New Theatre Oxford

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. Forbidden to perform plays during the University terms, the lessee of the theatre resorted to presenting ‘concerts’ or music hall entertainment and by 1880 the theatre had become quite run down.

At the instigation of members of both town and gown a company was formed to raise money for a theatre to be used by University and town players as well as by professionals. In February 1886 the Oxford University Dramatic Society opened the second New Theatre with ‘Twelfth Night’. Designed by H.G.W. Drinkwater and with a 1000-seat capacity the second New Theatre was damaged by fire in 1892 and altered in 1908, when the seating capacity was increased to 1200.

In 1908 the Dorrill family took over the New Theatre and ran the venue for the next sixty-four years. In 1933 Stanley Dorrill determined to build ‘the most luxurious and comfortable house of entertainment in England’ and commissioned a new building from the well known theatre architects William and T.R. Milburn of Sunderland. The Milburns co-operated on the art-deco interior with T.P Bennett and Sons (who had designed the Saville Theatre in London). The Milburns extensive theatre oeuvre included the Sunderland Empire and London’s Dominion Theatre.

The third New Theatre opened in February 1934 and with a wonderful revolving stage (mechanism extant) and increased capacity of 2000 (1,710 seated) attracted all the great dramatic actors, popular and operatic singers and musicians, music-hall entertainers and matinee idols of the age to Oxford. The New’s renowned annual pantomimes (with Vera Legge’s famous Oxford Babes during the war years) became an Oxford family ritual.

This was the golden age lasting until the advent of television in the 1950’s when running large theatres became increasingly difficult.

In latter days musicals and play productions were supplemented by pop and rock concerts.  In 1972 the Dorrills were bought out 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.

The theatre is now owned by The Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) who are the biggest theatre owners in the country, owning 40 theatres across the UK.

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 1785 and the building is not listed.

To enquire about hiring the venue please email jamiebaskeyfield@theambassadors.com

The New Theatre has a magnificent three tier auditorium with a traditional proscenium arch stage and seating capacity of 1,785, making it suitable for one-off hires, conference and events.

Club Lounge VIP Experience
For as little as £15 per person, turn a special visit to the theatre into a very special visit and upgrade to Club Lounge VIP! For more information please email oxfordgroups@theambassadors.com.

 

Do you want to work in theatre when you leave school?

If the answer is yes then the New Theatre offer students a one week placement offering experience in all of our departments. You will need to be aged 14 or above, you will also need to be able to work a minimum of three evenings in your week for us to be able to show you everything that goes on behind the scenes. You will need to have a strong interest in all aspects of theatre life as our placements are not specific to one department. The New Theatre is what is known as a receiving house: this means we are unable to offer experience in acting, hair & make up, costumes & dressing, and music.

Groups and Marketing: You will learn how groups can book their tickets through our specially trained staff. You will also learn what marketing activity goes into selling a show, how targets and budget are met and maybe even produce your own marketing plan.

Sound & Lighting: You will learn about the work that goes into lighting a show and help with the sound for a performance.

Stage: You will be given a full backstage tour and work with our stage manager for a performance, watching the performance from behind the scenes.

Box Office: You will learn how ticket prices are set and how to sell tickets to the public.

Front of House: You will see how customer service works from taking tickets and showing patrons to their seats to selling ice creams and even watching a bit of the performance.

If you think you fit the bill and would like to apply to do your work experience with us, please download the application form and either email it to  AjaJackson@theambassadors.com or send it to the below address.

FAO Aja Jackson
The New Theatre
George Street
Oxford
OX1 2AG

Please be advised that we receive a high number of applications and have limited availability. Please patient whilst waiting for a reply.

Click here to download your application form
 

Stage Experience 2012

After much consideration we have decided to not produce a Stage Experience this summer. The summer weeks have been identified as the only available time in our 2012 calendar for the theatre to carry out refurbishment work of the circle auditorium, and unfortunately we cannot run a full scale Stage Experience at the same time.

We will look into producing a Stage Experience again in 2013 and beyond. If you are interested in learning more about either the theatre improvements or the Stage Experience please check our website, Facebook and Twitter pages.

To be added to our Stage Experience mailing list please send your email address to kerryarnold@theambassadors.com.

For information on corporate hire of the theatre or the bar areas please email jamiebaskeyfield@theambassadors.com.