About Us

Built in 1974, The Merlin Theatre a registered charity, is run by a small number of professional staff and a dedicated army of volunteers. It has a 240-seat auditorium with a smaller, outdoor, amphitheatre (ECOS) and is situated on the campus of Frome Community College.

We programme theatre, dance, comedy, live literature and music by professional and non-professional companies, show films and run regular classes and workshops and one-off, participatory projects.

The Merlin is a venue without pretension, where professional and non-professional artists, audiences and participants – new and established, feel at home. It is a venue where the quality of work is consistently high, where ticket prices are affordable and where performance and participation are valued equally.

Our purpose and beliefs
To provide the people of Frome and the surrounding area with excellent, memorable experiences in the performing arts.

We believe that opportunities to enjoy the arts, whether as a member of an audience or as a participant in a production, a workshop or class, can significantly increase the well-being and quality of life of individuals, of communities and of society as a whole.

CONTACTS

Box Office 01373 465949

Administration 01373 461360

CLAUDIA PEPLER – Artistic Director
claudia@merlintheatre.co.uk

Technical Department
merlintheatretech@gmail.com

Kaz Bold – Operations Coordinator
merlincoordinator@gmail.com

Marianne Haines – Box Office Manager
David Gatliffe – Volunteer Co-ordinator
merlintheatreoffice@gmail.com

Company Reg. No. 2726275
Registered office address;
Merlin Theatre
Bath Road
Frome
Somerset
BA11 2HG

Charity Reg. No. 1012630

ASSOCIATE ARTISTS & COMPANIES

We are proud to work with, partner, and offer support to several artists and companies with whom we have a close relationship.

Black Hound Productions – Original Theatre
www.blackhoundproductions.co.uk
Dramakarma – Taking part in drama because we love it
www.dramakarma.co.uk
Frome Drama Club – Drama Club
www.fromedrama.com
Mark Bruce Company – Production Company
www.markbrucecompany
Mark McGann – Actor / Acting Workshops
www.dramadirect.net
New Old Friends – Making people laugh since 2008
www.newoldfriends.co.uk
Noisy Oyster – International award-winning puppeteer, puppet maker, photographer and musician
www.noisyoyster.co.uk
Pip Utton – Actor
www.pip-utton.com
Sarah Godsill – Artist in Residence
www.eventsillustration.co.uk
Tri.art Theatre School & Dance Academy
Email: tri.arttheatreschool@gmail.com

We believe in collaboration and that – by working with audiences, participants, artists, arts companies and other arts venues, with Frome Community College, other local schools, our local authorities, business community, voluntary groups, media and with our funders and supporters – we will achieve much more than we could without them.