Presented by Oxford Theatre Guild
By T.S. Eliot
"Saints are not made by accident."

A radical priest returns from exile to an uncertain welcome. Women gather by the Cathedral to seek sanctuary from an increasingly dangerous world. The church is in conflict with the state and shadowy forces seek to take matters into their own hands.

Written against the backdrop of the rise of fascism in the 1930s, T.S. Eliot's powerful retelling of the final days of Thomas Becket is one of the most influential plays of the twentieth century.

The resolute Women of Canterbury are at the heart of the performance, their voices and watchful presence a constant reminder of the human cost of conflict, forcing us to bear witness to a nation in turmoil.

Following their acclaimed Pygmalion, Oxford Theatre Guild, Oxford's leading amateur theatre company, returns to The Playhouse with a bold and evocative production of Eliot's thought-provoking and relevant masterpiece.

Age 12+

Bringing the magic of Pitch Perfect live to the Oxford Playhouse stage, this Oxford a cappella collaboration will see six renowned student groups battle it out in the must-see a cappella event of the year.

Oxford's student a cappella groups are back and better than ever, with new music and new faces joining the lineup. Riff Off is the perfect opportunity to see students performing hits in genres ranging from pop and rock to bossa nova and jazz.

As a joint performance from The Oxford Commas, Out Of The Blue, The Oxford Belles, The Oxford Gargoyles, The Oxford Alternotives, and In The Pink, expect to see rivalries reach a head as each group tries to prove, once and for all, who reigns supreme over the city’s student a cappella scene.

Age 14+

Proudly presented by Martin Dodd for UK Productions Ltd in association with Nottingham Playhouse, adapted by Nesrin Alrefaai and Matthew Spangler, from the International No.1 Bestseller Christy Lefteri.

‘I was scared of the bees at first, but now, they make me feel alive. They are like a society in complete harmony with itself. Not like people at all, but maybe what people have the potential to be.’

Nuri is a beekeeper; his wife, Afra, an artist. They live a simple life, rich in family and friends, in the beautiful Syrian city of Aleppo – until the unthinkable happens. When all they care for is destroyed by war, they are forced to escape.

On their terrifying journey, they must face the pain of their own unbearable loss alongside incredible danger. Above all, they must journey to find each other again. This compassionate and beautiful play is a story of connection – between friends, families and strangers.

Winner of the Aspen Words Award, Runner up for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and one of The Times top three bestselling books of 2020, Christy Lefteri’s best-selling novel is adapted by Nesrin Alrefaai, and Matthew Spangler who adapted The Kite Runner.

The production produced in association with UK Productions had its world premiere at Nottingham Playhouse in early 2023 and went on to tour the UK, receiving rave reviews wherever it played.

Post-show talk Wed 6 May 19:30
Captioned performance Thu 7 May 19:30
Audio Described performance Sat 9 May 14:30

Rachel is a theatre-loving, enigmatic, learning-disabled 35 year-old who loves Kylie, heckling her sister, and seeing people falling over. At the touch of a button she commands the action, each scene brought to life by a skilled cast ready for whatever she asks of them. From bar room brawls to a bourbon biscuit cabaret – get ready, this is Rachel’s Perfect Show.

Perfect Show For Rachel is a “joyous celebration of theatre without the rules” (???? The Stage), combining physical theatre, live music, family memories, massive fights and fart jokes in an electric, moving and triumphant tapestry.

Step into Rachel’s unique, often hilarious world in this critically acclaimed show.

Perfect Show for Rachel was developed with Rachel, to create a show on her own terms. It explores who defines artistic taste, and questions who that currently excludes.

Created by Zoo Co Theatre, a multi-award-winning company creating theatre that loudly champions access. Zoo Co won the Oxford Samuel Beckett Theatre Trust Award in 2022. Created in collaboration with Improbable, a pioneering company of improvisers and theatre-makers who have been making ground-breaking work for the past 25 years. Proud winners of Producer of the Year at The Stage Awards 2023.

