Dragon-filled exhibitions, circus-bound shows and toe-tapping musical tributes are all part of this week's Editor's Picks.
Eclectic Electric Exhibtions
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Something big and scaly awaits you in the Story Museum with the newest exhibition, Here Be Dragons. Curated by Cressida Cowell, author of the bestselling How to Train Your Dragon series, join the books’ heroes as they take you on a journey through the history of dragons in folklore, from Gilgamesh to The Clangers (yes, we called The Clangers folklore, we will not be taking questions).
And OVADA warehouse shines a spotlight on the unsung heroes that keep their community thriving as they go Behind the Scenes. The exhibition will feature pieces from OVADA’s staff, volunteers and trustees, including paint, sculpture and interactive installations.
And brush up on your local history at the Museum of Oxford as their show-and-tell series A Way of Life introduces you to the people behind the beloved annual St. Giles Fair. Drawn from the stories of fairground performers and co-curated with members of the Fairground Association of Great Britain, Graham Donnie, find out all about the unique experience of travelling performance and the strong ties it forges within the community.
Here Be Dragons: The Story Museum, Sat 13th Jul - Sun 29th Jun, 10am - 4.30pm. Tickets £14 as part of a Galleries ticket.
OVADA: Behind the Scenes: OVADA Warehouse, until Sun 14th Jul, 12 - 5pm. Free.
A Way of Life - The People Behind St Giles Fair: Museum of Oxford, until Sat 28th Sept, 10am - 5pm (closed Sundays). Free.
This is the Greatest Show
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It’s showtime! This week’s entertainment is all about bringing the pizzazz. Fans of The Greatest Showman won’t want to miss the stunning Watermill Theatre’s Barnum, a musical epic that tells the showman’s life story in suitably spectacular fashion.
If you want to get even closer to the action, the famous Giffords Circus is stopping at Stonor Park in Henley-on-Thames for just over a week. A traditional touring English circus, their latest show, Avalon, promises to immerse its audience in the world of Arthurian legend.
Don’t miss eclectic gem One Million Tiny Plays About Britain, on at the Cornerstone Art Centre on Saturday night. A mosaic look at modern life through snapshots of many British lives, the play promises to move and amuse in equal measure.
Finally, thanks to open-air productions in the Castle Courtyard and Worcester College Garden, it’s already been a Summer of Shakespeare in the sunshine, and that trend continues with Oxford Theatre Guild’s delightful take on Much Ado About Nothing, which runs from Tuesday in University Parks.
Barnum: The Watermill Theatre (Newbury). Thu 11th Jul to Sun 8th Sep. Tue-Sun every week, times vary. Tickets from £25.
Giffords Circus: Stonor Park. Thu 11th - Mon 22nd July (closed Tue- Wed), timings vary. Tickets from £20/Adult, £10/Child, concessions available.
One Million Tiny Plays About Britain: Cornerstone Arts Centre. Sat 13th Jul 7:30pm. Tickets £5
Much Ado About Nothing: Oxford University Parks. Tue 16th - Sat 27th Jul (no show on Sun), 7pm (2.30pm mat on Sat 20th). Tickets from £16.
Fantasy Football
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It may be time to clear out that spare room because football could, maybe just maybe, be on its way home! That’s because Euros 2024 ends on Sunday and England have made it into the finale (where they face Spain).
If you want to enjoy the match surrounded by a roaring crowd, here are a handful of options in Oxford and the surrounding area. You can head to The Bullingdon, which opens its doors from 6.30pm. If you fancy something out in the open, head for the big screen in The Head of the River’s garden (with a complimentary bottle of Peroni if you book ahead). Cowley Road’s City Arms is getting in on the action, with some special Euro-centric meals as well as screening the epic climax. And for Abingdon residents you can head to The Abbey Cinema and see the match on the biggest screen in town!
In the Summertime
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What would Summer be without the endless procession of weekend festivals to keep you entertained and off the couch? Boring, that’s what.
Don’t miss Music at the Manor, four nights of the UK’s best tribute acts (take your pick between The Beatles, Queen, ABBA and Take That) in a gorgeous location.
For something a little more low-fi but still great fun, head to the South Oxford Community Centre Saturday night for three hours of Afro-Fusion and Folkloric live music to boogie to at their Summer Fest.
Finally, we’d be foolish not to highlight the second half of the Oxford Comedy Festival, which is in full swing now and still has loads of great acts coming up, from established comedians to fresh local talent - grab the chance to see them before they make it big at the Fringe next month!
Music at the Manor: Waddesdon Manor. Thu 11th - Sun 14th Jul, 6-11pm. Ticket £35/per night.
Summer Fest: South Oxford Community Centre. Sat 13th Jul, 7-10:30pm. Tickets £15.
The Oxford Comedy Festival: Until Sun July 28th. Venues across Oxford. £8/per show.
Let's Twist Again
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Cinema is a rich place of blockbuster sequels and more esoteric fare this week. The big release is Despicable Me 4, the sixth in the wider Minion universe. You’ll know what to expect with this one, with the usual slapstick antics and another villain to take down (this time voiced by Will Ferrell).
Another sequel joining the fray is Twisters. Some 28 years after the original, a new roster of storm chasers is the focus of this disasterpiece, with a cast led by man-of-the-moment Glen Powell, as well as Anthony Ramos and Daisy Edgar-Jones.
Some counterprogramming comes in the form of Longlegs, a horror rich in atmosphere that follows an FBI agent hunting a serial killer with links to the occult. The film has already gone down a storm at festivals and promises some proper darkness in July. Or there’s the South Korean thriller Sleep, which follows a couple grappling with the husband’s sleepwalking that brings harm to them.
So whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it in cinemas this week.
Despicable Me 4: Odeon George Street, Curzon Oxford, Vue
Twisters: Odeon George Street, Curzon Oxford, Vue
Longlegs: Odeon George Street, Curzon Oxford, Vue, Phoenix Picturehouse
Sleep: Phoenix Picturehouse, Curzon Oxford
And Finally
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The lovely folks at Creation Theatre have launched their annual Summer Raffle! Prizes up for grabs include workshops from local creatives, vouchers for independent businesses, cruise and walking tours of the city and much more. All proceeds will go to supporting Creation in producing the critically acclaimed theatre we know and love, so why not have a flutter and buy a ticket online?
Image credits: The Story Museum, Watermill Theatre, Radio Gaga, Creation Theatre