‘A Christmas Night at the Opera’

Featuring the great operas of Mozart, Rossini, Verdi, Bizet, Puccini, Offenbach, Gilbert & Sullivan and more. The distinguished cast appears in sumptuous period evening dress, recreating the grandeur and glamour of past times.  

Join in the Christmas spirit with a singalong carol!

London Festival Opera brings together international artists from the major companies including the Royal Opera, ENO and Glyndebourne with exceptional young singers.   Past performances have been throughout the UK and Europe, including in one of the world’s greatest opera houses La Fenice in Venice, and as far afield as Hong Kong, Africa and India.

Operatic masterpieces, fabulous singing, spoken introductions and elegant costumes combine to make this a performance not to be missed for all opera lovers and newcomers alike.  A programme of passion, drama and humour accompanied by superb orchestral backing tracks.  

 

‘Outstanding singers’                                                

THE SUNDAY TIMES

‘Opera at its very best’

OXFORD TIMES

SOLD OUT

BSO Curious Creatures

An ensemble of fourteen musicians from across the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra invite you to join them on a musical journey through the natural world, in a programme presented especially for families.

 

Travel with us on this symphonic venture through verdant forests and across the open ocean. Embrace the wild with a catchy Mancini tune and Elgar’s spirited The Wild Bears. Explore the elements with Williams’ ode to the sea and de Falla’s frenzied Ritual Fire Dance, and enjoy an orchestral adaptation of a popular work by Björk with music that delves into emotions of the heart through the crystallisation of minerals and rocks. The sing-a-long favourite from the blockbuster Moana and Vaughan Williams’ musical flight of the lark completes the programme. Proudly presented in partnership with Artsreach, this adventurous afternoon is an escapade fit for all to join in with!

Supported by The Pitt-Rivers Charitable Trust

Neil Sands and his wonderful cast are back with the new 2024 production of their hit show, a spectacular spirit lifting, heartwarming, afternoon of festive nostalgia. filled with over 60 of your all-time favourite Christmas songs and Carols that will have you singing along from start to finish and bringing back so many wonderful memories of Christmases past.

Mad Dog Mcrea blend a unique mixture of folk rock, pop, gypsy jazz, bluegrass and ‘shake your ass’ music. From self-penned songs of adventure, drinking, love and life, to traditional songs of gypsies, fairies, legless pirates and black flies – Mad Dog never fail to capture their audience with their infectious songs. In constant demand and having played just about every festival and two-bit, jibe-arsed dive in Christendom, Mad Dog Mcrea are, in every sense of the word, a live, band.

Matched with the unshakable dedication of their massive and “loyal-to-the-hilt”, fan base – Mad Dog Mcrea are more than just a very popular, festival act – with five albums under their belts, they are serious and acclaimed recording artists too. December 2019 saw Mad Dog Mcrea released a 5-track EP titled ‘It’s a Sign’.

The famous purple happy bus is fired up and ready for action, and there’s room for you – jump aboard!

PLEASE NOTE: The raked seating, which seats 151, will be out for those who wish to sit. The seating is unreserved and unfortunately cannot be prebooked. floor will be open for dancing and for those who prefer to stand at this show.  

The Exchange are excited to host the founding members of Los Pacminos JAMIE MOSES ( Queen & Paul Rogers, SAS Band, Tom Jones, Paul Young, Mike and the Mechanics) and DREW BARFIELD (The Keys, Paul Young, Joe Jackson and Level 42) as they team up as Dos Amigos!

They will be performing some Los Pacaminos favourites as well as a range of well known classics - from the 60s to Present Day.

 

An intimate gig with two legends of the industry!

Traditional Celtic music at its best! With fire-driven instrumentals, topical songs, haunting ballads and a good dose of humour, the Tannahill Weavers have transformed traditional

material and brought it into the modern world, vitally alive and kicking.

