Exeter Northcott is delighted to be back in business this summer and shows have already been enjoyed by sell out audiences.

The theatre has just announced its programme of events for autumn 2010 including details of the family Christmas show Room on the Broom (Tues 14 December – Sun 2 January).

Adapted by Tall Stories theatre company, from the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, this show tells the story of a witch and her cat who set out to fight a witch-hunting dragon. Physical storytelling, original songs and puppetry combine to create laughs and scary fun for children aged three and up.

Tall Stories created Room on the Broom following the success of their previous adaptations of the Donaldson/Scheffler books The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child.

Ardal O’Hanlon promises lots of topical gags in his new stand-up show (Sun 31 October), as he laughs in the face of mounting adversity – recession, inclement weather, an aging body, and impending doom.

Ardal is probably best known on TV for his much loved role Father Dougal Maguire in Channel 4’s BAFTA winning series Father Ted, but other acclaimed roles include George Sunday/ Thermoman in My Hero (BBC 1) and Eamon in Big Bad World (ITV).

The ever popular English Touring Opera return to Exeter Northcott at the end of October with an opera double bill: Promised End (Fri 29 October) is a new opera by Alexander Goehr, based on King Lear, one of Shakespeare’s greatest plays.  One of the UK’s most respected composers, Goehr has created a new piece of inspiring lyric theatre.  The Duenna (Sat 30 October), is the first new production, after hundreds of years, of Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s The Duenna, a play with songs composed by the Linleys of Bath, depicting the scandalous elopement of the Irish playwright with Elizabeth Linley, a celebrated singer and society beauty.  This opera, the most popular of the Georgian period, is tuneful, sabre-tongued, light-hearted and irreverent – the jewel of Georgian England.

Tickets are on general sale for all these events and are available by calling the Exeter Northcott Theatre Box Office on 01392 493493, or choose your seats online at http://www.exeternorthcott.co.uk.  Alternatively buy in person from Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road, EX4 4QB.

Exeter Northcott – Autumn 2010 Season Highlights

English Touring Opera present an
Opera Double Bill
Friday 29 & Saturday 30 October
7.30pm
Promised End – Friday 29 October
The Duenna – Saturday 30 October
Tickets: £17 to £30, 60+ £2 off, half price concessions (price bands B, C & D).
English Touring Opera return with a double bill of operas set to texts by famous playwrights.

Mick Perrin for Just for Laughs Live Ltd presents
Ardal O’Hanlon
Sunday 31 October
8pm
£18 all seats
New stand-up show from star of TV’s Father Ted, My Hero and Big Bad World.

Tall Stories present
Room on the Broom
Tuesday 14 December – Sunday 2 January
Schools: (14 – 16 Dec) 10.30am & 1.30pm, £7.50 groups 10+
Family: (18 Dec – 2 Jan) 11am & 2pm
£10 all seats.  Groups 10+ get 11th ticket free.
A magical family show for all ages 3yrs+, adapted from the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

Read original blog post