The festival that celebrates of women in the arts returns for another year this month with a varied programme of theatre, comedy, workshops, and social events.

The Reclaim Festival will be hosted by Exeter Northcott at their city-centre Barnfield Theatre running from June 17 to 20.

Exeter Northcott Joint Chief Executive Kelly Johnson said: “We look forward to bringing back Reclaim Festival for its third year with a new programme of patriarchy-smashing work. The festival was born from our commitment to platforming underrepresented voices, and we are proud to continue providing creative opportunities for South West-based artists.”

Local director, theatre maker, and Exeter Northcott associate artist Katie Villa will once again produce the festival.

“Amazing things happen when women gather and Reclaim 2026 is a celebration of brilliant female artists from across the South West and beyond, she said.

“We have an incredible line up with something for everyone, from bold performance and social events to lunch-time talks and creative workshops. We curated this year's festival to be a place where you can escape for a while to fill up your creative cup, be inspired, learn something new, laugh, dance, create, or just feel part of something special.”

Performance highlights for the festival include The Mushroom Show, an interactive family theatre show featuring games, music and comedy by award-winning Scratchworks Theatre Company, Babes in Arms performance The Dirty Mother presented by Matrescence Festival, and Into the Pit, AK Golding’s debut solo show that blends theatre, clowning, shadow puppetry and original music.

Other programme highlights include Midweek Mood Board, Body Writes – Creative Space, Micro Retreat and Workshop delivered by Ceri Baker, former Bard of Exeter, and Communal Doodle & Share with local writer and events producer Emily Way-Evans.

Beyond Face return to the festival with Aunting – A Show in Development followed by a panel discussion, and Maria Tarokh, artistic director of Exeter Northcott associate artists Company Scherazade, will return to lead dance workshop Powerful Bodies.

Maria said:“I’m excited to be bringing my Powerful Bodies workshop back to Reclaim Festival this year. It’s a great opportunity to physically explore what empowerment looks and feels like. I’m grateful to the Northcott for the opportunity to be one of their associates and keep sharing my work with the community. My associateship has enabled me to reach more people and expand my artistic practice.”

Exeter Northcott also continues its on-going collaboration with multi-arts venue Exeter Phoenix to present a special Scratch Night to showcase new work from local women-led theatre companies and artists.Throughout the week, audiences can enjoy and contribute to a shared playlist of songs and shout outs to woman, as part of Hype Up The Mixtape supported by Dolly’s Film Club.

The festival will close with a mash up of dance and song in Ceilidh-oke led by local creatives, followed by a Reclaim Afters event in the Barnfield Theatre Café/Bar.

For ticket details and further information see the website https://exeternorthcott.co.uk.