The Theatre in Recent Years
The Exeter Northcott continues to serve the needs of the local community. The Board of Management is representative of both the University and of the community, and the University provides for the Director's salary and assists in the maintenance of the building. Financial assistance towards the running costs also comes from South West Arts, Devon County Council, the City of Exeter, East Devon District Council, Teignbridge District Council, and Mid-Devon District Council.
The Northcott has always been a producing repertory theatre, that is to say the bulk of the productions are staged by the company itself, rather than being brought in from elsewhere.
The Northcott has customarily been open for approximately 44 weeks of the year, during which time some 10 or 11 in-house or co-produced shows are mounted for runs of between 10 days to 3½ weeks (the Christmas show being the only one that runs for approximately 6 weeks). It has developed links with other theatre companies, leading to several joint ventures. This development is one which the company hopes to build on, including perhaps links with other repertory companies across the country. Northcott Theatre company productions vary from comedies to tragedies, new writing to classics. To a lesser degree, the Northcott also presents visiting companies (e.g. English Touring Opera), amateur productions and some one-night events. Its annual open air Shakespeare performance in the grounds of Rougemont Castle is well regarded nationally. It also promotes a Drama in Education group now called "Northcott Young Company".
The Northcott employs 20 full-time staff to mount shows, administer and market the theatre. There is also a large team of part-time workers including box office staff, usherettes, bar staff and backstage casuals.
As built the theatre was given a semicircular main house auditorium seating 433 people with an orchestra pit on a mechanical lift; being also configurable as theatre in the round or cinema. The capacity of the venue was increased in the 2007 refurbishment and it can now seat 464.
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