“There was a mystery attached to 17 Friar Street that the townsfolk wouldn't discuss. It was only Mabel who was obsessed with finding the truth.
I met Mabel when I arrived in late September. She was standing in the street staring at an upstairs window. “Do you know the house?” I asked. Without altering her gaze she replied, “I know something of its history. You mustn’t even think of lodging here.” I smiled condescendingly, as I approached the front door...”
"No other company swings back and forth from tragedy to comedy with such unapologetic aplomb. Bold & brilliantly strange”. David Vass (Diss Express) reviewing our 2025 production, The Tales Our Mother Told.
WASHED UP IN WALBERSWICK arrives at Southwold Arts Centre this autumn. ANYTHING CAN WASH UP ON THE NORTH SEA COAST … So far and for no good reason this company has created a tranche of tasteless comedies, featuring sexual shenanigans and frivolous filth, including Death in Southwold, No Sex in Southwold, Sex & Death in Southwold , and last year’s infamous Salacious Secrets in Southwold. “Very s...
“There was a mystery attached to 17 Friar Street that the townsfolk wouldn't discuss. It was only Mabel who was obsessed with finding the truth. I met Mabel when I arrived in late September. She was standing in the street staring at an upstairs window. “Do you know the house?” I asked. Without altering her gaze she replied, “I know something of its history. You mustn’t even think of lodging here.”...
CLASSICALLY TRAINED PIANIST AND POET, WILL DREW-BATTY, PRESENTS AN ENTERTAINING EVENING OF IMPROVISED MUSIC, STORIES, HUMOUR AND CREATIVITY WITH A DIFFERENCE. Taking random ideas from his audience he creates live pieces of music on the spot. His ‘box’ is the piano and from it he pulls out musical stories, poems, landscapes, and moods – all inspired by members of the audience. The show is interspe...
Hot on the heels of Brighton, Camden and off-West End success, 1816 heads to Southwold for one night only. It’s Byron and Shelley, as you've never seen them before. In this Friends meets Frankenstein comedy-drama musical, from the same company that originally launched SiX: 1816 is the ultimate origin story of the first modern vampire novel and Frankenstein, where a group of five Romantics get tra...
A return to Southwold Jazz Club for Joanna Eden, but a first for her band as they tour her new album 'The Road to Paysandu'. A prolific singer-songwriter, Eden's enigmatic, heart-warming original compositions will be combined with those of her heroes Joni Mitchell, Stephen Sondheim and Burt Bacharach. Still high from her recent BBC Proms duet with superstar Sam Smith at the Royal Albert Hall, J...
In the deep dark depths of a small woodland glade, a strange little girl discovers a golden crown hanging from a tree branch. Greedy to claim it for themselves, three threadbare fools try to scare the girl into surrendering her treasure: they spin a series of twisted tales depicting cursed kings, cheerless executioners, and bread-and-butter-worshipping- butlers. Yet, two unseen figures stand in...
Described by the author as, “A Trivial Comedy for Serious People”, Wilde’s genre-crossing masterpiece of Romcom meets Satire has everything. Starting with lightest-touch, highbrow wit, it moves through thwarted romance to true love, by way of mistaken-identity impostor-farce. Chosen as ACT’s tribute production to the life and work of our late patron, Jill Freud, it embodies her wise advice, “comed...
Agatha Christie Mystery-Thriller, adapted by Louise Page. A nerve-jangling Mystery Thriller, adapted from a short story by the Queen of Crime. In isolated, tension-filled Philomel Cottage, there’s something terrible building between whirlwind-romance newlyweds. But more than one person has more than one murder on their mind, as the edge-of-seat plot draws to its shocking, switchback climax. Pres...
Dark-comedy gold by 'National Treasure' Alan Ayckbourn. By special arrangement with Sir Alan Ayckbourn, this UK Regional Premier of his 2024 hit is pure, dark-farce gold from UK Theatre’s National Treasure. In his “love-letter to Theatre” 90th play, ‘A Chorus of Disapproval’-style backstage antics blend with Situation Comedy, French Farce, echoes of Hamlet’s play-within-a play, and the octogenar...
