Birmingham’s newest theatre venue has opened. It’s a pub theatre and is located just above The Old Joint Stock Pub. The building used to be the old Stock Exchange, just opposite St Philip’s Cathedral. Theatre Manager Ian Craddock is enthusiastic about the new venue and what it will mean for the city. The main entrance is through The Old Joint Stock pub, but once you’re in the theatre section, you come to the box office, a reception room where you can have interval drinks and the theatre room that seats 80 people. It’s a small intimate venue and Ian has high hopes for it.  | | Artwork: copyright Delroy Karl Grant |
The owners Fullers have put £350,000 into refurbishing it, so they’re taking the venture pretty seriously. Ian used to be the manager of The Crescent Theatre. He’s never worked in a pub theatre before, but has a good idea of what will and what will not work. He’s also got a clear idea of what he wants from the new venue: "I want it to be a premier pub theatre. We’re not trying to compete with the likes of The Rep, The Hippodrome etc. I’m sure we can complement each other. I want the venue to have as much variety as possible." The Old Joint Stock performances include music and comedy nights and at Christmas they will be showing children’s theatre in the form of a puppet show – but we're told this is just the start.  | | Artwork: copyright Delroy Karl Grant |
Ian wants the venue to host plays – he used to be an actor and director and loves the creative side of theatre. But he’s clear the venue shouldn’t be pigeon-holed – he wants experimental works as well as tried and tested works, from amateur and professional companies. "I want to be able to do plays and to work with Birmingham and West Midlands theatre companies. I want them to use this venue as a launching pad, to showcase their talents." Eventually Ian’s hope is that The Old Joint Stock Theatre will create their own shows that can tour other pub theatres. When talking to Ian you get the feeling that this is one of the things that attracted him to the new theatre. Fullers approached Ian about 12 months ago and asked him if he'd be a consultant on the project. When he saw the venue and it’s possibilities he agreed to consult free of charge. When they later offered him the post of Theatre Manager, he saw it as a challenge and was keen to take the project on board.  | | Ian Craddock, theatre manager |
But will the venue have its hands tied and have interference from the pub and it’s owners? Certainly not is Ian’s reply. "Yes they eventually expect me to make money, it’s a commercial venture afterall, and they have already spent a lot in refurbishing it.” But Ian is firmly leading the way forward in terms of what the theatre will be doing. "The brewery people aren’t theatre minded. When we were having the refurbishment done, I asked for a ‘Green Room’ as its known in the theatre world. (It’s a room where people can be taken, relax, have a coffee etc). So they gave me exactly that – a room painted bright green." When the General Manager of the pub asked Ian if it would be possible to do a Christmas panto, he persuaded her towards a Christmas Show.  | | Major Mustard's Puppet Show (Robin Hood) |
Ian firmly believes The Old Joint Stock Theatre can compliment what’s going on at other theatres and not step on their toes. "If theatre is planned properly, the theatres can compliment each other and even support each other. It then means you’re giving people a good choice of entertainment. "This Christmas we’ve chosen to do a Puppet Show. It’s Major Mustard’s Travelling Show and will be featuring The Ugly Duckling and Robin Hood. There’s no point in trying to do pantomime and shows that the other theatres can do. I’m trying to do things that aren’t clashing with the others. "There used to be a strong tradition of puppets theatre and puppet companies in Birmingham and the West Midlands. I’d like to help get that tradition back. "Although we’re a small venue I’m hoping we’ll become a major player – a premier pub theatre."  | | The Old Joint Stock Theatre (above the OJS pub) |
The theatre itself is above the pub. It is a listed building and you can actually seem the old Dome of the stock exchange from one of the corridors. Also along the corridors is an exhibition of work by local artist Delroy Karl Grant. Ian hopes that the venue will also become a showcase for talented local artists, giving them a place to exhibit work that might not ordinarily get viewed. The venue has been kitted out with an impressive sound system and sound proofing. The blackout curtains conceal with view across to St Philip's when needed, and the seating can go into different configurations to ensure it caters for the various styles of theatre. The Old Joint Stock Theatre is part of the Birmingham Box Office, so you can call them more details about current shows. We'll be keeping an eye on the Old Joint Stock Theatre and hopefully will monitor it's progress along the way to it becoming another exciting venue in Birmingham. | 
