Who We Are & FAQ
WHO WE ARE
Our official blurb always says something like:
OULES was refounded in Michaelmas term 1999 by one James Needham who is also wanted in connection with similar deeds in Cambridge. Auditions for our first production, Dick Whittington, were duly held and we managed to cobble together a cast in time for our dress rehearsal. We've now grown to the extent that we need to write new parts into plays so everyone who wants can have one. Somehow we still always achieve that last-minute panic, though, when a fairy has the flu, we lose our venue at the last minute, half the cast can't find the school, the king doesn't get up in time, etc etc. But the show must, and always does, go on. I'd say they are always brilliant, but I've been in nearly all of them so that might sound a bit bad - never mind, I wasn't in Good Show, Jeeves!, so I saw every performance and I don't think I've ever laughed so much.
Somehow we have acquired (given ourselves?!) the reputation of being the least serious drama group in Oxford. Which basically means we're not a bunch of luvvies. Not to say that all the rest of the drama groups are, of course...
We're always on the look out for other hospitals, schools and retirement homes who would be deserving of our attentions, and so if you are one of the above, situated in the Oxford area (i.e. within easy bus ride or are able to come and fetch us), and have an area suitable for a bunch of students to prance around in, then let us know, and we'll do our very best to get to you.
The origins of OULES are lost in the mists of space and time. Also they are lost since the society folded some time in the mid-90s, but before that legend has it that a band of nutters flourished and performed wonderful comedy of the genuinely amusing variety, and some people (well, Noga and Cath) believe that Rowan Atkinson and Oscar Wilde were members.OULES is a non-profit making group dedicated to putting on shows for those who cannot normally travel to the theatre, taking plays to special needs schools, hospitals and retirement homes. We are a small, informal group and aim to encourage first time actors, directors and writers.
OULES was refounded in Michaelmas term 1999 by one James Needham who is also wanted in connection with similar deeds in Cambridge. Auditions for our first production, Dick Whittington, were duly held and we managed to cobble together a cast in time for our dress rehearsal. We've now grown to the extent that we need to write new parts into plays so everyone who wants can have one. Somehow we still always achieve that last-minute panic, though, when a fairy has the flu, we lose our venue at the last minute, half the cast can't find the school, the king doesn't get up in time, etc etc. But the show must, and always does, go on. I'd say they are always brilliant, but I've been in nearly all of them so that might sound a bit bad - never mind, I wasn't in Good Show, Jeeves!, so I saw every performance and I don't think I've ever laughed so much.
Somehow we have acquired (given ourselves?!) the reputation of being the least serious drama group in Oxford. Which basically means we're not a bunch of luvvies. Not to say that all the rest of the drama groups are, of course...
We're always on the look out for other hospitals, schools and retirement homes who would be deserving of our attentions, and so if you are one of the above, situated in the Oxford area (i.e. within easy bus ride or are able to come and fetch us), and have an area suitable for a bunch of students to prance around in, then let us know, and we'll do our very best to get to you.
Do you need to be able to act to join?
No! We take anyone, whatever their experience or ability. We pride ourselves on being the least serious drama group in Oxford, and we spend far more time eating biscuits and having a laugh than concentrating on dramatic motivation. But that doesn't mean our plays aren't worth seeing. We have great scripts and a collection of very talented actors who accidentally found their way in. And it's loads of fun watching a play when everyone on-stage is clearly enjoying themselves.Do you need to be a member of Oxford University to join?
No. Proctor's rules say that 4/5 of our members have to be in the university, but that's not a problem at the moment. You do need to be able to get to most rehearsals though, and be able to make performances at schools, hospitals and old people's homes. These will almost certainly be in office hours.Do you need to be an alcoholic to join?
NO!!! None of us are alcoholic, honest! If there's a certain amount about alcohol on these pages, well, um, some of us drink, and then we do silly things worth writing about. But the majority aren't pissheads, there's even some teetotallers.So how do I join then?
Get in touch! Email a committee member or get me to put you on a mailing list. Check the news page to see if there are any auditions coming up. These will generally be at the beginning of every term, but contact us any time. We'll usually be able to fit you in as an extra, if we don't still have any major parts empty...I've just missed auditions - can I still have a part?
Ask the director - check on the news page for their email address.What sort of plays do you perform?
See past shows for a list of what we've done so far. We normally do a pantomime in Michaelmas term, and take it to special needs schools. In Hilary we take a comedy to old people's homes - usually a cut version of an oldish play or story so they'll recognise it. In the summer we do a charity performance, just for the general public. The other plays can't be more than an hour long, because of our special audiences, but for the summer one we have scope to do something massive, like The Three Musketeers.Can I read your old scripts?
I'm afraid not, unless you're already a member - the scriptwriters don't want them to be generally available. If you are a member, we have a few online here but you'll need to know the password... ask me or a committee member if you don't. If you aren't a member but really desperately want one of the scripts, I suppose you could email the committee and ask them to send you contact details and begging letter to the person who wrote the script.Do you perform Serious Drama?
No. You want OUDS for that. Everything we do is Lightly Entertaining. See?What's an OULES cocktail?
It's when you lie someone on their back and pour cheap fizzy wine straight down their throat. See drinks.What are Flosscars?
Our annual award ceremony/AGM/party. See Flosscars.What's VOLES?
Varsity Oxbridge Light Entertainment Society - blame Needham for the spurious acronym. It's our summer holiday, complete with rehearsals, performances and people from Cambridge (specifically, people from Cambridge University Light Entertainment Society).What's Needham, then?
James Needham is our founding father, a charming gentleman addicted to puns and gin. Careful research has not yet shown that there is anything that cannot justifiably be blamed on him.What's ALES?
Alumni Light Entertainment Society - for those who have grown old but not up. Ben Parker is the current president. Let him know if you want to be on the email list - it's not strictly Alumni - only, just those of that generation.How on Earth do you have a Varsity Match?
The way it worked last year is this:Charley's Aunt, the much-shortened three-act OULES version.
Act 1: the Cambridge cast (playing the spurious word game)
Act 2: the Oxford cast (playing the suprious word game)(with far more style and panache)
Act 3: half the Oxford cast, half the Cambridge cast, trying to make each other forget their lines or corpse.
It's for the notional honour of your respective Light Entertainment Societies, and of course for Clarence the Dragon, who we stole years ago. There is a vicious rumour that all is not well with Clarence, but in fact he is in fine fettle since the being-given-a-bath incident. In fact I've worn him at Freshers' Fair since.