Three of the British theatre’s most respected actors will be appearing in this year’s Frome Festival.
Sara Kestelman has been seen in recent years in many TV dramas including ‘Holby City’, ‘Casualty’, and ‘Midsomer Murders’, but is well known in the theatre business as a superb classical actor having appeared in major roles for both the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. For the RSC she rose to the leading role of Lady Macbeth, and appeared as Gertrude in a major production of ‘Hamlet in Boston’.
Sara’s distinctive voice has been heard as Kreia in ‘Star Wars Knights of the Republic II’, and will be put to good use in a wonderful performance called ‘The Trouble with Women is Men’ at the Merlin Theatre in Frome on Sunday 5th July. This revue style show is written, compiled, and co-stars BAFTA nominated poet and performer Leo Aylen.
Michael Pennington also has a Star Wars credit to his name, having appeared in ‘Return of the Jedi’. Like Sara Kestelman, he is perhaps better known for his lengthy CV as a stage actor which also includes leading parts with the RSC, notably ‘Hamlet’. He was also a founder member and director of the English Shakespeare Company.
Michael’s solo performance brings down the curtain on the Frome Festival on Sunday 12th July at the Merlin Theatre. He will be reading from his hilarious autobiography ‘Let Me Play the Lion Too: How to be an Actor’. Michael is currently co-starring at the Theatre Royal Bath in ‘She Stoops to Conquer’.
Another Royal Shakespeare connection occurs with appearance of Jeremy Burnham at Cooper Hall on Sunday 12th July with his afternoon performance of ‘A Shropshire Lad’, featuring the life and poetry of AE Houseman.
Jeremy appeared in some eminent RSC performances including Sir John Gielgud’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ and George Devine’s presentation of ‘King Lear’. He then went on to act in a host of hugely successful TV series such as ‘The Avengers’, ‘Dangerman’ and ‘The Saint’ with Roger Moore. Jeremy scripted episodes of the above series as well as ‘Minder’ and ‘Inspector Morse’, becoming equally well known for his writing as his acting.
Audiences can catch ‘A Shropshire Lad’ from 4.30 until 7.00pm, before making the short distance from Cooper Hall to the Merlin to see Michael Pennington. Tickets for both shows are available from the Cheese and Grain box office or either venue. See www.fromefestival.co.uk for further information.
