[3] Oliver refocused the club's activities from sport to drama and became the artistic founder of Oval House Theatre.

Notable artists who began their careers at Ovalhouse include Steven Berkoff, Howard Brenton, Pierce Brosnan, Stella Duffy, Tamsin Greig, Jim Sweeney, David Hare (who worked at the theatre as a stage manager), Tim Roth, Andrew Bridgmont and Salman Rushdie.

In addition to the professional theatre programme, Ovalhouse had a Participation and Youth Arts department [5] working with young people and vulnerable adults.

[7][8][9] As a result of the move to Brixton, the existing premises were sold, along with the adjacent Grade II listed White House, which had been used for arts administration.

The White House is the former vicarage for St Mark's Church, Kennington; there is a blue plaque commemorating the birth of Field Marshal Montgomery, who was born there.