'The show must go on!' - and indeed it does at Frome's much-loved community arts venue, The Merlin Theatre.

During the summer holidays there will be a variety of outdoor performances, as the multi-use arts centre is one of only a few live performance venues in Somerset to be blessed with a purpose-build open-air stage space.

The Merlin's amphitheatre, surrounded by unique monoliths, and known as ECOS (European Community Of Stones) has already played host this year to a series Frome Festival events and a number of children's shows as it now revs up into full use until mid-September.

Audiences of all ages are encouraged to grab their picnics, rugs, cushions and folding chairs for the treats in store as Illyria, the UK's longest-running professional outdoor theatre company, brings three shows to the stage.

This will start with The Adventures of Doctor Dolittle on Thursday 6 August; a music-filled take on the classic tale of the man who could talk to the animals has an early start time of 6pm for families.

Gilbert and Sullivan fans will delight that absurd and romantic comedy, The Gondoliers, will moor up on 3 September and to round off the openair theatre treats for the year a stunning show about the original and greatest literary detective of them all.

Sherlock Holmes, accompanied by Doctor Watson, arrives in town. Mystery and intrigue will reach new theatrical heights as the duo navigate treacherous moors and fateful curses in the shape of The Hound of The Baskervilles.

Full details of these and other indoor shows can be found on the company website www.merlintheatre.co.uk