Author Archives: Lily Matthews

1. Paper Swans: A Q&A with Vyte Garriga

   October 1, 2026 3:40 pm Comments Off on Paper Swans: A Q&A with Vyte Garriga

   Our Performance Programmer Katy Danbury caught up with playwright and performer Vyte Garriga(opens in new tab) about her new play Paper Swans which is being presented in association with innovative ensemble-led storytellers Flabbergast Theatre(opens in new tab). Here you are invited to get a taste of this extraordinary work ahead of the show coming to Exeter Phoenix on Thu 15 Oct.

   KD: Paper Swans draws on your own lived experience and explores the themes of oppression, freedom of speech, self-discovery and what it means to pursue dreams that one is not allowed to have. The play is described as 'Groundhog Day meets Waiting for Godot' - Samuel Beckett's work has been known to speak to people in times of crisis and staged in highly unorthodox places, including storm-devastated neighbourhoods in New Orleans and war-torn Bosnia. What do you think works best about using absurdist theatre to translate human existence, particularly in the context of a catastrophic or life-altering experience? How has it influenced your work?

   VG: I am a big fan of the Theatre of the Absurd. I find it extremely liberating and human. I believe that not being tied to a specific date, event, movement elevates the experience to a broader context and allows us to attempt to answer the question of what it is to be human, so everyone can relate to it.

   Also, I grew up in a post-Soviet Lithuania, where symbolism, metaphors and ambiguity were deeply rooted in our culture simply because we could not tell the truth without being punished, so the Theatre of the Absurd feels very much like home.

   When writing Paper Swans, whenever I encountered a 'writer's block' or got tangled in my own writing, I was constantly going back to the genre and what it requires of the play: repetition, simplicity and humour, which also improved my writing and editing skills a lot.

   KD: Repetition and visual symbolism are popular tropes in this style of work. For those new to theatre of the absurd and metaphor-driven surreal storytelling - how do you recommend they approach this performance and what should they expect in terms of how the narrative and characters are presented?

   VG: Paper Swans does not follow a linear narrative. And yet, it takes you on a very emotional journey but you need to let go of control. So, first and foremost, I always tell everyone to try to relax and not try to make sense of it (even though our brain is constantly making connections out of everything). The play is not trying to make you feel like you don't understand- the opposite, it invites you to allow your interpretations to emerge.

   I always describe it as a dream or a Surrealist painting: yes, I put the words on the paper and now perform them for the audience but I am not forcing a message or a reading onto them; quite the opposite, I am more interested to hear their thoughts and feelings- all of which are correct.

   KD: What do you hope the audience will take away from this show?

   VG: It might be a spoiler alert but they are invited to take a paper swan from the set home as a reminder that they've been on this Surreal journey. Not everything has to have a reason as long as you stay true to yourself.

   KD: What has it been like collaborating with Flabbergast Theatre?

   VG: The answer is simple- without Flabbergast Paper Swans wouldn't have happened. I've written the play and showed it to people for some feedback. Simon Gleave (one of the associate artists of Flabbergast) was one of them and, after falling in love with the play, he offered to direct it if the opportunity ever arose. And I thought that was it. But then Henry (the artistic director of Flabbergast) encouraged me to do it. I was too scared to start producing a play on my own but he promised that Flabbergast would stand by my side and guide me through it. And the next moment I know we're performing at the Edinburgh Fringe, then transferring to Soho Theatre in London and now touring the UK. So collaborating with Flabbergast is like a wildest dream coming true.

   

   

   Paper Swans is coming to Exeter Phoenix on Thu 15 Oct.

   Tickets Pay What You Can: £8 - £16 | Students & Under 25s: £6

   Find out more here>>>

2. Exeter Contemporary Open in Review: Martyn Cross

   3:13 pm Comments Off on Exeter Contemporary Open in Review: Martyn Cross

   To celebrate the 20th year of Exeter Contemporary Open(opens in new tab), we're catching up with artists whose work has previously been shown at the exhibition. This time we chatted with Martyn Cross, an artist and painter from Bristol, whose work was featured in the 2009 Exeter Contemporary Open. He was also one of the guest selectors for the 2026 exhibition.

   

   Can you describe what you exhibited with us when you were in the Open?

   Back in 2009, I had 4 works selected, and they were unlike anything I make now. I used to take old knitting patterns and either paint over them or collage them in quite subtle ways, before displaying them in junk shop frames. They had this weird uncanny feeling because the original images I destroyed were from the sixties and seventies, but the interventions I made were clearly of the time I had made them. I don’t have any documentation to verify this, but I think one of the works had a man standing in a wine cellar wearing a vomit-stained cardigan. He was holding a can of Fosters, and his eyes were rolling in his head.

   Luckily, we found a photograph of Martyn's Work from the 2009 open featuring the image he described.

   What are your memories from being in the exhibition?

   I certainly remember feeling elated about getting selected. In some ways, it felt like a validation of the work I’d been making at the time - this stuff was not only important to me, but, unbelievably, a respected panel had chosen it for a show. I don’t really recall much about the exhibition itself, as the very act of taking part was clearly too much to take, but I do recall meeting some of the other artists and having a good time with them in the bar afterwards.

   How have things changed for you since you exhibited with us?

   It’s been 17 years since I took part in the exhibition, so a lot has happened since that moment. My practice has evolved to the point where I now make works that are more recognisable as painting, which is something I couldn’t have imagined back then. This shift started in 2017 before Covid came along and my life changed forever. Gallery representation, along with showing and curating exhibitions overseas, has been an undoubted highlight of the past few years.

   What does Exeter Contemporary Open mean to you?

   Exeter Contemporary Open has always been something I keep my eye on - it feels like a good barometer of what’s currently happening in art studios across the land. It highlights the important stuff and often shines a beacon on artists that you might not have heard of before - I'm forever amazed at what is being made out there!

   You can find out more about Martyn and his artist practice on his website(opens in new tab)

   You can find out more about this year's Exeter Contemporary Open exhibition including dates and times of gallery tours here>>>

3. Exeter Contemporary Open in Review: Tom Woolner

   September 24, 2026 12:36 pm Comments Off on Exeter Contemporary Open in Review: Tom Woolner

   The Luddite photographed by Alastair Levy

   To celebrate the 20th year of Exeter Contemporary Open(opens in new tab), we're catching up with artists whose work has been shown at the exhibition. This time, we chatted to sculpture and installation artist Tom Woolner, whose work was part of the 2023 ECO exhibition.

   I am an artist living and working in London. My practice is sculptural at its core, but shifts between installation, performance, and most recently, things that seem to masquerade as paintings.

   Can you describe what you exhibited with us, when you were in The Open?

   In The Open 2023, I exhibited a series of four works, all made through an experimental and intuitive process of pouring and piping, akin to amateur cake decorating. Made in reverse and semi-blind, materials are allowed to take control at a molecular level, compressing and congealing into, rather than onto, a surface. They seem to agree on a form that sits somewhere between painting, sculpture and inverse fresco.

   The works featured corporeal landscapes, imagined territories in which a cast of bodily forms and organs had been set adrift.

   What are your memories from being in the exhibition?

   I was, very sadly, unable to attend the opening of the exhibition, but had the real pleasure of visiting Exeter and the gallery to install one of the works. I have very fond memories of working with Matt and Andy to install my work, Remnant Revealed, in its soft, fatty, wobbly pink 'jacket' on one of the hottest days of late summer. Sweating it out with the physical work in the space is always the most fun part.

   I remember myself and fellow exhibitor Richard Phoenix dialling in from the John Moores opening in Liverpool to be in touch with friends and colleagues in Exeter.

   I am still in touch with many of the artists from the exhibition and have been lucky enough to cross paths with many others who were selected throughout its 20-year history.

   

   

   Left: - Tom Woolner Photographed by Michael Polsinelli Artmother 

   Right: The Luddite photographed by Alastair Levy

   How have things changed for you since you exhibited with us?

   The work has continued to expand and shift since The Open in 2023. I have pushed into a more sculptural context, with certain works now becoming double-sided, free-standing objects that occupy an awkward architectural space. I’ve continued to test the work in a variety of contexts nationally and internationally, with group exhibitions in London, Copenhagen and Athens.

   It’s also been a real pleasure to work, coincidentally, with both of this year's guest selectors, Sid Motion and Martyn Cross. I recently took part in the exhibition Poor Form at Sid Motion Gallery, together with recent Exeter Phoenix exhibitor Nicola Bealing, and Martyn Cross selected a work of mine for his curated group show Softly Radiant, Half-Buried at Marianne Boesky, New York.

