brand show full of hilarious anecdotes and observations on the state of the world and his plans on how we should be dealing with it.

No gimmicks, just an hour of “Gripping, unmissable stand-up” The Guardian from “A master storyteller” Time Out. Come on down!

“This degree of innate comic talent is a rare and beautiful thing. Not to be missed” – Broadway Baby

Web bookings: www.bathboxoffice.org.uk

SeCond FaCe theatre Company

Mouthing OffBy Grasey Mayes

Wed 4 dec • 8pm • Full £12 Concs £10 • professional theatre

Follow a performance in the lives of three am-dram actresses. As they struggle to fight personal demons and on-stage traumas, will they emerge at the end of the evening with their integrity still intact?

In a world where you keep your friends close and your enemies even closer, alliances are easily made and broken; but with a battle of wills as strong as this, sometimes there need be no winner. This comedy is guaranteed to have you laughing all the way home. From the company who brought you The Devil at Midnight by Brian Clemens.

SeaBrIght produCtIonS preSent

My Stepson Stole My Sonic ScrewdriverWritten and performed by Toby Hadoke

thu 5 dec • 8pm • Full £14 Concs £12 • Comedy

Join in the Dr Who 50th Anniversary celebrations with Toby Hadoke’s long-awaited sequel to his Sony Gold Award nominated Moths Ate My Doctor Who Scarf.

Intimate knowledge of the TARDIS is not required to enjoy this bittersweet comedy of parenting through sci-fi evangelism: Hadoke’s compelling and incisive shows are universal in appeal. This Chortle Awards 2012 nominee has an acid tongue and a warm heart.

Join Toby as he takes you on a heart-warming journey that begins with losing a partner, ends with gaining a stepson and pays homage to the restorative powers of the Time Lord in between.

“Utterly hysterical look into the life of someone for whom sci-fi has made the world a better place. Hadoke does an expert job in spreading a bit of the Doctor’s joy to his audience.” British Theatre Guide

Web bookings: www.bathboxoffice.org.uk

near-ta theatre preSentS

Christmas. Time. By Daniel Richards and Ciaran Clarke

Fri 6 Dec • 8pm • Full £12 Concs £10 • Professional Theatre

Bringing bucketloads of Christmas spirit and festive cheer in December 2013 is Near-ta Theatre’s yuletide comedy, Christmas. Time.!

Charlie and Toby are feeling low, and why wouldn’t they? It’s Christmas Day and they’re serving time at Her Majesty’s pleasure. But why shouldn’t they be having a Merry Christmas in spite of their incarceration? What’s stopping them from creating Christmas around them? Absolutely nothing! And so they set off on their festival of carols, Claus, Christ and custody!

Join them on a fantastical adventure through Dickens, pantomime, musical, Christmas dinner and Christmas films! See as they build a wonderfully Merry Christmas around them with songs, snowmen and lots of laughs in this truly festive show that puts the ‘cell’ firmly back in ‘celebration’!

Performed by Daniel Richards and Lewis Howard, written by Daniel Richards and Ciaran Clarke, and directed by Simon Harvey, Christmas. Time. is a musical comedy for all the family that’s a fun, festive and fantastically funny Christmas offering!

Beyond eternIty promotIonS

Tales from the ShadowsBy The Gothic Horror Stories of Edgar Allan Poe

Sat 7 Dec • 8pm • Full £14 Concs £12

Edgar Allan Poe is the undisputed master of gothic horror. His dark tales have for successive generations thrilled, excited and terrified. His macabre imagination explores the darkest, deepest recesses of the human mind and the furthest reaches of the paranormal. Claustrophobic nightmares of murder, madness and torture are his signature and with these retellings by master raconteur Andrew Meller (An Audience with Sherlock Holmes; Talbot House and An Evening with the humour of Bob Newhart & Tom Lehrer) you will be left transfixed and petrified.

Terror fills the auditorium when Andrew brings to life, in his own, inimitable style, Poe’s greatest characters and most menacing scenes. Most definitely not for the faint hearted or weak minded, this is a show for those who revel in being scared!

