Oxford Playhouse Autumn 2012 Guide

Welcome to a Playhouse for Everyone

Free What’s On GuideJuly 2012 to January 2013

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01865 305305www.oxfordplayhouse.com

OPINI ON01865 305305www.oxfordplayhouse.com

Welcome to Oxford PlayhouseJuly 2012 to January 2013

A very warm welcome to the new season at OP.

With shows to take us through to Christmas, there are months of happy theatre-going ahead. We’ve done our best to bring you the finest quality selection of drama, dance, music and talks, so sit back and browse through what’s on offer, and then get booking!

There are some notable performers taking to the Playhouse stage this season; don’t miss Antony Sher in Hysteria, a wonderful comedy about Freud, then Timothy West in Ronald Harwood’s enthralling play The Handyman, and Tom Conti in a compelling courtroom drama, Rough Justice.


OPINI ON01865 305305www.oxfordplayhouse.com

Finally, please don’t miss a world class theatre event on your doorstep; Ireland’s Druid theatre company are with us in August with a fine trilogy of plays by Tom Murphy. This is a once in a life-time opportunity, so book now and be part of something very special.

Do spread the word about what’s on offer at the Playhouse; your support through ticket sales is vital for our survival, so why not invite friends along to join you?

Do let the team here know what you think about OP and the shows you’ve seen. Email [email protected] or write in the comments book at the Ticket Office.

Michelle Dickson Director, Oxford Playhouse

There are brilliant ensembles to look forward to; Kneehigh returns after the unforgettable Brief Encounter with a new version of Steptoe and Son, The Watermill’s fine actor musicians give us Radio Times; a joyful celebration of war-time music led by Gary Wilmot, and we have put together another splendid company of performers to create our annual panto; Dick Whittington, once again written and directed by Peter Duncan.

There’s a great evening of dance from Candoco, and new opera from Music Theatre Wales. Both companies are at the top of their game, so if you haven’t seen them before, try them out and see what you’ve been missing.

And if that’s not enough, there’s plenty to see in the Burton Taylor Studio, and around the city and county as part of Playhouse Plays Out. Catch our touring tent over the summer – free performances and plenty of fun for the entire family. Also try Dim Sum Nights for a winning combination of theatre and food, or head to the library for The Quiet Volume; an absorbing experience for two people at a time.

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Welcome to Oxford PlayhouseNew season now on sale…

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Fri 6 to Sun 8 JulyThe Aeneid: The Journey Translated and adapted by Joanne Pearce

Tue 26 to Sat 30 JuneThe Real Thing By Tom Stoppard

Henry is a brilliant and celebrated playwright. With his wife Charlotte in the starring role, his new play examines the complexity of love and infidelity. But when passions ignite and his own marriage becomes entwined with that of Charlotte’s co-star, Max, and Max's wife, Annie, Henry’s reality and fiction blur. As he struggles to write a new work, the players in this game of deceit and lust are all searching, but can any of them find ‘the real thing’?

English Touring Theatre returns to the Playhouse with Tom Stoppard’s witty and thought-provoking exposé of love and betrayal.

Virgil’s epic poem, The Aeneid, tells the famous story of love, deception, patriotism and war. Rarely staged, this exciting new adaptation by Royal Shakespeare Company Associate Joanne Pearce covers the first six books and is performed here by pupils from The Magdalen College School Theatre Academy.

Don’t forget…

Show times Tue to Thu & Sat eves: 7.30pm Fri: 8pm Thu & Sat mats: 2.30pm

Ticket prices £9.50 to £24.50

Show times Fri: 7.30pm Sat: 4pm Sun: 6.30pm

Ticket price £12

Enjoy! membership 50% off Tue and Sat matinee

Post show talk Thu 28 Jun (matinee)

Look out for… The Sacred Flame on page 26

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Signed performance Sat 21 Jul matinee

Pre show talks FREE with members of University of Oxford and Oxford Brookes English Faculties

Post show talks Wed 18 and Wed 25 Jul


Tue 10 to Thu 26 JulyHamlet Directed by Dominic Dromgoole and Bill Buckhurst

Mon 9 to Sat 14 JulyEducating Rita By Willy Russell Directed by Tamara Harvey

A gem of British theatre, Educating Rita is the unforgettable story of the relationship between a feisty Liverpudlian hairdresser and a jaded university professor. Rita has a passion for literature and is intent upon self-improvement. Frank’s disillusionment with life has driven him to the bottle. As Rita grapples with the trials of education, Frank learns to believe in himself again. Starring Olivier Award-winning Matthew Kelly and Claire Sweeney.

A truly great play...a succession of blissful one-liners. Daily Telegraph

Learning that his father, the King, is dead, Hamlet returns home to find his uncle married to his mother and installed upon the Danish throne. At night, the ghost of the old king demands that Hamlet avenge his ‘foul and most unnatural murder’.

For the fifth year running Oxford Playhouse and the University of Oxford’s Bodleian Library are delighted to be hosting the Globe Theatre on Tour, with players taking to an Elizabethan style stage in the beautiful and atmospheric setting of the Old Schools Quadrangle.

Don’t forget…

Show times Mon to Thu & Sat eves: 7.30pm Fri: 8pm Thu & Sat mats: 2.30pm

Show times Tue to Sun eves: 7.45pm Sat 21 Jul: 3.30pm Sun matinees: 2.30pm No show Thu 12 Jul

Ticket price £18

Enjoy! membership / Groups 10+ £15 (all shows)

Ticket prices £12 to £27 (no discounts Fri & Sat eves)

Enjoy! membership 25% off Mon and Sat matinee

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Tue 24 and Wed 25 JulyDickens’ Women Devised and written by Miriam Margolyes and Sonia Fraser

Mon 16 to Sat 21 JulyVolcano By Noël Coward

Jenny Seagrove leads an all-star cast, including Dawn Steele and Jason Durr, in Noël Coward’s undiscovered masterpiece – Volcano.

Recently widowed Adela Shelly finds herself being seduced by the suave Guy Littleton, a visitor to her elegant Pacific house on the side of a volcano. When Guy’s acid-tongued wife Melissa decides to fly in to see off the competition, she isn’t prepared for the fact that Adela’s best friend, Ellen, might also be falling for her husband’s charms. As tensions begin to erupt, so does the volcano, with explosive consequences...

As part of this year’s celebrations for the bicentenary of Charles Dickens, Miriam Margolyes reprises her acclaimed Olivier Award-nominated production, Dickens’ Women.

Portraying over 23 of his best-loved characters, from doe-eyed young heroines to brow-beating old harridans, Miriam, together with her audience, sets out to discover Dickens himself.

Don’t forget…

Show times Mon to Thu & Sat eves: 7.30pm Fri: 8pm Thu & Sat mats: 2.30pm

Post show talk Tue 17 Jul

Show times Tue & Wed eves: 7.30pm Wed mat: 2.30pm

Post show talk Tue 24 Jul

Ticket prices £12 to £27 (no discounts Fri & Sat eves)

Enjoy! membership 25% off Mon and Sat matinee

Ticket prices £9.50 to £20

Enjoy! membership 25% off Tue


Until Sunday 12 AugustWe’re Playing Out in a Tent…

Until Saturday 29 SeptemberThe Oxford Poetry Walk Oxford Playhouse and Live Canon Devised and directed by Helen Eastman

Oxford Playhouse’s new travelling theatre tent will be visiting festivals, carnivals and fêtes throughout the summer.

Inside there will be brilliant shows for children, workshops, crafts, games and some theatrical surprises to discover, as well as somewhere for mum and dad to relax with a cuppa, and all for free. So whether you’re looking for family fun or an interactive experience from the comfort of a cosy armchair under canvas, watch out for the Playhouse Plays Out Tent – coming to a green space near you!

Pick up an MP3 player, headphones and an illustrated map from the Playhouse Ticket Office and set off on an hour-long walk around Oxford, with specially selected and recorded poetry for company.

The Oxford Poetry Walk includes poems from literary greats such as Gerard Manley Hopkins and Oscar Wilde, as well as some more contemporary work. Performed by Live Canon.

What a superb experience! I would advise everyone to do the Poetry Walk – and at only £3 it must be the best value in Oxford. Audience member

Show times Mon to Sat: 10am to 6pm (or 4.30pm when there is no evening show at Oxford Playhouse).

Ticket price £3

Confirmed locations include: Restore summer fête, Blackbird Leys Playday, Witney Playday, Berinsfield village fête, Oxford Olympic Torch Relay and many more.

visit www.oxfordplayhouse.com for full details

(You will need to leave identification as a deposit, MP3 players must be returned within 2 hours)

Look out for… More Playing Out on pages 50 and 51

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Thursday 26 July The Princess Royal Trust for Carers

Who Cares – Concert for Carers

Enjoy an evening of blues and latino jazz performed by the Rockliff Jam band in aid of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers. The nine-piece line-up includes world-class musicians who have performed with many stars including Bryan Ferry, Eric Clapton, David Bowie and Tom Jones, to name but a few. The band is led by Oxford producer and pianist Francis Rockliff, alongside local players, Ric Sanders (Fairport Convention), John Coghlan (Status Quo) and the legendary Roy Young (The Beatles and Wings) on keyboards and vocals. Special guests, from the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent, will be the Jive Aces.

All proceeds go to The Princess Royal Trust for Carers; a charity that helps improve the lives of the six million unpaid child and adult carers in the UK who provide £119 billion of support to their families every year.

Francis Rockliff is a consummate and hugely engaging entertainer. Financial Times

Rockliff Jam

Show time7.30pm (Reception from 6.30pm)

Ticket price£25 (no discounts)Includes a glass of fizz and canapés on arrival.

Find out more about The Princess Royal’s Trust for Carers at www.carers.org See the full band line-up at www.rockliffjam.com

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Show timesMon: 1.30pm & 4pmTue & Wed: 10.30am & 1.30pm

Ticket pricesAdults £11Children £9 (no booking fee)

Age guideline 2+

Running time 90 minutes inc. interval

Free booster seats available

Monday 13 to Wednesday 15 August

Wheels on the Bus Written and directed by Marc Day

Climb aboard Buster the big red bus and meet all of his friends as they embark on a magical, fun-packed adventure! Filled with music and songs, this delightful show for all the family has been developed by teachers to support early years learning.