   I have just shown work in the RA Summer Exhibition, continue to teach Fine Art at The Ruskin School of Art, Oxford, and sing early and contemporary choral music with a chamber choir in London.

   I’m looking forward to pushing and pulling the work further, in a variety of contexts, folding more of these activities together, testing more crossovers between the material and performative experiments.

   What does Exeter Contemporary Open mean to you?

   The Exeter Contemporary Open came at a key time for me, allowing me to learn more about the work’s relationship to painting, especially in the context of a group show. It was such a pleasure to allow the work a broader audience, amongst artists I admire.

   In a field that currently seems to be awash with open calls, The Exeter Open remains unique and affordable. It foregrounds thoughtful, sensitive curation and conversation with individual artists and their work, orchestrating coherent, brave exhibitions.

   You can find out more about Tom and his work on his website(opens in new tab)

   You can find out more about this year's Exeter Contemporary Open exhibition including dates and times of gallery tours here>>>

4. Announcing our Fringe Transfers 2026

   September 18, 2026 12:48 pm Comments Off on Announcing our Fringe Transfers 2026

   We all hear about Edinburgh Fringe, but there are a plethora of fringe festivals running nationally and internationally throughout the year, particularly during the summer here in the UK. Fringe festivals often act as a gateway for audiences looking to take a risk on something new and experience something that they might not have chosen to watch in another context. Our live event programmers scout the best of these cutting-edge shows to bring to Exeter for your enjoyment. Here are just a few of their highlights transferring from the Fringe to our venue this autumn!

   

   Barleycorn

   Sun 20 Sep | 7.30pm

   Theatre | Comedy | Music

   Fresh from last month's Camden Fringe (which celebrated its 20th anniversary with nearly 500 shows on offer), Bristol-based company Riddlestick Theatre presents Barleycorn: a musical comedy set in a fictional South West village inspired by English folk customs and songs, and folk horror film and TV. The troupe of actor-musicians draw on folk theatre traditions to tell weird and wonderful stories through playful performance and enchanting live music.

   ★★★★★ “A highly imaginative work that both laughs at and celebrates some of Britain's wackiest folk customs” (A Young(ish) Perspective).

   Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

   Olga Koch: Fat Tom Cruise

   Sun 04 Oct | 8pm

   Comedy

   Olga Koch has one good story. Only it’s not really her story. Do you wanna hear it?

   Fat Tom Cruise is fresh off an exciting run at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, with a four-star review in The Guardian saying, "she performs with such drive and command, a no-nonsense approach to lots of nonsense, pirouetting across the stage to celebrate this or that zinging put-down. And with such well-honed wisecracks too!"

   Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

   

   

   Lovett

   Thu 08 Oct | 7.30pm

   Theatre

   Winner of the Rialto Arts Award for Outstanding Performance at Brighton Fringe 2026, Lucy Roslyn delivers a masterclass in acting in BoonDog Theatre's highly original, darkly comic take on the legend of Lovett (Sweeney Todd's infamous companion before she met him!). The show received wide critical acclaim at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe, with one ★★★★★ review calling it "one of the most relentless, compelling pieces of work at the Fringe" (Broadway Baby).

   Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

   Paper Swans

   Thu 15 Oct | 7.30pm

   Theatre

   Two years after its Edinburgh Fringe debut, Flabbergast Theatre continue to tour and present Vyte Garriga's original play Paper Swans, inspired by absurdist theatre and her personal experience of post-Soviet Europe. This highly unique work has captivated audiences through the Fringe and beyond, touring to venues such as London's much-loved Soho Theatre, with more UK-wide dates lined up next year. ★★★★★ "Enchants you gradually, drawing you into its strange, delicate world until you're utterly spellbound" (Goldfoil Magazine).

   Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

   

   

   Copycat & Forget About Me

   Mon 19 Oct | Copycat 7pm | Forget About Me 8.30pm

   Theatre | Comedy

   The creators of 2024's hugely popular It's the Economy, Stupid! return to Exeter Phoenix, this time with two solo shows. Joe Sellman-Leava left a big impression on last month's Edinburgh Fringe audiences with COPYCAT, praised in ★★★★★ reviews as a "tour-de-force... that will have you thinking for weeks to come" (Starburst Magazine) and "the most thoughtful exploration of artificial intelligence at this year's Fringe" (A Young(ish) Perspective).

   Listed as one of To Do List London's Unmissable Fringe Shows of 2026, Dylan Howell's fresh take on a haunted house story has been described as "charming and extremely clever" (The Herald) and "quietly breathtaking" (The Scotsman), with its seamless use of magic and storytelling that plays with memory, suggestion and free will.

   Find out more and book your tickets for Copycat here>>>

   Find out more and book your tickets for Forget About Me here>>>

   

   Laura Lexx: Yo-Yo

   Sat 31 Oct | 7pm

   Comedy

   Fresh off the success of her critically acclaimed show ‘Slinky’, multi-award-winning comedy star Laura Lexx is back with her brand new show ‘Yo-Yo’.

   Laura's previous work has received four-star reviews from The Guardian, The Scotsman and Ed Fest Mag.

   Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

   Finlay Christie: Champagne Casanova

   Wed 18 Nov | 8pm

   Comedy

   Finlay Christie humblebrags for an hour about his f*ckboy era and his new search for meaningful, authentic connection.

   In a four-star review, Beyond The Joke described him as "a comedian who knows what he is doing and isn't afraid to take his foot off the accelerator, confident that he has a zinger coming and happy to take his time getting to it."

   Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

   

   

   Larry Dean: Hellbent

   Sun 22 Nov | 8pm

   Comedy

   Recently married, emotionally feral. The SNL star returns with a riotous show about refusing to grow up.

   Chortle described the show as "a love letter to his partner from the Black Country. He’s also written a show that will get you smiling from ear to ear"

   Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

   Plus we've got plenty more shows to keep you smiling this Autumn. Check out our full programme here>>>

5. Spooky Season at Exeter Phoenix

   September 16, 2026 3:48 pm Comments Off on Spooky Season at Exeter Phoenix

   The leaves are falling from the trees, the nights are drawing in and the pumpkin-spiced lattes are everywhere! Looks like it's that time of year again! A time for monsters, mischief and magic approaches...

   Get ready to celebrate all things ghoulish, ghostly and freaky at Exeter Phoenix. From spooky zine making to cult-classic horror films to freaky fringe theatre, we've got something for everyone this Halloween...

   Theatre and Performance

   

   Barleycorn

   Sun 20 Sep | 7.30pm

   Acclaimed folk theatre company Riddlestick Theatre present a new musical comedy inspired by English lore, folk horror, and ‘wyrd’ 1970s telly, featuring traditional and original music and dance.

   Age guidance: 12+

   Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

    

   Batty!

   Mon 28 Sep | 7.30pm

   Have you got a wild side? Batty has. She dreams of running barefoot, wild swimming, lighting fires and talking to trees. In fact she’s starting to wonder if she might be a witch…

   + post-show Q&A

   Age guidance: 14+

   Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

   Creator of Batty!, Victoria Firth will also be hosting a themed Craft and Chat session on Sat 26 Sep. Find out more here>>>

   

   

   Lovett

   Thu 08 Oct | 7.30pm

   Newly widowed, Mrs Lovett ‘recalibrates’ her relationship with God. The scales of social justice may be tipped against her, but Eleanor has counterweights of her own: creativity, a can-do spirit, and a dream of joys to come. A fascinating, darkly comic tale of her life before she met Sweeney Todd.

   Age guidance: 14+

   Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

   Paper Swans

   Thu 15 Oct | 7.30pm

   Groundhog Day meets Waiting for Godot.

   Paper Swans is a one act play set in a closed park at night. A security guard on patrol finds a young woman in a ballet dress sitting on the bench making paper swans. He tries to question her to find out the reason behind her actions. That locks them in a continuous never ending loop of having to encounter each other again and again to find out the meaning behind those paper swans.

   Age guidance: 12+

   Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

   

   

   Forget About Me

   Mon 19 Oct | 8.30pm

   Designer-performer Dylan Howells weaves psychological illusions and fragmented memories into a magical, chilling tale of a home that won’t stay still.

   Age guidance: 12+

   Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

   This show is part of a double bill with Copycat. Book for both shows and get an exclusive discount.

   Spork! Poetry Halloween Special

   Fri 30 Oct | 7pm

   Join Spork! this Halloween for another spectacular & spooky spoken-word event, featuring the annual “Dead Poets Slam,” and the gruesome twosome of silly poetry; Chris “Ghostly” White, and Edward “Dead Wood” Tripp.

