Director and CEO of the Oxford Playhouse, Louise Chantal (Lincoln, 1987)

She explains how producing plays dominated her years as an undergraduate when she studied BA English Language and Literature. Chantal mentions her sabbatical year as the first University Drama Officer, working with Oxford University and producer Cameron Mackintosh to support student drama at Oxford. A former president of the Oxford University Dramatic Society (OUDS), Chantal also speaks about organising the first Oxford student international tour and annual shows at the Edinburgh Festival.

In this podcast, Chantal continues by talking about her interest in international and new writing, and the work of the Oxford Playhouse, including recent successful productions, and its outreach work in deprived parts of Oxford. She praises student productions, and emphasises Oxford University’s support for the theatre.