Exeter Northcott Theatre Unveils Autumn/Winter 2023-2024 Season
Exeter Northcott is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated autumn / winter season, showcasing more than 60 captivating performances and stories across Exeter from August 2023 to January 2024, including:
- Le Navet Bete return with King Arthur and then co-create Christmas pantomime Dick Whittington with the Northcott. Younger children can also enjoy a Christmas treat at the Barnfield Theatre with Dear Santa.
- South West companies Documental and Richard Chappell Dance debut new work at the Barnfield.
- Sadiq Ali challenges conventions with The Chosen Haram; Japanese theatre company tarinainanika make mesmerising mime with Rey Camoy; Sunday Times best-selling author Raynor Winn (The Salt Path) charts an enchanting folk music journey with Saltlines.
Season highlights:
Spine-chilling selection of Halloween shows
The Northcott is hosting a range of haunted tales and ghostly encounters this autumn, transporting audiences into worlds of eerie suspense and edge-of-your seat thrills.
In September, audiences can experience the mysterious and macabre realms of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein like never before with Tilted Wig’s (Around the World in 80 Days) fresh and riveting take on the struggle between science and humanity (26 – 30 Sep, Northcott).
Looking forward to October, the Northcott will offer two immersive horror experiences that blur fantasy and reality. Thunder Road's new ghost story Shock Horror (11 – 14 Oct, Northcott) stirs deep fears with unsettling illusions and visual effects. Danny Robbins (2:22 - A Ghost Story) then presents Uncanny: I Know What I Saw(16 – 17 Oct, Northcott), challenging perceptions of the paranormal and exploring the unexplained in a heart-pounding pursuit of truth.
Audiences can also treat themselves to Do You Believe In Ghosts? (12 Sep, Northcott), re-discover a beloved vampire-slaying saga with the nostalgic experience Buffy: ReVamped (4 Nov, Northcott), and join 'The Scottish Detective' David Swindle as he delves into the challenges of chasing notorious serial killers in The Makings of a Murderer (16 Nov, Northcott).
Le Navet Bete return as half-term heroes with King Arthurbefore collaborating with the Northcott to create Christmas pantomime Dick Whittington
Following the record-breaking Robin Hood, Devon's 'Kings of Comedy', Le Navet Bete, return to the Northcott this October half-term with another madcap medieval farce, King Arthur (23 – 28 Oct, Northcott). Join the treasured trio in magical Camelot for epic quests and comedic chaos suitable for all ages.
Le Navet Bete and the Northcott will then team up this holiday season to create a hilarious family pantomime experience like no other with their contemporary twist on classic rags-to-riches tale Dick Whittington (30 Nov – 7 Jan, Northcott).
Younger children can also meet Santa himself at the Barnfield withDear Santa (13 – 24 Dec, Barnfield), a joyous show filled with laughter, surprises and the true spirit of Christmas.
South West talent showcase innovative new work at the Barnfield
The Barnfield, now managed by the Northcott, is becoming a vibrant cultural hub for emerging artists, providing performance spaces and support for showcasing important stories.
In October, Northcott Associate Artist Lucy Bell of DocumentalTheatre will debut their new musical, Mary and the Matrons, at the Barnfield (19 – 21 Oct, Barnfield). This heart-warming and humorous production follows Dr Mary Sheridan as she records stories from children and nurses in learning disability institutions during the 1960s. Mary and the Matrons features an integrated cast including learning disabled performers.
The same month, former Northcott Associate Artist Richard Chappell Dance will curate Home Revisited (28 Oct, Barnfield), an evening celebrating ritual, rave and human connection. The event includes an excerpt from acclaimed show Infinite Ways Home, previously performed at the Northcott in 2021, and collaborative pieces made with intergenerational community groups in Devon. This performance commemorates the 10-year anniversary of Richard Chappell Dance's premiere at the Barnfield.
The Barnfield will also host Rebecca Vaughan’s (Austen's Women) ‘pre-TED-talk’ trip through Virginia Woolf’s influential early-feminist lectures in A Room of One’s Own (8 Sep, Barnfield), Seamas Carey’s (The Reason Why podcast) comical Cornish anti-gentrification war cry Help! I Think I’m a Nationalist (27 – 28 Sep, Barnfield), and MAST’s (Richard the Second) powerful new interpretation of South African apartheid drama Sizwe Banzi Is Dead(16 – 17 Oct, Barnfield).
Also coming up this season:
The Northcott will bring a diverse range of boundary-pushing and international physical theatre performances to the South West this season. Japan-based theatre company tarinainanika bring to life the surreal paintings of artist Rey Camoy with their unique corporeal mime style (10 Oct, Northcott). Sadiq Ali’s The Chosen Haram (31 Oct, Northcott) explores the intersection between queer identities and Islamic beliefs through an emotionally candid dance on Chinese poles. Acclaimed choreographer Tom Dale then ignites imaginations with the mind-bending, genre-breaking SURGE and SUB:VERSION(14 Nov, Northcott).
English Touring Opera return to the Northcott in November with an enchanting double-bill. Director Jenny Ogilvie and conductor Naomi Woo re-interpret Gioachino Rossini's Cinderella (La Cenerentola) (8, 11 Nov, Northcott) with a women-led cast and creative team, offering a perfect first opera experience for new audiences. ETO’s new Artistic Director Robin Norton-Hale updates Claudio Monteverdi's The Coronation of Poppea (10 Nov, Northcott) with modern twists. Opera fans can also enjoy a festive sing-along with London Festival Opera’s A Christmas Night at the Opera (Sat 16, Barnfield).
