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A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE
Full-Length Play, Drama / 13w, 5m
Robert Caisley
Winner! 1996 Kennedy Center/Fourth Freedom Forum Playwriting Award
In England during the Blitz, a number of struggling individuals and families come to terms with the horrors and tragedies of war.
In England during the Blitz, a number of struggling individuals and families come to terms with the horrors and tragedies of war. Judith, a proud matriarch, works in a factory that makes bomb detonators. Her husband, Frank, is missing, and their two children, Sheila and John, 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.
Front premiered at Illinois Wesleyan University School of Theatre in April 1995. The production was directed by Lori Adams. The current version of Front premiered at the University of Idaho in October 2002, in a UI Department of Theatre production directed by the author.
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 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 Nelly
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
Originally written for a cast of 7 women and 4 men, 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. Smuts, Photographer and Mr. Kyme were originally played by a woman.
Various locations in and around London. Autumn 1940.
“A great piece for high school, colleges, community theaters… it explores a part of World War II that we don’t often see portrayed.” – April Olt, Grandview High School
“As a dramatic evening of theater, Front by Robert Caisley proved to be a huge success with our 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 that 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 High School
“The show 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
Robert Caisley’s plays have been performed across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom and translated into Italian, French, Estonian, Spanish and Czech. He is a recipient of a 2015-16 Fellowship in the Performing Arts from the Idaho Commission on the Arts and the ...