What’s On Summer 2025
Did you know that we have a lift under the front of our stage? It’s called a pit lift. Not many people (apart from our brilliant technical team) ever get to see it but it’s hugely important to the variety of work that audiences are able to experience at Oxford Playhouse, including hearing live orchestras and bands.
Unfortunately, it’s feeling its age. It’s been lifting and lowering the stage for 57 years. That’s quite a long time! This summer we have a plan in place to install a new lift, but as you can imagine, it’s a costly project for our charity to undertake.
If you are able to, please help us with our new pit lift installation. No donation is too small!
Scan the QR code to donate now or head to oxfordplayhouse.com
Thank you for your support.
Welcome
We’re delighted to share this exciting season of shows for the summer. There’s great drama, family entertainment, brilliant comedians, stunning dance and captivating circus. This May sees a brand-new production of Little Women, starring Belinda Lang and Honeysuckle Weeks. In July we look forward to some enchanting storytelling from Cahoots NI with their production of The Vanishing Elephant. When a young boy befriends an Asian elephant, it sparks an adventure that spans decades and continents, magically brought to life through puppetry. Definitely one for all ages to put in the diary!
Talking of family fun, don’t miss our production of The History of (Almost)
Everything. This gloriously silly romp through the ages will tour to primary schools across Oxfordshire as well as Florence Park’s Flo Fest, finishing on The Playhouse stage. Thanks to generous funding and support, all tickets are absolutely free.
In late summer, performances in the main house will pause as we undertake some vital restoration work. The lift that has been raising the front of the stage and lowering it since 1968 is in need of replacement. Carrying out this work will allow us to continue to programme the huge variety of productions that Oxford Playhouse is known for. See more on this project, and how you can support it, on the page opposite. Once this work is complete, we have a fantastic autumn season lined up. We are thrilled to be co-producing Hugh Whitemore’s remarkable play Breaking The Code about the life and work of Alan Turing, with a new epilogue written by Neil Bartlett, speaking to Turing’s impact on modern Britain.
To make regular trips to the theatre more affordable, do consider joining as a Friend of Oxford Playhouse, with a range of benefits including discounted tickets, priority booking and money off at our bars.
We look forward to welcoming you.
Mike Tweddle Artistic Director & CEO
Marianne Jacques Executive Director
Full House Theatre
The Worst Princess
Based on
the
book by Anna Kemp and Sara Ogilvie
A delightful dragon-tastic show for pop princesses and naughty knights.
Feisty Sue is not your everyday fairy tale superstar, in fact she’s The Worst Princess. After being rescued by her twit of a prince she’s ready to start her happy end. But first she’ll have to make friends with a dragon, escape from a tower and set the Prince’s pants on fire with her new fire-breathing bestie.
Will Sue find her happily ever after?
Enjoy laugh-out-loud comedy, magical puppets, sing along pop anthems and a dazzling larger-than-life dragon as this bestselling picture book is brought to life on stage.
“It was an absolutely brilliant show, the children were utterly captivated by the actors and the puppets.”
Audience member
Thu 4.30pm, Fri & Sat 11am & 2pm
Tickets Adults £16, Children £14
Premium tickets £18 (includes book signing with author. Available on Sat performances only.)
Age guideline 3+
Relaxed R Fri 2pm
by Shaun Armstrong.
Photo
Hambletts with Orchestra of the Swan
GEORGE Eliot
in Words and Music
Starring Hermione Norris (Spooks, Cold Feet) and SuRie, with Orchestra of the Swan
Hambletts and Orchestra of the Swan return to bring George Eliot to bold and dramatic life. This is George Eliot for the 21st century. The genius who wrote Middlemarch is celebrated in her own words, through her great novels, letters, and poetry. Performed by Hermione Norris alongside acclaimed Eurovision singer-songwriter, SuRie, Eliot’s immortal words are woven with dazzling music by contemporary female singer-songwriters, including Kate Bush, Florence + the Machine and FKA twigs.
HHHHH “A piece of perfection.”
Oxford Times (Red Sky at Sunrise, 2024)
7.30pm
Ballet Black SHADOWS
Now in its 23 rd year, Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black returns to The Playhouse with an exciting new double bill.
SHADOWS includes Pancho’s darkly comic adaptation of Oyinkan Braithwaite’s international bestselling novel, My Sister, The Serial Killer.
When Korede gets a distress call from her sister Ayoola, she knows what to do: bleach, rubber gloves, nerves of steel, and a strong stomach. It’s the third boyfriend Ayoola has killed in “self-defense,” and the third mess Korede has to clean up. She should probably go to the police, but family comes first. Things take a turn when Ayoola begins dating the doctor Korede secretly loves, forcing Korede to choose between saving him and betraying her sister...
The double bill is completed by Brooklyn-born, award-winning choreographer Chanel DaSilva, making her British choreographic debut with A Shadow Work. Renowned for using the arts to inspire meaningful change, DaSilva made history as the first Black woman to choreograph for The Joffrey Ballet.
In her debut for Ballet Black, DaSilva delves into the profound practice of shadow work, exploring its power to reveal our true selves.
Her work is celebrated for its deep exploration of humanity and its potential to inspire transformation both within the dance world and beyond.
HHHHH “Ballet Black creates a ‘haunting’ dance spectacle in ‘handsome’ double bill.”
The Independent
HHHH
The Times
“A juicy and classy evening of new creations.”
HHHH
“Pancho finds the sweet spot between knowing dark humour and straight-up horror chills.”
