STROUD 1826 is a play written and directed by Stroud theatre maker Anne Frost for Stroud’s Bicentenary.
Frost grew up in Stroud before moving to Newcastle to become a Home Science teacher.
After three years of teaching, she decided to pursue the theatre, working in Theatre-In-Education, primarily with Freewheels Theatre.
Later she established her own company.
“My husband and I and our two children travelled around Australia for a year, taking productions to schools and communities,” Frost said.
“We had a great time.”
Frost was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours for her services to the performing arts, along with several City of Newcastle Drama Association (CONDA) Awards.
Stroud 1826 brings to life the story of Robert Dawson, the Australian Agricultural Company’s first chief agent for NSW, and his interactions of Dawson and the company with the local Worimi people.
“Dawson was an absolutely incredible person,” Frost told News Of The Area.
“He was very knowledgeable about agriculture in England. But, of course, at that time nobody was knowledgeable about Australian agriculture.
“He made some mistakes when he arrived, but ultimately achieved a lot.”
Frost conducted extensive research for the production, with support from Stroud historian Jonathon King and Geoff Dawson, a descendant of Robert Dawson.
Birrpai Goori researcher, educator, and author, Dr John Heath helped Frost navigate the Worimi story.
A multimedia production, the play features live and recorded elements, and professional and amateur actors.
“We were lucky that one of the performers, Tim Anderson, is a videographer,” she said.
“We also received help from Evis Heath, who captured beautiful drone footage.”
As she spoke with News Of The Area, Frost was sewing costumes.
“As a theatre-maker in a small town, you have to be able to multitask,” she laughed.
Stroud 1826 will be performed at the Stroud School of Arts on Saturday 21 and Sunday, 22 November during the Stroud 200 bicentennial celebrations.
The production was supported by Festivals Australia and MidCoast Council.
For more information, see https://stroudhistoricalsociety.com/stroud-200/.
By Wendy BUSWELL
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