Reclaim festival in Exeter to host workshops and performances
A week-long celebration of women in the arts will feature a wide range of workshops and performances.
The festival is being hosted by The Exeter Northcott at their city-centre Barnfield Theatre and is taking place between 9 to 14 June. It’s being produced by local director, theatre maker and producer Katie Villa.
‘I’m so excited to share our full programme of events, showcasing amazing work from some of the most incredible women in the South West. The festival celebrates women but is open to everyone and we have so many fantastic events to choose from!’
‘From daring performance and breathtaking live art, to fizzy social gatherings and captivating workshops. Reclaim brings together the very best of local, regional and national talent.’
The Exeter Northcott says it’s excited to bring the Reclaim Festival back for the second year in a row. It adds the event is a ‘crucial platform for addressing the persistent underrepresentation of women in the arts.’
The event follows the recent successful staging of Dracula at The Northcott.
A full programme of events for The Reclaim Festival was recently published. It’ll see a number of outstanding performances returning to the Barnfield Theatre – including Niplash, created by Karla Shacklock which debuted at the Scratch Night (Reclaim Festival 2024).
‘A short work-in-progress performance of Niplash was birthed at the first Reclaim Festival last year,’ says Karla.
‘The momentum sparked by that one opportunity, and the continued support of Reclaim, has helped Niplash to not only be developed into a longer festival piece, but most significantly has enabled the work to become integrated into the community, which has always been the dream for Niplash.’
Getting creative
‘This year’s performance features a local mum’s choir, invitations for parents to donate stories and unwanted feeding paraphernalia, and a special post show activity hosted by Exeter’s own producer, facilitator and The Daylight Collective founder Lizzy Humber.’
Highlights of the programme include Happenings, an evening of live art, spoken word, moving image and experimental music.
The event is curated by award-winning poet and interdisciplinary artist Kerry Priest who is one of the originators of Plymouth’s SOAK Live Art events. Kerry will also be leading a Live Art Workshop for anyone interested in getting creative.