Please note: This show is not suitable for anyone under the age of 14.

Box office 01225 463362

It’s Christmas, but in Tyltyl’s family, times are hard. There are no presents under the tree, the hearth fire flickers pitifully through the ash and Tyltyl’s tummy is rumbling. As he wraps himself in his threadbare blanket grumbling and wishing for more, a cantankerous Fairy appears in a puff of smoke - and Tyltyl’s adventures begin!

Butterfly Psyche Theatre is pleased to present this new adaptation of Belgian Playwright and theatre practitioner, Maurice Maeterlinck’s Nobel Prize winning play The Blue Bird exclusively for The Rondo Theatre this Christmas.

It originally premiered in 1908 at Stanislavski’s Moscow Art Theatre before transferring to the London Haymarket for Christmas 1909 where it became an artistic and cultural success (including coining the concept of The Bluebird of Happiness).

This beautiful and enchanting fairy-tale has delighted families for generations and tells the story of a child’s Christmas search for The Bluebird of Happiness. Through a journey that spans the Lands of Memory, the Palace of Night, and the Kingdom of the Future, we learn that true happiness can only be found from seeking, rather than finding.

What critics have said of Alison Farina’s writing:

“She’s created very human characters whose journeys pull you entanglingly along on a bed of witty, warm and accomplished writing” – What’s on Stage

“The piece reaches its depths of emotions through some great humour, the lightness of touch” – Remote Goat

ButterFly pSyChe

The BluebirdAdapted by Alison Farina

Thu 12 – Sat 14 Dec • 7.30pm Tue 17 – Sat 21 Dec • 7.30pm Matinees: Sat 14, Sun 15 & Sat 21 Dec • 2.30pm Full £12 Concs £10 • Professional Theatre

Web bookings: www.bathboxoffice.org.uk

RAW: RONDO Acting WorkshopsSelected Tuesdays @ The Rondo Theatre; 7:45pm for 8pm start.

The Rondo Acting Workshops provide a welcoming and inspiring environment to explore and develop performing skills. The workshops are designed to be drop-in and self-contained, so you can just turn up on the door to whatever takes your fancy. From Shakespeare’s verse-made-easy, to physical theatre and non-scary improvisation,

the Rondo workshops are ideal for beginners interested in learning more, and professionals looking to refresh their skills.

£5 – on the door. Open to anyone aged 18 and above.

Dates for the Autumn season are:

Tuesday 17 Sep

Tuesday 22 Oct

Tuesday 19 Nov

Rondo Drama Clubcreate, develop, perform

Autumn TermReduced Prices for this term

Group 1: Ages 6 - 9 4.45 – 5.45pm £50

Group 2: Ages 9 – 15 5.45 – 7.15pm £75

Rondo Drama Club is a unique experience where your children are encouraged to share their creative ideas and work together to use the best of them to devise a totally original play. They then get the chance to improvise, rehearse and, finally, perform it under the lights on the famous Rondo Stage.

The sessions are run by Paulo Baigent, an experienced theatre director, educator and drama workshop leader. Rondo Drama Club’s weekly sessions take place at St. Stephen’s School, Lansdown with dress rehearsals and end of term performances at the Rondo Theatre itself. At Rondo Drama Club we are committed to raising confidence and self-esteem in a fun and nurturing environment.

So if your children are into drama, love to have fun, are full of ideas and eager to share them, then book them in for our next term at The Rondo Drama Club.

Please note: participants must be available for the final rehearsal on Sunday 1 December and for the end of term show on Monday 2 December.

For more information, please visit www.rondotheatre.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01225 463362

Become a RONDO VolunteerActing as a Rondo Theatre volunteer is a great way of getting closer to the theatre, music, comedy and other fantastic events on offer at this fantastic venue. In return, you get to see the shows for free, as well as to make new friends and socialise.

Our volunteers work mainly as bar staff or on front of house and are an essential part of the success of The Rondo. Volunteering normally means working on two or three shows a month. It’s great fun – and you get to see a huge variety of performances for free!

