She’s “the country’s favourite violinist” (The Times) – and ours too – as Nicola Benedetti includes a very welcome return to Lighthouse on her first solo tour in over ten years. In a uniquely personal show, the multi-award winning classical superstar will share a selection of shorter works.

Music quite unlike any other can be heard when the remarkable Terje Isungset makes his Lighthouse debut to showcase his extraordinarily beautiful ice music played on instruments carved and crafted using only natural frozen ice from the lakes during his annual Ice Music Festival in Norway. The there’s the reliably fantastic Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain on their return to the Concert Hall as part of a 40th anniversary tour.

There’s lots to laugh about as well, with a welcome return for the wonderful Ardal O’Hanlon, as well as new touring shows from former I’m A Celebrity… contestant Joel Dommett and the brilliant Mark Steel, whose latest show finds the funny (as only he can) in his real-life tangle with cancer.

If it’s drama you’re after, as well as an inspirational talk with record-breaking mountaineer Nimsdai, look no further than Emma, Ryan Craig’s 250th anniversary adaptation of Jane Austen’s literary classic; while Ghanaian-British writer Jacob Roberts-Mensah’s much-praised two-hander Drum, and Tangle Theatre’s African-inspired adaptation of Julius Caesar provide an edge to the autumn line up in the Sherling Studio.

On sale this week at Lighthouse:

Coastal Comedy
Saturday 13 September, 8pm, Sherling Studio
Three top comedians line up in our monthly stand up comedy night with compere Adrienne Coles. Age guidance: 18+

Coastal Comedy
Saturday 11 October, 8pm, Sherling Studio
Three top comedians 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 ‘filthy’ electronica.

Julius Caesar
Thursday 16 October, 8pm, Sherling Studio
Tangle Theatre’s fast-moving production drives through the political chaos, power struggles and betrayals at the heart of Shakespeare’s greatest thriller. Adapted and directed by Anna Coombs, with John Pfumojena’s original music performed live, 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 celebrates its 40th anniversary with a white-knuckle shopping-trolley dash through every kind of musical genre. From ABBA to ZZ Top, Tchaikovsky to Nirvana, Bluegrass to Broadway, all played on the ‘bonsai guitar’.

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+

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+

Coastal Comedy Special
Saturday 25 October, 8pm, Sherling Studio
A special edition of our monthly stand up comedy night with 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+

John Barrowman: Camp As Christmas
Saturday 1 November. 7.45pm, Theatre
John Barrowman returns with this brand-new show packed with Christmas cheer, glittering tunes, and plenty of seasonal sparkle! Expect a sleigh-full of your festive favourites and stunning Christmas carols all wrapped up with John’s personal stories, joyful anecdotes, and infectious energy.

This Is Your Tribute
Saturday 1 November, 8pm, Sherling Studio
Featuring classic hits like I Will Survive, Nine To Five and an unforgettable take on Let It Go, This Is Your Tribute is a musical nostalgia fest, filled with singalongs, dance breaks, wigs and wonderment hosted by Sarah-Louise Young of An Evening Without Kate Bush and last year’s Lighthouse panto Sleeping Beauty.

Coastal Comedy
Saturday 8 November, 8pm, Sherling Studio
Three top comedians line up in our monthly stand up comedy night with compere Adrienne Coles. Age guidance: 18+

Emma
Monday 10 - Saturday 15 November, 7.45pm (2.30pm Thurs, Sat mats), Theatre
This new 250th anniversary stage production of Jane Austen’s classic comedy of manners is adapted by Ryan Craig, whose recent works includes the world premiere of Charlotte and Theodore in Bath Theatre Royal’s Ustinov Studio and 1984 in the Main House. 

Stevie Martin: Clout
Saturday 15 November, 8pm, Sherling Studio
Stevie Martin (Taskmaster, 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown) has been doing online comedy for a while (45 million views worldwide), but is now returning to live comedy with her latest show, which sold out at the Edinburgh Fringe and at Soho Theatre this year. Age guidance: 14+

Terje Isungset Ice Quartet
Wednesday 19 November, 7.45pm, Theatre
The ice music pioneer, Terje Isungset, with his exquisite quartet featuring voice, ice harp, ice horn, iceophone, ice percussion and ice bass. This ice concert is a tribute to the most important thing in the whole world – nature – and is played on instruments made during Isungset’s annual Ice Music Festival in Norway. They are carved and crafted using only natural frozen ice from the lakes. Prepare to be transported by the extraordinary, beautiful and ethereal sounds of ice.

