What's in the Cinema this Week? (Aug 17-23)

It's a slow week for film openings in Oxford. There's nothing new at the George Street or Magdalen Odeon's, and only a sneak preview of Atonement at the Vue on Thursday.

Opening this weekat the Phoneix is Sherrybaby, starring Maggie Gyllenhaal, Danny Trejo, Brad Henke, and Ryan Simpkins. An emotionally stunted ex-convict who attempts to form a relationship with her young daughter upon her release from prison finds that redemption doesn't come easy in this impressive drama. When Sherry Swanson (Gyllenhaal) was sentenced to three years in prison, she had just given birth to her daughter Alexis (Simpkins). Though Sherry at first seems determined to stay on the straight and narrow, increasingly infrequent visits to Alexis and a troubling revelation about her family past soon lead her sister-in-law Lynette (Bridget Barkan) to take a stand in protecting the vulnerable youngster. When compassionate 12-step veteran Dean (Trejo) attempts to help Sherry become the mother she longs to be, she is faced with the choice of living up to her word or losing her daughter forever. (15)

On at the Phoenix on Sunday and the Vue on Thursday is a sneak preview of Atonement, starring Romola Garai, James McAvoy, and Keira Knightley. One summer day in 1935, 13-year-old Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronan) sees her older sister Cecilia (Knightley) strip off her clothes and plunge into the fountain in the garden of their country house. Watching Cecilia is their housekeeper's son Robbie Turner (McAvoy), a childhood friend. By the end of that day the lives of all three will have been changed forever. Robbie and Cecilia will have crossed a boundary they had never before dared to approach and will have become victims of the younger girl's scheming imagination; and Briony, later played by Romola Garai and Vanessa Redgrave, will have committed a dreadful crime, the guilt of which will colour her entire life. (15)

Get showtimes for all the cinemas in Oxford

What's in the Theatre this Week? (Aug 17-23)

Oxford Playhouse:

Herges Adventures of Tintin - Join Tintin, his loyal dog Snowy, and the curmudgeonly Captain Haddock as they battle to rescue their friend Chang lost in a plane crash in the high Himalayas.

Creation Theatre Company:
The Taming of the Shrew - Baptista Minola has two daughters; obedient Bianca and ill-tempered Katherine. Baptista has declared that no-one may court Bianca until Katherine is married. Undaunted by tales of Katherines shrewish behaviour, the eccentric Petruchio decides that he is the man to tame her and sets about doing so, with surprising consequences. Enjoy a sparkling new production of one of Shakespeares best-loved comedies in our brand new setting at the foot of the Castle Mound.

The Oxfordshire Passion Play - A man born out of controversy, a political prisoner betrayed by a friend and murdered for his beliefs. Sinner, saviour or Son of God? As part of the Oxfordshire 2007 celebrations, Creation Theatre Company takes the traditional street theatre of the Mystery Play and transforms it into a striking contemporary production featuring a large community chorus. Castle Gardens.

Old Fire Station:
Journey's End - When Journey's End was first staged in 1929 it was dubbed "the play that swept the world" and did so like no other. Stanhope, a young captain promoted beyond his years, prepares his men for a daring raid across No Mans Land and an impending enemy attack. A gifted winner in all life's races, he and his men await the enemy's onslaught with astonishing bravery and poignant inevitability.

Burton Taylor Theatre:
Jali Fily Cissokho: The Griot Grooves - After his visit last year, praise singer and kora player Jali Fily Cissokho returns to the Studio. This time, he is joined by The Griot Grooves Band for an evening of traditional Senegalese music.

British Shakespeare Company Productions:
As You Like It and Henry V
Wadham College, Oxford with its beautiful historic grounds provides an idyllic setting for two of Shakespeare's most popular plays - Henry V and As You Like It. Henry V is Shakespeare's most powerful, popular and compelling history play and As You Like It his wittiest and best-loved romantic comedy. These productions are performed in beautiful Elizabethan costumes by a cast of seventeen of Britain's finest professional Shakespearian actors. The shows will include live music, gripping action, exciting sword fights and hilarious comedy all set in the stunning natural surroundings that Shakespeare intended for his plays. A magical open-air festival of love, laughter and amorous adventure, performed by a company that continues to delight audiences and critics alike.

For all theatre information, times and dates, click here

This Week's Music Highlights (August 17-23)

Friday:

• Charivari Agreable's Early Music by Candlelight: Fandango! - Exeter College Chapel
• International Youth Music Festival - Christ Church Cathedral (1pm)
• Paul Jefferies Trio - Joe's Cafe Summertown

Saturday:

• International Youth Music Festival - Wesley Memorial Chapel
• Dead Meadow + Youthmovies - The Cellar
• The Melting Pot presents Sketchbeat + Glitterskin + Jo Shaw Taylor - Jericho Tavern
• Saturday Sanctuary with White Sunday, When The Lights Go Out, Lee Davies and more - Temple Bar

Sunday:

• Coffee Concert with Adnrew Goodwin (tenor) and Daniel de Bora (Piano) - Holywell Music Room
• Charivari Agreable's Early Music by Candlelight: Couble Reed Delights - Exeter College Chapel
• Jack Gibbons plays Chopin: Swan Song - Holywell Music Room
• Summer Serenade: Mozart, Haydn, Schubert - Merton College Chapel

Monday:

• Famous Monday Night Blues with Lightning Willie and the Poorboys (US) - Backroom at the Bully

Tuesday:

• Chamber Jazz Quartet: Martin Pickett, Mike Willis, Tony Isaacs, Paul Jefferies - The Big Bang
• The Oxford Jazz Club with Alvin Roy's Reeds Unlimited - Backroom at the Bully
• Lunchtime Organ Recital - Town Hall, St Aldates

Wednesday:

• Jack Gibbons plays Rhapsody in Blue - Holywell Music Room
• Jazz at the X presents a Jazz Jam - Exeter Hall

Thursday:

• Telling the Bees + Susanna Starling + Colin Fletcher and Jane Griffiths - Jericho Tavern

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