From Jeremy Vine to top comedians – The Merlin brings an eclectic season for its 50th year

Frome’s Merlin Theatre continues to celebrate its 50th year of bringing the arts to the town with one of its most eclectic spring seasons yet.

The schedule starts with a visit from well-known broadcaster and journalist Jeremy Vine, who will be talking about his new murder mystery novel. This will be followed, for the first time ever, by a Pick and Mix variety night, featuring live music, comedy and prizes.

Organisers said, “Follow that with an evening hosted by Martin Bax, founder and president of Frome Festival, who will be in conversation with Professor Abigail Rokison-Woodall of the Shakespeare Institute and documentary-maker Andrew Smith, whose film about the forgotten ‘Stratford Roundhouse’ experimental theatre will be shown.

“Comedian Lou Sanders will be taking to the stage for one night only, and satirical comedian and chair of The News Quiz, Andy Zaltzman, will be in town to assess the state of Planet Earth and its most controversial species – the human race – with his show The Zaltgeist.

“For children, Jellyfish Theatre will be performing the enchanting story of The Elves and the Shoemaker, and the extraordinary Strange Twig brings a highly energetic fusion of storytelling, circus and music, featuring aerialists, acrobatics, dance and fire arts in Under the Leaves.”

Director Claudia Pepler said, “A theatre is for so much more than putting on ‘plays’. We are part of this vibrant community and we are committed to bringing ‘arts’ in its wider sense, across a broad range of tastes.

“Details of dates and times for all of these shows and more – including the start of the Merlin’s outdoor amphitheatre schedule, with an annual visit from the country’s finest, award-winning Illyria and their hilarious Pride and Prejudice, plus an afternoon of bluegrass from Frome’s very own Buffalo Gals – can be found on the website at www.merlintheatre.co.uk.”