The Mowlem

The Mowlem Theatre, Music, Film & Bar at least 6 nights a week! Box Office open Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 11am - 1.30pm

Swanage Record Club is in the Showbar at The Mowlem on the 13th of February from 6:00 to 9:30pm. This is a free monthly ...
11/02/2025

Swanage Record Club is in the Showbar at The Mowlem on the 13th of February from 6:00 to 9:30pm.

This is a free monthly event with different themes each month, This month the theme is Valentines. Bring your Valentines-themed tracks to play, or just bring yourself!

This club is like a book club but for records. Come appreciate great albums in full and enjoy a drinks and chats

The opening act of Summer of Music at The Mowlem is Pop Up Bowie! Friday 25th July Tickets: £19 Friends, £20 General 'P...
10/02/2025

The opening act of Summer of Music at The Mowlem is Pop Up Bowie!
Friday 25th July Tickets: £19 Friends, £20 General

'Pop Up Bowie' performs the greatest hits of David Bowie, from every era of Bowie's career from the 70's through to the nineties and beyond.
The front man, Paul Antony, a huge fan of Bowie, accurately portrays the charismatic performance of his hero. Paul's vocal and visual likeness to David is remarkable.
He performs backed by a fantastic band of experienced, pro musicians to provide a pulsating night of pure, authentic Bowie!

Tickets on Sale 21st February, 11am

Over half term Moana 2 (PG) is showing at The Mowlem on the 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th February at 11:30am. B...
08/02/2025

Over half term Moana 2 (PG) is showing at The Mowlem on the 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th February at 11:30am.

Book your tickets here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-mowlem-theatre/moana-2-pg/e-pqbvzv

Moana journeys to the far seas of Oceania after receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors.

Starring Dwayne Johnson, Awhimai Fraser, Nicole Scherzinger. Directed by Dana Ledoux Miller, Jason Hand, David Derrick Jr.
Running time: 1hr 40mins

07/02/2025

Over half term Mufasa: The Lion King (PG) is showing at The Mowlem on the 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th February at 7pm.

Book your tickets here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-mowlem-theatre/mufasa-the-lion-king-pg/e-xjozkj

Lost and alone, orphaned cub Mufasa meets a sympathetic lion called Taka, the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destinies.
Starring Aaron Pierre, Blue Ivy Carter, Mads Mikkelsen. Directed by Barry Jenkins. Running time 2 hours

Join Enrique in The Studio and The Showbar for an afternoon of Salsa Classes followed by a night dedicated to Cuban/Lati...
06/02/2025

Join Enrique in The Studio and The Showbar for an afternoon of Salsa Classes followed by a night dedicated to Cuban/Latin music & Dance in the heart of Swanage!

Enrique from the Salsa Explosion Cuban Dance School is leading afternoon classes from Absolute Beginners to Salsa Improvers and in the evening he'll present a fun salsa class for all levels from 8.30, followed by a Cuban & Latin Party!

Tickets are available directly from Salsa Explosion, all details at https://themowlem.com/event/latin-party/

There are many ways you can help support The Mowlem, one of them is Easy Fundraising. They partner with over 8,000 brand...
06/02/2025

There are many ways you can help support The Mowlem, one of them is Easy Fundraising.
They partner with over 8,000 brands, such as John Lewis, Amazon, Tesco and ebay, who will donate a percentage of what you spend to us. It won't cost you any extra.
It's simple way to help support us at The Mowlem and only takes 2 minutes to sign up!

Sign up here:

Help us when you shop with 7,000+ brands. Join now.

This Friday at The Mowlem Rave on for The Avon (PG) is showing at 7:30pm with a Q&A with Director Charlotte Sawyer.Get y...
05/02/2025

This Friday at The Mowlem Rave on for The Avon (PG) is showing at 7:30pm with a Q&A with Director Charlotte Sawyer.
Get your tickets: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-mowlem-theatre/t-gakamzl

This documentary tells the story of a community of wild swimmers in Bristol affected by raw sewage pollution of the river Avon.

In a series of moving, exciting and thought-provoking scenes, the swimmers create a stunning, light-hearted yet fascinating tapestry, probing how activism starts from the grassroots, and carries a profound universal lesson for all of us.

There’s a marriage to the river, drum’n’bass, a mermaid who tows an inflatable turd, and a whole lot of cheesecake in this poignant reflection on people’s innovative battles for the natural world they cherish.

