It might not be summertime yet, but no one told this week's EP! We've got nature events, reading groups, theatre and more for the bright nights ahead.

All to Play For

Classic characters cavort through Oxford this week with a pair of must-see adaptations. First up the Playhouse have Little Women in town, with a fresh take on Louisa May Alcott’s beloved tale, that will delight fans and newcomers alike.

Also on this week is Sherlock in Summertown, Creation Theatre’s take on Arthur Conan Doyle’s timeless detective. This is an interactive production, where you’ll follow a trail of clues and interact with figures from the stories around Summertown to crack the mystery. You can find out more about this production in our Q&A with the team behind it.

Jigsaw Stage Productions brings a classic musical to the stage, with a new production of Fiddler on the Roof. The production tours to both Didcot and Wantage and would make the perfect half-term treat for older children.

Finally, one new play worth checking out is Are You Sure?, a powerful work following a mathematician at various crossroads in their life.

Little Women: Oxford Playhouse, Tue 27th to Sat 31st May, 7.30pm (Tue & Fri), 2.30, 7.30pm (Wed, Thu & Sat), £14 to 42.50

Sherlock in Summertown : various Summertown locations, Sat 24th to Tue 27th May, hourly slots, £30

Fiddler on the Roof: Cornerstone Arts Centre, Fri 23rd & Sat 24th May, 7.45pm (Fri), 2.30 & 7.45pm (Sat), £16 to 18

Fiddler on the Roof: The Beacon (Wantage), Fri 30th & Sat 31st May, 7.30pm (Fri), 2.30 & 7.30pm (Sat), £17 to 18)

Are You Sure?: Tue 27th to Sat 31st May, 7.30pm, £6-£8.

Going Out Tonight

Roll up, roll up, the circus is in town! More specifically, John Lawson’s Circus will bring the big top to Millets Farm from Sunday until the end of May. Performances run the gamut from dazzling visual spectacles, including laser lightshows and a Wicked-inspired bubble performance, to daring displays of skill from solo trapeze to knife throwing (gulp!).

If you’ve got a free Friday night, why not spend it at “Oxford’s friendliest LGBTQ+ social”? Molly’s FriYAY is a monthly chance for those who identify as queer to socialise, unwind and build community, this month set in the easy glamour of the Cosy Club on Cornmarket. Whether you’re a longtime attendee or a first timer, Molly’s hosts are on hand to help everyone feel welcome.

And everyone’s favourite night of rodent-based indecency returns to the Library pub basement as we enter Hot Ratz summer. Taking inspiration from Charlie XCX, the variety show returns for a lime green, brat-coded bonanza of cabaret, drag, burlesque and more - call them Gabriette, we’re so inspired.

John Lawson’s Circus: Millet’s Farm, Sun 25th - Sat 31st May, 10.30am / 1pm / 3.30pm. Tickets £9.99 per person (under 2s free).

Molly’s FriYAY: Cosy Club, Fri 23rd May, 7:30pm - 10pm. £2 entry.

Hot Ratz: The Library Pub, Tues 27th May, doors 7:30pm. Tickets pay what you can (suggested £7).

Read All About It

Perhaps it's no surprise that the supremely bookish Oxford would spawn a range of reading groups. This week, we're highlighting four great options:

If you know a younger bookworm, point them in the direction of Caper Books' Junior Book Club this Saturday. Aimed at ages 8-12, their first meeting was a big hit. Caper's has always been primarily a children's bookstore, and these sessions are hosted by a local primary school teacher.

For the grown-ups, a great all-around reading group is Books on the Broad, who meet once a month and reads a range of acclaimed fiction. They originated on Broad Street in the cafe at Blackwell's (hence the name), but now meet in The Friends Meeting House on St Giles.

Meanwhile, Oxford LGBT+ Book Group also meets once a month (at The Jolly Farmers), and has been running for more than a decade. They read a range of both fiction and non-fiction with LGBT+ themes, and are quite relaxed about participants who haven't read that month's book.

Finally, Oxford Poetry Library's Reading Circle puts a poetic spin on a traditional reading group. There's no need to read anything beforehand. Two established poets will read out some selected works from the past century and facilitate a group discussion on what makes the poems sing.

Caper’s Junior Book Club: Caper Books, Sat 24th, 10 - 11am. £10 per child. For ages 8-12. Drop off is acceptable.

Books on the Broad: The Friends Meeting House, St Giles, 1st Tue of every month, 6.30-8.30pm (Next session Tue 3rd Jun). Tickets £5.

Oxford LGBT+ Book Group: The Jolly Farmers, 7pm on the 2nd Mon of every month (Next session 9th Jun). Free.

Reading Circle: The Community Works, 2-4pm on 3rd Sat of every month, 2-4pm. (next session Sat 21st Jun). Tickets by a suggested donation of £5-£10.

Nature AND Nuture

Half term is here, and you may be looking for an adventure or two with the bambinos in the great outdoors. And thankfully, Oxfordshire can provide locales for such nature-based fun.

First up there’s Harcourt Arboretum’s Marvellous Meadows Family Day , where they’ll be opening up their meadows for a day of bug hunts, nature crafts and guided tours.

Or you can head to Wallingford, where Earth Trust’s Little Acorns on Tour will help younglings to connect with the natural world through a series of activities led by the organisation's friendly team.

High Lodge Farm has steadily built up a reputation for fabulous outdoor fun, and this half term is no different with their Big Bale Play. Attendees can jump, climb and tumble across their massive bale maze, with refreshments on site when children need to refuel.

And Hill End Outdoor Education Centre offers a Family Maps and Trails Day and is the perfect day for the whole family.

Finally, Banbury Museum has daily craft activities with a particular highlight being the chance to Make a Bird Feeder. For even more half-term activities, do check out our blog with fun events to take part in throughout the week.

Marvellous Meadows Family Day: Harcourt Arboretum, Wed 28th May, 11am to 3pm, £3 per child

Little Acorns on Tour: Riverside Meadows (Crowmarsh Gifford), Tue 27th May, 10am to 12 noon, Free

Big Bale Play: High Lodge Farm (near Abingdon), Sat 24th May to Sun 1st Jun, 10am to 5pm, £4.50 to £8

Family Maps and Trails Day: Hill End Outdoor Education Centre, Cumnor, Wed 28th May, 10am to 2pm, £4 to £6

Make a Bird Feeder: Banbury Museum, Tue 27th May, 10.30am & 1.30pm, £4

And Finally

Whether you're an avid runner or are just contemplating lacing up your trainers after work, our new guide to the best social run clubs in the city will be of interest! From trail running with the Hash House Harriers, to jogging through the city centre with RunTribe, plus groups specifically for older runners and girls only, there's a huge range of clubs to explore. Plus, three excellent apps to support your running journey. Have a read here.

Image credits: Oxford Playhouse, John Lawson's Circus, Daniel Forsman via Unsplash, High Lodge Farm Cherif Salifou via Unsplash