Listings for The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
Description
Commonly known as the Alex, the Alexandra Theatre Birmingham is considered one of the major theatres in Birmingham and attracts world class West End plays, musicals and stand up comedy. For example, the Alexandra has hosted the likes of How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2019), The Mousetrap (2019), Eddie Izzard (2019), 9 to 5 the Musical (2019), Thriller Live (2009), Jungle Book (2009) Located on Suffolk Queensway in the centre of Birmingham, The Alexandra Theatre is the hub of Birmingham’s thriving theatre scene and has been entertaining audiences for more than 100 years.
A beautiful Edwardian building, the Alexandra Birmingham boasts attractive art deco features and maintained its exquisite 1930s design and detailing. Previously managed by the company Live Nation, the Alexandra is now managed and owned by The Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) who bought the theatre in 2006 and take the title as the largest theatre operator in the world.
Seating Plan
The Alexandra Birmingham seating capacity is 1,371 and the theatre is divided into the Stalls, the Dress Circle and the Grand Upper Circle. A relatively large auditorium, views of the stage from different seats do vary greatly as does the ticket prices.
The Alexandra Theatre Seating Plan Map
MAPA NO ENCONTRADO
Seating Plan
The Alexandra Theatre is divided into three sections: the Stalls, the Dress Circle and the Grand Upper Circle which all offers different views and experiences of the stage.
The Stalls
As the largest section of the venue, the Stalls has a capacity of 600 seats.
The Dress Circle
The second tier in the Alexandra theatre is the Dress Circle and it has a capacity of 400 seats.
The Grand Upper Circle
As the section of the theatre furthest away from the stage, the Grand Upper Circle has a capacity of 414 seats.
Seats with Best Visibility
- Premium Seats: The best seats in the Alexandra theatre are undoubedtly located in the Stalls and there are also some excellent seats in the centre of the Dress circle which provides incredible views of the stage.
- Good Value for Money Seats: some seats in the Dress Circle are cheaper than in the Stalls but you can till enjoy excellent views as there are not many restrictions.
- Discounted Seats: if you are looking for much cheaper tickets, these can be found in in the Grand Upper Circle where there is restricted viewing.
The Alexandra Theatre Birmingham Contact and Opening times
The Alexandra Birmingham Contact Numbers
- Telephone Booking*:0844 871 3011
- Group Bookings: 0333 0095 382
- Access Bookings: 0121 230 9077/0800 912 6971
- Stage Door/Admin: 0121 230 9071
Opening hours
Monday to Saturday: From 12:00
Sunday: Closed except on performance days
The Box Office will be open 2 hours before a performance begins and will close 15 minutes after the start time of a performance. The box office is closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays except if there is a performance showing on that day.
Useful Information
Getting there
The Alexandra Birmingham is can be reached by both public transport and car. The Alexandra Birmingham address is:
Suffolk Queensway
Birmingham
West Midlands
B5 4DS
- Car: if you are travelling to the theatre by car, the Alexandra theatre parking is quite straightforward. The closest car park to the Alex is the NCP New Street Car Park (B5 4AN) and you can enjoy a pre-paid parking voucher for theatre patrons. There is also the Mailbox secure car park (B1 1RD) and this is a 5 minute walk from the theatre.
- Train: Birmingham New Street Station and Grand Central are very close to the Alex. You can take national rail services from places across the UK to get to these stations and then the theatre.
- Bus: all of Birmingham’s major city bus stops are situated adjacent to the Alexandra.
Access
The Alexandra Birmingham has a designated Access Ambassador for each performance at the Alexandra who can help you before and throughout your visit. Please call the front of house staff if you need to contact them prior to the performance or during.
Access Booking Line: 0121 230 9077 - 10.00-18.00 Monday to Saturday 0800 912 6971 - 9.00-22.00 Monday to Saturday, 10.00-20.00 Sundays
Accessing the venue
The Alexandra has eight wheelchair spaces in the stalls. The Stalls are easily accessible if you use the easy access entrance on Station Street. This entrance is situated next to the stage door and you can use the intercom to call a member of staff to meet you. The Dress Circle, Grand Upper Circle and the Ambassador Lounge are more difficult to access as there is no customer lift.
Induction Loop Necklace
The Alexandra has an induction Loop Necklace is for visitors using a hearing aid. You can connect the necklace to your hearing aid and the sound will be amplifed.
The Headset
This is another option for visitors who wear a hearing aid. It does not involve a necklace but instead is a type of headphones.
Infrared System
The Alexandra has an infrared system in the theatre - please ask a member of staff about the equipment and they will contact the Access Ambassador. At the end of the show, please return this equipment to a member of staff.
Guide Dogs
Guide, hearing and other dogs are welcome into the auditorium as well as other parts of the theatre. However, please be aware that some shows have strobe lighting, smoke, pyrotechnics and loud bangs. Alternatively, a member of staff will happily look after your dog during the performance. When you book tickets, please speak to a member of staff about these requirements.
Access toilets
The Alex has accessible toilets on the ground floor of stalls.
The Alexandra Birmingham History
Designed by Owen and Ward 1901 at a cost of 10,000, the Alexandra Theatre was originally called the Lyceum Theatre. At the beginning of its career, the Alexandra struggled to attract theatre goers so it held a play featuring a star. In the middle of June 1902, H.a. Saintsbury starred in a costume drama as the leading man. However, the theatre still received low returns and it changed hands to Lester Collingwood who renamed the Lyceum Theatre the Alexandra Theatre in 1992. In 1902, one of the first performers, Grace Housely, tragically died on stage which made the news at the time.
In 1910, owner Collingwood also sadly died in a road traffic accident so Leon Salbery took over the management of the theatre. After Salberg tragically passed away in his office in 1930, the Alexandra theatre is said to be haunted by his ghost, as well as other ghostly sightings reported by a cleaner in 1987. Derek Salberg succeeded Salberg in 1938 and the Salberg family then went on to run the Alexandra Theatre until 1977. Under the Salbergs, the Alexandra was known for its pantomimes such as the famous pantomime mother Goose.
In 1935, Roland Satchwell rebuilt the auditorium with a beautiful art deco design and then between 1967- 1969 the John Madin Design group built a new main entrance. The Alexandra was then refurbished again in 1992 by the Seymour Harris partnership. It was owned by the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company between 1990 and 1997 then it changed was sold to the Apollo Leisure group in the 1990s.
During World War 1, local theatre goers flocked to Alexandra ; over 80% of season ticket holders lived within Birmingham. Tragically, in 1982 Dad’s Army star Aruther Lowe suffered from a stroke his dressing room and later died in hospital.
Today, the Alexandra Birmingham hosts many West End tours, world class comedians as well as smaller more local theatre productions. A theatre steeped in history, it is one of Birmingham’s major theatres.
Photos of The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
Featured videos
New Alexandra Theatre - Venue Footage
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