Reviews by Clare Dodd
The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare
Clare Dodd
The Merchant of Venice is an ambitious play for an amateur theatre company to take on. With Oxford Theatre Guild (OTG)'s long history and range, however, it wasn’t an unreasonable challenge. ...
5 years ago
The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare
Tina T'urner Tea Lady's Steamy Bingo
Clare Dodd
“Eight and zero, we don’t need no Café Nero!” It’s bingo, but not as we know it. On Friday night, Florence Park Community Centre played host to the incomparable Tina T’urner Tea Lady’s ...
5 years ago
Tina T'urner Tea Lady's Steamy Bingo
The Mountaintop
Clare Dodd
The Mountaintop stretches time. Set in a motel room on April 3rd 1968, we anticipate 6:01 on April 4th. It looms like an approaching storm, set to break at any moment. On stage of course, the storm ...
6 years ago
The Mountaintop
Some Guys Have All the Luck: The Rod Stewart Story
Clare Dodd
It’s late September and I really should be back at school. But instead I’m out on a Sunday night, early start be damned, rocking and rolling with successful school dropout, Rod Stewart - or the ...
6 years ago
Some Guys Have All the Luck: The Rod Stewart Story
Othello
Clare Dodd
Imaginative, gripping and punctuated with sharp humour, Richard Twyman’s Othello is fantastic. The actors are superb, delivering humour, darkness, love and more without the slightest trace of ...
6 years ago
Othello
Scott Matthews, Ady Johnson
Clare Dodd
Tuesday was a warm, golden evening in Oxford. And with the light gleaming through the arched windows at the SJE, Scott Matthews delivered a performance as beautiful and honey-coated as the world ...
6 years ago
Scott Matthews, Ady Johnson
Bonnie Greer and Sarah Churchwell: The State of the Nation
Clare Dodd
Trying to answer, in an hour, the role of America in the 21st century, the real meaning of ‘American First’, and the global impact of recent US political upheavals, is somewhat of a tall order. ...
6 years ago
Bonnie Greer and Sarah Churchwell: The State of the Nation
The B*easts
Clare Dodd
‘So, the question now is, who do the breast belong to?’ And with that question comes an avalanche of provocations about identity, the self, society and the modern sexualisation of both women and ...
6 years ago
The B*easts
Inspiring People: Andrew Graham-Dixon
Clare Dodd
Andrew Graham-Dixon is one of Britain’s best-known art historians. Having hosted countless series and documentaries, his most recent adventures include Italy Unpacked with chef Giorgio Locatelli ...
6 years ago
Inspiring People: Andrew Graham-Dixon
Mamma Mia
Clare Dodd
Musicals are difficult to get right, especially when a Hollywood adaptation has become so dominant in people’s minds. Going to see Mamma Mia, you can’t help but think of Meryl’s heart-breaking ...
6 years ago
Mamma Mia
Billy Bragg, Shane McGowan
Clare Dodd
Solidarity, empathy and activism were the watchwords at the O2 on Friday night: hardly surprising for a Billy Bragg gig, but nonetheless affecting for it. Offering his well-honed political commentary ...
6 years ago
Billy Bragg, Shane McGowan
Jane Weaver, Protection Spells
Clare Dodd
Jane Weaver has an arresting singing style of ethereal annunciation. Over pulsating synth folk, she delivers transcendental, dangerous lyrics, which offer a glimpse into otherworldliness. ...
6 years ago
Jane Weaver, Protection Spells
Jeffrey Lewis & Los Bolts, Lucy Leave
Clare Dodd
If someone asked you to imagine a New York comic-book store band, Jeffrey Lewis & Los Bolts is what you’d conjure up. Happy and unpretentious with that enviable east-coast edge, they’re the whole ...
7 years ago
Jeffrey Lewis & Los Bolts, Lucy Leave
Love's Labour's Lost
Clare Dodd
Regatta blazers and boaters in place, Simon Tavener’s updating to 1895 of the bard’s Love’s Labour’s Lost works well. Oxford Theatre Guild (OTG) elegantly weaves the beautiful lawns, learned ...
7 years ago
Love's Labour's Lost
Emma
Clare Dodd
What an absolute joy. I simply can't express my gratitude wholeheartedly enough for such a wonderful production of Austen's classic. At least that's what Miss Bates would say. But honestly, Tim ...
7 years ago
Emma
Abigail's Party
Clare Dodd
Are you a fan of Demis Roussos? Do you think he's sexy? Beverley does, even if he is a big man. Beverley doesn't mind; his voice doesn't sound fat anyway, especially when he's singing 'Forever and ...
