- Duration: 55mins
- Tickets: Standard £15 | Pay more £20 | Pay less £10
- Ages: 8+
- Details
- Parking & Access
Details
Soft Spot by OLO Company (Sweden)
Soft Spot is a meticulously composed contemporary circus duet for a juggler, a handstand artist, wooden planks and 300 wine glasses.
Everyone has held a wine glass. Everyone has broken one. Since childhood, we have formed an instinctive relationship with this fragile everyday object. On stage, two artists carefully manipulate, stack and balance a delicate landscape of glass, testing its physical limits under the audience’s gaze. The glass becomes partner, obstacle and shared risk – demanding precision, timing and trust between the performers.
Each action carries tension; each near-collapse invites possibility. Through humour, concentration and mutual reliance, Soft Spot offers a playful yet exacting exploration of fragility – in objects, in bodies and in relationships.
Artists: Arttu Lahtinen & Stina Otterström
Outside-eyes: Petter Wadsten, Wes Peden, Benjamin Richter
Composer: Mika Forsling
Lighting design: Jaakko Sirainen
Co-production: Dansinitiativet
Support: Dansinitiativet, Konstnärsnämnden, Finnish Cultural Foundation, Taiteen edistämiskeskus, Samuel Huber Arts Foundation, Bourse SSA & ProCirque, ProHelvetica, Station Circus, Teatro Dimitri, SUBTOPIA, Old Mine Residency, Sirkus Faktori
Why See This Show?
Imagine watching world-class acrobatics performed amongst more than 300 delicate wine glasses, where every movement carries real risk. Soft Spot is a breathtaking blend of circus, theatre and visual art that explores trust, vulnerability and human connection with humour, tension and extraordinary skill. Beautiful, intimate and unlike anything you’ve seen before, this award-winning performance will have you holding your breath one moment and smiling the next. A truly unforgettable experience for anyone who loves being surprised, moved and amazed.
What the Critics Say:
“A wine glass thriller with breathless suspense” – Haparandabladet
“Soft Spot beautifully portrays the fragility, but also the strength of human relationships” – Scenkonstguiden
“Soft spot is a gem of a show, where the fragile and poetic are balanced with humor and playfulness in a unique and brilliant way. – Helena Simonsson
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.