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LAUGHS APLENTY WITH Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands JIMEOIN IN REDDITCH & MALVERN WORCESTERSHIREWHAT’S ON OCTOBER 2019 Worcestershire ISSUE 406 OCTOBER 2019 ’ 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

GRANNY’S ATTIC traditional English folk music at Huntingdon Hall TWITTER:@WHATSONWORCS

NAVARRA STRING QUARTET return to Bromsgrove’s Artrix FACEBOOK:@WHATSONWORCESTERSHIRE

PUMPKIN

WORCESTERSHIREWHATSON.CO.UK MEERKATS at West Midlands Safari Park IFC Worcestershire.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2019 18:14 Page 1 Molton Browm DPS October 2019.qxp_Layout 1 17/09/2019 14:53 Page 2 Belgrade Theatre Full October 2019.qxp_Layout 1 18/09/2019 14:56 Page 1 Contents October Warwicks/Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2019 14:26 Page 2

October 2019

Contents

The Entertainer - Shane Richie takes the lead in John Osborne classic page 26

10 reasons to visit... Daliso Chaponda Change Festival the list

broaden your horizons at brings Blah Blah Blacklist tour new Warwick Arts Centre event Your 16-page Compton Verney this autumn to the Midlands imagines a more positive future week-by-week listings guide feature page 12 page 23 page 45 page 51 inside:

4. First Word 17. Gigs 19. Dance 22. Comedy 24. Theatre 37. Visual Arts 39. Film 43. Events

fb.com/whatsonwarwickshire fb.com/whatsonworcestershire @whatsonwarwicks @whatsonworcs Warwickshire What’s On Worcestershire What’s On Warwickshire What’s On Worcestershire What’s On

Managing Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 What’sOn Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Lauren Cole [email protected] 01743 281733 MEDIA GROUP Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Subscriptions: Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Katherine Ewing, Jenny Ell, Nanci Davies, Patsy Moss 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_Worc Davina October.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2019 17:27 Page 1

Entertainment news from around the region

Gothic masterpiece at the Belgrade Theatre A new version of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein will put the author herself at the centre of the action when it shows in the Midlands this month. Rona Munro’s imaginative adaptation of the Gothic masterpiece sees Shelley wrestling not only with her grotesque creation but also with ‘the stark realities facing revolutionary young women, then and now’. Frankenstein runs at the Coventry Belgrade Theatre from Wednesday 2 to Saturday 12 October. For more information and to book tickets, visit belgrade.co.uk

Celebrating innovation visitors for many a year and sells thousands Four Boys In The Dress... of pumpkins in all shapes, sizes and colours at Malvern festival across 50 different varieties. A Halloween Four youngsters will share the lead role when The Malvern Festival Of Innovation returns shop and on-site café also feature. The venue a stage adaptation of David Walliams’ heart- warming comedy, The Boy In The Dress, runs for an eighth consecutive year this month. stays open until 31 October. An event celebrating science, technology and at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre (RST) in business innovation, the six-day get-together Stratford-upon-Avon across the Christmas features speakers and exhibitors, schools Comic Con returns to period. outreach events, technology and business- Leamington Spa Oliver Crouch, Jackson Laing, Tom Lomas themed symposia, a formal dinner and a and Toby Mocrei will take turns playing Leamington Spa’s independently run comic special family day. The 2019 edition of the fashion-loving footballer Dennis in the RSC’s book convention, Leam Comic Con, takes festival also includes a series of filmed festive family show. place for a fifth year on Saturday 5 October at innovation shorts in the world's smallest The Boy In The Dress shows in Stratford from the town’s All Saints Parish Church. theatre and a science comedy night. 8 November to 8 March. For tickets, visit The 2019 show features writers and artists The Malvern Festival Of Innovation takes rsc.org.uk who’ve worked on Britain’s cult sci-fi comic, place at various venues in Great Malvern 2000AD, first writer of comic book series from 7 to 12 October. For more information, Hellblazer - Jamie Delano - and Hannah Boudica at the Herbert visit festival-innovation.com Berry, the UK’s current and first Comics An event showcasing music’s best up-and- Laureate. For more information and to book coming womxn (a word used to express tickets, visit leamcomiccon.co.uk gender fluidity and inclusivity) and non- binary artists is this month returning for a third year to Coventry’s Herbert Art Gallery & On the jazz in Coventry Museum (Saturday 19 October). A new jazz-inspired festival launches at The Boudica Festival features specially cu- Coventry’s Warwick Arts Centre (WAC) in rated live music across three stages, a num- November. ber of local-artist stalls and numerous music From The Source is headlined by British workshops. Visit theherbert.org for more Indian musician, producer and composer details. Nitin Sawhney, who performs a stripped-back concert of music from his back catalogue on the 8th of the month. The following evening Pumpkins R Us reopens sees WAC hosting the world premiere of in Kenilworth Pascal Gabriel’s solo project, Stubbleman... Other contributors to the festival include Judi Kenilworth’s hugely popular Halloween farm, Jackson, Debris Stevenson and Alice Pumpkins R Us, reopens on Saturday 5 Zawadzki. An exploration of the power of October, complete with spooky interactive protest songs brings the three-day event to an displays. end on Sunday the 10th... For more informa- The family-run farm has been popular with tion, visit warwickartscentre.co.uk

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First Word

Choc-tastic event returns to Warwick The fifth annual Warwick Chocolate Festival takes place on 6 October. The popular show this year includes around 40 stalls, a street food area featuring vendors such as Beki’s Brownies, Wicked Cookies and Flying Cows, a range of children’s entertainment and all manner of chocolate prod- ucts to sample and buy, from artisan chocolate and dipping chocolate to chocolate cake and even chocolate beer! For more information, visit sketts.co.uk

A Moroccan festive feast at Birmingham’s NEC Birmingham’s NEC is hosting ‘the ultimate show, indoor fairground rides, casino tables and Christmas party experience’ this festive season. fairground stalls. Moroccan Fire Nights fuses ‘incredible entertain- The parties take place from 30 November to 22 ment with a delicious festive feast and a spectac- December. ularly themed environment’. For more information and to book tickets, visit A tale of twin Late-night highlights include an ‘epic’ stage birminghamchristmasparties.com cities at the Albany Theatre Coventry’s Albany Theatre is Warwickshire A celebration of mind, body and spirit this month marking the city’s proves a hit Birmingham’s Mind Body Spirit Wellbeing Festival is back next month. 75 years of friendship with its on Instagram Featuring motivational speakers, musicians, artists and performers from across the globe, the event showcases exhibitors, therapies, Russian twin, Volgograd, by Tourist hotspots in wellbeing & health products, organic food and holistic retreats. Free presenting a special produc- Warwickshire are bring- experiences at the festival include the Live Stage, the Wellbeing Studio, tion. The venue’s celebration ing a new generation of a pop-up temple, ceremony space, silent disco, wellbeing spa and a features performances of visitors to the region - sanctuary of peace & calm. Russian folk and ballet by after being featured in a The event runs at Birmingham’s NEC from 1 to 3 November. For more children’s dance company list of the most insta- information and to purchase tickets, visit Volzhanochka. The show grammable historic birmingham.mindbodyspirit.co.uk takes place on the afternoon towns in the UK. of Sunday 27 October. Following research by For more information and to HometoGo - the world’s purchase tickets, visit al- largest holiday rental banytheatre.co.uk search engine - Warwick and Stratford-upon-Avon have both made it into the top-25 list, with Warwick coming in at number 19 and Stratford at 24. To find out more about the county, visit shake- speares-england.co.uk

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First Word

Leamington Dinosaurs sent to Coventry music venue Two corten steel dinosaurs, each measuring reopens... more than eight metres in length and towering up to seven metres in height, take pride of Leamington Assembly has place in a brand new art & history trail at the reopened following a shock University of Warwick this month. closure in the summer. The dinosaurs are the creations of Jake and The much-loved music venue Dinos Chapman, who specialise in producing shut its doors in June, with its artwork which is designed to challenge ideas then-owners citing rent issues about past and present society and values. and urgent repairs as the In addition to the dinosaurs, the trail also reasons for the closure. incorporates a number of new and existing Now with new owners at the sculptures from the University of Warwick Art helm, the one-time dance hall Collection. and ballroom has reopened and, according to its Facebook page, is ‘ready to create new Steam In Lights at Severn Valley Big Picture Festival memories’. The Severn Valley Railway is this Christmas inviting people to join in Warwick Chatting with a ‘spectacular illuminated adventure’. A new film festival is being Debuting on 29 November, Steam In Lights is a ‘dazzling, 90- launched at Warwick School’s The Mob... minute extravaganza featuring magical creatures, sparkling lights, Bridge House Theatre next month. The 20th anniversary of hit TV snowfall and excitement’. Taking place on Saturday 23 & series The Sopranos will be “This is set to be a truly spectacular experience,” says Lewis Mad- Sunday 24 November, The Big celebrated next year when dox, the railway’s events co-ordinator: “We’ve never done anything Picture Festival will present main- three of the seminal show’s like it before and are extremely excited to offer it to our passengers stream, independent, family and biggest characters take to the this Christmas. This absorbing, interactive experience is an unfor- classic movies. road and stop off in Birming- gettable way to see the railway in a whole new light.” Other activities will also feature ham. Steven Schirripa (Bobby For more information and to book tickets, visit svr.co.uk across the weekend, with street ‘Bacala’), Michael Imperioli food available for filmgoers who (Christopher Moltisanti) and work up an appetite. Vincent Pastore (‘Big Pussy’ Bonpensiero) visit the city’s Laughs aplenty in Symphony Hall on 24 May. The star trio will take fans behind Leamington Spa the scenes of the legendary gangster drama, which was recently ranked by Rolling Stone as the greatest TV show of all time... Snow House Bar at the Bullring Zen den reopens at Resorts World After enjoying a Christmas Resorts World Birmingham has created a dedicated space for cracker of a festive season last visitors to reflect and relax away from everyday life. year, Snow House Bar is The Zen Zone is open daily between 11am and 6pm and will host making a welcome return to weekly yoga and morning meditation classes. Birmingham’s Bullring this The space was originally designed as a pop-up during Mental Leamington Spa Comedy Festival month, complete with its Health Awareness Week back in May. makes a welcome return this super-popular VIP igloos. For more information, visit resortsworldbirmingham.co.uk month. Providing an impressive selec- Taking place at the town’s Royal tion of beers and wines, mulled Spa Centre from Sunday 6 to Satur- wine and hot chocolate, the day 12 October, the 2019 edition of venue will also be serving the event features, among others, German sausages and churros Count Arthur Strong (pictured), from early November onwards. Justin Moorhouse, Lost Voice Guy Snow House Bar reopens on 19 and local lad Gary Delaney. October and shuts up shop Check out the full festival line-up again on 5 January. at leamingtoncomedy.com 8 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Warwickshire_Worc Davina October.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2019 17:27 Page 4 A Museum in Baghdad.qxp_Layout 1 19/09/2019 16:04 Page 1

A MUSEUM IN BAGHDAD

A new RSC co-commission exploring the subjects of nationhood and Arab heritage in Iraq, opens in Stratford-upon-Avon this month. The play’s director, Erica Whyman, explains more...

“The play asks why should we care about play, A Museum In Baghdad, which opens at “The play is set in 1926 and 2006 in the artefacts and goddesses carved out of stone the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon this museum of Baghdad,” explains Erica, who’s when people are dying outside the door...” month. directing the production. “Gertrude had a very serious involvement in the founding of Erica Whyman, the Deputy Artistic Director at The play focuses on a real museum which was Iraq after the First World War. She dedicated the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), is founded in the Iraqi capital in 1926 by British her life to this museum and protecting the talking about Hannah Khalil’s brand new archeologist Gertrude Bell.

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by Lauren Cole

antiquities of this new country Iraq, as she since 1926. This sparked this inventive play out the British slave-owners. I think what all wanted the country to have a real grasp on its that moves between the two time periods and three plays do is ask very searching and own extraordinary past. We designed Iraq also puts on stage - in Arabic and English - emotional questions about power and respon- under a British lens in 1926, as the decision to these rather poetic moments called choruses, sibility. In a way, I think the season is as place a king on the throne is very quintessen- where the whole company speak about some- much about what it is to be British. I didn’t tially British for the time... thing that’s older than both these time want us to be doing lots of Brexit plays, but I periods: the deeper history of Iraq.” think asking what Britain’s place is in the “In 2006, times in Baghdad are equally as world, and where our hands are dirtier than turbulent, with the allied invasion of the city A Museum In Baghdad explores how stories we are prepared to admit, is very important at leaving the museum looted. There are two told through objects can bring hope... the moment. female archeologists battling about what the “It’s only by telling stories that humanity can future for Iraq and the museum might look “I certainly didn’t grow up understanding recover from all the terrible things that have like. The challenges in both these times are that in a relatively recent history - 1926 isn’t happened, moving forwards with a new way somewhat similar: there’s violence outside long ago in the grand scheme of things - we of thinking about themselves and their the doors, uncertainty for Iraq’s future, and were still claiming countries for our own and heritage. Through the objects, we can see also an immense amount of hope that this growing our empire. Neither was I taught in ourselves, challenging our own assumptions. museum can be an emblem of a confident, school that the first recorded civilisation was For example, I think the idea that things will unified nation upon which a new future for in Mesopotamia and China, rather than never get better in the Middle East is some- Iraq can be built.” history starting in Greece and leaping forward thing that we need to challenge because it has to the Roman invasion of England. This play While Khalil’s play presents the character of a long history of being a place of great imagi- challenges the West’s version of history as Gertrude Bell in a sympathetic light, making nation, progress and freedom. I think with A Britain tries to work out what its role is in the clear her good intentions, it also acknowl- Museum In Baghdad we’re really trying to world. Thinking we have the power to fix edges that the archeologist’s perspectives open people’s horizons to the deep, wondrous things and create nations because we are were influenced by Britain’s colonial hubris. cultural history of the Middle East, such as some great civilising force was a very danger- the discovery of evidence of matriarchies, “A Museum In Baghdad does honour ous attitude. It’s worth thinking about that which goes against all the West’s assump- Gertrude’s contribution to Iraq,” says Erica. aspect of our legacy as we embark on a new tions. We hope audiences leave with an “She spoke fluent Arabic, in many different chapter of British history.” understanding that the people of Iraq have dialects, and Persian, as we might call it suffered time and again, for which Britain today. She was very influential in the shaping bears much responsibility. This play is of British thinking about Iraq. I think the play exciting, witty and a really tough truth.” paints a balanced picture of Gertrude. While A Museum In Baghdad shows at the Swan she had a passionate love affair with the Arab And how does A Museum In Baghdad Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, from Friday world and its people, she was ultimately a resonate with events in the Middle East since 11 October to Saturday 25 January. product of her time and participated in a 2006? colonial operation to seize control of Baghdad “At least one of the characters can feel that in and what we decided was called Iraq. The the future things are going to get worse. It play questions what were essentially colonial draws a dark inspiration from events that instincts about the need for the British in happened across the region, including the Iraq. It considers whether the British as a appalling execution of the Head of Antiquities whole actually believed in Arab indepen- of the ancient city of Palmyra, Khaled dence, or whether they were motivated by oil, El-Asaad, by ISIS in 2015. I think there’s a having a power base between India and suggestion in the play that to be the director Turkey and a profound belief that British of the museum in Baghdad is a very risky civilising forces were good in the world. thing to do, especially as the region is set to In our creation of Iraq, we certainly had become even more divided by sectarian something in common with the American violence. To care about archeological objects idealisation of invasion. These are attitudes is seen as somewhat heretical and not in that we should find very uncomfortable now.” accordance with an extreme interpretation of A Museum In Baghdad is a co-commission Islam. So the play signposts the fact that this from the RSC and the Royal Lyceum Theatre, is a country and region that is going to face Edinburgh: “The spark came from Hannah another cycle of terrible violence in the Khalil, the writer. She had been talking to years following 2006.” David Clegg at the Lyceum about wanting to Erica is responsible for the Swan write a play about Gertrude. Hannah is Pales- Theatre’s upcoming season: “We’re tinian and Irish in her heritage, and this is doing Shakespeare’s King John in evident in her previous work exploring places rep with A Museum In Baghdad, of conflict or the Arab world through a Euro- and then later adding in The pean lense. David encouraged Hannah to Whip by Juliet Gilkes Romero, think about how to get the story of Gertrude which is about the moment we Bell into that area that really fascinated her, abolished slavery and bailed and also to consider what’s happened in Iraq

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10 REASONS TO VISIT COMPTON VERNEY ART GALLERY & PARK Located in the South Warwickshire countryside, Compton Verney is a great place to revel in nature, broaden your cultural horizons, unleash your creativity, or simply treat yourself to a relaxing day out. Although only a stone’s throw from Warwick and Stratford-upon-Avon, and an easy drive from Birmingham and Coventry, the venue feels a world away from hoards of tourists and the bustle of city life. The art and exhibitions on show are among the best in the country, while there’s also plenty to keep the kids entertained for hours on end - and at reasonable prices too! Find out below why Compton Verney should be the next place you visit…

Magnum Whether you’re into history, Manifesto photography or are just fascinated by people and Possibly one of the most humanity, the images on show important exhibitions you’ll will move, educate, inspire and see this year (Compton Verney empower you. is its only UK tour venue), this Compton Verney is also giving showcase of work by the you the chance to have your world’s greatest photographers photography featured in its captures the most significant galleries as part of a related events of the last 70 years, from display, allowing everybody to the Second World War to the contribute a snapshot of the fall of the Berlin Wall. world. Opens 11 October.

Leonard Freed, Martin Luther King, Baltimore, Maryland, USA 1964 © Leonard Freed /Magnum Photos Make a mud pie popular, particularly in the holidays when it’s open to For younger visitors, the Forest older kids too. School (Thursdays during term There’s also a great adventure Ancient Chinese A free tour by a tremendously time, 12.30pm - 2.30pm) is playground, a pond-dipping knowledgeable ‘gallery bronzes and usually the highlight of their platform, a bird hide and interpreter’ will bring the portraits of visit. It’s a chance to play, to get sandpits to play in, meaning impressive collections to life. royalty muddy, to make and build you can spend the whole day things and to make new friends. there without getting bored. Among Compton Verney’s The Forest School is hugely many attractions are Chinese bronzes that are thousands of years old, the largest collection Inspired by a fascinating of British folk art in the UK, The Women’s history, the library’s book- portraits of Tudor royals and Library shelves change every year when masterpieces by Canaletto and guest curators are invited to other artists from the ‘golden If you’re looking for your next choose a selection of books that age’ of Neapolitan art. good read, get some ideas from this beautiful library. are special to them.

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ARTfernoon tea afternoon tea. Served in a beautiful room with views While you can pop into the café across the gardens, it really for fantastic cakes and turns a visit into a special delicious hot meals, it’s well occasion. worth booking in advance for

Learn a new skill and fauna, keep an eye on Compton Verney’s fantastic If you’ve ever fancied having a programme of workshops, go at botanical illustration, talks and events, all of which turning your hand to whittling change seasonally. or learning about native flora

Shopping with And you can shop with a clear incredible views (after all, it’s conscience too, knowing that what the original landscape With autumn upon us, the purpose all the money you spend goes designer, Lancelot ‘Capability’ landscape at Compton Verney straight back to charity to Brown, was famous for!). Start - and finish! - your is transforming before our very support emerging artists, the Walking through the grounds Christmas shopping here! eyes. site’s restoration and arts feels like taking a trip around Compton Verney’s got a great With a range of walks education for local children. the world, with Redwood selection of products to available, from short strolls on Check out the Textiles Fair (16 & Sequoias as big as you’d find in purchase, from quirky gifts and paved pathways to longer 17 November) for handmade California and Cedars of beautiful cards to coffee-table jaunts through meadows, the products direct from the artists Lebanon dating back to the books and unique homewares huge site boasts some and handbags. who created them. 18th century.

Brand new art and on the work of Israeli artist Ariel Schlesinger. half-term fun Ariel has designed a special Well known for supporting half-term programme featuring artists and commissioning new games and activities designed creations, Compton Verney is to challenge your creativity and this autumn shining a spotlight imagination.

Great value for money Compton Verney’s Annual Pass is exceptionally good value for money. A £33 Family Annual Pass gives unlimited entry for two adults and four children to everything except exhibitions for a whole year.

