Emma Rice's Tristan & Yseult returns to Bath after a decade away
Emma Rice’s Tristan & Yseult is back in Britain for the first time in ten years, opening at Theatre Royal Bath from 11 to 19 September before a tour.
The Bath run plays the Main House. Listings give performances including Thursday 17 September 2026 at 19:00 and Saturday 19 September 2026 at 19:30, according to the theatre Theatre Royal Bath.
It is a revival, meaning an older production brought back with a new cast. WhatsOnStage, which published its review of the Bath opening on 18 September 2026, notes the show first premiered 20 years before this staging.
Rice adapted and directed the piece. She has called it “my compass and my guide”. The story is based on an epic ancient tale from Cornwall, and the work began life as a Kneehigh show before Rice developed it further.
The Bath company stars Nandi Bhebhe as Yseult and John Leader as Tristan. Stephanie Hockley plays Whitehands. Tom Fox doubles as Morholt and Brangian. Malcolm Rippeth is credited for lighting.
The return forms part of a three-year partnership between Theatre Royal Bath and Emma Rice Company. The company was previously called Wise Children and changed its name in 2025 to avoid confusion The Stage.
The partnership was announced in September 2025 with two tours. Malory Towers toured from May 2026. Tristan and Yseult followed from September 2026 WhatsOnStage.
What makes this stand out for audiences is the gap. The show has not been seen on a British stage for a decade. For fans, this means a first chance in years to see Rice’s version live, with Bath as the starting point before it travels.
