Past Performances

America in the mid-1980s. In the midst of the AIDS crisis and a conservative Reagan administration, New Yorkers grapple with life and death, love and sex, heaven and hell.

Part Two: Perestroika, will also be broadcast live on 27 July 2017.

Jeremy Hardy- start time. Due to an unforeseen and unavoidable personal commitment, Jeremy Hardy will be slightly later on stage on Friday 14th July at the Merlin Theatre. The performance is expected to begin at 8 pm not 7.45 pm as advertised. We apologise for any inconvenience.

An extremely funny and poignant one man play. Using comedy as a vehicle to bravely tackle problems facing the Arab, Jewish and Muslim communities across the world, it is a tale of four men, each from different parts of the globe, all experiencing a moment of revelation…

Henry VIII is the only king whose shape you remember. He bestrides our history like a colossus. In this lecture David Starkey draws on his unique knowledge of Henry’s reign to illuminate both the Tudor age and our own.

We will release more tickets on the day for this event – weather permitting!

We apologise but this showing has been cancelled.

A Surreal Comic Adventure

Adapted by Bill Scott, Meiert Avis and Robert Bayley

Join Cornwall’s award winning Miracle Theatre as they venture into a world, somewhere between Alice in Wonderland and Father Ted this summer.

Jonas Kaufmann makes his role debut as Otello in Verdi’s passionate retelling of Shakespeare’s great tragedy of jealousy, deception and murder, conducted by Antonio Pappano.

Internationally acclaimed theatre director Yaël Farber draws on multiple accounts to create her urgent, hypnotic production which will be broadcast live from the stage of the National Theatre.

Selwood Academy presents this affectionate spoof of the 1950s sci-fi movie. Down-and-out skid row florist’s assistant becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. A high energy, darkly comic tale featuring classic songs “ Skid Row”, “Suddenly Seymour”, and “Little Shop of Horrors”.

Billie Holiday and saxophonist Lester Young recorded such achingly beautiful music together it was impossible for many to believe they were not lovers… or were they?

A raw, unnerving examination of justice and forgiveness in Sweden.

Violetta gives up every hope of happiness in this heart-wrenching love story. With its world-famous arias, La Traviata is the perfect introduction to Glyndebourne.

All children, except one, grow up…

Captured live at the National Theatre, a recorded performance of JM Barrie’s much-loved tale screens comes to the Merlin this summer.

Written by Stiles and Drewe in collaboration with Elliot Davis, Soho Cinders is a hilarious, satirical take on the classic tale of Cinderella.

MTP24 aims to raise much needed funds for the Merlin Theatre. Will they meet the challenge?

After two successful shows early in 2016, Adam Wakeman and Damian Wilson embark on a duo acoustic tour featuring Damian on vocals and acoustic guitar and Adam on piano, vocals and acoustic guitar.

This hit Edinburgh Festival show is an honest, fascinating and funny exploration of Katy Brand’s self-imposed conversion and total immersion in evangelical Christianity.

The Emperor is a lovely man, but he’s not the best judge of character, and is often surrounded by idiots.

When two swindlers spin a yarn and everyone is taken in, what price will he have to pay? All will be revealed in Illyria’s cheekiest ever show!

Iqbal Khan directs Shakespeare’s tragedy of love and duty, picking up the story where Julius Caesar ends.

Celebrate new writing as we present an evening of script-in-hand rehearsed performances of the winning plays from our popular one-act play writing competition.

Imelda Staunton, Conleth Hill, Luke Treadaway and Imogen Poots in James Macdonald’s critically acclaimed, 5-star production of Edward Albee’s landmark play, broadcast live to the Merlin from the Harold Pinter Theatre, London.

Theatre legends Jon Haynes and David Woods of Ridiculusmus are back with a funny, fragile and profound fable based on ground breaking medical research and real-life war testimonies.

With new music, beautiful costumes and brimming with vitality, Images Ballet Company presents four richly contrasting works by a company of talented dancers and musicians. This is classic ballet with a contemporary aesthetic.

Jude Law (The Young Pope, Closer, The Talented Mr Ripley) stars in the stage production of Obsession, broadcast live from the Barbican Theatre in London. Ivo van Hove (NT Live: A View from the Bridge, Hedda Gabler) directs this new stage adaptation of Luchino Visconti’s 1943 film.