Access information
All performances are Relaxed Performances, though due to the nature of the show, loud noises and flashing lights may feature. Audience members are welcome to come and go from the auditorium during the show as needed.

All performances include a mixture of creative captioning, live captioning and integrated BSL, meaning it will be accessible for d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing audiences. Due to the improvised nature of some parts of the show, some scenes may just have creative captions or integrated BSL.

14+

In A Beautiful Thread, Oxford Playhouse favourite, Anton Lesser (Endeavour, Wolf Hall, Game of Thrones) tells the story of Thomas Hardy’s life – as dramatic as any of his books – in Hardy’s own words, through his sublime poetry, letters, and great novels, including Far From the Madding Crowd, Tess of the d’Urbervilles, and Jude the Obscure.

Anton Lesser and Lucia Bonbright bring a hugely varied cast to dazzling life: from Hardy’s immortal characters, Hardy himself, his mother, Jemima and wives, Emma and Florence, to George Bernard Shaw and Virginia Woolf! The show highlights Hardy’s humour (often overlooked!), his modernity, the astonishing time-span he lived through, and his global reach, from Japan to Hollywood. Adapted by Deirdre Shields, Hardy’s extraordinary writing shines bright as ever.

Thomas Hardy put more music in his novels than any other writer, and Orchestra of the Swan’s Artistic Director, David Le Page has devised a musical programme of shimmering beauty that weaves around the words, from classical music to contemporary folk, performed live by on-stage musicians from Orchestra of the Swan.

From Hambletts, the creative team that brought Red Sky at Sunrise: Laurie Lee in Words and Music to Oxford Playhouse.

14+

The Four Horsemen of Rising Crime, Global Warming, AI and Culture Wars are galloping towards us. Are we on the road to hell? And can we avoid the potholes? In his brand new tour show ‘Fair Cop’ Alfie has the antidote to the breakdown of law and order, fake news and the price of baked beans.

He’s encountered more than his fair share of egotistical dictators in his policing career and learnt when pragmatism, and more than a dash of laughter, can defuse even the most menacing showdown.

Join Alfie as he’s saddles up to see off those bullies on their pesky ponies. Doomsday is no laughing matter but this show certainly is.

*A £2.75 booking fee per transaction applies to this event across all channels - website, phone and in-person bookings at the Box Office. The fee is waived for members, schools, groups and access bookers.

14+

The Theatre Chipping Norton and Selladoor Worldwide present a new version of the West End classic–rebooted and reimagined for 2026.

The worldwide comic phenomenon returns with this updated and reinvented rollercoaster ride through all 37 of the Bard’s plays. Grab your tickets now for a wild and irreverent show that leaves its audiences breathless with laughter.

After nine years in London’s West End, two TV specials, and performances in over 20 countries, the Reduced Shakespeare Company are reinventing this classic comic masterpiece for a new generation of audiences

Presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International.

*A £2.75 booking fee per transaction applies to this event across all channels - website, phone and in-person bookings at the Box Office. The fee is waived for members, schools, groups and access bookers.

After a smash-hit UK tour, Frankie Goes to Bollywood returns – bigger, bolder, and bursting with Bollywood glamour.

This dazzling musical comedy-drama dives deep into the glitzy, high-pressure world of Indian cinema, where dreams are mass-produced, identities are reshaped, and women are expected to smile and play by the script written for them.

At the centre of it all is Frankie, a young British woman with little interest in fame. But her quiet suburban life is turned upside down as she is thrust into a world of dazzling lights, choreographed perfection and media obsession. Frankie must decide: Can she become a star without losing who she really is?

What must she give up to succeed in a man’s world – and what is she willing to fight for?

With show-stopping choreography, lavish costumes, and a cast of unforgettable characters, Frankie Goes to Bollywood is a bold, uplifting story of ambition, transformation, and the power of telling your own story.

Featuring original Bollywood songs by hit composer Harry Anand, this is Rifco Theatre Company’s most ambitious production yet – a celebration of love, identity and courage, packed with joy, drama, and spectacular entertainment.

Whether you're a fan of musicals, Bollywood films, or powerful British stories, this is one night at the theatre you won’t want to miss.

