The Birmingham Hippodrome (located on Hurst Street, Birmingham) is one of the most famous and busiest theatres in the United Kingdom – welcoming around 600,000 guests annually.
Birmingham’s flagship theatre hosts a plethora of performances, including opera, comedy, touring West End shows, ballet, pantomime, and more.
Find out everything you need to know about the theatre before you visit.
| Read More: Don’t miss these 20 Super-Popular Attractions while you’re in Birmingham! Here are the 25 Most Popular Birmingham Parks you need to check out too. |
This Article Covers
- Birmingham Hippodrome Contact Details
- A Brief History of Birmingham Hippodrome
- What Is Unique About the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre?
- What Kind of Activities Take Place at Birmingham Hippodrome?
- Upcoming and Past Events at Birmingham Hippodrome
- Which Entrance Should I Use When Arriving at Birmingham Hippodrome?
- Are There Any Parking Spots at the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre?
- Will I Easily Find Public Transportation Near Birmingham Hippodrome?
- Is Birmingham Hippodrome Currently Open for Events?
- Do I Need a COVID Pass When Attending Birmingham Hippodrome Events?
- Does the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre Have Accessible Facilities?
- What are the Other Attractions Near the Birmingham Hippodrome?
Birmingham Hippodrome Contact Details
Address: Hurst St, Birmingham, West Midlands, B5 4TB, United Kingdom
Email address: feedback@birminghamhippodrome.com
Phone numbers:
Tickets and Information: 0844 338 5000
Hospitality and Events: 0844 338 6500
A Brief History of Birmingham Hippodrome
The first venue of the Birmingham Hippodrome was founded on Hurst Street back in 1895. The place was redesigned in 1899, and the main auditorium was built that same year.
It officially became “The Hippodrome” in 1903, and the site’s main auditorium was redesigned in 1924.
In the 1970s, the theatre was sold to the Birmingham City Council. Since 1979, it has been operating under the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre Trust.
In October 2020, the Birmingham City Council announced that the theatre would soon be renovated and would comprise a new outdoor sitting area.
What Is Unique About the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre?
The Birmingham Hippodrome is an independent non-profit charity run by a board of voluntary trustees.
It usually invests in projects with the Birmingham City Council, and often receives donations from organisations like the Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust.
The theatre is a major employer in the region, so it plays a massive role in Birmingham’s Southside Business Improvement District.
It also has strong relationships with the famous Welsh National Opera, Qdos Entertainment, and renowned touring producers like Michael Harrison (the Chief Executive of Crossroads Pantomimes.)
The theatre hosts tons of exciting shows, and some of its past outstanding events include Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (musical) and the 1999 Royal Variety Performance.
What Kind of Activities Take Place at Birmingham Hippodrome?
Here are all the activities that take place at the Birmingham Hippodrome theatre:
- Producing & Artist Development: Creates homegrown shows, supports artists, and invests in producing new work to engage the broadest possible audience
- Festivals & Outdoor Arts: Provides free festivals and outdoor arts that allow audiences to experience all the breathtaking live performances
- Learning & Participation: Highly innovative learning and participation projects that encourage young people to reach their full potential
- Visual Arts: Exciting visual and digital arts programme in and around the premises
- Heritage Project: Explores the theatre’s history, including all the activities that have taken place there
Upcoming and Past Events at Birmingham Hippodrome
With eyes currently on the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Director (Carlos Acosta) has prepared something exciting for visitors. His “On Your Marks” ballet aims to celebrate the athleticism and energy of the company’s incredible dancers.
As part of the Commonwealth Games cultural programme, the Hip Hop community has brought back the B-SIDE Hip-Hop Festival.
