The Roman Bath, the classic comedy by Stanislav Stratiev, will have its UK première at the Arcola Theatre in a new version by Justin Butcher, from Wednesday 28 April to Saturday 15 May 2010. The press night is on Monday 3 May at 7.00pm.
Stanislav Stratiev is one of the most prominent and successful Bulgarian playwrights whose work has been performed worldwide. The Roman Bath ran for 10 consecutive seasons in Sofia and was last revived in 2006. Stanislav Stratiev died in 2000 aged 59.
Ivan returns from a trip to the seaside to find his home torn apart. Builders have unearthed a lost treasure beneath his floorboards: an ornate bath dating back to Roman times. As the excavation destroys his flat, professors, businessman with dodgy Swiss connections,local councillors,reporters and even the national union of lifeguards set up camp. Everyone wants to claim the discovery -while all Ivan wants is some peace. This satire is about where the little man stands and
sleeps.
Ifan Meredith is Ivan Antonov. Other cast include Bo Poraj (Vasilev), Rhona Croker (Martha), Lloyd Woolf (Lifeguard), Christopher Hogben, Jonathan Rhodes, David Schaal, Wendy Wason, Richard Atwill. It is directed by Russell Bolam, with design by Jean Chan, composer Gary Yershon, lighting by Tim Mascall and sound by Tom Gibbons. It is produced by Gologan Productions.
Ifan Meredith's recent credits include in ‘Mincemeat' Cardboard Citizens, ‘The English Game'directed by Sean Holmes and as Don Juan in Peter Hall's ‘Much Ado About Nothing'. Bo Poraj has recently been in Armando Iannucci's BBC ‘The Thick of It'. Recent stage credit's include in ‘Timon of Athens' Globe and in ‘Cloud Nine' at the Almeida. Rhona Croker was in ‘Micro Men' with Alexander Armstrong and Martin Freeman last year. She was in the BBC's The Wrong Door' with Lloyd Woolf. Lloyd Woolf is in the highly praised sketch comedy group ‘Cowards': the most recent series was in December 2009.
Russell Bolam has recently directed ‘Captain Oates Left Sock' at the Finborough. He was assistant to Dominic Cooke at the RSC. Jean Chan is assistant designer at the RSC. Gary Yershon has composed for many National Theatre, Royal Court and West End productions.
Anna Karabinska-Ganev Gologan Productions have collaborated with LIFT, BITE, the Royal Court, the Gate Theatre, the Young Vic, the Maly Drama Theatre Of St. Petersburg, the Tik-Sho-Ret company and others on a range of international projects. Gologan Productions' shows have been
seen at Riverside Studios, the Gate Theatre, the Arcola and have toured internationally.
Arcola Theatre, Studio 1 Boxoffice: 020 7503 1646
Tickets: £16.00 Standard, £10.00 Concessions. Tuesdays - 'pay what you can'
Wed 28 April - Sat 15 May eves 8.00pm, Mats Sats 1, 8, 15 May 3.00pm. Press perf Mon 3rd May 7.00pm
27 Arcola St, London, E8 2DJ running time: 1 hr 55 mins
Buses: 30, 38, 67, 76, 149, & 243
For more information, visit www.arcolatheatre.com, www.stanislavstratiev.org www.gologanproductions.co.uk
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