Much Ado About Nothing - Exeter Phoenix
Match-making and trouble-making in Shakespeare's classic.
Friday 7.30pm
Tickets £5-7
As You Like It - Exeter Phoenix
Lovers bumble around a lot and evenutally unite in the Forest of Arden
Friday 2pm
Tickets £5-7
(surely I can't be the only one who gets sick of seeing the same half a dozen Shakespeare plays billed year after year)
Oxygen - Barnfield Theatre and Rougemont Gardens (tickets through Exeter Phoenix)
A new play to commemorate the centenary of the Great Suffrage Pilgrimage, the march for women's rights from Lands End to Hyde Park.
You can read more about the tour of the play and its development at http://dreadnoughtsouthwest.org.uk/
Rougemont - Thursday 3pm and 7.30pm Tickets £7.50 - 10.50
Barnfield - Friday 7.30pm Tickets £8-12
(I'm hoping the weather holds out so I can see this outdoors on Thursday)
A Doll's House - Cygnet New Theatre
Buried secrets begin to shake up the Helmers' marriage so Nora must begin to make her own mind up.
Tuesday - Saturday 7.30pm, matinee on Saturday at 2pm
Tickets £6-10
dream//life - The Bike Shed Theatre
Motor neurone disease traps you inside your body, so Ian decides to retreat to his dreams and imagination.
Tuesday - Saturday 7.30pm
Tickets £5-10
(This is on for three weeks as part of the tidy carnage residency at the Bike Shed. I'll be seeing it on Friday)
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Sunday, June 23, 2013
What's On 24th - 30th June
Birdhouse - Exeter Northcott Theatre
Minor characters from Hitchcock's 'The Birds' are given centre-stage in this new play that explores madness, post-traumatic stress and fear as they are the only survivors of the bird attack on Bodega Bay.
Tuesday 7.30pm
Tickets £10.50-12.50
Chris Goode and company continue their residence at The Bike Shed Theatre. There is a different show every night (Tuesday - Saturday), so check out the full listing to make your choice.
Tickets £6-10
Monkey & Crocodile - a free unticketed performance in Belmont Park
An acrobatic musical re-telling of a traditional Indian fable.
Wednesday - Friday, 11am and 3pm each day
Double Dickens - The Barnfield Theatre
Two excerpts from the works of Dickens. Doctor Marigold deals with the life of a Victorian travelling salesman, and Mr Pickwick tries to survive The Trial of Pickwick.
Friday and Saturday 7.30pm
Tickets £7-8
Get To The Future - The Barnfield Theatre
An adaptation of a classic time travel movie.
Friday and Saturday 7pm
Tickets £4-7
Minor characters from Hitchcock's 'The Birds' are given centre-stage in this new play that explores madness, post-traumatic stress and fear as they are the only survivors of the bird attack on Bodega Bay.
Tuesday 7.30pm
Tickets £10.50-12.50
Chris Goode and company continue their residence at The Bike Shed Theatre. There is a different show every night (Tuesday - Saturday), so check out the full listing to make your choice.
Tickets £6-10
Monkey & Crocodile - a free unticketed performance in Belmont Park
An acrobatic musical re-telling of a traditional Indian fable.
Wednesday - Friday, 11am and 3pm each day
Double Dickens - The Barnfield Theatre
Two excerpts from the works of Dickens. Doctor Marigold deals with the life of a Victorian travelling salesman, and Mr Pickwick tries to survive The Trial of Pickwick.
Friday and Saturday 7.30pm
Tickets £7-8
Get To The Future - The Barnfield Theatre
An adaptation of a classic time travel movie.
Friday and Saturday 7pm
Tickets £4-7
Patterns
'Patterns' by Daniel Loveday, Cygnet New Theatre
This play highlighted a key things about live performances for me. Tech when done right isn't usually commented upon because it is a background element, but when it is done wrong then it can ruin a play. For the first half of Patterns the male detective didn't have his microphone turned on so you couldn't hear what he was signing, and throughout the entire play the electric piano was far too loud, it tended to overwhelm the voices of both actors, even with the microphones on.
