Rep’s autumn and winter season announced

World premiere of famous detective the highlight of new productions.

Roxana Silbert, Artistic Director of Birmingham Repertory Theatre has today announced plans for the theatre’s 2018 Autumn and Winter season. Speaking of the forthcoming programme, Roxana said: “It is with enormous pleasure that we announce our new season for Autumn and Winter 2018. New work is the life blood of theatre and The REP is honoured to be working with the best writers of their generation with 11 new plays across our three stages of which six will be premièring at The REP.

“I’m particularly proud that this season both Ian Rankin and Alice Sebold have entrusted us with bringing their stories to life in Birmingham.

“Championing and empowering a diverse range of voices is in The REP’s DNA and as always I’m thrilled with the number of female writers in our season – Rona Munro, Bryony Lavery, Penelope Skinner, Anna Jordan, Selina Thompson, Janice Connolly , Ko Sun Duck and Katori Hall.

“We also announce today, our continued commitment to offering affordable, accessible tickets to young people by making available 1000 tickets at £5 for 16- 30 year olds. Alongside this, inspiring and teaching through drama and creativity is more important than ever and in the Autumn The REP drives this further forward by being in schools across Birmingham every single day of the academic year.

“Finally, in celebrating the NHS At 70 we will be inviting all NHS workers at our local City and Sandwell Hospitals a 70% discount on shows during the Autumn season, plus members of the public can nominate an NHS worker to receive tickets for them and their families to see The Wizard of Oz at Christmas.”

The first world première of the season is Rebus: Long Shadows (20th September-6th October), the latest story in Ian Rankin’s legendary detective series which will be told exclusively on stage. Ian Rankin’s Rebus novels have dominated the detective fiction market with the subsequent television series ensuring the detective’s legendary status. Now, alongside award-winning playwright Rona Munro, Ian Rankin brings his beloved creation to the stage for the very first time.

Produced by Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Rebus: Long Shadows will be directed by Roxana Silbert and will feature Charles Lawson as John Rebus.

Complementing the autumn theatre programme, The REP plays host to a comedy season of one-night stands from Iain Stirling, Chris Ramsey, Juliette Burton, Kai Samra and Ahir Shar plus a number of shows as part of the Birmingham Improv Festival.

One year on from launching the theatre’s REP First campaign to raise £1million over three years to ensure the sustainability of The REP for future generations, actors Lenny Henry, Ian McDiarmid, Meera Syal and Jason Donovan, all of whom have worked at The REP, pledge their support by becoming REP First ambassadors. In the coming months all four actors will be sharing via an exclusive social media campaign exactly why they support The REP’s ambitions for new work, new artistic talent and the need to grow new audiences.

Tickets for Birmingham Repertory Theatre’s Autumn and Winter 2018 season go on sale to members on Monday 9th April with general booking opening on Monday 16th April. Box Office: 0121 236 4455/birmingham-rep.co.uk