First seen by Oxford audiences in Florence Park almost ten years ago, Douglas Maxwell’s play Decky Does a Bronco returns there next week fresh from a successful run on the Edinburgh Fringe.

Eight actors — all trained acrobats — play out this powerful and vivid tale of childhood innocence and the perilous passage into adulthood . . . on the park swings! To ‘bronco’ a swing you stand on it, ‘worky up to the bumps’ (level with the bar) kick the swing over your head and jump underneath it. The swing then shoots over the bar and keeps going until it wraps itself right round.

Broncoing is a sign of manhood — which Decky and his friends all impatiently await. Little do they know how suddenly and abruptly it will be forced upon them . . .

The play is an energetic look at the triumphs and trials of growing up seen by young Scottish writer Douglas Maxwell. Since its first staging at the Fringe in 2000, Grid Iron has been touring the piece to play areas across Scotland and England, receiving warm responses from audiences.

Decky Does a Bronco is part of this season’s Playhouse Plays Out programme, which takes theatre to places you wouldn’t expect and challenges perceptions of live performance. This hour-long show is not to be missed.

Tickets: 01865 305305.