Visit comptonverney.org.uk to find out more about upcoming exhibitions, events and activities, and to plan your visit. But hurry, the venue closes for winter on 15 December, and does so with a bang - a fabulous firework finale to say goodbye to 2019! whatsonlive.co.uk 13 Classical October Warwickshire.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2019 18:20 Page 1

Friday 11 October Saturday 12 October 16+ CROONERS HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES Rip roaring new comedy music show with Join Sherlock and Dr Watson on this the 9-piece ‘Mini Big Band’ live on stage entertaining hit farce - 2 shows

Wednesday 30 October Friday 1 & Saturday 2 November THE WIZARD OF OZ THE SCARECROWS' WEDDING Another sparkling show from Ballet 3 performance of this classic family Theatre UK - 2 Shows tale by Scamp Theatre

Tuesday 5 November Tuesday 12 November WITTY DITTIES WITH SHACKLETON'S CARPENTER GREEN & MATTHEWS One-man drama show about the story of A fun and fast-moving matinee revue Ernest Shackleton's ship Endurance

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Classical

Tarnhelm Opera: Das Rheingold Worcester Cathedral, Fri 25 October Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold) was writ- ten 150 years ago by Richard Wagner and is the prelude to his gargantuan cycle of Ring operas. Composed across a period of approxi- mately 26 years, from 1848 to 1874, the Ring Cycle relates a fantastical tale about the ongoing struggle across three genera- tions to harness the magical power of the eponymous Ring, which grants its owner domination over the entire world. Telling the story of three daughters who keep watch over a priceless treasure be- neath the waters of the river Rhine, Das Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra Rheingold is here performed by brand Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 12 October new company Tarnhelm Opera. Having been the orchestra which premiered denounced five years earlier - for a second Dmitri Shostakovich's fourth and 13th sym- time in his career - after failing to tow the CBSO: Bruch’s Violin phonies, the Moscow Philharmonic here party line when it came to the kind of music Concerto turns its attention to the composer’s 10th - a he was producing. work widely considered to be one of the Also featuring in the evening’s programme Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Thurs 24 October 20th century’s greatest pieces of music. is Tchaikovsky’s Romeo And Juliet and Premiered after the death of Stalin and Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No2, for Rising star Simone Lamsma (pictured) widely thought to feature a musical portrait which legend-in-his-own-lifetime John Lill here joins the City of Birmingham of him, the symphony marked a new begin- will be taking to the stage. Symphony Orchestra to play what’s often ning for Shostakovich, who had been referred to as the world’s best-loved violin concerto. “Instead of being a violinist, I hope I am a The Gesualdo Six Navarra String Quartet musician,” says Simone. “It’s different. St Mary’s Church, Warwick, Tues 8 October Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 11 October It’s not about playing the violin well, it’s This first of the monthly concerts in the about communicating through music. Early Music At St Mary’s season sees half a I feel a violinist’s sound is a reflection of dozen of the UK’s finest young consort their soul; it’s very personal.” singers presenting a programme which, to The concert programme also features quote the Six’s publicity, ‘explores cross- Wagner’s The Mastersingers Of Nurem- currents in sacred renaissance polyphony’. berg: Overture and Bruckner’s Symphony The group is led by composer and organist No4. Owain Parks and has come a very long way in a relatively short time. “We first came together in 2014 to explore Gesualdo’s Tenebrae Responsories for Maundy Thursday,” recalls Owain. “We had such an enjoyable time, and found out just A Grancino cello made in Milan in 1698 is how much we enjoyed rehearsing and per- included in the splendid collection of in- forming together. We haven’t looked back struments with which Navarra make their since!” dynamic, poetic and internationally ac- claimed sound. Playing Artrix for a third time, the Quartet perform a programme comprising Peteris Vasks’ String Quartet No4, Janacek’s String Quartet No1 - The Kreutzer Sonata - and Schubert’s String Quartet in D minor, Death And The Maiden.

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Gigs

Luke Daniels Artrix Arts Centre, Bromsgrove, Fri 4 October Award-winning folk musician and former Riverdance band member Luke Daniels has performed with some great names (Ian An- derson of Jethro Tull, Cara Dillon and De Dannan, to name but three) and in some fantastic venues, including the Royal Festival Hall with the London Philharmonic Orches- tra. He was also a soloist on the Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit soundtracks. An outstanding vocalist and instrumental virtuoso on guitar, piano and button accor- dion, Luke has recorded four acclaimed solo albums. His fifth offering, Old Friends & Exhausted Enemies, is set to be released on the 4th of this month.

Ben Somers String Band Somers’ multitude of influences being brought together to form a unique sound. The Tin Music & Arts, Coventry, Playing bluegrass, old time and modern Tues 22 October acoustic music, Ben has worked with the Ben Somers String Band’s autumn tour is likes of Seal, Taylor Swift, Imelda May and being marketed as ‘a passionate, deep and Dizzee Rascal, to name but a few. Gary Numan individual musical offering’ that sees Coventry Empire, Tues 15 October; 02 Institute, Birmingham, Sat 19 October Turin Brakes Granny’s Attic London punk Gary Numan’s early adoption of synthesizers saw his commercial Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 4 October Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, Sat 19 October popularity peak in the late 1970s and early With seven top-40 singles, six top-40 Formed in 2009 by Cohen Braithwaite-Kil- 1980s. albums and more than one million world- coyne, George Sansome and Lewis Wood Best known for number one singles Are wide sales to their name, London indie four- while they were still students at secondary Friends Electric (Tubeway Army) and Cars, piece Turin Brakes this month visit Coventry school, Granny’s Attic play both original Numan is this month celebrating 40 years of with their first full stripped-back acoustic music and traditional English folk. touring by once again hitting the road. show since 2002. Support comes from To celebrate their 10th anniversary, they’ve singer-songwriter Kevin Pearce. released a new album and are returning to Worcester to play this special one-off home- town gig. Boyzone Resorts World Arena, Birmingham, Tues 15 October After six UK number one singles, five UK number one albums, 25 years together and the success of last year’s sell-out Thank You & Goodnight tour, Keith Duffy, Ronan Keat- ing, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch visit Birmingham on their Final Five tour. "We really can’t put into words just how much you, the fans, have supported us along the way. Without that support, we would never have achieved what we have, and for that we’re eternally grateful."

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Dance previews from around the region Dance

Dada Masilo: Giselle Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 15 - Wed 16 October “My reason for revisiting classical ballets is to deal with issues that are relevant today,” says internationally renowned South African dancer & choreographer Dada Masilo. “These ballets deal with power struggles, war, greed, domestic violence, rape - these are things which I see every day.” Dada visits Birmingham with an updated version of Giselle, a surreal ballet premiered in 1841 which tells the story of a girl who kills herself when she finds out that her suitor, Loys, has kept his true identity from her. Loys and another suitor, Hilarion, visit Giselle's unconse- crated grave, where they find themselves in all manner of trouble with the Wilis - ghosts, traditionally, of women who have been jilted by their lovers. In Dada’s version, however, the Wilis are both female and male. “I wanted to alter the concept that only women are victims,” she explains. “Men also get heart-broken. I feel that in ballet the man’s role is basically to lift and support the woman. I think it’s time we found gender equality in dance.”

Doris Uhlich: Every Body Electric Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Fri 18 October “Every human being is thrown into the world with- out asking to be, and has/is a perfect or disabled body,” explains Doris Uhlich. “Should one despair or react? The naked bodies in Every Body Electric react, each appearing with their own unique individuality, each with their own stories, their own energy, their own experiences and their own memory, digging within a sort of ‘futuristic archaeology’. “Not just bodies are dancing but wheelchairs and crutches as well. Every limit is overcome.” The show contains full nudity.

Rambert2: Mixed Bill Patrick Studio, Birming- ham Hippodrome, Wed 30 Ockham’s Razor: & Thurs 31 October This Time Rambert2’s current en- Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, semble of talented young Wed 30 & Thurs 31 October dancers (performers are Contemplating the various types of strength drawn from across the accessed and displayed by people at different globe on an annual basis) periods of their life, This Time features a cast here present their latest ranging in age from 13 to 60. The show sees creations - works of dance highly acclaimed aerial theatre company designed not only to Ockham’s Razor once again combining circus showcase the artists’ and physical theatre with narrative story- technical virtuosity but telling and a lively soundtrack. also their ‘raw energy’ The show visits Coventry having won the and ‘fearless spirit’. company plenty of new fans at the Edinburgh Festival a couple of months back.

whatsonlive.co.uk 19 Dada Masilo's Giselle online.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2019 14:52 Page 1

A LOVE AFFAIR WITH DANCE

Internationally renowned South African choreographer and dancer Dada Masilo is this month bringing a fearless reimagining of a classical ballet to Birmingham... Dada Masilo's Giselle online.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2019 14:52 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

Dada Masilo’s previous reimaginings of To account for this change to the title each country: “When we do Giselle at home, classical ballets have been extremely character, there’s been an important narrative they understand the cultures and traditions successful worldwide and often turn racial alteration: “I haven’t really changed the featured in the work more. While I always and gender stereotypes on their head, narrative other than the ending - my Giselle perform my works in South Africa first tackling topics including homosexuality, doesn’t forgive Albrecht. I want the audience because my roots are there, it’s also very HIV/AIDS and arranged marriages. This time, to see a reinterpretation of Giselle, but important to try my work out on home soil to she’s turned her hand to Giselle, the iconic certainly not to alienate the audience by get feedback on the narrative. Then I can take ballet of love, rejection and vengeful spirits. completely changing the story they already it outside knowing that people from other Setting her version in rural South Africa, know. I think contemporary dance sometimes countries, with different cultures and Dada promises a mesmerising fusion of becomes a little too abstract, so I wanted to traditions, are going to understand. That’s contemporary genres, classical ballet and make sure the audience still understood the part of making sure that the narrative is traditional Tswana dance. story as that of Giselle but just slightly clear.” different. I always want my works to make “Giselle is fun, dangerous, sad and Dada’s long love affair with dance has people ‘feel’, whether that’s joy, pain, energetic,” says Dada. “It’s simply 14 dancers certainly brought her plenty of success, humour, love. I want people to walk out of the on stage showing their raw passion for their including the Next Generation Prince Claus theatre having been taken through so many craft and telling a fantastic story. If you want Laureate award in 2018 for outstanding emotions. With Giselle, I’ve set myself the to be taken on an emotional journey, then you creative initiative that has a positive impact challenge of improving my storytelling definitely shouldn’t miss it when it comes to on young people. Nevertheless, her further.” Birmingham. relationship with dance continues to evolve: And what else does Giselle have to say about “I’ve been dancing since I was 12. It’s my “I wanted to do Giselle because even though women in the world? passion. Being able to combine the thing that its never been my favourite ballet, I’m always gives me strength with the aim of empowering intrigued by the second act, particularly the “I’m tackling issues of culture and tradition others is a great opportunity. Through my Wilis. The Wilis are these very vicious, from South Africa. For example, there’s a career I’ve learnt a lot about myself as a dangerous female spirits who kill. In Giselle scene with Giselle and her mother, where her woman and a dancer. In the beginning, I just you don’t always see this side to the ballet; mother takes off her top and begins to sweep wanted to be a powerful dancer, but as I’ve with all the focus on purity and the white her breasts. This is a cultural ritual that got older I’ve found my softness and more costumes, the violence isn’t as visible. I really happens to girls when they reach puberty and visceral parts. I’m now very much about wanted to see how vicious I could make this tries to reverse the process by flattening the wanting to emote in my dance and finding the story - not just for the sake of it, but to really breasts, which is quite an abusive act. The subtleties of feeling within the strength. challenge myself and the dancers. I think this fact that it’s still happening now is something When I was younger, I was constantly dangerous side of Giselle was something I I find very disturbing. Also, there are many pushing myself beyond my own boundaries, really wanted to tackle, but also a lot of the traditional healers in South Africa who can trying different techniques. But as you get time with ballets, the action just focuses on use their power for good or evil. Myrtha, who older, the body changes and you have to do the character or characters in the title role. I leads the Wilis, very much uses hers for evil things in a different way. My dance couldn’t really wanted to zoom in on the other in Giselle. Seeing as the second act of Giselle just be physical anymore, so I had to find characters in the ballet too, such as Hilarion does focus on spirits, I’ve tried to incorporate other qualities within myself and my dance.” and Albrecht, to make it more of a three how South African healers will spill bones dimensional story.” and use a fly whisk to tell you your fate.” And that relationship could change again in the future… The title role is taken by Dada herself. Giselle As well as the choreography and themes will be a different character to the one taking inspiration from its South African “I’m currently working on a piece called The traditionally seen in the ballet: “I think setting, Giselle is also accompanied by a score Sacrifice, which is inspired by Igor mainly because my version of Giselle is set in by South African composer Philip Miller. Stravinsky's ballet, The Rite Of Spring, and is rural South Africa, I definitely wanted to tap still very dance-focused. I didn’t think I would “Of course, my very conscious decision to set into those cultures and traditions be dancing so much at my age, but I think the work in rural South Africa meant that it surrounding women - what’s done to women that eventually I will want to go more into made complete sense for the music to reflect and what ‘s expected of them. I also wanted performance art. I’ll see. It all depends on my that. I’d also experienced Philip’s music on to create a character who, in the first act, was body and how much I can do physically. At another project. Giselle is the first time I’ve innocent, loving, carefree, and then is the the moment I’m still loving to dance, but worked with a composer, so in the beginning complete opposite to the usual Giselle in the further down the line I’d like to try out it was very tricky. First, I asked Philip to second: strong, empowered and definitely not something a little different.” reference the original score, but at the same a victim. I think we often view women in time bringing in the African sounds of ballets as fragile and always in need of a man percussion, voice and rhythm. So he took the to take care of them, so I wanted to break that different themes from the classical ballet stereotype. I want to let myself and other Dada Masilo’s Giselle shows at music and fitted it with African sound. Once women know that it’s okay to be a strong Birmingham Hippodrome on Tuesday 15 we had that basis and listened to Adolphe woman and not conform to what society tells & Wednesday 16 October. Adam’s original score together, we were able you. For me, at the age of 34, I’ve reached the to create a dialogue between the two of us.” point where I want to be assertive. I want to empower myself and also other women. That Giselle has already been seen in Vienna, Paris was really important for me when I was and New York - to name but three of its stop- thinking about Giselle.” offs - and the reception to it has differed in Rachel Burns.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2019 17:17 Page 1

I started a joke... Rachel Burns gives a lesson in comedy...

20 whatsonlive.co.uk Rachel Burns.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2019 17:17 Page 2

When Birmingham primary school teacher Rachel Burns posted a witty comment during the BBC's Glastonbury coverage back in 2017, she never imagined her tweet about The Bee Gees’ Barry Gibb would throw her into a global spotlight. The story of how she went viral is now the subject of Rachel’s first one-woman show, I Started A Joke, which debuts at Birmingham Comedy Festival this month.

So what happened back in 2017, Rachel? world, and people sent me links to articles You’re premiering the show at Birming- How did the Twitter-storm unfold? published in the USA, Germany, Australia, ham Comedy Festival. Are you nervous? I was watching Barry Gibb’s Glastonbury set New Zealand and South Africa. Of course I'm nervous, but also excited and on TV. He'd played all the Bee Gees classics, Some of the Tweets were quite negative - really chuffed that I've got this opportunity to including How Deep Is Your Love and Words. how did you cope with those? Did they tell my ridiculous story. When he started Tragedy, I did something concern you? What led you to stand-up comedy? that I do quite a lot: I told a stupid joke on Yes, some were a bit rude, calling me things Twitter. I said it was a shame that Barry Gibb Peer pressure, I guess! I've always been a bit like 'fool' and 'idiot'. I just kept my cool and didn't have more of his own material - first he of a joker but never really thought of taking it batted them away with some witty ripostes. covered Take That, then Boyzone, now Steps! to the stage. After the Barry Gibb tweet, lots There's no point getting aggressive with peo- I had a few people like it, and a friend said, of people suggested I should do stand-up. My ple who are rude to you. They didn't bother ‘Wonder how many biters you'll get?’ Well, friend Rachel Sambrooks is a pro-comedian me - I didn't feel attacked or threatened. before long, the 'biters' arrived, telling me and she recommended James Cook's comedy What I experienced was extremely mild com- that actually Barry Gibb wrote the songs and course. pared to some of the bullying and threats I've other people covered them. One of them was seen other people suffer on Twitter. It can be Who are your comedy influences? Who do particularly persistent and wouldn't let go. a horrible place but fortunately I had a posi- you admire? Even after I told her it was a joke, she kept on tive experience. telling me it wasn't a joke and asked why I Too many to list! My dad has a very dry sense of humour and I definitely think that's would say anything so silly. It then started to Any idea if Barry picked up on it? rubbed off on me. As a kid, I loved Monty gather more momentum as people liked and Yes! About a week after Glastonbury he was retweeted the joke. But as the joke spread, Python, The Young Ones and The Comic interviewed on Good Morning Britain and Strip. I enjoyed sketch shows like French & more people replied to me, educating me in Richard Arnold asked him about the tweet. the life and works of Barry Gibb. Some were Saunders, Fry & Laurie and later Big Train I'm not going to give away any show spoilers, and The Fast Show. As for stand-ups, I'd say very gracious and apologised for misconstru- though! ing the tweet once I pointed out it was a joke. my current top three are Sarah Millican, Joe One guy in particular was lovely - he went What do The Bee Gees mean to you? Lycett and Mr Millican - Gary Delaney. Milli- can and Lycett are brilliant at working the from 'mansplaining' to being utterly charm- Big hair, high voices and disco classics! I crowd, and their observations are very relat- ing and telling us a hilarious story that in- grew up in the ’70s and ’80s, so tracks from able. Delaney's delivery and pace are second volved a drunken bet with a soap actor. Saturday Night Fever were staples at school to none. To be able to punch out one-liners discos and parties. Obviously they've got a But it didn’t stop there, did it? like that is a real talent. much broader range than disco bangers, but Someone mentioned it to David Baddiel and that's what I remember most about them Do you plan to take your show elsewhere he retweeted it, followed by other comedians when I was growing up. after Birmingham? like Dom Joly and Dara Ó Briain. That was when it started to get really silly. I'd made a Which are your favourite Bee Gees songs? I'd love to take it elsewhere and bring the story to a wider audience - maybe even take it daft joke, people didn't get it, and I was I love Stayin' Alive, Islands In The Stream to Glastonbury, where it all started! being mentioned by comedy legends! Then (the Kenny and Dolly version) and Tragedy. the story was covered by media websites. The My husband is a big fan of You Win Again, Guardian, the BBC, The Poke and the NME all which he got played on Shaun Keaveny's ran stories about the Twitter farce that I had Breakfast Show on BBC 6 Music the day after created. It also got mentioned on The Last the whole debacle. Rachel Burns: I Started A Joke is pre- Leg, and David Baddiel and Richard Herring sented at The Victoria, Birmingham, on talked about it in Richard's Leicester Square How do you turn a brief Tweet into an Sunday 6 October (at 1.15pm) as part of Theatre podcast. hour-long show? Birmingham Comedy Festival’s first Free It's all about the replies! The thread has over Half-Dayer. For more information, see How far did the story spread? 1,500 replies from all sorts of people and it at- bhamcomfest.co.uk It went global! I had replies from all over the tracted a lot of media attention.

whatsonlive.co.uk 21 Comedy October.qxp_Layout 1 19/09/2019 09:04 Page 1

Comedy

Matt Parker Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Tues 8 October; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 12 October; The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues 15 October; The REP, Birmingham, 26 October; Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Fri 15 November Matt Parker’s unique stand-up shows find him exploring and explaining all things mathematical, from debunking number nonsense and flagrant sudoku abuse to the mysterious patterns in the locations of ancient monuments... and defunct Wool- worths stores! Sell-out shows at the Edin- burgh Festival Fringe, the Melbourne Comedy Festival and in London's West End bear testimony to the quality of his num- bers-driven comedy. If you love maths, Impractical Jokers Arena Birmingham, Fri 11 October you’ll love Matt. If you don’t, just ignore the High school buddies Joseph Gatto, James the show having aired since 2015, the fellas maths and concentrate on the comedy! Murray, Brian Quinn and Salvatore Vulcano have plenty of material around which to stepped into the world of comedy at the end develop a successful live offering. of the 20th century when they formed live But don’t expect anything too sophisticated improv troupe The Tenderloins. from the quartet when they perform in Over a decade later, the boys became the Birmingham. Pulling pranks live on stage in stars of TV’s Impractical Jokers, a reality the confines of a venue really isn’t an series in which they coerce one another option, so instead they play clips, tell jokes into doing public pranks while being filmed and revel in a friendship that’s seen them by hidden cameras. With multiple series of grow a loyal and devoted cult following.

Josh Widdicombe Birmingham Hippodrome, Sun 13 October; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Mon 14 Octo- ber; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Thurs 7 Amy Vreeke November Artefact, Birmingham, Fri 11 October Peddling a nice line in exasperated, self- deprecating humour when performing live, The story of a grim 12-year struggle to be Devon-raised funnyman Josh Widdicombe correctly diagnosed with what turned out to pumps out his cleverly crafted gags at a be endometriosis lies at the heart of Amy brisk pace, hitting the mark with the vast Vreeke’s touring show, The Year My Vagina majority of his observational material. Tried To Kill Me. Widdicombe jokes include: “Hotdogs cause But the subject matter isn’t to everyone’s bum cancer - that was the original slogan taste: “There are for McDonald's before ‘I'm loving it’.” James Phelan people who are like, ‘Nobody Josh visits the Midlands with his new tour- The Old Rep, Birmingham, Sun 20 October ing show, Bit Much... cares about your James Phelan’s new show, Troublemaker, is vagina,’” says being publicised as ‘a mind-blowing roller- Amy. “And I’m coaster filled with mystery and hilarity’. like, ‘Well, you And with several million video views under don’t care and his belt and an ever-growing reputation as that’s fine. Just one of the most talented magicians of his go watch another generation, there’s every chance James will comedian.’” absolutely live up to the pre-show hype. So who does Amy The nephew of the late Paul Daniels, think is most likely to Phelan blends magic with humour to excel- enjoy her show? lent effect, as his famous uncle once admit- “People who like laughing and ted: “You’re funny, you look good, all your fannies - they should definitely tricks work. If you were anyone else, I’d come and see it.” hate you!” 22 whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy October.qxp_Layout 1 19/09/2019 09:05 Page 2

Russell Kane Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Thurs 24 October This man's official publicity blurb once read: "Strap in for some super-speed sunderings and inconvenient sociology in an hour of self-soiling merriment that will leave you with rickets." The message, in short, was that Russell Kane is a very funny man - and it isn’t just his publicist who thinks so. Kane’s been drawing a crowd since bursting onto the scene back in 2004, serving up liberal doses of humour in an act which features some considerably weighty and thought-provoking material. Jokes include: “On a date, you want to present yourself warts and all. Well, maybe not Ed Byrne warts - 'Ooh, you want to Palace Theatre, Redditch, Wed 9 October; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Mon 28 October; Lichfield Garrick, Tues 29 & Wed 30 October put some liquid nitrogen A highly regarded master of observational So 20-plus years after first dipping his toes on that big one. comedy, Ed Byrne admits to being a little into the decidedly dangerous waters of Either that or a uncomfortable about some of the ‘more lad- standup, does Ed still enjoy touring? hat.'” dish’ material he used in the early days of his “Apart from the travel involved, which no standup career. comic likes, I love it. You have people “My comedy reflected my life at that time - responding to something that you’ve written single and enjoying myself. Most of it was alone in your office, and the work comes fairly harmless, but some of the stuff about alive in a roomful of people. I like the TV an ex-girlfriend I can see was a bit angry, and things I do, but nothing can beat a live I wouldn't do it now.” comedy audience.” Jimeoin Palace Theatre, Redditch, Thurs 17 October; Daliso Chaponda Dudley Town Hall, Fri 18 October; Malvern Artrix, Bromsgrove, Wed 9 October; Warwick Theatres, Fri 25 October; The Place, Telford, Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 12 October; The Tues 29 October Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton, Fri 1 November Fancy a straightforward comedy night with Malawian Daliso Chaponda has blended the a straight-talking - well, actually, a bit of a slick North American style of comedy he rambling - comedian? If so, then the learned while working in Canada with a real sublime Jimeoin is the man talent for brevity, ensuring that his gags, for you. A gimmick-free although not one-liners, nonetheless come one-man comedy machine, thick and fast. Jimeoin's proved he's got Like all good comedians, he can adapt his act what it takes on all to suit his audience - on a previous trip to the manner of top TV Midlands, he performed a filthy set in Birming- shows, including ham’s Silhouettes Strip Club before heading Michael McIn- off to regale family audiences at the Greenbelt tyre’s Comedy Christian Festival! Roadshow and Jokes include: “I moved to the UK because of Jason Man- the BNP - they said the immigrants were ford’s Comedy taking all the best jobs and all the best Rocks. Check women, and I thought, ‘Wow, that sounds like him out. a good deal to me!’”

whatsonlive.co.uk 23 Ed Byrne.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2019 12:06 Page 1

Oh,what a circus!

