Oxonmoot 2024

Following the success of our inaugural #OxonRun last year, this year we'll be doing it again - only this time we will be joining the official University Parks parkrun for a 5k run in the beautiful surroundings of Oxford University parks, just a few minutes warm-up jog from St Anne's. This has the advantage that runners and walkers can all go at their own pace within the context of the event.

Join Mike (the running elf from the 2020 costume masquerade...), shake out the cobwebs, and set yourself up for the second half of Oxonmoot.

Meet at the Porters Lodge at 8:30am so we can get across to the event in good time - the run itself starts at 9:00am.

Please ensure you have registered with parkrun before the event, and don't forget to bring your parkrun barcode with you. Details of the route can be found here.

Are you interested in becoming a Smial Organiser?
Maybe you're thinking about starting a local or online Smial, but you're not quite sure how to get started.

Well, you're in luck! We're hosting a friendly get-together for Smial Organisers, and you're invited to join us!
This event is all about making connections, meeting new friends, sharing ideas, and getting and giving advice. Running a Smial may seem overwhelming at first, but it's also a fantastic and enjoyable experience. If you're curious to learn more and hear firsthand from experienced organizers, we would love to have you come and join us!

This meet-up is super laid-back and casual, and our Smial Co-ordinator will be there to guide the conversation.

Plus, just by attending, you'll be entered into a draw to win a fabulous prize!
Hope to see you there!

This screening will aim to show episodes 2-3 for those who missed the fist night screening.

Once again, we have the pleasure of of starting Oxonmoot on the same weekend as the release of the new Rings of Power TV series season. For those who wish to have a communal in-person experince, we will put the episodes on in the lecture theatres. Details of this event may change as we learn more about episode length, etc.

Information TBC

Brian is happy to sign your books, including the new Maps edition, and the 2025 calendar, which can be obtained on site from Dealers.

Please queue along the basement and be mindful of everyone's time!

An Oxonmoot Institution. Former Archivist and editor of Mallorn Len Sanford shares a sample of the 3,000 pieces of Tolkien artwork he has collected over the years – some serious, some less so. Audience participation is essential!

Ever thought that a bit of fresh air and exercise would be a good thing at Oxonmoot? But not feeling able to do the full Hobbit Hike?

Join Maggie on a gentle stroll (approximately 2 miles) across the University Parks and along the banks of the Cherwell.

Please wear sensible shoes and bring water. Note that in the event of inclement weather this may be cancelled or re-arranged at short notice.

Sound Check for those performing live "Entertainments" during the evening. We will be in touch to get people to sign up for a slot within this time.

Please contact Helen at ents@oxonmoot.org to discuss details

Ever since the 1960s the composer has been working on sketches, fragments and episodes for what was envisaged as a cycle of musical works based upon The Lord of the Rings. Following on from the success of the recordings of The Silmarillion Paul was persuaded to go back to these beginnings and fully explore, expand and complete the work which has now evolved as “musical chapters from The Lord of the Rings”. This fully operatic setting has now become a companion work on the same scale as The Silmarillion. This adaptation takes place over thirty “chapters” designed to be performed over six evenings – over fifteen hours of music.

This work is currently in the process of recording by Volante Opera and it is anticipated that Prima Facie will release a demo recording of the complete cycle, in the same manner as their Silmarillion recordings, in 2025.

The professional singers, some thirty in number, come mainly from Welsh National Opera. Returning artists from The Silmarillion include: Simon Crosby Buttle as Frodo, Julian Boyce as Sam, Philip Lloyd-Evans as Gandalf, Stephen Wells as Aragorn, Michael Clifton-Thompson as Gollum, Helen Jarmany as Éowyn, Huw Llywelyn as Bilbo, Emma Mary Llewellyn as Arwen, Laurence Cole as Boromir/Denethor, Martin Lloyd as Treebeard/Herb Master, Helen Greenaway as Lobelia/Ioreth, Rosie Hay as Gwaihir, Sophie Yelland as the Barrow-Wight, Louise Ratcliffe as Lindir with George Newton-Fitzgerald and Jasey Hall taking on a plethora of roles.  Angharad Morgan will also be reprising her role as Galadriel from The Silmarillion.

In this session, following on from the excerpts from The Silmarillion yesterday, the composer will play some preliminary tracks from the forthcoming recording - including some sections such as the settings of The Field of Cormallen, the opening of The Houses of Healing and the encounter between Éowyn and the Witch-king, all which will be heard for the first time in public. We hope that some of the singers involved will be able to attend the recital.

The bar in the marquee behind the Mary Ogilvie Lecture Theatre will be open daily 3pm-midnight with last orders at 11.40pm.

Panellists TBC.

So what did we make of the first 3 episodes of Season 2, and how does Season 1 hold up after 2 years?

Technical rehearsal for those taking part in the Masquerade during the evening. All in person Masqueraders should attend

Please contact Mike at masquerade@oxonmoot.org to discuss details