Production images of Simon Russell Beale and the cast of Bach & Sons have been released ahead of the plays world premiere at the Bridge Theatre in London next week.
Directed by Nicholas Hytner, Nina Raine’s gripping drama about the musical genius Johann Sebastian Bach and his extended musical family explores love, God and above all music. It’s described as an anthem to the art that draws us together and sings of our common humanity.
The cast is led by Simon Russell Beale – the multi-award winning actor who has been described as ‘the greatest stage actor of his generation‘ as Johann Sebastian Bach. Simon is joined on stage by Samuel Blenkin as Carl, Pandora Colin as Maria Barbara, Ruth Lass as Katharina, Douggie McMeekin as Wilhelm, Racheal Ofori as Anna Magdalena and Pravessh Rana as Frederick the Great.
The creative team includes associate director James Cousins, set designer Vicki Mortimer, costumes designer Khadija Raza, lighting designer Jon Clark, sound designer Gareth Fry and music supervisor George Fenton.
Photos by Manuel Harlan.
You can read the shows synopsis below:
Johann Sebastian Bach, irascible and turbulent, writes music of sensuous delight for his aristocratic patrons, and gives voice to his deep religious faith in music for the church. He’s touchy, he’s fabulously rude, he has high standards (he stabs a bassoonist for playing badly) and he’s constantly in trouble with his employers. Music is the family business – both his wives and all his children are musicians. His eldest son, Wilhelm, is brilliant, chaotic and paralysed by his father’s genius. Tense, industrious Carl is less talented than his father but more successful. As the years pass, their gripping family drama provokes furious arguments about love, God and above all music. What is it for – to give pleasure, like a cup of coffee in the sun, or to reveal the divine order that gives life its meaning?
Bach & Sons runs until 11 September 2021 at the Bridge Theatre, London.
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