Peter Oliver
1926-2007
Photos from the Pip Simmons Archive, taken by Sheila Burnett.
Peter Oliver (1926-2007)
Peter Oliver was the artistic founder of Oval House, a pioneer in a theatre movement which formed one of the major new developments in the 1960’s, and remains at the heart of many people’s artistic lives.
Peter Oliver died earlier this year, but the spirit of what he did is alive and kicking at the core of what Oval House is today.
This page is for those who wish to remember Peter and his influence, re-connect with other friends and artists of a generation who transformed theatre, and for researchers and theatre historians who would like to find out more about a period of history which was so busy being spontaneous and creative that very little is documented.
Welcome to Oval House, and welcome to the Peter Oliver page. Please do contribute your memories, your thoughts and accounts of your own activities during the Peter Oliver years.
Above all this page is made with our thanks – from Oval House to Peter Oliver and his family.
Deborah Bestwick, Director, Oval House Theatre.
Tributes…
I was very sorry to learn of Peter's passing. I was fortunate to work with Peter while he lived in Toronto. He was funny, smart and kind. I saw him with his grandaughter - the love and the joy was beautiful to see.
Time…” (read in full)
David Sutherland, (Toronto, Canada), 31st March 2008
Peter Oliver did more than ‘exhort(ing) young boys to become good Englishmen though camping and other bracing outdoor sports’ as Carole Woddis observes in her obituary (Guardian October 24), although that does sound just the kind of self-mocking phrase he would use to describe his…” (read in full)
Philip Simpson, (London), 10th February 2008
The current round of brutal Arts Council cuts has reminded me not only of the day the axe fell for Incubus, but – far more positively – of the moment we heard we’d been given our first small grant. This crucial event wouldn’t have been…” (read in full)
Paddy Fletcher, (S.london), 11th January 2008
I first came to Oval House with a group of friends from college. We had formed a theatre company and started to take part in Oval House activities and to run workshops there. After a while Peter offered me a job as a youth worker.…” (read in full)
Roger Lang, (London), 22nd November 2007
Many write of asking Peter for space and his expertise to help them produce music and theatre. And that is true, but I also remember Peter's suggestions and especially those he direct at me. Such as, 'Why don't you direct the 'Dream Play' by Strindberg?'…” (read in full)
Alan Porter, (Herne Bay, UK), 17th November 2007
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