Best of British roaring-twenties farce by Will Evans and Arthur Valentine. A reckless-but-charming, Roaring Twenties couple have lost everything except their country house – and that’s going next! But wait – there’s a legacy – but how to get it? The first and best of the famous “Aldwych Farces”. With multiple mistaken identities, a cast of eccentrics, fake deaths and real laughs, it’s the templat...
Under the vast Norfolk skies, a secret is burning. Young Leo Colston is staying at his friend’s grand country house when he becomes caught up in a dangerous web of desire and deception, delivering secret letters between two forbidden lovers. As the summer months pass by, Leo soon finds that even the smallest of actions can have devastating consequences. With original live music, stunning visuals...
Adrian Cox & Honey Boulton with the Chris Ingham Trio
Fri 11 Sep
The UK's leading New Orleans style clarinettist Adrian Cox and swing guitar specialist Honey Boulton are joined by the Chris Ingham Trio for an unmissable evening of swinging early jazz entertainment. Internationally acclaimed clarinetist Adrian Cox is a leading authority on New Orleans music, bringing an authentic and electrifying voice to the idiom. As a celebrated exponent of the style, Cox ha...
Not The Rolling Stones are clearly a member of the Premier League of tribute bands. A truly international act, that have sometimes performed on three consecutive nights in three different countries, their gig list is still expanding year on year. With a track record of film and TV appearances between them, there's an unsurpassable Mick and Keith at the front, along with a band of top quality music...
In this talk for Heritage Open Days, they will explore the history of the building, its place in Southwold's cultural life, and the journey that led to its transformation into the thriving arts venue it is today. Join Michael Rowan-Robinson, the Chair of Trustees, to explore the history and heritage of Southwold Arts Centre. Optional backstage tour following the talk. Exhibition on the history of...
The Alter Eagles are delighted to be coming back to the Southwold Arts Centre for the fourth time, bringing with them a brand new theatre show for 2026 that celebrates their 21st year of touring. Since their debut gig in 2003, the Alter Eagles have established themselves as one of the country's top tribute acts, headlining at theatres all over the country, playing a mix of old and new Eagles' song...
WCB Comedy Stand up in Southwold: Headliner Mark Watson
Sat 26 Sep
This line-up is ridiculous. And tickets will go. WCB Comedy returns with a stacked night of stand-up featuring one of the most recognisable comedians in the UK… MARK WATSON – As seen on Taskmaster, Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week and Have I Got News For You. A master of brilliantly chaotic storytelling and razor-sharp observations. Joining him is a killer support line-up: Christian Rei...
Look out Southwold! Here comes the hottest Soul and Funk outfit in the east of England. Making a triumphant return to Southwold, Frank and the Beans will bring their infectious brand of soul music back to Southwold Arts Centre. Expect Sam and Dave, Stevie Wonder and Otis Reading favourites in this high energy homage to Motown and the Stax canon. Yes, there will be dancing and exuberance by the buc...
MoonAge is a David Bowie Tribute Band comprising acclaimed musicians, with a wealth of experience and are fronted by an amazing singer, Andrew Walker, who has David Bowie’s vocals off to a tee. The classic “Spiders from Mars” line-up is enhanced by keyboards, saxophone and full backing vocals whilst images/video accompany each song. You will hear all the hits, Space Oddity, Let’s Dance, Ziggy Star...
Following a sell-out run at the Tabard Theatre, Fever and Fire comes to East Anglia for a strictly limited tour. Written and performed by Adam Preston, Horatio Nelson, Fever and Fire is a powerful one-man show exploring the life, loves and legacy of Britain's greatest naval hero. Drawing on extensive historical research, the play goes beyond the familiar legend to reveal the man behind the myth. ...
The Demeter leaves Romania on its final voyage to England, it is loaded with cargo and passengers looking to start a new life. But Captain Atkins has discovered a monster aboard. The creature has been locked in the brig and away from prying eyes, but discontent can spread like the plague and when you are on the open water with no sign of land, what can you do? Who can you trust? Growing Theatre's ...
