Glacier - OFS Oxford

[oxfordsimon]

Saw this last night and whilst it has a few minor flaws, it is a refreshing new take on the festive play.

Written by comedian Alison Spittle, it is the tale of three women who meet up each Christmas Day for some wild swimming in a local lake.

It is about friendship, family, the stress of the festive season and the need to occasionally escape for your own sanity.

Inventively staged, it is good to see original stories being told at this time of year.

Well worth a look if you are in the area

oldfirestation.org.uk/whats-on/glacier-by-alison-spittle/

[showgirl]

You persuaded me, oxfordsimon - & The Stage liked it as well. So I wouldn't have been in the area but am happy to have a day trip and also see the current exhibtion at the Ashmolean and have a look at the Christmas market (has to be better than the pathetic effort in Canterbury). I'm also pleased to visit a theatre new to me; I realise now I must have walked past the Old Fire Station without noticing it but it's certainly handy for the station.

[oxfordsimon]

They don't make the theatre visible as the primary function of the building is to support the work of Crisis.

I have a long connection with the building. I have directed and produced there since 2003. I gave the final performance before it was refurbished and then helped put on the first full week of theatre after it reopened.

Looking forward to hearing what you think

[NeilVHughes]

An enjoyable evening of theatre, Christmas without the schmaltz (just a touch of its original derivation)

Had the feel of Pine, most probably my favourite Christmas play which made the visit more than worthwhile, only wish that the transition of time was portrayed less politically, a collage of moments of the last 15 years that I’d rather forget.

[oxfordsimon]

Fully understand the reaction to the transitions

I am still in awe of the way they handled the swimming. Such fun!

[showgirl]

Enjoyed today's packed-out matinee (& the bonus of visiting a theatre new to me) & either there had been a few cuts or the production had speeded up, as it ran to 1 hour 50 only, rather than the advertised 2 hours, meaning I was able to get an earlier train home. The swimming was indeed well done & in an ingenious fashion (good exercise for the cast, too!) & the watery sound effects somehow seemed to be coming from precisely where the swimmers were, rather than simply being a background noise; goodness knows how they managed that, but it fascinated me every time. Pleasant, spacious building, too, with a decent-sized cafe (makes the very cramped foyer of Oxford Playhouse look like the poor relation) and FoH staff were lovely, accommodating and welcoming. Wish I'd had time for a drink or even a meal, but I definitely hope to return and for a more leisurely visit.

[oxfordsimon]

Dec 16, 2023 19:37:13 GMT showgirl said:

Enjoyed today's packed-out matinee (& the bonus of visiting a theatre new to me) & either there had been a few cuts or the production had speeded up, as it ran to 1 hour 50 only, rather than the advertised 2 hours, meaning I was able to get an earlier train home. The swimming was indeed well done & in an ingenious fashion (good exercise for the cast, too!) & the watery sound effects somehow seemed to be coming from precisely where the swimmers were, rather than simply being a background noise; goodness knows how they managed that, but it fascinated me every time. Pleasant, spacious building, too, with a decent-sized cafe (makes the very cramped foyer of Oxford Playhouse look like the poor relation) and FoH staff were lovely, accommodating and welcoming. Wish I'd had time for a drink or even a meal, but I definitely hope to return and for a more leisurely visit.

The water SFX were very cleverly timed. Hard to know whether they were timed live or everything was very precisely choreographed. But it worked really well

[Libby]

Fern Brady just posted about this show on insta which made me want to see it but I won't be in London for the holidays so I don't think I will make it this time