Worcestershire Cover October 2018.qxp_Worcestershire Cover 24/09/2018 15:36 Page 1
VIENNA FESTIVAL BALLET PERFORM Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands THE NUTCRACKER AT ARTRIX WORCESTERSHIREWHAT’S ON OCTOBER 2018 Worcestershire ISSUE 394 OCTOBER 2018 ’ WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD On worcestershirewhatson.co.uk PARTOF WHAT’S ON MEDIA GROUP inside:
Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide
JULIETTE BURTON award-winning comedian gets butterflies in Bromsgrove TWITTER:@WHATSONWORCS
SUGGS What A King Cnut at Worcester’s Huntingdon Hall FACEBOOK:@WHATSONWORCESTERSHIRE
DISNEY ON ICE Dream Big tour set to delight
WORCESTERSHIREWHATSON.CO.UK Midlands audiences (IFC) Worcestershire.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 15:31 Page 1 Contents October Warwicks/Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 10:16 Page 2
October 2018
Contents
Nativity! The Musical - Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre gets into the Christmas spirit good and early! - page 28
Sara Pascoe Troilus And Cressida Grand Designs the list
no off-limit subjects at new version of Shakespeare’s Kevin McCloud takes to the Your 16-page Coventry’s Warwick Arts Centre rarely performed play at the RSC stage at the NEC week-by-week listings guide page 23 page 26 page 47 page 51 inside:
4. First Word 11. Food 15. Music 22. Comedy 24. Theatre 37. Film 40. Visual Arts 45. Events
fb.com/whatsonwarwickshire fb.com/whatsonworcestershire @whatsonwarwicks @whatsonworcs Warwickshire What’s On Magazine Worcestershire What’s On Magazine Warwickshire What’s On Magazine Worcestershire 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 Lauren Cole [email protected] 01743 281706 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Katherine Ewing, Jenny Ell, Steve Adams, Jack Rolfe, Elly Yates-Roberts, Daisy Sparkle, Steve Taylor, Chris Eldon Lee Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is produced without the use of elemental chlorine. We endorse the recycling of our magazine and would encourage you to pass it on to others to read when you have finished with it. All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. First Word Warwickshire October.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 12:54 Page 1
Entertainment news from around the region
RSC announces new line-up of shows for summer season 2019 New productions of As You Like It, The Taming Of The Shrew and Measure For Measure all feature in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s (RSC) recently announced pro- gramme for its 2019 summer season. Commenting on the line-up, RSC Artistic Director Gre- gory Doran said: “The season reflects the power of sto- rytelling in its most essential form, with the actor at the centre of the work. We’re creating a company which re- flects the nation in terms of gender, ethnicity, regional- ity and disability - 27 actors who will all appear in two out of the three plays. “We’re also making some exciting changes to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre auditorium specifically for this season, creating new perspectives on the action, truly exploiting the unique qualities of our thrust stage and showing our work in a completely new way.” For full details of the RSC’s summer programme and to book tickets for any of the shows, visit rsc.org.uk
New summer music event The final date for entries is 31 January, and Lots to laugh about at the winner will be announced in late Febru- planned for Coventry ary. For more details and to enter, go to stratl- Leamington Spa festival Organisers of a new outdoor music festival itfest.co.uk/bookcompetition Leamington Spa Comedy Festival makes a taking place in Coventry next summer are welcome return this month. aiming to make the event one of the biggest Taking place at the town’s Royal Spa Centre the city has ever seen. Burlesque that will make from Sunday 7 to Saturday 13 October, the Entitled Soundscape, the festival is being 2018 edition of the event features Reginald D held in Ricoh Arena’s stadium bowl on Satur- you scream in Stratford! Hunter, Henning Wein, Juliette Burton and day 15 and Sunday 16 June. It will feature per- local lad Gary Delaney. Check out the full fes- formances by chart-topping artists and tival line-up at leamingtoncomedy.com leading acts from the indie, rock and alterna- tive scene. Commenting on the new festival, Dan Waltzing in a New Year’s Nelmes, director of the event’s producers, Showtime Live, said: “We’re aiming to make Day winter wonderland this the most memorable music event that’s Birmingham’s Symphony Hall is hosting a ever taken place in Coventry. There will be celebration of the music of Johann Strauss on something for all musical generations over New Year’s Day. the weekend, to make it the perfect summer Recreating ‘the glittering romance of a 19th gathering for the whole family” century Viennese ballroom’, Waltzing In A Winter Wonderland is a brand new show fea- turing Strauss favourites including Blue Children’s book prize now Danube Waltz, Radetzky March, Thunder A celebration of the dark and decadent side And Lightning Polka and Voices Of Spring. taking submissions... of burlesque and cabaret is coming to Strat- The Stratford-upon-Avon Literary Festival ford-upon-Avon this month. and the Salariya Book Company are now tak- A Midsummer Night's Scream: The Revenge ing submissions for their 2019 Children’s Pic- features burlesque, dance, magic, pole, ture Book Prize. sideshow, singing ‘and even a quick-change The competition is open to unpublished writ- act on a unicycle!’ Hosted by Steve Griffin ers and illustrators and has a prize value of and Nathan Jones, who describe themselves £1,000. The winner will receive career advice as ‘a pair of grifters, tricksters, conmen and from a leading literary agent and publicity award-winning magicians’, the show takes through the Stratford Literary Festival. They place at Stratford Playhouse on Thursday 18 may also be published by Salariya imprint October. For more information, visit midsum- Scribblers. mernightsscream.co.uk 4 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Warwickshire October.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 12:54 Page 2
First Word
Celebrity chef Whoops it up with kids’ book debut Michelin-starred Birmingham chef Glynn Purnell has pub- lished a children’s book about his late Jack Russell. The Magical Adventures Of Whoops The Wonder Dog is aimed at primary school-aged children and tells the story of a little dog who uses her super- hero powers to stop evil neigh- bour Doctor Dactyl from pulling off the crime of the century. Commenting on his new book, Glynn said: “I still remember the vivid images from the magi- cal worlds of my favourite au- thors when I was younger - and I’m excited that I might be able to do the same here. “I got very involved in all Whoops’ adventures, even though I was writing them!” UK’s first Afrobeats musical heads to Coventry theatre A midnight cycle The UK’s first ever Afrobeats musical visits Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre this month (Thursday 4 to ride to save lives Saturday 6 October). First staged in London in 2013 and featuring a line-up of new black British talent, Oliva Tweest tells A midnight cycle ride in support the story of a young man with big ambitions who attempts to shake off his shady reputation in order of charities involved in suicide prevention takes place in the to carve out a serious career for himself in the entertainment business... To book tickets, call 024 7655 Midlands next month. 3055 or visit belgrade.co.uk Awesome Rides, Out Of The Dark starts at midnight on 10 November. Its route will cover Cathedral to Anselm Kiefer on display at the Herbert 60 miles of well-lit roads. For more information, visit awe- host massed An exhibition of work by one of Germany’s most significant post-war somerides.net choir event artists opens at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum in Coventry this month. Coventry Cathedral is Spanning 40 years of Anselm Kiefer’s career, the new show explores this month hosting a A new direction for themes of national identity and collective memory, often addressing the historical broadcast legacy of Germany after the Second World War. Stratford orchestra performance commem- The exhibition, which shows from 19 October to 27 January, marks the Orchestra of the Swan’s new orating the centenary Herbert’s first collaboration with Artist Rooms, a touring collection of Artistic Director, David Le Page, of World War One. over 1,600 works of modern and contemporary art. The collection is dis- is looking forward to his first Blending music, narra- played in museums and galleries across the UK through a programme of season in his new post. tion and theatre, We “I’m thrilled to be taking on the solo exhibitions that showcase the work of 40 major international artists. Remember joins role at this pivotal moment in the orchestra’s journey,” says massed choirs from David, “building on past across the country achievements and, alongside under the baton of con- our players and the manage- ductor John Hywel ment team, creating ground- Williams. breaking new pathways.” The event is being held David’s first season features 40- in support of charities plus concerts. Highlights in- of the Armed Forces clude a residency at the and takes place on Sat- state-of-the-art Royal Birming- ham Conservatoire and a new urday 27 October. Stratford concert series. For further informa- For full details, visit orches- tion, visit coven- traoftheswan.org trycathedral.org.uk whatsonlive.co.uk 5 First Word Warwickshire October.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 12:54 Page 3
First Word
Detecting a busy half term at motor museum The British Motor Museum is revving up for an all-action half-term holiday. The popular Warwickshire visitor attrac- tion’s line-up of entertainment includes an opportunity for youngsters to ‘play de- tective’, interactive family trails suitable for all ages and a ‘spooky spectacular sci- ence show’ with Professor Pickle and Doctor Pumpkin. Commenting on the Motor Museum’s half- term attractions, Life Long Learning Offi- cer Emma Rawlinson said: “We have plenty of fun to keep all the family enter- tained this half term, as well as over 300 British classic cars to explore!” For more information, visit britishmotor- museum.co.uk
Storytelling fun at Shakespeare finds love in Malvern Celebration of Worcester festival A brand new stage version of Academy Award-winning movie Shake- words in Warwick A festival celebrating ‘stories speare In Love is visiting Malvern Theatre this month. A festival of the written and and storytelling in all their Helmed by Phillip Breen, who recently directed Royal Shakespeare spoken word is being held in wonderful forms’ this month Company productions of The Merry Wives Of Windsor and The Hyp- Warwick during the first returns to Worcester. ocrite, the new show runs at the venue from Monday 22 to Saturday 27 week of the month. Now in its 12th year, Beeline October. For more information and to book tickets, visit malvern-the- Making its debut in 2002, will feature its first ever 'family atres.co.uk Warwick Words this year weekend’. The event takes takes place at various venues place at The Hive and the from Monday 1 to Sunday 7 nearby University of Worces- October and features events ter’s City Campus on 27 & 28 focusing on a wide variety of October. For full details of the themes. Subjects under the two-day programme, visit spotlight include Jane Sey- worcester.ac.uk mour, TS Eliot and World War One, suffragette Kitty Dumteedum - Brum Marion and 30 years of the show a must for Vietnam War. Archers fans... Strictly on tour! Fans of BBC Radio Four’s The Archers can get the low-down The Strictly Come Dancing on all things Ambridge at a spe- UK Arena Tour is once again cial Birmingham event this hitting the road, launching month. in Birmingham in mid-Jan- Based on fan podcast Dumtee- An Unmissable Christmas trip from uary. dum, the show includes contri- Directed by Strictly TV judge butions from Archers the Midlands to Santa’s Lapland Craig Revel Horwood, the scriptwriter Keri Davies and ac- Midlands families have the chance to visit Father Christmas in his Lap- touring show features tors Charlotte Martin - who land home this December - thanks to experienced travel specialists celebrities and professional plays Susan Carter in the pro- Unmissable. dancers from the 16th series gramme - and Emerald O'Han- The company has put together a four-day Lapland experience for chil- of the award-winning BBC rahan (who stars as Emma dren and their parents or guardians to enjoy. The trip comes complete One programme. Grundy). with a family snowmobiling adventure and the chance to meet Father Strictly visits Arena Birming- Dumteedum Live takes place at & Mrs Christmas, their reindeer, huskies and elves. ham from 18 to 21 January. Birmingham Town Hall on Sun- Flights depart from Birmingham International Airport. For more infor- For more information, visit day 7 October. mation, visit unmissablelapland.com or call 0207 428 1221. strictlycomedancinglive.com 6 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Warwickshire October.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 12:54 Page 4 Habit of Art Matthew Kelly(1).qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 10:14 Page 1
TheMatthew KellyHabit talks about OfAlan Bennett’s Art ‘filthily funny’ play...
8 whatsonlive.co.uk Habit of Art Matthew Kelly(1).qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 10:14 Page 2
by Lauren Cole
A witty and compassionate play, Alan Bennett’s The Habit Of Art next month graces the Coventry Belgrade stage and Malvern Theatres, with Olivier Award-winning actor Matthew Kelly in the lead role. What’s On recently caught up with Matthew to find out more... The Habit Of Art is one of renowned play- chose to structure The Habit Of Art as a play regarded as well as the voice behind the great wright Alan Bennett’s more recent offerings. within a play? work. Those who are lauded, who are stars The play explores a fictitious meeting be- like Britten and Auden and so admired for "It gives it a neat little framework and allows tween poet WH Auden and composer Ben- their work, are often misrepresented in biog- Bennett to comment on his own creation jamin Britten. It’s been described as raphy. A lot of what is passed off as biogra- through the four actor characters. It’s cheeky, ‘wonderfully and sometimes filthily funny, phy is in reality just idle curiosity, general really, because it means he can comment on but also deeply and unexpectedly moving’. tittle-tattle and impertinence.” things he’s written as part of Caliban’s Day. “It’s a play within a play,” says Matthew So it’s very funny because you can deliver in- Matthew has certainly made a name for him- Kelly, who plays Auden. “So four of us play formation about what’s going on in Caliban’s self in the theatre world since the days when actors who are also playing parts in a play Day through hindsight in the wider setting of he rarely seemed to be off our television called Caliban’s Day. There’s Auden and Brit- the entire play. screens. Coming to people’s attention in TV ten, their biographer Humphrey Carpenter, shows like Game For A Laugh, You Bet! and “Actually, Caliban’s Day was inspired by and Auden’s rent boy. So really, that’s quite Stars In Their Eyes, he’s more recently earned Auden’s poem, The Sea And The Mirror, tricky because it’s hard to know what Auden rave reviews in stage productions of classic which was a commentary on Shakespeare’s was actually like. I’ve seen a few interviews plays including Of Mice And Men, for which The Tempest; he thought that Caliban hadn’t and listened to his accent because I know he won an Olivier Award, and Waiting For had his say. But the poem is very hard to ac- Richard Griffiths adopted a very high-pitched Godot. cess. I’m sure Auden understood what he voice when he played the part originally in wrote, but for the rest of us mere mortals, we “I could never go back to Stars In Their Eyes London, and that was very, very effective. can’t quite get it. So if the play Caliban’s Day or something like that because I can’t do Sat- With acting, you don’t have to be exactly the was on its own and just a reflection of that urday night big show presenting anymore. person you’re playing if they’re a historical poem, I think the audience would be very But I would if it came up. I mean, I have an figure - but at the same time, you kind of do. confused. To make it a play within a play insatiable desire to be the centre of attention, It’s a weird one.” makes it easier to understand what Auden so why wouldn’t I?! I’m just as happy in a Matthew is very much looking forward to and Bennett are trying to get at - that the or- sound booth doing a voiceover, though. But I playing Auden: “It’s lovely for me to play this dinary man is unspoken and unregarded. do love theatre. Acting isn’t super hard work; part because it was played by Richard first it’s nothing like working down a mine or dig- Matthew also explains how the play com- and he and I were at college together. I mean, ging up a road. I’m just playing with a giant ments on artistic endeavour: “What matters honestly, Auden as a man was just a com- dressing-up box really, but the hours are is the artistic work - it’s the work that keeps plete mess. At one point in the play, they ask long. You have to be patient and have lauded artists like Auden and Britten going. my character if I’ve got my props to play stamina. Still, theatre keeps me going - The It’s our artistic work that identifies us and Auden in the Caliban’s Day play. My line in Habit Of Art speaks true after all! - and I al- that we identify with. Auden says, ‘If I don’t response to that is, ‘Yes - I have my cigarettes, ways believe that the thing I’m doing at the work, then who am I?’ He sees poetry as a my elephantine urine-stained trousers, my time is the best thing I’ve ever done. If I craft as much as an art. Auden insisted he’d disgusting handkerchief and my plastic bag’. didn’t think that, I don’t know if I’d be able to write a poem for anything, so he was a re- carry on with this job. Generally, I just love “I think he was a good-hearted man, but markable man in that way. His artistic output the company of actors; they’re kind, gener- Auden’s face has been compared to a scro- became very small towards the end of his life ous, spirited and supportive people, even if tum, so he was quite an unfortunate man too! because he became almost too venerated to they are completely bonkers!" The original line reads something like, ‘When really truly speak through his work. He was you see his face, one wonders what his scro- shackled by his own importance in the artis- tum looks like’. But he had a condition called tic world, which is really sad, I think.” Touraine-Solente-Golé Syndrome that made The Habit Of Art shows at Coventry’s The Habit Of Art is about plenty more than him look that way, so I did wonder what to Belgrade Theatre from 6 to 10 November artistic endeavour, though. “It’s also about think when I was approached to do the role!” then at Malvern Theatres from 27 Novem- sex, death, creativity and biography. So ide- ber to 1 December. So why does Matthew think Alan Bennett ally, its messages are giving a voice to the un-
whatsonlive.co.uk 9 The Unreturning.qxp_Layout 1 25/09/2018 09:51 Page 1 The Unreturning.qxp_Layout 1 25/09/2018 09:51 Page 2
The Unreturning What’s On caught up with playwright Anna Jordan about her latest work...
What inspired you to write The a dream for me. Although the work they do to what the future of war could be as well Unreturning? is very physically challenging and quite as back at what we’ve known. There is technical, it’s hugely accessible for also, of course, the centenary of the First The idea was born out of lots of exciting audiences which I think is the most World War. discussions with Neil and Scott and the exciting thing about it. It does shape how team at Frantic. We were interested in I’m aware this all sounds heavy – but there you write - something I’ve been aware of is exploring how it feels to come home after a is lightness and laughter in the play too – that writing long, very naturalistic scenes transformative experience; particularly and hope. It’s a lot about friendship and is not always the best fit for Frantic’s work through the eyes of a young man - as this camaraderie and it was important for us as (in my opinion) and lots of The project was inspired by Frantic’s Ignition a team to find those moments of light. Unreturning is quite poetic and rhythmic scheme which celebrates its 10th birthday Those will be brought out not just through and full of imagery, which I imagine the this year. (All of the cast of The the writing but through Frantic’s company creating physically with great Unreturning are made up of Ignition movement language. impact. It’s about leaving space for the graduates). We then explored lots of movement to tell the story too. The What do you hope audiences will take avenues – lots of different situations in Unreturning moves very quickly, away from the play? which you might spend time away from sometimes through short staccato scenes, home as a young man – and eventually seamlessly changing time and location in Essentially, I want to tell dramatic and after quite a bit of development the idea of a heartbeat. The idea is that the scene can invigorating stories about the way young returning home after an experience of war magically transform in a matter of men are affected by war – whether they started to show itself as the most dramatic. moments; this idea of magic was are fighting or fleeing it. Theatre’s greatest We’ve looked at how you change when you important to us from the beginning. It’s gift is that it can generate empathy and are away from home, or how your home really allowed me to be daring and that’s a that is something we need more than ever can change – be that emotionally or gift for any writer. in today’s world. With suicide being the physically. It’s a way of exploring what leading cause of death for men under 45 in home means. How do you feel this is relevant to this country I jumped at the chance to audiences today? write a piece that explored themes of How does working with Frantic masculinity and male mental health, and I Assembly compare with other Sadly, it feels incredibly relevant now, hope it will be enlightening and companies? Are there extra things you especially with the Syrian Conflict and the entertaining for an audience. I hope they need to consider when you know you refugee crisis filling our news feeds every will feel they have gone on an epic journey are writing a piece that will incorporate day as well as rising tensions across the with each of the characters. movement? world and a growing sense of uncertainty about the future. I suppose for me as a Yes, I think it changes the experience writer, The Unreturning was a way of completely in a wonderful way. I’ve been a exploring and exorcising some of those The Unreturning plays The Old Rep, huge admirer of Frantic’s work and the uncertainties – as the play looks forward Birminghamfrom Tuesday 30 October chance to work with them has been a bit of - Friday 2 November No KidsHippodrome.qxp_Layout125/09/201814:39Page new gender-bending attheHippodrome musical Are youkidding?
(c) Alex Brenner No Kids Hippodrome.qxp_Layout 1 25/09/2018 14:39 Page 2
Making the decision to have children should never be taken lightly by a couple. In a brand new show called No Kids, real-life partners Nir Paldi and George Mann blend physical storytelling with gender-bending musical cabaret and verbatim theatre to explore the issues around that decision-making process. What’s On caught up with Nir and George to find out more...
Why do you think that bringing into Do you think similar prejudices would George: Birmingham Hippodrome have discussion the topic of parenthood for apply to lesbian couples and other cou- supported the making of No Kids and have gay couples is so important now? ples where one or both are members of been really wonderful. They had the idea Nir: Many people struggle to have kids the LGBTQ+ community? to programme it as part of SHOUT. We even though they really want to, while George: I imagine the prejudices would be were really excited about that because many others do it just because it’s some- very similar. Obviously it’s hard for us to while we want this piece to reach out to thing you naturally do as part of your life’s comment on the experiences of other indi- many, many different audiences, it’s also journey, without thinking about it seri- viduals from the LGBTQ+ community, but important to us that the LGBTQIA+ com- ously. We know now, thanks to science, we have a few lesbian friends, and being munity engage with it. It’s useful to them that choosing not to have a child is the any part of the LGBTQ+ community means on so many levels. We’re really excited to best thing you can do as a human being to having to stand up to many societal be bringing it to Birmingham and to help the planet, so I think in that way it prejudices. I feel that for gay or lesbian SHOUT. may help people decide. Or it may give couples, having a child is a bit like coming How important do you think festivals those who’re struggling to have children out over and over again. People often as- focusing on just queer arts & culture are some positives to take away from not hav- sume people to be straight before they’re to the LGBTQ+ community? ing kids. Now that members of the LGBTQ+ told or shown otherwise. You can’t choose George: It’s always super-important to en- community can become parents if we whether to reveal your sexuality or not gage with minority voices. The LGBTQ+ want to, I think there’s something very in- when you have a child with your same-sex community in this country over the last teresting in taking myself and George as a partner because having that child with you few decades has really progressed because kind of case study. We’re using this huge and acting as that family unit in public is those voices are heard, but I still don’t decision we have to make and magnifying almost like an outward display of your think that journey is over for us. We’re liv- it to form the basis for a piece of theatre, so sexuality. I think there are a lot of fears ing in a time now with right-wing and that people from all sexual orientations and challenges for us that come with that. conservative movements where we’re see- can really investigate fully the choices they Even though society is in a much better ing rights and freedoms around the world have available to them. place now than it was a few decades back, sliding backwards for many minorities. It’s What prejudices do you think gay par- I think there are still people out there fac- now important more than ever to embrace ing all of those prejudices. ents face? the rich and diverse culture we have in this Nir: It’s interesting for us to explore the What genres of theatrical performance country, and that includes queer culture. concept of some still believing that to be can audiences expect to see in No Kids? There are other countries around the world gay is to not be ‘normal’. Getting married Nir: Each little scene has its own number where people don’t have these opportuni- and having children are considered very with its own theatrical style, using a lot of ties to express themselves and therefore straight things to do. George and I have different aspects of theatre, dance and pop suffer as a result, so I think it’s important been together for many years and culture to emphasise how insane the world to celebrate what we have. monogamy is, sometimes, also perceived is, and how the process of choosing to Nir: It’s great to have a festival that’s dedi- as a wholly heterosexual concept. I think have kids comes with so many pros and cated to unashamedly and directly facing there are many interesting things for the cons. I always end up performing in drag the issues within our community. And to LGBTQ+ community to discuss, especially because I feel that there’s something so do that through our art is even better. what it means to be gay nowadays. Is it as liberating about that. I don’t often per- controversial to be gay and is it controver- form, I usually direct, but it was funny sial for LGBTQ+ couples to have children? when I realised that I more often end up No Kids shows at Birmingham Hippo- Or is it even more controversial for us to be on stage dressed as a woman! drome on Saturday 10 November as part thankful that the law now says we can of annual queer arts & culture festival No Kids is part of SHOUT Festival. How SHOUT. have children but nevertheless to choose did you get involved with SHOUT? not to? Food New October Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 16:23 Page 1 Food New October Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 16:23 Page 2
Food
The irrefutable jewel in El decadent dessert of filo-pastry, Greco’s culinary crown, however, honey and chopped walnuts) has to be the restaurant’s signa- and kataifi (flavoured with cin- ture mezze banquet, a gargan- namon, walnuts and drenched in tuan 22-course celebration of the a rich sugar-syrup). ‘true taste of Greece’, bringing to- So with a heavy heart, full stom- gether the very best of the restau- ach and the all-too-real prospect rant’s eclectic menu of dishes of a sore head, we braced our- and priced at an entirely afford- selves for our return to reality. able £22.95 per person! But then, no Saturday night at El The banquet combines popular Greco would be complete with- appetisers such as taramasalata, out some serious singing and tzatziki and the Cypriot delicacy dancing! Bursting onto the scene of haloumi cheese with an im- in a blaze of bazouki guitars, our REVIEW: El Greco pressive choice of main courses, fun-loving hosts wasted no time including Greek classics stifado bringing diners to their feet! Great food, great service, great value - (slow-cooked beef stew) and keft- Abandoning our inhibitions (and Stratford eatery lives up to its promise edes (Greek meatballs in tomato our pride), it was impossible not sauce). Notable highlights from to get swept up in the atmo- When one thinks of quintessen- pressive range of specialist party the menu include the freshly pre- sphere of feelgood abandon- tially ‘English’ experiences, a trip packages for any occasion, cater- pared kalamari starter of deep- ment, whether that meant to leafy Stratford-upon-Avon ing for groups of two to 100. fried squid rings served with a supping on a shot of ouzo whilst salad garnish - cooked to abso- dancing around or weaving one’s ranks high on any list. Indeed, Accompanied by an overflowing lute perfection in a light, sea- way from table to table in a there’s surely nothing that better generosity of spirit and an un- soned batter and flavoured with chaotic chorus line of Zorba The conjures a spirit of polite tran- compromising commitment to salty notes of the Mediterranean Greek. quility than a jaunt along the fresh produce, Head Chef Dim- sea. Special mention must go to town’s historic high street, with itrios’ passion for his native cui- Such was the unrivalled ambi- the loukanika, a traditional spicy its pretty cobbles, quaint sine is palpable from the ence of El Greco that leaving felt sausage originating in Cyprus churches and ten-a-penny moment you enter the building, akin to being on a holiday that and bursting with the rich, teashops. So what better way to infusing the menu like some fine was finishing all too soon. earthy flavours of pepper, pa- break with tradition than by olive oil or balsamic dressing. Warm, welcoming and intimate prika and oregano. Similarly, my throwing caution to the wind, Whether you’re stopping off for a in style, El Greco’s abundant partner’s dish of choice - dol- crying “Opa!” and reaching for light lunch, sharing with friends charm is matched, in every mades (stuffed vine leaves) - was the ouzo with a night of authen- or catching up over coffee and sense, by a genuine passion for an utter treat, generously filled tic Hellenic cuisine, coupled dessert between shows, there are the culture and a willingness to with beef mince served in a rich with a generous dose of Greek few establishments that go fur- let fresh produce speak for itself. tomato sauce that melted in the hospitality and an added helping ther to make you feel so very It’s true that “All that glisters is mouth on the very first bite. Add of high-spirited music and much at home. not gold”, as Shakespeare once dance! to this lashings of chargrilled wrote, but in the particular case But what ultimately sets El Greco pitta bread, a traditional Greek Located just a short walk from of El Greco, I think it’s safe to say apart from its nearest competi- salad embellished with fresh Shakespeare’s Birthplace Trust we hit the jackpot! tors is the food itself. From tomatoes and feta cheese, a and the Royal Shakespeare The- For bard-free banqueting with Mediterranean classics such as healthy dose of Greek-style rice atre, El Greco’s founding ethos of added ‘Opa!’, it has to be El pork souvlaki, served fresh from in olive oil and a side-serving of ‘great food, great service and Greco! Efharisto poli! the grill, and the deliciously oregano chips, and you’re just great value’ - not to mention Katherine Ewing decadent aubergine, lamb and one step shy of dipping your toes their love of a good party! - is tomato moussaka, to lesser- in the crystal-clear waters of the much more than just pretty known house specialities such as Aegean and sipping wine on the Food: nnnnn words; it’s written into their very Olympia Chicken (stuffed with sun-drenched shores of Cyprus, Service: nnnnn DNA. Set over two floors and halloumi cheese and sweet pep- Corfu or Kefalonia! Ambience: nnnnn combining original 16th century pers and served in a creamy Overall value nnnnn After supping on a leisurely glass features with flourishes of con- mushroom sauce) or the refresh- OVERALL nnnnn or two of Cape Heights Sauvi- temporary monochrome and ingly simple salmon in dill sauce gnon Blanc - a light and zesty marble, this relatively undiscov- served with Mediterranean veg- El Greco South African wine from the ered culinary gem is ideally situ- etables, it’s clear that every pos- 27 Rother Street Western cape, punctuated with Stratford-upon-Avon ated for visitors and locals alike, sible care and attention has been hints of lime - there was just CV37 6NE offering a flexible choice of taken to bring visitors a truly au- enough time to tuck into some Tel: 01789 290505 lunchtime, pre-fixe menu and a thentic taste of the Mediter- traditional baklava (a deliciously la carte options alongside an im- ranean.
