31 Jul 07

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 (educated at Lady Margaret Hall) is at the Oxford Playhouse 10.30am-11.30am. On Biography: from Mary Queen of Scots to Louis XIV and on. From a perspective spanning more than 30 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 are £6.50.

Mark Thompson, Director-General of the BBC (educated at Merton College) and Luke Johnson, Chairman of Channel 4 (educated at Magdalen College) are at the Oxford Playhouse 2-3pm. The Future of Broadcasting: 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 are £6.50.

Michael Billington, author and arts critic (educated at St Catherine's College) and Thelma Holt, theatre producer (Cameron Mackintosh Chair of Contemporary Theatre in 1998 at the University of Oxford) are at the 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 are £6.50.

Oxford Philomusica are playing at 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 are £7.