Jennifer Saunders will star as Mrs Rafi in a new production of Edward Bond’s play The Sea at Theatre Royal Bath, set to run from October to November 2026. The revival brings the Edwardian-era drama back to the stage with a fresh cast and direction by Jonathan Munby.

Theatre Royal Bath has confirmed Jennifer Saunders will headline its revival of The Sea, which explores the upheaval faced by a small East Anglian seaside village in 1907 after a violent storm. Saunders takes on the role of Mrs Rafi, who rallies local women to stage an amateur production of Orpheus and Eurydice amid the turmoil.

The play also features the character of Mr Hatch, a local draper whose growing paranoia leads him to suspect an imminent extraterrestrial invasion. The story examines community dynamics under pressure during this Edwardian setting.

Saunders is familiar to Theatre Royal Bath audiences, having previously appeared as Madame Arcati in Blithe Spirit, a production that subsequently transferred to the West End. She is well known for her work on French and Saunders, the sketch show that earned her and Dawn French a BAFTA Fellowship, as well as her role in Absolutely Fabulous on television and film.

Director Jonathan Munby will lead the production, with further casting and creative team details to be announced. The Sea’s original premiere took place at the Royal Court Theatre in 1973.

Edward Bond’s play has seen notable revivals, including at the National Theatre in 1991 and a 2008 staging at Theatre Royal Haymarket featuring Eileen Atkins and David Haig. Theatre Royal Bath’s forthcoming run marks the latest opportunity for audiences to engage with this classic yet challenging work.