No play reading this month
With the Frome Festival, and auditions for our next production in full swing, there sadly won’t be an opportunity to fit in a play reading this month. Our next reading will be in September, after our usual summer break. Watch this space for details of out autumn programme
Upcoming Workshop and Auditions
The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists
by Stephen Lowe based on the novel by Robert Tressell
Auditions -Wednesday 26th June 2024
(PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE!)
with possible further auditions/call backs on Thursday 27th June
For more details please see our Current productions page.
*Important Announcement*
The Performing Arts Library in Yeovil, our primary source for play reading scripts, is under threat Visit the Play Readings page for more details
Our next production
Adapted by Stephen Lowe from the novel by Robert Tressell
Our autumn production will run from 21st-23rd November 2024, at the Merlin Theatre, Frome and will be directed by Andy Cork
This November, Frome Drama is bringing to life Robert Tressell’s 1914 classic of working class literature,The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist, in a critically acclaimed stage adaptation by Stephen Lowe.
The story features a group of painters and decorators as they renovate a townhouse, and their struggle for survival in a complacent and stagnating Edwardian England. It was one of the first truly imaginative portrayals of life written from a working class perspective, and through humour and sharply observed characterisations, provides a witty and much quoted defence of socialist ideas.
Stephen Lowe’s 1983 vivid adaptation packs political conjuring tricks alongside live music and song, to breathe life into the story and the many familiar and infamous characters from the book.
Passionate, highly entertaining and gloriously funny, this story lays bare the many social injustices perpetrated on these men, whilst capturing their individual characters with touching truth to life. Described by George Orwell as “a book everyone should read”, whatever your personal politics, this is the play everyone should see.
It promises to be a fun, entertaining and stimulating evening of theatrical joy that you won’t want to miss. Come join the party!
“A strong and robust show that brings the characters, humour and inspirational ideas of this great book to life. It is needed now more than ever.” Ken Loach, Film Director
★★★★ ‘Tremendous’ Libby Purvis The Times
”10/10 – Sensational” Liverpool Echo
For more details of a readthrough and introduction to the play, as well as audition dates, please see our Current productions page.
Frome Drama’s auditions are open to all, and we’ll also be looking for lots of people to get involved on the production side. If you’re interested in getting involved, you can email us at fromedramaclub@hotmail.com
Our last production…
A Bunch of Amateurs
By Ian Hislop and Nick Newman
Keen to boost his flagging career, fading Hollywood action hero Jefferson Steele arrives in England to play King Lear in Stratford only to find that this is not the birthplace of the Bard but a sleepy Suffolk village – and instead of Kenneth Branagh and Dame Judi Dench the cast are a bunch of amateurs trying to save the theatre from developers. Jefferson’s monstrous ego, vanity and insecurity are tested to the limit by the enthusiastic am-dram thespians. As acting worlds collide and Jefferson’s career implodes, he discovers some truths about himself along with his inner Lear.
This terrific comedy, written by Ian Hislop (Have I Got News For You) and Nick Newman (Spitting Image) is “packed with killer comic dialogue” (Whatsonstage) and is “deliciously stuffed with Shakespeare…a laugh a minute” (Mail on Sunday).
New Season Director Call Out
We are now in the process of planning the upcoming Play Seasons ( 2025/26) for Frome Drama and are seeking creative, enthusiastic and ambitious directors.
For further details visit New Season Directors Wanted or email: fromedramaclub@hotmail.com
Frome Drama regularly updates a list of plays that prospective directors might like to consider taking on. It’s primarily there to give an idea of the general vision and ambition of the club, but if you’d like to tackle anything on the list, we’d be delighted to hear from you. You’ll find the list, and more information here.