Plymouth’s Theatre Royal Plymouth (TRP) is set to transform its outdoor Scene Dock into a vibrant hub of entertainment and community activities with the “Summer in the Scene Dock” festival. This exciting program runs for four weeks, every Thursday to Sunday, from August 7th until August 30th, 2025.
It complements the theatre’s highly anticipated six-week engagement of the West End and Broadway hit musical Hamilton (July 30th to September 6th). The Summer in the Scene Dock will be located at the outdoor space at the rear of the theatre traditionally used for unloading scenery, will be reimagined as a welcoming festival ground. This community-focused initiative is a collaborative effort between TRP and South West artists Trifle Gathering Productions and Azza Gasim, aiming to create a vibrant, family-friendly environment for all.
Your Detailed Guide to “Summer in the Scene Dock” Events
Week 1 Highlights (Commencing August 7th):
- Thursday, August 7th, 3:00 pm: Bridging Cultures (Ticketed – Free)
- An interactive display for children and families to explore authentic objects, musical instruments, traditional crafts, and textiles from diverse cultures through guided discovery, storytelling, and creative play.
- Friday, August 8th, 3:00 pm: Mossy Carpet (Free Event – No Ticket Required)
- A collaborative and community-crafted experience inviting you to connect through storytelling and contribute by making pom-poms for the “Mossy Carpet.”
- Friday, August 8th, 8:00 pm: Milk Poetry Night (Ticketed – Paid)
- An hour of potent, playful, and unforgettable spoken word from some of the UK’s most exciting voices, hosted by Malaika Kegode.
- Saturday, August 9th, 3:00 pm: Squashbox Theatre’s The Sea Show (Ticketed – Paid)
- A quirky and hilarious mix of puppet show, natural history, and comedy cabaret exploring the wonders of the sea.
- Saturday, August 9th, 8:00 pm: Hedluv + passman (Ticketed – Paid)
- Catch a dynamic live performance from this rap duo.
- Sunday, August 10th, 3:00 pm: Kelliwik Golowi Band (Free Event – No Booking Required)
- Enjoy vibrant Caribbean rhythms from this volunteer-powered steel band.
- Sunday, August 10th, 4:00 pm: Real Steel (Free Event – No Booking Required)
- Another opportunity to experience steel pan music.
- Sunday, August 10th, 7:00 pm: Company B (Ticketed – Paid)
- A lively performance from this seven-piece jump jive band with a modern twist.
Week 2 Highlights (Commencing August 14th):
- Thursday, August 14th, 3:00 pm: Letters to the Sea (Ticketed – Free)
- A spoken word celebration of Plymouth’s “Blue Spaces,” exploring connections to the ocean through diverse voices.
- Thursday, August 14th, 8:00 pm: The Big Fat Musical Theatre Quiz of the Summer (Ticketed – Paid)
- Hosted by Plymouth Theatre Company, featuring live musical performances, trivia from your favourite musicals, and prizes.
- Friday, August 15th, 3:00 pm: Find Your Beat (Ticketed – Free)
- A session focused on musical exploration and rhythm.
- Friday, August 15th, 8:00 pm: HomesGrown – OpenMic (Ticketed – Free)
- An inclusive open mic event welcoming music, dance, games, karaoke, and comedy from local talent.
- Saturday, August 16th, 3:00 pm: Miracle Theatre Presents The Squirrel Society (Ticketed – Paid)
- A performance featuring puppets, gentle interaction, and plenty of laughs.
- Saturday, August 16th, 8:00 pm: Miracle Theatre presents The Quizzards (Ticketed – Paid)
- A lively pub quiz extravaganza from Miracle Theatre.
- Sunday, August 17th, 4:00 pm: Camp Bake Off (Free Event – No Ticket Required)
- A fun, competitive baking event.
- Sunday, August 17th, 7:00 pm: The Cabarats (Free Event – No Ticket Required)
- Enjoy dub-infused rhythms and knees-up ska that collide with eastern melodies and world instruments.
Upcoming Weeks (Weeks 3 & 4):
- Information for Week 3 and Week 4 of the festival, which will run until August 30th, is expected to be revealed on Friday, July 18th, 2025. Stay tuned for more details on the TRP website.
General Festival Information
- Operating Hours:
- Thursday to Saturday: 12 noon – 11 pm
- Sunday: 1 pm – 9 pm
- Atmosphere & Amenities: The Scene Dock will offer an old-school tuck shop, local food vendors, a pop-up bar, and roaming performers, creating a relaxed setting for enjoying summer evenings.
- Access & Ticketing:
- Ticketed – Paid Events: £7.50 full price (£5.50 concessions). Advance purchase is recommended.
- Ticketed – Free Events: Free, but advance booking is required. Some tickets may be available at the door, but this is not guaranteed.
- Open Access Events: No ticket needed; welcome to all on a first-come, first-served basis. Early arrival is advised due to limited capacity.
Azza Gasim, Creative Community Co-ordinator for “Summer in the Scene Dock,” highlighted the inclusive vision:
“My hope is that by collaborating with communities around the city, we will demonstrate that everyone is welcome at TRP.
This is the chance to celebrate the diversity of Plymouth through food, music and performance, and give a whole new perspective on what we do and who we are for.”
The artist and activity lineup is subject to change. For the most current program details, specific event times, and to plan your visit, please refer to the official Theatre Royal Plymouth website: Summer in the Scene Dock at Theatre Royal Plymouth.
