Local playwright brings new show and talent to Frome
Local professional Director and Playwright, Anthony Clark, joins the new season of exciting live performance, drama, comedy, screenings and creative workshops pouring out of the Merlin Theatre in its busiest and most vibrant start-to-spring since before the pandemic wreaked its damage for a long couple of years.
With its first show of the year a complete all-ticket sell-out, the Merlin Theatre’s upbeat year is already underway, and staff are delighted that the venue has been included in the national touring programme of Anthony Clark’s newest show, SHE.
Anthony Clark’s career has seen him running, and writing for, many theatre companies including Contact Theatre in Manchester, Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Hampstead Theatre. As an award-winning freelance writer-director, his work has also taken him to the National Theatre and the RSC. With fond memories of visiting the Merlin as a schoolboy, Anthony decided to return to live in Frome, setting up his touring company, Theatre Accord, in 2016, here in the town, where he now brings SHE to the stage, at last!
As Anthony explains, “Having been forced, by Covid, to postpone the tour of SHE twice, it is great that the show is now happening in a number of theatres across the country, both opening and closing in London. Most exciting for me is that, as part of the tour, we are bringing it to Frome. With so much theatre experienced online these days, I want people to be reminded of the thrill of the live event.”
SHE is a collection of seven short plays, each written in a different style, that tell seven stories, each with an intriguing twist. Two brilliant, versatile actors, Chenise Lynette and Safeena Ladha play over fourteen different characters. SHE explores its subjects from the perspective of women in their mid to late twenties. Veering from high drama to absurd comedy, one story involves a baby, another going to school, a third falling in love, a fourth becoming politically aware, a fifth managing a career, a sixth deals with retirement and a seventh explores the joys and frustrations of old age, they are inspired by Jaques Seven Ages of Man speech, from Shakespeare’s As You Like It.
SHE has been directed by two talented young directors, Maddy Corner and Poppy Sutch, designed by the highly experienced Jessica Curtis with lighting by Ros Chase and Sound by Grace Clare. Running for 3 shows from 24th-25th February, it promises to be an extraordinary night in the theatre!
Full details of all performances can be found online at www.merlintheatre.co.uk
SHE is recommended for approx. age 14+. Tickets start at £13.
