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Portraying Frank

8/12/2014

Comments

 
by Terry Skinner (Guest Blogger)
Picture
In 1978 when I saw “Saturday Night Fever” for the first time I was the same age as John Travolta’s Character, “Tony Manero”. I was never a “Tony” but I could certainly identify with some of his wannabe mates. In 1976 I had started Jazz dance classes with Jennifer Bowman, a former Bluebelle dancer, and with her dance troupe performed in a number of clubs and pubs around Brisbane. I remember my own father, a Wharfie, being rather perplexed at the sight of my mate, Richard, and I emerging from my bedroom covered in sweat having danced up storm. So in portraying Frank, Tony’s father, I have a few character threads to draw on. 

Frank Manero is an unemployed construction worker in 1970’s Brooklyn New York. The oil price shock in the early 1970s had plunged the western world into recession and construction work was scarce. At that time, the New York construction industry was largely controlled by the Mafia. As an Italian American, Frank would most certainly have known the local “Wise Guys”. He has always considered himself the “Don” of his own household, and ruled his domain with an iron fist, but his authority begins to wane as his unemployment drags on. As a young man, Frank was a smooth mover in the Dance Halls himself and, like Tony, was very cocky as he courted Flo. He now wallows in “Beige” middle age and resents Tony’s youthful vitality. It is not that important to Frank that his family love him, but they do have to respect him. 

Saturday Night Fever, beyond the fabulous dance scenes and dynamic, disco soundtrack is a story of a young man searching for his place in the world and a chance for success. Frank’s life is the antithesis of this as he faces failure and struggles to maintain a grip on HIS small place in the world. It has been fascinating exploring Frank’s embittered character. So from March 19th 2015, I look forward to introducing you to Frank and his dysfunctional family. See you then!
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  • Home
  • What's On
    • Auditions - The Wizard of Oz
  • About
    • Sponsors
    • Venues
    • Contact
    • History/Committee
    • Roar Academy
    • Membership
    • Community Giving
    • Code of Conduct
    • Privacy Policy
  • History
    • 2024 >
      • Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
    • 2023 >
      • The Sound of Music
      • Another Night of the Poms
      • Broadway by the Beach
      • Cosi
      • Night of the Poms
      • Turn up Your Radio 2023
    • 2022 >
      • Mixed up Movies
      • Oliver!
      • Turn up Your Radio 2022
      • Beatles Unplugged
      • Priscilla
    • 2021 >
      • Into the Woods
      • All Together Now
      • Sudden Death at Thornbury Manor
      • School of Rock
      • Jersey Boys
      • Next to Normal
      • Mamma Mia!
    • 2020 >
      • Lord of the Flies
      • Captain Moonlite
      • Minefields and Miniskirts
      • Break Free
      • Sudden Death at Thornbury Manor
      • TIMELESS
      • Home for Christmas
      • Turn up Your Radio 2020
    • 2019 >
      • 2019 Showcase
      • Nunsense
      • Born in the USA
      • Chicago High School Edition
      • Pride and Prejudice
      • Unforgettable
      • We Will Rock You
      • Downtown
      • Turn up Your Radio 2019
    • 2018 >
      • Rent
      • We Will Rock You
      • Soultown
      • Heathers
      • Downtown
      • The Proposal
      • Turn up Your Radio 2018
      • Charlotte's Web
    • 2017 >
      • Addams Family
      • Murder on Record
      • RMT Will Rock You
      • Agnes of God
      • Once Upon a Serial Killer
      • Rokky Horror Tribute Show
      • Back to the 80's
      • Turn up Your Radio
    • 2016 >
      • Naughty Night of the Poms
      • Wicked
      • Beauty and the Beast
      • Mary Poppins
    • 2015 >
      • Born in the USA
      • Music of the Night
      • Grease (Youth)
      • Saturday Night Fever
      • Music of the Night
      • Love, Loss and Luxury
      • Turn Up Your Radio
    • 2014 >
      • The Wizard of Oz
      • JC Superstar
    • 2013 >
      • Phantom of the Opera
      • Little Shop of Horrors
      • A Night of the Poms
    • 2012 >
      • Grease
      • The Pirates of Penzance
      • Singing in the Rain
    • 2011 >
      • Oliver!
      • Joseph and the TD
    • 2010 >
      • The Sound of Music