PRESS RELEASE FROM THE BSC

Following the most successful show in its history with HORRIBLE CHRISTMAS and after twenty-three years at the theatre, the Birmingham Stage Company is taking its final bow from The Old Rep where it has been the resident professional company since 1992.

The company’s new home in the city will be The Alexandra Theatre, which doesn’t require a major move as both theatres share the same street – Station Street! The internationally acclaimed BSC, whose productions are now a regular feature in London’s West End and tour to New York, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, Bahrain and Qatar, now has a bigger stage for its productions, particularly its 3D productions of HORRIBLE HISTORIES which have been unable to play the Old Rep due the size of the stage.

Actor/Manager of the BSC, Neal Foster says:

“It has become obvious that we need a bigger stage for our shows but we have been reluctant to leave the Old Rep in case it jeopardised the venue’s situation. Now the theatre is in the wonderfully safe hands of BOA, we can leave the building knowing it has a bright future ahead of it. I launched my company at The Old Rep in 1992 when I was twenty-six years old and I hope it continues to inspire more young people in the same way it did me. The Old Rep gave me everything I wanted from life and it will always be my favourite building in the world.”

Birmingham-born and bred actor Neal, who is currently touring the length and breadth of Australia with HORRIBLE HISTORIES, added:

”I have been going to see shows at the Alex since I was five years old. To know I will be performing on its great stage is a huge thrill. Derek Salberg, who ran the building’s former repertory company for many years, was a great supporter of the BSC in our formative years and I think he would have been delighted with this news.”

Nicky Monk, Head of Regional Programming at The Ambassador Theatre Group which operates the theatre says:

“We are absolutely delighted to have the BSC, with its fantastic reputation for family theatre, join us at the Alex. We are looking forward to exciting collaborations in the future.”

The company’s world premiere production of GANGSTA GRANNY by David Walliams will be the first BSC show to appear at The Alexandra Theatre during the week of 7 December, after which it will go on a national and international tour.

Since 1992 the BSC has staged over seventy shows at The Old Rep including classics such as CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, SHE STOOPS THE CONQUER and THE CRUCIBLE, while making its mark worldwide with acclaimed shows for families including Skellig which transferred to Broadway, Horrible Histories which performs worldwide and more plays by Roald Dahl than any other company in the world.

To book tickets for GANGSTA GRANNY, please call the box office on 0844 871 3011 (bkg fee) or book online at www.atgtickets.com/birmingham (bkg fee) . Groups booking line is 0844 871 3031