Exeter Phoenixcbulford, Author at Exeter Phoenix

Author Archives: cbulford

Summer Performance Programme 2025
March 21, 2025 8:32 am Comments Off on Summer Performance Programme 2025
We’ve had a taste of summer, and it was delicious! What better time to tease our delectable summer season of performance, including the return of Theatre in the Park and a plethora of Edinburgh Previews - to be announced!
Read on to find out more or check out the full programme here.
We are launching the season with an amuse-bouche of South West based talent: the brilliant Scratch Night takes over our Auditorium once again, providing an opportunity for local artists to trial out new work that could encompass anything from performance art, play extracts, storytelling, comedy, clowning, improv, dance and physical theatre to multidisciplinary work of any genre. Be the first to witness the spark of an exciting new creative endeavour and offer feedback on how the artist might develop their ideas further.
SCRATCH NIGHT
Tue 06 May | 7.30pm
FIND OUT MORE

Shakespeare’s stories continue to shine with Alas! Poor Yorick, a witty and moving exploration of Hamlet, reimagined by multi-award winning theatre company Ridiculusmus in their trademark style of existential clowning and seriously funny theatre. This intriguing, beautiful, and highly engaging performance offers a unique take on the classic tragedy, focusing on the gravediggers and reinterpreting them through an absurdist and darkly comedic lens.
ALAS! POOR YORICK
Mon 12 May | 7.30pm
FIND OUT MORE
Then, the ever-popular Sun & Moon Theatre return for Theatre in the Park with a brand new production of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, where the vibrant vintage backdrop of the roaring 1920s meets the boho timelessness of fairyland. Suitable for all ages, pack a picnic and join us in Rougemont Gardens for a magical show brimming with drama, mischievous humour, romance, and live music.
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM
Thu 31 Jul - Sun 03 Aug
FIND OUT MORE

Families and young people can look forward to Assembleth Theatre’s brand-new fantastical comedy Fairytales, Fables & Other Assorted Nonsense during May half-term. Co-created with a group aged 15-18 from the Barbican Theatre Plymouth’s Rebels programme, the show presents a hilarious new take on classic fairytales, featuring physical theatre and farce that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
The performance will be accompanied by a Build Your Own Fairytale! workshop for ages 8-14.
FAIRYTALES, FABLES & OTHER ASSORTED NONSENSE
Thu 29 May | 7pm
FIND OUT MORE
Younger audiences can also delight in our Theatre in the Park offerings in August: Splat! a physical comedy about visual art and creativity that is suitable for deaf audiences; and Professor Slug’s House of Bugs, an educational and interactive show packed full of colourful puppets and catchy songs that celebrates the joys of nature and minibeasts!
SPLAT!
Thu 07 Aug | 11.30am & 2pm
FIND OUT MORE
PROFESSOR SLUG'S HOUSE OF BUGS
Thu 14 Aug | 2pm
FIND OUT MORE

Contemporary circus, jaw-dropping acrobatics, original live music, and powerful storytelling combine to present the genre-defying spectacle that is Obscure Desires. This visual feast creates an inclusive experience that speaks to intergenerational audiences through relatable imagery. An extraordinary celebration of people and the depths of human connection; it is the perfect remedy for navigating dark and uncertain times.
OBSCURE DESIRES
Sun 13 Jul | 7pm
FIND OUT MORE
Spoken word enthusiasts can enjoy the spellbinding Gobbess, a hilarious and heart-warming kaleidoscopic one-creature spoken word show, which smashes together circus arts, aerial dance and poetic storytelling. Plus, the annual outdoor Spork! Summer Special a masterfully curated selection of the best performance poets currently on the circuit.
GOBBESS
Sat 24 May | 7pm
FIND OUT MORE
SPORK! SUMMER SPECIAL
Thu 07 Aug | 6pm
FIND OUT MORE

This is just a taster of what is to come – check out the full programme here!
International Women’s Day Events at Exeter Phoenix
February 26, 2025 2:55 pm Comments Off on International Women’s Day Events at Exeter Phoenix
Here at Exeter Phoenix, we are proud to offer a programme filled with events that celebrate and champion women creatives, artists and industry leaders, creating a platform that enables expression for women in the arts.
From female-led theatre performances, to workshops that explore influential artists, join us to celebrate International Women’s Day 2025 – and beyond.
Highlights

The Grimm Sisters | Mon 17 Mar

Women + Wildness workshop | Mon 10 Mar

Inspired by the textiles of Chilean Arpilleristas | Sat 08 Mar

Emily Breeze | Sat 09 Mar

International Women’s Festival | Sat 15 Mar

SWWAG: South West Women’s Art Group On until Wed 12 Mar
A Q+A with Scratchworks

On Monday 10 March, Scratchworks are hosting a Women + Wildness creative workshop.
Scratchworks Theatre CIC are a female-led theatre company based in Exeter who work collaboratively to create thought-provoking, funny, and heartfelt shows to inspire and empower adults and children alike with our feminist ethos, with playfulness, vulnerability and a dash of silliness.
Our performance programmer Katy caught up with them to find out more about the workshop.
Tell us a bit about your Women + Wildness Creative Workshop and what you hope participants will take away from it.

The theme ‘Wildness’ can sometimes feel very alien for Women, and feel very separate from the practicalities and restrictions of day to day life. The unspoken rules around gender in society have encouraged women’s voices to be silenced, value to be overlooked and power to be lessened. By taking inspiration from the freedom, force and ferocity of nature, this workshop aims to encourage all women to start to find a version of wildness that is unique to them, and to celebrate that wildness loudly. Activities will range from collaging, singing, creative writing and theatre exercises. You don't need to have any previous theatre or performing experience either, just a willingness to give it a go!
The company’s mission statement proudly declares that it is through a “feminist ethos” that you create thought-provoking, funny, and heartfelt shows which inspire and empower adults and children alike. How does feminism manifest in your upcoming show Grimm Sisters and how does this translate to an intergenerational audience?
The idea for The Grimm Sisters came from our research around the origins of the Brothers Grimm's fairy tales. We discovered that a lot of the stories that the brothers gathered came from listening to the women around them telling stories to each other. Also, although women were allowed to write in the 1800s, it was frowned upon and pursuing a writing career was considered 'socially inappropriate'. So we developed these sister characters to embody and celebrate all the women whose stories were exchanged verbally, but who never got credit for their ideas. Audience interaction is also a very important part of the work we make, and throughout the show, the audience are encouraged to provide suggestions and story ideas to create new stories with us at every show. This means that no matter who you are, we encourage all our audiences to flex their storytelling muscles! We're so looking forward to bringing the Grimm Sisters back to Exeter next month!
'The Grimm Sisters fizzes with the fun of storytelling' The PRSD Review
Two Short Nights Collaborations
February 13, 2025 12:02 pm Comments Off on Two Short Nights Collaborations
Each year Two Short Nights invites a handful of individuals to collaborate with the festival by submitting a piece of work in relation to the programme. Contributions can be anything from a review to illustrations, podcasts to video essays. Anything goes!
This year we have partnered with Exeter College to give students an opportunity to engage with the festival by creating content, reviewing, or supporting things behind the scenes. Below are a selection of works that the cohort produced!

Intimations of Maturity in ‘Malkom-Core’ and ‘Overflow’.
A review of Malkom-Core and Overflow
by Clay Colman
‘Malkom-Core’ by Carl Axel Eduard and ‘Overflow’ by Nahal Dashti are two richly evocative pieces of film that both consider the nuanced nature of maturity and interrogate the fabric of ‘growing up’. Whether that be the inner struggle of defending youthful glee or the forceful extraction of unripe adult temperament, each contribute to the artistic discussion of what it means to carry the weight of human responsibility for yourself and for those around you.
In ‘Malkom-Core’, the filmmakers have mastered the balance of artistry with haunting familiarity. The vast landscape of the lake solemnly echos the emptiness of immaturity without the joy of reciprocated delight; paired with its cold and stonewashed palette, the film evokes a visceral disappointment that many of us experience in the transient period of adolescence’s end. The freedom of irresponsibility that shines in all boisterous teens and curious kids has wilted, and what we’re left with is a meek attempt at ignoring the boundless immensity of adult liability. The scene of the boys attempting to play a once exhilarating drinking game is now a depressing picture- it is dominated by the icy, silent and lifeless winter environment, framing their work-centered conversation as insubstantial in the eyes of our main character, who is struggling to accept his friend’s maturity. He longs for the bygone era of thrilling sensual discovery and the unearthing of life’s vicissitudes. The final slow, reducing zoom reveals how small he is: sat on a rickety deck chair facing the enormity of the lake utterly encapsulates the helpless aimlessness of not being ready to ‘grow up’.
‘Overflow’ is an enthralling depiction of a little girl charged with mediating and traversing the dichotomy of her parents. To survive, she adapts to repress childlike wonder and excitement, thus resorting to a numb yet innocent and fragile creature. This feeling of suppressed immaturity is beautifully captured by the abstract set design elements and the decision to cast a fully grown woman in the place of a child. The non-existent ceiling of the family house reveals a cosmic sky, reminiscent of the distorted lens the child views her world through- a garish mixture of clashing colours in an ungrounded home, where she is witness to the oddly comforting presence of the abyss. The surreal moments of warped reality are extremely impactful; the father asking for a fork, to which his wife flings it directly to her daughter, piercing her neck in an uncomfortably deadened fashion speak volumes of the voiceless pain many children are forced to endure in a broken home. Her silent, benumbed reaction tragically illustrates the suppression of healthy immaturity and juvenile feeling.
I was deeply impacted by these two films, as they reminded me of the incredible power our upbringings hold when shaping our mental, physical and psychological pathways. Both explore a conflict with the protagonist and their inescapable embrace with maturity: ‘Malkom-Core’s’ outlook on puerility as a eroding shield from adult responsibility, and ‘Overflow’s’ fear of immaturity as a weakness in a splintered family. To me, they both prompted the question: when should we ‘grow up’?
Clay is studying Film at Exeter College.
'Malkom-Core' and 'Overflow' were part of Shorts #5: Who Raised You?
(Image: Overflow)

