ETHEL Merman is famous for being an American actress and for her leading roles in musical theatre.

One of her most memorable songs was ‘There’s no business like show business’.

Here in Taunton, one person is who is living up to the sentiment of that song is Andy Pulleyn who is the new Centre Director at the Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre, School Road, Monkton Heathfield.

Andy has been in his new role for four months and said: “I am really enjoying it as there are solid foundations here and the team have been really welcoming.

"The volunteers are brilliant and whose help is invaluable.

"It is good to see the link the Tacchi-Morris has with education and what they have achieved is rare with this set up with education like the link with Heathfield School.

"What is great is the GCSE year 12 and The Space do a four full length play plus a musical during the year.

"There is great potential here to do a lot more.”

One of Andy’s roles is to looking at what acts can be brought to the arts centre.

Somerset County Gazette:

The aim as he explained to to have a mixture where people can enjoy family entertainment but can also see performances by schools such as Heathfields and The Space.

He said: “The aim is to plan as far ahead as we can.

“We are starting to book for 2019 now.

"We have already got our pantomime book which will be Cinderella and we are also looking at brining back some groups who have been here before like Ballet UK.

“We recently had a performance from New Old Friends with Crimes Under the Sun which sold out.

"We are looking to have them back. When we book acts we think about the audiences we get and about the community which we serve.

"The aim is to get the right mix of shows and performers.”

Andy said the Tacchi-Morris also worked hard in giving people a good choice of community classes.

these included among the list are: the Tacchi-Morris show choir, Stamp Theatre Company for 8-10 year olds; Tai Chi; Taunton Musical Youth Theatre; Dance Fit and a Monthly writing group.

To find out what shows are at the TacchiMorris go online to tacchi-morris.com.