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Contact information
Oxfordshire Touring Theatre Company
The Annexe
SS Mary and John School
Meadow Lane (accessed via Bedford St)
Oxford
OX4 1TJ
United Kingdom
Telephone: 01865 249444
Fax: 01865 247266
E-mail:
General enquiries: info@ottc.oxfordshire.co.uk
Heather Dunmore, Asst Administrator : info@ottc.oxfordshire.co.uk
Amy Elkins, Administrator: admin@ottc.oxfordshire.co.uk
Louise Wiggins, Administrative Director: manager@ottc.oxfordshire.co.uk
Brendan Murray, Artistic Director: director@ottc.oxfordshire.co.uk
Oxfordshire Touring Theatre Company Limited
Registered office as above
Registerd Company No. 01417802
Registered Charity No. 277872
Keep in touch
OTTC can keep you in touch either through our e-mail list or our postal list.
E-MAIL LIST
If you'd like to join our monthly e-mail list you'll be the first to hear about forthcoming productions and performances in your area, special events and the latest OTTC news.
To join: Just e-mail info@ottc.oxfordshire.co.uk and ask to be added to the e-mail list.
POSTAL LIST
If you'd like to join our postal list we'll contact you two or three times a year about forthcoming productions and performances in your area, special events and the latest OTTC news.
To join: Just ring, write or e-mail with your address asking to be added to the postal list. Find contact details by using 'Contact Us' button.
How to make a booking
Booking with OTTC couldn't be easier! Just call our booking line on 01865 249444 and speak to Amy or Heather.
IF YOU HAVEN'T BOOKED OTTC BEFORE WHY NOT LOOK AT OUR 'INFORMATION FOR NEW BOOKERS' BY USING THE 'ABOUT OTTC' BUTTON.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? (MARCH 2007 – APRIL 2008)
An OTTC performance is great value for money costing from £310 - £530 inc VAT depending on the size of your venue and the day of the week.
The Delicious Revenge of Princess Ruby Slippers
Venues licensed for 99 people or less
£310 inc VAT – Tues, Wed, Thurs
£340 inc VAT – Fri, Sat
Venues licensed for 100 people or more
£360 inc VAT – Tues, Wed, Thursday
£390 inc VAT – Fri, Sat
Ain't Misbehavin'
Venues licensed for 99 people or less
£415 inc VAT – Tues, Wed, Thurs
£470 inc VAT – Fri, Sat
Venues licensed for 100 people or more
£470 inc VAT – Tues, Wed, Thursday
£530 inc VAT – Fri, Sat
ABOUT OTTC
History
Oxfordshire Touring Theatre Company (OTTC) was set up in 1979 as a charity and a limited company. The original aim, which remains true today, was to provide theatre productions and activities for the communities of Oxfordshire, but particularly for people with limited access to see and take part in professional theatre.
WHAT DOES OTTC DO?
OTTC is a small scale touring theatre company touring high quality, challenging, entertaining and accessible theatre to audiences in Oxfordshire, the south east region and nationally. The company has a unique reputation for taking theatre to non-theatre venues especially, but not exclusively, in rural areas.
OTTC is part of a national network of community touring companies called Pride of Place, and like all nine companies, has a long-established commitment to new writing. OTTC works with established writers to produce at least one new play each year, uniquely designed to entertain and challenge audiences in community venues.
OTTC produces three shows each year, touring to village halls, community centres, schools and town halls. Each of the three shows is aimed at a specific audience:
For families to enjoy together
The winter family tour has always been at the heart of what OTTC does - a new play inspired by a great story. Demand from bookers for this show is high and audiences relish the "every year something different" nature of the work - the romance of Beauty and the Beast in 2005/06, contrasting with the suspense of The Firebird in 2006/07 and the comedy of Princess Rubyslippers in 2007/08 - all enjoyed equally by people aged 6 to 96!
For adults
The spring production for adult audiences might be an existing piece by a great playwright rarely seen in community venues, a classic play done in an unusual way, or a new piece: Athol Fugard's 'People are Living There' in 2005; an integrated English/British Sign Language version of 'Under Milk Wood' by Dylan Thomas in 2006, and a new play based on interviews with people living in rural Oxfordshire, 'The Falling Sky', in 2007.
For older people
Summer or autumn tours for older audiences in nursing homes, day centres and sheltered accommodation have been developed in association with Forest Forge (a rural touring company based in Hampshire) and Ithaca (an arts organisation in Oxford working with people with disabilities). These productions are typically short plays, often with music, accompanied by creative workshops.
OTTC's Vision
Mission statement
High quality, challenging, entertaining and accessible theatre - that seeks to reflect the diversity of our world - for audiences in community venues.
Artistic vision
OTTC makes theatre that matters to people: about love and loss, and faith and fear; an inclusive theatre that cuts across the boundaries of age, culture and disability and invites us to look at ourselves and laugh or weep or shout or dance; a theatre that celebrates, challenges and comforts, that delights and disturbs, excites the mind, stops the heart and touches the soul; a theatre often tempered with comedy but never shy of deep emotion.
And all this with a handful of actors, a set that will fit in the back of a van, go up in two hours and come down in one and yet transform a village hall or community centre into another world.
Inspiration
Three quotations that inspire OTTC:
"Theatre is a place where things happen" Peter Brook
"Ideas emerge from plays; not the other way round" Sam Shepard
"To rediscover an art of the theatre which shall be joyful, fantastic, extravagant, whimsical, beautiful, resonant and altogether reckless." W B Yeats
The team
OTTC is a charity and is overseen by a Board of Directors and run on a day to day basis by a team of professional staff.
STAFF
OTTC employs four permanent members of staff. The Artistic Director and General Manager who are jointly responsible for running the company, an Administrator who takes care of the day to day running of the company and an Assistant Administrator who provides administrative support.
Brendan Murray (Artistic Director)
Originally from Salford in Lancashire, Brendan trained as an actor and subsequently worked in regional repertory, commercial touring, fringe and television. Since moving to Brighton in 1988 he has worked as a director and lecturer, but has perhaps become best known as a playwright. With commissions from The Sherman Theatre, Cardiff and The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester his work has been produced and has toured throughout the UK as well in Ireland, Australia, Norway and Japan. Several of his plays have been short-listed for major national awards and in 2001 he won the Arts Council of England's Children's Award with 'Eliza's House' which is shortly to be published by Samuel French Ltd.
