Details

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? Nina Raine's beautiful, profound and funny new play is an anthem to the art that draws us together and sings of our common humanity.

Cast/Performers

Simon Russell Beale (Johann Sebastian Bach), Samuel Blenkin (Carl), Pandora Colin (Maria Barbara), Ruth Lass (Katharina), Douggie McMeekin (Wilhelm), Racheal Ofori (Anna Magdalena), William Barker, Teddy Button, Ardan Hennelly

Creatives/Company

Author: Nina Raine
Director: Nicholas Hytner
Design: Vicki Mortimer
Costume: Khadija Raza
Lighting: Jon Clark
Sound: Gareth Fry