Things at the Playhouse have been absolutely manic so far this year – so much so that I have been neglecting my blogging duties! Well … no more … I am a reformed character I tell you!

The Playhouse have just launched the new spring season which, you will be glad to know, is packed-full of events and early indications show it is going to be a popular season. Some highlights include: the return of MOLORA (Wednesday 2 – Saturday 5 April) following it’s showcase here last year. This Oxford Playhouse and Farber Foundry co-production (in association with Barbicanbite 08) sees the auditorium transformed into a ‘studio-on-the-stage’, a unique experience that should not be missed. This ancient text re-written by Yael Farber, explores South Africa’s experience of apartheid and its legacy through reworking the Greek classic of the Oresteia.

MOLORA is then followed by THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE by the Musical Youth Company of Oxford (Wednesday 9 – Saturday 12 April), PLAZA SUITE by Oxford Theatre Guild (Tuesday 15 – Saturday 19) and THE OXFORD REVUE (Monday 21 April).

From Tuesday 22 – Saturday 26 April, the haunting drama BLACKBIRD by David Harrower will be on the stage. Guilt and raw emotions run high as Ray and Una recollect the passionate and illicit affair they had 15 years ago. With Robert Daws and Dawn Steele this intense piece of theatre explores what is wrong and right in the laws of love. BLACKBIRD comes to Oxford Playhouse following hit runs in both Edinburgh and on Broadway.

DV8 Physical Theatre Company bring TO BE STRAIGHT WITH YOU to the Playhouse from Wednesday 30 April – Saturday 3 May. This highly renowned company are particularly acclaimed for their quality of work and this piece is no exception - a poetic but unflinching exploration of tolerance, intolerance, religion and sexuality told through dance, text, documentary and film. And, on Sunday 4 May, comedian Daniel Kitson brings his new show THE IMPOTENT FURY OF THE PRIVILEDGED in which he explores the want to change the world but not doing enough in order to do so.

Northern Stage return to Oxford Playhouse from Tuesday 6 – Saturday 10 May with Frank McGuinness’ version of the classic Henrik Ibsen play A DOLL’S HOUSE . From Wednesday 14 – Saturday 17 May, Theatre Babel present EDUCATING AGNES (a new version of Moliere’s School For Wives) and following that, Watermill Theatre present LONDON ASSURANCE (Tuesday 20 – Saturday 24 May). First performed in 1841, this witty and stylish romantic comedy about misunderstandings and mistaken identity inspired the work of Oscar Wilde and a generation of aesthetes.

The Playhouse welcomes Oxford University student company Oak Jones productions with SPRING AWAKENING (Wednesday 28 – Saturday 31 May) and, as June begins Headlong Theatre present THE ENGLISH GAME (Tuesday 3 – Saturday 7 June). This new play explores the modern British psyche through cricket.

With an adventure for all of the family to enjoy, the Birmingham Stage Company presents DANNY THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD by Roald Dahl, adapted by David Wood, from Tuesday 10 – Saturday 14 June. Next up, Théâtre Sans Frontières present COMO AGUA PARA CHOCOLATE (Like Water for Chocolate) on Tuesday 17 & Wednesday 18 June. With an international cast from Mexico, Spain, Nicaragua, USA and the UK, vibrant text and a haunting, cinematic score, which includes live music, Théâtre Sans Frontières brings its flair for visual storytelling to this sensual celebration of Latin American culture.

On Thursday 19 June, Music Theatre Wales and Theatr Brycheiniog present FOR YOU - a new opera by Michael Berkeley and Ian McEwan. And, on Friday 20 & Saturday 21 June, Jonathan Lunn Dance Company present READING ROOM . This award-winning and critically acclaimed international choreographer and director has brought together an array of artists from the worlds of film, dance, music, literature and opera (Includes written text and narration by Anthony Minghella).

Blissfully funny and Olivier award-winning, THE 39 STEPS plays from Monday 23 – Saturday 28 June. Follow the incredible adventures of our handsome hero Richard Hannay, complete with stiff upper-lip, British gung-ho and pencil moustache as he encounters dastardly murders, double-crossing secret agents, and, of course, devastatingly beautiful women.

Rounding off the season Bill Kenwright presents Agatha Christie’s AND THEN THERE WERE NONE from Monday 30 June - Saturday 5 July and, finally, a topical satire on tabloid journalism – TOPLESS MUM brings the season to a close from Tuesday 15 – Saturday 19 July.

In between all these evening shows, Oxford Playhouse is also proud to announce the return of the afternoon slot. This time around you can catch; THE LAST SOUTH: PURSUIT OF THE POLE (Friday 11 April at 4.45pm), AN EVENING WITH BLOWERS (Friday 18 April at 5pm), NOWHERE TO BELONG (Friday 25 April at 5pm), POSSESSED (Sunday 27 April at 6pm), SIMON YATES: BEYOND THE VOID (Friday 9 May at 5pm), MOTHS AT MY DOCTOR WHO SCARF (Friday 23 June at 5pm) and BRIAN ALDISS (Friday 30 May at 5pm).

As if all that wasn’t enough, the Playhouse’s extensive Learning programme continues throughout the season, offering workshops and activities for all ages. For more details pick up a new Oxford Playhouse season brochure or log-on to the website.

For further information or to book tickets for any of the events at Oxford Playhouse, call the Box Office on 01865 305305 or log on to the website at: www.oxfordplayhouse.com