• Duration: 1 hour 30 including Interval.
  • Tickets: £15/£12 (£10 for previews)
  • Ages: 12+
  • Extras: No latecomers will be admitted until the interval.
  • Details
  • Parking & Access

Details

A new play by triple Olivier Award Winner Mike Bartlett (Doctor Foster, King Charles III)

Directed by Olivier Award Winner Clare Lizzimore

‘Christmas – isn’t that when they come home?’

Andy’s 43. He loves nostalgic television, pints down the pub, and listening to the whole album from beginning to end. His daughter Maya is 21, wears good shoes, likes good arguments, and has a secret plan to bring down the government.

The trouble is, three years ago Maya left home, and they haven’t spoken since. But this Christmas, she might be coming back. Andy knows she’s going to stay. Maya knows she’s not.

Full of the warmth, wit and heartbreak of Christmas, Snowflake is an epic story about generational conflict, fathers and daughters, and whether we’re living in the best or worst of times.

A major new premiere, created just for Oxford by one of the UK’s leading writers. Starring Elliot Levey, Racheal Ofori and Ellen Robertson.

★★★★★ “A Christmas cracker…warm and funny…Excellent stuff.” – The Times

★★★★ “A masterfully written generational clash lies at the heart of this timely story rich in insight, poignancy and optimism” – Guardian

★★★★ “A heart-warming, topical Christmas show for grown ups, constructed with care and craft” – The Stage

★★★★ “Terrific, often funny,  occasionally heartbreaking” – Libby Purves for TheatreCat

★★★★ “Excellent” – Financial Times

★★★★ “A thoughtful family drama, politically engaged and unsentimental, with plenty of laughs (and a few tears)” – StageTalk

Become a Snow Angel – donate to help Crisis clients see and engage with the show, and get fantastic rewards. Click here.

Accessible shows

Captioned performances: Both performances on Thursday 13 December will be captioned, for audiences who are D/deaf or hard-of-hearing.
Kindly sponsored by Windich Legal.

Relaxed performance: The 2.30pm performance on 20 December will be relaxed. You are always welcome, but we know the theatre can feel intimidating for audience members who can’t always control when they move or make noise. A relaxed performance is an environment where you can feel free to be yourself.

Other events

Snowflake: post-show talk in association with OTM
Thurs 13 December, after the show
Join Olivier Award-winning director Clare Lizzimore and the cast of Snowflake for a post-show Q&A hosted by Oxfordshire Theatre Makers.

How To Approach A Play
Mon 17 December, 5.30pm-7pm (followed by performance of Snowflake at 7.30pm)
A workshop with playwright Mike Bartlett and director Clare Lizzimore. Free to ticket-holders. Find out how to book.

Playwright Q&A with Mike Bartlett
Tues 18 December, after the show
Dr Carina Bartleet, senior lecturer in drama at Oxford Brookes, interviews Mike Bartlett.

Supporters of Snowflake

Andrew Lloyd-Webber Foundation; Andrew Fairweather-Tall; Chiltern Insurance Group; David & Liz Coke; Laura Jones; Michael Mossop; New Diorama Theatre; Novel Entertainment; Paul Clayton; Sir Nicholas Hytner; Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen; The Roundton Trust; Unity Theatre Trust; Will Young; Windich Legal; And all of our supporters who wish to remain anonymous.

Special thanks to Arts Council England, Oxford City Council.

★★★★ “Warm, touching and funny” Top 10 UK Christmas Shows – The Stage on Thirty Christmases, (Old Fire Station 2016)

“(Mike Bartlett) is one of the prime movers in a new golden generation of British playwrights” – The Independent

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.