THE LAST MATRON – A play based on real events and discovered diaries in Frome.
The life and times of a once much-loved and perhaps long-forgotten Frome building will be celebrated at Rook Lane from January 31st to February 2. The play, “The Last Matron”, written by Dramakarma, in conjunction with Keyford Local History Group will feature characters of Frome both real and imagined.
The Keyford Home was set up in 1803 after a sum of money was left by the prosperous currier Richard Stevens. The legacy was intended to provide an education of poor girls in the town. He also left a sum of money to build a hospital for old men who could no longer take care of themselves. In 1803, a joint institution was opened. Over the years it became a safe place for many, including as an auxiliary hospital in WW1 for injured soldiers and then as somewhere for billeting evacuees in the WW2. Sadly, the beautiful building was demolished in 1957.
Each scene in the play features a short story providing a window to times past. A young girl, desperate to find herself and to explore the world, tries to throw off the shackles of the institution. Two soldiers meet there, form a bond and unveil a plan to escape to the Beehive pub. But WW1 and its headaches follow them. In the WW2, young evacuees get up to spot of mischief on the roof during a fire practice taking place nearby.
We meet an array of characters watched over by the protective figure of the Matron. Through 150 years, faces may change but the role remains the same, until the last day when the building waits for its sentence of demolition to be carried out. But there are many reasons to believe that the spirit it epitomises will live on. There is a strong theme of brother and sisterhood, loyalty and sacrifice, throughout. There are moments of comic relief in part provided by the lovely old men of the home and their love of a good story. An entertaining, fun and moving experience awaits.
Book your tickets today.
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31st January – 2nd February at Rook Lane Chapel (@rook_lane_chapel)