Louise Wiggins (Administrative Director)
Louise trained as a dancer at Manchester Metropolitan University and started her working life performing at festivals across the West Country, moving into arts management about 10 years ago. She worked as Theatre Manager at the Rondo Theatre in Bath, whilst spending her spare time parading the country as a living statue with Incarnation. She moved to Oxford to work for OTTC as its Administrator in 2001 and spent four years with the company. From 2005 – 2007 she was Centre Manager at the Courtyard Youth Arts Centre in Bicester developing arts activities for young people. Louise is delighted to be working for OTTC again and looks forward to much tea and cake at the local village halls!
Amy Elkins (Administrator)
Amy was born and brought up in Great Yarmouth and moved to Oxford in 1999 to begin her career in theatre at the Old Fire Station Theatre. Amy then moved onto the Oxford Playhouse and Tickets Oxford box office where she stayed for five years working her way up from Box Office Assistant to Box Office Manager. Amy joined OTTC in July 2005.
Heather Dunmore (Assistant Administrator)
Joining the team at OTTC in February 2003 was something of a homecoming for Heather as she had been involved with the company as a Friend and attended most of their writers' workshops over a period of years. Previously employed in an administrative capacity in a family business connected to the motor trade and before that as a house journal editor/freelance journalist, Heather's heart has always been in the arts. As a mature student, she completed a first degree in English and Publishing followed by a Masters in English Studies at Oxford Brookes University. Always pursuing the next course, she is currently studying for a Diploma in Psychological Astrology. She is also an award-winning playwright who took her own show to Edinburgh in 2002 and is a regular volunteer at the Oxford Playhouse.
Freelance staff
In addition to the permanent staff team OTTC employs about 30 freelance actors and artists every year who join the company for anything from a week up to 16 weeks. Each production has a new team of artists on short term contracts and their skills include actor, designer, lighting designer, director, composer, fight director, choreographer, costume designer and stage manager.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Danielle Battigelli (Chair)
Roy Blatchford
Michael Good
Carolyn Hinton
Venetia Mayman
Geraldine McIlvaine
Jo Read
OTTC's Board of Directors meets quarterly to oversee both the artistic and the management side of the company's work. Together with the Artistic Director and the General Manager they formulate artistic policy, guide strategic planning and help make key decisions.
Directors give their time voluntarily and bring a wealth of skills to the company including theatre, finance, legal, local politics, human resources, business, education, local promotion and project management. Organisations that fund the company on an annual basis can also send a representative to meetings.
PREMISES
OTTC is based in a school in East Oxford which provides office, meeting room/green room, rehearsal room and workshop.
CURRENT SHOW: Coming soon
Ain't Misbehavin' The FATS WALLER Musical Show
Co-produced with Pegasus Theatre
Touring: 5 March - 12 April 2008
To: Village Halls, Community Centres, Town Halls, Theatres locally and nationally
What's it about?
Based on an idea by MURRAY HORWITZ and RICHARD MALTBY, JR
Presented by arrangement with JOSEF WEINBERGER LIMITED
on behalf of MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL of New York
Join the crowd who strut their stuff at Harlem's famous Cotton Club for an evening of singing, swinging and smiles all the way where the cats are cool and the music is hot!
The sexy, sultry, sassy musical soul of 1930's Harlem lives on in this finger-snapping, toe-tapping, musical revue that boasts a live jazz trio and five fabulous vocalists strummin', struttin' and singing the songs made famous by the outrageously prodigious King of Swing, the fabulous Thomas "Fats" Waller.
With standards like Honeysuckle Rose, I Can't Give You Anything But Love, The Joint Is Jumpin' and It's A Sin To Tell A Lie, Ain't Misbehavin' is two hours of jam, jive and everything. UNMISSABLE!!
Click here for the tour schedule.
Past shows
The Delicious Revenge of Princess Ruby Slippers
by Brendan Murray
Touring: 20 November 2007 - 9 February 2008
What's it about?
Take a 5 year old, 6 year old and a 7 year old, add one harassed mum; a handful of favourite fairytale characters; season well with some sensational songs; mix together in a large dressing up box and leave for five frenetic, fun-filled minutes. Result?
Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas
Toured: 25 September - 17 November 2007
What's it about?
Under Milk Wood is the final flowering of Dylan Thomas's ripe genius, a poetic day-in-the-life of an imaginary small town - lyrical, heart-warming and wickedly funny!
The Falling Sky by Brendan Murray
Toured: Tuesday 6 March - Saturday 14 April 2007
To: Village halls, community centres, town halls, schools
What's it about?
The Falling Sky is a richly rewarding story based on extensive research with people living in rural Oxfordshire and charts the fascinating stories of five local residents over the course of a year. The production mixes live music, humour, contemporary issues and strong emotions – guaranteed to make you smile, wonder and wipe away a tear.
The Firebird by Jane Buckler
Toured: 14 November 2006 – 10 February 2007
What's it about?
The story takes place in a Russian fairytale world where Ivan, a young stable boy, has the job of finding out who’s been stealing the Tsar’s golden apples. The thief turns out to be The Firebird and Ivan – accompanied by his toothless friend, Wolfie - pursues her through the dark and dangerous forest. Arriving at a mysterious castle, they meet a book-loving princess, imprisoned by the evil sorcerer, Koshchei. Getting themselves in to and out of various scrapes, our trio finally discover the source of Koshchei’s power and – with the help of the magic Firebird – uncover a few surprises before overcoming him and setting off once more in pursuit of fresh adventures. The production includes video projection, specially designed costumes and an original musical score with live songs.
Head over Heels by Sarah Clifford
Toured: Monday 25 September – Friday 13 October 2006
And 11 - 29 June 2007
To: Day centres
Head over Heels Creative Programme
The Head over Heels Programme was developed by OTTC and ITHACA as a creative Falls Prevention package for frail older people in day centres and was presented for the first time in September 2006. Due to its impact in 2006 an extended programme was then developed for 2007 and included a theatre performance, Falls Prevention presentation, exercise session, creative workshop and one to one evaluations. The theatre performance itself was developed by OTTC and ITHACA to offer a high quality artistic experience for older audiences whilst also promoting falls prevention. Dance artist Cecilia Macfarlane worked with a group of eight people, aged between 16 and 82, using the medium of dance to explore issues around age, ageing and falling. Playwright, Sara Clifford, who participated in these sessions, interpreted the theme of falling widely to include experiences such as 'falling in love' and 'falling from grace'.
What's it about?
