Media Gallery
Production Photographs
The Company in Rehearsal
Our House runs for approximately 2 hours 30 mins including one interval
- By: Tim Firth
- Directed by: Matthew Warchus
- Choreographer: Peter Darling
- Designer: Rob Howell
- Musical Supervisor, Vocal Arrangements & Additional Material: Phil Bateman
- Illusions and Costume Effects: Paul Kieve
- Lighting Designer: David Howe
- Video Design: Jon Driscoll
- Sound Designer: Simon Baker
- Associate Director: Ruth Carney
- Associate Choreographer: Lynne Page
- Associate Designer: Colin Falconer
- Associate Costume Designer: Irene Bohan
- Casting by: James Orange
- Orchestrator: Steve Sidwell
Special Dates
- After Dark : Tue 10 June
- Theatre Day : Thu 12 June
- Audio Described Performance : Sat 14 June
- BSL Interpreted Performance : Mon 16 June
- Captioned Performance : Tue 17 June
- Spotlight : Tue 17 June
Birmingham Repertory Theatre Company presents
Our House
Thu 29 May 2008 – Sat 21 Jun 2008
Main House
By Tim Firth, Music and Lyrics by Madness, Directed by Matthew Warchus
Our House didn’t just win the Olivier Award for Best New Musical, it was an instant smash hit, winning the hearts of London’s West End. A touching tale of life and love, heartbreak and comedy, right and wrong, Our House is the irresistibly brilliant musical bursting with non-stop classic hits from everyone’s favourite 80s pop group, Madness.
Sixteen today, in love for the first time – the world is really changing for the young Joe Casey. But on this fateful night he doesn’t realise quite how much.
Our House features more than 20 timeless songs including My Girl, Wings Of A Dove, Baggy Trousers, House Of Fun, Driving In My Car and of course, the joyous classic It Must Be Love.
This hilarious, touchingly romantic and emotionally charged musical is written by Tim Firth ( Calendar Girls, Neville’s Island) and directed by Matthew Warchus ( Art, The Lord Of The Rings, Boeing Boeing) with high-octane choreography by Peter Darling ( Billy Elliot).
| Date | Time | Date information |
|---|---|---|
| Thu 29th May | 19:30 | |
| Fri 30th May | 19:30 | |
| Sat 31st May | 19:30 | |
| Mon 2nd Jun | 19:30 | |
| Tue 3rd Jun | 19:00 | |
| Wed 4th Jun | 19:30 | |
| Thu 5th Jun | 14:30 | |
| Thu 5th Jun | 19:30 | |
| Fri 6th Jun | 19:30 | |
| Sat 7th Jun | 17:30 | |
| Mon 9th Jun | 19:30 | |
| Tue 10th Jun | 19:30 | After Dark |
| Wed 11th Jun | 19:30 | |
| Thu 12th Jun | 14:30 | Theatre Day |
| Thu 12th Jun | 19:30 | |
| Fri 13th Jun | 19:30 | |
| Sat 14th Jun | 14:30 | Audio Described Performance |
| Sat 14th Jun | 19:30 | |
| Mon 16th Jun | 19:30 | BSL Interpreted Performance |
| Tue 17th Jun | 19:30 | Captioned Performance, Spotlight |
| Wed 18th Jun | 19:30 | |
| Thu 19th Jun | 14:30 | |
| Thu 19th Jun | 19:30 | |
| Fri 20th Jun | 19:30 | |
| Sat 21st Jun | 14:30 | |
| Sat 21st Jun | 19:30 |
“You’d be mad to miss this Madness offering”
Coventry Telegraph
“The audience loved it; everyone was up off their seat for a final encore, bouncing up and down and pretend marching to the inimitable pop-ska”
Whatsonstage.com
“However you feel when you go in, you’ll feel better when you come out.”
Reviewsgate.com
“BLIMEY, this musical is going to blow the roof off The REP. It is loud, frantic and young, full of energy and spark.”
Birmingham Mail
“All in all this show is a celebration of life and all it has to offer. Carrying a feel-good factor, it is a traditional morality tale laced with lots of well-known tunes and plenty of knees-up.”
