An actress taking centre stage in the Oxford Theatre Guild's latest production has shaved her head to help her get in character.

The Oxford Theatre Guild, an amateur theatre company which performs regularly at the Oxford Playhouse and the Old Fire Station, in George Street, is putting on Wit, by Margaret Edson, to launch its autumn season.

The production opens at the North Wall Arts Centre, in South Parade, Summertown, on Wednesday and runs until Saturday.

It will be the first time the Oxford Theatre Guild has staged a performance at the centre.

Helen McGregor, who lives on a houseboat in Oxford in between theatrical engagements, plays Dr Vivian Bearing, a successful scholar who is diagnosed with cancer and is under study in a university hospital.

She decided to shave her head as part of her preparation for the role, to try to gain some insight into the impact of coping with a terminal illness.

She said: "This is one of the most challenging roles I have done, but it's a fantastic play.

"I'm delighted to get a chance to perform at the North Wall — it's a lovely venue for audiences and actors."

The production will raise money for the charity Dipex, which supports patients, families, carers and health workers through its websites healthtalkonline.org and youthhealthtalk.org which provide information on about 50 different conditions.

Half the production's profits will be donated to the charity.

Performances are at 8pm, with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. Tickets cost £12 and £10 and can be bought by calling 01865 319450.

Oxford Theatre Guild's next production, My Mother Said I Never Should, will be staged at the Pegasus Theatre, in Magdalen Road, from November 13 to 15.

For more details, go to oxfordtheatreguild.comess taking centre stage in the Oxford Theatre Guild's latest production has shaved her head to help her get in character.

The Oxford Theatre Guild, an amateur theatre company which performs regularly at the Oxford Playhouse and the Old Fire Station, in George Street, is putting on Wit, by Margaret Edson, to launch its autumn season.

The production opens at the North Wall Arts Centre, in South Parade, Summertown, on Wednesday and runs until Saturday.

It will be the first time the Oxford Theatre Guild has staged a performance at the centre.

Helen McGregor, who lives on a houseboat in Oxford in between theatrical engagements, plays Dr Vivian Bearing, a successful scholar who is diagnosed with cancer and is under study in a university hospital.

She decided to shave her head as part of her preparation for the role, to try to gain some insight into the impact of coping with a terminal illness.

She said: "This is one of the most challenging roles I have done, but it's a fantastic play.

"I'm delighted to get a chance to perform at the North Wall — it's a lovely venue for audiences and actors."

The production will raise money for the charity Dipex, which supports patients, families, carers and health workers through its websites healthtalkonline.org and youthhealthtalk.org which provide information on about 50 different conditions.

Half the production's profits will be donated to the charity.

Performances are at 8pm, with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. Tickets cost £12 and £10 and can be bought by calling 01865 319450.

Oxford Theatre Guild's next production, My Mother Said I Never Should, will be staged at the Pegasus Theatre, in Magdalen Road, from November 13 to 15.

For more details, go to oxfordtheatreguild.com