Anyway, leaving aside technical misjudgments, the play itself was billed as a 'musical thriller'. This made me very wary from the beginning. Musicals aren't usually thrillers for a good reason, it's hard to maintain tension when your characters tend to burst into song. Actually I wouldn't describe it as a thriller, or even a murder mystery. Even for those not raised on a steady stream of Agatha Christie stories as a child, it must be obvious pretty early on who the killer is. So in a way, it is more like 'The Secret History' by Donna Tartt in that you know who the killer is and you're watching the build up to his crime, learning the 'why' rather than the 'who'. There was a slight twist at the end of the story, but not enough to make it truly dramatic.
As for the musical element....don't get me wrong, I love musicals when they're done right. But this one missed the mark. I think the key is to choose your song topics very carefully. There were some good song moments - the wistful explanation of the first murder, but there were also some cringe-worthy moments - a song about fighting over a packet of spaghetti.
Overall, the cast should be given credit for learning the whole thing in less than three weeks (the previous cast members pulled out suddenly), but the whole thing just seemed very amateur.
**
Patterns has one more show in Sidmouth, details here: http://www.patterns.uk.com/ (the fact that music starts playing automatically when you open this website, and there appears to be no way to turn it off, kind of sums up the whole thing for me)
This play highlighted a key things about live performances for me. Tech when done right isn't usually commented upon because it is a background element, but when it is done wrong then it can ruin a play. For the first half of Patterns the male detective didn't have his microphone turned on so you couldn't hear what he was signing, and throughout the entire play the electric piano was far too loud, it tended to overwhelm the voices of both actors, even with the microphones on.
Anyway, leaving aside technical misjudgments, the play itself was billed as a 'musical thriller'. This made me very wary from the beginning. Musicals aren't usually thrillers for a good reason, it's hard to maintain tension when your characters tend to burst into song. Actually I wouldn't describe it as a thriller, or even a murder mystery. Even for those not raised on a steady stream of Agatha Christie stories as a child, it must be obvious pretty early on who the killer is. So in a way, it is more like 'The Secret History' by Donna Tartt in that you know who the killer is and you're watching the build up to his crime, learning the 'why' rather than the 'who'. There was a slight twist at the end of the story, but not enough to make it truly dramatic.
As for the musical element....don't get me wrong, I love musicals when they're done right. But this one missed the mark. I think the key is to choose your song topics very carefully. There were some good song moments - the wistful explanation of the first murder, but there were also some cringe-worthy moments - a song about fighting over a packet of spaghetti.
Overall, the cast should be given credit for learning the whole thing in less than three weeks (the previous cast members pulled out suddenly), but the whole thing just seemed very amateur.
**
Patterns has one more show in Sidmouth, details here: http://www.patterns.uk.com/ (the fact that music starts playing automatically when you open this website, and there appears to be no way to turn it off, kind of sums up the whole thing for me)
Monday, June 17, 2013
What's On 17th - 23rd July
After the Beginning, Before the End, Exeter Phoenix
A cross between stand-up comedy and story-telling about an important idea that arrived suddenly.
Tuesday 8pm.
Tickets £10
Skin Deep, Barnfield Theatre
Set in 1980s Britain exploring the cultural melting pot happening around Ska and Two Tone music and culture.
Wednesday and Friday 7.45pm
Tickets £8
Patterns, The Cygnet New Theatre
A musical thriller about a charming killer who gives lonely women the best six months of their lives.
Friday 7.30pm
Tickets £6-10
Chris Goode and Co. residency, The Bike Shed Theatre
The second week of this three week residency. There is a difference performance each evening (Tuesday - Saturday).
Tickets £8-10
(I'm looking forward to seeing his performance of Ginsberg's Howl)
A cross between stand-up comedy and story-telling about an important idea that arrived suddenly.
Tuesday 8pm.
Tickets £10
Skin Deep, Barnfield Theatre
Set in 1980s Britain exploring the cultural melting pot happening around Ska and Two Tone music and culture.
Wednesday and Friday 7.45pm
Tickets £8
Patterns, The Cygnet New Theatre
A musical thriller about a charming killer who gives lonely women the best six months of their lives.
Friday 7.30pm
Tickets £6-10
Chris Goode and Co. residency, The Bike Shed Theatre
The second week of this three week residency. There is a difference performance each evening (Tuesday - Saturday).
