The Score – The story
The time is spring 1747 and the setting is Potsdam in Prussia, where composer Johann Sebastian Bach reluctantly visits the court of Frederick II, Europe’s most feared and ambitious leader. The two men are very different indeed. The composer despises war, the king adores it. Bach is a believer with a deep love of his religion, a man who reads scripture, while the king is an atheist who reads books about military history. Despite their differences, the king is in awe of Bach’s genius. But Frederick has created a musical conundrum he hopes will confuse the composer and entertain the court. But neither man could have predicted the explosive events of the following days.

About The Score
Brian Cox recently wowed TV audiences in HBO’s multi-award-winning series Succession. He stars as the composer John Sebastian Bach in Oliver Cotton’s new masterpiece-in-the-making, originally on stage at the Theatre Royal Bath in October 2023 where it enjoyed excellent reviews.

The Score cast and creatives
Brian Cox’s career has spanned more than six decades. A multiple award-winning actor, he has worked with some of the world’s best-respected venues and companies as well as household name Hollywood and TV directors. Twice the winner of the Olivier for Best Actor, his role in Succession attracted a Golden Globe award and Emmy nominations.

He is joined by his real-life wife, Nicole Ansari-Cox, who is also a familiar face on the UK stage and screen as well as in the USA. She was amazing in the TV series Deadwood, in Paso de Ovejas, A Woman in Winter, Oblivion Nebraska, Hard Four and Tom Stoppard’s Rock’n’Roll, both at the Royal Court Theatre and on Broadway.

The creative team consists of writer Oliver Cotton and Director Trevor Nunn with Robert Jones as the Set and Costume Designer and Johanna Town the Lighting Designer. Sophie Cotton is the Composer and Sound Designer, Cordelia Monsey the Associate Director, and the casting comes from Ginny Schiller CDG.

Trevor Nunn is the former artistic director of the National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal National Theatre and currently, the Theatre Royal Haymarket. He has directed a multitude of dramas for the stage including Macbeth, Cats (1981) and Les Misérables (1985). He has won multiple awards for his work including Tonys, Oliviers and Drama Desk Awards. In 2008 he was named one of the most influential people in British culture

With reviews including words like ‘magnificent’, ‘magnetic’ and ‘a volcanic presence’, Trevor Nunn’s ‘grand’ production is sure to delight audiences who adore top quality theatre.