Shropshire Cover April 2019.qxp_Shropshire Cover 21/03/2019 16:30 Page 1

JESS ROBINSON AT Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands THEATRE SEVERN

SHROPSHIREWHAT’S APRILON 2019 Shropshire ISSUE 400 APRIL 2019 ’ WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD On shropshirewhatson.co.uk

PARTOF WHAT’S ON MEDIA GROUP inside:

Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide

DAOIRÍ FARRELL brings A Lifetime Of Happiness to Henry Tudor House TWITTER:@WHATSONSHROPS

STEWART FRANCIS journeys Into The Punset at Oakengates Theatre FACEBOOK:@WHATSONSHROPSHIRE

HOLIDAY FUN! Easter activities galore at Ironbridge Gorge museums SHROPSHIREWHATSON.CO.UK (IFC) Shropshire.qxp_Layout 1 21/03/2019 12:01 Page 1 Contents March Wolves/Shrops/Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 21/03/2019 15:34 Page 2

April 2019

Contents

Hair The Musical - get set for a Summer of Love at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre... feature page 22

Rotterdam Jess Robinson Kapow! the list

Jon Brittain’s heart-warming putting a face to the voices inflated fun at Shrewsbury’s Your 16-page comedy comes to the Midlands behind Dead Ringers... West Midland Showground week-by-week listings guide feature page 16 page 20 page 49 page 51 inside:

4. First Word 11. Food 18. Music 20. Comedy 24. Theatre 37. Film 40. Visual Arts 43. Events

@whatsonwolves @whatsonstaffs @whatsonshrops Wolverhampton What’s On Magazine Staffordshire What’s On Magazine Shropshire What’s On Magazine

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

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 Shrops_Staffs_Wolves April.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 15:01 Page 1

Entertainment news from around the region

Council gives green light to theatre’s expansion plans A planning application submitted by Wolver- hampton Grand Theatre to the City Council to expand its premises has been approved. The application proposal detailed the venue’s desire to build a pop-up theatre on the site of the former Post Office building on Lichfield Street. Commenting on the news, Grand Theatre CEO & Artistic Director Adrian Jackson said: “I am absolutely delighted to be moving onto the next stage in this exciting project, which supports and enhances the regeneration of Wolverhampton city centre. The potential of this second space will con- tribute to the Lichfield Street Arts Hub vision. The opportunity to build upon our already- thriving community, educational and cul- tural offering is thrilling.”

Field To Fork Festival Festival’s 2019 line-up. Stoke multi-million pound The event gives a nod to Brexit as well, cour- returns for a second year tesy of a ‘farewell to Europe’ theme, and also developments showcased After attracting a celebrates the 50th anniversary of the moon Two multi-million pound regeneration crowd of more than landing. schemes which will support the continued 9,000 people in 2018, The festival takes place at various venues transformation of Stoke-on-Trent have been Shropshire’s Field To across the city and beyond from 5 to 13 July. showcased to global investors at a major in- Fork Festival is mak- For further details, visit lichfieldfestival.org ternational property event. ing a welcome return The development opportunities on the for- next month. mer East-West Precinct in the city centre, and Taking place at on land next to Stoke-on-Trent Railway Sta- Harper Adams Uni- tion, were recently unveiled at the Mipim versity on Saturday 4 property show in Cannes. May, the celebration Both schemes are being highlighted to poten- of all things food and tial investors as part of Stoke-on-Trent City farming will feature interactive entertain- Council’s regeneration strategy. ment, educational exhibits & presentations, The strategy is fo- children’s activities, tasting sessions, tractor- cused on ensuring trailer rides, robot making, vintage tractors the city continues to and a farmers’ market. Peter Pan flying into raise its profile na- Commenting on the festival, Simon Pride, Stafford for Christmas tionally and interna- Director of Marketing & Communications at tionally as a leading Stafford Gatehouse Theatre will be taking its Harper Adams, said: “We’re uniting our ex- destination in which audience to the magical world of Neverland perts, alongside a wealth of food & craft pro- to live, work, study this Christmas when it presents a pantomime ducers and other exhibitors, to present a day and invest. jam-packed with activities which will not version of swashbuckling family favourite only inform our visitors but also give them a Peter Pan. fantastic free day out.” Running at the venue from 13 December to 5 Shropshire Beatlemania! January, the show is being presented by Beatlemania is set to sweep through Shrews- Prime Pantomimes, for whom producer bury this autumn when the town hosts three James Tobias said: “We’re already hard at Lichfield Festival shows days of live music, guest speakers and film work to ensure we bring this classic family screenings dedicated to the Fab Four. for 2019 announced favourite to life in spectacular fashion. Audi- The Shrewsbury Beatles Weekend takes place A concert celebrating Ivor Novello, choral ences can expect a high-energy, localised from 20 to 22 September, with top tribute music from Voces 8 and a performance by show packed with all the ingredients which band The Mersey Beatles headlining the Kathryn Tickell’s new folk supergroup, The make pantomime such an unforgettable ex- event on the final night. Darkening (pictured), all feature in Lichfield perience for the entire family.” 4 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Shrops_Staffs_Wolves April.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 15:01 Page 2

First Word

Animals are centre stage at town’s Cartoon Festival Shrewsbury’s well-established Cartoon Festival will take the theme of ‘animals’ when it makes a welcome return to the town on Saturday 27 April. The ever-popular event sees a small army of professional illus- trators producing giant car- toons in Shrewsbury Town Square. A number of cartoon workshops also take place across the day. For more information, visit shrewsburycartoonfestival.com

Wacky goings-on in Shrewsbury’s Quarry Park Shrewsbury’s first soapbox derby will take place in the town’s Quarry Park next month (Saturday 26 May). Featuring 44 soapbox cars and raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, Wacky Races has announced that the fastest gravity racer in Europe, Andy Ash, will be the scrutineer and soapbox safety expert for the event. 0 Riding out for a good cause... Summer Proms to Alexandra Burke to share lead role in Midlands Air Ambulance Char- return to National The Bodyguard in Wolverhampton ity is once again hosting its Arboretum Former X Factor star Alexandra Burke will share the role of Bike4Life Ride Out & Festival Rachel Marron with Cirque du Soleil performer Jennlee Shallow this month (Sunday 28 April). One of the biggest biker events when hit musical The Bodyguard returns to Wolverhampton in the country, the ride-out Grand Theatre this summer. starts at Meole Brace in Shrews- Based on the 1992 Oscar-nominated movie of the same name bury and follows a 23-mile route starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, the show stops off to RAF Cosford, where the ac- at the Grand from 25 June to 6 July. companying family-friendly fes- Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased either by calling tival takes place. 01902 42 92 12 or visiting grandtheatre.co.uk. For more information, visit bike4lifefest.com

The popular Summer Proms At The Arboretum event will be returning to Staffordshire’s National Memorial Arboretum on Saturday 3 August, com- plete with its usual line-up of traditional proms favourites... Tickets for the event start from £20 for an adult, with dis- counts available for under- 16s, families and groups. To book tickets for the show, visit thenma.org.uk

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First Word

At the double! Two iconic musicals return to Birmingham Hippodrome Tickets will this month go on sale for blockbuster musicals Mamma Mia! and We Will Rock You (pictured), both of which will be visiting Birmingham Hippodrome next year. “The arrival of these two major musical juggernauts in 2020 continues Birmingham Hippodrome’s reputation for bringing the very best in live entertainment to Midlands audiences,” said Fiona Allan, the theatre’s artistic director & chief execu- tive. “Both We Will Rock You and Mamma Mia! have enjoyed sell-out success here in previous years, and I have no doubt that returning audience members, or those visiting for the very first time, will be up on their feet at the conclusion of these two blockbuster productions.” For more information and to book tickets (from Tuesday 2 April onwards), visit birminghamhippodrome.com

Grants available Boudica talk at Lichfield Cathedral Big Busk music to assist young The curator of Tutbury Castle in Staffordshire visits Lichfield Cathe- on the streets of folk performers... dral next month to present a monologue about the life and times of Shrewsbury A trust that aims to support Boudica, the queen of the British Celtic Iceni tribe. A celebration of community, and enhance the careers of A specialist 16th century medical historian who has appeared in music and talent is making a young folk performers has more than 120 television programmes, Lesley Smith will tell the welcome return to Shrewsbury opened its 2019 round of fund- story of Boudica’s rebellion against the Roman invaders. on Saturday 6 April. ing. Tickets for the Tuesday 28 May event cost £10 and include a glass of Street music festival Big Busk - Three awards of up to £1,000 wine. For more information, visit thelittleboxoffice.com Happy Days In Shrewsbury was each will be made to emerging first held in 2013 and raises musicians, dancers or singers funds for the Shrewsbury Ark by the Alan Surtees Trust, Brawn and balloons at Telford fiesta charity, an organisation com- which was established in mem- The 2019 edition of the England's Strongest Man competition will be mitted to providing support for ory of the co-founder and direc- held at Telford Balloon Fiesta on Sunday 12 May. people who are homeless or tor of Shrewsbury Folk Festival Hosted in conjunction with Telford & Wrekin Council, the free arena vulnerable. The last Big Busk (pictured), who died in 2017. event will see 12 finalists attempt five gruelling tests of strength in festival, in 2017, raised more For more information and to an effort to land the coveted title. The top five will qualify for the than £8,500. For more informa- apply for a grant, visit: alansur- UK's Strongest Man competition, which takes place in St Albans in tion about the event, visit the- teestrust.org.uk. July. bigbusk.co.uk The closing date for applica- tions is Friday 26 April. John Peel’s Shed State-of-the-art marine rescue facility Theatre maker, poet and Radio opens at the National Sea Life Centre Four regular John Osborne is The National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham is this month opening a presenting a storytelling dou- state-of-the-art marine rescue facility following multi-million pound ble bill at Shrewsbury’s Theatre investment and an extensive Severn this month. remodelling of the popular The Friday 12 April show fea- visitor attraction. tures John Peel’s Shed, ‘an ode Rescued mammals will take to radio, music and a box of up residency in a newly engi- records that once belonged to neered open-to-the-public en- Radio One DJ John Peel’. vironment which will span John will also be performing two floors of the venue. The Circled In The Radio Times, in new facility has been carefully which he pieces together the designed and constructed to story of his life using old copies emulate the natural ocean of the Radio Times that used to habitat to which the mammals belong to his granddad. are accustomed. For more information about the show, visit theatresevern.co.uk 6 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Shrops_Staffs_Wolves April.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 15:01 Page 4 Readers' Awards 2019 Wolves/Shrops/Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 16:33 Page 1

Readers’ What’sOn Awards WINNERS announced... With over 60,000 votes cast in the What’s OnReaders’ Awards 2019 - we are delighted to announce your winners...

Best Midlands Large Theatre Best Amateur Production Best Midlands Live Music Venue WINNER Birmingham & Midland WINNER Symphony Hall, Birmingham Operatic Society: Chitty Chitty RUNNER-UP O2 Academy, Birmingham Bang Bang RUNNER-UP Get Your Wigle On: Grease Best Midlands Music Festival WINNER Moseley Folk Festival Best Classical Production RUNNER-UP Download Festival inc Opera Best Midlands Chef WINNER CBSO Spectacular Classics RUNNER-UP City Of Birmingham Choir: WINNER Glynn Purnell (Purnell’s, Bham) WINNER Birmingham Hippodrome Handel’s Messiah RUNNER-UP Josh Crouch (CSONS, RUNNER-UP Wolverhampton Grand Shrewsbury) Best Orchestra/Choir Best Touring Musical Best Midlands Street Food Vendor WINNER Matilda WINNER Dick’s Smokehouse RUNNER-UP Mamma Mia RUNNER-UP Urban Cheesecake

Best Touring Play Best Midlands Comedy Night WINNER War Horse WINNER Comedy Carousel at RUNNER-UP Blood Brothers The Glee Club, Birmingham RUNNER-UP Laugh Out Loud Best Home-Produced Show Comedy Club In The Midlands WINNER The Wizard of Oz - WINNER Birmingham Philharmonic Best Midlands Food Festival Birmingham Repertory Theatre Orchestra RUNNER-UP A Christmas Carol - RSC RUNNER-UP CBSO Best Kids Show Best Dance Production WINNER Birmingham Royal Ballet’s WINNER The Snowman The Nutcracker RUNNER-UP Elf: A Christmas RUNNER-UP Matthew Bourne’s Spectacular Cinderella Best Festive Show Best Midlands Arts/ WINNER A Christmas Carol - The RSC Cultural Festival WINNER Shrewsbury Food Festival RUNNER-UP The Lion, The Witch and WINNER Birmingham Comedy Festival RUNNER-UP Ludlow Food Festival The Wardrobe - Crescent Theatre RUNNER-UP Lichfield Arts’ Fuse Festival Best Market in the Midlands Best Pantomime Best Exhibition WINNER Shrewsbury Market Hall In The Midlands 2018/19 WINNER Dippy The Dinosaur - RUNNER-UP Bullring Indoor Market, WINNER Peter Pan - Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery Birmingham Birmingham Hippodrome RUNNER-UP LEGO: Brick History - RUNNER-UP Sleeping Beauty - Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery Wolverhampton Grand

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Readers’ Awards and the winners in your region... Wolverhampton & Shropshire Best Independent Restaurant WINNER The Olive Tree, Shrewsbury Black Country Best Arts/Theatre Venue RUNNER-UP CSONS, Shrewsbury Best Arts/Theatre Venue WINNER Theatre Severn Best Independent Coffee Shop/Cafe RUNNER-UP The Hive, Shrewsbury WINNER Ginger & Co, Shrewsbury Best Live Music Venue RUNNER-UP The Bird’s Nest, Shrewsbury

Staffordshire

Best Arts/Theatre Venue WINNER Lichfield Garrick RUNNER-UP New Vic Theatre, WINNER Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Newcastle-under-Lyme RUNNER-UP Lighthouse Media Centre Best Live Music Venue WINNER Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury Best Visitor Attraction WINNER Lichfield Guildhall RUNNER-UP Albert's Shed, Shrewsbury WINNER Black Country Living Museum RUNNER-UP Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent RUNNER-UP RAF Museum Cosford Best Visitor Attraction Best Visitor Attraction Best Event in Wolverhampton WINNER Ironbridge Museums & Black Country RUNNER-UP Attingham Park WINNER Peaky Blinders Nights at Black Best Music Festival Country Living Museum WINNER Shrewsbury Folk Festival RUNNER-UP Cosford Air Show RUNNER-UP Let’s Rock Shrewsbury Best Independent Restaurant Best Food Festival WINNER The Old Glasshouse, Dudley WINNER Shrewsbury Food Festival RUNNER-UP Banks Bistro, Wolverhampton RUNNER-UP Ludlow Food Festival Best Live Music Venue Best Event in Shropshire WINNER Lichfield Cathedral WINNER Shrewsbury Flower Show RUNNER-UP National Memorial Arboretum RUNNER-UP The Polar Express at Telford Steam Railway Best Event in Staffordshire WINNER Cathedral Illuminated at Best Arts Festival Lichfield Cathedral RUNNER-UP Lichfield Proms Beacon Park Best Music Festival WINNER Staffs Fest RUNNER-UP Lichfield Arts’ Fuse Festival WINNER The Robin 2, Bilston Best Food Festival RUNNER-UP Dudley Town Hall WINNER Lichfield Food Festival Best Gallery Exhibition Venue RUNNER-UP Stone Food & Drink Festival WINNER Wolverhampton Museum Best Arts Festival & Art Gallery WINNER Shrewsbury Festival of Literature WINNER Lichfield Festival RUNNER-UP Dudley Museum at RUNNER-UP Ludlow Fringe Festival The Archives RUNNER-UP Big Feast, Stoke-on-Trent Best Gallery Exhibition Venue Best Independent Restaurant WINNER Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery WINNER Olive Tree, Lichfield RUNNER-UP Bear Steps Art Gallery, RUNNER-UP 1709, The Brasserie Shrewsbury

You can find a full list of winners at whatsonlive.co.uk

whatsonlive.co.uk 9 ABBA Full Page in What's On February 2019.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 14:51 Page 1

THE PEACH TREE & HAVANA REPUBLIC

GREATEST HITS TOUR

3 COURSEFRIDAY DINNER & ABBA 19 SHOW APRIL £39.95 per person BOOK: 01743 355055 OR www.thepeachtree.co.uk Food April Wolves_Shrops_Staffs Dav.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 12:10 Page 2

Food

Another exceptional dish. The thick, rich jus boasted a gravy- like consistency and was the per- fect accompaniment to the nicely cooked beef, flaky pastry and de- liciously creamy potatoes. We also shared a (rather large) portion of hand-cut skin chips. Everyone who visits The Pheas- ant needs to order a portion of these - you definitely won’t regret it. They’re more than a cut above your average pub chip and cer- tainly set our comparison bar high for future eateries. Fluffy on the inside and boasting a perfect external crunch, they were exem- plary. Choosing from a selection of sweet classics that included panied by the parsnip puree, steamed syrup sponge with REVIEW: The Pheasant at Neenton crispy parsnips and the delight- vanilla custard and lemon posset ful pork belly, it made for a very Serving up some Shropshire hospitality with Chantilly cream and home- enjoyable starter. made shortbread, we opted for Nestled in the Shropshire Hills, burned brightly in the bar area, I love arancini, and The Pheas- my partner’s all-time favourite, in the picturesque setting of we were greeted with welcoming ant’s was undoubtedly amongst sticky toffee pudding with toffee Neenton, is 18th century country smiles by both the manager and the nicest I've tried. Boasting sauce and ice cream, and a rich pub The Pheasant. bar staff. strong flavours from the smoked chocolate & hazelnut brownie Boasting three ensuite bed- Head Chef Mark Harris and his haddock and leek, and a gooey, with chocolate sauce and salted rooms, a new oak dining room, kitchen team seek to offer cus- melt-in-the-middle cheese cen- caramel ice cream. The sticky tof- characterful interiors and an or- tomers creative, interesting and tre, the rice balls were nicely fee pudding certainly secured chard garden, the quintessential primarily British dishes, as well cooked and perfectly paired with the seal of approval across the country inn serves classic En- as quality pub classics. In the the bright green and very wel- table, whilst the brownie was glish dishes, daily seasonal spe- process they make full use of lo- come accompaniment of the wild equally tasty. Soft in the middle cials, locally brewed real ales cally sourced ingredients. garlic mayonnaise. and boasting a rich, chocolatey and boasts an extensive wine Lunchtime and evening menus I opted for another special for my flavour, it was a dessert that I'd list. are tuned to the season, but the main course - roasted lamb rump be more than happy to order The owners’ vision for The highlight of The Pheasant’s and braised shoulder served again if I were to return to the Pheasant is ‘for it to be a thriv- evening menu is most definitely with tomato and red pepper restaurant in the future. its ‘specials’. ing, classic country inn with a sauce, herb gnocchi, kale pesto The Pheasant at Neenton is touch of style, owned by the Knowing this, we opted for two and goat’s cheese. The lamb doing everything right. From the community and run for the com- starters from the specials menu rump was cooked to absolute wholesome, homemade grub to munity, while offering the very to kick off the evening’s proceed- perfection. Soft to the bite and the friendly and attentive ser- best Shropshire food and warm ings - seared Scottish scallops sprinkled with a goat’s cheese vice, it’s an eating-out experi- Shropshire hospitality for visi- with maple baked pork belly, crumb, it was definitely the high- ence I highly recommend. tors from near and far’. And that crispy black pudding and light of the evening. The gnocchi Lauren Foster statement certainly rang true on parsnip, and smoked haddock, was extremely tasty too, as was the Friday evening that my part- leek and Snowdonia bomber the beautifully braised shoulder. ner and I visited. arancini served with wild garlic The flavours from the sauce and Food: nnnnn Service: nnnnn Despite having both heard great mayonnaise. Both dishes were as pesto helped bring the dish to- Ambience: nnnnn things about this charming stunning in their presentation as gether. Overall value nnnnn venue, neither of us had previ- they were in their flavours. The My partner opted for the pie of OVERALL nnnnn ously paid it a visit. After a long scallops were cooked perfectly the day, which, on the evening and the strips of maple baked and windy drive, we arrived at we visited, was beef stroganoff The Pheasant at Neenton pork belly were truly delicious. 7.15pm to find that it was already (encased in a cheddar shortcrust Bridgnorth packed to the rafters - always a Any foodie knows that scallops pastry and served with creamed WV16 6RJ great sign when visiting some- and black pudding are a flavour potatoes, a red wine jus and a se- Tel: 01746 787955 where new. As an open fire combination of dreams. Accom- lection of seasonal vegetables).

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Food

Whitchurch Food & Drink Festival to take place next month Whitchurch Food & Drink Festival takes place at the town’s Civic Centre on Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 May. The event will feature 80-plus stalls, a live cookery demonstration kitchen, cocktail making, an outdoor food court and a range of children’s activities.

Chillington Hall to host its first food festival The Great British Food Festival is coming to the grounds of Chillington Hall, near Wolverhampton, on Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 May. Highlights of the event include 75 traders serving a wide selection of dishes, family entertainment including kids’ cookery lessons, circus skills and party workshops, and top local bands playing on the music stage throughout the weekend. Chefs cook up free-from food fun at Shropshire Frestival Commenting on the event, organiser Dan Maycock said: “We’ve got a great A festival specialising in free-from foods & products is taking place at the Greenhouse West Mid mix of local produce and, coming from Showground on Saturday 18 May. further afield, ‘best of British’. On the Frestival is aiming to provide information, advice and demonstrations on all aspects of a free-from hot food front, you’ll be able to try lifestyle, from vegan, vegetarian, gluten and dairy-free foods to the challenge of reducing the use anything from traditional hog roast to of plastic and the intake of sugar. Vietnamese and Indian dishes, so The show’s cookery theatre will feature Mytton & Mermaid head chef Chris Burt cooking up some hopefully there’ll be something to suit lo-carb recipes, the chef & proprietor of The Pheasant Inn at Admaston, Richard Fletcher, all tastes!” demonstrating how to make dairy-free dishes, Lajina Masala’s Lajina Leal sharing the secrets of her gluten-free and vegan home-style Indian cooking and bestselling author and nutritionist, the Lunchbox Doctor Jenny Tschiesche, who gives parents healthy ideas for children’s lunchboxes. Tickets are on sale via shropshirefrestival.co.uk and Eventbrite.

The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford is Street food fans flying high at once again hosting the Cosford Food RAF Cosford this summer Festival this summer (20 & 21 July). This year’s foodie line-up features Street Souvlaki with their Greek BBQ, Baked In Brick serving chicken tikka Married couple open wraps cooked on the bonnet of a red American-inspired mini, Sticky Fig’s gourmet burgers, Mukaase’s Afro-Caribbean curries & restaurant in Hanley dumplings, Barebones Pizza, Canoodle, Husband-and-wife team Antony and Gin Jamboree, Beetle Juice, Proseccart Emma Turner have opened an and Harry’s Milkshake & Munchies. American-inspired restaurant in The show will also include Hanley. contributions from some of the region’s The Corner’s menu includes burgers, top chefs, who’ll be taking turns brisket, pulled pork, chicken wings and exhibiting their culinary expertise on a wide variety of beer and gin. the show’s demo stage. For more information, visit their Tickets to the festival are now available Facebook page. at rafmuseum.org/cosford. whatsonlive.co.uk 13 Classical April Wolves-Shrops NEW.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 12:22 Page 1

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Classical

Ex Cathedra: St Matthew Passion Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Fri 19 April A favourite at Eastertide, Bach’s moving retelling of Christ’s betrayal and death continues to be one of classical music’s most profound experiences. Sung in German with English surtitles, St Matthew Passion is here performed by Ex Cathedra’s choir & Baroque orchestra and Academy of Vocal Music, performing to- gether under the direction of conductor Jeffrey Skidmore.

CBSO: Mahler’s Ninth Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Thurs 25 April Guest conductor Ilan Volkov (pictured) takes the reins as the City of Birmingham Sym- phony Orchestra sinks its collective teeth into Gustav Mahler’s ninth and final symphony. A greatly revered piece - first performed in 1912 and usually lasting between 75 and 90 min- utes - Mahler’s Ninth has elicited plenty of praise from many a luminary across the years; Leonard Bernstein described it as both terrifying and paralysing, while Austrian conductor Herbert von Karajan considered it to be music ‘coming from eternity’. Somewhat less positively, American composer Joseph Deems Taylor opined that, had Mahler not chosen to stretch his work out of shape, the Ninth would only have been 20 minutes in length. Support for Bernstein’s and von Karajan’s more favourable perspectives came in the form of a BBC Music Magazine survey of conductors, which saw the work being voted ‘the fourth greatest symphony of all time’. The evening’s programme is completed by Gideon Klein’s Partita for Strings.

Lichfield Cathedral The Opera Boys Birmingham Chorus Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Thurs 11 April Philharmonic Orchestra Lichfield Cathedral, Sat 13 April The Ruskin Glass Centre, Stourbridge, Sat 13 April Lichfield Cathedral Chorus currently com- One of the region’s best known and most prises around 120 members and has been admired non-professional orchestras, the making music since 1959 - for its first 50 Birmingham Phil was voted ‘best orches- years under the name of Lichfield Cathedral tra in the Midlands’ in the 2018 What's On Special Choir. This latest concert sees the Readers' Awards. Chorus performing Verdi’s Requiem, a mu- Their latest concert sees them performing sical setting of the Catholic funeral mass Mendelssohn’s St Paul, an oratorio which, that brilliantly combines religious grandeur though popular and frequently performed with operatic drama and passion. during the composer’s lifetime, is now The Darwin Ensemble Chamber Orchestra rarely presented in its entirety. perform alongside the Chorus under the di- Crossover artists have been big business for rection of Cathy Lamb. much of the 21st century, so there’s little wonder that The Opera Boys continue to enjoy such a successful career. They’re sig- nificantly assisted along the way by their re- markable talent - their classically trained voices combine in a powerhouse of vocal harmony to deliver a winning blend of opera, pop and everything in between. Expect Nessun Dorma and Time To Say Goodbye, along with showstoppers from Les Misérables, Phantom Of The Opera, Jersey Boys and more.

