The Theatres Trust received a huge response with The Old Rep in Birmingham chosen as the lucky recipient. The environmental and cost issues the theatre faces really resonated with GDS, having a great deal of experience working with theatres in a similar position.

Opening in 1913 The Old Rep was Britain’s first purpose-built repertory theatre and has played a central role in the early careers of many celebrated actors and theatre-makers including Derek Jacobi, Albert Finney, Julie Christie and Paul Scofield. The Grade II listed building has been well-preserved and still retains many original features including a mirror rumoured to have been requested by Sir Laurence Olivier himself. Honouring its original purpose, The Old Rep continues to be training ground for the next generation of performers, producers, directors, technicians and arts workers.

Gary Stevens, General Manager and Operations Director at The Old Rep said “We are absolutely thrilled to have been awarded this fund and looking forward to how the project will develop and come to fruition with GDS. Our historic building will look amazing afterwards I am sure. The project once complete will make our public areas shine bright again as over time the fittings have either become either uneconomical to fix or obsolete to obtain and in turn have made the ornate cornice and period features all but disappear”.

A site visit will be arranged for later in the year to allow GDS to assess exactly what will be delivered to support this iconic theatre.

Theatres Trust is pleased to be a position to link up generous industry specialists GDS with smaller theatres so that they can offer this vital support.