A packed programme of performances is coming to the Merlin Theatre this year, including screenings provided by the National Theatre and the Royal Ballet and Opera House, as well as a whole series of live comedy shows from high-profile comedic performers.
For theatre and opera-lovers, January’s offerings start with a Sunday matinée of La Traviata, followed by Director Robert Hastie (Standing at the Sky’s Edge, Operation Mincemeat), a sharp, stylish and darkly funny reimagining of Hamlet with Olivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera (Life of Pi) in the title role.
February and March bring Helen Mirren, as Queen Elizabeth ll in The Audience; two showings of the ‘compelling’ new production of Othello, with David Harewood and Toby Jones; and for dance-lovers, a classic of the Royal Ballet repertory, the ballet, Giselle, which will tell the tale of love, betrayal and redemption.
Theatre director Claudia Pepler said, “Live performance with side-splitting comedy will hit the town all year long, starting with Perrier Comedy and Fringe First winner Will Adamsdale’s new show AI, AI Oh. February, March and April bringing, in turn, funny men Alasdair Beckett-King, Marcus Brigstocke and, almost sold out already, master of the expertly crafted one-liner and prince of the off-the-cuff audience-based jokes, Mark Simmons.”
With the spring programme still being added to and updated each week, details of these, and all other shows including comedian Michael Spicer, New Old Friend’s fabulous Pick & Mix variety night, three family shows for children and a Frome Festival fundraiser night with John Hegley, can be found on the Merlin’s website www.merlintheatre.co.uk
