The thundery rain was too much for 25% of the audience, who ran for shelter or went home.

Luckily, it happened just before the interval at Torre Abbey, Torquay, and within half an hour the intrepid Duke’s Theatre Company performers were ready to go again.

The storm made for an appropriate atmosphere for the tragedy, the final acts of an enthralling show played out amid the elements and a darkening sky.

The producers have an innovative take. Giant lego blocks are castle battlements, scaffold poles are flags and weapons, and black and red are the only colours.

Find out about their other performances here (no more in Devon sadly 😢 ).

P.S. Craving open air theatre? Check out these dates for Twelfth Night in Exeter and Totnes in last week’s Go Devon!

A quaint, maritime day out with fishy food

If you’re visiting the quaintest Devon fishing village you might as well go when one of the festivals is on.

Clovelly’s Maritime Festival celebrates all that’s salty about the place from the sailing and fishing boats to the authentic fish dishes and the RNLI lifeboat station.

WHAT’S ON: Workshops, music, craft and food stalls all for the price of the standard adult admission of £9.90. U16s enter free if they wear sea-themed fancy dress.

• The event supports The Mission to Seafarers.

WHEN: 10am to 5pm, Sunday 20th July. More details here

The small and perfectly formed Devon festival

Get away from the big crowds and be in nature at Goren Festival.

Organisers describe Goren as “a symphony of nature and music nestled in wildflower meadows” with a relaxed and laid back vibe.

THINGS TO DO: 2 nights of camping, circus workshops, open mic sessions, walks and storytelling, plus get the chance to just do nothing and look at the flowers.

Friday 4th to Sunday 6th July, Stockland, near Honiton. Adult tickets: (not including camping) £44. More here

Shape your favourite friend in clay

Ever wanted to immortalise your best friend? Just bring photographs of your doggy and an apron to a beginners workshop in Cullompton.

YOUR TUTOR: Sculptor Helen McCormick will guide you in her terracotta seated dog workshop.

• With luck and some application you’ll shape your dog’s unique features and capture their personality in a lasting piece of art.

All ages welcome (U14s need to be with an adult). Cost: £65 including materials and firing.

OTHER EVENTS: Helen runs clay workshops in Cullompton throughout the year helping people make everything from sea urchins to highland cattle. Details here

“You won’t believe it’s not Jagger!”

Judge for yourself but some say this is the best Mick Jagger lookalike you will ever see.

Not The Rolling Stones will take you back to the Golden Age of the band from Satisfaction to Sympathy for the Devil.

It’s one of 3 great gigs at the Sheldon Open Air Theatre in the Teign Valley near Exeter next month.

• Friday 25th July, Quo-incidence (Status Quo tribute)

• Saturday 26th July, Not The Rolling Stones

• Wednesday 30th July, Joey The Lips

Tickets: £12-£28

Devon Curiosities #64: Chagford Market House

Known as The Pepperpot, the octagonal Market House is the centrepiece of the town’s market square, where sheep and cattle were once brought for sale.

No longer the centre of agricultural activity, the Market House remains at the heart of Chagford Life, being surrounded by boutique shops and cafes.

HISTORY: It was built in 1862 to replace a dilapidated structure called The Shambles.

• According to Legendary Dartmoor the building was designed to be both ornamental and functional, acting both as a centre for market affairs and a parish hall.

Today it houses toilets and small shops and continues to symbolise Chagford on everything from postcards and mugs to Instagram posts.

WHAT ELSE IS ON?

🌊 North Devon 

🐬 South Devon

🏆️ Get lucky! Win Devon leisure prizes

FEATURED: 🏰 A 2-night stay for 2 at the 5-star Bovey Castle, including a Land Rover Defender tour, a free activity of your choice, dinner and 2 breakfasts (24th Jul)

💥 A £650 South Devon prize bundle: a 2-night stay in a cosy shepherd's hut for 2 adults, welcome hamper and logs, late check out, £100 local pub voucher, River Dart cruise, £50 pizza voucher (Tomorrow, 27th Jun)

🦙 An alpaca experience at Compton Pool Farm near Torquay for 4 people including a Devonshire cream tea (30th Jun)

♨️ An afternoon tea and spa visit for 2 at the Ilsington Country House Hotel and Spa on Dartmoor. (30th Jun)

🐔 A 2-night full-board farm stay for 2 with 4 course dinner and breakfast, snacks throughout the day and a programme of onsite activities (30th Jun)

🌊 A 1-night stay with a sea view at a Woolacombe hotel, a 3 course dinner, full English breakfast and free access to swimming pools, jacuzzi, and steam room (30th Jun)

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

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

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

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

NEW!  🌊 A 1-night stay in the art deco hotel at Burgh Island, South Devon (31st Aug)

🐕️ A 4-night break in an East Devon cottage with its own dog friendly enclosed garden and views across open countryside (30th Sep)

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

Reader Poll

Results next week.

New member? Catch up here

🪙 Honiton Hot Pennies Day

🫖 Our best places for a summer cream tea

🍺 The 700-year-old beer ritual still alive in Devon

⛵️ Plymouth’s new boat festival

That’s all for this week.

Thanks for being a member.

Andy, Esme, Lara and the Go Devon! team