Please find below details of shows and events at Lighthouse Poole for October 2025.
The Royal Opera: Tosca
Wednesday 1 October, 6.45pm, Cinema
A star-studded cast includes soprano Anna Netrebko performing the role of Tosca as an alternative, modern-day Rome provides the backdrop for Oliver Mears’ unmissable, gripping new production of Puccini’s thriller.
Encore: Wednesday 8 October, 11.30am
Imagine – Lennon
Wednesday 1 October, 7.45pm, Theatre
Celebrating the legacy of John Lennon, brought to life by the internationally acclaimed Tyson Kelly – renowned for his striking portrayal of Lennon in Broadway’s Let It Be and in the world’s #1 Beatles tribute The Bootleg Beatles for seven years.
Armonico Consort: JS Bach Mass in B Minor
Thursday 2 October, 7.30pm, Concert Hall
Bach’s Mass in B Minor should have been titled ‘Bach’s Greatest Hits!’ He considered this to be his best work, or movements which he had allowed to develop over time. If you have never heard it live, this is absolutely one concert you must not miss.
An Evening Without Kate Bush
Thursday 2 October, 7.45pm, Theatre
Following its sold-out, critically acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe première, London seasons, UK and Australian tours, this smash-hit, award-winning show is back with last year’s panto star Sarah-Louise Young and co-creator Russell Lucas paying glorious homage to the music, fans, and mythology of one of the most influential voices in British music.
Jake Lambert: The Sunshine Kid
Thursday 2 October, 8pm, The Sherling Studio
Following his sell-out visit in March, Jake Lambert is returning to Poole! Described as “A joke machine” by The Telegraph, the show will see the comedian talk about trying to navigate his way through everyday life, why he has a fear of being normal, and asking why we all feel the need to ask strangers what breed their dogs are. Age guidance: 16+
Dead Ringers: The 25th Anniversary Tour
Friday 3 October, 7.30pm, Concert Hall
To mark its silver jubilee, BBC Radio 4’s legendary, multi-award-winning topical satire show takes to the road with a full UK tour for the first time.
Murder She Didn’t Write
Friday 3 October, 7.45pm, Theatre
Don your deerstalker, grab your magnifying glass and get your ‘finger of suspicion’ at the ready because Edinburgh Fringe favourites, Degrees of Error, are bringing back their multiple sell-out show for your sleuthing pleasure. Age guidance: 12+
Studio Jazz: Alan Barnes Quartet plays the music of Johnny Hodges
Friday 3 October, 7.45pm, The Sherling Studio
Lighthouse regular and one of the best known names in British jazz for more than 45 years, Alan Barnes plays the music of Duke Ellington’s legendary alto sax man.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Saturday 4, Sunday 5 October, 4pm, 11am, 2pm Sun only), Theatre
The Very Hungry Caterpillar has been dazzling audiences around the globe for over seven years, faithfully bringing to the stage four of Eric Carle’s timeless classics and featuring 75 magical puppets.
Bingo at Tiffany’s with Audrey Heartburn
Saturday 4 October, 8pm, Sherling Studio
Calling all dream makers, heart breakers and bingo lovers! Join award-winning character comedian Tracey Collins (Shell Suit Cher, Elvis Lesley) and laugh, dance and play to win life-changing prizes as Audrey spins her cage of bingo balls and shakes her musical maracas to an outrageous party soundtrack.
Fisherman’s Friends
Sunday 5 October, 7.30pm, Concert Hall
In celebration of performing together for over 30 years on stages across the world, Fisherman’s Friends are back on tour. Sold out.
Lunchtime Recital: Trio Pierné
Tuesday 7 October, 1.05pm, The Sherling Studio
A Jane Austen inspired repertoire to mark this commemorative year.
Blood Brothers
Tuesday 7 – Saturday 11 October, 7.45pm (2.30pm Wed, Thu, Sat mats), Theatre
Willy Russell’s legendary stage musical tells the captivating and moving tale of twins who, separated at birth, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with fateful consequences. Age guidance: 12+
The Ultimate Classic Rock Show
Friday 10 October, 7.30pm, Concert Hall
Over two hours of classic rock anthems from artists including Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Free, Eagles and Jimi Hendrix to name but a few!
Coastal Comedy
Saturday 11 October, 8pm, The Sherling Studio
Paul McCaffrey, Dinesh Nathan and Dave Crawner line up in our monthly stand up comedy night with compere Adrienne Coles. Age guidance: 18+
Richard Chappell: Hot House
Tuesday 14 October, 7.45pm, Theatre
From choreographer Richard Chappell, protest becomes a party in this vibrant response to the cost of living crisis that draws inspiration from fashion, bonfire, rave culture, and concerts to combine the precision and sentiment of Chinese, Indian and European classical violin with arresting and filthy electronica.
