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Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford

Sheldonian Theatre - Oxford
Sheldonian Theatre
by ultchuk
Sheldonian Theatre tips and photos posted by real travelers and Oxford locals.
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Sheldonian Theatre: The Sheldonian Theatre
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  • evaanna
  • Updated By evaanna on August 1, 2006
  • Oxford Page by evaanna
  • The Sheldonian Theatre - Oxford
    The Sheldonian Theatre
    by evaanna
    Designed in the 1660's by Sir Christopher Wren, then a professor of astronomy at Oxford, later famous for designing St Paul's Cathedral, many churches in London and the Greenwich Observatory, the Sheldonian Theatre is the venue of university ceremonies, such as conferring degrees. However, it is also known to have been used for other ceremonials. In 1814 the Prince Regent, Tsar Alexander I of Russia and King Frederick William III of Prussia met here to celebrate - if a little too soon - the downfall of Napoleon Bonaparte. The ceremony at the Sheldonian was followed by dinner at the Radcliffe Camera. The list of the greats who have received honorary degrees and doctorates here is long. Let me just mention such names as Ralph Vaughan Williams, Dmitri Shostakovich, Placido Domingo, Charlie Chaplin and Alec Guinness.
    The Theatre featured in many films. Sir John Gielgud led an Encaenia procession here in 'Not a Penny More Not a Penny Less'. And once even a horse was allowed into the building to act in a court scene of 'The Lady and the Highwayman', a popular teleplay.
    The shape of the building itself is modelled on the open-air Theatre of Marcellus in Rome. An architectural feat of the time, its 24 by 21 m roof is covered with an allegorical painting by Robert Streeter representing 'Truth descending on the Arts and Sciences'. The octagonal cupola, designed by Edward Blore, was added in 1831.
    Another interesting element are the pillars with carved heads in front of the building. These have had to be replaced twice, once due to natural deterioration of the stone and the second time after having been daubed with paint by students. Not that they knew whose images they were defacing - nobody knows who these heads, each with a different beard, were supposed to represent. Some say philosophers, others the apostles and still others emperors.

    References: David Parkinson 'Oxford at the Movies', 2003

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  • Address: Broad Street
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    Sheldonian Theatre: Sheldonian Theatre
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  • martin_nl
  • Updated By martin_nl on October 15, 2004
  • Oxford Page by martin_nl
  • Sheldonian Theatre - Oxford
    Sheldonian Theatre
    by martin_nl
    The Sheldonian Theatre was built from1664 till 1668 and is part of the Oxford University. The Theatre seats 800 people during a concert and for conferences the capacity is somewhat higher with 1000 seats.

    The Theatre is almost surrounded with sculptures of heads. These are anonymous figures and probably don't even represent anyone. They are amazingly detailed and worth checking out.

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  • Address: Broad Street
  • Directions: Next to Radcliffe Square and the Clarendon Building
  • Website: http://www.sheldon.ox.ac.uk/
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    Sheldonian Theatre: Sheldonian Theatre
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  • jo104
  • Updated By jo104 on August 6, 2008
  • Oxford Page by jo104
  • Sheldonian Theatre - Oxford
    by jo104
    Designed by Christopeher Wren for the university in 1664 - 68 named after the main financial backer & chancellor of the university. This is where the university holds all its public meetings such as the giving out of honoury degrees & doctorates ie: Bishop Tutu, Charlie Chaplin & Alec Guiness to name a few.

    Surrounding the gate of the entrance to the Sheldonian are statues of Bearded Gentlemen as the guardians of the theatre they have been targeted by students giving them blue beards & various other brightly coloured paint.

    I believe you can visit the theatre but it is currently undergoing renovation works. Cost is GBP2 check the website for opening times

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  • Address: Broad Street
  • Website: www.sheldon.ox.ac.uk
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    Sheldonian Theatre: The Sheldonian Theatre
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  • Ginaravens
  • By Ginaravens on February 14, 2003
  • Oxford Page by Ginaravens
  • Sheldonian Theatre - Oxford
    by Ginaravens
    A beautiful building built in 1664-8 from plans by Sir Christopher Wren who died some years earlier. A Domed round building, it is surrounded by great stone heads outside & these give the exterior a character all of its own.