Birmingham Mail
“They were dancing in the aisles – you’ll want to join them”
Daily Express
“An irresistibly bright blast of optimism…such a sunny show”
The Times
“It would be utter madness to miss it”
Evening Standard
- Joe Casey: Chris Carswell
- Sarah: Miria Parvin
- Joe's Dad: Steve Brookstein
- Kath Casey: Gwyneth Strong
- Lewis: Jack Shalloo
- Emmo: Michael Everest
- Ensemble: Mark Willshire
- Billie: Jenny Fitzpatrick
- Angie: Sophia Nomvete
- Reecey: Sam Mackay
- Mr Pressman: Steven Serlin
- Swing/Assistant Dance Captain: Lauren Appleby
- Ensemble: Chloe Campbell
- Ensemble: Craig Daniel Adams
- Swing/Dance Captain: Robert Foley
- Ensemble: Tamsin Laverick
- Ensemble: Michael Melmoe
- Ensemble: Chris Overton
- Ensemble: Leyla Pellegrini
- Ensemble: Ellie Robertson
- Ensemble: Warren Sollars
- Ensemble: Will Stokes
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Comments
Mrs Clare Robinson from Birmingham
Wow! What a night and what a musical. Well done to the cast on such an energetic performance and thanks to The REP for bringing Our House to Birmingham. We had an utterly brilliant time.
Lisa Perry from Cradley Heath
Absolutely fantastic!!
Toby Sturgess from Derby
EVen for a regular theatre goer, this was one of the best shows i have ever seen
Darren Dixon from Durham
I went to see it during the previews. Had a really good time, going to see it again when it comes up north to Sunderland.
Tudor Lobb from "The Midlands"
A fantastic Show. 1982 Revisited... before most of the cast were born! Superb entertainment. Highly recomended. Stars in the making.
Margaret Freeman from Birmingham
We had a fab meal at the REP then went on to the theatre. It was a fantastic night, the cast had so much energy. I would recommend it to anyone young or old.
Janet Stokes from London
Wonderful to see so much energy from a very talented young cast - they really gave it their all and we thoroughly enjoyed the evening.
Susan Lloyd from Worcester
Thank you to all the cast and crew for what was an absolutely fantastic evening. I have not stopped singing since.
Ian Wall from Birmingham
I went to watch this show in London and was thrilled it has now been taken on tour. I took my children along with family and friends (19 of us), everybody walked out with big smiles on their faces, and most wanting to go back and see it again! This really is a show for everybody, so don't miss it. A final note to the cast: Well Done and Thank You
Alison from Birmingham
What amazing energy, stamina, enthusiasm and comittment from the cast. I've been so "blown away" by this production that I've seen it three times and still am loving it. I am enthralled at the tireless energy throughout..truly a cast and production to be proud of. Well done to everyone and a big cheer for the crew too.
Maxine and Mark Tranter and family from Cradley Heath
We first saw it on one of the preview nights, and agreed that we'd got to see it again. I've just booked up for a third time. The energy and enthusiasm of the cast, the choreography, the music, the "how did they do that" of the quick-changes (especially that one behind the umbrellas!), the wonderful individual performances...BRAVO! We just didn't want it to end! What a talented young cast! Well done to you all!
brenda from london
Hi well i went to Birmingham to see the show it was fab.The guy that played Joe's dad was outstanding the song he sung at the end was brill will go again .
Jenny from Birmingham
What a fantastic show. We took our children (although some adult comedy fortunately went straight over their heads!) and we've all been singing Madness ever since. The youngest has even been doing some of the dance moves. The cast were fantastic and received a well deserved standing ovation. If you haven't seen it, go. If you don't you're mad!
Emma from Wolverhampton
Loved the show. I thought the cast did brilliantly, they showed a lot of energy and clearly showed that they enjoyed what they were doing. Well done guys. I wish them the best of luck with future performances, keep up the good work :)
jackie bengtson from peterborough
Fabulous show, loved it, have been twice so far and am planning to go again. Lively funny entertaining brilliant, cant recommend it too highly, has all the elements of a really successful tour. Great to see Steve Brookstein again, thought he did the part more than justice. Long may the show run.
Val from Birmingham
I thought it was absolutely brilliant!! There was so much energy on that stage - the cast must be the fittest bunch of people ever! Cast was great, storyline was great, and of course the songs weren't bad either!
NIGEL HAYWOOD from cheslyn hay staffordshire
Our House!! what a spectacle, (and before I came along musicals were not my cup of tea. We are coming again with the children next week. Splendid performances all round and when listening to the "after dark" and hearing that so many of the key performers were just out of drama school, it made it even more a performance you don't want to miss. If only all musicals were as good as this !!! Best wishes for the tour may it run and run.