An excellent example of how animation can be brought to life.
A review of Myth of the Cave
By Katie
Myth of the cave is an amazing short animation, keeping you on the edge of your seat, wondering what is going to happen next? How did she get into this situation? And will she make it out? This is a must watch short film, with a gripping plot. The small details in the background help set the scene, catching your attention so you don't miss anything, with a creative plot that helps to draw the viewers in.
It brings the timeless themes of perception, freedom, and the nature of reality, to life, making them relevant to today's audience. The aspect of being trapped in a cave with nothing but your shadow, fighting off problems, helps bring reality to the animation. The environment inside the cave feels suffocating, and overwhelming, yet the light at the entrance helps to make escape seem achievable. The light is also a symbol for enlightenment and the vastness of truth waiting behind the chains of illusion.
While short, this animation leaves a lasting impression, encouraging viewers to question their reality that they inhabit and to challenge the limitations they have accepted. It is an excellent example of how animation can be brought to life
Katie is studying Film at Exeter College.
'Myth of the Cave' was part of Shorts #1: Animations Strand

Fathom: A tense, slow build.
A review of Fathon
By Quinn
Fathom follows Avery (Phoebe Cresswell), a former reef diver who is interviewing for a much more sinister job. Tensions slowly build over the course of the five-minute short, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats. From the opening scenes, we are treated to a masterclass from writer/director Holly Holdsworth in how to unsettle an audience, all while still creating an intriguing enough narrative to not rely on well-worn tropes.
From the get-go, it is clear we will not be in for a calm and relaxing experience. The choice to initially have no visuals to accompany a muffled, waterlogged audio immediately signals that something isn’t quite right. Cutting off one of the senses throws everything off-balance, instantly creating that tension that leaves viewers wanting to find out more. What’s happening? Why are we underwater? When we do get visuals to accompany this sound, it is of rushing water, giving us the impression of someone rapidly raising to the top. The following scene does not resolve these questions, and in fact jump back in time to Cresswell’s character waiting for her interview. But this is no peaceful, tranquil wait. She is listening to an audio about the inherent value of a person’s work (“nothing” is given to us as the answer to this), which adds to the tense atmosphere established in the opening sequence. Throughout this are interspersed clips of Avery coming up from under water, looking worse for wear. These continue to be shown over the course of the film, adding an extra source of tension by showing us long before, and whilst, the audience learns more about what exactly is unfolding in front of them. Once called upon for her interview, we enter an almost completely bare room, spare for an office desk and chairs, as well as some boxes in the background. This creates an eeriness throughout the interview, as it signals to us that whoever is occupying this space does not plan on sticking around for too long afterwards. The interview itself follows in a similarly sinister fashion, with an extra sense of urgency from interviewer Indiana (Maya Yenn) doing nothing to help settle things down. By the time we hear the crackling of a geiger counter for the first time, the atmosphere could be cut with a knife. When it looks like Avery may well get turned down for this job, things somehow manage to get even more tense, reaching a crescendo as the audio is reduced to a high-pitched ringing and the character’s breathing. It is the first time we truly see her panic, as we learn how much hinges on this job for her. While this tension recedes slightly as we watch her successfully convince Indiana to give her the job, it never truly resolves, and we close with that same tension we started with.
The closing and opening of Fathom being similar allows us some sort of closure, as it lets the audience feel like we have come full circle in this sequence of events. But it also seems to serve another use— to leave us with a final sense of unsettlement, reminding us that the causes of all of our unease throughout the film have not been truly resolved, only explained.
Quinn is studying Film at Exeter College.
'Fathon' was part of Shorts #3: South West Talent
Two Short Nights Sting
By Steve, Delphine, Noah, Jack, Ethan and Amelia
TWO SHORT NIGHTS: CELEBRATING SHORT FILMS AND THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THEM
January 31, 2025 3:07 pm Comments Off on TWO SHORT NIGHTS: CELEBRATING SHORT FILMS AND THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THEM
The 23rd edition of the annual film festival Two Short Nights, taking place this February, will see 55 films screened in total over 2 days from 10 countries, selected from several hundred submissions.
The festival celebrates short films and the people who make them, focused on great stories and on talent from the South West and around the world. It is a meeting place for filmmakers and film fans alike, where work can be enjoyed, talent recognised and inspiration sparked for many future films to come.

The standard of submissions this year was incredibly high, and the team really had their work cut out narrowing down the selection. There were a few themes that really came through, as Luke Hagen elaborated:
“The most striking was probably the number of films with a real horror element to them, which has been great fun to programme. I think the quality of films coming out of the South West this year has almost been outstanding, the best it has ever been, which has been a joy to see”
There are always a few famous faces and voices to watch out for and this year is no exception! Lydia Makrides from Netflix's Dark in Unwell Woman (Shorts #4: Things That Go Bump In The Night) and the voice of Sir Ian McKellen as Gingersnap the Fox in Dragfox (Shorts #1: Animation Strand) are just some of the names to watch out for.

GET INVOLVED
The festival is proud to nurture new and emerging talent through screenings, commissions and our famous 48 Hour Film Challenge - open to anyone - where teams have the opportunity to write, shoot and edit a short film to a brief of the festival’s choosing, in just a weekend! The team’s favourite entries are then premiered on the big screen in Exeter Phoenix’s main auditorium. This packed-out festival highlight is open to anyone to attend and will close with the Two Short Nights award ceremony and after party.
This year the festival team have also been working with Exeter College to support and inspire students interested in filmmaking, as well as other roles in the industry such as film criticism and film promotion.

ABOUT EXETER PHOENIX AND STUDIO 74
The festival takes place at Exeter Phoenix, a hub for creative activity and one of the South West’s foremost multi-artform venues. This busy building is home to Exeter’s independent cinema, Studio 74 as well as several gallery spaces; an auditorium for gigs, theatre and comedy; art studios and digital training suites, all centred around a buzzing café bar. Exeter Phoenix’s Creative Hub shares inspiration, opportunities, commissions and more to a whole community of creatives working in the South West.
Through the medium of short film, Two Short Nights Film Festival demonstrates what Exeter Phoenix does best. Centred around a screening programme combining must-see established work from across the globe and local talent, it aims to provide opportunities to engage in the filmmaking process and support aspiring filmmakers.
Exeter Phoenix is a registered charity (290011), and any income generated through short film submissions is invested back into the festival to provide opportunities for filmmakers going forward.
TICKETS
Don’t want to miss a moment of Two Short Nights 2025? The Two Short Nights Festival Pass gives you the best access to the festival, including all short film screenings, the 48 Hour Film Challenge Premiere, and filmmaker-focussed social. Please note: the Commission Premier Screening must be booked separately.
Buy a Festival Pass for £25 (£20 Concession & Members Passes Available)
Individual Screening tickets are also available, priced at £5.
See the Full Line Up and Book Now
December Creative Hub
December 4, 2024 4:40 pm Comments Off on December Creative Hub
Welcome to your monthly update on all things creative in Exeter.
In ourDecemberedition we find out about the successes of our 2024 Short Film commission cohort, hear about the upcoming Creative Growth workshops and talk with Quirk about their festive show.
Read the publication here >>

Filmmakers who received support through the Exeter Phoenix short film Commission scheme in 2024 have achieved recognition at a number of significant film festivals around the UK and overseas.
Claire Horrocks, Film Programmer at Exeter Phoenix said "these short film success stories evidence the unique talent we have in our region and it is amazing to have been part of these filmmakers journey. Being able to share these films with a wider audience, on the big screen is such a valuable experience for the filmmakers too."
Quirk Theatre are known for their inventive and innovative approach to live theatre, wowing audiences with their use of projection, puppetry, creative set design and original music. This year Quirk ‘come of age’ with their 21st show, Dayzee. We found out more about the processes of making the show and the themes behind it.
“Earlier in the year we visited four primary schools to run creative workshops about Sustainability- finding out what the children knew, loved and hoped for their world. It was really eye opening for us- for the young people, the future is all flying cars, robots and micro chips in the brain instead of teachers. But we also spoke to lots of Climate Scientists and Sustainability experts from a wide variety of disciplines, and their futures were much more community driven, locally sourced and flying cars were noticeably absent. The challenge for us (and it has been a super interesting one) has been how to honour both these different visions of the future. After all, the future needs to be something we are excited about, long for and run towards.”

