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Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands Birmingham ’ Whatwww.whatsonlive.co.uk sISSUE On 365 MAY 2016 EDDIE IZZARD IN THE MIDLANDS

inside:

Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide

Julian Clary Celebrating 30 years of Mincing! The Overtones (FP- June 16).qxp_Layout 1 09/05/2016 14:55 Page 1 Contents May Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 16:17 Page 1

May 2016

Contents

Political Mother - Hofesh Shechter’s acclaimed work at The Rep. Feature page 20

Laura Mvula Katherine Ryan King Lear the list

performs The Dreaming Room Canadian funny lady at the Don Warrington takes the lead Your 16-page on home turf Town Hall in The Bard’s searing tragedy week-by-week listings guide page 15 page 28 page 31 page 51

inside:

4. First Word 11. Food 14. Music 28. Comedy 31. Theatre 38. Film 42. Visual Arts 45. Events

@whatsonbrum fb.com/whatsonbirmingham Birmingham What’s On Magazine Birmingham What’s On Magazine

Editorial Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 ’ Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 Whats On Matt Rothwell [email protected] 01743 281719 MAGAZINE GROUP Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Ryan Humphreys [email protected] 01743 281722 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Heather Kincaid, Adam Jaremko, Kathryn Ewing, David Vincent Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is produced without the use of elemental chlorine. We endorse the recycling of our magazine and would encourage you to pass it on to others to read when you have finished with it. 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. FIRST WORD May Brum.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 20:14 Page 1

First Word

Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes amongst Hippodrome highlights

A specially commissioned outdoor production commemo- rating the centenary of the Great War is one of the high- lights of Birmingham Hippodrome’s recently announced 2016/17 programme of shows. Furious Folly, taking place as night falls in a no-man’s land on the battle front between the two lines, immerses its audience within an open-air collage of sound, light, pyrotechnics and performance. The production will be presented in Sutton Park. The Hippodrome season also sees Sir Matthew Bourne making a welcome return to Birmingham with brand new show The Red Shoes, a dance piece based on the beloved fairytale and Academy Award-winning movie of the same title. Other highlights of the season include Shakespeare- inspired productions by Birmingham Royal Ballet and Welsh National Opera, Cuban choreographer Nilda Guerra’s ‘sizzling’ new dance show Vamos Cuba, and Billy Elliott The Musical, stopping off at the Hippodrome as part of its first ever UK tour. For more information about these shows and other ele- ments of the Hippodrome’s 2016/17 season, visit, birming- hamhippodrome.com.

Plans revealed for city centre Will wannabe Aldo Zilli announced redevelopment surgeons make for Foodies Festival the cut?

Midlands-based wannabe surgeons are being given the chance to work in a real operating theatre this summer. The anatomy dissection tour Operating Theatre Live is heading to Birmingham in August, and is aimed at children Award-winning celebrity chef and restauran- and young people teur Aldo Zilli is set to be a star attraction at between the ages of 14 Birmingham’s forthcoming Foodies Festival. Birmingham City Council has revealed plans to transform and 17 who want to pur- Aldo, who specialises in Italian, vegetarian one of the city’s largest public spaces. A full business case sue careers in health and and seafood cuisine, will take his place at for the redevelopment of Centenary Sqaure has been put to medicine. the Cannon Hill Park event next month, cabinet with councillors asked to accept a £10.55 million The students will work in heading a line-up of celebrity chefs that also Enterprise Zone grant from the Greater Birmingham and groups to dissect a real features Great British Bake Off 2015 winner Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (BGBSLEP) to fund GI tract (stomach & intes- Nadiya Jamir Hussain. the cost of delivering the project. tines), a heart, a set of Other attractions at the three-day festival The square’s new design was chosen following a high pro- lungs, a head and brain include an artisan producers market, craft file competition which attracted nearly 200 entries from sample and a real leg and beer masterclasses, a kids cookery theatre, a architects and designers around the world. The new design bone. vintage cider tent and, for those with an incorporates lighting columns, a water feature with foun- Operating Theatre Live adventurous nature and cast-iron stomach, a tain jets and a glade of trees. runs from 10 to 12 August jungle bug eating challenge. Work on the scheme is scheduled to begin in early 2017, in Sutton Coldfield. The Birmingham Foodies Festival takes place subject to subsequent planning permission, with the proj- in Cannon Hill Park from 3 to 5 June. ect due to be completed by summer 2018. 4 whatsonlive.co.uk FIRST WORD May Brum.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 18:29 Page 2

Entertainment news from around the region

Cabaret Festival Mel B promises to spice returns for a up the festive season second year It will definitely be a case of ‘mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the Spiciest one of all?’ at Birmingham’s Cabaret Festival is back for a second year, taking Birmingham’s Barclaycard Arena this place at the city’s Old Joint Stock Christmas, when Spice Girl Mel B stars as the venue from 4 to 29 May. Scary Queen in Snow White. “Cabaret has undeniably under- Melanie Brown - aka Scary Spice - will head- gone a renaissance in the past line the production, which is being promoted couple of decades,” explain the as ‘the world’s biggest panto’. festival’s organisers. “Music, come- dy, circus, drag and burlesque Mel will be joined by Big Brother favourite acts, to name but a few branches, Rylan Clarke-Neal as her henchman, Paddy frequently dominate the headlines McGuinness as Muddles and Strictly Come at festivals and venues across the Dancing's Vincent and Flavia as the mysteri- world. Cabaret is often the place to ous spirits in the mirror. discover the newest and most dar- The show will also boast a giant castle, ing cross-disciplinary theatre, and it’s something we're delighted to ‘amazing’ special effects, 24ft-high fountains be bringing to the second city.” and impressive displays of aerial acrobatics. The production runs at the Barclaycard Arena from 19 to 22 December. For more information and to buy tickets, West Midlands visit, barclaycardarena.co.uk/whats- the best for on/worlds-biggest-pantomime young visitors

Travel guidebook series Rough Guides has named the West Midlands as the third best place in the world to visit with children. Little Shop Of Be At One in Birmingham Edinburgh, the Isle of Wight and Wales were the only other UK des- Horrors for Cocktail bar chain Be At One is opening its first Birmingham tinations to feature in the top-30 Rhydian venue this month. list. Kerala in India took first place Founded in 1998 by bartenders Steve Locke, Rhys Oldfield and and Maribor in Slovenia second. Leigh Miller, Be At One is located in the Piccadilly Arcade and has Commenting on the success, Emma Gray, Director of Marketing one of the largest cocktail lists in the industry. & Communications at Visit Commenting on the Birmingham opening, co-founder Steve Locke Birmingham, said: “The West said: “We’re very much focused on providing a world class guest Midlands is bursting at the seams experience, which we deliver through our bartenders, in-house with vibrant cultural attractions, training and an extensive range of cocktails. globally-recognised cuisine and “Be At One is a cocktail institution, providing great service, an innovative independent festivals - all proving a hit with local and visit- unbeatable party atmosphere and, most importantly, a pretention- ing families. free attitude. Birmingham is a major step for us - the city has a “This latest recognition from Rough Welsh baritone Rhydian thriving cocktail scene and one that we’re very excited about join- Guides follows a record 2015 for Roberts is to star in Little ing.” the region’s visitor economy, with Shop Of Horrors when it The Birmingham Be At One Cocktail Bar opens for business on 12 Birmingham alone welcoming an tours to Birmingham and May. all-time high of more than 38 mil- Coventry in the autumn. lion tourists. “With an exciting 2016 calendar Rhydian, who’s sold in including Shakespeare’s 400th excess of one million anniversary, there’s so much here albums worldwide since Birmingham Jazz Festival just got bigger to inspire and enthral children from appearing on The X The Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival has teamed up with across the globe.” Factor in 2007, will take Solihull Business Improvement District (BID) to become the For Rough Guides’ full list, visit, the role of sadistic dentist roughguides.com/special- Birmingham and Solihull Jazz & Blues Festival. Orin Scrivello, the charac- features/the-30-best-places-to-go- Commenting on the development, Melanie Palmer, Executive ter memorably played by with-kids/ Director of Solihull BID, said: “From our experience in running Steve Martin in the 1986 our own annual Solihull Jazz Festival, we realised that there’s a film version. huge appetite for jazz in and around Solihull. I believe that the The show runs at the New time is now right to engage with the long-established Birmingham Alexandra Theatre from event to produce a festival that will have a far greater footprint Tuesday 27 September to than would two separate festivals.” Saturday 1 October and The Birmingham and Solihull Jazz & Blues Festival takes place The Belgrade, Coventry from 15 to 24 July. The event includes around 150 performances from Wed 26 to Sat 29 presented in 60 venues, almost all of which will be free to attend. October. whatsonlive.co.uk 5 Whats On Readers Awards WINNERS MM.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 19:02 Page 1

Readers’ What’sOn Awards 2016 You've been voting in your thousands - literally OVER 25,000 VOTES CAST - in our first ever What's On Readers' Awards! And, the WINNERS are:

The organisers of Moseley Folk Festival Barbara Nice Graham Callister Chris Sudworth

THEATRE: Best Touring Play CLASSICAL (inc Opera): Best Midlands Comedian WINNER: Curious Incident Of The Dog Best Production WINNER: Barbara Nice In The Night-Time WINNER: CBSO at Symphony Hall 1st RUNNER-UP: Andy White 1st RUNNER-UP: East Is East 1st RUNNER-UP: WNO - Sweeney Todd Best Midlands Music Venue THEATRE: Best Touring Musical (Large: 1000+ capacity) Best Midlands Arts/Cultural WINNER: Hairspray WINNER: Symphony Hall Festival 1st RUNNER-UP: The Bodyguard 1st RUNNER-UP: Barclaycard Arena WINNER: Birmingham Weekender THEATRE: Best Home-Produced 1st RUNNER-UP: Best Midlands Music Venue Show In The Midlands Birmingham Comedy Festival (Medium: 500 - 1000 capacity) WINNER: The Lion, The Witch WINNER: The Robin - Bilston Best Midlands Theatre/Arts Venue & The Wardrobe - The REP 1st RUNNER-UP: (Large: 1000+ capacity) 1st RUNNER-UP: Warwick Arts Centre - Coventry Wendy & Peter Pan - RSC WINNER: Birmingham Hippodrome 1st RUNNER-UP: Birmingham Rep Best Midlands Music Festival THEATRE: Best Pantomime In The WINNER: Moseley Folk Festival Midlands 2015/16 1st RUNNER-UP: WINNER: Aladdin - Birmingham Shrewsbury Folk Festival Hippodrome 1st RUNNER-UP: Peter Pan - Best Midlands Live Band Wolverhampton Grand Theatre WINNER: The Twang Rob Macpherson from 1st RUNNER-UP: Rainbreakers THEATRE: Best Midlands Amateur Birmingham Hippodrome Dramatic/Operatic Group Best Midlands Exhibition Best Midlands Theatre/Arts Venue WINNER: West Bromwich Operatic (Medium: 500-1000 capacity) WINNER: Staffordshire Hoard - BMAG Society (WBOS) 1st RUNNER-UP: WINNER: mac - Birmingham 1st RUNNER-UP: Pop Art - Wolverhampton Art Gallery Bournville Musical Theatre Company 1st RUNNER-UP: Lichfield Garrick Best Birmingham Art Gallery/ DANCE: Best Production Best Independent Cinema Exhibition Venue WINNER: WINNER: BRB’s - The Nutcracker WINNER: Birmingham Museum and Electric Cinema - Birmingham 1st RUNNER-UP: Matthew Bourne’s Art Gallery 1st RUNNER-UP: Edward Scissorhands 1st RUNNER-UP: IKON Gallery mac - Birmingham

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WINNERS ANNOUNCED! #artsmatters #culturematters

Best Midlands Art Gallery/ 1st RUNNER-UP: Moseley Folk Best Sporting Event Exhibition Venue (outside Festival WINNER: The Rugby World Cup Birmingham) 1st RUNNER-UP: WINNER: Wolverhampton Art Gallery Best Midlands' Food Festival Aegon Classic Tennis 1st RUNNER-UP: New Art Gallery - WINNER: Birmingham Ind Food Fair Walsall 1st RUNNER-UP: Best Midlands Nightclub Ludlow Food Festival WINNER: Rainbow Venues in Digbeth Best Midlands' Visitor Attraction 1st RUNNER-UP: The Nightingale - WINNER: Black Country Living Best Midlands Street Food Event Birmingham Museum WINNER: Digbeth Dining Club - Midlands Entertainment 1st RUNNER-UP: Severn Valley Birmingham Personality of the Year Award Railway 1st RUNNER-UP: mac Food Market - Birmingham WINNER: Citizen Khan (Adil Ray) Best Midlands Outdoor Event 1st RUNNER-UP: Beverley Knight WINNER: The Big Hoot - Birmingham Best Midlands Street Food Vendor 1st RUNNER-UP: Frankfurt Christmas WINNER: Brum Yum Yum Market - B’ham 1st RUNNER-UP: Best Midlands Indoor Event Bournville Waffle Company

WINNER: BBC Good Food Show Best Midlands Retail Shopping 1st RUNNER-UP: MCM Comic Con Centre

Best Family-friendly/Community WINNER: Bullring - Birmingham Festival 1st RUNNER-UP: Citizen Khan with Lauren Foster WINNER: Birmingham Weekender Grand Central - Birmingham

Best Regional Theatre/Arts Venue (Small - under 500 capacity)

Birmingham Black Country Shropshire Staffordshire Warwickshire Worcestershire

1st RUNNER-UP: WINNER: WINNER: WINNER: WINNER: WINNER: The Crescent Theatre Arena Theatre, W’ton The Hive, Shrewsbury Stafford Gatehouse Albany Theatre, C’try Artrix, Bromsgrove WINNER: The Old Rep 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: Stourbridge Town Hall Theatre on the Steps l Brewhouse Arts l l l Criterion Theatre l l l Evesham Arts Centre Best Regional Live Music Venue (Small - under 500 capacity)

Birmingham Black Country Shropshire Staffordshire Warwickshire Worcestershire

WINNER: WINNER: WINNER: Henry Tudor WINNER: WINNER: The Tin WINNER: Huntingdon Hare & Hounds The Slade Rooms House, Shrewsbury The Sugarmill, Stoke Music & Arts, C’try Hall, Worcester 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: The Glee Club Newhampton Arts l l l Walker Theatre at Tamworth Assembly l l Leamington Lamp, l l Artrix, Bromsgrove Centre Theatre Severn Rooms Leamington Spa Best Regional Visitor Attraction

Birmingham Black Country Shropshire Staffordshire Warwickshire Worcestershire

WINNER: Birmingham WINNER: Black WINNER: Ironbridge WINNER: Drayton Manor WINNER: Coventry WINNER: Museum & Art Gallery Country Living Museum Gorge Museums 1st RUNNER-UP: Transport Museum Croome Park 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: National Memorial l l l 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: Cadbury World Dudley Zoo Attingham Park Arboretum Warwick Castle Severn Valley Railway Best Independent Regional Restaurant

Birmingham Black Country Shropshire Staffordshire Warwickshire Worcestershire

WINNER: WINNER: The WINNER: WINNER: The Swan WINNER: WINNER: The Royal Purnells Summerhouse, Dudley The King and Thai with Two Necks Tailors, Warwick Oak, Evesham 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: Sabai Sabai Indigo Restaurant The Hundred House The Orange Tree Greyhound Inn The Black Star

whatsonlive.co.uk 7 Amelia Lily DPS.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 16:23 Page 1

FEATURE Amelia Lily The former X Factor finalist chats to What’s On about starring in explosive Broadway musical American Idiot when it visits Birmingham this month

Spring 2002 - As the world reels in the after- math of the 9/11 attacks, former leading lights of the US pop punk scene Green Day are falling apart. Another tour and a greatest hits album do little to assuage the effects of messy personal lives, declining popularity and a lack of communication. The trio decide a change is needed, opening up to each other and experi- menting with new sounds. By November 2003, they've recorded 20 songs for an album titled Cigarettes And Valentines, but that month, the master tapes are stolen. Producer Rob Cavallo asks them to consider whether the lost mate- rial was really their best work. Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong disappears to New York for an alcohol-fuelled month alone. It might have been the end of Green Day. Remarkably, two years later, they would become perhaps the biggest rock band in the world. In September 2005, American Idiot took the in- dustry by storm. Unlike the unreleased Ciga- rettes And Valentines, this concept album marked a true departure from their earlier work, with sprawling, multi-part musical suites in Jesus Of Suburbia and Homecoming, and powerful political punch in anthems like Holiday and, of course, the title track. Its suc- cess spawned sell-out tours, an avalanche of branded merchandise, a live tour CD and DVD and, in 2009/10, a Broadway musical, created by Armstrong and Michael Mayer. Following a West End run at the Arts Theatre last year, the show is now embarking on a second UK tour, stopping off at Birmingham's New Alexandra Theatre’s something Theatre this month. “The show is about three boys trying to find

‘‘ that I’ve wanted to do meaning in their lives post-9/11,” Lily explains. “One of the guys moves away to the city and

since I was about nine becomes a bit of a drug addict, one of them stays at home with his pregnant girlfriend and years old,‘‘ so I feel like the other one goes off to fight in the army. So I’m living my dream they've all got these very different stories and journeys and you see how they reunite at the now. end.” Best known as an X Factor finalist, pop starlet Lily, now 21, was less than 10 years old when Green Day mania rocked the western world. As

8 whatsonlive.co.uk Amelia Lily DPS.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 16:23 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

such, for her, being a part of the show has some reflection of the band's own former by the audience's reactions that they're hav- been a fascinating process of discovery. struggles in the disillusionment of the ing the time of their lives, which is an amaz- “I was really young at the time, though of show's three leads. Indeed, Armstrong ing feeling!” course I knew their big hits - how could you joined the cast as Jimmy for several perform- Following a string of UK chart hits, includ- not? But I've learned so much more about ances during the first Broadway run. Like ing her Number Two debut single, You Bring the band by being in the show. It also helps the album, the show pulses with genuine Me Joy, Lily's first professional experience in that my boyfriend Steve is the biggest Green anger and shows how, all too often, a sense musical theatre came as something of a sur- Day fan ever!” of powerlessness and disenfranchisement prise, and saw her rather thrust in at the can lead young people into self-destructive Conveniently enough, that's Steve Rushton, deep end. apathy. Sadly, more than ten years later, it's also appearing in the show as the less-than- “I got a call last year saying that Bill Ken- a story that's lost none of its power, with the willing young father, Will. He stars along- wright was looking for a Narrator for Joseph expansion of mass media and the War on side Emma Housley as his girlfriend, and they needed somebody asap. I was in- Terror showing no signs of letting up yet. If Heather, Alexis Gerred as military recruit vited to his offices to perform, and he of- the rise of George W Bush provoked a back- Tunny, Newton Faulkner as the hapless city- fered me the job there and then, which was lash, it's nothing on the fascinated horror bound hero Johnny, and Lucas Rush as amazing! Of course, then I only had four with which the world now watches Donald Johnny's anarchic alter-ego, St Jimmy. days to learn the entire show! It was one of Trump. Meanwhile, in the UK, Tony Blair re- Jimmy's not the only character whose exis- the most challenging things I've ever done, mains unforgiven by many for the Iraq War, tence is in question, however. There's also a but also one of the things I'm proudest of and Russell Brand evoked both outrage and hint that Johnny's mysterious love interest, having achieved. As my first musical, it was admiration for arguing against the value of Whatsername, might be little more than a hard, but I think I just about pulled it off!” voting in a system so stacked against real hallucination, or perhaps even a symbolic change. Ever driven and determined, Lily kick- figure representing his ideals. started her own musical career while still at “I don't think this story will ever get old,” “Whatsername is a city girl who Johnny school, writing her own songs and posting says Lily. “Even though I was very young at meets when he leaves home, and it's a really videos of herself singing on YouTube. But the time, I actually do remember 9/11 hap- fiery romance they have, so she has quite an acting has also been a long-term passion of pening quite vividly. My mum was ironing in emotional journey throughout the show,” hers, and she's thrilled to have been able to the kitchen and we were watching TV, and says Lily. “I'm still not sure myself whether seize so many opportunities to develop her all of a sudden it was breaking news. So she's actually real or just in his head, and I skills and show off her talents at such a many people were affected by it, not just in think it's kind of up to the audience to de- young age. America, but across the world, and people cide for themselves. I think it's great that the are still questioning why it happened now. “Theatre's something that I've wanted to do show leaves people thinking and doesn't What's great about American Idiot, though, since I was about nine years old, so I feel give them all the answers. It makes it quite a is that it really gives a good message out to like I'm living my dream now. It does seem challenging role for me but also means I people.” like everything's happened very sponta- have a lot of freedom.” neously for me in the musical theatre world, Like the band, well known for their dynamic Unsurprisingly, their relationship doesn't but I really enjoy that and I think that's how live gigs, those behind the musical know exactly end in a conventional happy ever I work best. I don't like to plan too far in ad- how to put on a good show. Among the after... vance - I prefer to just see how things go. I things reviews of American Idiot have con- feel very lucky that I've been able to have a “Eventually, it gets to the point where sistently praised is its capturing of the raw pop career and a musical theatre career at Johnny has to choose between her and the energy of a rock concert - something to only 21, and I hope I'll continue with both.” drugs, and he chooses the drugs,” she con- which Lily is no stranger. tinues. “Letterbomb is such a good song to “When I first got the phone call from my perform because that's when you really see agent about American Idiot, I was really ex- Whatsername come out of her shell and let cited about it. Being a rock show and a mu- out all the rage and frustration she's been sical, it sounded right up my street. There American Idiot shows at New Alexandra bottling up inside.” are parts of the show where you definitely Theatre, Birmingham from It doesn't seem too much of a stretch to see feel like you're at a rock gig, and you can see Tues 10 May to Sat 14 May

whatsonlive.co.uk 9 FOOD May - Region Brum .qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 16:22 Page 1

Birmingham @WHATSONBRUM Wolverhampton @WHATSONWOLVES Shropshire @WHATSONSHROPS staffordshire @WHATSONSTAFFS Worcestershire @WHATSONWORCS warwickshire @WHATSONWARWICKS

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Food

Go Greek for charity at Simpsons! MPW unveils new dining concept at The Cube An exclusive charity meal will person and can be booked by see Birmingham restaurant calling El Borracho on 0121 454 Marco Pierre White will this month launch a new ‘ultra-casual’ Simpsons ‘go Greek’ this sum- 5368. dining concept at The Cube in Birmingham. mer. Bardolino Pizzeria Bellini & Espresso bar will feature an all-day The Michelin-starred Edgbaston express menu of authentic Italian food, coffees and Bellinis. eatery will host the event - com- Commenting on his new venture, Marco said: “Bardolino repre- plete with Greek music, a raffle sents affordable, friendly and an auction - at nearby El and casual dining with Borracho de Oro on Saturday 9 recognisable family July. favourites and classic The special evening is being Italian dishes. held in aid of the International “Bardolino is a restaurant Rescue Committee, which is concept created for both helping refugees who land desti- discerning diners and aspi- tute in Greece and the Greek rational families alike. islands. After all, pasta is a child’s Tickets for the meal cost £60 per favourite food.”