Featuring sing-a-long favourites including If You’re Happy and you Know It; Frère Jaques; The Grand Old Duke of York; Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes and The Wheels on the Bus.

After the show, why not stay and play for free with all the toys in our circle bar?

My two-year-old daughter sang all the way through…this was a brilliant first time at the theatre for her. Wheels on the Bus is a great, fun show. Audience member

Richard Temple


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Saturday 18 to Saturday 25 August

DruidMurphyConversations on a Homecoming, A Whistle in the Dark and Famine By Tom Murphy Directed by Garry Hynes

Tony Award-winning Druid presents DruidMurphy – a major celebration of the work of Tom Murphy, one of Ireland’s most respected dramatists.

Part of the London 2012 Festival – the finale of the Cultural Olympiad – DruidMurphy is an epic tale of Irish emigration. Crossing oceans and spanning decades, DruidMurphy covers the period from The Great Hunger of the 19th century to the ‘new’ Ireland of the 70s, exploring what we mean when we call a place home. Told over three plays, experienced over three evenings or in an entire cycle on one day, DruidMurphy promises to be one of the theatrical events of the year.

The plays are three of the greatest by Tom Murphy: Famine, set in 1846 as the people of County Mayo face the prospect of deep starvation; A Whistle in the Dark, where Irish emigrants adapt aggressively to life in Coventry in the 1960s; and Conversations on a Homecoming, following Michael’s return home to Galway from New York after a ten-year absence.

Directed by Garry Hynes, described by the New York Times as “probably the foremost interpreter of Irish drama in the world today,” the cast includes Aaron Monaghan who had lead roles in Druid’s The Cripple of Inishmaan and The Playboy of the Western World in Oxford.

Direct from London and New York, Oxford Playhouse is the only UK venue outside London presenting DruidMurphy. Don’t miss this astounding international theatre event here on your doorstep.


Show timesSat 18: DruidMurphy cycle from 1.30pm – 10.15pmMon 20: Famine at 7.30pmTue 21: A Whistle in the Dark at 7.30pmWed 22: Conversations on a Homecoming at 7.30pmThu 23: Famine at 2.30pmThu 23: A Whistle in the Dark at 7.30pmFri 24: Conversations on a Homecoming at 8pmSat 25: DruidMurphy cycle from 1.30pm – 10.15pm

Enjoy! membership£5 off cycle tickets£2 off individual tickets

Ticket pricesSaturday cycle: £50, discounts £45Midweek cycle*: £45, discounts £40Individual weekday show: £20, discounts £18

*A midweek cycle of one performance of each of the shows, in any combination, can only be booked via the Ticket Office.

Druid gratefully acknowledges the support of Culture Ireland with the UK tour and the Arts Council of Ireland in funding the original staging of this production.

OPINIONWithout a doubt, an unmissable theatre experience, which we're privileged to have in Oxford. Come for an epic, unforgettable day, or spread the excitement across the week. Either way, book soon to be part of something very special.

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Druid in a co-production with Quinnipiac University Connecticut, NUI Galway, Lincoln Center Festival and Galway Arts Festival

Murphy...the nearest thing to a genius that Ireland can boast of. Guardian

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Show timesMon to Thu & Sat eves: 7.30pmFri: 8pmThu & Sat mats: 2.30pm

Ticket pricesMon to Wed eves & Sat mat: £12.50 £18.50 £22.50 £25.50Thu to Sat eves: £12.50 £21 £25 £28Thu mat: £12.50 £16.50 £20.50 £23.50 (no discounts Fri & Sat eves)

Enjoy! membership 25% off Monday25% off Saturday matinee

Post show talkTue 28 Aug

Monday 27 August to Saturday 1 September

HysteriaWritten and directed by Terry Johnson Starring Antony Sher

1939. 82-year-old Sigmund Freud has fled from Nazi-occupied Austria to a Hampstead suburb to spend his dying days in peace. But when surrealist painter Salvador Dali unexpectedly turns up in his study, along with a young woman who finds it impossible to keep her clothes on, all hell breaks loose.

Winning the Evening Standard award for Best Comedy and the Writers’ Guild award for the Best Play in the West End, Hysteria is part broad farce, part case-history, and brings together two of the world’s greatest and most eccentric minds.

Olivier Award-winning Antony Sher stars as Freud. One of the leading actors of his generation, Antony recently starred in Broken Glass in the West End and Travelling Light at the National Theatre. Completing the cast are Will Keen, Indira Varma and David Horovitch.

Writer and director Terry Johnson’s many credits include One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Hitchcock Blonde, Entertaining Mr Sloane, The Graduate and Dead Funny. He won the 2010 Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical for La Cage aux Folles.

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Theatre Royal Bath Productions

One of the most brilliantly original and entertaining new plays I have seen in years.Sunday Times

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Monday 3 to Saturday 8 September

Murder on the Nile By Agatha Christie

Now in its seventh year, the official Agatha Christie Theatre Company presents a new production of the queen of crime’s classic thriller, Murder on the Nile. On board a steamer, cruising under the scorching Egyptian sun, honeymooners Simon Mostyn and his wealthy socialite wife Kay find themselves being pursued by an old flame of the newly wedded groom.

Then tragedy strikes... A body is discovered. All fingers point to Simon’s ex-fiancée. But everything is not what it seems, and holidaying cleric Canon Pennefather is drawn into a web of intrigue and deceit as he finds himself on the trail of a ruthless murderer.

Murder on the Nile promises a host of colourful characters and all the twists and turns of a classic Christie thriller to keep you guessing to the final shattering climax.




Enjoy! membership 25% off Monday 25% off Saturday matinee

Post show talk Tue 4 Sep

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Bill Kenwright

A superb production. Twisting, turning and keeping audiences guessing until the end.Observer

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Monday 10 to Saturday 15 September

Dry RotBy John Chapman

A crooked bookie and his two accomplices devise a cunning plan to ‘get rich quick’; kidnap the odds-on favourite horse and replace it with their own decrepit nag. But Honest Alf, Flash Harry and Fred find more hurdles than they bargained for on their way to the finishing post – a comatose horse, a blossoming love affair and a bewildered French jockey all see chaos reign under the roof of the eccentric Colonel Wagstaff and his wife.

Listed in the National Theatre’s top 100 plays, this vintage 1950s comedy ran for more than three years in the West End. Written by John Chapman, who wrote over 200 TV comedies including the Emmy Award-winning Fresh Fields, Happy Ever After and The Liver Birds, this hilarious farce is one of the finest examples of the genre.

Secret doors, split-second timing, flawless physical comedy and an all-star cast with some of the country’s best loved faces including Liza Goddard, Gareth Hale, Norman Pace, Susan Penhaligon, Neil Stacy and Derren Nesbitt, make Dry Rot a sure bet for an explosive night that will have you roaring with laughter.



Ticket pricesMon to Wed eves & Sat mat: £9.50 £15.50 £19.50 £22.50Thu to Sat eves: £10 £18 £22 £25Thu mat: £9.50 £11.50 £17 £20


Post show talkTue 11 Sep

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Ian Fricker

Possibly the greatest Whitehall comedy winner of them all. Evening News


Monday 17 September

Shylock Written and directed by Gareth Armstrong

Villain..? Victim..? Or someone even more intriguing? Following the sell-out Under Milk Wood, Guy Masterson returns to the Playhouse with a show about one of Shakespeare’s most controversial characters.

One of only two Jewish men in the whole of the Bard’s works, the character Shylock has been considered comic villain, discriminated victim and everything in between. In this fascinating and humorous evening, Shylock is unmasked by his only friend, Tubal, in a series of clever impersonations; from Pontius Pilate to Edmund Kean, Barabbas to Adolf Hitler. Tubal plays all the characters in all of Shylock’s scenes in The Merchant of Venice, leaving us with a much deeper understanding of the character behind the controversy. Shylock deserves to be packed out every show. It reflects the deepest love and understanding of Shakespeare's genius. HHHHH Scotsman

Theatre Tours International

Show time7.30pm

Ticket prices£11 £13 £16 £18

Enjoy! membership 25% off

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Show time8pm

Ticket prices£11 £13 £16 £18 (no discounts)

Tuesday 18 September

Marcus Brigstocke: The Brig Society

Marcus Brigstocke presents the total restructuring of every aspect of British life – organised through the medium of jokes. Win a free hospital or even a school! Second prize is a major high street bank.

One of Britain’s finest comedians and broadcasters, Marcus Brigstocke brings his new show, The Brig Society, to the Playhouse stage. The award-winning satirist is a firm favourite with comedy fans and The Brig Society promises to be as sharply observant and quick-witted as his much loved catalogue of work.

Dazzling, inspired, perfectly observed. I’ve yet to see anything funnier. Daily Telegraph

Off the Kerb



Thursday 20 September

Candoco Dance CompanyChallenging the perception of what dance is and who can dance, Candoco is a company of disabled and non-disabled dancers.

Celebrating its 20th year, the company makes its much anticipated return to the Playhouse with an anniversary triple-bill from acclaimed choreographers Javier de Frutos, Wendy Houstoun and Trisha Brown.

The evening begins with a world premiere by Evening Standard Theatre Award-winner Javier de Frutos inspired by the poetry of Tennessee Williams. Dance theatre artist Wendy Houstoun combines movement, text and elaborate costumes in a light-hearted performance loosely based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest. The bill is completed with a restaging of contemporary dance pioneer Trisha Brown’s joyful signature piece Set and Reset/Reset.

The spoken elements and post show talk are sign interpreted.

Candoco

Show time7.30pm

Ticket prices£9.50 £12.50 £17.50 £19.50


Post show talk with members of the company

OPINIONCandoco has put together this triple-bill especially for Oxford. Set and Reset by Trisha Brown is one of my favourite ever pieces of dance, and it will be a real treat to see it here. Wendy Houstoun’s piece is completely different and great fun, and the promise of a world premiere from Javier de Frutos completes what should be a memorable evening.

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Show time8pm

Ticket prices£12 £15 £17


Friday 21 September

Fever Pitch Adapted and directed by Paul Hodson

From the moment he first walked through the turnstiles at Arsenal Football Club, Nick Hornby was hooked. Adapted from his best-selling novel, Fever Pitch follows Hornby’s journey from young boy to adulthood – every moment measured against Arsenal fixtures.

Harking back to the days when football was the people’s game rather than the plaything of corporate sponsors and oligarchs, Fever Pitch is fast, funny, exhilarating theatre; a tale of family, class, identity and joy.