Opportunities and Callouts
Exeter Phoenix South West Animation Film Fund | Deadline: Sun 17 Jan
Exeter Phoenix will offer one South West based filmmaker £500 in cash funding to support the production of a short animated film which is 3-5 minutes in length. The fund includes access to mentoring, training and equipment. The production could use a range of animation styles such as handdrawn, CGI or stop-motion. Applicants will be required to pitch their ideas at Two Short Nights Film Festival, Thu 6 Feb 2025.
Find out more and apply here
Apply for the February Scratch Night | Deadline: 10am, Mon 13 Jan
Exeter Phoenix Scratch Night offers South West based artists in need of an audience a chance to stretch their ideas and the opportunity to test their work in the Exeter Phoenix Auditorium, along with £150 to
help develop their idea and a small amount of rehearsal space before the Scratch Night.
Find out more and apply here
Recommended Events
Dartmoor Calling: Preview Screening | Fri 24 Jan, 7.15pm
Creative Growth: Approaching Programmers and Venues | Thu 16 Jan, 2pm - 4pm
DOCLAB Development Lab | Wed 11 Dec, 7pm - 9pm
Our 2024 Christmas Gift Guide
December 2, 2024 4:30 pm Comments Off on Our 2024 Christmas Gift Guide
Is it that time of year already? With Christmas fast approaching, we have put together a list of gift ideas perfect for your friends, family and love ones. Whether you are buying for a film lover, aspiring artist, or music fan, this list is sure to provide inspiration for everybody in your life!
Can't decide? Buy them a Gift Voucher that can be redeemed for anything in our programme!
And what's more? Buying any of these gifts supports us in bringing fun, creativity and culture to this great city.
For our supporters
Know someone who loves visiting Exeter Phoenix? Gift them a Friend of Exeter Phoenix Membership for an exclusive peak behind the curtain with personal newsletters as well as a welcome pack featuring a limited edition pin badge and an exclusive set of postcards designed by members of our community.

Know someone that loves Exeter Phoenix? Treat them to one of our Limited Edition T Shirts - available to purchase online now!
SHOP HERE >

If a T Shirt isn't their thing, you a can Adopt a Seat in our Auditorium in their name. They'll get a plaque on seat that reads whatever you like - perfect for frequent event goers to show off to their friends!
For Film Fanatics
If you have a special someone in your life that won't stop talking about the last film they watched, these gifts are just what they need, plus you will be supporting Exeter's only independent cinema!

Our Studio 74 Membership is the perfect gift for the film fanatic in your life! A membership will grant them £2 off film tickets, 20% off food and hot drinks at our Café Bar, priority booking on special cinema events, free cinema tickets for joining and more!

Know of a film coming up that they'll love? Grab some popcorn and book a couple of tickets for one of our upcoming films and go together!
FILM PROGRAMME >
For Music Fans
No matter who you're buying for, we have gigs to suit all tastes, from ska to indie folk, and even Finnish bluegrass folk-metal! Head to our full music programme or see some highlights below.

THE BEAT
Sat 01 Feb | 7.30pm
One of the most iconic bands of the UK ska revival of the late '70s and early '80s. The ultimate gift of nostalgia for any old school ska and punk lovers on your list!
BOOK TICKETS >

KAWALA
Mon 03 Feb | 7pm
Got a Gen Z indie gig-goer to buy for? Tickets to see Kawala won't miss! Having toured with Bombay Bicycle Club this year, these guys are the next big thing!
BOOK TICKETS >

STEVE 'N' SEAGULLS
Mon 10 Feb | 7.30pm
Hailing from Finland, this hilarious bunch are known for their bluegrass covers of classic rock and metal songs - perfect for a lover of quirky performances!
BOOK TICKETS >
For Theatre Goers
If you're searching for the perfect gift for the avid theatre goer in your life, check out our Spring Performance season for inspiration. Folk and fungus lovers are sure to enjoy eerie and hilarious horror, Mushroom Language: A Fungal Gothic, and for those looking for something uplifting, In Other Words is sure to leave them with feeling hopeful for the future.
Exeter Phoenix Favourite: We couldn't create this list without an honourable mention for one of our faves, critically acclaimed storyteller James Rowland, returning on Sat 22 Feb with his hilarious new show, James Rowland Dies at the End of the Show.

MUSHROOM LANGUAGE: A FUNGAL GOTHIC
Mon 24 Mar | 7.30pm | 16+
Mushroom Language is about the cycles that shape us – eruption, reproduction and decay. Mushrooms offer us a lens into a more sustainable future, but nature is hilarious and terrifying.
BOOK TICKETS >

IN OTHER WORDS
Tue 08 Apr | 7.30pm
This intimate, humorous, and deeply moving drama invites us to experience a fifty year love story through brief moments of a failing mind, battling with the effects of Alzheimer’s disease.
BOOK TICKETS >
For Comedy Lovers
Give them the gift of laughter this Christmas with tickets to see one of the incredible comics coming to Exeter Phoenix in the New Year! Other names include, Rob Newman, Chloe Petts, Sophie Duker and Mark Thomas. Check out the full programme here.

ANIA MAGLIANO
Thu 13 Feb | 8pm
You know when you’re trying to wee on a night out, and a random girl you don’t know starts telling you her secrets? Imagine that, but she has a microphone. 2023 Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee.
BOOK TICKETS >

ROB AUTON
Tue 01 Apr | 7.30pm
Award winning writer, comedian and actor Rob Auton brings his latest show ‘The Eyes Open and Shut Show’ to Exeter Phoenix. The Eyes Open and Shut Show is a show about eyes when they are open and eyes when they are shut.
BOOK TICKETS >

ZOE LYONS
Wed 09 Apr | 8pm
The host of BBC’s ‘Lightning’, a regular on ‘Have I Got News For You’, ‘QI’, and ‘Mock The Week’ – and a survivor of ‘Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins’ and ‘World’s Most Dangerous Roads’ on Dave – Zoe is one of the country’s best-loved comedians.
BOOK TICKETS >
For FAMILIES
Why not gift them something the whole family can enjoy? Check out our top picks below or find our full programme of family events and courses here.

THE DREAMER - LIVE
Tue 14 & Wed 15 Jan | 8pm | 12+
An enigmatic, dazzling, five star rated magic show from James Phelan – the magician most infamous for jamming the BBC switchboard after correctly predicting the lottery.
BOOK TICKETS >

THE ENCHANTED CINEMA
Tue 18 Feb | 11am + 1pm | 4+
Imagine going to the cinema and becoming part of a pop-up orchestra who create sound FX and a musical soundtrack! After a fun warm up, you’ll use instruments or your voice to help create the magical soundtrack.
BOOK TICKETS >
For CREATIVES
Whether you're buying for a pro, an improver, or a collector of hobbies, we have a brilliant selection of courses to choose from! Check out some of our top picks or take a look at the full programme here.

PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES: CHEMIGRAMS
Sat 01 Feb | 2pm - 4.30pm
BOOK TICKETS >

JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINTING
Sat 08 Feb | 10.30am - 4pm
BOOK TICKETS >

WILD WATERCOLOUR - 5 WEEK COURSE
From Tue 25 Feb | 10.30am - 1pm
BOOK TICKETS >

GELLIPLATE PRINTING - 5 WEEK COURSE
From Tue 25 Feb | 2pm - 4.30pm
BOOK TICKETS >
For EVERYONE
When in doubt, you can't go wrong with something beautiful! Check our collection of prints from exhibitors of the Phoenix Gallery or head to Maker Mart to peruse a curated selection of creative offerings from local makers.
If it's quality time together that you value, treat them to lunch at our Café Bar, spend a cosy evening at our sister bar, The Mermaid or enjoy a fantastic selection of local drinks together at Pixy's.

Did you know that you can still purchase prints from previous exhibitions in the Phoenix Gallery? Well you can! Head to our online shop to pick out the perfect print for your art loving-loved one.

Support local creatives and pop into Maker Mart to explore the work of more than 100 artists from Exeter and the South West. You'll find cards, stocking fillers, art prints, candles, ceramics and more!
Join The Festivities
Maybe you already have all of your presents purchased, wrapped and under the tree, but are looking for something to get your loved ones into the festive spirit. Check out some festive highlights below or find our full Christmas programme here.

DAYZEE AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW
Sun 15 Dec - Sat 28 Dec | All Ages
Quirk Theatre and Exeter Phoenix present their 21st festive show. This festive season, join Dayzee and her dad in the not-so-far-off-future, a magical future where bicycles fly, flies talk and mangrove forests sing.
BOOK TICKETS >

SPORK! CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
Tue 17 Dec | 7.30pm | 12+
Join Spork! this December for our 5th annual Christmas Bash, featuring a stockingful of spoken-word talent, some top-notch poets, a brass band, a drag queen & a partridge in a pear tree!!
BOOK TICKETS >
Bring on 2025!
Sick of Christmas already? Ready to bid farewell to 2024? Join us for a magical evening to welcome the new year!

