Birmingham boasts a vibrant and diverse theatre scene, offering a range of venues to suit all tastes. From grand, historic playhouses to intimate studio spaces, the city’s theatres showcase everything from classic dramas and musicals to cutting-edge contemporary works. Whether you’re a seasoned theatregoer or looking for a unique night out, Birmingham’s theatrical offerings are sure to impress. Here’s a guide to some of the key venues:
Birmingham Hippodrome
South Side, Hippodrome Theatre, Hurst St, Birmingham B5 4TB
The Birmingham Hippodrome is a theatre situated on Hurst Street in the Chinese Quarter of Birmingham, England.
Architecture firm: Burdwood and Mitchell
Capacity: 1,850
Phone: 0121 689 3000
Opened: 1895
Bristol Hippodrome Website
Alexandra Theatre
The Alexandra, commonly known as the Alex, is a theatre on Suffolk Queensway in Birmingham, England
Architects: John Madin, Roland Satchwell
Suffolk Street Queensway, Birmingham B5 4DS
Capacity: 1,347
Opened: 27 May 1901
Birmingham Repertory Company
Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Birmingham Repertory Theatre, commonly called Birmingham Rep or just The Rep, is a producing theatre based on Centenary Square in Birmingham, England. Founded by Barry Jackson, it is the longest-established of Britain’s building-based theatre companies and one of its most consistently innovative.
Architect: Graham Winteringham
Located in: Library of Birmingham
Address: 6 Centenary Sq, Birmingham B1 2EP
Capacity: 1,014
Date founded: 1913
Opened: 1913
Birmingham Repertory Theatre Website
The Old Rep Theatre
The Old Rep Theatre
The Old Rep is a Grade II listed theatre, located on Station Street in Birmingham, England. When it was constructed in 1913, it was the United Kingdom’s first ever purpose-built repertory theatre.
Architect: S. N. Cooke
Address: Station St, Birmingham B5 4DY
Capacity: 385 (including 2 wheelchair spaces)
Architect: S. N. Cooke
Opened: 15 February 1913
The Old Rep Website
Crescent Theatre
Crescent Theatre
The Crescent Theatre is a multi-venue theatre run mostly by volunteers in Birmingham City Centre. It is part of the Brindleyplace development on Sheepcote Street. It has a resident company, one of the oldest theatre companies in the city, and is a founding member of the Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain
Located in: Brindleyplace
Address: Sheepcote St, Birmingham B16 8AE
Capacity: 456
Opened: October 1998
Architects: Terry Farrell, John Chatwin
Rebuilt: 1964; 1997
Crescent Theatre Website
The Old Joint Stock Pub & Theatre, Birmingham
The Old Joint Stock Theatre is a studio theatre and pub located at 4 Temple Row West in the centre of Birmingham, England, opposite St Philip’s Cathedral. The listed building was designed as a library but owes its present name to its use by the Birmingham Joint Stock Bank.
Service options: Outside food allowed · Has outdoor seating · Serves food at bar
Address: 4 Temple Row W, Birmingham B2 5NY
Old Joint Stock Website
Blue Orange Theatre
Blue Orange Theatre
The Blue Orange Theatre is an independent theatre located in the Jewellery Quarter in the centre of Birmingham, England. It was founded by the local producer and director Mark Webster and opened in April 2011, aiming to showcase new drama and writing from the city.
Address: 118 Great Hampton St, Birmingham B18 6AD
Blue Orange Theatre Website
Midlands Arts Centre
MAC is a non-profit arts centre situated in Cannon Hill Park, Edgbaston, Birmingham, England. It was established in 1962 and is registered as an educational charity which hosts art exhibitions, Indie Cinema, live performances and Creative Courses for all ages. The centre re-opened in May 2010 after a £15m facelift.
Address: Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH
Midlands Arts Centre Website