“It is with great pleasure that the French public has discovered the Ruffled Umbrella Company of Bath Spa University. The Company was discovered early this year during the Festival D'Hiver organised by the prestigious HEC (Paris Business School) when they presented their play Dinner by Moira Buffini.

The young team which was awarded the "prize for the best show" impressed us with its dynamism, the technical precision of the actors and its impeccable interpretation of all the subtleties within the play.

Following rigorous direction by Philip Wall, the actors portrayed the characters with professionalism and palpable fun.

Each one of the actors had a strong and indispensable place in the play which supported the other actors.

We also salute the delivery and perfect technique of the company taking the acid humour into a frenetic rhythm which won over the audience and took everyone beyond the language barrier and allowed the very particular british humour to reach the french public.

The Ruffled Umbrella company was the theatrical revelation of this festival and we hope we can welcome them again in France for them to delight us with their talent.

From here, we can only wish them all of the best."

Aude Gogny-Goubert

Theater director and actress.

Chair of the Winter Festival of HEC 2009

"As a member of the jury, I saw five plays during the four days of the HEC Theatre Festival. It became clear to the jury that "Dinner" deserved the Best Play Award. It has the qualities of a professional play : perfect understanding of the text, seven powerful characters, and an intelligent ‘mise en scène’ adapted to the author's style.

Their youth is not an obstacle for the catharsis : all the actors balance who they are with what they represent. They enjoy their acting and this enjoyment is shared with the audience. The audience (even a not native english speaking one) understands and laughs during an hour and a half. It's a modern, witty, and powerful play.

I wish The Ruffled Umbrella Company the best with this play and others."

Léonard Matton

actor and director