THE FAIRYTALE NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY 2025
Tue 31 Dec | 8pm - 1am
Step into a world of enchantment this New Year’s Eve at our Fairytale Themed Celebration! Where dreams come true and the clock strikes midnight – but no one turns into a pumpkin. This will be a night for the storybooks!
BOOK TICKETS >
Two Artist Commissions Announced
November 19, 2024 2:15 pm Comments Off on Two Artist Commissions Announced
As part of our 25^th Anniversary celebrations we are pleased to announce the recipient of the two Green Phoenix commissions. Both artists will create a new work to be launched to coincide with our Green Phoenix festival in June 2025.

Install photo from Embodied Labour REWORKED at Tuckers Maltings
The Visual Arts commission has been awarded to Exeter-based artist Adam Garratt.
Working mainly in sculpture and print, Adam is a queer working class artist whose practice has evolved around constraints of space, the use of material and repetitious making processes. Much of his work is made on reclaimed materials from building sites and is specifically made to expand into an installation when it is not neatly folded, stacked and rolled for storage in the garden shed. Conscious not to make extra waste, Adam chooses carefully which materials to make work with. They come with their own history of use and bare the marks of an embodied labour, often with holes, creases, tears, dirt and stains.
Find out more about Adam's practice here >>
The Performance commission has been awarded to the Hedgesong Collective, a new project founded by Maz McNamara and Emily Unsworth-White, who gather and share songs and folk wisdom about trees. In performances and singing workshops, the duo interweave traditional and contemporary songs, alongside folklore, story and ecological knowledge.
For the Green Phoenix commission, Maz McNamara and Emily Unsworth-White will create an interdisciplinary performance exploring our folkloric relationship with trees and plants of the British Isles. They will bring together rich harmony singing and instrumental music, poetic storytelling, and the use of a crankie theatre - a traditional form of visual storytelling using a scroll wound between two spools. The show will be a captivating 30-minute mythic journey through the seasons, providing a gentle opportunity for an audience of all ages to connect with the more-than-human world.
Find out more about the Hedgesong Collective here >>

These commissions have been made with the support of the Fenton Arts Trust.
Announcing our 2025 Spring Performance Season
November 14, 2024 12:39 pm Comments Off on Announcing our 2025 Spring Performance Season
Is it too early to be thinking about 2025? We’re daydreaming about Spring here at Exeter Phoenix… And we are proud to present a dreamy performance line-up as part of our Spring season!
Our Performance Programmer Katy talks about some of the highlights coming up in our Spring Performance Season. Read on to find out more or check out the full programme here.
We are thrilled that boundary-smashing choreographer Dam Van Huynh will be back in February with his latest extraordinary dance production, Exquisite Noise, following previous hits Re:birth and DEP. Experience dance at the forefront of contemporary practice; mixing disciplines and exploring new ways of expressing how it feels to be living in our current times.
EXQUISITE NOISE
Tue 04 Feb | 7.30pm | 12+ | 55 mins
FIND OUT MORE

The Enchanted Cinema will delight family audiences during February half-term as they are invited to create live scores and live sound FX to scenes from much-loved animated films, including Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbour Totoro. A relaxed version will take place in the morning for anybody with any sensory needs who would like to join in the fun. Find out more about our relaxed performances here.
THE ENCHANTED CINEMA
Tue 18 Feb | 11am + 1pm | 4+ | 60mins
FIND OUT MORE
Described by critics as "bewitching" and "delightfully quirky," Ali Matthews & Company present Mushroom Language: A Fungal Gothic; a surreal and comedic folk-influenced story that uses physical theatre and original music composed by Hannah Miller (of the Moulettes) to channel our fungi friends. Whether you’re a fan of natural science, contemporary theatre or eco-horror, this captivating performance will speak to you in ways you would never have imagined.
MUSHROOM LANGUAGE: A FUNGAL GOTHIC
Mon 24 Mar | 7.30pm | 16+ | 78 minutes
FIND OUT MORE

The examination of human relationships continues as In Other Words invites us into the world of Arthur and Jane. This love story charts their fifty year relationship by jumping in and out of memories, and experiencing brief moments of a failing mind as it loses its grip on reality. A deeply moving play; this is the English language original of 4x Moliere Award winning phenomenon Oublie Moi, exploring the effects of Alzheimer’s disease and the transformative power of music to help us remember the past, connect with the present and hope for the future.
IN OTHER WORDS
Tue 08 Apr | 7.30pm | 12+ | 75 minutes
FIND OUT MORE
Sure to be something for everyone; this is just a tiny taste of what is to come in 2025! We look forward to seeing you in the audience.
Check out the full programme >
November Creative Hub
November 13, 2024 11:00 am Comments Off on November Creative Hub
Welcome to your monthly update on all things creative in Exeter.
In our November edition we find out about the creative practice of stickerbombing, get an update from this year’s film commissions, and discover the history of cinema in Torquay.
Read the publication here >>

The team at Exeter Phoenix have been busy this summer working on the Torquay Cinema Heritage Project, a collection of short films that look at the history and impact of cinema and film in Torquay and how the people, places and memories of cinema going continue to influence the town. They launched the project with a screening at Kents Cavern in October, and below is an insight into the project so far.
"It's important to capture the stories around social spaces like the cinema, not just to preserve them, but to make people appreciate their importance as centres of the community."
Come As You Are, our one-day festival exploring gender identity and celebrating the trans, non-binary and gender diverse communities of the South West, returns in November. This year our programme hosts a range of interactive activities and drop-in crafts, informative talks and discussions, music and art, and much more! Ahead of the festival we spoke to artist Maple Bloom (AKA Fragment) about the creative practice of stickerbombing.
"As I've gotten to know more of the community in the city and seen more sticker artists spring up we've all found ourselves regularly getting together, throwing around ideas, having drawing sessions... We've all found ourselves really inspired by each other and I think that shows a lot when you see everyone's stickers around Exeter's streets, with friends' art being right next to each other, people having conversations with strangers through stickers, it's a very friendly and encouraging environment to be in."

Alice Clough is a research-led artist with a background in archaeology and anthropology. Alice has been busy collecting footage for her Artist’s Moving Image commission ‘I would crawl into a horse’s left ear’ and has shared some behind the scenes photos and updates with us!
"This commission has been such an enjoyable process, and a massive learning curve! It’s been a series of firsts for me, from the first time using professional cameras and lenses to the first time collaborating and seeking support from other creative professionals. I think one of the loveliest things about it has been having a reason to spend long periods of time in the company of horses, and I also feel really excited by the sort of patchwork process of experimentation in the edit - seeing how image affects sound, words affect image, etc."
In November South West Dance Hub are curating Biophilia, a trio of magical performances by Devon based artists from the collectives Swift Dance Co, Noon, and Chhya Youth. We chatted to Ruth Bell, member of SWDH and Swift Dance Co, about the inspiration behind the themes and curation of the event and the importance of collaboration and creative collectives.
"Being part of the Swift Dance Company and South West Dance Hub offers me space to explore ideas, take risks and develop new work. I love the mix of artists we work with and the support being part of a collective offers. I feel very lucky to be part of this creative mixing pot."

Opportunities and Callouts
Exeter Phoenix South West Animation Film Fund | Deadline: Sun 17 Jan
Exeter Phoenix will offer one South West based filmmaker £500 in cash funding to support the production of a short animated film which is 3-5 minutes in length. The fund includes access to mentoring, training and equipment. The production could use a range of animation styles such as handdrawn, CGI or stop-motion. Applicants will be required to pitch their ideas at Two Short Nights Film Festival, Thu 6 Feb 2025.
Find out more and apply here
Theatre West: Coralations | Deadline: 28 Feb
120 plays and 35 years later, Theatre West is celebrating its coral anniversary with a brand new project! In a tough new writing landscape, but with our new BOV Associate Company residency, we want the women in our region to get writing over the next 18 months.
Find out more here
Recommended Events
Come As You Are | Sun 17 Nov, 11am - 9pm | Exeter Phoenix
Bloomberg New Contemporaries 2024 | 28 Sep - 07 Dec | KARST, The Levinsky Gallery and MIRROR (Plymouth)
DOCLAB at Exmouth Film Festival | Wed 20 Nov, 7pm | Scott Cinema, Exmouth
Announcing the Peninsula Producers and New Writers Networks for 2025
November 5, 2024 3:49 pm Comments Off on Announcing the Peninsula Producers and New Writers Networks for 2025
Screen Cornwall and Exeter Phoenix are pleased to partner with BFI NETWORK South West again on the fourth iteration of the Peninsula Producers Network, a development programme designed specifically for new and emerging producers in Devon and Cornwall. This programme will run in parallel with the New Writers Network 2025.
The Peninsula Producers
The Peninsula Producers 2025 cohort will receive support and guidance, in a series of events held online and in person, to develop their producing skills and expand their knowledge of distribution and audiences.

