What's in the Theatres This Week (Fri 07 - Thu 11 Nov)?

Oxford Playhouse:

A Few Good Men by Aaron Sorkin - 'Can you handle the truth?' When two US marines are charged with killing a fellow soldier in Guantanamo Bay, their defence lawyer finds himself faced with a quandary: to duck out of the pressure of fighting against the system, or to prove the existence of a network of unlawful practice within the High Command itself. From the creator of The West Wing, this is a fast-paced courtroom drama staged to coincide with the real-life theatre of the American presidential elections.

Duncan Dares - Part raconteur, part explorer, part back end of cow! Fresh from directing last year's OP pantomime, Peter's new show entertains with tales of his daredevil exploits, his Olivier nominated musical theatre career and his family's backpacking adventures around the world. In the 50th year of Blue Peter and the 100th year of Scouting, come and see this one time Blue Peter man, Chief Scout and pantomime legend walk the tightrope (literally) between comedy and the custard pies of life.

Muslim Music Festival - The fourth annual Oxford Muslim Music Festival brings an eclectic variety of profound and sacred music from the Islamic world. In addition to musical contributions from the heartland of the faith, there will be participation from the Muslim Diaspora in Europe and the UK. This all-day musical extravaganza has something for everyone and will be combined with a delectable Muslim Food Festival.

The Cripple of Inishmaan - It's 1934 and news on the island of Inishmaan is thin on the ground. Then word arrives that they're making a Hollywood fi lm on neighbouring Inishmore and Cripple Billy for once starts paying attention. This comic masterpiece sees outrageous island eccentrics trade stories to within an inch of their lives, while a young man tries to make sense of who he is.

Old Fire Station:

Richard III - Shakespeare's most notorious villain in a new production with a supernatural twist. Enter Richrad's warped psyche in his dark and disturbing quest for the crown. Follow his spiral into sexual manipulation, torment and murder. A gripping thriller from the company that brought you sell out productions of Buchner's 'Woyzeck' and Philip Ridley's 'Mercury Fur'.

Don Juan in Soho - From the writer of 'Closer' and 'Dealer's Choice' comes a retelling of the quintessential tale of debauchery and damnation, Marber adapts the story of Don Juan to the streets of modern Soho.

Burton Taylor Theatre:

Accidental Death of an Anarchist - "I ought to warn you that the author of this sick little play, Dario Fo, has the traditional, irrational hatred of the police common to all narrow-minded left-wingers..." While we can't promise you the riots that followed original performances, we can promise wit, farce and a vivid caricature of authoritarianism.

Liebelei - Vienna; heart of a dying Empire and birthplace of psychoanalysis. Fritz and Theodore are handsome young officers and gentlemen, and Fraulein Christine has been seduced by their flirtations.

Through the Leaves - Martha and Otto have found one another. Otto may be a chauvinist and a drunk; but, for Martha, he represents a last chance at love.

New Theatre:

Jimmy Carr - Joke Technician - Jimmy Carr is not just a TV star. He's won awards, released chart-topping DVDs (there's a new one out this November), written a best-selling book and broken box office records by performing to over 500,000 people in the last three years. He may be the hardest working man in comedy. But perhaps he wouldn't have to be if he had a little bit more talent. This show is exactly the same as last year's except every single word. It's rude, crude and offensive but those aren't the only reasons you'll enjoy it. Not to be missed, unless it's not your kind of thing.

The Temptations - The TEMPTATIONS - with Special Guest YolanDa Brown. This is the first time The Temptations have embarked on a UK tour without fellow Motown artists The Four Tops for 7 years and is a wonderful opportunity for fans to get a full dose of Temptations hits, which include "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", "My Girl", "Get Ready", "I Second That Emotion", "Just My Imagination" and "The Way You Do The Things You Do". They will also be performing their versions of classic soul hits featured in their 2008 album of the same name.

John Martyn - This year legendary singer-songwriter John Martyn received the lifetime achievement award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and the Les Paul Award at the MOJO Honours List 2008. Martyn has romanced generation after generation for more than 40 years with his powerfully heartfelt song-writing, as relevant now as ever, thanks to the homage paid by a new movement of folk artists. Fuelled by his huge voice and staggering guitar playing, there is always a near-religious intensity to a John Martyn show. Don¹t miss this rare opportunity to see the Scottish song-writing genius.

Tosca - Ellen Kent Amphitheatre Productions - True love, torture and treachery set against the backdrop of the Coliseum in Rome! One of the most dramatic operas ever written is played against the backdrop of the Coliseum. Set in the era of the Napoleonic wars this spectacular Roman setting heightens the treachery and corruption of the period with two of the best roles for tenor and soprano plus a truly blood curdling villain for the baritone. This spectacular portrayal of the classic opera also captures the beauty of the paintings and tapestries of the renaissance era.

Pegasus Theatre:

The Story of John One Day - Pegasus Theatre's own cuddly comedy company Network of Stuff (makers of Archie's Arcade, The Pickled King and The Unsinkable Clerk) bring a brand new show to our stage! It tells a story of one of us and all of us. A man who is so keen to seek for thrills and danger that he doesn't see what's happening right under his nose - the road to war, the right to work, the struggle for freedom, and perhaps the biggest adventure of all... Dragons. No, Love. Love is the biggest adventure, obviously. Not Dragons.

My Mother Said I Never Should - As the old saying goes, 'The more things change, the more they stay the same'. The play, by Award-winning writer Charlotte Keatley, explores the lives of four generations of women against the backdrop of a changing world. In a series of short scenes, it becomes clear that women's roles and the way in which they see themselves have also changed. The tie between mother and daughter is a constant that can either bind them or set them free.

For all theatre information, times and dates, click here