The Oxford theatre scene
From an 1,800-seat Art Deco house to a 50-seat studio, and a company that has never had a theatre of its own: where to see a play in Oxford.
Photo: David Howard, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Oxford has a theatre for every size of evening. The biggest stage in the city seats nearly 1,800 people for musicals and pantomime; the smallest seats 50 for student premieres. In between there is a handsome 1930s playhouse, an arts centre attached to a school, a theatre for young people in East Oxford, and a company that stages its shows in castles and parks.
At a glance
| Venue | Where | Size | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Theatre | George Street | about 1,785 seats | Touring musicals, concerts, pantomime, opera |
| Oxford Playhouse | Beaumont Street | 663 seats | Touring drama, dance, student productions |
| Burton Taylor Studio | Gloucester Street | 50 seats | Student and fringe theatre, new writing |
| The North Wall | South Parade, Summertown | 200-seat flexible theatre | Contemporary theatre, dance and artist development |
| Pegasus Theatre | Magdalen Road, East Oxford | Small auditorium | Work for and with young people |
| Creation Theatre | Different sites each time | Varies | Site-specific Shakespeare and classics |
The New Theatre
The New Theatre on George Street is Oxford’s largest, with about 1,785 seats. The current building opened on 26 February 1934, with an Art Deco interior by T. P. Bennett and Sons, and it is run by ATG Entertainment. It takes touring musicals, plays and concerts, and its annual pantomime has become an Oxford family tradition at Christmas. This autumn it was also the stage for Oxford International Opera’s first production, Puccini’s Tosca, on 24 and 26 September 2026.
The Oxford Playhouse and the Burton Taylor Studio
The Oxford Playhouse on Beaumont Street opened in its present building in 1938; its exterior is by Edward Maufe, and it is Grade II* listed. With 663 seats it is the natural home for touring drama and dance, and it also hosts productions by the Oxford University Dramatic Society.
The Playhouse’s studio, the Burton Taylor Studio on Gloucester Street, seats 50. It began with money Richard Burton gave in 1966 for rehearsal rooms, and it is named after him and Elizabeth Taylor. Students later turned the rooms into a performance space, and today it is where student and fringe companies try out new work at close quarters.
The North Wall
The North Wall on South Parade in Summertown opened in 2007 on the campus of St Edward’s School. It has a 200-seat flexible theatre, an art gallery and dance and drama studios. Its programme leans towards contemporary work, and it supports artists through residencies and mentoring.
Pegasus Theatre
Pegasus, on Magdalen Road in East Oxford, describes itself as a creative hub for children, young people and their families. It programmes theatre, dance, puppetry and variety for ages 0 to 25, alongside workshops and youth companies.
Creation Theatre
Creation Theatre was founded in 1996 by David Parrish and has never had a building of its own. It stages Shakespeare and classic stories in places chosen for each show: over the years these have included the grounds of Magdalen College School, the rooftop amphitheatre of the Saïd Business School, University Parks, Blackwell’s bookshop and Oxford Castle, where it has staged seven productions since 2005. In 2020 it was one of the first companies to stage interactive theatre online, with The Tempest on Zoom.
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest theatre in Oxford?
The New Theatre on George Street, with about 1,785 seats.
Is Oxford theatre mostly student theatre?
No. Student companies are very active, especially at the Burton Taylor Studio and the Playhouse, but the New Theatre, the Playhouse and The North Wall all programme professional touring work.
Where can children see theatre in Oxford?
Pegasus Theatre programmes for ages 0 to 25, the New Theatre has its Christmas pantomime, and Creation Theatre’s outdoor classics suit families.
Does Creation Theatre have its own theatre?
No. It stages each production in a different location, from Oxford Castle to University Parks.
What's on at the Oxford Playhouse
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org, New Theatre Oxford
- en.wikipedia.org, Oxford Playhouse and the Burton Taylor Studio
- thenorthwall.com, about The North Wall
- pegasustheatre.org.uk, about Pegasus
- en.wikipedia.org, Creation Theatre Company
- oxfordphil.com, Tosca at the New Theatre
This article was written by the Oxford Society editorial desk from the public sources listed above. We are not affiliated with the people, companies or institutions it describes.
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