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by Lauren Cole

out and proud Olivier Award-winning play Rotterdam is coming to the Midlands this month. What’s On caught up with returning cast member Ellie Morris to find out more about the show…

Engaging with a multitude of issues relevant Alice is quite stuck in her ways and isn’t ‘out’ Ellie hopes audiences up and down the coun- to the LGBTQ+ community, Jon Brittain’s to her family. Alice is hiding a lot of herself, try take in Rotterdam’s messages and learn heartwarming comedy features a majority and Lelani is this fresh, young thing who something about the LGBTQ+ community: cast of non-binary, transgender and queer ac- comes in and breaks her open. Lelani just “When I began my journey with the show, I tors. shows Alice a different way of living as a gay thought I knew a fair bit about what trans woman, and then ends up getting a little bit ‘Rotterdam is a fantastic comedy with lots of was and meant, but since then I’ve definitely too attached to Alice…” heart,” says cast member Ellie Morris, who learnt much, much more. I really hope that when people come to see the show, as well as plays out-and-proud Dutch party-girl Lelani. Ellie is returning to the role of Lelani, having enjoying it, their watching of it helps to nor- “It’s about a lesbian couple - Alice and Fiona previously played her during Rotterdam’s run malise for them trans issues and experiences. - who live in Rotterdam, and Fiona comes out at the Arts Centre in London. as tra What happens in Rotterdam isn’t some taboo nsgender at the start of the play. The re- “I honestly just adore this play. I think I’ve subject. I think it’s so important that every- mainder of the play follows his journey from maybe performed it, like, 100 times, and being Fiona to becoming Adrian, and looks at body be educated on something they may not every single time it’s just as good as the last. how that affects his relationship with Alice, personall It’s just beautiful writing. The part I play is so y have encountered, so that the re- his own identity and the people around him.” interesting, and the play as a whole is just alities for trans people aren’t viewed as Ellie believes Rotterdam’s narrative is an im- such a fantastic project - and one that really strange or uncommon. The more stories there portant one to present in 2019. matters. It’s a very important story to tell for are like Rotterdam getting out into the public the LGBTQ+ community, especially now that domain and making it into popular culture, “Since this play was written, I think there’s it’s being made all the more poignant by the the better. It’s the best possible way to tackle actually been a massive amount of progres- fact that a lot of the parts are played by trans taboos and, perhaps, prejudices surrounding sion - certainly in the last five years. I feel like or non-binary performers.” the LGBTQ+ community. a lot more people know a lot more about the “I would encourage anyone and everyone to trans community and about what it means to Ellie is far from alone in adoring Rotterdam. come along and see Rotterdam. There’s s be trans. But I do think there’s still a lot fur- Theatre critics and audiences alike have been o ther to go with that. I think telling these sto- equally enthusiastic about the play: ‘I think much in the show. It’s every bit as funny as it ries, and just making people aware that being in the writing of Rotterdam there’s a really is dramatic, and there are lots of light mo- transgender is normal, is really important. carefully told human story, and all the char- ments alongside the more serious ones. If you Other than that, I think it’s just simply a re- acters are so well-rounded yet flawed. They want fireworks, balloons and a seriously ally entertaining story. all have such valid experiences, and the audi- good soundtrack, then this is the play for ences really get invested in their journey. you!” “My character, Lelani, is kind of the odd one That’s what’s really engaging about the story. out, in the sense that she doesn’t interact There’s honestly so with all the other characters; she only really mething in there for every- one to relate to, from the breakdown of a rela- Rotterdam shows at Wolverhampton talks to Alice. Lelani is a 21-year-old Dutch Grand Theatre from Monday 22 to girl who’s recently moved to Rotterdam, and tionship after being with someone for a long time, to the first heartbreak that Lelani goes Wednesday 24 April and Birmingham she really opens up Alice in a way that Alice Repertory Theatre from Monday 20 to has never been opened up before. I think through. Also, I have to add, Rotterdam has such a great soundtrack!” Wednesday 22 May. whatsonlive.co.uk 17 GIGS April Wolves_Shrops_Staffs new.qxp_Layout 1 21/03/2019 15:49 Page 1

Gigs

CC Smugglers Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton, Thurs 25 April Frontman Richie Prynne was a busker when he formed CC Smugglers. The six-piece started life as street performers, but their en- gaging live shows and impressive capacity for self-promotion has seen them build up a global fanbase. They visit Wolverhampton in support of debut album How High.

Black Honey Honey are eager to invite people into their weird and wonderful world. They visit The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 30 April Stoke-on-Trent this month as part of a Daoirí Farrell Fronted by Izzy B Phillips adopting a lovable spring tour to support their critically ac- Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury, Mon 15 April but villainous Debbie Harry persona, Black claimed and self-titled debut album. Following the success of debut offering The First Turn and follow-up True Born Irishman, award-winning traditional singer Daoirí Far- Gigspanner Jeramiah Ferrari rell has recently released his third album, A Lichfield Guildhall, Sat 20 April Albert’s Shed, Shrewsbury, Fri 26 April Lifetime Of Happiness. “This one feels different, somehow more Bringing together the genres of folk, celtic, Jeramiah Ferrari were brought up on a diet grown up,” says the Dublin-born Irish traditional and rock with more modern, am- of Bob Marley, Toot And The Maytals and bouzouki player. “That, for me, is partly bient sounds, Steeleye Span and Feast Of Sublime. Fusing reggae, rock, ska and punk, down to the song choice. Each song was very Fiddles veteran Peter Knight breathes new the Mancunian four-piece are visiting one of carefully chosen, and each is beautiful in its life into old tunes. Shrewsbury’s most popular live music own way. I really enjoyed the process of He’s joined by Roger Flack on guitar and venues fresh off the back of a support slot searching each one out and arranging them Vincent Salzfaas on percussion, both of with The Wailers. all. And I feel blessed to have had the oppor- whom are powerful and intelligent musi- tunity to record it with some of my favourite cians in their own right. musicians.” Dismantling the traditional and reassem- Colin Blunstone bling it in an intriguing and imaginative The Robin, Bilston, Thurs 11 April way, Gigspanner are widely considered to be one of the most innovative acts on the mod- Colin Blunstone came to prominence in the ern-day folk & roots scene. mid-1960s as lead singer of English rock band The Zombies, who have this year been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and remain best known for their 1964 US chart-topper, She’s Not There. Having begun his solo career in 1969, Blun- stone has released 11 albums, including the highly acclaimed Planes, Never Even Thought and Late Nights In Soho. He visits Bilston along with his solo band as part of a UK tour.

18 whatsonlive.co.uk GIGS April Wolves_Shrops_Staffs new.qxp_Layout 1 21/03/2019 15:49 Page 2 Mott The Hoople.qxp_Layout 1 26/03/2019 11:35 Page 1 Mott The Hoople.qxp_Layout 1 26/03/2019 11:35 Page 2

by Stephen Taylor

IAN HUNTER What’s On catches up with the Mott The Hoople frontman ahead of the band’s Birmingham gig

While Shropshire may not be a hotbed of Bowie on hearing that they were planning to was a big hangout for boys from the Priory music, it is the birthplace of one of rock- split up. Boys School, which was just around the cor- ’n’roll’s most distinctive performers - Ian ner from Barker Street.” “Bowie offered us a couple of tunes which Hunter. were okay, but we were writing okay stuff. All As for the inspiration for Irene Wild, the Born in Oswestry but now living in Connecti- The Young Dudes came along and it was like, song’s tale of unrequited love was based on cut, Ian is looking forward to returning to the ‘Good god, why do you want us to do this? Ian’s experiences with a real person: “Yeah, UK this month with Mott The Hoople, the leg- What an incredible song! Why are you giving she was absolutely gorgeous, and I never ac- endary band that left an indelible mark on it away?’ At the time, it saved our lives, but tually got to go out with her. She was going the rock world between 1969 and 1974. unfortunately it was also the beginning of the out with a friend of mine. His family owned a end for us. The band got a little disenchanted fruit & veg company in Shrewsbury, and I While the original Mott line-up has reformed because now we were a pop band. I wouldn’t was the go-between. I would send messages twice in the last decade, this tour will see a say we were glam, because we were too aver- from Pete to her and her to Pete, so I would change in personnel... age-looking, but we were flash, and it took be miserable in vain.” “There were two halves to Mott The Hoople,” off that way. While that experience ultimately proved frus- says Ian. “The first half finished in ’73, and “We lost either way. If we’d carried on as we trating, another connection during Ian’s ’74 to ’75 is the second half. This is with Ariel were, it wouldn’t have gone on much longer. teenage years had a major influence on his Bender [aka Luther Grosvenor] and Morgan But we had the hit, then we had a few more burgeoning musical development. Fisher.” hits after that, so we were suddenly a pop “There was this kid called Tony Wardle, who While Ian isn’t planning to reform Mott on a band. People were upset either way.” worked in an electrical shop and had a har- permanent basis - “We don’t want to run it Following the demise of Mott, Ian’s solo ca- monica band. That’s how I started, on a har- into the ground” - he sees this tour of the UK reer took off, with Once Bitten, Twice Shy be- monica with Tony! Gradually I persuaded and US as a chance to reward the patience of coming a top-20 hit in the UK and Cleveland him that we could do a couple of guitar num- his bandmates from the latter Mott line-up. Rocks earning him the key to the city of bers during our harmonica show!” “In the first two get-togethers, with the origi- Cleveland in 1979. Alongside music, Ian also enjoys football and nal band, Morgan and Luther weren’t in- Forty years on, it appears that his creative is probably Shrewsbury Town Football Club’s volved. They came to the gigs and were great juices are a long way from drying up: “Lyri- most prestigious celebrity fan. When asked sports about it, and I thought, ‘If I ever get a cally, you can only go to the well so many which of his tunes he’d like to hear belting shot, we’ll do Morgan and Luther so that they times, but somehow, right now, I’m coming out before home games at Montgomery Wa- get their shot too. That’s basically why we’re up with stuff, and I’ll keep doing it for as long ters Meadow, the 79-year-old had a light- doing it.” as it keeps coming.” hearted message for the club’s current With Fisher now a resident of Tokyo (Bender manager, Sam Ricketts: “I’d change Cleve- In the 1970s, Ian’s ‘lyrical well’ included lives in Worcester), Ian admits it’s been “a bit land Rocks. Maybe we should do a Shrews- teenage memories of his childhood in Shrop- of a drag when it comes to visas and all that bury Rocks? Ask old Ricketts if he wants me shire, with the song 23a Swan Hill recalling kind of thing,” but he’s nonetheless looking to do a Shrewsbury Rocks!” the address in Shrewsbury where he lived in forward to revisiting the final two Mott al- the first half of the 1950s. Irene Wild, mean- bums with his old muckers: “The Mott The while, referenced the town’s former bus sta- Hoople Live album came out in 1974. Half of it tion. Mott The Hoople appear at Symphony was done in London, the other half in New Hall, Birmingham, on Sunday 21 April. York. It’s a good live album. Also, The Hoople “My father was a policeman, and one of the album was released, but there’ll be a couple good things about policing was you got free The band are also performing a pre-tour of chestnuts in there from before.” housing, so my dad had 23a Swan Hill. warm-up show at The Assembly, Leaming- Barker Street was the bus station, and the ton Spa, on the 17th of this month, for One such chestnut will almost certainly be girls would come in from the Priory Girls which they’re making a limited number of All The Young Dudes, the 1972 single that be- School, which was then outside of town, so it tickets available. came the band’s first hit, donated by David Sean McLoughlin Online magazine.qxp_Layout 1 29/03/2019 08:48 Page 1 Sean McLoughlin Online magazine.qxp_Layout 1 29/03/2019 08:48 Page 2

by Dave Freak

Sean McLoughlin The comedian chats about podcasts, the Bible, touring with Ricky Gervais and losing a job to a YouTuber with the same name... After more than a decade of writing well-re- I talk a fair bit about all of those things, as Bible in a hotel room about a year ago and ceived shows, Sean McLoughlin's latest, Hail well as broader subjects like technology and was reminded of what an objectively weird Mary, sees the comedian on the verge of a religion. I was raised pretty Catholic and talk and cool book it is. I knew I wanted to keep breakthrough. a bit about that as well. working with Eliot, so I suggested we try and take the book and turn it into a comedy pod- Sean recently opened for Ricky Gervais on How was supporting Ricky Gervais on his cast, with one of the positives being that the tour, makes a cameo in Gervais's hit Netflix Humanity tour? show, by its nature, would have a clear end- series, After Life, and has picked up unilat- I had a blast. I got to travel around Europe point. The main thing we try to stress is that eral rave reviews for Hail Mary. His podcast, playing ludicrously large venues and staying it’s not a show about religion at all, it’s more Sean And Eliot Read The Bible, with Eliot J in significantly less shit hotels than I was like a review show that only ever covers the Fallows, continues to attract more listeners used to. Ultimately, I got to play to the same same book. The podcast has actually had than its Chortle Award-nominated predeces- brilliant crowds as Ricky without the hassle much higher numbers than the last one, sor, Heal Your Wounds. of actually becoming successful. Isn’t that the which is surprising because I assumed fans The only blip in Sean’s ascent seems to be dream? of the Bible would likely be put off by all the getting booked to appear in a new teenage toilet humour, and fans of the last podcast Any backstage gossip you can share from comedy movie, only to have his appearance would be put off by the fact that we’re read- that tour? cancelled just days before he was due to start ing the ******* Bible! I guess we’re catering filming. The cancellation came after the I can tell you that Ricky usually has two types to the strange cross-section of society that’s movie's producers realised that they'd acci- of peanuts in his dressing room. interested in both. dentally booked ‘rising comedian Sean You replaced your Heal Your Wounds pod- Is there much humour in the Bible? McLoughlin’ rather than ‘YouTube superstar cast with Sean And Eliot Read The Bible It really differs from book to book, but in gen- with 22 million subscribers Sean McLough- last year. Had Heal Your Wounds run its lin’, aka JackSepticEye. eral the high death count and the amount of course? incest that’s taking place usually means there As Sean (the comedian, not the YouTuber) Yeah, I think it had. Heal Your Wounds was a are a few things to bounce off. says prior to appearing at the Glee Club in great little podcast, but it was a slog having Birmingham, that was “a remarkable kick in to organise guests, let alone actually hosting Do you have a favourite book in the Bible? the balls”. and making an episode. It was also, surpris- The Book of Job. It’s the story of a rich man ingly, a hard show for some acts to get their having his fortune and his family taken away Great story about the JackSepticEye confu- heads around. A few comedians didn’t under- by God as a test, and the existential despair sion. Was there any fallout/sackings? stand that it wasn’t an interview show, it was this throws him into. The vast majority of the Yeah, it was what we in the entertainment in- sort of a high-concept conversation led by a story is just a transcript of a conversation Job dustry call ‘a massive f*** up’. To my knowl- man who didn’t want to do a podcast. Maybe has with his friends about his faith, the futil- edge there were no sackings or fallout - apart I found it so exhausting because the idea was ity of existence and the pain of being a from my poor bank account - but it did too complicated, but I still think the 25 human. It’s a really haunting and powerful emerge that the other/real Sean McLoughlin’s episodes we did were really funny. Strangely piece of writing which absolutely makes up agent used to be mine! The whole thing felt enough, the show got nominated for a Chor- for a lot of the plodding crap that surrounds like an episode of The Twilight Zone. tle Award about two months after packing the it. You’re currently on tour with your sixth whole thing in, so after that it probably show, Hail Mary. Can you tell us a bit would’ve all felt a bit easier. However, by this Sean McLoughlin’s Hail Mary visits the about it? point, myself and Eliot (my 84-year-old co- Glee Club, Birmingham, on Tuesday 9 host) had moved on and started an even more April. For tickets and more information, It’s a standup show with me telling a bunch ridiculous endeavour…. visit glee.co.uk of jokes about all the things that have hap- pened in my life recently. As I was writing it, I Which leads us directly to Sean And Eliot Sean And Eliot Read The Bible is available turned 30, fell in love and got repeatedly mis- Read The Bible. How did that come about? via all major platforms now, including taken for a YouTube gamer with my name! So The short answer is, I re-read parts of the Spotify, iTunes and AudioBoom. For details, visit twitter.com/biblepod Comedy April copy.qxp_Layout 1 21/03/2019 15:51 Page 1

Comedy

Demetri Martin Stewart Francis The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Oakengates Theatre@The Place, Telford, Wed 17 April Fri 12 April American comedian Demetri Martin has an Appearances on TV shows like The Comedy interesting way of delivering his deadpan Store, Mock The Week and 8 Out Of 10 Cats one-liners; he likes to accompany them with have ensured that Canadian funnyman music, reaching for all manner of instru- Stewart Francis has become one of the most ments (including the harmonica, glocken- recognisable faces on the UK comedy cir- spiel, toy bells, ukulele and tambourine) as cuit. When he's not behind the microphone he pumps out gag after glorious gag. casting his comic pearls of wisdom, he's Heavily influenced by Steven Wright, another likely to be found pursuing one of his other master of the deadpan delivery, Demetri is careers as an actor and writer. nowadays looking to connect with his audi- Oh, and he’s not to be confused with Stu ence in a different way: “I love one-liners, Francis, who used to present Crackerjack but I’d also like to be able to talk about how I and wasn't very funny. feel. I’ve gotta dig deeper to be able to do that kind of below-the-neck stuff, though, be- cause I find it hard to get comedy out of it.” Jokes include: “When you have a fat friend, Tommy Tiernan there are no see-saws, only catapults,” and “I Birmingham Town Hall, Tues 9 April got some new pyjamas with pockets in them, With sold-out shows which is great because, before that, I used to across the world, it’s have to hold stuff when I slept.” fair to say Tommy Tier- nan is a hugely success- ful Irish export - albeit an often controversial Jess Robinson Ladies Of Laughter one. Most notably he Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Sat 13 April; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Mon 8 April once found himself in Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Fri 26 April “We’re still in a country where white men hot water for comments dominate many industries,” says BBC he made about the Holocaust, Jews and the Asian Network’s Noreen Khan, who hosts death of Christ. And he’s not always been this touring show, “so it’s very important the comedian of choice with parents of chil- to have visible, diverse role models to help dren with Down Syndrome either... inspire others and to reflect the world we With his gag-bag also including jokes which live in.” Ladies Of Laughter certainly does take as their subject matter a methadone that, providing a showcase for three user, eastern European immigrant accents hugely talented female comedians in Es- and a film idea about gay traveller space- ther Manito (pictured), Glenda Jaxson and men seeking a cure for homosexuality, an Sukhb Ojla. The show lineup has been evening in his company certainly has the known to change at the last minute, but potential to be a bit challenging. whoever turns up, an evening of high- That said, Tiernan’s not one of Ireland’s top quality comedy is pretty much a guaran- comedians without very good reason... As one of the voices behind Dead Ringers, tee. Spitting Image and Horrible Histories, as well as numerous radio and TV ads, Jess Robinson has secured herself a fine reputa- Angela Barnes tion as a brilliant impressionist. The Brewhouse Arts Centre, But there’s a professional downside to Burton-upon-Trent, Fri 5 April being so successful: “Sometimes I wish I When Angela Barnes’s inspirational father wasn’t an impressionist, as I’ve often had died, it proved to be the catalyst for her fi- difficulty getting seen for sitcoms and nally to follow his advice and hurl herself things like that because everybody thinks into the rough, tough world of standup com- that I just do impressions. That said, there’s edy. And if her early-career success is any- a real joy in having the versatility to be able thing to go by, she’s certainly made the right to do all of those shows and commercials. decision. A BBC New Comedy Awards win- “Every day is different, even if some of ner, Angela is a self-confessed ‘Radio Four those days are spent sitting on the sofa nerd’ whose star is most definitely in the as- waiting for the phone to ring!” cendant. Check her out...

20 whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy April copy.qxp_Layout 1 21/03/2019 15:51 Page 2

Lou Sanders Shappi Khorsandi Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, The Old Rep, Birmingham, Sat 6 April; Sat 13 April Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sun 5 May; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sun 9 June ‘Stabby stepmothers, alcohol issues and an unusual sexual encounter in Los Angeles’ Iranian-born comedian Shappi found herself all feature in Lou Sanders’ latest show, being moved to the UK some 40-plus years Shame Pig. A huge and regular success at ago, after her father - the poet and satirist the Edinburgh Fringe, Lou has appeared on Hadi Khorsandi - wrote a poem that was per- all manner of television comedy series, co- ceived as being critical of Iran’s revolution- hosts the improvised podcast, Why Is Your ary regime. “Obviously there's free speech in Bottom So Dirty?, and was recently con- Iran,” says Shappi, “but little freedom after firmed as a contestant on series eight of the you've spoken.” Greg Davies/Alex Horne-presented panel A regular contributor to radio and television game, Taskmaster. programmes, with credits including Loose Jokes include: “I waited an hour for my Ends, Just A Minute and Have I Got News For starter, so I complained: ‘It’s not rocket You, Shappi describes herself as a ‘spit and salad,’” and “I was the prettiest, cleverest sawdust’ standup, happily pulling on her girl in my class. I was home-schooled.” wellies and trudging through muddy fields to perform at any and every music festival that boasts a comedy tent. Away from the microphone, she’s the author of the bestselling A Beginners Guide To Act- ing English and coming-of-age novel Nina Is Not OK. She’s also paid her dues eating in- sects in the jungle on I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!. Shappi visits Birmingham this month with new show Skittish Warrior…Confessions Of A Club Comic.

Bilal Zafar Stuart Goldsmith Micky P Kerr Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Fri 5 April; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton, Thurs 4 Fri 12 April; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 19 April Wed 24 April April; Glee Club, Birmingham, Wed 10 April “Whether cheering up a distressed child, A word of warning if you’re in a couple and The number of selfies helping prevent a riot, or genuinely saving intending to catch up with Bilal Zafar this Micky P Kerr finds another human's actual life, I’m excellent in month: do not, under any circumstances, himself doing has a crisis,” says Stuart Goldsmith. “When the loudly explain or discuss between your- rocketed since last chips aren't down, however, it's a very differ- selves what he’s talking about during the year, when he ent story.” show, as it really pisses him off. As do peo- reached the final of The host of the hugely successful Comedians ple who don’t wait for everyone to get off a Britain’s Got Talent. Comedian podcast - in which he interviews train before they get on themselves. And And that’s not the fellow comics about the craft of writing and people who, in a social situation, find out only change he’s noticed as a result of his performing standup - Stuart describes his lat- he’s a comedian and then expect him to tell success on the hit ITV1 talent show: “Being est show, End Of, as being “intelligent them a joke. on BGT really got my name out there,” says standup comedy for everybody, but of partic- Not that Bilal’s a particularly cranky guy - Micky. “All of a sudden, I’m getting better ular interest to people over 30 who've lost although he does confess to being some- gigs and headlining shows, which is ab- touch with all their old friends and can't eat what insecure and rather weird: “So it was solutely fantastic.” just one pain au chocolat...” great when I found Micky’s new-found success is a far cry out that pretty much from his worst ever gig: “Early on in my ca- every other comic reer, I did this five-minute set in front of a feels exactly the crowd of over-60s and didn’t get a single same as I do!” laugh because I hadn’t developed any ma- Bilal visits the Mid- terial for older people. It was a huge wake- lands with his latest up call for me, but in the long run it made critically acclaimed me a better comedian.” show, Lovebots.

whatsonlive.co.uk 21 Hair.qxp_Layout 1 21/03/2019 15:53 Page 1

We’re still fighting “racism. We’re still fighting for gay rights. We’re still fighting against wars. Everything is still so relevant ”

22 whatsonlive.co.uk Hair.qxp_Layout 1 21/03/2019 15:53 Page 2

by Lauren Cole Age of Aquarius The 50th anniversary production of legendary rock musical Hair stops off in the Midlands this month… What’s On spoke to its stars, Jake Quickenden, Daisy Woods-Davis and Marcus Collins, to find out more…

Hair heads out on its UK tour straight off the of act one. So how does Jake’s co-star and for- your hair out. There are still too many rules. back of a sell-out run in London. Although mer Hollyoaks actress, Daisy Woods-Davis People need to be more understanding about it’s set in New York in 1967, the show (who plays university student and political what other people choose.” nonetheless explores a number of subjects activist Sheila), feel about nakedness on For Jake Quickenden, the chance to play that remain relevant in the 21st century. stage? Berger is a dream come true: “He’s mental, Inspired by the late-1960s sexual revolution, “As an actor, something like this is going to which is perfect for me! He’s the one they all very much a product of the hippie counter- happen, whether it’s a naked scene on stage expect will play up the most and be the most culture of the time, and unfolding against the or a sex scene in a TV show. With theatre, it’s rebellious, so I get to be a bit of a loose can- backdrop of the Vietnam War and a really intimate, respectful space. I think it’s non. Everyone thinks that I’m in character widespread anti-war protests, the show fol- also important from a body-confidence point the whole time, but I’m just being myself!” lows a group of rebellious youngsters as they of view. We’re all just real people. It’s kind of Hair marks Jake’s musical theatre debut, and chase their dreams of living a bohemian exis- crazy that we’re all confined to this view that it’s one he’s been looking forward to im- tence and avoiding conscription. bodies shouldn’t be seen. I hope it’s a liberat- mensely: “The world is run by technology. ing experience.” The show’s Grammy Award-winning score Everybody’s on their phones or watching Net- features numerous songs that became an- X Factor finalist Marcus Collins also takes a flix, so it’s great to see actual talent perform thems of the anti-Vietnam War peace move- leading role in the show, playing the charac- live on stage in a production where everyone ment, not least among which is opening ter of Hud. Marcus was particularly drawn to is working hard. It’s a fantastic excuse to get number Aquarius. the musical’s engagement with the problem dressed up, have a few glasses of prosecco, of racism in late-1960s America: “One of the come watch an amazing show and get lost in Premiering off-Broadway in autumn ’67, Hair main points that touched me was the era in theatre. Also, not everyone can afford to get immediately caused controversy. Its nude which it’s set. Civil rights had just come in, to London. Not everyone can afford to stop scene, use of profanity, depiction of illegal but racism was still so heavy. In this show, I over in a hotel there. It’s massively important drug use, lack of respect for the American use words that I wouldn’t even use to refer to to give each city a chance to see amazing pro- flag and deployment of a racially integrated my worst enemy; words that have been used ductions.” cast marked it out as a show that was seem- to me and which made me cry my eyes out ingly sticking up two fingers to the conserva- While Jake’s enthusiastically looking to the when I was young. As I’ve grown up into the tive establishment. future and his tour with Hair, he’s not averse black man I am today, I’ve taken ownership Not surprisingly, the conservative establish- to reflecting on the past - and in particular of those words and I understand them. Those ment was less than impressed. his appearances on three of television’s most words are not to be ignored and pushed popular reality shows: “I appreciate The X “We play a group of hippies who love getting aside. The ‘N’ word was the last word that so Factor because it landed me where I am now, high and don’t want to go to war,” explains many people heard before they were hanged, but I just wish I’d done a better job there be- former X Factor star Jake Quickenden, who before they died, before they lost their lives cause I don’t feel that I did myself justice. stars as ringleader Berger in the new touring due to the fact that they were born black. I’m Then there was Dancing On Ice, which is version of the show. “The Vietnam War is rag- mixed race and I still find it difficult to hear much harder than people think. I trained for ing and we’re all rebelling against that. The that word. It’s going to be fascinating to eight hours a day on that show. It was tough show is full of important messages about free watch the dynamics of that, and how differ- but it paid off. And I’m A Celebrity was just love and things we’re still fighting for today. ent audiences react.” fun. Seriously, I’ve been on worse holidays. I We’re still fighting for everything that they Marcus also believes that many of Hair’s just chilled in a hammock and ate rice and were fighting for back then. We’re still fight- themes continue to resonate today: “Nothing beans. I felt like Bear Grylls!” ing racism. We’re still fighting for gay rights. has changed. Presidents throughout time We’re still fighting against wars. Everything is have gone to war. People are still being forced still so relevant. Conformity is a massive part into not being who they really are because of of the show, too. People don’t always want to the status quo. You’re not seen as enough if Hair The Musical shows at The Alexandra conform. I think it’s really important to be in- you don’t have a full-time job. You’re not Theatre, Birmingham, from Monday 29 dividual.” enough unless you have the flashy car, the April to Saturday 4 May and Fifty-plus years after its debut, Hair remains wife and children. You can’t be sexually fluid, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from best known for its brief nude scene at the end you can’t be gender fluid, and you can’t grow Tuesday 23 - Saturday 27 July.

