What do Elizabeth Taylor, Judi Dench, Jeremy Irons, Dirk Bogarde, Bob Hoskins, Maggie Smith, Rowan Atkinson, Ronnie Barker, Richard Burton and Mel Smith have in common?

Yes, you've guessed it. Oxford, or to be exact the Oxford Playhouse. And yes, they may have been fledglings testing their wings at the time, but the Oxford Playhouse is obviously a fantastic platform to launch mesmeric global careers.

But when you look back over the history of the Oxford Playhouse, it's amazing the theatre has survived at all. Not only has it come through war, bankruptcy and closure, it nearly didn't open in the first place thanks to campaigners opposing the plans.

The Oxford Playhouse first opened its doors in Beaumont Street on October 20, 1938, with a glittering gala performance to celebrate the move to a purpose-built theatre.

Fifteen years previously it had been making do with the Red Barn on Woodstock Road, a former museum with a reputation for uncomfortable seats and draughty conditions. But years of fundraising meant £25,000 was collected to build the new theatre, and the design eventually silenced the opposition.

During the war years the Playhouse unexpectedly thrived, as it attracted actors and directors unable to perform in London’s closed theatres. But the early 1950s brought new financial problems and the theatre gave its last performance in April 1956. However, a young visionary called Frank Hauser came along and got the Oxford Playhouse open again to establish it as one of the nation’s leading drama houses.

His first season opened five world premieres and three British premieres, and set a standard for 18 years of producing.

Despite the artistic success, by the 1960s the Playhouse company was once again in debt, and the theatre in urgent need of modernisation. So in 1961 Oxford University purchased the theatre lease and shared the Playhouse with numerous student and city drama groups.

In this golden era Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor famously appeared in the OUDS production of Dr Faustus in 1966. The couple’s generosity initiated fundraising for the Playhouse workshop and The Burton Rooms — later to become the Burton Taylor studio theatre; now still a centrepiece of student drama, managed by the Playhouse.

In 1987, despite appeals and rescue packages, with increasing costs, dwindling resources and the tightening of fire restrictions, the Playhouse was forced to close again.

During the closure years there were various strategic campaigns to save the building and a number of support groups continued to fight for its reopening, but it was not until 1989 that the Oxford Playhouse Trust (set up by the university) was registered and awarded charitable status.

A £2m appeal for the theatre’s refurbishment and refitting began — and £400,000 was raised in the first six months.

On April 15, 1991, the Playhouse reopened, followed by an opening gala, hosted by Ned Sherrin, in May, 1991, and a Royal Gala in October 1993. Five years of campaigning raised a further £1.35m, to which was added a Lottery award of £2.2m.

A second National Lottery award in 1997 allowed the creation of a new rehearsal space and new fire exits.

Over the past decade (since the completion of this work) the Playhouse has built a reputation as one of Britain’s leading theatres, presenting the best work from the national touring circuit, international theatre and increasingly producing, launching and commissioning new work.

There's a packed programme to celebrate a remarkable 70 years.

Author, columnist and Radio 4 broadcaster Libby Purves is joined by figures such as Diana Quick, Michael Rosen, John Sargant, Hew Thomas and Gyles Brandreth to remember the Playhouse's peaks and onstage embarrassments Dr Faustus Revisited, where former Oxford students meet to share memories of the famous 60s production starring screen idols Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor Many Happy Returners, which sees Louise Jameson, Libby Purves, Philip Pullman, Philip Voss and Zoe Mace taking part in an entertaining journey through the highs and lows of Playhouse past Seventy Not Out! — a stage party next Sunday with drama, laughter, music and song hosted by master of ceremonies Gyles Brandreth. Guests include Jeremy Irons, Toby Jones and Belinda Lang Victor Spinetti unlocking his diary of an extraordinary life to tell stories of legends, from the Beatles to Burton, Dietrich to Dali The Burial at Thebes, a musical spin on an ancient tale with the world premiere of a new opera created by Seamus Heaney, who has written a modern-day version of the ancient Greek play Antigone, directed by Derek Walcott.

Richard Dawkins’ farewell lecture as Professor for the Public Understanding of Science in the Charles Simonyi Lecture: The Purpose of Purpose.

Tickets for all events can be purchased from the Oxford Playhouse box office on 01865 305305 or online at www.oxfordplayhouse.com The theatre continues to attract dramas from the big names in theatre. Spies, by Michael Frayn was one of the productions performed this year.