Nicola Benedetti
Saturday 29 November, 7.30pm, Concert Hall
Join Nicola Benedetti, “the country’s favourite violinist” (The Times) for a unique and personal show as she returns to pre-eminent stages across the UK for her first solo tour in over ten years.

Mark Steel: The Leopard In My House
Saturday 29 November, 7.45pm, Theatre
Mark Steel returns to Lighthouse with his new tour, The Leopard in My House. The topic? His battle with throat cancer. A battle the multi award-winning, BAFTA-nominated writer and comedian is winning (thankfully) and which only his rapier wit could fashion a comedy tour show out of. Age guidance: 14+

Cabaret With Claus
Friday 5 December, 8pm, Sherling Studio
Glad tidings abound as Charlie Bicknell and Louise Innes return with a Christmas show. An evening of shamelessly festive insanity, classical Nativity intertwines with contemporary insensitivity all performed with dazzling ingenuity. Age guidance: 16+

Coastal Comedy
Saturday 13 December, 8pm, Sherling Studio
Three top comedians line up in our monthly stand up comedy night with compere Adrienne Coles. Age guidance: 18+

Moscow Drug Club
Tuesday 16 December, 8pm, Sherling Studio
Named after the song, Moscow Drug Club are Lighthouse faves with their heady and waggish mix of jazz, French musette, Latin grooves and New Orleans swing combining their original material with songs by the likes of Brel, Waits, Cohen and Kitt.

Coastal Comedy Christmas Special
Saturday 20 December, 8pm, Sherling Studio
Three top comedians line up in our monthly stand up comedy night with compere Adrienne Coles. Age guidance: 18+

An Evening with Nimsdai
Saturday 10 January, 7.30pm, Concert Hall
Join legendary 14 Peaks and K2 Winter record breaking mountaineer Nimsdai ‘Nims’ Purja for an exclusive live talk. From his life in the Gurkhas and UK Special Forces to his mountaineering rescues, world records and his latest hat-trick project – this is one show not to miss.

Hedera
Saturday 17 January 2026, 8pm, Sherling Studio
A welcome return for the Bristol-based quintet of instrumentalists brought together by a desire to lean into the slower and more delicate side of European folk traditions.

Cloudbusting – The Music of Kate Bush
Friday 6 March 2026, 7.45pm, Theatre
Featuring material from across Kate’s career, all delivered with breathtaking vocals from Mandy Watson and superb musicianship from the live band.

Ardal O’ Hanlan: Not Himself
Saturday 14 March 2026, 7.45pm, Theatre
After an alarming experience at the supermarket, Ardal reflects on who he is as a man and a comedian. He examines his own ethnic and religious background. And thinks twice about the very core of his identity as a voice of reason. With a highly developed sense of the ridiculous, and proper comedy bones, Not Himself is a testament to the healing power of humour. Age guidance: 16+

Daoirí Farrell
Saturday 28 March 2026, 8pm, Sherling Studio
Dubliner, singer and bouzouki player Daoirí Farrell holds two BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and three nominations in the RTÉ Folk Awards. He has toured and played festivals across the world as well as touring the UK with the all-star Transatlantic Sessions.

Michael Starring Ben
Thursday 7 May 2026, 7.30pm Concert Hall
A welcome return for the UK's ultimate Michael Jackson tribute star, Ben Bowman. Age guidance: Under 14s to be accompanied by an adult 18+

With the exception of Stevie Martin: Clout and Nicola Benedetti, which are already on sale, tickets go on pre-sale to Lighthouse Best & Great Friends on Friday 18 April, and to Lighthouse Good Friends on Tuesday 22 April before going on general sale from Friday 25 April. at https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk

For details of Lighthouse Friends visit https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/support-lighthouse/.