🌳 New Forest Acting Up 2025/26: Theatre, Music & Storytelling Across the Forest

This autumn, Culture in Common is delighted to present the third season of New Forest Acting Up, a rural touring programme in collaboration with Artsreach.

Running from October 2025 through March 2026, the season brings an inspiring mix of theatre, music, storytelling and family performances to venues across the New Forest — including Lyndhurst, the Waterside, New Milton, Pennington, Sway, Woodgreen, Hythe and beyond.

As the nights draw in, Acting Up once again fills village halls and community spaces with creativity, connection and local spirit. From tales of friendship and sabotage to musical journeys through opera, swing and jazz rock, this is a season chosen by the community, for the community.

🎭 Autumn 2025 Performances

October

• Fideri Fidera – Franky Tuesday 28 October, 2:30pm – Hythe Parish Hall

November

• Louise Jordan – Behind Enemy Lines Saturday 15 November, 7:30pm – Fawley Jubilee Hall

• Louise Jordan – Behind Enemy Lines Sunday 16 November, 3:00pm – St. Mark’s Hall, Pennington

• Not Now Collective – Pepper & Honey Friday 28 November, 7:30pm – Sway Village Hall

December

• Callie Gaston & Roger Paterson – Night at the Opera Wednesday 3 December, 7:30pm – Lyndhurst Community Centre

• Lonely Clown Club – Ha! Bumhug Sunday 7 December, 4:00pm – The Bridge, Milford-on-Sea

• Chris Garrick & John Etheridge Sunday 14 December, 7:30pm – Woodgreen Village Hall

🎟 Winter–Spring 2026 Performances

January

• Graffiti Classics Sunday 11 January, 7:30pm – Hythe Parish Hall

• Danny Mellor – Undermined Thursday 22 January, 7:30pm – Sway Village HallSunday 25 January, 7:30pm – Fawley Jubilee Hall

February

• Front Room WSM – Yara in the Wild Woods Monday 16 February, 11:00am – St. George’s Hall, Calshot

• Coppice Theatre – How to Catch a Book Witch Tuesday 17 February, 11:00am – Thorney Hill Community Centre

March

• Shon Dale Jones – The Duke Sunday 15 March, 3:00pm – St. Mark’s Hall, Pennington

• Three Cane Whale – Hibernacula Sunday 15 March, 7:30pm – Woodgreen Village Hall

• Swing from Paris Saturday 21 March, 7:30pm – Blackfield Royal British Legion

• Klezmer Foygl Sunday 29 March, 7:30pm – Lyndhurst Community Centre

💬 Community at the Heart

New Forest Acting Up continues to thrive thanks to an incredible network of volunteer host promoters who dedicate their time and passion to bringing live performance to local audiences.

Special thanks to:

• Helen Bradley & Martin Elliott (Waterside Arts)

• Emily Black (H & D Parish Council)

• Christine Galpin (Langley Hub)

• Eve Jolly (St. Mark’s Church)

• Peter Dawson (Stage Right)

• Simon Hanney (Sway Drama Club)

• Clara Flintoff (The Bridge)

• Kevin Flack & Mhairi Benest (Woodgreen Village Hall)

Their efforts ensure that professional touring artists can perform in rural spaces, offering residents an opportunity to enjoy world-class theatre and music right on their doorstep.

📅 Plan Your Season

Whether you’re a lifelong theatre fan, a music lover, or a family looking for something special to do together, New Forest Acting Up 2025/26 has something for everyone.

👉 More information: Follow @cultureincommon or visit  New Forest Acting Up 2025/26

📧 Questions? Get in touch at cultureincommon@energiseme.org

🌟 Why It Matters

By supporting New Forest Acting Up, you’re helping to keep the arts alive in the New Forest — nurturing creativity, community connection, and cultural life in rural spaces.

So mark your calendars, invite your friends, and enjoy an extraordinary season of performance across the Forest.