Richard Wood
Richard in the Box Office

My name is Richard and I have worked at Birmingham Hippodrome since 2004 in the Information & Ticket
Sales department, otherwise known as the Box Office. My role is so varied and when I was asked to write this blog I really had to think about what my role incorporates as it is far more complex than you would first imagine. My main role is to answer the phones or talk to customers directly at the front desk to help book show tickets and reserve tables in the Circle Restaurant. This may sound simple but in actual fact it isn’t, as people often require specific seats or want to book seats that have already been sold!  This requires lots of problem solving as I want customers to have the best of everything, but sometimes that isn’t always possible, so I have to try to establish a compromise.

I deal with Birmingham Hippodrome Friends memberships, which are very popular as we have some of the biggest shows in the West Midlands. As well as administering the letters and packs, I also have to remember all the promotions and benefits available to Hippodrome Friends.

Another part of my job is to process the BRB ballet and WNO opera subscription packages.  These can be quite complex, and making sure everybody gets the seats they want at the correct price does require a level of concentration and at times really good mathematical skills. I have to say though if you like your ballet or opera they really are quite fantastic.

Over the past decade my role has changed enormously as we now have a fully immersive online booking system.  This gives customers so much more flexibility to book seats, check availability and learn about what shows we have on.  I would say if you haven’t already then join the Hippodrome’s Facebook and Twitter pages, as even I learn things from the photos and video clips we post, which I then communicate onto customers.  It’s a really great resource and best of all it’s free!

One of the joys of my job is that no two days are the same and I do get to meet some really amazing people.  Customers are really passionate about Birmingham Hippodrome and most of the people I speak to are really proud that Birmingham has such a fantastic venue which gives people the opportunity to see big West End shows, contemporary dance as well as opera and ballet within their own city.  I also love that Birmingham Hippodrome are always trying to encourage people from all backgrounds to get involved with the theatre, its shows and its outreach projects.  I am actually registered blind and having an employer that supports me and, if need be, would make changes so that I could do my job makes me feel very safe indeed.  It’s great also that this philosophy extends to our customers and audience.

Our Hippodrome Creative arm aims to offer the arts to as many different people as possible and many from minority groups that otherwise wouldn’t get the chance or opportunity to see live performance or participate in a creative workshop event. So if you call us and myself or one of my colleagues asks you to donate to Hippodrome Creative, please consider donating if you can afford to.  As a visually impaired person I am so proud to work for a company that does this kind of activity not because they have to, but just because it’s the right thing to do.

I love my job and I work with a magnificent group of people across the entire theatre.  We are like a big family who can rely on each other. Unlike other customer service jobs working in the box office is very special.  As customers come in to collect their tickets before a performance, you can feel the atmosphere and the anticipation build.  It’s hard to explain but you feel the excitement throughout the building.  It’s a really nice feeling actually seeing so many people spending their hard earned money and knowing they are going to have a really fabulous time, it is really very rewarding.

Thanks for reading my blog and I hope it gives you a little bit of an insight into my job and what the work of the box office actually entails, and if you see me around please do come say hello.