Tickets £8-10
(I'm looking forward to seeing his performance of Ginsberg's Howl)
Monday, June 10, 2013
What's On 10th - 16th June
Grand Guignol - Barnfeld Theatre
If like me, you missed it at Ignite, you can still catch this triptych of horror plays on Tuesday.
Tuesday 11th only, 8pm.
Tickets £8-10
(I can't make my mind up to see this or not, I'm not a fan of horror films, would I like a play better?)
Peter Pan - Barnfield Theatre
Students from the drama course at Exeter College present the classic tale.
Thursday 13th June 10am, Friday 14th June 10am & 7pm, Saturday 15th June 1.30pm & 7pm, Sunday 16th June 1.30pm
Tickets £5-7
Chris Goode and Company will be in residence for the rest of June at the Bike Shed Theatre. There is a different performance each night, so it is best to read the residency information page to read all about them. This week (Tuesday-Saturday) there is 'Welcome to Albemarle', 'Stories From The Yearning', 'a smith from a distance', 'ABLE REALM', and 'Some People Will Do Anything To Keep Themselves From Being Moved'.
Tickets £6-10
Nine Parts A Quaker - The Cygnet New Theatre
If the slave trade was abolished in the 19th century, why is there still slavery today? This play examines the story of Thomas Clarkson, an abolitionist, and the continuing work to end slavery today.
Friday 14th only, 7.30pm
Tickets £6.
(I'd be really interested in seeing this but I'm out of town on that evening).
If like me, you missed it at Ignite, you can still catch this triptych of horror plays on Tuesday.
Tuesday 11th only, 8pm.
Tickets £8-10
(I can't make my mind up to see this or not, I'm not a fan of horror films, would I like a play better?)
Peter Pan - Barnfield Theatre
Students from the drama course at Exeter College present the classic tale.
Thursday 13th June 10am, Friday 14th June 10am & 7pm, Saturday 15th June 1.30pm & 7pm, Sunday 16th June 1.30pm
Tickets £5-7
Chris Goode and Company will be in residence for the rest of June at the Bike Shed Theatre. There is a different performance each night, so it is best to read the residency information page to read all about them. This week (Tuesday-Saturday) there is 'Welcome to Albemarle', 'Stories From The Yearning', 'a smith from a distance', 'ABLE REALM', and 'Some People Will Do Anything To Keep Themselves From Being Moved'.
Tickets £6-10
Nine Parts A Quaker - The Cygnet New Theatre
If the slave trade was abolished in the 19th century, why is there still slavery today? This play examines the story of Thomas Clarkson, an abolitionist, and the continuing work to end slavery today.
Friday 14th only, 7.30pm
Tickets £6.
(I'd be really interested in seeing this but I'm out of town on that evening).
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Ablutions & La Donna e Mobile
It's now the last day of the Ignite Festival. I saw too many plays yesterday to write about, so I'll just briefly highlight my favourites.
'Ablutions' by Fellswoop, The Bike Shed Theatre
I'm not usually a fan of stories centering around alcoholics just because I find it hard to muster sympathy or empathy for them, but the quality of the acting from Fellswoop Theatre pushed this play in to my favourites of the festival. With no sets or props they conjured up a depressing American bar full of no-hopers and drug addicts, with the barman trying to make a clean break from that life.
*****
Last chance to see it is today at 8.40pm.
'La Donna e Mobile' by Remote Control Theatre, The Bike Shed Theatre
I'm not sure I can tell you what this play is about. Partly because I'm still working out the answer for myself, and partly because I think you should go and see it with an open mind and make your own decisions. I will however tell you that it's amazing, full of bold striking imagery and theatrics, and women with very good core body strength.
*****
This show has finished at Ignite, but at the end they mentioned they would be performing it in Edinburgh later this year.
www.igniteexeter.org.uk
Also, not actually a play, but Jonny and the Baptists were brilliant
'Ablutions' by Fellswoop, The Bike Shed Theatre
I'm not usually a fan of stories centering around alcoholics just because I find it hard to muster sympathy or empathy for them, but the quality of the acting from Fellswoop Theatre pushed this play in to my favourites of the festival. With no sets or props they conjured up a depressing American bar full of no-hopers and drug addicts, with the barman trying to make a clean break from that life.
