• Duration: 2 hours approx.
  • Tickets: Standard: £14 | Pay more: £16 | Pay less: £12
  • Company: Oxford Theatre Guild
  • Ages: 10+
  • Details
  • Parking & Access

Details

The misadventures of Pinocchio, the boy made of wood who longs to be a real child, are brought to the Oxford stage this November in a modern adaptation by Oxford Theatre Guild. Older children and adults both are bound to find this treat of puppetry, physical theatre and original music intriguing, entertaining – and just a little bit scary – as the lonely toy makes his way in a strange world of colourful characters, with not even his wits to fall back on. Family entertainment with a dark twist as the nights draw in.

Kind hearted but poor Gepetto the woodcarver longs to change his fortune so he uses his skills and imagination to carve a wonderful puppet, Pinocchio. Magically the toy comes to life and Gepetto raises the fun-loving boy as his own, with love. Sadly for Pinocchio, despite his dreams and ambitions to be an everyday boy, he is treated as the odd outsider by those around him. Numerous warnings and frightening encounters cannot keep the mischievous lad from telling tall tales and getting into trouble. Pinocchio’s extraordinary trust in everyone he meets, even the thieves and bullies, leads him into the darkest corners of society. Lost, lonely and afraid, it might be too late for him to learn the lessons that his father would have tried to teach him.

Pinocchio was originally written as a fantasy morality tale by its Italian author, Collodi, at a time when parents had strict rules about what good and bad behaviour looked like. In the 21st century the temptations and challenges for our children may have changed but parents still seek control, often leaving kids adrift in a world their mums and dads don’t understand. This performance, devised from the original book with its cast of colourful characters and fantastical adventures, uses puppetry, physical theatre and live music to explore the darker elements of the story. It asks what the costs of manipulation and control are, and questions the value of conformity and obedience.

Will Pinocchio grow to understand, fully, what it is to be human? Or will his strange start in life be too big a hurdle for the wooden puppet to earn his place in his father’s heart as a real little boy? Come and find out…

“Ambitious stuff from the OTG… it all but took my breath away.” – Daily Info on Treasure Island

“Again, OTG are leading the way in amateur theatre” – Oxford Times on Doubt: A Parable

A note on ticket prices

We ask our audiences to select the ticket price the pay based note on their age or education, but on what they can afford to spend.

  • Standard: This is the regular ticket price.
  • Pay more: For those who can afford to help us offer cheaper tickets to people who need them.
  • Pay less: For those who can’t afford the standard price.

If you are disabled and would like to book a companion/personal assistant ticket, please contact the box office: 01865 263990 or tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk

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.