Here are some of the upcoming events:
| Type of Event | Events and Dates |
| Ballet | Birmingham Royal Ballet – On Your Marks (Thu 23 Jun – Sat 25 Jun 2022) Birmingham Royal Ballet – Into the Music (Fri 21 Oct – Sat 22 Oct) |
| Music | B-SIDE Hip-Hop Festival 2022 (Sat 11 Jun – Sun 19 Jun) FREEDOM (Sun 9 Oct) |
| Comedy | Confessions Of A Cockney Temple Dancer (Wed 18 May – Thu 19 May) Magic Goes Wrong (Tue 24 May – Sun 29 May) |
| Opera | Welsh National Opera – The Makropulos Affair (Tue 8 Nov) Welsh National Opera – La bohème (Wed 9 Nov – Fri 11 Nov) |
| Musical | MAMMA MIA! (Tue 3 May – Sat 14 May) Waitress (Mon 16 May – Sat 21 May) |
| Dance | Bollywood DIVAS (Tue 31 May) Desiring God by Mavin Khoo & Akshay Sharma (Wed 22 Jun) |
| Family & Pantomime | Oi Frog & Friends! (Sat 21 May – Sun 29 May) Tales From Acorn Wood at Christmas (Thu 15 Dec – Sat 31 Dec) |
| Visual Arts | The City That Spoke To Me exhibition (Wed 9 Mar – Tue 31 May) WASWASA – Whispers in Prayer (Thu 25 Aug – Sat 3 Sep) |
Now, here are some of the theatre’s past events:
- Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: A musical-fantasy film based on Ian Fleming’s novel “Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang: The Magical Car”
- The Phantom of the Opera: A musical based on Gaston Leroux’s “The Phantom of the Opera” French novel
- MAMMA MIA!: The hit musical based on the songs of ABBA
- Voices of the West End: A live outdoor event showcasing music from the West End’s best musicals
- Ten Not Out: A cricket match held at the Sutton Coldfield Cricket Club
- The Belle of New York: The first American musical that ran for over a year in the West End
- The 1999 Royal Variety Performance: A televised variety show held to raise money for the Royal Variety Charity
Which Entrance Should You Use When Arriving at Birmingham Hippodrome?
The main entrance is located on Hurst St, Southside, Birmingham, West Midlands, B5 4TB. There’s an alternative public entrance on Thorp Street.
But if you’re heading straight to the Patrick Studio (Patrick Centre), this area is easily accessible via the Thorp Street entrance, or from Level 3 inside the Birmingham Hippodrome theatre.
Are There Any Parking Spots at the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre?
There are many car park areas nearby that are signposted, but the closest one is the Arcadian car park.
When you leave, you don’t have to visit a pay station – simply download the parking app on your mobile device. And if you’re one of the regular visitors, you can buy season parking tickets on your mobile device.
Will I Easily Find Public Transportation Near Birmingham Hippodrome?
The theatre is near the Birmingham New Street and Moor Street Train Stations (both located in the Birmingham City Centre). It’s a 5-minute walk to the New Street Train Station, and it’d take you around 8 minutes to get to the Moor Street Train Station.
Here are the bus routes that serve the Birmingham Hippodrome theatre: 6, 61, 63, 87, X1, and X2.
Is Birmingham Hippodrome Currently Open for Events?
The Birmingham Hippodrome theatre is currently open and operates Monday to Saturday – from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. On non-performance days, the theatre closes at 6:00 PM.
Do I Need a COVID Pass When Attending Birmingham Hippodrome Events?
As of 2 March 2022, visitors are not required to provide an NHS COVID Pass.
However, other COVID safety measures remain in place. For example, the standard information is that guests should only bring small bags that can fit under their seats since the cloakroom is currently closed.
Does the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre Have Accessible Facilities?
The theatre provides easy access for everyone. It has accessible seats, accessible toilet facilities, and guide dogs are welcome.
This easy access facility also offers British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted performances and induction loops for people with hearing disabilities.
What are the Other Attractions Near the Birmingham Hippodrome?
- Patrick Studio/Patrick Centre (0.1 miles away)
- The Nightingale Club (0.1 miles away)
- Alexandra Theatre (0.14 miles away)
- Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre (0.17 miles away)
- The Old Rep Theatre (0.19 miles away)
- BBC Birmingham Tours (0.34 miles away)
- Flight Club Brunch Social (0.44 miles away)
- Graffiti Art of Digbeth Walk (0.46 miles away)
And if you’re in the mood for a tasty treat, you can dine in at the Circle Restaurant within the theatre. To make reservations, contact the Circle Restaurant on 0844 338 9000.
In case you want to plan your entire Birmingham trip, here’s the perfect itinerary for 24 hours, 48 hours, and longer!