Another winter rolls in and, to cheer our spirits, Oxfordshire Touring Theatre Company travel hither and yon through the county with colour, music and fun trailing in their wake. For those of us who live in villages these harbingers of the festive season are a welcome sight.

Their latest production, Hansel and Gretel, is one of their best. Traditional but never old-fashioned, this tale is pertinent for these times. Mum and dad are not just short of money; they have absolutely nothing, not even enough food for their children.

Abandoned by their parents in the wood Hansel and Gretel find a super Gingerbread House – but as we all know their troubles are about to get much worse.

An outstanding double portrayal by Caroline Woodruff as the Mother and the Witch was well matched by the spirited performances of Emma-Jean Jeffries as Gretel, David Levine (pictured) as Hansel and Chris Talman as Father. There are lovely songs by Andrew Dodge to keep the story swinging along, and the set is a fine creation by Rachana Jadhav. Karen Simpson’s direction is clear and easy to follow but with lots of fun and, importantly, not too scary for the youngsters. It’s a family show that has omething for everyone.

This month the OTTC will be taking Hansel and Gretel to: Alvescot Village Hall (2), Hanwell Village Hall (22), Risinghurst Community Centre (25), Windmill Primary School (26), Appleton Village Hall (27), Tetsworth Village Hall (28), Tackley Village Hall (29), Steeple Aston Village Hall (30).

December and January will see the company visiting Great Milton Village Hall (3), Pegasus Theatre (4-6), Spelsbury Memorial Hall (9), West Oxford Primary School (10), Chilton Village Hall (12), Kelmscott Village Hall (13), The Glow Hall, Blackbird Leys (16), East Hendred Snell’s Hall (17), Kingham Village Hall (18), Uffington Village Hall (19), Barton Neighbourhood Centre (20), Duns Tew Village Hall (21), Dorchester Village Hall (Jan 2), Shutford Village Hall (Jan 3).

After a tour to other parts of the country they will be back in the county in February to finish the tour.

Angie Johnson