Theatres in Birmingham
There are six theatres in the city centre: the Alexandra, Old Rep and Hippodrome in Southside, the Rep and Crescent in the Convention Quarter and the Old Joint Stock in the Business Quarter. There are also three suburban community theatres: Hall Green Little Theatre, Sutton Arts Theatre and Highbury Little Theatre.
The Alexandra, on Station Street in Southside, first opened as the Lyceum in May 1900 but this venture failed and so it re-opened as the Alexandra music hall in December 1902.
The Alex was acquired by Leon Salberg in 1910 who rebuilt it in art deco style in 1937. The ghost of Leon Salberg, who died there in 1938, is regularly seen behind the wings. The theatre is also haunted by an anonymous lady in grey.
The comedy actor Arthur Lowe, best known as Captain Mainwaring in Dad's Army, also died backstage in 1982.
The theatre remained in the Salberg family until the 1970's. It is now owned by the Ambassador Group whose whose head office is in Woking Surrey.
The Alex, which has a capacity of 1347, stages West End shows, touring drama and stand-up comedy. There are four bars, easy access facilities and a baby-changing area. Alexandra Theatre Website
The Birmingham Rep is located on Centenary Square in the Convention Quarter. The Rep was established in 1913 by Sir Barry Jackson "in order to serve art instead of .. a commercial purpose".
The company is known for its innovative and experimental productions and was, for example, the first to stage Shakespearean plays in modern dress.
The Rep relocated from its first home in Station Street to a new purpose-built theatre on Broad Street in 1973.
The theatre contains two stages: the 824-seat Main Stage - which is similar to a Greek amphitheatre without aisles, balconies, pillars or boxes - and the Door, a flexible black box that can seat between 140 and 190.
The Rep receives financial support from Birmingham City Council.
The Main Stage tends to present a contemporary programme that focuses on new writing, cultural diversity and productions for families and young people. The Door specialises in new writing. Birmingham Rep Website
The Hippodrome, on Hurst Street in Southside, first opened as a stage and circus ring, equipped with a miniature version of the Blackpool Tower, in 1895.
This venture, known as the Tower of Varieties, ultimately failed and was relaunched as the Tivoli in 1900 and the Hippodrome in 1903. The tower survived until 1963.
The auditorium was rebuilt in neo-classical style in 1924; the foyer and facade were replaced in 2001.
The foyer contains a light column which serves as a visual glass conduit between the architectural levels of the theatre; its glazed outer wall has been decorated with a silk-screened drapery pattern that reflects the column.
The theatre has two stages: the main auditorium with a capacity of around 1900 and the Patrick Centre, a studio black box with a capacity of around 200.
The Hippodrome, now a registered charity, is the resident stage of the Birmingham Royal Ballet and the Midland stage of the Welsh National Opera. It also hosts touring drama, pantomime and West End shows. Birmingham Hippodrome Website
The Old Rep, on Station Street in Southside, opened in 1913 as the first purpose-built repertory theatre in the UK. Its founder, Sir Barry Jackson, led the Rep until his death in 1961.
Ten years later, the company relocated to the New Rep on Broad Street and the Old Rep was acquired by the Birmingham Stage Company which receives financial support from Birmingham City Council.
The company stages plays by such writers as Tennessee Williams, Rudyard Kipling and Arthur Miller. Stars such as Richard Dreyfuss, Honor Blackman and Simon Callow have appeared in its productions.
The theatre, which has a capacity of 383, also stages plays, musicals and youth drama performed by smaller touring companies, amateur dramatic societies and youth theatre groups. Old Rep Website
The Old Joint Stock is an 80-seat studio theatre above a bar, formerly a banking hall, on Temple Row in the Business Quarter. It stages plays, musical nights and comedy nights. There is a demountable stage and flexible seating. The facilities include a box office, cloakroom, lounge, green room and dressing rooms. Old Joint Stock Theatre Website
The Crescent is a purpose-built theatre on Sheepcote Street at Brindleyplace in the Convention Quarter. It is named after the Crescent on Cambridge Street where the original theatre opened in 1924. The Crescent Company moved to Cumberland Street in 1964 and to Sheepcote Street in 1998.
The theatre contains two stages: the Main House which can be arranged traverse-style (capacity 360) or as a traditional proscenium arch (capacity 342) and which is equipped with traps, an orchestra pit and a full-height fly tower; and the Ron Barber Studio (capacity circa 120) which is a flexible performance space without fixed seating.
The facilities include a licensed bar and coffee lounge.
The resident company, which employs a professional management team, has an unpaid membership of around 250 technicians, actors and set designers. The company includes a youth section which has nurtured several stars.
The resident company hosts around fifteen productions annually. The theatre also stages plays by visiting companies. Crescent Website
Custard Factory
The former Bird Custard Factory on Gibb Street in Digbeth contains a 105-seat theatre with a stage area, two dressing rooms and the latest audio-visual equipment.
Links: Guide Digbeth Custard Factory Website
Hall Green Little Theatre
Hall Green Little
Theatre is a suburban community theatre on Pemberley Road in
Fox Hollies. The
company, which is staffed by volunteers, provides "exciting, engaging
and professional theatre" and encourages community participation in the
arts.
The theatre contains two stages: the Veitch, which is the main house with a capacity of 200 and the Signature, a studio that can seat up to 90. Ten productions are staged each season: six in the Main House & four in the Studio.
The facilities include a licensed bar. Coffee is served in the foyer during intervals. Some free parking is available from 6.30 pm on performance nights. Hall Green Little Theatre Website
Highbury Little Theatre is a voluntary members theatre on Sheffield Road in Boldmere. It first opened in 1935 and was rebuilt in the 1980's. The theatre contains two stages: a Main House with stepped seating for around 140 spectators and the Studio which can accommodate up to 30.
The Highbury Players generally stage seven plays from September to June, including an English classic, an international classic & a Christmas show.
The Studio stages challenging, off-beat & unusual plays.
The theatre contains a coffee shop & members bar. Parking can be difficult, particularly in Sheffield Road, although there may be spaces near the railway in Marston Road. Highbury Theatre Website
Sutton Arts Theatre is a members theatre on South Parade in Sutton Coldfield Town. The auditorium can seat up to 129 spectators.
The theatre stages around six annual productions in addition to play readings, musical evenings, quiz nights & other social activities.
Its members serve as unpaid actors, technicians and administrators. There is a licensed bar and coffee lounge. Parking is prohibited outside the theatre but there is a pay & display at the corner of Upper Holland Street & South Parade. Sutton Arts Theatre Website
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