In October 2024, we presented the world premiere of The Commotion Time, a retelling of the Prayer Book Rebellion and Siege of Exeter, from South-West playwright Sarah Dickenson. The seven-strong professional cast shared the stage with an ensemble and choir of 43 local people.
★★★★★ The Stage
“Powerful and passionate historical drama illuminates South West talent.
This stunning world premiere, written by Royal Shakespeare Company and Shakespeare’s Globe dramaturg Sarah Dickenson, beautifully portrays the provocative events that led to the Western Rising of 1549…
Dickenson empathetically breathes life into this piece of West Country history, carefully redefining Poundstock’s rebellion against injustice as justifiable protest. Poignantly and significantly staged in Exeter, where the protesters marched, the production is presented with sincerity by the skilled cast and creative team, all of whom have West Country connections.
It’s a statement piece full of wit and warmth, love and loss – mesmerising, thought-provoking and impassioned.”
Written by Sam Tucker
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Photo by Craig Fuller
Photo by Craig Fuller
★★★★★ UK Theatre Web
“Deeply moving, funny, clever, informative and powerfully theatrical – what more could one want of an evening at the theatre? Sarah Dickenson has written something really quite special here and director Martin Berry has realised an impressively engaging production.”
Written by Robert Iles
★★★★ London Theatre 1
“A striking and thoughtful piece of theatre, the production beautifully harnesses its large cast to create an unapologetically strong community atmosphere… this historical work is fascinating and worth seeing. Community theatre at its best.”
Written by Chris Omaweng
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Photo by Craig Fuller
Photo by Craig Fuller
British Theatre Guide
“A story that should be told, a worthy community project, an original score and some fine harmonies under the directorship of onstage and player of myriad instruments musical director Ben Sutcliffe add up to what is clearly, from the standing ovations, a popular evening’s entertainment.”
Written by Karen Bussell
Radio Exe
“After the final rousing song at the climax of this gritty historical drama, Exeter Northcott’s creative director Martin Berry took to the stage with a similarly rousing message of intent. He said that the professional cast, backed by a 40-strong community chorus, telling a story rooted in the South West was a ‘statement piece…about who we are and who we want to be.’
Seeing the stage so full and dynamic, bursting with energy and talent, you can only hope that despite the current grim economics of the arts, that this will be the case. Berry’s marshalling of considerable local talent and his infectious enthusiasm is welcome. There is a lot to enjoy here and a wave of positive energy that you hope will carry the Northcott forward at a time when nationally, fewer and fewer regional theatres are producing new work.”
Written by David Marston
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Photo by Craig Fuller
Photo by Craig Fuller
Exeposé
“The Commotion Time is one of those productions that reminds you of just how magical and impactful theatre can be…
The play, which quite literally blew my socks off, has been twenty years in the making… The stage felt alive, and the emotions portrayed were incredibly infectious… The portrayal of Cornish traditions was incredible to see and showed the audience just how much research went into the creation of the play. Director Martin Berry’s vision for the story made it feel incredibly real and left audiences in a standing ovation that lasted minutes.”
Written by Judy Dodd
Read the ReviewAfter our family pantomime, Cinderella, the next ‘Made by Exeter Northcott’ production will be Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, directed by Martin Berry.
This project is funded with the support of the Creative Arc Programme, an initiative funded by the University of Exeter, Exeter City Council and the UK government through the Shared Prosperity Fund.
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