Birmingham Stage Company

"Flawlessly acted, SKELLIG unfolds on a magnificent set, with haunting music and the two hour production flies by"

The New York Times

The Birmingham Stage Company is one of the world's leading producers of theatre for children and their families. It was founded by Actor/Manager Neal Foster and uniquely for a British theatre company it relies for 100% of its income from the box office, which means you! This year marks our 32nd anniversary.

Our Patron is Sir Derek Jacobi and since our foundation in 1992 we've staged over one hundred productions for adults and children, working with Britain's finest living writers including David Almond, Terry Deary, Michael Morpurgo, Philip Pullman and David Walliams.

Our adult productions have ranged from classics such as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams and The Crucible by Arthur Miller to contemporary plays including the British Premiere of Beau Jest by James Sherman, Speed-The-Plow by David Mamet, Proof by David Auburn and the world premieres of The Dice House by Paul Lucas and Collision by Dominic Leyton.

"There are glorious moments in the theatre when the Muses bestow their own incomparable magic on a play and those who perform it. Such was the case last night with a truly brilliant performance from the BSC"
Birmingham Post

 

We've also enjoyed a wonderful association with Roald Dahl. In fact the BSC has produced more stories by Roald Dahl than any other company in the world. Our production of George's Marvellous Medicine has toured the world for twenty-three years and most recently made its debut in India. 

"Visits by The Birmingham Stage Company are always eagerly anticipated!"
Sheffield Telegraph
 

Highlights from our first decade include the world's first major production of The Borrowers by Mary Norton adapted by Lynn Robertson Hay. In 2003 we were proud to present the world premiere tour of James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl adapted by David Wood.

"The BSC is one of the country's most successful theatre companies"
Northern Echo
 

Our second decade opened with the world's first major stage production of The Jungle Book adapted by Stuart Paterson, with new music by BB Cooper and lyrics by Barb Jungr. We were also delighted to stage Kensuke's Kingdom and Why the Whales Came by Michael Morpungo.

"The always excellent Birmingham Stage Company!"
Cambridge News

 

In 2005 we launched Horrible Histories Live on Stage and we have so far staged eighteen world premieres including Awful Egyptians, Ruthless Romans, Terrible Tudors, Vile Victorians, Frightful First World War, Woeful Second World War, Groovy Greeks and Incredible Invaders, all featuring ground breaking 3D Bogglevision. Our production of Barmy Britain became the longest running children's show in West End history and its tenth anniversary was celebrated with Barmy Britain - Part Five at the Apollo. Horrible Histories took to the water in 2021 with the boat tour Terrible Thames, which was Highly Commended by London Tourism AwardsIn 2023 we teamed up with Lion TV and BBC Proms to present the Horrible Histories production of 'Orrible Opera at the Royal Albert Hall. We are also proud to be working with Historic Royal Palaces with performances at Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace, Hillsborough Castle and The Tower of London.

"The Horrible Histories stage shows have become a bit of a British institution"
The Guardian
 

Other highlights include Philip Pullman's The Firework Maker's Daughter and the world premiere of Bagpuss by Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin. We also marked our New York debut with Skellig by David Almond at the New Victory Theater on 42nd Street.

"Flawlessly acted, Skellig unfolds on a magnificent set"
The New York Times


The Sydney Opera House welcomed Barmy Britain into its Concert Hall and further international engagements have taken us to India, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Syria, Qatar, Oman and Malta.

Our world premiere of David Walliams Gangsta Granny broke records around the country and was nominated for an Olivier Award, which was followed by the world premiere of Awful Auntie. Our third adaptation of David's novel Billionaire Boy was staged at the Garrick and nominated for an Olivier Award, which was followed by our national tour of Demon Dentist. We were also delighted to work with Liz Pichon on the world premiere of Tom Gates.

We were extremely grateful to receive support from the Government's Cultual Recovery Fund which helped sustain our work during the pandemic. With theatres fully open, we hope you can join us for one of our shows - wherever you are in the world!