What's on in 2024

THEATRE/ BALLET 

On now until 7 January 

DICK WHITTINGTON

Exeter Northcott and Le Navet Bete are teaming up once again to bring you an unmissable family panto - expect plenty of laughs, great music, amazing special effects and full-on fun for every generation with this fabulous rags-to-riches tale.

Exeter Northcott Theatre, Exeter; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

14 January

THE NUTCRACKER 

A live orchestra performing Tchaikovsky’s splendid score adds the finishing touch to this joyous spectacle, making it the perfect introduction to classical ballet.

Princess Theatre, Torquay; www.atgtickets.com

MUSIC

6 January 

INDIE CLUB - AFTER THE BANDS

DJs will be playing all the usual suspects including The Strokes, The Stone Roses, The Libertines, Arcade Fire and Blur. 

The Cavern, Exeter; www.exetercavern.net

26 January 

THE ALLERGIES

The dynamic DJs hotfoot it down from Bristol with their bag of dynamite 45s to rock and shock Totnes. Expect fiery funk, sizzling soul, and the hottest party hip-hop on wax to keep you dancing all night long.

The Barrel House Ballroom, Totnes; www.barrelhousetotnes.co.uk

1 February 

SOUTH WEST SHOWCASE WITH BBC INTRODUCING

A big showcase of the best new bands in the South West, curated by Daniel Pascoe of BBC Music Introducing, featuring Tors, Pattern Pusher, Saff Juno, and Liang Lawrence. 

Exeter Phoenix, Exeter; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk 

COMEDY 

23 - 24 January

ROMESH RANGANATHAN: THE WARM UPS
Join the ever-drole comic as he tries out some new material ahead of his new tour.

Exeter Northcott Theatre, Exeter; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

28 January

BABATUNDE ALÉSHÉ: BABAHOOD
Celebrity Gogglebox Babatunde Aléshé at Northcott in September as he talks family and fatherhood in this highly anticipated debut tour.

Exeter Northcott Theatre, Exeter; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk 

EXHIBITIONS

On now until 4 February

JAMES PADDOCK: LIFE COULD BE DONE SO MUCH BETTER

A solo exhibition of new video and installation works by artist James Paddock who explores the reality of Voice Hearing to create an insightful dialogue about his experience of living with a diagnosis of “schizophrenia”. The centrepiece of the exhibition is an operatic video, Mirrored to the Core, a love story about two young Voice Hearers whose telepathic dialogue is represented through song.

Exeter Phoenix, Exeter; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk 

(James Paddock aims to address the stigma around mental health, specifically for Voice Hearers) (Exeter Phoenix)

13 January – 9 March

MIKHAIL KARIKIS: ACOUSTICS OF RESISTANCE

The first UK showing of a new installation by internationally recognised artist Mikhail Karikis focusing on the climate emergency. A three-channel video installation will transform the gallery space into an indoor weather system, expressing both our deep relationship and entanglement with the weather, and celebrating our connection to the atmosphere and the earth. 

Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Elmfield House, Dowell Street, Honiton; www.thelmahulbert.com 

9 - 13 January

CROWN AND CORONATION

Following its launch at the Tower of London, Exeter Cathedral will be the first tour venue to host this spectacular new sound and light show, which is inspired by the Crown Jewels and their role in the Coronation ceremony. Led by artist Peter Walker and composer David Harper, Luxmuralis has shown a number of spectacular sound and light shows at Exeter Cathedral in recent years, including Space, Life and the Renaissance.

Exeter Cathedral, Exeter; www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk 

27 January - 2 June

ARTISTS ROOM BILL VIOLA 

American artist Bill Viola (born 1951) is recognised internationally as a pioneer of video art, and today remains one of its leading practitioners. His work explores universal human experiences – birth, death and the unfolding of consciousness – and is shown in museums and galleries worldwide. This exhibition presents three intimate and moving works from his well-known series The Passions.

RAMM, Exeter; www.rammuseum.org.uk 

FILM

11 January 

OUT: THE LOST BOYS (LE PARADIS) + RECORDED Q&A 

Featuring stand-out performances from Khalil Gharbia (Peter von Kant) and Julien De Saint Jean (Lie With Me), filmmaker Zeno Graton’s acclaimed first feature is a compelling and sensitively observed portrait of burgeoning masculinity and queer sexuality.

Exeter Picturehouse, 51 Bartholomew St W, Exeter; www.picturehouses.com 

17 January 

DOLLY’S FILM CLUB PRESENTS: ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (AUDITORIUM TAKEOVER)

Participation (and daring costumes obviously!) is strongly encouraged in this cinema experience which will see you dancing in the aisles doing the famous Time Warp! Dig out those fishnets now.

Exeter Phoenix, Exeter; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk 

20 January 

THE ELECTRICAL LIFE OF LOUIS WAIN

The extraordinary true story of eccentric British artist Louis Wain (Benedict Cumberbatch), whose playful, sometimes even psychedelic pictures helped to transform the public’s perception of cats forever.

Exeter Phoenix, Exeter; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk