THE Uk tour of a new production of Driving Miss Daisy opens in Theatre Royal Bath from Wednesday, September 6, starring in Bath starring Siân Phillips and Derek Griffiths.

Also starring Teddy Kempner, this brand new production of playwright Alfred Uhry’s poignant and compelling tale of an unlikely, long-lasting friendship is directed by Richard Beecham.

Set in Atlanta, Georgia, the story begins one day in 1948 when southern matriarch, Daisy Werthan, a widowed, Jewish woman, crashes her car. Deemed too old to drive, her son Boolie hires Hoke Colburn, an African-American man, to serve as her chauffeur.

Daisy and Hoke’s relationship gets off to a rocky start, but as times change across the course of a 25 year backdrop of prejudice, inequality and civil unrest, a profound and life-altering friendship blossoms as the pair slowly transcend their differences and grow to rely on each other far more than either would ever have expected.

From its landmark off-Broadway production in 1987 to the remarkable success of the 1989 film version, which was the winner of four Academy Awards, with its richly drawn characters, the timeless, moving and ultimately hopeful story of Driving Miss Daisy has touched the hearts of millions worldwide.

In a career spanning seven decades, Siân Phillips’ many memorable screen credits include her BAFTA-winning role as Livia in the BBC’s adaptation of I, Claudius in 1976.

Most recently, she has played guest roles in New Tricks, Under Milk Wood, Casualty and Inspector Lewis.

RSC actor and legendary television presenter Derek Griffiths has most recently been seen on our television screens as Freddie Smith in Coronation Street in 2016 and 2017.

Well known for his success on the seminal children’s series Play School and Play Away, as a talented multi-instrumentalist and composer, he also wrote much of the music for those programmes and other children’s series including Heads and Tails, Bod, Two by Two, and Mythical Magical Creatures.

  • Driving Miss Daisy opens its UK tour at the Theatre Royal Bath from Wednesday, September 6-Saturday, September 9. Tickets are available from the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 and online at theatreroyal.org.uk