ONE of the world’s leading playwrights, David Hare made a remarkable journey in 1997, visiting the Middle East, where he interviewed 33 people in Israel and Palestine – these interviews formed the basis of play, which is being staged at Bath Theatre Royal’s Ustinov Studio on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th June.

Via Dolorosa, a solo performanceis an extraordinarily prescient play, which was awarded five stars by British Theatre Guide and described as a “riveting and thoughtful monologue”.

David Hare was invited to Israel and was inspired to write the play by his travels, and the reflections and attitudes he found in his conversations. These proved to be foreshadowing arguments which are just as fresh and topical today.

From Tel Aviv and Jerusalem to Gaza and Ramallah, David was given unique access to a range of public and private figures, each with a different perspective on the region and its troubles. The resultant drama draws together these very different voices, exposing the passions and opinions that run deep throughout a complex region.

Presented by Chasing Rainbows, Via Dolorosa is a solo performance, which was originally mounted as a Broadway show in 2000 starring David Hare, and revived at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2024 performed by Gary Hay. The title Via Dolorosa is based on the route believed to have been taken by Christ through Jerusalem to Calvary.

Also this month, the world premiere of David Hare’s new play, Grace Pervades launches the Ralph Fiennes season at the Theatre Royal, from Friday 27th June to Saturday 19th July, starring Ralph Fiennes as Henry Irving and Miranda Raison as Ellen Terry.