News – Cultural landmark for Birmingham

Plans for a new £200m centre of culture and knowledge in Birminghams Centenary Square have been unveiled by Birmingham City Council. A new Library of Birmingham will be built on land adjoining Birmingham Repertory Theatre, and the two organisations will share a number of facilities, including foyers, bars and restaurants. They will also develop a complementary programme of cultural activity in areas of common interest, such as new writing, performance poetry and live literature.
The Rep will be refurbished and a new flexible 350-seat auditorium will be built, enabling it to extend its range of drama productions. Its existing studio theatre, The Door, will then be used for learning and participation activities, as well as for presenting small-scale shows and work in development. A project manager and design team are being appointed to take the project forward, and there will be an international search for an architect so that design work can get underway by summer 2008, and the new centre completed by 2013. The Rep will have to close for a period during the construction work, but it will continue to produce and present work in other venues and spaces within the city.