    It is known here both for concert & conference & is available for hire - a prestigious place to hold such an event as a conference. As such, it seats 800 for concert, 1,000 for conference. A most beautiful & impressive piece of architecture.

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  • Address: Broad Street, Oxford
  • Directions: City Centre
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    Sheldonian Theatre: When is theatre not a theatre ?
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  • sourbugger
  • By sourbugger on July 10, 2008
  • Oxford Page by sourbugger
  • Sheldonian Theatre - Oxford
    by sourbugger
    Some argue that this was Sir Christopher Wren's first building, some his second. Either way, it never has been at any time a theatre. It was built for the ceremonial activities of the University. Specifically Matriculation (when you join) and Congregation (when you leave). To be fair, it is also used for a range of other events and concerts.

    Despite this, the local council still see fit to put up the brown tourist signs directing you to the Sheldonian with two masks on it - indicating a playhouse theatre !

    I've not ventured inside, but for a small fee you can admire what was the largest unsupported floor and a painted roof (although I think most of it is still undergoing restoration)

    I was actually more impressed by the statues outside the rear of the Sheldonian which faces onto Broad street. i've been unable to find out what exactly they are supposed to be of. They certainly have a sort of comical quality about them. I believe they are often reffered to as the 'Twelve apostles'. I doubt that is true due to the fact that the Sheldonian has always been a secular building. Any offers ?

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    Sheldonian Theatre: The Sheldonian Theatre
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  • Groverdean
  • By Groverdean on July 21, 2004
  • Oxford Page by Groverdean
  • The Sheldonian Theatre-Oxford-England - Oxford
    The Sheldonian
    Theatre-Oxford-England
    by Groverdean
    The Sheldonian Theatre was erected in 1664-8 to a design by Sir Christopher Wren from funds donated by Gilbert Sheldon , who during his long career held office as Warden of All Souls Bishop of London and Archbishop of Canterbury and was elected as Chancellor of the University of Oxford. The Theatre is designed to look Roman, hence the very Roman looking heads that surround it. The theatre is used to host alot of Oxford's large events.

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  • Address: Broad Street
  • Phone: (01865) 277299
  • Website: http://www.sheldon.ox.ac.uk/
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    Sheldonian Theatre: Sheldonian Theater...
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  • coceng
  • Updated By coceng on August 2, 2004
  • Oxford Page by coceng
  • Sheldonian Theater in Oxford - Oxford
    Sheldonian Theater in
    Oxford
    by coceng
    Oxford was a Saxon town at a point where River Cherwell meets The Thames.
    The first college was built in the 13th century & one of them was called 'university'.
    Today, there are 39 colleges spreading over Oxford.
    On the right side or rather at the end of Broad Street, you would see Sheldonian Theater.
    It is The New College main public building.
    It was built in 1667.
    Infos :Admission : 1.50 pounds
    Open : 10 am to 12.30 pm & 2 pm to 4.30 pm
    Monday to Saturday

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  • Directions: Broad Street...
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    Sheldonian Theatre: The Sheldonian Theatre
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  • Gwynethart
  • By Gwynethart on November 9, 2003
  • Oxford Page by Gwynethart
  • The Twelve Caesars or Apostles - Oxford
    The Twelve Caesars or Apostles
    by Gwynethart
    Here is the Sheldonian Theatre itself. The sculptured heads are not portraits of anyone in particular, and are actually anonymous. They are known as the twelve Caesars or Apostles.

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  • Address: Broad Street
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    Sheldonian Theatre: View from the Sheldonian Theatre
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  • Gwynethart
  • By Gwynethart on November 9, 2003
  • Oxford Page by Gwynethart
  • View of Oxford - Oxford
    View of Oxford
    by Gwynethart
    The Sheldonian Theatre is a beautiful round building where visitors can climb up into the cupola and see an incredible view of Oxford.

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  • Address: Broad Street
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    Sheldonian Theatre: Sheldonian
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  • barryg23
  • Updated By barryg23 on December 20, 2002
  • Oxford Page by barryg23
  • Sheldonian Theatre - Oxford
    by barryg23
    The Sheldonian hosts University matriculations & graduations, as well as regular classical concerts

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  • Address: Broad Street
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