Birmingham is a beautiful city in the United Kingdom. Hence, on a beautiful day, if you are considering going to the theatres in Birmingham but have doubts about which theatre is perfect for you, welcome to this post.
Here, we will provide a brief description of the top 6 theatres in Birmingham. Here, you will learn what these theatres offer and their actual locations. Birmingham theatres are the gateway for various kinds of wonderful and unique arts communities all around the globe.
1. Here are the 6 Best Theaters in Birmingham
These theatres offer many things, from intimate classics to massive travelling productions. You can get a considerable touring production along with the chandeliers falling as well as on-stage helicopters, and also the presentation of a great William Shakespeare play.
You can view the musicals, operas, ballets, and plays of modern days, as well as performance art. The distance from one theatre to another is just 2 minutes, and you will find a theatre in every block.
Birmingham offers many kinds of programs and performances as you like, and their variety is enormous.
1.1 Birmingham Hippodrome
Ask anyone in Birmingham which is the best theatre in the city; they will blindly tell you the name of Birmingham Hippodrome. The Birmingham Hippodrome is famous for its West End productions.
Some well-known productions of Birmingham Hippodrome are The Lion King, Wicked, Miss Saigon, and Les Misérables. Inside Birmingham Hippodrome, you will see a vast stage and state-of-the-art technology.
The Birmingham Hippodrome was established in 1899; at that time, it was a music hall with a circus ring. Despite its small size during the early days, it provided a variety of performances, and it continues to do so. As soon as it became home to Birmingham Royal Ballet, its productions grew.
After that, the Birmingham Hippodrome included more in their productions, such as dance, studios for performances, and cultural workshops. Therefore, outside this theatre, you will find many fantastic dining restaurants. It has a seating capacity of 1,935.
The Circle restaurant of Birmingham Hippodrome recently prepared exceptional pains; you can enjoy a delicious pre-show meal. You can also see some cast members who gather for two or tipple Hippodrome’s Stage sidebar upon the road away from the stage door on Thorp Street.
Another popular offering of Birmingham Hippodrome is the Christmas panto. No other Christmas panto is as giant as it is in the UK. The contact number of Birmingham Hippodrome is 0121 689 1070.
It will take just 20 minutes to reach Birmingham Hippodrome from the south of the city centre. The address of Birmingham Hippodrome is Hurst St, Southside at Birmingham, B5 4TB in England.
1.2 The Alexandra
The Alexandra is amongst the best theatres in Birmingham. People call it Alex in short. The Alexandra is the most significant theatre of classic Art Deco styling. Like Birmingham Hippodrome, Alex offers massive West End productions like Copacabana, Grease, and Great Expectations.
The seating capacity is 1386. It gained popularity both locally and nationally because of its critically acclaimed staging of ‘West Side Story.’ The theatre was started in 1901 and then went through many renovations and changes in ownership.
In 2018, it again renovated itself, updated the seating capacity, repaired some things, and added modern technology. At the same time, a haunted story is also rumoured in The Alexandra. The actual entrance of the theatre is located on St John Bright Street, but currently, it is next to the Suffolk Street Queensway.
The previous owners and many cleaning staff said they felt some unnatural things in Alexandra. To reach The Alexandra from the south of the city centre by bus will take only 20 minutes.
The theatre provides opportunities to touring musicians who are searching for a respectable performance venue. Also, comedians who graduated from various art centres but cannot reach the arena are given a helping hand.
The Alexandra Theatre is situated at Suffolk Street Queensway in Birmingham, B5 4DS in Great Britain. To contact them, call 08448713011.
1.3 Old Joint Stock Theatre
Old Joint Stock is one of the famous theatres in Birmingham. It is also a notable theatre in a Grade II listed building of the 19th century. It has a small black box studio for inward performance.
This building was first used as a personal library of local clergymen. After that, it was also used as a stock bank. It also houses a famous local bar that attracts the attention of many professional people.
