Dorchester Arts

Dorchester Arts We believe in connecting artists, audiences and communities through exciting, varied creative experiences. Where the arts thrive people and places do too

For the past 30 years, Dorchester Arts has engaged tens of thousands of people in a wide variety of arts events including top quality music and comedy acts, theatre, dance as well as talks and workshops for the whole community to enjoy. Dorchester Arts is supported by West Dorset District Council, Dorchester Town Council and our individual donors and corporate sponsors. We are a membership organi

sation, a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. Our staff consists of an Artistic Director, an Administrator, a Bar Manager, a Finance Officer, a Marketing Officer and a Fundraising & Development Officer. Governance is led by a Board with up to 12 members and we receive a huge amount of support from a dedicated band of volunteers. Our home is in the Dorchester Corn Exchange, where we have a performance space accommodating up to a maximum audience capacity of 300 and we have a fully licensed bar for all events. We are temporarily based in Dorchester Town Council offices at 19 North Square. We also programme performances in a variety of venues across Dorchester, including Shire Hall, Dorset Museum, St Mary's Church and Maumbury Rings, and work with a wide range of community groups, delivering arts activities for all ages.

A fierce new play celebrating women who survived and thrived across Dorset comes alive on our Theatre stage on Fri 31 Ju...
18/06/2026

A fierce new play celebrating women who survived and thrived across Dorset comes alive on our Theatre stage on Fri 31 July and Sat 1 August. 🎭

Created by hundreds of women from across the county who worked together to unearth and illuminate 12 incredible historical women, the key facts of their lives are true; the rest is a delicious, riotous reimagining.

Performed by 40 women of Dorset, this exciting collaborative production is produced by writer Stephanie Dale, Dorchester Arts and Lighthouse, and features a photographic exhibition by Jayne Jackson Photography who has documented all stages of the project.

Join us for an extraordinary gathering. ✨

https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/event/unearthed/

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16/06/2026

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All tickets have now sold for our production of Murdered to Death. Heres to opening night on Thursday 🎭 Dorchester Arts Melanie Hooley

Join us for our celebration of the summer solstice as we welcome back GreenMatthews on Sunday 21 June at 7pm - Dorcheste...
15/06/2026

Join us for our celebration of the summer solstice as we welcome back GreenMatthews on Sunday 21 June at 7pm - Dorchester Corn Exchange.

Midsummer Revels is a glorious feel-good evocation of sunny days, blue skies and green fields! Songs of the land and sea, town and country are brought to life on a plethora of instruments such as English border bagpipes, mandocello and shawm, all underscored with GreenMatthews’ trademark wit and humour.

Book your tickets today for this celebration of Summer and music combined!

Midsummer Revels (GreenMatthews)
Sunday 21 June | 7pm
Dorchester Corn Exchange

It’s a lovely day for a summer show! Come along to Maumbury Rings at 2 pm (gates open 1 pm) for Pinocchio - a musical t...
14/06/2026

It’s a lovely day for a summer show! Come along to Maumbury Rings at 2 pm (gates open 1 pm) for Pinocchio - a musical theatre treat for all the family. Tickets available on the door!

by Carlo Collodi, adapted by Oliver Gray Carlo Collodi’s classic is a perennial favourite. It is the third most translated book in the world, having appeared in no fewer than 260 languages since it was published in 1883, and has never been out of print. Childless toymaker Geppetto buys a piece of ...

11/06/2026

🎤 Tomorrow night, Dorchester Comedy Club returns 🎤

The wait is nearly over. Tomorrow, The Hardye Theatre will be packed with comedy fans ready for a massive night of live stand-up featuring Marcus Brigstocke, Paul Foot, and Rich Wilson.

Marcus Brigstocke headlines with the sharp, intelligent comedy that’s made him a favourite on Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, and Have I Got News For You, while Paul Foot brings his brilliantly bizarre and wonderfully surreal style that audiences absolutely love.

Holding the whole night together is the brilliant Rich Wilson, keeping the laughter rolling from the moment the lights go down.

If you’ve been thinking about booking, now’s the time. There’s nothing quite like live comedy in a packed theatre, and this is shaping up to be a brilliant night.

🎟 Tickets: https://www.dorchesterarts.org.uk/2026/03/19/fri-12-june-dorchester-comedy-club-marcus-brigstocke-and-paul-foot/

Welcome back to The HandleBards! The brilliant cycling quartet return to Dorchester next Wednesday, 17 June, bringing th...
11/06/2026

Welcome back to The HandleBards! The brilliant cycling quartet return to Dorchester next Wednesday, 17 June, bringing their signature energy and humour to Shakespeare’s tale of love, disguise, and mistaken identity in As You Like It.

Set in the stunning surroundings of Maumbury Rings, this open-air performance promises an unforgettable evening of theatre, laughter, and romance under the summer sky. Grab your picnic, gather your friends, and join us for a joyful night of “love in the woods” as you’ve never seen it before.

See you there!https://www.dorchesterarts.org.uk/2026/03/17/wed-17-june-as-you-like-it-handlebards/

Address

The Corn Exchange, High East Street
Dorchester
DT11HF

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+441305266926

Website

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