The Merlin Theatre, having been so well supported by the generosity of the people of Frome and beyond at the start of the pandemic, took a somewhat cautious approach ahead of this summer by planning for the unwelcome but realistic possibility that only 50% of seats would be available. Therefore we are open and our full programme is going ahead.
The incredible 2020 public donations of money, along with the job-retention furlough scheme, are why the theatre is still here today so we set out a low-risk strategy to ensure the show will go on. With the help of the public we have weathered the storm this far so we will continue ahead as planned – with three shows happening this week alone!
For the theatre, music and entertainment industry as a whole, the ‘delay’ announcement is very bad news and for many it will be devastating, meaning closures and cancellations. Professionals are struggling to make sense of why these limits are still being applied to some public events and not others so we remain hopeful that appeals to the government, being made by industry figures, will be heard. Our hearts go out to all those affected and we urge everyone to keep supporting the arts in any way that they can.
As some of our performances are now almost sold out (due to the half-capacity rule) it will be disappointing for audience members keen to buy tickets but we urge people to please help us sell every single ticket we can. Each penny, each pound counts for this next month and we still have some tickets available for most events.
The majority of our shows will be held outside on the ECOS amphitheatre so we are confident that patrons and staff will feel safe. In partnership with our friends and colleagues at Frome Festival we would like to remind everyone that there is a great programme all over town with many open air events at the Silk Mill, Marston Lakes, in the park, in the town centre and indeed still lots indoors too.
Raise that curtain! We are open!
If you wish to donate to the Merlin theatre or find details of its full programme, now taking bookings into November, please go to www.merlintheatre.co.uk
