The Rep has been in my life for as long as I've lived in Brum, getting on for 30 yrs now. We get…read morethere once or twice a year and the productions we've seen have always been enjoyable, some of them have been outstanding. As a review about the venue I can honestly say that the Rep has got better and better over time. Tonight I was in the House for 'The Exorcist', comfortable seating and wonderful production on the stage. Last year we were in the studio for 'Beryl', one of the best plays I have seen. Again great production values and a very comfortable experience for the audience. The Marmalade bar offers great cocktails, you can dine here too. Centenary Square is a big part of the cultural quarter of Birmingham with Symphony Hall, The Rep and Library of Birmingham all lined up like ducks in a row. Whilst the Rep seems to have been here forever, it feels brand new on the inside. There's a wonderful ambience around here, it's part of the Birmingham buzz. The real challenge of living in Birmingham, is that there is so much going on and only so much time. Then again, time spent at the Rep is happy time.

I LOVE going to the theatre. From Community pieces to large scale extravaganzas, you just can't…read morebeat the razzle dazzle of a trip to see a play. We are truly spoilt with arts venues in Birmingham. From the big touring shows at The Hippodrome to the fantastic gems at places like The Crescent and The Blue Orange Theatre, there is something going on every single week in the City. The REP is a truly fantastic theatre. I have seen a plethora of pieces here (most notably "The Northern Lights") and they have all been memorable. The theatre itself has even had a facelift with the construction of the Library, giving you even more of a reason to visit. As well as one-off plays, the REP hosts several events as part of Birmingham's cultural festivals. Keep an eye out on their website for more details of special events which go on throughout the year. In terms of the actual performance space, I have never had a bad view (even when buying the cheap seats) here. The ticketing has always been straight forward and problem free and it's easy to find out what's scheduled via their print materials and their site. The seating is comfortable and the theatre is accessible for those with mobility issues. As you would expect, drinks are expensive. It wouldn't be a trip to the theatre if you didn't have a good gasp at the price of two drinks, but saying that it's still cheaper than many of the other big theatre spaces I've been to around the UK. I have reviewed the Brasserie before for afternoon tea (http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/searcys-birmingham?osq=REP+Brasserie), but you can also grab pre-theatre menus here (which would work out a little cheaper than the regular menu). Check out what's coming up, book your tickets and give this fantastic venue a visit (but make sure to bring plenty of money if you want a drink before/during/after the play).

As it's own space. I wanted to add the The Patrick Centre for the performing arts to yelp. Accessed…read morethrough the upper floor in Birmingham Hippodrome's main foyer, this is a 200-seater auditorium more intimate experience than the huge show space of the Hippodromes main theatre. Jord M and I won tickets to see Beautiful Thing at The Patrick Centre thanks to Vicky O (Our Birmingham Community Manager and thanks to the team at Birmingham Hippodrome for the Tickets!) We were here on press night! Which meant a free programme and drinks in the VIP Lloyd room before the show and during the interval. Within five minutes of our arrival, I saw actress Charlie Brooks by the stage door, and resisted having a photograph rather than crashing her conversation. My night was already made!! If you don't know Beautiful Thing, is a 1993 play by Jonathan Harvey, about two teenage boys finding love on a south London council estate. Although current for the time it was made, it is really now a play set in the 1990s with lots of nods to the culture of the day. 1990s copies of The Guardian, Hello! magazine, reading the problem page in gay magazines and finding gay venues in classified directory all add to the authenticity of the time. Charlie Brooks who plays Janine Butcher in EastEnders is BRILLIANT as Sandra, a single, hard-working mother with a string of ex boyfriends. She is funny, warm and much more loveable than the hard faced character she plays in the soap. I was really excited to see her in this role made famous in the film by Linda Henry who is Shirley Carter in EastEnders. Her son Jamie is played by the great Sam Jackson from Skins, and he really is believable as Sandra's child who is starting to want to explore his own sexuality. Acting-wise there is lots of crossover with BBC EastEnders. Their neighbour's son Ste is played by excellent Thomas Law who played Peter Beale version 4 in EastEnders. His awkward sexual awakening, and the homophobic violence from his family, remind you that this was first performed a year after being homosexual was declassified as a mental illness in the UK (in 1992.) Sandra's hippyish boyfriend, Tony, is played smoothly by Gerard McCarthy who played Kris Fisher in Hollyoaks. Tony is "right on" about too understanding about everything and you feel like he is a bit of a yes man. And finally the cast is rounded out by the talented Vanessa Babirye, as the other neighbour Leah. Leah's obsession with the music of Mama Cass provides the even more retro soundtrack to the play. While this is really Jamie and Ste's love story for me the performance of Charlie Brooks stole the show. If you get chance to see it around the country then GO SEE IT!

What a beautiful venue!…read more I went to see John Cooper Clarke perform, I left with a big smile on my face. Not just from the performance, but from the venue as well. Has a bar area, where drinks can also be pre-ordered for the interval, it is clean and warming, and the theatre itself is a gem. I did find the seats a little small, the larger bodied person may struggle, not sure if they have provisions. Ample free car parking outside too.

From the owner: Artrix is a versatile multi disciplinary arts centre based in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, with a…read more300 seat auditorium, a spacious dance studio, meeting rooms and a visually stunning foyer/gallery. The auditorium's balcony and side galleries give it an unusually intimacy, while its flexible central seating can be retracted to provide a dance floor. The venue's annual programme is made up of well over 200 specialist film screenings, over 400 workshop sessions and 12 exhibitions as well as participation and educational projects in the local community. Its live programme puts it at the top of many What's On in Birmingham lists. It consists of over 200 performances includes chamber and orchestral concerts, jazz, folk and blues gigs, top stand up comedy, cutting edge theatre and dance and more traditional drama.

