Our history

The roots of Oval House Theatre can be traced back to the 1930s and its foundations, as Christ Church (Oxford) Clubs, by the graduates of Christchurch College, Oxford. Since that time Oval House has pioneered enabling forms of education and artistic endeavour.

Oval House Theatre's reputation as "one of the most important centres for pioneer fringe theatre groups" dates from the 1960s, supporting the experimental theatre companies of the '60s and '70s, the emergence of gay and lesbian and women's theatre in the 1970's and 80's and the development of new Black and Asian writing in the '90s and into the next millenium.

Oval House now programmes work by some of the most innovative, cutting edge theatre practitioners in Britain and beyond.

Did You Know...

Some of our most famous 'old boys' include Pierce Brosnan and Tim Roth:

Pierce Brosnan's account of discovering theatre through Oval House:

“And a friend said, "well, I belong to a theatre club...you should come down.  And I did...this very funky, happening place, where there were Black Panther evenings, experimental theatre companies, and there wer jugglersand mime. It was late 60s.. 69-70 I think... and I joined this workshop.  I went twice a week. I went three times a week. I went down to Oval House Theate club every night after work and eventually gave up the job in commercial art. And we formed a theatre company. We formed a company called The Oval House Theatre Company. During the day I worked. I was a waiter. I cleaned houses. I worked in a bottling factory, just to supplement my income. When I found acting , or when acting found me, it was a liberation. It was a stepping stone into another life, away from a life that I had, and acting was something I was good at, something which was appreciated. That was a great satisfaction in my life.”

Oval House Theatre is supported by: