First Oxfringe festival launches

12:48pm Friday 28th March 2008

The first full fringe festival arrives in Oxford tomorrow (Saturday) and promises to showcase a wealth of talent from around the region.

Fringe director Sarah Jones says: "Although this year's fringe is only a taster for things to come, with around 40 different shows across nearly 60 performances, there's lots to enjoy - and much of it is the work of members of the local arts community."

Theatre-lovers can look forward to a series of shows at the Burton Taylor Studio, including The Wedding Story, a light-hearted story based on Jewish and East European folk tales, which features live music, magic, animation and juggling.

The same venue also hosts Wish I Had A Sylvia Plath, a darkly funny play that looks at the last ten seconds of the renowned American poet's life. The show won an Edinburgh Fringe First award.

Over at the Moser Theatre, The Case, also an Edinburgh Fringe First winner, deals with one man's experience of the legal process.

From a headcase to a murder case at the Old Bailey, an innocent eye-witness explores his "fear of getting involved".

Those looking for more light-hearted fun can enjoy a plenty of comedy events, including Minty Fresh, which takes place tomorrow (Saturday) at Port Mahon and features young stand-up comedians Alex Hodgson, Sassy Clyde and George Chopping, with Iszi Lawrence as compere.

On Wednesday, April 2, performance poet Laura King presents Ha Ha From The Madding Crowd, a night of comic poetry from Nick Waghorn, Danny Chivers and Nishani Nijjar.

Borders will also host a celebration of comedy in literature on Friday, April 4, with poet and radio producer Jenyth Worsley, Tina Sederholm of the Back Room Poets, magical realist and witty rhymer Megan Kerr, humorous writers Tessa Verdugo and Deirdre Kelly, as well as members of the Freehand Writers' Group.

There are other events for keen bookworms at Borders, including two workshops for young people by popular authors Katherine Langrish and Dennis Hamley.

Musical talents are also well represented at Oxfringe, with everything from jazz to pop, from acoustic sets to a unique evening of choral music with the Blackbird Leys and Afropean Choirs inside the unique setting of the Ashmolean Museum's Randolph Sculpture Gallery.

For anyone wanting to show off their own musical skills, Oxford Playhouse is hosting a series of music workshops throughout the week, as well as theatre improvisation.

Oxfringe takes place from Saturday, March 29 to Sunday, April 6 at various venues. Details: www.oxfringe.com.

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