Members of the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame, in 2019 the Tannahill Weavers were  nominated for Folk Album of the Year and Folk Band of the Year in Scotland. Recently they

have been joined by piper Iain MacGillivray, who is Scotland’s youngest Clan leader and has worked recently on such exciting productions as Outlander and Men in Kilts, and has performed for a huge list of stars and dignitaries in recent years.

"Formed from a Paisley pub session in 1968, seminal trailblazers the Tannahill Weavers now also rank as national treasures." -Glasgow Celtic Connections 2018

"The music may be pure old time Celtic, but the drive and enthusiasm are akin to straight ahead rock and roll." -Winnipeg Free Press

"An especially eloquent mixture of the old and the new." - New York Time

Four West End Artists celebrate the music of four Icons of Rock n Roll Buddy Holly, Big Bopper, Richie Valens & Dion Di Mucci, along with The Counterfeit crickets a lively Rock n Roll Band that hits the spot every time in a recreation of the last tour given in The Surf Ballroom, Iowa U.S.A.

A two-hour uplifting Show that will have you feeling nostalgic for days gone by, With all the hits… ‘Heartbeat’, ‘Blue Days Black Nights’, ‘Bo Diddley’ & ‘True Love Ways’ as well as ‘ La Bamba’, ‘Chantilly Lace’ and ‘ Run Around Sue’ to name but a Few!        

Pure Rock n Roll at its Best!

Marc Robinson from the original ‘Stars in their Eyes’ and ‘Buddy’ The Musical, with hit shows all around Great Britain and Europe, will help celebrate and recreate the music of Buddy Holly, his music is respected worldwide, and Buddy Holly’s Winter Dance Party aims to keep that passion alive!

Will Rock n Roll in Sturminster Newton ever die? That’ll be the Day!

www.marcjrobisnon.com

www.facebook.com/WinterDancePartyUK

Promoted By A.M Productions (Northwest) Ltd

www.amptheatreagency.co.uk

Suits All Ages

Starts 7.30pm

BSO West End to Hollywood

Artsreach and an ensemble of fourteen musicians from across the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra invite you to join them for a brand new concert of film and stage inspired music, journeying from London’s historic West End to the glittering lights of Hollywood! The programme will be guided by a BSO presenter and includes well known favourites from films and shows such as Chocolat, James Bond, Toy Story, Harry Potter, The Artist, Moulin Rouge and more alongside less familiar cinematic works.

Join us for our first Cheese and Wine evening. Hosted in the Atrium alongside live music by John H, The Exchange will host a relaxed, intimate evening of delicious French Cheeses and perfectly paired wines. It’s a perfect evening event for those who enjoy good company and great food!

Each ticket includes one large glass of wine and a selection of French cheeses with biscuits and fresh bread. Wine and other alcoholic drinks will be available for purchase throughout the evening.

The 2025 Cinderella Panto production from SNADS promises to be hilarious with characters you would expect to see plus a few more!

It has a few twists and turns not commonly known to followers of the Cinderella story (all true of course and based in Sturminster Newton).

This Panto has been written and directed by long standing SNADS members bringing references into this amusing script. You may discover places you never knew existed and the names of locals that are within our wonderful community.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Please note there will be strobe lighting, flashing lights and pyrotechnics during the performance.

This is to be a relaxed performance specifically aimed at those with learning difficulties, have additional needs, have autism, have need of permanent or semipermanent care.

The auditorium lights will be dimmed, not off.

Please contact The Exchange for further details

The 2025 Cinderella Panto production from SNADS promises to be hilarious with characters you would expect to see plus a few more.

It has a few twists and turns not commonly known to followers of the Cinderella story (all true of course and based in Sturminster Newton).

This Panto has been written and directed by long standing SNADS members bringing local references into this amusing script.

You may discover places you never knew existed and the names of locals that are within our wonderful community.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Please note there will be strobe lighting, flashing lights and pyrotechnics used during the performance.

Angel Heart and Rattlebox Theatre present Sam O’Shanty

Sam O'Shanty has lived his whole life upon the ocean wave, ever since he were just knee-high to a kipper! He has sailed the Seven Seas, but now he’s come ashore with all manner of marvellous stories to show an’ tell.

