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The Score
This is what happens when the composer Bach reluctantly visits the King Frederick 2nd in Prussia during the mid-1700s, on the brink of the Age of Enlightenment. The atheist king loves war, an avid student of military history. Bach is a deeply religious man who reads scripture. While the two could not be more different, the king has a great deal of respect for the composer’s talents. But when Frederick plays a mischievous musical game to confuse Bach and amuse his courtiers, things explode in an entirely unpredictable way.
Brian Cox most recently wowed TV audiences in HBO’s multi-award-winning series Succession. He stars as Johann Sebastian Bach. Cox’s career spans more than 60 years of award-winning work, a star in the sky of some of the world’s best-respected venues and theatre companies as well as a household name in Hollywood and on TV. Twice the winner of the Olivier for Best Actor, his role in Succession attracted a Golden Globe award and Emmy nominations. His real-life wife, Nicole Ansari-Cox, joins him on stage for this epic new drama, another well-loved face on the UK stage and screen as well as over the Atlantic. The creative team involves writer Oliver Cotton and Director Trevor Nunn with Robert Jones as the Set and Costume Designer and Johanna Town the Lighting Designer. Sophie Cotton is the Composer and Sound Designer, Cordelia Monsey the Associate Director, and the casting comes from Ginny Schiller CDG.
Audience Latest Reviews
Reviews Summary based on 25 reviews
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one of the best plays or shows I have seen in decades It was fantastic, it was just a shame the people from the bow office were not able to understand that my son was over from Paris and I really wanted him to join. I asked if he could use one of the empty seats next to me or one of the bowes. We bought four tickets. But they were not understanding at all. I tried to find someone from the production but were nowhere to be found. A real shame that my son did no watch the play. It would have made a big difference in his life and I was willing to pay. We leaves tomorrow morning so very sad about their lack of compassion and understanding.
Marcela, 25 Mar 2025
Not just about music One of the very few plays I could see again. It seemed so relevant to today - war in Europe, a self obsessed king with a sycophantic court, speaking truth to power....And of course Brian Cox is good although not always able to hear distinctively in the back rows. To be honest the rest of the cast is variable. Outstanding scenery and lighting.
Graham, 21 Mar 2025
An opportunity wasted Even fans of Bach - perhaps, especially fans of Bach - will find this a bit of a dull and 11/2 dimensional view of a fascinating period in the life of the area to become Germany and the old mans' final period. The use of music was poor and the acting declamatory, to much set and not enough projection, either in words or meaning.
Ann, 20 Mar 2025
Wonderful show! Wasn’t sure what to expect but I really enjoyed it. Loved that the script was in ‘normal’ modern language so easy to understand. Also liked the humour and the acting all round was excellent. Would highly recommend and suitable for anyone.
Louise, 14 Mar 2025
An amazing, must-see, drama. An excellent play; dramatic, deep and sometimes intense. Brilliant acting and humour that worked and fitted in so well too. We really loved it and, of course, the music!
Holly, 09 Mar 2025
Interesting storyline We enjoyed the play, but it was not what we expected …… there was more humour and less music. The change from light banter to serious discussion was a bit jolting, but the story was at its best when Bach and Frederick argued their conflicting opinions. Walking home from the theatre, we talked about these polar views, so that in itself suggests that the actors had successfully drawn us into the debate. It was particularly interesting when Bach’s son challenged him with the reality that war and terrible events have always happened throughout time and that Bach had become outraged and impassioned only when soldiers invaded his town and people he knew were violated and hurt. It was hard not to think about current world events.
Sheila, 02 Mar 2025
Getting Bach to the Theatre again. How good it is to get Bach to one of the most exquisite theatres in London and enjoy a great play like this. The cast are to be congratulated on a sterling performance which was greatly enjoyed by ourselves and, by the looks of it, the rest of the audience. (Every performance I attend now the audience think it is obligatory to stand up to applaud at the end. They weren’t too bad this evening, but I really wish they would stop it as they ruin it for others who don’t want to or can’t stand up! Rant over 😃) I had read a review, possibly from the run in Bath, which said the first half was slow but it was anything but. The first half set the scene perfectly for the confrontation and ‘trial’ of Bach’s powers and for the effect on Frederick.
Rosemary, 24 Feb 2025
—- The 1st act seemed like a history lesson - the exposition was way too obvious. Not dramatic enough. Cox was also yelling a lot of lines. 2nd act- excellent. Wonderful dialogue and themes. Cox and actor playing the King- excellent. How about cutting the 1st act in half and make it a one-act?
Julianne, 24 Feb 2025
Quality acting The Score is a great play and all performers were good. Brian Cox was excellent but so were the rest of the team, the younger actors being equally good as him and not a moment of overacting in sight.
It has been a while since such a play of understated quality has been shown in the West End.
Maria, 20 Feb 2025
