A new original musical telling the story of two of history’s most infamous female pirates is set to make its debut in Frome.
‘The Queens of Nassau’, written by Frome-based writer Scott Ward with music by David Hynds, brings the true stories of the infamous pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read to the stage at the Merlin Theatre.
The production is currently underway, with auditions and workshops planned in the coming months.
The show follows the lives of the two women who defied the conventions of the early 18th century to sail with pirate crews in the Caribbean, fighting and living alongside men during the Golden Age of Piracy.
The musical blends folk, punk and theatrical storytelling to explore themes of identity, freedom and rebellion, charting the journeys of Bonny and Read from their troubled early lives through to their time aboard pirate ships and their eventual capture.
Scott said, “Anne Bonny and Mary Read were remarkable figures who refused to live within the limits society placed on them. Their story is dramatic, emotional and larger than life, which makes it perfect for the stage.
“We’re building something ambitious but very rooted in the local creative community. There’s so much talent around here and this show is a chance to bring people together to create something bold and original.”
The Queens of Nassau is planned as a fully staged production and will feature an ensemble cast, original songs and a story inspired by real historical events.
Pictured: Scott Ward, writer of Frome pirate musical
