VESSEL | Old Fire Station, Oxford

Tickets: Standard: £12 | Pay more: £14 | Pay less: £10
Company: Dawn Productions
Ages: 15+

Details
Parking & Access

Details

!This event has a content warning warning +

CW: as a play examining the nature of food and body relationships there is a sustained focus on eating and body image; this necessarily includes mentions of or allusions to fatphobia, disordered eating behaviours and mental illness. There is explicit discussion of eating disorder behaviours in two episodes; there is an explicit mention of self-harm in one episode. TW: fatphobia, eating disorders, self harm TW: eating disorders, self harm

‘Take it from a seasoned veteran; what you have to do is stand, with your shoulders squared and your feet apart and say, “I see you, ham sandwich. And I know exactly what you plan to do to me.”’

Dawn Productions presents VESSEL, a new theatrical anthology by Grace Olusola that examines our increased, post-lockdown awareness of food and body image relationships. This quasi-verbatim play takes inspiration from 128 confessional survey responses from members of the public, creating a space which honours these stories, and importantly extends the conversation about our relationships with food and our own bodies by bringing it to the stage.

Told through a series of episodes that zoom in and out of the diverse lives of different characters, each distinctive scene presents a fresh and unique perspective on how different food relationships and body image issues can manifest. What is the significance of a Reece’s peanut butter cup? How do parents pass habits on to their children? What sort of common ground can be found in a bathroom stall?

All things considered, one thing becomes clear: we all have a relationship with food. We all have a relationship with our own bodies. It’s time to start thinking about them.

Join us for a pre-show talk before our Saturday showing at 6:45pm (included with the ticket!). Our director will be in conversation with a BEAT representative and ED awareness advocate about the role of theatre in ongoing discussions about body and food relationships.

5% of all proceeds goes to the charity BEAT: eating disorders.

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.