Your guide to What's On this weekend

Your essential guide to what’s on in and around Exeter this weekend (January 1-3)

THEATRE

Eloise and the Curse of the Golden Whisk
Bike Shed Theatre, Exeter
The year is 1944. In the depths of a dusty larder in the bombed ruins of an Exeter restaurant, Eloise finds a beautiful, golden whisk. But when she clutches the shimmering relic, she unleashes an ancient curse.  The show runs until 9 January. Performance times and tickets: www.bikeshedtheatre.co.uk

A Christmas Carol
Exeter Northcott Theatre
Ebenezer Scrooge is a notoriously bitter old man who is determined not to let Christmas interfere with his miserly routine. But one Christmas Eve, Scrooge receives some unexpected supernatural visitors who are determined to show him the true spirit of Christmas and the error of his ways. The show runs until 3 January. Performance times and tickets: http://www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves
Barnfield Theatre, Exeter
Exeter Little Theatre Company head off on a magic carpet ride to the land of the thousand and one Arabian Nights in the company of the good, but not very clever Ali Baba and his many friends. Panto fun is guaranteed for all as we join the hapless Ali on his adventures through the desert to find the secret treasure hidden in the Robbers Cave, where he can claim riches beyond his wildest dreams. Help Ali and his friends to discover the magical treasure and outwit the forty rather nasty thieves. http://www.barnfieldtheatre.org.uk/ali-baba/

The King with Donkey's Ears
Exeter Phoenix
The king has something hidden under his hat. Something big…. He has donkey’s ears! Only the royal barber knows his secret, and if he tells another living soul he stands to lose everything that is precious to him. But the barber can’t contain himself. He can’t eat, he can’t sleep. What is he to do? The show runs until 3 January. Performance times and tickets: www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

Sleeping Beauty
Exeter Corn Exchange
Exeter Corn Exchange presents one of the most loved traditional pantomimes. Join a host of classic characters for songs, laughter and a perfect Christmas show! The show runs until 3 January. Performance times and tickets: http://www.exeter.gov.uk/cornexchange

Peter Pan
Exmouth Pavilion
Louis Emerick leads the cast as the evil Captain Hook alongside Hollyoaks star Beth Kingston as Wendy, Britain's Got Talent finalist Stephen Hall as Pirate Winkle and returning by popular demand after his role as Muddles in Snow White Stuart Earp will play the hilarious Smee.   Peter Pan tells the story of Peter, the boy who never grew up who lives in a far away land, called Neverland.  The show runs until 1 January. Performance times and tickets: https://www.ledleisure.co.uk/exmouth-pavilion/book-now/peter-pan

MUSIC

Music - New Year’s Day
The Famous Old Barrel, Exmouth: DJ Colin, 70s/80s disco, 5pm, free.

Live Music - Saturday
The Sorry Head, Blackboy Road: New Heroes, 9pm, free.
The Bowling Green, Blackboy Road: Out of Isca, 9.30pm, free.
The Famous Old Barrel, Exmouth: The BobKatz, 9pm, free.
Bicton Inn, Exmouth: Laurie Ward, 5pm, free.
The Lansdowne, Dawlish: Rockaholics, 9pm, free.

Live Music - Sunday
The Famous Old Barrel, Exmouth: The Artful Codger, 8.30pm, free.
The Strand Inn, Exmouth: Extractor, 4pm, free.
The Bank, Exmouth: The perfect Strangers, 3pm, free.
First & Last Inn, Exmouth: The Real Me, 6.30pm, free.
Bicton Inn, Exmouth: Robbo Returns, 3pm, free.
Sidbury Village Inn, Sidbury: Open Mic, 8.30pm, free.

EVENTS

Beginners' birdwatching walk
Saturday, 1pm, from Powderham Church to Turf Hotel, Exeter
Powderham Church to Turf Hotel. A winter’s afternoon walk alongside the Exe to see some of the thousands of waders and duck that frequent the area at this time. Identification tips and other information on the birds will be given. 1pm-3.30pm approximately. Free to RSPB members. Non members £3 donation (refundable if joining the RSPB on the day).   This is a beginners only walk and numbers are limited so booking is essential. Details here. 

Dolls House and Miniatures Fair
Sunday, 10am, Westpoint Arena, Clyst St Mary, Exeter
Experience the exquisite world of Dolls House Miniatures at this public fair where you’ll find exhibitions, displays and demonstrations by some of the leading crafts people in this field. A range of stands will be exhibiting everything from charming miniature figures and delightful dolls houses to every imaginable accessory and item of furniture. Whether a keen miniaturist collector or enthusiast, or someone just wanting to visit for casual interest, you can be assured of a warm welcome. 10am-4pm. Adults: £3, children: £1.50. www.wendysworldfairs.co.uk

RSPB Morning trip to Bowling Green Marsh with the Exeter & District Local Group
Sunday, 9.30am, RSPB Bowling Green Marsh Reserve, Exeter
If you compile a year-list of the birds that you see, Bowling Green Marsh is an excellent place to start. Expect to see Avocets and other wintering waders from the hide and viewing platform, plus a good range of other birds in the hedges, on the fields and on the river.  Free, but donations welcome. Full details here. 

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Killerton House, Broadclyst, Exeter
The magical world of Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is brought to life at Killerton. See the house transformed into scenes from the classic fairy-tale. Wrapping up warm to follow the outdoor family trail, take part in activities and see if you can spot the willow reindeer under thousands of twinkling lights. Normal admission fees apply.

EXHIBITIONS

Home Front Fashions
RAMM, Queen Street, Exeter
The First World War was a time of momentous change for individual people, families and society, when thrift and economy in dress became increasingly important on the home front. Woollen serge and silk taffeta in dark or neutral colours were frequently worn as the availability of fabrics and dyestuffs was restricted. Practical, hard-wearing suits or ‘costumes’, and washable shirt-waister blouses became a kind of everyday uniform for women in Britain during the war.  www.rammuseum.org.uk 

Whatever the Weather
RAMM, Queen Street, Exeter
Whatever the Weather exposes humanity’s relationship to the elements. Constantly changeable, occasionally extreme and always unpredictable, the weather has always affected our lives. Our desire to understand, predict and control the weather has led us to invoke the gods and harness science and Whatever the Weather brings together a lively mix of historical paintings and prints, artefacts, archives and the work of contemporary artists exploring this changing relationship.  www.rammuseum.org.uk