This Christmas, Quirk Theatre will be bringing to life the fantastic true story of Mary, The Pigeon Who Never Gave Up! A rip roaring story of bravery, pigeons and madcap adventures set right here, in our wonderful home city of Exeter!

Mary the Pigeon celebrates a treasured true Exeter story about unsung heroes & the power of community. Mary was a racing pigeon who lived with her owner, Charlie Brewer, on West Street in Exeter. A champion racing pigeon, Mary was signed up to the National Pigeon Service during WW2, and she delivered secret messages across the channel, getting home every time against all the odds.

The theatre Show will delight Exeter KS1+2 school children & their families, disabled, neurodiverse & deaf audiences at Christmas, offering a high quality, meaningful alternative to panto. The show will feature an original score & breathtaking set design, providing valuable employment & development opportunities for a whole host of South West artists. Quirk has been working with Charlie’s family, The 307 Squadron, and historian Ghee Bowman to research and adapt this magical story.

Plough Arts Centre, Torrington
30 November — 3 December

Quirk will also be creating an original, illustrated book all about Mary, written by the company and illustrated by the Exeter community and collage artist, Rosie Race.

Exeter participants from Exeter Hindu Cultural Centre, Exeter Malayalee Society, Magic Carpet, The Pelican Project, Refugee Support Devon, St Thomas Library, Stoke Hill Primary & Exeter Deaf Academy have been taking part in painting and collage workshops, creating artwork for the book.

Participants will see their creativity celebrated at a launch event at Exeter Library on World Book Day 2023.