The Merlin Theatre is finishing the summer season by welcoming some of the finest theatre performances to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
The final professional outdoor show of the season will take place on Friday 29th August and will feature Britain’s longest-running open-air touring company, Illyria Theatre, performing Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore.
Organisers say the show “combines song and silliness with an impressive set,” and audiences are encouraged to bring picnics, grab a drink from the bar, and make a night of it on the ECOS ‘stones.’
The Merlin’s director, Claudia Pepler, said, “As theatre-lovers ourselves, we enjoy and admire London theatre and exciting events like Edinburgh Fringe, but that’s not a practical choice for most people most of the time. A trip away is great but the distance, the time, the travel and the cost! Here in Frome we have the opportunity to see remarkable award-winning artists and high-quality work on our doorstep… and then just stroll home.”
For National Theatre fans, as part of the NTLive season offered across the country, there is an opportunity to watch a screening of Inter Alia. Led by Oscar-nominated Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl, Saltburn), this is the much-anticipated next play from the team behind Prima Facie.
Claudia said, “The theatre is also absolutely delighted to welcome back Pip Utton.”
One of the country’s most celebrated solo theatre performers, Pip is an award-winning Edinburgh favourite and has written and performed internationally in more than 26 countries and been translated into eight languages.
Receiving five-star reviews with reviewers calling him ‘a legend’, ‘a star’, a ‘cult’ and a ‘national treasure’, the Merlin Theatre is welcoming him, a local artist, as part of its ‘Made In Frome’ season, bringing a double bill of two plays in one night, on 6th September, with Bacon and King Lear.
Details of these and all shows, as well as workshops for all ages, can be found on the theatre’s website www.merlintheatre.co.uk
