Past Performances

Matthew Bourne’s ‘gorgeous take on the film classic’ (★★★★ The Times) comes to the Merlin for the first time. Winner of two Olivier Awards, The Red Shoes is an ‘utterly enthralling’ (★★★★★ Daily Express) tale of obsession, possession and one girl’s dream to be the greatest dancer in the world.

Our premiere production, a short and enjoyable version of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, combines classical and folk music and is set in the nature of the Anthropocene and the new socially-distanced society of the pandemic.

The Unravelling Wilburys have been holed up in their shack in the Appalachian Mountains dosing up on hydroxychloroquine and bleach as prescribed by Doc Trump, and are now fit to come out of quarantine to play a come-back gig featuring all the songs stolen from them by the Traveling Wilburys.

An all-open-mic event, no booking required. Come along with your words on any subject to share with the poetry community of Frome. Hosted by Crysse Morrison.

The Emperor is a lovely man, but he’s not the best judge of character, and is often surrounded by idiots.

When two swindlers spin a yarn and everyone is taken in, what price will he have to pay? All will be revealed in Illyria’s cheekiest ever show!

When Dr John Dolittle of Puddleby-on-the-Marsh is taught by his wise old parrot Polynesia how to talk to animals, news of his skills spreads far and wide. Soon animals across the world send messages asking for his help.

Folksy Theatre presents Shakespeare’s hilarious comedy! Bianca cannot marry until her elder sister, the ill-tempered Katherine, has found a husband. But who will succeed in taming the wild and witty shrew?

Filled with Folksy’s wonderful live music!

Rocktopus, the ultimate rock band for kids and families are back and ready to rock out with YOU! Join the band, learn the moves, and get involved in this truly interactive outdoor experience for kids and adults alike.

Classics Master Mr. Dimery attempts to entertain his detention group with more contemporary musical settings of Shakespeare’s songs and lyrics. A solo revue featuring songs in the style of The Beatles; Bob Dylan; Buddy Holly; the Stones and more.

A lonely girl and her sad, rich father live alone in their big, fancy house. When he finds out she has fallen in love with the wrong man, he takes drastic action…

A true original in a time-honoured tradition, Kate brings old-time country music to vivid life through fiddle, banjo, guitar, song, dance and stories, accompanied by the fabulous percussive dancer Jenny Read.

Dangerous Dave, infinitely more ‘daft’ than ‘dangerous’, and his ridiculous sidekick, Herbert Lemon, present some of the most mind-bindingly silly stunts ever performed . . . ever!

Presented by Noisy Oyster, Frome’s very own international award-winning puppet company.

Tour extended due to popular demand!

‘Cracking adlibbing… a joke-rich rallying call for a better Britain’
THE GUARDIAN

‘Coruscating live performer specialising in lacerating topical gags’ 
THE INDEPENDENT

A show about songs, gongs, loot, tradition, wigs, nicking, statues, art and identity. A sort of funny national edition of Who Do You Think You Are?

Following a standing room only reception at the Edinburgh Fringe, the former National Poetry Slam Champion presents a fun and fascinating tour of the oral tradition and the poetic movements that have shaped history.

Einstein – a crazy scientist, a mad professor brought to life, musician, politician, human rights campaigner and the ‘deeply religious Jew who doesn’t believe in God’. Popes – a sideways look at the history of the papacy from St Peter to today’s Pope Francis.

Choreographer Cathy Marston is previously an Associate Artist of the Royal Opera House and Director of Bern Ballet, and much in demand internationally. Jerome Robbins’s elegant and elegiac classic forms the second part of the programme.

“Hundreds of years ago when man walked the planet he had no real means of communication. In time man developed a phenomena which has never been fully understood by the psychic community. This phenomena is… Clinton Baptiste”  Peter Kay

James McAvoy returns to the stage in an inventive new adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac, broadcast live to the Merlin Theatre from the West End in London.

A perfect half-term musical treat starring favourites Emily Blunt and

Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Discover the legend of Great Captain Markham in this musical show about songs, stories and storms. Go on a wild adventure and meet a gliding albatross, who soars on the whipping winds and gives Lily the nudge she needs to truly stretch her wings

Please join us as we present a rehearsed script-in-hand performance of the winning plays featuring local actors. This presentation of new work is one of the highlights of the Merlin’s calendar of events.

With a little compassion and a lot of understanding, Charlie and Lola learn to embrace their differences and create a line of sturdy stilettos unlike any the world has ever seen!

Drawing on the mythology of Ancient Egypt, two intrepid explorers set off on a journey towards a mythical land where the demons and gods they disturb unleash something within themselves…

Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score and Marius Petipa’s original choreography beautifully combine with sections created for The Royal Ballet by Frederick Ashton, Anthony Dowell and Christopher Wheeldon.