Hear the tangled yarn of the shipwrecked fisherman and a batty witch with a peculiarly magical hat!

Witness the roisterous dramatisation of thedastardly Blackbeard and his final comeuppance!

Sam O’Shanty is a nautically comic show for all the family, crammed with farce, fantasy and fact. Storytelling, puppetry and the singing of shanties will entertain, enthrall and delight… HUZZAR!

Sam O’Shanty is a 60 minute performance, suitable for family audiences with children 4 years+ For more details please look through your spyglass at: www.angelhearttheatre.com 

www.rattleboxtheatre.com 

"This was fabulous fun, wholly engaging

from start to fi nish. The whole audience,

young and old alike, audibly enjoyed every

moment.” Audience member

At last, an Irish music show that has come out of Ireland without the clichés that usually follow! There are no flat caps or twee costumes here. Instead you get incredibly talented musicians and dancers who simply want to bring you the sound and fun of Ireland in an intimate and homely setting.

The live music, Irish dancing and banter is infectious and enters the psyche in seconds. The show itself features All Ireland champion musicians and dancers who combine a unique blend of light hearted audience interaction with fascinating stories about the music and the instruments themselves.

The original show was set up in Dublin by a group of musicians who wanted visitors to the city to experience what a real Irish house party is like. It’s all presented in a fun and humorous way resulting in a fabulous theatre going experience.

Look forward to seeing you at The Irish House Party soon!

The Exchange and Artsreach presents…

‘Tea with William Barnes’ by The Ridgeway Singers & Band

Ticket to include a Dorset cream tea.

This popular annual event celebrates Dorset rural culture and the life of dialect poet William Barnes, born in Bagber, Sturminster Newton. Alongside a delicious Dorset cream tea, The Ridgeway Singers and Band, led by Tim Laycock and PhilHumphries, will perform traditional songs from across the County, and play dance tunes from the repertoire of fiddler

Benjamin Rose. Recitals of some of Barnes's much-loved poems by members of the William Barnes Society continue to keep alive the rich dialect of Dorset.

Producers & Makers Market

The Exchange and Artsreach are delighted to partner with Dorset Food & Drink to host a pop-up producers and makers market on the day, offering the chance to try some famous

local produce or discover something brand new made in Dorset.

Open to the public from 11am to 3pm

Barnes Tea Live Stream with Pageant Productions

We are delighted to be able to offer those who are unable to attend our annual Tea with William Barnes event in person the opportunity to tune in and watch live online from the comfort of your own home. You’ll be able to watch the event live-streamed from The Exchange straight to your smart TV, laptop, tablet, mobile phone or other internet device. We invite you to make your own Dorset cream tea to enjoy during the interval and would love you to send in photos from home so that we can share them on social media. Register for a ‘Pay What You Can’ e-ticket at artsreach.co.uk

https://artsreach.co.uk/event/live-stream-barnes-tea 

PLEASE LET US KNOW WHEN BOOKING IF YOU OR OTHERS YOU ARE BOOKING FOR HAVE ANY DIETARY REQUIREMENTS. GLUTEN FREE, LACTOSE INTOLERANT etc.

ART RACE - THE RACE IS ON!

Art Race isour 2nd live competitive painting event. Painters will create the best work in 20 minutes. The only medium used is acrylic paint and the tools allowed are brushes, palette knives or any other non-mechanical implements. At the end of each of 3 rounds, the audience votes for their favourite painting and the top 2 artists move on to the Final.

 

Members of the audience will be able to place bids in a silent auction to take any of the paintings home.

The overall prize goes to the painter with the most audience votes....

Doors open 6.30pm for a 7.30pm start

FUNDRAISING FOR THE EXCHANGE

Country fans are given a taste of Nashville with Soul Street Productions’ sell-out show Made in Tennessee -

A Night of Country Music

With a band made up of some of UK’s finest country musicians, Made in Tennessee takes you through the decades of the nation's fastest growing music genre, from Country’s origin in the Southern States of America to modern day Country heard around the world.

