Coming up at the
The Cygnet Theatre 2026 Season
Friar’s Gate, Cygnet Theatre, Exeter, EX2 4AZ
TEL: 01392 277189
Antigone Rising – The Wheel 12+ Thurs 9th Fri 10th & Sat 11th July 7.30pm £15 /£12.50
This devised exploration of the Antigone myth, highlights the conflict between: family & state, youth & experience, defiance & compromise. Set in the aftermath of war this all female ensemble emphasises the bravery and sacrifice of this young woman who dares to confront the power of the state.
Canterbury Leylines Friday 11th September 7.30pm £17/£15
Temple of Shibboleth & Groove Study bring trace their shared connections to the Canterbury scene along an axis that includes avant-rock, Rock in Opposition & mythic prog. Yumi Hara’s Groove Study are an avant-rock trio & Temple of Shibboleth are a surrealist sisterhood who in trio form are able to fully experiment with stretching out their material beyond the jazz horizon.
Kevin Harding: Here Comes The Sun Tour Sat 19th September 7.30pm£15/£12.50 Acoustic Guitarist Kevin Harding performing his fingerstyle guitar arrangements of popular Beatles songs plus some of his own compositions. He is supported by Pres Hotlas – a talented young fingerstyle guitarist from Cornwall, who will open with both classical and percussive fingerstyle pieces and join Kevin in some Beatles together.
Blue Vanguard Jazz Club Thurs 24th Sept 7.30pm £15 with Guest Artist Sara Colman
Joining our regular trio of Craig Milverton, Al Swainger & “Coach” York.
Lilith: The Other Side of the Story Fri 25th September 7.30pm £15/£12.50 Artemis Artemis Storytelling presents Katy Cawkwell. A dramatic, uplifting one-woman exploration and celebration of female power through the mythological figure of Lilith. Shocking, seductive and entertaining. Lilith, the first wife of Adam, was not prepared to lie down and accept what was given to her. Thrown out of Eden, she slithered back in to take her revenge and wake Eve up to what her body could do.
The Ocean Can Be A Bridge – Thurs & Fri 1st & 2nd October 7.30pm £15
Frederick Douglass in Exeter – An original play exploring the story of Frederick Douglass and the Exeter Abolitionists which was performed to sold-out audiences in September and October as part of Exeter Heritage Open Days at the Devon and Exeter Institution in September and Black History Month at Exeter Central Library in October.
Kathy’s Song: A Celebration of Simon & Garfunkel Sat 3rd October 7.30pm £15/£13 Backstory Glorious harmonies, superb guitar playing and a fabulous love story? Following the highs and lows of Simon & Garfunkel’s rise to fame, told through the eyes of Paul’s English girlfriend Kathy this hugely enjoyable show features all the hits, in a surprising and moving story that has audiences laughing, crying, singing along and getting warmly nostalgic.
Hour Before Nightfall – In vitro Productions Sat10th October 7.30pm £16
This fast-moving and entertaining stage play is based on the true story of Frederick Densham, a mysterious living hermit who lived in the remote Bodmin Moor village of Warleggan from 1931 until his death in 1953. Written about by Daphne du Maurier and others, the story is rooted in the landscape of Cornwall and is driven by the evolving relationship between its two contrasting characters. When worlds collide, magic can happen…
Tears of Laughter: Simon Mayor & Hilary James Fri 16th Oct 7.30pm £15
‘One of the world great mandolinists’ (BBC Radio 3) Simon Mayor is also very funny!
Possessed of “one of Britain’s finest voices’ (BBC Radio 4), Hilary James also plays the amazing giant mandobass, adds guitar to anything from blues to Vivaldi and picks a mean banjo break.
Together they’ve recorded over twenty acclaimed albums and have just finished a short pre-concert film of Hilary’s art animations and poems from Simon’s latest book – ‘Of Death and a Banana Skin’. Can they be serious!!?? Well, you’ll have to come along to find out!
Blue Vanguard Jazz Club Thurs 22nd October 7.30pm £15
– with Guest Trumpeter Ben Cummings
Joining our regular trio of Craig Milverton, Al Swainger & “Coach” York.
A Cabaret at the End of the World – Friday 23rd October 7.30pm £15/£12.50
Shoulda Woulda Theatre Company
The Apocolypse has come and gone. Two actors have holed up in and old theatre with the aim of keeping showbiz alive despite the end of days. However, the only bums on seats belong to the cockroaches. And… what’s that – a knock on the stage door? Who is out there? Friend or critic? Can the two old thespians put on a production to impress their visitor? Or will it be their final curtain call?
The Crucible Arthur Miller 27th – 31st October 7.30pm & 2.30pm Sat 31st October £15/£10 U21
For Halloween, Shake on the Exe present Arthur Miller’s chilling story of fear, suspicion, and mass hysteria. Set in the shadow of the Salem witch trials, our production remains rooted in its traditional world while drawing unsettling parallels to the society we live in today. As accusations spread and neighbours turn on one another, truth becomes dangerous and panic takes control. Dark, atmospheric, and disturbingly relevant, this haunting new production asks: when fear rules a community, who survives?
The Orchard Cafe By Candlelight: Sat 21st November 7.30pm £15/£12.50
Music for a cosy Autumn Evening exploring the Scandinavian tradition of hygge. Sit back, switch off from the digital world, and enjoy the cosy atmosphere, while the musicians perform their favourite contemporary folk arrangements and offer an insight into the Scandinavian tradition of hygge. The programme centres on tunes from Denmark, Norway and Sweden, arranged by the Danish String Quartet, includes original music from closer to home, featuring pieces by Exeter based composer Ali Jones.
Blue Vanguard Thurs 26th November 7.30pm £15
– with Guitarist Colin Oxley
Joining our regular trio of Craig Milverton, Al Swainger & “Coach” York.
Artemis Storytelling – Exeter Story Fix Friday 27th November 7.30pm £15/£12.50
This is the opening night of the Exeter Story Fix festival. Line-up to be confirmed, but featuring performance storytellers Amy Douglas and Inez Aponte. Expect strong words, mythic resonance and a warm welcome from your host, Katy Cawkwell, current Bard of Exeter.
Pete Rawcliffe’s Singers Christmas Concert Sunday 29th November 5pm £6
Tom McConville Friday 4th December 7.30pm £15
Award winning fiddle player and singer Tom McConville is internationally renowned for his fiery, heart-stopping performances. Truly the most original fiddle player in the UK. His live performances are a roller coaster of musical delights; fast rhythmic dance tunes through beautiful slow airs and of course great singing – all presented with his inimitable sense of humour and style.
Katy Kerley’s Christmas Concert Saturday 6th December 5pm £6
The Louis & Ella Christmas Show: Sat12th December 7.30pm £15/£12.50
Returning to the Cygnet theatre,The Louis & Ella Music Show?performs the songs/duets recorded & performed by Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald, from the Great American Songbook (George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Rodgers & Hart, Cole Porter and more).This Festive Christmas show is also packed with favourite Christmas songs all delivered by a hot band of some of the finest jazz/session musicians around!: Sarah Meek (Vocals) , Dave Cottle (Piano, Trumpet & Vocals), Alun Vaughan (Bass) & Paul Smith (Drums).
Cygnet Carol Celebration Sunday 13th December 4pm
Come and enjoy carols and readings to start your christmas feast.
Blue Vanguard Jazz Club Thurs 17th Dec 7.30pm £15
with special guest Amy Roberts Sax & Flute, joining
the regular trio of Craig Milverton, Al Swainger & “Coach” York.