Comedian Ed Byrne brings his biggest tour to date to the Midlands... Ed Byrne.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2019 12:06 Page 2

A household name teetering on the brink of about the fact that there’s an all-female yourself in them. It’s a wake-up call about national treasure status, award-winning co- Ghostbusters remake. That’s nothing to do your own behaviour.’ median Ed Byrne enjoys worldwide acclaim with men’s rights or female entitlement. When I challenge him over the degree of self- for his stand-up. With 25 years under his belt, That’s everything to do with being, well, a loathing he displays, he disagrees. ‘Self-ag- Ed has parlayed his on-stage success into a whiny baby.’ grandising humour is a lot harder to pull off variety of notable television appearances. A As ever, Ed manages to provoke without being than self-deprecating humour,’ he insists. ‘A regular on Mock The Week and The Graham overly polemical, a balancing act that only lot of people get really annoyed when Ricky Norton Show, Ed has recently co-presented someone of his huge experience can really Gervais is self-congratulatory. I always find it Dara & Ed’s Big Adventure and its follow-up pull off. very funny when he accepts awards and does Dara & Ed’s Road To Mandalay, and managed so in the most big-headed way possible. I not to disgrace himself on Top Gear or whilst ‘I did stuff about Trump and the Pizzagate think it’s a trickier type of humour to pull off, tackling one of The World’s Most Dangerous right wing conspiracy,’ he says, ‘and a couple talking yourself up in that way. Roads. As a semi-professional hill-walker of the reviewers said, “Oh, I would have liked himself and fully paid-up humanist, he also to have watched a whole show of this”. And I ‘So no, I don’t think I’m being massively hard brought a refreshing warmth and honesty to think, ‘well you might have, but the average on myself. The fact is when you’re the bloke BBC2’s recent hit The Pilgrimage. person who comes to see me would not like to who is standing on the stage with the micro- see that’. I like to make a point or get some- phone, commanding an audience’s attention, But the Irishman is still best-known and best thing off my chest, or perhaps I’m talking you’re in a very elevated position anyway.’ appreciated for his stand-up performances. A about something that’s been on my mind, but quarter of a century at the comedic coal-face That said, If I’m Honest brilliantly elucidates the majority of stuff is just to get laughs. has equipped Ed with a highly evolved story- the frustration that arrives in middle age – telling ability and a silky mastery of his craft. ‘People who come to see me are not political and lives up to its title. ‘I’m bored looking for Yet his wit, charm and self-deprecatory obser- activists necessarily, they’re regular folk. If things, I’m bored of trying to find stuff, be- vational humour is often underpinned by a you can make a point to them, in between cause I can never find it, and it is entirely my consistently hilarious vitriol and sense of in- talking about your struggles with aging, or fault,’ Ed says. ‘Nobody’s hiding my stuff from justice at a world that seems to be spinning discussing your hernia operation or whatever me. Although my wife did actually move my ever more rapidly out of control. it is, you can toss in something that does give passport on one occasion’. people pause as regards to how men should Having recently hit a new peak with shows He insists that, while the show might have share the household chores.’ such as the sublime Spoiler Alert and reflec- mordant and occasionally morbid aspects, it’s tive Outside, Looking In, which explored the He continues, ‘It’s not that I feel a responsibil- also not without its quietly triumphant mo- minefield that is modern parenting and a gen- ity, I think it just feels more satisfying when ments. ‘I thought I was being quite upbeat erational sense of entitlement, Ed’s new show you’re doing it, and it feels more satisfying talking about the small victories,’ he says. If I’m Honest digs ever deeper into a father’s when people hear it. When a joke makes a ‘You know, finding positivity in being able to sense of responsibility, what it means to be a good point, I think people enjoy it. It’s the dif- spot when a cramp was about to happen in man in 2019, and whether he possesses any ference between having a steak and eating a your leg and dealing with it before it does. I qualities whatsoever worth passing on to his chocolate bar.’ was very happy with myself about that.’ two sons. Occasionally accused of whimsy, If I’m Honest is a show with a seriously steely Ed, who broke through in the mid-1990s when Age, it seems, has not withered him. Espe- core. the New Lad became a genuine cultural phe- cially now that he’s figured out how to head nomenon, doesn’t want to submit to any un- off ailments before they become a problem. Gender politics, for example, is something Ed necessary revisionism, but admits that if the ‘You see comics who are my age and older but readily engages with – deploying his custom- times have changed, he has changed with are still retaining a level of “cool” and draw- ary comedic zeal. ‘I’ll admit that there are them. He reflects a little ruefully on one of his ing a young crowd. I can’t deny that I’m quite things where men get a raw deal,’ he says. most famous jokes. ‘There’s an attitude to- envious of that. But there’s also something ‘We have higher suicide rates, and we tend wards Alanis Morrisette in the opening of that very satisfying about your audience growing not to do well in divorces, but representation routine that I’m no longer comfortable with, old with you.’ in action movies is not something we have an where I call her a moaning cow and a whiny issue with. It was Mad Max: Fury Road that bint… slagging off the lyrics of the song is kicked it all off, even though nobody com- fine, but there’s a tone in the preamble that I Ed Byrne will be bringing his If I’m Honest plained about Ripley in Alien or Sarah Con- wouldn’t write today.’ tour to Redditch Palace 9th October, nor in Terminator 2. Of course, social media Shrewsbury's Theatre Severn 28th October The new show also takes his natural tendency means this stuff gets broadcast far and wide (and 17th March), Evesham's Regal 2nd towards self-deprecation to unexpected ex- in an instant, which emboldens people. November (and 6th December), Bed- tremes. ‘I do genuinely annoy myself,’ Ed con- worth's Civic 9th November, Birmingham ‘The problem with men’s rights activists is cedes. ‘But the thing of your children being a Town Hall 30th January, Telford's Oaken- that it’s not about speaking up for men’s reflection of you, gives you an opportunity to gates 12th March, WAC 14th March, and rights, it’s about hating women. If you’re a build something out of the best of yourself Walsall's Forest Arts Centre 24th March men’s rights activist, you’re not going to care only for you to then see flashes of the worst of Henry Paker.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2019 12:09 Page 1 Henry Paker.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2019 12:09 Page 2

MAN ALIVE! Comedian Henry Paker brings debut solo tour to Shropshire...

As Henry Paker heads out on his debut solo live cartoons appearing on a big screen. It they all are. He’s given us a noirish mystery in national tour, the man behind many of your would be cruel to give away the jokes, suffice Guilty, unlocked a private memory box and favourite TV shows, is finally getting himself to say that there are excellent one-off visual decluttered his soul for Unpacked, and went out there in front of audiences nation wide. gags as well as a running story about love and halfway up Kilimanjaro with Cabin Fever. You will have seen Henry’s name whizz by as loneliness. Meanwhile, he’s dabbled in sketch comedy on a writer on the credits of a huge variety of stage with Superclump and The Golden “There’s always this threshold moment when comedy shows, from Michael McIntyre’s Big Lizard, as well as on radio with Small Scenes, you come onto the stage passing from one Show, Eight Out Of Ten Cats, and Mock The while his Radio 4 sitcom ReincarNathan has world into another and it’s always a bit tense Week all the way to Comic Relief and Top been a hit with audiences and critics alike. running up to that moment,” says Henry. “So Gear. Henry is one of comedy’s most sought All this variety is not a coincidence. with this show, as people come in, I’m sitting after writers but, in terms of his own stand- there drawing on the computer and it comes “I think it’s partly to keep myself interested; I up, he has been the industry’s best keep se- up on the screen. Partly I wanted to do that to do like to try new things each time and I also cret…. until now. relax and blur that stark line between on and think I’m on some sort of quest to find the au- Henry has been doing stand-up for years, but off so I’m there before they thentic show. It’s like a constant exploration this is his first show to go national. And, in arrive to slightly take out the drama of that for of the show that I really want to do. Having Man Alive, he is finally able to bring two of myself. Being in the room does already take said that, this show, for me, is the one that his true passions together in one show. Any- the pressure off a bit, and you can look at the feels like it’s the most me, in a way. For the one who has caught his previous stand-up odd person as they come in and give them a next one I do, I’ll probably use this as the will note that Henry (who you may have seen smile. Not in a creepy way.” template.” previously on such TV shows as Josh, Russell Alongside the live cartooning in Man Alive, For now though, Henry is enjoying the Howard’s Good News, and Seann Walsh Henry delivers stand-up which tackles issues prospect of heading out on tour and meeting World) is not only a talented comedian, he is such as encountering other British people on new audiences across the land. Some critics also rather gifted in the arena of visual art. In holiday, discussing friends who have sud- and fellow comics have suggested that he Man Alive, you will see him doing a spot of denly become marathon runners, and why a should probably be a bit more famous than he live cartooning alongside the stand-up. night out at the theatre is generally a bad is right now. He reckons Man Alive might be Henry said: “I love animation: The Simpsons, thing. Perhaps most risky of all are his obser- the turning point. Rick and Morty, Pixar, The Lego Movie and all vations on his own marriage, and whether he “That is something people do say about me that stuff. I’ve done a couple of cartoon books should really be taking such delight in having sometimes, so it’s partly what this tour is and I love the visual side to comedy, but I’ve plenty of time at home alone. about. It’s about getting myself out always thought of them as separate from my “It’s quite awkward talking about your mar- there as me. I also do a lot of writing on other stand up . So what I’ve enjoyed about this riage when your wife is in the audience” comedy TV shows, so I’m often the man at the show is putting them together. There’s some- Henry says “But the fact is she directed the back, in the shadows. So now I want to thing about getting the cartoons onto the show, and she also helped devise it. Partly the emerge into the light, like a beautiful middle- stage which is really enjoyable for me, and show is about how in stand-up you have to aged butterfly”. the audience.” have very black and white opinions on things. As evidenced from the sell-out shows he per- But that’s not really the truth about how we formed of Man Alive at the Edinburgh Fringe, really feel about stuff .” Henry Paker will be at The Edge Arts audiences are certainly lapping it up. Henry is For anyone who has been at a Henry Paker Centre, Much Wenlock on Friday 18th still working out the full logistics for his tour (pronounced ‘Packer’, by the way) show, October shows, but chances are that as the crowd en- chances are you’ll have noticed how different ters the room, he’ll be sat at a laptop with his Theatre October.qxp_Layout 1 18/09/2019 16:01 Page 1

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

The Exorcist This first ever stage version of The Exorcist debuted in Birmingham before taking the West End by storm, and is now making an eagerly Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 1 - Sat 5 October; awaited return to the Midlands region. Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 15 - Sat 19 October “I hope audiences will be excited by the production and a little scared Adapted for the cinema in 1973 from William Peter Blatty’s novel of by it at times,” says the award-winning John Pielmeier, who wrote the the same name, The Exorcist tells the story of a mother’s attempts to stage adaptation. “They might get a few of those chilling moments, but rescue her 12-year-old daughter from the clutches of demonic posses- I hope they will come away with a feeling that it’s not just a horror sion. But the priest to whom she turns for help must first fight a battle story; there’s so much more to it than that.” against a demon of his own - his loss of faith in God...

Eye Of The Storm Prism Cabaret Birmingham Hippodrome, The REP, Birmingham, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 8 & Wed 9 October Thurs 3 - Sat 12 October Tues 22 - Sat 26 October Although Eye Of The Storm is a family When a show visits the musical that confronts weighty issues includ- region which, between its ing young carers and the climate emergency, stage and screen versions, Ed Sheeran’s writing partner, Amy Wadge, is boasts multiple Oscars, hopeful that the music she’s written for the BAFTAs and Tony Awards, show will ensure an uplifting experience for it makes sense to get its audience. along and check it out.

“If you’re clever about it, then you make Cabaret is one such show. TheOtherRichard credit: photo something which, firstly, people will like and John Partridge here takes on the role of which isn’t too preachy,” says Amy. “The Emcee, with Kara Lily Hayworth stepping show’s not too highbrow but it says some- into the lead part of the legendary Sally thing. People accept messages in musicals Robert Lindsay stars in this well-reviewed Bowles, a nightly performer at the infamous much more these days.” West Ender, written and directed by the Kit Kat Klub in early-1930s Berlin. award-winning Terry Johnson. Featuring ‘show-stopping choreography, The play tells the true story of Jack Cardiff, ‘a dazzling costumes and some of the most man who made Hollywood’s greatest divas iconic songs in musical theatre’ - including, beautiful, and who lived a life as colourful as of course, the famous title number - Cabaret his cinematography’. is helmed by National Theatre Artistic Direc- Lindsay is joined in the cast by Tara Fitzger- tor Rufus Norris and choreographed by the ald, who previously appeared at The REP in a Olivier Award-winning Javier de Frutos. highly acclaimed production of Ibsen’s A Veteran song & dance star Anita Harris also Doll’s House. features. 24 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre October.qxp_Layout 1 18/09/2019 16:01 Page 2 A Taste of Honey.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2019 12:19 Page 1

Music and drama, darkness and humour... A Taste of Honey.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2019 12:19 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

Playwright Shelagh Delaney’s debut work, A Taste Of Honey, caused a significant stir when it was published in 1958. Now, a new National Theatre version of the play, starring Jodie Prenger, is visiting the Midlands as part of a UK tour. What’s On caught up with Jodie to find out more...

Shelagh Delaney’s A Taste Of Honey Rattigan's Variation On A Theme, a play about 2019. People, particularly women and those (published in 1958) is a career-defining a socialite and a young ballet dancer which from the LGBTQ+ community, continue to be British classic depicting working-class life in aimed to be socially bold. However, its genteel shamed for their style of dress and sexual post-industrial Salford. Tackling taboos of the style and content meant it only skimmed the activities. Hate crimes against minorities are time, including homosexuality, inter-racial surface of its taboo themes. Convinced she on the rise... relationships and single mothers, the play could do better and spurred on by her With all of this in mind, isn’t A Taste Of Honey earned its teenage writer comparisons with loathing of traditional, decorous drawing- just the play we need? After all, the strength Look Back In Anger author John Osborne. room dramas about the love lives of well-bred and complexity of the relationships at the people, Delaney penned A Taste Of Honey Delaney’s debut work was part of a new centre of the work make it a timeless aged just 19. movement in British theatre dubbed ‘kitchen theatrical classic. sink realism’. The movement saw up-and- Set in a dingy Lancashire lodging house, the Jodie Prenger agrees: “I remember speaking coming playwrights striving to create disillu- storyline focuses on schoolgirl Jo, who is soon to my nan about the 1950s’ class divide, as sioned working-class characters who reflected to have a child by a black sailor - a man who she was from Manchester. There was always real life, rather than the crass and gormless abandons her. The play follows Jo’s fractured something to fight for. You rolled your sleeves ones which had long inhabited the genteel relationship with her mother, Helen, and with up and got it done, or you made do. A Taste scripts of West End productions. A Taste Of a kind, homosexual art student named Geoff, Of Honey is all about fighting and striving - no Honey’s association with this new cultural who helps her during her pregnancy and tries matter what you face - and is mixed with gen- movement, and in particular with Osborne’s to reunite mother and daughter. uine, warm humour; something you still find Look Back In Anger, saw Delaney being “I absolutely fell in love with the play because in every corner of the UK today.” pigeonholed as a comparatively ‘angry young it’s so honest, real and tender,” says Jodie. woman’ - a lazy characterisation of her that Jodie is particularly attracted to the play’s “It’s the mother-daughter relationship that she detested. depiction of feisty women: “Strong female really got me. I know I’ll be thinking about my characters with many layers are the main Jodie Prenger, who stars in the new National own relationship with my mum when I’m thing I really enjoy getting my teeth into. For Theatre tour of the play, can absolutely under- trying to create the love and tension between me, reading the play was just like hearing my stand why the description would have made Helen and Jo. They’re so different in some nan’s voice. The feistiness and the fight that the playwright bridle: “Delaney unleashed ways, but also so similar in others, so they my nan had, I saw in Helen. It really shocks this strong female voice that was sort of end up clashing.” me that some past reviewers of the play have unknown. There were definitely those voices A Taste Of Honey was first staged in 1958 by seen Helen as a monster. I think she’s just so out there, but not necessarily put out on the the now-legendary Joan Littlewood Theatre real, and the only way you can play a charac- same scale. I don’t think Delaney was an Workshop. Two years later, it hit the Broad- ter like Helen is with truth. I just don’t see angry young woman. I think I can hear the way stage and was then promptly made into a Helen as a monster; I just find her a character same woman’s voice in A Taste Of Honey as I film. More recently the play was a great influ- of circumstance.” do in women today. It’s just that back then it ence on English rock band The Smiths, partic- wasn’t as acceptable for a woman to be heard, So what makes the National Theatre’s new ularly vocalist Morrissey, whose lyrics borrow especially when talking about such taboo version of A Taste Of Honey different? from the script. Indeed, the band’s song, This subjects as this play does.” Night Has Opened My Eyes, is based entirely “I’m known for doing a lot of musicals, but I A Taste Of Honey’s matter-of-fact approach to on A Taste Of Honey. Delaney also features in do a lot of plays now, too. A Taste Of Honey working-class life, its deviance from sexual the artwork for the band’s single, Girlfriend In promises to be the best of both because we do and social convention, and its sympathetic A Coma. have a lot of fantastic music as a backdrop to presentation of both a gay man and a single the action. What the team at the National So 61 years after it was published and eight mother, was bold for its period. But most of Theatre are trying to do is keep the setting years after the playwright’s death, how all, Delaney was more nuanced than the likes and feeling of the 1950s but mix it with the relevant is A Taste Of Honey to modern times? of Osborne; A Taste Of Honey evokes a sense contemporary to hint at the modern day, of playfulness, warmth and wit that sharply While single mothers are nowadays markedly meaning that it could be set in almost any and brilliantly contrasts with the doom and more of a social norm, 21st century single time. We even have a live band and the music gloom of its subject matter. parents - the majority of whom are women - of artists like Peggy Lee and Amy Winehouse, are still most likely to be from a working class along with live jazz and folk. “That’s the joy of her,” says Jodie. “She or even impoverished background. Adding perfectly balances ‘dark, moving and witty’. I “Music and drama, darkness and humour. further insult to injury, wealth continues to be think that’s why people still want to see it; This is the Hovis of the theatre world.” unequally divided across the UK, with the they want all these truthful representations of South East, when compared to the North West actual human life.” region in which the play is set, boasting more A Taste Of Honey shows at The playwright’s debut offering was certainly than twice the amount of household wealth. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from reactionary. Delaney had been sparked into Sexuality is also an increasingly hot topic in Tuesday 5 to Saturday 9 November. writing it by her intense dislike of Terence Theatre October.qxp_Layout 1 18/09/2019 16:01 Page 3

Theatre Theatre previews from across the region...

The Entertainer Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Mon 7 - Sat 12 October; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tues 15 - Sat 19 October; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Mon 18 - Sat 23 November Written by John Osborne in the 1950s, The Entertainer tells the story of washed-up music hall star Archie Rice. A performer long past his expiry date, Archie is struggling to negoti- ate the changing sociopolitical landscape of the mid-20th century... Heading out on tour for the first time ever, The Entertainer has been updated somewhat - to the 1980s - and unfolds against the back- drop of the Falklands War and Margaret Thatcher. The production stars Shane Richie - best known as EastEnders’ Alfie Moon - in the title role.

