Tucked away inside Writhlington School is a special space that the community may not know a great deal about. Although it might seem a little soon to be thinking about Christmas, Writhlington’s Dragonfly Theatre will soon be hosting a special event in December, which organisers are hoping will launch the theatre as a better known venue in the area.

The 384-seat Dragonfly Theatre opened five years ago, as part of the school’s £25 million build project, which included the state-of-the-art theatre and was designed with student input. Now it is managed by staff member and amateur dramatic enthusiast, Roxanne Thomas, alongside a theatre technician; hosting events for primary schools, dance schools and groups such as the Lions and the Rotary. It is also used as a venue for Kilmersdon’s reel people film society, who have regular screenings there.

Writhlington School is already well-known nationally, if not globally, for its online videos promoting school productions, the most recent being Les Misérables, which went viral. Photographs taken by former Writhlington student turned professional photographer, Olly Curtis, were also used for the prestigious Josef Weinberger Schools Edition of the production.

As well as her Writhlington successes, Roxanne has also been involved with marketing at Frome’s Merlin Theatre and has performed in shows herself. More recently, she has been the Assistant Director of Writhlington School’s Head of Drama’s Theatre Company, ‘Spare Room’. The school is due to perform Fame under the direction of the new Head of Drama this coming November.

Speaking about the Christmas with the Rat Pack event, Roxanne said: “The Dragonfly Theatre is a hidden gem, and this is a really exciting opportunity for local residents, which is accessible and on their doorsteps. There are amazing performers that live and work in the area, and there is a real sense of community growing in Radstock, with the Victoria Hall playing a large part in this, with its arts revival, which is really exciting.

“We hope the show will be a real stepping stone to putting Radstock on the map, and I can’t think of a better way to start Christmas than with the Rat Pack!”

Paul Toole is the promoter for the show, and, having worked as an entertainer on cruise ships for twelve years, he has the contacts to put on shows for the area using seasoned professionals, also previously being involved with the McMillan Theatre, Bridgwater. He said: “This is going to be a real jaw-dropper of a show and what more conjures up the magic of Christmas, a time when nostalgia and vintage is at its prime. We are seeing a revival in people wanting to watch these types of shows, reliving the glory days of the 40s and 50s variety halls. I live and breathe Christmas – I wish the show was next week!”

Christmas with the Rat Pack will take place at Writhlington’s Dragonfly Theatre on 19th and 20th December. There is free parking and the theatre is fully accessible, with a bar available on both nights.