WHAT’S ON GUIDE AUTUMN 2016
A Playho
use fo
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July 2016 to March 2017
WHAT’S ON GUIDEAUTUMN 2016
Beaumont Street, Oxford OX1 2LW Registered Company No. 2397373 Registered Charity No. 900039 VAT No. 537166534
Oxford Playhouse gratefully acknowledges the support of its core funders:
Design: www.uniform.net
Oxford Playhouse can provide this brochure in alternative formats including audio and large print. Please contact Dee Millard on 01865 305315 or at [email protected]
Look out for our next season... January to March 2017
SAVE YOUR ENERGYDid you know that Oxford Playhouse monitors and reports its energy usage to Arts Council England?
Over the last year we’ve used:
• 426,038kWh worth of electricity, which is 39% less than we did in 2005.
• 440,205kWh worth of gas, and invested £95,000 in making our heating system more efficient.
• Recycled 61 tonnes of rubbish.
OUR CORE FUNDERS AND SUPPORTERS
Oxford Playhouse gratefully acknowledges the support of its core funders:
Trusts:AnonymousDoris Field Charitable TrustThe D’Oyly Carte Charitable TrustThe Foyle Foundation Garfield Weston Foundation
Hamilton TrustThe Lord Faringdon Charitable TrustMr & Mrs JA Pye’s Charitable SettlementThe Still Point Fund Roundton Trust
A special thank you to all:Patrons, volunteers, trustees and donors
University of Oxford College Members:All Souls CollegeLincoln CollegeThe Queen’s College New College
Platinum: Gold: Silver:
Bronze:
Building Support:Equipment and Technical Support:
OP Business Club:
Burton Taylor Studio Sponsors:
Learning and Productions Support: 17|25 Young Company Sponsors:
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Welcome to Oxford PlayhouseJuly 2016 to March 2017
Oxford Playhouse is in the heart of the city, and the people who live in this city are at the heart of everything we do. Just over 20 years ago, the Oxford Playhouse went dark for several years and re-opened due to the generosity of those who recognised the contribution a world-class theatre made towards making the city a really great place to live.
Twenty years later, the people of Oxford have helped to finance another makeover, breathing new life into the foyer, café and bars; creating a wonderful Members’ room; and updating our heating and air-conditioning systems (reducing our electricity bill by nearly 40%). This Summer sees the culmination of the 3 year programme with the refurbishment of the auditorium, including new seats and state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. The aim is to improve the whole theatrical experience – making it even more exciting, inspiring and comfortable.
Alongside our programme of touring work, this season will include two home-grown world premiere productions – we re-open with Peter Pan in Scarlet, the official sequel to J.M. Barrie’s PeterPan, co-produced with the New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme and in association with Great Ormond Street Children’s Charity; and Sand in theSandwiches, a new play about John Betjeman by veteran playwright Hugh Whitmore and starring Edward Fox.
These shows mark our return to regularly producing on the mainstage, raising our potential income and profile nationally and internationally, and developing the skills and talents of our team. We already earn 80% of our annual £4m turnover; these ‘Made in Oxford’ shows will continue to generate income in years to come, allowing us to present international work on our doorstep, commission more new plays by new writers, and make the theatre more comfortable and sustainable. Our redevelopment is an essential part of making the Playhouse financially resilient in the long term.
As I type, we still have £165,000 of the total 3-year refurbishment budget of £800k to raise.
Please consider helping us reach our fundraising target. Buy a seat, buy two or more seats; or if you want to give more why not sponsor part of the theatre? You would be making an important contribution to the theatre and the life of the city – helping to ensure that Oxford Playhouse won’t go dark again.
Thank you for your support, now and for the decades to come.
Louise ChantalChief Executive
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BE PART OF THE NEW OXFORD PLAYHOUSE!Our newly refurbished auditorium is the latest addition to the total makeover of Oxford Playhouse. With your generosity we have raised over 80% of our fundraising target.
£500 names a seat for at least five years
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A plaque will be placed on a seat of your choice and you can choose your own
wording (up to 50 characters).
If you would like to name a seat, or donate any other amount, please call the Development Team on 01865 305315, or email [email protected]
All gifts are gratefully received. To make a gift of any size online, please visit www.oxfordplayhouse.com/supportus
We now need YOUR HELP to get to 100% to make the Playhouse the most exciting (and comfortable) theatre in the UK!
Name A SeatAs a unique gift, to mark a special memory or simply treat yourself, naming a seat is a great way to show your support for your local theatre.
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Show times 1.30pm & 3pmTicket price Free and unticketed. Just show up! Location Look for the Dancin’ Oxford Stage, Manzil Way at Cowley Road Carnival
This is an unseated outdoor promenade performance. Please come prepared for all weather conditions.
Show time 12.30pm to 5pmTicket price Free and unticketed. Just show up! Location Gloucester Green, Oxford
This is an unseated outdoor promenade performance. Please come prepared for all weather conditions.
2016 may be an Olympic year but do not fret if you can’t get to Brazil – the Annual Superhero Games are coming to Cowley Road Carnival! Three of planet Earth’s greatest superheroes are getting ready to battle it out for the title of ‘Most Supreme Superhero...Ever’. And YOU are invited to join them. Cheer on your favourite and boo the baddie. Who will succeed in flying like a bird? Who will quick-change faster than you can blink? And who will defeat the ultimate bad guy? With audience interaction, super costumes and phenomenal dance, KAPOW has something for all ages. After all, who doesn’t love a superhero?
Saw and loved KAPOW today, and so did the kids! Audience member
It’s free, it’s exciting, it’s awesome – it’s the very best dance in the heart of the city!
All afternoon on the Dance Stage in Gloucester Green there will be much to see and enjoy, plus pop-up performances around town.
Stay for 10 minutes, for an hour or all afternoon. Bring the family, a picnic or choose from food stalls on site. Fun for everyone, and best of all, it’s free!
Oxford Playhouse and Dancin’ Oxford present 2Faced Dance Company’s
KAPOWSunday 10 July
Dancin’ Oxford and Oxford Playhouse present
DANCIN’ ON THE GREEN
Saturday 16 July
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By William ShakespeareDirected by Nick Bagnall Designed by Katie Sykes Composed by James Fortune
Energetic and...very funny.HHHH Stage
Shakespeare’s DeadDon’t miss this major exhibition at The Weston Library. For more information visit www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/whatson
One of Oxford’s most spectacular summer highlights, Oxford Playhouse and the Bodleian Library are delighted to welcome back Globe Theatre On Tour. Get your summer soaring by seeing one of Shakespeare’s most charming comedies in the unique outdoor setting of the Old Schools Quadrangle.
Valentine loves Silvia and Proteus loves Julia – but Proteus is fickle, and falls for Silvia too. Join a joyful ensemble of players as they bounce between elopements, betrayals and forest-dwelling outlaws. Along the way, they play out Shakespeare’s immortal themes of deceit, love and friendship, all set to swinging 1960s rock‘n’roll.
THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONATuesday 19 to Sunday 31 July
Shakespeare’s Globe and Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse present
Show times Tue to Sun: 7.45pm | Sun mats: 2.30pm (no show Mon 25 July)Ticket prices £22 & £24 | Discounts availableEnjoy! members and groups of 10+ 20% off Location Bodleian Old Schools Quadrangle, Catte Street, OX1 3BGAge guideline 8+
This is an outdoor performance. Please come prepared for all weather conditions.
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Oxford Playhouse and the New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme present a World Premiere production
Friday 12 August to Sunday 4 September
Celebrate the opening of our newly refurbished auditorium with the official sequel to J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan, in the
show that will make your summer!
TREMENDOUS FUN...BREATHTAKING AERIAL SKILLS.HHHH GUARDIAN
ON DIRECTOR THERESA HESKINS’ THE BORROWERS
THIS BEAUTIFULLY EXECUTED MAGNIFICENTLY PREPOSTEROUS ROMP.
HHHHH INDEPENDENT ON DIRECTOR THERESA HESKINS’ AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS.
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OPINION I wanted this world-premiere production to be the opening event for our new auditorium since my first day here. It’s a privilege to work with such a wonderful team and Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity on this special show. Remember – you have to believe in fairies!
Louise ChantalChief Executive
A summer adventure for grown-ups, growing-ups and never growing-ups!
PERFORMANCE TIMES
Fri 12 Aug 7pm
Sat 13 Aug 7pm
Tue 16 Aug 5.30pm
Wed 17 Aug 7pm
Thu 18 Aug 2pm
Fri 19 Aug 7pm
Sat 20 Aug 1pm & 5.30pm
Sun 21 Aug 1pm & 5.30pm
Wed 24 Aug 5.30pm
Thu 25 Aug 2pm
Fri 26 Aug 7pm
Sat 27 Aug 2pm & 7pm
Sun 28 Aug 1pm & 5.30pm
Wed 31 Aug 5.30pm
Thu 1 Sept 2pm & 7pm
Fri 2 Sept 7pm
Sat 3 Sept 2pm & 7pm
Sun 4 Sept 1pm
PREVIEW
PREVIEW
PREVIEW
Monday 8 to Friday 12 August
PLAY IN A WEEK: ADVENTURES IN NEVERLAND Join Peter Pan and friends on an exciting journey into Neverland.
(See page 57 for details)
Relaxed performance Thu 25 Aug: 2pm Audio described performance Sun 28 Aug: 1pm
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BEST THEATRE OF SUMMER 2016.THE GUARDIAN CRITICS CHOICE
Neverland needs you, and treasure awaits!
This world premiere adaptation of the official sequel to J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan is THE show of the summer.
It’s 1929, and Wendy and the Lost Boys have all grown up when strange dreams begin to seep out of Neverland. Pirates and mermaids, war paint and crocodiles – the dreams tell them that something must be wrong, and their friend Peter Pan needs their help. So Wendy and the Lost Boys, armed only with fairy dust, fly back to Neverland for one last adventure. Fly through a world of circus and fire, shipwrecks and battles, brought thrillingly to life by director and adapter Theresa Heskins.
Based on the best-selling novel by three-times Whitbread Children’s Book Award-winner and local writer Geraldine McCaughrean, this is a show that will fill the golden days of summer with action and delight.
Based on an original novel by Geraldine McCaughreanAdapted and directed by Theresa Heskins
Preview tickets £15 & £11.50Weekday tickets £11.50, £15, £19, £21 | Discounts availableWeekend tickets £12, £17, £22, £24Family tickets Weekdays £65, Weekends £75 (4 tickets, inc. up to 2 adults) Multibuy 15% off Great Groups rate 20% off 10 or more ticketsEnjoy! members 50% off Fri 12 & Sat 13 AugAge guideline 8 to 108 The official sequel to J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan commissioned by Great Ormond Street Hospital International Promotions Ltd and published by Oxford University Press. Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity registered charity no. 1160024
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Glasgow Girls is based on the true story of seven feisty teenagers, whose lives changed forever when their school friend and her asylum-seeking family are forcibly taken from their home to be deported. Cora Bissett and David Greig’s smash-hit life-affirming political drama tells the tale of young women galvanised to take a stand and fight for the life of their friend, her family, and, ultimately, for the rights of all children of asylum-seekers.
