Summer in the Scene Dock is now open!

A brand new pop up outdoor festival has opened this week at Theatre Royal Plymouth (TRP). Located in the city centre, Summer in the Scene Dock will host local bands, DJs, quiz nights, theatre performances, family events, cabaret and variety nights throughout the summer.

Summer in the Scene Dock has been created by TRP in collaboration with South West based artists Trifle Gathering Productions, and will take place in the outdoor area situated at the rear of the theatre, located by Derry’s Cross Roundabout.

Opening on 07 August 2025, Summer in the Scene Dock will invite the public into the space every Thursday to Sunday until 30 August and will incorporate a mix of open access, free bookable and paid-for ticketed events. Doors will open midday until late, and all ticketed events can be pre-booked on the website or bought at the door on the day. A range of food and drink offerings will be available onsite, with local vendors including Chennai Street Kitchen, Corn & Crunch, Mama Rita’s Kitchen, Early Bird, Plymouth Jollof Kitchen and Oriental Kitchen, plus a bar and tuck shop.

Themed days will run throughout the festival including ‘Fete Day’ (Sun 17) which will encompass all the elements of a village style fete and offer community celebrations such as puppet making, face painting, fete games, a cake competition, craft and live music. Pride Day will take place on Sunday 24 where visitors can enjoy a variety of workshops and family-friendly activities and settle in for an evening of poetry and music. TRP will also be offering the opportunity to explore TRP’s main Lyric stage and auditorium every Sunday afternoon with a Behind the Doors Tour.

There will be events, activities and performances suitable for all ages.

Tom Jackson Greaves, TRP Associate Artistic Director, said: “Summer in the Scene Dock is the place to be this summer! This is our first time creating an event like this and we want to invite the people of Plymouth to come along and experience all it has to offer.

“There’s something for everyone; for those who want to watch a show, take part in a themed quiz, keep their young ones entertained, grab a bite to eat, dance the night away to a resident DJ or simply sit back, have a drink and soak up the atmosphere.

“Whether you’ve got tickets to watch Hamilton on the Lyric stage and want to drop in before, or if you’ve never stepped foot inside the theatre, this will be a welcoming space for all.”

Events can be pre-booked online or via the box office. The full line up can be found here: https://theatreroyal.com/whats-on/summer-in-the-scene-dock/.

Summer in the Scene Dock runs alongside landmark West End and Broadway hit musical, Hamilton, which plays at TRP from 30 July to 06 September.

Highlights include:

Week One – 07 – 10 August  

Bridging Cultures – Invites children and families to explore authentic objects, musical instruments, traditional crafts and symbolic items from diverse cultures. This interactive experience encourages questions, connections and meaningful dialogue.

DJ Mikey Good – Founder of Really Good Records puts on an electrifying evening of music and good vibes.

Mossy Carpet Workshop – An accessible, inclusive, collaborative and community crafted opportunity to slow down, connect and think about our future.

Milk Poetry Night – An hour of potent, playful and unforgettable spoken word from some of the UK’s most exciting voices. With a reputation for warmth, inclusivity and high-quality curation, Milk Poetry brings poets together to move, challenge and inspire.

DJ Snake – DJing since the age of 15, travelling the world playing all genres of music.

The Sea Show – A quirky and hilarious mix of puppet show, natural history and comedy cabaret.

hedluv + passman – Britain’s most southerly rappers put on a show jam-packed with surprises that’s guaranteed to leave a smile on your face.

DJ Léonie – Expect soul, funk, hip-hop and all those guilty pleasures that get you moving and grooving.

Kelliwik Golowi Band – A folk ensemble of more than 20 musicians, originally formed in 2023 for the launch of the new Callington Festival.

Real Steel – Internationally acclaimed and proudly Plymouth-based, Real Steel is a self-funded, volunteer powered steel band bringing the vibrant rhythms of the Caribbean to every stage they grace.

Company B – the seven-piece jump jive band has been bringing big energy and even bigger tunes to stages across the South West (and beyond) for the past 14 years.

