The Core Theatre celebrates busiest period on record
The Core Theatre in Solihull is celebrating its busiest period on record after welcoming more than 60,000 visitors in its first 12 months since re-opening.
The theatre sold 63,492 tickets across 278 shows since May 2025 – a 10 per cent increase in visitors from the same period in its last operational year in 2022/23.
Of those visitors, 71 per cent of people visited for the first time since pre-Covid, with a diversified programme of shows from the world of music, theatre and comedy; alongside spoken word, drag, cinema, bringing in new and returning audiences.
The numbers mark the theatres best 12 months on record and comes as a double celebration with the theatre celebrating 10 years since it officially opened in May 2016.
Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Wazma Qais, said: “The Core is at the heart of our town centre and is an important part of this Council’s commitment to supporting the borough’s cultural sector and visitor economy, so we are delighted that the theatre has enjoyed its busiest period on record.
“For this to come in the 12 months after reopening is testament to the hard work of everyone involved in bringing audiences back to the borough; and our many talented local production groups and performers who are the lifeblood of local theatre.
“That, to me, demonstrates the appetite for local theatre in the heart of Solihull and sets up an exciting year ahead as The Core celebrates its 10-year anniversary in 2026.”
Highlights from the past 12 months include the return of Christmas panto for the first time since pre-Covid, as Little Wolf Entertainment staged 50 shows of its magical production of Aladdin – the most panto performances ever held at the theatre.
New monthly comedy club ‘Funny to the Core’ has brought rising and established comedians to Solihull, a varied film line-up has introduced a popular new Hong Kong cinema programme, while the West End has come to Solihull through National Theatre Live screenings.
The theatre is gearing up for a busy year ahead, having recently announced three outdoor summer theatre events at Brueton Park and the return of panto in December as Little Wolf Entertainment return with a production of Peter Pan.