Unsparingly funny. Time Out

The Future is Unwritten


Saturday 22 September

Kate RusbyFollowing previous sell-out visits, Kate Rusby returns to Oxford Playhouse to celebrate the release of her latest album, Twenty, and herald her 20th year in the music industry.

The defining voice of contemporary English folk music, Kate Rusby fuses her own interpretations of traditional songs alongside self-penned tunes.

Joined on stage here by her talented band, Kate will revisit old favourites with new twists, and perform a sprinkling of well-loved classics from her extensive back catalogue.

Her voice remains a thing of extraordinary beauty. Mojo

Pure Records

Show time7.30pm

Ticket price£19.50

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Show time7.30pm

Ticket prices £10 £15 £20


Running time2 hours inc. interval

Pre show talk6.30pm Top Room With director Michael McCarthy. Tickets: FREE

Sunday 30 September

In the Locked Room and Ghost Patrol

Following Greek and In the Penal Colony, Music Theatre Wales presents this thrilling double-bill exploring the capacity of the mind to shape our lives.

A closed door sparks an obsession so strong that the boundaries between reality and fantasy begin to blur in Huw Watkins’ In the Locked Room, based on short story by Thomas Hardy. With words by crime novelist Louise Welsh, Stuart MacRae’s Ghost Patrol sees three people, who have been trying to escape their past, collide, uncovering a terrible secret and unleashing inevitable tragedy.

Watkins and MacRae are rapidly establishing themselves amongst the leading composers in the UK. Music Theatre Wales is renowned for presenting cutting edge opera with outstanding performers and its trademark theatrical flair. This co-production, with Scottish Opera, made its premiere at the 2012 Edinburgh International Festival.

A Music Theatre Wales and Scottish Opera co-production


OPINIONDon’t turn the page thinking opera isn’t for you. We programme new opera that is exciting, theatrical, sung in English and ideal for newcomers or fans. These two pieces are an excellent introduction, and so I urge you to give it a go.

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Tuesday 25 to Saturday 29 September

Radio TimesMusic by Noel Gay Book by Abi GrantScript revised by Alex Armitage

In the heart of the West End in Blitz-torn London, the cast of the BBC wireless show, ‘Variety Bandwagon’, prepare to do their bit for the war effort with some light entertainment. But with half the cast missing, an officious producer, no script and the air-raid siren wailing, their live broadcast to America seems doomed to fail. That is until star of the show, Sammy Shaw, arrives with minutes to spare and unveils his secret weapon; Hollywood movie icon Gary Strong.

Can the eclectic cast deliver a show that will win the hearts of the American people? And can Sammy hang on to girlfriend Olive’s love now her old flame Gary is back on the scene?

A heart-warming and highly entertaining musical, Radio Times is chock-full of quick-fire gags and classic songs from the heyday of radio including: Run Rabbit Run, Hey Little Hen and There’s Something About a Soldier. Performed by a talented company of actor musicians supporting West-End stars Gary Wilmot and Sara Crowe, this critically-acclaimed, uplifting show will send you home singing and dancing.


Show timesTue to Thu & Sat eves: 7.30pmFri: 8pmThu & Sat mats: 2.30pm

Ticket pricesTue & Wed eves & Sat mat: £9.50 £15.50 £19.50 £22.50Thu to Sat eves: £10 £18 £22 £25Thu mat: £9.50 £11.50 £17 £20

Enjoy! membership 50% off Tuesday 50% off Saturday matinee

Post show talkWed 26 Sep

OPINIONI had a completely joyful time watching this show! The performances are fantastic and the music is irresistible; it’s another hit show from The Watermill that will make our audiences very happy.

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The Watermill Theatre and Radio Times Ltd

Radio Times gives us a couple of golden hours in the company of Gay’s songs. HHHH Daily Telegraph

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Tuesday 2 to Saturday 6 October

The Sacred FlameBy W. Somerset Maugham Director Matthew Dunster

Following the successes of Far from the Madding Crowd, Eden End and The Real Thing, English Touring Theatre returns to the Playhouse with The Sacred Flame; W. Somerset Maugham’s deftly written exploration of love, devotion and family.

War hero Maurice Tabret returns home to his beautiful wife, Stella, and his loving family. But when tragedy strikes and foul play is raised, one question prevails; what lengths would you go to for love?

Part love story, part thriller, this fascinating and graceful play, by the enduringly popular playwright and novelist, is directed by Matthew Dunster whose previous credits include Mogadishu, as well as Love the Sinner for the National Theatre and Doctor Faustus for Shakespeare’s Globe.





Post show talkWed 3 Oct

Captioned performance Wed 3 Oct at 7.30pm Audio described performance Sat 6 Oct at 2.30pm Touch Tour at 1pm

OPINIONETT has unearthed a treasure with this play. Sometimes rarely performed plays are best left that way, but not in this case; it's beautifully written and brilliantly plotted, and will be a dramatic treat in our season.

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English Touring Theatre

English, Touring and Theatre are three wonderful words. Put together they are more wonderful still. Sir Ian McKellen

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Wednesday 10 to Saturday 13 October

A View from the BridgeBy Arthur Miller

I see it in his eyes; he’s laughing at her and he’s laughing at me. When illegal immigrants Marco and Rodolpho arrive in Brooklyn from Italy they are welcomed into longshoreman Eddie Carbone’s household, as well as the community. But as his niece begins to fall in love with Rodolpho, Eddie’s attitude quickly changes. Is his determination to shield her simply paternal protection, or a more sinister obsession?

Set in 1950s America, Arthur Miller’s classic play addresses issues from the psychological and social; exploring the power of the community to both condemn and redeem. University of Oxford Student Company, Broken Lyre Productions presents this Tony Award-winning gem.


Show timesWed, Thu & Sat eves: 7.30pmFri: 8pmThu & Sat mats: 2.30pm

Ticket prices£9.50 £10.50 £12.50 £15.50Student tickets: £9.50available in advance

Enjoy! membership 50% off Wednesday50% off Saturday matinee

Post show talkThu 11 Oct (evening)

Pre show talksThu 11 Oct: 1.15pm Auditoriumand Fri 12 Oct: 6.45pm Top Room Tickets: FREEPlease note, the Top Room is not accessible for wheelchair users

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University of Oxford Student Company: Broken Lyre


Sunday 14 October Oxfam presents

Eight Stories HighSeventy years ago, not far from Oxford Playhouse, a small group of people were moved by stories of poverty and suffering. They wanted to make a difference, so they created Oxfam.

Today, the organisation is a global movement for change millions strong. Eight Stories High is a unique evening of big ideas, each presented by a special guest with a remarkable story to share. From short films to big performances, Eight Stories High will entertain, inspire and move you. Make sure you’re part of the story.

For more details on the line-up, keep an eye on www.oxfordplayhouse.com

Oxfam

Show time7pm

Ticket prices £50 (no discounts) All proceeds go to Oxfam. Hospitality packages available.

www.oxfam.org.uk/oxfordshire

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Tuesday 16 to Saturday 20 OctoberRay Galton and Alan Simpson’s Steptoe and SonAdapted and directed by Emma Rice

Two men. Two World Wars. Two lives knitted together as tight as a thrice darned sock.

Bound together by birth, business and bloody bad luck, Albert and Harold Steptoe wake up every morning to the same old, same old, sickening sight of each other. Joined at the hip and heart, they bother, bicker and banter their way through life – toying with each other’s frailties like mean kittens. Do they even notice the world turning as they cling on? There are ladies if they would only look around them, and space travel… and Cliff Richard!

Adapted from the legendary scripts of Galton and Simpson, Steptoe and Son charts the tender, cruel and surprising dance of father and son. Kneehigh, the masters of magical storytelling, make a welcome return following Brief Encounter, The Red Shoes and The Wild Bride with this darkly comic and deeply moving 20th century icon, reimagined for the new millennium.

Kneehigh and West Yorkshire Playhouse



Enjoy! membership 50% off Tuesday50% off Saturday matinee

Post show talkWed 17 Oct

Look out for…Kneehigh LowdownThu 18 Oct 12pmA workshop with Kneehigh company founder Mike Shepherd see page 62





Post show talkTue 23 Oct

Captioned performance Thu 25 Oct at 2.30pm Audio described performance Sat 27 Oct at 2.30pm Touch Tour at 1pm

Look out for… Out of Joint: Summer Drama Course for ages 17+ on page 59 Page to Stage: Schools’ Workshop Wed 24 and Thu 25 Oct on page 63

Tuesday 23 to Saturday 27 October

Our Country’s GoodBy Timberlake WertenbakerBased on The Playmaker by Thomas Keneally

Australia, 1789. An ambitious young lieutenant, Ralph Clark, is set the task of directing newly arrived convicts in the Restoration comedy The Recruiting Officer, in celebration of the King’s birthday. But with a dispirited cast, only two copies of the script, opposition from hostile officers, a leading lady who faces the gallows, and Ralph’s uncontrollable passion for one of his convict players, Australia’s first theatre production is in trouble from the start.

A true story from the first convict colony, Our Country’s Good is a funny and heartfelt play that has won a host of awards, including an Olivier Award for Play of the Year.

Legendary theatre director Max Stafford-Clark returns to the Playhouse following the triumphant Top Girls, with this new production. Don’t miss the opportunity to catch it in Oxford before it transfers to the West End.

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Out of Joint and Octagon Theatre Bolton

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Rarely has the redemptive, transcendental power of theatre been argued with such eloquence and passion. Independent

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Monday 29 October to Saturday 3 November

The HandymanBy Ronald Harwood Directed by Joe HarmstonStarring Timothy West, Caroline Langrishe and Adrian Lukis with video testimony from Vanessa Redgrave as Sister Sophia

Cressida and Julian Field live comfortably in the Sussex countryside with their elderly Ukrainian odd-job man Romka. He cooks, mends fences, trims hedges and grows vegetables. Cressida calls him her ‘life-saver’. Then suddenly the police arrive. What has Romka done? Is he guilty? And is there a time-limit of punishment?

Starring Timothy West and written by Academy Award-winner Ronald Harwood, The Handyman looks at justice and revenge in a story that intrigues from start to finish.

Timothy West is one of the UK’s favourite stage and TV actors. His many stage credits include Ronald Harwood’s Quartet, The Winslow Boy, The Master Builder and Henry IV, all at Oxford Playhouse. On television, he has appeared in Bleak House, Lewis and Poirot, to name but a few, and his film credits include Iris.