It mainly attracts the attention of financial workers. Performers directly access the theatre through the bar and reach their spectators. The seating capacity of Old Joint Stock Theatre is only 100.
Both after and before watching the show, you can entertain yourself with a beautiful selection of pies and ales. We are very sure that it will please your appetite. The Old Joint Stock Theatre is in the middle of the city centre.
The address to reach Old Joint Stock Theatre is 4 Temple Row W at Birmingham B2 5NY in England. To contact Old Joint Stock Theatre, call 44 121 200 1892.
1.4 The Birmingham Repertory Theatre Ltd
In the city’s heart, there is another fantastic theatre where you can enjoy programs, the Birmingham Repertory Theatre Ltd, also known as Birmingham Rep. The theatre is known for its iconic offerings. 1014 is the total seating capacity of the theatre.
They provide unique things like avant-garde performances that feature the names of great writers. The theatre was established in 1913. This theatre is a massive part of the local scene’s heart and soul. It was first laid on Station Street, but later, in 1971, it was moved to Broad Street.
Their performer list contains names like John Gielgud, Laurence Olivier, Kenneth Branagh, and Derek Jacobi. There are three rooms in the theatre. To enjoy a tasty pre-show meal, you can visit the theatre’s restaurant.
The name of their restaurant is Rep East. As the theatre is located in the middle of the city, you can also go to some other restaurants to have your meal. But the quality of food at Birmingham Repertory is outstanding.
Like the Old Joint Stock Theatre, it is also located in the heart of the city centre. The exact location of Birmingham Repertory Theatre is Broad St at Birmingham, B1 2EP in England. The contact number of Birmingham Repertory Theatre is 44 121 236 4455.
1.5 Crescent Theatre
The best and highest-quality amateur theatre in Birmingham. Crescent Theatre is best for you to enjoy an exciting and entertaining amateur show. It shows some important parts of everything that the Theatre of Birmingham showcases.
For decades, it has been managed and maintained by its own in-house repertory company. The company holds auditions constantly and regularly. So whenever you go to the theatre, there is the possibility of seeing the faces of new performers.
The seating capacity of Crescent Theatre is 300. However, you can also see a small studio room without any proper seating facility. It offers almost everything, like musical jazz, traditional plays, and classic plays of the great Shakespeare.
They always show you some unique and funny performances. If you see their programs, you are watching their local scenes. The theatre offers training for roles behind the scenes and the design of sound and stage.
It will take just 15 minutes to reach by driving from the south of the city centre. The Crescent Theatre is situated at 20 Sheepcote St in Birmingham, B16 8AE in England. Their contact number is 44 121 643 5858.
1.6 The Old Rep Theatre
Old Rep Theatre of Birmingham is the first repertory theatre. The total seating capacity of Old Rep Theatre is 400. They have a minimal production with beautiful acoustics and sight lines.
The Old Rep Theatre of Birmingham is the place where Sir Derek Jacobi made his debut as a professional artist. Not only that, but Peter Brook also directed his first production in Old Rep Theatre.
It was established in 1913 and is widely regarded for its vast selection of family-friendly shows. Birmingham Ormiston Academy maintains the theatre. It is also a lovely place to watch the future stars of the next generation.
The theatre features a beautiful bar and pub onsite, along with excellent decoration. From the city centre, it will take just 15 minutes to reach the Old Rep Theatre.
The theatre is located at 45 Station St, Birmingham B5 4DY in Britain. Their contact number is 44 121 359 9444.
An Overview
Birmingham is the best place in the UK to enjoy theatre. Famous and reputed theatres are located in the city. They provide great plays to the audience. They also have a restaurant where you can have your meal.
To spend some great time with your family and friends, these theatres are best for you. Additionally, you don’t need to cover a great distance to reach the theatres. Hardly it will take 20 minutes to arrive.
If you are planning a weekend trip to Birmingham theatres, then these are the perfect places for you.
Last Updated on July 11, 2024 by Sathi Chakraborty
