What's in the Theatre this week? (March 21-27)

Oxford Playhouse:

Testing the Echo - A fascinating tapestry about the twisting road to becoming British. As the motley crew in Emma's English class await the day of their citizenship ceremony, they challenge some of her dearest-held beliefs.

Rich Hall - Rich Hall and his alter ego Otis Lee Crenshaw.

War and Peace
- Shared Experience revives its thrilling production in two parts, an epic masterpiece of Russian society set in the Napoleonic era.

Old Fire Station:

Tiger Lillies - A sinful punk cabaret show. Travelling from heaven to hell with all new tales of distorted morality, the sinful songs of this extraordinary three-piece band draw out the darkness, fear and loathing inherent in all of us. Featuring Punch and Jude, the puppet creations of performer Nathan Evans, and burlesque, fire-breathing dancer Ophelia Bitz.

Burton Taylor Studio:

The Magnificent Flying Machine - Have you ever dreamed of having wings? Follow the wacky adventures of Prof. Bix Horn as he flies by the seat of his pants and tries to build a flying machine out of the most unlikely things. Soaring above is a Harpy bird. Sit back and enjoy the ride as Garlic Theatre, with beautifully crafted puppets, a bowler hat and a balloon, take you on a hair- brained journey of a lifetime… Ages 4+

Mem Morrison - Leftovers - The full English breakfast is given a Citizenship Test as Mem Morrison returns to his roots to explore the cultural connotations of the traditional greasy spoon café. Leftovers takes Mem's culinary and cultural concerns out onto the High Street to uncover an English café culture that has been assimilated and imperceptibly changed by generations of Turkish Cypriot families. It is a gentle exploration of how cultures meet and mingle, eat, socialise and influence each other.

New Theatre:

Van Morrison - Van Morrisson has been recording and performing music since the 1960s. His breakout single was 1967's Brown Eyed Girl, ironically recorded after monetary issues had convinced the singer to quit the music business. The classic album Astral Weeks was released in 1968, still hailed by many as one of the greatest records ever made. 1970 follow-up Moondance is almost as highly regarded and these two recordings alone would assure Morrisson's iconic status.

Eels - According to frontman and founder Mark Everett, aka 'E', Eels is a 'vessel' for his music. When asked about his music he says, 'This is the hardest question to answer, since, much like life, it's always changing. Sometimes it's simple and pretty, other times it's loud and grating. It's been a lot of things over the years and we still don't have an easy answer for this one'.

Pegasus Theatre:

Journeys to Freedom - The wise woman Buktu, based on the African storytelling tradition, is a keeper of stories. Travellers who pass by her home leave small tokens of their passage and Buktu keeps their tales alive by passing them on to us. Many have visited her - Anansi, King Mansa Musa, Aesop, Malcolm X and Nelson Mandela.

Headington Theatre:

Les Misérables - Oxford Youth Music Theatre presents 'Les Misérables'.

Miscellaneous Theatre:

Measure for Measure - A black comedy in which nothing, and no one, is as it seems. In Vienna, morality is a matter of life or death. In the supposed absence of the liberal Duke, strict sexual laws are resurrected by his deputy Angelo, resulting in a death sentence for Claudio after his girlfriend becomes pregnant. His sister Isabella, desperate to save Claudio's life, has a choice - watch him die, or accept an indecent proposal from Angelo… The North Wall Arts Centre

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