   Age guidance: 12+

   Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

   

   

   Period Drama

   Tue 17 Nov | 7.30pm

   Period Drama by Olga Kaleta (with integrated BSL by Sherrie Eugene-Hart) is a surreal, episodic dark comedy about mental health, identity and recovery that mixes autobiographical storytelling with bold physicality. A deep dive into the question of wellness through a feminist lens, via slasher flicks, bloody knickers and the existential dilemmas of insects.

   Age guidance: 16+

   Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

   Film

   

   Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma (15)

   Fri 09 Oct - Thu 15 Oct

   From the director of the instant cult classic I Saw the TV Glow, Jane Schoenbrun, comes a new kind of horror remake, starring Hannah Einbinder (Hacks) and Gillian Anderson (The X Files, Sex Education).

   Friday 08 Oct screening will be co-hosted by Dolly’s Film Club(opens in new tab) and Out There Fest, costumes encouraged (think: final girl – or just a bloody hot mess), prizes and shenanigans available.

   Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

   Dolly’s Film Club Presents: Rocky Horror Picture Show (12A)

   Auditorium Takeover

   Mon 26 Oct | 7.30pm

   They're back! And ready to let they freak flags fly. In honour. In reverence. In celebration… Maximum Frank, Maximum Freak. Rocky Horror Picture Show is back in the Exeter Phoenix auditorium!

   Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

    

   

   Family Workshops

   

   Sketch A Skeleton

   Thu 29 Oct | 10.30am - 1pm

   Get up close to a replica skeleton and draw the bare bones of the human body. This is a great way to develop your observational drawing skills as well as creating some frighteningly good portraits of our resident Skelly!

   Age guidance: 6+

   Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

   Model a Monster

   Thu 29 Oct | 2pm - 4.30pm

   Learn some techniques for sculpting in clay and create a character inspired by legendary creatures, gargoyles, folk tales and your own imagination.

   Age guidance: 6+

   Find out more and book your places here>>>

   

   

   Create a Spooky Zine

   Sat 31 Oct | 10.30am - 1pm

   Join us for a hauntingly fun spooky zine making workshop and craft eerie, atmospheric mini magazines perfect for Halloween or any other ghostly occasion.

   Age guidance: 6+

   Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

   There's something for everyone here at Exeter Phoenix! You can find our full programme of events here>>>

6. Exeter Contemporary Open in review: Kenji Lim

   September 10, 2026 1:00 pm Comments Off on Exeter Contemporary Open in review: Kenji Lim

   Cherbub photographed by Dom Moore

   To celebrate the 20th year of Exeter Contemporary Open, we're catch up with artists who's work has been shown at the exhibition. This time we chatted to sculpture, video and installation artist Kenji Lim, who's work won the ECO Audience Choice Award in 2025.

   My name is Kenji Lim, and I’m an artist based in Essex and London. I am interested in looking at the world through other-than-human eyes, and the strangeness of the world around us culturally, environmentally, and philosophically. My work reflects our gaze back upon ourselves in a refracted way, using anthropomorphism, cuteness, and repulsion to think about ecology and society, in betweenness and othering.

   Can you describe what you exhibited with us when you were in the Open?

   In the 2025 Open, I exhibited three works. Cherbub is a piece which takes the form of a furry caterpillar- or grub-like creature that hangs from the ceiling from a glittering thread of its own poo. It has an anthropomorphised cat-like face with huge, appealing eyes and almost neon horns. Cautiously Optimistic is a smaller creature inspired by lugworms and leafhopper nymphs whose head is withdrawn into its U-shaped glass burrow, while a plume rises from its back end. Overthinking is Bliss is a wall-based sculpture made of upholstered felt infused with resin. It has a face that is at once old and young, human and other, asleep or not yet born, that seems somehow trapped within its surface. It makes me think of my mixed cultural ancestry, and a state of deep sadness and tiredness.

   What are your memories from being in the exhibition?

   The welcome we received from Matt and the whole team at the Phoenix was absolutely incredible. I was so, so excited to be selected, and we were made to feel really special and part of something brilliant. The team took such great care of our work, and I really appreciated the consideration given to us as artists. It was a fabulous atmosphere and a wonderful experience.

   How have things changed for you since you exhibited with us?

   I only took part a year ago, but since then I have exhibited in several group shows in London and Hastings, and I am just about to open a solo show in Vienna with Galerie Reinthaler. I will also be taking part in a group show at Turf Projects in Croydon opening at the very end of October.

   What does Exeter Contemporary Open mean to you?

   Exeter Contemporary Open is a fantastic exhibition that brings artists based around the country to the South West and has helped to reveal the local art community to me. The legacy of the incredible artists that have been selected over the years, and what they have gone on to achieve, speaks for itself in terms of the quality of work on show, and it was an honour to take part. The experience of attending the opening, meeting the other artists, the selectors, and the team at Exeter Phoenix was something I cherish.

   You can find more of Kenji Lim's work on his website and Instagram

   You can find out more about this year's Exeter Contemporary Open exhibition including dates and times of gallery tours here>>>

7. 20 Years of Exeter Contemporary Open

   September 1, 2026 3:56 pm Comments Off on 20 Years of Exeter Contemporary Open

   Artwork by SHARP from Exeter Contemporary Open 2024, photographed by Dom Moore

   2026 marks the 20th anniversary of Exeter Contemporary Open, Exeter’s annual open submission exhibition for UK-based artists. Part of Exeter Phoenix’s thriving art scene, the exhibition provides an important national platform for contemporary visual artists, with an emphasis on supporting both emerging talent and more established artists.

   The first Exeter Contemporary Open took place in 2006 and was curated by the then-gallery coordinator, Christine Jowett. From the start, the exhibition has brought critically engaged contemporary art to the heart of Exeter. Since then, the exhibition has grown in profile and reach, showing pieces from artists UK-wide and becoming an established part of the contemporary art scene. Over 20 years, the exhibition has remained an important free exhibition that aims to be accessible to both artists and audiences.

   

   The very first Exeter Contemporary Open Exhibition back in 2006

   Against the backdrop of the 2007-8 financial crash, which saw devastating cuts to art funding, the future of the Exeter Contemporary Open was supported by our long-standing sponsor Gravita (previously known as Haines Watts Chartered Accountants), alongside organisational development funding and support from our wider programme. This enabled us to reduce the submission cost, making the exhibition more financially accessible for artists submitting their work and for audiences to continue to come and enjoy exciting new contemporary artwork for free.

   Matt Burrows became the Curator & Visual Arts Manager at Exeter Phoenix during this same time period. Each year, Matt leads the selection process for Exeter Contemporary Open along with the two guest selectors and the Exhibition Coordinator, Erika Cann. This year’s guest selectors were gallery owner Sid Motion and artist Martyn Cross, whose work has previously been exhibited at the Exeter Contemporary Open.

   

   Exeter Contemporary Open opening ceremony 2025

   Having curated the exhibition for many years, we asked Matt what his goal was for Exeter Contemporary Open, and what shapes his selection process. He replied the goal of the exhibition was to select art that was “interesting, challenging, beautiful and not boring”. Taking another moment to think, he said, “I want to be open to to all of the diversity that exists within art, and what that looks like in art and how the artists themselves operate… and make the best show possible”

   The art itself is not intended to be what is easiest for us: it should challenge us and push boundaries. However, as a curator, Matt feels his job is to present work in a way that people can make sense of. Working closely with artists, pieces are brought together in dialogue with one another. Colours and shapes are brought out in each piece by proximity to one another. After many years of coming to Exeter Phoenix, one regular visitor said: " I didn't used to understand the exhibitions, but I've come to understand it's a language".

   Matt and the galleries team are dedicated to ensuring that contemporary art is free and accessible to everyone, as well as allowing selected artists to form long-lasting connections. Matt described the goal of the galleries was to ensure the artists were happy, the audience were engaged and that great art was brought to the heart of Exeter.

   Exeter Contemporary Open 2026 will be open to the public from Fri 11 Sep - Sat 31 Oct, Mon – Sat, 10am – 5.30pm with an exclusive preview on Thu 10 Sep by RSPV only.

   Stay tuned for more ECO news, including some very special interviews with previous ECO artists

   Exeter Contemporary Open is proudly supported by Gravita.

   

    

    

    

8. Guest Blog: South West Dance Hub & Swift Dance Co

   August 25, 2026 9:03 am Comments Off on Guest Blog: South West Dance Hub & Swift Dance Co

   An inspirational place for dancers, movers, makers & artists to connect & collaborate.

   South West Dance Hub (SWDH) was envisioned & created in September 2021, with support through Exeter Phoenix. The seed was initially sown in response to a growing need for an inspirational and nurturing space which would allow dance artists, movers & makers to share, learn, grow, support and be supported within our practices. Within this vision was the idea to create time & space for artists from other disciplines to connect & collaborate with dance & for dance makers to create with other artists. We have worked with film-makers, sound artists, musicians, visual artists, costume designers, writers & physical theatre, and we hope to continue developing these rich cross cultural collaborations.

