The sun is out and summer is here so make the most of this half term and get booking. There’s so much to see and do. Here are our picks of the best of what’s on!
1) Unexpected Twist, Tuesday May 30 – Sat June 3 – Oxford Playhouse – a re-telling of the Charles Dickens classic, Oliver Twist, by famous children’s author Michael Rosen. Brought to life by The Children’s Theatre Partnership, it depicts Shona the new girl in school who is finding it hard to stay out of trouble – just like Oliver himself! https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/events/unexpected-twist
2) North Wall Inventors: Improvisation, June 2, 10am-4pm. Learn how to think on your feet, create funny characters and play quick witted games that will make the whole room chuckle! For ages 8-11. https://www.thenorthwall.com/whats-on/nw-inventors-improvisation/
3) Creation Workshops and Clubs: As always Creation Theatre has got so much going on this half term. Sign up for A PLAY IN A WEEK for 6-8s and 9-12s in Wolvercote School and invite your friends and family to watch your final performance. https://creationtheatre.co.uk/school-of-creativity/
If you want to stay home and still take part there are three digital options to choose from: PUT ON A PLAY IN A DAY on Wednesday May 31, 9am-5pm, ages 11-16. Choose your story from Myths and Legends, Fairytales and Folklore or Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, then get stuck in, all from the comfort of your own home! https://creationtheatre.co.uk/creation-home-delivery/
MARVELLOUS MIME! on Tuesday May 30 – learn the art of mime acting out a story or scenario through your body’s expression without using speech, how to express and convey emotions through movement and physicalise your actions. Plus learn about the famous French Actor Marcel Marceau. https://creationtheatre.co.uk/creation-home-delivery/
Or RIOTOUS ROLEPLAY on Tuesday May 30, 11am-12pm, ages 5-10. Join resident actor Ryan to explore a classic story through role play, fun and games. Help make decisions and change the outcome of the story, all led by the roll of a dice! https://creationtheatre.co.uk/creation-home-delivery/
4) Comedy Club 4 Kids on Friday June 2 at 2pm, Cornerstone, Didcot.The best stand-ups and sketch acts from the international circuit do their thing for an audience of children and their families without any rude bits. Giving children a taste of some of the biggest names in comedy with the fun, rowdy feel of a real comedy club.
https://www.cornerstone-arts.org/whats/comedy-club-4-kids
5) Islamic art and story-telling at The Ashmolean, Tuesday May 30, 10.30am–12 noon. Drop in to this free bilingual event of Arabic-English story time and tile making. Journey through Islamic art and the Ashmolean’s Islamic Middle East gallery. After the storytelling, children can make an Islamic tile as a craft to take home. https://www.ashmolean.org/event/families-arabic-english-story-time
6) The (Not So) Grimm Twins, Pegasus, Sat 3 June at 11am and 2pm. Meet world-famous twins Jake and Will Grimm and their sister Lottie, as they tumble from their magical wagon brimful of stories collected from every inch of the world – from Rapunzel to Red Riding Hood. But the fairytales take a turn for the unexpected, and our heroes need all the help they can get to save the world! Performed by three actor-musicians, featuring original live music and puppetry, for those aged 4+. https://pegasustheatre.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873642829
7) Oxford University Museum of Natural History events: Tuesday 30 – Friday June 2. There is a wide variety of events, workshops and crafts going on. Making Meadows on Tuesday 30-Wednesday May 31 from 1pm-4pm – get creative to celebrate the beauty and nature of local floodplain meadows with local artist Alice Walker and get hands-on with the specimens found there. For children of all ages. Drop-in, no booking needed. https://www.oumnh.ox.ac.uk/whats
Amazing Ammonites, Wednesday May 31 from 10.30am – 12 noon – Take part in a morning of creative activities that help us imagine an ancient ocean alive with these mysterious creatures. For 10-14 year-olds (children need not be accompanied by a parent). Booking is required at education@oum.ox.ac.uk
Autism-Friendly Opening on Friday June 2 from 9am-10am – a relaxed morning opening to explore the Museum collections in a quiet environment for families with members on the autism spectrum. Suitable for all ages. Book at education@oum.ox.ac.uk
Creature Consequences, Friday June 2, 1pm-3.30pm. Poet and children’s writer Penny Boxall will be on hand to help you open up your imagination and think of ways to describe the weird and wonderful creatures you’ve dreamed of. Plus look closely at Cambrian fossils with expert and researcher Frankie Dunn. For children and families. Drop-in, no booking needed.
Microscopic Life, Friday June 2, 1pm-3.30pm. Join Oxford University researchers to have a go at using microscopes. Look down the lens and explore all the microscopic life you can’t see with your eyes. For children and families. Drop-in, no booking needed.
8) The Hero Next Door, Mill Arts Centre, Banbury, Wednesday May 31 – this ground-breaking new production by Face Front Inclusive Theatre for 7–10-year-olds, celebrates difference, friendship and working together to do the right thing. Meet Musa, who happens to be a refugee; Haley, an autistic girl who adores frogs; and a would-be bully by the name of Melody who come together to save an elderly neighbour from a con-woman posing as a carer, with thrilling and hilarious results. https://www.themillartscentre.co.uk/shows/hero-next-door/
9) Teddy Bears Picnics, The Mill, Banbury – Friday June 2, 11.30am and 2pm Let’s All Dance combines classical ballet, physical theatre, gorgeous visuals and crystal-clear story telling to engage and enthrall all children, including those with special needs. Join the teddies as they eat, dance, play and have fun! Little ones can bring their own teddy, clap along and have their photo taken with the dancers! For 2-8 year olds https://www.themillartscentre.co.uk/shows/teddy-bears-picnic/
10) Giffords, Blenheim Palace until May 30 – new show Les Enfants Du Paradis is selling out fast. read our review here. Set in 19th century France, director Cal McCrystal‘s comedic bent for 2023 has a Romantic take, a wonderful band called Quelle Fromage and some stunning acts. Book at http:// http://www.giffordscircus.com
11) The Greatest Magician 2023, The Mill, Thursday June 1 at 7.30pm – Presented by James Phelan the magician most infamous for jamming the BBC switchboard after he correctly predicted the lottery, this dazzling, 5 star rated show promises to leave you dumfounded. https://www.themillartscentre.co.uk/shows/greatest-magician-2023/
12) Budding playwrights will enjoy YouthLab: Playwright’s Workshop at North Wall on June 2 from 10am – 4pm. Explore writing techniques and exercises to build characters, pacy dialogue and get you started on that all-important idea for a first draft. No experience necessary; everyone is a storyteller. For ages 12-17 https://www.thenorthwall.com/whats-on/youthlab-playwrights-workshop/
13) Make Your Own Paper Plants, Cornerstone, Didcot on Tue 30 May at 11am. A fun crafting activity for those aged 1-6 where they can create their own colourful paper plant to take home with them (no watering required!) https://www.cornerstone-arts.org/classes-workshops/make-your-own-paper-plants
