Sir Barry Jackson

Sir Barry Jackson’s life was devoted to the theatre and it is as the founder and patron of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre that he is best remembered. In 1913, in Station Street, he opened the first Birmingham Repertory Theatre which was to become the training ground for many famous actors – among them Laurence Olivier, Paul Schofield and Peggy Ashcroft.

In 1919, as well as continuing his work in Birmingham, he began ten years of production management in the West End of London and from 1929 to 1937 he ran the Malvern Festival for which George Bernard Shaw wrote some of his most famous plays.

During the war years, to boost public morale, Sir Barry produced plays at the Station Street Theatre whenever possible and also introduced "Plays in the Parks" in the City’s main public parks.

After the war in 1946, he directed the first of three seasons at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in Stratford on Avon.

Having been knighted in 1925, Sir Barry was given the Honorary Freedom of the City of Birmingham in 1956. He died in Birmingham in 1961. The new Repertory Theatre in Centenary Square opened in 1971 and there is a bust of Sir Barry in the foyer. (Note: a suggestion to name the Station Street theatre "The Barry Jackson Theatre" is under consideration by the City Council).

Information compiled by Anne Sheehan, BA Hons., University of Birmingham