SINCE both the National Theatre and the Royal Opera House opened their live screening programmes some years ago, thousands of people in hundreds of cinemas and theatres throughout the UK have been invited to take advantage of some of the country’s highest quality classic theatre, dance and opera in small, regional venues.
The Merlin Theatre is no exception to this and prides itself on being able to offer a fantastic selection of work, made for some of the country’s finest stages, every season.
Director Claudia Pepler said, “We’ve completely sold out and had to re-run due to audience demand on more than one occasion – most recently for Andrew Scott’s brilliant Vanya. Some years ago, we did wonder, as did many, if screening something so clearly intended to be ‘live’ would work, but we’ve long since found that the talent of the performers and the incredible editing skill and nuance of the National Theatre and Royal Opera House technical artists make for a very fine evening’s entertainment. We’d encourage anyone with a passion for high-quality arts but an eye on their budget and their time to give live-screening a go. Literally hundreds have, here in Frome!
“As this spring blossoms, everyone’s favourite local Frome venue prepares to bring a selection of acting, dancing and singing comparable to none, starting on Sunday 24th March with a National Theatre Live screening of a new play by Jack Thorne directed by Sam Mendes. Starring Mark Gatiss as John Gielgud and Johnny Flynn as Richard Burton, The Motive and The Cue, is a fierce and funny production.
“This masterpiece of British theatre-making was filmed live during a sold-out run at the National Theatre. It is set in 1964 and tells the story of a newly married (to Liz Taylor) Richard Burton and his relationship with an exacting John Gielgud.
“For opera lovers, the Merlin is delighted to bring thanks to the Royal Opera House, Madama Butterfly. A new production of a classic and featuring the famous aria Un bel di verdremo (one fine day) as well as the humming chorus, Puccini’s opera is entrancing and ultimately, of course, heartbreaking. This tragic and beautiful piece will be shown on Tuesday 26th of March.
“For dance enthusiasts, the Merlin has a whole selection of work coming up this spring and summer, including the classic Swan Lake from the Royal Ballet. This will be filmed on Wednesday 24th of April at the Royal Opera House and shown just four days later, on Sunday 28th of April. Tchaikovsky’s sensational score combines with the evocative imagination of choreographer Liam Scarlet to heighten the dramatic pathos of what remains to this day one of the best loved works in the classical ballet canon.”
Details for Swan Lake, plus another nine screening offerings, including Carmen and Michael Sheen’s new play, Nye, based on the story of Aneurin Bevan, and all other screenings from the Royal Opera House and National Theatre Live can be booked via the Merlin website, along with the option to join the theatre as a ‘Merlin Friend’.
Keen theatre-goers and arts enthusiasts can opt to become part of the theatre’s ‘Friend’ programme for a membership of just £25 a year, and in return, they will receive special reduced price ticket rates for all the screenings as well as other early bird and local production discount ticket offers while, of course, supporting a wonderful local professional community venue.
All details can be found at www.merlintheatre.co.uk
