Pigeons in Transit. Photo by Phil Jones

Offbeat, Oxford’s annual theatre festival of new work is back, supporting emerging talent and local performers with a platform for new work. It’s a place to see something new and exciting, a blind date of sorts with a show you could fall in love with. And – lucky you – it’s right on your doorstep. 

‘Every time someone tells me they need summer plans, I tell them not to worry – Offbeat is just around the corner’

Brought by Oxford Playhouse, Old Fire Station and New Theatre Oxford, Offbeat 2024 runs from Monday 9 to Sunday 15 September and is a jam-packed week of theatre, dance, spoken word, comedy, poetry, music and creative workshops. With shows at all three venues, as well as outdoors, and a whole host of workshops to join on Gloucester Green, there are lots of ways to get involved and join in the fun! 

Unaligned (Credit Andrew AB Photography)

HERE ARE OUR TOP PICKS:

I’ll be Back – Justine MaloneWednesday September 11, 8pm. Old Fire Station Theatre – A one-woman show set in the cinematic universe of the Terminator films. It tells the story of a Skynet (evil AI) scientist who must go back in time on a quest for humanity.  “I’ll Be Back is a one-woman comedy adventure exploring what happens if you get one more chance to make things right.,” Justine explains. “In short, it’s The Terminator parody that no one asked for.” https://www.offbeatoxford.co.uk/whats-on/ill-be-back

I’ll Be Back

The Witch Without a Wand – WhatNot Theatre, Saturday September 14th, 11am, Old Fire Station Theatre. The story of Esmerelda Blunder, a clumsy witch who always causes chaos and can’t seem to master the art of broomstick flying or wand spellcraft until she discovers the art of casting spells. “It’s an interactive spell binding adventure for everyone, intergrating BSL into the heart of this witchy world of spells and broomstick rides,”  WhatNot‘s Oxford based theatre makers Lucy Hoult and Emma-Claire Blythe explain. https://www.offbeatoxford.co.uk/whats-on/the-witch-without-a-wand

WhatNot Theatre – The Witch Without a Wand

Electra Untitled – Maya Stergiou, Tuesday September 10, 8pm, Old Fire Station Theatre – Dance, puppetry and visual storytelling reconstruct Electra‘s story in this Greek tragedy by Sophocles, rewritten through the lens of the female gaze. Here Electra is a modern anti-hero tangled in a violence that runs for generations via patriarchal suppression, and hopes raise awareness of GBV (gender based violence). “We are so excited to perform in one of the most diverse and welcoming festivals in the UK,” Vertebra Theatre  says. https://www.offbeatoxford.co.uk/whats-on/electra-untitled

Live & Peculiar – Absana Rutherford and Jack McMinn – Tune into stand-up comedy, cabaret, sketch comedy, music, comedy history and performance art. Here, the weird takes centre stage in a show that will have you laughing at the unexpected while discovering new local acts. “We needed a space where all kinds of comedy and performance could thrive and envisioned a surreal lounge space where the weird and wonderful would be welcomed. So every time someone tells me they need summer plans, I tell them not to worry – Offbeat is just around the corner!” the Oxford Revue alumni explain. https://www.offbeatoxford.co.uk/whats-on/live-and-peculiar

Motherhood – Clare Nelson, Wednesday September 11, 6.30pm, BT Studio. A solo show exploring the world of knife crime from a fresh perspective as a woman confronts the unfamiliar world of her son. Aiming to find humour in random moments as well as demonstrating the impact on a mother trying to hold it all together, this Oxford based play shows a darker side to the city. Featuring original audio by In-Spire Sounds, via the voices of local young people through the ‘Inspiring Change Through Music’ project, In-Spire supports 12-25 year olds facing mental ill-health, isolation, anxiety and exploitation. https://www.offbeatoxford.co.uk/whats-on/motherhood

Have You Met Stan? – Thursday September 12, 6.30pm, BT Studio. A story about immigration, the pressures of everyday life, family expectations, and a love story that never had a chance to flourish. Set in an Irish pub in 2010’s London, we the audience are invited to take a seat at the Mooncoin Pub and witness scenes from Séan and Stan’s complicated and anticlimatic love story. This comedy-drama, Irish folk/pop fusion musical delves into the migrant community in the UK, as well as the struggles of LGBTQ+ and conservative Catholic backgrounds; with songs in English and Irish. Catch some amazing local talent on stage. https://www.offbeatoxford.co.uk/whats-on/have-you-met-stan

