The Last Post & James Tries To Make His Life Slightly Better

'The Last Post' by Kilter, a red mobile theatre outside Exeter Phoenix

When was the last time you got a loving email?

It was love at first sight between Mobile Sorting Office 451 and I. The cluttered treasure trove bijou performance space was a delight even before the play started. Within this unusual space a charming love story unfolds between two quirky nomads working to keep the old postal traditions alive.

Scored with live music played by a mute who arrived in a jiffy bag this heart-warming tale is gentle and eccentric, and reminded me that I really should write to my mum.

*****
You can see this play Friday and Saturday at 1pm or 7.30pm each day.



'James Tries To Make His Life Slightly Better' by James Tapp, The City Gate Hotel

Everyone who has gone through their early 20s knows that realisation of 'I guess I'm no longer a kid - I should probably sort my life out'. Twenty-three year old James started out with a list (featuring things such as, brew good coffee at home, build a vinyl collection and, make myself more attractive to women) and good intentions. Through anecdotes, poems and a dressing-down from his inner self he shares his realisation that the process is more important than the aims. He's also hilarious.

****
James has now finished his awkward explorations for Ignite.

www.igniteexeter.org.uk

Fox & Beneath the Albion Sky

'Fox' by Scratchworks, Exeter Phoenix

A silent film brought to life. This charming reimagining of Roald Dahl's classic has the animals leaping, crawling and dancing all over the place whilst soundtracked by live American Southern jazz.

With hardly any props and no scenery the mime elements of the show didn't always work (but only where there were a lot of 'objects' to handle) but the physicality was impressive. I particularly liked the girl playing the fox cub, she danced with such abandon that it looked like her limbs were made of rubber.

***
Fox has finished its run as part of Ignite



'Beneath the Albion Sky' by Write by Numbers, The Bike Shed Theatre

In his bewitching deep voice Paul (Andy Kelly) recounts his epic walk following the St. Michael's Ley Line from Land's End to Hopton-on-Sea. A mixture of acting, story-telling, good advice, fact and fiction, where he peacefully meets saints, knights and warrior queens, and violently confronts a dragon. Along the way considering our relationship with nature and change.

I wish my long distance walks were as interesting as his, but as he says - a walking story is always better than the walk.

*****
Your last chance to see it is Wednesday, 6.30pm
Tickets £6 (if purchased with no other shows)

www.igniteexeter.org.uk