What’s On in North Devon – November 8-11

There a number of events and activities taking place across North Devon this weekend.

In our weekly guide to the weekend below, we've handpicked a selection of the best events and provided all the details you need.

For a round-up of Remembrance Services on Sunday, visit our special November 11 listings page.

Check out www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk's new What's On pages for everything you need to know about events, music, theatre, comedy, nightlife, reviews and much more - all in one place.

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Comedy:

What: Robin Ince: Happiness Through Science

Where: Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple

When: Friday, November 9

After touring with Professor Brian Cox, Robin Ince continues his comic exploration of the human condition at the Queen’s Theatre this Friday, with his new show, Happiness Through Science.

Science, explains Ince, is an all-inclusive way of looking at the world around us.

“It’s everything from bonobo sexual behaviour to the idea that there are a possibly infinite number of yous in a possibly infinite number of worlds. It explains why you have thumbs, it looks the stars at night and the limpets on a North Devon beach so it’s not as if there is a lack of subject matter. Science is not a subject, it is a way of thinking and in that way of thinking you can talk about everything.”

His show promises to explore a world of Schrodinger cats, multiverses and evolutionary conundrums.

Ince has won three Chortle Awards, including the Time Out Outstanding Achievement Award and was nominated for Best Live Show at the British Comedy Awards. Catch Happiness Through Science at studio@QT, Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple on Friday, November 9.

Tickets: £13 (adult), £8 (student/young person). Box office: 01271 324242.

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Play:

What: Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?

Where: Landmark Theatre , Ilfracombe

When: Friday, November 9

Edward Albee’s play that spawned an Oscar winning film, Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? is to be presented by Ilfracombe’s Studio Theatre at the Landmark Theatre on Friday.

This deliciously toxic, acidly funny play centres on two warring couples playing humiliating games on each other. When middle-aged Martha and her husband George are joined by the younger Nick and Honey for late night drinks after a party the stage is set for a night of drunken recriminations and revelations. Battle lines are drawn as Martha and George drag their guests into their own private hell of a marriage.

Alan Bailey directs a local cast for Studio Theatre.

Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? is at the Landmark Theatre , Ilfracombe on Friday, November 9. Tickets: £10 (full), £5 (young person). Box office: 01271 324242.

The show is also at the Landmark Theatre on Thursday, November 8 and The Plough Arts Centre, Torrington on Tuesday, November 13. Plough box office: 01805 624624.

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Nightlife:

What: Dr Feelgood

Where: The Palladium Club, Bideford

When: Friday, November 9, 8pm

Dr Feelgood return to the Palladium Club, Bideford in a rare visit to the South West on Friday. Formed in Essex in the early Seventies, the band have enjoyed global success with a string of hit singles including Roxette, Back In The Night, Going Back Home and See You Later Alligator – which gave the group their first gold record.

The current line-up features the rhythm section Kevin Morris on drums and Phil Mitchell on bass, approaching 27 years in the band, and Steve Walwyn on guitar, who has been with the band for 20 years. Vocalist Robert Kane (formerly of the Animals) is the most recent addition – joining in 1999.

The band continues to tour extensively throughout the world.

Tickets: £12 from the club (01237 478860), www.tick.co.uk, North Devon Theatres’ box office (01271 324242) or Solo Records, Barnstaple (01271 325274) (booking fees may apply).

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Music:

What: The Fragile

Where: The Plough Arts Centre, Torrington

When: Friday, November 9, 8pm

A duo whose beautifully unusual songs touch on everything from dark folk tales, ecology and cross-dressing historical figures, visit the Plough on Friday. Belinda O’Hooley (The Unthanks) and Heidi Tidow are the chamber-folk duo behind The Fragile, one of MOJO magazine’s Top 10 Folk Albums of 2010.

Championed by folk legend Nic Jones, Radio 2’s Mike Harding and Radio 6 Music’s Cerys Matthews, the band play an irresistible blend of thought-provoking songs, lush harmonies and striking arrangements, tempered by cheeky Northern banter.