The Stage
7.30pm
Out of Chaos in association with Oxford Playhouse
Macbeth
Directed
by
Performed
Mike Tweddle
by
Hannah Barrie and Paul O’Mahony
Something wicked this way comes...
Step into a world where ambition ignites chaos, and destiny spins out of control.
When a trio of mysterious witches plants the seeds of ambition, Macbeth finds himself drawn into a dark spiral of power and betrayal. Guided by his ambitious wife, he embarks on a path of destruction that threatens to unravel both his mind and the kingdom.
In this fresh interpretation, Out of Chaos invites audiences right into the heart of the story. With two award-winning actors playing more than 20 roles, Shakespeare’s brutal tragedy is given new life in 80 high-octane minutes.
“A very powerful piece of theatre.”
LondonTheatre1.com HHHH
“Action-packed, slimline success.”
The Reviews Hub
“Astonishing. Meticulous. Flawless .”
Oxford Culture Review
“It’s a phenomenal feat and even if you know Macbeth, it’s still a must-see.”
Fringe Review
Tue 7.30pm, Wed 2pm & 7.30pm, Thu 2pm
Tickets from £14
School tickets £14 with one free teacher ticket for every 10 tickets booked. Contact us to learn more about our free workshops for schools, available exclusively to Oxfordshire schools.
Age guideline 11+
Post Show Talk Wed & Thu 2pm
Captioned CAP Wed 7.30pm
Off the Kerb Productions
Marcus
Brigstocke:
Vitruvian Mango
What are men for? Most heavy things can be lifted by machines and most problems can be solved by computers and most puddles can be crossed without us gallantly draping our capes over them - so are we fellas of any use at all?
Award winning MAN Marcus Brigstocke thinks we might still serve some useful function. But what is it? This new tour show will resolve the entire issue once and for all (in a non-patriarchal, open minded, progressive sort of way).
DaVinci’s Vitruvian Man is the image of the ideal male form. Marcus’ Vitruvian Mango is the same, but sweeter, softer, seasonally available and, when ripe, delicately perfumed.
“Charming, hilarious and utterly refreshing.”
The Sunday Mirror
7.30pm | Tickets £22
Age guideline 14+
Content warning: Includes strong language.
Wed 23 Apr
Off the Kerb Productions
Joel Dommett: Happy Idiot
Joel Dommett returns to his stand-up roots with a brand-new show. With glamorous tales from behind the camera and less glamorous anecdotes of first-time fatherhood, Joel remains a charming, exhausted, happy idiot. As one of the nation’s most familiar faces on television, Joel has established himself as a firm favourite in UK households.
As presenter of Saturday night smash-hit The Masked Singer, ITV2’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here: Extra Camp, BBC’s reboot of Survivor, the hugely popular quiz show In With A Shout and the front man of the National Television Awards, Joel has also hosted BBC’s Live at the Apollo and co-hosts hit podcast, Never Have I Ever with his wife, Hannah.
“Excellent storytelling comic.”
The Guardian
7.30pm | Tickets £29
Age guideline 14+
Content warning: Includes strong language and adult references.
Jay Rayner:
Nights Out At Home
Join award-winning restaurant critic Jay Rayner as he celebrates 25 years with The Observer and the release of his memoir-in-recipes, Nights Out At Home
In this joyfully indulgent show, Jay tackles burning questions from virtual star interviewers: What makes a great restaurant critic? What’s the secret to perfect roast chicken? And why hasn’t he opened his own restaurant? With his signature wit and charm, Jay delivers an evening of delicious insights and laughtercomplete with a chance for audience members to ask questions.
Wed 7 May
Mark Steel:
The Leopard in My House
Join multi award-winning, BAFTA-nominated writer and comedian Mark Steel for his new tour The Leopard in My House. The topic? His battle with throat cancer. A battle he is winning (thankfully) and which only his rapier wit could fashion a comedy tour show out of. Cancer has done nothing to dull Mark’s acute political observations or quash his “frankly bonkers” energy: you will laugh, you will cry, but you'll laugh again, and again, and again. The Leopard in My House is proof that this leftie, working-class, BBC Radio 4 favourite truly deserves his place in the UK comedy pantheon.
Mark is best known for his critically-acclaimed BBC Radio 4 show Mark Steel’s in Town, as well as his hit podcast What The F*** Is Going On..?. He has also written several acclaimed books, including an adaptation of his critically acclaimed stand-up show Who Do I Think I Am? for Audible.
7.30pm
Tickets £36
Age guideline 14+
8pm | Tickets £24
Age guideline 14+
Content warning: Includes strong language.
Fane UK
Off the Kerb Productions
Back for 2025!
Queer Fest is back and it’s bigger and bolder than ever! After a joyful debut, the festival of queer new writing returns to the BT Studio for its second year, offering even more opportunities for LGBTQ+ artists and audiences to create, connect, and celebrate.
Expect a vibrant, joy-filled festival that champions LGBTQ+ creativity, community, and storytelling. Across five days, Queer Fest will showcase intimate, powerful, and thought-provoking performances that reflect the spectrum of queer experiences.
Queer Fest isn’t just about watching - it’s about engaging. This year, we’re offering a range of interactive workshops designed to amplify and uplift queer voices. These sessions will provide a space to learn, create, and collaborate with other local artists.
Mark your calendars, spread the word, and get ready to join us at the BT Studio. Stay tuned for the full lineup.
Gandini Juggling
Heka
Directed by Sean Gandini and Kati Ylä-Hokkala
Everything is not as it seems
This captivating performance blurs the lines between juggling and illusion. The show poses a tantalizing question: what is real, and what is simply a trick of perception?