REVIEW: The Chameleon Restaurant And Bar used the hue of the chandelier as a guide), carved at our table A calmer Chameleon for a more rounded experience?... and accompanied by fries, asparagus and cherry tomatoes action and enjoy being able to on the vine. The meat was flaw- see and hear what’s going on, less, the overall combination but whether that’s relaxing or glorious - and very filling. So fill- not is a moot point. ing, in fact, that we were unable One thing I did appreciate being to attempt a dessert, leaving me able to see was the open kitchen to imagine the chocolate cheese- - always a good sign. The a la cake with peanut crumb and carte menu (starters from £5 to ponder ‘what might have been’. £8, mains £15 to £28) gave off That expression summed up our good vibes too, with enough evening in many respects. On variety to make selecting dishes the plus side, what might have difficult but not so much to sug- been a disappointing night gest the chef was a ‘Jack of all based on the incongruous night- trades’. club atmosphere was mercifully For starters, my partner and I redeemed by the high quality of shared the Seafood Board, a the food and service, but it was Given that it’s named after a ner date. thoroughly agreeable combina- hard not to speculate how much tion of truly succulent king better the experience would creature that can change colour Grabbing something from the prawns. It’s a difficult dish to get have been in a more refined to blend in with its surround- lively bar menu (served from 12 wrong, but this was very right all environment. Steve Adams ings, it’s ironic that, regardless to 9pm) or the excellent-value the same - tasty smoked macker- of time or circumstance, pre-theatre set menu (4 to 7pm) el pâté (with more than a hint of Birmingham’s Chameleon is one thing, but sitting down for Food: n n n n n horseradish, apparently made Restaurant & Bar is a seriously a bona fide meal is likely to pres- Service: n n n n n fresh), smoked salmon and some bright place - complete with daz- ent something of a challenge to Ambience: n n n n n wonderful Devonshire crab zling fluorescent lighting and a anyone whose clubbing days are Overall value n n n n n meat. giant, glowing chandelier. The in the past. Like me. OVERALL n n n n n nightclub venue is also loud and We were very happy with our Situated near the entrance to the lively - especially at 7.30pm on a choice, and continued the shar- venue, the Green Room Friday night as the post-work ing theme for our main course, Restaurant is designed to offer a revellers kick off their weekend. opting for the 16oz The Chameleon Birmingham relaxed dining experience, but Whether the above is a good Chateaubriand - a dish that has Restaurant & Bar the lack of any separation from atmosphere for dining is a mat- eluded me all my life. If any- 1 Victoria Square the noise and bustle of the club ter of personal preference and thing, we were even more Hill Street makes the notion somewhat spu- Birmingham likely to be shaped by your age, impressed. The salt-encrusted rious. Of course, there are peo- B1 1BD group size and how much you steak was cooked a perfect ple who like to be part of the Tel: 0121 643 2233 want to converse with your din- shade of pink (perhaps the chef

whatsonlive.co.uk 11 Graham Nash Single Page.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 16:21 Page 1

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FEATURE by David Vincent

Graham Nash Fourteen years on from Songs For Survivors, Graham Nash is back with his sixth solo album, This Path Tonight. What’s On recently caught up with Nash to talk about the inspiration behind his latest offering.

Released on Nash’s own Blue Castle label, out lines - 'I've found myself at last’ - which available, there is, surprisingly, still more This Path Tonight is a deeply personal proj- Nash explains simply: “I was cruising in life unheard stuff in the vaults. “Oh, lots of ect for the 74-year-old songwriter, borne out for 10 to 12 years.” stuff! Lots of stuff! The only plan I have of a period of considerable change. Despite the gap between solo releases, This right now - although I’m a little bit CSNed “There have been things going on in my per- Path Tonight continues a journey he began out - is that I’d like to remix the Déjà Vu sonal life, and as I always do, I’ve been re- with his debut, way back in 1971. record, from start to finish. Back then (1970), the time you had was limited to what acting to that,” he says of the inspiration for “In a way, nothing has changed much at all you could fit onto a record - five or six tracks the new material. “My wife of almost 40 in my songwriting. I have to feel something, a side - but the jams that we had going on years and I decided to divorce, I fell in love and in that way, this record is no different after the fade-outs were fabulous! It’d be with the very beautiful Amy Grantham, and from any of them, right back to Songs For very easy to do, as the master tapes are in I took all that and turned it into this record.” Beginners.” great condition.” Featuring a distinctive black-and-white Raised in Salford, Lancashire, Nash formed However, despite their on/off career, it now image, taken by Amy, of Nash wandering The Hollies with school pal Allan Clarke in seems unlikely CSN/CSNY will ever perform through trees near Woodstock in the US, 1962, cracking the charts with a string of en- again. Responding to recent reports that he This Path Tonight's 10 core tracks were pro- during hits including Here I Go Again, Just and Crosby are no longer on speaking duced with British guitarist Shane One Look, Carrie Anne and Jennifer Eccles. terms, Nash says simply: “It is over. I said Fontayne, whose CV includes work for Paul But disillusioned, Nash quit the group in '68 what I said. We had a good run... we had a Simon, Rod Stewart, Sting and Bruce for America, where he formed supergroup good innings.” Springsteen. Crosby Stills And Nash (CSN) with The "Shane was lead guitarist for Marc Cohen, Byrds' Crosby and Buffalo Springfield's But many of those classic CSN/ CSNY songs, and Crosby and I sang on a couple of his Stills. including Marrakesh Express, Our House and Teach Your Children, still form part of early albums," says Graham, mentioning "We were reasonably well known,” Nash re- Nash's solo set-lists. one of many guest appearances he and calls of his decision to quit the Brit hit-mak- long-standing partner-in-crime David ers for the US. “The Hollies had had some "I’ve done too much music, too much, so I Crosby have made over the decades. "I went hits - I’m Alive and Bus Stop - and we were have to do some of everything (live),” he to see Marc at the El Rey Theatre in Los An- treated well in America, they loved our en- says of his stripped-down shows accompa- geles, and Shane was playing guitar. Me and ergy. In many ways it was an easy decision, nied by Shane. “We start with Bus Stop, Crosby were about to go to Europe, but our as I’d heard our (CSN) voices together, and from my Hollies days - a song written by own guitarist couldn’t make it, so we asked that was very attractive to me.” Graham Gouldman.” Shane. He learnt 35 songs in a few days.” CSN's circle included Neil Young (who later Alongside the album and UK tour, Nash also Writing 20 songs together over a month, joined the trio), Nash's girlfriend Joni has a photography exhibition at Salford Mu- they recorded them in just a week. The Mitchell, The Mamas And The Papas, and seum & Art Gallery (until 3 July) and is en- album’s key track is Myself At Last. “We The Grateful Dead. Nash’s vocals can be thusiastic about his future plans: “A lot were starting to record on the Monday, so all heard on many key recordings of the period. more creating, a lot more painting, a lot the equipment goes in on the Sunday. We “We were wanted. They loved our vocal more photography.” sat down to make sure the bass was going to sounds, we were lucky boys,” he says. come out of the right channel and all that, The trio’s legacy has been well served in re- and that song just came out, which was fan- cent years, with Nash overseeing individual tastic. After that, we knew the record would boxsets by each member and the CSNY 1974 be great.” 40-track live collection. With a wealth of al- Graham Nash plays The song features one of the album's stand- ternative versions and outtakes already Birmingham Town Hall on Sunday 22 May

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Gigs

Manic Street Preachers Genting Arena, Birmingham, Sat 14 May Nearly 30 years of producing high-quality material has seen the Manics claim their place in the upper echelons of British rock. After hitting the big time with a cover of Suicide Is Painless in the early ’90s, they sur- vived the disappearance of band member Richey James to go on and enjoy mega suc- cess with A Design For Life, from the album Everything Must Go. The record was certified triple platinum in the UK and went on to sell over a million copies and bag multiple Brit awards. They here return to Birmingham to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Everything Must Go, playing two sets on the night - the album in full followed by rarities and curios, greatest hits and a few brand new songs. Rock band The Editors provide support.

Travis Cate Le Bon O2 Academy, Birmingham, Thurs 12 May The Glee Club, Birmingham, Sun 22 May Welsh singer-songwriter Cate Le Bon appears at Birmingham’s Glee Club this month in support of her fourth album, Crab Day, which was released last month. “Crab Day was lovingly formed in the mouth of the Pacific Ocean, as it quietly mocked us with its magnitude,” says Cate. “It’s the sound of the ‘accidentally on purpose’ coming together of the right people at precisely the right time in an environment that furnished and fuelled Rock four-piece Travis have accumulated two the abandonment we felt effortlessly. It’s a coalition of inescapable feelings and number one LPs, five top ten singles, two fabricated nonsense, each propping the Brit Awards and more than eight million other up. Crab Day is an old holiday. Anastacia Crab Day is a new holiday. Crab Day isn’t record sales across their illustrious career. a holiday at all.” Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Tues 3 May They’ve released eight studio albums since Best known for her singles Left Outside Alone and I’m Outta Love, Anastacia has their inception in 1990, including Good released five albums and sold over 30 million Feeling (1997), 12 Memories (2003) and Where copies worldwide. The Ultimate Collection sees the American You Stand (2013). singer return to Sony Music, the label that After a quiet few years, the band behind hit was instrumental in catapulting her to global superstardom. singles Why Does It Always Rain On Me and “I feel so blessed and humbled to be experi- Flowers In The Window are back on the road encing this exciting next chapter of my life,” she says. “The idea for my Ultimate in support of their highly anticipated new Collection is to include something for every- album, Everything At Once, released at the one. I’m eternally grateful to be reunited with Sony, the record label that made all of end of April on their own label, Red this possible from day one. Fifteen years Telephone Box. later, I’m back, I’m home and I couldn’t be happier.”

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Gig previews from around the region

Benjamin Francis Leftwich The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham, Thurs 5 May

Five years after the release of his debut album, singer-songwriter Benjamin Francis Leftwich’s eagerly anticipated new album, After The Rain, is to be released this summer, with the first single - Tilikum - already available to stream on Laura Mvula Influenced by the likes of Nina Simone, Jill Spotify. Scott and Erykah Badu, Mvula’s latest sin- “If one person emails me and says O2 Institute, Birmingham, Sat 21 May gle, Overcome, features the legendary Nile ‘This is the most moving song I’ve Birmingham-born soul singer-songwriter Rodgers. It’s taken from her new album, The ever heard and it really helped me’ - Laura Mvula captivated audiences back in Dreaming Room, which is set for release on if it gets one person like that, I’ll be 2013 with debut album Sing To The Moon. 17 June. really happy.”

YolanDa Brown Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, James Sat 7 May UB40 ft. Ali Campbell, Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Fri 20 May Astro and Mickey Regarded as the premier female sax- ophonist in the UK, YolanDa’s debut English rock band James originally signed to Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Sun 1 May the iconic Factory Records in 1982. They album - April Showers, May Flowers - Since reforming in 2013, the trio of Ali have since gone on to produce a string of reached number one on the iTunes Campbell, Astro and Mickey have been at massive hit singles, including Sit Down, and Amazon jazz charts. As well as the top of their game. Recent highlights Come Home, She’s A Star and Born Of performing across the world in her include their 2014 world tour, a huge show Frustration. Now, 34 years on, they’re tour- own right, she’s also toured in sup- in Las Vegas, and critical acclaim for their ing in support of their 14th album, Girl At port of The Temptations and Errol new material in 2014’s Silhouette. Brown, and collaborated with artists The End Of The World, which they claim to including Julian Marley, Soweto be their best yet. Kinch and as part of Jools Holland’s Italian-English solo acoustic singer Jack Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. She visits Savoretti supports. Warwick Arts Centre on her Reggae Love Songs Tour, accompanied by UB40 Ian Siegal & Jimbo Mathus Mica Paris.

Ian Siegal & Jimbo Mathus Tour The Robin, Bilston, Tues 31 May Eight-time British Blues Awards winner Ian Siegal here teams up with multi-instrumen- talist Jimbo Mathus for a night of roots, blues, folk and Americana. The duo are also releasing a 21-track album recorded during their debut tour.

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Classical Music

City Of Sounds Festival Karl Jenkins: Requiem Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham Conservatoire, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sat 7 May Sun 1 May - Sun 26 June “Karl Jenkins,” says opera and concert This two-month long event is a fond star Bryn Terfel, “produces always impec- farewell to the Adrian Boult Hall, the main cable writing for a multitude of voices performance space of Birmingham and instruments. I wish I had his talent to Conservatoire. The venue closes at the end compose tunes but am proud to consider of June as part of the redevelopment plan myself as one who adores to sing them.” for the Paradise area of the city centre. Terfel is far from alone in his admiration Birmingham Conservatoire will next year of the 72-year-old Welshman. A recent move into a brand new £56million home in exhaustive survey revealed that Sir Karl is the Eastside region of the city. the most-performed living composer in The festival is launched on 1 May with a the world. Indeed, his best-known work, concert by Sir James and Lady Jeanne The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace, has Galway (pictured), who will afterwards hold been performed over 1,500 times in 20 dif- a series of workshops and masterclasses for ferent countries. flute players of all levels. He returns to Birmingham this month to Among the festival contributors during the conduct another of his most admired weeks that follow are the City of pieces, his Requiem, alongside his 1995 Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, local folk band The Destroyers and saxophonist and composition Palladio and his 2014 10cc member Mike Stevens. Cantata for St Luke, The Healer. Other West Midlands music groups and ensembles taking part include Birmingham Festival Choral Society, Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra, Ex Cathedra, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group and Birmingham Conservatoire Chamber Choir. Birmingham Conservatoire Symphony Orchestra then brings down the curtain on Adrian Boult Hall’s 30 years of service to the city when it performs Verdi’s Requiem at the venue on 26 June. The concert will be conducted by Sir Richard Armstrong and broadcast live on BBC Radio Three. Commenting on the festival, Birmingham Conservatoire’s Principal Professor, Julian Lloyd Webber, said: “I wonder if Birmingham will ever have seen so many of its extraordinary musical organisations gathered together under the same roof?! The Adrian Boult Hall has been at the forefront of Birmingham’s cultural mix for the past 30 years, so it’s fitting that we’re marking its closure with a magnificent festival. “Although we’re saying goodbye to the venue, City Of Sounds is also the perfect signpost for what’s to come. The new Birmingham Conservatoire will be the first of its kind - pur- pose-built for the digital age - and, along with our new auditorium, audiences will be able Karl Jenkins to enjoy Birmingham’s only dedicated jazz venue.” The Academy Of Ancient Music: Il Divo Sir András Schiff Vivaldi In Dresden Genting Arena, Birmingham, Sat 7 May Symphony Hall, Birmingham, The Barber Institute, Birmingham, Mon 23 May Wed 18 May Crossover favourites Il Divo were X Factor Since being founded in 1973 by guru Simon Cowell's attempt to take opera to Sir András Schiff is one of the world’s Christopher Hogwood, the Academy of the masses, albeit pop-opera. They present a most prolific classical performers. Ancient Music have gathered quite a fol- romantic and timeless repertoire which has Although held in high regard for his lowing. The ensemble’s stated aim is ‘to seen them garner a worldwide fanbase since keyboard interpretations of Mozart, energise baroque and classical music’, bursting onto the scene more than a decade Beethoven, Schubert and Schumann, performing the work of Bach, Handel, ago. The fellas return to Birmingham this it’s perhaps his performances of Haydn and Mozart in the way they per- month in support of their seventh studio Johann Sebastian Bach’s music for ceive it was intended. Their concerts have album, Amor & Pasion. which he’s most admired. On this occasion, though, the Hungarian-born been described as ‘transmitting the kick pianist is turning his attention to of an energy drink’ - an assessment with Mendelssohn. In the company of the which the ensemble are entirely happy. Chamber Orchestra of Europe, he This Barber Institute concert sees them presents the following programme: performing the following programme: JS Piano Concerto No 2 in D minor; Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No.1; Hebrides Overture; Piano Concerto No Vivaldi’s Concerto in G minor RV577; 1 in G minor; Symphony No 3, Telemann’s Concerto for 3 oboes and 3 Scottish. violins; Vivaldi’s Concerto in D major RV562; and JS Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No.4.

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International Dance F/P.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 20:39 Page 1 Dance May Brum/Warwickshire.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 16:15 Page 2

Let's Dance: IDFB 2016 At A Glance

From ballet to Bollywood, hip-hop to lindy- to Massingham, “in a very hop and kathak to acrobatics, since 2008, choreographic way”. His work International Dance Festival Birmingham has will also serve as the basis for a been rapidly gaining a reputation as one of live event featuring a dance per- the UK's most important dance events, firmly formance by Kei Miyata and experi- cementing its place in the city's cultural cal- mental music by Ex Easter Island Head. endar. “I've always seen dance as a very collabora- Characterised by a multitude of street per- tive art form, and I like breaking down barri- formances, solo shows, genre-crossing col- ers to dance, especially through our work laborations, interactive workshops and com- with circus,” said Massingham. munity projects, the fifth IDFB has attracted Cosmic Birds ties in nicely with a subtle, outdoor work some of the dance world's biggest stars, as underlying theme for the festival - the inter- which is free, well as showcasing home-grown talent and play between man and machine - which and we've got expanding its reach across Birmingham and comes to the fore during “Live Nights”, four things like Put into the wider West Midlands region. evening extravaganzas bringing multiple acts Your Foot Down in “I think there's been a desire to see together in Centenary Square. Ideal for those the Bullring which Birmingham start to challenge London as a with limited free time, Live Nights promise is a day of youth and place for dance, where artists want to live “the complete festival experience in one community dance and and make work,” said David Massingham, place”, with Massingham's The Machine people in training showing off their skills IDFB Co-Artistic Director and Chief Executive Show serving as the spectacular centrepiece. and entertaining shoppers, which I think is a of DanceXchange. “There's an enormous “The outdoor works like RIDE and Phone really good thing for the shopping experi- amount of great space for dance here, and a Box that we're sending out on tours of the ence too. Even if people just dip their toes in big appetite for showing diverse work from city will all come into the centre during Live once, I think that's great.” around the world, so over the last few years, Nights so people can see a lot of them in one Whatever your interests, there's certainly we've started getting messages from people go. We wanted to create an exciting night- plenty to look forward to, but for those who all the time asking to be part of it.” time atmosphere and make this something aren't sure what to check out first, here are One big change for 2016 is the introduction people want to come and join in with, so some of our top picks to give a flavour of of a “Festival Hub” at the old Municipal Bank we've done things like bringing in Digbeth what's on offer. on Broad Street. Conveniently located next to Dining Club to provide food and drink.” Find out what else David Massingham has to Centenary Square, where much of the out- Like DanceXchange, IDFB is guided by a pas- say about this year’s festival at door action takes place, the disused bank sion for accessibility and inclusiveness as whatsonlive.co.uk provides plenty of room for a café, perform- well as excellence. By developing such a ances, socialising and even an art exhibition wide-ranging programme, Massingham and called Cosmic Birds. the festival team hope to reach diverse audi- Visual art might seem an odd inclusion, but ences and encourage as many people as pos- International Dance Festival it fits in with IDFB's wider blurring of the sible to get involved. Birmingham takes place at various city line between dance and other creative pur- “When we set out in 2008 with the first festi- centre locations from Sun 1 t0 Sun 22 May. suits. A former dancer who switched careers val, I wanted to try to provide something for Check out our highlights on page 22. following an injury, Shun Ito creates metal everyone instead of having the same few For further information and full festival listings, visit idfb.co.uk and light sculptures which move, according people come to everything. We've got all the

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Political Mother Heather Kincaid explores Hofesh Shechter’s critically acclaimed work which returns to the Midlands as part of International Dance Festival Birmingham 2016

Part rock concert, part brutal satire and part cinematic spectacle, Hofesh Shechter's first full-length dance production premiered at the 2010 Brighton Festival to extraordinary acclaim. A year later, the show was reworked as Political Mother: The Choreographer's Cut for an inter- national tour, with sell-out shows held in rock venues around the world - an achievement vir- tually unprecedented in contemporary dance. This May, thanks to the International Dance Festival team, lucky Birmingham audiences will have the chance to experience the groundbreak- ing style and raw, youthful energy of Political Mother on two separate dates at Birmingham REP. “Hofesh and I have worked together on and off for a long time,” says David Massingham, IDFB's Co-Artistic Director. “When we approached the company about putting on Political Mother for IDFB, they said that they weren't going to be touring it any more, but I convinced them to put it on one last time, and now Hofesh is actually going to be performing in it.” “It feels exciting and absolutely right to bring Political Mother home to Birmingham,” says Shechter. “I spent part of the rehearsal period for this show working in the studios at DanceXchange, and although we have since toured it throughout the world, this is our first time to perform it to audiences in Birmingham.” Long recognised as one of the most important

and original artists currently working in con-

Hofesh is one of temporary dance, Shechter has been seen by critics as blazing a trail to open up the medium ‘‘the most exciting ‘‘ to a wider audience, stripping it of any per- artists to emerge ceived pretension and propelling it into the mainstream. Nowhere is this more true than in in recent years the brazenly anti-authoritarian and musically David Massingham intense Political Mother, whose innovative cho- reography is inspired as much by news footage and everyday life as it is by established forms and structures.

