Oxford Playhouse will stage a major new production of Terence Rattigan’s rarely performed family drama In Praise of Love in spring 2027, marking 50 years since the playwright’s death.
At a glance
| Production | In Praise of Love by Terence Rattigan |
| Dates | Saturday 13 February to Saturday 6 March 2027 |
| Venue | Oxford Playhouse, 11–12 Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2LW |
| Director | Mike Tweddle |
| Age guidance | 14+ |
| Running time | To be confirmed |
| Cast | To be announced |
| Press night | Wednesday 17 February at 7.30pm |
| Post-show talk | Wednesday 24 February at 7.30pm |
| Access performances | Audio description and touch tour on 27 February; captioned performance on 2 March |
| Public booking | Opens at noon on Friday 11 September 2026 |
| Booking | Visit the official Oxford Playhouse event page |
The revival will be directed by Oxford Playhouse Artistic Director Mike Tweddle and follows the theatre’s 2026 in-house production of Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?.
The Playhouse says the new production represents another stage in its ambition to become a national centre for producing theatre, rather than operating principally as a venue for visiting shows.
In Praise of Love will run for three weeks from Saturday 13 February to Saturday 6 March, with evening performances beginning at 7.30pm and selected 2.30pm matinees.
The opening performances on 13, 15 and 16 February will be previews, followed by the press night on Wednesday 17 February.
What is In Praise of Love about?
Set in London during the 1970s, the play centres on literary critic Sebastian and his wife Lydia, a refugee from wartime Estonia.
To outsiders, they appear to be living through a tired and unhappy marriage. Their conversations are frequently sharp, while years of habit and resentment seem to have replaced the affection that once held them together.
When an old friend arrives and their son begins questioning his parents’ behaviour, a carefully maintained web of silence, loyalty and deception starts to unravel.
The drama asks whether telling someone the truth is always the most loving thing to do, or whether concealment can sometimes become an act of protection.
Rattigan approaches those questions through restrained dialogue, dry humour and gradually revealed emotion rather than dramatic declarations.
Oxford Playhouse advises that the production contains discussion of terminal illness and death, the Holocaust and forced migration. It will also contain racist language, strong language and representations of alcohol consumption.
Content information
The production is recommended for audiences aged 14 and over.
It contains discussion of terminal illness and death, the Holocaust, forced migration, racist language, strong language and representations of alcohol consumption.
Parents and carers should consider the themes as well as the published age guidance when booking for a younger audience member.
A deeply personal late work by Rattigan
First staged in 1973, In Praise of Love was the penultimate play written by Rattigan and is considered one of his most personal works.
It was loosely inspired by the relationship between actor Rex Harrison and his wife, actress Kay Kendall.
The play turns that real-life starting point into a fictional family drama about illness, marriage, parental expectations and the ways people hide their feelings from those closest to them.
The Sir Terence Rattigan Charitable Trust said the work was written while Rattigan was facing the end of his own life and also drew on his early ambitions as a writer and his difficult relationship with his father.
The Trust described it as a drama “of secrets and lies driven by love”, with each character’s apparent behaviour concealing more complicated motives.
Mike Tweddle said: “It’s a great privilege to stage this masterpiece, one of the most moving and intelligent plays I’ve read.
“Rattigan described it as his favourite, and he gathered a lifetime of experience in creating it.”
The Oxford production takes place during the 50th anniversary year of Rattigan’s death in 1977.
Although plays including The Deep Blue Sea, The Winslow Boy and The Browning Version are regularly revived, In Praise of Love has appeared less frequently on major stages.
Rattigan’s connection with Oxford
The production also has a direct connection with the city.
Rattigan studied History at Trinity College, Oxford, and became involved with the Oxford University Dramatic Society.
While still an undergraduate, he worked with Philip Heimann on First Episode, the play that began his professional writing career.
He left Oxford before completing his degree after the production was chosen for a London transfer.
His time at the university helped establish the theatrical interests that would eventually lead to a career spanning comedy, wartime drama and closely observed studies of marriage, class and emotional repression.
Trinity College is also due to mark the anniversary year with Rattigan Rediscovered: The Art and Legacy of a Master Playwright, a public discussion involving actress Greta Scacchi, actor and director Philip Franks and theatre scholar Dan Rebellato.
Oxford Playhouse continues return to producing drama
In Praise of Love follows Oxford Playhouse’s return to producing its own major drama with Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? in February 2026.
That production was also directed by Tweddle and marked a renewed focus on creating work in Oxford with its own cast and creative team.
The new Rattigan revival will feature design by Liz Ascroft and Amanda Stoodley, with Robin Colyer serving as composer and sound designer and Will Hayman as lighting designer.
Creative team
| Writer | Terence Rattigan |
| Director | Mike Tweddle |
| Designers | Liz Ascroft and Amanda Stoodley |
| Composer and sound designer | Robin Colyer |
| Lighting designer | Will Hayman |
| Cast | To be announced |
Tweddle said the production would help build Oxford Playhouse’s reputation as a home for high-quality drama.
He added: “I can’t think of a richer story to share with our audiences.”
Performance dates, talks and accessible shows
Most performances begin at 7.30pm.
