New Theatre Oxford

New Theatre Oxford is a large commercial theatre on George Street, right in the centre of the city and about ten minutes on foot from the railway station. The present building opened in 1934 and seats around 1,785, which its operator ATG Entertainment describes as the largest live entertainment venue in the region. The programme is deliberately broad: touring musicals, plays, opera and dance sit alongside stand-up comedy, talks and live music. Over the years the stage has hosted names from Laurence Olivier to Queen and Bob Dylan, and the theatre keeps an Art Deco interior behind its George Street frontage.

There has been a theatre on this corner of George Street since 1836. The first, known locally as the Vic and later the Theatre Royale, was barred from staging plays during university terms, so its lessee turned to concerts and music hall instead. By 1880 the building had fallen into disrepair.

Townspeople and figures connected with the University of Oxford then raised funds for a theatre open to university and town players as well as professionals. The second New Theatre, designed by Harry Drinkwater and seating around 1,000, opened in February 1886 when the Oxford University Dramatic Society staged Twelfth Night. Fire damaged the building in 1892, and a renovation in 1908 lifted capacity to about 1,200. Charles Dorrill, who had started in the box office in 1886, became manager in 1908 as the Dorrill family took over; after his sudden death in 1912 his 18 year old son Stanley stepped in and stayed for 47 years.

In 1933 Stanley Dorrill set out to build the most luxurious and comfortable house of entertainment in England, commissioning the Sunderland theatre architects William and T. R. Milburn, whose other work included the Sunderland Empire and London's Dominion. They worked with T. P. Bennett and Sons on an Art Deco interior, originally in deep browns with gilt friezes. The third theatre reopened in February 1934 with a revolving stage and room for around 2,000 people. During the Second World War roughly half a million troops were entertained free of charge here, work for which Stanley Dorrill received an MBE, and the annual pantomimes drew stars including Danny La Rue, Des O'Connor, Billy Fury, Lulu and Alvin Stardust.

The Dorrill family ran the theatre for 64 years until Howard and Wyndham's took over in 1972. Apollo Leisure leased it in 1977 and renamed it the Apollo, a name it kept through changes of owner until a refurbishment in 2003 restored the original title of the New Theatre. The Ambassador Theatre Group bought the venue in 2009, and it remains in ATG Entertainment's hands today.

There is level access to the box office and main foyer on George Street, and the doors can be opened automatically using a push button.

• Getting to your seat: all sections of the theatre are reached by steps, but a customer and wheelchair accessible lift takes access patrons down to the Stalls. There is also a small flight of steps down to the Stalls. The venue is not accessible for scooter users.
• Wheelchair spaces: four wheelchair positions at the rear of the Stalls, each with room for one companion alongside. Wheelchairs not needed during the performance are stored safely by front of house staff.
• Accessible toilets: in the main foyer and in the front right-hand Stalls.
• Seat dimensions: the space between armrests is 44cm (17 inches) and the armrests are static.
• Visually impaired audiences: audio description and, where available, touch tours are offered. Stalls seats are recommended for a closer view, though for audio described performances any part of the auditorium works. For touch tour enquiries contact the venue at oxfordadmin@atgentertainment.com.
• D/deaf and hard of hearing audiences: the venue uses the Mobile Connect hearing enhancement system.

ATG's Accessibility Assistance line is 0333 009 5399 (Typetalk 1800 1 0333 009 5399). Joining the free Access Membership Scheme allows you to book accessible seats online and, if eligible, essential companion tickets.