Theatre in Exeter – What’s On This Spring
Spring is shaping up to be a cracking season for live theatre in Exeter, with two brilliant venues leading the charge. The Exeter Northcott (on the university campus) and the Barnfield Theatre (right in the city centre), between them, offer something for everyone across March and April – from dark comedy and Greek farce to menopause medicine, Taylor Swift and a very excitable Little Monster.
And if you’re heading to the Northcott, a word to the wise: arrive early. The café opens two hours before curtain up and serves freshly made pizza on site, plus locally sourced snacks. Pre-show dining can be added when you book – it makes the whole evening. The Barnfield’s bar is open before every performance too, and is well worth a pit stop.
Here are a few of the highlights!
Stolen Ram – Thursday 19 March | Barnfield Theatre
If you like your comedy with a dark edge, this one’s for you. Stolen Ram is a sharp, unsettling thriller about a school leader whose career and life begins to unravel in spectacular fashion. Think Shallow Grave in a school (complete with a staple gun, apparently). It’s been described as ‘perfect for thriller lovers and devious teachers,’ which tells you everything you need to know about the tone. One night only at the Barnfield – don’t sleep on it.
The Parody of Rings – Monday 23 March | Northcott Theatre
What happens when a cinema’s Lord of the Rings marathon goes catastrophically, hilariously wrong? Find out at this one-night comedy event that takes Tolkien’s epic and turns it into chaotic theatrical carnage. Great date night material, or just a very fun excuse to spend a Monday evening in Middle-earth (sort of).
Oh Zeus! – 8–18 April | Northcott Theatre (including No Kids Allowed performances)
Exeter’s own Le Navet Bete are back — and this time they’ve set their sights on the gods of Olympus. The Northcott’s beloved panto collaborators have teamed up with Olivier Award-nominated director John Nicholson for a riotous ride through Greek mythology. When Zeus hatches a plan to derail his daughter Hebe’s wedding to a mere mortal, ancient chaos ensues. Three actors play forty characters across Ancient Greece and the Underworld, with sensational physical comedy, outrageous jokes and more togas than you can shake a thunderbolt at.
If you love Fawlty Towers, Bottom or The Play That Goes Wrong, this is unmissably your thing.
There are also special No Kids Allowed performances for those who like their mythology with a slightly more adult flavour. If you missed Le Navet Bete’s pantos, this is the perfect reunion.
TaylorMania – Monday 20 April | Northcott Theatre
For the Swifties of Devon (and there are many of you), Katy Ellis brings her award-winning Taylor Swift tribute show to the Northcott. With an incredible live band, dancers and full theatrical production values, TaylorMania has taken Swiftie fans across the world by storm. Shake It Off, Blank Space, Love Story, You Belong With Me – all the hits, all the era changes, without the stadium prices. Note: the performance contains smoke and haze, as well as strobe effects.
Dr Louise Newson: Breaking the Cycle – Tuesday 21 April | Barnfield Theatre
Known as “the medic who kick-started the menopause revolution,” Dr Louise Newson returns to the stage with a brand new show following her hugely successful 2024 theatre tour. Breaking the Cycle: The Power of Hormones unpacks the history and science of hormones – from contraception and PMS to perimenopause and HRT – cutting through decades of medical misinformation in the process. Expect real stories, myth-busting facts and a Q&A with Dr Louise herself.
VIP tickets include a Meet & Greet at 6.15 pm (arrive at the Box Office by 6pm) and a drink of your choice, making it a brilliant option if you want a more personal evening.
Jessica Fostekew: Iconic Breath – Thursday 23 April | Northcott Theatre
Edinburgh Comedy Award-nominated comedian Jessica Fostekew brings her brand new stand-up show to Exeter. Iconic Breath is billed as “a monster’s guide to tolerance and temperance” — exploring what happens when the world demands saintly patience and you can feel yourself becoming an emotional wildebeest. As seen on QI, Live at the Apollo and Richard Osman’s House of Games — smart, funny, no-nonsense comedy for people who are trying very hard to hold it together. Highly recommended.
There’s a Monster in Your Show – Saturday 25 – Sunday 26 April | Northcott Theatre
Based on the beloved Who’s in Your Book? series by Tom Fletcher (McFly, Paddington The Musical), this interactive 50-minute adventure has been seen by over 90,000 children since its 2023 debut and is now on its fourth national tour. Little Monster wants to join the show — and brings Dragon, Alien and Unicorn along for maximum comedy and chaos.
Recommended for ages 3+, children are actively encouraged to shout, sing, clap and dance. The perfect first theatre experience for little ones — and genuinely entertaining for the grown-ups too.
Both venues are run by Exeter Northcott, Exeter’s flagship charitable theatre organisation.
exeternorthcott.co.uk | 01392 72 63 63 | boxoffice@exeternorthcott.co.uk
Northcott Box Office: Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–2pm
Barnfield Box Office: Friday, 10am–4pm (tickets also available at Northcott)
Tags: Exeter, family, south west, Theatre