Yippee Ki Ay
Wednesday 15 October, 7.45pm, Theatre
Acclaimed parody celebration of classic film Die Hard from Richard Marsh – Fringe First-winner, London poetry slam champion, and BBC Audio Drama Best Scripted Comedy Drama award-winner.
Martin Simpson
Wednesday 15 October, 8pm, The Sherling Studio
One of England’s most revered folk performers, widely acknowledged as one of the finest acoustic and slide guitar players in the world, Martin’s interpretations of traditional songs are masterpieces of storytelling.
Jenny Éclair: Jokes! Jokes! Jokes! Live
Thursday 16 October, 7.30pm, Theatre
In celebration of the release of her hilarious memoir of the same name, comedian, novelist, and professional show-off Jenny Éclair arrives with a brand-new autobiographical show. Age guidance: 14+
Julius Caesar
Thursday 16 October, 8pm, The Sherling Studio
Tangle Theatre’s fast-moving productiondrives through the political chaos, power struggles and friendship betrayals at the heart of Shakespeare’s greatest thriller. Adapted and directed by Anna Coombs, with John Pfumojena’s original music performed live on stage, this high-energy production brings African-inspired storytelling into the heart of ancient Rome. Age guidance: 12+
Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain
Friday 17 October, 7.30pm, Concert Hall
Formed in 1985 as the antidote to mindless pop, egocentric rock, and the indulgent bluster of the music business, the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain donned black tuxedos, and began giving ‘concerts’ in tiny rooms above old pubs. Four decades (and 400,000,000 plucks) later they’re still thrilling audiences with their off-beat humour and four-stringed virtuosity from Tasmania to the Arctic Circle, Windsor Castle to Carnegie Hall.
Paul Merton and Suki Webster’s Improv Show
Friday 17 October, 7.45pm, Theatre
Expect a show full of fast, fabulously funny improvised games, scenes, stories and laugh out loud surrealism as these two masters of Comedy Improvisation join forces with their very special guests to create cascades of laughter and joyful silliness. Age guidance: 14+
Studio Jazz: Jon Lloyd Quartet
Friday 17 October, 7.45pm, The Sherling Studio
Local jazz hero Jon Lloyd leads a quartet of superb musicians playing vibrant European Contemporary Jazz.
BSO: It’s a Living Thing
Saturday 18 October, 7.30pm, Concert Hall
Richard Balcombe conducts the BSO in a symphonic celebration of ELO.
Simon & Oscar: The Songs of Ocean Colour Scene
Saturday 18 October, 7.45pm, Theatre
Intimate acoustic performances of big hits, anthems, deep cuts and choice picks from the Ocean Colour Scene song book with the band’s Simon Fowler and Oscar Harrison.
Drum
Saturday 18 October, 8pm, Sherling Studio
Inspired by real events, this joyful and poignant play fuses storytelling, music and dance; capturing a unique snapshot of the swinging sixties as two rising Ghanaian creatives navigate their perception of identity, success, assimilation and home. Age guidance: 14+
The Metropolitan Opera: La Sonnambula
Tuesday 21 October, 6.45pm, Cinema
In his new production, Rolando Villazón – the tenor who has embarked on a brilliant second career as a director – retains the opera’s original setting in the Swiss Alps, but uses its somnambulant plot to explore the emotional and psychological valleys of the mind.
Eddie Izzard: Hamlet
Wednesday 22 October, 7.30pm, Theatre
Direct from her critically acclaimed, triple-extended New York, Chicago and London solo performances of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Eddie will perform on the blank canvas of a bare stage, letting the Bard’s words and pure storytelling take the spotlight.
Ocean Film Festival
Thursday 23 October, 7.30pm, Theatre
With a new collection of the world’s most incredible ocean films meet the surfers, paddlers, divers and scientists who have dedicated their lives to answering the call of the ocean.
Scott Matthews
Friday 23 October, 8pm, Sherling Studio
With its bold mix of folk, rock, blues and Eastern-inspired song-writing, Scott Matthews’ ground-breaking debut album, Passing Stranger earned him serious critical acclaim and an Ivor Novello Award in 2007 for his song Elusive. Having toured with the likes of Rufus Wainwright, Bert Jansch, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Foo Fighters, Snow Patrol and Tori Amos, he was joined by Plant for follow up album Elsewhere and legendary bassist Danny Thompson on his third, What the Night Delivers. Four albums later came the bold move into Eno-esque electronica on New Skin before his latest release, 2023’s Restless Lullabies, saw the same songs reborn in stark, acoustic surroundings.