*A £2.75 booking fee per transaction applies to this event across all channels - website, phone and in-person bookings at the Box Office. The fee is waived for members, schools, groups and access bookers.

Presented by Theatre Royal Windsor

By Noël Coward

Directed by Philip Wilson

Noël Coward’s witty romantic comedy gets a vibrant 1930s twist!

When a widowed count tries to marry off his daughter to the son of his best friend, it seems like a perfectly sensible plan. But with both young lovers secretly pining for others, their entangled affections cause chaos.

Just as their scheme to break free begins the Countess, Raoul’s former love, the spirited Marquise Eloise de Kestournel, bursts back into their lives, wielding her wit and charm, she turns their carefully laid plans upside down, reminding everyone that love truly can conquer all.

This is a sparkling and sophisticated tale of old secrets, impulsive passion and eternal youth.

The production features a remarkable ensemble of acclaimed stage and screen talent, led by BAFTA Award winner Juliet Aubrey as The Marquise Eloise de Kestournel, alongside Simon Shepherd as Raoul de Vriaac and Tristan Gemmill as Esteban el Duco Santaguano, who together bring Coward’s world to life with charm, wit and irresistible chemistry.

16+

By William Shakespeare

Narrated live by Simon Russell Beale

Directed by Sir Greg Doran

Puppets designed and created by Lyndie Wright

Former Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company and renowned Shakespearean, Greg Doran, revives his celebrated production of Venus & Adonis, Shakespeare’s great narrative poem.

Narrated by Simon Russell Beale and animated by a team of world-class puppeteers with live musical accompaniment, this unique production blends comedy, tragedy and Shakespeare’s incredible poetry to bring the famous story of Venus and her obsession with the handsome Adonis thrillingly to life in a rich, immersive theatrical experience.

Drawing inspiration from the bewitching artistry of Japanese Bunraku puppets and the Jacobean Court Masque, this spellbinding production tells the story using marionettes, rod, shadow and table-top puppets.

As part of a limited UK and European tour, this is an exclusive and rare opportunity to witness, close at hand, this powerful erotically-charged story of unrequited love.

Lead image by Lucy Barriball 2017 © RSC

14+

Presented by Aakash Odedra Company in association with Manchester Camerata

Birdsong is fleeting—like dance, it exists only in the present, vanishing as soon as it is sung.

This is another chance to see award-winning UK choreographer and dancer Aakash Odedra as he returns to the Main Stage, following a sold-out show last summer.

Inspired by an ancient Sufi myth of a captive bulbul (or nightingale), the songbird’s melody becomes a metaphor for the fleeting nature of dance and an artist’s life. Blending Kathak and contemporary movement, the work explores freedom, devotion, and resilience through virtuosic rhythm, moments of stillness, and an intimate dialogue between body, breath,
and music.

Featuring choreography by Rani Khanam and music by Rushil Ranjan, this exquisite performance draws together 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 asks whether we, like the caged bird, remain bound to the material world, or soar toward liberation and enlightenment.

12+

Travel from Oz to Seville, step onto 42nd Street, tumble down the rabbit hole, and raise the barricade — all in one exhilarating evening.

Join OXOPS (Oxford Operatic Society) this July as they present The Rhythm of Life, a staged concert with heart, humour and high-energy performances. This fast-paced production brings together beloved classics and contemporary favourites in a joyful tribute to the stage.

From the timeless wit of Gilbert & Sullivan to the soaring drama of Andrew Lloyd Webber, the golden age of Rodgers & Hammerstein to modern West End and Broadway hits, there is something here for every generation of theatre fan. Featuring music from Wicked, Les Misérables, Chicago, Beauty and the Beast, Company and more, the programme is packed with iconic songs that have defined musical theatre for decades.

This year OXOPS celebrates eighty years of bringing musical theatre to Oxford. The Rhythm of Life is both a celebration of the genre and a tribute to the company’s extraordinary legacy.