The real Glasgow Girls’ story became one of the most vocal and powerful campaigns in recent history – challenging the government, capturing the imagination of the media and inspiring a whole community to unite.
Glasgow Girls is more than just a play, a collection of songs or a trip to the theatre; it’s proof that young people have the power to change the world.
Show times Wed, Thu & Sat eves: 7.30 | Fri: 8pm | Thu & Sat mats: 2.30pmTicket prices £11.50 to £27 | Discounts availableEnjoy! members 50% off Wed eve & Sat mat Multibuy 15% offPost show talk Wed Age guideline 12+
Directed by Cora BissettBook by David Greig
Awe inspiring. HHHH Time Out
True raw power. HHHH Metro
OPINIONThe Oxford Mail described National Theatre of Scotland’s last visit to OP as ”theatre at its best” (In Time O’Strife), so be sure to join us for another powerful tour de force.
Katy SnellingProgrammer
Presented by Pachamama Productions, National Theatre of Scotland, Theatre Royal Stratford East & Regular Music, in association with
Citizens Theatre and Richard Jordan Productions
GLASGOW GIRLSWednesday 7 to Saturday 10 September
The most politically engaged and enraged British musical since Blood Brothers, but it is even more raw
and heart-breaking because it is entirely true.HHHHH Sunday Express
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By Alan Ayckbourn Directed by Robin Herford Designed by Peter McKintosh
As funny as anything Ayckbourn has ever written. Times
Ingenious...the funniest trick of the season. Evening Standard
Greg only met Ginny a month ago but has already made up his mind that she’s the girl for him. When she tells him that she’s going to visit her parents, he decides this is the moment to ask Ginny’s father for his daughter’s hand. Discovering a scribbled address, Greg follows her to Buckinghamshire where he finds Philip and Sheila enjoying a peaceful Sunday morning breakfast in the garden, but the only thing is: they’re not Ginny’s parents.
Directed by Robin Herford (The Woman in Black), Relatively Speaking features a talented cast, including multi-award-winning Robert Powell (Black Coffee, King Charles III) and much-loved Liza Goddard (Doctor Who, Bergerac).
Beautifully crafted, wonderfully funny and charmingly English, Relatively Speaking was Alan Ayckbourn’s first great West End success and set him on course to become a household name.
The most brilliant comedy of misunderstandings to have been written in the past 40 years.
Daily Telegraph
Theatre Royal Bath Productions and Kenny Wax present
RELATIVELY SPEAKINGMonday 12 to Saturday 17 September
Show times Mon to Thu & Sat eves: 7.30pm | Fri: 8pm | Thu & Sat mats: 2.30pmTicket prices £15 to £31 | No discounts Fri and Sat evesEnjoy! Members 25% off Mon & Sat mat Post show talk WedAge guideline 12+
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In an age when governments across the world face increasing unrest, Dickens’ classic A Tale of Two Cities seems more relevant than ever.
With a bold new dramatic adaptation by Mike Poulton (Wolf Hall, RSC) and rousing music by Oscar-winning Rachel Portman, this production is alive with passion and rebellion.
Considered by Dickens to be “the best story I have ever written”, this tale weaves an intense family drama with the terror and chaos of the French Revolution. Featuring a community chorus of local people, this is an epic story of love, sacrifice and redemption amidst an ever-changing world.
Touring Consortium Theatre Company and Royal & Derngate Northampton co-production
A TALE OF TWO CITIESTuesday 20 to Saturday 24 September
By Charles Dickens Adapted by Mike Poulton Directed by James Dacre
A lean, punchy adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic tale of revolutionary France. HHHH Telegraph
James Dacre directs with a luminous intensity. HHHH Mail on Sunday on The Herbal Bed, 2016
Show times Tue to Thu & Sat eves: 7.30pm | Fri: 8pm | Thu & Sat mats: 2.30pmTicket prices £11.50 to £27 | Discounts available Enjoy! Members 50% off Tue & Sat mat Multibuy 15% off Post show talk Wed Captioned performance WedAudio described performance Sat: 2.30 | Touch tour: 1pmAge guideline 12+
The best and worst of times – are keenly reflected in this splendid production, directed by James Dacre.
HHHH Guardian
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Clive Conway Productions presents
A natural effervescent and powerhouse voice. Financial Times
Join Britain’s most popular soprano for a delightful evening of song, stories and chat. Featuring tales from behind the scenes that will give audiences a unique insight into her life on the stage.
As well as performing on the opera and concert stage both in the UK and internationally, Lesley has sung for the Royal Opera House and ENO, starred in Carousel and The Sound of Music and appeared on numerous television shows including Strictly Come Dancing.
She has also performed with artists as diverse as Michael Ball, Renee Fleming, Andrea Bocelli, Bryn Terfel and Lily Savage.
Show time 7.30pmTicket prices £14 to £25 | Discounts available
AN AUDIENCE WITH LESLEY GARRETT
Monday 26 September
OXFORD PLAYHOUSE CAFÉ BAR
Open from 10am Monday to Saturday
Our delicious sandwiches and paninis make the Playhouse a great lunchtime location.
Our range of cakes, bakes, cookies and pastries can also be enjoyed with locally blended teas and artisan coffees throughout the day.
With free Wi-Fi, children’s toys and comfy seating in our Circle Bar, we look forward to welcoming you all day.
SPECIAL OFFER! TEA AND CAKE FOR
TWO – ONLY £6.
Special offer valid until 29 October 2016.
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Show times Wed, Thu & Sat eves: 7.30pm | Fri: 8pm | Thu & Sat mats: 2.30pmTicket prices £11.50 to £27 | Discounts availableEnjoy! members 50% off Wed & Sat mat Multibuy 15% offPost show talk ThuAge guideline 12+
Those I belonged to, those I have not forgotten, the irreplaceable ones, they kept their nerve, and they died.
On 1 July 1916, the 36th (Ulster) Division took part in one of the bloodiest battles in human history, The Battle of the Somme. In the extraordinary circumstances of World War I, eight ordinary men were changed utterly.
One hundred years on, this iconic war play by Frank McGuinness is a powerful portrayal of mortality, love and loss.
This major new co-production is directed by Headlong’s Artistic Director Jeremy Herrin. The company returns to the Oxford Playhouse stage following critically acclaimed shows The Absence of War and 1984.
A Headlong, Abbey Theatre, Citizens Theatre and Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse co-production
By Frank McGuinnessDirected by Jeremy Herrin
Herrin’s production has taken a genuinely brave piece of writing and made something that is both elegiac and heroic in every way. HHHH Herald Scotland
OBSERVE THE SONS OF ULSTER MARCHING TOWARDS THE SOMME
Wednesday 28 September to Saturday 1 October
An exceptional revival. HHHHH Telegraph
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Show times 11am, 1pm & 3pmTicket price Free and unticketed. Just show up! Location Templars Square Shopping Centre, Cowley, OX4 3XH
From a toe tap to a wiggle, everyone can dance!
Come along to Templars Square Shopping Centre for this brilliantly playful and funny show involving a sofa, dancers and a trombone player wearing a pink tutu!
Sprung celebrates movement and disability; dancers bounce, wheel and jump, using the sofa and inspiration from the audience to challenge perceptions of who can dance. From bolero to street dance, ska to contemporary, this spirited, comic piece is a joy to behold, so do come down and join us.
Kazzum presents
SPRUNGSaturday 8 October
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Pure inspiration. Guardian
I left with a sprung in my step! Audience member
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Show time 5pmTicket price £7 | Discounts available
Show time 5pmTicket price £7 | Discounts available Family ticket £20Age guideline 6+
Research suggests that autism and scientific and mathematical talents are linked. Scientists and mathematicians score higher in terms of autistic traits and have higher rates of autism, compared to the wider general population. This new research raises profound ethical issues: should we continue to refer to autism as a ‘disease’ or ‘disorder’, or is the framework of ‘neurodiversity’ a more humane and accurate lens through which to view people with autism?
This year’s Simonyi Lecturer is Simon Baron-Cohen, Professor of Developmental Psychopathology, Fellow at Trinity College, Cambridge and Director of the Autism Research Centre (ARC) in Cambridge. He will be introduced by Marcus du Sautoy, Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science at the University of Oxford.
Once there was a girl called Harper who had a rare musical gift. She heard songs on the wind, rhythms on the rain and hope in the beat of a butterfly’s wing. Children’s TV presenter Cerrie Burnell talks about her wonderful new series following the adventures of Harper and her scarlet umbrella. Told with Cerrie’s trademark beauty and wonder, prepare to be whisked away to a very magical world of stories. Cerrie is a CBeebies presenter. She was named in The Observer’s top ten children’s presenters and was in The Guardian’s 2011 list of most inspirational women. She is also author of three children’s picture books, Ballet Dreams, Snowflakes and Mermaid. Snowflakes is this year’s BT Christmas show, see page 43 for more details.
CERRIE BURNELL
Friday 28 October
The Charles Simonyi Annual Lecture
AUTISM AND MINDS WIRED FOR SCIENCE
Friday 21 October
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As beautifully touching as it is funny and bold, Things I Know To Be True tells the story of a family and marriage through the eyes of four grown siblings, struggling to define themselves beyond their parents’ love and expectations.
Bob and Fran have worked their fingers to the bone, and with their four children grown and ready to fly the nest, it might be time to relax and enjoy the roses. But the changing seasons bring home some shattering truths.
Featuring Frantic Assembly’s celebrated physicality, Things I Know To Be True is funny, poetic and brutally frank.
Frantic Assembly and State Theatre Company of South Australia present
By Andrew Bovell
Brings the complex dramas of internal family dynamics to life in a way that strikes close to heart. Adelaide Now
Frantic Assembly have a startling hit on their hands. HHHHH Independent on Sunday on Othello, 2014
THINGS I KNOW TO BE TRUETuesday 4 to Saturday 8 October
Show times Tue to Thu & Sat eves: 7.30pm | Fri: 8pm | Thu & Sat mats: 2.30pm Ticket prices £11.50 to £27 | Discounts available Enjoy! Members 50% off Tue and Sat mat Captioned performance Wed Audio described performance Sat: 2.30pm | Touch Tour: 1pm Post show talk WedAge guideline 14+
Tender, physical and deeply relatable. HHHH Guardian
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‘All aboard’ as the spectacular and ritzy musical comedy Anything Goes sails into the Oxford Playhouse! For over eighty years, this timeless Tony Award-winning show, with music and lyrics by Cole Porter, has captured the hearts of Broadway and West End audiences alike.
As the luxury liner, the SS American, sets sail from 1930s New York, four young lovers must navigate their way to happiness. But confusion abounds as they are blown off course by a storm of romantic entanglements, wanted criminals and mistaken identities...
