Frank Dudley, veteran thespian, inveterate dreamer and would be national treasure, sits in his dressing room, about to go on stage for the premiére of his very first one-man show, Shakespeare and Me. He’s determined to revive his not-so-glittering career. But will this be his big break at last, or will he lose his way among his memories? Will his ambition to play Richard II be realised? Can he show Sir Ian McKellen that he’s not the only ageing thesp who can play Hamlet at 80. Or is this indeed Frank’s swan song?

Frankly Speaking offers a poignant glimpse into Frank’s career, one littered with bit parts, a disastrous season in panto and an intimate knowledge of theatre digs throughout the land.

Writer and actor Mike Casey is making his seventh visit to Barnstaple. He is based in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire. He taught drama at Bretton Hall College for thirty happy years, specialising in Shakespeare and Commedia dell’Arte. As a founder member of Plain Quakers Theatre, frequent visitors to Barnstaple TheatreFest, where he played Morris in The Chocolate Paradox, and Willy Sykes in For Conscience Sake. He is a founder member of SRM Theatre, and has performed his own writing at Leeds Pub -Theatre, The Writing Shed, Doncaster and Step Forward events at The Watershed Arts Centre in Slaithwaite, near Huddersfield.

SRM Theatre brings original, witty and thought-provoking performances into community spaces. Created and performed by experienced theatre-makers with stories to tell and insights to share, our work is entertaining, moving and always relatable. We prove that creativity doesn’t fade with age — it gets sharper.

Reviews of Frankly Speaking

“Delicate, tender and beautifully delivered”

“An intimate and touching performnce”

“A charming, wonderful performance, yet again”

“A moving performance, beautifully judged. I loved it”