WINTER 2006

The climax of the Winter Season will be the latest in-house production from the Playhouse team, Edward Albee's THREE TALL WOMEN(27 April - 13 May) . Best known for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Albee's acclaimed masterpiece follows THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (August 05), PETER PAN(Dec 04), AMAJUBA (July 04) and THE DUMB WAITER (February 04) as the latest in a series of Oxford Playhouse Productions. A Pultzier Prize-winning play, THREE TALL WOMEN will be directed by Irina Brown (Royal Opera House, National Theatre and Tron Theatre), look out for more information and casting coming very soon.

There's drama earlier in the season too with Alison Steadman in Simon Mendes Da Costa's hilarious and poignant West-End hit on the trauma of family secrets, LOSING LOUIS (20 - 25 March) and we open the national tour of Amelia Bullmore's MAMMALS (20 - 28 January). Seen earlier this year at The Bush Theatre, MAMMALS will star Niamh Cusack in a wonderfully comic glimpse into the real relationships between families and friends.

For those who like their drama a little bit more gritty there's Irvine Walsh's TRAINSPOTTING adapted by Harry Gibson which returns to the stage 10 years after it's premiere. From Monday 1 - Saturday 6 March this is the pitch-black brutally shocking play that inspired the film.

Drama of a very different kind is seen with the return of Playhouse favourites Shared Experience as they follow up their critically acclaimed interpretation of the Bronte sisters, BRONTE (October 2005) with Charlotte Bronte's compelling masterpiece JANE EYRE (14 - 18 March) and Alan Ayckbourn's latest play set around a writer's group, IMPROBABLE FICTION (14 - 18 February).

From familiar tales to new faces, this season also sees the first visit from the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse as they present YELLOWMAN (28 February - 4 March). Set in 1960's South Carolina, Dael Orlandersmith's heartbreaking and captivating tale tells of a struggle for love and acceptance in a time of social conflict.

There's a whole host of dance events next season too. Starting with the irrepressible MICHAEL CLARK DANCE COMPANY and their latest production 'O' (31 January & 1 February), there's also the internationally renowned integrated dance company of disabled and non-disabled performers, CANDOCO DANCE COMPANY (28 March) with The Journey and In Praise of Folly and SHOBANA JEYASINGH DANCE COMPANY (1 April) and their latest piece to music of celebrated British composer Michael Nyman.

There's music and children's events too - a first visit to the Playhouse from folk rock legends FAIRPORT CONVENTION (5 March) and THE UKULELE ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN will be gracing the stage with all the music you love and some you loathe for one night only on Wednesday 29 March.

Theatre Alibi, firm favourites with the Playhouse team (and their children) return with their latest production THE CROWSTARVER (20 - 22 April) based on the best-selling book by Dick King-Smith and with Oxford's Story Museum we offer you a rare opportunity to get close to author Jacqueline Wilson and Nick Sharratt who illustrates her books with BEST FRIENDS on Saturday 18 March.

Plus with two visits from University of Oxford students, Oxford Theatre Guild and Musical Youth Company Oxford too there's something to warm even the coldest of souls this Winter at Oxford Playhouse.