Our weekly theatre round-up

  • A one-man play about Winston Churchill’s little-known early life comes to The Theatre, Chipping Norton, on Tuesday, telling the story of Churchill’s war-time experiences in South Africa, and his astonishing escape across hundreds of miles of savannah to rejoin the British lines.

The award-winning Winston On The Run introduces a young Winston Churchill who, neglected by his parents and a failure at school, takes a job as a war correspondent and finds himself posted to South Africa, embroiled in the Boer War. Less than a month later, he is an escaped prisoner-of-war, on the run, taking cover at the bottom of a deep mineshaft with nothing but rats for company. Despite being voted ‘greatest Briton of all time’ in a BBC poll, surprisingly little is known about Churchill’s formative early experiences. This is your chance to catch up. Call the box office on 01608 642350 or see chippingnorton.com

  • If you’re going to see Shakespeare, see the best, courtesy of the famous Globe Theatre which returns to the Playhouse’s main stage with the three plays of Henry VI from Tuesday, September 10, to Saturday, September 14.

Offering a powerful rendering of a country wracked by civil war, each production in the cycle can be enjoyed on its own, either with or without knowledge of the others, and are very topical with the advent of The White Queen on TV. Call 01865 305305 or book online at oxfordplayhouse.com

  • Pegasus is hosting an Art & Crafts Fair fundraiser on Saturday for over 50 artists and crafters. Part of the venue’s campaign to raise funds, an amazing array of exhibitors will showcase their handmade pieces as well as demonstrate their skills in workshops where you can learn tips and techniques from experienced artists.

Funds raised will go towards the Pegasus’ Double Our Money two-year campaign, which is supported by match funding from Arts Council England. The theatre hopes to raise at least £700 from exhibitors and visitors. Anyone wanting to take part should call Sasha East on 01865 812172 or email sasha.east@pegasustheatre.org.uk Entrance for visitors on the day is £2 and children go free. See pegasustheatre. org.uk/shows/art-craft-fair/

  • Fancy a day out in the country? The prestigious Bourton House, in Bourton-on-the-Hill, will open its award-winning gardens for the benefit of The Theatre in Chipping Norton on Sunday from 10am-5pm. The three-acre garden surrounds a fine 18th century Manor House, and visitors can enjoy teas in the Grade 1-listed 16th century tithe barn along with children’s dressing-up, folk music and Morris dancing. Tickets are available in advance from box office on 01608 642350, at chippingnortontheatre.com or can be purchased on the day.
  • David Whitney’s material is a fine blend of political satire and pure filth and it’s been said that he’s the thinking person's comic. He’s a lot of fun either way.

See him at Oxford’s Glee Club on Saturday. Call 0871 472 0400 or see glee.co.uk/oxford