Mildish Urges for Childish Dirges | Old Fire Station, Oxford

Duration: 45 Mins
Tickets: FREE

Details
Parking & Access

Details

!This event has a content warning warning +

All the stories are mockingly grotesque and diabolically subversive and make fun of many different types of murder, self-mutilation and occult practices. 

Are you sitting comfortably?  You’re probably in the wrong chair. Join storyteller Stilly for six illustrated nursery rhymes, intended more to give you gleeful nightmares than sweet dreams. Vengefully macabre infants, morbidly obsessed youngsters and cursed minors all have stories to tell. 

Stilly’s Terrible Drawn Tales are rhyming stories accompanied by projected illustrations. They are told by the author/illustrator who shows all the works in detailed black and white pen drawings. The stories range from 5 to 10 minutes in length.  

“Mildish Urges for Childish Dirges” is a collection of six tales all concerning children. The tales are… 

The Young Murderers – 26 children (all with names beginning with different letters of the alphabet) are put on trial for killing their parents in varied grizzly ways.
The Heartless Bantling – a young boy discovers that he can profit from selling his teeth to the tooth fairy, so tries to find out how much he can gain from selling the rest of his body parts.  
Hassle and Gristle – a retelling of Hansel and Gretel for a modern bloodthirsty age. 
The Ninth Illusion – a young magician makes a pact with the occult to improve his magic show, with disastrous consequences. 
The Uneaten Dentist – Recently turned zombie parents become disturbed when their son refuses to eat brains. 
The Zugzwang Quartet – Four bored children play a game of “Creeping Dread.”  It doesn’t end well.

Think of Roald Dahl showing a “Tales of the Unexpected” powerpoint presentation designed by Edward Gorey.   

“A true one-of-a-kind, mixing poetry, humour and storytelling with illustrations as enchanting and quirky as his written words.”

David Bramwell – The Odditorium 

“Irregular Folks is all about putting on a particularly high level of unique creativity. Stilly’s poetry, visuals and performance had us all gripped from start to finish. It was the perfect mix of unique, amusing and inspirational content. There was content we could all relate to, enjoy and also have our eyes, ears and minds inspired by. It’s a brilliant mixed-media experience that you can really lose yourself in, and I can’t recommend it enough. We all walked away quoting lines from it, and I’ve invited him back many times since. “

Vez Hoper, Irregular Folks 

“Deadpan delivery knocks every line to back of the net”

Lee Woodway, Daily Info, May 2010 

“Unique, enthralling, otherworldly, under-the-radar, over-the-rainbow man of many splendours.” Matt Sage “Catweazle” 

This show is part of the Offbeat Festival a partnership between the Old Fire Station, Oxford Playhouse, and New Theatre Oxford. It supports emerging talent, encourages local artists, provides a platform for new voices, and gives the public a chance to see bold new performances that take risks and push boundaries.

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.