Ronald Harwood is one of the world’s leading dramatists. His plays include The Dresser, Taking Sides, Quartet, Mahler’s Conversion, An English Tragedy and Collaboration. He has written the screenplay for many films including The Pianist (Academy Award), The Dresser (Academy Award nomination) The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (Academy Award nomination) and Being Julia.



Ticket pricesMon to Wed eves & Sat mat: £12.50 £18.50 £22.50 £25.50Thu to Sat eves: £12.50 £21 £25 £28Thu mat: £12.50 £16.50 £20.50 £23.50(no discounts Fri & Sat eves)


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Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

Harwood is now unquestionably our greatest living playwright. Sunday Telegraph

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Sunday 4 November

TEDxOxfordTEDxOxford is organised by University of Oxford students, aiming to bring together the young minds of tomorrow’s world with the movers and shakers of today.

Speakers from all walks of life will meet at the Playhouse to discuss their visions, experiences and dreams, fuelling discussion about the power of ideas. In the spirit of the TED ethos, ‘ideas worth spreading’, TEDxOxford will be an explosion of imagination and innovation, facilitating discussion amongst those who believe that ‘improbable’ is only a word. Confirmed speakers include Rory Sutherland, Cindy Gallop, Akanksha Hazari and Bjorn Lomborg, with many more to be announced.

TedxOxford is aimed at 16 to 25 year olds. Visit www.oxfordplayhouse.com for more details.

TEDxOxford

Time11am to 6pm

Ticket prices£20 to £30 depending on how early you book (no discounts)

Ticket prices will increase incrementally every other week for the first six weeks TedxOxford is on sale. All ticket revenue above £10 per ticket will be donated to charity. Delegates can select which charity they support on the day.

Sponsored by Neptune Investment Management

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Show time6.30pm

Ticket price£20 (no discounts) All proceeds go to Helen and Douglas House

Sunday 18 November

Full Circle 2 In aid of Helen and Douglas House

Back by popular demand, Helen and Douglas House is proud to present a second night of Full Circle, the ‘tag’ chat show!

Based on the successful Radio 4 series Chain Reaction, the show consists of a series of interviews and discussions in a chain formation, coming full circle to complete the evening’s entertainment. Last year’s inaugural production featured David Mitchell, Jo Brand, John Lloyd, Tom Hollander and Sister Frances Dominica. This year’s line-up is yet to be announced but the evening will provide a variety of guests who will make you laugh out loud whilst they provide an insight into their lives.

Visit www.oxfordplayhouse.com for all the latest information on who is taking part.

Helen and Douglas House

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Monday 5 to Saturday 10 November

Rough JusticeBy Terence Frisby

Can you ever justify murder?

Television journalist James Highwood has made his career out of challenging the British Justice System. Now, suddenly, it is Highwood himself who is challenged when he is brought to court on a charge of murder. Admitting the killing but pleading manslaughter, he perversely chooses to defend himself, pushing the tolerance of the court to its limits.

Tom Conti stars in this explosive courtroom drama debating whether it can ever be morally or lawfully justified to take another person’s life. This gripping play, full of twists and turns, makes the audience judge and jury, questioning whether it’s right to take the law into your own hands.

One of the UK’s most loved actors, Tom Conti won an Olivier Award in the West End and a Tony Award on Broadway for his performance in Whose Life is It Anyway? He was also nominated for an Oscar as Best Actor for his role in Reuben Reuben.





Post show talkWed 7 Nov

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Rough Justice unfolds with deliberate elegance, teasing out the story line and its characters until the audience – given the task of jury – is utterly absorbed. Daily Telegraph

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Wednesday 14 to Saturday 17 November

A Little Night MusicMusic and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim | Book by Hugh Wheeler Suggested by a film by Ingmar Bergman Originally produced and directed on Broadway by Harold Prince

Set in the waltzing world of fin de siècle Sweden, Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music portrays the tangled web of liaisons amongst the Scandinavian elite.

Esteemed lawyer Fredrik Egerman is frustrated by his unconsummated marriage to his young wife Anne, so turns to his former flame, glamorous actress Désirée. When she invites the couple to her estate, what begins as a pleasant weekend in the country quickly descends into courteous chaos, complete with duelling pistols.

Multi award-winning Stephen Sondheim is one of our greatest living composers, famous for many musicals including Sweeney Todd and Company, as well as the lyrics for West Side Story. A Little Night Music boasts his trademark sweeping score and features the classic ballad Send in the Clowns. Both funny and heart-breaking, it is brought to life here with a rousing 20-piece orchestra by University of Oxford Student Company, Nightingale Productions.


Show timesWed, Thu & Sat eves: 7.30pmFri: 8pmThu & Sat mats: 2.30pm

Ticket prices£9.50 £10.50 £12.50 £15.50Student tickets: £9.50 available in advance

Enjoy! membership 50% off Wednesday50% off Saturday matinee


Pre show talkThu 15 Nov: 1.15pmTop RoomTickets: FREEPlease note, the Top Room is not accessible for wheelchair users

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University of Oxford Student Company: Nightingale Productions

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Tuesday 20 to Saturday 24 November

Mansfield ParkBy Jane AustenA new adaptation by Tim Luscombe

There certainly are not so many men of large fortune in the world as there are pretty women to deserve them…

Unceremoniously uprooted from her humble family home, Fanny Price is dropped into the bustling, aristocratic household of her uncle, Sir Thomas Bertram. Buffeted from one crisis to the next, one thing remains a constant; her love for the generous Edmund Bertram.

Can Fanny triumph over her adoptive family’s demands and follow her heart to acquire the husband and life she so desires and deserves? Or will she be forced to marry the charismatic Henry Crawford for connections and wealth alone?

Jane Austen’s glorious novel is brought to life in an elegant new adaptation by Tim Luscombe, directed by Colin Blumenau and designed by Kit Surrey.




Enjoy! membership 50% off Tuesday50% off Saturday matinee


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Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds

Director Colin Blumenau and designer Kit Surrey are ensuring that the restored theatre is presenting work of world standard. Stage

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© Illustration: www.korkypaul.com

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We’re holding out for a hero and there’s only one man that fits the bill…Dick Whittington!

London’s streets of gold are calling and, with his faithful cat by his side, our hero Dick goes searching for his fortune in the big city. But he won’t make it without your help! Be there to cheer Dick on along his journey; ‘boo’ at the biggest baddie of all time, King Rat, and ‘ahh’ at the object of Dick’s affections, the beautiful Alice. Packed full of fabulous tunes, stunning dancing plus lots of festive sparkle and chances to join in, this is going to be one Christmas panto not to miss.

So, what are you waiting for? Christmas just isn’t Christmas without an Oxford Playhouse panto and it’s never too early to book – oh yes it is, oh no it isn’t!

It’s nothing short of that Christmas present you always wanted but never really believed you’d get. Oxford Mail on Mother Goose 2011

Friday 30 November 2012 to Sunday 13 January 2013 An Oxford Playhouse PantomimeWritten and Directed by Peter Duncan

TICKETSFROM£12.50AND NO BOOKING FEE

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Signed language interpreted performance Sun 16 Dec at 11am Captioned performanceFri 28 Dec at 2pm Audio described performanceSat 5 Jan at 2pmTouch tours at 11.45am and 12.30pm

Don't forget...H No booking fees.H FREE booster seats for little people

so that everyone can see the action.H FREE games and toys in our Circle Bar

to keep everyone occupied before, after (and even during) the show.

H Very special rates for schools and groups of 10+ including some FREE tickets for teachers and leaders.

Dick Whittington Performance Schedule

January 10am 11am 2pm 3pm 4pm 6pm 7pm

Tue 1 No PERFoRmaNCES

Wed 2Thu 3Fri 4 Sat 5Sun 6mon 7 No PERFoRmaNCES

Tue 8Wed 9 Thu 10Fri 11Sat 12Sun 13 10am 11am 2pm 3pm 4pm 6pm 7pm

December 10am 11am 2pm 3pm 4pm 6pm 7pm

Sat 1Sun 2 No PERFoRmaNCES

mon 3Tue 4Wed 5Thu 6Fri 7 No PERFoRmaNCES

Sat 8Sun 9mon 10Tue 11Wed 12Thu 13Fri 14 No PERFoRmaNCES

Sat 15Sun 16mon 17 Tue 18Wed 19Thu 20Fri 21 No PERFoRmaNCES

Sat 22Sun 23 mon 24Tue 25 No PERFoRmaNCES

Wed 26Thu 27Fri 28Sat 29Sun 30mon 31 10am 11am 2pm 3pm 4pm 6pm 7pm

November 10am 11am 2pm 3pm 4pm 6pm 7pm

Fri 30

Ticket prices

Low £12.50 £15.50 £17.50 medium £14 £17 £19 High £16 £19 £21 Premium £18 £21 £23 Preview & End of Holiday Treat £12.50

For details of discounts please contact the Ticket Office.

It is two hours of sheer escapism and entertainment which will keep every member of the family grinning and laughing long after the show is over. Theatreworld on Mother Goose 2011

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Coming soon, now on sale…Cheek by Jowl with Barbican, London, Les Gémeaux/Sceaux/Scène Nationale et Comédie de Béthune, Centre Dramatique National Nord/Pas-de-Calais

Show timesTue to Thu & Sat eves: 7.30pmFri: 8pmSat mat: 2.30pm

Ticket pricesTue & Wed eves & Sat mat: £9.50 £15.50 £19.50 £22.50Thu to Sat eves: £10 £18 £22 £25


Performed in French with English surtitles

Tuesday 5 to Saturday 9 February 2013

Ubu Roi By Alfred Jarry Directed by Declan Donnellan Designed by Nick Ormerod

Following the incredible ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore, The Tempest and Andromaque, Cheek by Jowl makes a welcome return to the Playhouse with a new production of Alfred Jarry’s Ubu Roi, performed in French.

Charting the exploits of the tyrannical King Ubu, the play is a startling challenge to the comfortable and conventional. Menacing, petulant and wonderfully anarchic, Ubu’s behaviour leads to his downfall. With Shakespearean undertones, Ubu Roi is both funny and grotesque and outraged audiences when it was first performed in 1896.