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Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Les Misérables historical backdrop of unparalleled scale. For all the show’s drama, though, it’s the majestic music composed Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 2 April - Sat 11 May by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil for which Les Mis is Les Misérables is lavish, magnificent and awesome in its power, an best known and most loved. Blockbuster musical numbers include I epic saga that grips from start to finish as it presents a heartrending Dreamed A Dream, Bring Him Home, On My Own and One Day More. story of struggle and survival. Seen by more than 120 million people worldwide in 45 countries and Based on Victor Hugo’s classic 1862 novel, the show focuses on the 22 languages, Les Misérables is returning to Birmingham for the first character of fugitive Jean Valjean as he’s pitted against the tenacious time in 10 years. Inspector Javert in a lifelong struggle to evade capture. Their high- The production comes complete with brand new staging and the stakes conflict is a deeply personal one, brought to vivid life against a promise to be ‘a Les Mis for the 21st century’.

Jekyll & Hyde Dirty Dancing Rita, Sue & Bob Too The REP, Birmingham, Thurs 18 - Sat 27 April Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Lichfield Garrick, Tues 2 - Sat 6 April Mon 1 - Sat 6 April By the time Seen by millions across the globe, Eleanor Andrea Dunbar Bergstein's smash-hit musical tells the clas- was 20, she had sic story of Baby and Johnny, two fiercely in- written two criti- dependent young spirits from different cally acclaimed worlds who come together for what will plays - The prove to be the most challenging and tri- Arbor, at the age umphant summer of their lives. Hit numbers of 15, and the include Hungry Eyes, Hey Baby, Do You Love wickedly funny Rita, Sue And Bob Too, four Me? and I’ve Had The Time Of My Life. years later. Hailed a genius straight from the slums, Dunbar spent time in a Women's Aid refuge, had three children by three men, de- veloped a serious addiction to alcohol and Robert Louis Stevenson’s gothic novella died of a brain haemorrhage at the age of 29. takes a twisted turn or two, as Harriet Jekyll, Both of her plays, but particularly Rita..., are investigating her husband’s mysterious shining examples of an extraordinary talent death, finds herself entering a dark and dan- that burned brightly for all too short a time... gerous world of warped science and When best friends Rita and Sue are given a unashamed misogyny... This clever reimag- lift home by married-man Bob after they’ve ining of a classic story has been written by spent the evening babysitting his kids, they the award-winning Evan Placey and is here find themselves embarking on a sexual ad- presented by the Young Rep. venture that swiftly spirals out of control...

24 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre April Davina.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 09:25 Page 2 Captain Corelli.qxp_Layout 1 26/03/2019 11:34 Page 1

Love in a time of war Captain Corelli.qxp_Layout 1 26/03/2019 11:34 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

Rollercoaster love story Captain Corelli’s Mandolin arrives in Birmingham next month… What’s On spoke to distinguished Scottish playwright Rona Munro, who has adapted Louis de Bernières’ popular novel for the stage…

The stage production of Captain Corelli’s So how does Rona feel the climate for UK cause I’ve been around for a number of years Mandolin begins its UK tour this month, 25 playwrights has changed during the course of now, I’m lucky enough to be able to pick and years after the publication of the Louis de her extensive career? choose the stuff I’ll really enjoy. I think the Bernières novel on which the show is based. reason I’ve worked with so many different “I’m a Scottish playwright, and I would actu- Set on Cephalonia during the German/Italian genres is simply because I enjoy so many dif- ally say that the climate for playwrights is dif- World War Two occupation of the picturesque ferent things, so sci-fi is definitely up there ferent north and south of the border. North of Greek island, the book tells the story of local with doing something like The James Plays. I the border, what’s been really interesting is woman Pelagia and her lover - the Italian love a diverse range of theatre!” the upsurge in new writing by Scottish play- captain, Antonio Corelli. wrights; writing that’s found an audience on So what’s been the highlight of her career up “I think it’s a wonderful love story, and peo- a large scale. I think this new situation is also to this point? ple always love a good love story,” says Rona quite fragile, though, and I think there’s a Munro, who’s adapted the novel for the stage. “The James Plays, for sure. They were com- danger that it will evaporate again. “The book really evokes the landscape and missioned by the National Theatre of Scot- culture of Greece, so I think that, particularly “Elsewhere in the UK, I think the industry land and ended up being a co-production for people in the rest of Europe who love has become increasingly risk-averse to new with Edinburgh International Festival and going to Greece, it encapsulates everything work on a large scale. For example, some- the National Theatre of Great Britain. They that we love about the country. But it’s also thing like an adaptation of a very famous were a trilogy of history plays about the three telling quite a difficult and potentially tragic novel, which is obviously a wonderful project Stewart Kings, James I, James II and James story about some of the events of World War to work on, is a safe option with an existing III. They were rehearsed and produced at the Two. Ultimately, though, the story comes out market, whereas a new play, by whoever, is same time, which we discovered no one had in a place of hope, without being too senti- less of a safe bet. I think the route to the actually ever done before. People have done mental. I think that’s why it’s appealed to so larger venues for contemporary playwrights trilogies where they do one, then the next the many people for so long.” with their original work is quite difficult, year after and so on, but we were just plonk- which I think is a shame because theatre is ing them all out there at the same time, work- Rona was thrilled to be approached by pro- one of the most exciting artforms around.’ ing with one ensemble of actors from March ducer Neil Laidlaw and director Melly Still to to October. It was just huge and seemingly adapt the novel: “The opportunity to work Rona’s extensive CV includes working with impossible to do, yet we managed it. I think with Melly was a huge draw, as I’d worked Ian Rankin to put Rebus: Long Shadows on the scale of the project and working with that with her on an adaptation of Watership Down stage. The show premiered at the Birming- amazing group of people was just the best ex- a few years ag ham Repertory Theatre, and the venue has o. Then I read Captain Corelli perience I’ve ever had. properly and really absorbed it. The scale of also co-produced Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. “I’m trying to get another James Play out the book really caught me. “While working with them repeatedly has not there at the moment. Then I’m doing a wee “The elements of the story that are so diffi- been decided by me, I think The REP was bit of telly and film and a couple more theatre cult to adapt for stage, which are perhaps the very much on the front foot with Rebus and projects. I’m doing more authored pieces for more violent parts, was part of the appeal of so was very happy to be involved when ap- the stage, rather than adaptations, which is taking on the challenge. Melly is a director proached about Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, actually quite exciting - it’s really nice to shift who does the most extraordinary things with which is wonderful. I think what’s great from one to the other. They work different actors, movement and music. We’ve just got about Birmingham Rep over the last few sets of writing muscles!” the most wonderful music from composer years is that they’ve built up an amazingly di- Harry Blake as well. All I have to do is put in verse programme of theatre. Rebus and Rona is confident that Captain Corelli’s Man- a very simple stage direction like, ‘At this Corelli are quite different! Looking at the dolin will be a terrific production, and has point, 40 German Panzers appear over the work they’ve initiated themselves, both on some final summarising words to encourage ridge and obliterate the Greek army’, and the big stage and the smaller stage, I think Birmingham theatre-goers to get along to the then that goes over to Melly. She always does one of the things they’ve done is produce a show: “What audiences are going to see is 15 something incredible that allows the audi- really exciting programme, so there’s always actors creating the most amazing, exciting, ence to experience scenes that many would room for a bit of everything in it.” terrifying, heart-wrenching spectacle that think couldn’t be done justice to on stage.” they could possibly imagine. I’ve been in the Alongside theatre adaptations like Corelli rehearsal room, and they really are doing the Rona believes the story still has resonances and her own plays, Rona has also written for most extraordinary things. You will definitely today: ‘I think the themes of Captain Corelli’s Doctor Who, both the 20th century series and have the most incredible emotional experi- Mandolin definitely apply to the concerns of the 21st century reboot. She has some inter- ence if you get a ticket!” 2019. A peaceful, idyllic community, albeit esting theories as to why her writing reper- with its flaws, is exposed to the very worst of toire includes so many different genres: “I human nature. This community is also ex- think it’s partly because of the typical posed to the very, very best of human nature. writer’s terror that if I don’t say yes to every- Captain Corelli’s Mandolin shows at It’s the interplay between the best and the thing, I’ll probably starve! Anytime anyone Birmingham Repertory Theatre from worst that humans are capable of which I comes to me with a project, I’m not going to Wednesday 29 May to Saturday 15 June. think is so relevant to this point in history.” say no - I’ve got bills to pay! But mainly be- Theatre April Davina.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 09:25 Page 3

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

American Idiot The Alexandra Theatre, Tues 9 - Sat 13 April While Green Day may not be the most obvious choice of band to inspire a musical, there’s little doubting American Idiot’s popularity following its success on Broadway. The show’s coming-of-age story concerns three dissatisfied friends whose lives take very different courses in post-9/11 America. While central character Johnny heads to the city and becomes high on love and drugs before his addiction turns sour, Tunny enrols in the army, only to lose a leg. Will, meanwhile, remains trapped in suburbia, raising a young family and sinking into alcoholism. As you’d expect, the show is packed to the rafters with Green Day hits - a real treat for their fans - and visits Birmingham to mark the 10th anniversary of its premiere and the 15th anniversary of the Grammy Award-winning original album.

Prison Game on the tragic demise of 13-year-old Annie, for When four menopausal women meet in a de- whom the opportunity to play the disturbed partment store, conversation quickly turns to The Old Rep, Birmingham, Sat 27 April character of Amy in a late-night television the one thing they all have in common - the Marcus Hercules stars in this one-man show drama proves to be anything but the chance menopause. Cue innumerable one-liners on that takes its audience on a journey from a of a lifetime. subjects including forgetfulness, mood young boy’s school years through to his The play’s title was inspired by the EastEn- swings, wrinkles, night sweats and uncon- adulthood. Presented from a semi-autobio- ders advert in which Bobby Beale was about trollable chocolate binges... graphical standpoint, the performance sees to kill his mother - an example, Attwell Ger- Marcus exploring the social and psychologi- hards felt, of a violent child being used to tit- cal problems experienced by the collection of illate audiences without the actual causes of characters he creates. In the process he ex- the child’s violence ever being explored. amines the ways in which the experience of prison can define a man. Prison Game visits Birmingham five years Revealed after debuting at Talawa Firsts, a festival ded- Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Fri 19 April icated to the development and showcasing of work by Black British writers. Red Earth Collective and Rites of Passage Productions’ new show is the first to be pre- sented under the banner of Menologues, a series of events that explores the emotional We Need To Talk About world of Black men and how they express Bobby (Off EastEnders) their feelings through thought-provoking drama and other artistic media forms. Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, The Trials Of Oscar Wilde Tues 9 - Thurs 11 April Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Fri 12 & Sat 13 April; Theatre Severn, Menopause The Musical Shrewsbury, Sat 11 May Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Three months can be a long time. For Oscar Tues 23 & Wed 24 April; William Aston Hall, Wrexham, Sun 5 May; Malvern Theatres, Wed Wilde, it was the difference between basking 15 May; Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock, in the glory of the triumphant opening night Tues 28 May; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, of The Importance Of Being Earnest, and Mon 3 & Tues 4 June; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Mon 10 - Wed 12 June finding himself in court, charged with ‘un- natural acts’ with other men... Female TV stars ‘of a certain age’ are much in Written with the assistance of Merlin Hol- evidence in this well-reviewed show, with land, Wilde's grandson and the author of The Maureen Nolan, EastEnders’ Cheryl Fergison, Taking a look at the bizarre, challenging and Real Trial Of Oscar Wilde, the play is based Casualty’s Rebecca Wheatley and Copy Cats’ stressful world of the child actor, George At- on the original words spoken in court, and is Hilary O’Neil taking top billing. twell Gerhards’ hard-hitting drama focuses here performed by European Arts Company.

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Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Wise Children Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tues 2 - Sat 6 April Showbusiness, sex, scandal and family drama lie at the heart of Wise Children, a new play based on the late Angela Carter’s final novel, which closely follows the trials, tribulations and triumphs of theatrical twins Nora and Dora Chance. “They’re not completely identical twins,” explains the show’s director, Emma Rice. “Dora has got secrets in her past and is much more guarded and sharp than Nora, while Nora is very emotional. With the Chance twins, we really go through their history in its entirety - their loves, their losses and the abuses that they suf- fer. Yet throughout, they’re such good fun and are never victims. They’re always joyful, irreverent and, actually, very sexy. We initially meet them when they’re 75, and they’re still sexy and full of sauciness!”

Fame The Musical once said that making love to her was like ture Club, Bucks Fizz and Depeche Mode, as ‘kissing Hitler’. The woman who began life as well as a supporting cast including Dinner- Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Norma Jeane Mortenson courted controversy ladies’ Kate Robbins, Wicked star Emily Tier- Mon 15 - Sat 20 April; Malvern Theatres, Mon 8 - Sat 13 July throughout her Hollywood career, her ney and former Sugababe Amelle Berrabah. troubled life coming to an end at the tragically young age of 36. Breakthrough Theatre’s new production aims The Taming Of The Shrew to take a peek behind the glitz and glamour Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon- of the Marilyn phenomenon, presenting the Avon, until Sat 31 August Some Like It Hot star as she sits alone in her “I didn’t want to make a Shrew in the way it’s dressing room ‘stripped back and bare - just been done many times before,” explains di- an ordinary girl telling her story’. rector Justin Audibert in talking about his new production. “I’m really interested in see- ing what happens when you get female ac- Intemperance tors to play traditionally powerful male roles, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, and vice versa. So for example, the role of Fri 5 - Sat 20 April The original mega-hit film and its spin-off TV Petruchio, which we’ve renamed Petruchia, series are now both so old that the once-nim- Intemperance was premiered in 2007, takes is being played by a woman in a woman’s ble dancers who appeared in them might place in 1854, and tells the moving story of costume, but with the same character moti- soon be reaching for zimmer frames! Millie, a woman with a new Norwegian hus- vations and social status as Petruchio in any By contrast, Fame The Musical continues to band, another child on the way and a desper- other production. Likewise Katherine is being get up a sweat on a regular basis. And as ate desire to escape the cellar-slums in which played by a male actor as a man and wearing high-octane, choreographed-to-the-rafters they live. a man’s costume, but will have the same so- stage musicals go, it hits the Midlands this Dark, moralistic and likened in style to the cial restrictions that a woman in 1590s Eng- month with a reputation second to none. works of Henrik Ibsen, the play was written land would’ve had. The actors are playing Set in New York’s High School for the Per- by Liverpudlian ‘Renaissance woman’ Lizzie their own gender, but we’ve flipped which forming Arts, the show focuses on the highs Nunnery and is set to a backdrop of evocative gender holds power.” and lows of the students who’re desperately Irish music. seeking success, in the process providing a dazzling evening of foot-tapping music and breathtaking dance. Keith Jack, Mica Paris Club Tropicana and Jorgie Porter star. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Mon 29 April - Sat 4 May; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tues 7 - Sat 11 May Marilyn X-Factor winner Joe McElderry tops the bill in this ‘ultimate holiday musical’ celebrating Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Fri 5 & Sat 6 April the chart-topping hits of the 1980s. Expect Marilyn Monroe was widely considered to be the much-loved sounds of ABC, Cyndi Lau- the sexiest female movie star of the 20th per, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, A-Ha, Cul- century - except maybe by Tony Curtis, who 28 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre April Davina.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 09:25 Page 6 Kuene and the king Online magazine.qxp_Layout 1 29/03/2019 08:47 Page 1 Kuene and the king Online magazine.qxp_Layout 1 29/03/2019 08:47 Page 2 Kunene And The King What’s on chats to John Kani and Sir Antony Sher, who appear in Kani’s new play...

Kunene And The King follows the story of 2009?” It was a long gestation that turned out then, in the opposite way, you’ve got this Jack Morris (Antony Sher), a terminally ill 65- very well! man who’s a carer, and he’s got to look after year-old white actor living a relatively com- someone who’s politically quite reactionary. John: I sent the script to Tony, just to help me fortable life in the suburbs of Johannesburg, So there’s a conflict there, and also in the understand whether I had weaved the story and Lunga Kunene (John Kani), a 69-year-old way that the two men have to negotiate their of King Lear within the story of Lunga and black retired male nurse. Having suffered in- true feelings and their professional relation- Jack (the characters in Kunene And The numerable losses during apartheid, Lunga ship. King). And to my shock, I got this email from must learn to deal with the tension that more Tony saying he was excited by it and had Turning to your own lives, what was your than 50 years of that policy has created, given it to Gregory Doran, the RSC’s artistic first encounter with Shakespeare growing whilst Jack’s health deteriorates at an unsus- director! By that point, Tony was already say- up under apartheid, and how did your tainable rate. ing, “I think this would work well with Jan- early experiences of his work differ? The idea for this play first came about in ice,” (Janice Honeyman, director of Kunene J: Mine was very simple. It was through my 2009 - could you tell us a little more about And The King) to which I was saying, “Tony, secondary school education in 1959. My where the inspiration came from, and I’m not at that point yet!” The idea was to cel- teacher walked in very proud and said we how the play has developed over the last ebrate our democracy and to test this ‘non- were doing a new book: William Shake- 10 years? racial’ South Africa. speare’s Julius Caesar. It was incredible. He Antony: Maybe you don’t remember this, Can you tell us a little bit more about the made us stand up to read. He didn’t lecture John, but when we were doing The Tempest relationship between the play’s charac- about the play, you just read one or two lines in 2009, we had coffee together one day and ters, Jack Morris and Lunga Kunene? and then it would go to the next student, who you did mention that you were thinking of a would also read. The teacher would stand be- A: I think what’s really terrific in the writing play. I don’t remember any details, apart from hind you and say, “Speak with volume, speak is that John has created these conflicts. that you were thinking of a two-hander for with power, speak with love, speak with You’ve got this old white man, who we find you and me. And yes, of course I wanted to pain.” out is quite reactionary in his political views - do that with you. he has some problems relating to a black per- A: For me, my journey to becoming a classi- John: As a writer, I have these little stories in son, particularly one who’s going to be living cal actor at the RSC was a very, very huge my mind, but each one of them is pushed out in his house. journey because I really didn’t grow up by the one that seems most urgent. And I re- taught or inspired by Shakespeare. We were J: You don’t think of Jack as a white racist, member putting Kunene And The King aside taught Shakespeare at our school - Seapoint though - you think of him as someone who to do so many other things - I did three Boys’ High - just as something they had to grew up normally in this country but in an- movies and four plays, travelled the world teach. There was no spark to it, and so like a other area. It’s almost like there are two types and came back. It was only recently that I lot of boys I found it boring and difficult. In a of South Africa, that know of each other but had time to sit down, and suddenly the story lot of British schools, it’s simply not taught don’t know about each other. The play was a began to make sense. And I thought that well - which is why the RSC encourages kind of exercise where I wanted to push how there was a friend of mine - Antony - who, at schools to take young people to actually see a happy, reconciled and accepting Lunga is of that particular time, was doing King Lear, production before reading it for the first time. the new democratic order. To live with a which is integral to my play. One of our set books was Henry V, and my white man is an incredible, brand new expe- only real memory was, like John, that we had Antony: It was so interesting because we rience for him. to read around the class. I read the speech spoke about it in 2009 and then not a word A: The terrific conflict is that Jack is very ill, that involved saying ‘the Earl of Warwick’, until, as you say, very recently. Suddenly you and Lunga is a nurse - a carer. So as much as and instead of pronouncing it War-rick, I said email me and say, “Would you like to have a Jack has these racial enmities, he needs the War-wick. The whole class laughed at me, so look at the script?” And I thought, “Good man. And I think that’s very interesting. And my memory is of humiliation. God, is that the same thing you mentioned in Kuene and the king Online magazine.qxp_Layout 1 29/03/2019 08:47 Page 3

John, you won a Tony for your work on the threat to the system. But there was absolutely dad came to see Swizu Banzi Is Dead at the St double bill of The Island and Sizwe Banzi support for the work we were doing. It almost Stephen’s Church - 300 chairs, 750 people - Is Dead, but this also led to your arrest on gave everyone a sense, a visual, of what was and afterwards he said to me, “I’ll never see your return to South Africa. How did these happening in South Africa. I remember Oliver that rubbish you do. That was not a play - plays change the way South Africa was Tambo, the then-president of the ANC, say- that was a political meeting. I don’t know perceived by the wider world? ing, “You explained to the British the evil of why you don’t find a job.” apartheid. Something we’ve been trying to do J: No one knows what’s going to be the im- A: The challenges for me were a bit different. in speeches for 20 to 30 years, you just did in pact of a complete project. It was nice to do a From a young age, I had the impression that I one night.” play about a man who is tossed out because was good, having won awards at the City past laws have restricted the movement of A: There are so many people who see politi- Hall, where kids did little speeches. But black people in South Africa (Sizwe Banzi Is cal theatre as a weak form because it’s when I moved to London and tried to get into Dead), and also a play that paid tribute to preaching to the converted, but as you’ve just the two top drama schools at the time, I those men and women in the Maximum Se- demonstrated by that story, you were preach- didn’t manage to. Central turned me down curity Prison, Robben Island (The Island). ing to the unconverted. In that sense, it flat, and RADA sent a letter saying, “Not only wasn’t preachy at all. have you failed the audition, and not only do A: Those two plays were funny and sad and we not want you to try again, we really urge passionate. It was remarkable. I can’t think of Can you tell us a little more about your you to think about a different career.” But other plays in theatre history that might have routes into acting, and some of the obsta- luckily I had a very ambitious Jewish mother done what those two plays did politically. cles you faced when starting out in your and she bullied me through it. Thank god for careers? J: We were amazed by the reactions of peo- her. ple, especially in England. People were ask- J: When you grow up in the township, you go How was it as a black South African tour- ing, “What the hell is this? How did you write to the cinema and you watch these movies ing South Africa under apartheid? this? Where did it come from? What school with 10,000 Red Indians charging at 10 peo- did you go to? What philosophy is behind it?” ple and John Wayne - and John Wayne kills J: We couldn’t tour. We moved from township Ah, man, it was just a play about a guy with them all. But we used to root for the Indians - to township instead. In our theatre, we used the wrong passbook! It’s got nothing to do they were the stories we wanted to tell. There to do one-night performances and move on to with any of the things you’re saying. I think were plays done in the township, of course, the next place - and move and move and other people made much, much more about but they focused on things like the country move. Many times, the play would be it. Even political exiles called it the most bumpkin going to the big city to buy drugs stopped. Many times, some of us would be powerful statement for the liberation of and prostitutes, becoming a thug and dying. detained. I remember when we did The Ter- South Africa. So even that was discouraging because you rorists, I was immediately detained because Still, when we arrived back in South Africa, felt that if you went to the big city you were we changed the assassination of the Duke to we got arrested - and you know, it’s fine, be- going to become a criminal and die. the President of the Party of South Africa, cause it made us more popular, and it also And then of course there were our parents, which made the entire script political. By the made us relevant for the liberation struggle. who didn’t want us leaving their nest. There time we got to plays like Swizu Banzu Is We were not naïve - we knew we were tram- were 11 of us at home, and our father wished Dead, the police knew exactly where to get pling on the toes of the system and were a at least one of us would be successful. My us. Sometimes they didn’t even stop the play, Kuene and the king Online magazine.qxp_Layout 1 29/03/2019 08:47 Page 4

