BrumHour is invited to media and press nights
at Birmingham Hippodrome throughout the year.
Compiled by Dave Massey twitter.com/BrumHour
Birmingham Hippodrome
Autumn/Winter 2019/20
After a season which included the debut of Rosie Kay’s 10 Soldiers, and the massive runs of Les Miserables, War Horse and Matilda, Birmingham Hippodrome continues its 120th Anniversary celebrations with its first co-production of The Color Purple – The Musical, plus Joseph and Annie. BrumHour takes a look at what is coming later in the year:
Grease The Musical (13th to 24th August)
The hit musical arrives in Birmingham for two weeks of summer loving fun! Peter Andre (or Ore Oduba at selected performances) is the dreamy teen angel. The huge soundtrack features, You’re the One That I Want, Summer Nights, Hopelessly Devoted to You, and Greased Lightnin’.
Get tickets here: birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/grease-the-musical
West Side Story (29th to 31st August)
During the Birmingham Hippodrome’s 120th Anniversary celebrations, they present their first homegrown youth production for the main stage. Using local talent and inspired by Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story transports us to a world of gang rivalry and the love story of Tony and Maria.
Book tickets here: birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/west-side-story
On Your Feet (3rd to 7th September)
For one week only! The story of Gloria and Emilio Estefan comes to the Birmingham Hippodrome directly after its West End engagement. Featuring tracks including Rhythm Is Gonna Get You, Conga, Anything for You and of course, Get On Your Feet!
Book tickets here: birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/on-your-feet
Matthew Bourne’s Romeo & Juliet (10th to 14th September)
Sir Matthew Bourne continues to shake up the mainstream with his productions, so expect the unexpected with Romeo and Juliet as a ballet.
Buy tickets here: birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/matthew-bournes-romeo-juliet/
Birmingham Royal Ballet (19th to 28th September)
Mixed Programme: New Lister/The Suit/Nine Sinatra Songs (19th to 22nd September)
A great chance to see three half-hour (approx) presentations in one night from the world class Birmingham Royal Ballet, based right here in Birmingham.
Tickets here: birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/brb-mixed-programme
Giselle (25th to 28th September)
Hidden identity, secrets and lies are at the powerful heart of this 19th century ballet story. Bring tear-proof makeup ladies and gents.
Tickets here: birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/brb-giselle
Rosie Kay’s Fantasia (25th and 26th September)
How will Rosie Kay interpret Fantasia? Known for large scale set pieces at the Commonwealth Games Handover to Birmingham and having 100 performers on stage at Birmingham Rep, expect a fair more intimate affair from Rosie Kay Dance Company.
Tickets here: birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/rosie-kay-fantasia
Blood Brothers (30th September to 12th October)
Twins who are split up at birth meet later again in life in this famous Willy Russell story.
Book tickets here: birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/blood-brothers-2
Dada Masilo – Giselle (15th and 16th October)
Birmingham Hippodrome website says:
Choreographer, Dada Masilo, presents her fearless re-imagining of the iconic classic, Giselle. Opening in a lively South African village, Masilo’s Giselle tells the story of a trusting peasant girl who is thrust into a world of betrayal and shame when her lover rejects her.
Tickets here: birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/co-dada-masilo-giselle
Some Like It Hip Hop (18th and 19th October)
Birmingham Hippodrome website says:
ZooNation’s smash-hit sensation Some Like it Hip Hop thrilled audiences and critics when it opened in 2011, prompting an Olivier Award nomination, five-star reviews and standing ovations.
Get tickets here: birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/some-like-it-hip-hop
An Evening with Lenny Henry: Who Am I Again? (20th October)
From winner of New Faces in 1975 aged just 17 (Think Britain’s Got Talent but with flared trousers) to a knighthood, Sir Lenworth “Lenny” Henry, is an actor, comedian, presenter and co-creator of Comic Relief. This October Lenny brings his brand new tour to Birmingham Hippodrome.
Spend the evening with Lenny Henry here: birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/an-evening-with-lenny-henry-w
Circus 1903 (25th October to 2nd November)
The creators of the animal models and puppets from War Horse have designed the creatures that feature in this homage to the circus of 1903.
Roll up, roll up and get tickets here: birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/circus-1903
WNO – Carmen | Rigoletto | The Cunning Little Vixen (5th to 9th November)
WNO (Welsh National Opera) returns with three classic operas. A night at the opera is an experience that everyone should have at least once.
Tickets here:
Carmen birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/wno-carmen
Rigoletto birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/wno-rigoletto
The Cunning Little Vixen birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/wno-the-cunning-little-vixen
Acosta Danza (11th and 12th November)
Earlier this year, I had the absolute pleasure of hearing from and then shaking hands with Carlos Acosta. Iou could mistaken on meeting Carlos that he was a Premier League footballer or a film star, such is the magic spell he casts on everyone meeting him. Carlos takes over from David Bintley at Birmingham Royal Ballet as creative director in 2020. But before that as Acosta Danza, Carlos brings several pieces to the Birmingham Hippodrome stage for two evenings.
Book tickets here: birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/acosta-danza-2
Birmingham Royal Ballet – The Nutcracker 2019 (22nd November to 14th December)
One of the most well known ballet productions in the world, the Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Nutcracker is a staple on the year of Birmingham Hippodrome leading into the #BrumPanto.
We are transported to a winter wonderland with the help of over 50 dancers and a full orchestra!
See this magical show here: birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/the-nutcracker-19
Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch –
A Musical Parody (16th to 22nd December)
Fat Rascal Theatre bring their Edinburgh Fringe hit show to Birmingham Hippodrome’s Patrick Studio with this adults only Disney inspired (but 100% unapproved) take on The Little Mermaid. She don’t want much – JUST YOUR VOICE!
Book tickets to Unfortunate here: birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/unfortunate-the-untold-story
Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs
(21st December to 2nd Feb 2020)
The famous #BrumPanto is back with Matt Slack as Muddles in Matt’s seventh annual Birmingham Hippodrome Panto. This year the Birmingham favourite is joined by Lesley Joseph as the the Wicked Queen, Singer and actor Joe McElderry as The Spirit in the Mirror and actress Faye Brookes as Snow White.
This huge show also features: Street dance troupe Flawless as The Wicked Queen’s Men, The Black Country’s own Doreen Tipton, and in his 33rd panto season Andrew Ryan as Nurse Nelly and is directed by Qdos Entertainment’s Michael Harrison.
Birmingham Hippodrome’s Artistic Director and Chief Executive, Fiona Allan said:
Year after year we bring audiences in the West Midlands a spectacular pantomime with fun and fantasy for all the family.
In our 120th anniversary year, our line-up continues the tradition of variety here at Birmingham Hippodrome – and what better way to celebrate than with such an array of headlining performers who are guaranteed to entertain all ages.”
Book tickets here: birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/snow-white-the-seven-dwarfs
Looking into 2020, already announced, there is: Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shows, Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Swan Lake and Don Quixote, Kate Prince and Sting’s Message in a Bottle, Plus Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia! and Six the Musical plus the return of Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera.
This isn’t a sponsored post.
When not writing about theatre for BrumHour, or producing Interval Theatre for Brum Radio (Tuesdays 3pm) brumradio.com/intervaltheatre,
Dave Massey can be found eating crisps and claiming to be at the gym. And tweeting about Birmingham for #BrumHour.