Tickets are £10 for Standard & £8 for Friends of The Mowlem + booking fees

Artsreach Dorset Presents Squashbox Theatre - Wonderful World (4+) will be at the Mowlem on the 18th February 11am Book...
04/02/2025

Artsreach Dorset Presents Squashbox Theatre - Wonderful World (4+) will be at the Mowlem on the 18th February 11am

Book your tickets here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-mowlem-theatre/artsreach-presents-squashbox-theatre-wonderful-world-4/e-gxpavd

Can you fit the entire world into one show? Well, if anybody can, Squashbox Theatre can! Join intrepid explorer Craig on a breathless race across the planet, as he attempts to decipher the clues left by his globe-trotting Great Aunt Gladys – clues that could finally explain her mysterious disappearance!

In 'Wonderful World' we will be crossing continents, encountering strange and wonderful creatures, meeting crazy characters, and learning incredible facts about geography, climate, ecosystems, countries, language and navigation along the way. Discover the things that connect us – and make us all a part of this 'Wonderful World'!

This brand-new show incorporates ingenious puppetry, fantastic facts, silly slapstick, crazy comedy and marvellous live music – all presented in that unique Squashbox style! Touring Dorset with Artsreach, the county’s rural arts charity.
Perfect for children aged 4+ (bring a cushion)Running Time: 55mins no interval

Post-Show Puppet Making Workshop After the show, children can create their very own articulated card puppets of amazing animals from around the world! Suitable for ages 4+, places are limited, and children must be accompanied. £4 per child. Enquire when booking.

The Purbeck Society are in The Studio this Friday the 7th of February There is going to be a fascinating talk about the ...
04/02/2025

The Purbeck Society are in The Studio this Friday the 7th of February

There is going to be a fascinating talk about the White Tailed Eagles, their visits/feeding and interactions with other wildlife, including Ospreys over the Isle of Purbeck.

Talks start at 2:30pm (doors open at 2:15pm).
Get your tickets on the door. free to Purbeck Society members, non-members £3.
Tea/coffee will be available after the talk.

Photo: Stuart Pentland. White-tailed eagle G461 on the Brownsea Lagoon, November 2022

There is only one week left to apply to be the Executive Director of The Mowlem!Applications need to be submitted by 9am...
03/02/2025

There is only one week left to apply to be the Executive Director of The Mowlem!

Applications need to be submitted by 9am Monday 10 February 2025

We are looking for someone who is passionate about the benefits of the arts and community engagement, and can help to progress the Mowlem’s vision.

The role's main responsibilities are to provide artistic vision and business development to the Mowlem Theatre, engage with the public and community, advocate for the organisation, and develop plans for the venue's long-term sustainability.

To find out more about the role and apply please visit our website: https://themowlem.com/executive-director/

01/02/2025

Here (12A) is showing at The Mowlem on the 8th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th February at 7.30PM and Monday Matinee on the 10th February at 2.30PM

Get your tickets here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-mowlem-theatre/here-12a/e-aegvxo

This film tells the story of multiple generations of couples and families that inhabit the same home over the course of a century.

Starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Kelly Reilly. Directed by Robert Zemeckis.
Running time 1hr 44mins

What is 'A Little Bit of The Script's The Thing'?It's exactly what it says! 'The Script's The Thing' is a festival of ne...
29/01/2025

What is 'A Little Bit of The Script's The Thing'?

It's exactly what it says! 'The Script's The Thing' is a festival of new writing for theatre, TV, film, radio and all performance taking place in Dorchester in May, and this is a taster event.

Aimed at writers of all kinds and all levels of experience, the evening will feature an extract from the play ‘Battered’ by Swanage-based writer Tim Poultney and exclusive filmed contributions from actors, playwrights and directors including Mark Rylance.

The video shared here shows you the highlights of the first festival, and a flavour of what's to come...

'A Little Bit of The Script's The Thing' takes place in the Studio from 7.30pm next Tuesday, 4th February. Tickets are just £5 each or £3 for Friends of the Mowlem!

A short film celebrating the success of Dorset's first festival of scriptwriting, The Script's The Thing, which took place on Saturday Oct 28th 2023 at Dorch...

28/01/2025

Mid Life is a frank, comedic exposé of menopausal Mid Life. It is showing at The Mowlem on the 15th of March at 7:30pm. Join us as we laugh, roar and disco dance our way through our midlife!

Mid Life sold out in venues across the UK in 2020. Rewritten and revamped, this upbeat, life-affirming show is packed with razor-sharp humour and disco. It draws its themes from real-life experiences of women in midlife and ends with a dance party for all to join in.

Tickets are available now for £18 for standard and £16 for friends online or at our box office
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-mowlem-theatre/t-noxynzy

Every performance of Mid Life is live BSL interpreted, audio described, and captioned. Mid Life is a Diverse City show, in association with Plymouth Theatre Royal.