they just put police in front of the door and Antony, you famously returned to the audiences. I’m used to the interfering town- people stopped coming because they could South African stage in 1994 - months after ship audience, but in England the thunder- see they’d be arrested. the first elections - in Gregory Doran’s ous appreciation comes at the end and you When we came to England in 1973, it was the Titus Andronicus. Can you talk more think, “My god, they were listening, they first time I’d ever performed and not thought, about the decision to set the play in con- wanted every word.” “How do I keep out of backstage to avoid se- temporary South Africa, and its relevance Do you still relish the challenge of a two- curity?” The problem came with some En- at that moment in time? hander, and, as actors, do you ever stop glish critics reviewing the play as extremely A: It was born out of the National Theatre learning from one another? political, because what they wrote became Studio’s cultural visit to the Market Theatre. evidence for when the police interrogated us J: You can’t come from South Africa and not We did several weeks of workshops, and one back in South Africa. The worst for me was know about Antony Sher. The Tempest in thing which Greg and I were investigating after we won the Tony Award. I said thank 2009 was a brilliant production, and ever was what Shakespeare sounded like in differ- you and Winston Ntshona (who appeared in since testing the ground in the intense rela- ent South African accents, rather than in RP. the play with me) said thank you and we tionship between Caliban and Prospero, I’ve So out of that came the idea of doing Titus walked out. Jesus, all the papers in America always wondered what else I could do with Andronicus with a South African cast and said that that was the most political state- Tony. And when he said he’d play Jack in South African accents. Greg chose Titus pre- ment made on behalf of all those who aren’t Kunene And The King, my wish was fulfilled. cisely because of the violence in the play, and even recognised as human beings. We kept because we’d be doing it in a country with on saying that the play is not about that, it’s A: Yes. I have to say, because John was in- such phenomenal violence, which, to a just the opinion of the person who’s writing volved in those famous two-handers with British audience, might have seemed exces- it. Winston, I did feel a special little shiver up sive. These things were not as extraordinary the spine when the two-hander started. Of John, you made history playing Othello in South Africa, and that’s how the concept course, I’m not comparing myself with Win- opposite a white actress in the Market was born and how it became a co-production ston Ntshona - I just have a special thrill from Theatre in 1987 at the height of apartheid. with the National Theatre. that sense of now being John’s acting partner. What do you remember about the play’s We played at the Market, took it back to the reception at the time - and what made you National, and did a little tour to the West J: We need each other to tell this story, and take on the role knowing the risks in- Yorkshire Playhouse. And that, of course, fortunately we’ve known each other all our volved? was a really rich experience - although we lives. It’s also great to be working with direc- did get a bit slapped for it in South Africa, as tor Janice Honeyman again - this is the fourth J: I’d just done a play at the Market Theatre they wanted Shakespeare to be grand and production I’ve been in directed by Janice. when Janet Suzman came to me and said she posh rather than in South African accents. It’s difficult when it’s a two-hander, as there felt it was time to do Othello, to which I said, are no other people entertaining the audi- “Oh no! I carry 11 stab wounds on my body, There’s a school of thought that says ence. It’s just the two of us. And Tony’s a have been detained and have to be careful Shakespeare shouldn’t be taught in South bloody good actor. I’m 75! I’ve really got to even walking the street because everybody African schools and universities. How work hard - this guy is good. wants me dead. So thank you, but I am not would you respond to those trying to de- going to do that play.” colonise the curriculum in this way? This year marks the 25th anniversary of But then I went home and thought about it, the first post-apartheid vote in South A: The arts are our spiritual health as human and then told Janet I’d do it, but that I had Africa. Looking back at a quarter-century beings. If you’re going to cut away Shake- one condition. I said I would only do it if I of change in your home nation, what are speare, it’s like you’re cutting away penicillin was the only black actor. And then we started your hopes for the future of the country? or the most important factor within our own rehearsals. spiritual health. Shakespeare is obviously the J: As we celebrate 25 years of democracy, we It was after I was cast that the police came to greatest, and any society who removes it is need to actually sit down and analyse what my house. They wanted to know whose idea just committing a bit of a spiritual suicide. we did do, didn’t do and what still needs to it was to do the play because Othello kisses, be done. We didn’t know the state of the na- on stage, Desdemona, who, in this case, was J: Shakespeare deals with right versus wrong, tion in 1994. The majority of black people a white woman. So I just said, “Well, the Mar- dark versus light, emotions, love and evil. were so far removed from the reality of the ket Theatre wanted me to play Othello. I’m There is nothing we have written after the 37 economy or management or the legal system. just an actor.” plays of Shakespeare that we could claim is All we knew was running and fighting. And The police would go through the play with brand new thought. Shakespeare has been in 1994, we were suddenly in the ruling party me - “this woman comes in and you hold her here since the learning of the settlers of this with no experience whatsoever, to the point hand and you kiss her. And on page 16, it country. So how can you extract it, sort of that I remember one guy saying, “How can says that just before you leave, you kiss her. like a rotten tooth, out of African culture? It is Mandela run a country? He’s never even run And then, in the part where you arrive in the impossible. a shop! What does he know about it?” Which other place, you kiss her for more than 14 was true. Whilst we made incredible strides As seasoned actors with over 50 years’ ex- seconds. And we can see your tongue moving ahead, we also tripped on our own shoelaces. perience on stage and screen, what draws in her mouth - that’s not in the play.” So I’m It’s been 25 years, and yes, we have a country you back to the intimate atmosphere of just sitting there thinking, “Oh my god, the and a government. We have institutions, and the Swan Theatre? policeman has read the play!” And then I we have all the pillars that hold us together, said, “You know, sir, when Sir Laurence A: The Swan is the best theatre in the world but inside that crowd there are a lot of things Olivier played the role, he put a lot of black for audiences and actors. It’s a brilliantly de- we still need to do. And I think we realise it stuff and polish all over the face, and each signed theatre. I absolutely can’t wait to get now more than ever. time Desdemona tried to kiss him, she left a back into it. black smudge on the beautiful white makeup J: When you stand on the stage of the Swan, - I don’t have the problem.” And he said to Kuene And The King plays at The Swan you think, “This is why I wanted to be an me “Shut up!” and went to the next page. Theatre, Stratfor-upon-Avon until Tuesday actor.” What daunted me the most when I 23rd April first came to England was the silence of the Theatre April Davina.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 09:25 Page 7

Theatre

The Wonderful World Of Disney On Ice Resorts World Arena, Birmingham, Wed 3 - Sunday 7 April Get your skates on for the return of Disney’s ever-popular ice spectacular, complete with high-energy music, glittering sets and dra- matic choreography. This particular theatrical extravaganza fea- tures a host of the Mouse House’s most popu- lar stars, including: Frozen’s Anna, Elsa and Olaf; Disney/Pixar favourites from Finding Dory; Toy Story’s Buzz & Woody; Simba, Timon and Pumbaa from The Lion King; Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs; and Aladdin, Jasmine and the Genie of the Lamp. Mickey and Minnie Mouse also take a spin or several on the ice, in a show that pays homage to a century’s-worth of magical storytelling.

Dear Zoo Live! topus all play their part in creating a 50- Elmer The minute show that promises to keep young- The Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome, sters aged five and older well and truly Patchwork Elephant Thurs 11 - Sun 14 April; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sun 28 & Mon 29 April entertained. Lichfield Garrick, Thurs 25 April First published in 1982, Rod Campbell’s lift- This lively stage version of David McKee’s the-flap book has delighted generations of much-loved creation tells the story of a youngsters and accumulated in excess of patchwork elephant who determines to hide eight million sales worldwide. his ‘true colours’ in an effort to blend in, only This highly acclaimed 55-minute stage ver- to find that he feels happiest when he’s sim- sion of the story features child-friendly pup- ply being himself. pets, plenty of music and lots of audience participation. The show is suitable for chil- dren aged two and older. Exciting Science Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sat 6 April Designed to enlighten, educate and entertain children aged four and older, Exciting Sci- There Was An Old Lady ence promises plenty of ‘wiz, bang, pop and Who Swallowed A Fly splurt’, as the show’s scientists carry out all manner of fun and fact-filled live experi- The Core, Solihull, Tues 23 April; Theatre Sev- ern, Shrewsbury, Sat 25 May; Stourport Civic, ments. So if you think your kids would enjoy Tues 28 May seeing some boffins create a volcanic erup- The People’s tion, turn a vacuum cleaner into a missile Theatre Company - launcher and take aim with a smoke blaster, the highly rated then this is definitely the show to check out. creators of the fab- The Boy And ulous Don't Drib- The Mermaid ble On The Dragon - bring one of the Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, world’s best-loved Mon 15 April nursery rhymes to life, complete with colour- Original songs and traditional sea shanties ful animal characters and singalong songs in- enliven this well-reviewed nautical story that cluding If You're Happy And You Know It and finds a trio of fishermen weaving a whale of a Incy Wincy Spider... tale about ‘musical merfolk, menacing mon- People’s Theatre Co advise that their show is sters and spectacularly bad town planning’. suitable for audience members aged two to Live music, puppetry, and even a rapping oc- 102!

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Theatre for younger audiences...

The Worst Witch Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Wed 24 - Sat 27 April; Birmingham Hippodrome, Wed 22 - Sun 26 May Step aside, Harry Potter, Mildred Hubble is visiting town - and she’s ready to unleash some family-friendly magic and mayhem! Many a year before Harry’s Hogwarts hocus- pocus took the world by storm, Jill Murphy wrote a series of books about ordinary-girl Mildred and her adventures at a school for witches. The Worst Witch, first published in 1974, spawned seven sequels, a movie and a television series, with worldwide book sales reaching the five million mark. This brand new show is directed by Theresa Heskins and comes complete with original songs, music, magic and a healthy dose of Mildred-created pandemonium.

Aliens Love Underpants the adventures of fairy princess Holly and her Zog is at Madam Dragon’s school, and is de- best pal Ben, a wingless elf who flies on the termined to win himself a gold star. He’s so The Old Rep, Birmingham, determined, in fact, that he tries a little bit Fri 19 & Sat 20 April; Oakengates Theatre back of Gaston the Ladybird. In this particu- @ThePlace, Telford, Shropshire, Thurs 30 May lar show, the two chums help Gaston clean too hard and finds himself bumping, burning and roaring his way through years one, two Given its title, it’s perhaps not surprising that up his messy cave, go on a trip into The Big and three. the producers of Aliens In Underpants are World with tooth-fairy Nanny Plum, and plan selling the show as one that’s so funny ‘you’ll a surprise birthday party for King Thistle. laugh your pants off’. And they may well be Expect plenty of games, songs and laughter... Madagascar The Musical right about that. Based on the bestselling children’s book by Claire Freedman and Ben Malvern Theatres, Tues 2 - Sat 6 April; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 7 - Cort, the production features ‘stunning ef- Sat 11 May fects, madcap action and original music’. The smell of the greasepaint and roar of the And if that little lot isn’t enough to tempt you, crowd has tempted the furry cast of Madagas- the promise of a close encounter with ‘lots of car the movie to forsake New York's Central aliens’ surely is... Park Zoo in favour of treading the boards on a UK tour. The blockbuster DreamWorks film comes to life in Birmingham when Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Glo- Zog ria the hip hip Hippo stampede into summer with a great big jungle roar. Birmingham Town Hall, Fri 19 - Mon 22 April; Imaginative sets and costumes are very much Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Wed 8 & Thurs 9 May; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 24 - present and correct, in a show that the pro- Sun 26 May; Malvern Theatres, Wed 5 & Thurs ducers are confident will send your kids 6 June home positively wild (which may or may not With previous be a good thing!). Matt Terry stars. Ben & Holly’s shows including Tiddler And Other Little Kingdom Terrific Tales and Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Fri 19 & Sat 20 Tabby McTat, it’s April; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 25 & Wed 26 June; The Alexandra Theatre, fair to say that Birmingham, Wed 10 & Thurs 11 July Freckle Productions The team behind Peppa Pig here present a know a thing or two stage version of another of their splendid cre- about presenting ations. Originally a BAFTA Award-winning stage adaptations of Julia Donaldson & Axel television animation, the show focuses on Scheffler stories... whatsonlive.co.uk 31 B Side Festival.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 14:21 Page 1

Popping. Locking. Bopping+ Breaking.

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B-Side is back in Brum...

Dance battles, high-energy workshops, live ternational and national artists alongside the beth, a part of Birmingham famous for its music and DJ sets from legendary names in amazing talents we have in the city. street art. hip-hop will all feature in the 2019 B-Side “We’ve expanded both the length of the festi- Elsewhere, a special screening of Bombin’ Hip-Hop Festival. val, from five to 10 days, and the number of takes place at The Mocking Bird as part of Curated by Birmingham Hippodrome, the 10- locations for our events, as we stretch our- Flatpack Festival. Taking a behind-the-scenes day get-together is a highlight on the city’s selves from Southside to Bullring, Grand Cen- look at UK hip-hop and graffiti culture, the calendar of annual dance events. tral and, for the first time, into Digbeth. documentary features some recognisable lo- cations in Birmingham. The 2019 edition of the show features - along- “Each of our festival partners brings a differ- side some of the city’s finest homegrown tal- ent energy and take on what contemporary The festival culminates in Southside on Sun- ent - international artists Karl ‘Dyzee’ Alba hip-hop culture is, enabling us to offer a truly day 12 May with the B-SIDE and Break Mis- (Canada), Roxy (UK), ChryBaby (New York) diverse festival and attract a wider audience sion International Dance Championship, an and Youth Olympic Bronze medal winner B- year on year. We’re really hyped about this epic clash featuring talented dancers from Boy Shigekix (Japan). year’s programme and are already planning across the world. the party for our fifth anniversary next year Dance Hub Birmingham has commissioned in 2020, so don’t miss it!” several new pieces for the festival, including Break Mission’s Dance Of Death. Zoo Nation As stated by Graham, in addition to a pro- B-Side Festival takes place at Birmingham Youth Company Birmingham - one of the Hip- gramme of events at the Hippodrome, B-Side Hippodrome and other city centre loca- podrome’s Young Companies - will showcase this year extends into the Bullring and Grand tions from Fri 3 to Sun 12 May. a piece of contemporary hip-hop theatre. Central, with DJs, dance and rap battles, live performances and a hip-hop-inspired party Commenting on the festival, Graham Callis- For further information and to keep up to for kids and parents all featuring among the ter, Associate Director of Community Engage- festival’s highlights. date with what’s happening at B-Side, visit ment & Festivals at Birmingham birminghamhippodrome.com/bside Hippodrome, said: “B-Side is fast becoming On Sunday 5 May, High-Vis Festival will lead the UK’s number one hip-hop festival for in- a graffiti trail from the Hippodrome to Dig-

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Dance

Motionhouse: Charge Malvern Theatres, Tues 9 April; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Wed 8 & Thurs 9 May Leamington-based Motionhouse’s multimedia show about en- ergy is the third element of Artistic Director Kevin Finnan’s Earth Trilogy, developing on themes explored in Scattered (2009) and Broken (2013) about man’s relationship with water and the earth. Making use of digital projections to create an on-stage world in which dancers and images interact seamlessly, the show fea- tures six performers using dance and acrobatics to explore the human body, ‘tracing the incredible story of energy in our lives’. “Charge is an amazing collaboration between artists and scien- tists,” explains Motionhouse co-founder Finnan. “I find the sci- ence behind the show fascinating, and I want to use my inspiration from this to create a presentation for audiences to enjoy - but which also makes them think about the role energy plays in our lives.”

Swan Lake Silent Lines Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock, Tues 2 DanceXchange, The Patrick Studio, Birmingham April; Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Thurs Hippodrome, Tues 9 April 25 April; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sun 28 April; The Core, Solihull, Fri 31 May Having last month world premiered The Thread - his much-publicised collaboration The highly regarded Ballet Theatre visits with Oscar-winning composer Vangelis - at the Midlands with its production of this London’s Sadlers Wells, Russell Maliphant timeless favourite, set to Tchaikovsky’s now sends the eagerly awaited Silent Lines out mesmerising score. on tour. Swan Lake tells the story of Odette, a beau- Citing Rodin and Nijinsky among his major in- tiful princess who, caught under the spell fluences, Maliphant has garnered an impres- of the evil Von Rothbart, must spend the sive reputation since bursting onto the scene daytime hours as a swan, returning to in the 1990s, producing choreography that human form only when night falls... A seeks to investigate the changing forms of tra- sumptuous visual feast, the production of- ditional and contemporary dance. fers an evening of ballet which is ideal for With Silent Lines, he uses a clever mix of pro- the first-time trier as well as the more sea- jection and lighting ‘to celebrate the range of soned dance-goer. poetic possibilities in movement’, in so doing making full use of his studies and explorations Burn The Floor not only in dance but also anatomy. The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Sun 21 April; Regent Theatre, Stoke- on-Trent, Mon 29 April; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sun 12 May “Burn The Floor is the show that ig- nited a spark in me and changed me forever as a performer,” says Kevin Clifton, who’s starring in the produc- tion with ‘new Italian heartthrob’ Graziano Di Prima. “Through Broad- way, West End and touring all over the world, this show has ripped apart the rule book, revolutionised our genre and inspired and shaped me as the dancer I am today. In 2019 I’m delighted to say I’m coming ‘home’ to Burn The Floor.”

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Film

Avengers: Endgame CERT tbc Starring Robert Downey Jr, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Don Cheadle, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Chris Pratt, Paul Rudd, Brie Larson and loads more big stars... Directed by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo (USA) In the UK, Avengers: Infinity War was the highest grossing film of 2018. And it was only really half a movie. Now comes the second bit, the finale, or in Marvel-speak, the endgame. Following the mega-massacre at the end of Infinity War, the few remaining Avengers must re-assemble to combat the awful Thanos (Josh Brolin) and save the multi-verse. What drama. And for those who care, this is the 22nd entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Available in IMAX and 3D. Released Thurs 25 April

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Film highlights released in April...

Pet Sematary CERT tbc Holy Lands CERT 15 (100 mins) The Keeper CERT 15 (120 mins) Starring Jason Clarke, Amy Seimetz, John Starring James Caan, Tom Hollander, Starring David Kross, Freya Mavor, John Lithgow, Jeté Laurence Directed by Kevin Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Efrat Dor, Rosanna Henshaw, Dervla Kirwan, Dave Johns, Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer (USA) Arquette, Patrick Bruel Directed by Amanda Gary Lewis Directed by Marcus H Rosenmüller Sthers (France/Belgium) (Germany/UK) James Caan plays Harry Rosenmerck, an Ashkenazi Jewish American, who leaves his job as a successful cardiologist to pur- sue a new life as a pig farmer in Israel. From the director of the 2017 French farce Madame. Released Fri 5 April

Bert Trautmann was the goalkeeper for Based on the novel by Stephen King, this Manchester City (1949 to 1964), but before misspelt horror film focuses on an eerie then he was a Nazi. This is the remarkable burial-ground in the woods that contains a true story of a German PoW whose life is terrible secret. Let’s hope it’s better than the transformed by the love of an English 1989 version, which King scripted himself. woman. Expect mutilated moggies. Released Thurs 4 April Released Fri 5 April whatsonlive.co.uk 37 Film April.qxp_Layout 1 21/03/2019 17:23 Page 3

Film

deranged Jersey tour guide in the award-win- Missing Link CERT PG (95 mins) Hellboy CERT tbc (84 mins) ning Beast (2017). Here, she portrays a With the voices of Hugh Jackman, Zoe Saldana, Starring David Harbour, Milla Jovovich, Ian Mc- Glaswegian ex-con who puts her dreams of Timothy Olyphant, Emma Thompson, Zach Shane, Sasha Lane, Daniel Dae Kim, Thomas Galifianakis, Matt Lucas Haden Church becoming a Nashville country singer above Directed by Chris Butler (USA/Canada) Directed by Neil Marshall (USA) her maternal responsibilities. The word is From the company that brought us Coraline, A reboot of the Hellboy franchise originally good. ParaNorman and Kubo And The Two Strings, created by Guillermo del Toro, itself based on Released Fri 12 April this stop-motion animated comedy follows the graphic novel, the new film was origi- the adventures of Sir Lionel Frost (Jackman), nally meant to be a sequel to Hellboy II: The an investigator of myths and monsters. Deter- Golden Army (2008). But things change. Greta CERT 15 (98 mins) mined to prove his credentials, he sets off for Here, our devilish superhero (Harbour) puts the Pacific Northwest to discover mankind’s his best cloven foot forward to fight the an- Starring Isabelle Huppert, Chloë Grace Moretz, Maika Monroe, Colm Feore, Stephen Rea, missing relative, Link. cient sorcerer Nimue, the Queen of Blood Zawe Ashton Released Fri 5 April (Jovovich). As they say, even demons have Directed by Neil Jordan (USA/Ireland) their demons. Beware the inscrutable piano teacher. And Released Thurs 11 April nobody can play inscrutable piano teachers like Isabelle Huppert. Here, she is befriended by an American waitress (Moretz) after the latter finds her handbag on the New York subway… Big mistake. A psychological thriller from the director of Mona Lisa and The Crying Game. Released Fri 19 April

Shazam! CERT 12a (132 mins) Starring Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Djimon Hounsou Directed by David F. Sandberg (USA) The seventh instalment in the DC Extended Little CERT tbc Universe, Shazam! is not unlike a superhero Starring Regina Hall, Issa Rae, Marsai Martin, version of Tom Hanks’ Big (1988). Billy Bat- Justin Hartley Directed by Tina Gordon (USA) son (Angel) is a 14-year-old orphan who, In direct contrast to Shazam! (q.v.), Tina Gor- when he utters the eponymous acronym (of don’s Little tells of a stressed-out tech mogul six immortal elders: Solomon, Hercules, (Regina Hall) who is transformed into her Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury), is trans- younger self (Marsai Martin), when she was, formed into an adult superhero. er, little. The film was the inspiration of Mar- Head Full Of Honey Released Fri 5 April tin when she was just 10 years old and, now CERT tbc (139 mins) 14, her credit here as executive producer Starring Nick Nolte, Matt Dillon, Emily Mor- makes her the youngest person to hold that timer, Sophia Lane Nolte, Jacqueline Bisset, title on a major Hollywood film. Eric Roberts Directed by Til Schweiger (Germany/USA) Released Fri 12 April Following Still Alice (2014) and What They Had (2018), we now have another drama about Alzheimer's, this time with Nick Nolte as an old widower taken on a road trip by his granddaughter (played by Nolte’s real-life Wonder Park CERT PG (85 mins) daughter, Sophia Lane). Based on the Ger- With the voices of Jennifer Garner, Matthew man film Honig im Kopf (2014), also directed Broderick, John Oliver, Mila Kunis, Brianna by Til Schweiger. Denski, Tom Baker Released Fri 19 April The park, hidden deep in the woods, is full of fantastical rides and engaging animals, but is under threat when its creator, the 10-year-old June (Denski), starts to grow up. From Wild Rose CERT 15 (100 mins) Paramount Animation, the company that Starring Jessie Buckley, Julie Walters, Sophie brought us Sherlock Gnomes. Incidentally, Okonedo, Jamie Sives, Craig Parkinson the director Dylan Brown was fired from the Directed by Tom Harper (UK) production (and had his credit removed) after Jessie Buckley is the Next Big Thing, and de- accusations of inappropriate behaviour. servedly so. She has played a variety of roles, Released Mon 8 April notably Marya in TV’s War And Peace and the 38 whatsonlive.co.uk Film April.qxp_Layout 1 21/03/2019 17:23 Page 4

Film highlights released in April...

Loro CERT 18 Starring Toni Servillo, Elena Sofia Ricci, Riccardo Scamarcio Directed by Paolo Sorrentino (Italy/France) A two-part drama, Loro focuses on the politi- cians and businessmen (the ‘loro’ of the title) who surround the media tycoon Silvio Berlusconi (Servillo). From the director of such masterpieces as The Consequences Of Love, This Must Be The Place and the Oscar- winning The Great Beauty. Released Fri 19 April

CRITIC’S CHOICE

The Sisters Brothers film is a Western with a dark comic twist, which one might expect from the brilliant CERT 15 (122 mins) French filmmaker Jacques Audiard, whose Starring John C Reilly, Joaquin Phoenix, first English-language film this is. And Read Joan CERT 12a (101 mins) Jake Gyllenhaal, Riz Ahmed, Rutger Hauer, there aren’t many Westerns directed by Starring Sophie Cookson, Stephen Campbell Rebecca Root, Allison Tolman, Carol Kane Moore, Tom Hughes, Judi Dench Directed by Jacques Audiard (USA/France) Frenchmen. Audiard and his regular col- Directed by Trevor Nunn (UK) John C Reilly and Joaquin Phoenix play Eli laborator Thomas Bidegain forged their This biography of Joan Stanley, inspired by and Charlie Sisters, siblings who make a screenplay from the 2011 novel by Patrick the life of the KGB spy Melita Norwood, fol- living killing. But when they are hired to deWitt and the film won Audiard the Silver lows her early days at Cambridge, right up to eliminate the gold prospector Hermann Lion award at the Venice Film Festival, her fight with dementia in her 80s. Kermit Warm (Riz Ahmed), Eli starts to suf- along with glowing reviews. Released Fri 19 April fer a crisis of conscience. Set in 1850, the Released Fri 5 April

Bel Canto CERT 15 (100 mins) Starring Julianne Moore, Ken Watanabe, Se- CERT 15 (93 mins) bastian Koch, Christopher Lambert, Ryo Kase, Eighth Grade The World Is Yours Olek Krupa, Elsa Zylberstein Starring Elsie Fisher, Josh Hamilton, Emily CERT 15 (96 mins) Directed by Paul Weitz (USA) Robinson, Jake Ryan Directed by Bo Burnham (USA) Starring Gabby Rose, Karim Leklou, Vincent When a world-class soprano (Julianne Cassel, Isabelle Adjani, François Damiens Directed by Romain Gavras (France) Moore) agrees to perform for a Japanese in- dustrialist (Ken Watanabe) in South Africa, A drug dealer is desperate to change his life, she finds herself in the middle of a hostage so his next job, he swears, will be his last. crisis. Paul Weitz directs his own adaptation And we’ve all heard that before. The French of the novel by Ann Patchett. comedy was shot in France and in Benidorm in Spain. Released Fri 26 April Released Fri 26 April

As her transition to high school approaches, eighth-grader Kayla Day (Fisher) struggles with issues of social anxiety. Even so, she posts motivational videos on YouTube, which is a bit rich. The comedy-drama, the first from Bo Burnham, received raves and numer- ous prizes in the US. Released Fri 26 April

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Visual Arts previews from around the region

Freya Dooley: Somewhere In The Crowd There’s You Eastside Projects, Birmingham, until Sat 27 April “I work with writing, moving image, sound and performance,” explains Gloucestershire- born artist Freya Dooley. “In my work, I create fragmented monologues, dialogues, sound- tracks and auto/biographical semi-fictions, often by combining literary and pop-culture references.” The most obvious pop-culture reference in Freya’s latest solo project is the title itself, a lyric from the 1980 Abba song, Super Trouper. A multi-channel sound installation, the show layers collected vocals, earworm hooks, choral fragments and field recordings, oscil- lating between synchronisation and discord. Freya’s aim is to explore both the potential and the limitations of the live and recorded voice, in order to investigate the shared expe- rience of listening and the effort required to listen.

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Visual Arts

Hew Locke: Here’s The Thing Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, until Sun 2 June This exploration of the languages of colonial and post-colonial power, and the symbols through which different cultures assume and as- sert identity, marks the most comprehensive ex- hibition to date of work by Hew Locke. The Edinburgh-born sculptor and contemporary visual artist uses a range of media including painting, drawing, photography and installation to fuse historical source material with his keen interest in current affairs. “I hope that the viewer will initially be visually attracted to a piece,” explains Hew, “but that they will then become aware that complex histo- ries have been woven into the work; histories that are there for them to unpick.”

