Award-winning theatre-maker Michele O’Brien and Isle of Wight artist and designer Teresa Grimaldi bring their acclaimed outdoor performance, The Dippers, to the historic shores of Osborne Beach on Sunday, 27th September, with performances scheduled for 11.30am and 12.30pm.
The story behind The Dippers
Set against the waters where Queen Victoria famously sea-bathed from her ornate wooden bathing machine in 1847, The Dippers resurrects the lost stories of the working-class women who made coastal bathing possible.
Long before wild swimming became the beloved modern pastime it is today, these hardy women – known as “dippers” – waded into the surf in all weather, guiding hesitant bathers into the tides to take the curative waters.
The production features an intricately crafted, purpose-built bathing machine, costumed storytelling, visual performance, and live music, making it an evocative tribute for coastal enthusiasts and modern cold-water swimmers alike.
A tribute to swimming heritage
Presented in partnership with the local swimming community, this special seaside staging invites members of the Outdoor Swimming Isle of Wight and For the Love of Swimming groups to combine a morning dip with living coastal history.
Whether you are an everyday year-round sea dipper or someone who enjoys watching the waves from the shingle, the performance honours the long-standing human connection to saltwater immersion.
“When Queen Victoria first rolled her bathing machine down the rails into the Solent in July 1847, she declared sea-bathing delightful until she put her head under.
“But behind every bather of the era stood the resilient, often invisible dippers who safely navigated the breakers.
“Bringing this story back to Queen Victoria’s own beach closes a 180-year circle of swimming heritage.”
Event details
The Dippers by Michele O’Brien and Teresa Grimaldi (with Amy Rose) takes place at Osborne Beach, Osborne House, East Cowes on Sunday, 27th September 2026 at 11.30am and 12.30pm.
Suitable for all ages; open to wild swimmers, families, and beachgoers. Outdoor show access is included with standard admission to Osborne House (free for English Heritage members).
Attendees and swimming group members are encouraged to bring their swim kit, flasks of tea, and beach towels to enjoy a swim before or after each performance.