   Within two years we realised the need for an open hub space and a professional strand to support us in developing & performing works. Swift Dance Co was born as the dance company in residence at Exeter Phoenix. This has enabled us to continue creating professional work and supporting our core members whilst growing the hub, offering a creative playful space for all. Throughout each term we endeavour to open company class & invite local professionals to train with us.

   

   Collaboration with filmmaker Jemma Cholawo

   

   Earth Incantations, RAMM 2023 musician Ben Roberts

   South West Dance Hub is now the umbrella organisation for Swift Dance Company and The Hub. If you love to move in a supportive creative space or would like to collaborate with dance, come and join us monthly on Fridays 12.30 to 2.30pm

   Term dates for the monthly hub are listed here>>>

   ‘SWDH has totally changed my outlook on life. I feel more fulfilled in the place where I live, connecting with other artists and working towards creative projects.’ - Jane Berry, drama teacher and performer.

   

   Community Engagement

   We are passionate about community engagement. This has been a strand throughout previous works, yet we really delved deeply into this through our current project, Threads. Co-directors & Swift Co members Ruth Bell & Tamsin Evans spent two years engaging with their local working Woollen Mill at Coldharbour. Researching the heritage, recording sounds of the mill, learning the processes and filming within the mill. Connections from living within the community really allowed for engagement, through workshops within the local primary school & with the elders in Markers Housing.

   Gathering stories from the elders through movement sessions created a rich tapestry inspiring the choreography and the sequences we took into the schools. Connecting the children to the elders through learning their hand gestures in relation to crafts and hearing their memories was very moving. We feel passionate about intergenerational work and the relationships which can arise from this, most importantly for people to realise their value within their own community. We were blown away when the elders agreed to join us in the performance. With the children we were able to explore heritage & textiles and bringing home the important messages of fast fashion and the global impact of choices made. This material from the community engagement was brought into the studio at Exeter Phoenix where we devised & created the choreography with Swift Dance Co. This culminated in a performance at the Mill this year.

   To discover more about this project here>>>

   

   ‘What a lovely event and what a great project. I love the involvement of local people and their memories voices, the intergenerational piece with the children was very moving. Lots of original ideas and moments in the dance.’

   Threads is coming to Exeter Phoenix on Mon 21 Sep at 7pm

   Tickets are Pay What You Can £8 - £16 with £6 student tickets

   Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

9. Rip It Up Season at Studio 74

   August 21, 2026 12:20 pm Comments Off on Rip It Up Season at Studio 74

   YOUTH. MUSIC. CULTURE.

   The BFI FAN UK-wide season, Rip It Up, explores and celebrates the changing face of youth rebellion, culture and expression – from joy to heartbreak – on screen at Studio 74.

   We've already been wowed by urban coming-of-age film this August. Now the season continues with three bona fide classics and one locally made documentary.

   From the pirate radio DJs of late-70s London, to the rave-fuelled chaos of 90s Cardiff and Edinburgh, to the legendary Warehouse in Plymouth, these films capture moments when music became more than a soundtrack — it became a way of life.

   Whether you were there or you're discovering it for the first time, turn it up and experience these defining moments of British youth culture on the big screen.

   

   Human Traffic & W: A Return to Oz (15)

   Sat 26 Sep | 8pm

   The weekend has landed. All that exists now is clubs, drugs, pubs and parties…

   To celebrate youth culture’s involvement in the British rave scene, we have married two very iconic films that chronicle this euphoria and escapist counterculture through a nostalgic lens.

   Human Traffic follows one wild weekend in the lives of five friends in Cardiff who dive headlong into the drug-fuelled counterculture of the British rave scene, escaping from boring 9-5 jobs, bad relationships, and dysfunctional families.

   Human Traffic will be preceded by a short, locally made film, W: A Return to Oz. Witness the rise and fall of The Warehouse, a rave venue from Plymouth and times gone by now, reduced to a derelict shell. An amateur filmmaker-explorer finds the building empty in an empty derelict state, long after the prosperous life and energy it endured through the 90s. The director will be hosting a live Q&A after the screening.

   Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

   

   Young Soul Rebels (15)

   Sat 10 Oct | 8pm

   Youth culture and identity define this part-thriller, part-gay love story, part hang-out movie set in the simmeringly tense days before the Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebrations. Pirate radio DJs (and fashion icons) Chris and Caz spend their nights spinning discs at the local underground club that offers a home to anyone who feels different. Chris’ days are spent trying to get a legitimate radio show that celebrates funk and soul, while Chaz’s world is shattered after learning that his friend TJ was murdered while cruising in the park. The black community suspects the National Front are behind the killing, but the police have other ideas…

   Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

   

   Trainspotting (18)

   Sat 17 Oct | 8pm

   Smart, funny, sickly and sometimes just plain unconscious, Mark Renton is a hero for our times. Set in the underbelly of Edinburgh, Trainspotting is the story of Mark and his so-called friends: Sick Boy, Spud, Tommy and Diana (who, thanks to an era-defining release campaign, were iconic before we even met them on screen) – a bunch of losers, liars, psychos, thieves and junkies.

   Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

   Saturday Night Headliners

   Alongside Rip It Up, Studio 74 is also screening three acclaimed music films celebrating the artists who defined British youth culture across four decades: Madness, Pulp and Oasis.

   Every Saturday during Rip It Up, discover the music that powered Britain's youth cultures. From the ska revival of Madness to Britpop icons Pulp and Oasis, these documentaries provide the perfect accompaniment to our screenings of Human Traffic, Young Soul Rebels and Trainspotting.

   

10. Introducing Studio 74’s shiny new projector

    August 13, 2026 10:11 am Comments Off on Introducing Studio 74’s shiny new projector

    This week, we are excited to announce that Studio 74 is getting a new projector!

    Our new model, a shiny Christie, marks the beginning of a new chapter for Studio 74 and Exeter Phoenix. Studio 74 is Exeter’s only independent cinema with a programme packed full of documentaries, special screening events, groundbreaking new releases and unique film festivals.

    We are dedicated to giving our audience the best cinema experience that we can. Our new projector is equipped with a highly efficient laser phosphor light source that will provide an enhanced image performance. So you can enjoy the same fabulous programme of films in an improved, immersive environment.

    Exeter Phoenix is also paving the way for a greener and more sustainable future for the arts. the Christie is an efficient model that will reduce energy usage in Studio 74 by 75%. What a perfect addition to our solar-powered cinema!

    The new projector will be ready for our audiences to enjoy from Fri 21 Aug.

    Inspired to see a film? You can find our upcoming film programme here>>>

11. UPCOMING FOLK EVENTS AT EXETER PHOENIX

    August 4, 2026 1:15 pm Comments Off on UPCOMING FOLK EVENTS AT EXETER PHOENIX

    Here at the Exeter Phoenix, we deliver a broad music programme, and we are always excited to bring a variety of artists and genres to Exeter's music scene.

    Sidmouth Folk Festival is in full swing and so, we thought it was the perfect time to spotlight some of our folk gigs coming up over the Autumn season. Discover an eclectic mix of folk acts hand-picked by Alex from our Work Experience team. From urban indie-rock-folk to emotionally rich, story-driven sing-songwriters, there's something for all folk enthusiasts at Exeter Phoenix.

    Jeffrey Lewis & The Voltage

    Mon 14 Sep | 7.30pm

    Jeffrey Lewis & The Voltage are a mind-spinning indie-rock/folk/art group who are critically acclaimed for their unusual, word-dense songs. Creating a scuzzy urban style, they are like a 21st Century mash-up of Sonic Youth, Pete Seeger and R. Crumb. Jeffrey’s band have played countless gigs all over the world, including playing as the opening act for icons like The Mountain Goats, Dinosaur Jr, The Fall, Pulp, The Vaselines, and more.

    ‘Weird? Very… but also downright inspiring’ (★★★★) – Rolling Stone

    Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

    

    

    Sam Carter Sings Nic Jones

    Thu 24 Sep | 8pm

    Nic Jones was a towering figure of the English folk reviva with, his emotive singing and groundbreaking guitar style continuing to inspire generations of musicians and listeners. In 1982, Nic’s career was cut short by a devastating car accident. Yet his influence endures, shaping generations of folk musicians. Among them is BBC Folk Award-winning singer and guitarist Sam Carter, who is bringing Nic’s timeless arrangements back to the stage in this heartfelt celebration.

    Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

    

    Madra Salach

    Wed 30 Sep | 7pm

    Irish alternative-folk six-piece Madra Salach are fast emerging as one of the most talked-about acts of the year. Their debut EP 'It’s a Hell of an Age' released in January 2026 and reached No. 3 on the Irish Albums Chart. Fuelled by a feverish word-of-mouth buzz, they are currently in the midst of their first UK headline tour. The band will also be supporting Kneecap at their massive Crystal Palace show this June.

    Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

    Tom McRae

    Thu 22 Oct | 8pm

    Brit Award and Mercury Prize nominated British singer-songwriter Tom McRae presents his career-spanning solo show. Join Tom for an evening of live music and storytelling that moves between the beloved and the overlooked, with the wit and honesty that has made him one of Britain’s most enduring singer-songwriters. Alone on stage with a guitar, Tom will play from his catalogue that has quietly accumulated some of the finest songs in British folk and alternative music.

    Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

    

    

    Ellie Gowers

    Sat 07 Nov | 7.30pm

    Ellie Gowers is a UK singer-songwriter crafting emotionally rich, story-driven music described as a ‘sunset-hued 70s folk-pop hug.’ Blending folk, indie, and acoustic pop influences, she has gained acclaim through her debut album 'Dwelling by the Weir'. Ellie’s new material explore the aftermath of life on the road and navigate complex emotions that only early adulthood can throw at you.

    Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

    

    Baskery

    Sat 21 Nov | 7.30pm

    Baskery are Greta, Stella and Sunniva Bondesson, a trio of sisters from Stockholm, Sweden. The three sisters have successfully toured the world and  have worked with acts such as Robbie Williams, Seth Lakeman, and Brandi Carlile. They have made appearances at festivals like Glastonbury, Shrewsbury Folk Festival and Solfest.

    In February 2022 the band teamed up with producer Sean Lakeman in a timeless Devon hideaway studio to record their 5th album. The collaboration between producer and band was mutually inspiring and the result is a diverse sound landscape.

    Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

    Our Sidmouth Folk Festival pick of the week

    Tim Edey plus Blair Dunlop are playing a set in The Ham on Mon 03 Aug at 12pm - 1pm

    Find out more and check out the Sidmouth Folk Festival Programme>>>

    And, if you enjoy Blair Dunlop's performance at Sidmouth Folk Festival then why not come and see his show at Exeter Phoenix on Sun 22 Nov, with support from Liz Stringer.

    Find out more and book you tickets for Blair's show at Exeter Phoenix here>>>

    

    

    You might also be interested in...

    Barleycorn

    Sun 20 Sep | 7.30pm

    Acclaimed folk theatre company Riddlestick Theatre present a new musical comedy inspired by English lore, folk horror, and ‘wyrd’ 1970s telly, featuring traditional and original music and dance.

    It’s been raining all summer. But that’s not going to stop the residents of Hopley Drew gathering in The Barleycorn Inn for their annual Harvest show. Some say it’s just typical British weather, but others say it’s something much more sinister…

    Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

     

    Here at Exeter Phoenix we host thousands of events every year. So, whatever you're interests in you'll be sure to find something for you here.

    You can find our music programme here>>>

    You can find our full programme here>>>

12. Studio 74 Presents: When Images Make the World Season

    July 24, 2026 12:52 pm Comments Off on Studio 74 Presents: When Images Make the World Season

    Discover the power of the camera with three thought-provoking documentaries screening at Studio 74 this summer as part of When Images Make the World season.

    Across activism, artificial intelligence, dreams and reenactment, these films explore the unstable relationship between images and truth. Rather than treating the camera as a neutral recorder, they reveal it as a machine that shapes memory, identity, politics and belief. The lens does not merely capture what we see - it teaches us how to see.

    

    Shoot The People (12A)

    Mon 03 Aug - Thu 06 Aug

    Photographer Misan Harriman is renowned for his wide-ranging work including powerful breakthrough images from the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, and capturing the Palestinian liberation movement on film. Shoot The People captures Harriman’s journey as he documents the global protest movements that drive social change.

    This documentary reveals how Harriman’s lens brings the world’s activism to light and explores resilience of grassroots movements that are fighting for equality, civil rights, and social justice.

    Find screening times and book your tickets here>>>

    KINAESTHESIA (15)

    Sat 15 Aug | 5pm

    In this unique film, award-winning director Gerald Fox explores the world of dreams in Silent Cinema. This film examines the early experimental days of cinema and looks at how pioneering silent film directors created thrilling dream sequences that mirrored the very way we dream ourselves.

    Fox explores scenes from French Impressionism, German Expressionism, Soviet montage and popular silent comedy in this accessible and often humorous documentary that allows the viewer to have the same mesmerising cinematic experience that audiences had back in the silent era...

    Book your tickets here>>>

    

    

    Synthetic Sincerity (PG)

    Fri 28 Aug - Sat 29 Aug

    The Synthetic Sincerity Lab based at the University of Southern England are trying to create authentic AI characters as part of a new research project. The head of the lab licences the work of filmmaker Marc Isaacs’ to better understand what his AI characters are lacking. Isaac's agrees on the condition that he can document the lab's working process.

    Blending documentary with fiction, this film uses humour and innovative narrative techniques to form a reflection what the development of AI technologies means for the future of cinema.

    Find screening times and book your tickets here>>>

    Studio 74 is the home of independent cinema in Exeter, You can find our full film programme here>>>

13. Family Events this Summer at Exeter Phoenix

    July 16, 2026 12:38 pm Comments Off on Family Events this Summer at Exeter Phoenix

    Looking for things to do with the whole family this summer? We've got you covered with a variety of films, performances and all-ages workshops for everyone to enjoy!

    From outdoor cinema to jewellery-making workshops and Theatre in the Park, check out our family programme for plenty of fun over the holidays.

    Make a day of it with our delicious children's menu now available at our Cafe Bar.

    At Studio 74

    Enjoy some new family favourites at our cinema with tickets from £5.

    

    Toy Story 5 (PG)

    Join Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jesse and all the gang as they come face-to-face with a brand-new tablet device (voiced by Greta Lee of Past Lives fame). The tablet, Lilypad, has her own disruptive ideas about what is best for the toys' owner, Bonnie. Will playtime ever be the same again?

    Mon 03 Aug - Thu 06 Aug

    Find screening times and tickets here>>>

    

    Minions & Monsters (U)

    This is the rambunctious, ridiculous and totally true story of how the Minions conquered Hollywood, became movie stars, lost everything and unleashed monsters onto the world. They then have to band together and try to save the planet from the mayhem they had just created.

    Fri 07 Aug - Thu 13 Aug

    Find screening times and tickets here>>>

    

    Moana (PG) + Sing along screenings

    Young Moana answers the ocean's call and, for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island on an unforgettable journey in Disney's new live-action re-imaging of the animated modern classic. Joining Moana on her journey is infamous demigod Maui played by Dwayne Johnson.

    Fri 21 Aug - Thu 27 Aug

    Find screening times and tickets here>>>

    

    The Red Turtle (PG)

    Returning to Studio 74 10 years after its release, this Studio Ghibli film is a beautifully animated and deeply moving adventure. Told entirely through stunning visuals and an enchanting score, this film is a captivating experience for audiences of all ages.

    Fri 28 Aug - Thu 03 Sep

    Find Screening times and tickets here>>>

    Paddington 2 at Big Screen in the Garden

    

    Enjoy certified family favourite Paddington 2 with your whole family under the stars in our neighbouring Ramm Gardens. Gates are at 7.30pm with the film starting at 9pm, so bring picnics, games, pyjamas and pillows and make a night of it! Sleepover and camping vibes are strongly encouraged. Enjoy marmalade sandwiches on the grass and join Paddington and his friends as they club together with the power of kindness, optimism and community.

    Wed 29 Jul | Gates open 7:30pm | Film starts approx. 9pm

    Book your tickets here>>>

    Theatre in the Park

    Returning once again with two exciting family friendly shows. Tickets are Pay What you Can with a family ticket offer available.

    

    Twelfth Night (or What You Will)

    Join Sun & Moon Theatre in the open air for Shakespeare’s greatest comedy drama, featuring a tight-knit dynamic ensemble, live music, wit, laughter, mistaken identities, love and of course cakes! This will be the company's fifth summer with performing Shakespeare in the park with Exeter Phoenix.

    Thu 30 Jul - Sun 02 Aug

    Book your tickets here>>>

    

    BIN RAT!!!

    A fun, feral family comedy by The Last Baguette. A rat-astic and realistic look into refuse and recycling. Rummage through the rubble with Bin Rat to discover where all the junk goes! With Last Baguette’s zany style, absurd humour and lots of disco dancing, this show asks you to think before you throw.

