In THIS month’s Frome Festival you can expect an amazing variety of events and one of them will be the consistently entertaining Frome Drama Club, with yet another fantastic play on offer.
For years now FDC has delivered such a variety of quality drama which has received rave reviews and they are confident that this year will be no exception.
For three nights at the Assembly Rooms (just behind the Memorial Theatre on Christchurch Street West) FDC will be performing a wonderful comedy entitled Heroes, translated by the brilliant Tom Stoppard from the French play by Gerald Sibleyras. It was winner of the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy in 2006, with a cast of John Hurt, Richard Griffiths and Ken Stott.
It is 1959 and Philippe, Gustave and Henri, three veterans of the First World War, dream of making their escape from the old soldiers’ home – if not to Indochina then at least as far as the poplar trees on the hill……! While it might be described as a gentle comedy, it is jam-packed with ‘laugh out loud’ moments. It has been favourably compared with “Last of the Summer Wine” and even the French writer described it as a very British play.
It is being directed by Simon Blacksell whose most recent success was FDC’s Pygmalion at the Merlin Theatre earlier this year. The producer is Michael Hoskinson who has been responsible for producing many of the club’s Festival entries over the years, including last year’s stunning play about Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen.
“This year’s play could not be more different except for the similarity of another excellent cast,” Michael reports. “What delights about this year’s play is not just the brilliant humour, but also the unexpected twists that take the audience by surprise. It is a joy to watch so we look forward to three great evenings”.
Performances at the Assembly Rooms are on 9th, 10th and 11th July. The show starts at 7.45pm and ends around 9.15pm. There will be a bar open before the show and afterwards. Tickets only £8 Frome Festival box office – so put it in your diaries right now!