When 80 year old Gracie falls on her way to bed there's nothing for it but to sit it out till her husband, Fred, gets up to pay a visit. And while she waits, her mind slips back to younger if not always happier times when she gave away a baby - a secret she's kept from Fred all these years - and she meets her younger self, fresh from her first sexual encounter on VE night. Initially suspicious, our two "fallen women" slowly come to understand and finally forgive each other.
Sara Clifford mixes humour, pathos, music and dancing in this delicate new play. Katie Read directs Carole Dance and Kate Bishop with design by Nomi Everall. Stage manager Kat Astbury.
Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas
As you’ve never heard it before!
Toured: Tuesday 7 March - Saturday 15 April 2006
To: Village halls, community centres, schools, town halls
What's it about?
Join Bessie Bighead, the poisonous Pughs, Nogood Boyo, Lily Smalls, Organ Morgan, blind Captain Cat and a host of other colourful characters for the dance of the world and a sing-song in the Sailors' Arms - and don't forget to wipe your feet!
Under Milk Wood is the final flowering of Dylan Thomas's ripe genius. A poetic day-in-the-life of an imaginary small town - lyrical, heart-warming and wickedly funny!
Beauty and the Beast by Mike Kenny
Toured: Tuesday 15 November 2005 - Saturday 11 February 2006
To: Village halls, community centres, schools, town halls
What's it about?
The impoverished father, the beautiful girl, the dark wood, the enchanted castle, the mysterious host, the blood-red rose, the magic mirror, the broken promise, the happy ending!
OTTC presents a beautiful re-telling of this beastly tale by an award-winning team of writer Mike Kenny, designer Louise Ann Wilson and director Lawrence Evans .
A family show for everyone over 6 years old.
Housewives' Choice by Brendan Murray
Toured: June - July 2005
A co-production with Forest Forge Theatre Company in association with Ithaca.
What's it about?
Set in the early 1950's, informed by personal memories and with a host of songs from the period, Housewives' Choice takes a comic and affectionate look back at the joys and tribulations of young married life. Written by Brendan Murray, OTTC's Artistic Director, the show includes such popular songs of the period as 'Mr Sandman' and 'Nevertheless I'm in love with you'.
People are Living There by Athol Fugard
Toured: March - April 2005
What's it about?
It's Milly's birthday - her 50th! - and she was hoping for a slap-up meal complete with champagne, moonlight and roses. Trouble is, her fella's taken up with a younger woman and she's stuck at home with her three downbeat lodgers! But Mildred Constance Jenkins isn't one to go down without a fight so along with Don, Shorty and Sissy she throws a party of her own. A warm, wise, fun and feisty play by South Africa's greatest living playwright, Athol Fugard.
Noah's Ark by Brendan Murray
Toured: November 2004 - February 2005
What's it about?
When Dave has a dream and the wardrobe doors go missing, Linda starts to worry and her craving for chocolate gets serious! Dave has a secret, Linda's got ambition, son Noah's got a vivid imagination and Gran, well Gran's on a mission.
The Arkwrights, their dog Malarky, their two rabbits and their nosey neighbour go on a voyage that's always a pleasure - if never a cruise - in this sideways comic take on the story of the Great Flood.
Big Baby by Brendan Murray
Toured: September - October 2004
What's it about?
When Janet and John dream of having the perfect baby, little do they know what lies ahead. Starting with a roll in the hay and ending with a crime against nature, this comic, caustic, cautionary tale careers through the centuries from rural idyll to urban tragedy; innocence to experience and midwifery to murder.
Sigh as Janet and John fall in love and dream of having the perfect baby; tremble as they discover the dangers that lie ahead; gasp as they leave the country for the lure of London society; shudder as their story unfolds in a shady, time-shifting world populated by the likes of Sir Quantity Marwit, Lady Fashion and Dick Dodger.
Originally commissioned by the Theatre Centre and The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, award-winning playwright Brendan Murray's Big Baby takes an irreverent look at the pressures on parents, teachers and children in the league-table dominated world of Education.
Future shows
Ain't Misbehavin' The FATS WALLER Musical Show
Co-produced with Pegasus Theatre
Touring: 5 March - 12 April 2008
To: Village Halls, Community Centres, Town Halls, Theatres locally and nationally
What's it about?
Based on an idea by MURRAY HORWITZ and RICHARD MALTBY, JR
Presented by arrangement with JOSEF WEINBERGER LIMITED
on behalf of MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL of New York
Join the crowd who strut their stuff at Harlem's famous Cotton Club for an evening of singing, swinging and smiles all the way where the cats are cool and the music is hot!
The sexy, sultry, sassy musical soul of 1930's Harlem lives on in this finger-snapping, toe-tapping, musical revue that boasts a live jazz trio and five fabulous vocalists strummin', struttin' and singing the songs made famous by the outrageously prodigious King of Swing, the fabulous Thomas "Fats" Waller.
With standards like Honeysuckle Rose, I Can't Give You Anything But Love, The Joint Is Jumpin' and It's A Sin To Tell A Lie, Ain't Misbehavin' is two hours of jam, jive and everything. UNMISSABLE!!
Click here for the tour schedule.
Reviews
The Delicious Revenge of Princess RubySlippers
20th November 2007 - 9th February 2008
Bringing first-class theatre to far-flung communities is the remit for the popular OTTC, and their latest show has all the hallmarks of their continued success. The Delicious Revenge of Princess RubySlippers, written and directed by artistic director Brendan Murray, is a charming adventure into the imaginative world of children and their play.
Ruby and her brother Jake squabble over everything, driving their poor mum mad. When their friend Tom comes over to play, the sibling rivalry steps up a notch and a battle ensues over whether to play I Spy or dressing up'. They settle on hide and seek, and while Ruby is hiding in her dressing-up box her bad-tempered brother unwittingly manages to cast a spell which sends her off to Fairytale Land, where Prince Charming, fairy godmothers and witches await her. Jake and Tom have to get her back before Mum finds out, and so set off in pursuit.
Chloe Lang is charming as the feisty Ruby, with Matthew Turner a great foil as the petulant Jake. The most captivating performance was that of Paul Stephenson as their friend Tom, who is only too eager to kiss the Princess, the frog, or anyone! Orla Cottingham does great work in her quick changes from Mum, to Fairy Godmother to Wicked Witch, and keeps the dramatic tension humming.
