Sir Derek Jacobi marked his professional debut at The Old Rep Theatre as Marlow in She Stoops To Conquer in 1961. Sir Derek joined fellow actors to help raise money for the new company by agreeing to be interviewed live on stage by Neal Foster in Birmingham. This encounter led to Sir Derek becoming an active patron of the newly formed Birmingham Stage Company.
Paul Scofield
was a founder patron of the company and was a constant source of support and advice. Paul performed at The Old Rep in 1944 & 1945, where he played Konstantin in The Seagull and John Tanner in a production of Man and Superman directed by Peter Brook. Paul met his future wife Joy Parker while they were both performing in Hamlet at The Old Rep. Joy, Paul and Peter Brook all transferred to Stratford after Birmingham to continue their historic association.
Both Paul and Joy championed the BSC from its launch in 1992. We miss him greatly.