Past Performances

Set twelve years before the epic His Dark Materials trilogy, this gripping adaptation revisits Philip Pullman’s fantastical world in which waters are rising and storms are brewing.

Multi-award-winning Merlin Associates New Old Friends are back with another hilarious comedy thriller. Crimes, Camera, Action whisks the audience to golden-era Hollywood and introduces a new lead detective: a world-weary, hard-boiled private-eye in the mould of Humphrey Bogart: Stan Shakespeare. 

Multi-award-winning Mark Bruce Company present a triple bill of cinematic dance theatre.

Green Apples featuring tracks by The White Stripes
Folk Tales set to the evocative music of Martin Simpson
Phantoms, a stunning dance theatre tale of love, tragedy and revenge.

Regarded as ‘Britain’s greatest living playwright’ (Times), Academy and Tony Award-winner Tom Stoppard’s critically acclaimed new play Leopoldstadt is a passionate drama of love, family and endurance.

A joyful evening of theatre and dance, suitable for all the family, from Somerset’s own Kerchief Theatre and aKa Dance.

Christmas with André is guaranteed to warm your hearts and get you in the festive spirit. Join André for his inaugural Christmas concert all from the comfort of the Merlin Theatre. An unforgettable festive treat for the whole family.

Full of humour, wit, a gorgeous, soaring score and heartwarming lessons of friendship, this is the perfect way for families to kick start their festive season!

Directed by The Merlin’s own Claudia Pepler and fully produced, performed and designed by Frome-based Merlin Theatre Productions, this is live, local musical theatre at its finest.

Stand-up poet, comedian and broadcaster, armchair revolutionary and walking shortbread tin, Elvis McGonagall resides at The Graceland Caravan Park somewhere in the back of beyond where he scribbles satirical verse whilst drinking malt whisky and listening to Johnny Cash.

The Weir is a powerful ensemble piece with humour and pathos. Set in a pub in rural Ireland the locals spend their evenings gossiping and telling each other spooky stories. One evening a young woman from Dublin comes in ………

As Project Play enters its third year, following superb productions of The Vicar of Dibley and Allo Allo! this all-time favourite is sure to be yet another big hit.

In 1926, Agatha Christie’s crashed car was discovered in Surrey. She was missing, presumed dead. She was eventually found at a luxury hotel in Harrogate. She claimed amnesia. Did she lie? Did she suffer from amnesia? Was it a publicity stunt? Or was there a darker secret involved?

Come and meet this eclectic group of charming yet cheeky animals, as they discuss the challenges they face in a rapidly changing world. A joyous puppet show inviting people of all ages to join the conversation about animal conservation.

This stunning and original play takes the tragic end of Hamlet and turns it into something very different. Argumentative actors, new characters, and Will Shakespeare himself all feature in Shakespeare Live’s fast-moving and exciting new comedy.

This event has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. We apologies for any inconvenience caused. Ticket holders will be contacted to arrange refunds.

This critically acclaimed bold new film brings to life the remarkable backstage spaces of the National Theatre in which desire, dreams and destiny collide to make Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy sing in an entirely new way.

And nothing makes sense

but in telling our story
we learn who we are.

Liv Torc’s Project Haiflu was one of the runaway creative success stories of lockdown. Now thanks to Arts Council England, Liv has created a full-length show using film, theatre, poetry and live music.

A thought-provoking, poignant, dynamic, and semi-immersive theatre collage of the worlds and era that surrounded the “Mother of Free Festivals.” Inspired by the ethos of the hippie, counterculture, and free-festival movements, Something Underground brings you its tribute to Woodstock ’69.

Belgian detective, Artemis Arinae, is set to enjoy a cruise along the Nile when tragedy strikes. All the passengers and staff are suspects and the murder count is growing. Will Arinae’s little grey cells identify the murderer in time? 

After a year online, award winning Tri.art Theatre School are delighted to be back live on stage with their summer school production of the Broadway Junior version of Lionel Bart’s classic musical based on Charles Dickens’ novel, Oliver Twist.

Set on board the warship HMS Pinafore, the opera cheerfully mocks such Great British institutions as Class, Patriotism and the Royal Navy, faithfully performed by a reduced cast on a beautiful nautical set.

Claudio loves Hero, and Benedick hates Beatrice. This is just as well, because Hero loves Claudio and Beatrice hates Benedick. Everyone laughs when Don Pedro plays a trick on Benedick and Beatrice, letting each think that they are secretly loved by the other.

Filled with live music, colourful characters and puppetry, this wonderful family musical has something for everyone! Bring along your picnics, blankets, folding chairs and friends and family!

Will Prospero grant Ariel her freedom and be restored to his dukedom? Will Ferdinand and Miranda’s love overcome all? Folksy’s wonderful production is filled with live music, colourful characters, enchantment and a little touch of magic.

FOUR PLAYS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE

The Western Area Final of the All-England Theatre Festival presents plays which have won a Festival. The winner progresses to the national Grand Final. Nancy Heath gives her adjudication of each play.

