Oxford Theatre GuildAs You Like It by William Shakespeare Filmed in Oxford, July 2020
The above production was originally intended to be the OTG’s 2020 summer garden show in University Parks - however, just before we were due to start rehearsals the Covid-19 pandemic hit the UK and we were locked down. Instead of giving up, we rehearsed on Zoom through the end of March, April and May and the outdoors in groups of no more than six from June. We then filmed the production - following all guidance for social gatherings and taking precautions including use of face coverings and hand washing - in July, around beautiful Oxford. Scenes and shots were then edited together to show the appearance of larger groups and scenes. The above, then, is a culmination of an incredible amount of hard work and dedication under exceptional and challenging circumstances - it was a pleasure to make and we hope you enjoy it.
Synopsis:
Rosalind and her cousin are well-bred young ladies some time in the reign of George III who have perhaps read too many Romantic novels. Following a family row, they do what any young person with a Romantic sensibility would do and escape into the forest where they find Orlando, Rosalind's love. Disguised as a boy shepherd, Rosalind has Orlando woo her under the guise of "curing" him of his love for Rosalind. Rosalind reveals she is a girl and marries Orlando during a group wedding at the end of the play (think Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility).
As You Like ItOxford Theatre Guild2020-10-10 | As You Like It by William Shakespeare Filmed in Oxford, July 2020
The above production was originally intended to be the OTG’s 2020 summer garden show in University Parks - however, just before we were due to start rehearsals the Covid-19 pandemic hit the UK and we were locked down. Instead of giving up, we rehearsed on Zoom through the end of March, April and May and the outdoors in groups of no more than six from June. We then filmed the production - following all guidance for social gatherings and taking precautions including use of face coverings and hand washing - in July, around beautiful Oxford. Scenes and shots were then edited together to show the appearance of larger groups and scenes. The above, then, is a culmination of an incredible amount of hard work and dedication under exceptional and challenging circumstances - it was a pleasure to make and we hope you enjoy it.
Synopsis:
Rosalind and her cousin are well-bred young ladies some time in the reign of George III who have perhaps read too many Romantic novels. Following a family row, they do what any young person with a Romantic sensibility would do and escape into the forest where they find Orlando, Rosalind's love. Disguised as a boy shepherd, Rosalind has Orlando woo her under the guise of "curing" him of his love for Rosalind. Rosalind reveals she is a girl and marries Orlando during a group wedding at the end of the play (think Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility).Saint Joan - a radio playOxford Theatre Guild2021-03-28 | This was a live to air recording in lockdown from actors' homes. An edit which addresses some of the technical issues we faced is now available on our podcast feed: https://anchor.fm/oxfordtheatreguild
“French for the French, England for the English”
In the white heat of the middle ages, nations are being formed in the battlefields of France: the aristocracy are divided, the prince uncrowned. In to this melee, steps Joan, a hero for the times.
A hero: or a heretic, a witch, a useful fool? Even as she brings her nation together, forces are conspiring against her.
Listen to Shaw’s Saint Joan, a contemporary version of the story where visions of nationhood and faith threaten to disrupt tradition and patriarchy.
Saint Joan addresses ideas of identity and power that are as fresh today as they were vital in the 15th century.
Scenes of the play:
Part 1
I – The Castle of Valcouleurs. A spring morning 1429 – Joan emerges as a leader of soldiers
II – Antechamber and Throne Room at Chinon. 8 March 1429 – the forces behind the French crown decide whether to use Joan’s powers
III – The Bank of the River Loire near Orleans. 29 April 1429 – Joan's first military triumph
- 5 minute interval
Part 2
IV – The Earl of Warwick’s Tent in the English Camp – a conspiracy emerges between the French, the English and the church.
V – The Ambulatory of Rheims Cathedral – the prince is crowned, do the French back Joan’s desire for military victory, or do they sue for peace?
- 5 minute interval
Part 3
VI – A Hall in the Castle of Rouen. The trial of Joan. 30 May 1431.
Epilogue – Bedroom in the Château of Charles VII. June 1456.