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Born in the notoriously fraught city of what happens.” Since the gritty and provocative In Your Jerusalem before moving to the UK, where His experimental style isn't limited to chore- Rooms set his career skyrocketing in 2006/7, conflict with the Middle East seems almost ography. Following a period working with Shechter has gone on to produce work for perpetual, it's perhaps no surprise that leading Israeli dance company Batsheva, the Royal Ballet and a Broadway revival of Shechter's work would have a strongly politi- Shechter moved to Paris to study music and Fiddler On The Roof, as well as choreograph- cal bent. play drums for a rock band called The ing the ‘Maxxie's Dance’ sequence for “Everything I've experienced has left a mark Human Beings. Today, he frequently acts as Channel Four's Skins and creating several on my work, and a lot of that experience has both composer and choreographer for his shows with his self-titled dance company, been about conflict, about struggling to shows, relying on a few trusted collaborators formed in 2008. Yet Political Mother remains make sense of things,” he said in a 2009 to help him realise his visions. He describes one of his most powerful and successful Guardian interview. the development of Political Mother as “a pieces to date. It's hard to imagine a show very complex and to some extent random better suited to IDFB, given the festival’s cel- Growing up in Israel, Shechter developed an process”, where composition and choreogra- ebration of diversity and innovation and its early interest in folk dance, joining a local phy are inextricably intertwined, though he commitment to “breaking down barriers to group before going on to train at the does remember what began the creative jour- dance”, something for which Political Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. ney for the show. Mother has itself been praised. This early passion remains a key influence on his work, both formally and philosophi- “I have an idea - a drum loop that drives us “I think there's a growing group of people in cally. A statement displayed in lights during forward, that keeps a train of rhythm that this city who want to see something a little Political Mother reads, “Where there is pres- carries us down the rabbit hole. My first bit unusual,” says Massingham. “I think sure there is folk dance”. It might be under- instinct is to steal a groove from a Peter Birmingham really wants to be that kind of stood as a kind of ethos for his work: like its Gabriel song - so I do. Yaron (Engler, musical international and European city, and I think musical equivalent, folk dance can be seen collaborator) and I are sitting in the working our festival reflects that.” as in some way inherently political, a kind of room recording it on what is left from my old Both IDFB and Birmingham REP are thrilled counter-culture to more elitist or industry- drum kit. It sounds rough. This miserable to be supporting Shechter's work at the festi- controlled art forms. recording grew into what now sounds like val. 'the end of the world'. Peter himself wouldn't Nevertheless, it's the contrasts and juxtaposi- “Political Mother,” says Birmingham REP's know it was inspired by him, and the way it tions that make Shechter's work truly radi- Artistic Director Roxana Silbert, “is a typical- sounds now I'm not sure he'd want to.” cal, bringing together these traditional folk ly bold, raw, intense piece accompanied by The end result is even further from this start- elements with visceral images inspired by pulsating live music in a heady collision of ing point: Political Mother is as varied and films and by real conflict, along with the contemporary dance meets rock gig. dramatic musically as it is visually. The drum kinds of furious, thrashing sounds and Birmingham audiences are in for a real loop Shechter describes is layered up with movements you'd be more likely to encounter treat.” “magical, haunting viola sounds” from Nell at a rock concert than in a dance production. Massingham agrees: “Hofesh is one of the Catchpole, as well as with his own vocals, Piercing lighting creates stark shadows as most exciting artists to emerge in recent sung with an old Egyptian string band in one scene cuts to another in quickfire succes- years and has made much of his work here in mind, “cigarettes hanging from their lips sion. Among the things you'll witness in this Birmingham, so it’s fantastic to see Political while playing and with a glass of arak within show is a ritual samurai suicide, a dictator's Mother performed at IDFB, after sell-out sea- reach.” In the final production, the heavy incoherent ranting, and the weary move- sons all over the world - it’s a real coup for metal fury of roaring guitars and pounding ments of what appear to be a group of pris- the festival and the city.” military drums mingle with gentle, baroque- oners. style chamber music and even melancholy “When I come to do a piece, I don't come klezmer sounds. It's a mad-sounding melting with an answer,” says Shechter. “I hope to pot, but if the overwhelmingly positive awaken interesting connections for myself. I response is anything to judge by, there's cer- want to try to create all these different tainly method in it. Hofesh Shechter’s Political Mother will show worlds, then edit between them and see at The REP, Birmingham, Fri 13 to Sat 14 May whatsonlive.co.uk 21 Dance May Brum/Warwickshire.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 16:15 Page 5

Centenary Square LIVE NIGHTS Free Performances, Live Music, Circus and Dance plus award-winning street food from Digbeth Dining Club

The Machine Show Corey Baker: Phone Box ZoieLogic Dance Centenary Square, Birmingham, Multiple locations plus Centenary Square, Theatre: Ride Wed 11 - Sat 14 May Birmingham (check website for details), Sun 1 - Sat 14 May Multiple locations plus Centenary Square, Age Guidance 12+ Birmingham (check website for details), A power-driven dance and circus spectacular In this nostalgic yet exhilarating 20-minute Sat 7 - Sat 14 May set against a wall of sound, The Machine show, Birmingham-based Corey Baker brings Show is the must-see to life the iconic British phone box with centrepiece of IDFB incredible acrobatic feats and a wacky digi- 2016. This 40-minute tal soundtrack. show features an impressive line-up of 13 international per- formers including Melanie Lomoff, pop- ping legend Salah Benlemqawansaa and Aakash Odedra, as well as live music ZoieLogic presents an innovative and visual- from French ly arresting outdoor work exploring the electro/rock dance nature of travelling and the relationship group Rinôçérôse. between man and machine. Thrown together on a strange journey in a customised Ford Orion named Stanley, three strangers soon Motionhouse: Torque discover that the 80s car may have a life of Centenary Square, Birmingham, its own... Fri 13 - Sat 14 May Visit idfb.co.uk for further information Dancers and JCB diggers work together in this breathtaking demonstration of strength and agility.

More IDFB 2016 highlights...

The Ricochet Project: UK Premiere Hemabharathy Palani / Smoke And Mirrors Ballet BC: Bill / 16+ A Subhash Viman: Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Room / Solo Echo Trikonanga & Twine / Tues 17 - Wed 18 May Morphed Age Guidance: 14+ (contains nudity) Birmingham Hippodrome, Fri 20 - Sat 21 May A cutting-edge company consisting of 17 per- The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome, Winner of a Total Theatre Award for Best Sat 21 May. Age Guidance 12+ formers, Ballet British Columbia is commit- Circus at Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2015. ted to innovation in contemporary dance. This 75-minute double-bill combines tradi- Combining poetic acrobatics, contemporary Since 2009, Ballet BC has developed an excit- tional Indian dance with contemporary influ- dance, contortion and high-flying circus ing repertoire of new work by acclaimed ences. Award-winning dancer and choreog- feats, Smoke And Canadian and international choreographers. rapher Hemabharathy Palani blends Mirrors scrutinises Their first IDFB performance will consist of Bharatanatyam with contemporary dance the state of America three pieces: Sharon Eyal's Bill, Crystal Pite's and ballet in Trikonanga & Twine. and the pursuit of Solo Echo and Artistic Director Emily Meanwhile, British dancer Subhash Viman happiness in the Molnar's 16+ A Room. presents Morphed, an examination of our modern world. indefinitely morphing identities in a glob- Delicate metaphor alised world. A prom- and jaw-dropping ising new talent spectacle are seam- inspired by hip-hop, lessly woven urban and contempo- together against a rary styles, Viman has minimalist set in worked with top this poignant, hour- Bollywood choreogra- long production by phers as well as train- award-winning US ing in classical Indian company Ricochet. dance.

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Dance More dance previews from around the region

Balletboyz: Life Lichfield Garrick, Sat 28 May An all-male company of 10 incredible dancers, the fresh and inventive Balletboyz return to Lichfield with a brand new show co-produced by Sadler's Wells in association with Artsdepot. Taking a powerful and sometimes provocative look at life and death, the production features two new commissions by Pontus Lidberg and Javier de Frutos, as well as an original score written for an ensemble of nine musicians.

Tribhangi Dance Theatre: Sukuma mac, Birmingham, Sun 8 May, Motionhouse & No Fit State: Block Albany Theatre, Coventry, Mon 9 May mac, Birmingham, Fri 27 - Sat 28 May

Hailing from Johannesburg, Dance, circus skills and physical theatre collide in this unique collaboration between leading South Africa, the award-winning UK companies Motionhouse and NoFit State Circus. Tribhangi Dance Theatre brings Twenty oversized blocks are deconstructed and reformed into an infinite variety of shapes its dynamic dance fusion to the and structures for the performers to explore, move and play with, reflecting on the diversity, Midlands in ‘a show like no challenges and contradictions of life in the city. other’. Combining the grace and Directed by Kevin Finnan and Paul Evans, the event is supported by mac Birmingham. elegance of Classical Indian Bharatanatyam with the intense physicality of African dance styles, Sukuma promises to be Riverdance Birmingham Royal Ballet an exhilarating, high-energy Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, experience for audiences of all Fri 6 - Sat 7 May Tues 17 - Wed 18 May ages. Showcasing the range and beauty of its widely renowned work, Birmingham Royal Ballet returns to Theatre Severn with a selec- tion of new and familiar pieces, themed around Shakespeare's writing to coincide with the 400th anniversary of his death. Famous pas de deux excerpts from well- loved ballets such as Romeo And Juliet, The Dream and The Taming Of The Shrew are performed alongside José Limón's The Moor's Pavane - a single-act adaptation of Othello - and Jessica Lang's one-act ballet Wink, a new work inspired by Shakespeare's sonnets. Riverdance needs no introduction: experi- Live accompaniment is provided by the enced live in the UK by over 2.9 million peo- acclaimed Royal Ballet Sinfonia. ple and watched on television by more than two billion viewers worldwide, the interna- tional phenomenon has lost none of its magic over the course of 1000-plus perform- ances. Composed by Bill Whelan, produced by Moya Doherty and directed by John McColgan, the current tour has been described as ‘an unmissable chance’ for UK audiences to reconnect with this stand-out show.

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FEATURE by Lauren Foster

Slam dunk Festival

Showcasing the best in contemporary emo, punk and ska, the three-stop touring Slamdunk Festival this year moves its Midlands date from Wolverhampton to the NEC. Associated with the Leeds-based club nights and indie record label of the same name, Slam Dunk Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, meaning that attendees in 2016 can expect to experience the biggest and best Slam Dunk party to date. Over 50 artists will play across seven stages, alongside DJ sets, exclusive signings and a riotous afterparty to round things off. 2016 Line-up Includes: Panic! at the Disco, Of Mice & Men, New Found Glory, Mallory Knox, Yellowcard, Shikari Sounds System, Mayday Parade, The King Blues and The Story So Far What creator Ben Ray has to say about Slam dunk...

Slam Dunk Festival celebrates its 10th Slam Dunk Festival won Best Festival at anniversary this year. Take us through the Kerrang! Awards in both 2014 and the journey from its inception... 2015. Did you ever imagine the event It started in 2006, when I needed a large would be so successful? venue to put on Fall Out Boy in the city of No, not at all. It started almost as an acci- Leeds. I ended up using the large Millen- dent - I never set out to create a festival. The nium Square - and as it was a Saturday, I event has grown at a good, slow rate. It turned it into an all-day event and called it a wouldn’t have been such a success if we’d festival! It’s then just grown over the last 10 tried too much, too quickly. years - and we’ve added more stages and more venues as it’s done so. That’s in- Who are you most looking forward to creased the audience size from a couple of seeing play at this year’s event? thousand to nearly 40,000. We first added a As it’s the 10th anniversary, it was important Midlands event, in Wolverhampton, in 2013. to book a line-up that represented the 10 After three successful years there, we’ve years. I think we’ve done that, so I’m look- moved to Birmingham’s NEC for 2016. ing forward to re-living some great memo- Pictured - Ben Ray, Director of Slam Dunk and Todd ries as well as discovering new artists. ‘Jd’ Malloy, Live Music Co-ordinator You’ve stated the 2016 event is going to be the best party you’ve ever thrown. It must be a real bonus that Panic! At The this was particularly evident? What’s going to make this year better Disco’s only UK dates this year are for Back in 2010, the last time New Found Glory than the previous nine? Slam Dunk. How did booking them come played, they and a load of other bands in- Its simply much bigger than before. The NEC about? vaded the stage during the set of alternative is a great venue, and we’ll also be throwing I knew they were planning to tour Europe girl band The Millionaires. It was pretty a big after-party in conjunction with Birm- around the time of the event, as I’ve always chaotic, so I hope they don’t do that again! ingham-based promoter Uprawr. Taking done their shows in Leeds, so I offered them place in one of the Pavilions at the NEC, it the slot. What’s the most unusual thing you’ve will be the biggest rock club night the Mid- ever come across on an artist’s rider? lands has ever seen. Are there any moments, good or bad, A framed picture of Cuba Gooding Jr. from previous years that are particularly The festival is usually held at Wolver- memorable? What are your hopes for the festival in hampton’s Civic Hall but has relocated Nothing sticks out because there have been the future? for the time being due to the venue’s re- so many of both! It’s really fun and really Just to keep getting bigger and better! furbishment. Is the plan to move back to stressful at the same time. Wolverhampton when the Civic reopens? We will look at the options. It will ultimately Generally speaking, rock bands have a come down to the size of the acts we have reputation for being rebellious. Are there Slamdunk Festival is at the NEC, on. any moments from previous years where Birmingham on Sun 29 May

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Festivals

Imagined Isle Folk Festival Birmingham Town Hall, Thurs 12 - Mon 16 May Celebrating the vibrancy and diversity of Britain's contemporary folk scene, Town Hall's Imagined Isle Festival showcases some of the country's most accomplished and acclaimed traditional musicians alongside exciting local and emerging talent. Ranging from intimate performances from Eric Bibb and Declan O'Rourke to larger scale, multi- act events like Future Folk and fascinating retrospectives like Way To Blue: The Songs Of Nick Drake, Imagined Isle promises to be an unforgettable few days with something to capture the imagination of just about any- one. Events are individually listed and can be booked separately, allowing you to pick and choose shows for yourself. Line-up includes: Kate Rusby, Eric Bibb, Emily Portman (pictured) & The Coracle Band, False Lights, Josienne Clarke & Ben Walker, Luke Jackson, The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain and Way to Blue: The Songs of Nick Drake

Birmingham Pride Swingamajig Bearded Theory Gay Village, Birmingham, Sat 28 - Sun 29 May The Rainbow Venues, Digbeth, Catton Hall, Derbyshire, Sun 1 May Thurs 26 - Sun 29 May Marking its 20th outing in 2016, this year's Returning to Birmingham for the Taking place in the grounds of Catton Hall in Birmingham Pride takes A Generation Of the heart of the National Forest, the multi- Pride as its theme, celebrating the pivotal, fourth year, Swingamajig is a unique festival which invites Electro Swing award-winning Bearded Theory has been hard-won achievements of the LGBT commu- rapidly gaining a reputation as one of the nity over the course of the last two decades. lovers and vintage connoisseurs to take to the streets and party in style. UK's best independent festivals. Ever Legal changes to the age of consent, mar- expanding to meet demand, the festival riage and adoption rights, the right to serve Bringing the ‘sounds and styles of the 1920s up to date with a modern twist’, takes place during the May bank holiday in the military and to change one's official weekend, with fantastic acts spread across gender are among the milestones passed in this year’s event features festival cre- ators and organisers Electric Swing six stages, including a dance tent, a cinema recent years. On a local level, too, the event and a comedy & cabaret area in addition to will highlight the growth of Birmingham's Circus and headliners Balkan Beat Box. the main Pallet and Woodland stages. But it's own gay scene into one of the most popular not only the convenient location and top- in the country, with over 15 vibrant bars and Line-up also includes: JFB, The quality performers that make it popular: clubs in the Gay Village as well as one of the Destroyers, The Tootsie Rollers, Bearded Theory also features a free, award- UK's first LGBT health and wellbeing centres. Father Funk, Aries, Stenchman, Jim winning Children's Village (along with Today, Birmingham Pride attracts over Wynn Swing Orchestra, C@ In The affordably priced tickets for kids), an award- 50,000 visitors per year, boasting a diverse H@, The Carny Villains, Jack Rabbit winning bar selling drinks at typical pub tar- array of activities and entertainment includ- Slim, Swingrowers, Gypsys Of iffs, permission to bring your own drinks, ing music, cabaret, dance and, of course, the Bohemia, Cafe Manouche, Swing and even award-shortlisted loos! hugely popular Carnival Parade. It's come a Dance, Jon Udry, Tankus The Henge, long way from its humble 1990s roots outside Kitty Bang Bangs, Rubyyy Jones, Eliza Line-up includes: Levellers, Killing Joke, the Nightingale Club. DeLite, Equador Wizard and many Terrorvision, Reverend and the Makers, Public Image Ltd, Billy Bragg, Wilko Line-up includes: Erasure's Andy Bell, Katy more also feature amongst this year's line-up. Johnson, Squeeze, Arrested Development, B, Lawson, DJ Fresh, Lisa Stansfield, Fleur Turin Brakes, Jack Savoretti and Stiff Little East, Marvin Humes, MNEK, Blonde, Liberty Fingers X, Imani, Dakota, Vengaboys, Ms Dynamite and Lucy Spraggan

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Comedy

Katherine Ryan Birmingham Town Hall, Fri 20 May Having experienced mother- hood, divorce and MTV, award- winning Canadian funny lady Katherine Ryan is well placed indeed to take a wry look at those aspects of life that make people angry and bitter. Alongside her comedy career, Katherine also takes occasional acting roles - the part of George in Channel Four’s Campus, and Merc’s assistant in Episodes, feature among her more recent engagements. She visits the Midlands this month with her show, Kathbum.

Four of the best...

Squidboy Dan Jonny mac, Birmingam, Thomas Awsum Fri 13 May The Glee Club, Henry Tudor House, Rubber-faced New Birmingham, Shrewsbury, Zealand funnyman Fri 13 - Sat 14 May Wed 4 May Trygve (pro- Dan Thomas’s dad ‘If you can’t beat nounced ‘trig-vee’) was a big fan of ’em, join ’em’ Wakenshaw hasn’t Tony Hancock - seems to have been had much time to and was deter- the perspective spend in his new mined to ensure taken by musical London home - he’s been way too busy tour- his son developed an appreciation of the comic Jonny Awsum. Having served as a bar- ing this hugely successful show since it Birmingham-born funnyman too. man at London’s Chuckle Club for eight long caused a stir at Edinburgh in 2013. “Hancock’s hangdog misery-guts quality is years, Jonny decided it was high time he put Treadmills, bags of crisps, a lion, a dog, a something I’ve tried to capture onstage as down the pint glasses and picked up the girlfriend and ‘the romance of Jacques Brel’ well as in my everyday life,” the Cardiff- microphone himself. are all present and correct during a truly silly based comedian recently told Buzzmag. “I Now a regular on the UK comedy circuit, he’s and surreal 60 minutes of high-energy mad- got started in comedy because I was told that also been the warm-up artist for ITV1 ness. it was a super-glamorous and quick way of lunchtime series Loose Women and featured making easy money. And the other night, as in Cravendale's hugely popular ‘cats with I sat in my knackered 12-years-old Ford thumbs’ advertising campaign, viewed more Fiesta after a gig, eating a chicken chow than a million times on YouTube. mein with my bare hands, I realised how true that was.”

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Eddie Izzard: Force Majeure 333 mac, Birmingham, Mon 23 May Not many comedians make it to God-like status through stand-up alone. Jerry Seinfeld had a TV show, while Saturday Night Live alumni like Steve Martin and Bill Murray used the movies to make it big. Only performers like Bill Hicks, Jackie Mason and Lenny Bruce managed it through stage work alone - but you can definitely add Eddie Izzard to that list. Eddie’s worked a live crowd for more years than he proba- bly cares to remember, building his reputation with mate- rial based around skewed logic and surreal tangents. Of late it’s been his endeavours for Sport Relief which have seen him in the headlines, completing 27 gruelling marathons in as many days. For this latest visit to Birmingham, he’s presenting a reloaded version of the three-year-old Force Majeure show he’s been performing across the world in four different languages, three of which - English, French and German - will be in evidence on the night. Critics have stopped short of hailing the show classic Izzard, but there’s plenty of off- the-wall material for his fans to enjoy. Brexit supporters may think twice about attending, mind - he’s performing the show in support of the Stronger In Europe campaign.

Max And Just The Julian Ivan Tonic Clary: Warwick Arts The Comedy Loft, The Joy Of Centre, Coventry, Birmingham, Wed 25 May Thurs 5 May Mincing Theatre Severm, “After a killer-awe- Lee Nelson tops the Shrewsbury, Sun 1 some Edinburgh bill at this special May; Stafford Festival and kick- launch night for Gatehouse Theatre, Thurs 26 May ass Soho Theatre Birmingham’s run,” say Max and brand new comedy Julian Clary’s win- Ivan, “we’re pleased to be heading out on club. ning line in ‘saucy postcard’ humour and our first ever UK tour. So come along if you Just The Tonic began in Nottingham over 20 innuendo disguises an intelligent sarcasm fancy a whole heap of skits and sketches fol- years ago and has now taken over the that digs fun at both himself and his audi- lowed by an hour-long epic tale.” Jongleurs sites in Birmingham, Reading, ence. A perennial favourite in the stand-up Character comedy duo Max Olesker and Ivan Watford and London. Past performers at the comedy world, his forays into TV haven’t Gonzalez have enjoyed plenty of positive club have included Ricky Gervais, Matt always been as successful - a long-ago gag at reviews for their latest show, which finds Lucas, Al Murray, Bill Bailey and Stewart the expense of Norman Lamont saw him them introducing their audience to the odd- Lee. blacklisted by television producers for some ball - and soon-to-be-doomed - community Already lined up for Birmingham gigs are considerable time. of the godforsaken Sudley-on-Sea. Reginald D Hunter, Adam Bloom, Glenn Julian’s here making a welcome return to the “We aren’t judgmental,” the boys add, “so if Wool, Ivan Brackenbury and Paul Sinha. Midlands with his latest touring show, an you’re the kind of person who prefers to Watch this space for details about when each offering which his website promises will be enjoy comedy whilst sat in your pants, you’re of them is performing... ‘a masterclass in camp comedy’. very welcome to do so at our live gig.”

