What’s On Autumn 2024
• Invitation to 2+ Patron events a year
• Access to W Lucy Patrons Room pre-show and interval
• Acknowledgement in our brochure, website, programmes and foyer areas
• Behind the Scenes updates
• All the benefits of a Friends Membership, including Priority Booking
• An exclusive invitation to a season briefing with our Artistic Director and CEO, Mike Tweddle
• The opportunity to book House Seats for sold out performances
• All the benefits of a Friends Membership, including Priority Booking
Welcome
and hello from all of the team here at Oxford Playhouse as we move into an Autumn filled with shows to delight and thrill, to captivate and entertain.
There’s a theme of journeys and homecomings for the season ahead - not least for Headlong, who are relocating back to Oxford, the city where the company was formed 50 years ago. We’re delighted to become Associate Partners with them, which will see us working closely together on new productions, artist development and initiatives that will involve the whole city. Do join us for their stand-out production of A Raisin in the Sun this October. Journeys are at the heart of Floella Benjamin’s autobiographical novel Coming to England, which comes to the stage in a joyful adaptation by David Wood. The unique 1927 come to Oxford directly from a run at the Edinburgh International Festival with their latest show Please right back, and the pioneering Pilot Theatre return with Run, Rebel, a thrilling adaptation of Manjeet Mann’s novel. This brochure also features a homecoming for Pride & Prejudice* ( *sort of) – as an original co-producer, we’re delighted to bring this irreverent and joyful show back to our stage for Spring 2025.
Back to this autumn and for musical fans we’re pleased to present Heathers the Musical, and for fans of a thriller we have Rebus: A Game Called Malice, written exclusively for the stage. In October, we partner with IF: Oxford Science & Ideas Festival, and Marcus du Sautoy, the Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford University, not only brings us another fascinating Charles Simonyi Lecture with Anil Seth, but also his stage play, The Axiom of Choice Catch it in Oxford before it voyages to India. If you’re in need of a laugh, we have plenty of well-known acts from radio and screen: Nish Kumar, Rachel Parris, Alfie Moore, Maisie Adam and our patron Stewart Lee. There’s a new autumn slot for Offbeat Festival in partnership with Arts at the Old Fire Station and the New Theatre. With performances, scratch nights and late-night events, it’ll be a buzzing week full of fresh ideas and local talent. If Taking Part is your passion, a new term of classes and workshops start in September - see pages 44 to 47 for details of the many ways Oxfordshire residents of all ages can get involved.
Finally, be sure to make Oxford Playhouse your family’s destination for Christmas this year. The BT Studio will be transformed into Santa’s magical workshop for Hurry Up Father Christmas! whilst on our Main Stage we’ll not be caught snoozing as our pantomime, Sleeping Beauty, spins a tale for all time.
The OP Team
The King of Reggae:
The Man – The Music
‘Let’s Get Together and Feel Alright’ as Rush Theatre Company, the company that brought you the critically acclaimed RUSH – A Joyous Jamaican Journey, return to the Main Stage with their outstanding production The King of Reggae: The Man – The Music
Get ready to enjoy songs like One Love, No Woman No Cry and Is This Love all played live on stage by the incredible King of Reggae Band, as they tell the remarkable story of the man, Bob Marley who brought Reggae music to the world.
From a government yard in Trenchtown to Rastafari Icon, this new narrated musical charts the life and times of the King of Reggae, touching every aspect of the Jamaican superstar’s musical, spiritual and political life and the impact his music was to have worldwide.
Featuring over 20 of his iconic hits, hear the story of the man and enjoy the music
Fri 8pm, Sat 7.30pm
Tickets from £14
Age guideline 11+
Content warning: This production features a gunshot.
“One of the best shows I’ve seen.”
Audience member (RUSH: A Joyous Jamaican Journey)
Rush Theatre Company presents
Nicoll Entertainment presents
The Tiger Who Came to Tea
A musical play adapted and directed by David Wood
Based on the book by Judith Kerr
Based on the beloved book, the Olivier Award-nominated smash hit show, The Tiger Who Came to Tea returns to Oxford Playhouse.
The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be?
Join the tea-guzzling tiger in this delightful family show; packed with oodles of magic, sing-along songs and teatime mayhem... expect to be surprised!
Wed 2pm & 4.30pm, Thu – Sun 11am & 2pm
Tickets £18
Age guideline 3+
Relaxed R Thu 2pm
British Sign Language Sat 2pm
HHHH “This Tiger is the cat’s meow.” The Times
HHHH “A rare and great achievement.” Mail on Sunday
Stuff and Nonsense Theatre Company presents
Pinocchio
A big show for small people.
Directed by Niki McCretton
Music by Dom Coyote, with additional music by Tim Dalling Grandfather, father and son seek refuge in an abandoned old house and what else to do but tell tales? And when one of them is Pinocchio there are quite the tales to tell!
Stuff and Nonsense combine classic elements of the story of the wooden boy with a nose that grows with their outstanding puppetry, physical theatre and original music to delight children and adults’ imaginations.
Pinocchio is a co-production with Theatre Royal Plymouth, supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, with additional support from Lighthouse, Poole, The Point, Eastleigh and The Lyric, Bridport.
11am & 2pm
Tickets Adults £18, Children £16
Age guideline 3+
Relaxed Performance R Sat 2pm
“It’s like Complicité for kids! ”
Jonathan McGrath, Producer, FutureEverything
“A BIG story beautifully told with wit, verve and great skill!”
Mike Shepherd, Kneehigh
Photo by Mark Morreau.
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Offbeat Festival is back!
Mon 9 – Sun 15 Sep
Offbeat Festival returns to our Burton Taylor Studio this September with an exciting programme full of emerging talent, new voices and limitless creativity.
Presented in partnership with Oxford Playhouse, Arts at the Old Fire Station and New Theatre Oxford.
Wed 11 Sep
MotherHood
By Claire Nelson
Festival Week Pass £50
Get your Offbeat Festival Pass from the Old Fire Station Box Office for just £50 for unlimited access to all shows (Valid for one person only, available across all venues)
A mother opens the door at 2am and tries to hang on to normal. Lisa doesn’t have the right words or know what questions to ask in this new world of crime and law. So, what happens when doing the right thing isn’t the right thing anymore?
6.30pm | Tickets £10 | Age guideline 14+
Thu 12 Sep
Rainbow Stout Productions present
Have you met Stan?
Have you met Stan? Join him and Séan at your local Irish pub in London as their lives intertwine in this captivating tale of love and immigration. With a fusion of pop and Irish folk music, be prepared to tap your toes. Music by Bart Thiede
Content warning: Suicide, coming out.
6.30pm | Tickets £10 | Age guideline 12+
Fri 13 Sep
Hannah Fredsgaard-Jones presents
Pigeons in Transit
Pigeons in Transit is a daring solo performance by composer and songwriter Hannah Fredsgaard-Jones. A woman burdened by environmental despair encounters daily deliveries of live pigeons without a sender’s trace, sparking a surreal journey of awakening to the future.
6.30pm | Tickets £10 | Age guideline 14+
Sat 14 Sep
Oxford Playhouse presents
Work in Progress
Playhouse Playmaker Showcase
A showcase of six script-in-hand extracts from plays written by playwrights from the Playhouse Playmaker writers attachment scheme. Led by Clare Bayley, the Playmaker scheme brings together professional writers from across the UK, each developing a first draft of a new play.
