A summer of sensational theatre has been a mainstay of Frinton on Sea for almost a century.
In years gone by, many of our coastal resorts within the county would welcome special guest stars on their summer tours, as the biggest names in show business would follow the holiday crowds and head to the seaside to find the biggest audiences.
But there has always been something special about the theatrical offering at Frinton Summer Theatre.
Founded in 1934, Frinton Summer Theatre is the oldest surviving weekly Summer Repertory Theatre company in England. This means that during a summer season of six plays, each show runs for one week, creating an intensive and energetic whirlwind period of rehearsals, costume creation and set design.
This highly creative spirit has been an inspiration to some of the most famous names in British theatre and is one of the reasons that Frinton Summer Theatre is an unrivalled institution within the theatrical community, attracting some of the best talent from the West End to perform at either Frinton’s McGrigor Hall or in the Big Top Tent on the Greensward.
Actors such as Vanessa Redgrave, Jane Asher, Julian Fellowes and Lynda Bellingham were all involved in the Frinton Summer Theatre experience at key points in their careers. More recently, Christopher Buckley, who starred in Frinton’s recent productions of David Copperfield and Brighton Beach Memoirs, has been snapped up by Stephen Daldry to take a lead role in Stranger Things: The First Shadow in the West End.
In 2019, Sir Ian McKellen brought his one-man show Shakespeare, Tolkien, Others and You to Frinton Summer Theatre and last year Brian Cox, Hollywood A-lister and star of the smash hit TV series Succession, came to Frinton for An Evening With… event in which he was interviewed by his son, fellow actor Alan Cox in a special fund-raising evening.
Among the high-profile names performing last summer were BAFTA-nominated actress Greta Scacchi and star of stage and screen, Felicity Dean. Greta and Felicity faced off in their roles as Bette Davis and Joan Crawford in Anton Burge’s sizzling catfight of a play, Bette & Joan.
Producer and Artistic director, Clive Brill, explains: '2024 is set to be another smash hit year at Frinton Summer Theatre. Frinton has become known for delivering a red-hot cast list for all of our shows, so this really is a chance to be dazzled by the best talent from the West End in a unique and intimate setting. Not only can you head to the seaside rather than into the big city for great theatre, but we are also a fraction of the price of most of the London shows.
'Theatre-lovers visiting Frinton Summer Theatre can expect many more surprises. Casting announcements will be made in May, but there are certain to be high profile names taking up residence in Frinton during another packed season of repertory theatre. We will also hold at least one very special fund-raising evening this year, and will welcome the superb, Toby Jones, star of the recent phenomenon that was Mr Bates vs The Post Office. Visit our website for details.'
Headlining inside the Big Top Tent this summer is Irving Berlin’s Annie Get Your Gun. Tracking the story of Annie Oakley and her time in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West extravaganza, this wonderful musical will have the Greensward tent ringing with show-stopping greats such as There’s No Business Like Show Business and Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better).
Running from August 20 to September 1, Annie Get Your Gun is the climax to a sensational summer of theatre which also sees six plays performed in six weeks at Frinton’s McGrigor Hall.
Inspired by 2024 Olympic Fever, the season begins on July 5 with a unique stage adaptation of Chariots of Fire. Based on the classic story, portrayed so famously in the 1981 historical sports drama film directed by Hugh Hudson, Mike Bartlett’s stage adaptation will share in a new way the tale of two ambitious men who run and compete, not just to win, but to prove themselves to the world.
Next up is the UK premiere of Peter Quilter’s acclaimed comedy, Bestseller, which runs July 16-20. It asks the question - is there really a book in us all? And if so - should it ever see the light of day?
Frinton Summer Theatre favourite, Alan Cox (Professor Higgins in My Fair Lady), returns for the 2024 season to star in Terence Rattigan’s nail-biting psychological drama, The Winslow Boy, a classic play sure to raise the tension in the McGrigor Hall July 23-27.
Between July 30 and August 3 there is a double bill of entertainment! Constellations, The Olivier Award-winning West End hit by Nick Payne, partners up with Tim Whitnall’s The Sociable Plover: what could be more perfect for Frinton Summer Theatre than two men in a bird hide with a darkly comic secret?
Fanny’s Burning is a bittersweet portrait of the original TV chef Fanny Craddock and her eccentric last days at the BBC. Anton Burge’s play runs August 6-10 before the McGrigor Hall season concludes between August 13-17 with Noises Off, Michael Frayn’s award-winning comedy where everything goes wrong, front stage and back.
Clive adds: 'Frinton Summer Theatre is about community and giving people something special that they can be very proud of on their doorstep, but we also want to deliver the highest standards possible in our performances and production. This is what has helped Frinton Summer Theatre stand out as a true treasure of the Essex summer. Come and join us for some stand-out culture among the sandcastles!'
Find out more
All evening performances are at 7.30pm with matinee performances at 3pm. Tickets to the McGrigor Hall range from £20 to £27. For Annie Get Your Gun in the Big Top Tent, tickets cost from £40 to £45 with U16s half price (matinees only) and Blue Light card discounts available.
frintonsummertheatre.org
