The savage power of ancient myth collides with 20th-century decadence in Oscar Wilde’s astonishing verse tragedy Salome, a dazzling and shocking study of erotic obsession.

Salome is the step-daughter of King Herod who agrees to perform the mysterious dance of the seven veils but demands in return the head of the King’s most infamous prisoner – John the Baptist This seldom-seen masterpiece is brought to the stage in a vividly contemporary production at Oxford Playhouse from Tuesday June 1 to Saturday June 5.

Five lucky winners can win a pair of tickets for the production on June 1 as part of the Oxford Mail and Oxford Playhouse’s Great Theatre Giveaway, if you can answer this question: l Who was King Herod’s most infamous prisoner?

A. John Major B. John the Baptist C. John Lennon Either email katherine.macalister@nqo.com, write to Katherine MacAlister, Great Theatre Give-Away, The Guide, Newsquest, Osney Mead, Oxford. OX2 0EJ, with your answers on a postcard, or ring 01865 425366 and leave a message with the correct answer by Tuesday May 25, stating your full name, address and daytime telephone number (most important!). Normal Newsquest rules apply. You will be notified by phone or email. Good luck!

Tickets for Salome are available from the Oxford Playhouse box office on 01865 305305 or online at www.oxfordplayhouse.com.

Winners of the tickets for Cider With Rose on Tuesday are Edith Wilson of Park Town, Barry Neil of Bicester, Keith Wilson of Bicester, Vivienne Millward of Bicester and Rebecca Andrews of Kennington.

Winners to see Paperworld on May 30 are Helen Gaen from Oxford and Sandra Fenton from Witney.