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.
🗓️ Saturday 22nd November 2025 Meet Mrs Holly Frost – and her friend goose! – as they keep an eye on the world below in this heartwarming live action/puppetry performance at The Mowlem. The show explores intergenerational friendship, the changing seasons and the power of kindness against a backdrop of illustrated paper theatre, giant pop-up […]
🗓️ Friday 19th September 2025 Magician and illusionist Sean Alexander – also known as ‘The Confusionist’ – is stopping in Swanage on a world-wide tour of his show Moments in Time tonight. With a performance promising to amaze and entertain, Sean’s previous appearances on stage and screen include Britain’s Got Talent and the movie Show […]
🗓️ Thursday 7th – Thursday 21st August 2025 (Selected Dates) Corfe Castle’s summer programme of outdoor theatre returns for 2025 with three performances held in the Outer Bailey. Programme for 2025 Thursday 7th August Pride and Prejudice Award-winning outdoor theatre company Illyria is bringing Oliver Gray’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice to Corfe […]
🗓️ Friday 1st August 2025 Miracle Theatre is back in Kimmeridge this summer for another outdoor performance in the bay. The touring theatre company will be performing Shakespeare’s comedy Twelfth Night, bringing its signature contemporary twist to the Bard’s classic, promising a memorable outdoor theatre experience for the whole family. Tickets
🗓️ Saturday 12th July – Friday 5th September 2025 Settle down on the sand for one of the UK’s oldest seaside summer Punch & Judy shows – going strong since 1904! Join Professor Joe Burns as he manages the mischief behind the traditional Punch & Judy booth on Swanage Central Beach. With three shows a […]
🗓️ Friday 13th June 2025 The Rude Mechanical Theatre Company is back at The Square & Compass for another outdoor performance this June. Gentle Harry’s Farm is a musical comedy with live music and original songs performed in The Rudes’ much-loved signature style. Tickets Booking: Find tickets & full information online: www.tickettailor.com/events/therudes/1517765
🗓️ Thursday 12th – Saturday 14th June 2025 Swanage Drama Company is back at The Mowlem with another fun farce. Caught In The Net is the sequel to Run For Your Wife – Can bigamist taxi driver John Smith keep his two families, in different parts of London, secret from one another as his two […]
🗓️ Thursday 5th June 2025 This production of Tennessee Williams’ classic A Streetcar Named Desire stars Gillian Anderson (Sex Education), Vanessa Kirby (The Crown) and Ben Foster (Lone Survivor). Filmed live at the Young Vic Theatre in 2014.
🗓️ Saturday 24th May 2025 Join Swanage Drama Company and friends at another memorable evening of entertainment at The Mowlem tonight. Showcasing an array of local talent, there’ll be music, comedy sketches and performances from: There will also be a raffle with some great prizes to be won at this fun, community event. Tickets And […]
🗓️ Thursday 8th May 2025 Hannay Stands Fast is a comedic sequel to The 39 Steps, which sees Richard Hannay return in a new MI5 mission in Cornwall, where a secretive organisation threatens the nation. All 53 characters in the show are played by just four actors, using a range of props and set changes […]
🗓️ Wednesday 7th May 2025 Swanage Library is hosting a visit from Brownsea Open Air Theatre (BOAT) today. BOAT & the Bard! will be led by a member of the outdoor theatre company – learn more about Shakespeare and his plays through song, costume and interactive theatre sessions. Find out more about BOAT, including its […]
🗓️ Thursday 24th April 2025 Filmed live at London’s National Theatre, The Importance of Being Earnest – one of Oscar Wilde’s most-loved comedies – is showing at The Mowlem this evening. This flamboyant reimagining of the 1895 play stars Sharon D Clarke (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Doctor Who), Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who, Sex Education) and […]
🗓️ Wednesday 16th April 2025 It’s a festival vibe at The Mowlem tonight with local community group All Sort’d. The group, which supports and champions young adults with learning and associated difficulties in the area, will be joined by support acts (more info coming soon) in an uplifting night of music, dance and drama. Proceeds […]
🗓️ Wednesday 16th April 2025 Swanage Library is hosting a special free performance for kids today, inspired by the art of Frida Kahlo. The Mexico Mission! is an interactive comedy where kids can get involved by helping the detective agency crack a new case – in Mexico City, a new Frida Kahlo painting has been […]
🗓️ Thursday 3rd April 2025 A National Theatre Live screening of the Stanley Kubrick black comedy, Dr. Strangelove, starring Steve Coogan (Alan Partridge) is showing at The Mowlem this evening. Coogan plays four different roles in the satire, in which a rogue US general triggers a nuclear attack, leading the Government and one eccentric scientist […]
