Haunted in Bath

10 March 2010

TWICE Oscar-nominated star Brenda Blethyn will join forces with award-winners Niall Buggy and Beth Cooke and in a new intriguing stage play.

Haunted will be performed at the Theatre Royal Bath from Monday until March 20.

The production follows the story of Hazel, a bewitching young woman who runs a vintage clothes stall.

She turns up at Mr Berry's London home to collect some clothing and he is instantly entranced.

He takes the chance to enjoy Hazel's company by accepting free elocution lessons from her in return for presents of expensive clothes and jewellery which belonged to his late wife.

The only problem is that Mrs Berry is not actually dead.

Soon Mrs Berry starts to notice her shrinking wardrobe and Mr Berry's fantasy slowly begins to unravel.

Haunted enjoyed its world premiere at Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre last year and visits Bath as part of a short tour prior to a run in London's West End.

Golden Globe winner Brenda Blethyn is best known for films such as A River Runs Through It, Night Train, Little Voice, Atonement, Pride and Prejudice and Saving Grace.

Niall Buggy's career spans theatre, film and television and he won the Olivier Award for best comedy performance for Dead Funny in 1995.

The play itself began life as a 1963 television drama starring Cyril Cusack, whose granddaughter Beth Cooke plays the role of Hazel.

Tickets for Haunted, priced £15.50-£31.50, are available from the box office on 01225 448844 or via www.theatreroyal.org.uk