The scene is set for one of the funniest and possibly nuttiest stage performances of the year, as Swanage Drama Company and friends invite everyone to their annual revue show.
The Evening of Entertainment on Saturday 9th November 2024 at The Mowlem in Swanage, Dorset, has become an annual autumn must-do for many, raising funds for BBC’s Children In Need and a local charity.
Reading through the script for the Evening of Entertainment
Last year’s lineup take to the stage at The Mowlem
Serious mission to raise money
Incredibly, more than £30,000 has been given away since the Evening of Entertainment was set in motion in 2011, and this year the proceeds will be split between BBC Children In Need and Dementia Friendly Purbeck.
Featuring a host of local talent, the evening will consist of the usual fun and laughter, as well as singers, songs and sketches including the perpetually requested lineup and the criminally insane grumpy old men and women.
But beneath the zany exterior, there’s a serious mission to raise as much as possible for charity – so the cast is hoping that their efforts to entertain will be watched by as many people as possible.
BBC Children in Need is on Friday 15th November 2024 and provides vital funds for thousands of charities and projects across the UK that support children and young people.
And Dementia Friendly Purbeck is aiming to raise £100,000 to fund a second Admiral nurse – a registered nurse who specialises in dementia – due to the increasing demand in Purbeck.
Your compere for the evening will once again be Simon Wells
Rehearsals for an evening of song, dance and madness are well under way
Tickets for the Evening of Entertainment can be bought at The Mowlem box office or via its website
Grumpy old men and women
Laura Jolly from Swanage Drama Company said:
“Many people will be familiar with the format of our evening of entertainment, with its comedy monologues, grumpy old men and women, news readers and many more.
“It’s a fun night, and not at all serious – in fact, it has been described as all very nutty! – although as the event usually falls on Remembrance weekend, we will mark that in the concert.
“We also try to remember that we are always raising money for some very important causes, so although the show started life as a Children in Need fundraiser, as we are a local society we do like to give to local charities as well.
“Last year we raised funds for the Air Ambulance and this year we are trying to help Dementia Friendly Purbeck towards their target, a very important cause which touches so many families here in Purbeck.”
AllSort’d delighted the audience at last year’s Evening of Entertainment
Singer Karen Grant also featured in the 2023 performance
Help from AllSort’d and other guests
The review was originally held in the Crows Nest Inn in Ulwell Road for two years and then as it got bigger it was moved to the Ship Inn in the High Street, on a stage in what is now the restaurant area.
As the event grew still larger it was moved to The Showbar in The Mowlem and finally progressed into the main theatre, where it has been held since, raising more funds for charity every year.
Around half of Swanage Drama Company’s full membership of 40 will be taking part in the show, with help from Allsort’d and other guests, and professionally staged by The Mowlem’s theatre crew.
Swanage Drama Company have been practising for the revue alongside rehearsals for its annual pantomime.
This winter it’s Jack and the Beanstalk, with evening shows on Friday 10th, Saturday 11th, Friday 17th and Saturday 18th January 2025, and matinees also being held each Saturday.
Ro Smith and John Attwood take part in a sketch from the 2023 show
Laura Jolly (centre) leads an onstage number last year with Emma Fidler (left) and Holly Gate (right)
“Any money we make goes to charity”
Laura Jolly said:
“Rehearsals for the panto are going well with lots of fun, frivolity and laughter, but lots of hard work, too. Tickets are selling well already, so people need to get booking – they make great Christmas presents!
“We put tickets on sale as early as June so that people can spread the cost rather than add the price of panto tickets to the cost of their Christmas, and we have tried to keep prices low.
“It’s about theatre access and families enjoying the show rather than making a profit, any money we make goes to charity.
“Our pantomimes were originally written by Brian Travers and the late Pat Jones, and each year the original script is amended with topical content and a few new jokes to keep it fresh.
Members of the Swanage Drama Company can’t wait to perform their 2024 revue
There’s no stopping the cast in their quest to entertain and raise money for charity!
Enjoy breakfast with the cast
Laura added:
“Our costumes are mostly handmade by some wonderful, talented local ladies with years of sewing experience, and the dame’s costumes will be made specially for him – it’s another example of the amazing wealth of talent that we have in Swanage.
“Occasionally we have to hire specific costumes, like the goose and the cow in Jack and the Beanstalk. Jack and the Beanstalk seems to be a very popular show this year so there has been quite a lot of competition for cows, but we have managed it – we find that Google is your friend!
“For the first time last year, we came out into the bar in costume between the matinee and evening performances and had photos taken with the children, which was lovely – it was Cinderella and there were lots of little ones in their princess dresses.
“So this year, we are going one step further and having a breakfast with the cast event, in the Village Inn at Ulwell Holiday Park.
“It will be held on Saturday 14th December 2024, with a chance to get a sneak peek at the characters from the show, plenty of photo opportunities and maybe even enjoy a song or two!”
Further information
- Buy tickets for The Evening of Entertainment and the Jack and the Beanstalk pantomine via The Mowlem website
