What's in the Cinema this Week? (June 22-28)

Opening in Oxford this week is Captivity, starring Elisha Cuthbert, Daniel Gillies, and Pruitt Taylor Vince. Starring Elisha Cuthbert, this raw and unsettling psychological thriller tells the story of a top fashion model's ordeal of abduction and torture at the hands of a maniac. This film contains strong violence, torture and grisly images. (18)

In sneak preview this weekend is Shrek The Third, which stars the voices of Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, and Mike Myers. Shrek and Fiona, who married in SHREK 2, never intended to inherit the throne of Far, Far Away. Fiona's father, King Harold, develops a fatal illness, so Shrek, Donkey and Puss 'n' Boots set out on a quest to find Artie - the proper heir, who has rejected kingship - and turn him from a rebellious punk into a grateful prince. Meanwhile, Prince Charming, Fiona's jilted bridegroom, gathers up a parade of history's most famous fairy-tale nasties, and incites them to storm the castle and seize the throne by force. But Fiona has a trick up her sleeve: an army of fairy-tale heroes and heroines, including Lancelot, Snow White and Cinderella. Joining the ensemble cast for a riot of fun are Justin Timberlake and Eric Idle. This film contains mild language and comic fight scenes. (U)

Running this week at the Phoenix is La Vie En Rose starring Sylvie Testud, Marion Cotillard, and Pascal Greggory. LA VIE EN ROSE is elevated above many other artist biopics by Cotillard's magnetism in the role of Édith Piaf. From the slums of Paris to the limelight of New York, Piaf's life was a constant battle to sing and survive, to live and love. Piaf's magical voice, and her passionate romances and friendships with some of the greatest names of the period, made her a star the world over. But in her audacious attempt to tame her tragic destiny, the 'Little Sparrow' flew so high it was inevitable that she would burn her wings. Capturing the French icon's bravado, brilliance and self-destructive bent, Cotillard is little short of a revelation. This film is subtitled. (12A)

Lastly, at the Vue Cinema on Wednesday is Genesis: Turn It On Again. See your heroes live from Düsseldorf's LTU Arena in the comfort of your local cinema with the highest level of sound and vision on June 27th at 6.30pm.
You will watch the amazing concert in HD-quality live images complete with stunning Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound mixed live by Nick Davis the band's Producer (a first for cinemas), bringing the band's multi-million sell out world tour to the big screen in a truly LARGER THAN LIVE entertainment experience. In addition to the performance there will be a special pre-show. This is the largest ever cinema simulcast of its kind in the country

Get showtimes for all the cinemas in Oxford

What's in the Theatre this Week? (June 22-28)

The Oxford Playhouse:

The Mahabharatha - An exciting new music theatre and dance work of the ancient India epic story, revealing a mythic world of bloody conflict, magic and beauty.

Creation Theatre Company :
Hamlet - Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark, finds his world thrown into turmoil by the sudden death of his father and his mothers hasty remarriage to his uncle Claudius. When his fathers ghost appears to tell him of his Claudius treachery, Hamlets hatred for his uncle and obsessive love for his mother sets him on a ruthless quest for retribution. Join Creation Theatre Company for the ultimate tale of obsession, insanity and revenge, as Shakespeare's greatest tragedy is retold in a bold, modern style within the atmospheric walls of Oxford Castle.

Old Fire Station:
The Luckiest Man In The World - Raw emotion drives this powerful piece. Controversial, darkly intense with a subtle thread of dark humour. Ironically entitled, this first commercial piece by Jayson Bartlett grips the audience in a distorted reality as loyalty comes head to head with desire.

Four Baboons Adoring The Sun - Four Baboons Adoring the Sun (written by John Guare) takes place in Sicily, where two American archaeologists, recently married, are set to enjoy a working holiday with the children from their previous marriages. They want to spend their time teaching their kids about the mysteries and splendors of ancient civilizations and mythology, and to unite their kids into one happy family. It is performed by the Actors Company.

