Had our first encounter with Frome's amateur thespians this weekend - the Frome Drama Club has been staging Alan (sorry, Sir Alan) Ayckbourn's 'The Revengers' Tragedies' at the financially-challenged Merlin Theatre. And what a good job they did of it too. It's an unwieldy monster - two full length plays totalling around five hours that combine to make up the one narrative. Part 1 was cracking - the production really capturing Ayckbourn's signature bleak comedy. If part 2 sagged a bit in the middle, that was mostly Sir A's fault as he seemed to be merely treading dramatic water in preparation for the famous dénouement on Albert Bridge...
The Merlin has a fine auditorium - good sight lines, comfy seats and plenty of room for the long-legged - though the front of house is looking a bit tatty (perhaps hardly surprising, given that they are currently suffering serious grant deprivation). Still, there was a tasty (veggie) supper to be had between shows, the bar prices were reasonable, people were generally friendly and, all in all, it was a fine advert for Am Dram.
At the FDC revenge is, indeed, sweet.
http://www.fromedrama.com
http://www.merlintheatre.co.uk
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