New Forest Acting Up 2026/27

About the event

This autumn, Culture in Common is launching the fourth season of New Forest Acting Up, a rural touring programme in collaboration with Artsreach.

As the nights draw in, Acting Up returns to the New Forest. The rural touring programme is bringing theatre, music, dance, storytelling and children’s performances to local venues including Lyndhurst, the Waterside, East Boldre and Woodgreen.

From dazzling dance shows and upbeat classical music, folktales and stand up comedy, the programme has been chosen by the community for the community.

Acting Up would not be possible without the dedicated volunteer host promoters of the New Forest: Helen Bradley & Martin Elliott (Waterside Arts); Emily Black (H & D Parish Council); Christine Galpin and Sandra Smith (Langley Hub); Eve Jolly (St. Mark’s Church); Peter Dawson &Nicky Williams (Lyndhurst); Kevin Flack & Mhairi Benest (Woodgreen Village Hall); and Tim Clogg & Gina Antczak (East Boldre).

This season’s programme includes:

2026

October

Sonia Sabri Company – Roshni
Friday 2 October, 7:30pm. Hythe Parish Hall

Squashbox Theatre – Curious Creatures
Monday 26 October, 10:30am. Hythe Parish Hall

Luminous Tales – The Goose & Mrs Frost
Tuesday 27 October, 11am. St George’s Hall, Calshot

November

Inn Echo – Unfortunately, this show has been cancelled
Thursday 12 November, 7:30pm. East Boldre Village Hall

Ropetackle Storytellers – Jekyll and Hyde
Sunday 22 November, 3pm. St Mark’s Community Hall Pennington

Flats & Sharps
Wednesday 25 November, 7:30pm. Lyndhurst Community Centre

December

James Rowland – Team Viking
Sunday 6 December, 7:30pm. Fawley Jubilee Hall

Budapest Cafe Orchestra 
Friday 11 December, 7:30pm. Woodgreen Village Hall

2027

January

Bowjangles – Classically Untamed
Sunday 17 January, 7:30pm. Lyndhurst Community Centre

February

Adverse Camber – Story Brew: Wild Woods
Saturday 6 February, 7:30pm. Woodgreen Village Hall
Sunday 7 February, 3pm. St Mark’s Community Hall Pennington

The Neil Maya Quartet – The Brubeck Project
Sunday 7 February, 6pm. Royal British Legion Blackfield

March

Old Baby Mackerel
Thursday 4 March, 7:30pm. East Boldre Village Hall

Spiltmilk Dance – Playlist
Saturday 6 March, 7:30pm. Waterside Empower Centre Church

The Bookshop Band
Thursday 18 March, 7:30pm. Hythe Library

David Eagle – Flying Solo
Sunday 21 March, 7:30pm. Fawley Jubilee Hall

If you have any questions about the programme, please get in touch with us at cultureincommon@energiseme.org