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4.4
Murray Parkin United Kingdom
Brian Cox at the top of his game, with a great ensemble cast.
The Score
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DURATION
2 hr 40 min
CLOSING DATE
Until April 26, 2025
AGE LIMIT
Suitable for 12+
AboutVenueTicketsReviews
Why watch The Score?
- A titan of stage and screen, Olivier award-winning actor Brian Cox (Succession) turns Bach from a dusty portrait to flesh and blood in a ‘magnificent’ (Daily Telegraph) portrayal.
- Trevor Nunn, the architect of theatrical landmarks from Les Misérables to Nicholas Nickleby, orchestrates this startling battle of ideas.
- Fresh from international success after his latest TV stint, Cox romances his real-life wife Nicole Ansari-Cox on stage with ‘ardent chemistry’ (The Guardian).
- Inspired by the true historical event that led Bach to create one of his final pieces ‘The Musical Offering’, Oliver Cotton’s play is a grand musical tribute without a soundtrack.
Part reality and part fiction, Oliver Cotton's powerful new drama reimagines the meeting between two musicians as a resonant exploration of morality, power, and artistic integrity. Under Trevor Nunn's masterful direction, the play rises from a witty period comedy, culminating in explosive philosophical confrontations. This non-musical inquiry into the moment that inspired one of Bach’s most important final pieces runs much like a fugue itself, interweaving parts of the story into a larger composition. As contemporary politics continues to evoke progress to justify military might, The Score strikes notes that resound far beyond a footnote in history books.
Storyline
In the spring of 1747, an aging Johann Sebastian Bach makes an unwilling journey to the court of Frederick the Great of Prussia. What begins as an enigmatic challenge to the composer’s musical prowess - to improvise a three-part fugue on an impossibly complex theme - evolves into an intimate confrontation. Bach, a deeply religious man who sees his music as divine inspiration, faces off against Frederick, an atheist monarch who justifies military conquests with new-age values. In a moment that has since inspired countless interpretations, the shrinking father of the late Baroque meets the prodigal son of the Age of Enlightenment. Who will hold up the mirror?
Show timings
- Tue - Sat at 7:30 pm
- Thu & Sat at 2:30 pm
- Mon (24/02/25) at 7:30 pm
Cast & crew
- Director: Oliver Cotton
- Writer: Trevor Nunn
- Leading roles: Brian Cox as JS Bach, Nicole Ansari-Cox as Anna Bach.
Note: Producers can not guarantee the appearance of any particular artist, which is always subject to illness and holidays.
Age & content guide
- Children under the age of 5 are not permitted inside the theater.
- Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
- The play’s content is most suitable for children and adults over the age of 12.
- Please keep in mind that the theater does not have an age classification organization. This means that all age recommendations are subjective. Please use your judgment while purchasing tickets for any show.
Theatre Royal HaymarketRead more
The ‘Little Theatre in the Hay’ or Theatre Royal Haymarket was constructed in 1720 by John Potter in what is now the heart of West End. It is not only the third oldest performance venue in London still in use, but is also credited with hosting some of the city’s most notable theatrical productions like The Blue Bird, Hamlet, and The Deep Blue Sea.
Theatre Royal Haymarket Seating Plan will help you find the best seats in the theater.
Getting there
Address: Haymarket, London SW1Y 4HT, United Kingdom
Tube: Charing Cross Station (Bakerloo/Northern Lines) and Piccadilly Circus (Bakerloo/Piccadilly Lines)
Bus: 6, 9, 87, 243, and 341 (Haymarket); 1, 4, 26, 59, 68, 76, 168, 171, 172, 188, 243, 341, and 521 (Trafalgar Square)
Overground: Charing Cross Station
Facilities & accessibility
Available Facilities: Bar, air conditioning, restrooms
Accessibility: Accessible toilets, Assistive Listening System, wheelchair spaces available
Additional information
Security:To ensure your comfort and security, you might encounter a few security checks when you arrive at the venue.
Dress Code: Smart-casual or semi-formal attire is the way to go.
Outside Food: While outside food isn't allowed inside, the hotel complex hosts many cafes or restaurants inside for you to check out before or after the show.
Tickets redemption
- You’ll get an instant email confirmation right after you book your tickets.
- Enjoy a hassle-free entrance to the venue by showing your mobile ticket and a valid photo ID – no printout necessary!
Cancellation & refunds
- Tickets cannot be refunded, amended, or rescheduled.
Ratings & reviews
4.4
14 ratings
7
6
1
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Murray
Apr 2025Verified booking
Brian Cox at the top of his game, with a great ensemble cast.
Asmundur
Apr 2025Verified booking
Diego
Apr 2025Verified booking
Elisabeth
Mar 2025Verified booking
Superb acting. Good story based on an actual historic meeting.
Kleopatra
Mar 2025Verified booking
Great play. Interesting plot, nice acting!
More reads
Frequently asked questions about The Score
How much do The Score tickets cost?
The cost of the tickets typically starts from £25. Prices may vary depending on the day of the event and the type of seats you choose.
Who is The Score about?
The Score is an original play inspired by the real-life encounter between JS Bach and Frederick II in 18th-century Europe.
What age group is the show appropriate for?
The show’s content is most appropriate for children and adults above 12 years of age.
Where is The Score playing in London?
After a successful run in 2023, the show will be hosted in Theatre Royal Haymarket from 20 February 2025.
What is The Score about?
The Score is a semi-fictional exploration of power, artistic integrity, and politics set in 18th-century Europe. It centers around a meeting between Johann Sebastian Bach and Frederick II in the monarch’s court in Prussia.
How long is The Score?
The play runs for 2 hours and 40 minutes, including a 20-minute interval.