BATH Theatre Royal hosts two double bills of opera and dance, featuring English Touring Opera and Rambert, from 3rd to 8th November, beginning on Monday 3rd with Benjamin Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia, an acclaimed production, directed by Robin Norton-Hale, which was awarded four star reviews in The Stage and The Times.

In ancient Rome, Lucretia is assaulted by the tyrannical prince Tarquinius, an outrage that shatters her life and sets the stage for his own downfall. Britten’s opera was written in the aftermath of the Second World War and reflects a world wondering how to remake itself after enormous suffering and destruction. Its exquisite score for 13 players combines passages of beauty and lyricism wrestling with the forces of darkness.

It is a brutally relevant and chilling exploration of the abuse of power, shot through with glimmers of hope for a better world.

On Tuesday 4th, ETO presents Donizetti’s sparkling The Elixir of Love, in a new production from Martin Considine, artistic director of the pioneering Streetwise Opera. Packed with warmth, romance and effervescent music, this is a classic romantic comedy in which what people think will make them happy, and what will actually make them happy are not always the same.

Wealthy, beautiful and popular, Adina is completely out of Nemorino’s league. Shy and sincere but desperate to catch her eye, the arrival of the smooth-talking Doctor Dulcamara and his apparently miraculous concoctions provides the perfect opportunity to change his fate. But Nemorino soon discovers that matters of the heart are rarely that straightforward.

Both productions are performed in English with English surtitles.

From Thursday 6th to Saturday 8th, Rambert makes a welcome return to Bath with Kismet, a double bill bringing together two heartfelt works that reflect upon the unpredictable and deeply human experience we all share.

Life has a way of surprising us, like getting stuck in traffic, waking up on the wrong side of the bed, or running into an ex. It’s the delicate balance between the plans we make, and the twists we never see coming.

In Gallery of Consequence, choreographer Emma Evelein reflects on the moments that shape our lives through endless choices and consequences in each of our internal worlds. With striking sounds and visuals, Rambert’s dancers bring to life the chaos, quiet and connections we find in transit in this moving new piece.

Inspired by the Spanish word for ‘breeze’, Johan Inger’s BRISA is a joyful whirlwind of movement, music and humour. With a vibrant soundtrack featuring Nina Simone, this work explores how the smallest shifts can spark transformation. Rambert’s dancers bring warmth, playfulness and dynamic energy to a piece that celebrates the beauty of breaking free.

English Touring Opera photographs by Richard Hubert Smith. Rambert photograph by Daniel Shea.