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, to world class musicals, large scale ballet and opera, drama and family productions.
We have longstanding relationships with internationally renowned producers including Cameron Mackintosh, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Disney, Michael Harrison and Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures.
The Hippodrome is home to the largest and most successful pantomime outside of London, welcoming over 100,000 people annually.
We are proud to be the home of Birmingham Royal Ballet, FABRIC, Mercury Musical Developments and One Dance UK.
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. Under the ‘My First Musical’ brand we have produced new musicals for children age 3+, including The Jingleclaw and No Such Thing As Wolves. Other recent success includes the world premiere of Ellie Coote and Jack Godfrey’s Hot Mess at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which was the recipient of five awards including the Fringe First award.
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, including the city’s Chinese New Year celebrations, and Birmingham Weekender with Bullring; drawing in over 250,000 visitors a year.
Our Hippodrome Education Network delivers creative activities to 35,000 young people a year in 29 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.
We frequently invest in projects alongside Arts Council England and with Birmingham City Council. Generous support is received from the business community through sponsorship and other partnerships; from individuals through donations and memberships; and from grant-making trusts for special programming and infrastructure projects.
We play a leading role in the Southside Business Improvement District and are members of Culture Central, and Birmingham Cultural Compact.
Find out more about our Mission, Vision and Values.