If you’d like to volunteer, please contact the Theatre Director, Ian McGlynn: ian@rondotheatre.co.uk / 01225 444003

Rondo Scriptwriting GroupMondays at 8pm from September - December

Age 18 upwards. £40 per term.

The Rondo hosts a playwriting forum for anyone who writes scripts, at any level. The perfect opportunity to share ideas, identify problems and work through some of the tricks of the trade. There will also be visits from theatre professionals to give advice on getting your work shown. Led by Shane Morgan.

For booking and information, email rondowriters@gmail.com

Box office 01225 463362

INFOBath Box Office: Bath Visitor Information Centre Abbey Chambers, Abbey Churchyard Bath BA1 1LY.

Tel 01225 463362.

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday: 9:30am – 5:30pm. Sundays and Bank Holidays: 10am – 4pm.

Web: www.bathboxoffice.org.uk

Concessions: Concession prices are available to children under 18, full-time students, Equity Members, unemployed benefit claimants, disabled people and those whose sole source of income is a DSS state retirement pension.

Groups: Buy ten tickets and get an additional ticket free.

Door Sales: For that night’s show at The Rondo 30 minutes before the show.

Latecomers: For security reasons, it may not be possible to admit latecomers. So please be prompt!

Access: The main entrance to The Rondo has excellent disabled access. We have a disabled toilet and the front row is available for wheelchairs. Pre-booking recommended.

Charity No: 1000051

Parking: On street after 6pm and, by kind permission, Co-Op car park.

The Rondo Theatre Company is our resident community theatre company. If you want to get involved in performing or backstage work, visit www.rondotheatrecompany.org

Theatre Director: Ian McGlynn. Tel. 01225 444003 email: director@rondotheatre.co.uk

Marketing Coordinator: Feargus Woods Dunlop. Tel. 01225 333844 email: admin@rondotheatre.co.uk

Intern Director: Shane Morganemail: officer@rondotheatre.co.uk

Associate Director: Hannah Drake

Programme Design: GAS Design. Tel. 01249 712657 www.gas-design.co.uk

The RONDO TheatreST. SAVIOURS ROAD, Larkhall, Bath, BA1 6RTwww.rondotheatre.co.uk

Find us on…

With support from

Web bookings: www.bathboxoffice.org.ukBox office 01225 463362

RONDO DIARYDATE SHOW GENRE

12 Sep SteveHughes Comedy

13 & 14 Sep TheMaltingDoor Theatre

18 Sep TheMisunderstoodDr.Beeching Theatre

19 Sep GordonGiltrap Music

20 & 21 Sep ThePersistenceofMemory Theatre

25 – 28 Sep Pencoweth Community

2 & 3 Oct Gutenberg!TheMusical! Community

4 & 5 Oct TheZooStory Theatre

9 – 12 Oct WomaninMind Community

16 Oct RobinInceAndJosieLong Comedy

17 Oct AlexHorne Comedy

18 Oct TheSixWivesofHenryVIII Theatre

19 Oct BrianAppleton Comedy

23 Oct KevinBrown Music

24 Oct JamesAcaster Comedy

25 Oct JenniferCrookTrio Music

26 Oct Tryin’ToBeTomWaits Theatre

30 Oct WhatWouldBeyoncéDo?! Comedy

31 Oct TeaWithTheOldQueen Theatre

1 Nov TheMagicFlute Opera

2 Nov BurtNJoyce Theatre

6 – 9 Nov TheDreadfulPenny Community

13 – 16 Nov HenryWalkerandtheWheelofDeath Theatre

20 Nov PaulFoot Comedy

21 Nov SpitfireSolo Theatre

22 Nov CarlDonnelly Comedy

23 Nov Duende Music

27 – 30 Nov AnneBoleyn Community

4 Dec MouthingOff Theatre

5 Dec MyStepsonStoleMySonicScrewdriver Comedy

6 Dec Christmas.Time. Theatre

7 Dec TalesfromtheShadows Theatre

12 – 21 Dec TheBluebird Theatre