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WUNDERBAR! EDDIE IZZARD Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the VISITS THE MIDLANDS WOLVERHAMPTON & BLACK COUNTRY WHAT’S ON SEPTEMBER 2019

Wolverhampton & Black Country ISSUE 405 SEPTEMBER 2019 ’ WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD On wolverhamptonwhatson.co.uk

inside:

PARTOF WHAT’S ON MEDIA GROUP Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide

COME TO THE CABARET! iconic musical at the Grand :@WHATSONWOLVES

PARTY IN THE PARK Jaki Graham headlines festival at ’s AEOK @WHATSONWOLVERHAMPTONFACEBOOK:

ROMEO & JULIET Matthew Bourne re-imagines WOLVERHAMPTONWHATSON.CO.UK literature’s greatest love story... Peaky Blinders Festival Full September 2019.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2019 10:00 Page 1 Contents September Wolves/Shrops/Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2019 15:23 Page 2

September 2019 Contents

Calendar Girls The Musical - Award-winning show comes to Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre - page 28

BalletBoyz Go Wild... Matthew Bourne the list

all-male troupe bring new show ...when Madagascar The Musical re-imagines Shakespeare’s Your 16-page to Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn visits the Potteries greatest love story... week-by-week listings guide feature page 8 page 30 feature page 32 page 51 inside:

4. First Word 11. Food 17. Gigs 20. Comedy 24. Theatre 37. Film 40. Visual Arts 45. Events

@whatsonwolverhampton @staffordshirewhatson @whatsonshropshire Wolverhampton What’s On What’s On What’s On

Managing Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 What’sOn Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 MEDIA GROUP Subscriptions: Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Katherine Ewing, Jenny Ell, Steve Adams, Lauren Cole, Nanci Davies, Jack Rolfe, Daisy Sparkle, Steve Taylor, Chris Eldon Lee, Patsy Moss, Tom Silverton Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717

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Entertainment news from around the region

Wunderbar! A taste of Germany at Shropshire’s Oktoberfest Shropshire Oktoberfest returns to Shrewsbury’s Quarry Park early next month (Friday 4 & Saturday 5 October). Presented by the award-winning Shropshire Festivals team, the popular event features around 150 real ales, numerous bars serving lager, cider and perry, a prosecco parlour, gin den, wine bar, street food, live music, karaoke and comedy. Commenting on the event, Shropshire Festival’s founder, Beth Heath, said, “We’re very excited to be bringing back Oktoberfest for a third year. We’ve been thrilled with the support for the event over the last two years, with people flocking to the Quarry for fun with friends, networking with a difference and group outings. “This year’s festival will be better than ever, and for the first time we will be holding a silent disco, which we hope will create a memorable, unique experience with plenty of laughs.”

Fancy a or two...? Betteridge. “Where else can you watch The show is written and directed by Kat movies about flight surrounded by real Hughes and Kat Boon, the latter of whom Summer is flying, autumn is here, head for military aircraft and get the chance to climb said: “We want to invite audiences to see the the Guildhall and sample some beer! inside an aircraft to buy your popcorn?” city they’re used to in a different light, to This year’s Arts Autumn Beer Festi- rediscover it through this unusual, thrilling val, taking place on Friday 20 & Saturday 21 story. It’s about the city’s past but also about September, features 25-plus real ales - many Arts Council funding for what the future might look like. It’s a show of which have been sourced from local and for everyone and, told with a live band, it will regional breweries - plus a range of tradi- Creative Black Country be a fantastic and fun night out.” tional ciders/perrys and specialist bottled An award of £1,403,154 from Arts Council ... For full details and to check out England’s Creative People & Places which ales will be available at the Guildhall, programme will allow local initiative Creative First look at Dudley’s new visit lichfieldarts.org.uk Black Country (CBC) to expand its current activity into Dudley. £9.5million music institute Creative Black Country aims to make the The first artist’s impressions of the Black most of local talent by working with people Country’s new £9.5million music institute, ‘to discover, explore and grow an exciting Resonance, have been released. and meaningful programme of arts activity’ Former office building Cable Plaza on The in , and Wolverhampton. Waterfront at is being given a Commenting on the news, Parminder complete facelift by Overbury, ‘the UK's lead- Dosanjh, Creative Director of CBC, said: “We ing fit-out and refurbishment specialist’. are over the moon. Expanding to Dudley feels A one-of-a-kind institute for popular music in like a natural step; the prospect of working as the Black Country, Resonance will offer A double dose of cinema a regional programme in the Black Country is degrees for students seeking careers in the at RAF Museum Cosford hugely exciting, and we look forward to local music industry. The venue’s co-director, residents benefitting from the investment.” David Barnard, said: “We will be providing The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford is first-class teaching to students who enrol at providing ‘the ultimate outdoor cinema Resonance, and we need the building they screening experience’ this month when it Fall in love with Stoke study in to reflect that.” presents two hit movies on a giant inflatable Two Staffordshire theatre makers are staging screen - and set against a backdrop of the a new show that will ask its audience ‘to fall venue’s military aircraft! in love with Stoke-on-Trent’. The highest-grossing Star Wars film, The Showing at Longton Central Methodist Hall Force Awakens, will be screened on Friday 20 from Wednesday 18 to Saturday 28 Septem- September, with iconic aviation movie Top ber, Stoke: A Love Story has been inspired by Gun being shown the following night. the city’s history, ‘from potbanks to mines, “Both movies are fitting for us as a venue,” and from Northern Soul to ’90s rave culture’. said Cosford’s Public Events Manager, Abi

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First Word

Julie Walters in Save Acorns Hospice appeal... -born Mamma Mia! favourite Dame Julie Walters DBE has joined fellow Midlands celebrities Jasper Carrott, Glynn Purnell and Tony Iommi in backing the Save Acorns Black Country Hospice Appeal, which aims to raise £2million. Dame Julie has urged people across the Midlands to play their part in helping to save the Walsall hospice from closure. She said: “Children's hospices are incredible places that help families going through the toughest times. It's clear just how much Corrie star Ryan searching for streets paved with gold... Acorns in the Black Country Former Coronation Street favourite Ryan Thomas 125th anniversary pantomime,” said Adrian means to all the families who will this Christmas star as Dick Whittington in Jackson, the theatre’s chief executive & artistic depend on its services, and to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre’s pantomime director. “He completes what is already an iconic the amazing staff and volun- production. line-up and what will be a truly magical produc- teers for whom it's not just a Ryan, who played Jason Grimshaw in the long- tion.” place of work but more like an running TV soap, joins Hi-De-Hi stars Su Pollard Dick Whittington runs at the Grand from extended family.” and Jeffrey Holland in a cast that also includes Saturday 7 December to Sunday 12 January. Grand Theatre panto favourites Ian Adams and Tickets can now be booked by calling 01902 42 92 Julie Paton. 12 or online at grandtheatre.co.uk “I am thrilled that Ryan is joining the Grand’s

Film festival Midlands mental health festival returns to back in celebrate the arts and wellbeing Telford’s Film Festival is The fourth edition of ’s Bedlam Arts & Mental Health Festi- Having a laugh at returning to screens val takes place next month (Tuesday 1 - Saturday 12 October). Enginuity around the borough this Created with the aim of using the arts to increase awareness of mental autumn. health & wellbeing issues, the event showcases a selection of new and Ironbridge Gorge’s Enginuity A collaboration between creative works performed across the city. visitor attraction plays host to Telford & Wrekin Council Included in the line-up are new commissions, a world premiere, works a Comedy & Curry Night on and Flatpack Projects, in progress, a half-day Symposium, and events featuring spoken word, Friday 6 September. the event is part of Film dance, theatre, film, visual art and hip-hop... Further information and With curry, rice and naan Hub Midlands’ mission tickets are available at macbirmingham.co.uk and birmingham- available both before the to develop film culture rep.co.uk show and during the first across the region. interval, the evening of enter- This year’s festival tainment features sets from features a wide selection Ian Stone - a regular guest on of movies, including BBC Radio 5Live’s Fighting Bohemian Rhapsody, Talk - musical comedian Kate Star Wars: The Force Lucas, and Jonathan Elston, Awakens, Top Gun, who combines sharp joke- Breakfast At Tiffany's, telling with quirky observa- Greatest Showman Sing- tional humour. Along and Mary Poppins Tickets for the event must be Returns. purchased in advance online For dates and venues, at ironbridge.org.uk visit ticketstelford.com whatsonlive.co.uk 5 First Word Wolves_Shrops_Staffs Davina.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2019 17:12 Page 3

First Word

A Knockout of a Shrewsbury show A theatre production to mark the 50th anniversary of Shrews- bury winning Europe’s zaniest TV game show, Jeux Sans Fron- tiere (It’s A Knockout), is being presented at the town’s Theatre Severn this month. Shrewsbury’s Finest Hour is the work of Chris Eldon Lee, Artwork created by- jamilawalker.webeden.co.uk artist Walker Jamila who’s been liaising with the Shrewsbury weekend of Fab Four fun veterans of 1969 to create a Beatlemania is set to sweep through Shrewsbury Friday 20 to Sunday 22 September, with a play about ‘the silliness and this month when the Shropshire town hosts three Lunchtime Live at ‘The Cavern’ at the town’s Butter- skulduggery of that glorious days of live music, guest speakers and film screen- market and a Beatles In Comics event with comic summer… when Shrewsbury ings dedicated to the Fab Four. book curator, Tim Quinn, amongst the highlights. reigned supreme’... The Shrewsbury Beatles Weekend takes place from For more information, visit shrewsburybeatles.com The show runs from Wednes- day 2 to Saturday 5 October. A party in the park at Dudley venue Canal competition Artsinitiative Dubs Collective, a group for all types of VW vehicles and A photography competition has awarded grant VW groups, is returning to Dudley’s Himley Hall with its Party In been launched to mark the 250th A local consortium has been The Park festival this month. birthday of Birmingham's canals. awarded a grant of £1,750,000 Taking place from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 September, the event fea- Canal River Trust is inviting by Arts Council England’s tures show’n’shine competitions, family entertainment, a host of amateur photographers to capture Creative People & Places traders and an ’80s-themed music line-up. the unique beauty of the Birming- programme. Among the performers contributing this year are Jaki Graham, ham Canal Navigations in both the The money will be used by the Toyah, The Christians, Neville Staple Band, Altered Images, Hazell city and the Black Country. Appetite arts project to expand Dean and Curiosity Killed The Cat. For more information, visit The photos can show anything its work into Newcastle-under- dubscollective.com that’s linked to the area’s canals, Lyme. such as colourful boats, historic Creative People & Places is canal architecture or people about more people taking the enjoying spending time on the lead in choosing, creating and waterways. taking part in arts experiences The competition is open to all ages in the places where they live. and closes on 3 October. Since 2013, Appetite has been For more information, visit canal- getting more people in Stoke- rivertrust.org.uk on-Trent to experience and be inspired by the arts. Crafty country fair The new funding will enable The 2019 edition of the long-estab- the programme to expand its lished Whittington Craft & Country work into Newcastle-under- Ironbridge festival promising a feast Fair takes place on Saturday 7 Lyme over a four-year period, for the Imagination September. beginning next month. Attractions at this year’s show in- The story of Ironbridge Gorge - the ’ only UNESCO clude a selection of artisan arts & Wizard Express World Heritage Site - will be told and celebrated in a two-week crafts stalls, a home-grown fruit & festival this autumn. There’ll be ghostly goings-on vegetable produce show, flower Taking place from Saturday 14 to Sunday 29 September and and wizarding workshops at arranging and cake baking compe- expected to attract up to 12,000 people, the Festival Of Imagination the this titions, the always-popular dog will feature a ‘fantastic fiesta’ of arts, crafts, culture, virtual reality, October half term, when the show, displays of classic cars and a music, film, poetry, family-friendly events and food & drink. railway welcomes back two range of children's activities and Talking about the event, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Carolyn Healy hugely popular services - its entertainments. said: “It was imagination and bravery that built the Iron Bridge, Ghost Trains and Wizard Ex- For more information, visit the saw the birth of industry and is responsible for a lot of the techno- press. event’s Facebook page. logical advances we see today. For more information, visit “We want to show how that very same thinking and attitude in the svr.co.uk Gorge is also changing the present and the future.”

6 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Wolves_Shrops_Staffs Davina.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2019 17:12 Page 4 BalletBoyz.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2019 10:11 Page 1 BalletBoyz All-male troupe bring innovative double-bill to Theatre Severn

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by Lauren Cole

Award-winning dance ensemble BalletBoyz bring their production, Them/Us, to the Midlands this month. What’s On caught up with long-serving dancer Harry Price to talk about the show and the company’s approach to classical dance...

Co-founded by ex-Royal Ballet dancers it seems to have all of our different personali- very creative stance. It’s always a risk, Michael Nunn and William Trevitt, BalletBoyz ties shining through in there. Charlotte Hard- though, because in-company creations have a burst onto the UK dance scene in the year ing, who created our accompanying score, history of not working so well. But I think this 2000. The male-only group has since played was actually in the studio with us while we one’s worked out!” an important role in revolutionising classical were choreographing, so it was a really BalletBoyz prides itself on its mix of dancers: dance by focusing much more on its fusion collaborative process. And I think that’s very “We’re all so different, with such different with the contemporary. evident in terms of how well the movement of personalities and backgrounds. Some of us the dance and the music marry. We’re also Their contribution hasn’t gone unnoticed are trained in classical dance, others more in wearing lovely shiny ’90s tracksuits, which is either, with numerous coveted awards contemporary, and some didn’t start dancing fun to see! coming their way, including the National until much later in life than you might expect Dance Award for Best Independent Company “The second half, Us, is by Chris Wheeldon. of a professional dancer. It’s for those reasons in 2013. He’s predominantly known as a classical that we all have such different visions, ballet choreographer, so there’s a real making the company so successful and the “I’d dreamed of being in BalletBoyz ever since contrast in style. Our half is a lot more creation of Them sometimes a little problem- I was in training,” says Harry Price, a dancer contemporary and Chris’s is a lot more tradi- atic. But we’re all very close and incredibly approaching his fifth season of working with tional, with more classical elements, but proud of how the piece turned out.” the ensemble. “It’s a company I always obviously still with that contemporary edge aspired to be a part of, so I was thrilled when Even when working with renowned choreog- BalletBoyz is known for. The Us piece I got the job. Since then, BalletBoyz has raphers such as Christopher Wheeldon, Javier concludes with a duet that was chore- continued to captivate me because we’re de Frutos and Craig Revel Horwood, the ographed for us by Chris back in 2017. So for constantly evolving and changing. We create BalletBoyz dancers are able to get creative: this production, we extended the duet into a a lot of original work, collaborate with differ- “Working with Christopher was like a dream full-group piece. It’s been really nice to return ent musicians and artists, and work with new come true. I was trained classically so was to and revitalise something we’d already choreographers. We have such a wide span very aware of his work. That’s another thing I done.” across the arts industry, meaning that as love about BalletBoyz - our approach to work- dancers we’re given amazing opportunities. Them/Us is about relationships forming and ing with big-name choreographers is very This year we even performed at Glastonbury! breaking on stage, particularly between collaborative. I’ve never worked with a Plus, we’ve done the West End and Edinburgh groups and the individual. choreographer at BalletBoyz who’s had no Fringe.” room for movement; it’s always a conversa- “Like with all our shows, the story is very tion, with free rein to put ourselves into the Harry believes it’s the ability of BalletBoyz to much open to audience interpretation. The piece.” evolve that’s the key to the company’s show is just as much for them as it is for us. success: “We’re constantly pushing the A BalletBoyz production is really about what Harry hopes that contemporary ballet compa- boundaries and aiming to take a fresh each individual takes away from it. I guess nies such as BalletBoyz are able to encourage approach to contemporary ballet. BalletBoyz the title of Them/Us alludes to the contrast of more people to attend ballet performances: is always committed to doing something new the two pieces, and the fact that they’re “BalletBoyz prides itself on being very and is constantly adapting to do so. In that choreographed by different creatives. A lot of accessible. We’ve had people who’ve never way, I think we’re keeping ballet very people have said that, in Us in particular, seen ballet before give very positive feedback relevant. Regular audience members say that there’s this idea of the outsider character, and after our shows - even those who were sure they always know our show will be great, but of exploring what it means to be part of a they wouldn’t like it. One of the company’s they never know quite what to expect. It’s a group or to be excluded from it. That’s main goals is to create dance that’s for every- good thing that we’re consistently surprising definitely a theme that runs through both one, so we definitely banish those miscon- audiences and expanding our horizons.” pieces.” ceptions of ballet being stuffy. So I would encourage anyone who’s worried about not BalletBoyz’s latest production is a double-bill Harry believes Artistic Directors Michael liking traditional ballet to push that from entitled Them/Us. Nunn and William Trevitt have had an their minds and come to see BalletBoyz!” in-company piece in their sights for a number “The first half, Them, was actually created by of years: “I think it was just a case of waiting us, the dancers - we worked together to come for the right timing and the right group of up with the piece. We’ve got a real sense of dancers. They obviously thought it was a ownership of it, which is really lovely. It’s a great time to go for it. They’ve seen that when Them/Us shows at Theatre Severn, really fun piece, and because we’ve created it, we do work with choreographers we take a Shrewsbury, on Saturday 14 September

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Food

supreme for main course; my partner chose the lamb shank. The presentation of both dishes made us want to dig in straight away, although this did mean me destroying a piece of art! My chicken dish was very nice, but I felt the smoked Applewood cheese and white wine sauce was fairly bland and needed more seasoning. The fondant potato was perfectly cooked and the carrot puree as smooth as you like. It was a little on the thin side and a tad watery due to the wilted spinach plated up next to it, but overall it was extremely well executed. My partner found no fault what- soever with his lamb shank, the meat falling off the bone and being beautifully complemented by a stunning lamb mint jus. Of course, we managed to save a little room for dessert, so I had the ‘panna cotta of the day’, which was mango, and my part- ner chose the chocolate brownie. REVIEW: The Lewisham My dessert was to die for - rich, creamy and accompanied by An above-par dining experience at Black Country golf course fresh raspberries and blackber- Dartmouth Golf Course - and draw the outside in, and in doing concise but has plenty of variety. ries. The chocolate brownie was more specifically for our so creates a bright and beautiful There’s also an extensive drinks dense yet slightly gooey and purposes, its stylish 60-cover bar space where you would be happy menu, including delicious cock- served with vanilla ice cream - & restaurant, The Lewisham - is to enjoy a relaxing meal with tails such as the one I opted for, what’s not to like?! located, perhaps rather unusu- friends and family or a few Rhubarb Sour. With just a couple of tiny tweaks, ally, at the back of a housing drinks and a light bite after a For starters, I chose the goat’s The Lewisham could be the estate near the town centre in round of golf. cheese bon bons while my part- ultimate foodie destination in . My husband and I visited on a ner had the spicy BBQ chicken the area. Although not massively The golf course - boasting the Friday lunchtime, and although wings. The bon bons, packed to local to us, we certainly wouldn’t longest opening hole in Europe it wasn’t bustling, there were the brim with cheese and deep- hesitate to return - especially and the longest par-five hole in several groups of people already fried with a light smattering of once they start serving, as the UK - was named after the enjoying the food when we breadcrumbs, were served with a promised, breakfasts and after- man who opened it in 1903, Lord arrived. It took a little time for a sweet cranberry & red onion noon teas as well! Lewisham. Its restaurant was staff member to be located on marmalade. Close your eyes to Jenny Ell previously a members-only club, our arrival, but once we’d been savour the first mouthful and but in recent months the build- shown to our table, our server you instantly know that you’re Food: nnnnn ing has been tastefully renovated was nothing short of a delight - onto a winner! Service: nnnnn Ambience: nnnnn to create a stunning public attentive, informative and Whilst the chicken wings were Overall value nnnnn eatery which not only overlooks friendly. incredibly tasty, boasting a real OVERALL nnnnn the golf course but also affords The seasonal and gastro-style depth of flavour, there was very panoramic views of Sandwell British menu has been conceived little of the promised heat. A Valley. The Lewisham by Head Chef Steve Edrop, who small bowl of water or a lemon Vale Street The décor is warm, welcoming sources the produce locally, with wipe would also have been good, West Bromwich and contemporary while at the some ingredients even being in anticipation of the sticky mess B71 4DW same time in keeping with the grown on-site. The reasonably that eating wings brings with it! Tel: 0121 725 1007 golf course. It has the ability to priced à la carte menu is fairly I opted for the cornfed chicken

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Food

Cannock’s beer festival back for a sixth year The sixth Chase CAMRA Beer Festival takes place from Thursday 19 to Saturday 21 September at the town’s Prince of Wales Theatre. The popular event this year features 63 ales, 20 ciders, bottled beers from around the world and the Gin Bar, boasting 25 different varieties. Admission is £3 for the general public, £2 for senior citizens and £1 for CAMRA members. The festival takes place from 5pm to 11pm on the Thursday and from midday to 11pm on the Friday and Saturday. Sausage & cider fest coming to Shrewsbury The Sausage And Cider Festival is bringing its UK tour to The Buttermarket in Shrewsbury on Saturday 28 September. Featuring live bands, DJs, craft beers, a gin bar, a prosecco bar, eating games and, of course, plenty of sausage and cider, the event’s admission prices start Ludlow’s food festival celebrates its 25th anniversary at £10, with tickets available at Returning to the stunning grounds of the The 2019 line-up of experts includes superstar sausageandciderfest.co.uk/shrewsbury town’s castle, Ludlow Food Festival is this year chef and meat fanatic Gareth Ward - from celebrating its 25th anniversary. Michelin-starred and 5-AA Rosette-winning Taking place from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 Ynyshir Restaurant & Rooms - baking expert Popular gastronomic September, the much-loved annual event and TV cook & food stylist Juliet Sear, and gathering returns boasts 180-plus local food & drink producers & 2012’s GBBO winner, John Whaite, who will be Staffordshire's biggest gastronomic suppliers and three main stages hosting more sharing inspiration from his latest cookery gathering, the Stone Food & Drink than 40 hours of chef demonstrations. book, A Flash In The Pan. Festival, is this year taking place from 4 to 6 October. The 2019 edition of the event features Tamworth family-friendly food festival back for a fifth year the finest artisan produce, live cookery demonstrations, numerous talks, Tamworth’s popular Food tastings & masterclasses, a variety of Gusto Festival returns with a street food, plenty of family fun, live weekend’s-worth of fine food, music from local bands & tribute acts, delicious drink and family- and licensed bars. friendly fun on Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 September. Tasty treats on offer at the event include pies, sausages, organic meat, handmade cheeses, pickles, patés, olives, chocolates and honey. There are cooking demonstrations to enjoy too, as well as live music, fairground rides and craft activities. Entry to the festival arena is £2 per adult. Kids under 10 years of age get free admission. whatsonlive.co.uk 13 Bradley Wiggins online.qxp_Layout 1 30/08/2019 13:55 Page 1

BRADLEY WIGGINS TheThe five-timefive-time OOlympiclympic ggoldold medalmedal winnerwinner cyclescycles intointo BBrum...rum... Bradley Wiggins online.qxp_Layout 1 30/08/2019 13:55 Page 2

The most decorated Olympic athlete in British sporting history and the first Brit ever to win the Tour de France, Sir Bradley Wiggins is heading out on an altogether different kind of tour this month. Neill Barston caught up with the five-time Olympic gold medal winner ahead of his visit to Birmingham, where he’ll be talking about his life and career in his show, Bradley Wiggins: An Evening With...

Covering this year’s Tour de France as a com- Sir Bradley is currently focusing on a number bringing. mentator proved to be a highly memorable ex- of projects, including sports broadcasting and “In a weird way, my father is still my hero. I’ve perience for five-time Olympic gold medal his nationwide touring show, Bradley Wig- kept two of his riding jerseys, even though I winner Sir Bradley Wiggins. gins: An Evening With. The show, which visits detested the man as he left us when I was just the Midlands this month, sees him reflecting “Covering the tour made me realise just how a baby. But my mum still glorified him, so if it on his lengthy career and discussing some of much I love it,” says Sir Bradley. “When hadn’t been for her, I wouldn’t have had my the personal heroes who feature in his latest you’re competing, there’s a lot of emotion career.” book, Icons. taken up actually dealing with the event and As a 12-year-old, Sir Bradley took up cycling getting over the line. It’s hard to get excited at “I’ve been enjoying doing these shows, as I on the same south London circuit his dad had the end of a race, so watching it as a fan, like to break down perceptions. I feel you once ridden. But cycling was never going to without all the pressure, was great. never really know someone until you’ve heard help him fit in with the tough neighbourhood their story properly. “Going back to the tour and seeing some of kids. He even resorted to wearing tracksuits those climbs brought back memories of just “It gives me the chance to meet people, and I over his riding gear for fear that he’d receive a how hard it is. While people can make it look can particularly remember speaking to one barrage of homophobic abuse because of his easy, it really isn’t - especially when you see guy in Nottingham. He said his wife would re- clothing. guys getting taken out of the peloton and ally have loved the show, but she hadn’t made He earned his spurs in the early part of his ca- some of the crashes you witness. It can be it as she’d just died of cancer. So I just told reer as a track specialist before turning to brutal. him that she was right there with him. So with road racing: “I never found the process of this kind of show, people get to see your emo- “But it was a brilliant event. Cycling is all that going to road racing hard at all. I’m someone tions, and I’m certainly looking forward to I’ve ever known, right back to my school days who can be coached, so it came easily to me. getting out there again.” when I was focusing on my riding rather than If it was a question of having to lose weight all the lessons.” Something else which Sir Bradley is focusing for the tour, then it was just something I did.” on is providing support for the next genera- Despite Sir Bradley’s love of the sport, quit- After coming fourth in the 2009 Tour de tion of potential cycling stars: “Cycling is a ting three years ago to fully focus on the chal- France, Sir Bradley started to be taken seri- great and necessary force in my life and lenges of raising a young family with his wife ously as a road-based rider. But it wasn’t until something I’ve been institutionalised in as at their home in was not a difficult joining Team Sky in 2010 (recently re-named well as passionate about. If there’s a legacy decision to make. Ineos under new sponsors) that he embarked from what I’ve done it’s in terms of helping on his most impressive era of success. While the celebrity status following his un- young people develop an interest in cycling precedented back-to-back victories at the and getting out there on their bikes. “I know it means a lot to other people that I Tour de France and London Olympics in 2012 won the tour and Olympics in 2012, but I “For many kids there’s a lot that keeps them may not have sat entirely comfortably with wouldn’t be a very good person if those were indoors on their iPads, so one of the great him, the wider effect of ‘Wiggo’s win’ was the things that were the most important to me things about cycling is that it’s something out- clearly tangible. Cycling in the UK enjoyed a in my life.” doors you can do as a family - you can’t go out significant resurgence that’s shown no sign of and play rugby as a family.” subsiding. Sir Bradley was born in Ghent, Belgium, but Bradley Wiggins: An Evening With is The achievement led to his knighthood in his mother moved them to London after his presented at Birmingham’s Symphony 2013. Three years later, at the Rio Olympics, father, who was also a cyclist, parted from the Hall on Friday 20 September. he won a final gold as part of the winning family. He had no involvement in his son’s up- British team pursuit squad. Classical September Wolves-Shrops NEW.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2019 09:41 Page 1

TOURING OCTOBER to DECEMBER 2019

Saturday 12 October Forest Arts Centre, WALSALL

Friday 18 - Saturday 19 October Netherton Arts Centre, DUDLEY

Friday 25 - Saturday 26 October Rose Theatre,

Thursday 21 November Crescent Theatre, BIRMINGHAM 14+ Thursday 28 - Saturday 30 November Theatre on the Steps, BRIDGNORTH

Sunday 1 December Artrix Theatre,

FOR TICKETS £18 7.30pm thefizzogs.com

14 whatsonlive.co.uk Classical September Wolves-Shrops NEW.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2019 09:41 Page 2

Classical

A Celebration Of Opera Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Wed 11 September Featuring distinguished singers from the Royal Opera, English National Opera and Glyndebourne, London Festival Opera here present a show of ‘passion, drama and humour’. The production also features music by a number of world famous composers, including Mozart, Verdi, Bizet, Puccini, Offenbach and Gilbert & Sullivan.

