How an orphan girl’s dream came true

Mice, lizards and a dancing frog spice up Prokofiev’s fairytale of good beating evil and dreams coming true.

In Cinderella’s world, fairy godmothers triumph over cruel stepmothers, pumpkins turn into sparkling carriages and a jewelled slipper changes a young woman’s life.

This interpretation is by former dancer Sir David Bintley, now artistic director of the Birmingham Royal Ballet.

It’s been described as more human than fairy tale, with the emphasis on the plight of an orphaned and abused young girl.

Wednesday 9th April to Saturday 12th April. Theatre Royal Plymouth. Tickets from £18

Meet a master of mimicry

Everyone loves a good mimic, but Jon Culshaw is outstanding according to reviews of his live show Imposter Syndrome.

Not just the voices but the mannerisms of Donald Trump, Joe Biden and Boris Johnson are meticulously reproduced alongside TV personalities and entertainers from past and present.

The show alternates between impersonations and comedy sketches. Who would expect a rap from Gordon Brown or Spiderman appearing in Les Miserables?

Sunday 13th April. Queens Theatre Barnstaple. Tickets from £31.

Lockdown disco legend does Plymouth

After cheering us up in lockdown and Murder on the Dancefloor featuring in the hit film Saltburn, Sophie Ellis-Bexter is taking all her disco hits on tour.

Following a successful US tour where they finally appreciate her she’s doing 15 dates in the UK, including Plymouth.

Look forward to Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love), Take Me Home (A Girl Like Me), and her latest single Freedom Of The Night.

Monday 9th June. Theatre Royal. Tickets from £42 (last few remaining)

Hamilton: the tale of America then and now

It’s the story of 18th century American independence but the messages are up to date and the music is hip-hop, jazz and rhythm and blues.

Hamilton is Alexander Hamilton, a founding father who inspired the first US political party, fought against slavery and died in a duel.

Writer and director Lin-Manuel Miranda (who also starred in the Broadway version) has won Olivier, Tony, Grammy and Pulitzer Prizes.

Sunday 20th July to Saturday 6th September. Theatre Royal Plymouth. Tickets from £45.

Dara Ó Briain: devilishly witty stand-up

It’s his favourite thing: standing in a theatre, telling stories and creating madness with the audience.

Dara won the UK Comedy Tour of the Year award in 2023 after a 173-venue sell-out tour.

After that marathon, next year brings a new touring show Re:Creation.

“Pure, undiluted comic genius” – Evening Standard

Sunday 7th September. The Great Hall, Exeter. Tickets £33.50

Saturday 6th September. Princess Theatre Torquay. Tickets from £39.13

Riverdance hits 30 with a new generation

None of latest tour performers were born when the Irish dancing wave delighted the first audiences 30 years ago.

It’s ongoing popularity means there’s demand for two Devon shows.

Riverdance 30 celebrates with a rejuvenated version comprising innovative steps, costumes and lighting.

Thursday 6th to Sunday 9th November. Princess Theatre Torquay. Tickets from £44.67

Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th November. Plymouth Pavilions. Tickets from £40.70

🐎 Win a Dartmoor National Park 2025 calendar

Take this 1-click survey for a chance to win 1 of 3 stunning calendars we are giving away before Christmas. Makes a great present! (Don’t forget to add your name and address so we can post it if you win).

Devon Curiosities #35: Brent Tor

Visible from miles around, St Michael’s on Brent Tor is an intriguing sight and the subject of a legendary battle between the man who built it and the devil.

A merchant named Old Hugh survived a shipwreck after praying to the saint. By way of thanks, he promised to build a church on the highest point he saw after his rescue.

The devil had other ideas, destroying the building work and casting the stones to the bottom of the tor. Old Hugh kept building until St Michael hurled a huge granite rock at the evil one and sent him packing.

Enjoy the view from the 330m heights and look inside the smallest church on Dartmoor, still lit by gas lights. Free parking nearby.

