The Merlin outdoor festival opens this coming Saturday, 1st August, with brilliantly daft and very tiny super hero 'Dangerous Dave'. Brought to life by international touring company Noisy Oyster, this miniature marvel and his sidekick Herbert Lemon will present some of the silliest stunts ever performed on the ECOS amphitheatre in Frome at 2pm.

Described by Glenn Tilbrook as "Transcends the boundary between adult and kids' entertainment – fantastic" audiences will marvel as Dave fights his way out of a wet paper bag, climbs the pole of peril to plunge into a food processor and becomes the fearless inhuman Cannon Ball!

Noisy Oyster, known internationally for their brilliant puppetry and touring shows, have been awarded many times for their skills, including winning the coveted 'Best Street Show' accolade at the World Puppet Carnival. Founder Nik Palmer explains "In the last 3 years we have performed in Eastern Europe, Spain, Denmark, Bosnia, Thailand, Mexico, South Korea, Columbia, Vietnam and Indonesia but there really is no place like home and we are so looking forward to being at the Merlin. The outdoor theatre space is such a gift and just one of the amazing things that makes Frome so special."

During what is one of the most challenging years ever for theatre companies, co-founder Sarah Rowland-Barker points out that Noisy Oyster were one of the lucky few to receive an ACE grant during lockdown. "We are very grateful for that" she tells us "this money has meant we are able to continue and be ready to take these steps back onto stage, so it is both a joy and honour to open at the Merlin festival and to remind people that this is a fund-raising event. It really is a super show for big kids as well as small."

Dangerous Dave performing some of his finest stunts on The Slammer https://vimeo.com/195279316

Tickets for 'Dangerous Dave' are available via the Merlin website; the full programme is being updated regularly as more companies come on board each week. All artists featured in the month-long festival are professionals based and working in Somerset and the South West. Starting at just £7 for children, tickets must be booked and purchased in advance via www.merlintheatre.co.uk

Audience members are requested to read and follow the theatre website's guidance regarding arrival times, socially distant seating and sanitising instructions for the safety and comfort or all patrons and staff.