Theatres in Birmingham play host to a thriving community of performing art lovers.
From intimate classics to thrilling travelling productions – there’s nothing you won’t find in a classy Birmingham theatre.
If you wish to unwind after an exciting day of travel in Birmingham, visit one of Birmingham’s eight magnificent theatres.
| Read More: Planning a fancy dinner? Check out these 13 Sizzling Birmingham Steakhouses! Dive into the delicious world of chocolate at Cadbury World Birmingham! |
This Article Contains
An Overview of Birmingham Theatre
8 Sensational Theatres in Birmingham
- Birmingham Hippodrome
- Birmingham Repertory Theatre
- Blue Orange Theatre
- Midlands Arts Centre (MAC)
- Old Rep Theatre
- The Alexandra Birmingham
- The Crescent Theatre
- The Old Joint Stock Theatre
Let’s begin!
An Overview of Birmingham Theatre
Birmingham has a rich history of performing arts. The city’s earliest known performances were medieval pageants, and miracle plays.
The “second city” saw its very first permanent theatres and theatrical companies in the 1740s, bringing in actors and unique performing styles from London’s fashionable theatres.
Today, Birmingham theatres are seen buzzing with locals and tourists alike.
The city’s three major producing theatres are
- Birmingham Repertory Theatre
- The Old Rep
- The Blue Orange Theatre
Birmingham city also houses various other production houses, including The Alexandra Theatre, the Birmingham Hippodrome, the Crescent Theatre, the Custard Factory, the Old Joint Stock Theatre, and the mac in Cannon Hill Park.
Go to the official Birmingham City Council to know the latest news about Birmingham theatres.
Also, you can visit the official theatre website for an online booking. So, you’ll have your ticket ready before you reach the venue.
Without further ado, let’s explore the eight must-visit Birmingham theatres.
8 Sensational Theatres in Birmingham
Here are the Birmingham theatre venues you need to have on your itinerary.
1. Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre
Situated on Hurst Street in the Chinese Quarter of Birmingham, Birmingham Hippodrome is the home of the iconic Birmingham Royal Ballet.
This musical theatre also hosts a range of performances ranging from opera to touring West End shows, pantomime and drama.
Note: The Birmingham Hippodrome no longer has a public entrance through Thorp Street.
A Few of the Events in 2022:
- Mamma Mia! (Starts 24 May 2022)
- Birmingham Royal Ballet – The Nutcracker (Starts 23 Jun 2022)
- We Will Rock You (Starts 04 Jul 2022)
- Les Miserables (Starts 10 Aug 2022)
- The Colour Purple (Starts 13 Sep 2022)
- Birmingham Royal Ballet – Giselle (Starts 26 Oct 2022)
Address: Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre, Hurst Street, Southside, Birmingham, B5 4TB, United Kingdom
Website: https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/
Phone No: 0844 338 5000
Nearest bus/train stations:
Bus: Sumner Road (2 min walk), Swan Hotel (2 min walk)
Train:
Nearby attractions: Birmingham Back to Backs Museum (1 min drive) (1 min walk)
2. Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Famously known as “Birmingham Rep,” Birmingham Repertory is one of Birmingham’s leading producing theatres.
The Birmingham Rep is situated next to the Library of Birmingham in the heart of the Birmingham city centre in Centenary Square and is well known for its musicals.
This musical theatre has three auditoria in Birmingham:
- The House (825 seats)
- The Studio (300 seats)
- The Door (140 seats)
You can get your ticket by making a booking at the online box office.
A Few of the Events in 2022:
- Spy School (Starts 1st Aug 2022)
- Bugsy Malone (Starts 27 Jul 2022)
- Rep Backstage Tours (Starts 30 Jul 2022)
- Play In A Week for Ages 7-12 (Starts 8 Aug 2022)
- Counting And Cracking (Starts 19 Aug 2022)
Address: 6 Centenary Square, Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2EP, United Kingdom
Website: https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/
Phone No.: 0121 236 4455
Nearest bus/train stations:
Bus: Library Metro (Stop Br1) (5 min walk), National Indoor Arena (5 min walk)
Train: Birmingham Moor Street (6 min walk), Birmingham New Street (13 min walk)
Nearby attractions: Cadbury World (16 min drive)
3. Blue Orange Theatre
The Blue Orange is a small fringe theatre located on Great Hampton Street in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter (northwest of Northwood Street Car Park.) It hosts a decent but cosy gathering of 90-100 people, a rehearsal studio, and a spacious bar.
This venue attracts diverse audiences – thanks to its amazing in-house productions, touring shows, and even comedy nights.
A Few of the Events in 2022:
- Blood, Sweat, And Vaginas (Starts 21 Jul 2022)
- Confessions (Starts 23 Jul 2022)
- Wheaton’s Law (Starts 25 Jul 2022)
- The Caper Trail (Starts 28 Jul 2022)
- The Lost Children (Starts 29 Jul 2022)
Address: 118 Great Hampton St, Birmingham, West Midlands, B18 6AD
Website: https://blueorangetheatre.co.uk/
Phone No.: 0121 212 2643
Nearest bus/train stations:
Bus: Hall St (1 min walk), Great Hampton St (3 min walk)
Train: Birmingham Snow Hill (8 min walk)
Nearby attractions: Library of Birmingham (7 min drive) (20 min walk)
4. Midlands Arts Centre (MAC)
Midlands Arts Centre is a famous art complex situated in Cannon Hill Park in Birmingham.
It hosts an exciting range of drama, dance, music, comedy, cinema, and even intensive workshops.
