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Birmingham Cover Online.qxp_Birmingham Cover 25/06/2015 14:33 Page 1 THE MIDLANDS ULTIMATE ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE BIRMINGHAM ’ Whatwww.whatsonlive.co.uk sOnISSUE 355 JULY 2015 BRIAN CONLEY BRINGS THE CIRCUS TO TOWN INTERVIEW INSIDE... LOVE ME TENDER Mica Paris talks about new musical interview inside... FOODIES DELIGHT with the return of Colmore Food Festival INSIDE: FILM COMEDY THEATRE LIVE MUSIC VISUAL ARTS EVENTS FOOD & DRINK & MUCH MORE! MaryMaryGLOBAL SUPERSTAR AT THE GENT ING JJARENA BligeBlige Simmerdown Festival July 15.qxp_Layout 1 25/06/2015 08:53 Page 1 Contents July Region 1.qxp_Layout 1 24/06/2015 17:12 Page 1 July 2015 Editor: Davina Evans INSIDE: [email protected] 01743 281708 Editorial Assistants: Barnum - the circus Brian O’Faolain [email protected] comes to Birmingham 01743 281701 interview with Lauren Foster [email protected] Brian Conley p6 01743 281707 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Jamie Ryan [email protected] 01743 281720 Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 Subscriptions: Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Mica Paris Managing Director: stars in new musical - Paul Oliver interview [email protected] p8 01743 281711 Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan [email protected] 01743 281710 Graphic Designers: Lisa Wassell Maxi Priest - reggae star headlines Simmer Down. More on page 43. Chris Atherton Accounts Administrator Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 TO GET THE VERY News p4 Contributors: LATEST LISTING Graham Bostock: Theatre INFORMATION, James Cameron-Wilson: Music p11 Foodies delight Film; Eva Easthope, VISIT: Jessica Aston, Patsy Colmore Food Festival p55 Moss, Jack Rolfe, Jan whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy p18 Watts, Simon Carter INCLUDING Head Office: BOOKING ONLINE 13-14 Abbey Foregate, Theatre p21 Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE The Midlands’ most Tel: 01743 281777 comprehensive e-mail: [email protected] p35 entertainment website Film/DVD Follow us on... Festivals p38 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is Visual Arts p51 produced without the use July 2015 of elemental chlorine. Birmingham Events p55 We endorse the recycling @whatsonbrum MTWTFSS of our magazine and Warwickshire would encourage you to 12345 @whatsonwarwicks p65 pass it on to others to Eating Out 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 read when you have Worcestershire finished with it. @whatsonworcs 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 ’ 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 WhatsOn 27 28 29 30 31 MAGAZINE GROUP All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. News July Region one.qxp_Layout 1 24/06/2015 17:28 Page 1 News A ROUND-UP OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT NEWS The wonders of the ocean on the big screen The mysterious wonders of the ocean are to be showcased for all to see when the Ocean Film Festival World Tour takes to the road this autumn. Featuring two hours of footage taken above and below the water’s surface, the films are described by the tour’s promot- ers as documenting ‘the beauty and power of the ocean’ and celebrating ‘the divers, surfers, swimmers and oceanographers who live for the sea’s salt spray, who chase the crests of the waves, and who marvel at the mysteries of the big blue’. Impressive-sounding stuff... The Ocean Film Festival World Tour stops off at: Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 2 September; Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, 17 September; Malvern Theatre, 27 October. For further information, visit oceanfilmfesti- val.co.uk New season line-up offers plenty of choice A weekend of celebrations across the city Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre has released Birmingham is this autumn set to host one of the biggest free events ever to take place in the details of its autumn/winter line-up of shows, city. Bringing together major arts organisations, Birmingham Weekender (25 to 27 with highlights including the Birmingham September) is an outdoor event boasting a fusion of music, dance, theatre, art, literature, Stage Company UK premiere of David food and fashion. The weekend marks the opening of the newly transformed New Street Walliams’ best-selling children’s novel, Station and the much-anticipated John Lewis store - and also coincides with Style Gangsta Granny. Birmingham Live and the Rugby World Cup. Commenting on the event, Roxana Silbert, The popular Midlands theatre will also be Creative Director of Birmingham Weekender and Artistic Director of Birmingham Repertory staging a new production of Moliere’s The Theatre, said: “Birmingham is leading the way with this level of collaboration across the city’s Sisterhood and an Olivier Award-nominated arts and cultural