The Old Rep

Listings for The Old Rep

45 Station St, Birmingham B5 4DY, Reino Unido, Birmingham
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Description

Originally known as the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, the Old Rep was the United Kingdom’s first ever purpose built repertory theatre and today, it attracts a range of top quality theatre, comedy and musical theatre performances. The Old Rep is dedicated to showcasing professional productions as well as more amateur events so that they have a platform to show their talent. The Birmingham Rep also provides an exciting space for young people to take part in training opportunities within production, theatre, management, marketing and technical theatre.

Located in the very heart of Birmingham city centre, the Old Rep is a Grade II listed building which boasts unique, intimate venue which has retained many of its original features as a In 2016, the Old Rep win the Best Small Theatre/Art Venue in the What’s On Reader Awards. From 2014, the Old Rep has owned by the Birmingham Ormiston Academy who strive to make it a creative space for young people in Birmingham.


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The Old Rep Birmingham Seating Plan

The Old Rep Birmingham is a relatively small auditorium, which can seat up to 385 people. Depending on where you choose to sit in the Old Rep, views of the stage and therefore ticket prices vary considerably.

The Old Rep Seating Plan Map

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The Old Rep Birmingham Seating

 The Old Rep Birmingham theatre auditorium is only divided across two levels: the Stalls and the Balcony. 

The Stalls 

As the largest section of the theatre, the Stalls is closest to the stage and provides the most intimate theatrical experience. 

The Balcony 

This section of the theatre is furthest away from the stage, but still offers some great views as it is still a small auditorium.

  • Premium seats: if you are looking for the best seat in the Old Rep auditorium, then these can be found in the mid front of the Stalls, which provide excellent views of the stage.
  • Good Value for Money: slightly cheaper tickets can be found at the back of the Stalls but they still offer excellent views of the stage.
  • Discounted tickets: Given that the auditorium is fairly small, there are not many seats in the theatre which provide restricted views of the stage. However, if you are looking for cheaper tickets then these can be found at the back of the Balcony which are the seats furthest away from the stage.

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The Old Rep Birmingham Contact and Opening Hours

Contact Numbers

  • The Old Rep contact number: 0121 359 9444
  • Email: boxoffice@oldreptheatre.co.uk

Opening Times

Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm

The box office counter is open 1 hour 30 minutes before an event.


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Useful Information

Getting there

Cómo llegar a The Old Rep
 

The Old Rep Theatre is located on Station street and can be accessed by both public transport and by car. The full Old Rep Theatre address is:

The Old Rep Theatre, Station Street,

Birmingham, B5 4DY

  • Train: the closest train station to the Old Rep is Birmingham New Street station which is about a 10 minute walk away from Moor Street and then a 12 minute walk from Snow Hill.
  • Bus: if you are taking the bus, then you take 10H, 16, 16A, 16W, 45, 47, 80, 80A and 126 which all stop on station street. These bus stops are only a 5 minute walk to the old rep.
  • Tram: the nearest tram stop is Grand Central Station. The tram provides links between Birmingham and Wolverhampton, as well as to West Bromwich and Wednesbury.
  • Car: you can choose from many different car parks which are situated close to the Old Rep. The Old Rep theatre offers an exclusive rate of 24 hours for £5 at APCOA China Town Car Park, Wrottesley Street, B5 4RT.

Access

Old Rep Access line: 0121 359 9444. Please call this number to discuss any requirements before you visit and to ask about complimentary tickets for carers to accompany a wheelchair user.

The Old Rep is dedicated to providing an inclusive space and are happy to assist access customers in any way that they can. Given that the theatre is in an old building, it can be fairly difficult to climb the stairs in the steeply raked auditorium. We therefore you recommend that you use the Hinckley Street entrance. From this entrance, there are two wheelchair spaces in the first tow of the stalls.

Toilets

There is an accessible toilet located in the Hinckley street bar.  

Parking

The closest car park for blue badge holders is located in Dudley Street Car park B5 4PJ.  

Assistance Dogs

You are welcome to bring any assistance dogs into the auditorium with you or alternatively, staff are happy to look after the dogs for the duration of the performance in the the Old Rep Box office. 

Hearing Impaired

For visitors who are hearing impaired, the theatre is fitted with a Sennheiser infra-red hearing enhancement system. You can collect a receiver from the Box Office in order to use this system. 


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The Old Rep Theatre History

Following venue construction from October 1912 for four months, The Birmingham Old Rep first opened on 15th February 1913 with the performance of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, followed by a performance from Barry Jackson of the poem The Mighty Line by resident playwright John Drinkwater. Originally built for Barry Jackson’s amateur theatre group, many of his plays were performed here. The Old Rep made its mark in history as the first purpose-built repertory theatre in Birmingham.

When the Birmingham Rep company were unable to join the war effort in 1915, they worked together on Sundays to make shells at the local aluminum works. In 1917, the Birmingham Rep was groundbreaking in appointing the first female stage manager, Maude Gill. In 1921, there was a fire which damaged the front curtain and the set but the Old Rep still showed the matinee performance the following day.

Receiving a gold medal from the Birmingham Civic society and a knighthood in 1923 for his services in the theatre, Barry Jackson’s contribution to Birmingham arts scene have been widely recognised. In 1955, he was also awarded the freedom of the city.

During World War 2 Blitz, a bomb tragically fell on the Old Rep but the next day the show still wne ton! In 1971, the Old Rep moved location from its Station Street venue to the newly biolt theatre on Broad Street which is owned by Birmingham City Council. Yet the Old Rep returned to its station street home between 2011- 2013.

Despite undergoing several ups and downs financially, the Birmingham Rep remained a thriving centre of Birmingham’s cultural and arts scene and it has continued this reputation today.


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Photos of The Old Rep

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Featured videos

the Old Rep testimonials

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An Old Rep Christmas (2016 - 2019)

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