What's in the Theatres this Week? (Fri 04 - Thu 10 July)

Oxford Playhouse:

And Then There Were None - Set on a remote island off the coast of Devon, Agatha Christie's own stage adaptation of this dark and captivating tale will thrill and enthral.

Andy Zaltzman and Dan Atkinson's Edinburgh Preview
- Andy Zaltzman boldly unbuttons the cloak of civilisation... Dan Atkinson flicks two fingers to the man....

Creation Theatre Company:

Much Ado About Nothing - A sparkling new production of one of Shakespeare's most popular comedies, Charlotte Conquest (Measure for Measure 2008, The Oxford Passion 2007) returns to direct this raucous romance following two of Shakespeare's feistiest and funniest characters, Benedick and Beatrice. Oxford Castle Unlocked Castleyard

Shakespeare's Saints and Sinners - In this inspiring new one-man show, we recreate some of Shakespeare's most memorable characters - the good, the bad and the downright psychotic. Shakespeare's most incisive insights into the human condition are exposed and explored by director Heather Davies (The Taming of the Shrew, 2007) and veteran Creation actor Tom Peters. St Michael at the North Gate

Old Fire Station:

Moby Dick! - Performed by Sands Theatre Arts School. The highly comic, satirical romp through this age-old mariner's tale that ensues proves to be a world of endless, funny dialogue and wonderful, pastiche-y company numbers.

Burton Taylor Studio:

Meco Film Festival 2008 - Showing this week will be Mutluluk (Bliss), Rana's Wedding, Moolaade, Offside, Yasmin. For details of the films and showtimes, please visit Oxford City Guide

New Theatre:

Hucknall - Tribute To Bobby - This summer Mick will release his first solo project under his own name rather than as Simply Red. The first album will be 'Hucknall: Tribute to Bobby' - Bobby being American singer Bobby Bland who released a lot of material in the 50's and 60's and had a big influence on a young Hucknall.

An Evening with Pentangle - Exactly 40 years to the day that unique British folk/jazz 'supergroup' Pentangle recorded the live disc of their seminal double album, Sweet Child, at London's Royal Festival Hall, the original band: Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Jacqui McShee, Danny Thompson and Terry Cox are tour the UK this Summer.

Pegasus Theatre:

ten thousand things - The Ten Thousand Things - a movement and visual theatre work-in-progress by new performance company, WrongPearls. The Ten Thousand Things is another name for the world, the cosmos and everything in it. Come and help us build a world with ten thousand stones. The performers will then play amidst the stones, their actions and movements leaving traces in the patterns of the stone world.

Headington Theatre:

HSO with MCS present Bugsy Malone - This timeless classic is set in the shady world of 1920's Prohibition America. The world of the speakeasy, reckless living, and the never-ending pursuit of the American Dream. The town is controlled by the infamous Fat Sam and his gang of hapless mobsters until one day the sophisticated Dandy Dab discovers a new technology the will allow him to finally gain the upper hand. Caught up in the ensuring turf war are the smooth talking Bugsy and the undiscovered starlet Blousey full ofHollywood dreams, struggling to survive in the toughest of times.

North Wall Arts Centre:

50 Ways to Leave Your Lover - "I need space"..."Let's take a break"..."It's not you, it's me." There are a million ways to tell someone it's over. A crazy cocktail of characters and stories, 50 Ways to Leave your Lover explores every aspect of 'the break up' whether hilarious, heart breaking or just plain ridiculous. Created by five of The Bush's hottest young writers and inspired by true break-up stories contributed by its audience, it will strike a chord with anyone who's ever loved and left. Get two for one tickets when you quote 'Oxford City Guide' while ordering

Jackajack - A post-apocalyptic fairy tale, created by award-winning storytellers, TuckedIn. Jackajack is a piece of children's theatre for ages 6+.

Chris Cox: Control Freak - 2007 Sell-out and award-winning mind reader who can't read minds is back - reading minds. "Very funny" Time Out.

Powershow - Joyous hybrid of sketches, stand up, music and wonder.

Sympathy for the Devil: Markus Birdman - Fundamentalist Christians don't believe in evolution! Mind you, we still can't believe it's not butter. Despite 2007's Edinburgh Festival sell-out 'Son of a Preacherman' show, Dad's still a vicar and I'm still an atheist. Thank God no Christians were harmed making this show. Sorry. But I did injure a cat.

Rhod Gilbert and the Award-Winning Mince Pie - Multi award-winning Welsh misery and award-winning mince pie collaborate at last. Star of 'Mock The Week', 'Never Mind the Buzzcocks' and BBC Radio Wales.

Tony! The Blair Musical - He's back- and this time it's governmental. If you missed the sell out smash that was Tony! The Blair Musical in 2007, then here's your chance to catch Chris Bush and Ian McCluskey's award-winning show all over again, starring Blair, Bush, Brown and the now infamous Barbershop Quartet of defeated Tory leaders ('an absolutely five star moment' The Times).

Tony of Arabia - Gone but not forgotten -Tony has left the band, but he's still got the music. One country was never enough, and now he's taking on the world. Meanwhile Gordon battles the Tories back home, George W. gets lost in the desert and US primaries inspire Cherie to her true calling: to stand for office. From the team behind Tony! The Blair Musical comes an ongoing saga of one man's battle with destiny.

Chris Neill's got a bun in the oven - Fewer F-words than Gordon, slimmer hips than Nigella, more pukka than Jamie. Sadly, not as good a cook as any of them... Funnier though. But you judge that. You might even get something to eat...

Infinite Lives by Chris Goode - 'Infinite Lives' tells the story of a thirty-something man who quits his job to take some time out and write a gay sci-fi novel. But working from home, and becoming increasingly dependent on internet porn for his connection with the outside world, forces him to confront some painful truths... and some very big numbers.

Play Reading: The Woodcutter's Tale by Orlando Wells - The Woodcutter's son returns with his lover and their unborn child to his family home in the mountains. It's a homecoming, but not what's expected. The secrets of his family's dark past will be revealed, and family bonds tested to their limit. Part gothic fable, part modern parable, this is a tale of love loss and the facing of our deepest fears.

Play Reading: Kurt and Sid by Roy Smiles - April 1994. Kurt Cobain is about to pull the trigger that will end his life when in walks Sid Vicious, which is impressive considering he's been dead for 15 years. Is he a fake, a ghost of a figment of Kurt's death wish imagination? A funny touching play by the author 'Ying Tong and the Year of The Rat'. Presented in association with the West Yorkshire Playhouse.

College Theatre:

Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare - Wadham College - Lady Olivia is too busy mourning the demise of her brother to notice the young Duke Orsino, even his letters remain un-read. Malvolio, the pompous head steward, is harbouring a bad case of sexual self denial and the maids are being pursued by the debauched uncle, Sir Toby Belch. Into this step the twins, Viola and Sebastian, both capable of arousing infatuation whenever they appear. The trouble is, it's impossible to tell them apart. Twelfth Night is a masterpiece of desire from the unforgettable opening line to the deliciously comic conclusion.

Miscellaneous Theatre:

Shakespeare in the Garden - Much Ado About Nothing - Enjoy one of Shakespeare's best-loved plays being given the unique Oddsocks treatment at Waterperry. Much Ado About Nothing will be performed against the beautiful backdrop of our ornamental garden - a perfect evening for the whole family. (Suitable for children aged 8+) Waterperry Gardens

England - Performed by Tim Crouch and Hannah Ringham. England is the story of a search for a new heart. It's a tour through spaces and across borders: from an art gallery to a jam factory, from London to Osaka, from a hospital bed to a hotel room. It's a tour to the end of the world. This critically acclaimed promenade performance is both intimate and thought-provoking. The play will take place in Modern Art Oxford against the backdrop of the Gary Hume exhibition.

For all theatre information, times and dates, click here