IT'S hard to believe but the last time I went to the Theatre Royal in Bath was back in March to see Band of Gold.

Now, at nearly the end of the year, I have been to see The Play That Goes Wrong for the second time. These are indeed strange and difficult times.

The comedy smash-hit - currently booking until May in London's West End - is set to entertain audiences at the Theatre Royal over the 2020-21 festive season.

It replaces the previously announced Christmas pantomime, Cinderella, with local favourite Jon Monie as Buttons, which has been postponed until December 2021 due to the reduced capacity of a socially-distanced auditorium under current government restrictions.

I would urge you to go this Christmas as TRB has worked extremely hard to ensure you have a thoroughly enjoyable visit, whilst implementing all Covid-safety guidance relating to indoor performances.

If you've never seen The Play That Goes Wrong before it features the fictional Cornley Drama Society who are staging a 1920s murder mystery 'Murder at Haversham Manor'.

During their opening night performance things quickly go from bad to utterly disastrous when, as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong… does!

The ten-strong cast led by Tom Bulpett (Chris) milk the comedy out of every line and action as the accident-prone company battle against all the odds to reach their final curtain call.

Co-written by Mischief Theatre company members Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, I absolutely guarantee this production will make you chuckle, laugh and have you rolling in the aisles.

The highly physical comedy is packed with finely-tuned farce and Buster Keaton inspired slapstick delivered with split-second timing. Children will love it.

The Play That Goes Wrong has won multiple awards around the world and deservedly so. So do go and see it, as we look ahead to the end of the Covid-19 pandemic and the return of the traditional panto next December.

Tickets are on sale at the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 and online at www.theatreroyal.org.uk

John Baker