Cheek by Jowl has an international reputation for bringing “fresh life to the classics using intense, vivid performances like a laser of light to set the text ablaze” (Guardian).


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Friday 14 September at 5pmBlofeld and Baxter: Memories of Test Match Special

Fridays at 5pmJoin us for Fridays at 5pm to get your weekend off to a flying start...

Friday 12 October at 5pmThe Annual Charles Simonyi Lecture Can Machines be Creative?


Join two of the titans of English cricket for a side-splitting Friday at 5pm full of memories from the Test Match Special commentary box. Peter Baxter and Henry Blofeld will relay never before heard anecdotes from their decades of broadcasting; reminiscing over legendary players, not to mention legendary gaffes, and tales from cricket grounds across the globe.

A sporting institution, Peter Baxter was the organising brain behind BBC Radio’s Test Match Special for 34 years and Henry ‘My Dear Old Thing’ Blofeld OBE is one of Britain’s most loved broadcasters.

This year’s Charles Simonyi Lecture is given by Luc Steels and asks can machines be creative enough to invent their own language?

Professor Steels will talk about some of his recent breakthrough experiments which have seen robots programmed to play language games and come up with novel concepts, words and meanings. He will discuss how this triggers a process of cultural evolution that leads to more complex forms of language and deliberate on what this tells us about the nature of our own intelligence and the future of artificial intelligence.

Luc Steels is ICREA Research Professor at the Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-UPF) in Barcelona and Director of the Sony Computer Science Laboratory in Paris.

Ticket prices £11 discounts £9



Fridays at 5pmJoin us for Fridays at 5pm to get your weekend off to a flying start...

Friday 2 November at 5pm Prue Leith CBE

Having played a key role in revolutionising how we think about food since the 1960s, Prue Leith describes herself as ‘greedy in all senses of the word’. Cook, caterer, restaurateur, writer, businesswoman, teacher, television presenter, charity worker, lover, wife and mother, she has certainly been greedy for life.

Prue has won a Michelin star, published several cookery books and novels, opened successful businesses, including Leith’s School of Food and Wine, and been a columnist for four national newspapers, amongst many other achievements.

For this Friday at 5pm, Prue talks about her life before taking questions from the audience and signing copies of her memoir: Relish: My Life on a Plate.


H Enjoy 25% or 50% off tickets for selected performances

H No booking fees on all discounted Enjoy! tickets

H Three FREE programme vouchers every year to use as you wish

H Guaranteed early mailing of OP What’s On Guides

H Priority booking periods every season

Membership: £50 per year.Sign up today with the Ticket Office.

ENJOY! MEMBERSHIP GIVES YOU 25% OR 50% OFF TWO TICKETS FOR ALMOST EVERY WEEK-LONG PRODUCTION AT OXFORD PLAYHOUSE.

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Monday 1 to Saturday 20 OctoberThe Quiet VolumeBy Ant Hampton and Tim Etchells Oxford Central Library, Westgate, OX1 1DJ

The Quiet Volume is a whispered, self-generated, magical performance for two people.

You and your companion sit side-by-side. Wearing headphones, you take cues from words both written and whispered, as you find yourself burrowing an unlikely path through a pile of books.

Taking place at Oxford Central Library, The Quiet Volume exposes the strange magic at the heart of the reading experience and exploits the particular tension common to any library worldwide; a combination of silence and concentration within which different peoples’ experiences of reading unfold.

An intimate and perfectly formed Playhouse Plays Out show for two.


Show timesMon to Thu: 11.30am to 5.45pm Fri & Sat: 11am to 4.15pm Performance times vary, please visit www.oxfordplayhouse.com for more info

Ticket price£6 for 2 people Please book in advance

Running time1 hour

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OPINIONOne of the creators of this piece made Etiquette, which was seen and loved by over 1000 people in Oxford. I’ve done it, and it's equally brilliant, and similarly discreet, so don't worry that you’re going to draw attention to yourself or have to do anything difficult. Just relax and enjoy a very special experience!

Commissioned and produced by Ciudades Paralelas, a portable festival by Lola Arias and Stefan Kaegi: www.ciudadesparalelas.com. In a coproduction with Vooruit Arts Centre, Belgium.

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Yellow Earth Theatre Monday 19 to Wednesday 21 NovemberDim Sum Nights Koi Chinese Restaurant, George Street, OX1 2AU

Do you like unique theatre? Do you like Chinese food? Then come and combine both in this delicious show! A show to tickle your taste buds…

Enjoy complimentary Dim Sum and tea before watching the award-winning Yellow Earth Theatre.

Dim Sum Nights offers up a selection of brilliant theatre written and performed by talented British Asian artists.

From an unlikely friendship made over a wedding banquet feast to a family dinner party consumed with love guilt and hunger, there is something to suit all theatrical tastes on the Dim Sum Nights menu.


Show time 7.30pm

Ticket price £12 (no discounts)

Running time1 hour 45 minutes


Burton Taylor Studio at Oxford Playhouse...

The Burton Taylor Studio is managed by oxford Playhouse on behalf of the University of oxford

oP’s Burton Taylor Studio programme is sponsored by HmG LaW

The Burton Taylor Studio is situated around the corner from oxford Playhouse on Gloucester Street

Friday 31 August and Saturday 1 September at 7.30pm Theatre FolksJamuna: Of a Woman in War and PeaceBy Selina Shelley

On the eve of her first exhibition, artist Jamuna faces a dilemma. Should she break free from the shackles of her past and risk being ostracized by her friends and family? Or keep quiet and break a promise?

Theatre Folks is a recently-formed local troupe of young professionals and students, committed to exploring topical political and social themes.

Tickets £8 discounts £6 Ages 12+

Wednesday 5 to Saturday 8 September at 7.30pm Saturday 8 at 2.30pm Eyestrings TheatreThe Duchess of MalfiA World Premiere By John Webster

A woman pays the price for daring to transgress her social status. A powerful family is destroyed by passion and cruelty. The Duchess of Malfi, directed by Cheek by Jowl’s Associate Director Owen Horsley, is a merciless exploration of morality, class and sex.

Tickets £10 discounts £8


Thursday 13 and Friday 14 September at 7.30pm Amerrycan TheatreMy Name is BillWritten and performed by Bryan Bounds

Bill’s the most extraordinary loser you’ll ever meet. A crack storyteller. A brilliant stockbroker. And a raging alcoholic in search of redemption. His life and a million lost souls hang in the balance. This moving one-man show reveals what happens on the day Bill Wilson hits rock bottom, turns down a drink and creates Alcoholics Anonymous.


Friday 28 and Saturday 29 September at 7.30pm Fuel presents Inua Ellams’Black T-shirt Collection

Direct from the National Theatre sell-out run, comes this new play by award-winning Inua Ellams. Black T-shirt Collection is a story about two foster brothers building a global T-shirt brand. On their journey from a market in Nigeria to a sweatshop in China, Matthew and Muhammed discover the consequences of success.

Ellams has an easy, laid-back charisma and pares poetic flair for narrative with admirable restraint. HHHH Time Out


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Thursday 4 and Friday 5 October at 7.30pm Farnham MaltingsNorthern Soul By Victoria Melody

Northern Soul is a bit about northern soul, it’s also a bit about pigeons, but mainly it’s about me. Victoria Melody

Northern Soul is a hilarious one-woman show about Victoria’s curiosity for other people’s passions and her attempts to join in.

This feel-good performance incorporates film, photos and paraphenalia in its comedic and engaging observation of unobserved Britain.

Surreal, funny and thoughtful. HHHH ThreeWeeks



Saturday 15 September at 7.30pmRichard Tyrone Jones’ Big Heart How do you fight back when your own heart tries to kill you?

For his thirtieth birthday, gym-going Richard Tyrone Jones got an unexpected present: heart failure. His solo debut is a healthy prescription of cardiomyopoetry and anecdosage, which asks: can almost dying actually improve your life? Richard will be supported by local spoken word guests in his performance.

Fascinating, sobering, hilarious and ultimately uplifting. New Scientist


Monday 13 to Saturday 18 August Every 15 minutes from 7pm to 10pm Everyday Moments: Late night, with headphones, in a completely, utterly dark room By Hofesh Shechter Fuel in association with Roundhouse Radio In 2011 Fuel commissioned Everyday Moments; a series of podcasts designed to be enjoyed at a particular time and place. This is the podcast from choreographer and musician Hofesh Shechter, an invitation to move without inhibition. The installation lasts 15 minutes and has been created to be listened to alone. It is a fascinating experience, not to be missed.

Tickets £3

Saturday 6 October at 8pm Fifth Word in association with Nottingham PlayhouseBones

Nottingham, 1998. Nineteen-year-old Mark is living a life he never signed-up to. Heavy with the responsibility of caring for his broken mum and her baby and pining for a past of Panda Pops, eggy bread and Brian Clough, Mark knows he has to do something drastic – but how far will he go?

Shockingly realistic…Left me agape in wide-eyed awe. HHHHH ThreeWeeks



Wednesday 12 September at 8pm Oxford Jazz Masters SeriesBEAM Hosting the evening will be the OxJaMS trio; George Haslam, Steve Kershaw and Richard Leigh-Harris. Special guests for this performance will be members of Oxford Improvisors, Paul Medley, Bruno Guastalla, Martin Hackett.


Tuesday 25 to Thursday 27 September at 7.30pm Aakash Odedra’s Rising Rising, performed by Aakash Odedra, uses dance, video and music to explore different processes and aesthetics that create a new, personal language. Aakash performs solo pieces choreographed by Russell Maliphant, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Akram Khan and a piece of his own, with lighting by Michael Hulls. The performance uses his background in Kathak and Bharatanatyam creating a new flavour of contemporary dance. It’s the dance equivalent of a red-carpet event… Guardian


Tuesday 2 and Wednesday 3 October at 7.30pm Yorke Dance ProjectWords Worth Following the critically acclaimed Americana, which played the BT in 2010, Yorke Dance Project presents its new show Words Worth. A mixed-bill of exceptional dance entertainment, the evening includes a new piece by Wendy Houstoun and a new work, NOTED, by director Yolande Yorke-Edgell, based on letters written by iconic figures over the past five centuries. The bill also features her acclaimed piece City Limits. Guest choreographer Anton Du Beke has created his first work for a contemporary dance company, inspired by Twelfth Night. The evening is completed Bella Lewitzky’s iconic solo Song of a Woman.



