Welcome to Birchvale

THEATRE | CINEMA | MUSIC

What's On Our Shows

The Birchvale is a small community theatre which has been the local hub for drama, film and entertainment in Dalbeattie since 1933. Keep up-to-date with further developments by bookmarking our website or visiting our Facebook page where further announcements will be made. Alternatively, you can contact us here.

What's on at the Birchvale:

Warm Wednesdays

This is a free event every Wednesday from September to March

Doors open at 1pm film starts at 1:30pm

10th December  – It Happened One Night (Clark Gable & Claudette Colbert) 1hr 45mins

17th December – Miracle on 34th Street (Richard Attenborough & Mara Wilson) 1hr 54mins

14th January – The Swan (Grace Kelly & Alec Guinness) 1hr 44mins

21st January – The Charge of the Light Brigade (David Niven & Olivia de Havilland) 1hr 55mins

28th January  – A Streetcar Named Desire (Vivien Leigh & Marlon Brando) 2hrs 2mins

4th February  – Modern Times (Charlie Chaplin) 1hr 27mins

11th February – Rebel Without a Cause (James Dean & Natalie Wood) 1hr 51mins

18th February  – Grand Hotel (Greta Garbo & Joan Crawford) 1hr 52mins

25th February  – Harvey (James Stewart) 1hr 44mins

4th March  – The Philadelphia Story (Katherine Hepburn & Cary Grant) 1hr 52mins

11th March – Guys & Dolls (Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons & Frank Sinatra) 2hrs 30mins

18th March – Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid (Robert Redford & Paul Newman) 1hr 50mins

25th March  – You’ll Never Get Rich (Fred Astaire & Rita Hayworth) 1hr 28mins


This is a free event and no bookings will be taken it is first come first served

16th January 2026

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

Film

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale sweeps viewers back into the opulent world of the Crawleys for one last, unforgettable chapter. As secrets surface and loyalties are tested, the family and their devoted staff face new challenges that could change Downton’s legacy forever. Romance, rivalry, and breathtaking twists collide in a spectacular send-off that celebrates everything fans have cherished. Prepare for laughter, tears, and triumph as the curtain finally falls on the beloved estate—this is Downton Abbey as you’ve never seen it before.


Tickets £5

Rated PG

2hr 4m

Tickets

25th January 2026

The Twa Roberts BY Pauline Vallance & Penni McLaren Walker 

Touring Theatre

The Twa Roberts is a one hour two woman show with songs, about Robert Tannahill and Robert Burns. These 2 poets were born 15 years apart, with very different attitudes to women. Robert Tannahill (Paisley's Weaver Poet) was shy and self conscious about his limp and never married after being let down by his love, Jessie. Robert Burns was well known for being rather a magnet for womankind, had many conquests, as well as a long marriage to Jean Armour. But how would they fare in today's dating scene? What would they put in their Tinder profile? Where would they take you on a first date? What music would they be into?

Singer/songwriters Pauline Vallance and Penni Mclaren Walker have been pondering these questions and have turned them into a show, featuring some original songs, as well as those of Tannahill and Burns. There are many shows about the more famous Robert and about his attitudes to women, but what about the lesser known Robert? How would his quiet and steadfast qualities fare compared to the charisma and magnetism of Robert Burns?

The show is set in the present and through the eyes of two women who date these two poets. It is lighthearted and filled with captivating songs, but also opens up discussion about attitudes to women, past and present


Tickets £12.00 Adult

Tickets

30th January 2026

The Penguin Lessons

Film

Penguin Lessons is an uplifting, true-spirited adventure that begins with an unexpected rescue and blossoms into a life-changing bond. When an ordinary teacher encounters an oil-soaked penguin in need, he makes a split-second decision that leads to extraordinary consequences. As man and penguin navigate school halls, stormy seas, and the unpredictable tides of fate, their unlikely friendship sparks laughter, wonder, and a renewed sense of purpose. Heartwarming, humorous, and utterly unforgettable, Penguin Lessons reminds us that sometimes the smallest creatures make the biggest impact.


Tickets £5

Rated 12A

1h 50m

Tickets

13th Feb 2026

Four Letters of Love

Film

"Some loves are written in the stars, and some are written in letters."


Based on the internationally best-selling novel by Niall Williams, Four Letters of Love is a lyrical and deeply romantic Irish story about two soulmates, Nicholas (Fionn O'Shea) and Isabel (Ann Skelly), who are destined to be together, but kept apart by fate, family, and circumstance.


Set against the breathtaking landscapes of the west of Ireland, the story follows their parallel lives as they navigate personal tragedies and heartaches. Nicholas's quiet life is shattered when his father (Pierce Brosnan) has a divine epiphany and abandons his family to become a painter, while Isabel's world is upended after a family tragedy leads her parents (Helena Bonham Carter and Gabriel Byrne) to send her to a convent school.


As these "star-crossed lovers" embark on their individual journeys, unseen forces, ghosts, and a touch of magical realism conspire to pull the threads of their lives together in a miraculous way. This heartfelt and visually stunning film explores faith, hope, and the enduring power of true love that transcends all obstacles.