It’ll Be Alt-Right A Black Country Night Out Nativity! The Musical On The Night The Core Theatre, Solihull, Fri 4 October; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Dudley Town Hall, Tues 15 October; Theatre Tues 29 October - Sat 2 November The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, On The Steps, Bridgnorth, Shropshire, Wed 16 Fri 11 & Sat 12 October October; Rose Theatre, Kidderminster, Wed 23 The Wolverhampton Grand gets into the Wound Up Theatre scored a 2015 hit with the & Thurs 24 October; Palace Theatre, Redditch, Christmas spirit a little early with this hugely Wed 27 November tragi-comic Bismillah!, a two-hander popular stage musical based on the much- focusing on the friendship between an This show is almost as old as the Black Coun- loved film franchise. imprisoned British soldier and his Islamic try itself and has matured just as beautifully! The show is written and directed by Midlan- State guard. Bringing a fresh look to proceedings, the au- der Debbie Isitt, who also created the movies. They here return with a story about two tumn 2019 version features some of the re- “I always believed that Nativity! would make squatters, whose love of punk binds them gion’s most ‘brilliantly talented’ acts. a fantastic stage musical,” says Debbie. “It’s together before other considerations pull The line-up includes host Ollie Spencer, so full of joy, the children are so sweet and them apart. As one becomes woke and the comedy act Dandy, and an original Fizzog - funny. The songs really do change the other gets angry, they find themselves on Emma Rollason - who’s presenting a tribute dynamic. It gives you much more insight into different sides of an impassable ideological to Black Country comedienne Dolly Allen. the characters and their backstories. And the divide, in a world where conservatism is emotions are more intense, like with the love considered to be the new punk rock... story between Mr Maddens and Jennifer - it Life Is No Laughing Matter feels even bigger now because they’re singing Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, duets.” Private Peaceful Thurs 24 October Casting for Nativity! The Musical includes Scott Garnham, Ashleigh Gray, Jamie Chap- The Old Rep, Birmingham, Demi Nandhra here com- Wed 9 - Sat 12 October; Albany Theatre, bines live art with stand-up man, Scott Paige & Love Island winner Dani Coventry, Thurs 31 October; The Place, and theatre performance to Dyer. Telford, Tues 12 November recount her story of living Private Peaceful is a short play that packs a with severe depression. real punch. Based on the book by War Horse Advised to eat a banana a author Michael Morpurgo and perfectly day and think happy pitched for the young audience at which it’s thoughts, she got herself a aimed, the stage production has been hailed dog in a desperate attempt to put the brakes for being as moving as the poetry of Wilfred on her downward spiral into mental illness... Owen and as painfully memorable as white- The show made a big impression at Edin- hot shrapnel. burgh in the summer, and rather curiously First World War soldier Private Tommo was performed by Demi while her partner, Peaceful is awaiting the firing squad at dawn. Aaron, was sitting at the back of the stage, With his young life about to be cut tragically quietly scrolling his laptop and generally short, he recalls his joyful past growing up in minding his own business. rural Devon, his schooldays, his father, and It will be interesting to see if she’s still need- the love of his life - a girl named Molly... ing the security of his presence when she visits the Arena Theatre late this month... 26 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre October.qxp_Layout 1 18/09/2019 16:01 Page 4 Paul Zerdin online.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2019 12:02 Page 1 JOIN THE PUPPET PARTY Paul Zerdin online.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2019 12:02 Page 2

After hitting the big time in Las Vegas, London-born ventriloquist Paul Zerdin returns to the UK with a brand new show. What’s On spoke to him to find out more...

What can you tell us about your new show, The Muppets - and Dave Houseman do my an- family’s party in north London and I was Paul Zerdin’s Puppet Party? imatronics. Those guys are geniuses. I don’t heckled by the dog! I was used to people say ‘geniuses’ to their faces because they’ll swearing or shouting “get off!” - you get used It’s a fresh, funny, fast-paced show - and a bit put their prices up, but it’s such a specialism. to those heckles when you’re starting out - but edgy. I describe it as stand-up comedy where I If I come up with a crazy idea, they’ll find a when you’ve got a golden retriever freaking happen to use puppets. There’s something way of doing it. But I don’t rely on the tech- out when you bring out a puppet… I’d never about a ventriloquist doing ventriloquism nology, I simply use it to create certain extra experienced that before! without a puppet - I like the idea of that. moments in the show. After touring North America, are you look- Tell us about the puppets... America’s Got Talent helped boost your ing forward to spending some time back in There are the three core members of my profile in the US. Having won The Big Big the UK? sponge family - Sam, Albert and Baby - plus Talent Show in the UK in 1996, how did it I’ve been lucky enough to go to some amazing some new characters: Roger, my bodyguard, feel to be winning another TV talent con- places, but I’ve also spent a lot of time at and an urban fox. The idea with Roger is that test two decades later? 38,000 feet over the last few years. I live in when I did America’s Got Talent they gave me It felt funny. I was 24 when I won The Big Big London, and it’s nice to be at home and get to a bodyguard and I can’t get rid of him. He’s Talent Show, and I was 42 when I did Amer- see a lot of the UK. It’s a beautiful country and paranoid and thinks everyone’s out to get him ica’s Got Talent. So I gained a lot of experi- I’ve toured it a lot, so I’m looking forward to and me... The urban fox stowed away in my ence from performing for so many years. I getting around as much as I can and not hav- luggage when I was packing and couldn’t get genuinely didn’t expect to win, so when I did, ing to get on a plane! out, so he’s now involved in the show. I’ve I was in shock. I thought they would go for an never had any animal characters, and I’ve al- You’re also back in London this Christmas, American, but they didn’t!’ ways liked the idea of having one. performing in panto at the Palladium. If you’d won the show earlier in your ca- How do you feel about performing at such How do you go about creating a puppet? reer, do you think you would’ve coped a legendary venue? It takes a long, long time to develop new char- with the success and exposure? The Palladium is the most incredible theatre. acters - it takes me years. When I was working No, I don’t think so. I watch these talent I did Brucie’s last series of Tonight At The in Las Vegas, the fox was actually going to be shows and I see very young people winning - London Palladium back in 1999 and then did a coyote for American audiences. But by the and they’re remarkably talented - but it’s so another TV show there a few years ago. It’s time I’d thought about the character properly, useful to have experience. It can particularly just wonderful. This is my fourth year running the Vegas show was over, and I thought, ‘I help with the pressure of the promotion and at the Palladium and my 25th in pantomime. know, why not make it an urban fox?’ the PR side of things. When I won America’s You must enjoy it, then! Who’s your favourite character? Got Talent, the amount of interviews I did over the next few hours, days, weeks - it was I love it! It’s a totally different discipline and Probably Albert. He’s got selective deafness, relentless. I constantly had to find a new something that I’ve had to learn. But it’s also and he can talk utter bollocks and get away angle to stop myself going mad. That’s an art nice to be on stage with other people. With with it. You can do anything with Albert. We in itself. That comes with experience, and I my own show, I’m on stage talking to myself all know someone - parents, grandparents - of had a wealth of experience from touring and for 90 minutes every night. With panto, I’m in that sort of age, so he’s easy to relate to. My doing all kinds of gigs for years. Experience a show with other people. It’s so nice to be father is 92 and gives me an amazing amount makes you a better performer, and it means part of a company that isn’t made of sponge. of material for Albert. you can cope in most situations, because Your puppets have got more technically ridiculous things happen all the time.’ advanced over the years, with robotics and What kind of ridiculous things? Paul Zerdin’s Puppet Party shows at radio control. Who’s helped you bring The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham, late them to life? ‘I did a gig in someone's back garden a few next month - on Saturday 26 October. years ago. I was performing at a very wealthy Tim Rose - who’s worked on Star Wars and Theatre October.qxp_Layout 1 18/09/2019 16:02 Page 5

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

My Beautiful Laundrette Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tues 29 October - Sat 2 November Hanif Kureishi’s original movie version of My Beautiful Laundrette, released in 1985, focused on an interracial love story between a young Pakistani man and his old school friend, a white working-class guy who’d lost his way. A clever, funny and powerful reflection of life in Thatcher’s Britain, the film has now been adapted for the stage, with Leicester Curve Artistic Director Nikolai Foster the man at the helm. “I think this is a play about love, hope and young people moving the world forward,” says Nikolai. “It has a really powerful message, and I hope its vibrancy will be celebrated beyond coming to see the production. I very much hope that audiences take the experience forward with them.”

RUSH: A Joyous The Night Watch way. At its heartland is an uplifting story of the friendship shared between three pals, Jamaican Journey Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, who hop aboard a battered old bus and head Mon 21 - Sat 26 October The REP, Birmingham, Thurs 3 October off in search of love and romance. The lesbian experience across history sits at “One of the key aims behind RUSH,” says the The show comes complete with a dazzling the heart of much of Tipping The Velvet show’s producer, Owen Miller, “is to high- array of costumes and a glorious selection of author Sarah Waters’ work, including her light the positive impact immigration can dancefloor favourites, including It’s Raining bestselling novel, The Night Watch. have on a wider culture. The show brings Men, Say A Little Prayer, Go West, Hot Stuff Brilliantly adapted for the stage by the together musicians and artists from different and Always On My Mind. Olivier Award-nominated Hattie Naylor and ethnic backgrounds to celebrate Reggae set in the initially dangerous then stultify- music. The story revolves around the ingly drab world of 1940s London, the story Windrush Generation, the music they Orlando focuses on four ordinary people caught up brought with them and how that went on to Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, in the aftermath of an extraordinary time. develop into Reggae. Thurs 10 October “Overall our aim is to provide an evening of Virginia Woolf’s 1928 novel is the starting superb music coupled with facts and infor- point for this latest presentation from the mation. We want the audience to feel widely admired Dyad Productions - other- informed and uplifted in a ‘shared experi- wise known as performer Rebecca Vaughan ence’ with the artists.” and writer/director Elton Townend Jones. Their previous offerings - Jane Eyre: An Autobiography, Dalloway, The Time Machine Season’s Greetings and Austen’s Women - all proved to be New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, unqualified triumphs for the talented two- Tues 8 - Sat 26 October some, and there’s every reason to imagine Alan Ayckbourn’s Christmas cracker of a Orlando will follow suit. The titular charac- play gets an autumn outing courtesy of the Priscilla Queen Of ter is an immortal author himself, who’s directing this poet whose gender production. The Desert is unspecified, The story revolves around Belinda and Malvern Theatres, Mon 14 - Sat 19 October; whose spirit can- Neville Bunker, whose Christmas festivities Birmingham Hippodrome, Mon 13 - not be caged - and Sat 18 April are marred by petty squabbles, rifled who knows a thing presents, eccentric uncles, a drunken aunt Based on the movie of the same name, or two about time- and a shooting... Lust, gluttony, greed and Priscilla the stage show has wowed both travelling across jealousy are all present and correct as West End and Broadway audiences, picking British history in yuletide tensions boil over and Christmas up a coveted Olivier and an equally presti- search of adven- turns out to be a far from merry occasion. gious Tony award along its accolade-strewn ture...

28 whatsonlive.co.uk Phantom Of The Opera Full October 2019.qxp_Layout 1 18/09/2019 16:07 Page 1 Circus 1903.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2019 15:37 Page 1

Oh, what a circus! International phenomenon Circus 1903 is this month visiting Birmingham for the very first time... What’s On speaks to the show’s Associate Director, Richard Peakman... Circus 1903.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2019 15:37 Page 2

Birmingham Hippodrome welcomes the big the juggler spinning those clubs. You’re Jackman in cinema blockbuster The Greatest top this month when the circus comes to watching a lifetime of dedication packed into Showman. Although Circus 1903 pre-dates town. an act of a few minutes. Jackman’s film, Richard says the movie’s pop- ularity has helped re-ignite interest in the Taking audiences back to the golden age of “And we wanted to ensure it was lavish. golden age of circus: “I absolutely loved the the travelling show, international phe- Money was so tight in the 1900s and yet circus film, and having worked so closely with our nomenon Circus 1903 features a host of amaz- costumes and sets were so extravagant and production, I was curious to see what they ing acts, daredevil feats, highwire stunts and flamboyant. We really wanted to capture that would do with it. I think it’s pulled up the cur- life-size animal puppets. with exquisite costume design and sumptu- tain on a piece of history, and it’s definitely ous sets.” The extravaganza is coming to Birmingham sparked people’s imaginations, so now they for the very first time and is a perfect centre- Recreating the golden age of the big top want to see that kind of show for themselves. piece for the Hippodrome’s 120th birthday cel- meant looking for a new way of incorporating I think people have seen the film and ebrations - the theatre was launched as a animal performers: “We wanted to feature thought, ‘That looks wonderful and amazing circus venue back in 1899. something which was synonymous with turn- and breathtaking’ - and it is!” of-the-century circus - but obviously these Circus 1903 Associate Director Richard Peak- Richard’s career has seen him performing, days we wouldn’t use real elephants. It was man, who grew up in Kinver and knows the choreographing, creating and directing a host the brainchild of our creative producer, Simon Hippodrome well, is delighted the production of shows across the world, including some in Painter, to incorporate puppetry to bring ani- will take centre-stage during the theatre’s an- the Midlands. Working for Qdos Pantomimes, mals back to the circus. Simon had seen War niversary year: “It would’ve felt special to he choreographed Cinderella with Julian Horse, which is on everyone’s radar because bring this show to the Hippodrome last year Clary at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre in of just how breathtaking the puppets are, and or next year, but this year is extra-special be- 2014. He’s also been on stage at the Hippo- said we should have the best. And so they cre- cause of the theatre’s birthday. drome in shows such as Fame and Oh! What ated two elephants for us - a mother and A Night, but this is the first time he’s been in baby.” “It’s like we’re recreating history with the Birmingham as part of a show’s creative team. sights, the sounds and the spectacle that When it came to choosing the acts, the team launched the Hippodrome all those years ago. “I’m so excited to be bringing Circus 1903 to again wanted to ensure a feeling of authentic- As a local lad, to bring a show which has the Hippodrome. It’s such a beautiful theatre, ity: “We did a lot of research. I bought this hu- toured the world back to the Hippodrome at and I’ve always loved having the opportunity mongous hardback book which documented this very special time makes me feel very hon- to come back home. My career is predomi- circus from its early origins right up to now. oured and very lucky.” nantly in London these days, but my heart is We were really keen, where possible, to have definitely still in the West Midlands. Richard became part of the creative team be- acts which were present on the circus circuit hind Circus 1903 at its very beginning, work- at the turn of the century. “My family will all be out in force to see the ing with director Neil Dorward, who he’d first show, and I’m also excited because I’ll have “We have a booker who literally trawled the met when they were students together at the the opportunity to bring my nieces - Evie, world and came back with a collection of the Italia Conti Academy in London. The two built who’s five, and Sophie, who’s two. It will be weird and the wonderful, and then we had up successful careers in theatre before collab- the first time they’ll have seen a circus, and I lots of films submitted by performers. We orating on a circus show in China. Then Neil can’t wait to see their faces.” went through all of those, looking for the had the idea for Circus 1903 - and he and the most breathtaking acts.” And Richard is confident that his nieces won’t team had a clear vision for the show: “We be the only ones amazed by what they see: “I were really keen to transport audiences back Some of the acrobats, trapeze and highwire hope that people go away with the biggest to the golden age of circus when the circus artists, contortionists and jugglers - and a smiles on their faces, having been thoroughly was the biggest attraction of its time,” larger-than-life ringmaster - have been with entertained and mind-boggled by what Richard explains. “There was no TV, no cin- the show since it premiered in 2016, but the they’ve seen. There’s something in it for ev- ema, no theatres, no sports games - circus team are always on the look-out for new tal- eryone because of the plethora of acts - was a combination of all those elements. We ent: “We’re a period piece, but we also need to there’s humour but also spectacle. We set out wanted to capture that bygone era. evolve within those parameters to ensure that to entertain people - just as circus did back in we’re fresh, exciting, current and have some- “So we deliberately shied away from anything the day.” thing new to offer audiences.” which would be too futuristic. We wanted to take it back to basics and for our audience to The show’s name pays homage to the age of have an appreciation of these amazing circus the historic Barnum & Bailey circus company, Circus 1903 shows at Birmingham Hippo- acts. There are no gimmicks, no special ef- which launched the extravaganza known as drome from Friday 25 October to Saturday fects, no filter - what you’re seeing is the The Greatest Show On Earth. This is the same 2 November. trapeze artist balancing on that highwire or PT Barnum who was brought to life by Hugh Theatre October.qxp_Layout 1 18/09/2019 16:02 Page 7

Theatre Theatre & Dance previews from across the region...

We’re Going On A Bear Hunt Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent, Fri 4 - Sun 6 October; Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Sat 26 October - Sun 3 Novem- ber; Birmingham Town Hall, Thurs 26 Decem- ber - Sun 12 January Suitable for children aged two and older, this Little Angel Theatre adaptation of Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury’s popular picture book follows the adventures of a family as they head out on an intrepid quest to find a bear. Catchy songs and enchanting puppets are combined with no shortage of swishy swashy grass and oozy, squelchy mud in a show that seems certain to keep youngsters splendidly entertained.

Peppa Pig’s Expect ‘thrilling action, daft nonsense, stir- Tom Gates Live On Stage! ring shanties, the weirdest of mechanical Best Day Ever contraptions’ and music and songs by BBC Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Wed 30 October - Sat 2 November The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Radio Two Folk Award winner Jon Boden. Wed 23 & Thurs 24 October Birmingham Stage Com- pany makes a welcome re- Emily Rising turn to present this new Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, production inspired by au- Sat 12 October thor and illustrator Liz Pi- Little Angel Theatre have garnered plenty of chon’s award-winning Tom praise for this clever, thoughtful and visually Gates stories. engaging production since it premiered three Liz’s series of books about the character have years ago. been translated into 40-plus languages, sell- If you’ve taken your little ones to any of the The story unfolds in a flat in Islington where ing more than four million copies worldwide. previous Peppa Pig stage shows - and 10-year-old Emily, whose parents are getting “So far there are 15 books in the series, with enjoyed the experience of watching them a divorce, wakes up one morning to find that the 16th due out this month,” says Liz. “But having a fantastic time - you’ll already know her feet no longer touch the ground. What’s there could be 17 books, or maybe more, if I that this latest production is well worth more, she keeps rising higher and higher, have loads of other ideas!” catching. eventually soaring over London and further The new show, written especially for the Peppa Pig is heading out on a road trip with away from her crumbling family... stage, finds young Tom doing his best to stay George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig, and out of trouble and make sure he doesn’t miss there are plenty of adventures waiting to be Monstersaurus! the school trip. had - including ones that involve dragons, dinosaurs, ice-creams and muddy puddles... The Old Rep, Birmingham, Sat 19 October Having created a whole world of whacky in- I Believe In Unicorns ventions and incredible monsters, young in- Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Tues 8 October; The Pirate Cruncher ventor Monty doesn’t know what to do with Albany Theatre, Coventry, Tues 24 October them all... Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Michael Morpurgo’s much-loved book is bril- Sat 26 & Sun 27 October The creators of Aliens Love Underpants make liantly brought to life by the Olivier Award- a welcome return with this ‘monster-ously Goat And Monkey are the company bringing nominated Wizard Presents, who debuted good show’, which comes complete with orig- to life this bestselling picture book by Jonny this show at Edinburgh back in 2013. inal music and plenty of audience participa- Duddle, winner of the Waterstone's Chil- The story revolves around the outdoors-lov- tion. dren's Book Prize. ing Tomas, a boy whose negative attitude to- When child inventor extraordinaire Emily wards books and being dragged to the library finds her tavern being raided by the dastardly by his mother is challenged and changed the Captain Purplebeard, she sends the ne’er-do- day he meets the Unicorn and the Unicorn well pirate and his motley crew on a wild Lady... Wizard Presents describe their show goose chase that leads them into the far- as being suitable ‘for families with children from-friendly tentacles of the terrifying Pirate aged six-plus and everyone who loves stories Cruncher... and books’. 30 whatsonlive.co.uk Moroccan Fire Nights Full October 2019.qxp_Layout 1 18/09/2019 16:06 Page 1 Sean Foley From Gray.qxp_Layout 1 19/09/2019 16:48 Page 1

Quite a Rep-utation... There are exciting times ahead at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, as the venue’s new artistic director, the Olivier Award-winning Sean Foley, explains…

32 whatsonlive.co.uk Sean Foley From Gray.qxp_Layout 1 19/09/2019 16:49 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