Music lovers can enjoy an uplifting celebration of Victoria Wood with Looking for me Friend (24 Oct, Barnfield), join author Raynor Winnon a folk music trail through the South West with their prose and music collaboration Saltlines (17 Nov, Barnfield), experience hits from the greatest musicals, from Les Misérables to Phantom of the Opera, with Beyond the Barricade (18 Nov, Northcott), and relive the magic of Chas & Dave with Rabbit Rabbit (15 Dec, Barnfield).
Stand-up comedy fans can look forward to a return visit from Dawn French (6 – 10 Sep, Northcott), social media sensation Sophie McCartney (17 Sep, Northcott; 20 Oct, Great Hall), The Mash Report’s everyman comic Geoff Norcott (7 Oct, Northcott) and the always provocative Alfie Brown (14 Oct, Barnfield).
Additionally, audiences can expand their knowledge and perspectives with a range of thought-provoking talks. Renowned British trad climber Hazel Findlay (18 Sep, Barnfield) will share stories from their thrilling, globetrotting adventures. Natural history and travel enthusiasts can hear from Simon Reeve (Oct 4, Great Hall), wildlife filmmaker Doug Allan (Oct 6, Northcott) and Steve Backshall (Oct 29, Great Hall). Cycling fans can catch GMBN’s mountain bike trailer rider Martyn Ashton (5 Oct, Northcott). Audiences can also delve into their own DNA history with My Family Secrets’ Professor Turi King (15 Oct, Northcott).
Tickets for all these events and more are now on sale viawww.exeternorthcott.co.uk or 01392 72 63 63.
Great savings
Join the Northcott as a member to enjoy exclusive benefits and incredible savings. The Northcott offers several memberships, including its free U26 membership for people under 26, and annual memberships with priority booking and 20% off full-price tickets.
For more information about the Northcott’s membership offers, please visit: www.exeternorthcott.co.uk/about-us/support-us/membership/
Full list of events at Exeter Northcott Theatre:
August
Fri 18 - Sun 20 The Tiger Who Came to Tea (Sat 19 Relaxed Performance)
Tue 22 – Wed 23 Disney’s Winnie the Pooh
September
Wed 6 – Sun 10 Dawn French is a Huge Twat
Tue 12 Do You Believe In Ghosts?
Wed 13 – Thu 14 Fascinating Aïda
Fri 15 Rave On
Sat 16 Richard Herring’s Theatre Podcast
Sun 17 Sophie McCartney is Tired and Tested
Fri 22 Re-Take That
Sat 23 Slay Queenz
Tue 26 – Sat 30 Frankenstein (Wed 27 BSL-interpreted performance, Sat 30 audio described performance).
October
Thu 5 Martyn Ashton: Bike Party
Fri 6 Doug Allan: It’s a Wrap
Sat 7 Geoff Norcott: Basic Bloke
Tue 10 tarinainanika: Rey Camoy
Wed 11 – Sat 14 Shock Horror
Sun 15 Family History with DNA Detective Turi King
Mon 16 – Tue 17 Uncanny: I Know What I Saw with Danny Robins
Wed 18 The Best of Queen
Fri 20 Nashville Bad Boys of Country
Mon 23 – Sat 28 King Arthur (Thu 26 audio described performance, Sat 28 BSL-interpreted performance)
Sun 29 Chance to Dance
Tue 31 Sadiq Ali: The Chosen Haram
November
Fri 3 Ultimate Dinosaurs
Sat 4 Buffy: ReVamped
Wed 8, Sat 11 English Touring Opera - Cinderella
Fri 10 English Touring Opera – The Coronation of Poppea
Tue 14 Tom Dale Company: Sub:Version and Surge
Wed 15 Swinging at the Cotton Club
Thu 16 The Makings of a Murderer
Fri 17 Lost in Music
Sat 18 Beyond the Barricade
Thu 30 Dick Whittington
December
Fri 1 – Sun 31 Dick Whittington (Sun 10 audio described performance, Thu 14 BSL-interpreted performance)
January
Tue 2 – Sun 7 Dick Whittington (6 Jan relaxed performance)
Full list of events at the Barnfield Theatre:
September
Fri 8 A Room of One’s Own
Mon 11 – Sat 16 Exeter Little Theatre Company: Little Shop of Horrors (Fri 15 BSL-interpreted performance)
Mon 18 Hazel Findlay: The Walls Within
Fri 22 Mi Flamenco: Echoes
Wed 27 – Thu 28 Help! I Think I’m a Nationalist
Fri 29 The Comedy Store
Sat 30 Devon Opera: Puccini’s Tosca
October
Tue 3 – Sat 7 St David’s Players: The Sorcerer
Wed 11 – Thu 12 Splash Test Dummies
Sat 14 Alfie Brown: Red Flags Galore
Mon 16 – Tue 17 Sizwe Banzi is Dead
Thu 19 – Sat 21 Mary and the Matrons
Tue 24 Looking for me Friend
Thu 26 Pippi Longstocking
Sat 28 Richard Chappell – Home Revisited
November
Sat 11 – Sun 12 South West Aerial Championships
Fri 17 Saltlines
Fri 17 South Devon Players: Macbeth
Thu 23 ABBA Tribute: Take a Chance on Us
Fri 24 The Comedy Store
December
Fri 1 – Sat 9 Exeter Little Theatre Company: Nativity! (Fri 8 BSL-interpreted performance)
Wed 13 – Sun 24 Dear Santa (Sat 16 BSL-interpreted performance, Sun 17 relaxed performance)
Fri 15 Rabbit Rabbit
Sat 16 A Christmas Night at the Opera
Sat 30 – Sun 31 Wonder Pantomimes: Jack and the Beanstalk
Full list of events at The University of Exeter Great Hall:
October
Wed 4 Simon Reeve: To the Ends of the Earth
Fri 20 Sophie McCartney is Tired and Tested
Sun 29 Steve Backshall: Ocean
