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.

At the Unicorn Theatre this week there is a festival of one act plays. The plays are introduced by, Dierdre, the Chairman of the Oxford Drama Network committee, who organise this annual event.

Each evening there are two plays.

After each play an adjudicator gives some background to the plays and then assesses the plays. He then suggests some directional changes and tries them about before the audience.

The first play this evening called Deckchairs showed two pairs of women on the seafront passing the time of day.

During the interval we had a drink in the Long Gallery of the Old Abbey Buildings where the Oxfordshire Drama Wardrobe, based in Steventon, had a display of their costumes. They are there for drama groups, and people who need to dress up for other reasons, to hire.

In the second half we saw a play called California Suite by the Bartholomew Players. It was very well directed and performed.

Three of the plays get called back tomorrow night for the Gala Evening. I was surprised that California Suite was not among them. The others must be excellent.

The Gala Night includes:

• Still Life by Noel Coward performed by Breakaleg Productions
• Too Long an Autumn by Jimmy Chinn performed by Sinodun Players
• Dynamo Flo by Wayne T. Brown performed by Oxford Theatre Guild.