Julie and Ceri Roberts from Bangor North Wales
Wow!What a show, it was well worth the journey from North Wales, the cast was brilliant, so much energy, the dancing was fantastic, it made us quite emotional in parts, Best wishes to all involved and give yourselves a pat on the back, well done.
FRAZER from KINGS NORTON
WOW! AMAZING! I WENT FOR THE SECOND TIME TONIGHT AND I'D GO EVERY NIGHT IF I COULD. MY MOM, AUNTIE AND GRANDMA BUMPED INTO CHRIS CARSWELL AND SAM MACKAY AND THEY SIGNED AUTOGRAPHS FOR ME. THEY ARE REALLY COOL GUYS. I WANT TO WORK HARD IN DRAMA SO THAT I CAN PLAY PARTS LIKE THEM. HOW DO THEY DANCE SO ENERGETICALLY AND THEN SOUND SO CALM WHEN THEY SPEAK OR SING, OFTEN AT THE SAME TIME TOO? MY HEROES. THE REP DESERVES A PAT ON THE BACK FOR BRINGING THIS SHOW TO TOWN.
Lynn from Cambs
Saw the show in preview and thought it was 95% even at that stage. Saw it again last night and my goodness at least 1000%. Such talent, energy and feel-good entertainment. The whole cast is superb but in particular Chris Carswell, Jenny Fitzpatrick and Sophia Nomvete stood out for me, Miria Parvin's solo was spine-tingling and Steve Brookstein was a revelation, I think this is the first of many musical theatre performances for him. He has great stage presence and I was really impressed, to the extent I am coming back again next week. The show seems to be growing in stature all the time. Congratulations to the whole cast and crew for the hard work they have so obviously put in to make this show the success it is. The audience was standing and shouting and deservedly so. Plus, what a finale!!
jane from Birmingham
Fantastic show, great dancing, great singing, great music, highly recommeded for all ages.
sue from w. midlands
What a show !! Came out on such a high. They were fantastic and where did Jo get all his energy from changing those outfits so quick?? The whole family loved it. Want to go again.
Sandra Rickell from Leics
Well- I saw the show on Thursday and I'm still smiling now... talk about feel good factor- and I'm not even a Madness fan- you don't have to be- everything about it is just sooo infectious, so slick and polished and entertaining from the get go. Better than the original West End production IMO, especially Steve Brookstein as Dad (his first ever stage role? NEVER!) Chris Carswell as young lead, Joe(his first ever professional role? NEVER!) Joe's girlfriend- divine voice,and Gwyneth Strong as mum. Something for everyone- can't wait to go again. Thank you all for such a memorable evening.
Von, Jan, Emma & Tracey from Birmingham
A brilliant show! Lively, entertaining yet at the same time thought provoking. The cast were fantastic, choreography superb, dancing marvellous, singing wonderful-help we've run out of praise. A must see show!!!!!!
Maxine and Mark Tranter and family from Cradley Heath
We’ve just been back for a THIRD time! What are we going to do when you leave town? We shall have withdrawal symptoms. We have had to ration ourselves to coming only on Saturdays, because otherwise we’d have no money left! During the weeks, to keep us going, we have been playing a hurriedly-purchased Madness CD and singing along. The music helps remind us of the many sublime moments during the show. The spine-tinglingly beautiful way you do It Must be Love, the open-the-show-with-a-bang Our House, the perfectly-realised men-are-from-Mars-and-women-from-Venus My Girl, the unbelievable energy of Baggy Trousers, the spot-on Shut Up (well done Sam and Chris!), the wonderful carnival of Wings of a Dove (how great are Jenny and Sophia?), I’m running out of superlatives now but I must say I melted at Joe and Sarah’s dance to The Return of the Los Palmas 7. OK, so we loved it all!! This show has turned a normally sedate, fairly serious-minded couple of forty-somethings into mad teenagers again. We can’t bear the fact that the show is going to move on, but we wish you all a wonderful tour (or should I say ‘break a leg’?). You have given us so much pleasure – thank you. And you are all going to be huge stars, if there is any justice in this world at all! Please show this posting to Rachel Kavanaugh before you leave town, and beg her to bring you back for a week when you’ve finished the tour. I’m serious! It’s not just us that have come back week after week to see you – look on the website at all the comments! Sending you our warmest wishes and a huge THANK YOU!!!
