Great things going on in the Banbury area

1 THEATRE

Ventoux, The Mill,

Banbury, October 4

In 2000, two giants of cycling climbed Mont Ventoux in a dramatic battle to win stage 12 of the Tour de France: Lance Armstrong and Marco Pantani. Performed with two road bikes, real race commentary and film footage captured by the company as they cycled up Mont Ventoux, 2Magpies Theatre recreates the 60-minute conflict with all the benefit of hindsight, charting their stark split in fortunes following the race. 2Magpies Theatre artistic director Tom Barnes said: “The way the story played out is so theatrical in itself that it seemed perfect for retelling on stage with this new angle of hindsight.

“We’ve had a lot of cycling fans come and see it – it’s brilliant to see.”

Details: themillartscentre.co.uk

2 MUSIC

Tony O’Malley, White Horse, North Bar, Banbury, October 5

The celebrated and respected singer, songwriter and musician has been a prolific performer since the late 1960s. His career has included stints with 10CC as well as hit band Arrival, who celebrated a number one with Terry Reid’s classic Friends, plus his own seminal jazz/funk outfit Kokomo, which recently re-formed for sell out gigs at the legendary Ronnie Scott’s in Soho. His brand of jazz-tinged contemporary soul is combined with his trademark smoky, yet velvety voice, delivering original material and covers in is own inimitable style.

Details: whitehorsebanbury.com

3 THEATRE

The Road Behind, The Road Ahead, The Theatre, Chipping Norton, October 10 and 12

This unique project has been created by The Theatre, Chipping Norton to explore the history of the Suffrage movement, and what it means to us today. Between 1900 and 1920 there were more than 400 female playwrights working in Britain. The show hears these half-forgotten voices from the Votes for Women movement in a stripped-back programme of short plays, songs and music that helped to shape Edwardian public opinion and remain relevant, gripping and funny to this day.

The performance is partnered with pieces of sound - art and music that reflect on experiences of equality from a range of contem
porary women from across Oxfordshire.

Details: chippingnortontheatre.com

4 THEATRE

A Pure Woman, The Theatre, Chipping Norton, October 4

Thomas Hardy, 84, has fallen in love with a woman in her 20s, the star of his local production, Tess of the D’Urbervilles.

Hardy’s second wife, Florence, is driven into a jealous rage.

Adapted from Christopher Nicholson’s novel Winter and based on true events, this is a portrait of a love triangle and a marriage at breaking point.

Details: chippingnortontheatre.com

5 DANCE

Skin, The Mill, Banbury, October 11

This dance/theatre piece explores a boy’s journey through gender transition. Blending urban and contem-
porary hip-hop style and original music, award winning choreographer Andrea Walker directs a cast of seven dancers in a fast paced, emotionally charged story of identity, family, mental health and belonging.

Details: chippingnortontheatre.com