Olivier Award-winning actor, director and dramas, there’s such a wealth of Midlands professional experience is much more in the writer Sean Foley has his nose to the grind- and Birmingham stories that can be told. area of new writing and new plays, so we stone at the moment. As the new artistic complement each other in that way with my “One of the best parts about having three director of Birmingham Repertory Theatre, experience of the commercial theatre of the theatres in The REP complex is that it allows the 54-year-old has got his work cut out West End. Amit is also an Asian disabled us to have such different things running at adding the finishing touches to his first man. That’s a very important understanding the same time. We could have a massive season of productions at the venue, which to have at a theatre in a city that’s very diverse comedy tour on in the main house and a gets under way in the new year. and has a high percentage of BAME [black really hard-hitting drama with contemporary, Asian & minority ethnic] residents. It was a “I was quite merrily going along with a free- social themes or local work in The Door. bit of a shotgun marriage, but we both have a lance directing career, mainly in commercial Then, The Studio theatre, which we share good sense of humour and seem to have theatre in the West End and almost exclu- with the Library of Birmingham, is also a struck it off. I look forward to us working sively directing comedies,” says Sean, who fantastically exciting place that we’re going to together.” co-wrote hit Morecambe & Wise tribute show brand as the starting-point for the country’s The Play What I Wrote. “Somebody rang me best new plays.” Sean’s first season of shows is impressively up and asked me to apply for the job. The eclectic... Sean believes that audience satisfaction is the more I looked at The REP as a theatre, and at most effective way to catapult Birmingham “From January we’ve got some amazing Birmingham as a city - where I have personal Rep to national and international acclaim: things in the programme. We’re starting with roots on my mum’s side of the family and my “Theatre does have a problem, a barrier, Asking For It in our main house, which is a dad was part of the huge Irish community where a lot of people don’t think it’s for them. contemporary play on the subject of consent. here - the more I was reminded of how won- Ultimately, we have to give them a good night It’s a fantastic award-winning show from the derful both are. I was also attracted by the out, which doesn’t mean that what we offer Abbey Theatre - Ireland’s national theatre. I opportunity and financing for producing at can’t be smart, sophisticated and offer up hope we’ll present lots of international work The REP. All of those factors combined en- issues or themes that are relevant and diffi- at The REP - particularly Irish work, as it’s on couraged me to apply for the role of artistic cult. People need to make that connection a complete high at the moment. This will be director - and then I ended up getting it!” with theatre, just like they do when they tune the show’s UK premiere and we’re incredibly Sean is aiming to tap into the theatre’s great into dramas on the telly or go to see a film proud to be doing that. potential: “I honestly believe that although because it’s a renowned director’s latest “Then we’ll be doing a fantastic comedy The REP has been run tremendously over the blockbuster or features an excellent actor in written originally by Molière - a French play- last couple of years, it’s nonetheless a sleep- their most recent role. I want people to always wright. About 18 months ago, the RSC did a ing giant - the same with Birmingham as a think that everything which comes to the version of Tartuffe but set within a Muslim city. There’s an enormous amount of unful- Birmingham Rep is of excellent quality. That’s community in Sparkhill, Birmingham. We’re filled potential here - such talent and an in- the bottom line.” going to do a new production of that show, credible sense of humour. But I think the city So what professional experience does Sean bringing it back to its roots. is also self-deprecating in a way that’s not bring to his new role? always to its advantage. Here at The REP, we “We also have an amazing new version of have an 820-seat main house that’s one of the “Well, there’s no other artistic director in Doctor Faustus coming up, in collaboration most amazing theatres in the country. We also Britain who’s received an Olivier nomination with the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre and have incredible workshop facilities that not or award for acting, directing and writing. Headlong Theatre Company, in which Faustus many theatres have anymore. Then, of course, I think the fact that I have that range of expe- is reimagined as a woman. our classic studio theatre, The Door - histori- rience in the creative and performance “There’s also the incredible Ramps On The cally one of the national leaders for small aspects of theatre really helps, as I can always Moon project, which strives for the inclusion theatres presenting new plays - brings that look at a piece from another perspective and of deaf and disabled individuals in theatre. word ‘potential’ to mind again. The Birming- through the eyes of my different disciplines. I They’ll be bringing a fantastic version of ham Rep is also in this iconic building. It just think the main way my past will impact my Oliver Twist to us. seemed like a great place to take over and work at The REP is in terms of my unconven- make into a national hub for great theatre. At tional route into the profession. I didn’t go to “There are just so many great things coming the moment, it’s a city theatre that represents drama school and go that traditional route. I up in 2020 that it’s impossible to mention the creativity and talent of the wider region, created my own theatre company and started them all - everything’s a highlight in our but I do also feel strongly that it should be writing and co-writing original comedies for programme. Then, beyond that, I’m really brought up to a national and international that. My whole background is quite untypical looking forward to celebrating 50 years of the level.” of an artistic director, and I feel like that fits building in 2021 and then seeing how we’re well with Birmingham, which is a unique city And how will this be achieved? going to get involved with the 2022 Common- with a pioneering spirit.” wealth Games. There’s so much to look “We hope to have a real mix of locally sourced forward to at The REP.” Sean has been joined by two other newcom- stories created into theatre, and to be a ers at The REP: Deputy Artistic Director Amit launchpad for bigger shows that can go into Sharma and Executive Director Rachael the West End or tour nationally and interna- Thomas. tionally. Personally, my taste is what can be To find out more about what’s coming up called ‘popular theatre’. I like doing come- “Part of the idea when I was appointed was at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, visit dies, I like doing musicals. Then, in terms of that Amit would join at the same time. Amit’s birmingham-rep.co.uk whatsonlive.co.uk 33 Shout Highlights single page.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2019 17:13 Page 1

34 whatsonlive.co.uk Shout Highlights single page.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2019 17:13 Page 2 SOMETHING TO SHOUT ABOUT SHOUT Festival of Queer Arts and Culture returns to Birmingham next month (5 - 17 November). Check out our selection of highlights below and then head to shoutfestival.co.uk for the full festival line-up.

Shout Opening Party: Hedwig And The Angry Inch The Nightingale Club - Tues 5 November Hosted by Birmingham’s very own Yshee Black, the launch party features the unveiling of two murals commissioned to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Nightingale Club. The event also includes performances from a stellar line-up of queer cabaret acts, including Juno Birch, and a screening of one of the greatest queer films of all time, Hedwig And The Angry Inch.

John Waters | This Filthy World Hit The Ode | Birmingham Hippodrome - Wed 13 November Shout Takeover Birmingham Queer icon, living legend and ‘master of filth’ John Waters - Hippodrome - once referred to as ‘the pope of trash’ - visits Birmingham for the very first time. His one-man show is a vaudeville act Fri 8 November celebrating both his film career and his obsessional tastes. This unique performance- Focusing on John’s early negative artistic influences and his poetry night boasts a fascination with true crime, exploitation films, fashion knock-out line-up of queer lunacy and the extremes of the contemporary art world, this spoken-word artists, joyously devious monologue - a homage to all that’s trashy including Jay Hulme, Keith in life - is a call-to-arms to ‘filth followers’ everywhere. Jarrett, Dean Atta and Jackie Hagan.

Fab! The Fabulous Kids Party MAC Birmingham - Sun 17 November This year’s SHOUT OUT includes a daytime children’s party featuring music, DIY costume-making, a variety of fun games, a disco and a host of glittery and colourful friends. The event is suitable for children aged three-plus, so bring along your little ones and get set to boogie!

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Visual Arts

The Mughals: Power And Beauty At The Indian Court The Barber Institute, Birmingham, Fri 11 October - Sun 2 February Drawings, prints, coins and manuscripts are here brought together to explore aspects of life in the Indian subcontinent during 300-plus years of Mughal rule, from the 16th century to the 19th. The featured objects - some of which come from the Barber’s own rarely exhibited collection - reveal how patrons and artists developed a distinctive Mughal style that reflected both their power and their ideals of beauty.

Tim Mara: Not Pop? Wolverhampton Art Gallery, until Sun 29 March Although frequently associated with the Velásquez and Vermeer. Those prints had Pop Art movement, Irish printmaker and much more to do with painting.” one-time Wolverhampton Polytechnic Mara’s work saw him blending traditional student Tim Mara - who died in 1997 at the processes with digital printing techniques, age of 48 - found his inspiration but his main consideration was always the elsewhere. “I knew that the Pop thing was subject matter: “In the hierarchy of fine going on,” he said. “Screen printing was art, printmaking is usually associated there, photography was there, the with craft skills - with technique. And that everyday objects were there - but I was gets in the way. My work was always about much more interested pictorially in the ideas more than the medium.”

Coventry Biennial: British Ceramics Biennial The Twin Various venues in Stoke-on-Trent, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry, until Sun 13 October Sat 5 October - Sun 26 January An expanded programme of exhibitions, The theme for this year’s citywide Biennial installations and events featuring more than 300 - ‘the twin’ - reflects the fact that Coventry contemporary artists is ensuring that the 10th is twinned with no fewer than 26 other anniversary of this hugely popular free festival is cities around the world. These include being celebrated in fine style. Russia’s Volgograd, with which it’s Taking place across six venues, the event has as celebrating 75 years of friendship in 2019. its centrepiece the vast China Hall, located in the The works on display in the Herbert exhi- former Spode Factory. bition explore themes of collaboration and The Hall features 13 exhibitions and hosts not togetherness while also pondering the dif- only a number of workshops but also the festival’s ficulties presented by globalisation, politi- two flagship shows. The first, entitled Award, cal inequality and conflict. features new work by 10 leading ceramic artists, “Coventry has been an international, all of whom are vying for prize money of £10,000. welcoming and activist city for decades,” The second, Fresh, showcases a selection of says Ryan Hughes, Artistic Director of pieces by some of the UK’s most promising Coventry Biennial. “We are thrilled to be ceramics graduates. working with artists, our twin cities and a Work by celebrated artists from other ceramic wide variety of partners to explore what it biennials around the world is also available to means to be together in 2019.” view. whatsonlive.co.uk 37 Film October (2 pages).qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2019 18:43 Page 1 Film October (2 pages).qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2019 18:43 Page 2

Film

A Shaun The Sheep Movie: Joker CERT tbc (122 mins) Farmageddon CERT U (86 mins) Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, With the voice of Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes, Zazie Beetz, Frances Conroy, Brett Cullen, Kate Harbour Directed by Will Becher and Douglas Hodge Richard Phelan (UK) DirectedDirected byby ToddTodd PhillipsPhillips (USA)(USA) A spin-off of Aardman It’s no laughing matter: Arthur Fleck was Animations’ Shaun desperate to make people laugh, but after The Sheep Movie a public humiliation he turned on society (2015), this stop-mo- and adopted the moniker of The Joker... tion cartoon sees This is the first time that a villain from DC Shaun and his flock Comics has been given his own stand- encounter a beguiling alone movie, much as the case with the extraterrestrial down wicked godmother from Disney’s Sleeping at the farm. It puts the Beauty, who was turned into Maleficent. ET into bleat. Here, the producers Todd Phillips and Released Bradley Cooper have opted for a character Fri 18 October study of failure and madness, and Joaquin Phoenix would seem to be a savvy choice for the title role. The Joker has been Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil previously played on film by Jack Nicholson, Heath Ledger and Jared Leto, CERT tbc (118 mins) but Phoenix’s interpretation promises to Starring Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, be something else - to prepare for the role, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sam Riley, Ed Skrein, Imelda Staunton, Michelle Pfeiffer the actor lost 52 pounds. Directed by Joachim Rønning (USA) Released Fri 4 October EDITOR’S CHOICE After a four-year ab- sence from the screen, Angelina Jolie returns as the wicked fairy Film highlights released in October... godmother she first depicted in Maleficent (2014). The latter was Judy CERT 12a (118 mins) Official Secrets CERT 15 (112 mins) a live-action spin-off of Disney’s Sleeping Starring Renée Zellweger, Jessie Buckley, Finn Starring Keira Knightley, Matt Smith, Wittrock, Rufus Sewell, Michael Gambon Matthew Goode, Rhys Ifans, Adam Bakri, Beauty (1959) and Directed by Rupert Goold (UK) Ralph Fiennes showed why the fairy Directed by Gavin Hood (USA/UK) Adapted from Peter Quilter's 2005 play End turned her powers to Of The Rainbow, this musical drama focuses The invasion of Iraq will not go away. This the greater bad. Here, she’s riled again when on Judy Garland’s sold-out appearance at the real-life thriller centres on Katharine Gun Princess Aurora (Fanning) is embraced by the Talk Of The Town in London in 1968. She (Keira Knightley), the British translator who family of the charming Prince Phillip (Harris died in the summer of the following year. leaked top-secret information on America’s il- Dickinson). In 3D. legal attempts to push for war in Iraq. Released Fri 4 October Released Fri 18 October Released Fri 18 October Zombieland: Double Tap Abominable CERT PG (92 mins) CERT tbc With the voices of Chloe Bennet, Albert Tsai, Tenzing Norgay Trainor, Eddie Izzard, Sarah Starring Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Palson, Tsai Chin Directed by Jill Culton and Abigail Breslin, Emma Stone, Rosario Dawson, Todd Wilderman (China/USA) Zoey Deutch, Luke Wilson Directed by Ruben Fleischer (USA) We’ve had Smallfoot and The Missing Link, Ten years after the zombie spoof Zombieland and now we’ve got the story of a Yeti who (2009) proved a surprising success for the finds himself lost in Shanghai, as they do. genre, the original stars have returned for But he has the help of the teenage Yi and her more bloody sarcasm. This time, the ill- two scampish friends to aid his journey home matched quartet head for the American heart- to the Himalayas. The cartoon is a collabora- land to encounter more evolved versions of tion between DreamWorks Animation and the undead. Chinese production company Pearl Studio. Released Fri 18 October Released Fri 11 October

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Film highlights released in October... Film

The Addams Family CERT PG (105 mins) With the voices of Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Finn Wolfhard, Nick Kroll, Bette Midler, Allison Janney Directed by Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan (USA) Charles Addams' ghoulish clan has been around since 1938 when they first appeared in a comic strip in The New Yorker magazine. Since then, they were immortalised in the 1964-66 TV series and then three films. This version, in which the Addamses move to New Jersey and confront the 21st century, is the first computer-animated edition. In 3D. Released Fri 25 October CRITIC’S CHOICE

The Peanut Butter Falcon wrestling star seem impractical. However, he escapes the home and sets off to find his CERT tbc (117 mins) wrestling hero, the Salt Water Redneck. Starring Shia LaBeouf, Dakota Johnson, Zack Gottsagen, John Hawkes, Bruce Dern, Wearing nothing but a pair of Y-fronts, he Thomas Haden Church Directed by Tyler Nil- hides out in the boat of a local fisherman, son and Michael Schwartz (USA) Tyler (LaBeouf), an anti-social loner with Films featuring Down’s syndrome charac- issues of his own… The title is unlikely to ters are few and far between, particularly attract a huge following, nor the central Black And Blue in American cinema. Yet Zack Gottsagen is character of a pot-bellied lad with Down’s CERT 15 (101 mins) such a forceful presence that the scriptwrit- syndrome, but it’s a strikingly original tale Starring Naomie Harris, Tyrese Gibson, Mike ers Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz built which has the good sense not to push its Colter, Reid Scott, Beau Knapp, Frank Grillo an entire film around his talents. He plays agenda down the viewer’s throat. Display- Directed by Deon Taylor (USA) Zack, a deserted 20-year-old who is housed ing a novelistic feel, with overtones of Alicia West (Naomie Harris) is a black woman at a North Carolina retirement home be- Mark Twain, the film is an entertaining ad- in a blue uniform. But, being a rookie, she is cause nobody knows what to do with him. venture that manages to be both wildly off- also green, so that when she films the mur- He’s a bit of a troublemaker, whose practi- beat and deeply affecting. der of a drug dealer by her partner, she tries cal jokes are lapped up by the home’s aged Released Fri 18 October to do the right thing in a world that is any- residents, but his dreams of becoming a thing but black and white…. Released Fri 25 October

The Last Black Man In San Doctor Sleep CERT tbc By The Grace Of God Francisco CERT tbc (121 mins) Starring Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson, Kyliegh Curran, Cliff Curtis, Carl Lumbly, CERT 15 (138 mins) Starring Jimmie Falls, Jonathan Majors, Danny Bruce Greenwood, Jacob Tremblay Glover, Tichina Arnold, Rob Morgan, Mike Directed by Mike Flanagan (USA) Starring Melvil Poupaud, Denis Ménochet, Epps, Finn Wittrock Swann Arlaud, Éric Caravaca, Bernard Verley Directed by Joe Talbot (USA) It had to happen. Directed by François Ozon (France/Belgium) Playing a character partly based on himself, Thirty-nine years Three men link up to try to expose the priest Jimmie Falls is a man who is trying to reclaim after the chilling who abused them as children. Based on true the home in which he grew up... The film events that un- events, the French film won the Silver Bear at marks the directo- folded in Stanley this year’s Berlin film festival. rial debut of Jim- Kubrick's The Released Fri 25 October mie’s childhood Shining, this friend Joe Talbot sequel sees poor and its develop- Danny Torrance ment budget was now a grown man, played by Ewan McGre- raised through gor. With his psychic powers still intact, Kickstarter. Danny is struggling with alcoholism when he meets a teenage girl (Curran) with her own Released Fri extrasensory gift, known as the 'shine'. 25 October Released Thurs 31 October

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Events previews from around the region Events

Destination Star Trek NEC, Birmingham, Fri 25 - Sun 27 October Boldly go where lots of people have gone before by attending Europe’s official Star Trek convention. As well as featuring interactive exhibits with genuine props and costumes from Star Trek’s 50-plus years, the event provides fans with the chance to come face to face with cast and crew members from the much-loved franchise.

Horse Of The Year Show and international showjumping classes and also hosts the finals of the Pony Club Mounted Games NEC, Birmingham, Wed 2 - Sun 6 October Prince Philip Cup. The biggest event of the year for equestrian enter- Equestrian acrobat Laurent Serre is set to thrill tainment makes a welcome return and promises audiences with his daredevil stunts, while to offer something for all the family to enjoy. French performer Mélie Philippot brings light The five-day show includes a range of national comedy to the show with her ‘dancing duo’. Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show Staffordshire County Showground, Grand Designs Live Sat 19 & Sun 20 October Celebrating the growing popular- NEC, Birmingham, Wed 9 - Sun 13 October ity of emerging classics from the Based on the popular Channel Four series and 1970s, ’80s and ’90s, this annual packed with inspirational ideas, Grand Designs event now attracts more than Live features new product launches, the latest 30,000 enthusiasts and features eco-innovations and over 400 specialist compa- over 900 traders, dealers and nies across six project zones. autojumble stands. With the 2019 edition of the show marking the TV This year’s guests of honour are series’ 20th anniversary, the live event is bringing 10-time world side car champion back designers from across the years to talk Rocket-fuelled Half Term Steve Webster MBE and Classic about their projects and offer plenty of useful British Motor Museum, Gaydon, Motorcycle Mechanics contributor hints and tips. Sat 26 October - Sun 3 November Allen Millyard. The TV show’s presenter, Kevin McCloud, will be The British Motor Museum is hosting a rocket- on stage across the weekend, taking part in fuelled selection of fun family activities this educational seminars and debates with a host of autumn half-term holiday - so prepare for take- industry experts. off! Recycled rocket making and rocket-powered family tours are among the attractions. There’s also the chance to design and build your own Rocket K’nex Car and see how far it travels from its pneumatic rocket launch. On Halloween, Professor Pickle & Doctor Pump- kin are back with their not-to-be-missed science show, a 25-minute presentation of fascinating interactive demonstrations and rocket-inspired science. The Museum’s Halloween Black Cat Trail is avail- able every day throughout half-term week too.

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Events previews from around the region Events

Supreme Cat Show NEC, Birmingham, Sat 26 October Now here's a purr-fect opportunity to get 'up close and purr-sonal' with marvellous moggies aplenty! With more than 800 cats expected to feature, this 43rd such show promises an enjoyable day out for cat lovers and owners alike. The family-friendly event includes grooming demonstrations, hot tips from cat experts and a ‘meet the cats’ section, with an abun- dance of owners, breeders and ex- hibitors in attendance. So if you love your common-or- garden moggy and are 'feline' in the mood for what should be a great day out, then this is very Museum Of The Moon Luke Jerram’s seven-metre moon sculpture is an definitely the show for you! awe-inspiring work of art created using detailed Enginuity, Ironbridge, Mon 21 October - NASA imagery of the lunar surface. Internally lit Sun 10 November to provide an up-close and surreal experience, To celebrate 50 years since man first walked on the sculpture features lunar imagery, moonlight the moon, Enginuity is offering visitors the and a surround-sound composition by BAFTA chance to enjoy an immersive lunar experience. and Ivor Novello award winner Dan Jones.

BRICKLIVE NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 31 October - Sunday 3 November Children can play, create, discover and get hands-on at this ever-popular event, which features no fewer than 10 million Lego bricks! Miniatura Interactive experiences, free build activities, NEC, Birmingham, live stage challenges and a fully immersive Sat 5 & Sun 6 October educational brick experience are among the Now in its 36th year, the ever-pop- highlights of the show. ular Miniatura brings some of the Old favourites the Mosaic Builder, Race world’s most talented craftspeo- Ramps, Map Builder, Minecraft, Duplo Lego ple to Birmingham. soft bricks and City Builder all make a The show provides the perfect welcome return. CHANGE Festival 2019 opportunity to pick up a new skill, New for 2019 is the Sci-Fi Zone, a space in Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, with professional and expert which visitors can build their very own inter- Fri 18 - Sun 20 October tutors running workshops across galactic spaceship. This new event gathers performers and speak- the weekend. ers from the West Midlands and beyond in The exhibitors will be busy world-class shows, talks, comedy and work- making works of miniature art shops - with the aim to inspire visitors to imag- right up until the start of the ine a more positive future for all. event, meaning that visitors will Highlights include‘The World We Made’, a play be able to check out the very latest set in 2050 and based on environmentalist items in their collections. Jonathon Porritt’s book of the same name, a comedy evening asking ‘What Will We Tell Our Grandkids?’, a panel of transformational women sharing their stories for ‘MetamorphSIS- TER’ and plenty of enlivening talks and discus- sions.

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Spooky previews from around the region Halloween

Halloween Spook-tacular National Forest Adventure Farm, Burton-upon-Trent, Sat 19 - Sun 20 & Fri 25 October - Fri 1 November Expect some spooky fun down on the farm this Halloween. Activities include broomstick training, pumpkin picking and a mummy maze hunt. There’s a haunted house to visit too, and a new-for-2019 wizard academy.

