The decorating job that led Martin Bax to Buckingham Palace

WHEN actor Martin Bax got a call from his old friend Annie Wigzell to help her decorate her new home in Somerset he came straight down to Frome. Annie had moved to Nunney, to be near her Son, who lived at Chantry, and she needed help to do the house up. Martin had a background as an electrical engineer so he was happy to help. Their friendship went back many years to when Annie, an actress and casting director, had spotted him and asked him to audition as "one of Olivier's boys at the Old Vic," before the National Theatre moved to its home on the South Bank.

Martin was born in Somerset , but he didn't know Frome. He fell in love with the town, with its historic buildings and its vibrant and diverse cultural life. In 1992, he made his home there and rapidly became involved in the artistic scene, most notably establishing Frome Festival. This is now one of the region's most diverse and successful events, celebrating the culture of Frome and the surrounding area, and bringing top national and international performers and artists to Somerset .

And last week his efforts were rewarded when he received the MBE from the Queen, "for services to Frome Festival and to the community in Frome." He was elected to Frome town and Mendip district council and became chairman of the regulatory board for Mendip. He represented the council on many outside organisations, and was for some years a trustee of both Frome's Memorial Theatre and the Merlin Theatre. He is a trustee of Rook Lane Arts Trust, continues to be director of Frome Festival, and is a member of the Frome Creative Network steering group.

He has raised thousands of pounds for charity, particularly by organising long-distance and Frome area walks. His council work involved him in the regeneration of Frome and the festival was born out of this programme. "We don't have a castle or a cathedral or other focal point, but we had all this talent," he said this week. "So I started the festival to flag up Frome because it is such a lovely setting."

Martin's acting career began at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where he was awarded the major scholarship in 1967. He did many seasons with the Royal Shakespeare Company, worked at regional theatres around the country, and was with the National Theatre first at the Old Vic under the Directorship of Sir Laurence Olivier, where he was in Equus among other productions, and at the Royal National Theatre on the South Bank under Peter Hall. During his time with the RSC he started The Other Place, one of the company's popular alternative spaces.  He has also toured with Compass Theatre, was in Zefferilli's film Jesus of Nazareth, had television roles in Poldark, Softly Softly, Minder and The Chief, and many more, and has worked with some of the world's leading directors, including Peter Brook, Trevor Nunn, and John Dexter.

Martin was accompanied by his mother Kay, who lives at Bradford-on-Avon, aunt Gloria, who has been his acting mentor throughout his career, and Annie Wigzell to the MBE ceremony at Buckingham Palace . They travelled up in a chauffeur-driven car, and had a "wonderful day."

Martin said: "It was perfectly organised. The Palace staff were all so friendly and helpful. The Queen asked me about the festival and how big it was. She seemed genuinely impressed at the number of things we do." After the ceremony the party had lunch at the Naval Club in Mayfair , where his aunt is a member. "It was just right to round off the day," he said.

Fanny Charles (Editor)
This article was first published in FosseWay Magazine on
15th December 2007.

Appearing by kind permission of the publisher FosseWay Magazine. We would like to extend our thanks.