Kelly comes from Belfast, Northern Ireland where she grew up with a passion for theatre and performance. This year Kelly has started a new role as Get Creative Assistant Producer where she continues to host a variety of creative events, with a focus on supporting the production of their in-house Christmas Show.
Kelly McDonald

Robin is a freelance filmmaker, producer, and assistant director based in Cornwall and Devon. With a focus on retelling of historical and moral stories, Robin has worked on a range of period films whilst at university, including directing a historical drama in their final year at Falmouth University.
Robin Chandler-Payne

After graduating from Falmouth, Lucy started working in talent management with actors and VO artists in London. Since moving home to Cornwall she's worked in factual TV as a Researcher on Simon Reeve's Return to Cornwall for the BBC and Cornwall Air 999 for Discovery, with Beagle Media.
Lucy Mainstone

Lucinda has 8 years of experience working in High-End Television and Film, as a Production Secretary and Assistant Coordinator on such shows as Delicious, Fishermen's Friends and Sanditon. Most recently, she worked as the Production Manager on the reboot of Bergerac for Banijay & UKTV.
Lucinda Baird

Dom was born and raised in West Cornwall, upon graduating he launched his career in the creative industries. He honed his skills working with local theatre companies, film festivals and production crews, gaining valuable production experience.
Dom Weeks

Andrew, from Plymouth, began his producing career while living and studying in Falmouth, where he developed a passion for music videos and short films. After his time in Falmouth, he transitioned to working in production offices on TV dramas, including the Bergerac reboot for UKTV, which gave him valuable insight into larger-scale productions.
Andrew Nile

Joab Elkerton is a freelance filmmaker, having worked on a variety of commissioned projects. Joab Elkerton has contributed to several short films, including Pillow Talk, King Henry, and Konin, all commissioned by Screen Cornwall.
Joab Elkerton
The New Writers Network
Fourteen aspiring screenwriters in Cornwall and Devon have been offered the opportunity to develop their Short Film Script with expert guidance. The New Writers Network 2025, offers aspiring screenwriters the chance to develop their short film scripts under the mentorship of experienced script editor Laura Jayne Tunbridge, as well as building their creative networks in the region. Screen Cornwall’s New Writers Network programme, supported by BFI NETWORK South West, runs in parallel with the Peninsula Producers Network 2025 which is run in partnership with Exeter Phoenix.

Daniel Howard-Baker

Tamara Rosenwyn Stidwell

Robyn Egan

Thomas Josling

Simon Jenner

Isla Ley

Vee Vimolmal

Nicola Burrough

Simon Elvin

Laura Canning

Nigel Billing

Emily Joshua

Lea Judge

Nicole Burley
Point Break – finally coming to a cinema near you
November 1, 2024 2:28 pm Comments Off on Point Break – finally coming to a cinema near you
You have probably heard the story of a courageous Johny Utah on a mission to infiltrate a gang of masked bank robbers, but have you heard the one about a courageous BFI programmer on a mission to bring one of world's most beloved action films back to the big screen?
It all started more than 10 years ago when Sophie Brown made it her life's mission to bring Kathryn Bigelow's surf classic back to cinemas. In an attempt to curate the perfect skateboarding/surf season in Brighton, Brown set out to acquire the rights to Point Break. Little did she know that she was heading down a road of rejection and disappointment (until now anyway).
Her journey began with the Independent Cinema Office, who directed her to 20th Century Fox, who directed her to Park Circus, who directed her to Warner Bros, who directed her to 20th Century Fox. Typically, when rights to a film lapse, they automatically go back to the original production company, which in this case was Largo. Unfortunately for Sophie, Largo went out of business in the 90s, and the company that acquired it's films no longer exists. Unaware that she was about to find this out the hard way, she phoned every phone number and emailed every email address, and was met with a string of mail-delivery-failure notices.
While most people would have ended their quest there, or ten rejections ago, Sophie never gave up hope. Five years later, she finally caught a wave. There was a rumour going around that a fellow programmer had secured the rights to Point Break through the Academy’s Margaret Herrick Library. She followed the trail that led to librarian and legend, Rachel Bernstein, who was able to uncover the last known owner of the rights to the film.
This was it! This is what she had been looking for! Sophie Brown went to programmer Paul Vickery, who had sort of been the Tyler to her Johnny throughout this process, and costed the project. Realising she too would have to rob a bank to fund a national tour of the film, Sophie settled on a modest two screenings at Prince Charles Cinema and BFI Southbank back in 2017.

As it turned out, 'Hollywood's nicest guy' Keanu Reeves, caught wind of the efforts Sophie had been making to bring the film back to UK cinemas and recorded a personal intro to play before the screenings.
While this in itself was a huge feat, Sophie dreamed of the day that independent cinemas across the UK could screen Point Break, and that day has finally come!
From Fri 08 Nov 2024, a brand-new, 4K restoration of Point Break will be available to cinemas across the UK, curtosy of BFI, and it's coming to Studio 74 as part of our Art of Action season!
Would this have all been possible without the groundwork from Sophie Brown those years ago? One thing is for sure, she may not have jumped out of a plane after a gang of robbers, but she is the hero of this story.

POINT BREAK (15)
Fri 08 Nov | 8.20pm
Dir. Kathryn Bigelow
1991 | 122 mins | US | English
Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves, Lori Petty, Gary Busey
Armed with only a surf-board and good intention, new FBI recruit, Johnny Utah is set his first undercover mission – to infiltrate a gang of masked ex-Presidents who are robbing banks across the west-coast.
TICKETS & TRAILER
Part of our Art of Action: Smash the Glass season celebrating the women who have advanced action cinema both on and off-screen. The season is supported by National Lottery and BFI Film Audience Network (FAN) with generous sponsorship from Packexe.

Read Sophie Brown's articles about the experience:
Point Break – not coming to a cinema near you! (2013)
My Point Break quest: “It was about us against the system” (2017)
The History of Exeter Phoenix – 25 Years On!
October 22, 2024 11:32 am Comments Off on The History of Exeter Phoenix – 25 Years On!

You might know that it's our 25th birthday this year - you might have even joined us to celebrate! But how much do you know about the history of Exeter Phoenix? Read on to find out more.
History of the Building
The Exeter Phoenix building built in 1909 was once part of Exeter University. It has had many uses over its time, including a military hospital (with some staff as well members of the public still claiming it is haunted - especially when closing up on their own!).
In 1942, after being damaged in the war along with other large parts of the city, the City Council commissioned an eminent town planning consultant, Thomas Sharp, to prepare a radical redevelopment plan for the post war reconstruction of the city. The plan was published as the book Exeter Phoenix - a familiar name!

Bradnich Place in 1960

'Exeter Phoenix' Redevelopment book by Thomas Sharp

Scholars and tutors in 1933 when the building was used by Exeter University
Exeter Phoenix Rises

In 1984 Exeter City Council, The Arts Council and Devon County council between them bought the building from the university to create the Exeter and Devon Arts Centre, operated by an independent charity, and in 1997 with the help of National Lottery Grants the auditorium as we see it now was constructed and a lot of remodelling took place. The Organisation closed as the work took place and reopened as Exeter Phoenix in 1999.
Look out for notable artworks by local artists inside and outside the building - The Sun and the Moon stained glass window was commissioned from St Ives painter Terry Frost; the Unicorn statue by Simon Ruscoe and the Phoenix bird above the entrance created by Will Jackson. The bird hasn't moved since the early 2000s... But you might remember its glowing red eyes and impressive wingspan! It still rattles and scrapes its wings along the sides of the building in the wind.

Will Jackson's Phoenix Bird

The old Box Office

The Sun and Moon - Terry Frost
25 Years On
Moving forward to the present day, over 2,000 events took place here in the last year with around 300,000 people through our doors! Our hard working bar staff pulled 101,433 not for profit pints in the last year - you thirsty lot!
But we are not just an events venue. We nurture a thriving arts scene through our Creative Hub, supporting artists, musicians, theatre companies, filmmakers and creatives at every stage of their career and practice. We welcome more than 150 organisations and community groups every year, and are proud to be a host venue for Exeter Pride, the original location of Exeter Respect Festival (and still host the after party), The Exeter Street Arts Festival and so many more. And our amazing team of volunteer stewards give over 2,700 hours of their time annually to support performances, screenings, events and festivals.
Most importantly, we wouldn't be Exeter Phoenix without the 25 years of support from our community, so thank you for your continued enthusiasm, passion and contributions to the arts in Exeter! Here’s to the next 25 years!
Exeter Phoenix 25 is taking over the Walkway Gallery in November and we need some images and ephemera to display!
To be a part of our exhibition, simply fill out the form here. We are happy to accept scans of your memorabilia so you do not have to part with the originals. Don't have a scanner? Try taking a photo, or bring it in to the box office who might be able to help.

Exeter Contemporary Open 2024 Opening

Spork! Summer Special at Theatre in The Park

Exploring Drawing workshop

Steampunk Yule Ball

Freefall+ at John Walter's exhibition

Photobook Project Walkway Launch event

New Years Eve

The Terrace

Cafe Bar

Creative Hub Socials

Big Screen In The Park

Bonanza!

Dance workshops at Bloom Festival
Edinburgh Fringe Transfers
October 15, 2024 5:31 pm Comments Off on Edinburgh Fringe Transfers
Image: BAKLÂ (Credit: Jaime Prada)
Back in July, during the buzz of a looming Edinburgh Fringe, our Performance Programmer Katy talked about the abundance of South West talent presenting our previews season.
Now that the Fringe is over for another year, Katy talks about some of the best shows from 2023 and 2024 that we have featured in our Autumn Performance Programme. So far we have loved having Bet’n Lev Theatre's Remythed and Worklight Theatre's It's The Economy, Stupid! but there are more shows fresh from Edinburgh, to come!

