Old Rep 1881509 216351401 2008-06-01T06:40:40Z Tassedethe 7098284 Disambiguate [[John Drinkwater]] to [[John Drinkwater (playwright)]] using [[:en:Wikipedia:Tools/Navigation_popups|popups]] [[Image:OldRepTheatreBirmingham.JPG|thumb|right|160px|The front of the Old Rep Theatre]] [[Image:Blue plaque Barry Jackson.jpg|right|thumb|[[Blue plaque]] to founder, [[Barry Vincent Jackson|Barry Jackson]], high above the entrance]] The '''Old Rep''' is a [[theatre]] located in Station Street in [[Birmingham]], [[England]], managed by [[Birmingham City Council]]. Construction began in October 1912 and it was opened on [[February 15]] [[1913]] with a performance of ''[[Twelfth Night]]'' and then a reading by its founder, [[Barry Vincent Jackson|Barry Jackson]], of a poem written by [[John Drinkwater (playwright)|John Drinkwater]]. When completed it had a seating capacity of 454. Many of the current features are original from the theatre's first opening. It was the former home of the [[Birmingham Repertory Theatre]] and was the first purpose-built repertory theatre in the UK. Now seating 383, it is the home of the [[Birmingham Stage Company]]. However the theatre also stages shows from many small scale touring companies, The Young Rep and several local amateur drama companies. The theatre is about to undergo major refurbishment of Front of House areas to provide modern and accessible facilities. The theatre is situated just opposite [[Birmingham New Street station|New Street Station]], from which a [[blue plaque]] to Barry Jackson may be seen. ==External links== *[http://www.oldreptheatre.org.uk/ The Old Rep Theatre Official Website] *[http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=2994&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=312 Birmingham.gov.uk page] *[http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=57216&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=13146 Early history and photographs] {{BirminghamBuildings}} {{coor title dms|52|28|36.15|N|1|53|54.22|W|scale:1000}} [[Category:Theatres in Birmingham, England]] [[Category:Buildings with blue plaques]] {{theat-stub}}