3pm | Tickets £8 | Age guideline 14+
Sat 14 Sep
Just Get on With It Theatre present
Unaligned
How do you find the balance between loving someone and becoming their carer? Unaligned follows the story of Hattie - a woman in her 20s trying to navigate her life, her relationship with her boyfriend Daniel, her coffee shop job, and her reality of living with chronic pain.
Content warning: Alcoholism, slight gore.
6.30pm | Tickets £10 | Age guideline 18+
Sun 15 Sep
Cancer B*tch!
Work in Progress
By Hannah Ali Khan
Cancer B*tch! is a new play written by Hannah Ali Khan and directed by Lydia McKinley. Inspired by the writer’s own experiences, the play explores the realities of having cancer as a young adult, providing a fresh and authentic perspective.
Content warning: Discussion of cancer, medical references, swearing.
3.30pm | Tickets £8 | Age guideline 16+
Sun 15 Sep Work in Progress
Hooky Productions present HEAD
Maya is concussed in a science class at 16. She leaves school. No one understands why. Eight years later she revisits a moment that changed everything... Debut solo show from the creator of Experiment Human.
Content warning: Contains references to mental illness.
6.30pm | Tickets £8 | Age guideline 12+
Plosive Live in association with PBJ Management presents Nish Kumar:
Nish, Don’t Kill My Vibe
In this election year – with the country in turmoil –there’s only one comedian who can kill the mood even further... Nish Kumar is back on tour with his brand new politically charged stand-up show, Nish, Don’t Kill My Vibe
Expect jokes about climate collapse, income inequality and the emotional sensation of being a British Indian man who didn’t vote for a British Indian Prime Minister. It’s 80 minutes of sweet, sweet vibe killing, plus support act and interval.
As seen and heard on The Mash Report, Taskmaster, Pod Save the UK, Live at the Apollo, Hold the Front Page and your favourite tabloid newspaper.
HHHH
“The smartest, and often the silliest, political comic we’ve got.”
The Guardian
8pm | Tickets £26.50 | Age guideline 14+
Content warning: Includes strong language.
James Seabright presents
Buffy Revamped
Seventy minutes. Seven seasons. One Spike. This fast-paced gem brings you the entire 144 episodes of the hit 90s TV show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as told through the eyes of the one person who knows it inside out... Spike. Buffy Revamped comes to Oxford following its award-winning Edinburgh Fringe premiere and sold-out national tours.
Funny, satirical and bursting with 90s pop-culture references, it’s the perfect parody for Buffy aficionados and those who never enrolled at Sunnydale High alike.
Created by comedian Brendan Murphy, whose last show, FRIEND (The One with Gunther), won Best Play at the Worldwide Comedy Awards.
HHHHH “A hilarious romp through Buffy’s life and times.”
British Theatre Guide
7.30pm | Tickets from £14 | Age guideline 14+
Show and Tell presents
Rachel Parris: Poise
Rachel Parris is back in Oxford with her biggest tour yet, presenting a dazzling new hour of her signature blend of stand-up and songs. The BAFTA-nominated comedian is best known for both her viral satirical segments on The Mash Report and Late Night Mash which have had over 100 million views, and as one of the founding cast members of the award-winning improv group Austentatious
In 2022, Rachel published her first book Advice From Strangers: Everything I Know From People I Don’t Know, a culmination of a yearlong project in which she asked her live audiences for advice, and was praised by Richard Osman as “warm witty and wise”. She has also appeared on Live At The Apollo, Would I Lie To You, Mock the Week and Q.I.
“This is classy, clever comedy –uproarious.”
The
Scotsman
7.30pm | Tickets £25 | Age guideline 14+
Content warning: Includes strong language.
John Mackay presents
An Evening Without Kate Bush
Performed by Sarah-Louise Young
Made with Russell Lucas
Howl with the Hounds of Love and dance on the moors with Wuthering Heights! She’s not therebut you are. Whether you’ve been a fan for decades or recently joined the shoal via the Stranger Things phenomenon, there has never been a better time to release your inner Bush and celebrate with this joyful, unique, and mind-blowing show.
Following its sold-out, critically acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe première, London seasons, UK and Australian tours this smash-hit, award-winning show is back! Sarah-Louise Young and co-creator Russell Lucas pay glorious homage to the music, fans, and mythology of one of the most influential voices in British music.
HHHHH “Magnificent.”
Attitude Magazine
7.30pm | Tickets £24 | Age guideline 10+
Moore Enterprising Ltd presents
Alfie Moore:
A Face For Radio
Somewhere in a parallel universe little Alfie’s natural comedic performance skills were recognised by his doting parents who encouraged and developed his blossoming talent. After several years as a stage school brat, Alfie’s angelic face was launched on stage and screen and the rest is history.
Meanwhile, in this universe Alfie Moore was told to stop messing about in class before being ‘encouraged’ into the grinding, grimy world of an apprenticeship in the Sheffield steelworks. When recession hit, he traded steel for copper by joining Humberside Police.
In his 40s a surprising career shift turned middle-aged Alfie from street cop to BBC radio star. But when TV fame beckoned could he grasp it or was he past it?
7.30pm
Tickets £24
Age guideline 14+
Content warning: Includes strong language. Sat 14 Sep
Showstopper Productions Ltd
Showstopper!
The Improvised Musical
Fresh from a phenomenal 15th year at Edinburgh Fringe, the West End hit heads to Oxford! With a BBC Radio 4 series, a critically acclaimed West End run and an Olivier Award to their name, The Showstoppers have delighted audiences across the globe with their ingenious blend of comedy, musical theatre, and spontaneity.
A brand-new musical comedy is made up on the spot using audience suggestions every night, so whether you fancy Hamilton in a hospital, Sondheim in the Sahara or Anything Goes at the Ashmolean, you suggest it and The Showstoppers will sing it!
7.30pm
Tickets £29
Age guideline 12+
Content warning: This is an improvised show, there may be some mild swearing and mild sexual innuendo.
Carol Vorderman Live & Outspoken!
“I’m just an old bird with an iPhone who’s been on the telly for over 40 years. 63 and post-menopause, I dislike bullies and charlatans, and I don’t give a flying fig for what those people say about me.”
With characteristic outspokenness and irrepressible sense of humour Carol will share stories from her unlikely pivot from daytime TV’s queen of arithmetic to outspoken political activist.
Live & Outspoken! marks the publication of her brand-new book, and each ticket includes a hardback copy (RRP £22).
Sun 29 Sep
Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening
We are delighted to welcome Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening for a special evening of jigs, reels, heart-wrenching airs, and percussive clog dancing!
From the shadow of Hadrian’s Wall in the northeast of England, Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening reach out to the wider world, connecting threads of music, landscape, and people over almost 2000 years. Named after the old Northumbrian word for twilight, The Darkening includes Kathryn Tickell (Northumbrian smallpipes, fiddle, vocals), Amy Thatcher (accordion, clogs, synth, vocals), Kieran Szifris (octave mandolin), Joe Truswell (drums), and Josie Duncan (vocals, clarsach).
“Tremendously energising, polished and thought-provoking.” Americana-UK
“Wildly thrilling.” The Guardian
7.30pm
Tickets £43.50 (includes a hardback copy of Carol’s brand-new book RRP £22)
Age guideline 14+
7.30pm
Tickets £25
Age guideline 12+
Photo
Nicoll Entertainment presents Floella Benjamin’s
Coming to England
Adapted by David Wood
An inspirational story of hope, determination, and triumph.
