Bath Spa University February Productions
News
Students and alumni perform productions old and new
Monday, 29 January, 2024Throughout February, Bath Spa Productions is working with Bath Spa University students and alumni to put on several performances in Bath and Bristol. These include a Shakespearean classic and a brand-new music tribute act.
All’s Well That Ends Well
- Rondo Theatre, Bath
- Thursday 1 - Saturday 3 February, 8pm and 2pm
All’s Well That Ends Well is a tangled love story of deceit, ambition, and orchestrated happy endings for some.
Helena, a doctor's daughter, cures the mortally ill King of France and earns the right to marry the man of her choice. The unwilling bridegroom chooses war over married life. In pursuit of her new husband, Helena disguises herself and follows him to Italy to win his love.
This abridged version of Shakespeare’s classic is a collaboration between graduating BA Acting and BA Theatre, Festival and Event Production students, directed by Fi Ross.
When asked about the production, BA Acting student Carwyn Peake-Jones said:
"Working alongside people I normally wouldn't have a chance to work alongside has been really fun. The Theatre, Festival and Event Production students have helped so much in making the vision come to life, and working alongside an external director has been really eye opening to what the industry post-graduation will be like."
Fellow BA Acting student Caoilfhinn Mcloughlin, added:
"I've had so much fun working on All’s Well That Ends Well with all the students from Theatre, Festival and Event Production who have made the rehearsal room a professional and friendly space. Learning from our external director has been a brilliant experience and such a good opportunity. I’m excited to get in the theatre and perform with the rest of the company next week!"
Tickets for All’s Well That Ends Well can be purchased on the Rondo’s website.
Lung Water
- Alma Tavern and Theatre, Bristol
- Monday 12 February, 6pm and Tuesday 13 February, 8pm
After the death of a baby on her ward, Lizzy is facing professional repercussions surrounding her duty of care. As she seeks solace in her family home, old tensions rise to the surface as her mum Carol denies her the comfort she requires.
Lung Water is directed by MA Performance (Directing) student Georgia Kavanagh. She commented:
“Lung Water has been a brilliant collaborative experience working with all the creatives involved. I've really enjoyed the journey and am grateful for the support of Bath Spa Productions and my tutors to guide me through this process. Their support has guided me into making these creative decisions as a director.
“Working with professional actors has been very rewarding and inspiring. It has elevated the performance, driven the collaboration and enriched the working environment.”
Tickets for Lung Water can be purchased on the Alma Tavern and Theatre’s website.
Awake My Soul - the Mumford and Sons Story
- University Theatre, Bath
- Thursday 15 February, 7:30pm
Bath Spa University is pleased to welcome MA Creative Producing alum Matthew Emeny and BA Acting alum Samuel Freeman back to the University Theatre with a preview of their new show, Awake My Soul - the Mumford and Sons Story.
Awake My Soul is an incredible live concert celebrating Mumford & Sons, one of the most famous British folk-rock bands of the 21st century, and their unique sound.
You’ll follow their musical journey from West London dive bars to sell-out stadium tours, multi-platinum albums and a private performance for Barack Obama.
The production features a spectacular live four-piece band, bringing to the stage Mumford & Sons' distinct sound with all their very best music, including Little Lion Man, I Will Wait and Awake My Soul.
When asked how he felt about returning to Bath Spa, Matthew said:
“Bath Spa has been so much more to me than a university. It has been my creative playground for the last 11 years. The support from the University and its incredible staff, especially Kerry Irvine and Charlotte Godfrey, has been fundamental to my development as a practitioner and theatre maker.”
He continued:
“I met my long-term collaborator Sam Freeman here, and since 2021 we have made five professional productions together, all connected to Bath Spa in some way. The Mumford & Sons story is my largest production to date, and certainly our most challenging.
“What's so special about previewing at Bath Spa University is that our love for Mumford & Sons started here, playing covers at the Student Union's Open Mic nights. Now, to be opening a two-hour show dedicated to this band's brilliant music on the stage where it all started for us is an incredible privilege.
“We thank Kerry and the Bath Spa Production team for over a decade of support and love, and to Charlotte at EMERGE who has created a home to base our production company. Our show on the 15 February is the first of our UK tour, and we can't wait to celebrate and rock out to the music of this incredible band, Mumford & Sons.”
Matthew Emeny is a Creative Producer and Theatre Maker based in Bath. Updates about Matthews's work can be found at Calf2Cow on Instagram and Facebook.
Awake My Soul - the Mumford and Sons Story is produced by Matthew Emeny and Josh Beaumont and written and directed by Matthew Emeny and Samuel Freeman. Tickets can be purchased through Bath Spa Live’s website.