Old Joint Stock Theatre

The Old Joint Stock Theatre stands in Birmingham’s city centre, directly opposite St Philip’s Cathedral. The Grade II listed building was designed as a library in 1862 by architect J. A. Chatwin and later became a branch of the Birmingham Joint Stock Bank. After merging with Lloyds Bank in 1889, it served as a bank before being converted into a pub in 1997. The theatre itself opened in 2006 following a £350,000 investment by Fuller, Smith & Turner. An ex-theatre manager acted as consultant during its construction and later became the first manager of both the pub and theatre. The venue is best known for its theatre performances, though it also hosts music, comedy and dance. It seats 95 in a flexible arrangement on the second floor and includes full dressing rooms, a green room and a theatre bar. The stage and seating can be rearranged to suit each production. A resident musical theatre company performs regularly, and the programme features acts such as Kerry Ellis, Stewart Lee and Reginald D Hunter. Corporate events, casino nights and wedding receptions are also held here. The theatre draws companies and artists from across the region and beyond. Its sister venue, the Spread Eagle Theatre in Croydon, shares a similar programme. The building’s former banking hall remains part of the pub, adding to the character of the space. The theatre’s design ensures every event can make the most of the room.