creation theatre company

We've supported creation over the last decade but will be giving next years show a miss. This felt like an exercise in feeling clever rather than providing a show in any way accessible by children, The story was virtually impossible to follow - even if you knew the book, the innuendo inappropriate and (in my view) the costumes just came across as cheap rather than quirky (bras for mouse ears - please.You can clearly take creativity too far and creation have done that to the detriment of the show. We would have left at the interval except that the restaurant was booked for 5 and it was cold and dark outside!

We go to Creation's Christmas show every year and have a fantastic time. This year the Wind in the Willows at the North Wall is just splendid! It's not your average pantomime but a unique, quirky take on a story I sort of remember from years ago. There's fabulous and unexpected music right from the start, and a paper boat on Ratty's head. What more could you ask?! If you can, do go as you'll have such a good time. Don't miss out on the crepes and do give a special cheer for the brilliant youth chorus

I took my two children to see this production yesterday. Overall it was entertaining and the acting was impressive. The costumes were very imaginative and in particular the mice with bras as ears were hilarious. The young ones sang beautifully and ratty and mole were very engaging characters. My youngest was a little frightened by the weasels and the baddies so not sure it's suitable for under 7s particularly the strobe lighting and fight scenes at the end. I loved the theatre and the set but felt it was very hot and airless in the theatre with many of the actors sweating perfusely and as they were in such close proximity to the audience it was a bit gross to be sprayed with sweat. I also felt it was very loud and wonder why the actors needed mics in such a small space. The creperie was a lovely idea but unfortunately our gluten free crepes were inedible. Rubbery and chewy. What a shame because we were really looking forward to these. All in all a good experience and a very friendly front of house team made this a fun evening out.

I have seen several performances by the Creation company and have always been impressed by their imaginative approach to staging - be it Shakespeare or panto, they never disappoint. They do not have a designated theatre but use all kinds of interesting venues in and around Oxford (I loved the 'Mirror Tent' but they haven't used that lately).The current production of 'Wind in the Willows' is great fun for children and adults alike. Fast-moving and just a bit different.I enjoy going to the theatre, local and West End. Much as I love the spectacle of big London shows, it is very expensive. I take grandchildren (7 - 16) to appropriate Creation productions and I think it great for them to see how simple props and costumes can bring a performance to life without all the technological razzmatazz! (We love the pancakes, too)

I love Creation Theatre productions and we took 5 children (7-13yrs) to see Wind in the Willows. The theatre was small and intimate and the performance was amazing - from the Chief Weasel stealing my friends glasses, to the singing, acting and childrens performances. As always the cast's ability to use a variety of objects as props (bra's as mice ears??) is ingenious. Looking forward to 'As you like it' in the summer already.

A great quirky performance of Kenneth Grahame's classic book - and one not to be missed (tickets are still available). Just about followable if you are not familiar with the book although a quick wikipedia look up before the start helped. A lovely Christmas theatre treat.

This was a really cool, really clever remake of the old classic tale. Brilliantly delivered in a way that held the attention throughout. Really nice, intimate setting at the North Wall. The performance made we laugh, sing, and think. Great job!

I have to confess I am a great fan of Creation, but I wasn't sure what they would do with Wind in the Willows especially as a Christmas play. Also, going with teens would they enjoy it. Well, OMG they rocked it - literally. I don't want to give it away but they cover every music genre with some very good acting in between. Some of it is surreal and makes you turn and say what was that, can they do that? I haven't laughed, cried and been so entertained for a long time. Well worth going if you can get a ticket. It works for young and old and grab a mulled wine before hand!

Last minute booking, managed to get a seat at a table front and centre, the performance was excellent, at the begining was a little mistified by the spare seat with it's back to the stage, this became clearer later when Lady Macbeth came and sat with us as part of the performance, by the end Macbeth him self was out of his tree. I don't usually do the tragedies but I'm glad I did.

Saw Creation's production of Macbeth last week and was blown away. The company has found a brilliant venue in the gardens of Lady Margaret Hall and they use the building to great effect throughout.

I always tell people "see Creation". I have watched them avidly for years. However, last night's Macbeth was poor. Creation are getting too clever for their own good - the set dwarfed the performances and our table (we had premium seats on the front row) had problems seeing the actors as they were often too far away, and standing directly in front of stage lights which blinded the audience. We are all Macbeth fans (4 teachers in our group of 6) yet over half of us missed key parts of the play - INCLUDING the critical 'second witches visit' speech - because the sound was so distorted (the cast were so far away they had to use microphones all the time … you often didn't know who was speaking the lines, which made a mockery of the production).Oh by the way - having a cast of only 5 players with no sensible option to cover sickness was pathetic and insulting to the viewers. Too often the players changed roles but we didn't realise that at the time. Hire a standby you cheapskates. Everyone else does.Sadly Creation is putting money ahead of audience enjoyment. We weren't allowed to take our own hampers or drink along (a first for Oxford). See how much the hampers cost. Ludicrous. We paid West End prices for a very poor evening out. The actors were good but the production / direction was execrable. Read between the lines of many of these reviews. This was a very poor performance from a company which is often exemplary. A great shame. Creation, please sort yourself out.

I am a fan of Creation but this Macbeth was a mild disappointment. The back drop of L.M. H. was very imposing but overpowering for this small scale performance. Brilliant acting from the man himself but I did not get The WW1 kit and Lady Macbeth - the most powerful person on stage was dressed out of sync and very unregally. Well lit but I do not take to actors being miked up and amplified; to me this forms a barrier between stage and audience. And all those black flags - had the islamic state come to Oxford ? No recognisable witches and the changes to the script; oh dear.Lets hope for better at Christmas and the Wind in the Willows.

Really enjoyed this adapted production of Macbeth last night. We were very lucky to have such a fine evening to enjoy the wonderful facilities of Lady Margaret Hall and to be amazed by how this Shakespearean masterpiece adapted so well to the Great War Costumes and production in the late 19th century grounds and garden. At first I was confused by the loss of the witches at the introduction, and confused by the use of very efficient microphones and sound system, which made it impossible to identify the position on stage of the speaker at any time. One did get used to this after a while, and the way the stage was used and the six actors managed to fiull all the roles by adapting their dress and accents was impressive. Congratulations to the Creation Theatre Company for a Force de Theatre

The staging and acting in Creation Theatre's performance of Macbeth is simply stunning. Great use of space and lighting.

I am a regular at Creation's summer and winter shows and am never disappointed. This was a new venue and a very beautiful memorable one. I liked the use of the windows and the roof, even if it kept you on your toes wondering where to look next. The sound was very good I thought, the actors could always be clearly heard wherever they were. Macbeth is a complicated story which Shakespeare dives straight into, and with 6 cast members playing all the characters it did get a little confusing at times to know who was who. I should have brushed up on the plot beforehand to have a good chance of keeping up. The use of miminal props was very clever as always and the lighting was excellent. And the small bit of rain added even more atmosphere! Everyone worked hard and Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in particular were very good, they made a riveting couple.Only one small gripe about the food - we ordered a hamper for four (£46) but I thought it was rather overpriced for what we got.