Theatre TIM FIRTH’S CALENDAR GIRLS The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury November 23 and 24, November 28-December 1, at 7.45pm Box office: 01295 279002 Based on the Miramax film, screenplay by Juliette Towhidi and Tim Firth. Banbury Cross Players’ very own group of extraordinary women are thrilled to join forces with hundreds of other women across the globe to raise both awareness of and funds for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research in the shape of this extraordinary theatrical event. “I was thrilled to have had so much interest in this”, says director Clare Lester, “as nudity isn’t usually what’s called for in amateur theatre!” Music CAVALERI STRING QUARTET Holywell Music Room, Oxford Wednesday, November 28, 8pm Box office: 01865 305305 or ticketsoxford.com Following their first residency in January for the Oxford University Faculty of Music, the quartet return with: Mozart’s String Quartet No. 15 in D minor K421, Bartok’s String Quartet No. 3 and Brahms’s String Quartet No. 2 in A minor. The quartet’s Oxford residency is funded by the Radcliffe Trust. Anna Harpham, Anne Beilby, Ciaran McCabe and Rowena Calvert will work with student performers and composers and interact with academic staff. Winners of 2011 Royal Overseas League Competition and the Special Prize at 2011 Premio Paolo Borciani International String Quartet Competition, the Cavaleri Quartet was selected for the Countess of Munster Recital Scheme, for 2011/12.

Theatre WHERE’s FATHER CHRISTMAS?

Burton Taylor Studio December 11-30, various times Box office: 01865 305305 oxfordplayhouse.com From the same team who created last year’s sell-out Dear Father Christmas comes a new show for ages three to six. A delightful, interactive, festive adventure set in the intimate setting of the BT Studio, Where’s Father Christmas is the perfect introduction to theatre for small children. Children can also stay and play free after each performance. Tickets are already selling fast, so book now.

Comedy SEAN HUGHES Arlington Arts Centre, Newbury November 17, 8pm Box office: 01635 244246 or arlingtonarts.co.uk One of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe’s surprise hits of 2012 was Sean Hughes: Life Becomes Noises, a comedy about the death of the Irish comedian’s father last year. Here is a comedy performance from Sean like you’ve never seen before, resulting in what has been hailed “the feelgood show of the year”. The poignant tale supplies an insight into the lighter side of dying and getting older, going to places that comedy rarely goes. Since he shot to fame in 1990 (winning the Perrier Comedy Award), Sean has remained a loved cult figure from his Channel 4 hit Sean’s Show; an extended residency on Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Around Ireland with a Fridge.

Art EYNSHAM ART GROUP AUTUMN EXHIBITION Bartholomew Room, Market Square November 24-Dec 2, 10am-4pm It may be a season of mists and freezing winds, but find mellow fruitfulness here in the last week of November. Once again, members of the Eynsham Art Group will show their best work. You will be welcome just to browse, maybe to invest in some original works of art at reasonable prices, or buy some cards for Christmas and the New Year.