An all-singing, all-dancing crew of sailors and showgirls from the University of Oxford will dazzle and delight with comic thrills and sensational choreography. Not to forget Porter’s classic tunes, including I Get a Kick Out of You, You’re the Top, and, of course, Anything Goes!
University of Oxford Student Company: Shiniest Star Productions presents
Music and lyrics by Cole Porter
ANYTHING GOES
Wednesday 12 to Saturday 15 October
Show times Wed, Thu & Sat eves: 7.30 | Fri: 8pm | Thu & Sat mat: 2.30pm Ticket prices £11.50 to £19 | Discounts available Student tickets £11.50 available in advance Enjoy! Members 50% off Wed & Sat matAge guideline 8+
This amateur production is presented by arrangement with MusicScope and Stage Musicals Ltd of New York
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Show times Tue to Thu & Sat eves: 7.30pm | Fri: 8pm | Thu & Sat mats: 2.30pmTicket prices £11.50 to £27 | Discounts available Enjoy! members 50% off Tue & Sat mat Multibuy 15% offCaptioned performance Wed Audio described performance Sat: 2.30pm | Touch Tour: 1pm Post show talk WedAge guideline 14+
An English Touring Theatre and Sheffield Theatres production
Lady Constance Chatterley is trapped in a loveless marriage. Her husband Clifford, paralysed in the Great War, leaves her feeling emotionally and physically neglected. Isolated, she flees to the arms of their handsome gamekeeper Mellors. As their passionate affair escalates, Constance begins to realise that she can no longer live in a world of the mind alone.
One of the most celebrated novels of the twentieth century, D.H. Lawrence’s controversial work was banned from publication in the UK until 1960. This stunning new production questions the nature of freedom of mind and body in a society bound by class and tradition.
This world premiere production of Lady Chatterley’s Lover comes to Oxford Playhouse following English Touring Theatre’s critically acclaimed productions of Arcadia and The Herbal Bed.
By D.H. LawrenceAdapted and directed by Philip Breen
LADY CHATTERLEY’S LOVER
Tuesday 18 to Saturday 22 October
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Oxford Playhouse and Oliver Mackwood Productions present a world premiere production
Show times Tue, Wed & Sat eves: 7.30pm | Fri: 8pm | Thu & Sat mats: 2.30pm Ticket prices £15 to £31 | No discounts Fri and Sat evesEnjoy! members 50% off Tues night and 25% off Sat matMultibuy 15% offAge guideline 14+
John Betjeman was one of the nation’s favourite poets. Sand in the Sandwiches celebrates a man famous not only for his lyrical wit and humour, but for his passions, his sense of purpose and his unforgettable poetry. Edward Fox stars in this brand new stage play, bringing Betjeman’s poetry and his vivacious personality to life.
From boyhood, through adolescence, to life as Britain’s Poet Laureate, this show presents a hugely entertaining insight into the world of this much-loved irreverent writer.
Double BAFTA Award-winner Edward Fox is one of this country’s most eminent actors. His distinguished career includes iconic British films such as The Day of the Jackal, A Bridge Too Far and ‘Oh! What a Lovely War’.
This sparkling show is written by the Emmy Award-winning writer Hugh Whitemore, whose celebrated works for the stage and screen include Stevie, Pack of Lies and Breaking the Code. This Oxford Playhouse co-production comes to the Playhouse stage prior to a national tour.
By Hugh WhitemoreDirected by Gareth ArmstrongDesigned by Fotini DimouLighting by Howard Harrison Sound by Simon Slater
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Tuesday 25 to Saturday 29 October
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Show time 5pmTicket price £9 | Discounts available
What an extraordinary artform poetry is, and what justice Live Canon does to it... Extra Extra
In Shakespeare’s 400th anniversary year Live Canon invited 154 poets to write new poems in response to the Bard’s 154 sonnets. Participating poets came from all over the world, including Oxford. Here, Live Canon perform a selection of Shakespeare’s sonnets and the contemporary poems written in response, in celebration of the great man himself.
Live Canon perform poetry from memory at theatres, festivals and poetry events throughout the world. Recent appearances at Oxford Playhouse have included the movingly memorable Burns Night and War Poets.
Live Canon presents
SONNET REMIX
Friday 4 November
Get your weekend off to a flying start...Fridays at 5pm
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Show time 7.30pmTicket prices £14 to £22 | Discounts available
By Ian Skelly Two times Olivier Award-winner Henry Goodman stars as Nicholas Lanier; the very first ‘Master of the King’s Musick’, and our time travelling guide to centuries of regal compositions.
Giving insights into the rich historical partnership between music and the monarchy, this is a delightfully quirky and entertaining evening. It is written by Ian Skelly, the ever popular BBC Radio 3 presenter and speech writer for HRH The Prince of Wales.
From the hilariously chaotic premiere of Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks through to Elton John’s poignant contribution to Princess Diana’s funeral, this evening is full of fascinating anecdotes and wonderful music from soprano Sarah Fox and pianist Anna Tilbrook.
Clive Conway Productions presents
LET ALL THE PEOPLE REJOICETuesday 8 November
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Show times Wed, Thu & Sat eves: 7.30pm | Fri: 8pm | Sat mat: 2.30pm Ticket prices £11.50 to £19 | Discounts available Student tickets £11.50 | Available in advance Enjoy! Members 50% off Wed & Sat matAge guideline 16+
An amateur production presented by arrangement with Samuel French.
By Jennifer Haley Welcome to The Nether – an alluring virtual wonderland in which you can build, act out and succumb to your wildest fantasies. A young detective launches an investigation into a server dedicated to a disturbing brand of entertainment, as a little girl plays in an idyllic country garden.
This “gripping and deeply disconcerting look at the internet” (Telegraph) was nominated for the 2015 Olivier Award for Best New Play. An intricate and compelling sci-fi thriller, The Nether follows an investigation grappling with paedophilia, loneliness and the spiralling moral anxieties of a society increasingly reliant on digital technology.
This new student production is one of the very first regional performances of this critically acclaimed play – a viciously modern story set in an alarmingly possible future.
Jennifer Haley’s smart, thrilling play serves as a stark warning about the future of the internet.
Time Out
University of Oxford Student Company:Knotworks presents
THE NETHERWednesday 2 to Saturday 5 November
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Show time 7.30pmTicket prices £11.50 to £18 | Discounts available Enjoy! Members 25% offAge guideline 12+
Crying Out Loud on behalf of Circus Evolution presents
Circoncentrique
Two fearless young men compete in a thrilling game of physical endurance in this beautiful and original circus show. Defying gravity, they take you on an acrobatic journey full of endless surprises, performing amazing tricks with balls, spheres and a huge Cyr wheel. Set to live music, Gasp! is a circus show of extraordinary physical finesse.
The evening will be kicked off by acrobats Nikki and JD performing their sinewy, skilful hand-to-hand duet Knot.
GASP!Wednesday 9 November
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Show time 7.30pmTicket prices £11.50 to £18 | Discounts available Multibuy 15% off Age guideline 14+
Written and directed by James PhillipsMusic composed and performed by Rosabella Gregory Design by David Farley
This seductive and consistently well-acted production.New York Times A gem of a piece of writing. HHHHH BritishTheatre.com
What happens when someone tells you that you’re the answer to the riddle of life? What happens when a stranger in Starbucks gives you something that will change your world forever?
A haunting journey fusing drama and live music, City Stories is a cabaret drama that gives a series of snapshots into some astonishing lives. These are, at once, both a dreamy sequence of interwoven love stories and a hymn to London.
Written and directed by award-winning playwright and OP Associate Artist James Phillips (McQueen), City Stories is a magical journey through a magical city.
The City Stories Company in association with Oxford Playhouse, Goodge and Mortimer Productions and Room One
CITY STORIESThursday 10 November
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Show time 7.30pmTicket prices £11.50 to £22 | Discounts available
The Pasadena Roof Orchestra recreate the sounds of a golden age of music from 1920s and 1930s.
Enjoy beautifully arranged songs from Irving Berlin, Ray Noble, Cole Porter and their contemporaries, and re-live the electrifying hot jazz from Fletcher Henderson and Duke Ellington.
Presenting the show, and putting on the top hat and tails, is the suave singer and band leader, Duncan Galloway. So pack up your troubles, come on get happy, and experience an evening of superlative live music, with more than a dash of wit and humour.
An evening of rare musical entertainment. Financial Times
It is said that if some Pasadena Roof Orchestra tunes are floating past her window, the Queen is not displeased. Daily Telegraph
THE PASADENA ROOF ORCHESTRA
Friday 11 November
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Show time 7.30pmTicket price £17 | Discounts available Age guideline 14+
Now is the time to grab this chance to see the great man at work. Guardian
Captivating and brilliant... ability to make the room guffaw was worthy of standing applause. Sunday Mirror
Rich Hall ’s critically acclaimed grouchy, deadpan style has established him as a master of absurdist irony and the king of rapid-fire wit. The award-winning Montana native is renowned for his carefully crafted tirades, expert banter and delightful musical sequences. And now he’s saddling-up and taking his wagon to tour the UK once again.
The Perrier Award-winner has been described as a transatlantic messenger, lampooning each country he visits with his common sense. He leaves his audience hanging on every word, and has won fans from all over the globe.
RICH HALLSaturday 12 November
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Show times Mon to Sat eves: 7.30pm | Sat mat: 2.30pmTicket prices £11.50 to £21 | Discounts availableEnjoy! Members 25% off Mon & Sat matAge guideline 8+
An amateur performance by arrangement with MusicScope and Stage Musicals Limited of New York.
Music, lyrics and book by Lionel Bart
Consider yourself at home as Oxford Operatic Society returns to the Oxford Playhouse with their latest production, Oliver!
Oliver Twist, a young orphan in Victorian England, escapes from his orphanage to a new life in the city. But falling in with pickpocket the Artful Dodger and the charismatic but manipulative Fagin offers him as much danger as it does freedom. For every new friend he meets, like the warm-hearted Nancy, there are dangerous foes... Based on Charles Dickens’ novel, Lionel Bart’s classic musical combines much-loved tunes such as Food, Glorious Food and I’d Do Anything with heart-breaking ballads including As Long As He Needs Me and Where is Love? Celebrating 70 years of bringing great musicals to life, Oxford Operatic Society takes you on a journey through Victorian London, with thrills, tears and laughter for all the family.
Their production is a great achievement.Oxford Times on Sunset Boulevard 2015
Oxford Operatic Society presents
OLIVER!Monday 14 to Saturday 19 November
FEATURING
H Classic routines (oh yes there are)
H Singing and dancing (a song from every decade since 1950)
H Ugly Sisters (that’s two dames for the price of one)
H Sweeties (start practising your catching)
H Magic tricks (proper ones that’ll blow your socks off!)
and this joke... I’m so angry, I’m gonna turn someone into a prawn cocktail...and that’s just for starters.
Cinderella is written and directed by Steve Marmion, Artistic Director of Soho Theatre and creator of our 5-star Aladdin last year. So if you like all-singing, all-dancing, laugh-out-loud silliness with a big dollop of festive mayhem, then Cinderella promises to be the perfect fit.
