About
Nestled in the heart of Exeter, just above its beautiful quayside, Cygnet Theatre is an intimate multipurpose venue with an emphasis on supporting the arts and local community.
For 40 years Cygnet trained actors and entertained audiences with their own company, since 1980. Originally founded by Monica Shallis and Mary Evans, our ethos has always been to train actors by throwing them into the footlights and performing to the public from day one. Our patron was the renowned theatre and film director Peter Brook.
Now Cygnet Theatre has entered a new phase of working with both professional and community performers/groups, showcasing brilliant productions, holding invigorating workshops and being a staple for the performing arts scene in Exeter.
Our beloved mary
28th April 1934 - 26th July 2025
Cygnet Theatre is sad to announce that Mary Evans died in the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital on Saturday 26th July 2025.
Mary gave her life to service and was Cygnet's Founding Administrator for nearly 40 years. Her career was long and varied:
After studying French & Drama at Bristol University, Mary went on to work as a Stage Manager at various theatres in Britain, eventually becoming personal assistant to Peter Brooks in the 1960's, firstly at the RSC in Stratford and in the Aldwych, then continuing as his PA when he set up his Centre Internationale des Recherche Theatrale, travelling to Africa and the Middle East, and making his base the Bouffes du Nord Theatre in Paris.
Returning to England Mary served as a P.A. to the Director Geoffrey Reeves at Exeter's Northcott Theatre. Geoffrey was succeeded by Richard Digby Day, under whose auspices, she was instrumental in founding the Exeter Festival, through which she met Monica Shallis. It was through Richard's support and encouragement that Cygnet Training Theatre was born, and although Mary continued to work at the Northcott for subsequent directors Stewart Trotter & George Roman, eventually she left to become Cygnet's full-time administrator.
As such she organised tours and showcases, was a tireless champion of the young actors in the Cygnet Company and introduced Cygnet to many of her theatre contacts.
Mary's outreach and tact, combined with the quality of work, helped to make Cygnet a recognised part of the national drama training picture, and Cygnet's membership of The Conference of Drama Schools was a testament to this.
Apart from her passion for theatre, Mary's other sustaining passions were her Quaker faith and commitment and her garden and love of plants. Both these were the cornerstones of her life.
She will be fondly remembered as an inspiration and a steadfast and kind friend.
