Your guide to What's On this weekend

Your guide to what’s on in and around Exeter this bank holiday weekend (28 April – 1 May).

THEATRE

Richard Herring – The Best
Friday, Exeter Northcott Theatre
Richard Herring, King of the Edinburgh Fringe, Metro columnist and the UK’s Podfather (RHLSTP, AIOTM) picks his favourite routines from his 12 one-man shows and crams them into 90 minutes for your delectation.  https://exeternorthcott.co.uk

The Castle Builder
Friday & Saturday, Bike Shed Theatre, Exeter
The Castle Builder is an emotional and hard rocking journey into the hearts and souls that exist on the outer limits of creativity and building regulations. It tells the true story of an inmate in a Norwegian psychiatric institute who, over 5 years, built a castle on a remote headland. https://www.bikeshedtheatre.co.uk

Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Saturday, 2pm, Exeter Northcott Theatre
A ballet for children.  Goldilocks is a mischievous little girl with hair as bright as gold. Always on the look-out for an adventure, one day her curiosity leads her to a house full of many surprises. With a family of friendly bears, a beautiful blue bird and bowls of delicious porridge, this ballet is just right! http://www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

Witch
Sunday, 7.30pm, St Thomas Library, 35 Church Road, Exeter
A superb performance telling the tale of a woman accused of witchcraft. Steeped in historical fact and fiction the play leaves you guessing whether she is or not a witch. With a lively Q&A and refreshments. This play is written directed and and stars Tracey Norman. Tickets: £7.50 Adv/ £10 on the door. Buy your ticket in advance from www.circleofspears.com or pop into St Thomas Library.

Comedy Grove with Smug Roberts
Sunday, 8pm, Barnfield Theatre, Exeter
Exeter Comedy Grove brings you the best in live comedy with Mark Simmons, Andy Stedman and Sandi Smith. Tickets £10. https://www.facebook.com/exetercomedygrove/

MUSIC

After Dark Music Festivals 2017
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, Exeter Castle
The Exeter Festival of South West Food & Drink After Dark Music Festivals take place across  the three evenings of the May Bank Holiday weekend. Festival party-goers can enjoy a unique party atmosphere in the heart of Exeter with live music, local beers, wines and ciders, and a wide range of delicious street foods.  www.exeterfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk

30 Years Of Hearsay: Alexander O'Neal
Saturday, 7pm, The Great Hall, University of Exeter
One of RnB’s most iconic names; Alexander O'Neal, celebrates 30 years his iconic and groundbreaking album; Hearsay. He will be bringing his full 8 piece live band, with backing singers. https://www.ents24.com/exeter-events/exeter-university-the-great-hall

Alabama 3
Saturday, Exeter Phoenix
Legendary Brixton collective, best known for the theme tune to the TV show 'Sopranos'. They combine techno beats with country instruments and are a group best sampled live. Tickets £20. www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

Josienne Clarke & Ben Walker
Sunday, Exeter Phoenix
The much heralded London-based duo have a distinct musical empathy, fusing Josienne's captivating vocal and songwriting skills and Ben's stand-out guitar playing. Josienne and Ben are the winners of the 2012 Isambard Folk Award. www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

EVENTS

Exeter Festival of South West Food & Drink 2017
Saturday, Sunday & Monday, Exeter Castle & Northernhay Gardens, Exeter
The 14th Exeter Festival of South West Food & Drink will take place in the heart of Exeter at the beautiful Northernhay Gardens and Exeter Castle and will feature more than 100 producers from the region as well as demonstrations from top chefs, hands-on workshops and food-themed activities. www.exeterfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk.

History Talk and Tour
Saturday, 2pm, Poltimore House, Exeter
Come and enjoy an informative talk on the history of the Bampfylde family and Poltimore House, followed by tea and a guided tour of the house.Tickets £7. www.poltimore.org or call 01392 248938.

Toby Buckland’s Garden Festival
Friday & Saturday, Powderham Castle, Kenton
Toby’s Garden Fest is the place to be to celebrate the first Bank Holiday of spring. With more than 100 nurseries and gardening stalls, the Garden Festival is proud to play host to the best of the region’s horticultural heritage, along with delicious food, arts and craft stalls. http://tobygardenfest.co.uk

Easy Like a Sunday Morning… Coffee and cake
Sunday, 10am, RSPB Bowling Green Marsh Nature Reserve
Make the most of your Sunday and join the RSPB at  The Lookout, part of the revamped hide at Bowling Green Marsh - for coffee and cake on your walk around the reserve.If the weather is fine enjoy sitting in the garden and listen to the birds. Booking not required. Tea, coffee and cake priced separately.

Dolls House and Miniatures Fair
Sunday, 10am, Westpoint Arena, Exeter
Experience the exquisite world of Dolls House Miniatures at this public fair where you will find exhibitions, displays and demonstrations by some of the leading crafts people in this field. Open 10am-4pm, admission: £3 adults, £1.50 children. www.wendysworldfairs.co.uk

Exeter Book Fair
Sunday, 10.30am, Matthews Hall, Topsham
A good day out in Topsham for the book lover and collector at this friendly local fair organised by the Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association. 22 book sellers from all over the south west will be present with a wide range of stock including books, maps and ephemera.  
10.30am-4pm.

The Red Coats - Daily Blitz Tours
Monday, Exeter Visitor Information & Tickets, Dix’s Field, Exeter
To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Exeter Blitz of 1942 the Red Coat Guided Tours have planned an exciting special event running from Monday 1st May until Sunday 7th May 2017. Departing from West Point of Exeter Cathedral at 10:30am, with and additional 3pm tour on Thursday 4th May and finishing in Northernhay Gardens, these tours offer the opportunity to discover how Exeter was affected by the air raids of 4th May 1942, and how this event shaped the city we know today.

Beneath the Blitz
Monday, Underground Passages, Paris Street, Exeter
To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Exeter Blitz of 1942, Exeter’s Underground Passages have planned an exciting series of events running from Monday 1st May until Sunday 7th May 2017. Containing an expanded and interactive exhibition, the interpretation centre will also feature a unique film composed of a series of living memory interviews conducted with survivors of the Exeter Blitz, talking about their experiences of wartime Exeter and the traumatic events of the Baedeker Blitz.  Entrance to the interpretation centre and exhibition will be free for the duration of the event.  Normal admission prices apply to the Blitz guided tours. www.exeter.gov.uk/passages

Topsham RFC Summer Bank Holiday Car Boot Sales
Monday, 9.30am, Topsham RFC, Exeter
Back by popular demand Topsham Rugby Club will be hosting their Car Boot Sale on the Bank Holidays this summer from 9:30 am to 1pm. Public on foot - free entrance; £1 donation welcome for parking. Sellers welcome to set up at 8am with fees £6 per car and small vans, larger vehicles and trailers at £10 each. The clubhouse will be open with hot food and drinks available all morning and the Bar will also be open towards lunchtime, with guest ales and longstanding favourites on offer. For more info visit www.topshamrugby.co.uk or call Bee Jenkins on 01392 873651.