Welcome to The Beggar’s Theatre, Millom. Located in South Cumbria on the edge of The Lake District in the Market Town of Millom.
Celebrating 12 years of wonderful theatre! 2009 – 2021
‘I am overwhelmed’ Jakki Moore. Founder, Theatre Maker, Director, Beggar!
Hello folks, Thank You for visiting our new website. We are a local theatre in a wonderful, small town of Millom. Close to the beach and the Lake District, we are very proud to have built up a fantastic variety of acts who love to play our little venue.
The Beggar’s has a capacity of 245 and is a lovely, intimate space to play. Our Audience is fantastic. They love the opportunity to see amazing acts visit us from small scale rural touring to TV Stand Ups. Our audience come from miles to enjoy theatre, comedy, live music, family shows and cinema at our fabulous venue.
The acts return again and again to play our stage. We pride ourselves on our hospitality and personable approach. We know most of our audience by name and love to welcome new people and new acts. We like to make our acts feel warmly welcomed, comfortable and at home.
Having spent 30 years in the business, Jakki our Director has seen performing from both sides of the curtain. It is important to us that we get the balance between professionalism and ‘at home’ welcome correct for both act and audience alike.
The Theatre was built by accident! Yes.. this is a true story. Originally an old Night Club, The Beggar’s has been created by hard work, love and a lot of begging!
We are unfunded, we apply for small pots of money for individual projects. We are passionate, friendly and hard working but most of all welcoming. We rely on our wonderful, hard working staff and volunteers who are amazing!
We hope to see you at a show soon!
How to get to The Beggar’s Theatre
| Place | Distance to The Beggar’s Theatre | Time by Car |
|---|---|---|
| Carlisle | 67 miles | 1hr 50mins |
| London | 300 miles | 5hrs 30mins |
| Manchester | 103 miles | 2hrs 10mins |
| Kendal | 38 miles | 1hr |
| M6 jct 36 | 38 miles | 1hr |
All times and distances approximate. Click here for route details
Coming Up Next…
I was part of an organisation that booked the Beggar’s Theatre for an event in June 2019. As a venue it exceeded expectations. It was perfect for our evening of poetry readings and musical performance. Lighting and sound were excellent. The flexible nature of the auditorium meant we could have a cabaret set-up which suited the event, with a bar available. Feedback from performers and audience was positive. I hope we will be able to put on another event there in the future.
An intimate theatre and nowhere better for comedy. It is remarkable that top acts find the Beggars. It is then natural that they then want to return.
You are really in the presence of the performers – whereas they would be a dot in the distance at the Apollo. And the same works so well for small-scale touring theatre which can be very powerful there.
Lots of eateries nearby in the square and an outstanding real ale pub.
A lovely theatre, staff are so friendly and chatty, the atmosphere is so welcoming. I’ve been to this theatre many many times and 100% will be coming back for many more!!❤️
If you’re going to stay in Haverigg or the South Western Lakes, it’s a missed opportunity not to check out what’s on at this lovely little theatre.
These spaces are dwindling and I take my hat off to the people who keep it alive because it’s lovely.We saw Bowjangles there, they’d been asked to visit after last year’s Edinburgh Fringe so here you have a Fringe-level performance right here in Millom. Serendipity.
First visit to the Beggars to see “your my world” Beatles and Cilla Black tribute. Met at the door by Jakki very warm welcome. Was presently surprise on the size. All the staff were very helpful and friendly. Lovely bar. Will definitely go again.
This venue goes from strength to strength! Comedy, music and DRAMA.
Don’t go for the obvious folks. Suck it and see…
Went last night to watch a celebration of Simon and garfunkel was amazing. This place is the best thing in town have loads of amazing acts on music comedy and theatre .
First visit to the Beggars to see “your my world” Beatles and Cilla Black tribute. Met at the door by Jakki very warm welcome. Was presently surprise on the size. All the staff were very helpful and friendly. Lovely bar. Will definitely go again.
This venue goes from strength to strength! Comedy, music and DRAMA.
