Birmingham Rep announces new productions for 2026
Birmingham Rep is starting 2026 with a selection of new productions – adding to its already stellar and jam-packed programme.
The House will welcome Mike Bartlett’s acclaimed stage adaptation, Chariots of Fire, coming to The Rep from Tuesday 22 – Saturday 26 September as part of its first ever UK tour.
The show is directed by The Rep’s previous artistic director, Roxana Silbert whose A Thousand Splendid Suns broke Box Office records at The Rep last Spring.
Based on the multi-Oscar and BAFTA-winning film and inspired by the extraordinary true story of Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams as they strive for glory in the 1924 Paris Olympics, Chariots of Fire features the iconic music of Vangelis in this celebrated story of courage, conviction and the power of belief.
Also coming to The House, back by popular demand, the internationally acclaimed BBC Big Band returns to The Rep for 2026 on Sunday 14 June with The Great American Songbook.
Joined by renowned conductor Barry Forgie, and special guest vocalists Matt Ford and Emer McParland, the evening promises a unique celebration of two of the most influential figures in American musical history, George Gershwin and Cole Porter – promising a sparkling selection of music exploring the full spectrum of their incredible body of work that continues to define a golden era of music and forms an integral part of the ‘Great American Songbook’.
The Rep also announce five productions coming to The Door.
The Iranian Community Theatre bring a magical family show that celebrates the power of storytelling in The Bald Pigeon Boy on Saturday 7 March.
When laughter, music and happiness are banned across the city, one brave teenager dares to resist with the help of his pigeons - mysterious messengers in Iranian folklore who reveal secrets and guide those in need. Based on a traditional Iranian folktale, this show celebrates the power of intelligence over power and joy over fear.
The Brummie Ensemble, an adult drama group run by Birmingham based multi-award-winning theatre company Women & Theatre and funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, present their first public performance on Saturday 14 March.
Next up is a high-octane, darkly comic thriller, REDACTED: The Cover-Up of a Cover-Up of a Cover-Up (Thursday 30 April – Saturday 2 May) a genre-smashing, time-bending epic packed with virtuosic physical theatre, acrobatics, and live music, from the award-winning company Voloz Collective.
Following a sold-out London run and critically acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe appearance, award-winning comedian Sami Abu-Wardeh brings “defiantly goofy” show Palestine: Peace de Resistance to Birmingham on Thursday 21 May.
The outrageous and joyful drag revue show Send in The Clowns return, celebrating the magic and madness of musical theatre when they bring Queeny Todd – a celebration of Sondheim - from Thursday 24 to Saturday 26 September.
Host, cabaret superstar and "incredible vocal powerhouse" (West End Best Friend) Fatt Butcher, alongside a stellar line-up of the Midlands’ finest drag and cabaret talents including Dahliah Rivers, Blü Romantic, and Alanna Boden, deliver a celebration of musical theatre’s greatest composer Stephen Sondheim, in a musical journey reimagining his life, legacy, and back catalogue.
Priority booking for Gold & Silver Friends, Access Register & 16-25 members opens Tuesday 13 January at 12pm.
Priority Booking for Bronze Friends opens Thursday 15 January at 12pm.
Public Booking opens Friday 16 January at 12pm.
Click here to book or call 0121 236 4455
Pictured: Send in the clowns
