If you’ve ever looked at The Exchange listings and thought ‘nothing there for me’, how about looking again?
Yes, there are music shows, but a wide variety – see below – and there is much more on offer. Between now and Easter, in no particular order, you will find brilliantly irreverent cabaret, a British screen legend in conversation, a 60s rock tribute band, the best of Dorset culture in word and song, and a great blend of folk and gypsy music from Eastern Europe. Plus a cake concert by musicians from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
Cabaret with Balls was scheduled for performance on 29th January – Storm Chandra gave all those who didn’t get a ticket in time a second chance. Charlie Bicknell, a cabaret and circus performer who starred in Ben Elton’s West End hit ‘Popcorn’ is performing with Louise Innes, a versatile mezzo soprano who made her Royal Opera debut in 2010. From Flashdance to Simon and Garfunkel via AC/DC and a throw-back to Not the Nine O’Clock News. The show is a brilliantly irreverent escape from reality, full of surprises, humour, and outrageous fun (age 16+).
Edward Fox is one of Britain’s most distinguished screen and stage actors, who has acted with many of the great names of the last five decades. In discussion with the celebrated theatre director and raconteur Richard Digby Day, Edward will share anecdotes from his glittering career, including The Day of the Jackal, Edward and Mrs Simpson and A Bridge Too Far. Ask questions and hear first-hand stories from a national treasure.
The annual celebration of Dorset culture centred on William Barnes, born and brought up near Sturminster Newton, mixes his iconic dialect poetry with authentic local music delivered by the Ridgeway Singers and Band, and a delicious cream tea. If you want to know what Dorset means to Dorset folk, this joyous event is for you – but book quickly, there are very few tickets left. You don’t need a ticket for the producers’ market in The Exchange from 11am on the same day.
Alice – The Sounds of Smokie sees five talented musicians and vocalists performing all of Smokie’s hits (if you’re of a certain age, Living Next Door to Alice will just have immediately come to mind). There will be more 60s classics in the show, and audience participation is guaranteed.
The Budapest Café Orchestra are no strangers to Dorset. Led by the award winning and outrageously talented Chris Garrick, an orchestra of four brings an evening of folk-based music from eastern Europe – a description which doesn’t start to cover the range of musical delights they will set out.
These musicians have worked with Cleo Laine, Nigel Kennedy, Luciano Pavarotti, Dolly Parton … and they are very funny.
Don’t miss a treat.
Another date for the diary is April 11th, when an open day will tell and show you even more of what The Exchange in Sturminster offers to the whole of North Dorset in 2026.
Pick up a brochure or visit The Exchange website for dates and to see what else is on.
stur-exchange.co.uk
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