Your guide to What's On this weekend

Your essential guide to What's On in and around Exeter this weekend (11-13 December).

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. 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. http://www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

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. 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.  http://www.exeter.gov.uk/cornexchange

MUSIC

The Computers
Friday, Exeter Phoenix
Plus Then Thickens, Black Foxxes and The Mocking Birds. Think Black Flag playing James Brown, or The Nerve Agents covering Elvis Costello and you’re starting to get the picture. More punk rock and roll soul from Exeter’s favourite garage rockers. Tickets £9. http://www.exeterphoenix.org.uk/events/the-computers/

Acoustic Gig: The Little Unsaid (solo) + Tobias ben Jacob + Jacob Riddall
Friday, 7.30pm, Hope Hall, Hope Road, Exeter
Ignite your imagination with some 21st century travelogues; songs of beautiful and flawed humanity, love, death, desire and hope. The Little Unsaid (solo), Tobias Ben Jacob + Jacob Riddall. 
Event details here - tickets: £6 via https://tobiasbenjacob.bandcamp.com/merch

Clare Teal’s Festive Fiesta
Friday, 8pm, Barnfield Theatre, Exeter
Take an uplifting, retro journey into the intriguing and sensational world of Clare Teal’s Festive Fiesta – a unique blend of seasonal swing, cheeky retro grooves and a smattering of cozy fireside ballads to add a little romance. http://www.barnfieldtheatre.org.uk/

Live Music
Friday, various venues, Exeter
Prospect Inn, Exeter Quay: Wired, 9.30pm, free.
The Sorry Head, Blackboy Road: Dumber than the Average Bear, 9pm, free.
John Gandy’s, Gandy Street: The Lateshift, 9pm, free.

Steampunk Extravaganza & Yule Ball
Saturday,  Exeter Phoenix
Bigger and Better than any before, for one day only Exeter Phoenix will be transformed into a Steampunk Utopia playing host to the UK’s best Steampunk musicians, performers, authors, traders, creators for a day and night of interesting couture, unique performance, unusual workshops, fabulous DJs, cocktails and teapots … there really is something for everyone at this year’s event.  www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

Stan Hacking Band Christmas Spectacular
Saturday & Sunday, 7.30pm, Barnfield Theatre, Exeter
The ever popular Stan Hacking Band will entertain you with a wide variety of music including marches, classical favourites, music from film and stage and of course plenty of Christmas classics. Tickets: Adults £9, under 16s £5, call  01392 465462 / 01392 447672 or email stanhackingband@hotmail.co.uk

Live Music
Saturday, various venues, Exeter
The Bishop Blaize, Commercial Road: Charge! 9pm, free.
Prospect Inn, Exeter Quay: Beautiful Blue Mac, 9.30pm, free.
The Queen’s head Hotel, Polsloe Bridge: Nawtey Beys, 9pm, free.
The Sorry Head, Blackboy Road: The Embezzlers, 9pm, free.

Still Spinning with Mick Groves
Saturday, 7.30pm, Countess Wear Village Hall, Exeter
Sing along to all The Spinners’ Christmas favourites with the great Mick Groves formerly of the Spinners 60’s-80’s international folk group.  Licensed bar. Tickets £10 including a finger buffet, from Poppy’s Flowers, Topsham Road, Exeter  or call 01392 682550. www.countesswearvillagehall.co.uk

Live Music
Sunday, various venues
The Famous Old Barrel, Exmouth: Tony Scott, 8.30pm, free.
Buccaneers Bar, Crediton: Piano in the Bar, 7pm, free.
First & Last Inn, Exmouth: Banana Thieves, 6.30pm, free.
Sidbury Village Inn: Simon Gee, 8.30pm, free.

EVENTS

RSPB family friendly nature walk
RSPB shop, 2pm, Darts Farm, Topham, Exeter
The staff from the RSPB Shop offer free family friendly walks that showcase the beautiful surrounding farmland and wetlands - a great chance to get out and see some wildlife. Binoculars can be hired from The RSPB Shop - the route provides some great lookout spots along the way. 2pm-3pm, free. https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/events/details....

Christmas coffee morning & Santa Paws appeal launch
Saturday, 11am, Axhayes adoption centre, Sidmouth Road, Exeter
Coffee morning and Santa Paws appeal launch, 11am-2pm. More details call 01395 232377 or visit www.axhayes.cats.org.uk

Christmas at Killerton: 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.

The Exeter Nativity
Sunday, 2pm, Exeter Cathedral
A family friendly retelling of the Christmas Story, with Christmas carols. Look out for Angels singing on high, Mary and Joseph and their donkey, shepherd with their sheep and wise men with carols. The Cathedral will host 5 short acts from the story of Jesus' birth. The great west doors of the Cathedral will open at 1.30 and all are welcome to step inside and hear again the good news of Jesus birth. Free, all welcome. www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk

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.  
http://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.