Portals and Parallels: Oxford’s Hidden Worlds

Offering a unique window into often overlooked aspects of the city of Oxford, “Portals and Parallels" is an exploration of the duality that defines this place, blending elements of theatre, comedy, spoken word, visual art, music and more.    

Drawing from his own experiences as a long-term resident of the Leys, and his recent unexpected involvement in various projects with the city's University, Rawz weaves a tapestry of poems, songs, articles, talks and stories into a narrative, charting his journeys through Oxford's contrasting worlds.   

More than a performance; it's a sharing of his life story in the context of this world-renowned city, with its contradictions and hidden secrets. Designed to leave a lasting impact on the audience by looking at the fabric of modern Britain (and the world) through a narrowly focused lens, we explore how society functions and interrogate the complex interplay between socio-economic worlds, contributing to a conversation that will continue long after the show has finished.  

Not quite a sequel to his headline at last year’s festival, this updated, extended and enhanced version of Rawz' first ever one-man theatre show will offer a deeper exploration of the city's dual identity. Coming from Greater Leys, one of the UK's most under-privileged wards, and leaving school without GCSEs, Rawz' journey into the heart of global elitism and academia was unexpected, but from this unique vantage point, he can tell a story that this city desperately needs to hear.