Floella Benjamin’s award-winning and iconic book Coming to England bursts into life on stage with music, storytelling, and humour.
Much loved by children and families, Coming to England tells Floella’s own story of emigrating to England as a child. Aged just 10, she and her siblings left Trinidad and sailed alone to join their parents. But Floella’s excitement for her new life in England is short-lived, with her family subjected to racism and intolerance in 1960s’ London. Guided by her mother, and working twice as hard as her classmates, Coming to England tells the story of how a young Floella overcame adversity and grew to become Baroness Benjamin of Beckenham.
Adapted for the stage by David Wood (“the national children’s dramatist” – The Times) this vibrant and energetic musical is the perfect entertainment for the whole family.
HHHHH “A vibrant, colourful celebration of the life of Floella Benjamin... ultimately uplifting.”
The Reviews Hub
HHHH “Floella Benjamin’s cherished novel is a musical message of positivity.”
Whats On Stage
HHHH “Go see this. Be swept along. It’s for the kids and big kids alike. Open your eyes to wonder”
StageTalk Magazine
Wed, Fri & Sat 7pm, Thu 6pm, Thu 11am (Schools only perf), Sat 2pm
Tickets from £14
Age guideline 7+
British Sign Language Thu 6pm
Relaxed Performance R Thu 6pm
Content warning: This production includes mild language and historically accurate racially abusive language.
A 1927 & Burgtheater Vienna co-production
Please right back
Written by Suzanne Andrade
Directed
by
Suzanne Andrade and Esme Appleton
Film and animation by
Paul Barritt
Direct from the Edinburgh International Festival, the award-winning company 1927 (Golem) returns with their new production Please right back
When Kim and Davey’s dad, Mr E, disappears, letters become his only means of communication to tell them what has happened. Reality collides with fantasy as we follow a fast-paced journey through a wild cathartic adventure which celebrates the power of imagination to overcome hardship.
Using 1927’s unique blend of subversive animation, original music and bold storytelling, Please right back sweeps audiences into a magical, mischievous world, inspired by a true story.
“Anyone interested in the theatre should see this company now.”
The
Observer
“1927 conjure a world so complete it feels as if you’ve fallen down a rabbit hole.”
The
Guardian
“Dark and fruity, wildly inventive, fiendishly skilled and with a great sense of joy and purity’.”
The Telegraph (1927)
Wed, Thu & Sat 7.30pm, Fri 8pm, Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £14
Age guideline 10+
A Headlong, Leeds Playhouse, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre and Nottingham Playhouse production
A Raisin in the Sun
Written by Lorraine Hansberry
Directed by Tinuke Craig
In a rented apartment on Chicago’s South Side, the Younger family is full of hope, dreams, grief, and big plans. Their beloved father has died, and the money from his life insurance policy could change their lives.
Mama wants to put down roots in a home of her own. Her daughter Beneatha has her heart set on becoming a doctor. But her son Walter Lee thinks the money is his to spend — and he’s willing to sacrifice his values and his family to get what he wants. Each must face what it means to escape the confines of a segregated society. How do you create a meaningful life in a world designed to keep you down?
Groundbreaking, pioneering and challenging, Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun broke barriers as the first play by a Black woman on Broadway. Directed by Tinuke Craig (Jitney, The Color Purple), this classic family drama full of humour and heart remains relevant and powerful in a world still divided by inequality.
This production of A Raisin in the Sun marks the beginning of a new Associate Partnership between Oxford Playhouse and Headlong as they locate back to Oxford.
“A play that changed American theatre forever.”
The New York Times
Wed, Thu & Sat 7.30pm, Fri 8pm, Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £14
Age guideline 14+
British Sign Language Wed.7.30pm
Touch Tour TT Sat 1pm
Content warning: This production contains racially explicit language, themes and content and reference to abortion.
Audio Described Sat 2.30pm
IF Oxford 2024
Wed 9 Oct – Sun 3 Nov
Fri 11 Oct
Braintastic: Am I Normal?
What do you think is normal? Does ‘normal’ exist? This show highlights extensive variability in people and populations by exploring genetics, evolution and brain plasticity. Question how notions of statistical or social normality affect medical research and scientific discovery.
Fri 11 Oct
The Immune Mind: The Curious New Science of Mind, Body and Microbe
For most of medical history, it was thought that the immune system had little to do with mental health. New science is now turning this assumption on its head. Dr Monty Lyman, Academic Clinical Fellow in Psychiatry at the University of Oxford, discusses the fascinating cases and exciting new research that inspired his new book and Radio 4 miniseries, The Immune Mind 5pm | Tickets £9 | Age guideline 11 - 16 8pm | Tickets £9 | Age guideline 16+
Visit www.if-oxford.com for a full list of events happening across all venues and further information.
The Playhouse is proud to be collaborating with IF Oxford for another packed festival full of inspiring, entertaining and immersive events for people of all ages.
If you have a curious mind, whatever your age, there’s an event for you.
Sat 12 Oct
The Science of Superheroes
Could superheroes be real? Would being radioactive really be Super? What does radioactivity even do? The Society of Radiological Protection are here to answer those questions and more with their Super Science knowledge.
The show is presented to you by the Society of Radiological Protection, a professional society for those working in the field of radiation safety. As well as learning and being entertained you will also get chance to see some real scientists and what a diverse bunch we can be.
3pm | Tickets £9 | Age guideline 7 - 12
Sat 12 Oct
May the Farce be with You
Comedian and cartoonist Mike Capozzola’s multimedia show mocks and celebrates everything related to Star Wars
If you felt a great disturbance in the force, it means that you should expect:
• Uncanny impressions
• Archival art from school notebooks
• A merciless appraisal of Star Wars
• And the tale of an epic lightsabre battle that nearly derailed a New York parade.
7.30pm | Tickets £9 | Age guideline 12+
Pilot Theatre presents
Run, Rebel
Written and adapted by Manjeet Mann
Directed by Tessa Walker
Pioneers of theatre for young adults, Pilot Theatre (Noughts and Crosses) brings you an electrifying adaptation of Manjeet Mann’s multi award-winning novel.
Amber is trapped – by her family’s rules, by their expectations, by her own fears. But on the running track she is completely free. As her body speeds up, the world slows down. And the tangled, mixed-up lines in her head get straighter...
This landmark production, made especially for audiences aged 11+, combines physical theatre, mesmerising visuals, and a talented ensemble cast, setting the stage for a transformative story of revolution, empowerment and courage.
HHHH “Vividly captures the restlessness of being a teenager.”
The Stage
HHHH “Its
British Theatre
strength is in its optimism.”
HHHH “Vibrant.”
The Reviews Hub
HHHH “Another moving and must-see play.”
York Mix
Wed - Sat 7pm
Thu & Sat 2pm
Tickets from £14
Age guideline 11+
Captioned CAP Thu 7pm
Content warning: This production contains depictions of violence (including domestic violence), alcoholism, bullying, discrimination, strong language, and references to ‘honour’ killings.
by Pamela Raith.
Photo
Bill Kenwright Ltd & Paul Taylor-Mills present
Heathers the Musical
Greetings and salutations!
Following smash hit runs in London’s West End and two record-breaking national tours, the WhatsOnStage ‘Best New Musical’ winner, Heathers the Musical is coming to Oxford.
This high octane, black comedy, rock musical based on one of the greatest cult teen films of all-time that starred Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, is back with a bang!
