New Theatre Oxford (formerly the Apollo Theatre Oxford and the Apollo, from 1977 to 2003) is the main commercial theatre in Oxford, England. It has a capacity of 1,785 people; is on George Street, in the centre of the city; and puts on a wide variety of shows including musical theatre, stand-up comedy, and concerts.
The first "New Theatre" on this site opened in 1836 and presented music hall entertainment. This was replaced in 1886 by new premises, which were the home of the Oxford University Dramatic Society. The theatre was damaged by fire in 1892 and enlarged in 1908. After this time, it was continuously under the management of the Dorrill family until 1972.
The present building dates from 1933 and was designed by Milburn Brothers with an art deco 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 multicolour scheme was introduced, which did not reflect the original design.
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 university terms, the lessee of the theatre resorted to presenting concerts or music hall entertainments, and by 1880, the theatre had become quite run down.
At the instigation of members of the local community as well as individuals associated with the University of Oxford, 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 Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. Designed by Harry Drinkwater, and with a 1000-seat capacity, the second New Theatre was damaged by a fire in 1892 and altered in 1908, during which the seating capacity was increased to 1200.
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 suddenly in 1912. His son, Stanley, who was working at Blackwell's, the Oxford booksellers, was asked to take over. Stanley was age 18 at the time and his tenure would last 47 years. In 1933, Dorrill stated his intention to build "the most luxurious and comfortable house of entertainment in England" and commissioned a new building from theatre architects William and T. R. Milburn of Sunderland. The Milburns co-operated on an art deco interior with T. P. Bennett and Sons (who had designed the Saville Theatre in London). The Milburns's extensive theatre oeuvre included the Sunderland Empire Theatre and London's Dominion Theatre.
The third New Theatre, re-opened in February 1934 with a formal speech by a Miss Tawney, included a revolving stage (mechanism extant) and an increased capacity of 2000 (1710 seated). During the Second World War, half a million troops enjoyed free entertainment at the New Theatre, earning Stanley Dorrill an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire). The theatre published a weekly eight-page program advertising all the many different acts, which was typeset at the local Alden's Press.
The New Theatre's annual pantomimes (incorporating Vera Legge's Dancers) attracted many star names, and became an Oxford family Christmas ritual. In 1963/4 Yana (Pamella Guard) starred in Cinderella together with Des O'Connor as Buttons, Danny La Rue and Alan Hayes as The Ugly Sisters, and Erica Yorke as Prince Charming, as well as Jack Douglas, George Arnett, and Wendy Cameron. The following year, 1964/5, Billy Fury starred in Aladdin, appearing with his band, The Gamblers, alongside Ray Fell and Laurie Lupino Lane. Freddie Garrity played Wishee Washee opposite Lulu in Aladdin in 1976, returning in the 1980s to play Jack in Jack and the Beanstalk with Anne Charleston, Alvin Stardust, and Lynsey de Paul. Peter Noone of Herman's Hermits played in pantomime at the New Theatre in the early 1970s together with Peter Glaze as the Dame. 1978 saw Norman Collier take to the pantomime stage in George Street.
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 West End. John married Erica Yorke, who appeared as principal boy in many New Theatre Christmas pantomimes.
By the mid-1960s, the New Theatre 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 smaller theatres, but Oxford City Council rejected the idea.
In latter days, musicals and play productions were supplemented by pop and rock concerts. Finally, in 1972, the Howard and Wyndham's provincial theatre chain group took over, bringing the Dorrill family's era of ownership to an end.
In 1977, Apollo Leisure took over the lease of the theatre and renamed it The Apollo. Apollo Leisure was bought out by SFX in 1999, followed by Clear Channel Entertainment in 2001. After a refurbishment in 2003, the theatre reverted to its original name of the New Theatre, with Clear Channel Entertainment's theatre division becoming Live Nation two years later. The Ambassador Theatre Group bought the theatre in 2009.