The Dangers of Saying Yes, Richard Jones, Electric Cabaret
A solo show which explores the balance between free will and determinism.
Run Stanley Run, by Rowan Padmore
A poetic play set in a Northern seaside town; Stanley has run away from school but will anybody notice?
Stitch Up, by Zena Forster and directed by John Retallack
A comedy that explores motherhood through the experiences of two women with postpartum psychosis.
Why Bother Keeping Things in Your Head
Written and performed by Shirley Halse
Everyone loves the internet. Everyone also feels they should open a bit less time on the internet. It’s the world’s greatest collection of human endeavour (and cat endeavour) but it’s also making us all a little bit stupider.
Shirley Halse has spent a lot of time reading Wikipedia searching Google and liking Facebook to try to work out how the internet might be changing our brains or not. In her work-in-progress piece Why Both Keeing Things In Your Head she will argue the case for learning facts as well as searching for them.
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So Bad
Written & Produced by Duncan Turner
Still wearing a giraffe onesie from a night’s drinking, Sid awakes from a nightmare in which he was pursued by predators. All Sid wants is to get some sleep and to catch up on David Attenborough on iPlayer. He certainly doesn’t want a call from his flatmate Leo telling him not to touch his laptop. And he really doesn’t need Leo’s girlfriend giving him the third degree about where Leo has gone.
All Rose knows is Leo received a text reading “I’m going to hurt you so bad” before he disappeared. All Sid knows is the man who sent that message is a brutal criminal called Craven.
So Bad is a black comedy perform at the breakneck speed of farce however there are no quick entrances and exits and no wardrobes in which to hide.
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Transit
Written by Daniel Fox
Going on a gap year leads Jonase to journey in to the unseen world of a constantly travelling community.
This absurdist odyssey aims to entertain audiences and explore society’s issues.
October 31st, 7.30pm, at the Old Fire Station, George St, Oxford.
The Immigrant, by Chris Michael
Chris Michael returns to try out another excerpt of his work in progress piece, inspired by Charlie Chaplin’s 1917 silent film of the same title.
With/Without, by Catching Leaves Productions
Catching Leaves Productions (Ella Fryer-Smith & Eve Levic) will perform an extract of their devised physical theatre piece set to music, which explores the role of women in today’s society.
Hope for Us All, by Doc Anderson-Bloomfield
Amantha Edmead will perform Doc Anderson Bloomfield’s short play for the first time, which was written in response to the white-supremacist march in Charlottesville, USA, earlier this year.
October Theatre Scratch Night: October 31st, 7.30pm at the Old Fire Station
We are now accepting applications from theatre makers to show up to fifteen minutes of work-in-progress performance.
Each Theatre Scratch Night will feature up to three pieces of performance, followed by facilitated feedback from the audience.
Applications open until 12pm on 21st September.
More information on the Old Fire Station website.
Application form can be filled in online here.
Theatre Scratch Night Tuesday 20th June cancelled
We are sorry to announce that we have been forced to cancel next week’s Scratch Night due to cast unavailability. We are very sorry to do this.
The next Scratch Night will be in October. Applications to perform are open now.
Apply at www.oldfirestation.org.uk
7.30pm in the theatre at the Old Fire Station
An exciting programme of three new works-in-progress by Oxfordshire based theatre makers are going to be performed at the next Scratch Night.
Wolf Tamer, by Rachel Mae Brady
Every day Rachel’s uncle tells her stories about his adventures. Sometimes the stories are frightening. As Rachel grows up she realises her hero is battling demons she could never have imagined, causing her to examine her own relationship with fear.
The Immigrant, by Chris Michael
In 1917 Charlie Chaplin released a short called The Immigrant about people looking to start a new life in America. Its sweet, simple storyline is in stark contrast to the plight of those trying to enter America today.
Chris’ piece, will lovingly recreate Chaplin’s original work and add new content to create a piece that is funny, heartwarming and truthful.
Confessions of a Sex Addict, by Jeremy Allen
A one-man show chronicling the life of Frank, a sex addict and his descent into a world of compulsive behaviour. Darkly comic in tone, but also I am keen to illustrate that sex addiction is no laughing matter and is a serious, debilitating illness. I would like comments on the general format and the possible inclusion of music and slideshow.
Plus a chance to join up as member of the Oxfordshire Theatre Makers Network
If your membership application to OTM has been approved, you will be able to pay your £12 annual fee in cash during the interval of the Scratch Night. To apply for full membership of OTM, please fill in the form available on our website: www.oxfordshiretheatremakers.com/membership. You must fill in a form beforehand – you won’t be able to apply on the night!