Quite a big college based near the Digbeth area of Birmingham…read more The establishment is well known for it's Centre of Performing Arts and the digital media studios, but outside these disciplines, they also have a lot of other courses that you can choose from. It's a little intimidating when your walking in and there are quite a few young youths hanging outside the main entrance in a mini gang, it puts you off a bit (but I can't imagine that they have much trouble as there is a police station 50 yards away). There is a nice helpful reception area, and just a few minutes walk from the city center. It has very good transport links, is currently enrolling and having friends who have studied a few short courses here comes recommended.

I went to south Birmingham College to drop off a few flyers for an event I'm currently working on…read more It's just before you reach Custard Factory on Floodgate street, just off Digbeth High Street. When you go in you are greeted by a large reception desk which you immediately turn to first. You can't get into the college without signing in at reception and there is security standing near the door. I thought this was really good because it means no one who isn't meant to be there can just wonder in. I was treated with respect and courtesy by the reception lady (unfortunately I've forgot her name) but she was really helpful. At least this time I actually had one of the students I know say they saw some of the flyers I'd left handed out to the students as sometimes this doesn't always happen.

Located not too far from Brindley Place and Broad Street, this is a small and local not-for-profit…read moretheatre. The auditorium is small, so you feel very close up to the shows, and with only a small number of seats, your bound to get up close and not miss a thing. With regular diverse entertainment covering comedy, drama, local acts and music there is bound to be an upcoming show whatever your tastes may be. The theatre is playing host to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice in July 2012, as part of the 2012 summer tour. Facilities include FREE wi-fi, and a very nice coffee lounge with good seats. If you buy tickets online or by phone there is a 5% transaction fee, but this doesn't apply if you buy show tickets in cash. (Sundays they are only open if they have a show on, otherwise they are open Tues-Sat 10am-8pm).

I loved the @crescenttheatre from the moment I walked in. What a fantastic independent theater…read morewhich is run partly with donations and volunteers. I love the lounge area where we come and have civilised coffee which is affordable and not at theatre prices. They have a fantastic array of productions and and now they have a cinema too. This shows classics like Back to the Future and WALL.E. To top it all, they now have a loyalty card! Just on one edge of Brindleyplace, please do go check it out!

It may have had something to do with the choice of play or the fact that I visited the Old Rep…read moreduring an unseasonal heat wave, but I find it hard to get too excited about the place. Yes, I like the fact that it is a bastion of high culture in a pretty seedy part of town. It just lacks a bit of sparkle. The 383 seat theatre is home to Birmingham Stage Company and stages an eclectic mix of dramatic productions. It also played home to the Birmingham Repertory theatre company during The Rep's recent refurbishments.

When I go to the theatre I like to be wowed instantly from the moment I walk in. I think that the…read morefeeling you get when you walk in is as important as the quality of script as it's this feeling that will be carried with you into the show. If you walk in to a venue with characteristic features and show lighting, you instantly feel inspired and excited about the show in hand and that feeling translates into the crowd and overall atmosphere. Unfortunately I didn't get that feeling when I walked in to the Old Rep theatre, in fact, it was quite the opposite. As the venue itself is quite small, I was hoping that the atmosphere would be intimate and enjoyable but it felt quite segmented at times. Overall, the venue isn't the most inspiring so use the creative flare in you to push that aside and focus on the amazing show you're about to watch and you'll have a great night.

I had so much fun. Paul of Sa great instructor and motivator. Paul parliere me up with another…read morebeginner named Louise and we both had lots of fun practicing both sides and helping one another spot mistakes. The studio is located centrally and at walking distance from B'ham New Street station. I paid with PayPal so I do not have to unnecessarily keep foreign cash on me. All in all a great experience!

From the owner: Studio Stellar specialises in Pole Dancing and Pole Fitness Classes in Birmingham City Centre,…read moreBooking is done online on a PAYG basis and classes are from only £6 each!

It was a great show, we saw hamilton, good quality sound and comfortable seats, we had a nice tub…read moreof popcorn and the staff were friendly and helpful, hamilton is a great show and white it's in town I recommend you see it!

I was here last night for a freinds birthday to watch a play called The Curious Incident of the Dog…read morein the Night-Time. We have both read the book and thoroughly enjoyed it. At first glance it didn't look like much, the stage setting looks simple, minimalistic. Then suddenly the play begins with thunder-like music and flashing strobes of intense light. a dog is seen in the light that has been killed with a garden fork (i dont want to give too much of the plot away) but as the story unfolds, it morphs into an impressive display of modern technology! Experienced through the eyes & ears of a teen suffering from Aspergers syndrome, be prepared for moments of sensory overload with blinding bright lights, 3D mapping visuals & intensely loud noise. The main character Christopher is intelligent, honest, & funny even when he doesn't intend to be. Christopher uncovers secrets about his mom & dad when the dog next door is murdered, & what ensues is a two-hour mystery that asks questions about truths & lies, & the ramifications of your choice to do one or the other. Certain scenes are difficult to watch, and even heartbreaking, it really does hit home and allows you time to think too...perhaps because don't we all have somewhat dysfunctional families?! Heavy topics are explored, but I like feeling that weight, so I definitely recommend this great British play to everyone. Hats off to the actors who played the characters and for entertaining us. Be sure to stay till the end.. as the end is not the end until the confetti falls. SPOILER ALERT: watch out for the adorable puppy towards the end of the play! Tickets price was £37.50 excluding bf also free parking 6pm-8am around hurst/ kent street area if your lucky to find a spot.