Austentatious
Friday 24 October, 7.30pm, Concert Hall
For a delightful evening, the all-star Austentatious cast improvise a hilarious new Jane Austen novel, inspired entirely by a title from the audience. Performed in period costume with live musical accompaniment, it’s a riotous, razor-sharp show where swooning is guaranteed. The revolving cast includes numerous, award-winning TV and radio performers including Cariad Lloyd (QI, Inside No.9, Griefcast, The Witchfinder), Joseph Morpurgo (Radio 4, Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee), Rachel Parris (The Mash Report, Live at the Apollo) and Graham Dickson (After Life, The Witchfinder).
Joel Dommett: Happy Idiot
Friday 24 October, 7.45pm, Theatre
As one of the nation’s most familiar faces on television, Joel returns to his stand-up roots with a brand-new show. With glamorous tales from behind the camera and less glamorous anecdotes of first-time fatherhood, Joel remains a charming, exhausted, happy idiot. Age guidance: 14+
Franky
Saturday 25 October, 11am, The Sherling Studio
Prof Frankenstein feels lonely. She has no friends and the local villagers are afraid of her. The professor thinks a baby might change things and so, one stormy night with a flash of lightning and the help of her robot Igor, she creates… Franky! Don’t miss this fun-filled story with songs, a riotous hook-a-duck game, and the chance to learn the hottest new dance craze The Franky Walk! Age guidance: 3+
Uncanny: Fear of the Dark
Saturday 25 October, 7.45pm, Theatre
Danny Robins and his team of experts are back in a brand-new show with thrillingly new and terrifying real-life stories and witness accounts that will have you utterly gripped. Sold out.
Coastal Comedy
Saturday 25 October, 8pm, The Sherling Studio
A special edition of our monthly stand up comedy night with Tom Deacon, Danny Ward, Nathan D’Arcy Roberts and compere Adrienne Coles. Age guidance: 18+
Villains Unleashed
Tuesday 28 October, 3pm, Theatre
This devilishly fun show brings together all your favourite villains – Hook, Cruella, Ursula, Maleficent. Joker – for the ultimate Halloween party. Dress up if you dare – it’s going to be a scream!
Mark Thompson’s Spectacular Science Show
Wednesday 29 October, 2.30pm, Theatre
Designed for children and adults alike, an exploration of the strange and magical properties of matter with exploding elephant’s toothpaste, vortex-generating dustbins, and even howling jelly babies! Awarded Best Kids’ Show at Edinburgh Fringe by The Derek Awards, this interactive show promises to entertain and educate in the most spectacular way! Age guidance: 5+
Justin Live – Justin Time To Rock
Thursday 30 October, 11am, 2.30pm, Concert Hall
Famous for his BAFTA Award-winning appearances in hit programmes including Something Special, Justin’s House, Gigglebiz and Gigglequiz, Justin and his friends are back, starring in a brand-new rocktastic theatre show.
Dementia Friendly: Paddington (PG)
Thursday 30 October, 2pm, Cinema
A young Peruvian bear travels to London in search of a home.
Live and Unheard
Thursday 30 October, 7.30pm, The Sherling Studio
AK & the Red Kites, The Whitley Lake Band and Nia Nicholls in our monthly night of original grass roots music.
The Remarkable Ben Hart
Thursday 30 October, 7.45pm, Theatre
Prepare to have your reality rewritten as Ben Hart returns with his most astonishing and impossible show yet. An entirely unique voice in magic, Ben brings together enthralling storytelling, sharp wit and indisputable charm, to create magic shows that are unforgettable, funny, dark and profoundly baffling. This time, it’s not just magic– it’s real. Age guidance: 12+
Steve Knightley & the Winter Yards Band
Friday 31 October, 7.45pm, Theatre
Steve joins forces with three incredible musicians – guitar virtuoso David Delarre, master percussionist Evan Carson, and double bass maestro John Parker – and with the backing of Midnight Mango, this powerhouse ensemble promises a rich, dynamic live experience, breathing new life into Steve’s critically acclaimed Winter Yards album.
Studio Jazz: Ian Shaw sings the Great American Songbook
Friday 31 October, 7.45pm, The Sherling Studio
Leading light of the British jazz scene tackles classic songs by the les of Gershwin, Porter and Berlin.
Tickets and information 01202 280000
