ROLLS-ROYCES and limousines lined the streets for Oxford Playhouse's very first performance on opening night in 1938.

The night is remembered for having oozed 'glitz and glamour' for 96-year-old Gwladys Smith, who was among those at the theatre's very first show.

Now decades later, the city centre venue is celebrating its 80th anniversary and Mrs Smith is among theatre fans flicking back through the programmes and memories.

Mrs Smith, from Garsington, was a young, excited 15-year-old heading in to watch the theatre's debut performance of 'And So To Bed'.

To this day, the very first Oxford Playhouse programme sits discreetly among Mrs Smith's collectibles - written on parchment-like paper and hand-tied with ribbon. It is dated October 20, 1938.

 

The step-mother of two said her father, working at the Old Bank in High Street at the time, was gifted two tickets by a customer.

As keen theatre-goers Mrs Smith and her mother, who was also in charge of Garsington Drama Club, jumped at the chance to head along to the premiere.

Mrs Smith, who has lived in Garsington since she was six, said: "I remember the atmosphere as all the limousines were turning up.

"It was bright and exciting and I think we were sat in the balcony, although I can't remember exactly.

"I remember looking down afterwards and all of the seats in the stalls I noticed had the names of actors and actresses [from the show]on them."

She added: "There was actually a polio scare at the time which [schools] had banned us from going to public places. Most schools did in those days.

"I just kept quiet that I was going and living out here meant nobody would see me anyway."

 

The first show was performed by The Oxford Repertory Players in 'And So To Bed' by J. B. Fagan.

The programme Mrs Smith has kept tucked away includes a list of the performers, as well as an insert titled 'an explanatory note on 'The Playhouse'. It talks all about the construction of The Playhouse and how initially the idea was met with 'considerable opposition' over fears it wouldn't fit in with the character of Beaumont Street.

The long-term theatre fan said she would cycle six miles there and back to the theatre regularly to enjoy performances - all during the World War Two blackouts.

She remembers cycling with the smallest little light, often coming across 'ghostly figures' which ultimately turned out to be sheep.

The last time Mrs Smith went to the theatre was many moons ago to watch the Oxford Operatic Society in which a friend was performing.

She added: "It had very much changed [since the first show] but I always remember it being more personal than any of these bigger theatres.

"It was great for The Playhouse and you always end up meeting so many people that are up and coming there."

 

As part of the Oxford Playhouse's 80th birthday celebrations they are asking for people's memories and experiences of the venue.

Playhouse development director Paddy Chatterton said: "We were so excited when we found out that Gwladys was actually present at the opening night of the Playhouse and it was fascinating to hear her memories of the Playhouse through the years.

"On October 21 we will be celebrating our birthday with a gala event. We hope it will be as glitzy as the one that Gladys remembers."

For more details on the celebratory event see oxfordplayhouse.com