 | | Stephanie Cole as Mrs Malaprop in The Rivals |
To celebrate the bicentenary, Theatre Royal Bath Productions, the theatre's own production company, is staging a production of Sheridan's The Rivals. Stephanie Cole and George Baker lead the cast in this period romp, a gala performance of which will mark the exact date of the bicentenary. To read a review of The Rivals, click on this link: Fires and refurbishments Since its opening in October 1805, the Theatre Royal Bath has survived a fire, two World Wars and many campaigns to ensure its future. In 1862, a fire almost destroyed the original Georgian building. The origin of the fire, which started at night when the theatre was empty, remains a mystery.
The George Dance Facade situated on Beauford Square is the only remaining wall saved after the fire in 1862.  | | Inside the Theatre Royal Bath |
Within a year, the theatre was rebuilt. It was designed by C J Phipps and opened in March 1863 with a performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream starring Ellen Terry as Titania. In 1902, the Theatre Royal was refurbished - a fireproof curtain, additional entrances and a staircase were installed. In 1979, the theatre was purchased by Jeremy Fry to be run as a registered charity, and an appeal was launched to raise funds for much needed renovations. The Theatre Royal Bath, as we know it now, re-opened on 30 November 1982 with a gala performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream, which was attended by Princess Margaret. The Ustinov and the egg In January 1997, the Ustinov Studio opened - named after the famous actor, writer and raconteur.  | | The Theatre Royal Bath as it is now |
Peter Ustinov helped to raise money to establish both the initial studio space at the Theatre Royal and its refurbishment. Later this season, the Ustinov Studio will put on a production in Bath for its own stage for the first time. Well known for her roles in Casualty and Cutting It, Christine Stephen-Daly stars in The Blue Room, by David Hare, from 29 November to 17 December, 2005. In addition to all of that, the Theatre Royal is opening the egg this October. Situated on the site of the old Robins Cinema next to the Ustinov Studio, the egg is one of the country's only theatres for children, young people and families. The egg opens on Sunday 23 October, 2005 with The Big Day In, a free family day, at the start of the week-long Wild and Wacky Festival of Theatre for Children. | 
