• Duration: 2hrs
  • Tickets: Individual show - Standard £10 | Pay more £15 | Pay less £5 | Double bill offer - Standard £15 | Pay more £20 | Pay less £10
  • Details
  • Parking & Access

Details

Wing it Impro presents: The Gricers

The Gricers is a new, spontaneous theatre show created to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the modern passenger railway. Inspired by Francis Bourgeois’s book The Trainspotters Notebook and Tom Quinn’s Railways’ Strangest Journeys, this show is a bittersweet and profound reflection on male friendship and quiet obsession.

Meet Mike and Mark. Their quest isn’t for fame or fortune. It’s for the 4:32 from Manchester Piccadilly, the 11:05 to Carlisle, the one last engine number that will make their collection complete. They are ‘Gricers’, standing trackside in rain and shine, a passionate, uniquely British tribe. 

The real journey isn’t on the rails. It’s in the waiting. In the shared flasks of tea, the silences, the decades of friendship. This is the story of what happens in between the arrivals and departures, a tale of two men driven by a passion to complete a collection and the hope that they can finally finish. 

​Performed by Mike Burton (Stupid, Atom Improv), Mark Smith (HOOF!, The Fly, A Wake and Taxi Tales) and Fergus Wynne this spontaneous theatre event is like no other. The show features compelling storytelling, a cavalcade of characters and live DJ’ing. 

 

Festival Ensemble: Taxi Tales

Taxi Tales is an improvised journey through fleeting encounters between drivers and passengers. Set on the night streets of Oxford before the age of mobile phones, the show unfolds in those quiet moments when conversations with strangers can feel unusually honest. Drivers become part therapist, part confidant, as lives, secrets and stories open up on the backseat. Part human comedy and part nocturnal confessional, the show pieces together a mosaic of stories, tender, funny and revealing, all glimpsed through the glow of the Oxford city lights. Directed by Matt Sparkes (Improv Discovery) and conceived by Mark Smith (Wing It Impro, Liverpool Improv Festival).

Note that this show is part of a double bill ticket offer with Atomic Wasp & Awkward Actors. Please add a ticket for each show into your basket. The discount will be applied at the check out stage.

 

About the Oxford Improv Festival

Celebrate four days of unscripted theatre, laughter, and creativity! The Oxford Improv Festival brings together the city’s vibrant improv community with guest performers from across the UK and Ireland for a jam-packed programme of live shows, workshops, and social events. From fast-paces comedy to heartfelt storytelling, experience the full spectrum of improvised performance. Brought to you by the Oxford Imps, Awkward Actors and House of Improv at the Old Fire Station.

Get 10% off when you book 3+ events! Discount applied at the checkout stage.

 

 

 

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.