Devon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-where">WHAT/WHERE?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="704" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/ernie-and-seaoofice.jpeg" alt="Ernie and the Sea of Ice Quirk Theatre " class="wp-image-83062" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/ernie-and-seaoofice.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/ernie-and-seaoofice-800x563.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/ernie-and-seaoofice-768x541.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ernie and The Sea of Ice/Credit Chris-Jones/ Quirk Theatre </figcaption></figure>



<p>In their 22nd year, Quirk Theatre have brought back one of their most beloved productions in a special revival of <em><a href="https://exeterphoenix.org.uk/events/ernie-and-the-sea-of-ice/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ernie And The Sea Of Ice</a></em> showing now at Exeter’s Phoenix. Based on the legendary explorer Ernie Shackleton and his 1915 attempt to cross the South Pole, the family-friendly play sees Ernie and his shipmates set sail on the good ship Endurance for a laugh out loud, inventive take on his Antarctic expedition.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1333" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/IMG_8020.jpeg" alt="Ernie and the Sea of Ice at Exeter Phoenix Devon " class="wp-image-83064" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/IMG_8020.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/IMG_8020-600x800.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/IMG_8020-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/IMG_8020-768x1024.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>With the Phoenix&#8217;s sizeable Café Bar offering comfy sofas on which to enjoy food and drinks before the show, it&#8217;s a relaxed atmosphere from the minute you set foot inside. The auditorium itself is intimate and cosy with around 12 rows of tiered seating, meaning the whole experience feels really intimate and with plenty of audience interaction, the show is inviting and friendly from the off.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-stage-set">THE STAGE SET</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/quirk-1.jpg" alt="Ernie and the Sea of Ice Quirk Theatre credit Craig Fuller" class="wp-image-83067" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/quirk-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/quirk-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/quirk-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/quirk-1-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit Craig Fuller </figcaption></figure>



<p>A great deal of the show takes place on the high seas, using a simple design to represent a ship, water and ice with minimal set. The actors themselves often dismantle and move the set mid-scene, ready for the next scene, and all in-front of the audience. It feels completely seamless and the use of puppetry, projection and physical props all adds to transform the stage and create the environment of being at sea and in the Antarctic landscape beautifully.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-cast">THE CAST&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1257" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/quirk-craigfuller.jpg" alt="Ernie and the Sea of Ice Quirk Theatre credit Craig Fuller" class="wp-image-83068" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/quirk-craigfuller.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/quirk-craigfuller-800x670.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/quirk-craigfuller-1000x838.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/quirk-craigfuller-768x644.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit Craig Fuller </figcaption></figure>



<p>Only three actors play <em>all</em> of the roles between them. They were captivating in their performances, with expertly executed comedic timing and swift switching between characters and accents. There&#8217;s no room to fluff your lines (or accents) and they really do not have a second off with all three on stage at once for the majority of the performance. No such thing as chilling in the wings between scenes here.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-costumes">COSTUMES</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/quirk-2.jpg" alt="Ernie and the Sea of Ice Quirk Theatre credit Craig Fuller" class="wp-image-83069" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/quirk-2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/quirk-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/quirk-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/quirk-2-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit Craig Fuller </figcaption></figure>



<p>Given that there are only three of them playing multiple characters, costumes are kept simple but thanks to excellent use of hats it&#8217;s not hard to differentiate between. Swift costume changes, often in the middle of a scene, are very cleverly done and really add to the audience <em>being in on it </em>vibe.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-highlights">HIGHLIGHTS&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Mid-way through is a magic show which is just perfection and had my little one laughing her head off. That and the penguins performance ending with the <em>Bluey</em> theme tune which she found hilarious. If you know, you <em>know</em>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For me, the visual comedy was brilliant. Look out for the scene with two dogs. It&#8217;s unreal how two humans can look so akin to actual dogs. Now that was an acting masterclass.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict"><strong>THE MUDDY VERDICT&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1333" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/ernie-penguin.jpeg" alt="Ernie and the Sea of Ice Quirk Theatre at Exeter Phoenix Devon " class="wp-image-83065" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/ernie-penguin.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/ernie-penguin-600x800.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/ernie-penguin-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/ernie-penguin-768x1024.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>A thoroughly charming show which I’d happily see all over again to take more of the detail in. My daughter was mesmerised (shocker for someone who can&#8217;t sit still for more than five mins). I loved that the tale was based on a real and important character in history. Guess who’s getting a child-friendly book on Ernie Shackleton for Christmas?!</p>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> Families with kids who won’t sit still for long periods of time. The show runs for approx 75 minutes with no interval.</p>



<p><strong>Not for:&nbsp;</strong>Those looking for a Christmassy show to get them in the festive mood. Although it is set around Christmas time, the show is much more about the adventures of an exploration as opposed to a Christmas tale.</p>



<p><strong>The damage</strong>; Off Peak: £14 (£11) / Family £45; Peak: £16 (£13) / Family £50</p>



<p><strong><em><a href="https://exeterphoenix.org.uk/events/ernie-and-the-sea-of-ice/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ernie and the Sea of Ice</a>, Exeter Phoenix is running until Sun 28 December 2025, 2pm &amp; 4.30pm.&nbsp;Sun 21 Dec: 2pm &amp; 4.30pm (BSL); Mon 22 Dec:&nbsp;2pm (Peak)&nbsp;&amp; 4.30pm (Relaxed).  </em></strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-want-more-arts-amp-culture-head-here">WANT MORE ARTS &amp; CULTURE? HEAD HERE</h2>



<p><a href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/xmas/jack-and-the-beanstalk-at-exeter-northcott-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Panto review: Jack and the Beanstalk at Exeter Northcott</a></p>



<p><a href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on/devon-panto-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Panto and Christmas shows in Devon </a></p>



<p><a href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/best-muddy-devon-reviews-and-features/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">That&#8217;s Muddy wrapped! Most read reviews and features of 2025</a></p>


Family theatre review: Ernie And The Sea Of Ice, Exeter

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