Giles Woodforde attends a heartwarming performance at the Old Fire Station

It was a most appropriate evening to see Hidden Spire 2013. Following a push through late-night Christmas shopping crowds to reach the Old Fire Station, the show proceeded to deliver a sharp reminder that all is not necessarily well in the retail world, especially if you are a small independent shopkeeper.

Although the Time and Tide clock shop has a wonderfully varied array of different timepieces on display, nobody is buying them. But rather than consulting Mary Portas, Queen of Shops, it’s decided that a clairvoyant (Gaye Poole) should be summoned: “I urge you to suspend all disbelief,” she cries on arrival. “The Spirits have been gathering very fast.”

Having established her credentials by correctly divining that one audience member was born in Bristol, much laughter ensued when a magic card she had spirited into the auditorium couldn’t be found. It was eventually discovered, buried beneath my coat.

The imaginative and engaging storyline was devised by Peter Spafford. But like everything else in Hidden Spire, the script was a collaborative effort built up between Arts at the Old Fire Station and Crisis Skylight Oxford, with professional artists and homeless people being brought together to work on the show.

Director Lizzy McBain nurtured an ensemble cast, many of whom had never appeared on stage before. Naturally different degrees of nervousness applied in each case, but McBain drew robustly individual, and very believable characterisations from every performer. A live band (musical director Julian Masters) added atmosphere with an excellent mix of spooky and Latin-esque music. “For me it has made me realise I have other things to offer,” said a Skylight member after taking part in last year’s show.

I’m sure this heartwarming production will have done the same this time around.