Theatre

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

Old Schools Quadrangle, Bodleian Library

July 9-21. Tue to Sun eves: 7.45pm, Sun mats: 2.30pm, Sat 20: 3.30pm n Box office: 01865 305305 or oxfordplayhouse.com

Shakespeare’s Globe makes its summer visit with a new The Taming of the Shrew by an all-female cast. This outrageous comedy introduces one of theatre’s great screwball double-acts: a couple hell-bent on confusing and outwitting each other right up to its controversial conclusion. One of the city’s annual highlights, Oxford Playhouse and the Bodleian are delighted to welcome back the Globe Theatre on Tour in the stunning setting of the Old Schools Quadrangle.

Music

SUMMER BAROQUE; BACH AND STRAVINSKY, OXFORD PHILOMUSICA

 Sheldonian Theatre

Saturday, June 29, at 8pm

Box office: 01865 980980, oxfordphil.com

Grammy-nominated mandolin virtuoso Avi Avital, praised by The New York Times, showcases the unfamiliar sound of his instrument with a fresh perspective on Bach in his arrangement for mandolin of Concerto for Harpsichord No. 1 in D minor. Also Stravinsky’s Three Pieces for String Quartet, arranged for strings by the conductor Karin Ben-Josef, C.P.E. Bach’s Sinfonia in E minor, Dorman’s Concerto for Mandolin and Stravinsky’s Concerto for Strings in D major.

Operetta

THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE

The New Theatre, Oxford

July 2-6 at 7.30pm, 2.30pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday

Box office: 0844 871 3020, atgtickets.com/oxford

Scottish Opera and the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company team up to offer Gilbert and Sullivan as it’s meant to be – pure, uncomplicated fun performed with pure talent. Conducted by G&S expert and D’Oyly Carte Music Director John Owen Edwards. Director Martin Lloyd-Evans stages a stylish, all-singing, all-dancing show. Gilbert’s high-speed patter is razor-sharp and Sullivan’s score sees him at the top of his game. Ensemble cast includes celebrated G&S stalwarts Steven Page and Richard Suart, and Scottish Opera favourite Graeme Broadbent.

Theatre

THE ACCRINGTON PALS

Unicorn Theatre, Abingdon

June 26-29 at 7.30pm.

 

Box office: The Bookstore, Abingdon, or abingdon-drama-club.com

An engrossing and heartbreaking play by Peter Whelan based on a true story. It follows the journey of the innocent and enthusiastic men who volunteered to fight in the First World War and with the women they loved and left behind. Funny and heartbreaking, the company transforming the Unicorn Theatre from 1916 Lancashire into the trenches at the front line. Abingdon Drama Club presents a moving and poignant interpretation of this must-see play.