With a dozen theatres and something like 1,800 shows a year, there’s no shortage of live entertainment in Devon.

How to choose? It’s hard work checking them all out.

Our job is to help. We’ll tell you about the mainstream offerings but we also like to serve up ideas that are a little different. The quirky, the unusual, or offbeat.

Here’s our selection.

Have an interesting night out!

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5 Mistakes That Changed History

We all make mistakes, but rarely do they change the course of history.

5 Mistakes That Changed History is storytelling performed by comedian Paul Coulter, about five famous people and their mistakes (big and small).

The show sold out the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Adelaide Fringe Festival in 2023 and 2024.

Sunday 14th September, Queens Theatre Barnstaple. Tickets from £24

Enter the EXE Men

How did an unfashionable rugby team from Devon emerge from obscurity to become the double-winning champions of England and Europe?

The surprising rise of the Exeter Chiefs has been turned into play based on the book Exe Men.

It’s an underdog story with themes of sacrifice, determination and local pride.

Tuesday 7th to Saturday 18th October, Exeter Northcutt Theatre. Tickets from £20

Black Sabbath Ballet

Last year’s 1-night visit to The Theatre Royal Plymouth was sold out early. This time there are 3 nights.

With the original Black Sabbath band members staging their farewell concert there will be renewed interest in this fusion of dance and heavy metal.

Ballet superstar Carlos Acosta and The Birmingham Royal Ballet are behind the idea.

Expect a strange combination of pirouettes, Paranoid and Iron Man.

WHEN: From Thursday 16th to Saturday 18th October. Tickets from £27

• There’s a pre-show talk before the performance on Friday 17th October

Psychology of Dogs

How do dogs really think? Find out at this evening show with dog whisperer Paula O’Sullivan.

She’s spent more than a decade helping thousands of dogs (and their humans) understand each other better.

The show is a mix of live on-stage demonstrations and recorded video footage, with Paula assisted live on stage by Tarka, a black Labrador.

Watch a video preview

WHEN: Tuesday 30th October, Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe. Tickets from £30

Evenings with some Arsenal legends

Arsenal legends are coming to Exmouth and Exeter for some football banter.

Join Sky’s Alan Smith, Charlie Nicholas and host Perry Groves as they discuss games and tell edgy tales from the dressing room and training ground.

The promoters say there could be strong language and “stories of a certain nature.”

• Exmouth Pavilions, Thursday 27th November. Tickets from £34.50. VIP meet and greet £77

• Exeter Corn Exchange (the legends are joined by Paul Merson), Tuesday 20th January 2026. Tickets from £37. VIP £78

Devon Curiosities #67: Sherberton stepping stones

Beauty meets function at one of the most dramatic river crossings on Dartmoor.

You’ll need good balance and a sense of adventure, particularly if the water is running high. Beware, the stones can be slippery.

The granite blocks sweep across the wide point where the River Swincombe meets the West Dart.

It’s a good spot for swimming and a picnic under the Sherberton fir trees. View on map.

WHERE: Park on the B3357 (nearest location)

WHAT ELSE IS ON?

🌊 North Devon 

🐬 South Devon

🏆️ Get lucky! Win Devon leisure prizes

FEATURED: 🐴 A 2 night luxury stay including a 3-course meal for 2 at a riverside hotel in Dartmoor National Park (31st Jul)

🌺 2-nights for 2 at Northcote Manor, a wisteria-clad 18th century country house hotel with spa and an AA award-winning restaurant. Full English breakfast each morning and a 3-course dinner on the first evening (20th Jul)

🐆 1 of 4 family tickets to Exmoor Zoo (23rd Jul)

🪡 1 of 5 pairs of tickets to the Creative Craft Show and The Stitching Show in Exeter this September (24th Jul)

NEW!  🍓 A cream tea for 2 at The Ivy, Exeter (27th Jul)

NEW!  🐶 A 3-night stay for 5 people and 1 dog in Jasmine Cottage, Sidmouth (31st Jul)

NEW!  🌊 A 3-night stay for 5 people at Corffe Cottages, Barnstaple. Perfect for 2 couples and dog friendly (31st Jul)

🍺A 15-pack summer beer bundle with T-shirt and sunglasses, from Bays Brewery (31st Jul)

🏰 A 1-night stay at Dartington Hall near Totnes with afternoon tea. Only EX or TQ postcodes can enter (31st Jul)

🐮 A luxury 3-night farm stay experience for up to 4 people at Little Comfort Farm, North Devon (31st Jul)

🐑 A 4-night stay for 4 people in Dipple Mill Cottage, self-catering in the North Devon countryside (20th Aug)

NEW!  🥳 Wow! A “Devon escape” package worth £900: a 1-night pub stay, £100 cafe voucher, cider mill tour and cider, dinner in a Kingsbridge restaurant, a 4-month coffee subscription and a £100 beer bundle and some cookware (31st Aug)

⛵️ A sailing weekend for 2 on a classic yacht from Dartmouth with an experienced skipper and all meals included (31st Aug)

❓️ Have you won a prize from a link here? Let me know.

New member? Catch up here

🌳The Prior of Pilton takes on The Green Man

🫧 The legendary Bideford soapbox derby

💀 Storm strikes outdoor Macbeth

🪙 Honiton Hot Pennies Day

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

Andy, Esme, Lara and the Go Devon! team