SPOTLIGHT ON…Exeter Northcott Theatre
We’ve been all over the country so far for our series spotlighting individual theatres, and today we’re back down South in Devon at the Northcott Theatre!
Name: Northcott Theatre
Location: Exeter, Devon
Number of seats: 538
Year opened: 1967
The Northcott stands on the campus of Exeter University, hosting both small local productions and UK tours. It is the seventh building in Exeter that has been used as a theatre.
The theatre was established after Mr George Vernon Northcott (1891-1963) lost negotiations to save the Theatre Royal Exeter, instead focussing on informal discussions with the university in 1962. The then vice-chancellor, Sir James Cook, said that the university had had a site earmarked for a theatre for some time, therefore Mr Northcott’s ideas for an arts centre could be realised.
Whilst Mr Northcott sadly passed away before the new theatre could be opened, it is named in his honour and the Northcott Theatre opened with a production of The Merchant of Venice in November 1967. With its history as a producing repertory theatre, many famous names have spent time as a member of the Northcott company including Lesley Joseph, Robert Lindsay, Celia Imrie and Imelda Staunton.
Originally the theatre sat 433 with a semi-circular main auditorium and an orchestra pit on a mechanical lift. In 2007, the capacity was increased to 538 in a £3.1 million building project. The project also added a lift to all public levels providing full disabled access, additional wheelchair spaces and additional space for eating and drinking, including a café which serves fresh pizzas and paninis.
Despite its relatively small size and its location on a busy university campus (which features many steep hills), this theatre has housed many well-known productions on UK tours. Shows that have been performed here include Amelie, prior to its popular West End run, and Pride and Prejudice *sort of*, along with Mischief Theatre’s The Play That Goes Wrong and Mind Mangler: Member of The Tragic Circle with Henry Lewis’ mind mangler of course making references to those steep hills, referring to the car park as the base camp of a great mountain climb. It is also a popular touring spot for Showstopper: The Improvised Musical. The theatre also often hosts talks and stand up comedy with upcoming events including performances by Dawn French and Richard Herring.
At times, the Northcott Theatre also takes over the university’s grand hall to host larger events, such as upcoming stand up from Jack Whitehall. In 2021, The Northcott Theatre took over the Barnfield Theatre, a 289 capacity performance place in Exeter City Centre, operating both side by side to increase creative activities within the city.
To book tickets or for further information, please click here.
