In the spring of 1747, in Potsdam, Prussia, Johann Sebastian Bach visits the court of Frederick II. Serious, devout, and indifferent to spectacle, Bach had little interest in meeting the war-obsessed king. But Frederick, captivated by Bach’s brilliance, challenges him to improvise a complex fugue to impress and entertain his court. Brian Cox takes on the role of the cerebral composer in Oliver Cotton’s new play, directed by Trevor Nunn. Following a run at the Theatre Royal Bath, the production makes its West End debut. “If you love Bach’s music, you’ll be charmed,” writes Clive Davis, reviewing The Score in The Times. “If you’re a newcomer, this is a stately way to get better acquainted.” —Jeanne Malle