THERE is just a month to go until Frome Musical Theatre Company’s youth group ‘Spellbound’ take to the Frome Memorial Theatre stage to perform ‘BLITZ!’
The theatre group say, “This year our country remembers the outbreak of World War II 80 years ago and commemorates the 75-year anniversary of the liberation brought by the D-Day Landings.
“Let our young cast take you on a trip back to the Homefront of wartime London and into the lives of the families on Petticoat Lane.”
Ahead of the show, Frome Times chats to cast member Hannah Stamp, who plays Carol Blitztein.
What’s your character called and who are they?
“My character is called Carol Blitztein, she is a young Jewish girl and during BLITZ! she falls in love with her next-door neighbour, Georgie Locke. Carol and Georgie have two very different worlds but manage to find a way to be together. Near the end of the first act, Carol is injured as a result of a bomb explosion. Carol is a very strong character who deals with backlash from her mother for loving Georgie. She stays strong throughout the show, which is similar to her headstrong mother, Mrs Blitztein.”
Do you have a favourite song or scene in the show?
“There are lots of parts in the show that are very different, so it is hard to compare and pick a ‘best bit’, however, Mr Locke and Mr Nearmiss are very enjoyable to watch as they work so well together, so I would have to say that any of their scenes are brilliant to watch. Also, we have recently blocked ‘Is This Gonna Be a Wedding?’ which I can say is very good and will be a ‘best bit’!”
How are rehearsals going? Which songs or dance routines are you looking forward to performing?
“Rehearsals are going very well! Everyone is so excited about learning new songs and dances, which makes it very fun to be a part of. I am most looking forward to performing ‘Opposites’ with Owen, as the song is cheerful and I am excited to see what it will look like on the stage.”
How long have you been performing with FMTC Spellbound and what attracted you to the stage?
“BLITZ! will be my eighth Spellbound show as I started when I was nine, it has been part of, not only mine, but my family’s summer for eight years! I’ve always loved performing, even if it was to a group of toys I had placed as audience members! I wanted to do experience something new and push myself out of my comfort zone, so my mum thought getting on the stage would be a good thing – and she was right!”
What do you enjoy most about theatre and performing on stage?
“Being part of the theatre, as cheesy as it sounds, is being part of a huge, weird family. I think the people I have around me when I perform are what makes doing a show so enjoyable. You become so close with people you may not have met without theatre and I am so grateful for those opportunities.”
What can the audience expect when they take their seats to watch BLITZ!’?
“People can expect a group of young people working together to create a very vivid, exciting show, and although the plot may be fictional, a lot of the situations in the show will resonate with them, as everyone knows the stories of the Blitz in the 1940s. I also think they can expect a fun, enjoyable show that is performed by an amazing group of young people!”
‘BLITZ!’ will be performed at the Frome Memorial Theatre from Thursday 8th to Saturday 10th August. Evening performances at 7pm, with an additional matinee at 2pm on Saturday 10th.
Book your tickets now for a trip back in time full of nostalgic music, song and dance! Tickets £12, concessions £11, under 16s £9. Frome Memorial Theatre box office is open Monday – Saturday 9.30 – 1pm. Call 01373 462795 or visit www.fmt.website
