Oxford premiere explores online loneliness through fragmented music theatre

Jennifer Walshe and Philip Venables’ first collaboration, *The Alonetimes*, received its UK premiere in Oxford. The music theatre work uses six performers and a fragmented series of scenes to explore online culture, loneliness and everyday relationships, mixing frenetic music with moments of quiet beauty.

There is no single linear plot: performers shift between unnamed roles, singing, playing instruments and speaking as a chorus. The text ranges from internet slang and dating app jokes to poetic observations, while the production features dance, projected messages and comic monologues; reviewer highlights included Oskar McCarthy’s over-65s aerobics instructor.