Birmingham Hippodrome stage replaced during closure

Work has started on replacing Birmingham Hippodrome's 30-year-old stage under a £1.1 million project.

Following the final performance of Dirty Dancing last month, the Hurst Street theatre closed its doors to allow contractors to start work on the mammoth project.

The current stage, which is made of seven-inch plywood, will be ripped out and replaced with heavy duty 11-inch plywood.

The four-week closure period will also see additional work undertaken including the remodelling of the main foyer, brand new ticket kiosks, and the addition of an extra set of doors at the main entrance, creating a new lobby area. A specially designed low energy LED lighting system will be installed in the auditorium and general maintenance work will take place throughout the building.

Overseeing the project, Mike Bradford, director of operations at the theatre, said: "The stage is the most important part of the theatre and is badly in need of replacing.

"Contractors are in the building and working around the clock making great progress ahead of schedule.

"This work is essential not only to continue to attract high quality productions but to maintain the safety of all performers and staff. The work will also be beneficial to the environment, especially the lighting system which will reduce our utility and maintenance costs for many years to come."

Birmingham Hippodrome's stage was last refurbished in the early 1980s.

Since then more than 650 different productions have been presented, with regular heavy use of the stage, six days a week. It is estimated that 10,000 performers and musicians, plus 4,000 crew members use it every year.

Resident company Birmingham Royal Ballet will be the first to perform on the brand new stage on September 26 with Opposites Attract followed by Swan Lake from October 2.