7.30pm at the Old Fire Station
The October Scratch Night will see three new work-in-progress performances as well as the launch of the new Oxfordshire Theatre Makers membership scheme.
Hidden Spire
Hidden Spire is the Old Fire Station and Crisis’ flagship performance project, which this year began with two weeks of workshops exploring the theme ‘A Beautiful Mess’. This short piece performed at the Scratch Night, represents a moment in the process.
Orange Juice, Written by Karim Khan
Orange Juice is a short play which explores the social and cultural dilemmas that confront Adam, a young British Pakistani Muslim, as he attempts to find his place in the world.
Murder Amongst the Spires, Written by Lucy Hoult
Murder Amongst The Spires tells the true life murder of Oxford resident, Ann Crotchley.
21st June, 7.45pm in the studio at the Old Fire Station
Part of Offbeat Festival
In conjunction with OFFBEAT, a new theatre festival by the OXFORD PLAYHOUSE and ARTS AT THE OLD FIRE STATION, the OXFORDSHIRE THEATRE MAKERS present a 24-HOUR PLAY MAKING EVENT.
Local writers, directors and actors will create four exciting new short plays in only 24 hours
The plays will be presented at the Old Fire Station on Tuesday 21 June at 7.45pm as part of the Theatre Scratch Night. The teams will have devised the plays overnight and rehearsed through the day. Members of the Oxfordshire Theatre Makers Steering Committee will be supplying coffee, support and kind words of encouragement.
How does it work?
At 7.30pm on Monday 20 June the Opening Ceremony will take place at The Jam Factory. At 9pm four writers will be presented with a title and first line, suggested by a member of the public (please come an contribute your ideas!), from which they have to begin writing. The participants will then all head over to the Old Fire Station where they devise and write through the night (and sleep as well!). At 9am the writers will hand over the scripts to the directors and they then have the day to realise their vision. The Performances will begin at 7.45pm with all shows finished by 10pm… just over 24 Hours from the moment they were given their titles and first lines.
Lizzy McBain, Chairman of the Oxfordshire Theatre Makers (OTM) says, “OTM began a year ago to support professional theatre makers living and working in Oxfordshire. This exciting event is an excellent opportunity for us to engage with artists, venues, and the public in a creative and inspiring way.”
PUBLIC EVENTS:
***MONDAY 20th JUNE***
7.30pm Opening Ceremony at The Jam Factory (Just turn up)
***TUESDAY 21st JUNE***
7.45pm Performances in THE OLD FIRE STATION STUDIO SPACE (Book tickets here)
Organised by OTM – Oxfordshire Theatre Makers
We are looking for theatre makers – writers, directors, performers, technicians, designers, everyone! – to take part in a 24 hour play challenge as part of the next Scratch Night for OffBeat Festival.
Short plays, up to 15 minutes in length, will be written, devised and rehearsed in a period of 24 hours, 20th-21st June.
Pieces will be performed to a public audience at OFS on Tuesday 21st June at 7.45pm in the studio as part of OffBeat Festival.
If you are interested in signing up please email lizzy@underconstructiontheatre.com by Tuesday 3rd May with your name, email address, phone number and your role in theatre.
Once we have a list of everyone who is interested we will select the teams – up to 4.
We will let you know your play theme or title just as 24 hours begins so that you work from scratch.
Theatre Scratch Night: March 2015, 7.30pm
At The Old Fire Station
A night of work in progress from theatre makers, including discussion and networking opportunities
Next month’s lineup is to include three works in progress and an update from OTM:
The Sinking of Eva (Reflections on a Tragedy)
Written by Natasha Campbell
The Sinking of Eva is a piece in poetry told through the eyes of a middle aged woman about her elderly mother’s decline into Alzheimer’s from pre-diagnosis through to death.
High as Sugar
Written and Performed by Tanner Effinger
High As Sugar is a one-man musical about a trans woman living in New York City in 1970. Inspired by the true life of recently deceased actress and Warhol superstar, Holly Woodlawn.
Oxfordshire Theatre Makers
An update on OTM, (the network for Oxfordshire-based theatre makers), how to get involved in our activities, and a chance to sign up to be a member during the interval.
Anonymous Club
Written by Bethan Kitchen
After graduating from University, Kayleigh is struggling to live at home without the solidity of student life. Remembering the romanticised tales of prison life her Dad told her as a child, she now believes getting arrested could be the ideal escape route from this frightening feeling of anonymity.
This March the night is free to attend (suggested donation of £3-5), however it would be great if you could sign up to attend here so we know who is coming.