Core Theatre
WHERE
Solihull
What it’s like
A proper theatre programme of shows, comedy, music and dance, plus youth theatre groups for older kids.
This is a theatre first, so the main thing your kids do here is watch things: pantomime, comedy, music, dance and film all show up on the programme. If you've got a child who fancies being on the stage rather than watching it, there's Youth Arts and Art Club for ages 7 to 16, and a Core Youth Theatre split into two age groups, 7 to 10 and 11 to 16.
One rule that catches parents out: any child over 18 months needs their own ticket, fire regulations rather than fussiness, so you can't sneak a toddler in on your lap once they're past that age. Babies in arms under 18 months are welcome, but you'll be expected to nip out to the foyer if they start disturbing the row behind. There's no cloakroom either, so bags need to fit under your seat, worth remembering if you've packed for a whole afternoon out.
Food-wise, the Encore Café Bar does breakfast, lunch, and cake and coffee, open weekdays and Saturdays but shut on Sundays. The Box Office only answers the phone or window on weekdays too, 9:30 to 2:30, so a Sunday matinee still needs booking ahead of time. Parking's at Touchwood in the Orange Zone, though it gets properly busy at peak times and anything over 2.1m tall won't fit in.
Pushchairs can't come into the auditorium, staff will store them during the show but it's left at your own risk. The theatre's got wheelchair access and a hearing loop, and if you need accessible seating the advice is to book early and call ahead to sort it.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 7 to 16, with the youth theatre split by age group
- Parking
- Touchwood car park (Orange Zone), or nearby Church Hill
- Food
- ENCORE Café Bar serves breakfast, lunch, cakes and coffee with gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian and vegan options
- Pushchairs
- Cannot be taken into auditorium
- Wheelchairs
- Wheelchair facilities in theatre
- Dogs
- Guide dogs are welcome anywhere within the building
- Getting there by bus or train
- Solihull station is just five minutes walk from town centre
- Encore Café is open weekdays and Saturdays 9am to 4pm, closed Sundays
- Box Office only opens weekdays 9:30am to 2:30pm, closed weekends
- Courtyard Gallery is open weekdays 9am to 4:30pm and Saturdays 2pm to 4pm only
- Solihull station is a five minute walk from the town centre if you're skipping the car park faff
Plan your visit
Do toddlers need their own ticket?
Anyone over 18 months does, it's a fire regulations thing rather than the venue being tight. Babies in arms under 18 months are welcome, but you might need to step out if they get restless.
Is there a cloakroom for coats and bags?
No cloakroom, so bags need to fit under your seat during the show.
Can we bring a pushchair in?
Not into the auditorium itself. Staff can store it during the performance, but it's left at your own risk.
What's there to eat?
The Encore Café Bar does breakfast, lunch, and cake and coffee, with gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian and vegan options. It's open weekdays and Saturdays, shut on Sundays.
Where do we park?
Touchwood car park in the Orange Zone is the nearest, with escalators up to Theatre Square. It gets busy at peak times and vehicles over 2.1m can't get in.
Can we book by phone or just turn up?
You can book by phone or in person at the Box Office, which is open weekdays 9:30am to 2:30pm and shut at weekends. Cash is only taken in person, so phone bookings need a card.
Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
There are wheelchair facilities and a hearing loop in the theatre. If you need accessible seating or can't manage stairs, it's best to book early and call the Box Office to sort seating.
Are dogs allowed?
Guide dogs are welcome anywhere in the building.
What's on for kids who want to perform rather than watch?
There's Youth Arts and Art Club for ages 7 to 16, plus Core Youth Theatre groups for 7 to 10 year olds and 11 to 16 year olds.
Featured in 1 Huddlepin list
See all Pantomime & Family Theatre in Birmingham · Things to do in Birmingham
MAKE A DAY OF IT
