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The Ministry of Fear: Oxford Playhouse

10:17am Thursday 11th March 2010

GILES WOODFORDE on The Ministry of Fear, which is coming to the Playhouse

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Love Never Dies: Adelphi Theatre, London

1:11pm Wednesday 10th March 2010

Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and his team were reportedly tinkering with the end of Love Never Dies right up until Tuesday’s spectacular opening night. It is still not right, but this is a trifling criticism when measured against the many merits of a show that can already be hailed a stonking success.

• Lukewarm reviews for Phantom sequel

Elspeth Hamilton: Wolfson College

1:16pm Wednesday 10th March 2010

Like the sea she loves so much, Elspeth Hamilton’s paintings are ever-changing. Some reflect that magical moment when dawn casts its fresh – yet fragile – glow upon the waves, while others celebrate the force of waves crashing against the shore.

Bent: O'Reilly Theatre, Keble College

1:01pm Wednesday 10th March 2010

If a little levity can be forgiven concerning what is a very serious subject, it might be agreed that a drama company composed of students – all that frugal living! – would be best able to supply actors thin enough credibly to portray the inmates of a concentration camp.

dinnerladies: Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

1:04pm Wednesday 10th March 2010

The two series of Victoria Wood’s sitcom dinnerladies, shown on BBC1 from 1998-2000, enjoyed wide popularity.

Birmingham Royal Ballet: Birmingham Hippodrome

1:06pm Wednesday 10th March 2010

The BRB celebrated the 20th anniversary of its move north from Sadlers Wells with a gala evening composed of excerpts from the many works that have formed the basis of its current glory. We started with Weber’s Invitation to the Dance, the music to which Nijinsky leapt to fame in Le Spectre de la Rose, but played here simply as an overture. Then we were off into 15 contrasting pieces from the company’s Birmingham history, which were a nostalgia-trip for those who have followed the company’s work, and a wonderful tasting menu for those less familiar with the repertoire. The Hippodrome was kitted out with large TV screens visible from every seat, from which various members of the company, notably its director, David Bintley, and former director, Sir Peter Wright, gave us an insight into its history, and a rundown on the pieces being performed.

Three Sisters: Oxford Playhouse

12:53pm Wednesday 10th March 2010

I do admire actors who take on a production requirement to occupy the stage well before the audience is seated. Romola Garai does this at the start of both halves of this taut version of Chekhov’s classic; and there is all the more impact on the audience when she does finally move.

Bee Bartlett: O3 Gallery

12:51pm Wednesday 10th March 2010

Atmospheric paintings by Oxfordshire artist Bee Bartlett remain on show at the O3 Gallery, Oxford Castle, until March 14. This exhibition explores many themes, including her tree studies for which she is known. The exciting thing about the show, however, is Bee’s new venture into figurative work. Her figures move through an urban landscape, struggling with adverse weather conditions as they do so. She captures them perfectly as they walk into the canvas heads down, hands in pockets, as snow or rain swirls around them. Some carry umbrellas – not that umbrellas are necessary to signify rain; her application of paint that sweeps across the canvas depicts rain perfectly. As a result, we can feel the winter chill. It’s as if Bee has pressed the snow and rain on to the canvas and pinned it there.

Oxford Art Society: West Ox Arts, Bampton

12:59pm Wednesday 10th March 2010

A thought-provoking exhibition in Bampton by the Oxford Art Society offers a range of skilled artists bursting with ideas. Take Alan Mynall’s muted oil painting Simmer Tree. If this is a traditional landscape why is it symmetrical? Or is it? It seems there a discrepancy in this notion of symmetry. A ‘ragged man’ sits on one side of the picture and two apparently similar buildings in the distance are actually not the same as one is a church and the other a supermarket. Above this problematic scene a bright light introduces a note of optimism.

Chekhov's The Three Sisters: Oxford Playhouse

10:20am Thursday 4th March 2010

NICK UTECHIN talks to cast members from the Playhouse production of Chekhov’s The Three Sisters

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