The first time this pantomime appeared at the theatre was in 1965, starring Ken Dodd. It still holds the all-time record for pantomime attendances at Birmingham Hippodrome.
This production starred successful ventriloquist Keith Harris and his puppet Orville, and TV chef and personality Rustie Lee who lived in Birmingham.
In this photograph the newly refurbished theatre glows. The old 1960s frontage was replaced by a more traditional look echoing the golden age of Victorian theatregoing. The pink and white panels were made from a coloured fibreglass material.
Throughout the 1980s Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musicals drew audiences to the theatre which was now big enough to stage them.
Evita ran for nine weeks and has returned many times since.
Redevelopment work continued throughout the decade, transforming the theatre inside and out.
This dramatic photograph shows the stage extension, fly tower and orchestra rooms.
Can you see the digger in the background?
This photograph celebrates the announcement from Artistic Director Peter Wright that upon its move to the Midlands the company will change its name to Birmingham Royal Ballet.
The company moved into its brand new home in 1990.
A huge restoration project was launched spending more than £2million backstage and on an improved auditorium. Capacity was transformed enabling the biggest and best shows to be staged. In 1986 the sixties style concrete frontage was torn down and replaced by a new pink and white plastic facade. At the end of the 1980s work began on building the best dance facilities in Europe following the purchase of adjacent property in Thorp Street. This became the new home of Birmingham Royal Ballet.
The first show to open the newly refurbished building in 1984 was Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Song and Dance with Marti Webb.
One thought on “1980s”
Hi
I worked on the bars there approx mid 80s and a wonderful place to work ! During New Faces Evita and met loads of lovely people!
Have autographs of Danny La Rue to name one.
Barry Hopson was theatre manager strict but nice man. Where did all the staff go:( we had some great times like a big family from bar staff to stage crew to box office had best laughs ever.
Hi
I worked on the bars there approx mid 80s and a wonderful place to work ! During New Faces Evita and met loads of lovely people!
Have autographs of Danny La Rue to name one.
Barry Hopson was theatre manager strict but nice man. Where did all the staff go:( we had some great times like a big family from bar staff to stage crew to box office had best laughs ever.