The youngest members of the audience were kept on their toes, but I did not notice any upset as this is a well-thought-out family show for all ages. The audience in cosy Begbroke Village Hall - where I saw the show - ranged from babes-in-arms to senior citizens, who all seemed entranced.
Angie Johnson, The Oxford Times, 5th December 2007
THE DELICIOUS REVENGE OF PRINCESS RUBYSLIPPERS
by Brendan Murray.
Oxfordshire Touring Theatre Company Tour to 9 February.
Runs 1hr 35min One interval.
Review: Timothy Ramsden 4 January at Bradwell Grove Village Hall.
A good time's to be had by all.
Is it a pantomime? A fairy-tale? Children's story? Or family comedy? Well: No, No, Not Entirely, Not Exactly. And yet…Brendan Murray wrote the script and directs the production. What's more he runs the company. Is he that good? He is, as this witty, deft and perceptive evening shows.
It takes several minutes for Murray's strategy to work through. At first we seem to be in Worthyville, PC, land of the average Theatre-in-education tour. Mum just wants to put her feet up for five minutes while two children, older brother and young sister, are activity-led boxes of energy, even though Jake's looking for friend Tom to arrive so her doesn't have to play with a girl.Murray's already showing both sides of the picture. Mum's stoneground organic wholemeal sandwiches are scorned amid dreams of ice-creams with chocolate flakes. Any age in the audience can identify with its own generation on this; and it's a sign Ruby's revenge will indeed be delicious.The transition to make-believe happens almost by sleight-of-hand. Mum's already put on an avocado-based face-mask when Tom arrives. He stares at it in horror, as if he's just encountered a witch. And its alleged rejuvenating effect preludes the coming magic.Tom should wait, for mother returns in the guises upset children might create for parents: wolf (she's eaten grandma, but listen to the way granny had criticised stressed-out mum to the kids). Then there's Giant and Witch, all sounding as if they originate from different parts of Britain.Meanwhile, curtains mysteriously draw in the sharp-perspective room of Jessica Worrall's archetypal living-room set. Children's games become fantastical in this enclosed world with external reality curtained off. Psychologically acute, it's also great fun, filled with teasing panto references: Ruby's unexplained change to a fairytale princess, cross-dressing as the boys become Ugly Sisters to escape a boy-eating Witch.And it's borderline farcical, with quick exits and entrances, plus a chase, and the light, pointed interplay of Murray's script. All four actors are expert and seem to be having as good a time as I did. And that's a very good one indeed.
Timothy Ramsden, Reviewgate 7th January 2008
The Delicious Revenge of Princess RubySlippers by Brendan Murray
Oxfordshire Touring Company specialise in taking short, imaginative plays round schools and community centres, and thus audience experiences can depend quite significantly on surroundings.
The way this new play is staged can mean that its target audience - children - end up scrabbling for a view. The first half is perhaps a little long for the under-12s too, particularly as this is not a laugh-a-minute pantomime or musical show.
Not to worry - the pace picks up markedly in the second half, and kids will delight in the multiple turns of Orla Cottingham. She first appears as a harried mum, plagued with questions by her bored children as they enter the imaginary play world of Princess RubySlippers. She subsequently becomes a slightly wonky fairy godmother, a baying wolf and a D'Artagnan-like Prince Charming.
It's all a little surreal, like much of the best children's drama. At times it resembles one of those odd children's TV dramas from the seventies or eighties, which is no bad thing.
The three children are played with skill and accuracy by Matthew Tanner, Paul Stephenson and Chloe Lang. Lang, as Ruby, commands a fine repertoire of faces and voices, while Tanner has the proud struts and rolling eyes of the rather precious Jake down to a fine art.
Meanwhile, Tom (Stephenson) relishes the moment he mutates from a shy onlooker to the prince who must kiss Ruby awake.
A thoughtful play, which neither patronises nor intellectualises - a hard trick to pull off, and one in which Brendan Murray and OTTC just about succeed.
The Stage, 20th December 2007
The Falling Sky by Brendan Murray
6th March - 14th April 2007
This really is a landmark production for OTTC. The Falling Sky, written by artistic director Brendan Murray, is a rare thing - a contemporary play that captures the essence of rural life as it is lived today. Without sentiment or cliché, it is a snap-shot of a part of society that few who do not live within it ever really grasp. At its heart is a cross-section of the current issues that frame the countryside as it is today. Murray has created a group of archetypal characters to populate his fictional Oxfordshire parish, where the well-constructed, cohesive plot contains more than a few shocks and surprises on the way.
The direction, by Clare Smout, is first-rate, eliciting great performances from the excellent cast of five, each of them strong and moving. Hazel Maycock, as Patience, typical of the generous and wise older generation of villagers who have seen much change over the decades, is utterly convincing, while compelling is the only way to describe Stephen Middleton, as the simple and bewildered John. With farmer's wife Sally, played by Kate Adams, they educe huge compassion as stability, both societal and economic, is stripped from their lives. There are strong performances from Carol Fitzpatrick, as the middle-class incomer Caroline, and Richard Walker, as local landowner David. These country folk are a million miles away from the stereotypes found in The Archers, and the story is anything but everyday.
Sharply defined, with flawless pace, the production is formed around the four seasons of the year and this perennial symmetry gives the show a timelessness which juxtaposes perfectly with the contemporary issues it confronts.
On the evening I saw the show, at Larkmead School, Abingdon, we were bedevilled by power cuts and the performance had to be cut short, much to the disappointment of a thoroughly gripped audience. I am grateful to OTTC for sending me the performance script so that I could see how the story continued, which has determined me to see this excellent show again.
Angie Johnson - The Oxford Times 30th March 2007
The Falling Sky by Brendan Murray
6th March - 14th April 2007
Brendan Murray touches on almost every rural concern in this tender and ultimately shocking piece, which charts the intertwined lives of five country dwellers over one year.
Principle comes hard up against survival as the bright and well-meaning incomer, Caroline (Carol Fitzpatrick), finds herself at odds with the feisty, fifth generation farmer, Sally (Kate Adams), forced to do hairdressing and cake making to supplement the family income.
The conflicts are more subtle than that though, and the characters are never mere mouthpieces for whichever issue is uppermost - the Hunting Bill, farm payments, agro-chemicals, biodiversity, loneliness and isolation. They all have the ring of truth about them, especially Hazel Maycock's delightfully garrulous Patience, cramming her beret on top of her new hairdo and prepared to "go to London to make a stink."
