August
August 15 & 16: Opera Brava. Powderham Castle provides the stunning backdrop for a double bill of opera that promises to be a real treat for music lovers this month.
Opera Brava is staging Carmen on Friday, August 15, and the Marriage of Figaro on Saturday August 16. Bizet’s tale of the bewitching gypsy Carmen, who woos and seduces unfortunate soldier Don Jose to such disastrous consequences, has enthralled audiences for generations. ¶ By contrast, Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro is all about fun and sex, charting the hilarious twists and turns that befall Susanna and Figaro on their wedding day. With Andrew Mayor as Count Almaviva, determined to claim his “droit de seigneur” before Susanna walks down the aisle, Amanda Buckland as Countess Almaviva, Marc Callahan as Figaro and Anna Patalong as Susanna, Opera Brava has assembled a highly accomplished cast. Carmen: Friday, 6.30pm for 8pm performance in courtyard. Tickets £25 and child £10. Marriage of Figaro: 6.30pm for performance at 7.30pm. Tickets £25 and child £10. To book your tickets for both shows call (01626) 890243 or (01444) 443000.
August 22: WestEnders, Exmouth Pavilion. More of the best musicals ever - a night in London’s West End in Exmouth! There will be a brilliant tribute show at the Pavilion on Friday, August 22, at 8pm. Featuring top West End singers and the highest quality musicians who will take you on a unique musical journey with their own special ‘WestEnders’ brand of music. WestEnders warmly invite you into their musical world and take you through some of your favourite shows and leave you wanting more and more!
The WestEnders features six talented performers who between them have appeared in over twenty of the most popular and prestigious West End shows of the last decade - including Beauty and the Beast, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Aspects Of Love, Jesus Christ Superstar, Oliver!, Crazy For You and many more. Tickets are priced at £15.50 and £14.50 and can be purchased from the box office on (01395) 222477 or you can book your tickets online at www.exmouthpavilion.co.uk
October
October 21 to 25: Kiss Me Kate, Manor Pavilion, Sidmouth. Following on from their success with The Full Monty, Sidmouth Musical Comedy Society is presenting Kiss Me Kate at the Manor Pavilion Theatre, Sidmouth, from October 21 to 25. Director is Elizabeth Hammond and musical director John Griswold. Auditions are being held at the Unitarian Church Hall, All Saints Road, Sidmouth, on July 17 at 7.30pm. There will be singing rehearsals on Wednesday, July 9, Thursday the 10th and Monday the 14th - 7.30pm at the Unitarian to run through the audition pieces. All are welcome and, if you need further details, telephone Jacqui on (01392) 274699. For anyone who missed The Full Monty or would like to see it again, the society is taking the show to the Barnfield Theatre, Exeter, from July 28 to 31. Tickets can be obtained from the theatre box office (01392) 270891.