*****
Last chance to see it is today at 8.40pm.
'La Donna e Mobile' by Remote Control Theatre, The Bike Shed Theatre
I'm not sure I can tell you what this play is about. Partly because I'm still working out the answer for myself, and partly because I think you should go and see it with an open mind and make your own decisions. I will however tell you that it's amazing, full of bold striking imagery and theatrics, and women with very good core body strength.
*****
This show has finished at Ignite, but at the end they mentioned they would be performing it in Edinburgh later this year.
www.igniteexeter.org.uk
Also, not actually a play, but Jonny and the Baptists were brilliant
Friday, June 7, 2013
I Think I'm A Feminist
'I Think I'm A Feminist' by Worklight Theatre, The Bike Shed Theatre
I already know I'm a feminist, but as a woman that's easy for me to say. Here we have an exploration of the ideas and problems surrounding feminism presented my an all male theatre group.
Are men and women different at a neurological level? Do you have to hate men to be a feminist? Does pornography help or hinder feminism? What's with all the pink toys? And is it really necessary to label oneself a feminist at all?
With projections, personal stories and frequent use of a lecturer's pointer the group run through their thoughts on the issues and the male role within modern feminism. I was impressed by the breadth of their research and the questions they posed to the audience, it's good to be left pondering after a performance.
***
Next on Saturday at 7.20pm
www.igniteexeter.org.uk
I already know I'm a feminist, but as a woman that's easy for me to say. Here we have an exploration of the ideas and problems surrounding feminism presented my an all male theatre group.
Are men and women different at a neurological level? Do you have to hate men to be a feminist? Does pornography help or hinder feminism? What's with all the pink toys? And is it really necessary to label oneself a feminist at all?
With projections, personal stories and frequent use of a lecturer's pointer the group run through their thoughts on the issues and the male role within modern feminism. I was impressed by the breadth of their research and the questions they posed to the audience, it's good to be left pondering after a performance.
***
Next on Saturday at 7.20pm
www.igniteexeter.org.uk
The Last Post & James Tries To Make His Life Slightly Better
'The Last Post' by Kilter, a red mobile theatre outside Exeter Phoenix
When was the last time you got a loving email?
It was love at first sight between Mobile Sorting Office 451 and I. The cluttered treasure trove bijou performance space was a delight even before the play started. Within this unusual space a charming love story unfolds between two quirky nomads working to keep the old postal traditions alive.
Scored with live music played by a mute who arrived in a jiffy bag this heart-warming tale is gentle and eccentric, and reminded me that I really should write to my mum.
*****
You can see this play Friday and Saturday at 1pm or 7.30pm each day.
'James Tries To Make His Life Slightly Better' by James Tapp, The City Gate Hotel
Everyone who has gone through their early 20s knows that realisation of 'I guess I'm no longer a kid - I should probably sort my life out'. Twenty-three year old James started out with a list (featuring things such as, brew good coffee at home, build a vinyl collection and, make myself more attractive to women) and good intentions. Through anecdotes, poems and a dressing-down from his inner self he shares his realisation that the process is more important than the aims. He's also hilarious.
****
James has now finished his awkward explorations for Ignite.
www.igniteexeter.org.uk
It was love at first sight between Mobile Sorting Office 451 and I. The cluttered treasure trove bijou performance space was a delight even before the play started. Within this unusual space a charming love story unfolds between two quirky nomads working to keep the old postal traditions alive.
Scored with live music played by a mute who arrived in a jiffy bag this heart-warming tale is gentle and eccentric, and reminded me that I really should write to my mum.
*****
You can see this play Friday and Saturday at 1pm or 7.30pm each day.
'James Tries To Make His Life Slightly Better' by James Tapp, The City Gate Hotel
Everyone who has gone through their early 20s knows that realisation of 'I guess I'm no longer a kid - I should probably sort my life out'. Twenty-three year old James started out with a list (featuring things such as, brew good coffee at home, build a vinyl collection and, make myself more attractive to women) and good intentions. Through anecdotes, poems and a dressing-down from his inner self he shares his realisation that the process is more important than the aims. He's also hilarious.