Welcome to Westerberg High, where popularity is a matter of life and death, and Veronica Sawyer is just another of the nobodies dreaming of a better day.
But when she’s unexpectedly taken under the wings of the three beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers, her dreams of popularity finally start to come true.
That is until JD, the mysterious teen rebel, teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but its murder being a somebody.
Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy’s hit musical adaptation has enjoyed successful runs in Los Angeles and New York, and its European premiere became the highest grossing show at The Other Palace, having sold over 20,000 tickets across the run and selling out prior to its opening gala performance.
HHHHH “Darkly delicious fun.” Sunday Mirror
HHHH “Stiletto sharp.” Daily Telegraph
HHHH “Heathers is high school musical’s darker, dirtier cousin.” Sunday Express
Tue - Thu & Sat 7.30pm Fri 4pm & 8pm
Wed & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £14
Age guideline 14+
Touch Tour TT Thu 6pm
Content warning: This production contains haze, loud noises including gunshots, flashing lights and strobe, strong language and mature themes including murder, suicide, sexual violence and references to eating disorders. Audience discretion is advised.
Audio Described Thu 7.30pm
25% off FRIENDS Tue eve
Photo by Pamela Raith.
Rebus: A Game Called Malice
The
thrilling new Rebus story exclusively on stage
Starring Gray O’Brien, Abigail Thaw and Billy Hartman
A splendid dinner party in an Edinburgh mansion concludes with a murder mystery game created by the hostess. A murder needs to be solved. But the guests have secrets of their own, threatened by the very game they are playing. And among them is Inspector John Rebus. True crime is his calling. Is he playing an alternative game, one to which only he knows the rules? There are suspects, clues and danger with every twist and turn - and a shocking discovery will send this game called ‘Malice’ hurtling towards a gasp-inducing conclusion.
Sir Ian Rankin, Britain’s No.1 crime writer, is the multimillion-copy award-winning bestseller of over thirty novels worldwide and creator of John Rebus. His books have been translated into thirty-six languages and have been adapted for radio, the stage, and the screen. His Rebus novels have dominated the detective fiction market with the recent BBC television series ensuring the detective’s legendary status.
A standout cast includes Gray O’Brien (Coronation Street, Casualty, Peak Practice), Billy Hartman (Emmerdale) and an actor well-known to Oxford audiences, Abigail Thaw (Endeavour).
“Rankin is a master storyteller.”
The Guardian
“Rebus is an outstanding creation.”
Daily Telegraph
“It’s the puzzle that draws you in and Rebus: A Game Called Malice has its fair share of unpredictability and intrigue.”
The Times
Tue - Thu & Sat 7.30pm Fri 8pm Wed, Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £14
Age guideline 14+
Captioned CAP Wed 7.30pm
The Annual Charles Simonyi Lecture:
Consciousness in Humans and in Other Things
Join Marcus du Sautoy and Anil Seth, Professor of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience and Director of the Centre for Consciousness Science at the University of Sussex for this year’s Charles Simonyi Lecture
How do conscious experiences arise from brains and bodies? What is the ‘self’? Anil will shed light on these questions through the idea of the brain as an embodied ‘prediction machine’ and explore implications of this view for technology, especially AI, and for society, in terms of perceptual diversity.
5pm
Tickets £10
Age guideline 12+
Claire Gilbert Ltd
The Axiom of Choice
Written & co-directed by Marcus du Sautoy
Co-directed by Lu Descourtier
An exploration of free will, war and mathematics.
From the Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford University comes a ground-breaking new play The Axiom of Choice
Eminent mathematician Andre Weil is on a journey from France to India, Finland and beyond, to discover whether we really have free will or if all our choices are predetermined.
Imprisoned in Rouen during the Second World War, Weil faces a choice that will determine his fatebut his decision just doesn’t make sense. Is life a mathematical theorem of logical strands? Because sometimes it just doesn’t add up!
Mon & Tue 7.30pm, Tue 2pm
Tickets from £14
Age guideline12+
Post Show Talk Tue 2pm
Content warning: Contains references to war, imprisonment and violence.
This production of The Axiom of Choice has been generously supported by Ben Delo, also supported by Dangor Education, Stage One Bursary Scheme for New Producers & Charles and Lisa Simonyi Fund for Arts and Sciences.
University of Oxford student company: Clarendon Productions
Les Liaisons Dangereuses
From the novel by
Pierre Choderlos de Laclos
Adapted for stage by Christopher Hampton
A tale of seduction and treachery among aristocrats in pre-revolutionary France, this classic drama –adapted into the Oscar-winning film Dangerous Liaisons – explores decadent sexuality, manipulation and a ruthless battle for power.
Les Liaisons Dangereuses went on to be retold in the 90s cult film, Cruel Intentions, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillipe, and Reese Witherspoon.
The Marquise de Merteuil incites her former lover, the Vicomte de Valmont, to seduce and corrupt the innocent Cécile de Volanges before her wedding night. But Valmont has targeted the virtuous, and happily married, Madame de Tourvel as his next conquest. Which of these immoral decadents will win their game of manipulation and at what cost?
In this production, by the University of Oxford student company Clarendon Productions, a new lens is pointed at an opulent and savage world about to fall apart. Cinematography is merged with live performance to capture a modern perspective on the bad behaviour of high society.
Thu & Sat 2.30pm & 7.30pm Fri 8pm
Tickets from £14
Student Tickets £12
Age guideline 14+
Mick Perrin Worldwide Ltd in association with PBJ Management
Maisie Adam:
Appraisal
Fresh from Live At The Apollo, A League Of Their Own and Have I Got News For You, Maisie Adam is heading back out on tour with a brand new show.
She’s five years into her job as a comedian now, so she’s due an appraisal. Join her for the ultimate performance review, where you’ll either see just why she was awarded Best New Act and nominated Best Newcomer... or you’ll see someone who’s ready for “organisational restructure”.
See you at the appraisal, she looks forward to seeing you!
HHHH “Thoroughly engaging... Bursting with puppyish pleasure.”
The Guardian
Presented by IAM
Fern Brady: I Gave You Milk To Drink
Scotland’s queen of comedy Fern Brady (Taskmaster, Live At The Apollo, Roast Battle, Russell Howard, The Last Leg) brings her brand new tour show to Oxford.
What happens when you get everything you want and it’s not enough?
This is a great show to come and see if you are a fan of the Scottish comedian Fern Brady. Author of Sunday Times bestselling memoir Strong Female Character, Fern’s previous show Power and Chaos was broadcast on BBC1 and Autistic Bikini Queen, was released as a Netflix special earlier this year.
7.30pm
Tickets £25
Age guideline 15+
Content warning: Includes strong language and adult themes
8pm
Tickets £26
Age guideline 16+
Content warning: Includes strong language
Phil McIntyre Live Ltd
Sing-Along-A-Gareth: My Life Through Song
Following the resounding success of his previous tours, Gareth Malone is back and this time it’s personal!
Sing-Along-A-Gareth: My Life Through Song delves into the heart and soul of Gareth’s musical journey.
Warm up your pipes and have your song sheets ready, as the time has come to lift our voices once again.
Featuring a captivating blend of biography and music, the show offers a fusion of iconic songs from the 60s right up to today, cherished photographs and unforgettable memories. Together with his house band and singers, Gareth will curate a song sheet that you will adore - from the very first record he bought, to party bangers that everyone knows and loves.
