Birmingham Hippodrome closing for big revamp

The stage at Birmingham Hippodrome was set to be ripped apart tonight to make way for a £1.1 million replacement.

Workers have a tight window to get the stage replaced and were scheduled to start work as soon as the final performance of Dirty Dancing ends at around 10.30pm.

A crew of up to 40 workers will be grafting around the clock to complete the transformation over the next four weeks.

It can also be revealed today that bosses will be using the opportunity to carry out a further £400,000 worth of improvements.

These include a refurbishment of the theatre's Hurst Street foyer, which will see counter space reduced to enable more people to enter and exit the building. Seating and carpets will be replaced and there will also be other improvements.

Rob Macpherson, director of marking and development, said: "By the end of the work we will have a stage fit for the best shows in the world. Who knows what we will find underneath? Perhaps one of Eric Morecambe's cufflinks."

Birmingham Royal Ballet takes to the stage on September 26 for Opposites Attract.