Week Two – 14 – 17 August  

Letters to the Sea: A Spoken Word Celebration of Plymouth’s Blue Spaces – A project that invites participants to bring their hopes, concerns and memories connected to the ocean together and ask: ‘if you could write a letter to the sea, what would it say?’

The Big Fat Musical Theatre Quiz of the Summer – Hosted by Plymouth Theatre Company and featuring live musical performances, your favourite musicals, fun trivia and brilliant prizes.

DJ Shakes – A versatile DJ known for his passion for music and culture, DJ Shakes specialises in Afrobeats while also spinning dancehall, Amapiano, Soca, R&B, hip hop, Bollywood and Bhangra.

Find Your Beat – A dance workshop aimed at girls who are passionate about music and movement and who want to build confidence, develop new skills or explore inclusive dance and music techniques.

HomesGrown Open Mic – An inclusive open mic event that invites local budding performers to stand on stage and perform live.

The Squirrel Society – Grab your family and friends and embark on this immersive interactive challenge race created and performed by Cornwall’s Miracle Theatre.

The Quizzards – A pub quiz extravaganza where ordinary becomes the extraordinary. With classic rounds, a special local segment, quirky sections and a seriously strong intro, this quiz is going to require all your ingenuity and wit to claim the top prize.

DJ Jozzy – a versatile artist who has been fuelling his lifelong passion for music since a young age and is set to captivate the audience with his vibrant mixes and energetic performances.

Make A Moon Monster Puppet – Children age 3-10 are invited to join Above Bounds Theatre for a drop-in fun, relaxed craft activity to design and make their very own Moon Monster puppet.

Camp Bake Off – Join us for a community cake competition! More than just a baking contest, this is a chance to celebrate diversity through food, music and performance.

The Cabarats – Dub-infused rhythms and knees-up ska collide courageously with eastern melodies, world instruments and infectious vocal hooks to form an alluring and energetic sound.

Week Three – 21 – 24 August  

Rant Club Workshop – Imagine a playful theatrical world where your anger is celebrated. Trifle Gathering’s Rant Club workshop offers participants a chance to let off steam through connectivity, laughter and camaraderie.

Queenagers – A show comprising stand up, music and monologues that focuses on the funny side of the menopause and the uplifting freedom and positivity it can bring.

DJ Supa – a master of his craft with 20 years DJing experience, Supa has supported some of the UK’s biggest names.

Maker and Move – Come and meet new friends whilst making colourful props to use in our Summer Parade through the city centre on Saturday 23 August.

Otto and The Mutapa Calling – a colourful celebration of southern African music and culture. The London-Based marimba band plays energetic, joyful music from Zimbabwe, South Africa and Botswana, covering traditional folk songs, popular southern African covers and original songs.

DJ Anya – blends everything from house and hip-hop to garage, DnB and R&B with effortless flair.

Far Flung’s Summer Parade – Come and enjoy being together and join in a sociable gathering of moving and dancing.

Red Herring Silent Disco – Get your headset on, learn and follow our steps or find your own rhythm.

Jelly Jazz – Pete Isaac is best known as the DJ promoter behind the seminal South West club night Jelly Jazz, which has developed an international reputation.

Week Four – 28 – 31 August  

Farewell Jamaica – A wonderful new play celebrating the contribution the Windrush community made in rebuilding the country. This family-friendly educational play raises many thought-provoking issues surrounding immigration and celebrates the grit and determination that generation showed to make their way and become part of the UK’s rich and diverse heritage.

Mik Artisik’s Ego Trip – genuinely delightful, funny and frightening. Described as Northern rock and roll stand-up.

DJ Aldo – Affectionately known as Plymouth’s 14^th best DJ, he produces funky breaks for Jalapeno records and has previously recorded for Catskills, Tru Thoughts, AV8 and his own Good Living records.

Fraser Hooper – Step into a world of joyful chaos with internationally acclaimed clown Fraser Hooper in his hilarious new show, Fair Play.

The Scribes – High energy, multi-award-winning live festival hip hop from the South West’s finest, The Scribes, featuring beatboxing, freestyling and head nodding beats.