Hilarious new show exposes the clangers that altered historical events

Five blunders that perverted the course of history will be dissected with a rapier wit as a new show comes to Barnstaple this weekend – and its author is looking forward to staying in his first-ever Devon hotel too!

How might the world be different if a misplaced letter or dodgy love affair had not been a catalysts for subsequent events? Acclaimed comedian and historian Paul Coulter is appearing with his smash hit sell-out Fringe show 5 Mistakes That Changed History at the Queen’s Theatre this Sunday (September 14) to tell you more.

Blending sharp comedy with fascinating storytelling, 5 Mistakes That Changed History explores the pivotal moments where human error altered the course of the world.

Above: How did mundane events make a muckery of the course of history? Paul Coulter explains all... Credit: North Sullivan

Whether it’s a misplaced letter, a disastrous miscalculation, or an ill-advised love affair, Paul delves into the missteps of the past with wit, charm and a historian’s eye for detail.

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The North Devon Gazette caught up with him before his Devon shows at the Exeter Northcott on Saturday (September 13) and then Barnstaple on the Sunday.

With a horror of camping holidays after being traumatised by his parents’ optimistic trips to Devon from neighbouring Dorset during his childhood, Paul admitted he was looking forward to staying within solid walls and a roof in Devon for the first time in his life.

He said: “Half the holidays were spent being chased by angry (bovine) residents, the rest were repairing failing tents.

“I don't think I've ever slept in a hard-sided residence in Devon so it'll be great to be staying in an actual hotel and performing in the delights of Exeter Northcott and Barnstaple’s Queen’s theatres.”

Of course as a history buff, he plans to have a couple of days off afterwards to visit Exeter Cathedral and Buckfast Abbey, perhaps with a hiking trip – but no tents!

The show will have some Devon content too. Paul said: “One of my favourite mistakes to tell on stage is the story of the Titanic with a twist the audience might not be expecting.

“Devon, of course, has a great connection to the Titanic as the survivors were returned to Plymouth. They were met by huge crowds and a media scrum.

“It's been a 70 show tour and it's the first time I've ever done anything like this. We started in the sweltering 44 degree heat of Adelaide in Australia to Bondi Beach to Hever Castle to a completely sold-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe.

“It's been so great meeting history fans from around the world and launching my first book. My favourite thing is chatting to the audience afterward and hearing the local history or learning stories I've never heard before. Quite a few titbits end up in the show!”

5 Mistakes That Changed History is at the Queen’s Theatre this Sunday at 7.30pm. For tickets and information, visit https://queenstheatre-barnstaple.com or call 01271 316523.