Legendary cricket broadcaster, Henry Blofeld, takes readers on a charming journey through modern cricket, while looking back at the great games of yesteryear.

Henry has been close to the heart of cricket for over fifty years.  He has seen the game grow into a hugely international sport, where franchises continue to have massive influence and more and more games are added to the world calendar.  It wasn't always this way and Blowers reflects on how cricket used to be and where it is headed.

In this new book he explores the big shifts, innovations and challenges facing the game today, while looking back at his life and career, recounting his cherished memories of his beloved sport.  With his signature wit and insight, he compared the cricketing landscape of today with the cherished memories of yesteryear.

Henry began writing about cricket, for The Times, in May 1962 and in 1972 he started his long career as a commentator with the BBC's Test Match Special. During his career he has written for numerous papers and broadcast for both radio and television for many networks around the world especially in Australia and New Zealand. Henry now tours the country with his one man show.

Presented in association with Clive Conway Productions

Image credit:: Rii Schroer

Tightwire Workshop

Ahead of the performance at The Exchange, children and young people can join professional circus artist, tightwire walker and hair hanger Poppy Plowman for an exciting taster session in balancing on ropes, beams and tightwires!

Suitable 5+, children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Loose, comfortable clothing is recommended.

Places limited – advanced booking essential.

Turk(ish) is an empowering, autobiographical show by contemporary circus artist Poppy Plowman, combining high skill, humour and intimate storytelling with an evocative soundtrack.

Poppy uses tightwire and hair hanging to explore personal struggles of identity and Western beauty standards. Through her story we follow Poppy as she embraces who she is, encouraging and inspiring audience members to do the same and to nurture an anti-oppressive attitude.

Poppy Plowman is a British circus artist with Turkish Cypriot origins.

About the project

Circus Around and About 2 is a south-west touring circus project, funded by an Arts Council England Lottery Project Grant. The project is led by Take Art with principal partners Crying Out Loud and Extraordinary Bodies, in collaboration with nine presenting partners including Artsreach.

The band’s lively setlist includes Tex-Mex classics like "La Bamba", "Wooly Bully", and "Speedy Gonzales", along with a mix of Spanish ballads and original tunes. The fun-loving spirit of Los Pacaminos is infectious, turning any evening into a celebration of music, rhythm, and great company. The combination of accordion, guitar, and traditional Tex-Mex beats will transport you to the heart of the Southwest, all within the intimate setting of Boisdale. Each member of Los Pacaminos brings something special to the band, With a lineup of seasoned musicians delivering every note with passion, this is a night that will have you singing along and dancing until the very last song. Please note Paul Young will not be appearing this evening as he is recovering from an injury.

An insight behind the scenes at the routines and rituals that make Highclere Castle the most magical place to be throughout the festive season. Lady Carnarvon will guide you through Advent, Christmas preparations and Christmas Eve all the way through to the day itself, and beyond. Learn how the castle and grounds are transformed by decorations, including the raising of a twenty-foot tree in the saloon, the gathering of holly and mistletoe from the grounds. All the intricacies of the perfect traditional Christmas are here: from crackers and carol singers. The festive feeling is carried through to Highclere's Boxing Day traditions, the restorative middle days and the New Year's Eve celebrations.

Lady Carnarvon also tells the story of historic Christmases at Highclere - of distinguished guests warming themselves by the fire after a long journeys home through the snow, unexpected knocks on the door, and, always, the joy of bringing family - and staff - together after a busy year.

Illustrated talk with book signing. Highclere gin and books will be available to purchase

 

Living Spit are delighted to bring you 'the alternative' Christmas show this festive season!

Hard hearted Ebenezer Scrooge hates the season of goodwill until a visit from three spirits one Christmas Eve makes him rethink his... blah blah blah.

We all know the story. We’ve all seen the film(s). But who’s the best Scrooge of all time? Albert Finney? Alistair Sim? Patrick Stewart? Well, just hold your horses there! Because you’ve yet to witness Bristol actor Craig Edwards’ take on Dickens’ mean miserabilist.

He waits, like a coiled spring, ready to bring his unique brand of Midlands malcontentment to the role. And he’s brought Clevedon’s finest, Stu Mcloughlin, along for the ride to play (almost literally) all the other parts!

Hilarious, tender, idiotic and musically virtuosic by turns, Living Spit’s two-man adaptation of A Christmas Carol promises a feast of festive foolery that’ll have you splitting your sprouts with laughter, or your money back!*

*only joking about the “money back” bit!!

"Christmas tradition laced with really, really good comedy."

Bristol Post

 

“The jokes are brilliantly bad, the songs are wonderful and all in all the whole performance is hilarious. Its proper fun for all the family, which is exactly what you want at Christmas.“

Bristol 24/7

Parental Guidance; Suitable for ages 10 years + due to occasional bad language and regular terrible puns!

Legends of Motown is a high energy tribute show jam packed with all of Motown’s biggest hits, with stunning vocals and amazing live band, celebrating the music of the iconic and timeless Motown era. Undoubtedly the golden era of music, the show pays tribute to the legendary artists that appeared on the Motown label at that time. Get ready to be wowed with a song list that won’t fail to have you up and out of your seats and dancing in the aisles. Make it a night to remember with the music authentic to the Motown label from artists such as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Smokey Robinson, The Four Tops, Martha Reeves, The Temptations, Jackie Wilson and many more!

Expect mega hits like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, “You Can’t Hurry Love”, “My Girl”, “This Old Heart of Mine” and a few Christmas classics like “Santa Claus is Coming To Town”, and “Sleigh Ride” for a special Christmas show!

www.legendsofmotown.uk 

https://facebook.com/legendsofmotownuk 

https://instagram.com/legendsofmotownuk 

https://twitter.com/motownband_uk 

“Legends of Motown delivered a powerful performance with stellar musicianship and contagious energy. Superb vocals, pitch - perfect harmonies, classic tunes and undeniable musical talent ensured an enjoyable atmosphere and experience forall in attendance.” ***** backseatmafia.com

“The show is well executed with a fiery setlist - not a single seat was down by the end of the night as they had everyone dancing in the aisles.” *****

“They had so much energy that flowed through to the audience, with amazing vocals that are perfectly accompanied by an extremely high quality band. *****

‘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

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.

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.

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!

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.