PRESS RELEASE

BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME CO-PRODUCES

WALLOP MRS COX

BIRMINGHAM’S OWN MUSICAL

back the years’ **** THE bash to thrill

The Birmingham musical WALLOP MRS COX returns to the City this summer where it will
receive its Birmingham Hippodrome premiere from Tuesday 8 – Saturday 12 June 2010.

Set in Birmingham’s famous Bull Ring market, Brummagem history is relived through the eyes
of Emily Cox, mother of thirteen and matriarch of the community. Five actresses play her as
she ages from a young girl to an old lady, living through change, turbulence and two world wars.

Stuart Griffiths, Chief Executive, Birmingham Hippodrome said “WALLOP MRS COX is a
co-production between Birmingham Hippodrome and BMOS Musical Theatre and brings
together a bigger, better and brighter production combining professional theatre with the local
community. This is a great opportunity for the people of Birmingham to come and enjoy a
musical about their own City.”

WALLOP MRS COX stars Heart FM’s popular breakfast show presenter Ed James, who
makes his Birmingham Hippodrome debut, and a talented cast of over 70 adults and children
from all parts of Birmingham. Especially designed for Birmingham Hippodrome’s vast stage
it features the songs Hello Bull Ring, The Back of Rackhams, Twenty Four Hours a Day and the
show’s anthem Birmingham.

This musical celebration of a great city is written by Birmingham born writer and director Euan
Rose whose other stage musicals include Charlotte Badger and Ridin’ the Number 8 with music
by Birmingham born Laurie Hornsby , an original member of the Raymond Froggatt Band.

Writer and Director Euan Rose said “We are thrilled at the prospect of seeing ‘Wallop’ hit the
Hippodrome stage. It was never written to travel outside the Midlands and so this is as big as it
gets, the full Broadway treatment in arguably the best theatre in the country”.
Composer Laurie Hornsby commented “I’m the fellow that in 1954 witnessed, at the Hip, Roy
Rogers, seated high on Trigger, singing, strumming and whistling Happy Trails To You. In
1958 I saw Cliff Richard, in his pink sports jacket, rockin’ out High Class Baby. Perhaps, in fifty
or so years time, some middle aged Brummie will say ‘Yeah, it was 2010 that I saw ‘Wallop Mrs
Cox’ at the Hippodrome. What a show!’”

BMOS has roots firmly embedded in Birmingham just like Wallop Mrs Cox. The Birmingham
Operatic Society (Founded in 1886) merged with Midland Opera Society to form BMOS in 1923.
Through the 20’s and 30’s the company performed in different venues across the city before
performing regularly at Birmingham Hippodrome from 1957. In recent years the company has
performed 42nd Street, West Side Story and Thoroughly Modern Millie.

WALLOP MRS COX runs at Birmingham Hippodrome from Tuesday 8 – Saturday 12 June.
Tickets are priced from £11-£25. Perf times Tues-Sat 7.30pm; Wed mat 2.30pm; Fri & Sat
mats 2.30pm. Telephone 0844 338 5000 or book online on www.birminghamhippodrome.com.
Calls vary from 5p per min. 5% transaction charge.

-ENDS-

20 April 2010