Rachel Smith - JOAN Ellen Publicover - DUNIOS Fleur Yerbury-Hodgson - ARCHBISHOP of Rheims David Guthrie - STEWARD, EXECUTIONER, SENTRY Matthew Addis - DAUPHIN / Charles VII Matt Blurton - Peter CAUCHON Richard Readshaw - Earl of WARWICK Gavin - SOLDIER, BLUEBEARD, Brother Martin Ladvenu Nick Smith - Thomas de COURCELLES, LA TREMOUILLE, Constable of France Tim Eyres - De Stogumber Jonathan Kay - D'Estivat, Gentleman Gloria Wright - Robert de Baudricourt, Inquisitor Joshua Wedge - LA HIRE/Bertrand de POULENGEY
Directors: Mike Taylor, Liz Burton Technical director: Dominic HargreavesCharleys Aunt - a radio playOxford Theatre Guild2021-02-07 | Join Oxford Theatre Guild for their latest Saturday Afternoon Drama - the classic Victorian farce Charley's Aunt.
Written by Brandon Thomas, this ever-popular comedy is packed with vibrant characters and hilarious incidents. As entertaining now as it was when it was first produced in the 1890s.
You can also listen via our anchor.fm page or your favourite podcast app by visiting https://anchor.fm/oxfordtheatreguild or searching for "Oxford Theatre Guild".
Cast: STEPHEN SPETTIGUE Solicitor, Oxford - Tim Eyres COLONEL SIR FRANCIS CHESNEY, BART. Late Indian Service - Andrew Whiffin
JACK CHESNEY Graduate at St. Olde’s College, Oxford - Nick Smith
CHARLEY WYKEHAM Graduate at St. Olde’s College, Oxford - Joshua Wedge
LORD FANCOURT BABBERLEY Graduate at St. Olde’s College, Oxford - Tobias Forbes
BRASSETT A College Scout - Gavin Gaughan
DONNA-LUCIA D’ALVADOREZ From Brazil - Carolyn Taylor
AMY SPETTIGUE Spettigue’s Niece - Victoria Wilson
KITTY VERDUN Spettigue’s Ward - Georgina Dettmer
ELA DELAHAY - Kate Morris
Production Team:
Sound and Technical Director - Dominic Hargreaves
Additional sound - Martha Zumack
Production Co-ordinator - Simon TavenerHard Times: For These Times from the novel by Charles Dickens, adapted by Peter MalinOxford Theatre Guild2020-11-29 | An OTG Saturday Afternoon Drama
Hard Times: For These Times, Dickens’ shortest novel, feels particularly apt right now as we focus on facts and alternative facts. It is set in the fictional northern town of Coketown in the 1850s when ‘muck was brass’ and Victorian society worshipped at the high altar of commerce. There was no time for sentiment or feeling and the imagination was shunned. It is a story full of memorable Dickens characters – Mr Gradgrind, Sissy Jupe and a group of circus performers led by the unforgettable Slearys. OTG member Peter Malin’s adaptation loses none of the biting satire of the novel or the comedy invested in the characters.
Cast: NARRATOR - Tim Eyres
THOMAS GRADGRIND M.P. of Stone Lodge - Richard Readshaw JANE GRADGRIND his wife - Victoria Wilson
Their children: LOUISA - Charlie Morgan TOM - Tom Mason JANE - Anna Clark
JOSIAH BOUNDERBY mill owner and banker - Ian Nutt MRS SPARSIT his housekeeper - Fleur Yerbury-Hodgson MARY his maid - Barbara Denton MAID at the bank - Anna Clark
STEPHEN BLACKPOOL a worker in Bounderby’s mill - Craig Finlay ROSE BLACKPOOL his wife - Lizzie McHale RACHAEL his friend - Anna Clark LANDLADY - Victoria Wilson
SLACKBRIDGE a union official - Colin Macnee CHAIRMAN of union meeting - Gavin Gaughan
BITZER a local youth - Liz McHale MRS PEGLER an old woman - Barbara Denton JAMES HARTHOUSE a gentleman - Josh Wedge WAITER at the hotel - Colin Macnee
MR SLEARY a circus proprietor - Colin Macnee MRS SLEARY his wife - Barbara Denton JOSEPHINE their daughter - Fleur Yerbury-Hodgson SISSY JUPE an abandoned circus child - Ruth Walker
