OVALHOUS E jan – mar 2019
WELCOME We are delighted to be staging Rhiannon Faith’s Smack That (a conversation) at Ovalhouse this Spring. We will transform the theatre into a giant house party, complete with cider and popcorn; but this is no ordinary party. House parties are tinderboxes for domestic abuse, explored through this powerful new production, performed by a mixed cast of professional dancers and domestic abuse survivors. As part of this production, Ovalhouse will become a J9 venue, supporting women in our community who experience domestic abuse.
to their hit show Medea Electronica. And Koko Brown returns with our new Associate Artist Joana Nastari to create Amazonian Sweat Lodge, exploring consumerism and faux spiritualism. Jo is joined on our Associate Artist programme by Xana and The Thelmas – so expect plenty more from these artists on our stages in the years to come. As we enter the final year of this building, we are beginning to plan for an exciting 9 months in Brixton, staging performance in unusual locations. So, if you are an artist interested in making bold theatre in exciting spaces, now is your time.
We welcome back Random Selfies our production for children and families, nominated for Best Production for Young People, exploring child loneliness. As ever, our FiRST BiTE programme is packed full of bright ideas and powerful personal stories. Richard Stamp tells the story of his tumultuous 6-months from diagnosis to amputation in Dick. Coco Mbassi teaches us the power of music in Haendel on the Estate. Sherine Chalhie stages her semiautobiographical tale Hijabi Matters. Pecho Mama start work on Divine Intervention – the follow-up
Owen Calvert-Lyons Head of Theatre and Artist Development
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CONTENTS Pages
Pages
Page
4–7
8 – 13
14
TWO MAiNHOuSE PRODuCTiONS
FivE NEW WORKS iN DEvElOPMENT
SYMPOSiuM
Page
Pages
Pages
15
16 – 17
18 – 25
ARTiSTS’ COMMiSSiONS CAll-OuT
MEET OuR ASSOCiATES ARTiSTS!
lEARNiNg & PARTiCiPATiON
Pages
Page
Page
20 – 21
26
27
ARTiSTS’ PAgES
THEATRE BAR & CAFé
SuPPORT uS AND OuR NEW vENuE iN BRiXTON
Page
Page
Pages
28
29
30 – 31
PRiCES & OFFERS
vENuE iNFO
DiARY
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Ovalhouse Downstairs wed 27 feb – sat 16 mar 7.30Pm
Rhiannon Faith presents
Smack That (a conversation) Created and choreographed by Rhiannon Faith
“
★ ★★★ Party games to change the world. The Guardian
Beverly is having a party and you are one of her guests. Expect games, dancing, humour and a very raw and honest account of domestic abuse.
★★★★ Bold, inventive and discomfiting, this is a work of urgent importance. The Stage
Each member of the all-female cast, a close-knit group of non-performers and dance artists, fearlessly takes on the persona of Beverly to convey turbulent, real experiences. The unusual setting creates a safe space for them to reveal the challenges they have faced and celebrate their endurance with the audience.
”
Smack That (a conversation) was shortlisted for the 2018 One Dance uK Award for ‘innovation in Dance’.
Photo by Foteini Christofilopoulou
Faith’s work with a support group at charity safer Places underpins this show, which seeks to raise social consciousness around domestic abuse by supporting women to openly talk about it.
This show discusses themes of an adult nature, sexual violence and domestic abuse. Recommended age 16+ Duration 1 hour 20 mins, no interval Tickets £15 | £10 | £9 ovalhouse.com
if any of the themes within the show affect you or someone you know and you would like any help or support, please visit www.womensaid.org.uk to find your local service or call the 24hr freephone national domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
rhiannonfaith.com @rhiannonfaithpage @rhiannonfaith | #SmackThatAC Commissioned by Harlow Playhouse. Supported by DanceEast, with additional support from Arts Council England, Essex County Council, Rich Mix and artsdepot. Developed through the Open Lab at Barbican/Guildhall. With special thanks to Safer Places.
