Performance At Exeter Phoenix

An illustration of three performers on a ticket stub

Exeter Phoenix is home to a diverse programme of performance, comedy, cabaret, dance and spoken word. We are proud that our stage hosts award-winning plays alongside works-in-progress, and internationally renowned companies alongside emerging talent from the South West.

Everyone is welcome in our theatre, and we strive to provide a varied programme, with something for everyone, no matter your theatrical tastes, age, experiences or budget.

Alongside our performances, we also offer a variety of support to artists and theatremakers including workshops, scratch nights and associate artist schemes.

Dancers stand on a dark stage, back lit with spotlights

Touring Shows

Catch a range of touring shows in our programme. We regularly welcome a whole host of touring shows spanning small-scale, mid-scale, fringe, mainstream, dance, theatre, cabaret, spoken word and more.

quirk-lucy-and-the-lost-ones

Home Grown Talent

The South West is home to a wealth of performance talent, established theatre companies and emerging new artists, many of whom you will find performing in our venue.

An illustration of three performers on a purple and green background. One performer wears a tutu and legwarmers, one is dressed like a clown and one a robot. Text reads Exeter Phoenix Scratch Night

Scratch nights

Following the success of our Scratch Nights in 2022 and 2023, we are offering artists the opportunity to take their new ideas a little bit further with support for their performance development. In 2024 we are delivering three Scratch Nights; the first two took place in January and May, with final Scratch taking place on Monday 14th October (the submission window will open in September).

The successful applicants will receive a rehearsal space, the opportunity to perform their work in front of an audience and £150 to support their practice, which they can use however supports them best.

Alternatively, from September, we will be hosting Little Scratch sessions on the last Wednesday of each month for artists who are not ready to share in front of a ticketed audience.

Find out more about Scratch Nights here >>

Drag performer mama g takes to the stage in a feather boa and sequinned gown

Festivals

Keep an eye out for exciting theatre and performance events as part of upcoming festivals at Exeter Phoenix. Previous festivals include Exeter Fringe, Bloom, Come As You Are, Green Phoenix Festival and Laugh Out Loud Comedy Festival. New for 2024: Out There Queer Fest.

Find out more about our projects here >>

Ticket Offers

We often advertise ticket offers or special deals through our mailing list. Sign up today to hear the latest offers. Here are some of our most popular offers, but you will find more offers on individual event pages.

A performer stands on stage backlit with a blue light

Student Offers

£5 Tickets for Students/Under 25s

 

A man with a beard in an orange jumper is holding a microphone and talking to an audience off camera

Artist Ticket Scheme

£5 tickets available for local artists and theatre makers. Contact our Performance Programmer, Katy, if you would like to sign up to this scheme.

spork-performance

Save £2 on each ticket when you book any 3 theatre/dance shows at once

Explore more of our theatre and performance programme, and enjoy money off your tickets! Save £2 on each ticket when you book for three or more shows from our performance programme at the same time. Book any three theatre or dance shows and your discount will be automatically applied at checkout. Not valid on £5 Student/Under 25 tickets.  

Support For Artists

Alongside training and development workshops, we offer support to artists at all stages of their journey.

We regularly share creative opportunities from Exeter Phoenix and further afield, and work with up to six associate artists each year.

We recommend subscribing to our monthly Creative Hub newsletter and following our Creative Hub socials to keep up-to-date with all the latest commissions and opportunities coming up in the South West.

In advance of hosting skills development workshops at Exeter Phoenix, we usually send out an expression of interest survey to determine the demand, so do keep an eye out for these.

Throughout autumn / winter 2024-25 we will be hosting Creative Hub professional development workshops, alongside socials where you can meet and chat with fellow creatives working locally. Dates and details of these events will be announced soon.

Find out more about our artist support schemes here >>

Find our performance programming policy here >>

Playwrights Cafe Exeter by Almanac Theatre

PLAYWRIGHTS CAFE EXETER WITH ALMANAC THEATRE

Are you a writer for performance based in or around Exeter?

These informal sessions are a space where you can share extracts of your work, receive feedback, discuss new ideas in their early stages, and share your exciting reading recommendations. It’s also an opportunity to come together once a month with other writers in the area, and get to know each other.

First Thursday of the month, 7-9pm.

Find out more here >>

South West Dance Hub is a playful, experimental space for artists to deepen their practice, connect, collaborate, explore & expand creatively.

South West Dance Hub

South West Dance Hub are a Company in Residence at Exeter Phoenix. They are a collective of professional dance artists, choreographers and performers who meet regularly to create new work, collaborating with filmmakers, musicians and artists. They run weekly Open Hub sessions for professional or competent dancers & performers to attend on a drop in basis. Their mission is to:

  • Continue nurturing, inspiring, supporting & providing opportunities for local artists;
  • Increasing our reach and network among dancers & other artists;
  • Continue forging new relationships & partners in this region;
  • Creating new & innovative work.

‘SWDH has given me a community of fellow dancers, collaborators, free space to explore ideas, a consistency of practice, meetings with visiting artists, trying out interdisciplinary collaborations with other artforms as well as trying on new roles within a creative process - allowing me to choreograph, teach and direct which are areas I'm moving into as a result. It has enabled and supported me in exploring my creative curiosities as a professional artist which have informed and created further opportunities within as well as outside of the Hub.’ - Malin Kvist, Hub Company member

Open Hub sessions run every Tuesday 3.30pm - 5pm. Find out more here >>