Big Brum Competitors

Birmingham Hippodrome is one of the UK’s busiest and most vibrant arts venues. Proudly based in the heart of Birmingham, we are an independent charity, run by a board of voluntary trustees with no regular funding from public sources. We are on a mission to provide that “goosebumps” feeling through memorable and extraordinary experiences with a vision for a “distinctive, world-class Birmingham cultural scene with the Hippodrome at its heart”. Our rich history spans over 125 years, with the Hippodrome now welcoming over 600,000 paid visitors a year to our main house and Patrick Studio. In 2023, we established our New Musical Theatre department, the first of its kind in the UK, dedicated to developing the artform from a base outside of London. Our New Work & Artist Development department focuses on creating a home for over 1,300 West Midlands artists, providing a new platform for networking and developing work within the region. We work with a range of partners on our hugely successful Festivals programme of off-site work, drawing in over 250,000 visitors a year. Our Hippodrome Education Network delivers creative activities in over 20 partner schools. Additionally, we engage with young people from across the region through other programmes of work, including curtain raiser performances, our Hippodrome youth theatres and Young Advocates scheme. To learn more visit: birminghamhippodrome.com

Birmingham Royal Ballet is one of the world's leading touring ballet companies. We inspire and move people worldwide. We create and perform full-scale classical ballets alongside compelling and relevant contemporary work. Our impact beyond the stage has a profound social impact. We want to inspire, engage, entertain and educate audiences, and are committed to reaching the widest possible audience regardless of age or social status. We have up to 60 permanent dancers and our own outstanding orchestra, the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, which ensures we have some of the best orchestral music in the UK. We are also home to The Jerwood Centre; a world-class facility for the prevention and treatment of dance Injuries.

The Birmingham Repertory Theatre – affectionately known as “The Rep” – is one of the most influential companies in the history of the English stage and remains at the forefront of theatre in the UK. Many of our productions go on tour, championing Birmingham and positively contributing to its national and international reputation. In this way, we have developed strong links with cities and cultural partners across the UK, Europe and the world. Our community outreach programme is one of the largest and most diverse in the Country. The Rep is one of Birmingham's most unique and versatile venues for conferencing and events, winning 'Venue Of The Year 2016'. We are centrally located in the heart of the city and boast state of the art facilities. As well as our three main auditoria, we have a range of other spaces including banqueting suites and exhibition areas. Our dedicated events team are passionate about creating personal, professional and memorable events. The Rep is the perfect place to entertain clients. Options include being treated to VIP hospitality in the theatre's private member's bar, enjoying a pre-theatre meal in a private dining room or having drinks with the cast on the theatre's famous stage. As a charity The Rep relies on the generosity of donors, funders and sponsors to continue our work both on stage and in the community. We are excited to announce that we are embarking on an ambitious fundraising campaign called Rep First which aims to raise £1 million over the next three years. Rep First will support three core areas of our work; nurturing young performers and theatre makers, creating new works and reaching out to new audiences and communities. We have always been pioneers and regularly provide our audiences with their first-ever experience of theatre and offer the next generation of theatre makers a first step in their careers. All funds raised over the next three years will contribute towards our £1 million target.