Our Next Production

Following our previous foray into First World War territory with Journey’s End, Playing Up are returning to the Great War by staging Peter Whelan's The Accrington Pals.  Based on real events the play examines the lives of the Lancashire men and women left decimated by the losses at the Battle of The Somme in 1916.  This production will tour to The Cotswold Playhouse in Stroud on Saturday 18th February 2012 before a run at The Rondo from 22nd to 25th February.

About the Play   About the Playwright

Previous Productions

Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons

Playing Up performed a completely sold out run of this hilarious theatrical adaptation of a classic rural novel at The Rondo between 9th and 12th February 2011.

	Over the top and hilarious…Sophie Brooks drives the plot admirably with enough one liners to fill a stand up comedy evening…sneak in if you can as it’s probably a sell out run."
	Bath Chronicle

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The Tamworth Two by Dougie Blaxland

Playing Up presented The Tamworth Two between 27th April and 5th June 2011.

	Playing Up's production of The Tamworth Two was as inventive as it was theatrical. The three actors combined the elements of physical and verbal humour brilliantly, bringing pace, vitality and wit to the play. Their mastery of the strange syntax and rhythms of the piece was most impressive as were the precise, keenly observed and astonishingly swift changes of character. In all, they created a wonderful piece of comic theatre that held their audience spell bound with admiration."
	Dougie Blaxland, Playwright

About the Play    Pictures from the Production

Dr Faustus by Christopher Marlowe

Playing Up presented this Elizabethan morality play to sell out houses at The Rondo between 24th and 27th November 2010.

	A captivating, fast-paced version...spellbinding and also very funny in places...a modern spin that is highly imaginative and accessible...well worth seeing."
	Bath Chronicle

About the Play    Pictures from the Production

Abducting Diane by Dario Fo (adapted by Stephen Stenning)

Playing Up presented this satirical comedy at The Rondo between 24th and 27th February 2010.

	The direction was slick and the acting was terrific
	Bath Chronicle
	The histrionic pace and highly physical humour would challenge Jim Carrey himself…the collective boldness here is to be applauded.
	Venue Magazine

About the Play    Pictures from the Production

Our Country's Good by Timberlake Wertenbaker

Playing Up presented this fantastic and popular British play at The Rondo between 11th and 14th November 2009.

	Excellent cast...the audience would have needed a heart of stone not to be moved.
	Bath Chronicle

About the Play    Pictures from the Production

Arabian Nights by Mary Zimmerman

Playing Up performed these funny and exotic tales at The Rondo between 11th and 14th March 2009.

	An exceptionally well orchestrated production...visually entrancing
	Bath Chronicle

About the Play    Pictures from the Production

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? by Edward Albee

Playing Up presented Albee's masterpiece at The Rondo between 11th and 14th November 2008.

	A modern classic and in the hands of Bath's Playing Up it transcends its 46 years to feel as acerbic and moving as if it was written for our times.
	Venue Magazine

	Superbly cast; all four of the actors succeed brilliantly.
	Bath Chronicle

About the Play    Pictures from the Production

Journey's End by R.C. Sherriff

Playing Up staged six electrifying performances of this World War 1 masterpiece to complete sell out houses between 5th and 14th March 2008.

	A justifiable sell out...it commanded rapt attention
	Bath Chronicle

About the Play    Pictures from the Production

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Dale Wasserman

Playing Up staged this highly relevant play to sell out houses at The Rondo between 5th and 8th December 2007

	This version by Playing Up Theatre Company hits all the targets brilliantly…the whole ensemble gel superbly.
	Bath Chronicle

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Two by Jim Cartwright

Playing Up staged this brilliant and poetic one act play at The Rondo between 19th and 21st July 2007 and again between 23rd and 26th Feb 2011.

	This emotionally charged piece was brilliantly acted... a play that left me emotionally drained.
	Bath Chronicle
	It never faltered. By turns poignant, unsettling, tragic and funny...enjoyable stuff.
	Venue Magazine

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The Crucible by Arthur Miller

Playing Up returned to The Rondo between Wednesday 28th February and Saturday 3rd March 2007 and then at The Arc Theatre Trowbridge on Thursday 8th and Friday 9th March. We performed Arthur Miller's classic and deeply moving play The Crucible.

	This powerful play gets an equally powerful, faultless treatment from Playing Up...the play's grip never loosens.
	Bath Chronicle

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Trumpets and Raspberries by Dario Fo

Playing Up returned to The Rondo between Wednesday 8th and Saturday 11th November 2006 performing the hilarious farce, 'Trumpets and Raspberries' by Dario Fo.

	The acting was faultless...a superb job
	Bath Chronicle

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Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Playing Up staged this poignant and moving play to sell out houses at The Rondo Theatre between 22nd and 25th February and at The Arc Theatre Trowbridge on 2nd March 2006.

	GCSE students and Steinbeck fans will find this a sensitive and sympathetic rendering of the story.
	Bath Chronicle

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Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling

Playing Up staged this bittersweet comedy at The Rondo between 7th to Saturday 10th September 2005.

	Playing Up did a sterling job...characters were brilliantly played...the cast did Steel Magnolias proud.
	Bath Chronicle

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Serjeant Musgrave's Dance by John Arden

Playing Up staged this classic anti-war play at The Arc Theatre, Trowbridge on Thursday 9th June 2005 and then at The Rondo Theatre, Larkhall, Bath from Wednesday 15th to Saturday 18th June.

	Immaculate cast and acting, lighting and sound..a high quality production
	Bath Chronicle

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Sleuth by Anthony Shaffer

Playing Up staged this brilliant murder mystery from 29th September to 2nd October 2004, performed at The Rondo Theatre, Bath.

	A really enjoyable, entertaining, satisfying play...a good night out at the theatre
	Bath Chronicle

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Waiting For Godot by Samuel Beckett

Playing Up staged this most important play of the Twentieth Century from 26th to 28th November 2003, performed at The Rondo Theatre, Bath.

	Professional standards..excellent timing...a memorable evening
	Audience member

About the Play    Pictures from the Production