What's in the Theatres this Week? (Fri 11 - Thu 17 July)

Oxford Playhouse:

Kit and the Widow - With fifty years apiece, this leading piano-and-voice-based lounge act may well be in their prime. Almost unbelievably (until you see what they look like now) their unbroken stand at the crease has lasted 30 years! Touring internationally over the last three years as support for stand up Joan Rivers, they are delighted to have sloughed her off for long enough to mount their own tour. Kit's adored contributions on Radio 4's Just A Minute are always a pleasure but only offer a modest stipend, and The Widow's involvement in Alan Bennett's The History Boys is just about milked dry, hence the tour!

Topless Mum - A topical satire on tabloid journalism - how far can the story be spun to stop the real truth leaking out?

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:

Little Hippo and His Magic Pen - For his birthday Little Hippo received lots of beautiful presents, his favourite a special red pen from Daddy Hippo. Inside the red pen are the most beautiful things in the world, but how to get them out? Based on the story Petit Hippo et son Stylo Magique, by West African writer Alain Serge Dzotap, Tam Tam Theatre brings you their interactive version of this enchanting tale where the very young are invited to make their own use of Little Hippo's pen. Age 2-5 years

Little Red Hen - A Stuff & Nonsense Theatre production with Salisbury Playhouse Down on the farm all seems quiet and peaceful, Cow is chewing the cud, Pig is snoozing in the sun and Rat is munching on a piece of cheese. The only animal moving in the whole farmyard is Little Red Hen.She's just found a grain of wheat and she's got a plan… Stuff and Nonsense tell the classic tale of Little Red Hen using beautiful puppets, story-telling and original music. Meet the cast and puppets after the show.

New Theatre:

k d lang - k.d.'s latest album is the acclaimed bestseller, Watershed, which was released by Nonesuch Records in January and saw k.d. achieve some of the best chart success of her 25-year career, including her highest ever debut on the US Billboard chart at no.8.

College Theatre:

She Stoops to Conquer - OU Newman Rooms - She Stoops To Conquer or "The Mistakes of a Night": An arranged marriage, a tongue-tied rogue, and a girl who is certainly not a barmaid… Wealthy young buck Charles Marlow is sent by his father to woo Kate Hardcastle, a girl he has never met. He takes with him his college friend George Hastings, who happens to be in love with Kate's cousin Constance. When Kate's stepbrother, Tony Lumpkin, manages to convince these two visitors that their destination, the Hardcastle's house, is in fact an inn, chaos ensues. Charles, unable to woo Kate as herself due to his terrible reserve amongst women of quality, becomes a lecherous rogue when he is duped into believing that she is the barmaid. Kate continues in this masquerade and eventually learns the true nature of her suitor's affection.

As You Like It - Trinity College Gardens, Parks Road - As You Like It is not perhaps so well known as some of Shakespeare's works, yet it includes some of his most memorable poetry and songs. Jacques' recounting of the seven ages of man (All the world's a stage) and the banished Duke's rumination on life in its natural state (Sweet are the uses of adversity) are just two that spring to mind. With banished Dukes, cross-dressing female lead, bawdy wenches, a motley fool and a dubious clergyman, all the ingredients are there for classic Shakespeare comedy. The bucolic setting of the play sits harmoniously in an Oxford college garden to make for an evening of warm entertainment and dry wit - so it can't possibly be another cold, wet summer.

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.

North Wall Arts Centre:

Shoot/Get Treasure/Repeat - Paines Plough presents a selection from Mark Ravenhill`s new epic play cycle Shoot/Get Treasure/Repeat. Each 20 minute play takes its title from a classic work. Seen together they form a collage of astute, witty scenes exploring the personal and political effect of war on modern life. "Fragments, individual moments, that capture our urge to bring our model of freedom and democracy to the world" (Mark Ravenhill). An extraordinary ensemble of actors encapsulate these mini-masterpieces.

Paul Tonkinson - My Anti-Midlife Crisis - Witness Tonks doing what he does best, live stand-up. Gasp as he survives the terror of modern living. Delight as he dances with intriguing issues, such as, `What is a no-bread sandwich?` Wince, as he unravels live on TV during a pro-celebrity football match. And cheer when he finally finds happiness.

A Portrait of Shazia Mirza - As seen on F*** Off I`m A Hairy woman and Miss Real World (BBC), Have I Got News For You (BBC), World Stands UP (Paramount), 60Mins (CBS). Voted one of the 100 Greatest Stand Ups. Award nominated columnist for New Statesman.

Play Reading: The Count of Monte Cristo by Joel Horwood - Edmund Dantes is looking pretty: young, in love and newly promoted Captain of his own ship! But when greed and envy conspire to throw him into a lifetime of jail for a crime he didn`t commit, all seems lost. Facing an eternity of darkness and solitude, Dantes must dig deep to find the strength to escape and seek his revenge - he must find new steel within his soul - he must become The Count of Monte Cristo. A fast-paced, swashbuckling new version by writer Joel Horwood (Mikey the Pikey, Food) amd director Alan Lane (artistic director, Slung Low).

Nick Webber and Archangel - Nick Webber started playing the piano from the moment he was allowed to as a boy and has written scores for many award-winning short films. Archangel began as a pet project. Stripped down, grandiose, pathos-fuelled, piano-driven songs were recorded for debut album `How To Lose Your Best Friend`, due for release this Autumn and already heard on Radio 1 and MTV2.

Romeo and Juliet - Romeo and Juliet is a story which speaks to all times, all ages and all cultures. This production brings to life Shakespeare`s exquisitely lyrical text and the heart that beats beneath it.

For all theatre information, times and dates, click here