The Abingdon Drama Club are putting on a captivating and enjoyable production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, a fitting tribute to the drama club in its 80th year. Tom Stoppard’s play, a tragicomedy, follows the story of two minor characters from Hamlet, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. They find themselves in a world of confusion as the events of Shakespeare’s play sweep by them, and they try to understand their part.

The director, Terry Atkinson, loves the play’s great but challenging script. Kieran Madden and Chris Bedford bring Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to life, not just by remembering so many lines but in how the sharp-witted Guildenstern is complemented by the confused and panicky Rosencrantz. Michael Ward as the Player and his acting group, The Tragedians, are also impressive.

The show has been running since Wednesday, April 17th, and there is a matinee and evening performance on Saturday, April 20th, at the Unicorn Theatre in Abingdon. Tickets are £12 or £10 for concessions. See: https://www.abingdon-drama-club.com/.

The Puppet Theatre Barge, a unique 50-seat marionette theatre on a converted barge, has returned to Abingdon for the first time since 2009 (I believe). The barge is moored near the open-air swimming pool in Abbey Meadows and will be presenting performances of The Selfish Giant.

The Selfish Giant is a story by Oscar Wilde about a giant who builds a wall around his garden so that no one can play in it.

Performances will take place from July 22 to August 13, 2023. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.puppetbarge.com.

The Puppet Theatre Barge is a popular attraction for children and adults alike. The intimate setting of the barge creates a cozy and magical atmosphere for the performances.

Wed 13th – Sat 16th September – When we are Married – Written by J.B.Priestly – Performed by Breakaleg Productions.

Thu 21st – to Sat 23rd September – Into the Woods- Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim – Book by James Lapine – Performed by MAC Productions

Wed 27th – Sat 30th September – Portia Coughlan – Written by By Marina Carr – Performed by Abingdon Drama Club.

Match the correct production to the synopsis …

A Baker and his wife live in a village where they all wish for something they can’t have. The Baker and his wife wish for a child, but they soon find out that because of a family curse they must first get magical items from classic fairy tales.

A woman cannot forget her twin brother who died fifteen years before. She still hears him calling to her. As a result she lives a detached existence.

A group of friends, all married on the same day in the same chapel, gather to celebrate their silver anniversary. They discover ‘shock horror’ that they are not legally married.

‘When Ali Came to Abingdon‘ was a drama on Radio 4 today and can be heard at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b086tfbp.

“One over-excited fan, Mick, and his son, Luke, allow boxing-fever to overtake them waiting for a visit of Muhammed Ali to Saxton Road in Abingdon; wife and mother Sandra rebels and finds solace in a local women’s group.”

Written by Bethan Roberts, born in Abingdon, who now lives in Brighton.