Oxford Playhouse has announced a major new production of Terence Rattigan’s In Praise of Love, running from 13 February to 6 March 2027.
Directed by Oxford Playhouse Artistic Director Mike Tweddle, the revival follows the venue’s critically acclaimed 2026 production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and forms part of the theatre’s continued commitment to developing its in-house producing programme.
Presented in the 50th anniversary year of Rattigan’s death, the production brings one of the playwright’s rarely performed late works back to the stage. Widely regarded as one of his most personal plays, In Praise of Love explores family, loyalty, truth and sacrifice.
Set in 1970s London, the play follows celebrated literary critic Sebastian and his wife Lydia, a refugee from wartime Estonia. When an old friend arrives and their son begins to question the realities of their relationship, a web of love, deception and carefully guarded secrets starts to unravel.
The production also highlights Rattigan’s enduring connection to Oxford. While studying History at Trinity College, he became an active member of the Oxford University Dramatic Society and began developing the voice that would establish him as one of Britain’s most celebrated playwrights.
Tweddle returns to direct following his acclaimed staging of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, joined by a creative team that includes award-winning designers Liz Ascroft and Amanda Stoodley, composer and sound designer Robin Colyer, and lighting designer Will Hayman.
Mike Tweddle said: “It’s a great privilege to stage this masterpiece – one of the most moving and intelligent plays I’ve read. Rattigan described it as his favourite, and he gathered a lifetime of experience in creating it. I can’t think of a richer story to share with our audiences, as we continue to grow Oxford Playhouse’s reputation as a home for quality drama.”
The Sir Terence Rattigan Charitable Trust said: “Fifty years after his death, we’re thrilled that Oxford Playhouse are mounting this production of one of Rattigan’s most heart-felt, but rarely-seen works. Like many of his best plays, In Praise of Love is very autobiographical and deeply personal- written when Rattigan was facing the end of his life and in which he wrestles with his early ambitions as a writer and his fractious relationship with his father. It’s an enormously powerful family drama of secrets and lies driven by love. We’re very excited to see how Mike and his team at The Playhouse un-peel all the fascinating layers of this compelling late work.”
The revival forms part of Oxford Playhouse’s wider programme of theatre, comedy, dance and music, further cementing its position as a leading producing and presenting venue.
Press night for In Praise of Love will take place on 17 February 2027.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
