Busy season ahead for Exeter Phoenix

Exeter’s busiest multi-artform venue has just launched its new season of live performance, music, cinema and exhibitions.

This buzzing arts hub, which is behind some of the city’s most popular events and festivals, is currently undergoing an exciting expansion of its facilities, including the addition of new independent cinema Studio 74 and a new auditorium balcony.

The venue’s March to April season was announced this week and presents a whole host of opportunities for great days and nights out with friends.

Music highlights include the return of one of the city’s most celebrated music festivals, Vibraphonic. Amongst the line up you’ll find acts like Ginger Baker (the notorious ex-Cream drummer), rising blues musician Jo Harman and soul-reggae sensation Natty. Running from the 3rd to the 18th of March in multiple venues, the heart of this festival lies in great music celebrating diversity, from reggae and world music through to blues and soul.

Other live music events worth a mention include an intimate gig with Echo and the Bunnymen frontman Ian McCulloch and a visit from Australian surf-rockers Sunset Sons in April.

Theatre at Exeter Phoenix through spring 2016 offers some equally inspiring picks. Cornwall’s Miracle Theatre present Zonk FM, a wacky production exploring concepts of reality with humour, acute tenderness and disco lights, while the internationally-touring, award-winning clown troupe Le Navet Bete bring their sell-out show The Wonderful Wizard of Oz to Exeter for the first time. Imbalance, a stand out dance and acrobatics performance from Joli Vyann, is also expected to make an impact, as they explore technological dependency through a fusion of circus and choreography.

The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme arrives at Studio 74 in March, offering a treat for cinema fans who enjoy hidden gems from the international arena. A unique opportunity to experience Japan through the big screen, the season presents screenings of acclaimed Japanese titles alongside the option of a Japanese feast at Exeter Phoenix’s café bar prior to the film.

Other films to watch out for in Exeter Phoenix’s new season include the Oscar-worthy Spotlight, the true story of a Boston newspaper’s investigation into abuses in the Church, and Room, an independent film based on the Booker Prize winning novel about a boy who has never known life outside of the single room he shares with his mother.

A leading Exeter exhibition space for contemporary art, the Exeter Phoenix gallery hosts Charles Richardson’s Displacement Behaviour through March and April. Packed with paradox and contradiction, Richardson’s work brings together new video and installation works which combine digital sophistication with an absurd, deadpan humour. The gallery is open Mon – Sat and entry is free.

Tickets for all March and April events are now on sale, full listings and tickets can be found at exeterphoenix.org.uk.