From global mega hits and certified classics to reimagined favourites, here are some of the best theatre shows to book now in Birmingham.
Directed by The Rep’s Artistic Director, Joe Murphy and Deputy Artistic Director, Madeleine Kludje, this vibrant retelling of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is billed as a celebration of beauty and love in all its forms.
A spectacular stage adaptation of one of the greatest movies of all time comes to The Alexandra. The Shawshank Redemption, which was nominated for seven Academy awards, has been reworked by Owen O’Neill and Dave Johns for the stage, with Joe McFadden starring in the role of the wrongly convicted Andy Dufresne, Ben Onwukwe taking the role of Ellis ‘Red’ Redding, and Bill Ward playing corrupt prison warden Stammas.
Audiences are invited to see through the eyes of an astronaut as Bafta and Emmy-nominated composer Ilan Eshkeri brings a stunning new audio-visual spectacle to Birmingham this summer.
The live concert, complete with orchestra and choir, is presented alongside a film written and directed by Eshkeri, created from footage captured by astronauts aboard the International Space Station and imagery filmed at European Space Agency locations.
Global smash hit Les Misérables The Arena Concert Spectacular is coming to Birmingham in summer. Les Misérables The Arena Concert Spectacular was expanded from the hugely successful Les Misérables The Staged Concert, which played for over 200 record-breaking performances in the West End, including a famous 25th Anniversary performance at The O2. It features an extraordinary new design specifically created for larger venues and an electrifying production enhanced with new set and lighting designs that present the show on a whole new scale.
A spectacular new production of Miss Saigon comes to Birmingham this summer.
Set to take over Birmingham Hippodrome from Tue 23 Jun – Sat 27 Jun, Michael Harrison, in association with Cameron Mackintosh, presents the new production, as Boublil and Schönberg’s legendary musical is reborn.
Musical theatre legend Ramin Karimloo (Phantom of The Opera, Les Misérables, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Addams Family) stars as Sweeney Todd in this latest iteration of one of the most widely beloved musicals ever written.
Also joining the stellar cast is award-winning singing sensation, Meow Meow (Emma Rice’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Guys and Dolls) as Mrs. Lovett alongside three-time Olivier Award-winning actor David Bedella (& Juliet, In the Heights, Jerry Springer: The Opera) as Judge Turpin.
A special double bill Edinburgh preview comes to Blue Orange Theatre in July. First up is an adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s chilling tale of greed, guilt and the macabre, The Body Snatcher, followed by Charles Dickens’ dance of life and death, The Hanged Man’s Bride.
There will be two performances on Sat 11 Jul, with shows at 3pm and 7.45pm.
Winner of Best New Musical at the Off West End Awards, Grindr: The Opera! puts the notorious dating app front and centre, taking the audience on a hilarious and thought-provoking journey through the world of gay matchmaking.
Joined by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, who will be performing Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, Birmingham Royal Ballet revives Sir Peter Wright and Galina Samsova’s glorious journey into Swan Lake this autumn.
A spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s multi-award-winning musical CATS is coming to Birmingham Hippodrome this autumn.
Based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, and with a legendary score which inspired generations, featuring Old Deuteronomy, Macavity: The Mystery Cat, Jellicle Ball and the chart-topping hit Memory, this new take on the legendary production is directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie, and comes to the city for a limited two-week run.
A brand-new stage adaptation of the cultural phenomenon, The Silence of the Lambs, is coming to Birmingham next year. m
Based on Thomas Harris’ gripping psychological masterpiece, Gina Giongriddo’s theatrical adaptation makes its world stageplay premiere in 2026, before heading to The Alexandra next January.
A smash hit musical adaptation of Back to the Future touches down in Birmingham next year.
Winner of Best New Musical at the Olivier Awards, WhatsOnStage Awards and Broadway Awards, Back to the Future The Musical makes its bow at Birmingham Hippodrome Tue 9 Mar – Sat 10 Apr 2027.
Based on the iconic movie starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, Heathers the Musical heads to Birmingham following smash hit runs in London and New York, and the title of WhatsOnStage’s Best New Musical in tow.
- Words:
- Bradley Lengden
- Published on:
- Mon 27 Apr 2026
Just in time for the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth and following a run of sell-out shows and critical acclaim across two Edinburgh Fringe runs and four Soho Theatre residencies, Rosalie Minnitt brings her cult comedy hit, Clementine, to Birmingham Rep.
Rosalie recently appeared on How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge), has been profiled in the Guardian and on Sky News and on Loose Ends, and won the Funny Women Comedy Shorts Award.