Northcott this Autumn

Northcott this Autumn

Exeter Northcott Theatre has put its hardworking staff centre stage as it launches its Autumn 2014 Season. To celebrate receiving Arts Council funding, the new brochure pays tribute to the fantastic team at the theatre as they make a trip back to the 1940s through the costume store.

The new autumn season is packed with the usual great drama, dance, opera, family theatre and comedy but the theatre is also launching a new Go Together Club. Aimed at people who love theatre but don’t like going alone, or have recently moved to the area and want to meet like-minded people, the Go Together Club is an opportunity to meet other members over a drink or supper and then enjoying a fantastic show at the theatre.

The Go Together Club is free to join and Band B seats in the auditorium have been reserved for the following theatre shows in the autumn season: Romeo & Juliet (Wed 24 Sept, 7:30pm)
An Elephant in the Garden (Wed 22 Oct, 7:30pm
Three Men in a Boat (Wed 5 Nov, 7:30pm)
Lotty’s War (Wed 12 Nov), 7:30pm.

THEATRE

Following their spectacular Indian Tempest in 2012, Exeter Northcott Theatre is delighted to welcome back Footsbarn, who bring their own joyful twist to Ken Kesey’s cult novel, One Flew Over The Cuckoos’ Nest. Footsbarn’s Cuckoo’s Nest will be a uniquely different adaptation of this literary and big screen classic (Thu 11 – Sat 13 September).

One of Britain’s best-loved actors, Simon Callow, performs a fresh and moving account of biblical stories in The Man Jesus. Thought-provoking and full of wit, this extraordinary play looks back two thousand years to witness key moments in the life of the man Jesus’, through the eyes of those who knew him. (Sun 14 September).

Custom/Practice and Corn Exchange, Newbury present a dynamic new production of Romeo and Juliet which combines the purity of Shakespeare’s original text with entrancing contemporary street-
dance (Tues 23 – Sat 27 September).

In November, Original Theatre Company and Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds present an ingenious and acclaimed adaption of Jerome K Jerome’s classic tale Three Men in a Boat. Equipped with a working pub, live piano accompaniment, some ale, music hall singing, a dog and a feast of physical comedy, this show celebrates the very essence of Britishness (Tue 4 – Sat 8 November).

Before it heads to London’s West End, Lotty’s War, a mesmerising story of passion, courage and sacrifice, heads to Exeter. Based on recently discovered diaries found in Germany, this critically acclaimed play is a thriller set in WWII Germany occupied Channel Islands. Does Lotty dare to tread a passionate and dangerous path to save a friend? (Mon 10 – Sat 15 November).

Acclaimed playwright, Roy Williams, takes the classic Sophocoles’ play, Antigone, and places it into a contemporary setting. Co-produced by Pilot Theatre, Derby Theatre and Theatre Royal Stratford East, this is a timeless story about truth and loyalty, human nature and human behaviour and how we make meaning out of life and death and what, in the end, really matters. (Wed 26 – Sat 29 November).

In December, Exeter Northcott Theatre proudly presents a Charity Command Performance in aid of the theatre, a unique event of world class artists and performances from, amongst others, Dame Hilary Mantel and John Nettles. The evening also includes a champagne and canapé reception, a raffle and a bespoke auction. Further performers to be announced. (Sun 14 December).

FAMILY EVENTS

Based on the book by Nicholas Allan, The Egg and Southbank Centre present The Queen’s Knickers. What would you do if you lost the Queen’s pants? Dily’s, the Queen’s maid, guards HRH’s smalls as if they were the crown jewels, but one day they go missing, causing a national state of emergency. A classic comedy for wise young children. (Sun 5 October).

Enjoy music in a family-friendly atmosphere featuring a wide-range of musicians and music with Earworms, hosted by Mervyn Bedford (Sun 26 October).

October half-term sees the return of Exetreme imagination to Exeter, bringing with it a wealth of literature based events for and by young people. Andy Stanton, award-winning author of the Mr Gum series, talks about the hilarious true-life tales of being a writer (Sun 26 October), Darren Chan will be reading from and talking about his epic 12-book series, Zom-B, (Wed 29 October), Dennis the Menace and Horrid Henry go head to head to prove they deserve the title King of the Bad Boys (Sat 1 November) and Ballet Black present their first family ballet, Dogs Don’t Do Ballet (Fri 31 Oct).

In November, join the Exeter Northcott Theatre in its Exetreme Family Fun Day (Sat 1 November).

DANCE

Jasmin Vardimon returns with her critically-acclaimed dance theatre production, Park, which the Exeter Northcott Theatre is proud to be hosting the opening performances. Reworked for 2014 with new 3D imaging and a multi-talented cast, Park presents a breathtaking collision of highly acute physical theatre, text, athletic dance and funk. (Thu 9 & Fri 10 Oct).

In their critically-acclaimed debut production, HeadSpaceDance’s Three and Four Quarters, features work specially commissioned from Proteins Luca Silvestrini, Didy Veldman and Javier de Frutos (Tues 28 October).

Tavaziva Ten is a special anniversary show celebrating 10 years of dance making from Tavaziva Dance. This extraordinary story of one man’s imagination is a stunning and seductive collection of 10 dance gems performed by Tavaziva’s eight outstanding dancers (Tue 2 December).

OPERA

English Touring Opera returns to Exeter for another season of baroque splendour. These two masterpieces by Handel and Haydn are wildly different – one is lofty and heartbreaking and the other a razor-sharp comedy. One of the most popular of Haydn’s many operas Life on the Moon (Il mondo della luna) is a fast-moving and funny treatment of a farce by Carlo Goldoni.

If you enjoyed ETO’s popular productions of Handel comedies Flavio, Xerxes and Agrippina in Exeter in recent years, you can expect equally ravishing music in one of the composer’s most successful serious operas, Ottone.

COMMUNITY SHOWS

Following the annual RAW Platform during the Ignite Festival in June, Exeter Northcott presents a new autumn event – a programme of the best new work created by recent graduates of the University of Exeter Drama department. (Thurs 2 – Sat 4 October).

The theatre also invites you to join Exeter Musical Society to celebrate their 110 year anniversary with Showtime! Showcasing a hugely talented company, Exeter Musical Society trace their history from 1904 to the present day status as one of the leading musical theatre groups in the south west (Sun 30 November)

COMEDY

The theatre plays host to some brilliant comedy in 2015. After covering weighty issues like death, love, religion and spam javelins, Richard Herring returns with Lord of the Dance Settee (Sun 22 February), expect topical new songs hot off the press, plus some old favourite as Fascinating Aida bring their terrific Charm Offensive to Exeter (Sun 8 March).

Also in March, following sold out residencies in New York and London, Simon Amstellexplores freedom, joy, love death, adventure, art, peace, regret and success in his new show To Be Free (Sun 15 March).

BUYING TICKETS

Tickets for the Spring/summer 2014 season go on general sale at 10am on Tuesday 29th July

Call the Exeter Northcott Theatre box office on 01392 493493 or book your seats online at the Exeter Northcott Theatre website

Alternatively buy in person from Exeter: Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road, EX4 4QB