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Ovalhouse Downstairs wed 20 mar – sat 6 aPr sCHOOLs matinees 20 mar – 5 aPr 10.30am & 1.30Pm saturdays 23, 30 mar & 6 aPr 2Pm
Ovalhouse presents
Random Selfies
“ ”
Written by Mike Kenny Directed by Owen Calvert-lyons Designed by Rachana Jadhav
A three-year exploration into child loneliness examines how filtering your life can make you miss what’s important. The Stage
Photo by The Two Richards
“If I lived in the middle of nowhere, you could understand it. If I was halfway up a mountain. Or at the side of a lake. And I had no brothers or sisters. Well, you could understand it. Couldn’t you. If I said I was lonely. But I’m not any of that. I live in a flat. In one of the biggest cities on the planet. I’m never alone. But I am lonely.”
Nominated for Off West-End’s ‘Best Production for Young People’.
SCHOOLS’ SPECIAL £5 tickets for school groups
Performed on a digitally animated set, unpack issues around loneliness and Random Selfies by Olivier Awardfeelings of being invisible in everyday life. See page 24 for details. winning playwright Mike Kenny brings to life the vivid imagination of ten-year-old loretta; a lonely girl in a Recommended age 7-13 busy world. Duration 55 mins Tickets £10 ADulT | £7 uNDER 16 Family Ticket £28 Supported by for schools’ offer see page 22 ovalhouse.com @ovalhouse @ovalhouse | #RandomSelfies 7
first bites is Ovalhouse’s programme of exciting works-in development. This season is a chance to see new work that might develop into a bigger piece, or might be a way to explore an idea. you are invited to come along and be a part of the experiment.
Our FiRST BiTES for Spring 2019 are: Dick by Richard Stamp
FiRST BiTES TICKETS ARE JUST
£5
BOOKED IN ADVANCE
Haendel on the Estate by Coco Mbassi Hijabi Matters by Sherine Chalhie Divine Intervention by Mella Faye and Pecho Mama Amazonian Sweat Lodge by Joana Nastari and Koko Brown 8
Ovalhouse upstairs tHu 31 jan – sat 2 feb 7.45Pm Ovalhouse and Richard Stamp present
Dick “I have had a whirlwind period from diagnosis to amputation in only 6 months and found myself as a man with a mission.” lead artist and clown Richard Stamp collaborates with highly experienced creatives and practitioners to present his honest experience with penile cancer. Dick describes his whirlwind journey from diagnosis to partial penectomy (removal of the penis), which left him a clown with a mission: to promote understanding of the disease and its effects, to both doctors and civilians.
illustration by Simeon Tennant
An important piece that explores ideas about taboo, manhood, and potency which can obstruct early diagnosis and cause mental vulnerability, Richard Stamp’s Dick is a shocking and poignant retelling of a profound experience mixed with the comedy and bizarre reality of life.
Recommended age 18+ Duration 1 hour 10 mins Tickets £5 ADvANCE | £8 DOOR Supported by Arts Council England and Emergency Exit Arts 9
Ovalhouse upstairs tHu 14 – sat 16 feb 7.45Pm Ovalhouse and Coco Mbassi present
Haendel on the Estate Book, musical arrangements and lyrics by Coco Mbassi Haendel on the Estate is the story of george, a singing teacher hired in a south london school mainly because, like most students, she is Black.
illustration by Nathalie g. Mvondo
To broaden their horizons she introduces them to Haendel's Messiah. We soon discover that she couldn’t be more different from them, which causes hilarious culture clashes that reveal just how misleading assumptions can be. let’s just say she will need all her creativity and patience… and so will her students.
Recommended age 12+ Duration 45 mins Tickets £5 ADvANCE | £8 DOOR @HaendelontheEstateMusical @HaendelE | #HotE #HaendelontheEstate 10
Ovalhouse upstairs tHu 7 – sat 9 mar 7.45Pm Ovalhouse and Shout About it Productions present
Hijabi Matters Written and performed by Sherine Chalhie A one-woman contemporary exploration of identity, culture, family pressure and forced marriage. Hijabi Matters starts with isha, a teenage British Syrian girl, sharing a colourful exploration of her extended family in Syria. Photo by Damian Szmigielski Photography
Once back home in london she faces an unexpected visitor. The audience become her confidants as she talks of first love, the ensuing manipulation, and pressure to get engaged before her 18th birthday. Will she be duty bound to marry? Or will she be liberated and finally decide to live the life she so desperately desires?
