Monday 1st June 2026

Theatre

Behind the red curtain: ‘Stories From an Abandoned Warehouse’ reviewed

Leo Jones reviews Crazy Child Productions' performance of 'Stories From an Abandoned Warehouse', the first English staging of the play.

‘Would you mind if I asked you a troubling question?’:  ‘Ulster American’ in review

Arun Lewis reviews Grá Productions' staging of David Ireland's 'Ulster American', and finds fault in an otherwise fascinating performance.

‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ in review

The Harris Manchester Players immersed Oxford’s inhabitants in the delightful world of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest this May.

Blood will have blood: Cross Keys Productions’ ‘Macbeth’

Shakespeare revivals must tread a fine line: too often they turn into one-actor vehicles or experiments, or shipwreck upon the squall of their adaptation.

“We’re going into a new territory”: interviewing theatre director Sally Cookson

Sally Cookson is a theatre director who has worked on productions for theatres including the Old Vic London, the Bristol Old Vic, the National...

Dick Whittington: not quite the win the National was hoping for

This version attempts to be the Hamilton of pantomimes, incorporating street dance, rap, pop ballads and frequent references to TikTok trends into an otherwise familiar tale.

Backstage takes centre stage: a look behind the scenes

It is at this moment that it becomes obvious just how important backstage is; it can quite simply carry the play or allow it to flop, making the phrase ‘break a leg’ cut a bit close to the bone.

Becoming Hir

The play’s cathartic nature hinges on New York playwright Taylor Mac’s darkly playful approach to gender issues.

Review: Mischief Movie Night

"Mischief Movie Night is a funny and engaging show that is sure to brighten up even the darkest lockdown night."

Reinvention: rethinking gender and race on stage

"Marginalised actors should not just be shoehorned into pre-existing plays without any respect or provision for the stories they have to tell. To do so is to package diversity into commercially successful morsels that are digestible for largely white, middle-class audiences."

The Show Must Go On…but not in every region of the UK

Several regional theatres have struggled to cope in the pandemic, due to persistent negligence and underfunding for decades, both by regional funding bodies and the government themselves.

Review: The Dancing Men

"The whole crew behind this production are worthy of praise for their resourcefulness, having produced a piece which works with, rather than against, its unusual circumstances".

Lighting: the art of manipulating the audience

The effect of light is upon the unconscious, unacknowledged unless you are thinking about it, but it’s influencing you all the same.

Behind the BT

"What characterises Oxford drama? The energy and enthusiasm!"

Review: Simulacrum

Written and directed by Helena Aeberli and Riana Modi, Simulacrum is the first play on the Oxford drama scene specifically designed for online production,...

Review: V-Card

"an immersive play of laughter, vulnerability and truth"

Preview: V-Card

"V-Card looks to be one to remember"

Intimations of Closeness: what might a distanced theatre look like?

It would be a dramatic understatement to say that Covid-19 has been disruptive for the United Kingdom’s creative industry – but live drama is...

“And now let’s go hand in hand, not one before another”: Grosvenor Park’s ‘The Comedy of Errors’

"a fast paced and surprisingly polished socially distanced performance"

Hope in the Dark: The ‘New World’ Playlist

"We could all do with a bit of escape and a bit of hope"

‘The Most Important Thing to Do is to Keep Creating’: In Conversation With The Cast And Crew of ‘Songs From The Old World’

It is no secret that Covid-19 has put a strain on the UK's live theatre, especially given recent restrictions legally limiting public indoor gatherings...

On ‘Three Kings’

“We are the breakers of promises… forgive us”

‘Family’ Theatre: Patronising or Inspirational?

As someone with a fair few younger siblings I can safely say that I have a pretty wide experience of family-oriented performances. My personal...

‘Measure in Love’ – Preview

In the last few months, many aspects of our lives have had to change and adapt to fit into what we call ‘the new...

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