Your guide to What's On in and around Exeter this weekend

Your essential guide to What’s On in around Exeter this weekend (3-5 November)

THEATRE

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Friday & Saturday, Barnfield Theatre, Exeter
Hot Rock Productions presents ‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’. Stephen Sondheim’s masterpiece, and the definitive ‘Grusical’, don’t miss out on the ultimate theatrical horror experience. www.barnfieldtheatre.org.uk

Medea
Friday & Saturday, Beer Quarry Caves
Four of Swords perform Medea in the spectacular Beer Quarry Caves. Freely adapted from the Greek masterpiece by Euripides, Medea is the ultimate heroine, villain and victim, all rolled into one! The dark and dastardly Medea is suitable for audiences over the age of 11, and will enchant and terrify through gut-wrenching performances, spine-tingling choral singing, and a finale featuring the Sun-god himself! Tickets £15. www.four-of-swords.com

Ballet Theatre UK: The Nutcracker
Saturday & Sunday, Manor Pavilion, Sidmouth
Tchaikovsky's most loved and unforgettable musical score combines with magical choreography, exquisite costumes and breath taking scenery that together creates an atmosphere of fantasy and illusion. The Nutcracker features such favourites as The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and the world famous Waltz of the Snowflakes, to name but a few. Performances at 2.30pm and 7.30pm Saturday and Sunday at 2.30pm. Tickets £16/£10 under 16s. http://www.manorpavilion.com

MUSIC

Ministry of Sound - Club Classics
Friday, Sandy Park, Exeter .
Ministry of Sound are bringing two of their DJs, Matt May and Andy Purnell, and their state-of-the-art sound and light systems for a ‘Club Classics’ night with the biggest dancefloor fillers – from 70s disco to 90s dance through to today’s chart hits. Over 18s. www.sandypark.co.uk/book

Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain - Heresy II Heritage
Friday, 8pm, Exeter Corn Exchange
New tour 'Heresy II Heritage' charts the Uke's rise from curiosity to virtuosity, from village hall to the Royal Albert Hall. The Ukes of GB have performed for the British Royal Family, the BBC Proms, Sydney Opera House and Carnegie Hall, but heretics they remain, poking fun at the cultural elite, defying you to believe their own hype, bemused by all the hot air. https://www.exetercornexchange.co.uk

The Story of the Beach Boys - A Tribute
Friday, 7.30pm, Exmouth Pavilion
If you like the Beach Boys songs, you will love this band! Guaranteed to leave everyone with a smile on their face, a song in their heart and a truly memorable live music experience to cherish, this is a show you do not want to miss. Click here for tickets.

Forever Amy
Saturday, Exeter Phoenix
The show celebrates the unforgettable music and live performances of most of Amy Winehouse’s catalogue with the musicians who knew her best – and the ones that helped create her timeless sound. Featuring the incredible Alba Plano as Amy, this is the most authentic celebration of Amy Winehouse’s music you will see. www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

Ben Jordan
Cygnet Theatre, Exeter
Ben Jordan is an American independent musician from Denver, Colorado. Having toured the US with Ghosts Breathing Through Our Strings in 2010 Ben journeyed across the Atlantic for the first time. He is currently residing and touring throughout the UK and Europe. His solo shows are part comedy, part travelogue and always a hair’s breadth from careening off the road. Tickets: £10 (£8 Under 18/NUS). https://cygnettheatre.co.uk

Emily Barker
Sunday, Exeter Phoenix
Emily Barker is the award-winning writer and performer of the theme to BBC TV crime drama Wallander starring Kenneth Branagh. With her former band The Red Clay Halo, she provided the atmospheric theme to noir thriller The Shadow Line. She has toured extensively all over the world. www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

EVENTS

Coffee & Crafts by the Quay
Saturday, The XCentre, Commercial Road, Exeter
This popular event sees a range of talented local crafters and artists coming together to showcase and sell their beautiful items, including art works, jewellery, home-wares and decorations. There will be plenty of home-made treats, hot drinks, face painting and glitter tattoos, and activities for children, making this event the perfect place for the whole family to enjoy getting ahead on the Christmas shopping and discovering some unique gifts. 11am-4pm.

RSPB Avocet Cruise on the Exe Estuary
Saturday, 12.30pm, Trout’s Boatyard, Topsham
Cruises last between 1-1.5 hours and are renowned for the variety of birds you’ll get a close-up view of, including the stylish avocets. Expert commentary is provided by RSPB volunteers who will keep a close eye out and help you spot the various species of waders and wildfowl that either flock to the Exe to over winter, or call the Exe their home. Booking essential.