FiRST BiTES TICKETS ARE JUST
£5
Recommended age 15+ Duration 60 mins Tickets £5 ADvANCE | £8 DOOR
BOOKED IN ADVANCE
@shoutaboutitproductions @shoutaboutitpr1 11
Photo by Rosie Powell
Ovalhouse upstairs wed 20 – fri 22 mar 7.45Pm Ovalhouse and Pecho Mama present
“
Divine intervention
★★★★★ it is theatre at its most intense, frightening, visceral and, at times, painful to watch. i loved every single minute of it. Broadway Baby (on Medea Electronica)
Written and directed by Mella Faye Music by Pecho Mama A mother’s quest to find her missing daughter takes her to the underworld of Berlin, and into the arms of the last man who saw her daughter alive.
”
A gig-theatre production, Divine Intervention is the story of two broken people and their search for salvation.
Recommended age 15+ Duration 40 minutes Tickets £5 ADvANCE | £8 DOOR
Pecho Mama visited Ovalhouse with their production Medea Electronica last year and are returning with the very first draft of their new play.
Pechomama.co.uk PechoMama @Pecho_Mama | #Divineintervention 12
Ovalhouse upstairs tHurs 28 – sat 30 mar 7.45Pm Ovalhouse and CASA present
Amazonian Sweat lodge By Joana Nastari and Koko Brown After a transcendent spiritual awakening Jo and Koko have returned to london from The Amazon (warehouse... in Swansea), where they had a cosmic transformation and now are legitimately enlightened beings. Koko and Jo have created their own church and you are the congregation. JOANA NASTARI IS AN OVALHOUSE ASSOCIATE ARTIST 2019
Together they will create an experience for you so that you can be awakened too. Step into their sweat lodge and let them be your spirit guides. Journey through the cosmos of faux spirituality, songs, ceremony, and Amazon purchases.
Recommended age 12+ Duration 45 mins Tickets £5 ADvANCE | £8 DOOR
They welcome you Brothers, Sisters and Siblings alike. Bring an offering. There will be a sacrifice.
Photo by Willed Olenski
@JoanaNastari @theKokoBrown
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SYMPOSIUM Ovalhouse Downstairs mOn 11 feb 10am-4Pm Ovalhouse and university of Middlesex present
vR: Make it A Reality excited by the potential of Virtual reality but don’t know where to begin? to share their experiences of making theatre with virtual reality technology and question where this technology might take us next.
Ovalhouse and Middlesex university have invited theatre makers and technologists to come together to explore the exciting possibilities within digital theatre experiences.
Chaired by Kate lane. tickets £25 / £20 (artists) includes lunch
Photo by max-kegfire
With a lo-fi approach to hi-tech, companies including Anagram, BDH Creative, lemonade & laughing gas, livR, Recursion Co and Round Midnight Theatre will come together
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Artist Call-Out Between leaving Oval in December 2019 and opening our new Brixton venue in November 2020, Ovalhouse will be based in Brixton without a venue. During this period, we want to radically rethink the way that we make theatre. using our existing collaborative model of commissions and co-productions we will invite artists to develop work which takes place in unconventional spaces: in markets, streets, phone booths and tower-blocks. Artists will reimagine, reanimate and reinvent the way in which the public engage with these spaces through art.
Photo by Rosie Powell
We will present 3 seed commissions (FiRST BiTES) and 3 co-productions during this period. to apply please go to: ovalhouse.com/theatre/how-we-workwith-artists 15
meet our new associate artists Meet our new innovative and boundary-pushing Associate Artists 2019. These artists will be joining us for a year to experiment, explore and develop new work for our stages.
