Last week, we finally made it to the Shakespeare Festival at Oxford Castle. We had talked about going for a few years, but hadn’t managed to align our schedule, the weather forecast, and ticket availability.
This season featured Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing and The Merry Wives of Windsor. Matching our diary and the best weather forecast, Merry Wives was selected even though I didn’t know the play. The description …
In this unashamedly comic production of Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor, we transport the action to the vibrant world of the 1950s. Hidden behind this nostalgic backdrop of seemingly perfect suburban life, a world of mischief and mayhem awaits. This riotous production celebrates not only the silliness of some of Shakespeare’s best comic characters but also the timeless themes of female friendship, marital trust, and the art of turning societal norms upside down.
,… sounded fun, so we decided to give it a go!
Arriving & Getting Settled
The confirmation email I received when I booked the tickets suggested arriving 10 minutes before the 7:30 start, but this FAQ page suggested 7 pm. I’m glad we arrived just after 7, as the seats filled up pretty quickly. It also gave us time to settle in and soak up the atmosphere.
Not knowing what food would be available, we played it safe and grabbed sandwiches and snacks from Marks and Spencer. We then enjoyed a drink in the Slug and Lettuce (right in the castle grounds) before heading in.
Normally, you can buy drinks including alcohol and snacks (I’m not sure if the full menu is available) in the Oxford Castle cafe before the performance and during the interval, but on our night, the full cafe was closed due to technical issues, with only a small concession stand running so it was just as well we’d brought our own supplies.
Seating & Comfort
The stage was in the centre, surrounded on 3 sides by chairs. Behind the chairs on the long side were amphitheatre-style concrete steps – our perch for the evenings.
A big box of free thin seat cushions was available, which made sitting on concrete much more comfortable.
The sightlines were excellent. We were on the second step up and could hear perfectly. I suspect the view is great from anywhere, but I’m not sure how the sound would carry to the top of the amphitheatre seats. Seating is first-come, first-served, so another reason to arrive in plenty of time.
The Performance
The play ran from 7:30 pm to around 10 pm with a 15-minute interval. The play was lively, funny and easy to follow – even with Shakespeare’s usual mix of plots and sub-plots. There were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, good acting, and the 1950s setting gave it a quirky charm.
We’ll definitely be booking again next year – I’m looking forward to seeing what plays will be chosen.
A Few Tips If You’re Thinking about It
- Dress for the weather: We had a beautiful summer evening, but it still got chilly later. Bring layers. If you forget, blankets are available to rent for just £1.
- Be prepared for rain: as the FAQs say, performances are only moved indoors if the weather makes it impossible to continue outside. In that case, the show relocates to the New Baptist Church on Bonn Square. Bring waterproofs and umbrellas if rain is in the forecast.
- Timings: The festival normally runs from late June to mid-August, with two or more plays scheduled during that period.
- Food & drink: Bring your own food (no alcohol or glass bottles) or buy light refreshments (including alcohol) on site.
- Getting there: Oxford Castle is right in the centre of Oxford near the railway station.
Would we recommend visiting the Shakespeare Festival at Oxford Castle?
Absolutely. It’s a brilliant way to spend a summer evening in Oxford.
Let me know if you have questions – I’m always happy to share what worked (or didn’t) for us.