Toast at the Oxford Playhouse Review
Toast
Oxford Playhouse
16-20 February 2016
Reviewed by Deb Narciso
The Oxford Playhouse is located in the centre of Oxford. Oxford has a very efficient park and ride service offering car parks on all approaches to the city and the service is cheap and efficient. However, should you wish to drive into the city, parking for the evening is very easy, efficient and reasonably priced. I used the Gloucester Green car park which was less than 5 minutes walk from the theatre. The theatre itself is well maintained with welcoming and friendly staff.
As the theatre is well positioned in the centre of the city there are plenty of choices of places to eat varying from Jamie’s Italian, Zizzi and several other big chains to local cafes, pubs and coffee shops. All were open and had tables available.
The venue itself has a bar for pre theatre and interval drinks with a small selection of food and snacks available.
Toast was first staged in 1999 and launched the career of writer Richard Bean (more recently acclaimed for One Man Two Guvnors) and was inspired by Bean’s own experiences of working on a bread production line in the mid 1970’s in Hull. This production at the Oxford Playhouse is the start of a UK tour which will then move to The Brits off Broadway Festival in New York later in the year.
Wonderfully directed by Eleanor Rhode, the all male cast led by Matthew Kelly is brilliant. Based in the break room of the bread factory we meet the men who operate the production line in 2’s and 3’s as they have their smoke break or 30 minute meal break. As a group they represent ‘Everyman’ – one always happy, one upwardly mobile, one Lothario, the young one, the ‘mad’ one, the one of little words and finally the charge hand covering his back. The casting is excellent as much of the script relies on comic timing and the characters are well chosen. This play will only get better as they settle into the run and the words become second nature.
A word of caution – the play comes with a 14+ guidance due to the quality and quantity of the swearing in the production! However it feels entirely appropriate in the male dominated workplace scenario featured here and soon, for me, faded to the background of this otherwise comic piece.
Without giving too much away the breaking down of the oven brings a darker more serious element to the play and certainly makes us realise how far health and safety has come since the mid 1970’s! While the story of bread production is very much of its time the camaraderie amongst the men still has a modern feel to it which in itself is timeless.
My final mention goes to the programme – the written piece about loaves and fishes and the changing face of hull was a fascinating read and helped with the understanding of the characters.
A brilliant, funny night out!
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £15 to £31 (booking fees may apply).
Toast is at the Oxford Playhouse until 20 February 2016. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 01865 305305.
Oxford Playhouse, Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2LW | 01865 305305