Proms & Prosecco In The Park Chetwynd Deer Park, Newport, Shropshire, Sat 14 September Proms, prosecco and picnics - what’s not to like about this relaxed annual get-together? This year’s event features West End favourite Jon Moses, who’ll be performing a repertoire of pop songs and musical theatre favourites before leading the audience in a flag-waving and unashamedly patriotic Last Night of the Proms-style finale. Also contributing to six hours of musical entertainment are Brit Award nominees and stars of The Voice, Classical Reflection - consisting of identical ‘mirror’ twins Naomi and Hannah Moxon (pictured). Talented quartet Grazia Strings and Shropshire’s very own ‘swingtastic foursome’, The Ronnies, also feature in this sure-to-be-lively farewell to summer.

A Child Of Our Time The Sixteen: The Opera Boys Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Choral Pilgrimage Lichfield Garrick, Sat 14 September Thurs 26 September St Philips Cathedral, Birmingham, Crossover artists have been big business CBSO Music Director Mirga Gražinyt -Tyla Thurs 19 September for much of the 21st century, so it’s little (pictured below) kickstarts the orchestra’sė wonder that Opera Boys continue to enjoy new season with a 20th century classic. such a successful career. They’re signifi- A strikingly original secular oratorio cantly assisted along the way, of course, communicating a strong pacifist message, by their truly remarkable talent - their Michael Tippet’s A Child Of Our Time was classically trained voices combine in a composed during the first two years of the powerhouse of vocal harmony to deliver a Second World War. winning blend of opera, pop and every- The composer found his inspiration for the thing in between. work in Kristallnacht - the Nazi govern- The Sixteen were formed by conductor Expect Nessun Dorma and Time To Say ment's pogrom against its Jewish popula- Harry Christophers 40 years ago with the Goodbye, along with showstoppers from tion in 1938. aim of providing a fresh insight into Les Miserables, Phantom Of The Opera, The CBSO concert also features Benjamin Baroque, early classical and more contem- Jersey Boys and more. Britten’s Sinfonia da Requiem. porary music. Recognised as one of the world’s greatest ensembles, with over 100 recordings under their belt and numerous accolades to their name, they return to the Midlands this month to perform a concert featuring Sir James MacMillan’s O virgo prudentissima. The piece is presented alongside music by Wylkynson, Sheppard, Tavener and Eric Whitacre. whatsonlive.co.uk 15 50 Years-2.qxp_Layout 1 30/08/2019 14:14 Page 1

50 years of Ex Cathedra The 50th anniversary celebrations of the moon landing and the Stonewall Riots have both received plenty of publicity this year, but there’s another half-century being celebrated in 2019 too... Birmingham’s Ex Cathedra is 50 glorious years old and still going strong - as What’s On found out when we caught up with the ensemble’s founder, conductor and artistic director, Jeffrey Skidmore...

Leading UK and ensemble research repertoire, including our particular sary programme, so it’s a piece we have a Ex Cathedra celebrates its 50th anniversary speciality in French . So long history with and like to return to. this season with a jam-packed programme of putting all those things together, you get this “Then comes Bach’s St John Passion on Good great classical works. Its founder, Jeffrey special organisation that we have at Ex Friday at Symphony Hall, which was the first Skidmore - awarded an OBE in the 2015 New Cathedra.” of Bach’s Passions we performed. Nowadays Years honours list for his service to choral The ensemble started as a small gathering of we do it with period instruments and a com- music - is both the artistic director and Jeffrey’s friends: “Back when I was a sixth- munity choir, our Academy takes part in the conductor of this extraordinary organisation. former - just before I founded Ex Cathedra - I liturgical reconstruction, and it’s proved very “There are so many reasons why Ex Cathedra was singing in Birmingham Cathedral Choir. popular. We’re always trying to make this is different from other choral and orchestral My great mentor, Roy Massey, didn’t do much great music accessible to everybody, either by groups,” says Jeffrey. “The first thing is that Renaissance music with the choir. I was a taking part in it in some way or by hosting the amount of time we’ve been going and counter-tenor - a male alto - at the time and I discovery workshops to help people get into continued to be popular is quite extraordi- loved Renaissance music, so initially I got a it. nary. We also have a very interesting group of people together just to do that 16th “Our fifth and final concert isn’t in our approach to the classical repertoire. We century repertoire. Ex Cathedra grew out of brochure yet because we’re still in the plan- perform the great, iconic works alongside that: just a few friends from Bournville, ning and funding stages, but it looks as ones that are very old and have been some- where I sang as a chorister and went to though it’s going to happen in July. It’s a what lost, while also regularly commission- school, and a few older people from Birming- classical Indian weekend of music, which is a ing new works. I think our programmes are ham Cathedral. When I went to Oxford for genre we’ve been doing for a while. Alec always quite refreshing in that way. We have university, singers I met there came to Birm- Roth, who’s been our composer-in-residence the most fantastic amateur and professional ingham to join us. So, from there, it’s for the last 12 years, has written us some singers in Ex Cathedra, which is also supple- expanded into the incredible resource we see great pieces. One, called The Traveller, uses mented by top-quality students, and we’ve today. Wanting to do Renaissance music was translated sacred Indian texts and is just launched a graduate scholarship the initial spark, really.” performed by an orchestra, children’s and scheme. So that blend of professional, Ex Cathedra will be celebrating its 50 years community choir. We have the orchestra Brit- amateur and student is probably unique in with a programme of old favourites and new ten Sinfonia coming from Cambridge to play the country in terms of . commissions: “I’ve chosen five pieces that for us, and Mark Padmore, who’s a big name “We’ve always had an education part of Ex are amongst the greatest that exist in the in the singing world, is going to be the tenor, Cathedra. We work in schools, with commu- choral repertoire and which have been partic- so that will be our contribution to the Indian nities, in hospitals and other healthcare facil- ularly important in the 50 years of Ex Cathe- Classical Weekend.” ities, so we’re committed to making classical dra. We open our season with Jeffrey is confident that Ex Cathedra’s music and singing accessible to all. Singing Rachmaninoff’s Vespers, which we recently programme for this season has something for is such an important part of people’s lives performed to a packed audience at Three everyone, from the classical music connois- and is fantastic for their physical and mental Choirs Festival. Secondly, we have Bach Mass seur to those who don’t know their Bach from health. It brings joy to lives. There’s so much in B Minor, which is important to us as it their Beethoven: “I think our 50th anniver- scientific evidence to support the positive launched our period instrument orchestra in sary season is brilliant. We’re focusing on impact it has. Pop music is focused around 1983 - the first one of its kind outside London such important works, both to us and to our singing rather than instrumental; at football and which is still going strong. audiences. But mainly Cathedra’s ability to matches, stadiums full of people sing their “Next, we’ll have Missa Solemnis, which is understand a piece and communicate to our hearts out in support of their team. Singing is probably Beethoven’s greatest piece but audience, to get across the meaning and feel- a basic human need, I think, along with perhaps not that popular because it’s a ing of the piece to those listening, is a really nourishment and socialisation. challenging work for both players and audi- special skill. “Research is also an important part of what ences. However, it’s certainly his greatest “I think if you’re a regular concert-goer you we do. We work with post-graduate students piece as far as I’m concerned. We also did will love what Ex Cathedra have to offer. But at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire to Missa Solemnis as part of our 25th anniver- Ex Cathedra 50 Years-2.qxp_Layout 1 30/08/2019 14:14 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

equally, if you’re someone who’s never been to any concerts, then Ex Cathedra is just as great. We get such positive feedback from If people, especially young people, don’t people who’ve never been to a classical concert before but who end up finding our have the opportunity of experiencing this concerts really engaging and then go on to music, then it will be lost forever. become big fans of classical. Ex Cathedra really is the place to start for newcomers Creating an appetite for high-quality willing to give classical music the chance it deserves.” music is always on the agenda Jeffrey is also the artistic director of the Early “ Music programme at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, a role which he continually links back to Ex Cathedra: “The Conserva- toire is really going from strength to strength, particularly in the area that I work in with early music and period instruments, as Julian Lloyd Webber is very keen to develop this area. We have an extraordinary, distin- ” guished team of musicologists at Birming- ham Conservatoire, and next year we’ve attracted the Biennial International Confer- ence on Baroque Music, which previously had been held in Salzburg and Paris and now is coming to Birmingham. The bid we had was so strong because of the interest and expertise in Baroque music based in Birming- ham - Birmingham Baroque seems to have a lovely ring to it! My role, then, is to link what Ex Cathedra are and have been doing to what’s going on at the Conservatoire. For example, we have four Student Scholars from the Conservatoire who sing with Ex Cathedra.” It’s Jeffrey’s strong desire to engage as many people as possible with classical music - particularly the younger generation - that really drives him on: “Getting great classical music across to younger audiences is my mission, really. If people, especially young people, don’t have the opportunity of experi- encing this music, then it will be lost forever. Creating an appetite for high-quality music is always on the agenda.” The poor state of music education in schools is a major concern for Jeffrey: “Funding is one of the biggest challenges for the classical music scene. Music education is really in a terrible fix in state schools, while in private, independent schools it’s blossoming. But music is for everyone, and that sector of education needs some special attention and funding, so that those in state schools don’t miss out.”

For more information on the programme for Ex Cathedra’s 50th anniversary season, visit excathedra.co.uk GIGS September Wolves_Shrops_Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2019 16:59 Page 1

16 whatsonlive.co.uk GIGS September Wolves_Shrops_Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2019 16:59 Page 2

Gigs

Khalid Resorts World Arena, Birmingham, Sat 21 September Having collaborated with the likes of Calvin Harris, Shawn Mendes, Benny Blanco and Halsey, 21-year-old multi-platinum-selling singer-songwriter Khalid brings his current world touring show to Birmingham in sup- port of third album Free Spirit, which peaked at number two in the UK charts.

Electric Swing Circus powerful combination of electric double bass, vintage samples, gypsy-jazz guitar, Albert’s Shed, Shrewsbury, Fri 27 September keys, live drums and dirty synths. Drawing inspiration from 1920s jazz, this tal- Formed in 2011 and fronted by a sassy ented six-piece fuse saucy swing and stomp- female double-act, the band are supported ing electro beats. Their unique sound is a in Shrewsbury by DJ Chris Tofu.

The Snuts The Urban Voodoo Muse The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent, Machine Sat 21 September Arena Birmingham, Tues 17 September Lichfield Guildhall, Fri 13 September Support from BBC 6 Music, Radio One and Comprising Matt Bellamy, Dominic Howard “We’re not Americana and we’re definitely Clash has seen West Lothian-based indie and Chris Wolstenholme, rock band Muse not retro,” says Urban Voodoo Machine lead four-piece The Snuts going from strength to released their eighth studio album, Simula- Paul-Ronney Angel. “I write songs about strength in 2019. tion Theory, last year. Its predecessors living in London right now. Although having Their debut single, All Your Friends, has include Black Holes & Revelations, The 2nd a shit time, no money, heartbreak, mental enjoyed massive critical acclaim, not least Law, Absolution, The Resistance and Drones, illness, addiction and suppression from the for possessing what’s been described as ‘an all of which made it to the number-one spot big guy is kinda universal and timeless, I irresistibly catchy, raw edge and a massive in the official UK charts. guess…” chorus’. Widely recognised as one of the best live If you like your gypsy blues & rock to be gin The band visit Stoke this month ahead of bands in the world, Muse have won a clutch soaked and full blooded, The Urban their special-guest slot on Lewis Capaldi’s of coveted music awards, including two Voodoo Machine is definitely a band to November tour. Grammys, two Brits and an impressive 10 catch. Expect blasting guitars, bass & NMEs. drums, shrieking saxophone, washboard shenanigans and a pure, unadulterated Dan Whitehouse and sense of fun... Boo Hewerdine Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton, Sat 21 September Acclaimed singer-songwriter Dan White- house’s classic-sounding songs have been described as ‘Black Country soul’. Dan is joined for this gig by the Ivor Novello Award-nominated Boo Hewerdine. As well as collaborating, the pair will also perform separate sets, both of which will include material from across the years. whatsonlive.co.uk 17 T Rextasy.qxp_Layout 1 30/08/2019 13:57 Page 1 T Rextasy.qxp_Layout 1 30/08/2019 13:57 Page 2

children of the revolution T.Rextasy’s lead vocalist and lead guitarist Danielz chats ahead of their Shrewsbury gig...

Why did you form T.Rextasy? tended soloing and performance. stage and giving the audience a live experi- ence. Fans are coming to have a good time, In 1992 I was an original musician who was Tell us about your band members... and when I see people smiling and doing just promised recording deals from various com- Well, there’s me, Danielz - I take on lead vo- that, it makes it really worthwhile. I also love panies but always let down at the last hurdle. cals and lead guitar - Neil Cross - who plays plugging my Gibson Les Paul into that amp I decided to form T.Rextasy and go out play- rhythm guitar and does backing vocals - Rob and giving it some. There’s nothing like it! ing the music of Marc Bolan - an artist who I’d Butterfield - who plays bass guitar and does always loved while growing up. As Marc died What have been the highlights of your backing vocals - and John Skelton, who plays in 1977, I wanted people to experience the en- career so far? drums and percussion. I’m very fortunate ergy, excitement, the wonderful songs and with my musicians, as they’re skilful, loyal performance he gave - always 100%. It was Playing Wembley Arena. We’ve done that and love playing the music. this that drove me to push the band as far as I three times over the years - and as it was Marc’s biggest gig in the UK, it was a double- could. How do you prepare for a gig? whammy for me to play there too. Did you ever see Marc and T.Rex Live? I try to get to each venue in good time, as I Another highlight was obtaining a major have a sequence of activities that I go record deal with Columbia Records and re- Yes, I saw them four times; twice in Germany, through. On arrival, I go into my dressing leasing a couple of albums in Japan, which, in in 1972 and ’73 - my dad was in the Forces, so room, unpack my clothing and make-up, and turn, enabled us to tour out there twice, on my family was based there for a few years - set it all out in order. I then go out to eat. It the second tour meeting up and chatting with and then twice in England, in 1976 and ’77. takes our roadie about 90 minutes to unload . Marc’s concerts were crazy - fans screaming and set up all the equipment, then another 30 Obtaining a publishing deal to write my auto- and dancing, singing and shouting. They minutes for the engineer to mic up, so it give biography was another highlight. I think I most certainly were not a serene affair! I try s us time to chill before sound-check. In the was the first guy in a tribute band to be ap- and recreate at least an atmosphere of those band, we all have our specific sounds that we proached by a publishing company to write times - although at some venues times have require in each stage monitor. After that, we about my life, which I was nicely pleased changed and acting in that way is frowned sort out the out-front sound. With our regular about. The book is called The Spirit Of Marc upon! However, I do try to encourage fans to sound engineer, this normally takes only Bolan (Wymer Publishing). get involved with the gig as much as possible. about 30 minutes, which is great. After Then there was being called up by Marc Al- It is a rock’n’roll gig, after all! My costumes sound-check, it’s backstage to sort out my mond and recording a single with him called are based on Marc’s originals, and as I own band merchandise, and then I normally play Death Of A Dandy, and then having it pro- some of his original clothing, I’ve been able to music on my I-Pod, which relaxes me while duced and mixed by legendary Bolan/Bowie get some things made very close to them. We I’m putting on my make-up and changing into producer Tony Visconti. play, as Marc did, 100% live, raw and raunchy my stage clothing. Then I go to the side of the I think as well just gaining credibility with - just how T.Rex would’ve been back in the stage to check the tuning of all my guitar major original artists, meaning that they’ve day. This is what makes the experience excit- s, and then, believe it or not, it’s showtime! appeared as our guests on stage, or we’ve ing. A few years ago, we even had an original been on the bill with them. So these include member, Dino Dines (Marc’s keyboardist) join What can an audience expect from one of Slade, Roy Wood of Wizzard, Alvin Stardust, the band, until his demise. I think having your concerts? Shakin’ Stevens, Steve Harley, Glen Matlock original members join a tribute band says a of the Sex Pistols, Boy George, Holly Johnson lot for our credibility and for us as a live unit, Excitement, enjoyment and the chance to from Frankie Goes To Hollywood and The not to mention the fact we’ve received en- sing along, boogie, clap and shout. I don’t Sweet. dorsements from Marc’s own family and his mind if fans call out for a song - I usually There are plenty of other highlights too, but record company. oblige them by singing a couple of verses to them if it’s a track that’s not in the actual set. that could well be a book in itself... What’s your favourite T.Rex track? A bit of heckling doesn’t go amiss either, as one-to-one contact with the crowd gives the This differs, as it’s not the same as playing a evening an extra-special kick! favourite track live. My fave track of all time T.Rextasy perform at Theatre Severn, is a song called Metal Guru, but in terms of What do you enjoy most about the Shrewsbury, on Saturday 7 September; playing live, it could be one of many. Let’s say performances? Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 18 Octo- for now that it’s Get It On, as we do an eight- ber; Brierley Hill Civic Hall, Sat 19 October; minute version that encapsulates the single I absolutely love playing the songs of T.Rex. Albany Theatre, , Thurs 28 and also how Marc played it live, with ex- It’s the actual buzz one gets from going on November; The Robin, , Tues 31 December Oktoberfest Full September 2019.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2019 16:54 Page 1 Festivals September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2019 09:22 Page 2

Festivals

Moseley Folk & Arts Festival Moseley Park, Birmingham, Fri 30 August - Sun 1 September Tucked away behind Birmingham’s busy streets, the beautiful Moseley Park is one of the city's hidden gems, transformed each year into an enchanting escape by one of the Midlands' best-loved music festivals. Traditional folk & low-fi acoustic sets blend seamlessly with dreamy electropop, psychedelia and indie favourites against a magical backdrop of bright hippie colours, lush foliage and a beautiful lake. New for 2019 is a rich programme of arts & crafts, comedy & cabaret, poetry & literature and talks & debates. Line-up includes: Don McClean, Jake Bugg, Public Service Broadcasting (pictured), The Zutons, Richard Thompson, Lucy Rose, Edwyn Collins, Daoiri Farrell, Peggy Seeger.

Onboard The Craft Stratford-on-Avon Bromyard Folk Festival Stoke Prior Country Club, Bromsgrove, Music Festival Bromyard, , Thurs 5 - Sat 7 September Thurs 5 - Sun 8 September Stratford Playhouse, Stratford-upon-Avon, Organised by Sonic Rock Solstice Events and Fri 13 - Sat 21 September Taking place for the 52nd time, Bromyard’s set in the beautiful Worcestershire country- much-loved celebration of folk music is now side, Onboard The Craft returns for an eighth a well-established tradition in and of itself. year to present a programme of space rock, This year’s event promises more than 170 prog & blues. hours of entertainment, with some of the Four days camping is included in the price of finest national and international folk a weekend ticket, while children under 14 musicians headlining a programme that also can attend free of charge when accompanied includes workshops, sing-arounds, ceilidhs, by an adult ticket purchaser. dance displays, children’s entertainment and a traditional craft market. Line-up includes: Evil Blizzard (pictured), Here & Now, Mr Strange, Under Groundhogs, Line-up includes: Kathryn Tickell and The Capt. Roswell & The Lost Alien Tribe, Dr Has- Darkening, Flook, Melrose Quartet, The been, Joshua Burnell Band, Orange Clocks, Daoirí Farrell Trio, Jackie Oates and John Sonic Trip Project, Civilian Zen, Strip Search Spiers, Les Poules à Colin, Edgelarks, Tramp, Sister Sandwich, Second Sunset, Fire- The Stratford-on-Avon Music Festival Granny’s Attic, Will Pound and Eddy Jay, garden, Wood Demons, Spiral Navigators. presents a week of high-quality chamber Kelly Oliver (pictured), The Tweed Project. music aimed at the local community, with a particular focus on young artists. Strong local partnerships with established arts organisations are in place for 2019, not only to reinforce quality community partici- pation but also to emphasise the festival’s importance to the town’s annual cultural offer. Line-up i ncludes: and Christopher Glynn (pictured), Raphael Wall- fisch Cello Recital, Aquinas Piano Trio and Rebecca Low, Midlands Youth Jazz Orchestra, Thibaut Garcia Guitar Recital, Gildas Quartet and Jack McNeill.

whatsonlive.co.uk 19 Comedy September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2019 09:30 Page 1

Comedy

Gary Meikle The Place, Telford, Fri 20 September Rising star Gary Meikle has had a real rags- to-riches life experience. By the age of 16, he’d been kicked out of four schools, involved with gangs, packed off to a children’s home by his mother and was drinking heavily. A one-night-stand led to the birth of his daughter, Ainsley, who now has a daughter of her own - Gracie. The three of them currently live together in Glasgow. In recent times Gary has become enor- mously popular both on the comedy circuit - where he’s even joked about his daughter’s first period - and social media, where his rants about eyebrows, hair extensions and ‘dick pics’ have gone viral. He’s visiting the Midlands this month with his latest show, The iBrow Guy. Mawaan Rizwan Birmingham Hippodrome, Thurs 12 September In the first year that stand-up comedian and More recently, Mawaan’s brother, Nabhaan, Rob Delaney actor Mawaan Rizwan made videos for bagged the starring role in the highly YouTube, he accumulated one million acclaimed BBC television series Informer - The REP, Birmingham, Mon 16 September views. In the second year, that number sky- and even Mawaan’s dad has found his way rocketed to more than six million... onto the radio! The cause of the stark difference between To his credit, Mawaan has taken it all in his those two totals was his mother, Shahnaz... stride and makes light of the way in which Mawaan made a video with her in which the rest of his family have seemingly the pair bantered back and forth, and it accelerated beyond him on the rocky road proved such a hit that they decided to make to showbiz stardom. more. And then Bollywood came calling - Not that he’s exactly doing too badly him- for Mawaan’s mum! self, mind, having not so long ago starred in Shahnaz went on to become one of the most the emotionally disturbing BBC drama, recognised faces in Asia after starring in a Murdered By My Father. American comic Rob Delaney is best known TV series called Yeh Hai Mohabbatein (This He visits Birmingham this month with his on this side of the Atlantic for co-starring Is Love). well-reviewed touring show, Juice. with in four series of hit Channel Four comedy Catastrophe. He was also once voted the funniest person on Twitter. Rob bagged the accolade from Rob Rouse Comedy Central for his clever line in glee- Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury, fully juvenile and sometimes overtly sexual Fri 13 September offerings. Boasting a plethora of TV credits, Rob Rouse At this point, we could reproduce his peddles a hyperactive brand of humour rude’n’crude Twitter musing on whether the that’s much in demand. contents of Catwoman’s litter tray acts like “I’m hugely lucky not to have a real job,” an aphrodisiac on Batman - but we won’t. says Rob. “Something that essentially used Somewhat more palatable Twitter fare to get me told off at school now earns me a includes, “As far as I’m concerned, the scari- living. There’s stuff that I wasn’t meant to est thing to come out of the Muslim world is say at school, or things that I wasn’t meant algebra”, and “WiFi at my uncle's funeral is to say at work, that I can now say on stage. I a ****ing joke...” can arse about and say exactly what I want, Rob’s movie credits include Deadpool 2, in regardless of how offensive people may or which he played fan favourite ‘Peter W.’. may not think it is. Without being churlish The newest member of the X-Force team of about it, it feels like a very healthy way for superheroes, he had no powers but “just me to live my life.” responded to the ad”.

