Poet's county links seen on stage (From Stroud News and Journal)

Poet's county links seen on stage

A NEW play about the great American poet Robert Frost, written by a cousin of Laurie Lee, is to have its world premiere at The Everyman in Cheltenham this week.

Written by Paul Downey and performed by Stroud Theatre Company, Robert Frost in England is more of a rehearsed reading than a play, but it looks set to cast a new perspective on the profound effect that Frost's contact with the Dymock Poets and Gloucestershire had on his work, concentrating particularly on his friendship with Edward Thomas.

"Paul Downey has a theory that Frost was more heavily influenced by Thomas than is commonly supposed," said Stroud Theatre Company's Chris Garner.

"There are several moments in the play that should provide quite a talking point for academics."

"The friendship between Frost and Thomas was so strong that even when Frost returned to the county 40 years after Thomas' death he still couldn't bring himself to enter his friend's old cottage," said Paul Downey.

"I've always been amazed that no one has written about this fascinating relationship, and the effect it had on their work, before now."

It appears that Paul might also be destined for literary success like his cousin, as Robert Frost in England has sparked the interest of a film company. He is also writing a play about Laurie Lee in Spain which 'might be getting a rehearsed reading at this year's Stroud fFestival', according to Chris Garner.

Robert Frost in England plays at the Everyman's Other Space studio on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 February. An extra showing at 4pm on the Saturday has had to be added, because the other shows have sold out.