Alexandra Theatre
pictures, photos, facts and information on Alexandra Theatre (Birmingham)
Alexandra Theatre is among the Birmingham people commonly known as The Alex. It is located on Station Street. The theatre is owned by Live Nation (Venues) UK Limited.
The theatre was built by William Coutts. The construction of the building started in 1900 and it was first opened on 27 May 1901 as Lyceum Theatre by the play called The Workman. The architects were Owen & Ward. Soon afterwards it was sold because of insufficient public support and in 1902 renamed to Alexandra Theatre (in the honour of the Queen Alexandra) by its new own Collingwood. He started a tradition of pantomime and it is said that Charlie Chaplin played here as well. A new era in the history of the theatre began in 1911 when the Alexandra was bought by Leon Salberg (after the death of Collingwood in a car accident). The theatre was run by the Salberg family from 1911 to 1977. It was rebuilt with a fine Art Deco auditorium in 1935 to a design by Roland Satchwell. The theatre became very popular after the Second World War.
Even though the main entrance was originally situated on John Bright Street, a new main entrance block was built on Suffolk Street between 1967-1969 according to a design by the John Madin Design Group. There is a wide bridge inside linking the two and the appearance is that of a single building. Satchwell's interior was refurbished in 1992 by the Seymour Harris Partnership.
The capacity of the theatre is 1,347 and it hosts a busy programme of touring drama, West End shows and stand-up comedy. It was the home of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company between 1990 and 1997.
The theatre was built by William Coutts. The construction of the building started in 1900 and it was first opened on 27 May 1901 as Lyceum Theatre by the play called The Workman. The architects were Owen & Ward. Soon afterwards it was sold because of insufficient public support and in 1902 renamed to Alexandra Theatre (in the honour of the Queen Alexandra) by its new own Collingwood. He started a tradition of pantomime and it is said that Charlie Chaplin played here as well. A new era in the history of the theatre began in 1911 when the Alexandra was bought by Leon Salberg (after the death of Collingwood in a car accident). The theatre was run by the Salberg family from 1911 to 1977. It was rebuilt with a fine Art Deco auditorium in 1935 to a design by Roland Satchwell. The theatre became very popular after the Second World War.
Even though the main entrance was originally situated on John Bright Street, a new main entrance block was built on Suffolk Street between 1967-1969 according to a design by the John Madin Design Group. There is a wide bridge inside linking the two and the appearance is that of a single building. Satchwell's interior was refurbished in 1992 by the Seymour Harris Partnership.
The capacity of the theatre is 1,347 and it hosts a busy programme of touring drama, West End shows and stand-up comedy. It was the home of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company between 1990 and 1997.