20 whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2019 09:30 Page 2

Tape Face Romesh Ranganathan , Thurs 19 September Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Thurs 26 September; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Otherwise known as The Boy With Tape On Saturday 16 November His Face, hailed as a modern-day Buster Keaton and described as 'a mad scientist of With his support slots having included one vaudevillian pranks', there's no doubt that for Ricky Gervais, it’s fair to say former maths Canadian comedian Sam Wills brings some- teacher Romesh Ranganathan has made a thing to the table which is just that little bit significant impact since bursting onto the different. Mime with noise, stand-up with comedy circuit in 2010. no talking, and drama with no acting are It’s all a far cry from his previous career in a among the novelty numbers he peddles in Crawley classroom. "In the early days, I his shows, which have also been known to would be performing to eight people in a pub include magic, puppetry and Motown. Oh, and my sixth formers would turn up,” and references to the films of Patrick Romesh recalls in an interview with Crawley Swayze... Jonny Awsum supports. News. “I couldn't help but think, 'Oh God, this isn't going to end well’. It undermined my authority to tell the students off the next day, because it must’ve been hilarious for them to see me die on stage and think, 'I'm just going to heckle him now'!” Romesh’s latest show, The Cynic’s Mixtape, is a carefully curated selection of all the things he’s found unacceptable since his last tour. These include why trying to save the environment is a scam, why nobody is truly free, and his suspicion that his wife is using gluten intolerance to avoid sleeping with him. Luke Kempner The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham, Sat 28 September; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Thurs Live At The RSC 3 October; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sat 12 October Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Thurs 12 - Sat 21 September Proving that comedy at the RSC isn’t con- Rounding off the festival is Adam Kay, about fined to William Shakespeare’s cobwebbed whose act a watching Stephen Fry once collection of 16th century witticisms, this declared, “This made me very, very happy.” two-weekend festival features some of the Numerous sell-out years at the Edinburgh circuit’s most well-respected comics. Fringe and tens of millions of YouTube hits Among the better-known names contributing later, former obstetrician and gynaecologist to proceedings are & Milton Adam is here presenting his latest touring Jones (pictured), Matt Forde, Suzi Ruffell, show, This Is Going To Hurt: Secret Diaries Of Zoe Lyons and Rory Bremner, while lovers of A Junior Doctor. Expect splendidly silly spoof Puppeteer, dancer, singer, pianist, actor, Edinburgh Fringe phenomenon Showstop- songs and some seriously shocking stories impressionist and stand-up comedian Luke per! can enjoy watching a brand new musical from the NHS frontline... Kempner began his showbusiness career in comedy being created from scratch. musical theatre, playing Marius in the UK touring version of Les Misérables. Comedy-wise he’s since made a name for himself on screen in shows including Murder In Successville and as resident funnyman on Celebrity Big Brother’s Bit On The Side. Luke is currently touring House Of Faces, a show about television that has plenty to recommend it but which hasn’t met with universal approval. Critics have felt it contains so many references to TV programmes that all but the most ardent of telly watchers will struggle to keep up. whatsonlive.co.uk 21 The Entertainer.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2019 11:54 Page 1

LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU Shane Richie brings Archie Rice to life in updated version of iconic play

22 whatsonlive.co.uk The Entertainer.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2019 11:54 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

John Osborne’s The Entertainer, widely considered to be among the greatest plays of the 20th century, is this autumn touring for the first time ever. West End and EastEnders star Shane Richie talks to What’s On about playing the character of Archie Rice, one of the most iconic roles in British theatre...

Written by John Osborne in the 1950s, The real thrill and an honour.” Jamie is all about diversity and embracing Entertainer tells the story of washed-up music everyone, regardless of differences. Archie is Shane has no worries about the update from hall star Archie Rice. A performer long past the polar opposite. He’s racist, homophobic, the ’50s to the ’80s: “If you’ve never seen the his expiry date, Archie is struggling to negoti- sexist - so far removed from the subject matter original, it won’t matter. This is almost like an ate the changing sociopolitical landscape of of Jamie. I’ve loved having the opportunity to entirely new piece all on its own in terms of the mid-20th century... play both characters this year, as it’s really the setting. Whereas the original is set against exciting for me to do such different projects.” Heading out on tour for the first time ever, the backdrop of the Suez Crisis, this version The Entertainer has been updated somewhat - deals with the Falklands. A lot of people who Playing Archie Rice seems to have brought to the 1980s - and unfolds against the back- were around in the 1980s will remember that Shane’s career full-circle: “I started off as a drop of the Falklands War and Margaret the face of comedy was really changing then. jobbing actor at the age of 15 or 16. I did a Thatcher. The production is directed by Sean We had new, upcoming sitcoms like The couple of seasons in holiday parks, where in O’Connor and stars Shane Richie - best Young Ones and Spitting Image, and comics between acting jobs I had a stand-up act. So known as EastEnders’ Alfie Moon - in the title like Archie Rice just became dinosaurs coming towards my 20s, I was performing in role. overnight. So The Entertainer is basically pubs, clubs and anywhere I could, just to about how Archie can’t seem to cope with that keep my head above water. So that’s where it “The Entertainer really is like nothing you’ve and just loses his s*** really!” started for me. Playing a character like Archie ever seen before,” says Shane. “If you don’t Rice now is really interesting because I’ve have a sense of humour or you’re easily Shane thinks the play really resonates in seen him; as I was starting off my career, the offended, you might not enjoy it! It’s a real 2019: “It seems that every 30 or so years careers of people like Archie were coming to tough piece - a real slice of social realism - there’s great social and political change. I an end.” and deals with sexism, racism, homophobia... think we’re in that place now, just like we all the things that are still around today to were back in the ’80s with Margaret Shane has every intention of going one better some degree. Most of all, though, it’s a thrill Thatcher’s government, the Trades Union than Archie by remaining in-demand: “When to watch because it’ll really get your back up disputes and the Falklands. I feel like The this tour is over, I’ll be doing panto - another and show you how much society has or hasn’t Entertainer allows us to question and explore completely different role. Then next year I’ll changed socially and politically over the last how much we’ve actually moved forward. It be going on tour with Everybody’s Talking 30-odd years. If I wasn’t in it, I’d want to see will be interesting to see if those who come About Jamie, and then I’ll hopefully get to it!” and see it think we’ve progressed that much have a holiday. I know that Tootsies has just or not - so in that way, it’s really exciting. opened on Broadway, and I’d love to be in it if Archie Rice is a role that’s been earmarked for it came over here to the UK. I’d also love to Shane for over a decade: “I was approached “Back in the day, The Entertainer came out as play Sweeney Todd.” by the director, Sean O’Connor, about 12 years a real state-of-the-nation play, off the back of ago. He spoke to me about it when we met John Osborne’s other major work, Look Back For now, though, Shane is concentrating on while I was working on EastEnders. I was too In Anger. Osborne was a real maverick. He The Entertainer - and firmly believes that young at the time, so he told me he’d wait was part of a group of playwrights who made audiences should grab the opportunity to see until I was in my mid-50s because he was sure theatre for and about the actual working the production with both hands: “This show I’d make a great Archie Rice. So I guess I’ve class. He turned that on its head, though, and has never toured the UK before, and there’s a been clock-watching since then! made stark social commentary by putting a reason for that - it really is asking the audi- mirror up to the audience. So the play was ence who we are as a society. In the show, I’m “The characters I’ve played in the past have really relevant back then, and I think we can doing some very different stand-up to what been likeable, whether that be Alfie Moon or still see a bit of ourselves in it now.” I’ve ever been used to, so it’ll be interesting on Benidorm. To play Archie Rice, who’s so both for me and the audience. The Entertainer out of step and such a total opposite, goes Given the wide-ranging nature of his show- really isn’t to be passed up!” against everything I’ve ever learnt as a business career, it’s fair to say that Shane performer. Obviously, when you go out on himself is something of an ‘entertainer’. His stage as a stand-up comic, you want people to CV includes stand-up comedy, straight acting, The Entertainer shows at Malvern like you. Archie Rice doesn’t care whether you and performing in the West End as a drag Theatres from Monday 9 to Saturday 14 like him or not, and he goes against all my queen... September; Wolverhampton Grand principles. I like stretching and challenging “I’ve just finished playing Hugo - also known Theatre from Monday 7 to Saturday 12 myself, pushing how far I can take the charac- as drag queen Loco Channel - in Everybody’s October; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, from ter, so that’s also why I wanted to play Archie. Talking About Jamie. Hugo is a character at Tuesday 15 to Saturday 19 October; and I’ll also be following in the footsteps of the the complete opposite end of the spectrum Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, from Monday likes of Laurence Olivier, Robert Lindsay, from Archie Rice. Everybody’s Talking About 18 to Saturday 23 November. Michael Gambon, Kenneth Branagh - it’s a

whatsonlive.co.uk 23 Stardust for What's On.qxp_Layout 1 30/08/2019 13:56 Page 1

Bollywood at The Belgrade Stardust for What's On.qxp_Layout 1 30/08/2019 13:56 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

South Asian performing arts company Phizzical are premiering their LGBTQ Bollywood musical thriller, Stardust, in the Midlands this month... What’s On spoke to director Samir Bhamra about the ground-breaking production and the importance of representing same-sex Asian relationships on stage...

South Asian performing arts company came on board in 2017, which we felt was director and co-writer, I originally Phizzical is 15 years old in 2019 - and to important because Stardust relies heavily on commissioned this idea because I felt that we celebrate, it’s launching a ‘thriller musical’ design.” needed progressive stories on the British entitled Stardust. The show is a first for the stage to reflect the Asian identity and the Stardust follows British-Asian singer Amar’s British stage, as it’s the only South Asian Bollywood experience. There have been some struggle to make his mark as a mainstream theatre production to feature same-sex incredible plays reflecting Asian same-sex performer. Amar discovers a long-lost star of marriage. relationships, such as Hijra by Ash Kotak and the 1980s’ Bollywood music industry, a My Beautiful Laundrette by Hanif Qureshi. Stardust was sparked by the marriage of woman called Amor. His journey takes a However, we want to take our stories to the director Samir Bhamra’s brother - and by chilling turn when he discovers that Amor widest audiences in the deepest parts of the listening to the music of singer-songwriter was silenced for uncovering an explosive country - to inspire people, to move them and Robby Khela. secret involving Cyrus, her music producer to thrill them until they leave hand in hand and husband... “About 20 years ago, I adopted a young man and happy.” as a younger brother,” explains Samir. “After “We want audiences to immerse themselves So why the Belgrade for the premiere? gay marriage was legalised in the UK, he and in a pop, R&B and Bollywood thriller. his partner wanted to marry. Unfortunately Stardust is set in the music industry and “The Belgrade and Coventry has been our his parents didn’t know that he was gay. I features a mix of love, reincarnation and second home since we brought a Bollywood played a small part in supporting him and his revenge.” version of William Shakespeare’s Cymbeline parents, and it was a magical wedding; a to the city and theatre in 2013. And after the A musical thriller is an interesting angle to meeting of two cultures. Literally a few weeks incredible success of Bring On The take on a Bollywood-inspired production. later, singer-songwriter Robby Khela shared a Bollywood in 2016, we literally moved in. Samir explains the choice: “When someone song with me. It reminded me of every With the eyes of the world on Coventry as the says the word Bollywood, you automatically emotion that I’d witnessed during my City of Culture 2021, and with the Belgrade assume kitsch dances, melodramatic scenes brother’s wedding, and I immediately felt this autumn presenting a season of and colourful costumes. Unfortunately this is that we needed to make a musical about productions about love and belonging, I a terrible stereotype for a film industry that aacceptancecceptance andand llove.” ove.” couldn’t imagine opening the show anywhere produces musical films in every genre. The else.” TThehe iinfluencenfluence ofof BollywoodBollywood iiss hhugelyuge evident kind of cinema and music produced changes iinn SStardusttardust - aandnd wwasas aalsolso a factorfactor iin Samir’s with each decade. The films and songs reflect Stardust reflects some of the issues facing the aarrivalrrival iinn thethe world:world: ““MyMy mmotherother wwasa a big global politics. So we’ve pretty much set our British-Asian community right now. IIndianndian ccinemainema ffan.an. WWhenhen sshehe wwasas ppregnant minds to change the outdated perception of “Let’s just look at what’s happening in wwithith mme,e, hherer wwatersaters bbrokeroke atat thethe cinemacin Bollywood in the UK.” Birmingham, or search for the hidden stories wwhilehile sshehe wwasas watchingwatching a BBollyollywowoodo film. Stardust also pays tribute to Bollywood’s of marriages of convenience, of gay men Shhee nnamedamed mmee aafterfter thethe charactercharacter wwho was reincarnation genre... marrying women hoping for a cure, or worse, tthehe hheroero ooff tthehe ffilm!”ilm!” murdering them when the secret is “The reincarnation story has been told AAss wwellell aass wwritingriting tthehe songs,songs, RobbyRobby Khela discovered. And that’s just skimming the several times in some of the best Bollywood alsoalso takestakes thethe leadlead rolerole inin thethe show,show playing surface.” films. The first reincarnation thriller, Mahal thethe charactercharacter ofof Amar.Amar. ButBut SamirSamir andan Robby (which translates as ‘Palace’), was made by Samir believes it’s vitally important for South weren’tweren’t thethe onlyonly creativescreatives involvedinvolved in the legendary director Kamal Amrohi in 1949. Asian theatre companies to represent the project:project: “Stardust“Stardust hashas beenbeen inin thethe makingm for Then came possibly the best reincarnation LGBTQ+ community: “It should be almostalmost a decade.decade. RobbyRobby hashas writtenwritten and romances - Madhumati, Neel Kamal, Kudrat, compulsory. I have always worked with the producedproduced a wealthwealth ofof songssongs independentlyindepe Karz, Karan Arjun, Om Shanti Om etc. Whilst widest and most diverse creatives and actors, sincesince 2008.2008. WeWe officiallyofficially beganbegan worworking on we wanted to pay a tribute, our approach to and have directed work that touches on the thisthis inin 20120133,, ccollaboratingollaborating withwith anan incrediblei the genre had to be very different, so we set LGBTQI+ community - be it Pulitzer Prize- writer.writer. UnfortunatelyUnfortunately thethe worldworld waswas not ready about watching these films intensely to work nominated play A Perfect Ganesh by Terrence forfor thatthat story,story, soso wewe mademade itit intointo a shorts out how we could be different. One of the McNally, The Maids by Jean Genet or Omar musicalmusical film,film, whichwhich wewe releasedreleased earlierea this things we found was that the films presented Khan’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s Twelfth year.year. It’sIt’s beenbeen winningwinning severalseveral awardsawa at film the notion that the soul has a gender. So the Night, titled What You Fancy. It’s about festivalsfestivals globally.globally. male characters are reborn as male and representation and inclusion.” “Then,“Then, twotwo yearsyears ago,ago, wewe decideddecided tot take a female characters as female. A lot of mystics differentdifferent approach.approach. We’dWe’d justjust finishedfinish our and ancient South Asian poets contradict previousprevious show,show, BringBring OnOn TheThe Bollywood,Bollyw and this notion and believe the spirit has no Stardust shows at the Belgrade Theatre, everyevery venuevenue wantedwanted sometsomethinghing similar,sim so we gender and is equal.” Coventry, from Saturday 14 to Saturday setset abboutout cchanginghanging tthehe sstorytory aandnd iintroducedn 21 September. Samir has high hopes for Stardust when it a BBollywoodollywood aanglengle wwithith emergingemerging writerw premieres this month: “Aside from being the SShahidhahid IIqbalqbal KKhan.han. SSetet ddesigneresigner RRichi Evans Theatre New .qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2019 10:32 Page 1

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Cabaret worth stepping into the lead part of the legendary Sally Bowles, a nightly performer at the infamous Kit Kat Klub in early-1930s Berlin. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 3 - Sat 7 September; Featuring ‘show-stopping choreography, dazzling costumes and some Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 22 - Sat 26 October; of the most iconic songs in musical theatre’ - including, of course, the Malvern Theatres, Tues 19 - Sat 23 November famous title number - Cabaret is helmed by National Theatre Artistic When a show visits the region which, between its stage and screen Director Rufus Norris and choreographed by the Olivier Award-win- versions, boasts multiple Oscars, BAFTAs and Tony Awards, it makes ning Javier de Frutos. sense to get along and check it out. Cabaret is one such show. Veteran song & dance star Anita Harris also features. John Partridge here takes on the role of Emcee, with Kara Lily Hay-

Blood Brothers The Lovely Bones Gaslight Birmingham Hippodrome, The REP, Birmingham, Fri 6 - Sat 21 September Mon 30 September - Sat 12 October The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, This poignant human drama, based on Alice Se- Although it’s effectively a class-driven ‘ Mon 30 September - bold’s best-selling novel, concerns a murdered melodrama’, to describe Blood Brothers as such Sat 5 October girl who watches from heaven as her family at- is to greatly underestimate the emotional re- Bella Manningham’s life is a tempts to cope with their devastating loss... sponse it produces within its audience. The fun-free zone. Losing her Featuring adult themes and a soundtrack com- show features adult actors playing children, a mind and feeling trapped in bining 1970s favourites with original music, the narrator who wanders through the scenes with her gloomy home, she sits production makes a welcome return to The REP warnings of impending doom, a good helping of alone each night dreading the after scoring a major hit first time round. sharp social awareness to counteract the sticky sound of footsteps from sentimentality and a raft of much-loved musical locked and empty rooms, numbers, including Bright New Day, Marilyn waiting for the gaslight to Monroe and the emotionally charged Tell Me It’s dim. Not True. It’s also one of only three musicals to When a stranger arrives one have been performed more than 10,000 times in evening with a terrifying tale the London West End. to tell, Bella must work out whether her visitor is really there to help, or whether she herself is about to descend into a pit of madness from which she may never return... Martin Shaw stars in this brand new production of Patrick Hamilton’s classic play.

24 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre New .qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2019 10:32 Page 2 9 to 5 Amber Davies.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2019 09:56 Page 1

What a way to make a living... Dolly Parton musical heads to Brum 9 to 5 Amber Davies.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2019 09:56 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

The touring version of Dolly Parton’s 9 To 5 The Musical stops off in the Midlands this month. What’s On caught up with one of its three leading ladies - Amber Davies - to talk about meeting Dolly, the production itself and her 2017 success on hit reality TV series Love Island...

Inspired by the cult 1980 film starring super- the title track itself. What’s so great about herself in the musical theatre world: “Love star Tennessee country singer Dolly Parton - Dolly’s score is that each song has such depth Island definitely helped give me a platform, who’s written the production’s score - feel- to it. For example, Doralee has a number but I’ve also been really keen to prove to good comedy musical 9 To 5 is a show which called Backwards Barbie that really expresses people that I haven’t just got where I am in my Dolly would surely suggest y’all should go see her feelings about the way people view her career because of that. I’m here because I this month, y’hear... based on her appearance.” genuinely deserve to be; I’ve worked incredi- bly hard to get into professional musical “Dolly is very much involved in the show,” Meeting Dolly Parton was a surreal experi- theatre, just like all the other performers says one of the touring production’s lead ence for Amber: “If you’d have told me last have. The reaction I get from the audience is actors, Amber Davies - best known for year that I’d be working with Dolly, I would’ve always so positive. I get a lot of tweets con- winning hit reality TV series Love Island in laughed at you! Dolly is one of the show’s gratulating me and saying that they’d defi- 2017. “9 To 5 is about three very different executive producers, so she’s had so much nitely judged a book by its cover, so couldn’t women whose boss’s awful behaviour to- more involvement than people would ever believe how great I was. It’s just so, so lovely wards them brings them together. Although imagine. If there was even a tiny change in to read.” they work in the same place, the women are the script, it would have to go through her. taking very different paths in life: you’ve got She really wants everyone involved in the Amber hopes the future will prove to be even single mum and recent widow Violet; my show to do well, so the first night when she more exciting for her than the present: “I character, Judy, who’s completely heartbro- came to watch, she was just as nervous as the think at the moment I’m very grateful and ken and turns up having never had a job rest of us. content with where my career is going. I really before because she’s only ever been a house- can’t wait to tour. I don’t have many commit- “When I went out to Nashville to meet her, wife; and Doralee, the character that Dolly ments - no boyfriend, no children - so it really her advice to me was that no one is ever in played, who is judged purely on her appear- is the best time for me to do it. I really do competition with anyone apart from them- ance despite having a heart of gold. It’s very want to continue doing musicals, and Broad- selves, which is so true. You should never much a musical about female empowerment way is a massive goal for me. I would also like compare yourself to anyone else because and is full of surprises and real comic to keep my face on telly, whether that be pre- everyone’s timeline is so different. Consider- moments.” senting or acting. TV work is definitely some- ing how famous and iconic Dolly is, she was thing that I have in my sights. I just need to In the wake of the Me Too movement and the just so down-to-earth and lovely. I’ll certainly make my contacts and wait for the right role gender pay gap revelation, Amber believes 9 be taking her advice forward with me.” to come along. I’m really not one to rush into To 5’s serious side is just as relevant now as it Musical theatre has always been a big part of things - I don’t take the job if I don’t think it’s was when the film was released nearly 40 Amber’s life. Her sister, Jade, has appeared in for me.” years ago: “I think to a certain extent we’ve a whole host of famous stage shows, includ- come a long way, but in other ways we still So which roles in the world of musical theatre ing Les Miserables and Andrew Lloyd Web- have a long way to go. There’s a bit of an would Amber most like to play? ber's Phantom Of The Opera. ironic joke in the show where Violet says that “Just like every other musical theatre student, the sexism these characters deal with proba- “My sister is a role model for me and set the I’d love to play Elphaba [in Wicked]. It’s such bly won’t even be an issue in 10 years’ time - bar when she got offered her first West End a strong role, but I’m maybe a little too young and yet here we are staging 9 To 5 in 2019 and role. She helped me believe that it was possi- for that at the moment, so it’s one for the it’s still relevant today. But I always love the ble. Obviously, it’s extremely difficult to get to future. I love any feelgood musical - like Hair- audience’s reaction at the end of the night - the West End, but you just have to get your spray, for instance. I’d make a great Amber we send them out of the theatre on a real high one break, so I was always hopeful. I had the Von Tussle, which I actually got offered just because this show really illustrates what most amazing year on Love Island, but I just before I went on Love Island. It would be women can achieve when they come together. really, really missed being on stage. Perform- amazing to go full-circle and actually get to We definitely highlight issues of equality, but ing brings me so much joy. play that role. Rumour has it Mean Girls and in a lighthearted way.” “I believe everything happens in life for a rea- Pretty Woman are coming to the West End, And can we expect a country score in 9 To 5? son. I think I was meant to go on Love Island too - both musicals I’d be really interested in when I did, and now I’ve gone full-circle to doing because I know I’d have so much fun!” “Dolly wrote a new song especially for the being back doing what I love. It was scary West End cast called Hey Boss, which defi- accepting the challenge of being in 9 To 5, but nitely has a country twang to it. But there are it’s just a joy to be a part of.” all kinds of different styles and genres in the 9 To 5 The Musical shows at The Alexandra show. I’ve got a great, heartfelt ballad num- While Love Island definitely helped boost Theatre, Birmingham, from Friday 6 to ber, but there are also fun songs in there, like Amber’s profile, she’s fought hard to prove Saturday 14 September. Theatre New .qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2019 10:32 Page 3

Theatre Theatre previews from across the region...

Stardust Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Sat 14 - Sat 21 September This is British theatre’s first ever South Asian theatrical production to feature same-sex marriage. Presented by well-established performing arts company Phizzical, Stardust follows British-Asian singer Amar’s struggle to make his mark as a mainstream performer. While on his journey towards what he hopes will be real stardom, he discovers a long-lost star of the 1980s’ Bollywood music scene - and finds that events soon take a rather chill- ing turn... Speaking about the show and its inclusion of same-sex marriage, Stardust’s director, Samir Bhamra, said: “I’m an ally of the LGBTQI+ community and have actively supported some of their campaigns. When I look at the world around us today, reading the results of surveys and talking to people, I am discover- ing that sexuality is becoming more and more fluid, and that people are more open and accepting of their identities. We still have a long way to go to remove the impact of several centuries of colonisation, though.”

Barber Shop Chronicles Jane Eyre possible. And if London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s appraisal of the show is anything to go by - The REP, Birmingham, Malvern Theatres, Tues 24 - Sat 28 September he called it the cultural highlight of the year - Thurs 26 - Sat 28 September Blackeyed Theatre are the company behind then the duo have obviously succeeded in The value and importance of the barber shop this latest stage version of Charlotte Bronte's their intention. Although they do wonder if in the lives of African men is explored in this classic novel. For those not up to speed with maybe the mayor had had a few too many to critically acclaimed play from Inua Ellams. the story, it follows the orphaned Jane as drink on the occasion he shared his opinion! While the main action takes place in a south she's sent by her cruel Aunt Reed to the bleak London barbers, the story also drops in on Lowood School. On securing a position as haircutting premises in Lagos, Johannesburg, governess at Thornfield Hall, Jane finds her- The Fizzogs: Harare, Accra and Kampala. self falling for the charms of enigmatic mas- The play’s series of intertwining vignettes ter Edward Rochester, unaware that the new Back In Our Day cleverly illustrates the way in which the object of her affection harbours a dark and Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, barbershop is so many things to so many terrible secret... Mon 9 September people - from a political platform and Black Country laughter merchants The confession box to a preacher-pulpit and Fizzogs make a welcome return with their newsroom... The Olivier Award-winning Bijan The Hound Of The internet sensations The Dancing Grannies, Sheibani directs. Baskervilles presenting a production that charts the elderly trio’s fabulous friendship, from the Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, 1940s right through to the present day. Mon 2 - Sat 14 September “Our shows are riotous, poignant and nostal- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes is gic,” say The Fizzogs, “but most of all, one of literature’s most enduring characters, they’re hysterically funny. Even the BBC like The Hound Of The Baskervilles his most us and said that if they had the money you’d famous adventure. Yet no matter how many see us on the telly box.” actors don the deerstalker and solve the mystery of the monstrous moorland beast, the story continues to be rehashed both for stage and screen. This time out, Dr John Watson is Dr Jane Wat- son and the two actors presenting the tale are determined to make it as fun and farcical as 26 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre New .qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2019 10:32 Page 4 Albany Theatre (1).qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2019 10:03 Page 1

Love at the Albany... AlbanyAlbany TheatreTheatre isis a relativelyrelatively newnew additionaddition ttoo TheThe theatre’stheatre’s auditorium,auditorium, boxbox officeoffice andand barbar CaterpillarCaterpillar andand I BelieveBelieve InIn UnicornsUnicorns byby Coventry’s burgeoning arts scene. The space have been tastefully refurbished and a Michael Morpurgo. There are other family- theatre’s main house, however, already had a curved roof added to achieve better acoustics friendly productions throughout the season long history prior to the Albany’s opening in in the main performance space. Albany too, including Dear Zoo Live and Ballet 2013. Theatre also features a new studio space - Theatre UK’s version of The Wizard Of Oz, a perfect for more intimate or cabaret-style show for which the Albany is letting in one Earlsdon Place - the magnificent art deco- performances. child free for every adult ticket purchased. style building that houses the Albany - was It’s hoped that the offer will encourage built in 1935 as a technical college on the There remains work to be done. With no Arts youngsters to engage with ballet. corner of Albany Street and The Butts. Council funding and only a small amount Albany Theatre’s main house was the site of coming from the city council, the Albany For adult audiences, there are theatrical the college’s main lecture theatre but started relies solely on its sales profit and the hard productions ranging from an adaptation of to be used for theatre, music and arts graft of its volunteers and staff. They aim to Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre to risqué adults- performances during World War Two. raise enough money to convert the remaining only panto Jack (Off) And The Beanstalk. space into more studios, which will hopefully The building is now divided up into various Music nights at the venue see some of the house some of the groups that are springing businesses, one of which is Albany Theatre. country’s best tribute acts taking to the stage, up on Coventry’s fast-emerging dance scene. Reopening the space as a dedicated arts including The Mersey Beatles and Waterloo - centre was made possible by the creation of a Despite the Albany’s funding challenges, the The Best Of Abba. There’s a blast from the charitable trust. The trust remains active and theatre continues to grow in reputation, past, too, when Kiki Dee hits town, while the is supported by dedicated volunteers who thanks in no small measure to some theatre’s Studio Sounds series provides a make the day-to-day running of the theatre imaginative programming. The upcoming high-profile showcase for the best in possible. This community spirit is also in autumn season provides an excellent upcoming music talent. evidence in the venue’s apprenticeship example of this... To view the full autumn programme at the programmes, harking back to its days as an October half term sees two kids’ shows venue, visit albanytheatre.co.uk. institute of education. taking place at the venue: The Very Hungry Albany Theatre (1).qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2019 10:03 Page 2

By Lauren Cole

Check out these highlights in Albany Theatre’s Autumn/Winter season...

