Master Class

Theatre Royal Bath Productions presents
Stephanie Beacham in
Master Class
by Terrence McNally
Directed by Jonathan Church

Maria Callas remains one of the towering figures of the opera world, larger- than-life and gorgeously glamorous. She is as famous for her turbulent private life, her passionate love affair with the tycoon Aristotle Onassisis, her rivalry with other opera singers and her untimely death in 1977, as for her extraordinary musical and dramatic talents.

Inspired by the master classes Callas gave in New York in the early seventies, this award-winning play invites you to observe the great diva in action as she puts three aspiring singers through their paces. Witty, bitchy, grandiose, demanding and insecure, she reminisces on the triumphs and tragedies of her life and career now that both her voice and her personal life have fallen apart.
Master Class was a huge hit on Broadway where it won both the 1996 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding New Play and the 1996 Tony Award for Best Play. This new production is directed by Jonathan Church, the acclaimed artistic director of Chichester Festival Theatre. With two screenplays about Maria Callas about to go into production there has never been more interest in the legendary soprano.

Stephanie Beacham is known worldwide for her role as Sable Colby in The Colbys and Dynasty. Her other major television credits include Tenko and Bad Girls. She also performed in series 6 of Strictly Come Dancing, plays Martha, a love interest for Ken Barlow in Coronation Street and starred in Celebrity Big Brother 2010. Extensive stage work includes, most recently Peter Hall’s production of Noel Coward’s Hay Fever.

Multi Award-winning American playwright Terrence McNally’s work includes The Ritz, The Lisbon Traviata, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune and Love! Valour! Compassion! He has also written librettos for musicals including The Rink, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Ragtime and the USA version of The Full Monty.

'Rich, vivid, satisfying' New York Times

'At the end the audience rose spontaneously, just as they rose to Callas' Daily Telegraph

'Mesmerising' independent

'Clever mix of charisma, jokes and operatic out-takes…vividly exposes the passions behind the voice that gave the world the goosebumps' Express