BAKLÂ
BAKLÂ won the Asian Arts Award for Best Show at the 2023 Fringe. “This teasing tomfoolery is devilishly smart” said The Guardian. A deeply personal story about how intergenerational trauma takes shape in the modern Filipino; Max Percy’s high-octane performance deservedly received standing ovation from a packed audience last summer, and we are thrilled that he is coming to Exeter Phoenix this October. Highly physical storytelling, sexy times and dark humour are guaranteed.
Tue 22 Oct | 7.30pm | 18+ | 1 hour
FIND OUT MORE
Read about the process behind creating BAKLÂ in Arts & Culture here >
FAMEHUNGRY
TikTok has taken the internet by storm, providing livelihoods to a wealth of influencers the world over. But at what price? This highly innovative multimedia performance takes inspiration from pop culture and features live TikTok interactions throughout the show. Following a work-in-progress performance at Exeter Phoenix last summer, and now fresh from Fringe 2024 success, award-winning multidisciplinary artist Louise Orwin places the infamous social media platform under the microscope in FAMEHUNGRY.
Thu 07 Nov | 7.30pm | 14+ | 75 mins (no interval)
FIND OUT MORE

CREEPY BOYS
Like your comedy dark and surreal? This is the show for you! Winner of Summerhall’s prestigious Lustrum Award for Unforgettable Show at the 2023 Fringe; Creepy Boys is a horror-themed comedy-theatre duo show exploring millennial nostalgia and its allure. Think the twins from The Shining meets My Super Sweet 16: a perfect post-Halloween celebration promising anarchy and early noughties bangers.
Tue 12 Nov | 7.30pm | 16+ | 75 mins (no interval)
FIND OUT MORE
PLEADING STUPIDITY
Last, but not least, Pleading Stupidity is a fast-paced, side-splitting comedy rollercoaster that follows the true story of two young men who choose to rob a bank out of pure boredom. Maybe You Like It Productions are masters of character comedy and will have you laughing off your seats during this utterly ridiculous 'can't believe this actually happened Netflix documentary’ brought to life this November.
Fri 29 Nov | 7pm | 14+ | 70 mins (no interval)
FIND OUT MORE

We believe it is important that theatre and live performance is accessible to everyone, which is why all of these shows are Pay What You Can Afford. Find out more when you go to book one of these fantastic shows!
September Creative Hub
September 3, 2024 9:21 am Comments Off on September Creative Hub
Welcome to your monthly update on all things creative in Exeter.
In our September edition we hear from North Devon based theatre company Kook Ensemble, explore the connection to Dartmoor in the Alluvial Matters project, and hear about Pattern Pushers favourite Exeter memories. Plus lots more!
Read the publication here >>

The North Devon based Kook Ensemble brings together a team of world class theatre makers to create original and playful stories. In September they are bringing Filibuster to Exeter Phoenix, a funny and sometimes downright absurd story of fantasy, hope and love inspired by the silent movie comedy giants like Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. Ahead of their show we asked the team what they enjoy most about performing across the South West!
“After shows there is always a sense of community and the conversations we have are often the best part of the night. To be able to meet with your audience beforehand makes the show much more fun for us and far more personalised for the crowd watching. It is why whenever I make work I try to start it back home and exactly the reason why we have based Kook Ensemble firmly in North Devon.”
Alluvial Matters is a collaborative project by Sarah Blissett and Kerry Priest, exploring a series of performance rituals which respond to histories of tin mining on Dartmoor. Ahead of their upcoming installation in Gallery333, we asked Sarah and Kerry about their creative processes and connections to Dartmoor.
“Our process started when we began walking together in the Teign Valley and talking about etymological connections between ‘Teign’ and ‘Tin’. We went on some more walks around Dartmoor near the river and then up to some stone circles and eventually to some Alluvial Matters former tin mines. We started to trace these connections between what we felt spoke to us and there was almost an urge to create something remedial that would counter some of the signs of destruction we witnessed.”

Our annual short film commissions are well underway, and as the artists are busy shooting and editing their works, we asked South West Short Film Commissioned artist Lydia Jenkins for an update on her piece, Fishwife.
“It was a really fun and productive shoot, and now we are working to cast the Sea Monster and record the dialogue, shoot the puppet intercut scenes and extra B-roll!”
Fresh from a National headline tour, local legends Pattern Pusher will be bringing the party spirit to our birthday Bonanza! with their catchy retro-pop tunes. Ahead of the evening, we asked Pattern Pusher what their favourite memories of Exeter Phoenix were, and what they enjoy most about the South West music scene.
"The great thing about the SouthWest scene is that when something good is on you know about it. Everyone spreads their excitement if they think you should go and see something, so there are always opportunities to see something new and interesting and it's rare to feel like you have missed out."

Opportunities and Callouts
Making Space: Artist Residencies (Nov & Dec 2024) | Deadline: Tue 24 Sep
Two artist residency opportunities in Paignton town centre in November & December 2024. We have two themed artist residencies available: ‘Light Source’ and ‘People Need People’.
Apply here
( https://www.wide-open.uk/opportunities/making-space-artist-residencies-kdd9p )
Green Phoenix Performance Commission | Deadline: Mon 16 Sep
To celebrate Exeter’s Phoenix’s 25th birthday we are offering a £1000 commission to early-career performance makers based in the South West (solo artist or theatre company) to make new work with an environment focus. The commissioned performance will premiere at the Green Phoenix Festival on Sunday 6th July 2025; a day of creativity and action to inspire a sustainable future. The performance can either take place indoors at Exeter Phoenix or outdoors in Rougemont Gardens.
Apply here
(https://exeterphoenix.org.uk/creative-opportunities/)

Events
DOCLAB – September Development Lab | Wed 11 Sep, 7pm - 9pm | Exeter Phoenix
Little Scratch Night | Wed 25 Sep, 5.30pm – 7.30pm | Exeter Phoenix
Studio KIND. x VASW: Connection, Community, Hope | 27 Sep, 10am - 4.30pm | Studio KIND., Barnstaple | Free
Phoenix Archive Project workshops | 06 Sep - 30 Sep
Exeter Phoenix Announces Charlotte Bill as an Associate Artist for 2024
August 20, 2024 2:24 pm Comments Off on Exeter Phoenix Announces Charlotte Bill as an Associate Artist for 2024
The next artist to be joining the esteemed ranks of Exeter Phoenix’s associate artists is filmmaker and musician, Charlotte Bill.
Charlotte’s films take us into the worlds of the overlooked and underrepresented; focusing on working class history, women, activists and outsider artists, she creates her work using documentary, archive materials, landscape and music.
Charlotte is working with the Dartmoor Preservation Association, The Lost Giants, The Stars are for Everyone, various volunteers and Clapham Film Unit to create Dartmoor Calling. She will be collecting the stories of the people who saved Dartmoor from development, the people who are restoring nature on Dartmoor and the people working for land access rights on Dartmoor. The project will involve creating a documentary, booklet, two guided walks and a set of oral history recordings, and will be developed during her time as an associate artist at Exeter Phoenix.
Here’s what Charlotte says about the project:
“Sylvia Sayer (1908 - 2000) was an activist, fearless campaigner and loving grandmother. Known as the Shield of Dartmoor, she campaigned against development and spoliation of the moor. She fought the military, the government, the clay companies and the water board.
Clapham Film Unit and the Dartmoor Preservation Association are running two free Sylvia Sayer Walks in August, which will take us to some of the places she saved and some of the battles she lost. Kate Ashbrook, activist and general secretary of the Open Spaces Society, vicechair of the Campaign for National Parks and of the Dartmoor Preservation Association, who was inspired by Sylvia Sayer and became a close friend, will be there to tell stories on the way. I met Kate when I was making a documentary about the Right to Roam. Kate told me about campaigning with Sylvia Sayer on Dartmoor in the 1970s. Later the same year I found myself on Dartmoor with 3000 other people protesting the wild camping ban. I met many activists and members of the Stars are for Everyone and Right to Roam.

