wimborne community prepares to transform kingston lacy after dark for unique new theatre experience
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A magical new landscape theatre production created with people from across Wimborne will take audiences on an immersive journey through the gardens of Kingston Lacy this September – bringing together performers, musicians, young people and community members for a completely new theatrical experience for the town.
From 22–27 September, Belonging: Our Search for Home will invite audiences to experience Kingston Lacy in an entirely different way. Beginning as daylight fades and continuing after the National Trust property has closed to daytime visitors, the promenade performance will lead audiences through the landscape as stories, music and characters emerge from the gardens around them.
There are just days to go until audiences step into the world of Belonging: Our Search for Home.
🎟️ 22–27 September at Kingston Lacy
🤟 BSL-interpreted performance: Wednesday 23 September
🚌 Accessible return shuttle from Wimborne: just £1.50
Created and produced by Wimborne Community Theatre as part of HOME, a landmark project for Wimborne 2026, the production brings together professional artists with a large cast and creative team drawn from the local community.
Adults and young people, local singers and musicians, members of Millstream Theatre and children from local schools have all been involved in the wider creative process. Community workshops have ranged from theatre and song-making to lantern-making, with local people helping to explore the production's central questions: is home a place or a feeling – and where do we belong?
The result is a new piece of landscape theatre rooted in Wimborne, its people and its past and present.
hear from guest director rohan gotobed
What does it take to turn Kingston Lacy into a stage after dark?
Guest Director Rohan Gotobed takes us behind the scenes of Belonging: Our Search for Home, sharing how the production has come together with the community and what audiences can expect when they step into the gardens.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Rohan said:
“There’s something very special about encountering a story in the place that inspired it. As daylight fades, audiences will move through Kingston Lacy and meet characters and stories along the way, with the landscape itself becoming part of the production.
This has been created with so many people from across the community, and I’m incredibly excited for audiences to finally step into the world we’ve been building together.”
what can audiences expect?
a fair full of secrets. a landscape full of noises.
At the heart of Belonging is a story of families and fortunes, loss and longing.
A teenager is preparing to leave Wimborne. An old man has something still unsaid. Figures from the history and legends of Kingston Lacy walk among the audience, each with their own stories to tell.
Before the journey begins, audiences will be invited to explore an interactive fair from 6.30pm, before being led through the gardens from 7pm.
The production has been developed with creative consultation from Wildworks, the UK’s leading landscape theatre company, alongside Guest Director Rohan Gotobed, Wimborne Community Theatre Artistic Director Tony Horitz and Musical Director Karen Wimhurst.
For Wimborne Community Theatre, the production also marks 35 years of creating original community theatre inspired by local places and the lives of people past and present.
Tony Horitz, Artistic Director of Wimborne Community Theatre, said:
“For 35 years, Wimborne Community Theatre has been telling stories inspired by the places and people around us, and Belonging brings all of that together on an exciting scale.
“Kingston Lacy isn't simply a backdrop for this production – its landscape, history and relationship with Wimborne are woven through the experience. It's wonderful to be celebrating our anniversary by creating something so ambitious with our community.”
Emma Kerr, Wimborne 2026 Programme Manager, said:
“Belonging really captures what we want Wimborne 2026 to be about – creating extraordinary cultural experiences here in the town while giving local people opportunities to be part of making them.
“So many different people have contributed to this production, in so many different ways. Now we have the chance to invite audiences into Kingston Lacy after hours to experience the result. It will be something completely different for Wimborne, and we hope people will come and be part of it.”
bsl performance and accessible shuttle from wimborne
Accessibility has been an important consideration in planning Belonging. The promenade performance follows an accessible route through the Kingston Lacy gardens, helping more people to experience the journey through the landscape.
The performance on Wednesday 23 September will include British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation.
An accessible minibus shuttle service will also run between Wimborne and Kingston Lacy for just £1.50 per person return.
Pick-up points are Leigh Park, by the Community Centre, and The Square, outside Nationwide. Spaces are limited and advance booking is essential. To use the service, simply add the minibus option when selecting your performance tickets online. Exact pick-up times will be sent directly to those who have booked.
Carers or companions accompanying a paying adult can attend the production free of charge, as can children under three.
book your tickets
Belonging: Our Search for Home runs at Kingston Lacy from Tuesday 22 to Sunday 27 September 2026.
Gates open: 6.15pm
Interactive fair: from 6.30pm
Performance begins: 7pm
Belonging: Our Search for Home is created and produced by Wimborne Community Theatre as part of Wimborne’s year as Dorset Town of Culture, and HOME, a landmark project for Wimborne 2026.
It is supported using public funding by Arts Council England and Talbot Village Trust, and supported by Wimborne 2026’s partners and sponsors: Wimborne Minster Town Council, Dorset Council, Arts Development Company, Wimborne BID and Canford School.