THERE were record-breaking sales as bookings opened on the new season's programme at the Theatre Royal, Bath on November 29.

Box office records were smashed at the Theatre Royal as tickets went on sale to Associates and Friends, a total of just 2,823 members, for the new spring season.

Achieving the highest ever box office takings on the first day of bookings, the Theatre Royal has increased its previous record for first day sales of £65,000, this time last year, by over £20,000 to £87,000 in one day.

With queues at the front door and the phone lines red hot, box office staff were kept busy for 10 hours as theatre-goers booked seats for a sparkling season featuring Vanessa Redgrave, Joely Richardson, Leslie Phillips, Susan Hampshire and the fourth annual Bath Shakespeare Festival. With general bookings yet to open on December 10, the theatre looks set for an exceptional spring season opening in January with The Pirates of Penzance starring Su Pollard.