7 years ago
Abigail's Party
Warpaint, Shame
Clare Dodd
Last night Warpaint filled the O2 with their trademark feel-good, off-key LA vibes and we absolutely lapped it up. Seeing their third visit to Oxford, the band was touring their third album, Heads ...
7 years ago
Warpaint, Shame
Goldfrapp
Clare Dodd
Rocking up at the O2 last night, the crowd were not in a good mood. The strange, tense atmosphere certainly didn't reflect the excitement you'd expect for the return of a band that haven't played in ...
7 years ago
Goldfrapp
Mark Thomas: The Red Shed
Clare Dodd
'Solidarity forever, for the union makes us strong.' Did Mark Thomas really hear this song of comradeship as he passed that Victorian school? Was it really sung by young voices, echoing out to ...
7 years ago
Mark Thomas: The Red Shed
Stewart Lee - Content Provider
Clare Dodd
Imagine a sold-out show without a single person in the audience. To be famous enough for ticket touts to buy your seats, but not so famous that people will pay six times the asking price to sit it ...
7 years ago
Stewart Lee - Content Provider
Margo Price Band
Clare Dodd
Friday night at the Bullingdon was a big old country show, done in true Nashville style. We got a tassel-shaking warm-up from the band and were more than ready to holler when star of the show, Margo ...
7 years ago
Margo Price Band
Gary Numan, I Speak Machine
Clare Dodd
'Nuuuu-maaaan, nuuu-maaaan'. The crowd chants in deep and impatient tones, as if calling out to a player on the pitch. The stage glows red and synth tones fill the Academy. Patiently they build, ...
8 years ago
Gary Numan, I Speak Machine
Relatively Speaking
Clare Dodd
Times may change; attitudes to sex and marriage have certainly changed; but at the heart of it all, us humans don't change at all. That's why Alan Ayckbourn's Relatively Speaking remains absolutely ...
8 years ago
Relatively Speaking
Echo And The Bunnymen
Clare Dodd
The lights dim and the cheers grow as the band walk on stage. But this is nothing. The crowd save their raucous whoops for the enigmatic, sun-bespectacled lead singer, Ian McCulloch, only letting go ...
8 years ago
Echo And The Bunnymen
Hamlet
Clare Dodd
A beat-up, rusting red van emerges through the trees and rolls up in front of the pond in University Parks. A group of slightly ghoulish, steampunk figures jump out and string up some mismatched ...
8 years ago
Hamlet
Vidar Norheim
Clare Dodd
Fancy a few electronic beats and a vibraphone on a Wednesday night? Sure. How about some dulcet tones from a young Norwegian to go with that? Why not!
That's what was on offer at The Library last ...
8 years ago
Vidar Norheim
American Idiot
Clare Dodd
Gritty, heartfelt punk-rock opera this ain't. It doesn't matter how many Mohican hair-dos and ripped jeans you have, without a truly rebellious soul, you're never going to do justice to the bitter, ...
8 years ago
American Idiot
Fat White Family, Phobophobes
Clare Dodd
Smashing bodies, crowd surfing, flying spit and booze: Fat White Family gigs are a cut above – especially considering this was a Sunday night upstairs at the O2. Plenty has been written about the ...
8 years ago
Fat White Family, Phobophobes
Ezra Furman, The Big Moon
Clare Dodd
Ezra Furman is a captivator: he's catchy pop, he's punk rebellion, he's rock and roll, he's a whirlwind of lipstick-fuelled frenzy. Ezra's energetic rollercoaster performance of cultural fight songs, ...
8 years ago
Ezra Furman, The Big Moon
Fun Lovin' Criminals
Clare Dodd
'We're here for YOU. Thank YOU.' That's what made this gig a little bit different; the Fun Lovin' Criminals weren't in Oxford to sell anything. They were here because they could be and they love ...
8 years ago
Fun Lovin' Criminals
Mr B's Bullingdon Bash
Clare Dodd
'All hail the chap!' rang out the refrain. And so we did, regaling Mr. B with our highest plaudits and general all-round seasonal jollity. If you're unfamiliar with Mr. B then this review may not ...
8 years ago
Mr B's Bullingdon Bash
The Wailers
Clare Dodd
Last night The Wailers came to town and brought with them their positive, uniting message: One Love, Oxford, One Love. The current lineup of The Wailers includes only one original member: Aston ...