whatsonlive.co.uk 11 Food New October Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 16:23 Page 3 Food New October Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 16:23 Page 4
Food
Warwick micropub wins regional accolade Warwick’s popular micropub, The Old Post Office, has been named Warwickshire Pub of the Year 2018. The venue fought off competition from five other pubs in the county to win the award, bagging the prize thanks to its outstanding quality, atmosphere, service and community involvement. The independent family-run pub has built up an excellent reputation over the last four years, and will now be judged against other winning county pubs across the West Midlands region. Wands at the ready for Potter-themed gin fun! Are you a Harry Potter fan aged 18 or older? If so, you may well want to grab your broomstick and make a Saturday 27 October dash across the Midlands to Worcester Oktoberfest returns for a second year Wolverhampton, where The Grain Store is holding a Potter-themed gin event! Following the success of the 2017 event, food and, of course, plenty of German beer. Ginistry Of Magic - Second Annual Worcester Oktoberfest is returning for a second The event takes place at Worcester Racecourse Muggle Ball will feature smoking gin year. on 19 & 20 October and features three sessions: potions, fire & ice cocktails, butterbeer, Taking place inside one of Europe’s largest Friday 6pm to 11pm, Saturday 12pm to 5pm and pumpkin juice, magical entertainment, touring bier tents, the Bavarian bash will 6pm to 11pm. music and dancing. showcase some of the world’s best oompah Tickets cost from £10 to £20 and can be It should be a wizard wheeze... bands, a large selection of traditional German purchased via oktoberfestworcester.co.uk Brazilian restaurant chain set to open in Wholey Moly! Vegan cookies arrive in Selfridges... the Midlands Premium vegan cookie Wholey Moly is now recipes,” says founder Meenesh, “baking available exclusively in Selfridges Birmingham. thousands of cookies in our small London flat Brazilian restaurant chain Fazenda is The cookie comes in three flavours - cacao & until we found the combinations that really hit set to open on Birmingham’s Colmore orange, cacao & hazelnut, and almond, hemp the spot. They’re all vegan, high in fibre, very Row this month. & chia - and contains no refined sugars or low in salt and have as little as 5g of sugar, Founded in Leeds, Fazenda already has processed ingredients. which is 50% less than your average healthy sister restaurants in Manchester “We spent two years trying out different snack bar.” (pictured), Liverpool and Edinburgh. Guests control the service with a small double-sided card. The green side Early July date for Nuneaton’s 2019 food & drink festival signals the chefs to bring out skewers of sizzling meats one by one, the red Next year’s Nuneaton side indicates a resting point. Food & Drink Festival will The lunchtime menu costs £18.50 on take place on 14 July. weekdays and £20.50 on weekends and The event will feature bank holidays. The evening menu costs more than 40 food & £32.50 from Monday to Sunday. drink traders, live entertainment, children’s activities and some brand-new attractions. There will also be extra seating available for visitors wishing to take a break from browsing. whatsonlive.co.uk 13 GIGS / Classical DPS October Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 10:15 Page 1
Gigs
Echo & The Bunnymen Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sun 21 October Still led by Ian McCulloch and Will Sergeant, Echo And The Bunnymen deal in a dark, swirling fusion of post-punk and Doors-in- spired pop psychedelia. Their new studio album, The Stars, The Oceans & The Moon, sees them revisiting, rearranging and trans- forming some of their greatest songs. “I’m not doing this for anyone else,” explains McCulloch. “I’m doing it because it’s impor- tant to me to make the songs better. I have to do it.”
Scott Matthews terclass in honesty, instinct and reflection’. “It’s a collection of songs that lots of people The Zephyr Lounge, Leamington Spa, will relate to,” says Scott of his sixth studio Thurs 18 October album. “It’s a real mood-shift of a record. Ivor Novello Award-winning singer-song- The songs always start from a personal writer Scott Matthews’ new record, The angle, but listeners will hear them in differ- Great Untold, has been described as ‘a mas- ent ways.”
Peatbog Faeries Skindred Hollie Cook Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, Wed 24 October The Empire, Coventry, Wed 31 October Kasbah, Coventry, Sat 6 October Although mainly influenced by traditional “For our latest album, we threw away the Singer Hollie was part of the last line-up of celtic music, the Peatbog Faeries create a rulebook,” says Skindred guitarist Mikey all-female punk/reggae band The Slits. sound that also embodies numerous other Demus. “We pushed ourselves harder than The daughter of Sex Pistols drummer Paul styles and influences, including folk, elec- ever to create the biggest, baddest and most Cook, she released her debut album in 2011. tronica, rock and jazz. Well established on banging songs we could muster.” With third album Vessel Of Love, released the circuit, having formed way back in 1991, The album in question, the band’s seventh this year, she’s set to take her solo career to a the ensemble’s music brings together a studio offering, is Big Tings, released earlier whole new level, and firmly cement her place blend of programmed effects with tradi- this year to great critical acclaim. at the top of the ‘tropical pop’ world. tional celtic arrangements played on bag- Hailing from Newport and fusing heavy pipes, fiddles and whistles. metal, alternative rock and reggae, the tal- ented four-piece will no doubt be putting songs from the new album front and centre Jeff Lynne’s ELO when they visit Coventry with their current touring show, That’s My Jam. Arena Birmingham, Wed 10 October and Fri 12 & Sat 13 October With a unique sound blending rock, pop and classical, ELO have produced 26 UK top- 40 singles and sold over 50 million records during the course of their career. Alone In The Universe - the band’s first album in 15 years - was released in 2015 and received rave reviews from the critics. Jeff Lynne continues to serve as the group’s producer, songwriter, arranger, lead singer and guitarist.
14 whatsonlive.co.uk GIGS / Classical DPS October Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 10:15 Page 2
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Henschel String Quartet Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa, Fri 5 October Described by the Los Angeles Times as ‘one of the best groups in the world’, Ger- man ensemble Henschel String Quartet re- turn to Leamington with a programme of classical masterpieces. Comprising Hen- schel siblings Monika (viola) and Christoph (violin), Mathias Beyer-Karlshoj (cello) and Hannah Perowne (violin), the group here perform: Beethoven’s Quartet in E flat Op74 ‘Harp’; Mendelssohn’s Quar- tet in A minor Op13; and Schumann’s Quartet in A major Op41 No3.
The Dante Quartet: Exploring Shostakovich Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 26 - Sun 28 October Held in high regard for their imaginative programming, Dante are widely considered to be one of the UK’s finest classical music ensembles. They’re also the team behind the es- teemed Dante Summer Festival, which takes place in the Tamar Valley every July. Comprising Yuko Inoue (viola), Richard Jenkinson (cello), Krysia Osostowicz and Oscar Perks (both violins), the quartet this month return to the Midlands to present a programme Symphonic Fantasy featuring all of Shostakovich's string quartets in a single weekend. Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Fri 19 October Birmingham’s Symphony Hall hosts the Warwickshire The Sixteen: London Concert Orchestra and the Can- Symphony Orchestra Choral Pilgrimage zonetta choir as they present an evening Bridge House Theatre, Warwick, Coventry Cathedral, Wed 3 October of music from the world of film and epic Sat 13 October fantasy. Now in its 78th year, the Warwickshire Sym- The programme features music from phony Orchestra here presents three works movies including Lord Of The Rings, Pi- by English composers, all of which were rates Of The Caribbean, Jurassic Park, written in the second decade of the 20th Harry Potter and The Chronicles Of Nar- century: Butterworth’s The Banks Of Green nia... Toby Purser (pictured) conducts. Willow; Elgar’s Cello Concerto and Vaughan Williams’ Symphony No2 (A London Sym- phony). Roger Coull conducts.
Recognised as one of the world’s greatest ensembles, The Sixteen were formed by conductor Harry Christophers more than 30 years ago with the aim of providing a fresh insight into Baroque, early classical and more contemporary music. With over 100 recordings under their belt and numerous accolades to their name, they return to the Midlands this month to perform a concert focusing on two representatives of English music at its finest - William Cornysh and Benjamin Britten. whatsonlive.co.uk 15 Tom Clarke.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 12:53 Page 1
Tom Clarke Inspired by and named after local band The Enemy’s debut album, made-in-Coventry musical We’ll Live And Die In These Towns is showing at the city’s Belgrade Theatre this month. What’s On found out more from The Enemy’s frontman - and the show’s musical director - Tom Clarke...
In 2007, British indie rock band The Enemy “If you came into this with an ego, you’d leave dence hours before the biggest performance released their debut album, We’ll Live And with a deflated one because Geoff and of his life in a huge homecoming concert. His Die In These Towns. The record went to num- Hamish are both so supremely talented,” says manager, unable to convince him to sing, ber one in the British album charts in its first Tom Clarke, The Enemy’s frontman, who’s sends him away to revisit his past and decide week of release and was given platinum certi- acting as the show’s musical director. his future. So Argy walks the streets of his fication the following year. “To watch Hamish work is addictive, and home town, visiting family and friends in a Geoff’s script is genius. Geoff makes the bid to make sense of his feelings and find a Eleven years on and the album that stole the seamless transition from script into lyrical way forward. hearts of the nation with its adrenaline-rush content and back out again. Hamish is just an energy and working-class poetry has inspired “It’s a really heartfelt story,” says Tom. “I absolute powerhouse of a director. He’ll say a gritty and compelling new musical drama. cried in auditions the first time I saw it being four words that completely change the dy- acted. I don’t think I’ve cried in front of adults Based on an ancient Hindu tale - The namic and enrich the acting. It’s amazing to who are total strangers, ever. I was literally Bagavad Gita - the new musical, named after watch.” sat next to Geoff in auditions sobbing in some the album, comes from the pen of acclaimed The musical tells the story of a young rock of the scenes. I was sat there thinking, ‘This is Coventry writer Geoff Thompson. It’s being musician named Argy, who sits on the cusp of absolutely brilliant, they couldn’t act this out helmed by the Belgrade Theatre’s Artistic the big time, only to suffer a crisis of confi- any differently or any better’. Director, Hamish Glen.
16 whatsonlive.co.uk Tom Clarke.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 12:53 Page 2
by Lauren Foster
“When Geoff first approached me and said, Dave, the main directors, do a superb job, and ‘We’re doing this and I'd like you to be in- I don’t need to be down there every night any- volved as musical director’, I read the script more. I was mopping up sick and blood at one and it could’ve gone either way, I was so point, though - it was an interesting experi- scared. I could’ve quite easily passed it off ence! and said, ‘No, get someone who’s done this Tom has also been working hard on his debut before’. I agreed to do it on the proviso that if solo album. I was rubbish at it, they would sack me in week one. I got through week one without “I got probably about a third of the way being sacked, so I can’t be that bad at it!” through recording the solo album, all acoustic with no drums, and then had a conversation Although Argy isn’t based on Tom, the charac- with my bandmate. We’ve decided that we’re ter is certainly one to whom The Enemy’s going to do it full band, so it’s back to the frontman can relate: “The fact that Argy suf- drawing board on that. We’re going to record fers with anxiety and panic attacks is some- the album over the next year. It’s really excit- thing I completely relate to. I’ve always ing!” suffered with huge anxiety, and I used to deal with it by drinking. Last year I finally spoke to So could we ever see an Enemy reunion? a professional about how to exist in the world without being absolutely terrified of life. The “We’re all on okay terms, we don’t hate each journey that Argy goes on, I’ve been there and other’s guts. We’d done it for a decade, and I really get it. It’s quite cathartic seeing it like with any creative endeavour, music acted out in front of you. should be challenging - but it had stopped being challenging and it had stopped being “I can’t think of anywhere better to do this fun. The industry was finding it increasingly show than the Belgrade. Geoff is a Coventry hard to find a place for us - there wasn’t a writer, and our debut album was made in place for us on radio. When you’re up against Coventry. The Belgrade is such an amazing all that, you kind of think, ‘Well, you know place. I played a gig there years ago with the what, maybe the universe is trying to tell me band that I was playing in before The Enemy. something here and maybe we should go and The theatre was a staple of Coventry for try different things’. I wouldn’t rule out a re- decades before I even existed. Hamish is an union one day, but I doubt you’ll see it in the absolute Coventry legend, and I think with immediate or near future. the three of us together, it wouldn't have been right for the production to be shown any- “If ever the opportunity presents itself again where else.” to be part of another musical, I’ve already said to Hamish that if it’s something I would Following The Enemy’s split in 2016, Tom be right for, I'm in! It’s a yes before he’s even opened Coventry’s newest music venue, The told me what it is! Empire. “It’s nice to have a music venue back in the city, and it’s nice to be the driving force be- hind it. It’s established now and is running it- We’ll Live And Die In These Towns shows self. A lot of what we do is student and club at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre on night-orientated, and that effectively funds selected dates until Saturday 20 October. keeping a music venue in the city. Phil and
whatsonlive.co.uk 17 Black History Living Month.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 14:16 Page 1 Black History Living Month.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 14:16 Page 2
black history month Every October, people in the Midlands and across the UK come together to celebrate iconic individuals and landmark events in celebrating 50 years of reggae the history of the African diaspora. Here’s a sample of what’s The impact, legacy and heritage of 50 years of happening in our own region during the course of the month... reggae music is celebrated in BASS2018 festival this month. BLACK HISTORY FILM FESTI- ACTIVITY BOOKS LAUNCH ‘A SOUL II SOUL Fri 19 Oct, Taking place at various Birmingham venues, the VAL Series of themed films family day full of fun and Birmingham Town Hall event features concerts, films, exhibitions and dis- every Wednesday through- edutainment’, Sun 7 Oct, DARIUS RUCKER Darius cussions. Highlights include appearances by Toots out October, Wednesbury The H Suite, Icknield Rd, found fame with the Library Birmingham Grammy Award-winning And The Maytals and Loversrock pioneer Carrol UNWRITTEN Inviting poets HARDY CAPRIO ANNOUNCES Hootie & the Blowfish. Thompson (pictured below). The festival also com- from the international THE HARDY SEASON TOUR Since reintroducing himself memorates the 40th anniversary of the release of Caribbean diaspora to tell Someone whose career is to the world as a country iconic Steel Pulse album Handsworth Revolution - the story of the Caribbean definitely on the up, Hardy artist, he’s released four al- see more on page 20. men who fought alongside was tipped as an artist to bums, Sun 21 Oct, Sym- the British Army in the First watch out for in 2018 by phony Hall, B’ham World War, Thurs 4 Oct, BBC 1Xtra, the Indepen- Royal Birmingham Conser- dent, Music Week, the Sun, vatoire Nation of Billions and Clash THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING magazine, Mon 8 Oct, O2 EARNEST Two Gents Produc- Institute, Birmingham tions present a new take on CARIBBEAN CULTURAL DAY Oscar Wilde’s tale of man- Featuring a Windrush dis- ners, Thurs 4 Oct, play, a Black Heroes dis- Newhampton Arts Centre, play, Caribbean foods, arts Wolverhampton & crafts, health & wellbeing SONS OF KEMET Hypnotic OLIVA TWEEST Afrobeats mu- products and much more... double drum rhythms frame sical which follows the am- Sat 13 Oct, All Saints the colourful interplay of bitions of self-proclaimed Church, Kings Heath, Birm- saxophone and tuba as gyalis (ladies’ man) and ingham original compositions are what. when. where. club promoter Tobi, as he MOKOOMBA Zimbabwe’s brought to life by four navigates comedic and most celebrated young fiercely creative musicians, MUSIC TALKS/WORKSHOPS sometimes explosive band, Tues 16 Oct, Birming- Fri 26 Oct, Hare & Hounds, TOOTS AND THE MAYTALS REVOLUTION! Forty years of clashes with women, family ham Town Hall Birmingham FEAT. CAPTAIN ACCIDENT Steel Pulse’s Handsworth Wed 10 Oct, O2 Institute Revolution, Fri 13 Oct, traditions and his reawak- THE ETTA JAMES STORY Vika BLACK STEAM Inspirational Handsworth Wellbeing ened conscience, Thurs 4 - Bull tells the story of soul talks and performance cele- CARROLL THOMPSON Wed Centre (2pm unveiling); Sat 6 Oct, Belgrade The- legend Etta James’ turbu- brating black brilliance and 17 Oct, The Jam House atre, Coventry living history makers in sci- Handsworth Library (4pm lent life while singing some TYRONE MELODY PRESENTS: ence, technology, engineer- Q&A) JEAN TOUSSAINT QUINTET of her best-loved songs, BIRMINGHAM’S NEW WAVE ing, arts and mathematics, Featuring music from Thurs 18 Oct, Birmingham Mon 22 Oct, Hare & REGGAE 100 Discussing the Sun 28 Oct, Thinktank Sci- Jean’s 11th album, Fri 5 Town Hall Hounds next 50 years... Tues 30 Oct, Birmingham Conserva- ence Museum, Birmingham Oct, ACMC, 339 Dudley FREDDIE MCGREGOR Wed 24 toire COBO: BACK TO THE OLD Road Oct, The Jam House BEING BUILT TOGETHER Pho- SKOOL Featuring Rudi Lick- WINTA JAMES: A REGGAE THE MIGHTY DIAMONDS Fri tographic exhibition by Van- wood, Curtis Walker, Slim & PRODUCER MASTERCLASS 26 Oct, O2 Institute2 ley Burke celebrating the John Simmit, Sun 28 Oct, Wed 31 Oct, Access Cre- diversity of Birmingham and The Glee Club, Birmingham ative College, 68 Heath Mill the UK, Sat 6 - Sat 20 Oct, BLACK HISTORY MONTH COM- FILM Lane St Philip’s Cathedral, Birm- EDY SPECIAL Featuring ROCKSTEADY: THE ROOTS OF ingham KRS-ONE - UK TOUR + DJ Simon Clayton, Aurie Styla, REGGAE FT SPECIAL PERFOR- ART AN OFFICER AND A LADY The PREDATOR PRIME The rap Lateef Lovejoy & Slim, Mon MANCE FROM CHRISTOPHER THE ART OF REGGAE Exhibi- story of Elizabeth Barker icon performs in Birming- 29 Oct, Belgrade Theatre, ELLIS Thurs 4 Oct, The tion showcasing 101 reg- Johnson, an African Ameri- ham as part of a four-date Coventry Mockingbird Cinema gae-inspired posters, can woman who led an UK tour, Thurs 18 Oct, O2 BLACK BRITISH ARTS & CUL- THE HARDER THEY COME designed by artists and il- army unit of women in Birm- Institute, Birmingham TURE FAMILY WORKSHOP A Thurs 11 Oct, The Mock- lustrators from around the ingham. There will also be a INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERA- presentation and creative ingbird Cinema world, range of stalls and talks TION - OUR BLACK ROLE MOD- writing workshop about the 2 - 18 Oct, which focus on Birmingham ELS IN THE COMMUNITY Free Victorian black British actor HOMELANDS: JAMAICA AND Medicine, and its connection with conference celebrating cur- Ira Aldridge. The workshop BRUK OUT! A DANCEHALL 69 New Black Heritage, Sun 7 Oct, rent and historical black is suitable for children aged QUEEN DOCUMENTARY Fri 26 Street Soho House, Birmingham role models, Thurs 18 Oct, 10 to 17, Tues 30 Oct, Li- Oct, The Mockingbird Cin- ema THE OFFICIAL BLACK HISTORY Wolverhampton University brary of Birmingham
whatsonlive.co.uk 19 Steel Pulse.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 10:02 Page 1
Finger on the Pulse Steel Pulse’s ex-percussionist and backing vocalist Mykaell Riley talks about the band’s 40-year-old album, Handsworth Revolution
20 whatsonlive.co.uk Steel Pulse.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 10:02 Page 2
By Steve Taylor
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Birmingham band Steel Pulse’s debut album, Handsworth Revolution. To celebrate the birthday - and as part of BASS Festival 2018 - a public mural is this month being unveiled at Handsworth Wellbeing Centre. Former band member Mykaell Riley talks to What’s On about the critically acclaimed 1978 release, an album which had a major impact on the UK’s reggae music scene...
One of the most enduring images of the UK “My vague memory is that it started with, music scene in 1978 was the sight of a reggae ‘What are you trying to say?’ So we said, it’s band with frontmen clad in white hoods and about Handsworth. As we were discussing robes, performing a song about racism enti- the whole concept, we told them it was about tled Ku Klux Klan. what was happening in Handsworth, and that we had a song called Handsworth Revo- The group was Steel Pulse. They came from lution. Birmingham and later that year, the band’s debut album, Handsworth Revolution, would “They said, ‘How do you depict that revolu- leave an indelible mark on the face of British tion? What is it and what does it look like vi- reggae music. sually?’ We discussed this with the marketing department and the album design depart- The idea to wear Ku Klux Klan regalia on ment, David [Hinds] did some sketches and stage came from the band’s percussionist then it was translated by the art director. and backing vocalist, Mykaell Riley, who was well aware of the impact that the costumes “We were keen to project this dystopia that is would have at the time. Handsworth. It’s the idea that, on one hand, this is the reality - it’s blocks of flats, it’s bro- “We were trying to communicate, in the most ken-down buildings, it’s burnt-out cars - but article in the Guardian newspaper, calling for succinct way possible, If you don’t under- you can escape. So there’s a guy that’s run- the reactivation of RAR, included Riley as stand the hoods, then the lyrics are a transla- ning away somewhere, and also there’s a ray one of its signatories. tion of that,” says Riley. “You bring the two of light coming down on the individuals - together and that’s the history there that “That was instigated by the originator of these faceless but black individuals standing we’re trying to communicate, alive and kick- Rock Against Racism, Red Saunders. When next to the car.” ing in Handsworth in Birmingham. Red called me, he said, ‘Look, what do you Riley stresses that the band wanted to project think about all this racism and fascism that’s “In one simple act, one simple bit of white a positive message on the cover: “The image taking off everywhere?’ material, we were explaining decades of is there to offer hope, to say that you can es- racial tension and racial abuse to our com- “If you travel around Europe, it’s much, cape this. With the palm trees, based on the munity. The hoods were a shorthand way of much more in your face than it is here. Look- conversations we had with the guy who put it bringing all of that into one space. ing back at where we were back then, and together, there was this idea that, back then, then jumping back to where we are now, “You couldn’t just rock up to Woolworths and you aspired to get home. Home wasn’t the what we’re looking for is some level of say, ‘I’ve lost my hoods, mate, can you pre- UK, home was Jamaica - and so we’ve got this progress, but we’re moving back to that posi- pare three hoods, I’ve got a gig tonight’. dichotomy, which is, are we more Jamaican tion so fast that it’s scary. So of course I have at that point, or are we more British? “Once you had the hoods on, you couldn’t to stand up and support a viable movement see to play your guitar, so it turned into being “And the truth is, we’re both. It’s looking at that’s challenging fascism.” myself and Alphonso [Martin], the other vo- the challenge of identity back then, which And what about the UK’s impending depar- calist, wearing them. But even then we si- was deciding which of these dominated. And ture from the EU? lenced many an audience just by putting on if one did, it was the reality on the ground. the hoods.” We have to survive Handsworth, and to do “Brexit became a question of identity, and that as a community we need to somehow within that, what’s British, what’s English, The back cover of Handsworth Revolution force a revolution, which means standing up what does it mean? I think for many in the bears the words ‘Album dedicated to the peo- and being counted. And if that means you community, they were seeking to create an ple of Handsworth’, so it’s fitting that the leave, you leave.” identity that didn’t really exist - Britain has 40th anniversary of the album’s iconic art- always been multicultural.” work will be commemorated in Handsworth These days, Riley is a principal investigator of by a celebratory public mural, unveiled as the Black Music Research Unit at the Univer- part of Birmingham’s month-long BASS 2018 sity of Westminster, but his involvement with Festival. Steel Pulse up to and including that seminal BASS Festival 2018 (1-31 October) features first album remains an important part of his the unveiling of a public mural at While the original visual idea for the sleeve career. emanated from the band, the album lists An- Handsworth Wellbeing Centre on drew Aloof as illustrator, with credit for the Apart from the release of Handsworth Revo- Saturday 13 October to commemorate the design going to Bloomfield/Travis. Riley re- lution, 1978 also saw Steel Pulse open for Bob 40th anniversary of the release of calls the creative process that led to the final Marley And The Wailers on their European Handsworth Revolution. artwork. tour and become a powerful voice in the Rock For more information, visit Against Racism (RAR) movement. A recent wearepunch.co.uk/bass-festival
whatsonlive.co.uk 21 The Messiah REP.qxp_Layout 1 25/09/2018 09:44 Page 1 The Messiah REP.qxp_Layout 1 25/09/2018 09:44 Page 2
by Lauren Cole
HALLELUJAH! The Messiah comes to Birmingham... Starting its tour at Birmingham Repertory Theatre this month, The Messiah promises to present a nativity show like no other, as two out-of-their-depth actors travel the length and breadth of the country to put on a production of ‘biblical proportions’. Taking the role of Maurice is Hugh Dennis, best known from hit TV comedy series Out- numbered. What’s On caught up with him to find out more about The Messiah...
“This is the revival of a play from the 1980s,” really because it’s all very out of hand. Mau- Then The Now Show is great because being explains Hugh Dennis in talking about The rice also employs an opera singer, played by on radio is an incredibly privileged position. Messiah. “It’s really about a two-man theatre Lesley Garrett, to improve the performance, On telly you have to go through so many dif- group trying to stage the nativity story. It’s so she pops up every now and again too.” ferent layers of commissioning, editing, com- very funny and moving. We try to play all the pliance and all the different people who look Having made a name for himself as one half characters between the two of us - so as you at it. But on radio, you can say something in of a comedy double act with Steve Punt in the can imagine, we play lots of different charac- a recording on the Thursday night and know 1980s, Hugh has since enjoyed a varied ca- ters each. The premise of it is that it’s a bit of that more than likely it’ll be broadcast the reer on television, radio and in the theatre. a farce because we’re way out of our depth next day because there are fewer filters to get with it all. We’re terribly well intentioned, but “I like to mix it up and do a bit of everything, through. Also, you can just read your script we have no particular idea how we’re going really - I’m greedy like that. The thing I enjoy rather than having to learn it - always handy! to pull it off. It’s the first time our characters most is generally not the thing I’m doing at I’ve just done a second year of Fleabag for have actually performed their nativity show, the time. When I’m doing telly, I want to be BBC Three, which is another highlight, but I and funnily enough, it will be the same for us on stage and vice versa. I’m very lucky, do hope there are even more ahead of me.” - Birmingham is the first stop on our tour. though, because I do like all of it. It’s good to Hugh doesn’t spend too much time planning have a varied career. If you were doing the The Messiah is mainly comic rather than his career, preferring to see where life takes same thing on telly year after year, it’d be satirical. It’s about desire to stage something, him: “Actors just want to carry on doing good quite tricky. It’s just about exercising all the longing for a nicer, kinder world - which is stuff and pushing themselves to see where it different brain muscles, really.” probably where some satire would come in, goes, rather than thinking about a set desti- actually - and it’s about middle-age angst. Even when a career choice doesn’t go accord- nation. I just like life to take me on a ride and But it’s all very funny.” ing to plan, Hugh always manages to see the see what lies ahead. But for now, I’m happy positives: “Actually, I’ve been quite lucky in to concentrate on The Messiah. The show The other half of the nativity-performing the- that respect - there’s no job I regret taking. I was quite a success last time round, so I hope atrical duo is played by John Marquez - best think it’s an attitude-to-life thing, where even we can do that again.” known for his role as gullible but loveable PC if things are terrible, I tend to look back and Joe Penhale in ITV drama series Doc Martin. think it’s all been pretty interesting and en- Hugh continues: “My character, Maurice, has tertaining. employed John’s, so he’s my baby to nurture. The Messiah shows at Birmingham “In terms of highlights, I’ve been even luck- I think he’s possibly the only person Maurice Repertory Theatre from Thursday 18 ier. In my acting career, Outnumbered is the could have convinced to do this - make of to Saturday 27 October. highlight because it was such incredible fun. that what you will! I’m in charge, but also not Comedy October 2018 -2.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 10:07 Page 1
Comedy
Jimeoin Birmingham Town Hall, Fri 12 October Fancy a straightforward comedy night with a straight-talking - well, actually, a bit of a rambling - comedian? If so, then the sub- lime Jimeoin is the man for you. A gimmick- free one-man comedy machine, Jimeoin's proved he's got what it takes on all manner of top TV shows, including Michael McIn- tyre’s Comedy Roadshow and Jason Man- ford’s Comedy Rocks. Check him out!
