Your guide to What's On this weekend

Your essential guide to What’s On in and around Exeter this weekend (1-3 December):

THEATRE

Dick Whittington
From Saturday, Exeter Northcott Theatre
With his faithful Puss by his side Dick leaves his Exeter home for the bright lights of London in search of fame and fortune. Follow his adventures as he reaches the big city and travels the high seas. Will Dick find his fortune? Can he and Puss defeat the evil villain King Rat and return home triumphant? Expect plenty of audience participation, live music, magic, mayhem and lots of laughter – the perfect recipe for a family Christmas panto treat! The show runs until 7 January.  https://exeternorthcott.co.uk

The Claim
Friday & Saturday, Bike Shed Theatre, Exeter
A comically absurd and quietly shattering journey to the heart of our tolerant and fair society. Serge stands before us. He has a performance to give. But why is he here? What is he claiming has happened to him? And what has Willy Wonka got to do with it? The Claim gently invites you into the most British of interviews, then morphs into a dizzying onslaught of bureaucracy and prejudice. A bold, imaginative response to the stories of those seeking refuge in the UK, this play asks what happens when your life is at stake and all you have to save it are your words.  www.bikeshedtheatre.co.uk

The Twelve Days of Christmas
Saturday, 7.30pm, Cygnet Theatre, Exeter
Mr Edward Fitzwilliam is in love with Miss Fairfax, but since she is a ‘most charming and dear creature; no ordinary wooing will do.’
But what to get a lady of such extraordinary charm and beauty? Luckily for Mr Edward, the local townsfolk have plenty of suggestions (and plenty of things they’re trying to sell). Tickets £11.  https://cygnettheatre.co.uk

MUSIC

The New Jersey Boys
Friday, 7.30pm, Barnfield Theatre, Exeter
Back by public demand, this dynamic show continues to play to sell-out audiences across the U.K.  This is an un-missable evening which is guaranteed to get you singing along and your feet tapping!  Tickets £17. http://www.barnfieldtheatre.org.uk

London Community Gospel Choir 
Saturday, 7pm, The Great Hall, University of Exeter
Imagine performing alongside Kylie, Madonna, Sting, James Brown, Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney…. Well the world renowned London Community Gospel Choir have been there and done that! Combining rich harmonies and invigorating vocal gymnastics, the LCGC is an infectious celebration of gospel, swing-beat, R'n'B and soul. Tickets £7. www.rediscoverchurch.com/christmas

The Corrspondents & Krafty Kutz
Saturday, Exeter Phoenix
Beatz & Bobz welcome back London-based swing/hip-hop duo The Correspondents, alongside DJ Krafty Kuts, 9pm-2am. Tickets £15, over 18s.  www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

Exeter University Concert Band Christmas Concert
Saturday, 7pm, St Margaret's Church, Topsham, Exeter 
Exeter University Concert Band will be performing a variety of pieces, including lots of well-known scores from stage and screen, some classical wind band numbers, and of course some festive tunes to get everyone in the spirit of Christmas. Tickets £5, £3 conc, available on the door. Mulled wine and mince pies served during the interval. Full details can be found here. 

Stan Hacking Band Christmas Spectacular 2017 
Sunday, 7.30pm, Barnfield Theatre, Exeter
The ever popular Christmas Spectacular Concert returns.  The band will be performing a wide variety of music including classical favourites, music from film and stage and plenty of Christmas classics. Tickets £9, under 16s £5. Box office: 01392 465462 or email stanhackingband@hotmail.co.uk for tickets.  http://stanhackingconcertband.co.uk

EVENTS

Magdalen Road Christmas Fair
Saturday, 2pm, Magdalen Road, Exeter 
The road will be closed and the shops and restaurants of Magdalen Road will spill out onto the street, joined by 50 stalls from all over the West Country. There will be street-food, drink, live entertainment from bands and singers, fairground rides, presents to buy, music, hot wine and lots of other Christmassy food and much jollity. Open 2pm-6pm. 

FORCE Christmas Fayre
Saturday, 10am, Exeter Guildhall, High street, Exeter
Go along between 10am and 2.30pm and get some lovely Christmas gifts with a difference. Enjoy tea/coffee and cake, or a warm bowl of soup and bread roll, or a festive mince pie or two! Free entry.

Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market
Cathedral Green, Exeter
An exciting mix of local and continental traders, showcasing the best of festive food, crafts and gifts. New for 2017 will be the west front bandstand, with local bands, carol singers and choirs able to bid for free slots to entertain traders and customers. Open Friday & Saturday 10am-9pm and Sunday 11am-5pm.  The market is open daily until 17 December.

Christmas at Killerton: The Wind in the Willows
Killerton House, Broadclyst, Exeter
See sparkling displays in the mansion inspired by Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows. Normal admission fees apply, National Trust members are free but still need to book. Non-members can pay on the day. The event runs until 5 January 2018.  https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/killerton

Christmas Fair
Saturday, 10am, Dartmoor National Park Visitor Centre, Princetown, Devon
Meet the artisans behind the unique Dartmoor Range and find that perfect gift for all the family. There will be Christmas trees and wreaths for sale, children's craft activities, Josephine Collingwood signing copies of her book Dartmoor Tors. Compendium and the fantastic Granite Elements exhibition. 10am-3pm. www.dartmoor.gov.uk

What's that bird?
Saturday, 11am, Tower Hide at Seaton Wetlands, Colyford Road, Seaton
Whatever your level of knowledge come along and enjoy an afternoons birdwatching with the help of a knowledgeable and experienced volunteer guide. Meet in the Tower Hide at Seaton Wetlands. Telescopes and binoculars are available for use in the hide free of charge during the session. Full details here.

Westcountry Equine Fair
Saturday & Sunday, Westpoint, Exeter
The ultimate equestrian experience celebrating everything equestrian since 1996 featuring displays, master classes, competitive events in the indoor arena, shopping village and lots more. www.westcountryequinefair.co.uk

EXHIBITIONS

Visible Girls: Revisited 
Exeter Phoenix
Visible Girls: Revisited, is a photography commission and national travelling exhibition of female portraits by photographer Anita Corbin. The exhibition brings together original images of women from different subcultures of the early 1980s and newly commissioned portraits of the same women now. The work will reunite women with their adolescent selves, exploring the ways in which photography can reveal and reflect upon identity and society at various stages of women's lives. The exhibition runs from 17 November until 21 December.  www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

MAKE 2017: Christmas Craft Exhibition
Devon Guild of Craftsmen, Riverside Mill, Bovey Tracey
This annual Christmas selling exhibition showcases some of the best contemporary craft from UK based designer-makers. With a wide selection of disciplines to choose from, and a range of prices to suit all, it’s an ideal opportunity to buy an individual, handmade gift for Christmas. DIY festive craft activity area for kids in the gallery. Free entry, open daily, 10am-5.30pm.  The exhibition runs until 7 January.