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Welcome
... to an incredible season of shows lined up for autumn 2025.
We’re so proud to stage an Oxford Playhouse co-production of Hugh Whitemore’s brilliant play Breaking the Code. Based on the book ‘Alan Turing: The Enigma’ by Andrew Hodges, for the first time the play will feature an epilogue that speaks to Turing’s lasting legacy on modern Britain, written by Neil Bartlett. In the run up to Breaking the Code, we will stage DETENTION from Gary Clarke dance company –exploring through vivid choreography the impact of Section 28 on LGBT+ communities. There’s also the Improbable Sessions – part gig, part TED Talk –a thrilling night of music and ideas. Don’t miss the fascinating talks which accompany the themes of the season.
A brand-new play from Amy Rosenthal tells the sensational story of the Mitford sisters. Seen through the eyes of Jessica Mitford, The Party Girls is a witty and compelling play exploring how this remarkable family was riven by political extremism. Another highlight is an electrifying new stage adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr. Ripley. This gripping psychological thriller takes us into the intoxicating world of a chillingly charismatic antihero. Marking the 250 th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, from Theatre Royal Bath Productions comes a delightful new staging of Emma and her misplaced attempts at matchmaking!
With fantastic comedians, festive folk music, fascinating talks for curious minds, not to mention a visit from everyone’s favourite puddle-jumping pig, there is much to be excited about. Before we know it, we’ll be welcoming you into the joy that is an Oxford Playhouse pantomime - this year the witty and magical adventure of Dick Whittington. It’s a perfect seasonal treat for everyone from 5 to 105! If you’re under 5 we’ve got another festive Oxford Playhouse production for you – Where’s Father Christmas? - playing in The Studio.
We hope you enjoy the autumn season!
Mike Tweddle
Artistic Director & CEO
Marianne Jacques Executive Director
Improbable Sessions:
AI
and Consciousness
Join us for a one-of-a-kind session where incredible musicians improvise music just for you. It’s an evening of glorious sound created right before your ears.
Sharing the spotlight are special guests: leading thinkers in AI and what that might mean for us humans. The experts speak, the music responds, it’s maybe the kind of conversation we need more of?
Part gig, part Ted Talk, all experiment, this is a thrilling night of music and ideas like no other. Brought to you by award-winning theatre company Improbable and directed by Lee Simpson
7.30pm
Tickets from £15
Age guideline 9+
Eddie Izzard performs Shakespeare’s Hamlet
Adapted by Mark Izzard and directed by Selina Cadell
Direct from her critically acclaimed, triple-extended New York, Chicago and London solo performances of Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
Akin to the original performances of Hamlet, Eddie will perform on the blank canvas of a bare stage, letting Shakespeare’s words and pure storytelling take the spotlight.
Nominated for New York’s Drama League Distinguished Performance Award and the Outer Critics Circle Outstanding Solo Performance Award.
HHHH“An impressive, sweeping performance.” The Telegraph
7.30pm
Tickets from £14
Age guideline 9+
Missed out on this event?
Why not join as a Friend to access Priority Booking next time.
Mick Perrin Worldwide Ltd in association with PBJ Management
Gary Clarke Company DETENTION
In 1988, a piece of legislation from Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative Government devastated lives. Gary Clarke Company’s new dance theatre show, explores Section 28, which ‘prohibited the promotion of homosexuality’, forcing the LGBT+ community into a place of secrecy, fear and shame. Set to a backdrop of nationwide industrial turmoil and the onslaught of AIDS, DETENTION is, above all, a moving celebration of solidarity.
Gary Clarke uses powerful storytelling, drawing on verbatim testimonies, with vivid choreography performed by a company of exceptional dancers, narrator, and local cast of LGBT+ people. Featuring music tracks by iconic Test Dept, DETENTION is a bold and moving portrayal of the remarkable resilience of the individuals and organisations of the time.
HHHH “DETENTION is hard-hitting but laced with humour. It’s a portrait of a particular period in time that still echoes down the decades.”
The Guardian
“Superbly performed by five dancers and five community recruits from the LGBT+ community... It’s a hard hitting, emotional work.”
The Observer
“Since its founding
in
2016, Gary Clarke and his company has won many accolades and awards. DETENTION will surely win many more.”
Seeing Dance
7.30pm
Tickets from £14
School discounts available
Age guideline 14+
Content warning: Contains some strobe lighting and smoke effects, loud music, references to violence and homophobia.
Post-Show Talk Fri
Audio Described Sat 7.30pm
Touch Tour TT Sat 6pm
An Oxford Playhouse, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Landmark Theatres co-production in association with Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse and HOME
Hugh Whitemore’s Breaking the Code
Based on the book ‘Alan Turing: The Enigma’ by Andrew Hodges
Directed by Jesse Jones
With a new epilogue by Neil Bartlett
“It’s not breaking a code that matters, it’s where you go from there.”
