“ALL life is here,” as the saying goes, and probably nowhere is this more true than in a weekly art class, the setting for a new play by two Dorset writers, which gets its premiere with Dorchester Drama at Dorchester Arts on 1st to 3rd May.
Life Class, by local writers Vince Jones and James Cuthill, is a thought-provoking comedy drama which explores the ways friendships grow, confidences are shared and lives are changed, often unexpectedly.
As the title suggests, it is set in an art group run by artist Julien Valentine who has left London and moved to a small Dorset village. His students – Veronica, Christina, Frankie and Mabel – are ostensibly there to draw and paint, but over time they find their lives expanding as their artistic talent grows.
Vince says: “I joined a local art group and was fascinated watching all the interactions and different characters, so I contacted James and said ‘I have an idea for a play’.
“People don’t just paint, they chat and tell their stories. All life is there and it’s ready-made for a story.”
Life Class is not the first collaboration for James and Vince – their plays Tipping Point and This Christmas have already been staged at Dorchester Arts, and this production is a fund-raiser for the venue.
All the cast are well-known local performers; the role of tutor Julien is played by Rod Lewis, and his four students are Lynn Cockerill, Laura Jane Parsons, Barbara Proctor and Dee Thorne.
James says: “They are a strong cast and strongly experienced, so it’s been a joy to bring the play to life. The play isn’t all comedy, there are poignant moments and serious events in all their lives, and there isn’t a neat ending with everything tied up.”
“Some things are left unresolved,” says Since. “I like that because it gives our audiences something to think about as they head home. I hope they leave wondering what the characters did next, and where their lives took them.”
Life Class is at the Corn Exchange on Friday 1st, Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd, at 7.30pm with a 2.30 Sunday matinee. Tickets from dorchesterarts.org.uk or 01305 266926.
Pictured are two rehearsal scenes.