The Poor Man's Friend: A Play For Bridport

Bridport Arts Centre

A celebratory evening exploring the extraordinary play that galvanised our community over 40 years ago.

In 1981 Bridport created one of the most thrilling pieces of theatre to appear anywhere in the UK that year. The Poor Man’s Friend was an epic community play produced by Ann Jellicoe’s Conway Theatre Trust and brought together hundreds of people from across West Dorset – on stage, backstage or contributing in numerous other ways.

Written by Howard Barker and with music by Andrew Dickson, the play was rooted in the town’s history. It told the story of a local teenage boy who was hanged – by Bridport rope – for setting fire to a field of flax.

Our evening will start with a screening of the BBC Arena documentary that charted the production’s development through to performance. It will be followed by a discussion with members of the original production, chaired by BAC director, Claire Tudge.

We will also consider, what next? What might a community production of the 2020s look like? And how could it be made to happen?

Arena: A Play for Bridport
UK 1982. Director David Wheatley. 57 mins
With thanks to the BFI National TV Archive

Saturday 04 October at 7.30pm

Ticket Prices from £6.00 to £9.00

Tickets available from Bridport Tourist Information Centre, Bridport Town Hall, South Street DT6 3LF. Tel: 01308 424901 or www.bridport-arts.com