From Theatre Royal Bath: The countdown has started to the staging of an epic community production of Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield at the Theatre Royal Bath. Scores of local people have already expressed an interest in the large-scale event, which is being staged in the Theatre Royal’s Main House in one year’s time – February 2026.
This March, adults interested in performing in the community production are invited to attend one free Taster Drama Workshop, at one of three venues across the city, led by Olivier Award-winning Sally Cookson, the director of David Copperfield.
The morning sessions will take place on:
Saturday 1st March with British Sign Language Interpreter
at Twerton Village Hall, Landseer Road, Twerton, Bath, BA2 1DX
Saturday 8th March
at St Stephens Centre, St Stephen’s Church, Lansdown, Bath, BA1 5SX
Saturday 15th March
at St Marks School, Bay Tree Road, Larkhall, Bath, BA1 6ND
Any adult keen to perform in the community production – regardless of experience – can book a free workshop place via the Theatre Royal’s website at: theatreroyal.org.uk/david-copperfield
Sally Cookson, director and devisor of David Copperfield, says: “Having worked as a director in the theatre industry for over 30 years, I’ve reached a time in my life where I want to feel connected creatively to a new, broader artistic community and I want to make art with people I don’t usually get the opportunity of making art with. I believe that everyone is an artist, and it doesn’t matter if you’ve never stepped foot in a theatre before, never performed at school, never sung in the shower – we want you in this show! How exciting it will be to dive together into the story of David Copperfield. Through making a spectacular piece of theatre we will build a community, acknowledging and celebrating our differences whilst uniting in our shared creativity to sing, dance, act and immerse ourselves in a truly creative collaboration. Come and be part of the fun.”
Plans for the epic community production were first revealed at the end of last year. Hundreds of local people keen to find out more attended an open meeting at the Theatre Royal on 26th January, hosted by key members of the creative team working on the project.
Katherine Lazare, Head of Community Engagement at the Theatre Royal Bath, says: “The beauty of Community Plays is they bring lots of different people together with the same aim: to make a show and tell a story. It really doesn’t matter if you’ve taken part in anything like this before or not; in the rehearsal room everyone is equal. We are looking for open and enthusiastic people. David Copperfield is a wonderful, life-affirming story, which will be explored by the company in rehearsals with director Sally Cookson and writer Mike Akers. Sally’s truly collaborative approach and visionary style of direction will bring this story to life in the most inventive and unexpected ways. Mike works in the rehearsal room to get to know the cast and explore the story together as a company – meaning everyone has a stake in the final play. If we’ve piqued your interest but you’re not sure whether it’s for you or not, book onto one of our Free Taster Workshops in March.”
The David Copperfield story represents the universal quest for happiness, belonging and love in a compelling tale encompassing a world of characters across class, place and relationships, that resonates just as much today as it did in Charles Dickens’ Victorian England. The new, visually stunning version of the classic Dickens’ tale, written by Mike Akers, will be devised and directed by award-winning Sally Cookson.
Most recently Sally Cookson directed Dracula: Mina’s Reckoning for National Theatre of Scotland, Birthmarked for Edinburgh Festival and Wonderboy for Bristol Old Vic. She received an Olivier Award for A Monster Calls at London’s Old Vic Theatre, winning Best Family and Entertainment in 2019, and three Olivier nominations for Peter Pan (National Theatre/Bristol Old Vic), Hetty Feather (Kenny Wax Productions), and Cinderella A Fairytale (The Other Palace, London). Her productions of Jane Eyre and Peter Pan have been made into National Theatre Live films. Writer Mike Akers has worked regularly as dramaturg with Sally Cookson on shows including Boing! and a trio of highly successful Bristol Old Vic productions – Treasure Island, Peter Pan and Jane Eyre – the latter two of which can be seen on National Theatre Live.
More details of ways to get involved in this exhilarating production – including volunteering alongside the Theatre Royal Bath’s professional team – will be unveiled over the coming months. The Theatre Royal’s ongoing work in the community builds on the previous success of Engage, founded in 2010 and funded by The Miss Beryl Billings Charitable Trust.
To sign up for one of the three Taster Workshops in March or to find out more visit: