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Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands GET STEAMPUNKED AT BLISTS HILL SHROPSHIREWHAT’S JUNE ON 2018 Shropshire ISSUE 390 JUNE 2018 ’ 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

LIONEL RICHIE set to play All The Hits at Montgomery Waters Meadow TWITTER:@WHATSONSHROPS

exploringFOOTBALL the history CRAZY of female football at Theatre Severn FACEBOOK:@WHATSONSHROPSHIRE

FOODIES DELIGHT award-winning festival returns to Shrewsbury’s Quarry Park SHROPSHIREWHATSON.CO.UK Theatre Severn - EYB Cinderella F/P June 2018.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 10:43 Page 1 Contents June Wolves_Shrops_Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 11:34 Page 2

June 2018

Contents

Everything Steampunk - popular festival returns to Ironbridge’s Blists Hill Victorian Town more on page 49

Gaz Coombes Beautiful Creative Rage the list

Supergrass frontman takes The Carole King musical stops Potteries exhibition explores Your 16-page World’s Strongest Man on tour off at Wolverhampton Grand... LGBTQ themes week-by-week listings guide page 15 page 28 page 45 page 51 inside:

4. First Word 11. Food 15. Music 21. Comedy 24. Theatre 41. Film 45. Visual Arts 47. 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 Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 MEDIA GROUP Ellie Hutchings [email protected] 01743 281722 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Katherine Ewing, Jenny Ell, Lauren Cole, Steve Adams, Jack Rolfe, Elly Yates-Roberts, Daisy Sparkle, Carol Lovatt, Steve Taylor, Chris Eldon Lee, Patsy Moss Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717

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Entertainment news from around the region

Artsfest makes a welcome return in Wolverhampton The University of Wolverhampton is this month staging its Artsfest event for a fourth year. Taking place at various venues from Friday 8 to Saturday 30 June, Artsfest is a celebration of the creative and cultural life of the region. The festival brings together performing arts, art & design, film & media and poetry & literature. For more information, visit wlv.ac.uk/Artsfest

College student designs artists have professional development oppor- Festival recognises tunities and enabling more new dance to be new artistic landmark created here. In doing so, we continue to es- #ExtraordinaryWomen The town of Cradley Heath is soon to get a tablish the region’s position as an interna- To mark the women's suffrage centenary, new sculpture, courtesy of a student at tional centre of excellence for dance.” next month’s Lichfield Festival (various nearby Halesowen College. venues, 4 to 14 July) will feature a series of Eighteen-year-old Florence Thompson (pic- shows, concerts and events on the theme of tured) was the winner of a project to create a #ExtraordinaryWomen. representative sculpture of local hardware Titanic show set to sail Highlights include artist-in-residence Jessica manufacturer A Perry & Co (Hinges) Ltd. into Shrewsbury museum Walker’s specially curated cabaret, Soldiers, Florence’s winning design will be brought to A new exhibition about doomed ocean liner Sirens And Suf- life by local artist Phil Bayliss. the Titanic opens at Shrewsbury Museum & fragettes, the Mala- Art Gallery next month. chites Theatre Titanic: Honour & Glory will show at the Company’s suffrage- venue from 2 July to 30 September. inspired reworking of Commenting on the show, Lezley Picton, The Taming Of The Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for cul- Shrew, and Fascinat- ture & leisure, said: “From all cultural and ing Aida star Liza ethnic backgrounds, every age group across Pulman’s homage to the world wishes to delve further into the Ti- Barbra Streisand. tanic’s history and learn more. I can’t wait to For full details of all have a look and relive the voyage, and I’d en- Lichfield Festival courage everyone to visit not just this fasci- events, visit lichfield- nating exhibition, but the fantastic galleries festival.org Local dance organisation throughout the museum.” announces new funding Grease Is The Word at Dance Hub Birmingham has announced that it will provide funding for a number of local Ironbridge’s Blists Hill dance practitioners and companies, in order Ironbridge Gorge’s Blists Hill Victorian Town to further establish the region’s position as is next month hosting an outdoor screening an international centre of excellence for of hit 1978 movie Grease, to celebrate the dance. film’s 40th anniversary. Commenting on the announcement, the or- The movie will be shown on a huge 8mx4m ganisation’s director, Monique Deletant, inflatable screen on Friday 6 July. said: “Dance Hub Birmingham is bringing Viewers will be able to enjoy a Victorian fun- additional investment to the dance sector in fair in the run-up to the 9.30pm screening. the West Midlands, ensuring independent For further details, visit ironbridge.org.uk

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First Word

Plans submitted for new Stafford history centre Plans have been submitted for a multi-million pound history centre in Stafford. The new centre will be located at the William Salt Library, with part of the building being de- molished and replaced with a new three-storey extension. The library’s existing courtyard space will be turned into an ex- hibition space and reception area. Bad Manners at Shrewsbury’s Buttermarket Ska legends and much-loved 1980s pop band Bad Manners will be bringing their Christmas tour to Shrewsbury’s Buttermar- ket. The non-stop party band, whose 12 hit singles include Lip Up Fatty, My Girl Lollipop and Special Brew, appear at the ‘Powerful and flamboyant’ art on show in The Potteries venue on Friday 16 November. Tickets for the gig are now on An exhibition by artists from the LGBTQ community will be on show at the Potteries Museum & Art sale at seetickets.com Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent throughout the summer (until Sunday 2 September). Creative Rage contemplates subjects including the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality and the impact on the gay community of the HIV virus. Contributing artists include Soft Cell singer Mark A classic event Almond. The exhibition contains sexually explicit images and themes of an adult nature, and is not for Father’s Day suitable for people under the age of 18. Trentham Gardens in Stafford- shire is hosting a ‘classic’ day out for car-loving dads to enjoy this Father’s Day (17 June). Wolves pub New play ‘on the ball’ in Wolverhampton The venue will provide a pic- memories? A play about Britain’s obsession with football is visiting Wolverhamp- turesque backdrop for a display Black Country Living ton’s Arena Theatre this month. of more than 1,000 vehicles and Museum would like to Celebrating everything from weird matchday rituals to ridiculous arm- 50-plus car club, trade and auto- hear from people who chair punditry, The Beautiful Game shows at the venue on Wednesday 13 jumble stands. have any pre-1969 Veteran, vintage and classic June. For more information, visit wlv.ac.uk/arena-theatre cars, plus a number of modified memories of the Ele- motors, will also be on display. phant & Castle pub that For more information, visit clas- once stood on the cor- sicmotorshows.co.uk ner of Stafford Street and Cannock Road in Wolverhampton. The museum plans to recreate the fondly re- membered watering hole as part of its ambi- tious new development project, Forging Ahead. Anybody with any rec- ollections to contribute should email collec- [email protected] or call 0121 557 9643. whatsonlive.co.uk 5 First Word Wolverhampton June.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 12:57 Page 3

First Word

Follies festival fun! Lichfield woman Hawkstone Park’s spectacular Fol- lands Lego job lies is this month providing the backdrop for a weekend of live out- door music. Follies Fest takes place from Friday 29 June to Sunday 1 July and opens with The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute. The Voice’s Jolan Gidney- Craigen and X Factor’s Paul Akister A HR administrator from also feature in the line-up, as do Lichfield has landed the cov- tribute acts showcasing the music of eted title of official Master Ed Sheeran, Adele, Take That, Little Model Builder at Birming- Mix and Frankie Valli And The Four ham’s new Legoland Discov- Seasons... For more information, go ery Centre. to hawkstoneparkfollies.co.uk Thirty-seven-year-old Michelle Thompson beat 7,000 other applicants to land the job. As the official Did you see the Circus magic in Newcastle-under-Lyme Master Model Builder, she will construct attraction Fab Four in Outdoor circus extravaganza The Homecoming is returning to Newcas- structures, curate exhibitions tle-under-Lyme for a fifth time. Whitchurch? and mentor children and This year featuring ‘jaw-dropping juggling, cutting-edge Spanish cir- A top tribute band are ap- families in the creation of cus and theatrical tales of the high seas’, the 2018 show coincides with pealing for Shropshire music their own model master- the 250th anniversary of the first modern circus, an entertainment cre- fans to come forward and pieces in the centre’s Cre- ated by the locally born entrepreneur, Philip Astley. share their memories of see- ative Workshop. The Homecoming takes place in the town on Saturday 30 June. ing The Beatles in For more information about the show, visit appetitestoke.co.uk Whitchurch in 1963. The Mersey Beatles will play Music festival is Whitchurch Civic Centre in just Supersonic! November, as part of a UK Europe’s largest Eid celebration is back An experimental music and tour that sees them perform- Europe’s largest celebration of Eid returns to Birmingham’s Small arts event is making a return ing at venues which hosted Heath Park this month. to Birmingham this month. Fab Four concerts during the Now in its eighth year, Eid In The Park is expected to attract an esti- Supersonic Festival was first era of Beatlemania. mated 150,000 visitors when it held in the city in 2003 and As part of their gig, the band takes place on either Thursday brings together live perfor- would like to feature local the 14th or Friday the 15th of June mance with visual art, audi- people’s memories of The (depending on the new moon). ence participation and kids’ Beatles’ Whitchurch show. The date will be formally an- gigs. This year’s event takes Anybody with any stories to nounced on Wednesday 13 June. place in Digbeth from Friday tell should email: merseybea- For more information, visit cele- 22 to Sunday 24 June. [email protected] brateeid.co.uk For more information, visit Tom Gates live! supersonicfestival.com Birmingham Stage Company will next year tour a brand Midlands dance-circus company new production inspired by becomes part of the furniture author and illustrator Liz Pi- Midlands dance-circus company Motionhouse has joined forces with chon’s award-winning Tom furniture manufacturer Vitsœ to pioneer ‘a vibrant working commu- Gates books. nity’ in the latter’s new production building in Leamington Spa. The new show, written espe- The two companies are ‘uniting arts and business in one inspirational cially for the stage, visits space’ with the assistance of £377,087 from Arts Council England’s Birmingham’s New Alexan- capital funding programme through the National Lottery. dra Theatre from Wednesday Commenting on the initiative, Peter Knott, Area Director for Arts Coun- 13 to Saturday 16 March 2019. cil England, said: “Together, Vitsœ and Motionhouse can inspire and For more information, visit complement each other, blending the best of art and business to form atgtickets.com a unique and productive atmosphere where creativity can thrive 6 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Wolverhampton June.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 12:57 Page 4 Offside DPS.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 11:57 Page 1

offside

acclaimed play puts women’s football centre stage at Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn

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by Stephen Taylor

A glorious tale of struggle and sweat, Sabrina Mahfouz and Hollie McNish’s Offside explores the story of four women from across history who live, breathe and play football. What’s On recently caught up with Fizz Waller - who stars as two of the principal characters - to find out more...

Almost 100 years ago, Everton Football Club The ban in question happened in 1921, when named ground of Lewes FC, where the play welcomed a crowd of 53,000 to its Goodison the Football Association decided to prohibit will be staged in a space that’s more accus- Park home for a Boxing Day fixture between the playing of women’s football in its clubs’ tomed to the sound of pre-match banter and Dick, Kerr Ladies and St Helen’s Ladies. grounds. Incredibly, the ban wasn’t lifted the smell of embrocation. The match wrote itself into the record books until 1971, though this didn’t stop Parr from “We’re doing some shows in London, for attracting the biggest ever attendance for continuing her career through the 1920s and Brighton and Lewes. Lewes is a fantastic a women’s football match. ’30s. And as an openly gay footballer be- club, and they’re famous at the moment for tween the wars, Parr broke down one particu- One member of the Dick, Kerr Ladies team, paying their men’s and women’s teams equal lar barrier that Waller feels the professional Lily Parr, is just one of the characters fea- salaries. The changing rooms, I remember, men’s game has yet to address. tured in Sabrina Mahfouz and Hollie Mc- are tiny, so that’s certainly going to be an inti- Nish’s play, Offside, which visits Shrewsbury “Gay professional footballers are there, mate show!” this month as part of its national tour. there’s no doubt, but they’re not being sup- Waller’s footballing background came in ported enough to express themselves. I think The show focuses on four players from three handy when she was preparing to play Kee- everyone has to take a bit of responsibility for important eras in the women’s game: Emma ley. that - the clubs, the fans, the FA. Everyone is Clarke (played by Marième Diouf), who be- contributing to that atmosphere, and it’s got “I thought about my time playing and what it came Britain’s first black female footballer in to end.” was like - my fears, my anxieties, my excite- the 1890s; Parr (Fizz Waller), and two fic- ment, the adrenaline of being pre-match in tional characters from the world of modern- The structure of the play mixes prose and po- the tunnel and waiting to walk out. Doing day women’s football, Mickey (Diouf) and etry in its telling of the story. As an admirer of this play has made those feelings come back Keeley (Waller). the work of Mahfouz and McNish, it was a to me very vividly, and I’ve really enjoyed it. challenge that Waller relished. For Waller, transferring her love of football to I’ve definitely utilised my own experience in the stage was a mouthwatering prospect. “It jumps from prose to more poetic ele- developing my character of Keeley.” ments, which is beautiful, and those spoken- “I used to play football when I was younger,” While the theme of the play is football, word elements really tie the whole piece she says, “so it was a bit of a no-brainer. Waller is keen to stress that this is a piece together. But I think the shift between prose Being theatrical and having some experience that will appeal to a far wider audience. and spoken word also gives it a tempo similar of the writers’ work, it was the ideal job for to playing the match. “You don’t have to be into football to enjoy me, so I was really pleased to get it.” the play. There are scenes of humanity and “There are times when you can really feel While the drama spans three time periods people’s fears and how to deal with them. that in the words as you say them - your heart covering more than 100 years, the themes of There are themes of feeling hard done by and thumping in your chest as you’re waiting for the play are nevertheless contemporary. how to bring yourself back from when you the whistle to blow - so it really lends itself to Waller was particularly interested in the feel oppressed. There are themes of coming a sports-based environment.” character of Parr. out, and the fear of that. You’ve got Lily, Waller started playing football at a very who’s very calm about it all, but Mickey has “Lily was very passionate about her football; young age. By her teens, she’d joined her this tension about that. it was a massive part of her life. She played local football club, Ipswich Town, where she from a very young age and carried on playing “It’s about the emotions and the feelings of found a number of kindred spirits. well into her 40s. She’d come off at half-time the people in and around football. And I and smoke some Woodbines. She was an in- “We eventually got enough for a seven-a-side think that those things can be a feature of ev- credible character and, in terms of women’s team and created the first girls team at Ip- eryday life as well - so there’s much more to rights, really utilised football as a bit of a cat- swich. We made the step up to the Ipswich this play than just football.” alyst in order to fight these bigger battles as Town first team at the age of 16 and, when I well. I think there’s a lot to learn from Lily was a bit older, I played for Lewes for a sea- Parr. But, ultimately, she loved the game, and son as well.” that was why it was so heart-wrenching for Offside shows at Theatre Severn, As part of this tour, Waller will be reunited her to be banned.” Shrewsbury, on Wed 27 June with The Dripping Pan, the wonderfully

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Food

Secret Gin Festival Wolverhampton’s Secret Gin Festival returns this month and is expected to be ‘the biggest extravaganza to date’. Featuring 100 gin brands - including some rare world gins - live music, DJs, entertainment, craft beer bars and a cocktail bar hosted by The Bohemian, the event takes place at The Grain Store on Saturday 2 June. The award-winning Digbeth Dining Club will be on hand to provide a selection of street food throughout the day.

Doughnut shop opens in Shrewsbury Shrewsbury has a new family-run Shrewsbury Food Festival set to attract tens of thousands doughnut & coffee shop. Located on Claremont Hill, Planet Doughnut is Up to 30,000 people will this month descend on boasts a diverse line-up that includes Libby open five days a week from 9am to 5pm. Shrewsbury for the town’s annual food festival Gliksman, Groove Dynamite, Dirty Rockin’ The shop’s menu changes daily and (Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 June), the biggest of Scoundrels, Custard Connection and Joe Sea- includes a range of premium or classic its kind in the West Midlands. ger. Commenting on the event, The Buttermar- flavours, including Oreo, Kinder Bueno The popular event, which has overtaken Lud- ket’s Operations Director, Grant Lees, said: and Reese’s. low Food Festival as the region’s premier cele- “The live music is a really important part of the Visit facebook.com/planetdoughnut for bration of fine food, boasts a glittering line-up festival because it’s a place where people can more information. that includes cookery and kitchen knife-using settle on the grass and be entertained. There’s workshops, a music stage, an on-site animal always a good mix of music, and it provides the area and a family stage. perfect backdrop to the festival. This year is no The #shropshireunsigned music stage, spon- exception, and we’re really pleased with the sored by local nightclub The Buttermarket, artists that we’ve programmed.”

Stafford Cheese & Ale Festival returns for a fifth year The Stafford Cheese & Ale Festival returns to gins and also includes an alfresco bar. Top local the town centre from Friday 15 to Sunday 17 chefs from the Staffordshire Chefs Forum will June. be giving cookery demonstrations, while the Featuring ‘more stands, music, events and Great Chefs Challenge will see two local chefs street theatre than ever before’, the event go head-to-head in a Ready, Steady, Cook-style showcases a scone-making demonstration, challenge. provides the opportunity to enjoy 80 different

Beer and cider festival in Wolverhampton The 43rd Wolverhampton Beer & Cider Festival takes place at Newhampton Arts Centre from Thursday 7 to Saturday 9 June. The event will feature 70 real ales plus a range of ciders, perries and an imported bottle bar. Thursday and Friday cost £3.50, with Saturday free all day. Opening times are Thursday, 5pm to 11pm, and Friday and Saturday, noon till 11pm.

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Food

Super-cool ice cream arrives at Selfridges A new concept in ice cream - made using liquid nitrogen - has launched in Selfridges Birmingham. Nitrogenie takes the freshest milk and cream, selected ingredients such as fruit, chocolate, biscuit and nuts, and freezes them using liquid nitrogen in special mixers. Originally launching in Australia, Nitrogenie prides itself on its weekly changing menus and ‘fantastic’ combinations of ingredients, including honeycomb, natural salted caramel and lemon meringue pie. Restaurant to host Mad Hatter’s Tea Party Independent Shrewsbury restaurant The Peach Tree is holding a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party on Saturday 16 June. Hosted by the Mad Hatter himself and taking place from noon till 3pm, the event features bottomless tea, coffee Diverse vegan cuisine at pub chain’s Lichfield venue and drink-me potions served by Alice, Pub chain Brewhouse & Kitchen, which has a Korean breaded tofu and falafel, Sri Lankan face painting, themed decor, photo premises in Lichfield, has launched a new vegetable curry and soft shell tacos filled with opportunities and family deals. summer menu offering ‘the UK’s most diverse options of cajun king prawns and panko vegan cuisine’. breaded tofu. The eatery also serves wood-aged Acclaimed chef opens Claiming that ‘this summer, traditional pub Belgian craft beer. To book a table at the grub dies’, the venue’s new menu includes Lichfield venue, visit new restaurant British farm assured ‘beer-can’ chicken, West brewhouseandkitchen.com Acclaimed chef Richard Turner has Country crab cakes, beetroot & thyme risotto, opened a new Birmingham restaurant. One of many recent additions to the city’s thriving culinary scene, Maribel MasterChef 2018 winner to appear at Foodies Festival is located at the Brindleyplace premises previously occupied by Edmunds. MasterChef 2018 winner Kenny Tutt is to ap- The new eatery’s menu, set to change pear at this month’s Birmingham Foodies weekly to reflect the best seasonal Festival. produce, features eight, six and four- Other attractions at the three-day event in- course options, as well as a special clude a range of street food, an artisan pro- two-course option for lunchtimes. ducers market, the chance to meet Michelin-star chefs Glynn Purnell and Brad Carter, cream-pie throwing, chilli-eating com- petitions, and prosecco and parmesan mas- terclasses. Live music comes from Toploader, The Hoosiers and Dodgy, all of whom will be playing on the brand new Musicians Against Homelessness music stage. There’s plenty at the event for youngsters to enjoy too, includ- ing a kidzone with craft area, a bouncy cas- tle, face painting and the Kids Cookery Theatre. The Birmingham Foodies Festival takes place in Cannon Hill Park from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 June. whatsonlive.co.uk 13 GIGS June Shrops_Staffs_Wolves.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 11:37 Page 1 GIGS June Shrops_Staffs_Wolves.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 11:37 Page 2

Gigs

Gaz Coombes The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 22 June Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes visits the Potteries this month in support of his third solo album, World’s Strongest Man. Released last month, the record is inspired by, amongst other things, Grayson Perry’s The Descent Of Man, Frank Ocean’s Blonde, Californian weed, British woodlands, unchecked toxic masculinity and hip-hop. “I shot the Deep Pockets video on a shoestring, mostly in LA at the end of 2017,” says Gaz. “The idea came from the lyrics and memories of weird night drives over the years - a neverending car journey laced with para- noia, intermittent hallucinations and unex- pected car pooling.”

Lionel Richie This latest concert - All The Hits - blends new material with old. Montgomery Waters Meadow, Shrewsbury, Undoubtedly on the playlist will be classics Wed 13 June including Hello, Dancing On The Ceiling Boasting in excess of 100 million album and Endless Love, as well as megahits from sales, a Golden Globe, numerous Grammys his Commodore days like Easy, Brickhouse and the Crystal Award for Humanitarianism, and Three Times A Lady. Lionel Richie is a 24-carat superstar.

Calan Quill Newhampton Arts Centre, The Robin, Bilston, Fri 29 June Martin & Eliza Carthy Wolverhampton, Sat 2 June When bass guitarist Ben Brain died sud- Stafford Gatehouse, Wed 27 June Vibrant five-piece Calan have certainly denly in 2012, his wife and Quill’s lead Martin Carthy and his twice Mercury-nomi- found their musical niche, showcasing a singer, Joy Strachan-Brain, seriously consid- nated daughter Eliza join forces to perform unique instrumental blend of accordion, fid- ered calling time on the band’s 30-plus songs from their first ever duo album, The dle, guitar, Welsh pipes, Welsh harp and the years of musicmaking. Eventually, though, Elephant. percussive sound of the Welsh clogs. Taking she decided it was more important to battle Eliza has previously won multiple gongs at a contemporary approach, they breathe new on, in so doing ensuring that the songs Ben the BBC Radio Two Folk Awards. Martin, life into old traditions. had written for a new album would finally meanwhile, is described by Q Magazine as be heard... ‘arguably the greatest English folk song per- The popular Tamworth band have devel- former, writer, collector and editor of them Danni Nicholls oped a unique musical style over the years, all'. In short, this is a must-see concert for Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury, Sun 3 June incorporating numerous influences, includ- any folk enthusiast. Described by BBC Radio Two’s Paul Sexton ing Celtic folk and rock. They here perform a as “an artist with the elegance and imagina- repertoire that features a number of time- tion to restore your faith in the visceral honoured classics. power of an original song", Danni Nicholls enjoyed a spectacularly good 2017. In a year when she could do no wrong, high- lights among the highlights included win- ning Americana Association UK’s Album Of The Year award, and supporting Shakin’ Stevens on a 28-date tour. Expect a velvet voice and plenty of thor- oughly engaging between-song banter.

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Classical

Last Night Of The Summer Proms Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sat 30 June As quintessentially English as cucumber sandwiches and Pimms, the ever-popular Last Night Of The Summer Proms promises to provide an evening of uplift- ing classics and prom favourites. Works from some of the world’s greatest composers will be played out alongside rousing favourites Rule, Britannia!, Land Of Hope And Glory, Nessun Dorma and The Dam Busters March. The concert is performed by the London Concert Orches- tra and features soprano Anna Patalong (pictured) with Hilary Davan Wetton con- ducting.

Ex Cathedra: Summer Music By Candlelight St Mary’s Church, Shrewsbury, Fri 8 June; Birmingham Cathedral, Tues 19 - Wed 20 June Jeffrey Skidmore once again takes the baton to conduct Birmingham’s highly rated early music ensemble, this time in a midsummer night’s concert that promises to transport the audience to an enchanted world. The programmes for these annual concerts, presented by candlelight as dusk falls, move seamlessly from seasonal favourites to rare, rediscovered, contemporary and lighter repertoire. Compositions by both Debussy and Gershwin are fea- tured in the 2018 line-up of works.

English Touring Opera CBSO: Russell Watson Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 4 Pelléas Et Mélisande Lichfield Garrick, Sat 16 June; Place In June & Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, The Park Big Top, Telford, Sat 4 August; Tues 5 June Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sat 23 June Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Mon 24 September English Touring Opera travels to more re- gions and plays more venues than any Often referred to as ‘the people’s tenor’, other English opera company, presenting Russell Watson first came to the nation’s as many as 110 performances every year attention when he sang God Save The with the stated aim of making opera acces- Queen to a packed Wembley Stadium in sible to everyone. 1999. Two years later, his debut album, Their latest stop-off in the Midlands re- The Voice, topped the classical charts in gion sees them presenting an energetic both the UK and the US. new production of Mozart’s classic com- Working in the genres of classical, pop edy, The Marriage Of Figaro. rock and operatic pop, Watson’s soaring voice has garnered him an impressive army of fans, many of whom will be eager to catch up with him on this latest tour. The City of Birmingham Symphony Orches- tra’s Music Director, Mirga Gražinyt -Tyla, here conducts Debussy’s fairytale opera.ė The concert brings to a close the orchestra’s celebration of the legendary French com- poser on the 100th anniversary of his death. The CBSO are joined by a stellar cast to tell the story of Mélisande, a princess who, after falling in love, finds herself exposed to pas- sions which are both wonderful and deadly. The production features a 60-minute inter- val after act three. whatsonlive.co.uk 17 Festivals June (1)-2.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 15:35 Page 1

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Festivals

Download Festival Donington Park, Derby, Fri 8 & Sun 10 June Upton Jazz Festival With top billing consistently taken by some owing its name partly to its pioneering use Upton-upon-Severn, Thurs 21 - Sun 24 June of the biggest names in rock and metal, it's of technology to connect with audiences Now in its 33rd year, the Upton Jazz Festival not hard to see why Download is one of the and build a community around the event. boasts a star-studded international line-up - most popular and well-attended festivals in Line-up includes: Guns N’ Roses (pic- including bands from the US - and annually the UK. tured), Ozzy Osbourne, Avenged Sevenfold, attracts thousands of jazz fans from across Conceived as a follow-up to Donington Bullet For My Valentine, Black Stone Cherry, the country. Park's previous Monsters Of Rock Festival, Marilyn Manson, Volbeat, Thunder, Shine- Festival-goers can expect more than 50 gigs Download makes its 16th outing this year, down, Rise Against and Parkway Drive in Upton’s renowned pubs and clubs, as well as riverboat shuffles aboard the town’s iconic Conway Castle river cruiser. There’s also a lively fringe festival to enjoy, which raises money for the Nathan Tomkins Trust. In addition, the festival’s well-regarded Best Of Young Jazz programme showcases rising jazz stars from schools, colleges and conser- vatoires across the region. Line-up includes: Mama Shakers, Jazz Con- nection, Les Zauto Stompers, James Evans, Vitality Five, The Water Gypsies, Jake Leg Jug Band, Madi Stimpson, Tom Bell, Alan Barnes, Amy Roberts, Robert Fowler, Keith Nicholls and Craig Milverton

Lichfield Blues & Jazz Acoustic Festival Of Lichfield Guildhall & other city centre venues, Great Britain Fri 1 - Sun 3 June Uttoxeter Racecourse, Staffordshire, Having launched in 2015, this growing festi- Fri 1 - Sun 3 June val is fast establishing itself as a firm fixture Standing out from the crowd of ever-louder on Lichfield’s cultural calendar. electronic festivals, the Acoustic Festival Of Taking place across multiple city centre Great Britain marks a welcome return to the venues, the long weekend celebrates the basics of good-quality music. best in local jazz and blues talent, as well as Stripped back, unplugged performances are showcasing quality musicianship from fur- the focus of this relaxed, friendly event. ther afield. Concerts can be booked individ- Beyond that, it's open to music of all genres. ually, with an assortment of hands-on With five-star-rated camping infrastructure, workshops and lively street bands to enjoy glamping options, seated food tents and alongside the main acts. kids' play areas, it's the perfect way to spend Line-up includes: King Pleasure & The Bis- Tenbury Music Festival a lazy weekend with the family. cuit Boys (pictured), Stan Webb, Robert Line-up includes: Dire Straits, Steve Harley, Jackson, Zoe Green, Emma Jonson, Steve The Burgage Recreation Ground, Tenbury Wells, Sat 30 June Ferocious Dog, Think Floyd, Chris Difford, Ajao’s Blues Giants, The Shooters, Theo Urban Folk Quartet, Lucy Ward (pictured), Now in its fourth year, the one-day Tenbury Travis, Annie Whitehead and Sara Gillespie. Brooks Williams, Juzzie Smith, The Whiskey Music Festival is a family-friendly event fea- Rebellion, The Jar Family, Sian Evans and turing multiple stages, renowned food & Eric Faulkner drink stalls, camping opportunities and (of course) plenty of live music. Although the festival itself is taking place on the Saturday, there will be a Friday night screening of The Who’s 1975 rock-opera movie, Tommy, at re- stored art deco cinema The Regal. Line-up inclu des: Lightning Seeds (pic- tured), Arcadia Roots, Blue Moon, Dissident Prophet, Stone Mountain Sinners, Rain- breakers, Redwood, 4 Men Called Bob, Shannon Flynn, Alphabetbackwards, Jon- can Kavlakoglu and Liquorice Lounge whatsonlive.co.uk 19 Comedy June .qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 11:19 Page 1 Comedy June .qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 11:19 Page 2

Comedy

The Muslims Are Coming The Glee Club, Birmingham, Sun 17 June Described as a ‘halal-arious family-friendly comedy show to celebrate the end of Ra- madan and Eid’, The Muslims Are Coming features Noreen Khan (pictured), Ali Offi- cial, Eshaan Akbar, Aatif Nawaz and local lad Guz Khan. Former school teacher Guz shot to relative fame a handful of years ago after seeing his YouTube clips go viral. “I think it’s impor- tant to push against boundaries with com- edy,” says Guz, “and while I like to make people laugh while exploring is- sues such as reli- gion, race and gender, I’m not somebody looking Flight Of The Conchords to cause offence Genting Arena, Birmingham, Tuesday 26 June just because I New Zealand folk comedy duo Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie stop off in Birmingham can.” - albeit a little later in the year than expected - as part of a brand new UK and Ireland tour, their first in seven years. Their appearance in the city has been somewhat delayed due to Brett breaking bones in his hand while falling down the stairs. Mischief Movie Night The pair have previously billed themselves as ‘formerly New Zealand's fourth most popular Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome, guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo’. Their show sees them com- Tues 26 June - Sun 1 July bining witty observation, characterisation and acoustic guitar music to excellent effect. Mischief Theatre, the award-winning com- pany behind smash-hit comedy The Play That Goes Wrong, make a welcome return to the Midlands to present an improvised movie live on stage. Taking suggestions from the audience for the film’s genre, loca- tion and title, the talented ensemble will then bring to life ‘a comedy blockbuster’ of a show, complete with rewinds, fast for- wards, director’s cuts and a live score.

Angela Barnes Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 16 June When Angela Barnes’s inspirational father died, it proved to be the catalyst for her to finally follow his ad- vice and hurl herself into the rough, tough world of stand- up comedy. And if her Edinbrum early-career success is MAC Birmingham, various dates between Thurs 7 June & Thurs 26 July anything to go by, she’s Yep, it’s that time of year again, when all good comedians stop off at MAC Birmingham to certainly made the try out their new material en route to the Edinburgh Festival. right decision. The venue’s Thursday night line-up of mirthful merrymakers should certainly ensure a A BBC New Comedy chuckle or several is never too far away. And the comedians in question will no doubt be Awards winner, Angela measuring the audience reaction to their every gag, as they frantically try to hone their is a self-confessed BBC material in preparation for their forthcoming trip to Bonnie Scotland. Radio Four nerd who looks MAC Birmingham’s June Edinbrum shows this month are as follows: Jarred Christmas & to have a bright future in Viv Groskop (7 June); Lloyd Langford & Chris Stokes (14th); Pat Monahan & Darren Har- the UK comedy arena. riott (21st); and Angela Barnes & Mitch Benn (28th). whatsonlive.co.uk 21 David Edgar DPS.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 12:55 Page 1

David Edgar 50 years on...

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by David Edgar

David Edgar is used to writing plays but not so used to performing in them - but that’s all about to change. The Birmingham-born playwright is marking his 70th birthday by taking to the stage in Trying It On, a new show in which he contemplates the ways in which both the world and his own views have changed during the last 50 years. Here, David writes for What’s On about his brand new production...

The last time I appeared on a stage was as Researching the show, I’ve asked myself there have been great changes: the expan- Captain Bligh in a university production of questions about the influence of 1968. Was its sion of large theatre institutions like the Na- Mutiny On The Bounty, 44 years ago. Since principal legacy an increase in personal free- tional Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare then my career as a playwright has kept me - dom, and some great music (so, just sex, Companies (both of which see new plays as mercifully - offstage. Why on earth am I drugs and rock’n’roll)? Or did it transform the an important part of their repertoire), as well treading the boards again? world politically (as we thought at the time)? as the growth of small-scale companies, mak- 1968 saw a kind of global uprising against the ing plays in new, collaborative ways. The story starts around three years ago, after older generation, from America via Europe to The biggest change in theatre repertoire over a show at Warwick Arts Centre, when I Pakistan and Japan. Did that spirit of interna- the last 50 years has been the decline of re- bumped into its artistic director, who asked tionalism find expression in the world-wide vivals and the growth of new work. Naturally, me what I was doing and what I was plan- web? Was the revolt just a matter of fashion, as a playwright, I defend the individually- ning. On impulse, I said that I’d been consid- a flash in the pan which petered out as the written play as the bedrock of theatre (as it ering doing a solo show (not just written but students graduated and got jobs, families remains). But I am interested in alternative also performed by me) to mark my 70th birth- and mortgages? Or have the political move- ways of playmaking, and have explored some day in 2018. He said that was a wonderful ments which 1968 gave birth to - most partic- of them to create Trying It On. idea and he’d like to commission it at once. I ularly, feminism and the environmental was locked in. It’s also been fascinating to perform again. movement - remained remarkably resilient, The play is around an hour and a quarter Even more so when my producers persuaded and permanently changed the way we live long - the length of the part of Hamlet. My re- a number of other theatres - including Mid- our lives? spect for the skill (and energy) of actors was lands Arts Centre, the Royal Shakespeare Certainly, the initial hopes of 1968 were already high, but has got even higher. Having Company in Stratford, and the Royal Court in dashed - at the end of a year of rebellion in watched some of the show on film, I am London, to take the show. Plus - most impor- America, France and Eastern Europe, the rul- painfully aware of the difference between tantly of all - the Birmingham Rep, to which ing parties remained firmly in place. If the how it feels as it comes out of me and how it I’ve a very particular attachment. As young late ’60s were just about personal freedom, looks when it arrives at the audience. I am actor/stage managers, my parents met on the then there’s an argument that they found working on my voice (in collaboration with stage door steps of the theatre in 1938. I first their full expression in the individualism of experts) and trying to get early nights. went to the theatre when I was three-and- Margaret Thatcher’s market economics three-quarters. I began writing for the theatre If you’ve been writing for as long as I have, (though she herself hated the ’60s, blaming in 1972. you’re aware of the need to ring the changes. them for everything that had gone wrong Apart from plays for the REP, my personal The idea of the show is to look back over the with Britain). The Eastern European revolts favourites from my work include many for the last 50 years not just of my life but of our which led to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 RSC, including adaptations of Stevenson’s Dr times. I was 20 in 1968, at the height of the drew heavily on the style, slogans and music Jekyll & Mr Hyde, and the RSC is reviving worldwide student revolt against adult au- of the 1960s, but they resulted in a renewal of Maydays (at the Other Place in September) thority in general and the Vietnam war in capitalism and nationalism. And, talking of and A Christmas Carol is coming back in De- particular. I was among millions of young nationalism, why did most people who were cember. But, inevitably, the premiere of my people who wanted to change the world. 20 in 1968 vote Brexit? first solo show - and my professional stage Fifty years on, what does the 70-year-old me I’ve explored these questions by talking to debut - will be the highlight of my year. think of that young idealist? More impor- people who were involved in the events of 50 tantly, perhaps, what does he think of me? years ago, as well as my own biography, as You could say that our lives are a constant an (intermittent) activist but also a play- conversation between our present and our wright. I was incredibly lucky to start writing past, but the debate between the 2018 of David Edgar presents Trying It On at plays professionally in the early ’70s: follow- Jeremy Corbyn, Donald Trump and #MeToo Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, from ing the abolition of theatre censorship (an- and the 1968 of Robert Kennedy, Richard Thurs 7 to Sat 9 June; Birmingham Reper- other 1968 anniversary) there was a huge Nixon and Women’s Liberation is particularly tory Theatre, from Tues 12 to Wed 13 June; expansion of what came to be called fringe timely. MAC Birmingham, Fri 12 October & The theatre across Britain, which was thirsty for Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon, from new plays by new playwrights. Since then Thurs 18 to Sat 20 October

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Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Woyzeck and living with Marie, the mother of his child, who was born out of wedlock and therefore not blessed by the church. To make extra The REP, Birmingham, Fri 15 - Sat 23 June money, Franz agrees to take part in medical experiments, but soon Although ostensibly written by Georg Büchner in the mid-19th cen- finds his mental health severely compromised as he begins to experi- tury, Woyzeck was posthumously finished by numerous authors, edi- ence a series of apocalyptic visions... Bringing together theatre and tors and translators. It wasn’t premiered until 1913, 76 years after its dance and being presented as part of the Birmingham International primary author’s death. The title of the work refers to a lowly soldier Dance Festival, this home-made REP production features a commu- named Franz Woyzeck, who’s stationed in a provincial German town nity chorus of 100 performers and dancers.

Birdsong Oddsocks’ The Tempest The Unbinding New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Lichfield Garrick, Fri 1 June; The Church Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 18 - Sat 23 June; Malvern Theatre, Green, Much Wenlock, South Shropshire, Fri 8 Fri 22 & Sat 23 June Tues 26 - Sat 30 June June; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tues 19 - Thurs 21 June; Whitbourne Hall, Worcester, A journey into ‘a dark and spellbinding Sebastian Faulks’ epic and bestselling novel Wed 27 June world’ is in prospect for audience members is set both before and during the Great War. joining Wrong Shoes Theatre Company for It follows the fortunes of the young Stephen this evening of thought-provoking drama. Wraysford as he embarks on a passionate Combining physical theatre and original and dangerous affair with the beautiful Is- music, The Unbinding tells the story of four abelle Azaire... women accused of witchcraft who’re awaiting This stage version was written by Rachel sentencing together. In recounting their tale, Wagstaff, who claims she got the nod from the show explores the subject of mob mental- Faulks to adapt his novel after she impressed ity, contemplating the seemingly insatiable him by knowing the most recent result of his desire within society to punish those who Madcap funsters Oddsocks aren’t the first to beloved football club, West Ham United. present themselves as being different. give William Shakespeare’s last ever play a seriously sci-fi slant - hit West Ender Return To The Forbidden Planet is an outer space version of The Tempest, too. Advertising their show as ‘boldly going where no other Shakespeare has gone be- fore’, the hugely popular ensemble will be bringing their ever-winning brand of anar- chic humour to proceedings - not to mention a flying saucer’s-worth of music and a galaxy of zany aliens!

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Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Sunshine On Leith back home in Edinburgh, the show features numerous catchy tunes, included among which are The Proclaimers’ best-known hits, I'm Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tues 5 - Sat 9 June Gonna Be (500 Miles) and Letter From America. Inspired by The Proclaimers album of the same name, Sunshine On Suitable for audience members aged 12 and older, the show is return- Leith went from stage musical to the silver screen. Following the story ing to the Belgrade for the first time in eight years, and has been pro- of two soldiers from Afghanistan as they try to adjust to civilian life duced by West Yorkshire Playhouse.

Rhondda Rips It Up Beautiful: The Carole Daughters Of Fortune: MAC, Birmingham, Sat 9 June; Malvern King Musical Mia Theatre, Tues 26 June Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Wed 27 June Tues 12 - Sat 16 June “Think pop culture with popcorn, science Touring to the Midlands on the back of with silliness, stories with statistics,” advise Olivier Award-winning West End success, Mind The Gap theatre company in promoting Beautiful is a homage to the life and music of their latest show. “Fast-moving, raw and eye- legendary singer-songwriter Carole King. opening, Mia reveals the truth about learning Featured numbers include You Make Me Feel disability and parenthood in today’s society, Like A Natural Woman, Take Good Care Of challenging often-taken-for-granted ideas My Baby, You’ve Got A Friend, So Far Away, It about what it means to be a parent.” Might As Well Rain Until September, Up On The Roof and Locomotion. Usually setting up camp at Birmingham Hip- Miss Littlewood podrome when they visit the Midlands, Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Welsh National Opera here break with that Fri 22 June - Sat 4 August tradition by visiting MAC with the world pre- Perhaps best known for her development of miere of a ‘rip-roaring, uproarious musical the Theatre Workshop, a group launched in comedy’. the 1940s whose best-known shows included Focusing on the unsung heroine of the Welsh Oh! What A Lovely War and A Taste Of Suffrage movement, Margaret Haig Thomas, Honey, Joan Littlewood is often referred to as the Viscountess Rhondda, WNO describe the ‘the mother of modern theatre’. This brand show as a ‘thigh-slapping romp through the new musical charts Littlewood’s journey world of suffrage and song’. from the East End to the West End, celebrat- Told through the lens of music hall, it boasts ing the life and times of a woman who was an all-female cast and creative team includ- unquestionably one of the most anarchic rev- ing Lesley Garrett and Madeleine Shaw (pic- olutionaries of 20th century theatre. tured above) 26 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre June.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 11:27 Page 4 Theatre June.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 11:27 Page 5

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Hairspray bubble could well be set to burst... This Tony Award-winning hit of a show returns to the Midlands with a Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 12 - Sat 16 June jukebox-worth of 1960s-style dance music and 'downtown' rhythm It’s 1962, and in Tracy Turnblad’s Baltimore hometown, massive and blues to enjoy. hairdos, dancing the twist and Corny Collins’ daytime dance show are “We might not be doing the same things now as we were in the ’60s,” the hottest tickets in teen culture. says Rebecca Mendoza, who stars as Tracy, “but we’re still fighting In some ways, life for this starry-eyed girl starts out as big and bright the same problems, just in a different form. There’s an important and breezy as a bubblegum balloon - but there’s trouble brewing just message at the show’s core, but it’s so well wrapped up in a beneath the surface. And as Tracy grows up and wakes up to the whirlwind of colour, dialogue, tunes and choreography, that it never everyday injustices in her neighbourhood, it looks as though that once feels preachy.”

Thrill Me: The Leopold & Franks. beth’s desire to be king of Scotland sees him “A play about two gay child killers isn't the slaughtering first Duncan and then Banquo. Leob Story easiest sell in the world,” says Dolginoff, As the pressure mounts and his grip on san- Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, “but what made it really difficult was the fact ity weakens, he decides to commit even more Tues 15 - Sat 19 May it was a musical. When people think of a mu- atrocities - including the murder of women sical, they tend to think of something light- and children... Performed outdoors in the hearted and comedic, but this is a serious grounds of Stafford Castle. piece. There’s nothing lighthearted or comedic about Thrill Me.” Table New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Macbeth Fri 8 - Sat 23 June Stafford Castle, Thurs 28 June - Sat 14 July The handcrafted dining table in the Best’s home has seen use by six generations of the family, in the process becoming a powerful symbol of the lives which have been lived. Given that the events which unfold in But as people remain connected through the Stephen Dolginoff’s award-winning musical centuries by stories and possessions passed took place across the Atlantic over 90 years down by their ancestors, how much can they ago, it’s perhaps not surprising that relatively actually trust their memories? few people are familiar with the story of Containing no shortage of adult content, in- Nathan Freudenthal Leopold Jr and Richard cluding nudity, scenes of a sexual nature and Albert Loeb. strong language, this regional premiere of Two wealthy and intelligent law students, Tanya Ronder’s thought-provoking play is no Leopold and Loeb signed a contract in blood Having been spurred into action by the walk in the park. It is, however, extremely to commit the perfect crime, kidnapping and prophesies of three supernatural women - good, and was first produced, to great ac- murdering a 14-year-old boy named Robert and egged on by his conniving wife - Mac- claim, at the National Theatre in 2013.

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Theatre Theatre for younger audiences from around the region

Teletubbies Live joyed the experience of watching them hav- Chocolate Cake ing a fantastic time - you’ll already know that Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Wed 13 - Thurs this latest production is well worth catching. Malvern Theatres, Sat 9 June 14 June; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Wed 18 - Thurs 19 July; The Place, Oakengates Theatre, “It seems hardly any time at all since we Chocolate Cake is a brand new show based Shropshire, Sat 1 - Sun 2 Sept; Malvern The- started on the first Peppa Pig live stage on Michael Rosen’s much-loved poem of the atres, Wed 19 - Thurs 20 Sept show,” observes writer and director Richard same name, which has recently been pub- Lewis. “It’s been an incredible experience lished as a picture book. seeing the children’s reactions, not only in With the creative team behind the production the UK but throughout the world. Peppa Pig having previously enjoyed success with We’re really is a worldwide phenomenon.” Going On A Bear Hunt and Helen Stephens’ How To Hide A Lion, this lively musical about two brothers and the nighttime disappear- ance of a chocolate cake should be well The Ugly Duckling worth catching. Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Sat 9 June Hans Christian Andersen's The Ugly Duckling Despite having been around for many a year, tells the story of an odd-looking baby duck the world famous Teletubbies are here ap- who’s evicted from the farmyard and finds pearing in their first ever theatre show, cre- himself all alone in a scary and hostile world. ated especially for little ones. Tinky Winky, Thankfully there’s a happy ending to ensure Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po continue to enchant your youngsters head for home in fine spirits! and delight pre-school youngsters a full 21 This quacker of a well-hatched story is pre- years after making their television debut on sented by Sea Legs Puppet Theatre and fea- BBC Two. Brand new songs and the popular tures ‘brilliant storytelling, fantastic puppets supporting characters of Tubby Phone, Noo- and a delightful musical score’. noo and Sun Baby also feature. Suitable for children aged three-plus. Ministry Of Science Bing Live! Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 19 June; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Wed 4 July The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Shropshire, Wed 27 June; Birmingham Town Hall, Fri 24 & An anarchic approach to science communica- Sat 25 August; Royal Spa Centre, Leamington tion is the name of the game when the Min- Spa, Sat 8 - Sun 9 Sept istry Of Science comes to town. As well as taking a look at the inventors and engineers who’ve shaped and inspired the modern world, the show’s presenters will be conduct- ing clever demonstrations aplenty - so expect Doctor Dolittle the occasional loud bang! Swan Theatre, Worcester, Sat 16 June; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sun 24 June; The Core Theatre, Solihull, Fri 3 Aug Hugh Lofting's delightful character is a friend to all manner of furry, four-legged creatures, and certainly knows how to have an adven- Bing Live!’s promoters are confident that ture or two!... Featuring original music, lots their show is a perfect ‘first theatre trip’ for of audience participation and some ‘amaz- pre-schoolers and their families. And why ing’ puppets, this brand new show is 90 min- wouldn’t they be, given that it’s awash with utes in length and suitable for youngsters ‘fun, laughter, music and dressing-up’? aged seven and older. For those not in the know, the show is based on an animated CBeebies television series. Kindur: The Adventurous Life Of Icelandic Sheep MAC, Birmingham, Sat 16 & Sun 17 June Peppa Pig’s Adventure Presented as part of Birmingham Interna- Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, tional Dance Festival, this ‘magical interac- Wed 6 & Thurs 7 June; Belgrade Theatre, tive theatre experience’ sees three dancers Coventry, Tues 28 - Wed 29 Aug assuming the role of kindur (sheep in Ice- If you’ve taken your little ones to any of the landic) to take the audience on an immersive previous Peppa Pig stage shows - and en- adventure through a fairytale landscape.

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whatsonlive.co.uk 31 Summer Holiday.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 12:35 Page 1

The stage version of classic 1963 Cliff Richard movie Summer Holiday is coming to the Midlands this month - complete with the multi-talented Bobby Crush. What’s On recently caught up with Bobby to chat about the hit musical and his recently rejuvenated career...

Brand new stage show Summer Holiday has his fellow London Transport mechanics as group and a young American pop star. The been called the feelgood musical of 2018. they journey together in a red double-decker latter is on the run, not only from a domineer- Promising to bring ‘music, fun and laughter to bus through Paris, the Alps, Italy and Greece. ing mother but also from her own agent, Jerry, the stage’, the show tells the story of Don and Along the way, they pick up a female singing who’s played in the show by Bobby Crush.

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by Lauren Foster

“I’m really enjoying the role,” says Bobby. “I went on a two-week trip to Las Vegas. Whilst heavy schedule for me in those early years, play the part very cockney. I’m going back to living in a house together, they explored the just dancing from one thing to another. I was my roots, really - I’m originally from the East city and prepared for a one-night-only variety also very cosseted by my parents. At the time, End of London. Jerry wears the most ap- performance. my father gave up his job to go out on the palling wig - it’s shocking! It’s like a dead an- road with me. He drove me to all my gigs and “I think it was on the back of having been in imal perched on my forehead. It’s arranged the hotels etc, so it meant that all I Last Laugh In Vegas that the Summer Holi- deliberately bad; he thinks that no one no- had to think about was performing and day producers decided I’d be a suitable Jerry. tices.” putting on a good show. Part of that was It was hard work; there were a lot of late great because it was my dad and he had my Packed full of classic Cliff Richard hits, in- nights and a lot of early starts, but on the best interests at heart. But also, it’s your dad, cluding Summer Holiday, In The Country, final show we all did our own thing and the and you’re spending all your time with your Move It and Bachelor Boy, as well as bundles audience reaction was just stupendous. It’s dad when really you should be out with of energy and lots of laughs, the show something that I’ll remember for the rest of mates and having fun and having relation- unashamedly recalls a bygone era. “It’s my life. I’ve been fortunate enough to do ships and what have you. That never really lovely because it’s from a much more inno- some brilliant work, and to work with some happened for me until I got into my mid-20s. cent age than the one we’re in now. There are terrific people. I’ve done three seasons at the I was quite a late developer because I was no swear words, there’s the obligatory happy London Palladium and all of that, but to be shielded.” ending and everyone’s having a lovely time. able to say in your mid-60s that you’ve just There’s no message in it - it’s just pure enter- been given the opportunity to work in Las Bobby came out publicly as gay in an inter- tainment. Vegas, and been given a standing ovation - view with Gay Times in 2004, at the age of 50. “We’re keeping all of the original music. that was just amazing! It was so unusual and “The journalist I was speaking to about a Lib- There’s the addition of some Cliff hits that so unexpected. It’s something that I will look erace show I was doing in London knew that weren’t actually in the movie, like The Young back on in the future as a career highlight. I was gay. He said that if I would like to use Ones and The Next Time, so it’s a big treat for that occasion to come out, then they’d give “There’s talk that there’s going to be a live Cliff fans. In terms of the storyline, I think me a three-page spread, and I thought, tour at some point, featuring everybody who those who have a happy memory of the film what’s not to love about that? It was great took part in the show - which is one of the won’t be disappointed by what’s happening publicity for the show, too. I’d always reasons why I've only signed for the first in the musical. All of the most important bits planned to come out in an autobiography, eight weeks of the Summer Holiday tour. It’s remain in it - including, of course, the full- but I thought, let’s do it now and get it all great to have all these opportunities sud- size London double-decker bus.” done and dusted. One reason it took until I denly arrive out of nowhere. My agent is ne- was 50 was the fact that nobody had actually Starring alongside Bobby, and taking the gotiating panto at the moment too, so it looks asked me straight out. If they had, I would’ve Cliff role of Don, is Ray Quinn. Having first like I'm going to have a very busy year!” bitten the bullet and been truthful. Another risen to prominence in Channel Four’s Brook- Bobby believes he was always destined to be reason was that in the early ’70s, if you’d ac- side, Quinn achieved more public recogni- a performer. “I’d been playing the piano tually spoken openly about those things, it tion after finishing second to Leona Lewis in since I was four years old. I started playing in had the potential to finish your career. the 2006 series of The X Factor. In 2009 he front of the public at the age of 12, in amateur won the fourth series of Dancing On Ice. “Opinions are much more relaxed now. We dramatics and concert parties. Then I started Ray’s debut album, Doing It My Way, entered have openly gay pop stars and gay storylines playing in pubs when I was 15 or 16, and the charts at number one and quickly in soap operas. All of that was a million miles turned pro at 18. When anybody asked me, achieved platinum status. His more recent away in 1972. Thank god that people have be- from a very, very early age, what I would end theatre credits include The Wedding Singer, come a little bit more savvy and relaxed up doing, I always said I would be on the Legally Blonde and Dirty Dancing. about these things! My nieces, who are now stage.” in their early 20s, have always known that “Ray will be a revelation when people see Bobby first came to public attention in 1972, they’ve got a gay uncle, and they’ve just him in this role,” says Bobby. “He’s sticking after six winning appearances in the Hughie shrugged it off. The younger generation seem very closely to the template of Don in the Green talent show, Opportunity Knocks. He to think that way, whereas for my generation film, and he’s a good little dancer. We get on was 18 at the time. “My memories of my it was a whole different ball game.” really well; he’s a really nice guy. They’re all teenage years and my early 20s are the inside really great.” of TV studios and hotel rooms. I wasn’t really At sixty-four, Bobby is the oldest member of given the opportunity to develop in terms of the Summer Holiday cast, but he’s certainly my personal life because everything was Summer Holiday runs at the lost none of his enthusiasm for working. He geared towards my professional life. I New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, recently appeared in the ITV series Last shouldn’t complain because it was what I from 12 to 16 June & Regent Theatre, Laugh In Vegas. The show followed eight wanted, or what I thought I wanted at the Stoke-on-Trent from 2 to 6 October well-known variety performers from the ’60s, time, but I think it should have been tem- ’70s and ’80s - including Anita Harris, Su Pol- pered with a little bit more time given over to lard, Bernie Clifton and Jess Conrad - as they my emotional development. It was a very

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Dance previews from around the region Dance

Company Wayne McGregor - Atomos New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Fri 1 & Sat 2 June Visiting Birmingham under the umbrella of the city’s international dance festival, cut- ting-edge choreographer Wayne McGregor’s Atomos sees 10 dancers presenting a per- formance that’s been described as ‘sculp- tural, rigorous, jarring and hauntingly beautiful’. McGregor is well known for his tenacious style of questioning, not only through body and mind but also across the art and science interface. This latest piece sees him atomising bodies, movement, film, sound and light into what he describes as ‘miniature shards of intense sensation’. The production is suitable for audience members aged eight and older.

Ballet Central Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Mon 4 June Works by renowned choreographers in- cluding Matthew Bourne and Wayne Mc- Gregor feature in this mixed bill, presented by young dancers on the cusp of their pro- fessional careers. Bourne’s Fairies Pro- logue, from his gothic reworking of Sleeping Beauty, and an excerpt from Mc- Gregor’s Far are performed alongside Jenna Lee's brand new creation, Black Swan. Christopher Gable’s Cinderella and an ex- cerpt from Kenneth MacMillan’s rarely seen Valley Of Shadows also feature.

Candoco Dance Company MAC, Birmingham, Wed 13 & Thurs 14 June Aiming as always to produce cutting-edge work that challenges and broadens percep- tions of art and ability, Candoco here present BRB Romeo & Juliet an imaginative double bill as part of Birming- Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 26 - Sat 30 June ham International Dance Festival. Yasmeen Godder's new work, Face In, is set to Kenneth McMillan’s celebrated work remains an urban indie score and described by Can- one of the finest and most popular versions of doco as ‘a sensual and disturbing ode to inti- Sergei Prokofiev’s stunning ballet, and here macy and imagination, expressed through makes a welcome return as part of the 2018 striking images and daring, uninhibited Birmingham International Dance Festival pro- dance’. gramme. Birmingham Royal Ballet’s exquisite Hetain Patel’s Let’s Talk About Dis, mean- version has garnered widespread praise and is while, is an exploration of the dancers’ per- unquestionably one of the company’s most sonalities, ‘a playful and intimate piece’ that admired productions. asks questions about the nature of identity The show lasts for just short of three hours and how it is formed. and features two intervals. whatsonlive.co.uk 35 Dance June 2018 .qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 11:21 Page 3

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Dance previews from around the region Dance

Elements Of Freestyle Birmingham Hippodrome, Thurs 14 June Making use of four skating ramps assembled in a variety of ways, El- ements Of Freestyle showcases performances of breakdance, in- line skating, skateboarding, freerunning, BMX and freestyle basketball. The show has been put together by Marco Gerris (former jury mem- ber of The Freestyle Games and So You Think You Can Dance), and delivers ‘a fresh look at urban arts’. Presented under the Birmingham International Dance Festival ban- ner, the production is performed by ISH Dance Collective.

2Faced Dance Move To The Company: Moon Rhythm Victoria Square, Birmingham, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sat 9 & Sun 10 June Sat 9 June Herefordshire’s 2Faced Dance Com- This showcase event for the pany describe their show as a combi- Keep Fit Association (KFA) fea- nation of ‘breathtaking dance and a tures regional teams represent- whole host of mess and mayhem’. It ing their members across the also features an aerial hoop and has UK. Dedicated to the provision been specially created for family au- of safe and effective exercise, diences. Inspired by Hans Christian movement and dance, the KFA Andersen and bringing together promotes a holistic workout dance, circus and music, the show that uses creative choreography follows the story of the lonely and to help its members achieve scared Jack, and the amazing adven- ‘lifelong fitness’. ture he enjoys with the Moon.

New Creation The Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome, Sat 23 June A collaborative experimentation, reflecting on the in- terface of nature and the artifice of the human body, New Creation sees celebrated choreographers Cecilia Bengolea and Florentina Holzinger teaming up to contemplate ‘the limits of the body and its represen- tation in relationship to nature’. Focusing on hybrid insects existing in a lake of slime, the show takes a look at how the unpre- dictable conditions of their environment force con- stant adaptation, gradually disfiguring both their physical and sensory worlds. The production is pre- sented as part of Birmingham International Dance Festival.

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Embracing life Midlands-born choreographer George Williamson talks about premiering his new ballet as part of a Birmingham Royal Ballet mixed programme...

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by Jenny Ell

In November last year, professional dance never before been involved in such a collabo- Williamson is no stranger to creating new development programme Ballet Now an- rative process. “It’s new music, a completely ballets, so does he prefer this to reinventing nounced the first team of choreographers new concept, story and designs.” existing material? “Yes, definitely. I really and composers who would be creating new love creating. I want to be a choreographer On being given the Ballet Now opportunity, one-act ballets for the stage. Emerging talent who creates stories that relate to the world Williamson approached American composer George Williamson, from Worcestershire, we live in now; creating movement that’s ex- Sarah Kirkland Snider to write the music, was one of the choreographers chosen. His citing, new and challenging for the dancers. visiting her in the States. “I got to spend new ballet, Embrace, premieres this month. At the same time, I want to make stories that some time with Sarah out there, where we fi- are challenging and interesting for the audi- Twenty-seven-year-old Williamson has nalised the music and discussed all the finer ence.” danced and choreographed professionally all details. I’ve loved working with her, and I’m over the world since graduating from the En- really excited to hear the music with an or- Williamson feels that development pro- glish National Ballet School in 2010. During chestra for the first time.” grammes like Ballet Now are incredibly im- his training there, he won a succession of portant in today’s industry. “It’s an amazing Amazingly, the first four weeks of rehearsal awards, and is fast becoming ‘one to watch’ opportunity, to be trusted to build a show to for Embrace were choreographed to no music in ballet circles. whatever you want it to be. It’s allowing me at all. “We’d created a lot of material before to be quite brave in what I’m doing. This is His new production is essentially about dis- we had the music, and because of this, we developing me as a choreographer and there- regarding who we’re expected to be and in- were able to try whatever we liked. Once you fore developing everyone around me as stead embracing who we are. In a world of have the music, it sets final parameters, so it well.” patriarchy, Embrace explores the weight, was actually a relief to finally have it; you grief and loneliness of ‘otherness’. Expressed can’t just keep creating endless amounts of Being brought up fairly local to Birmingham, through movement, this is a very personal movement.” Williamson attended Birmingham Royal Bal- project for Williamson. “I’ve never done a let’s Junior Associates when he was younger, Williamson usually works with music from narrative work based on anything to do with and also performed in The Nutcracker as a the outset, but he’s enjoyed the collaborative myself before, but this way I can really tap child. “When I went to Elmhurst School, we nature of not initially having any. “We’ve into all of the different emotions and ideas in would go and watch the Birmingham Royal been able to change our minds about the the piece.” Ballet company, so it feels quite surreal to movement and music in rehearsal. When you now be working with them!” Embrace features a number of Birmingham dance in the studio, trying out ideas, the Royal Ballet dancers who’re working with music that works in your head potentially The best moment for Williamson will un- Williamson in between fulfilling their com- doesn’t work with the dancers’ bodies. I was doubtedly be seeing all of the elements of his mitments to the company. “It’s been quite a able to feed that back to Sarah, and she ballet coming together on stage. “Hearing long process, as rehearsals have been broken would then edit or adjust the music, which is the music, seeing the set design, the lights up around the dancers’ touring schedule. the true sense of collaboration.” and costume; that’s ultimately what I’ve The ballet is finished, but we have to keep been working on for the last year, so it will An additional challenge was that the com- going over everything that we’ve been doing feel really special.” poser had never worked with ballet before, during the last four months.” so Williamson had to explain a lot along the Williamson won’t see his dancers again until way. “The thing that attracted me so much to one week before Embrace premieres in Lon- Sarah’s work was that she shows a strong Embrace is part of the Polarity & Proxim- don, due to the fact that they’re touring in sense of ‘story’ in her music. I knew she ity mixed programme being presented at Japan. would be really good at facilitating the narra- Sadlers Wells, London, from Fri 15 to Sun tive and making sure that everything had its 17 June. It then shows at Birmingham Hip- Although Williamson’s CV is impressive, he’s time and place.” podrome from Wed 20 to Sat 23 June.

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Film

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Her aim, with the help of raptor handler Owen Grady (Chris Pratt), is Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom CERT 12a to relocate the dinosaurs to a massive sanctuary on the US mainland. Starring Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ted Levine, Rafe Spall, Toby Jones, Justice Smith, BD Wong, James Cromwell, Geraldine Chaplin, However, the future of the dinos appears to be in the balance when Jeff Goldblum Directed by JA Bayona (USA) unscrupulous operators attempt to profit from the move… Will they ever learn? When the reptilian survivors of the island of Isla The Barcelona-born JA Bayona previously directed the extraordinarily Nublar are threatened by a volcano blowing its top, former park man- powerful and imaginative A Monster Calls (2016). Steven Spielberg ager Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) mounts a rescue operation. acts as executive producer. Released Wed 6 June

Film highlights released in June...

L'Amant Double Book Club CERT 12a (104 mins) CERT 18 (108 mins) Starring Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Starring Marine Vacth, Jérémie Renier, Bergen, Mary Steenburgen, Andy García, Don Jacqueline Bisset Directed by François Ozon Johnson, Richard Dreyfuss, Craig T Nelson, (France/Belgium) Alicia Silverstone Directed by Bill Holderman (USA) Chloé's psychoanalyst, Paul (Jérémie Renier), is not all she thinks he is. And this she only A quartet of lifelong friends find their lives discovers after moving in with him... Expect transformed when they read EL James’ Fifty some pretty raunchy nookie. Shades Of Grey. Maybe, there really is sex after the menopause… Nice to see that Don Released Fri 1 June Johnson is among the senior paramours, par- Ismael's Ghosts ticularly as his daughter Dakota played Anas- CERT 15 (35 mins) tasia Steele on screen. Starring Mathieu Amalric, Marion Cotillard, Released Fri 1 June Charlotte Gainsbourg, Louis Garrel, Alba Rohrwacher, László Szabó Ben Cross Di- rected by Arnaud Desplechin (France) Just as he’s embarking on the production of his latest film, the director Ismaël Vuil- lard (Amalric) is dumbfounded by a ghost from his past. His wife Carlotta (Cotillard), who had disappeared 21 years ago, turns up to resume her life… Released Fri 1 June whatsonlive.co.uk 41 Film June-2.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 16:45 Page 3

Film highlights released in June...

perior horror film hits the multiplex. The fea- The Bookshop CERT PG (113 mins) ture directorial debut of Aster (who also scripted), this chiller stars Toni Collette (in a Starring Emily Mortimer, Patricia Clarkson, Bill Nighy, Honor Kneafsey career-high performance, if that’s possible) Directed by Isabel Coixet (UK/Spain/Germany) as an artist who has just lost her mother. Based on the 1978 novel by Penelope Fitzger- Then the secrets ald, this is the tale of a woman who - against start tumbling out fierce local opposition - decides to open a of the closet. Ide- bookshop in her small coastal town. ally, you should Set in 1959, the film joins the recent biblio- avoid all the spoil- philic dramas The Guernsey Literary Soci- ers built into the ety… and Book Club. We’re now waiting for The Ciambra CERT 15 (123 mins) trailer. the first Kindle classic. Starring Pio Amato, Koudous Seihon Released Directed by Jonas Carpignano (Italy) Released Fri 29 June Fri 15 June If nothing else, Jonas Carpignano's The Ciambra achieves a bracing authenticity. A probing, non-judgmental, documentary- like portrait of Romany life in Calabria, Italy, Super Troopers 2 the film is loose on narrative but strong on at- CERT 15 (99 mins) mosphere. The Amato family plays itself, Starring Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter, Erik Stolhanske, while 14-year-old Pio Amato is our protago- Rob Lowe, Brian Cox nist, an inveterate liar and thief who is des- Directed by Jay Chandrasekhar (USA) perate to follow in his brother’s questionable The troopers in question are a group of Ver- footsteps. If this is peer pressure, it is irrevo- mont state troopers and this time, when an cable. There is a faint honour among thieves international border dispute arises between painted here, but the relentless stealing and Canada and the US, they are called on to set disrespect for other people’s property hardly up a new Highway Patrol station. warms the viewer to this particular Romany Although the original family. comedy was a flop, and Leave No Trace was released back in Released Fri 15 June CERT PG (109 mins) 2002, a crowdfunding Starring Ben Foster, Thomasin McKenzie, Jeff campaign managed to Kober, Dale Dickey The Happy Prince set the belated sequel Directed by Debra Granik (USA) CERT 15 (105 mins) on its way. Oh, joy. Starring Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Colin Mor- Released Fri 15 June gan, Emily Watson, Tom Wilkinson, Anna Chancellor, Alister Cameron Directed by Rupert Everett (UK/Belgium/Ger- many/Italy) Ocean’s 8 CERT 12a (110 mins) Having portrayed Oscar Starring Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Wilde on stage in David Hathaway, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Ri- Hare’s The Judas Kiss, Ru- hanna, Helena Bonham Carter, James Corden, pert Everett obviously got Matt Damon Directed by Gary Ross (USA) a taste for Wildean the- One for the girls: Debbie Ocean (Bullock), the atrics. Here, his own estranged sister of arch crook Danny Ocean, screenplay chronicles the is determined to out-do her brother by last days of the Irish wit mounting the heist of the century: at the an- and playwright when he nual Met Gala in New York. All she needs are suffered terrible recrimination whilst in exile some female accomplices… in Naples and Paris. The film also marks the Expect lots of starry cameos. directorial debut of Everett. Released Mon 18 June Released Fri 15 June Will (Foster) and his 13-year-old daughter (McKenzie) are happy living off the grid in the woodlands of Oregon. Then social ser- Hereditary CERT 15 (127 mins) vices catches up with them… From Debra Starring Toni Collette, Alex Wolff, Milly Shapiro, Granik, the director of the gritty, eloquent Ann Dowd, Gabriel Byrne Winter’s Bone (2010), which launched Jen- Directed by Ari Aster (USA) nifer Lawrence’s career. Granik’s new film Following the critical acclaim heaped upon has also received raves from US critics. Get Out, Raw and A Quiet Place, another su- Released Fri 29 June

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Film

Sicario 2: Soldado CERT 15 (122 mins) Starring Benicio del Toro, Josh Brolin, Isabela Moner, Jeffrey Donovan, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Catherine Keener, Matthew Modine Directed by Stefano Sollima (USA/Italy) While Emily Blunt, star of the first Sicario film, has been busy unpacking her carpet bag for Mary Poppins Returns, her col- leagues-in-crime-fighting, Alejandro Gillick (del Toro) and Matt Graver (Brolin), have their hands full with new drug-related prob- lems on the Mexican border. This time, though, they’re also dealing with jihadi ter- rorists. Expect some pretty strong violence. Released Fri 29 June

CRITIC’S CHOICE

In The Fade CERT 18 (106 Mins) Starring Diane Kruger, Denis Moschitto, Jo- last year’s Cannes Film Festival. She plays hannes Krisch, Ulrich Tukur Katja Sekerci, a wife and mother who has to Directed by Fatih Akin (Germany/France) pick up the pieces of her life after her hus- Winner of the Golden Globe for best foreign band and son are killed in a nail bomb at- language film, this German-language crime tack. The title is taken, of course, from the drama stars Diane Kruger in what is arguably song of the same name by Queens Of The her finest performance to date. Indeed, she Stone Age. walked away with the best actress award at Zoo CERT PG (97 mins) Released Fri 22 June Starring Art Parkinson, Toby Jones, Penelope Wilton, Ian O'Reilly, Amy Huberman Directed by Colin McIvor (UK/Ireland) Adrift CERT tbc As the Germans bomb the hell out of Belfast Starring Shailene Woodley, Sam Claflin, Jeffrey in 1941, young Tom (Parkinson) and his Thomas Directed by Baltasar Kormákur (USA) friend attempt to save the zoo’s prize attrac- Like The Mercy, which opened this February, tion, Buster the baby elephant. The film this is the true story of an ocean-going should prove an interesting companion piece drama. Having just fallen in love, passionate to last year’s The Zookeeper's Wife, which sailors Tami and Richard decide to embark was set in the Warsaw Zoo during the Second together on an epic voyage across the Pacific. World War. Both films are based on true inci- However, they hadn’t bargained on the wrath dents. of a history-defining hurricane… Released Fri 29 June Released Fri 29 June

Patrick CERT PG (94 mins) Starring Ed Skrein, Tom Bennett, Jennifer Saunders, Beattie Edmondson, Adrian Scar- borough, Gemma Jones Directed by Mandie Fletcher (UK) Patrick is a problem, a real handful, and he’s not very big. He’s actually a spoiled pug, in- herited by Sarah (Beattie Edmondson) from her grandmother, a week before she’s due to start a new job. From Disney. For the whole family. Released Fri 29 June whatsonlive.co.uk 43 Visual Arts June 1.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 11:20 Page 1

Visual Arts previews from around the region

International Garden Photographer Of The Year Fusion Building, Jackfield Tile Museum, Ironbridge, Shropshire, until Mon 17 September Images celebrating the beauty of plants, wildflower landscapes and ‘the bountiful Earth’ all feature in this year’s International Garden Photographer Of The Year exhibition (IGPOTY), returning to Ironbridge Gorge as part of its worldwide tour. Commenting on the show, the exhibition’s manager, Curtis McGlinchey, said: “Ironbridge is a remarkable place, and it’s an absolute privilege to bring the exhibition there. The show celebrates plant life in its many diverse forms, but it also helps us reflect upon our relationship with the natural world. “The importance of the intersection between nature and technology is a prominent quality shared between both Ironbridge and IGPOTY, and is one that makes the exhibition feel especially relevant at this historic location.”

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Visual Arts

New York City Life Barber Institute, Birmingham, until Sun 16 September A contemporary of George Bellows, John Sloan’s prints provide fascinating historical insights into Manhattan life during a period of rapid so- cial change. The exhibition at the Barber fea- tures the only complete set of Sloan’s prints outside the US. They were gifted to the venue by Delaware Art Museum, a gesture prompted by the Barber’s 2016 exhibition, Bellows And The Body.

Miss Black And Beautiful MAC, Birmingham, until Sun 1 July An exhibition of photographs taken by the late Osman Yousefzada: Bring Somewhere Else Raphael Albert, Miss Black And Beautiful docu- Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, Wed 6 - Fri 29 June ments numerous black British beauty pageants organised by Albert from the late 1960s on- Birmingham-born fashion designer bued with a strong sense of social com- wards. The pageants were a Osman Yousefzada showcases a style mentary, has been shaped by a clear celebration of the 1970s’ ‘Black which has been described as combining awareness of political contexts. Osman’s is beautiful’ aesthetic, the haute couture techniques and fabrics Ikon show features imported garments most notable among them with a clear perception of modernity. His made by low-wage workers for ‘fast fash- being the annual Miss West In- multi-disciplinary design practice, im- ion’ in the West. dies In Great Britain contest.

Creative Rage The Marvellous Andrew Tift: Immortalise Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on- New Art Gallery, Walsall, until Sun 2 September Trent, until Sun 2 September Mechanical Museum Walsall figurative artist Andrew Tift specialises Creative Rage brings together paintings, Compton Verney Art Gallery, Warwick- shire, Sat 30 June - Sun 30 September in portraiture and finds much of his inspiration photographs, prints and ceramics to fol- in the New Art Gallery’s collections and exhibi- low three artists' ‘vibrant and confronta- tions. Already well known to regular visitors to tional’ exploration of LGBTQ themes. the museum, Andrew is here presenting a range Proud, committed and uncompromising of paintings, drawings, photographs and members of the progressive LGBTQ artis- sketchbooks that combine his love of portrai- tic community, the trio of contributors ture with more recent experimental works. create visually startling works that ex- plore themes of bravery, aggression and ‘trailblazing, combative non-conformity’. Marvellous Mechanical Museum reimagines the spectacular automata exhibitions of the 18th century, in order to explore the boundaries of ‘what is lifelike and what is alive, where artists, inventors and engineers collide’. Featuring early and rare automata and clockwork dating back to the 17th century, many of the items on display have been taken from the British Mu- seum, the V&A and the Royal Collec- tion. Highlights include a miniature Faberge moving elephant and kinetic artist Tim Lewis’ uncanny Crimson Prince.

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Events previews from around the region Events

Trampoline & Tumbling Arena Birmingham, Sat 16 & Sun 17 June Some of the country’s top gym- nasts here come together to show off their skills and battle it out in the regional team finals. Expect a show jam-packed to the proverbial rafters with high-flying somersaults and aerial tricks. International Model Air Show Weston Park, Weston-under- Lizard, Nr Shifnal, Fri 15 - Sun 17 June Now in its 26th year, this popular event features a host of displays and exhibitors. Model aircraft en- Creative Craft Show NEC, Birmingham, Fri 29 June - Sun 1 July thusiasts from across Europe will be in attendance, demonstrating If you’re a fan of all things hand-made, the Crafty Beggar’s Julie Peasgood and Wendy Turner- their hugely impressive flying Creative Craft Show is the event for you. Featuring Webster to learn how magazine pages can be skills in Weston’s picturesque an impressive selection of supplies, the show used to create beautiful beads. grounds. provides the chance to glean advice from industry The show offers plenty of fun for children too, experts and take part in an impressive range of with Sugartots Sand Art allowing them to create workshops. their very own sand masterpiece. Step Back To Visitors can try their hand at silk painting, or join The 1940s Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, nr Kidderminster, Sat 30 June & Sun 1 July Festival Of Black All aboard for a Severn Valley Rail- Country Vehicles way train journey back in time to Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, the 1940s! Sun 17 June The railway’s lighthearted homage Given the Black Country’s historical reputa- to wartime Britain features an im- tion as a major centre for the manufacturing pressive selection of attractions up of bicycles, motorcycles, cars, lorries and and down the line, including vin- buses, this one-day event should prove to be tage vehicle displays, musical en- a fascinating experience. The festival features tertainment and costumed classic cars and an array of vehicles made by reenactors. Black Country brands including AJS, Clyno The ever-popular Big Band Show - and Sunbeam. featuring a jazz orchestra playing music from the ’40s - also makes a return. RAF Cosford Air Show RAF Museum Cosford, Shifnal, Sun 10 June Attracting thousands of visitors each year, Cos- ford’s annual air show is considered to be one of the country’s top aviation events. Alongside a six-hour aerial display, the 2018 event also boasts a collection of up to 100 never- before-seen static aircraft, featuring in the show in celebration of the RAF’s centenary. The hugely popular Vintage Village makes a wel- come return too, complete with period entertain- ment and tea room.

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Events previews from around the region Events

Tudor Weekend Blakesley Hall, Birmingham, Sat 2 & Sun 3 June Sample Tudor dancing, learn about sword fighting, have a go at feather quill writing or try your hand at face-painting at this fam- ily-friendly event. Visitors can also meet reenactors at the Tudor Travelling Camp or blend entertainment with educa- tion by joining one of the cos- tumed tours.

Steampunk Weekend Festival - to present an event that features exhi- bitions about steampunk art, costumes and Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge, sculpture. Fashion designers, authors and Sat 23 & Sun 24 June artists will also be on hand, as will specially se- Blists Hill once again showcases all things lected artisan traders of steampunk jewellery, steampunk this month, after last year’s inaugu- comics, art and gadgets. ral event proved such a success. A number of themed activities should ensure Ironbridge Gorge Museums has teamed up with there’s plenty to keep your kids happy and en- Asylum - the organisers of Lincoln’s Steampunk tertained. 400 Years Of Aston Hall Aston Hall, Birmingham, Sun 24 June BBC Good Food Show Aston Hall celebrates its 400th an- NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 14 - Sun 17 June niversary this month by going back in time - to the year 1642, to If you’re looking for some summer recipe inspi- be precise - when Sir Thomas ration, look no further than the BBC Good Food Holte, the venue’s original owner, Show. played host to King Charles I. Some of the UK’s top chefs will be in attendance Visitors on the day will have the at the ever-popular event, including queen of opportunity to meet the ‘formida- baking Mary Berry, Michelin master Michel Roux ble’ Sir Thomas himself - not to Jr and the always-entertaining Hairy Bikers. mention his servant and even the With hundreds of fine food and drink producers king(!) - but not before receiving also in attendance, you can shop till you drop some sure-to-be-handy tips on and taste away all day! 17th century etiquette! A ticket to the show also allows you to explore the BBC Gardeners’ World Live event. The World Of Park & Leisure Homes Show NAEC Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, Fri 8 - Sun 10 June View and explore around 60 park homes and leisure lodges from 19 leading manufacturers at this well-established event. There’s also the opportunity to meet representa- tives from a huge range of leisure, holiday and residential park sites across the UK and beyond, in the process discovering a selection of fantastic locations in which to enjoy the benefits of a leisure or residential lifestyle! whatsonlive.co.uk 49 Shiiine On Festival June 2018.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 14:41 Page 1 The List Cover June Wolves_Shrops_Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 11:35 Page 2

YourYour wweek-eek- bby-weeky-week llistingsistings gguideuide JuneJune 20182018 thelist

Paloma Faith - Cannock Chase Forest, Rugeley, Fri 29 June

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

What’s On Fri 1 to Sun 10 June Mon 11 to Sun 17 June Mon 18 to Sun 24 June Mon 25 to Sat 30 June

The Shires at Ballet Cymru’s Cinderella at Katie Arnstein - Bicycles & David Baddiel at Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent New Vic Theatre, Staffs Fish at Lichfield Garrick Regent Theatre, Hanley Sun 3 June Wed 13 June Fri 22 - Sat 23 June Thurs 28 June

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thelist June, O2 Academy, June, Hare & Hounds, THROUGHOUT JUNE Gigs Birmingham Birmingham ANDY CUTTING Sat 2 THE JONI MITCHELL WUTHERING HEIGHTS - June, The Hive SONGBOOK Fri 8 June, THE MUSIC OF KATE Qube Gallery, Oswestry Shrewsbury Eleven, Sandyford, Visual Arts BUSH Fri 1 June, Prince NEW MILLICENT KAYE CHILDREN'S ART BENTLEY CALDWELL Stoke on Trent COMPETITION Annual competition, at- Of Wales Centre, Can- New Art Gallery - Walsall nock Sun 3 June, The COURTNEY ACT - UNDER tracting over 350 entries each year, Wightman Theatre, THE COVERS Fri 8 June, MIKE NELSON: LIONHEART Exhibition NICK HEYWARD Fri 1 Sun 17 - Sat 30 June Shrewsbury O2 Institute, B’ham consisting of junk materials painstak- June, O2 Academy, ingly collected from specific locations Weston Park, Shifnal Birmingham MOSTLY AUTUMN Sun 3 SARCOLINE & VALERAS by the artist, and assembled to create June, The Robin, Bil- Fri 8 June, The Sug- LACK OF COMMITMENTS a fictional drifter’s camp, complete NEW DIETER BLUM’S COWBOYS FROM ston armill, Stoke-on-Trent THE DAIMLER ART COLLECTION The Fri 1 June, Eleven, with skins, traps, darts, trophies and THE SHIRES Sun 3 MAETLOAF & THE NEVER work of German photographer Dieter Sandyford, Stoke on beer cans, until Sun 3 June June, Victoria Hall, NEVERLAND EXPRESS Blum is presented for the first time in Trent CORNELIA PARKER: THIRTY PIECES OF Stoke-on-Trent Fri 8 June, The Robin, SILVER (2015) the UK, Wed 6 June - Mon 27 Aug THE PEAK DISTRICT BIG Cornelia has here re-ap- G-EAZY Sun 3 June, O2 Bilston NEW MARQUETRY SOCIETY EXHIBITION BAND Fri 1 June, propriated a group of found glass Academy, Birmingham MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE: Exhibition of work by members of the Foxlowe Arts Centre, photographic negatives of antique sil- A TRIBUTE TO THE PO- Society, Tues 12 - Thurs 28 June Staffordshire DANNI NICHOLLS Sun 3 verware, continuing her interest in LICE Sat 9 June, New THE SMITHS LTD Fri 1 June, Henry Tudor objects and their histories, the mate- Alexandra Theatre, June, The River House, Shrewsbury rial of silver and the medium of pho- The Willow Art Gallery, Birmingham tography, until Sun 2 Dec Oswestry Rooms, Stourbridge JON MOSES Mon 4 GORDON HENDRICKS: MAHTAB HUSSAIN - MITTI KA GHAR GREEN HAZE & ONE June, The Glee Club, Ex- NEW BORDERLAND VISUAL ARTS Exhibi- STRIPPED BACK Sat 9 EIGHTY TWO Fri 1 June, Birmingham hibition extending from Mahtab Hus- tion of work by a thriving artists’ com- June, Theatre On The The Robin, Bilston sain’s Floor Three exhibition, Going munity based in Oswestry and the TEQUILA MOCKINGBYRD Steps, Bridgnorth, Back Home To Where I Came From, Borders, Sat 2 June - Sat 14 July LIBERTY LIES Fri 1 AND RENEGADE TWELVE South Shropshire until Sun 24 Feb June, The Asylum, Mon 4 June, The KINGS OV LEON Sat 9 Wolverhampton Art Gallery Birmingham Robin, Bilston Newcastle Borough Museum June, Eleven, Sandy- NEW CITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON COL- FRED ZEPPELIN Fri 1 THE FRANKIE VALLI ford, Stoke on Trent & Art Gallery LEGE END OF YEAR ART AND DESIGN June, The Night Owl, STORY - JERSEY BOY DIRTY DC Sat 9 June, OUT OF THIS WORLD Display of space SHOW Work from more than 60 gifted Birmingham FEAT: STEPHEN JAMES Tues 5 June, The The Robin, Bilston memorabilia, until Sat 9 June art, design and photography stu- THE SHIRES Fri 1 June, Robin, Bilston ELKIE BROOKS: PEARLS PHILIP ASTLEY HIS LIFE AND LEGACY Ex- dents from the City of Wolverhamp- Symphony Hall, B’ham ton College, Tues 19 June - Sun 8 MONEY FOR NOTHING GREATEST HITS TOUR hibition charting the meteoric rise of SOME GUYS HAVE ALL July Thurs 7 June, The Sat 9 June, Theatre Philip Astley, ‘the father of modern THE LUCK - THE ROD Place, Oakengates Severn, Shrewsbury circus’, until Sun 15 July NEW MELANIE TOMLINSON: GHOST STEWART STORY Sat 2 Theatre at The Place, PATSY CLINE & FRIENDS CIRCUS POSTER COMPETITION Celebrat- HORSES AND GUNS Exhibition of work June, Lichfield Garrick by Melanie Tomlinson, who creates Telford Sat 9 June, The Brew- ing the life and work of Philip Astley, STEREOPHONICS Sat 2 intricate three-dimensional sculptures BRINGING ON BACK THE house Arts Centre, ‘the father of modern circus’, until June, The Racecourse as an archive of urban folk tales, Sat 60S Thurs 7 June, The- Burton-upon-Trent Sun 15 July Gound (Wrexham FC), 30 June - Sun 14 Oct atre Severn, Shrews- DECOSTRUTTORI POST- Wrexham, Clwyd Potteries Museum & Art bury MODERNISTI Sun 10 MERSEY BEATLES Sat 2 Gallery - Stoke-On-Trent Other VISUAL ARTS CHANTEL MCGREGOR June, Theatre Severn, June, Prince Of Wales Thurs 7 June, The Shrewsbury MINI MUSEUM Reflecting all the collec- CONSEQUENCE OF WAR Exhibition ex- Centre, Cannock tions held by the museum, this fam- ploring the immediate aftermath of Robin, Bilston PALM Sun 10 June, THE ROLLING STONES ily-friendly exhibition will be asking World War One and the quest for BRINGING ON BACK THE Hare & Hounds, Birm- Sat 2 June, Ricoh visitors what their favourite objects peace that followed. Includes works 60S Fri 8 June, Prince ingham Arena, Coventry are and how they would like to see by Henry Moore and Paul Nash, pre- Of Wales Centre, Can- VITAL'S CLEAN HEARTS them displayed, until Sun 3 June sented alongside Great War artefacts CALAN Sat 2 June, nock ONLY SHOW Sun 10 and contemporary footage, until Sun Newhampton Arts STORIES ON THE MANTELPIECE - VICTO- THE MAGIC OF MOTOWN June, The Slade 24 June, LIchfield Cathedral Centre, W’hampton RIAN RELIGIOUS FIGURES Drawn from a Fri 8 June, Regent Rooms, Wolverhamp- private collection and the museum’s NEW SECRET HILLS ART CAFE EXHIBI- ROY WOODS Sat 2 Theatre, Stoke-on- ton own pieces, the display examines the TION Thurs 7 June - Mon 16 July, June, O2 Institute, Trent RAYMOND FROGGATT Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, Birmingham rise of popular religious figures in the THE MOUSE OUTFIT Fri 8 Sun 10 June, The Victorian period, until Sun 1 July Craven Arms QUINN & P.E.T. Sat 2 Robin, Bilston CREATIVE RAGE Exhibition featuring NEW BISHOP'S CASTLE OPEN STUDIOS A June, The Slade paintings, photographs, prints and weekend during which artists invite Rooms, W’hampton ceramics by members of the progres- the public to join them in their stu- THE DECADES BAND - sive LGBTQ artistic community, until dios, Fri 8 - Sun 10 June, Various lo- 80S VS. 90S SPECIAL! Sun 2 Sept cations in Bishops Castle Sat 2 June, The River FIRST WORLD WAR REPLICA TRENCH NEW BRIDGNORTH OPEN HOUSE ARTS Rooms, Stourbridge until Sun 11 Nov TRAIL More than 30 houses and BOOKENDS: TRIBUTE TO venues of historical interest open REVEALING VOICES Celebration of the SIMON & GARFUNKEL their doors to display the work of ap- 50th anniversary of Radio Stoke, fea- Sat 2 June, Festival proximately 40 artists, Sat 9 - Sun 10 turing a selection of photographs, Drayton Centre, Mar- June, Various locations in Bridgnorth archival material and film, until Sun ket Drayton 23 Dec NEW BORDERLAND VISUAL ARTS - OPEN SPECIAL KINDA MAD- STUDIOS Opportunity to see high- NEW BLUE Exhibition inviting visitors NESS Sat 2 June, The quality art and see talented artists to think about the colour blue and its Robin, Bilston working in their studios, Sat 9 - Sun existence in the natural world, Sat 30 THE BEAT (STARRING 10 June and Sat 16 - Sun 17 June , The Shires - Symphony Hall, Birmingham & June - Sun 28 Oct DAVE WAKELING) Various Locations around Oswestry Sat 2 Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent 52 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs Fri 1 - Sun 10 June.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 11:40 Page 2

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HOWIE & LOYISO GOLA Fri 1 - Sat 2 Classical Music June, The Glee Club, Birmingham BILL BAILEY Sat 2 June, Arena B’ham CLASSICAL OPERA - LA FINTA SEMPLICE OPERA IN 3 ACTS Featuring Ian Page SEAN PERCIVAL, STEVE BUGEJA, MIKE (conductor), Regula Mühlemann NEWALL & PETE OTWAY Sat 2 June, (Rosina), Chiara Skerath (Ninetta), The Comedy Loft, Birmingham Sophie Rennert (Giacinta), Alessan- TIM KEY Sun 3 June, The Glee Club, dro Fisher (Don Polidoro), Thomas Birmingham Elwin (Fracasso), Lukas Jakobski BARRY CASTAGNOLA, PETER BRUSH, (Don Cassandro) & Božidar Smiljani JENNY COLLIER & DAN NIGHTINGALE (Simone), Sat 2 June, Birmingham ć Sun 3 June, Theatre Severn, Shrews- Town Hall bury LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL CHORUS: BEN HANLIN Wed 6 June, The Slade PARRY'S CHORAL WORKS Sat 2 June Rooms, Wolverhampton Lichfield Garrick SCOTT CAPURRO, FERAZ OVEL & COM- MARRIAGE OF FIGARO THE English EDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Touring Opera presents an energetic Thurs 7 June, The Glee Club, B’ham new production of one of the world’s most beloved operas, Mon 4 June, PAUL SINHA, ANTHONY KING, MANDY Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent MUDEN & WAYNE BEESE Thurs 7 June, Katie Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge THOMAS TROTTER (ORGAN) & ROGER OWENS (PIANO) Programme incudes JARRED CHRISTMAS & VIV GROSKOP works by Williams (The Dream of Thurs 7 June, MAC, Birmingham Olwen), Lutoslawski, Bedard and IAN D MONTFORT, ALEX HYLTON, RAY- Brian Conley: The Greatest Entertainer - Stafford Gatehouse Theatre & Mendelssohn, Mon 4 June, Sym- MOND AND MR TIMPKINS REVUE & New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham phony Hall, Birmingham BARRY DODDS Thurs 7 June, The MIDDAY MUSIC Featuring Tim Smith George Hotel, Lichfield STOMP Smash-hit production, com- (piano) & Tzu-Jo Huang (percus- CHRISTIAN REILLY, ELEANOR TIERNAN, Theatre bining dance, comedy and music, in sion). Programme includes works by HOWARD WALKER, DAWN RIGBY & ROB which familiar objects are used to WHISKY GALORE Tribute to the all-fe- Schubert, Masson & Cangelosi, Mon MULHOLLAND create a universal language, Tues 29 Thurs 7 June, Foxlowe male touring companies of the post- 4 June, Recital Hall, Birmingham May - Sat 2 June, Birmingham Hippo- Arts Centre, Staffordshire war years, until Sat 2 June, New Vic Conservatoire drome KUM-N-AVALOFF COMEDY NIGHT Thurs Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme THE WURTH PHILHARMONIC Featuring 7 June, Stourbridge Town Hall HAY FEVER Noel Coward’s farcical OUR COUNTRY'S GOOD Timberlake Maxim Vengerov (conductor/violin) & look at a dysfunctional family oblivi- GRUMPY OLD WOMEN TO THE RESCUE Wertenbaker play based on the true Stamatia Karampini (conductor). Pro- ous to their ill-mannered behaviour, Fri 8 June, Theatre Severn, Shrews- story of a group of convicts and a gramme includes works by J Strauss, Tues 29 May - Sat 9 June, The Wight- bury young officer who rehearse and per- man, Shrewsbury Bruch, Saint-Saëns & Tchaikovsky, form Australia's first theatrical produc- Mon 4 June, Symphony Hall, B’ham MO GILLIGAN Fri 8 June, O2 Academy, Birmingham tion, until Sat 2 June, The REP, B’ham GREASE Presented by Get Your Wigle ENGLISH TOURING OPERA: FIREWORKS On, Wed 30 May - Sat 2 June, The- KING LEAR Return of Gregory Doran's BARBARA NICE, SEAN PERCIVAL, WAYNE atre Severn, Shrewsbury Concert featuring highlights from acclaimed production, with Antony Rossini’s greatest operas, Tues 5 BEESE & PAUL SAVAGE Fri 8 June, Katie Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge Sher reprising his role as King Lear, CONCUBINE REP Foundry alumni June, Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent until Sat 9 June, Royal Shakespeare Amahra Spence's one-woman show RICH WILSON, KEVIN MCCARTHY & CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon exploring womanhood, sexuality and MICKEY SHARMA Fri 8 June, Molineux faith, Thurs 31 May - Sat 2 June, The CHESTRA: MOZART'S JUPITER Featuring THE FANTASTIC FOLLIES OF MRS RICH Stadium, Wolverhampton REP, Birmingham Jörg Widmann (Director/Clarinet). Mary Pix's comedy of manners, until LAUREN PATTISON, MATT REED, SCOTT Programme includes works by Wid- Thurs 14 June, The Swan Theatre, NEVILLE'S ISLAND The Albrighton Play- CAPURRO & SCOTT BENNETT Fri 8 - Sat mann, Weber & Mozart, Wed 6 June, Stratford-upon-Avon ers present an amateur staging of Symphony Hall, Birmingham 9 June, The Glee Club, Birmingham Tim Firth’s hit comedy, Thurs 31 May THE DUCHESS OF MALFI Maria Aberg COMMUTER CONCERT: COUPERIN SERIES JACK GLEADOW, STEVE HARRIS, BAR- - Sat 2 June, Theatre On The Steps, directs John Webster's tale of re- RECITAL BARA NICE & TIM CLARK Sat 9 June, Bridgnorth, South Shropshire The second of the Conserva- venge, until Fri 3 Aug, Royal Shake- The Comedy Loft, Birmingham toire’s year-long series of events cele- speare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon TWO Reform Theatre Company pre- brating the 350th year since JONNY COLE, WES ZAHARUK, AARON sent Jim Cartwright’s oft-performed MACBETH Shakespeare’s psychologi- Couperin’s birth, Thurs 7 June, Royal SIMMONDS & WAYNE BEESE Sat 9 play, Fri 1 June, Arena Theatre, cal thriller stars Christopher Eccle- Birmingham Conservatoire June, Katie Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge Wolverhampton ston and Niamh Cusack, until Tues CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- SARAH KENDALL Sun 10 June, MAC, 18 Sept, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, THE TEMPEST Shakespeare’s tale of il- CHESTRA: BEST OF BOLLYWOOD Featur- Birmingham Stratford-upon-Avon lusion and revenge, brought to life by ing Richard Davis (conductor), Piali SEANN WALSH, ADAM ROWE, JAKE LAM- the ever-zany Oddsocks, Fri 1 June, Ray (choreographic director), ROMEO AND JULIET Shakespeare's fa- BERT & WAYNE BEESE Sun 10 June, Lichfield Garrick Dancers from Sampad South Asian mous story of love at first sight, until Katie Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge BRIAN CONLEY: THE GREATEST ENTER- Dance & Shin DCS, Navin Kundra, Fri 21 Sept, Royal Shakespeare The- TAINER All-new show featuring brand Rekha Sawhney & Priti Kaur (vocal- atre, Stratford-upon-Avon new comedy, sketches and songs, ists), Fri 8 June, Symphony Hall, URINETOWN THE MUSICAL The Cres- Sat 2 June, Stafford Gatehouse The- Birmingham cent Theatre Company presents its atre version of the hit show, set in a time when water is worth its weight in DRACULA SPECTACULAR Presented by gold, Sat 26 May - Sat 2 June, Cres- the Viv Kelly Children’s Theatre cent Theatre, Birmingham Group, Sat 2 June, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Comedy 84 CHARING CROSS ROAD Hollywood actress Stefanie Powers stars along- STICKY CARPET QUIZ NIGHT CABARET PATRICK MONAHAN Fri 1 - Sat 2 June, side Clive Francis, Tues 29 May - Sat Rooftop Theatre Company host a ‘ri- The Glee Club, Birmingham 2 June, Wolverhampton Grand The- otous’ quiz night with competitions NICK DOODY, JIMMY MCGHIE, JOSH atre and entertainment, Sat 2 June, Lud- whatsonlive.co.uk 53 The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs Fri 1 - Sun 10 June.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 11:40 Page 3

thelist low Assembly Rooms, South Shrop- ham Conservatoire Theatre School the ever-zany Oddsocks, Fri 8 June, D-CONSTRUCTION Six dancers experi- shire presents David Ives' time-travelling The Church Green, Much Wenlock, ence the liberation of the mind TOM ADAMS - MY DAD, THE MAGICIAN comedy, Wed 6 - Sat 9 June, Cres- South Shropshire through movement. Part of Birming- The story of a magician whose great- cent Theatre, Birmingham TABLE Tanya Ronder’s thought-pro- ham International Dance Festival est trick is making sure there’s food THE LADYBOYS OF BANGKOK: WONDER voking play, a National Theatre hit 2018, Fri 8 June, Victoria Square, on the family table, Sat 2 June, The WOMEN TOUR Cabaret show celebrat- when first performed back in 2013, Birmingham Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon- ing a host of female icons, Thurs 7 Fri 8 - Sat 23 June, New Vic Theatre, ROLL UP, ROLL UP Simple Cypher (UK) Trent June, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Newcastle-under-Lyme fuse circus and dance in a fast-paced THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO English ROMEO & JULIET Outdoor perfor- RHONDDA RIPS IT UP Lesley Garrett show featuring hypnotic juggling, Touring Opera present Mozart’s fa- mance presented by The Handle- stars in a riotous romp through the breakdancing and daring Cyr wheel mous work, with the roles being Bards, the world’s first cycling theatre life of Margaret Haig Thomas (Lady feats... Part of Birmingham Interna- played by leading UK black and mi- company, Thurs 7 June, The Church Rhondda), the Newport suffragette tional Dance Festival 2018, Fri 8 - Sat nority ethnic singers, Mon 4 June, Green, Much Wenlock, South Shrop- whose activities paved the way for 9 June, Victoria Square, Birmingham Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent shire women's rights, Sat 9 June, MAC, INTRODUCING Showcase of new work A GRAND MUSIC HALL Fun and nostal- THE DAMNED UNITED Red Ladder The- Birmingham designed for unconventional perfor- gia featuring Ian Adams, Don atre present the story of Brian BRIAN CONLEY: THE GREATEST ENTER- mance spaces, Sat 9 June, Vivid Pro- Maclean, Van Buren & Allyson, Julie Clough’s brief time as manager of TAINER All-new show featuring brand jects, Minerva Works, Birmingham Paton, Guy Rowland and Keith Min- Leeds United Football Club, Thurs 7 new comedy, sketches and songs, THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE shull, Mon 4 - Tues 5 June, Wolver- June, The Brewhouse Arts Centre, Sun 10 June, New Alexandra The- WARDROBE Adage Dance & Fitness hampton Grand Theatre Burton-upon-Trent atre, Birmingham Studio presents its dance interpreta- TITANIC THE MUSICAL Award-winning LES MUSICALS G4's Jonathan Ansell YOUR BEST GUESS New theatrical offer- tion of CS Lewis's magical tale, Sat 9 show focusing on the hopes, dreams joins forces with Rhydian Roberts for ing from the co-founder of Unlimited - Sun 10 June, Crescent Theatre, and aspirations of those who an evening of song, Thurs 7 June, Theatre, Chris Thorpe, and Por- Birmingham boarded the RMS Titanic for her New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham tuguese theatre company mala GRAVITAS Dance and acrobatics com- maiden voyage from Southampton to JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Amateur voadora, Sun 10 June, MAC, B’ham bine in a performance exploring the New York, Mon 4 - Sat 9 June, Birm- staging presented by Old Swinford basic and powerful forces of nature. ingham Hippodrome Hospital (OSH) Performing Arts, Part of Birmingham International "AIN'T NO ANGELS" Role-Play Produc- Thurs 7 - Fri 8 June, Stourbridge Dance Festival 2018, Sat 9 - Sun 10 tions recount the meeting of Al Jol- Town Hall June, Victoria Square, Birmingham son and Frank Sinatra, Tues 5 - Wed BACK TO THE 80S Birmingham Youth Kids Show AIR & LA GRANDE DIDIER THERON 6 June, Sutton Coldfield Town Hall, Funny and original show featuring Theatre present a nostalgic romp PINOCCHIO Blue Orange Arts presents Birmingham four dancers dressed in inflatable through the 1980s’ greatest hits, its version of Carlo Collodi's much- latex suits which transform and mag- CAROUSEL Trinity Players present Thurs 7 - Sat 9 June, The Old Rep loved children's tale, Sat 26 May - Sat nify their movements. Part of Birming- Rodgers & Hammerstein's hit show, Theatre, Birmingham 2 June, The Blue Orange Theatre, ham International Dance Festival Tues 5 - Sat 9 June, Lichfield Garrick Birmingham BACK TO THE 80S With HQPA produc- 2018, Sat 9 - Sun 10 June, Victoria SUNSHINE ON LEITH Brand new adap- tions, Thurs 7 - Sat 9 June, Theatre FIRST STAGES: LITTLE RED HEN Theatri- Square, Birmingham tation of the Proclaimers musical, Severn, Shrewsbury cal experience inviting younger audi- MOON Follow Jack as he meets the Tues 5 - Sat 9 June, Belgrade The- ences to join the Little Red Hen and THE COMMANDER OF MAGIC The first in Moon and embarks on an amazing atre, Coventry plant some grains of corn. Suitable a ‘12 live chapter’ show, revealing adventure. Performed by 2Faced for children aged three-plus, Sat 2 DREAMBOYS ‘The UK's top male strip 200 years of magical history, Fri 8 Dance Company, Sat 9 - Sun 10 June, The REP, Birmingham show, perfect for a girls’ night out June, The Blue Orange Theatre, June, Victoria Square, Birmingham with all your friends’, Wed 6 June, Birmingham PEPPA PIG'S ADVENTURE Join Peppa as BOLERO Jesús Rubio Gamo (Spain) Wolverhampton Grand Theatre she gets ready to go on a camping TINA T'URNER TEA LADY'S STEAMY explore the fine line separating plea- trip to the woods, Wed 6 - Thurs 7 SONIC YOUTH SLEPT ON MY FLOOR BINGO ‘An hilarious evening celebrat- sure and exhaustion, Sat 9 - Sun 10 June, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Moseley-born music writer and Ha- ing bingo, music, tea and laughter!’ June, Victoria Square, Birmingham cienda DJ Dave Haslam ‘unveils his Fri 8 June, Old Joint Stock Theatre, THE UGLY DUCKLING Musical adapta- autobiography’, Wed 6 June, Birm- Birmingham tion of Hans Christian Andersen’s ingham Town Hall GRUMPY OLD WOMEN Featuring ‘mis- classic tale, presented by Sea Legs DYLAN THOMAS: CLOWN IN THE MOON tresses of grump’ Jenny Eclair, Dillie Puppet Theatre, Sat 9 June, Stafford Dramatic portrait of the poet’s chaotic Keane and Lizzie Roper, Fri 8 June, Gatehouse Theatre and all-too-brief life, Wed 6 June, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Talks Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton THE TEMPEST Shakespeare’s tale of il- ANDREW MOTION: ESSEX CLAY Andrew DON JUAN IN CHICAGO Royal Birming- lusion and revenge, brought to life by Motion’s in-verse biographical sequel to his 2006 prose memoir, In The Dance Blood, Sat 2 June, MAC, Birmingham COMPANY WAYNE MCGREGOR: ATOMOS ANDREW MOTION: ESSEX CLAY Andrew Ten dancers perform McGregor’s Motion’s in-verse biographical sequel contemporary-style choreography. to his 2006 prose memoir, In The 3D glasses are provided for part of Blood, Fri 8 June, Ludlow Assembly the performance, Fri 1 - Sat 2 June, Rooms, South Shropshire New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham BALLET CENTRAL Featuring a new pro- gramme of dance-theatre, Mon 4 June, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Events MIDLANDS MADE Programme of new commissions and presentations by CASTLE QUEST A must for those who artists living and working in the Mid- love solving riddles and having a go lands. Part of Birmingham Interna- at challenges, until Fri 1 June, Tam- tional Dance Festival 2018, Mon 4 - worth Castle Fri 8 June, Victoria Square, B’ham OPERATION EARTH SHOW New family Jurassic Seas - Sea Life Centre, Birmingham show exploring the amazing stories 54 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs Fri 1 - Sun 10 June.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 11:40 Page 4

Friday 1 - Sunday 10 June

and science of the environment, until June, MAC, Birmingham Fri 1 June, Thinktank Science Mu- ARCHERY AT TRENTHAM GARDENS Fri 1 seum, Birmingham - Sun 3 June, Trentham Gardens, HALF TERM: VIKINGS! Become a family Stoke on Trent from the North preparing to ‘go a ANYTHING GOES GALA & CIDER FESTI- viking’ later in the summer, until Fri 1 VAL Fri 1 - Sun 3 June, Churnet Valley June, Shropshire Hills Discovery Railway, Froghall, Staffs Centre, Craven Arms South Shrop- shire WOLVERHAMPTON SECRET GIN FESTIVAL Quaff your way through 100 gin HALF-TERM FAMILY CRAFTS Find out brands, ‘mind-blowing’ garnishes what keeps bees buzzing and have a and street food hosted by the leg- go at bee-themed crafts, until Fri 1 endary Digbeth Dining Club, Sat 2 June, Wightwick Manor, Wolverhamp June, The Grain Store, Wolverhamp- WAR OF THE ROSES LIVE The War of ton the Roses unfolds in a new live action T-REX: KING OF THE DINOSAURS Travel show, complete with stunt riders, back in time with an animatronic T- jousting and state-of-the-art special Rex. Visitors can also interact with a effects! until Sun 3 June, Warwick variety of real-life prehistoric animals, Castle including cockroaches, scorpions, WITSUN WEEK HALF TERM Family fun, spiders, lizards, snakes, snapping until Sun 3 June, Sarehole Mill, Hall turtles and birds, Sat 2 June, The Pot- Green, Birmingham teries Museum & Art Gallery, Hanley, T-Rex: King Of The Dinosaurs - The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent HALF TERM AT DRAYTON MANOR Dray- Stoke-on-Trent ing raft races, duck and boat races, phony Hall, Birmingham ton Manor celebrates Love Your Zoo BACKSTAGE TOUR: GENERAL Journey coracles, fancy dress competitions, CHANTILLY GREY'S BUTTERMARKET week with a host of activities, until behind the scenes at one of Britain's live entertainment and demonstra- MARKET Featuring stalls manned by Sun 3 June, Drayton Manor Theme premier producing theatres, Sat 2 tions on river safety by emergency local traders, a bar and café, Sat 9 Park, Tamworth June, The REP, Birmingham services, Sun 3 June, The Quarry June, The Buttermarket Shrewsbury JURASSIC SEAS MUSICAL THEATRE OPEN MIC NIGHT Park, Shrewsbury Journey back in time WAR OF THE ROSES LIVE The War of to when dinosaurs roamed the land Strut your stuff to anything and every- MENU TASTING EVENINGS Enjoy six the Roses unfolds in a new live action and fearsome creatures lurked in the thing musical theatre, Sat 2 June, Old courses, for £45 per person, Thurs 7 show, complete with stunt riders, depths of the sea, until Sun 3 June, Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham June, The Ryder Grill at The Belfry, jousting and state-of-the-art special National Sea Life Centre, Birmingham JEWELLERY QUARTER HERITAGE WALK Sutton Coldfield effects! Sat 9 - Sun 10 June, Warwick DINO WEEK Enjoy all the fun of the Learn about the area’s history, its THE FESTIVAL IN A FACTORY An eclectic Castle farm plus some roarsome dinosaur buildings and businesses, Sat 2 celebration of culture and creativity, STEAM POWER WEEKEND Featuring activities, until Sun 3 June, National June, Museum of the Jewellery Quar- Thurs 7 - Sat 9 June, Emma Bridge- talks by engineers, and engines thun- Forest Adventure Farm, Burton Upon ter, Birmingham water Pottery Factory Outlet, Hanley, dering into action! Sat 9 - Sun 10 Trent QUEEN VICTORIA CYCLOCROSS Featur- Stoke-on-Trent June, Thinktank Science Museum, SPRINGTIME FUN IN THE VALLEY Trains ing 300 riders from across the UK, all THE 43RD WOLVERHAMPTON BEER AND Birmingham run daily, until Sun 3 June, Severn competing over ‘a course like no CIDER FESTIVAL Showcasing more THE ORIGINS OF MIDDLE EARTH WALK A Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kidder- other’, Sat 2 June, Blists Hill Victorian than 70 beers and 30 ciders, plus guided walk exploring the area that minster Town, Ironbridge, Shropshire country wines and imported beers, inspired JRR Tolkien, Sun 10 June, GIRAFFE WEEK Celebrate all things gi- COLLECTORMANIA 25 A unique event Thurs 7 - Sat 9 June, Newhampton Sarehole Mill, Hall Green, B’ham Arts Centre, Wolverhampton raffe and help raise funds for giraffe for fans of pop culture and collecta- IRONMAN 70.3 STAFFORDSHIRE Sun 10 conservation, until, Sun 3 June, West bles, Sat 2 - Sun 3 June, NEC, B’ham ALE TASTING Sample a range of June, starts at Chasewater Reservoir Midland Safari and Leisure Park, Be- TUDOR WEEKEND Have a go at Tudor Sadler's finest ales, Fri 8 June, Black and end in Market Square, Stafford wdley, Nr Kidderminster Country Living Museum, Dudley games, quill pen writing and Tudor RAF COSFORD AIR SHOW Featuring MADE IN THE BLACK COUNTRY Discover dancing, Sat 2 - Sun 3 June, CASTLE TOURS 2018, Learn more ‘spectacular’ flying displays, military how manufacturing prowess put the Blakesley Hall, Birmingham about Dudley Castle, Fri 8 June, Dud- exhibitions and static aircraft dis- region on the map, until Sun 3 June, ETRURIA CANALS FESTIVAL Historic nar- ley Castle plays, Sun 10 June, RAF Cosford, Nr Black Country Living Museum, Dud- rowboat gathering, family-friendly arts BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS Sat 9 June, Wolverhampton ley workshops and entertainment, Sat 2 - Birmingham Hippodrome AFTERNOON TEA - BEHIND THE SCENES SOOTY & FRIENDS Join Sooty, Sweep Sun 3 June, Etruria Industrial Mu- THE SPIRIT OF DANCE The Keep Fit As- Combine a tour with afternoon tea in and Soo as they showcase their lat- seum, Stoke-on-Trent sociation (KFA) presents its National the Victorian Orangery, Sun 10 June, est inventions, including the Super MINI BEAST HUNT Discover what’s lurk- Festival of Dance, Sat 9 June, Sym- Weston Park, Nr Shifnal, Staffs Sonic Sootamatic, until Sun 3 June, ing in the gardens of Sunnycroft, Sat Cadbury World, Birmingham 2 - Sun 3 June, Sunnycroft, Welling- PIRATE WEEK Until Sun 3 June, Selly ton Manor, Bournville, Birmingham RACE FOR LIFE Fundraising race in ton support of life-saving research, Sun 3 UK GAMES EXPO The premier event in June, Telford Town Park, Shropshire the UK, featuring all aspects of the WOLVERHAMPTON YOGA AND VEGAN tabletop gaming hobby, Fri 1 - Sun 3 FESTIVAL Featuring yoga & meditation June, NEC, Birmingham sessions, vegan food and products, UV FOAM PARTY Fri 1 June, Telford Ice Sun 3 June, Our Lady and St Chad Rink, Shropshire Catholic Academy, Wolverhampton BEYOND WINDRUSH: CARNIVAL WORK- AFTERNOON TEA - BEHIND THE SCENES SHOP Get in the spirit of the Combine a tour with afternoon tea in Caribbean by designing and creating the Victorian Orangery, Sun 3 June, smart footwear or a head dress in this Weston Park, Nr Shifnal, Shropshire ‘fun-filled carnival workshop’, Fri 1 SHREWSBURY RIVER FESTIVAL Includ- Queen Victoria Cyclecross - Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge, Shropshire

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thelist Brass (conductor). Programme in- Gigs Classical cludes works by riks E envalds, Javier Buston. Harris,Ē Mortenś Laurid- sen, Mendellsohn, Rachmaninov, NOUVELLE VAGUE Mon Music Sheremetev, arr. Moresan & Moses 11 June, Birmingham Hogan, Fri 15 June, The Barber Insti- Town Hall MIDDAY MUSIC: MIKHAIL KAZAKEVICH (PIANO) Mon 11 June, Recital Hall, tute, Birmingham JESSICA LYNN Tues 12 Royal Birmingham Conservatoire NATALIA TRULL (PIANO) Programme June, Hare & Hounds, includes works by Mozart, Brahms, Birmingham JULIAN JACOBSON LECTURE RECITAL: THE TEMPEST Julian Jacobson, Presi- Chopin & Debussy, Fri 15 June, MAZ O'CONNOR AND dent of the Beethoven Piano Society Concert Hall, Royal Birmingham JACK CARTY Tues 12 of Europe, begins a Beethoven Conservatoire June, Henry Tudor thread that runs through the Festi- THOMAS TROTTER: GALA ORGAN House, Shrewsbury vals, with the first of three Lecture RECITAL Programme includes works ZACH SAID Tues 12 Recitals on a single Beethoven piano by Handel, Hollins, W Harris, Judith June, O2 Academy, sonata, The Tempest, Mon 11 June, Weir, A Wammes & Rossini, Sat 16 Birmingham Royal Birmingham Conservatoire June, St Laurence’s Church, Ludlow, BROTHER FIRETRIBE PAUL BADURA-SKODA (PIANO) Tues 12 South Shropshire Maz O’Connor - Henry Tudor House - Shrewsbury Tues 12 June, The Ac- June, Concert Hall, Royal Birming- CITY OF BRISTOL CHOIR: CHORAL MAS- tress & Bishop. B’ham June, Lichfield Garrick THE DOORS ALIVE Sat ham Conservatoire TERPIECES Featuring David Ogden DEMI LOVATO (conductor), Richard Johnson Tues 12 FAST LOVE - GEORGE 16 June, The Sug- MIDDAY MUSIC: THE FITZROY QUARTET (organ), Kate Pearson (harp) and June, Arena Birming- MICHAEL TRIBUTE ACT armill, Stoke-on-Trent Programme comprises Beethoven’s ham Jeremy Little (percussion). Pro- Fri 15 June, Prince Of String Quartets Op.18 No.3 & 4, HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES gramme includes works by Howells, RICHARD DIGANCE Wed Wales Centre, Can- Tues 12 June, Royal Birmingham Sat 16 June, Genting Finzi, Rheinberger, Chilcott & Bern- 13 June, Oakengates nock Conservatoire Arena, Birmingham stein, Sat 16 June, Ludlow Assembly Theatre at The Place, THE SCOPYONS Fri 15 THE SKA45S Sat 16 CHEN SHUHUA (PIANO) & CHEN JIAFENG Rooms, South Shropshire Telford, Shropshire June, Eleven, Sandy- (VIOLIN) Programme includes works June, The Robin, Bil- ORGAN PROM Sat 16 June, Victoria DONNA TAGGART Wed ford, Stoke on Trent by Chopin, Wanghua Chu & ston Hall, Stoke-on-Trent 13 June, Prince Of Beethoven, Tues 12 June, Concert GUNS WITH ROSES Fri DEFINITELY MIGHTBE & Wales Centre, Can- Hall, Royal Birmingham Conserva- RUSSELL WATSON Sat 16 June, Lich- 15 June, Brierley Hill ADORED Sat 16 June, nock toire field Garrick Civic Hall, Dudley Foxlowe Arts Centre, LIONEL RICHIE - ALL THE JULIAN JACOBSON LECTURE RECITAL: CITY OF BRISTOL CHOIR Sat 16 June, THE STORY OF GUITAR Staffordshire HITS Wed 13 June, ‘WALDSTEIN’ SONATA Programme St Laurence's Church, Ludlow, South HEROES Fri 15 June, KILLERSTREAM Sat 16 Montgomery Waters comprises Beethoven’s Piano Shropshire Victoria Hall, Stoke-on- June, The River Meadow, Shrewsbury Sonata No.21 in C major, Op.53 Trent Rooms, Stourbridge BIRMINGHAM GAY SYMPHONY ORCHES- RYAN MCGARVEY BAND (‘Waldstein’), Wed 13 June, Recital TRA - 10TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT Sat SAFONE Fri 15 June, THE KILKENNYS Sat 16 Hall, Royal Birmingham Conserva- Wed 13 June, The 16 June, Birmingham Conservatoire O2 Academy, B’ham June, Theatre Severn, toire Robin, Bilston Shrewsbury THE KIDDERMINSTER FESTIVAL OR- PRINCE NIGHT Fri 15 VOLKOV CONDUCTS BRAHMS Featuring NOFX Thurs 14 June, CHESTRA Programme includes works June, The Night Owl, CHARLOTTE CARPENTER the City of Birmingham Symphony O2 Institute, B’ham by Handel, Corelli, Bach, Vivaldi, Birmingham Sat 16 June, The Sun- Orchestra, Ilan Volkov (conductor) & William Boyce, Mozart, Haydn & BIG SING 2018 Thurs 14 D-RAN D-RAN Fri 15 flower Lounge, B’ham Alisa Weilerstein (cello). Programme Elgar, Sun 17 June, Theatre Severn, June, Forest Arts Cen- June, The River SOULED OUT 2 FUNK Sat includes works by Holst, Shrewsbury tre, Walsall Rooms, Stourbridge 16 June, The Night Shostakovich & Brahms, Wed 13 GARY BARLOW PLUS June, Symphony Hall, Birmingham FLASH - A TRIBUTE TO Owl, Birmingham SUPPORT FROM JASON QUEEN Fri 15 June, BLUE COUNTRY Sun 17 YOUNG ARTIST RECITAL: SUSANNA BROCK Thurs 14 & Fri Theatre Severn, June, The Wightman BRAUN (PIANO) Part of Birmingham 15 June, Symphony Shrewsbury Theatre, Shrewsbury International Piano Festival, Wed 13 Comedy Hall, Birmingham June, Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham THE DOORS ALIVE Fri 15 TRIBUTE TO JOHNNY ASOMVEL Thurs 14 Conservatoire KAMIKAZE CLUB NIGHTS Mon 11 June, June, The Robin, Bil- CASH - KEEP IT CASH June, The Robin, Bil- The Blue Orange Theatre, B’ham ston Sun 17 June, The PETER DONOHOE: MOZART PIANO CYCLE ston RECITAL - 65TH BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE ALBERT LOVES LAUGHS Mon 11 June, TONY CHRISTIE Fri 15 Robin, Bilston FAITH - THE GEORGE CONCERT Programme includes 5 Albert's Shed Bar, Shrewsbury June, Theatre Severn, TONY CHRISTIE Sun 17 MICHAEL LEGACY Fri 15 works by Mozart, Wed 13 June, Coc- Shrewsbury June, Lichfield Garrick DOUG STANHOPE Tues 12 June, O2 nert Hall, Royal Birmingham Conser- Academy, Birmingham vatoire CRAIG DIXON Thurs 14 June, The JULIAN JACOBSON LECTURE RECITAL: Patrick Kavanagh, Moseley, B’ham APPASSIONATA Part of Birmingham In- TOM WRIGGLESWORTH, IAN COPPINGER ternational Piano Festival, Thurs 14 & COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY June, Concert Hall, Royal Birming- ROBINSON Thurs 14 June, The Glee ham Conservatoire Club, Birmingham MONTEVERDI: MADRIGALS OF WAR AND LLOYD LANGFORD, CHRIS STOKES LOVE (STAGED) The Royal Birming- Thurs 14 June, MAC, Birmingham ham Conservatoire presents Mon- teverdi's epic tales of conquered TOM WRIGGLESWORTH, IAN COP- hearts and lovelorn battlefields. Jef- PINGER, CHRIS BETTS & COMIC TBC Fri frey Skidmore conducts while 15 - Sat 16 June, The Glee Club, Matthew Sharp directs, Thurs 14 - Birmingham Sat 16 June, Crescent Theatre, Birm- JARLATH REGAN, STEVE SHANYASKI, ingham PHIL ELLIS & RO CAMPBELL Sat 16 The Kilkennys - Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury FESTIVAL VOICES Featuring Sidney June, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham

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Monday 11 - Sunday 17 June

JOEL DOMMET, TROY HAWKE, ROB DEER- CRIMES OF THE HEART Royal Birming- ING & WAYNE BEESE Sat 16 June, ham Conservatoire Theatre Company Brierley Hill Civic Hall, Dudley present a staging of Beth Henley's WEZ ZAHARUK, TOM TAYLOR, JONNY PEL- dark comedy, which tells of three Mis- HAM & DAMION LARKIN Sat 16 June, sissippi sisters loving, feuding and Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent fussing their way through a very bad day, Wed 13 - Sat 16 June, The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham DEREK ACORAH: LOVE, LIFE, LAUGHTER TOUR An evening of mediumship, Theatre Thurs 14 June, Prince Of Wales Cen- tre, Cannock THE LADYKILLERS The Nonentities pre- GRUMPY OLD WOMEN Featuring ‘mis- sent an amateur staging of the clas- tresses of grump’ Jenny Eclair, Dillie sic Ealing comedy, Mon 11 - Sat 16 Keane and Lizzie Roper, Thurs 14 June, The Rose Theatre, Kiddermin- June, Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent ster MADRIGALS OF WAR AND LOVE Royal TRYING IT ON David Edgar makes his Birmingham Conservatoire presents performance debut in a one-man au- Monteverdi’s opera - an epic tale of tobiographical play reflecting on the conquered hearts and lovelorn bat- series of student revolts that took tles, Thurs 14 - Sat 16 June, Crescent place across the world in 1968, Tues Theatre, Birmingham 12 - Wed 13 June, The REP, B’ham Read David’s feature on page 22 YOUNG REP: SEE ME The Young REP Intermediate Company present a BEAUTIFUL - THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL show based on their own experi- The inspiring true story of the chart- ences in the education system, Fri 15 Ballet Cymru’s Cinderella - New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme topping music legend, Tues 12 - Sat - Sat 16 June, The REP, Birmingham 16 June, Wolverhampton Grand The- Company journey from the glamour atre 14/48 WOLVERHAMPTON Opportunity to witness seven brand new plays each Kids Show of 1920s Hollywood to the present SUMMER HOLIDAY Brand new staging day - written, rehearsed and per- day, Thurs 14 June, Theatre Severn, WHAT THE LADYBIRD HEARD Two crafty based on the iconic 1960s film of the formed in 48 hours, Fri 15 - Sat 16 Shrewsbury robbers, one tiny ladybird, and a same name. Ray Quinn and Bobby June, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton KALLO COLLECTIVE: ONLY BONES V 1.0 whole farmyard of fun!, Tues 12 - Crush star, Tues 12 - Sat 16 June, Award-winning solo production by New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham WOYZECK Theatre and dance com- Wed 13 June, Birmingham Hippo- bine in an exhilarating story about physical theatre company Kallo Col- HAIRSPRAY drome Smash-hit musical follow- fighting for a better life, Fri 15 - Sat 23 lective and production company TELETUBBIES LIVE Join Tinky Winky, ing the story of Tracy Turnblad, a big June, The REP, Birmingham Show Pony. Part of Birmingham Inter- girl with big hair and an even bigger Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po as they ex- national Dance Festival 2018, Fri 15- heart who’s on a mission to follow SKIN DEEP Musical revue celebrating plore the magical world of Teletubby- Sat 16 June, MAC, Birmingham bodies of all shapes and sizes, Sat 16 land, Wed 13 - Thurs 14 June, her dreams and dance her way onto MINI Immersive dance activity for chil- June, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury national TV, Tues 12 - Sat 16 June, dren aged two to four. Part of Birm- Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent DIVORCED, BEHEADED, DIED: AN AUDI- ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND ingham International Dance Festival ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS Little Theatre ENCE WITH KING HENRY VIII His Take a trip down the rabbit hole with 2018, Sat 16 - Sun 17 June, MAC, Company present their version of Majesty recounts the events of his Chapterhouse Theatre Company, Sat Birmingham Richard Bean's classic comedy, Tues reign, Sat 16 June, Old Joint Stock 16 June, Hawkstone Park & Follies, 12 - Sat 16 June, The Brewhouse Arts Theatre, Birmingham Shrewsbury Centre, Burton-upon-Trent THE COMMANDER OF MAGIC The first in KINDUR: THE ADVENTUROUS LIFE OF THE BEAUTIFUL GAME Next Door a ‘12 live chapter’ show, revealing ICELANDIC SHEEP A ‘magical interac- Dance present a humorous explo- 200 years of magical history, Sat 16 tive theatre experience’ for young au- Talks ration of the highs and lows of being June, Theatre On The Steps, Bridg- diences. Part of Birmingham AN AUDIENCE OF ANFIELD LEGENDS Fea- a British football fan, Wed 13 June, north, South Shropshire International Dance Festival 2018, Sat turing Liverpool Football Club leg- Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton 16 - Sun 17 June, MAC, B’ham ends John Barnes, Jan Molby and Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock, Tues 12 June, Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent AN EVENING WITH PETE WATERMAN Pete talks about his career, from Dance Stock Aitken Waterman to Pop Idol, Wed 13 June, Birmingham Town Hall CINDERELLA Presented by Ballet Cymru, Wed 13 June, New Vic The- THE LIFE AND RHYMES OF BENJAMIN atre, Newcastle-under-Lyme ZEPHANIAH Birmingham-born writer Benjamin shares a selection of CANDOCO DANCE COMPANY Brand new favourite stories and poems, Thurs 14 double bill. Part of Birmingham Inter- June, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury national Dance Festival 2018, Wed 13 - Thurs 14 June, MAC, Birmingham THE LIFE AND RHYMES OF BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH Birmingham-born writer ELEMENTS OF FREESTYLE Explosion of Benjamin shares a selection of sports, music, dance and theatre, de- favourite stories and poems, Fri 15 livering a fresh look at urban arts. June, Birmingham Town Hall Part of Birmingham International Dance Festival 2018, Thurs 14 June, HIT THE ODE Apples And Snakes pre- Birmingham Hippodrome sent a unique performance poetry night, Fri 15 June, The Patrick Centre, JAZZ DANCE COMPANY: DECADES Lon- Birmingham Hippodrome Grumpy Old Women - Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent don Studio Centre’s Jazz Dance

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thelist Monday 11 - Sunday 17 June FUNNY COW (15) Comedy/Drama. Film Starring Maxine Peake, Paddy Consi- dine. Wem Town Hall, North Shrop- INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: shire, Tues 12 & Thurs 14 June; MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (12a) Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Crime/Drama. Starring Kenneth Shropshire, Fri 15 & Sun 17 June Branagh, Penélope Cruz. Edge Arts THE LEISURE SEEKER (15) Centre, Much Wenlock, South Shrop- Comedy/Drama. Starring Helen Mir- shire, Mon 11 June ren, Donald Sutherland. Old Market EVEN WHEN I FALL (12A) Documentary. hall, Shrewsbury, Fri 15 - Thurs 21 Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South June; Wem Town Hall, North Shrop- Shropshire, Mon 11 & Wed 13 June shire, Tues 19 & Thurs 21 June BEAST (15) Drama. Starring Jessie THE BROMLEY BOYS (PG) Comedy. Buckley, Johnny Flynn. Ludlow As- Starring Martine McCutcheon, Alan sembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Davies. Light House Media Centre. Mon 11, Wed 13 - Thurs 14 June Wolverhampton, Fri 15 - Thurs 21 REDOUBTABLE (15) Biography/Com- June edy. Starring Louis Garrel, Stacy Mar- JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM tin. Foreign language, subtitled. (12a) Adventure/Sci-Fi. Starring Chris International Model Air Show - Weston Park, Nr Shifnal Light House Media Centre, Wolver- Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard. Light hampton, Mon 11 - Thurs 14 June; House Media Centre. Wolverhamp- Monty Don, Alan Titchmarsh, Carol war years. Dress up in your favourite Stoke Film Theatre, Sat 16 June ton, Fri 15 Thurs 21 June Klein, Joe Swift and Adam Frost. vintage style and join the fun, Sat 16 - Don’t forget, your ticket includes free Sun 17 June, National Brewery Cen- THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, entry to the BBC Good Food Show, tre, Burton upon Trent, Staffs MISSOURI (15) Mystery/Thriller. Star- NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Thurs 14 - Sun 17 June, NEC, B’ham ring Frances McDormand, Woody MINI Immersive dance activity for chil- Harrelson. Foxlowe Arts Centre, Released from Fri 15 June, showing TRAM DRIVING EXPERIENCE DAY Join dren aged between two and four. Part Leek, Staffs, Tues 12 June at selected cinemas the expert team to learn about the of Birmingham International Dance history and workings of the trams in Festival, Sat 16 - Sun 17 June, MAC, SUMMER HOLIDAY! (U) Comedy/Musi- HEREDITARY (15) the collection, Fri 15 June, Black Birmingham cal. Starring Cliff Richard, Lauri Pe- SUPER TROOPERS 2 (15) Country Living Museum, Dudley WAR OF THE ROSES LIVE The War of ters. Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South THE CIAMBRA (15) Shropshire, Tues 12 June INTERNATIONAL MODEL AIR SHOW Pop- the Roses unfolds in a new live action THE HAPPY PRINCE (15) ular model air show featuring a whole show, complete with stunt riders, LEAN ON PETE (15) Adventure/Drama. host of displays and exhibitors, Fri 15 jousting and state-of-the-art special Starring Steve Buscemi, Charlie - Sun 17 June, Weston Park, Nr Shif- effects! Sat 16 - Sun 17 June, War Plummer. Stoke Film Theatre, Thurs nal, Staffs wick Castle 14 June ROYAL THREE COUNTIES SHOW Try your TRAMPOLINE AND TUMBLING REGIONAL MUSEUM HOURS (12) Drama. Starring hand at different activities, ‘bond’ with TEAM FINALS Sat 16 - Sun 17 June, Mary Margaret O'Hara, Bobby Som- Events friendly animals and enjoy non-stop Arena Birmingham mer. The Hive, Shrewsbury, Fri 1 BBC GOOD FOOD SHOW SUMMER Fea- main arena entertainment, culminat- June turing live demonstrations by Michel CRAFTSMANSHIP FESTIVAL The inaugu- ing in the Grand Parade of Livestock, ral Middleport Pottery Craftsmanship THE CURED (15) Horror/Sci-Fi. Starring Roux Jr, Tom Kerridge, Raymond Fri 15 - Sun 17 June, Three Counties Festival, featuring blacksmithing, Ellen Page, Sam Keeley. Stoke Film Blanc, James Martin, Mary Berry and Showground, Malvern woodturning and throwing, Sat 16 - Theatre, Fri 15 June the Hairy Bikers. Don’t forget, you can explore BBC Gardeners’ World SHREWSBURY CARNIVAL & SHOW Fea- Sun 17 June, Middleport Pottery, THE GUERNSEY LITERARY & POTATO Live as part of your ticket too, Thurs turing arena entertainment, a funfair, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent PEEL PIE SOCIETY (12a) Drama/History. 14 - Sun 17 June, NEC, Birmingham food from local producers and trade MINI BUILDERS WEEKEND Featuring Starring Lily James, Michael Huis- & charity stalls, Sat 16 June, The Lego workshops, crafts and story- man. Ludlow Assembly Rooms, BBC GARDENERS' WORLD LIVE Featur- Quarry Park, Shrewsbury telling, Sat 16 - Sun 17 June, Think- South Shropshire, Fri 15 & Sun 17 ing ‘stunning’ show gardens, a floral FAMILY FUN DAY - BBQ & BAR Celebrate tank Science Museum, Birmingham June marquee, and live demonstrations by all things British Summer Time with FALCONRY DAY Sun 17 June, an array of family activities, Sat 16 Blakesley Hall, Birmingham June, Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, Craven Arms, South Shrop- FESTIVAL OF BLACK COUNTRY VEHICLES shire Featuring cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles built in the Black HOME ON THE RANGE Discover the Country, Sun 17 June, Black Country challenges of feeding the family in Living Museum, Dudley the Victorian period, from working the range to washing the pots. Cook SHREWSBURY HALF MARATHON Sun 17 some hearty Black Country fayre for June, Shrewsbury Town Centre your lunch and bake a cake to take RACE FOR LIFE Fundraising race in home, Sat 16 June, Black Country support of life-saving research, Sun Living Museum, Dudley 17 June, West Park, Wolverhampton FORGE EXPERIENCE DAY Hands-on ex- TUNNEL TEDS Take along your furry perience of blacksmithing, Sat 16 friend for a ted-tastic day of bear- June, Black Country Living Museum, themed fun on and around the canal, Dudley Sun 17 June, Dudley Canal and Tun- 80S NIGHT Sat 16 June, West Midland nel Trust Safari and Leisure Park, Bewdley, Nr FATHER'S DAY BBQ Treat Dad to a beer Kidderminster or a game on the tennis lawn, Sun 17 THE VINTAGE YEARS FESTIVAL 2018 Cel- June, Biddulph Grange Garden, ebration of the lifestyles, fashion, Stoke-on-Trent BBC Gardener’s World Live - NEC, Birmingham music and classic cars of the post- TRANSPORT FESTIVAL Sun 17 June, Trentham Gardens, Stoke on Trent whatsonlive.co.uk 59 The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs Mon 18 - Sun 24 June.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 11:36 Page 1

JUNE HIGHLIGHTS

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BICYCLES & FISH Thursday 5 July, 7.30pm ODDSOCKS: THE TEMPEST 30 JUNE

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60 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs Mon 18 - Sun 24 June.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 11:36 Page 2

thelist Monday 18 - Sunday 24 June STEVE GIBBONS Thurs Town Hall (PERCUSSION) Also featuring Anton Gigs 21 June, The Robin, SUN RECORDS - THE Classical Music Clarke-Butler (clarinet), Begum Bilston CONCERT Sat 23 June, Bensu Ünsal (violin) & Gloria KATY PERRY Mon 18 ENSEMBLE 360 - SCHUBERT, BILLY IDOL Thurs 21 Victoria Hall, Stoke-on- Yehilevsky (percussion). An eclectic June, Arena Birming- MENDELSSOHN AND FAURE Featuring June, O2 Academy, Trent programme includes solo percussion ham Tim Horton (piano), Benjamin Birmingham with electronics, a percussion duo PIST.ON Sat 23 June, Nabarro (violin), Claudia Ajmone- piece, a trio for violin, clarinet and SURREAL PANTHER Fri O2 Academy, B’ham Marsan (violin), Ruth Gibson (viola), marimba and a special focus on jazz 22 June, Eleven, MY LEONARD COHEN Gemma Rosefield (cello), Mon 18 music, Thurs 21 June, Recital Hall, Sandyford, Stoke on Sat 23 June, Theatre June, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle- Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Trent under-Lyme Severn, Shrewsbury 20TH CENTURY CELLO Thurs 21 June, THE UK PINK FLOYD EX- THE ONLY WAY IS MIDDAY MUSIC: BAX Featuring Joe St Laurence's Church, Ludlow, South PERIENCE Fri 22 June, GARAGE #5 Sat 23 Wallace (clarinet) & Veronika Shropshire Lichfield Garrick Tabakova (piano). Programme in- June, Mama Roux's, THALLEIN ENSEMBLE & JENNIFER WAL- cludes a selection of piano solos and THE BLUEJAYS ROCK Birmingham SHE (PICTURED) Featuring Daniele Bax’s Clarinet Sonata, Mon 18 June, AND ROLL REVOLUTION TRAFFIC 13TH ANNIVER- Rosina (conductor), Fri 22 June, GEORGE BENSON Mon Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham Con- Fri 22 June, Brierley SARY Sat 23 June, The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire 18 June, Symphony servatoire Hill Civic Hall, Dudley Buttermarket, Shrews- Hall, Birmingham LIBBY SINGS ADELE Fri bury ROYAL BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE J.I.D & EARTHGANG Tues CHAMBER CHOIR Programme includes 22 June, The Wight- LIMEHOUSE LIZZY Sat 19 June, O2 Institute, works by James MacMillan & Henryk man Theatre, Shrews- 23 June, The Robin, Birmingham Gorecki, Mon 18 June, St Alban The bury Bilston RICHIE KOTZEN Tues 19 Martyr, Highgate, Birmingham KING OF POP – MICHAEL CHEMIKILL, SPIRAL DIVE, June, The Robin, Bil- BCMG: NEW WORK Programme to in- JACKSON TRIBUTE. Fri INFLUENS & HAMEREX ston clude works by Susannah Self, Oliver 22 June, Oakengates Sat 23 June, Scruffy Farrow, Hannah Liu, Ivan Cancialosi, TAKING PART - ESCAPE Theatre at The Place, Murphys, Birmingham Wed 20 June, The But- Telford, Shropshire Rob Roberts, Soul Zisso & Georgia HIGHER ON MAIDEN Sat Denham, Mon 18 June, The Lab, termarket, Shrewsbury THE JAM'D Fri 22 June, 23 June, Route 44, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire LENNY KRAVITZ Wed 20 The Robin, Bilston Birmingham THOMAS TROTTER LUNCHTIME ORGAN June, Arena Birming- PAUL LAMB & THE KING KICK UP THE 80S Sat 23 CONCERT: LADIES’ DAY Programme in- ham SNAKES Fri 22 June, June, The River cludes works by E. Wallen, J. Marsh, Pizza Express Live, Rooms, Stourbridge K. Kulkova, M. Dring, J. Weir & J. Birmingham THE STRAIGHT ACES Sat Demessieuz, Mon 18 June, Birming- LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA: ZIMMER THE FOOD FIGHTERZ Fri 23 June, The Night ham Town Hall VS. WILLIAMS Featuring Anthony In- 22 June, The River glis (conductor) Programme includes Owl, Birmingham MIDDAY MUSIC: ALEXANDER BAILLIE Rooms, Stourbridge some of the very best scores from (CELLO) Also featuring John Thwaites OASIS MAYBE WORLD the two greatest film composers of all GAZ COOMBES Fri 22 (piano), Tues 19 June, Concert Hall, CUP PARTY Sun 24 time, Fri 22 - Sun 24 June, Symphony June, The Sugarmill, June, The Night Owl, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Stoke-on-Trent Hall, Birmingham Birmingham BAXFEST Featuring The Artume Quar- PELLÉAS ET MÉLISANDE Featuring STARCRAWLER Thurs 21 JOHN COGHLANS QUO tet and special guests Lucia Vein- RALPH MCTELL & WIZZ Mirga Gražinyt -Tyla (conductor), June, O2 Academy, Sat 23 June, Eleven, JONES Sun 24 June, timilla (violin) & Greta Astedt (piano), Jacques Imbrailoė (Pelléas), Katja Stu- Birmingham Sandyford, Stoke on Tues 19 June, Concert Hall, Royal Theatre Severn, ber (Mélisande), Laurent Naouri (Go- Trent Birmingham Conservatoire THE DRIFTERS Thurs 21 Shrewsbury laud, Grandson of Arkel), Matthew June, Oakengates BARRY STEELE & PUBLIC IMAGE LTD Sun EX CATHEDRA: SUMMER MUSIC BY CAN- Best (Arkel, King), Dame Felicity Theatre at The Place, FRIENDS AS THE ROY 24 June, William Aston DLELIGHT Featuring Jeffrey Skidmore Palmer (Geneviève, Mother) plus Telford, Shropshire ORBISON STORY Sat 23 Hall, Wrexham (conductor) Tues 19 - Wed 20 June, members of CBSO Chorus, Sat 23 June, Lichfield Garrick Birmingham Cathedral CILLA AND THE SHADES PLASTIKES KAREKLES June, Symphony Hall, Birmingham OF THE 60'S Thurs 21 MONSKI MOUSE'S BABY Sun 24 June, Concord SHREWSBURY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: CHARLES OWEN (PIANO) Programme June, Forest Arts Cen- DISCO DANCE HALL Sat College, Shrewsbury AN EVENING OF MAGIC, MYSTERY & includes works by Bach, Ravel & tre, Walsall 23 June, Birmingham MUSIC Programme includes works by Schubert, Sat 23 June, Ludlow As- Wagner, Berlioz & Mussorgsky, Wed sembly Rooms, South Shropshire 20 June, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury JUNIOR CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT ANNA VIENNA HO (PIANO) Programme Soloists, chamber musicians, choirs includes works by Wagner/Liszt, De- and orchestras from the Junior Con- bussy, Ravel & Liszt, Wed 20 June, servatoire join together in a fitting fi- Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham Con- nale to the end of term, Sat 23 June, servatoire Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham Con- MUSSORGSKY MEETS MOZART Featur- servatoire ing the Royal Birmingham Conserva- WNO FAMILY CONCERT Welsh National toire Brass Band, Tredegar Town Opera’s Family Concert is the perfect Band & Ian Porthouse (conductor), way to introduce all of the family to Wed 20 June, Concert Hall, Royal some of the extraordinary characters Birmingham Conservatoire from the opera world, Sun 24 June, 20TH CENTURY CELLO Featuring Alison Birmingham Town Hall Holford (cello) & Elspeth Wilkes BIRMINGHAM PHILHARMONIC ORCHES- (piano). Programme includes works TRA: ORGAN SYMPHONY Featuring by Britten, Barber & Martinu, Thurs David Saint (organ) & Robin Ireland 21 June, St Laurences Church, Lud- (viola). Programme includes works low, South Shropshire by Saint-Saens, Faure & Walton, Sun 24 June, St Chad’s Cathedral, B’ham Public Image Ltd - William Aston Hall, Wrexham COMMUTER CONCERT: YU-TZU KUNG

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2nd June, 11am & 2.30pm Tom Adams: My Dad, The Magician Tickets: £7, Family of 4 for £25

6th June, 7.30pm Once upon a Wednesday Shonaleigh, The Emerald Sea Tickets: £6, £8 otd

7th June, 7.30pm Yianni Agisilaou - Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Red Ladder Thatre Damned United meet in a pub somewhere a lot like Comedy Wolverhampton to plot their path Tickets: £12, £10 conc. to fame and fortune, Tues 19 June, NOREEN KHAN, ALI OFFICIAL, GUZ Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birming- KHAN, ESHANN AKBAR & AATIF ham 9th June, 7.30pm NAWAZ Sun 17 June, The Glee SMACKEE PHANTOM AND THE MUSI- Patsy Cline Club, Birmingham & Friends CALS Showcase of songs from THE LEE CARROLL SHOW Tues 19 West End, Broadway and big Tickets:TiTickets:ckets: ££12, 1£17.502, ££1010 SSatat MMtt June, Forest Arts Centre, Walsall screen musicals, Tues 19 June, JAMES ACASTER & ALEX KEALY Wed Dudley Town Hall 12th - 16th June, 7.30pm 20 June, The Charlton Arms, Lud- 2.30pm Sat mat ASSASSINS Stafford Gatehouse Little Theatre Company presents low, South Shropshire Youth Theatre presents an amateur One Man, Two Guvnors MATT PRICE, MARK MAIER & COMEDY staging of Stephen Sondheim and Tickets: £12, £10 conc & Sat Mat CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON John Weidman’s award-winning Thurs 21 June, The Glee Club, musical, Tues 19 - Fri 22 June, Birmingham Stafford Gatehouse Theatre 19th June, 7.30pm DIRECTIONS South Staffs College The Thelmas & ROY 'CHUBBY' BROWN Fri 22 June, Ovalhouse: Coconut Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock present a musical about a group of students starting music college in MATT PRICE, MARK MAIER, TEZ ILYAS Tickets: £5 1985, Wed 20 June, Lichfield Gar- & CRAIG HILL Fri 22 June, The Glee rick Club, Birmingham THE TEMPEST The Lord Chamber- YIANNI AGISILAOU, ALFIE BROWN Fri 28th - 30th June, 7.30pm lain’s Men present an outdoor Burton Musical Theatre Company presents: 22 June, Wolverhampton Grand staging of Shakespeare’s tale of il- A Wander Round the Theatre West End lusion and revenge, Wed 20 June, Tickets: £10 MATT PRICE, MARK MAIER, DOMINIC Dudmaston Hall, Quatt, Nr Bridg- HOLLAND & CRAIG HILL Sat 23 June, north, South Shropshire The Glee Club, Birmingham MEASURE FOR MEASURE Outdoor 30th June, 8pm TEZ ILYAS, ADAM ROWE, ELLIOTT staging of the Bard’s darkest com- At Burton Town Hall Tom Allen: Absolutely STEEL & THE RAYMOND AND MR edy, Wed 20 - Sat 23 June, Italian TIMPKINS REVIEW Sat 23 June, The Gardens, Maple Hayes School, Tickets: £14 Comedy Loft, Birmingham Lichfield COMEDY IN THE MET Sat 23 June THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Ama- Stafford Gatehouse Theatre 5th July, 7.30pm teur staging presented by Five Through the Decades Towns Theatre, Wed 20 - Sat 23 with Roy Orbison & June, Stoke Repertory Theatre, Buddy Holly Stoke-on-Trent Tickets: £17.50 A STRANGE NEW SPACE Wordless Theatre one-woman show fusing physical Box office: BIRDSONG An epic tale set both be- theatre, puppetry and music. Suit- fore and during the Great War, able for audiences aged four-plus, 01283 508100 Mon 18 - Sat 23 June, New Alexan- Thurs 21 June, The Hive, Shrews- dra Theatre, Birmingham bury BOOK ONLINE AT FORBIDDEN NIGHTS ‘Thrilling action www.brewhouse.co.uk COCONUT The Thelmas present the story of a British Pakistani woman and provocative choreography, Brewhouse Arts Centre whose life spins out of control in with the ultimate forbidden strip ways she could never have pre- tease (and a few men in uniform Union Street, Burton-upon-Trent dicted, Tues 19 June, The Brew- thrown in for good measure)’, Staffordshire DE14 1AA house Arts Centre, Thurs 21 June, Crescent Theatre, Burton-upon-Trent Birmingham POETS, PRATTLERS, AND PANDEMONI- GIVE US A CLUE Tongue-in-cheek ALISTS Dave, Emma and Steve murder-mystery from Masque The-

