Things to See in Oxfordshire

There has been a theatre on the corner of George Street for almost 170 years. The first theatre built in 1836 was known commonly as the ‘Vic’, and later as the ‘Theatre Royale’ after the company that played there. In 1972 the theatre was bought by the provincial theatre chain Howard and Wyndham, and in 1977 Apollo Leisure took over the lease of the theatre renaming it ‘The Apollo.’ Apollo Leisure were bought out by SFX in 1999, followed by Clear Channel Entertainment in 2001. Following a refurbishment in 2003 the theatre reverted back to the name New Theatre, with Clear Channel Entertainment's theatre division becoming Live Nation two years later. Audiences at the theatre can once again see leading opera and ballet companies, from Welsh National Opera to the English National Ballet, contemporary dance, hit musicals like Chicago and Guys and Dolls, and of course sell-out pop concerts. The venue’s current capacity is 1,800 and the building is not listed.  The New Theatre has public bars, where visitors can enjoy pre-theatre and interval drinks. The bars a typically open one hour prior to show time.

 

 

 

The OFS Studio Theatre is managed by Live Nation and is sister venue to the New Theatre Oxford. The OFS Studio consists of a studio theatre, a new dressing room block, and a nightclub. The theatre seats 169 in raked seating and 'end on' stage and is unlike any other venue of its size; with balcony levels, a flown lighting grid and metrodeck staging it lends itself well to various staging applications. The infamous spiral staircase takes the company beneath the Studio to five newly refurbished dressing rooms and Green Room.  There is a kiosk available in the Foyer, selling sweets, soft drinks, wine and beer & popcorn. Friday night tickets can gain you free entry into the OFS Club. The OFS Studio runs a complete calendar of performances.

The Burton Taylor Studio is a small 50-seater studio theatre situated at the top of two flights of stairs, around the corner from Oxford Playhouse. During each eight-week University term, it plays host to a wide variety of student productions. Outside of term time, it stages professional work from the best small-scale touring companies.

 

The Oxford Playhouse was founded in the 1920s and is today a vibrant presenting theatre.  In its repertory years’ the theatre saw the likes of Sir John Gielgud, Dame Judi Dench and Sir Ian McKellen, perform on its stage. The Oxford Playhouse is now a key date on the national touring circuit, staging drama, dance, music, music theatre and children's theatre, and they are taking an active role in producing, launching and commissioning new work.

 

A fantastic night out at a West End show awaits with an unforgettable London theatre evening. Enjoy top seats at a musical or combine your theatre tickets with a pre-theatre dinner and even an overnight stay at a hotel in the heart of London. Click on the banner below for more information.