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Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

King Lear WIN! TICKETS To enter, visit whatsonlive.co.uk The REP, Birmingham, Tues 19 - Sat 28 May “Our version of King Lear is set in more or less the same period of prehistory as the play,” says former Rising Damp star Don Warrington, who takes the title role. “We haven't moved it, so it's quite a primitive set- ting. I've seen some of the costume designs, and they're rather medieval-looking.” One of Shakespeare's most iconic roles, Lear has been played by illustrious actors includ- ing Orson Welles, James Earl Jones, Laurence Olivier and Ian McKellen. Big shoes indeed for Don to fill... “I've seen three performances that were pret- ty remarkable,” he says. “One was Paul Schofield's, which I've only seen on film. I also saw Eric Porter in the theatre many years ago and, more recently, I saw Simon Russell Beale. It's all extra pressure, but bring it on! I try to wear it as lightly as I can and just get on with doing the play.” Read the full interview with Don Warrington online at whatsonlive.co.uk

The Father Joseph And The Amazing certainly achieving its aims with this latest theatrical offering, imaginatively unfolding The REP, Birmingham, Tues 3 - Sat 7 May Technicolor Dreamcoat the story of a young girl raised by the crea- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, tures residing in a dense mangrove forest. Tues 17 - Sat 21 May But when conflict X Factor winner Joe McElderry takes the lead between man and in this Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice show beast threatens to which tells the story of a boy driven into devour her home, slavery by his calculating brothers, who’re she finds herself all envious of his coat of many colours. unexpectedly cho- Joseph’s ability to predict the future from his sen by Allah to dreams, however, ultimately frees him and embark on a quest, wins him a place among the highest in the the outcome of land... This long-time hit show is an ensem- which could change ble triumph, with terrific energy put in by all the forest forever... There’s plenty of humour in this highly concerned. praised offering from French playwright Spectacular sets Florian Zeller, but that doesn’t mean it’s an and excellent music Tina T’urner: easy or always comfortable ride. Kenneth complete the experi- Cranham stars as 80-year-old Andre, a man ence, which pro- Tea Lady & Friends whose life is becoming ever more challeng- vides everything Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, ing as he struggles with the onset of demen- you’d expect of a Thurs 26 May tia. Rice /Lloyd Webber Tracey Collins describes herself as a musical collaboration, for character comedian. Her award-winning Alice In Wonderland better or worse. show, meanwhile, has been called a remark- able tour de force, and her alter-ego title Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, character a deliciously funny cross between Sat 28 May - Sat 11 June Daughter Of The Forest Mrs Overall and Beyonce. The show plays This timeless classic tells the magical story Birmingham following a sell-out debut run at of a little girl called Alice, who falls down a The Drum, Birmingham, Sun 29 May the Edinburgh Festival and hit performances rabbit hole and discovers the world of Theatre company Komola Collective is clear at Bestival and Latitude festivals. Tracey Wonderland - an enchanted and sometimes about its intentions - to revisit history, chal- advises that the evening will feature not only scary place populated with nonsensical and lenge social taboos, unearth myths, question ‘hit songs, off-the-wall characters and quick amusing characters such as the White accepted beliefs and look at the world changes’ but also ‘simply the best tea in Rabbit, the Mad Hatter and the March Hare. through women’s eyes. And the company is town’... What’s not to like? Presented by Blue Orange Arts.

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Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

The Sound Of Music Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 24 - Sat 28 May; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 31 May - Sat 11 June; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 4 - Sat 8 October One of the most popular family musicals of all time, Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound Of Music is best known from its mid- 1960s film version starring Julie Andrews. It tells the story of the Von Trapp family’s World War Two flight across the mountains of Austria, and features hit songs like Edelweiss, My Favourite Things, Do-Re-Mi, Climb Ev’ry Mountain, The Lonely Goatherd, So Long, Farewell and, of course, the title track itself. Lucy O’Byrne (The Voice) plays the lead role of Maria.

Margaret Thatcher: for numerous TV detective series, included east’. “Laila Majnu is one of the oldest love among which are Columbo and Murder, She stories but has rarely been told in the west,” Queen Of Soho Wrote. explains Pravesh Kumar, the artistic director mac, Birmingham, Fri 6 - Sat 7 May Robert Daws, Amy Robbins, Robert Duncan, of Rifco, the company behind this brand new This critically acclaimed show has been Ben Nealon and Susan Penhaligon star in contemporary musical. “The story has trav- described as ‘a delightful odyssey of gay this twisted tale of ‘murder most foul’, in elled across borders and generations rights, the ’80s and disco’. Taking place on which a playwright not only determines to through music and verse and is a natural the eve of the vote on controversial anti-gay prove his fiancee’s death was no accident musical. I wanted to share this beautiful tale clause, Section 28, it finds the prime minister but also to unmask her killer... and look at the timeless themes of love and lost in London’s decadent Soho, where she honour in today’s multicultural Britain.” accidentally becomes a cabaret superstar... Rifco’s previous theatrical offerings include The production sees performer and co-writer award-winning musical Britain’s Got Matt Tedford pulling on the tights to play Bhangra. Maggie. Read our interview with Matt online at whatsonlive.co.uk The Alchemist Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Thurs 26 May - Sat 6 August Ben Johnson’s The Alchemist was Laila: The Musical described by poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, as having one of the Tues 10 - Sat 14 May three most perfect plots in literature. It’s also widely considered to be Johnson’s finest work. Rehearsal For Murder When an outbreak of Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, the Plague forces the Mon 9 - Sat 14 May; Theatre Severn, gentleman Lovewit to flee London, his butler Shrewsbury, Mon 27 June - Sat 2 July Jeremy is left in sole charge of the house. The Agatha Christie Theatre Company take a Jeremy uses the premises - not to mention break from presenting grizzly whodunnits by his association with a conman and a prosti- the legendary Queen of Crime to present tute - to set up a series of elaborate scams. instead a grizzly whodunnit by two near-leg- A bittersweet tale of star-crossed lovers that But can the man now calling himself Captain endary American screenwriters. originated in seventh century Persia, Laila Face really get away with claiming he can Richard Levinson and William Link, the writ- Majnu was once described by British poet turn tin into bankable gold?... Polly Findlay ing team behind this show, are best known Lord Byron as ‘the Romeo And Juliet of the (pictured) directs.

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Do something different, see something new

Thu 9 & Sat 11 Jun Cavalleria rusticana & Pagliacci Mascagni & Leoncavallo

Tue 24 - Mon30 May Fri 10 Jun Thu 9 - Sat 28 May -Sat 4 Jun In Parenthesis Sat 11 Jun From £20 From £20 Iain Bell From £16.50

Nederlands Carlos Acosta Cloud Gate Dance Dance: Sampled Ballet BC Theatre of Taiwan Sold

Tue 3 & Thu 5 - Tue 10 & Tue 17 & Fri 20 & Wed 4 May Sat 7 May Wed11May Wed18May Sat 21 May From £15 From £15 From £15 £15 £15

Produced by DanceXchange in partnership with Birmingham Hippodrome, funded by Arts Council England and Birmingham City Council.

Thu 16 - Sat 18 Jun The Taming of the Shrew

Wed 22 - Sat 25 Jun Thu 16 - Tue 28 Jun - Wed 7 - Shakespeare Sat 25 Jun Sat 3 Sep Sun 18 Sep Triple Bill From £10 From £28 From £23.50

0844 338 5000 birminghamhippodrome.com Calls cost 4.5p per min plus access charge. 5% transaction charge applies excluding cash sales in person. Theatre May .qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 20:45 Page 5

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

The Very Hairspray The Musical WHAT’S ON READERS’ AWARD WINNER! Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Magic Flute Mon 9 - Sat 14 May Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Freya Sutton, Claire Sweeney, ex-Blue Peter pre- Tues 24 - Wed 25 May senter Peter Duncan and former X Factor ‘Beautiful’ puppets, ‘magical’ favourite Brenda Edwards star in this touring transformations and an inno- version of the Tony Award-winning show. Set in vative use of sign language are 1962, it boasts a jukebox-worth of ’60s-style here combined by the highly dance music and 'downtown' rhythm and blues. rated Krazy Kat theatre compa- At its heart is the story of Tracy Turnblad ny, an ensemble well versed in (Sutton), a chubby teenager who enjoys an the business of visual story- overnight rise to stardom when she earns the telling. The 50-minute show chance to appear on a local TV dance show... has been created for children aged between three and seven and is loosely based on Mozart’s famous opera, The Magic Flute. Graeme Of Thrones Joan Lichfield Garrick, Thurs 12 May; mac, Birmingham, Wed 11 - Thurs 12 May; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 24 May Lichfield Garrick, Fri 13 May; Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton upon Trent, Fri 6 May Drag Idol champion Lucy Jane Parkinson - aka LoUis CYfer - here fuses lyrical new writing with drag king cabaret to present an imaginative retelling of the story of Joan of Arc. “The show’s about Joan’s journey,” explains Lucy Jane, “about her belief that St Catherine has visited her and is leading her into battle. Made In Then there’s her decision Dagenham to look more like a guy. Wolverhampton Grand This original and unauthorised parody of hit TV From being just a regular Theatre, Tues 24 - Sat 28 May series Game Of Thrones has been created by a person, she suddenly has a new-found West Bromwich Operatic team of top comedy writers. Described as ‘a strength when she Society make a welcome return rollercoaster ride of beheadings, incest and war’, decides to incorporate to the Grand with their brand it stops off in the Midlands direct from a sold- her masculinity into her new version of the hit West End out run in the West End. life.” musical comedy. Based on true facts, the show tells the story of the 1968 Ford sewing Grumpy Old Women: Talent machinists strike at the Ford Fifty Shades Of Beige Dagenham plant. The female New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Fri 13 - Sat 14 May; Fri 20 May - Sat 4 June workers’ decision to walk out Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sun 22 May; New in protest against sexual and Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Fri 10 June; Although best known as a comedian, the late financial discrimination led to Lichfield Garrick, Wed 6 July Victoria Wood’s initial success came as a play- the introduction of the Equal If you’ve seen the TV series, you’ll already know wright when, way back in 1978, she penned this Pay Act of 1970. how this show works. Celebrity ladies of a cer- lighthearted offering, in so doing bagging her- tain age come together and wax lyrical on all self the first of numerous BAFTA nominations. manner of subjects salient to being middle-aged Set in a run-down nightclub, it follows the for- women in the 21st century. Jenny Eclair, Susie tunes of wannabe star Julie as she makes her bid Blake and Kate Robbins are the purveyors of for fame and fortune by entering a talent con- mirth taking to the stage on this particular occa- test. With frumpy best friend Maureen in tow, sion. Subjects for their consideration include the Julie finds herself suddenly plunged into the art of 'grumpy grooming', the joy of large pants, backstage world of ukulele-wielding pensioners, middle-aged drinking, voluntary euthanasia ver- hapless magicians and predatory comperes with sus retirement and how to customise an unwant- wandering hands... ed pole-dancing kit...

For full theatre listings, visit whatsonlive.co.uk

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Citizen Khan DPS.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 20:20 Page 1

INTERVIEW

Adil Ray The man behind Citizen Khan talks about his What’s On Readers’ Award win and Mr Khan’s plans for Hollywood...

ways a challenge doing stuff like this be- cause you just never know with comedy - you write it and you hope. You’ve just got to put the effort in, I think. We’ve done a few little try-outs. We did something the other day at mac - Midlands Arts Centre - in front of just 80 people. We’re going to try and do a couple more of those before we do the first date. Just put the work in, that’s the chal- lenge - make sure you concentrate and work hard at it.

Firstly, congratulations on winning Best What motivated you to create a live show Entertainment Personality in our What’s - a relatively unusual move for a televi- On Readers’ Awards. How does it feel to sion comedy? have won such an accolade?! In a way, yes it is. In years gone by, you’d Thank you very much. It’s for Citizen Khan, never do it, but recently, with things like Mrs and I think Mr Khan would be absolutely de- Brown’s Boys going live, I think there’s the lighted. He’d think it’s only right that he possibility that it can happen. I just thought should win the award - it’s just one award it would be a nice thing to do. away from getting an MBE, I think, so he’s delighted. Why do you think Citizen Khan has proved to be so popular? What have you found most challenging I think it’s a universal story. Of course, we’ve about transferring the world of Citizen got a strong USP - that it’s a Pakistani Mus- Khan from the TV studio to the stage? lim family - so it kind of stands out in that I think in a way it’s always challenging, sense. I think the success is because it con- whatever we’re doing, whether we’re writing nects and relates to lots of people. Despite the sitcom or doing the live show. In a way, the fact the family’s Pakistani, you know though, it feels like an organic progression your White British public can watch it and because the show is filmed in front of a live go ‘I connect with that, he’s a little bit like studio audience, so we’re already sort of a my dad’ or ‘I was a little bit like Alia - the live show. Some of the best bits, I find, are in daughter - when I was growing up’. That’s between the scenes, when we have to move actually quite a lovely feeling, the fact that sets and cameras around. So in character as we can connect with this family even though Mr Khan, I sort of interact and play around they’re Pakistani Muslims. The show sells with the audience a lot, so we’re actually well abroad now - we’re doing well in places taking bits like that and creating a live show like Russia, Bulgaria, India and South Africa in which Khan will speak to the audience, - and I think that’s the reason why. I think get involved, get to the cheap seats. If you’re people just connect with the family. And it’s coming to the Genting Arena and you’re in quite warm, you know. I think the format is the cheap seats in the top block, he will designed to feel warm and give you a nice come and get you. It’ll be great fun. He’ll feeling. I think when you watch this kind of also do stuff like that somewhere like War- comedy, you grow to love it and develop a wick Arts Centre - which is a lovely, intimate real affection for it. venue - and that’ll be great as well. So it’s al- 36 whatsonlive.co.uk Citizen Khan DPS.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 20:20 Page 2

by Lauren Foster

Citizen Khan hasn’t been universally What’s your perspective on the subject of city as long as we’re a city that we’re proud popular with Muslim viewers. How do comedy boundaries? Do you think there of. And that’s the thing we need to be more you respond to suggestions that it’s dis- are/should be any no-go areas for come- of. Whoever we are, whatever we are, we respectful in the way it depicts Islam? dians in terms of the subject matter they should be immensely proud, and I think I think there certainly was that in Series refer to in their material? we’ve finally started to accept that. We’ve One. We had a few complaints and people No, not at all. For me, you can make a joke stopped rubbishing ourselves, which I think would say that perhaps it was mocking the about absolutely anything as long as the in- we’re very good at in Birmingham. faith, but I think a lot of those people have tention is right. I’ll give you an example. Be- since realised that it’s not intending to do tween friends, we all say the worst things. There’s obviously plenty of mileage left that. It’s just a comedy. If anything, it’s uni- We can be very politically incorrect, we can in the Citizen Khan character, but what versalising and humanising a community, give each other the worst insults ever. We do you have planned for an encore - or and essentially it’s just there to make us know that, because we’re friends and be- won’t you mind if, a bit like Steve laugh. I think that’s more the case now. I cause we’ve got a relationship with one an- Coogan, you remain inextricably linked don’t hear people complaining any more. Of other, the intention is to make each other to one character for the rest of your course you can spend an afternoon on twit- laugh, to have a bit of fun, not to make any- career? ter and you’ll find somebody who wants to body feel bad or offend anyone. The same It’s a good question. Do I put him to sleep make negative comments - I think that’s par can happen in any joke, in any comedy - you for a while and bring somebody else out? for the course and you’ve just got to accept just have to show your intention. With Mr People do that, but I feel like we’re onto it. Comedy is so subjective. I sit with my co- Khan, for example, in the end I think he something with Citizen Khan. I love it, and writers - who’re absolutely brilliant writers - does wear his heart on his sleeve and he’s we feel very lucky to have a fifth series com- and debate comedy, and they’ll like some- vulnerable, so we kind of excuse him for ing up, so why not let it run and run? We’re thing that I don’t like and I’ll like something being slightly obnoxious and rude and of- thinking of possible film ideas at the mo- that they don’t like. fensive at times. ment, so there are no plans to put him to sleep just yet. Hopefully, if the audience What were your motivations for deciding You’re Birmingham-bred and still live love it and the BBC still commission it, we’ll to follow a career in comedy? there. How has the city changed during see plenty more of Citizen Khan. Growing up, I was a big fan of comedy - it your lifetime, and have the changes been for the better or worse? made me laugh! I remember when I was And finally, you have plans to tackle Hol- very young watching Not The 9 O’Clock For the better. It’s a fantastically diverse city. lywood, so what can we expect from Citi- News and loving Rowan Atkinson. I thought I used to take an hour-long bus ride into zen Khan in future months? he was just brilliant. Me and my dad were school, and it was a classic experience be- It’s very, very early days. This film idea just massive fans of Fawlty Towers and Only cause I’d see so much of Birmingham and exists in my head and in my lounge at the Fools And Horses. Also watching sitcoms realise just how diverse we were as a city. moment. I’m writing a story idea and I’m with my mum on a Friday night was great. We’re even more diverse now. You walk being very ambitious. I think it could be a We’d sit there with fish and chips on our through the city centre and it looks fantas- movie for Citizen Khan fans, but it could plate, watching Cheers. I loved the show, tic. Birmingham is a microcosm of what also be very funny simply to have a movie whereas my mum just fancied Ted Danson! Britain is going to be in many years to come. with a Muslim character at the centre of it. My family were like lots of other families - You can come to Birmingham and adapt to It’s certainly something I’d like to do. We’ll we had our fair share of problems. It wasn’t that Brummie lifestyle, and I think that’s take it one step at a time - studios and other always plain sailing, but when a comedy fantastic. I kind of started to fall out with producing directors agree with me, so time was on, we’d all sit down and have a laugh Birmingham a few years ago. I felt like we will tell, I guess. together. Comedy can be so powerful in that were getting caught up in whether we way, and I just wanted to be a part of it. wanted to be the second city, whether we should compete with Manchester, whether Citizen Khan plays Warwick Arts Centre, we should compete with London. I don’t Coventry, Mon 2 May and Genting Arena, care whether we’re the second, fifth or sixth Birmingham, Friday 6 May

whatsonlive.co.uk 37 Film May - GROUP.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 16:27 Page 1

Film

X-Men: Apocalypse CERT tbc Starring James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Oscar Isaac, Nicholas Hoult, Rose Byrne, Tye Sheridan, Sophie Turner, Kodi Smit-McPhee Directed by Bryan Singer (USA) The ninth instalment in the X-Men series, Apocalypse features the eponymous mutant (Isaac) with a dastardly plan up his sleeve. Having hibernated for thousands of years, he emerges to find a world that he is not entire- ly happy with. So, recruiting a disillusioned Magneto (Fassbender) and other disgruntled mutants, he sets about ridding the planet of mankind. It’s up to the telepathic Professor X (McAvoy), the shape-shifting Mystique (Lawrence) and other more level-headed mutants to stop him. Of course, it will be an uphill struggle. In 3D. Released Wed 18 May

CRITIC’S CHOICE

Film highlights released in May...

Florence Foster Jenkins Knight Of Cups CERT 15 (118 mins) CERT PG (110 mins) Starring Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Natalie Starring Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant, Simon Portman, Brian Dennehy, Antonio Banderas, Helberg, Nina Arianda, Rebecca Ferguson Wes Bentley, Freida Pinto, Cherry Jones Directed by Stephen Frears (UK/USA) Directed by Marc Abraham (USA) Florence Foster Jenkins was a New York Terrence Malick used to be a director that heiress and socialite and, as a child, a prodi- critics and film buffs scraped and bowed to. gy on the piano. However, her real passion However, his recent, and more frequent, was as an operatic soprano and because of offerings have left many baffled, if not infuri- her connections, she got to sing places oth- ated. His latest is a modern, experimental ers could but dream of. Her lack of rhythm, drama inspired by various ancient texts in pitch and tone, though, did not appear to be which a Hollywood screenwriter (Bale) a problem to her. Very much a true story, I Saw The Light attempts to find the meaning of life. The film Jenkins’ tale was loosely adapted into a is divided into eight chapters, seven of which French film, Marguerite, which was only CERT 15 (124 mins) are named after tarot cards. Of course, some released here in March. You just can’t keep a Starring Tom Hiddleston, Elizabeth Olsen, might find it all terribly profound. Cherry Jones, Bradley Whitford, Maddie bad singer down… Hasson Released Fri 6 May Released Fri 6 May Directed by Marc Abraham (USA) The biographies are coming thick and fast at the moment. Here, the London- born Tom Hiddleston takes on the man- tle of the legendary Country and blues singer Hank Williams, from whose famous gospel song the film takes its title. Williams’ life was tragically short- lived, but his influence was consider- able, as is his musical legacy. Released Fri 6 May

38 whatsonlive.co.uk Film May - GROUP.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 16:27 Page 2

Film releases in May

CRITIC’S CHOICE

Bad Neighbours 2 CERT tbc Starring Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, Rose Byrne, Chloë Grace Moretz, Dave Franco, Ike Barinholtz, Selena Gomez Directed by Nicholas Stoller (USA) Just when you thought there couldn’t be another sequel this year… Just kidding. Here, Mac and Kelly (Rogen and Byrne) are expect- ing their second child and have come to some sort of understanding with their for- merly raucous neighbour Teddy (Efron). Then the sorority sisters of Kappa Kappa Nu move in next door and all hell is let loose. Time for Teddy to step up to the plate, then. Released Fri 6 May

the double star wattage of Clooney and Money Monster CERT tbc Roberts - she plays the director of the Starring George Clooney, Julia Roberts, show - the actor to look out for is Jack Jack O'Connell, Dominic West, Caitriona Balfe, Giancarlo Esposito O’Connell. The Derby-born thesp came Directed by Jodie Foster (USA) out of nowhere in 2014 when he played three completely different starring roles ‘Money Monster’ is the name of a TV in Starred Up, ’71 and Unbroken. And show that gives its viewers useful tips on with Jodie Foster wielding the mega- how to manage their finances. However, phone, this could prove to be cinematic when Kyle Budwell (O’Connell) loses all gold. his dosh on a bad tip from the show’s host, Lee Guest (Clooney), he decides to Released Fri 27 May take him hostage – live on-air. Besides

Angry Birds CERT PG tbc Everybody Wants Some! With the voices of Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, CERT 15 (117 mins) Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Kate Starring Blake Jenner, Zoey Deutch, Ryan McKinnon, Sean Penn Guzman, Tyler Hoechlin Directed by Fergal Reilly and Clay Kaytis Directed by Richard Linklater (USA) (USA/Finland) On their last weekend before the start of Based on the video game of the same name school, a group of college baseball players (a favourite of David Cameron’s), this cartoon test the waters of unsupervised adulthood. If from Sony Pictures Imageworks attempts to the concept of this comedy fails to get your get to the bottom of all that avian indigna- juices flowing, remember that Richard tion. Set on an idyllic island populated by Linklater’s last film, Boyhood, was nominat- flightless birds, the film suggests that some ed for six Oscars (and won the BAFTA for green pigs may have something to do with it. best film). In 3D. Released Fri 13 May Released Fri 13 May The Darkness CERT tbc Starring Kevin Bacon, Radha Mitchell, David Mazouz, Lucy Fry Directed by Greg Mclean (USA) With his Australian horror films Wolf Creek and Rogue, the Aussie filmmaker Greg Mclean established himself as a master of the genre. Here, he helms his first American film, the story of a family who, returning from a trip to the Grand Canyon, appear to have brought a supernatural presence back with them. Apparently based on real events. Released Fri 13 May

whatsonlive.co.uk 39 Film May - GROUP.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 16:27 Page 3