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atre Company, Thurs 21 - Fri 22 June, story of St George and the Dragon, Mitchell Arts Centre, Hanley, Stoke- Sat 23 June, Dosthill Park, Tamworth on-Trent INTO THE WOODS Akorn Theatrical Pro- ductions present a concert version of the Stephen Sondheim show, Thurs 21 - Fri 22 June, MAC, Birmingham Dance WASTE Royal Birmingham Conserva- BRB POLARITY & PROXIMITY Triple bill toire presents Harley Granville of work: Alexander Whitley’s Kin, Barker's controversial political mas- Twyla Tharp’s In The Upper Room terpiece, Thurs 21 - Sat 23 June, The and George Williamson’s Embrace, Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham Wed 20 - Sat 23 June, Birmingham THRILL ME: THE LEOPOLD AND LOEB Hippodrome STORY Shocking true story of two rich APPLAUSE Song and dance show fea- kids - one obsessed with crime; the turing more than 500 local children other, love, Fri 22 June, Theatre Sev- and adults from the Dance School ern, Shrewsbury and local area, Thurs 21 - Sat 23 THE UNBINDING Wrong Shoes Theatre June, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Company present a dark and spell- CINDERELLA IN HOLLYWOOD Presented binding world, where those who dare by English Youth Ballet and young to stand out from the crowd are dancers from local companies, Fri 22 treated with hatred and suspicion, Fri - Sat 23 June, Theatre Severn, 22 - Sat 23 June, Old Joint Stock Shrewsbury Coconut - The Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent Theatre, Birmingham DEEPSPACE Intimate performance - endary Black Sabbath guitarist talks ton, Fri 22 - Thurs 28 June BICYCLES & FISH Katie Arnstein ex- combining dance, sound and installa- about his life and career, Sat 23 June, HUMAN FLOW (12) Documentary. With plores why feminism was discovered tion - which examines our curiosity Birmingham Town Hall so much later than misogyny, Fri 22 - Israa Abboud, Hiba Abed. The Hive, for the unknown... Fri 22 - Sat 23 Shrewsbury, Sun 24 June Sat 23 June, Lichfield Garrick June, Quantum Exhibition Space, The Works, Birmingham NEW CREATION Celebrated choreogra- phers Bengolea and Holzinger join Film forces to confront the limits of the INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: body and its representation in rela- Events tionship to nature. Part of Birming- STRONGER (15) Biography/Drama. SUPERSONIC FESTIVAL Capsule’s inter- ham International Dance Festival Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Tatiana nationally renowned experimental 2018, Sat 23 June, The Patrick Stu- Maslany. Edge Arts Centre, Much music and arts festival, Fri 22 - Sun dio, Birmingham Hippodrome Wenlock, South Shropshire, Mon 18 24 June, The Custard Factory, B’ham June SAMARPAN: A CELEBRATION OF CLASSI- SUPERSONIC FESTIVAL: KIDS GIG WITH FUNNY COW (15) Comedy/Drama. MISS LITTLEWOOD New musical based CAL INDIAN DANCE Jaivant Patel Dance THE EX Featuring an underground and Arena Theatre showcase a fusion Starring Maxine Peake, Paddy Consi- band from the Netherlands who form on the life of theatre director and an- dine. Ludlow Assembly Rooms, archic revolutionist Joan Littlewood, of Indian dance disciplines, Sat 23 a riot of sound and fury that’s ‘both June, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton South Shropshire, Mon 18 - Thurs 21 sonically adventurous and feverishly Fri 22 June - Sat 4 Aug, The Swan June Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon GIOVANNI PERNICE - BORN TO WIN compelling’, Sat 23 June, MAC, Birm- Strictly star Giovanni is joined by fel- DARKEST HOUR (PG) ingham PRIDE AND PREJUDICE Amateur stag- Biography/Drama. Starring Gary Old- ing of Jane Austen’s famous tale, Sat low dancer and assistant choreogra- THE GIN TRAIN The Severn Valley Rail- pher Luba Mushtuk in a show packed man, Lily James. Foxlowe Arts Cen- way in partnership with The Little Gin 23 - Sun 24 June, The Rose Theatre, tre, Leek, Staffs, Tues 19 June Kidderminster with ‘sparkle and spectacular rou- Company welcomes you aboard the tines’, Sun 24 June, Theatre Severn, REDOUBTABLE (15) Biography/Com- Gin Train! Sat 23 June, Severn Valley Shrewsbury edy. Starring Louis Garrel, Stacy Mar- Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster tin. Foreign language, subtitled. STEAMPUNK FESTIVAL WEEKEND Fea- Stoke Film Theatre, Thurs 21 June turing market stalls, exhibitions, talks Kids Shows ON CHESIL BEACH (12a) Drama/Ro- and shows celebrating all things Talks mance. Starring Saoirse Ronan, steampunk, Sat 23 - Sun 24 June, MINISTRY OF SCIENCE LIVE The cre- Emily Watson. Stoke Film Theatre, Fri Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge, ative team behind Brainiac Live pre- DAN SNOW - AN EVENING WITH THE HIS- 22 - Sat 23 June Shropshire sent an anarchic show that takes a TORY GUY Historian, broadcaster and SHERLOCK GNOMES (U) Animation/Ad- SHREWSBURY FOOD FESTIVAL Featur- look at the inventors and engineers TV presenter Dan recounts anec- venture. With the voices of Kelly As- ing 200 food, drink and craft ex- who’ve shaped and inspired the dotes from his career, Mon 18 June, bury, Mary J. Blige. Ludlow Assembly hibitors, cookery demonstrations, a modern world, Tues 19 June, Theatre Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Rooms, South Shropshire, Fri 22 - chef school and free kids entertain- Severn, Shrewsbury SIMON YATES - MY MOUNTAIN LIFE Sat 23 June ments, Sat 23 - Sun 24 June, The NOAH THE MUSICAL The Theatre On Simon is best known for his role in a ENTEBBE (12A) Drama/History. Starring Quarry Park, Shrewsbury The Steps Company presents the fa- harrowing expedition to the Andes, Rosamund Pike, Daniel Brühl. Ludlow 400 YEARS OF ASTON HALL: A ROYAL mous biblical tale, complete with ‘a as documented in Joe Simpson's Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, VISIT - Travel back to 1642, when Sir large boat, animals two by two, a Touching The Void, Wed 20 June, Fri 22 - Sat 23 June Thomas Holte is honoured by a visit storm, a dove, and of course, the Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury from King Charles I, Sun 24 June, symbolic rainbow’, Fri 22 - Sat 30 THE HAPPY PRINCE (12a) Drama/Biog- AN AUDIENCE WITH SIMON KING Fully il- raphy. Starring Rupert Everett, Colin Aston Hall, Birmingham June, Theatre On The Steps, Bridg- lustrated talk in which Simon shows north, South Shropshire Firth. Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, AFTERNOON TEA - BEHIND THE SCENES how to communicate with the ani- Fri 22 - Thurs 28 June Combine a tour with afternoon tea in RELUCTANT DRAGON Quantum Theatre mals in your neighbourhood, Thurs BOOK CLUB (12a) Comedy. Starring the Victorian Orangery, Sun 24 June, present Wind In The Willows author 21 June, Lichfield Garrick Weston Park, Nr Shifnal, Staffs Kenneth Grahame’s retelling of the Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda. Light AN EVENING WITH TONY IOMMI The leg- House Media Centre, Wolverhamp-

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thelist Monday 25 - Saturday 30 June Pachelbel, Sibelius, Elgar, Bizet, Classical Music Tchaikovsky, Puccini, Verdi, Suppe, Gounod, Handel, Holst & Wood, Sat FITKINWALL: PARTIAL SCREAMING Fea- 30 June, Symphony Hall, B’ham turing Graham Fitkin & Ruth Wall BIRMINGHAM BACH CHOIR ESPRESSIVO! (piano/synthesizers), Mon 25 June, Featuring a programme of Italian Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham Con- choral music, Sat 30 June, St Alban’s servatoire (12.10pm - 1.10pm) Church, Birmingham FITKINWALL Featuring Graham Fitkin JUNIOR WIND ORCHESTRA & CHORAL (Moog synthesizer & electronics) & CONCERT Sat 30 June, Recital Hall, Ruth Wall (harps). Programme com- Royal Birmingham Conservatoire prises Graham Fitkin (Lost - extracts) & Steve Reich (Harp Phase), Mon 25 THE KING'S SINGERS GOLD Sat 30 June, June, Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham St Laurence's Church, Ludlow, South Conservatoire (6pm - 7pm) Shropshire FITKINWALL: HARD FAIRY Featuring the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Saxophone Department, Royal Birm- ingham Conservatoire Harp Depart- Comedy Paloma Faith - Cannock Chase Forest, Rugeley ment, Ruth Wall & Eleanor Turmer (harps). Programme includes 5 works FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS Tues 26 by Graham Fitkin, Mon 25 June, 28 June, Sutton Cold- DAMIAN MARLEY Sat 30 June, Genting Arena, Birmingham Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham Con- field Town Hall June, O2 Academy, GARY DELANEY, LARRY DEAN Tues 26 Gigs servatoire (8pm) MARY DUFF Thurs 28 Birmingham June, Ludlow Brewery, South Shrop- FRESH, GREAT WIGHT, ROYAL BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE June, Festival Drayton ASHEN CROWN Sat 30 shire ECHO BEACH & P.E.T. Featuring Roman Kosyakov (piano). Centre, Market Dray- June, O2 Academy, KEVIN BRIDGES Tues 26 - Wed 27 Mon 25 June, The Programme includes works by Haydn ton, North Shropshire Birmingham June, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Sunflower Lounge, & Tchaikovsky, Tues 26 June, Ludlow Birmingham DECLAN MCKENNA + FALLEN, THE LOVED AND Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire JO CAUFIELD, SALLY-ANNE HAYWARD FEET Fri 29 June, The LOST Sat 30 June, Wed 27 June, Ludlow Brewery, South TRAVIS Mon 25 June, MIDDAY MUSIC: JESS GILLAM Tues 26 Sugarmill, Stoke-on- Eleven, Sandyford, Shropshire Symphony Hall, B’ham June, Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham Trent Stoke on Trent STEPHEN CARLIN, MAWAAN RIZWAN HE IS WE Tues 26 June, Conservatoire PALOMA FAITH Fri 29 THE MANFREDS Sat 30 Thurs 28 June, Ludlow Brewery, The Asylum, B’ham CITY OF BIRMINGHAM WITH NICOLA June, Cannock Chase June, Ludlow Assem- South Shropshire BENEDETTI Also featuring Mirga OCEANS ATE ALASKA Forest, Rugeley, Staffs bly Rooms, South DANE BAPTISTE, RAY BADRAN & COMEDY Tues 26 June, Mama Gražinyt -Tyla (conductor) & the DEVIL IN DORIAN Fri 29 Shropshire CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs Roux's, Birmingham CBSO Youthė Chorus (27 June only). June, Route 44, B’ham RUST FOR GLORY Sat 30 Programme includes works by 28 June, The Glee Club, Birmingham BOOTLEG BLONDIE Wed DJ RANDALL - PERCEP- June, Route 44, B’ham Stravinsky, Shostakovich & Lithua- ANGELA BARNES & MITCH BENN Thurs 27 June, The Robin, TION DRUM & BASS Fri KATE VOEGELE AND nian folk songs, Wed 27 - Thurs 28 28 June, MAC, Birmingham Bilston 29 June, The Butter- TYLER HILTON Sat 30 June, Symphony Hall, Birmingham DANE BAPTISTE, RAY BADRAN, KIRI H2O Wed 27 June, market, Shrewsbury June, O2 Academy, COMMUTER CONCERT: PENELOPE APPLE- PRITCHARD-MCLEAN & GEORGE EGG Fri Mama Roux's, B’ham QUILL Fri 29 June, The Birmingham YARD WITH FLORISMA ENSEMBLE Also 29 - Sat 30 June, The Glee Club, MARTIN & ELIZA CARTHY Robin, Bilston KICK UP THE 80S Sat 30 featuring Michelle Holloway Birmingham Wed 27 June, Stafford THE MANFREDS Fri 29 June, The Robin, Bil- (recorders), Gail Hennessy (baroque RICH WILSON, PETER BRUSH, CAREY Gatehouse Theatre June, Lichfield Garrick ston oboe), Marta López (harpsichord), MARX & JULIAN DEANE Sat 30 June, BONGZILLA Thurs 28 Aileen Henry (triple harp) & Henry The Comedy Loft, Birmingham UK GUNS N' ROSES Fri TREMONTI Sat 30 June, June, The Asylum, Buckoke (baroque cello), Thurs 28 29 June, The River O2 Institute, B’ham Birmingham June, Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham Rooms, Stourbridge THE SHEEPDOGS Sat 30 Conservatoire SKIDS Thurs 28 June, THE HIGH TONES Sat 30 June, The Actress & The Robin, Bilston Bishop, Birmingham HESPÈRION XXI - ODE TO SYRIA Jordi June, The Night Owl, Savall and the spectacular Hespèrion NOSTALGIC MUSIC Thurs Theatre Birmingham XXI play for Syria, in music that crosses cultures and centuries, Fri 29 OH! WHAT A LOVELY WAR Blue Orange June, Birmingham Town Hall Theatre’s Adult Acting Devising & Performance Group perform Joan Lit- ROYAL BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE tlewood's satirical masterpiece, Tues SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Featuring 26 - Wed 27 June, The Blue Orange Barry Wordsworth (conductor). Pro- Theatre, Birmingham gramme includes works by Michael Wolters & Stravinsky, Fri 29 June, REVOLVING DOOR Play about male sui- Concert Hall, Royal Birmingham Con- cide that tells the story of a young servatoire gay man distressed about the state of the world, Tues 26 - Wed 27 June, SINFONIA OF BIRMINGHAM ORCHESTRAL Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham DELIGHTS Programme includes works by Dvorak, Villa-Lobos, Beethoven, AVENUE Q Artz Productions presents Sat 30 June, St Andrews Church, its version of the award-winning musi- Barnt Green, Birmingham cal, Tues 26 - Sat 30 June, Stoke Repertory Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent THE LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA: LAST NIGHT OF THE SUMMER PROMS THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE Tony Featuring Anna Patalong (soprano), Award-winning musical based on the Nicky Spence (tenor) & Hilary Davan 1967 film of the same name. Corona- Wetton (conductor). Programme in- tion Street and Emmerdale actress Declan Mckenna - The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent cludes works by Rossini, Sousa, Hayley Tamaddon stars, Tues 26 - Sat

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thelist Monday 25 - Saturday 30 June 30 June, Wolverhampton Grand The- Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock atre EMMA Jane Austen's famous tale OFFSIDE Fusion of lyrical dialogue, about the perils of misconstrued ro- poetry and punchy prose combine in mance, Sat 30 June - Sun 1 July, the story of four women from across Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens, Birm- the centuries who live, breathe and ingham play football, Wed 27 June, Theatre EQUUS The Crescent Theatre Com- Severn, Shrewsbury pany presents Peter Shaffer's psy- DAUGHTERS OF FORTUNE: MIA Mind chological 'detective' story, Sat 30 The Gap present a show about learn- June - Sat 7 July, Crescent Theatre, ing disability and parenthood in Birmingham today’s society, Wed 27 June, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton RISE & SHINE Mixed bill of work from BOA's Year 12 Musical Theatre Path- way, Wed 27 - Thurs 28 June, The Kids Shows Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham BING LIVE! Join Bing, Sula, Coco and DAVID BADDIEL - MY FAMILY: NOT THE Pando as they find out how to tell sto- SITCOM Olivier-nominated one-man ries by pretending, dressing up and David Baddiel: My Family: Not The Sitcom - Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent show about ‘memory, ageing, infi- singing songs, Tues 26 - Wed 27 delity, dysfunctional relatives, moral June, The Place, Oakengates The- Mon 25 - Wed 27 June SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY (12a) Sci- policing on social media, golf and atre, Telford, Shropshire THE SHAPE OF WATER (15) Drama/Fan- fi/Drama. Starring Alden Ehrenreich, gay cats’, Thurs 28 June, Regent Woody Harrelson. Wem Town Hall, CHITTY, CHITTY, BANG, BANG Amateur tasy. Starring Sally Hawkins, Octavia Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent North Shropshire, Sat 30 June staging presented by BMOS, Tues 26 Spencer. Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL Amateur stag- - Sat 30 June, New Alexandra The- Staffs, Tues 26 June ing presented by Sutton Coldfield's atre, Birmingham GOODBYE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN (PG) Bi- Brit Youth Theatre, Thurs 28 - Sat 30 ography/Drama. Starring Domhnall June, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham MONSTERSAURUS Energetic show for younger audiences, packed with Gleeson, Margot Robbie. Forest Arts MACBETH Outdoor staging of the ‘thrills, spills, magic, mayhem, origi- Centre, Walsall, Tues 26 June Events Bard’s bloodiest play. Casting in- nal music and plenty of audience par- ENTEBBE (12A) Drama/History. Starring CASTLE TOURS 2018 Learn more about cludes Nabil Stuart (pictured), Rosie ticipation’, Sat 30 June, Lichfield Rosamund Pike, Daniel Brühl. Ludlow Dudley Castle, Thurs 28 June, Dud- Hilal, Sian Mannifield, Nicola Jo Cully Garrick Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, ley Castle & Mairi Hawthorn, Thurs 28 June - Thurs 28 June Sat 14 July, Stafford Castle UNDER 5S DAY Featuring Himley REVENGE (18) Action/Thriller. Starring Beach, Baby & Toddler Sense, Music Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz, Kevin Bugs, Rugby Tots, Creation Station, Janssens. Foreign language, subti- Active Adventurers, Baby Ballet and Dance tled. Stoke Film Theatre, Thurs 28 more, Fri 29 June, Himley Hall & June Park, Dudley BORN TO DANCE Viv Kelly’s children and youth dancers showcase a mix AQUARIUS (18) Drama. Starring Sônia THE CREATIVE CRAFT SHOW The latest of classic and up-to-the-minute Braga, Maeve Jinkings. The Hive, supplies, ideas and innovations in the dance routines, Sat 30 June, Theatre Shrewsbury, Fri 29 June hobby world, Fri 29 June - Sun 1 July, Severn, Shrewsbury EDIE (U) Drama. Starring Sheila Han- NEC, Birmingham cock, Kevin Guthrie. Stoke Film The- FOLLIES FEST Live music and family atre, Fri 29 June activities, Fri 29 June - Sun 1 July, THAT GOOD NIGHT (12a) Drama. Star- Hawkstone Park & Follies, Weston- Talks ring John Hurt, Sofia Helin. Ludlow under-Redcastle, Nr Shrewsbury Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, BANKS'S BLACK COUNTRY BEERS Try CAITLIN MORAN LIVE: HOW TO BE FA- Fri 29 June Banks’s finest ales and meet the MOUS Caitlin describes her show as THE HAPPY PRINCE (12a) Drama/Biog- brewer and owner of Banks's Brew- THE TEMPEST The Lord Chamberlain’s an excuse ‘to dress up, gather to- raphy. Starring Rupert Everett, Colin ery, Sat 30 June, Black Country Liv- Men present an outdoor staging of gether with likeminded people and Firth. Fri 29 - Sat 30 June; Light ing Museum, Dudley Shakespeare’s tale of illusion and re- laugh your head off on cider’, Thurs House Media Centre, Wolverhamp- TENBURY MUSIC FESTIVAL Featuring venge, Fri 29 June, Winterbourne 28 June, Birmingham Town Hall House & Garden, Birmingham ton, Fri 29 - Sat 30 June The Lightning Seeds, Sat 30 June, The Burgage, Tenbury, Worcester- ONLY FOOLS AND BOYCIE An audience HOW TO TALK TO GIRLS AT PARTIES (15) shire with John Challis, best known as Comedy/Music. Starring Elle Fan- Boycie in the hit BBC comedy series ning, Nicole Kidman. Light House COMPTON HOSPICE COLOUR BLAST 5k Only Fools And Horses, Fri 29 June, Film Media Centre, Wolverhampton, Fri 29 colour run/walk around the park to Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury - Sat 30 June raise money for Compton Hospice, INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Sat 30 June, East Park, W’hampton DREAMBOYS ‘The UK's top male strip A QUIET PLACE (15) Horror/Thriller. show, perfect for a girls’ night out THE POST (15) Biography/Drama. Starring Emily Blunt, John Krasinski. WAR OF THE ROSES LIVE The War of with all your friends’, Fri 29 June, Re- Starring Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks. Light House Media Centre, Wolver- the Roses unfolds in a new live action gent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Stourbridge Town Hall, Mon 25 June hampton, Fri 29 - Sat 30 June show, complete with stunt riders, jousting and state-of-the-art special REX THE KING Wassail Theatre Com- BREATHE (12A) Biography/Drama. LEAN ON PETE (15) Adventure/Drama. effects! Sat 30 June - Sun 1 July, pany tell the story of a Somerset Starring Andrew Garfield, Claire Foy. Starring Steve Buscemi, Charlie Warwick Castle darts champion who ruled the world - Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, Plummer. Old Market Hall, Shrews- but lost it all, Fri 29 - Sat 30 June, Old South Shropshire, Mon 25 June bury, Fri 29 - Sat 30 June STEP BACK TO THE 1940S All aboard for a Severn Valley Railway train journey Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham THE LEISURE SEEKER (15) THE BREADWINNER (12a) back in time to the 1940s, Sat 30 LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Amateur Comedy/Drama. Starring Helen Mir- Animation/Drama. With the voices of June - Sun 1 July, Severn Valley Rail- staging presented by Seasons The- ren, Donald Sutherland. Ludlow As- Sara Chaudry, Ali Badshah. Stoke way, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster atre Company, Fri 29 - Sat 30 June, sembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Film Theatre, Sat 30 June

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@WHATSONBRUM Birmingham @WHATSONWOLVES Wolverhampton Shropshire @WHATSONSHROPS @WHATSONSTAFFS staffordshire @WHATSONWORCS Worcestershire @WHATSONWARWICKS warwickshire Theatre Severn F/P June 2018.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 10:42 Page 1

BEST ARTS/THEATRE VENUE IN SHROPSHIRE

KERRY ELLIS

Join KERRY ELLIS as she embarks on a UK tour An outstanding musical production to celebrate WED 13 - THU 14 JUNE 20 years since her which brings to the stage the incredible West End debut. and compelling story of the ' TUE 5 JUNE FRI 6 JULY King of Rock and Roll' Elvis Presley. GILBERT AND SULLIVAN'S TOPSY-TURVY LOVE STORY JASON DONOVAN MY AMAZING MID-LIFE CRISIS

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SIR MICHAEL PARKINSON An Evening with Sir Michael Parkinson celebrates the life and career of a man who has interviewed over 2000 of the most important cultural figures of the 20th A STUNNING and 21st centuries. NEW 30TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR MON 08 - SAT 13 OCT

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BOX OFFICE 01743 281 281 BOOK ONLINE theatresevern.co.uk THEATRE SEVERN, FRANKWELL QUAY, SHREWSBURY SY3 8FT