A “MAGICAL” theatre show for families will visit several Somerset towns on its summer tour, which starts today. 

Ernie's Journey is a pirate-themed show that emphasises the importance of protecting our rivers and waterways.

The show features circus skills, stage magic, poetry, puppetry, and an orginal harp score.

The show has been created by Clementines' Live Arts, a production company for Jackie Clementines' solo shows and collaborative work.

The shows - which will also visit Bristol, Walsall, and Hereford - will be free to attend and held in the hearts of local communities. 

Somerset audiences will be able to watch Ernie's Journey in Burnham-on-Sea (August 3), All Saints Church in Taunton (August 4), Yeovil Country Park (August 16), Porlock (September 24), and The Theatre Shop in Clevedon (October 1).

Somerset County Gazette: Ernie's Journey will be performed in several Somerset towns over the next few weeks. Picture: Clementine's Live Arts Ernie's Journey will be performed in several Somerset towns over the next few weeks. Picture: Clementine's Live Arts

A Clementine's Live Productions spokesperson said: “Ernie's Journey is a magical circus theatre adventure for family audiences.

“The seamless integration of circus, physical theatre, story-telling, stage magic, poetry and puppetry will nurture and excite your inner child.  

“An original live concert harp score takes the tale from the dreamy realms of distant shores to the most raucous sea shanties!   

“This show is particularly enchanting for 4-11-year-olds, but the high-skill circus will amaze audiences of all ages.”

The one-hour adventure focuses on Ernie, a young boy who sets off one day in search of happiness. 

The spokesperson added: “It felt like nobody really believed in Ernie and sometimes he wondered whether he even believed in himself.

“He discovers that being himself and following his dreams can lead to all kinds of adventures, but it is the people we love who make it all worth it.  

“This show has been designed to connect audiences with the waterways around where they live and how they feed into national and international ocean systems.”

The tour has been supported by public funding from Arts Council England. 

For more information, visit the Clementines Live Arts Facebook page.

Gallery: The cast of Ernie's Journey ahead of the show's summer tour

Somerset County Gazette: Ernie's Journey will start its summer tour in Burnham-on-Sea today. Pictures: Clementine's Live ArtsErnie's Journey will start its summer tour in Burnham-on-Sea today. Pictures: Clementine's Live Arts

Somerset County Gazette: The show has been created by Jack Clementines and features several performers.The show has been created by Jack Clementines and features several performers.

Somerset County Gazette: The adventure story follows Ernie on his journey to finding happiness.The adventure story follows Ernie on his journey to finding happiness.

Somerset County Gazette: The show "has been designed to connect audiences with waterways".The show "has been designed to connect audiences with waterways".