What's in the Theatres This Week (Fri 21 - Thu 27 Nov)?

Oxford Playhouse:

An Ideal Husband By Oscar Wilde - Sir Peter Hall's highly acclaimed West End and Broadway production of Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband makes a much anticipated return to the stage. Written with the wit and style expected of Wilde, the political intrigue amongst society's highest ranking figures gives us one of the most entertaining plays in the English language. Into the fashionable world of London parties, politics and diplomacy comes the worldly and devious Mrs Cheveley. She attempts to blackmail the British Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Sir Robert Chiltern, who she accuses of building a career on dishonour by selling a cabinet secret.

Chess The Musical - The critically acclaimed 'Rock Opera' from Tim Rice and the men behind the music of Abba and Mamma Mia comes to Oxford. Set during the later years of the Cold War, Hungarian refugee Florence is second to the American Chess Champion Freddie Trumper, who is also challenged for his title by Russian Anotoly Siergiesky. Things would be simple if all they did was play chess, but love, politics and intrigue get in the way.

Creation Theatre Company:

Hans Christian Andersen's Magical Tales - It wouldn't be Christmas without the spectacular 100 year old Mirror Tent, which Creation is bringing back to BMW Group Plant Oxford for a magical storytelling adventure, featuring all your favourite fairytales including The Little Match Girl, The Emperor's New Clothes, The Princess and the Pea and The Little Mermaid. The beautiful antique spiegeltent's velvet canopies, mirrored pillars and ornate booths form the perfect Christmas setting for action packed antics from well loved characters such as The Ugly Duckling, Thumbelina and The Snow Queen in this enchanting production for adults and children alike. A Christmas tradition, a trip to this wonderland is the perfect stocking filler.

Old Fire Station:

The Academy - The Musical - Brand new musical comedy. Ever wanted to be an actor? Fancy seeing your name in lights? The Academy teaches the Science of Acting to wannabe-thespians like you! Follow Amy as she enrols, meets her fellow hopefuls and eventually uncovers the dark secret behind the Academy. An all singing, all dancing, totally ridiculous scientific extravaganza!

The Winter's Tale - Winter in the Sicilian court and King Leontes suspects his wife and best friend of adultery. His jealous actions leave his wife and son dead, and his newborn daughter abandoned on the coast of Bohemia. Shakespeare's rarely performed masterpiece spins an entrancing tale of families torn apart and reunited, of misdeeds and ultimate redemption, in a magical show this Christmas.

Burton Taylor Theatre:

Neighbourhood Watch - A joke-shop owner, a priest and 2 French technology salesmen band together a motley Neighbourhood Watch as safeguard from a habitual thief; though their incompetence and conflict of interests soon derail the organization.

A Special Boy - Tansy is the carer for her special-needs brother. When he is the victim of a cruel practical joke, she turns her hairdressing salon into an interrogation room.

New Theatre:

The Drifters - This energetic show features the only legitimate Drifters line up in the world, performing timeless classics such as 'Saturday Night at the Movies,' 'Under The Boardwalk,' 'Come On Over To My Place' and 'Kissing In The Back Row of the Movies' as well as a whole host of new material from the stunning new album entitled 'Five Decades and Moore.'

Dylan Moran - What it Is - Dylan Moran, star of Black Books, Shaun Of The Dead and Run Fat Boy Run is back. Moran's legendary stand up rants have sold out across the world cementing this unkempt wordsmith's reputation as one of the foremost comics of his generation.

Nelson Riddle Orchestra - Nelson Riddle arranged the soundtracks of many Hollywood movies and was nominated for seven academy awards, winning twice. His movie scores included Can-Can, Robin & the Seven Hoods and The Great Gatsby. His son Christopher Riddle now conducts and leads the orchestra in the same tradition and style set by his father, using all the original charts and arrangements to give you the most wonderful evening of music, the likes of which we most probably will never see created again. Also featured in the show are the vocal talents of Bryan Anthony, who like Francis Albert, hails from New Jersey and on his first visit to the UK is going to thrill the audiences just like he's done stateside.

Dionne Warwick - Due to overwhelming demand Dionne is back to further delight audiences with My Music and Me a unique and insightful biographical showcase of her music and career. UNMISSABLE!

Will Young - Will's performance, as well as featuring many favourites from his enviable back-catalogue, will centre around his stunning new album 'Let It Go'. Released September 29th via RCA Label Group, 'Let It Go' plays to Will's strengths whilst also pushing him in exciting new directions, melding soul, disco and that extraordinary voice with good old-fashioned pop to create his most arresting record to date.

Pegasus Theatre:

Car to Spire - Young people from around the county aged 14 - 22 are taking part in the European Capital of Culture Finale in Liverpool in December this year. Run by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Liverpool, European Capital of Culture 2008, Portrait of a Nation is a dramatic conclusion to the year in which young people from Oxford and the other 11 UK Cities of Culture will present a short performance about their city. The show will focus on the immense diversity of Oxford's communities coming from all over the world for academia and industry. Before heading off to Liverpool the cast will be putting on the show right here! A unique opportunity to be part of the European Capital celebrations without leaving home.

Theatre at Headington:

Warning: May Contain Notes - Oxford Harmony with Great Western Chorus and Brass Ensemble present Warning: May Contain Notes. Don't miss this evening of male four-part harmony acapella singing from some of the best choruses in the country.

College & Miscellaneous Theatre:

Romeo and Juliet - O'Reilly Theatre, Keble College - 'Search, seek, and know how this foul murder comes.' A promenade performance of Shakespeare's famous play through a transformed O'Reilly building, out of sequence, out of time. As the relentless stars propel the lovers forward, characters and audience become bound up in an increasingly frenetic whirl of passion, blood and death.

Dracula by Bram Stoker - Reverend Productions presents Bram Stoker's classic horror story complete with monsters, heroes, love and death in a world where nothing is certain and everything is at stake. Something has risen in the East. Something out of pagan folklore transported to the world of the living, with the strength of twenty men and the cunning of the devil. The living dead born twice upon the earth. A monster in man's shape... Mansfield College Chapel

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - Experience the thrilling tale of Sweeney Todd re-invented in the sterile setting of a modern day operating theatre. Scrub up, take your seat, and watch the ensemble of nine surgeons singing and swinging their razors to the sounds of Stephen Sondheim's spine-tingling score and the smells of Mrs Lovett's pies! O'Reilly Theatre, Keble College

For all theatre information, times and dates, click here