Featuring classics from Johnny, June, Dolly and Hank, legends like Garth Brooks and Carrie Underwood and modern country superstars such as Kacey Musgraves and Chris Stapleton.

Book your tickets now to experience the best show east of Tennessee!

"The Soul and Swing Big Band are on a mission to play a great eclectic mix of music.

Many of their players were members of The Barrelhouse Blues Orchestra, which many local people may remember.

They incorporate some of the best big band music of yesterday, with more modern soul music, such as… Earth Wind & Fire, Aretha Franklin etc, with a nod to Glenn Miller and Michael Buble plus other Big Band greats.”

One of the UK's leading premier professional authentic Beatles Tribute bands

Their passion, enthusiasm and superb musicianship, capturing their famous counterparts, along with years of experience and professionalism will guarantee this great Beatles tribute performance will be one to remember and a roaring success!

The Vox Beatles tribute band have over 100 songs in their repertoire, and these are rehearsed to perfection with every nuance played so that they really do emulate the Fab Four sound!

The sets played include songs from the Cavern Club & Hamburg early days, Beatlemania, Sgt Pepper/Magical Mystery Tour, White Album & Rooftop eras complete with costume changes.

Consistently one of our best selling speakers, John Sergeant, the former Chief Political Correspondent for the BBC and

ITN Political Editor. Many people will remember John as one of Britain's most popular and respected broadcasters and authors. His award-winning career as a political journalist has been as lengthy as it has been successful, and saw him interview big political hitters like Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher, John Major and Tony Blair.

In recent years though, John has returned to his first love of light entertainment and can be seen regularly on programmes like The One Show, Have I Got News For You, QI, Room 101 and the News Quiz, and of course there were those appearances on Strictly…

Indeed Sergeant’s two left feet approach to the arts of the ballroom consistently found him at the bottom of the judges score board but the public loved him and he returned week after week. He finally left the show in Week 10 saying: "The trouble is that there is now a real danger that I might win

the competition. Even for me that would be a joke too far.”

More recently there have been well received documentaries as well, includingJohn Sergeant's Tourist Trail, Tracks of Empire

– about the Indian Railways, and Britain's First Photo Album, about the pioneering photography of Francis Frith.

Presented in association with

Clive Conway Productions

The Temple Brothers (officially voted as the UKs No1 Everly Brothers tribute by the National Tribute Music Awards 2017) faithfully recreate the music and harmonies of one of the greatest and best-loved duos of all time – The Everly Brothers.

Just like Don and Phil Everly, The Temple Brothers are real life brothers, and that is why their voices blend so perfectly and sound uncannily like The Everly Brothers themselves.

The Show also stars Buddy Walker, giving his awesome tribute to Buddy Holly, and the talented Pete Gill’s amazing, piano pumping tribute to Jerry Lee Lewis. Backed by their all-star band, the show will take you on a walk down memory lane with

all the classic songs, including Cathys Clown, Walk Right Back, Bird Dog, All I Have to Do is Dream, Let It Be Me, Til I Kissed Ya, Wake Up Little Suzie, When Will I Be Loved, Rave On, True Love Ways, Great Balls of Fire plus many many more...

A spectacular two-hour show which captures

the magic that these incredible performers

brought to the world

DEPECHE MODE TRIBUTE

-

THE DEVOUT

The UK’s best loved Depeche Mode Tribute Act, The Devout have brought the Depeche Mode experience to another level visually, aurally and musically.

In 2025, the band are embarking on their European Violation Tour. A concert lasting over 2 hours 30 mins, filled with hits, fan favourites but with a nod to the 35th Anniversary of the legendary Violator album.

The band members are made up of well known artists in their own right.

Reza Udhin (Killing Joke, Inertia, Black Volition)

Keith Trigwell (Speak & Spell, Form)

Barclay Quarton (The Doors Experience)

The Devout’s show transports the audience back to a Depeche Mode concert, at their peak with authentic reproductions of the songs together with astounding visuals, that take the audience back to those great innovative tours.