Saturday 7 July at 11am and 2pm TamTam Theatre CompanyLittle Hippo and his Magic Pen

Based on the story Petit Hippo et son Stylo Magique this interactive tale, told both in English and French, will invite even the smallest audience members to make their own use of Little Hippo’s pen.

Tickets £7.50 children £5.50 Ages 2 to 5

Saturday 15 September at 11am and 2pm house presents Long Nose PuppetsPenguin

When Ben opens a parcel, he finds a Penguin inside. “Hello Penguin!” says Ben but the Penguin says nothing. Ben tickles Penguin; he pulls his funniest face and sings a silly song but Penguin still says nothing. It isn't until a passing Lion intervenes that Penguin finally speaks...and when he does, Ben discovers something that was really worth the wait.

Based on the award-winning book by Polly Dunbar, Penguin fuses puppets, theatre, audience interaction and sing-a-long songs from Tom Gray of Gomez.


Saturday 6 October at 11am and 2pm Hiccup TheatreRumpelstiltskin A new version by Mike Kenny

Follow the troubled Miller’s daughter as she tries to outwit the greatest trickster of them all...

Hiccup Theatre spins live music, puppetry and mischievous storytelling into a golden new version of this classic fairy-tale by acclaimed Olivier Award-winning writer Mike Kenny.


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Thursday 20 to Sunday 23 September An Oxford Playhouse ProductionTea Time Devised and directed by Toby Hulse

A wonderfully silly celebration of meal times in words, song and music, inspired by the games we have all played around the kitchen table. From the same great team that brought you the sell-out Bath Time, Tea Time is the perfect show for anyone who has ever made an island out of mash with a sea of gravy, pretended a spoon of yoghurt was a steam train, or realised that food is just as much fun at the end of your nose as it is in your mouth! If you thought tea time was just about eating you’ll be holding out your plate for more…

The perfect show for this very young age group. Oxford Times on Bath Time


Performance Schedule

Sep 10am 11am 12pm 2pm 3pm 4pm

Thu 20

Fri 21

Sat 22

Sun 23



A Playhouse for Everyone

Get Closer to Oxford Playhouse with a range of holiday activities, workshops, talks and networking opportunities. There’s something for everyone, young or old, so read on for more information about how you can get involved.

If you want to know more about how your school, group or charity could get involved please contact the Oxford Playhouse Learning Team:Maisy Ash, Community Engagement Officer – T: 01865 305312 E: [email protected] Hester Bond, Learning Co-ordinator – T: 01865 305334 E: [email protected] Jo Noble, Young Company Director – T: 01865 305346 E: [email protected]

Oxford Playhouse offers a bursary scheme for anyone who wants to take part but needs a hand with fees. For more information email [email protected]. This scheme is sponsored by Oxford University Press.

Mondays 10.30am to 11.15am From Mon 10 Sep to Mon 5 Nov (exc 29 Oct)Top Room, Oxford PlayhouseHey Diddle Diddle!

Hey Diddle Diddle is a friendly sing-song and play session held weekly at Oxford Playhouse. With complimentary tea and coffee, as well as a chance to stay and play (and discover the big OP toy cupboard!), Hey Diddle Diddle is a fun way to start the week for both parents and pre-school children.

This is the only workshop, of all the many different groups I have been to, that captivates the children throughout the session…very well done! Heidi and her daughter, participants.

Tickets £5 for one adult and one pre-school child. £2 for a second child


Friday 2 November 1.30pm and 2.45pmHospitality Room, Oxford PlayhouseFireside Stories

As the nights draw in, join us for winter storytelling and craft activities. Enjoy some quality creative time with your child at this hour long session for families, including free tea and coffee.

Tickets £5 for one adult and pre-school child, £2 for a second child Ages 3 to 6

Monday 6 to Friday 10 August 10am to 4pmTop Room, Oxford PlayhouseSomewhere Out There

If people couldn’t live on earth, where would you go? Blast through the stratosphere, explore the far reaches of space and let your imagination dream up your ideal planet in a galaxy far, far, away! Run by Oxford Playhouse’s Learning team, participants will use drama games, crafts and improvisation to create new worlds in this holiday activity week inspired by all things out-of-space.

Tickets £125 Ages 8 to 12

Monday 23 to Friday 27 July 10am to 4pm Magdalen College SchoolHamlet: The Play’s the Thing

Calling all actors! With only one week to create your own dynamic production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet you can expect the unexpected. Led by writer and practitioner Marcus Moore, participants will create their own original version of this famous play – with a twist.


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Monday 30 July to Friday 3 August 11am to 5pmTop Room, Oxford PlayhouseOut of Joint

Explore the rehearsal techniques used by Out of Joint’s Artistic Director Max Stafford-Clark. Devising, verbatim theatre and actioning will all be used, providing an insight into the working practices of one of the UK’s foremost new writing companies and giving participants techniques to take away and use in their future work.

Tickets £125 Ages 17+


Monday 29 October 10am to 4pmTop Room, Oxford PlayhouseAuditioning for Drama School

An essential workshop for anyone hoping to get in to drama school, this practical day covers voice, singing, movement and audition speeches. This workshop is led by freelance practitioner Heidi Vaughan who has extensive teaching experience at both drama schools and universities.


Tuesday 30 October 10am to 4pmTop Room, Oxford PlayhouseTales To Be Told After Dark

Spend the day creating hair-raising stories at this spooky writing and devising workshop about Halloween. It’s going to be a scream!


Monday 13 to Friday 17 August 10am to 4pmBurton Taylor StudioCarry On Laughing

Part actor training, part clown-school, this week is for young people who would like to explore what it is to make people (and themselves) laugh. Led by comedians John Carter and Mark Curtis, this workshop combines storytelling, and a healthy amount of good old monkeying around.


Monday 6 to Friday 10 August 10am to 5pm for 11 to 14 years Monday 13 to Friday 17 August 10am to 5pm for 15 to 19 yearsScience OxfordAtomised – The Theatre of Everything!

Oxford Playhouse and Science Oxford are coming together this summer to offer young people unique access to ISIS – Oxfordshire’s internationally renowned particle science research centre. An exciting week of discovery, devising and theatre making, it culminates in performances created by you and inspired by the science that is changing our world.

Tickets £125 Ages 11 to 14 Ages 15 to 19


Wednesday 31 October 10am to 4pmTop Room, Oxford PlayhouseThe Art of Improvisation

Seamus Allen leads this fast-paced day inspiring participants to fearlessly jump into improvisation. Seamus’ high-energy teaching style will help you gain confidence to create theatre like never before.


Thursday 6 September to Thursday 25 October 5pm to 7pm Top Room, Oxford Playhouse 11|15 Oxford Playhouse Young Company Improvise. Devise. Perform! Join 11|15 for the autumn term and work towards creating your own exciting piece of theatre.

Places £48 per term Ages 11 to 15

Tuesday 2 October to Wednesday 28 November 5pm to 7pm Top Room, Oxford Playhouse 16|22 Oxford Playhouse Young Company Autumn kicks off with five weeks of professional training followed by 15 weeks of rehearsals for 16|22’s main stage production of Under Milk Wood in March.

You can try out 16|22 for five weeks with Try for Five before deciding whether to join the company for the rest of the year. Sign up for either Tuesday or Wednesday sessions.

Try for Five £30 (next 14 sessions £84) Ages 16 to 22 In for it All £114 January term 15 January to 20 March with additional rehearsals Saturday mornings 10am to 2pm

If you’re aged 11 to 15 or 16 to 22 and want to be part of an exciting theatre company, why not join one of Oxford Playhouse’s Young Companies with weekly classes and professional guidance from the OP team. Previous members of 16|22 have taken up prestigious places at drama school or gone on to work professionally backstage.

16|22 is sponsored by Oxford Theatre Guild and HMG LAW.


Mon 10 to Fri 14 September, Mon 8 to Fri 12 October Mon 11 to Fri 15 March Work Experience at Oxford Playhouse

Oxford Playhouse provides students with an opportunity to sample the running of a theatre from all perspectives. Your work experience week will include mentoring in the marketing, fundraising, programme, operations and administration departments, as well as experience working in the Ticket Office and ushering a performance.

To apply visit www.oxfordplayhouse.com/takingpart

Places FREE Ages 14 to 16

Thursday 18 October at 12pm Auditorium, Oxford Playhouse Kneehigh Lowdown

This interactive lecture from Mike Shepherd, founder of Kneehigh, will offer students a valuable insight into the performance techniques used by the company. Recommended for students studying the AQA syllabus for A-Level Drama or Theatre Studies.

Tickets £11.50 per student (Including a ticket to see Steptoe and Son at 2.30pm) One teacher FREE for every 15 students.

Wednesday 24 October at 11amThe Children’s Bookshow

Join children’s poet Kit Wright and renowned cartoonist Posy Simmonds live on stage. While Kit performs his poems, Posy will illustrate them for all to watch on a large screen, before sharing techniques for children to try at home.

Tickets £5 Teachers go FREE

Wednesday 3 October at 6.30pmFree Teachers’ Night: The Sacred Flame

Enjoy a glass of wine whilst finding out what’s coming up for schools at Oxford Playhouse, before taking in a performance of W. Somerset Maugham’s beautiful play The Sacred Flame.

Tickets Up to two FREE tickets available for each school. Please call the Ticket Office to book a place.


Wednesday 24 October 4.30pm to 6.30pm or Thursday 25 October 11.30am to 1.30pm Top Room, Oxford Playhouse Page to Stage: Our Country’s Good

Led by a member of Out of Joint, this workshop will deepen students’ engagement with the text and offer a first-hand insight into the staging of Our Country’s Good.

Tickets £17 per student per session (including a ticket to see Our Country’s Good on either Wed or Thu). For up to 20 students aged 15 to 19 years.

Wed 22 or Thu 23 Aug , Wed 26 or Thu 27 Sep, Wed 24 or Thu 25 Oct Wed 21 or Thu 22 Nov, Thu 13 Dec, 12pm to 2pm Hospitality Room, Oxford PlayhouseSpotlight

Spotlight is a monthly event for over 50s offering an in-depth look at theatre. Each session focuses on the show playing on the Playhouse stage that week or an aspect of theatre making, with guest speakers including actors and creative teams behind the shows. Why not come on a Thursday and stay for the matinee performance?