Tickets: £12 (full), £10 (concession), £8 (Plough supporter). Box office: 01805 624624.

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Music:

What: Balamouk

Where: The Plough Arts Centre, Torrington

When: Sunday, November 11, 3pm

For the third time this year, The Plough Arts Centrewelcomes Balamouk for another Sunday afternoon of great music and dancing, taking you on a Circle Dancing tour of The Balkans and beyond.

The local band play traditional music on a vast array of instruments and throw in a good few songs as well. All the dances are taught so no experience is necessary. Go along and join in the dancing (you don’t need a partner) or sit back and enjoy the music.

Tickets: £6 (adult), £5.50 (concession), £5 (Plough supporter). Family tickets available. Box office: 01805 624624. Booking advisable.

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Entertainment:

What: Piff The Magic Dragon - Jurassic Bark

Where: Landmark Theatre , Ilfracombe

When: Saturday, November 10

Piff The Magic Dragon, an award-winning comic who combines close-up magic with deadpan humour, brings his new show Jurassic Bark to the Landmark Theatre this Saturday.

Jurassic Bark sees Piff in search of a princess. Expect stunning sleight of hand and illusion work and plenty of comedy as he looks for his sweetheart.

Tickets: £15. Box office: 01271 324242.

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Music & Entertainment:

What: Oxjam

Where: The Old Bus Station Cafe, Barnstaple

When: Saturday, November 10, 8pm

Top local talent are lining up for this year’s Oxjam gig, which raises funds for Oxfam.

Performers include Jim Crawford, Chloe Bix, Roholio, Angela Luxton, 3’s Company , Ross Duval, Steve Turner, Jenny Tandy, John Purser and Andy Hill.

“Here in Barnstaple we’ve held five gigs through the last winter and spring as it seems such a good way of getting people together to do what we love, which is playing, and listening to, music of all types,” said organiser Linda Mack. “This brings many different types together, and provides an opportunity to have fun and raise money at the same time.”

The Oxjam gig is at The Old Bus Station Cafeon Saturday. Entry: £3.

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Evening Entertainment:

What: Ira Bernstein and Riley Baugus

Where: The George Hotel, South Molton

When: Saturday, November 10, 8.30pm

You might forget you are in The George Hotelon Saturday. Instead you might imagine you are on a back porch jam in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

An old-time music and dance show will be performed by internationally renowned step dancer Ira Bernstein and singer Riley Baugus. Expect a mix of fiddles and feet, banjos and ballads which will transport you to the Appalachian Mountains.

Catch Baugus’ wonderfully coarse voice and Bernstein’s skilful and authentic footwork at The George Hotelon Saturday. Tickets: £11 at www.wegottickets.com or phone 01769 572514.

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Music:

What: That’ll Be The Day

Where: Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple

When: Saturday, November 10

It’s party time again. Rock’n’roll variety show, That’ll Be The Day, returns to the Queen’s Theatreon Saturday with a new production.

It features all the greatest hits from the 50s, 60s and 70s plus new comedy and promises to be two hours of non-stop, singalong nostalgia.

Tickets: £23. Box office: 01271 324242.

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Music:

What: Krystle Warren

Where: The Plough Arts Centre, Torrington

When: Saturday, November 10, 8.30pm

Krystle Warren is a singer-songwriter from Kansas City, Missouri, currently touring the world with Rufus Wainwright. Catch her at The Plough Arts Centrethis weekend as she unveils tracks from her new CD Love Songs.

She is blessed not only with a voice that slides effortlessly from smoky depths to gilded heights, but also the ability to craft intoxicating songs of love and its loss, and to convey them to an audience with warmth and wit.

Don’t miss this chance to see her in the intimate cabaret setting of The Plough Arts Centreon Saturday, November 10, 8.30pm. Tickets: £12 (adult), £11 (concession), £10 (Plough supporter). Box office: 01805 624624.

Check out www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk's new What's On pages for everything you need to know about events, music, theatre, comedy, nightlife, reviews and much more - all in one place.