Barlow Theatre (Oldbury Rep)

The present building comprises a former Methodist Chapel, which had a school room at the rear. There is a new structure to the left hand side (stage right) occupying the site of two former cottages. The central entrance is sheltered by a later porch with sharply pitched corrugated iron roof supported on branched columns. The two storey extension to the left, which houses the studio theatre, has a flat roof. The front is rendered with three semicircular arched blind recesses extending through first floor, above which is a pedimental gable.

The auditorium is single tier. The former chapel balcony was demolished and replaced by stadium style seating. The main entrance from the foyer emerges behind the fifth row.

The layout of the auditorium was modelled on Barry Jackson’s Birmingham Repertory Theatre in Station Street, and gives good sightlines from all parts. The walls are plain, showing the bricked up window outlines in the side walls and rear. The ceiling is flat with the original decorative cast iron ventilation roses. The well-proportioned proscenium arch has its base at floor level, there being no raised stage. Everything behind the proscenium opening, which is cut into the rear wall of the chapel, occupies space once used as the school room, which was demolished for the present backstage structure. There is no fly tower. There are two dressing rooms, a small kitchen and props room behind the stage, also a large scene store.

The present company was founded in 1939 as the Oldbury Technical School Players. Their theatre is one of the better laid out and maintained amateur theatres in the Midlands. The internal design has been well thought out, and most of the space is utilised to the best advantage. It is a flourishing and ambitious house which has a long history and a promising future.