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Open auditions:
The Master & Margarita
by Mikhail Bulgakov
adapted by Edward Kemp
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at the Rondo Theatre, St Saviour's Road, Bath, BA1 6RT
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We’re looking for 16 actors to bring to life our autumn production of ‘The Master & Margarita’ by Bulgakov / Kemp
Performances will take place Wednesday 26th - Saturday 29th November 2025 at the Rondo Theatre (get-in from Sunday 23rd November)
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About the play:
Strangers, lovers, devils. 1930’s Moscow is full of strange folk. But who is the woman crying over her bouquet of yellow flowers? What the hell happened at the Arts Theatre last night? And… is that a human sized cat?
Based on Mikhail Bulgakov’s posthumously published novel 'The Master and Margarita', Edward Kemp’s stage adaptation takes the audience on a swirling journey of captivating surrealism featuring romance, devil-pacts and of course, a play within a play. With plenty of scope for comedy as well as tragedy, this staging will include shadow-puppets, sleight of hand and the opportunity to multi-role - we promise you won’t be bored!
If we had to describe it in a simile? Think Faust crossed with Sabrina the Teenage Witch!
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Characters:
With a cast of 16 there’s happily roles for a diverse range of ages and gender expressions and the opportunity to take on a smaller role if you’d prefer.
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- MASTER: Writer. Romantic. Overthinker. Profoundly emotional; the Master is prone to bouts of extreme clarity and extreme defeatism. The play he’s writing is his raison d’être. Thought to be based on Bulgakov himself.
- MARGARITA: Romantic, optimistic, candid. Margarita does not question her sudden love for the Master and is unfazed by the revelation of the supernatural. A literary allegory of Bulgakov’s wife Yelena.
- WOLAND: Gregarious, otherworldly, curiously caring. The devil himself. Easily inspires his entourage and encourages Margarita to discover her own power. Decorous. Amused.
- AZAZELLO: Suave, intelligent, mischievous. Likes to bicker with Behemoth. Acts as Margarita’s guide to Woland’s world. Fallen angel and Woland’s confident.
- HELLA: Classy, omniscient, powerful. Enjoys switching between being a succubus, a philosopher and an anarchist. Vampire.
- BEHEMOTH: Human sized cat. Ridiculous, snarky, self-important. Surrealism in a hairball. One claw away from a murder spree. Apathetic to humanity. Can break the fourth wall. (Note: Behemoth is a very physical role and suits a performer with heaps of stamina who is happy to wear a suit made of faux fur)
- IVAN: Up and coming writer learning to find his own voice. When he gets brought on board to work on the Master’s play, he gets a little more than he bargained for.
- RIMSKY & VARUKHA: Tireless managers of the theatre. The show must go on… but could we run some paperwork by you first?
- BERLIOZ: Officious writer turned critic. Enforcer of state censure. Mentor to Ivan. (Would also puppeteer Ratslayer)
- PAGODA: Bullish and a snob. The gargoyle of Moscow’s critics. Described as a ‘pig’.
- PILATE: Sympathetic procurator. Loves his dog, hates his job, is fascinated by the man bought before him for judgement. The actor playing Pilate will not be seen on-stage but this is a principal role.
- TREPAN: The director of the Master’s play. Trying to keep everyone happy. Flustered. Tired.
- ALOYSIUS: The actor in the Master’s play. Playful but fatigued by the Master’s perfectionism. Aloysius is the key puppeteer and multiroles not just as themselves but as the Secretary, Kaifa and (briefly) Yeshua. Strong vocal characterisation is desired.
- ANDREI: Front-of-house at the theatre. Like Rimsky & Varukha, can’t quite believe what is happening around him. Doubles up with Stravinsky and puppeteers Afranius.
- NATASHA: Margarita’s maid companion. Naive, enthusiastic, acts before thinking. (Will multirole as 'Nurse')
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This production will be directed by Rondo Theatre Company committee member Josie Mae-Ross who many of you will have met at our socials.
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You do not need to attend both audition dates, or prepare anything ahead of time.
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If you’d like to RSVP or have any questions or access needs (alternative paper, large print etc) get in touch with Josie via email: therondotheatrecompany@gmail.com
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Please note this is an unpaid opportunity with a community theatre company.
18+ only please.
