How about this for a theatrical proposition? Sir Richard Eyre will direct Penelope Wilton, Ophelia Lovibond, Martin Hutson and David Rintoul in a revival of Sir David Hare’s The Bay At Nice at the Menier Chocolate Factory.
Theatrical royalty will abound at the Menier for the art-centred play, which begins previews on 14 March, opening officially on 19 March and running until 4 May.
This is the first London revival of The Bay At Nice since its premiere production at the National Theatre in 1986. The play explores the conflict that emerges when a mother and a daughter fight for personal ideals and domestic responsibilities – and how these are impacted by choices made both in life and art.
The play is set in Leningrad in 1956, where Valentina Nrovka (to be played by Wilton), a personal friend of the great artist Matisse, arrives at the Hermitage to offer her opinion on the authenticity of a painting. There, she is reunited with her daughter and fellow painter Sophia (Lovibond), who is seeking financial and political assistance.
And with a line-up led by former National Artistic Director Eyre, Olivier Award winner Wilton (who also has a further 5 Olivier nominations to her name), W1A actress Lovibond, The Ghost Writer actor Rintoul, and RSC actor Martin Hutson, The Bay At Nice promises to be unmissable.
Tickets go on sale to supporters of the Menier today (21 January), with public booking opening at 9am on 28 January. More information is available through the Menier Chocolate Factory website.