Ignite prepares to set the Exeter arts scene alight with live performance around the city

Proving that any space can be a theatre and anyone can tell a story, Ignite is a 6-day celebration of new live performance work from the South West and beyond that will host events in a number of venues across Exeter.

It is an affordable opportunity for artists, performers and companies to preview their Edinburgh shows or as a local, alternative, exciting festival experience, aiming to create a diverse and inspiring summer festival programme.

Over 50 performances are to take place across the city at venues including Exeter Phoenix, The Bike Shed Theatre and The Cygnet Theatre as well as pub venues such as The Hourglass, The Globe and The Rusty Bike.

One of Exeter Phoenix’s highlights includes an inventive and quirky play, The Last Post, in which 17 audience members watch a nostaligic love story about the wonderful art of letter writing, in the back of a mobile sorting office in the Phoenix carpark.

At the Bikeshed Theatre, Fellswoop Theatre follows last year’s award-winning and Edinburgh sell out success Belleville Rendez-vous with a dark and intriguing drama, Ablutions.

The Hourglass hosts an adaptation of Dickins’ Great Expectations by a founder member of Cornwall’s Kneehigh Theatre, David Mynne, as well as an eccentric, vintage comedy about a cross-channel swimming champion, Swimmers.

Whilst at the Cygnet Theatre, dance fans can experience a beautifully evocative performance with live music in Buttercup and contemporary dance from performers trained at Rambert and the Royal Ballet in Piano Moves.

David Lockwood, Director of The Bike Shed Theatre says: "Exeter Ignite is a wonderful opportunity for artists to try out new work, often before they go up to the Edinburgh Festival. It is also a chance for people in the city to have some fun, try something new and take part in something a little different."

Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw says: "Exeter's annual theatre festival - Ignite - has rapidly established itself as an exciting new showcase for original and innovative theatre. It reflects our city's confidence and growing reputation as an important regional cultural centre."

Participating venues:

Exeter Phoenix
Bang in the heart of the city, Exeter Phoenix is the South West’s foremost multi-artform venue. With hundreds of events programmed each year, spanning music, art, film, theatre and comedy as well as a whole host of learning activities, Exeter Phoenix is housed in a vibrant venue, proud of its diversity and revelling in its eclectic buzz. 

Bike Shed Theatre
Nestled at the end of an alley between a strip club and a church, you'll find the Bike Shed Theatre. With a 60 seat subterranean auditorium and adjacent vintage cocktail tavern, the venue has performances nearly every night of the year. Championing new work and innovation, the theatre has gained national acclaim for its shows. www.bikeshedtheatre.co.uk

Cygnet Theatre
Situated between the Quay and the inner by-pass just outside the city wall at Friars Gate, this intimate studio space has a superb dance floor and can seat 100 people. Home to Cygnet Training Theatre. Bar with hot and cold drinks available. Flat disabled-friendly access. www.cygnettheatre.co.uk

The Rusty Bike
The Rusty Bike is located just a short 5-minute walk from the city centre and boasts an intimate performance space showcasing the latest in new writing, performance and comedy. Serving award-winning food and ales, it’s also the perfect place to relax before, during and after a show. www.rustybike-exeter.co.uk

Hourglass Inn
A newcomer to the Ignite festival, but no stranger to hosting quality performances, the Hourglass is a unique and atmospheric venue nestled above the quay. It has offered performance space to local companies for many years including new writing, classic text and emerging devised work. Seating just 40, the charming feature of this space is its intimate nature creating the perfect fringe venue. Showing 2 performances a night, the Hourglass is excited to be opening its doors to join in the city-wide celebration of performance work. 

The Globe Inn
A cosy, suburban bar located by Belmont Park, just a short walk from the city centre. We are looking for new writing companies to perform at the venue throughout the festival with up to three short performances each evening. https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Globe/131796416868706

The City Gate Hotel
An intimate space offering personal, playful and comedic one act shows and performances. Spoken word, immersive theatre, clowning, experimental storytelling and humorous wordplay can all be found at this lovely pub Sitting next to Exeter's famous iron bridge. Offering summer sun in Exeter's best beer Garden. www.citygatehotel.com

Poltimore House
Located on the outskirts of Exeter in the historical grounds and property of the charming Poltimore House, Arts on the Move is a new, exciting and vibrant daylong arts festival. Buzzing with the latest theatre, comedy and music, enjoy the electric atmosphere with delicious pizza, cocktails and sun. A perfect end to the Ignite week. For tickets including transport click here. www.poltimore.org

The Cocktail Caravan
Keep an eye out for the fabulous, polka-dot covered Cocktail Caravan, which will be popping up at various locations during Ignite. Come and enjoy some tea and cake (or something a little stronger!) in our delightful al fresco cafe setting, where artists participating in the festival will be presenting very special extracts from their shows for you to sample. You can stay up to date with our whereabouts via Twitter @thecocktailvan or Facebook.com/CocktailCaravan

Special offers: 1 show for £6 ~ 2 shows for £11 ~ 3 shows for £15 ~ 4 shows for £18 ~ 5 shows for £20

Click here for a full list of performances on offer.

The festival is supported by Exeter City Council.