FRONT ROW THEATRE NEWS
After premiering Bothwell, Prisoner of Malmö last year, we have just completed a summer series of performances at Glimmingehus! Many thanks to all who came to watch us in that fantastic location.
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We have a completely new script based on another classic. This time we'll be delving into the morbid mind of Robert Louis Stevenson. We'll be looking to initially put it on in the spring with a view to touring in autumn 2024.
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While theatre has been our primary focus, it is time for Front Row Theatre to branch out. We will be making a short film, from an original script. Already, a lot of preparation has gone into this project, and we are quite excited about adding further production strings to our bow! Funding projects of this nature requires a lot of patience, but we hope to be filming early next year. We do already have support from FilmCentrum Syd!
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After three years of promoting Christmas Carol, being stymied by global pandemics in our first year and then touring in the last two, we have decided to head further afield. The 2023 incarnation is looking to really go on the road. We will be announcing dates in time for the autumn.
Book a performance by writing to us on info@frontrowtheatre.se
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FRONT ROW THEATRE PRODUCTION ARCHIVE
FRONT ROW THEATRE CONTINUES TO PRODUCE. WE STARTED WITH "THE BOOR"; WE HAVE PRODUCED SEVERAL FINE RUNS OF "A CHRISTMAS CAROL"; PUSHED THE ENVELOPE WITH "IPHIGENIA AT OLYMPUS"; AND WE HAVE NOW PRODUCED "BOTHWELL, PRISONER OF MALMÖ", ALL THE WAY FROM CONCEPT TO STAGE!
FROM CONCEPT TO STAGE
Wheras traditionally Front Row has used established text to present or adapt, this was a departure from our normal routine. Inspired by the most famous prisoner from Malmöhus Castle this was a play written specifically for Front Row Theatre. It was important to preserve the historical record while at the same time creating relatable characters and cohesive plot. In Bothwell, Prisoner of Malmö, we feel as though we achieved that, and seeing our words take physical form was a treat!
THE PLOT
1569. A cell in Malmöhus. Its occupant is James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell. With the aid of Ylva, the jailer's daughter, Bothwell tells the story of his life, his love of Scotland and of Mary Queen of Scots. It is a tale of power, intrigue and avarice
Front Row Theatreis proud to present new writing and a world premier run this August!
On Stage:
James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell - Fraser James MacLeod
Ylva, Jailor's Daughter - Rebecca Tenor
Back Stage:
Direction - Richard Pates
Technician - Oskar Alm
Costume Design - Fredrika Lillius
Hair and Make-up Design - Victoria Klingenstierna
Stage Manager - Jared Middle Calf
Script:
Torquil MacLeod, Susan MacLeod, Fraser James MacLeod
BOTHWELLPRISONER OF MALMÖ
2023
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
2021 & 2022
ABOUT THIS NEW ADAPTATION OF DICKENS' CLASSIC
Due to the loss of his source reading material, Charles Dickens takes the opportunity to dramatize his classic tale, A Christmas Carol. Dickens enacts the inspiring story of Ebenezer Scrooge's redemption with warmth and humour.
Front Row Theatre is proud to present its version of the timeless classic A Christmas Carol, in its original language. Our very own Fraser James MacLeod will be playing Dickens himself in which he plays every character imaginable: the tight-fisted misery that is Ebenezer Scrooge; the glorious Ghosts of the past, present and future; and of course, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim.
It is the perfect tale to be told on those dark winter nights just before Christmas. This story will enchant and delight people of all ages, as it has done for the last 178 years. Heart-warming, funny, thrilling, and not to be missed!
On Stage:
Dickens et al. - Fraser James MacLeod
Back Stage:
Adaptation - Mark Base, Fraser James MacLeod
Direction - Emma A. Gould
Technicians - Rasmus Wessman, Mark Base
Stage Management - Jared Middle Calf
IPHIGENIA AT OLYMPUS
2021
On Stage:
Teiresias - Richard Pates
Deus - Fraser James MacLeod
Iphigenia - Johanna Persson Hansson
Back Stage:
Direction - Fleur Brouwer
Production Design - Sera Cederberg
Hair and Make-up Design - Victoria Klingenstierna
Sound Designer - Fanny Johansson
Technician - Rasmus Wessman
Technician - Martin Rausér Porsback
Stage Manager - Mark Atkins
And Marc Veldhuizen on Marketing
And we also owe a huge thanks to Bloody Honey and Mattias Alheim for Trailer Production
ABOUT THIS
GREEK TRAGEDY
To win the Trojan War and to appease the gods of Olympus King Agamemnon sacrifices his first-born daughter: Iphigenia. Iphigenia at Olympus tells us the story of what happens to Iphigenia after she is sacrificed and called to Mount Olympus. She enters Deus’ palace and is convinced to trust him to go through three tests to become a goddess herself.
Iphigenia at Olympus also tells us the story of a loss of innocence. Iphigenia embodies us, humanity, and our willingness to trust men in power; always hoping and believing that they have the best in mind for us. Iphigenia will lead you through some of the darkest sides of humanity: deceit, revenge, anger, corruption, megalomania, sexual abuse and finally: murder.
