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.
🗓️ Wednesday 12th November 2025 Inspired by A Hangman’s Diary: Being The Journal Of Franz Schmidt, Public Executioner Of Nuremberg, (1573-1617) by Albrecht Keller, Making a Killing examines human nature in a society on the cusp of change. Presented by award-winning Cornish theatre & film company Ha Hum Ah Productions, the dark comedy by Ben […]
🗓️ 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 […]
🗓️ Thursday 27th – Saturday 29th November 2025 Come and see Double Act’s latest pantomime Alice in Cuckoo Land at Corfe Castle village hall this November. The classic Lewis Carroll story is given a fun, panto twist in this adaptation for the whole family. Alice Wobbly follows her hapless cat Chester down the rabbit hole, […]
🗓️ Wednesday 3rd December 2025 Let the magic of Charles Dicken’s original abridged A Christmas Carol create those festive feels as Mitch Benn brings his show to The Mowlem. Mitch plays all characters in this one-man performance, contining Dicken’s tradition of performing the text live. Tickets & Booking
🗓️ Sunday 7th December 2025 Santa has a pirate problem in this action-packed family Christmas show at The Mowlem today. They’ve robbed his reindeer, nicked his Naughty List and nabbed a very special red nose – is Christmas about to be cancelled? After the show, you’ll get the opportunity to post your Christmas wish list […]
🗓️ Friday 12th December 2025 The irreverent, ‘shamelessly festive insanity’ of Charlie Bicknell and Louise Innes returns to The Mowlem this December, with Cabaret with Claus. Expect a madcap mashup of traditional nativity angels and shepherds alongside modern twists such as scented candles and a glitterball rocket ship! For an idea of what to expect, […]
🗓️ Friday 9th – Saturday 17th January 2026 (Selected dates) Swanage’s premier panto performers are back – this season, with an adaptation of Aladdin. Following on from their successful run of pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk last year, Swanage Drama Company is ready to entertain with more favourite characters. Meet down-on-her-luck Widow Twankey and her […]
🗓️ Wednesday 25th – Saturday 28th February 2026 Get the dates in your diary for The Swanage School’s performance of Roald Dahl classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It will be their 10th annual production and held at The Mowlem in February. There’ll be five shows across four days – Get tickets (£20 per person) […]
🗓️ Thursday 19th – Saturday 21st March 2026 Head to The Mowlem this spring for a ‘tale as old as time’, as Swanage Musical Theatre Company brings you Beauty & The Beast. There’ll be performances across three days – at 7.30pm each day, plus an additional matinee performance at 2pm on the Saturday. Tickets & […]
🗓️ Friday 24th April 2026 Enjoy a ‘fast-paced and riotous adaptation’ of HG Wells’ classic story The Invisible Man at The Mowlem tonight. The play’s 15 characters are played by just three actors – expect quick costume changes, prop manipulation and lots of tongue-in-cheek silliness. Tickets & Booking