Theatre Royal Bath has announced that much-loved actress and comedian Jennifer Saunders is starring as Mrs. Rafi in the first major revival of Edward Bond’s The Sea in nearly twenty years.
Directed by Jonathan Munby (Wendy and Peter Pan, A Number), The Sea will run at Theatre Royal Bath from 22 October to 7 November 2026.
In The Sea, Jennifer Saunders takes on the role of Mrs. Rafi, a self-appointed “First Lady” of a small East Anglian village. The role is widely considered one of the most formidable comic roles in British theatre.
Will The Sea transfer into the West End? There’s no current news on whether The Sea will transfer to the West End. However, Theatre Royal Bath has form in bringing shows into London, including the forthcoming transfer of Grace Pervades to the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London, starring Ralph Fiennes. Recent transfers include The Deep Blue Sea and A View From the Bridge.
Jennifer Saunders
Jennifer Saunders is one of Britain’s best-loved comedians and actresses. She is a BAFTA Fellow and the creative force behind French and Saunders and Absolutely Fabulous.
Saunders returns to Bath following her record-breaking performance as Madame Arcati in Blithe Spirit.
Further casting for The Sea is to be announced.
A stormy Edwardian satire
Set in 1907 at the height of the Edwardian era, The Sea begins with a wild storm that shakes a seaside community to its core. Amidst the coastal chaos, Bond weaves a narrative that is part farce and part tragedy:
Mrs. Rafi (Saunders) maintains her social grip on the village by preparing her fellow ladies for an amateur dramatic performance of Orpheus and Eurydice. Mr. Hatch, the local draper, spirals into paranoia, convinced that the storm is a herald for an impending invasion by aliens from outer space.
Acclaimed creative team
The revival of The Sea will be directed by Jonathan Munby, whose work includes productions at the RSC, Donmar Warehouse, The Young Vic and Shakespeare’s Globe.
Edward Bond’s The Sea originally premiered at the Royal Court Theatre in 1973. It has enjoyed a number of high-profile revivals, including the National Theatre in 1991, and the Theatre Royal Haymarket in 2008 in which Mrs. Rafi was played by Dame Eileen Atkins.
Plan your visit
- Theatre: Theatre Royal Bath
- Dates: 22 October – 7 November 2026
- Starring: Jennifer Saunders as Mrs. Rafi
- Director: Jonathan Munby
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