Frontier Theatre Productions Announces First Show

Frontier Theatre Productions' Artistic Director James Roose-Evans today announces the company's first show - a production of Marguerite Duras's The Lovers Of Viorne which runs from 3 - 21 May at The Theatre Room, Frontier's new 55 seat chamber theatre in their headquarters at 6 Frederick's Place. Roose-Evans directs Charlotte Cornwell as Claire with full casting to be announced shortly.

Frontier Theatre Productions is the brainchild of James Roose-Evans, founder of the Hampstead Theatre. It was set up with two main objectives: to make practical use of the best of a neglected generation of mature 60-plus actors and to ensure, through a rolling programme of workshops and masterclasses, that younger members of the profession can learn from the experience of their older colleagues.

How can an ordinary human being suddenly carry out an extraordinary and horrific murder, for no apparent purpose? This is the question addressed by Marguerite Duras in this intense and compelling drama, based on a true event that was the sensation of its day. When the text was published in Paris in 1967, ten thousand copies were run off and enthusiastic reviews followed stressing the depth of Duras' psychological analysis. It received its première in 1968 in Paris directed by Claude Regy and was first seen in the UK at the Royal Court in 1971 with Peggy Ashcroft as Claire.

James Roose-Evans said today, "I have passionately wanted to direct this challenging and deeply probing play for a long time, and now the chance has come. The play is a rich challenge to the craft of acting, with the many layers of emotion explored by Duras. I am particularly excited that it is the first production for Frontier, a new theatre company founded to create theatre for the Third Age. It is primarily committed to that period of life from 60 onwards which, in our youth-obsessed culture, is increasingly pushed onto the sidelines, but which is now a time of renewed vigour, of insight and wisdom."

Tickets on sale from midday on 15th March 2016 at www.frontiertheatreproductions.co.uk

Marguerite Duras was a French novelist, playwright, scriptwriter and filmmaker. She is perhaps best known for writing the 1959 film Hiroshima Mon Amour. Translations of her plays and books by Barbara Bray include Eden Cinema, India Song, The Malady of Death, The Sailor from Gibraltar, The Man Sitting In The Corridor, The Lover, The War, Blue Eyes Black Hair, Practicalities, Emily.L, Summer Rain, Yann Andrea Steiner. Her film credits as a director include Les Enfants, Il Dialogo di Roma, L'Homme atlantique, Agatha et les lectures illimitées, Aurélia Steiner, Le Navire Night, Césarée, Les Mains Négatives, Baxter Vera Baxter, Le Camion, Des journées entières dans les arbres, Son nom de Venise dans Calcutta désert, India Song, La Femme du Gange, Nathalie Granger, Jaune le soleil, Détruire, dit-elle and La Musica.

Charlotte Cornwell plays Claire. Theatre credits include Noises Off (Bolton Octagon Theatre), Between Us (Arcola Theatre) Hamlet and Alls Well That Ends Well (RSC) The History Boys (Center Theatre Group LA), Dolly West's Kitchen (Theaterworks US), A Little Night Music (Theatreworks/Post St Theatre), Masterclass (US Tour), Helpless (Donmar Warehouse), Disposing Of The Body (Hampstead Theatre), Enemy Of The People (National Theatre & US Tour), Lady In The Dark (National Theatre), A View From The Bridge (Aldwych Theatre). Her TV credits include: Toast of London, New Tricks, Family Tree, Le Grand, The Mentalist, The Practice, Family Affair, The West Wing, Gideon's Crossing, The Agency, Care, Dressing For Breakfast, The Governor, A Touch Of Frost, Lovejoy, Love Hurts, A Masculine Ending, The Men's Room, The House Of Elliot, Capital City, Shalom Salaam, No Excuses, Three Of A Kind, Bognor. For film, her credits include Couples Retreat, Judge Koan, The Saint, Ghosts of Mars, The Russia House, The Krays, White Hunter Black Heart, and Stardust.

James Roose-Evans founded the Hampstead Theatre in London, and in Wales he founded the Bleddfa Centre for the Creative Spirit. His West End directing credits include Private Lives, his own adaptation of Laurie Lee's Cider with Rosie, Spitting Image, Under Milk Wood, An Ideal Husband and A Personal Affair. He also adapted and directed both the West End and Broadway productions of Helene Hanff's 84 Charing Cross Road, winning awards on both sides of the Atlantic for Best Director and Best Play. He directed Sir John Gielgud in his final performance in the West End in Hugh Whitemore's The Best of Friends, and then directed the equally legendary Edwige Feuillere in the French production in Paris. He is the author of some 17 books, including his memoir, Opening Doors and Windows, and he wrote for Maureen Lipman the entertainment Re:Joyce! In January 2015, he directed Janie Dee and Clive Francis in 84 Charing Cross Road at Salisbury Playhouse.