Latest reviews for Events & Entertainment in Birmingham, United Kingdom

Birmingham Hippodrome - Old-fashioned theatre - great shows by whatjillthinks

whatjillthinks — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:12:02 +0000

Review by whatjillthinks

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 0870 730 1234

Website: http://www.hippodrome.ws

Tags: restaurant, disabled access, bar

I too love the Hippodrome. It's an old-fashioned style of theatre that has been thoroughly updated to meet modern needs. The auditorium is still the same (to me anyway) as it was when I saw Cinderella there over 40 years ago! It is air-conditioned which means that it doesn't get overpoweringly stuffy as with many older theatres, but it can be a little chilly sometimes.
Attached to the theatre is a very good restaurant which is open for pre-theatre dinners. A la carte and also a good value set menu is on offer (2 or 3 courses). Your table is reserved for you throughout the evening so that you can take your dessert or coffee back at your table - better than the scrum for ice-creams!
Parking available nearby.I too love the Hippodrome. It's an old-fashioned style of theatre that has been thoroughly updated to meet modern needs. The auditorium is still the same (to me anyway) as it was when I saw Cinderella there over 40 years ago! It is air-conditioned which means that it doesn't get overpoweringly stuffy as with many older theatres, but it can be a little chilly sometimes.
Attached to the theatre is a very good restaurant which is open for pre-theatre dinners. A la carte and also a good value set menu is on offer (2 or 3 courses). Your table is reserved for you throughout the evening so that you can take your dessert or coffee back at your table - better than the scrum for ice-creams!
Parking available nearby.

Birmingham Repertory Theatre - Top class theatre by whatjillthinks

whatjillthinks — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:04:00 +0000

Review by whatjillthinks

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 0121 236 4455

Website: http://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk

Tags: restaurant, disabled access, bar

This is an excellent theatre with a modern, comfortable auditorium with good-sized top quality seats. My most recent visit was to see the new production of Cabaret - starring Samantha Barks (a nearly Nancy) as Sally Bowles, and Wayne Sleep as a suitably debauched 'MC'. It was a splendid production and typical of the high quality shows that the Rep puts on. There is also an excellent restaurant - the wineREPublic, attached to the theatre which does an excellent low-priced lunch. For less than a tenner, we enjoyed a superb main course ( fish, chips and mushy peas as it happens), a glass of house wine and a coffee. I'd recommend the restaurant if you're visiting the theatre - or even if you aren't - the food was so good, freshly cooked, well-presented and promptly served.This is an excellent theatre with a modern, comfortable auditorium with good-sized top quality seats. My most recent visit was to see the new production of Cabaret - starring Samantha Barks (a nearly Nancy) as Sally Bowles, and Wayne Sleep as a suitably debauched 'MC'. It was a splendid production and typical of the high quality shows that the Rep puts on. There is also an excellent restaurant - the wineREPublic, attached to the theatre which does an excellent low-priced lunch. For less than a tenner, we enjoyed a superb main course ( fish, chips and mushy peas as it happens), a glass of house wine and a coffee. I'd recommend the restaurant if you're visiting the theatre - or even if you aren't - the food was so good, freshly cooked, well-presented and promptly served.

Vue Cinema - Large but not outstanding by sammyboy

sammyboy — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 01:00:30 +0000

Review by sammyboy

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 08712 240 240

The vue cinema in star city is one of the largest in the country boasting 30 screens and a large choice of films to see. It is well located within the entertainment complex, meaning that if there is a bit of time to kill before the showing of your film you can always pass time easily and not have a boring wait.

There are about 4 or 5 box offices selling the tickets which is never enough for a cinema of this size, recently last time i went on 10 july, they were actually selling you the cinema ticket at the food stalls(obvious ploy to get you to spend more on food). There are huge posters of upcoming films dotted all around the foyer and that gives it a grand feel.

The price of the ticket is expensive, the actual auditoriums are well designed modern and comfortable with good views.

Overall ok but nothin spectacular.The vue cinema in star city is one of the largest in the country boasting 30 screens and a large choice of films to see. It is well located within the entertainment complex, meaning that if there is a bit of time to kill before the showing of your film you can always pass time easily and not have a boring wait.

There are about 4 or 5 box offices selling the tickets which is never enough for a cinema of this size, recently last time i went on 10 july, they were actually selling you the cinema ticket at the food stalls(obvious ploy to get you to spend more on food). There are huge posters of upcoming films dotted all around the foyer and that gives it a grand feel.

The price of the ticket is expensive, the actual auditoriums are well designed modern and comfortable with good views.

Overall ok but nothin spectacular.

IMAX - by arj154

arj154 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:01:56 +0000

Review by arj154

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 0121 202 2222

Website: http://www.bfi.org.uk/imax

The imax in birmingham is quite different to most cinema's as it is in the thinktank and it is quite small. You often have to line up to get into any film and there isn't really a fresh popcorn stand which makes it seem less like a cinema.

However these are only the bad things about the cinema, the imax is very big and even if you see a film such as te dark knight where the film is only shot in the imax screen size for 30min, it really does immerse you in the film and its surprising how much of a difference it makes. Watching movies in 3D there also add a big difference and it's definitely worth going to even if you only go every once in a couple of months its a unique way to watch a movie which really immerses you into the film.The imax in birmingham is quite different to most cinema's as it is in the thinktank and it is quite small. You often have to line up to get into any film and there isn't really a fresh popcorn stand which makes it seem less like a cinema.

However these are only the bad things about the cinema, the imax is very big and even if you see a film such as te dark knight where the film is only shot in the imax screen size for 30min, it really does immerse you in the film and its surprising how much of a difference it makes. Watching movies in 3D there also add a big difference and it's definitely worth going to even if you only go every once in a couple of months its a unique way to watch a movie which really immerses you into the film.

Alexandra Theatre - Only second to The Hippodrome! by jasey_2000uk

jasey_2000uk — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:48:56 +0000

Review by jasey_2000uk

Rating: 0.00

Phone: 0870 607 7544

Well been here many many times over the years, ever since i was younger!!

Always loved it although the drinks are not cheap.

Last came here to see 'Good Mourning, Mrs Brown' with Irelands number one comedian, Brendan O'Carroll in the starring role. The theatre had changed a fair bit to the time i was there before.

A very clean theatre, bright surroundings and plenty of information about on forthcoming shows. Its never really expensive to book up, in fact, quite reasonable and its a very nice theatre with plenty of snacks for people like me! Also, it was very airy and not stuffy like most other theatres ive been in.Well been here many many times over the years, ever since i was younger!!

Always loved it although the drinks are not cheap.

Last came here to see 'Good Mourning, Mrs Brown' with Irelands number one comedian, Brendan O'Carroll in the starring role. The theatre had changed a fair bit to the time i was there before.

A very clean theatre, bright surroundings and plenty of information about on forthcoming shows. Its never really expensive to book up, in fact, quite reasonable and its a very nice theatre with plenty of snacks for people like me! Also, it was very airy and not stuffy like most other theatres ive been in.

Crescent Theatre - Affordable and intimate theatre by kachika

kachika — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:13:09 +0000

Review by kachika

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 0121 643 5858

Website: http://www.crescent-theatre.co.uk

Tags: restaurant, workshops, bar

The Crescent is a lovely small theatre just behind Broad Street.

Tickets are cheap compared to larger theatres, and usually cost between Â£5 and Â£12.

The theatre is quite small, which means you can see no matter where you sit.

It hosts a variety of productions, from traditional, to Christmas pantos, to modern dramas and youth theatres.

The Crescent has its own theatre company and youth theatre. As well as the main house, there is the Ron Barker studio theatre for smaller productions or dance performances.

There is a nice cafe and bar in the theatre. The walls often have displays from local artists and children, which is a pleasant touch.

Many of the workers at the theatre are actually volunteers who keep the place going. I'd really recommend it.The Crescent is a lovely small theatre just behind Broad Street.

Tickets are cheap compared to larger theatres, and usually cost between Â£5 and Â£12.

The theatre is quite small, which means you can see no matter where you sit.

It hosts a variety of productions, from traditional, to Christmas pantos, to modern dramas and youth theatres.

The Crescent has its own theatre company and youth theatre. As well as the main house, there is the Ron Barker studio theatre for smaller productions or dance performances.

There is a nice cafe and bar in the theatre. The walls often have displays from local artists and children, which is a pleasant touch.

Many of the workers at the theatre are actually volunteers who keep the place going. I'd really recommend it.

UGC Broad Street - Nice cinema by sarah101

sarah101 — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 16:28:31 +0000

Review by sarah101

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 0870 907 0710

Website: http://www.ugccinemas.co.uk

Bigger screens when compared to some cinemas I have been to. Ideally located within walking distance of Birmingham shops and nightlife. Have been several times and will always go back. Comfortable seatsBigger screens when compared to some cinemas I have been to. Ideally located within walking distance of Birmingham shops and nightlife. Have been several times and will always go back. Comfortable seats

Shipleys Amusements - wow by winnie2007uk

winnie2007uk — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:18:32 +0000

Review by winnie2007uk

Rating: 4.00great for winning and you get a biscuit togreat for winning and you get a biscuit to