Circus acts MR E.W.B. CHILDERS - Craig Finlay MR KIDDERMINSTER - Gavin Gaughan MLLE GENEVIEVE (later MRS KIDDERMINSTER) - Anna Clark MR GORDON the clown - Lizzie McHale EMMA GORDON - Victoria Wison THE LITTLE WONDER - Puppeteer Ian Nutt MERRYLEGS a dog - Merry
Crew:
DIRECTOR - Ruth Readshaw TECHNICAL PRODUCTION - Will Penington SOUND AND MUSIC - Jeannie Harrison MUSICIANS - Jeannie Harrison, Mark Prowen, Joseph Prowen, Sally Cheng HATS - Oxfordshire Drama Wardrobe, Ruth Readshaw and Cast PROPS - Peter Malin and Cast PHOTOGRAPHY - Richard Readshaw
Scenes:
0:00:00 - Preshow Music 0:10:02 - Scene 1: Hard Facts 0:19:08 - Scene 2: An Unexpected Visitor 0:23:51 - Scene 3: The Circus Comes to Town 0:37:52 - Scene 4: At Home with Mr Bounderby 0:47:01 - Scene 5: A Stranger Watches On 0:54:06 - Scene 6: Sissy moves to Stone Lodge 1:01:23 - Scene 7: The Children Grow Up 1:11:05 - Scene 8: Mr Harthouse Makes an Appearance 1:23:01 - Scene 9: The Union Meeting 1:32:15 - Scene 10: Stephen's Downfall 1:37:30 - Scene 11: Stephen Leaves Coketown 1:39:08 - Interval 1:41:49 - Scene 12: Mr Harthouse Makes His Move 1:46:35 - Scene 13: Breakfast at the Bounderby's 1:49:52 - Scene 14: Mrs Gradgrind's Sick Bed 1:52:50 - Scene 15: An Accident 1:54:14 - Scene 16: Mrs Sparsit Spys in the Garden 1:56:39 - Scene 17: Louisa Forsakes Harthouse 2:00:38 - Scene 18: Sissy and Louisa are Reunited 2:03:07 - Scene 19: Sissy Confronts Mr Harthouse 2:14:28 - Scene 20 2:21:59 - Scene 21: Stephen is Found in the Mine 2:28:59 - Scene 22: Mr Gradgrind is Humbled by all the Fun at the Circus 2:41:55 - CreditsAs You Like it - TrailerOxford Theatre Guild2020-10-02 | Oxford Theatre Guild presents our film of As You Like It, filmed under social distancing guidelines during the summer. The full film is now available at youtu.be/xwmdmVKWQZw.The Importance of Being EarnestOxford Theatre Guild2020-09-27 | Oxford Theatre Guild presents The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
An OTG Saturday Afternoon Drama
Cast (in order of appearance)
Lane - David Guthrie. Algernon Moncrieff - Matthew Blurton. John Worthing, J.P. - Andrew Whiffin. Lady Bracknell - Gloria Wright. Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax - Victoria Wilson. Miss Prism - Barbara Denton. Cecily Cardew - Katharine Morris. Rev. Canon Chasuble, D.D. - Paul Clifford. Merriman - Jonathan Kay.The Recruiting Officer by George FarquharOxford Theatre Guild2020-08-02 | An Online Reading of The Recruiting Officer by George Farquhar.
Bullock: Matt Blurton Steward, Wife, and various servants: Anna Clark Mr Worthy: Tim Eyres Captain Plume: Craig Finlay Justice Balance: Angus Fraser Justice Scale and Thomas Appletree: David Guthrie Sergeant Kite: Lizzie McHale The Prologue and various servants: James Marsden Silvia: Charlie Morgan Lucy: Ellen Publicover Justice Scruple, Coster Pearmain and mob voices: Richard Readshaw Rose: Carolyn Taylor Captain Brazen: Josh Wedge Melinda: Gloria Wright Constable Bridewell: Alex Brinkman-Young
Produced and directed by Ruth Readshaw Music by Jeannie Harrison
Technical support by Will PeningtonPinocchio at the Old Fire StationOxford Theatre Guild2019-11-05 | The misadventures of Pinocchio, the boy made of wood who longs to be a real child, are brought to the Oxford stage this November in a modern adaptation by Oxford Theatre Guild. Older children and adults both are bound to find this treat of puppetry, physical theatre and original music intriguing, entertaining – and just a little bit scary – as the lonely toy makes his way in a strange world of colourful characters, with not even his wits to fall back on. Family entertainment with a dark twist as the nights draw in.
