Past Performances

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.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx, a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.

One of the last surviving performers of classic Louisiana down-home blues, Lil’ Jimmy’s stinging guitar work, gritty vocals and haunting harmonica have been taking Europe by storm. His music has won him many awards and in 2014 he was inducted into the prestigious Blues Hall of Fame.

Join us as we give you a once-only opportunity to ask the questions you want the answers to!

England Football legends Lee Dixon and David Seaman make a special appearance at this Merlin fundraising event.

The Bolshoi’s sumptuous staging with its luxurious sets and costumes gives life to Perrault’s fairy tale unlike any other.

A must-see!

Due to technical problems this live streaming had to be postponed in the autumn. We are pleased to re-schedule the performance as an encore production.

A satire of Europe during the Roaring ’20s, The Golden Age makes for an original, colourful, and dazzling show with its jazzy score and music-hall atmosphere.

Simon Russell Beale returns to the RSC after 20 years to play Prospero in this groundbreaking production directed by Artistic Director Gregory Doran.

E.T.A. Hoffmann’s fairytale staged by Russian ballet master Yuri Grigorovich will transport children and adults alike to a world of magic and wonder for the holiday season.

Treat yourself to a festive evening of Christmas music and carols in the company of Frome Town Youth Band.

Following their hit run on Broadway, Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart return to the West End stage in Harold Pinter’s No Man’s Land, broadcast live to cinemas from Wyndham’s Theatre, London.

After last year’s hugely successful award winning Little Mermaid, Merlin Theatre Productions returns this Christmas with a beautiful imagining of this timeless tale.

Revenge, forgiveness, friendship, folly, loyalty, treachery, and plain stupidity all join hands in this roller coaster of a ride. A modern spin on Shakespeare’s final play promises to keep you on your toes.

Award-winning stand-Up comedian Jo Caulfield takes a humorous look at life’s potential traps, what can go wrong and how to deal with them (and, in some cases, how to make everyone else suffer with you).

Multi-award winner Mark Thomas returns to where he first started to perform: a red wooden shed in Wakefield, the labour club, to celebrate its 50th birthday.