Innovative and trail-blazing, its work embraces acclaimed in-house productions, essential new drama from the best visiting companies, plus writer and artist development programmes which showcase the best emerging creative talents both regionally and nationally.

With a stunning new design by Stirling Prize nominees Haworth Tompkins, the architects of the award-winning egg theatre for children, the Ustinov officially re-opened in February 2008 – a national theatre right in the heart of Bath. With new gallery level seating, vastly improved sightlines, and a new welcoming foyer/bar, the audience will be entering a thrilling, intimate new theatre.

The new Ustinov opened officially in February 2008 with its own brand new production of the award-winning drama Breakfast With Mugabe which received great acclaim from both critics and audiences.

This commitment to in-house work continued through the Autumn season with two new productions – in October, the Ustinov presented Knives in Hens, the remarkable and powerful debut play from David Harrower, the writer of ‘Blackbird’, which stunned Main House audiences in May this year; and, in December, Carthage Must Be Destroyed, winner of the Best New Play at last year’s Scottish Theatre Awards – a heady drama of bloody real-politick, double-dealing and sex.