BEYOND THERAPY COME DANCE WITH ME GEORGE ELIOT BICENTENARY Mon 16 - Wed 18 Sept Wed 25 Sept various dates in October This quick-witted and touching comedy Whenever life gets rough, everyone goes Shows celebrating the bicentenary of takes a look at modern-day relationships dancing! A darkly funny family drama full Coventry resident George Eliot include: and poses the question: Are we all ‘beyond of spectacular routines, Come Dance With Photography Exhibition: Coventry therapy?’ Me tells the true tale of two girls’ hopes and Photographic Society look at the local The storyline focuses on the characters of dreams - and their extraordinary battle for places that inspired Eliot’s famous novels. Prudence and Bruce, who meet through an survival through the tumultuous post-war From George To George: Margaret online ad with the help of their years of the late 1940s and early 1950s. Eddershaw’s compelling verse-drama is psychiatrists. But their date doesn’t go The show is choreographed by Richard based on Eliot’s relationship with the love quite according to plan... Marcel - the man who puts Strictly couples of her life, George Lewes. Silas Marner: Matt Lapinskas and Tracy Shaw star. through their paces. Adapted from Eliot’s story about a reclusive weaver and his redemptive relationship with a young orphan girl.

VOLGOGRAD/COVENTRY SNOW QUEEN THIS IS ME Sun 27 Oct Mon 9 - Sat 28 Dec Thurs 27 Feb A performance of traditional Russian Ceridwen Theatre Company make a Strictly Come Dancing favourite Giovanni dance, music and song to celebrate 75 welcome return to the Albany to present Pernice premieres his fourth year of years of the world’s very first twin cities. their brand new adaptation of this iconic touring at the Albany. Bringing together Performances include Russian folk and story - an inventive take on a classic tale of his natural Italian charm and infectious ballet from children’s dance company bravery, friendship, epic adventure and good humour with beautiful choreography Volzhanochka. They’ll be joined by local spellbinding magic. and a memorable soundtrack, This Is Me schools, composer/pianist Derek Nisbet, Combining music, thrills and humour, pays homage to the music and dances violinist Albert Zhmaev, pianist/conductor Snow Queen comes complete with a which have inspired Giovanni on his Yuri Ilinov and acclaimed soprano Yana friendly talking Yeti, who’ll be helping the career journey - from being a competition Besyadynskaya. audience as they head off on their journey dancer to one of the biggest stars on to a land of ice, snow and danger... Strictly. Theatre New .qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2019 10:32 Page 5

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Calendar Girls: The Musical Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 24 - Sat 28 September Based on a true story, Calendar Girls tells the terrific tale of a group of women who spark a global phe- nomenon when they decide to pose nude for a charity calendar. Tim Firth and Gary Barlow’s award- winning stage version of the hit Julie Walters film stars Sarah Jane Buck- ley, Sue Devaney, Julia Hills, Judy Holt, Ruth Madoc, Lisa Maxwell and Rebecca Storm.

Handbagged the unfortunate Antonio, who bets on a ven- Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope ture that fails to repay and finds himself New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, forced to borrow money from Shylock, a The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Fri 6 - Sat 28 September Thurs 5 - Sat 7 September man he detests... This 90-minute produc- As you’d expect from an Olivier Award nomi- tion (specially created for children aged This one-man show debuted to rave reviews nee, Handbagged made a significant splash seven to 13) is brought to the stage by 22 ac- at the Edinburgh Festival and depicts the when it debuted in the West End. It specu- tors from the RSC’s Next Generation Com- legendary Quentin Crisp in two distinct lates about the relationship between Her pany. phases of his extraordinary life: firstly in the Majesty The Queen and Prime Minister Mar- late 1960s in his filthy Chelsea flat, where he garet Thatcher, two powerful and iconic surveys a lifetime of degradation and rejec- women who were born in the same year. But tion; and then in New York in the 1990s, what did the pair really talk about behind where, finally embraced by society, he re- closed palace doors? gales the audience with his hard-earned phi- The play was written by Moira Buffini in 2010 losophy on how to make the most of one’s and was originally a one-act show. Buffini ex- time on earth. “Life will be more difficult if panded it in 2013, since which time it’s gar- you try to become yourself,” he advises. nered plenty of praise from theatre critics “But avoiding this difficulty renders life and audiences alike. This new version is di- meaningless. So discover who you are. And rected by the playwright’s sister, Fiona. be it. Like mad!” The production is written and performed by Mark Farrelly, whose next solo show will ex- Dangerous Obsession Peeling plore the life of controversial gay filmmaker Derek Jarman. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Mon 9 - Wed 11 September Sat 28 September NJ Crisp's classic thriller finds Sally Driscoll Alfa, Beaty and Coral are fierce, intelligent being watched by a man through the win- female performers who, it seems, are always dow - a man who, while not a total stranger the chorus and never the lead. Why should to her, is more likely to be remembered by that be? Perhaps because they’re deaf and her husband. Before too long, it becomes disabled performers - participants in a the- chillingly evident that the mysterious atrical endeavour only because it allows the stranger has something more on his mind box of inclusivity to be ticked (even though than simply making a social call... the dressing rooms are inaccessible!)... Kaite O’Reilly’s acclaimed play, first per- formed in 2002, shines a spotlight on the The Merchant Of Venice issue of inclusivity, questioning who are the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, real beneficiaries of the policy and vigor- Mon 30 September - Sat 5 October ously challenging societal expectations of Undoubtedly one of Shakespeare’s most dif- deaf and disabled women. ficult, complex and controversial works, The Presented by the always-compelling Taking Merchant Of Venice follows the fortunes of Flight theatre company.

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whatsonlive.co.uk 29 Eye of The Storm Amy Wadge.qxp_Layout 1 30/08/2019 13:56 Page 1

There’s a Storm Coming... Eye of The Storm Amy Wadge.qxp_Layout 1 30/08/2019 13:56 Page 2

by Nicholas Davies

Eye Of The Storm is a ground-breaking climate change musical about the whirlwind world of a young carer who dreams of becoming a stormchaser in America… The family show is a collaboration between Grammy-winning songwriter Amy Wadge and South Wales theatre company Theatr na nÓg. We spoke to Amy and Theatr na nÓg’s director, Geinor Styles, to find out more about the show...

Although Eye Of The Storm is an award-win- straight away on the musicians we love.” Vortex Engine, which artificially generates ning family musical that confronts weighty is- tornadoes - is being developed to create sus- The choice of a country-style songbook seems sues including young carers, the climate tainable energies and features prominently in somewhat curious for a musical set mainly in emergency and the worrying decline in the Eye Of The Storm. a caravan park in South Wales. number of girls studying science, songwriter “Originally all we wanted was for Emmie to be Amy Wadge is determined to ensure that her “The main character, Emmie, dreams of being a girl with big aspirations who invents some- music makes the show an uplifting experi- in America, chasing tornadoes,” Geinor ex- thing to do with extreme weather systems,” ence for its audiences. plains. “Driving those long distances, with explains Amy. “It was only when Louis that amazing landscape, it only ever seems to You may not know her name, but you will def- Michaud told us that what we’d done was cre- be country you hear on the radio there. The initely have heard Amy’s music. Her long-run- ate a climate change musical that we realised songs can be so poignant and yet really clever ning songwriting partnership with Ed how important that aspect was. Since 2017, and ironic. Country tells a story within a song, Sheeran has yielded numerous worldwide those issues have become a huge priority for so you don’t have to play tricks with the audi- hits - as well as a Grammy award in 2016 for all of us, and so we’ve tweaked a lot of the ence.” Thinking Out Loud. She has since worked things about that. Emmie realises that what with artists including John Legend, Kylie Amy agrees about the choice of genre: “Obvi- she does could change the world.” Minogue, Keith Urban and Camila Cabello. ously country is usually Texas or Tennessee or So does such heavy subject matter impinge on wherever, but there’s something about Wales Amy is excited about creating her first stage the process of creating an entertaining family- that, for me, lends itself to country music musical with South Wales company Theatr na friendly musical? more than anywhere else in Europe. It’s got a nÓg: “You watch Stormzy at Glastonbury, small-town vibe, and our character lives in a “If you’re clever about it, then you make where people are making a really strong point trailer park - albeit in Wales. The story talks something which, firstly, people will like and about something, about certain issues, but about coming from nothing, and about hard- which isn’t too preachy,” says Amy. “It’s not with music it’s drip-fed in a way that feels ex- ship - the same stuff country music does.” too highbrow but it says something. People citing. And I think, emotionally, people accept messages in musicals much more who’re going to the theatre are ready to be Initially Geinor and her team developed Eye these days.” open to these things.” Of The Storm through drama workshops con- ducted with young carers in the Valleys and Amy’s recording studio is adorned with gold Amy and Theatr na nÓg’s director, Geinor facilitated by Barnardo’s: “One of the things discs, numerous awards and framed pho- Styles, have just finished polishing off some they said to me was, ‘Why would you do a tographs showing her hanging out with the new songs for Eye Of The Storm. After a short play about being a young carer? We don’t likes of Stevie Wonder and Elton John. Could run in 2017, the show is returning for a UK want to be labelled as that - you’re not treat- she be tempted away from the recording tour this autumn. Amy is a woman in de- ing us as normal kids’. We then realised we world again to write more musicals? mand, so what did she find attractive about needed to make the show about the aspira- the idea of working on a project with a small, “I hope musical theatre features in my future. tions of someone who just happens to be a subsidised theatre company based in Neath? I’ve had offers, but it’s a different challenge. carer.” In my usual job, I have to write to a strict brief “I knew of Theatr na nÓg and who Geinor The pressing problem of climate change has and a record company will tell me ‘this has to was, but that was it, to be honest,” she ad- presented Geinor and Amy with a new cre- be a hit’ or whatever, so to be given a script mits. “Thinking Out Loud had literally just ative challenge as they prepare to relaunch like Geinor’s and to be able to do what I want come out, so life hadn’t gone completely Eye Of The Storm two years on from its pre- with it…well, it was freeing. It’s been a real crazy yet, and I got an email asking if I miere. It was at that premiere that Louis gift.” wanted to provide some country songs for a Michaud, a Canadian scientist acting as the show Geinor was developing. At that point I show’s consultant, observed the power of the wasn’t going back and forth to Nashville as play’s message. much, so any chance I got to write country, I Eye Of The Storm shows in Birmingham Hippodrome’s Patrick Studio next month, jumped on it. Geinor and I met and connected Michaud’s own invention - the Atmospheric on Tuesday 8 & Wednesday 9 October. The Exorcist online.qxp_Layout 1 30/08/2019 13:58 Page 1 The Exorcist iconic horror takes to the stage... The Exorcist online.qxp_Layout 1 30/08/2019 13:58 Page 2

The Oscar-winning 1973 film version of William Peter Blatty’s novel, The Exorcist, was one of the 20th century’s most celebrated and successful movies. Now, a theatrical version that premiered in Birmingham and created a significant stir in the West End is returning to the Midlands as part of a national tour. What’s On caught up with the man who wrote the stage show, John Pielmeier...

Inspired by a true story, The Exorcist was a supposedly possessed by the devil. But it’s re- those recordings. I was watching Ian McK- successful novel and Oscar-winning film. ally about struggles of faith; the struggles that ellen doing all this amazing stuff. That was Now, a new stage production is coming to the her mother has with her own lack of faith, terrific.” Midlands direct from the West End. and those of the priest who’s trying to help John is thrilled that The Exorcist will be tour- her. I think all of us have gone through situa- The show has been written by the award-win- ing the UK: “I think it’s so important to take tions where we’ve changed our beliefs in ning John Pielmeier, who finds it surprising productions on tour around a country, to some way; times when we’ve lost faith or that no one had considered making The Exor- make these stories accessible to people both gained faith in something.” cist into a stage production before: “The story financially and in terms of proximity. I think is incredibly theatrical. It essentially takes John is particularly excited by the visual as- so many stories, and especially The Exorcist, place inside a house, mostly inside one room, pects of the production, which help bring the have something important to say. with a small number of characters. It’s very story to life on stage: “It was incredibly excit- “I hope audiences will be excited by The Ex- contained physically, but it’s absolutely ing seeing it for the first time. Ben Hart, who’s orcist and a little scared by it at times. They boundless in an emotional and intellectual the illusions designer on the show, is abso- might get a few of those chilling moments. way. lutely brilliant. I’d say, ‘Ben, this is what I was But I hope they will come away with a feeling thinking’ and he’d have an even better idea “Being in the same room in which it’s all hap- that it’s not just a horror story; there’s so because he knows so much more about it pening is a very different, wonderful experi- much more to it than that.” than I do.” ence to seeing a movie. Being in front of Having enjoyed an extensive, successful ca- living people reenacting something right be- Taking an interest in exploring the supernatu- reer writing plays, screenplays and novels - fore your eyes in a very present, tense way is ral through his work with The Exorcist has winning numerous awards into the bargain - an incredible experience.” helped John explore the concept of faith: “I is there anything John feels he has left to probably don’t believe in the devil in the way John has known about the story since the achieve? that he’s characterised in the play, but I think early 1970s, when William Peter Blatty’s origi- symbolically it’s a very powerful thing. I’ve al- “I try not to think of things in terms of nal novel was published. But it was the sec- ways been fascinated by asking questions achievement. What I want to achieve is to ond time he delved into the book, decades about the supernatural and not so much keep working and creating. Having my cre- later, that it had a profound effect on him: about finding the answers. A lot of these ations take form in a way that’s beyond what I “The novel was very interesting, scary and things we can’t know the answers to - that’s ever could’ve imagined from the words on my moving, but it didn’t affect me as much the why faith is about taking something without computer is the best I can hope for.” first time I read it as it did when I re-read it for proof.” this project. I took on the stage adaptation be- cause I found so much of it related to my own The demon in The Exorcist will be voiced by The Exorcist shows at the Regent Theatre, inner life. It spoke to me as a person, and it Sir Ian McKellen. Stoke-on-Trent, from Tuesday 1 to was also something I felt I could comment on. Saturday 5 October, and at the Alexandra “What was so exciting about that, for me per- Theatre, Birmingham, from Tuesday 15 to “Yes, it’s a story about a 12-year-old girl who’s sonally, was to be in the studio when he made Saturday 19 October. Theatre New .qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2019 10:33 Page 7

Theatre Theatre & Dance previews from across the region...

Madagascar The Musical Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Wed 25 - Sun 29 September The smell of the greasepaint and roar of the crowd has tempted the furry cast of Madagascar the movie to forsake New York's Central Park Zoo in favour of treading the boards on a UK tour. The blockbuster DreamWorks film comes to life in The Potteries as Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the hip hip Hippo stampede their way into Stoke- on-Trent at the end of this month. Imaginative sets and costumes are all present and correct in a show that producers promise will send your kids home positively wild. X Factor-winner Matt Terry stars.

Stick Man point them in the direction of this brand new children aged between two and five. show to find out the answers. This time round they’re taking their audience The Place, Telford, Shropshire, Sat 28 & Sun on an ‘amazing romp’ through the universe. 29 September; The Swan Theatre, Worcester, Presented by Goblin Theatre Company, the Tues 1 - Wed 2 October production brings together puppetry and Starting with ‘putting the stars in the sky’, “Freckle Productions send shivers down my music in a 50-minute entertainment created then creating life and spine,” reveals Julia Donaldson, the co- for children aged three and older. discovering fire, they creator (along with Alex Scheffler) of the finally arrive at the one- hugely popular children’s book on which this world tree, ‘where we show is based. “They’re so lively and celebrate the new home innovative. I love their production of Stick that we made all Man, and so do the audiences.” together’. Julia’s not wrong - audiences most definitely do love the show, as a smash-hit season in the London West End ably demonstrated. Safari Adventure Featuring a trio of talented performers, the The Old Rep, Birmingham, Sun 15 September production brings together puppetry, songs, A blend of action, songs, live music and audi- live music and ‘funky moves’ to tell the story ence participation should ensure this high- of Stick Man’s desperate attempts to get back Dear Zoo Live! energy production is a real, er, roaring to the family tree... The show is suitable for Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, success of a show. The McDougalls - other- children aged three and older. Sun 8 - Tues 10 September; Artrix, Broms- grove, Sun 22 & Mon 23 September; Malvern wise known as award-winning performers Theatres, Tues 8 - Wed 9 October; Stafford Ryan Moir and Ruairidh Forde - are off on sa- Gatehouse Theatre, Mon 21 - Tues 22 October; fari to find some colourful creatures and crit- Albany Theatre, Coventry, Wed 13 - Thurs 14 November ters. And find them they most certainly do, with laughing giraffes and monkeys who go First published in 1982, Rod Campbell’s lift- bananas among the many and varied animals the-flap book has delighted generations of adding to the musical magic and mayhem. children and accumulated in excess of eight Young audience members (and older ones, million sales worldwide. for that matter!) are encouraged to come This first-ever stage version of the story fea- along dressed as their favourite animal. tures child-friendly puppets, original music and lots of audience participation. Hey Diddle Diddle Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Sun 29 September; Sparc Arts Centre, Thur 10 First Stages: What A October, Bishops Castle, South Shropshire Wonderful World If your youngsters have ever asked you how The REP, Birmingham, Sat 14 September the cow jumped over the moon or why the dish ran away with the spoon in classic nurs- The ever-impressive Lyngo Theatre make a ery rhyme Hey Diddle Diddle, you can now welcome return with a show created for

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whatsonlive.co.uk 31 Romeo and Juliet Matthew Bourne.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2019 10:05 Page 1

IMAGINE A TIME WHEN LOVE IS FORBIDDEN...

32 whatsonlive.co.uk Romeo and Juliet Matthew Bourne.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2019 10:05 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

Sir Matthew Bourne brings a contemporary dance reimagining of Romeo And Juliet to the Midlands this month. What’s On talks to him about his dystopian interpretation of Shakespeare’s famous tale of forbidden love - the first new production from his New Adventures company in three long years...

There aren’t many, if any, more distinguished young girl gets very excited by a kiss on the At each venue on the Romeo And Juliet tour, figures in the dance community than Sir cheek. Young people today, if they’re into six up-and-coming dancers - three male, Matthew Bourne, whose choreography has each other, are kissing until their mouths are three female - will work with New Adven- featured in musicals, theatre productions and sore. I have tried to capture that intensity.” tures: “They’re an integral part of the show, movies for more than 30 years. His own com- not just token appearances. They’re part of Matthew’s desire to stage Romeo And Juliet in pany, New Adventures, brings a new produc- the main company. Our success stories from a new and thought-provoking way led to him tion of Romeo And Juliet to Birmingham this Lord Of The Flies have gone through several setting his production in a dystopian world month. Shakespeare’s classic tale of star- programmes that we run to nurture young where love is forbidden… crossed lovers appears to be the perfect fit for British-trained dancers. We’re very proud of the passionate and expressive art form of “It’s set a little way into the future, but it’s not those young guys, and we hope that this time dance. quite futuristic. It’s a time when society is we will bring into the fray some women who frowning on young people having the excess we’ve nurtured. We hope that will mean that Combining Bourne’s choreographic expertise, of feeling and emotion which sends them off even more people who started in Lord Of The an adaptation of Prokofiev’s famous score on wrong tracks as far as that society is Flies or Romeo And Juliet will come back into and a story by the world’s greatest-ever concerned. I got the idea from Arthur the company.” dramatist, the production promises to be a Laurents, the co-creator of West Side Story, show-stopping interpretation of one of litera- New Adventures have certainly had a stellar who was asked why the young people in it are ture’s most famous tragedies. year so far, putting on four major produc- violent and act the way they do. He said that tions, including company favourite Swan “I avoided doing Romeo And Juliet for years,” they have too much feeling and need to find a Lake. And Matthew himself has also enjoyed explains Matthew. “I think it was something way to release it. I thought that was an inter- major success, being recognised at the Olivier everyone expected me to do, and it had been esting way into the story and very true. It Awards for his services to dance. done in so many different ways in so many made me go in the direction I went in.” different mediums. I thought it would be hard “It’s been amazing. Swan Lake coming back is Matthew’s vision even meant that Prokofiev’s to find a new way into it, which is something I always a thrill because it introduces so many magnificent score had to be tweaked for the always search for. The thing that really made more people to dance and to our company. It production: “While it’s wonderful and lush me want to do it was the opportunity to work always has an incredible effect on audiences for big opera-house productions, I wanted with young people. It’s a story about them, around the country, and our casts are so something a bit more earthy and a bit more and about young love. I got even more excited devoted to it. Then, getting the Olivier Special quirky. We nervously went to the Prokofiev when it was suggested we cast it with young Award right in the middle of creating a new Estate and asked them if we could do a new people and work with young creative associ- show was rather good because the award can arrangement. It’s very faithful to Prokofiev’s ates in all the different departments of the feel a bit like it’s the end of your career and and it’s only 15 musicians who multi-task and show, alongside my usual world-class team. people are saying, ‘Thank you, please stop’. play lots of different instruments. It’s quite It’s all about nurturing young talent and So it felt great to be in the middle of a new rare for us to take an orchestra out on tour telling the story.” creation like Romeo And Juliet. This year has with us, but it’s sounding wonderful and I been about the past and the future at the The intense tale of love at first sight, family hope the Prokofiev Estate is happy. It’s a very same time.” feuds and death is one that works well as a recognisable score and that is really the script dance piece: “The medium is very good at that we work with.” Despite his early misgivings about staging extreme emotions, and Romeo And Juliet as a Romeo And Juliet, Matthew is very positive This world premiere tour of Romeo And Juliet story is certainly full of those. It has passion, about his vision for the production: “What follows a similar model to Matthew’s Lord Of love against the odds, and several extremes of started out as quite a scary project involving The Flies tour, in which the production was murder and violence. It’s all those big so much untested talent and so many used to support emerging dancers by having emotions. Shakespeare captured it very well. unknown young people has ended up being them perform alongside New Adventures’ rather an exciting new show.” “Young people are very hot-headed and react professionals. Three of the young men from very quickly to things. One thing I’ve tried to Lord Of The Flies have been cast in Romeo bring out is that when young people first fall And Juliet, while others in the new produc- Romeo And Juliet shows at Birmingham in love and feel that passion, they really go tion formed part of Matthew’s 2019 Swan Lake Hippodrome from Tuesday 10 to Saturday overboard in many ways. I often think about company. 14 September. how classical ballet handles this, and how the

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Dance previews from around the region

Birmingham Royal Ballet Birmingham Hippodrome, Thurs 19 - Sat 21 September & Wed 25 - Sat 28 September Hippodrome-going dance lovers get not one but two chances to enjoy productions by the ever- exceptional Birmingham Royal Ballet this month. BRB first take to the stage with a triple bill showcas- ing their collaboration with award-winning ensemble Ballet Black, a company dedicated to increasing diversity in the genre. The bill opens with the fourth Ballet Now commis- sion, A Brief Nostalgia, choreographed by young Queensland Ballet dancer Jack Lister and composed by Tom Harrold. The evening also features performances of Cathy Marston’s The Suit (pictured left) - an award-winning work about a broken marriage - and Twyla Tharp’s Nine Sinatra Songs... BRB then return four days later with David Bintley and Galina Samsova’s highly acclaimed production of Giselle, a ballet which, along with Coppélia and Swan Lake, is one of the most celebrated of the 19th century.

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Dance

James Wilton Dance: The Storm Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Wed 25 September The award-winning James Wilton’s choreog- raphy is always distinctive, his productions powered by an energy the audience can almost reach out and touch. Wilton’s in-demand company previously scored a massive hit with Leviathan - a retelling of Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick which was widely considered to be the ensemble’s best and most finely tuned work to date. Wilton here makes a welcome return with The Storm, a show that combines acrobatics, breakdancing and martial arts with a sound- track of thundering electro-rock.

Rosie Kay’s Diversity: Born Ready Fantasia Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, 21 September; The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Patrick Studio, Birmingham Fri 1 - Sun 3 November Hippodrome, Wed 25 & Thurs 26 September Rosie Kay’s Midlands-based company here present a work that perfectly illustrates why they are so highly regarded on the UK dance scene. Featuring three female dancers and a soundtrack comprising works by Vivaldi, Purcell, Beethoven and Bach, Fantasia fine-tunes choreography with neurological research to explore the With eight sell-out tours under their belt and relationship between dance, music more than half a million tickets sold, it’s fair to and emotion. say dance troupe Diversity have made the most of their 2009 success on Britain’s Got Talent. The boys are this autumn visiting the region with 10th anniversary tour Born Ready. It’s a BalletBoyz: Them/Us show which creator and choreographer Ashley Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Banjo says “will not only look back at some of Sat 14 September the iconic Diversity moments of the past 10 The ever-inventive BalletBoyz this years, but will also look forward to the future, month return to the Midlands with two at how Diversity continues to evolve and how high-energy and impressively we plan to pass on what we’ve created to the innovative works. next generation. Contemplating the question of where “Be prepared for dance, illusions, mind-blow- individuals see themselves in relation ing stunts and inspiring stories in a show that to the ‘other’, the all-male company will hopefully leave people amazed!” present their own creation, Them, alongside a second work called Us. The latter, choreographed by the award- winning Christopher Wheeldon, has been inspired by the critically acclaimed duet which he created for the company’s highly acclaimed 2017 production, Fourteen Days.

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Film

The Goldfinch CERT 15 (149 mins) Starring Ansel Elgort, Oakes Fegley, Aneurin Barnard, Finn Wolfhard, Sarah Paulson, Luke Wilson, Jeffrey Wright, Nicole Kidman Directed byy John Crowleyy ((USA)) Adapted from Donna Tartt’s 2013 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, this drama follows the odyssey of a 13- year-old boy, Theo (Oakes Fegley, and later Ansel Elgort), whose mother is killed in a terrorist bombing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Out of the wreckage, Theo finds a painting of the eponymous bird that becomes a source of hope for him through his spiralling feelings of grief and then guilt. Nicole Kidman is already being tipped for an Oscar nomination in the category of best supporting actress. John Crowley’s last film as director was the Bafta- winning Brooklyn (2015). Released Fri 27 September CRITIC’S CHOICE

Film highlights released in September...

