🎸 🎭️ Hello Devon Fans,

This week we're looking at some of the biggest music and theatre shows coming up in Devon in early 2024 (where you can still get tickets).

There’s plenty to choose from but if you’re keen to see Take That! at Home Park, you’ll need to get your skates on.

23rd-24th Jan: Romesh Ranganathan: The Warm Ups

If you want to see Romesh in full flow with a highly polished, well-rehearsed and funny performance, he’s at the Plymouth Pavilions on 8th May, and there are still some tickets.

If you can’t wait and are happy to see the man try out new material you can see him in Exeter on two nights before his national tour starts.

Who knows what the audience will get as Romesh “warms up” but it’s likely to be more of the deadpan, self-mocking stuff that has helped the former maths teacher to TV stardom.

Northcott Theatre. Exeter. Tickets from £30.50

19th-24th Feb: The world’s longest running whodunnit comes to Barnstaple

As news spreads of a London murder, seven strangers find themselves snowed in at Monkswell Manor, a country hotel.

When a police sergeant arrives, the guests discover, to their horror, that a killer is in their midst.

One by one, the suspicious characters reveal their sordid pasts. Which one is the murderer? Who will be their next victim?

This is the stage set for The Mousetrap, Agatha Christie’s 1947 play which entered the record books for the most enduring.

Queens Theatre, Barnstaple. Watch a trailer.

Tickets from £19.50

The performance is part of a national tour marking the 70th anniversary of the first production, and also visits Exeter’s Northcott Theatre on 15th-20th April.

25th Feb: Rob Brydon’s Night of Songs and Laughter

If you just thought of Rob Brydon as a game show host you’d be overlooking his talents as a singer, comedian, impressionist and all-round entertainer.

He’s supported by a 9-piece orchestra in his popular show A Night of Songs & Laughter, which shares his journey from South Wales to Hollywood and back.

There’ll be toe-tapping tunes from Tom Jones to Tom Waits, Elvis to Guys and Dolls, plus impressions of Mick Jagger, Michael Caine and Steve Coogan.

The Daily Telegraph said: “A winning combination of emotionally rich trip-down-memory-lane songs, and sparkling comedy and impressions.”

Theatre Royal Plymouth. Tickets from £39.

19th-24th Mar: Blood Brothers in Torquay

A musical that ran on London's West End for 24 years is proving its enduring appeal with another UK tour bringing it to Torquay.

Written by Willy Russell, Blood Brothers is set in Liverpool and follows twins who are separated at birth and have contrasting upbringings, one rich, one poor.

There are terrible consequences when they finally discover each other's identities as adults.

It is the fifith longest-running musical in West End history, according to Wikipedia.

Princess Theatre, Torquay. Tickets from £16.80

20th-23rd Mar: Sleeping Beauty by the Birmingham Royal Ballet

Cursed by a wicked fairy, a beautiful princess pricks her finger and falls into a sleep that can only be broken by true love’s kiss.

The Sleeping Beauty has been delighting audiences for over a hundred years, sprinkling ballet magic on this favourite childhood story.

You’ll see virtuoso dance from Birmingham Royal Ballet’s brilliant performers, fairy-tale characters and Tchaikovsky’s glorious music played live by the acclaimed Royal Ballet Sinfonia.

This production was created by Sir Peter Wright, who choreographed the company’s interpretations of The Nutcracker and Swan Lake.

Theatre Royal Plymouth. Tickets from £37.

31 Mar: Aled Jones in his own words and music

The former boy treble’s recording of Walking in the Air from The Snowman established him as a household name.

He built a career in musical theatre with his lead roles in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and is on our TV screens as a host of Songs of Praise.

Now Aled Jones is bringing his story and music to the stage at The Palace Theatre, Paignton.

In his Full Circle show, he looks back on his 40 years in the classical and music theatre business sharing stories, anecdotes and songs.

Tickets £32.25

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Listings

🌊 North Devon

NOVEMBER

Sunday

FESTIVAL | 🐟 Celebrate and learn about North Devon fishing heritage at the Clovelly Herring Festival | Clovelly EX39 5TA. Adult £8.75, child (7-16) £5.10

Wed 22nd

CRAFT | 🧺 Create your own weaved baskets from locally sourced willow | Quince Honey Farm, South Molton, EX36 3RD | Tickets £35.

