Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Birmingham Repertory Theatre tours
On selected Saturdays visitors can delve behind the scenes at Birmingham Repertory Theatre on a guided backstage tour. Visit the props room, paintshop, wardrobe and wings, and maybe rub shoulders with an actor or stage manager.
All tours take place in the mornings and last approximately 90 minutes. As this is a working theatre The REP cannot always guarantee access to the stages for any tour, due to the changing nature of the productions.
Duration: 90 minutes. Tour information.
How to book: Visitors wishing to attend the Birmingham Repertory Theatre tour may book online or by contacting the theatre's Box Office by phone at +44 (0)121 243 4455.
Tour dates: Birmingham Repertory Theatre runs tours on selected Saturday's throughout the year.
Cost: Standard - £6.00, Family Group 2 - 7 (price per person), Including Sandwich Lunch £14.00.
How to get there
Birmingham Repertory Theatre is easily accessible by train, road and public transport. When travelling to the theatre by road from outside Birmingham, follow signs for the City Centre and the the International Convention Centre. There are a number of car parks located close to the theatre. The theatre is also a short walk away from Birmingham New Street train station.
For further information on parking and directions please see the theatre’s website.
Nearby
Situated in the heart of Birmingham, the theatre is located adjacent to the Library of Birmingham which opened in 2013 and the International Convention Centre which is home of Symphony Hall. Other attractions nearby include the Birmingham Hippodrome theatre and the Bull Ring shopping centre.
Birmingham Repertory Theatre was founded by Barry Jackson in 1913 with a purpose built, elegant 464-seat Repertory Theatre, now known as The Old Rep, situated on Station Street.
In 1971 the company moved to Broad Street to a newly built theatre, designed by Graham Winteringham, with a stage of epic proportions and a democratic auditorium with no balconies, pillars or boxes. New generations of artists have launched their careers here and new ideas continue to flourish reflecting changes in the city and the world. Artists that have appeared at The REP include Derek Jacobi, Kenneth Branagh, Peter O’Toole, Peter Ustinov, Timothy Spall, Patricia Routledge, Alex Kingston, Lindsay Duncan, Damian Lewis and Martin Freeman.
The theatre has three auditoria – The HOUSE, which seats 824, The STUDIO seating 300 and The DOOR, 140. It is a producing theatre with its own set construction and props workshop, scenic paintshop, wardrobe and wig making departments. It also has two rehearsal rooms.
From 2011 to 2013, the theatre underwent redevelopment as part of the city’s new Library of Birmingham. This redevelopment enabled the revitalisation of the theatre by Dutch architects Mecanoo, who also designed the adjoining library. It included the creation of a new 300-seat auditorium, The STUDIO, and extended public foyer, both of which connect the theatre to the Library of Birmingham.
See The Theatres Trust Theatres Database ID: 31 Birmingham Repertory Theatre
