By Grace Hatchell 2nd Act Couriers
Right, Village folk, gather round because I’ve got bunting in my satchel and a birthday badge pinned firmly to my lapel.
This May, The Alexandra Theatre turns 125. One hundred and twenty-five! That’s not just a birthday, that’s a proper standing ovation of a lifespan. And to start the celebrations, The Alex is throwing open its grand old doors for a free Open Day on Saturday 2 May, 11am to 3pm.
Now here’s the bit I love. This happens on a “dark day” — when the theatre would usually be closed, resting its voice, powdering its nose, perhaps humming to itself backstage. Instead, they’re inviting us in. Into the wings. Into the shadows. Into the places where the magic normally keeps its secrets.
Visitors will be able to explore behind the scenes of this historic beauty, with technical demonstrations in flying, lighting and sound. If you’ve ever wondered how a chandelier floats or how thunder crashes on cue, this is your moment. There’ll be craft activities with artist and designer Garry Jones for the creative souls, face painting for the little theatre sprites, and for the history lovers? Oh, just a small matter of diving into the archives ahead of this landmark year.
And when I say archives, I mean programmes and memorabilia stretching back nearly a century. Proper paper-and-ink history. The kind you can almost smell. Venue Historian Julia Kirby will be on hand, guiding backstage tours and sharing stories of how The Alex has survived wars, world changes and countless curtain calls to reach this glorious 125th year.
Previous visitors have already sung its praises, talking about the thrill of standing on stage and the wonder of discovering what happens behind the curtain. It’s that rare thing: a theatre inviting you to see the illusion before the spotlight switches on.
There will also be exclusive ticket offers available at the Box Office on the day. And if exploring makes you peckish, The Alex’s partner, the Holiday Inn, will be running a “kids eat free” offer for Open Day attendees. A little interval treat, perhaps.
A gentle note from your ever-practical postwoman: it is a historic building, which means stairs. Quite a few of them. So sensible shoes are your friend.
Now let me link this properly to our little corner of the theatrical world.
Theatre Village has always believed that theatres aren’t just venues. They’re living, breathing members of the community. They hold memories. They create futures. They belong to the people who sit in the stalls, sweep the stage, operate the fly floor and pass on stories year after year.
An Open Day like this isn’t just a celebration. It’s an invitation. A reminder that these buildings are ours. That theatre magic doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens because communities step inside.
So if you’re anywhere near Birmingham on 2 May, consider this your hand-delivered nudge. Go and wander the wings. Stand on the boards. Touch a bit of history.
One hundred and twenty-five years is a long run.
Let’s make sure the applause carries on.
Open Day – The Alexandra turns 125 | Facebook
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