Curtains Up: The Amulet roars back with gigs, films, and a community takeover

Shepton Mallet's Amulet Theatre is throwing open its doors for a summer of live music, movie nights, theatre, ceilidhs and family fun.
The venue, originally gifted to the town in 1975, is now at the heart of a campaign to bring it back into permanent public use.
Volunteers have transformed the ground floor into a pop-up performance space, and a jam-packed calendar of events is already drawing crowds. It's part trial run, part rallying cry—and part proof that Shepton Mallet wants its theatre back.
Here's What's Coming Up at the Amulet This Summer
JULY
- Fri 4 July – Mark Chadwick (The Levellers) – Live music, 7pm–11pm, £15/£12
- Sat 5 July – Shepton Mallet Big Band – Jazz & funk, 7:30pm–10pm
- Sat 12 July – Novocaine – Movie night, 7:30pm–11pm (Cert 15)
- Sat 19 July – All The World's Our Playground – Free family festival, 10am–5pm
- Sat 26 July (2pm) – Saturday Family Cinema – £5 adults, £1 under 13s
- Sat 26 July (7:30pm) – Movie Night + DJs – Film TBA, £5
- Sun 27 July – Sunday Market Open Day – 10am–3pm, free
AUGUST
- Sat 2 August – Family Cinema, 2pm–4pm
- Sat 9 August (2pm) – Family Cinema returns
- Sat 9 August (7pm) – The Barefoot Ceilidh – Dance night with live folk
- Sat 16 August – Private Lives – Theatre reading, 7:30pm
- Sat 23 August – The Highgate Vampire – Gothic comedy horror play, 7:15pm
- Sat 30 August – Your Community Event Idea – Local-led programming welcome
- Sun 31 August – Sunday Market Open Day – 10am–5pm, free
All events take place in the Amulet's 60-seat pop-up auditorium, built entirely by volunteers.
A Theatre Reborn—for Good?
This isn't just a summer schedule—it's the start of a movement. The group behind the revival has launched a community share offer, giving locals the chance to invest in buying the building outright. Their aim: turn the Amulet into a fully-fledged, community-run venue for generations to come.
Tickets and investment details are available now at buytheamulet.org.uk.
With popcorn in hand, bands onstage, and locals flooding back in, Shepton's Amulet might just be ready for its second act.
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