AN OXFORD PLAYHOUSE PANTOMIMEFriday 25 November 2016 to Sunday 8 January 2017
Written and directed by Steve Marmion
Thousands will be having a merrier Christmas thanks to this excellent show, a colourful and musical delight. HHHHHOxford Times, Aladdin 2015
For everyone aged 5 to 105!
Tickets £15 to £27 Discounts available.
Are you ready for a gigantic sprinkle of Playhouse magic this Christmas? Then get set to join Cinderella on a midnight coach ride through pantoland!
There’s only one problem: Cinders’ ugly sisters and wicked step-mum make her scrape and clean all day and it’s beginning to make her feel sad. She needs backup. She needs you! Plus some support from her best friend Buttons (who happens to be a mouse) and maybe a bit of help from a certain fairy godmothery-shaped someone...
But even if Cinders does get to the party, what’s all this about midnight deadlines, pumpkins and magic slippers? When panto fun and games ensue, it’s the audience who’ll be having a ball!
December 10am 11am 2pm 3pm 4pm 6pm 7pm
Thu 1Fri 2 NO PERFORMANCES
Sat 3Sun 4Mon 5Tue 6Wed 7Thu 8Fri 9 NO PERFORMANCES
Sat 10Sun 11Mon 12Tue 13Wed 14Thu 15Fri 16 NO PERFORMANCES
Sat 17Sun 18Mon 19 NO PERFORMANCES
Tue 20Wed 21Thu 22Fri 23Sat 24Sun 25 NO PERFORMANCES
Mon 26Tue 27Wed 28Thu 29Fri 30Sat 31
November 10am 11am 2pm 3pm 4pm 6pm 7pm
Fri 25Sat 26Sun 27 NO PERFORMANCES
Mon 28Tue 29Wed 30
January 10am 11am 2pm 3pm 4pm 6pm 7pm
Sun 1 NO PERFORMANCES
Mon 2Tue 3Wed 4 NO PERFORMANCES
Thu 5Fri 6Sat 7Sun 8
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Ticket Prices Low £15 £18.50 £20.50
Medium £17 £20 £22
High £19.50 £22.50 £25
Premium £22 £25 £27
Seasonal Special £15
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Under 18s and over 60s get £2 off, plus book by Monday 31 October for 50p off all tickets (excludes family ticket).
Premium shows family ticket £90 (4 tickets inc. at least two children)
Enjoy! members 25% off Sat 26 Nov at 2pm, Sat 10 Dec at 7pm, Mon 2 Jan at 7pm
GREAT rates for schools and groups!Schools tickets from £11.50 plus every 16th ticket FREE!
Groups rates Medium and High shows10+ 10% off tickets 15+ 15% off tickets 20+ 20% off full priced tickets plus 21st ticket FREE
Low, Premium and Back to School10+ £2 off full priced tickets plus every 21st ticket FREE
Access performancesSee page 66 for more information
Captioned performance Wednesday 28 December 7pm
Audio described performancesSunday 11 December 4pmFriday 30 December 6pm
Touch TourSunday 11 December 2.30pmFriday 30 December 4.30pm
Relaxed performancesThursday 5 January 2pm
British Sign Language interpreted performanceSunday 8 January 11am
Age guidelineWe recommend 5+ for our pantomimes, brave children under 5 are more than welcome but might find some scenes loud and others scary.
Don’t forget Oxford Playhouse is the perfect place to have Christmas fun with the whole family, we have...H FREE toys and games in the circle bar
– before, after and even during the show.H FREE tickets for babies in arms under 18
months – book with the Ticket Office.H FREE booster seats for children so
everyone can see the action.H Lots of locally sourced drinks and treats
available from the Café Bar including coffees, teas and Christmas bubbly!
BOOKING INFORMATION
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SNOWFLAKESThursday 8 to Saturday 31 December
An Oxford Playhouse production
Everyone is different. Everyone is perfect.
A beautiful story about new beginnings and making friends, set in the land of forests and snow... Oxford Playhouse brings Cerrie Burnell ’s touching story to life, in a brand new Christmas show for little ones.
Mia has come to live with her Grandma, far away from where she was born. It isn’t at all like her old life in the city, and at first she feels very different from the new children she sees. But when she watches the snow falling around her one night, Mia realises that she is just like one of the snowflakes – unique and perfect in her own way.
Cerrie Burnell is a well-loved CBeebies presenter, best-selling children’s author and disabilities campaigner. She’s written the popular Harper series as well as plays, including Winged and The Magical Playroom, and this is the first time one of her books has been adapted for the stage.
Come and join us for a show that celebrates the specialness in everyone.
Show times VariousTicket prices £8 | Children £6Age guideline 3 to 6Relaxed performance Wed 28 Dec, 3pm
Dec 10am 11am 12pm 2pm 3pm
Thu 8Fri 9Sat 10Sun 11Tue 13Wed 14Thu 15Fri 16Sat 17Sun 18Tue 20Wed 21Thu 22Fri 23Sat 24Tue 27Wed 28Thu 29Fri 30Sat 31
By Cerrie Burnell
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Show times Tue to Thu: 7.30pm | Fri & Sat eves: 8pm | Sat mat: 2.30pmTicket prices £11.50 to £28 | Discounts availableEnjoy! members 50% off Tue & Sat matAge guideline 16+
Whatever Cheek by Jowl does next constitutes a major happening. Guardian
Internationally acclaimed theatrical powerhouse Cheek by Jowl returns to Oxford Playhouse with its stunning production of The Winter’s Tale.
Shakespeare’s tragicomedy smashes all the rules. Unity of time, place and action are hurled aside as we range across Europe, from court to country, from high tragedy to low comedy, across a time span of sixteen years.
The Winter’s Tale tells of a delusional and paranoid king who tears his family apart. But this is Shakespeare after he completed his great tragedies, and the tough struggle for redemption yields flickers of hope. Initial darkness gives way to joy as time leads the characters to a shattering conclusion...
By William ShakespeareDirected by Declan Donnellan Designed by Nick OrmerodIn English
Cheek by Jowl’s enduring gift to theatre, it would seem, is its uncanny ability to live in an eternal precarious present. The Telegraph
THE WINTER’S TALETuesday 28 February to Saturday 4 March
Produced by Cheek by Jowl in a co-production with the Barbican, London; Les Gémeaux/Sceaux/Scène Nationale; Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg; Piccolo Teatro di Milano – Teatro d’Europa; Chicago Shakespeare Theater; Centro Dramático Nacional, Madrid (INAEM)
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FULL CIRCLE MEMBERSHIPTHE W LUCY MEMBERS’ ROOM
JOIN NOWSimply call the Ticket Office on 01865 305305or join online at oxfordplayhouse.com
ESCAPE THE CROWDS FOR YOUR PRE-SHOW AND INTERVAL DRINKS IN OUR EXCLUSIVE MEMBERS-ONLY HIDEAWAY IN THE HEART OF OXFORD.
FULL CIRCLEJoin Full Circle for £100 a year, and you and up to three guests can relax in the Oxford Playhouse W Lucy Members’ Room, open from 6pm to 11pm and matinee afternoons, serving drinks and a range of sandwiches and snacks.
Combine with an Enjoy! membership for even more benefits. £130 per year (Enjoy! is only £50).
• Up to 50% off opening night and Saturday matinees for most week-long shows and discounts of 25% or 50% off most shorter runs.
• Guaranteed early mailing of Oxford Playhouse brochure and priority booking.
• Three free programmes per year.• Special offers and invitations from
local arts and cultural organisations and local businesses.
Current Enjoy! Members Upgrade
Upgrade to a combined membership for only an additional £50, valid for one year from date of upgrade.
4701865 305305
Show time 7.30pmTicket prices £13 to £22 | Discounts available
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COMEDYDRAMA MUSICPOETRYFAMILY
Theatre and events especially for families. Come and play in the foyer area before and after the show.
BURTON TAYLOR STUDIO
OP’s Burton Taylor Studio programme is sponsored by HMG LAW
These shows have been created here in the county, either by Oxford Playhouse or by local artists, amateur and professional.
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OXFORD PLAYHOUSE AT THE BURTON TAYLOR STUDIO
JULY
It’s not always easy making friends, especially when you live in a lighthouse surrounded by dangerous rocks, towering waves and trouble-making seagulls. An exciting opportunity for a tea party with a friend arises when the supply boat comes, but the lighthouse keeper’s nervousness turns what could have been a delight into a disaster. Is it just a storm in a teacup? It is only when a storm blows in and real disaster looms that he can find the courage to save the day and rebuild his friendship.
Menagerie Theatre Company brings the best work from their Hotbed New Writing Theatre Festival, direct from Cambridge. Forget any city rivalries, you’ll see two new plays from Menagerie’s Young Writers’ Programme (6.30pm), and one What’s Up Doc? commission (8.30pm), which pairs up a writer and an academic to create a new theatre-piece-of-ideas! Hotbed is dedicated to developing plays which speak to audiences in surprising, inventive and urgent ways. The work is always fresh, evolving and uncompromising, which makes it an unforgettable audience experience.
A celebration of compelling poetry and performance from award-winning spoken word artists and brand new voices, exploring the notion of ‘home’ in the 21st century. From a love letter to the place we call home, musings on what ‘home’ really means and the discoveries we make about ourselves when we are away, this universal theme provides a timely backdrop to some beautiful and exciting new work. #writinghome
Sun 10 JulyHorse + Bamboo Theatre Company
STORM IN A TEACUPBy Alison Duddle and Bob Frith
Show times 11am & 2pm Tickets £8 Children £6 Age guideline 3 to 6
Sat 16 July Menagerie
HOTBEDBest of the Fest
Wed 20 to Sat 23 JulyNew Writing South
WRITING HOME
Show times 6.30pm & 8.30pm Tickets £10 Discounts £8 Both shows £15 Age guideline 14+
Show time 7.30pm Tickets £10 Discounts £8 Age guideline 12+
BIG SHOWS, SMALL SPACE...
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Do you like to laugh? You do? Excellent – so do we. That’s why this July we’re turning the BT into a compact comedy club, full of large LOLs and huge hilarity. Each night will feature the best of local talent and the finest comics on the touring circuit, all tied together (not literally) by your host Dan Gilbert. Acts already confirmed for the first BT Comedy Club include star of Come Dine With Me Adam Mastroianni, political activist and comedian Kate Smurthwaite (Fri), and Moj Taylor (Sat). Keep an eye on our website for the full line up. So bring your friends, grab a drink and take your seat as ribs are tickled and funny bones are tweaked by the best.