Whether you’re a lifelong musical theatre devotee or just looking for a genuinely uplifting night out, join us for an evening packed with music, movement, and moments you’ll be humming long after the curtain falls.

10+

A brand-new stand-up show from the chaotic mind of a mother of two who is typing this with one hand because the other is always holding someone or something.

Michelle Wolf delivers a hilarious deconstruction of society, gender roles and testicles. Metaphorically. For the love of God, metaphorically. You’ll learn, you’ll laugh and you’ll find out what is actually the best job in the world.

Wolf has released four stand-up specials across Netflix and HBO to critical acclaim, including a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special. She is also known for her appearances on The Daily Show (Comedy Central), The Break with Michelle Wolf (Netflix), and making international headlines as the much-buzzed-about headliner of the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner. In the UK she has guested on shows such as Have I Got News for You, QI and Would I Lie to You? (BBC).

14+

The Gigspanner Big Band are a unique force in British folk music...

Their high-energy, virtuosic performances appeal equally to traditionalists and to those looking for something more experimental, and they have garnered praise from publications as varied as fRoots, The Telegraph and The Wire, where they were described as ‘melodically folk-rooted yet open and innovative beyond the constraints of genre’

Beginning life as a trio - with legendary Steeleye Span fiddle player Peter Knight being joined by percussionist Sacha Trochet and guitarist Roger Flack - the line-up has been expanded to form the Gigspanner Big Band, with acclaimed multi-instrumental duo Edgelarks (Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin - BBC Folk Awards 'Best Duo') and Bellowhead co-founder and melodeon player extraordinaire, John Spiers, joining the fray.

While Peter Knight, as part of Steeleye Span’s classic 1970s line-up, helped invent a brand of folk rock that is still influential today, John Spiers, has had an equally profound impact on the landscape of traditional music over the last two decades.

2025 has been a highlight year for the Band, marked by the release of their album Turnstone, which has been nominated for the inaugural Folk Album of the Year 2025 Awards, and has featured in several ‘Album of the Year’ lists, including esteemed music journal SONGLINES.

Characterised by riotous inventiveness, technically gifted individual playing and subtle collaborative interaction, this coming together of several of the biggest names on the folk-roots scene, combines a deep knowledge of roots traditions with a ceaselessly boundary pushing approach.

12+

We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is dead!

So it’s time to prepare yourselves for two amazing shows with Horrible Histories live on stage! Using actors and eye-popping 3D special effects, these two astounding shows are guaranteed to thrill you and your children. Historical figures and events will come alive on stage and hover at your fingertips!

Terrible Tudors
From the horrible Henries to the end of evil Elizabeth, hear the legends (and the lies!) about the torturing Tudors. Find out the fate of Henry’s headless wives and his punch up with the Pope. Meet Bloody Mary and see Ed fall dead in his bed. Survive the Spanish Armada as it sails into the audience!

Awful Egyptians
From the fascinating Pharaohs to the power of the pyramids, discover the foul facts of death and decay with the meanest mummies in Egypt. Are you ready to rumble with Ramesses the Great? Dare you enter through the Gates of the afterlife? It’s the history of Egypt with the nasty bits left in!

PLEASE NOTE!
Performances are labelled in the Dates & Times section below. Please ensure you’re booking for the performance you wish to see: Terrible Tudors or Awful Egyptians – or both!

6+

Based on the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

'I'm not braggin' but I'm a dragon'

Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's classic, feel-good story is brought to roaring, soaring life in this delightful musical for children.

Zog is the keenest dragon in Madam Dragon's school. He's also the most accident-prone, flying into trees, and even setting his own wing alight. Thankfully, a kind girl comes along to patch up his scratches and scrapes - but can she help him with his biggest challenge yet, so that he can finally win a golden star?

This charming smash-hit show, from the producers of Stick Man and Zog and the Flying Doctors and featuring joyful songs by Joe Stilgoe with beautiful puppets by Little Angel, is a treat for children and adults alike.

3+

By Graham Greene

Adapted for the stage by Clive Francis

Directed by Philip Wilson

Our Man in Havana follows James Wormold, a British vacuum cleaner salesman in pre-revolutionary Havana, Cuba.