This companion piece to Nostalgia for the Light replaces sand with water as its central metaphor, and in particular Chile’s expansive coastline.

We apologise but this show has been cancelled.

We apologise but this performance has been postponed. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.

Howl at their Hamlet, roar at their Romeo & Juliet, peer into their Coriolanus. Songs, sketches, socks & violence from the Two Gentlesocks Of Verrucca.

The Rome season in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre opens with the politics of spin and betrayal turning to violence.

Daniel Radcliffe, Joshua McGuire and David Haig star in Tom Stoppard’s brilliantly funny situation comedy, broadcast live from The Old Vic theatre in London.

Tamsin Greig is Malvolia in a new twist on Shakespeare’s classic comedy of mistaken identity.

A ship is wrecked on the rocks. Viola is washed ashore but her twin brother Sebastian is lost. Determined to survive on her own, she steps out to explore a new land. So begins a whirlwind of mistaken identity and unrequited love.

Reginald D Hunter returns to the UK in 2017 with his highly anticipated brand new show.

Preview night!

Join us we dance our way through the enchanted forest, meeting strange and magical characters from the Grimm brothers’ tales along the way.

This brand new production by choreographer Yuri Possokhov is a tragic poetic journey that can only be seen at the Bolshoi.

One winter’s night, a very silly man pulls the train’s communication cord, successfully stranding himself and fellow passengers at a remote Cornish station. Forced to occupy the waiting-room until dawn, they learn of the ghost train expected that very night…

Antonio Pappano conducts an impressive cast led by Ermonela Jaho in Puccini’s deeply poignant opera.

BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Duo – 2016 & 2013

Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman have long established themselves as one of the UK folk scene’s most rewardingly enduring partnerships.

For one evening, the Bolshoi takes on a bold new challenge in Hans Van Manen’s Frank Bridge’s Variations, Sol León and Paul Lightfoot’s Short Time Together and Alexei Ratmansky’s Russian Seasons.

Six stand-up poets perform onstage in the unique bistro-style of our enthralling spoken word evenings.

Enjoy platters of tapas and wine while this awesome sextet entertain you with a feast of words.

Rocktopus is an interactive, live music experience for children and adults – entertaining, educating and inspiring.

Come along and be a part of a unique performance where you can sing, dance, play rhythms and join the band!

Tony Award-winning director Ivo van Hove (A View from the Bridge at the Young Vic Theatre) returns to National Theatre Live screens with a modern production of Ibsen’s masterpiece.

Ruth Wilson (Luther, The Affair, Jane Eyre) plays the title role in a new version by Patrick Marber.

A sensational new dance event from internationally acclaimed choreographer Matthew Bourne and his company, The Car Man is loosely based on Bizet’s popular opera Carmen and has one of the most thrilling and instantly recognisable scores in classical music.

The magic of the giant hit musical We Will Rock You is now available to schools, to enable them to develop and stage their own version of the show, learning and enjoying every aspect of putting together a stage production along the way. Frome College has taken up the challenge – come and support them!

Josie Rourke directs Gemma Arterton (Gemma Bovery, Nell Gwynn, Made in Dagenham) as Joan of Arc in this electrifying production of Bernard Shaw’s classic play following the life and trial of a young country girl who declares a bloody mission to drive the English from France.

Celtic Fiddle Festival celebrates the violin in all its globe-trotting variations.

Fiddlers Kevin Burke (Ireland), Christian Lemaître (Brittany, France) and Capercaillie’s own Charlie McKerron (Scotland) showcase a fascinating juxtaposition of international and individual styles.

The Homeless Panda is family adventure, following Xiongmao the Panda’s journey through the Min Mountains of China in search of a new home. Xiongmao meets a variety of animals including Monkeys, Red Pandas, a Porcupine and a Pangolin, all brought to life by dazzling puppets and physical theatre.

BURTON vividly presents the life of the great Welsh actor in his own words from humble beginnings to Hollywood mega-stardom.

A ballet of ultimate beauty, and a score of unparalleled perfection, born at the Bolshoi in 1877. Classical ballet at its finest.

An exhilarating showcase of dances by choreographers who represent the best of the past Kenneth MacMillan and Robert Cohan, the present Yolande Yorke-Edgell and the future Charlotte Edmonds. Performed by an outstanding ensemble of dancers including guest artist Jonathan Goddard.

Director David Bösch makes his UK debut with a new production of Verdi’s searing tragic opera.