Frome is set to play host to the UK’s inaugural comedy collective tour focused on refugee content; with performances from refugee and migrant comedians.

As part of Refugee Week 2024, the Merlin Theatre will welcome Soho Theatre favourites, No Direction Home on June 21.

The collective includes associate artists Selam Amare, Usman Khalid, Pepa Duarte, with host duties fulfilled by Roann McCloskey. The comedy ensemble, which came to life through a project by Counterpoint Arts, aims to provide a platform for new comics from migrant and refugee origins.

The project, established in partnership with Camden People’s Theatre and comedian Tom Parry, offers workshops, gigs, and tutoring across the UK. No Direction Home has already organised a sizeable number of workshops and held over 25 gigs.

Names such as Nish Kumar, Romesh Ranganathan, Rosie Jones, Rob Delaney, Fatiha El-Ghorri, and Sindhu Vee have been guest headline performers. The project aims to create and stimulate opportunities and shift the public perception about humour and who can be funny.

However, No Direction Home’s performance is just the start for Frome.

The Welcome Hub within the town has organised a rich calendar of Refugee Week activities, including workshops, film screenings, art, crafts, and music following the performance.

All these activities culminate into a Family Fun Day at Victoria Park on June 23, along with a picnic.

The day will feature yoga, storytelling, craft, and music sessions for adults and children alike. More details about the full week's itinerary can be sourced from the Discover Frome website.

That's not all; on June 22, a music concert titled ‘Ukrainian Soul’ will be taking centre stage. The event, organised by professional musician Olha Koptieva, will showcase Ukrainian culture and music at 23 Bath Street.

The finale of the week's events still remains the Family Fun Day, offering a fusion of yoga, music, and storytelling to people of all ages and backgrounds. Many of these folk tales are ancient stories from the birth countries of displaced individuals, providing an interesting twist to modern popular stories. Additionally, theatre group Dramakarma will offer a morning storytelling session.

Director Kevin Ross said: "It’s a great honour for the young people from Dramakarma to take part. It will help develop their skills and personal confidence while contributing to their own and others’ awareness of the importance of learning about and valuing each other’s culture."

Yoga is also on the agenda, with one session for under 10s by Rainbow Flow and an adult taster class by Ashtanga Yoga Frome.

Moreover, the family of Idries Shah, a renowned author and teacher in the Sufi tradition, will facilitate a craft activity; sharing a traditional oral story and helping the younger generation create a craft piece base on it.

For the music lovers, local musician Abi Bailey of Djembe Tots will usher in a tune-filled afternoon.

To close the day, Somerset Storyfest will bring a visiting storyteller to share a couple of more stories; an interactive way to 'climb mountains, go through jungles, and fit into a tiny woollen glove'. More details on the week’s events and how to join the fun can be found at discoverfrome.co.uk/annual-events/refugee-week.