Heka blends humour and philosophy with contemporary choreography and world-class juggling as it reimagines magic through repetition and misdirection.
HHHHH
“There’s
a pure pleasure in the cleverness of all this; the performers are uniformly transfixing, their smiles utterly infectious.”
The Observer (Life, 2022)
2.30pm & 7.30pm
Tickets from £14
Age guideline 8+
Relaxed R 2.30pm
Photo by Kalle Nio.
Adam Blanshay Productions and Park Theatre
Kim’s Convenience
By Ins Choi
Directed by Esther Jun
The play that inspired the hit Netflix comedy.
Following hugely successful runs in London and internationally, Kim’s Convenience is heading to Oxford Playhouse!
There’s humour and heart in every aisle...
This global smash-hit drama tells the story of a family-run Korean store - the inspiration behind the beloved Netflix series. Written by Ins Choi, who calls it his “love letter to his parents and to all first-generation immigrants who now call Canada home,” this hilarious and touching play stars James Yi from the Netflix hit Kim’s Convenience.
HHHH “Its acting superb... its characters lovable... this is popcorn theatre.”
The Guardian
HHHH “Kim’s Convenience is a store of wisdom.”
Financial Times
HHHH “Ins Choi’s disarming Korean corner store comedy makes a timely return to the stage.”
The Observer
Tue – Thu & Sat 7.30pm, Fri 8pm, Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £14
Age guideline 14+
Captioned CAP Thu 7.30pm
Content warning: Themes of racism are explored.
Audio Described Sat 2.30pm
Touch Tour TT Sat 1pm
Photo by Danny Kaan from the 2024 Riverside Studio production.
A Theatre Nation Partnerships production, produced by Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch
Handbagged
By Moira Buffini
The Queen and her most powerful subject, behind closed doors.
Moira Buffini’s clever and fiercely funny comedy is a fly-on-the-wall look at what might have happened when Queen Elizabeth II and Margaret Thatcher came face-to-face in the privacy of the palace.
Over the course of a decade did the Monarch and the Iron Lady ever find a common ground, or did their stiff upper lips reign supreme? This highly entertaining Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and Theatre Nation Partnerships production explores the intense relationship between two of history’s most revered female leaders, and the legacy they each left behind.
“A rapid-fire tour of Eighties history .”
The Times
“Well-pitched and brilliantly humorous.”
The Indiependent
“As a comedy, it’s sharp as a tack.”
Reviews Hub HHHH
“The dialogue is compelling, the sparks fly and the ball bounces from character to characters at times poignantly, at times hilariously.”
North West End
Tue – Thu & Sat 7.30pm, Fri 8pm, Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £14
Age guideline 12+
Captioned CAP Wed 7.30pm
Content warning: Contains description of bombing.
Audio Described Sat 2.30pm
Touch Tour TT Sat 1pm
by
Photo
Manuel Harlan.
Little Women
By Louisa May Alcott
Adapted by Anne-Marie Casey
Starring Belinda Lang and Honeysuckle Weeks
Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women inspired by her own experiences growing up, was an immediate critical and commercial success when published and went on to become one of the best loved novels of all time.
Join the March sisters - tomboy Jo, beautiful Meg, sensitive Beth, and spoilt Amy, as they navigate the challenges of the American Civil War era, forging unbreakable bonds of love and family.
Step into their world of sisterhood, courage, ambition, as they progress into womanhood. Still relevant today Little Women is a celebration of women proving that they can be heroes of their own story. Daring to be bold, persistent, self-assured and standing strong in who they are, and what they desire for their present and future.
Anne-Marie Casey’s masterful new adaptation of the story offers a captivating rendition that breathes new life into this cherished classic.
Little Women stars Belinda Lang (2point4 Children, Sister Boniface Mysteries), Honeysuckle Weeks (Foyles War, Calendar Girls the Musical), Jack Ashton (Call the Midwife, The Archers) and Grace Molony (Country Girls, The Great). With Cillian Lenaghan (The Woman in the Wall); Jade Kennedy (Rebus: A Game Called Malice); Catherine Chalk (Hilma) and Imogen Elliott (Grantchester).
HHHH
“Stylish, humorous and compassionate, this is a lovingly crafted adaptation.”
The Telegraph
HHHH
“A delight for fans of Louisa May Alcott’s enduring novel.”
The Guardian
Tue – Sat 7.30pm, Wed, Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £14
Age guideline 12+
Captioned CAP Wed 7.30pm
Audio Described Sat 2.30pm
Touch Tour TT Sat 1pm
University of Oxford student company: Full Moon Theatre
Blood Wedding
Written by Federico García Lorca
in a new translation by
Emma Nihill Alcorta
A blade sharpened. A bride wedded. A blood-feud unleashed. Under a burning Andalusian sun, a bride marries a man she does not love. On the night of her wedding, she must decide – choose tradition and live respectably or choose love and risk it all. As the evening draws on old grudges, hot blood runs through a small rural village and knives are gripped in ever-tensing fists.
Written in the summer of 1932, Lorca’s acclaimed rural tragedy is a story of arid land and tough people, where societal expectations are rigidly defined and hidden yearnings simmer under the surface of convention. From the pen of internationally revered Spanish playwright Federico García Lorca, Blood Wedding is a masterpiece of exquisite poetry and human longing.
Performed by University of Oxford student company Full Moon Theatre, this electrifying new translation of Blood Wedding features a live, original score inspired by Flamenco. With raw intensity, it explores the clash between personal desire and the unyielding forces of tradition.
