Furnace

Community is at the heart of what we do. We want you to come and make theatre with us.

Furnace is The REP's pioneering community engagement programme working with communities across Birmingham to engage and create theatre together.

Furnace Hubs

Our Furnace Hubs offer communities the opportunity to make a brand new piece of theatre that tells their story, reflects their experiences and celebrates their community.

Theatre makers from The REP are currently working in five different Furnace Hubs around Birmingham. Working closely with communities, listening to local stories and learning about the people and places there, they will create a brand new piece of theatre with, for and about your community.  

The Furnace Hubs and Theatre Makers are:

• Focus, Birmingham
  Sarah Hamilton Baker will be working with Focus, Birmingham, a charity supporting people with visual impairment.
• Welsh House Farm Big Local
  Jay Crutchley will be working on the estate of Welsh House Farm with The Big Local.
  Read the latest from Jay on our blog
• Ashiana Community Project, Sparkbrook
  Manjeet Mann will be working with Ashiana Community Project in Sparkbrook.
  Read more about Manjeet's project here
• The Dolphin Centre and Birchfield Big Local
  Rachael Mainwaring will be working with women's groups at these centres in Washwood Heath and Birchfield.
  Read the latest on Rachael's project here
• Thimblemill Library, Smethwick and Bleakhouse Library, Oldbury
  Graeme Rose will be working with these communities and libraries to investigate an unsolved murder from 1957.
  Read the latest from the case here
  Want to get involved? Read on to find out more...

Calling All Aspiring Detectives

Fred Jeffs, the owner of a Quinton sweet shop, was found murdered in the early hours of Good Friday, 1957. Over 60 years on, the murder remains unsolved. Writer, director and great nephew of Fred Jeffs, Graeme Rose, is creating a piece of theatre with the local community based on their memories of the case.

Do you or did you live in the Quinton area in the 1950s?
Do you remember Fred Jeffs or the sweet shop murder?
Or perhaps you have an interest in the local history of this area?

If so Graeme would like to hear from you! Get in touch with Graeme by emailing graerose@gmail.com.

 

Woyzeck

Woyzeck is a vibrant celebration of fighting for a better life. It is a celebration of standing up to those who try to keep us down. Most of all, it's a celebration of the West Midlands spirit as a stellar professional cast is joined by a community chorus of 100 performers and dancers.

Find out more and book tickets here.

 

We Come and Pave the Streets with Gold Exhibition

21 April – 22 May
Oikos Café, Erdington
Photographs taken by Birmingham based photographer, Sanjit Bhamra
Frames designed by Laura Stone

Stemming from a Furnace project by acclaimed theatre maker Selina Thompson, this new exhibition features and celebrates the unique people and places that make up Erdington High Street. It is a joyful celebration of the remarkable stories of Erdington. This touring exhibition will be open at Oikos Café in Erdington from 21 April and is free to enter.

 

Other ways to get involved:

• Unleash your inner artist with our weekly art classes which cost just £5 - email stage.door@birmingham-rep.co.uk if you would like to attend.
• Stay for a free Post-Show Discussion.
• Find out more about us at a REP Discovery Day
• Play the piano in our foyer (ask at the Box Office counter for access).
• Discover a range of playwrights, styles and periods with our fun, informal Play-Reading Group.

If you have a story to share, please contact The REP's Community Engagement Producer, Rosalyn Lesurf-Olner by emailing rosalyn.lesurf-olner@birmingham-rep.co.uk.