- Duration: 1hr 20mins
- Tickets: £10-£20
- Company: More Play Productions
- Ages: 9+
- Details
- Parking & Access
Details
!This event has a content warning warning +
Brief mentions of mental health
Outstanding Theatre Award Winner at Edinburgh Fringe 2025. Come for the music, stay for the existential crisis as genre-blurring jester and cellist Karen Hall peels back the layers of formality leaving you with only the humanity and insanity of the artist behind the instrument. And yourself. Featuring Suite Number One in G Major by JS Bach and personal comedic pieces crafted in Idiot classes, Karen fuses in a healthy dose of pathos tackling identity, expectations, and success through the eyes of a fool.
★★★★★ “A thought-provoking, inventive and emotional hour of storytelling that is bursting with talent. – North West End
★★★★ “Comic timing as impeccable as her playing” Everything Theatre UK
“As irreverent as it is poignant.” – Australian Arts Review
WINNER Best Solo Performance Los Angeles Theatre 2025 – Stage Raw
WINNER Outstanding Theatre Edinburgh Fringe 2025 – Fringe Review
WINNER Best in Music 2025 – Adelaide Fringe Judges Weekly Pick
Why See This Show?
If you’ve ever questioned “what am I doing with my life?” this is the show for you. Karen Hall seems to know exactly what she’s doing with her life. On the surface anyway. Over the next 80 minutes you will watch her strip back, literally and figuratively, the layers of what and why to the how she got here moments. “She’s casually conversational one moment, teetering on the edge of insanity the next.” (King River Magazine) and as she takes her journey you’ll take yours. What is the ultimate cost of mastery? And do you become what you do?
Also, she plays the cello REALLY well.
What the Critics Say:
★★★★★ “A thought-provoking, inventive and emotional hour of storytelling that is bursting with talent. – North West End
★★★★ “Comic timing as impeccable as her playing” Everything Theatre UK
★★★★★ “Beyond the laughs and beautiful music are ideas and admissions aplenty… A show as special as Delusions and Grandeur will not soon escape the memory.” – The Recs Edinburgh
★★★★ “Karen Hall is a performer of great warmth and charm, who has mastered the art of captivating an audience.” Wee Review, Edinburgh
★★★★ “This show is a delightful combination of storytelling, humour and glorious music. Highly recommended” Sydney Arts Guide
★★★★ “If you get the chance, don’t just watch Karen Hall—listen to her.” – The Alternative Gig Guide (Melbourne)
“Hall finds a highwire on which she balances her act between transcendence and goofiness.” – Stage Raw Los Angeles
“This is clowning with no buffoonery or pratfalls.” – The TVolution (Los Angeles)
“Studies show that people forget up to 80% of what they hear within 24 hours. You will not forget Karen Hall.” – Fringe Review Edinburgh
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.