The Merlin has its fair share of Festival goodies next week, with satire, comedy, drama photography, jazz and children’s theatre.
On Monday 4th July at 7.30pm, Frome Stop War presents Where R Those WMDs? Broadcasters and journalists Dan Glazebrook and Neil Clark are joined by musical performers Clayton Blizzard and acclaimed international performer, singer and playwright Tayo Aluko (Call Mr Robeson) in satirical sketches and music in an evening not to be missed.
There’s an event for all photography fans on Wednesday 6th July at 7.45pm when Frome Wessex Camera Club presents An Evening with Photographer William Cheung FRPS. Cheung achieved his Associateship of the Royal Photographic Society in 1982 and received his Fellowship the following year in the Pictorial category with a portfolio of black & white prints. In 1985, he joined the editorial staff of Practical Photography magazine in 1985 where he worked for 19 years, including ten years as editor.
Favourite subjects include pictorial, landscape and travel but he also enjoys tackling macro, portraits and studio work. He calls himself a ‘specialist at being a non specialist.’ In 2003, he joined Archant Specialist as editorial director of its imaging titles and he is currently editor of Photography News, a free newspaper distributed to camera clubs and through leading photography retailers. He also judges and lectures on the international circuits and is a member of the RPS’s Travel Associate and Fellowship distinction panel.
There’s a live theatre screening from the Garrick Theatre, London on Friday 8th July at 7.15pm, when Branagh Theatre Live presents Romeo and Juliet. This new version of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy features the stars of his recent Cinderella, Richard Madden and Lily James, in the title roles, plus Sir Derek Jacobi as Mercutio.
The youngest theatre-goers are catered for on Saturday 9th July, with performances at 11am and 2pm from Noisy Oyster with their Higgledy Piggledy Pie. When the king asks for a higgledy piggledy pie for his supper the royal chefs are thrown into a spin, especially when they find the cupboard is bare – fun for children four years plus and all the family!
Doctor, comedian, writer, broadcaster, described by the Guardian as “one of the most entertainingly subversive people on the planet,” Phil Hammond makes a welcome return to the Frome Festival and the Merlin on Saturday 9th July with a new show shortly to appear at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Finally, on Sunday 10th July at 7.45pm, why not relax after a hectic week with Pee Wee Ellis and the Funka-Nova Band. In the newly formed Funka-Nova Quartet, Frome’s own Pee Wee Ellis and the acclaimed Berlin-based vocalist/guitarist Peter Fessler, present an acoustic fusion of music they are both passionate about: funk and bossa nova, ably supported by Guido May on drums and Joel Loscher on bass, (both from Munich). A fabulous Festival finale!
