Smash-hit show celebrating The Shipping Forecast comes to Dumfries
As featured on BBC1’s ‘The One Show’ and BBC Radio 4’s ‘Today’ programme.
As the shipping forecast embarks on its second century, Charlie Connelly brings Attention All Shipping: A Celebration of the Shipping Forecast, his hilarious show celebrating its quirks and unique appeal, to Easterbrook Hall in Dumfries on 12th February.
Paying tribute to what Connelly regards as the greatest invention of the modern age, Attention All Shipping asks how a weather forecast for mariners has captured the hearts of a nation from salty old sea dog to insomniac landlubber and how it’s possible for ‘rain later’ to be ‘good’. Not to mention – where the hell is North Utsire?
“I’m really excited about bringing Attention All Shipping to Dumfries,” says Connelly. “We might not have waves washing up against the steps outside but one thing I’ve been delighted by in touring this show is how the nation’s love of the shipping forecast is easily as strong miles inland as it is on the coast.
Inspired by Connelly’s bestselling book of the same name, which has sold more than a quarter-of-a-million copies, this pacy, moving and hilarious show takes you all the way from Viking to South-East Iceland to ensure the shipping forecast will never sound the same again.
Attention All Shipping has been selling out theatres up and down the country from Penzance to Shetland at venues by the sea and miles inland, leading to Charlie appearing on BBC1’s The One Show and the Today programme on BBC Radio 4.
“The show is doing far better than I could ever have imagined,” he says. “One of the best aspects of touring Attention All Shipping is seeing first hand just how popular the shipping forecast is among a wide range of people all over the country.
“I’ve met all sorts of folk with a shared love of the shipping forecast, from pop stars to rear admirals, crusty old sea dogs to landlocked insomniacs with not a sea leg between them.”
The forecast celebrated its centenary in 2024 and shows no sign of declining in popularity any time soon.
“It’s like a beating of the national bounds,” says Connelly, “living proof that we are a maritime nation and we all have a little bit of sea water in our veins.
“The shipping forecast is an unimpeachable force for good. It represents the very best of us. That’s why I’m delighted and honoured to celebrate it with so many fellow devotees up and down the land with Attention All Shipping.”
Charlie Connelly’s ‘Attention All Shipping: A Celebration of the Shipping Forecast’ is at The Crichton, Dumfries, on 12 February 2026.
Book tickets online or at Midsteeple Box Office on 01387 253383
What they said
“Charlie Connelly is one of the funniest people I have ever had the pleasure of sitting in a studio with…He has a natural wit that doesn’t get crushed by an over-zealous ego with a lovely personality attached to it.” Fi Glover, broadcaster
“Charlie is always warm, funny and engaging…I actually sent him a fan letter – and I’ve never done that to anyone in my life before.” Bernard Sumner, New Order
“I can thoroughly recommend an evening spent in the company of the very funny and very lovely Charlie Connelly whose knowledge of what I call ‘the ships’ is excellent. Sou’westers optional.” Corrie Corfield, BBC Radio 4