🗓️ Thursday 27th – Saturday 29th March 2025 Join Swanage Musical Theatre Company for a spring performance of the musical Kinky Boots. Tickets Find out more about Swanage Musical Theatre Company on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SwanageMTC/
🗓️ Saturday 15th March 2025 Celebrate the highs and lows of menopausal ‘mid life’ in this uplifting and funny show at The Mowlem. Inspired by real experiences of women, the performance invites the audience to embrace the lighter side of this transitional phase in women’s lives, with the show ending in a disco for everyone […]
🗓️ Wednesday 12th March 2025 No Regrets explores the choices we make – or don’t make – in life, and our relationship with those choices. At times silly and at others profound, it’s a thought-provoking meditation on the thoughts, conversations and experiences collected across the course of five years, from people from all ages and […]
🗓️ Thursday 27th February – Saturday 1st March 2025 Get your tickets now for The Swanage School’s performance of the hit dance/music drama Footloose. City boy Ren (originally played by Kevin Bacon in the 1984 film) moves to a small, conservative town where dancing and rock music have been banned – join the cast of […]
🗓️ Tuesday 18th February 2025 Join Squashbox Theatre this morning for a funny and fascinating trip around the world. Meet crazy characters and learn some incredible facts about our ‘wonderful world’ as explorer Craig follows clues across the globe to try and find his missing Great Aunt Gladys. Wonderful World is full of live music […]
🗓️ Friday 6th December 2024 This family-friendly musical comedy is billed as a ‘fabulously funny festive treat’, brought to Corfe via Artsreach. Despite being incarcerated for the festive season, duo Charlie and Toby create their own festival of Christmas from their cell. Tickets & Booking Pick up tickets from Corfe Castle Village Stores, or book […]
🗓️ Wednesday 6th November 2024 Comedian Maisie Adam (Live at the Apollo, A League Of Their Own) is playing at The Mowlem as part of a UK tour tonight. Adam has been awarded Best New Act and nominated Best Newcomer – find out more about her on her website: https://www.maisieadam.com
🗓️ Tuesday 29th October 2024 Perfect for getting spooky ahead of Halloween, this adaptation of the Robert Westall novel is suitable for families with slightly older kids (recommended age 10+). Described as a ‘funny and thrilling’ ghost story, The Watch House follows Anne as she embarks on an adventure where she must uncover the truth […]
🗓️ Thursday 19th September 2024 Andrew Scott (Fleabag; Vanya) plays actor Garry Essendine in this production of Noel Coward’s comedy play Present Laughter. Essendine’s life begins to unravel as he faces an identity crisis on the eve of an overseas tour. The award-winning play also stars Indira Varma and Sophie Thompson. This is National Theatre […]
🗓️ Thursday 12th September 2024 Jodie Comer (Killing Eve) stars in this one-woman play by Suzie Miller. Prima Facie sees a young barrister, Tessa, who works to defend men accused of sexual assault – till she must take the stand herself as a witness after she is assaulted. This showing is a National Theatre Live […]
🗓️ Saturday 24th August 2024 Join a magical, musical fantasy at Sandy Hill Arts where you’ll journey with Mollie and her unicorn as they travel the world learning about nature and befriending wildlife as they go. The fun, fantasy theatre performance has elements of song, dance, art and puppetry. Mollie and the Unicorn is produced […]
🗓️ Thursday 22nd August 2024 Experience the story of Henry VIII like never before in the historic grounds of Corfe Castle with touring theatre company The Three Inch Fools. They’ll take you on a mad-capped journey through the life and times of the famous king and his many wives, with their guide on ‘how to […]
🗓️ Thursday 15th August 2024 Illyria Outdoor Theatre is bringing its adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet to Corfe Castle this summer. Their comedic take on the classic tragedy has received widespread acclaim, including Critic’s Choice in Edinburgh and a nomination for Best of Fringe in Vancouver. Bring a camping chair or blanket and come […]
🗓️ Monday 12th August 2024 This year’s Swanage Lifeboat Week outdoor theatre performance is The Importance of Being Earnest, by touring theatre company Rain or Shine. Swanage amphitheatre’s stage will be set for a new rendition of the classic Oscar Wilde comedy. Bring your own picnic and drinks and enjoy the atmosphere of an open-air […]
🗓️ Thursday 8th August 2024 Enjoy an evening outdoor performance in the grounds of Corfe Castle with Sherlock Holmes in this ‘cheeky but chilling’ adaptation of the Conan Doyle classic. Performed by outdoor theatre company Illyria, the show will take you across Dartmoor in search of the mysterious spectral hound as Holmes and Watson decrypt […]