Hilarious sketch comedy from the award-winning Hannah Croft and Fiona Pearce. The breakthrough stars of BBC Radio 4’s Sketchorama, their first solo sketch series The Croft & Pearce Show was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2016. Join them for an evening of acclaimed sketches and meet the cast of “deliciously crafted characters” (Edinburgh Evening News) that has made their live show such a beloved comedy treat. Fantastically talented comedians. HHHHH Broadway Baby
Show time 7.30pm Tickets £10 Discounts £8 Age guideline 16+
Show time 7.30pm Tickets £10 Discounts £8 Age guideline 16+
Show time 7.30pm Tickets £10 Discounts £8 Age guideline 12+
I was born on the 18th December 1988. I dressed up as a bandicoot once. I was diagnosed with cancer 3,322,000 minutes ago... Toby has come to deliver his Eulogy. Join him as he enters the (not so) exclusive Cancer Club; sample chemotherapy cocktails, select the perfect funeral playlist and marvel at Willy Wonka’s life-saving stem cell machine. From diagnosis to remission, relapse and treatment; experience a young man’s journey with cancer in this honest, fascinating and inspiring exploration of modern science and the human body. A “heartfelt and buoyant” (HHHH Stage) discovery of self-mortality and celebration of life!
Thu 8 and Fri 9 September
THE EULOGY OF TOBY PEACH
Wed 7 September
CROFT AND PEARCE
Fri 29 and Sat 30 July
BT COMEDY CLUB
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OXFORD PLAYHOUSE AT THE BURTON TAYLOR STUDIO
JULY TO SEPTEMBER
Show times 11am & 2pm Tickets £8 Discounts £6 Age guideline 4+
Show time 7.30pm Tickets £10 Discounts £8 Age guideline 14+
Show time 7.30pm Tickets £10 Discounts £8 Age guideline 14+
Join Geppetto – played by Steve Tiplady – in his carpenter’s workshop for the tale of the puppet that wants to be a real boy, and the puppet-maker who wants to be a real father. Pinocchio is carved on stage, brushes become a fox and the shadow of two saws transforms into a giant shark. An element of improvisation makes each performance unique to its audience. Puppetry, shadows, illusion and original music combine to create a show with something for all ages; it’s inventive, funny, and has a big heart. Wonderful work that celebrates the possibilities of theatre. Lyn Gardner, Guardian
Three minutes boxing. One minute break. Three minutes boxing. Try to impress dad. Three minutes boxing. Play Sega Dreamcast. Three minutes boxing. Parents break up. Three minutes boxing. Fail your GCSEs. Three minutes boxing. Sing in a car. Three minutes boxing. Break. Told through spoken word and within timed boxing rounds, Until You Hear That Bell is a story about amateur boxing and family. It’s about doing something for ten years, and slowly getting good at it. Birthed from the 2010 Roundhouse poetry collective, Sean has won Literary Death Match twice, performed on Channel 4’s Random Acts and co-hosts the monthly poetry night, BoxediN.
Equations for a Moving Body is a story about endurance – when our brains tell our bodies to stop – and the psychology of carrying on. It is a story about preparing mind and body and the people who share that journey with us. What carries us to the finish line? What’s left at the end of 141 miles of swimming, cycling and running? Inspired by her own experience in triathlons and iron man events, with help from scientists and psychologists, and a documentary filmmaker, Hannah Nicklin will share what it means to attempt a great feat of endurance, and ask why we do these (frankly ridiculous) kinds of things. Brutally honest, life-changing and utterly riveting. Reviews Hub
Sat 10 September Indefinite Articles and DNA
PINOCCHIO
Tue 13 September
EQUATIONS FOR A MOVING BODYWritten and performed by Hannah Nicklin Directed by Alexander Kelly
Mon 12 September Battersea Arts Centre
UNTIL YOU HEAR THAT BELLWritten and performed by Sean Mahoney Directed by Yael Shavit
BIG SHOWS, SMALL SPACE...
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Join UK all-star poetry slam champion Ben Norris as he battles the country’s most notorious service stations in search of the man who became his father. In turns hilarious and moving, this poetic, multimedia ramshackle road trip is a “modern pilgrimage” (HHHH Stage) that asks searching questions of identity. Winner of the 2015 Ideas Tap Underbelly Award. A truly talented performer with genuine presence and charisma to burn. HHHHH Three Weeks Norris just has a way with words. HHHH A Younger Theatre
Two lonely Londoners, Steph and Joe, and two dispirited Dubliners, Dylan and Cara, share glimpses of their city lives and the diverse characters they encounter on the way. Save + Quit is a fast, funny and deeply moving depiction of how the places we call home speak to us and of us, whether we’re lost or looking for a connection in the indifferent, isolating urban jungle.
Mountains are just like people – they have secrets, mysteries and stories to tell. Come and hear the enchanting, mysterious and hair-raising stories of Magnificent Mount Iwate who blew hot and cold, the humble woodcutter and his beautiful but mysterious bride, and the snorting, burping, ‘orrible Ogre of Rashomon Gate. These delightful traditional Japanese tales are brought to life through inventive storytelling, puppetry and music by A Thousand Cranes.
Show time 7.30pm Tickets £10 Discounts £8 Age guideline 12+
Show time 7.30pm Tickets £10 Discounts £8 Age guideline 12+
Show times 11am & 2pm Tickets £8 Discounts £6 Age guideline 4+
Sat 17 September A Thousand Cranes
TALES FROM OLD JAPAN
Thu 15 and Fri 16 September
THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE FAMILYWritten and performed by Ben Norris Directed by Polly Tisdall
Wed 14 September Hairpin productions
SAVE + QUIT
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Meet Otto. Otto works in a factory and enjoys Russian caviar. Meet Martha. Martha is a successful female butcher who wonders whether finding romance is possible now that she is over 50. Martha and Otto are incompatible. Martha and Otto are in a relationship. This is a play about love. Oxford Playhouse’s 2015/16 resident director Lucy Grace McCann and producer Zak Khan present the regional premiere of Franz Xaver Kroetz’ Through the Leaves, a tender exploration of how one couple negotiates the tensions of class and gender within their relationship.
Show times 7.30pm Sat mat: 2.30pm Tickets £10 Discounts £8 Age guideline 12+
Part physics class, part sound technology lecture and part dance performance, this is a show about sound and space. Join dance artist Gabriele Reuter and composer/sound designer Mattef Kuhlmey as they impart scientific knowledge through captivating performance. This mixture of practical demonstrations, fascinating experiments and expert interviews are as entertaining as they are illuminating. As they explore how acoustic waves work and how they shape the empty space around us, prepare to discover just how entrancing sound can be.
Show time 7.30pm Tickets £10 Discounts £8 Age guideline 11+
Mon 26 September Dance4
THE AMPLITUDE Lecture Performance
Wed 21 to Sat 24 September
THROUGH THE LEAVES In association with Oxford Playhouse Supported by MCS Drama
Weirdos presents two weird and wonderful shows for your delectation. Tue 27 Sept Only Fools and Horses and Horses and Horses and Horses and Horses A surreal take on the nation’s favourite sitcom, in which Del Boy must go on a journey to rescue his brother Rodney from hell. Wed 28 Sept The Unofficial Supergrass Musical: The Musical A brand new and extremely unofficial show that tells the “true” story of the Oxford rock legends that Wikipedia was too afraid to tell. Expect all of your favourite hits and giant animatronic sideburns. Unofficial.
Tue 27 and Wed 28 September
WEIRDOS PRESENTS...
Show time 7.30pm Tickets £10 Discounts £8 Age guideline 18+
BIG SHOWS, SMALL SPACE...
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From fast-rising Channel 4 playwright, Clara Brennan, comes the Fringe First and Herald Angel Award-winning Spine, a hilarious and heartbreaking call to arms for our modern age. Spine charts the explosive friendship between a ferocious, wise-cracking teenager and an elderly East End widow. Mischievous activist pensioner Glenda is hell-bent on leaving a political legacy and saving Amy from the Tory scrapheap. In this era of damaging cuts and disillusionment, has politics forgotten people? Can we really take the power back? Amy is about to be forced to find out. An outstanding piece of writing. HHHHH British Theatre Guide
Come and join in with Fun Palaces 2016 – a free, nationwide festival of arts, culture and sciences. Oxford Playhouse and Science Oxford are joining forces once more to bring back The Oxford Fun Palace – a fun and enlightening treat for young theatre enthusiasts. With loads of hands-on activities to try, explore the exciting world behind the scenes as you experiment with lights, sound effects, music and scenery. It’s all for free, so don’t miss this exciting chance to get hands-on with the science behind theatre and come and visit The Oxford Fun Palace at the BT.
Set against the backdrop of the Sheffield Blitz, Operation Crucible is the story of four ordinary men in extraordinary times. On 12 December 1940, more than six hundred people lost their lives in over seven hours of continuous bombing by Germany’s Luftwaffe. At 11.44pm on the night of the raid, a single bomb reduced the Marples Hotel to rubble. Only one of the ten compartments in the hotel’s cellars withstood the blast. Within it, trapped, were four men. This is their story.
Thu 29 and Fri 30 September Soho Theatre and Francesca Moody
SPINE
Sat 1 October Science Oxford
THE OXFORD FUN PALACE
Wed 5 to Sat 8 October Folie à deux Productions and From Ground Up Theatre Company
OPERATION CRUCIBLE By Kieran Knowles Presented by house
Show time 11am to 3pm Tickets FREE, just drop in Age guideline 5+ (younger siblings welcome)
Show time 7.30pm Tickets £10 Discounts £8 Age guideline 16+
Show time 7.30pm Tickets £10 Discounts £8 Age guideline 12+
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Show time 7.30pm Tickets £10 Discounts £8 Age guideline 14+
Show time 7.30pm Tickets £10 Discounts £8 Age guideline 16+
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BIG SHOWS, SMALL SPACE...
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JOIN IN AT OP!
YOUNG COMPANIESHOLIDAY WORKSHOPSADULT WORKSHOPSSCHOOLS & COLLEGES
Oxford Playhouse offers a bursaries scheme to anyone who wants to take part but may need help with fees. To apply, email [email protected]
LEARNING AND PARTICIPATION
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The 12|16 Young Company is a focused and fun introduction to theatre. The company meet once a week during term time to explore and learn theatre making and performance skills. This term the company will explore movement, physical theatre and dance as stimuli for creating theatre. Some of the material created will be used as part of the 12|16 Young Company show for Young Players 2017. Drama makes me feel better about everything. 12|16 Young Company member
Tue 6 Sept to Tue 15 Nov (no session Tue 25 Oct)
12|16 YOUNG COMPANY
I loved meeting new people who share the same passion and working together to create something you’re proud of. If you’re hungry to learn how to improve your acting and theatre-making skills, join the 17|25 Young Company. As a company you will work energetically and intensively, with commitment, towards building an ensemble company that will perform on the Oxford Playhouse main stage in March 2017. All this, whilst having fun and making new friends.