Two strong threads bind the community and the play together. One is the ageless English folk songs sung a cappella and the other the disturbed, Bible-spouting village character, John, powerfully played by Stephen Middleton in his first professional role. In his desperate delusions, speaking as a leader of the Peasants' Revolt or a farmer's boy at the Somme, he embodies all the history that has influenced rural communities over the ages.
Richard Walker gives a strong lead as David, the Master of the Hunt, who has his own tragedy to deal with. I could have wished for a conclusion not quite so bleak and wonder at the impact of that on the rural communities to which it is touring.
The Stage 29th March 2007
The Firebird by Jane Buckler
14th November 2006 - 10th February 2007
This new production of The Firebird is based around the amalgam of traditional Russian folk-tales. Jane Buckler has kept the characters from the more familiar storyline used in the Stravinsky ballet, but has also given the Wolf a central role, to provide light relief from the eldritch machinations of Koshchei and Ivan's romantic quest to find his princess.
Oxfordshire Touring Theatre Company has thought very carefully about the types of storytelling that appeals to children. It is not remotely patronising - there is no flinching from the morbid subtext central to many fairytales but at the same time there is plenty of optimism and good humour to leaven the darkness.
Sam White's Ivan has a rather sweet impetuosity, continually hovering between hope and despair. The practicalities are thus left to Elliot Quinn's Wolfie, whose selective memory and occasional unpredictability only complicate the journey.
Throughout the twists and turns of the narrative, a screen carries abstract projections, calling to mind some of the more surreal kids TV programming from the seventies and eighties. Not that the production is dated - this is a timeless story and judging by the reception it is getting from both children and parents, OTTC have brought it to new audiences with the subtlety and care for details it deserves.
The Stage 14th December
The Firebird by Jane Buckler
14th November 2006 - 10th February 2007
There is no mistaking the Russian influence on Oxfordshire Touring Theatre Company's new show. Jane Buckler's adaptation of The Firebird respects the traditional folk tale of the magical bird that can bring both good and bad fortune to whoever captures it that is perfect for young audiences.
The play tells of Ivan, a boy set to guard the Czar's orchard. Unfortunately, the firebird wants the apples and enchants him into falling asleep. Ivan manages to catch her but lets her go because she will die in captivity. In return, he is given three magic feathers.
Then he sets out on a journey to track the magical bird down again through the dangerous forest. There he makes friends and enemies, including a toothless wolf, a princess and an evil wizard, Koshchei the Deathless.
It is a tale with lots of adventure and the characters all learn valuable lessons. But the reason why it is so entertaining is largely down to the enthusiastic cast of four whose playful performances are a delight. Elliot Quinn as Wolfie is a hoot.
But also contributing to the success are an imaginative staging and excellent songs, which move the plot along while sharing the hopes, fears and dreams of the characters.
A particular delight is the lovely singing voice of Cassie Hubert as the Princess.
Oxford Times 1st December 2006
Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas
7th March 2006 - 15th April 2006
Performed by the Oxfordshire Touring Theatre Company (OTTC), the classic Under Milk Wood written by Dylan Thomas is a lyrical trip through the lives of the inhabitants from a small Welsh village. An atmospheric portrait of small town life, with all its fantasies, religion, dogmas and routines, Under Milk Wood has become a classic piece of writing, with lines like "Here's your arsenic dear", "Praise the lord who made porridge" and "Back she goes to the kitchen to polish the potatoes", the script is as engaging and funny as it was when first broadcast on radio.
The OTTC translated it well into a stage show, with sign language for the deaf as part of the performance, which was surprising and gave the play an added twist. Net curtains line the four edges of the square stage, which is surrounded on all sides by the audience. Hot water bottles, buckets, cushions and old shoes are entangled in the curtains, and sound effects accompany the voices of the characters as they pass the lines back and forth between each other, in a stream of consciousness that gathers pace and rhythm throughout the two hours of the show, which keeps our attention.
The costumes were especially funny, suggesting a fifties time warp in the village, with suspender belts, braces, black tail coats, woolly socks over old leather shoes, giving the impression of a jumble sale.
Starting with the lights down, with the towns people dreaming in their beds, the play begins with voices speaking in the dark, until "The dawn inches up" and the lights come up. The timing of the dialogue is perfect, with a pause for the rise of the sun, and with quickened voices for the changing pace of the day, shouting and murmuring, laughing and crying, the jumbled words and babbling emotions give a bird's eye view of the town and its crazy people.
The OTTC makes imaginative use of small spaces to make the play visually interesting; the objects on stage and the way the characters move around the edge of the space: it all works to conjure up the image of the welsh village for the audience, and makes the play visually interesting. Sound effects from a nearby speaker add to the voices of the characters, the sound of the sea with its crashing waves is never far away.
Surreal and evocative of an earlier, quieter time, this is an adult play for understated but quality entertainment, not to be missed.
Sarah Vanstone, Daily Info 16th March 2006
The Oxfordshire Touring Theatre Company has come up with pure gold for its latest production. Under Milk Wood, by Dylan Thomas, is an inspired choice of play, as it is also set in a small community. Though I don't for a minute suggest Oxfordshire's residents - especially those of Stonesfield where I saw the show in their super-comfy village hall - are as extraordinary as those of Thomas's Welsh seaside town of Llareggub!
Originally a play for voices, it's a poetic evocation of the lives of the inhabitants. And a colourful lot they are: the saucy Polly Garter, lovers Myfanwy and Mog, old sea-salt Captain Cat, haunted by lost loves, are but a few of the characters taken on by the excellent cast, who flow through Thomas's poetically eloquent alliterative prose with a magical grace.
I can honestly say I have never enjoyed a production of this work so well. In addition to the tremendous directorial vision of Brendan Murray, further potency is added by the use of sign language throughout by the cast. David Ellington, a deaf actor, devised with coaches the complete script into British Sign Language. Also joining the cast was a visually impaired actor, Tim Gebbels, whose mellifluous voice and vibrant acting marked his talent out vividly. In truth, all the cast were immensely good in their many and constantly changing roles. Jane Allighan, Beverley Denim and Claire Stanley were heart-breakingly good as the women of Llareggub, and Darren Cheek was one of my particular favourites as No-Good Boyo.
Angie Johnson - The Oxford Times 17th March 2006
Beauty & the Beast by Mike Kenny
16th November 2005 - 11th February 2006
The county's favourite strolling players, the Oxfordshire Touring Theatre Company, are on the road again with their Christmas show, Beauty & the Beast. Judging from the entranced faces of the youngsters in the audience at Lain's Barn, near Wantage, they have another winner on their hands.
