Use the form below to search for Frankland and Sons tickets on your desired date. Dates from 10 January 2012, Tue-Sat 19:30
Synopsis When Tom Frankland's aunt died in 2006, he and his father inherited several suitcases containing letters written by his grandparents across 25 years. They reveal the astonishing life and love of a couple living through two world wars and a recession. Created and performed by Tom and his dad, ?Frankland & Sons' maps a true story of fathers and sons onto the events of the 20th century. Both playful and moving, it's a heartwarming tale of love won, love lost, and wholly inappropriate girlfriends. Running time: 90mins (inclu. interval)
There’s a striking resemblance in the younger man to the elder standing next to him. As father and son one would expect this, but surprisingly it’s quite a jolt; a visceral reminder of the depth of the relationship between these two performers. It’s a powerful initial impression for Frankland and Sons, a sketchy personal biography about parents, siblings and hidden truths.
When John was left a box of his parent’s correspondence, he asked Tom to help him muddle through these letters of love and practicality. Out of this exploration a show was born. “It’s either marriage or the Bank of England” is a typical quote thrown out in this softly humorous look at relationships and times gone by, ending up in a life changing revelation for John.
The affection for their subjects is palpable in Frankland and Sons and though the secret at its centre is vast, recriminations are admirably absent. Emotion is thick on stage however with John and Tom aiming to pull at the heart strings very deliberately and sometimes even physically (the set consisting of a timeline of red strings with balloon hearts indicating years skating above). Whilst they are deeply likeable a lot is asked of their audience that they haven’t quite won and the regular attempts to draw our own secrets out feel slightly forced.
There’s a determinedly bumbling feel to the music hall style of the piece. It’s a sweet if slightly shabby rendition and on the opening night it felt too fragile to truly fly. But given some breathing space I believe Frankland and Sons will relax into the tender and effecting sharing that it could so easily be.
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