Film

Green Room CERT 18 (95 mins) Sing Street Alice Through CERT 12a (106 mins) Starring Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots, Joe The Looking Glass CERT PG tbc Cole, Callum Turner, Mark Webber, Patrick Starring Lucy Boynton, Maria Doyle Stewart Directed by Jeremy Saulnier (USA) Kennedy, Aidan Gillen, Jack Reynor Starring Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Mia Directed by John Carney Wasikowska, Rhys Ifans, Helena Bonham The green room is where the heavy metal (Ireland/USA/UK) Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen band The Ain’t Rights finds itself trapped Directed by James Bobin (USA) John Carney after a gig goes awry. Actually, there was started out as Like Superman and Marty McFly (and oth- nothing wrong with the group’s perform- bassist for the ers), Alice is forced to travel back in time in ance, they just happened to witness some- Irish rock band order to alter the outcome of events. You see, thing they really, really shouldn’t have. The Frames, when she returns to Underland she finds the Desperate to make some real cash, the band directed some of Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp) in a terrible state agreed to sing for a crowd of neo-Nazi types their music and decides to dabble in a bit of quantum at a venue tucked away in the Oregon wood- videos and went physics. But would Lewis Carroll approve? land. That’s desperation for you… The writer- on to helm the Michael Sheen supplies the voice of the director Jeremy Saulnier is a smarter genre critically acclaimed feature films Once White Rabbit and the late Alan Rickman is filmmaker than most, employing a narrative and Begin Again. He keeps to the the Blue Caterpillar. shorthand that cuts to the chase without los- theme of music here with this simple Released Fri 27 May ing any humour or character interest. His love story in which a boy starts up a film also makes for extremely intense view- band in order to impress a girl. Bono ing, with special kudos going to the make-up himself collaborated on the sound- and special effects department. It’s certainly track. not recommended to those of a more sensi- tive disposition. Released Fri 20 May Released Fri 13 May A Hologram For The King CERT 12a (98 mins) Starring Tom Hanks, Alexander Black, Sarita Choudhury, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Ben Whishaw, Tom Skerritt Directed by Tom Tykwer (USA/Germany) Business has not been going well for Alan Clay (Tom Hanks). So the sales- Love & Friendship man heads to Saudi Arabia to pitch his latest idea to an Arab king building a CERT U (93 mins) massive new complex in the desert. Starring Kate Beckinsale, Chloë Sevigny, Based on the 2012 novel by Dave Xavier Samuel, Stephen Fry, Emma Greenwell, James Fleet Our Kind Of Traitor Eggers. Directed by Whit Stillman (USA/Ireland) CERT 15 (95 mins) Released Fri 20 May Considering the popularity of Jane Austen, Starring Ewan McGregor, Stellan Skarsgård, it’s extraordinary that nobody’s made a film Damian Lewis, Naomie Harris of her 1794 novel Lady Susan till now. Kate Directed by Susanna White (UK) The Silent Storm Beckinsale - who starred in the same direc- The latest adaptation of a John le Carré CERT 15 (95 mins) tor’s The Last Days Of Disco (1998) - plays novel, this spy thriller sees a British couple Lady Susan Vernon who, while staying at a on holiday who find themselves befriended Starring Andrea Riseborough, Damian massive estate, sets about finding a suitable Lewis, Ross Anderson, Kate Dickie, by a Russian oligarch. However, Dima John Sessions husband for her daughter. Of course, she (Skarsgård) has an ulterior motive for his Directed by Corinna McFarlane (UK) wouldn’t mind an eligible man for herself… amiability and soon the couple’s holiday in Set on a remote Released Fri 27 May the sun turns into a game of shadows. Scottish island prior to Released Fri 13 May the Second World War, The Silent Storm marks the solo directorial debut of McFarlane. It’s a passionate tale, the story of a hot-head- ed minister (Lewis) and his nature-lov- ing wife (Riseborough) who are joined by a Glaswegian delinquent bequeathed to them by a charity. The newcomer may be a curse, or perhaps a blessing… Released Fri 20 May

40 whatsonlive.co.uk Competitions May 2016.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 19:06 Page 2

To enter all competitions go to whatsonlive.co.uk

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Tickets to Tom Jones The Tickets to Superbike Tickets to Save The Last Musical World Championship Dance For Me

Closes Monday 23 May Closes Friday 20 May Closes Monday 9 May VIP Tickes To Foodies Festival Tickets to The Sound Of Music Tickets to Slam Dunk Festival

Closes Friday 27 May Closes Monday 23 May Closes Friday 20 May Tickets to Wipers in Coventry Tickets to Jackie The Musical Tickets to Footloose

Closes Thursday 5 May Closes Monday 16 May Closes Monday 27 June Tickets to Blists Hill Victorian Tickets to Clowning Around at Tickets to The Chris and Pui Town the BCLM Show

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Visual Arts

Turning To See: From Van Dyck to Lucian Freud Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Sat 28 May - Sun 4 September The first ever to be curated by internationally renowned, West Midlands-born artist John Stezaker, this striking, free exhibition takes Sir Anthony van Dyck's last self-portrait as a starting point to explore the idea of physical and metaphorical turning in portraiture. From Rembrandt and Rossetti to Picasso and Bomberg, Turning To See showcases major loans from the National Portrait Gallery alongside highlights from Birmingham's col- lection, creating a spectacle of turning that mirrors the way the viewer moves around the space. Fragile, rarely displayed works such as Burne-Jones' sketches for the Pygmalion series also feature, as well as new collages by Stezaker himself.

Buried Treasures: Taking its name from the subtitle of an auto- Land, Sea And Air biography by Stoke-born Anthea Turner, Uncovering Hoards New Art Gallery, Walsall, Fools Rush In reflects on the premature cre- Fri 27 May - Sun 4 September The Barber Institute, Birmingham, ation of legacies, and how the proliferation Fri 6 May - Sun 26 February of such texts undermines their value and dis- Displaying artefacts from no fewer than 48 tinction. Unwanted and second-hand books, coin hoards, including the British Dorchester often bought as token gifts, are dissected and and Appleford Hoards, this historical exhibi- reduced to only their embossed spines. By tion sheds light on Roman, Byzantine and painting and applying printmaking ink to Turkman worlds. Examining buried treasures these, artist Leigh Clarke removes any sense can yield exciting revelations about wealth, of hierarchy between the famous personali- power and trade networks in the ancient ties whose names they bear. world, as well as prompting questions about For his project at Airspace, Clarke will work their burial and rediscovery. with students on the BA Fine Art course at A series of lectures runs alongside the exhi- Staffordshire University to locate and collect bition, delving deeper into its themes and Spanning a period of more than 40 years, the every autobiography in the city's charity the questions it poses. diverse works collected in this exhibition are shops, which will serve as the material for linked through the use of maps as a common the exhibition. To counter these glossy inspiration. Frank Bowling, Tiffany Chung, celebrity stories, six local writers have also Agnes Denes, Shilpa Gupta, Tania Kovats been commissioned to ghost-author a limited and Cornelia Parker explore both the physi- edition of autobiographies about local cal geography that maps set out to represent, heroes. and the more complex personal and political meanings they contain through themes of conflict, resistance, negotiation and power as well as notions of home and identity.

Fools Rush In Airspace Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent, until Sat 28 May This solo print exhibition takes autobiogra- phy as its subject, exploring the growth of celebrity culture, mass-produced books and fabricated life stories.

42 whatsonlive.co.uk Visual Arts May.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 16:28 Page 2

Another Shun Ito: Cosmic Birds Minimalism Festival Hub, The Municipal Bank, Birmingham, Mon 2 - Fri 20 May Mead Gallery, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Japanese artist Shun Ito explores gravity, movement and light Thurs 5 May - Sat 25 June through a series of mesmerising kinetic sculptures in this free, Curated by Melissa E family-friendly exhibition, organised as part of the Feldman, this free touring International Dance Festival Birmingham 2016. Drawing on his exhibition brings together physical experiences as a dancer, the artist captures the beauty work by contemporary of natural falling and spinning motions with intricate mechani- artists from around the world, linked through their cal creations, including the dramatic installation Cells, a giant emphasis on light and space. Building on the ground- mobile made up of over 200 rotating steel rings and 30 light breaking work of Californian artists like Robert Irwin, bulbs created in residency in Birmingham. Larry Bell and Maria Nordman in the 1960s and ’70s, a younger generation now continues to experiment with minimalistic, site-specific and experiential designs, using materials such as mirrors, glass and coloured lights to alter perceptions of space and time. Another Minimalism is the first exhibition to connect the California Light And Space movement with new work by artists including Tacita Dean, Olafur Eliasson, Spencer Finch, Uta Bart, Sarah Braman, Sam Falls, Jeppe Hein, Ann Veronica Janssens and James Welling.

For more visual arts listings visit whatsonlive.co.uk 43 Events May 1.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 16:24 Page 1 Events May 1.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 16:24 Page 2

Events

Museums At Night Various locations across the Midlands, Wed 11 - Sat 14 May This biannual event sees museums all over the UK throwing open their doors after hours, allowing visitors to explore the coun- try’s rich and diverse culture in a different light. The evening events also provide the opportunity for real enthusiasts to indulge their particular interest in an atmosphere that’s calm and relaxing - not always possi- ble during normal opening hours. A total of ten museums across the West Midlands are taking part in the event. Featured attractions include twilight tours in spooky cellars, pottery workshops and crafts, a film screening of Shakespeare, and a medieval experience. For more information or to run an event, visit museumsatnight.org.uk

Red By Night Roaring Twenties Compton Verney Compton Verney, Warwickshire, Fri 13 May Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum, Sat 14 May Sat 14 May A Museums At Night event offering vis- itors the chance to return to the jazz- drenched days of the early 20th centu- ry, The Roaring Twenties brings togeth- er comedy sketches from local show group the Cubbington Players and music of the era from the Gershwin Gang. Attending dressed in the style of the 1920s isn’t compulsory but is cer- tainly encouraged. For those who’d rather not do so but who’d nonetheless like to enter into the spirit of the occa- sion, there’s a photo booth in which visitors can kit themselves out in vin- Flying sparks, clanging hammers and rising tage costume from the era. smoke are the order of the day - or rather, the night - at this special Black Country Living Compton Verney is opening its current dis- Museum event. plays, Shakespeare In Art and Boydell’s The Dudley visitor attraction’s annual Night Vision, for evening perusal as part of its At The Museum celebration this year brings Museums At Night event. Experts from The to life the history of the region via a package Shakespeare Birthplace Trust will be on of entertainment that includes soundscapes, hand to inform visitors about the plays theatre performances, light shows, poetry, which feature in the exhibitions. music and storytelling. There are fire jugglers Other attractions on the night include a talk on hand too, while inquisitive visitors can on how Shakespeare’s plays influenced also descend into an underground mine and Elizabethan thinking about the subject of check out a full-scale replica of the ‘emotion’, and a screening of Peter Hall’s Newcomen Engine, the world’s very first suc- 1968 movie version of A Midsummer Night’s cessful steam engine. Dream, filmed entirely at Compton Verney Plenty of traditional food and drink should and starring Helen Mirren, David Warner, ensure the rumbling of stomachs isn’t added Diana Rigg and Judi Dench. to the museum’s cacophony of industrial sounds.

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more events from around the region

Events

Queen Victoria’s Birthday Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge, Shropshire, Sat 28 May - Sun 5 June While our current Queen is cele- brating her 90th birthday, the good folk of Blists Hill are putting out the bunting in honour of another long-reigning monarch. This year’s birthday bash for Queen Victoria features poetry readings and short stories, candle- dipping workshops, school house lessons and the chance to ride on a horse-drawn bus. There’s also a self-led trail to enjoy, providing visitors with the opportunity to discover more about Victoria and The Baby Show the British Empire. NEC, Birmingham, Fri 13 - Sun 15 May to ‘touch, feel and compare’ items, enabling Take note that Sunday the 29th is shoppers to make an informed decision about an extra special day, with added Sleep-deprived new parents would do well to their purchases. The show also offers free attractions including a Punch & call on their reserves of energy and get along advice on topics such as sleeping, breastfeed- Judy show, street games, live enter- to this popular show. Widely considered to be ing and weaning, and comes complete with a tainment and a ‘patriotic parade’. the UK’s leading pregnancy and parenting host of facilities to help you have a hassle- event, the Baby Show brings together leading free day. retailers and brands, includes one-to-one We’re fairly sure that if your baby could talk, demonstrations and provides the opportunity they’d advise you to attend...

Ludlow Spring Festival Open Cockpits Evenings Ludlow Castle & Grounds, South Shropshire, RAF Cosford, Wolverhampton, Sat 14 - Sun 15 May Fri 13 - Sat 14 May This annual festival ably illustrates why Now here’s an opportunity no aviation fan Ludlow is one of the country’s most rep- will want to miss. The Royal Air Force Drive-In Movie utable foodie towns. The two-day event fea- Museum Cosford’s Open Cockpits Evenings tures more than 200 beers (from more than 50 offer 300 visitors per night the rare opportu- Telford Shopping Centre, Shropshire, Mon 30 May local brewers) and an array of food stalls, nity to step inside some of the world’s most with vendors offering delectable delights iconic aircraft - including two research jets Telford Shopping Centre ‘goes ranging from artisan flours to charcuterie, which have never before been opened to the American’ this May bank holiday award-winning cakes, gourmet sausage rolls public. when it hosts three drive-in and local cheeses. “Events like this make a visit to RAF Cosford movies in its Red Oak car park - A hugely popular element of the festival is extra special,” says the museum’s event man- Despicable Me 2 (from 2pm), Dirty the talks and demonstrations - this year ager, Abi Betteridge. “It’s a unique opportuni- Dancing (from 5.30pm) and Star including interactive sessions with chef Steve ty to have access inside military aircraft. To Wars: The Force Awakens (from Lyons - while for younger visitors, there’s the make sure visitors get the most out of the 8.30pm). Movie fans can relax in chance to get ‘hands on’ in special cookery event, we have a fantastic team of volunteers the comfort of their own vehicle to classes. on hand to answer any questions they may enjoy the films, tuning in their car have. We’ve also added two new aircraft to radio to hear the soundtrack the list, along with some that haven’t been through the car speakers. open for a number of years - so there’s some- Food and drink is available to pur- thing new and exciting for any returning visi- chase on the day, but viewers are tors to enjoy.” encouraged to bring along a picnic The Open Cockpits Evenings are part of the if they prefer. Europe-wide Museums At Night initiative, which sees hundreds of museums, galleries, libraries, archives and heritage sites opening their doors to the public for special after- hours events.

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more events from around the region

Events

Ultimate Smash Race, Rock ’n’ Down Ride Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Santapod Raceway, Sun 8 May Northampton, Sat 21 - Sun 22 May Ten hours of top-class bad- minton is the mouthwatering This is the first ever Race, prospect awaiting fans of the Rock’n’Ride event - and if its sport at this National Badminton action-packed programme of League season-two finale event. entertainment is anything to go Quickfire badminton action, by, it surely won’t be the last. Powerplays, time-outs and sud- Highlights include two-seater den-death tie-breaks should dragster rides, Podzilla monster ensure there’s no let up in the truck displays, stunt bikes and tension as the league's top four shows, a display of classic race teams go head to head to be bikes, a FireForce jet car, a crowned champions. round of the Straightliners Drag Racing Championships, mini monster truck rides for kids, Run What Ya Brung, a wheelie competition and live music from AC/DC tribute act Live/Wire. Motul FIM Superbike market for the event, where visitors can both Time to get your motor running, try and buy the selection of chilli-infused we think... World Championship delights on offer - including chocolate, bread, Donington Park, Derby, Fri 27 - Sun 29 May cakes, vodka, cocktails and chutney. There’s also a selection of specialist hot food suppli- The National Kit This is the prestigious World Superbike ers on hand, selling authentic Asian curries Championship’s only UK round - and Car Motor Show and a variety of other spicy foods. Donington Park’s premier event of the year. Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire Other attractions include a chilli-eating com- As well as a World Superbike race on both the Sun 1 - Mon 2 May petition, contributions from local chefs, a Saturday and Sunday, the event also features Hundreds of trade stands, live children’s cookery school, a puppet show and World Supersport and Superstock 1000 cham- action displays and more than live music. pionships, and races from the Ducati 4,000 cars - from the unusual to TriOptions Cup, European Junior Cup and the the exotic - feature among the National Superstock 600 and 1000. Tudor Weekend highlights at this unique event. Other attractions include live music on the The two-day get-together also Friday and Saturday evenings, an exclusive Blakesley Hall, Birmingham, offers the opportunity for visi- Sun 29 - Mon 30 May ‘rider Q&A session’ (for campers only) and tors to take a trip in an impres- children’s entertainment in the form of foot- Visitors to Blakesley Hall get the chance to sive Dakar 4x4 around the site’s ball, bouncy castles and mascot appearances. participate in Tudor games and dancing or try massive off-road course. The their hand at writing with a quill pen at this chance to enjoy ‘the drift of your family-friendly event. Tudor reenactors enter- life’, courtesy of the show’s tain and educate throughout the weekend, Slalom Experience, is another presenting battle scenes from Shakespeare's sure-to-be-popular attraction. Henry V, performing a short play first staged in 1575, and demonstrating a range of sure-to- be-impressive sword-fighting techniques. Tudor-style cooking is also on the agenda, while a number of Tudor ladies will be show- ing off their impressive textile skills. Sounds like a step back in time that could be well worth taking...

Eastnor Chilli Festival Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire, Sun 1 - Mon 2 May Promising to heat up the bank holiday week- end, Eastnor’s fifth annual Chilli Festival showcases an abundance of spiced-up enter- See for all your tainment for all the family to enjoy. The castle thelist courtyard will be transformed into a chilli events listings

whatsonlive.co.uk 49 The List Cover May Birmingham ONLY.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 17:44 Page 1 The List Cover May Birmingham ONLY.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 17:45 Page 2

Your week to week listings guide May 2016 thelist Catsat Birmingham Hippodrome Mon 30 May -Sat 4Jun

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 May Mon 9 to Sun 15 May Mon 16 to Sun 22 May Mon 23 to Tues 31 May

Swingamajig at the Bodypower UK at Laura Mvula at David Morgan at Rainbow Venues, Digbeth NEC, Birmingham O2 Institute, Birmingham The Core Theatre, Solihull Sun 1 May Fri 13 - Sun 15 May Sat 21 May Sun 29 May

whatsonlive.co.uk 51 The List 1-8 May - BIRMINGHAM ONLY VERSION MM.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 18:30 Page 1

