Our 2023 season kicks off with Laura Wade’s 2018 Olivier Award winning play, Home I’m Darling, which was a huge hit at The National before transferring to the West End and a subsequent UK tour. This sharp comedy explores the gender divide and the difficulties that can ensue during the quest for achieving a “perfect” life. Kathryn Parkinson garnered huge praise for her role as Judy, a modern day housewife who hankers after the gingham tinted nostalgia of the fifties. The story is rich with interesting sub plots, astute humour and social commentary. What is especially exciting is the licence has only just become available for amateur performances and Frome Drama will be one of the first to present it.
Fresh from the success of her her Frome directorial debut-the Festival piece “Silence” by Moira Buffini-Jo Chivers will be directing. Jo may be new to Frome but has directed previously in London and is trained as an actor. She knows it will be a challenge to create the beautiful 1950’s set, which is very much integral to this piece, but has faith in the incredible skills and talent we have in the town . Jo is very keen to hear from anyone with set design experience who may be happy to collaborate with her to create a set to be proud of . In fact she is already planning a social event to welcome current and new members to join her on this ambitious project. We are also on the look out for any authentic 1950s vintage costume pieces and props. Excitement is brimming for this fabulous play.
Home I’m Darling will be performed at The Merlin 30 March – 1 April .
Our Frome Festival piece next year will be Harold Pinter’s final play – Celebration, and we are delighted to welcome back award winning Simon Blacksell to direct. Simon has directed many hits for FDC such as Pygmalion, Heroes and The Weir, as well as directing for other drama groups locally- most recently Bradford On Avon’s atmospheric summer production of Macbeth.
Simon is delighted to be directing in Frome again and we are thrilled to have him work his magic on this deliciously dark Pinter masterpiece.
Written just before the millennium, this one act comedy with very adult themes, explores the vulgarity and ostentatious materialsism of the nouveau riche. Set in a fashionable restaurant , it is about “upstarts and interjectors” full of ascerbic one liners as well as prosaic passages. There is a relatively large cast – so lots of acting opportunities for both men and women. This fascinating social satire is very much meant for an adult audience, which we thought would add variety, and definitely spice ,to the Festival. Simon has some intriguing ideas about its staging. Frome Festival is becoming a real magnet for creatives and Frome Drama is keen to have a place at that table to showcase the wealth of talent we have within our club.
Celebration will be performed in early July next year but exact dates and venue are yet to be confirmed. Simon is keen to get planning as soon as possible, hosting an initial read through for interested cast and crew, with auditions to follow soon after. All details will soon be on the website.
The final play confirmed for next year is The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist-based on Robert Tressell’s 1914 masterpiece of wit and political passion, described by George Orwell as “ a book everyone should read”.
Director Andy Cork has some some wonderfully innovative ideas about how this timely piece will be staged, involving musicians and even a spot of painting on stage – it is sure to be an absolute corker! Andy directed the sensational Constellations last year for Frome Drama, as well as working with Bath Drama and Shakespeare Live.
With Andy’s creative flair this promises to be a collaborative, production – even the audition process will benefit from his imaginative approach . More details will be announced later in the year and performance dates are likely to be November. Again lots of opportunities to get involved in this inclusive, original project.
We hope this programme offers something for everyone to get involved in.The Committee is always keen to hear from members about what sort of plays they would like to see performed and we welcome suggestions for future productions or rehearsed readings. Please email fromedrama@hotmail.com and tell us if you have any ideas you think we should consider.