The current site has hosted entertainment since 1899, originally opening as the Tower of Varieties.
It was renamed the Birmingham Hippodrome in 1903, embracing the popular variety theatre format of the era.
The venue famously hosted the Royal Variety Performance multiple times, most recently in 1999.
The stage house was reconstructed in 2001 to accommodate the technical requirements of massive touring opera and ballet sets.
The Birmingham Royal Ballet has been resident at the Hippodrome since relocating from London in 1990.
The Birmingham Hippodrome is one of the United Kingdom's busiest single-auditorium theatres, serving as the permanent home for the Birmingham Royal Ballet. It hosts a diverse program ranging from large-scale West End touring musicals and opera to contemporary dance and pantomime. The venue features a primary main stage auditorium with a capacity of approximately 1,850 seats. It is managed by a registered charity, Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre Trust, which focuses on community engagement and arts education. The building underwent a major redevelopment in 2001 that significantly expanded its foyer and stage capabilities. It is located at the heart of Birmingham's Southside district, adjacent to the Chinese Quarter. The venue integrates a smaller performance space known as the Patrick Studio for experimental and intimate productions. The theatre is a central anchor for the city's annual arts festivals and cultural programming.
The main entrance foyer, which features a grand, contemporary atrium design and illuminated theatre signage.
Book tickets for the stalls for the best view of ballet, or the circle for a better perspective of large-scale musical choreography.
Visit the Hippodrome’s own restaurant or café before the show to avoid the rush of the surrounding Southside dining scene.
Check the venue website for 'pre-show talk' events which often provide historical or artistic context for the performance.
Do not wait until the night of the show to arrange parking, as the surrounding street parking is extremely limited and high-demand.
No formal dress code, though smart-casual is standard; electronic devices must be silenced and screens dimmed during performances.