Performances until 9th November at 7.30 (+2.30 Saturday matinee)
Galileo advocates the heretical view that the earth revolves around the sun, rather than standing motionless at the centre of all creation. He faces imprisonment and torture at the hands of the Inquisition as a consequence. He is forced to weigh self-preservation against his mission to establish a new age of science.
Brecht’s masterpiece provides powerful drama laced with wry humour. It deals in an accessible way with grand themes, setting them in the context of the emotional relationships of the protagonists caught up in the conflict between dogma and science. It has seldom been more timely as we find ourselves in a ‘post-truth’ era in which ideology is increasingly favoured over facts.
OTG returns to the Playhouse with a striking production of this classic, translated by one of our greatest contemporary playwrights.Treasure Island OTG - movementOxford Theatre Guild2018-01-22 | Movement director Ophélie Lebrasseur talks about how movement will be incorporated into OTG's production of Treasure Island
If you are interested in finding out more about participating in this production please come to our launch event on the 15th January in Summertown. More details at http://www.oxfordtheatreguild.com/news/treasure-island-launch-event or facebook.com/events/132828410835054 or subscribe to our audition mailing list: http://eepurl.com/b0JahzDoubt: A Parable trailer - Oxford Theatre GuildOxford Theatre Guild2017-11-21 | Doubt: A Parable - in 1960s New York, St Nicholas School is divided when Principal Sister Aloysius suspects the school priest of abusing a child. This Pulitzer Prize-winning drama is a suspense-filled exploration of faith and suspicion. At the Old Fire Station, 28 November - 2 December.
For more information and to book tickets see http://www.oxfordtheatreguild.com/productions/doubt-a-parableTwelfth Night by William Shakespeare - Oxford Theatre Guild, Summer 2016Oxford Theatre Guild2017-02-17 | The Oxford Theatre Guild's summer Shakespeare production, performed in July 2016 in Trinity College Gardens, Oxford.
Cast: Antonio - Simon Bellamy Curio/Officer - John Baron Fabienne - Amanda Holland Feste - Joe Swarbrick Malvolio - Nick Quartley Maria - Fleur Yerbury-Hodgson Olivia - Bryony Marshall-Falland Orsino - Maxwell Windich Sea Captain/Priest - Gavin Gaughan Sebastian - Thomas Perry Sir Andrew - Tim Eyres Sir Toby - Peter Roberts Viola - Eloise Sheffield
Creative: Directed by Moya Hughes and Simon Tavener Designed by Tom Atkinson Costumes - Catherine Woolley Rebecca Jones Composer - Joe Swarbrick Stage Manager - Poly Smart Props - Kay Richardson Sound Design - Wayne Brown Lighting - Ophelie Lebrasseur Technicians - Dominic Hargreaves Joe O'Connor Production Manager - Cherry Mosteshar Logistics - Daniel WhitleyFesten Trailer 2 - Oxford Theatre GuildOxford Theatre Guild2016-10-14 | "I'm sorry, but I've forgotten the most important thing"
Music by Jon Ouin.Proof - Nightly Set BuildOxford Theatre Guild2015-10-21 | As the University of Oxford's Mathematical Institute is a fully working building, we need to leave no trace of us behind after each performance.
This means we need to build our entire set and lighting rig each evening we perform. This video is sped up footage from our dress rehearsal.
Tickets are available from oxfordplayhouse.com/ticketsoxford/#event=20047 or on the door 30 minutes before performance.Mary Stuart - Oxford Theatre Guild trailerOxford Theatre Guild2015-03-02 | Mary Stuart is to be performed from 10th-14th March 2015 at Oxford Playhouse by Oxford Theatre Guild. Get a glimpse of the drama of the production from this trailer featuring original music by Jon Ouin of Stornoway.Pride and Prejudice - Oxford Theatre Guild TrailerOxford Theatre Guild2013-07-06 | Pride & Prejudice (adapted by Peter Kenvyn-Jones) is to be performed in Trinity College Gardens 9-20 July 2013 by Oxford Theatre Guild.