    Sun 09 Aug | 11.30am + 2pm

    Book your tickets here>>>

    Creative Workshops and Courses

    

    Brickfilm: Lego Animation | 2 Day Workshop

    Use stop motion animation techniques to design, plan and shoot a short film using your favourite Lego from home.

    Mon 27 Jul - Tue 28 Jul

    Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

    

    Model a Monster

    Learn some techniques for sculpting in clay and create a character inspired by legendary creatures, gargoyles, folk tales and your own imagination.

    Wed 12 Aug | 2pm - 4.30pm

    Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

    

    Art Explorers Family workshop

    Go on an art adventure, working together to get creative in this fun family session. Explore both outdoors and in the studio working with a range of drawing and painting materials and techniques.

    Thu 20 Aug | 10.30am - 1pm

    Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

    

    Finger Puppets

    Come learn the basics to make fun, creative finger puppets with pre-loved fabric and a range of different appliqué bits and acrylic painting. Create your very own characters and bring them to life.

    Thu 27 Aug | 2pm - 4.30pm

    Find out more and book your tickets here>>>

     

    Plus plenty more including our Summer Film School, botanical drawing and jewellery-making. You can find our full family programme here>>>

14. Decline in Style season begins

    July 13, 2026 3:48 pm Comments Off on Decline in Style season begins

    This Summer, explore the glamorous yet unstable lives of the aristocracy at Studio 74 with our Decline in Style Season. From Victorian extravagance to contemporary satire, these films explore the upper class lifestyle as a form of performance. Characters cling to visibility through costume, spectacle, filmmaking and social ritual, revealing class not as a stable identity, but as an ongoing act of self-invention. What remains when status survives only as theatre?

    The season features a variety of new releases all exploring different eras and themes, as well as classic and cinematic masterpiece.

    

    Savage House (15)

    Screening until Thu 16 Jul

    Set against the backdrop of 18th century England during a massive Pox outbreak and the Jacobite Uprising, this story is a darkly satirical look at the life of a pair of dastardly aristocrats. Starring British cinema icons Richard E. Grant (Saltburn) and Claire Foy (H is for Hawk), this is a madcap play on class and power is filled with duels, decadence, and bloodshed.

    Find screening times and book your tickets here>>>

    Madfabulous (12A)

    Mon 03 Aug - Thu 06 Aug

    In North Wales in 1890s, the flamboyant Henry Paget arrives to claim his aristocratic inheritance. His theatrical flair and defiant eccentricities send shockwaves through the upper-class elite, much to the amusement of the local townspeople.

    Inspired by a true story, this riotous, uncompromising celebration of otherness, is led fearlessly by rising star and BAFTA nominee Callum Scott Howells (and a splendid supporting cast including Rupert Everett (An Ideal Husband), Ruby Stokes (Bridgerton), and Siobhán McSweeney (Derry Girls).

    Find screening times and book your tickets here>>>

    

    

    Lady (15)

    Fri 21 Aug - Thu 27 Aug

    ‘Outrageous... Like Saltburn on shrooms’ ★★★★ - Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

    A lonely, narcissistic aristocrat played brilliantly by Sian Clifford (Fleabag, The Ballad of Wallis Island) dupes a struggling, opportunistic director into filming her every move. Her obsession with the spotlight takes a surreal turn when she starts becoming… invisible.

    Find screening times and book your tickets here>>>

    The Leopard (PG)

    Sat 05 Sep - Sun 06 Sep

    Luchino Visconti’s The Leopard (Il Gattopardo in Italian) is a sumptuous epic that portrays the fall of 19th-century Sicilian nobility. Beloved by film critics, The Leopard is often considered one of the greatest films of all time.

    Burt Lancaster stars as the aging prince watching his culture and fortune wane in the face of a new generation, represented by his upstart nephew (Alain Delon) and his beautiful fiancée (Claudia Cardinale).

    Find screening times and book your tickets here>>>

    

    Studio 74 is the home of independent cinema in Exeter, You can find our full film programme here>>>

15. EXETER CONTEMPORARY OPEN CELEBRATES 20th year: introducing the artists 

    July 8, 2026 12:35 pm Comments Off on EXETER CONTEMPORARY OPEN CELEBRATES 20th year: introducing the artists 

    This September, Exeter Contemporary Open returns for its’ 20th year. From painting, sculpture, drawing and photography, this exhibition forms a major highlight of the South West’s cultural calendar as well as being a vital springboard for the careers of emerging artists. 

    Twelve contemporary visual artists have been selected from hundreds of entries, submitted by artists from across the UK, by a panel of industry specialists including Sid Motion (gallerist and curator), Martyn Cross (artist) and Phoenix Gallery Curator, Matt Burrows.   

    THIS YEARS SELECTED ARTISTS: 

    Piers Alsop | Nahraine Al-Khafaji | Adam Hedley | David Kefford | Dolly Kershaw 

    William Luz | Jan McCullough | Andrew Miller | Darren O'Brien | Nisaa Saeed Raja 

    Cylena Simonds | Sebastian Thomas 

    The exhibition will launch with an RSVP preview and awards presentation on the evening of Thursday 10 September 2026, an event which is sponsored by long-term supporter Gravita.

    The exhibiting artists are each in the running for the £1000 Overall Award and £500 additional Award as well as the £250 Audience Choice Award, which will be voted for by exhibition visitors over the course of the exhibition, which runs until Saturday 31 October.

    Our Sponsor Reflects on 20 Years of the Exeter Contemporary Open 

    We're incredibly proud to be celebrating 20 years of sponsorship of the Exeter Contemporary Open. Over the past two decades, we've seen enormous change in our firm, in the wider economy, and in the communities we serve. Yet throughout that time, one thing has remained constant, our commitment to supporting the people and places around us. 

    The Exeter Contemporary Open has become a vital platform for emerging and established artists alike, enriching the cultural life of Exeter, and creating opportunities for creative talent to be recognised and celebrated. As a business with deep roots in the local community, we're honoured to have played a small part in contributing to its success over the last 20 years. 

    Supporting the arts and the not-for-profit sector is more than sponsorship, it's also about investing in the long-term vitality of our communities. We believe that thriving local organisations, cultural institutions and creative initiatives help build stronger, more connected places for everyone. We're excited to attend this year's exhibition, meet the finalists and see first-hand the outstanding talent and creativity that continue to make the Exeter Contemporary Open such a special event 

    — Helen Gale, Private Client Partner at exhibition sponsor Gravita 

    The exhibition will run from Thurs 10 Sep – Sat 31 Oct.  

    Entry to Exeter Phoenix’s gallery spaces is free! Find our more about the exhibition by visiting www.exetercontemporaryopen.com. 

16. Reflections: Alice Lowe’s Prevenge Q&A screening at Studio 74

    June 24, 2026 1:33 pm Comments Off on Reflections: Alice Lowe’s Prevenge Q&A screening at Studio 74

    This year’s Exeter Comedy Festival offered a fabulous variety of stand-up and sketch shows. It also featured the festival's very first film event with a screening of the 2016 cult black comedy Prevenge, which was hosted at Studio 74.

    The film was followed by a live Q&A with the film’s writer and director Alice Lowe (who you may recognise from her roles in Horrible Histories, Sightseers and Garth Marenghi's Darkplace). The Q&A was hosted by her Prevenge co-star and pride of Exeter, Mike Wozniak. Lowe discussed the British independent film industry, the depiction of female rage on screen and the joyous experience of artistic collaboration.

    Prevenge is the story of Ruth, played by Lowe, a pregnant woman who is recently bereaved following her partner’s death in a climbing accident. Ruth believes that her unborn baby is talking to her and telling her to enact a bloody revenge. What ensues is a gloriously gory and darkly hilarious series of events. During the Q&A, Lowe discussed how she often finds anger to be the emotional force that drives her to write and create her films. Lowe was actually pregnant during the creation of the film, and drew upon her own personal fears and experiences at the time. She spoke about how she took inspiration for the story from the way women, pregnant people and mothers are treated in society. Prevenge is a Lynchian, prepartum nightmare, which flips the narrative commonly seen in mainstream film.

    

    Pregnant women are usually portrayed as vulnerable victims but Lowe subverts these audience expectations with hilarious and disturbing results. In the film’s opening sequence, Ruth visits a reptile shop and is shown around by a creepy shopkeeper. The tension is built as we increasingly feel that Ruth is in danger. However, the shocking twist is that Ruth is actually the dangerous one. Prevenge flips the script and turns a character typically seen as ‘weak’ into a violent killer.

