North Wall Arts Centre

North Wall Arts Centre
Address South Parade
Oxford
England
Years active 2007–present
Website
http://www.thenorthwall.org/

The North Wall Arts Center (often just referred to as the North Wall) is the newest award-winning Performing arts center in Oxford, owned by St Edward's School and shared with the town. It houses a 250-seat theatre, plus a rehearsal space, dance studio and a visual art gallery.[1] Lucy Maycock has been the Artistic Director of the North Wall since September 2010. Prior to this, it was run by Nick Quartley. The arts centre hosts events by the school and by public organisations, with the aim to provide high quality facilities and arts events both for its own students and for the public at large.[2]

History

The North Wall Arts Center was built on the site of a Victorian swimming pool, which was the oldest swimming pool in the country, situated on the grounds of St Edward’s School. The name derives from an ancient stone boundary wall that runs the entire length of the public street elevation. Designed by Haworth Tompkins architects,[3] the project cost more than £3.5 million[4] and won several major architectural awards, including a RIBA in 2008.[5] It also received a Certificate from the Oxford Preservation Trust in recognition of its "significant contribution to the conservation and improvement of Oxford’s built environment."[6] Completed in 2006, The North Wall was officially opened to the public in 2007 with a three-week arts festival.[2]

Programs

In addition to hosting School events, The North Wall Arts Center runs a regular programme of public arts events, as well as a Summer Festival in July and a residential drama school in August. It attracted various theatre companies including Birmingham Repertory Theatre, ATC Theatre, Out of Joint, Bush Theatre and Theatre Alibi. It has welcomed some musical acts, as French-Irish chanteuse Camille O'Sullivan, John Tavener, The Unthanks and Spiers and Boden. Comedians who have appeared at The North Wall include Sarah Millican, John Bishop, and Rhod Gilbert.[7] The theatre also hosts jazz evenings, ballets, children’s shows, contemporary and classical concerts, cabaret, opera, and new exhibitions in the modern gallery every three weeks.[8]

Plays Archive

2012 [9]

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

See also

References

  1. "North Wall Arts Centre". architecture. Retrieved 7 May 12. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  2. 2.0 2.1 "The North Wall". castingcallpro. Retrieved 7 May 12. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  3. "North Wall Performing Art Centre". e-architect. Retrieved 7 May 12. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  4. "St Edwards's School Theatre". charcoalblue. Retrieved 7 May 12. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  5. "Riba National Awards". architecture. Retrieved 7 May 12. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  6. "North Wall History". thenorthwall.org. Retrieved 7 May 12. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  7. "About The North Wall". northwall.org. Retrieved 7 May 12. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  8. "The North Wall program". summertown. Retrieved 7 May 12. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  9. "The North Wall Archive listings". uktw. Retrieved 10 May 12. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)

External links

Coordinates: 51°46′40″N 1°16′07″W / 51.777735°N 1.268696°W