Pigeons in Transit – Friday September 13, 6.30pm , BT Studio. It all started when Hannah Fredsgaard-Jones, discovered that her great-grandfather was a renowned judge in Danish pigeon racing. Although she never met him, his love for pigeons sparked her curiosity about their fascinating history. “I woke up one night with the first scene of my solo show fully formed in a dream,” she remembers. The resulting surreal and quirky adventure follows a woman who receives daily pigeon deliveries, while diving into climate change, conspiracy theories and eight brand-new songs using autoharp, synth, clarinet, voice and electronics. https://www.offbeatoxford.co.uk/whats-on/pigeons-in-transit

Pigeons in Transit. Photo by Phil Jones

Cancer B*tch – Sunday September 15, 3.30pm . BT Studio. Hannah Ali Khan was diagnosed with cancer in October 2022, five days before she turned 24. This is a reflection of her journey and while it isn’t autobiographical, a lot has been added to shape it into a play. The emotions and inspirations come from her real life experiences in this one woman play which follows Molly, a 24 year old woman with thyroid cancer who is desperate to show everyone that she’s completely, utterly fine. A funny but tender look at what having cancer as a young adult can be like. https://www.offbeatoxford.co.uk/whats-on/cancer-btch

Ports and Parallels Oxford’s Hidden Worlds – Rawz, Sunday September 15, 5pm, Old Fire Station. A look at the extreme divisions, contrast and hypocrisy present in our city. “Spending most of my life growing up in the Leys and then somehow finding myself working a lot with the University of Oxford in recent years, I feel like I travel between parallel worlds almost on a daily basis. I can’t help seeing my life as another one of those Oxford tales of travelling between different worlds.,” Rawz explains. “So I’m really excited to be part of Offbeat again and looking forward to sharing this year’s show with everyone.” https://www.offbeatoxford.co.uk/whats-on/portals-and-parallels-oxfords-hidden-worlds

Rawz. credit Oxford Atelier

Troika: Recollections – Nathan Peter Grassi, Saturday September 14, 5pm, Old Fire Station – a documentary short, and timely celebration of the power that theatre has to bring people together, as Troika’s professional and amateur actors aged 30 – 85, all from Oxfordshire, spontaneously reflect on, and recount, some of their most memorable moments through unscripted one-on-one interviews and lively group conversations. https://www.offbeatoxford.co.uk/whats-on/troika-recollections

Troika_ Recollections © Artur Tixiliski_Troika Theatre 2024

HEAD – Sunday September 15, 6.30pm , BT Studio. The story of Maya Hallpike‘s struggles and joys of growing up with an offbeat way of looking at the world, whilst having ADHD. Using storytelling, clowning, a splash of original music and physical comedy, it also has a fair bit of audience interaction.  “It’s important to give artists a platform and bring people together. There’s nothing else that beats live performance in my eyes! And the time and effort being provided by Offbeat is invaluable,” she says. https://www.offbeatoxford.co.uk/whats-on/head 

Don’t Tell Me What Bharatanatyam Is – Kavya Iyer. Part of DANCE NIGHT on Saturday September 14, 8pm, Old Fire Station. An experimental performance that will challenge your perceptions of Indian classical dance.  Get ready to experience sarcasm, humour, reflections, rhythm, movements and audience interaction, while ruminating on what you know or don’t know about South Asian dance. “I moved to Oxford last year and Offbeat was one of the first festivals  I attended — it has a special place in my heart!” Kava says. https://www.offbeatoxford.co.uk/whats-on/dance-night

Don’t Tell Me. Credits_ Oxford Atelier

She Vanishes in the Air – Friday September 13, 8pm, Old Fire Station Theatre – an interactive theatre game that challenges the audience’s perceptions, inspired by the mysterious case of a woman’s disappearance  Three artists join forces to create a politically correct reconstruction of the story, which the audience can engage with through an app. This allows them to vote, comment on or cancel the hypotheses. Performed  by Jenny Johns, Steve Hay and Lorena Briscoe.  https://www.offbeatoxford.co.uk/whats-on/she-vanishes-into-the-air

She Vanishes

Comedy Scratch Night, Wednesday September 11, 9pm-10.30pm. Old Fire Station Cafe – a chance for some of Oxford’s up-and-coming comedians to test out brand-new and off-beat material which may, or may not, work. Hosted by award-winning local comedy performer, writer and director Nathan Peter Grassi.  https://www.offbeatoxford.co.uk/whats-on/late-night-offbeat-comedy-night

Offbeat Comedy Scratch

Antonia Spohr Moro, Offbeat producer concludes: “This year’s Offbeat Festival promises to be a vibrant celebration of Oxford’s rich and diverse creative scene. With a strong focus on local talent, we are thrilled to showcase performances across various art forms. Supporting community projects has been a highlight this year, as are the wide range of free events. From interactive workshops and creative stalls to a fun outdoor performance and unforgettable evening events, there’s something for everyone.”

Offbeat Festival runs from September 9-15. See all the events and book here https://www.offbeatoxford.co.uk/whats-on