Xana Xana is a live looper musician, poet and sound designer. Xana will be creating their debut show, Swallowing Your Idols, exploring accountability of childhood trauma and loving your younger self and the relationship between your memories of coming into your adulthood, and Animate the Archive, an album centred on the importance of legacy and who gets to speak for those erased by the state. xa-na.com
joana nastari Jo is a poet, actor, writer and community organiser. She organises events, workshops and parties with the Sex Work communities. She works across artforms such as story-telling, cabaret, dance and latin music to create theatre that is politically charged, but populist in form. Jo will present Amazonian Sweat Lodge as a FiRST BiTE with Koko Brown in Spring 2019. 16
the thelmas They will also work on a new participatory oral history project that explores tiny acts of civil disobedience, gentrification and desire; both personal and communal. thethelmas.co.uk
The Thelmas is a new writing company dedicated to the development and promotion of early career female writers and theatre makers. The company comprises founder and director Madelaine Moore, and writer guleraana Mir. They will be making guleraana's female ensemble play, Bootcamp and continuing work on Santi & Naz, a new two-hander.
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OvAlHOuSE adult Company 16 jan – 3 aPr, wednesdays 6.30Pm-8.30Pm 25+ years We have a new Adult Company programme which sees scenographer Alison Neighbour take participants on a visual storytelling journey. Scenography is about space, shape, relationships, atmosphere and meaning. The sessions will explore how you can use scenography in your own practice, providing a toolkit of options for workshopping ideas in a visual and tactile way and developing your response to space. We will play, draw, make, and discover together. All sessions will build towards creating installations for spaces around Ovalhouse that can be explored by visitors to the building. no prior knowledge or experience of theatre design or scenography is necessary, but an interest in visually-led work and a willingness to play are important. applications are welcome from designers, directors, and theatre makers who want to instigate projects or be part of a devising process.
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alison neighbour is a scenographer working in theatre, dance, installation, and site-specific environments. Her practice is a process of experiment and play with materials, texture, and found objects. She transforms spaces and tells stories visually, aiming to use design to connect people and place, and give the audience agency. She trained as a designer at RADA and is represented by The Designer’s Formation. She is currently a recipient of an Arts Council England Developing Creative Practice Award, through which she is exploring Participatory Scenography.
to apply to be part of the group, please send: • A short biog or Cv detailing your experience. • An image of your choice with a few lines about why you find it interesting (a found image or something you’ve created yourself). • A paragraph telling us why you would like to participate and what you hope to gain from the sessions. deadline thursday 10 january 2019 £60 for the term (concessions available) 15 spaces available and a full commitment is needed for the programme. submit your application to Ovalhouse Learning and Participation manager titilola.dawudu@ovalhouse.com 19
ARTISTS PAGES Ovalhouse Café/Bar
Ovalhouse Café/Bar
sat 23 feb 11am-1Pm
mOn 11 mar 2Pm-5Pm
#CONNECT: Music To Your Words
#CONNECT: Telling Stories
Keen to weave a bit of harmony into your next hit show? Join theatremaker and musician Coco mbassi (Haendel on the Estate) for a workshop exploring exciting and innovative ways to infuse your performance with songs, soundscapes and all things musical.
From Spoken Word to Writing for Theatre Join spoken word artist and playwright nick makoha in this masterclass aimed at experienced spoken word artists/ poets interested in exploring writing for theatre for the first time. using his experience collaborating with award-winning director roy alexander weise on The Dark, Nick will focus on the different writing crafts between the two genre's and how you can begin to think about new approaches to your writing.
Suitable for artists of all levels and projects at all stages of development. free (booking is essential)
Photo by Ewane Nja Kwa
free (booking is essential)
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ARTISTS PAGES Ovalhouse Café/Bar
Ovalhouse Café/Bar
tues 12 mar 6.30Pm-8.30Pm
mOn 8 aPr 6.30Pm-8.30Pm
#CONNECT: Writing With Your Authentic voice
#CONNECT: Brixton 2020
Writer, producer and Ovalhouse’s learning and Participation Manager, titilola dawudu explores the authenticity of a story. With the lack of voices from underrepresented groups being given space and a platform, shouldn’t their stories be left for them to tell? Can a story truly be authentic through someone else’s lens? And if a story from an underrepresented group is given the stage, why then is it mostly about trauma and struggle? These questions and more will be probed through this session.
