New Theatre
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 façade, 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.
- 1933 : continuing
Further details
- 1908 Design/Construction:W G R Sprague- Architect
- 1933 Use: continuing
- 1933 Alteration: with T P BennettW & T R Milburn- 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
- 2003 Alteration: refurbishedClear Channel- Architect
- 2009 Owner/Management: Bought by Ambassador Theatre Group
- CapacityOriginalDescription2000
- CapacityLaterDescription1896: 1700
1975: 1692
1994: 1826 - CapacityCurrentDescription1826
- ListingNot listed