This week I made an astonishing discovery and found something I thought had been lost. As a student in the late 1980s it seemed everyone had a cause to fight for, an injustice to right and a protest to make. It is a wonder there was any time left in the day to study. Time and life moved on and it seemed there were no big ideas anymore, no fight left. Everyone absorbed with the self.

Working with Chris Goode and Company to develop a show exploring acts of radicalism, courage and conscience in people’s everyday lives, I was excited to find people’s passion for protesting has not been lost at all: over the past few months we have been collecting real life stories from all sorts of people in and around the city who have done their bit to change a little corner of the world. People brave enough to come forward and share their experiences of causes championed and risks taken.

The resulting show, STAND, is our latest Playhouse Plays Out production and has been shaped by the words, actions and experiences of local Oxford residents. People you may know or simply pass on the street. Six people who have chosen to act for the causes they are devoted to and the beliefs they hold; a better and more sustainable future; living equitably and with compassion; protecting and building communities; overcoming greed, corruption and fear. Their stories are hugely inspiring.

For the past few years Oxford Playhouse has been taking performance out of the theatre and into the heart of Oxfordshire communities, hoping you will find an amazing performance in an unexpected place and be surprised, inspired and entertained.

STAND is taking place at West Oxford Community Association and I couldn’t think of a better venue. It is championed by brilliant people doing brilliant things to make West Oxford better.

I’m sure there are equally strong people doing the same in community centres all over Oxford and I hope we can take a show as inspiring as STAND there soon.

Someone else doing something extraordinary and brave is Jane Hornsby. Jane can usually be found sat next to me at work but she’s currently undertaking an epic journey of 1,187 miles walking from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise money for the Playhouse’s work with children and young people. She has been walking alone for 32 days and she has another 31 in front of her, without a day’s rest. Her courage and determination are an inspiration to everyone working at the Playhouse and if they are to you too then please sponsor her and help her complete the last 600 miles: https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/oxfordplayhousejaneswalk

So in a single week, I’ve been reminded that as much as performance can leave a lasting impression in your heart, inspire your mind and revive your soul, so can brave and intrepid people.