Mastermind. Code breaker. Maverick. Arguably one of the most important and inquisitive minds of the 20 th century. Alan Turing is famed for cracking the Enigma code at Bletchley Park, effectively securing victory for the Allied forces in World War Two.
From triumph to tragedy, get to know a human being who loved, lost and never stopped asking questions in a quest for truth and understanding in this new production of Hugh Whitemore’s Breaking the Code
For the first time, taking into consideration his recent Royal pardon and the development of Turing’s Law, the original play will feature a new epilogue by Neil Bartlett that speaks to his lasting legacy on modern Britain.
Oxford Playhouse is thrilled to be co-producing this brilliant play. See page 11 for the programme of events and talks running alongside this production.
Tue – Thu & Sat 7.30pm, Fri 8pm, Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £14
Age guideline 12+
Content warning: Contains adult themes.
Pre-Show Talk Wed 5pm
Post-Show Talk Wed
Captioned CAP Wed 7.30pm
Audio Described Sat 2.30pm
Touch Tour TT Sat 1pm
•
• 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 and discounts
• All the benefits of Silver Patrons, plus...
• A seat plaque in the auditorium
• 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 and discounts
Alan Turing’s impact on our world is immense.
To celebrate his legacy, for our new co-production of Breaking the Code, we’ve lined up a series of events to delve a bit deeper into the extraordinary life and work of this 20 th century icon.
Social Thursday
Thu 18 Sep 10.30am to 12 noon
Main Foyer, Oxford Playhouse
Tickets: Free (Book ahead, or just turn up)
Guest led by spoken word artist Maya Little, our regular social morning for those aged 50+ will focus on hidden messages and meanings.
Please see page 43 for more details.
Pre-Show Talk
Wed 8 Oct 5pm
Main Stage, Oxford Playhouse
Tickets: Free (booking is required)
Join mathematician Marcus du Sautoy (Charles Simonyi Professor) and Director Jesse Jones in a discussion about bringing Alan Turing and the world of mathematics and computing to life on stage.
Age guideline 12+
Fun Palace
Sat 4 Oct 11am to 3pm
Burton Taylor Studio
Tickets: Free (no need to book)
Our annual Fun Palace this year is inspired by Alan Turing and the Codebreakers who were vital to the Allied victory during World War Two. Drop in for activities exploring puzzles, codebreaking, and secret writing. For families with children of primary school age. Please see page 42 for more details.
Post-Show Q&A Talk
Wed 8 Oct
Main Stage, Oxford Playhouse
Tickets: Free (no need to book)
After the performance of Breaking the Code, members from the company will share insights into the production and answer questions.
Age guideline 12+
A Marlowe Theatre production
The Party Girls
Written by Amy Rosenthal
Directed by Richard Beecham
Set Design by Simon
Kenny
The sensational story of the Mitford sisters.
The glamorous Mitford girls cut a glorious swathe through pre-war high society, amidst the glittering world of debutantes and dukes. But as Fascism rises and political storm clouds crackle over carefree country houses, the bonds of sisterhood are threatened by new and treacherous desires.
Nancy aspires to be a celebrated novelist, Diana and Unity fall for the dangerous, charismatic leaders of the Far Right in Britain and Germany, and Debo sets her cap at a Duke. Meanwhile Decca crosses continents in her own passionate pursuit of love –but can she ever escape her sisters and her past?
Amy Rosenthal’s compelling, touching and witty new play explores the true story of a family riven by political extremism, seen through the eyes of Jessica (Decca) Mitford as she battles to stay true to her beliefs.
The Party Girls stars Kirsty Besterman (National Theatre’s Macbeth), Joe Coen (Leopoldstadt), Elisabeth Dermot Walsh (Doctors), Emma Noakes (Royal Shakespeare Company’s The Rover), Ell Potter (Cheaters) and Flora Spencer-Longhurst (And Then There Were None).
Tue – Thu & Sat 7.30pm, Fri 8pm, Wed, Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £14
School & Group discounts available Age guideline 12+
Content warning: Contains a gunshot, reference to suicide and explores the theme of antisemitism.
Post-Show Talk Wed Eve Perf
Captioned CAP Thu 7.30pm
Audio Described Sat 2.30pm Touch Tour TT Sat 1pm
The Talented Mr. Ripley
By Patricia Highsmith
Adapted for the stage by Mark
Leipacher
“I never wanted to murder anyone. It was necessary.”
Step into a world of deception, desire, and deadly ambition. How far would you go to become someone else?
Tom Ripley is a nobody — scraping by in New York, forging signatures, telling little white lies — until a chance encounter changes everything. When a wealthy stranger offers him an all-expenses-paid trip to Italy to bring home his wayward son, Dickie Greenleaf, Tom leaps at the opportunity.
