Famous Oxonians on broadcast, biography and ‘treading the boards’
16 July 2007
Distinguished Oxonians, including biographer Lady Antonia Fraser and Director General of the BBC Mark Thompson, are returning to Oxford to be guest speakers in a series of public events at the Oxford Playhouse.
On Saturday 15 September 2007, a collection of high-profile people who studied at Oxford University will be returning to the city to feature in a series of panel discussions and lectures, discussing biography, broadcast and theatre. There will also be a performance by soloists of the Oxford Philomusica, the professional orchestra in residence at the University, at the Holywell Music Rooms.
The events are part of a larger programme called ‘Meeting Minds’ being staged for the first University-wide reunion weekend in Oxford in its 900-year history. In partnership with Oxford Inspires, the University is opening some of the key events to the public to mark the Oxfordshire 2007 festival and to celebrate the long relationship the University has had with the people of Oxfordshire.
Nancy Kenny, Director of Alumni Relations and organiser of the Alumni Weekend at the University, said: ‘The University of Oxford has been cradled by the city between two rivers for all of its history and the city's vibrant energy has long informed the University's development. I am delighted that this first University-wide Alumni Weekend coincides with the county’s celebration of its millennium, and that in contributing to that celebration, the ‘Meeting Minds’ events are an expression of the close relationship between Oxford’s “town and gown”.’
Tickets are available through Tickets Oxford on 01865 305305 www.oxfordplayhouse.com/ticketsoxford
Details of the events on Saturday 15 September
Lady Antonia Fraser, historical biographer (Lady Margaret Hall)
Oxford Playhouse 10.30am-11.30am
On Biography: from Mary Queen of Scots to Louis XIV and on
From a perspective spanning more than thirty years, award-winning historical biographer, Lady Antonia Fraser, gives a lecture reflecting on her work, which includes her most recent biography Marie Antoinette: the journey (recently made into a film starring Kirsten Dunst and directed by Sophia Coppola).
Tickets £6.50
Mark Thompson, Director General BBC (Merton College)
Luke Johnson, Chairman of Channel 4 (Magdalen College)
Oxford Playhouse 2-3pm
The Future of Broadcasting: Panel Discussion
A panel discussion including Mark Thompson, Luke Johnson and broadcaster Tim Gardam, Principal of St Anne’s College, and chaired by Dr Andrew Graham, Master of Balliol College. The panel will explore the challenges faced by commercial and public service broadcasting in the 21st century.
Tickets £6.50
Michael Billington, author and arts critic(St Catherine’s College, Oxford)
Thelma Holt, theatre producer(Cameron Mackintosh Chair of Contemporary Theatre in 1998 at the University of Oxford)
Oxford Playhouse 3.30pm-4.30pm
In Conversation
The 'how' of successful theatre producing is explored by The Guardian's theatre critic, Michael Billington, in conversation with Thelma Holt, renowned theatre producer of many internationally acclaimed theatre productions and former Cameron Mackintosh Professor at the University.
Tickets £6.50
Oxford Philomusica
Holywell Music Room 3.30pm – 4.30pm
Chamber concert
Schubert, String Quintet in C Major
Soloists of the Oxford Philomusica, the professional orchestra in residence at the University, perform Schubert's final, profoundly lyrical masterpiece.
Tickets £7
For more information, please contact the Press Office on 01865 280534 or press.office@admin.ox.ac.uk