Tickets £6 (includes sandwiches, tea and coffee)

Saturday 8 September and Sunday 9 September 11am to 5pm Hospitality Room, Oxford PlayhouseThe ‘No Rules’ Writers’ Workout

The ‘No Rules’ Writers’ Workout offers tips for rewriting with examples and exercises to help you transform your next draft. Led by Lisa Goldman, author of The No Rules Handbook for Writers and former Artistic Director of new writing companies Soho Theatre and the Red Room, this intensive workshop is aimed at playwrights, screenwriters and novelists.


Wednesday 10 October and Monday 10 December 5pm to 6.30pm Hospitality Room, Oxford PlayhouseOxford Playhouse CONNECT

A networking and social evening for local charity and community groups. The evening includes an introduction to the coming season shows and a chance to find out more how Oxford Playhouse could work with your group or charity.

Tickets FREE but please book your place through the Ticket Office


Support us and invest in our futureWithout the generous support of our core funders, individual donors, sponsors, volunteers and audiences, Oxford Playhouse would not be here. Thank you for your support!

Each year we entertain over 150,000 people in the main auditorium, over 11,000 in the Burton Taylor Studio, and work with 14,500 people through our Learning team. We produce and tour our own shows, present Playhouse Plays Out shows across the city and county, host artists in residence and show the best touring theatre from the UK and across the world.

At Oxford Playhouse we are passionate about what we do and hope that you are too. By coming to the Playhouse, you help to keep the theatre thriving. If you can, please consider making a gift to support our future. We are a charity and each year we need to raise over £200,000 from charitable sources.

Oxford Playhouse gratefully acknowledges the support of its core funders:

and support from:

A gift to the Playhouse will help us to safeguard the strong artistic programme, develop our Learning and Community work and keep improving the building to make it as welcoming as possible. There are a number of ways you can help:

– Make a gift to our fundraising campaign which you can now do online.

– Set up a regular gift by standing order to provide vital ongoing support.

– Remember Oxford Playhouse in your will.

– Talk to your company about how they can get involved.

For further details, please look out for our leaflets in the foyer or contact the Development Office on 01865 305315 or [email protected] or visit www.oxfordplayhouse.com/supportus


Platinum: Gold: Silver:

Bronze:

Building Support:

Equipment and Technical Support: 16|22 Young Company Sponsors:

Learning and Productions Support:OP’s Burton Taylor Studio Programme Sponsors:

Trusts:AnonymousCharity of Thomas Dawson CHK Charities LimitedThe Coutts Charitable TrustDoris Field Charitable TrustErnest Cook TrustThe Foundation for Sport and the ArtsThe Foyle Foundation

Garfield Weston FoundationThe Helen Roll CharityThe Leche TrustThe Lord Faringdon Charitable TrustThe Ormonde Charitable Trust Mr & Mrs JA Pye’s Charitable SettlementSir Siegmund Warburg’s Voluntary SettlementSt Michael’s and All Saints Charity

A special thank you to all:Patrons, volunteers, trustees and donors

University of Oxford College Members:All Souls CollegeLincoln College

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Access facilitiesOxford Playhouse offers a range of facilitiesfor 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.

Captioned and signed performances are excellent for people who are deaf, deafened and hard of hearing but 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, and use headphones and a live narrator who describes the action in the pauses between the onstage dialogue. Touch tours will accompany audio described performances.

The auditorium has a Sennheiser infra-red system for audience members who are hard of hearing. This service is not available in allareas of the auditorium. Please let the TicketOffice staff know your requirements whenbooking your tickets.

Staying in touch Follow us on Twitter @OxfordPlayhouse and like us on Facebook.

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

Family Friendly We want to make your family’s visit to our theatre as easy and fun as possible. 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 toddler cushions, toilet steps and seats and a buggy store. There’s a baby change facility on the ground floor and babes 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 thecounty, either by Oxford Playhouse or by localartists, amateur and professional.

OPT in!A membership scheme for people aged 16-25 to access free, £5 and £10 theatre tickets, free backstage tours and access to special events. As a member your card also gives you discounts for loads of local businesses. Check out the website for more information www.oxfordplayhouse.com/OPTin! or find us on Facebook, just search ‘OPT in! Oxford Playhouse’.

DiscountsTurn to page 69 to make sure you’re getting any discounts you’re entitled to.

Vouchers and Theatre Tokens Oxford Playhouse vouchers and SOLT Theatre Tokens are available for purchase in person from the Ticket Office and can be used to buy tickets for any performances at the Playhouse.


Useful InformationMake sure you get the most and the best out of your theatre.Please contact the Ticket Office for further information.


How to get to the Playhouse Our Address:Oxford Playhouse Beaumont Street, Oxford OX1 2LW

By Road:

Parking:Parking in Oxford can be expensive. It is often cheaper (and sometimes free after 6.30pm) to park on-street. You will find pay-and-display meters on Broad Street, St. Giles and in Jericho.

Car Parks: Gloucester Green (underground, nearest to the Playhouse), Westgate Shopping Centre, Worcester Street, Abbey Place, Oxpens and Oxford Rail Station.

Park and Ride: Using 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

By Train:Oxford rail station is a 10 minute walk from the Playhouse.

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.

Botley Rd

Koi Chinese Restaurant

Oxford CentralLibrary

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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 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. These seats cannot be booked online. 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 A – 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

G1 G27 5G 32G

U6 U23

W22

T16 T11

T26

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

FIRST FLOOR

GROUND FLOOR

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.

Oxford Playhouse Booking Fee A £1 booking fee applies to each ticket purchased for Oxford Playhouse shows whether in person at our Ticket Office, or by phone or online. Although it might not be popular, the booking fee is vital to securing the Playhouse’s future. The whole fee is retained by the theatre for its charitable purposes, whereas the majority of the actual ticket price goes to the producer of the show. In order for the theatre to raise the same amount through ticket income, prices would have to rise by approximately £3 per ticket. We have also ensured that there are exemptions to the booking fee and a cap: tickets with a face value of less than £10, Enjoy! tickets, group bookings of 10+ and tickets to Family Friendly shows do not incur a booking fee. Purchase more than five tickets in one transaction and the booking fee is limited to £5.

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 Exchanges must be made at least 24 hours before the performance and are subject to conditions at the discretion of the Duty Ticket Office Manager. Please note actual tickets must be returned to the Ticket Office before an exchange can be made. We will be happy to offer a full refund or ticket exchange if we cancel or alter in a material way any performance as advertised. For full Terms and Conditions, see www.oxfordplayhouse.com

Seating Plan


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Discount Group Ticket Price Conditions

Up to 50% off opening Available on up to two tickets, almost every night and Saturday production, for all Enjoy! members. Join the matinees for week-long Enjoy! scheme via the Ticket Office for an shows. Bonus Enjoy! annual fee of £50. Not applicable on tickets discounts of 25% or 50% for Fridays at 5pm, The Aeneid, Who Cares, off most shorter runs Wheels on the Bus, Marcus Brigstocke, Kate Rusby, Eight Stories High, TEDxOxford, Full Circle, Playhouse Plays Out (except Hamlet) and Dick Whittington. Free 16 to 25 year olds if they are a member of OPT in! £5 and £10 (membership cards £1 from Ticket Office) for subject to availability allocated performances. See page 66 for more information.

Early Bird £2.50 off each ticket Available for most shows when you book 4 or more productions at the top ticket price before Saturday 25 August 2012. Not available online.

In Advance £2 off each ticket Available for most shows on full priced tickets of £11.50 or more for under 18s, over 60s, full-time students, ES40s, BECTU and Equity members.

Access users £9.50 or £12.50 per ticket Available for access facility users, wheelchair users and one companion.

Schools & Colleges £9.50 or £12.50 per ticket An allocation of tickets is available plus one free teacher Monday to Thursday. seat for every 15 seats School tickets for Dick Whittington from £10.50. booked

Party Rate 20% off full priced For all groups of 10 or more. tickets for most Not available online, email lauren.caddick performances @oxfordplayhouse.com for group bookings. Payment must be made as one transaction.

Students Standby £9.50 or £12.50 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 A View from the Bridge and A Little Night Music.

Over 60s Standby £11 or £12.50 per ticket Best available seats for all matinee performances bookable during the week of the show. Not available online.

Standby £9.50 or £12.50 per ticket Best available seats on the day of the performance for under 18s, ES40s, BECTU and Equity members for most shows.

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.

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Date Day Production Time Venue Access Page

June

26 Tue The Real Thing 7.30pm OP 4 27 Wed The Real Thing 7.30pm OP 4 28 Thu The Real Thing 2.30pm, 7.30pm OP (mat) 4 29 Fri The Real Thing 8pm OP 4 30 Sat The Real Thing 2.30pm, 7.30pm OP (mat) 4

July 6 Fri The Aeneid: The Journey 7.30pm OP 47 Sat Little Hippo and his Magic Pen 11am, 2pm BTS 567 Sat The Aeneid: The Journey 4pm OP 48 Sun The Aeneid: The Journey 6.30pm OP 4

9 Mon Educating Rita 7.30pm OP 5 10 Tue Educating Rita 7.30pm OP 510 Tue Hamlet 7.45pm Bodleian 511 Wed Educating Rita 7.30pm OP 511 Wed Hamlet 7.45pm Bodleian 512 Thu Educating Rita 2.30pm, 7.30pm OP 513 Fri Educating Rita 8pm OP 513 Fri Hamlet 7.45pm Bodleian 514 Sat Educating Rita 2.30pm, 7.30pm OP 514 Sat Hamlet 7.45pm Bodleian 515 Sun Hamlet 2.30pm, 7.45pm Bodleian 5

16 Mon Volcano 7.30pm OP 617 Tue Volcano 7.30pm OP 617 Tue Hamlet 7.45pm Bodleian 518 Wed Volcano 7.30pm OP 618 Wed Hamlet 7.45pm Bodleian 519 Thu Volcano 2.30pm, 7.30pm OP 619 Thu Hamlet 7.45pm Bodleian 520 Fri Hamlet 7.45pm Bodleian 5 20 Fri Volcano 8pm OP 621 Sat Volcano 2.30pm, 7.30pm OP 6 21 Sat Hamlet 3.30pm, 7.45pm Bodleian (mat) 522 Sun Hamlet 2.30pm, 7.45pm Bodleian 5

24 Tue Dickens’ Women 7.30pm OP 6 24 Tue Hamlet 7.45pm Bodleian 525 Wed Dickens’ Women 2.30pm, 7.30pm OP 6 25 Wed Hamlet 7.45pm Bodleian 526 Thu Who Cares – Concert for Carers 7.30pm OP 8 26 Thu Hamlet 7.45pm Bodleian 5

August13 Mon Wheels on the Bus 1.30pm, 4pm OP 9 13 Mon Everyday Moments Various BTS 54 14 Tue Wheels on the Bus 10.30am, 1.30pm OP 9 14 Tue Everyday Moments Various BTS 54 15 Wed Wheels on the Bus 10.30am, 1.30pm OP 9 15 Wed Everyday Moments Various BTS 54 16 Thu Everyday Moments Various BTS 54


Diary...