It: Chapter Two CERT 15 (169 mins) The Shiny Shrimps Honeyland CERT 12a (87 mins) Starring James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, CERT 15 (103 mins) Directed by Tamara Kotevska and Ljubomir Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, Bill Skarsgård Stefanov (Republic of Macedonia) Directed by Andy Muschietti (USA) Starring Nicolas Gob, Alban Lenoir, Michaël Abiteboul, Geoffrey Couët A fly-on-the-wall documentary filmed in When the second version of Stephen King’s It Directed by Maxime Govare and Cédric Le Macedonia, Honeyland is a unique contem- Gallo (France) opened two years ago, it became the highest- plation of the fragile balance of nature. Its grossing horror film of all time, eclipsing central character is a solitary woman who even The Sixth Sense and The Exorcist. lives in harmony with her surroundings, A sequel, then, was inevitable. The new harvesting wild honey and caring for the bees movie is set 27 years after the first, with the which she finds in a symbiotic relationship. young losers from the original now all grown Then she is invaded by new neighbours who up and ready to face the evil clown Penny- want in on her act… wise all over again… But, be warned, the film Released Fri 13 September is 169 minutes long. Released Fri 6 September

When an Olympic swimmer makes a homophobic comment on TV, he is disci- plined by the national swimming body and forced to coach an up-and-coming and flamboyantly gay water polo team. It sounds loopy enough to be true, but is actually a fictitious comedy and a huge success in its native France. Released Fri 6 September whatsonlive.co.uk 37 Film September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2019 10:08 Page 3

Film

Hustlers CERT tbc (107 mins) Phoenix CERT 15 Rambo: Last Blood CERT tbc Starring Constance Wu, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Starring Ylva Bjørkaas Thedin, Maria Bonnevie, Starring Sylvester Stallone, Paz Vega, Stiles, Keke Palmer, Lili Reinhart, Cardi B Sverrir Gudnason, Casper Falck-Løvås Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Adriana Barraza, Directed by Lorene Scafaria (USA) Directed by Camilla Strøm Henriksen (Norway) Yvette Monreal Directed by Ric Roman Waugh (USA) At just 13, Jill (newcomer Ylva Bjørkaas Thedin) has taken on the role of sole carer for Now 73, John J Rambo heads to Mexico to her close-knit family, including her younger save a friend’s daughter from the clutches of brother and unstable mother. a local drug trafficking cartel... This is the Threading in elements of fantasy, Phoenix fifth chapter in the Rambo franchise which has received glowing reviews for its debu- kicked off with First Blood in 1982. tante director, the Norwegian actress Camilla Released Thurs 19 September Strøm Henriksen. Released Fri 13 September

Based on an article in New York magazine, Hustlers focuses on a group of strippers that struggles to find new ways to support them- selves when the sex industry is hit by the financial crisis. But where there’s a will… CERT PG (100 mins) Released Fri 13 September The Farewell Starring Awkwafina, Tzi Ma, Diana Lin, Zhao Shuzhen, Lu Hong Directed by Lulu Wang (USA) Actress and rapper Awkwafina has been a scene-stealer in such films as Ocean's Eight and Crazy Rich Asians and now has the lead in this comedy-drama filmed in Changchun, China. She plays Billi, a Chinese-American writer who discovers that her beloved grand- mother has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. So she heads home for a planned goodbye celebration, while her grandma is kept in the dark about her immi- nent demise. Released Fri 20 September

The Kitchen CERT 15 (89 mins) Starring Melissa McCarthy, Tiffany Haddish, Elisabeth Moss, Domhnall Gleeson, James Badge Dale, Margo Martindale Directed by Andrea Berloff (USA) With their husbands no longer in the picture, the wives of certain gangsters take the law into their own hands in the Manhattan neigh- bourhood of Hell’s Kitchen. And Hell hath no fury… In spite of the presence of Melissa McCarthy, this is no laughing matter. status quo of earth’s place in the cosmos. Released Fri 20 September Ad Astra CERT tbc Starring Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, For his sci-fi mystery, the director James Ruth Negga, Liv Tyler, Donald Sutherland, Gray went to huge pains to present the Kimberly Elise most realistic look at space travel yet Directed by James Gray (USA) committed to screen. Incidentally, the title When Roy McBride (Brad Pitt) sets off to is Latin for ‘to the stars.’ the outer edges of the solar system to find Released Wed 18 September his father, he inadvertently threatens the

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Film highlights released in September...

Hotel Mumbai CERT 15 (123 mins) Starring Dev Patel, Armie Hammer, Nazanin Boniadi, Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Jason Isaacs Directed by Anthony Maras (USA/India/Australia) A dramatic reworking of the documentary Surviving Mumbai (2009) which covered the 2008 terrorist attack at the Taj Mahal hotel in Mumbai. Dev Patel plays a waiter who risks his own life to save the patrons he serves. Released Fri 27 September

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Downtown Abbey TV series. Here, the country estate is graced with a visit by HRH King CERT PG (122 mins) The Last Tree CERT 15 (98 mins) George V (Simon Jones) and Queen Mary Starring Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, Starring Tai Golding, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, (Geraldine James), which will undoubtedly Nicholas Pinnock, Denise Black, Sam Maggie Smith, Imelda Staunton, Penelope cause much excitement and a crash-course Adewunmi, Jammal Ibrahim Wilton, Matthew Goode, Tuppence Middle- in regal etiquette for all concerned. Directed by Shola Amoo (UK) ton Directed by Michael Engler (UK) Imelda Staunton joins the cast as Lady Although of Nigerian heritage, young Femi Scripted by Julian Fellowes and with most Bagshaw, which will be nice for her (Golding) suffers major culture shock when of the original cast returning, this Up- husband, Jim Carter, who reprises his role he moves from the Lincolnshire countryside stairs/Downstairs soap should guarantee a as the head butler, Mr Carson. to inner-city London to be with his mother. huge audience of devoted followers of the Released Fri 13 September He is now faced with some major life choices. Released Fri 27 September

Ready Or Not CERT 18 (95 mins) Skin CERT 15 (120 mins) CERT 12a (113 mins) Poms Starring Samara Weaving, Adam Brody, Mark Starring Jamie Bell, Danielle Macdonald, Starring Diane Keaton, Jacki Weaver, O'Brien, Henry Czerny, Andie MacDowell Daniel Henshall, Bill Camp, Vera Farmiga Pam Grier, Celia Weston, Alisha Boe, Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Directed by Guy Nattiv (USA)) Phyllis Somerville Gillett (USA) Directed by Zara Hayes (UK/USA) In a remarkable transformation, Jamie Bell plays the heavily tattooed skinhead and Aimed squarely at the grey pound, this white supremacist Bryon 'Pitbull' Widner comedy-drama is about a gaggle of women at whose path of destruction is stalled when he a retirement home who form their own cheer- meets the love of his life. Inspired by the 2011 leading squad. The title refers to the brightly documentary Erasing Hate (2011). coloured pom-poms used by cheerleaders. Released Fri 27 September Released Fri 27 September

On her wedding night, a young bride discov- ers that her new in-laws are off their respec- tive trolleys as they involve her in a perilous game of hide-and-seek. Expect some pretty explicit violence. Released Fri 27 September whatsonlive.co.uk 39 Visual Arts September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2019 10:07 Page 1

Visual Arts previews from around the region

British Ceramics Biennial Various venues in Stoke-on-Trent, Sat 7 September - Sun 13 October An expanded programme of exhibitions, installations and events featuring more than 300 contemporary artists should ensure that the 10th anniversary of this hugely popular free festival is celebrated in fine style. Taking place across six venues, the event has as its centrepiece the vast China Hall, located in the former Spode Factory. The Hall features 13 exhibitions and hosts not only a number of workshops but also the festival’s two flagship shows. The first, entitled Award, features new work by 10 leading ceramic artists, all of whom are vying for prize money of £10,000. The second, Fresh, showcases a selection of pieces by some of the UK’s most promising ceramics graduates. Work by celebrated artists from other ceramic biennials around the world is also available to view. British Ceramics Biennial in the China Hall of the original Spode Factory site. Photography: Joel Fildes

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Visual Arts

Barry Flanagan Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, Wed 18 September - Sun 24 November Welsh artist Barry Flanagan was best known for his bronze sculptures of animals; in particular, hares, but also cougars, elephants and horses. For many art critics, these iconic creations seem to be at odds with Flanagan’s earlier pieces, which saw him using materials including rope, sand, cloth and stone. This latest exhibition of his work seeks to chal- lenge this popular viewpoint, demonstrating that his later output does not in fact display any sort of marked shift in his approach. Instead, it repre- sents the distillation of what was a decades-long fascination for him - with ontology, with move- ment and with the physicality of the various ma- terials in which he worked.

Thoughts On Portraiture Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, until Mon 18 November Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery’s of those who are depicted. autumn exhibition provides visitors with a Many of the artworks on view are receiving rare chance to view an impressive range of their first public outing, taking up expressionistic artworks from the city’s positions alongside a number of favourites collection. not seen for some time. Exuding a palpable psychological The exhibition includes artwork by, intensity, the pieces explore the among others, Pablo Picasso, Ana Maria experiences, beliefs, fears and passions Pacheco, Frank Auerbach and the either of the people who created them or Birmingham-born David Bomberg.

Amalia Pica New Art Gallery, Walsall, Fri 20 September - Sun 19 January British/Argentinean artist Amalia Pica is best known for producing installations and sculptural works which explore forms of communication and realms of civic participation. Her latest presentation, a major solo exhibition, aims to explore the material culture of bureau- cracy, as exemplified by shredded paper and items of office stationery. Pica uses her personal experience of obtaining British citizenship - and the wider context sur- rounding the UK’s exit from the European Union - to provide a unifying conceptual framework for her show. Jim Holyoak & Matt Shane: The Hills Are Shadows “Every now and then, there is a moment when Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Sat 21 September - Sun 24 November things fall together and events string into narra- tives,” says Amalia in explaining her art. “In such This is the 20th collaboration between Jim an artwork at Midlands Arts Centre this a moment, things appear to make sense - but, like Holyoak and Matt Shane, Canada-based month and next. The pair will be on site any moment, it’s temporary. It’s that sense of time artists best known for presenting large- for the first five weeks of their show, creat- as something lived and fleeting that I try to cap- scale dream-like pieces which expand ing a new drawing that will grow from the ture in my work. My art comes together to exist, to across entire walls during the course of other exhibition pieces and weave its way make sense of something or of itself, and then to their exhibitions... across 12 metres of gallery space. fall apart.” And Jim and Matt are producing just such whatsonlive.co.uk 41 Birmingham Weekender 10 things.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2019 16:39 Page 1 Birmingham weekender IS BACK! Birmingham Weekender is back - and for the 2019 edition, the festival has set up home in , the city’s creative quarter. Featuring a FREE programme of dance, music, art and performance - presented by some of Birmingham’s leading artists and arts organisations - the three-day event takes place from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 October. Check out a few of this year’s highlights below... Photo credit: Verity Milligan Photo credit: Verity

Dance O’Driscoll and Marius Mates... Performance Symoné’s Fierce Flow And get a flavour of some of There’s a competitive edge to Dance Hub Birmingham the best professional dance performance at this year’s presents work from dance currently being made in the Weekender. Birmingham artists across a range of city by checking out Hippodrome present DJ disciplines, each responding Birmingham Dance Network’s Pyskhomantus’ VisionBombing to the unique Digbeth Introducing. Game Show, which sees the city’s location. Jamaal Birkmar, Carlos Pons hip-hop artists compete in a Dance meets projection in Guerra and Birmingham Royal number of game formats - think Sonia Sabri Company & Cirque Ballet also make contributions hip-hop meets A Question Of Sport Bijou’s Kindred, bringing not to be missed. nature and technology with a bit of The Krypton Factor together... Join Altered Skin for thrown in for good measure! It’s Your Round, combining Weekender visitors also get to dance with a pint and a chat at decide the Grand Prize winner of The Old Crown... Experience internationally celebrated two b-boys colliding at the performance artist Symoné’s Fierce Custard Factory in a Flow, which brings New York’s ’80s voguing culture to Digbeth. collaboration from Jamaal Sonia Sabri Company

42 whatsonlive.co.uk Birmingham Weekender 10 things.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2019 16:39 Page 2

Music unique South Asian sound of Kefaya, performing alongside Birmingham Weekender In percussionist Bernhard Digbeth features concerts, pop- Schimpelsberger. up performances and musical And if you fancy a blues workshops. adventure, Big Bear Music’s Join master drummer Leaving Mississippi Ansoumana ‘Vieux’ Bakayoko Birmingham Bound is the show for an African drumming to catch. Tracing the history of workshop, or check out the the blues, from the cotton Royal Birmingham fields of Mississippi, through The Glue Collective Conservatoire’s classical Memphis, New Orleans and concert, directed by one of the Chicago, to rock, heavy metal potions and mud pies. For children world’s most celebrated and Birmingham’s Black Birmingham Repertory violinists, Dmitry Stikovetsky. Families are warmly welcomed Sabbath, the production is Theatre, meanwhile, invites World music pops up too, as to Birmingham Weekender In presented over the three nights youngsters to explore the Sampad and Eastside Projects Digbeth (see the website for of Weekender. classic story of Peter Pan join forces to present the any specified age guidance). through an action-packed Some events are designed workshop of games and drama. Big Bear Music specifically with children and Other attractions for families to young people in mind. enjoy include Think Tank’s Highlights include Science Garden, which can be experimenting and exploring visited for free throughout the with The Glue Collective in weekend, and a Digbeth-based their yurt, which offers a quiet, workshop hosted by the Barber safe space where children and Institute of Fine Arts. adults of all ages can make

Street Arts outside, and an open skate Eastside Projects tournament. Break Mission present a A street sports showcase weekend of hip-hop events includes some crazy BMX stunt featuring dance, music, street riders and Parkour free sports and art. There’s an runners. international dance Throughout the weekend Live competition too, DJ and rap Graffiti will add to Digbeth’s battles both indoors and much-loved graffiti walls.

Art & Studios, Vivid Projects or Centrala. Digbeth is the spiritual home of You can also roll up your the city’s thriving sleeves and Play With Clay with contemporary art scene. For Sundragon Pottery, add your Birmingham Weekender In welcome to Redhawk Digbeth, galleries are opening Logistica’s A Million Welcomes, their doors to present special and check out the latest exhibitions and performances - gaming innovations at so why not dare to try Birmingham Open Media’s something new at Eastside Hacked! exhibition. Projects, Grand Union Gallery Break Mission

Discover Digbeth Discover Digbeth for yourself by joining professional West Midlands writers BOLDtext on a sometimes giddy, often unhygienic theatrical Digbeth is fast developing a reputation as the coolest place to be. walking tour aimed at uncovering the area’s hidden history. Expect In this post-industrial area - just a short walk from Bullring and to be guided through childhood memories and ushered past Moor Street Station - contemporary art galleries, music venues, passionate exchanges on a one-hour stroll. artists’ studios, street food vendors, cafes, restaurants and even an Alternatively, drop by on Friday night as Birmingham Weekender independent cinema rub shoulders with small industrial businesses, joins up with the popular Digbeth First Friday for an evening of late- universities and colleges. night openings and free performances.

You can find full listings and programme information at birminghamweekender.com

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Events previews from around the region Events

HSBC Let’s Ride Coventry city centre, Sun 8 September Following the success of last year’s event, British Cycling and HSBC make a welcome return to Coventry this month, providing thousands of locals with the opportunity to explore their city from the saddle. The event aims to build excitement in the run-up to the UCI World Championships and ties in closely with local cultural attractions.

Peaky Blinders Festival Artists confirmed for the festival include Scottish rock band Primal Scream, Mercury Prize-nomi- Digbeth, Birmingham, Sat 14 & Sun 15 September nee Anna Calvi, Slaves and Nadine Shah. The first official Peaky Blinders-themed festival There’s also a BBC Introducing stage and a host takes place this month, allowing the show’s of music performances reflecting one of the creators, stars and fans to come together in the sharpest soundtracks on television. series’ home city and create what promises to be The festival has been co-curated by the show’s an imaginative immersive event. creator, Steven Knight, and also features a live Attractions across the weekend include live Q&A with the man himself and some of the recreations of Peaky Blinders scenes, fashion series’ stars. shows and five different music stages. Midland Game Fair Weston Park, Staffordshire, Science Of The Circus Sat 14 & Sun 15 September British Science Festival Thinktank Science Museum, Birmingham, As the premier event of its kind in Various venues throughout Coventry, Sat 14 September the country, the well-established Tues 10 - Fri 13 September Midland Game Fair offers a In partnership with the University of War- rewarding weekend for those with wick, the British Science Association brings a passion for traditional country an imaginative programme of science & pursuits. culture events to various venues around The event showcases a wide range Coventry this month. of rural attractions, including clay The event is Europe’s longest-established shooting, gundog competitions, science festival, celebrating world-leading falconry displays and ferret research in areas including energy, transport, racing. healthcare and digital innovation. There’s plenty of musical enter- Highlights include a workshop on the art of tainment to enjoy as well, with Persian dance and numerous talks exploring folk, jazz & blues, Celtic and the politics of scientific issues. Roll up, roll up, the circus is coming to Think- country stages all featuring. tank! Combining the wonder of performance with the underlying science that helps create the magic of the circus, this unique event sees the ever-brilliant CircusMASH taking over Thinktank for the day. Visitors can learn how science makes tricks eas- ier to master, enjoy CircusMASH’s brand new space-themed show, marvel at talented local performers and have a go at circus tricks while busying themselves exploring the museum.

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Events previews from around the region Events

The Trampoline & Tumbling Championships Arena Birmingham, Sat 28 & Sun 29 September With the Tokyo Olympics less than a year away, the gymnasts participating in this ever-popular event will certainly be looking to impress. Olympic medal-winning tram- polinist Bryony Page takes on stiff competition from Kat Driscoll and Laura Gallagher, while Nathan Bailey and Luke Strong go head- to-head for the men’s trampoline crown. Other attractions include the very best of Britain’s DMT gymnasts, who’ll be executing A Place In The Sun Live locations including Spain, France, Portugal, Italy plenty of high-flying stunts to and Florida to showcase a wide range of proper- take your breath away. NEC, Birmingham, Fri 20 - Sun 22 September ties and answer potential punters’ purchasing The official exhibition of Channel Four’s popular questions. series, A Place In The Sun Live is the perfect The stars of the TV show will be on hand to share event at which to negotiate the process of finding top tips for overseas property hunting, while a a property abroad. panel of experts will take visitors through the ins More than 150 exhibitors will be flying in from and outs of buying a home abroad.

Retro Truck Show British Motor Museum, Gaydon, Warwickshire, Sat 7 & Sun 8 September This always-popular show is now in its ninth year and features up to 400 of the best trucks produced between 1970 and 2000. A celebration of top truck manu- facturers including Volvo, Scania, DAF and Foden, the event also features an indoor model show, live entertainment, a licensed bar and a Saturday night disco.

The Cycle Show Main-stage attractions include industry talks, interviews with professionals and the chance to NEC, Birmingham, Fri 13 - Sun 15 September pick up plenty of hints and tips about cycling - The UK’s biggest cycling event, The Cycle Show from how to get started to safety for families. features the very latest bikes and accessories and Visitors to the 2019 edition of the show also have gives enthusiasts the opportunity to discover all the chance to be among the first to test-ride some that’s new in the industry. of the latest models.

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Events previews from around the region Events

Autumn Steam Gala Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster, Thurs 19 - Sat 22 September Check out an array of home-fleet and visiting steam locomotives at Severn Valley Railway’s ever-popu- lar Autumn Steam Gala. Attractions include: overnight run- ning on the Friday and Saturday; an early-morning express from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth on the Friday and from Bewdley to Bridgnorth on the Saturday and Sunday; Eardington Halt open visits; and the chance to enjoy Paddock Railway & Coalyard Miniature Railway in steam. Imagineers: Bridge a programme of bridge building and artistic activity. Coventry City Centre, Crafted by engineers and turned into an audi- Thurs 26 - Sat 28 September ence-pleasing spectacle by artists and perform- Bridge is the latest large-scale project from the ers, the project features numerous pop-up team behind the Festival Of Imagineers, Coven- events throughout its three days. try’s week-long annual celebration of art and It climaxes on the Saturday evening with a engineering. The festival has collaborated with show comprising theatre, comedy, circus acro- artists and civil engineers Arup to create the batics and live music. project, which sees its host cities taking part in

The Glamping Show Malvern Autumn Show Step Back In Time Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, Thurs 19 - Sat 21 September Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove, Sat 28 & Sun 29 September Sat 28 & Sun 29 September Glamping - a more luxurious form of camping - has become increas- A weekend of home-grown family fun is in ingly popular during the last few store at the Malvern Autumn Show this month. years and is now a prominent part For green-fingered visitors, there’s not only the of the leisure industry. chance to stock up on plants and bulbs for This annual show presents a wide winter, but also an opportunity to glean some selection of pop-up, temporary useful know-how from the gardening and and pre-pitched accommodation floral experts in attendance - including solutions, including yurts, tipis Gardener’s World presenters Alys Fowler and and safari tents. Swift. The show also offers a diverse Other show highlights include the Giant range of seminars, presented by Vegetables Championship, numerous floral experts and suited not only to displays, family fun & games such as mini-golf Travel back in time to 1459 and learn all about the complete beginners but also those and giant Jenga, and a jam-packed dog show. Battle of Bewdley Bridge, as Avoncroft Museum who’re looking to grow and diver- New for 2019 is the Malvern Gin Show, featur- transforms into a medieval village for the week- sify their business. ing gin producers from across the three coun- end. Visitors can enjoy watching skilled re-enac- ties and beyond. tors, talk to knights, ladies and squires, and witness archery competitions and weapon drills. Highlight of the weekend is the jousting tourna- ment, where skilled riders and their highly trained horses take part in one-to-one combat to win favour with the audience. The weekend also offers plenty of opportunity to explore Avoncroft’s 19-acre grounds and enjoy its collection of 30 rescued and restored buildings.

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YourYour wweek-eek- bby-weeky-week llistingsistings gguideuide Septemberptember 22019019 thelist

Ben Elton at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre - Mon 23 September

Music I Comedy I Theatre I Dance I Film I Events I Visual Arts I and more!

