Joseph Oswald designed Alnwick Playhouse. He was born in 1851, articled to his father Septimus Oswald from 1863 to 1868, and remained as assistant until 1876 when he was taken into partnership. Around 1900 Joseph took his son Harold Oswald into partnership, creating the practice J. Oswald & Son. Other notable buildings by the partnership include: Newcastle Central Arcade, dozens of public houses for Newcastle Breweries including the “Beehive”, in Newcastle Cloth Market, the Newcastle Arms in St Andrews Street, Newcastle and the “Victoria” in Durham.