These experiences led to the development of Dartmoor Calling, supported by players of the National Lottery. Dartmoor Calling will tell Sylvia’s story and will collect the stories of today’s activists and campaigners from The Stars are for Everyone and the Right to Roam. 75 years apart in time but united by their love for Dartmoor as a wild a special place, a National Park to be kept free for all of us to enjoy.
I am excited to be an Associate Artist with Exeter Phoenix. I will be able to develop this project, reach a wider community and find a supportive environment to share Dartmoor Calling.”
Claire Horrocks, Film Programmmer at Exeter Phoenix said:
"Charlotte is at a really exciting point in her current project and it felt like her work and position as a skilled documentary filmmaker aligned her perfectly to join Exeter Phoenix as an Associate Artist. Following a post screening Q&A event last year, where we hosted Charlotte and her film RIGHT TO ROAM, we understood Charlotte's motivation use film to inspire change and observe social movements. We are also excited to welcome her back to Exeter Phoenix, where she spent her early filmmaking career learning to edit."
Find out more about Dartmoor Calling here >>
August Creative Hub Publication
August 1, 2024 1:52 pm Comments Off on August Creative Hub Publication
Welcome to your monthly update on all things creative in Exeter.
In our August edition we introduce our 2024 associate artist Charlotte Bill, share a creative reflection on the Phoenix Archive Project, and find out about the creativity shared in our youth animation courses. Plus lots more!
Read the publication here >>

Charlotte Bill
Introducing our 2024-25 associate artist, Charlotte Bill!
Charlotte is a filmmaker and musician, and is working with the Dartmoor Preservation Association, The Lost Giants, The Stars are for Everyone, various volunteers and Clapham Film Unit to create Dartmoor Calling.
Creating a documentary, booklet, two guided walks and a set of oral history recordings, this project will be developed during her time as an associate artist at Exeter Phoenix.
"Dartmoor Calling will tell Sylvia’s story and will collect the stories of today’s activists and campaigners from The Stars are for Everyone and the Right to Roam. 75 years apart in time but united by their love for Dartmoor as a wild a special place, a National Park to be kept free for all of us to enjoy. I am excited to be an Associate Artist with Exeter Phoenix. I will be able to develop this project, reach a wider community and find a supportive environment to share Dartmoor Calling.”
In August we premiered our two commissions as part of our ongoing Phoenix Archive Project. The evening included a debut screening of Xenia Glen and Antosh Wojcik’s new film 'The Memory Boom', an archive-based exploration of preserving memories in the modern era,and a performance of new music from Holly Ebony - both pieces created in response to the rescued 16mm film from the project.
Last month our Pathways intern Ellie McLaughlin also responded creatively to the archive, and wrote the poem ‘Flicker’.

Ashley Thorpe and Graham Hayter, our tutors for the Young and Animated clubs, have years of experience and a wealth of knowledge of animation techniques and the children’s television industry. We asked them what they enjoy about providing these sessions, and what they learn about creativity from working with young people.
"Young & Animated has been a treasure trove of wild ideas since its conception. I'm still endlessly surprised. Whenever I think I've seen everything something extraordinary pops up."
Opportunities and Callouts
Paper & Print Project Artist Commission | Deadline: 12 Aug, noon
Double Elephant Print Workshop is offering £5000 for an artist or collective to create new work that creatively responds to the history of Exeter’s papermills through the research gathered during our 12- month Heritage Lottery funded project, Paper & Print.
Find out more here
River Radio: Sound Artist Open Call | Deadline 11 Aug
Open call to produce a sound art/audio work and associated audio materials with Exeter residents for broadcast as part of River Radio. This small commission is for the design and delivery of a new audio work that is themed around and explores the river Exe in situ as it meets the Exeter Quayside, and which involves Exeter residents in its production.
Apply here
Events
Fuse: Artist Professional Development Workshops | 20 Jul - 06 Jan | Theatre Royal, Plymouth
Sketchbook Sessions | 20 Aug, 5.30pm - 8 pm | Sacred Grounds Cafe, Exeter | Free
Janet Sainsbury: The Gift of Nearness Artist's Talk | Sat 10 Aug, 2pm, Free | Exeter Phoenix
Support Exeter-based artists at the Edinburgh Fringe!
Dartmoor Calling: Sylvia Sayer Walks | Sat 03 Aug + Sat 24 Aug | Free
Want to find out more? Read the full publication on our Creative Hub page here >>
Edinburgh Previews – what to watch out for
July 12, 2024 2:27 pm Comments Off on Edinburgh Previews – what to watch out for
To mark the upcoming Edinburgh Fringe, our Performance Programmer Katy discusses some of the fantastic previews we have had the pleasure of hosting, and are still to come, at Exeter Phoenix.
Edinburgh Fringe buzz has well and truly begun with over 3000 productions announced to take place in the city this summer.
Local performers and theatre makers have been busy rehearsing and presenting previews of their work here in Exeter, and we are delighted to present a round up of this brilliant work. If you know anybody heading up to the Fringe, we recommend you point them in the direction of the following shows.

Back in May, Spot on the Ceiling Productions performed Dexter Harding’s new play SOS BRN to two packed out audiences. Based on a true story, Dexter’s play is both comical and deeply moving as it follows the story of Brian who is coming to terms with the loss of his best friend.
The actors are soon-to-be graduates from the University of Exeter and their sparky performances brought Dexter’s well-drawn characters to life with great consideration and bundles of charm. This emerging theatre company are definitely one to watch.
Spot on the Ceiling Productions on Instagram
SOS BRN at Edinburgh Fringe (19 - 24 Aug)
Fruitful Productions are another Exeter-based theatre company composed of budding queer writers and performers. The company recently took part in our Scratch Night and they are now taking their new show Cherry to the Fringe, which focuses on young queer experiences and asexuality in particular.
We are excited to see this largely underrepresented community taking centre stage and giving a voice to young people who are currently navigating their way into adulthood while trying to find their true self.
Fruitful Productions on Instagram
Cherry at Edinburgh Fringe (19 - 24 Aug)

Directed by South West talent, Selwin Hulme-Teage, Squidge is a brilliant but devastating one-woman show written and performed by Tiggy Bayley about those left behind by our education system and the politics of love and hope. It is an ultimately empowering story that follows Daisy’s journey from feeling utterly helpless to taking back control of her destiny through an unlikely friendship.
The play shines a light on how children from minority and disadvantaged backgrounds are overlooked and ignored, and how acts of kindness can transform your life.
Ray Productions on Instagram
White Noise on Instagram
Squidge at Edinburgh Fringe | (31 Jul - Mon 26 Aug)
On Monday 15th July, we are presenting a work-in-progress preview of Lucy Bell’s darkly comical new play Scaffolding. This will be her award-winning company Documental’s debut at Edinburgh Fringe after being picked up and supported by Bristol Old Vic and the Pleasance Theatre Trust.
Another woman-centred story, inspired by Lucy’s own experiences as a mother of a non-verbal teen, Scaffolding introduces us to Sheridan as she asks all the big life questions and prepares to take on the care system.
The company’s small but mighty creative team consists of women from a range of different backgrounds and life experiences, and together they seek to explore the deep-seated beliefs people turn to when the s**t hits the fan, by creating a play that profoundly connects with all kinds of people, whatever is happening in their lives.
Read about Lucy’s writing process here.
Documental on Instagram
Scaffolding at Edinburgh Fringe (31 Jul - 26 Aug)

Last but not least, Channel 4 new writer Ella Evans will preview her outrageous queer comedy show Femme Fatigue at Exeter Phoenix on Tuesday 6th August.

If Frankie Boyle was feeling very tired, existential and female and grew up in a middle-class house in Devon, this is probably the show he would make. Femme Fatigue is a solo comedy show about fatigue, queer rural life, eccentric family dynamics and a journey towards love and self-acceptance.
With widespread tiredness and long covid affecting many people today, Ella hopes that this show will draw attention to the condition and the devastating impact chronic fatigue can have on a sense of self and identity, as well as revealing the positive impact and blessings that having fatigue has brought.
BOOK PREVIEW TICKETS
Ella Evans on Instagram
Femme Fatigue at Edinburgh Fringe (14 - 25 Aug)
We are proud to see local creatives taking on big issues from mental health to LGBTQ+ experiences, and platforming stories from communities such as learning disability families who are still not very integrated or visible in mainstream society. Each story is unique and informed by the communities they represent, with the creators taking inspiration from their own lived experience. They promise laughs, possibly tears, but ultimately leave us with a message of hope for the future and how humanity can prevail in our darkest moments.
Please do show them your support if you can, whether that’s spreading the word and sharing their show on social media, donating to their Crowdfunder, or attending a performance.
SCAFFOLDING – AN INTERVIEW WITH LUCY BELL
July 8, 2024 5:03 pm Comments Off on SCAFFOLDING – AN INTERVIEW WITH LUCY BELL
Award-winning local playwright Lucy Bell presents a work-in-progress performance of her new play - Scaffolding - at Exeter Phoenix on Monday 15th July.
Led by Lucy Bell and producer Naomi Turner, Documental is a Devon-based theatre company that documents British life in all its variety through playful, thought-provoking audio, theatre and musical productions.
Scaffolding is an explosive show about strength, love and community. The darkly hilarious piece centres on Sheridan who is having a bad day, taking on the adult social care system and seeking to set the world to rights.
Find out more about the show and book your tickets here >
What was your creative process for this piece?
The rules I set myself when writing the script were to see how much I could reveal about the main character (and her daughter) through the questions she asked. There are a lot of questions and the things she wants to know the answers to are funny and radically honest.
What is the importance of showing work-in-progress performance (for your practice, and for the audience)?
It is a great way for an actor (Suzanna Hamilton) and director (Lillian Waddington) to feel which bits the audience are responding to. We had an R&D sharing several months ago, when the script was very different, which the wonderful Katy Danbury came to, and the feedback was genuinely so so helpful and inspiring.
What do you enjoy most about the creative scene in the South West?
I like the way most of us know each other and have really got each others' backs because it is harder getting commissions and a national platform for your work down this way. We share resources and come to each others' shows and it really does feel like a bit of a family (except for when you are going for the same opportunities ha ha!) The other advantage is, when you are getting stressed about your freelance life you can go jump in the sea!

