The REP celebrates International Women’s Day

SOME of the city’s most influential businesswomen came together to celebrate International Women’s Day at Birmingham Repertory Theatre. And top of the bill for the evening was the Midlands’ very own leading lady and comedian, Josie Lawrence.

Josie, a patron of the REP and one of the country’s best loved actresses, gave guests an insight to her career and her love of The REP which she attended as a child before going on to take centre stage in many REP productions.

Reflecting on International Women’s Day, Josie told guests that throughout her career she had often been the only woman in productions and companies and so in an attempt to provide more opportunities for fellow female performers, she created the all female improv group The Glenda J Collective.

The evening also gave guests the chance to view exquisite hand-made costumes created by The REP’s wardrobe department alongside archive photographs of many leading ladies, including Judi Dench, June Brown and Maureen Lipman, who have appeared in REP productions throughout its 100-year history.

The REP continues to lead the way when it comes to providing opportunities for women through its artistic, outreach and education work. To find out how you might be able to support this work contact Rachel Cranny on 0121 245 2163.