Last summer’s outdoor performance at Torre Abbey had everything.

Genius script from the world’s greatest playwright, dark clouds, thunder and rain from the powers above.

That was Macbeth. This year we’re treated to a new take on young loves Romeo & Juliet.

For those of you who look forward to those atmospheric outdoor evenings, watching theatre from a camping chair, read the exciting news below.

P.S. Duke’s Theatre is offering 15% off early bird bookings for Romeo & Juliet but you need to move fast and book before Wednesday 25th February. The link is here (no affiliation).

High drama in wide open spaces

Two leading open air Shakespeare theatre companies have announced their summer performances in Devon.

Romeo & Juliet by The Duke’s Theatre Company: “A bold re-imagining of the iconic tragedy, illuminating the passion, peril, and youthful intensity at the play’s core.”

Watch a video about a previous production.

• 2pm and 7pm, Friday 12th and Saturday 13th June. Torre Abbey, Torquay.

• 4pm Sunday 21st June. Hartland Abbey, Bideford.

• 1pm and 7.30pm, Friday 11th and Saturday 12th September. Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe.

Othello by The Lord Chamberlain’s Men: “One of the most captivating and thrilling plays ever written. As Shakespeare would have seen it, with an all-male cast and Elizabethan costumes.”

• 7pm, Tuesday 2st July. Killerton House, near Exeter.

• 7pm Wednesday 22nd July. Dartington Hall, Totnes.

Bee-come a beekeeper?

This 2-day Devon course is an ideal starting point, aimed at new or aspiring beekeepers.

Morning sessions are theory and in the afternoon you practice with real bees.

You learn:

• Hive types, equipment, cost and time needed

• The honey bee life cycle, queens, drones and workers

• The beekeeping year – inspections, managing colonies

• Plants and pollination

• Swarms

• Honey

• Bee health and hygiene.

9am to 4pm, Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th May. Exeter Beekeepers, Woodbury Salterton. Book £125

The height of choral delight

The popular and fun ensemble Levowan Choir has announced Spring concert dates for your diary.

There are 2 performances of Karl Jenkins Motets. These are serene choral pieces blending medieval sacred tradition with modern harmonies (listen here).

• 7.30pm, Friday 27th March, St Peter & The Holy Apostles Church, Stonehouse, Plymouth

• 7.30pm, Saturday 11th April, St Eustachius' Church, Tavistock

And for those who like to plan further ahead:

• 11th July, Lunchtime Gig, Tavistock Fringe

• 22nd July, Lunchtime Recital, St Andrew's, Plymouth

• 11th December, Christmas Concert, St Paul's, Yelverton

Book here: Tickets are free on a first come first served basis. Attendees are asked for donations.

Storytelling in Barnstaple

When people started talking they gathered around fires and listened to stories.

In something of a social media backlash, people are connecting again with the old traditions and human experience that comes with it.

The Plough Storytelling Circle invites you to tell any tale you like: personal stories, modern stories, folk tales, you just have to speak from memory.

Or you can just go along and listen. Watch a video explainer.

“Take your head away from the trivia and horror of modern life”

Tales are told on the first Thursday of every month at 7.30pm. Barnstaple venues.

Tickets: £2.50 including refreshments.

Look after the pennies and…

We know the rest, but how exactly does that lead to wealth?

According to the SW Ladies Investing Club it starts with confidence managing money, controlling finances and assessing investment risks.

The club’s goal is financial independence and empowerment for its members.

On the night it’s money and investment talk with presentations and guest speakers in a friendly environment with drinks and nibbles.

6:30pm to 9:30pm, Thursday 26th February and every 2 months. Steel Brew, Royal William Yard, Plymouth.

Tickets: £20

Devon Curiosities #95: Smeaton’s Tower

One of my strongest memories is climbing the never ending steps as a 6-year-old, marvelling at the curved bunk beds and smelling the salty dampness lingering in the granite.

Where would Plymouth be without this maritime engineering monument? But how did the icon come to be on The Hoe, at what cost and has it repaid the debt?

In 1882 enthusiasm to save the tower from its wobbly stump was so high the money needed rolled in from local donations in 3 weeks.

It proved to be one of the best investments the people of Plymouth have ever made.

• Original lighthouse cost 1759: £40,000 (£5.7m today)

• Relocation cost 1882: £1,200 (£187,000 today)

The legacy is a museum, viewing platform and an enduring symbol for Plymouth, appearing on the coat of arms and forests of promotional material and thousands of web pages.

With its small annual budget, the investment in heritage value and local pride has been repaid far beyond the initial cost: a gift worth millions to those in charge of the city image.

Open 10am to 5pm from 1st April to 1st November. Details here

MEMBER POLL

Last week’s result

How do your art & craft creations turn out?

• Better than expected - 67%

• A bit wonky but usable - 23%

WHAT ELSE IS ON?

🌊 North Devon 

🐬 South Devon

🏆️ Get lucky! Win Devon leisure prizes

FEATURED: A family ticket for 5 to Kent’s Cavern, Torquay (No closing date given)

NEW!  🛏️ A 1-night B & B for 2 at Future Inn, Plymouth (28th Feb)

🐎 A 1-night luxury stay for 2 at The Bedford Hotel, Tavistock, including 3-course dinner and hearty Devon breakfast (28th Feb)

🍸️ 2 bottles from TORS Vodka: Elderflower Liquer and Triple Sec (28th Feb)

🍓 1 of 15 sparkling mead prizes (2 flavours each) from Lyne Bay Winery (1st Mar)

🏖️ A luxury holiday at Golden Sands Holiday Park, Dawlish (1st Mar)

🌊 A £500 voucher for Ladram Bay Holiday Park, Budleigh Salterton, with a choice of private cottages, hot tub lodges, premium holiday homes or glamping tents and pods (2nd Mar)

NEW!  👻 Another family ticket to Kent’s Cavern in Torquay (22nd Mar)

A 2-night stay for 2 at Bovey Castle with daily full English breakfast, a 3-course dinner, champagne afternoon tea, private Land Rover estate tour and one activity: golf, archery, shooting, off-road 4×4, or cider and sloe gin making. (23rd Apr)

NEW!  ⛱️ 1 of 5 Devon 2026 holidays at River Dart Country Park, Crealy Theme Park & Resort, Woodlands Grove Caravan & Camping, Cofton Holidays, and Smytham Holiday Park (30th Apr)

NEW!  🍾 A luxury stay for 2 at The Bedford Hotel, Tavistock, including 3-course dinner and breakfast (no closing date given)

Did you win something? Let me know

More competitions here

New member? Catch up here

🎨 Spring arts & crafts near you

🌞 Hooray. Daffodil Day!

🥁 Marching band goosebumps

❓️ What’s your guilty pleasure?

That’s all for this week. Thanks for being a member.

NEXT ISSUE   Steampunk Orchestra

Andy, Esme and Lara