8 years ago
The Wailers
The Fratellis, The Crookes
Clare Dodd
The Fratellis rattled through a fast-paced, festival-like set last night, and the surprisingly fresh-faced crowd loved it. Even if you think you don't know The Fratellis, you will know their 2006 ...
8 years ago
The Fratellis, The Crookes
Singin' in the Rain
Clare Dodd
What an absolute smasher of a show. Curious Grin keep up the energy throughout, whipping you up in the whirlwind romance of both the 'talkies' and the two lovebirds at the centre of the story. ...
8 years ago
Singin' in the Rain
The Knights of Mentis & Simon Stanley Ward
Clare Dodd
Saturday night saw the Cellar chocked full of foot-thumping Americana. Simon Stanley Ward had us hoppin’ and a boppin’ while The Knights of Mentis reeled us in (as always) with their trademark ...
9 years ago
The Knights of Mentis & Simon Stanley Ward
Vienna Ditto, Go On Do It Jump, Easter Island Statues, Kuiper, We Have A Dutch Friend
Clare Dodd
Vienna Ditto never disappoints. Their Friday night set in Oxford was tighter than ever, with Nigel at maximum manic, Tigger-bouncing across the stage while Hatty enchanted us all with her ...
9 years ago
Vienna Ditto, Go On Do It Jump, Easter Island Statues, Kuiper, We Have A Dutch Friend
Trembling Bells, Jackie Oates, Katherine Priddy
Clare Dodd
Last night Trembling Bells took us on an acid trip through Britain’s druidic ruins, via merry England’s maypoles and onto the modern dystopia of Glasgow and London, all the while remaining firmly ...
9 years ago
Trembling Bells, Jackie Oates, Katherine Priddy
Rozi Plain
Clare Dodd
Sometimes the whole point of a gig is that someone has found a way of expressing something through music that cannot be bettered by word or image. Reviewing such occasions feels like transforming the ...
9 years ago
Rozi Plain
Absolute Bowie
Clare Dodd
When a man strides on stage in a crotch-high silk kimono and glitter lipstick, you know something special is about to happen. We arrived a little early at Joe’s Bar and Grill, but already the place ...
9 years ago
Absolute Bowie
Earl Thomas, Vienna Ditto
Clare Dodd
The Bullingdon became a hothouse of belted blues and soaring soul last night as Earl Thomas transported the crowd right on down to the Mississippi Delta and beyond. The evening really hit its groove ...
9 years ago
Earl Thomas, Vienna Ditto
THE ORIGINAL RABBIT FOOT SPASM BAND - The Vicar's Garden Party
Clare Dodd
A party is what we were promised and a party is what we got. Following on from the riotous Cold War party back in October, Jump Steady returned the Rabbits to the Jericho Tavern on Friday night for a ...
9 years ago
THE ORIGINAL RABBIT FOOT SPASM BAND - The Vicar's Garden Party
Simon Amstell: To be Free
Clare Dodd
‘How can there still be homophobia, when Elton John wrote the Lion King? What else does he need to do?’ This wonderful one-liner from Simon Amstell quite neatly sums up To Be Free: astute, absurd ...
9 years ago
Simon Amstell: To be Free
Gypsy Fire
Clare Dodd
Gypsy Fire, SJE Arts, Tuesday 10th Feb 2015 There’s no doubt Gypsy Fire are incredibly talented but Tuesday’s gig felt somewhat disjointed and not suited to its setting. It’s vital to firstly ...
9 years ago
Gypsy Fire
Drew Holcomb Duo, Bethany Weimers
Clare Dodd
A seriously heartwarming set: some honey-coated acoustic guitar alongside Drew Holcomb’s warm, toasty vocals lifted everyone’s spirits on Saturday night at The Bullingdon.
Drew Holcomb and ...
9 years ago
Drew Holcomb Duo, Bethany Weimers
A Seasonal Celebration
Clare Dodd
This concert was full of nostalgia for childhood Christmases spent listening to carols from King’s on the radio: it was like a gentle festive hug. I confess now, I am no expert in choral ...
9 years ago
A Seasonal Celebration
The Habit Of Art
Clare Dodd
Oxford Theatre Guild’s production of Alan Bennett’s The Habit of Art is spot on. It’s a really enjoyable evening, which carries you along lightly despite the heavy topics being addressed. The ...
9 years ago
The Habit Of Art
Carmen
Clare Dodd
The characters and music of Carmen are so strong that’s it’s pretty much impossible not to be swept up by the ‘bohémienne’. In this production by the Welsh National ...
10 years ago
Carmen
Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story
Clare Dodd
Totally outstanding – a real rock and roll show! Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story is lively and raw, and rips it up right from the start.