Written by Mike Kenny and directed by Lawrence Evans, this is a production that captures the essence of this treasured story while managing a few surprises too, keeping the story fresh as it delivers the romance and magic of the fairy tale.
The performances of the four-strong cast go a long way to realising this. Beauty, Olivia Wright, is as pretty as a picture but with a haughty and spoilt temperament. The Beast, Sean Hammond, is really strange rather than frightening ( a blessing I should think for the parents who brought along some very small children!). But they learn from each other and become much better people through their experience - the stuff of great theatre! Both performances were great, very engaging indeed. The other cast members, Carol Dance as Cook/Fairy Godmother and Richard Walker as Father/ Beast's Butler are a solid support, keeping the story moving along very pacily and providing much of the excellent humour that leavens this production well.
The production values are very impressive. Some wonderful simple but well chosen special effects, perfect lighting and beautiful sets show how much care and thought went into the whole concept. This Beauty & the Beast is well worth seeking out at your local centre.
Angie Johnson - Oxford Times 25th November 2005
People are Living There by Athol Fugard
8 March - 2 April 2005
A KNOCK-OUT
This year's spring tour by the ever-adventurous Oxfordshire Touring Theatre Company is a revival of a rarely performed work by Athol Fugard. Better known for his profound and politically explosive portrayals of black South African life under apartheid, in People are Living There he treads the more unfamiliar territory of the poor whites of Johannesburg. This was a revelation for me as I had never before ever considered the existence of this underclass. With his deft plotting and superb characterisation, Fugard has certainly brought it to life for me now.
Set in the 1950s in a shabby boarding house of an inner-city suburb, it reminded me a little at first of the sitcom Rising Damp. But whereas Mr Rigsby's manic tirades were side-splittingly ludicrous, landlady Milly Jenkins (a stirring performance by Jilly Bond) touched one's heart, as her deprived and joyless life was laid bare.
It's her 50th birthday and her ghastly husband has decided to trade her in for a younger woman. Not one to be beaten, however, she decides to hold her own celebration, but the only guests available are her down-at-heel, rather peculiar lodgers. As the evening progresses, this motley crew get a lot off their chests about their problematic lives and the elusive search for happiness, in a story that is both moving and exciting.
As scruffy would-be genius Don, Philip Dinsdale shone, arousing empathy for a character who longed to achieve something, anything, but would probably end his days in his squalid digs, endlessly drinking coffee and sniping with Milly. As a foil for this Sam White's simple-minded Shorty was brilliantly cheerful and positive, and this crazy threesome partook of one of the quirkiest birthday parties ever staged.
As always, the adaptable OTTC have a cunning set design that really invites the audience into the action. I was going to say that it's 'in the round' but it's actually more 'in the rectangle'. The lighting design by Adam Leigh is particularly effective, evoking simultaneously their dingy interior lives and the tantalising larger world as cars fly by outside taking other people off to good times and better lives.
Angie Johnson, Oxford Times, 11 March 2005
Noah's Ark by Brendan Murray
16 November 2004 - 12 February 2005
I must admit that I felt a bit foolish five minutes into the show, when I realised that my expectations were completely wrong and this new production of Noah's Ark by OTTC was not going to be some larky pre-Christmas biblical telling of animals going in two by two. Instead Artistic Director, Brendan Murray has written a more modern fable of 21st century life revolving around the troubled family relations surrounding a boy called Noah, played by Jody Tranter, and his disputing parents.
Animals still do feature, though. The story is narrated largely by the family dog, Malarky, played with a great deal of fun by Mark Huckett. Two glove puppet rabbits, Hippity and Hoppity, also amused the young members of the audience greatly at West Oxford Primary School. For the mums and dads there were many recognisable scenes of marital frustration, money worries and habitual bickering, very convincingly played out by Orla Cottingham and Jonathan Jones. Noah is the apple of both their eyes though, and the little chap keeps a biscuit tin full of creepy crawlies that make up his own private zoo.
As in all good plays something dramatic happens to bring about a life-affirming attitude adjustment, and this duly happens in the shape of a flood of biblical proportions (after some of the weather seen in parts of this country earlier in the year, it was very plausible!).
The set, comprising a shed and washing line full of clothes, cleverly becomes the boat that saves the family from the ghastly storm. One small thought occurs though: on the night I saw the show, the initial violence and great noise of the storm, though very convincing, did cause some of the younger children in the audience to be scared and tearful. In fact, it made me jump a bit too!
Angie Johnson - Oxford Times, 3 December 2004
ACCESS
Publicity in different formats
Larger format
OTTC now produces all its publicity at a minimum size of 12 pt. However, OTTC will post you or email you any of our publicity material in a larger format. If you e-mail info@ottc.oxfordshire.co.uk or call on 01865 249444, we'll send you what you need.
If you are coming to see one of our shows and would like a larger format copy of the information in the programme, just ask our Stage Manager when you get to the venue.
Access to shows
Sign-interpreted performances
There will be at least one sign-interpreted performance on each tour and if you would like to be kept informed of these performances please let us know by e-mailing info@ottc.oxfordshire.co.uk.
Script/Summaries
If you are coming to see one of our shows and would like to see the script in advance please email.
Access to venues
Tour information will be available for each production giving details of venues including what they offer in terms of parking, level access and disabled toilets.
Please contact OTTC if you'd like further information about a particular venue by ringing 01865 249444 or e-mailing admin@ottc.oxfordshire.co.uk.
SUPPORTING OTTC
Funders
OTTC receives funding from a variety of sources - public, charitable and business - which supports the programme of work, the staff and the premises. The company also earns money from performance fees, and to a smaller extent, from things like programme sales, teaching and lending of space and equipment.
REVENUE SUPPORT
OTTC is supported on an annual basis by the following seven organisations:
Arts Council England, South East
Oxfordshire County Council
West Oxfordshire District Council
Vale of White Horse District Council
Cherwell District Council
Oxford City Council
South Oxfordshire District Council
For more information about any of the organisations above please follow the Links button to their website addresses.
PROJECT SUPPORT
OTTC has also received grants for particular projects or events, for example, the touring van, workshops in primary schools, sign-interpreted performances and work in market towns. In the past these one-off grants have been received from various local and national charitable trusts and Arts Council England, South East (Grants for the Arts) and Arts & Business South East.
