Everybody’s Talking About Jamie

We love a trip to the theatre, and even though it came not long after we went to Banbury to see Cinderella we could not pass up an opportunity to see a performance of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie with a BSL Interpreter, who enhanced the event even for those of us who are not Deaf.

The musical was funny, and touching, as well as carrying a message about how we benefit from tolerating, or better appreciating the diversity of people.

Romeo and Juliet by the Banbury Cross Players

Our talented Chair, Helen, was playing the part of Nurse, in a production of Romeo and Juliet, performed by the Banbury Cross Players at The Mill theater.

All the characters delivered a strong performance, and the well timed delivery and acting meant that the authentic Shakespearean language was not a barrier to following the action.

The strong bond between Juliet and her Nurse, and the complexity of their relationship was well played by both actors, and we were glad of the opportunity to see it.

Motown – the Musical

Calling out around the world
Are you ready for a brand new beat?

Lyrics from Dancing in the Street, one of the Motown hits

After a Christmas break we Oxford Phab Members were ready for a brand new beat, which we found at the New Theatre, when we went to see ‘Motown – the Musical

The show is full of hit songs, performed by an energetic cast, and worth coming out on a cold January Friday for.

The Band – Musical night at the Theatre with the music of Take That


It was a cold night outside in Oxford, but there was plenty of warm and energy in the New Theatre, where we saw The Band – a musical featuring a group of teenage girls, fans of the boy band Take That, and their re-union twenty five years later.
The audience responded with enthusiasm to the performance, and we would like to particularly thank the people in the row in front of Tricia and Kelly.  They realised that our members, being in wheelchairs, could not see if people were standing in front of them, so made a gap so Kelly and Tricia could still see the rousing finale.
The staff at the theatre were very helpful, producing a ramp to help us get out, when it looked as if a technical hitch with the lift might have prevented us leaving after the show !

Amazing Love

Some Oxford Phab members performed in the Musical “Amazing Love“, while others came to watch. All those who took part, and hopefully those who watched, found it inspiring and uplifting.
It was written by Jack Godfrey, a member of Wesley Memorial Church, and who came to Phab from time to time – and tells the story of John and Charles Wesley.  This might not sound like the most promising material for a musical, but the Wesleys had an exciting life and Amazing Love features a fire and a storm at sea, both accompanied by appropriate special effects, as well as scenes at Oxford University and the Colony of Georgia. We also learnt the less widely know “Tale of Jeremiah‘s Wife”.
Here we see, in the background, Oxford Phab members Penny, John, Sarah, Mary and Karen. Note the simple, but effective 18th century costumes.
In the background are Mary, Sarah, Karen and John from Oxford Phab looking on as John Wesley talks to Sophie Hopkey.
Here John (on the upper level), Mary and Sarah are joining in the finale.
Up in the gallery Simon was running a Followspot to illuminate principle characters, and helped with the setting up and taking down of the lighting rig.

This video was shot during the setting up of part of the Fire! scene. The production version of the scene used more fire effect lighting systems and a smoke machine.
Rehearsing for the musical and thinking about some related issues led to the article Amazing Love, Demographics and Mass migrations on my blog.