Image above: West Oxford Pantomime Association, 2024
Theatre is a truly collaborative art form.
It gives everyone - on stage, backstage, in the audience - a moment together as a community. That's why I invest so much time in it.
I focus my attention on local theatres and community centres closest to home. I used to be very much an international scholar, building my reputation around the world. Since the Pandemic, I have asserted my priorities: I don't fly, and, though I still travel and go on adventures, Oxford is my home.
For Christmas 2025, I am creating a special show to celebrate West Oxford Community Association's 25th anniversary.
To prepare I am doing two things this autumn: running local history workshops with local residents (at WOCA on Botley Road) and writing the script for the December show. The one inspires the other.
This show forms part of a project called The Oxford Chronicles, where academic research meets oral history.
Click on the poster to download it.
Please send it to anyone you think might be interested in joining us.
I love bringing history to life!
Especially in a community setting, where local people can get involved and learn about their local area. It's a great way to feel connected.
Below: The Importance of Being Earnest, Oxford Playhouse, 2024, celebrating 75 years of the Oxford Theatre Guild (OTG)