thelist Friday 1 - Sunday 8 May O2 Institute, B’ham THE TREATMENT Fri 6 THROUGHOUT MAY Gigs NGOD Wed 4 May, O2 May, The Slade Academy, Birmingham Rooms, W’hampton designer-makers with their creative KLASSIDE Fri 6 May, O2 practice, Mon 9 May - Sat 24 Sept MAGNUM Sun 1 May, JONNY & THE BAPTISTS: Visual Arts Institute, Birmingham NEW DAVID HAWTHORNE ARBSA - O2 Institute, B’ham THE END IS NIGH Wed 4 May, mac, Birmingham FROM THE JAM Fri 6 Birmingham Museum & SUNLIGHT AND SHADOWS Atmospheric DANCEHALL DAYS Sun 1 May, The Robin, Bilston Art Gallery paintings of land, sea and skies, Mon May, Old Joint Stock 16 May - Sat 25 June Theatre, Birmingham PILGRIMAGE FEAT. NEW ART WEST MIDLANDS 2016 NEW ATTILIO FIUMARELLA A series of FOFOULAH, JACT & Exhibition of works by graduates TONY KEARNEY Sun 1 new photographs from the winner of YOUNG PILGRIMS Fri 6 from various West Midlands art May, Irish Centre, the RBSA's Photographic Prize exhi- May, Hare & Hounds, schools, until Sun 15 May. Also Birmingham bition, Mon 23 May - Sat 9 July Birmingham showing at Wolverhampton Art DAN SARTAIN Sun 1 May DANNY DARCY Sat 7 Gallery & Herbert Art Gallery, NEW KATHLEEN FABRE Solo exhibition Ort Cafe, Birmingham of new site-responsive installations, May, Irish Centre, Coventry FULL 100 2016! Mon 30 May - Sat 2 July Birmingham BIRMINGHAM QUR’AN One of the earli- FEATURING TARRUS TOO REX Sat 7 May, The est surviving copies of the Islamic holy RILEY Sun 1 May, O2 The Barber Institute Roadhouse, B’ham book, on display, until Wed 3 Aug Academy, Birmingham 9BACH Wed 4 May, CHANCE, ORDER, CHANGE: ABSTRACT Hare & Hounds, BRANTLEY GILBERT Sat 7 BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM & ART GALLERY MICHAEL BOLTON Sun 1 PAINTINGS 1939 - 1989 A great oppor- Birmingham May, O2 Institute, IN 130 YEARS The story of the May, Symphony Hall, tunity to enjoy abstract art at its Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, told via a spe- purest, until Sun 8 May Birmingham SI CRANSTOUN WITH HIS BAND Wed 4 May, The SOUND OF THE SIRENS cial anniversary exhibition, until ANDROMEDA XV – PRESTIGE & POWER Artists, writers, Robin, Bilston Sat 7 May, Ort Cafe, Thurs 1 Sept MAYDAY WARNING Sun 1 politicians and royalty are the sub- Birmingham NEW TURNING TO SEE: FROM VAN DYCK jects in this display of works by May, O2 Institute, HATTIE BRIGGS Thurs 5 TO LUCIAN FREUD Van Dyck's last self- Rubens, Van Dyck and Charles Le Birmingham May, Kitchen Garden THE DIRTY NIL & WACO Cafe, Birmingham Sat 7 May, The portrait, curated by West Midlands- Bruni, until Sun 15 May UB40 Sun 1 May, Sunflower Lounge, born and internationally renowned INTO THE WOODS Featuring stylistically Barclaycard Arena, WORLDSERVICE PROJECT Birmingham artist John Stezaker, Sat 28 May - diverse works by distinguished Birmingham Thurs 5 May, Hare & Sun 4 Sept Hounds, Birmingham ESKIMO DANCE Sat 7 artists, including Jacob van Ruisdael, JOE GODDARD Sun 1 May, O2 Academy, Theodore Rousseau & Samuel May, Hare & Hounds, BENJAMIN FRANCIS Eastside Projects Birmingham Palmer, until Sun 12 June Birmingham LEFTWICH Thurs 5 May, NEW PRODUCTION SHOW Sat 30 Apr - The Rainbow Venues, LETHAL BIZZLE Sat 7 NEW BURIED TREASURES A fascinating INTRIGUE IN TANGIERS Sat 16 July Birmingham May, O2 Institute, exhibition exploring coin hoards, Sun 1 May, Kitchen Birmingham Grand Union telling the stories of their deposition Garden Cafe, B’ham RAT BOY Thurs 5 May, and their discovery, Fri 6 May 2016 - O2 Institute, B’ham SCOTT MATTHEWS Sat 7 PREM SAHIB A solo show of new DO NOT SLEEP FEATUR- Sun 26 Feb 2017 May, Newhampton Arts work, until Fri 3 June ING PACO OSUNA Sun 1 MAHALIA Thurs 5 May, Centre, Wolverhampton NEW CURIOUS BEAUTY This display May, The Rainbow The Glee Club, B’ham Ikon Gallery showcases Ennemond-Alexandre Venues, Birmingham BOY JUMPS SHIP Thurs JAKE & ELWOOD Sat 7 Petitot's drawings for ornamental DAN FLAVIN: IT IS WHAT IT IS AND IT 5 May, O2 Academy, May, The Robin, Bilston vases, engraved by Benigno Bossi MARK LANEGAN Mon 2 AIN'T NOTHING ELSE An exhibition of Birmingham IDESTORY + STILETTO (1727 – 1792), Fri 27 May - Sun 4 May, The Glee Club, fluorescent light works, until Sun 26 FARM + NOISE REVOLT Sept Birmingham THE BOXER REBELLION June. + YOUTH WITHIN Sun 8 WHITECLIFF Mon 2 May, Thurs 5 May, Hare & May, The Sunflower mac, Birmingham The Sunflower Lounge, Hounds, Birmingham The Library of Birmingham Lounge, Birmingham MADE AT MAC: LIFE DRAWING The art- OUR SHAKESPEARE The Library of Birmingham CREEDENCE CLEARWATER works featured were created on the PALEHORSE Sun 8 May, Birmingham has joined forces with CHRIS CORNELL Mon 2 REVIEWED Thurs 5 May, life drawing course, led by artist tutor Hare & Hounds, the British Library to stage a colour- May, Symphony Hall, The Robin, Bilston Sally Delany, until Sun 15 May Birmingham ful free exhibition, until Sat 3 Sept Birmingham FLIGHT 15 Fri 6 May, O2 T R DALLAS Sun 8 May, PRINTS: AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL SERIES DANIEL CHAMPAGNE Academy, Birmingham Parkside Gallery, BCU AND 11 DRYPOINTS BY LOUISE Irish Centre, B’ham Tues 3 May, The Robin, AN EVENING WITH THE BOURGEOIS Two collections of works NEW IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE? Bilston DUBLIN LEGENDS Fri 6 CHAMELEONS VOX + Exhibition celebrating the 30th by one of the most influential artists EVIL BLIZZARD Sun 8 ANASTACIA Tue 3 May, May, Birmingham Town anniversary of Birmingham alterna- of recent decades (1911-2010), until May, O2 Institute, Symphony Hall, B’ham tive music venue and disco The Click Sun 19 June WUSSY Fri 6 May, Hare Birmingham THE BLUETONES Tues 3 & Hounds, Birmingham Club, Tues 3 - Sat 28 May BARBARA WALKER: SHOCK AND AWE A BIG BOY BLOATER Sun 8 May, O2 Institute, major new commission of drawings, DANNY DARCY Fri 6 May, May, The Glee Club, RBSA Gallery Birmingham until Sun 3 July Irish Centre, B’ham Birmingham ECO-CRAFT EXHIBITION Showcasing MICHAEL CHAPMAN Tues BOM (B’ham Open Media) AURELIO VOLTAIRE + designer-makers with an ethical 3 May, Kitchen Garden AMONG THE ECHOES Fri approach to craft-making, until Sat 7 INGENIOUS AND FEARLESS COMPANIONS Cafe, Birmingham 6 May, O2 Institute, May The first ever exhibition by the High JEZ LOWE & THE BAD Birmingham Altitude Bioprospecting (HAB) sci- SHIRLEY BONAS - ARBSA ALL SEASONS PENNIES Wed 4 May, YOUNG PILGRIMS, ence-art collective, until Sat 11 June ALL WEATHERS Exhibition of work The Red Lion Folk FOFOULAH & JACT Fri 6 reflecting Shirley’s love of the Wyre Bramall Music Building Club, Birmingham May, Hare & Hounds, Forest and the local countryside, DANNI NICHOLLS Wed 4 Birmingham until Sat 14 May ANTONIO ROBERTS: PERMISSION TAKEN May, Kitchen Garden KING KRAB + CHEMICAL Work by Antonio Roberts focused on JANETTE SUMMERFIELD RBSA Cafe, Birmingham MOJO + FRANTIC Fri 6 issues surrounding copyright, per- Variations On A Theme - how an FIELD HARMONICS Wed May, The Roadhouse, mission culture and art, until Mon 30 SYMPHONIC FLOYD FEA- image can be interpreted in several 4 May, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham May TURING THE EN SUITE ways, until Sat 21 May Birmingham RICKY COOL AND THE IN ELECTRIC BAND Sun 8 JEFF LOMAS RBSA Grasslands - an Museum of The Jewellery NINA NESBITT Wed 4 CROWD Fri 6 May, May, Symphony Hall, exhibition of ceramics, until Sat 28 Quarter May, O2 Institute, O’Neill’s, Birmingham Birmingham May COLLECTING BIRMINGHAM: STORIES Birmingham THE ICICLE WORKS Fri 6 CHRIS WOOD Sun 8 NEW PRIZE EXHIBITION Annual open THAT SHOULD BE SHARED The first in TEDDY THOMPSON & May, O2 Academy, May, Kitchen Garden exhibition. Wed 4 May - Sat 4 June a series of four exhibitions showcas- KELLY JONES Wed 4 Birmingham Cafe, Birmingham ing objects collected from local peo- NEW WANDERLUST CRAFT EXHIBITION May, The Glee Club, YES Fri 6 May, ple, telling their stories of life in KARNATAKA Sun 8 May, Having a strong desire to travel, or Birmingham Symphony Hall, B’ham Birmingham, until Sat 31 December The Robin, Bilston ‘wanderlust’, has inspired many TINASHE Wed 4 May,

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Friday 1 - Sunday 8 May

Birmingham Town Hall National Theatre since 1995, Tue 3 - Classical Music BIRMINGHAM CITADEL BAND OF THE Theatre Sat 7 May, The REP, Birmingham SALVATION ARMY GALA CONCERT 2016 THE FATHER Kenneth Cranham repris- Sat 7 May, Adrian Boult Hall, es his role in Florian Zeller’s CELEBRITY RECITAL WITH SIR JAMES Birmingham DON QUIXOTE James Fenton's staging AND LADY JEANNE GALWAY of Cervantes' comic novel - a work Programme includes works by regarded as one of the foundation Gaubert, Chaminade, Harty, Gossec, stones of modern fiction, until Sat 21 Marais, Kreisler & Morlacchi, Sun 1 May, The Swan Theatre, Stratford- May, Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham Comedy Gigs upon-Avon BENEDICT MASON PORTRAIT Sun 1 DOCTOR FAUSTUS Maria Aberg returns May, CBSO Centre, Birmingham JARRED CHRISTMAS, TONY LAW to the RSC to direct Marlowe’s noto- FEATURING BETHANY BLACK, RICH FINAL YEAR RECITALISTS Featuring rious take of vanity, greed & damna- WILSON, JAMES ANDERSON & COMIC Matthew Hayden (baritone), Jacob tion, until Thurs 4 Aug, The Swan TBC Sun 1 May, The Glee Club, Dorell (voice), Lydia Haynes (sopra- Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Birmingham no) & David Woods (tenor), Tues 3 CYMBELINE Melly Still directs acclaimed play, Tues 3 - Sat 7 May, May, The Bramall, Birmingham Shakespeare’s rarely performed The REP, Birmingham THOMAS TROTTER IN RECITAL romance, until Fri 12 Aug, Royal SWEENEY TODD The Arcadians pres- Programme includes works by Bach, Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford- ent the story of the Demon Barber of Mozart, Widor, Dove, MacMillan, upon-Avon Fleet Street, Tues 3 - Sat 7 May, Dukas & Liszt, Wed 4 May, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Birmingham Blue Orange Arts presents its version AMBER TOPAZ: STORM IN A D CUP One- CBSO VAUGHAN WILLIAMS’ FIFTH of Oscar Wilde's classic comedy of woman comedy show from one of Featuring John Wilson (Conductor), manners, Thurs 28 April - Sat 7 May, the UK's brightest burlesque and Alice Coote – Mezzo soprano) The Blue Orange Theatre, B’ham cabaret stars, Thurs 5 May, Old Joint Programme includes works by Bax, BAD JEWS Joshua Harman's Stock Theatre, Birmingham Elgar & Vaughan Williams, Thurs 5 renowned play, set in a Manhattan BUGSY MALONE Birmingham Youth May, Symphony Hall, Birmingham apartment on the evening of a family Onstage present an amateur produc- FINAL YEAR RECITALISTS Featuring funeral, Mon 2 - Sat 7 May, New tion based on the popular 1976 Karis Ong (piano), Christopher MOCK THE FLOCK Wed 4 May, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham gangster movie of the same name, Percival (piano) & Usha Aron (piano), The Mockingbird, Birmingham PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT Thurs 5 - Fri 6 May, Old Rep Theatre, Thurs 5 May, The Bramall, MANILLA ROAD COMEDY Thurs 5 May, Duncan James takes the lead as Tick Birmingham Birmingham The Victoria, Birmingham in a touring production of the feel- MR B THE GENTLEMAN RHYMER Mr B DI XIAO: MOON, WATER AND DANCE GARY LITTLE, FUNMBI OMOTAYO & COM- good international musical based on continues his ongoing quest to Programme includes works by Ravel, EDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON the smash-hit movie of the same reconnect hip-hop with manners and Guang Ren, Debussy, Jianzhong Thurs 5 May, The Glee Club, name, Mon 2 - Sat 7 May, bring the Queen’s English to Wang, Yiqiang Sun & Liszt, Fri 6 May, Birmingham Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Birmingham, Fri 6 - Sat 7 May, Old The Barber Institute, Birmingham Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham LEE NELSON, MATT REED & COMIC TBC CBSO PLAYERS: VAUGHAN WILLIAMS 5 May, The Comedy Loft, MARGARET THATCHER: QUEEN OF SOHO PHANTASY QUINTET Fri 6 May, CBSO Birmingham Fri 6 - Sat 7 May, mac, Birmingham Centre, Birmingham DAVE JOHNS, ANDREW RYAN, GARY WEEKEND ROCKSTARS Theatre meets IL DIVO Sat 7 May, Genting Arena, LITTLE & FUNMBI OMOTAYO Fri 6 May, gig in Middle Child’s unapologetic Birmingham The Glee Club, Birmingham telling of three young lives living for the weekend, Fri 6 - Sat 7 May, The KARL JENKINS REQUIEM Karl Jenkins SIMON EVANS Fri 6 May REP, Birmingham conducts his highly acclaimed and The Glee Club, Birmingham popular Requiem alongside Palladio TO MEET OSCAR WILDE Norman CITIZEN KHAN Fri 6 May, Genting & The Healer. Lucy Knight (soprano), Holland’s fascinating play in which Arena, Birmingham Håkan Vramsmo (baritone), Clive Oscar Wilde gives a dissertation on Bell shakuhachi & Zands Duggan MATT REED, JARLATH REGAN, STEVE his colourful life, Fri 6 - Sat 14 May, (percussion), also feature, Sat 7 May, BUGEJA & BRENDON BURNS Fri 6 - Sat CONNECTIONS 500 In collaboration Hall Green Little Theatre, Symphony Hall, Birmingham 7 May, The Comedy Loft, B’ham with the National Theatre, 13 youth Birmingham CANOLDIR: 50 GLORIOUS YEARS FUNMBI OMOTAYO, ANDREW RYAN, DAVE theatres from across the country visit DON QUIXOTE Part of the RSC’s Celebrating 50 glorious years of JOHNS & GARY LITTLE Sat 7 May, The The REP to present a selection of Unwrapped Season, in which mem- music making, Canoldir will here be Glee Club, Birmingham plays to celebrate the 21st year of bers of the acting company demon- joined by the Make Choirs of CURTIS WALKER, SINCK, MELANIE GAYLE the National Theatre’s Connections strate some of the skills that go into Bridgend, Cardiff Arms Park, Dunvant & JOHN SIMMIT Sun 8 May, mac, Festival. Each group stages one of making a production, Sat 7 May, & Pontarddulais, Sat 7 May, Birmingham 12 plays commissioned by the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

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thelist Friday 1 - Sunday 8 May GOD OF CARNAGE The Crescent PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN An afternoon of FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS (PG) IRONBRIDGE GORGE WALKING FESTIVAL Theatre Company present Noel spectacular free dance performances I SAW THE LIGHT (15) Now in its 11th year, this poular festi- Coward's comedy of manners, Sat 7 in a range of styles, Sat 7 May, The val offers nine days of free, varied - Sat 14 May, Crescent Theatre, Bullring Shopping Centre, KNIGHT OF CUPS (15) and rewarding walks in and around Birmingham Birmingham ROBINSON CRUSOE (PG) Telford’s stunning Ironbridge Gorge, WOODY SEZ: THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF TRIBANGHI DANCE THEATRE: SUKUMA THESE FINAL HOURS (15) where the Industrial Revolution WOODY GUTHRIE Soul-stirring hit musi- High-energy fusion of Indian classical began over 300 years ago, Sun 1 - cal capturing the heart and spirit of Bharatanatyam and African dance, Sun 8 May, Ironbridge, Shropshire America's original folk hero, Woody brought together with contemporary WARWICK MAY RACING CARNIVAL Mon Guthrie, Sun 8 May, New Alexandra flair, Sun 8 May, mac, Birmingham Events 2 May, Warwick Racecourse Theatre, Birmingham CAFE SCIENTIFIQUE: THE FUTURE OF EYE BIG BRUM OPEN TOP BUZ SIGHTSEEING CARE A talk from Professor Shehzad TOUR Beginning at the commercial A Naroo from the School of Life and heart of the city at the end of Health Sciences at Aston University, Dance Film Colmore Row, Victoria Square, this Tues 3 May, Thinktank at Millennium popular tour includes the city’s major Point, Birmingham buildings of architectural interest NEDERLANDS DANS THEATER 2 With an INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: including St Philip’s and St Chad’s BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE FILM FESTIVAL impressive company of 18 interna- VERTIGO (PG) This cinematic classic Cathedrals, the Victoria Law Courts, BCLM celebrates Deaf Awareness tional dancers, NDT2 presents a from the master of suspense was so the Town Hall, the Council House, Week, hosting a series of specialist mixed repertoire of work that promis- poorly received upon its initial 1958 Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery films suitable for deaf and hard-of- es to inspire and entertain.Tue 3 - release that Alfred Hitchcock later and Library, Sun 1 May, Birmingham hearing audiences, Tues 3 - Sat 7 Wed 4 May Birmingham Hippodrome withdrew it from distribution for sev- City Centre May, Black Country Living Museum, eral years. Its reputation has since Dudley grown and it is now widely regarded TALES FROM HISTORY: THE LUNAR as Hitchcock’s finest film, a haunting SOCIETY AND SOHO HOUSE To cele- examination of male desire memo- brate the 250th anniversary of the rably filmed in real San Francisco Lunar Society, Soho House Manager locations. Stars James Stewart & Kim Samina Kosar gives a talk at Novak. Sun 1 May, The Electric Waterstones as part of their Tales Cinema, Birmingham From History season, Thurs 5 May, Soho House, Birmingham COURT (tbc) A sewerage worker's dead body is found inside a manhole DIGBETH FIRST FRIDAY Digbeth comes in Mumbai. An ageing folk singer is alive on the first Friday of each COMPAGNIE PHILIPPE SAIRE: BLACK OUT tried in court on charges of abetment INTERNATIONAL DAWN CHORUS Catch month with exhibitions, late-night A strong and intimate experience of suicide. He is accused of perform- the early morning chorus on an openings, special events, culture in which sees thousands of black gran- ing an inflammatory song which RSPB-led walk around the garden, unexpected spaces, live music, street ulated fragments transform the might have incited the worker to Sun 1 May, Castle Bromwich Hall food and more, Fri 6 May, Digbeth, dancers’ world into a moving, pictori- commit the act. As the trial unfolds, Gardens, Birmingham Birmingham al composition that jars as it shifts in the personal lives of the lawyers and HANDSWORTH HERITAGE WALK Check response to the light, sound and 10K GREAT BIRMINGHAM AFTERPARTY the judge involved in the case are out fine Georgian and Victorian archi- movement, Tues 3 - Wed 4 May Sun 1 May, The Slug and Lettuce, observed outside the court. Stars tecture, a convent designed by DanceXchange, Birmingham Birmingham Usha Bane & Vivek Gomber. Tues 3 - Augustus Pugin, a church that was Hippodrome MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS Join the resi- Thurs 5 May, mac, Birmingham built nearly one millennium ago, Sat dents of Blists Hill Victorian Town on BRIDGING THE VOID Experimental BIG HERO 6 (PG) San Fransokyo is in 7 May, Soho House, Birmingham Dance present a new film/dance pro- May Day as they mark the occasion trouble! Robot genius Hiro Hamada KINGS HEATH FARMERS MARKET Sat 7 duction featuring a dramatic move- with fun and merriment, Sun 1 May, finds himself catapulted into danger, May, All Saints Church, King’s Heath, ment vocabulary performed by three Blists Hill, Ironbridge, Shropshire and turns to Baymax, a plus-sized Birmingham dancers. Wed 4 May mac, inflatable robot, for help. Sat 7 May, THE KINGMAKER'S MEDIAEVAL BANQUET Birmingham mac, Birmingham It’s the year 1471 and you have been DETOX Intense, energetic and FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS (PG) Meryl summoned to dine with the infamous thought-provoking production by Streep stars in the true story of Earl of Warwick for an unforgettable Pagrav Dance Company, Thurs 5 Florence Foster Jenkins, a New York evening of eating, drinking and May, The Drum, Birmingham heiress and socialite who obsessively medieval revelry, Sat 7 May, Warwick ECLIPSE & JINX 103 A double bill pursued her dream of becoming a Castle showcasing choreographic works great singer. Convinced of her own CADBURY CHARACTER WEEKEND Pose that beautifully complement one talent, the voice Florence heard in for photographs alongside Freddo, another, Fri 6 - Sat 7 May, her head was beautiful, while to EASTNOR CHILLI FESTIVAL Now in its Caramel Bunny and friends as they DanceXchange, Birmingham everyone else it was both hilarious fifth year. All things chilli to try and meet and greet visitors, Sat 7 - Sun 8 Hippodrome and awful. Fri 6 - Thurs 12 May, The buy! Live music, bars, hot food, chil- May, Cadbury World, Bournville CARLOS ACOSTA Featuring an incredi- Electric Cinema, Birmingham dren’s cookery school, a chilli-eating 1940'S WEEKEND Fabulous music and ble cast of dancers from Cuba, THE SEVENTH SEAL (PG) Ingmar competition and cookery demonstra- magical memories, Sat 7 - Sun 8 Carlos here performs excerpts from Bergman’s allegory about a medieval tions, Sun 1 - Mon 2 May, Eastnor May, Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens, his favourite ballet repertoire. Fri 6 - knight (Max von Sydow) who plays Castle Deer Park, Herefordshire Birmingham Sat 7 May, Birmingham Hippodrome chess with Death (a white-faced, PIRATE WEEKEND Pirates invade CENTRAL PERFORMANCE SHOW The shrouded figure played by Bengt Cadbury World for a weekend of Ekerot) was a landmark of arthouse fastest sports & performance cars in swashbuckling fun, Sun 1 - Mon 2 the country battle it out head to cinema in the late 1950s. Taking its May, Cadbury World, Bournville title from the Book of Revelation, the head, Sun 8 May, Santa Pod film examines the knight’s crisis of MEDIEVAL RE-ENACTMENT WEEKEND Raceway, Northants faith during a dark period of human The manor house museums wel- TOY COLLECTORS FAIR Sun 8 May, history. Sun 8 May, The Electric come the Buckinghams Retinue, who NEC, Birmingham Cinema, Birmingham will be setting up camp in the grounds, Sun 1 - Mon 2 May, Manor BIKE4LIFE FEST 2016 Bike4Life Fest House Museum, West Bromwich returns, with over 3,000 bikers and NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: enthusiasts expected at the biggest PENGUIN WEEK Learn all about the biking event in the Midlands, Sun 8 Released from Fri 6 May, showing at penguin leader Alf and his pals. Plus, May, RAF Cosford, Wolverhampton ZOIELOGIC DANCE THEATRE: RIDE World selected cinemas. get involved in numerous activities to premiere of an outdoor dance theatre AJ BELL NATIONAL BADMINTON LEAGUE BAD NEIGHBOURS 2 (tbc) celebrate World Penguin Day on the work exploring the nature of travel- 25th, Sun 1 - Mon 2 May, National Sun 8 May, Barclaycard Arena, ling, Sat 7 May, Ward End Park, EVOLUTION (15) Sea Life Centre, Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham

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thelist Monday 9 - Sun 15 May ONE NIGHT OF ELVIS Fri COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY 13 May, The Robin, Classical Music ROBINSON Thurs 12 May, The Glee Bilston Club, Birmingham KATE RUSBY Sat 14 May, TRYGVE WAKENSHAW: SQUIDBOY RISING STARS: TRIO CATCH Featuring Birmingham Town Hall Fri 13 May, mac, Birmingham Boglárka Pecze (clarinet), Eva DECLAN O'ROURKE Sat Boesch (cello) & Sun-Young Nam DAN THOMAS, DANE BAPTISTE, PAUL 14 May, Symphony (piano), Mon 9 May, Birmingham MCCAFFREY & COMIC TBC Fri 13 May, Hall, Birmingham Town Hall The Glee Club, Birmingham PAT BRESLIN Sat 14 IPHIGENIE EN TAURIDE English Touring DIANE SPENCER, KEVIN MCCARTHY, IAN May, Irish Centre, Opera presents a 'heart-wrenching' COGNITO & DARIUS DAVIES Birmingham masterpiece based on a famous Fri 13 - Sat 14 May, The Comedy ANDY BLACK Sat 14 story from Greek myth, Mon 9 May, Loft, Birmingham May, O2 Institute, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre PAUL MCCAFFREY, MARK OLVER, DAN Birmingham THOMAS & DANE BAPTISTE Sat 14 May, Declan O’Rourke, Symphony Hall, 14 May DON GIOVANNi English Touring Opera THE MEMBRANES presents its version of Mozart's 'most The Glee Club, Birmingham WAY TO BLUE: THE Sat 14 engrossing' opera, Tues 10 May, SONGS OF NICK DRAKE May, The Flapper, SHAZIA MIRZA Sat 14 May, mac, Gigs Birmingham Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Thurs 12 May, Birmingham Symphony Hall, IN DISMAY + HOPE FOR IGOR LEVIT (PIANO) Programme com- ELESSAR Mon 9 May, Birmingham RETURN + VICTORY prises Beethoven’s Sonata No 17 Op The Rainbow Venues, LANE + SILO 18 Sat 14 31 No 2 & Frederic Rzewski’s The TRAVIS Thurs 12 May, Birmingham May, Slade Rooms, People United Will Never Be O2 Academy, Wolverhampton Defeated, Tues 10 May, Birmingham ISAAC GRACIE Mon 9 Birmingham May, Hare & Hounds, MANIC STREET Town Hall QUI Thurs 12 May, Hare Birmingham PREACHERS Sat 14 May, CITY OF SOUNDS: TWO TRIOS Featuring & Hounds, Birmingham SKATERS Mon 9 May, Genting Arena, B’ham Ben Muirhead & Billy Weir as one act REND COLLECTIVE Thurs The Rainbow Venues, SUPERFICIALS Sat 14 alongside The Birmingham 12 May, O2 Institute, Birmingham May, O2 Academy, Conservatoire Trio which comprises Birmingham Jiafeng Chen (violin), Jiaxin Lloyd TRIO CATCH Mon 9 May, Birmingham ABSOLUTE BLONDIE Webber (cello), Di Xiao (piano) pre- Birmingham Town Hall JOCELYN BROWN & Thurs 12 May, The senting music by Bach, Debussy, KENNY THOMAS Sat 14 CLIVE GREGSON Mon 9 Robin, Bilston Paganini & Mendelssohn, Tues 10 May, Kitchen Garden May, O2 Academy, May, Recital Hall, Birmingham EMILY PORTMAN & THE Cafe, Birmingham Birmingham Conservatoire CORACLE BAND Fri 13 THE SMITHS LTD Sat 14 HAL CRUTTENDEN Sat 14 May, The Old CORKY LAING Mon 9 May, Birmingham Town ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: May, The Roadhouse, Rep Theatre, Birmingham May, The Robin, Bilston Hall SCANDINAVIAN SERENADE Featuring Birmingham David Le Page (violin) & David Curtis SHOOK TWINS Tues 10 MANOS PA'ARRIBA Fri 13 ROCK 4 SPON 5 Sat 14 (conductor). Programme includes May, Kitchen Garden May, Hare & Hounds, May, The Robin, Bilston works by Grieg, Sibelius & Dvorak, Cafe, Birmingham Birmingham FUTURE FOLK FEATURING Wed 11 May, Birmingham Town Hall IGOR LEVIT Tues 10 OATHBREAKER Fri 13 FALSE LIGHTS, JOSIENNE CBSO: BEN-HUR LIVE Carl Davis con- Theatre May, Birmingham Town May, The Rainbow CLARKE & BEN WALKER ducts the CBSO Orchestra in live Hall Venues, Birmingham AND LUKE JACKSON Sun score to accompany the 1925 silent CENTURY SONG Volcano Theatre pres- THE REFORM CLUB Tues FRAN THE MAN Fri 13 15 May, Birmingham movie, Fri 13 May, Symphony Hall, ent a unique show inspired in part by 10 May, The Robin, May, Irish Centre, Town Hall Birmingham Virginia Woolf’s Orlando and Alice Bilston Birmingham SEAN WILSON Sun 15 RECYCLAGE MUSICAL Featuring Walker’s In Search Of Our Mothers’ COLUM SANDS Wed 11 THE HARTS + SALAD May, Irish Centre, Richard Sutcliffe (viola) & Sofie Garden, Tues 10 May, mac, B’ham May, The Red Lion Folk DAYS + SHOOT THE Birmingham Vanherie (harpsichord). Programme SOUTH PACIFIC This popular musical Club, Birmingham SYMPHONY + THE REAL TRANSVIOLET Sun 15 includes works by Marin Marais, presented by Solihull Theatre CHASTITY BELT Wed 11 COOL Fri 13 May, O2 May, Hare & Hounds, Antoine Forqueray, Louis de Caix Company is an unusual love story May, Hare & Hounds, Institute, Birmingham Birmingham d’Hervelois and Jean-Baptiste set against the backdrop of a cruel Birmingham SNOWPOET Fri 13 May, Barrière, Fri 13 May, The Barber war. Contains much-loved songs MIKE PETERS PRESENTS THEO JACKSON Wed 11 The Glee Club, B’ham Institute, Birmingham such as I'm Gonna Wash That Man THE ALARM Sun 15 May, Lichfield Garrick Right Outta My Hair and the famous- CRIME & PUNISHMENT May, O2 Academy, MOSCOW STATE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ly finger-wagging Happy Talk! Tues A CELEBRATION OF JOHN Fri 13 May, The Birmingham Programme includes works by 10 - Sat 14 May, The Core Theatre, DENVER Wed 11 May, Flapper, Birmingham Stephen Johnson, Rachmaninov & TRIAXIS / IMMNESION Solihull Wolverhampton Grand Shostakovich, Sat 14 May, ARMY OF BONES Fri 13 Sun 15 May, The Theatre Symphony Hall, Birmingham AMERICAN IDIOT X Factor finalist May, The Asylum, Rainbow Venues, Amelia Lily and musical theatre star JASON DONOVAN TEN Birmingham Birmingham CBSO: A GREAT BRITISH SUMMER Aaron Sidwell star in Green Day's GOOD REASONS & Featuring Julian Wilkins (conductor) BILLY OCEAN Fri 13 May FRANCES Sun 15 May, explosive, award-winning Broadway GREATEST HITS TOUR & the CBSO Children’s Chorus. Tom Wolverhampton Grand The Glee Club, B’ham musical, Tues 10 - Sat 14 May, New Wed 11 May, Redmond presents, Sun 15 May, Theatre Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Symphony Hall, RICKY COOL AND THE IN Symphony Hall, Birmingham THE SESSIONS - A live Birmingham CROWD Sun 15 May, KIKI LOVECHILD: SHEETS Brand new re-staging of The The Brasshouse, clown show for grown-ups, about the THE BAR STOOL Beatles at Abbey Road Birmingham end of the world, Wed 11 May, Old PREACHERS Thurs 12 Studios Fri 13 May, FRANKLY SINATRA Sun Comedy Gigs Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham May, Slade Rooms, Barclaycard Arena, 15 May, New Alexandra Wolverhampton Birmingham THE WEDDING SINGER Heart Of Theatre, Birmingham Worcestershire College Performing THE HEAVY Thurs 12 LOUDEEMY SOUP COMEDY NIGHT Mon 9 THE SUMMER SET Fri 13 Arts present an amateur version of May, O2 Academy, THE UKULELE May The Blue Orange Theatre, May, The Asylum, , the musical comedy, based on the Birmingham ORCHESTRA OF GREAT Birmingham Birmingham 1985 film of the same name, Wed 11 BRITAIN Sun 15 May, CHEEKY MONKEY COMEDY Tues 10 FREE REIGN Thurs 12 ANDY JORDAN Fri 13 - Thurs 12 May, Artrix, Bromsgrove Birmingham Town Hall May, The Dark Horse, Birmingham May, The Roadhouse, May, O2 Institute, THE GLENN MILLER JOAN An earthy story of courage, Birmingham Birmingham MOCK THE FLOCK Wed 11 May ORCHESTRA Sun 15 conviction, hope, survival and love, IMAGINED ISLE FOLK The Mockingbird, Birmingham LIVEWIRE - TRIBUTE TO May, Palace Theatre, performed by Drag Idol champion FESTIVAL Thurs 12 - AC/DC Fri 13 May, The Redditch ALISTAIR BARRIE Thurs 12 May Lucy Jane Parkinson, aka LoUIS Mon 16 May, Slade Rooms, Station Pub, Sutton Coldfield CYfer, Wed 11 - Thurs 12 May, mac, OYE SANTANA Sun 15 Birmingham Town Hall Wolverhampton Birmingham May, The Robin, Bilston MARK OLVER, PAUL MCCAFFREY &

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thelist Monday 9 - Sun 15 May THE SORCERER AND TRIAL BY JURY Dance, award-winning international unexpected. Fri 13 - Sat 14 May, Tinkers Farm Opera present a Gilbert company Aracaladanza's new dance Centenary Square, Birmingham Events & Sullivan double bill, Wed 11 - Sat theatre production for families is VERTEDANCE, JIRI HAVELKA & THE 14 May, Crescent Theatre, B’ham inspired by the visionary genius of CLARINET FACTORY: CORRECTION WINTERBOURNE CENTRE FOR STAGE DOOR JOHNNY OBJETS TROUVES Leonardo da Vinci, Tues 10 May The Imagine a world where you can’t HORTICULTURE OPEN DAY With sample The host of the Old Joint Stock's REP, Birmingham progress despite your best efforts to classes, practical activities and tours Footsie Club brings his solo show to VUELOS (FLIGHTS) Award-winning push forward. Award-winning con- of the facilities, this is a great oppor- the cabaret festival, Thurs 12 May, international company Aracaladanza temporary dance company tunity to find out what the centre can Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham return to the UK to delight audiences VerTeDance have created a beautiful- offer to get your horticultural career off the ground, Tues 10 May, GRAEME OF THRONES An original and with their new dance theatre produc- ly poignant piece about our lack of Winterbourne House & Garden, un-authorised parody on the interna- tion, Tues 10 May, The REP, B’ham freedom, reclusion and our power to Birmingham tional phenomenon that is Game Of ZOIELOGIC DANCE THEATRE: RIDE make decisions, Fri 13 - Sat 14 May, Thrones, Thurs 12 May, Lichfield World premiere of an outdoor dance DanceXchange, Birmingham HANDSWORTH HERITAGE WALK Check Garrick theatre work exploring the nature of out fine Georgian and Victorian archi- tecture, a convent designed by JO BLACK Evening of song, stories & travelling. Commissioned and co- Augustus Pugin, a church that was nonsensical behaviour from the gin- produced by DanceXchange for Talks built nearly one millennium ago, Wed drinking cabaret darling, Fri 13 May, IDFB 2016 and co-commissioned by Gulbenkian, Kent and Dance Village 11 May, Soho House, Birmingham Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham PRESENTING ANCIENT EGYPT - THE CRE- in Bristol Harbour Festival, Tue 10 MUSEUMS AT NIGHT The Writing West CLUB CAIRO Fusion of live music, ATION OF THE SECRET EGYPT: May, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Midlands young writers’ group are dance & theatre, bringing audiences UNRAVELLING TRUTH FROM MYTH EXHI- Birmingham; Wed 11 May, picking up the theme of Edwardian a super-sensory experience steeped BITION With Chris Kirby from Culture Handsworth Park, Birmingham; Literature as the house opens until in Arabian tradition, Fri 13 May, mac, Coventry, Wed 11 May, Perry Thurs 12 May, Bournville College, 8pm, Thurs 12 May, Winterbourne Birmingham Beeches II: The Free School, Birmingham; Fri 13 - Sat 14 May, House & Garden, Birmingham JOAN An earthy story of courage, Centenary Square, Birmingham Birmingham AN EVENING WITH JAMIE CARRAGHER conviction, hope, survival and love, CLOUD GATE DANCE THEATRE OF Fri 13 May, O2 Academy, performed by Drag Idol champion TAIWAN: SONGS OF THE WANDERERS Birmingham Lucy Jane Parkinson, aka LoUIS Spiritually evocative movements set Film BODYPOWER EXPO 2016 Fri 13 - Sun CYfer, Fri 13 May, Lichfield Garrick to soulful Georgian folksongs, 15 May, NEC, Birmingham brought to life on a truly astonishing set featuring 3½ tons of golden rice INDEPENDENT CINEMAS: THE BABY SHOW The UK’s leading pregnancy and parenting event grains. Tues 10 - Wed 11 May, EDDIE THE EAGLE (PG) With lashings of returns to the NEC. Whether you’re Birmingham Hippodrome comedy, this is the true story of expecting or have recently had a TAMSIN FITZGERALD: CUBES Bringing Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards, a young baby, you’ll find everything you need together dancers, runners and acro- Englishman who was determined to at the show, Fri 13 - Sun 15 May, bats for a series of spectacular solos become an Olympic skier - against NEC, Birmingham and duets celebrating the talent, improbable odds. Stars Taron youth and diversity of the Midlands. Egerton & Hugh Jackman. Fri 13 - Wed 11 - Sat 14 May, Centenary Thurs 19 May, Artrix, Bromsgrove Square, Birmingham LABYRINTH (U) Young Sarah is left EAST END CABARET Raucous and home alone by her parents and has risque musical comedy show from THE MACHINE SHOW A brand new to babysit her little brother Toby. But the award-winning cult comedy duo, dance & circus spectacular, head- the baby keeps crying and Sarah, Sat 14 May, Old Joint Stock Theatre, lined by live music from French band while telling him a story to make him Birmingham Rinôçérôse, that takes its inspiration sleep, inadvertently conjures the from the manufacturing and automo- MAGICAL LANDS AND ENCHANTED WILD! BY EVAN PLACEY A one-person Goblin King from a fantasy world. tive industry in Birmingham, looking PLACES Experience Selly Manor as show that unravels the story of a Stars David Bowie & Jennifer back at the Industrial Revolution. never before as it’s transformed into wayward yet fragile and misunder- Connelly. Sat 14 May, Artrix, Wed 11 - Sat 14 May, Centenary magical kingdoms from classic sto- stood boy with an untamed imagina- Square, Birmingham Bromsgrove tion, Sat 14 May, Lichfield Garrick ries and fairytales, Sat 14 May, Selly KEI MIYATA: IN A LANDSCAPE A live per- REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE (PG) Nicholas Manor, Birmingham PUPPETRY OF THE PENIS Non-sexual Ray's juvenile delinquent film opened formance, this dynamic new piece EVENING HOUSE TOURS 2016 Sat 14 show that features full-frontal male after the death of its star, James incorporating Ito’s installation, Cells, May, Packwood House, Solihull nudity. Suitable for adults only! Sat combines hypnotic electronic sounds Dean, in a car crash and made Dean 14 May, Wolverhampton Grand - played live by Liverpool’s guitar- into an icon of rebellion. The story- BAMMA 25 Presented by David Haye Theatre based percussive innovators Ex line follows Jim Stark (Dean), a rest- and Andy Shepherd and broadcast GYLES BRANDRETH - WORD POWER! Sat Easter Island Head (EEIH) - with less teenager always in trouble with around the world, BAMMA returns to 14 May, Lichfield Garrick sculpture, movement, and fizzing the law. His mother smothers him, the Barclaycard Arena in electric light bulbs, Thurs 12 - Sat 14 while his father is weak and ineffectu- Birmingham, Sat 14 May, MADE UP Heart-warming play about Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham friendship and the faces we show the May, Municipal Bank, Birmingham al, and the family has only recently world, Sat 14 - Sat 21 May, The REP, HOFESH SHECHTER: POLITICAL MOTHER moved to Los Angeles to try and THE BASIL BRUSH SHOW Join Basil Birmingham Described as a dance experience save Jim from a life of crime. Sun 15 Brush and Mr Stephen for a like no other, Shechter's Political May, The Electric Cinema, Booming Bonkers Bash as they take FRANKLY SINATRA Stephen Triffitr Birmingham you on a journey of laughs, silliness brings the swing, the swagger and Mother fuses movement from inter- nationally acclaimed dancers with and song, Sat 14 - Sun 15 May, the velvet vocals of Frank Sinatra to Cadbury World, Bournville the stage, Sun 15 May, New the choreographer's cinematic score, NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: featuring a band of live drummers BIRMINGHAM BUS TOURS 2016 Sat 14 - Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Released Fri 13 May, showing at and electric guitarists, pulsating live Sun 15 May, Birmingham City Centre selected cinemas. music, extraordinary ensemble MISTER MAKER Sat 14 May - Sun 12 ANGRY BIRDS (tbc) sequences and cinematic editing. Fri Jun, National Sea Life Centre, Dance 13 - Sat 14 May, The REP, CABIN FEVER (tbc) Birmingham Birmingham THE DARNKESS (tbc) MIDLAND CLOCK AND WATCH FAIR Sun MOTIONHOUSE: TORQUE A poignant COMPANY WANG RAMIREZ: MONCHICHI EVERYBODY WANTS SOME (15) 15 May, National Motorcycle celebration of the relationship Museum, Solihull A bedrock piece by duo Wang between movement and emotion. GREEN ROOM (18) Ramirez creates a portrait of a new, BONSAI DEMO See some of the Moments of beautiful interaction KILL COMMAND (15) urban, mobile and intercultural gen- between dancers and machine are experts demonstrating best care and OUR KIND OF TRAITOR (15) eration, Tues 10 May DanceXchange, designed to be understood through practice for Bonsai trees, Sun 15 The Patrick Centre, Birmingham the senses. A visceral, exciting expe- CABIN FEVER (tbc) May, Birmingham Botanical Garde ARACALADANZA: MOKO DANCE rience which moves the audience W DAY Sun 15 May, Avoncroft Produced in association with MOKO through risk, daring, beauty and the Museum, Bromsgrove

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thelist Monday 16 - Sun 22 May Fri 20 May, Slade STEPHEN GRANT, TOM GLOVER & Rooms, W’hampton Classical Music TIERNAN DOUIEB Fri 20 May, Lichfield Garrick OUT OF TIME MOD WEEKENDER Fri 20 - RICH WILSON, PETER BRUSH & JOHN ACADEMY OF ANCIENT MUSIC: VIVALDI Sun 22 May, RYAN Fri 20 May, Molineux Stadium, IN DRESDEN Programme comprises Newhampton Arts Wolverhampton works J S Bach, Vivaldi & Telemann, Centre, W’hampton Wed 18 May, The Barber Institute, DAMIAN CLARK, JOJO SMITH, JULIAN SPICE GIRLS TRIBUTE Fri Birmingham DEANE & BOBBY MAIR Fri 20 May, The 20 May, The Belfry, Glee Club, Birmingham DANIEL HOPE WITH THE Sutton Coldfield KAMMERORCHESTER BASEL Programme KATHERINE RYAN Fri 20 May, JAMES Fri 20 May, includes works by Vivaldi, Mozart, Birmingham Town Hall Barclaycard Arena Mendelssohn, Pärt, El-Khoury & SIMON BLIGH, MICKEY BARTLETT, DAVE THE BORN AGAIN Bach, Wed 18 May, Birmingham Town LONGLEY & WAYNE DEAKIN BEATLES Fri 20 May, Hall Fri 20 - Sat 21 May, The Comedy Loft, Lichfield Guildhall CBSO BECOME OCEAN Featuring Birmingham Daughtry, O2 Academy, Sat 21 May BUSTED Fri 20 May, Ludovic Morlot (Conductor) & Steven JOJO SMITH, BOBBY MAIR & DAMIAN Genting Arena, Osborne (Piano) Programme includes CLARK & JULIAN DEANE Sat 21 May May, O2 Academy, Birmingham works by Sibelius, Ravel & John The Glee Club, Birmingham Luther Adams, Thurs 19 May, Birmingham THE OASIS EXPERIENCE BARNSTORMERS COMEDY NIGHT Gigs Symphony Hall, Birmingham SHE MAKES WAR Wed WEEKENDER Fri 20 - Sat LINE-UP TBC Sat 21 May, Artrix, 18 May, Ort Cafe, 21 May, The CBSO CENTRE STAGE: SHOSTAKOVICH’S Bromsgrove ERIC BIBB Mon 16 May, Birmingham Roadhouse, B’ham PIANO QUINTET Featuring Steven JEREMY HARDY Sat 21 May, The Old Birmingham Town Hall Osbourne (piano), Zoe Beyers & Jane GREEN CIRCLES Sat 21 Rep Theatre, Birmingham SCOOPS Wed 18 May, Wright (violin), Adam Romer (viola) & STEVE TURNER Mon 16 May, Irish Centre, Hare & Hounds, B’ham Richard Jenkinson (cello), Fri 20 May, May, Kitchen Garden Birmingham Cafe, Birmingham DANIEL KEMISH (FULL CBSO Centre, Birmingham AMY WADGE & PETE BAND) + SUPPORTS BIRMINGHAM CONTEMPORARY MUSIC SEPTEMBER GIRLS Tues RILEY Sat 21 May, The Wed 18 May, The GROUP Featuring Daniel Galbreath 17 May, O2 Academy, Brewhouse Arts Roadhouse, B’ham (conductor), Ulrich Heinen (cello), Birmingham Centre, Burton-upon- THE JAM DRC + THE Malcolm Wilson (piano) & the Viva BRIAN WILSON Tues 17 Trent NATURAL EMOTIONS Nova Chamber Choir, Fri 20 May, May, Symphony Hall, Thurs 19 May, The DILJIT DOSANJH Sat 21 Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham Birmingham May, Barclaycard Roadhouse, B’ham LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA GRAND CALAN Tues 17 May, Arena, Birmingham SACRED QAWWALI: OPERA GALA Celebrating 25 Years of ROMESH RANGANATHAN Sun 22 May, mac, Birmingham SOUNDS OF SPRITUALITY DAUGHTRY Sat 21 May, Symphony Hall Featuring: Andrew Artrix, Bromsgrove FORT HOPE Tues 17 Thurs 19 May, mac, O2 Academy, B‘ham Greenwood (conductor), Claire Rutter May, The Asylum, Birmingham SPACE Sat 21 May, O2 (soprano), Justine Gringyte (mezzo- B’ham NICK DEWHURST Thurs Academy, Birmingham soprano), Peter Auty (tenor & Ashley Holland (baritone), Fri 20 May, EAGULLS Tues 17 May, 19 May, Bramall Music LAURA MVULA Sat 21 Theatre Symphony Hall, Birmingham Hare & Hounds, B’ham Building, Birmingham May, O2 Institute, EVERYBODY LOOKS RORY MCLEOD & THE Birmingham CITY OF SOUNDS: MOZART’S CORONA- SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME A nostal- TION MASS Featuring Patrick Larley FAMOUS Tues 17 May, FAMILIAR STRANGERS TOUNDRA Sat 21 May, gic feelgood journey which transports (conductor), Elouise Waterhouse, The Rainbow Venues, Thurs 19 May, Hare & O2 Institute, B’ham audiences back to the early 1960s, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham Alistair Donoghue, Rob Tilson & Mon 16 - Sat 21 May, New Alexandra STONE BROKEN Sat 21 Lucinda Scott, Sun 22 May, Adrian KIERAN GOSS Tues 17 Theatre, Birmingham SIMON MCBRIDE Thurs May, The Slade Boult Hall, Birmingham May, Kitchen Garden 19 May, The Robin, Rooms, W’hampton THE DIARY OF A HOUNSLOW GIRL A Cafe, Birmingham Bilston comic story of dreams, aspirations JOSH GROBAN Sat 21 and coming of age, Tues 17 May, The BELSHAZZAR'S FEAST THE YOUNG Fri 20 May, May, Symphony Hall, Drum, Birmingham Wed 18 May, The Red O2 Academy, B’ham Birmingham Comedy Gigs Lion Folk Club, B’ham JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING MOTOWN AND SOUL THE FORTUNES - PAST & LANDSCAPES Wed 18 TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT X Factor NIGHT WITH DJ PAUL PRESENT Sat 21 May, TOADALLY FREE COMEDY! Mon 16 May, May, The Rainbow winner Joe McElderry dons the covet- KELLY Fri 20 May, Irish Artrix, Bromsgrove The Blue Orange Theatre, Venues, Birmingham Centre, Birmingham ed coat in Tim Rice and Andrew KING KING Sat 21 May, Birmingham Lloyd Webber's sparkling family musi- TOM ROBINSON Wed 18 HENRY WU Fri 20 May, Birmingham Town Hall CHEEKY MONKEY COMEDY Tues 17 May, cal, Tues 17 - Sat 21 May, May, The Robin, Hare & Hounds, B’ham LAUREN RAY The Dark Horse, Birmingham Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Bilston Sun 22 IDEAL CLUB Fri 20 May, May, Kitchen Garden MOCK THE FLOCK Wed 18 May, INVINCIBLE The Original Theatre HEATHER PEACE Wed 18 O2 Institute, B’ham Cafe, Birmingham The Mockingbird, Birmingham Company and The Theatre Royal May, The Glee Club, FAIRPORT CONVENTION PAUL KELLY Bury St Edmunds present a brand Birmingham Sun 22 REGINALD D HUNTER, ADAM BLOOM, Fri 20 May, The Robin, May, Irish Centre, STEVE HARRIS & DARRELL MARTIN new production of Torben Betts' Bilston Birmingham Thurs 19 May, The Comedy Loft, smash-hit comedy, Tues 17 - Sat 21 THE HOSTS Fri 20 May, BABY STRANGE & WHITE Birmingham May, The REP, Birmingham The Flapper, B’ham Sun 22 May, The THE WIZARD OF OZ Amateur production THE SMYTHS Fri 20 May, Sunflower Lounge, presented by Coleshill Operatic O2 Academy, B’ham Birmingham Society, Tues 17 - Sat 21 May, The Core Theatre, Solihull SONGWRITER SESSIONS CHARLIE PUTH Sun 22 @ THE GALLERY WITH May, O2 Institute, SCOTTISH FALSETTO SOCK PUPPET GARY OÂDEA & ALEX Birmingham THEATRE: SHAKESPEARE ‘Earth's funni- est footwear’ return with a brand new VANN Fri 20 May, GRAHAM NASH Sun 22 show of songs, sketches, socks and Wolverhampton Art May, Birmingham Town violence, taking on The Bard Of Avon KEN VANDERMARK + Gallery Hall NATE WOOLEY DUO Wed himself. Howl at their Hamlet, roar at YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND: BY THE RIVERS Sun 22 18 May, mac, B’ham BOBBY MAIR, JULIAN DEANE & COMEDY their Romeo And Juliet, and peer into THE MUSIC OF JAMES May, O2 Academy, CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs their Coriolanus, Thurs 19 May, Old DAN REED & DANNY TAYLOR AND CAROLE Birmingham 19 May, The Glee Club, Birmingham Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham VAUGHN Wed 18 May, KING Fri 20 May, Artrix, CATE LE BON Sun 22 Hare & Hounds, B’ham Bromsgrove IVO GRAHAM, DAVID FULTON & ANDREW KING LEAR Don Warrington stars in May, The Glee Club, RYAN Thurs 19 May, Bramall Music Shakespeare’s brutal portrait of one EMMA POLLOCK Wed 18 METAL 2 THE MASSES Birmingham Building, Birmingham man’s unwinding sanity, Thurs 19 -