****
James has now finished his awkward explorations for Ignite.
www.igniteexeter.org.uk
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Clark Andrews' Tempest & Wild Thing I Love You
'Clark Andrews' Tempest' by Woodnote, The Bike Shed Theatre
An actor reminisces to himself in his dressing room about his family whilst also practicing his solo performance of Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' mixing the two story's together and hoping for a better outcome than Prospero's.
I think it helps if you've seen The Tempest so you know which characters he is portraying, but I'm not sure it's essential as the pieces he enacts are just vignettes and so you do not see the end of the storylines. You may be content to see the blossoming romance of a young man and a girl, and not need to know that they are Ferdinand and Miranda.
I saw part of this play as a scratch performance in February, some elements have been dropped since then, but what remains is a masterful combination of two stories mixing silent film elements with great acting.
*****
You can next see this on Saturday at 2.50pm
'Wild Thing I Love You' by Ella Good and Nicki Kent, The City Gate Hotel
Gathered around a map under canvas Ella and Nicki tell their story of searching for Big Foot in the Californian redwood forest.
Unfortunately I just found the whole thing a bit juvenile. There was something about the way they spoke in such soft voices, they're 'subtitles' for audio interviews that clearly left large chunks out, the claiming that some audio was of terrible quality when it turned out not to be, and the way one of them put a cardboard box over her head to re-enact a conversation that really grated against me.
I did like the way they used a live camera feed to create a real-time film on a small television with effects via a magnifying glass and paper scenery.
I like travel stories, so I had high hopes for this one, but I guess you can't get much sophistication from a story of nothing really happening.
**
You can see this today (Thursday) at either 7.30 or 8.45pm
www.igniteexeter.org.uk
An actor reminisces to himself in his dressing room about his family whilst also practicing his solo performance of Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' mixing the two story's together and hoping for a better outcome than Prospero's.
I think it helps if you've seen The Tempest so you know which characters he is portraying, but I'm not sure it's essential as the pieces he enacts are just vignettes and so you do not see the end of the storylines. You may be content to see the blossoming romance of a young man and a girl, and not need to know that they are Ferdinand and Miranda.
I saw part of this play as a scratch performance in February, some elements have been dropped since then, but what remains is a masterful combination of two stories mixing silent film elements with great acting.
*****
You can next see this on Saturday at 2.50pm
'Wild Thing I Love You' by Ella Good and Nicki Kent, The City Gate Hotel
Gathered around a map under canvas Ella and Nicki tell their story of searching for Big Foot in the Californian redwood forest.
Unfortunately I just found the whole thing a bit juvenile. There was something about the way they spoke in such soft voices, they're 'subtitles' for audio interviews that clearly left large chunks out, the claiming that some audio was of terrible quality when it turned out not to be, and the way one of them put a cardboard box over her head to re-enact a conversation that really grated against me.
I did like the way they used a live camera feed to create a real-time film on a small television with effects via a magnifying glass and paper scenery.
I like travel stories, so I had high hopes for this one, but I guess you can't get much sophistication from a story of nothing really happening.
**
You can see this today (Thursday) at either 7.30 or 8.45pm
www.igniteexeter.org.uk
On Hold & Herons
'On Hold' by Scratchworks, The Bike Shed Theatre
A dysfunctional messy unprofessional promotions team vie for the promotion of office manager whilst bickering and teasing each other over unresolved sexual tensions.
I feel there was a lot of potential here but what could have been the most interesting parts were brushed over. Was Josie actually sleeping at the office long-term? What was that brief mention about some professional misconduct in Malcolm's past about? Why spend so long diagnosing Katie with depression, and then have nothing come of it, especially as one of the characters was a psychologist?
**
On Hold has now finished its time at the Ignite festival
'Herons' by EUTCo, The Bike Shed Theatre
Thuggery and violence sit side by side with compassion and hope on a park bench by an East London canal.
There were a couple of faults. I suppose there's not much they can do about the fact that the ages of the actors are all wrong, but it does detract from the emotional impact of children going through such violent events when they all look like they're in their twenties. I also found it quite unbelievable that the tough thug character would break down so completely and immediately at the sight of a gun.