“We made Mid Life because when I hit menopause I felt lost, anxious, unsure and
overwhelmed by what was happening. This is the show I wish I had seen as I entered into the transformation of peri-menopause and menopause”.
Claire Hodgson, Joint Artistic Director Diverse City

Galaxy Thief are live at The Mowlem Showbar this weekend.Come along at 7pm on the 1st of February to their launch party ...
27/01/2025

Galaxy Thief are live at The Mowlem Showbar this weekend.
Come along at 7pm on the 1st of February to their launch party of their new single "Mayday".

Doors open at 6:15pm
Tickets are £6 + booking fee or £10 on the door. Limited capacity so book early to avoid disappointment. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.

Book tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/galaxy-thief-live-at-the-mowlem-show-bar-tickets-1144612710429

Galaxy Thief are a British indie rock 4-piece from Swanage made up of Rhys Messenger (Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar), George Bowerman (Lead Guitar/Vocals), Ben Watton (Drums) and Jake Trim (Bass/Vocals).

Why is The Mowlem lit red tonight?We've lit the building red in support of International Kawasaki Disease Awareness Day....
26/01/2025

Why is The Mowlem lit red tonight?

We've lit the building red in support of International Kawasaki Disease Awareness Day.

Kawasaki Disease is an increasingly common childhood disease and can lead to life-long heart disease. Symptoms include a persistent high fever plus two or more of the following symptoms – rash, bloodshot eyes, 'strawberry' tongue, cracked, dry lips, redness of the fingers and toes, swollen glands (often just on one side). Early treatment is critical to reduce the risk of lifelong heart disease.

To find out more, head to Societi, the U.K. Foundation for Kawasaki Disease

26/01/2025

Big thanks to SoundCellar and Swanage Jazz Festival for a great Thokozile gig in the Studio last night! If you were there, hope you enjoyed it, if you weren't, don't miss the next SoundCellar event in the Studio on 22nd February: The Bossa Definitiva Trio, a tribute to the cool Bossa Nova sounds of Stan Getz and Astrud & Joao Gilberto - tickets from https://themowlem.com/event/sound-cellar-the-veronique-joly-bossa-nova-trio/

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Videos

Half Term Movie - Mufasa: The Lion King
Half Term Movie - Mufasa: The Lion King

Over half term Mufasa: The Lion King (PG) is showing at The Mowlem on the 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th February at 7pm. Book your tickets here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-mowlem-theatre/mufasa-the-lion-king-pg/e-xjozkj Lost and alone, orphaned cub Mufasa meets a sympathetic lion called Taka, the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destinies. Starring Aaron Pierre, Blue Ivy Carter, Mads Mikkelsen. Directed by Barry Jenkins. Running time 2 hours

Here (12A)
Here (12A)

Here (12A) is showing at The Mowlem on the 8th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th February at 7.30PM and Monday Matinee on the 10th February at 2.30PM Get your tickets here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-mowlem-theatre/here-12a/e-aegvxo This film tells the story of multiple generations of couples and families that inhabit the same home over the course of a century. Starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Kelly Reilly. Directed by Robert Zemeckis. Running time 1hr 44mins

Mid Life Trailer
Mid Life Trailer

Mid Life is a frank, comedic exposé of menopausal Mid Life. It is showing at The Mowlem on the 15th of March at 7:30pm. Join us as we laugh, roar and disco dance our way through our midlife! Mid Life sold out in venues across the UK in 2020. Rewritten and revamped, this upbeat, life-affirming show is packed with razor-sharp humour and disco. It draws its themes from real-life experiences of women in midlife and ends with a dance party for all to join in. Tickets are available now for £18 for standard and £16 for friends online or at our box office https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-mowlem-theatre/t-noxynzy Every performance of Mid Life is live BSL interpreted, audio described, and captioned. Mid Life is a Diverse City show, in association with Plymouth Theatre Royal. “We made Mid Life because when I hit menopause I felt lost, anxious, unsure and overwhelmed by what was happening. This is the show I wish I had seen as I entered into the transformation of peri-menopause and menopause”. Claire Hodgson, Joint Artistic Director Diverse City

Big thanks to SoundCellar and Swanage Jazz Festival for a great Thokozile gig in the Studio last night! If you were there, hope you enjoyed it, if you weren't, don't miss the next SoundCellar event in the Studio on 22nd February: The Bossa Definitiva Trio, a tribute to the cool Bossa Nova sounds of Stan Getz and Astrud & Joao Gilberto - tickets from https://themowlem.com/event/sound-cellar-the-veronique-joly-bossa-nova-trio/

Summer of Music 2025 Announcement
Summer of Music 2025 Announcement

Summer of Music is back for 2025! This is the 3rd year of Summer of Music. It will be running at The Mowlem in August for 10 nights of amazing live music performances. Let us know your favourite moments of Summer of Music from previous years in the comments Keep your eyes peeled for the announcement of the acts soon!

