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Front

  • Robert Caisley
  • Full Length Play, Drama, 1940s / WWII
  • 5M, 13F
  • ISBN: 9780573700255

Set in England during the Blitz, a number of struggling individuals and families come to terms with war and the horrors and tragedies it provides.

More information

Description

  • Full Length Play
  • Drama
  • 120 minutes

  • Time Period: 1940s / WWII
  • Target Audience: Appropriate for all audiences
  • Set Requirements: Bare Stage/Simple Set

  • Performance Group:
  • Large Stage, Community Theatre, High School/Secondary, Professional Theatre, Shoestring Budget, Reader's Theatre, College Theatre / Student

  • Accolades:
  • Winner! 1996 Kennedy Center/Fourth Freedom Forum Playwriting Award
Set in England during the Blitz, a number of struggling individuals and families come to terms with war and the horrors and tragedies it provides. This includes Judith, a proud matriarch, who works in a factory that makes bomb detonators, her missing husband, Frank, and their two children, Sheila and John, who are forced to grow up much too quickly. A number of other war-torn individuals are also profiled, each butting heads with the raging war.

A poignant account of female perseverance, Front is appropriate for all audiences.
REVIEWS:

"As a dramatic evening of theater, Front by Robert Caisley proved to be a huge success with out HS cast and our audience. Set during the London blitz, and focusing mainly on the women left behind during WWII, the play provides wonderful opportunities for character development. Moving, without being sentimental, the play explores the horrors, ambivalence, confusion and humor that people face when confronted with war on their own turf. We doubled roles out of necessity, so actors portrayed multiple characters; and students researched the time period thoroughly. Perhaps one of the best "characters" in our production was the incredibly realistic set we built. The irony of trying to continue a daily routine amidst total chaos and rubble helped make the production a visual stunner. I highly recommend this play to all HS theater departments."

Laura Hicks, Theater Department, Poughkeepsie Day School

"I think it is a great piece for high school, colleges, community theaters in that it gives opportunities for female actors. It explores a part of World War II that we don't often see portrayed."

April Olt, Grandview HS

"The shoe was fantastic... my family members, colleagues and students were moved to tears (especially with the 'Interviews with the Dead' scene, but also the final monologues of Joan and Judith.)"

Doug Grove, Lower Dauphin School District

Premiere Production:

Front premiered at Illinois Wesleyan University School of Theatre in April of 1995. The production was directed by Lori Adams. Front in its current version was produced by the University of Idaho Department of Theatre in October of 2002. It was directed by the author.

Characters

  • Casting: 5M, 13F
  • Casting Attributes: Reduced casting (Doubling Possible)
  • Casting Notes: Originally written for a cast of 7F and 4M, with doubling detailed in the script; however, the play can and should be cast in a variety of ways, to meet the needs of any production. Cross-gender casting is also possible. The roles of J.C. Smut, Photographer, and Mr. Kyme were originally played by a woman.

  • JUDITH GENTLY
    FRANK - her husband
    ANGIE - her teenage daughter
    TOM - her young son
    SIR CHARLES - an M.P., can be played by actor playing Mr. Briggs
    LUCY - his wife
    OWEN - his son, can be played by actor playing Brian
    NELLY - his daughter
    JOAN JUSTICE
    BRIAN - her son
    J.C. SMUTS - an ARP Controller
    MR. MANN - a local warden, can be played by actor playing Tom
    MRS. HILYARD - an older woman, can be played by actor playing Lucy
    MRS. BRIGGS
    MR. BRIGGS - her husband
    ALISTER - her son, can be played by actor playing Brian
    FRAKKER - a weapons manufacturer, can be played by actor playing Frank
    FOREMAN - his employee
    A PHOTOGRAPHER - can be played by actor playing J.C. Smuts
    MIRA - a young girl, can be played by the actor playing Nelly
    MR. KYME - a schoolmaster, can be played by actor playing J.C. Smuts
    SHEILA - can be played by actor playing Mrs. Briggs
    BELA - can be played by actor playing Lucy
    VIV - can be played by actor playing Nelly
    A BODY - can be played by actor playing Angie
    A MOTHER - can be played by actor playing Angie
    A YOUNG WOMAN - can be played by actor playing Mrs. Briggs
    A SISTER - can be played by actor playing Lucy
    AN OLD WOMAN - can be played by actor playing Lucy
    SCHOOLCHILD - can be played by actor playing Lucy
    AUSTRALIAN SOLDIER - can be played by actor playing Tom
    A MAN - can be played by actor playing Tom
    A STUDENT - can be played by actor playing Joan Justice
    ANGIE'S SOLDIER - can be played by actor playing Brian
    BELA'S SOLDIER - can be played by actor playing Mr. Briggs
    GERMAN PILOT - can be played by actor playing Brian
    BUS DRIVER - can be played by actor playing Brian

    • Available Material

    Name Price
    Front Script Order Now

    Set in England during the Blitz, a number of struggling individuals and families come to terms with war and the horrors and tragedies it provides. This includes Judith, a proud matriarch, who works in a factory that makes bomb detonators, her missing husband, Frank, and their two children, Sheila and John, who are forced to grow up much too quickly. A number of other war-torn individuals are also profiled, each butting heads with the raging war.A poignant account of female perseverance, Front is appropriate for all audiences.

    		$24.95

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