Matinees will take place at 2.30pm on Saturday 20 February, Thursday 25 February, Saturday 27 February, Thursday 4 March and Saturday 6 March.
| Date | Time | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday 13 February | 7.30pm | First preview; £5 tickets available through the 14–25s scheme |
| Monday 15 February | 7.30pm | Preview; £5 tickets available through the 14–25s scheme |
| Tuesday 16 February | 7.30pm | Preview; £5 tickets available through the 14–25s scheme |
| Wednesday 17 February | 7.30pm | Press night |
| Saturday 20 February | 2.30pm | £5 tickets available through the 14–25s scheme |
| Tuesday 23 February | 7.30pm | £5 tickets available through the 14–25s scheme |
| Wednesday 24 February | 7.30pm | Post-show talk |
| Saturday 27 February | 2.30pm | Audio-described performance and touch tour |
| Tuesday 2 March | 7.30pm | Captioned performance |
| Saturday 6 March | 2.30pm and 7.30pm | Final day |
The post-show discussion on 24 February will give audiences an opportunity to hear more about the production and its interpretation of Rattigan’s play.
The audio-described performance on 27 February will be accompanied by a touch tour. Touch tours allow blind and partially sighted audience members to explore elements of the set, costumes and props before the performance and should be booked through the Box Office.
The performance on Tuesday 2 March will include captions displaying the dialogue and relevant sound information.
Ticket information
Priority booking opens at noon on Friday 4 September, with public booking beginning at noon on Friday 11 September.
Standard ticket prices had not been published on the public event page at the time of the announcement.
Members of Oxford Playhouse’s free 14–25s scheme can access a limited number of £5 tickets for selected performances.
The scheme is open to people aged from 14 to 25 and allows a maximum of two discounted tickets per production, provided both ticket holders fall within the eligible age range. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
A £2.75 transaction fee normally applies to main-stage bookings, although Oxford Playhouse exempts 14–25 members, access patrons, Friends, Patrons, schools and some other booking categories.
Tickets can be booked through the official production page or by calling the Box Office on 01865 305305.
How to get to Oxford Playhouse
Planning your visit
| Venue | Oxford Playhouse |
| Address | 11–12 Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2LW |
| From Oxford railway station | Approximately ten minutes on foot |
| From Gloucester Green | The bus and coach station is around two minutes away |
| Parking | City-centre parking is limited. Gloucester Green is the nearest public car park, but it has stepped access and no Blue Badge spaces. |
| Blue Badge parking | Spaces are available on Beaumont Street and St Giles, subject to the normal restrictions |
| Box Office | 01865 305305 or boxoffice@oxfordplayhouse.com |
| Travel information | Visit the Oxford Playhouse travel page |
The Playhouse recommends travelling by public transport, walking or cycling where possible.
Drivers should check the traffic and parking restrictions operating in central Oxford closer to their performance date, particularly as the city’s traffic-filter trial may affect the most convenient route.
Accessibility at Oxford Playhouse
The Box Office, entrance, foyer, Stalls and accessible toilet can all be reached without steps.
Wheelchair spaces are available in several rows of the Stalls and should be reserved through the Box Office. The Circle and Circle Bar do not have step-free access.
The theatre has an Auracast audio system that can connect with compatible hearing aids, cochlear implants, headphones or earbuds. Devices can also be requested from the Box Office.
Assistance animals are welcome, while ear defenders can be borrowed for a refundable deposit.
Audience members requiring wheelchair seating, a companion ticket or another adjustment should contact the theatre before booking.
Full details are available through the Oxford Playhouse access guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is In Praise of Love at Oxford Playhouse?
The production runs from Saturday 13 February to Saturday 6 March 2027.
What is the play about?
The drama follows literary critic Sebastian and his Estonian wife Lydia, whose apparently unhappy marriage is built on a complicated pattern of loyalty, silence and deception. An old friend and the couple’s son begin to expose the truths they have been hiding.
Who wrote In Praise of Love?
It was written by Terence Rattigan and first staged in 1973.
Why is the 2027 production significant?
It is being staged during the 50th anniversary year of Rattigan’s death and continues Oxford Playhouse’s renewed programme of producing major drama in-house.
What is Terence Rattigan’s connection with Oxford?
Rattigan studied History at Trinity College and took part in the Oxford University Dramatic Society. He co-wrote his first play, First Episode, while still an undergraduate.
Who is directing the production?
Oxford Playhouse Artistic Director Mike Tweddle will direct.
Who is in the cast?
Casting has not yet been announced.
How long is the show?
The running time has not yet been confirmed.
What is the age guidance?
The production is recommended for audiences aged 14 and over.
Are there accessible performances?
Yes. The 2.30pm performance on Saturday 27 February will be audio described and accompanied by a touch tour. The 7.30pm performance on Tuesday 2 March will be captioned.
When is the post-show talk?
The post-show discussion will follow the 7.30pm performance on Wednesday 24 February.
Are discounted tickets available for young people?
Members of Oxford Playhouse’s free 14–25s scheme can book limited £5 tickets for selected performances.
When does public booking open?
Public booking opens at noon on Friday 11 September 2026.
Where can tickets be booked?
Tickets can be booked through the Oxford Playhouse website or by calling the Box Office on 01865 305305.
