Programme for a benefit concert held at the Alexandra Theatre, 1925 [City Archives: MS 2520/1]
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Birmingham Hebrew Congregation burial register [City Archives: JA/2/D/2/1]
Jewish Arts Society production, 1920s
[City Archives: MS 2520/1]
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Alexandra Theatre
The Alexandra Theatre, one of the most popular in the city, was bought by Leon Salberg in 1911. At first, the theatre presented reviews and dramas, but later, it formed its own repertory company which put on a different play every week, some presented twice nightly.
‘Three thousand people booked weekly, week in, week out. People would give up their holidays for an Alex production, people married who met at the Alex.’
The theatre building was remodelled in 1934 in order to compete with the newly-established picture houses. Leon Salberg made the Alex available to several different groups in the Jewish community. Scenery from the Alex was lent to the Jewish Arts Society for their shows; they also performed at the Alex during the 1920s. The schoolchildren of the Hebrew School visited the Alex every year for their annual treat.
Leon Salberg was very active in the affairs of Singers Hill synagogue. One of his particular interests was the cemeteries: his son recalled that ‘he was responsible for the transformation of Witton Cemetery from a shambles...and every Sunday he went to some meeting connected with the synagogue or Jewish charities.’ After his death in 1936, his son Derek managed the Alex. His book My Love Affair with a Theatre is available in Local Studies, Birmingham Central Library.
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Directions
Walk back up Ladywell Walk, turn right onto Hurst St and walk back to Smallbrook Queensway. Cross over at the pedestrian crossing and walk up Hill St. Cross over to the left hand side of the street at the zebra crossing by the Crown pub, then turn into Station St. Station St bends round to the right and turns into John Bright St. Stop opposite the back entrance to the Alexandra Theatre on John Bright St.
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