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Social play reading:
Gateway to Heaven
by Clare Summerskill
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Tuesday 3rd June 2025, 6pm for a 6.30pm start
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at The Little Theatre event space, St Michaels Place, Bath BA1 1SF
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All are welcome to our unrehearsed play readings where we get together to read and discuss a play, as well as have a chat and some snacks. Feel free to bring some nibbles to share and do visit the bar at The Little Theatre for a drink or two - there will be time for socialising and discussing the script as well as reading.
(If you think you might be late, come any way! You will still have the opportunity to read.)
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For this year's Pride Month, and as part of Queer Bath, our June play reading will be 'Gateway to Heaven' by Clare Summerskill
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A bit about the play...
Described as a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the lesbian and gay movement, this moving and witty play is written entirely from interviews with older lesbians and gay men.
Clare Summerskill is a stand-up, a writer, an actress, a singer-songwriter, a public speaker, an oral historian, and a freelance academic. Speaking about the play, written from the interviews she conducted, she said, 'Their stories are powerful testaments to the courage and love of those who fought for the freedoms we enjoy today.'
Please note the play includes references to homophobia.
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We'll read the whole script over the course of the evening (script in hand) and everyone who attends should have the opportunity to read a section if they wish - or you are welcome to come and just listen.
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Please note that access to the Little Theatre event space is up two flights of stairs and there is no lift available.
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This event is part of Queer Bath, a celebration of LGBTQ+ arts, culture, heritage and history in museums and venues across Bath. Queer Bath is a new citywide campaign - the first of its kind - led in partnership with Bath Arts Collective, WIG, and Bath’s museum & heritage community.
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Open call for director's pitches
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Every year the Rondo Theatre Company puts on three shows at our home, the Rondo Theatre in Bath. We're excited to now be inviting pitches from directors for our 2026 programme.
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Whether you are an experienced director or a newcomer looking to direct your first production, we'd love to hear from you. You'll have the support of the committee every step of the way.
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We're looking for three productions, running on the following dates:
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- Sunday 22 - Saturday 28 March 2026
- Sunday 14 - Saturday 28 June 2026
- Sunday 22 - Saturday 28 November 2026
(performances Wednesday - Saturday)
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To apply, please complete the online form linked below by Saturday 31 May 2025.
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Please note this is an unpaid opportunity with a community theatre company.
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Coming soon to the Rondo Theatre:
The Taming of the Shrew
by William Shakespeare
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Wednesday 18 - Saturday 21 June 2025, 7.30pm
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at the Rondo Theatre, St. Saviours Road, Bath, BA1 6RT
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Lucentio wants Bianca. Hortensio wants Bianca. Gremio wants Bianca. None of them can have her until Bianca’s brother – Katherine – is married.
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But Katherine is not easily tamed, with his sharp tongue and violent outbursts. Is anyone up for the challenge? Enter the charmingly terrifying Petruchio, a woman who has never met a boundary she will not cross to tame a shrew.
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The Taming of the Shrew takes on a daring new life in this gender queered production, where comedy and discomfort intersect. In a world where Petruchio is a boisterous woman and Kate is a shrewish man, this bold reimagining explores the power dynamics at the heart of Shakespeare’s comedy while unpacking how language shapes our understanding of gender and control. The Rondo Theatre Company has flipped the script, and we invite you to laugh and reflect on the complexities of gender by re-examining the ways comedy can reveal uncomfortable truths about societal power dynamics.
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This is our annual charity performance with all profits being donated to Not A Phase and the Revamp the Rondo fundraiser.
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Not A Phase is a trans-led, nationwide charity committed to uplifting and improving the lives of trans+ adults, through awareness campaigning, social projects and funding trans+ lead initiatives. The charity aims to give the trans+ and gender non-conforming community space to thrive, whilst working with organisations on D&I strategies to promote positive change.
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Revamp the Rondo seeks to replace the well-loved auditorium seats, as well as make other building improvements, at the Rondo Theatre. The Rondo has, since 1989 been a place for nurturing local talent, a home for community theatre groups, and a venue for the best touring theatre, stand-up comedy and music.
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This event is part of Queer Bath, a celebration of LGBTQ+ arts, culture, heritage and history in museums and venues across Bath. Queer Bath is a new citywide campaign - the first of its kind - led in partnership with Bath Arts Collective, WIG, and Bath’s museum & heritage community.
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