Brave: The Girls Of South Sudan Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, until Sun 19 May Global children’s charity Plan International UK is the organisation behind this thought- provoking exhibition by photojournalist Kate Holt, who travelled to war-torn South Sudan to document the experiences of some of the country’s teenage girls. “I was married in January last year when I was 14,” says Akujang, one of the girls featured in the exhibition. “My husband is 18 years old. I’m his first wife. I’m the eldest girl, so it was my job to cook and work in the garden, so I never went to school. I was married off - I did not have a choice. When I was pregnant, there were some days I had no food. It was difficult being pregnant with no food. Now I’m breast-feeding, but sometimes I have no milk and it is hard because my baby cries... If I eat enough, I have milk for a day, but if I don’t eat, there isn’t enough...” Apollo 50 The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent, until Sun 3 November Wildlife Photographer Of The Year Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry, until Sun 2 June The Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition makes a welcome return to the Herbert this month in the form of 100 stunning images. The on-show pics were selected by expert judges and drawn from a staggering 45,000-plus entries, the images being rated for their creativity, originality and technical excellence. A half-century ago this July the 21st, Neil Arm- Open both to professional and amateur strong took one small step for (a) man, one giant snappers, the competition celebrates leap for mankind when he became the first per- biodiversity, promotes conservation and son ever to set foot on the surface of the moon. champions ethical photography. In the This special exhibition commemorates that his- process, it also provides visitors with the toric occasion, bringing together 50 models and opportunity to view dramatic landscapes memorabilia in a multimedia display which re- and endangered habitats, as well as to counts the epic story of the Apollo programme. come face-to-face with some of the The show also traces the history of rocketry, as world’s most bizarre species. well as featuring a selection of models of sci- ence-fiction spacecraft.

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Eggcellent events from around the region Easter

The Great Easter Dragon Egg Hunt Ludlow Castle, Sat 13 - Sun 28 April The chance to explore medieval ruins while hunting for dragon’s eggs is the Easter holiday family day out on offer at Ludlow Castle this month. Youngsters are urged to get on the hunt asap before the eggs hatch and the town finds it- self overrun with baby dragons. There are small prizes up for grabs too, so make sure your egg-finding antennae is up and running in readiness for the challenge!

Easter Adventure Quest Egg-Citing Easter Celebrations Kenilworth Castle and Witley Court Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, Sat 13 - Sun 28 April & Gardens, Sat 13 - Sun 28 April Experience the weird and wonderful Easter The museum’s holiday-entertainment line-up Join a sure-to-be-fun hunt for practices of years gone by at the Black Country also features a reenactment of a springtime dragon eggs at two of the Midands’ Living Museum this Easter. Take part in tradi- wedding and the not-so-romantic antics of most popular visitor attractions tional street games, including egg dancing and numerous costumed characters performing this Easter holiday. egg tapping, or get hands-on with ‘crafty’ activi- street theatre! Crack the clues as you and your ties such as egg painting and card writing. family follow the trail around the grounds of either Kenilworth Cas- tle or Witley Court (or both!). Intrepid adventurers who track Great Easter offer! Enjoy Birmingham’s National Sea Life Centre down the dragon eggs will not only be given a certificate to mark their and Legoland Discovery Centre with a fabulous combi ticket! achievement but will also receive a Midlands families can enjoy two of Birmingham delicious chocolate treat! city centre’s top visitor attractions for only £25 per person this Easter. National Sea Life Centre Birmingham and Legoland Discovery Centre Birmingham are offer- ing a fantastic combined experience courtesy of a special combi ticket offer. The National Sea Life Centre is home to more than 2,000 creatures (including a colony of gen- too penguins, black-tip reef sharks and a giant green sea turtle), many of which have been res- cued or successfully bred as part of the global Easter Family Craft Sea Life breeding initiative... Activities Having opened in summer 2018, Legoland Dis- Coventry Transport Museum, covery Centre is the ultimate indoor Lego play- Sat 13 - Sat 27 April ground - a world of colour, creativity and fun for Coventry Transport Museum is children of all ages. The popular attraction fea- running some ‘eggs’tra-special tures a Lego creative workshop, two rides, a 4D craft activities this month, offering cinema, a Lego Friends building zone, a Lego families the opportunity to let their City soft play area and plenty more... imaginations run wild as they set The combi ticket is valid for 90 days - meaning about the challenge of inventing that you don’t need to visit both attractions on some eggstremely marvellous egg- the same day! - and can be purchased by visiting related machines. either: visitsealife.com/birmingham or birming- Sounds like a, er, cracking day out ham.legolanddiscoverycentre.co.uk to us... whatsonlive.co.uk 43 Events April.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 16:55 Page 3

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Eggcellent events from around the region Easter

St George At Easter The Commandery, Worcester, Mon 22 April This family-friendly Easter Mon- day celebration of England’s pa- tron saint features a range of entertainment to enjoy, including storytelling sessions, perform- ances by reenactors, mummers play and plenty of craft activities for kids of all ages and abilities.

Easter at Birmingham of its current exhibitions - Leonardo da Vinci: A Animal Easter Trail Life In Drawing and Too Cute! Sweet Is About RAF Museum, Cosford, Museums To Get Sinister... Sat 13 - Sun 28 April Visit birminghammuseums.org.uk for specific Celebrate National Tea Day on Sunday the 21st New for 2019, the RAF Museum is dates, times and costs of individual events in the splendid surroundings of Aston Hall, as hosting this suitable-for-all-ages Birmingham Museums is providing a whole the Grade I listed Jacobean house transforms animal Easter trail around its host of fun ways in which families can enjoy into ‘Aston in Wonderland’. Youngsters can hangars. The Easter Bunny is themselves this Easter holiday... meet their favourite Lewis Carroll characters looking for his animal friends and At Thinktank science museum - as well as the over a nice cup of tea or two, with the Mad Hat- wants visitors to help him find opening of its brand new 4K Planetarium, the ter, the ever-so-grumpy Queen of Hearts and them. Provide him with some only one in the West Midlands - there’s also Alice herself among those in attendance... much-needed assistance, com- Smethwick Engine Steaming Day taking place The Trust’s other sites of Blakesley Hall, the plete the trail and pick up a much- on Wednesday the 17th, an event that allows Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, Soho House, deserved chocolatey prize! visitors to see first hand the power of the Weoley Castle and Sarehole Mill are also get- world’s oldest working steam engine... ting into the Easter spirit by holding a variety Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is present- of craft activities and workshops across the Easter ing numerous Easter activities inspired by two holiday period. Eggstravaganza Cadbbury World, Bournville, Fri 19 - Mon 22 April What better place to start your Easter Crafts at Ironbridge Easter celebrations than at the Gorge Museums home of one of the world’s biggest chocolate brands! Jackfield Tile Museum, Ironbridge, Fri 12 - Fri 26 April, Coalport China Cadbury World has once again Museum, Ironbridge, Sat 13 - Sun 28 April cracked out the fun with its an- Young artists can enjoy some spring-in- nual Easter Eggstravaganza event, spired ‘crafty’ fun in Ironbridge this Easter. this time featuring an exclusive The Jackfield Tile Museum is hosting drop- stage show starring Mr Cadbury’s in tile-decorating workshops, where young- parrot. sters can try their hand at producing An Easter egg trail and an Easter floral-themed designs using the Victorian bonnet competition also feature in tube lining technique. the line-up of entertainment. Over at Coalport China Museum, mean- while, there are daily sessions in which children can use quick-drying paint to dec- orate a money box, fridge magnet or paper plate with spring flowers including daf- fodils, tulips and bluebells.

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Events previews from around the region Events

Shakespeare’s Birthday Celebrations Stratford-upon-Avon, Sat 27 April If living so long were possible, William Shakespeare would’ve been 455 this month - and his hometown of Stratford-upon- Avon is set to celebrate the occa- sion! Highlights of the day include a colourful parade through the town centre - com- plete with an appearance by the man himself! - a Knights & Nymphs children’s garden party and a mass-movement dance piece performed by local and re- Kidtropolis Pinkfong and his best friend get dancing - and gional community groups. appearances by TV royalty Sam and Mark, who’ll NEC, Birmingham, Sat 13 - Mon 15 April be hosting their very own live show on the Satur- Not sure where to take the kids during the Easter day and Sunday. holiday? Fear not, for popular children’s event Also announced for this year is a 200ft-long in- Kidtropolis is returning to Birmingham’s NEC for flatable assault course that allows children to a second year. venture through a number of different and imagi- Attractions at the 2019 edition of the event in- native zones, including the Arctic and a jungle. clude a Baby Shark live mini show - in which

Ice Age: The Lost Kingdom creatures) a woolly mammoth, sabre toothed tiger, woolly rhinoceros, giant sloth and short- Birmingham Botanical Gardens, faced bear. Sat 6 - Sun 28 April The first outdoor experience of its kind in the Now here’s a brand new attraction designed to UK, the show takes families on a walkthrough leave your youngsters well and truly journey that sees the Ice Age cleverly recreated awestruck... with scenery and props. Featuring more than 40 impressive installations The attraction also features a mini cinema, of animated life-sized beasts, Ice Age: The Lost street food & drink stalls, a fossil excavation pit Kingdom provides visitors with the chance to and a merchandise shop from which to pur- Into The Wild come face to face with (among other impressive chase an Ice Age memento to take home. Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry, Sat 13 - Sat 27 April Children visiting Herbert Art Gallery this Easter can get cre- ative through a wide range of wildlife-themed activities. Drop-in sessions during the first week, exploring the theme of ‘under the sea’, feature sea-scene printing workshops, the chance to make whale-inspired sun catchers and the opportunity to create tropical fish out of clay. The second week’s workshops - taking the theme of ‘wild beasts’ - provide youngsters with the chance to marble paint their own tiger, build a wild clay creature and design a roaring rag lion.

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Events previews from around the region Events

Kapow! West Mid Showground, Shrews- bury, Sat 27 April Raising funds for local charity Severn Hospice, Kapow! sees West Mid Showground turned into a giant inflatable obstacle course for the day. As the name of the event would suggest (well, at least to anyone who remembers the kitsch and classic Batman TV series from the 1960s), ‘superheroes’ is very much a theme of the event. Participants are encouraged to grab a cape, make a cowl or wear a magic bracelet to help channel their inner Superman or Wonder Woman.

St George’s Day armour, and trying out some traditional games in the company of the castle’s very own Lady Fre- Celebrations ville. Tamworth Castle, Sat 20 April Out in the grounds, families can sample the Tamworth Castle is holding a truly medieval ex- pleasures of archery, enjoy watching a spectacu- perience for this month’s St George’s Day. lar medieval joust, walk around a medieval en- Visitors can get hands-on with the castle’s living- campment, chat to numerous street entertainers history experiences by having a go at doing the and steer the kids in the direction of a host of laundry, learning about medieval weaponry & children’s activities. Explorasaurus Mini Madness Evening Dudley Canal & Tunnel Trust, British Motor Museum, Gaydon, Fri 12 April Sat 6 - Sun 28 April Dudley goes dino-crazy for a day British Motor Museum is kickstarting Mini’s 60th this month. birthday celebrations with a host of themed fam- Visiting families can get involved ily activities taking place throughout the month. in dinosaur-themed craft activi- Visitors can enjoy informative family tours with ties, head out on a treasure hunt a Mini-mad mechanic character, follow a Mini to complete a special ‘dino direc- Trail and make their very own Mini using air dry tory’, grab a pith helmet for a clay. photo opportunity and have a go Over the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend, kids can at excavating fossils like a real enjoy a traditional Easter Egg hunt but wi th a palaeontologist. special Mini twist, collecting eggs around the And if you think you’re the biggest museum to claim their Mini Egg reward. dinosaur fan around, there’s a not-to-be-missed Triassic trivia Motorfest quiz to test your knowledge of all Chetwynd Deer Park, Newport, things big & prehistoric. Sun 21 & Mon 22 April Up to 1,000 classic cars from the 1930s to the 1990s will be in evidence at this two-day motor show, which is being held at Chetwynd Deer Park for the first time. Other event attractions include more than 30 local car clubs, trader & autojumble stalls, live arena parades, live music, face painting, a disco and plenty of party games.

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YourYour wweek-eek- bby-weeky-week llistingsistings gguideuide AprilApril 20192019 thelist

Kevin Quantum: And Now For My Next Trick at The Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent, Thurs 18 April

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

What’s On Mon 1 to Sun 7 April Mon 8 to Sun 14 April Mon 15 to Sun 21 April Mon 22 to Tues 30 April

War Horse at Regent Theatre, Horrible Histories: Awful Nimrod Tours at St George’s Day at Stoke-on-Trent Egyptians at Theatre Severn RAF Museum, Cosford Dudley Zoo until Sat 6 April Thurs 11 - Sun 14 April Mon 15 - Sun 28 April Sun 28 April

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thelist THROUGHOUT APRIL

TEMPORARIES Featuring the land- Visual Arts scape paintings of Pre-Raphaelite New Art Gallery - Walsall painters including Ford Madox Brown, William Homan Hunt and NEW ANDREW LACON Andrew works John Everett Millais, until Sun 9 June with sculpture and imagery to ques- MATERIALS AND MAKING Exhibition fea- tion how materials are understood turing a selection of sculpture, ce- and valued in different contexts and ramics, glass, metalware and historical periods, Tues 2 Apr - Sun 2 decorative art items from the art June gallery’s collection, until Sun 1 Sept PAINTED LADIES: AN EXCHANGE OF Himley Hall & Park, Dudley IDEAS Display of 20th century paint- NEW RECLAIM PHOTOGRAPHY FESTIVAL ings depicting women painted by Dreadzone - The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent 2019: WINDOWS INTO INDUSTRIAL both female and male artists, until BOOK Fri 5 Apr, Theatre Apr, O2 Institute, Birm- WORLDS Group exhibition by five re- Sun 1 Sept Severn, Shrewsbury ingham gional photographers focusing on the Gigs PICK OF THE POPS New exhibition in- BOYZ II MEN Fri 5 Apr, SIRKIS / BALIAS IQ Sat 6 people, places and industries of the cludes works by famous Pop artists WARD THOMAS Mon 1 O2 Academy, B’ham Apr, The Hive, Shrews- Black Country, Sat 6 Apr - Sun 30 such as Pauline Boty and Andy Apr, O2 Institute, Birm- GLAMOUR OF THE KILL bury June Warhol, alongside a selection of ingham Fri 5 Apr, O2 Institute, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION rarely-seen pieces, until Sun 1 Sept, VENTENNER Mon 1 Apr, Birmingham OF CHOIRS Sat 6 Apr, Wolverhampton Art Gallery Newcastle Borough Museum The Flapper, B’ham BENEATH MY SINS Fri 5 Victoria Hall, Stoke-on- & Art Gallery NEW JOHN GRAYSON: ENAMEL | SUB- DENNIS BOVELL Mon 1 Apr, Scruffy Murphy’s, Trent STRATE Exhibition revealing the lost OPEN ART AND CRAFT EXHIBITION 2019 Apr, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham STEVE GUNN Sat 6 Apr, Annual exhibition featuring work by techniques of enamel manufacture, Birmingham THE BOB DYLAN STORY Hare & Hounds, Birm- Staffordshire artists, until Sun 12 May Sat 6 Apr - Sun 30 June GIORGIO MORODER Mon Fri 5 Apr, Festival Dray- ingham Other VISUAL ARTS 1 Apr, Symphony Hall, ton Centre, Market DEEP PURPLE FAMILY Potteries Museum & Art Birmingham Drayton, North Shrop- TREE Sat 6 Apr, The DIE GLAMOUR BERG - ALEX BILLINGHAM Gallery - Stoke-On-Trent APRE Tues 2 Apr, Hare shire Robin, Bilston Installation comprising a series of & Hounds, B’ham NEW ARRIVALS: 2018 Display of flora suspended sculptures, Sat 30 Mar - SMOOVE & TURRELL Fri THE GRIND LIVE! Sat 6 and fauna never before seen in the Sat 13 Apr, AirSpace Gallery, Stoke- ETTA BOND Tues 2 Apr, 5 Apr, Hare & Hounds, Apr, Birmingham Town county, until Wed 1 Jan on-Trent The Castle & Falcon, Birmingham Hall Birmingham NEW CHANGE Exhibition of members' AC/DC - UK Fri 5 Apr, PROPELLOR Sat 6 Apr, Qube Gallery, Oswestry work on the theme of 'change’ featur- KEYWEST Wed 3 Apr, The River Rooms, Albert's Shed Bar, ing a selection of paintings, ceramics, O2 Institute, B’ham Stourbridge Shrewsbury HOMEFRONT HEROINES Two-year pro- textiles, jewellery and photographs, ULTIMATE COLDPLAY Fri DEXTER Sat 6 Apr, The ject exploring the lives and roles of LADY BIRD Wed 3 Apr, Mon 1 - Sat 27 Apr, VAN Street 5 Apr, The Robin, Bil- River Rooms, Stour- the women of World War One, until Hare & Hounds, Birm- Gallery, Shrewsbury ston bridge Mon 29 Apr ingham NEW LIVING LANDSCAPES - LINDSEY RPWL Wed 3 Apr, The 60'S BIG NIGHT OUT Fri 5 RARE AMERICANS Sat 6 BUCKNOR OBE Local photographer Robin, Bilston Apr, Theatre Severn, Apr, The Asylum, Birm- Shrewsbury Museum & Art Lindsey is particularly inspired by na- Shrewsbury ingham DMA'S Thurs 4 Apr, O2 Gallery ture and never leaves home without Academy, Birmingham ALEX DAVIES Fri 5 Apr, WHITESNAKES JOURNEY BEARS! Meet loveable and cuddly his camera, Mon 1 - Mon 29 Apr, We- Albert's Shed Bar, Sat 6 Apr, Eleven, bears including Winnie The Pooh and ston Park, Nr Shifnal EASY LIFE Thurs 4 Apr, Shrewsbury Sandyford, Stoke-on- Paddington, until Sun 28 Apr O2 Institute, B’ham NEW DAVID TRESS Exhibition including LINK N PARK Fri 5 Apr, Trent unique interpretations of diverse DYLAN CARTLIDGE + RE- Eleven, Sandyford, THE CATWALK VILIANS landscapes, Fri 12 Apr - Sat 4 May, LEASE + GREGSONEY Stoke-on-Trent AND THE INDEPENDENT The Brewhouse Arts Centre, Thurs 4 Apr, The Sug- Twenty Twenty Gallery, Ludlow COUNTRY Sun 7 Apr, Burton-upon-Trent armill, Stoke-On-Trent DREADZONE Fri 5 Apr, NEW HOLLIE MILLER Hollie presents Hare & Hounds, Birm- #7 FRAGMENTS Exhibition of ceram- The Sugarmill, Stoke- two sculptures consisting of human COSMIC PSYCHOS Thurs ingham ics, mixed-media, 3D, paint, textile On-Trent hair wigs individually wrapped 4 Apr, O2 Institute, and lens-based media by seven MAX & HARVEY Sat 6 WHITNEY - QUEEN OF around a pair of antique children’s Birmingham artists, until Sat 27 Apr Apr, O2 Academy, THE NIGHT Sun 7 Apr, boxing gloves, Wed 17 Apr - Sat 4 FOLK DEVILS Thurs 4 Birmingham Lichfield Garrick RETROSPECTIVE EXHIBITION BY LIZ May, AirSpace Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent Apr, Hare & Hounds, STANCER Exhibition based around the THE AC/DC EXPERIENCE MO AMER & GUZ KHAN NEW SHOWING OFF EXHIBITION De- Birmingham subjects of birth and death, youth Sat 6 Apr, O2 Sun 7 Apr, O2 signer-makers from across the and age, love and hate, belief and ARENA - DOUBLE VISION Academy, Birmingham Academy, Birmingham county present a range of beautiful disillusionment, until Sat 27 Apr TOUR 2019 Thurs 4 Apr, GIGS 4 DIGS - CHARITY handmade items available for pur- The Robin, Bilston DRENGE Sat 6 Apr, O2 EVENT Sun 7 Apr, chase, Sat 27 Apr, St Mary's Church, Institute, Birmingham ANGHARAD DAVIES SOLO Eleven, Sandyford, The Willow Art Gallery, Shrewsbury Oswestry AND XHOSA COLE'S ICONIC EYE + BLOOD Stoke on Trent GREEK SUITE Thurs 4 RED & DEVIL IN DORIAN PAINTING WITH WORDS Open exhibi- IAN MCNABB Sun 7 Apr, Apr, Midlands Arts Sat 6 Apr, Route 44, tion celebrating the influence of litera- Hare & Hounds, Birm- Centre, Birmingham Birmingham ture and language on the visual arts, ingham KING NO-ONE + FARA- until Sat 11 May SUPREME QUEEN Fri 5 DAY + CAMENS Sat 6 SONGS OF THE MYSTICS: Apr, Forest Arts Cen- TRADITIONAL SUFI tre, Walsall Apr, The Sugarmill, Wolverhampton Art Gallery Stoke-On-Trent QAWWALI Sun 7 Apr, RADICAL LANDSCAPES: PRE- HE WRITES THE SONGS - Newhampton Arts THE MANILOW SONG- LEFT FOR RED Sat 6 RAPHAELITES AND THEIR FRENCH CON- Centre, W’hampton 52 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Wolverhampton 1-7 April.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 14:47 Page 2

Monday 1 - Sunday 7 April

ple’s Orchestra celebrate their sev- Classical Music enth anniversary with an evening of video game pieces and original com- ANAIS GAUDEMARD IN RECITAL Featur- positions, including themes from ing Anaïs Gaudemard (harp). Pro- World of Warcraft, Zelda, Skyrim & gramme includes works by Debussy, Tetris, Sun 7 Apr, West Bromwich Fauré, Pépin, Prokofiev, Glinka and Town Hall Smetna, Tues 2 Apr, Birmingham DUNEV STRING QUARTET Programme Town Hall includes works by Schubert & DECIBEL PLAY ED BENNETT Featuring Shostakovich, Sun 7 Apr, Festival Ed Bennett (composer/Artistic Direc- Drayton Centre, Market Drayton, tor/Electronics) & Daniele Rosina North Shropshire (conductor), Tues 2 Apr, The Lab, DOUBLE BASS DAY Featuring master- Royal Birmingham Conservatoire classes with Thomas Martin, Anthony AN EVENING WITH ALFIE BOE Tues 2 - Alcock, Damian Rubido Gonzales, Wed 3 Apr, Symphony Hall, B’ham Julian Atkinson and Jeremy Watt, CBSO & JOHN WILSON: A PASTORAL Sun 7 Apr, Royal Birmingham Con- SYMPHONY Featuring John Wilson servatoire (conductor), James Ehnes (violin) and James Way (tenor). Programme includes works by Copland, Barber and Vaughan Williams, Thurs 4 Apr, War Horse Symphony Hall, Birmingham Comedy Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, until Sat 6 April CBSO CENTRE STAGE: BARBER & KORN- MICKY P KERR Thurs 4 Apr, The Slade GOLD Featuring Colette Overdijk & Rooms, Wolverhampton Described as ‘the theatrical event of the decade’ when it opened in Charlotte Skinner (violins); Jessica TEZ ILYAS, ALLAN HAVEY & COMEDY the West End in 2009, War Horse has continued to garner great Tickle & Amy Thomas (violas), Miguel CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs praise in the ensuing years. Based on Michael Morpurgo’s hugely Fernandes & Helen Edgar (cellos). 4 Apr, The Glee Club, Birmingham popular 1982 novel, it tells the story of a young man named Albert, Programme comprises Barber’s String Quartet & Korngold’s String KUM-N-AVALOFF COMEDY NIGHT Thurs whose horse, Joey, is sold to the cavalry and shipped to France at Sextet, Fri 5 Apr, CBSO Centre, Birm- 4 Apr, Stourbridge Town Hall the beginning of the First World War. Joey’s subsequent adven- ingham IVO GRAHAM Fri 5 Apr, The Slade tures lead to him finding himself alone in a no man's land. But Al- CONCERT IN THE ROUND: STUDENTS Rooms, Wolverhampton bert is in no mood to give up on his beloved companion, and sets FROM CHETHAM’S SCHOOL OF MUSIC Fri ANDREW LAWRENCE Fri 5 Apr, The out to find him and take him home to Devon. 5 Apr, St Chads Church, Shrewsbury Glee Club, Birmingham The show returns to the Midlands having played to more than A CONCERT OF LIGHT ORCHESTRAL BILAL ZAFAR Fri 5 Apr, Midlands Arts seven million people in 11 countries around the world. MUSIC Featuring Shrewsbury Light Centre, Birmingham Orchestra, guest vocalist Dale Kynas- ALISTAIR BARRIE, VINCE ATTA, MO HA- ton, Peter Road-Night (conductor) & ROON & CELYA AB Fri 5 Apr, Katie Stratford-upon-Avon TIMPSON: THE MUSICAL Gigglemug Sheila Thompson (leader). In aid of Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge COLLABORATION The Crescent Theatre Theatre’s debut musical, explaining Alzheimers Research UK Shropshire the origins of the high-street cobbler, TEZ ILYAS, ALLAN HAVEY, TOM WRIG- Company presents its version of Fundraising Group, Fri 5 Apr, Wrekin Ronald Harwood’s powerful play, Wed 3 - Sat 6 Apr, Old Joint Stock Chapel, Wellington, Shropshire GLESWORTH & GARY MEIKLE Fri 5 - Sat Theatre, Birmingham 6 Apr, The Glee Club, Birmingham which explores the relationship be- NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHOIRS Fea- tween composer Richard Strauss & HORMONAL HOUSEWIVES Join Vicki turing Stone Choral Society, Audley ALISTAIR BARRIE, JACK GLEADOW, his librettist, Stephan Zweig, Sat 30 Michelle and the Hormonal House- Male Voice Choir, Biddulph Male BARRY CASTAGNOLA & BARRY DODDS Mar - Sat 6 Apr, The Crescent The- wives as they blast their witty way Voice Choir, The University Hospital Sat 6 Apr, The Comedy Loft, B’ham atre, Birmingham through a catalogue of women’s Choir, The Douglas Macmillan Choir DIRTY DANCING The classic story of bits... Thurs 4 Apr, Oakengates The- & Cantiamo Chamber Choir. Harriet Baby & Johnny returns... Mon 1 - Sat atre @The Place, Telford, Shropshire Johnson conducts, Fri 5 Apr, Victoria 6 Apr, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre SHOWSTOPPER! THE IMPROVISED MUSI- Hall, Stoke-on-Trent CHICAGO Amateur staging presented CAL Created live and ‘on the spot’ THE MARCHES CHOIR & SINFONIA Pro- Theatre by Shrewsbury High, Tues 2 - Thurs 4 from audience suggestions, Thurs 4 gramme comprises Puccini’s Messa Apr, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Apr, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre di Gloria, Sat 6 Apr, Church of St WAR HORSE Acclaimed West End FLESH The Garrick Young REP pre- John the Baptist, Bishops Castle, drama based on the novel by Michael RITA, SUE & BOB TOO New production sent their performance for the Na- Shropshire Morpurgo, until Sat 6 Apr, Regent of Andrea Dunbar’s semi-autobio- Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent graphical play, Tues 2 - Sat 6 Apr, tional Theatre Connections Festival. THE KIDDERMINSTER FESTIVAL ORCHES- Trapped on an island, with no food, FRANKENSTEIN New dramatisation of Lichfield Garrick TRA Programme includes works by water or phones, two groups of Mary Shelley’s classic story, until Sat Mozart, Elgar & Bach, Sat 6 Apr, Kid- FROM SHORE TO SHORE Tales of love young people discover just how far 13 Apr, The Wightman, Shrewsbury derminster Town Hall and loss, struggle and survival, in- they will go to survive... Thurs 4 - Fri spired by the stories of migrant Chi- PHOENIX SINGERS: AN EVENING OF SUB- KUNENE AND THE KING World premiere 5 Apr, Lichfield Garrick of John Kani's 'moving and funny' nese communities living in the UK, LIME MUSIC Programme includes TWO 2 Jim Cartwright revisits the lives play, which sees two men from con- Tues 2 - Sat 6 Apr, The REP, B’ham works by Carl Rütti & Mendelssohn, and loves of regulars in a northern trasting walks of life thrust together to Sat 6 Apr, St Chad’s Church, Shrews- LES MISERABLES Cameron Mackin- pub, Fri 5 Apr, Arena Theatre, Wolver- reflect on a quarter-century of change bury tosh's acclaimed Broadway produc- hampton in South Africa. Sir Antony Sher stars tion of Boublil and Schönberg's FRANCO FAGIOLI: VINCI AND HANDEL alongside Kani; Janice Honeyman di- legendary musical, Tues 2 Apr - Sat THE OS MAP FAN CLUB Join Ordnance Featuring Il Pomo d'Oro and Franco rects, until Tues 23 Apr, The Swan 11 May, Birmingham Hippodrome Survey enthusiast Helen Wood for a Fagioli (countertenor). Programme in- Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon humorous exploration of the much- cludes works by Durante, Vinci, ONE NIGHT ONLY The Viv Kelly School loved fold-out paper map... Fri 5 Apr, AS YOU LIKE IT Kimberley Sykes di- Hasse, Handel and Fiorenza, Sun 7 of Dance & Theatre present a cele- Habberley Village Hall, Nr Pontes- rects a riotous version of Shake- Apr, Birmingham Town Hall bration of music, dance and theatre, bury, South Shropshire speare's romantic comedy, until Sat Wed 3 Apr, Theatre Severn, Shrews- THE PEOPLE’S ORCHESTRA The Peo- 31 Aug, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, bury STOLEN Join The Devil’s Violin Com- whatsonlive.co.uk 53 The List Wolverhampton 1-7 April.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 14:47 Page 3