But in the sun-drenched glamour of 1950s Europe, surrounded by shimmering waters and whispered secrets, Tom is seduced by the life Dickie leads—the freedom, the wealth, the effortless charm. Fascination turns to obsession, and as his grip tightens on Dickie’s world, the lines between truth and deception begin to blur. What starts as an innocent opportunity spirals into a chilling game of lies, identity theft, and murder.
This electrifying new stage adaptation brings Patricia Highsmith’s iconic psychological thriller to life like never before. With razor-sharp dialogue, simmering tension, and a dangerously charismatic antihero, this gripping production will pull you into Ripley’s intoxicating world — where nothing is quite as it seems.
Mon – Thu & Sat 7.30pm, Fri 8pm, Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £14
School & Group discounts available
Age guideline 12+
Captioned CAP Wed 7.30pm
Theatre Royal Bath Productions
Emma
By Jane Austen
Adapted by Ryan Craig
Directed by Stephen Unwin
“I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like.”
This autumn, we celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th anniversary with a sparkling new stage adaptation of Emma. This witty and beloved comedy of manners is produced by the Theatre Royal Bath - the city synonymous with so many of Austen’s stories.
Headstrong and high-spirited, Emma Woodhouse - handsome, clever, and rich - has sworn never to marry. Instead, she delights in meddling in the romantic lives of those around her. But as her matchmaking schemes unfold, could she find herself caught in love’s wake?
Filled with Austen’s unforgettable characters - Mr. Knightley, Jane Fairfax, Harriet Smith, and the delightfully pretentious Augusta Elton. This special anniversary production is adapted by Ryan Craig, whose acclaimed work includes plays for the National Theatre, Hampstead Theatre, and the bestselling stage adaptation of 1984.
Mon – Thu & Sat 7.30pm, Fri 8pm, Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £14
School & Group discounts available
Age guideline 12+ Audio Described Sat 2.30pm
Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show
Peppa Pig and friends are back in their brand-new live stage show!
With a new arrival on the way, the whole family are busy getting ready. With building and decorating work to be done, it’s an oinktastic makeover, and Peppa Pig, Mummy Pig, Daddy Pig and George all need your help to get everything ready before the big day.
There’s so much to do – will they get it all finished in time?
Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show is packed full of music, adventure and surprises for little ones, and is set to delight Playhouse audiences.
Tue 4pm, Wed 10am, 1pm & 4pm
Tickets from £14
Age guideline 3+
Eliza Carthy & Jon Boden’s Wassail
Long before carolling became tradition, festive revellers would travel door to door, offering songs in exchange for food, drink or coin. Rooted in the Old English waes hael meaning “be well”, wassailing is a toast to health and happiness.
Two of the most celebrated artists from the UK folk scene unite for a very special wassail, blending their extraordinary talents to revive the magic of these age-old seasonal songs. Join them for a night of festive cheer, timeless music and a heartfelt celebration of tradition.
“Beautiful music from two of our very finest and most valuable artists currently working.” Folk Radio UK
7.30pm
Tickets £29
Age guideline 14+
Ebdon Management
Josie Long:
Now Is The Time Of Monsters
A brand-new show about extinct, gigantic, charismatic megafauna from three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and very good comedian Josie Long.
In these troubled times, in this wicked world, it can feel like the apocalypse is everywhere. But did you know that 11,000 years ago, there were armadillos the size of cars? Really big. And they were vegetarian, so don’t even worry about them. Also, my daughter has a hamster.
Josie takes to our stage with a show about discovery, wonder, extinction, and how to navigate a landscape of monstrous disaster. Plus, at least one genuinely useful tip about silt, guaranteed.
7.30pm | Tickets £26
Age guideline 16+
Content warning: Includes strong language.
Jen Brister:
Reactive
Jen Brister is Reactive — or so she’s been told. Apparently, you don’t have to respond to every little thing around you. But finding herself in a constant state of exacerbation at the state of the world and people in general, Jen’s been told she needs to chill the hell out. Can she find her zen? Honestly, it’s not looking good...
Jen is a critically acclaimed stand-up comedian and writer, as seen on BBC’s Live at the Apollo, Frankie Boyle’s New World Order, QI, and Mock the Week. Following her sold-out 2022 tour, she’s back on the road with her highly anticipated new show.
“Her energy is explosive.”
The Sunday Times
7.30pm | Tickets £29
Age guideline 18+
Content warning: Includes strong language.
Jenny Eclair: Jokes, Jokes, Jokes, Live!
In celebration of the release of her hilarious memoir of the same name, comedian, novelist, and professional show-off returns with a brand-new autobiographical show.
From drama school, (mostly drinking cider and eating sausage rolls), sleeping with men who looked like they lived under a carpet, punk poetry, anorexia, bedsit misery, waitressing and not really having a clue about anything, to being the first woman to win the Perrier Award, becoming a mother, author, grumpy old woman, podcaster and nana!
Still gigging to sell-out crowds forty years later, Jenny invites you to look back at what she can remember before she forgets everything. Warning, punk poetry, animal impressions and baritone nursery rhyme singing may feature.