Get ready to laugh, dance and sing along like never before - this show will have you humming tunes and smiling for days to come.
7.30pm
Tickets £31.50
Age guideline10+
Written and directed by Toby Hulse Fri 22 Nov 2024 – Sun 5 Jan 2025
Get ready for a dream of a panto!
We all know the story of Sleeping Beauty, right?
Evil fairy curses baby, baby grows into a beautiful teenage princess, princess pricks her finger on a spindle and... time travels across 1000 years.
Oh no, she doesn’t? Oh yes, she DOES in this spellbinding new production brought to you by Oxford Playhouse.
Our Aurora must summon all of her fairy-given gifts - true friendship, intelligence, bravery and a good night’s sleep (along with a teddy bear and a mysterious 1985 Smash Hits Yearbook) to put things right and regain her rightful place in the kingdom of Oxland.
Join us at The Playhouse from Fri 22 Nov 2024 to Sun 5 Jan 2025 to see all your favourite loveable (and downright boo-able) panto heroes and villains in a toe-tapping extravaganza with a generous, deeley boppered sprinkling of 80s nostalgia.
A magical and festive experience perfect for all the family. Never mind goodnight, this is sure to be the BEST night.
Don’t hit snooze... book your tickets now for this year’s Oxford Playhouse Pantomime, Sleeping Beauty.
For everyone aged 5 to 105!
“Fresh,
entertaining, bursting with new characters and whips along at a cracking pace!” Ox in a Box (Jack and the Beanstalk 2023)
Performance Schedule
November 10am 11am 2pm 3pm 4pm 6pm 7pm
Fri 22 Sat 23 Sun 24
Mon 25 No performances Tue 26 Wed 27 Thu 28 Fri 29 Sat 30
December 10am 11am 2pm 3pm 4pm 6pm 7pm
Sun 1
Mon 2 No performances
Tue 3
Wed 4 Thu 5 Fri 6 Sat 7
Sun 8 Mon 9 No performances
Tue 10
Wed 11
Thu 12
Fri 13
Sat 14
Sun 15 Mon 16 No performances
Tue 17
Wed 18
Seasonal Special All tickets £15
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Thu 19 No performances Fri 20 Sat 21 Sun 22 Mon 23 Tue 24 Wed 25 Christmas Day Thu 26 Fri 27 Sat 28 Sun 29 Mon 30 Tue 31
January 10am 11am 2pm 3pm 4pm 6pm 7pm
Wed 1 New Year’s Day
Thu 2 Fri 3
Sat 4
Sun 5 Ticket
Booking Information
Friends 25% off
Sat 30 Nov, 4pm
Fri 13 Dec, 6pm
Fri 4 Jan, 2pm & 6pm
GREAT rates for groups for Peak and Off-Peak performances
Groups 10+ 10% off every ticket
Groups 40+ 20% off every ticket
Treat Yourself!
Audio Described performances
Sat 30 Nov, 4pm
Sat 4 Jan, 2pm
Relaxed performances
Thu 5 Dec, 6pm
Fri 3 Jan, 2pm
British Sign Language
Oxford Playhouse is the perfect place to have some festive fun with the whole family. Don’t forget to...
Interpreted performances
Fri 6 Dec, 10am
Thu 12 Dec, 6pm
Captioned performance
Fri 20 Dec, 3pm
Dementia Friendly performance
Thu 2 Jan, 11am
See page 54-55 for more information
Pre-order your Sleeping Beauty programme.
Pre-order Grazing cups for your little ones.
Enjoy the delicious range of locally sourced drinks and treats for grown-ups, including festive bubbly and mulled wine.
Free booster seats and ear defenders are available for all performances.
An Oxford Playhouse Production
HURRYUPFATHER CHRISTMAS!
Written by Helen Eastman
by Samuel Rayner
Directed
It’s never too early to introduce your little ones to the magic of theatre!
The sleigh is loaded. The elves are ready. But Father Christmas can’t find his keys. Or his glasses. Or his boots... and now he’s making a flask of tea! Hurry up, Father Christmas! It’s Christmas Eve and it’s time to go!
From the creative team that brought you last year’s production Dear Father Christmas comes this interactive show for children aged 3 to 6 years. Join us at the North Pole for stories, songs, activities, and adventures and help get the sleigh on its way.
“An enchanting production.”
Oxford Times
Running time 50 minutes
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Age guideline 3 to 6
Don’t forget – you can write to Father Christmas c/o The Playhouse and post your letters in the post box in Oxford Playhouse main foyer.
Burton Taylor Studio
Performance Schedule
Wed 11 Dec 10am 2pm Thu 12 Dec 10am 12pm Fri 13 Dec 10am 12pm Sat 14 Dec 10am 12pm 3pm Sun 15 Dec 10am 12pm 3pm
Mon 16 Dec No performances Tue 17 Dec 10am 12pm
Wed 18 Dec 10am 12pm
Thu 19 Dec 10am 12pm Fri 20 Dec No performances
Sat 21 Dec 10am 12pm 3pm Sun 22 Dec 10am 12pm 3pm
Mon 23 Dec 10am 12pm 3pm Tue 24 Dec 10am 12pm 3pm
Wed 25 Dec No performances
Thu 26 Dec No performances Fri 27 Dec 10am 12pm Sat 28 Dec 10am 12pm 3pm Sun 29 Dec 10am 12pm
Tickets Off-Peak Adult £16 | Children £12 Peak Adult £20 | Children £16
R All performances are Relaxed
EN HOUSE
Did you know that every year Oxford Playhouse...
• Gives away around 2,500 tickets absolutely free to community groups, individuals and school groups that might otherwise not be able to attend;
• Offers bursaries for young people to take part in our companies;
• Welcomes older people for social events and a chance to chat;
• And works with local charities like Yellow Submarine and KEEN to run activities open to all.
Theatre can entertain us, transport us, teach us about the world and each other, and unleash our imagination - we might be a bit biased, but we think theatre and live performance are pretty good for the soul! That’s why we’re passionate about our Open House programme - ensuring that everyone, whatever their background or circumstance, has access to creative opportunities and live performance.
It’s through the generosity of our supporters and funders that we are able to keep this valuable work going, so please help us today by donating to Open House at The Playhouse. Your donation really will make a difference.
Please help us to continue to share the joy of theatre by donating to our Open House fund...
by Geraint Lewis
Photo
Burton Taylor Studio
The Burton Taylor Studio is the coolest, smallest place to see new work in Oxford.
Situated just around the corner from Oxford Playhouse, this 50-seater studio hosts a dedicated programme of professional work, offering an up-close experience of great drama, live music, spoken word and some of the funkiest family friendly shows around.
Sat 31 Aug
Presented by Fir Tree Theatre
Remember Me
By Lekha Desai Morrison
When Sally finds that her artist husband Jack is losing interest in painting, she gradually learns that the problem is much deeper than it seems at first. With the support of her daughter Keira, they go on a journey of learning to understand and manage his condition with compassion, warmth, humour and love.
“Incredibly moving and explicitly real depiction of dementia and its consequences for all involved.”
Audience member
2.30pm & 7.30pm
Tickets £12.50 | £10.50
Age guideline 12+
Content warning: Deals with the subject of dementia.
Night Terrors
The Ghost Stories of E. F. Benson
Directed by Gareth Armstrong
Performed by Gerard Logan Night Terrors is a spellbinding evening of three tales of the supernatural from E. F. Benson’s brilliant collection of ghost stories.