Don’t go for the obvious folks. Suck it and see…brilliant lively venue. vibrant, friendly hospitable. relaxed atmosphere. miles from anywhere. unbelievable in such a remote community. A must see when in the area
If you are staying in Millom, in fact if you are staying Cumbria, you should make a trip to the Beggars theatre run by the amazingly lovely Jakki Moore.
My Mum attends a writing class there too. We have just see the celebration of Simon and Garfunkel and it was sensational. Brilliant venue, superb atmosphere. Everything about this place is top notch. It is what entertainment is about.
Millom is not the most convenient place to get to with it’s location at the Southern tip of the Lake District and that makes it all the more surprising to find a venue like the Beggars. The variety of shows that take place is impressive and testament to the driving force of the manageress, Jakki. The venue is a repurposed nightclub with a cosy atmosphere meaning the audience is not far from the stage and a bar is situated on a mezzanine level serving bottled beers. wine and soft drinks. As a solo visitor I had an enjoyable time and will look forward to future shows
Another of many visits to the Beggars theatre. Doesn’t really matter who / what is on, just give it a go and you’re guaranteed a brilliant night!
We have been going to The Beggars Theatre in Millom ever since it opened its doors. The Beggars owner Jakki is dedicated, enthusiastic, inspirational and hardworking.
Don’t just visit The Beggars for the top household names as some of the best acts we’ve seen are the less well known comedians and you are always assured a warm friendly welcome by Jakki and her team.
If you’re a visitor to the area check out The Beggars Theatre 🙂
We have been visiting the theatre to watch comedy acts since Jakki opened the Beggars. With comedians like Bill Bailey, Rob Beckett, Jason Manford and Patrick Monahan being my favourite!
It’s a fab night out and we often go with other couples/ friends and can guarantee leaving with sore cheeks from laughing so much! There has also been a number of family shows that I have taken my kids to and we always thoroughly enjoy it.
Drama/ dancing groups also run for the children and cinema days during holidays. Jakki goes above and beyond to make the theatre a great place.
Its my fave place to go. Brilliant night out with a stocked bar then literally a five minute walk home!
In the past two weeks have seen 2 very different but 2 superb nights of comedy at the Beggar’s Theatre, Eddie Izzard and Patrick Monahan. Still chuckling now over some of Patrick Monahan’s antics (takes audience participation to a new level!), and the fact that the Beggar’s owner Jakki secured the Eddie Izzard gig, in a town of around 8000 people, shows just what an asset the theatre is to this area. Comedy is just one of the many things the theatre has to offer, we are lucky to have it :).
Millom is a small town of some 7000 people with another 2-3000 living in the immediate surroundings. To have a resource like the Beggar’s Theatre is wonderful – we have regular appearances by top rate comics such as Jeremy Hardy and recently Eddie Izzard, and excellent plays and concerts by local groups. Anyone visiting the town should check with the Theatre to see if there is a performance during their visit – it would be well-rewarded.
The Beggars Theatre is a fantastic asset to this corner of Cumbria, bringing top quality acts to a cosy and intimate venue where you feel part of the show. My grandson and I saw Omid Djalili last week and enjoyed an evening of superlative comedy in the company of a very appreciative audience. Jakki has done wonders for the town with this venture and she and her staff involve many of Millom’s youngsters in theatre and workshops. Some of them will doubtless go on to greater things in theatre and the arts as a result of being inspired by these experiences.
This small theatre tucked away in a corner of the market square has ambition way beyond its size and the population it serves. It is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of the owner/manager Jakki Moore that it surpasses all expectations. I have seen top rate comedy acts – Ed Byrne, Jeremy Hardy, Omid Djalili, Sean Hughes, Sean Lock, and many others here, as well as plays, improv acts and talent nights. All have been superb. The theatre itself is cosy, welcoming and extremely well run, with an excellent bar and a superb family atmosphere. Why do the big names keep coming to this out-of the-way corner of Cumbria? I guess they recognise the excellence of the venue and the passion of the people who run it. I can’t recommend this highly enough – long may it continue.
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