The theatre entrance on Beaumont Street, Oxford

The Oxford Playhouse (often just known as The Playhouse by locals) is an independent theatre in Beaumont Street, Oxford, opposite the Ashmolean Museum, which was founded as The Red Barn in 1923 by J.B.Fagan. The early history of the theatre is documented by the theatrical director, Norman Marshall in his 1947 book, The Other Theatre.

Today it is owned and run by a charitable trust, through a professional management and direction team, as a theatre for the local community. It was closed for a number of years due to lack of funding, but is now refurbished and thriving.

The Oxford Playhouse has close relations with Oxford University and is the home stage of the Oxford University Dramatic Society. The Playhouse also manages on behalf of the University the nearby Burton Taylor Theatre, named in honour of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, a 50-seater studio theatre used for student productions and for rehearsals.

Other well-known actors who have appeared on the stage at the Playhouse include Rowan Atkinson, Ronnie Barker, Dirk Bogarde, Judi Dench, John Gielgud, Ian McKellen, Dudley Moore and Maggie Smith.

References

• Norman Marshall, The Other Theatre, John Lehmann, London (1947)
• Oxford at the Movies by David Parkinson, P.Ink Books (2003)

See also

• Burton Taylor Theatre
• New Theatre Oxford
• Old Fire Station Theatre

External links

• Oxford Playhouse website
• Burton Taylor Theatre
• Oxford Operatic Society website