Delusions and Grandeur
05 July @ 3.00pm
About Delusions and Grandeur
Outstanding Theatre Award Winner at Edinburgh Fringe 2025.
Come for the music, stay for the existential crisis as genre-blurring jester and cellist Karen Hall peels back the layers of formality leaving you with only the humanity and insanity of the artist behind the instrument. And yourself.
Featuring Suite Number One in G Major by JS Bach and personal comedic pieces crafted in Idiot classes, Karen fuses in a healthy dose of pathos tackling identity, expectations, and success through the eyes of a fool.
If you’ve ever questioned “what am I doing with my life?” this is the show for you. Karen Hall seems to know exactly what she’s doing with her life. On the surface anyway. Over the next 80 minutes you will watch her strip back, literally and figuratively, the layers of what and why to the how she got here moments.
“She’s casually conversational one moment, teetering on the edge of insanity the next.” (King River Magazine) and as she takes her journey you’ll take yours. What is the ultimate cost of mastery? And do you become what you do?
Also, she plays the cello really well.
What the Critics Say:
“A thought-provoking, inventive and emotional hour of storytelling that is bursting with talent.” ★★★★★
North West End
“Comic timing as impeccable as her playing.” ★★★★
Everything Theatre UK
“Beyond the laughs and beautiful music are ideas and admissions aplenty… A show as special as Delusions and Grandeur will not soon escape the memory.” ★★★★★
The Recs Edinburgh
“Karen Hall is a performer of great warmth and charm, who has mastered the art of captivating an audience.” ★★★★
Wee Review, Edinburgh
“This show is a delightful combination of storytelling, humour and glorious music. Highly recommended.” ★★★★
Sydney Arts Guide
“If you get the chance, don’t just watch Karen Hall—listen to her.” ★★★★
The Alternative Gig Guide (Melbourne)
“Hall finds a highwire on which she balances her act between transcendence and goofiness.”
Stage Raw Los Angeles
“This is clowning with no buffoonery or pratfalls.”
The TVolution (Los Angeles)
“Studies show that people forget up to 80% of what they hear within 24 hours. You will not forget Karen Hall.”
Fringe Review Edinburgh
Reviews
“A thought-provoking, inventive and emotional hour of storytelling that is bursting with talent.” ★★★★★
North West End
“Comic timing as impeccable as her playing.” ★★★★
Everything Theatre UK
“As irreverent as it is poignant.”
Australian Arts Review
WINNER Best Solo Performance Los Angeles Theatre 2025
Stage Raw
WINNER Outstanding Theatre Edinburgh Fringe 2025
Fringe Review
WINNER Best in Music 2025
Adelaide Fringe Judges Weekly Pick
Tickets
Please see important booking information below.
Booking information
Ticket prices:
£10.00 to £20.00
Dates & times:
Sunday 05 July 2026 at 3.00pm
Running time:
1 hour 20 minutes
Age guidance:
9+
Content guidance:
This show contains brief mentions of mental health.
About The Old Fire Station
The Old Fire Station in Oxford is an arts centre with a unique social mission, combining creativity with community impact. Located in the city centre, it hosts a vibrant programme of theatre, exhibitions, music, comedy, and workshops.
It shares its space with the homelessness charity Crisis Skylight Oxford, supporting people experiencing homelessness through training and opportunities in the arts. By bringing artists, audiences, and vulnerable communities together, The Old Fire Station aims to challenge inequality and inspire positive change.
Discover more about The Old Fire Station, including travel, access and venue information.
