Treasure Island from NTL and Frome Film Club’s offering at the Merlin

The National Theatre production of R L Stevenson’s ‘Treasure Island’ – the ever-popular tale of buried treasure, pirates, danger and greed – will be screened by the Merlin Theatre this month.

There’s a twist in this new adaptation by Briony Lavery, produced by Polly Findlay. It’s more a case of ‘arrh, Jim lass’ this time as the central character Jim Hawkins, is recast as a girl, played by Patsy Ferran. Arthur Darvill (from ‘Broadchurch’ and ‘Doctor Who’) is Long John Silver.

This is a great show for adults and older children (10+) which will be screened on Thursday 22nd January at 7.00pm, and again during half term on Wednesday 18th February at 3.00pm. Tickets are £15 (£10 children/concessions). Book at www.mer lintheatre.co.uk or call 01373 465949.

There is a pre-show supper option on the evening performance with main courses £7 and puddings £3 – supper can be booked by contacting Keren Hayden of Events Horizon at kerenhayden@gmail.com or on 07968 753632.

Frome Film Club’s next showing at the Merlin is another adaptation of a well-known tale. On Wednesday 14th January at 8.00pm, they are showing ‘BLANCANIEVES’, directed by Pablo Berger (Spain | 2012 | cert 12A | 104 mins). Described as a love letter to European silent cinema, this is a re-imagining of Snow White, set in 1920s Seville.

Carmencita is the daughter of a famous bullfighter and a flamenco dancer who dies in childbirth and leaves her at the mercy of her invalid father’s nurse and soon-to-be stepmother, the power-crazed Encarna.

Captivating, uplifting and gloriously entertaining, the film’s visual brilliance and evocative, flamenco-laced soundtrack recapture the heightened sense of reality and drama that were the hallmark of silent movies.

Tickets for non film club members are £6; or go to www.fromefilm.co.uk for information on how to join.