Oxford Mail Features Editor Tim Hughes presents his choice of the week ahead's best music, comedy and theatre...

Split your sides

Katherine Ryan is one of our favourite comedians, and her visits to Oxford are always a cause for celebration. A regular at Glee, tomorrow she visits Oxford Playhouse for the first time with her cracking new show Kathbum, following on from her sell-out UK and Australian tour.

With her super sharp wit and her straight to the point punchy comedic blows, Katherine is a regular on our TV sets in shows such as Mock the Week, QI and Eight Out of Ten Cats.

See her at the top of her game.

Go glam

"Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?"

Well, even after a long, hard look at this crowd, it's hard to tell the tribute from the real thing. Apart from the obvious fact that the real thing isn't with us any more. That aside, Supreme Queen are an impressive likeness to the Bohemian Rhapsody stars, and have been doing their hitting since 1995 - so know what they are doing.

They are also one f the few touring bands brave enough to hit the road this early in the year - and for that we salute them.

  • Supreme Queen
  • The Mill, Banbury
  • Tomorrow (Saturday)
  • Tickets 01295 279002

See the Man in black

There's top-notch tribute shenanigans down at the New Theatre, with the ultimate homage to the Man in Black. Expect Ring of Fire, San Quentin and all the rest.

  • Johnny Cash Roadshow
  • New Theatre Oxford
  • Tuesday
  • atgtickets.co.uk

A quiet storm

Indie-folk darlings of 4AD records, Daughter return with second album Not To Disappear - the follow-up to their acclaimed debut If You Leave.

Expect a dreamy, quiet storm from Elena Tonra and her band.

Oxford Mail:

A tragic night out

If you fancy learning a bit more about Creation’s famous tragedy before you see the show - which starts soon - meet the talented cast at a panel discussion.

Join Jonathan Croall, author of Performing Lear, Simon Palfrey, a specialist in Shakespeare and Renaissance literature and Lucy Askew, Creation’s very own chief executive, as they discuss all things Lear.

  • King Lear
  • Blackwells Norrington Room, Oxford
  • Wednesday
  • 01865 333623

High drama

The Picture of Dorian Gray is a classic of European literature - and this is a production that does that mesmirising tale true justice. 

A new adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s only novel, it coincides with the 125th anniversary of its publication.

Set in the decadent world of Victorian London, a handsome and narcissistic young man, Dorian Gray, becomes infatuated by the exquisite portrait that artist, Basil Hallward, has painted of him.

He makes a Faustian pact that he will remain forever young while the picture grows old.

Combining drawing-room comedy and Gothic horror, this is a gripping and hugely entertaining theatrical event.

This is your last chance to see this show before it transfers to the West End.

  • The Picture of Dorian Gray
  • The Mill, Banbury
  • Tomorrow (Saturday)
  • 01295 279002

Out of this world

Abingdon Drama Club’s new pantomime by Paul Reakes is a traditional pantomime for the 21st century.

The evil alien Vileun the Vile has only one more planet to conquer – Earth.

All the others are under his control. He decides to blackmail the people of Earth by kidnapping the one person who is held so dear by the children – Santa Claus.

Captain Dick Daring leads the expedition party into space to bring Santa home in time to finish making all the toys for Christmas.

Come and boo the cruel and evil Vileun as he plans to take over the universe with the help of the zany Astra.

And yes, we are slightly confused by the mid January timing of this – but let’s just enjoy the ride, eh?