Join us for this poignant, classic Christmas film as we relive the magic on the big screen. Christmas wouldn’t be the same without it…

The World Premiere of a highly acclaimed film “To Nativity and Beyond” in which three not-so wise men go on a Magi-cal time-travelling Christmas adventure in search of Baby Jesus.

An original family Christmas musical to kick start the festive season. Based loosely on the Grimm Brothers Ashputtle this new version tells the story of Ella’s quest to save her precious woodland along with the animals and birds that live there.

Matthew Warchus directs Andrew Scott (BBC’s Sherlock, Fleabag) in Noël Coward’s provocative comedy. Captured live from The Old Vic in London, Present Laughter is a giddy and surprisingly modern reflection on fame, desire and loneliness.

After 50 years commentating on international cricket, Henry Blofeld has hung up his microphone and is on tour with his best-selling book Over & Out. Expect a jam-packed performance of unheard anecdotes and un-broadcastable stories from the TMS box!

See two-time Olivier Award winners, Lindsay Duncan (Birdman, About Time) and Alex Jennings (The Lady in the Van, The Queen), in this brand-new play by Simon Wood. It’s a summer’s morning in 1988 and Tory politician Robin Hesketh has returned home to the idyllic Cotswold house he shares with his wife of 30 years…

Part mystery story, part romance, highly theatrical, and bursting with humour, ‘Arcadia’ is a tour de force – ‘brilliant, brilliant… consummate theatricality… sophisticated entertainment… and heartache’.

The Merlin Theatre) is proud to be part of the Shakespeare Schools Festival, in partnership with Shakespeare Schools Foundation. See Shakespeare’s timeless stories brought to life like you’ve never experienced before, and support young people from your local community as they take to the stage.

From The Royal Ballet’s classical origins in the works of Marius Petipa to the home-grown choreographers who put British ballet on the world stage, this mixed programme highlights the versatility of the Company.

A collection of brand new comic stories and songs to get you into the Halloween spirit, full of silliness and joining in for families with children 3+.  

"Intelligent comedy kept the young audience enthralled but not scared!” Edinburgh Fringe Review
 

Fee Fi Fo Fum! It’s a giant of a show, we’d love you to come!

Patrick Lynch (from Cbeebies) tells the gripping story of Jack who sells his cow and finds himself in the land above the clouds.

Multi-award-winning director Emma Rice brings her unique, exuberantly impish vision to Angela Carter’s great last novel in this brand-new theatre production. A big, bawdy tangle of theatrical joy and heartbreak; a celebration of show business, family, forgiveness and hope with a generous dash of Shakespeare, scandal and mischief.

It’s a divided world. We want to cross that divide. But how can we be popular now ‘populist’ means ‘I’m a sh*t’? Answer: WE LOVE EVERYONE. Except b******s.

★★★★ “Excellent”
Guardian

Royal Opera favourite Bryn Terfel heads the cast for this new production of Donizetti’s comedy of domestic drama across two generations.

Directed by Nicholas Hytner, this production at The Bridge Theatre will become a forest – a dream world of flying fairies, contagious fogs and moonlight revels, surrounded by a roving audience following the action on foot.

This passionate and contemporary re-imagining of Shakespeare’s classic story of love and conflict has been hailed as ‘the single most eagerly awaited dance show for 2019’ by The Daily Telegraph.

Follow Eliza Doolitte’s journey, a young cockney flower girl, as she blossoms into an elegant lady under the unforgiving tutorial of a bad mannered and emotionally immature Professor, Henry Higgins.

A lyrical celebration of the natural world with awareness of humanity’s urgent role in its preservation. Five superb poets will raise your spirits with this stirring presentation of eco-poetry.

Sexual intrigue, jealousy, wit, anger… and retribution! The new Royal Opera Season begins with Mozart’s engaging masterpiece, which follows Don Giovanni, the women he serially seduces, and the vengeance that finally catches up with him.

England at war; royal families in conflict; petty dynastic squabbles plunge the country into bloodshed. Using Shakespeare’s words, The Dogs of War tells of hubris, bravery, stupidity, love and loss.

Featuring a Tony Award-winning performance from host of the The Late Late Show, James Corden, the hilarious West End and Broadway hit One Man, Two Guvnors returns to the Merlin to mark National Theatre Live’s 10th birthday.

Dave Gorman, the man behind Dave TV’s hit show Modern Life Is Goodish as well as Are You Dave Gorman? and Googlewhack Adventure, is back on the road with a brand new live show, With Great PowerPoint Comes Great ResponsibilityPoint.

The Testaments will be published worldwide on 10 September. With exclusive readings from the new book by special guests, this will be an unmissable and intimate event with Atwood, spotlighting her signature insight, humour and intellect.

A secluded island hotel just off the English coast becomes a crime scene, as a scandal-inducing femme-fatale is felled. All the guests on the island are suspects, but is all quite what it seems?

This high energy musical is sure to be yet another smash hit for the award winning Tri.Art, featuring hit songs such as Footloose, Holding Out for a Hero and Let’s Hear it for the Boy.