“Ruthlessly funny.” The Times
7.30pm
Tickets £29
Age guideline 16+
Content warning: Includes strong language and sexual references.
IF Oxford 2025
The Playhouse is proud to collaborate with IF Oxford.
If you have a curious mind, whatever your age, there’s an event for you
At Oxford Playhouse...
Sat 1 Nov
The Art of
Uncertainty:
How to Navigate Chance, Ignorance, Risk and Luck
by David Spiegelhalter
What’s the chance of that happening? Can you really predict the unpredictable? Is the UK lottery truly random? How do super-forecasters think and what can we learn from them? Famed as a ‘statistical national treasure’, ‘the nation’s go-to man on statistics’, and ‘Professor Risk’, David Spiegelhalter explores the role of chance, risk, ignorance, and luck in our lives. With memorable real-world stories, sharp wit, and accessible number-crunching, he offers a brilliant, essential guide to understanding, and living with uncertainty.
Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter FRS OBE is Emeritus Professor of Statistics at the University of Cambridge. His bestselling book The Art of Statistics has been published in 11 languages.
“Probably the UK’s greatest living statistician.” The Telegraph 7.30pm | Tickets £12 | Age guideline 14+
See the full list of events happening across all venues and find further information at if-oxford.com – Booking for other events opens on Thursday 21 August.
The Annual Charles Simonyi Lecture
Beyond Weird
A century ago, Werner Heisenberg’s ideas led to quantum mechanics, a theory that precisely describes how atoms behave. Despite its accuracy, scientists still debate what it tells us about reality.
In Beyond Weird, Philip Ball explores how popular stories of particles being in two places at once oversimplify the even stranger truths. In this talk, Ball explains how new ideas might help reconcile quantum mechanics with general relativity.
Hosted by Marcus du Sautoy, Charles Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science at the University of Oxford.
5pm | Tickets £10
Age guideline 12+
The Gift of Life: The First UK
Womb
Transplant
Featuring J Richard Smith and Isabel Quiroga Giraldez
An Epic Journey to Motherhood
In February 2025, the UK’s first baby was born to a mother who had received a womb transplant from a living donor. This life-changing procedure was over 25 years in the making. In this show, the two surgeons at the heart of the story share insights into the long road they’ve walked, culminating in the first UK baby born to a mother with a transplanted uterus.
They address the complex ethical, legal, and eligibility issues surrounding the transplant and its development, and look ahead to future opportunities for uterine transplantation.
7.30pm | Tickets £29
Age guideline 16+
University of Oxford student company: Labyrinth Productions
A View from the Bridge
By Arthur Miller
Brooklyn’s docks. 1950s America. A man on the edge.
Arthur Miller’s award-winning play follows Eddie Carbone, a Brooklyn longshoreman whose world unravels when his wife’s Italian cousins arrive illegally. As his niece Catherine falls for the charming Rodolpho, Eddie’s protectiveness turns possessive. Bound by law yet powerless to stop the tragedy, Italian American lawyer Alfieri watches as personal obsession collides with cultural code in a slow march toward destruction. A simmering tragedy of justice, masculinity, and control.
University of Oxford student company Labyrinth Productions presents a bold new staging of Miller’s A View from the Bridge, featuring striking visuals, dramatic lighting, an original score, and live orchestra. A sharp, geometric design foregrounds the emotional core of the story—making it feel immediate, human, and fiercely relevant today.
The tension is palpable. The atmosphere claustrophobic yet captivating.
Look closely - things are unravelling.
Wed, Thu & Sat 7.30pm, Fri 8pm, Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £15
School & Group discounts available
Age guideline 14+
Content warning: Contains themes of inappropriate adult–minor dynamics, emotional and physical violence, homophobic and xenophobic language, sudden loud noises and use of fake blood.
Fri 21 Nov 2025 – Sun 4 Jan 2026
An Oxford Playhouse Pantomime
Written and directed by Toby
Hulse
All aboard for London Town –the panto adventure of the year awaits!
Join us for the tradition that is an Oxford Playhouse pantomime. There’s a charming adventure on the way with Dick Whittington, full of laughter, mischief, magic and plenty of panto sparkle. Brought to you by the brilliant team who created Sleeping Beauty and Jack & The Beanstalk.
Proper crafty Liam Rattagher and his dodgy brother Noel are conjuring up a masterplan to take over the world. They want things to be just how they like them... bland! Can our hero Dick Whittington get rid of all the dull and make Britannia cool again? Maybe, but they’ll need a bit of the help from a magical cat and a gang of unlikely sidekicks.
Board the bus to London Town for this riotous and uplifting tale of friendship, music, 90s cool and Britpop.
It’s the purrrrfect festive treat!
