July
17 July to August 9: King Richard III. The play is this year’s choice for the Northcott Theatre’s 14th open-air Shakespeare in the Gardens production in the atmospheric surroundings of the wooded moat of Exeter’s Rougemont Castle. It runs from July 17 until August 9. Appropriately, in a co-production with Ludlow Festival, Ben Crocker’s production has already opened at Ludlow Castle in Shropshire, which, together with Rougemont, Shakespeare mentions in his tragedy. Exeter Northcott’s open-air productions have a reputation for being action-packed and very accessible for even those most averse to Shakespeare. Book tickets now on (01392) 493493.
July 29 - August 2: Oliver, King’s School, Ottery St Mary. THE cast of Oliver has been putting the finishing touches to their forthcoming show which opens next week.
The New Ottregians’ Summer Show will take place at King’s School, Ottery St Mary, for five evenings from Tuesday, July 29, to Saturday, August 2. The cast includes 20 enthusiastic youngsters between the ages of seven and 14, and 20 equally enthusiastic adults.
Tony and Helena Williams-Pugh formed the New Ottregians some years ago with the intention of giving young people a chance to be on the stage. They have been successful, with several of the children in Oliver having already been in three or more shows.
Two seasoned ‘professionals’ are Alex, a student at King’s School, who is one of the Olivers, and Elliot, one of the Artful Dodgers. Other performers include Jack, who is playing the second Oliver and goes to Ottery Primary School, and Dan, the second Dodger, who is currently on a rugby tour in South Africa with the King’s School. Dan’s parents, Rick and Karen, play Nancy and Bill Sykes and hope their son will return after a winning tour with all limbs intact so he can join them in the production. The show is proving to be quite a family affair with Peter and Sylvia, Helen and both her daughters, and Coral and Dave all getting in on the action. There is ample free parking, coffee, and a bar available each evening with all proceeds in aid of Hospiscare, which provides invaluable, front-of-house support.
All are welcome to come along and enjoy what is set to be a thoroughly entertaining performance.
July 30 - August 7: On The Town. Imperial College Operatic Society Presents Leonard Bernstein's On The Town at the The Public Hall, Budleigh Salterton, on Wednesday, July 30, at 7pm (followed by Gala Reception), Thursday, July 31 – Saturday, August 2, at 7.30pm, Tuesday August 5 – Saturday, August 9, at 7.30pm and Thursday, August 7, at2.30pm. Tickets are £9 (Matinee £6)and are available from Budleigh Salterton Tourist Information Centre – 01395 445275. Following on from the success of last year's West Side Story, IMperial College Operatic Society presents another Leonard Bernstein and Jerome Robbins collaboration – On the Town. Welcome to the 24-hour adventure of three sailors on shore leave in New York City chasing the girls, the sights, and a whole lot of trouble! After falling for a picture of "Miss Turnstiles" Ivy Smith, Gabey enlists the help of his shipmates Ozzie and Chip to track her down. Sidetracked by plucky cab driver Hildy and elegant anthropologist Claire, and plagued by run-ins with the law, will Gabey find his girl… and will they make it back to the ship on time? On the Town is a hilarious non-stop romp featuring some of the most wonderful music ever written for the Broadway stage, and includes classic songs such as "New York, New York", "I Can Cook Too" and "Lonely Town", to name but a few.
31st July - 5th September: "Anyone for Breakfast", Exmouth Players. By Derek Benfield
directed by Wendy Bishop. 14 performances, Thursdays and Fridays only, 8pm start
No performances 21 and 22 August. Special performance on Saturday 6th September, 8pm start. Tickets are now available at the Exmouth Tourist Information Office, Manor Gardens, Exmouth. Phone: (01395)222299. £7 for adults, £4 children under 16. Blackmore Theatre, 10 Bicton Street, Exmouth Devon EX8 2RU http://www.blackmoretheatre.co.uk/
August
August 22: WestEnders, Exmouth Pavilion. More of the best musicals ever - a night in London’s West End in Exmouth! There will be a brilliant tribute show at the Pavilion on Friday, August 22, at 8pm. Featuring top West End singers and the highest quality musicians who will take you on a unique musical journey with their own special ‘WestEnders’ brand of music. WestEnders warmly invite you into their musical world and take you through some of your favourite shows and leave you wanting more and more!
The WestEnders features six talented performers who between them have appeared in over twenty of the most popular and prestigious West End shows of the last decade - including Beauty and the Beast, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Aspects Of Love, Jesus Christ Superstar, Oliver!, Crazy For You and many more. Tickets are priced at £15.50 and £14.50 and can be purchased from the box office on (01395) 222477 or you can book your tickets online at www.exmouthpavilion.co.uk
October
October 21 to 25: Kiss Me Kate, Manor Pavilion, Sidmouth. Following on from their success with The Full Monty, Sidmouth Musical Comedy Society is presenting Kiss Me Kate at the Manor Pavilion Theatre, Sidmouth, from October 21 to 25. Director is Elizabeth Hammond and musical director John Griswold. Auditions are being held at the Unitarian Church Hall, All Saints Road, Sidmouth, on July 17 at 7.30pm. There will be singing rehearsals on Wednesday, July 9, Thursday the 10th and Monday the 14th - 7.30pm at the Unitarian to run through the audition pieces. All are welcome and, if you need further details, telephone Jacqui on (01392) 274699. For anyone who missed The Full Monty or would like to see it again, the society is taking the show to the Barnfield Theatre, Exeter, from July 28 to 31. Tickets can be obtained from the theatre box office (01392) 270891.