Haunted Castle Tamworth Castle, Staffordshire, Sat 26 October - Fri 1 November Tamworth Castle is hosting a week Scarefest selection of extra entertainment. of ghostly goings-on this Hal- Younger visitors can enjoy the colourful Hal- loween. Expect to meet some seri- Alton Towers, Staffordshire, Sat 5 & Sun 6, Sat 12 loween Playland, join in with the Alton Towers ously creepy characters as you & Sun 13, Fri 18 October - Sun 3 November ancestors’ flashmob, or dance and play games tour the castle - including the cack- Alton Towers’ popular Halloween season of at the CBeebies Monster Ball. ling hags - but cross your fingers events returns for another year, complete with For older thrill-seekers, the park’s award-win- you don’t bump into Master ‘spooks, frights and thrills for everyone’. ning scare mazes have been ‘re-scarified’ for Slaughter, who’s always on the The extended opening hours allow visitors to 2019, with a brand new maze added to the lookout for body parts to steal! enjoy their favourite rides in the dark, while the spinetingling line-up of attractions. For visitors fancying a late-night popular visitor attraction is also hosting a thrill, there’s the opportunity to take part in candlelit vigils in some of the castle’s most haunted rooms. More Treat Than Trick Drayton Manor Theme Park, Staffordshire, Spooky Sat 19 - Thurs 31 October Science Night Drayton Manor is inviting families to dust off their broomsticks and treat themselves to some Thinktank Science Museum, Birmingham, Thurs 31 October ghoulish Halloween fun this month. Attractions include The Haunting, which sees Calling all mad scientists, witches visitors being challenged to make their way and wizards - Thinktank is set to through a long-abandoned vicarage in which host a seriously spooky party this ghostly apparitions and supernatural events are Halloween! very much par for the course. Pop along to the event in your best fancy dress, watch the ‘spectacu- lar’ Trick Or Treat show and dance the night away at the silent zombie disco. A-Scarium Visitors can also get hands-on by experimenting in the slime lab or National Sea Life Centre, Birmingham, Sat 12 October - Sun 3 November making their very own family light photos. Discover the spooky creatures that lurk beneath the waves and explore the ocean depths when you visit the National Sea Life Centre this Hal- loween. Meet the mer-witch in her lair and help her cast a spell by finding the missing ingredi- ents around the aquarium so that you can claim your reward. Visitors can also take part in a creepy creature twister game or watch a spooky pumpkin show.

whatsonlive.co.uk 47 Events October.qxp_Layout 1 19/09/2019 16:51 Page 7

48 whatsonlive.co.uk Bass Festival.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2019 12:13 Page 1

FEEL THE BASS The UK’s only Black Arts commissioning festival returns to Birmingham this month. What’s On caught up with Bass Festival 2019’s curators to find out more... Bass Festival.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2019 12:13 Page 2

by Lauren Foster

Organised by award-winning music & arts Jamie Rodigan, Italo Skarcha, Layfullstop and the MBC in Digbeth,” says RTkal. “Over the company Punch Records, the UK’s only Black Bake Off's Liam Charles. years, I’ve managed to surround myself with Arts commissioning festival is this year people who are talented and passionate about “The artists I've chosen are part of a wider shining a spotlight on the future. music & arts. I’ve also learnt a lot from having community who are pushing a culture the opportunity to perform across the world Now in its 13th year, Bass Festival has forward,” RTkal explains. “A lot of them are and learn from the music industry interna- entrusted two of Birmingham's brightest second generation, so their parents are tionally. But what it brought to my attention is young creatives - Aliyah Hasinah and RTkal - musicians or work within the creative indus- how overlooked the talent in Birmingham is, with the responsibility of curating the event try, and they’re building careers based on a and how little we have in terms of a creative and leaving a new legacy. lineage of knowledge and culture. They stand industry infrastructure. The MBC and IDST for a bigger thing; it's not just about what’s “I’m a curator and aspiring historian and studios are a contribution to the infrastruc- cool or new. It’s future music and movements filmmaker,” explains Aliyah. “I started my ture. There's a lot of work to be done, but we based on solid foundations.” career in digital marketing, then ended up as aim to give Birmingham-based artists the sup- producer by the end of an apprenticeship. I This year’s festival theme is ‘the future’. port they need to promote their artistry, and a then became freelance and worked on a Explaining where he plans to take it, RTkal place to facilitate the creation of new art. We variety of different projects with an organisa- says: “I’m booking artists from different parts want to keep Birmingham's creative industry tion called Apples And Snakes, which was my of the world and different parts of the country health and thriving. We’re working on a first actual contracted job. But a lot of my and having them perform alongside Birming- sustainable, creative future.” work has been pretty DIY. If I have an idea ham-based artists. Bass 2019 is going to high- “For me,” says Aliyah, “the greatest achieve- and it’s an exhibition, for example, can we light the calibre of artists that we have to offer ment has been the realisation that I don't just put it up in a cafe? Can we speak to this as a city. I also want to highlight the skills and need to work with institutions for my work to artist and get work shown? I've also worked high level of entrepreneurship we have in matter. At one point in my career, everyone with loads of artists and organisations around Birmingham. We really do have so much to was telling me, You need to work with this the theme of decoloniality and what it means offer.” person or you need to work with this. Then I to move the gaze away from the white gaze Aliyah adds: “I’ve been thinking a lot about started to see the value of being DIY and inde- and not to be apologetic about the way we reimagination and what it means to be black pendent. curate and take up space.” and everything that that is. I think the future “And also, although it's not an ‘achievement’, Aliyah’s curated projects include Bald Black is blickity-black-black! It's independent and I would say the incredible people I’ve met Girls with artist Ruth Sutoyé, The Gallery Is its decolonial. Decolonisation is undoing and along the way. I really admire and respect the Many Things at Eastside Projects and The unlearning behaviours that we’ve been taught people around me.” Past Is Now at Birmingham Museum & Art are correct - like what ‘Blackness’ is, for Gallery. example. Decoloniality is unpicking why we What do the pair want festival-goers to take do the things that we do, how that’s affected away from this year’s Bass? Bass Festival’s second young curator, RTkal, us mentally, psychologically, and who we are is a veteran of the Birmingham music scene. “We want the city to feel inspired,” says seeking approval from and why. Decolonisa- “I’m the co-founder of Beats & Barriers Music RTkal. “We want people to feel confident tion is constant questioning, and in terms of Academy,” he explains. “I also co-own IDST about the future locally and in comparison to the future, it's just not a ‘yes man’ future.” music studios and I run a business called The the rest of the nation. Birmingham is rich in MBC - Music, Birmingham, Culture - all of Looking ahead, Aliyah would like Birming- talent, no doubt about that, so let's highlight which are based in Digbeth.” ham’s creative network to look more like an it and nurture it.” industry: “I'd like infrastructure. I'd like us Inspired both by his generation and his her- “I want people to see the multiplicity of possi- not to have to steal resources from other itage, RTkal has used music to spread positive bility,” says Aliyah. “Anything is possible. places, and I'd like there to be spaces for vibes and unite and entertain audiences There are so many different ways to think people to reap benefits, whether that be artis- across the globe. His CV includes perfor- about things, different artists and different tic development programmes or places to mances at Glastonbury, Bestival, Lovebox and versions of what the future could look like. All pitch your ideas or create them. And I’d like it Outlook, to name but a few. we have to do is start making steps towards to be based on the merit of the idea rather them. I’d like people to leave the festival Visitors to Bass Festival can expect six days of than how many followers you have. I’d like it thinking, Shit, something amazing is happen- live music, workshops, panel discussions, to be a decentralisation of everything which is ing in Birmingham, and Birmingham is the exhibitions and film screenings. There will stuck in London; a lot of the industry is there future.” also be an unveiling ceremony for the event’s but a lot of the talent is here, so we have to Future Faces Of Birmingham mural. connect and build something sustainable.” Artists involved in this year’s get-together So what do RTkal and Aliyah feel are their Bass Festival takes place at various venues include Naomi Cowan, Jevon, Randy Valen- greatest achievements to date? across Birmingham from 22 to 27 October. tine, Sevana, Big Zeeks, Cali P, 808INK, Anaïs, Visit punchbass.com for more “Moving back to Birmingham and setting up information. Oktoberfest.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2019 12:18 Page 1 Oktoberfest.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2019 12:18 Page 2

CHEERS TO THAT! Shropshire Oktoberfest - the perfect place for a get-together with family and friends...

Returning for a third year, Shropshire tioned and award-winning Shrewsbury Food Carter, Vince Atta and compere Chris Brooker. Oktoberfest is the brain child of Beth Heath, Festival, Oktoberfest’s gastronomic offering is EXTRAS... Returning for 2019 is the popular Director of Fun at the award-winning Shrop- of real importance to Beth and her team, so Volvo Carpool Karaoke Tent; perfect for those shire Festivals. The company is responsible expect a vast array of delicious and locally wanting to showcase their singing prowess - for some of the county’s most popular events, produced street food. or not! including Shrewsbury Food Festival, Shrop- LET’S DANCE... Entertainment comes in the shire Kids Fest and Field To Fork Festival. NEW FOR 2019 The latest addition to form of comedy and music, presented by Oktoberfest’s line-up of entertainment is a Taking place over two days inside a huge beer talented local artists... Saturday evening silent disco, which Beth is tent in Shrewsbury’s Quarry Park, Oktober- The line-up for the latter includes Microbaby, confident will ‘create a memorable, unique fest provides the perfect environment (believe Weekenders, The Paprika Blues Band, experience with plenty of laughs’. us, we know!) in which to have fun with Custard Connection and headliners The Folli- family and friends while enjoying a fabulous AND ALL WITH A CLEAR CONSCIENCE... cles on the Friday evening. Saturday perform- offer of food, drink and entertainment. Also new for 2019 - and in keeping with ers are Reverie, The List, Asparagus And The Shropshire Festivals’ commitment to reducing Here’s what to expect... Kilburn, Izzy And The Hotheads, The End- plastic waste - is the introduction of a ings, Vorsprung Dutch Oompah, Dirty Rockin’ CHEERS! In addition to a plethora of real ales reusable beer cup scheme. Scoundrels, Five O’Clock Hero and headliners - there are around 150 in total - Oktoberfest Bouncing Betty. Drinkers will be able to pick up a pint or half- boasts a prosecco parlour, gin den and wine Be sure to wear your dancing shoes! pint cup with a £1 deposit at the festival. They bar from Hencote. And to ensure that every- can then either keep their cup or return it and one is catered for on the alcoholic beverage ARE YOU HAVIN’ A LAUGH?... Guffaws reclaim their deposit. front, there’s also a choice of lagers, ciders aplenty are guaranteed when internationally and perries to explore. What more could you renowned comedian Gordon Southern - he Shropshire Oktoberfest returns to want?... goes down a storm in Australia - takes to the Shrewsbury’s Quarry Park on Friday stage in the comedy tent. 4 & Saturday 5 October. FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD... As might be Fancy it? Bag yourself a ticket at expected from the team behind the aforemen- Joining Gordon are Stephen Carlin, Keith shropshireoktoberfest.co.uk/tickets Events October.qxp_Layout 1 19/09/2019 16:51 Page 8

Spooky previews from around the region Halloween

Tudor World Halloween Tudor World, Stratford-upon-Avon, Fri 25 October - Sun 3 November Stratford-upon-Avon gets splen- didly spooky this Halloween, when one of its most haunted buildings hosts an array of creepy events for all the family to enjoy. Daytime visitors can take part in a ‘witch’s quiz’, complete with a chance to win a ghoulish prize. A fortune teller and storyteller will be on hand on selected days too. Nighttime entertainment comes in the form of family-friendly ghost tours and, later still, adults-only ghost tours and ghost hunts. New for 2019 are special Jack the The Haunted Castle Highlights include the Dead Of Knight scare- Ripper ‘interactive evenings’. maze, in which the army of the dead rise up, and Taking place on Friday 25 October Warwick Castle, Sat 19 October - Sun 3 November The Haunted Hollows, a Halloween trail where and Friday 1 November, the events Warwick Castle certainly doesn’t do anything by participants can expect to meet ‘creepy charac- offer visitors the chance to study halves when it comes to Halloween. ters at every turn’. crime scenes and immerse them- The ever-popular visitor attraction is offering a The ‘wondrous witches’ are back with a new selves in the dark and murky back- whole host of suitably spooky scenarios for visi- show too, while a trip into the castle dungeon is streets of Victorian-era tors to enjoy in the second half of the month, probably best avoided if you happen to be of a Whitechapel. including a couple of new-for-2019 attractions. sensitive disposition!

Halloween Torch-lit Pumpkin Walk Bodenham Arboretum, Sat 26 - Thurs 31 October Apple bobbing, marshmallow toasting and spooky storytelling keep the kids active and amused at this special Halloween event. The main attraction, though - as ably evidenced by the event’s title - Halloween Nights There are creepy characters to meet, a prize to is the torch-lit pumpkin walk, a be won for ‘best-dressed ghoul’, the chance to fun undertaking that sees families Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, Fri 25 - use your detective skills to become a historic making their way around the big Sat 26 & Wed 30 - Thurs 31 October hero and an opportunity to check out the pool in search of pumpkins with Visitors to the Black Country Living Museum Fiendish Felons trail. letters carved into them, from will find themselves trick or treating down the Circus performers, fire jugglers and magicians which can be made a special venue’s gaslit cobbled streets this Halloween, ensure there’s no shortage of good old-fash- hidden word. on what should be a frightfully good evening of ioned street entertainment to enjoy too. Visitors are invited to bring along spinetingling entertainment. their very own carved pumpkin too - there’s a prize for the best one... whatsonlive.co.uk 49 Grandpa's Great Escape Full October 2019.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2019 18:46 Page 1 The List Cover October Warwicks/Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2019 11:01 Page 2

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

Horrible Histories: Awful Egyptians at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Wed 23 - Sat 26 October Wed Horrible Histories: Egyptians Awful at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry,

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

What’s On Tues 1 to Sun 6 October Mon 7 to Sun 13 October Mon 14 to Sun 20 October Mon 21 to Thurs 31 October

Nigel Slater’s Toast Angela Barnes at Warwick Stealing Sheep’s Wow Jonathan Pie at Warwick at Malvern Theatres Arts Centre, Coventry Machine - Tin Music & Arts... Arts Centre, Coventry until Sat 5 October Fri 11 October Fri 18 October Sat 26 October

whatsonlive.co.uk 51 The List Warwicks/Worcs 1 - 6 October.qxp_Layout 1 19/09/2019 10:12 Page 1

thelist THROUGHOUT OCTOBER

tional Galleries of Scotland, until Sun Visual Arts 1 Dec

Artrix, Bromsgrove Rugby Art Gallery & Museum NEW GRAHAM WILSON - LIVING THE THE PRINTED LINE Spanning the 20th DREAM! Exhibition featuring land- century and up to the present day, scapes, seascapes, semi-abstracts the exhibition includes prints by and cartoons, Tues 1 Oct - Sun 3 Nov David Hockney, Lucian Freud, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Bridget Riley and Rachel Whiteread, until Sat 9 Birmingham Museum & Nov Art Gallery CURIOUS CURES AND MARVELLOUS BIRMINGHAM IN THE 1980S: FILMS BY MEDICINES Explore medical instru- YUGESH AND SUNANDAN WALIA Films ments and packaging dating from the which explored specific cultural mo- late Victorians to the mid-20th cen- ments and experiences for black and tury in a new exhibition about health The LaFontaines - O2 Academy, Birmingham Asian communities in Birmingham: and medicine, until Sat 14 Mar Sweet Chariot 1981, until 13 Oct; Oct, Huntingdon Hall, TOUR Sat 5 Oct, O2 African Oasis, 1982, 14 Oct - 18 Nov Gigs Worcester Academy, Birmingham COLLECTING BIRMINGHAM: WHO IS The Herbert Art Gallery & Mu- ANYTHING FOR LOVE: THE PSYCHEDELIC FURS BIRMINGHAM? Discover new collec- seum HOUSE OF PHARAOHS THE MEAT LOAF STORY Sat 5 Oct, O2 Institute, tions that reflect the experiences of NEW RADICAL DRAWING: WORKS FROM Tues 1 Oct, O2 Thurs 3 Oct, The Birmingham Academy, Birmingham diverse Birmingham people - from COVENTRY AND THE COURTAULD Unique Roses Theatre, PLANET ROCK ROAD- working lives to community activists opportunity to explore a group of re- THE SIMON & GAR- Tewkesbury STARS Sat 5 Oct, The and protest movements, until Sun 27 markable drawings by artists who FUNKEL STORY Thurs 1 JAY 1 Thurs 3 Oct, O2 Flapper, Birmingham Oct have pushed the boundaries of what Oct, The Core, Solihull Institute, Birmingham it means to draw, Fri 18 Oct - Sun 19 SAMS TOWN (KILLERS THOUGHTS ON PORTRAITURE Featuring ALI BARTER + THE BUT- Jan ABBAMANIA Thurs 3 TRIBUTE) Sat 5 Oct, works by Picasso, Pacheco, Auer- TERS ALIENS Tues 1 Oct, The Core, Solihull The Marr’s Bar, bach and Bomberg, the exhibition ex- Oct, The Sunflower BIFFY MCCLYRO Fri 4 Worcester plores how artists have used a wide Lounge, Birmingham Worcester City Museum & Art Oct, The Marr’s Bar, THE LAFONTAINES Sat 5 range of styles and imagery to inter- Gallery ENERGY BIRMINGHAM Worcester Oct, O2 Academy, pret complex human emotions and Tues 1 Oct, O2 Insti- FIFTY OBJECTS; FIFTY STORIES EXHIBI- LUKE DANIELS Fri 4 Oct, Birmingham experiences, until Mon 18 Nov tute, Birmingham TION Curator Garston Phillips shares Artrix, Bromsgrove BLOXX Sat 5 Oct, The the tales, anecdotes and memories LULU Tues 1 Oct, Birm- STATIC-X Fri 4 Oct, O2 Sunflower Lounge, Compton Verney Gallery, that have helped shape the museum ingham Town Hall Birmingham for five decades, until Sat 9 Nov Institute, Birmingham Warwick SIMPLY RERED Wed 2 NOCNY KOCHANEK Fri 4 DUOTONE Sat 5 Oct, Ar- ART IN THE PARK - GREEN DWELLING In- AUTUMN CRAFT CASES Featuring hand- Oct, The Core Theatre, Oct, The Asylum, Birm- trix, Bromsgrove stallation by Dutch artist Krijn de Kon- made ceramics and prints by Barry Solihull ingham DIRE STREETS Sat 5 ing consisting of a collection of Lockwood and respoke designs by SEBADOH Wed 2 Oct, Oct, The Roses The- differently sized green blocks ranged Mike & Sam Price - jewellery made POP UP BOWIE Fri 4 O2 Academy, B’ham atre, Tewkesbury across the Old Town Meadow, until from recycled bicycle spokes, until Oct, Belgrade Theatre, Sun 15 Dec Wed 13 Nov CAROLE - THE MUSIC OF Coventry MEME DETROIT Sat 5 CAROLE KING Wed 2 LIVING RUINS Artworks from the 18th WILL YOUNG Fri 4 Oct, Oct, O2 Institute, Birm- THIS IS US Take on the role of the Oct, Belgrade Theatre, century to the modern day, until Sat Symphony Hall, Birm- ingham Magnum photographer by taking a Coventry photo which reflects an aspect of 30 Nov ingham ROADTRIP Sat 5 Oct, GASSED UP + MTXS your present world and relating it to TASHA LEAPER AS The Asylum, B’ham Thurs 3 Oct, The Sun- one of the following themes: individu- MADONNA Fri 4 Oct, COCO AND THE BUTTER- Other VISUAL ARTS flower Lounge, B’ham ality, community, society, until Sun 15 Swan Theatre, FIELDS Sun 6 Oct, O2 Dec THE PLAY'S THE THING Display of cos- THE COSMICS, MOTELS, Worcester Academy, Birmingham tumes and props from the archives, EXHAILERS Thurs 3 Oct, GORDON HENDRICKS IS AMBER RUN Sun 6 Oct, until Tues 31 Dec, Swan Theatre, The Night Owl, B’ham Forge Mill Needle Museum, Stratford-upon-Avon ELVIS Fri 4 - Sat 5 Oct, O2 Academy, B’ham ROMDERFUL Thurs 3 Redditch Artrix, Bromsgrove LULU Sun 6 Oct, FASHIONING PEACE: LIFE AND LIBERTY Oct, O2 Academy, PATSY CLINE & FRIENDS Wolverhampton Grand NEW REDDITCH MEMORIES Exhibition AFTER THE GREAT WAR EXHIBITION Ex- Birmingham Sat 5 Oct, The Core, by the Redditch Local History Society hibition exploring how the changes Theatre CHASE ATLANTIC Thurs Solihull charting significant change in popula- brought about through the Great War BLACK PEAKS Sun 6 3 Oct, O2 Institute, tion, industry and housing, and look- were reflected in clothing and fashion ANYTHING FOR LOVE: Oct, O2 Institute, Birm- Birmingham ing at how Redditch has continually from 1918 through to the Roaring THE MEAT LOAF STORY ingham recreated its own identity, Thurs 31 PHOBOPHOBES Thurs 3 20s, until Mon 12 Oct 2020, Hartle- Sat 5 Oct, Belgrade WITTY DITTIES Sun 6 Oct - Sun 24 Nov Oct, Hare & Hounds, bury Castle, Kidderminster Theatre, Coventry Oct, Albany Theatre, Birmingham NEW COVENTRY BIENNIAL OF CONTEM- THE MARLEY REVIVAL + Coventry MAN & ECHO Thurs 3 Leamington Spa Art Gallery & PORARY ART 2019 Featuring a wide se- THE UB40 TRIBUTE SET THE MYSTERY LIGHTS Oct, Hare & Hounds, Museum lection of exhibitions, events and Sat 5 Oct, O2 Sun 6 Oct, Hare & experiences, Fri 4 Oct - Sun 24 Nov, Birmingham Academy, Birmingham ARTIST ROOMS: DIANE ARBUS Diane Hounds, Birmingham Various Venues In Coventry NATHAN CARTER AND Arbus (1923-1971) is considered one PIERCE BROTHERS Sat 5 BELINDA CARLISLE Sun HIS BAND Thurs 3 Oct, of the great figures of American pho- NEW PICTURE THIS! ILLUSTRATION COM- Oct, O2 Institute, Birm- 6 Oct, Symphony Hall, Belgrade Theatre, tography. The works in this exhibition PETITION WINNERS Tues 8 - Thurs 31 ingham Birmingham Coventry are drawn from the Artist Rooms col- Oct, The Hive Worcester JON BELLION: THE lection, jointly owned by Tate and Na- CHINA CRISIS Thurs 3 GLORY SOUND PREP 52 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwicks/Worcs 1 - 6 October.qxp_Layout 1 19/09/2019 10:12 Page 2

