Birmingham Hippodrome

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Birmingham Hippodrome

Birmingham HippodromeBirmingham HippodromeBirmingham HippodromeBirmingham HippodromeBirmingham HippodromeBirmingham HippodromeBirmingham HippodromeBirmingham HippodromeBirmingham HippodromeBirmingham HippodromeBirmingham Hippodrome

What's on here

Why go

  • Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Black Sabbath: The Ballet premiered here in September 2023, with Tony Iommi appearing in the opening-night finale.
  • The 1999 Royal Variety Performance was Birmingham’s first and the first outside London since 1959.
  • Past touring musicals include Wicked, The Lion King and Hamilton.
  • Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures has staged Swan Lake and Edward Scissorhands here.

The hall

Capacity
1,900

Interesting facts3

1/3
  1. The theatre is the preferred venue for Welsh National Opera.

    Birmingham - Wikivoyage (do)
  2. It houses the Patrick Centre for the Performing Arts.

    Birmingham - Wikivoyage (do)
  3. 1979

    A charity trust has operated the theatre since 1979.

    Birmingham Hippodrome - Wikipedia

Shorts

History

In the 1980s, the theatre hosted Central Television’s revival of New Faces, presented by Marti Caine. In July 2015, Brian Conley was celebrated after performing at the theatre 600 times.

  1. 1895Assembly rooms were built on the site.
  2. 1899F. W. Lloyd redesigned the venue with a stage, circus ring and Moorish tower. It became the Tower of Varieties.
  3. 1900After the previous venture failed, the venue reopened as the Tivoli.
  4. October 1903The venue took the Hippodrome name under impresario Thomas Barrasford.
  5. 1924Burdwood and Mitchell designed the current neo-classical auditorium.
Show all
  1. 1963Construction of nearby Smallbrook Queensway led to demolition of the entrance building and tower, followed by a new entrance.
  2. After the entrance rebuildThe theatre was called Birmingham Theatre for a time.
  3. 1970sBirmingham City Council sold the theatre.
  4. 1980sThe facade gained mock-Victorian plasterwork, and the stagehouse was rebuilt for larger shows.
  5. 2001Associated Architects and Law and Dunbar-Nasmith rebuilt the exterior with a glass facade and added ballet accommodation and performance space.
  6. Redevelopment proposalA phased redevelopment was proposed, including a new facade, first-floor terrace, outdoor seating, refreshment areas and a third-floor restaurant.
  7. UndatedThe ballet was later revived, with Iommi again appearing in the opening-night finale.

How to get there

  • On footHurst Street, Birmingham’s Chinese Quarter, England.

Sources: Birmingham Hippodrome - Wikipedia · Birmingham - Wikivoyage (do) · checked 24 Sep 2026

Where
Hurst Street South Side, Birmingham

Plan from here: With kids →

Questions and answers

What can I see at Birmingham Hippodrome?

The programme includes ballet, touring West End musicals and plays, visiting opera companies, comedy and pantomime.

Does Birmingham Hippodrome stage pantomime?

In recent years, London Palladium pantomime productions have transferred here the following season, with their sets, costumes and revised scripts.

How many seats does Birmingham Hippodrome have?

Its auditorium seats 1,900.

Where is Birmingham Hippodrome?

It is on Hurst Street in Birmingham’s Chinese Quarter.

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