Charlie from Sutton Coldfield
I came to see our house on the 12th june with my school and I have to say it was the best performance I have ever seen. I told my parents how fantastic it was and my dad decided to book some tickets for the rest of the family. So we are coming to see it. And it will be the second time for me. I'm really looking forward to it because it was just ... wow. Welldone to all the cast because you really are all amazingly fantastic performers.
MARK SZADURA from CHESTERFIELD
Came to see Our House on Saturday with my family and we loved every minute. The energy of the cast was amazing. This was our first visit to Birmingham Rep and would like to say how friendly the staff are and what a lovely theatre, we can't wait to visit again. Thank you
Maggie & John from Bromsgrove
What a musical! We were smiling from the moment the show started (unless we were crying when it become very emotional)until the curtain finally fell. The energy of the cast was outstanding, truly inspirational and the scenes changes became part of the show itself and were timed to perfection. We have been recommending it to everyone and hope to go again this week before it finishes. Absolutely brilliant - well done! PLEASE come again.
chris keating from birmingham
The show is great - the effects,costumes,props, and it is definately worthy of the West End. Best show I have seen in a long long time!!!!
Hayleeh and Gracii from Streetly
Loved it, going again! The actors are fab and it was definately worth going! Recommended to anybody.
Sue Jones from Great Barr
Loved the show real feel-good factor. Wasn't quite sure what to expect but lively, energetic fast moving show. The main characters were brilliant; so well acted. Well done to all concerned. Would appeal to all ages.
Sarah Mccormick from birmingham
I saw this last night. I'm only young and I thought this was amazing and hilarious. Hope to see them again soon. They will get big one day.
Chris from Wolverhampton
Hiya guys. came to see the show yesterday (17th).. WOW..what can i say!? The energy, thriving tempos and amazing visual elements! An absolutely stunning performance. Thoroughly enjoyed the the plot and subplots hidden in the depths of the fantastic characterisations from the actors- credit to the writer and director for getting the ideas across. A very emotional story bought together by superb actors, producers and designers...structurally similar to Blood Brothers (which I loved!). Definately a must see! Special mention to Chris and Maria who (along with all the cast) are without doubt very talented. The on stage presence between you two was very believable. You guys belong on stage!! Maria you have a beautiful voice.... Credit also to the designers and orchestra who complimented the actors beyond expectations. Wishing you all the very best for your future stage careers and congratulations to all on such an amazing, (and what was to me).. a very memorable performance - you should be proud. "It must be love" of musicals that brings you guys to stage..hope to see you again. Hope to be somewhere like you guys in the future..have to say performances like this make people realise just what theatre's about. Have lots of fun and good luck with the tour. Take Care, Chris
Sean Welsh from Shrewsbury
WOW Great show!! A must see for anyone who likes music or musicals! really did match up to the london show. Will see it in Stoke now and then see where else I can go! Can I also say that the Rep theatre is a lovely theatre and have done a great job!! Thanks To Everyone!!!!
Frank Downes from oldbury
What a great night, have not stopped talking about it. Have not stopped playing my Madness CD since I got back. Hope it comes back soon.
Matthew Kirkham from Nottingham
Absolutely love it, fantastic young cast giving it everything - I doff my cap to you all - brilliant show! I'm off to dig out my old Madness records...
Leila & Harvey Woolf from Birmingham
A great way to end the season. Lively, colourful, pacy, visually imaginative, clever, complex and very effective choreography, exuberant playing by an enthusiastic cast. Appealed successfully to all age groups.
Jennens Family from Erdington, Birmingham
Absolutely brilliant! Took our soon to be 17 year old son and 13 year old daughter and they thought that the dancing and singing was fantastic. Who would have thought that two teenagers would discover the music of Madness in this way! Congratulations to everyone for such a wonderful performance - where do they get thier energy from!
Lynn Pocock from bristol
Travelled all the way from Bristol to see the show - especially Steve - well what can we say - it was FANTASIC - the cast were all brill and the dancing and singing out of this world. We took our neighbour along to see it was she loved the show - we all thought it was one of the best we have ever seen. The band were also spectactuer. The REP is lovely and the seats were very comfortable.
Jodie Leigh from Birmingham
BEST PERFORMANCE I'VE EVER SEEN !! Actors/Actresses Were Brilliant !! I Was So Glad I Went !! You Would Be Mad To Miss It !! Wish It Was Out On Film !! I'd Watch It Again And Again !! It's Really Brilliant !! Words Can't Describe !! xx
stevemorgan from birmingham
fantastic....great night out.. great songs highly recomended