With hits like 'Peggy Sue', 'Maybe ...
10 years ago
Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Clare Dodd
Some steampunk and just a touch of Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventures: a little bit sinister and just a little bit silly.
This is a slightly different adaptation of A Midsummer ...
10 years ago
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Tonight at 8.30
Clare Dodd
Tonight at 8.30 displays incredible variety, and while it swings from sharp and witty to heartbreakingly human, you never feel unsettled. The transition is like a magician’s illusion and you ...
10 years ago
Tonight at 8.30
Folk Weekend Oxford
Clare Dodd
These two singing sessions forever changed my assumption that all male a cappella groups sounded like your staid Welsh male voice choirs.
The Skeptics were a real laugh, but with genuine singing ...
10 years ago
Folk Weekend Oxford
Folk Weekend Oxford
Clare Dodd
A standout event from the Folk Weekend Oxford, this musical parade tripped out some real, heartfelt warmth.
Matt Chanarin had a great gritty, beachy feel, reminiscent of Paul Simon and Jack ...
10 years ago
Folk Weekend Oxford
Folk Weekend Oxford
Clare Dodd
Singing, fiddling, dancing, fair maidens, saucy blacksmiths and much more. Summing up Folk Weekend Oxford in a single review is near impossible. Despite hopping from venue to venue over the weekend, ...
10 years ago
Folk Weekend Oxford
Is Oxford Oxtopia? @ The Big Bang debate
Clare Dodd
Celebrating the launch of Oxford Castaways 2, published by James Harrison of Oxfordfolio, this debate opened up the question of what’s great, and maybe what’s not, about our city of ...
10 years ago
Is Oxford Oxtopia? @ The Big Bang debate
Folk Weekend Oxford
Clare Dodd
Folk Weekend Oxford kicks off tonight with a whole series of not-to-be missed events. Sadly while James Bell and Police Dog Hogan is already sold out, there is still what is promising to be a lively ...
10 years ago
Folk Weekend Oxford
Polar Bear + Shiver
Clare Dodd
Both Shiver and Polar Bear gave surprising, complex and at times extremely challenging performances that complemented each other rather beautifully at this SJE Arts event.
I had never been to S. ...
10 years ago
Polar Bear + Shiver
Dreamboats and Petticoats: The Musical
Clare Dodd
Dreamboats and Petticoats was a fun, energetic and musically-talented telling of what was unfortunately a very weak story.
This musical aims to relive the raw energy of the emergence of ...
10 years ago
Dreamboats and Petticoats: The Musical
Swan Lake
Clare Dodd
Everything about this performance of Swan Lake was just so beautiful, from the costumes, glittering and carried in majestic sweeps by the wonderful dancers, to the gradually-building drama and ...
10 years ago
Swan Lake
Arrivals and Departures
Clare Dodd
To use superlatives to describe Arrivals and Departures would be an injustice to the subtlety, humour and emotionally wrenching unfolding of this delicately constructed play.
The plot centres on ...
10 years ago
Arrivals and Departures
Warpaint
Clare Dodd
Intoxicating and much more grounded and bass-driven than their newest album suggests, Warpaint are definitely worth seeing live.
Before Warpaint took the stage, however, and they most definitely ...
10 years ago
Warpaint
Home Third Light, Desmond Chancer and the Long Memories
Clare Dodd
Beautiful, lyrical and musically talented. That is the way to describe all the performers at this little but lovely gig at the Port Mahon.
Home Third Light was originally formed back ...
10 years ago
Home Third Light, Desmond Chancer and the Long Memories
Nyctophobia's True Sound, Koven, Subnox, Moize
Clare Dodd
Oh my days. This was not only my reaction to the evening, but also one of MC Kashmir’s favourite phrases for creating some serious hype amongst the crowd during this most unusual night. ...
10 years ago
Nyctophobia's True Sound, Koven, Subnox, Moize
Miracle On 34th Street
Clare Dodd
A crisp December evening filled with a classic Christmas story, cheery singing and frolicking dance moves: what was not to look forward to? Unfortunately, this production of Miracle on 34th Street ...
10 years ago
Miracle On 34th Street
Kristin Hersh with Fred Abong & Rob Ahlers
Clare Dodd
Grunge without muddiness and electric guitar noodling without self-indulgence: not the music you expect at Oxford’s Holywell Music Rooms, but perfectly suited to it nonetheless. Kristin Hersh ...
5 years ago
Kristin Hersh with Fred Abong & Rob Ahlers
