Frank and Ferdinand
5pm and 7pm 19th February
The Northwall Theatre, Oxford.
This was the first performance of this new play by Samuel Adamson, specially written for the National Theatre Connections project. It will be next performed at the Oxford Playhouse in April.
A village in a war-ravaged country wakes to find that one hundred and thirty children have vanished. Only four are left: Otto, Aloysius, Sarah and Flora. Interviewed by a Military Inquiry, each child tells the events of the night before. But their accounts seem to differ. Who is the elusive Sebastian and why does the Inquiry's depiction of him keep changing from delinquent to charmer and back again?
What's real, and what's fairy-tale?
It's just ... if we had peace ... I wonder what colours I'd see with you. If all we had was the normal things I long for, just sky and school and music, like in stories, then who would you be, Sebastian?
A short, satirical mystery about the suppression of truth and the making of myths.
A Night at the Inn
Millennium Hall, Horton cum Studley, Oxfordshire
Using local actors and children from surrounding vilages this play evokes all the atmosphere of the nativity story. Played in the round the audienc enjoy mulled wine while they are taken back to the beginnings of the festival of Christmas. Proceeds dedicated to the Special Care Baby Unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital.
An Inn. The time is – time. The Place is – anywhere....
Bugs - The CIAO Project
July 2010 at the Natural History Museum, Oxford
As part of the CIAO (Childrens International Arts Organisation) ARK project, 3 actors played Bugs in front of a huge Ark erected in the grounds of the Natural History Museum
The piece was specially written and told the story of the "fight for survival against an ever aggressive stripping of the World's natural resources by mankind". The 3 bugs were a Honey Bee, a Dung Beetle and a Butterfly who delighted the audience with their interpretation and general physicality, including some fabulous dancing. Many people attended this event on a hot summers day in Oxford.
Amahl and the Night Visitors
December 2009 at The Rickyard, Horton-cum-Studley, Oxfordshire.
Text based upon the most popular Opera in the world.
A Mother and her crippled child are woken by visitors from afar.
A story for Christmas in an atmospheric setting where the audience becomes part of the action. Performed in an old barn that once housed cattle the adudience experiences the deprivation of feudal life in this gripping and moving story.
Nobility meets the poor in a run down shack, a Mother is tempted by riches and steals for her child, her crippled child is cured and
lessons are learned by both parties. The Kings continue their journey taking the child with them.
Romeo and Juliet
July 2008 at Northwall Theatre, Oxford.
William Shakespeare
Is love a tender thing?
Is it too rough, too rude, too boisterous
and it pricks like thorn.
The ultimate family feud, handed down from one generation to another wreaking havoc on both sides. Romeo tries to break the mould but is caught up in the destruction bringing about his own death and Juliet's, the one he loves. The two families are then brought together to put away their differences forever - but do they?
The Nativity
Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd December 2007 at The Millenium Hall, Horton cum Studley, Oxfordshire.
A traditional play for Christmas, The Nativity was
told in a transformed Village Hall thanks to the stunning artwork of
local artist and stone mason Nicholas Mynheer.
This original artwork was projected onto 3 walls as the story unfolded.
The audience were treated to comedy and tragedy, hatred and enlightenment,
all wrapped
up in a strong script
and dazzling costumes from the RSC. "And a word hung on the breeze
.... believe". They came and they did.
The profit from this production was dedicated to the Special Care Baby
Unit and the Children's Ward at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.
Four Baboons Adoring the Sun
Wednesday 26th June to
Saturday 29th June2007 at The Old Fire Station, Oxford.
In Four
Baboons Adoring the Sun (nominated for four Tonys) Greek
Tradegy met Romeo and Juliet.
This lyrical fable
moved from domestic comedy into a tragic world, dark and deep,
and mythic, as the families tested the idea of idealized love to its
limits. Their journey was propelled by music, sound, light and film.
Peter Pan
The Marquee, Horton-cum-Studley, Oxfordshire.
Many hurdles were overcome to put this production on, not least the losing
of two venues. However, the show was sold out and took on a magical feel
as it was staged in a marquee in the middle of winter.
Performances :
Thursday 21st December 2006 at
7.30pm
Friday 22nd December at 7.30pm
Saturday 23rd December at
2.30pm
Saturday 23rd December at 7.30pm
The profit from this production was dedicated to the Special Care Baby
Unit and the Children's Ward at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.
Lord of the Flies
Based on the novel by William Golding.
Adapted for the stage by Nigel Williams this production had children playing the major roles in their discovery of tribalism, fear and the shattering of innocence.
Venue - The Old Fire Station, Oxford.
Performances :
Thursday 21st July 2005 at 7.30pm
Friday 22nd July at 7.30pm
Saturday 23rd July at 2.30pm
Saturday 23rd July at 7.30pm
King Stag
Poster and Set Design by Korky Paul.
Venue - The Theatre at Headington, Oxford.