Gina Yashere The REP, Birmingham, Sun 21 October Gina's latest show, Funkindemup, finds the London-born comedian on fine form as she contemplates the state of British race relations and Anglo Nigerian manners. Gina's best known from television shows like Mock The Week, but a well-received perfor- mance on US TV's Last Comic Standing saw her career heading in another direction, with plenty of work coming her way from across the pond. The 44-year-old comedian is suitably appreciative of her new opportunities in the US, where she last year became a fixture on late-night news satire programme The Daily Show. “There’s a glass ceiling for black come- Ali Cook dians in America too,” she observes, “but by the time you hit it, you’re a multi-millionaire.” Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sun 21 October Escapologist, sleight-of-hand expert, street magician, stage illusionist, thought con- troller, writer, actor and ‘historian of decep- Darren Harriott tion’ - comedy magician Ali Cook is certainly Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Sat 27 October; Slade Rooms, no one-trick pony. Widely acclaimed for his Wolverhampton, Thurs 8 November; Artrix, Bromsgrove, highly innovative live shows, Ali has re- Sat 17 November ceived The Magic Circle’s highest accolade, Darren Harriott’s new show, Visceral, takes a look back at joining, among others, his childhood in Oldbury - and to a time when, at the age HRH The Prince of of 13, he began carrying a knife. Wales and David Cop- Fortunately for the 29-year-old comedian, he man- perfield as a Member aged to turn away from a potential life of crime, of the Inner Magic instead finding his salvation in the business of Circle with Gold making people laugh. Star. “For me,” “I need to get this stuff out,” he explained in says Ali, “the real a recent interview with the Evening Stan- joy is being able dard. “All I’ve really got as a stand-up is my to perform so honesty. I’m okay if audiences hate me. many types and What I don’t want is pity. These stories styles of magic. I might sound like tragedy, but I don’t com- live by what Paul pute it as tragedy. I’m enjoying this roller- Daniels said: "A coaster. I just worry that it could all go. magician can do it This is the most important time in my ca- all. He is, after all, reer, but my main goal is to have fun.” magic.”
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Felicity Ward The Glee Club, Birmingham, Fri 19 October; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 3 November Australian comedian Felicity Ward visits the Midlands with her second nationwide tour, Busting A Nut. Felicity went down a storm with the show at this summer’s Edinburgh Festival, where she’s a well-established con- tributor. “Busting A Nut was my eighth stand-up show there, so I’ve had some prac- tice,” says Felicity. “What’s different this time is that the show doesn’t have a theme - it’s just an hour of jokes.”
Doreen’s Big Top Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Wed 10 - Thurs 11 October; Oakengates Theatre@The Place, Telford, Tues 16 - Wed 17 October; Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock, Tues 23 - Wed 24 October; Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Thurs 25 - Fri 26 October; The Swan Theatre, Worcester, Mon 29 - Tues 30 October; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Fri 2 November; Palace Theatre, Redditch, Wed 14 November In February 2012, Doreen’s Story - a five- appearing in pantomime and heading out on minute mockumentary written by playwright the road with shows like this one. David Tristram - went viral on the internet. The new production sees Doreen exploring The video, which satirised benefit the history of the circus, complete with scroungers, starred actress Gill Jordan as the ‘breathtaking feats of laziness’ and a not-to- Black Country-born Doreen. Since then, the be-missed attempt at fire-eating with a Black character has blossomed into one of the 21st Country vindaloo. century’s finest comic creations, regularly
Vikki Stone MAC, Birmingham, Sat 13 October Juliette Burton Sara Pascoe Described by The Scotsman as the bastard Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Sun 7 October; Birmingham Town Hall, love child of Victoria Wood and Tim Fri 12 October; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Wed 28 November Minchin, Vikki Stone is not only a comedian Sat 10 November At a time when the rifts between the haves but a composer and musician. The various Is being nice out- and have nots, the pro-EU and anti-EU, the hats she wears have en- dated, or can small tolerant and the prejudiced are becoming sured she’s had a far- acts of kindness ever wider, Sara Pascoe is clear about one from-standard make a big impact?... thing - there are no off-limit subjects when it career, with high- This is the question comes to comedy. lights including being asked by “People forgive the subject matter when they giving a TED Talk award-winning co- find something funny,” she says, “but that at CERN, playing median Juliette Bur- doesn’t mean the comedian has no responsi- the typewriter ton as she hits the bility to question their own material. If with the BBC road on her first ever they’re going to tell a joke about rape, they Philhar- UK tour. should first consider how you might feel if monic Entitled Butterfly Effect, Juliette’s new you’ve been a victim of Orchestra, show sees her finding out whether kind- it. If, after that, they and being ness holds the power to change lives, cure still feel it’s a joke part of the mental health conditions, make friends, worth telling, then presenting restore hope, dispel despair, end poverty they’ll be doing so with team at the and even defeat death... complete faith in their BBC Proms. It’s a weighty subject for a stand-up gig, own material, which is so you’ve got to admire her ambition! great.”
whatsonlive.co.uk 23 Theatre October.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 09:56 Page 1
Theatre Theatre previews from around the region
War Horse novel, it tells the story of a young man named Albert whose horse, Joey, is sold to the cavalry and shipped to France at the beginning of Birmingham Hippodrome, Wed 10 October - Sat 3 November; Regent the First World War. Joey’s subsequent adventures lead to him finding Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Wed 27 Mar - Sat 6 April himself alone in a no man's land - but Albert is in no mood to give up Described as ‘the theatrical event of the decade’ when it opened in on his beloved companion, and sets out to find him and take him London’s West End, War Horse has continued to garner great praise in home to Devon. the ensuing years. Based on Michael Morpurgo’s hugely popular 1982
The Lovely Bones David Edgar: Trying It On brand new stage show to Coventry. Rifco Theatre’s Dishoom! is a comedy-drama The REP, Birmingham, MAC, Birmingham, Fri 12 October; featuring music from the smash-hit Bolly- Tues 30 October - Sat 10 November The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon, Thurs 18 - Sat 20 October wood movie, Sholay. The production is This poignant human drama, based on Alice helmed by the company’s Artistic Director, David Edgar is used to Sebold’s best-selling novel, concerns a mur- Pravesh Kumar. Pravesh started Rifco in 1999, writing plays; he’s not dered girl who watches from heaven as her to make ‘a different kind of theatre for a com- so used to performing family attempts to cope with their devastat- munity that couldn’t see themselves repre- in them. But that’s all ing loss... sented on English stages’. Author Alice Sebold will discuss her wide- changing with Trying It ranging career in a special In Conversation On. event on 1 November, to tie in with the stage The Birmingham-born adaptation’s stay at The REP. playwright has marked his 70th birthday by taking to the stage in this one-man show, during which he contemplates the ways in which both the world and his own views have changed over the last 50 years.
Dishoom! Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Tues 16 - Sat 20 October A theatre company that specialises in cele- brating and reflecting contemporary British Asian culture and society is bringing this 24 whatsonlive.co.uk B.Hipp. Oct. RIGHT HAND FP 2018.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 11:28 Page 1
Unforgettable performance, powered by you 0844 338 5000* birminghamhippodrome.com *Calls cost 4.5p per min plus access charge. Where applicable, a 6% transaction charge may apply excluding cash sales in person, postage from £1.50.
Birmingham Royal Ballet
Wed 3 Wed 10 Oct Mon 5 - - Sat 6 Oct - Sat 3 Nov Sat 10 Nov From £12 From £29.50 From £18
La traviata Verdi
Wed 14 & Fri 23 Nov - Mon 17 Dec Fri 16 Nov Thu 13 Dec - Sun 6 Jan From £20 Birmingham Royal Ballet From £20 £12.50
Wed 19 Dec Tue 5 - Mon 11 - - Sun 27 Jan Sat 16 Feb Sat 23 Mar From £16 From £21 From £26
Tue 26 & Tue 2 Apr - Tue 28 May - Pepperland Wed 27 Mar Sat 11 May Sat 8 Jun Mark Morris Dance Group From £20 From £31 From £25 Theatre October.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 10:00 Page 3
Theatre Theatre previews from around the region
Troilus And Cressida Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon- Avon, Fri 12 October - Sat 17 November There’s no shortage of drama and intrigue in Shakespeare's rarely performed play, which finds the Greeks and Trojans still at war a full seven years after the Trojan prince Paris's ab- duction of Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world, from her Greek husband Menelaus. With the Greeks quarrelling amongst themselves, and their champion Achilles in no mood to fight, it falls to rival warrior Ajax to meet the Trojan champion Hector in one-to-one combat. Meanwhile, Troilus is much distracted by his love for Cressida, the daughter of Calchas, a Trojan who’s defected to the Greek camp whilst leaving his daughter in Troy... Virtuoso percussionist Evelyn Glennie has here collaborated with RSC Artistic Director Gregory Doran to create ‘a satirical futuristic vision of a world resounding in battle’. This new RSC version of Troilus And Cressida will be broadcast live from Stratford-upon- Avon to cinemas on 14 November.
My Mother Said I Suggs: What A King Cnut Duet For One Never Should Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Mon 15 October; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, Tues 16 October Thurs 4 - Sat 6 October New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Tues 2 - Sat 6 October After selling out his previous touring produc- Belinda Lang and Jonathan Coy star in Tom Chosen by the Royal National Theatre as one tion, Madness frontman Suggs here takes a Kempinski’s critically acclaimed two-hander, of the 100 most significant plays of the 20th lighthearted look at a career that’s featured first performed in 1980. While the play fo- century, My Mother Said I Never Should plenty of memorable moments - from experi- cuses on the fictitious character of Stephanie moves back and forth through the lives of encing vertigo on the roof of Buckingham Abrahams, it’s actually based on the story of four women, in the process setting the enor- Palace, to nearly Jacqueline du Pré, the legendary cellist mous social changes of the last century blowing the closing whose life and career were tragically cut against the desire to love and be loved. ceremony of the short by multiple sclerosis. Written in 1985 and first staged at Manch- London Olympics. “It’s very sad and even brutal at times,” says ester’s Contact Theatre, Charlotte Keatley’s Oh, and watching Belinda Lang of Duet For One, “but the flip award-winning play is the most commonly his underpants fall side of it is very funny. Stephanie has a sar- performed work by a female playwright in to earth on David castic wit which I personally find funny - and the world. Bowie’s driveway... fortunately the audience find it funny too!”
Dracula The War Of The Worlds The Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Thurs 11 - Sat 20 October Wed 24 - Sat 27 October Dracula is best known from its many and var- HG Wells’ classic tale of Martian invasion is ied cinematic incarnations - but as stage pro- here reimagined for a post-truth world. ductions like The Woman In Black have ably Blending ‘powerful’ storytelling and an inter- illustrated, a well-presented work of theatre active soundscape, the new adaptation is can be every bit as spinetingling as anything being presented by the critically acclaimed the big screen has to offer. Tin Robot Theatre. The company has previ- Better make sure you pack some bulbs of gar- ously visited the Old Joint Stock with sell-out lic and a wooden stake, just to be on the safe productions of The Tell Tale Heart and A side... Clockwork Orange.
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Theatre Theatre previews from around the region
Nativity! The Musical Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tues 23 - Sun 28 October The Belgrade gets into the Christmas spirit a few weeks early with this hit stage musical based on the popular film franchise. The show is written and directed by Debbie Isitt, who also created the movies. “I’ve always believed that Nativity! would make a fantastic stage musical,” says Debbie. “It’s so full of joy, the children are so sweet and funny and the songs so catchy that it lends itself to being the perfect Christmas musical. The songs really do change the dynamic. It gives you much more insight into the characters and their backsto- ries. And the emotions are more intense, like with the love story between Mr Maddens and Jennifer - it feels even bigger now because they’re singing duets.”
The Case Of The the icy wastes and also his volatile relation- Not Yet Suffragette ship with Shackleton - a key reason, many Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Fri 12 October Frightened Lady feel, why he never received the coveted Polar The tampon tax, public breast-feeding, mar- Lichfield Garrick, Mon 15 - Sat 20 October Medal. riage, child birth and the gender pay gap are among the subjects given a thorough airing by Natalie Cutler in her one-woman show, an Private Peaceful hour’s-worth of performance that brings to- Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, gether comedy, music, dance and political in- Fri 12 - Sat 13 October correctness. Private Peaceful is a short play that packs a “It’s a show about how far we’ve not come real punch. Based on the book by War Horse and the reasons why,” explains Natalie. author Michael Morpurgo and perfectly “Women are still being asked the same ques- pitched for the young audience at which it’s tions and told the same things - ‘How come aimed, the stage production has been hailed you’re not married? How come you don’t have for being “as moving as the poetry of Wilfred a baby? You should dress like this, don’t Owen and as painfully memorable as white- dress like this’. They’re all the same issues hot shrapnel”. that were there 100 years ago. But there are First World War soldier Private Tommo plenty of people in the world trying to ad- Peaceful is awaiting the firing squad at dawn. dress inequality - my show doesn’t pretend to After enjoying a hit with their adaptation of With his young life about to be cut tragically have any answers; it simply takes a look at Ruth Rendell’s A Judgement In Stone, the short, he recalls his joyful past growing up in where we’ve travelled over the last century.” Classic Thriller Company now turn their at- rural Devon, his schooldays, his father, and tention to a 1931 play from the prolific pen of the love of his life - a girl named Molly... Edgar Wallace. When Inspector Tanner investigates a grue- some murder at an ancestral home, it isn’t long before he realises that nothing is quite as it seems... John Partridge (pictured) stars.
Shackleton’s Carpenter Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Mon 22 October Gail Louw’s one-man play focuses on the character of Harry McNish - explorer Ernest Shackleton’s carpenter on the ill-fated polar expedition ship, Endurance. Destitute in Wellington, Harry recalls his adventures in
28 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre October.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 10:01 Page 6 Full Monty.qxp_Layout 1 25/09/2018 14:40 Page 1 Full Monty.qxp_Layout 1 25/09/2018 14:40 Page 2
stripped bare The Full Monty returns to the Midlands
Critically acclaimed movie The Full Monty sees six unemployed Sheffield men, four of whom are former steel workers, form a male striptease act to earn some much-needed cash. Gaz and his best mate Dave begin to recruit men to their act, claiming they’re better than anything anyone has seen before because they’re willing to go ‘the full monty’. The hit 1997 comedy touches on many social issues still relevant today, including sexuality, body image and mental health. The latest tour of the film’s stage version features a cast that includes James Redmond and Joe Gill, who both play gay characters. What’s On caught up with the duo to find out more about what audiences can expect...
Who do each of you play in The Full nick of time. I join in from there because I love it! It’s a great feeling in the theatre Monty and why do they get involved in think I’m a bit lonely, really. Plus, because you really get to feel the arc of the Gaz’s striptease plan? Lomper’s other personal struggle within performance properly, and you get swept James: All the characters are quite funny, himself is with his sexuality... I worked on along by it. The live, instant feedback is and I’ve got a couple of funny lines. But Emmerdale for such a long time, and they amazing too. When I’ve done comedy stuff it’s how I look that’s more the funny thing were really good at finding relevant stories for the telly, nobody laughs, whereas in because of my ridiculous penis. That’s the that aimed to help people who were theatre you get that laugh straight away. reason my character, Guy, gets chosen to watching. I don’t think this play is any Joe: The instant gratification with theatre be a part of the group. But there’s a reason different to that. I think that if a show like is amazing, so you get laughs and tears. I to love and relate to all six of the main The Full Monty can encourage even one think the comparison between telly and characters. Each of them has their own person to talk about their body issues, theatre is kind of like the difference for a challenge to meet, and they’re challenges their sexuality or their mental health, then music artist between being in a recording that I think are still relevant today. Joe and it’s a privilege to be part of something as studio and performing live. I think most of I have this really lovely scene with our powerful as that. them would say they prefer performing characters Guy and Lomper; Lomper You’ve both appeared on TV. What are live. For me as an actor, it’s no different. comes out, and I, as the slightly older guy the main ways in which performing on The buzz you get in the theatre is the best who’s already gone through that, take him stage is different to acting on telly? feeling I’ve had as an actor. I’ve done a lot under my wing. It’s nice because the James: This is my first theatre of filmed stuff and not a lot of theatre, and audience always knows exactly how to performance, and I’m kinda bricking it a they’re very different techniques, so respond. We can go from lots of laughs one bit because you know that, for each shot theatre is exciting new territory at the minute to complete silence for the really on telly, you get five or six takes to get it moment. It’s definitely something I’d like moving moments. right and you can really perfect it. Every to pursue more in the future. I think all Joe: I play Lomper, who’s the first guy Gaz member of the team - lighting, sound actors should do it. Young actors, for some and Dave recruit to be part of their strip director etc - helps you figure out how to reason, don’t seem to appreciate theatre or group. It’s quite a dark way in which they nail it. But here, you get just the one take, even consider it as a preferred option, and meet. I won’t give too much away, but my and you do it all in one go over the that’s a real shame. I’m loving it - what a character attempts to take his own life, performance - no breaks and no second great play to be a part of! It’s really funny which they save him from doing in the chances. So yes, it’s very daunting, but I and will have you in stitches, but it’s also so heartwarming.
Full Monty.qxp_Layout 1 25/09/2018 14:40 Page 3 If you’re on the front few rows, “ “ you might get more than you bargained for...
Did either of you have experience with bargained for, but for everyone else it’s Joe: You meet all the characters in their stripping before joining the cast? slightly more obscured. But I’ve got a very sense of desperation, and that’s one of the James: I’ve actually done nudity on telly large penis, so I’m hard to miss! It’s all best things about the play - they’re all before, so I’m not worried about that. I’m real, you know! doing this full monty strip for a reason. more focused on it being my first time on Joe: Oh yes, you’ll see James’ big penis - They’re not just thinking about having a stage. Of course, for the actual strip, you won’t miss that. But trust me, it’s his laugh and getting their kit off; they’re all nerves really kick in and you start to character’s penis, not his. I can confirm trying to get out of a tricky situation. second-guess yourself, however many it’s definitely not his. What are your plans for the future? times you rehearse. I have no stripping Do you think Gaz and the rest of the James: After this, I really hope I can do background, although I did do a strip in characters took the right path to get some more theatre. Being on stage, getting Casualty once, but there was very little cash quick? that immediate feedback from audiences choreography and I was just kind of and getting to know the rest of the cast has copying the guys next to me. But that was James: I’ve got my stand-up as my talent to get rich quick like these guys from been a real privilege. They’re a really great a New Year’s episode, so a lot of people bunch of people. You can’t really do a job tuned in and saw it. Sheffield try to do. But yes, in their situation I think I’d do something similar. like this without being both easy-going Joe: Have I? None that I can tell you about! Maggie Thatcher encouraged them to buy and professional, and all these guys are Professionally, no, but who knows their own council houses and then closed good for that. My background is in telly, whether I’ve done it after a night out to most of the steel industry, so they had no but now I’ve experienced theatre, I’d like someone very, very unlucky? work. They were trapped because the to do some more and add even more The burning question is, do you house they’d just bought had dropped strings to my bow. actually go ‘the full monty’ on stage? significantly in value because no one Joe: That’s the thing about acting. Most James: We do - every single time. It’s not wanted to live in an area with no work, so people don’t have a set plan. I’ve got this like the film, where you get the view from they couldn’t move away to use their skills for 10 months and then I’ll see what just the back in the final shot - it’s totally elsewhere. Many had families they opportunities come along. You never full frontal. The work with the lighting couldn’t leave. They were desperately know, maybe I’ll end up in Magic Mike or makes it slightly less in your face, but broke, so I think what these characters do something! I know so many talented we’re right at the front of the stage and is incredible. For me, though, I’d people in our business who’re out of work. it all comes off. If you’re on the have my comedy act - although gay I’m very fortunate in that I’ve managed to front few rows, you might get porn is always an option! pretty much be constantly employed in the more than you acting world since I was 18. Touch wood that continues, so as long as I’m still enjoying it and I’m making enough to live on and have a decent time, life’s good.
The Full Monty shows at: Birmingham Hippodrome from 5 to 10 November; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, 19 to 24 November; Nottingham Theatre Royal, 4 to 9 February; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, 25 February to 2 March; and Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 4 to 9 March. Full Monty.qxp_Layout 1 25/09/2018 14:40 Page 4 Theatre October.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 10:01 Page 7
Theatre theatre for younger audiences...
Maison Foo: Doctor Dolittle Tabby McTat A Thing Mislaid Old Rep, Birmingham, Sat 27 October; Albany Albany Theatre, Coventry, Friday 12 October; Theatre, Coventry, Sun 28 October; Lichfield Garrick, Sun 28 October MAC, Birmingham, Wed 10 October; Arena Oakengates Theatre, @ The Place, Telford, Theatre, Wolverhampton, Wed 17 October: Tues 30 October A life providing shelter and plenty of home Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent, comforts would suit most cats, but it doesn’t Thurs 18 October suit Tabby McTat. Tabby’s problem is that he An unlikely friendship between two lonely remembers his old life with his now-missing travellers and a mysterious bird lies at the friend, Fred the guitar player. So Tabby for- heart of this 90-minute show for children sakes the good life and hits the streets in aged 10 and older. Presented by the well-re- search of his long-lost buddy... garded Maison Foo and exploring the themes A heartwarming tale of friendship and loy- of migration and journey, the production alty from the winning team of Julia Donald- blends the company’s trademark style of vi- son and Alex Scheffler, Tabby McTat is sual storytelling, clowning and humour with brought to the stage by Freckle Productions, new experiments in miniature puppetry and the team behind Tiddler And Other Terrific live camera. Tales.
Hugh Lofting's delightful character is a friend to all manner of furry four-legged creatures - and he certainly knows how to have an ad- venture or two!... Featuring original music, lots of audience participation and some ‘amazing’ puppets, this brand new show is suitable for youngsters aged seven and older.
The Tiger Who Milkshake! Live Came To Tea Birmingham Town Hall, Sat 27 October; Stafford Gatehouse, Mon 29 October Palace Theatre, Redditch, Mon 29 - Tues 30 October; Birmingham Town Hall, Here taking youngsters on a journey through Dinosaur World Live Wed 26 December - Sun 13 January the world’s favourite fairytales are, among others, Bob the Builder, Little Princess, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Tues 30 October - Thurs 1 November Noddy, Fireman Sam and Shimmer & Shine. If you’ve watched the TV series and/or been Dinosaurs are once again roaming the earth to a previous live production, you’ll already this autumn, thanks to this interactive show know what to expect. If not, get ready for an for all the family to enjoy. event that promises lots of laughter, bucket- Youngsters get to meet a host of impressive loads of family fun, bags of audience partici- prehistoric creatures - including, of course, pation and plenty of singing and dancing. every child's favourite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex. Promising to be an absolute monster of an ex- perience, the show may well leave a T-Rex- Mother Goose size imprint on your child’s memory for many Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, a year to come. Tues 30 October Most familiar, of course, as a pantomime, the story of Mother Goose offers its per- formers plenty of opportunity to make all manner of eggstravagantly funny and The tea-guzzling tiger is back in town, drop- eggcruciatingly unfunny egg-re- ping in on Sophie and her mum just as lated jokes. Wolverhampton’s they’re settling down for an afternoon favourite pantomime Dame, cuppa... Ian Adams (pictured), stars Adapted by David Wood OBE from Judith alongside another big panto Kerr’s 1968 book, this 55-minute show fea- favourite, Julie Paton, in a tures singalong songs and boasts plenty of family-friendly show that's sure magic - not to mention a big, stripey tiger, of to be sizzling with plenty of course! Suitable for youngsters aged three yolks, sorry! we mean and older. jokes. 30 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre October.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 10:01 Page 8 Motown the Musical (1)_9e3dc00d17e399362d81d87d0f41204e.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 10:09 Page 1
32 whatsonlive.co.uk Motown the Musical (1)_9e3dc00d17e399362d81d87d0f41204e.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 10:09 Page 2
by Lauren Cole
Let’s get it on... Motown The Musical arrives in the Midlands...
Motown Records and its artists certainly made their mark on the world and its music, producing some of the greatest chart-topping songs from the 1950s through to the 1980s. A West End musical telling the story of the legendary label is coming to Birmingham this month. What’s On caught up with the show’s producer, Adam Spiegel, to find out more...
Think Motown and heaven knows how many Adam agrees with the man himself, Berry be singing My Girl or something by the Jack- famous songs spring readily to mind. From Gordy, when he said that Motown was made son 5, Stevie Wonder or Smokey Robinson. Marvin Gaye’s I Heard It Through The to be on the stage. It’s an intensely vibrant and exciting environ- Grapevine to The Supreme’s Stop! In The ment. We have a great time doing it, but I "I think any music that makes people auto- Name Of Love, the Detroit-based record label hope people who come to see the show enjoy matically want to sing and dance deserves to scored hit after massive hit, year after year, it even more.” be on stage. Also, with this show, we’re in a decade after decade. Along the way, it rou- situation where we’re telling the story of an Picking just one stand-out track from Mo- tinely took top spot as the highest-earning iconic record label that changed the world - it town’s repertoire is a real task, but Adam African American business in the United couldn’t be more deserving of the stage spot- does have a favourite: “There are over 50 States. light.” songs in the show and it’s extremely hard to This month sees the arrival in Birmingham of select just one, but I would have to say Danc- And Motown The Musical is absolutely the a show dedicated to the magic of the now-leg- ing In The Streets by Martha And The Vandel- real deal: it’s being produced in collabora- endary label. Motown The Musical celebrates las. It makes everybody just want to jump up tion with Berry Gordy himself, to ensure the the sensational Motown sound by telling the and down. story is as authentic as possible. story of its founder, Berry Gordy; from his “I honestly think Motown The Musical is the humble beginnings on a car production line "I feel very lucky. We’ve worked very hard at best time you’ll have in the theatre, not least to a career spent signing some of the greatest it, and yet being associated with something because it’s a fantastic opportunity to enjoy artists of the 20th century and beyond. like this remains a huge privilege. Being able the best music ever written!" to spend time with Berry himself is extraordi- Starting with just an $800 loan from his fam- nary, and it’s something that I’m enormously ily, Gordy’s passion for music and desire for grateful to be able to do. But also, the whole success catapulted Motown into the limelight team of designers, directors, writers, musi- and helped to unite a racially divided nation. cians, actors for the show have really been of “The thing about Motown,” reflects producer the very highest quality, and it’s been lovely Adam Spiegel, “was that it made a consider- to be a part of putting Motown The Musical able contribution to the changes that took together.” place in the ’60s and ’70s in America, in The cast and crew behind the production terms of racial integration and some kind of have plenty of fun making the show, but equality. Suddenly, ‘black’ music was being Adam is sure its Midlands audience will listened to by everyone in the country, rather enjoy it even more. than just on ‘black’ radio stations, and that was a huge change. I think the stars of Mo- “The more fun you have making something, Motown The Musical shows at town became the icons of the whole country, the more fun it is to watch - those do go Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, so those same stars became the face of Amer- hand-in-hand. Working with the music of from Thursday 11 October to Saturday ica all across the world.” Motown is a constant pleasure. You walk into 3 November. the rehearsal room and someone is going to whatsonlive.co.uk 33 Jinkx Monsoon (FOR ONLINE WHAT'S ON).qxp_Layout 1 25/09/2018 09:51 Page 1
T e G n e np e
She’sShe’s back!back! DragDrag RaceRace ffavouriteavourite JJinkxinkx MonsoonMonsoon nextnext monthmonth returnsreturns toto thethe MidlandsMidlands alongsidealongside herher musicianmusician palpal - andand therapisttherapist - MajorMajor Scales.Scales. TheThe duoduo willwill taketake toto thethe stagestage toto exploreexplore thethe darkdark sideside ofof dragdrag fame.fame. MidlandsMidlands ZoneZone recently caught up with Jinkx to find out what audiences can expect. Will the ginger finally snap? You’ll have to bag yourself a ticket to find out the answer to that one...
What would you say is your star What do you think sets you apart from movies and stuff, so you’ve gotta find quality? other performers? something really special and hideous to To find humour in everything. I’ve always The extensive training and research I’ve put on stage to grab people’s attention wanted to be a performer, so when I’m on done for the style of performance that I away from their screens. stage performing in front of people, I feel give. Being a cabaret performer, being a Can you tell us a bit about your new like I come to life in a way that I don’t in live stage performer, is very different from album with Major Scales? any other realm of my life. I’m just very a lot of other mediums. lucky because I do what I want. Our society is drifting away from live per- Well, the album came out in January and formance and going into internet content, it’s called The Ginger Snapped. If anyone’s Jinkx Monsoon (FOR ONLINE WHAT'S ON).qxp_Layout 1 25/09/2018 09:51 Page 2
followed my music, my first album was things is living in a Drag Race time of life jokes immediately. mostly show tunes, and was really inspired post-Drag Race phenomenon where the I don’t have to over-explain anything, by Bette Middler’s bad house days. After queens are making it big and becoming in- which leaves me free to do more non-se- we’d accomplished that album, we wanted ternational superstars. I spend 80% of my quitur stuff and off-the-wall dry humour. to explore a different style of music. year on the road touring, and it’s hard We both really like those ’90s grunge, finding that balance of having my personal Looking back, is there anything you garage bands, and we worked really hard life and staying up to date with my friends wished you’d done differently? on the new album. It’s mostly all original and family. music by Major Scales and myself. It’s got No, I’ve never dwelt on how I could’ve a couple of covers, but it’s kinda got a vin- Are there any benefits to doing your done things differently. If you had the abil- tage No Doubt sound to it. We took a lot of own shows as opposed to being in a big- ity to change the past, you don’t know in inspiration from female rock stars of the ger ensemble - such as Drag World, for what ways you might affect the present. ’90s like Courtney Love, the bands instance? I always say in terms of Drag Race, even though I won and had a great experience Garbage, Portishead and, of course, early I love doing big ensemble shows and al- with it, I wish I’d known things back then No Doubt. I’m really happy with it because ways make time in my schedule to do a that I know now. But I wouldn’t tamper it’s edgier than my first album and it’s got couple of tours with my drag sisters, be- with anything; tampering may change the more pop and rock influences in it, but it’s cause talking about the dark side of drag is outcome and I’m really happy with the out- our writing and sound. always easier when you’re touring with come. Do you have a favourite track from the other drag queens who know exactly what Have you set yourself any goals for the album? you’re going through. I’m really passionate about creating my own work, especially next 10 years? It has to be Cartoons And Vodka, which is with Major Scales, because we pour so I’m currently auditioning for roles in a song about just that. much of ourselves into our music and the Broadway shows. As a live performer, My favourite line is, ‘Life is twice as hard scripts we write. It’s a really rewarding ex- Broadway seems like the prize at the end when you’re living life half on a stage’. It’s perience to create something from the of the rainbow, so I’m constantly striving all about what she wants in a man; it’s not ground up. Audiences are receptive to it for that and looking for opportunities. someone who’s going to dote on her, or and really enjoy it. I also get to go a little I’d also like to do more TV. Television is a who’s going to require a lot from her. All deeper. All my shows are tongue-in- cheek brilliant way to reach a lot of people all at she wants to do is come home and relax and not too heavy, but I always find a way once. I’m also passionate about being an with cartoons and vodka. to incorporate an under-lying message that advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community Obviously you’re bringing the album to I care about into the show. and creating positive changes in the world. the stage and you say it’s based on per- You recently celebrated your 31st birth- You recently moved from Seattle to San sonal experiences. Do you have any day. Do you really think your best years Francisco. How’s life there treating you? concerns about unveiling your vulnera- are behind you? bility on stage? I completely love it. I lived in downtown The way we tackle it in the show is Jinkx Seattle in a quaint two-bedroom apartment No. The last two shows I’ve written were currently wondering if her best years are for about 11 years and absolutely loved the full-exposure, full in-depth looks into my behind her, and it incites this on-stage culture and community there, but I was personal life. I find it really rewarding be- mental breakdown which puts the whole ready to move out of the city and enjoy my cause I’m able to turn some of my more show into motion - but I don’t actually feel downtime more. embarrassing moments and some of my that way. Like I said, I spend so much of my time on more harrowing experiences into enter- At one point in my life, I thought Drag the road that when I’m home, the last tainment. Race was my big break, but now my idea is thing I want to do is go out and party. With The Ginger Snapped tour, the premise very different. Breaks come in waves. You Not only did I move into the suburbs of is that Jinkx is seeing her pyschiatrist live get multiple big breaks in life, and it’s all San Fransisco, where we have a beautiful on stage, and the music punctuates the about moving from one big break to the garden and a house that feels like a man- psychotherapy session she’s having. It next as positively, efficiently and confi- sion compared to my tiny apartment, but I deals heavily with my sex life, and the dently as possible. also moved in with my best friend and cho- darker side of being a drag superstar. The sen family members. goal of the show is to de-stigmatise the How do audience reactions in the UK So when I’m home, I’m with the people idea of talking about your own mental ill- differ to those in the States? who I like spending my time with, the peo- ness and mental affliction - but even with Because I watched so much British com- ple who’ve made such a positive impact on that subject matter, it’s very lighthearted edy, the British sense of humour has been my life. and tongue-in-cheek. infused in me from a very young age. I Jinkx Monsoon And Major Scales: The Can you provide an example of the dark learned so much about comedy from Ab- Ginger Snapped shows at Stafford side of being a superstar drag queen? solutely Fabulous, Harry Enfield and Keep- Gatehouse Theatre on Wednesday 7 ing Up Appearances. I think that had a We tackle this a lot in our music and in a November and then at Birmingham strong influence on the way I write and Hippodrome on Saturday 17 November. lot of the shows we do. One of the big perform, and my UK audiences get my Dance October 2018 .qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 10:05 Page 1
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Dance previews from around the region Dance
Seeta Patel: Not Today’s Yesterday Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 23 October Described as a poetic narrative with the beauty and disquiet of a Brothers Grimm fairytale, Not Today’s Yesterday sees award- winning artist Seeta Patel blend techniques from the classical dance form of Bharatanatyam with contemporary dance and theatre. Although a champion and exceptional expo- nent of Bharatanatyam, Seeta is uncomfort- able about referring to the dance form as ‘traditional’ in the typical sense of the word. “If you attribute that word to Bharatanatyam, you automatically give it cultural baggage,” she says. “The sense in which I think you can apply the word is in terms of the communication of Bharatanatyam through the generations, and in terms of the teaching of it. In that sense, its tradition is beautiful.”
Vienna Festival Ballet: Motionhouse: Charge The Nutcracker MAC, Birmingham, Fri 19 - Sat 20 October Oakengates Theatre, @ The Place, Telford, Leamington-based Motionhouse’s multimedia Tues 2 October; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sun 14 show about energy is the third element of October; Bedworth Civic Hall, Wed 24 October Artistic Director Kevin Finnan’s Earth Trilogy, developing on themes explored in Scattered One of the great ballet staples, (2009) and Broken (2013) about man’s rela- Tchaikovsky’s enchanting tale of Clara tionship with water and the earth. and her nutcracker doll has been delight- Making use of digital projections to create an ing audiences for generations. The fantasy on-stage world in which dancers and images of soldiers, giant rats, snow fairies, magic interact seamlessly, the show features six per- and mystery this month visits the region formers using dance and acrobatics to explore courtesy of Vienna Festival Ballet. the human body, ‘tracing the incredible story Featuring a talented array of young of energy in our lives’. dancers, the company was founded in “Charge is an amazing collaboration between 1980 and typically spends eight months a artists and scientists,” explains Motionhouse year performing works from its extensive co-founder Finnan. “I find the science behind repertoire in smaller venues across the UK. the show fascinating, and I want to use my in- spiration from this to create a presentation for audiences to enjoy - but which also makes Backlash Ballroom them think about the role energy plays in our Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sun 28 October lives.” The producers of this new touring show reckon that if you love Strictly, you’ll really love Back- lash Ballroom - and the show certainly seems to have all the necessary components to pro- vide an evening of high-energy dance magic. Featuring six professional ballroom and Latin dancers, including world, European and na- tional champions, the production pays homage to the movies and includes, among other dance styles, the waltz, the quick step, the Argentine tango and the charleston. whatsonlive.co.uk 35 Cyndi Lauper .qxp_Layout 1 25/09/2018 09:47 Page 1
everybody say yeah! Hit Broadway and West End musical tours the Midlands Cyndi Lauper .qxp_Layout 1 25/09/2018 09:48 Page 2
Kinky Boots tells the inspiring story of a Northampton shoe manufacturer’s decision to make ladies’ footwear for men. The show’s music was written by ’80s pop legend Cyndi Lauper. What’s On recently caught up with the Girls Just Wanna Have Fun star to find out more...
“There’s no book on ‘how to be famous for opened in Chicago in 2012, moved to singing.” dummies,’” says Cyndi Lauper, who, at 65, Broadway the following year, and made its She didn’t really think about writing for retains her New York drawl. “You just do way to the West End in 2015. It’s also gone specifically English characters. “When what you can. All of a sudden, you get to all around the world to countries including England started doing pop music, it the top of the mountain and everybody Canada, Australia, Germany and Japan. sounded like American music. Their around is like, ‘You can’t do that! Don’t do But now it’s come home: the tour recently translation of Duane Eddy and the Everly this! You’ll be ruined!’” opened at the Royal & Derngate in Brothers and Chuck Berry was the Mersey Above all, the 1980s’ punkiest pop queen, Northampton, the quiet town in Middle Beat. It was different but still based on who was catapulted to stardom with Girls England where the story began. rhythm & blues. It wasn’t like Harvey asked Just Wanna Have Fun and Time After Time, Lauper would have loved to have been me to write some foreign stuff. You’re not was warned off musical theatre. “I was there at the opening as she believes “that going to ask me to write an opera. I don’t always being beckoned, ‘Come this way’, particular part of it is special.” But she study opera.” and I was like, ‘I can’t, because if I do my counsels against thinking of Kinky Boots as What she did study as a child was her career is over’. I would lose my credibility a specifically English show. “It’s a story mother’s record collection, which was full in pop. It was really a big divide. After a about a really great friendship and two of soundtracks from musicals such as My while, you get to a point where you say, very, very opposite people. And there’s a Fair Lady - another study of the English ‘Well, I think I’ve been ruined enough; it great redemption in the end. I’m a sucker written by Americans. “I did what kids do: doesn’t matter now - I can do whatever the for redemption.” I would play each character. I sang Stanley hell I want.’” Perhaps there’s been some redemption for Holloway’s part, Rex Harrison’s part and And what she did was Kinky Boots, the Lauper, too. She was a huge star in the Julie Andrews’ part.” mega-hit musical that conquered Broadway 1980s, but - as happened to all her At the Tony Awards in 2013, Kinky Boots and the West End, and which is now going contemporaries bar Madonna - she was up against Matilda The Musical, with on a UK tour. The songs were written by gradually slipped from the top of the chart. words by Tim Minchin, which was Lauper, and in New York they won her a She was thinking of creating a musical considered the favourite to win. “I was Tony Award for best original composition. about her upbringing in Queens when she constantly asking Harvey if Kinky Boots In 2016, the show won three Olivier Awards. got a call from her friend, Harvey Fierstein. was a hit, and he was saying, ‘I don’t know It also bagged the London Evening Fierstein is theatre royalty, the writer of hit yet, Cyn. We have to win best musical’. So Standard BBC Radio Two Audience Award play Torch Song Trilogy, about a gay drag when it won best musical, I said, ‘Is it a hit for best musical and three WhatsOnStage performer, and the cross-dressing star of now?’” Awards. the musical Hairspray. See it and judge for yourself. You’ll never Cyndi had never written for theatre before, “He said, ‘I’m doing a show called Kinky think about shoes in the same way again. and became the first woman ever to win the Boots. Would you like to write the music for Tony in the ‘best score’ category on her me?’ I thought, wow. He told me I had to own. “What I was really taken with was watch the film. I loved it. I thought, oh I get that the community accepted me. To have it. He wants me to write 12 good pop songs Kinky Boots shows at Wolverhampton these people, who are literally in my own with a good hook. I figured I could do that. Grand Theatre from 16 to 27 October; backyard on Broadway, take me in was Then I realised, oh, you have to move the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent from what kinda got me.” story along.” 28 January to 9 February 2019, and Aptly enough, acceptance is the take-home Birmingham Hippodrome from She set about composing anywhere and 11 to 23 March 2019. message of Kinky Boots. “Accepting everywhere. “I brought my phone along yourself, you’ll accept others. It’s a very with me and I recorded melodies on it. I important show at this time in the world.” belonged to a gym that had a track on an Kinky Boots is loosely inspired by the story upstairs roof, so I would walk and sing and of an old family firm of Northampton shoe write. When I woke up in the middle of the manufacturers that manages to stay afloat night, I picked up my iPhone.” after discovering a niche in the market: The result of Cyndi’s endeavours is a string ladies’ footwear worn by men who like to of catchy numbers, from wig-out dance dress up. anthems to heart-stopping ballads, among The BBC told the story of the firm’s rebirth them The Most Beautiful Thing In The in the series Trouble At The Top. In 2005, World, The Sex Is In The Heel and Not My the story became a charming independent Father’s Son. Ideas came from surprising British movie starring Chiwetel Ejiofor as sources. She thought of the shoe factory Lola, a fictional cross-dressing diva workers as Monty Python’s knights of the demanding sturdy stilettos. But the round table. The History Of Wrong Guys, a ultimate destiny for such a fabulous story comic scene-stealer about a woman who was always going to be the stage. Kinky has bad luck with men, was inspired by a Boots The Musical, which explored the line from Kung Fu Panda. “I gave everybody unlikely friendship between Lola and a different style because everybody has a straight-laced factory owner Charlie, different jam when they’re in the shower Film October.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 15:43 Page 1
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Film
Venom CERT tbc Starring Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed, Scott Haze, Reid Scott, Jenny Slate, Woody Harrelson Directed by Ruben Fleischer (USA) There’s always excitement surrounding the launch of a new Marvel superhero. Eddie Brock - aka Venom - is an investigative journalist who in- vestigates a survivalist group too closely and is infected by an alien ‘symbiote.’ So he and the ex- traterrestrial occupy the same body, two individ- ual entities with superhuman powers and a nasty temper. Tom Hardy takes on the role of the hy- brid, and he’s a class act - as is Michelle Williams, who plays Eddie’s girlfriend, Anne Weying, a district attorney (aka She-Venom). Director Ruben Fleischer previously brought us the critically acclaimed Zombieland (2009) and the terrific, all-star (and underrated) crime thriller Gangster Squad (2013). In 3D. Released Wed 3 Oct
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Film highlights released in October...
Blindspotting CERT 15 (95 mins) Columbus Johnny English Strikes Starring Daveed Diggs, Rafael Casal, Janina CERT 12a (104 mins) Again CERT PG (88 mins) Gavankar, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Ethan Starring John Cho, Haley Lu Richardson, Embry, Wayne Knight Starring Rowan Atkinson, Ben Miller, Olga Parker Posey, Rory Culkin, Michelle Forbes Directed by Carlos López Estrada (USA) Kurylenko, Jake Lacy, Emma Thompson, Directed by Kogonada (USA) Adam James Directed by David Kerr Collin has just three days left of his proba- (UK/France) tion. But if he is to turn his life around, he At last, another spy spoof. Actually, it’s been may have to re-think his relationship with the seven years since Johnny was reborn as a psychotic Miles, the friend he has known all martial artist and that sequel did have a his life… Daveed Diggs, who plays Collin, co- smidgen of old-fashioned charm. Here, JE produced and wrote the screenplay with his pops out of retirement to track down a ruth- real life-long friend, Rafael Casal, who plays less hacker who has exposed the identity of Miles. Interesting. all of the active undercover agents in Britain. Released Fri 5 Oct That’s Columbus, Indiana, and is not to So, while we’re waiting for Mr Craig... be confused with the other 18 towns in the Released Fri 5 Oct US with the same name. Anyway, it’s here that Jin (John Cho), a Korean-born trans- lator, finds himself stranded, alongside his father, who is in a coma. Jin then meets Casey (Richardson), who’s stuck in the same town with her mother, a recover- ing drug addict. Together, they discover a love of the town’s modern architecture, for which Columbus is famous. Released Fri 5 Oct whatsonlive.co.uk 37 Film October.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 15:43 Page 3
Film highlights released in October...
Strangeways Here We Come Bad Times At Smallfoot CERT PG (96 mins) CERT 15 (86 mins) The El Royale With the voices of Channing Tatum, James Cor- Starring Elaine Cassidy, Michelle Keegan, Lau- den, Zendaya, Common, LeBron James, ren Socha, Chanel Cresswell, Oliver Cooper- CERT tbc Danny DeVito, Gina Rodriguez smith, Stephen Lord Directed by Chris Green Starring Jeff Bridges, Cynthia Erivo, Dakota Directed by Karey Kirkpatrick and Jason Reisig (UK) Johnson, Jon Hamm, Cailee Spaeny, Lewis (USA) Pullman, Chris Hemsworth It’s just a theory, but a Yeti called Migo Not to be confused with Ben Wheatley’s Directed by Lewis Pullman (USA) dystopian drama High-Rise (2015), this is a (Channing Tatum) thinks humans really do Jeff Bridges plays Daniel Flynn, an aging comedy set in a multi-storeyed building in exist. But how can he convince his tribe of criminal masquerading as a priest who which the tenants gang together to over- this preposterous notion? From the Warner pitches up at the rundown hotel of the title. throw a ruthless loan shark. Filmed in Sal- Animation Group. In 3D. There, he encounter six strangers, each with ford, Manchester. And be prepared for some Released Fri 12 Oct a mysterious past that has a fateful impact sexual violence. on a hellish night… Drew Goddard previously Released Fri 7 Oct directed Chris Hemsworth in the thrilling, ingenious Cabin In The Woods (2012). Released Fri 12 Oct First Man CERT tbc (135 mins) Starring Ryan Gosling, Jason Clarke, Claire Foy, Kyle Chandler, Corey Stoll, Ciarán Hinds Directed by Damien Chazelle (USA) Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon, and that’s quite a ‘first’ for any guy. This biog, based on the book by James R Hansen, follows Armstrong up to the histori- cal mission of Apollo 11 in 1969. Dogman CERT 15 (103 mins) From the Oscar-winning director of Whiplash Starring Marcello Fonte, Edoardo Pesce, Alida and La-La Land. Baldari Calabria, Nunzia Schiano Directed by Released Fri 12 Oct Matteo Garrone (Italy) The director of Gomorrah and Tale Of Tales now brings us a crime thriller in which a mild-mannered dog groomer (Fonte) finds himself at loggerheads with a local gangster. Fonte won the best actor award at Cannes for Sink CERT 15 (85 mins) his role. Starring Martin Herdman, Ian Hogg, Marlene Sidaway, Tracey Wilkinson, Joshua Herdmann Released Fri 19 Oct Directed by Mark Gillis (UK) Working on a zero hour contract, Micky Mason (Herdman) is finding it hard to make ends meet, to support both his ailing father and his offspring. Then he makes a rash deci- sion, something that he knows is not right, but just right under the circumstances… Released Fri 12 Oct
Mandy CERT 18 (121 mins) Starring Nicolas Cage, Andrea Riseborough, Goosebumps 2: Haunted Linus Roache, Bill Duke, Richard Brake, Ned Dennehy Halloween CERT tbc Directed by Panos Cosmatos (USA/Belgium) Starring Wendi McLendon-Covey, Madison Nicolas Cage is on the rampage again, this Iseman, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Caleel Harris, Chris Parnell, Ken Jeong Directed by Ari time meting out punishment to those who Sandel (USA/Australia) have kidnapped his girlfriend, Mandy When two lads open a book that once be- Bloom (Riseborough). Expect some pretty longed to the author RL Stine, they inadver- strong violence, gore and horror. Filmed in tently unleash ‘Slappy’ and his Halloween Belgium. Apocalypse. Expect lashings of CGI. Released Fri 12 Oct Released Fri 19 Oct
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Film
Halloween CERT tbc (109 mins) Starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer, Nick Castle, Andi Matichak, Will Patton Directed by David Gordon Green (USA) The death of Jamie Lee Curtis in Halloween: Resurrection (2002) was greatly exaggerated. This reboot-cum-sequel throws out previous plot points to reintroduce Laurie Strode’s tor- tured relationship with the serial killer Michael Myers (aka The Shape). Green, who’s directed such highly acclaimed films as George Washington (2000) and Stronger (2017), should give the franchise a leg up. Released Fri 19 Oct
CRITIC’S CHOICE Hunter KillerCERT 15 (121 mins) Starring Gerard Butler, Gary Oldman, Com- mon, Linda Cardellini, Michael Nyqvist, Caro- A Star Is Born CERT 15 (135 mins) line Goodall, Toby Stephens Directed by Starring Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Andrew The film premiered to ecstatic reviews at the Donovan Marsh (USA) Dice Clay, Dave Chappelle, Sam Elliott, An- Venice film festival, and the erstwhile Stefani The Russian president has been kidnapped thony Ramos and Alec Baldwin Directed by Bradley Cooper (USA) Germanotta is generating phenomenal Oscar by his own defence minister and it’s up to buzz, as is the movie and Cooper as both di- For his directorial debut, Bradley Cooper has the tyro US submarine commander Joe Glass rector and actor. Here, Cooper plays Lady certainly chosen some tried-and-tested mate- (Butler) to save him - in Russian waters. Gaga’s mentor as a Country musician with al- rial. The original film starred Janet Gaynor Nyqvist, who plays the commander of a Rus- cohol issues and follows in the footsteps of and was released in 1937, followed by two re- sian sub, passed away last year. Fredric March, James Mason and Kris Kristof- makes, with Judy Garland (1954) and Barbra Released Fri 19 Oct ferson. The music, too, has been praised for Streisand (1976). Here, Lady Gaga takes on being ‘electrifying.’ the mantle of the wannabe singer with stars in her eyes and is said to be sensational. Released Fri 5 Oct Bohemian RhapsodyCERT tbc Starring Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy, Mike Myers Directed by Bryan Singer and Dexter Fletcher (UK/USA) The Hate U Give CERT tbc Leading up to Queen's Live Aid performance Starring Amandla Stenberg, Regina Hall, at Wembley in 1985, this biopic focuses on Russell Hornsby, KJ Apa, Common, Anthony the band’s flamboyant lead singer Freddie Mackie Directed by George Tillman Jr (USA) Mercury (played by Malek, from TV’s Mr A 16-year-old girl (Amandla Stenberg) sees Robot). Due to bouts of absenteeism, the her childhood friend shot dead by police and film’s original director Bryan Singer was re- at great personal risk turns activist. Based on placed in the later stages by the London- the Young Adult novel by Angie Thomas. born Dexter Fletcher. Released Fri 26 Oct Released Wed 24 Oct
Slaughterhouse Rulez CERT tbc Starring Asa Butterfield, Finn Cole, Hermione Corfield, Michael Sheen, Nick Frost, Simon Pegg Directed by Crispian Mills (UK) When a fracking operation opens up a sink- hole near an exclusive English boarding school, an unspeakable evil is unleashed. Co- scripted by the film critic Henry Fitzherbert and singer-songwriter Crispian Mills (son of Hayley Mills), the horror comedy unites Simon Pegg and Nick Frost on the big screen for the fifth time. Released Wed 31 Oct
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Visual Arts previews from around the region
Whistler And Nature Compton Verney, Warwickshire, Sat 20 October - Sun 16 December The style of art produced by American artist James McNeill Whistler was shaped by numerous influences. Among them - and the focal point of this new exhibition - were his family’s involvement in early 19th century industry and his own pursuit of a career in the US military. Featuring a collection of paintings, sketches and prints, Whistler And Nature also looks at the artist’s work in the context of attitudes to landscape in British art and design; attitudes which were shaped not only by classical revivalism but also by a desire for landscape improvement and productivity.
40 whatsonlive.co.uk Visual Arts October-2 copy.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 10:04 Page 2
Visual Arts
BP Portrait Award Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Fri 12 October - Fri 30 November The prestigious BP Portrait Award makes a wel- come return to Wolverhampton this month. Now in its 39th year, the free-to-view exhibition showcases outstanding and innovative new por- traits from around the world. In total, the 2018 competition attracted 2,667 en- tries from 88 countries. First prize went to Barcelona-born artist Miriam Escofet, whose portrait of her mother drinking tea was de- scribed by the judges as ‘a very sensitive depic- tion of an elderly sitter’.
Maman and across Europe. Vuillard produced small-scale work featur- The Barber Institute, Birmingham, Fri 19 October - Sun 20 January ing domestic subject matter during those initial 10 years as an artist, painting his Marking the 150th anniversary of French mother on numerous occasions. Indeed, artist Édouard Vuillard’s birth and focus- during the course of his career, Vuillard ing on the first decade of his career, this painted her in excess of 500 times, and it’s brand new exhibition features a selection with this use of his mother as model that of paintings, pastels, prints and pho- the exhibition primarily concerns itself. tographs lent by collections both in Britain
For The Fallen World War, is the centrepiece of this exhibition. The Potteries Museum & Gallery, Presented in recognition of the 100th an- Stoke-on-Trent, until Sun 18 November niversary of the Armistice that brought A 22-metre-long painted wall hanging, the four-year conflict to an end, the dis- depicting a panorama of the battlefields play also includes archives and objects fought over by the 5th Battalion North relating to the end of the war. Staffordshire Regiment during the First Polly Apfelbaum: Waiting For The UFOs Creating The Spectacle! art and video works of an underwater Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, until Sun 18 November wheelchair. This major exhibition of new and recent work by Immersed In 360 The artwork has received plenty of interna- internationally renowned artist Polly Apfelbaum MAC, Birmingham, until Sun 25 November tional attention during the past six years, features large-scale colourful installations of textiles, ceramics and drawings. Multimedia, performance and installation and is estimated to have been viewed by Taking a political and feminist position, the New artist Sue Austin is a woman on a mission - 400 million-plus people. York-based Apfelbaum produces artworks de- to represent her experience as a signed to challenge notions of entitlement and wheelchair user in a brighter light, while to promote social equality. at the same time “challenging the idea of The exhibition’s unusual title is taken from disabled as ‘other’”. British singer-songwriter Graham Parker’s 1979 Sue’s MAC presentation was created in song, Waiting For The UFOs, recalling, as the ex- 2012 for the Cultural Olympiad In Britain - hibition’s publicity describes it, ‘the vast empty the celebration of the arts that led up to spaces of the American landscape, and the char- the Olympic and Paralympic Games - and acters who anxiously anticipate extra-terrestrial comprises a groundbreaking series of live visits’.
whatsonlive.co.uk 41 Little Geeks (2).qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 10:07 Page 1
IMAGE: Tom Dale Company: I Infinite - see festival highlights section for details
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS...
RETRO GAMING NIGHT SMART PLAY ZONE world thanks to the virtual reality headset, a FOR BIG GEEKS Sat 27 - Tues 30 Oct combination of animal-like sight, a 360º film Sat 27 Oct The main event for little (and big) geeks is the and an accompanying soundtrack will Have you been missing all those video games supercool Smart Play Zone. MAC’s Little provide you with an artistic interpretation of you used to play as a kid? Well this is your Geeks HQ will be jam-packed full of the very what it’s like to be one of four British species. chance to revel in being a big kid and best retro games. The tech hub will also rediscover some of those retro classics with feature drone demos, and you can even help Dead Pixels, including Street Fighter 2, build a Raspberry Pi weather station. Mortal Kombat, Doom, Sonic The Hedgehog and Mario Kart. Plus, now you’re a big geek MARSHMALLOW LASER FEAST: instead of a little geek, you can play your IN THE EYES OF THE ANIMALS favourite video games whilst enjoying a Sat 27 - Sun 28 Oct delicious pint of craft beer! Discover what it’s like to be a creature of the forest. Once you’re immersed in a whole new
42 whatsonlive.co.uk Little Geeks (2).qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 10:08 Page 2
By Lauren Cole LITTLE GEEKS a brand new digital festival lands in Birmingham for October half term...
Created by Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) guess we just wanted to prove that the digital ensure is that girls gain more confidence and Birmingham, Little Geeks is an innovative world doesn’t just exist indoors in a darkened become inspired by the digital world. new festival exploring the digital world. room when staring blankly at a screen. “We have this day which is going to be ‘girls Artists have imaginative ways of bringing out The inaugural programme has something for only’, and we’re inviting schools to bring new experiences for people.” everyone but is particularly geared towards pupils along to the event. Hopefully we can families with children, as MAC Chief Little Geeks’ activities come with a family- make young women realise that they can Executive & Artistic Director Debbie Kermode friendly price tag. contribute to this extremely exciting but often explains: “Little Geeks came out of male-dominated area. The progression of “A lot of our activities are free because we recognition that technology is such a huge technology is moving so fast and girls can’t were very generously supported by the part of every generation’s lives today. We love be left behind.” players of People’s Postcode Lottery. There intergenerational activities here at MAC, and are a few paid events, but they’re very Debbie has high hopes for the future of Little we’re very aware that there is this reasonably priced thanks to our support. The Geeks. extraordinary approach to learning that’s free events allow people to pop by with their called reverse mentoring. This is where “I think what we’ll do is learn from our families and have a go at what Little Geeks is children, even very little ones, are teaching audience - we’re an organisation that listens all about without even buying a ticket.” mums, dads, grandparents and other older to people. From there, we’ll begin to progress people how to do little digital tricks. We’ve Little Geeks will also see MAC working and make Little Geeks a brand. We’ll see, but seen this process in some of our other closely with local communities and schools, there’s been such an exciting response activities at MAC, and we thought it’d be a particularly with regard to the Girls That already that we’re really keen to continue it. wonderful festival idea to bring families Geek conference day which takes place prior We hope in the future some of the universities together. to the festival. will come on board because it could be a great opportunity for them to showcase their “For mums and dads, digital can be a “There should be a concern within the work. I think Birmingham needs festivals like negative thing in children’s lives when education and jobs sectors that more boys are Little Geeks because there’s so much terrific they’re poring over iPads and other going into technology careers than girls. It’s a work being done across the city. It’s nice to technology instead of playing with other massive issue because technology is for bring it all together in one place.” things. So what we wanted to do is show the everybody; it’s a very creative output and is creative side of technology. For example, really the future for us all. I think it’s we’ve also tried to bring nature into important that girls get the opportunity to Little Geeks runs at Midlands Arts Centre, technology here, because technology really explore that career possibility. Although the Birmingham from Saturday 27 October to can be a useful tool to understand wildlife. I day is open to all, what we really want to Friday 2 November. ils
MESHWORK ORCHESTRA Set in a white, digitally animated decidedly haunted feel to it. Get ready for Wed 31 Oct - Fri 2 Nov environment, I Infinite combines dance, spooky goings-on as the building gets an Make music by weaving textiles with music, art and design to explore the instant digital makeover with some eye- conductive materials and become part of the boundaries between the digital and organic catching visuals that simply have to be seen Meshwork Orchestra. You’ll be able to create world. to be believed… textile sensors as part of an electronic VISUAL POKE: SPOOKY DIGITAL musical instrument which you can play. This PROJECTION MAPPING is a commissioned installation by acclaimed Fri 2 Nov artist-educator Becca Rose Glowacki. You may think you know MAC well - but do TOM DALE COMPANY: I INFINITE you? Keep your eyes peeled because it’s Thurs 1 - Fri 2 Nov about to be temporarily transformed - on the A digitally animated live dance show inspired outside, at least - with digital projection by the digital world’s quest to recreate life. mapping from Visual Poke that has a
whatsonlive.co.uk 43 Events October.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 11:04 Page 1
44 whatsonlive.co.uk Events October.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 11:04 Page 2
Events Events previews from around the region
China Revealed Compton Verney, Warwickshire, Wed 3, Fri 5 and Sun 7 October
Compton Verney’s annual festival exploring Chinese art and culture makes a welcome return. A celebration of ancient China and its continuing cultural traditions, the event features, among other at- tractions, a hands-on tour of the Horse Of The Year Show and international showjumping classes, with gallery’s ancient Chinese bronze competitors battling to be crowned champion. collection, a lecture on the Terra- NEC, Birmingham, Wed 3 - Sun 7 October This year’s show also features more displays cotta Army and a family fun day Celebrating its 70th anniversary, the Horse Of than ever before, including contributions from full of dance, music and song. The Year Show gallops back into Birmingham the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment Mu- this month. sical Ride and Alizée Froment, who will be The five-day event includes a range of national making a UK debut. Dive 2018 NEC, Birmingham, Sat 27 & Sun 28 October Wartime Hangar Dance RAF Museum, Cosford, Shropshire Sat 13 October Back by popular demand, RAF Cosford’s 1940s Hangar Dance takes place inside Hangar One, the home of the museum’s collection of World War Two aircraft and artefacts. Participants are encouraged to don their finest wartime costumes for the event. Motorhome And Caravan Music is provided by Paul Drakeley and his All Show 2018 Stars Band & Singers. NEC, Birmingham, Tues 16 - Sun 21 October Returning to Birmingham’s NEC for another year, the Motorhome And Caravan Show is the indus- Boasting hundreds of exhibitors - try’s one and only new-season launch event in including manufacturers and re- the UK. tailers of diving equipment, and With over 370 exhibitors to discover, visitors travel agents offering a wide range have the opportunity to chat to manufacturers of dive holiday destinations - Dive about a wide range of product launches, from 2018 also features an unrivalled caravans and lodges to holiday homes and ac- programme of guest speakers. cessories. Other elements of the show in- The show also features talks by industry experts, clude two large in-hall presenta- enthusiasts and celebrity speakers, and tion stages, pools, mini-theatres, free expert-led tuition covering a range of essen- TekDeck and prominent dive- tial skills to help you prepare for your next big travel, training and underwater adventure. photography areas. whatsonlive.co.uk 45 Events October.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 11:04 Page 3
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Events Events previews from around the region
Destination Star Trek NEC, Birmingham, Fri 19 - Sun 21 October With 2018 marking the 25th an- niversary of TV show Deep Space Nine, Europe’s official Star Trek convention is this month bringing the celebrations to the NEC. As well as featuring interactive ex- hibits with genuine props and cos- tumes from Star Trek’s 50-plus years, the three-day event also provides fans with the chance to come face to face with stars from the franchise, including original- series favourites William Shatner and Nichelle Nichols.
Disney On Ice: Dream Big mance filled with ‘high-flying jumps and breath- taking skating’ from much-loved characters in- Arena Birmingham, Fri 19 - Sun 28 October cluding Frozen’s Anna, Elsa and Olaf and Disney Moana, one of the latest additions to the Disney princesses both past and present. franchise, makes her European debut in this Those who arrive early to the show will be treated brand new Disney On Ice production. to a special 90th birthday celebration in honour Audiences can expect an action-packed perfor- of Walt Disney’s ‘true original’, Mickey Mouse. The 25th Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Grand Designs Live Mechanics Show Staffordshire County Showground, NEC, Birmingham, Wed 10 - Sun 14 October Sat 13 & Sun 14 October Based on the popular Channel Four series and Club stands, live action, autumn packed with inspirational ideas, Grand Designs sales, classic off-road machines Live comprises six project zones and features and special guest stars from iconic new product launches and specialist exhibitors. eras of motorcycling are all fea- The TV show’s presenter, Kevin McCloud, will be tured in a show which regularly on stage across the weekend, taking part in edu- welcomes more than 30,000 en- cational seminars and debates with a host of in- thusiasts through its doors. dustry experts. Celebrating the growing popular- ity of emerging and modern clas- sics from the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s, Flame And Thunder the event features hundreds of traders and dealers, as well as nu- Santa Pod Raceway, Northants, Sat 27 October merous autojumble stands offer- A regular on the Santa Pod calendar, the fam- ing a wealth of parts and spares ily-focused Flame And Thunder show brings for every project. together monster trucks, jet cars and drag cars for plenty of spectacular main-track ac- tion. Other highlights include numerous sideshows, a range of funfair rides, and sure- to-be-breathtaking displays from Rodrigo the human cannonball and a pyrotechnic aero- batics display team. The event is brought to a close with a ‘spectacular’ firework display.
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Halloween
Halloween Family Boat Trips Dudley Canal & Tunnel Trust, Fri 26 - Weds 31 October
What better way to get into the Halloween spirit than by exploring Dudley Canal Trust’s naturally Great spooky tunnels and caverns? The Trust is running special chil- half-term dren’s boat trips this half-term hol- events iday, during which youngsters will encounter some truly impressive glow-in-the-dark Halloween pup- pets. of family-focused fun. Halloween Nights The boat trips are ‘spooky’ but not Attractions include fire breathers, stilt walkers, scary, and should be suitable for Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, live music and tales told by eerie candlelight. Fri 26 - Sat 27 October children over three years of age. There’s also a haunted mine experience to sam- Expect a frightfully good evening of spine-tin- ple and an opportunity for youngsters to trick- gling entertainment as the Black Country Living or-treat their way around the museum’s houses Museum transforms into a spooktacular world and shops. More Treat Than Trick Drayton Manor Theme Park, Staffordshire, Sat 20 October - Screamfest Fri 2 November Drayton Manor Park is inviting National Forest Adventure Farm, Staffordshire, Thurs 11 October - Sat 3 November families to dust off their broom- If you’re looking to get your heart rate up this sticks and batwings and treat Halloween, Screamfest will surely do the trick. themselves to some ghoulish Hal- With five ‘scares’ available to explore - including loween fun this month. a Mexican Day Of The Dead-inspired maze and a Creepy capers to enjoy include the circus-themed funhouse full of freaks and creeps chance to see the ever-popular - visitors are promised ‘the fright of their lives’. Thomas Land attraction trans- Away from the scares, there’s also live entertain- formed into the ‘spooktacular’ Is- ment throughout the night, with DJs, extreme land of Sodor. More-courageous performers and street theatre all featuring. youngsters can face their fear of the unknown by taking part in the ‘five mystery boxes’ challenge. The theme park’s fabulous white- knuckle rides, meanwhile, provide the perfect opportunity to add a churning stomach to that Hal- Spooky Science Week loween-induced tingling spine! Thinktank Science Museum, Birmingham, Sat 27 October - Sun 4 November Little monsters are invited to try their hand at some spooky science at Thinktank this half-term. Interactive drop-in sessions in the museum’s slime labs take place throughout the week, while budding ‘mad scientists’ get the chance to create their very own monster, screeching ghost or fizzing slime. 48 whatsonlive.co.uk Events October.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 11:04 Page 6
Spooky previews from around the region
Dr Nerium’s Garden Of Ghouls Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Fri 26 October - Sun 4 November A brand new attraction for 2018, this live-action scaremaze takes visitors through Birmingham Botanical Gardens via a fully im- mersive experience. The challenge for participants is a straightforward one: to do what many before them have failed to manage and make it through the maze - despite the attentions of the weird, wonderful and terrify- ing creatures that have escaped Dr Nerium’s world famous labo- ratory. For those who make it to safety, there’s a special entertain- ment zone to enjoy, complete with street food traders, bars, music and circus-themed attrac- Candy And Cobwebs best Halloween attire for an evening spent explor- tions. ing the historic streets of the Victorian town. Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge, With lanterns, cobwebs and carved pumpkins Fri 26 October much in evidence, event highlights include au- Blists Hill Victorian Town is this month hosting a tumnal candle dipping, spinetingling ghost sto- brand new Halloween event created especially for ries and the chance to trick-or-treat the youngsters. Suitable for under-eights, Candy And ever-so-spooky townsfolk. Cobwebs invites children to come dressed in their
Scarefest Alton Towers, Staffordshire, Sat 6 - Sun 7, Sat 13 - Sun 14, Fri 19 October - Fri 2 November Filled with spooks, frights and thrills for Ghost Search everyone, Alton Tower’s popular Halloween Tamworth Castle, Staffordshire, season returns for another year. Wed 31 October An extension of opening hours means that Take an after-hours walk around guests can enjoy their favourite rides after Tamworth Castle in search of dark, as well as checking out loads of extra ghouls and ghosts. There’ll be entertainment. vigils in some of the castle’s re- Younger visitors can take part in spooktacular putedly haunted rooms too, family fun and shows, including the brand where visitors might snatch a new CBeebies Monster Ball. glimpse of the Black Lady or the For older thrill-seekers, the park’s award-win- Fright Street White Lady, two of the venue’s ning scare mazes make a welcome return, notorious ghostly residents. complete with the newly added Project 42. Tudor World, Stratford-upon-Avon, Sat 27 October - Sat 3 November Taking place in Stratford-upon-Avon’s most haunted building, Tudor World will be celebrat- ing Halloween with lots of activities for both young and old. Daytime activities include a chil- dren’s Halloween trail and the chance to have your fortune read by the resident fortune teller. After dark, spooky tours will be available for the adults through the building’s labyrinth of shad- owy hallways, all by the lantern light.
whatsonlive.co.uk 49 Dr Phil Hammond copy.qxp_Layout 1 25/09/2018 09:50 Page 1
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NHS doctor and BBC broadcaster Dr Phil Hammond talks about the importance of the National Health Service...
The NHS is 70 years old in 2018. Is it regicide, admitted his actions in a House tants mouths with gold’. At the time, it worth celebrating? of Lords debate, arguing there was no need seemed a small price to pay for nationalis- to legalise euthanasia in the UK because ing an entire health service overnight, to Absolutely. We invented universal health- ‘good doctors already helped their patients allow everyone access to care regardless of care and, as Nye Bevan observed, we re- to die’. Today, we all too often use our wealth. moved the shadow of fear from millions of power and paternalism for the opposite ef- homes where people had suffered great But can we afford the NHS? fect. As the joke goes; ‘Why do they put riv- harm because they couldn’t afford to call ets on coffin lids? To stop oncologists Of course we can. The economic argument the doctor, nurse or midwife. A bit like trying one last dose of chemotherapy’. for investing in health, education, hous- America today. Within a decade of the ing, food and transport is as strong now as NHS, child mortality had plummeted and Doesn’t the BMA oppose assisted dying when Attlee’s government delivered ex- life expectancy had increased dramati- as well? traordinary regeneration and investment cally. However, the National Health Service Yes, but remember the BMA also opposed at a time of such austerity. We now know was largely a National Illness Service. We the NHS. Seventy years on, with thousands that the die for human health are cast in still spend a fortune diving deeper and of doctors marching in the streets to ‘save the womb, or even before, and that if a deeper into the river of illness, heroically our NHS’, it’s easy to forget that 85% of child has four or more Adverse Childhood dragging patients back to the bank and them opposed its introduction in a BMA Experiences (placental poisoning, poverty, trying to put them back together again, plebiscite less than six months before abuse, neglect etc), their future health and with neither the time nor energy to wander launch day. The unspoken reason was that attainment are irreparably blighted. upstream and stop them falling in. As both consultants and GPs feared their pri- The challenge now for health and social technology advances, we can be tricked vate income might take a substantial hit if care is how to prioritise whatever spending into treating the untreatable, prolonging they were forced to be full-time state em- our politicians see fit to hand us, and I’d life when a gentle death would be a much ployees. More reasonably they worried make a strong case for sorting out the wiser and kinder option. what might become of them, and the NHS, bookends of life. We all deserve a wise and And how will your new comedy show if it was starved of cash and had a health gentle death when the time comes, so let’s help improve the NHS? secretary who was a power-hungry con- at least get the conversation going. After trol-freak with a scant grasp of statistics. all, we are all going to die not matter how I’m going around the UK telling the story much we put into the NHS. I’d also argue of the NHS and asking audiences for their So how did Nye Bevan get past the doc- that if the welfare of children is suggestions on improving health and so- tors? paramount, as enshrined in the Children’s cial care. We debate them, I add my own Bevan had the confidence of overwhelm- Act, then so should the funding be. Any thoughts and then the audience votes on ing public support, and cleverly played lifestyle and life-circumstance changes we them. At the end of the tour, I’ll have a medical establishment top trumps by pay- can make to nudge-up the life trajectory of People’s Plan for the NHS that I guarantee ing a Harley Street visit to Lord Moran, endangered children will have lifelong will make far more sense than anything president of the Royal College of Physi- benefits for them and us. that comes out of any government. And cians (RCP). Bevan, an uncompromising it’ll be a lot funnier. Trust me. Is the NHS still a National Illness Ser- socialist in opposition, was far more prag- vice? Will you be using it in your stand matic in office and forged an unlikely al- against Jacob Rees-Mogg at the next liance with Moran, nicknamed Corkscrew Yes, and it’s likely to remain so for some election? Charlie because of his cunning. Together while yet. The real National Health Service they hatched a plan to allow consultants to belongs to homes, communities, schools, Definitely. We have to move the debate be- practise privately on NHS premises using higher education, workplaces, food manu- yond Brexit to the parlous state of our pay beds, and for GPs to be self-employed facturers, libraries, recreation facilities, pubic services. But if we take the Rees- rather than salaried civil servants at the water companies, sustainable transport Mogg/Boris/Trump superhighway, we will whim of the state. etc, etc - and to all of us. Healthcare and be stuffed on so many levels. Moran, who was Churchill’s personal selfcare are a delicate balance of both col- Do you and Rees-Mogg disagree on physician, faced fierce competition at the lective and individual responsibility for Physician Assisted Suicide (PAS)? RCP from Lord Horder, a brilliant diagnos- ourselves and our planet. We must all do tician, George VI’s personal physician and what we can to help ourselves, and others I’m sure we do. I’m a patron of My Death, outspoken opponent of the NHS. The fu- less fortunate, from falling into that river My Decision. We certainly need to debate ture of the NHS may well have hinged on of illness well before our time. Nye Bevan PAS. Personally, if I don’t go suddenly I’d their 1948 battle for president, which was lost four siblings in childhood and died at like to be able to see myself out before I decided by members each placing a silver 62. His legacy is that most of us no longer lose all dignity, or choose to be despatched coin in a silver bucket as it was passed suffer such devastating loss. like George V, whose physician, Lord Daw- around the room. Moran won by just a few son, eased his passage in 1936 with a votes and his, and Bevan’s, plan was Dr Phil Hammond: Happy Birthday lethal injection of morphine and cocaine hatched. Bevan later regretted supporting NHS? will be at Huntingdon Hall, directly into the imperial jugular vein. the growth of private practice within the Worcester, on Friday 26 October. Dawson, who was made a viscount for his NHS, declaring that he had ‘stuffed consul- B'ham Comedy Fest F/P Oct 2018.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 15:48 Page 1 The List Cover October Warwicks-Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 11:22 Page 2
YourYour wweek-eek- bby-weeky-week llistingsistings gguideuide OctoberOctober 20182018 thelist
Fup: A Modern Fable at Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry - Tues 2 - Sat 6 October
Music I Comedy I Theatre I Dance I Film I Events I Visual Arts I and more!
