Birmingham Repertory Theatre

Birmingham Repertory Theatre (commonly called Birmingham Rep or just The Rep) is a theatre and theatre company based on Centenary Square in Birmingham, England. It is one of the most influential companies in the history of the English Stage.

Related Topics:
Theatre - Birmingham - England

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The Rep was founded by Barry Jackson in 1913 when the earlier touring 'Pilgrim Players' company opened a permanent home on Station Street (now the Old Rep). The stated aim was to "serve an art instead of making that art serve a commercial purpose." and under Jackson the company quickly revolutionised English Theatre, promoting experimental productions and pioneering innovations such as performing Shakespeare in modern dress.

Related Topics:
Barry Jackson - 1913 - Old Rep

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The Rep's radical reputation attracted young talent. Actors who first rose to prominance at the pre-war Rep included Laurence Olivier, Peggy Ashcroft, Edith Evans, Stewart Granger and Ralph Richardson. The director Peter Brook launched his explosive career at the Rep in 1945.

Related Topics:
Laurence Olivier - Peggy Ashcroft - Edith Evans - Stewart Granger - Ralph Richardson - Peter Brook - 1945

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Although Jackson retired in 1948 the Rep retained its national and international reputation, discovering actors such as Paul Scofield, Julie Christie and Derek Jacobi.

Related Topics:
Jackson - 1948 - Paul Scofield - Julie Christie - Derek Jacobi

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In 1971 the company moved from Station Street to a new 900 seat theatre designed by Graham Winteringham on Broad Street, in the area that would later be developed as Centenary Square. In 1998 the company opened The Door as a second auditorium specialising in new writing.

Related Topics:
1971 - Graham Winteringham - 1998 - The Door

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In 2004 the company controversially cancelled as series of performances of Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti's play Behzti after protests from Birmingham's large Sikh community.

Related Topics:
Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti - Behzti - Sikh

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