History of The Alexandra Theatre (The Alex) in Birmingham

The Alexandra Theatre, affectionately known as “The Alex,” has been a cornerstone of Birmingham’s cultural scene since its opening in 1901. Originally named the Lyceum Theatre, it was constructed by William Coutts on John Bright Street. Despite its initial promise, the theatre struggled to attract audiences, leading to its sale in 1902 to Lester Collingwood, who renamed it the Alexandra Theatre.
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Tragically, Collingwood’s tenure was cut short by his untimely death in 1910. He was succeeded by Leon Salberg, under whose leadership the theatre flourished. In 1935, the Alexandra underwent a significant transformation, with a complete rebuild that introduced an Art Deco auditorium, a design by Roland Satchwell.
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The Salberg family managed the theatre until 1977, after which ownership changed hands multiple times. In 1995, the Apollo Leisure Group took over, bringing large-scale West End productions to Birmingham. Subsequent owners included SFX Entertainment and Clear Channel Entertainment, each contributing to the theatre’s evolving legacy.
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In 2018, the venue underwent an extensive refurbishment and reverted to its original name, The Alexandra. Today, it continues to be a valuable contributor to culture within Birmingham and the West Midlands, presenting first-rate musicals, drama, comedy, and more.
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Throughout its history, The Alexandra has been more than just a venue; it’s a living testament to Birmingham’s rich theatrical heritage, adapting and thriving through the decades.

Lead image: “Main entrance to the Alexandra Theatre. The entrance on Suffolk Street Queensway was built in 1967. The theatre auditorium was re-built in 1935.” John M Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0