O'Reilly Theatre
Encyclopedia
The O'Reilly Theatre is a flexible studio theatre
on Blackhall Road, central north Oxford
, England
. It is located within Keble College
, one of the University of Oxford
colleges. The theatre was completed in 2002.
Seating capacity of the space ranges from 128 to 200, depending on the setup chosen. The standard configuration is end-on, but alternatives include traverse and in-the-round. The theatre is named after Tony O'Reilly
, the billionaire Irish
businessman and former international rugby union player, who contributed most of the funds.
The theatre is managed by students at Keble College, and for that reason productions have varied in terms of both style and quality depending on the interest in drama shown in the college and wider university. As of 2007, there is a full management board and slots until the end of the academic year are fully booked.
In terms of size, as compared to other Oxford
theatres, the O'Reilly is closest to the OFS Studio
in the city centre, although due to its age and the inconsistent quality of productions it does not have as high a standing in the community. However, for a venue of its size, it is unusually well-equipped technically, as may be seen from the theatre manual (available through the Tabs Are For Flying link below).
Shows typically take place on the third, fourth, sixth, and seventh weeks of each Oxford University term. In other weeks the theatre is rented out as a conference centre.
Studio Theatre
A studio theatre is a 20th-century term that describes a small theatre space. Studio theatres often have a flexible auditorium whose stage and seating may be re-arranged to suit the specific requirements of a production...
on Blackhall Road, central north Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It is located within Keble College
Keble College, Oxford
Keble College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Its main buildings are on Parks Road, opposite the University Museum and the University Parks. The college is bordered to the north by Keble Road, to the south by Museum Road, and to the west by Blackhall...
, one of the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
colleges. The theatre was completed in 2002.
Seating capacity of the space ranges from 128 to 200, depending on the setup chosen. The standard configuration is end-on, but alternatives include traverse and in-the-round. The theatre is named after Tony O'Reilly
Tony O'Reilly
Sir Anthony Joseph Francis O'Reilly is an Irish businessman and former international rugby union player. He is known for his involvement the Independent News & Media Group, which he led from 1973 to 2009, and as former CEO and Chairman of the H.J. Heinz Company. He was the leading shareholder of...
, the billionaire Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
businessman and former international rugby union player, who contributed most of the funds.
The theatre is managed by students at Keble College, and for that reason productions have varied in terms of both style and quality depending on the interest in drama shown in the college and wider university. As of 2007, there is a full management board and slots until the end of the academic year are fully booked.
In terms of size, as compared to other Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
theatres, the O'Reilly is closest to the OFS Studio
OFS Studio
The OFS Studio is a theatre in Oxford, England at 40 George Street.One of the smaller studio theatres in the city, it was refurbished in the early 1990s under the supervision of producer Cameron Mackintosh, opening with Moby Dick.About twenty student shows are performed there per year, with the...
in the city centre, although due to its age and the inconsistent quality of productions it does not have as high a standing in the community. However, for a venue of its size, it is unusually well-equipped technically, as may be seen from the theatre manual (available through the Tabs Are For Flying link below).
Shows typically take place on the third, fourth, sixth, and seventh weeks of each Oxford University term. In other weeks the theatre is rented out as a conference centre.