Award-winning actor Gerard Logan will take you to a world of invisible, but terrifyingly present, spirits.
HHHHH “Logan is astounding... He takes a strong script and flies it to the stars.”
Edinburgh Festival 2016
Wed 4 & Thu 5 Sep 7pm & 9pm
Tickets £12.50 | £10.50
Age guideline 12+
Burton Taylor Studio
Fri 6 & Sat 7 Sep
Middle-Weight Theatre
What’s Next?
The history of humankind lives on a timeline of exploration, and this is what’s next...
Based on true events, What's Next? is a captivating one-woman show that delves into the remarkable life of Harriet Quimby. This exciting new production shines a light on the often-overlooked historical milestone: the awe-inspiring journey of the first woman to conquer the skies solo and soar across the English Channel.
HHHHH
West End Best Friend
Supported and funded by The Arts Council England
7.30pm
Tickets £12.50 | £10.50
Age guideline 12+
Content warning: Mild use of strong language.
Thu 26 Sep
SDJ Productions
The Duke
By Shôn Dale Jones
Funny, poignant and playful, the Fringe First winning show weaves together the tragi-comic fate of a family heirloom –a porcelain figure of The Duke of Wellington, the quandary of a scriptwriter stretching his integrity and an unfolding disaster as thousands of children flee their homes. The Duke has received over 20 four star reviews and is acclaimed for its clever blend of fantasy and reality as it gently challenges our priorities in a world full of crisis.
“Legend of the Edinburgh Festival.”
The Guardian
7pm & 9pm
Tickets £12.50 | £10.50
Age guideline 14+
Sat 28 Sep
Little Bean Theatre
Boh Boh Finds Home
Our alien friend Boh Boh is looking for a new home, can we give him a hand? What and who will we meet on this journey? Boh Boh Finds Home is an English-Cantonese bilingual interactive performance that brings you to a fun-filled intergalactic sensory adventure. Suitable for children aged 3-8 years old and their grownups.
Presented as part of Tiny Ideas Festival
“Boh Boh is so lovely! Dancing and singalong, it’s so much fun!”
Audience member
11am, 2pm & 4pm
Tickets £10.50 | £8.50
Age guideline 3 to 8
Fri 11 & Sat 12 Oct
Live Wire Theatre
Our Little Hour
The inspirational story of the legendary pioneering hero Walter Tull is brought to the studio in a new musical drama by award winning playwright Dougie Blaxland and celebrated composer Chris Anthony
This profoundly moving new work explores how Walter Tullgrandson of a Barbadian slaveorphaned at eight years old, rose to prominence against all odds. The first black footballer to play at the highest level of the domestic game in the UK, he went on to achieve yet another historic breakthrough as the first man of his heritage to be commissioned as an Officer in the British Army.
Fri 7.30pm, Sat 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Tickets £12.50 | £10.50
Age guideline 11+
Thu 9 Jan 2025
Luke Wright JOY!
Following the smash hit success of his Silver Jubilee show, “the best thing he’s done and that’s saying something.”
The Telegraph, Luke Wright returns with a new set of poems that get to grips with the idea of JOY. Is it possible, as a 42-year-old to feel pure unbridled happiness, and what does it look like?
Supported by Colchester Arts Centre
7.30pm
Tickets £15 | £13
Age guideline 14+
Content warning: Contains some swearing.
Thu 16 & Fri 17 Jan 2025
Tall Story Theatre
Lessons from History
Double Bill of two short new plays.
Paddy Hitler by Kieran Cooke
This new play looks at the oftentortured life of Paddy Hitler, son of Hitler’s elder half-brother and an Irish mother: as WWII approaches Britain is desperate to win Paddy over to its side.
An Innocuous Prick by Ian Cox
The second play focuses on local rows, riots and politics as compulsory smallpox inoculations are introduced in the late C19 and the impact on the small Oxfordshire town of Charlbury.
7.30pm
Tickets £12.50 | £10.50
Age guideline 12+
Take Part
Ages 7 to 11
Play in a Week: Sleeping Beauty
Spend the week with us being creative, playing games and making new friends.
At our Play in a Week scheme, we will be exploring the magic tale of Sleeping Beauty, breaking down the story and rebuilding it in our own way, ready to perform to parents and families in the BT Studio at the end of the week.
Sessions will involve working together through games and activities, where everyone’s ideas are shared and celebrated.
If you would like more information before signing up, please email participation@oxfordplayhouse.com
Ages 11 and under
Fun Palace
At Fun Palaces people come together to share their skills, passions and interests, and show the world just how brilliant and packed full of genius their community is!
An annual nationwide weekend of action, Fun Palace believes in the genius in everyone, and that creativity in community can change the world for the better. Oxford Playhouse is delighted to be hosting its eleventh Fun Palace this year, with an array of activities and workshops in arts, science, craft, tech, digital and sports from friends around the city.
Perfect for families, drop in for free arts and science activities across our spaces, with crafts and ideas to take home and share with your wider friends and community.
Mon 5 – Fri 9 Aug 10am – 1pm
Ages 7 to 11
BT Studio Fee £150
Session Facilitators: Paul Simpson & Alice Jessop
Sat 5 Oct 11am – 3pm
Ages 11 and under (children must be accompanied by an adult)
BT Studio FREE (just drop in)
Ages 5 and under
Hey Diddle Diddle
Monday morning musical fun, to start your week with a dance and a song!
Kickstart your little one’s excitement for creativity and imaginative play with our Hey Diddle Diddle sessions – a perfect introduction to music, dance and performance for early years children and their adults.
With a new theme each week, you and your child are invited to play, laugh and learn in these fun, interactive sessions.
If you would like more information before signing up please email participation@oxfordplayhouse.com
Ages 11+
KEEN Drama Workshops
Our FREE, inclusive drama workshops return for the Spring Term at KEEN, St Clement’s Centre, Oxford.
Accessible to disabled and non-disabled participants, these weekly drop-in sessions provide a supportive opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to have fun and be expressive through performance.
In the Autumn Term, participants will explore their own creative ideas, that will form a part of the final sharing to family and friends at the end of term.
To book a place, please email: keen@keenoxford.org
To learn more about the inclusive work delivered by KEEN, visit their website: www.keenoxford.org
Mon: 16 Sep – 11 Nov
(No session on Mon 28 Oct) 11am – 11.30am
Ages 5 and under
Top Room, Oxford Playhouse
Buggy/pushchair space available in Foyer Fee £5 per session (1 adult & 1 child)
£3 per additional ticket
Mon: 14 Oct – 18 Nov
Please email keen@keenoxford.org for dates 6.30pm – 7.15pm
Ages 11+
KEEN Oxford (St Clement’s Centre, OX4 1GG) FREE (Please book at keen@keenoxford.org)
Session Facilitators: Beth Sedgwick & Rebecca Velickovic
Take Part
Ages 12 to 16
Playhouse Youth Theatre
Playhouse Youth Theatre is our platform for young people to develop their passion for performance, learn new skills and build confidence and friendships.
A two-term project across Autumn 2024 and Spring 2025, participants will work collaboratively to explore and rehearse a new play in preparation for a public performance in the BT Studio in March 2025.
As part of the Wonder Fools’ Positive Stories for Negative Times project, participants will spend the Autumn Term developing their individual theatre making skills, before moving on to a fast-paced rehearsal process in the Spring Term. Participants will be expected to commit to all scheduled rehearsals and learn lines. Additional rehearsals may be called in the run-up to the final performance.