Wed 28 Sept to Wed 16 Nov (there are eight sessions including the Weds during half term)
17|25 YOUNG COMPANY
Time 5 to 7pm Location Top RoomTickets £60Age guideline 12 to 16
Time 5 to 7pm Location Top RoomTickets £70Age guideline 17 to 25
Time 5 to 7.30pmLocation £150 (for two terms, includes free tickets to watch at least two shows, shows and dates tbc) Age guideline 15 to 20
Weekly workshops for young writers keen to write a short play, led by professional playwright Renata Allen. Writers will acquire the skills needed to develop their ideas, and write a play. Extracts of the draft plays will be performed as rehearsed readings for Young Players 2017, to give writers the opportunity to see their characters come alive before making their final amends. A selection of plays will be performed by the Oxford Playhouse Young Companies in the BT Studio at the end of the 2017 Summer Term.
Thu 8 Sept to Thu 17 Nov, Thu 19 Jan to Thu 30 March 2017 (no session during half term)
YOUNG PLAYMAKER
YOUNG COMPANIES
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HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS
Time 10am to 4pm Location Burton Taylor Studio Tickets One Day £30 | Five Sessions £130 Age guideline 16+
The BT Studio is accessible by stair lift. Please inform Ticket Office in advance when booking if you will need to use it.
SKILLS SESSIONS
Whether you’re attending drama school, starting your career, retired and seeking new challenges, or just looking to develop new skills, come along and try a day or spend the week with us.
Stage Combat Mon 15 AugLed by Tom Jordan Learn unarmed combat and weapon skills in this fast-paced workshop.
Directing Tue 16 Aug Led by James Farrell Develop your rehearsal room technique, critical analysis and how to get the best performance out of your actors.
Playwriting Wed 17 Aug Led by Barney Norris Discover the craft of writing plays, from getting your ideas on to the page to character development and writing dialogue.
Singing Thu 18 AugLed by Matt Winkworth Sing your heart out as you learn about voice technique and explore different performance styles.
Acting Fri 19 AugLed by Anna Tolputt Explore rhythm, text and physicality to support you in creating truthful and engaging characters.
LEARNING AND PARTICIPATION
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Join Peter Pan and friends on an exciting journey into Neverland. What’s happened to Peter, where’s Tinkerbell and why does Neverland look so different? Inspired by the Oxford Playhouse adaptation of Peter Pan in Scarlet, join the Lost Boys and Wendy on a thrilling expedition to meet old friends and new enemies! A great way for your child to learn improvisation, storytelling and drama skills whilst making new friends. The week will culminate with a performance for family and friends. And there’s even more – participants will be eligible for a special discounted family ticket for Peter Pan in Scarlet (see page 7).
Mon 8 to Fri 12 Aug
PLAY IN A WEEK: ADVENTURES IN NEVERLAND
Are you ready to create a play in a day? Transform yourself into Cinderella, an ugly step-sister or a handsome price and decide whether you really want to go the ball! Using improvisation, musical theatre and storytelling techniques your child will create a modern take on this popular tale.
Wed 26 Oct
PLAY IN A DAY: CINDERS
Time 10am to 5pm Location Top Room Tickets £25 Age guideline 8 to 11
Time 10am to 4pm (drop off from 9am, pick up before 5pm) Location Burton Taylor StudioTickets £125Age guideline 8 to 11
Time 10am to 4pm Location £150 (The price of this course includes a ticket to watch Peter Pan in Scarlet) Age guideline 12 to 16
It’s no joke finding your silly self, and we’re falling over ourselves because Mark Curtis is back to take you through the highs and lows of finding your funny. During this fun-filled week, where mistakes are an absolute must, Mark will guide you through a series of games and exercises exploring improvisation, game play and slapstick skills. Be prepared to work hard, play hard and laugh hard, as you discover new things about yourself and make new friends. There will be an informal sharing of some of the work created by participants at the end of the week for family and friends.
Mon 22 to Fri 26 Aug
CLOWNING AROUND
HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS
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LEARNING AND PARTICIPATION
An exciting series of workshops for KS2, designed to improve literacy, develop storytelling skills and encourage children’s imaginations. This is a unique opportunity for pupils to learn how to conceive and write their own short play and understand the development process which leads to a professional production. Pupils will build skills and confidence. Primary Playmaker can be tailored to fit into your timetable and support your curriculum teaching. Each school will be offered up to 10 workshops for a class or selected group of pupils. These 1-1.5 hour sessions take place during the school day or as an after-school activity, and offer a mix of practical and written exercises. Led by award-winning children’s playwright Renata Allen, your pupils will write their own play which may be chosen to be performed on the Oxford Playhouse main stage by professional actors as part of Young Players 2017 – a week long celebration of work created and performed by young people. The theme for Young Players 2017 is Time and Space. To find out more information please email [email protected]
Book a dynamic workshop where your KS3, 4 or 5 students will explore all aspects of writing a play and bringing it to life. These creative, interactive workshops are designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge to develop their original ideas into a rehearsal-ready script, and to find their own creative voice. You can book a one-off half (2.5 hours) or full day (2 x 2.5 hours) workshop, or book a series of workshops delivered over several weeks. These can be delivered at your school or at Oxford Playhouse, during or after the school day. We wanted to participate because, when I found out about it, we all realised that this would be a great opportunity to increase our links with the local community whilst broadening the children’s knowledge and understanding of Drama in a wider sense. Teacher To book a workshop please email [email protected] Half day £175 Full day £350
PRIMARY PLAYMAKER SECONDARY PLAYMAKER
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Oxford Playhouse offers a range of workshops and projects suitable for KS1 to KS5 that will bring drama alive in your classroom. These workshops will introduce your students to a range of subjects and can explore voice, physicality, creating ideas and devising, improvisation and investigating text. Workshops are delivered by Oxford Playhouse facilitators and artists. If you are bringing your students to watch a show why not book a workshop or series of workshops to support your teaching. Thank you for running such a fantastic workshop with our Year 8 students when we visited the Playhouse. The session gave our students much needed context and enabled them to access the text in a new way. Teacher
WORKSHOPS FOR SCHOOL AND COLLEGES
Time 5pm to 7pm Tickets Free For more information or to book a place email [email protected]
Internationally renowned theatre company Frantic Assembly are celebrated for their accessible and collaborative approach. This highly energetic workshop will provide teachers and youth theatre practitioners with an opportunity to develop and learn new creative skills, and offer new techniques to take back to the classroom. It is perfect for those who wish to extend their knowledge and practice of devising and physical theatre techniques. No previous experience is necessary. Frantic Assembly is a recommended company on AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC and IB drama syllabuses and is studied at GCSE, BTEC, AS and A-Level as well as undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
Fri 7 Oct
FRANTIC ASSEMBLY TEACHER TRAINING WORKSHOP
This workshop explores everything you need to prepare for applying for theatre and performing arts courses.
Covering voice, movement and text exercises, this is an essential day for anyone and everyone hoping to get into drama school. You will also have the opportunity to discuss where to apply.
There’s no need to prepare a speech for this practical workshop but book early to avoid disappointment.
Fri 28 Oct
AUDITIONING FOR DRAMA SCHOOL
Time 10am to 4pm Location Top RoomTickets £30Age guideline 16+
For more information or to discuss ideas for your students email [email protected]
SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES
60 www.oxfordplayhouse.com
Time 12pm to 1.30pm Tickets £6 (inc. refreshments)
Time 1pm to 2.15pm Location Top Room Tickets £7 (inc. sandwich lunch)
Time Alternate Weds at 11am Tickets Free
Spotlight is for anyone aged 50 or over with an interest in theatre. Each session is a friendly and relaxed lunchtime meet-up to socialise and talk all things theatre. Spotlight is led by a member of OP staff, joined by a guest to talk more about their role in the current show, or themes and issues explored in this season’s productions. Enjoy interesting conversation and a sandwich lunch before taking in the matinee performance. New Spotlighters are always welcome, why not bring a friend? Thu 22 Sept A Tale of Two Cities Thu 27 Oct Sand in the Sandwiches Thu1Dec Cinderella (the time for this session may be later than normal)
Oxford Playwrights are back with their poplar lunchtime staged readings with six specially selected short scripts performed by local actors in the Top Room. Enjoy a sandwich lunch whilst listening to new playlets from Oxfordshire writers. Founded over thirteen years ago, Oxford Playwrights includes members whose work has been produced professionally both nationally and internationally.
Come and join the staff of Oxford Central Library for Rhymetimes. These fun, free and interactive sessions for the under 5s and their families! Join in with singing or rattle a shaker to well-known songs and rhymes. Come along even if you don’t know the words or tunes – it’s a great way to learn new songs and meet new people.
Thu 22 Sept, Thu 27 Oct & Thu 1 Dec
SPOTLIGHT
Wed 14 Sept
PLAYBITES FOR LUNCH
From Wed 24 Aug Oxford Central Library Services
RHYMETIMES
LEARNING AND PARTICIPATION
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Times 10.15am to 11am & 11.30am to 12.15pmTicket price £5 (1 adult & 1 pre-school child. £2 for second child)Age guideline 5 and underLocation Top Room
Have you discovered the perfect fun, friendly and musical way to start the week for you and your child? Hey Diddle Diddle is a sing-a-long and play session held weekly during term time at Oxford Playhouse.
With free tea or coffee and a chance to stay, play and meet other parents afterwards too, Hey Diddle Diddle makes for a greatly enjoyable Monday morning.
HEY DIDDLE DIDDLE
Monday 12 September to Monday 21 November
Pre-school workshop
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AccessRead more about the Access facilities available at the Playhouse on page 66.
DiscountsTurn to page 65 to make sure you’re getting any discounts we offer.
Age GuidelinesAge guidelines are listed against as many events as possible to help you choose whether a performance is right for you, your family, class or group. The suggested minimum ages are recommendations only based on potential content and available information at the time of printing. If you are booking tickets for other people we ask you to take responsibility for whether a show is appropriate for everyone within your party. If you would like more details about any production, please contact the Ticket Office.
12+ Content may include themes and subjects of a more adult nature and/or occasional mild swearing.
14+ Content may include violent scenes, swearing, sexual innuendo and/or partial nudity.
16+ Content may include graphic scenes of violence, nudity, drugs imagery and/or prolific swearing.
18+ Content will contain scenes which may be disturbing and are unsuitable for children.
Family Friendly Wherever you see this symbol, there is a show or activity designed especially for families. There will be free art activities and games in the circle bar before, during and after the show, special facilities including booster seats, toilet steps and seats and a buggy store. There’s a baby change facility on the ground floor and babies in arms are welcome at family shows, but please book a free ticket at the Ticket Office.
Made in Oxford These shows have been created here in the county, either by Oxford Playhouse or by local artists, amateur and professional.
Tickets OxfordWe sell tickets for many concerts and other events both locally and nationally. This service is available at the Ticket Office, on the phone or online until 4pm on the day of the performance.
Visit www.ticketsoxford.com for further details or follow us on Twitter @TicketsOxford.
Make sure you get the most and the best out of your theatre. Please contact the Ticket Office for further information.
USEFUL INFORMATION
6301865 305305
Our Address:Oxford Playhouse Beaumont Street, Oxford OX1 2LW
By Road:Park and RideUsing one of Oxford’s five Park and Ride services is probably the easiest and cheapest way to get around the city. For more information visit: www.parkandride.net
ParkingParking in Oxford can be expensive. It is often cheaper to park on-street. You will find pay-and-display meters on Broad Street, St. Giles and in Jericho.