organisations. We have relationships with some of the best national and play celebrating the legendary Judy Garland. international companies and artists in the world. Birmingham Weekender is an opportunity to Also included in the line-up is a brand new showcase Birmingham as a regenerated city full of vibrancy and optimism. And for audiences yuletide comedy called Vampomime, which it will be an amazing, surprising and inspiring couple of days out!” follows the hapless adventures of a theatre company run entirely by vampires. Touring productions stopping off at the this month to explore new creative avenues. Belgrade include: The Smallest Show On Ms Teo joined BRB’s board in 2013 and the Truly scrumptious musical Earth, starring Liza Goddard and Brian Company’s Finance & General Purposes back in Brum Capron (13 to 17 October); She Called Me Committee in 2014. She’s also Director of A brand new staging of Chitty Chitty Bang Mother (7 November), with Cathy Tyson; and the Birmingham Museums Trust and has Bang is visiting the Birmingham Hippodrome a revival production of Terrence Rattigan’s played an important role in both the annual in 2016. The West Yorkshire Playhouse pro- award-winning World War Two biopic, Flare Deutsche Bank Creative Awards and the duction promises ‘sensational sets and stun- Path (3 to 7 November). For full new-season Women In European Business Diversity ning special effects’, presented alongside listings, visit belgrade.co.uk Group. Commenting on her new appoint- ment, Jan said: “I’m delighted to combine the Sherman brothers’ memorable score. Hit my corporate skills with a personal and life- standards from the ever-popular musical long passion for the arts and cultural pur- include Truly Scrumptious, Toot Sweets, suits, and am looking forward to working Hushabye Mountain and the show’s signa- with the immensely talented and dedicated ture tune, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. team at Birmingham Royal Ballet.” Speaking of his involvement in the produc- For details of BRB’s autumn season, visit tion, West Yorkshire Playhouse Artistic brb.org.uk Director James Brining said: “Directing such an iconic show is a great opportunity, a thrilling challenge for any director. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a brilliant adventure story, filled with classic songs and scenes that hold so many memories for so many people. I can’t wait to bring the production to New Chief Exec for BRB Birmingham.” Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB) has Chitty Chitty Bang Bang shows at announced the appointment of Jan Teo (pic- Birmingham Hippodrome from Wednesday 7 tured) as its new Chief Executive. to Sunday 18 September 2016, with tickets Jan, who takes up her position in priced from £23.50 to £50 on general sale September, replaces current CEO from 10am Monday 6 July. Christopher Barron, who’s stepping down 4 www.whatsonlive.co.uk News July Region one.qxp_Layout 1 24/06/2015 17:28 Page 2 A world of magic at Warwick Arts Centre A new interactive adventure for children aged four and older is being presented at Warwick Arts Centre over the Christmas period. The Lost Gift invites families to ‘step into a magical story that they walk through and help create’. The production features ‘a host of charming characters’ and runs at the venue from Sat 12 to Thurs 31 Dec. Lasting for forty-five minutes, the show will be presented at ten-minute intervals - from 10am to 6.40pm - every day except Christmas Day. Commenting on the production, Matt Burman, Head of Programme & Audience at Warwick Arts Centre, said: “We’re delighted to be producing this new Christmas adven- ture with local companies Highly Sprung and Vortex Creates. We’re looking forward to welcoming people of all ages, both old and new friends of the Arts Centre, to expe- rience, together with family and friends, this Watch, try and join in... at Coventry festival very special event. This promises to be A diverse range of arts-based activities and performances await visitors to Coventry’s second unlike anything you’ve seen or heard at the Festival Of Imagineers next month (3 to 8 August). Arts Centre before...” Taking place at various city centre venues - including the Coventry Cathedral Ruins, For further information and to book tickets, Millennium Place and Broadgate - the festival offers a series of free experiences for people to visit warwickartscentre.co.uk sample. There’s also an opportunity to explore hidden spaces and inventions across the city, including a visit underground to Coventry’s slipper baths. Highlights of the festival include: Imagineer Productions’ new performance, Come Fly With Pixie Lott to star in Me; the regional premiere of Pif-Paf’s Planetary - a brand new piece of aerial theatre; Acrojou’s The Wheel House, a contemporary circus experience housed in a hand-built struc- Breakfast At Tiffany’s ture; and Godiva, in all her glory, aboard her cyclopedia.