Burton Taylor Theatre:
The Importance of Being Earnest By Oscar Wilde -
Following its critically acclaimed and sell out productions of Macbeth, The Winter's Tale and Little Eyolf, Tomahawk Productions returns with an intimate rendition of Wilde's classic. Join Algy and Jack in the morning room and garden as they lie and deceive with hilarious results!

Jumble It Up: Best of Before - Two exciting evenings of experimental theatre and performance works at an early stage of their development from artists who challenge and explore the forms in which they work. Best of Before invites back two of the artists from January's First Dates to show a longer version of their work; hopefully all the better for your feedback.

Jumble It Up: First Dates - Second of the two nights of experimental theatre and performance. First Dates brings you five bitesize new pieces, often on their first outing in front of an audience.

New Theatre:

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (often abbreviated to OMD) are a synth pop group whose founder members are originally from the Wirral Peninsula, UK. The group was founded by Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys, and they formed the core of the outfit until 1989, when the group split. McCluskey then retained the name and continued to record and tour as OMD with a new line-up. In late December 2005, OMD's official website announced a 2006 reformation, for both live performances and a new album.

Rufus Wainwright - With wonderfully romantic lyrics and inspired orchestral flourishes, Montreal-born Rufus Wainwright is unique among the artists of his generation for his lush, theatrical pop sound. The son of folk luminaries Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, Rufus was nominated for a Juno as Most Promising Young Artist, while his 'I'm A-Runnin' was concurrently nominated for a Genie for Best Song in a Film.

Roy 'Chubby' Brown - The man with the helmet still shocking audiences in those few venues that will have him back! Coarse and sick humour - strictly adults only.

Tony Stockwell - Essex based medium clairvoyant who has been demonstrating mediumship since the age of 17. A dedicated worker for spirit, Tony has worked hard to finely tune his craft, building a reputation of excellence in his public demonstrations, private readings and teaching in workshops and seminars. As well as being a confident, funny, inspiring and outstanding medium, Tony also stars in his own TV show 'Street Psychic' on UK Living.

Pegasus Theatre:
Expresso Bongo - London 1958. Expresso coffee bars where Jay Jackson, a wannabe agent, is looking to sign teenage rock 'n' roll acts. He discovers and signs up singer Bongo Herbert. The real dog-eat-dog commercial world takes over, the Americans get interested and Bongo goes global.

For all theatre information, times and dates, click here

This Week's Music Highlights (June 22-28)

Friday:

• Inspired by Yeats and other greats - Women Composers - Jacqueline du Pre Music Building


• County Music Service presents a Special Evening Programme- Said Business School Amphitheatre


• Mary Flower - Exeter Hall

Saturday:

• Jubilate! That Promised Land - Keble College Chapel


• Bach Mass in B Minor - Sheldonian Theatre


• Blackbird Leys Choir - Ashmolean Museum


• OMD - The New Theatre

Sunday:

• Coffee Concert with Tippett String Quartet - Magdalen College Auditorium


• Sunday Music at Blenheim Palace - Blenheim Palace


• Peter Parker (Jazz) - QI Club


• Alvin Roy Jazz Quartet - Chester Arms

Monday:

• Famous Monday Night Blues with Geoff Achison and the Souldiggers - Backroom at the Bully


• Rufus Wainwright - The New Theatre

Tuesday:

• The Oxford Jazz Club with the Hugh Turner Band - Backroom at the Bully


• Izabela Borzymowska (vocals) with Martin James (keys), Paul Jefferies (bass) and Ben Twyford (drums) - The Big Bang

Wednesday:

• Qadduson: Sacred Songs from East and West - Merton College Chapel


• Early Music By Candlelight - Harmonia Caelestis - Exeter College Chapel


• Jazz at the X Presents a Jazz Jam - Exeter Hall


• Barcode - Backroom at the Bully

Thursday:

• Perfect Houseplants - The Spin at the Wheatsheaf


• Oxford Big Village Presents Orkestra Del Sol - Oxford Synagogue


• Crosstown Traffic with The Anydays + The Plugs - Jericho Tavern

Get information for Music Events in Oxford: Classical, Gig Guide, Folk, Jazz