Succession star Cox backs bid to protect theatre

Brian Cox said the historical significance of the theatre was really important

Brian Cox, the star of hit TV series Succession and a string of Hollywood movies, has given his support to a theatre in Birmingham where he made his debut, amid fears for its long-term future.

The Old Rep, which opened in 1913, has been described as Britain’s first purpose-built repertory theatre.

It is located on Station Street, at the centre of a campaign to protect Birmingham's culture heritage, with it home to The Electric - until recently the UK's oldest working cinema - and vacant pub The Crown, dubbed the birthplace of heavy metal.

Mr Cox, 77, a patron of the Old Rep since 2015, praised its history, saying it was the venue for many renowned actors' debut performances, including Albert Finney, Laurence Olivier and Ralph Richardson.

The Save Station Street campaign has shared testimonials about the Old Rep sent by the award-winning actor

About 20,000 people have now signed a petition started by the Save Station Street campaign, calling for the West Midlands mayor and the city council to formally designate the area as a cultural heritage asset.

The closure of The Electric has alarmed campaigners worried for the future of Station Street, although last month, The Crown, where metal band Black Sabbath played their first gig, was given Grade II listed status.

While Darren John, who launched the petition, said he did not particularly fear that redevelopment lay in the theatre's immediate future, he was mindful the venue's programme was unclear from May.

He said of the area that within a 200-metre stretch there was "a historic West End, a British Film Institute-style cinema and... Birmingham’s Cavern Club", none of which, he added, could be lost.

Reaching 20,000 signatures is expected to trigger a debate at the city council on a date yet to be confirmed.

Mr John contacted Mr Cox in connection with the movement, and the actor sent a testimonial to the campaign, saying the level of public enthusiasm to help had been "insane".

“Some of the finest actors in the UK have travelled through the place," Mr Cox said of the theatre.

“It was designed beautifully, with the raking such that there is no bad seat in the house, and it would be tragic to lose such a wonderful and historically important venue.”

The cinema first opened in 1909 but closed suddenly earlier this year

Mr John said while the theatre was owned by the Vyse family he was unsure of the plans of Birmingham Ormiston Academy (BOA) which managed and ran the venue. He said the theatre's programme was unclear from 10 May.

As for the potential redevelopment of the area, Mr John told the BBC: "We don't think the developers have plans for The Old Rep like The Electric and the rest of the block, except The Crown, but we also don't have any idea what their plans are for the place either."

He said he also believed developers were due to make a statement imminently, but did not know what they were likely to say.

Rather than rolling, short-term leases, he said greater security was required for venues to be able to "guarantee the future for generations of Brummies".

In a statement, the academy told BBC News this year marked the 10th anniversary of it operating the theatre and said its programme of productions would continue until at least the end of the academic year in July.

"The BOA Group is proud of its heritage in Birmingham and is committed to retaining a performing arts presence in the city," a spokesperson said.

"The theatre’s landlords are committed to the long-term operation of the venue and with the BOA Group will work with local stakeholders to protect the building’s use as a theatre, recognising its history as the country’s first repertory theatre."