Overall, not a bad play, but not really to my taste either.
***
Herons is next on today (Thursday) at 2.30pm
www.igniteexeter.org.uk
A dysfunctional messy unprofessional promotions team vie for the promotion of office manager whilst bickering and teasing each other over unresolved sexual tensions.
I feel there was a lot of potential here but what could have been the most interesting parts were brushed over. Was Josie actually sleeping at the office long-term? What was that brief mention about some professional misconduct in Malcolm's past about? Why spend so long diagnosing Katie with depression, and then have nothing come of it, especially as one of the characters was a psychologist?
**
On Hold has now finished its time at the Ignite festival
'Herons' by EUTCo, The Bike Shed Theatre
Thuggery and violence sit side by side with compassion and hope on a park bench by an East London canal.
There were a couple of faults. I suppose there's not much they can do about the fact that the ages of the actors are all wrong, but it does detract from the emotional impact of children going through such violent events when they all look like they're in their twenties. I also found it quite unbelievable that the tough thug character would break down so completely and immediately at the sight of a gun.
Overall, not a bad play, but not really to my taste either.
***
Herons is next on today (Thursday) at 2.30pm
www.igniteexeter.org.uk
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Fox & Beneath the Albion Sky
'Fox' by Scratchworks, Exeter Phoenix
A silent film brought to life. This charming reimagining of Roald Dahl's classic has the animals leaping, crawling and dancing all over the place whilst soundtracked by live American Southern jazz.
With hardly any props and no scenery the mime elements of the show didn't always work (but only where there were a lot of 'objects' to handle) but the physicality was impressive. I particularly liked the girl playing the fox cub, she danced with such abandon that it looked like her limbs were made of rubber.
***
Fox has finished its run as part of Ignite
'Beneath the Albion Sky' by Write by Numbers, The Bike Shed Theatre
In his bewitching deep voice Paul (Andy Kelly) recounts his epic walk following the St. Michael's Ley Line from Land's End to Hopton-on-Sea. A mixture of acting, story-telling, good advice, fact and fiction, where he peacefully meets saints, knights and warrior queens, and violently confronts a dragon. Along the way considering our relationship with nature and change.
I wish my long distance walks were as interesting as his, but as he says - a walking story is always better than the walk.
*****
Your last chance to see it is Wednesday, 6.30pm
Tickets £6 (if purchased with no other shows)
www.igniteexeter.org.uk
A silent film brought to life. This charming reimagining of Roald Dahl's classic has the animals leaping, crawling and dancing all over the place whilst soundtracked by live American Southern jazz.
With hardly any props and no scenery the mime elements of the show didn't always work (but only where there were a lot of 'objects' to handle) but the physicality was impressive. I particularly liked the girl playing the fox cub, she danced with such abandon that it looked like her limbs were made of rubber.
***
Fox has finished its run as part of Ignite
'Beneath the Albion Sky' by Write by Numbers, The Bike Shed Theatre
In his bewitching deep voice Paul (Andy Kelly) recounts his epic walk following the St. Michael's Ley Line from Land's End to Hopton-on-Sea. A mixture of acting, story-telling, good advice, fact and fiction, where he peacefully meets saints, knights and warrior queens, and violently confronts a dragon. Along the way considering our relationship with nature and change.
I wish my long distance walks were as interesting as his, but as he says - a walking story is always better than the walk.
*****
Your last chance to see it is Wednesday, 6.30pm
Tickets £6 (if purchased with no other shows)
www.igniteexeter.org.uk
Sunday, June 2, 2013
What's On 3rd - 9th June
Any space can be a theatre, anyone can tell a story
I can't possibly list what's on in Exeter this week in my usual style as the Ignite festival is upon us. Six days, eight venues and something like 40 plays. As you can see from my copy of the programme, I hoping to keep myself busy hoping in and out of the venues. I've got 23 plays highlighted - I think it's doable.
Full details of performances and ticket prices are at www.igniteexeter.org.uk
But also,
Two Gentlemen of Verona - Exeter Northcott Theatre
The critically acclaimed Tabacco Factory's latest Shakespeare production.
Tuesday - Saturday, 7.30pm
Tickets £10.50 - 20.50
(I'm planning on going Wednesday)
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