Family Dance Music

18+

the wizard of oz forbidden nights charlie landsborough Fri 19 April @ 7.00pm Fri 26 April @ 7.30pm Thu 2 May @ 7.30pm Sat 20 April @ 2pm & 6.00pm

Comedy Music Music

an evening of eric and ern bee gees fever the rolling stones story Fri 3 May @ 7.30pm Fri 10 May @ 7.30pm Fri 17 May @ 7.30pm

Comedy Comedy Music

18+

our trace the tommy cooper story wannabe the spice girls show TWC GP 01450 Sat 18 May @ 7.30pm Wed 22 May @ 7.30pm Fri 24 May @ 7.30pm

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thelist Monday 1 - Sunday 7 April pany as they ‘transport audiences EXCITING SCIENCE SHOW Featuring who live in the woods, until Fri 12 Apr, with hypnotic storytelling of lost silly, fun and factual science experi- Film Arley Arboretum, Upper Arley, Bewd- loves, bravery and hope’, Fri 5 Apr, ments, Sat 6 Apr, Theatre Severn, INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: ley, Nr Kidderminster Bitterley Village Hall, Ludlow, South Shrewsbury THE LEGO MOVIE DAYS Join Emmet, BORDER (15) Drama/Fantasy. Starring Shropshire BING LIVE! Join Bing, Sula, Coco and Wyldstyle and the gang with exclu- Eva Melander, Eero Milonoff. Foreign MARILYN Breakthrough Theatre pre- Pando as they learn how to tell sto- sive building activities, out-of-this- language, subtitled. Light House sents a one-woman show following ries by pretending, dressing up and world character experiences, Media Centre, Wolverhampton, until the dark and thrill-filled life of Marilyn singing songs. A perfect introduction interactive photo opportunities and Wed 3 Apr; Stafford Gatehouse The- Monroe, Fri 5 - Sat 6 Apr, Stafford to theatre for young children, Sat 6 - more, until Sun 28 Apr, Legoland Dis- atre, Tues 2 Apr Gatehouse Theatre Sun 7 Apr, The REP, Birmingham covery Centre, Birmingham EATEN BY LIONS (12a) Drama/Fantasy. INTEMPERANCE Lizzie Nunnery’s mov- Starring Antonio Aakeel, Jack Carroll. ing drama about the camaraderie of Light House Media Centre, Wolver- living in a close-knit community, Fri 5 hampton, until Wed 3 Apr - Sat 20 Apr, New Vic Theatre, New- castle-under-Lyme THE WIFE (15) Drama. Starring Glenn Close, Jonathan Pryce. Light House THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS Amateur Dance Media Centre, Wolverhampton, until staging presented by Central Youth GIOVANNI PERNICE: DANCE IS LIFE Wed 3 Apr Theatre’s Acting Up, Sat 6 Apr, Smash-hit dance spectacular set in a Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolver- Sicillian cafe and showcasing quick- FISHERMAN'S FRIENDS (12A) Com- hampton step, samba, rhumba, paso doble, edy/Drama. Starring James Purefoy, Argentine tango, and Giovanni's sig- Tuppence Middleton. Old Market NOISY HOLIDAY Kid Carpet and Noisy nature dance, the jive, Mon 1 Apr, Hall, Shrewsbury, until Thurs 4 Apr Animals present a mix of live music, Oakengates Theatre @The Place, WIDOWS (15) Crime/Drama. Starring theatre, comedy, puppetry and ani- Telford, Shropshire mation, in a show for the whole fam- Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez. ily, Sat 6 Apr, Arena Theatre, SWAN LAKE Presented by Ballet The- Stourbridge Town Hall, Mon 1 Apr atre UK, Tues 2 Apr, Prince Of Wales Wolverhampton PUZZLE (15) Drama. Starring Kelly Centre, Cannock THE SOUNDS OF RODGERS & HAMMER- Macdonald, Irrfan Khan. Edge Arts STEIN Marilyn Hill Smith (Mother THE LION, THE WITCH & THE WARDROBE Centre, Much Wenlock, Shropshire, Abbess in the recent national tour of Midland Theatre Ballet presents a Mon 1 Apr ANIMAL TRAIL Help Ozzy Owl find 12 choreographed version of CS Lewis’ The Sound Of Music) heads the cast A STAR IS BORN (U) Drama/Musical. animals reminiscent of the popular fantastical tale, Thurs 4 - Sat 6 Apr, as they sing their way through classic Starring Judy Garland, James Beatrix Potter characters, Mon 1 - The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham musical theatre shows, Sun 7 Apr, Mason. Wem Town Hall, Shropshire, Tues 30 Apr, The Potteries Museum & Wolverhampton Grand Theatre DORRIDGE MUSIC SCHOOL: A FUSION OF Mon 1 Apr; Shropshire Hills Discov- Art Gallery, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent MUSIC AND DANCE More than 300 per- ery Centre, Craven Arms, South THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY ON formers from DMS Heart of England Shropshire, Mon 1 Apr ICE! Enter a dazzling world of adven- Music Academy - plus dance HANNAH (12a) Drama. Starring Char- ture! Wed 3 - Sun 7 Apr, Resorts schools, choirs and celebrity guests - lotte Rampling, André Wilms. Foreign World Arena, Birmingham present a concert featuring rock, pop language, subtitled. Stoke Film The- Cabaret and classical music, Sun 7 Apr, Sym- MIDDLEPORT POTTERY BEER FESTIVAL atre, Tues 2 Apr phony Hall, Birmingham 2019 Enjoy not only beer but cider, JINKX MONSOON & MAJOR SCALES: THE BOY ERASED (15) Drama. Starring wines and gin too, Fri 5 - Sat 6 Apr, GINGER SNAPPED Music & mental Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman. Wem Middleport Pottery, Burslem, Stoke- health collide in this witty look at the Town Hall, North Shropshire, Tues 2 on-Trent dark side of Drag fame, Mon 1 Apr, & Thurs 4 Apr OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND Featuring Stafford Gatehouse Theatre RAY & LIZ (15) Drama. Starring model railways, behind-the-scenes JINKX MONSOON & MAJOR SCALES: THE Talks Richard Ashton, Michelle Bonnard. tours and a whole host of other at- GINGER SNAPPED Music & mental DAVID GOWER: ON THE FRONT DOOR An Stoke Film Theatre, Thurs 4 Apr tractions up and down the line, Sat 6 health collide in this witty look at the - Sun 7 Apr, Severn Valley Railway, evening with the former England THE AFTERMATH (15) Drama/War. Star- dark side of Drag fame, Wed 3 Apr, Bewdley, Kidderminster cricket captain, Fri 5 Apr, Midlands Birmingham Town Hall ring Keira Knightley, Alexander Skars- Arts Centre, Birmingham gård. Stoke Film Theatre, Fri 5 - Sat 6 WESTON PARK SPRING HORSE TRIALS AN EVENING WITH KATYA ZAMOLOD- DEEDS NOT WORDS: THE STORY OF & Tues 9 Apr Featuring dressage, cross country CHIKOVA RuPaul's Drag Race, Miss and show jumping, Sat 6 - Sun 7 Apr, WOMEN'S RIGHTS, THEN AND NOW Par- Congeniality and All Stars S2 finalist Weston Park, Staffs ticipatory and wide-ranging discus- Katya presents her new standup sion on women’s lives, reflecting on MR CADBURY'S PARROT AND THE MISS- show, Help Me I'm Dying, Sun 7 Apr, the changes in the UK since the right NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: ING MINI-EGGS Featuring Cadbury's The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham to a parliamentary vote was first Released from Thurs 4 Apr, showing very own loveable parrot, Sat 6 - Sun MUSIC HALL TAVERN Comedy drag granted to some women in 1918. Led at selected cinemas 28 Apr, Cadbury World, Birmingham show featuring Paul Carroll as Mrs T, by Helen Pankhurst, Fri 5 Apr, Engi- PET SEMATARY (tbc) STORE STORIES: A BEHIND THE SCENES Lee Sanderson as Peggy Lee, and nuity Museum, Ironbridge, Shrop- TOUR Check out the hidden treasures the Showcase International Dancers, HOLY LANDS (tbc) shire in the collection stores at Attingham, Sun 7 Apr, Crescent Theatre, B’ham BRITANNIA SKY Andrew Lound exam- MISSING LINK (PG) Sun 7 Apr, Attingham Park, Shrews- ines the history of Britain in space, SHAZAM! (tbc) bury with due credit being paid to those THE KEEPER (15) SUNDAY LOCAL HISTORY TALK Talk by who have tried to push Britain sky- THE SISTERS BROTHERS (15) local archaeologist Mike Hodder enti- ward, Sat 6 Apr, The Potteries Mu- tled ‘Fired clay: pottery, brick and tile Kids Shows seum & Art Gallery, Hanley, manufacture in Birmingham’, Sun 7 Stoke-on-Trent THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA Join the Apr, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham tea-guzzling tiger in this stage show AN EVENING WITH AGGERS Anecdotes SHROPSHIRE SCALE MODEL SHOW An- for younger audiences. Based on aplenty from cricket correspondent Events nual show attracting thousands of and Test Match Special favourite Nancy Kerr’s much-loved book of the THE GOBLIN'S REVENGE The Goblin of modelling fans from across the coun- same name, Fri 5 - Sat 6 Apr, Stafford Jonathan Agnew, Sun 7 Apr, Theatre- try, Sun 7 Apr, RAF Cosford, Nr Severn, Shrewsbury Eymore Wood is back to seek his re- Gatehouse Theatre venge over the Little Folk of Arley Wolverampton

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2019 HIGHLIGHTS

SAT 30 MAR

5th Apr, 8pm Angela Barnes: Rose-Tinted

Tickets: £14, £12 conc. A BRAVE FACE 17th & 18th Mar, 10am - 3.30 pm TUES 2 - SAT 6 APRIL Easter Holidays Have some fun with animation!

Tickets: £15 (or £12 each for 2 siblings)

18th Apr, 6.30pm Kevin Quantum: And For My Next Trick

RITA, SUE & BOB TOO Tickets: £12, £10 conc.

23rd - 27th Apr, 7.30pm FRI 19 APRIL (2.30pm matinee) LTC Youth presents Jesus Christ Superstar

Tickets: £12, £11conc.

Until 27th Apr Exhibition #7 Fragments BELIEVE - THE CHER SONGBOOK Tickets: FREE Exhibition

THURS 25 APRIL 9th May 7pm Vienna Festival Ballet: Coppelia

Tickets: £18, £16 conc.

11th May, 8pm AT BURTON TOWN HALL: Seann Walsh: After This ELMER THE PATCHWORK ELEPHANT One, I’m Going Home Tickets: £15 SAT 4 MAY

14th - 18th May 7.30pm (2.30pm matinee) Mellow Dramatics presents The Wedding Singer

Tickets: £12, £10 matinee

KEVIN QUANTUM: 12th June, 7pm VANISHING POINT A Super Happy Story (About Feeling Super Sad)

THURS 30 -FRI 31MAY Tickets: £10 & £8 Box office: 01283 508100 BOOK ONLINE AT www.brewhouse.co.uk DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE Brewhouse Arts Centre BOX OFFICE: 01543 412 121 Union Street, Burton-upon-Trent Staffordshire DE14 1AA www.lichfieldgarrick.com LICHFIELD GARRICK, CASTLE DYKE, LICHFIELD, STAFFS, WS13 6HR

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thelist Monday 8 - Sunday 14 April Birmingham SIMPLY RERED Sat 13 Gigs NILÜFER YANYA Thurs Apr, Theatre On The Classical Comedy 11 Apr, Hare & Steps, Bridgnorth, MARC MARON Mon 8 Apr, The REP, STEELEYE SPAN Mon 8 Hounds, Birmingham South Shropshire Apr, Theatre Severn, Music Birmingham ALEX REX Thurs 11 Apr, PURPLE ZEPPELIN Sat Shrewsbury TOMMY TIERNAN Tues 9 Apr, Birming- Hare & Hounds, Birm- 13 Apr, Oakengates LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT: TALKING ham Town Hall CHRIS YOUNG Mon 8 ingham Theatre at The Place, ITALIAN Programme includes works Apr, O2 Academy, Telford, Shropshire by Bach, Frescobaldi, Corelli, DAZ BLACK Tues 9 Apr, The Glee COLIN BLUNSTONE WITH Birmingham WHITNEY - QUEEN OF Morandi, Ponchielli, Yon and Bossi, Club, Birmingham HIS FULL BAND Thurs Mon 8 Apr, Symphony Hall, B’ham BBC BIG BAND PLAYS 11 Apr, The Robin, Bil- THE NIGHT Sat 13 Apr, SEAN MCLOUGHLIN Tues 9 Apr, The NAT KING COLE Mon 8 ston Stafford Gatehouse CBSO: SIBELIUS AND NIELSEN Featur- Glee Club, Birmingham Apr, Stafford Gate- Theatre ing Michael Seal (conductor) and BIRMINGHAM'S NIGHT IVO GRAHAM Wed 10 Apr, The Glee house Theatre Christopher Maltman (baritone). Pro- OF STARS Thurs 11 Apr, SHAKKA Sat 13 Apr, O2 Club, Birmingham Academy, Birmingham gramme includes works by Sibelius, CRYSTAL PALACE + Symphony Hall, Birm- Mahler and Nielsen, Wed 10 Apr, MICKY P. KERR Wed 10 Apr, The Glee THIS WINTER MACHINE ingham SALT HOUSE Sat 13 Apr, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Club, Birmingham Mon 8 Apr, The Robin, ELO AGAIN Thurs 11 The Hive, Shrewsbury Bilston THE OPERA BOYS Thurs 11 Apr, IVAN BRACKENBURY, IAN D MONTFORT Apr, Oakengates The- THE ORB Sat 13 Apr, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre & DAN NIGHTINGALE Wed 10 Apr, THE HUNNA Mon 8 - atre at The Place, Hare & Hounds, Birm- Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury Tues 9 Apr, O2 Insti- Telford, Shropshire ingham CBSO: CLASSIC FM'S MOVIE CLASSICS tute, Birmingham Featuring Michael Seal (conductor), EMILY ATACK Thurs 11 Apr, The Old MIKE TRAMP Thurs 11 LIMEHOUSE LIZZY Sat Andrew Collins (presenter), Oliver Rep Theatre, Birmingham SHAWN MENDES Tues 9 Apr, Eleven, Sandy- 13 Apr, Theatre Sev- Janes (clarinet) and Martin James COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBIN- Apr, Arena B’ham ford, Stoke-on-Trent ern, Shrewsbury Bartlett (piano). Programme includes SON & COMEDIAN TBC Thurs 11 Apr, JAMES TW Tues 9 Apr, KOSSOFF THE BAND E3UK LIVE Sat 13 Apr, works by Strauss, Handel, Mozart, The Glee Club, Birmingham O2 Institute, B’ham PLAYS ON + LONG Arena Birmingham Wagner, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov JEN BRISTER Fri 12 Apr, Festival Dray- STRUNG CREATURES and more, Fri 12 Apr, Symphony ART SCHOOL GIRL- HOSTILE Sat 13 Apr, O2 ton Centre, Market Drayton, North Thurs 11 Apr, Eleven, Hall, Birmingham FRIEND Tues 9 Apr, Academy, Birmingham Shropshire Hare & Hounds, Birm- Sandyford, Stoke-on- CONCERT IN THE ROUND Featuring So- T.REXTASY Sat 13 Apr, PAUL MCCAFFREY, MIKE WILMOT, ingham Trent phie Steers (soprano) & Oliver Neil The Robin, Bilston MICKEY SHARMA & SEAN PERCIVAL Fri TVAM Tues 9 Apr, Hare THE ILLEGAL EAGLES Fri (piano), Fri 12 Apr, St Chad’s ZACK KNIGHT Sat 13 12 - Sat 13 Apr, The Glee Club, Birm- & Hounds, B’ham 12 Apr, Stafford Gate- Church, Shrewsbury Apr, O2 Institute, Birm- ingham house Theatre ORGAN PROMS Sat 13 Apr, Victoria ABC: THE LEXICON OF ingham JESS ROBINSON Sat 13 Apr, Stafford LOVE Tues 9 Apr, Sym- LEGENDS LIVE Fri 12 Hall, Stoke-on-Trent STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN: Gatehouse Theatre phony Hall, B’ham Apr, Resorts World PONTYPRIDD MALE VOICE CHOIR & THE LED ZEPPELIN MASTERS RICH WILSON, JOE SUTHERLAND, Arena, Birmingham MERE SINGERS Charity concert in aid STEELEYE SPAN Wed 10 Sat 13 Apr, Symphony GEORGE EGG & FREDDY QUINN Sat 13 BILLY LOCKETT Fri 12 of Conakry Refugee School, Sat 13 Apr, New Vic Theatre, Hall, Birmingham Apr, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham Newcastle-under- Apr, O2 Institute, Birm- Apr, St Mary’s Church, Shrewsbury CATAPULT CLUB FEAT. LOU SANDERS Sat 13 Apr, Midlands Lyme ingham LUDLOW CHORAL SOCIETY: MADE IN ESTATE Sat 13 Apr, O2 Arts Centre, Birmingham MAVERICK SABRE Wed JOHNNY DOWD Fri 12 Institute, Birmingham PRAGUE Programme includes works 10 Apr, O2 Institute, Apr, Foxlowe Arts Cen- by Dvorak, Smetana, Mozart & Vi- CARIBBEAN ROCKS 2019 Birmingham tre, Staffordshire valdi, Sat 13 Apr, St Laurence’s FT. DEXTA DAPS, Church, Ludlow, South Shropshire SUNDARA KARMA Wed 60S INVASION Fri 12 SHENSEEA, MOTTO, 10 Apr, O2 Institute, Apr, The Old Rep, MARZVILLE, DJ NATE Sat SHREWSBURY SCHOOL COMMUNITY Birmingham Birmingham 13 Apr, O2 Institute, CHOIR: ST JOHN PASSION Sat 13 Apr, Theatre The Abbey Church, Shrewsbury SARI SCHORR Wed 10 BON GIOVI Fri 12 Apr, Birmingham THE TRICK A magic show about get- ting older and coming to terms with Apr, The Robin, Bilston The Robin, Bilston THE ENDING Sat 13 Apr, LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL CHORAL CON- CERT: VERDI’S REQUIEM Sat 13 Apr, loss, Mon 8 - Tues 9 Apr, The REP, IRMA VEP Wed 10 Apr, TRIBUTE TO EDDIE VED- Albert’s Shed, Shrews- Lichfield Cathedral Birmingham Hare & Hounds, Birm- DER Fri 12 Apr, O2 bury THE LADY VANISHES Husband & wife ingham Academy, Birmingham GIRLS ROCK FESTIVAL BRIERLEY HILL & HALESOWEN CHORAL SOCIETY Featuring Rory Freckleton duo Juliet Mills & Maxwell Caulfield AUTHOR + PUNISHER SPREADING THE DIS- ALL DAYER Sat 13 Apr, (conductor). Programme comprises star in a new staging of Hitchcock’s Wed 10 Apr, Hare & EASE EP LAUNCH Fri 12 Eleven, Sandyford, Mendelssohn’s St Paul, Sat 13 Apr, early masterpiece, Mon 8 - Sat 13 Hounds, Birmingham Apr, Scruffy Murphy’s, Stoke-on-Trent The Ruskin Glass Centre, Stour- Apr, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Birmingham THE LANCASHIRE HOT- WALK RIGHT BACK - THE bridge THE LONG ROAD Amateur staging of STORY OF THE EVERLY CATAPULT CLUB FEAT. POTS + STU PENDERS & NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA OF GREAT Shelagh Stephenson’s powerful BROTHERS Thurs 11 POLARY Fri 12 Apr, O2 SPLADOOSH Sat 13 Apr, BRITAIN Featuring Carlos Miguel Pri- play, Mon 8 - Sat 13 Apr, Oldbury Apr, Lichfield Garrick Institute, Birmingham The Sugarmill, Stoke- eto (conductor) and Xiayin Wang Rep ROGUE SIESTA Fri 12 On-Trent HOLY MOLY AND THE (piano). Programme includes works ELSIE & NORM’S MACBETH The Nonen- Apr, Albert's Shed Bar, TOM WILLIAMS Sun 14 CRACKERS Thurs 11 by Carlos Chávez, Gershwin, Cop- tities present John Christopher- Shrewsbury Apr, O2 Academy, Apr, O2 Academy, land and Revueltas, Sun 14 Apr, Wood’s comedy, Mon 8 - Sat 13 Apr, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Birmingham The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster JIM JONES AND THE ROUSE YE WOMEN Folk opera based RIGHTEOUS MIND Sun on the story of Mary Macarthur and 14 Apr, Hare & her universal campaign for equality Hounds, Birmingham in the workplace, Tues 9 Apr, THAT JOE PAYNE & Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolver- DORIS BRENDEL Sun 14 hampton Apr, The Robin, Bilston WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT BOBBY Darkly UB40 Sun 14 Apr, Vic- comic drama that pulls apart the life toria Hall, Stoke-on- of a child actor, exploring society’s Salt House, The Hive, Shrewsbury Trent uneasy fascination with violent chil-