HOW IS OTTC FUNDED?
OTTC receives funding from a variety of sources - public, charitable and business.
Public funding is received on an annual basis from Arts Council England, South East, Oxfordshire County Council, West Oxfordshire District Council, Cherwell District Council, Vale of White Horse District Council, Oxford City Council and South Oxfordshire District Council. This revenue supports OTTC's core programme of work, its staff and its premises.
Public funding has also been received in the past from Arts Council England, South East and the National Lottery for specific projects, for example, the touring van, office equipment, relocating to new premises.
Charitable trusts regularly contribute to specific areas of OTTC's work, for example, workshops in primary schools, sign interpreted performances, work in market towns.
Businesses contribute to OTTC's work in several ways either through donations and sponsorship, by becoming Corporate Friends or through buying performances for their staff and clients.
Sponsors
WHY SPONSOR THE ARTS?
"There can be few business activities which can be better justified as a good investment and a useful marketing and promotional tool; as excellent internal and external PR - and as an obviously acceptable way in which commerce can contribute to social well being. Arts sponsorship is a great British success story, copied throughout the world. Long may it continue."
Antony Thoncroft, Financial Times
For further information about how you and your business might get involved with OTTC please call the Louise Wiggins, Administrative Director, on 01865 249444.
OTTC'S BUSINESS PARTNERS
HSBC Bank plc
OTTC and HSBC Bank plc worked together over a three year period on projects that benefited OTTC and its audience and HSBC and its employees. Talking about the bank's sponsorship of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King tour in 2003/4, Area Director, Chris Hallam said:
"HSBC is delighted to continue its support for OTTC with this production of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. It is a wonderful production which will warm the hearts of local communities in and around Oxfordshire.
At HSBC, we value the diverse work of our employees in their respective local communities and we are keen to support OTTC in taking theatre to the people of Oxfordshire.
OTTC is continuing its work with HSBC in the development and delivery of creative training for our staff which is both exciting in concept and dynamic in its impact on our employees.
Lynx dpm
Lynx dpm provides valuable support to OTTC on an annual basis through sponsorship of printed materials and OTTC has been able to raise the profile of this regional print/design/mail company and provide performances for client and staff hospitality.
Further opportunities for business
OTTC's current Corporate Friends are:
Mercer Lewing Chartered Accountants
Mudie-Bond Group Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicle Dealers
Lancelyn Theatre Supplies
Critchleys
Businesses contribute to OTTC's work in several ways either through donations and sponsorship (see above), by becoming a Corporate Friend or through buying performances for their staff and clients.
Corporate Friends Scheme
By joining OTTC's Corporate Friends Scheme you will be helping to maintain the high standard of work - high quality actors and artists, innovative, stunning sets and costumes - the very highest quality that our audiences have come to expect.
As a Corporate Friend you will be one of a select group of successful companies contributing to the work of OTTC and, most importantly, you will be seen to be doing so!
The following Corporate Friends benefits demonstrate how:
Acknowledgement in production programmes for one year (reaching 8,000 people each year).
Acknowledgement in 2 Friends newsletters per year.
We will also keep in touch with you throughout the year by:
Sending you information about OTTC's forthcoming productions.
Sending you the Friends newsletter twice a year.
Inviting you and your staff to opening nights and special events.
Cost £150 + VAT per year
A great way of supporting OTTC that's very good value for money and will be fun for you and your staff!
For further information about OTTC's Corporate Friends Scheme, please call Louise Wiggins, (Administrative Director), on 01865 249444.
Performances as hospitality
Many businesses in Oxfordshire have found that using an OTTC performance for staff motivational purposes or to say 'thank you' to a staff team and their families very successful. Using OTTC performances as a novel and refreshing style of corporate hospitality has also been a proven favourite especially for family entertainment.
BMW Plant, Oxford, law firm Blake Lapthorn Linnell and print firm Lynx dpm have taken advantage of OTTC's high quality performances for their staff and clients at their own premises or at other local venues.
For further information about how a performance from OTTC might benefit your company, please contact Louise Wiggins, Administrative Director on 01865 249444.
Become a friend of OTTC
Friends of OTTC are a group of like-minded people - young, old, families - who want to get more involved with OTTC and to support their fabulous programme of work.
Friends give lots of reasons for joining:
"It's nice knowing that I'm making a real contribution to the company"
"I wanted to find out more about OTTC and what the company does"
"I felt it was really important to support this local theatre company who provide such a great service to our community"
Friends of OTTC enjoy some great benefits:
Free tickets to selected shows.
Free programme for each show.
Twice yearly newsletters.
Advance information about forthcoming productions.
Invitations to preview performances and special events.
Monthly e-mail updates.
If you'd like to become a Friend of OTTC please e-mail info@ottc.oxfordshire.co.uk and we'll send you an application form.
RECRUITMENT & TRAINING
Equal Opportunities Statement: The Bottom Line
OTTC wants to reflect the diversity of our world in the work it does and the people it works with. This means that if you're good at what you do and think you might want to work with us, we'd like to hear from you. That's the bottom line.
Job vacancies
There are currently no job vacancies at OTTC.
Opportunities for actors
OTTC will not be casting any productions now until the Summer of 2008 when we will be casting the following shows:
Scarlet Ribbons by Brendan Murray
River’s Up by Alex Jones
THE BOTTOM LINE: OTTC wants to reflect the diversity of our world in the work it does and the people it works with, so if you're good at what you do and think you might want to work with us, we'd like to hear from you. That's the bottom line.
Opportunities for artists
In the course of a year OTTC works with a range of artists - writers, designers, lighting designers, costume-makers, choreographers, composers, fight directors, etc - and we're always happy to meet new people. You can e-mail your CV to Brendan on director@ottc.oxfordshire.co.uk. Alternatively, let us know if you are working on a show coming to the Oxford area and we'll try to see it.
OTTC’s writing policy:
The good news and the bad news: the artistic director is a writer! So, lots of understanding about the process but only one commission from an outside writer per year. Of our three shows a year at least two will be new – possibly (especially in the case of our family show) based on an existing story (recent examples are The Nutcracker, Noah’s Ark, Beauty & the Beast) but not adaptations. We don’t do adaptations! Shows last a maximum of two hours including interval and are usually for a cast of no more than four. We don’t commission treatments and like to develop ongoing relationships with writers. Ideas might come from anywhere/anyone but we’re generally programmed at least eighteen months ahead to allow commissioned writers plenty of time for development. We simply don’t have the resources to deal adequately with unsolicited scripts but are always interested to hear from playwrights about their work and ideas.