Age guideline 5+
Performance Schedule
22 Nov 7pm Sun 23 Nov No performances Mon 24 Nov 11am
Tue 25 Nov 11am Wed 26 Nov 11am 7pm Thu 27 Nov No performances Fri 28 Nov 10am 2pm Sat 29 Nov 11am 4pm
Ticket levels
Seasonal Special
Off-Peak Peak
To view our full range of pricing options and make a booking, please visit our website. Fri 21 Nov 7pm
30 Nov 11am 4pm
1 Dec No performances
2 Dec 10am
3 Dec 10am 2pm
7 Dec 11am 4pm
8 Dec No performances
9 Dec 10am 2pm
10 Dec 10am 2pm
11 Dec 10am 6pm
12 Dec 10am 6pm
13 Dec 11am 4pm Sun 14 Dec 11am 4pm
Mon 15 Dec No performances Tue 16 Dec 10am 2pm Wed 17 Dec 10am 2pm Thu 18 Dec No performances
24 Dec 10am 2pm
28 Dec 11am 4pm
29 Dec 11am 4pm
30 Dec 11am 4pm
31 Dec 11am 4pm Thu 1 Jan New Year’s Day Fri 2 Jan 2pm 7pm Sat 3 Jan 2pm 6pm Sun 4 Jan 11am 4pm
Booking Information
School tickets for Off-Peak performances
£15 per person with every 16th ticket free.
Great rates for groups for Peak and Off-Peak performances
Groups 10+ 10% off every ticket
Groups 40+ 20% off every ticket
Friends 50% off
Sat 29 Nov, 4pm
Fri 12 Dec, 6pm
Sat 3 Jan, 2pm & 6pm
Access Performances
Relaxed performances
Thu 4 Dec, 6pm
British Sign Language
Interpreted performances
Fri 5 Dec, 10am
Thu 11 Dec, 6pm
Treat Yourself!
Oxford Playhouse is the perfect place to have some festive fun with the whole family.
Pre-order your Dick Whittington house programme.
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.
Audio Described performances
Sat 6 Dec, 11am
Sat 3 Jan, 2pm
Captioned performance
Fri 19 Dec, 3pm
Dementia Friendly performance
Fri 2 Jan, 2pm
See page 50-51 for more information.
An
Oxford
Where’s
Playhouse Production Father Christmas?
Written by Helen Eastman
Directed by Samuel Rayner
It’s never too early to introduce your little ones to the magic of theatre!
With more presents than ever to deliver, the elves are wrapping as fast as they can. They’re nearly ready for the big day, but where has Father Christmas got to? And will he be back in time to deliver all the presents?
Join us in the present wrapping room for stories, songs and activities... and maybe you’ll even meet Father Christmas himself... if you can find him!
From the team that created last year’s sell out show Hurry Up Father Christmas! comes this delightful, interactive, festive adventure for children aged 3 to 6 and their families and friends.
“A gorgeous way to start the festivities!” Heart Radio
(Hurry Up Father Christmas!, 2024)
Burton Taylor Studio
Performance Schedule
Wed 3 Dec 10am 2pm Thu 4 Dec 10am 12pm 3pm Fri 5 Dec 10am 12pm 3pm Sat 6 Dec 10am 12pm 3pm Sun 7 Dec 10am 12pm 3pm Mon 8 Dec No performances Tue 9 Dec No performances
Wed 10 Dec 10am 12pm 3pm Thu 11 Dec 10am 12pm 3pm Fri 12 Dec 10am 12pm 3pm Sat 13 Dec 10am 12pm 3pm Sun 14 Dec 10am 12pm 3pm Mon 15 Dec No performances Tue 16 Dec 10am 12pm 3pm Wed 17 Dec 10am 12pm 3pm Thu 18 Dec 12pm 3pm Fri 19 Dec No performances Sat 20 Dec 10am 12pm 3pm Sun 21 Dec 10am 12pm 3pm Mon 22 Dec 10am 12pm 3pm Tue 23 Dec 10am 12pm 3pm Wed 24 Dec 10am 12pm Thu 25 Dec No performances Fri 26 Dec 2pm 4pm Sat 27 Dec 10am 12pm 3pm Sun 28 Dec 10am 12pm
Running time 50 minutes
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Age guideline 3 to 6.
Tickets Off-Peak Adult £16 | Children £12 Peak Adult £20 | Children £16
R All performances are Relaxed
The Woman in Black
By Susan Hill
Adapted by Stephen Mallatratt
The legendary production of Susan Hill’s chilling ghost story returns to Oxford.
Obsessed with a curse that he believes has been cast over him and his family by the spectre of a woman in black, Arthur Kipps engages a sceptical young actor to help him tell his terrifying story and exorcise the fear that grips his soul.
One of the most successful and longest running theatre shows in the history of London’s West End, this gripping production is a brilliant study in atmosphere, illusion and controlled horror. Now seen by over 8 million people worldwide, The Woman in Black continues to delight and terrify audiences of all generations.
“The most brilliantly effective spine-chiller you will ever encounter.”
Daily Telegraph
“Guaranteed to chill the blood.”
Evening Standard
Tue – Sat 7.30pm, Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £15
School & Group discounts available
Age guideline 12+
A production by Shakespeare’s Globe and Headlong, with Bristol Old Vic and Leeds Playhouse
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
By William Shakespeare Director Holly Race Roughan Co-director Naeem Hayat
The world’s no longer what it seems.
Following their hugely successful A Raisin in the Sun in 2024 (“Consistently hits the mark.” HHHHH WhatsOnStage) Oxford Playhouse associate company Headlong returns to our stage.
To escape a society ruled by tyrannical law, four young lovers flee to the forest beyond the city walls. But the world of the woods has been turned upside down by a fierce battle between Oberon and Titania, the Fairy King and Queen, over a stolen child.
As their quarrel deepens, others fall prey to jealousy, manipulation, and the dark spells of Oberon’s unruly Puck. As day turns to night and snow begins to fall in summer, can anyone stop the dream from turning into a nightmare?
Discover the magic of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream as you’ve never seen it before.
Directed by Headlong’s Artistic Director, Holly Race Roughan, and co-directed by Naeem Hayat, former Resident Associate Director at Shakespeare’s Globe.
This production is generously supported by Charles Holloway OBE
Tue – Sat 7.30pm, Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £15
Age guideline 12+
Content warning: Contains language of violence, misogyny and racism, and scenes of a sexual nature.
Post-Show Talk Wed
BSL Thu 7.30pm
Audio Described Sat 2.30pm Touch Tour TT Sat 1pm
Photography by Felicity McCabe, art direction by Studio Doug.
Discover bold, dynamic and intimate performances at the Burton Taylor Studio. From cutting-edge new writing to experimental productions, our studio is a space which champions creativity and innovation.
Perfect for adventurous theatregoers, the Studio offers a close-up experience where stories come alive.
Don’t miss the next wave of theatrical talent this autumn!
Wed 3 & Thu 4 Sep 7.30pm
I Bought a Flip Phone
Charlie’s ditched his smartphone to escape digital burnout. Written and performed by Panos Kandunias, this funny, heartfelt show explores loneliness, connection, and trying to live life right. What could go wrong?
Ages 16+
Content warning: Includes strong language.
PHYSICAL THEATRE
COMEDY & THEATRE
Fri 5 Sep 7.30pm
Period Drama
A surreal, episodic dark comedy about mental health, identity, and recovery. Created by Olga Kaleta with integrated BSL by Sherrie Eugene-Hart, it fuses autobiographical storytelling with bold physicality.
Ages 16+
Content warning: Frank discussion of sexuality and mental health, includes strong language. BSL
Tue 9 & Wed 10 Sep 7.30pm
Shotgunned
Following a smash hit, sell-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe, this hilarious and heart-breaking play is an intimate and relatable piece about how the people we lose shape who we become.
Aaron’s stolen his dad’s ashes and hidden them in a Celebrations tub. A dark, chaotic comedy about grief, love, and loss. Written and performed by Oscar Brudenall-Jones Presented by To the Tooth Theatre
Ages 15+
Content warning: Includes strong language, sexual references, and serious issues.
Thu 11 & Fri 12 Sep 7.30pm
American Candy
Zaynab and Connor work in an American Candy store. When a customer ends up unconscious, chaos unfolds. A dark comedy by Tom Murray, presented by The Mango Ensemble, about capitalism and corruption.
Ages 15+
Content warning: Includes violence, abuse, mentions of racism and misogyny.
COMEDY & THEATRE
Fri 19 Sep 7.30pm
Sláine:
The Horned God
A tale of Celtic heroes, monsters, and magic—set in a mythical Britain alive with mischief. Traditional storytelling meets modern audiences in this preview show, in partnership with 2000 AD and Rebellion.
Ages 12+
THEATRE
Mon 29 & Tue 30 Sep
Evenings 7.30pm & Tue 2.30pm
Jane Eyre: An Autobiography
Despite a loveless childhood, Jane Eyre resists her abusers - but does she find the independence she craves?
Live Wire and Roughhouse Theatre’s acclaimed, inventive production explores women’s status in society, making Brontë’s classic as relevant today as ever.
Ages 11+
My Time of Life
After last year’s success at the BT with FUFC, New Anthem Theatre Group return with Mark Jackson’s new play exploring what happens when the challenges of youth are met with the wisdom of age. Told with humour and pathos, this intensely moving story was inspired by real life events and memories from Britain’s oldest person at the time of her death in 2018.
Ages 18+
Content warning: Includes some coarse language and minor sexual innuendo.
Sat 11 Oct 11am & 2pm
Pinocchio
Presented by Indefinite Articles, Steve Tiplady’s inventive Pinocchio uses puppetry, shadows, and carpentry tools to tell a witty, heartfelt tale of a puppet’s journey and a father’s hope.