    Lowe discussed how female characters in film are often written to be likeable and unthreatening to audiences. She sees film as an ‘empathy machine’ that forces the viewer into the characters' world-view even when it is one we would not typically agree with. We often see unlikeable male characters in film and have no issue watching or empathising with them; Lowe cited Travis Bickle from Taxi Driver as an example. However, we aren’t usually asked to empathise with unlikeable female leads. Ruth is both the protagonist and the antagonist of the film. The story is a violent fantasy but the emotional impact is universal.

    The film was shot on location in Cardiff over an eleven-day period. Lowe discussed her collaboration with cinematographer Ryan Eddleston, who also worked on her latest film Timestalker (2024). Eddleston’s familiarity with the Welsh capital enabled him to recommend various locations for filming, including the reptile shop from the opening scene. Film is a collaborative art form and Lowe spoke at length about her many long-standing working relationships and what the team brought to the production.

    

    

    The film’s soundtrack was also hugely important to Lowe. She believes that music is key to all her films and to aiding the viewers' understanding. She listens to a range of songs and film soundtracks when writing and this helps her to pin down the tone of each scene. She describes her collaborations with composer duo Toydrum, who worked on Prevenge and Timestalker, as a perfect creative partnership, with their soundtracks powerfully underscoring her writing.

    The Q&A was both informative and hilarious. Lowe covered many topics from her love of David Lynch to women murderers on screen. Throughout the talk she highlighted the value of marginalised voices in cinema, and emphasised the importance of creating stories from the perspective of diverse protagonists. Lowe believes this is an important tool to give us a greater and more empathetic understanding of one another.

    All Photographs by Theo Moye, courtesy of Exeter Comedy Festival

    Find out what's coming up at Studio 74 here >>>

17. Film Networking Events at Exeter Phoenix

    June 8, 2026 11:25 am Comments Off on Film Networking Events at Exeter Phoenix

    Photograph by Alex Toze from Two Short Nights Festival 2026

    Exeter Phoenix is dedicated to providing a creative space for aspiring filmmakers to meet, discuss and develop their ideas in a community setting. There are several film networking groups that host monthly meet-up events at Exeter Phoenix to bring together and provide support for local filmmaking talent.

    If you’re interested in filmmaking, whether that be scriptwriting, animation, documentary or something else, then keep reading - we might just have the perfect event for you…

    Exeter Film Collective

    Exeter Film Collective’s free networking event is a casual meet-up for anyone with an interest in working in film. Whatever aspect of filmmaking you want to get involved with, feel free to come along to their friendly group for some socialising and idea sharing.

    Exeter Film Collective meets on the first Wednesday of each month from 7pm - 9pm in our Workshop space and is a free event.

    You can join their Facebook group here >>>

    The next session is taking place on Wed 01 Jul

    Exeter Film Collective Writing Group

    As well as running their monthly meet-ups, Exeter Film Collective also hosts a free monthly writing group. The group is peer-led and provides support for those looking to develop their work. Attendees will get the opportunity to share their written work with peers and receive feedback.

    Exeter Film Collective Writing Group meets once a month on Monday from 7pm - 9pm in our Workshop space and is a free event.

    The next session is taking place on Mon 22 Jun

    We Animate on Tues

    Yellow Mouse Studios hosts this monthly animation gathering for the purpose of networking and building opportunities. These informal gatherings provide a welcoming space for local talent, both those established in the industry as well as aspiring animators.

    We Animate on Tues meets once a month on Tuesdays from 7pm - 9pm in our Workshop space and is free to attend.

    The next session is taking place on Tue 14 Jul

    DOCLAB

    DOCLAB hosts a monthly Development Lab, offering attendees a safe space to discuss and develop their documentary film projects. Each session provides an opportunity to workshop documentary ideas, practise pitching to a supportive group, and share work-in-progress or completed projects for thoughtful feedback and discussion.

    DOCLAB meets once a month from 7pm – 9pm in our Workshop space and is free to attend.

    You can find out more on the Doclab website >>>

    The next session is taking place on Wed 8 Jul

    Alongside these meet-up sessions, our Creative Hub is a great place to find out about creative opportunities for filmmakers, both at Exeter Phoenix and from other organisations in the region.

    You can find out more on the Creative Opportunities page or in our monthly Creative Hub publication.

    Exeter Phoenix champions budding and more experienced filmmakers alike, and endeavours to provide opportunities for them to connect, work and learn together.

    Luke Hagan, our Digital Programme Coordinator said, ‘It's great that we're able to foster and support so many passionate filmmaking communities at Exeter Phoenix. Film is a collaborative art form, so it's vital that we're able to help foster these creative networks. The number of collaborations that emerge from them, and projects that get made, demonstrate just how important they are!’

18. May Half-Term at Exeter Phoenix

    May 12, 2026 12:16 pm Comments Off on May Half-Term at Exeter Phoenix

    Join us this May half-term for a range of activities and entertainment that the whole family can enjoy, from sheep solving crimes to spectacular comedy magic and a jewellery making workshop.

    

    The Sheep Detectives (PG)

    Fri 22 May - Sat 30 May | Various times

    Get ready for a baa-rilliant family adventure!

    A team of detective-novel obsessed sheep team up with kind-hearted shepherd, Hugh Jackson, to stop listening to stories and start sleuthing after a mysterious incident shakes up life on the farm.

    Hope to see ewe there! Find our screening times here >

    Family Animation Workshop

    Tue 26 May | 10am - 1pm

    Use 2D cut out animation to bring to life your very own 2D cut out character in this fun-filled all-ages workshop, led by two professional animators. This half-day course gives adults and children a chance to work together to create an animated character, coming away with a copy of your film to share with family and friends!

    Find out more here >

    

    

    Introduction to Jewellery Making: Family Workshop

    Tue 26 May | 2pm - 4.30pm

    Learn how to make your own jewellery using wire beads and crystals in this fun introductory session lead by a professional jewellery maker.

    Find out more here >

    Rabbits Out of the Hat

    Wed 27 May | 2pm

    This whimsical comedy musical is a magical extravaganza for all ages!

    Expect breathtaking magic, sensational circus and showstopper songs as these Magic Circle magicians share a spectacularly silly and spellbinding story about being yourself no matter what.

    Find out more here >

    

    

    Art Explorers: Family workshop

    Thu 28 May | 10.30am - 1pm

    Go on an art adventure and get creative in this fun family session. Explore both outdoors and in the studio working with a range of drawing and painting materials and techniques. You will be creating some large scale collaborative artworks as well as some individual pieces with a professional artist and educator.

    Find out more here >

     

    There's something for everyone at Exeter Phoenix! Click here to see all upcoming family events.

19. Looking Back on our Q&A with Director Mark Jenkin

    April 24, 2026 1:04 pm Comments Off on Looking Back on our Q&A with Director Mark Jenkin

    Photograph by Jack Oliver

    Cornish filmmaker Mark Jenkin is currently on tour with his latest film Rose of Nevada. The film came to Studio 74 on Tue 14 Apr for a special preview screening followed by a Q&A. Jenkin discussed his work and filmmaking process with our Film Programmer, Claire Horrocks, and took questions from the audience.

    Rose of Nevada tells the story of two young men (played by George Mackay and Callum Turner) who are offered a job working on a fishing boat. What the men don’t know is that the vessel is the 'Rose of Nevada', which was lost at sea with its crew thirty years earlier. The film is a ghostly tale that explores time travel in a unique and original way.

    The film was shot in Cornwall on Jenkin’s vintage Bolex H16 camera using 16mm film. The camera has to be manually wound every twenty-seven seconds, and no sound is recorded whilst filming. All dialogue and sound is added in post-production, with the actors recording their lines in a studio. Jenkin described how he returns to the film locations months after the shoot with his tape-recorder and headphones to gather sound for the film. He mixes the soundscapes himself as well as creating the film’s music. The production of his films is an intricate and deeply artistic one, with Jenkin taking a leading role in several different aspects of the creative process.

    The cinematography is striking and uses saturated colour and extreme close-ups to tell the story. The scenes that take place out at sea are particularly captivating and immersive with crashing waves, clanking chains and cramped interiors. All of Jenkin’s films are deeply connected to Cornwall, both through setting, and their exploration of Cornish identity and history. Rose of Nevada shows us the gritty reality of the fishing industry and the extreme, sometimes life or death, conditions on the boat.

    

    The film begins with a montage of close-ups of the rusty old fishing vessel before we cut to a long-shot of the little red boat moored in the harbour. Red is the colour of blood, passion and danger, and for the characters, the boat is a both a life-line and a ghost-ship. The boat is bright and bold, making it stand-out against the subdued tones of the decaying town. Liam (played by Callum Turner) is given a bright red cap by a local, aesthetically linking him to the ship and to the past. Once the two men are transported back in time, the colour palette of film becomes increasingly vibrant and dreamlike.