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thedren, Tues 9 - Thurs 11list Apr, Old Joint der-mystery set on an Alzheimer’s HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HID- Stock Theatre, Birmingham ward, Fri 12 - Sat 13 Apr, Old Joint Dance DEN WORLD (PG) Family/Fantasy. With AMERICAN IDIOT Green Day’s explo- Stock Theatre, Birmingham the voices of Gerard Butler, Cate sive rock musical returns to mark the PALLADIUM MEMORIES A ‘laughter- SILENT LINES Russell Maliphant Com- Blanchett. Wem Town Hall, North show’s 10th anniversary and the 15th packed’ musical celebration of the pany presents a groundbreaking new Shropshire, Sat 13 & Mon 15 Apr anniversary of the Grammy Award- ‘greatest variety theatre in the world’, dance production with video artist BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID winning original album, Tues 9 - Sat Fri 12 - Sat 13 Apr, Mitchell Arts Cen- Panagiotis Tomaras and a new team (PG) Western/Drama. Starring Paul 13 Apr, The Alexandra Theatre, Birm- tre, Stoke-on-Trent of dancers, Tues 9 Apr, The Patrick Newman, Robert Redford. Ludlow Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome ingham YOU CHOOSE! Brand new interactive Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, DRY ROT Amateur staging of John family show where a picture book Sun 14 Apr Chapman’s ‘rip-roaring’ comedy, and a series of games are used to Tues 9 - Sat 13 Apr, Stoke Repertory create a unique storyline for each NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent performance, Sat 13 Apr, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham Talks Released from Mon 8 Apr, showing at TOP HAT The Tab Operatic Society selected cinemas present an amateur staging of Irving THE HALF GOD OF RAINFALL Inua El- CONRAD AKER - HOLD FAST: YOSEMITE Berlin’s acclaimed musical, Tues 9 - lams' contemporary saga weaves po- TO EVEREST TO MERU One of the WONDER PARK (PG) Sat 13 Apr, Stourbridge Town Hall etry with storytelling in ‘a majestic, world’s greatest climbers talks all HELLBOY (tbc) OUT LOUD Stage production raising chaotic journey across mythologies things mountaineering, including the LITTLE (tbc) that transports audiences from a tiny 1924 Mallory & Irvine Everest expedi- awareness of climate change, Wed WILD ROSE (15) 10 Apr, Midlands Arts Centre, Birm- village in Southern Nigeria to the fur- tion, Thurs 11 Apr, Birmingham Town ingham ther reaches of our galaxy and be- Hall yond’, Sat 13 - Sat 20 Apr, The REP, PRIDE & PREJUDICE Presented by Birmingham Shropshire Youth Theatre, Wed 10 - Thurs 11 Apr, Theatre Severn, HOW SWEET IT IS - THE GREATEST HITS Events Shrewsbury OF MOTOWN Sun 14 Apr, Wolverhamp- ton Grand Theatre Film FLORAL TILE DECORATING Create your FORBIDDEN BROADWAY’S GREATEST INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: HITS Performed by Stafford Gate- own floral-themed designs at family drop-in tile decorating workshops on house Youth Theatre, Wed 10 - Fri 12 BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY (12a) Biogra- weekdays over the Easter break, Fri Apr, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre phy/Music. Starring Rami Malek, 12 Apr, Jackfield Tile Museum, Iron- Lucy Boynton. Arena Theatre, SPARKPLUG Box Of Tricks presents a bridge, Shropshire 'punchy & poetic' exploration of fam- Kids Shows Wolverhampton, Mon 8 Apr ily, race, identity and love, Wed 10 - HORRIBLE HISTORIES: TERRIBLE TUDORS CRAZY RICH ASIANS (12a) Comedy. Sat 13 Apr, The REP, Birmingham From the horrible Henries to the end Starring Constance Wu, Henry Gold- TINA T'URNER TEA LADY'S STEAMY of evil Elizabeth, hear legends (and ing. Edge Arts Centre, Much Wen- BINGO An evening celebrating bingo, lies) about the torturing Tudors, Wed lock, South Shropshire, Mon 8 Apr music, tea and laughter, as Tina spins 10 - Sun 14 Apr, Theatre Severn, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (PG) her cage of balls to a high-energy Shrewsbury Crime/Drama. Starring Gregory Peck, ’80s soundtrack, Thurs 11 Apr, Old HORRIBLE HISTORIES: AWFUL EGYP- John Megna. Mitchell Arts Centre, Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham TIANS From the fascinating Pharaohs Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 9 Apr WYRD SISTERS Ambient Night Produc- to the power of the pyramids, dis- EASTER PARADE (U) Musical/Romance. tions presents its version of Terry cover foul facts about death and Starring Judy Garland, Fred Astaire. Pratchett’s take on Shakespeare’s decay with the meanest mummies in Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Macbeth, Thurs 11 - Fri 12 Apr, Prince Egypt, Thurs 11 - Sun 14 Apr, Theatre Shropshire, Tues 9 Apr Of Wales Centre, Cannock Severn, Shrewsbury SHOPLIFTERS (15) Drama/Crime. Star- OUR TOWN Newman University Drama ring Lily Franky, Sakura Andôl. For- EXPLORASAURUS EVENING Get stuck in Department present Thornton eign language, subtitled. Stafford to all things dino-tastic, Fri 12 Apr, Wilder’s play, which questions ‘how Gatehouse Theatre, Tues 9 Apr much we really appreciate what we Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust SOMETHING LEFT BEHIND (15) Docu- have while we still have it’, Thurs 11 - PLANT HUNTERS’ FAIR Traditionally mentary. Starring The Wedding Pre- Fri 12 Apr, Midlands Arts Centre, grown plants for every type of gar- sent. Followed by Q&A with director Birmingham den, Sat 13 Apr, Sandwell Valley Andrew Jezard. Midlands Arts Cen- Country Park, West Bromwich HABEAS CORPUS Amateur staging of tre, Birmingham, Thurs 11 Apr Alan Bennett’s farcical comedy, Thurs CREATE AN EASTER RAG WREATH Em- ON THE BASIS OF SEX (12a) Biogra- 11 - Sat 13 Apr, The Belfry Theatre, brace the traditional art of rag rug phy/Drama. Starring Felicity Jones, Wellington, Shropshire making with an Easter twist on one of Armie Hammer. Stoke Film Theatre, the workshops, Sat 13 Apr, Birming- JOHN PEEL'S SHED An ode to radio, Thurs 11 Apr music and a box of records that once ham Back to Backs FACES PLACES (12) Documentary. belonged to BBC Radio One DJ John AUDIO DESCRIPTIVE TOUR - A DAY IN Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon- Peel, Fri 12 Apr, Theatre Severn, THE LIFE OF DANNY THE HORSE Meet Trent, Thurs 11 Apr Shrewsbury Danny in Carter's Yard and discover WIDOWS (15) Crime/Drama. Starring AN EVENING OF MEDIUMSHIP WITH PAUL the contributions of horse transport in Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez. Lud- LANGFORD Fri 12 Apr, Halesowen Cor- DEAR ZOO LIVE! Puppetry and audi- the 19th century, Sat 13 Apr, Black low Assembly Rooms, South Shrop- bow Hall ence participation feature in a show Country Living Museum, Dudley shire, Fri 12 Apr THE TRIALS OF OSCAR WILDE European based on Rod Campbell’s children’s CRAFT ACTIVITY- ANIMAL MASKS Make HUMAN FLOW (12a) Documentary. For- Arts Company presents a dramatisa- book, Thurs 11 - Sun 14 Apr, The a mask of your favourite animal from eign language, subtitled. The Hive, tion of the libel and criminal trials of Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippo- Beatrix Potter’s classic stories, Sat 13 Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Fri 12 Apr Oscar Wilde... Fri 12 - Sat 13 Apr, drome Apr, The Potteries Museum & Art Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton TREASURE ISLAND Swashbuckling EVERYBODY KNOWS (15) Crime/Drama. Gallery, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent Starring Penélope Cruz, Javier Bar- FORGET ME NOT: THE ALZHEIMER'S story of the seven seas - suitable for BEATRIX POTTER AND FRIENDS Join dem. Foreign language, subtitled. WHODUNNIT Comic, poet and psychi- children aged three-plus, Sat 13 Apr, Miss Potter as she remembers her Stoke Film Theatre, Fri 12 - Sat 13 atric nurse Rob Gee presents a mur- The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham friends from Hill Top Farm and em- Apr 58 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Wolverhampton 8 - 14 April.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 10:11 Page 4

Monday 8 - Sunday 14 April

barks on a brand new adventure with ing to hot cross buns, Sat 13 - Sun 28 them, Sat 13 Apr, The Potteries Mu- Apr, Black Country Living Museum, seum & Art Gallery, Hanley, Stoke-on- Dudley Trent BUNNY BOATS Hop on a boat and KIDTROPOLIS Packed with live shows, head into the caverns, the home at children’s characters, popular brands Easter of the Easter Bunny’s warren. and numerous activities, Sat 13 - Mon Keep an eye out for evidence of the 15 Apr, NEC, Birmingham big bunny himself, and spot the giant EASTER EGG HUNT Find all the eggs in coloured eggs he’s been keeping the garden to complete the hunt, Sat safe, Sat 13 - Sun 28 Apr, Dudley 13 - Mon 22 Apr, Blakesley Hall, Birm- Canal and Tunnel Trust ingham EASTER EGG QUEST Find all the hidden EASTER HOLIDAYS Superheroes are eggs to get a chocolatey prize, Sat heading to the Severn Valley Railway 13 - Sun 28 Apr, Hawkstone Park & to save the day during the Easter hol- Follies, Weston Under Redcastle, idays, Sat 13 - Fri 26 Apr, Severn Val- North Shropshire ley Railway, Bewdley, Nr ANIMAL EASTER TRAIL Help the Easter Pohela Boishakh - Birmingham Town Hall Kidderminster Bunny find all his animal friends, Sat EASTER DINO EGG HUNT The Easter 13 - Sun 28 Apr, RAF Cosford, Nr 28 Apr, Shakespeare's Birthplace, sale, Sun 14 Apr, NEC, Birmingham Bunny doesn't visit Thinktank, but the Wolverhampton Stratford-Upon-Avon POHELA BOISHAKH Join members of Easter dinosaurs do, and they’ve left EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA Take along EASTER ADVENTURE QUEST Join the Birmingham’s Bangladeshi commu- large dino eggs hidden around the your little eggsplorers and help the hunt for dragon eggs, Sat 13 - Sun 28 nity in a colourful celebration of Po- museum, Sat 13 - Sun 28 Apr, Think- onsite Easter Bunny follow the trail of Apr, Kenilworth Castle hela Boishakh, the Bangla New Year, tank Science Museum, Birmingham gigantic Easter eggs around the park EASTER ADVENTURE QUEST Crack the Sun 14 Apr, Birmingham Town Hall EASTER EGG HUNT Help Ruby the Cas- and earn a chocolatey treat, Sat 13 - clues as you and your family follow MYTHICAL BEASTS & FANTASTIC CREA- tle Dragon find her eggs, Sat 13 - Sun Sun 28 Apr, West Midland Safari and the trail around the site, Sat 13 - Sun TURES Event ‘taking inspiration from 28 Apr, Tamworth Castle Leisure Park, Bewdley, Nr Kiddermin- 28 Apr, Witley Court, Great Witley, the mythical beasts and fantastic ster EGG-CITING EASTER CELEBRATIONS Find Worcestershire creatures depicted around the grand out about the weird and wonderful EASTER HOLIDAY FUN Enjoy a whole TOY COLLECTORS FAIR Explore over old mansion’, Sun 14 Apr, Aston Hall, practices of the past, from egg danc- host of activities across Shake- 500 stalls packed with all kinds of col- Birmingham speare's family homes, Sat 13 - Sun lectable toys, trains and models for

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thelist The Glee Club, B’ham Albert’s Shed, Shrews- TOMMY SANDHU, ESHAN AKBAR, HYDE Gigs EDENS CURSE + MOB bury Classical PANASER & WILL E ROBO Sun 21 Apr, RULES + DEGREED Wed THE TIN TINS REUNION The Glee Club, Birmingham THE DRIFTERS Mon 15 17 Apr, Eleven, Sandy- Fri 19 Apr, Hare & Apr, Wolverhampton ford, Stoke-on-Trent Hounds, Birmingham Music Grand Theatre RUMOURS OF FLEET- 40 YEARS OF 2-TONE Fri COLLABRO Mon 15 Apr, Symphony SAVOY BROWN FEATUR- WOOD MAC Wed 17 - 19 Apr, The Robin, Bil- Hall, Birmingham ING KIM SIMMONDS Thurs 18 Apr, Birming- ston ENSEMBLE 360 Programme includes Theatre Mon 15 Apr, The ham Town Hall works by Mahler, Strauss & Brahms, INTO THE SHADOWS Fri FAME THE MUSICAL Jorgie Porter, Robin, Bilston Mon 15 Apr, New Vic Theatre, New- THE STORY OF GUITAR 19 Apr, Theatre On Keith Jack & Mica Paris star in the LONA + THE COLLIER castle-under-Lyme HEROES Thurs 18 Apr, The Steps, Bridgnorth, 30th anniversary production of the Mon 15 Apr, The Sug- Stafford Gatehouse South Shropshire LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH hit show, Mon 15 - Sat 20 Apr, Re- armill, Stoke-On-Trent Theatre MANOWAR Fri 19 - Sat DAVID HARDIE Mon 15 Apr, Birming- gent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent BACK TO THE FUTURE IN ham Cathedral GEKO Thurs 18 Apr, O2 20 Apr, O2 Academy, AN EVENING WITH ERIC AND ERN CONCERT Tues 16 Apr, Institute, Birmingham Birmingham CARDUCCI STRING QUARTET Pro- Homage to British comedy’s best- Symphony Hall, Birm- MERCURY Thurs 18 WALK RIGHT BACK - THE gramme includes works by Mozart, loved double act, Wed 17 Apr, The ingham Apr, The Alexandra STORY OF THE EVERLY Borodin & Britten, Tues 16 Apr, The Old Rep, Birmingham NINA NESBITT Tues 16 Gateway, Shrewsbury Theatre, Birmingham BROTHERS Sat 20 Apr, ART GARFUNKEL: AN EVENING OF SONG Apr, O2 Institute, Birm- JOE JACKSON Thurs 18 Theatre Severn, COLLABRO Tues 16 Apr, Wolverhamp- AND STORIES Featuring Simon & Gar- ingham Apr, O2 Institute, Birm- Shrewsbury ton Grand Theatre funkel classics and solo hits, plus ex- SILENT RIVAL Tues 16 ingham THE COUNTERFEIT CZECH NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHES- tracts from Art’s new autobiography, Apr, Hare & Hounds, EDEN'S CURSE Thurs 18 STONES Sat 20 Apr, TRA: BACK TO THE FUTURE Tues 18 Wed 17 Apr, Symphony Hall, B’ham Birmingham Apr, The Robin, Bilston The Robin, Bilston Apr, Symphony Hall, Birmingham ANNIE Amateur staging presented by MIKE TRAMP & HIS VICTORIES AT SEA Thurs GIGSPANNER Sat 20 PIXAR IN CONCERT A brand-new ver- Tamworth Musical Theatre Com- BAND Tues 16 Apr, The 18 Apr, Hare & Apr, Lichfield Guildhall sion of Pixar In Concert celebrating pany, Wed 17 - Sat 20 Apr, Tamworth Robin, Bilston Hounds, Birmingham MATT FORD'S SING SING the most memorable moments from Assembly Rooms, Staffs FETTY WAP Tues 16 Pixar films, Thurs 18 Apr, Symphony YOUNG MARCO Thurs SWING! Sat 20 Apr, TRUMP THE MUSICAL Join Blowfish Apr, O2 Academy, Hall, Birmingham 18 Apr, Hare & Lichfield Garrick Theatre for an evening of ‘raucous Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham SLIPMOWT Sat 20 Apr, THE TETRA TRIO Programme includes comedy, original music and one truly ONE ACEN Tues 16 Apr, works by J.S Bach, Dohnanyi & awful wig’, Wed 17 - Mon 22 Apr, Old FLEETWOOD MAC - Eleven, Sandyford, O2 Institute, B’ham Beethoven, Thurs 18 Apr, St Mary’s, Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham DON’T STOP Thurs 18 Stoke-On-Trent Lichfield THE BILLY WALTON BAND Apr, The River Rooms, MIGHTY VIPERS Sat 20 THE LONG WALK BACK The epic story Wed 17 Apr, The Stourbridge Apr, Albert's Shed Bar, FREDDY KEMPF IN RECITAL Pro- of cricketer Chris Lewis' catastrophic Robin, Bilston gramme includes works by Chopin fall from grace, Thurs 18 Apr, The MOTORHEADACHE Fri 19 Shrewsbury & Rachmaninov, Thurs 18 Apr, Stoke Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham SET IT OFF Wed 17 Apr, Apr, Eleven, Sandy- LOVE FROM STOUR- Repertory Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent O2 Institute, B’ham ford, Stoke-On-Trent BRIDGE 2019 Sat 20 - AN EVENING WITH ERIC AND ERN GOOD FRIDAY ST MATTHEW PASSION Homage to British comedy’s best- GIRLI + ASHNIKKO + BELIEVE: THE CHER Sun 21 Apr, O2 Insti- Featuring Ex Cathedra Choir and loved double act, Thurs 18 Apr, The- LILAC NOISE Wed 17 SONGBOOK Fri 19 Apr, tute, Birmingham Baroque Orchestra and Jeffrey Skid- atre Severn, Shrewsbury Apr, The Sugarmill, Lichfield Garrick LITTLE MIX EXPERIENCE more (conductor). Programme in- Stoke-On-Trent Sun 21 Apr, Victoria THE WEST COAST EA- cludes Bach, Fri 19 Apr, Symphony Hall, Stoke-on-Trent STEFFLON DON Wed 17 GLES Fri 19 Apr, Lich- Hall, Birmingham Apr, O2 Institute, Birm- field Guildhall THE NIGHTINGALES Sun ingham MONSTER TRUCK Fri 19 21 Apr, Newhampton GET THE BLESSING Wed Apr, O2 Academy, Arts Centre, Wolver- 17 Apr, Hare & Birmingham hampton Hounds, Birmingham MIDGE URE Fri 19 Apr, PRINCE: A TRIBUTE Sun Comedy VANT WED 17 Apr, Hare Stafford Gatehouse 21 Apr, Hare & & Hounds, B’ham Theatre Hounds, Birmingham TOADALLY FREE COMEDY Mon 15 Apr, The Blue Orange Theatre, B’ham LOWKEY Wed 17 Apr, SKABURST Fri 19 Apr, KING PLEASURE AND THE BISCUIT BOYS Sun DEMETRI MARTIN Wed 17 Apr, The WIFI WARS World-record-breaking 21 Apr, Lichfield Guild- Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham live comedy gameshow with which hall the entire audience play along, SUSIE MCCABE, TOM WARD & COMEDY Thurs 18 Apr, Midlands Arts Centre, DROPKICK MURPHYS CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Birmingham Sun 21 Apr, O2 Thurs 18 Apr, The Glee Club, B’ham Academy, Birmingham KEVIN QUANTUM: AND FOR MY NEXT LOL COMEDY CLUB Fri 19 Apr, The TRICK Fast-paced show fusing DEFINITELY MIGHT BE + Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton sketch comedy, magic & science, ADORED Sun 21 Apr, SUSIE MCCABE, TOM WARD, BEN NOR- Thurs 18 Apr, The Brewhouse Arts The Robin, Bilston RIS & RICH WILSON Fri 19 - Sat 20 Centre, Burton-upon-Trent MOTT THE HOOPLE Sun Apr, The Glee Club, Birmingham FIRST AID A Comedy Theatre Group 21 Apr, Symphony DAN NIGHTINGALE, AL BARRIE, SIMON present a ‘fast, farcical, funny and Hall, Birmingham WOZNIAK & DAMION LARKIN Sat 20 heartwarming’ play from local author GEORGE MICHAEL - RAN- Apr, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Laura Liptrot, Thurs 18 - Fri 19 Apr, DALL BUTLER Sun 21 HAYLEY ELLIS, KEITH FARNAN, JENNY The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster Apr, The River Rooms, COLLIER & TUDUR OWEN Sat 20 Apr, JEKYLL & HYDE Evan Placey's reimag- Stourbridge The Comedy Loft, Birmingham ining of Robert Louis Stevenson's SONIC BOOM Sun 21 COMEDY IN THE MET Sat 20 Apr, classic horror, Thurs 18 - Sat 27 Apr, Apr, Albert's Shed Bar, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre The REP, Birmingham Shrewsbury BOX OF FROGS COMEDY Sun 21 Apr, REVEALED: A MENOLOGUES PRODUC- Mott The Hoople - Symphony Hall, Birmingham The Glee Club, Birmingham TION New play from The Red Earth 60 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Wolverhampton 15 - 21 April.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 15:02 Page 2

Monday 15 - Sunday 21 April

Collective and Rites of Passage Pro- The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham ductions, written by Daniel Anderson THE WIZARD OF OZ It’s time to click and directed by Jay Crutchley, Fri 19 your heels together as Shone Pro- Apr, Midlands Arts Centre, B’ham ductions take you over the rainbow, LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL Ama- Fri 19 - Sat 20 Apr, Oakengates The- teur staging presented by Get Your atre at The Place, Telford, Shropshire Wigle On, Fri 19 - Sat 20 Apr, Theatre ZOG Based on Julia Donaldson & Axel Severn, Shrewsbury Schefler’s larger-than-life creation, Fri 19 - Mon 22 Apr, Birmingham Town Hall ANIMALCOLM THE MUSICAL David Bad- diel's new musical comedy for Cabaret younger audiences, fusing physical theatre, puppetry & storytelling, Sat TINA T'URNER TEA LADY'S STEAMY 20 - Sun 21 Apr, Midlands Arts Cen- BINGO An evening celebrating bingo, tre, Birmingham music, tea and laughter, as Tina spins her cage of balls to a high-energy ’80s soundtrack, Thurs 18 Apr, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham WILDVIXEN’S LEGENDS CHALLENGE EX- TRAVAGANZA! Celebration of the world Dance of burlesque & cabaret, Sat 20 Apr, REMEMBERING THE MOVIES Strictly's The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham very own Aljaz and Janette are back on tour with a brand new show, Wed 17 Apr, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury BURN THE FLOOR Combining ‘jaw- Kevin Quantum: And Now dropping choreography & ground For My Next Trick Kids Shows breaking moves’. Strictly winner Kevin Clifton stars, Sun 21 Apr, The The Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent, Thurs 18 April WOW! IT'S NIGHT-TIME Little Angel The- Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham atre present an enchanting show for Laugh-out-loud moments, brain-blowing illusions and some truly younger audiences, based on Tim remarkable feats of mental ability are very much on the cards Hopgood's popular children's book, when this family-friendly extravaganza comes to town. So Mon 15 Apr, Newhampton Arts Cen- promises star-of-the-show Kevin Quantum, whose description of tre, Wolverhampton Talks himself as a ‘magician-scientist hybrid’ provides the first clue THE BOY AND THE MERMAID Join three SPOKEN WORD: TARIK ROSS-CAMERON (well, maybe the second, after the surname Quantum) that this shanty-singing fishermen as they Poet and performer Tarik presents will be no ordinary magic show. And if you fancy a turn in the weave a fishy tale of musical merfolk, work dealing with the personal and showbiz spotlight yourself, then book your ticket now, as Kevin menacing monsters and spectacu- the social, Tues 16 Apr, Arena The- larly bad town planning, Mon 15 Apr, atre, Wolverhampton will be enlisting assistance from a staggering 15-plus audience Midlands Arts Centre, B’ham members during the course of the evening’s entertainment. Who THE WIZARD OF OZ Get Your Wigle knows, it might just be your lucky night... On's young stars perform the one-act Wizard Of Oz: Young Performers Edi- tion, Mon 15 - Wed 17 Apr, Theatre Eva Melander, Eero Milonoff. Foreign (15) Documentary. Stoke Film The- Severn, Shrewsbury Film language, subtitled. Stoke Film The- atre, Fri 19 Apr atre, Tues 16 Apr MILKSHAKE LIVE! MONKEY’S MUSICAL INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: CAPTAIN MARVEL (12a) Adventure/Sci- Interactive production for children, WHAT THEY HAD (15) Drama. Starring Fi. Starring Brie Larson, Gemma A STAR IS BORN (15) Musical/Drama. Hilary Swank, Michael Shannon. Chan. Festival Drayton Centre, Mar- based on the hit Channel Five show, Starring Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga. Wed 17 Apr, Prince Of Wales Centre, Wem Town Hall, North Shropshire, ket Drayton, Shropshire, Fri 19 Apr Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Mon Tues 16 - Thurs 18 Apr Cannock 15 Apr MARY POPPINS RETURNS (U) KATIE & PIP Tin Can People celebrate FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF Family/Fantasy. Starring Emily Blunt, STAN & OLLIE (15) Biography/Comedy. GRINDELWALD (12a) Family/Fantasy. Lin-Manuel Miranda. Ludlow Assem- the relationship between Katie - a Starring John C. Reilly, Shirley Hen- Type 1 diabetic teenager - and Pip, Starring Eddie Redmayne, Katherine bly Rooms, South Shropshire, Fri 19 derson. Stourbridge Town Hall, Mon Waterston. Mitchell Arts Centre, Apr her pet border collie, trained by Katie 15 Apr to save her life on a daily basis, Thurs Stoke-on-Trent, Wed 17 Apr THE LEGO MOVIE 2: THE SECOND PART HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HID- 18 Apr, Arena Theatre, Wolverhamp- OLIVER! (U) Family/Musical. Starring (PG) Animation/Adventure. With the DEN WORLD (PG) ton Family/Fantasy. With Mark Lester, Ron Moody. Lichfield voices of Chris Pratt, Alison Brie. the voices of Gerard Butler, Cate TOM THUMB Lyngo Theatre brings this Garrick, Wed 17 Apr Wem Town Hall, North Shropshire, Blanchett. Festival Drayton Centre, Sat 20 & Tues 23 Apr Brothers Grimm tale to life with feath- Market Drayton, North Shropshire, TEEN TITANS GO! TO THE MOVIES (PG) ery spinning birds, a flying house and Mon 15 Apr Animation/Comedy. With the voices a portable forest, Thurs 18 Apr, of Greg Cipes, Scott Menville. Forest ISLE OF DOGS (PG) NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Animation/Adven- Arts Centre, Walsall, Wed 17 Apr ture. With the voices of Bryan Released from Fri 19 Apr, showing at BEN AND HOLLY'S LITTLE KINGDOM Cranston, Koyu Rankin. Forest Arts SMALLFOOT (PG) Animation/Comedy. selected cinemas ‘Magical musical adventure packed Centre, Walsall, Tues 16 Apr With the voices of Channing Tatum, full of songs, games & laughter’, Fri James Corden. Forest Arts Centre, GRETA (15) THE GUARDIANS (15) 19 - Sat 20 Apr, Wolverhampton Drama/War. Star- Walsall, Wed 17 Apr HEAD FULL OF HONEY (tbc) Grand Theatre ring Nathalie Baye, Laura Smet. For- eign language, subtitled. Stafford BENJAMIN (15) Comedy. Starring Colin LORO (18) ALIENS LOVE UNDERPANTS Expect Gatehouse Theatre, Tues 16 Apr Morgan, Anna Chancellor. Stoke Film RED JOAN (12a) madcap action, original music and Theatre, Thurs 18 Apr BORDER (15) Drama/Fantasy. Starring plenty of laughs, Fri 19 - Sat 20 Apr, BEING FRANK: THE CHRIS SIEVEY STORY whatsonlive.co.uk 61 The List Wolverhampton 15 - 21 April.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 15:02 Page 3