Conclave (12A)
Conclave (12A)

Conclave (12A) will be showing at The Mowlem on the 31st January, 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th February at 7:30pm and a 2:30pm showing on Monday the 3rd. Get your tickets here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-mowlem-theatre/conclave-12a/e-zvmevd Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with one of the world's most secretive and ancient events -- participating in selecting a new pope. Surrounded by powerful religious leaders in the halls of the Vatican, he soon uncovers a trail of deep secrets that could shake the very foundation of the Roman Catholic Church. Starring Ralph Fiennes, Carlos Diehz, Isabella Rossellini. Directed by Edward Berger. Running time: 2hrs

We Live in Time - Starts Friday 24th January Almut and Tobias are brought together by a surprise encounter that changes their lives. As they embark on a path challenged by the limits of time, they learn to cherish each moment of their unconventional love story. Starring Andrew Garfield, Florence Pugh, Marama Corlett. Directed by John Crowley. 🎟 Get tickets and more information here - https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-mowlem-theatre/we-live-in-time-15/e-yexzrg

Rave on for The Avon (PG) with a Q&A is at The Mowlem on the 7th of February at 7:30pm
Rave on for The Avon (PG) with a Q&A is at The Mowlem on the 7th of February at 7:30pm

Rave on for The Avon (PG) with a Q&A is at The Mowlem on the 7th of February at 7:30pm Book your tickets here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-mowlem-theatre/t-gakamzl In this tender film, Director Charlotte Sawyer tells a story of a community of wild swimmers in Bristol (UK) affected by raw sewage pollution of the river Avon. England is one of the only two countries in the world to have a fully privatised water and sewage disposal system, and with only 14% of English rivers in good ecological health, the mission to keep the rivers clean is not going well. In a series of moving, exciting and thought-provoking scenes, the swimmers create a stunning, light-hearted yet fascinating tapestry, probing how activism starts from the grassroots, and carries a profound universal lesson for all of us. There’s a marriage to the river, drum’n’bass, a mermaid who tows an inflatable turd, and a whole lot of cheesecake in this poignant reflection on people’s innovative battles for the natural world they cherish.

Juror #2 starts Monday 20th January A juror for a high-profile murder trial finds himself struggling with a serious moral dilemma that could influence the verdict and potentially convict, or free, the accused killer. Starring Nicholas Hoult, Zoey Deutch, Gabriel Basso. Directed by Clint Eastwood. 🎟 Get tickets and more information here - https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-mowlem-theatre/juror-2-12a/e-gxdpxp

💚 Theres still time to catch Wicked (PG)! 🩷 This is a film you want to watch in the cinema! 🎟 Get tickets Here - https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-mowlem-theatre/wicked-pg/e-xjjzed

Join Saron D Clarke & Ncuti Gatwa in NT Live The Importance of Bing Erenest on Thursday 20th February at 7:00 PM Three-time Olivier Award-winner Sharon D Clarke is joined by Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who; Sex Education) in this joyful reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy. While assuming the role of a dutiful guardian in the country, Jack lets loose in town under a false identity. Meanwhile, his friend Algy adopts a similar facade. Hoping to impress two eligible ladies, the gentlemen find themselves caught in a web of lies they must carefully navigate. Max Webster (Life of Pi) directs this hilarious story of identity, impersonation and romance, filmed live from the National Theatre in London. Get tickets here - https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-mowlem-theatre/nt-live-the-importance-of-being-earnest-encore-screening/e-zvyavj

Wicked (PG) starts today at The Mowlem
Wicked (PG) starts today at The Mowlem

👋 'Everyone, i have an announcement...' 💚 Wicked (PG) Starts TODAY! 🩷 Showing intermittently until 16th January Misunderstood because of her green skin, a young woman named Elphaba forges an unlikely but profound friendship with Glinda, a student with an unflinching desire for popularity. Following an encounter with the Wizard of Oz, their relationship soon reaches a crossroad as their lives begin to take very different paths. Starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey. Directed by Jon M. Chu. 🎟 Get tickets here - https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-mowlem-theatre

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Our Story

The Mowlem Institute Charity was originally started in 1864 by John Mowlem, set up for the benefit and education of the people of Swanage, The original Mowlem Institute building opened in 1864.

100 years later a new larger building was required for the growing town, the current Mowlem Theatre was opened in 1967 operated by the same charity then as it is today.

It can seat up to 380 patrons in the stalls and circle, situated on the sea front of Swanage at the junction of two of the main shopping streets.

We have a combined programme of, typically, over 200 film performances each year in addition to 60-100 nights of live theatre from Professional productions to Amateur Dramatic Societies, also stand up comedy and live music.