    

    The supernatural elements of the story contrast the difference between the ghost-town of the modern day and the thriving community of the early nineties. In the post-screening Q&A, Jenkin discussed his time travel media influences highlighting a love of the Back to the Future franchise and the TV show Quantum Leap, which he binged watched while developing the film. Jenkin also laughed about having bought a quantum physics textbook during development that remains ‘mostly unread’. The film is a subtle and ambiguous take on the time travel genre. There is an eerie and uncanny quality to the film as it explores the idea of the loss of community, and the links between the past and the present.

    It was lovely to host Mark Jenkin at Exeter Phoenix and hear him discuss his filmmaking career at this sold-out preview.

    Claire Horrocks, Film Programmer at Studio 74, said ‘it was great to welcome Mark back to our independent cinema and get our audience connecting with his film.’

    Rose of Nevada is a film best experienced on the big screen with its intricate soundscape and textural quality. And where better to see it than at Exeter’s home of independent cinema!

    Rose of Nevada is screening at Studio 74 from Fri 24 Apr. For screening times click here.

    Studio 74 regularly hosts Q&A screenings including an upcoming screening of Prevenge followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Alice Lowe and Comedian Mike Wozniak in collaboration with Exeter Comedy Festival.

20. Looking back on Two Short Nights Film Festival 2026

    March 25, 2026 11:48 am Comments Off on Looking back on Two Short Nights Film Festival 2026

    At the beginning of March, we hosted the 24th edition of Two Short Nights Film Festival! Film fans, aspiring filmmakers and industry professionals alike flocked to Exeter Phoenix for two days of screenings, awards ceremonies and creative networking! The festival also welcomed representatives from Screen Devon, BFI Network and Screen Cornwall.

    This year boasted a record number of attendees, welcoming nearly 1000 admissions across the events! Over 70 films were shown over nine screenings, including the Exeter Phoenix Commissions Premiere, the 48 Hour Film Challenge Premiere, and a variety of shorts from around the globe. As part of the festival, we were also able to experience Libby Bove's wonderful installation, The Museum of Roadside Magic. Libby Bove was the winner of 2025’s Artists Moving Image Commission and her film ROADWYTCH, which builds on the lore of the Museum of Roadside Magic, screened at this year’s commission premiere.

    

    

    Libby's Bove's installation The Museum of Roadside Magic

    This year, Exeter Phoenix partnered with D&C Film to offer one Devon or Cornwall based filmmaker access funding and in-kind support for a short film. Four fresh and intriguing pitches were brought to the panel at the festival. The Commission Pitch was awarded to North Devon filmmaker Lily Bennett for her project Crooked. Currently studying with the National Film and Television School (NFTS), Bennett impressed the panel with her original storytelling and distinctive use of Devon as a setting.

    Each year the festival ends with an awards ceremony where the finest films are awarded with hand-made trophies created by local artists. This year’s artist Marson Wu, an illustrator from Taiwan who lives and works in Exeter, created three beautiful cyanotype banners, which the winners were thrilled to take home! Exeter Phoenix’s own youth arts group Freefall also created a fantastic award which was given to the group’s favourite film. The group picked Summer Film School Legends' film Mother's Love.

    

    Awards created by Marson Wu and Freefall youth arts group

    The festival’s annual 48 Hour Film Challenge Premiere was as well received as ever, with a sold-out screening jam-packed with exciting short films! The winners of the challenge were Share Films with their film The Jaffa Network, making it a three year winning streak for the team! Second Place went to the winner of the Freefall award, Mother’s Love, and third place went to TQ Films with their film Blood Sugar. You can watch the all the shorts featured on Vimeo here.

    The Audience Choice Award went to Exeter Phoenix Commission Youth Club, directed by first time filmmaker Tiana Linden. The film is about a youth club organiser who is desperate to empower local young people, but the teens see her for the bullied kid she once was.

    The Best of The Fest award was selected by a panel of film experts and presented to Arsalan Motavali for Cameraman. Motavali has had a long-standing artistic relationship with Exeter Phoenix. Accepting the award, Arsalan said: “It means a great deal considering how much Exeter Phoenix and the team there helped me in the early stages of my career. I have made life long collaborators and friends thanks to the team and festival.”

    

    

    Creative Networking at The Mermaid

    The festival also featured an industry networking event at our sister venue The Mermaid, and a lively festival after party in Exeter Phoenix’s Cafe Bar, which made for a great closing act to a brilliant couple of days.

    Festival Director Luke Hagan said: “This year it was a privilege to welcome such a wide range of brilliant films and connect them with a brave and curious audience. We really felt a shift – not only a lively industry atmosphere, but a genuine hunger from audiences to watch, celebrate and absorb short films on the big screen.”

    Festival sponsor Lee Morgan from D&C Film added: “I love how it embraces all people from those established filmmakers to the emerging talent and even youth arts groups. It’s just one reflection of the impact and ongoing joy the event always creates.”

    This year’s festival has been one of the biggest and best of the bunch, with a fantastic range of talent from filmmakers both local and world wide!

    Feel inspired? You can get involved in next year's Two Short Nights Film Festival! Film submissions will be opening soon, or if you’re more of a critic, why not join our pre-selection panel? Keep an eye on our Creative Opportunities page for updates on Two Short Nights 2027!

    All photographs by Alex Toze

21. Guest Blog: A Review of Bulk and Director Ben Wheatley’s Q&A

    February 18, 2026 8:14 am Comments Off on Guest Blog: A Review of Bulk and Director Ben Wheatley’s Q&A

    Photo by Jack Oliver

    Recently at Studio 74 we had the pleasure of hosting a special screening of Ben Wheatley’s experimental 2025 film Bulk followed by a live Q&A with the director himself. Wheatley is known for film such as Sightseers, High Rise and Free Fire. The amazing D&CFilm have written a brilliant review of the event which we are very excited to share with you!

    Low-fi sci-fi | Ben Wheatley and Bulk beguile in Exeter

    By Rocco Plaja Morgan, originally posted by D&CFilm

    Ben Wheatley was at Studio 74 at the Exeter Phoenix as part of a tour for his newest film Bulk. The film tour has proved a resounding success, selling out in multiple cinemas around the UK and Ireland. The same was true for its Exeter screening, as Studio 74 hosted a packed house for Ben’s visit to Devon.

    Literally, not straightforward

    Before presenting his film to the Exeter audience, Ben kindly gave an interview from the road with D&CFilm. While hearing Ben speak about his filmmaking process is interesting and valuable in its own right, it has also provided some beneficial insight into the intentions and goals Ben had when making Bulk – a film which is, literally, not straightforward.

    Interdimensional adventure

    Bulk is a multiversal low-fi sci-fi, travelling to numerous beguiling landscapes and locations that don’t try to hide their independent edge. The audience’s main conduit into the story is lead Sam Riley’s character Corey Harlan, who is given the task of figuring his way through this interdimensional adventure at the beginning of the film. Aiding in this journey is co-lead Alexandra Maria Lara’s Aclima Benton, who primarily serves as a guide through the kaleidoscopic reality-bending quest. The quest in question? Finding Mark Monero’s Aton Chambers, the billionaire who has made the journey possible. Noah Taylor also provides supporting fun to these escapades with multiple scene-stealing eccentricities in different forms.

    Handwritten

    Straight after the screening of Bulk, with the handmade experience fresh in the mind – thanks to the cast and crews’ names read to camera by Maria Lara, alongside further end credits depicting Wheatley’s handwritten filmmaking notes – the spectacle was rounded off with a lively Q&A.

    Invigorated

    Starting off with a conversation hosted by Aidan Power, and followed by audience questions spurred on by the promise of gifts from the filmmaker, Ben provided valuable personal insight and depth in his responses. The topics discussed ranged from his inspiration behind making Bulk, his filmmaking process, and advice for young aspiring filmmakers. His impassioned answer to this latter topic was a particular highlight of the afternoon, culminating in a round of applause from the invigorated audience.

    The multiversal journey

    In the Q&A, Ben also mentioned how he wanted Bulk to help the audience along the multiversal journey at certain points. However, I would say that the audience was conclusively on board this journey from beginning to end, as the attendance and engagement for this screening and Q&A proved an evident win for all involved, from artist to arthouse to audience.

    

    Studio 74 is Exeter’s home of independent cinema and is dedicated to bringing the you brilliant films along with special events including Q&As. We were thrilled to have been able to hear Ben Wheatley talk about his work and we can’t wait to host our next filmmaker Q&A!

    Check out the full Studio 74 programme here.