What’s On Sun 1 to Sun 8 September Mon 9 to Sun 15 September Mon 16 to Sun 22 September Mon 23 to Mon 30 September

Kapow: The Summer Of Comic Ludlow Food Festival in Ant Middleton at Regent Alistair McGowan at Art - Enginuity, Ironbridge South Shropshire Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury until Sun 1 September Fri 13 - Sun 15 September Wed 18 September Sat 28 September

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thelist THROUGHOUT SEPTEMBER

The Willow Art Gallery, Visual Arts Oswestry New Art Gallery - Walsall AUTUMN OPEN EXHIBITION 2019 Work 4 BED DETACHED HOME OF METAL Con- showcasing different styles across a temporary art collides with metal cul- wide range of disciplines, Sat 31 Aug ture in this unique exhibition created - Sat 19 Oct by artist Alan Kane and commis- sioned as part of Home Of Metal, Wolverhampton Art Gallery until Sun 1 Sept MATERIALS AND MAKING Exhibition fea- KATHLEEN RYAN Installations feature a turing a selection of sculpture, ce- variety of materials, from cast iron ramics, glass, metalware and and precious stones to found ob- decorative art items from the art jects, including bowling balls, until gallery’s collection, until Sun 1 Sept Sun 22 Sept PAINTED LADIES: AN EXCHANGE OF SCULPTURE IN FOCUS The trail posi- IDEAS Display of 20th century paint- Gin Annie - The Robin, Bilston tions a key piece of contemporary ings depicting women painted by sculpture from the Permanent Collec- both female and male artists, until LET’S HANG ON Fri 6 The River Rooms, tion within each of the 10 themed col- Sun 1 Sept Gigs Sept, Stafford Gate- lection rooms, until Sun 22 Dec WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR house Theatre THE INDIGO MACHINE Annual exhibition, developed & pro- DENMARK STREET BIG LOS PACAMINOS FEA- Sat 7 Sept, Albert’s duced by the Natural History Mu- BAND - SINATRA AND ME TURING PAUL YOUNG Fri Shed, Shrewsbury Himley Hall & Park, Dudley Sun 1 Sept, Stafford seum, which is visiting 6 Sept, The Robin, Bil- T-REXTASY Sat 7 Sept, HIMLEY HALL & EXHIBI- Gatehouse Theatre Wolverhampton as part of a world- ston Theatre Severn, TION New exhibition about Dudley wide tour and for the first time show- HEIDI BROWNE Sun 1 RAMMLIED Fri 6 Sept, Shrewsbury Castle & Himley Hall from 1066 to the casing the full collection of 100 Sept, Albert’s Shed, Eleven, Sandyford, GIN ANNIE Sat 7 Sept, present day, until Sun 6 Oct images and 45 digital shots, until Sun Shrewsbury Stoke-on-Trent The Robin, Bilston 1 Sept LUTHER: A CELEBRATION CEILIDH WITH THE REEL THE BOOTLEG SHADOWS Newcastle Borough Museum OF LUTHER VANDROSS HOT CEILIDH PEPPERS Sat 7 Sept, Stafford & Art Gallery Other VISUAL ARTS Sun 1 Sept, Theatre Fri 6 Sept, Lichfield Gatehouse Theatre NEW CAPTURING THE PAST Take a trip VAN SUMMER EXHIBITION Selected Severn, Shrewsbury Guidhall THE PAUL SCHAFER TRIO down memory lane through the eyes work from members of VAN, until GRYPHON - REINVEN- LEGEND Fri 6 Sept, The Sat 7 Sept, Theatre On of local artists and photographers, Tues 10 Sept, University Centre, TION Sun 1 Sept, The Robin, Bilston The Steps, Bridgnorth Sat 14 Sept - Sun 3 Nov Shrewsbury Robin, Bilston HATS OFF TO LED ZEP- THE POLECATS & IGNI- BRITISH WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER DANNY JONES Mon 2 PELIN Fri 6 Sept, The TION Sat 7 Sept, AWARDS EXHIBITION Featuring the Sept, O2 Institute, Potteries Museum & Art Slade Rooms, Wolver- Newhampton Arts Gallery - Stoke-On-Trent 2018 Awards’ winners and com- Birmingham hampton mended entries, until Tues 10 Sept, Centre, W’hampton FÖLLAKZOID Mon 2 QUEEN VICTORIA: 200TH ANNIVERSARY Jackfield Tile Museum, Telford SHOOT THE SYMPHONY, THE JAM’D Sat 7 Sept, OF HER BIRTH A celebration of Queen Sept, Hare & Hounds, CANDID AND BOHMEN Fri VICTORIOUS EXHIBITION Exhibition cel- The Slade Rooms, Victoria and her 63-year reign as Birmingham 6 Sept, Albert’s Shed, ebrating the 200th anniversary of the Wolverhampton monarch, with every aspect of her life LIFE SIGNS Wed 4 Sept, Shrewsbury birth of Queen Victoria, until Thurs 26 ANDY HUGHES Sun 8 documented in ceramics, until Sun 1 Eleven, Sandyford, Sept, Weston Park, Nr Shifnal WHITFIELD CRANE Fri 6 Sept, Albert’s Shed, Sept Stoke-on-Trent Sept, The Sugarmill, NEW FRAGMENTS Exhibition by Jemma Shrewsbury APOLLO 50: COMMEMORATING THE 50TH MARTIN SIMPSON Wed Stoke-on-Trent Gunning and Mark Lippett exploring THE SIMON & GAR- ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST MANNED 4 Sept, Stafford Gate- themes of dereliction, abandonment BLACK CELEBRATION - FUNKEL STORY Sun 8 LUNAR LANDING Multimedia exhibition house Theatre and the loss of industry, Mon 2 Sept - DEPECHE MODE TRIBUTE Sept, Stafford Gate- featuring models and memorabilia Sat 26 Oct, The Brewhouse Arts Cen- BYE BYE BABY - CELE- Fri 6 Sept, The River house Theatre telling the epic story of the Apollo BRATING FRANKIE VALLI Rooms, Stourbridge tre, Burton-upon-Trent BERNIE MARSDEN’S programme, until Sun 3 Nov & THE FOUR SEASONS NEW BRITISH CERAMICS BIENNIAL Cele- TALON - BEST OF THE EA- SNAKE NIGHT Sun 8 NEW ARRIVALS: 2018 Display of flora Wed 4 - Thurs 5 Sept, brating its 10-year anniversary, the Bi- GLES Fri 6 - Sat 7 Sept, Sept, Eleven, Sandy- and fauna never before seen in the Lichfield Garrick ennial is the UK’s premiere ceramics Lichfield Garrick ford, Stoke-on-Trent county, until Wed 1 Jan MICHAEL STARRING BEN festival, Sat 7 Sept - Sun 13 Oct, K-TRAP Sat 7 Sept, O2 BRASS BAND GALA 2019 Thurs 5 Sept, Stafford Stoke-on-Trent City Centre Institute, Birmingham Sun 8 Sept, Symphony Gatehouse Theatre Qube Gallery, Oswestry NEW SECRET SEVERN ART TRAIL Talk to EFFERVESCENT Sat 7 Hall, Birmingham LUTHER: A CELEBRATION QUBE OPEN 2019 Display of shortlisted artists at work and walk the trail to Sept, Havana Repub- ROCK GODDESS + OF LUTHER VANDROSS entries to this year’s Open exhibition, view the inspiring art that’s made in lic, Shrewsbury HEAVY PETTIN Sun 8 Thurs 5 Sept, William the theme of which is ‘inclusion’, until the area, Fri 20 - Sun 29 Sept, Vari- THE DROP & SONS OF Sept, The Robin, Bil- Aston Hall, Wrexham Mon 30 Sept ous locations in the Ironbridge Gorge YODA Sat 7 Sept, Lud- ston THE BUTTERS ALIENS + NEW A SENSE OF PLACE British artist’s low Brewery, South A 60’S NIGHT WITH THE THE MACHINE RAGES ON roots and significant places, Sat 21 Shropshire MERSBEATS AND THE Shrewsbury Museum & Art + DEFTONES UK Thurs Sept - Sat 26 Oct, Twenty Twenty A FOREIGNERS JOURNEY SWINGING BLUE JEANS Gallery 5 Sept, The Robin, Bil- Gallery, Ludlow Sat 7 Sept, Eleven, Sun 8 Sept, Lichfield DRAWN OF THE DEAD Selection of ston NEW THUMP OF THE TALE - RUTH Sandyford, Stoke-on- Garrick Charlie Adlard's original works from BUCHANAN AND JULIE CROSS Exhibi- KOAN SOUND Fri 6 Sept, Trent the Walking Dead comic series, pre- THE STARS FROM THE tion featuring some of the artists’ ear- O2 Institute, B’ham sented alongside immersive, set THE S.L.P. Sat 7 Sept, COMMITMENTS Sun 8 lier animal studies, published works piece installations created by sculp- UN:KNWN Fri 6 Sept, O2 Institute, B’ham Sept, Theatre Severn, and sketchbooks, Sat 28 Sept - Wed The Mill, Digbeth, tor Andrew Bryden, until Sun 3 Nov LABOUR OF LOVE - UB40 Shrewsbury 30 Oct, Weston Park, Nr Shifnal Birmingham TRIBUTE Sat 7 Sept, 52 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 1 - 8 September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2019 16:53 Page 2

Sunday 1 - Sunday 8 September

REP following its well-received debut run last year, Fri 6 - Sat 21 Sept, The Comedy REP, Birmingham COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBIN- HANDBAGGED Moira Buffini’s critically SON & COMIC TBC Thurs 5 Sept, The acclaimed drama explores what Glee Club, Birmingham might have happened when two of GORDON SOUTHERN, SAM AVERY, Britain’s most iconic women - HRH RICHARD MASSARA & HAYLEY ELLIS Queen Elizabeth II & Margaret Thurs 5 Sept, The George Hotel, Thatcher - came face-to-face, Fri 6 - Lichfield Sat 28 Sept, New Vic Theatre, New- EDDY BRIMSON, HANNAH SILVESTER, castle-under-Lyme ROB MULHOLLAND & COMIC TBC Thurs ONE NIGHT ONLY South Staffs Musical 5 Sept, Stourbridge Town Hall Theatre Company present a concert COMEDY AND CURRY NIGHT WITH KATE compilation of show tunes, drama, LUCAS, JONATHAN ELSTON & IAN STONE dance and comedy, Sun 8 Sept, Fri 6 Sept, Enginuity Museum, Iron- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre bridge, Shropshire MIKE WILMOT & COMIC TBC Fri 6 Sept, The Glee Club, Birmingham JONNY AWSUM, NIGEL NG & WAYNE Talks BEESE Fri 6 Sept, Katie Fitzgerald's, AN EVENING WITH SIR RANULPH FI- Stourbridge ENNES Sir Ranulph talks about his life MARLON DAVIS, JAKE LAMBERT, STEVE of adventure, Mon 2 Sept, Theatre SHANYASKI & FREDDY QUINNE Sat 7 Severn, Shrewsbury Kapow: The Summer Of Comic Art - Enginuity Museum, Ironbridge, Shropshire Sept, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham THE P WORD: POETS, PRATTLERS & Redgrave, Timothy Spall. Light NEW FILMS ON GENERAL PANEMONIALISTS Black Country col- House Media Centre, Wolverhamp- RELEASE: lective comprising Emma Purshouse, ton, Fri 30 Aug - Thurs 5 Sept; Old Released from Fri 6 Sept, showing at Steve Pottinger and Dave Pitt, Wed 4 Market Hall, Shrewsbury, Fri 30 Aug - selected cinemas Sept, The Brewhouse Arts Centre, Thurs 5 Sept Theatre Burton-upon-Trent IT: CHAPTER TWO (tbc) PLAYMOBIL: THE MOVIE (U) Anima- THE PROVOKED WIFE Outspoken AN EVENING WITH ALICE ROBERTS: DIG- tion/Comedy. With the voices of Dino RAPID RESPONSE (12a) Restoration romp that shocked 17th GIN INTO BRITAIN'S PAST Thurs 5 Sept, Andrade, Gabriel Bateman. Old Mar- century society, until Sat 7 Sept, The Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury ket Hall, Shrewsbury, Fri 30 Aug - Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon MALORIE BLACKMAN: NOUGHTS & Sun 8 Sept VENICE PRESERVED Fast-paced version CROSSES Malorie Blackman talks FISHERMAN'S FRIENDS (12a) Com- of Thomas Otway's Restoration about Crossfire, the latest novel in edy/Drama. Starring Tuppence Mid- Events tragedy, until Sat 7 Sept, The Swan her bestselling series, Noughts & dleton, James Purefoy. Stourbridge LEGO CITY Featuring character ap- Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Crosses, Sat 7 Sept, Birmingham Town Hall, Mon 2 Sept pearances, new building activities Town Hall REDCOATS Mikron Theatre delve into AN INCONVENIENT SEQUEL: TRUTH TO and the chance to explore what a city holiday huts and bonny baby con- POWER (12a) Documentary. Starring of the future would look like, until Sun tests... Sun 1 Sept, The Anchor Inn, Al Gore, Cory Booker. Light House 1 Sept, Legoland Discovery Centre, High Offley, Nr Woodseaves, Media Centre, Wolverhampton, Mon Birmingham Staffordshire Cabaret 2 Sept THE BLACK COUNTRY AT PLAY Celebra- LOOK TO THE WEST END SKY Evening of tion of games and toys, until Sun 1 BIANCA DEL RIO Thurs 5 Sept, Arena SOMETIMES ALWAYS NEVER (12a) Com- musical theatre presented by West Sept, and Tunnel Trust Birmingham edy/Drama. Starring Bill Nighy, Alice End performers, Mon 2 Sept, Theatre Lowe. Wem Town hall, North Shrop- FREDDO'S TREASURE TROVE Cadbury’s Severn, Shrewsbury shire, Tues 3 & Thurs 5 Sept Freddo dons his captain’s hat to THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES In- AMAZING GRACE (U) teach little ones about what it takes to ventive two-man staging of Arthur Documentary/Music. Starring Aretha become a pirate, until Sun 1 Sept, Conan Doyle’s acclaimed Sherlock Franklin. Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Cadbury World, Bournville, B’ham Holmes mystery, Mon 2 - Sat 14 South Shropshire, Fri 6 - Thurs 7 KAPOW: THE SUMMER OF COMIC ART Sept, Blue Orange Theatre, B’ham Sept Take inspiration from the Comic Art ON YOUR FEET! Smash-hit musical in- BEL CANTO (15) Drama/Music. Starring exhibition and join in comic-themed spired by the true love story of Emilio Julianne Moore, Ken Watanabe. Lud- workshops, until Sun 1 Sept, Enginu- and Gloria Estefan, Tues 3 - Sat 7 low Assembly Rooms, South Shrop- ity Museum, Ironbridge, Shropshire Sept, Birmingham Hippodrome shire, Fri 6 - Sun 8 Sept SUMMER ACTIVITIES AT BLISTS HILL CABARET John Partridge stars as BAIT (15) Drama. Starring Edward Travel back to the Victorian era and Emcee in a new staging of the fa- Rowe, Mary Woodvine. Old Market enjoy an action-packed day, until Sun mous musical, Tues 3 - Sat 7 Sept, Hall, Shrewsbury, Fri 6 - Thurs 12 1 Sept, Blists Hill Victorian Town, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Sept Ironbridge, Shropshire QUENTIN CRISP: NAKED HOPE Mark Far- ONCE UPON A TIME... IN HOLLYWOOD HISTORIC HEROES Uncover inspiring relly’s acclaimed solo play, Thurs 5 - Film (18) Comedy/Drama. Starring stories and follow in the footsteps of Sat 7 Sept, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt. Old Black Country heroes, until Sun 1 Birmingham INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Market Hall, Shrewsbury, Fri 6 - Thurs Sept, Black Country Living Museum, PAIN AND GLORY (15) Drama. Starring 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL New production 12 Sept Dudley Antonio Banderas, Penelope Cruz. of Dolly Parton's rip-roaring musical SUMMER OF FUN Enjoy a whole host Foreign language, subtitled. Light MISSING LINK (PG) Animation/Adven- comedy, Fri 6 - Sat 14 Sept, The of events, shows, activities and meet House Media Centre, Wolverhamp- ture. With the voices of Hugh Jack- Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham & greets, until Sun 1 Sept, Drayton ton, Fri 30 Aug - Thurs 5 Sept man, David Walliams. Ludlow THE LOVELY BONES Alice Sebold's Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Manor Theme Park, Tamworth MRS LOWRY & SON (PG) coming-of-age tale returns to The Sun 8 Sept FAMILY FUN - KNIGHTS, DRAGON AND Biography/Drama. Starring Vanessa

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thelist Sunday 1 - Sunday 8 September showcasing fine foods and hand- ONBOARD THE CRAFT Line-up includes crafted products, Sun 8 Sept, World Evil Blizzard, Here & Now, Mr of Wedgwood, Stoke-on-Trent Strange, Under Groundhogs & CLASSIC BUS RUNNING DAY Take a ride more... Thurs 5 - Sat 7 Sept, Stoke on a classic vehicle, Sun 8 Sept, Prior Country Club, Bromsgrove Gladstone Pottery Museum, Stoke- BROMYARD FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up in- on-Trent cludes Kathryn Tickell & The Darken- ETRURIA STATIONARY VINTAGE ENGINE ing, Flook, The Daoiri Farrell Trio, AND CLASSIC VEHICLE RALLY WITH EN- Rosier & more... Thurs 5 - Sun 8 GINE AND MILL 'IN STEAM' Vintage sta- Sept, around the town, Bromyard, tionary engines are ‘in steam’ on the Herefordshire Saturday, with classic cars and com- mercial vehicles on display on the Sunday, Sun 8 Sept, Etruria Industrial Museum, Stoke-on-Trent Peaky Blinders Night - Black Country Living Museum, Dudley Food & Drink CAMRA BEER FESTIVAL Bridgnorth-sta- PRINCESS TRAINING Learn new skills the outdoor space around the cathe- tion event featuring 60-plus real ales, as you follow the dragon’s map, until dral by creating unusual craft inter- ciders and perries, Thurs 5 - Sat 7 Sun 1 Sept, Ludlow Castle, South ventions, Thurs 5 - Sat 7 Sept, Festivals Sept, Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Shropshire Birmingham Cathedral Grounds MOSELEY FOLK & ARTS FESTIVAL Line- Nr Kidderminster up includes Don McLean, Jake Bugg, GET HANDS-ON WITH HISTORY Uncover PEAKY BLINDERS NIGHT Step back in ALE & CIDER FESTIVAL Spend the day England's myths & legends and take time to the Roaring 20s and discover Public Service Broadcasting, The Zu- tons, Richard Thompson, Edwyn sampling a variety of beers, ales & part in hero sword school and junior the murky underground world of the ciders from a host of Birmingham jousting, until Sun 1 Sept, Stokesay Peaky Blinders, Fri 6 - Sat 7 Sept, Collins & more... Fri 30 Aug - Sun 1 Sept, Moseley Park, Birmingham brewers, Sat 7 Sept, Blakesley Hall, Castle, Nr Craven Arms, South Black Country Living Museum, Dud- Birmingham Shropshire ley BACK TO THE 80'S AND 90'S FESTIVAL TAMWORTH FOOD GUSTO FESTIVAL Fea- MOON LANDING MAIZE MAZE Find and SUMMER NIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL Featur- 2019 Line-up includes Tony Hadley, Nik Kershaw, East 17, S Club Party, turing live music, cooking demonstra- solve space-themed puzzles to help ing screenings of Jurassic Park, Bo- tions, children’s activities & more... the lunar crew fix their spacecraft and hemian Rhapsody and Mamma Mia: Jive Bunny & more... Fri 30 Aug - Sun 1 Sept, Cattows Farm, Heather, Le- Sat 7 - Sun 8 Sept, Tamworth Castle return home safely, until Mon 2 Sept, Here We Go Again, Fri 6 - Sun 8 Pleasure Grounds, Staffs National Forest Adventure Farm, Bur- Sept, Attingham Park, Shrewsbury icestershire ton-upon-Trent HIGH VIS STREET CULTURE FESTIVAL PIRATES AND MERMAIDS Enjoy ‘the ulti- Day-long celebration of all things mate underwater adventure’, until street culture, from street art to street Sun 8 Sept, National Sea Life Centre, food, graffiti to graphic novels, skate- Birmingham boarding to breakdancing, Sat 7 RETURN TO THE FAIRY BALL Trail & Sept, Digbeth, Birmingham scavenger hunt in preparation for the SCHOOL OF ROCK - PRESENTED BY COL- Arboretum's annual fairy ball, until MORE CINEMA CLUB & BMAG To cele- Sun 8 Sept, Arley Arboretum, Bewd- brate the venue’s Home Of Metal ley, Nr Kidderminster exhibition, Colmore Cinema Club KNIGHT SCHOOL AT BLAKESLEY HALL screens the Jack Black movie, Learn the code of chivalry and the School Of Rock, Sat 7 Sept, Birming- ways of combat with swordfighter ham Museum And Art Gallery Mark Vance, Sun 1 Sept, Blakesley JEWELLERY QUARTER HERITAGE WALK Hall, Birmingham Guided walk looking at the people, SPITFIRE 10K AND SPITFIRE FAMILY RUN places and themes that have helped COSFORD 2019 Fundraising event, Sun to shape the district, Sat 7 Sept, Mu- 1 Sept, RAF Cosford, Nr Wolver- seum of the Jewellery Quarter, Birm- hampton ingham ON THE BUSES Featuring more than 25 THE WIGHTWICK MANOR MYSTERY A beautifully preserved vintage and prized possession has gone missing modern buses, Sun 1 Sept, Severn - can you help to solve the mystery of Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kidder- its disappearance? Sat 7 - Sun 8 minster Sept, Wightwick Manor, W’hampton BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR Explore Vic- BRITISH CERAMICS BIENNIAL Taking torian Weston, Sun 1 Sept, Weston place across six local venues, Sat 7 Park, Staffordshire Sept - Sun 13 Oct, various locations in and around Stoke-on-Trent City GUIDED TOUR: HERITAGE AND HISTORY Centre OF BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS Learn about how the Gardens were ARCHIVES OPEN DAY Featuring memo- designed and have evolved over rabilia related to the Trust, Sun 8 time, Wed 4 Sept, Birmingham Sept, Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust Botanical Gardens VICTORIAN GARDENS TOUR AND AFTER- BIRMINGHAM HERITAGE WEEK: SOHO NOON TEA Tour of the formal gardens ROOFTOP TOURS Enjoy panoramic with the head gardener followed by views from the roof of Soho House, afternoon tea in the Victorian Or- Wed 4 - Thurs 19 Sept, Soho House, angery, Sun 8 Sept, Weston Park, Nr Birmingham Shifnal, Shropshire IN:SITE FESTIVAL Graduates transform ARTISAN MARKET AT THE WORLD OF WEDGWOOD Featuring 50-plus stalls whatsonlive.co.uk 55 The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 9 - 15 September.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2019 11:09 Page 1

COMING SOON

WED 11 SEPT

COMING SOON...

2 September - 26 October Fragments Exhibition Where nature reclaims its space

SYD LAWRENCE ORCHESTRA Tickets. FREE BIG BAND SPECTACULAR

4 September, 7.30pm FRI 13 SEPT The P Word: Poets, Prattlers & Panemonialists Tickets: £7

10 - 14 September, 7.30pm Sat Mat, 2.30pm Mellow Dramatics - Here We Go Again

SOMEONE LIKE YOU Tickets: £12 / £10

SAT 14 SEPT 2 October, 7.30pm The P Word: Lydia Towsley & Ruth Stacey Tickets: £7

4-6 October, 11am & 1.30pm We’re Going On A Bear Hunt OPERA BOYS Tickets: £10 SAT 14 SEPT 18 October, 7.30pm Derek Acorah ‘The Eternal Life’ Tour

Tickets: £21

23 October, 7pm Once Upon A Wednesday: IN LOYAL COMPANY Matt Black & Maria Whatton

SAT 21 SEPT Tickets: £7

25 October, 7pm Vienna Festival Ballet - Snow White

Tickets: £18.50 / £16.50 conc.

30 October, 1.30pm LEE MEAD: MY STORY Marty Macdonalds’s Toy Machine SUN 29 SEPT Tickets: £10 Box office: 01283 508100 BOOK ONLINE AT RESPECT: THE ARETHA www.brewhouse.co.uk FRANKLIN SONGBOOK Brewhouse Arts Centre BOX OFFICE: 01543 412 121 Union Street, Burton-upon-Trent www.lichfieldgarrick.com Staffordshire DE14 1AA LICHFIELD GARRICK, CASTLE DYKE, LICHFIELD, STAFFS, WS13 6HR

56 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 9 - 15 September.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2019 11:09 Page 2

thelist Monday 9 - Sunday 15 September THE CUREHEADS VS House, Shrewsbury SIOUXSIE AND THE Classical PHIL NICHOL, THANYIA MOORE, CARL BUDGIEES Sat 14 Sept, HUTCHINSON & ADAM HESS Fri 13 - The Sugarmill, Stoke- Sat 14 Sept, The Glee Club, B’ham on-Trent Music JIMMY CARR Sat 14 Sept, Dudley REV HAMMER Sat 14 A CELEBRATION OF OPERA Celebrate Town Hall Sept, Katie Fitzger- the wonder of opera in the company ald’s Stourbridge of Mozart, Verdi, Bizet, Puccini, Of- CHRIS RAMSEY, DALISO CHAPONDA, fenbach, Gilbert & Sullivan and SCOTT BENNETT & WAYNE BEESE Sat THE JAM’D Sat 14 Sept, 14 Sept, Cornbow Hall, Theatre Severn, more, in a feast of some of the great- Shrewsbury est music ever composed, Wed 11 , MORGAN REES, Sept, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre QUINCY & BARRY CASTAGNOLA Sat 14 SOUL’D OUT UK Sat 14 Sept, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham Sept, The Robin, Bil- CZECH NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHES- ston TRA: HARRY POTTER & THE PHILOSO- COMEDY IN THE MET Sat 14 Sept, PHER’S STONE John Williams’ Stafford Gatehouse Theatre MONEY FOR NOTHING unforgettable score live, Wed 11 Sat 14 Sept, Theatre Sept, Symphony Hall, Birmingham On The Steps, Bridg- north, South Shrops THE OPERA BOYS Sat 14 Sept, Lich- field Garrick FLASH: A TRIBUTE TO Theatre QUEEN Sat 14 Sept, JOHN CHALLENGER ORGAN RECITAL THE FIZZOGS: BACK IN OUR DAY Com- The Place, Telford Programme includes works by Fran- edy charting the friendship of three cois Couperin, Jehan Alain, J.S. ONE STOP BOOGIE Sat Black Country women who met Bach, William Lloyd Webber, Harold through their shared love of dance, The Christians - Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury 14 Sept, The River Darke & César Franck, Sat 14 Sept, Rooms, Stourbridge Mon 9 Sept, Wolverhampton Grand St Laurence’s Church, Ludlow, Theatre Birmingham HERESY Sat 14 Sept, South Shropshire Gigs SOME GUYS HAVE ALL The Slade Rooms, DANGEROUS OBSESSION NJ Crisp’s ORGAN PROM Featuring George Gil- compulsive psycho-thriller, Mon 9 - THE LUCK Thurs 12 Wolverhampton low (Clare College Cambridge) & ALICE CHATER Wed 11 Sept, Theatre Severn, Tues 10 Sept, Lichfield Garrick WINGWALKERS Sat 14 Alex Goldsmith (St. Mary & St. Chad Sept, O2 Institute, Shrewsbury JACQUIE MCSHEE WITH Sept, Albert’s Shed, Longton), Sat 14 Sept, Victoria Hall, Birmingham KEVIN DEMPSEY Thurs Shrewsbury Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent THE HAUNTING The Nonentities pre- sent an amateur staging based on MAN Tues 10 Sept, The 12 Sept, Foxlowe Arts FASTLOVE - GEORGE LAST NIGHT OF THE ROTARY PROMS Robin, Bilston Centre, Walsall original ghost stories by Charles MICHAEL TRIBUTE Sat 2019 Featuring City of Birmingham Dickens, Mon 9 - Sat 14 Sept, The SHARON SHANNON & FLEETWOOD BAC Fri 13 14 Sept, Stafford Gate- Symphony Orchestra, Treorchy Male Rose Theatre, Kidderminster BAND WITH SPECIAL Sept, O2 Academy, house Theatre Choir and Anthony Inglis (conduc- GUEST SECKOU KEITA HERE WE GO AGAIN Compilation show Birmingham METAL MILITIA Sat 14 tor), Sat 14 Sept, Symphony Hall, Wed 11 Sept, Hare & Birmingham by The Mellow Dramatics, Tues 10 - WEST COAST EAGLES Fri Sept, Eleven, Sandy- Hounds, Birmingham Sat 14 Sept, The Brewhouse Arts 13 Sept, Stafford Gate- ford, Stoke-on-Trent Centre, Burton-upon-Trent SYD LAWRENCE OR- house Theatre BROKEN MINDS PRE- CHESTRA - BIG BAND LAST PODCAST ON THE LEFT An THE AC30’S Fri 13 Sept, SENTS: LOVE MUSIC, SPECTACULAR Wed 11 Comedy evening of all things horror with The River Rooms, HATE RACISM Sat 14 - hosts Ben Kissel, Marcus Parks and Sept, Lichfield Garrick NATHAN CATON (PICTURED), ROSIE Stourbridge Sun 15 Sept, Hare & Henry Zebrowski, Wed 11 Sept, FROTH Wed 11 Sept, JONES & DAN NIGHTINGALE Wed 11 BIG COUNTRY Fri 13 Hounds, Birmingham Birmingham Town Hall Hare & Hounds, Birm- Sept, Henry Tudor House, Shrews- Sept, The Robin, Bil- ARIANA GRANDE Sat 14 ingham bury JEKYLL & HYDE ‘Chilling’ adaptation ston - Sun 15 Sept, Arena of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic BLUES CARAVAN 2019 SOMEONE LIKE YOU: THE Birmingham tale of good & evil, Wed 11 - Sat 14 STARRING INA FORS- ADELE SONGBOOK Fri 13 THE WORLD OF WHIT- Sept, The Crescent Theatre, B’ham MAN, ALLY VENABLE Sept, Lichfield Garrick FIELD CRANE Sun 15 AND KATARINA PEJAK SOME GUYS HAVE ALL THE LUCK Show Sept, O2 Academy, Wed 11 Sept, The FIGHT THE BEAR & celebrating the life and career of Rod Birmingham Robin, Bilston WITHOUT WARNING Fri Stewart, Thurs 12 Sept, Lichfield 13 Sept, Albert’s JADE DUNCOMBE Sun Garrick TRASH BOAT Thurs 12 Shed, Shrewsbury 15 Sept, Albert’s Sept, O2 Institute, ABSOLUTE HELL Provocative play Shed, Shrewsbury Birmingham THE URBAN VOODOO plunging audiences into a post-war MACHINE Fri 13 Sept, CLIFF & THE SHADZ Sun Soho, Thurs 12 - Sat 21 Sept, Sutton DANBERT NOBACON Lichfield Guidhall 15 Sept, The Robin, Arts Theatre, Thurs 12 Sept, Katie Bilston Fitzgerald’s, Stour- MOTLEY CRUDE VS POI- GARY POWNDLAND AND FRIENDS bridge SON Fri 13 Sept, HOZIER Sun 15 Sept, ‘Wolverhampton’s own internet sen- Eleven, Sandyford, Symphony Hall, Birm- sation’ presents ‘an entertaining GIRL POWER: SPICE Stoke-on-Trent ingham slice of suburban absurdity’, Fri 13 GIRLS TRIBUTE Thurs MAWAAN RIZWAN Thurs 12 Sept, Sept, Prince of Wales Centre, Can- 12 Sept, Stafford Gate- LOS PACAMINOS FEA- THE STORY OF GUITAR Birmingham Hippodrome TURING PAUL YOUNG Fri HEROES Sun 15 Sept, nock house Theatre PHIL NICHOL & THANYIA MOORE PLUS 13 Sept, Festival Dray- Stafford Gatehouse IN LOYAL COMPANY The true story of CREEDANCE CLEARWA- COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBIN- ton Centre, Market Theatre missing World War Two soldier and TER Thurs 12 Sept, SON Thurs 12 Sept, The Glee Club, Drayton, North Shrop- prisoner of war Arthur Robinson, Sat The Robin, Bilston THE JOHN MARTYN PRO- Birmingham shire JECT Sun 15 Sept, 14 Sept, Lichfield Garrick THE BLUEJAYS Thurs 12 ADAM HESS, SUNIL PATEL Fri 13 Sept, THE CHRISTIANS Fri 13 Henry Tudor House, NELL GWYNN ‘Bawdy, joyful and irrev- Sept, New Vic Theatre, Cherry Reds Cafe-Bar, Birmingham Sept, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury erent account’ of the rise to fame of Staffordshire Shrewsbury JJ MARSH Sun 15 Sept, MATT STELLINGWERF, MIKE MCCLEAN & a most unlikely heroine, Sat 14 - Sat KING KHAN’S LOUDER TIM CLARK Fri 13 Sept, Molineux Sta- TIM GARLAND Sat 14 Eleven, Sandyford, 21 Sept, The Crescent Theatre, THAN DEATH Thurs 12 dium, Wolverhampton Sept, The Hive, Stoke-on-Trent Birmingham Sept, Hare & Hounds, Shrewsbury ROB ROUSE Fri 13 Sept, Henry Tudor RUBY WAX: HOW TO BE HUMAN Ruby is whatsonlive.co.uk 57 The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 9 - 15 September.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2019 11:09 Page 3