With sell out concerts, show after show.. the band’s following “Just Can’t Get Enough” of this experience!

“The Best Depeche Mode Tribute band in The UK” - BBC

Duos come and duos go, and some nurture and fine tune their art and watch it grow into something totally original and captivating. For three decades Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman’s partnership has proved personal, permanent and pivotal.

From their roots in 90’s folk supergroup ‘Equation‘ through to

becoming a revered duo on the folk music scenethis multi award-winning folk music couple continue to exude timeless classwith their exquisite brand of traditional and contemporary acoustic music.

2025 sees them celebrate 30 years of their musical partnership with the release of their first live concert album. Titled ‘Another Day At The Circus’ it perfectly encapsulates the intimate poignancy of an evening with a couple at the top of their game.

Kathryn and Sean have twice been voted BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Best Duo as well as winning Best Duo honours from both Spiral Earth and Fatea Magazine.

"It’s folk music for the modern age”– The Telegraph London

"These guys are something very special”– Acoustic Magazine

"Rightly regarded as one of the most engaging folk / acoustic duos on the circuit”– Rock n ’Reel‘

"The couple’s intimacy and strength of passion on stage have won them many fans and an enviable reputation as ‘songwriters par excellence" - fRoots

Classic Liverpool band The Christians return to The Exchange by popular demand.

Renowned for an endless string of soulful yet socially aware hits such as Forgotten Town, Ideal World, Born Again, Harvest for the World as well as the Hillsborough charity number one single Ferry Across The Mersey.

The Christians enjoyed huge acclaim in the late 80s and early 90s and are headed by lead singer Garry Christian, who still deserves the Daily Mirror’s description as having “One of the finest voices in pop”. Garry is in better form than ever.

They have recently had tours with Go West, Hue & Cry, Roachford, Belinda Carlisle, Level 42 and released their new album WE to critical acclaim.

For more information see www.thechristianslive.co.uk

 Martin Fry - A Lexicon of Life

A Look At Life And A Look Of Love

The hits earned their place in pop history. From Poison Arrow to The Look Of Love, from All Of My Heart, and Be Near Me, to When Smokey Sings, ABC were the band that redefined glamour and cool. Led by the charismatic Martin Fry, they enjoyed TransAtlantic success as The Lexicon of Love proved as artful as a Warhol silkscreen, and glossier than Marilyn’s lipstick. ABC’s The Lexicon of Love was a brilliantly distinctive debut album, fizzing with bright ideas, and unapologetically flamboyant. Frontman Martin Fry harked back to a golden era of luxe, as though Cole Porter had been re-imagined among the narrow streets of Sheffield. Little wonder his sleek, opulent, and beautiful debut retains the affection of listeners four decades on. With good reason, it has stood the test of time. And so has Martin Fry, who will bring an evening of stripped-back music and conversation to UK theatres in celebration. His intimate tour follows a sold-out tour of the UK, which included three  sell out nights at London Palladium, and coincides with the publication of his autobiography. That’s the look, that’s the look… The Look of love.

* Meet’n’greet packages and VIP packages are both available and include

£82.50 Meet 'n' Greet = includes a pre-show meet’n’greet, goodie bag and ticket for the show

£50 VIP = includes goodie bag and ticket for the show

£32 standard seats = admits the ticketholder to the show

Featuring the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons plus tributes to Showaddywaddy and other musical legends. By popular demand The New Jersey Boys return to the Exchange with their acclaimed show which reminds us of a band whose unique sound became a world-wide success. The packed 2 set programme featuring the amazing falsetto voice of Einar Vestman and the humour of all round entertainer Gary Gould, is a fusion of tight vocal harmonies and superb solo spots. Expect to hear such hits as Sherry, Big Girls Don't Cry, Walk Like A Man and many more. This years sparkling show includes tributes to Elton John, Tina Turner and Freddie Mercury. Don't be surprised if you find yourself singing and dancing along to this spectacular show! Early booking recommended.