The Stage

Birmingham REP to gain mid-scale theatre in £193m development

Published Tuesday 23 October 2007 at 16:00 by Alistair Smith

Birmingham City Council has approved £193 million proposals that will see a major extension and refurbishment of the city’s REP theatre, as part of a joint development with a new library.

Under the plans, Birmingham REP will gain a 350-seat theatre to complement its existing 820-seat main stage and 140-capacity studio. The REP would share its foyer, bars and restaurant with the new Library of Birmingham. New rehearsal rooms are also planned. Meanwhile, the library itself will host one of the world’s largest Shakespeare collections, including a copy of the First Folio.

Artistic director Rachel Kavanagh told The Stage that the new space would allow the venue to create and receive mid-scale work which had previously been unsuitable for the theatre’s other two arenas.

She added: “I think it could be really, really exciting. We will become one of the very few venues in the country which has three spaces of differing sizes.

“Most of the building won’t be touched by the works, although we will have to shut for around 15-18 months. Our aim will be to continue producing though, following the model of the Young Vic’s Walkabout season. I think it is incredibly important that we retain a visibility in the city during the closure period.”

Following approval by the council’s cabinet earlier this week, a project management team will now be put in place and a designer appointed. It is thought that the project will take around three years and will be complete by 2013. Funding is coming from the council.

Performers such as Simon Callow, Judi Dench and Josie Lawrence have offered their support for the scheme.

Lawrence commented: “As a Black Country-born performer, I’m thrilled to hear of this great opportunity for the REP. The theatre is an incredibly important part of the region’s cultural life and this development would enable it to increase its already exciting artistic offer and provide excellence on every scale.”