Wed, Thu & Sat 7.30pm, Fri 8pm
Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £14
Student tickets
£12
School tickets £14 with one free teacher ticket for every 10 tickets booked
Age guideline 14+
Cahoots NI in association with Buxton Opera House
The Vanishing Elephant
Directed by Paul Bosco Mc Eneaney
Written by Charles Way
Puppetry
Designer and Director Helen Foan
This summer, fresh from a run at London’s Southbank, comes an uplifting journey of friendship and epic adventure, spanning decades and continents.
In Bengal, a young boy named Opu dreams of becoming an elephant trainer. When he befriends Janu, a majestic Asian elephant, their bond sparks a life-changing adventure through stormy seas, fearsome challenges, and unexpected twists.
Years later, now an old man, Opu hears that world-famous magician Harry Houdini is set to make an elephant vanish on stage in New York City. Could it be Janu, his long-lost friend? Determined to find out, Opu sets out on a courageous journey into the unknown.
This moving tale of friendship, belonging, and a remarkable journey from Bengal to Broadway was named a Critic’s Pick by The New York Times, who hailed it as an “alluring spectacle.”
Theatrical magic for all ages.
“As poignant as it is joyful.”
British Theatre Guide
“At
times reminiscent of War Horse and Life of Pi, it will be
hard
to vanish the memories of this production from the minds of the captivated audiences.”
The Irish Times
Wed – Fri 11am & 7pm, Sat 2.30pm & 7pm
Tickets from £14
School tickets £14 with one free teacher ticket for every 10 tickets booked
Age guideline 8+
Content warning: Contains a gunshot and use of gun on stage, haze used throughout. Supported by Culture Ireland.
Scan here to see the brilliant trailer and production imagery for this magical production
The Three Musketeers
A new adaptation by Alex
Thomas
Based on the novel by Alexandre
Dumas
Magdalen College School returns with this beloved tale of bravery, brotherhood, and betrayal. The year is 1620, and Louis XIII sits precariously on the throne of France. His court is rife with plots and intrigue, manipulated by the ruthless Cardinal Richelieu, who seeks to disgrace the queen with the help of the charming but deadly Milady de Winter. Into this dangerous world strides D’Artagnan, a young man determined to make his fortune in Paris.
With original songs, a live tavern band and breathtaking battle scenes, the students of Magdalen College School bring Dumas’ novel to life in swashbuckling style.
All for one and one for all!
HHHH H
“Unmissable...
impeccably produced... the best show I’ve seen this year by a country mile.”
Oxford Times (The Hobbit, 2024)
“Utterly beautiful... a theatrical triumph.”
Oxford Times (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 2019)
Thu – Sat 7pm, Sat 2pm
Tickets from £14 | School tickets £14 with one free teacher ticket for every 10 tickets booked
Age guideline 8+
Content warning: Fighting and depictions of death.
25% off FRIENDS Thu
Aakash Odedra Company
Songs of the Bulbul
We are delighted to welcome Aakash Odedra Company to the Main Stage with Songs of the Bulbul, a captivating new dance work inspired by the Sufi myth of a caged songbird.
Featuring choreography by Rani Khanam and music by Rushil Ranjan, this exquisite performance blends Sufi Kathak, orchestral and Indian classical traditions, and Islamic poetry.
Tracing a journey from freedom to captivity and the soul’s longing for divine love, Songs of the Bulbul explores whether we, like the caged bird, remain bound to the material world or soar towards liberation and enlightenment.
In association with Manchester Camerata and presented in Oxford with Oxford Festival of the Arts
“It is a song of beauty and light and life.”
The Guardian
7.30pm
Tickets from £14 | School tickets £14 with one free teacher ticket for every
Age guideline 8+
Treasure Island
Escape to Treasure Island with Le Navet Bete and their swashbuckling, smash-hit comedy for all the family!
Featuring dastardly pirates, tropical islands and a mermaid you’ll never forget, set sail on the Jolly Todger with Jim Lad, Long John Silver and a whole host of other characters for a hilarious voyage across the seas. But will they get there in one piece? Is everyone who they say they are? And does ‘X’ really mark the spot?
Le Navet Bete (King Arthur: A Legendary Comedy) are a multi award-winning physical comedy company based in Devon. Joining forces with one of UK theatre’s best comedy writers and directors John Nicholson (Peepolykus, BBC Radio 4), the company of four play out Robert Louis Stevenson’s legendary tale as you’ve NEVER seen it before!
HHHH“A ripping good yarn with an abundance of theatrical surprises.” The Stage
HHHHH“Great fun! Ideal for children who love an adventure.” The Reviews Hub
Fri 7.30pm, Sat 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Tickets from £14
Age guideline 10+
Le Navet Bete and Barbican Theatre
Jesus Christ Superstar
Lyrics by Tim Rice, Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Oxford Operatic Society (OXOPS) is thrilled to bring Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar to The Playhouse stage. Audiences will be transported into the climactic final days of Jesus of Nazareth, reimagined through electrifying music and captivating performances.
Renowned for its dramatic intensity and timeless score, including hits like I Don’t Know How to Love Him and Superstar, this production promises to be a compelling exploration of love, betrayal, and sacrifice.
Vibrant community group, OXOPS invites everyone to join them for an unforgettable theatrical experience. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the show or new to its remarkable legacy, this performance is bound to inspire and captivate.
