Your guide to What's On this weekend

Mary Youlden
Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted Thursday, February 19, 2015 - 4:05pm

Your guide to the best music, events and activities taking place in and around Exeter this weekend.

THEATRE

After the Accident
Friday & Saturday, Bike Shed Theatre, Exeter
Highly accessible and utterly engrossing, this award winning drama takes you on a highly charged journey where forgiveness and redemption are set against guilt, rage and despair. Through brilliant storytelling and recognisable characters, experience a fascinating insight into Restorative Justice; a process which tries to repair something of the harmful consequences of crime. This riveting production will draw you in quickly - its powerful language and thought-provoking themes uncovering layer after layer with courage and compassion. Can we ever truly forgive those who harm our loved ones? This unmissable drama lets you decide for yourself…   Tickets £10/ £8. http://www.bikeshedtheatre.co.uk/

One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest
Friday & Saturday, 7.30pm, Northcott Theatre, Exeter
Tyrannical Nurse Ratched rules the roost at Oregon State Psychiatric Hospital. Her word is final, and more fool anyone daring to argue differently. When Randle P McMurphy, a swaggering, free-spirited con-man is added to her list of charges, the sterile and repressive atmosphere of the ward is warped.  Beaten down, bullied and shattered into submission by Ratched, the inmates are sceptical of McMurphy’s revolutionary words and actions, afraid to embrace their individuality – buried deep within after years of abusive corrective treatment.  The ugly power struggle which engulfs Ratched and McMurphy is explosive and leaves the residents shaken to the core… Tickets £8-£14.  www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

The Secret of Willoughby Hall
Friday & Saturday, 7.30pm, Silverton Millennium Hall, Silverton
This Silverton Luvvies’  three-act play, set in the fictional Willoughby Hall, starts in the 1950s and takes the audiences on a mysterious journey full of murder and mayhem until the present day. The three acts are all distinct in style, moving from Agatha Christie, to The Sweeney in the 1970s, and ending with homage to Nordic crime and The Killing. Over the decades there are several detectives and even more dead bodies, all sure to keep the audience intrigued and wondering “whodunit?”. Tickets £6 adult, £2 child. Tickets are available from Silverton Spar, by calling Carrie Martin on 01392 860 670. There is also a bar for pre and during show drinks.  https://www.facebook.com/silvertonluvvies.

Adventures in the Deadly Forest
Saturday, 2pm, Cygnet Theatre, Exeter
A musical written and performed by Soundwaves Music Project. With wicked intent ‘The Evils’ are taking over the world. For every bad deed committed, a mystical forest in the Far East begins to die. The earths peoples and its animals unite to stop ‘the Evils’. A cast of 20 supported by live musicians will put a smile on your face and chase away the mid-winter blues. Performances at 2pm & 6.30pm. Ticket Price: £6. http://www.cygnettheatre.co.uk/

Richard Herring: Lord of the Dance Settee
Sunday, 7.30pm, Northcott Theatre, Exeter
After covering weighty issues like death, love, religion and spam javelins, "The King of Edinburgh" (The List) is in a frivolous mood with this show about daftness, whether the term "cool comedian" is an oxymoron, bouncing joyously on the sofa and how Herring's whole career is a failed attempt to top a piece of visual slapstick comedy he came up with at 16. Can he revisit the joke thirty years on or will it smash his old bones? Tickets: £16. www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

Dylan Moran ** SOLD OUT **
Sunday, 8pm, Exeter Phoenix
Don’t miss your chance to see Dylan Moran, star of Black Books, Shaun of the Dead and Calvary, in this intimate venue as a warm up for his 2015 tour ‘Off The Hook’. www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

MUSIC

Money for Nothing
Friday, 8pm, Barnfield Theatre, Exeter
Money for Nothing was formed in 2000 as a tribute to one of the world’s premier rock bands – Dire Straits. The abundant energy and the excellence and musicality of their performance makes Money for Nothing a “must see” for any rock enthusiast or Dire Straits fan. Tickets £16. www.barnfieldtheatre.org.uk

Live Music – Friday
Various venues, Exeter
The Devon Yeoman, Beacon Heath: Reckless, 9pm, free.
John Gandys, Gandy Street: The Risk, 9.30pm, free.
The Old Firehouse, New North Road: The Legendary Chris Jagger Band, 10.30pm, free before 10pm, £1 after.
The Sorry Head, Blackboy Road: Guilty Pleasures, 9pm, free.
Mama Stone’s, Mary Arches Street: Dfunk, 10pm, £5.
The Nelson, Topsham: Kiss This! 9.30pm, free.