What’s On Mon 1 to Sun 7 October Mon 8 to Sun 14 October Mon 15 to Sun 21 October Mon 22 to Wed 31 October
Dylan Moran at Flawless: Chase The Dream How To Hide A Lion at Royal Lee Mead at Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Spa Centre, Leamington Spa Palace Theatre, Redditch Sat 6 October Wed 10 October Fri 19 October Sun 28 October
whatsonlive.co.uk 51 The List Warwicks/Worcs Mon 1 - Sun 7 October.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 11:21 Page 1
thelist STEELEYE SPAN Thurs 4 RASCALTON Fri 5 Oct, THROUGHOUT OCTOBER Gigs Oct, The Swan The- Kasbah, Coventry atre, Worcester GO NOW! Sat 6 Oct, KOJO FUNDS Mon 1 The Hive, Worcester ANNA CALVI Thurs 4 The Roses Theatre, Oct, O2 Institute, Birm- Oct, Birmingham Town Tewkesbury Visual Arts A STORY IN OILS Exhibition of oil paint- ingham ings by Alice Malone, a teacher of Hall THE PONTIACS Sat 6 JORDAN MACKAMPA Fine Art at Worcester Sixth Form Col- CHINA CRISIS Thurs 4 Oct, Huntingdon Hall, Artrix, Bromsgrove Mon 1 Oct, The Cuban lege, until Thurs 4 Oct Oct, Pizza Express, Worcester THE EMBROIDERERS’ GUILD: PAGE 17 A Embassy, Birmingham WORCESTER SIXTH FORM COLLEGE STU- Birmingham MAMA Sat 6 Oct, The specially created exhibition of textile AVALANCHE PARTY Mon DENT SHOW A selection of Art & De- THREE DAYS GRACE Core Theatre, Solihull artistry, with each piece taking a book 1 Oct, The Castle & sign students work in the areas of Thurs 4 Oct, O2 Insti- as its inspiration, until Sun 4 Nov Falcon, Birmingham TAKE@THAT Sat 6 Oct, fine art, graphics, photography and tute, Birmingham Nailcote Hall, Warwick- LARRY CARLTON Tues 2 textiles, until Thurs 4 Oct BUDDY HOLLY & THE shire Birmingham Museum & Oct, Birmingham Town WE WANT RESPONSIBILITY TO BE CRICKETERS Thurs 4 Art Gallery Hall GUNS OR ROSES Sat 6 SHARED BY ALL Artworks by Turner Oct, Royal Spa Centre, FIGHTING FOR OUR HERITAGE Exhibition Oct, Marrs Bar, Prize-nominated Mark Titchner, cre- CAROUSEL Tues 2 Oct, Leamington Spa explores the rich history of amateur Worcester ated with Worcester residents to Hare & Hounds, Birm- boxing clubs and famous boxers CATAPULT CLUB Fri 5 make their voices heard, until Sun 25 ingham MIKE STEWART from Birmingham, until Sun 2 Dec Oct, O2 Academy, LAWRENCE Sat 6 Oct, Nov THE AMITY AFFLICTION Birmingham WITHIN AND WITHOUT: BODY IMAGE AND The Dovehouse The- NEW PICTURE THIS! ILLUSTRATION COM- Tues 2 Oct, O2 THE SELF Exhibition ex- LET THERE BE LOVE - atre, Solihull PETITION WINNERS Featuring three Academy, Birmingham amining how social, CLAIRE MARTIN & RAY DR. FEELGOOD Sat 6 winning UK entries, and three win- THE CHRIS BEVINGTON historical and cultural GELATO Fri 5 Oct, The Oct, The Assembly, ning illustrators from each of the par- ORGANISATION factors affect body Wed 3 Core Theatre, Solihull ticipating countries of The Leamington Spa image, and how this is Oct, The Robin, Bilston Netherlands, Belgium, South Africa DIRTY SOUND MAGNET, HOLLIE COOK Sat 6 Oct, expressed through ob- KOVIC Wed 3 Oct, Hare and Germany, Tues 9 - Thurs 25 Oct SOME KINDA SALVATION Kasbah, Coventry jects and artworks, & Hounds, B’ham & SUNS OF REST Fri 5 NEW EXPRESSIONISM Exhibition by THE RIFLES Sat 6 Oct, until Fri 1 Feb CILLA AND THE SHADES Oct, The Assembly, Nashmin Riazi, Tues 9 - Wed 31 Oct O2 Academy, B’ham OF THE 60S Wed 3 Oct, Leamington Spa Compton Verney Gallery, NEW INTERNATIONAL OPEN ACCESS Swan Theatre, CULT FICTION Fri 5 Oct, COL3TRANE Sat 6 Oct, Warwick WEEK Exhibition of original photos Worcester Route 44, Birmingham The Castle & Falcon, and records kept by University of Birmingham SIX ARTISTS CELEBRATE ENID MARX AND HOPE & SOCIAL Wed 3 Worcester academic staff which high- STEREO HONEY Fri 5 THE BRITISH FOLK ART COLLECTION Col- Oct, MAC, Birmingham Oct, The Sunflower REBEL REBEL Sat 6 Oct, light the role of open access - a vehi- Route 44, Birmingham laboration with Coventry University LUKE COMBS Wed 3 Lounge, Birmingham featuring the responses of six artists cle for research dissemination, Mon Oct, O2 Institute, Birm- WATERLOO: BEST OF HUNTER AND THE BEAR to Compton Verney’s Marx-Lambert 22 - Sun 28 Oct ingham ABBA Fri 5 Oct, Albany Sat 6 Oct, O2 Institute, collection of popular art, until Sun 16 NEW THE PEOPLE'S COLLECTION Com- Theatre, Coventry Birmingham Dec memorating the role Worcestershire GLENN HUGHES Wed 3 TOM SPEIGHT Sat 6 Oct, people played in the First World War, Oct, The Assembly, THE BON JOVI EXPERI- Ort Cafe, Birmingham Forge Mill Needle Museum, Tues 30 Oct - Mon 12 Nov Leamington Spa ENCE Fri 5 Oct, The Redditch PAUL YOUNG Wed 3 River Rooms, Stour- FATHERSON & BLUE Oct, Birmingham Town bridge AMERICANS Sat 6 Oct, NEW HISTORY THAT FLOWS THROUGH Worcester City Museum & Art Gallery Hall FRED ZEPPELIN Fri 5 The Sunflower THE RIVER ARROW Exhibition by the Lounge, Birmingham Redditch Local History Society using THE WAR TO END ALL WARS Exhibition LUCA STRICAGNOLI Oct, Marrs Bar, photographs, maps and artefacts to exploring how our future was Thurs 4 Oct, Hare & Worcester THE MUSICAL BOX Sat 6 illustrate the River Arrow’s impor- changed forever by the First World Hounds, Birmingham THE BEST OF WHAM Fri Oct, Symphony Hall, Birmingham tance to the local area, Wed 24 Oct - War, until Sat 10 Nov BIG SHAQ & BIG NARSTIE 5 Oct, The Swan The- Sun 25 Nov WHAT DO WE WANT? Exhibition explor- Thurs 4 Oct, Kasbah, atre, Worcester OASIS MAYBE Sat 6 Oct, ing ordinary people's voices against a Coventry THE CORAL Fri 5 Oct, The Night Owl, B’ham Leamington Spa Art Gallery & world of corporate and political mes- THE THREE DEGREES O2 Institute, B’ham STAMINA - SUPERSTAR Museum sages, until Sat 24 Nov Thurs 4 Oct, The Jam BABY BUSHKA Fri 5 Oct, EDITION WITH SNEAKBO ARE YOU IN THIS? LEAMINGTON SPA IN House, Birmingham The Night Owl, B’ham Sat 6 Oct, O2 Institute, Other VISUAL ARTS Birmingham THE GREAT WAR Exhibition marking the INTER ARMA Thurs 4 MARK HANSLIP’S HTRIO centenary of the end of the First TRUTH HATH A QUIET BREAST Exhibition Oct, O2 Academy, Fri 5 Oct, MAC, B’ham HOGJAW Sun 7 Oct, World War, and telling the story of by Eve Parnell of exquisite pencil-on- Birmingham The Asylum, B’ham Leamington Spa and its people dur- ROXY MAGIC Fri 5 Oct, tissue-paper drawings inspired by the BIG JIM AND BLACK CAT ART SCHOOL GIRL- ing the conflict, until Sun 11 Nov Artrix, Bromsgrove surroundings of Hall’s Croft, until Sun BONES Thurs 4 Oct, FRIEND Sun 7 Oct, ANNA MEREDITH & 4 Nov, Hall's Croft, Stratford-upon- Katie Fitzgeralds, Hare & Hounds, Birm- SOUTHBANK SINFONIA Rugby Art Gallery & Museum Avon Stourbridge ingham Fri 5 Oct, Birmingham THE QUEEN, THE CHAIRMAN AND I NEVILLE STAPLE - THE ORIGINAL RUDE CEILIDH WITH THE Town Hall THE STORY SO FAR Sun A journey into the entwined histories BOY The exhibi- WHOLE CABOODLE 7 Oct, O2 Institute, THE ELVIS YEARS Fri 5 of China and the UK, traced through tion hopes to Thurs 4 Oct, Henry Birmingham the family history of photographer show many as- Oct, Civic Hall, Bed- Sandon Hall, Worces- STACEY KENT Sun 7 Kurt Tong, until Sat 27 Oct pects of a man worth ter Oct, The Roses The- who has done NAMIWA JAZZ Fri 5 Oct, VIRGINIA WING Thurs 4 atre, Tewkesbury The Herbert Art Gallery & so much for Pizza Express, B’ham Coventry Oct, Hare & Hounds, Museum KRYSTHLA Fri 5 Oct, O2 music, but also Birmingham A WORLD WAR ONE COMMEMORATION Institute, Birmingham so much for GRAHAM PARKER & THE Exhibition including work by contem- other artists, GOLDTOPS Thurs 4 Oct, STEVE HACKETT GENE- porary artists and work by artists until Sun 2 Dec, The Assembly, Leam- SIS REVISITED Fri 5 Oct, from the period of the war, until Sun 3 Coventry Music ington Spa Symphony Hall, Birm- Mar Museum ingham 52 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwicks/Worcs Mon 1 - Sun 7 October.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 11:21 Page 2
Monday 1 - Sunday 7 October
JASON MANFORD Thurs 4 Oct, War- Classical Music wick Arts Centre, Coventry ROBIN INCE Thurs 4 Oct, The Old Rep LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH Theatre, Birmingham THOMAS TROTTER Programme in- cludes works by Widor, J.S Bach, Gi- GARETH RICHARDS, COMEDY CAROUSEL nastera, Best, Gounod & Rossini, WITH ANDY ROBINSON PLUS COMIC TBC Mon 1 Oct, Birmingham Town Hall Thurs 4 Oct, The Glee Club, B’ham THE SIXTEEN: CHORAL PILGRIMAGE Wed ROBERT NEWMAN Fri 5 Oct, The Roses 3 Oct, Coventry Cathedral Theatre, Tewkesbury LUNCHTIME CONCERT Featuring Lynn ROBIN INCE Fri 5 Oct, Artrix, Broms- Arnold (piano), Marie Lloyd (clarinet) grove & Jonathan Barritt (viola), Thurs 4 BREAKING TALENT AWARD 2018 Fri 5 Oct, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Oct, The Glee Club, Birmingham CBSO: TCHAIKOVSKY AND BEETHOVEN TONY WRIGHT, ROB MULHOLLAND, Featuring Constantinos Carydis (con- STEPHANIE LANG & COMIC TBC Fri 5 ductor) and Yulianna Avdeeva Oct, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham (piano). Programme includes works DANNY O'BRIEN, GARETH RICHARDS, AN- by Skalkottas, Tchaikovsky, Koukos DREW RYAN & COMIC TBC Fri 5 - Sat 6 and Beethoven, Thurs 4 - Sun 7 Oct, Oct, The Glee Club, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Birmingham PAUL FOOT Sat 6 Oct, Artrix, Broms- HENSCHEL STRING QUARTET Featuring grove Christoph Henschel & Hannah Per- DYLAN MORAN Sat 6 Oct, Warwick Arts owne (violins), Monika Henschel Dylan Moran - Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry (viola) & Mathias Beyer-Karlshøj Centre, Coventry (cello). Programme includes works CHRISTIAN REILLY, SARAH CALLAGHAN, on true events, Tues 2 Oct, Malvern Afrobeats musical following the ambi- by Beethoven, Mendelssohn & Schu- JARLATH REGAN & CRAIG MURRAY Sat 6 Theatres tious dreams of a London hustler, mann, Fri 5 Oct, Royal Pump Rooms, Oct, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham ELSIE & NORM’S MACBETH Amateur club promoter and self-confessed ladies' man, Thurs 4 - Sat 6 Oct, Leamington Spa DEANO MAC, JASON PATTERSON, JUDIE staging presented by St John’s Play- Belgrade Theatre, Coventry TENORS UN LIMITED Fri 5 Oct, Number LOVE & SMASH Sat 6 Oct, MAC, B’ham ers, Tues 2 - Sat 6 Oct, Swan Theatre, Worcester SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE CURSE OF THE 8, Pershore LEE HURST Sun 7 Oct, Artrix, Broms- SIGN OF FOUR All & Sundry Produc- RUSSIAN STATE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA grove SALAD DAYS Wendi Peters stars in one tions presents its version of Sir Arthur Featuring Valentin Uryupin (conduc- of Britain’s best-loved and sunniest GARY POWNDLAND & FRIENDS Sun 7 Conan Doyle's tale of intrigue, stolen tor) & Barry Douglas (piano). Pro- musicals, Tues 2 - Sat 6 Oct, Malvern Oct, the Glee Club, Birmingham treasure and murder, Thurs 4 - Sat 6 gramme includes works by Theatres THE LAUGHING SOLE COMEDY FOR KIDS Oct, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Khachaturian, Rachmaninov & THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS Award-win- Sun 7 Oct, MAC, Birmingham Shostakovich, Fri 5 Oct, Warwick Arts ning satirical comedy bringing CS BISMILLAH A story of disenfranchise- Centre, Coventry Lewis' classic book to life, Wed 3 Oct, ment, social alienation, prejudice, radicalisation and the rock band SINFONIA OF BIRMINGHAM Featuring Albany Theatre, Coventry Queen, Thurs 4 - Sat 6 Oct, Old Joint Michael Seal (conductor) & Zoe Bey- THE FEAR OF FEAR Stephanie Ridings Stock Theatre, Birmingham ers (violin - pictured). Programme in- considers what makes us afraid, and cludes works by Elgar & Brahms, Sat Theatre why it doesn't always have to be a ALL YOU NEED IS LSD Darkly humorous 6 Oct, St Mary’s Church, Warwick bad thing, Wed 3 - Thurs 4 Oct, War- new play illuminating the drugs de- REBUS: LONG SHADOWS Brand new wick Arts Centre, Coventry bate and examining the freedom we play based on Ian Rankin’s fictional have to make our own choices, Thurs MY FAIR LADY Amateur staging pre- detective, John Rebus, until Sat 6 4 - Sat 13 Oct, The REP, Birmingham sented by Alcester Musical Theatre Oct, The REP, Birmingham Company, Wed 3 - Sat 6 Oct, Palace THE THINKING DRINKERS PUB CRAWL WE’LL LIVE AND DIE IN THESE TOWNS Theatre, Redditch Enjoy five free drinks as the award- ‘Gritty and compelling’ new musical winning experts take you from the TIME MASONS One man speaks out drama driven by The Enemy’s num- symposiums of Ancient Greece to the against accepted belief, with dire ber one album, until Sat 20 Oct, classic British boozer via Wild West consequences... Wed 3 - Sat 6 Oct, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry saloons, Victorian gin palaces and The Bear Pit Theatre - The United Re- BIRMINGHAM PHILHARMONIC ORCHES- the secret Speakeasy, Fri 5 Oct, The TAMBURLAINE Michael Boyd directs a formed Church, Stratford-upon-Avon TRA Featuring Michael Lloyd (conduc- new staging of Christopher Mar- Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham RE: PRODUCTION White Slate present a tor) & Natasha Day (soprano). lowe’s famous play, until Sat 1 Dec, MONKEY - JOURNEY TO THE WEST Time play for our times, opening up the Programme includes works by Holst, Royal Shakespeare Theatre and space fuse in a story inspired by conversation about choice and fe- Berg & Vaughan Williams, Sun 7 Oct, Stratford-upon-Avon Wu Cheng’en’s 16th century Chinese The Bramall, Birmingham male legacy... Thurs 4 Oct, Bridge novel, Fri 5 - Sat 6 Oct, Playbox The- TARTUFFE New version of Moliere’s House Theatre, Warwick LEST WE FORGET A commemorative provocative French classic, until Sat atre, The Dream Factory, Warwick AN EVENING WITH PAM AYRES Charity concert to mark the end of the Great 23 Feb, The Swan Theatre, Stratford- PRIVATE PARTS LIVE TV stars Jamie show in aid of the Sebakwe Black War. Featuring James Gilchrist upon-Avon Laing and Francis Boulle tread the (tenor), Benjamin Frith (piano) & Rhino Trust, Thurs 4 Oct, The Roses, JOURNEY’S END Amateur staging of boards with their live 'laugh-a-minute Richard Jenkinson (cello), Sun 7 Oct, Tewkesbury RC Sherriff’s ground-breaking play, extravaganza', developed from their Huntingdon Hall, Worcester FINDING JOY Vamos Theatre present Mon 1 - Sat 6 Oct, Talisman Theatre, hit podcast, Sat 6 Oct, The Old Rep their acclaimed show about demen- Kenilworth Theatre, Birmingham tia, Thurs 4 - Fri 5 Oct, MAC, B’ham AN EVENING OF MEDIUMSHIP WITH THE FISHERMEN New Perspectives DUET FOR ONE Belinda Lang & Oliver CRAIG MORRIS present a new version of Chigozie Sat 6 Oct, Palace The- Cotton star in a new staging of Tom Obioma’s allegory of brotherhood, atre, Redditch Kempinski’s award-winning play, Comedy vengeance and fate... Tues 2 Oct, Ar- JUST LIKE THAT! THE TOMMY COOPER Thurs 4 - Sat 6 Oct, Wolverhampton HARRY & CHRIS: SAVE THE WORLD Tues trix, Bromsgrove SHOW Highly acclaimed tribute to a Grand Theatre 2 Oct, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birm- A PURE WOMAN ‘Deeply moving’ por- comic genius, Sat 6 Oct, Rose The- OLIVA TWEEST: THE AFRO MUSICAL ingham trait of a marriage in extremis. Based atre, Kidderminster
whatsonlive.co.uk 53 The List Warwicks/Worcs Mon 1 - Sun 7 October.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 11:21 Page 3
54 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwicks/Worcs Mon 1 - Sun 7 October.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 11:21 Page 4
thelist Monday 1 - Sunday 7 October BREAKING THE CODE The Crescent from the University of Birmingham Theatre Company present Hugh talks about her work using mathemat- Whitemore's ‘compassionate, amus- ics to help accelerate the journey to- ing and ultimately tragic play’, Sat 6 - wards new treatments for bacterial Sat 13 Oct, Crescent Theatre, B’ham infections, Tues 2 Oct, Thinktank Sci- BUFO BUFO The Awkward Silence re- ence Museum, Birmingham turn with another multi-character RAF STORIES TALKS - CANDIDA ADKINS comedy set in a strange and captivat- Daughter of famous female spitfire ing world, Sun 7 Oct, Old Joint Stock pilot Jackie Moggridge, Candida Ad- Theatre, Birmingham kins shares stories about her mother, Thurs 4 Oct, RAF Cosford, Nr Wolver- hampton STORYTELLER A telling of Bardic sto- ries, old and new... with a little audi- Kids Shows ence interaction as well, Fri 5 Oct, GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU ‘En- Palace Theatre, Redditch chanting’ tale of love and nature, vi- HIT THE ODE Unique performance-po- brantly brought to life with puppets, etry night which sees one regional, live music and interactive play, Tues 2 one national and one international Oct, Swan Theatre, Worcester poet perform alongside open micers, FUP: A MODERN FABLE Kneehigh pre- Fri 5 Oct, The Patrick Studio, Birming- sent a 'big-hearted' modern fable ham Hippodrome about family, love and nature...Tues 2 LOVE THE ARCHERS? Get the low-down - Sat 6 Oct, Warwick Arts Centre, on Ambridge with Archers scriptwriter Coventry Keri Davies and performers Charlotte Martin (Susan Carter) & Emerald Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Fire & Fury - Birmingham Hippodrome O’Hanrahan (Emma Grundy), Sun 7 Oct, Birmingham Town Hall cination with astrology, Holst’s The bration of the written word, Fri 5 - Sun Planets was first performed 100 years 7 October, Althorp Estate, Northamp- ago. But what would it sound like if ton created by today’s composers? Tues JEWELLERY QUARTER HERITAGE WALK 2 Oct, Thinktank Science Museum, Sat 6 Oct, Museum of the Jewellery Film Birmingham Quarter, Birmingham INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW This year FUN PALACES Day of free hands-on the show celebrates its 70th anniver- activities celebrating arts and sci- THE STONE SPELL Join in the fun, THE CHILDREN ACT (12a) Drama. Star- sary, Wed 3 - Sun 7 Oct, NEC, Birm- songs and audience participation in a ences in the Stratford community, Sat ring Emma Thompson, Stanley Tucci. ingham 6 Oct, The Shakespeare Centre, popular play for two to nine-year- Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, olds, Sat 6 Oct, Swan Theatre, TRAM DRIVING EXPERIENCE DAY Join Stratford-upon-Avon Fri 28 - Wed 3 Oct; Artrix, Broms- the expert team to learn all about the Worcester grove, Fri 28, Mon 1 & Fri 5 Oct SCAREFEST Enjoy your favourite rides history and workings of the trams in in the dark, plus loads of extra enter- THE BOOKSHOP (12A) Drama. Starring the collection, Fri 5 Oct, Black Coun- tainment, Sat 6 - Sun 7 Oct, Alton Emily Mortimer, Bill Nighy. Artrix, try Living Museum, Dudley Towers, Staffordshire Bromsgrove, Fri 5 Oct DUNGEON LATES Strictly for adult APPLE & CIDER DAY Blakesley Hall's Dance traitors, Fri 5 Oct, Warwick Castle annual celebration of the apple, Sun SHOW Shechter II present a ‘wild and NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: BOUDICA FESTIVAL Two-day festival 7 Oct, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham wicked’ three-act production, Tues 2 - Released from Fri 5 Oct, showing at featuring music, films and exhibitions, WARWICKSHIRE FUN COLOUR RUN In Wed 3 Oct, DanceXchange, The selected cinemas Fri 5 - Sat 6 Oct, Herbert Art Gallery & support of Macmillan Cancer Sup- Museum, Coventry Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippo- VENOM (tbc) port, Sun 7 Oct, Hatton Country drome ALTHORP LITERARY FESTIVAL A cele- World, Warwickshire A STAR IS BORN (15) FIRE & FURY Birmingham Royal Ballet present a double bill featuring David BLIND SPOTTING (15) Bintley's The King Dances and STRANGEWAYS HERE WE COME (15) Juango Arqués' Ignite, Wed 3 - Sat 6 COLUMBUS (tbc) Oct, Birmingham Hippodrome JOHNNY ENGLISH STRIKES AGAIN (tbc) AKAAR Sonia Sabri Company show- case some of the region’s emerging talent alongside guest artists, Sun 7 Oct, MAC, Birmingham Events SPOOKY SPECTACULAR Featuring witches, wizards & werewolves, until Sun 4 Nov, West Midland Safari and Talks Leisure Park, Bewdley, Nr Kiddermin- COLIN STAFFORD-JOHNSON: LIVING A ster WILD LIFE Evening with ‘one of the WARWICK WORDS HISTORY FESTIVAL world's most acclaimed filmmakers’, Featuring a wide ranging programme Mon 1 Oct, The Old Rep Theatre, of special guests & speakers, Mon 1 - Birmingham Sun 7 Oct, various locations in and CAFÉ SCIENTIFIQUE: MATHEMATICS – around Warwick THE NEW ANTIBIOTIC? Dr Sara Jabbari THE PLANETS 2018 Written out of a fas- Dungeon Lates - Warwick Castle whatsonlive.co.uk 55 The List Warwicks/Worcs 8-14 October.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 11:20 Page 1
October 2018 www.artrix.co.uk
Friday 5 October Saturday 6 October Sunday 14 October ROBIN INCE PAUL FOOT THE NUTCRACKER
JOIN ROBIN’S CHAOS OF IMAGE CONSCIOUS DATE PRESENTED BY THE DELIGHT FOR CONNOISSEURS VIENNA FESTIVAL BALLET
Thursday 18 October Mon 29 & Tue 30 October Wednesday 31 October MAGGIE BELL & FINDING JOY NICK SHARRATT’S DAVE KELLY DRAWALONG TWO STALWARTS OF PRESENTED BY MUCH-LOVED CHILDREN’S BRITISH R&B VAMOS THEATRE ILLUSTRATOR
COMING SOON: A Black Country Night Out, Roxy Magic, Blackwell Concert Band, Lee Hurst, Stewart Francis, Robert Lane, Dane Baptiste, The Story Of Guitar Heroes, The Julie July Band, The Matt Monro Story, Gordon Hendricks as Elvis, Barnstormers Comedy, Mark Thompson, Nya’s House Of Soul, Rogue Play: Sleepless, Felicity Ward, The Fureys, Hal Cruttenden, Gigspanner, Juliette Burton, Hafdis Huld, Darrenarriott… H
Free parking on-site Join our Mailing List and receive our weekly e-flyer withup-to-date information about upcoming showsor download our latest brochure @artrixarts @artrix arts centre Artrix, Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove, B60 1GN Box Office: 01527 577330
56 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwicks/Worcs 8-14 October.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 11:20 Page 2
thelist Monday 8 - Sunday 14 October JILTED JOHN Fri 12 Oct, Birmingham STEWART FRANCIS Thurs 11 Oct, Ar- Gigs The Slade Rooms, K.FLAY Sat 13 Oct, O2 Classical trix, Bromsgrove Wolverhampton Academy, Birmingham ROBERT WHITE, TOM HOUGHTON & TONY HADLEY Mon 8 JOAN ARMATRADING Fri RAHUL KOHLI Thurs 11 Oct, The Bra- Oct, Symphony Hall, ROWAN GODEL Sat 13 12 Oct, Belgrade The- Music mall, Birmingham Birmingham Oct, Number 8, Per- atre, Coventry shore THE YORK WAITS: MUSIC FIT FOR A DANA ALEXANDER, CAREY MARX & ISLANDS IN THE STREAM GABY K Fri 12 Oct, The KINGMAKER Tues 9 Oct, St Mary’s COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBIN- Tues 9 Oct, Belgrade ABBA MANIA Sat 13 Cuban Embassy, Church, Warwick SON Thurs 11 Oct, The Glee Club, Theatre, Coventry Oct, The Core Theatre, Birmingham Solihull CBSO: YAMADA CONDUCTS BERNSTEIN Birmingham OLD STOCK: A REFUGEE ERADIKATOR Fri 12 Oct, Featuring Kazuki Yamada (conduc- PAUL SINHA Thurs 11 Oct, MAC, LOVE STORY Tues 9 - UK PINK FLOYD EXPERI- Route 44, Birmingham tor) & Baiba Skride (violin). Pro- Birmingham Wed 10 Oct, Warwick ENCE Sat 13 Oct, gramme includes works by Ravel, STEWART FRANCIS Arts Centre, Coventry BOWIE EXPERIENCE Fri Malvern Theatres Korngold & Bernstein, Wed 10 Oct, Fri 12 Oct, Malvern 12 Oct, The Palace Theatres TOOTS AND THE MAY- INCARNADINE COVEN Symphony Hall, Birmingham Theatre, Redditch JOEY PAGE & MARK SMITH Fri 12 Oct, TALS Wed 10 Oct, O2 Sat 13 Oct, Scruffy LUNCHTIME CONCERT Featuring The Core Theatre, Solihull Institute, Birmingham THE ‘GEORGE MICHAEL’ Murphy’s, Birmingham George Barton (percussion) & Siwan TRIBUTE WITH RANDALL MNEK Wed 10 Oct, O2 THE STYLE COUNCIL- Rhys (piano), Thurs 11 Oct, Warwick ROY CHUBBY BROWN Fri 12 Oct, Bed- BUTLER Fri 12 Oct, Institute, Birmingham LORS Sat 13 Oct, The Arts Centre, Coventry worth Civic Hall Nailcote Hall, Warwick- Empire, Coventry JEREMY HARDY Fri 12 Oct, Foxlowe JEFF LYNNE’S ELO Wed shire CBSO: THE MUSIC OF HARRY POTTER 10 Oct, Arena B’ham MICHAEL STARRING BEN Featuring Michael Seal (conductor) Arts Centre, Staffordshire SONS OF PITCHES Fri 12 Sat 13 Oct, Albany and the CBSO Youth Chorus. Pro- TOM BINNS Fri 12 Oct, The Glee Club, OMYO Wed 10 Oct, O2 Oct, The Assembly, Theatre, Coventry gramme includes music from Birmingham Academy, Birmingham Leamington Spa TIN TINS HYPE 25TH SIL- Philosopher's Stone, Chamber of Se- CRYWANK, KERMES, YR SEANN WALSH Fri 12 Oct, Warwick THE HOWL & THE HUM VER ANNIVERSARY Sat crets, Prisoner of Azkaban, Goblet of POETRY & A BULL Wed Arts Centre, Coventry Fri 12 Oct, The Tin 13 Oct, Hare & Fire, Order of the Phoenix, Half- 10 Oct, Hare & DANA ALEXANDER, CAREY MARX, Music And Arts, Canal Hounds, Birmingham Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows, Hounds, Birmingham Basin, Coventry Fri 12 Oct, Symphony Hall, B’ham BOBBY MAIR & MAFF BROWN Fri 12 - STEVE STEINMAN’S TOM ROBINSON Wed 10 Sat 13 Oct, The Glee Club, B’ham BLOWIN IN THE WIND Fri MEAT LOAF STORY Sat ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA: Oct, The Glee Club, DANE BAPTISTE Sat 13 Oct, Artrix, 12 Oct, The Palace 13 Oct, Belgrade The- SHOSTAKOVICH'S FIFTH Featuring Xian Birmingham Bromsgrove Theatre, Redditch atre, Coventry Zhang (conductor) and Fatma Said UNCOVER Thurs 11 (soprano). Programme includes BARBARA NICE'S RAFFLE Sat 13 Oct, IMPERIAL LEISURE Fri HIDEKA, THE PRISTINES Oct, Marrs Bar, Shostakovich's Symphony No 5, 44’ The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hip- 12 Oct, O2 Academy, Sat 13 Oct, The Tin Worcester Birmingham and works by Rachmaninoff and podrome Music And Arts, Canal Strauss, Sat 13 Oct, Symphony Hall, MOBIUS LOOP Thurs 11 REGINALD D HUNTER, KEITH FARNAN & BECKY HILL Fri 12 Oct, Basin, Coventry Birmingham Oct, Hare & Hounds, JONATHAN MAYOR Sat 13 Oct, Royal O2 Institute, B’ham CHAMPIONS OF ROCK Birmingham PERSHORE TOWN CHOIR Also featuring Spa Centre, Leamington Spa JILTED JOHN Fri 12 Oct, Sat 13 Oct, Bedworth Kidderminster Male Choir, Sat 13 GRAPPELLI SWING RICH WILSON, TOM HOUGHTON, DAVE The Slade Rooms, Civic Hall Oct, Kidderminster Town Hall Thurs 11 Oct, Henry LONGLEY & LEO KEARSE Sat 13 Oct, Wolverhampton DIZZY LIZZY Sat 13 Oct, Sandon Hall, Worcs WARWICKSHIRE SYMPHONY ORCHES- The Comedy Loft, Birmingham LOSKI Fri 12 Oct, O2 Marrs Bar, Worcester TRA: ENGLISH CONCERT Featuring Li- YOU WIN AGAIN Thurs VIKKI STONE Sat 13 Oct, MAC, B’ham Institute, Birmingham DAN OWEN Sat 13 Oct, onel Handy (cello) & Roger Coull 11 Oct, Belgrade The- FUNKE AND THE TWO The Castle & Falcon, (conductor). Programme includes COMEDY CLUB FOR KIDS Sat 13 Oct, atre, Coventry TONE BABY Fri 12 Oct, Birmingham works by Butterworth, Elgar & Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa ROSS FROM FRIENDS Marrs Bar, Worcester KAST OFF KINKS Sat 13 Vaughan Williams, Sat 13 Oct, Thurs 11 Oct, Hare & WHENYOUNG Fri 12 Oct, The Palace The- Bridge House Theatre, Warwick Hounds, Birmingham Oct, Kasbah, Coventry atre, Redditch ROMAN SIMOVIC & FRIENDS Also fea- DARWIN DEEZ Thurs 11 ROBERT LANE Fri 12 COHEED AND CAMBRIA turing Cecilia Ziano (violin), Milena Oct, O2 Institute, Birm- Oct, Artrix, Broms- Sun 14 Oct, O2 Simovic (viola) & Giovanni Gnocchi Theatre ingham grove Academy, Birmingham (cello). Programme includes works UNSPOKEN Bravo 22 Company's new FAITH - THE GEORGE by Prokofiev, Elgar, Stravinsky & De- THE COUNTERFEIT GET CAPE WEAR CAPE drama of love, loss, loneliness and MICHAEL LEGACY Thurs bussy, Sun 14 Oct, Great Malvern STONES Fri 12 Oct, The FLY Sun 14 Oct, O2 hope, performed by ex-service per- 11 Oct, The Palace Priory, Worcestershire Roses Theatre, Academy, Birmingham sonnel, Mon 8 - Tues 9 Oct, The Theatre, Redditch Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hippo- Tewkesbury DURAN Sun 14 Oct, KAST OFF KINKS Thurs drome JEFF LYNNE’S ELO Fri 12 The River Rooms, 11 Oct, The Core The- - Sat 13 Oct, Arena Stourbridge DEATH IS CERTAIN Performance by atre, Solihull Eva Meyer-Keller, Mon 8 - Tues 9 Birmingham FAIRPORT CONVENTION SONGS OF EXILE Thurs Comedy Oct, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry MADE FOR THE WEEK- Sun 14 Oct, The Core 11 Oct, No1 Shake- END Fri 12 - Sat 13 Theatre, Solihull GARY DELANEY Thurs 11 Oct, Royal OLD STOCK: A REFUGEE LOVE STORY speare Street, Strat- Oct, Genting Arena, Spa Centre, Leamington Spa Humorously dark folk tale combined ford-upon-Avon with a high-energy concert, Tues 9 - ENSLAVED + HIGH ON Wed 10 Oct, Warwick Arts Centre, FIRE Fri 12 Oct, The Coventry Mill, Digbeth, B’ham MALCOLM STENT & DON MACLEAN - JOHN DENTON’S MID- TWO OF A KIND... BUT DIFFERENT NIGHT BAND Fri 12 Oct, Evening of variety show entertain- Huntingdon Hall, ment featuring stories, reminis- Worcester cences, jokes and a few songs... THE SHERLOCKS Fri 12 Wed 10 Oct, The Core Theatre, Soli- Oct, The Empire, hull Coventry WAR HORSE Acclaimed West End Hideka, The Pristines - The Tin, Coventry drama based on the novel by whatsonlive.co.uk 57 The List Warwicks/Worcs 8-14 October.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 16:18 Page 3
Let There Be Love. Claire Martin OBE and Ray Gelato take an irresistible romp through the romantic classics of the Great American Songbook.
