Visit Bath - What’s On This Week?

Summer may be over (save for the odd heat wave here and there) but that doesn’t mean that the prime time to visit Bath is gone. Now is simply when Bath starts to shift its focus from walking tours and outdoor cinema to literary events and more music recitals, and, of course, the new rugby season. 

As such this week’s blog is a brief summary of some of the top events coming up over the next week. 

Whenever the subject of culture comes up it doesn’t take too long before Shakespeare also appears on the scene. This time is no exception, except that it is because its Shakespeare with a twist. To celebrate Shakespeare’s 400^th anniversary a collection of witty music and skits, including songs and sketches by Victoria Wood, Alan Bennett, Maureen Lipman, Fry & Laurie, is being performed at Bath’s Theatre Royal from the 19^th-24^th September. It’s been described as Shakespeare meeting showbiz in a glittering cabaret style musical; one for both Shakespeare newcomers and devotees alike.

Next up are a few meet-the-author events being held by Bath’s independent booksellers, Topping & Company. 

On Monday 19^th September Eimear McBride who won the Bailey’s prize for her best-selling novel A Girl is a Half Formed Thing will be in Bath to discuss her new novel The Lesser Bohemians which looks set to be a similar success.

Fans of Doctor Zhivago might like to go to Anna Pasternak’s talk the next night on Tuesday 20^th September. Pasternak will be talking about her novel Lara, which tells the story of her great uncle Boris Pastnernak and his literary muse Olga Ivinskaya. The astonishing true story behind the tragedy which led to Pasternak’s masterpiece Doctor Zhivago will finally be told.

The event which is on the day after is for Formula One fans. F1 star Damon Hill will be telling the story of his rise to the top, looking at the golden era of the sport, and talking about taking on Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher in 1996. 

Another event coming up this week that we have to mention is the Harvest Moon Festival which will be taking place at the Museum of East Asian Art (MEAA) on Sunday 18^th from 12pm-4pm. Traditionally in many Asian countries this mid-Autumn festival results in families getting together in the evening of the festival (which takes place on the 15^th day of the eight month in the lunar calendar each year) having mooncakes and tea while the children play and compare lanterns. To echo this the MEAA has planned a fun-packed event, including craft activities inspired by the moon and storytelling by Martin Maudsley who will unveil a shimmering selection of magical moon myths from around the world.  

So what’s on in Bath this week? In short, plenty!