February: the month of love ❤️
And it all starts with a little rebellion.
St Valentine wasn’t about chocolates and roses; he was a rule-breaker. When Emperor Claudius II banned marriage for young men (convinced single soldiers fought better), Valentine quietly defied him, secretly marrying couples in the name of love and commitment.
Thrown into prison, Valentine didn’t stop there. He cared for fellow Christians and, legend has it, even restored the sight of his jailer’s daughter, Julia, after being challenged to prove his faith. Before his execution, he wrote her a note signed “From your Valentine” – the very first Valentine’s message.
Romantic. Defiant. A little bit dangerous.
So it feels only right that, a few days before Valentine’s Day, we welcome Hundred Watt Club to the Brewhouse stage – the UK’s longest-running and most celebrated burlesque and cabaret night. Lena Lenman’s dazzling troupe of striptease, circus, drag, comedy, and vaudeville performers promise an evening packed with glamour, thrill, and wicked charm.
“Harking back to the gin-drenched halcyon days of a grimy Berlin nightclub in the 1930s, Hundred Watt Club sparkles, fizzles and shines brightly on a dark night.” FringeReview.co.uk
Love, rebellion, and a whole lot of sparkle! Consider this your Valentine’s invitation.
Continuing the theme of love, we’re delighted to offer an evening screening of Hamnet on Monday 16 February.
Fresh from the Golden Globes and Critics’ Choice Awards, Hamnet is one of this season’s hottest tickets, with seven Academy Award nominations. Set in Tudor England, the story centres on Agnes, a fiercely independent woman deeply attuned to nature and intuition, whose life is transformed when she meets a young Latin tutor who captures her heart.
Hamnet is a story of love, loss and resilience.
A beautiful tragedy.
An emotional masterpiece.
★★★★★
“Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley beguile and captivate in audacious Shakespearean tragedy” – Guardian
Love isn’t just about romance; it’s about family too. This season, gather your loved ones for the much-loved story of The Gruffalo’s Child, based on the Julia Donaldson classic.
On a wild and windy night, the Gruffalo’s Child ignores her father’s warnings about the Big Bad Mouse and tiptoes into the deep, dark wood. Following snowy tracks, she meets mysterious creatures along the way… but the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist, does he?
Packed with songs, laughter, and adventure, this delightful production invites imaginations to run free and hearts to feel at home. Perfect for everyone aged 3 to 103. Familiar, cosy and wonderfully relatable with just the right dose of adventure.
And we couldn’t leave without mentioning the launch of our Folk Series!
We are bringing a lovingly curated selection of folk artists to our intimate Studio Theatre. Rooted in tradition while open to new ideas, the series celebrates folk music as something living, shared, and constantly evolving.
The Folk Series brings together artists working across traditional and contemporary folk, each with a distinct voice and relationship to the genre. From the New-Folk energy of Bristol trio Tarren to the improvised, in-the-moment soundscape of The Ciderhouse Rebellion, the series reflects the breadth of what folk music can be today.
Each performance takes place in our Studio Theatre – a cosy yet contemporary space designed for close listening. With artists and audiences only a few feet apart, the Folk Series invites you to slow down, tune in, and connect with this special artform.
Folk music has deep roots in Somerset, shaped by landscape, community, and shared stories. This series honours that heritage while welcoming new voices and approaches, offering a space where long-time folk fans and newcomers alike can feel right at home.
Theatre needs audiences now more than ever and we’re truly grateful for your continued support. If something catches your eye, don’t be afraid to try it – you might just discover a new favourite!
To view all of our upcoming events, please click here.
Kim, Lucy and Vic
Programming Team