Car ParksGloucester Green (underground, nearest to the Playhouse), Worcester Street, Abbey Place, Oxpens and Oxford Rail Station.
By Train:Oxford rail station is a 10 minute walk from the Playhouse. Oxford Parkway – use Park and Ride.
By Bus and Coach:The city’s main bus and coach station is a two minute walk away from the Playhouse situated in Gloucester Green.
The Bodleian Quadrangle
Cowley Road Carnival
HOW TO GET TO THE PLAYHOUSE
64 www.oxfordplayhouse.com
Data Protection: When processing your booking Ticket Office staff will ask you your name, address and telephone number. This information is required for administration purposes and may be used to keep you informed of forthcoming events. In the case of sales for other venues you may receive information from the event promoter. We may also pass your details to other carefully selected organisations but only if you agree. The Oxford Playhouse Trust Ltd is a registered charity and we occasionally contact our audience as part of our fundraising initiatives. Please let us know if you would like to be kept informed about future events, activities and fundraising.
Possible limited view. Please call the Ticket Office for further information.
These seats can be removed to accommodate wheelchairs. Please call the Ticket Office for further information.
Rows AA – C are sometimes removed for staging and are therefore not always available – please check with the Ticket Office when booking.
F27
E27
D27
C27
B27
A27
W27
U26 U1 U7 U18
G1 G27 G23 5G
U6 U23
W22
T27
S27
R26
Q27
P26
N27
M26
L27
K26
J27
H26
G26
F25
E25
D24
C23
B22
A21
F1
E1
D1
C1
B1
A1
T1
S1
R1
Q1
P1
N1
M1
L1
K1
J1
H1
G2
F3
E4
D5
C6
B7
A8
AA9
FIRST FLOOR
GROUND FLOOR
AA20
In personMonday to Saturday 10am to 6pm or until 30 minutes after the start of the evening performance. Sundays and Bank Holidays two hours before the performances.
Waiting listsWaiting lists on the day are available one hour before the performance starts at the Ticket Office. For full details please call 01865 305305.
Returns and exchanges Oxford Playhouse is able to exchange ticket(s) (to the same value) or resell your tickets if the show has sold out. Oxford Playhouse can only exchange or resell pre-collected ticket(s) that have been returned to the box office, or ticket(s) that are waiting for collection. To exchange your tickets to another event, you must inform us at least 24 hours prior to the advertised start time of the event for which you are unable to use your tickets. If you would like us to try and resell your tickets (non-guaranteed), you must let the Ticket Office know as soon as possible before the advertised start time of the event.
01865 305305www.oxfordplayhouse.comBOOKING INFORMATION
Seating Plan
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Discount Group Ticket Price Conditions
Up to 50% off opening night or Saturday matinées for week-long shows. Bonus Enjoy! discounts of 50% or 25% on most shorter runs Free You must be aged 14 to 25 and a member of OPT in! £5 and £10 Membership costs £1. Join at the Ticket Office or subject to availability visit www.oxfordplayhouse.com/optin!/ for more details. Multibuy 15% off tickets to Buy tickets to 3 or more Multibuy shows in the
selected shows same booking and receive 15% off every ticket over £13. Valid on Peter Pan in Scarlet, Glasgow Girls, A Tale of Two Cities, Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme, Lady Chatterley’s Lover, Sand in the Sandwiches, and City Stories.
In Advance £2 off each ticket Available for most shows on full priced tickets of £13 or more for under 18s, over 60s, full-time students, JSAs, BECTU and Equity members. No further discounts available.
Access Users £11.50 or £15 per ticket Available for most shows for access facility users, wheelchair users and one companion.
Schools & Colleges £11.50 or £15 per ticket An allocation of tickets is available plus one free teacher Monday to Thursday for most shows. seat for every 15 seats School tickets for Cinderella are from £11.50. booked
Group Rate 20% off full priced For all groups of 10 or more. tickets for most Not available online, email rachel.titchener@ performances oxfordplayhouse.com for group bookings. Payment must be made as one transaction. Student Standby £11.50 or £15 per ticket Best available seats on the day of the (full-time) performance. Book in person at the Ticket with valid photo ID Office. Standby rate available in advance for Anything Goes and The Nether.
Over 60s Standby £13 or £15 per ticket Best available seats for all matinee performances bookable during the week of the show. Not available online.
Standby £11.50 or £15 per ticket Best available seats on the day of the performance for under 18s, JSAs, BECTU and Equity members for most shows. Book in person at the Ticket Office.
DISCOUNTS
ENJOY!
Conditions: All discounts are subject to availability and at the discretion of the Duty Ticket Office Manager and may not be available for all shows. Discounted tickets cannot be booked in conjunction with any other reductions or offers. Proof of status is required. Please note that not all discounts are available with online booking.
Available on up to two tickets, on either the opening night or the Saturday matinee, for almost every production, for all Enjoy! members. Join the Enjoy! scheme via the Ticket Office for an annual fee of £50.
66 www.oxfordplayhouse.com
Access FacilitiesOxford Playhouse offers a range of facilities for audience members with access requirements, including level access to the auditorium, low level counters at the Ticket Office and bar, wheelchair spaces (stalls: end of rows E & L and centre of row T), audio described, captioned and signed performances. Look out for these symbols on the show pages of this Guide.
Captioned and signed performances are excellent for people who are deaf, deafened and hard of hearing. During a signed performance an interpreter stands at the side of the stage. This is for people who use British Sign Language (BSL).
Captioned performances may also be of interest for those whose first language isn’t English and for anyone who finds it helpful to follow the text during a show.
Audio described performances are designed for blind or partially sighted audience members.
Via headphones, a live narrator describes the action in the pauses between the onstage dialogue. Touch tours accompany audio described performances.
The auditorium has a Sennheiser infrared system for audience members who are hard of hearing. Please ask the Ticket Office at the time of booking to advise you on the best places to sit for using the Sennheiser headsets within the auditorium. Relaxed performances (RP) are aimed at anyone who would benefit from a laid back environment including people with an Autistic Spectrum Condition, a learning disability or very young children who might be afraid of the dark. The atmosphere in the auditorium will be relaxed with the house lights partially on. Audience members will be free to come and go as they please throughout the show and make noise if they want to.
Reserve your access tickets by emailing [email protected] or calling the Ticket Office on 01865 305305.
6701865 305305
August25 Thu Peter Pan in Scarlet 2pm OP RP 528 Sun Peter Pan in Scarlet 1pm OP 5
September21 Wed A Tale of Two Cities 7.30pm OP 1324 Sat A Tale of Two Cities 2.30pm OP 13
Touch tour: 1pm
October5 Wed Things I Know To Be True 7.30pm OP 218 Sat Things I Know To Be True 2.30pm OP 21
Touch tour: 1pm
19 Wed Lady Chatterley’s Lover 7.30pm OP 2522 Sat Lady Chatterley’s Lover 2.30pm OP 25
Touch tour: 1pm
December11 Sun Cinderella 4pm OP 39
Touch tour: 2.30pm28 Wed Cinderella 7pm OP 39
Snowflakes 3pm BT RP 4330 Fri Cinderella 6pm OP 39
Touch tour: 4.30pm
January 20175 Thu Cinderella 2pm OP RP 398 Sun Cinderella 11am OP 39
Access Diary...Date Day Production Time(s) Venue Access Page
68
July10 Sun Storm in a Teacup 11am & 2pm BT 48
10 Sun Kapow 1.30pm & 3pm Dancin' Oxford Stage, Manzil Way, Cowley Road Carnival
2
16 Sat Hotbed 6.30pm & 8.30pm BT 48
16 Sat Dancin’ On The Green 12.30pm to 5pm Gloucester Green, Oxford 2
19 Tue Two Gentleman of Verona 7.45pm Bodleian Old Schools Quadrangle 3
20 Wed Two Gentleman of Verona 7.45pm Bodleian Old Schools Quadrangle 3
20 Wed Writing Home 7.30pm BT 48
21 Thu Two Gentleman of Verona 7.45pm Bodleian Old Schools Quadrangle 3
21 Thu Writing Home 7.30pm BT 48
22 Fri Two Gentleman of Verona 7.45pm Bodleian Old Schools Quadrangle 3
22 Fri Writing Home 7.30pm BT 48
23 Sat Two Gentleman of Verona 7.45pm Bodleian Old Schools Quadrangle 3
23 Sat Writing Home 7.30pm BT 48
24 Sun Two Gentleman of Verona 2.30pm & 7.45pm Bodleian Old Schools Quadrangle 3
26 Tue Two Gentleman of Verona 7.45pm Bodleian Old Schools Quadrangle 3
27 Wed Two Gentleman of Verona 7.45pm Bodleian Old Schools Quadrangle 3
28 Thu Two Gentleman of Verona 7.45pm Bodleian Old Schools Quadrangle 3
29 Fri Two Gentleman of Verona 7.45pm Bodleian Old Schools Quadrangle 3
29 Fri BT Comedy Club 7.30pm BT 49
30 Sat Two Gentleman of Verona 7.45pm Bodleian Old Schools Quadrangle 3
30 Sat BT Comedy Club 7.30pm BT 49
31 Sun Two Gentleman of Verona 2.30pm & 7.45pm Bodleian Old Schools Quadrangle 3
August12 Fri Peter Pan in Scarlet 7pm OP 4
13 Sat Peter Pan in Scarlet 7pm OP 4
16 Tue Peter Pan in Scarlet 5.30pm OP 4
17 Wed Peter Pan in Scarlet 7pm OP 4
18 Thu Peter Pan in Scarlet 2pm OP 4
19 Fri Peter Pan in Scarlet 7pm OP 4
20 Sat Peter Pan in Scarlet 1pm & 5.30pm OP 4
21 Sun Peter Pan in Scarlet 1pm & 5.30pm OP 4
24 Wed Peter Pan in Scarlet 5.30pm OP 4
25 Thu Peter Pan in Scarlet 2pm OP 4
26 Fri Peter Pan in Scarlet 7pm OP 4
27 Sat Peter Pan in Scarlet 2pm & 7pm OP 4
28 Sun Peter Pan in Scarlet 1pm & 5.30pm OP 4
31 Wed Peter Pan in Scarlet 5.30pm OP 4
Diary...Date Day Production Time(s) Venue Access Page
www.oxfordplayhouse.com
69
September1 Thu Peter Pan in Scarlet 2pm & 7pm OP 4
2 Fri Peter Pan in Scarlet 7pm OP 4
3 Sat Peter Pan in Scarlet 2pm & 7pm OP 4
4 Sun Peter Pan in Scarlet 1pm OP 4
7 Wed Glasgow Girls 7.30pm OP 9
7 Wed Croft and Pearce 7.30pm BT 49
8 Thu Glasgow Girls 2.30pm & 7.30pm OP 9
8 Thu The Eulogy of Toby Peach 7.30pm BT 49
9 Fri Glasgow Girls 8pm OP 9
9 Fri The Eulogy of Toby Peach 7.30pm BT 49
10 Sat Glasgow Girls 2.30pm & 7.30pm OP 9
10 Sat Pinocchio 11am & 2pm BT 50
12 Mon Relatively Speaking 7.30pm OP 11
12 Mon Until you Hear that Bell 7.30pm BT 50
13 Tue Relatively Speaking 7.30pm OP 11
13 Tue Equations for a Moving Body 7.30pm BT 50
14 Wed Relatively Speaking 7.30pm OP 11
14 Wed Save + Quit 7.30pm BT 51
15 Thu Relatively Speaking 2.30pm & 7.30pm OP 11
15 Thu The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Family 7.30pm BT 51
16 Fri Relatively Speaking 8pm OP 11
16 Fri The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Family 7.30pm BT 51
17 Sat Relatively Speaking 2.30pm & 7.30pm OP 11
17 Sat Tales From Old Japan 11am & 2pm BT 51
20 Tue A Tale of Two Cities 7.30pm OP 13
21 Wed A Tale of Two Cities 7.30pm OP 13
21 Wed Through the Leaves 7.30pm BT 52
22 Thu A Tale of Two Cities 2.30pm & 7.30pm OP 13
22 Thu Through the Leaves 7.30pm BT 52
23 Fri A Tale of Two Cities 8pm OP 13
23 Fri Through the Leaves 7.30pm BT 52
24 Sat A Tale of Two Cities 2.30pm & 7.30pm OP 13
24 Sat Through the Leaves 2.30pm & 7.30pm BT 52
26 Mon An Audience with Lesley Garrett 7.30pm OP 14
26 Mon The Amplitude 7.30pm BT 52
27 Tue Weirdos Presents... 7.30pm OP 52
28 Wed Observe the Sons of Ulster 7.30pm OP 17
28 Wed Weirdos Presents... 7.30pm BT 52
29 Thu Observe the Sons of Ulster 2.30pm & 7.30pm OP 17
29 Thu Spine 7.30pm BT 53
30 Fri Observe the Sons of Ulster 8pm OP 17
30 Fri Spine 7.30pm BT 53
Diary...
