Can’t See For Looking | Old Fire Station, Oxford

Duration: 2 hours approx (including interval)
Tickets: Standard: £15 | Pay more: £18 | Pay less: £12
Ages: 14+

Details
Parking & Access

Details

!This event has a content warning warning +

Some emotionally upsetting scenes and physical abuse.

Following their previous four-star critically acclaimed productions, director David Trevaskis reunites with Carolyn Lloyd Davies to stage her new play Can’t See For Looking, written with co-creator Franchezka Cunanan.

The story follows Rosa, an impoverished Filipina domestic worker, who thinking she has a wonderful job as a nanny, instead finds herself enslaved in London, sleeping in a cupboard, with no free time and only left-over food. She is desperate to escape – her love of Karaoke singing and dancing can only sustain her so far.

After one depressing, futile attempt but with the help of fellow Filipina Angel, she finds freedom at last, only to be trapped once more within the UK Home Office immigration system.

This fast-moving and shocking drama is based on extensive interviews with five Filipina domestic workers rescued in London from modern slavery. These true stories not only highlight the prevalence of hidden slavery in a village, town or city near you, but also how reluctant we are to report it, because of what it would cost us to confront our neighbours, employers or friends with such awkward truths.

This production is supported by four anti-modern slavery charities: ASIOX based in Oxford, Justice and Care, Hestia, and Kalayaan, in addition to the Filipino Domestic Workers Association UK in London.

The play will be published by Aurora Metro in the summer.

Q&A, Friday 29 Sepetmber
The show on Friday 29 September will be followed by a Q&A, which will end by 10.15pm at the latest.

Praise for previous work, ‘Penetration’ (2021 ,The Cockpit, London):

★★★★ ‘Conferences and public forums should be convened to discuss its ramifications. This is a script to raise whirlwinds.’ – The Spectator, Lloyd Evans

★★★★ ‘Wow, I’m a bit speechless. That was a very, very brilliant production’. – The Stagey Blog

★★★★ ‘An important piece for our time’. – London Theatre Review

★★★★ ‘A challenging and disturbing piece, smoothly staged by director David Trevaskis’ – Reviews Gate, William Russell

Parking & Access

Parking

There are a number of Blue Badge parking spaces nearby on Beaumont Street, and more on New Inn Hall Street and St Giles.

The closest car park is Gloucester Green Car Park, accessed via Gloucester Street.

If you have any questions or concerns, the City Council’s Access Officer can be reached at 01865 249811.

Getting here

We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint, but we need your help. Use ecoway, our sustainable travel planner, to see the most eco-friendly options for your journey to Old Fire Station, and plan a bespoke and flexible route. ecoway is easy to use and you’ll be kept up to date with any disruption or changes to your journey plan.

Car parks in Oxford Blue Badge information Public transport in Oxford

Access

Disabled patrons are eligible for one free companion ticket with their booking. To book this, contact the ticket office: tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk or 01865 263990.

There are two entrances to the Old Fire Station: 40 George Street via the foyer, and on Gloucester Green via the shop. Both are step-free. If you are coming to a show, we ask that you use the George Street entrance, as the Gloucester Green entrance is not always open.

Events in the Theatre

There is level entry to the foyer of the Old Fire Station, and step-free access to the main Theatre (where most shows take place).

If you are a wheelchair user attending a sit-down show, space will be reserved for you. If you are attending a standing gig, please contact us (call the ticket office on 01865 263990 or e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk) and we will talk with you about your needs.

Events in the Studio

There is level entry into the foyer of the Old Fire Station, and step-free access to the Studio.

Events in the Loft

There are six steps leading up to the Loft space, with no lift. If you would like to discuss this to find out more, please get in touch.

The Gallery

There is step-free access to the Gallery – level entry through the George Street entrance, and via lift from the Gloucester Green entrance.

Facilities

Accessible toilet
There is an accessible toilet on the ground floor, accessible via platform lift. Other toilets are in the basement (accessible via lift).

Hearing assistance system
The Theatre is equipped with a hearing assistance system. If you have any questions about using it, please e-mail us at tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk or phone 01865 263980.

Assistance dogs
All types of assistance and guide dogs are welcome at the Old Fire Station. It would be great if you could let us know in advance if you will be bringing a working dog to any performances – just e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk.

Strobe lighting
We will warn visitors on the website and in the foyer of the venue if a performance is going to contain strobe lighting. If lighting affects you, and you have any concerns, please call the ticket office on 01865 263990 or e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk.