- Duration: 70mins approx.
- Tickets: Standard: £13 | Pay more: £15 | Pay less: £11
- Ages: 16+
- Details
- Parking & Access
Details
Meet Chris, a 54-year-old Artist financially trapped in the house where he grew up. His garden shed has become his new studio; a magical place where he’s been resident throughout Lockdown – creating kinetic works of art from the toys of his childhood. Some artworks have made it to galleries and installations, others are revealed here for the first time! Enjoy the ride as Chris bursts forth from the shed to the stage, sharing the stories from his ‘real-life Scalextric’ events to a model installation of former PM (BJ) astride a double-decker bus!
His exploration of the absurdities of modern living through his art are interwoven with a real-life quest to Poland to uncover secrets about his extraordinary family heritage. Toy Stories sees Chris dig up some metaphorical ghosts of the past, as well as a real German tank dating from the Second World War, and reminds us how little has changed in populist politics between then and now.
Part stand-up comedy, part performance lecture, Toy Stories takes the audience on an irreverent, powerful and hilarious storytelling adventure through art, contemporary politics, twentieth-century history and …toys!
REVIEWS OF PAST WORK (“Antarctica” and “All Roads Lead to Rome”):
★★★★★ “live art in all its glory” – Three Weeks, Edinburgh
★★★★★ “takes us from the personal to the political, across a great swathe of 20th Century history” – The Scotsman
★★★★ “an hour of brilliantly charismatic storytelling” – Broadway Baby
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.