WHAT ELSE IS ON

🌊 North Devon

NOVEMBER

Fri 29th and Sat 30th

LIGHTS | 💡 Christmas Illuminations | Clovelly Court Gardens, Bideford | Other dates in December | Adult tickets £9.95, U16s £5.95

DECEMBER

Sun 1st

MOVIE | 🍿 A Muppets Christmas Carol - Drive in cinema | Affinity Devon Outlet Shopping, Bideford | Tickets £22.38

Fri 6th

CRAFT | 🎨 Festive garland block printing workshop | The Resurgence Centre, Hartland | Tickets £25

Sun 8th

CHARITY | 🚤 Christmas Lights in aid of the RNLI | Clovelly Harbour, Clovelly | £10 per car

Fri 13th

FOLK MUSIC | 🎸 Mad Dog Mcrea | JCT27, Barnstaple | Tickets £23.10

Sat 14th

CHARITY | 🏍️ Santas on a Bike - In aid of the children’s hospice Little Bridge House | Log Cabin Diner, South Molton | Donations appreciated

Sun 15th

BALLET | 🩰 Live screening of the Royal Ballet’s Cinderella | The Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe | Tickets from £14

Fri 20th

CRAFT | 🎄 Christmas Table Centrepiece workshop | Quince Honey Farm, South Molton | Tickets £37

JANUARY

Sat 18th

TALK | 🗣️ Jason Fox: Life at the Limit | Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple | Tickets from £34

Fri 31st

🤣 COMEDY | Jack Dee, Small World | Queens Theatre Barnstaple, Boutport Street Tickets from £34.

🐬 South Devon

NOVEMBER

Fri 15th to Wed 1st Jan

ENTERTAINMENT | 🎄 Plymouth’s Winter Wonderland | Central Park, Plymouth

Fri 22nd to Wed 1st Jan

FESTIVE SIGHTS | 💡 Twas the Night Before Christmas | Saltram House, Plympton | Adult tickets £14, U18s £7

Fri 29th to Thu 2nd Jan

LUMINESCENCE | 💡 Bay of Lights Illumination Trail | Torre Abbey, Torquay | Free

Sat 30th

MUSIC | 🎶 Mozart’s Exsultate Jubilate by Plymouth Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra | Minister Church of St. Andrew, Plymouth | Adult tickets £22, U16s £5.50

Sat 30th and Sun 1st Dec

RIDING | 🐴 Equestrian Pop-Up Market | Westpoint Arena, Exeter | Free

DECEMBER

Wed 4th

FAIR | 🎄 Christmas Market at the Aquarium | National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth | Entry £15

Fri 6th

CHRISTMAS | ⭐️ Dickensian Evening | Tavistock Town Hall Centre | Free

Sat 7th and Sun 8th

FAIR | 🎁 The Great Hall Craft Fair | Dartington Trust, Totnes | Free

Fri 13th

MUSIC | 🥁 Jools Holland | Plymouth Pavilions, Plymouth | Tickets from £40.70

Sat 21st

NATURE | 🌒 Winter Solstice Walk | Buckland Abbey, Yelverton | Tickets £12

🏆️ Get lucky! Win Devon prizes

FEATURED 🏰 A 2-night festive stay for 2 at Boringdon Hall Hotel, Plymouth including breakfast and free entry to the spa (18th Dec)

NEW!  🍻 A case of South Devon brewed beer. (30th Nov)

🍷 A meal for four at @thirty-four in Exeter College (30th Nov)

NEW!  🥓 Breakfast for 2 at a South Dartmoor pub (2nd Dec)

🛏️ A 2-night stay at the Gara Rock boutique South Devon coastal hotel (7th Dec)

🐎 A 1 night stay for 2 in a deluxe garden room at a Dartmoor hotel with a 3-course meal and breakfast (15th Dec)

🌊 A 2-night holiday cottage stay at Cary Arms & Spa for you and your family (18th Dec)

🏨 2 nights in the Agatha Christie Suite at the Grand Hotel, Torquay, including a classic afternoon tea and spa treatment (24th Dec)

NEW!  🍾 A 1-night stay with dinner for two, plus Prosecco on arrival, at one of the oldest pubs in South Hams (28th Feb)

⛵️ 3 nights away for 2 people in Sidmouth and Salcombe with breakfasts and 1 dinner plus £1,000 spending money (28th Feb)

That’s all for this week, but…

Why not catch up on recent newsletters?

🎭️ Must see Devon shows in 2025 (1)

🚂 The train of lights

🌳 Treehouse with a bath and cinema 

With Devon love,

Andy, Esme, Lara and the Go Devon! team