Iphigenia at Olympus is a fast-paced tragedy confronting us with our own gullibility, our desire for power and the corruption that comes with gaining this.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
(Online)
2020
ABOUT THIS
VICTORIAN CLASSIC
Charles Dickens' 1867 Swedish Reading Tour is off to a rough start. Due to an inexplicable loss of his luggage, he regretfully announces that he will be unable to read from his beloved classic, A Christmas Carol. All is not lost however; Dickens delivers what he promised by performing from memory the magical story of Ebenezer Scrooge's journey from miserliness to redemption with warmth and humour. This one-man play is based on the condensed version Dickens himself used on his historic reading tours of the United States.
On Stage:
Dickens et al. - Fraser James MacLeod
Back Stage:
Direction - Emma A. Gould
Cinematography - Diego Monsiváis
Stage Management - Stephen Holmes
THE
BOOR
2019 & 2020
ABOUT THIS
CHEKHOV ONE-ACT PLAY
She was a sensitive widow, mourning her deceased husband and he was a bullish, brutish man who would disturb her sorrow… and all because of a little money!
Enjoy watching the sparks fly in this comic cat-and-mouse masterpiece by Russia’s foremost playwright. Challenging prejudice and stereotype, The Boor produces an illustration of timeless themes with potent intensity and humour in equal measure.
On Stage:
Lusha - Emma A. Gould (2019), Lesley Leichtweis Bernadi (2020)
Popova - Inna Syzonenko
Smirnov - Fraser James MacLeod
Front Row Theatre
Front Row Theatre, exists to bring high end performance art, in English, to southern Sweden, in both public and educational environments. We like to bring talented people together to create great theatre!
We understand the importance of a dynamic and visually intriguing performance. Use of the full depth and breadth of an acting area is central to our visual philosophy, creating visceral experience to compliment dialogue in a potentially second language setting.
Not afraid to challenge some of society’s norms, our plays have been characterised by reflections on status within the complex realms of class, gender and age. Power dynamics are often underlying themes in our work.
Cornerstones of our success is the belief that theatre should be accessible to everyone and a demand for high standards.
"I LOVE IT WHEN YOU GO TO SEE SOMETHING, AND YOU ENTER AS AN INDIVIDUAL, AND YOU LEAVE AS A GROUP. BECAUSE YOU'VE ALL BEEN BOUND TOGETHER BY THE SAME EXPERIENCE." - TOM HIDDLESTON
GALLERY ARCHIVE
- FOR INFORMATION ON OUR PLAYS CLICK HERE AND FOR INFORMATION ON STORYTELLING AND READINGS CLICK HERE
FRONT ROW THEATRE film
branching out...
Front Row Theatre Film
For the first few years of the company we have been concentrating on theatre productions, but 2023 sees us move into film production. Our first project is an original short story about petty jealousy and rivalry. We have support from Filmcentrum Syd and we are collaborating with Coyote Productions. It's an exciting time and we look forward to telling you more...
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
As well as offering high-end theatrical experiences to all sorts of venues around Skåne, our artistic director Fraser James MacLeod works with voice-over, film, television and modelling.
Recent outings have seen Fraser act in a one-man A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, new play Bothwell, written by himself, Iphigenia at Olympus by Ajius, and a role in Lasse Hallström's new film Hilma. He has directed Anton Chekhov's The Boor, Ira Levin's Deathtrap and Anthony Shaffer's Sleuth, as well as make star turns in The Pavilion by Craig Wright and Eric Bogosian's Suburbia, directed by Kasper Sejersen.
Fraser developed an interest in theatre early on in life, studying the theories of the art both at school and university as well as throwing himself into the emotionally challenging world of acting itself.
However, it wasn’t really until a reflective period post-thirty that Fraser truly started to develop himself as an all-round practitioner. A more relaxed attitude to acting, coupled with a little more life-experience, helped unlock more expressive and polished performances.
Rubbing shoulders with educated and experienced actors and directors began to have a lot of positive influence on Fraser and also helped him identify his own style. Fraser has since built Front Row Theatre, played leading roles on stage, experienced treading the boards at the Malmö Opera and increased his in front of camera portfolio both artistically and commercially. He is also a fully trained drama pedagogue and he has built experience as an acting coach.
Fraser James MacLeod
The Actor and Director
Front Row Theatre is very grateful for all the assistance from:
Credits:
Icon made by Freepik from www.flaticon.com
Photos: Elin Kurtsdotter, Tomas Lissåker (Smallfield Photo), Tolikus Productions, Fleur Brouwer, Paula Brante, Jared Middle Calf
Images: Pixabay, wikipeadia
info@frontrowtheatre.se
0704793069
And we're also extremely pleased to have cooperated with:
You might have seen us at:
- Malmö Latin Skola
- Pauli Skolan Malmö
- Skillinge Teater
- Spyken i Lund
- Ystad Gymnasium
- Österlens folkhögskolan
Copyright @ All Rights Reserved, Fraser MacLeod, 2019