Events & Entertainment, Wimborne | Posted on January 16th, 2026 | return to news

Von Ribbentrop’s Watch – a rare find to be staged at The Tivoli, Wimborne

From the writers of ‘Birds of a Feather’ and ‘Goodnight Sweetheart’, this play will be staged at the Tivoli from 19 to 21 February.

The play isn’t true, but the watch is. In 1985, Laurence Marks saw a very elegant Art Deco wristwatch while window shopping, so treated himself. Two decades later, when the pre-war watch started losing time, he took it to a repairer. When the jeweller called to ask if the watch was a family heirloom Laurence confirmed it wasn’t, the jeweller replied “In that case come to the shop. I think there’s something you should see.”

Engraved on the inside back of the watch were the initials ‘JVR’ above a neat little swastika. JVR could only mean Joachim Von Ribbentrop, Hitler’s Foreign Minister. The prior ownership was confirmed by Sotheby’s and Laurence was told it would fetch a great deal at auction. Laurence was tempted to sell it but told his friend Maurice Gran, who said: “How can you possibly profit from a Nazi watch?”

After a long philosophical debate, they decided there was only one thing to do; write a play about this very dilemma. ‘Von Ribbentrop’s Watch’ is that play.

From the writers of ‘Birds of a Feather’ and ‘Goodnight Sweetheart’, the play will be directed by Paul Senitt, by arrangement with Stagescripts Ltd. and performed by Wimborne Drama Productions at the Tivoli Theatre from 19 to 21 February.

The cast includes Stuart Glossop, Molly Jackson, Judy Garrett, Sali Pike, Andy Gill, Michael Mackey and Sam Moulton. For further information and to book tickets, telephone the Tivoli box office on 01202 885566 or visit www.tivoliwimborne.co.uk.