New Theatre (Oxford)

• Theatre ID
  2116
• Built / Converted
  1908
• Dates of use
  • 1933: continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre
• Address
  George Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 2AG, England

Details

Built on a site previously occupied by the New Theatre of 1868, which was demolished by fire, and was itself replaced by Drinkwater’s New Theatre of 1886. This was, in turn, remodelled by W G R Sprague in 1908 and, by all appearances, internally remodelled in modern style rather than rebuilt by W & T R Milburn in 1933. The theatre was in the ownership of three generations of the Dorrill family until 1972. The present theatre has a stone façe, probably in the main that of 1908, with little in the way of architectural relief apart from a lonely-looking aedicule on the long flank. Plain attic above a squashed modillion cornice. Entrance on chamfered corner. The auditorium is in Art-Deco style. High, arched proscenium with pelmet set within deep banded ante-proscenium. No boxes. Two balconies, the lower one divided by a barrier into dress and upper circle, decorated with ‘Roman’ stud decoration and terminating at the ante-proscenium. At stalls level, two gilded murals depict Antique scenes. In the foyer, the mirrors and staircase decoration are in similar style. Difficult get-in, the stage being more than 2m (6ft 8in) below street level. The theatre is now a major touring house.

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• Other names
  New Theatre, Apollo
• Events
  • 1933 Use: continuing
  • 1908 Design/Construction:
    • W G R Sprague - Architect
  • 1933 Alteration: with T P Bennett
    • W & T R Milburn - Architect
  • 2003 Alteration: refurbished
    • Clear Channel - Architect
  • 1933 Owner/Management: Oxford Theatre Co Ltd; C C Dorrill, managing director
  • 1972 Owner/Management: Oxford Theatre Co Ltd (Howard & Wyndham Group)
  • 1977 Owner/Management: Apollo Leisure (UK) Ltd
• Capacities
  • Original: 2000
  • Later: 1896: 1700 1975: 1692 1994: 1826
  • Current: 1826
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 11m (36ft)
  • Proscenium width: 13.72m (46ft 4in)
  • Height to grid: 18.6m (60ft)
  • Orchestra pit: Original for 24