Friday, April 27, 2007

What's in the Cinema this Week? (April 27 - May 3)

StraightheadsOpening in Oxford this week is Straightheads, starring Gillian Anderson, Danny Dyer, and Anthony Calf. An upwardly mobile, happy young couple are targeted in a horrific gang attack. In response, they embark on a bloody mission, dead set on getting their revenge. This film contains very strong violence. (18)

The Painted VeilAlso opening this week is The Painted Veil , starring Naomi Watts and Edward Norton. Naomi Watts stars as a woman dissatisfied with her marriage, as her husband favours his research over spending time with her. An affair then leads her on a journey of self-discovery. This film contains one moderate sex scene. (12A)

NextNext, starring Nicolas Cage, Julianne Moore, and Nicolas Pajon is also opening this weekend in Oxford. Nicolas Cage stars as a Las Vegas magician who can see into his own future. When terrorists threaten Los Angeles, government agents seek to enlist his help. The film contains moderate violence and one use of strong language. (12A)

Bridge to TerabitihiaLastly, this weekend has Bridge to Terabithia, starring Josh Hutcherson, Tyler Atfield, and Erin Annis. Based on the well-loved children's book, the film tells the story of an unusual girl who outruns a boy and how they then form an unlikely friendship to explore an incredible fantasy world together. The film contains scary scenes and emotional distress. (PG)

Get showtimes for all the cinemas in Oxford

What's in the Theatre this Week? (April 27 - May 3)

The Oxford Playhouse:

Hot Mikado - Oxfordshire Youth Musical Theatre brings to life this lively parody of Gilbert & Sullivan's The Mikado.

Benjamin ZephaniahAn Audience with Benjamin Zephaniah - Join Benjamin Zephaniah for an afternoon in which he talks about his life, reads extracts of his poetry and takes questions from the audience.


Teapot TiniesTeapot Tinies - Go on a delightful musical adventure every week in the heart of the city. In the light and airy space of the Top Room at Oxford Playhouse, you and your tiny one(s) will sing, move and play with pre school music specialist Emily Marshall. Free activities available before and after the session so come early and stay late. Suitable for 0-4 year olds.

Wonderful World of DissociaThe Wonderful World of Dissocia - A colourful and exciting off-kilter trip in search of one lost hour. A curious blend of the funny, the friendly and the brutal. A magical and moving play from the National Theatre of Scotland.


Old Fire Station:
Richard III - Oxford Triptych Theatre present a new version of this classic tragedy

Burton Taylor Theatre:
Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land - What happens when a theatre accidentally books 2 plays in the same rehearsal slot? Confusion and chaos reign when the contemporary tragedy ‘Secret Love’ collides with classic comedy ‘Peach Blossom Land’ packing the stage with sorrow and laughter. (in Chinese with English surtitles)

The Secret Sin of Septimus Brope - New play by award-winning playwright Jem Bloomfield. A Wilde-style society comedy – jokes about Methodism! Fun poked at folly and a chambermaid no better than she ought to be! New Writing (after Saki)

New Theatre:
42nd Street42nd Street - The timeless and inspiring tale of small-town-girl Peggy Sawyer and her rise to fame as a Broadway star. Including all your favourite songs from Lullaby Of Broadway to I Only Have Eyes For You, 42nd Street is a classic musical that will thrill audiences with its stunning sets, fantastic songs and fabulous costumes. A must see.

ToscaTosca - Puccini's Tosca is a heady mix of true love, torture and treachery featuring the tender moving arias, Recondita Armonia, Vissi d’Arte and E Lucevan le Stelle.

The Queen Symphony

The WaterboysThe Waterboys - With almost continual changes to their line-up since 1983, The Waterboys are still going strong under the leadership of singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mike Scott, whose intense presence and lyrics are distinctive characteristics of the band.

Jason DonovanJason Donovan - With almost continual changes to their line-up since 1983, The Waterboys are still going strong under the leadership of singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mike Scott, whose intense presence and lyrics are distinctive characteristics of the band.


That'll Be The Day - A musical tour through the '50s, '60s and '70s, from skiffle bands and Juke Box Jury, through The Beatles and the Summer Of Love, to the spangle-studded glam-rock era. A foot stomping rollercoaster of a musical ride!

For all theatre information, times and dates, click here

This Week's Music Highlights (April 27 - May 3)

Friday:

  • Music at Oxford's Fretwork - English consort music: Tavener to Purcell - Holywell Music Room

  • Oxford Philomusica's Sheherazade - brought to life in Rodrigo's delightful Guitar Concerto - Sheldonian Theatre

Saturday:

  • "New Masters Series" - The first in a series of recitals by future stars of the concert platform - Jacqueline du Pre Music Building

  • Oxford Sinfonia's Chamber Concert: includes Stravinsky Apollon Musagete, Mozart Gran Partita for Wind - University Church of St Mary

  • Oxford Spezzati performs Handel, J.S. Bach. Conductor: Nicholas Mumby - Merton College Chapel

Sunday:

  • Coffee Concert with Thomas Gould & John Reid - Holywell Music Room

  • Cushion Concert for children - Jacqueline du Pre Music Building

  • Oxford Chamber Music Society presents Min-Jin Kym (violin) & Ian Brown (piano) playing Mozart, Beethoven, Fauré - Holywell Music Room

  • Charivari Agreable performs Coronation Anthems by Purcell, Croft, Clarke, Lawes & Handel - New College Chapel

  • Chantelle Pike - Jericho Tavern

Monday:

  • Famous Monday Night Blues featuring Big Gilson (Brazil) - Backroom at the Bully

  • Oxford University Music Society presents Oxford New Concertante - Handel, Mendelssohn, Elgar - Christ Church Cathedral

  • May Eve Concert - Selection of music performed by college orchestra, singers and the Waynflete Clerks including Grieg's Piano Concerto, Schubert, Haydn and Tallis - Magdalen College Chapel

  • South African Piano Music - Aph'ekhaya Sidlala: South African pianist Jill Richards performs Volans, Fokkens and Blake - Holywell Music Room

Tuesday:

  • Ola Murphy - The Big Bang

Wednesday:

  • Northern Harmony - World Music featuring American shape-note singing and Appalachian harmonies; village songs from Caucasus Georgia and the Balkans; sacred and secular harmonies from the Corsican oral tradition; South African folksongs and dances; and lively villancicos from renaissance Spain - Holywell Music Room

Thursday:

  • Rachmaninov Vespers - Sheldonian Theatre

  • The Sixteen - Music from the Sistine Chapel including Allegri, Palestrina, Marenzio and Anerio - University Church of St Mary

  • Sophie Garner - Joe's, Summertown

  • Rob Hughes on Sax - The Spin at the Wheatsheaf

  • The Memory Band - Modern Art Oxford

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