- Duration: 60mins
- Tickets: Standard £15 | Pay more £20 | Pay less £10
- Ages: 14+
- Details
- Parking & Access
Details
!This event has a content warning warning +
Contains mild sex references.
Closure Cabaret
Welcome to Closure Cabaret – a solo comedy show where every ex gets one final encore.
Heartbroken emcee Razmatastique (Maria Ansdell’s French-accented alter ego) cannot let her former lovers rest in peace. Instead, she summons them back to the stage for one final performance in pursuit of that most elusive fantasy: closure.
Over the course of an hour, audiences meet a parade of romantic archetypes: Billy the Playground Pirate, Lil Pogo Mick the year-nine talent-show rapper, karaoke cowboy Ol’ Smokey Joe, self-serious poet Lazarus Velour, love-bombing illusionist Shhhaun, and one final surprise. Each ex arrives armed with their own glittering cabaret act, as Razmatastique desperately attempts to rewrite romantic history before a live audience.
Created and performed by Maria Ansdell, Closure Cabaret blends clown, character comedy, original music and audience participation into a theatrical rollercoaster of romantic misadventure. Following sold-out performances at Soho Theatre with London Clown Festival and a full run at the Edinburgh Fringe, the show returns to Oxford for a special homecoming at The Old Fire Station, where Closure Cabaret first began life as a Scratch Night performance.
Why See This Show?
Whether you’ve fallen head over heels or sworn off dating altogether, Closure Cabaret is a joyful love letter to romance in all its forms – romantic, platonic and everything in between. Perfect for fans of clown, inventive solo theatre and alternative character comedy, Closure Cabaret is full of absurdity, surprising tenderness and playful audience interaction. All are welcome to this fantastical cabaret; a home for anyone who’s ever struggled to move on, held onto a memory for too long, or wondered why some relationships linger long after they’ve ended.
What the Critics Say:
****⅕ “A rare talent and an exceptional crafter of characters” The Reviews Hub
**** “Most definitely a performer to watch” Rialto Arts
**** “Masterful clowning” A Youngish Perspective
**** “A comedy blast” Fernyhough Reviews
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 OxfordAccess
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.
Chairs in the theatre
Our chairs are a standard dining-chair size, measuring 40cm deep by 37cm wide, with a metal frame. Some have arms, and some do not. They are all joined together at the sides, to form rows. If this is likely to pose a problem for you, please email tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk and we can discuss how to make your visit more comfortable.