Ages 4+
“Truly magical... captivating... hauntingly real.” The Scotsman
Sat 27 Sep 11am & 2pm
The Goose and
Mrs. Frost
Presented by Luminous Tales, this heart-warming show blends puppetry, live action, and paper theatre to tell a magical tale of seasonal change and the quiet power of kindness.
Ages 3 to 6
Take Part
Oxford Playhouse offers year-round activities for all ages –at the theatre, in the community, and with partners around the county.
From young people starting their creative journey, to adults nurturing lifelong passions, schools inspiring students, and community partners offering inclusive workshops – our programme engages, educates and empowers through creativity and storytelling.
Ages 12 to 16 Playhouse
Youth Theatre
Tue: 16 Sep – 24 Mar 5pm to 7.30pm Top Room, Oxford Playhouse Develop your passion for performance, learn new skills and build confidence in our Youth Theatre
Across the Autumn and Spring terms, our members will embark on a two-term project where they will prepare and rehearse a performance which will be staged in the Burton Taylor Studio.
Ages 17 to 25
Playhouse Young Company
Wed: 17 Sep – 17 Dec & 7 Jan – 25 Mar
Sat: 10 Jan – 21 Mar
5pm to 7.30pm (Wed) & 12noon to 4pm (Sat) Top Room, Oxford Playhouse
Our Young Company welcomes 17 to 25-year-olds with a commitment and passion for creating theatre, to join us across this two-term project.
Participants will develop key performance skills through a professional lens as they embark on rehearsals, leading to a studio performance on our Main Stage.
Ages 26+
Playhouse Adult Company
Thu: 18 Sep – 13 Nov 5.30pm to 8pm Top Room, Oxford Playhouse
Our Adult Company welcomes theatre makers of all generations, providing a space to explore and develop performance skills, build confidence and form lasting friendships. This Autumn, participants will explore voice, movement and expression, with a sharing to family and friends before the Christmas break.
Take Part
Ages 11 and under
Fun Palace
Sat 4 Oct 11am to 3pm
Burton Taylor Studio
A perfect family day out, 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.
Part of the national Fun Palace festival, our theme this year is codebreaking, with puzzles and challenges suitable for children of primary school age. Find out more about Breaking the Code on page 9.
Ages 11+
KEEN
Drama Workshops
Mon – dates TBC 6.30pm to 7.15pm
KEEN, St Clement’s Centre, Oxford
Explore imaginary worlds and build bold characters with our free, inclusive drama workshops created in partnership with KEEN. Perfect for all ages and abilities to have fun and be expressive through performances. To learn more about the inclusive work delivered by KEEN visit their website: keenoxford.org
For session dates and to book a place, please email: keen@keenoxford.org
Ages 60+ Social Thursdays
Thu: 18 Sep, 23 Oct, 13 Nov 10.30am to 12noon
Main Foyer, Oxford Playhouse
Enjoy free creative activities and build new friendships at our welcoming and supportive Social Thursdays – a programme specially designed for those later in life.
Join us for talks, dance, singing, playreading, crafts and much more. For more information, visit our website for a full schedule or email community@oxfordplayhouse.com
For more information on this and all our Take Part activities and bursary placements, please contact our Box Office on 01865 305305 or visit oxfordplayhouse.com/take-part
Please note: Top Room, Circle Bar, Lucy Room and BT Studio are only accessible by stairs.
Our Supporters
Oxford Playhouse Trust gratefully acknowledges the support of its core funders:
Trusts & Foundations
The Atlas Fund
The Aurelius Charitable Trust
Backstage Trust
The Beeching Trust
The Bouttell Bequest
Doris Field Charitable Trust
The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
The Emmanuel Kaye Foundation
The Hugh Fraser Foundation
The Lord Faringdon Charitable Trust
MacFarlane Family Foundation
Mactaggart Third Fund
The Pharsalia Charitable Trust
Mr and Mrs J A Pye’s Charitable Settlement
The Robert and Margaret Moss Charitable Trust
The Schuster Charitable 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 Volunteers
Over 100 volunteers give up their time for Oxford Playhouse. Thank you!
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Business Circle Members
St John’s College Oxford
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
Gold Patrons
Prof Sir Richard &
Lady Elizabeth Brook
Brian Buchan
Alex Duncan
Debbie & Stephen Dance
Prof Raymond Dwek CBE FRS
& Mrs Sandra Dwek
Richard Gladstone
Chris Jones & Sara Everett
David Renton
Prof Anne Trefethen
Joe Pillman & Jackie Watson
We are also incredibly grateful to those who have supported us but prefer to remain anonymous. Thank you!
