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New Birmingham Repertory Theatre

lencops

gone but not forgotten
Edit. This thread is about the New Rep on Broad Street Centenary Square. For comments about the Old Rep in Station Street please see:
https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/index.php?threads/old-birmingham-repertory-theatre.9035/


Final curtain for Birmingham Repertory Theatre


Jan 10 2011 by Diane Parkes, Birmingham Mail

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birmingham-rep-189250467.jpg

IT was always going to be a challenge to find an event significant enough to mark the closure of the historic Birmingham Repertory Theatre for two years.
What show could possibly recall all of the productions and experiences encapsulated in the Centenary Square building which has been open for 40 years?
Instead the Rep went for a novel approach. Don’t invite the audience to watch a show. Ask the audience to be the show.

And so for one hour on Saturday morning more than 300 of us were The Rep.
Leading from the front, or rather from on stage, was BBC WM presenter Joanne Malin who gamely egged us all on despite admitting to that she was suffering from “the lurgy”.
And spearheading the performance, called The Final Curtain, was Birmingham performance poet Steve Camden, better known as Polarbear.
Commissioned by the theatre to write a poem highlighting the relationship between the theatre and the public, his words were loud, proud and definitely pro Birmingham.
“Birmingham is full of tongues and words from all over the earth, Birmingham knows what it’s worth,” being just a couple of lines. Steve and members of the youth theatre group Young Rep performed the poem and we were then all asked to join in. With a sheet of paper with the words and the lights up in the house there was no escaping being part of The Final Curtain.
And that stereotypical English reticence to join in was swiftly thrown aside by the enthusiasm from Steve, Jo and the young people.
At its close, we were all invited to sit and ponder for a moment, take a few pictures and create our own memories of the Rep. Enough to keep us going until 2013 when the newly refurbished theatre is due to open.

This event may not have been everyone’s cup of tea, but it was an imaginative and memorable way to mark the closure. With Thanks to Diane Parkes & the Birmingham Mail. Len.
 
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Thank's Charlie and ellbrown I only caught the end of the report and did think it strange. Thanks for putting me right. x

The Rep closed on the 8th of January 2011

Final curtain draws closer

A few days later the hoardings went up.


The REP behind hoardings - Centenary Square by ell brown, on Flickr

It was first built in 1971. First refurbished and extended in 1991 (after the ICC was built). So seems like they do it up once every 20 years!

Birmingham Repertory Theatre goes on the road

They will spend two years performing at other venues (until it reopens in 2013).
 
Took a few pictures of the hoardings outside The REP.

Down one side is the history of The REP


The REP, Centenary Square - hoardings by ell brown, on Flickr


The REP, Centenary Square - hoardings by ell brown, on Flickr


The REP, Centenary Square - hoardings by ell brown, on Flickr

Another one tells you where they are moving to within the next two years


The REP, Centenary Square - hoardings - don't panic! by ell brown, on Flickr

They want peoples memories


The REP, Centenary Square - hoardings - memories by ell brown, on Flickr


The REP, Centenary Square - hoardings - memories by ell brown, on Flickr

Location map of where the REP will be


The REP, Centenary Square - hoardings - It's finally here! by ell brown, on Flickr
 
Some pics inside the refurbished REP - ground floor.

LoB to the REP



100 years 1913-2013



Wizard of Oz costumes



Tin Man



 
I remember taking the twins to see Robin Hood there with Robert Morris playing Robin. It was a brilliant show. Jean.
 
Apparently Hollywood actress Sigourney Weaver was here last week to see an Alan Bennett play!
 
Saw Hywell Bennett in 'Wind in the Willows' there. Be about 1970s. He was a brilliant Toad. A very energetic performance too. Viv.
 
Hi Jean. I've looked it up and Toad of Toad Hall was there in 1975. I remember it as a thoroughly enjoyable performance. Hywell Bennet was an excellent 'Toad'. Viv.
 
No problem Viv.

Saw this bust in the new REP back in 2013 (after the Library of Birmingham opened).

Sir Barry Jackson founder of the REP.



Ground floor of the REP in 2013.



From above from the Library of Birmingham.

 
Like the design. At first thought it was a missile, then realised there's a hint in the title ! It certainly attracts attention - the main purpose of course. Viv.
 
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