thelist joined by Buddhist monk Gelong climber and doctor Adam Booth talks THE HUNDRED-YEAR OLD MAN (15) Ad- Thubten & neuroscientist Ash Ran- Dance about his attempts to climb the Ever- venture/Comedy. Starring Robert pura in a show ‘to help you upgrade est ‘triple crown’, Sun 15 Sept, The- Gustafsson, Iwar Wiklander. Foreign your mind as much as you've up- MATTHEW BOURNE'S ROMEO & JULIET atre Severn, Shrewsbury language, subtitled. The Hive, graded your iPhone.' Sun 15 Sept, Contemporary re-imagining of Shake- Shrewsbury, Fri 13 Sept The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham speare’s famous love story, told in PAIN AND GLORY (15) Drama. Starring REDCOATS Mikron Theatre delve into classic Matthew Bourne style, Tues Antonio Banderas, Penelope Cruz. holiday huts and bonny baby con- 10 - Sat 14 Sept, Birmingham Hippo- Foreign language, subtitled. Old Mar- tests... Sun 15 Sept, St Thomas & St drome Film ket Hall, Shrewsbury, Fri 13 - Thurs Andrews, Doxey, Staffordshire BALLETBOYZ: THEM/US Innovative dou- INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: 19 Sept ble-bill which questions where we BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY (12) Biogra- WONDER PARK (PG) Animation/Adven- see ourselves in relation to ‘the phy/Drama. Starring Rami Malek, ture. With the voices of Sofia Mali, other’, Sat 14 Sept, Theatre Severn, Lucy Boynton. Edge Arts Centre, Jennifer Garner. Ludlow Assembly Shrewsbury Much Wenlock, South Shropshire, Rooms, South Shropshire, Sun 15 Kids Shows Mon 9 Sept Sept THE FAMILY FOLK THE LADYKILLERS (PG) Comedy/Crime. STYX (12a) Drama. Starring Susanne SHOW Award-win- Starring Alec Guinness, Peter Sellers. Wolff, Gedion Oduor Wekesa. For- ning folk duo Meg- Talks Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South eign language, subtitled. Ludlow As- son present a AN EVENING WITH ALICE ROBERTS: DIG- Shropshire, Tues 10 Sept sembly Rooms, South Shropshire, concert for younger GIN INTO BRITAIN'S PAST Wed 11 Sept, THE CAPTOR (15) Comedy/Crime. Star- Sun 15 Sept children, Sat 14 Stafford Gatehouse Theatre ring Ethan Hawke, Noomi Rapace. Sept, Midlands Arts Centre, B’ham AN EVENING WITH BRIAN BLESSED Brian Wem Town Hall, North Shropshire, NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD Lyngo Tues 10 Sept talks about his acting career and life Released from Fri 13 Sept, showing Theatre presents a show for children 3 FACES (15) Drama. Starring Behnaz of adventure, Thurs 12 Sept, Theatre at selected cinemas aged between two and six, Sat 14 Severn, Shrewsbury Jafari, Jafar Panahi. Foreign lan- Sept, The REP, Birmingham DOWNTON ABBEY (PG) AN EVENING WITH SIMON WESTON CBE guage, subtitled. Ludlow Assembly SAFARI ADVENTURE Roaring musical Featuring footage from the Falklands Rooms, South Shropshire, Tues 10 HUSTLERS (tbc) adventure packed with action songs, War and a Q&A session, Thurs 12 Sept PHOENIX (15) live music and audience participa- Sept, Dudley Town Hall EDIE (12a) Drama. Starring Sheila tion, Sun 15 Sept, The Old Rep The- HONEYLAND (tbc) RETURN TO EVEREST Shrewsbury Hancock, Kevin Guthrie. Wellington atre, Birmingham Orbit, Telford, Thurs 12 Sept

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Monday 9 - Sunday 15 September

BIRMINGHAM HERITAGE WEEK: HERITAGE Events OPEN DAY Free costumed guided tours of the Smith & Pepper jewellery WELLINGTON WALKING FESTIVAL Fea- factory, Sat 14 Sept, Museum of the turing a mixture of events, some old Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham favourites and a few new ventures, BEHIND CLOSED DOORS ‘Dramatic’, Mon 9 - Sun 15 Sept, various loca- costumed evening tour, Sat 14 Sept, tions in and around Wellington, Attingham Park, Shrewsbury Shropshire HANDS ON HISTORY Meet characters BIRMINGHAM HERITAGE WEEK AT CAD- from the past, find out what life was BURY WORLD Free heritage talks and like and have a go at all sorts of 17th tours, Tues 10 - Sat 14 Sept, Cadbury century activities, Sat 14 Sept, Mose- World, Bournville, Birmingham ley Old Hall, Wolverhampton BIRMINGHAM HERITAGE WEEK: MEET SIR SCIENCE OF THE CIRCUS Learn new THOMAS HOLTE TOUR The man himself skills and see how science can make takes visitors on a guided tour! Wed each trick easier to master, Sat 14 11 Sept, Aston Hall, Birmingham Sept, Thinktank Science Museum, OPEN-AIR CINEMA Featuring screen- Birmingham ings of A Star Is Born, Pulp Fiction NEW VIC THEATRE OPEN DAY Chance to and Rocketman, Wed 11 - Fri 13 look behind the scenes and find out Sept, Birmingham Botanical Gardens Ludlow Food Festival, South Shropshire how the theatre puts on its shows, BIRMINGHAM HERITAGE WEEK: A SER- Sat 14 Sept, New Vic Theatre, New- 15 Sept, Etruria Industrial Museum, BATTLE OF BRITAIN DAY - THE SPITFIRE VANT’S LIFE GUIDED TOUR Special castle-under-Lyme Stoke-on-Trent Local historian & broadcaster Ray guided tour focusing on the life of the THE FIZZOGS MURDER MYSTERY HERITAGE OPEN DAYS AT HARTLEBURY Johnson hosts a free talk, complete servants at Aston Hall, Thurs 12 Sept, EVENING - WHO KILLED LITTLE WILLIE? CASTLE Meet some of the castle's with archive film material, Sun 15 Aston Hall, Birmingham An evening of ‘suspense, dastardly characters and get hands-on with the Sept, The Potteries Museum & Art CORACLE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Char- deeds, drama and intrigue’..., Sat 14 museum collections, Sat 14 - Sun 15 Gallery, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent ity event featuring coracle racing on Sept, Himley Hall & Park, Dudley Sept, Hartlebury Castle, Kiddermin- HERITAGE OPEN DAYS AT SAREHOLE the , Fri 13 Sept, Pengw- MIDLAND GAME FAIR ‘The premier ster MILL Visit the 18th century mill and ern Boat Club, Shrewsbury event of its kind in the country’, Sat THE LEGITIMATE PEAKY BLINDERS FESTI- enjoy a free costumed tour, Sun 15 BIRMINGHAM HERITAGE WEEK: HERITAGE 14 - Sun 15 Sept, Weston Park, Staffs VAL Official celebration of the hit TV Sept, Sarehole Mill, Hall Green, Birm- OPEN DAYS Take part in free costumed ingham HERITAGE OPEN DAYS Look inside Mid- series, co-curated by its creator, tours, Fri 13 Sept, Sarehole Mill, Hall dleport’s historic bottle oven, see the Steven Knight, Sat 14 - Sun 15 Sept, HERITAGE OPEN DAY Explore the Green, Birmingham steam engine, delve into the bath- Digbeth, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, bring a picnic PEAKY BLINDERS NIGHT Step back in house and check out the Victorian of- BIRMINGHAM HERITAGE WEEK: HERITAGE and enjoy the beautiful scenery, Sun time to the Roaring 20s and discover fices, Sat 14 - Sun 15 Sept, OPEN DAYS Visit Aston Hall for free as 15 Sept, Birmingham Botanical Gar- the murky underground world of the Middleport Pottery, Burslem, Stoke- part of Birmingham Heritage Week dens Peaky Blinders, Fri 13 - Sat 14 Sept, on-Trent and Heritage Open Days, Sat 14 - BOOTS AND ROOTS FAMILY FESTIVAL Black Country Living Museum, Dud- HERITAGE BUS TOUR Vintage bus trip Sun 15 Sept, Aston Hall, Birmingham Enjoy messy outdoor play, learn new ley between Oswestry and Llynclys VICTORIAN LIVING HISTORY Step back skills and take in the fresh air, Sun 15 THE CYCLE SHOW The UK's biggest South Stations, Sat 14 - Sun 15 Sept, in time and join the Victorian gov- Sept, Hawkstone Park & Follies, event for cycling enthusiasts, Fri 13 - Cambrian Heritage Railways, Os- erness, housekeeper and servants as Shrewsbury Sun 15 Sept, NEC, Birmingham westry, North Shropshire they go about their daily tasks, Sat 14 BIRMINGHAM HERITAGE WEEK: HERITAGE FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE PAINTING IN BIRMINGHAM HERITAGE WEEK: HERITAGE - Sun 15 Sept, Tamworth Castle OPEN DAY Walk in the footsteps of ACRYLIC Create an acrylic painting of OPEN DAY Free entry and costumed SHREWSBURY CIVIC SOCIETY TRUST some of Birmingham's greatest in- autumn flowers & foliage found in guided tours, Sat 14 - Sun 15 Sept, Take advantage of free entry into one dustrialists, learn about the Boulton Mitton Manor’s garden at this time of Blakesley Hall, Birmingham of Shrewsbury's oldest buildings, family and life in the 18th century, year, Sat 14 Sept, Mitton Manor, and find out about the servants who OSWESTRY SOUTH SIGNAL BOX Chance take a walking tour of the medieval Staffordshire heart of Shrewsbury and check out a worked at Soho House, Sun 15 Sept, to view the refurbished, Grade II Soho House, Birmingham PROMS & PROSECCO IN THE PARK Six listed signal box, Sat 14 - Sun 15 Charles Darwin exhibition, Sat 14 - Fri hours of pop, classical and musical Sept, Cambrian Heritage Railways, 20 Sept, The Bear Steps Gallery, FALCONRY DAY The birds of prey fly theatre, with a Last Night of the Oswestry, North Shropshire Shrewsbury over the ruins of Weoley Castle, Sun Proms finale, Sat 14 Sept, Chetwynd 15 Sept, Weoley Castle Ruins, B’ham BRITISH GT & BRITISH F3 CHAMPI- HERITAGE OPEN DAYS AT BIRMINGHAM Park, Newport ONSHIPS Donington Park’s full Grand HIPPODROME Series of events cele- MID AUTUMN FESTIVAL Celebration of BAT WALK Guided walk with a local Prix circuit sets the scene for the brating the theatre’s 120th birthday, Chinese culture featuring traditional bat expert, Sat 14 Sept, Shugbor- British GT Championship’s 2019 sea- Sat 14 - Sat 21 Sept, Birmingham dances, face-changing magic & mu- ough Historic Working Estate, son finale, Sat 14 - Sun 15 Sept, Don- Hippodrome sical performances, Sun 15 Sept, The Staffordshire ington Park, Castle Donington THE FESTIVAL OF IMAGINATION Fiesta of Birmingham Conference & Events Centre HERITAGE OPEN DAYS - OLD YARDLEY HISTORIC CANAL BOATS VISIT Step on arts, crafts, culture, virtual reality, WALK Join experts from the Birming- board the museum's retired cargo- music, poetry, family-friendly events, ham & Warwickshire Archaeological carrying narrowboats, Sat 14 - Sun food & drink offers & more... Sat 14 - Society for a stroll around the village, 15 Sept, Etruria Industrial Museum, Sun 29 Sept, Ironbridge, Shropshire Sat 14 Sept, Blakesley Hall, B’ham Stoke-on-Trent TOY COLLECTORS FAIR Explore over REGENT THEATRE VENUE TOUR Go be- BELLRINGING Climb the tower to visit 500 stalls packed with all kinds of col- Food & Drink hind the scenes at a working theatre, the ringing chamber and examine lectable toys, trains and models for BRINDLEYPLACE FOOD FESTIVAL Debut Sat 14 Sept, Regent Theatre, Stoke- historic items and records of ringers sale, Sun 15 Sept, NEC, Birmingham event, Fri 13 - Sat 14 Sept, Brindley on-Trent going back to 1750, Sat 14 - Sun 15 BIKING TO BOTTLE OVENS Join Potteries The Place, Birmingham BIRMINGHAM HERITAGE WEEK: HERITAGE Sept, St Marys Church, Stafford Heritage Society and partners for a LUDLOW FOOD FESTIVAL Featuring 180- OPEN DAYS - GUIDED TOUR Free tour of STEAM POWERED POTTERS' MILL See a morning cycle that takes in 28 iconic plus exhibitors, Fri 13 - Sun 15 Sept, Weoley Castle, Sat 14 Sept, Weoley Victorian Potters' Mill in steam and bottle ovens in the south of Stoke-on- Ludlow Castle, South Shropshire Castle Ruins, Birmingham operating all weekend, Sat 14 - Sun Trent, Sun 15 Sept, Gladstone Pottery Museum, Stoke-on-Trent whatsonlive.co.uk 59 The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 16 - 22 September.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2019 14:50 Page 1

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thelist Monday 16 - Sunday 22 September Eleven, Sandyford, Sept, O2 Institute, Severn, Shrewsbury Gigs Stoke-on-Trent Birmingham Classical Music JUNIOR JESTERS WITH VINCE ATTA, ALEXANDER O’NEAL Fri THE JONI MITCHELL BOOTHBY GRAFFOE, JOHN COOPER Sun BRITTEN-SHOSTAKOVICH FESTIVAL OR- PIXIES Mon 16 Sept, 20 Sept, William Aston SONGBOOK Sat 21 22 Sept, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury O2 Academy, B’ham Hall, Wrexham Sept, Stafford Gate- CHESTRA Featuring Jan Latham-König DESI CENTRAL COMEDY SHOW Sun 22 house Theatre (conductor) and Pavel Kolesnikov FERRIS & SYLVESTER U2 VS SIMPLE MINDS Fri (piano). Programme includes works Sept, The Glee Club, Birmingham Mon 16 Sept, Hare & 20 Sept, The River THE SNUTS Sat 21 by Britten, Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev, IMPROV COMEDY WITH BOX OF FROGS Hounds, Birmingham Rooms, Stourbridge Sept, The Sugarmill, Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky, Tues Sun 22 Sept, The Glee Club, B’ham THE BLUEJAYS Mon 16 THEON CROSS Fri 20 Stoke-on-Trent 17 Sept, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Sept, New Vic Theatre, Sept, Hare & Hounds BOO HEWERDINE Sat 21 THE SIXTEEN Featuring Harry Christo- Newcastle-under- Birmingham Sept, Newhampton phers (conductor). Programme in- Lyme BACK:N:BLACK Fri 20 Arts Centre, Wolver- cludes works by Plainsong, Sir John Theatre THE SNUTS Mon 16 Sept, The Robin, Bil- hampton Tavener, John Sheppard, Eric HOT FLUSH Hit show about ‘the friend- Sept, O2 Institute, ston DEP LEPPARD Sat 21 Whitacre, Robert Wylkynson, Robert ships, secrets, tears, laughter and Birmingham Sept, Eleven, Sandy- Fayrfax, Gabriel Jackson & Sir James JIVE TALKIN’ - THE BEE ups and downs of four ordinary ford, Stoke-on-Trent MacMillan, Thurs 19 Sept, St Philips MUSE Tues 17 Sept, GEES Fri 20 Sept, The women - and one man - living ex- Cathedral, Birmingham Arena Birmingham Crescent Theatre, GO NOW! THE MUSIC OF traordinary lives’, Mon 16 Sept, The RESPECT: THE ARETHA Birmingham THE MOODY BLUES Sat Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham 21 Sept, The Place, FRANKLIN SONGBOOK SCOTT MATTHEWS Fri IN AND OUT OF CHEKHOV'S SHORTS ‘Ex- Telford, Shropshire Tues 17 Sept, Theatre 20 Sept, St Mary’s Comedy hilarating, fun and accessible' romp Severn, Shrewsbury Church, Shrewsbury DARKSIDE Sat 21 Sept, through some of Chekhov’s finest ROB DELANEY Mon 16 Sept, The REP, Theatre Severn, short stories, Tues 17 Sept, Stafford BIG HEATH Tues 17 Birmingham Sept, Hare & Hounds, Shrewsbury Gatehouse Theatre LIZA TREYGOR Tues 17 Sept, The Glee Birmingham KHALID Sat 21 Sept, HOT FLUSH Hit show about ‘the friend- Club, Birmingham STEPHEN MALKMUS Resorts World Arena, ships, secrets, tears, laughter and Tues 17 Sept, Hare & Birmingham EDDIE IZZARD Tues 17 - Sat 21 Sept, ups and downs of four ordinary The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham 80’S MANIA Sat 21 women - and one man - living ex- traordinary lives’, Tues 17 Sept, Re- AITCH Wed 18 Sept, Sept, Wolverhampton RUSSELL HOWARD Wed 18 Sept, Re- gent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent O2 Institute, Bi’ham Grand Theatre sorts World Arena, Birmingham RICHARD III Presented by LADS The- THE DELEGATES Wed 18 FETTY WAP Sun 22 atre Group, Tues 17 - Wed 18 Sept, Sept, Hare & Hounds, Sept, O2 Institute, Birmingham Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Birmingham THE UNRECEIVED Fri 20 CHICAGO Intimate version of the ac- ARRIVAL - HITS OF ABBA Sept, The Slade SHREWSBURY BEATLES claimed musical, Tues 17 - Sun 22 Thurs 19 Sept, Lich- Rooms, Wolverhamp- WEEKEND PRESENTS Sept, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birm- field Garrick ton LUNCHTIME LIVE AT ‘THE CAVERN’ Sat 22 Sept, ingham SPEAR OF DESTINY DAN BUDD AS ROBBIE The Buttermarket, MAD ABOUT THE MUSICALS Thurs 19 Sept, Hare & WILLIAMS Fri 20 Sept, Wed 18 Shrewsbury Sept, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Hounds, Birmingham Havana Republic, MILOS - THE VOICE OF THAT’LL BE THE DAY THE CHESTERFIELDS Shrewsbury Nostalgic variety THE GUITAR Sat 22 Thurs 19 Sept, Hare & FIREBALL Sat 21 Sept, show featuring hits from the ’50s to Sept, Wolverhampton Hounds, Birmingham O2 Academy, B’ham the ’80s, Wed 18 Sept, Lichfield Gar- Grand Theatre rick BUDDY HOLLY AND THE THE HARA Sat 21 Sept, SCOTT COWEN Sun 22 A BUNCH OF AMATEURS CRICKETERS Thurs 19 The Asylum, B’ham Kidderminster Sept, Albert’s Shed, TAPE FACE Thurs 19 Sept, Birmingham Sept, Theatre Severn, Operatic & Dramatic Society present THE ONE LOVE BAND Sat Shrewsbury Town Hall an amateur staging of Ian Hislop & Shrewsbury 21 Sept, The River THE MERSEY BEATLES PAUL MCCAFFREY PLUS COMEDY Nick Newman’s comedy, Wed 18 - JACQUI DANKWORTH Rooms, Stourbridge Sun 22 Sept, Theatre CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON & Sat 21 Sept, The Rose Theatre, Kid- Thurs 19 Sept, CUSTARD CONNECTION Severn, Shrewsbury COMIC TBC Thurs 19 Sept, The Glee derminster Stafford Gatehouse Sat 21 Sept, Albert’s ORIAN HULTEN Sun 22 Club, Birmingham SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF Theatre Shed, Shrewsbury Sept, Newhampton GARY MEIKLE Fri 20 Sept, The Place, FLEET STREET Presented by Quarry DAN WHITEHOUSE AND Arts Centre, Wolver- Telford, Shropshire Bank Musical Theatre Youth Society, BOO HEWERDINE Sat 21 Wed 18 - Sat 21 Sept, Stourbridge hampton MICKY OVERMAN, PAUL MCCAFFERY, Sept, Newhampton Town Hall PAUL SIMON’S GRACE- PAUL F TAYLOR & MAFF BROWN Fri 20 - Arts Centre, Wolver- LAND PERFORMED BY Sat 21 Sept, The Glee Club, B’ham KING JOHN Shakespeare’s rarely per- hampton formed tale of a nation in turmoil, THE LONDON AFRICAN DAVE JOHNS Sat 21 Sept, Midlands WHOLE LOTTA SHAKIN - Thurs 19 Sept - Sat 21 Mar, The GOSPEL CHOIR Sun 22 Arts Centre, Birmingham THE SHAKIN STEVENS Sept, Birmingham Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon TOM WRIGGLESWORTH, MARK SIM- STORY Sat 21 Sept, Town Hall REBEL MUSIC Robin French's new MONS, ROGER MONKHOUSE & DAISY Theatre On The Steps, play, celebrating Midlands’ diverse YOU WIN AGAIN - CELE- EARL Sat 21 Sept, The Comedy Loft, Bridgnorth, Shropshire music legacy, Thurs 19 Sept - Sat 5 BRATING THE MUSIC OF Birmingham THE STRAYS Thurs 19 KICK UP THE 80’S Sat THE BEE GEES Sun 22 Oct, The REP, Birmingham ADAM ROWE, MIKE COX, BARRY DODDS Sept, The Robin, Bil- 21 Sept, The Robin, Sept, Stafford Gate- WILDLIFE ROAD TRIP Informative show & DAMION LARKIN Sat 21 Sept, Regent ston Bilston house Theatre ‘packed with fascinating facts and fun Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent SAINT LOE Fri 20 Sept, QUEEN RHAPSODY Sat THE HAYLEY GRIFFITHS for the whole family’, Fri 20 Sept, Albert’s Shed, Shrews- 21 Sept, Stafford Gate- BAND Sun 22 Sept, ANNA NICHOLSON Sat 21 Sept, St Lau- Lichfield Garrick rence’s Church, Ludlow, Shropshire bury house Theatre The Robin, Bilston CHOICE GRENFELL Tribute to Joyce NATHAN CARTER Fri 20 LEE MEAD - MY STORY BEN PORTSMOUTH IS RUSSELL HOWARD Sun 22 Sept, Re- Grenfell featuring some of her best- Sept, Theatre Severn, Sat 21 Sept, Lichfield ELVIS Sun 22 Sept, sorts World Arena, Birmingham known songs and monologues, Fri Shrewsbury Garrick Arena Birmingham VINCE ATTA, DANNY PENSIVE, DAN 20 Sept, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre U2 UK Fri 20 Sept, BLADE BROWN Sat 21 NIGHTINGALE Sun 22 Sept, Theatre BRAVERY TO THE BELL Evening of fam- whatsonlive.co.uk 61 The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 16 - 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thelist Monday 16 - Sunday 22 September ily entertainment while raising funds A NIGHT AT THE DARTS Featuring darts Wightwick Manor, Wolverhampton for Children With Cancer UK charity. Film legend Phil Taylor, Thurs 19 Sept, HERITAGE OPEN DAYS Look inside Mid- Performers include Fleur East, Joe Dudley Town Hall INDEPENDENT LISTINGS dleport’s historic bottle oven, see the McElderry and Flawless, Sun 22 ARCHIVES OPEN DAY Explore memora- steam engine, delve into the bath- Sept, Symphony Hall, Birmingham RED JOAN (12a) Biography/Drama. bilia related to the Trust, Thurs 19 house and check out the Victorian of- Starring Judi Dench, Sophie Cook- Sept, Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust fices, Sat 21 - Sun 22 Sept, son. Stourbridge Town Hall, Mon 16 Middleport Pottery, Stoke-on-Trent Sept HERITAGE OPEN DAY Free event featur- Dance ing horrible history sessions, a castle HERITAGE OPEN DAY GARDEN PARTY MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS (15) Biogra- tour and ghost walk, Thurs 19 - Fri 20 Featuring music, games and fun for BRB MIXED PROGRAMME Birmingham phy/Drama. Starring Saoirse Ronan, Sept, Dudley Zoological Gardens all the family, Sat 21 - Sun 22 Sept, Margot Robbie. Edge Arts Centre, Royal Ballet collaboration with Ballet THE GLAMPING SHOW Featuring suppli- Wightwick Manor, Wolverhampton Black, Thurs 19 - Sat 21 Sept, Birm- Much Wenlock, North Shropshire, Mon 16 Sept ers from across the glamping indus- STORE STORIES: A BEHIND-THE-SCENES ingham Hippodrome try, Thurs 19 - Sat 21 Sept, TOUR Check out the hidden treasures MIDLAND YOUTH BALLET: TRIPLE BILL BLINDED BY THE LIGHT (12a) Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth in the collection stores and meet the Featuring excerpts from The Tales Of Comedy/Drama. Starring Viveik team carrying out conservation work, Kalra, Hayley Atwell. Wem Town Hall, AUTUMN STEAM GALA Flagship gala Beatrix Potter, Cinderella & La Fille featuring all-night running, an array of Sun 22 Sept, Attingham Park, Mal Gardee, Sat 21 Sept, The Brew- North Shropshire, Tues 17 & Thurs 19 visiting locomotives and an intensive Shrewsbury house Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent Sept timetable, Thurs 19 - Sun 22 Sept, 'MORRIS GANG' DANCING The Blists Hill EASY RIDER (18) Adventure/Drama. Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr Morris Gang entertain the crowds Starring Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper. Kidderminster with traditional dances, Sun 22 Sept, The Hive, Shrewsbury, Wed 18 Sept THE MURDER OF MICHAEL O'MALLEY In- Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge Talks TOLKIEN (12a) Drama/Biography. Star- terrogate the suspects, follow the SANSKRITI: A CELEBRATION OF INDIAN ring Nicholas Hoult, Lily Collins. Lud- ANT MIDDLETON - MIND OVER MUSCLE clues and help the police solve a ter- CULTURE Charity event presenting ‘a low Assembly Rooms, South rible case of murder, Fri 20 Sept, glimpse of the rich heritage of India’, Brand new show in which Ant talks Shropshire, Fri 20 - Sat 21 Sept about the mental strength it took to Birmingham Back to Backs Sun 22 Sept, The Place, Telford, complete his recent SAS series and THE SISTERS BROTHERS (15) Com- OUTDOOR CINEMA SCREENINGS Open- Shropshire huge Everest challenge, Wed 18 edy/Crime. Starring John C. Reilly, air film screenings, taking place HARVEST FESTIVAL Featuring demon- Sept, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Joaquin Phoenix. Ludlow Assembly against a backdrop of historic air- strations, music, a family-friendly trail Rooms, South Shropshire, Fri 20 - crafts, Fri 20 - Sat 21 Sept, RAF Cos- and children's crafts, Sun 22 Sept, Sat 21 Sept ford, Nr Wolverhampton Sarehole Mill, Hall Green, B’ham DOWNTON ABBEY (PG) Drama. Starring A PLACE IN THE SUN LIVE Official exhi- Hugh Bonneville, Maggie Smith. Old bition of the Channel Four TV show, Market Hall, Shrewsbury, Fri 20 Sept - Fri 20 - Sun 22 Sept, NEC, B’ham Thurs 3 Oct PROFESSOR BRIAN COX Brian talks Festivals ARE YOU PROUD? (15) Documentary. about the origin and evolution of the Starring Michael Cashman, Lisa solar system and universe, Sat 21 DUBS COLLECTIVE PARTY IN THE PARK Power. Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, Sept, Arena Birmingham Line-up includes works by Toyah, The Sun 22 Sept MUSEUM TOUR - PEOPLE POWER Cura- Lambrettas, The Neville Staple Band, tor-led tour of the galleries, Sat 21 Curiousity Killed The Cat, The Chris- Sept, The Potteries Museum & Art tians & more... Fri 20 - Sun 22 Sept, AN AUDIENCE WITH GARETH LEWIS With Himley Hall, Dudley over 20 years experience of working Gallery, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent in the spirit world, Gareth Lewis pre- Events MORNING EXPLORERS The museum sents his Our Journey Continues opens early for visitors to explore in a WORLD WAR 2 TO PRESENT DAY Learn show, Wed 18 Sept, Cornbow Hall, quiet and welcoming environment, about Hanley Park’s important role Halesowen Sat 21 Sept, Thinktank Science Mu- during the Second World War, Mon Food & Drink AN EVENING WITH STEVE BULL The seum, Birmingham 16 Sept, Hanley Park, Stoke-on-Trent CANNOCK CHASE BEER AND CIDER FEST Wolves legend in conversation with ANGLO SAXON ARTS AND CRAFT Family BEHIND THE SCENES AT SHROPSHIRE Sample a selection of 60-plus ales broadcaster, writer and Wolves sup- craft activity in which young visitors ARCHIVES Check out the Archive’s im- and 20 ciders/perries, Thurs 19 - Sat porter Johnny Phillips, Fri 20 Sept, can be inspired by the Staffordshire pressive collections, Tues 17 Sept, 21 Sept, Prince Of Wales Centre, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Hoard’s colourful pattern-work and Shrewsbury Library Cannock BRADLEY WIGGINS: AN EVENING WITH... create something to take home, Sat WORLD WAR 2 TO PRESENT DAY Learn LICHFIELD AUTUMN BEER FESTIVAL Britain’s most decorated Olympian 21 Sept, Birmingham Museum And about Hanley Park’s important role Enjoy over 30 real ales & ciders from tells his story, Fri 20 Sept, Symphony Art Gallery during the Second World War, Wed local & regional breweries plus music Hall, Birmingham HERITAGE BUS TOUR Vintage bus trip 18 Sept, Hanley Park, Stoke-on-Trent from The Clarksville Mountain Band, DRAPERS HALL PRESERVATION TRUST A between Oswestry and Llynclys BELLRINGING Climb the tower to visit Fri 20 - Sat 21 Sept, Lichfield Guild- talk on the history of the Shrewsbury South Stations, Sat 21 - Sun 22 Sept, the ringing chamber and examine hall Drapers Company, Fri 20 Sept, Drap- Cambrian Heritage Railways, Os- historic items and records of ringers ers Hall, Shrewsbury westry, North Shropshire going back to 1750, Wed 18 Sept, St OSWESTRY SOUTH SIGNAL BOX The re- MY NAME IS WHY: IN CONVERSATION Marys Church, Stafford WITH LEMN SISSAY The poet, play- furbished Grade II listed signal box is SECOND CITY EXECUTIONS wright & broadcaster reads from his Experience open for viewing, Sat 21 - Sun 22 new memoir and reflects on his child- a ‘gruesome’ evening at the Back to Sept, Cambrian Heritage Railways, hood in care, self-expressionism and Backs, exploring the dark side of Oswestry, North Shropshire Birmingham's history, Wed 18 Sept, Britishness... Fri 20 Sept, Midlands BELLRINGING Climb the tower to visit Birmingham Back to Backs Arts Centre, Birmingham the ringing chamber and examine THE BEATLES IN COMICS: A TALK BY TIM GUIDED TOUR: HERITAGE AND HISTORY historic items and records of ringers 8TH ANNUAL CHILLI, CHEESE & CHOCO- OF BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS QUINN Former Marvel Comics comic- going back to 1750, Sat 21 - Sun 22 LATE FESTIVAL Featuring a market, live book creator Tim takes a look at 100 Learn more about how the Gardens Sept, St Marys Church, Stafford music, cooking demos and a chilli- were designed and have evolved of the best (and worst!) comic books WIGHTWICK MANOR GARDEN PARTY eating contest, Sun 22 Sept, The over time, Wed 18 - Thurs 19 Sept, to feature the Fab Four, Sun 22 Sept, Featuring music, games and fun for Dorothy Clive Garden, Willough- Birmingham Botanical Gardens The Hive, Shrewsbury all the family, Sat 21 - Sun 22 Sept, bridge, North Shropshire whatsonlive.co.uk 63 The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 23 - 30 September.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2019 11:13 Page 1

