Birmingham’s Repertory Theatre has closed its doors for two years as work begins on a new look building.

And when it re-opens in 2013 as part of the new £193 Central Library project, the Rep will boast updated facilities with a new foyer, restaurant area and backstage rooms.

Directly connected to the new Library of Birmingham, the two buildings will share a 300 seat arena and will be fronted by an open air amphitheatre in the heart of Centenary Square.

The theatre, which was opened in 1971, but whose roots go back nearly 100 years, has also launched a separate £50,000 REPAiR Appeal to raise cash for a new cooling system for the main house and the studio space the Door.

While the building will be closed to the public, The Rep will still be going strong by staging productions at venues across the city including the Mac and the Alexandra and Crescent Theatres.

It will also be going back to its roots with two productions at the Old Rep, the Station Street building where the theatre first began.

During the closure, the Rep’s box office will move to the lobby of Central Library in Chamberlain Square. Operating under the name of the Box, the sales operation will be selling tickets for the Rep’s off-site programme as well as other venues including the Library Theatre and Adrian Boult Hall.

Rep managers say customers should see no significant change in the service other than a change to the branding.

The theatre was spearheaded by Barry Jackson more than 100 years ago. In 1907 he founded an amateur group known as the Pilgrim Players but needed a home for his company.