Theatre
LESS THAN KIND
May 14-18
Box office: 01865 305305 or oxfordplayhouse.com London, 1944. The war is reaching its climax, but senior minister John Fletcher is distracted by his affair with attractive widow Olivia Brown. As Olivia’s 17-year-old son returns home, a politicised evacuee joining the rising tide of socialists, he’s outraged at the thought of his mother marrying ‘the enemy’. This romantic comedy from Terence Rattigan lay undiscovered owing to an accident of wartime Britain. It has received incredible reviews from audiences and critics alike in this, its first production. A beautifully observed, funny exploration of politics, social commentary and domestic drama, Less than Kind is brought to the stage by director Adrian Brown, a personal friend of Rattigan.
Theatre
THE MIKADO
The Theatre, Chipping Norton
May 2-4 at 7.30pm, plus Saturday matinée at 2.30pm
Box office: 01608 642350 or chipping norton theatre.com
The Chipping Norton Amateur Operatic Society return to Gilbert and Sullivan with the sublime Japanese fantasy The Mikado. Among other unforgettable characters you will meet Ko Ko, the acting Lord High Executioner. Ko Ko has been neglecting his job but the Mikado is due to arrive so Ko Ko had better find someone to execute soon. The show includes a wandering minstrel, a Lord High Executioner, three little maids from school and a man with a ‘little list’. This is one of G&S’s most endearing and enduringly popular works, which will delight audiences of all ages.
Art
OXFORD ART SOCIETY MEMBERS’ EXHIBITION
Oxford Town Hall n Friday May 3 - Sunday June 2
Admission free
A showcase of the work of Oxford Art Society members will be opened by the Deputy Lord Mayor of Oxford, councillor Mohammed Abbasi. The society holds regular meetings and welcomes submissions from all artists living withing 30 miles of Oxford for selection for the Open Exhibition, which is being held at the Oxfordshire Museum at Woodstock from mid-September to mid-October. Artists whose work is selected for at least two open exhibitions may be invited to become a member of the society. Further information is available from the society’s website (oxfordartsociety.org) or from the exhibition co-ordinator, Judy Harris on harris.judy54@gmail.com
Dance
New Theatre, Oxford
May 4 and 5, at 11am, 2pm & 5pm (Saturday) and 11am and 3pm (Sunday)
Box office: 0844 871 3020 or atgtickets.com/oxford
My First Cinderella tells everyone’s favourite rags-to-riches story in a beautifully adapted version for young audiences. Cinderella is tormented by her spiteful stepsisters and longs to attend the Prince’s glamorous ball. Abandoned to an evening of drudgery, Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother appears and transforms her into a glittering Princess who shall go to the ball. Prokofiev’s ravishing score is accompanied with narration to ensure that everyone enjoys this classic fairy tale. My First Cinderella is choreographed by George Williamson, English National Ballet’s Associate Artist. The My First . . . series brings young audiences their first taste of ballet through the magic of fairytales, captivating music and beautiful dance. ENB2 features graduating dancers of outstanding potential from English National Ballet School in performances produced by English National Ballet.
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