Swanage’s theatre, The Mowlem, has a packed program of events throughout the year, with live performances from local drama groups and visiting theatre companies, as well as National Theatre Live screenings. You’ll even find some outdoor theatre shows in Swanage’s amphitheatre, as well as at Durlston and in nearby Corfe. Dorset-based Artsreach also has a vibrant events calendar bringing plays to smaller venues in Purbeck, such as Studland, Langton and Corfe Castle village halls.
🗓️ Friday 22nd May 2026 Join Swanage Drama Company & friends as they help raise £6,000 for The Mowlem’s curtain rig. As well as raising funds for the ‘Save Our Curtains’ campaign, Another Night at The Mowlem is a celebration of local talent, with the mini variety show including: Tickets Save our Curtains Campaign Following […]
🗓️ Friday 19th June 2026 Head to the Square & Compass in Worth tonight as The Rudes return with their latest outdoor performance, The Wife. Join the touring theatre company’s Alyson of Bath and co. on the road to Canterbury as she extols the virtues – or not – of her five husbands, “an expert […]
🗓️ Thursday 6th August 2026 A reimagining of the classic story of Pinocchio by outdoor theatre company Illyria comes to Corfe Castle today. The adaptation follows Carlo Collodi’s wooden puppet as he longs to become a real boy. Tickets Booking: Book tickets online: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/corfe-castle/events/2a017413-8ac9-41b3-a536-7c747ef494af
🗓️ Monday 10th August 2026 Touring outdoor theatre company Rain or Shine returns to Swanage this August during Lifeboat Week with another family-friendly production. Enjoy a hilarious, fast-paced adaptation of Charles Dickens’ The Pickwick Papers in the town’s amphitheatre. “Join Mr Pickwick and his eccentric band of companions as they bumble their way through confusing […]
🗓️ Thursday 13th August 2026 Come to Corfe Castle this evening for an enchanting adaptation of Beatrix Potter’s The Tales of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny. The outdoor performance by Quantum Theatre follows Peter and Benjamin as they get up to mischief in Mr McGregor’s garden. Tickets Booking: Book tickets online: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/corfe-castle/events/bd767ad2-ef2e-4245-9744-cecd95c23a5b
🗓️ Thursday 20th August 2026 Enjoy an outdoor performance of Shakespeare’s As You Like It at Corfe Castle this summer. The comedy is performed by outdoor theatre company Illyria. Tickets Booking: Book tickets online: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/corfe-castle/events/fdfc20ef-e7db-4535-b8c6-b40847b5ecb1
🗓️ Thursday 20th August 2026 The Three Inch Fools return to Kimmeridge Bay this summer with a brand new production, King Arthur and the Holy Fail, in which “Arthurian Legend meets Monty Python.” Expect dashing knights and daring quests, amid jousting and battles as Camelot faces an unlikely threat, calling for King Arthur to step […]
🗓️ Saturday 5th – Sunday 6th September 2026 Get the date in your diary for Sandy Hill Arts’ annual Poetry Weekend – two days of readings, workshops and performances at the studios in Corfe Castle. Highlights include readings with award-winning poets Isabelle Baafi and Jen Feroze, who will also be running workshops. Poetry readings are […]
🗓️ Friday 9th – Saturday 10th October 2026 An adaptation of Mark Haddon’s The Curious Incident of The Dog in the Night-Time comes to The Mowlem this weekend. The productions is by Revive Theatre (Dial M for Murder, One Man Two Guvnors and The 39 Steps). Find full information and book tickets via The Mowlem: […]
🗓️ Friday 15th – Saturday 23rd January 2027 (Selected dates) Save the date for Swanage Drama Company’s next pantomime, Robinson Crusoe. Get ready for adventure, comedy and an array of colourful characters at the annual SDC panto, which will be held at The Mowlem Theatre in January 2027. Showtimes Keep an eye on the latest […]