Brilliant Birmingham theatre shows to see this spring

As the weather improves and days and evenings out become more appealing, there are few better ways to relax with friends and family than by enjoying a live show in Birmingham.

The Second City has some wonderful theatres all working hard to bring top quality shows to audiences as the arts continues to bounce back following the impact of the pandemic.

With spring now upon us, BirminghamWorld has compiled a list of ten of the most exciting performances on the horizon between now and the end of April.

Here’s some shows not to be missed at five Birmingham theatre and arts venues:

Birmingham Hippodrome

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (April 5-16)

The sensational brand-new production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Joseph’ comes to Birmingham for 12 days.

Including stars from The London Palladium Alexandra Burke (narrator), Jason Donovan (Pharaoh) and Jac Yarrow (Joseph), the show features songs that have gone on to become pop and musical theatre classics, including Any Dream Will Do, Close Every Door To Me, There’s One More Angel in Heaven and Go, Go, Go Joseph.

The multi-award-winning show has been performed in more than 80 countries and has become one of the world’s most loved family musicals.

Details at: Birmingham Hippodrome

Akram Khan’s Jungle Book: Reimagined (April 29-30)

Superb entertainment is in prospect with this magical dance-theatre retelling of Rudyard Kipling’s family classic directed and choreographed by Akram Khan and presented as part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival.

Akram and his team have reinvented the journey of Mowgli through the eyes of a climate refugee. Featuring an original score, ten international dancers and state-of-the-art animation and visuals, Jungle Book: Reimagined is a beautifully-compelling and vital piece of storytelling about our intrinsic need to belong and bond with others.

Check out the show and tickets here: Birmingham Hippodrome

Birmingham Rep

Coming to England (March 31-April 16)

Bursting on to the stage with music, storytelling and humour, Floella Benjmin’s award-winning and iconic book Coming to England comes to life in this world premiere stage adaptation.

Loved by children and families and presented by the Birmingham 2022 Festival, the show tells Floella’s story own story of emigrating to England from Trinidad as a ten-year-old along with her siblings to join her parents.

Despite being subjected to racism and intolerance in 1960s London, Floella was guided by her mother and worked tremendously hard to overcome adversity and become Baroness of Beckenham.

Floella, whose book has been adapted by award-winning playwright David Wood, said: “I am thrilled that the musical production of my book will have its world premiere at The Rep.

“I cannot wait to see the story come to life on the stage in front of an audience of all ages.”

Learn more at: Birmingham Rep

Private Peaceful (April 19-23)

The Peaceful brothers Tommo and Charlie have a tough rural childhood as they face the loss of their father, financial hardship and a cruel landlord.

Their fierce loyalty to each other pulls them through, until one day they both fall for the same girl and then the Great War arrives.

Set against the epic backdrop of WWI, join 18-year-old Private Tommo Peaceful in the trenches as he takes you on a journey through his most cherished memories and tells his story of courage, devotion, family and friendship.

The award-winning Private Peaceful was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, won the Red House Children’s Book Award and the Blue Peter Book Award.

Details and tickets at: Birmingham Rep

The Alexandra

Diversity – Connected 2022 (April 14-16 and June 13-14)

Diversity took the nation by storm when they won the third series of Britain’s Got Talent in 2009 and have so far sold out nine UK and Irish tours – selling more than 600,000 tickets and featuring on countless television and live performances.

After the success of their critically-acclaimed 48-show UK tour Born Ready, Ashley Banjo has created a new show – Connected – which centres around the world of social media, the internet and the digital era we now live in.

For more information and tickets visit: Alexandra Theatre

Footloose (April 19-23)

Following two critically-acclaimed tours and a West End run, Footloose is back with Dancing on Ice winner and TV star Jake Quickenden as loveable cowboy Willard and TV and West End favourite Darren Day also starring.

City boy Ren thinks life is bad enough when he’s forced to move to a rural backwater in the USA but his world comes to a standstill when he arrives at Bomont to find dancing and rock music are banned.

Taking matters into his own hands, Ren soon has all hell breaking loose and the whole town on its feet.

Audiences will enjoy classic 80s hits including Holding Out for a Hero, Almost Paradise, Let’s Hear It For The Boy and title track Footloose.

Check out: Alexandra Theatre

Menopause The Musical 2 (April 24)

AKA Cruising Through Menopause, this hysterical sequel to smash-hit show Menopause The Musical fast forwards five years to catch up with the same quartet as they set off on the high seas for tales of their lives, loves and losses.

It’s time to get all aboard with Crissy Rock (Benidorm), Rebecca Wheatley (Casualty), Nicki French (Eurovision) and West End star Susie Fenwick as hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings and memory lapses bring a funny take on the joys of menopause and friendship.

For more information and tickets head to: Alexandra Theatre

The MAC (Midlands Arts Centre)

NT Live: Henry V (April 21)

Kit Harington (Game of Thrones) plays the title role in Shakespeare’s thrilling study of nationalism, war and the psychology of power.

Fresh to the throne, King Henry V launches England into a bloody war with France. When his campaign encounters resistance, this inexperienced new ruler must prove he is fit to guide a country into war.

Captured live from the Donmar Warehouse in London, this exciting modern production directed by Max Webster (Life of Pi) explores what it means to be English and our relationship to Europe, asking: Do we ever get the leaders we deserve?

This is one cinema screening not be missed.

For further details and tickets visit: MAC Birmingham

The Old Rep Theatre

The Wind in the Willows (April 14)

Pack your picnics and join Ratty, Mole, Badger and the fantastically irrepressible Toad as they embark on the adventure of a lifetime which culminates in a colourful battle to save Toad Hall from the mischievous weasels.

Great family fun is in store as multi-award-nominated Immersion Theatre brings its trademark style and energy to the riverbank with heaps of interaction, stunning costumes, toe-tapping music and larger than life characters.

Discover more at: The Old Rep Theatre

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