Thu 23rd

TALK | 🐈 Learn all about Britains rarest mammal, the European wildcat and its possible reintroduction in Devon | Online talk | Find out more and register here.

Sun 26th

ENVIRONMENT | 🌊 Look after the North Devon coastline by taking part in a Woolacombe beach clean up with Plastic Free Woolacombe and the National Trust | Mill Rock, Woolacombe EX34 7HL | Free

SHOPPING | 👗 Want a more environmentally friendly wardrobe? | Try the Vintage and Upcycled Clothes Market for lovely and unique pieces | St Mary’s Church Hall, Appledore EX39 1RL. 3pm to 7pm.

DECEMBER

Fri 1st

TRIBUTE BAND | 🎙️It’s back to the 1970s with the Bootleg Blondie tribute band and some of Debbie Harry’s greatest hits | Palladium Club, Bideford EX39 2DE | Tickets £16.50.

Wed 6th

THEATRE | 🎭 Climate Change Theatre | Watch a mixture of short plays with global climate change themes | Bridge Chambers, Barnstaple EX31 1HB | Adult tickets £7.21, U16s £3.96.

Fri 8th

MUSIC | 🎤 Watch Mad Dog Mcrea live in Barnstaple and enjoy a blend of pop, folk and jazz music | JCT27, Barnstaple EX31 1SB | Tickets £21.

Sat 9th

CHRISTMAS | 🎄 Get your hands on some festive treats at the Bideford Christmas Market | Bideford Pannier Market, Bideford EX39 2DR | Free

Sat 9th to Sat 23rd

CHRISTMAS FUN | 🎡 Visit the Magic of Christmas at the Milky Way Adventure Park | Meet Santa, ice gingerbread and enjoy all the rides | The Milky Way Adventure Park, Bideford EX39 5RY | Tickets from £4.50 (not including regular ticket entry).

Wed 13th to Sun 31st

THEATRE | 🎭 Immerse yourself in the magical and mystical world of Sleeping Beauty at this year’s panto | Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple EX31 1SY | Tickets from £15.

Sun 17th

ENTERTAINMENT | 🎙️ What is your go to karaoke song? Now’s your chance to perform at the Cedars Inn Karaoke and Curry night | Cedars Inn, Barnstaple EX31 2HE | Tickets £15.

Fri 22nd

MUSIC | 🎧 Show off your best dance moves at the Howl at the Moon silent disco | Barnstaple Pannier Market, Barnstaple EX31 1SY | Tickets £16.50.

Tue 26th

FESTIVITIES | 🍗 Enjoy some mulled wine, music and a BBQ, at Clovelly’s annual Boxing Day BBQ | Clovelly Harbour, The Quay, Clovelly EX39 5TF. Free entry to the village.

Sun 31st

NEW YEAR | 🥂 Travel back to the 1920s with a Gatsby Gala Dinner | The Barnstaple Hotel, Barnstaple EX31 1LE | Tickets £55.

🐬 South Devon

NOVEMBER

Today

CHRISTMAS | 🎄 Take part in the festivities at Plymouth’s annual Christmas Lights Switch-On | Armada Way, Plymouth PL1 2AA | Free

Tomorrow

TALK | 🎙️ Do you have a sense of adventure? | Hear about explorer Ranulph Fiennes exciting experiences and tales from his expeditions | Plymouth Pavilions, PL1 3LF | Tickets from £35.10

Tomorrow and throughout the rest of November

CHRISTMAS | 🎄 Get your Christmas shopping started at Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market | Enjoy entertainment, great food and get festive! | Cathedral Green EX1 1HS | Free.

Saturday

CHALLENGE | 🥾 Run across Dartmoor at night | Burrator Noir 12-mile trail or 10km road race | Burrator Discovery Centre, Yelverton PL20 6PE | Registration

Thu 23rd

TALK | 🐈 Learn about Britain’s rarest mammal, the European wildcat, and its possible reintroduction in Devon | Online talk | Find out more and register 

Thu 23rd to Sun 26th

ENTERTAINMENT | ⛸️ See your favourite Disney characters at Disney on Ice | Westpoint Arena, Exeter EX5 1DJ | Tickets from £32.60.

