‘The Whale’ to be Performed at Ustinov Studio in Bath from 26th April till 6th June

‘The Whale’ to be Performed at Ustinov Studio in Bath from 26th April till 6th June

Posted on: 19 Apr 2018

Samuel D. Hunter’s ‘The Whale’ will come to the Ustinov Studio in Bath from Thursday the 26th April

 

*** GET TICKETS HERE ***

 

The play tells the story of a morbidly obese, six hundred pound man restricted to living from his sofa and working as an online writing instructor in Idaho. After his weight has caused him to become increasingly reclusive, he attempts to reconnect with his daughter as means of his salvation. This is the father’s last chance at saving himself - a story of hope with both comedic and hard hitting elements. The leading role will be played by Shuler Hensley, with the play directed by Laurence Boswell.

The Whale Play Bath

Star of Broadway and the West End, Hensley has an extensive history of working in theatre, in particular starring in musical productions which have all been extremely well received. His performance as Jud Fry in the 1998 production of Oklahoma! alongside Hugh Jackman won him the Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical. He continued with the role when the play moved to Broadway, and subsequently won the Tony Award for Supporting Actor in a Musical, a Drama Desk Award and Critics’ Circle Award. 

 

Preceding this, Hensley performed as the title character in a Frankfurt production of The Phantom of the Opera in 1996 and he has since shared the stage with Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Patrick Stewart in Waiting for Godot and No Man’s Land. He has also played Inspector Javert in Les Misérables in New York and Frankenstein’s Monster in the stage adaptation of Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein.

 

This will be Hensley’s reprise of the role. He first played the part in 2012 in the Off Broadway production at Playwrights Horizons. His performance as Charlie earned him the OBIE Award for Performance and the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actor. Reviews of the show have been phenomenal:

 

 

“A deeply affecting and piercingly amusing play. Wonderful work by Hensley … brings out Charlie’s pain and plus-size optimism. It is a huge accomplishment” - New York Daily News

 

“Sharp and funny … Hensley is harrowingly good … Packed into a globular, convincing fat suit, he endows Charlie with wit and dignity” - Time Out New York, Critics’ Pick

The Whale Play Bath

 

The Ustinov Studio is located at Theatre Royal Bath, Saw Close, Bath, BA1 1ET

 

The production will run from Thursday the 26th April till Saturday the 2nd June 2018 (no performances 21st till 26th May). Evening performances will take place at 7.45pm, Matinees will be on Thursdays and Saturdays at 2.30pm. 

 

Tickets are £22.50 or at the discounted price of £15 for preview performances taking place from the 26th April till the 1st May.

 

 

For more information, contact the Box Office on 01225 448844 or visit the theatre’s website here.

 


Article by:

Iona McLeod

Iona is a final year Biomedical Science Undergraduate at the University of Bristol. Her passions include blogging, walking and exploring new cocktail venues. Iona is working with 365Bath as part of the Santander Internship scheme for spring and summer 2018.