Biggest audiences in 20 years seen at Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Birmingham Repertory Theatre is enjoying its biggest audiences in more than 20 years, with patron numbers up by more than 40 per cent.
The news marks a successful return for the Rep after it was revamped alongside construction of the Library of Birmingham.
The latest big-name show to be announced at the theatre is Essington actress and writer, Meera Syal's Anita And Me, which will spearhead the autumn and winter season.
As well as increasing audiences, in the last year the Rep has also premiered nine new plays, worked with 138 writers, more than 600 artists and engaged with nearly 4,500 young people and 2,600 adults through its learning and participation programme. Six Rep productions are also embarking on major tours to other UK theatres and venues.
Bosses said today that the wide range of productions had boosted visitor numbers.
Artistic director Roxana Silbert said: "The past year has been tremendously successful for the Rep, both in terms of audiences and the work we've created.
"We took a bold decision to make our programme more diverse and I'm so pleased to say that has been embraced by audiences.
"We've supported local and national writers and theatre makers and we now have a building that is a hub of creativity bursting with exciting work and talented people.
Opening the season in the main auditorium will be Mike Bartlett's Olivier Award-winning new future history play, King Charles III, following its critically acclaimed West End run. Directed by Rupert Goold, King Charles III runs from September 4 to 19.
Meera Syal's novel is being re-created for the stage for the first time, running from October 9 to 24.
This coming-of-age story, directed by Roxana Silbert and commissioned and produced by the Rep, follows Meena, a young girl growing up in the only Punjabi family in a 1970s Black Country mining village.
The Christmas season also sees the return of The Snowman.
