Birmingham Repertory Theatre is one of the most important and influential theatres in the history of the English stage. In 2017, The REP embarked on an ambitious fundraising campaign called REP First, which aims to raise £1million. Funds raised will go towards staging new productions, offering more training opportunities and welcoming more participants and audiences than ever before.
As a registered charity, The REP is passionate about making theatre accessible to all and its community outreach programme is one of the largest and most diverse in the country. Each year the theatre works with thousands of young people and school pupils, as well as marginalised adult groups such as people living with dementia and families at risk of homelessness.
The REP First campaign celebrates the REP’s pioneering history of ‘firsts’. For over 100 years, The REP has been at the forefront of theatre in the UK and has launched the careers of some of the country’s greatest performers including Sir Lawrence Olivier, Peter O Toole and Adrian Lester. Throughout it’s history The REP has done things ‘first’, such as staging the first ever production of Shakespeare in modern dress and launching the first ever directing course for young deaf and disabled directors in 2017.
A selection of very special items will be auctioned off on Saturday 7th April at 1.30pm in The DOOR by Birmingham’s best loved auctioneers, Biddle & Webb. Click here to have a look at the auction catalogue and bid in advance. Auctioned items will also be available to view prior to the auction on Friday 6 April from 5pm to 7pm. To register your interest for the private view, please email development@birmingham-rep.co.uk
Rachel Cranny, Head of Fundraising said:
“The REP has created thousands of costumes over the years, from medieval to modern day, as well as hundreds of interesting props from practical furniture to miniature houses for the theatre’s many and varied shows. Our auction lots include costumes made by our highly skilled wardrobe department, along with some very special props from The REP’s recent Christmas show, ‘The Hundred and One Dalmatians’. I am so looking forward to welcoming people to The REP for this unique event, which will provide vital funds for our REP First Appeal!”