Fri 5 Oct at 7.30pm £20 SO Comedy at The Core A night of fantastic comedy featuring Joey Page and Ed Night. Hosted by Mark Smith.
Fri 12 Oct at 8pm Age 16+ £12 Fairport Convention A mix of long established Fairport favourites and new material from their most recent studio album.
Sun 14 Oct at 7.30pm £24 Keep The Home Fires Burning Revisit the forgotten melodies of WW I in this brand new musical, featuring the songs of the Great War.
Wed 17 Oct at 7.30pm £16 The Upbeat Beatles From Cavern Club to Beatlemania with narrative & multi-media presentation.
Thu 18 Oct at 7.30pm £20
58 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwicks/Worcs 8-14 October.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 11:20 Page 4
thelist Monday 8 - Sunday 14 October Michael Morpurgo, Wed 10 - Sat 3 13 - Sat 20 Oct, Criterion Theatre, Nov, Birmingham Hippodrome Coventry A BLACK COUNTRY NIGHT OUT Featur- CARMEN Russian State Opera pre- ing Dandy, The Empty Can, Ollie sents its version of Bizet’s powerful Spencer, Joe Thomas & Wayne work. Sung in French with English Beese, Thurs 11 Oct, Rose Theatre, surtitles, Sun 14 Oct, Malvern The- Kidderminster atres ABOUT A BOT A ‘symphony for the DAD’S ARMY RADIO HOUR Based on the senses' featuring a live autonomous BBC sitcom by Jimmy Perry & David robot in the lead role, Thurs 11 Oct, Croft, Sun 14 Oct, The Roses, Bridge House Theatre, Warwick Tewkesbury PARLOUR GAMES A ‘right royal romp’ through British history, exploring poli- tics, passion and parlour games, Thurs 11 - Sat 13 Oct, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham Kids Shows I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW A THING MISLAID Maison Foo present CHANGE A Rogues & Vagabonds Pro- a tale ‘full of footsteps, hope and an duction, Thurs 11 - Sat 13 Oct, Bear unlikely friendship between two Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon lonely travellers and a mysterious GREASE Phoenix Theatre Group (PTG) bird’, Wed 10 Oct, MAC, Birmingham presents an amateur staging of the TABBY MCTAT Heartwarming tale of Black Is The Colour Of My Voice - The Roses, Tewkesbury hit musical, Thurs 11 - Sun 14 Oct, friendship and loyalty based on Julia Evesham Arts Centre Donaldson's book of the same name, DRACULA New staging of Bram Fri 12 Oct, Albany Theatre, Coventry Stoker's gothic novel, Thurs 11 - Sat LEAF Half Moon present a playful the- Talks Events 20 Oct, The Blue Orange Theatre, atrical experience for the very young, AN EVENING WITH STACEY DOOLEY Rare GRAND DESIGNS LIVE Expert advice, Birmingham Sat 13 Oct, Warwick Arts Centre, live appearance during which Stacey new product launches and specialist MOTOWN THE MUSICAL Hit West End Coventry discusses everything from gender exhibitors, Wed 10 - Sun 14 Oct, show about Motown founder Berry JAY FOREMAN’S DISGUSTING SONGS equality and domestic violence to sex NEC, Birmingham trafficking and sexual identity, Tues 9 Gordy, Thurs 11 Oct - Sat 3 Nov, New FOR REVOLTING CHILDREN Family FLYING SCOTSMAN AND THE GOLDEN Oct, Birmingham Town Hall Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham friendly show in which the award-win- AGE OF STEAM Featuring film of DOLLY ALDERTON: EVERYTHING I KNOW DAVID EDGAR: TRYING IT ON The Birm- ning musical comedian presents Britain’s steam revival and amazing ABOUT LOVE LIVE ingham-born playwright takes to the songs, poems and comedy for chil- Thurs 11 Oct War- stories from some of the women who stage in a one-man show and con- dren of all ages, Sat 13 Oct, Royal wick Arts Centre, Coventry made it happen, Thurs 11 Oct, templates the ways in which both the Spa Centre, Leamington Spa MICHAEL BRANDON STAND UP STORY Palace Theatre, Redditch world and his own views have GINGERBREAD MAN Clydebuilt Puppet Evening of ‘eye-widening Hollywood DUNGEON LATES Strictly for adult changed over the past 50 years, Fri Theatre present a ‘visual feast’ for truths’ from the Dempsey And Make- traitors, Fri 12 Oct, Warwick Castle younger audiences, Sat 13 Oct, peace heartthrob, Thurs 11 Oct, 12 Oct, MAC, Birmingham MEDIEVAL BANQUET Sat 13 Oct, War- Henry Sandon Hall, Worcester Malvern Theatres SCHOOL FOR LOVERS, A MUSICAL SEX- wick Castle JAMES MARTIN ON THE ROAD AGAIN TET-A-TETE Opera Novella present a BACKSTAGE TOUR Sat 13 Oct, The REP, Join James as he reflects on his love modern version of Mozart’s Cosi Fan Birmingham Tute, complete with dialogue and a of hearty food and various other pas- small orchestra, Fri 12 - Sun 14 Oct, sions, Sun 14 Oct, Symphony Hall, THE POWER OF WORDS With the Very MAC, Birmingham Dance Birmingham Reverend John Whitcombe - Dean of Coventry Cathedral, Sat 13 Oct, The TROILUS AND CRESSIDA Virtuoso per- FLAWLESS - CHASE THE DREAM: THE RE- Shakespeare Centre, Stratford-upon- cussionist Evelyn Glennie collabo- BOOT High-energy acrobatic family Avon rates with Artistic Director Gregory show following the journey of 10 big THE SPICE TRAIN A chance to marvel Doran to create a satirical futuristic vi- dreamers hoping to live their ultimate at the massive locomotives on dis- sion of a world resounding with the dance fantasy on board the Inter- Film play before heading into the restau- rhythm of battle, Fri 12 Oct - Sat 17 galactic Dream Ship, Wed 10 Oct, INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Nov, Royal Shakespeare Theatre rant to try a variety of curries from Belgrade Theatre, Coventry DARKEST HOUR (PG) Stratford-upon-Avon around the world, Sat 13 Oct, Severn Biography/Drama. Starring Gary Old- Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kidder- BLACK IS THE COLOR OF MY VOICE A man, Lily James. Abbey Theatre, minster successful jazz singer and civil rights Nuneaton, Wed 10 Oct activist seeks redemption after the BAVARIAN EVENING Featuring an inter- THE RAPE OF RECY TAYLOR (15) Docu- untimely death of her father. Inspired active Bavarian Oompah band, Sat mentary. Starring Tommy Bernardi, by the life of Nina Simone, Sat 13 13 Oct, West Midland Safari and Robert Corbitt. Malvern Theatres, Oct, The Roses, Tewkesbury Leisure Park, Bewdley, Nr Kidder- Thurs 11 Oct sminster A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Pocket TOM DALE COMPANY: I INFINITE Explo- version of Playbox’s recent produc- ration of the boundaries between the SCAREFEST Enjoy your favourite rides tion, Sat 13 Oct, Playbox Theatre, artificial and real, the digital and or- NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: in the dark, plus loads of extra enter- tainment, Sat 13 - Sun 14 Oct, Alton The Dream Factory, Warwick ganic world, Thurs 11 - Fri 12 Oct, Released from Fri 12 Oct, showing at Towers, Staffordshire BEATING BERLUSCONI A ‘rollercoaster Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry selected cinemas 68TH BRITISH NATIONAL PLOUGHING tale’ of one man’s attempt to redis- BEAUTY & THE BEAST Ballet Theatre UK BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE (tbc) cover his belief in himself, his club, present a new choreographed ver- CHAMPIONSHIPS & COUNTRY FESTIVAL FIRST MAN (tbc) his city and his class... Sat 13 Oct, sion of the much-loved fairytale, Fri Sat 13 - Sun 14 Oct, Austrey, Nr Swan Theatre, Worcester 12 Oct, Albany Theatre, Coventry MANDY (18) Atherstone, Warwickshire I AM SHAKESPEARE Mark Rylance’s ex- THE NUTCRACKER Vienna Festival Bal- SINK (15) GREAT BIRMINGHAM RUN The city’s an- nual half marathon, Sat 13 - Sun 14 uberant and comic exploration of the let presents its staging of the popular SMALLFOOT (PG) Shakespeare authorship debate, Sat ballet, Sun 14 Oct, Artrix, Bromsgrove Oct, Birmingham City Centre whatsonlive.co.uk 59 The List Warwicks/Worcs 15-21 October.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 11:32 Page 1
thelist Oct, Marrs Bar, ROLL BAND Sat 20 Oct, JOHN LYNN & STEVE BUGEJA Fri 19 - Gigs Worcester Stratford Playhouse, Classical Sat 20 Oct, The Glee Club, B’ham THE UPBEAT BEATLES Stratford-upon-Avon, KAI SAMRA Sat 20 Oct, The REP, MICHAEL BOLTON Mon Thurs 18 Oct, The ANTARCTIC MONKEYS Birmingham 15 Oct, Symphony Core Theatre, Solihull Sat 20 Oct, O2 Music Hall, Birmingham LOL COMEDY CLUB Sat 20 Oct, The AT LAST: THE ETTA Academy, Birmingham YEVGENY SUDBIN IN RECITAL Featuring Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton BLACK HONEY Mon 15 JAMES STORY Thurs 18 ASH Sat 20 Oct, O2 In- Yevgeny Sudbin (piano). Programme Oct, O2 Academy, BARNSTORMERS COMEDY NIGHT Sat 20 Oct, Birmignham Town stitute, Birmingham includes works by Scarlatti, Birmingham Tchaikovsky, Scriabin and Prokofiev, Oct, Artrix, Bromsgrove Hall MJ HISTORY Sat 20 GUVNA B Tues 16 Oct, Mon 15 Oct, Birmingham Town Hall JAMALI MADDIX Sun 21 Oct, The Glee EDITORS Fri 19 Oct, O2 Oct, The Roses The- Hare & Hounds, Birm- Club, Birmingham Academy, Birmingham atre, Tewkesbury LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH ingham THOMAS TROTTER Programme com- MAT RICARDO Sun 21 Oct, MAC, THE CARPENTERS STORY ICONS Sat 20 Oct, Bed- LADY MAISERY Tues 16 prises Wagner’s (trans. Edwin Birmingham Fri 19 Oct, Bedworth worth Civic Hall Oct, Number 8, Per- Lemare) Overture from Rienzi, Mon Civic Hall GINA YASHERE, MAUREEN YOUNGER & shore SOULTOWN COLLECTIVE 15 Oct, Birmingham Town Hall PRINCE ABDI Sun 21 Oct, The REP, FOREVER SABBATH Fri Sat 20 Oct, Nailcote THE BRIAN JONESTOWN CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- Birmingham 19 Oct, Marrs Bar, Hall, Warwickshire MASSACRE Tues 16 CHESTRA Featuring François Leleux Worcester Oct, O2 Academy, ALL YEARS LEAVING Sat (director / oboe / Cor Anglais). Pro- Birmingham THE MANOR Fri 19 Oct, 20 Oct, Hare & gramme includes works by Brahms, O2 Institute, B’ham Hounds, Birmingham Haydn, Debussy (arr. Silvestrini) & YOU WIN AGAIN Tues 16 Bizet, Wed 17 Oct, Birmingham Oct, The Palace The- GORDON HENDRICKS AS RHYTHM OF THE 90S Sat Theatre ELVIS Fri 19 - Sat 20 20 Oct, Kasbah, Town Hall atre, Redditch MACBETH: DIRECTORS CUT Untradi- Oct, Artrix, Broms- Coventry NIGEL KENNEDY The multi-million sell- MASSIVE Wed 17 Oct, tional Shakespeare featuring ‘strik- grove ing virtuoso violinist will perform The Asylum, B’ham TURIN BRAKES, Sat 20 ing design and sensory surprises’, THE WORLD FAMOUS Oct, The Assembly, pieces by Bach & Gershwin, as well JACK WHITE Wed 17 Mon 15 Oct, MAC, Birmingham ELVIS SHOW Fri 19 - Sat Leamington Spa as his own self-penned pieces, Oct, O2 Academy, SALT Play exploring colonial history’s 20 Oct, The Core The- Thurs 18 Oct, Symphony Hall, Birm- Birmingham existence in the everyday and the atre, Solihull ingham TUNNG Wed 17 Oct, politics of grief, Mon 15 - Tues 16 WILDWOOD KIN Fri 19 RÓZA BENE (HARPSICHORD) Leaming- Hare & Hounds, Birm- Oct, The REP, Birmingham Oct, Zephyr Lounge, ton Music Prize Winner’s concert ingham ALL SHOOK UP Carpet Trades Musical Leamington Spa featuring works by Couperin, Byrd, JIM CAUSLEY Wed 17 Frescobaldi & JS Bach, Thurs 18 Theatre Company present an ama- THE CHATS Fri 19 Oct, Oct, Red Lion Folk Oct, Unitarian Chapel, Warwick teur staging of the musical comedy O2 Institute, B’ham that’s built around Elvis Presley hits, Club, Kings Heath, LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA: SYM- Mon 15 - Sat 20 Oct, Rose Theatre, Birmingham SOMEONE LIKE YOU - PHONIC FANTASY Also featuring Toby THE ADELE SONGBOOK Kidderminste THE MATT MONRO Purser (conductor) & the Canzonetta Fri 19 Oct, Malvern STORY Wed 17 Oct, Ar- SHOW OF HANDS Sat 20 Choir. Programme includes film NOT ABOUT HEROES Stephen Macdon- Theatres trix, Bromsgrove Oct, Birmingham Town scores from Harry Potter, The Hob- ald’s Fringe First-winning play about FROM THE JAM Fri 19 Hall bit, Pirates Of The Caribbean, Twi- the unique friendship between cele- LEVEL 42 Wed 17 Oct, brated World War One poets Wilfred Oct, The Empire, SOMEONE LIKE YOU - light, Dragonheart and more... Fri 19 Symphony Hall, Birm- Owen and Siegfried Sassoon, Tues Coventry THE ADELE SONGBOOK Oct, Symphony Hall, Birmingham ingham 16 Oct, The Roses, Kidderminster THIS IS THE GREATEST Sat 20 Oct, The Palace ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC TOM WALKER Thurs 18 SHOW Fri 19 Oct, The Theatre, Redditch ENSEMBLE Programme includes SUGGS: WHAT A KING CNUT Madness Oct, O2 Institute, Birm- frontman Suggs takes a lighthearted Palace Theatre, Red- NOTHING, NOWHERE Sat works by Haydn, Mendelssohn, ingham look back at his career, Tues 16 Oct, ditch 20 Oct, O2 Institute, Shostakovich & Grant, Sat 20 Oct, SARABETH TRIO Thurs Huntingdon Hall, Worcester DEVON Fri 19 Oct, Kas- Birmingham The Great Hall, Malvern College 18 Oct, Hare & ART WITH HEART: DECLARATION A ‘vi- bah, Coventry HOCKIN & SULLIVAN’S EX CATHEDRA: IN 40 PARTS Featuring Hounds, Birmingham brant and daring adventure’ of SOUL II SOUL Fri 19 SEMI LEGAL SONGS Sat Jeffrey Skidmore (conductor). Pro- DIPPER MALKIN Thurs school day survival tactics, super- Oct, Birmingham Town 20 Oct, The Palace gramme includes works by Tallis, 18 Oct, Henry Sandon hero alter-egos and the stumbling Hall Theatre, Redditch Striggio, Jackson, Roth and Tallis, Hall, Worcester Sun 21 Oct, Birmingham Town Hall blocks to self-acceptance, Tues 16 ANCIENT SHAPES Fri 19 ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN SCOTT MATTHEWS Oct, MAC, Birmingham Oct, The Tin Music Sun 21 Oct, Warwick Thurs 18 Oct, The As- DISHOOM! Story about friendship and And Arts, Canal Basin, Arts Centre, Coventry sembly, Leamington courage featuring music from iconic Coventry Spa TOM ODELL Sun 21 Bollywood movie Sholay, Tues 16 - TQD Fri 19 Oct, The As- Oct, O2 Academy, AVELINO Thurs 18 Oct, Sat 20 Oct, Warwick Arts Centre, sembly, Leamington Birmingham Comedy O2 Institute, B’ham Coventry Spa PAUL JOHNSON JAZZ ABANDOMAN, Wed 17 Oct, The Glee MAGGIE BELL & DAVE SPAMALOT Worcester Operatic Dra- THE JULIE JULY BAND Fri CAFE Sun 21 Oct, The Club, Birmingham KELLY Thurs 18 Oct, matic Society present an amateur 19 Oct, Artrix, Broms- Roses Theatre, ROBERT NEWMAN Wed 17 Oct, Hunt- Artrix, Bromsgrove staging of the feelgood comedy grove Tewkesbury ingdon Hall, Worcester based on Monty Python & The Holy DAUGHTRY Thurs 18 GENESIS CONNECTED Fri ALL YEARS LEAVING JIM DAVIDSON Wed 17 - Thurs 18 Oct, Grail, Tues 16 - Sat 20 Oct, Swan Oct, O2 Academy, 19 Oct, The Roses Sun 21 Oct, Hare & Palace Theatre, Redditch Theatre, Worcester Birmingham Theatre, Tewkesbury Hounds, Birmingham SARAH KEYWORTH, STEVE GRIBBIN & TWELFTH NIGHT Worcester Repertory KRS-ONE Thurs 18 Oct, SIGALA Fri 19 Oct, O2 CC SMUGGLERS Sun 21 COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBIN- Theatre present an amateur staging O2 Institute, B’ham Institute, Birmingham Oct, The Assembly, SON Thurs 18 Oct, The Glee Club, of Shakespeare’s comedy of mis- CULTURE ABUSE + DARE - A TRIBUTE TO Leamington Spa Birmingham taken identity, Tues 16 - Sat 20 Oct, GOUGE AWAY Thurs 18 Worcester Cathedral THE HUMAN LEAGUE Fri NYA’S HOUSE OF SOUL NOEL JAMES, MANDY MUDEN, LUKE Oct, The Actress & 19 Oct, Huntingdon Sun 21 Oct, Artrix, HONNORATY & KAREN BAYLEY Fri 19 KINKY BOOTS Acclaimed musical Bishop, Birmingham Hall, Worcester Bromsgrove Oct, Abbey Theatre, Nuneaton which takes its audience on a jour- DOBERMANN Thurs 18 ROY WOOD ROCK & SARAH KEYWORTH, STEVE GRIBBIN, ney from a factory floor in Northamp-
60 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwicks/Worcs 15-21 October.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 11:32 Page 2
Monday 15 - Sunday 21 October
ton to the glamorous catwalks of variety show featuring ‘world-class Milan. Songs come courtesy of pop juggling, magic & illusion, escapol- icon Cyndi Lauper, Tues 16 - Sat 27 ogy, sleight of hand, knife throwing, Oct, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre stand-up comedy, feats of strength KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING New and demonstrations of dexterity’, Sun musical featuring songs from the 21 Oct, MAC, Birmingham Great War, Wed 17 Oct, The Core SERIOUSLY DEAD Musical comedy star- Theatre, Solihull ring Tommy Cannon, Crissy Rock & MISSION ABORT A one-woman play Billy Pearce, Sun 21 Oct, The Roses, which offers a 'frank and funny' Tewkesbury glimpse into the mental and physical trauma of abortion, Wed 17 Oct, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham STUFF Janice Connolly & Michael Kids Shows Crouch shine light on the subject of hoarding, Wed 17 - Sat 20 Oct, The HOW TO HIDE A LION Helen Stephen’s REP, Birmingham magical book for young children is THE BLINDING LIGHT New Howard brought to life with humour, puppets Brenton play telling the story of Au- and jazz, Wed 17 Oct, Malvern The- gust Strindberg’s ‘inferno’ period, atres Wed 17 - Sat 20 Oct, Malvern The- HOW TO HIDE A LION Helen Stephen’s atres magical book for young children is ALL THAT FALL Multi-layered composi- brought to life with humour, puppets Neon Dance: Puzzle Creature - The Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome tion of voices that can be experi- and jazz, Fri 19 Oct, Royal Spa Cen- enced as a black comedy, a tre, Leamington Spa COVENTRY OKTOBERFEST Traditional murder-mystery, a cryptic literary rid- Talks Bavarian bash, Fri 19 - Sat 20 Oct, dle or a quasi-musical score, Wed 17 Hearsall Common, Coventry - Sat 20 Oct, Warwick Arts Centre, ALFRED THE GREAT: A KING WHO RODE DESTINATION STAR TREK BIRMINGHAM Coventry GOOD FORTUNE Historical talk by Max The only official Star Trek event in Eu- Keen, Tues 16 Oct, Henry Sandon rope, Fri 19 - Sun 21 Oct, NEC, Birm- KUKUNOR/KALAHARI Production pre- Hall, Worcester sented with spoken and sign lan- ingham guage on an equal footing and STEVE PEAT: BIKES & BEERS Mountain- DISNEY ON ICE PRESENTS DREAM BIG dealing with a person's physical, spir- biking superstar Steve Peat tells the Disney’s most adventurous dream- itual, real and imaginary limitations, story of his illustrious racing career, ers, including Moana, Anna, Elsa, Thurs 18 Oct, Old Joint Stock The- Tues 16 Oct, Malvern Theatre Olaf and more... Fri 19 - Sun 28 Oct, atre, Birmingham AN EVENING WITH PHIL TUFNELL Fri 19 Arena Birmingham, Birmingham FIRST ENCOUNTERS WITH SHAKE- Oct, Ricoh Arena Foleshill, Coventry DAVID EDGAR: TRYING IT ON The Birm- SPEARE: THE COMEDY OF ERRORS SCAREFEST Enjoy your favourite rides ingham-born playwright takes to the Ninety minutes of comic confusion SHAKESPEARE BY MCBEAN Exclusive in the dark, plus loads of extra enter- stage in a one-man show and con- and mistaken identity aimed at seven conversation to mark the publication tainment, Fri 19 Oct - Fri 2 Nov, Alton templates the ways in which both the to 13-year-olds, Fri 19 Oct - Fri 2 Nov, of Angus McBean’s book of iconic Towers, Staffordshire world and his own views have Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon theatre photography, Fri 19 Oct, The VINTAGE IN THE VILLAGE Featuring changed over the past 50 years, Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon street food, a DJ and live performers, Thurs 18 - Sat 20 Oct, Studio The- FIRST STAGES: HANSEL AND GRETEL Interactive theatre experience which PLAY READING: JOHN DRINKWATER'S Sat 20 Oct, Fargo Village, Coventry atre@The Other Place, Stratford- ABRAHAM LINCOLN Reading of John upon-Avon brings to life the famous Brothers FANTASTICAL CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL Fea- Grimm story, Sat 20 Oct, The REP, Drinkwater’s Abraham Lincoln, to turing artisan chocolate traders, free THE MESSIAH Hugh Dennis, John Mar- Birmingham mark the centenary of the play’s pre- themed photo booths, themed char- quez & Lesley Garrett star in a Christ- mière on the very same stage, Sat 20 YOUR TOYS Slot Machine Theatre pre- acters & story corners, chocolate mas comedy that promises to Oct, The Old Rep Theatre, B’ham sculpting, craft stations and more... conjure up the sublime, the ridiculous sent a heartwarming tale about friends pulling together, Sun 21 Oct, AN EVENING WITH AGGERS Cricket Sat 20 Oct, The H Suite, Edgbaston, and the angelic, Thurs 18 - Sat 27 commentator and former player Birmingham Oct, The REP, Birmingham MAC, Birmingham Jonathan Agnew takes a trip down PAW PATROL VISIT Ride out into the THIS IS THE GREATEST SHOW Featuring PIRATE PEARL AND THE BIG BLUE MON- memory lane, Sat 20 Oct, Hunting- STER ‘Swashbuckling fun for little pi- countryside on one of the trains and music from The Greatest Showman, don Hall, Worcester see PAW Patrol's Marshall & Rubble, Moulin Rouge, Barnum and many rates and monsters aged three to 93’, Sun 21 Oct, Evesham Arts Centre Sat 20 - Sun 21 Oct, Severn Valley others, Fri 19 Oct, Palace Theatre, Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster Redditch MORE TREAT THAN TRICK Family Hal- SUSIE SELF: QUILT SONG Upbeat musi- loween activities and eerie entertain- cal opera emulating hit West Ender Events ment, Sat 20 Oct - Fri 2 Nov, Drayton Hamilton and featuring rising stars THE MOTORHOME AND CARAVAN SHOW Manor Theme Park, Tamworth from Birmingham's Ormiston Dance Featuring new and exclusive leisure HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR Join Der- Academy, Fri 19 - Sat 20 Oct, The Old PUZZLE CREATURE Neon Dance pre- vehicle launches by major manufac- mot O'Scary for a ‘spooktacular Rep Theatre, Birmingham sent Adrienne Hart’s brand new work, turers, Tues 16 - Sun 21 Oct, NEC, show’, Sat 20 Oct - Sun 4 Nov, Cad- which unscrambles attitudes to both HOCKIN & SULLIVAN’S SEMI LEGAL Birmingham bury World, Birmingham SONGS Evening of music, comedy, age and the body, Wed 17 - Thurs 18 MIDLANDS MODEL ENGINEERING EXHIBI- satire... and violence, Sat 20 Oct, Oct, DanceXchange, The Patrick Stu- THE HAUNTED CASTLE With ‘wondrous TION Palace Theatre, Redditch dio, Birmingham Hippodrome Thurs 18 - Sun 21 Oct, The War- witches, Horrible Histories and the re- wickshire Event Centre, Leamington turn of the spectacular fire joust’, Sat MOTIONHOUSE: CHARGE Six dancers WE APOLOGISE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE Spa 20 Oct - Sun 4 Nov, Warwick Castle A tale of deadlines, distractions... and fuse dance and acrobatics in a per- OKTOBERFEST WORCESTER a talking duck, Sat 20 - Sun 21 Oct, formance inspired by the role of elec- Step inside SAREHOLE MILL AUTUMN CRAFT FAIR A The Old Joint Stock Theatre, B’ham tricity in the human body, Fri 19 - Sat Europe’s biggest bier tent, Fri 19 - variety of craft and gift stalls, Sun 21 Sat 20 Oct, Worcester Racecourse Oct, Sarehole Mill, Birmingham MAT RICARDO VS THE WORLD One-man 20 Oct, MAC, Birmingham
whatsonlive.co.uk 61 The List Warwickshire 22-31 October.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 12:26 Page 1 The List Warwickshire 22-31 October.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 12:26 Page 2
