Exeter Northcott Theatre presents
Exe Men
How did an unfashionable rugby team from Devon emerge from obscurity to become the double-winning champions of England and Europe?
A story of personal sacrifice, dogged determination, fierce local pride and a collective desire to put a proud region on the sporting map; the extraordinary rise of the Exeter Chiefs ranks among the classic underdog tales in modern sport.
And now this epic tale is being told on stage at Exeter Northcott Theatre this October. Follow the highs and lows of this stirring West-Country drama. You’ll be cheering, singing and crying in the stands as the production celebrates the remarkable characters who made the impossible happen.
This unmissable new production is based on the award-winning book Exe Men, written by the Guardian’s rugby union correspondent, Robert Kitson. Emmy-award-winning writer Ashley Pharoah (Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes) is adapting the book for the stage and the Northcott’s creative director Martin Berry will direct a professional cast, supported by a community ensemble. Also including Steve Knightley’s The River and the Hills and the Rolling Sea, a chorus born in the terraces and made for singing together.
“This play is a funny and entertaining representation of the history of Exeter Chiefs and I look forward to watching it live.”
Tony Rowe CBE, Exeter Rugby Club Chairman and CEO
“Excellent performance. Moving at times, joyful and nostalgic. Go see it!”
Audience Review
“You’ve created something truly wonderful here… a magnificent achievement”
Audience Review
“To have a show about community filled with an amazing community cast was a stroke of genius!”
Audience Review
“Funny. Eye-opening. A must-watch.”
Audience Review
Access performances
BSL-interpreted performance: Thu 9 Oct, 7.30pm, interpreted by Sarah Ankers — to book the seats with the best view of the BSL-interpreter, please contact our box office team on 01392 72 63 63
Captioned performance: Sat 11 Oct, 3pm, captioning by Trish Wright
Audio-described performance: Sat 11 Oct, 7.30pm, audio-description by Shannon Griffin. Including a touch tour before the show at 6.30pm.
Relaxed performance: Sat 18 Oct, 3pm
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ACCESS PERFORMANCES
Audio description, captioning and BSL interpretation provided by Complete Communication, part of The Inclusivity Group.
Watch the BSL flyer
Post-Match Analysis: The Making of EXE MEN
TUE 14 OCT
Join us for a special post-show event for Exe Men ticket holders, hosted by Sandy Park’s legendary match day MC, James Chubb. The panel will feature Robert Kitson, The Guardian’s Rugby Union correspondent since 1999 and author of the book that inspired the play, Ashley Pharoah, the show’s writer and creator of TV hits like Life On Mars and Ashes to Ashes, Martin Berry, Exeter Northcott’s Creative Director, plus members of the cast. Come armed with your questions about the play, the Chiefs, and the extraordinary story behind it all – a unique chance after the show, for ticket holders to go deeper into the world of Exe Men.
INSIDE THE GREEN ROOM
Take a deep-dive behind the scenes of Exe Men; click the link hear from the Exeter Chiefs, read an interview with our creative team, and take a sneak peek into rehearsals.
Interested in corporate hospitality and sponsorship for this production? We’d love to hear from you! Get in touch by clicking the button below.
Cast
Micha Colombo as Jo Baxter
Joe Feeney as the players
Tim Hudson as Tony Rowe
Emile Ruddock as the players
Robert Shaw Cameron as Rob Baxter
Pete Watts as the players
Creative Team
Martin Berry – Director
Ashley Pharoah – Writer
Katie Villa – Associate Director
Maria Terry – Set & Costume Designer
Kim Healey – Movement Director
Dinah Mullen – Sound Designer
Nick Laws – Video Designer
Marcus Bartlett – Lighting Designer
Northcott Theatre
This performance contains: strong language, partial nudity, smoking, and alcohol. Content guidance (may contain spoilers)