Frome Festival

Share a Sunday afternoon on ECOS celebrating the art of the short story, including Flash Fiction Frenzy (12.00–2.00pm) and the Frome Festival Short Story Competition Prize-giving (2.30-4.30 pm).

Share a Sunday afternoon on ECOS celebrating the art of the short story, including Flash Fiction Frenzy (12.00–2.00pm) and the Frome Festival Short Story Competition Prize-giving (2.30-4.30 pm).

Frome Festival

Direct from the Edinburgh Fringe 2019 via a year of lockdown, here at last is a brand new comedy and cooking show for 2021.

Frome Festival

The Tea Pad sound draws on myriad influences – from Hank Williams to Django Reinhardt, Tom Waits to The Beatles – yet ultimately sounds like nobody else, that North Eastern Swing style that’s utterly their own.

Frome Festival

The Fabulous Red Diesel are riot of original new music, amazing vocals delivering wonderful soaring melodies, a skin-tight rhythm section and even the occasional tuba.

Frome Festival

This event has been cancelled. Our Box Office will contact you in due course. We apologies for any inconvenience.

Frome Festival

Open mic plus Special Guest: Frome’s sensational Liv Torc

With prizes donated by Hunting Raven Books and Frome Wholefoods

Frome Festival

Paul Foot is a unique talent who has inspired other comedians (notably Russell Brand) with his inventive, quirky and bizarre trains of thought.

Frome Festival

This is a show about grief. This is a show about loss. Just not how you’d expect.

Dance Like It Never Happened is the funniest, most joyful and uplifting show you will ever see about feeling totally bereaved.

Frome Festival

Live Bluegrass, American Old-time musicians bring new life to iconic Hollywood silent movie Beggars Of Life. Kate Lissauer (Buffalo Gals), Jason Titley and Leon Hunt, reveal a thrilling, witty approach to this 1928 Louise Brooks film with their original soundtrack.

This show has been moved inside due to the bad weather. Social distancing measures will be in place for your safety. Please email merlintheatre@gmail.com if you have any concerns.

FromeDrama are thrilled to return to the stage with two plays that explore the complex relationships between couples in very different ways. There will be performances of each play on alternate nights: Constellations and Two.

FromeDrama are thrilled to return to the stage with two plays that explore the complex relationships between couples in very different ways. There will be performances of each play on alternate nights: Constellations and Two.

A brand-new musical adaptation of the Doctor’s FURTHER adventures with Jip the Dog, Dab Dab the Duck, Gub Gub the Pig, Polynesia the Parrot. Where in the world will they go? Which new animals will they help along the way?

Fantastic family fun and silliness galore, with award-winning comedian Jarred Christmas (as seen on CBBC’s Joke Machine and The Dog Ate My Homework) and world champion beatboxer & UK Loopstation Champion, Hobbit.

Pop-Up Comedy joins forces with the Merlin Theatre to celebrate its re-opening weekend with a fantastic night of comedy hosted by award-winning comedian Jarred Christmas and world-renowned beatboxer Hobbit, with performances from Irish funnyman Jarlath Regan and rising comedy star Abi Clarke.

Pip Utton returns to the Merlin to perform again his entrancing reading of one of the best loved and most famous of all Christmas ghost stories. A magical way to get into the Christmas spirit!

“A masterful performance. Utton IS Charles Dickens” Edinburghreview.com

Based on the ​beloved novel by Michael Morpurgo and adapted by Nick Stafford, the critically acclaimed and international smash-hit play War Horse is screened at the Merlin for the first time this November to mark Remembrance Day.

Join us on a journey of discovery, deceit and adventure – all whilst making sure you’re back in time for Christmas Dinner!

The Royal Ballet celebrated Peter Wright’s 90th birthday with his much-loved production of this beautiful classical ballet, danced to Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score. Starring Lauren Cuthbertson, Federico Bonelli, Francesca Hayward and Alexander Campbell.

Frome-based New Old Friends present an adaptation of Crimes Against Christmas. It’s a thrilling and hilarious tale, this time told live around a fire at the Merlin’s ECOS Amphitheatre in the style of a radio play.

Following its critically acclaimed opening in London earlier this year, Sonia Friedman Productions’ stunning 5-star production, a new adaptation of the Anton Chekhov masterpiece by Conor McPherson, directed by Ian Rickson.

This screening is SOLD OUT.

Michael Ball & Alfie Boe: Back Together from London’s O2.

The headline stars of Les Misérables -The Staged Concert perform their own show, featuring songs from The Lion King, Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables and many more.

Pop-Up Comedy joins forces with the Merlin Theatre for the return of The Comedy Eclectic, an exciting series of socially-distanced comedy shows over the winter months.

Award-winning Kiwi (now local) stand-up comedian Jarred Christmas hosts the very best from the international stand-up comedy scene.

We apologise but this screening has been cancelled. Sorry for any inconvenience.