West End Stars Join Cast of MONSIEUR POPULAR at The Ustinov Studio Tonight

The Ustinov Studio, Bath presents the first production in its autumn 2015 season, Eugène Marin Labiche's MONSIEUR POPULAR, directed by Jeremy Sams.

To ensure his romantic affairs with married ladies run smoothly, Célimare has a ruse. To keep things sweet, he befriends their husbands too, and in truth, he has been a wonderful friend. He remembers their birthdays, chooses their furnishings and employs their cooks. Everybody's happy -- even the dog. But when the 47 year-old prepares to leave the past behind and marry 18 year-old Emma, it's easy enough to burn his lovers' letters, but his mistresses' husbands are simply not prepared to let him go. Set in 19th Century Paris, this hilarious French farce is replete with songs and dances.

Jeremy Sams is an award-winning director whose credits include NOISES OFF, THE LITTLE BRITAIN TOUR, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, EDUCATING RITA, THE WIZARD OF OZ and PETER GRIMES. His many translations include LES PARENTS TERRIBLES, THE MISER and MARY STUART for the National Theatre, and EXIT THE KING for the Ustinov Studio.

The cast of MONSIEUR POPULAR includes Raymond Coulthard (Celimare), Karoline Gable (Adelina), Gregory Gudgeon (Vernouillet), Stephen Matthews (Pitois), Iain Mitchell (Colombot), Charlotte Wakefield (Emma) and Howard Ward (Bocardon).

ABOUT THE CAST:

Raymond Coulthard recently finished appearing in the title role of THE KING'S SPEECH alongside Jason Donovan and Roxana Silbert. He has appeared in numerous productions for The National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. His television credits include DA VINICI'S DEMONS, MR SELFRIDGE and HOTEL BABYLON.

Karoline Gable has appeared in numerous musicals in her native Germany. Most recently, she has appeared in the critically-acclaimed UK premiere of AMOUR at the Royal Academy of Music and NOEL COWARD: A TALENT TO AMUSE at St James Theatre.

Gregory Gudgeon originated the part of Zazu in the West End production of THE LION KING. He has toured worldwide with Shakespeare's Globe and Complicite. Most recently, Gregory played Smee in WENDY AND PETER PAN for the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Stephen Matthews' West End theatre credits include THE LION KING, THE PRODUCERS, and the part of Noah Claypole in the Original Cast of OLIVER! Most recently, he toured the UK with ANYTHING GOES.

Iain Mitchell has appeared extensively with the National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company, as well as appearing in BIRDSONG in the West End. His film credits include PADDINGTON and the part of Oliver Cromwell in THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL.

Nicola Sloane played Rosemary in LONDON ROAD at the National Theatre, and in the recent feature film. Her numerous West End credits included A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, LES MISERABLES and THE WOMAN IN BLACK.

Charlotte Wakefield most recently toured internationally in OKLAHOMA. She played Maria in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, for which she was nominated for an Olivier Award. Charlotte also played Sophie in the West End and International productions of MAMMA MIA and Wendla in the West End production of SPRING AWAKENING.

Howard Ward played the regular character of SGT Willis in DOWNTON ABBEY. His theatre credits include the original casts of WAR HORSE, LONDON ROAD and THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME. TV also includes the forthcoming TV drama of LADY CHATTERLEY'S LOVER on BBC 1.

Laurence Boswell is the Artistic Director of the Ustinov Studio, where his seasons of UK premieres have received huge national acclaim. He is a multi award-winning director who has directed a number of hits in the West End and on Broadway. He was also Artistic Director of the Gate Theatre, Notting Hill. He is an Associate Artist of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

IF YOU GO:

MONSIEUR POPULAR

Venue: Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal Bath, Sawclose, Bath BA1 1ET

Dates: Thursday 1st October - Saturday 7th November

Times: Monday - Saturday, 7.45pm; Thurs & Sat mats, 2.30pm (not 1st October)

Press night: Wednesday 14th October, 7pm

Tickets: £19.50 / £14.50 discounts (preview performances 1st - 6th October, Press performance 14th October and all Mondays: all seats £12)

Box Office: 01225 448844/ www.theatreroyal.org.uk/ustinov

There will be a post-show discussion on Thursday 22nd October after the evening performance.

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