Everyone is invited to experience the magic of The Mowlem in Swanage, Dorset, with free entry to the theatre’s first Big Weekend, which will include singing, dancing, film and art events, plus backstage tours, and opera in the main auditorium.
The two day event takes place from Saturday 30th to Sunday 31st May 2026 with The Mowlem open from 10 am to 10 pm on both days and The Showbar open for tea, coffee and cake all weekend.
The Mowlem – a standout 1960s building on the Swanage seafront
Make mini clay figures
Free entry to the Big Weekend includes the backstage tours at 10 am and 2 pm every day and the Art Cafe in The Showbar, where people can make their own mini figure out of clay, much like the terracotta figures created by artist Antony Gormley.
The Art Cafe will culminate in an exhibition of the figures in The Studio on Sunday between 6 pm and 8 pm.
The workshops in poetry, dance, drawing, theatre, singing and beatbox are offered to all at a £5 donation to The Mowlem. Opera in the auditorium on Saturday and the cinema screening on Sunday are offered at the regular prices.
One of the highlights on the Sunday between 3 pm and 4 pm is an opportunity to draw along with Dorset-based artist Martin Brown who illustrated the Horrible Histories books.
There’s also the chance on Saturday afternoon to Dance Yourself Dizzy with Diverse City for those aged over 16, and not to forget The Mowlem’s first Open Mic session in The Showbar on Sunday evening.
The event is supported by a grant from Dorset Council and is aimed at increasing access to the arts and culture in Purbeck. It is part of The Mowlem’s three year strategy to further engage young audiences and families.
Asian Field – clay figurines created by the sculptor Antony Gormley will be the inspiration of Purbeck Field!
Executive director of The Mowlem Kate McGregor was appointed in 2025
“Celebration of all things Mowlem”
Executive director of The Mowlem Kate McGregor said:
“The Big Weekend will be a celebration of all things Mowlem – a chance for families, residents and visitors to come and see what we are all about.
“Creating the clay figures will be a real community event which everyone can contribute to, with a display in The Studio of all the figurines on the Sunday evening. Antony Gormley called his original art installation Field so we are calling ours Purbeck Field!
“It should be a great weekend with plenty of activities for children, families and adults, and we’ve been able to keep costs low, thanks to a grant from Dorset Council.”
The show must go on but it can’t without curtains!
Save our Curtains appeal
At the start of 2026, there’s a real momentum around the rejuvenation of The Mowlem as an arts hub with plenty going on to replace, restore and improve the facilities.
Fortunately the leaky roof got fixed after a successful fundraiser and now the curtain track which allows the red stage curtains to open and close, needs to be replaced due to its age.
Swanage Drama Company has come to the rescue and along with others is presenting Another Night at The Mowlem to raise £6,000 for the new curtain track.
The show at 7.30 pm on Friday 22nd May 2026 will host a variety of local talent, including The Swanage School, The Mowlem’s newly-formed staff band Mow-Town, as well as performances from the Swanage Drama Company and the Swanage Musical Theatre Company.
Music sessions in The Showbar are increasingly popular but the acoustics need to be improved
Sound Investment fundraiser
While the ‘Save our Curtains’ appeal is in full swing, there’s also a fundraiser to improve the acoustics in The Showbar. Billed as a ‘Sound Investment’ the aim is to raise another £6,000 to install lightweight acoustic sound absorbing panels on the ceiling and on the walls to counteract the large glass windows which reflect sound.
Leading the community campaign is Graham Turner aka The Flying G who regularly DJs in The Showbar. He said:
“The generous glass windows giving The Showbar those wonderful views are not a friend when it comes to getting the optimal listening experience.
“Glass isn’t good for acoustics in places like The Showbar as it reflects sound, and this lack of absorption leads to bounce, echo and poor acoustics. This especially affects people with impaired hearing and those who use hearing aids.
“We want to make this better for the many people who enjoy the events and for the artists that perform.”
As part of the fundraiser there’s an 80s fancy dress disco night in The Showbar from 8 pm to 12 midnight on Good Friday 3rd April 2026. It’s free entry with donations invited.
The Studio is a newly refurbished space which will be the venue for creative workshops over the Big Weekend
Big Weekend
Saturday 30th May 2026
Morning
- 10 am to 12 noon – Showbar: History Box (Purbeck Sounds)
- 10.30 am to 11 am – Studio: Sing and Sign (Allsort’d) – ages 0+
- 11 am to 12 noon – Auditorium: Take a Breath… And Sing! (Rebecca Field-Bunny)
- 12 noon to 1 pm – Studio: Storytime and Picnic (Allsort’d) – ages 0+
Afternoon
- 2 pm – Showbar: Allsort’d performance
- 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm – Auditorium: Voicewaves, Turn the Music Up (Rebecca Field-Bunny) – ages 11+.
- 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm – Studio: Words to Inspire Poetry Workshop (Fiona McNee) – ages 7–11 years
- 4 pm to 5.30 pm – Studio: Telling Your Own Story Through Theatre (Diverse City) – ages 16+, plus Dance Yourself Dizzy (Diverse City) – ages 16+
Evening
- 7 pm – Auditorium: 3 Operas In One Night (Destination Opera)
- 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm – Showbar: Showtunes Karaoke Workshop (Rebecca Field-Bunny)
Sunday 31st May 2026
Morning
- 10 am to 12 noon – Showbar: History Box (Purbeck Sounds)
- 10.30 am to 11am – Studio: Up Jumped the Crab puppetry show (Crooked Timber Theatre) – ages 0+
- 11.30 am to 1 pm – Studio: “Fisherfolk and Merfolk” puppet making workshop (Crooked Timber Theatre) – ages 0+
Afternoon
- 3 pm to 4 pm – Auditorium: Draw along with Martin Brown (Horrible Histories)
- 4.30 pm to 5.30 pm – Auditorium: The Beat Box Experience (Ru Oldridge)
Evening
- 6 pm to 7 pm – Auditorium: Words to Inspire Poetry Workshop (Fiona McNee) – ages 16+
- 7.30 pm to 10 pm – Auditorium: Cinema Screening
- 8 pm to 8.30 pm – Showbar: Sea Pictures – Sarah Pring
- 8.45 pm to 10 pm – Showbar: The Mowlem’s First Open Mic!
Drama right on the beach!
Mowlem Membership
The Mowlem is relaunching its membership scheme in a bid to get to know its audience better.
There are three tiers – Mowlem Members (£48 single or £90 joint), Mowlem Makers (£120 single or £230 joint) and Mowlem Circle for those who wish to donate £500 a year or more.
Kate McGregor said:
“This is a way for people to financially support The Mowlem and allow us to build a real community around us.
“Many people buy tickets, come along to performances, and then go home. We want to have a proper chance to connect and give those who regularly visit, a greater sense of what we are doing and why.”
Depending on the level of financial contribution, members can get money off films and performances and invitations to special events.
Operations manager at The Mowlem, Thomas Curtis (left), inspects work on the newly waterproofed roof
Further information
- More about the Big Weekend on The Mowlem website
- Book tickets for Another Night at The Mowlem
- Contribute to the Sound Investment fundraiser and come to the disco
- Become a Mowlem Member
