Oxford’s resident professional theatre company Creation played here in St Michael’s church at the Northgate.  It is thought that Shakespeare attended a christening here and so stood at the font.  The darker history of the church is that it is where Cranmer, Latimer and Ridley were held as prisoners for their catholic faith by Queen Elizabeth I in 1555.  Much happier use of the building was a few years ago when the wonderful actor Tom Peters performed a one man show for Creation, devised using speeches from Shakespearean plays that told the story of the church.  The play was called ‘Saints and Sinners’.  Walking out I wasn’t sure which one was I!  It was very persuasive about opening our minds to the roles of Shakespearean heroes and even managed to see the lighter side of Richard III.

 

Creation Theatre are on the look out for a new Creative Executive so it will be exciting to see the new work that is on offer for the city of Oxford.