About New Theatre Oxford - Information center

What parking choices are available near the New Theatre Oxford?

Park and ride: Parking in the city centre is strictly limited and it is recommended to use the city park and ride service. A bus service links four car parks located adjacent to the ring road with the City centre. These car parks are: Peartree (to the north, off A34). Thornhill (to the east, off A40). Redbridge (to the south, off A4142). Seacourt (to the west, off A34). Nearest City Centre Car Park: Gloucester Green, accessed via Beaumont Street.

Seating Charts of New Theatre Oxford

The map provided below is not indicative of current availability. Seating charts depict the venue's general layout at this moment, and for certain events, the arrangement and precise seat allocations may change without prior notification.

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Is there seating available for individuals with accessibility needs in New Theatre Oxford?

The venue is accessible to disabled patrons Wide street level entrance Lowered counter at box office Accessible toilets at ground level Lift to take wheelchair users to the wheelchair seating area For further details please email [email protected] Infrared loop system fitted please speak to a member of staff for assistance on arrival. Guide dogs are welcome in the auditorium

What are the New Theatre Oxford, box office hours?

Monday - Saturday: The venue Box Office opens at 12.00 Noon If there is no performance, the Box Office closes at 16.00 If there is a performance, the Box Office closes 15 minutes after the show starts. Please call the theatre on 01865 320760 for more information. For group Bookings (10+) Call : 0844 844 2121 Equal Access Bookings Telephone : 01865 320770 Email Enquires : [email protected]

What are the guidelines of New Theatre Oxford, for will call ticket pickup?

Collect from the venue on the day of the show during box office opening hours. Take the credit card used to make the booking and Ticketmaster reference number with you. The cardholder will be required to sign for the tickets.

New Theatre Oxford - standard guidelines and regulations

Recording of the event is solely at the artists / producers discretion. Show specific notices are on display in the main entrance foyer. Drinking water only is allowed to be brought into the theatre. Drinks purchased from our bars can be taken into the auditorium, unless the show / artist has dictated otherwise (information will be on display in the main entrance foyer) Smoking is strictly prohibited anywhere on the premises. Customers can smoke in Victoria Court but will be asked to present their tickets again when re-entering.

Are children allowed to New Theatre Oxford?

Under 5s will not be admitted, other than to those shows that have been deemed “Family” performances. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Parents and/or supervisors are responsible for supervising children in their care at all times and supervision of children shall be not less than 1 adult per 10 children. The Management reserves the right to ask parents / supervisors to remove children if, in the opinion of the Management, they are causing a disturbance

New Theatre Oxford ADA

New Theatre Oxford - ADA Phones:

New Theatre Oxford: 0333 009 5399

New Theatre Oxford - ADA custom copy:

To better accommodate your needs, New Theatre Oxford has requested that all special seating accommodations be solicited only through their representatives. Please contact a New Theatre Oxford representative for further help with your ticket purchase.* Advance ticket purchase may be required. * Box office information is subject to change.

New Theatre Oxford - ADA hours:

Non-Show Days: Mon – Sat 12:00 to 16:00 Show Days, as above, but please note: For early morning children / family shows, box office typically opens at 9.00am. Box office typically closes 15mins after the ticketed start time for evening performances, Monday – Sunday. Please call the theatre on 01865 320760 for more information. For group Bookings (10+) Call : 0333 009 5392 (10:00 - 18:00 Mon - Fri) Equal Access Bookings Telephone : 0333 009 5392 Email Enquires : [email protected]

Reviews and news for “New Theatre Oxford”

• Dead Ringers – 25th Anniversary Tour at New Theatre Oxford  LondonTheatre1
  
• LIVE REVIEW: Public Service Broadcasting at New Theatre, Oxford:  Oxford Mail
  
• REVIEW: Judging by the standing ovation, War Horse at New Theatre Oxford has lost none of its dramatic impact, despite its brutal WW1 narrative  Ox In A Box
  
• Review: NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL A MUSICAL, New Theatre Oxford - Tour  West End Best Friend
  
• Sophie Ellis Bextor  Bicester Advertiser
  

New Theatre Oxford (formerly the Apollo Theatre Oxford and The Apollo, from 1977–2003) is the main commercial theatre in Oxford, England. It has a capacity of 1,785 people; is on George Street, in the centre of the city; and puts on a wide variety of shows, including musical theatre, stand-up comedy, and concerts.