Extravaganza for Organ and Piano
Saturday, 7.30pm, St. Margaret's Church, Topsham
Andrew Millington and David Davies (Director and Assistant Director of Music at Exeter Cathedral) will perform a light-hearted romp through repertoire for organ and piano, organ versus piano, and beyond. Tickets: £7 from The Topsham Book Shop or booked on 01392 875276 or £8 on the door. Proceeds to St Margaret’s Choir fund.

Sidmouth Town Band and The Rivertones Barbershop Chorus
Saturday, 7.45pm, Manor Pavilion, Sidmouth
A Great evening of popular traditional and classical music delivered by Sidmouth Town Band's award winning musicians and harmonious songs performed by the superb singers of the Rivertones. Tickets £9.50. www.manorpavilion.com

Live Music – Saturday
Various venues, Exeter
The Old Firehouse, New North Road: Electric Spank, free before 10.30pm, £1 after.
The Sorry Head, Blackboy Road: Carnaby Street, 9pm, free.
Mama Stone’s, Mary Arches Street: Mammoth, 10pm, free.
The Bishop Blaize, Commercial Road: Barnaby, 9.30pm, free.
The King’s Arms, Cowick Street: The Shrine, 9pm, free.
Venezia, Exeter Quay: Mark James Acoustics, 7pm, free.

The Unthanks
Sunday, 7.15pm, Exeter Corn Exchange
Since releasing three project albums in one year back in 2012, The Unthanks have been hiding away in Northumberland, quietly working away on an ambitious follow-up to 2011's Last. Who knows how rich, imaginative and groundbreaking their new album will be, released to coincide with this tour, and to be brought to life on stage with a talented 10 piece band. Tickets £19.50.  www.exeter.gov.uk/cornexchange

Live Music – Sunday
Various venues
The Old Firehouse, New North Road, Exeter: ExTunes live and The Rotten Apples, 8pm, free.
The Famous Old Barrel, Exmouth: Jas Walker, 8.30pm, free.
The Bank, Exmouth: Jist Misbehavin, 3pm, free.
First & Last Inn, Exmouth: Carnaby Street, 6pm.
Star Inn, Newton Abbot: Mad Dog Mcrea Duo, 6pm, free.
The Ferry Boat Inn, Shaldon: Ollie Stephens, 4.30pm, free.
Sidbury Village Inn, Sidbury: Jason Toft, 8.30pm, free.

EVENTS

Tiny Tots Devon Baby & Children’s Market
Saturday, 11am, Magdalen Court School, Victoria Park Road, Exeter
Lots of stalls, jewellery make and take session, tea, coffee, cakes, bouncy castle.  Children welcome and plenty going on to keep them amused. Free parking on site. 11am-1pm. More details here.  

One Hut Full
Saturday, Exeter Cathedral
One Hut Full is a touring, multi-sensory, thought-provoking experience that explores the history of Dartmoor hill farming – inspiring hope, innovation and change for the future. The project looks in particular at the Whiteface Dartmoor sheep. Go along to the Cathedral Green and find out information about the process of building the hut and the creation of the installation as well as opportunities for you to get involved. Weather permitting you might see some sheep too! www.onehutfull.org

Rummage sale
Saturday, 10am, All Saints Church Hall, 2 Church Road, Exmouth
Rummage sale in aid of the RSPCA Little Valley Animal Shelter in Exeter. 10am-noon.

Fire lighting masterclass
Saturday, Castle Drogo, Drewsteignton
Test out your survival skills at Castle Drogo’s fire lighting masterclass, 11am-3pm. Adult £6, child £4, booking essential. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/castle-drogo

An Evening of Myths and Legends
Saturday, 5.30pm, Higher Uppacott, Dartmoor
An evening of myths and legends at Higher Uppacott, Dartmoor National Park’s grade one listed medieval longhouse.  Higher Uppacott forms the backdrop for this exciting and fun evening of storytelling and songs featuring just some of the spine tingling myths and legends of Dartmoor.  A wonderful atmosphere awaits you and your family, with the house lit by oil lamps and candles. The evening begins with a quick tour of the house before settling down to see if the hairy hands will put in an appearance! Booking is essential as places are limited. £6. For further information and to book a place call 01626 831040.

