Since the Spring of 2006 Frome Youth Dance Company, a group of young people aged between 13 and 19 have been meeting at Frome Youth Centre on Mondays to learn, create and rehearse new and exciting dance.

FYDC was set up by the Merlin Theatre with the aim to give young people support and guidance from a professional dancer and choreographer, enabling them to learn a range of dance styles, eventually enabling them to create and perform dances as a group.

This aim has been realised in spectacular form with the group booked to perform a curtain raiser with professional dance company - Pretty Good Girl and their new touring production DYIN 2 B DRUNK on the 3rd April at the Merlin Theatre. The group are also featuring in Spring Forward, Somerset Youth Dance’s annual showcase at the Tacchi Morris Arts Centre in Taunton.

Frome Youth Dance company was set up by the Merlin Theatre using funding from EMYWAC (East Mendip Youth Work Advisory Committee), Mendip District Council, Somerset County Council’s Youth Opportunities Fund and the Merlin Theatre itself.

The group is led by Louise Barrett (pictured) an experienced choreographer and performer and also the artistic director of her own dance company.


Family Friendly at the Merlin!



Following the guidelines issued by the Arts Council we have undertaken an audit of how Family friendly we are. As a result we are making various changes designed to make the Merlin more welcoming to families.

This includes purchasing booster cushions for young children thanks to a grant from Frome Community Lottery, steps in the toilets (allowing toddlers to reach the wash basins) and a review of the refreshments available to make sure we offer healthy alternatives. We have reviewed the ticket pricings for toddlers and we also offer children the chance to join the Merlin The Wizard Club (pictured) where children get a membership card and book tokens after visiting the theatre 4 times. Cards can be picked up in the Merlin Foyer.


Education and Community Activities - Spring 08



The Merlin Has several education and community projects planned for the spring. These include...

Sevdah Music Project,
The Merlin Theatre will be working with six first schools in Frome during January and February to create two performances inspired by traditional Sevdah music from Bosnia. The project has been inspired by the bridge in Mostar, Bosnia Herzegovina, which was destroyed during the war and has recently been rebuilt.

Sticky Fingers & Toes
The Merlin is one of four arts venues in Somerset who are working with their local Children’s Centre to involve under 5’s in the creation of a new theatre show. Travelling Light Theatre Company have been running workshops in each Children’s Centre and venue to explore ideas for their new touring production, Shadowplay. Twelve children from the Key Centre Nursery took part in the sessions in Frome and they will visit the Merlin in March to see the finished show.
Sticky Fingers and Toes website

Bye Nell - Welcome Helen

From the 11th January Nell Farrally, the Education and Community Manager at the Merlin will be starting her maternity leave. Helen Dorritt, red hot from Circa Media, will be acting in her place until Nell returns in October. We wish both Nell and Helen good luck!


Pantomime team say thank you.



We at the Merlin Theatre would like to express our gratitude to everyone involved in this year’s production of The Snow Queen.

The fantastic support and generosity of the many people who have given their time and skills, often voluntarily has helped to ensure that this year’s production has been our most successful yet, both creatively and financially, with all 14 performances sold out!

Our special thanks goes out to Clive Gotley whose company, Gotley Solicitors kindly sponsored this year’s production, and as a result, allowed us to run an assisted seating scheme through the Key Centre. Thanks also to all the staff at the Key Centre who made it possible for this to happen.

We would also like to thank the local schools and their children who created the wonderful flowers used on the set.

And, of course, the dedication and talent of the 137 performers, musicians, stage crew, dancers, set builders and prop makers and everyone who make up the creative team and cast.

Lastly thanks to our audience, we hope you enjoyed watching it as much as we have enjoyed making it!

Yours sincerely

Paula Hammond.
Director of the Merlin Theatre.

Merlin Production Manager wins awards!

Chris Samuels, the Merlin's much loved Production Manager has won awards for Best Creative Lighting and Best Special Effects at the recent Full Length Play Awards organised annually by the Somerset Fellowship Of Drama. The awards were for Chris's work on The Crucible, a production by Frome Drama Club which won many other awards on the evening. So welldone Chris, we always knew you were the best Production Manager around!