Tue: Autumn Term 17 Sep – 12 Nov (No session Tue 29 Oct). Christmas Sessions 10 & 17 Dec.
Spring Term 7 Jan – 1 Apr. 5pm - 7.30pm
Ages 12 to 16
Top Room, Oxford Playhouse
Fee £160 (can be paid in two instalments of £80 at the start of each term)
Session Facilitators: Lucy Findlay & Alice Jessop
Ages 17 to 25
Playhouse Young Company
Playhouse Young Company is a collaborative ensemble of young people with a commitment and passion for creating theatre and developing performance skills.
A two-term project across Autumn 2024 and Spring 2025, participants will spend the early parts of the project building skills in voice, movement and expression, then exploring the script for the Spring Term performance ahead of the Christmas break. Roles will be allocated and there will be an expectation to learn lines ahead of the return to the rehearsal room in the Spring Term, when participants must commit to rehearsals on both Wednesday evenings and Saturday daytimes.
If you would like more information before signing up please email participation@oxfordplayhouse.com
Wed: Autumn Term 18 Sep – 13 Nov (No session Wed 30 Oct). Christmas Sessions 11 & 18 Dec.
Wed & Sat: Spring Term 8 Jan – 26 Mar 5pm – 7.30pm (Wed), 12noon – 4pm (Sat)
Ages 17 to 25
Top Room, Oxford Playhouse
Fee £160 (can be paid in two instalments of £80 at the start of each term)
Session Facilitator: Paul Simpson
Ages 26+
Playhouse Adult Company
Our Playhouse Adult Company is a multi-generational group made up of those with a passion for theatre, eager to build their confidence in performing and create a new group of friends.
In the Autumn Term, the Adult Company will build a foundation of key skills in voice, movement and expression, as they rehearse a series of short, scripted scenes to be performed to an invited audience of family and friends in our Top Room at the end of term.
If you would like more information before signing up please email participation@oxfordplayhouse.com
Ages 50+
Social
Thursdays
A welcoming, supportive space for people later-in-life to come together, have a go at creative activities and build new friendships, our Social Thursdays sessions provide opportunities to allow everyone the space to try something new.
A curated programme of various art forms, including talks, dance, singing, play-reading and much more, our sessions are designed for you to take part at your own pace. Refreshments are available during the session.
You can book your space ahead of time, or feel free to turn up on the day. If you would like more information before coming to one of our sessions, please email community@oxfordplayhouse.com
Thu: 19 Sep – 14 Nov
(No session Thu 31 Oct)
5.30pm – 8pm
Ages 26+
Top Room, Oxford Playhouse Fee £80
Session Facilitator: Emma Webb
Thu: 12 Sep, 17 Oct, 14 Nov
10.30am – 12noon
Ages 50+
Main Foyer, Oxford Playhouse FREE (Book ahead, or just turn up)
Session Facilitator: Beth Sedgwick, joined by a guest facilitator
John Mackay & Sally Homer, in association with Debi Allen/Curtis Brown present
Stewart Lee vs The Man-Wulf
Stewart Lee returns to the Main Stage with his brand new show, Lee shares his stage with a tough-talking werewolf comedian from the dark forests of North America who hates humanity. The Man-Wulf lays down a ferocious comedy challenge to the culturally irrelevant and physically enfeebled Lee. Can the beast inside us all be silenced with the silver bullet of Lee’s unprecedentedly critically acclaimed style of stand-up?
Stewart Lee (“The world’s greatest living stand-up comedian” The Times) is in danger of being left behind. He’s approaching sixty with debilitating health conditions, his TV profile has diminished, and his once BAFTA award-winning style of stand-up seems obsolete. But can Lee unleash his inner Man-Wulf to position himself alongside comedy legends like Dave Chappelle, Ricky Gervais and Jordan Peterson at the forefront of side-splitting stadium-stuffing sh*t-posting?
Mon - Thu & Sat 7.30pm Fri 8pm
Tickets £29.50
Age guideline 14+
HHHHH
“Basically, back-to-basics Basic Lee is anything but.”
Mail on Sunday on Stewart Lee: Basic Lee, 2023
Photo by Geraint Lewis featuring original cast.
David Pugh & Cunard present the Newcastle Theatre Royal Production of
Pride and Prejudice*
( *sort of)
By Isobel McArthur after Jane Austen
Following its Olivier Award and Evening Standard Award win and triumphant run in the West End, the critically acclaimed Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) returns to Oxford. Expect a hilarious, unique and audacious retelling of Jane Austen’s most iconic love story.
Men, money and microphones will be fought over in this irreverent but affectionate adaptation where the stakes couldn’t be higher when it comes to romance. This multi-award-winning production features a string of pop classics including Young Hearts Run Free, Will You Love Me Tomorrow and You’re So Vain
A joy for Austen and non-Austen fans alike! It’s the 1800s. It’s party time. Let the ruthless matchmaking begin.
Mon - Thu & Sat 7.30pm Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £14
Age guideline 12+
Captioned CAP Wed 7.30pm
Touch Tour TT Sat 1pm
HHHHH “Faithful to the book, it’s also a raucously irreverent romp.” Daily Mail
Content warning: This production contains strong language, gunshots and smoking.
Audio Described Sat 2.30pm
Our Supporters
Oxford Playhouse Trust gratefully acknowledges the support of its core funders:
Supported by The Visitor Economy Renaissance Programme grant funding, secured by OxLEP Business
Trusts & Foundations
The Atlas Fund
Backstage Trust
Doris Field Charitable Trust
The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
Dr T M N Salvesen’s Charitable Trust
The Emmanuel Kaye Foundation
The Garrick Charitable Trust
The Hugh Fraser Foundation
The Lord Farringdon Charitable Trust
Mactaggart Third Fund
Mr & Mrs J A Pye’s Charitable Settlement
The Schuster Charitable Trust
Souldern Trust
Still Point Fund
Theatres Trust
The Thompson Family Charitable Trust
The William Delafield Charitable Trust
Anonymous (but greatly appreciated)
Building and Technical Supporters
Creative Learning and Production Supporter
Platinum Sponsors
Sponsors
Business Circle Members
Over 100 volunteers give up their time to help out at Oxford Playhouse. Thank you!
St John’s College Oxford
Volunteers
Gold
Thank You
Every ticket you buy supports Oxford Playhouse.
As a charity we also rely on the generosity of Friends, Patrons, and donors to put world class productions on our stage, reach out to the local community and develop local artists. If you can, please consider making a gift so our work can continue to flourish in the future. For further information please contact development@oxfordplayhouse.com
Patrons of Oxford Playhouse Donors
Diana Acland
Saphié Ashtiany &
Prof Paul Davies
Louise Armstrong
Lady Helen Baker
Rev Charlotte & William Banister-Parker
B J Birch
Valerie Boasten
John Peter H Bradley
Lesley Brown
His Hon John Quentin & Her Hon Ann Campbell
Martin Cattermole
Mark Charter
Keith Crawford
Dr Cecile Deer
Richard and Felicity Dick
David Dunne
Miss Patricia Freestone
Cllr. Dr James Fry
Simon Inch
Sarah Jones
Sos Eltis
Geoffry Lescott
Peter Mackridge
John May
M J Morris
Elizabeth Paris
Brian W Plater
Diana B Renton
Alison Townsend
Micaela Tuckwell
Dr Louise Upton
Edward Whinney
J Willis
Platinum Patrons
Richard Gladstone
Joe Pillman & Jackie Watson
Gold Patrons
Prof Sir Richard &
Lady Elizabeth Brook
Brian Buchan
Alex Duncan
Debbie & Stephen Dance
Prof Raymond Dwek CBE FRS & Mrs Sandra Dwek
Silver Patrons
Prof Sir Clive &
Lady Margaret Booth
Anthony Budgen
Matthew Derbyshire
Prof Michael Goldsmith
Alan Grafen
David & Sue Jackson
Simon & Alison Jeffreys
Chris Knight
Greg Lovett
John Parrott
Dr Trudy Watt
We are also incredibly grateful to those who prefer to remain anonymous and anyone who has supported us during the past year, but who we are unable to list here. Your help and solidarity has made an enormous difference during these most challenging times.
