A THEATRE group hopes a new musical about Oxford will prove a summer hit with tourists and townsfolk alike.

The 13theatre Company is preparing Believing: An Oxford Adventure for a run at the Town Hall in St Aldate’s from July to August next year.

And organiser Tracey Spokes hopes the show will become an annual attraction for the lucrative summer tourist season.

The plot is being kept under wraps as the company begins production work with youngsters from Talent Oxford, the talent competition for the city’s schools. She said: “It has romance, humour, pathos and heart. There are goodies and baddies.

“Oxford will be the background for all the action and some of Oxford’s famous landmarks will take centre stage.”

She added: “I am thrilled to be staging the musical at Oxford Town Hall. It is such a beautiful building with such history.”

A share of the profits will go to county learning difficulties charity My Life My Choice and to Oxsrad, the charity which offers sports, recreational and leisure activities at its Court Place Farm base in Marsh Lane, Marston.

American lyricist Jeff Fraga has been recruited via Twitter.

Ms Spokes said: “I am over the moon to get Jeff on board as he is a great talent.

“He can take a song and bring it to life and he will bring humour, creativity and heart to the musical.”

Mr Fraga, 55, said he is confident he can do the city ‘musical justice’.

He said: “I’ve researched the town and university quite a bit and I hope to visit this spring, but not any time near the Royal Wedding.

“I’m inspired by 13theatre Company’s mission, which is to provide opportunities in the theatre for disabled and non-disabled people.

“They believe that what is inside a person is more important than the outside and that everyone has potential.”

His musical, The Magical Mrs Claus, made its debut last December at the Bellevue Youth Theatre, near Seattle, and he is a member of the American Society of Composers and Publishers.

Composer Beatrix Forbes, and writer Anne-Marie Worth are also on board.

The company will be auditioning for actors from the city later this year.

It is also seeking sponsorship.

  • To contact the company email 13theatrecompany@fsmail.net