The Score
Brian Cox stars as Johann Sebastian Bach in Oliver Cotton’s *The Score*, directed by Trevor Nunn. Set in the spring of 1747, the play follows Bach’s reluctant visit to the court of Frederick II, King of Prussia, where a demanding musical puzzle forces him to weigh artistic creativity against the demands of political power and his own moral convictions. This production marks the play’s only American engagement.
When: September 11–October 25, 2026
Venue: Harman Hall, Shakespeare Theatre Company
Showtimes: September 11 at 7:30 p.m.; September 12 at 7:30 p.m.; September 13 at 2 p.m.; September 15 at 7:30 p.m.; September 17 at 7:30 p.m.; September 18 at 7:30 p.m.; September 19 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; September 20 at 2 p.m.; September 22 at 7:30 p.m.; September 23 at noon and 7:30 p.m.; September 24 at 7:30 p.m.; September 25 at 7:30 p.m.; September 26 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; September 27 at 7:30 p.m.; September 29 at 7:30 p.m.; September 30 at 7:30 p.m.; October 1 at 7:30 p.m.; October 2 at 7:30 p.m.; October 3 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; October 4 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; October 6 at 7:30 p.m.; October 7 at 7:30 p.m.; October 8 at 7:30 p.m.; October 9 at 7:30 p.m.; October 10 at 2 p.m.; October 11 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; October 13 at 7:30 p.m.; October 14 at 7:30 p.m.; October 15 at 2 p.m.; October 16 at 7:30 p.m.; October 17 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; October 18 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; October 20 at 7:30 p.m.; October 21 at 7:30 p.m.; October 22 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; October 23 at 7:30 p.m.; October 24 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and October 25 at 2 p.m.
Tickets: Price not available
Ticket offer: A limited-time promotion waives fees for performances of *The Score* when the code NOFEE is entered before seat selection. The offer is subject to availability, cannot be combined with other promotions or applied to previous purchases, is limited to four tickets, and the page states that it expires September 7 at 11:59 p.m.
Run time: Approximately two and a half hours, including a 20-minute intermission
Cast: Brian Cox as Johann Sebastian Bach; Nicole Ansari-Cox as Anna Magdalena Bach; Stephen Hagan as Frederick II, King of Prussia; Peter De Jersey as Voltaire; Juliet Garricks as Emelia; Will Kerr as Helstein and a courtier, with Frederick II understudy duties; Jordan Kilshaw as a courtier, with understudy duties for Franz Benda, Carl Graun, and Johann Quantz; Claire Morrissey as the maidservant, with understudy duties for Anna Magdalena Bach and Emelia; Max Pink as a courtier, with understudy duties for Carl Bach and Helstein; Matthew Romain as Carl Graun; Christopher Staines as Johann Quantz; Geoffrey Towers as Herr von Meckelsdorf, with understudy duties for Johann Sebastian Bach and Voltaire; Toby Webster as Franz Benda; and Jamie Wilkes as Carl Bach.
Creative team: Written by Oliver Cotton and directed by Trevor Nunn. Robert Jones designed the set and costumes, Johanna Town designed the lighting, and Sophie Cotton designed the sound. The associate director is Cordelia Monsey, the casting director is Ginny Schiller, and the production is presented by Theatre Royal Bath Productions, Len Blavatnik, and Danny Cohen.
Accessibility and special performances: The September 23 matinee at noon and September 24 evening performance include open captions. The September 26 matinee includes open captions. The October 3 matinee is audio described. The September 25 performance is designated Young Prose Night, and the September 30 performance includes a post-show discussion.
Note: The page states that all performances, artists, venues, and dates may change.