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
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
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.
Rated 15
2hr 1m
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.
Rated 15
1hr 33m
28th March 2026
A Night of One Act Plays
Theatre
We’re thrilled to present a dynamic showcase of three compelling one-act plays, each offering a distinct voice, style, and perspective on the human experience.
From the quiet power of memory and choice in A Woman And A Suitcase by F. Thomas Vincent (directed by Elsie Gibbs-Brown), to the sharp wit and social observation of Joining The Club by David Tristam (directed by Julie Wong), and the heartfelt, thought-provoking moments of About Life by Rob Richards (directed by Milly Arnold), this trio of plays promises laughter, reflection, and emotional resonance.
Together, these one-acts form an engaging theatrical journey—intimate, surprising, and deeply human. Don’t miss this vibrant festival showcase of storytelling at its finest.
Tickets £12.00
3rd April 2026
One Battle After Another
Film
One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and based on Thomas Pynchon's Vineland, is a fast-paced, paranoid action-comedy following Bob Ferguson (Leonardo DiCaprio), a former 1970s revolutionary trying to protect his teenage daughter, Willa (Chase Infiniti), from his nemesis, Colonel Lockjaw (Sean Penn). The plot revolves around a 16-year, relentless chase through California and Mexico, as former members of the "French 75" radical group reunite to save the duo
Rated 15
2hrs 42mins
17th April 2026
Wicked: For Good
Film
Wicked: For Good, the second part of the musical adaptation, follows a fractured Elphaba and Glinda living with their choices. Elphaba fights for Animal rights from exile as the "Wicked Witch," while Glinda acts as the Wizard's public face. As Oz faces political unrest, they must confront their past and each other to shape the future.
Rated PG
2hrs 18mins
23rd, 24th & 25th April 2026
A Hundred Words For Snow
By Tatty Hennessey
Live Theatre
A Hundred Words for Snow is a coming-of-age monologue following 15-year-old Rory, who navigates grief after her father’s sudden death. To honor his dream of being an Arctic explorer, she steals his ashes and embarks on a solo journey to the North Pole. It is a poignant, humorous exploration of love, loss, and female adolescence.
Tickets £12.50
7:30pm
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
8th May 2026
The Choral
Film
The Choral is a British historical drama set in 1916 Yorkshire, where a local choral society, depleted of men due to WWI, recruits teenagers and a controversial, German-loving conductor, Dr. Guthrie (Ralph Fiennes), to perform Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius. Written by Alan Bennett and directed by Nicholas Hytner, it explores community, art, and humanity during wartime
Rating : 12A
1hr 53mins
22nd May 2026
Hamnet
Film
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell is a fictionalized account of Shakespeare's marriage to Agnes (Anne) Hathaway in 16th-century Warwickshire, focusing on the profound grief following the death of their 11-year-old son, Hamnet, from the bubonic plague. The plot follows Agnes, a healer, as she manages family life while Will is away in London. It explores the emotional chasm between the parents after the loss, ultimately linking the tragedy to the inspiration behind Shakespeare's Hamlet.
Rating : 12A
2hrs 5mins
27th, 28th, 29th & 30th May 2026
Bette & Joan
By Anton Burge
Live Theatre
Bette & Joan depicts the two stars, in adjacent dressing rooms, between takes on the set of Baby Jane. While Joan (Corinne Durand) manages her anxiety by lacing her Pepsi with vodka and signing photographs for her beloved fans, Bette (Julie Rain) chain smokes and muses on her love life, and her ability to pick a decent script, never a decent man. Behind the bitching and the practical jokes, we see each woman's insecurities and regrets, and their rivalry is revealed to be underpinned by grudging respect as they attempt to identify their new roles in life as well as in their careers.
Could they every have been friends?
2:30pm & 7:30pm
Tickets £12.50
12th Jun 2026
Fackham Hall
Film
Fackham Hall is a comedy spoof in the vein of Airplane! and Downton Abbey that follows Eric Noone, a lovable pickpocket who becomes a porter at a, English manor. He forms an odd bond with the youngest daughter, Rose Davenport, while the family deals with a disastrous wedding between their eldest daughter and her caddish cousin
Rated 15
1hr 37mins
26th Jun 2026
Song Sung Blue
Film
Song Sung Blue is a drama based on a true story following Mike (Hugh Jackman) and Claire (Kate Hudson), down-on-their-luck musicians in Milwaukee who find love and success by forming a Neil Diamond tribute band"Lightning and Thunder". The film follows their journey through musical highs, including opening for Pearl Jam, to devastating personal heartbreaks.
Rated 12A
2hrs 12mins
July 2026
Kursk
By Bryony Lavery
Live Theatre
Kursk tells the story of the sinking of the Kursk from the perspective of the crew of a nearby British submarine. When they hear the explosion of the Kursk on their instruments, the captain of the British vessel is faced with a decision as to whether to go to the Russian ship's aid.
7:30pm
Tickets £12.50
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!
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