Housemates lands at the Northcott in May 2027

There is a play landing at the Northcott Theatre in late May that is worth keeping on the radar, even this far ahead. Housemates, a co-production from Hijinx and Sherman Theatre, stops in Exeter on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 May 2027, with both performances at 7:30pm. Tickets are £28, and the show runs for 80 minutes straight with no interval, so it is an easy one to fit around dinner.

The story is a true one, written by Tim Green and co-directed by Ben Pettitt-Wade and Joe Murphy. It follows Alan, a man with Down's syndrome who had lived as a resident of Ely Hospital since childhood, and Jim, a university student. Together they set up an experiment that challenged the system and helped push the move away from institutional care towards Supported Living, which became a global turning point in disability rights. It has been described as a joyful, funny and deeply moving play, and a riproaring true story of friendship and rebellion.

What makes it stand out is who is on stage. The cast is a mix of neurodivergent and neurotypical actor-musicians, backed by a live band and a soundtrack of 70s classics. Emily Ivana Hawkins plays Sally, Lindsay Spellman is Heather, James Ifan takes Birch, Gareth John plays Alan, Caitlin Lavagna is Sian, Peter Mooney is Jim, Matthew Mullins is John, Richard Newnham is Dr Cooper, and Eveangeleis Tudball plays Julie. The production has picked up five-star reviews from The Observer, The Stage and The Morning Star, and made The Stage's Plays of the Year list, with funding from the Arts Council of Wales, Arts Council of England and Innovate Trust.

It is also a production that takes its audience seriously. There are content warnings for the use of outdated terms for disabled people, ableism, strong language and descriptions of abuse. At the same time, the show encourages people to make noise, move around and leave and return at any point; there is a chill-out space outside the auditorium and ear defenders to borrow. It is a relaxed approach that suits the subject matter.

For context on the companies behind it, Hijinx is one of Europe's leading inclusive theatre companies, working to open up opportunities for actors with learning disabilities and autism, while Sherman Theatre is a producing house based in Cardiff and the only Theatre of Sanctuary in Wales. The Exeter dates are part of a wider 2027 tour running from 16 April to 3 July, which takes in Cardiff, Llanelli, Salisbury, Leeds, Derby and Bristol.

The Northcott sits at the University of Exeter on Stocker Road, EX4 4PY. The box office is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 2pm, and also around performances, and closes up to two hours before a show starts. You can reach it on 01392 72 63 63 or welcome@exeternorthcott.co.uk, and the Theatre Café opens up to two hours before and closes after the last performance of the day. The Barnfield Box Office also opens Monday to Saturday from 10am to 2pm.