Artists! You are invited to come and explore the plans for our new theatre in Brixton. With scale models and digital designs, we will take you through the 7 new rehearsal rooms and 2 new auditoriums, with an open conversation about how our programming will work and how you can work with Ovalhouse in the future. free (booking is essential)
Photo by Toyin Dawudu
All artists welcome, the aim is to create an inquisitive, safe and inviting space. free (booking is essential)
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OvAlHOuSE youth theatre sPring term 11-14 years The Youth Theatre is moving into schools this season! We are taking our toolbox of theatre skills, acting, performance and voice work into lilian Baylis Technology School and St. gabriel’s College. leading on the workshops is former Young Associate Artist aliyah forde who has designed sessions that are fun, dynamic and engaging. if you are interested in Ovalhouse youth theatre coming into your school, please email: titilola.dawudu@ovalhouse.com
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OvAlHOuSE young Company 12 jan – 6 aPr, saturdays 1.30Pm-3.30Pm 15-17 years it’s a new season and a new programme for our Young Company. After having their debut show, Mercedes Bends last autumn, we’re excited to bring you a packed programme where the participants will be learning different skills through our Masterclasses. They will be invited to get involved in learning multidiscipline art forms, infusing political issues within the work they create and building their networks and skillset, leading up to a digital performance at the end of the season. All our professional artists and facilitators involved in the Young Company will work with the participants to ensure they are ready for the next step in a career in the arts and ensure they inspire audiences of all ages. Places are free but limited. Please sign up via Ovalhouse Learning and Participation manager titilola.dawudu@ovalhouse.com
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schools Programme At the beginning of last year, Ovalhouse commissioned Mike Kenny to write Random Selfies, exploring child loneliness. We are inviting schools to watch Random Selfies and meet the inquisitive and endearing main character, loretta and join her on her journey of self-discovery. The Schools Programme also involves two workshops delving into the issue of loneliness, the feelings of invisibility and how this impacts a child’s everyday life. These workshops are facilitated by Ovalhouse artists. School group tickets are £5 per student/teacher per class. Tickets are on a first come first served basis. if you are interested in attending a workshop email titilola.dawudu@ovalhouse.com
Creative employability workshop for secondary schools These Creative Employability workshops are for young people to gain understanding about the creative and arts industry. The workshop is sectioned into four parts: • Your values and identity • Roles in the industry • Pathways • Networking and advice Participants will learn more about the industry, decide which routes they would like to take, build resilience and gain fundamental knowledge about the industry that is not often taught, and learn practical skills for networking and making connections. interested in your school taking part in a free workshop? email titilola.dawudu@ovalhouse.com
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demonstrate! saturdays frOm january 2019 8-14 years Demonstrate! is Ovalhouse’s free dance-led arts project for young people in lambeth with autism and complex physical needs, which we run in partnership with Corali Dance Company and commissioned by lambeth Council Short Breaks programme. Since it started in 2012, we’ve explored dance, circus skills, music, graffiti, puppetry, installation art, stop motion – and we’re still exploring! We can also cover travel costs; 1-2-1 support and siblings are welcome to join too! for more information and to book your place, contact elena molinaro on 020 7820 7282 or email demonstrate@ovalhouse.com 25
viSiT OuR
THEATRE BAR Come and chill out in our spacious theatre bar or pop-up garden before and after the show. This season the popular D&J Homestyle continue with their café takeover, serving authentic Caribbean home-cooked meals, every Tuesday – Friday, for lunch from 1pm and from 6pm on performance evenings. Our Theatre Bar is open from 6pm every performance evening, offering a selection of london’s finest locally brewed drinks: Brixton Brewery, Hiver Honey Beer, urban Orchard Cider and Square Root seasonal sodas, and plenty more! We also serve gourmet coffees from volcano Coffee Works. Oh, and there’s free WiFi.
DID YOU KNOW? URBAN ORCHARD CIDER IS MADE USING APPLES FROM LONDON GARDENS & ALLOTMENTS!
