The Frome Musical Theatre Company presents ‘Our House’

The Frome Musical Theatre Company is using its autumn production of Our House to launch its new Party Bookings campaign.

Over many years thousands of people have visited the Frome Memorial Theatre to watch Frome Musical Theatre Company (previously Frome Amateur Operatic Society) productions as part of a ‘party booking’.

The FMTC is trying to encourage more people to do that again as it re-launches its Party Bookings offer under the guidance of Steph Hoar. Therefore if anybody is interested in forming a group to come and see Our House, the Madness Musical, being performed from 2nd – 4th October 2014 at the Frome Memorial Theatre please contact Steph at steph.hoar@virgin.net and she will be delighted to help you with the arrangements.

The main advantage, in addition of course to enjoying a theatrical experience in the company of others, is that for parties of 10 or more there is a reduction in price per ticket of £1.

Our House is a musical with music and lyrics by Madness and a book by playwright Tim Firth. The show features songs from the ska/pop band Madness, and was named after one of their popular hit singles, ‘Our House’.

Premiering at The Cambridge Theatre in 2002, Our House was the winner of the 2003 Olivier award for Best New Musical and has since gone on to tour both nationally and internationally to great acclaim. Through the music of Madness, writer Tim Firth explores the themes of love, family values, growing up, responsibility and dealing with losing the people that shape us.

The story follows Camden lad Joe Casey who, on the night of his 16th birthday, makes a decision that will change his life. Trying to impress Sarah, the girl of his dreams, Joe Breaks into a building development overlooking his home on Casey Street. But things take a turn for the worse as the police turn up. Joe’s life splits into two; the Good Joe who stays and gives himself up and Bad Joe who flees and leaves Sarah to run from the police.

Our House follows the two paths that Joe’s life could take after that fateful night; one path means a criminal record and social exclusion, while the other will lose him the girl that he loves.

Over a period of seven years and two alternative lives Joe deals with the consequences of that night. Whilst one Joe fights to keep Sarah, the other is marrying her in a glitzy Vegas wedding and, ultimately, while Good Joe fights to save his house on Casey Street, Bad Joe is determined to demolish it with tragic consequences. All this is watched over by Joe’s deceased father, who pulls the two stories together.

Casting for the Frome premier has taken place and features a good mix of new and not so new faces as below:

Ben Hardy-Phillips – Joe Casey • Kevin Withers – Joe’s Dad • Tabitha Cox – Sarah • Teresa Bray – Kath Casey • Dan Bolton – Reecey • Will Hawkins – Emmo • Django Lewis Clark – Lewis • Emma Golay – Angie • Dora Bishop – Billie •Andrew Carpenter – Mr Pressman

The Frome Musical Theatre Company has also scored another ‘first’ with this production of Our House insomuch as it has secured a main sponsor for the entire production in McAllisters, and the group are very grateful to Jon Haines for his support and generosity.

McAllisters pride themselves in having mature knowledgeable staff which collectively has over 40 years of experience in estate agency. Market knowledge is of paramount importance and they feel that having been established in Frome for over 14 years, together with an office in Marble Arch London they are well placed to assist with any sale or purchase of residential or commercial property.

The combination of the Frome Musical Theatre Company and McAllisters will undoubtedly be a ‘winning one’.