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HISTORY
In Spring, 1967, Francis Warner, Fellow and Tutor in English Literature, St Peter's College, Oxford conceived the idea of establishing a theatre in Oxford which would provide a platform for the work of writers, musicians, artists, performers and directors of the avant-garde and the staple diet would be new and experimental work.
In early Summer 1967, Francis Warner asked Samuel Beckett if such a theatre could be named after him to which he agreed.
Later in 1967, the Governing Body of St Peter's College agreed to support the project. Other supporters were Edmund Blunden, Benjamin Britten, Richard Burton, Sir Maurice Bowra, Nevill Coghill, Christopher Fry, Graham Greene, Rt Hon. Edward Heath, Harold Hobson, Henry Moore, John Osborne, Harold Pinter, John Piper, Kathleen Raine, Jon Stallworthy, Peter Ustinov and Arnold Wesker.
In 1976, St Peter's College passed the management of the theatre project and the accumulated assets to a charitable trust specifically set up for this purpose.
The Oxford Samuel Beckett Theatre Trust Award was first launched in 2003.
“ The award is a welcome and important development” - Nicholas Hytner, National Theatre
