The Rep has been in my life for as long as I've lived in Brum, getting on for 30 yrs now. We get…read morethere once or twice a year and the productions we've seen have always been enjoyable, some of them have been outstanding. As a review about the venue I can honestly say that the Rep has got better and better over time. Tonight I was in the House for 'The Exorcist', comfortable seating and wonderful production on the stage. Last year we were in the studio for 'Beryl', one of the best plays I have seen. Again great production values and a very comfortable experience for the audience. The Marmalade bar offers great cocktails, you can dine here too. Centenary Square is a big part of the cultural quarter of Birmingham with Symphony Hall, The Rep and Library of Birmingham all lined up like ducks in a row. Whilst the Rep seems to have been here forever, it feels brand new on the inside. There's a wonderful ambience around here, it's part of the Birmingham buzz. The real challenge of living in Birmingham, is that there is so much going on and only so much time. Then again, time spent at the Rep is happy time.

This was my first visit to the Rep, and one that was eagerly anticipated, being a keen theatregoer…read more So when the opportunity arose to sign up for the double feature of The Exorcist and Seance, I jumped at the chance. My first impressions of the building itself were positive, there was a buzz about the place and the staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming. Finding our seats was easy and the seating was generous, with plenty of legroom and offered an unobstructed view of the stage. Comfy too, having been to many performances elsewhere where fidgeting becomes the norm. The production itself was impressive, with a cast that were mostly familiar. I had been wondering how such a performance of the iconic horror tale would translate on stage and I was not disappointed. From the glare of the lights going up, to being suddenly (and loudly) plunged into darkness set the tone for the evening. The effects were spectacular, with a mix of live action, projections and more traditional effects. Yes, we get the iconic scenes, voice effects and some blood and gore. I had been trying to work out who was voicing the demon, and had the of course moment when I read my programme of Sir Ian McKellen. An eerie and unsettling tone is kept throughout, and is a treat for any horror fan. The Seance was a trippy mind game from start to finish. I don't want to spoil too much (I went in knowing nothing), as people are booked in over the coming days. What I will say is this. Your senses are deprived and the tension ramped up to boiling point. I don't scare easily but when the lights finally came on, I realised I had been holding my breath mostly. Had my eyes been open or closed? Such fun though. I also got to experience the bar, Marmalade and the atmosphere in there was fantastic. I look forward to sampling the menu on my next visit!

This is a lovely little theatre on the edge of Sutton Coldfield (near Chester Road station). Great…read moreacting, intimate venue. Recommended.

Indeed this theatre is smaller than most in the bigger cities…read morebut it is cosy and prices reasonable. And as well as many amateur performances, you can also find some real gem performances by professionals or artists. They don't offer free tickets for people with disabilities that need assistance, but access is good and the staff very helpful and friendly.

A smaller more intimate theatre compared to those in Birmingham (Alexandra, Rep etc,.) but well…read morepresented and organised. Modern on the inside, the cafe is really lovely and spacious. Good array of snacks for the interval and a well-stocked bar. Went to a daytime matinee with kids - which was really good fun - but would love to go back of an evening to see what kind of atmosphere/clientele then. I think it helps that the show we went to see was hilarious and really entertaining , not only did my son love it but the adults could not help joining in too(then again I am a big kid still at heart). We watched a musical production of 'The Ugly Duckling' which was very much in the pantomime type audience participation vein. My son started off thinking he was way too cool to join in, but after the first half hour he was clapping his hands and screaming out loud with the best of 'em. The other thing I liked is that they were not too pushy with the whole merchandise sales. There was a booth in the foyer for the kids to buy from - little keepsakes etc,. but they were just kind of there - not being shoved in your face as I have witnessed at other similar events. Location is really convenient too, right next to a multi-storey and near the main shops in the centre of Lichfield. Will go back for a more 'serious' production and let you know my update soon.

