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Exeter’s Only … Magic Lantern Show!

Exeter's Only ... Magic Lantern Show!

A Lightbear Lane Production

Join us for a very special nineteenth-century-inspired evening to experience the enchanting world of magic lanterns, moving projections and echoes from times gone by. Once an apparatus every village would have been familiar with, these magical instruments now recall an almost forgotten past before film and TV.

The evening will bring to life not only the history of magic lanterns but also give us a taste of what these shows would have been like. With a screen specially designed for the atmospheric Great Hall at St Nicholas Priory and live music accompaniment for our stories, you are in for an unforgettable treat.

The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum is supporting the event with a pop-up display from their extensive collections of Magic Lanterns. The bar will open at 6:45pm for you to get a drink and look at the display.

Our Lanternist

Dr Richard Crangle is co-editor of The Encyclopaedia of the Magic Lantern and also developed the ‘Lucerna’ Magic Lantern Web Resource – the largest dedicated lantern slide database in the world. He will share some of his favourite Victorian and Edwardian slides, weaving tales and insights about how these early projection devices captured the imaginations of their audiences.

Doors at 7pm for a 7:30pm start.

 

Directions
St Nicholas Priory is on Mint Lane with walking access from Fore Street or Bartholomew Street West.

The nearest car park is Mary Arches Street, which is a five-minute walk. Exeter Central railway station is a ten-minute walk. The bus station is a 15-minute walk with many buses stopping on the High Street which is ten minutes away.

Access
Unfortunately, due to the nature of this historic building, there is no wheelchair access for our upstairs rooms.

Facilities
Our outdoor toilet block can be made available on request.

If you have any questions or concerns about your visit please email admin@nicholaspriory.com

Date & Time

15/10/2026    
19:30 - 21:30

Book Tickets

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Where

St Nicholas Priory
Mint Lane, Off Fore Street, Exeter, Devon, EX4 3BL

Find directions to St Nicholas Priory on our visit us page.

St Nicholas Priory: Founded by William the Conqueror in 1087, St Nicholas Priory was home to Benedictine monks for over 400 years and is the oldest building in Exeter. In 1536, like other monasteries, it was closed and the remains became the home of wealthy Tudor merchants.

Access: Unfortunately, only the ground floor of our building is wheelchair-accessible.

Facilities: Accessible loos and nappy-changing facilities.

If you have any questions or concerns about your visit, please email admin@nicholaspriory.com.

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