Past Performances

Please join us as we present a rehearsed script-in-hand performance of the winning plays featuring local actors. This presentation of new work is one of the highlights of the Merlin’s calendar of events.

With a little compassion and a lot of understanding, Charlie and Lola learn to embrace their differences and create a line of sturdy stilettos unlike any the world has ever seen!

Drawing on the mythology of Ancient Egypt, two intrepid explorers set off on a journey towards a mythical land where the demons and gods they disturb unleash something within themselves…

Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score and Marius Petipa’s original choreography beautifully combine with sections created for The Royal Ballet by Frederick Ashton, Anthony Dowell and Christopher Wheeldon.

Join us for this poignant, classic Christmas film as we relive the magic on the big screen. Christmas wouldn’t be the same without it…

The World Premiere of a highly acclaimed film “To Nativity and Beyond” in which three not-so wise men go on a Magi-cal time-travelling Christmas adventure in search of Baby Jesus.

An original family Christmas musical to kick start the festive season. Based loosely on the Grimm Brothers Ashputtle this new version tells the story of Ella’s quest to save her precious woodland along with the animals and birds that live there.

Matthew Warchus directs Andrew Scott (BBC’s Sherlock, Fleabag) in Noël Coward’s provocative comedy. Captured live from The Old Vic in London, Present Laughter is a giddy and surprisingly modern reflection on fame, desire and loneliness.

After 50 years commentating on international cricket, Henry Blofeld has hung up his microphone and is on tour with his best-selling book Over & Out. Expect a jam-packed performance of unheard anecdotes and un-broadcastable stories from the TMS box!

See two-time Olivier Award winners, Lindsay Duncan (Birdman, About Time) and Alex Jennings (The Lady in the Van, The Queen), in this brand-new play by Simon Wood. It’s a summer’s morning in 1988 and Tory politician Robin Hesketh has returned home to the idyllic Cotswold house he shares with his wife of 30 years…

Part mystery story, part romance, highly theatrical, and bursting with humour, ‘Arcadia’ is a tour de force – ‘brilliant, brilliant… consummate theatricality… sophisticated entertainment… and heartache’.

The Merlin Theatre) is proud to be part of the Shakespeare Schools Festival, in partnership with Shakespeare Schools Foundation. See Shakespeare’s timeless stories brought to life like you’ve never experienced before, and support young people from your local community as they take to the stage.

From The Royal Ballet’s classical origins in the works of Marius Petipa to the home-grown choreographers who put British ballet on the world stage, this mixed programme highlights the versatility of the Company.

A collection of brand new comic stories and songs to get you into the Halloween spirit, full of silliness and joining in for families with children 3+.  

"Intelligent comedy kept the young audience enthralled but not scared!” Edinburgh Fringe Review
 

Fee Fi Fo Fum! It’s a giant of a show, we’d love you to come!

Patrick Lynch (from Cbeebies) tells the gripping story of Jack who sells his cow and finds himself in the land above the clouds.

Multi-award-winning director Emma Rice brings her unique, exuberantly impish vision to Angela Carter’s great last novel in this brand-new theatre production. A big, bawdy tangle of theatrical joy and heartbreak; a celebration of show business, family, forgiveness and hope with a generous dash of Shakespeare, scandal and mischief.

It’s a divided world. We want to cross that divide. But how can we be popular now ‘populist’ means ‘I’m a sh*t’? Answer: WE LOVE EVERYONE. Except b******s.

★★★★ “Excellent”
Guardian

Royal Opera favourite Bryn Terfel heads the cast for this new production of Donizetti’s comedy of domestic drama across two generations.

Directed by Nicholas Hytner, this production at The Bridge Theatre will become a forest – a dream world of flying fairies, contagious fogs and moonlight revels, surrounded by a roving audience following the action on foot.

This passionate and contemporary re-imagining of Shakespeare’s classic story of love and conflict has been hailed as ‘the single most eagerly awaited dance show for 2019’ by The Daily Telegraph.

Follow Eliza Doolitte’s journey, a young cockney flower girl, as she blossoms into an elegant lady under the unforgiving tutorial of a bad mannered and emotionally immature Professor, Henry Higgins.

A lyrical celebration of the natural world with awareness of humanity’s urgent role in its preservation. Five superb poets will raise your spirits with this stirring presentation of eco-poetry.

Sexual intrigue, jealousy, wit, anger… and retribution! The new Royal Opera Season begins with Mozart’s engaging masterpiece, which follows Don Giovanni, the women he serially seduces, and the vengeance that finally catches up with him.

England at war; royal families in conflict; petty dynastic squabbles plunge the country into bloodshed. Using Shakespeare’s words, The Dogs of War tells of hubris, bravery, stupidity, love and loss.

Featuring a Tony Award-winning performance from host of the The Late Late Show, James Corden, the hilarious West End and Broadway hit One Man, Two Guvnors returns to the Merlin to mark National Theatre Live’s 10th birthday.

