New Playhouse season packed with thrills, laughs and more

Exceptional drama and top-class comedy are among the treats in store in the new season at Oxford Playhouse.

Following a sell-out run in London, the acclaimed political drama The Gang of Three comes to the city. The play goes deep in the heart of the corridors of power where the Labour Party's Roy Jenkins, Denis Healey and Tony Crosland clash over the soul of British socialism and their own relentless ambitions. Set against the backdrop of economic crisis and the resignation of Prime Minister Harold Wilson in 1976, it highlights the personalities, principles and private tensions that shaped a generation of politics.

Other drama includes a visit from renowned theatre company Headlong, which stages a landmark production of August Wilson’s Fences, about an African-American family living in 1950s Pittsburgh. It is an opportunity to see one of the defining plays of the 20th century, and stars Ray Fearon, whose credits include Othello with the RSC and Fleabag for the BBC, and Madeline Appiah, whose credits include in Tina – The Musical in the West End. Later in the season, audiences can experience the award-winning Once Upon a Time in Sokoto, written by Inua Ellams, whose credits include Barber Shop Chronicles.

The autumn season also features a hugely popular programme of comedians. Along with sold-out visits from Daniel Kitson and Sindhu Vee, Michael Palin returns to the stage with stories from his many adventures, one being his most ambitious journey yet, In the Philippines. Following his sold-out run last year, Stewart Lee is welcomed back once again, presented in his critically acclaimed style of stand-up.

The award-winning “dishevelled king of stand-up” Seann Walsh, also tours to the city, before the annual Oxfordshire Mind Comedy Gala, hosted by Jericho Comedy.

There’s local talent too, as Oxford Opera presents Mozart’s joyful masterpiece The Marriage of Figaro. The company brings back the creative team behind its sold-out, critically acclaimed production of Tosca for this comical and fresh look at one of the greatest operas of all time.

Other one-night acts include a special edition of Between the Covers Live! hosted by Amanda Ross. Celebrating the undisputed “Queen of Crime”, Agatha Christie, a line-up of Ben Miller, Lucy Foley, Nigel Havers and Christie’s great-grandson James Prichard gexplore the enduring appeal of crime thrillers. The Playhouse also hosts the annual Charles Simonyi Lecture with guest speaker Venki Ramakrishnan, discussing approaches to combating ageing in Why We Die: The New Science of Ageing and the Quest for Immortality.

The start of the new year sees a variety of musicals hit the Playhouse stage. Showstopper! The Improvised Musical returns to the city direct from the West End, before Oxford Operatic Society presents a tale of vengeance with Sondheim’s classic musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Also playing in 2027 is the original Kneehigh / Emma Rice production of Tristan & Yseult – widely regarded as one of the most influential theatre shows of the 21st century. Returning to the UK for the first time in ten years, this landmark staging of the timeless love story offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience Emma Rice’s groundbreaking adaptation live on stage once again. The Playhouse will also open the national tour of The King’s Speech, adapted from the Oscar-winning film and presented by Barn Theatre. Leading the cast is Neighbours star Stefan Dennis as Lionel Logue, alongside Casualty’s George Rainsford as Bertie, King George VI.

Tickets for all shows are on sale now. Visit oxfordplayhouse.com or call 01865 305305 to book.