Not to be missed this weekend...

Phonic FM events

Exeter theatres rule!

Thank you to all our guests today from Cygnet New Theatre, Exeter BikeShed Theatre and Exeter Northcott Theatre. 

Malcolm and Matt came in 
to tell us about the Cygnet New Theatre's current production, Alan Ackbourn's My Very Own Story. Matt acts as Percy who has what he believes is an exciting tale to tell but finds there are rival story tellers. Audiences have been thoroughly enjoying this production which continues until 10 December and again from 4 to 7 January.
Cygnet is a training theatre and Matt was an enthusiastic proponent of the repertory theatre style of training he has received which has enabled him to confidently tackle his part in this play. 
My Very Own Story is but part of a full programme of theatre and music on offer. Full details on the Cygnet New Theatre website,


Hugh Janes wrote After Dark which explores love and loss through the eyes of a woman who has seen it all. Hugh explained the fascinating process by which a written piece is transformed into a performance through collaboration with the cast and play director.  After Dark has undergone this process and Hugh is very  pleased with the production that has come out of it. The play begins its run at Exeter BikeShed Theatre from 12 to 17 December. It is directed by Katie Villa.
The BikeShed also offers a full range of other musical and theatrical performances including the seasonal Christmas Carol: Smoke and Whispers, a specially commissioned new version of the Dickens story by Shaun McCarthy.
Check out the Exeter BikeShed Theatre website for details of their programme.


Matt Newbury gave us the rundown on what is on and coming up at Exeter Northcott Theatre. Described as "a fun-filled frolic" by a Guardian critic, We're going on a Bear Hunt is based on Michael Rosen's award-winning book and is brought vividly and noisily onto stage by director Sally Cookson and a full cast. It runs from 8 December to 1 January. 
Listen to the ad for this show here.

The Northcott's Spring/Summer programme is being launched this week and includes the Laugh Out Loud Comedy Festival with performances by John Hegley, The Segue Sisters, Nicholas Parsons and Monkey Poet plus Thoroughly Modern Millie, an Exeter University Footlights Society presentation and an Uncommon Players / Northcott Theatre presentation of Alan Bennett's Talking Heads. Pick up the brochure at venues throughout Exeter or view the programme on the theatre's website.


Music played 
Alice Jemima..1 2 3 4..Alice Jemima
Gecko..Best Friend..Pigeon EP
Union Starr..I Know About Art
Madison Violet..Come As You Are..The Good In Goodbye
Antony & The Johnsons..Ghost..Swanlights
The Walker Brothers..The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore..The Collection
Beata Palya..Lover Man..Adieu Et Complexes
Mudskippers..Who Will Cry For Me?
Dave Wood..May the Kindness..Into The Light

Katie Marie..Red Light (Live)..To The Journey
Rob Halligan..Big Fat River..Dark Clouds Fighting
Gareth Davies-Jones..Borderland..Water & Light
Beirut..A Sunday Smile..The Flying Club Cup
Brendan Power..The Bucks Of Oranmore..Blow In
Peachy Farmer..Clover
Nic Jones..Teddy Bears' Picnic..In Search Of Nic Jones
Mr Acker Bilk..Stranger On The Shore
Eartha Kitt..Old Fashioned Girl..My Heart Belongs To Daddy
Cesaria Evora..Isolada..Voz D'Amor
Chris Woods..Woodcraft

Exeter Harvest

Today Andi Tobe and Ellie Parker told us all about the Exeter-based Harvest. Harvest works with local communities and individuals to encourage people to grow their own food and they do this through a wide range of activities.

The activities include
A series of practical hands-on workshops throughout the year aimed at giving people the skills and confidence to create and care for vegetable and fruit gardens
Work Together: help turning unused land into community growing space
City Fruit Harvest: collecting unwanted fruit from Exeter’s gardens and taking it to where it is needed
Seasonal events to celebrate all the achievements

If you want to get involved as a participant or volunteer, contact the Harvest team. 
Email andit@eci.org.uk or ellie@eci.org.uk

Find out more on the Harvest website.

Music chosen by Andi, Ellie and Martin:
Dave Wood..Song For TJ / Careless Love..Into The Light

Dick Gaughan..The Workers' Song..Handful Of Earth
Isley Brothers..Harvest For The World..Harvest For The World
Bob Marley & The Wailers..Jamming..Exodus
Ben & Alfie..Track 8 /Hot Ginger..Milestones
Voices In Common..Wassail..The Voice That Lives Inside You
The Wurzels..The Marrow Song (Oh What A Beauty)..
Peachy Farmer..Bubblintry..download

Union Starr..Real Fool..download
Juldeh Camara & Griselda Sanderson..White Wood..Traders
Rob Halligan..Elanor..Dark Clouds Fighting
Marcus Bonfanti..The Bittersweet / St James' Infirmary
Gotan Project..Peligro..Tango 3.0
Sion Russell Jones..Thinking Of You / Way Back When
Amadou & Mariam..Chantez-Chantez..The Magic Couple
Nic Jones..Teddy Bear's Picnic..In Search Of Nic Jones
Sion Russell Jones..Thinking Of You / Way Back When..And Suddenly...


Martin Hodge talked today to Sion Russell Jones on the phone about his music which has been heard at several festivals and on East Enders and Coronation Street! He's at Exeter Phoenix in the Cafe Bar for a free concert on Tuesday 6 December.
Check out his music here.