Silver Patrons
Debbie Austin
Sir Jonathan &
Lady Helen Baker
Prof Sir Clive &
Lady Margaret Booth
Anthony Budgen
Onima Chowdhury
Dr Tim & Katharine Clayden
Ellie & Tim Darling
Matthew Derbyshire
Sos Eltis
Roland & Sue Fuggle
Prof Michael Goldsmith
Alan Grafen
David & Sue Jackson
Simon & Alison Jeffreys
Chris Knight
Greg Lovett
John Parrott
Christopher Pownall
Dr Trudy Watt
Registered Company No.2397373
Registered Charity No.900039
Donors
Saphié Ashtiany & Prof Paul Davies
Louise Armstrong
Ed and Anna Bernard
B J Birch
Lesley Brown
Martin Cattermole
Mark Charter
Professor David Coleman
Keith Crawford
Dr Cecile Deer
Richard and Felicity Dick
David Dunne
Sarah Jones
Tim Kidd
Geoffry Lescott
Jane & Graham Mackay
John May
M J Morris
Elizabeth Paris
Brian W Plater
Niamh and Cian Power
Diana B Renton
Sue Staunton
Lady Jennifer Stringer
Alison Townsend
Micaela Tuckwell
Dr Louise Upton
Edward Whinney
J Willis
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.
Open House ensures that as many people as possible, whatever their background or circumstance, have access to creative opportunity and live performance.
“I can’t thank you enough for giving the families an opportunity to access the Playhouse and the chance for their children to take part in something others may take for granted.”
East Oxford Childrens Centre
It’s through the generosity of our supporters and funders that we can keep this valuable work going. Please help us today by donating to Open House at The Playhouse. Every donation makes a difference.
Please help us to continue to share the joy of theatre by donating to our Open House fund...
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 A 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
Booking Information
Opening Times
Online booking is available 24 hours at oxfordplayhouse.com
In Person and Phones:
Monday: 10am – 6pm
Tuesday - Saturday: 12 noon – 6pm
Sundays & Bank Holidays: Usually closed, on performance days we open one hour before the start time.
On performance days we close 15 minutes after curtain up.
Venue addresses:
Oxford Playhouse
Beaumont Street
Oxford OX1 2LW
Age Policy
Burton Taylor Studio
Gloucester Street
Oxford OX1 2BN
We offer age recommendations for every performance. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult or young person aged 16+.
Tickets and Discounts
We aim to make our productions accessible for as many people as possible. To ensure affordability, we offer a number of £15 tickets for most week-long productions.
Become a Friend
To make your theatre going more affordable, why not become a Friend of Oxford Playhouse? With discounts off shows and at our bars, no booking or admin fees, and priority booking, you’ll be able to access the best seats at the best prices!
Flexible Pricing
Ticket prices may vary for productions based on demand. Flexible pricing helps support the theatre and allows us to ensure we can continue to bring the very best work to our stages. Book early to access the best prices.
Concessions
We offer concessions for people under-18, full-time students (ID required), Universal Credit recipients, NHS Staff, and Equity/BECTU/Stage Directors UK members. We also offer discounts for 65 and over on selected mid-week matinee performances. All discounts apply to selected performances and are subject to availability.
Access
We offer discounted tickets for customers with access requirements and their companion/ carer on a vast majority of shows. Please get in touch with our Box Office to discuss your specific access requirements and to book tickets. Please see pages 50 and 51 for a list of scheduled access performances.
Groups Bookings
Discounts are available for those booking more than 10 tickets for the same performance. Available on the top two price bands only. Not bookable online. Email boxoffice@oxfordplayhouse.com. Payment must be made in one transaction. Available Mon - Thu performances only.
Booking Fee
All Main Stage bookings will incur a non-refundable £2.75 booking fee. Burton Taylor Studio professional productions and Take Part events/workshops incur a £1.50 fee. This is applied per booking, not per ticket. This fee does not apply to Friends, Patrons, 14-25 members, access patrons, school and group bookings, community tickets, Burton Taylor Studio student productions, merchandise, house programmes, gift vouchers/tokens, Hey Diddle Diddle, or any events or workshops priced under £10.
Schools and Colleges
We offer discounted tickets for school and college bookings. From £15 per ticket and one free teacher ticket with every 10 tickets booked. Available Mon – Thu for most week-long shows. Subject to availability. For Dick Whittington: Tickets from £15 (+ every 16th ticket free).
General T&Cs
Full terms and conditions are available on our website. Once purchased tickets are non-refundable. Everyone must have a valid ticket to enter the auditorium. If you provide seven days’ notice you may be able to exchange tickets to another performance of the same show subject to availability. This will be subject to a £2 per ticket admin fee. We do not offer exchanges between different shows. Friends and Patrons are excluded from these fees.
Stay in Touch
Sign up to be the first to hear about new shows, workshops and exciting announcements.
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 oxfordplayhouse.com/access, call the friendly Box Office team on 01865 305305 or email access@oxfordplayhouse.com
Our range of Access facilities include:
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. There is also an accessible toilet on ground level. Our Burton Taylor 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 in large print.
To request a copy, please email: access@oxfordplayhouse.com
To access our audio brochure, visit: oxfordplayhouse.com/access/audio-brochure
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.
