It’s an astonishing line-up brewing at the North Wall, proving that not only has the Summertown theatre made its mark in Oxford, but that it’s here to stay. Katherine MacAlister talks to the artistic director Lucy Maycock on the eve of its fifth birthday

Harry Hill, Julian Clary, Tim Crouch, Susanna, Hal Cruttenden and an eclectic collection of singers, musicians, artists, actors and performers from across the globe are all flocking to The North Wall this autumn, desperate to be in the new line-up.

Kicking off with Dead On Her Feet, a North Wall production that will then tour the country, the modern day play is based around 1930s dance marathons. “We wanted something by Oxford for Oxford to open the season,” artistic director Lucy Maycock explains.

The theatre is currently filled up with 34 resident artists and hordes of local actors who flock in everyday preparing for the opening night in September. “We are aiming to share and make work rather than just receiving companies, and its such an exciting, sexy and energetic production. So yes, it’s keeping me awake at night but I’m hopeful Oxford will come out and make this their own,” Lucy says. “Because this is a big statement for us and in a recession we are expanding rather than contracting. So yes we feel the time is right for this.”

Even so, getting such top names and acts to perform in the rest of the autumn line-up is a coup. “I want people to feel that the North Wall is somewhere that people can come, because while we are serious about it, it’s also enormous fun. So we’ve got some great kids stuff, comedy, art, young companies, well known names and some top rate theatre, stuff that you won’t see anywhere else,” she continues.

And for those who haven’t ventured to the North Wall yet? “Come along and try us out. We aren’t too highbrow. And while being controversial isn’t interesting, provoking people to think is. So I think we’ve found a good balance. “Because as long as it’s theatrically exciting, our challenge is to keep getting new audiences in the door, and we feel very well supported by the community here.

“But more than anything else, I just want to bring things to Oxford that the public wouldn’t see otherwise. We have now proved that we aren’t a vanity project, so while we always start with the programme, we are getting braver. “Because we have worked so hard to get North Wall off the ground and I just hope Oxford keeps wanting to come and see what’s happening here.”

The North Wall, South Parade, Summertown. OX27JN. Call the box office on 01865 319450 or see thenorthwall.com