Birmingham’s vibrant creative sector will go from strength to strength this summer as the country’s first purpose-built repertory theatre will join the city’s successful Crescent Theatre.

The Grade II listed theatre, which opened in 1913 with Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and has seen performances from the likes of Sir Laurence Olivier, has been operated by the BOA Group since 2014.

The Crescent Theatre, which is celebrating its centenary this year, will take over the operation of the 111 year-old theatre on Station Street from August, expanding its existing performance spaces in the city alongside its modern venue in Brindley place. The Old Rep is the UK’s oldest purpose-built repertory theatre, opened in 1913 as the original home of the Birmingham Repertory Company led by Sir Barry Jackson and its future is now secure with the Crescent taking over operation of the venue.

For the last decade, the Old Rep Theatre has not just been an exciting performance space in Birmingham for touring artists and local theatre companies, but it has also been a training ground for up-and-coming talent, production engineers, set builders, costume designers and writers and directors from the BOA Group and across the region.

The Crescent has confirmed that the Old Rep Theatre will remain a vital part of the arts training programme in Birmingham, with groups like BOA and other youth production companies using the venue for annual shows, as well as an enhanced range of touring productions.

Kevin Middleton, Chairman of the Crescent Theatre, said: “I’m overjoyed to be able to announce that The Crescent Theatre will be expanding into the historic Old Rep Theatre.

"Both the Crescent and The Old Rep have been part of Birmingham’s cultural landscape for over a century each and being able to unite two of the oldest theatre names in Birmingham is a huge milestone.

It’s incredibly exciting and satisfying to be part of ensuring The Old Rep continues as a working theatre for the people of Birmingham, while also continuing to offer modern production facilities at our existing building in Brindley Place.

"We are very much looking forward to welcoming audiences to both the Crescent Theatre and The Old Rep.”

Welcoming The Crescent to the Old Rep Theatre, BOA Group Chief Executive, Kate Tague, added: “The Old Rep Theatre is a crucial part of the arts landscape in Birmingham, and has given young performers and new talent a home in the city for over 100 years.

"BOA Group has been honoured to operate the theatre since 2014, but the time is now right for new management to take the Old Rep to even greater heights.

"BOA wishes the Crescent every success and we look forward to working together on new creative projects and producing BOA Group shows at both the Old Rep Theatre and the Crescent Theatre in Brindley Place.”