“There’s a thing called a close-up. The camera advances and you stand still and your head, your face, is caught in the frame of the picture with a light blazing on it and all your terrible history screams while you smile.” (Princess - Act 1)

Sweet Bird of Youth – Tennessee Williams’ iconic 1959 play – is an exploration of lost youth, beauty and dreams.

Chance Wayne, failed, one-time heart throb from small town St. Cloud returns to his home in a last ditch attempt to regain the love of his life: Heavenly. On his travels Chance has picked up fading movie star Alexandra del Lago who, befuddled by drugs and alcohol, is easy prey to Chance’s gigolo charms. Boss Finlay, Heavenly’s father, is incensed that Chance is back in St. Cloud and has vowed to wreak a terrible retribution on the man who he believes deflowered and ruined his daughter.

Richard Matthews as Chance and Kay Francksen as Alexandra del Lago head a stellar Next Stage cast to bring to Bath audiences this powerful and disturbing tale of lost youth, lost love and the dark side of the American dream.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see one of the 20th Century’s greatest plays.

With grateful thanks to ©Michael Stevens/Pharos Photography for Show and Rehearsal Photographs 1-19.

Cast:

Rehearsal Photographs: