Past Performances

Hilarious and touching, Rob Gee’s FRUITCAKE – Ten Commandments from the Psych Ward brings empathy and personal experience to extreme comedy in a unique performance which has been hailed as a tour-de-force across two continents.

FILMED THEATRE SCREENING

Hamlet’s father is dead and Denmark has crowned a new king. Consumed by grief Hamlet struggles to exact revenge with devastating consequences.

Selwood Academy presents the Somerset premiere of a new musical production of Jules Verne’s classic adventure, packed with dynamic songs, physical comedy and frantic against-the-clock action.

Pulizter Prize-winner Katherine Boo spent three years in Annawadi recording the lives of its residents. From her uncompromising book, David Hare has fashioned a tumultuous play on an epic scale.

Emily Brontë’s emotionally gripping Wuthering Heights is, without a doubt, one of the most tragic and infamous love stories ever told. This production will leave you covered in goosebumps and reaching for the nearest copy.

With original live music, high energy performances and a huge emotional world, Hammerpuzzle’s 60 minute adaptation of ‘King John’ captures the dynamic realism of this compelling tale whilst holding on to the heart of Shakespeare’s original text.

Love her or hate her, Margaret Thatcher was one of the central figures in 20th century British politics. It is a challenge for any actor to play her convincingly on stage but, having portrayed both Hitler and Churchill already in his one-man shows, Pip Utton is ‘up for it’.

Disney’s Frozen gets the full sing-a-long treatment! Featuring the award winning song ‘Let It Go’ this sing-along version of Disney’s family favourite, with lyrics on screen, is sure to be a hit with the kids this half term

Robert Louis Stevenson’s story of murder, money and mutiny is brought to life in a thrilling new stage adaptation by Bryony Lavery, broadcast live from the National Theatre.

This lively show for children 3 and up is full of fun, feathers, laughter and excitement, featuring original music and lots of audience participation! The friendly bus driver leaves us with one simple instruction: “Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus!” However, the pigeon is very clever and whines, bribes, pleads and even sings a song to get his own way… BUT WILL YOU LET HIM DRIVE???

This workshop aims to give you an insight into the creation of this exciting production, reflecting on Shakespeare’s original text and the history of John. Part practical, part discussion, it’s a great opportunity to work with a visiting theatre company.

Frome College Expressive Arts’ Faculty present Romeo and Juliet. Set in contemporary China, this production is an exciting updated version of Shakespeare’s classic play.

Miracle deftly combines its own inimitable style with the wonder of Victorian Music Hall to tell the story of one man’s obsession to discover the heart of Africa and transform an entire continent single-handed – AND of a woman left behind…

Yorke Dance Project presents Figure Ground a compelling 5* programme that brings together the work of three generations of choreographers. An evening of brilliant dancing that is rooted in tradition whilst blazing its way into the future

This highly acclaimed folk/bluegrass band have appeared live on BBC TV (Andrew Marr Show), on Radio 4 (Loose Ends) and have had praise in the Guardian and Independent. An exciting live act, around a single mic, they sell out arts centres across Europe.

Internationally renowned DV8 Physical Theatre bring their powerful new production to the National Theatre, fusing movement and spoken word to create a touching performance. Broadcast live at the Merlin Theatre.

Richard Armitage stars in Arthur Miller’s classic American drama, based on Salem’s infamous witch trials, brought vividly to life in this visceral new production by internationally acclaimed director Yaël Farber.

This ghostly tale of Past, Present and Future is brought to life in an exciting new musical adaptation by the award winning Merlin Theatre Company. Keeping true to the original text, it draws upon the themes of time, family and society’s ills in a tale to warm even the coldest of hearts.

We are very sorry but this show has been cancelled. We hope to reschedule in 2015.

UK Touring Theatre returns to the Merlin Theatre with the World Premiere of a brand new English translation of A Doll’s House; Henrik Ibsen’s groundbreaking play about marriage, money, and the freedom of women in the late 19thcentury.

The Merlin is delighted to welcome the UK’s largest youth drama festival to our stage

A fun-filled workshop which gives kids the chance to create their own crime fighting characters – FREE when you book your ticket to the show

Merlin favourite Pip Utton returns with his latest offering, featuring the talented dancer Marguerite Chaigne. Welcome to Casanova’s memories, his dreams, his conquests and his broken hearts, his triumphs and his defeats. And welcome to his seduction secrets…

National Theatre Live’s thrilling broadcast of Frankenstein returns to cinemas and theatres for a limited time, due to unprecedented audience demand. Tonight’s screening will star Benedict Cumberbatch as the creature.

Adapted from Anthony Horowitz’ novel of the same name, The Falcon’s Malteser follows hopelessly inept private detective Tim Diamond and his sharp witted brother Nick on an hilarious and thrilling case with comedy, songs, puppetry, slapstick and a whole lots of laughs. Family show for 8 yrs +

Our favourite workshop of the year is back, ready to thrill and chill this Halloween.

National Theatre Live’s thrilling broadcast of Frankenstein returns to cinemas and theatres for a limited time, due to unprecedented audience demand. Tonight’s screening will star Johnny Lee Miller as the creature.

The Merlin Theatre is proud to support local performer, Lottie Ball, who is raising funds for professional training at Laines. Enjoy entertainment from a talented cast of local performers as we help Lottie reach her target!

This classic fairytale now gets the Lyngo treatment so expect lots of surprises and beautiful images as Patrick Lynch (from Cbeebies) tells the gripping story of Jack who sells his cow for 5 magic beans and finds himself in the land above the clouds>

Two assassins. A dumb waiter. The order for steak and chips is strangely shocking. What happens if they can’t deliver? Claustrophobic, menacing and hilarious – classic Pinter. An internationally prize-winning company, Cross Cut’s work has been seen in Ireland, New York, Italy and around the UK.

A musical glimpse into the life of seventeen dancers auditioning for spots in a Broadway Musical. There is no glorifying or sensationalising. These dancers aren’t stars. This is the working class of Broadway performers; the chorus line.

“Brother my sponsor has pulled out on me and I want to stay in school. Can you help? Ronnie x”

A true story spanning 4000 miles and thousands of pounds invested. Exploring the murky processes behind bettering oneself in Uganda.

It took Michael Portillo little more than 10 years to get a seat in the Commons and then rise in power and esteem to a point where he was a favoured leader of his party and possible future PM. Tonight he will tell his extraordinary story and take questions from the audience afterwards.

Returning for the last time the Merlin Theatre where it all began, Sgt. Pepper’s Only Dartboard Band are here to remind us why they’re one of the most internationally respected and widely known Beatles act.

A one woman show telling the adventures of Annie Wilde through a musical drama that draws on class, privilege, hope and disappointment in war time England.

The fastest-selling production in the Young Vic’s history, Tennessee Williams’ timeless masterpiece A Streetcar Named Desire will be broadcast live from their London home by National Theatre Live. With Gillian Anderson as Blanche DuBois, Ben Foster as Stanley and Vanessa Kirby as Stella.

A mesmerising, soaring evocation of the Eternal City and its contemporary inhabitants.

“A shimmering coup de cinema to make your heart burst” Robbie Collin, Telegraph

Helen McCrory (The Last of the Haussmans) returns to the National Theatre to take the title role in Euripides’ powerful tragedy, in a new version by Ben Power, directed by Carrie Cracknell.

This year’s Tri.art Summer School is the award winning musical Oliver! Students from the Summer school work hard to pull together a full blown musical in a fortnight.

Award-winning, internationally-touring theatre company Illyria return to the Merlin to take on one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies. Expect a gripping story and the dazzling swordplay for which Illyria has an unmatched reputation.

Bill Nighy and Carey Mulligan feature in the highly anticipated production of David Hare’s Skylight, directed by Stephen Daldry and broadcast from the West End by National Theatre Live.

New York State of Mind is a new musical that takes place in New York in the 1920s. The prohibition has been announced to all states of America, banning the importation and consumption of alcohol, ending the life of the night scene. Or so it would seem….

We are sorry to announce this performance has been cancelled

There will however be a performance at Bridgwater Arts Centre on Friday 18 July

A Frome Festival Performance Jeremy Hardy is the hilarious comedian known for his quick wit and anti-establishment politics, with a prolific career that has spanned three decades.

A Frome Festival Performance Sharp, creative observational comedy from teh award-winning, charismatic comedian, Seann Walsh. The evening will include support from Romesh Ranganathan, nominee for best newcomer at the Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award 2013.

A subtle study of love and loyalties in Stasi-era rural East Germany. Directed by Christian Petzold

A Frome Festival Performance The South West Collective’s COUNT ME IN is a spoken word theatre show about the numbers in our lives. They will also run a free workshop at 2pm, where the words you write will be part of the show. Can we count you in?

A Frome Festival Performance Miracle celebrates 35 years of producing engaging, inventive and enjoyable theatre by bringing together a team of talented collaborators, past and present, to create a fresh and musical adaptation Shakespeare’s timeless play that will delight audiences of all ages. The Tempest will be an outdoor performance