Arts & Culture
Calling all artists! Applications for Oxford's Offbeat Festival 2019 are now open!

Oxford Playhouse and Arts at the Old Fire Station are delighted to announce the fourth Offbeat festival, running for ten action-packed days.

Between Tuesday 18 and Saturday June 29 2019, this innovative festival of new work in Oxford showcases the very best in fringe theatre, dance, comedy and family work from across the UK.

For the first time, six artists or companies will be supported by the festival to develop a show tour. This is an ideal opportunity for companies to receive bespoke support to build their artistic and production skills. Selected artists will receive valuable mentoring and advice from industry professionals, technical support, and the chance to be part of a network of artists, as well have their work seen by venue programmers from across Oxfordshire and beyond.

[caption id=“attachment_44057” align=“aligncenter” width=“665”] Criminal (2017) - photograph by Jamie Drew Ralph Jones[/caption]

Offbeat 2019 will see over 50 performances across a variety of spaces in the city, including the OFS Theatre, OFS Studio, BT Studio and Oxford Playhouse Main Stage.The festival aims for at least a quarter of the programme to be made up of performances from local Oxfordshire artists and companies, with the remaining being seen in Oxford for the first time. The vast majority of the tickets will be priced at £10 or lessallowing as many people as possible to access this hugely exciting festival.

Applications to take part in Offbeat 2019are now open. Oxford Playhouse and Arts at the Old Fire Station are inviting performers from across the country to apply, either to simply perform at the festival or to join the Supported Artists’ Scheme. Brand new pieces of work and shows in their final work in progress stages, as well as debut tours of existing productions, will also be welcomed.

[caption id=“attachment_39280” align=“aligncenter” width=“703”] Beneath the Blue Rinse (2017)[/caption]

Jeremy Spafford, Director at the Old Fire Station said: “We’re delighted to be bringing Offbeat back for its fourth year and to be offering additional support to selected artists. This festival is all about helping fantastic creative people get their work seen and about introducing Oxford to some of the best contemporary work out there. Lucky Oxford.”

Louise Chantal, Director at the Oxford Playhouse added: “The annual Offbeat festival has really grabbed the imaginations of Oxfordshire artists and audiences alike. It’s the place to see new work and catch the stars of tomorrow right here around Gloucester Green!”

For further information and to apply to take part, please visit www.offbeatoxford.co.uk/apply. Applications close on Thursday January 31 2019.

  • Calling all artists! Applications for Oxford's Offbeat Festival 2019 are now open!