The Old Rep Sets Summer Season

The Old Rep re-launched in 2015 with a bold new vision as a young people-driven venue in the heart of the city, which has continued to evolve and develop throughout 2016 with a fresh new season of innovative and exciting performances.

The Old Rep recently won the What's On Reader's Award for the Best Small Theatre in Birmingham, as voted for by 25,000 readers. Going from strength to strength under their new partnership with Birmingham Ormiston Academy, they have breathed new life into the one hundred year old Regency theatre on Station Street.

Following recent sell-out performances from Lee Nelson, Jenny Eclair and Shazia Mirza, The Old Rep's new comedy season is packed with household names and emerging talent including: Jeremy Hardy: Live (21 May), Mark Steel: Who Do I Think I Am? (3 June) and Hal Cruttenden: Straight Outta Cruttenden (14 May). Both Zoe Lyons (9 July) and the hilariously witty Ed Gamble (16 July) join The Old Rep this summer, providing previews of their brand new Edinburgh Festival Fringe material.

The internationally praised Black Is The Color Of My Voice comes to theatre on Thursday 9 June. Based on the life of jazz singer Nina Simone, and direct from sell-out performances in Shanghai, New York and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Apphia Campbell embarks on her debut UK tour of this acclaimed one woman show. Other exciting upcoming collaborations include the Broke 'N' Beat Collective (4-5 July) from On The Edge World Festival and X-Factor star Joseph Whelan in a brand new production of the Broadway hit Rent (26-39 July). You can also see Joseph and the cast ofRent performing at Pride Birmingham in May.

As a part of their season of art and innovation, The Old Rep will also host their first ever YouTube meet and greet for vlogging sensation Sprinkle of Glitter (2 September). Louise Pentland started blogging about DIY activities in 2010 and her videos have now been viewed over 133.3 million times in total.

The Old Rep also host their first live music events later this year, including Sixties soul group The Three Degrees (20 September), best known for their world famous "When I Will See You Again", and 2016 Olivier Awards performer Joe Stilgoe with Songs On Film (30 September).

The Old Rep's summer season of children's theatre has a rather monstrous theme! From the creators of Alien Loves Underpants, the magicalMonsteraurus joins The Old Rep on 11 June, making it one of the first venues to host this brand new production. The highly received and frankly hilarious Dinosaur Park joins The Old Rep on Thursday 2 June. This parody of Jurassic Park is perfect for families and fans of Spielberg's classic films. The theatre also continues to run their highly popular free family fun days, which include competitions, storytelling and arts and crafts.

The Old Rep have just announced that their 2016 Christmas production is Kenneth Grahame's classic children's story The Wind in the Willows (21 November-31 December). This irreverent and playful take on the classic tale follows loyal Mole, faithful Ratty and steady old Badger as they do their very best to keep Mr Toad out of trouble. Packed with energetic performers, original music and an anarchic sense of humour, The Wind in the Willowsis a festive show with a difference, and a real treat for all ages. Tickets are on sale now!

To book tickets for any of The Old Rep's upcoming productions, call the Box Office on 0121 359 9444 (open Tue-Sat 10am-6pm) or visitoldreptheatre.co.uk (online booking fee applies).

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