West Side Story is a reimagining of Romeo and Juliet, set among rival gangs in New York. With music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, it includes well-known songs such as America, Tonight, and Somewhere.

This week, the youth theatre company DIY Theatre Co, based in Sunningwell and Oxford, collaborated with musicians from Leiden (Netherlands), dancers from Grenoble (France), and actors from Bonn (Germany) – three of Oxford’s twin towns.

After rehearsals at Trinity Church, the international cast brought West Side Story to the Amey Theatre for final rehearsals, and performances on the 22nd and 23rd of August, including a Matinee.

The young performers gave strong and enthusiastic performances in both acting and dance, supported by a live band who were excellent.

The production brought together young people from across Europe, not only to stage a demanding musical but also to build links between the towns involved. The audience were enthusiastic and gave the cast sustained applause.

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.