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14 Phonebox Magazine | November 2025As the shipping forecast embarks on its second century, broadcaster Charlie Connelly brings us Attention All Shipping: A Celebration of the Shipping Forecast, his hilarious show celebrating its quirks and unique appeal, to the Royal & Derngate Theatre, Northampton this month.Paying tribute to what Charlie 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%u2019s possible for %u2018rain later%u2019 to be %u2018good%u2019. Not to mention %u2018where on earth is North Utsire?%u2019Delving into the history of the forecast and the extraordinary people who made it, Charlie explains what those curious phrases really mean, celebrates its wide cultural impact, and shares exciting adventures from his own extraordinary journey through the 31 sea areas.%u201cI%u2019m really excited about bringing Attention All Shipping to Northampton%u2019s stunning Royal & Derngate,%u201d says Charlie. %u201cWe might not have waves washing up against the steps outside but one thing I%u2019ve been delighted by in touring this show is how the nation%u2019s love of the shipping forecast is easily as strong miles inland as it is on the coast. In fact I%u2019d say it%u2019s even stronger, somehow.%u201d Inspired by his bestselling book of the same name, this fast, moving and hilarious show takes you from Viking to South-East Iceland and back, ensuring the shipping forecast will never sound the same again. After 60 shows, many of them sold out, Charlie says he has been %u2018startled%u2019 at their popularity, considering it%u2019s a %u2018specialist weather forecast%u2019.%u201cThe show is doing far better than I could ever have imagined,%u201d he says. %u201cOne of the best aspects of touring Attention All Shipping is seeing fi rst hand just how popular the shipping forecast is among a wide range of people all over the country.%u201cI%u2019ve 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.%u201dThe much-loved forecast celebrated its centenary in 2024 and is marking 100 years as a BBC broadcast this year, showing no sign of declining in popularity.%u201cIt%u2019s like a beating of the national bounds,%u201d says Charlie %u201cIt%u2019s living proof that we are a maritime nation and we all have a little bit of sea water in our veins. %u201cThe shipping forecast is an unadulterated force for good. It represents the very best of us. That%u2019s why I%u2019m delighted and honoured to celebrate it with so many fellow devotees up and down the land.%u201dCharlie Connolly%u2019s Attention All Shipping, is at Royal & Derngate Theatre, Northampton on Saturday 8th November.SHIPS IN THE NIGHT%u2018Dogger, Fisher, German Bight%u2019: how much do we really know about the shipping forecast? Writer Charlie Connelly will reveal all about this important broadcast when he visits Northampton for one night only, says Phonebox%u2019s Tom Johnston.