Visit Bath and Visit Bath Theatre Royal

A fantastic thing to do when you visit Bath is to visit Bath Theatre Royal, and this month it has some fantastic shows on offer.

The first performance is one not to be missed for any fans of comedy. Goodness knows that in the dark and cold days of January, and given some of the recent news headlines, we all need to relax and have a good laugh. The Play That Goes Wrong will be showing at Bath Theatre Royal from January 10^th – January 15^th and is “starring No one famous”. However, that doesn’t really matter as it’s won the 2015 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, the Broadway World UK award for Best New Play 2014, and Whatsonstage.com have named it the winner for Best New Comedy. It sees Fawlty Towers meeting Noises Off as the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society do their best to stage a 1920s murder mystery, but as the name suggests, everything that can go wrong, does go wrong.

“roused even a staid matinee audience to hysterics” – The Times

After The Play That Goes Wrong comes a wonderful stage adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Bath has strong links to the author as not only did Miss Austen live in the city from 1801 – 1806, but she also sets two of her novels partially in Bath and mentions Bath in all of her novels. This production from Regent’s Park Theatre sees Matthew Kelly and Felicity Montagu in the roles of Mr and Mrs Bennet and has been specifically recommended by Classic FM. It runs from January 17^th – January 21^st.

Next on at Bath Theatre Royal are two productions for ballet fans. Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet will be performing two of Tchaikovsky’s most famous ballets - first Swan Lake from January 23^rd – January 25^th, and then The Nutcracker from January 26^th – January 28^th. Under the direction of Marina Medvetskaya, Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet has won acclaim from critics around the world, and its soloist Natalia Romanova has been described as “breath-taking. Her dancing is fluid, mesmerising and technically astounding.”

Our final mention however is for a performance which is taking place in Bath Theatre Royal’s Ustinov Studio. Part performance-lecture, part deconstructed showbiz (and part astounding magic tricks), This is not a Magic Show sees award-winning magician Vincent Gambini presenting close-up magic in such a way that invites his audience to question how enchantment and wonder are produced. Fans of Derren Brown are sure to enjoy this one, and anyone who enjoys seeing what goes into performances behind the scenes as well. “This thoughtful, playful and multi-layered piece will make you question how we watch and what we see” – The Guardian.

If you’re looking to stay for a weekend and want a nice night out while you’re in Bath, or if you’d like to come specifically for a theatre break in Bath this year, then this is a great month to come. We’re certainly not going to be stuck for things to watch!   

Visit Bath and Discover the Story Behind the Statues

Bath is by no means lacking in the monuments department, but rather than just enjoying the view (and who wouldn’t), have you ever wondered what the story behind each of them is?

One statue which you’ll definitely see if you go and visit Bath Abbey is the statue known as the Rebecca Fountain. This white marble fountain shows a young girl in a loose eastern-style dress pouring water from a tall urn into a bowl which is held up by pillars. On the base of the statue is carved “take the water of life freely” and “water is best”. The statue was erected in 1861 by the Bath Temperance Association and was installed to promote and make provision for the option of choosing to drink water rather than alcohol. In the 1860s

In the nearby Parade Gardens is a more unusual statue. Unusual at least in the fact that the figure which the bronze statue depicts – that of a young Amadeus Mozart playing a violin, is not a famous resident of Bath. The reason that Mozart can be found in Bath is that the statue was commissioned by the City of Bath under the terms of the Purnell Trust which was fulfilling the death-bed wish of Mrs Purnell. Mrs Purnell’s son Mark was a great lover of music and of the city of Bath. Bath’s annual Mozartfest was also established in Mark’s memory. The statue of Mozart was unveiled in 1991.   

A highly popular theme worth mentioning when talking about Bath sculptures and statues is that of lions. Bath has over 500 lions displayed in various forms around the city and this is to reflect the royal heritage of the city. In fact, Bath’s Coat of Arms also features a lion, and this represents the crowning of King Edgar, the first king of all England, which took place in Bath in 973 AD. If you’re going lion spotting, then the two bronze lions guarding the Queens Gate entrance to Victoria Park are well worth a look.

Not quite statues, but nevertheless iconic members of Bath’s monuments, are Bath’s obelisks.

The obelisk which is next to the entrance of the Parade Gardens was erected in 1734 to celebrate the fact that William VI, Prince of Orange, came to Bath to have his illness cured. This is also why the area it’s located in is known as Orange Grove.

Another obelisk to honour a prince; four years later the obelisk in Queen Square was erected and paid for by Beau Nash to record a visit to the city by Frederick Prince of Wales. Then, still royalty but not a prince, the obelisk in Victoria Park was dedicated to Queen Victoria, who opened Victoria Park in 1830 as an 11-year-old princess. The foundation stone of this obelisk was laid in 1837. Sadly she never saw it as she never returned to Bath after she opened Victoria Park. 

What to do in Bath – Christmas to New Year

The time in between Christmas and New Year can be a bit awkward if you’re looking for things to do. A lot of places are shut for the festive period (especially museums) but you want to get out and explore and make the most of your break. Well, if you happen to be spending that break, or some of it, in Bath, then these are four of our top recommendations for what to do in Bath from Christmas until New Year (with opening times!).

Go skating

(Open daily 10-9 until January 3^rd and only closed on Christmas Day)

Visit the outdoor ice rink in Victoria Park. As well as the ice rink itself there’s also a fully licensed bar serving milled wine, hot cider, a range of beers and spirits and champagne. There are also hot chocolates, soft drinks and freshly ground coffees to keep you feeling toasty. Fresh pizza straight from the wood-fired oven is on hand for food and the homemade cakes are delicious. All tickets include skate hire and one hour on the ice and can be paid for at the time or in advance.  

Go to the pantomime

(Tickets still available for all performances which are twice daily. No performances on New Year’s Day or Christmas Day)

This year the Bath Theatre Royal is putting on Aladdin as its annual pantomime, with energetic celebrities (admittedly not the likes of George Clooney and Angelina Jolie but still well-known faces) cast in all the big roles. It is a Christmas tradition and a great way to let off some steam and be silly for a little while. “Party season magic; it’s just all good even (and especially) that bad guy.”- The Bath Magazine.

Visit the Roman Baths

(Open daily over the festive period, 9:30 am - 5 pm (last entry 4pm), but closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day)  

A visit to Bath isn’t complete without a trip here. Even if you’ve been before then it’s worth another visit as they’re always adding to the exhibits (the Bill Bryson audio tour is great fun). This might be a good New Year’s Day activity when most other things are shut. 

Chill out in the spa

(Open 9am-9:30pm with last full entry at 7pm, except on New Year’s Eve when the Spa closes at 8pm with last full entry at 5:30pm. Closed on New Year’s Day.)

Bath’s Thermae Spa is one gem of a relaxation experience. It uses Bath’s naturally warm, mineral-rich waters to relax and refresh its visitors in the open-air rooftop pool and the atmospheric Minerva Bath. Afterwards there are the series of aromatic steam rooms to enjoy and spa treatments which you can book. In the first half of 2017 the Baths will be undergoing some upgrades and not all of the spa will be open to guests, so now is a good time to go!