For further info visit ovalhouse.com/cafe-bar 26
SUPPORT US
a new HOme fOr tHeatre in briXtOn OvAlHOuSE is moving to a brand new purpose-built venue in 2020 and we need YOu to help us on our #roadtobrixton! HOw yOu Can HeLP: buy a briCk £100 – £500
take a seat £1000
name-a-sPaCe POA
beCOme a frOnt rOw COmPany There are many ways you can become involved with Ovalhouse as a Front Row Company: our enthusiastic network of business supporters. Contact us for more information.
tHere are many OtHer ways tO get inVOLVed Visit ovalhouse.com/support to find out more about how you can help us on our #roadtobrixton Each donor will receive a certificate and be credited online. You will also be credited in our new venue once we open.
To find out more about our Capital Campaign contact: Katie Milton Development Director – Capital Campaign development@ovalhouse.com | 020 7820 7273 27
PRICES & OFFERS main HOuse sHOws: £15 | £10 concessions | £9 under 26 PreViews: all tickets £9 first bites: £5 advance | £8 door bOOk as a grOuP & saVe £10 Buy 4 tickets to any main house full-price show and pay just £50. Discount applied automatically at checkout.
student ambassadOrs Apply to be an Ovalhouse Student Ambassador and get opportunities to write reviews, meet artists, and see shows for free. Contact: communications@ovalhouse.com for more information. sCHOOLs Offer Schools tickets for Random Selfies are just £5 per pupil, and for every 10 pupils booked one teacher gets a free ticket (see page 7). Call 020 7582 7680 or boxoffice@ovalhouse.com for more information or to book.
ovalhouse.com @ovalhouse ovalhouse 28
INFORMATION tHeatre bar & CafÉ Our theatre bar is open every night throughout the season from 6pm for a full bar service featuring a range of local craft beers and hot and cold drinks (see page 26). Our café is open Tuesday – Friday lunchtimes from 1pm and from 6pm on show nights serving authentic Caribbean home-cooked food. Covered garden area open daytimes and evenings.
Ovalhouse 52 – 54 Kennington Oval, london SE11 5SW bOOking
Box office 020 7582 7680 Book online ovalhouse.com All ticket prices include vAT and a booking fee (if applicable). When booking tickets you will be asked to make an optional donation to support Ovalhouse’s work. Thank you in advance for your support.
aCCess Ovalhouse Downstairs, Café, Bar and garden.
getting Here nearest tube OvAl (Northern line) or vAuXHAll (victoria line and BR) buses 3, 36, 133, 155, 159, 185, 436 Car parking for disabled visitors only, on-street parking after 6.30pm. We are not in the congestion zone. santander Cycles dock directly opposite, on Kennington Oval.
See icon for Access performances. Disabled customers are entitled to a free ticket for an access companion for some productions. Contact our Box Office to book. This brochure is available in large print, braille and audio formats; to order copies, contact: boxoffice@ovalhouse.com
BSl shows supported by
Supported by
Ovalhouse (Christ Church [Oxford] United Clubs) is a registered charity no. 288931 29
DIARY 12 JAN – 6 APR
Learning & Participation spring term
31 JAN – 2 FEB
dick by Richard Stamp
11 FEB
SYMPOSiuM: Virtual reality in theatre
14 – 16 FEB
Haendel on the estate by Coco Mbassi
23 FEB
#COnneCt: music to your words with Coco Mbassi
27 FEB – 16 MAR
smack that (a conversation) by Rhiannon Faith
7 – 9 MAR
Hijabi matters by Sherine Chalhie
= work-in-development 30
11 MAR
#COnneCt: telling stories with Nick Makoha
12 MAR
#COnneCt: writing with your authentic Voice with Titola Dawudu
20 MAR – 6 APR
random selfies by Mike Kenny
20 – 22 MAR
divine intervention by Pecho Mama
28 – 30 MAR
amazonian sweat Lodge
8 APR
#COnneCt: brixton 2020
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Cover photo by Foteini Christofilopoulou
by Joana Nastari and Koko Brown
OVaLHOuse.COm | bOX OffiCe 020 7582 7680