thelist Monday 22 - Sunday 28 October FARA Thurs 25 Oct, IT IS Sat 27 Oct, Al- KNOCK KNOCK COMEDY Sun 28 Oct, Gigs The Fleece Inn, Eve- bany Theatre, Coven- Classical The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham sham, Worcestershire try GLEE FAMILY COMEDY SHOW Sun 28 THE SPACE LADY Mon HENRI HERBERT & THE ENRIQUE IGLESIAS Sat Oct, The Glee Club, Birmingham 22 Oct, Hare & FURY Thurs 25 Oct, 27 Oct, Genting Arena, Music Hounds, Birmingham RUDI LICKWOOD, CURTIS WALKER, SLIM The Night Owl, B’ham Birmingham BENJAMIN GROSVENOR: MOZART Also & JOHN SIMMIT Sun 28 Oct, The Glee RUDIMENTAL Mon 22 THE ALBERT LEE BAND COASTS Sat 27 Oct, O2 featuring Vassily Sinaisky (conduc- Club, Birmingham Oct, O2 Academy, Thurs 25 Oct, Hunting- Institute, Birmingham tor), Benjamin Grosvenor (piano) Birmingham and City of Birmingham Symphony don Hall, Worcester 4EVER HOLLYWOOD Sat DRAKE WHITE AND THE Orchestra. Programme includes FICKLE FRIENDS Fri 26 27 Oct, The Core The- BIG FIRE Mon 22 Oct, works by Wagner, Mozart and Oct, O2 Academy, atre, Solihull O2 Institute, B’ham Sibelius, Thurs 25 Oct, Symphony Birmingham THE ROY ORBISON Hall, Birmingham Theatre THE FEELING Mon 22 STONE FOUNDATION Fri STORY Sat 27 Oct, The Oct, Birmingham Town CBSO CENTRE STAGE - STRAUSS: META- THAT’LL BE THE DAY Music and com- 26 Oct, The Empire, Roses Theatre, Hall MORPHOSEN Featuring Marie-Chris- edy combine in this popular variety Coventry Tewkesbury tine Zupancic (flute), Jonathan show featuring music from the TOM GRENNAN Tues 23 RICHARD THOMPSON Fri JULIE JULY BAND Sat 27 Martindale & Jane Wright (violins), 1950s, ’60s & ’70s, Mon 22 - Tues 23 Oct, O2 Academy, 26 Oct, Birmingham Oct, Huntingdon Hall, Adam Römer, Christopher Yates & Oct, The Roses, Tewkesbury Birmingham Town Hall Worcester Amy Thomas (violas), Hatty Snell & SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE Based on the BC CAMPLIGHT Tues 23 SOPHIE HUNGER Fri 26 THE KRYSTALETTES Sat Helen Edgar (cellos), Tony Alcock & Academy Award-winning film of the Oct, Hare & Hounds, Oct, O2 Institute, Birm- 27 Oct, Nailcote Hall, Julian Atkinson (double bass). Pro- same name, Mon 22 - Sat 27 Oct, Birmingham ingham Warwickshire gramme includes works by Haydn, Malvern Theatres LUCY SPRAGGAN Tues Schulhoff, Sperger & R. Strauss, BROKEN MINDS - HAL- THE COURTNEYS Sat 27 STILL NO IDEA Mischievous exposé of 23 Oct, O2 Institute, Thurs 25 Oct, CBSO Centre, B’ham LOWEEN JUNGLE Fri 26 Oct, Kasbah, Coventry good intentions gone bad. Part ver- Birmingham DANNY DRIVER (PIANO) Programme batim theatre, part improv, part com- Oct, Hare & Hounds, NATALIE HOLMES Sat 27 THE LOVELY EGGS Tues includes works by JS Bach, Rach- edy sketch show, Tues 23 - Sat 27 Birmingham Oct, The Cuban Em- 23 Oct, Hare & maninov, Ravel & Medtner, Thurs 25 Oct, The REP, Birmingham THE FIDGETS Fri 26 Oct, bassy, Birmingham Oct, Malvern Theatre Hounds, Birmingham THE MIKADO Presented by Worcester Marrs Bar, Worcester THE WURZELS Sat 27 MELVINS Tues 23 Oct, JOANNA GUTOWSKA (CELLO) Pro- Gilbert & Sullivan Society, Tues 23 - THE HANDSOME BEASTS Oct, The Assembly, O2 Academy, B’ham gramme includes works by Cas- Sat 27 Oct, The Rose Theatre, Kid- Fri 26 Oct, Route 44, Leamington Spa sadó, David Matthews, Manos ATTILA Tues 23 Oct, derminster Birmingham V2A Sat 27 Oct, Marrs Charalabopoulos & JS Bach, Fri 26 The Asylum, B’ham OH! WHAT A LOVELY WAR Presented by THE MIGHTY DIAMONDS Bar, Worcester Oct, The Barber Institute, B’ham MAX & HARVEY Wed 24 Leamington Spa Opera Group, Tues Fri 26 Oct, O2 Insti- COAST TO COAST Sat 27 THE DANTE QUARTET: EXPLORING Oct, O2 Academy, 23 - Sat 27 Oct, Royal Spa Centre, tute, Birmingham Oct, The Asylum, SHOSTAKOVICH A rare opportunity to Birmingham Leamington Spa ANNE-MARIE ALLEN Fri Birmingham hear all Shostakovich’s string quar- JIMMY LEE Wed 24 HENRY V New staging of Shake- 26 Oct, The Cuban THE JACKS Sat 27 Oct, tets in one weekend, Fri 26 - Sun 28 Oct, Red Lion Folk speare’s famous play, Tues 23 - Sun Embassy, Birmingham O2 Academy, B’ham Oct, Artrix, Bromsgrove Club, Birmingham 28 Oct, Malvern Theatres DAVID BYRNE Fri 26 CORROSION OF CONFOR- BEN BALDWIN & FRIENDS IN CONCERT BLACK MEKON & KING ELEPHANT & CASTLE Gig theatre show Oct, Genting Arena, MITY & ORANGE GOBLIN An evening of classical music, art BROTHERS Wed 24 Oct, about how honest it’s possible to be Birmingham Sat 27 Oct, O2 Insti- songs & musicals, Sat 27 Oct, War- Hare & Hounds, Birm- and have your relationship survive, LET’S HANG ON Fri 26 tute, Birmingham wick Arts Centre, Coventry ingham Wed 24 Oct, MAC, Birmingham Oct, Civic Hall, Bed- CBSO: SOUNDS OF THE SEA Featuring THE UNIT AMA Sun 28 COSMOTHEKA Evening of comedy, va- BAMBARA Wed 24 Oct, worth Timothy Redmond (conductor) & Oct, Hare & Hounds, riety & music from Dave & Dan The Tin Music And Tom Redmond (presenter). Pro- IDLES Fri 26 Oct, O2 Birmingham Sealey and their ‘great mate’ Adam Arts, Canal Basin, gramme includes works by Menken, Institute, Birmingham Berry, Wed 24 Oct, The Core, Soli- Coventry KUNG FU RINTINTIN Sun Zimmer, Vaughan Williams & De- CLUB KURU Fri 26 Oct, 28 Oct, The Sunflower hull THE ROBERT CRAY BAND bussy, Sun 28 Oct, Symphony Hall, The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham Wed 24 Oct, Warwick Birmingham SHADOWLANDS STAC presents an Lounge, Birmingham Arts Centre, Coventry KACEY MUSGRAVES Sun amateur staging of the CS Lewis BAD MANNERS Fri 26 28 Oct, O2 Academy, love story, Wed 24 - Sat 27 Oct, Oct, The Assembly, Birmingham Swan Theatre, Worcester Leamington Spa FALSE LIGHTS Sun 28 THE CAPITAL Stan's Cafe explore TRACKSUIT & TRANCE: Oct, Warwick Arts Comedy themes of financial inequality and THE 90S RAVE FT. UL- Centre, Coventry strained human relationships in a ROB DEERING, NIGEL NG, SADIA AZMAT TRABEAT Fri 26 Oct, O2 LEE MEAD Sun 28 Oct, story told without words, Wed 24 - Institute, Birmingham & COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY Sat 27 Oct, The REP, Birmingham The Palace Theatre, ROBINSON Thurs 25 Oct, The Glee JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNI- THE BOB DYLAN STORY Redditch Club, Birmingham PEATBOG FAERIES Wed Fri 26 Oct, The Core COLOR DREAMCOAT Amateur staging 24 Oct, Huntingdon Theatre, Solihull DOREEN'S BIG TOP Thurs 25 - Fri 26 presented by Wythall Theatre Com- Hall, Worcester Oct, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham BUGZY MALONE Fri 26 pany, Wed 24 - Sat 27 Oct, Palace MARTY WILDE & THE Oct, O2 Academy, ROB KEMP Fri 26 Oct, The Glee Club, Theatre, Redditch WILDCATS Wed 24 Oct, Birmingham Birmingham THE WAR OF THE WORLDS HG Wells’ The Core Theatre, EVIL SCARECROW Fri 26 BRENNAN REECE, TIM RENKOW, ROB masterpiece, vividly reimagined for Solihull Oct, The Slade DEERING & NIGEL NG Fri 26 Oct, The the post-truth era, Wed 24 - Sat 27 JACK MAYNARD Wed 24 Rooms, Wolverhamp- Glee Club, Birmingham Oct, Old Joint Stock Theatre, B’ham Oct, O2 Academy, ton JIM DAVIDSON Fri 26 Oct, Evesham THREE SAT UNDER THE BANYAN TREE Birmingham Arts Centre A cast of three explore ‘the good life’ LUKE DANIELS & NANCY THE SONGS THAT WON RODDY FRAME Thurs 25 through a range of fabulous animal KERR Fri 26 Oct, MAC, THE WAR Sun 28 Oct, SIMON LOMAS, RUSSELL HICKS, ROB Oct, Town Hall, Birm- DERRING & NIGEL NG characters, Wed 24 - Sat 27 Oct, Birmingham Evesham Arts Centre, Sat 27 Oct, The ingham Belgrade Theatre, Coventry MOTOWN - HOW SWEET Worcestershire Glee Club, Birmingham
whatsonlive.co.uk 63 The List Warwickshire 22-31 October.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 12:26 Page 3
thelist Monday 22 - Sunday 28 October 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL Amateur staging ipation, Sun 28 Oct, Albany Theatre, THE HATE YOU GIVE (tbc) for mad scientists, witches and wiz- of the Dolly Parton musical, Wed 24 - Coventry SLAUGHTERHOUSE RULEZ (tbc) ards, Sat 27 Oct, Thinktank Science Sat 27 Oct, Abbey Theatre, Nuneaton Museum, Birmingham QUARTET Amateur staging of the FLAME & THUNDER Action-packed day comic play about redefining old age featuring motorsport stunts and drag and growing old with hope... Wed 24 Events racing, Sat 27 Oct, Santa Pod Race- Oct - Sat 3 Nov, Priory Theatre, Kenil- Talks way, Wellingborough worth OCTOBER HALF TERM Autumn family POETRY OPEN MIC NIGHT WITH BEN fun, Mon 22 - Fri 26 Oct, Birmingham GHOSTLY GASLIGHT Dress up in your A BLACK COUNTRY NIGHT OUT Featur- PARKER Fri 26 Oct, Henry Sandon Botanical Gardens most frightening Halloween costume ing Dandy, The Empty Can, Ollie Hall, Worcester and join the ghosts, ghouls and mon- Spencer, Joe Thomas & Wayne AUTUMN MAGIC Autumn-themed craft sters, Sat 27 Oct, Blists Hill Victorian DR PHIL HAMMOND: HAPPY BIRTHDAY activities, Tues 23 - Fri 26 Oct, Beese, Thurs 25 Oct, The Core The- NHS? Cheer on the heroes, boo the Town, Ironbridge, Shropshire atre, Solihull Worcestershire County Museum, villains and look towards a future of Hartlebury Castle TRACING YOUR CARIBBEAN ROOTS SLEEPLESS Rogueplay present ‘a solo robot surgeons, Fitbit nurses and Workshop to kickstart your search for aerial theatre piece of contemporary iPhone GPs, Fri 26 Oct, Huntingdon FRIGHT NIGHTS The castle and is your own family tree, Sat 27 Oct, Her- circus’ exploring sleep deprivation, Hall, Worcester transformed into a house of horrors - bert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry Thurs 25 Oct, Artrix, Bromsgrove with a cast of creepy characters mak- ERIC CANTONA The legendary Manch- ing themselves at home, Thurs 25 - CHRISTMAS GIFT FAYRE Gifts galore TAIKO MEANTIME: RESONANCE TOUR ester Utd player talks about his life, Sat 27 Oct, Kenilworth Castle, War- with a festive twist, Sat 27 - Sun 28 Featuring a new repertoire ranging Fri 26 Oct, Regency Banqueting wickshire Oct, Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, from delicate composition to explo- Suite, Birmingham Nr Kidderminster PUMPKIN SPOOKTACULAR Featuring sive crowd-pleasing barnstormers, Fri PUMPKIN FLOTILLA Sat 27 - Sun 28 26 Oct, The Old Rep Theatre, B‘ham ghosts, ghouls, cobwebs and pump- kins, Thurs 25 - Wed 31 Oct, Hatton Oct, Sarehole Mill, Birmingham SWINGING AT THE COTTON CLUB Featur- Country World, Warwickshire DIVE 2018 Sat 27 - Sun 28 Oct, NEC, ing The Lindy Hop Dance Company Birmingham & The Harry Strutters Hot Rhythm Or- Dance CANDY AND COBWEBS A Halloween chestra, Fri 26 Oct, The Roses, Kid- trick or treat event for under-eights, ELIZABETHAN LIVING HISTORY Reenac- SEETA PATEL - NOT TODAY'S YESTERDAY derminster Fri 26 Oct, Blists Hill Victorian Town, tors and historians transport visitors International collaboration between Ironbridge, Shropshire back to the Elizabethan era , Sat 27 - ONE MAN STRANGER THINGS - A PARODY award-winning Bharatanatyam artist ZOOLAB CREATURE WORKSHOPS Find Sun 28 Oct, Harvington Hall, Worces- Canadian actor Charles Ross single- Seeta Patel and choreographer Lina ter handedly recreates season one of the out what life was like when Shake- Limosani, Tues 23 Oct, The Patrick speare was growing up, Fri 26 Oct, FRIGHT STREET Visit the Spookiest Netflix sensation, Sat 27 Oct, Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome Birmingham Town Hall Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon Street in Stratford, Sat 27 Oct - Sat 3 THE NUTCRACKER Presented by Vi- Nov, Tudor World, Stratford-upon- 4EVER HOLLYWOOD All-singing, all- FARGO’S HALLOWEEN MARKET Get into enna Festival Ballet, Wed 24 Oct, the spirit of the season and embrace Avon dancing show celebrating ‘four fabu- Bedworth Civic Hall lous decades of timeless tunes and crafty shopping with a twist, Fri 26 SPOOKY SCIENCE WEEK Family activi- RUMPELSTILTSKIN balletLorent pre- the fancy footwork of silver screen Oct, Fargo Village, Coventry ties throughout the school holiday, sents its choreographed version of legends’, Sat 27 Oct, The Core The- MUSEUMS AT NIGHT: SING FOR YOUR Sat 27 Oct - Sun 4 Nov, Thinktank the much-loved Grimm fairytale, Fri atre, Solihull SUPPER Fri 26 Oct, Royal Pump Science Museum, Birmingham 26 - Sat 27 Oct, Warwick Arts Centre, Rooms, Leamington Spa OCTOBER HALF TERM Family fun, Sat LANDS Antler Theatre Company pre- Coventry sent a ‘playful, intimate dissection’ of HALLOWEEN NIGHTS A ‘frightfully good’ 27 Oct - Sun 4 Nov, Sarehole Mill, a relationship teetering on the edge evening of entertainment, Fri 26 - Sat Hall Green, Birmingham of collapse, Sat 27 Oct, MAC, B’ham 27 Oct, Black Country Living Mu- OCTOBER HALF TERM 2018 Help the SHAKUNTALA Subrang Arts present seum, Dudley museum’s junior designer find ‘the Kalidas' epic tale of love, loss and re- Film THE VAPER EXPO 2018 The biggest and missing plans’, Sat 27 Oct - Sun 4 most prestigious vape convention in Nov, British Motor Museum, Gaydon demption, Sat 27 Oct, Crescent The- INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: atre, Birmingham the world, Fri 26 - Sun 28 Oct, NEC, HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN TRAILS Uncover KING OF THIEVES (15) Crime/Drama. THE SONGS THAT WON THE WAR Pre- Birmingham clues to solve a puzzle, Sat 27 Oct - Starring Michael Caine, Michael sented by Britain’s Got Talent finalists GCCF SUPREME CAT SHOW The UK’s Sun 4 Nov, Charlecote Park, Warwick- Gambon. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Mon 22 The D-Day Darlings, Sun 28 Oct, Eve- premier cat show, Sat 27 Oct, NEC, shire - Tues 23 & Fri 26 Oct sham Arts Centre Birmingham SPOOKY SCIENCE WEEK: OCTOBER HALF THE HOUSE WITH A CLOCK IN ITS WALLS THE MONSTER BALL Entertainment and TERM Family activities, Sat 27 Oct - (PG) Family/Fantasy. Starring Cate a three-course meal, Sat 27 Oct, Sun 4 Nov, Thinktank Science Mu- Blanchett, Jack Black. Artrix, Broms- West Midland Safari and Leisure seum, Birmingham grove, Tues 30 - Wed 31 Oct Park, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster OCTOBER HALF TERM Family fun, Sat Kids Shows TANGLED (PG) Animation/Adventure. MURDER MYSTERY EVENING Sat 27 27 Oct - Sun 4 Nov, Sarehole Mill, HARRY HILL’S KIDZ SHOW: HOW TO BE With the voices of Mandy Moore, Oct, Birmingham Botanical Gardens Birmingham FUNNY - FOR KIDS! Harry offers hints Zachary Levi. Abbey Theatre, HALF TERM HORRORS Craft activities in Nuneaton, Wed 31 Oct GHOST TRAINS Are you brave enough and tips for any youngster who fan- to climb aboard the Ghost Train? Sat the eerie ruins, Sat 27 Oct - Sun 4 cies being ‘a bit of a joker’, Tues 23 THE EXORCIST (18) Horror. Starring 27 Oct, Severn Valley Railway, Bewd- Nov, Witley Court, Worcestershire Oct, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow. ley, Nr Kidderminster ASTON HALL LATE: GHOSTLY ENCOUN- THE TWITS David Wood’s adaptation Abbey Theatre, Nuneaton, Wed 31 TERS Theatrical ghost tour, Sun 28 Oct FESTIVAL OF THE DEAD Featuring a of the Roald Dahl classic, featuring a 15ft-tall vulture roaming the crowd, Oct, Aston Hall, Birmingham fusion of music, song, slapstick and THE EVIL DEAD (18) Horror. Starring giant skulls and carnival processions, THE NATIONAL RESTORATION SHOW The audience participation, Fri 26 Oct, Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss. Sat 27 Oct, O2 Academy, B’ham UK’s largest indoor autojumble, Sun Albany Theatre, Coventry Artrix, Bromsgrove, Wed 31Oct CHILDREN’S HALLOWEEN EVENING Get 28 Oct, Stoneleigh Park, Warwick- MILKSHAKE LIVE! Sat 27 Oct, Birming- dressed up in your spookiest cos- shire ham Town Hall NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: tume to enjoy the ghostly goings-on HAUNTED CASTLE A week of ghostly DOCTOR DOLITTLE Brand new show for Released from Fri 26 Oct, showing at around the castle, Sat 27 Oct, Tam- goings-on, Sun 28 Oct - Fri 2 Nov, youngsters, complete with original selected cinemas worth Castle Tamworth Castle music, puppetry and audience partic- BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY (tbc) SPOOKY SCIENCE NIGHT Spooky party 64 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwickshire 22-31 October.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 12:26 Page 4
Monday 29 - Wednesday 31 October
THE LOVELY BONES Stage premiere of Classical Alice Sebold's coming-of-age tale, Tues 30 Oct - Sat 10 Nov, The REP, Birmingham Music TASSELS - AN EVENING OF BURLESQUE ST. MATTHEW PASSION English Tour- ‘The UK’s biggest burlesque extrava- ing Opera present a new version of ganza’, Wed 31 Oct, Belgrade The- Bach’s masterpiece, Mon 29 Oct, atre, Coventry Wolverhampton Grand Theatre THE WELCOME REVOLUTION Feat.The- LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH atre tell the story of a woman who THOMAS TROTTER Programme in- goes on a mission to make a change cludes works by Ireland, Distler, - one radical cup of tea at a time, Franck, J. Francaix & L. Boellmann, Wed 31 Oct, Warwick Arts Centre, Mon 29 Oct, Birmingham Town Hall Coventry HALLOWEEN SILENT MOVIE SPECIAL DEADLY DIAMONDS Murder-mystery Featuring Nigel Ogden on organ. event where the audience solve the Programme comprises Robert Louis crime, Wed 31 Oct, Palace Theatre, Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr Redditch Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Wed 31 Oct, LANDSCAPE (1989) Presented by The Black Eyed Peas - O2 Academy, Birmingham Birmingham Town Hall Emergency Chorus as part of Emer- STEVEN OSBORNE (PIANO) Programme gency Festival 2018, Wed 31 Oct, ONE NIGHT OF ELVIS Hounds, Birmingham includes works by Poulenc, De- Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Tues 30 Oct, Belgrade Gigs HARRY MANX Wed 31 bussy, Prokofiev & Schubert, Wed Theatre, Coventry Oct, The Robin, Bil- FOSTER AND ALLEN 31 Oct, The Barber Institute, Birm- CARO EMERALD Tues 30 ston Mon 29 Oct, Belgrade ingham Oct, Symphony Hall, Theatre, Coventry STATE CHAMPS Wed 31 Birmingham Oct, O2 Institute, Birm- BLOXX Mon 29 Oct, Kids Shows ANTI FLAG + CANCER ingham The Sunflower THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA Musical BATS Tues 30 Oct, The Lounge, Birmingham SKINDRED Wed 31 Oct, play for young audiences, based on Asylum, Birmingham The Empire, Coventry THE BLACK EYED PEAS Comedy Judith Kerr’s much-loved book, Mon VIDEO GAMES LIVE Tues Mon 29 Oct, O2 YOU WIN AGAIN Wed 31 BLACK HISTORY MONTH COMEDY SHUT- 29 - Tues 30 Oct, Palace Theatre, 30 Oct, O2 Institute, Academy, Birmingham Oct, The Roses The- DOWN Mon 29 Oct, Belgrade The- Redditch Birmingham atre, Tewkesbury THE KVB Mon 29 Oct, atre, Coventry MOTHER GOOSE Wolverhampton’s THE STYLISTICS Wed Hare & Hounds, Birm- INSECURE MEN Wed 31 DOREEN'S BIG TOP Mon 29 - Tues 30 favourite Dame, Ian Adams, teams 31 Oct, Wolverhamp- ingham Oct, Mama Roux’s, Oct, The Swan Theatre, Worcester up with Julie Paton to present the ton Grand Theatre Birmingham ever-popular story, Tues 30 Oct, FREYA RIDINGS Mon 29 ELIS JAMES & JOHN ROBINS Tues 30 - SNACK FAMILY Wed 31 Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Oct, O2 Institute, Birm- FIL CAMPBELL & TOM Wed 31 Oct, The Glee Club, B’ham Oct, Hare & Hounds, ingham MCFARLANE Wed 31 THE FROG & THE PRINCESS Retelling of Birmingham Oct, Red Lion Folk the Brothers Grimm tale of rejection THE PROCLAIMERS Mon SHE MAKES WAR Wed Club, Birmingham and friendship, Tues 30 Oct, The 29 Oct, Symphony 31 Oct, Hare & Abbey Theatre, Nuneaton Hall, Birmingham DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE Interactive Theatre new show for all the family, Tues 30 FINDING JOY Vamos Theatre’s ac- Oct - Thurs 1 Nov, Warwick Arts Cen- claimed show about dementia, Mon tre, Coventry 29 Oct, Artrix, Bromsgrove THE WALPURGISNACHT HAUNTINGS Three chilling tales by popular fan- tasy fiction writer AG Smith, Mon 29 - Tues 30 Oct, Old Joint Stock The- Talks atre, Birmingham NEIL OLIVER - THE STORY OF THE VULCAN 7 New comedy reuniting BRITISH ISLES IN 100 PLACES Join Neil Young Ones Adrian Edmondson & as he talks about his 20 years travel- Nigel Planer on the set of a fantasy ling to every corner of Great Britain, movie, Mon 29 Oct - Sat 3 Nov, Mon 29 Oct, Birmingham Town Hall Malvern Theatres MARK KERMODE: HOW DOES IT FEEL? TESS Barrel Organ present a re- Mark Kermode recounts his ‘utterly hearsed reading of Thomas Hardy's foolhardy attempts’ to fulfil his dream Tess Of The D'Urbervilles, Tues 30 of becoming a pop star, Tues 30 Oct, Oct, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa THINGS WE CHOSE TO SAVE Clown Fu- LORD HORATIO NELSON: BRITAIN’S neral Theatre Company production, GREATEST HERO? Max Keen historical presented as part of Emerge Festival talk, Tues 30 Oct, Henry Sandon 2018, Tues 30 Oct, Warwick Arts Hall, Worcester Centre, Coventry BENEDICT ALLEN: ULTIMATE EXPLORER FRANTIC ASSEMBLY: THE UNRETURNING Join Benedict as he talks about his New play by Anna Jordan exploring most recent adventure - a solo expe- the profound effect that war has on dition to Papua New Guinea, Wed 31 young lives, Tues 30 Oct - Fri 2 Nov, Oct, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester Caro Emerald - Symphony Hall, Birmingham The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham
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thelist Monday 29 - Wednesday 31 October TREAT WORKSHOP Explore the kooky Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster HALLOWEEN SPOOKY SPECTACULAR SCI- Dance upside-down world of the Addams HALLOWEEN HALF TERM & CRAFT DAYS ENCE SHOWS Professor Pickle & Doc- Family, Mon 29 Oct, Malvern Theatres See the venue dressed for Hal- tor Pumpkin are back, Wed 31 Oct, ROBIN WINDSOR - THE FAREWELL TOUR ZOOLAB CREATURE WORKSHOPS Find loween, take part in Halloween- British Motor Museum, Gaydon Strictly’s Robin Windsor heads out on out what life was like when Shake- themed craft days and try the PUMPKIN FLOTILLA Wed 31 Oct, Sare- tour for the very last time, Mon 29 speare was growing up, Mon 29 Oct, haunted house and gruesome gar- hole Mill, Birmingham Oct, Lichfield Garrick Mary Arden’s Farm, Stratford-upon- den trails, Tues 30 Oct - Fri 2 Nov, GHOST SEARCH Ghost walk around the BEAUTY & THE BEAST Ballet Theatre UK Avon Blakesley Hall, Birmingham castle, with vigils conducted in reput- present a new, choreographed ver- THE BIG DRAW FESTIVAL Mon 29 Oct - ASTON HALLOWEEN See the venue edly haunted rooms, Wed 31 Oct, sion of the much-loved fairytale, Tues Thurs 1 Nov, Malvern Theatres transformed into a haunted mansion, Tamworth Castle 30 Oct, The Core Theatre, Solihull HALLOWEEN KITCHEN ‘Spooky’ session Wed 31 Oct, Aston Hall, Birmingham HALLOWEEN TOURS Ghostly appari- of pumpkin carving and muffin mak- NICK SHARRATT’S DRAWALONG Join the tions, dastardly deeds and gruesome ing, Mon 29 - Wed 31 Oct, Becketts acclaimed children’s writer & illustra- goings-on with Kenilworth’s ‘spook- Farm, Birmingham tor to find out how he creates his pic- tacular storyteller’, Wed 31 Oct, Kenil- HALLOWEEN HOCUS POCUS Trick-or- ture books, Wed 31 Oct, Artrix, worth Castle, Warwickshire treat trail around the castle, Mon 29 - Bromsgrove HUBBLE BUBBLE TRICK OR TREAT Do Wed 31 Oct, Dudley Zoological Gar- you dare to explore the spooky cel- dens lars at Soho House? Wed 31 Oct - GHOSTLY TALES: FAMILY-FRIENDLY Thurs 1 Nov, Soho House, B’ham GHOST TOUR Daytime tour of one of PUPPET THEATRE Castle Small Puppet Birmingham’s most haunted build- Theatre return with a special Hal- ings, Tues 30 Oct, Aston Hall, Birm- loween show, Wed 31 Oct, Mary ingham Arden’s Farm, Stratford-upon-Avon HALLOWEEN NIGHTS Tues 30 - Wed 31 BECCA ROSE GLOWACKI: MESHWORK Oct, Black Country Living Museum, ORCHESTRA Make music by weaving Dudley textiles with conductive materials and GHOST TRAINS Are you brave enough become part of the Meshwork Or- Events to climb aboard the Ghost Train? chestra, Wed 31 Oct - Fri 2 Nov, Tues 30 - Wed 31 Oct, Severn Valley MAC, Birmingham ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL TRICK OR
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