Performances :
Thursday 16th December 2004 at 7.30pm
Friday 17th December at 7.30pm
Saturday 18th December at 2pm
Saturday 18th December at 7.30pm
The king of Serendippo needs a bride. Number 2,751 eventually fits the bill. But things become complicated when his evil minister usurps both his throne and his bride by stealing the king's body and leaving him as a stag. Only a wizard can restore order.
This production was in aid of The Special Care Baby Unit of the John Radcliffe Hospital.
The Skin of Our Teeth
The Actors Company brought this Pullitzer Prize-winning comedy by Thornton Wilder to the Old Fire Station stage, 40 George St, Oxford.
From Tuesday June 29th to
Saturday July 3rd 2004
7.30pm
Tickets £9 Concessions £7
"A marriage of Groucho Marx and Plato !"
Narration by Kenneth Branagh
‘Living is struggle.’ Wilder’s words resonate at the start of this new century as well as they did in the last.
Mr. Antrobus invented the wheel and the brewing of beer and no matter what happens, is intent on saving the works of Shakespeare. Mrs. Antrobus invented the hem, the apron and "frying in oil", and would burn all the works of Shakespeare to keep her children from catching a cold. This winner of the 1943 Pulitzer Prize, once labelled “the marriage of Groucho Marx and Plato,” refuses to stand still for even a minute. Wilder takes his characters through such events as the Ice Age, the Flood, War, even a beauty pageant in Atlantic City. And all the while, the actors crack jokes to the audience, refuse to perform scenes they don't like and argue with the Stage Manager.
The Snow Queen
Written by Han Christian Anderson.
Performed at The Theatre at Headington, Oxford on 18th-20th December 2003.
The show included a projected Arctic backdrop filmed by BAFTA Award winner Steve DeVere. As in previous years, this production raised money for the Special Care Baby Unit and the Children's Ward at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.
The Green Bird
A traditional and outrageous Italian comedy for all the family.
This late 18th century piece comes out of the Italian Commedia
dell'arte tradition. Carlo Gozzi was the original author of the stories that
have since become the much-loved operas Turandot and Love of Three Oranges.
Performed at The Pegasus Theatre, Oxford in July 2003.
Swallows and Amazons
Staged for all the young Company members who could not appear in The Green Bird. This included a weekend away with practical experience on sailing boats and having fun.
Performed at The Millennium Hall, Horton cum Sdudley, Oxfordshire in July 2003.
A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens
Performed at the Dragon School Theatre, Oxford : December 19th-21st
2002.
Illustration by ©Korky Paul.
As in previous years, this production raised money for the Special Care Baby Unit and the Children's Ward at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.
The Hobbit
Performed at the Pegasus Theatre, Oxford : July 25th - 27th 2002.
Illustration by ©Korky Paul.
JRR Tolkien's classic, written for his own children, is brought to life
in this adaptation by Patricia Gray. Bilbo Baggins is whisked away from
the safety of his Hobbit hole by Gandalph, the wizard and a company of
dwarves. Bilbo becomes a reluctant hero as he and his companions overcome
many obstacles in their search for Smaug The Magnificent, a large and very
ferocious dragon.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
CS Lewis
This Christmas production was performed at the Dragon School Theatre in
Summertown, Oxford on December 20th-22nd to full houses.
The staging of this adaptation was by special permission from the Royal
Shakespeare Theatre.
This production raised £700.00 for the Special Care Baby Unit and the Children's Ward at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.
A Midsummer Nights Dream
Performed at the Pegasus Theatre, Oxford : 24th - 28th July 2001.
Illustration by ©Korky Paul.
From the neatly clipped rose gardens of the Duke's palace, four
desperate lovers stumble into a lush and enchanted world where in the
moonlight they find mischievous fairies, plays within plays and true
love.
The set included a live water fountain and real plants donated by Nottcuts Nursery.
Peter Pan
Performed at the The Dragon School Theatre, Oxford : Christmas 2000
Illustration by ©Korky Paul.
More than sixty young people, many of whom had little or no experience
of performing, took part in this to tell the story of the child who wanted
always to be a little boy and have fun.
The profit from this production was dedicated to the Special Care
Baby Unit and the Children's Ward at the John Radcliffe Hospital,
Oxford.
The Tempest
Burton Taylor Theatre, Oxford : Summer 1999
Forty young people aged 4 - 14 took part in this intimate and inspiring production using a very simple set of silver step ladders and brightly coloured materials plus masks, movement and haunting music.
Tickets sold out at all performances.
The Snow Queen
Horton-cum-Studley Church, Christmas 1998
Original adaptation of a classic fairy-tale raised £400 for the John
Radcliffe Hospital.
On The Beach
Pegasus Theatre, July 1998
A comic devised piece told through mime using brass band music,
performed as part of Jamboree Festival.
A Christmas Carol
Horton-cum-Studley Church, Christmas 1997
Forty minute version created for the Company telling Dickens'
well-loved seasonal tale.
The BFG
Beckley School, Summer 1996
Roald Dahl's gentle and humourus story of giants, orphans and making
dreams come true.
Next production - December 22-23
NATIVITY
Millennium Hall, Horton-cum-Studley, Oxford
