Our Change Of Scenery

2011- 2013 marks a change of scenery for Birmingham Repertory Theatre as it undergoes re-development as part of the new Library of Birmingham. This exciting venture will see the two cultural venues sharing public spaces and a new purpose-built 300-seat auditorium, plus there will be much-needed updating of The REP’s backstage facilities.

The Library of Birmingham is being built next door to The REP and will be physically integrated with our building. We will be joined at ground and first floor levels and will share foyer, bars, restaurant and the new studio theatre. View the FlyThrough.

As the city’s only major producing theatre, the new 300-seat studio theatre will significantly expand the range and number of dramatic works that The REP can produce and present and will offer an exciting new space for collaboration between The REP and the Library of Birmingham.

In addition to the new studio theatre, the development will bring a more accessible, welcoming and stimulating environment for people visiting both the library and the theatre, as well as providing many improvements to The REP, including new rehearsal rooms, set-building facilities and dressing rooms. Finally,The Door (our 140-seat studio theatre) will become a much-needed space for the theatre’s many and various learning and participation activities, as well as retaining its ability to present small-scale shows and work-in-development.

As a result of the building work taking place, we closed the doors to our Centenary Square home in January 2011 until we reopen in 2013. For the next two years we are producing work for a range of different venues across Birmingham as well as continuing our burgeoning work with writers, young people and an ambitious community engagement programme.

The company has temporarily relocated to a new administrative HQ in the Jewellery Quarter, with our set construction workshop in Kyott’s Lake and lighting and props departments in Hockley. Meanwhile, our new Box Office, The BOX, is situated in the lobby of the Central Library on Chamberlain Square.

During our change of scenery we will be returning to our original home, The Old REP, as well as making use of other well established venues such as The Crescent Theatre and The ICC. We will also be charting unfamiliar territory as we’re planning some exciting shows in places where you might not expect to watch a play – and for these site-specific pieces we hope to involve people who haven’t been to the theatre before. So with this healthy mix of the traditional, the experimental, the old and the new there’s certainly a lot to look forward to during our offsite adventure!

The end of our journey in 2013 will also mark the start of a new chapter in our long and distinguished history, as the company celebrates its Centenary. We have also recently appointed Roxana Silbert as our new Artistic Director and we look forward to welcoming her on board soon to lead us into the next 100 years of great theatre.