 Fri 24th to Sun 26th

ENTERTAINMENT | 🦁 Celebrate Paignton Zoo’s 100th Anniversary with light displays, silent disco and festive food | Paignton Zoo TQ4 7EU | Dates available from November to January | Adult tickets £20.50, U16s £14.50.

Mon 27th

NATURE | 🦅 Join a guided bird watching cruise on the River Exe and learn about winter species | Stuart Line Cruises, Exmouth Marina, Pier Head, Exmouth EX8 1FE | Tickets £14.

Thu 30th

CLIMATE CHANGE | 🌍 In preparation for the next COP climate summit join the Climate Cafe and meet fellow eco warriors | Theatre Royal, Plymouth PL1 2TR | Free.

DECEMBER

Fri 1st

CHRISTMAS | 🎄 Immerse yourself in traditional Christmas at Tavistock’s Dickensian Evening with festive craft stalls, live music and entertainment | Tavistock Town Centre PL19 0AE | Free

Fri 1st and Sat 2nd

COMEDY | 🎙️ Laugh along with Sarah Millican and she tells you all about her childhood, marriage… and divorce | Plymouth Pavilions, Plymouth PL1 3LF | Tickets £37.90.

Fri 1st to Sun 17th

CHRISTMAS | 🎄 Get your Christmas shopping started at Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market | Enjoy entertainment, great food and get festive! | Cathedral Green, Exeter EX1 1HS | Free.

Sat 2nd

WILDLIFE | 🐬 Spot dolphins, whales (maybe) and sea birds off the coast of Wembury Point and collect data for the Devon Wildlife Trust | Weather dependent | Wembury Marine Centre, Church Rd, Wembury PL9 0HP | Free.

Sun 3rd

FUN RUN | 🎅 Join the Plymouth Santa Fun Run and raise money for charity | The Barbican, Plymouth PL1 2LE | £15 entry fee.

Sat 16th

MURDER MYSTERY | 🔎 Can you uncover the murderer? Spend an evening solving a crime, along with drinks and a three course meal | The Box, Plymouth PL4 8AX | Tickets £55.

Sun 17th

COMEDY | 🎙️ Join The Comedy Show and see the best in stand up from around the world | Barnfield Theatre, Barnfield Rd, EX1 1SN | Tickets £22.50.

🏆️ Win Devon Prizes

We find Devon prize competitions so you don’t have to. Entry is free unless stated. Closing dates are in brackets.

🛏️ A 2-night stay in a 1970s retro house for up to 4 guests at Braunton plus a goodie bag (19 Nov)

New!  🎉 Cream tea and prosecco hamper (20 Nov)

😱 2 tickets to Beauty and the Beast at Exmouth Pavilions (21 Nov)

🌊 A 2 night-stay at Berry Barn, near Hartland, for up to 6 people (no closing date given)

🍺 A hamper of Devon-made drinks (rum, gin, beer and wine) worth £49.99 from Bays Brewery (25 Nov)

New!  🌊 2 nights at Soar Mill Cove, South Devon, lunch, wine giftset and a £250 voucher (26 Nov)

🎭️ A BIG night out in Plymouth for two people: theatre, meal and hotel (26 Nov)

New!  💤 2 nights in a Torquay beach hut (30 Nov)

🌲 A 2-night stay for a family of 4 at Dittisham Hideaway, Dartmouth, including a welcome hamper worth £500 (30 Nov)

🍸️ A limited edition South Hams boozy truffle collection box from Salcombe Dairy (30 Nov)

⛳️ A 2-night break for 8 people in a self-catering lodge at Woodbury Golf & Country Club, Exeter (30 Nov)

🍾 A 4-night stay in a shepherds lodge at Dittisham Hideaway, Dartmouth with a welcome hamper for two people worth a total of £1,000. (31 Nov)

🪙 A £200 voucher to spend at Exeter shops and restaurants (1 Dec)

⭐️ A “Golden” ticket to Devon attractions worth £1,500 (1 Dec)

New!  🍾 A luxury one-night stay and a three-course meal for two at The Collective at Woolsery near Bideford (31 Dec)

Terms and conditions apply. See individual websites.

Got a competition? Let us know.

That’s all for this week.

With love, cream and jam, in that order.

😎 Andy, Esme, Lara and the Go Devon! team

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