Reviews of Funny Girl, 2024: “Passionately delivered.” Ox in a Box “Endearing and heart-warming.” Daily Info
Tue – Sat 7.30pm, Sat & Sun 2.30pm
Tickets from £14 | School tickets £14 with one free teacher ticket for every 10 tickets booked Age guideline 10+
amateur production of
is presented by arrangement with The Really Useful Group Limited.
The
Jesus Christ Superstar
Hejira
Celebrating the musiC of Joni Mitchell
In just two years, Hejira has taken audiences by storm, selling out shows, earning standing ovations, and amassing 150,000 views on YouTube alongside hundreds of glowing reviews.
This exceptional seven-piece band is dedicated to honouring Joni Mitchell’s groundbreaking late work in the 70s, a period defined by the albums Court & Spark through to Mingus. Inspired by Joni’s legendary Shadows and Light live tour – where she performed with superstars, Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays, Michael Brecker, Jaco Pastorius and Don Alias – Hejira brings these era-defining songs to life with authenticity and passion.
Fronted by the brilliant Hattie Whitehead, whose mesmerising vocals and guitar work channel Joni’s signature style, the band is composed of phenomenal, world-class musicians.
Presented in association with The Spin
7.30pm | Tickets £22
Age guideline 14+
Theatre Tours International
Under Milk Wood
By Dylan Thomas
Performed by Guy Masterson Olivier Award-winner Guy Masterson brings his globally acclaimed solo performance of Dylan Thomas’ Under Milk Wood back to The Playhouse.
Masterson vividly conjures all 69 of Thomas’ colourful characters, capturing the beauty, humour, and pathos of a day in the fictional Welsh town of Llareggub. With an astonishing blend of memory, physicality, and a stunning soundscape by Matt Clifford (The Rolling Stones), this masterful performance makes the words sing.
Inspired by his uncle, Richard Burton, Masterson has performed this award-winning production over 2,000 times worldwide since 1993. Most recently, he directed The Shark is Broken on Broadway, which appeared at The Playhouse in January.
7.30pm | Tickets from £14
School tickets £14 with one free teacher ticket for every 10 tickets booked
Age guideline 10+
Plosive Live in association with Curtis Brown
Sara Pascoe:
I Am A Strange Gloop
Have you ever been awake in the middle of the night and thought something so smart and astute that you couldn’t wait for the world to wake up so you could tell them?
This show is that thought. In that it doesn’t make much sense and is a bit weird on reflection.
Sara Pascoe is a comedian, and her children don’t sleep, and her kitchen won’t clean itself and her husband “doesn’t want to be in it”.
As seen and heard on Taskmaster, Live at the Apollo, The Great British Sewing Bee, QI, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Mock the Week and co-host of Sara & Cariad’s Weirdos Book Club podcast.
HHHH
“Gloriously funny.” Evening Standard
7.30pm | Tickets £30
Age guideline 14+
Content warning: Includes strong language.
A Night of Laughs
with Adam Kay, Lucy Porter, Arthur Smith and friends
Join us for a fantastic evening of comedy in aid of Oxfordshire charity, Lawrence Nurses. Don’t miss Arthur Smith, Adam Kay, Lucy Porter, and friends for a night of sharp wit and big laughs - all for an incredible cause. Lawrence Nurses provide free hospice care for people in their own homes across North and West Oxfordshire, offering palliative and end-of-life care for anyone aged 18 and over in the last months of their life.
7.30pm | Tickets £34
Age guideline 18+
Content warning: Includes strong language.
Oxford Playhouse Adult Company
The Caucasian Chalk Circle
By Bertolt Brecht
Translated by Alistair
Beaton
Directed by Emma Webb
Translated from the 1944 original, Alistair Beaton’s version of Bertolt Brecht’s The Caucasian Chalk Circle is a gripping tale of love, sacrifice, and the fight for justice. Set against the backdrop of war and political upheaval, this timeless masterpiece follows a servant girl who rescues an abandoned child in the final days of a continental conflict, only to face a dramatic courtroom battle over who truly deserves to be the child’s mother.
The Playhouse Adult Company, featuring community participants aged 26 and over, bring their talents to the Main Stage for the first time with this classic exploration of civil unrest, inequality, and division. Showcasing Brecht’s Epic Theatre style, this performance transforms the Playhouse stage into an intimate studio space placing the audience at the heart of the action for a fresh retelling of this classic folk tale.
“The ambition of this group is so impressive.”
Audience member (Pomme, Adult Company production 2024)
Sat 7.30pm, Sun 2.30pm
Tickets £15
Age guideline 14+
Join today for just £60 a year
A Friends membership makes regular theatregoing more affordable, allowing you access to the best seats at the best prices. You’ll also benefit from priority booking, no fees on ticket exchanges and discount at our bars.
Benefits:
• Priority Booking
• No booking or exchange fees
• Up to 50% discount on selected shows
•10% off at OP bars
•10% discount on selected courses and classes
• Membership card
• Special offers from OP partners
• Regular e-newsletter
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The History of (Almost) Everything
10.30am – 4pm
Join us for two days of fun, free, family-friendly activities as we bring Ben Watson’s The History of (Almost) Everything, our touring tent show directed by Paul Simpson, home for six performances on our Main Stage.
Enjoy taster sessions for our youth theatre (ages 7–11), craft activities, and a time-travelling scavenger hunt across our spaces — the perfect way to kick off your summer holidays!
Full timings will be available on our website. All events are free, but some have limited capacity, so we recommend booking in advance.
This open day is suitable for everyone aged 7 and above. Children under 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for all activities, except for the youth theatre taster sessions.