Struggling financially to support his spoiled daughter, Wormold is recruited by MI6 agent Hawthorne to be a spy. Lacking any actual spy skills or intentions, Wormold fabricates an entire network of fictional agents and reports, using his imagination and local bar conversations.

His absurd reports, claiming to depict secret weapons, are taken seriously by MI6, leading to real-world consequences as the Cuban government grows suspicious.

A wonderfully funny and fast-moving romp!

14+

Come and join Nick Cope for a brand new, delightful family concert, featuring all your favourite hits and more!

Nick has been writing and recording his beautiful and totally unique songs for children and their families for over 10 years, he performs with his guitar and stunning animations to sell-out crowds all over the country.

His fanatical following of little and not so little fans has grown immeasurably over the last couple of years due to the phenomenal success of the CBeebies show Nick Cope’s Popcast.

Nick has a magical way of reaching into people’s hearts, igniting children’s imagination in an organic, unpatronizing, educational and fun way. With his charming songs and humour he engages, entertains, and enthrals all generations.

3+

Michael Spicer, the online sensation who brought you the award-winning viral hit The Room Next Door, brings another hilarious and brilliantly entertaining satirical stage show packed with sketches, short films and stories about why we’re witnessing such a gigantic political and global sh*tshow, featuring characters from his BBC Radio 4 show No Room as well as some old friends too.

16+

An evening of sensational improvised comedy hosted by two of the UK’s masters of improvisation with their old friend, improv virtuoso, Mike McShane and a host of very special guests.

Fast, fabulously funny improvised games, scenes, stories and laugh out loud surrealism.

14+

Mike Wozniak returns to Oxford with his show in which a story about a bench will be prominent. Previous experience of or strong opinions about benches not required. Let Mike worry about that.

As seen on Taskmaster, Man Down and Junior Taskmaster. As heard on Three Bean Salad podcast.

14+

Take a step back into the 1940s with the official Glenn Miller Orchestra’s UK Tour, for a concert of timeless classics celebrating the unforgettable sound of Glenn Miller.

Following sold-out concerts at the likes of London’s Barbican Centre, Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, and Liverpool Philharmonic Hall – and under the direction of legendary conductor and band leader Ray McVay – the orchestra takes you on a guided tour of Miller’s incredible musical legacy. From Moonlight Serenade and American Patrol, through to Tuxedo Junction, Pennsylvania 6-5000 and, of course, In the Mood – plus many, many more.

The concert features the exact orchestral line-up devised by Glenn, as well as the fabulous harmonies of the Moonlight Serenaders vocal group, the sublime vocals of the orchestra’s two featured singers, as well the orchestra’s own swinging jazz band, The Uptown Hall Gang.

With their flawless musicianship, irresistible energy, and authentic vintage style, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is the ultimate way to hear and enjoy Glenn Miller’s timeless music.

7+

Written by Willy Russell, the legendary Blood Brothers tells the captivating and moving tale of twins who, separated at birth, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with fateful consequences.

Few musicals have received quite such acclaim as the multi-award-winning Blood Brothers. The production ran for more than 10,000 performances in London’s West End and has been affectionately christened the Standing Ovation Musical as inevitably it “brings the audience cheering to its feet and roaring its approval” (The Daily Mail).

The superb score includes Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True.

'Some people build fences to keep people out, and other people build fences to keep people in.'

Our Associate Company Headlong returns to the stage with August Wilson's landmark play, Fences. From one of America's most influential 20th-century writers comes a story of ambition for our time. Set in the 1950s, this vital new production is directed by the award-winning Daniel Bailey (Red Pitch, West End).

Troy Maxson has cheated death once, but the past keeps closing in. On Pittsburgh's streets, he cracks jokes and spins stories, yet at home, the pressure is building.

His wife, Rose, holds the family together. She sees a changing world and hopes their son Cory might step into it with more freedom than Troy ever had. But when dreams collide, and tempers flare, the Maxsons edge towards a reckoning that could reshape everything they know.

12+