Your guide to What's On this weekend

Your essential guide to What’s On in and around Exeter this weekend (7-9 April).

THEATRE

La Traviata
Friday & Saturday, Northcott Theatre, Exeter
Olivier Award-winning OperaUpClose present their critically acclaimed new English version of La Traviata.  Set in Atlantic City, USA, during the 1920s prohibition era of speakeasies and bootlegging, this is the story of Violetta, a so-called ‘fallen woman’ who sacrifices here own happiness for the sake of her lover’s family and future.  https://exeternorthcott.co.uk

The 38th Exmouth Amateur Festival of One Act Plays
Friday & Saturday, Blackmore Theatre, Exmouth
This is an opportunity for those drama groups who have entered this year’s Festival to perform their One Act Plays in front of a professional adjudicator. This Festival is part of The All England Theatre Festival 2017 and runs through to Saturday. www.blackmoretheatre.co.uk

Modern Cautionary Tales for Children
Sunday, 2.30pm, Bike Shed Theatre, Exeter
An innovative and ground-breaking poetry show written and performed by Murray Lachlan Young, one of the UK’s foremost performance poets BBC 6 Resident poet and a regular fixture on BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live etc; Expect a mixture of: poetry, stand-up comedy, storytelling and a touch of panto. https://www.bikeshedtheatre.co.uk

MUSIC

Gentleman’s Dub Club
Friday, Exeter Phoenix
Gentleman’s Dub Club was formed in 2006 in the basement of number 44 Headingley Lane, Leeds. Spurred on by the vibrant Dub scene in the city, GDC found their initial inspiration skanking in front of the mighty Iration Steppas Sound System at Leeds West Indian Centre’s infamous Sub Dub gathering. Since that time, Gentleman’s Dub Club has become an internationally recognised live outfit with a reputation for inciting uncontrollable levels of dance floor energy on the live stage.  https://www.exeterphoenix.org.uk 

Oas-is and Stereoironics
Saturday, Exeter Corn Exchange
Oas-is - five fanatics who live and breathe Manchester's finest band and are now dedicated to giving you the best look and sound that you should expect from an Oasis Tribute Band.  Endorsed by Stereophonics themselves, Stereoironics have been rocking the UK for over 15 years, ever keeping pace with the extensive back catalogue and live extras from the popular Welsh band. www.exetercornexchange.co.uk

Yorkston Thorne Khan
Saturday, Exeter Phoenix
The second Yorkston/Thorne/Khan album represents a confluence of currents, among them the north Indian sarangi; jazz-tinged bass, reminiscent in places of Danny Thompson; acoustic guitar that owes a debt to Elizabeth Cotton, Dick Gaughan and Mississippi John Hurt; and three very different vocalists. Tickets £12 (£10) seated. www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

Quasi una Fantasia
Saturday, 7.30pm, Exeter Cathedral
In this recital acclaimed pianist and composer Stephen Beville explores the 'free-fantasy' form for piano and its historical influence from the 18th and 19th centuries to the present day. The programme includes such celebrated ('quasi una fantasia') compositions as Beethoven's 'Moonlight' and Liszt's 'Dante' sonatas, in addition to Beville's own newly composed work.  Tickets £10. www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk

Some Guys Have All The Luck - The Rod Stewart Story
Saturday, Exmouth Pavilion
A brand new theatrical production celebrating the career of one of rocks greatest icons, Rod Stewart – from street busker through to international superstar! Paul Metcalfe delivers an authentic and charismatic performance assuming the persona of this legendary singer-songwriter and performer right down to the last detail - from the distinctive vocals to the swaggering showmanship and sheer fun that have made Rod Stewart one of the most loved performers of all time.  Tickets £19.50. https://www.ledleisure.co.uk/exmouth-pavilion

Feast of Fiddles
Sunday, Exeter Corn Exchange
A band of musical friends that puts on a show of huge dynamic range performed with passion, joy and a liberal dose of fun. www.exetercornexchange.co.uk

Faustus 'Slaves'EP Tour
Sunday, 8pm, Topsham Folk Club Matthews Hall, Fore Street, Topsham
Pioneering folk trio Faustus tour the UK in April and release a brand new EP ‘Slaves’, hot on the heels of their acclaimed album ‘Death & Other Animals’, produced by Rupert Christie (Bellowhead), Faustus and Westpark Music. www.topshamfolkclub.org Tickets £14 door/£12 adv. from www.wegottickets.com/event/382543

EVENTS

Topsham Community Market
Saturday, Matthews Hall, Topsham
A mix of food stalls, antiques, clothes, jewellery and craft stalls, 8.30am-1pm every Saturday.

Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt
Daily, Killerton Estate, Broadclyst, Exeter
Follow the fun Easter trail around the blossoming garden and parkland. On your way round, explore winding paths to find the bear's hut, ice house and chapel. Tuck into a Cadbury chocolate prize at the end. A charge will apply for the trail. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/killerton

Choc Lit Day
Saturday, 1.30pm Exeter Library
Calling all book lovers and aspiring writers! A day of author talks, quizzes and games (with prizes!), exciting books to discover and – for the aspiring writers – the opportunity to pitch manuscript ideas to a Choc Lit editor. 1.30pm-4pm. Tickets £5 (includes a goody bag) and can be purchased here: http://www.choc-lit.com/choc-lit-on-tour/

Early Easter Celebrations
Sunday, Poltimore House and Grounds, Exeter
Enjoy hot cross buns, light lunches and afternoon teas.  Let the children play at the activity table or go on the hunt for the chicken and eggs. An interesting day out for all the family. Admission £3. 11.30am-4pm.

Springtime trail
Daily, Seaton Wetlands, Colyford Road, Seaton
Pick up a map from the Lookout and follow the trail exploring the Wetlands! Complete the trail to receive a prize! No booking required. £2 per trail map. 10am to 4pm daily, until 23 April.

Weber BBQ demonstration
Otter Garden Centres, Ottery St Mary
The Weber Grill Team will be at the garden centre from 10am to 4pm to demonstrate the latest recipe ideas for summer barbeques. 

EXHIBITIONS

Queen Victoria in Paris: Watercolours from the Royal Collection
RAMM, Queen Street, Exeter
This exhibition shows forty four watercolours of Queen Victoria’s remarkable visit to Paris in 1855. The exhibition runs until 23 April.  http://rammuseum.org.uk

Roger Mayne photography Exhibition
THG, Elmfield House, Dowell Street, Honiton
An exhibition of rarely seen, large-scale photographs by one of Britain's most outstanding photographers Roger Mayne  (1929 – 2014) who famously documented the children and young residents of Southam Street in West London in the 1950's and 60's. Open Tuesday to Friday, 10am-5pm, the exhibition runs until 22 April. http://thelmahulbert.com

Commemorating the First World War: Comforts for Soldiers
RAMM, Queen Street, Exeter
Queen Mary led a drive on the home front to knit warm woollen garments, ‘comforts’ for those on active service. Surviving garments are rare, and this small display showcases objects from the museum’s collection. Patterns and advertisements are shown alongside a part knitted pair of socks, as well as examples made from the original instructions.  The exhibition runs until 17 May. http://rammuseum.org.uk