Performances
11am, 1pm & 3pm
Taster Workshops
12.15pm & 2.15pm
All other activities will run throughout the day across our spaces. Both days feature the same activities.
Six °
Dive into this astonishing acrobatic comedy by FLIP Fabrique, a Québec-based circus company renowned for its playful and moving performances.
On a stormy night, five strangers are drawn to an old, abandoned house deep in the forest by a mysterious invitation. But this is no ordinary house - it has a soul, a voice, and a knack for uncovering its guests’ hidden sides. With surprises, challenges, and breathtaking acrobatics, the house transforms the mundane into the magical.
Join a team of master tricksters for an unforgettable acrobatic comedy where anything can happen. On this planet, just six degrees of separation connect us all. With only five on stage, could the missing link be you? HHHHH
Broadway Baby (Blizzard, 2019)
7.30pm
FLIP Fabrique
Stuff and Nonsense Theatre Company
The Gingerbread Man
Imagine being born in an oven and the first person you meet wants to dunk you in his tea.
Come and see the adventure of the deliciously smelling Gingerbread Man and meet the bravest biscuit of all times.
Stuff and Nonsense apply their usual brilliance with a mix of puppetry, live action, great music, humour and a stunning staging of this well-loved classic tale.
Suitable for families – no scary bits – just don’t turn up hungry!
Now run, run, as fast as you can, you need to get tickets to catch this Gingerbread Man... “A fabulous production, so cleverly put together!”
Audience member
11am & 2pm
Tickets Adults £19, Children £17
Age guideline 3 to 10
Created with public funding from Arts Council England, support from The Berry Theatre, Hedge End & The Point Eastleigh, with additional support from Salisbury Playhouse and The Lyric Theatre Bridport.
Dinosaur World Live
Dare to experience the dangers and delights of this roarsome interactive show for all the family.
Grab your compass and join our intrepid explorer across uncharted territories to discover a pre-historic world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs. Meet a host of impressive creatures, including every child’s favourite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, Giraffatitan, Microraptor and Segnosaurus!
A special meet and greet after the show offers all our brave explorers the chance to make a new dinosaur friend.
Winner of the Olivier Award 2024 for Best Family Entertainment. Don’t miss this fun and mind-expanding jurassic adventure. HHHHH“Great
What’s Good To Do
fun. Highly recommended for all ages.”
Tue 2pm, Wed & Thu 11am & 2pm
Tickets £18 | Meet & greet with the Dinosaurs after each performance for 15 mins
Age guideline 3+
by Pamela Raith.
Photo
Nicoll Entertainment present a Rose Theatre, Lowry, Northern Stage, Unicorn Theatre and MAST Mayflower Studios production
The Koala Who Could
Based on the book by Rachel Bright and Jim Field
Adapted and directed by Emma Earle, Music and lyrics by Eamonn O’Dwyer
Based on the bestselling picture book about taking a chance.
Join Kevin, King of the staying-still-kings, and his friend’s kangaroo and wombat in an Australian Outback adventure, as they learn that “life can be great when you try something new!”
Based on the award-winning book by Rachel Bright and Jim Field published by Hachette Children’s Group, this brand-new adaptation for stage is directed by Emma Earle (Oi Frog & Friends!), with music and lyrics by Eamonn O’Dwyer (The Lion Inside).
HHHH
“There’s
so much to dazzle the ear and eye that you will leave elated.”
The Stage
1.30pm & 4pm
Tickets £18
Age guideline 3+
Text © Rachel Bright.
Illustrations
© Jim Field.
Licensed by Hachette Children’s Group.
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 following COAL and WASTELAND, 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.
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. The community cast will be selected at an open call session. Find out more on page 55. 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“An absorbing, immediate slice of history.” The Times (COAL, 2018)
Co-commissioned by Nottingham Playhouse, Grand Theatre Blackpool, Lawrence Batley Theatre, Cast, The Place. Gary Clarke Company is supported using public funding through Arts Council England and core funding from John Ellerman Foundation.
7.30pm
Tickets from £14 | School tickets £14 with one free teacher ticket for every 10 tickets booked Age guideline 14+ | Post Show Talk Fri
Content warning: Contains some flashing lights, loud music, smoke effects and references to violence and homophobia.
Mick Perrin Worldwide Ltd in association with PBJ Management
Eddie Izzard performs Shakespeare’s Hamlet
Adapted by Mark Izzard and directed by Selina Cadell
Following critically acclaimed, extended solo runs in New York, Chicago, and London.
In the spirit of the play’s original performances, Eddie takes to a bare stage, allowing Shakespeare’s words and storytelling to shine.
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 “Eddie Izzard’s Hamlet is spectacular.” Dame Judi Dench
7.30pm
Tickets from £14
Age guideline 9+
A 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 Turing’s lasting legacy on modern Britain.
Oxford Playhouse is thrilled to be co-producing this brilliant play. Check our website for events and talks running alongside the production.
Tue – Thu & Sat 7.30pm, Fri 8pm, Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £14
Age guideline 12+
Post Show Talk Wed
Captioned CAP Wed 7.30pm
Audio Described Sat 2.30pm
Touch Tour TT Sat 1pm
Theatre Royal Bath Productions
Emma
By Jane Austen, Adapted by Ryan Craig
“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 Baththe 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 250th 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 tickets £14 with one free teacher ticket for every 10 tickets booked Age guideline 12+
Audio Described Sat 2.30pm Touch Tour TT Sat 1pm
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.
HHHH The Guardian
7.30pm | Tickets £26
Age guideline 14+
Content warning: Includes strong language.