SCAFFOLDING BY LUCY BELL
WORK-IN-PROGRESS
Mon 15 Jul 2024 | 7pm
Sheridan is having a bad day. Her church is closing, Adult Social Care are on her case and she can’t work out what ingredients she needs from Homebase to make a bomb. With no one else to turn to, she climbs the scaffolding around the leaking church steeple with a few questions for Whoever Is In Charge.
BOOK NOW
July Creative Hub Publication
July 2, 2024 1:38 pm Comments Off on July Creative Hub Publication
Welcome to your monthly update on all things creative in Exeter.
In our July edition we hear about Exeter based painter Janet Sainsbury’s upcoming solo exhibition, hear from our Green Phoenix intern about her experience of working with us, and chat to a collective of artists in Exeter working together on a group show.
Read the publication here >>

Janet Sainsbury
The Gift of Nearness is a solo exhibition of recent paintings on canvas and paper by Exeter based painter Janet Sainsbury. Ahead of her exhibition, we found out more about Janets’ practice, which through extensive research uncovers fascinating links and connections between her subjects.
"Whilst making work for this exhibition I have been reading The Women Who Shaped Modern Art in Britain by James Scott, it is a fascinating account of how mostly unknown women supported and encouraged artists, through buying & showing their work, lending them money and inviting them into their circle of friends. It is rich with anecdotes that trigger my imagination."
Our inaugural Green Phoenix Festival happened last month on Sunday 30 June, so we asked our Wildscreen events assistant intern Devi Chatterjee to reflect back on her experience of working with us on this project.
"On my first day of work as a Wildscreen Green Phoenix Intern, as I was researching the different organisations involved in the festival, I was inspired by how every collaborator for the festival has a unique, personal connection with nature. Besides being conscious of how precious our natural resources are and dedicating elaborate efforts towards setting up energy plants and funding renewable projects on an industrial macroscopic scale, some small-scale community groups are also telling stories of how art, music, dance and poetry has the power to bring together human communities and collectively respond to the ongoing climate crisis."

Devi Chatterjee

Alice Clough
Through Line brings together 14 members of CAMP (Contemporary Art Membership Platform) who live in or near Exeter in an exhibition that marks one year since the group started working together. We asked some members of the CAMP Exeter group about their experience of this first year of getting together, and the importance of collaborating and making things happen as practicing artists.
"This exhibition is a valuable opportunity for artists in the Kin Group to share and exhibit new or on-going work with their peers, and with the communities of Newton Abbot, Exeter and others in Devon. It is exciting to reveal and present the artistic life that is happening, adding a further dimension of contemporary practice to the cultural offerings in Devon."
Opportunities and Callouts
Callout for stall holders for the Come As You Are Festival art market | Deadline: Wed 31 Jul, 5pm
Come As You Are is a one-day festival, taking place on Sunday 17th November, to celebrate and support the local trans and non-binary community. The day offers a busy programme of free discussions, activities and workshops. Within this year's festival we are running a pop-up art market and craft space, welcoming trans, non-binary and gender-queer creatives to showcase their wares. Stalls would need to be open from 11am to 5pm. Applications can be made by voice note, video or email and should be sent to holly.lawrence@exeterphoenix.org.uk. Please include a line about yourself, a line about your work, and up to three images of your work or a previous stall. Links to websites/social media showing this information are also welcome. There is no charge for the stalls.
Apply to Two Short Nights 2025 | Deadline: Wed 31 Jul
Great stories shape who we are, introduce us to people we’ve never met and take us places we never knew existed. From animation to documentary, the world of short film invites you to live multiple lives and celebrate variety. Discover storytelling at its finest. The 23rd edition of Two Short Nights Film Festival will champion and promote short films and the people who make them. The festival is proud to nurture new and emerging talent through selected screenings, workshops and our famous 48 Hour Film Challenge.
Apply now to be a part of Two Short Nights 2025
Events
Phoenix Archive Project Commission Premiere | Tue 16 Jul, 6pm, FREE (booking required).
Screen Stories: Archive Sessions | Sat 13 Jul, 2pm - 4pm | FREE (Booking required)
Janet Sainsbury: The Gift of Nearness | Sat 06 Jul - Sun 01 Sep | Exeter Phoenix (Exhibition Launch: Sat 06 July, 3–5pm)
South West Dance Hub | 09, 16 & 23 Jul, 1.30-3.30pm | Exeter Phoenix
Playwrights Cafe Exeter | First Thursday of the month | Exeter Phoenix
Want to find out more? Read the full publication on our Creative Hub page here >>
June Creative Hub Publication
May 30, 2024 10:59 am Comments Off on June Creative Hub Publication
Welcome to your monthly update on all things creative in Exeter.
In our June edition of the Creative Hub Publication, we get to know Associate Artist Eliza Fraser, find out more about upcoming art fair Loves Things, and discover the importance of collaboration in South West Dance Hub’s upcoming performance. Plus lots more! Read the full publication here >>

This month we’ve chatted with our resident dance company South West Dance Hub about what they’ve been working on this term and how collaboration has come into play with their upcoming Evening of Work.
"SWDH supports new & emerging talent offering opportunities to create. We will be showing two new works which explore the relationship between audience & performers, so far this has been a concept in the studio for one of the pieces. This Evening of Work is an important stage in the development of creating dance."
Illustrator and Co-Organiser of Loves Things Art Fair Scotty Gillespie caught up with us for a quick Q+A about what they're looking forward to!
"There are many reasons and benefits to run events like this. It’s just good for the South West creative community as a whole to showcase what we have to offer and also show the diversity of artistic expression there is here."

On Saturday 18th May Grant Foster was joined in conversation by Phoenix Gallery curator Matt Burrows and Dr Chantal Powell, a South-West based artist, educator and curator, whose work is informed by a PhD in psychology and an ongoing study of Jungian theory. The wide-ranging discussion touched on the importance and symbolism of dreams, the many dualities to be found in Grant’s practice, slippage between the past, present and future, alternative thought structures and the process of bringing the exhibition together in the gallery. Listen to the recording of the talk here >>
We also have lots of great events coming up in June including:
Art and Energy: Mossy Carpet Sew On Sessions | Fridays 12 Apr - 21 Jun, 10am - 12.30pm | Free
DOCLAB: June Development Lab | Wed 26 Jun, 7pm - 9.30pm | Free
Loves Things Art Fair | Sun 02 Jun, 10am - 4pm | Free
South West Dance Hub Present an Evening of Dance and Collaboration | Tue 04 Jun, 7.30pm
Want to find out more? Read the full publication on our Creative Hub page here >>
Tiny Violins – The latest project from Jack Dean
May 10, 2024 10:31 am Comments Off on Tiny Violins – The latest project from Jack Dean

Jack Dean & Company are a band and artist collective, from Devon and mostly based in Exeter. Their music is a self-described "magpie's nest" of folk, indie, hip-hop, post-rock and a whole host of other influences.
Jack's lyrical narratives tie together the old and the new, mythology and pop culture, anarchist theory and living with a "super wonky brain".
Their 2022 concept album and live show Hero & Leander toured the UK, including performances at our Theatre in the Park season as well as at the South Bank Centre, London and Beautiful Days festival. Now you can catch them in our main auditorium, Thursday 16th May!
Tell us about the inspiration behind Tiny Violins.
It's an album about being sad, and what that means in the present historical moment. We are often told that our personal feelings and problems don't matter, leading to the "World's Tiniest Violin" meme represented on the cover art. That's a tricky place to be in as an artist, because personal feelings tend to be the main thing our work is about. In an era of violent change and collapse, it seems especially self-indulgent to talk about anything that isn't related to that. But I suppose the concept of the album, if there is one, is that actually that's ok. That our tiny violins make up the orchestra of life. Emo is a big chunk of the vibe, musically and lyrically.
What can audiences expect on 16th May? i.e. new material / old classics, reworking of traditional songs, style of music, etc.
It'll be me and a guitarist on stage for this one, and we use live looping to make a really big sound together. There'll be some deeply irreverent reworkings of english folk songs, including Hares on the Mountain and Lowlands Away, There'll be a lot of moody shoegazy bangers from the album. There'll be a song or two from past shows we've done. And there's a very daft but fun moment where we make a song from scratch using audience suggestions.
Tell us a bit about your experience of making work locally and what you love about the Exeter scene.
Exeter's arts scene is in flux a lot, but I stay here because it's a good place to live day-to-day. There's lots of green space and water and you can walk everywhere, and most of my friends are here. The theatre artists Joy & Clerke said you should live somewhere that makes you happy. That's always stuck with me.
Tickets are available for what promises to be a beautiful, intimate show here >>>>

Author Archives: cbulford

Highlights

A Q+A with Scratchworks

Opportunities and Callouts

Recommended Events

For our supporters

For Film Fanatics

For Music Fans

For Theatre Goers

For Comedy Lovers

For FAMILIES

For CREATIVES

For EVERYONE

Join The Festivities

Bring on 2025!

Opportunities and Callouts

Recommended Events

The Peninsula Producers

The New Writers Network

History of the Building

Exeter Phoenix Rises

25 Years On

Opportunities and Callouts

Events

Find out more about Dartmoor Calling here >>

Opportunities and Callouts

Events

SCAFFOLDING BY LUCY BELL

WORK-IN-PROGRESS

Opportunities and Callouts

Events