Tickets £5

Rated 12

1hr 49m

Tickets

20th February 2026

Quiz Night

Fundraiser

Doors open at 6:30 quiz starts 7:00pm

£2.00 pp teams up to 4

 

6 rounds with interval after 3rd round

Booking is essential as we book out quick


Bring your bottle however our café will be open if anyone would like anything and a raffle at half time

 

 *Please note however that in recent times we have have complaints of a few that are to intoxicated and have spoiled the night. Therefore even though you can bring a bottle we can refuse entry and or remove people if they are deemed a nuisance.   

New button

27th Feb 2026

The Ballad of Wallis Island

Film

Escape to the edge of the world in The Ballad of Wallis Island—a hauntingly beautiful tale where land, memory, and myth collide. Set against a windswept island steeped in secrets, the film weaves music, longing, and quiet rebellion into a story about the people who refuse to be forgotten. As the past resurfaces and bonds are tested, Wallis Island becomes a place where every silence speaks and every song carries a truth. Mysterious, moving, and deeply human, this is a cinematic journey that will stay with you long after the final note fades.


Tickets £5

Rated 12 A

1hr 40m

Tickets

13th March 2026

I Swear

Film

Prepare to laugh, cry, and be profoundly moved by I Swear, the powerful true story of a remarkable man who refused to be defined by his diagnosis.


Growing up in 1980s Scotland, John Davidson (Robert Aramayo, The Rings of Power) was a popular, sporty teenager with a bright future until he was suddenly diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome, a little-known and entirely misunderstood condition at the time. Met with ignorance, alienation, and even physical abuse, John's world is turned upside down as he struggles to navigate a society that shuns difference.


This critically acclaimed film, featuring standout performances from Shirley Henderson, Maxine Peake, and Peter Mullan, expertly balances heartbreaking moments with "frank, funny, and touching" Scottish humor. It's a story of resilience, the transformative power of kindness, and the universal fight for acceptance. John's journey from a social pariah to a nationally recognized campaigner (who once accidentally shouted "F*ck the Queen!" while receiving his MBE from the late monarch) will inspire you to see the world with more compassion and understanding.


Tickets £5

Rated 15

2hr 1m

Tickets

27th Mar 2026

Black Bag

Film

Black Bag is the spy thriller you’ll be talking about long after the credits roll — a sleek, sophisticated battle of wits where loyalty, love, and deception collide. When top British intelligence officer George Woodhouse is tasked with uncovering a traitor at the heart of his agency, the list of suspects contains one devastating name: his wife, fellow operative Kathryn. Over the course of one tense week, secrets will be unearthed, alliances tested, and the line between duty and desire blurred in a high-stakes game that’s as cerebral as it is thrilling. With powerhouse performances from Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender under Steven Soderbergh’s masterful direction, Black Bag is a gripping journey into the shadows of espionage — where the biggest threat may be the truth itself.


Tickets £5

Rated 15

1hr 33m

Tickets

26th April 2026

The Controlled Burn

Music

Arthur Coates & Kerran Cotterell are a dynamic two-man trad force, combining fiddle, guitar, foot percussion, and rich vocal harmonies into a sound that feels far bigger than two performers. Rooted in traditional folk but powered by modern groove, they blend original compositions with tunes gathered from the folk wilds, delivered with offbeat charm, sharp storytelling, and infectious energy.

From driving reels and foot-stomping rhythms to bluesy detours and unexpected jazz-tinged twists, their live shows are packed with musical turns that keep audiences hooked. Festival favourites across the UK and beyond, Arthur and Kerran bring tradition joyfully sideways — guaranteed to get toes tapping, faces smiling, and the whole room leaning in.


Tickets £15.00

Tickets

For Bookings

Box Office Open - Every Wednesday 12pm - 2pm

Online - https://birchvale.scot/

Telephone - 07717 676254

Accessibility

All areas of the theatre are wheelchair accessible with access ramps at each entrance. We have 9 accessible seats that can be removed to allow space for wheelchairs.

Toilet facilities

We have fully adapted toilet and changing facilities.

Hearing Loop

There is a hearing loop in the theatre. We have occasional relaxed performances tailored to special needs. Information will be on the website when these are available.

Guide Dogs are welcome.

Children and babies

We appreciate visits from our younger customers and their parents or guardians and have high chairs and baby changing available.

How to get here

Birchvale is located in Maxwell Street, Dalbeattie, Dumfries and Galloway DG5 4AG, please see our interactive map below.


Getting here by car:

From Dumfries take the A711 to Dalbeattie (30 minutes) 

From Castle Douglas take the A745 to Dalbeattie (15 minutes).


Parking:

Parking is accessed via Maxwell Gardens. There are three accessible parking spaces, bike and motorcycle parking and 41 other spaces. It is a well-lit space. Users of this car park do so at their own risk. Birchvale accepts no responsibility for any damage, accident or loss. 


By Bus:

Route 501 (Stance 1 at The Loreburn Centre, Dumfries or Stance 5 at Whitesands, Dumfries). Get off outside The Maxwell Arms. Birchvale is 200 metres up Maxwell Street 

Route 372A from Dumfries round the coastal route via New Abbey. This bus stops outside Birchvale.

Let's hear it for our funders!

Funders for Birchvale, Dalbeattie include Dumfries & Galloway Council, The Holywood Trust and the Garfield Weston Foundation

Ms. Nancy B. Lindsay.  Norman & Margaret Kennedy.  Andy & Anne Kalotka.  The Stewartry Area Committee.


We have also been privileged to receive significant anonymous donations from 5 individuals.

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