The first "New Theatre" on this site opened in 1836 and presented music hall entertainment. This was replaced in 1886 by new premises, which were the home of Oxford University Dramatic Society. The theatre was damaged by fire in 1892 and enlarged in 1908, from which time it was continuously under the management of the Dorrill family until 1972.

The present building dates from 1933 and was designed by Milburn Brothers with an art deco interior by T.P. Bennet and Sons. The colour scheme was originally in shades of deep brown with gilt friezes but in later years (circa 1980?) a multi-colour scheme was introduced, which did not reflect the original design.

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 entertainments 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.

Charles Dorrill started work in the box office when the first New Theatre opened in 1886. He became assistant manager and then, in 1908, became manager when the Dorrill family took over the venue. The Dorrills ran the theatre as a family business for the next sixty-four years. Charles Dorrill died suddenly in 1912 and his son, Stanley, who was working at Blackwells, the Oxford booksellers, was asked to take over at the age of 18. During his 47 years at the helm, he masterminded the rebuilding of the theatre as we know it today. In 1933, Stanley Dorrill was 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 was re-opened in February 1934 with a formal speech by a Miss Tawney, and with a wonderful revolving stage (mechanism extant) and increased capacity of 2000 (1710 seated) it attracted all the great dramatic actors, popular and operatic singers and musicians, music-hall entertainers and matinee idols of the age. During the Second World War, half a million troops enjoyed free entertainment at the New Theatre, earning Stanley Dorrill an MBE. The theatre published a weekly eight-page programme advertising all the many different acts, which was typeset at the local Alden's Press.

The New Theatre's renowned annual pantomimes (incorporating Vera Legge's Dancers) attracted many star names, and became an Oxford family Christmas ritual. In 1963/4 Yana (real name: Pamella Guard) starred in Cinderella together with Des O'Connor as Buttons, Danny La Rue and Alan Hayes as The Ugly Sisters, and Erica Yorke as Prince Charming, as well as Jack Douglas, George Arnett and Wendy Cameron. The following year, 1964/5, Billy Fury starred as Aladdin, appearing with his band, The Gamblers, alongside Ray Fell and Laurie Lupino Lane. Freddie Garrity played Wishee Washee opposite Lulu as Aladdin in 1976, returning in the 1980s to play Jack in Jack and The Beanstalk with Anne Charleston, Alvin Stardust and Lynsey de Paul. Peter Noone of Herman's Hermits played in pantomime at the New Theatre in the early 1970s together with Peter Glaze as the Dame. 1978 saw Norman Collier take to the pantomime stage in George Street.

In 1955, Stanley Dorrill became managing director and his son, John Dorrill, took over the day-to-day management of the theatre, having served an apprenticeship in London's West End. John married Erica Yorke, who appeared as principal boy in many New Theatre Christmas pantomimes.

By the mid-1960s, with television growing in popularity, running large theatres was increasingly difficult and, with few good shows on offer, the New began to struggle. John Dorrill took over as managing director from his father in 1965 and planned to redevelop the site as shops and offices with two smaller theatres, but Oxford City Council rejected the idea.

In latter days musicals and play productions were supplemented by pop and rock concerts. Finally, in 1972, the Howard and Wyndham's provincial theatre chain group took over, bringing the Dorrill family's era of ownership to an end.

In 1977 Apollo Leisure took over the lease of the theatre and renamed it The Apollo. Apollo Leisure was bought out by SFX in 1999, followed by Clear Channel Entertainment in 2001. After a refurbishment in 2003 the theatre reverted to its original name of the New Theatre, with Clear Channel Entertainment's theatre division becoming Live Nation two years later. The Ambassador Theatre Group bought the theatre in 2009.

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