A double bill of theatre, poetry and music to whisk you back to the days of World War II when a shortage of crews to keep the working boats going brought a new breed of boater to the canal. Young women, later nicknamed ‘Idle Women’, took on the challenge of managing a pair of 72ft narrow boats and 50 tons of cargo. After a successful summer tour recreating the journey the trainees worked, Alarum are presenting a limited number of shows on the Oxford canal.
Here’s what the press and audience have had to say about Isobel’s War (Kate Saffin) and Idle Women and Judies (Heather Wastie)!

Both women are exceptional storytellers, their performances brimming over with personality and linguistic virtuosity. London City Nights
A great show. Touching, funny & illuminating – a window onto a wartime world of some remarkable women.
A delight to have such an enjoyable event a short walk from my house!