We’re delighted to reveal our spectacular new season of live shows and events coming up in 2016-17. Our newly announced season offers audiences a fantastic choice of world-class entertainment including the biggest names in West End musicals, the best in international opera and ballet, a world premiere ballet – plus the world’s biggest pantomime with an all-star cast and amazing 3D effects.

Newly announced productions include a major new UK tour of Sir Cameron Mackintosh’s legendary musical Miss Saigon; a first time visit from original high-school musical Grease; direct from a record-breaking West End run, sparkling rags-to-riches musical Funny Girl; and an all-new production of The Addams Family – a kooky musical comedy from the writers of multi award-winning hit musical Jersey Boys, produced by Music & Lyrics in association with The Festival Theatre Edinburgh.

FIONA ALLAN, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Birmingham Hippodrome said: “Birmingham Hippodrome has an enviable reputation for the productions it is able to attract from West End musicals through to the best in international ballet and opera and, of course, the UK’s biggest panto. Building on this, our new season offers audiences of all ages another varied programme of world-class entertainment combining the best in UK touring productions with an enticing international repertoire.

“We are particularly delighted to welcome back Cape Town Opera in September (for the third time) with their trailblazing new work, Mandela Trilogy, a musical tribute to the life of one of history’s most remarkable leaders. This will be followed by a fourth visit to Birmingham Hippodrome from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, another firm favourite with UK audiences, now under the new stewardship of Artistic Director Robert Battle.

“Autumn sees an exciting world premiere ballet, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest from Birmingham Royal Ballet’s David Bintley. Continuing our successful co-producing partnership with Sadler’s Wells, we also welcome Latin dance extravaganza Vamos Cuba! in November, a spectacular new show featuring live music plus dancing that will set the pulse racing! And next February we welcome another Matthew Bourne world premiere production, The Red Shoes, a magical new staging of the classic fairy tale.

“We’re proud of our long-standing relationship with top West End producer Michael Harrison and look forward once again to playing host to the UK’s biggest pantomime Dick Whittington, staged by the team behind last year’s record-breaking production of Aladdin. Michael’s new UK production of Funny Girl, touring after a record-breaking run at The Savoy Theatre, is a Spring 2017 highlight arriving with us shortly after Billy Elliot The Musical which makes its first visit here following 11 years in the West End.  The Addams Family is a brand new commission from long-term producing partners Music & Lyrics who brought us Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

“Next summer we are particularly delighted to welcome Sir Cameron Mackintosh’s multi-award winning London production of Miss Saigon which transfers to Broadway later this March before embarking on a major new UK Tour.

“Birmingham Hippodrome is perfectly placed, with its numerous creative and fundraising partners, to expand its reach, deepen engagement and make a big difference to people’s lives. Our Hippodrome Creative programme goes from strength to strength and this Autumn we present B-Side Hip-Hop festival in partnership with The Old Rep, a three-day celebration of local breakdance talent.  And X-Ray is a digital-arts celebration of the 120th Anniversary of the first ever medical use, right here in the city, of this revolutionary technology, delivered with our partners at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.”

Other highlights include the return of Bill Kenwright’s much-loved production of Blood Brothers starring Lyn Paul as Mrs Johnstone, the popular UK touring production of Simon Beaufoy’s The Full Monty starring Gary Lucy, world-wide hit musical Million Dollar Quartet starring Jason Donovan as revolutionary record producer Sam Phillips, and the much-anticipated return of the National Theatre’s internationally-acclaimed production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time.

For full listings and to book tickets, visit birminghamhippodrome.com/whats-on/*

  • Please note, tickets to Miss Saigon go on sale to Friends and Patrons on Wed 28 Sep and on general sale on Tues 18 Oct at 10am.