Tuesday 1 - Sunday 6 October

TOM ROSENTHAL Sun 6 Oct, Royal Classical Spa Centre, Leamington Spa LAUGHING SOLE COMEDY CLUB FOR CBSO: ALISON BALSOM PLAYS MUS- KIDS Sun 6 Oct, Midlands Arts Cen- GRAVE Featuring Mirga Gražinytè-Tyla tre, Birmingham (conductor), Alison Balsom (trumpet) & the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Programme includes works by Gipps, Thea Musgrave & Walton, Wed 2 Oct, Symphony Hall, Theatre Birmingham REBEL MUSIC Robin French's new play THE HERMES EXPERIMENT Quartet celebrating the diverse music legacy made up of harp, clarinet, voice & of the Midlands, until Sat 5 Oct, The double bass, Fri 4 Oct, The Barber In- REP, Birmingham stitute, Birmingham KING JOHN Shakespeare’s rarely per- ARMONICO CONSORT: LAND OF POPE formed tale of a nation in turmoil, AND GLORY Also featuring The English until Sat 21 Mar, The Swan Theatre, Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble, Fri 4 Stratford-upon-Avon Oct, Malvern Theatres FIRST ENCOUNTERS: THE MERCHANT OF ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: MOZART IN VENICE Shakespeare’s story of justice CUBA Featuring David Gordon and mercy, brought to life in a 90- (piano), Fri 4 Oct, The Market The- minute production created specially atre, Ledbury for seven to 13-year-olds, Mon 30 Sept - Sat 5 Oct, The Swan Theatre, ESMÉ STRING QUARTET Featuring Won- Stratford-upon-Avon hee Bae & Yuna Ha (violins), Jiwon Nigel Slater’s Toast - Malvern Theatres Kim (viola) & Ye-eun Heo (cello). Pro- A BUNCH OF AMATEURS Malvern The- gramme includes works by Haydn, atre Players present Ian Hislop & grade Theatre, Coventry made women look beautiful', Thurs 3 Beethoven & Schumann, Fri 4 Oct, Nick Newman’s comic play, Mon 30 RUSH FEATURING THE JA REGGAE BAND - Sat 12 Oct, The REP, Birmingham Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Sept - Sat 5 Oct, Coach House The- The story of reggae music, from the A BLACK COUNTRY NIGHT OUT Variety Spa atre, Malvern arrival of the Windrush Generation show featuring Dandy, a tribute to ORGAN RECITAL WITH THOMAS TROTTER NIGEL SLATER’S TOAST Evocative tale through to the 1960s & ’70s, when Black Country comedienne Dolly Sat 5 Oct, Worcester Cathedral of love, loss - and toast, direct from reggae took the world by storm, Allen by Emma Rollason (from The the West End, Mon 30 Sept - Sat 5 Thurs 3 Oct, The REP, Birmingham Fizzogs) and music from ukulele THE FILM ORCHESTRA - HEROES & Oct, Malvern Theatres VIC LLEWELLYN: A LITTLE DEATH One- maestro Joe Thomas, Fri 4 Oct, The SUPER HEROES Featuring Michael Core Theatre, Solihull Cobb (conductor) & Edward Roberts- GASLIGHT Martin Shaw stars in Patrick man show about mass hysteria, fea- Malpass (soloist), Sat 5 Oct, Great Hamilton’s psychological thriller, Mon turing original songs from Kid Carpet, THE THING (BEDLAM FESTIVAL) Les En- Malvern Priory 30 Sept - Sat 5 Oct, The Alexandra very tiny objects, torches, and an in- fants Terribles delve into the crisis of Theatre, Birmingham visible gorilla, Thurs 3 Oct, Midlands identity, depression & anxiety, Fri 4 - Arts Centre, Birmingham Sat 5 Oct, The REP, Birmingham BLOOD BROTHERS Willy Russell’s iconic musical, Mon 30 Sept - Sat 12 NO BOND SO STRONG Life-affirming AWKWARD CONVERSATIONS WITH ANI- Oct, Birmingham Hippodrome show about motherhood and holding MALS I’VE F*CKED Critically acclaimed Comedy your family together, even when you production about love, acceptance KOKO BROWN: WHITE Solo show about find yourself unravelling, Thurs 3 - Fri and boundaries, Fri 4 - Sat 5 Oct, Old FRISKY & MANNISH Wed 2 Oct, The identity, being a mixed-race black 4 Oct, Midlands Arts Centre, B’ham Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham Glee Club, Birmingham woman and always feeling like an BASILE & CHRIS MARKO K Wed 2 Oct, outsider, Tues 1 Oct, Midlands Arts CRIMES ON THE COAST New Old THE MAGIC OF MUSICALS Presented by The Glee Club, Birmingham Centre, Birmingham Friends present a comedy thriller in- Bournville Musical Theatre, Fri 4 - Sat spired by the works of Agatha 5 Oct, The Dovehouse Theatre, JOANNE MCNALLY, DAVID TRENT & COM- THE WIZARD OF OZ Amateur staging Christie, Noel Coward & PG Wode- Olton, Solihull EDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON presented by West Bromwich Oper- house, Thurs 3 - Sat 5 Oct, The Old Thurs 3 Oct, The Glee Club, B’ham atic Society (WBOS), Tues 1 - Sat 5 DOWN IN THE DUMPS Interactive the- Rep Theatre, Birmingham Oct, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre atrical performance exploring mental JAMES ACASTER Fri 4 Oct, Birming- PRISM Robert Lindsay takes the lead health with children and their families. ham Town Hall MARSHALL STREET Paul Magson’s in Terry Johnson's poignant play Suitable for children aged seven- new play, set in the Smethwick area BIRMINGHAM COMEDY FESTIVAL BREAK- about Oscar-winning cinematogra- plus, Sat 5 Oct, The REP, Birmingham of Birmingham in 1965, Wed 2 Oct, ING TALENT AWARD 2019 Fri 4 Oct, The pher Jack Cardiff - 'the man who Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham Glee Club, Birmingham TURN OF THE SCREW Award-winning FERN BRADY Fri 4 Oct, The Glee Club, Box Tale Soup present a new adapta- Birmingham tion of Henry James’ disturbing story, DAVID TRENT, ALFIE BROWN, EDDY featuring puppetry and a ‘haunting’ BRIMSON & COMIC TBC Fri 4 - Sat 5 original soundtrack, Wed 2 Oct, Oct, The Glee Club, Birmingham Bridge House Theatre, Warwick JONATHAN PIE Sat 5 Oct, Symphony MADE IN DAGENHAM Amateur staging Hall, Birmingham presented by Alcester Musical The- COUNT ARTHUR STRONG Sun 6 Oct, atre Co, Wed 2 - Sat 5 Oct, Palace Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa Theatre, Redditch JOSH PUGH Sun 6 Oct, The Glee Club, A CHORUS OF DISAPPROVAL Second Birmingham Thoughts Drama Group brings Alan MARLON DAVIS, ANNETTE FAGON, JOHN Ayckbourn’s comedy to life, Wed 2 - SIMMIT & CURTIS WALKER Sun 6 Oct, Sat 5 Oct, Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford- Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry upon-Avon FRANKENSTEIN JOSH PUGH Sun 6 Oct, The Glee Club, Rona Munro’s new Birmingham adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Gothic masterpiece, Wed 2 - Sat 12 Oct, Bel- A Black Country Night Out - The Core Theatre, Solihull whatsonlive.co.uk 53 The List Warwicks/Worcs 1 - 6 October.qxp_Layout 1 19/09/2019 10:12 Page 3

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thelist Tuesday 1 - Sunday 6 October Kids Shows Film STICK MAN Popular staging of Julia INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Donaldson’s much-loved story, Tues HAIL SATAN? (15) Documentary. Star- 1 - Wed 2 Oct, The Swan Theatre, ring Jex Blackmore, Chalice Blythe. Worcester The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues THE SCARECROW’S WEDDING Scamp 1 Oct Theatre presents its award-winning PAIN AND GLORY (15) Drama. Starring staging of Julia Donaldson & Axel Antonio Banderas, Asier Etxeandia. Scheffler’s bestselling book, Thurs 3 - Foreign language, subtitled. Malvern Fri 4 Oct, Albany Theatre, Coventry Theatres, Tues 1 & Fri 4 Oct; The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Wed 2 & Fri 4 Oct THE MUSTANG (15) Drama. Starring Matthias Schoenaerts, Jason Mitchell. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 4 Oct THE SOUVENIR (15) Drama/Mystery. Starring Neil Young, Tosin Cole. The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Fri 4 - Mon 7 Oct Mini Museum Engineers - Coventry Transport Museum AD ASTRA (12a) Adventure/Drama. Starring Brad Pitt, Liv Tyler. The HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW The biggest SPACE DAY Unleash your inner astro- Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Fri 4 - week of the year for equestrian enter- naut with free interactive activities Tues 8 Oct tainment, Wed 2 - Sun 6 Oct, NEC, and exhibitions, Sat 5 Oct, The Hive, Birmingham Worcester Talks / DOWNTON ABBEY (PG) Drama. Starring Matthew Goode, Maggie Smith. AUTUMN DIESEL GALA Chance to LEAMINGTON COMIC CON Guests in- Number 8, Pershore, Fri 4 - Thurs 10 check out the railway's home-based clude John Wagner, best known for Spoken Word Oct locomotives, Thurs 3 - Sun 6 Oct, co-creating iconic 2000AD character OUT OF THE ASHES: AN EVENING WITH Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr Judge Dredd, Sat 5 Oct, All Saints' BOYCOTT & AGGERS Brand new show Kidderminster Parish Church, Leamington Spa featuring two of cricket’s finest - Test BIRMINGHAM LITERATURE FESTIVAL MINIATURA Take a closer look at the Match Special’s Jonathan Agnew and Featuring a wide selection of writers, world of miniature modelling and recently knighted former England artists and commentators, Thurs 3 - dolls' houses, Sat 5 - Sun 6 Oct, batsman Geoffrey Boycott, Tues 1 Sun 13 Oct, Various locations NEC, Birmingham Oct, Malvern Theatres throughout Birmingham SCAREFEST Alton Towers stays open ARMISTEAD MAUPIN An evening with WARWICK CASTLE GHOST HUNT Ghosts late for thrill-seekers looking to enjoy the bestselling Tales Of The City au- aplenty roam the ramparts at a venue spooky rides in the dark, Sat 5 - Sun thor and LGBT activist, Wed 2 Oct, CHARMING (PG) Animation/Adventure. with a long history of battles, gore 6 Oct, Alton Towers, Stoke-on-Trent With the voices of Demi Lovato, Birmingham Town Hall and death, Fri 4 Oct, Warwick Castle WATT 2019: BOULTON, WATT AND THE Wilmer Valderrama. Artrix, Broms- BENNETTS BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPI- WYATTS Talk exploring the many grove, Sat 5 Oct ONSHIP Featuring two races on the Wyatt connections with Boulton and full Grand Prix circuit as the champi- Watt activities, Sun 6 Oct, Soho NEW FILMS ON GENERAL onship draws towards its climax, Fri 4 House, Birmingham RELEASE: - Sun 6 Oct, Donington Park, Castle GTI FESTIVAL RWYB event for water- Released from Fri 4 Oct, showing at Donington cooled VWs, with show & shine, car selected cinemas BIRMINGHAM COMEDY FESTIVAL Annual clubs, an autojumble and more, Sun JOKER (tbc) citywide ‘mirth-filled extravaganza’ 6 Oct, Santa Pod Raceway, Welling- AN EVENING WITH VERSE WRITER Inter- JUDY (12a) that mixes big comedy names with borough active piece where each poem is emerging talent, Fri 4 - Sun 13 Oct, laced with sounds from instruments, Various venues across Birmingham voices, applause & shouts, Wed 2 - Thurs 3 Oct, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Events THE AUTUMN CREATIVE WRITING SERIES WARWICK WORDS HISTORY FESTIVAL Live literature from three award-win- The local history project for 2019 re- ning poets - David Clarke, Ross visits the theme of ‘in and around Cogan and Amanda Bonnick, Thurs 3 Warwick’ and joins forces with Un- Oct, The Hive, Worcester locking Warwick for a reconstruction STEPHEN COCKAYNE (AUTUMN IN of a 19th century trial that gripped the MALVERN) Talk about The Lanchester nation, until Sun 6 Oct, Various Marionettes In Malvern, Sun 6 Oct, venues around Warwick Malvern Theatres STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK PAM AYRES: UP IN THE ATTIC Join Pam - LIVE IN CONCERT Composer John as she performs poems from her new Williams’ score performed live to the book alongside classics from her film, Tues 1 Oct, Arena Birmingham long career, Sun 6 Oct, Birmingham MINI MUSEUM ENGINEERS – RAMPS AND Town Hall RACERS Use any of the material to MARJORIE BLACKMAN IN CONVERSATION play and make the highest ramps, Join the legendary author as she in- the fastest racers and the longest troduces her new novel, Crossfire, tracks, Wed 2 Oct, Coventry Trans- Sun 6 Oct, Birmingham Town Hall port Museum

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thelist Monday 7 - Sunday 13 October ANDY FAIRWEATHER Flapper, Birmingham Birmingham Gigs LOW AND THE LOW RID- MITCH BENN: TEN Classical REPEATED PATTERNS: FAMILY CONCERT ERS Wed 9 Oct, Hunt- SONGS TO SAVE THE Featuring London Sinfonietta & WHENYOUNG Mon 7 ingdon Hall, Worcester WORLD Fri 11 Oct, The Music Patrick Bailey (presenter). Pro- Oct, Hare & Hounds, JOE BROWN & THE Roses Theatre, gramme includes works by Steve Birmingham BRUVVERS Wed 9 - Tewkesbury ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: TALES OF Reich & Philip Glass, Sun 13 Oct, MIDGE URE: VIENNA & Thurs 10 Oct, The THE HOUSE & GARAGE THE CITY Featuring Rebecca Miller Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry VISAGE Mon 7 Oct, Core Theatre, Solihull ORCHESTRA Fri 11 Oct, (conductor), Viv McLean (piano), JOHN PAUL EKINS PIANO CONCERT Pro- Birmingham Town Hall GENESIS LEGACY Thurs The Empire, Coventry Hugh Davies (trumpet) & Louise gramme includes works by Haydn, Braithwaite (cor anglais). Pro- BLACK FLAG Tues 8 10 Oct, Palace The- ALICE COOPER Fri 11 Mozart, Liszt & Mussorgsky, Sun 13 atre, Redditch gramme includes works by Rossini, Oct, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester Oct, The Mill, Digbeth, Oct, Resorts World Gershwin, Copland, Mozart & new Birmingham SIMPLY RERED Thurs 10 Arena, Birmingham work by Catherine Mole, Tues 8 Oct, BLAKE Sun 13 Oct, Bedworth Civic LAURAN HIBBERD Tues Oct, Huntingdon Hall, THE SONGS OF BARRY Stratford Playhouse, Stratford-upon- Hall 8 Oct, Hare & Hounds, Worcester WHITE Fri 11 Oct, Sym- Avon Birmingham KANADIA 2019 TOUR phony Hall, B’ham CHINEKE! ENSEMBLE Programme in- MURKAGE DAVE Tues 8 Thurs 10 Oct, Hare & THE DIVINE COMEDY Fri cludes works by Coleridge-Taylor & Oct, Hare & Hounds, Hounds, Birmingham 11 Oct, O2 Institute, Schubert, Tues 8 Oct, The Brad- Comedy Birmingham JORDAN RAKEI Thurs 10 Birmingham shaw, Royal Birmingham Conserva- LOST VOICE GUY Tues 8 Oct, The Core FAIRPORT CONVENTION Oct, The Mill, Digbeth, REVEREND AND THE toire Theatre, Solihull Birmingham Tues 8 Oct, Hunting- MAKERS Fri 11 Oct, O2 THE GESUALDO SIX Vocal consort MATT PARKER Tues 8 Oct, Royal Spa don Hall, Worcester TION WAYNE Thurs 10 Institute, Birmingham comprising some of the UK’s finest Centre, Leamington Spa JAMBINAI Tues 8 Oct, Oct, O2 Institute, Birm- SIMPLY RERED Sat 12 young consort singers, Tues 8 Oct, ingham St Mary’s Church, Warwick GARY DELANEY Wed 9 Oct, Royal Spa The Flapper, B’ham Oct, The Roses The- Centre, Leamington Spa IAN PALMER’S AERIAL RICHARD HAWLEY Thurs atre, Tewkesbury ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: TALES OF 10 Oct, O2 Institute, THE CITY Featuring Rebecca Miller JAMES ACASTER Wed 9 Oct, Royal BEAT CLUB Wed 9 Oct, STRICTLY NASHVILLE Spa Centre, Leamington Spa Stratford Playhouse, Birmingham Sat 12 Oct, Hunting- (conductor), Viv McLean (piano), Stratford-upon-Avon THE GREATEST LOVE OF don Hall, Worcester Hugh Davies (trumpet) & Louise EVERYTHING IS TERRIBLE LIVE Wed 9 ALL: CELEBRATING THE Braithwaite (cor anglais). Pro- Oct, The Glee Club, Birmingham THE DUNWELLS + LISSY GUNS OR ROSES Sat 12 gramme includes works by Rossini, TAYLOR + ELLISHA MUSIC OF WHITNEY Oct, The Marr’s Bar, THE NOISE NEXT DOOR Thurs 10 Oct, HOUSTON Thurs 10 Gershwin, Copland, Mozart & new Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa GREEN Wed 9 Oct, The Worcester work by Catherine Mole, Wed 9 Oct, Sunflower Lounge, Oct, Symphony Hall, AMY WINEHOUSE TRIB- The Bradshaw Hall, Royal Birming- REGINALD D HUNTER Thurs 10 Oct, Birmingham Birmingham UTE BY MARINA Sat 12 ham Conservatoire Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham AL STEWART Thurs 10 JP COOPER Wed 9 Oct, Oct, The Night Owl, NAVARRA STRING QUARTET Featuring TOM WARD, MICKY P KERR & COMEDY O2 Institute, B’ham Oct, Birmingham Town Birmingham CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Hall Magnus Johnston & Marije Johnston HUSSAIN MANAWER ROACHFORD Sat 12 (violins), Sascha Bota (viola) & Brian Thurs 10 - Sat 12 Oct, The Glee Wed 9 Oct, O2 Insti- TALLY KOREN - VISION Oct, O2 Academy, O’Kane (cello), Fri 11 Oct, Artrix, Club, Birmingham tute, Birmingham OF HOPE Thurs 10 Oct, Birmingham Bromsgrove IMPRACTICAL JOKERS Fri 11 Oct, The Tin Music And SNAPPED ANKLES Wed Arena Birmingham Arts, Canal Basin, CHRIS ELLIOT & CAITLIN PIANO RECITAL WITH SOFYA GULYAK 9 Oct, Hare & Hounds, Coventry JONES Sat 12 Oct, Programme includes works by J.S IT'LL BE ALT-RIGHT ON THE NIGHT Fri 11 Birmingham Number 8 Community Bach, Brahms, Chopin, & Prokofiev, Oct, Old Joint Stock Theatre, B’ham A BAND CALLED MALICE CURSE OF LONO + JOHN Arts Centre, Worces- Fri 11 Oct, Elmslie House, Malvern Fri 11 Oct, Huntingdon TOM WARD, MICKY P KERR, JOSH PUGH MURRY Wed 9 Oct, tershire Hall, Worcester & JAY LAFFERTY Fri 11 - Sat 12 Oct, Hare & Hounds, Birm- THUNDER Sat 12 Oct, The Glee Club, Birmingham ingham TRUE GOLD Fri 11 Oct, Albany Theatre, Swan Theatre, HENNING WEHN Fri 11 - Sat 12 Oct, WALTER TROUT Wed 9 Coventry Worcester Birmingham Town Hall Oct, Birmingham Town JAMES ARTHUR Sat 12 JUSTIN MOORHOUSE Fri 11 Oct, Royal Hall RAVE ON - A TRIBUTE TO Oct, O2 Academy, BUDDY HOLLY Fri 11 Spa Centre, Leamington Spa THE GOLDHAWKS PER- Birmingham Oct, Stratford Play- ANGELA BARNES Fri 11 Oct, Warwick FORM TOMMY THE house, Stratford-upon- THE MURDER CAPITAL Arts Centre, Coventry ALBUM LIVE Wed 9 Avon Sat 12 Oct, Castle And Oct, Belgrade Theatre, Falcon, Birmingham MOSCOW PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Coventry S-X Fri 11 Oct, The TENSILE / BEXIE JAMES / Featuring Yuri Botnari (conductor). EVENTUAL FATE / ICE- Programme includes works by FIRE Sat 12 Oct, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov & Scruffy Murphy’s, Shostakovich, Sat 12 Oct, Warwick Birmingham Arts Centre, Coventry TIN TINS HYPE 26 Sat WARWICKSHIRE SYMPHONY ORCHES- 12 - Sun 13 Oct, Hare TRA Featuring Peter Donohoe & Hounds, B’ham (piano). Programme includes works ETHAM Sun 13 Oct, by Wagner, Franck & Brahms, Sat 12 Hare & Hounds, Birm- Oct, Warwick Hall ingham LUDOVICO EINAUDI THE 7 DAYS WALK- CV FOLK - SECOND SUN- ING TOUR Also featuring Redi Hasa DAY Sun 13 Oct, Al- (cello) & Frederico Mecozzi (violin), Sat 12 Oct, Symphony Hall, B’ham bany Theatre, LOST VOICE GUY Sat 12 Oct, Royal Coventry DAS RHEINGOLD Featuring Birming- Spa Centre, Leamington Spa ham Philharmonic Orchestra and JESCA HOOP Sun 13 MATT PARKER Sat 12 Oct, Artrix, Oct, Hare & Hounds, Michael Lloyd (conductor), Julian Close (Wotan) & John Graham Hall Bromsgrove Andy Fairweather Lowe - Huntingdon Hall, Worcester Birmingham (Loge), Sun 13 Oct, Symphony Hall, ROY CHUBBY BROWN Sat 12 Oct whatsonlive.co.uk 57 The List Warwicks/Worcs 7 - 13 October.qxp_Layout 1 19/09/2019 10:14 Page 3

October 2019 NEW SEASON ON SALE

Friday 4 October Thursday 10 October Wednesday 16 October 14+ LUKE DANIELS NEW PERSPECTIVES: FAITH I BRANKO TRADE Outstanding vocalist and Welcome to the Caribbean. ‘Musically a delight’ instrumental virtuoso Where the sun is hot and the The Guardian living is uneasy

Saturday 19 October Tuesday 29 October Wednesday 30 October RONNIE SCOTT'S NICK SHARRATT'S SOFIE HAGEN : ALL STARS DRAWALONG THE BUMSWING 60th Anniversary concert A family-friendly, fun filled Winner of the prestigious draw-along for all ages Edinburgh Best Newcomer Award

COMING SOON: Luke Kempner: House Of Faces, Gordon Hendricks as Elvis, Duotone, Quadrophenia Night Matt Parker - Humble Pi, Daliso Chaponda: Blah Blah Blacklist, Circus of Horrors, The Julie July Band Bromsgrove Concerts: Navarra String Quartet, Vienna Festival Ballet - Snow White, Jenny Sturgeon, Griff Rhys Jones: All Over The Place, Modern Calligraphy: Intermediate Workshop, Purple Zeppelin, Mike Peters presents The Alarm - Hurricane Of Change Tour, Ellie Taylor: Don't Got This, Seeking Isolde Theo's Comedy School Show, Barbara Dickson & Rab Noakes, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde...

