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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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resorted to presenting 'concerts' or music hall entertainments and by 1880 the theatre had become quite run down.
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In latter days musicals and play productions were supplemented by pop and rock concerts. Finally, in 1972, the
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and with a 1000-seat capacity the second New
Theatre was damaged by fire in 1892 and altered in 1908, when the
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in 2001. After a refurbishment in 2003 the theatre reverted to its original name of the
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The present building dates from 1933 and was designed by
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entertainment. This was replaced in 1886 by new premises, which were the home of
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played in pantomime at the New
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The first "New Theatre" on this site opened in 1836 and presented
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smaller theatres, but Oxford City Council rejected the idea.
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The New Theatre's renowned annual pantomimes (incorporating
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suddenly in 1912 and his son, Stanley, who was working at
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229:. It has a capacity of 1,785 people; is on
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217:, from 1977–2003) is the main commercial
111:Learn how and when to remove this message
252:The New Theatre on George Street, Oxford
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49:adding citations to reliable sources
512:Hibbert, Christopher, ed. (1988).
262:Oxford University Dramatic Society
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145:Apollo Theatre Oxford (1977–2003)
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351:. The following year, 1964/5,
339:as Prince Charming, as well as
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598:1836 establishments in England
371:played Wishee Washee opposite
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464:'s theatre division becoming
472:bought the theatre in 2009.
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16:Theatre in Oxford, England
335:as The Ugly Sisters, and
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470:Ambassador Theatre Group
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535:for New Theatre Oxford
468:two years later. The
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452:in 1999, followed by
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199:Official Box Office
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593:Theatres in Oxford
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466:Live Nation
458:New Theatre
405:Peter Glaze
397:Peter Noone
355:starred as
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587:Categories
557:51°45′14″N
499:References
442:The Apollo
353:Billy Fury
333:Alan Hayes
321:Cinderella
317:Vera Legge
302:Blackwells
271:The facade
258:music hall
215:The Apollo
71:newspapers
560:1°15′36″W
476:See also
436:In 1977
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361:Ray Fell
277:art deco
243:concerts
176:Capacity
101:May 2010
460:, with
377:Aladdin
357:Aladdin
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193:Website
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