Dave Gorman, the man behind Dave TV’s hit show Modern Life Is Goodish as well as Are You Dave Gorman? and Googlewhack Adventure, is back on the road with a brand new live show, With Great PowerPoint Comes Great ResponsibilityPoint.

The Testaments will be published worldwide on 10 September. With exclusive readings from the new book by special guests, this will be an unmissable and intimate event with Atwood, spotlighting her signature insight, humour and intellect.

A secluded island hotel just off the English coast becomes a crime scene, as a scandal-inducing femme-fatale is felled. All the guests on the island are suspects, but is all quite what it seems?

This high energy musical is sure to be yet another smash hit for the award winning Tri.Art, featuring hit songs such as Footloose, Holding Out for a Hero and Let’s Hear it for the Boy.

Immerse yourself in an evening of cabaret that brings some of your favourite tv, movie characters into a unique mix of burleque, dance and comedy, including a special guest performance from Pixie Le Knot from HBO’s Game of Thrones.

When Aladdin vies for the attention of the beautiful princess Jasmine he uses a genie’s magic power to become a prince in order to marry her. Iago, Jafar, the Genie and more are here in this musical adventure filled with magic, mayhem and the power of love.

Mozart’s most magical comedy of The Magic Flute returns to Glyndebourne for the first time in over a decade. This new production promises to take a fresh and playful look at the opera’s troublesome gender politics. 

When a young novice nun is compromised by a corrupt official, who offers to save her brother from execution in return for sex, she has no idea where to turn for help. Shakespeare wrote this play in the early 1600s, yet it remains astonishingly resonant today.

Folksy Theatre presents Shakespeare’s classic tale of mistaken identities. After being separated from their twins in a shipwreck, Antipholus and his slave Dromio go to Ephesus to find them, causing a series of hilarious mishaps. Filled with live music and downright silliness!

Mary Shelley’s seminal novel was published in 1818 and has never been out of print. It features a fully orchestrated musical score, a cast of professional actor singers, spectacular stage effects, puppetry – and flashes of the wickedly dark humour for which Illyria is justly celebrated.

Four young lovers, a band of hapless actors, and a magical realm populated by enchanting spirits set on causing mischief and mayhem at every turn culminate in an unparalleled open-air experience of beauty and hilarity.

Mister Magnolia’s trumpet goes rooty-toot, his very fat owls are learning to hoot. But he still only has one boot! Join Mister Magnolia on his wacky adventures. Filled with Folksy’s live music and puppetry.

The story of a family and a company that changed the world, told in three parts on a single evening. Academy Award-winner Sam Mendes (Skyfall, The Ferryman) directs Simon Russell Beale, Adam Godley and Ben Miles who play the Lehman Brothers, their sons and grandsons.

Bojangles Dance School’s bi-annual show case involving all ages and a variety of genres.

Mischief and mayhem run riot in Rossini’s most popular comedy. Figaro, the renowned Barber of Seville, has a cunning that knows no bounds. His playful energy is brought to life in director Annabel Arden’s sparkling and springing production.

David Parker has unearthed some fascinating footage on Somerset and Wiltshire which will amuse and engage

Led by British jazz hero Mark Lockheart these incredible Jazz Wizards will take you on a magical sonic ride through swirling sounds, twisted melodies and head-nodding grooves!

Led by Mark Lockheart this show will take you on a journey of sonic explorations, heavy grooves and intricate melodies.

Mark Lockheart (Kenny Wheeler) – saxes
Dave Smith (Robert Plant) – drums
Tom Herbert (Polar Bear) – bass
Elliot Galvin (Dinosaur) – keys

A feisty young woman ventures into a Boy’s Own world of undiscovered jungles, treasure maps, campfires and penknives on an action-packed adventure. A rollicking music-filled adventure touring the great outdoors this summer!

Writer and comedian Tom Binns’ unique and original comedy shows have been described by The Times, Telegraph and Time Out as “Comedy Genius”.

Andrea Levy’s Orange Prize-winning novel Small Island comes to life in an epic new theatre adaptation. Experience the play filmed live on stage as part of National Theatre Live’s 10th birthday.

Original production conceived and directed for the Glyndebourne Tour by Fiona Shaw

Revived and directed for Festival 2019 by Fiona Dunn
The classic Cinderella story is told with composer Massenet’s sensuous and lavish score.

Believed to be the last that Shakespeare wrote single-handedly, The Tempest is lyrical, thought-provoking and raucously funny. More than 400 years after it was written it still has the capacity to surprise!

Peter Pan the British Musical brings to life J.M. Barrie’s heartwarming story – the tale of Peter, Wendy, John, Michael and the Lost Boys’ adventures in the magical Neverland, where you never have to grow up!

From the heart of London’s theatre land to the glitz of Broadway, the critically acclaimed Mad About The Musicals is back.

With brilliant vocals, stunning costumes and a spectacular light show, to bring you the very best show in town!