As it's own space. I wanted to add the The Patrick Centre for the performing arts to yelp. Accessed…read morethrough the upper floor in Birmingham Hippodrome's main foyer, this is a 200-seater auditorium more intimate experience than the huge show space of the Hippodromes main theatre. Jord M and I won tickets to see Beautiful Thing at The Patrick Centre thanks to Vicky O (Our Birmingham Community Manager and thanks to the team at Birmingham Hippodrome for the Tickets!) We were here on press night! Which meant a free programme and drinks in the VIP Lloyd room before the show and during the interval. Within five minutes of our arrival, I saw actress Charlie Brooks by the stage door, and resisted having a photograph rather than crashing her conversation. My night was already made!! If you don't know Beautiful Thing, is a 1993 play by Jonathan Harvey, about two teenage boys finding love on a south London council estate. Although current for the time it was made, it is really now a play set in the 1990s with lots of nods to the culture of the day. 1990s copies of The Guardian, Hello! magazine, reading the problem page in gay magazines and finding gay venues in classified directory all add to the authenticity of the time. Charlie Brooks who plays Janine Butcher in EastEnders is BRILLIANT as Sandra, a single, hard-working mother with a string of ex boyfriends. She is funny, warm and much more loveable than the hard faced character she plays in the soap. I was really excited to see her in this role made famous in the film by Linda Henry who is Shirley Carter in EastEnders. Her son Jamie is played by the great Sam Jackson from Skins, and he really is believable as Sandra's child who is starting to want to explore his own sexuality. Acting-wise there is lots of crossover with BBC EastEnders. Their neighbour's son Ste is played by excellent Thomas Law who played Peter Beale version 4 in EastEnders. His awkward sexual awakening, and the homophobic violence from his family, remind you that this was first performed a year after being homosexual was declassified as a mental illness in the UK (in 1992.) Sandra's hippyish boyfriend, Tony, is played smoothly by Gerard McCarthy who played Kris Fisher in Hollyoaks. Tony is "right on" about too understanding about everything and you feel like he is a bit of a yes man. And finally the cast is rounded out by the talented Vanessa Babirye, as the other neighbour Leah. Leah's obsession with the music of Mama Cass provides the even more retro soundtrack to the play. While this is really Jamie and Ste's love story for me the performance of Charlie Brooks stole the show. If you get chance to see it around the country then GO SEE IT!

I think I expected a bit more of a breath taking laser shooting experience than what it was!…read more I'm not really into Xbox or gaming so perhaps others would enjoy it more than I did. After about 2 minutes of firing lasers I was bored and ready to go. I decided to sit in a box as I couldn't be bothered to run around anymore. Seemed pretty pointless running around shooting people but I think it might just be a girl thing. My younger brothers enjoyed the experience but personally I wouldn't go again. They say you're supposed to work as a team to 'protect your base' but I'd rather have protected my £5.99 and gone somewhere else.

If you are looking for the ultimate in futuristic gaming and lasergames technology, look no further…read morethanLaser Station. it's a major attraction when it comes to Laser light gaming for the 21st century that can be enjoyed by children and adults at the same time, where else can you take the kids for a fun filled family day out shooting aliens and taking over the planet. A lot of people have been to Quasar and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, Laserstation is Birmingham's answer to this popular lasergaming experience. Laser station offers a fun time for all the family, using the latest in laser light technology you can shoot the aliens and save the earth from being taken over by extra terrestrials. Your quest if you choose to accept it!!

Really was not sure how to categorise - as this is not a music venue as such. Its one of those…read morelocal historical buildings that has thankfully been saved for future generations - and is used for many many events. Its a grade 2 listed building and victorian. Over the years I have watched allsorts of 'acts' here from comedians,, to bands, to pantomime and even a reknowned medium. I am sure there are many mildly famous folk who have trodden these boards over the years - but it does tend to be utilised more often than not for amateur and 'home grown' events. I am fond of this beautiful old building as it brings back happy memories of dancing competitions when I was but a girl, and our dancing school also held its annual show here ( see more uses). But I think anyone would say the place has character. The woodenstage is large enough for most purposes, with gorgeous red velvet curtains, and there is plenty of tiered seating. The back stage area is very good, with a cellar space that can be utilised as a secondary changing area too (again happy memories of tap shoes and leotards - sigh). Also there is a bar area which can be hired for events and a small 'refectory' style space to serve up refreshments. In terms of 'music' events I believe this is more suited to cabaret stle seated performances than live Rock bands and mosh pits - but that is my opinion alone. I genuinely applaud the local council for preserving this lovely piece of our heritage and I hope they continue to do so for many many more generations to come. I have just checked the stats and for those interested it seats 349 people and the stage is 'Proscenium Arch' in style 9means nothing to me sorry!).

an all rounder type of building which plays host to numerous events. at christmas there is usually…read morea panto held there, and throughout the year there are many other events. bands, comedians, even beer festivals.