Diary...

August continued… 17 Fri Everyday Moments Various BTS 54 18 Sat DruidMurphy cycle 1.30pm OP 10 18 Sat Everyday Moments Various BTS 54

20 Mon DruidMurphy: Famine 7.30pm OP 10 21 Tue DruidMurphy: A Whistle in the Dark 7.30pm OP 10 22 Wed DruidMurphy: Conversations on a Homecoming 7.30pm OP 10 23 Thu DruidMurphy: Famine 2.30pm OP 10 23 Thu DruidMurphy: A Whistle in the Dark 7.30pm OP 10 24 Fri DruidMurphy: Conversations on a Homecoming 8pm OP 10 25 Sat DruidMurphy cycle 1.30pm OP 10

27 Mon Hysteria 7.30pm OP 12 28 Tue Hysteria 7.30pm OP 12 29 Wed Hysteria 7.30pm OP 12 30 Thu Hysteria 2.30pm, 7.30pm OP 12 31 Fri Jamuna: Of a Woman in War and Peace 7.30pm BTS 52 31 Fri Hysteria 8pm OP 12

September 1 Sat Hysteria 2.30pm, 7.30pm OP 12 1 Sat Jamuna: Of a Woman in War and Peace 7.30pm BTS 52

3 Mon Murder on the Nile 7.30pm OP 14 4 Tue Murder on the Nile 7.30pm OP 14 5 Wed Murder on the Nile 7.30pm OP 14 5 Wed The Duchess of Malfi 7.30pm BTS 52 6 Thu Murder on the Nile 2.30pm, 7.30pm OP 14 6 Thu The Duchess of Malfi 7.30pm BTS 52 7 Fri The Duchess of Malfi 7.30pm BTS 52 7 Fri Murder on the Nile 8pm OP 14 8 Sat Murder on the Nile 2.30pm, 7.30pm OP 14 8 Sat The Duchess of Malfi 2.30pm, 7.30pm BTS 52

10 Mon Dry Rot 7.30pm OP 16 11 Tue Dry Rot 7.30pm OP 16 12 Wed Dry Rot 7.30pm OP 16 12 Wed BEAM 8pm BTS 55 13 Thu Dry Rot 2.30pm, 7.30pm OP 16 13 Thu My Name Is Bill 7.30pm BTS 53 14 Fri Blofeld and Baxter 5pm OP 48 14 Fri My Name Is Bill 7.30pm BTS 53 14 Fri Dry Rot 8pm OP 16 15 Sat Penguin 11am, 2pm BTS 56 15 Sat Dry Rot 2.30pm, 7.30pm OP 16 15 Sat Richard Tyrone Jones’ Big Heart 7.30pm BTS 54

17 Mon Shylock 7.30pm OP 18 18 Tue Marcus Brigstocke: The Brig Society 8pm OP 19 20 Thu Tea Time 4pm BTS 57 20 Thu Candoco Dance Company 7.30pm OP 20 21 Fri Tea Time 11am, 2pm BTS 57 21 Fri Fever Pitch 8pm OP 21 22 Sat Tea Time 10am, 12pm, 3pm BTS 57 22 Sat Kate Rusby 7.30pm OP 22 23 Sun Tea Time 10am, 12pm, 3pm BTS 57



Diary...



Diary...

September continued… 25 Tue Radio Times 7.30pm OP 24 25 Tue Rising 7.30pm BTS 55 26 Wed Radio Times 7.30pm OP 24 26 Wed Rising 7.30pm BTS 55 27 Thu Radio Times 2.30pm, 7.30pm OP 24 27 Thu Rising 7.30pm BTS 55 28 Fri Black T-shirt Collection 7.30pm BTS 53 28 Fri Radio Times 8pm OP 24 29 Sat Radio Times 2.30pm, 7.30pm OP 24 29 Sat Black T-shirt Collection 7.30pm BTS 53 30 Sun In the Locked Room and Ghost Patrol 7.30pm OP 23

October 1 Mon The Quiet Volume Various Library 50 2 Tue The Quiet Volume Various Library 50 2 Tue The Sacred Flame 7.30pm OP 26 2 Tue Words Worth 7.30pm BTS 55 3 Wed The Quiet Volume Various Library 50 3 Wed The Sacred Flame 7.30pm OP 26 3 Wed Words Worth 7.30pm BTS 55 4 Thu The Quiet Volume Various Library 50 4 Thu The Sacred Flame 2.30pm, 7.30pm OP 26 4 Thu Northern Soul 7.30pm BTS 53 5 Fri The Quiet Volume Various Library 50 5 Fri Northern Soul 7.30pm BTS 53 5 Fri The Sacred Flame 8pm OP 26 6 Sat Rumpelstiltskin 11am, 2pm BTS 56 6 Sat The Quiet Volume Various Library 50 6 Sat The Sacred Flame 2.30pm, 7.30pm OP (mat) 26 6 Sat Bones 8pm BTS 54

8 Mon The Quiet Volume Various Library 50 9 Tue The Quiet Volume Various Library 50 10 Wed The Quiet Volume Various Library 50 10 Wed A View from the Bridge 7.30pm OP 28 11 Thu The Quiet Volume Various Library 50 11 Thu A View from the Bridge 2.30pm, 7.30pm OP 28 12 Fri The Quiet Volume Various Library 50 12 Fri The Annual Charles Simonyi Lecture 5pm OP 48 12 Fri A View from the Bridge 8pm OP 28 13 Sat The Quiet Volume Various Library 50 13 Sat A View from the Bridge 2.30pm, 7.30pm OP 28 14 Sun Eight Stories High 7pm OP 30

15 Mon The Quiet Volume Various Library 50 16 Tue The Quiet Volume Various Library 50 16 Tue Steptoe and Son 7.30pm OP 31 17 Wed The Quiet Volume Various Library 50 17 Wed Steptoe and Son 7.30pm OP 31 18 Thu The Quiet Volume Various Library 50 18 Thu Steptoe and Son 2.30pm, 7.30pm OP 31 19 Fri The Quiet Volume Various Library 50 19 Fri Steptoe and Son 8pm OP 31 20 Sat The Quiet Volume Various Library 50 20 Sat Steptoe and Son 2.30pm, 7.30pm OP 31


Diary...


Printed June 2012 All information accurate at time of going to print. Please check with the Ticket Office for full and final details.

October continued… 23 Tue Our Country’s Good 7.30pm OP 32 24 Wed Our Country’s Good 7.30pm OP 32 25 Thu Our Country’s Good 2.30pm, 7.30pm OP (mat) 32 26 Fri Our Country’s Good 8pm OP 32 27 Sat Our Country’s Good 2.30pm, 7.30pm OP (mat) 32

29 Mon The Handyman 7.30pm OP 34 30 Tue The Handyman 7.30pm OP 34 31 Wed The Handyman 7.30pm OP 34

November 1 Thu The Handyman 2.30pm, 7.30pm OP 34 2 Fri Prue Leith 5pm OP 49 2 Fri The Handyman 8pm OP 34 3 Sat The Handyman 2.30pm, 7.30pm OP 34 4 Sun TEDxOxford 11am to 6pm OP 36

5 Mon Rough Justice 7.30pm OP 38 6 Tue Rough Justice 7.30pm OP 38 7 Wed Rough Justice 7.30pm OP 38 8 Thu Rough Justice 2.30pm, 7.30pm OP 38 9 Fri Rough Justice 8pm OP 38 10 Sat Rough Justice 2.30pm, 7.30pm OP 38

14 Wed A Little Night Music 7.30pm OP 40 15 Thu A Little Night Music 2.30pm, 7.30pm OP 40 16 Fri A Little Night Music 8pm OP 40 17 Sat A Little Night Music 2.30pm, 7.30pm OP 40 18 Sun Full Circle 2 6.30pm OP 37

19 Mon Dim Sum Nights 7.30pm Koi 51 20 Tue Mansfield Park 7.30pm OP 42 20 Tue Dim Sum Nights 7.30pm Koi 51 21 Wed Mansfield Park 7.30pm OP 42 21 Wed Dim Sum Nights 7.30pm Koi 51 22 Thu Mansfield Park 2.30pm, 7.30pm OP 42 23 Fri Mansfield Park 8pm OP 42 24 Sat Mansfield Park 2.30pm, 7.30pm OP 42

30 Fri Dick Whittington 7pm OP 44

December 2012 to January 2013 Dick Whittington Various OP 44 Please see page 46 for full schedule

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Look out for our next seasonJanuary to April 2013On sale November 2012

Did you know…• that if you’re aged between 16 and 25 you could be seeing theatre for free

by joining our OPT in! scheme? Membership costs just £1. Visit www.oxfordplayhouse.com/optin!/ for more details.

• that the Playhouse offers captioned and BSL performances to assist deaf, deafened and hard of hearing patrons, and audio described performances for people who are blind or partially sighted? For more information look out for the and symbols in your What’s On Guide, speak to the Ticket Office staff or contact [email protected]

• that Oxford Playhouse is family friendly? There are games and toys to play with in our circle bar, free booster seats for small children, bottle warmers and high chairs in the foyer bar and free tickets for babies in arms at family shows. Look out for this sign in your Guide for shows that are suitable for the whole family (and there’s no booking fee!)

• that we are holding a fundraising dinner in aid of the Playhouse in the beautiful surroundings of Exeter College on Friday 7 September with special guest speaker Miriam Margolyes and an auction conducted by renowned auctioneer Charlie Ross? For further details please visit www.oxfordplayhouse.com/supportus

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 Lisa Wood on 01865 305399 or at [email protected]

Oxford Playhouse Autumn 2012 Guide

Documents

Transcript of Oxford Playhouse Autumn 2012 Guide