PIONEERING VILLAGE THEATRE COMPANY IS ONE OF THE FIRST TO PRESENT A LIVE SHOW AFTER LOCKDOWN

Mansell McTaggart Estate Agents, presents: The Frow Show

Time is nearly up on lockdown and staying in is no longer the new going out! We’ve missed going out and meeting people; socialising as opposed to socially distancing; dressing up instead of masking up, but now the Frow Show is back to help everyone remember how to laugh, giggle, chuckle, snigger and enjoy some comedy relief!

Mike Sengelow, the Frow Show’s director and co-producer, said: “During lockdown, we’ve missed performing as much as people have missed going to live performances, so we’re really excited about this show. We think that people have been craving the chance to share some much-needed laughter together and we believe that this may even be one of the first live theatre shows in the country to take place after the lifting of the third lot of lockdown restrictions. It is really remarkable that a small village hall production could possibly open up even before London’s West End.” 

The Frow Show, sponsored by Mansell McTaggart Estate Agents, is inspired by life in the whacky village of Forest Row in Sussex – a picturesque, sleepy village in the cradle of the Ashdown Forest, where the deer and the unicorns play! It is set to be one of the funniest shows yet, aiming to bring lightness after the dark times of the past year. 

The side-splitting sketch comedy show is set in the weird and wonderful village of Forest Row and its surrounding areas. They say it takes a village to raise an idiot and one such idiot in this unique and incredibly hilarious show is the Community Warden, who is a mix of Robocop and Judge Dredd! 

Mike Sengelow explained: “The Community Warden is a well-loved poke at a real-life character who lives in the village and wears a hi-viz vest, a bike helmet, wields a pruning saw and holds no authority whatsoever!”

Aimed to wash away those lockdown blues, the uproarious and entertaining show has biting sketches, sensational musical numbers with a whole treasure of original songs and sketches presented socially-distanced and cabaret-style at the Freshfield Hall in Forest Row, Sussex.

Co-producer and writer, James McCabe said: “Sketch comedy shows are perfect for times when we need to relax and laugh – and when better to do this than after three lots of lockdown? They’re also a great way for actors and comedians to demonstrate their wide range of abilities especially as many different characters are played by just a few people – what talent!”

The one hour Frow Show has a cast of  eight professional actors (four male and four female), a four-piece band playing guitar, bass, keyboard/accordion and percussion, and will look at the state of the current world through the lens of a unique English village. Stop the Madness is a very apt strap-line for the comedy show that closes with a parody of the song Baggy Trousers originally performed by the 80s group, Madness. Two songs from Cabaret and Rocky Horror open the show with more foot-tapping musical interludes during the sketches to give the audience a respite from the riotous, gut-busting, fast-moving send-up comedy.

Have no fear – there will be wine and beer! But no queues or crush at the bar, as drinks, including soft drinks, will be served to your table. And all the tables will be strategically and safely positioned around the central stage aka cabaret style.

What’s not to like? An evening of hilarious entertainment by a professional cast in a safe environment with liquid refreshment served to your table! 

The Frow Show is being performed live in Freshfield Hall, Forest Row over two weekends but, if you can’t or prefer not to leave home, you can watch the final night of this year’s show on your own TV, as the final performance will be broadcast LIVE on Saturday 29th May on a pay-per-view basis. The audience watching from home will even be able to contribute to the show with text messages and clips. So you can stay home, enjoy the live recording of the show and participate anyway!

Performances in Freshfield Hall, Lewes Road, Forest Row RH18 5ES start at 7.30pm on Thursday 20th May – Saturday 22nd May and on Thursday 27th May – Saturday 29th May. The LIVE BROADCAST will be on the final night of Saturday 29th May. 

Tickets cost £18 from the Frow Show Facebook page: www.facebook.com/thefrowshow. For more information, email: [email protected]. 

*image shows The Frow Show creators Mike Sengelow & James McCabe. 

Background info on Director: Mike Sengelow:

Mike Sengelow is a New Zealand born writer and actor, known for The Crown (2016), Wonder Woman 1984 (2020), , and Skitz (sketch comedy TV show, 1993-1998).

Background info on Co-producer/Head writer: James McCabe:

James McCabe has 20 years’ experience as an advertising creative in London. He has also worked in arts promotion and was the European Correspondent for Radio Live NZ for two years. He has also scripted several plays and short films.

Background info on Musical Director: Paul Wheeler:

Paul Wheeler is a singer, songwriter and guitarist. Paul is best known as Director of hit TV shows Have I Got News for You and Live at the Apollo. He is a BAFTA nominee and a British Comedy Award winner.