A SOMERSET author who published a book about the history of Weston-super-Mare’s Playhouse is selling her book at two shops in Burnham-on-Sea.

Samantha Ball, author of A History& Celebration of the Playhouse Theatre Weston-super-Mare, works part time as a box office assistant at The Playhouse as well as working full time in the NHS.

She published her book about The Playhouse’s history in September last year and is now selling copies at GW Hurley and Burnham Tourist Information Centre.

Samantha said she was inspired to write the book while working as a box office assistant at The Playhouse and having chats with staff and customers about its history.

“When I started working at The Playhouse I started having informal discussions with people about its history and I was fascinated by it,” Samantha said.

“I knew that there was nothing like this out there so I decided to take the leap and write a book about it.

“The theatre is an amazing building with so much history, it has fought against fire and threats of closure for many years but it has kept going and is now a popular venue in Weston.

“I launched the book in September last year as I wanted it to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the theatre reopening after a devastating fire which nearly forced it to close.

“I love Burnham-on-Sea. I used to go to the beach there a lot as a child with my family and I still regularly go to the beach and walk with my dog.

“I have been into GW Hurley a number of times and knew that it was somewhere I wanted to sell my book.

“I have sold 10 books at GW Hurley so far but I have sold just over 200 copies since my launch event in September.”

The book, which costs £12.50, is also available to purchase at The Playhouse, Waterstones in Weston and Weston Museum and Samantha said she hopes she will continue to sell more copies in the future.

“I have never done anything like this before so I feel really proud that my book is now out on the shelves after a lot of hard work,” Samantha said.

“I will be appearing at the Weston Literary Festival on March 1 and doing a talk about how I managed to juggle working full time in the NHS and part time at the theatre while researching and writing my book.

“I hope it inspires other writers to show that it can be done if you put your mind to it.”