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Monday 16 - Sun 22 May

Sleeping Trees, Sat 21 May, Lichfield ness, Tues 17 - Wed 18 May, Garrick Crescent Theatre, Birmingham FIRST STAGES: HANSEL & GRETEL The SANDHYA & SANGACHHADHWAM Play House Theatre present a Double bill of Indian dance, Thurs 19 reworking of a children’s classic, Sat May, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham 21 May, The REP, Birmingham GISELLE - VIENNA FESTIVAL BALLET A WONDERWOMAN: THE NAKED TRUTH tale of innocence, love, betrayal and Notnow Collective address family, madness, Thurs 19 - Sat 21 May, parenthood and work-home subjects Lichfield Garrick in a challenging, highly visual and BALLET BC Ballet British Columbia is a immersive way, Sun 22 - Tues 24 unique creation-based company of May, mac, Birmingham 17 dancers under the leadership of Artistic Director Emily Molnar. Fri 20 - Sat 21 May, Birmingham Hippodrome Dance PINOCCHIO Ballet Theatre UK present a choreographed staging of the clas- DANCE: SAMPLED A selection of differ- sic family tale, Sat 21 May, Crescent ent dance styles, all in one night, Theatre, Birmingham performed by some of the world’s best dancers - Company Wayne McGregor, Birmingham Royal Ballet, BBC Young Dancer finalist Vidya Patel, world tango champions German Cornejo and Gisela Gallessi from Buenos Aires, and Sidi Larbi King Lear, The REP, Birmingham, Thurs 19 - Sat 28 May Cherkaoui’s Faun, Tues 17 - Wed 18 May, Birmingham Hippodrome Sat 28 May, The REP, Birmingham boldly honest exploration of THE RICOCHET PROJECT: SMOKE & FORBIDDEN NIGHTS New all-male vari- father/daughter relationships, Fri 20 MIRRORS Poetic acrobatics, contem- ety show with full theatre production May, mac, Birmingham porary dance, contortion and high- and explosive choreography, Fri 20 WESTERN? Comedy meets theatre, flying feats combine in an exhilarat- May, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham meets jazz-fusion. A fast, physical ing examination of the current state TRIBUTE ACTS TheatreState present a and farcical show presented by of America in the pursuit of happi- Pin0cchio, Crescent Theatre, Sat 21 May

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thelist Monday 16 - Sun 22 May IVAN’S CHILDHOOD (12a) Solihull JOURNEY TO THE SHORE (tbc) AZTEC WEEKEND Travel 1,000 years RISEN (12a) back in time to the Aztec jungle. Explore the origins of the cocoa ROCK THE KASBAH (tbc) bean and uncover the mysteries of See Film section for previews on p39 Emperor Montezuma, Sat 21 - Sun 22 May, Cadbury World, Bournville BIG BRUM OPEN TOP BUZ SIGHTSEEING TOUR Beginning at the commercial Events heart of the city at the end of LADIES SEASONAL STYLE EVENT Wed Colmore Row, Victoria Square, this 18 May, Birmingham Botanical popular tour includes the city’s major Gardens buildings of architectural interest including St Philip’s and St Chad’s EXPLORE AVONCROFT: THE FLORA & Cathedrals, the Victoria Law Courts, FAUNA OF AVONCROFT MUSEUM A the Town Hall, the Council House, guided tour around the museum, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery including its ponds, orchard and and Library, Sat 21 - Sun 22 May, wildflower meadow, Thurs 19 May, Birmingham City Centre Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove, Aztec Weekend, Cadbury World, Sat 21 - Sun 22 May Worcestershire HANGING BASKETS WORKSHOP Create and take home your very own hang- list. Also stars Helen Mirren. Fri 20 - WALK WITH PRIDE: FROM GUNS TO ing basket, Sun 22 May, Castle Film Thurs 26 May, Artrix, Bromsgrove GRAFFITI A five-mile walk through Bromwich Hall Gardens historic Aston, Digbeth and BIG FISH LITTLE FISH FAMILY RAVE Sun NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Highgate, Fri 20 - Mon 30 May, INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Birmingham LGBT Centre 22 May, The Rainbow Venues, Released Fri 20 May, showing at Digbeth, Birmingham TRUMBO (15) In 1947, Dalton Trumbo RACE, ROCK 'N' RIDE Brand new and selected cinemas. (Bryan Cranston) was Hollywood's on two wheels, a weekend filled to PIZZA MAKING AT SAREHOLE MILL Join top screenwriter - until he and other THE CALL UP (tbc) the brim with anything and every- the millers at Sarehole Mill for a fun and informal baking class. Learn to artists were jailed and blacklisted for THE DAUGHTER (15) thing from the world of motorcycles, their political beliefs. Directed by Jay Sat 21 - Sun 22 May, Santa Pod make dough, see the mill in action A HOLOGRAM FOR A KING (tbc) Roach, the film recounts how Dalton Raceway, Northants and create and bake your own deli- used words and wit to win two THE SILENT STORM (15) cious pizza, Sun 22 May, Sarehole DOWN UNDER LIVE Sat 21 - Sun 22 Academy Awards and expose the Mill, Birmingham SING STREET (15) May, National Motorcycle Museum, absurdity and injustice of the black-

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thelist Monday 23 - Tues 31 May May, The Glee Club, Birmingham Classical Music ANDREW BIRD, ALLYSON JUNE SMITH, CIAMH MCDONNELL & COMIC TBC Sat 28 May, The Comedy Loft, LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH Birmingham THOMAS TROTTER Programme includes works by W. Harris, JS SUZI RUFFELL, MARK NELSON, ALEX Bach, Messiaen, A. Hollins & J BOARDMAN & CHRIS MCCAUSLAND Ireland, Mon 23 May, Birmingham Sat 28 May, The Glee Club, Town Hall Birmingham SIR ANDRIS SCHIFF WITH THE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA OF EUROPE Programme comprises Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No2 in D minor, Hebrides Overture & Piano Concerto No 1 in G minor, Mon 23 May, Symphony Hall, Birmingham CBSO TCHAIKOVSKY’S FIFTH Featuring Alexander Vedernikov (conductor) & Tasmin Little (violin). Programme Luke Concannon, The Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham, Wed 25 May includes works by Glazunov & IN THIS MOMENT Thurs Birmingham Tchaikovsky, Wed 25 - Thurs 26 May, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Gigs 26 May, O2 Institute, DIZZY LIZZY Sat 28 May, Birmingham The Roadhouse, EX CATHEDRA: IN A STRANGE LAND Theatre BEVERLEY KNIGHT Thurs Birmingham Programme includes works by BEN CAPLAN & THE William Byrd, Gesualdo, Lobo & 26 May, The Slade DREAMING OF KATE - CASUAL SMOKERS Tues Tallis, Thurs 26 May, Adrian Boult SALLY MORGAN - CALL ME PSYCHIC Rooms, W’hampton KATE BUSH EXPERIENCE 24 May, The Slade Hall, Birmingham Sally Morgan is back with a brand Rooms, THE PRIMITIVES Thurs Sat 28 May, Artrix, new show, Tues 24 May, Lichfield BLAKE Re-inspired by the classic trio Wolverhampton 26 May, Hare & Bromsgrove Garrick harmonies of The Three Tenors, The Hounds, Birmingham GERRY CROSS THE G-EAZY Tues 24 May, Bee Gees and Boyz-II-Men, the 3 MADE IN DAGENHAM West Bromwich MERSEY O2 Institute, BLAKE - SONGS FROM Sat 28 May, Brit-Award-winners perform exclusive Operatic Society presents its version Birmingham STAGE & SCREEN Fri 27 The Core Theatre, songs from their fifth studio album, of the British musical comedy about May, Artrix, Solihull OWINY SIGOMA BAND released UK-wide this autumn, Fri 27 friendships, love and the importance Bromsgrove Tues 24 May, Hare & PAT JORDAN & FINIAN'S May, Artrix, Bromsgrove of fighting for what’s right, Tues 24 - Hounds, Birmingham BOOGIE NIGHTS LIVE RAINBOW Sun 29 May, Sat 28 May, Wolverhampton Grand WITH ABBA TRIBUTE & DJ Irish Centre, Theatre DIET CIG Wed 25 May, ROB Fri 27 May, Irish Birmingham Hare & Hounds, THE SOUND OF MUSIC New production Centre, Birmingham Birmingham LA GUNS + OLIVER of the timeless family musical. Lucy DR FEELGOOD + EDDIE & DAWSON SAXO Sun 29 O'Byrne, from BBC One's The Voice, LUKE CONCANNON Wed THE HOT RODS Fri 27 May, The Robin, Bilston plays Maria. Gray O'Brien stars as 25 May, Kitchen Captain Von Trapp, Tues 24 - Sat 28 May, The Robin, Bilston MONSTER CEILIDH BAND Garden Cafe, May, Birmingham Hippodrome Birmingham WHITE LUNG Fri 27 May, Sun 29 May, Kitchen The Flapper, B’ham Garden Cafe, B’ham JACKIE THE MUSICAL Brand new ‘fun & TIA MCGRAFF Wed 25 feisty’ musical featuring original cho- THUNDERSTONE Fri 27 BC CAMPLIGHT Sun 29 May, The Robin, Bilston reography by Arlene Phillips. Janey May, The Asylum, May, Hare & Hounds, HOMESHAKE Wed 25 MILOS KARADAGLIC IN RECITAL Dibley, Graham Bickley, Nicholas Birmingham Birmingham May, Hare & Hounds, Featuring an eclectic programme of Bailey & Mike James star, Tues 24 - Birmingham FETTY WAP Fri 27 May, MAGCON Sun 29 May, works ranging from Bach to The Sat 28 May, New Alexandra Theatre, O2 Institute, B’ham O2 Institute, Beatles, Fri 27 May, Birmingham NIGHT BEATS Wed 25 Birmingham Birmingham Town Hall May, The Rainbow THE NEIL DIAMOND TINA TURNER: TEA LADY & FRIENDS Venues, Birmingham STORY Fri 27 May, LEEROY STAGGER Mon FINAL YEAR RECITALISTS Line-up tbc, Join musical character comedian Dovehouse Theatre, 30 May, Kitchen Tues 31 May, The Bramall, BARLUATH Wed 25 May, Tracey Collins for a high-octane Solihull Garden Cafe, Birmingham The Red Lion Folk evening of hit songs, off-the-wall Birmingham Club, Birmingham GORDON LIGHTFOOT Fri characters, quick changes and the 27 May, Symphony BONNIE RAITT Mon 30 best tea in town, Thurs 26 May, Old PENTATONIX Wed 25 Hall, Birmingham May, Symphony Hall, Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham May, O2 Academy, Birmingham Birmingham THE NEIL DIAMOND UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM THEATRE STORY Fri 27 May, HANDS LIKE HOUSES + I Comedy Gigs MRES: LITTLE MISSES Four individuals MORTIIS + SERAPH SIN Dovehouse Theatre, THE MIGHTY + DEAD! reflect on incidents which have + DEADFILMSTAR Thurs Solihull +THE GOSPEL YOUTH changed their lives forever, Thurs 26 26 May, O2 Institute, EDDIE IZZARD Mon 23 May, mac, Tues 31 May, O2 May, mac, Birmingham Birmingham SEAFRET + SPECIAL Birmingham GUESTS Fri 27 May, Ort Institute, Birmingham THE QUIET HOUSE Gareth Farr’s highly SAMM HENSHAW Thurs CHEEKY MONKEY COMEDY Tues 24 THE HUNNA anticipated new play explores fertility Cage, Birmingham Tues 31 May, The Dark Horse, Birmingham 26 May, Hare & and the taboo that surrounds it, CIARAN CLIFFORD & THE May, Hare & Hounds, Hounds, Birmingham FAT PENGUIN COMEDY Wed 25 May, Thurs 26 May - Sat 4 Jun, The REP, HIGH DRIVES Sat 28 Birmingham The Patrick Kavanagh, Birmingham Birmingham May, Irish Centre, HAUS Tues 31 May, The Birmingham Sunflower Lounge, MOCK THE FLOCK Wed 25 May The Mockingbird, Birmingham YOUNG CULTURE PRES- Birmingham ENTS TROJAN WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN MARK NELSON, COMEDY CAROUSEL SOUNDSYSTEM 'DEX 'N' - CARPENTERS TRIBUTE WITH ANDY ROBINSON PLUS COMIC TBC FX' Sat 28 May, Hare & Tues 31 May, Thurs 26 May, The Glee Club, Hounds, Birmingham Wolverhampton Grand Birmingham THE LEGENDS OF REGGAE Theatre ANDREW BIRD, ALLYSON JUNE SMITH, FESTIVAL 2016 Sat 28 JOEL SAVOY, JESSE LEGE CIAMH MCDONNELL & CHRIS TURNER May, O2 Academy, AND CAJUN COUNTRY Fri 27 May, The Comedy Loft, LUKAS GRAHAM Thurs Birmingham REVIVAL Tues 31 May, Birmingham 26 May, O2 Institute, FIRE RED EMPRESS Sat Kitchen Garden Cafe, SUZI RUFFELL, ALEX BOARDMAN, MARK Birmingham 28 May, O2 Academy, Birmingham NELSON & CHRIS MCCAUSLAND Fri 27

64 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 23 - 29 May - Birmingham ONLY VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 18:31 Page 2

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whatsonlive.co.uk 65 The List 23 - 29 May - Birmingham ONLY VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 20:31 Page 3

thelist Monday 23 - Tues 31 May headline act Sonia Sabri Dance extraordinary. From Sat 30 Apr, mac, Company, as well as developing Birmingham work from other West Midlands dancers and choreographers, Thurs 26 May, Old Rep, Birmingham NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: MOTIONHOUSE & NO FIT CIRCUS: BLOCK Released Fri 29 April, showing at Exciting new collaboration which selected cinemas. showcases what happens when CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR (tbc) dance and circus collide, Fri 27 - Sat DEMOLATION (15) 28 May, mac, Birmingham SON OF SAUL (tbc) BALLETBOYZ - LIFE Back with a brand new show for 2016, co-produced by See Film section for previews on p39 Sadler's Wells in association with Artsdepot, Sat 28 May Lichfield Cats, Birmingham Hippodrome, Mon 30 May - Sat 4 June Garrick Events EAST END CABARET Raucous and BANGARANG Keith Shebada stars in a risque musical comedy show, Fri 27 fiery comedy set in Princess Street, HERITAGE SKILLS WORKSHOP: BASKET May, Old Joint Stock Theatre, downtown Kingston, Sun 29 May, Film WEAVING Try your hand at this Birmingham New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham ancient craft and make two function- MAUSOLEUM: TALES OF CHAOS AND DAUGHTER OF THE FOREST Komola INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: al, attractive items for your home, CLAUSTROPHOBIA Explores the lives Collective present a play based on a Tues 26 Apr, Avoncroft Museum, and stories of refugees through a traditional Bangladeshi tale about the SPEED SISTERS (PG) Documentary fol- Bromsgrove lowing The Speed Sisters the first all- narrative of poetry. Presented by impact of manmade disasters on the 2016 BETWAY PREMIER LEAGUE DARTS woman race car driving team in the Fired Up Theatre, Fri 27 - Sat 28 May, surrounding wildlife and its local peo- Thurs 28 Apr, Barclaycard Arena, Lichfield Garrick ple, Sun 29 May, The Drum, B’ham Middle East. Grabbing headlines and turning heads at improvised tracks Birmingham GOLDILOCKS AND THE 3 BEARS A mix of CATS Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record- across the West Bank, these five FLORALIA FESTIVAL Flower arrange- puppetry, music and mischievous breaking musical returns, direct from women have sped their way into the ments through the ages, Fri 29 Apr - moments for children aged two and the London Palladium, Mon 30 May - heart of the gritty, male-dominated Mon 2 May, Wightwick Manor, older, Fri 27 May, Lichfield Garrick Sat 4 Jun, Birmingham Hippodrome Palestinian street car scene. Mon 25 Wolverhampton YETIS DEMON DIVE BAR Evening of HAIRSPRAY Presented by Sutton - Thurs 2 Apr, mac, Birmingham THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS Family naughty songs and hilarious charac- Coldfield Musical Theatre Company, HIGH RISE (15) The director Ben show featuring 'incredible ball han- ters from the London Cabaret award- Tue 31 May - Sat 4 Jun, Lichfield Wheatley has garnered considerable dling wizardry, rim-rattling dunks, winners, Sat 28 May, Old Joint Stock Garrick acclaim following his films Down trick shots, comedy and fan interac- Theatre, Birmingham SHADOWLANDS Stephen Boxer, Tony Terrace, Kill List and A Field in tion’, Sat 30 Apr, Barclaycard Arena, FERTILITY FEST Bringing together 20 Slattery & Amanda Ryan star in a England. Here, he untangles an eco- Birmingham of the country’s leading writers, visu- stage version of William Nicholson's system preserved in a luxury London EXCALIBUR PAPER CRAFTING FAIR al artists, theatre makers, film direc- TV drama and subsequent film of the tower block, where a young doctor Papercrafting and Stamping Show, tors and composers for a day of per- same name, Tue 31 May - Sat 4 Jun, (Hiddleston) moves to the twenty-fifth Sat 30 Apr, National Motorcycle formance, discussion and debate on The REP, Birmingham floor to discover fierce dissent Museum, Solihull one of the most important scientific between the residents. Stars Tom PIRATE WEEKEND Sat 30 Apr - Mon 2 and societal developments of mod- Hiddleston & Jeremy Irons. From Fri May, Cadbury World, Bournville ern times, Sat 28 May, The REP, 29 Apr, mac, Birmingham Birmingham Dance FUTURE SHOCK! THE STORY OF 2000AD BIG BRUM OPEN TOP BUZ SIGHTSEEING TOUR THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS (THE MUSI- (15) This documentary offers an llu- Beginning at the commercial heart of the city at the end of CAL!) Satire in which one storyline minating overview of the magazine's PASHA: IT’S ALL ABOUT THE YOU The Colmore Row, Victoria Square, this becomes five delightful musicals, Sat history: a warts and all look at the Strictly star hits the road once again popular tour includes the city’s major 28 May - Sat 4 Jun, Crescent various highs and lows, a peek with a brand new show in which he'll buildings of architectural interest Theatre, Birmingham inside the creative process of some be joined by spectacular dancers including St Philip’s and St Chad’s of its most legendary creators, and a ALICE IN WONDERLAND Blue Orange and guests, including Anya Garnis, Cathedrals, the Victoria Law Courts, funny, moving and passionate chron- Arts presents its version of Lewis Tues 24 - Wed 25 May, The Core, the Town Hall, the Council House, icle of how a disparate band of tal- Carroll's classic tale, Sat 28 May - Solihull Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery ented eccentrics came together to Sat 11 Jun, The Blue Orange and Library, Sat 30 - Sun 31 May, NEW WORK NIGHTS: DANCE Featuring create something both visionary and Theatre, Birmingham Birmingham City Centre

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