Professional and amateur local talent continue to be supported at the Merlin Theatre, as the venue celebrates everything Frome has to offer by making sure the theatre’s programme reflects the entire community.
The community cast of A Christmas Carol, which nearly sold out 10 shows, is set to clear the stage of its Dickensian setting to make way for a very special, one-off, low-cost screening of a family seasonal treat, Wolf Witch Giant Fairy, on Friday 20th December, thanks to the national award-winning theatre company, Little Bulb, which is based in Frome.
Little Bulb’s shows have included Orpheus (Battersea Arts Centre), Antarctica (Bristol Old Vic), Mountain Music (Farnham Maltings) and even appearances as the house band in a few CBeebies pantos.
They are no strangers to Frome audiences, having presented their live show Four Seasons at the Frome Children’s Festival in 2023.
Merlin director Claudia Pepler said, “This show, Wolf Witch Giant Fairy, made by Little Bulb with the Royal Ballet and Opera, is a family-friendly folk opera full of music, mischief and magic. It won an Olivier Award for Best Family Show and is now being screened nationwide, so we are delighted to offer a special Frome showing to finish off the school term and raise the seasonal excitement, just days before Christmas!”
In keeping with the Merlin’s role as part of the community, the theatre is also delighted to be hosting Frome College’s production of Alice in Wonderland at the start of 2025.
Claudia said, “After what the Frome College website describes as ‘a mad turnout at auditions,’ this energetic bunch of students and teachers have already started tumbling down the rabbit hole into rehearsals. The cast and crew will be ready to bring this Lewis Carroll classic to life from 5th to 7th February as they urge audiences ‘Don’t be late for this very important date!’”
As the year closes, Claudia is appealing to all theatre fans, to ‘be that on-stage, back-stage or in the audience,’ to help keep the Merlin running, as its stage floor is in immediate need of replacement.
“The stage is beyond repair. The majority of funds for this were put in place in 2019 but largely used up in stopping the theatre from closing during the pandemic and an incredibly difficult 2020 to 2022,” explained Claudia. “We are in immediate need of donations to make the re-build happen. We are asking the town, and beyond, to please donate a few pounds, via our website homepage, to help us reach the final target needed to ensure the show goes on.”
Full details of all shows, times, prices and how to donate to replace the stage floor can be found at www.merlintheatre.co.uk
