A SOMERSET theatre is to host events this summer – having been largely shuttered for more than a decade.

The Amulet Theatre, in Shepton Mallet, closed – save for limited events – in 2011.

But now, a long-running community campaign group raising money to buy and re-open the venue has announced a series of ‘pop-up’ events this summer, bringing the theatre back into use.

“We are excited to announce the return of cinema, theatre, dancing and live music to the Amulet – just for this summer,” a spokesperson for the Let’s Buy The Amulet group said.

The first show to mark the return of live entertainment to the Amulet will be a gig by Levellers frontman, Mark Chadwick, on July 4.

The following day, Shepton Mallet Big Band will take the stage, with a host of other events planned until the end of August 2025.

“There will be evening movie nights and the popular tradition of Saturday afternoon family films will also return,” the spokesperson said.

“Two theatre shows will take place in August, with Noel Coward’s classic Private Lives featuring a cast of five professional actors.

“We have temporary access to the ground floor of the building where our team of volunteers have built an exhibition gallery, 60-seat auditorium and a cafe bar.”

Events at the Amulet Theatre in Shepton Mallet this summer:

July 4, 7pm: Mark Chadwick
July 5, 7.30pm: Shepton Mallet Big Band
July 12, 7.30pm: Movie Night: Novocaine
July 19, 10am: All The World’s Our Playground – Family Festival
July 26, 2pm: Saturday Afternoon Family Cinema
July 26, 7.30pm: Movie Night
July 27, 10am: Open Day at the Shepton Mallet Sunday Market
August 2, 2pm: Saturday Afternoon Family Cinema
August 9, 2pm: Saturday Afternoon Family Cinema
August 16, 7.30pm: Private Lives – Theatre Reading
August 23, 7.15pm: The Highgate Vampire – Theatre
August 30: Your Community Event
August 31, 10am: Open Day at the Shepton Mallet Sunday Market

Full information, and ticket details, can be found at buytheamulet.org.uk/events.

Meanwhile, the group is also recruiting volunteers to help with the summer events, and want to hear from anyone who might be able to support the initiative, from working behind the bar to working as an usher, or checking tickets at the door.

A community share offer, launched in May, will also run throughout the summer, giving individuals and organisations the chance to buy shares in The Amulet Centre Limited, a charitable community benefit society to buy and operate the building.

For more details on the Let’s Buy The Amulet scheme and upcoming events, visit buytheamulet.org.uk.

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