01865 305305
Date Day Production Time(s) Venue Access Page
October1 Sat Observe the Sons of Ulster 2.30pm & 7.30pm OP 17
1 Sat The Oxford Fun Palace 11am to 3pm BT 53
4 Tue Things I Know to be True 7.30pm OP 21
5 Wed Things I Know to be True 7.30pm OP 21
5 Wed Operation Crucible 7.30pm BT 53
6 Thu Things I Know to be True 2.30pm & 7.30pm OP 21
6 Thu Operation Crucible 7.30pm BT 53
7 Fri Things I Know to be True 8pm OP 21
7 Fri Operation Crucible 7.30pm BT 53
8 Sat Sprung 11am, 1pm & 3pm Templars Square Shopping Centre 18
8 Sat Things I Know to be True 2.30pm & 7.30pm OP 21
8 Sat Operation Crucible 7.30pm BT 53
12 Wed Anything Goes 7.30pm OP 23
13 Thu Anything Goes 2.30pm & 7.30pm OP 23
14 Fri Anything Goes 8pm OP 23
15 Sat Anything Goes 2.30pm & 7.30pm OP 23
18 Tue Lady Chatterley's Lover 7.30pm OP 25
19 Wed Lady Chatterley's Lover 7.30pm OP 25
20 Thu Lady Chatterley's Lover 2.30pm & 7.30pm OP 25
21 Fri Lady Chatterley's Lover 8pm OP 25
21 Fri Charles Simonyi Lecture 5pm OP 19
22 Sat Lady Chatterley's Lover 2.30pm & 7.30pm OP 25
25 Tue Sand in the Sandwiches 7.30pm OP 27
26 Wed Sand in the Sandwiches 7.30pm OP 27
27 Thu Sand in the Sandwiches 2.30pm OP 27
28 Fri Sand in the Sandwiches 8pm OP 27
28 Fri Cerrie Burnell 5pm OP 19
29 Sat Sand in the Sandwiches 2.30pm & 7.30pm OP 27
November 20162 Wed The Nether 7.30pm OP 31
3 Thu The Nether 7.30pm OP 31
4 Fri The Nether 8pm OP 31
4 Fri Sonnet Remix 5pm OP 28
5 Sat The Nether 2.30pm & 7.30pm OP 31
8 Tue Let all the People Rejoice 7.30pm OP 29
9 Wed Gasp! 7.30pm OP 32
10 Thu City Stories 7.30pm OP 33
11 Fri Pasadena Roof Orchestra 7.30pm OP 34
12 Sat Rich Hall 7.30pm OP 35
70
Diary...Date Day Production Time(s) Venue Access Page
www.oxfordplayhouse.com
71
Printed June 2016All information accurate at the time of going to print. Please check with the Ticket Office for full and final details.
Diary...
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14 Mon Oliver! 7.30pm OP 37
15 Tue Oliver! 7.30pm OP 37
16 Wed Oliver! 7.30pm OP 37
17 Thu Oliver! 7.30pm OP 37
18 Fri Oliver! 7.30pm OP 37
19 Sat Oliver! 2.30pm & 7.30pm OP 37
ChristmasFri 25 Nov to Sun 8 Jan
Cinderella Various OP 39
Thu 8 Dec to Sat 31 Dec
Snowflakes Various BT 43
February28 Tue The Winter's Tale 7.30pm OP 45
March1 Wed The Winter's Tale 7.30pm OP 45
2 Thu The Winter's Tale 7.30pm OP 45
3 Fri The Winter's Tale 8pm OP 45
4 Sat The Winter's Tale 2.30pm & 8pm OP 45
Date Day Production Time(s) Venue Access PageDate Day Production Time(s) Venue Access Page
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December 10am 11am 12pm 2pm 3pm
Thu 8
Fri 9
Sat 10
Sun 11
Tue 13
Wed 14
Thu 15
Fri 16
Sat 17
Sun 18
Tue 20
Wed 21
Thu 22
Fri 23
Sat 24
Tue 27
Wed 28
Thu 29
Fri 30
Sat 31
November 10am 11am 2pm 3pm 4pm 6pm 7pm
Fri 25Sat 26Sun 27 NO PERFORMANCES
Mon 28Tue 29Wed 30
December 10am 11am 2pm 3pm 4pm 6pm 7pm
Thu 1Fri 2 NO PERFORMANCES
Sat 3Sun 4Mon 5Tue 6Wed 7Thu 8Fri 9 NO PERFORMANCES
Sat 10Sun 11Mon 12Tue 13Wed 14Thu 15Fri 16 NO PERFORMANCES
Sat 17Sun 18Mon 19 NO PERFORMANCES
Tue 20Wed 21Thu 22Fri 23Sat 24Sun 25 NO PERFORMANCES
Mon 26Tue 27Wed 28Thu 29Fri 30Sat 31
January 10am 11am 2pm 3pm 4pm 6pm 7pm
Sun 1 NO PERFORMANCES
Mon 2Tue 3Wed 4 NO PERFORMANCES
Thu 5Fri 6Sat 7Sun 8
CINDERELLA PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
SNOWFLAKES PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
For more information:See page 39 for full details of Cinderella, and page 43 for full details of Snowflakes.
See page 67 for Access Performance details.
OUR CORE FUNDERS AND SUPPORTERS
Oxford Playhouse gratefully acknowledges the support of its core funders:
Trusts:AnonymousDoris Field Charitable TrustThe D’Oyly Carte Charitable TrustThe Foyle Foundation Garfield Weston Foundation
Hamilton TrustThe Lord Faringdon Charitable TrustMr & Mrs JA Pye’s Charitable SettlementThe Still Point Fund Roundton Trust
A special thank you to all:Patrons, volunteers, trustees and donors
University of Oxford College Members:All Souls CollegeLincoln CollegeThe Queen’s College New College
Platinum: Gold: Silver:
Bronze:
Building Support:Equipment and Technical Support:
OP Business Club:
Burton Taylor Studio Sponsors:
Learning and Productions Support: 17|25 Young Company Sponsors:
73
Welcome to Oxford PlayhouseJuly 2016 to March 2017
Oxford Playhouse is in the heart of the city, and the people who live in this city are at the heart of everything we do. Just over 20 years ago, the Oxford Playhouse went dark for several years and re-opened due to the generosity of those who recognised the contribution a world-class theatre made towards making the city a really great place to live.
Twenty years later, the people of Oxford have helped to finance another makeover, breathing new life into the foyer, café and bars; creating a wonderful Members’ room; and updating our heating and air-conditioning systems (reducing our electricity bill by nearly 40%). This Summer sees the culmination of the 3 year programme with the refurbishment of the auditorium, including new seats and state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. The aim is to improve the whole theatrical experience – making it even more exciting, inspiring and comfortable.
Alongside our programme of touring work, this season will include two home-grown world premiere productions – we re-open with Peter Pan in Scarlet, the official sequel to J.M. Barrie’s PeterPan, co-produced with the New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme and in association with Great Ormond Street Children’s Charity; and Sand in theSandwiches, a new play about John Betjeman by veteran playwright Hugh Whitmore and starring Edward Fox.
These shows mark our return to regularly producing on the mainstage, raising our potential income and profile nationally and internationally, and developing the skills and talents of our team. We already earn 80% of our annual £4m turnover; these ‘Made in Oxford’ shows will continue to generate income in years to come, allowing us to present international work on our doorstep, commission more new plays by new writers, and make the theatre more comfortable and sustainable. Our redevelopment is an essential part of making the Playhouse financially resilient in the long term.
As I type, we still have £165,000 of the total 3-year refurbishment budget of £800k to raise.
Please consider helping us reach our fundraising target. Buy a seat, buy two or more seats; or if you want to give more why not sponsor part of the theatre? You would be making an important contribution to the theatre and the life of the city – helping to ensure that Oxford Playhouse won’t go dark again.
Thank you for your support, now and for the decades to come.
Louise ChantalChief Executive
A Playho
use fo
r Everyone
July 2016 to March 2017
WHAT’S ON GUIDEAUTUMN 2016
Beaumont Street, Oxford OX1 2LW Registered Company No. 2397373 Registered Charity No. 900039 VAT No. 537166534
Oxford Playhouse gratefully acknowledges the support of its core funders:
Design: www.uniform.net
Oxford Playhouse can provide this brochure in alternative formats including audio and large print. Please contact Dee Millard on 01865 305315 or at [email protected]
Look out for our next season... January to March 2017
SAVE YOUR ENERGYDid you know that Oxford Playhouse monitors and reports its energy usage to Arts Council England?
Over the last year we’ve used:
• 426,038kWh worth of electricity, which is 39% less than we did in 2005.
• 440,205kWh worth of gas, and invested £95,000 in making our heating system more efficient.
• Recycled 61 tonnes of rubbish.