Thank you.
Registered Company No.2397373
Registered Charity No.900039
Tickets and Discounts
For all week-long professional productions, we have an allocation of tickets available for just £14 each to make theatregoing affordable. Please be sure to book early!
Across our performances, ticket prices may vary according to demand. Flexible pricing allows the theatre to be sustainable and to ensure we can continue bringing the best work to our stages. Please book early or, to guarantee access to the best seats at the best prices (and a priority booking period), why not join as a Friend of Oxford Playhouse for just £60 a year. Friends and Patrons are also exempt from paying admin fees when exchanging tickets.
Please note, all tickets are non-refundable. Tickets can be exchanged for another performance of the same production up to 48 hours ahead of the start time and subject to availability. A £2 admin fee applies per ticket (up to a max £10).
Discount Group Ticket Price
Friends & Patrons
Up to 50% off top prices on
Concessions
Access Users
Schools & Colleges
Group Rate
Over 60s Matinee
14–25s
Conditions
Available on up to two tickets for most productions. selected performances during Friends membership is priced at £60 a year, and Patron week-long shows. Bonus discounts levels start at £600 a year. For more information visit of 25% on some shorter runs. www.oxfordplayhouse.com/membership
£4 off each ticket on top 2
Available for most shows on full priced tickets for people price bands. 18 and under, Full Time University/ College Students (must provide ID on collection), those in receipt of Universal Credit, NHS Staff and Equity, BECTU and Stage Directors UK members. No further discounts available. £12 tickets for students and under 18s are available for student shows.
£14 per ticket.
£14 per ticket plus one free
Available for most shows for Access facility users, wheelchair users and one companion if required.
An allocation of tickets is available Monday to Thursday teacher seat for every 10 for most weeklong shows. School tickets for Sleeping seats booked. Beauty are from £13 + every 16th ticket free.
10% off for groups of 10 or more
Groups of 20 or more are not available to book online. and 20% for groups of 40 or more. Email boxoffice@oxfordplayhouse.com for group bookings. Payment must be made as one transaction. (Available Monday to Thursday and Saturday matinee performances only).
£4 off the full price on top 2
Limited number available to anyone aged 60+ for most price bands. matinee performances. Must be booked before the week of the show. Max 4 tickets per booking.
£5 tickets available in advance
You must be aged 14 - 25 and hold a valid membership. for selected shows, subject Please join at the Box Office, or for more information to availability. visit www.oxfordplayhouse.com/membership
Booking Information
Seating Plan
Possible limited view. Please call the Box Office for further information.
These seats can be removed to accommodate wheelchairs. Please call the Box Office for further information.
Rows AA to C are sometimes removed for staging and are therefore not always available – please check with the Box Office when booking.
CIRCLE
STALLS
View from Row A, Circle
View from Row K, Stalls
View from Row A, Stalls
Access Diary
Access Facilities
We want to make your visit to Oxford Playhouse and the Burton Taylor Studio as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. We offer a range of access facilities. To find out more information about the accessibility of our venues please visit www.oxfordplayhouse.com/access, call the friendly Box Office team on 01865 305305 or email access@oxfordplayhouse.com
Our range of Access facilities includes:
General Access Our main entrance is at street level on Beaumont Street and fully wheelchair accessible with automated doors. Our Box Office, Auditorium, The Gladstone Room and Foyer Bar are all fully wheelchair accessible, with low level counters. There is also an Accessible toilet on ground level. Our BT Studio is only accessible via two flights of stairs. If you require a stair climber, please let the Box Office know when booking.
Wheelchair spaces Within Stalls, end of rows E and L and centre of row T. Unfortunately, the Circle, Lucy Room and Top Room are not currently wheelchair accessible.
What’s On Guides are available as audio recordings and large-print copies on request. Please email access@oxfordplayhouse.com
Sennheiser infrared headset system can help to boost the sound level straight to your hearing aid or headphones, if you are hard of hearing. Please ask the Box Office team at the time of booking, who can advise on the best places to sit for using the Sennheiser sets.
Captioned performances convert spoken word into text that appears on a screen as the words are sung or spoken on stage.
British Sign Language (BSL) performances feature a BSL interpreter, who stands at the side of the stage and interprets the show for D/deaf audiences.
Audio Described performances (via headphones) offer a live narration describing the action in the pauses between the onstage dialogue, for those who are blind or partially sighted. Free Touch Tours also accompany these performances and are a chance to explore the set before the show begins.
Relaxed performances are specifically set up to be more sensitive to audiences who may benefit from a more relaxed environment, including people with autistic spectrum conditions, learning disabilities or young children. The house lights will be partially on, sound levels reduced, and audience members can come and go as they please and make noise if they want to.
Dementia Friendly performances are carefully tailored for those living with dementia and their friends, family or carers, so everyone can enjoy the show in a supportive, comfortable, and relaxed environment. Adaptations include reduced volume of music when dialogue is taking place.
Visitor Information
Our address
Oxford Playhouse, Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2LW
Box Office 01865 305305
www.oxfordplayhouse.com
Box Office Opening Hours
• We are open Monday to Saturday 12 noon until the start of the evening performance.
• When there is no evening performance, we close at 6pm. On Sundays and Bank Holidays we are closed unless we have a performance scheduled, in which case we open 90 minutes before the start.
• We open one hour before the start of morning performances.
How to get to us
Park and Ride: Using one of Oxford’s five Park and Ride services is usually the easiest way to get into the city. For more information visit www.oxford.gov.uk/parkandridesites
Train: Oxford Rail Station is a 10-minute walk. For Oxford Parkway, use the Park and Ride.
Bus and Coach: The main Bus and Coach Station is two minutes’ walk away on Gloucester Green.
Cycling: There are cycle racks located on Gloucester Street.
Car parking: Nearby car parks include Gloucester Green (closest), Worcester Street, Abbey Place and Oxpens. There are on-street-pay-and-display meters on St Giles and in Jericho just off Walton Street. For Blue Badge holders the nearest parking to the venue is a 5-minute walk away located on New Inn Hall Street.
Traffic Restrictions: Routes into the city centre are changing, please check www.oxfordshire.gov.uk for up-to-date information.
Family Friendly
• Free booster seats.
• Baby changing area located on the ground floor.
• Babies are welcome to family shows for free. Please book a free lap ticket at the Box Office. 24 months and under for Main Stage shows, 12 months and under for BT Studio shows unless otherwise stated (as some BT shows are specifically for babies).
• Grazing cups available for many family shows, so your little ones can enjoy lunch whilst watching the show. Book in advance
