Michael Spicer, the online sensation who brought you the award-winning viral hit The Room Next Door, brings another hilarious and brilliantly entertaining satirical stage show packed with sketches, short films and stories about why we’re witnessing such a gigantic political and global shitshow, featuring characters from his BBC Radio 4 show ‘No Room’ as well as some old friends too. Photo credit: Rebbeca Willow

The Ultimate Bubble Show from Paris Bubbles will make your afternoon go with a pop! A unique, fast-paced bright, bubbly show with magical live action combined with interactive bubble displays filled with smoke, steam and more. Ray Bubbles, an International Bubbleologist and Guinness World Record Holder, is on a mission to master the art of bubble-making and create the ultimate square bubble! He will create a volcano bubble, a soap bubble carousel, a bubble ghost, and even a tornado inside a bubble! The show was inspired by Ray’s work with SEND schools, adult neurodivergent groups, and science centres across Europe and is suitable for children and adults alike.

This musical adaptation of the award-winning childrens book by Lu Fraser and Kate Hindley will delight audiences young and old with beautiful puppets, catchy tunes and an uplifting tale of self-acceptance for all the family. Gertie is great at being THE LITTLEST YAK, with the CURLIEST, WHIRLIEST wool and the GRIPPIEST of hooves for clip-clopping up cliffs. Only, Gertie doesnt want to be the littlest. Shes in a rush to grow up and be just like THE BIG YAKS. But what if there are some things that only a GERTIE can do?

Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton) joins anna Hardwicke (The Sixth Commandment) and Siobhn McSweeney (Derry Girls) in John Millington Synges riveting play of youth and self-discovery.

Oliver Chris and Richard Bean (One Man, Two Guvnors) wrote this hilarious updated version of Sheridans The Rivals and set it in 1940 at RAF Fontwell during the Battle of Britain. Fighter pilot Jack Absolute attempts to rekindle his romance with wealthy Flying Auxiliary Lydia Languish, but she has decided a working-class northener in the form of mechanic Dudley Scunthorpe is for her (but he has the hots for the maid, Lucy). Two other pilots (a demented poet and a crazy Australian) are suitors for Lydia, so Jack resorts to desperately comic measures to convince Lydia that he is the best man. General Absolute, his father, has his own agenda for Lydia, who is the ward of Mrs Malaprop, who owns Malaprop Hall, requisitioned by the RAF as the fighter base. The result is farcical mayhem of the funniest kind

Winner of Dave's Funniest Joke of the Fringe 2024… As seen on Mock the Week, BT Sport and ITV, 'Master of one-liners' Mark Simmons had a ground-breaking 200+ date sell-out debut tour lasting two years, spanning the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. Mark is back on tour in 2026 with  Jest to Impress, a brand-new hour packed with even more expertly crafted one-liners, alongside his trademark off-the-cuff jokes based on random audience suggestions. Mark is enjoying further success with his podcast,  Jokes with Mark Simmons, where he invites a fellow comic, such as Gary Delaney, Sarah Millican, Milton Jones, and Penn & Teller, to discuss jokes that they've written but for whatever reason couldn't get to work.

Dirty Laundry Summer Spectacular featuring Diz Undone Doors: 7.30 | Show starts 8pm Dirty Laundry returns to the Merlin for its biggest summer show yet headlined by the unstoppable Diz Undone (formerly Dizraeli). Rapper, poet, producer and multi-instrumentalist, Diz is a genre of his own. From his cult debut Engurland / City Shanties to the explosive Joy Machine , his work fuses hip-hop, post-punk and jazz into something fiercely original. As Gilles Peterson puts it: Incredible make sure you catch him live. The first half of the night is pure Dirty Laundry: a cabaret-style collision of spoken word, music and live collaboration featuring bold new performances forged in Dizzys Kitchen, his creative mentoring project. Then Diz takes the stage for a full headline set. Expect rhythm, fire, lyricism and heart. Fromes most electric night of words and music. Content guidance: 16+ Dirty Laundry is an uncensored space for honest, grown-up creativity - think big feelings, strong language, and the occasional surprise. We welcome older teens, but we cant guarantee what others will bring to the mic. You know your young person best.

Fearlessly hilarious delivery combined with honesty and sincerity. Kane Brown is 19 years in the game, has performed around the world, has opened for Guz Khan on his UK Tour, can be seen on Man Like Mobeen (Netflix), Deepfake (Channel 4), She’s the One (Amazon) and heard on his hit Podcast, Rated 18.

JENNY TALIA is an Australian comedy rockstar a razor-sharp stand-up musical menace with a guitar - and on this solo UK tour, she is WITHOUT ADULT SUPERVISION. Her shows blend quick, fearless comedy with filthy original songs & savage crowd work. Shes toured internationally, supported comedy legends (including her Dad, comedy icon, Kevin Bloody Wilson) and earned a reputation for shows that are smart & filthy, with a cult following for performances that feel more like a party than a comedy set. With 10 albums under her belt, shes a chaotic mix of quick wit, fast paced banter and songs. Her delivery can be both ridiculous and weirdly relatable, yet somehow still charming. As an Aussie, touring here is always a highlight. Some of my favourite comedians are from the UK, so Id consider the Poms comedy connoisseurs. Its such a buzz to get to play for them

SATURDAY 16 MAY 2026 2.00pm and 7.00pm AETF WESTERN AREA FINAL This is the day when five winning companies meet to perform their plays before a highly qualified and experienced GoDA adjudicator who will choose one to go forward to the English Final on 30 May at the Leicester Little Theatre.

A new musical comedy! Anne Boleyn needs cheering up. Henrys jester, Will Sommers, discovers a comedian called Jane who becomes Annes personal Fool. As Henrys affection fades, Jane finds its not only Annes head on the block.

Love, laughter, and a little bit of lunacy enter a world where fairies meddle, lovers quarrel, and magic runs wild! Enjoy Shakespeares much loved comedy, filled with Folksys twist of live music, audience interaction and impressive multi-rolling!

Bojangles dance schools bi annual show case. Involving all ages and a variety of genres

Get as strong as an ant! Teach a bee how to buzz! This interactive show is packed full of colourful puppets, catchy songs, and educational info about the wonderful world of bugs. "A total crowd pleaser" Children's Theatre Reviews

Nicholas is a prize-winning novelist and biographer In discussion with Kylie Fitpatrick, he will explore the intimate connection betweenwritersandspies,andtheauthorsandplaceswhichhaveinspiredhim. In his latest novel, Frame37, Dyeran ex-journalisttries to stop a dubious candidate from becoming US president.

Andrew Miller talks to Emma Craigie about The Land in Winter, his Booker-shortlisted, word-of-mouth favourite novel, set in Somerset during the Great Freeze of 1962-3. As the relentless snow creates a new world, two neighbouring couples start to question what it is they want from life.

Step into Circus Extravaganza, where children become the stars of the show. With interactive fun, laughter, and magical moments, every child gets their time to shine, building confidence and unforgettable memories in a joyful, high-energy experience the whole family will love. Running Time:45 minutes no interval A

A true story chronicling the authors own life as the man he loves succumbs to Alzheimers disease and the difficult decisions that have to be made. Deeply moving, occasionally very funny, it is a story that touches us all.

This August sees the return of Tri.Arts Award-Winning Summer School, now in its 12th year. This year, students will be performing the classic musical, West Side Story. Join us as we celebrate the incredible talent of our Youth Theatre students!