• Duration: 2hrs
  • Tickets: Standard £12 | Pay less £10 | Pay more £15
  • Company: The Dead Secrets
  • Ages: 12+
  • Extras: In the cafe
  • Details
  • Parking & Access

Details

!This event has a content warning warning +

Comic depictions of murder / death / some violence and adult themes.

Intrigue, deception, betrayal, secret identities and lost gemstones. Or other things entirely!

“Superb murder mystery mayhem” – Piccadilly Productions

In this improvised Golden Age detective story, Oxford’s own award-winning comedy adventurers The Dead Secrets use audience suggestions to propel outrageous characters through a world of implausible plot twists towards the mystery’s thrilling and unbelievable conclusion. Join them for the greatest murder mystery that nobody has ever seen before – or will ever see again!

“I was simply left wanting to watch more” ★★★★ – ThreeWeeks

★★★★ – TV Bomb

 

This show will be in the Old Fire Station Cafe.

 

Why See This Show?

This show is perfect for fans of classic Golden-Age detective mysteries as well as lovers of surreal comedy. The award-winning comedy group, The Dead Secrets, have toured village halls, theatres and festivals around the UK and internationally with their highly-acclaimed sketch and improvised comedy shows.

“There’s an art to creating a satisfying explanation out of chaos, even for mystery writers who have time to plan what they’re doing. The Dead Secrets didn’t just make it look effortless they made it look fun” – Daily Info Oxford

 

What the Critics Say:

“The Dead Secrets remind us of the power of the sketch show: woven stories, intelligent scripting and the unravelling absurdity of the human mind” ★★★★ – TV Bomb

“Cleverly written sketches … slick, scripted comedy of the highest quality” – Buxton Fringe Festival

“There are nods to Pan’s Labyrinth, Frankenstein’s monster and Monty Python but only as starting points for their own surreal sketches … just surrender to the madness” – The List, Edinburgh Fringe Festival

“Pulling a laugh in every skit, mixing up mime, a witty script and an overall tone of self-aware silliness, it is easy to imagine that out of The Dead Secrets will come tomorrow’s new sketch comedians” – Culture Compass, Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Awards & Nominations

  • Winners, Best Comedy Show Buxton Fringe Festival 2014 (Bulletproof Jest)
  • Finalists, London Sketchfest 2015
  • Nominations for Best Comedy Show Buxton Fringe Festival 2015 (The Curiositorium); 2016 (Hickory Dickory Murder); and 2019 (Ladies Antebellum: A Mighty Fine Adventure)

Workshop

Join The Dead Secrets for an energetic workshop exploring how to create instant and believable characters and scenes. Participants will learn to approach characterisation and scenes through improvisation using some simple techniques.

This pay-what-you-want workshop is for anyone: whether you’re entirely new to improv, haven’t tried it in years, or have lots of previous experience and want to brush up on your skills.

Places are limited, so please register using this Google Form: https://forms.gle/ECmwa3oP2LYXgtfJ8

“Will leave you bouncing out of the venue with a smile and aching cheeks” – Edfringe review

“The Dead Secrets are dead good” – Daily Info Oxford

Winners: Best Comedy Show, Buxton Fringe 2014 (Bulletproof Jest)

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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.

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.