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thelist Monday 23 - Monday 30 September BALAAM AND THE ANGEL GEORGE EGG Thurs 26 Sept, Festival Sat 28 Sept, O2 Classical Drayton Centre, Market Drayton, Academy, Birmingham North Shropshire CENTRE STAGE: PURCELL & TCHAIKOVSKY JESS MORGAN & NELS NOEL JAMES, GARETH RICHARDS, MAR- Featuring Kate Suthers & Charlotte ANDREWS Sat 28 Sept, TIN MOR & SARAH KEYWORTH Fri 27 Skinner (violins), Christopher Yates & The Hive, Shrewsbury Sept, The Glee Club, Birmingham Amy Thomas (violas), Helen Edgar & THE SUBTERRANEANS Catherine Ardagh-Walter (cellos), PATRICK MONAHAN Fri 27 Sept, Old Sat 28 Sept, The River Thurs 26 Sept, CBSO Centre, B’ham Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham Rooms, Stourbridge ALISTAIR MCGOWAN Join Alistair for a ADAM ROWE Sat 28 Sept, The Slade NICKELBACK’D Sat 28 unique mix of classical music & com- Rooms, Wolverhampton Sept, Eleven, Sandy- edy, Sat 28 Sept, Theatre Severn, GUZ KAHN, MICKY P KERR, JAMIE ford, Stoke-on-Trent Shrewsbury HUTCHINSON & HAYLEY ELLIS Sat 28 THE COUNTERFEIT Sept, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham Son Of Dave - Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury STONES Sat 28 Sept, GEOFF NORCOTT Sun 29 Sept, The Glee The Robin, Bilston Club, Birmingham JAY1 Thurs 26 Sept, JOE / BRANDY & DRU BOB'S COMEDY FUNHOUSE Mon 30 Sept, O2 Institute, B’ham Gigs HILL Sat 28 Sept, O2 The Glee Club, Birmingham THE NIGHT CAFE Thurs Academy, Birmingham BIG ZUU Mon 23 Sept, 26 Sept, O2 Institute, HOUSE JAMMERZ Sat 28 O2 Academy, B’ham Birmingham Sept, Albert’s Shed, PAUL GILBERT Mon 23 KOYO + GUESTS Thurs Shrewsbury Theatre Sept, The Mill, Dig- 26 Sept, Hare & THE LEYLINES Sat 28 FIRST AID Midlands playwright Laura beth, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham Sept, Katie Fitzger- DI XIAO PIANO CONCERT Programme in- Liptrot takes a look at what happens HAYLEY ELLIS & SALLY- LET’S HANG ON Thurs ald’s, Stourbridge cludes works by Cécile Chaminade, when a group of people are thrown to- ANNE HAYWARD Mon 23 26 Sept, Theatre Sev- EARTHGANG Sat 28 Clara Schumann, Cecilia McDowall, gether on a first-aid course, Mon 23 - Sept, Stafford Gate- ern, Shrewsbury Sept, O2 Institute, Maria Syzmanowska, F. Chopin, Wed 25 Sept, The Blue Orange The- house MARTIN TURNER - EX Birmingham Eleanor Alberga & Mélanie Hélène atre, Birmingham CAMP COPE Mon 23 WISHBONE ASH Thurs THE SIMON AND GAR- Bonis, Sat 28 Sept, St Laurence’s CALENDAR GIRLS THE MUSICAL Tim Firth Sept, Hare & Hounds, 26 Sept, The Robin, FUNKEL STORY Sat 28 Church, Ludlow, South Shropshire & Gary Barlow’s award-winning pro- Birmingham Bilston Sept, Ludlow Assem- CBSO: SHEKU PLAYS ELGAR Featuring duction, starring Sarah Jane Buckley, ROAM + WITH CONFI- ANDY RICHARDS BAND bly Rooms, South Mirga Gražinyte-Tyla (conductor) & Sue Devaney, Julia Hills, Judy Holt, DENCE Mon 23 Sept, Thurs 26 Sept, Katie Shropshire Sheku Kanneh-Mason (cello). Pro- Ruth Madoc, Lisa Maxwell and Re- O2 Institute, B’ham Fitzgerald’s, Stour- ADAM ROWE Sat 28 gramme includes works by Purcell becca Storm, Tues 24 - Sat 28 Sept, ALCATRAZZ + THE JOK- bridge Sept, The Slade (arr. Stucky), Elgar, George Benjamin Wolverhampton Grand Theatre & Vaughan Williams, Sat 28 Sept, ERS + EVYLTYDE Mon TINY MOVING PARTS Fri Rooms, Wolverhamp- SISTER ACT Amateur production by Symphony Hall, Birmingham 23 Sept, Eleven, 27 Sept, O2 Institute, ton Sutton Coldfield MTC, Tues 24 - Sat Sandyford, Stoke-on- Birmingham NEW RULES Sun 29 LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH 28 Sept, Lichfield Garrick Trent THOMAS TROTTER Programme includes FOO FIGHTERS GB Fri 27 Sept, O2 Academy, WIFE AFTER DEATH Amateur production works by Parry, Hurford, J.S Bach, FÉLIX RABIN Mon 23 Sept, Eleven, Sandy- Birmingham of Eric Chappell’s comedy, presented Howells & Elgar, Mon 30 Sept, Birm- Sept, The Robin, Bil- ford, Stoke-on-Trent RESPECT: THE ARETHA by The Lichfield Players, Tues 24 - Sat ston ingham Town Hall 28 Sept, Lichfield Garrick THE GREATEST HITS OF FRANKIN SONGBOOK PALE WAVES Tues 24 MOTOWN - HOW SWEET Sun 29 Sept, Lichfield THE UNIMAGINABLE SISTERS Central Sept, O2 Academy, IT IS Fri 27 Sept, The- Garrick Youth Theatre present a ‘funny & furi- Birmingham atre Severn, Shrews- JOSH LOBLEY Sun 29 ous play’ set in Dublin, Wed 25 - KEANE Tues 24 Sept, bury Sept, Albert’s Shed, Comedy Thurs 26 Sept, Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton Symphony Hall, Birm- BRUNO - A TRIBUTE TO Shrewsbury BEN ELTON Mon 23 Sept, Stafford Gate- ingham BRUNO MARS Sat 27 NEW HOPE CLUB Sun 29 house Theatre BARBER SHOP CHRONICLES New com- THE HOWL & THE HUM Sept, The River Sept, O2 Institute, edy that leaps from a barber shop in Tues 24 Sept, Hare & Rooms, Stourbridge Birmingham Peckham to Johannesburg, Harare, Kampala, Lagos and Accra over the Hounds, Birmingham ETHER E Fri 27 Sept, Al- SON OF DAVE Sun 29 course of a single day, Thurs 26 - Sat bert’s Shed, Shrews- THE DUST CODA Wed 25 Sept, Henry Tudor 28 Sept, The REP, Birmingham Sept, O2 Academy, bury House, Shrewsbury STRANGE ENCOUNTERS OF A SOCIAL Birmingham THE QUO EXPERIENCE THE REASONING Sun 29 KIND Comedy drama exploring what Fri 27 Sept, The Place, STARS OF IRISH COUN- Sept, The Robin, Bil- happens when a bunch of strangers Telford TRY Wed 25 Sept, The ston are brought together and have to deal Place, Telford MADONNA VS CHER Fri BELINDA CARLISLE Sun with a tricky situation, Thurs 26 - Sat AVERAGE WHITE BAND 27 Sept, The Robin, 29 Sept, William Aston 28 Sept, The Blue Orange Theatre, Bilston Wed 25 Sept, Birming- Hall, Wrexham HAYLEY ELLIS & SALLY-ANNE HAYWARD Birmingham ham Town Hall BLACKBALLED Fri 27 VOLBEAT Mon 30 Sept, Mon 23 Sept, Stafford Gatehouse THE WEDDING SINGER Amateur staging JCM FEATURING CLEM Sept, Katie Fitzger- O2 Academy, B’ham Theatre presented by Backstreet Theatre ald’s Stourbridge CLEMPSON, MARK ZEBRAHEAD Mon 30 ROB BECKETT Mon 23 Sept, The Place, Company, Thurs 26 - Sat 28 Sept, CLARKE AND RALPH DESPERADO Sat 27 Sept, O2 Institute, Telford, Shropshire Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock SALMINS Wed 25 Sept, Sept, Theatre On The Birmingham ED BYRNE Wed 25 Sept, Stafford Gate- MUSHY - LYRICALLY SPEAKING Rifco The Robin, Bilston Steps, Bridgnorth, CROW BLACK CHICKEN house Theatre Theatre present an uplifting tale in- RICHARD STRANGE PER- South Shropshire spired by the true story of Musharaf Mon 30 Sept, The FERN BRADY Wed 25 Sept, Henry FORMS THE SONGS OF ELECTRIC SWING CIR- Asghar (from the TV series Educating Robin, Bilston Tudor House, Shrewsbury LOU REED Thurs 26 CUS WITH DJ CHRIS Yorkshire), Thurs 26 - Sat 28 Sept, RODRIGO Y GABRIELA Sept, O2 Academy, TOFU Fri 27 Sept, Al- MARTIN MOR PLUS COMEDY CAROUSEL The REP, Birmingham Mon 30 Sept, O2 Insti- Birmingham bert’s Shed, Shrews- WITH ANDY ROBINSON & COMIC TBC tute, Birmingham HOW SWEET IT IS - THE GREATEST HITS bury Thurs 26 Sept, The Glee Club, B’ham whatsonlive.co.uk 65 The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 23 - 30 September.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2019 11:13 Page 3

thelist Monday 23 - Monday 30 September OF MOTOWN Fri 27 Sept, Theatre Sev- aldson and Axel Scheffler’s award- ern, Shrewsbury winning children’s story, Sat 28 - Sun KEEP AN EYE ON AMELIE Central Youth 29 Sept, The Place, Telford, Shrop- Theatre present a high-energy farce... shire Fri 27 - Sat 28 Sept, Newhampton GULP! The Bone Ensemble present a Arts Centre, Wolverhampton story about water for younger audi- GIFTED 37 Dance, music and spoken ences, Sat 28 - Sun 29 Sept, Mid- word combine in a celebration of lands Arts Centre, Birmingham Birmingham’s creative future, Sat 28 HEY DIDDLE DIDDLE Goblin Theatre Sept, Birmingham Hippodrome Company fuse music and puppetry in ANNA MUDEKA: KURE KURE (FARAWAY) an adventure story for younger audi- Anna takes audiences on a thought- ences, Sun 29 Sept, Midlands Arts provoking journey to ancient and Centre, Birmingham modern-day Zimbabwe, Sat 28 Sept, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham PEELING Journey backstage into a world of stories and secrets, where Dance fierce, intelligent women are always JAMES WILTON DANCE: THE STORM the chorus and never the lead... Sat High-energy show blending acrobat- 28 Sept, Arena Theatre, W’hampton Rachel Green at The Ginger & Spice Festival - Market Drayton, North Shropshire ics, breakdancing, martial arts and ‘edge-of-the-seat contact work’, Wed high-energy ’80s soundtrack, Thurs 25 Sept, Midlands Arts Centre, Birm- 26 Sept, Old Joint Stock Theatre, ingham Birmingham Events ROSIE KAY'S FANTASIA Three female THE DREAMBOYS ‘The UK’s most fa- THE GINGER AND SPICE FESTIVAL Cele- dancers ‘discover love, loss, emotion mous girls night out’, Thurs 26 Sept, bration of Market Drayton’s culinary and joy’ to a soundtrack of Vivaldi, The Place, Telford, Shropshire heritage, its links to the ancient spice Purcell, Beethoven and Bach, Wed routes and what is thought to be the 25 - Thurs 26 Sept, The Patrick Stu- oldest gingerbread in the country, dio, Birmingham Hippodrome Wed 25 - Sat 28 Sept, Market Dray- BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET: GISELLE ton, North Shropshire David Bintley & Galina Samsova's Film THE NATIONAL WEDDING SHOW Featur- production of one of the most cele- INDEPENDENT LISTINGS ing 200-plus wedding specialists, brated ballets of the 19th century, thousands of dresses from leading Wed 25 - Sat 28 Sept, Birmingham VICE (15) Biography/Comedy. Starring designers and a show-stopping cat- Hippodrome Christian Bale, Amy Adams. Edge walk, Fri 27 - Sun 29 Sept, NEC, Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, South Birmingham Shropshire, Mon 23 Sept ROCK THE JOINT Celebration of the BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY (12) Biogra- rocking ’50s and ’60s, complete with Talks phy/Drama. Starring Rami Malek, a boat tour and a two-course meal, Lucy Boynton. Forest Arts Centre, Sat 28 Sept, Dudley Canal and Tun- AN EVENING WITH BRIAN BLESSED Brian Walsall, Tues 24 Sept talks about his acting career and life nel Trust of adventure, Mon 23 Sept, New Vic GLORIA BELL (15) Comedy/Drama. EDWARDIAN TEAROOMS LATE: DRINK THAT’LL BE THE DAY Nostalgic variety Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme Starring Julianne Moore, John Tur- AND DRAW Free social drawing event show featuring hits from the ’50s to turro. Ludlow Assembly Rooms, RICHARD DAWKINS Join ethologist for anyone who likes to doodle. Pens, the ’80s, Sun 29 Sept, Theatre Sev- South Shropshire, Fri 27 Sept pencils and paper provided, Sat 28 ern, Shrewsbury Richard Dawkins as he attempts to rethink the ‘big questions’, Mon 23 CHILD'S POSE (15) Drama. Starring Lu- Sept, Birmingham Museum And Art GASLIGHT New staging of Patrick Sept, Birmingham Town Hall minita Gheorghiu, Bogdan Dumitra- Gallery Hamilton’s psychological thriller, Mon che. Foreign language, subtitled. The ANT MIDDLETON - MIND OVER MUSCLE THE 2019 TRAMPOLINE, TUMBLING & 30 Sept - Sat 5 Oct, The Alexandra Hive, Shrewsbury, Fri 27 Sept DMT BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS Gym- Theatre, Birmingham Brand new show in which Ant talks about the mental strength it took to ALADDIN (PG) Adventure/Comedy. nasts soar through the air as they bid BLOOD BROTHERS Willy Russell’s complete his recent SAS series and Starring Will Smith, Mena Massoud. to become British champion, Sat 28 - award-winning musical makes a wel- huge Everest challenge, Fri 27 Sept, This is a brunch event. Shropshire Sun 29 Sept, Arena Birmingham come return to the region, Mon 30 Symphony Hall, Birmingham Hills Discovery Centre, Sat 28 Sept THE WIGHTWICK MANOR MYSTERY A Sept - Sat 12 Oct, Birmingham Hip- GREEN BOOK (12a) Biography/Comedy. prized possession has gone missing podrome IN CONVERSATION WITH MICHAEL MOR- PURGO Actor and comedian Katy Starring Viggo Mortensen, Maher- - can you help to solve the mystery of Brand interviews Michael in celebra- shala Ali. Edge Arts Centre, Much its disappearance? Sat 28 - Sun 29 tion of his 75th birthday, Sat 28 Sept, Wenlock, North Shropshire, Mon 30 Sept, Wightwick Manor, W’hampton Kids Shows Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Sept AUTUMN TOUR & TALK Presented by GIOVANNA FLETCHER: HAPPY MUM, Elizabeth Gooch MBE, with an op- MADAGASCAR THE MUSICAL Join Alex HAPPY BABY The author, podcaster, NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: tional three-course lunch, Sun 29 (X-Factor 2016 winner Matt Terry), presenter, YouTuber and mother Sept, Mitton Manor, Staffordshire Marty, Melman and Gloria as they Released from Fri 27 Sept, showing shares her personal account of moth- at selected cinemas bound out of the zoo and onto the erhood, Sun 29 Sept, Birmingham stage in this ‘live musical spectacu- Town Hall THE GOLDFINCH (15) lar’, Wed 25 - Sun 29 Sept, Regent HOTEL MUMBAI (15) Food & Drink Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent THE HUNT (tbc) SAUSAGE & CIDER FESTIVAL Featuring MADAGASCAR JR Get Your Wigle On cider, beer, live music & array of present an amateur staging of the POMS (12a) Cabaret sausage from around the world, Sat Dreamworks classic, Fri 27 - Sat 28 READY OR NOT (18) 28 Sept, The Buttermarket, Shrews- Sept, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury TINA T’URNER TEA LADY’S STEAMY 21 BRIDGES (tbc) bury BINGO Laugh, dance and play to win STICK MAN Stage version of Julia Don- as Tina spins her cage of balls to a THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW (tbc) 66 whatsonlive.co.uk BRB Giselle Full September 2019.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2019 10:20 Page 1 Arena Theatre - September '19.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2019 12:28 Page 1

New Season BOOKING NOW!

Saturday 28th September at 7.30pm Friday 4th and Saturday 5th October Wednesday 9th October at 7.30pm 7.00pm, 2.00pm Saturday Matinee

Taking Flight Theatre Red Earth Theatre Shasha and Taylor Productions PEELING SOONCHILD EVERYTHING I SEE I SWALLOW

Tickets £14, £12 conc Tickets £14, £12 conc, £9 matinee Tickets £14, £12 conc

Saturday 12th October at 11.00am and 2.00pm Thursday 17th October at 7.30pm Friday 18th and Saturday 19th October 11.00am and 2.30pm both days

Little Angel Theatre Paula Varjack TheT Bone Ensemble EMILY RISING THETHE CULTCULT OFOF K*NZO GULP!

Tickets £14, £12 conc Tickets £14, £12 conc Tickets £9

Thursday 24th October at 7.30pm Friday 25th October at 7.30pm Sunday 27th October at 7.30pm

Demi Nandhra Fierce Festival Bits of Bob Theatre LIFELIFE ISIS NNOO LAUGHINGLA ALBUMALBUM THE BARN ULTIMATUM MATTER

Tickets £14, £12 conc Tickets £14, £12 conc Tickets £14, £12 conc