Eliza Carthy & Jon Boden’s Wassail
Following the success of their last visit, Eliza Carthy and Jon Boden return for another unforgettable evening of music and merriment.
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 UK folk scene’s most celebrated artists unite for a nationwide 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.
7.30pm | Tickets £29
Age guideline 14+
Fri 21 Nov 2025 – Sun 4 Jan 2026
An Oxford Playhouse Pantomime
Written and directed by
Toby Hulse
Book now for the unmissable festive tradition that is an Oxford Playhouse Pantomime!
From the brilliant team behind Jack and the Beanstalk and Sleeping Beauty, this year’s magical adventure promises laughter, mischief, and plenty of panto sparkle.
Join DW and their clever feline sidekick on a journey to the city in search of fame and fortune. But will the streets be paved with gold, or will the dastardly baddie spoil the fun?
With spectacular songs, dazzling dance numbers, and heaps of hilarious hijinks, this is a pantomime not to be missed.
It’s the purrrrfect festive treat!
“Fresh, entertaining, bursting with new characters and whips along at a cracking pace!”
Ox in a Box (Jack and the Beanstalk, 2023)
“Quirky,
highly entertaining
The Stage (Sleeping Beauty, 2023)
See website for full performance schedule.
School tickets available, please contact our Box Office for more information on discounts.
Age guideline 5+
Relaxed Performance R Thu 4 Dec 6pm
show.”
British Sign Language Fri 5 Dec 10am & Thu 11 Dec 6pm
Audio Described Sat 6 Dec 11am & Sat 3 Jan 2pm
Captioned CAP Fri 19 Dec 3pm
Dementia Friendly DF Fri 2 Jan 2pm
Discover bold, intimate performances at the Burton Taylor Studio, Oxford’s hub for fresh, dynamic theatre. From cutting-edge new writing to experimental productions, this space champions creativity and innovation. Perfect for adventurous theatregoers, the Studio offers a close-up experience where stories come alive just steps from the main stage. Don’t miss the next wave of theatrical talent this summer!
COMEDY & THEATRE
Edy Hurst’s
Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Himself
Fri 11 Apr 7pm & 8.30pm
Join comedian Edy Hurst for a wild, laugh-filled ride through music, mayhem, and surreal storytelling. Expect big laughs and even bigger surprises!
Ages 12+
Three Little Pig Tails
Sat 12 Apr 11am, 1pm & 3pm
A heartwarming puppet show full of charm, giggles, and timeless storytelling from Garlic Theatre. Perfect for little ones and their families!
Ages 3 to 7
THEATRE
FAMILY
Imaginary Friends
Wed 16 & Thu 17 Apr 7.30pm
After a personal tragedy, a failing comedian starts listening to the wrong voices in his head. Hilarious, mind-bending storytelling theatre. Written and performed by Daniel Bye
Ages 12+
HHHH“Captivating and illuminating.”
The Independent
This Kind of Black
Requiem for Black Boys
Thu 24 – Sat 26 Apr 7.30pm
A powerful new show by poet and musician
Reece Williams
Exploring race, class, community, and generational trauma, it’s a moving tribute to life, loss, and resilience.
Ages 14+
HHHHH“A beautiful, lyrical requiem
Claytime
Sat 19 Apr 11am & 2pm
Unleash your imagination with Claytime, a magical, interactive adventure where kids shape the story - literally! Creative, hands-on fun for the whole family!
Ages 3 to 7
POETRY & STORYTELLING
that manages to be both moving and gently
celebratory.”
Adventures In Theatreland
STORYTELLING
Un|Earthed
Of Mothers, Grandmothers and Freedom
Tue 24 Jun 7.30pm
In this magical realist deep-dive into identity and belonging, Inez Aponte weaves Surinamese folktale and biography to trace her ancestors’ journey to freedom.
Ages 14+
HHHHH“The best storytellers know great stories take risks. Inez is one of them.”
Providence Inner City Arts
COMEDY & THEATRE
All that Glitters
Thu 3 & Fri 4 Jul 7.30pm
When the Fab 5 finally come to London, Jessie’s friends lie about her perfect life to get her a spot on Queer Eye. But things start to unravel in a way she never imagined... Brought to you by the ONCOMM-nominated Women’s Writes. Ages 16+
Content warning: Mentions of abortion.
COMEDY & POETRY
Explaining Being Pan to Nan
Tue 15 Jul 7.30pm
A hilarious, no-holds-barred stand-up poetry show from Ledbury Poetry Slam winner P Burton-Morgan, unpacking queer identity for an 86-year-old Nan - funny, sexy and unapologetically queer! Presented by Metta Theatre Ages 16+
Content warning: Sex and sexually explicit language.
Shotgunned
Tue 9 & Wed 10 Sep 7.30pm
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.
Ages 14+
HHHHH
“A cleverly composed, superbly performed, achingly moving two-hander.”
The Stage Content warning: Includes strong language.
THEATRE
Jane Eyre: An Autobiography
Mon 29 & Tue 30 Sep Evenings 7.30pm & Tue 2.30pm
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+
“Remarkable .” The Guardian (The Long Walk Back, 2019)
Take Part
Oxford Playhouse offers year-round activities for all ages - at the theatre, in the community, and online.
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 11 to 15 Panto Auditions
Sat 31 May
Time slot will be allocated when you book Top Room, Oxford Playhouse
If you’re a 11to 15-year-old who’s passionate about acting, singing and dancing, and would like to be on stage this Christmas, join us at our Dick Whittington panto auditions!