62 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Wolverhampton 15 - 21 April.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 15:02 Page 4

thelist Monday 15 - Sunday 21 April plant pot, fill it with some Blakesley garden soil and plant a seed in it, Events Tues 16 Apr, Blakesley Hall, B’ham MINI MOTORISTS Activity morning for ZOO CLUB Featuring activities suitable under-fives, allowing them to dis- for children aged between eight and cover, through play, the world's 14, all themed around animals, largest collection of historic British wildlife, nature and zoos, Tues 16 - cars, Mon 15 Apr, British Motor Mu- Thurs 18 Apr, Drayton Manor Theme seum, Gaydon, Warwickshire Park, Tamworth PUT AN EASTER BONNET ON IT! Design LITTLE SKIPPERS - EASTER FUN Featur- your own Easter-themed headwear ing activities and a boat trip, Tues 16 using mainly recycled materials, Mon - Thurs 18 Apr, Dudley Canal and 15 Apr, The Hive, Shrewsbury Tunnel Trust FLORAL TILE DECORATING Create your CRAFT ACTIVITY - CLAY ANIMALS Make own floral-themed designs at these a clay animal inspired by your family drop-in tile workshops, Mon 15 favourite Beatrix Potter character, - Fri 19 Apr, Jackfield Tile Museum, Tues 16 - Thurs 18 Apr, The Potteries Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts Ironbridge, Shropshire Museum & Art Gallery, Hanley, Stoke- Attingham Park, Shrewsbury, Sat 13 - Sun 14 April & Fri 19 - Mon 22 EASTER HOLIDAY FAMILY CRAFT ACTIVI- on-Trent April; Wightwick Manor, Wolverhampton, Fri 19 - Mon 22 April; TIES - EASTER MACHINES Make some PUPPET & MAGIC SHOW Treasure Trove Dudmaston Estate, Bridgnorth, Shropshire, Fri 19 - Mon 22 April; eggstremely marvellous machines, Puppet Company present traditional Sunnycroft, Wellington, Fri 19 - Sun 22 April; Moseley Old Hall, Mon 15 - Fri 19 Apr, Coventry Trans- Easter tales using hand-carved pup- Wolverhampton, Fri 19 - Mon 22 April; Birmingham Back to Backs, port Museum pets, Tues 16 - Wed 24 Apr, The Fri 19 - Mon 22 April; Powis Castle & Gardens, Welshpool, Fri 19 - Mon 22 April NIMROD TOURS Step on board the British Ironwork Centre, Oswestry, Nimrod XV249 and learn about its in- North Shropshire Who better to organise an Easter egg hunt (or several) than those telligence-gathering role in the Royal YOUNG ARCHAEOLOGISTS' AND CURA- lovely people at Cadbury? The chocolate-making Birmingham Air Force, Mon 15 - Sun 28 Apr, RAF TORS' CLUB Find out how the cast iron company are this Easter coordinating more than 250 hunts at Na- Cosford, Nr Wolverhampton houses will be dismantled and re- tional Trust properties across the UK. built in a different location on the mu- seum site, Wed 17 Apr, Black Country And there’s plenty more for families to enjoy on their fun-filled Living Museum, Dudley day out, with many of the venues offering ‘games and craft activi- THE COALBROOKDALE ARCHIVES LEC- ties galore’. TURE 2019 A talk by the Ironbridge In- What’s more, all participants will be rewarded with a sure-to-be- ternational Institute for Cultural delicious Cadbury treat at the end of each completed hunt. Heritage’s Dr Roger White about the excavations of a Saxon wooden palace, Wed 17 Apr, Coalbrookdale EASTER CROWN CRAFT ACTIVITY AT ence to celebrate the patron saint of Museum of Iron, Ironbridge, Shrop- BLAKESLEY HALL Make your own England, Sat 20 Apr, Tamworth Castle shire unique Easter crown covered with EASTER EGG HUNT Meet the Easter BEASTER BUGS WITH WILD CRAFTIST animals, Thurs 18 Apr, Blakesley Hall, EASTER BUNNY GROTTO Walk through Bunny and award-winning clown Bib- Make your very own BEaster Bug in Birmingham bledy Bob, Sun 21 Apr, Birmingham this drop-in session, Tues 16 Apr, At- the enchanted wood and hunt for PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP Work with Botanical Gardens tingham Park, Shrewsbury golden eggs to exchange for choco- latey treats in the Easter Bunny’s bur- professional photographers and get ASTON IN WONDERLAND: CELEBRATING SPRING SOUNDS WORKSHOP Make row, Wed 17 - Fri 19 Apr, The British advice on cameras and taking better NATIONAL TEA DAY Meet lots of your music and write & record songs with Ironwork Centre, Oswestry, North photos, Thurs 18 Apr, The Hive, favourite storybook characters, in- professional musicians in this special Shropshire Shrewsbury cluding Alice, the Mad Hatter and the masterclass, Tues 16 Apr, The Hive, EASTER EGG DECORATION - FAMILY angry Queen, Sun 21 Apr, Aston Hall, Shrewsbury WIFI WARS World-record-breaking live comedy game show in which the en- WORKSHOP Traditional Easter crafts, Birmingham POTTING SHED SUNFLOWERS CRAFT AC- tire audience play along!, Thurs 18 including egg-decoration, Thurs 18 TIVITY Decorate and make your own Apr, Midlands Arts Centre, B’ham Apr, Black Country Living Museum, Dudley PLANT HUNTERS’ FAIR Traditionally grown plants for every type of gar- den, Fri 19 Apr, Whittington Castle, North Shropshire NATURE EXPLORERS Explore the great outdoors and learn about the natural world, Fri 19 Apr, Sarehole Mill, Hall Green, Birmingham INSOMNIA64 Weekend of non-stop gaming including a cosplay masquer- ade, Fri 19 - Mon 22 Apr, NEC, B’ham EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA Featuring an exclusive stage show starring Mr PLANT HUNTERS’ FAIR Traditionally Cadbury's Parrot, Fri 19 - Mon 22 Apr, grown plants for every type of gar- Cadbury World, Birmingham den, Sun 21 - Mon 22 Apr, The THE GREAT EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANA! Dorothy Clive Garden, Willough- Find the Birds of Arley’s eggs, Fri 19 - bridge, Clive, North Shropshire Sun 28 Apr, Arley Arboretum, Upper EASTER MOTOR SHOW Featuring a dis- Arley, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster play of vintage, classic and modern ST. GEORGE’S DAY Medieval experi- classic vehicles, Sun 21 - Mon 22 Insomnia64 - NEC, Birmingham Apr, Weston Park, Staffs whatsonlive.co.uk 63 The List Wolverhampton 22 - 30 April.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 10:34 Page 1

thelist Birmingham 27 Apr, Foxlowe Arts DAMIAN CLARK & DAVE FULTON Fri 26 - Gigs THE BLINDERS Fri 26 Centre, Staffordshire Classical Sat 27 Apr, The Glee Club, B’ham Apr, O2 Institute, Birm- GOOD TO GO Sat 27 Apr, TROY HAWKE, MANDY KNIGHT, SEAN RUFUS WAINWRIGHT ingham Albert’s Shed, Shrews- PERCIVAL & FREDDY QUINNE Sat 27 Mon 22 Apr, Sym- Music CHRIS BARBER BAND Fri bury Apr, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham phony Hall, B’ham ALUMNI CHOIR 26 Apr, New Vic The- NEWGRASS CUTTERS Sun 22 Apr, Lichfield NOREEN KHAN, SHAZIA MIRZA, GLENDA Cathedral DAVE Mon 22 Apr, O2 atre, Newcastle-under- Sat 27 Apr, Theatre JAXSON & MAUREEN YOUNGER Sun 28 Academy, Birmingham Lyme Severn, Shrewsbury A CELEBRATION OF BRITISH FOLK Apr, The Slade Rooms, Wolverhamp- CIRCA WAVES Tues 23 FRED ZEPPELIN Fri 26 KATHERINE JENKINS Sat SONGS WITH TRINITY BOYS CHOIR Wed ton Apr, O2 Institute, Birm- Apr, The Robin, Bilston 27 Apr, Symphony 24 Apr, Lichfield Cathedral ingham MICHAEL ENGLISH WITH Hall, Birmingham CBSO: MAHLER'S NINTH Featuring Ilan KORNASTONE WITH SPE- SPECIAL GUEST BREN- WALK RIGHT BACK - THE Volkov (conductor) and CBSO. Pro- CIAL GUEST JASMINE DAN SHINE Fri 26 Apr, STORY OF THE EVERLY gramme includes Klein and Mahler, RODGERS Tues 23 Apr, Birmingham Town Hall BROTHERS Sun 28 Apr, Thurs 25 Apr, Symphony Hall, Birm- Newhampton Arts ingham Theatre GO NOW! THE MUSIC OF Regent Theatre, Centre, Wolverhamp- ROTTERDAM Jon Brittain's bittersweet THE MOODY BLUES Fri Stoke-on-Trent BRUCKNER’S STRING QUINTET Featur- ton ing Philip Brett & Charlotte Skinner comedy about gender, sexuality and 26 Apr, Festival Dray- ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE being a long way from home, Mon CHARLIE LANDSBOR- (vocals), Christopher Yates & Cather- ton Centre, Market Sun 28 Apr, Wolver- 22 - Wed 24 Apr, Wolverhampton OUGH: THE FAREWELL ine Bower (violas) & Eduardo Vas- Drayton, North Shrop- hampton Grand The- Grand Theatre TOUR Wed 24 Apr, shire atre sallo (cello). Programme comprises Prince Of Wales Cen- Bruckner’s String Quintet in F, Thurs MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL Cheryl Fer- THE PHONICS - STEREO- MARTHA Sun 28 Apr, tre, Cannock 25 Apr, CBSO Centre, Birmingham gison, Maureen Nolan, Rebecca PHONICS TRIBUTE Fri 26 Hare & Hounds, Birm- Wheatley and Hilary O’Neil star in a CARA DILLON Wed 24 CBSO: BEST OF BOND Featuring Apr, The River Rooms, ingham ‘hilarious’ celebration of women and Apr, Symphony Hall, Stephen Bell (conductor) and Lance Stourbridge GREATEST HITS OF MO- ‘the change’, Tues 23 - Wed 24 Apr, Birmingham Ellington & Anna-Jane Casey (vocal- JERAMIAH FERRARI Fri TOWN Sun 28 Apr, The ists), Fri 26 Apr, Symphony Hall, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury DARYL HALL & JOHN 26 Apr, Albert's Shed Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham WE'VE GOT EACH OTHER ‘The almost OATES Wed 24 Apr, Re- Bar, Shrewsbury Birmingham entirely imagined Bon Jovi musical’, sorts World Arena, HEBRIDES ENSEMBLE Featuring Zoë THE NAT KING COLE THE DRIFTERS Sun 28 Tues 23 - Sat 27 Apr, The REP, Birm- Birmingham Beyers (violin), William Conway SONGBOOK Sat 27 Apr, Apr, Forest Arts Cen- (cello) & Philip Moore (piano). Pro- ingham YUNG FUME Wed 24 Prince Of Wales Cen- tre, Walsall gramme includes works by Debussy, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Amateur Apr, O2 Academy, tre, Cannock MAISIE PETERS Sun 28 Janacek, Nigel Osborne & Dvorak, production by LTC Youth, Tues 23 - Birmingham RICHARD ASHCROFT Sat Apr, The Sunflower Fri 26 Apr, The Gateway, Shrewsbury Sat 27 Apr, The Brewhouse Arts ELKIE BROOKS IN CON- 27 Apr, O2 Academy, Lounge, Birmingham COLLEGIUM VOCALE MÜNCHEN Pro- Centre, Burton-upon-Trent CERT Thurs 25 Apr, Birmingham M HUNCHO Sun 28 Apr, gramme of a cappella choral music, CHICAGO Amateur staging presented Wolverhampton Grand STRING BAND BOOGIE O2 Institute, B’ham Fri 26 Apr, St Chad’s Cathedral, by Newcastle Operatic Society, Tues Theatre Sat 27 Apr, Newhamp- 'BREAST CANCER NOW' Birmingham 23 - Sat 27 Apr, Stoke Repertory CC SMUGGLERS Thurs ton Arts Centre, WITH PETE BODDIS CONCERT IN THE ROUND Featuring Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent 25 Apr, Newhampton Wolverhampton BAND & FREEWHEELIN' Lloyd Buck (piano), Fri 26 Apr, St JOCK NIGHT Adam Zane’s new play Arts Centre, Wolver- UNDER THE APPLE TREE- BAND Sun 28 Apr, The Chad’s Church, Shrewsbury follows five men as they search for hampton LIVE ON TOUR WITH Robin, Bilston JONATHAN SWENSEN IN CONCERT Pro- love and friendship in a world of sex CARA DILLON Thurs 25 WILDWOOD KIN Sat 27 IDLEWILD Sun 28 Apr, gramme includes works by JS Bach, and drugs. An honest look at the Apr, Theatre Severn, Apr, O2 Institute, Birm- O2 Institute, B’ham Handel, Ravel & Ligeti, Sat 27 Apr, St popularity of chemsex, online dating Shrewsbury ingham apps and HIV stigma, Wed 24 - Sat PAPA ROACH Mon 29 Gile Downton on the Rock, Shrop- TOKEN 27 Apr, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Thurs 25 Apr, DIIO+ SAXONISED DOU- Apr, O2 Academy, shire (SY8 2HU) O2 Academy, B’ham Birmingham BLE HEADLINE Sat 27 Birmingham LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT Pro- SIMONE FELICE Thurs Apr, Eleven, Stoke-On- THAT’LL BE THE DAY Popular rock- DEVIN TOWNSEND Tues gramme includes works by W. H. 25 Apr, Hare & Trent ’n’roll variety production featuring 30 Apr, The Glee Club, Harris, J. Stanley, O. Messiaen, R. Hounds, Birmingham comedy sketches & music from the VIVA LA COLDPLAY Sat Birmingham Binge and M. Durufle, Mon 29 Apr, 1950s, ’60s & ’70s, Thurs 25 Apr, LA VILLA STRANGIATO 27 Apr, Theatre On Birmingham Town Hall KID INK Tues 30 Apr, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Thurs 25 Apr, The The Steps, Bridgnorth, O2 Institute, B’ham NICHOLAS MCCARTHY IN RECITAL Fea- Robin, Bilston South Shropshire turing Nicholas McCarthy (piano). LIPSTICK ON YOUR COLLAR Step back JOSEFIN ÖHRN Tues 30 in time to the golden era of music, TOM PAXTON & THE JAWS Sat 27 Apr, O2 Programme includes Bach, Scriabi Apr, Hare & Hounds, ‘when the jukebox roared and feet DONJUANS Thurs 25 Institute, Birmingham and Rachmaninoff, Tues 30 Apr, Birmingham didn’t touch the floor’, Fri 26 Apr, Apr, Birmingham Town LUTHER Sat 27 Apr, Birmingham Town Hall Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock Hall The Robin, Bilston BLACK HONEY Tues 30 Apr, The Sugarmill, KALI Join storyteller Emily Hen- JESS ROBINSON Fri 25 LEEK SKA FESTIVAL Sat Stoke-On-Trent nessey and sitar player extraordi- Apr, Theatre Severn, naire Sheema Mukherjee for a Shrewsbury ‘white-knuckled tuc-tuc ride through THE CHICAGO BLUES Comedy sun-kissed palaces, fiend-infested BROTHERS Fri 26 Apr, ALFIE BROWN Wed 24 Apr, Henry forests and every cacophonous, saf- Lichfield Garrick Tudor House, Shrewsbury fron-scented marketplace in be- CHRIS BEVINGTON OR- tween’, Fri 26 Apr, Clungunford GEOFF NORCOTT, DAVE FULTON & COM- GANISATION + SUPPORT Parish Hall, Nr Craven Arms, South EDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Fri 26 Apr, Eleven, Shropshire Thurs 25 Apr, The Glee Club, B’ham Stoke-On-Trent BESS THE COMMONER QUEEN Ambi- JETHRO Fri 26 Apr, Wolverhampton THE SPECIALS Fri 26 tious one-woman show presented as Grand Theatre Apr, O2 Academy, a ‘seamless mix of powerful live per- Birmingham JESS ROBINSON Fri 26 Apr, Theatre formance and luscious film shot on Severn, Shrewsbury NEWTON FAULKNER Fri location at Hardwick Hall’, Fri 26 Apr, 26 Apr, O2 Institute, Cara Dillon - Symphony Hall, Birmingham GEOFF NORCOTT & SUZI RUFFELL, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre 64 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Wolverhampton 22 - 30 April.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 10:34 Page 2

Monday 22 - Tuesday 30 April

JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH MINISTRY OF SCIENCE Science show 404 Productions’ ‘exciting new show that comes complete ‘with a bang, a teaches us never to lose our child- whoosh and a hovercraft-built on like curiosity, to look to the future, stage!’ Sat 27 Apr, Lichfield Garrick and that we are who we are because of the journeys we have taken’, Fri 26 - Sat 27 Apr, Arena Theatre, Wolver- hampton PAINTING CLOUDS Theatre that chal- Cabaret lenges perceptions of different cul- tures and questions how fear brings FORBIDDEN NIGHTS Male variety show out the worst in people, Fri 26 - Sun combining ‘superlative circus & acro- 28 Apr, The Crescent Theatre, Birm- batic skills with finely honed ingham physiques’, Fri 26 Apr, Oakengates PRISON GAME One-man physical the- Theatre @The Place, Telford atre performance that shows how TRES TRES CABARET Evening of prison can define a man, Sat 27 Apr, cheeky decadence, Sat 27 Apr, The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham Stafford Gatehouse Theatre SHEILA'S MHS 6 'CONTROL' Sheila McMahon combines humour and the subject of mental health to show her Bess The Commoner Queen audience why life is too serious to be Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Fri 26 April taken seriously... Sat 27 Apr, Lichfield Garrick A one-woman show described as ‘a female story of survival and MONOLOGUESLAM MASTER CLASS Work- Dance astonishing business success in the brutal world of Elizabethan shop for anyone considering audi- SWAN LAKE Presented by Ballet The- politics’, Bess The Commoner Queen is performed by interna- tioning for MonologueSlam UK, Sat atre UK, Thurs 25 Apr, The Crescent tional soprano and actress Michelle Todd. Penned by Kevin Fegan 27 Apr, The REP, Birmingham Theatre, Birmingham - a Coronation Street writer with whom Michelle spent her school DES O'CONNOR & JIMMY TARBUCK Two BALLET CENTRAL Sat 27 Apr, The Cres- days in Mansfield - it tells the story of Bess of Hardwick, a Der- iconic performers on one stage, Sat cent Theatre, Birmingham byshire farmer's daughter who rose to become the richest woman 27 Apr, Wolverhampton Grand The- SHAKE THAT THING: THE GREAT BRITISH of her day. She also managed, simultaneously, to be lady-in-wait- atre SWING DANCE SHOW Dance show fea- ing to Elizabeth I and confidante to Mary Queen of Scots, whom STARMAKER Showcase of work from turing music, song and dance from Shrewsbury’s Footlights Dance the Roaring ’20s and Fabulous ’30s, Bess and her fourth husband, the Earl of Shrewsbury, kept under School, Sat 27 Apr, Theatre Severn, including the charleston, the lindy- ‘house-arrest’ for more than 15 years until Mary’s execution. Shrewsbury hop, the black bottom and more, Sun Premiered in 2017, the play has been generally well received by HOW SWEET IT IS - THE GREATEST HITS 28 Apr, Birmingham Town Hall theatre critics and features some cleverly integrated film se- OF MOTOWN Sun 28 Apr, The Alexan- BURN THE FLOOR Combining ‘jaw- quences. dra Theatre, Birmingham dropping choreography & ground HAIR Fiftieth anniversary production breaking moves’. Strictly winner of the legendary rock musical, star- Kevin Clifton stars, Mon 29 Apr, Re- voices of Chris Pratt, Alison Brie. Fes- ring Jake Quickenden, Daisy Wood- gent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent tival Drayton Centre, Market Drayton, Events Davis & Marcus Collins, Mon 29 Apr - North Shropshire, Tues 23 Apr Sat 4 May, The Alexandra Theatre, GREEN BOOK (PG) Biography/Comedy. ST GEORGE AND THE DRAGON EGG HUNT Birmingham Starring Viggo Mortensen, Maher- Help St George track down the shala Ali. Wem Town Hall, North dragon's eggs, Mon 22 Apr, Sarehole CLUB TROPICANA - THE MUSICAL Joe Mill, Hall Green, Birmingham McElderry, Neil McDermott, Kate Talks Shropshire, Tues 23 & Thurs 25 Apr Robbins, Emily Tierney & Amelle MARY POPPINS RETURNS (U) EASTER HALF TERM Featuring an Berrabah star in this ‘ultimate holiday ANT MIDDLETON: MIND OVER MUSCLE Family/Fantasy. Starring Emily Blunt, Easter bonnet parade, arts & crafts, a musical’ homage to the 1980s, Mon Television presenter, adventurer and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Mitchell Arts bouncy castle and award-winning 29 Apr - Sat 4 May, Wolverhampton former soldier Ant takes his audience Centre, Stoke-on-Trent, Wed 24 Apr clown Bibbledy Bob, Mon 22 - Fri 26 on a motivational journey of self-help Apr, Birmingham Botanical Gardens Grand Theatre DISOBEDIENCE (15) Drama. Starring and self-discovery, Tues 23 Apr, Sym- FLORAL TILE DECORATING Create your THE FULL MONTY Amateur staging pre- phony Hall, Birmingham Rachel Weisz, Rachel McAdams. sented by Musical Theatre Stafford, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South own floral-themed designs at these Tues 30 Apr - Sat 4 May, Stafford POETS, PRATTLERS & PANDEMONIALISTS Shropshire, Fri 26 Apr drop-in family workshops, Mon 22 - Gatehouse Theatre An evening of poetry, storytelling & Fri 26 Apr, Jackfield Tile Museum, spoken word, Tues 30 Apr, Arena HAPPY END (15) Drama. Starring Is- Ironbridge, Shropshire Theatre, Wolverhampton abelle Huppert, Jean-Louis Trintig- nant. Foreign language, subtitled. CREATURE KITES CRAFT ACTIVITY AT The Hive, Shrewsbury, Fri 26 Apr BLAKESLEY HALL Craft your own fairy and dragon kite, Tues 23 Apr, A STAR IS BORN (15) Musical/Drama. Blakesley Hall, Birmingham Starring Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga. Kids Shows LITTLE SKIPPERS - EASTER FUN Featur- BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Kerry Katona Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, South Shropshire, Mon 29 Apr ing activities and a boat trip, Tues 23 stars as the Atomic Fairy alongside Film - Thurs 25 Apr, Dudley Canal and Basil Brush, Lauren Platt & Tricia Pen- CHRISTOPHER ROBIN (PG) Tunnel Trust rose, Tues 23 Apr, Prince Of Wales INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Animation/Comedy. Starring Ewan CRAFT ACTIVITY - SPRING HATS Make a Centre, Cannock THE RIDER (15) Drama/Western. Star- McGregor, Hayley Atwell. Forest Arts Centre, Walsall, Tues 30 Apr spring hat inspired by the Secret Gar- ELMER THE PATCHWORK ELEPHANT ring Brady Jandreau, Mooney. den, Tues 23 - Thurs 25 Apr, The Pot- Colourful show for younger audi- Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Tues 23 THE AFTERMATH (15) Drama/War. Star- teries Museum & Art Gallery, Hanley, ences celebrating individuality and Apr ring Keira Knightley, Alexander Skars- Stoke-on-Trent the power of laughter, Thurs 25 Apr, gård. Wem Town Hall, Shropshire, THE LEGO MOVIE 2: THE SECOND PART YOUNG ARCHAEOLOGISTS' AND CURA- Lichfield Garrick (PG) Tues 30 Apr Animation/Adventure. With the TORS' CLUB Find out how the cast iron whatsonlive.co.uk 65 The List Wolverhampton 22 - 30 April.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 10:34 Page 3

thelist Monday 22 - Tuesday 30 April houses will be dismantled and re- MADE IN THE MIDLANDS - GIN EVENING SHAKESPEARE'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRA- parachutes, Sun 28 Apr, Blakesley built in a different location on the mu- WITH THE GINTLEMAN The Midlands’ TIONS A day of live performances, Hall, Birmingham seum site, Wed 24 Apr, Black Country leading Gin Raconteur provides ‘edu- crafts and cake, Sat 27 Apr, Stratford ST GEORGE’S DAY Featuring medieval Living Museum, Dudley cational and fun’ themed tasting, Fri Town Centre reenactment, children’s entertainers, EASTER BUNNY GROTTO Walk through 26 Apr, Black Country Living Mu- THEATRE TOUR Opportunity to explore face painting, crafts and a walkabout the enchanted wood and hunt for seum, Dudley the stage, backstage areas, dressing with Smoked! the Dragon, Sun 28 golden eggs to exchange for choco- NATURE EXPLORERS Explore the great rooms and Front of House whilst Apr, Dudley Zoological Gardens latey treats in the Easter Bunny’s bur- outdoors and learn about the natural learning about the wonderful history row, Wed 24 - Fri 26 Apr, The British world, Fri 26 Apr, Sarehole Mill, Hall of the Grand as it kicks off its 125th Ironwork Centre, Oswestry, North Green, Birmingham Anniversary year, Sat 27 Apr, Wolver- Shropshire ZOO CLUB Featuring activities suitable hampton Grand Theatre BEASTER BUGS WITH WILD CRAFTIST for children aged between eight and KAPOW! Become a super hero for the Make your very own BEaster Bug in 14, all themed around animals, day and take on ten giant inflatable this special drop in-session, Thurs 25 wildlife, nature and zoos, Sat 27 Apr, obstacles around a 5km course, Sat Apr, Attingham Park, Shrewsbury Drayton Manor Theme Park, Tam- 27 Apr, West Midland Showground, PREMIER LEAGUE DARTS 2019 The worth Shrewsbury world number one and the current PLANT HUNTERS’ FAIR Traditionally THE KWIK FIT BRITISH TOURING CAR world champion do battle on the grown plants for every type of gar- CHAMPIONSHIP Triple-header of races, oche, Thurs 25 Apr, Arena B’ham den, Sat 27 Apr, Battlefield 1403 Farm Sat 27 - Sun 28 Apr, Donington Park TUNNEL TEDS Bear-themed fun on and Shop & Cafe, Shrewsbury Racing Circuit, Derby around the canal, Fri 26 Apr, Dudley EDWARDIAN COOKING EXPERIENCE A PJ MASKS VISIT Ride on a heritage Canal and Tunnel Trust day of traditional cookery by the train into the countryside and see PJ SPRING CRAFT FAIR Outdoor market warmth of the range, Sat 27 Apr, Masks' Catboy & Luna Girl, Sat 27 - featuring a variety of crafts to buy, Black Country Living Museum, Dud- Sun 28 Apr, Severn Valley Railway, Sun 28 Apr, Sarehole Mill, Hall Green, ley Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster Birmingham SHAKESPEARE’S BIRTHDAY: KNIGHTS & PLANT HUNTERS’ FAIR Traditionally SEWING THE SIXTIES Join Meridith NYMPHS GARDEN PARTY Dress up as a grown plants for every type of gar- Towne as she delves into her sewing knight or nymph, get your face den, Sun 28 Apr, Cholmondeley Cas- box to present a home dressmaking painted and enjoy family-friendly gar- tle, Whitchurch journey through the 1960s, Sun 28 den games, Sat 27 Apr, Hall's Croft, Apr, The Potteries Museum & Art BLAKESLEY HALL PLAY DAY Build your Gallery, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent Stratford-upon-Avon own den and have fun with

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