A Few of the Events in 2022:
- The Quiet Girl (Starts 29 Jul 2022)
- Good Luck to You, Leo Grande (Starts 29 Jul 2022)
- Lightyear (Starts 31 July 2022)
- 4K Film: Psycho (31 July 2022)
- Community Tapestry Sewing Circle: Allegory of War (Starts 2 Aug 2022)
Address: Midlands Arts Centre, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, B12 9QH
Website: https://macbirmingham.co.uk/
Phone No.: 0121 446 3232
Nearest bus/train stations:
Bus: Midlands Arts Centre (3 min walk), Priory Rd (4 min walk)
Nearby attractions: Cannon Hill Park (3 min drive) (5 min walk)
5. Old Rep Theatre
The Old Rep Theatre is one of Birmingham’s most loved theatres situated on Station Street opposite the Southside entrance of Grand Central. It attracts young, passionate audiences with its sensational theatre, dance, and comedy performances, as well as musicals and creative workshops.
It only produces five major performances annually before touring them worldwide to Singapore, Dubai, New York, and Sydney.
Since 1998, the theatre has focused on new and contemporary plays, producing world premieres by playwrights including Oren Lavie, Paul Lucas, Dominic Leyton, David Mamet and Reg Cribb.
A Few of the Events in 2022:
- Zendaya (Starts 27 Jul 2022)
- MDC Summer Showcase (30 Jul 2022)
- Theatre Tours (13 Aug 2022)
- Robert Temple: The Hypnotist (11 Sept 2022)
- The Thinking Drinkers (17 Sept 2022)
Address: The Old Rep Theatre, Station Street, Birmingham, B5 4DY
Website: https://www.oldreptheatre.co.uk/
Phone No.: 0121 359 9444
Nearest bus/train stations:
Bus: Alexandra Theatre (Stop Sf1) (3 min walk), Bromsgrove St (Stop Ps3) (3 min walk)|
Train: Birmingham Moor Street (17 min walk)
Nearby attractions: St Martin In The Bull Ring (3 min drive) (5 min walk)
6. The Alexandra Birmingham
Commonly known as the Alex, the Alexandra Theatre is one of Birmingham’s most famous theatres. The theatre has been passed through a number of owners – from Lester Collingwood to Leon Salberg.
In 2006, the Ambassador Theatre Group acquired the Alexandra theatre. Following the theatre’s refurbishment, the Ambassador Theatre Group renamed it to “New Alexandra Theatre.”
The New Alexandra Theatre Birmingham resides on Station Street in the city centre and can host 1,371 people. At Alexandra, you can enjoy a popular touring drama, West End shows, and standup comedy.
A Few of the Events in 2022:
- Fame – Stage Experience (Starts 25 Aug 2022)
- Foy Vance – Signs of Life Tour (24 Sept 2022)
- Derren Brown – Showman (Starts 6 Sept 2022)
- The ELO Experience – Electric Light Orchestra (11 Sept 2022)
- Fisherman’s Friends – The Musical (Starts 12 Sept 2022)
Address: Suffolk Queensway, Birmingham, West Midlands, B5 4DS
Website: https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/
Phone No.: 0333 009 6690
Nearest bus/train stations:
Bus: O2 Academy (Stop Hf1) (2 min walk), Alexandra Theatre (Stop Sf1) (5 min walk)
Train: Birmingham Moor Street (31 min walk)
Nearby attractions: National Sea Life Centre Birmingham (9 min drive) (15 min walk)
7. The Crescent Theatre
The Crescent Theatre, situated just off Broad Street in Brindleyplace, Birmingham, is run by one of the oldest theatre companies, The Crescent.
It is a cosy, amateur drama and musical theatre that is known for its diverse productions.
A Few of the Events in 2022:
- Eden (Starts 26 Jul 2022)
- Ophelia (Starts 26 Jul 2022)
- Bessie At Midnight, Alone (Starts 29 Jul 2022)
- Into the Spotlight: Genesis Dance Project (Starts 3 Aug 2022)
- Shakespeare in Love (Starts 24 Sept 2022)
Address: The Crescent Theatre Limited, 20 Sheepcote Street, Brindleyplace, Birmingham, B16 8AE
Website: https://www.crescent-theatre.co.uk/
Phone No.: 0121 643 5858
Nearest bus/train stations:
Bus: Ruston St (2 min walk), Five Ways Metro (2 min walk)
Train: Five Ways (11 min walk), Birmingham Moor Street (18 min walk)
Nearby attractions: Ikon Gallery Birmingham (9 min drive) (4 min walk)
8. The Old Joint Stock Theatre
The Old Joint Stock is a professional 100-seat studio theatre that showcases exciting musicals and comedy shows (among many others!)
It also houses an exceptional pub housing incredible beer and cider along with great wines and mouthwatering food. Spend an evening here after you’re done with the hustle of Commonwealth Games Birmingham.
A Few of the Events in 2022:
- Shell Suit Cher: Believe in Bingo (Starts 15 Jul 2022)
- Bingo at Tiffany’s (Starts 16 Jul 2022)
- Palimpsest (29 Jul 2022)
- 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche (Starts 17 Aug 2022)
- Apartness (Starts 8 Sept 2022)
Address: The Old Joint Stock Pub & Theatre, 4 Temple Row West, Birmingham, West Midlands, B2 5NY
Website: https://www.oldjointstock.co.uk/
Phone No.: 0121 200 1892
Nearest bus/train stations:
Bus: Colmore Row (Stop Sh1) (2 min walk), Colmore Row (Stop Sh2) (3 min walk)
Train: Birmingham Moor Street (16 min walk)
Nearby attractions: Winterbourne House & Garden (16 min walk) (56 min walk)