Drama: A new protrusion
Oxford's first major new production company for a two generations has its first outing this term, with a peripatetic summer show.
Anybody with a sharpish eye and an OFS brochure to hand will have noticed the plethora of small, cockily named, ephemeral production companies which have sprung up in Oxford over the last few years. They borrow money off college drama funds, put on mildly ambitious productions, typically make moderate losses, and disappear when the producer and his mates encounter finals. These little companies disperse talent (a good thing?) and spread out resources (also good?).
In recent terms, OUDS and some college dramatic societies have begun to commission more and more plays at Oxford's established venues other than the Playhouse (whence OUDS had not ventured in several years) and college Halls. But the days of the 40s and 50s, when every college society actively produced, are long gone.
ProFusion theatre, the new company, aims to fill a gap in the market. This gap is said to exist somewhere between the small independent production companies and the two large behemoths, the Etc and OUDS, with ProFusion aiming to produce modern, innovative work using the talents of both students and professionals, very much along the lines of the Cambridge Marlowe Society, except that the Marlowe is limited to verse drama. Clever name, eh?
On some fronts, this already looks a promising venture: Patrons include Tom Stoppard, Dame Diana Rigg and Max Stafford-Clarke. Funding remains problematic. Directors not yet found.
Enquiries to Susie Wilson at the Burton-Taylor on 791577.