01/09/2026
Super excited to announce the cast of When the Blackbird Sings, opening on September 23rd!
This is the story of Paulette, who was born in Jamaica, crossed an ocean to expand her horizons and now, in 1966, she is determined to change the world. She hopes you will come along for the ride.
Join us in Blackbird Leys for a warm welcome and the start of a glorious odyssey through the city of Oxford. You will meet remarkable pioneers, passionate changemakers, a patron saint and fellow humans simply trying to survive. You will be invited to hop aboard a bus* to travel back to the 8th Century and forward to the 21st on a quest to find ancestors on whose shoulders Paulette can stand. We will end our journey at the new Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities, with truth in our mouths and hope in our hearts.
Charlyne Francis playing Paulette
Ella Afghahi playing Huda
Timothy Harker playing Johannes
Eloise Sheffield playing Frideswide and other characters
Lydia Danistan playing Catherine Singh and other characters
Joey Akubeze playing Alain and other characters
Alex Ansdell playing Reverend Milford and other characters