Ages 12 to 16
Playhouse Youth Theatre
Tue: 22 Apr – 15 Jul 5pm to 7.30pm Top Room, Oxford Playhouse
Develop your passion for performance, learn new skills and build confidence at our Youth Theatre, where 12 to 16-year-olds will develop their own characters and narrative, and perform their original play in the BT Studio at the end of term.
Ages 17 to 25 Playhouse Young Company
Wed: 23 Apr – 16 Jul
5pm to 7.30pm
Top Room, Oxford Playhouse
The Young Company welcomes 17 to 25-year-olds with a commitment and passion for creating theatre and ambition, to develop key performance skills, build confidence and explore improvisation, whilst creating their own original piece of theatre.
Ages 11+
KEEN Drama Workshops
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 performance.
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
Take Part
Ages 5 and under
Hey Diddle Diddle
Mon: 28 Apr – 14 Jul 11am to 11.30am Top Room, Oxford Playhouse
The perfect introduction to music, dance and performance for early years children. With a new theme every week, join us on Monday mornings for musical fun!
Ages 50+
Social Thursdays
Thu: 24 Apr, 22 May, 19 Jun 10.30am to 12noon Main Foyer, Oxford Playhouse
Enjoy creative activities and build new friendships at our welcoming and supportive Social Thursdays. Join us for a programme of talks, dance, singing, play-reading and much more.
Ages 40+ DETENTION Community Cast Taster Session
Mon 16 Jun
7pm to 9.30pm Oxford Playhouse
Gary Clarke Company is looking for five members of the local LGBT+ community, aged 40+, to join their exceptional cast of performers live on stage. A fantastic opportunity to make a unique contribution to this story of Section 28 and the LGBT+ community’s fight for justice.
This session will be led by Gary Clarke and will be an opportunity to hear more about the role and to try out some ideas from the show.
Find out more about Detention on page 40.
Ages 26+
Playhouse Adult Company
Sign up now for our autumn term and newly expanded Adult Companies. In the meantime, why not come and see our current company stage Brecht’s The Caucasian Chalk Circle, on Sat 19 & Sun 20 Jul?
See page 33 for more information.
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
Mactaggart Third Fund
Mr and Mrs J A Pye’s Charitable Settlement
The Robert and Margaret Moss Charitable Trust
The Schuster Charitable Trust
Souldern Trust
Still Point Fund
Theatres Trust
The Thompson Family Charitable Trust
The William Delafield Charitable Trust Anonymous (but greatly appreciated)
Building and Technical Supporters
Creative Learning and Production Supporter 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
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
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
Cllr. Dr James Fry
Simon Inch
Sarah Jones
Tim Kidd
Geoffry Lescott
Jane & Graham Mackay
Peter Mackridge
John May
M J Morris
Elizabeth Paris
Brian W Plater
Diana B Renton
Sue Staunton
Lady Jennifer Stringer
Alison Townsend
Micaela Tuckwell
Dr Louise Upton
Edward Whinney
J Willis
•
• Acknowledgement in our brochure, website, programmes and foyer areas
• Behind the Scenes updates
• All the benefits of a Friend 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 Friend Membership including Priority Booking and discounts
Seating Plan
Possible limited view. Please call the Box Office for further information.
These seats can be removed to accommodate wheelchairs. Please call the Box Office for further information.
Rows AA to C are sometimes removed for staging and are therefore not always available – please check with the Box Office when booking.
CIRCLE
STALLS
View from Row A, Circle
View from Row K, Stalls
View from Row A, Stalls
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 £14 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 aged 65+, under-18s, full-time students (ID required), Universal Credit recipients, NHS Staff, and Equity/BECTU/Stage Directors UK members. Discounts are available on selected performances and 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 62 and 63 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 & Sat matinees 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 £14 per ticket and one free teacher ticket with every 10 tickets booked. Available Mon - Thu for most week-long shows. Subject to availability. 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 www.oxfordplayhouse.com/access, call the friendly Box Office team on 01865 305305 or email access@oxfordplayhouse.com
Our range of Access facilities includes:
General Access Our main entrance is at street level on Beaumont Street and fully wheelchair accessible with automated doors. Our Box Office, Auditorium, The Gladstone Room and Foyer Bar are all fully wheelchair accessible. 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 as audio recordings and large-print copies on request. Please email access@oxfordplayhouse.com.
Sennheiser Infrared Headset System can help to boost the sound level straight to your hearing aid or headphones, if you are hard of hearing. Please ask the Box Office team at the time of booking, who can advise on the best places to sit for using the Sennheiser sets.
Captioned Performances convert spoken word into text that appears on a screen as the words are sung or spoken on stage.
British Sign Language (BSL) Performances feature a BSL interpreter, who stands at the side of the stage and interprets the show for D/deaf audiences.
Audio Described Performances (via headphones) offer a live narration describing the action in the pauses between the onstage dialogue, for those who are blind or partially sighted. Free Touch Tours also accompany these performances and are a chance to explore the set before the show begins.
Relaxed Performances are specifically set up to be more sensitive to audiences who may benefit from a more relaxed environment, including people with autistic spectrum conditions, learning disabilities or young children. The house lights will be partially on, sound levels reduced, and audience members can come and go as they please and make noise if they want to.
Dementia Friendly Performances are carefully tailored for those living with dementia and their friends, family or carers, so everyone can enjoy the show in a supportive, comfortable, and relaxed environment. Adaptations include reduced volume of music when dialogue is taking place.
Access Diary