Work experience
OTTC offers work experience opportunities to young people [14 +] throughout the school year. In order to give as full a picture as possible of what the company does we try to arrange placements when we've got a show in rehearsal and/or on tour.
You might be watching rehearsals (sometimes acting as prompt!), helping make props, out shopping with the designer, on tour with the actors (helping them set up), getting involved with activities in the office, speaking to agents, checking arrival times with venues, working with the Technical Manager... and plenty more!
IF YOU'D LIKE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OTTC'S WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAMME PLEASE GIVE Louise Wiggins, Administrative Director, A CALL ON 01865 249444.
Work placements
Work placement opportunities are for people who have completed further training after leaving school (for example, at college or university) or are in the middle of a course which requires they complete a placement with a theatre organisation.
OTTC could offer placements in the fields of design and making (set/costume), sound and lighting, stage management and direction - depending on which artists the company is working with at any one time.
IF YOU'D LIKE TO TALK IN MORE DETAIL ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY PLEASE GIVE BRENDAN MURRAY, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, A CALL ON 01865 249444.
LINKS
Oxfordshire
THEATRE
Burton Taylor, Oxford
The Burton Taylor Theatre is a small 50-seater studio theatre just around the corner from The Oxford Playhouse. It plays host to a wide variety of student productions, from new writing or rarely performed pieces to experimental new angles on old classics.
Creation Theatre
Creation Theatre Company produces theatre that is visual, exciting and accessible, combining action with special effects. Creation believes that an audience need not have studied a play in depth in order to enjoy it! Creation productions assume no prior knowledge of the play and simply tell the story with a visual and fast-paced delivery.
Mill Arts Centre, Banbury
The Mill Community Education and Arts Centre provides Banbury and North Oxfordshire with a broad range of superb facilities and opportunities under one roof. The centre hosts over 200 live performances a year as well as numerous classes, workshops and other activities.
OFS Studio Theatre, Oxford
OFS Studio Theatre is a small 170-seat theatre in the centre of Oxford presenting a variety of both student and professional productions. OTTC occasionally performs at this city centre venue.
Oxford Playhouse, Oxford
Oxford Playhouse is a vibrant presenting theatre hosting a programme of classic drama, comedy theatre, dance, music, music theatre and children's theatre all year round, which is exceptionally varied and consistently excellent.
Pegasus Theatre, Oxford
Pegasus Theatre is a unique place where you can see some of the newest and most exciting contemporary performing arts from all over the world. It is also a place where you can try things out for yourself. Pegasus specialises in youth arts education and runs classes in performance, technical theatre and writing as well as holding residencies with professional artists and companies.
OTTC performs at Pegasus on a regular basis with its family productions, and works with them, to develop new audiences for both organisations.
The Theatre, Chipping Norton
The Theatre provides an eclectic programme of live theatre, music, dance and comedy, culminating in their famous annual pantomime, as well as screening a wide range of contemporary, classic, art house and foreign language films.
OTTC has toured on a regular basis to The Theatre and recently held the opening night of a national tour at the venue.
OTHER ARTS ORGANISATIONS
Courtyard Youth Arts Centre, Bicester
The Courtyard offers young people all the traditional services of a Youth Centre but with the added advantage of recording studios, band practice rooms, photographic studio and darkroom as well as a multimedia suite, dance space and performance hall. This is a place where young people are encouraged to express themselves and where their energy and creativity are given positive encouragement and professional support.
There is a regular programme of sessions and workshops open to young people, most activities are aimed at young people 13-19 years.
Ithaca
Ithaca is an arts organisation working in Oxfordshire and Berkshire with people with disabilities including those with identified mental health needs, learning difficulties or physical and sensory impairments and older people.
OTTC (as well as sharing the same building) works alongside Ithaca each year on creating performance projects for older people.
Oxford Family Friendly Arts Partnership
OFFAP is made up of five Oxford-based arts organisations - Fusion, Modern Art Oxford, OTTC, Oxford Playhouse and Pegasus Theatre. These organisations work together on ways of increasing opportunities for families to take part in arts activities through improving facilities at venues, through programming and through raising awareness of what is available.
OFVM - Centre for Film and Digital Media
OFVM offers training (Digital Video, 16 mm Film, Experimental media, Post production, Animation, Creative VJ), production support (Information facility, 'one to one' surgeries and 'Reel One' film nights), OFVM productions and local and national screenings.
FUNDERS
Each of the following funders makes an important contribution to OTTC's annual programme of work:
Cherwell District Council
Oxford City Council
Oxfordshire County Council
South Oxfordshire District Council
Vale of White Horse District Council
West Oxfordshire District Council
National
THEATRE
Graeae Theatre Company
Graeae is about theatre made by disabled people - specifically actors, directors and other artists and theatre professionals with physical and sensory impairments.
Graeae have supported OTTC in its ambition to work with deaf and disabled actors.
Platform 4
Platform 4 aims to create magical physical theatre that is highly visual and will captivate and entertain audiences. Our programme of work seeks to enrich its audience, particularly young people, through beautiful, quality performances and unique cross-arts participatory projects.
Pride of Place
Pride of Place is an association of regional touring theatre companies interested in raising the profile of small scale theatre for local communities. The companies are Chalkfoot, Eastern Angles, Forest Forge, New Perspectives, NTC, OTTC, Pentabus, Proteus and Third Space. Touring to village halls and other community spaces they create a distinctive, vibrant style of theatre specially created for rural audiences.
In 2006, Pride of Place will be holding its next major event, the fourth Pride of Place Festival. This will provide an opportunity for artists, promoters, drama students and funders to share ideas, work and stories.
RIFCO
RIFCO is committed to creating new theatre which explores and celebrates the British Asian Experience and aims to celebrate and enhance the contemporary fusions which exist in our society in an honest, accessible and colourful way. RIFCO wishes to serve South Asian communities locally and nationally, making them feel valued, represented and enticing them into the theatre; whilst presenting work which reaches ethnically varied audiences and is universal in its range and content.
FUNDERS
Arts Council England, South East
Arts Council England, South East makes a significant contribution to OTTC's annual programme of work.
For all the latest news about OTTC download our monthly email bulletin: available as a .pdf file.
Feedback
If you have any feedback (or ideas!) about the website or anything mentioned
here please email us at manager@ottc.oxfordshire.co.uk