Spring Wedding Fair
Sunday, 10.30am, Sandy Park, Exeter
Between 10.30am and 2.30pm the Exeter Suite will be showcasing an extensive range of local wedding suppliers. The Chiefs Suite will also be set up for a civil ceremony and wedding breakfast to display the conference centre’s recently extended facilities. Sandy Park’s dedicated events team will be on hand to assist you with every detail of your big day and for you to find out more about Sandy Park's unique wedding packages. Entry is free for all guests with a complimentary glass of bubbly, canapés and goody bag on arrival. 10.30am-2.30pm.

DAYS OUT

Exeter Underground Passages
Discover medieval passageways that stretch under the city's streets at this visitor attraction in the heart of the city centre. The Passages have long exercised a fascination over local people, with stories of wars and sieges, plague and pestilence! Their purpose was simple; to bring clean drinking water from natural springs in fields lying outside the walled city, through lead pipes into the heart of the city.   www.exeter.gov.uk/passages

Devon’s Crealy Great Adventure Park
The life size dinosaur has escaped from the Dino Jeeps ride and is on the rampage at the Park and courageous explorers are invited to help find the beast. Those who dare to get close enough will be in for a thrill of a lifetime. The whole park (excluding water rides) is open each day during half term. Opening times and admission can be found here: www.crealy.co.uk

The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth
Pancake holiday hunt. Have fun with all the family searching for the wooden pancake shapes hanging around The Donkey Sanctuary. Collect an entry form from The Visitors’ Centre for just £3 and begin your search. Find all the pancakes to win a prize. 9.30am-4.20pm. www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk

A la Ronde, Exmouth
See if you can solve all the cool clues in A la Ronde's brrr-illiant snow themed family trail and win a prize. £1.50 per child, normal admission applies.

Escot, near Ottery St Mary
Daily interactive birds of prey displays and bird handling sessions with the Devon Birds of Prey Centre. The birds at Escot include a Golden Eagle, Owls, Falcons and Hawks though the birds will change so if you are hoping to see a particular bird it is best to check with Escot first.   Displays  take place at 11.30am and 2.30pm, weather permitting. Visitors may also book Falconry experience sessions lasting from one hour to half a day to include bird handling and flying.  For more information call  01404 822188. www.escot-devon.co.uk

Knighshayes Court, Tiverton.
Run off some of that excess energy at Knightshayes. Grab a trail from reception and discover the gardens. Go on a hunt for one of the geocaches, explore the house and meet Knightshayes’ chickens in the kitchen garden. Fun for all the family! 10am-5pm.  www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knightshayes

Castle Drogo, Drewsteington, near Exeter
Every day, between 11am and 4pm, families can follow a nature trail through the grounds to discover more about the wildlife that lives around the castle. The trail costs £1.50 and includes a prize at the end.  The castle itself will be closed over half-term. To find out more about any of the events visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/castle-drogo

World of Country Life, Exmouth
The World of Country Life will be open from 10am on Saturday 14 February with a fun-packed line-up for half term week. Details and opening times www.worldofcountrylife.co.uk

Pennywell Farm, Buckfastleigh
It’s VIP week at Pennywell. Bottle feed lambs and goat kids and enjoy cuddles with all the early spring babies, pamper the ponies, enjoy the four free  farm rides and meet hundreds of friendly animals, including new Alpacas, Thomas and Tigger. You’ll also find crazy golf and there’s lost of indoor space for play and picnics with entertainment from Dan the Hat and Nutty Noah. www.pennywellfarm.co.uk

EXHIBITIONS

The F Word: The Changing Language of Fashion
Killerton House, Broadclyst, Exeter
From a 150-year-old crinoline to a 60s mini, garments have shaped not only their owners but also the entire face of fashion. Killerton’s latest costume exhibition ‘The F-Word: the changing language of fashion’ opens on Saturday 14 February and explores how fashion has responded to the latest innovations and made its mark across the centuries. Free event, but normal admission applies. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/killerton

New Day by Viv Lydon
A la Ronde, Exmouth
Having originally trained as an architectural stainglass artist, Viv's paintings reflect the vibrant colours of glass. Mainly seascapes and landscapes which merge reality with a dream like quality. Free event (normal admission charges apply).

Photographs by Adrian Oakes and Anna Curnow
Dartmoor National Park Visitor Centre, Princetown
A stunning exhibtion by photographers Adrian Oakes and Anna Curnow which contains images of Dartmoor's prehistoirc heritage including burials, stone circles, stone rows, settlements and standing stones.  http://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/visiting/vi-planningyourvisit/vi-infocentres

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