Hedge walk and seed collecting
Saturday, Younghayes Community Centre, Cranbrook
Join the Cranbrook Country Park ranger to celebrate Hedge Week. Walk to gather seeds from your hedges in Cranbrook then head back to the Younghayes Community Centre to plant them.Take your planted seeds home and watch them grow! Meet at Younghayes Community Centre at 10am. http://eastdevon.gov.uk/countryside/countryside-events/

Wildlife of the World photography exhibition
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, Clyst House, Winslade Park, Clyst St. Mary, Exeter
The photographers participating in this theme have sent the organisers striking images of the widest range of species, from elephants to insects. Many of the images in this exhibition highlight the relationships that species have with their habitats. What shines through is the photographers’ admiration and empathy with the subject, together with their sheer joy and sense of privilege of being able to photograph them. Open 10am-3pm daily, free. www.thephotographicangle.co.uk/exhibitions

FIREWORKS DISPLAYS

Friday 3 November

Exeter Golf and Country Club
Topsham Road, Exeter
A spectacular fireworks display with children’s Halloween fancy dress disco, children’s rides and stalls, barbecue, hog roast, mulled wine and bars open until late. Doors open at 5.30pm for ticket holders only. Fireworks at 7.30pm. Discounted tickets bought before 10pm on 31October: Child £5, adult £7.50, family (2 adults + 2 children) £23. From 1 November child £7.50, adult £10, family £28. www.exetergcc.co.uk/events

Saturday 4 November

Topsham Rugby Football Club
Exeter Road, Topsham
Take the whole family along to enjoy Topsham RFC’s spectacular display. Gates open at 5pm, fire lighting at 7pm, fireworks display at 7.30pm and live music from 8pm. Bar includes guest real ales and mulled wine and there will be plenty of hot food from the clubhouse kitchen and barbecue. Admission: £5 adults, £3 children (under 12), £15 family (2 adults + 2 children under 12). Limited car parking with £2 donation.

Exeter Saracens RFC
Exhibition Fields, Summer Lane, Exeter
Gates open at 5.30pm, fireworks display from 7pm. Licensed bar, refreshments, barbecue, hog roast, chilli and live music. Everyone welcome. Tickets £5 adults, £3 children, £15 family of four from Exeter Information and Tickets in Dix's Field (01392 665885), Z Cars, Pinhoe Garage, Dan's American Kitchen (Guildhall, Exeter) and the clubhouse (Sunday am). www.pitchero.com/clubs/exetersaracensrfc

1st Pinhoe Scout Group bonfire & fireworks display
The New Inn, Broadclyst
Gates open at 6pm, bonfire will be lit at approximately 6.45pm and the fireworks start at 7.30pm. Barbecue, sideshows, soft drinks and stalls. Music and Lightshow by Data Disco. Everyone welcome. Advance tickets available until 5pm on 3 November: £5 adults, £4 children, £12 family (2+2) from Broadclyst Post Office, the New Inn, Spar Pinhoe and Co-op at Cranbrok. Tickets on the gate £5 per person, £15 family (2+2).

Double Locks
Canal Banks, Exeter
Fireworks display with plenty of mulled wine and cider to go round. 5.30pm-11.30pm. Tickets £7 adults, £5 children (3-16) in advance, £8 adults, £5 children on the gate www.doublelocks.com

River Exe Cruise
Exmouth departure
Sail the River Exe and watch all the displays taking place in the surrounding areas. Ideal for families as you are further away from the ‘bangs’ but close enough to ‘ooo’ and ‘aaah’ at the beautiful colours. Licensed bar on board with home-made soup, snacks and hot drinks. Heated, covered lower deck. The cruise sets sail from Exmouth at 7pm. Tickets £7.50 adults, £5 children. www.stuartlinecruises.co.uk/firework-night/

Tar Barrels
Ottery St Mary
The World Famous Tar Barrel carrying and Bonfire – Every year on November 5th for reasons lost in antiquity, the Flaming Tar Barrels are carried through the streets of Ottery St Mary to the delight of thousands of townsfolk and visitors. This event starts at 7pm. www.tarbarrels.co.uk

Sunday 5 November

Exeter Round Table Charity Fireworks Display
Westpoint Arena, Clyst St Mary, Exeter
Exeter's biggest and best fireworks, raising money for Devon Air Ambulance and other local charities. Gates open 5.30pm, fireworks start at 7.30pm. Tickets: Adults £6 in advance, £8 on the gate; children (3-16) £4 in advance, £5 on the gate; family (2 adults + 2 children) £16 in advance, £22 on the gate. www.exeterfireworks.org

Exmouth Round Table Charity Fireworks Display
Exmouth Rugby Club ground, Imperial Road, Exmouth
This year’s charity event is raising money for Exmouth RNLI. Gates open at 6pm, fireworks start at 7.30pm. Admission £6 adults, £4 children.

Tiverton RFC Fireworks Show
Coronation Field, Tiverton
Gates open 6pm, fireworks at 7.30pm. Bar open from 6pm, refreshments including burgers, hot dogs, chips, hot drinks and soft drinks on sale. Admission: £5 adults, £3 children.