Join our Mailing List and receive our weekly e-flyer withup-to-date information about upcoming showsor download our latest brochure @artrixarts www.artrix.co.uk @artrix arts centre Artrix, Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove, B60 1GN Box Office: 01527 577330

58 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwicks/Worcs 7 - 13 October.qxp_Layout 1 19/09/2019 10:14 Page 4

thelist Monday 7 - Sunday 13 October Palace Theatre, Redditch whether prison is really the right Hall COMEDY CLUB 4 KIDS Sat 12 Oct, place for mothers. Part of The Rep's Dance AN EVENING WITH AGGERS AND Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa Bedlam Festival 2019, Wed 9 - Thurs TUFFERS No-holds-barred evening of 10 Oct, The REP, Birmingham RIPE AND WHAT DOES STUFF DO Chore- cricketing chat with Test Match Spe- JOSH WIDDICOMBE Sun 13 Oct, Birm- ographed exploration of attitudes to- ingham Hippodrome STATUS ‘A show about running away cial’s Jonathan Agnew and former from the national story you’re given, wards and assumptions about female England bowler Phil Tufnell, Sun 13 about who is responsible for that performers, Tues 8 Oct, Warwick Arts Oct, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre story and what might happen to it if Centre, Coventry Theatre you give it up’, Wed 9 - Thurs 10 Oct, THE WIZARD OF OZ Ballet Theatre UK Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry present L Frank Baum’s classic tale, SWITCHED ON Geese Theatre Com- Fri 11 Oct, Albany Theatre, Coventry pany present ‘a beautiful coming to- PRIVATE PEACEFUL National Produc- Events gether of different people finding a tion Company’s staging of Michael SNOW WHITE Vienna Festival Ballet MALVERN FESTIVAL OF INNOVATION common ground’, Mon 7 Oct, The Morpurgo’s wartime tale, Wed 9 - Sat present the famous Brothers Grimm Event aiming to enthuse the visitor REP, Birmingham 12 Oct, The Old Rep, Birmingham story, Sun 13 Oct, Artrix, Bromsgrove both professionally and personally, THE IMPROLECTUALS Some of the Mid- ABIGAIL’S PARTY St John’s Players pre- Mon 7 - Sat 12 Oct, various locations lands’ finest improvisers create com- sent an amateur staging of Mike in and around Malvern, Worcester- pletely new comedy sketches on the Leigh’s iconic play, Wed 9 - Sat 12 shire spot, Mon 7 Oct, Crescent Theatre, Oct, Swan Theatre, Worcester MINI MUSEUM ENGINEERS - UP, UP, UP Birmingham TRADE The story of three very different WE GO Use traditional and unusual SHIRLEY VALENTINE Amateur staging women with one thing in common... toys and tools to engineer tall and of Willy Russell’s heart-warming com- Thurs 10 Oct, Artrix, Bromsgrove boosting structures, Wed 9 Oct, edy, Mon 7 - Sat 12 Oct, Talisman ORLANDO Rebecca Vaughan’s one- Coventry Transport Museum Theatre, Kenilworth woman show based on Virginia GRAND DESIGNS LIVE BIRMINGHAM REVOLVING DOOR Drama exploring the Woolf’s satirical novel of the same Based on the Channel Four series, suicide of a 19-year-old gay man. name, Thurs 10 Oct, Midlands Arts presented by Kevin McCloud and fea- Part of The Rep's Bedlam Festival Centre, Birmingham turing new product launches, the lat- 2019, Tues 8 Oct, The REP, B’ham DANGEROUS OBSESSION NJ Crisp’s est eco-innovations and over 400 specialist companies across six pro- THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT Surreal and psychological thriller, Thurs 10 - Sat 12 Oct, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry ject zones, Wed 9 - Sun 13 Oct, NEC, confronting new work combining Birmingham dance and new writing, participation WRITE-OFF Free Spirit Theatre present and performance, children and a collection of short plays from up- Cabaret HOW TO BECOME A WRITER Event fea- adults... Tues 8 Oct, Midlands Arts and-coming writers, Thurs 10 - Sat 12 turing two writers and local publish- Centre, Birmingham Oct, The Dovehouse Theatre, Olton, PUPPETRY OF THE PENIS: THE GREATEST ers Black Pear Press, Thurs 10 Oct, BITS TOUR Non-sexual show contain- The Hive, Worcester EYE OF THE STORM Award-winning mu- Solihull ing full-frontal male nudity, Thurs 10 RAF DEFFORD AIRFIELD GUIDED WALK sical about chasing storms and SISTER ACT Amateur staging of the di- Oct, Swan Theatre, Worcester changing the world. Suitable for chil- vine musical comedy based on the Tour of the top-secret airbase that dren and young people, Tues 8 - Wed hit film of the same name, Thurs 10 - was home to Airborne Radar testing 9 Oct, The Patrick Studio, Birming- Sun 13 Oct, Evesham Arts Centre and development during the Second ham Hippodrome World War and early years of the THE WORLD’S GREATEST MUSICALS Talks / Cold War, Sat 12 Oct, Croome Park, TRYING IT ON Playwright David Edgar Songs from West End shows includ- Worcester confronts his 20-year-old self to ex- ing Phantom Of The Opera, Mamma plore how his views have changed in Mia!, The Lion King, Chicago, Blood Spoken Word BAVARIAN EVENING Enjoy a ‘fun-filled 50 years, Tues 8 - Wed 9 Oct, War- evening’ complete with a lively, inter- Brothers and Hamilton, Fri 11 Oct, AN AUDIENCE WITH NASA ASTRONAUT wick Arts Centre, Coventry Number 8, Pershore active Bavarian Oompah band, Sat DR. DON THOMAS Ask a real-life astro- 12 Oct, West Midland Safari and MURDER, MARGARET & ME Agatha IT’LL BE ALT-RIGHT ON THE NIGHT What naut all your burning questions, Tues Leisure Park, Bewdley, Nr Kiddermin- Christie turns sleuth in a play by happens when two best friends find 8 Oct, The Hive, Worcester ster Phillip Meeks. Lin Blakely (EastEn- themselves on different sides of a SIMON ARMITAGE: IN CONVERSATION ders) stars, Tues 8 - Sat 12 Oct, seemingly impassable ideological di- SCAREFEST Alton Towers stays open WITH STUART MACONIE Special Malvern Theatres vide? Fri 11 - Sat 12 Oct, Old Joint late for thrill-seekers looking to enjoy evening of poetry and conversation. Stock Theatre, Birmingham spooky rides in the dark, Sat 12 - Sun Birmingham Poet Laureate Richard 13 Oct, Alton Towers, Stoke-on-Trent A MUSEUM IN BAGHDAD Story of trea- O’Brien & Birmingham Young Poet OCTOBER HOLIDAY AT COVENTRY TRANS- sured history, desperate choices and Laureate Aliyah Begum also feature. PORT MUSEUM Explore, test and cele- the remarkable Gertrude Bell, Fri 11 Part of Birmingham Literature Festi- brate all types of energy sources, Sat Oct - Sat 25 Jan, The Swan Theatre, val, Tues 8 Oct, Birmingham Town 12 Oct - Sat 2 Nov, Coventry Trans- Stratford-upon-Avon Hall port Museum THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES In- TWO OF THE SAME - BUT DIFFERENT BRICK OR TREAT Featuring Halloween ventive two-man staging of Arthur Malcolm Stent & Don Maclean take to activities, rides and 4D films, Sat 12 Conan Doyle’s acclaimed Sherlock the stage with an evening’s-worth of Oct - Sat 2 Nov, Legoland Discovery Holmes mystery, Sat 12 Oct, The humorous anecdotes, Fri 11 Oct, Centre, Birmingham Core Theatre, Solihull Palace Theatre, Redditch A-SCARIUM Discover the spooky crea- HIT THE ODE Unique performance po- tures that lurk beneath the waves and etry night featuring talented spoken- explore the ocean depths, Sat 12 Oct word artists, Fri 11 Oct, Patrick MISTRESS TO THE MIDNIGHT Spoof of - Sun 3 Nov, National Sea Life Centre, Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome the classic British horror film, live on Kids Shows Birmingham stage, Wed 9 Oct, Old Joint Stock DEAR ZOO LIVE! Rod Campbell’s chil- REAL LIFE PARENTING: THE GOOD, THE RAINWORTH SKODA DUKERIES RALLY Theatre, Birmingham dren’s classic, live on stage, Tues 8 - BAD AND THE FUNNY Join the panel for This is the 60th consecutive Dukeries Wed 9 Oct, Malvern Theatres an in-depth discussion about writing FORGET ME NOT - THE ALZHEIMER’S Rally and forms part of four regional and what being a parent in 2019 is WHODUNNIT? ‘Witty crime show’ set THE RAILWAY CHILDREN Amateur stag- championships, Sun 13 Oct, Doning- really like. Featuring Liz Berry, on a dementia ward, Wed 9 Oct, The ing of E Nesbit’s much-loved chil- ton Park Racing Circuit, Derby Civic, Stourport dren’s story, Sat 12 - Sat 19 Oct, Matthew Coyne and Kathryne Wal- lace, Sat 12 Oct, Birmingham Town PLAYING THE GAME Production asking Criterion Theatre, Coventry whatsonlive.co.uk 59 The List Warwicks/Worcs 14 - 20 October DAVINA.qxp_Layout 1 19/09/2019 10:18 Page 1

thelist HOLLY Thurs 17 Oct, Birmingham Town Hall LONGLEY & JOHN FOTHERGILL Fri 18 - Gigs Resorts World Arena, JAH9 AND THE DUB Classical Music Sat 19 Oct, The Glee Club, B’ham Birmingham TREATMENT Sat 19 Oct, GRIFF RHYS JONES Sat 19 Oct, Eve- MOSCOW PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA: DANIEL CAESAR Mon 14 THE CULT - A SONIC O2 Institute, B’ham sham Arts Centre SHOSTAKOVICH'S NO.10 Featuring Yuri Oct, O2 Academy, TEMPLE Thurs 17 Oct, REM\STIPE Sat 19 Oct, Simonov (conductor) and Alexandra ALFIE MOORE Sat 19 Oct, Royal Spa Birmingham O2 Academy, B’ham The Marr’s Bar, Dariescu (piano). Programme in- Centre, Leamington Spa ISSUES Mon 14 Oct, RAK-SU Thurs 17 Oct, Worcester cludes works by Maria Antal, O2 Academy, B’ham O2 Academy, B’ham ANTARCTIC MONKEYS Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich, Tues DRIVIN N CRYIN Mon 14 THE DRIFTERS Thurs 17 Sat 19 Oct, O2 15 Oct, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Oct, Hare & Hounds, Oct, Bedworth Civic Academy, Birmingham ALED JONES & RUSSELL WATSON IN Birmingham Theatre Hall WISHBONE ASH Sat 19 HARMONY Tues 15 Oct, Warwick Arts THE SONGS OF STEVIE PROUD MARY Thurs 17 Oct, The Roses The- Centre, Coventry THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW Hook up WONDER Mon 14 Oct, Oct, The Marr’s Bar, atre, Tewkesbury CBSO: THE THRILL OF THE NEW Featur- your fishnets, tighten your corsets Symphony Hall, Birm- and prepare to ‘do The Time Warp Worcester THE JULIE JULY BAND ing Michael Seal (conductor) and ingham again’. Joanne Clifton & Stephen KEVIN BLOODY WILSON Sat 19 Oct, Artrix, Paul Rissmann (presenter). Pro- Webb star, Mon 14 - Sat 19 Oct, BOYZONE Tues 15 Oct, Thurs 17 Oct, Birming- Bromsgrove gramme includes works by John Adams, Knussen, Jörg Widmann, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Resorts World Arena, ham Town Hall RONNIE SCOTT’S ALL Birmingham Steve Reich and Thomas Adès, Thurs PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT Joe LEGEND - THE MUSIC OF STARS Sat 19 Oct, Ar- 17 Oct, Symphony Hall, B’ham McFadden stars in a new staging of SKINNY PELEMBE Tues BOB MARLEY Fri 18 Oct, trix, Bromsgrove 15 Oct, Hare & LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA: MUSIC the iconic musical, Mon 14 - Sat 19 Palace Theatre, Red- GARY NUMAN Sat 19 FROM THE MOVIES Featuring Anthony Oct, Malvern Theatres Hounds, Birmingham ditch Oct, O2 Institute, Birm- Inglis (conductor). Programme in- RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET MIDGE URE: THE 1980 STEALING SHEEP’S WOW ingham cludes scores from Pirates of the Amateur staging of the award-win- TOUR Wed 16 Oct, The MACHINE Fri 18 Oct, GRANNY’S ATTIC Sat 19 Caribbean, Star Wars and Lord of the Empire, Coventry The Tin Music And ning sci-fi musical, Mon 14 - Sat 19 Oct, Huntingdon Hall, Rings, Fri 18 Oct, Symphony Hall, Arts, Canal Basin, Oct, The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster FAITH I BRANKO Wed 16 Worcester Birmingham Oct, Artrix, Broms- Coventry IN MANY HANDS Brussels-based Kate KILLSWITCH ENGAGE ANDREA BOCELLI Sat 19 Oct, Resorts McIntosh dives into the tactile and grove WISHBONE ASH Fri 18 Sat 19 Oct, O2 World Arena, Birmingham the multi-sensory, inviting the audi- THE ELVIS YEARS Wed Oct, O2 Institute, Birm- Academy, Birmingham CBSO: SAINT-SAËNS ORGAN SYMPHONY ence to test, touch, listen, search and 16 Oct, Bedworth Civic ingham ROXYMPHONY FEATUR- Featuring Andrew Litton (conductor) sniff. Part of Fierce Festival, Tues 15 - Hall SUPREME QUEEN Fri 18 ING ANDY MACKAY & and Thomas Trotter (organ). Thurs 17 Oct, The REP, Birmingham Oct, Stratford Play- HOOTIE AND THE BLOW- PHIL MANZANERA Sun Programme includes works by house, Stratford-upon- THE EXORCIST Stage version of the FISH Wed 16 Oct, O2 20 Oct, The Alexandra Sibelius, Ravel, Widor, Dukas and Avon spine-tingling horror story, featuring Academy, Birmingham Theatre, Birmingham Saint-Saëns, Sun 20 Oct, Symphony the voice of Ian McKellen as the TESSA VIOLET Wed 16 IBIBIO SOUND MACHINE FLEECEY FOLK: SHER- Hall, Birmingham Demon, Tues 15 - Sat 19 Oct, The Fri 18 Oct, Hare & Oct, O2 Institute, Birm- BURN, BARTLEY, EUROPEAN UNION CHAMBER ORCHESTRA Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham ingham SANDERS Sun 20 Oct, Featuring Hans-Peter Hofmann (di- THE ENTERTAINER Shane Richie, Diana MIGHTY MIGHTY Wed TOYAH Fri 18 Oct, The The Fleece Inn, Bret- rector) & Toby White (cello). Pro- Vickers & Sara Crowe star in a brand 16 Oct, Hare & Mill, Digbeth, B’ham forton, Nr Evesham gramme includes works by Grieg, new staging of John Osborne’s Hounds, Birmingham HOT CHIP Fri 18 Oct, DURAND JONES & THE Haydn, Finzi & Dvorak, Sun 20 Oct, iconic play, Tues 15 - Sat 19 Oct, Bel- Malvern Theatres AND IN THE END: A CEL- O2 Institute, B’ham INDICATIONS Sun 20 grade Theatre, Coventry EBRATION OF ABBEY K.FLAY Fri 18 Oct, O2 Oct, O2 Academy, SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN Amateur staging ROAD AND LET IT BE Academy, Birmingham Birmingham presented by Worcester Operatic Wed 16 Oct, Sym- MAD DOG MCREA Fri 18 TOUCH WITH MATT HOY Dramatic Society (WODS), Tues 15 - phony Hall, B’ham Comedy Oct, O2 Academy, Sun 20 Oct, Hare & Sat 19 Oct, Swan Theatre, Worcester FOLK IN THE FOYER: Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham MILTON JONES Mon 14 Oct, The Old THE SOUND OF MUSIC Peterbrook Play- SLAINTE Thurs 17 Oct, Rep Theatre, Birmingham JENNY STURGEON Fri 18 SKATING POLLY + SHE ers present an amateur staging of the Evesham Arts Centre Oct, Artrix, Broms- MAKES WAR Sun 20 MATT PARKER Tues 15 Oct, The Roses Rodgers & Hammerstein classic, KOVIC Thurs 17 Oct, grove Oct, Hare & Hounds, Theatre, Tewkesbury Tues 15 - Sat 20 Oct, The Core The- O2 Institute, B’ham Birmingham atre, Solihull THE VOICE OF THE THE HARRY & CHRIS SHOW Wed 16 ANGIE STONE Thurs 17 HEART - KAREN CARPEN- LIVE ON MARS: A TRIB- Oct, The Old Rep Theatre, B’ham PRIDE AND PREJUDICE* (*SORT OF) ‘An UTE TO DAVID BOWIE adaptation like no other’ as men, Oct, O2 Institute, Birm- TER Fri 18 Oct, Hunt- ED GAMBLE Thurs 17 Oct, Huntingdon Sun 20 Oct, Birming- money and microphones are fought ingham ingdon Hall, Worcester Hall, Worcester ham Town Hall over in an all-female presentation of ROY ORBISON & BUDDY LLOYD COLE Fri 18 Oct, JIMEOIN Thurs 17 Oct, Palace The- Jane Austen's literary classic, Tues 15 atre, Redditch Oct - Sat 2 Nov, The REP, B’ham RHYS NICHOLSON, DAMIAN CLARK & OTHELLO The Pantaloons relocate COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBIN- Shakespeare’s classic tragedy to the SON Thurs 17 Oct, The Glee Club, jazz age, Wed 16 Oct, Royal Spa Birmingham Centre, Leamington Spa GRIFF RHYS JONES Fri 18 Oct, Artrix, THE IMPROLECTUALS Some of the Mid- Bromsgrove lands’ finest improvisers create com- RHYS JAMES Fri 18 Oct, The Glee pletely new comedy sketches on the Club, Birmingham spot, Wed 16 Oct, Abbey Theatre, KAT B, MAUREEN YOUNGER, SMASH & Nuneaton KANE BROWN Fri 18 Oct, Belgrade FROM GEORGE TO GEORGE Margaret Theatre, Coventry Eddershaw’s verse drama, based on HENN NIGHTS Fri 18 Oct, Palace The- the story of George Eliot and the love atre, Redditch of her life, George Lewes, Wed 16 - Thurs 17 Oct, The Albany Theatre, Stealing Sheep’s Wow Machine - The Tin Music & Arts, Coventry RHYS NICHOLSON, DAMIAN CLARK, DAVE Coventry

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THAT’LL BE THE DAY Rock’n’roll variety SOFTPLAMP.AUTONOMIES Chore- show, Wed 16 - Thurs 17 Oct, The ographed performance celebrating a Roses, Tewkesbury future without authorities and con- THE PERFECT MURDER Amateur stag- straints, Thurs 17 Oct, Patrick Studio, ing of Peter James’ comedy thriller, Birmingham Hippodrome Wed 16 - Sat 26 Oct, Priory Theatre, DORIS UHLICH: EVERY BODY ELECTRIC Kenilworth Innovative production exploring po- ONE MAN, MANY FRIENDS - STEVE tential through dance. Please note HEWLETT Evening of humour and ven- that this production contains full nu- triloquism, Thurs 17 Oct, Stratford dity, Fri 18 Oct, Midlands Arts Centre, Playhouse, Stratford-upon-Avon Birmingham FAMILIAR Collaborative performance SOME LIKE IT HIP HOP Choreographed exploring ‘significant otherness’. Part story of love, mistaken identity and of Fierce Festival, Thurs 17 - Sat 19 revolution in a city where books are Oct, The REP, Birmingham banned and women are kept sub- servient to men, Fri 18 - Sat 19 Oct, ANNIE The Norbury Players present Birmingham Hippodrome an amateur staging of the popular rags-to-riches story, Thurs 17 - Sun MARIANA VALENCIA: ALBUM Solo per- Disney On Ice Celebrates 100 Years Of Magic - Arena Birmingham 20 Oct, Norbury Theatre, Droitwich formance ‘fusing text, song and dance inside of the content of an SILAS MARNER Conn Artists Theatre album’, Fri 18 - Sat 19 Oct, Midlands TONGUE FU The UK's leading spoken- Wed 16 Oct, British Motor Museum, Company present a staging of Arts Centre, Birmingham word & music show, featuring poet Gaydon George Eliot’s Victorian novel, Fri 18 - Salena Godden, Birmingham-based MIDLANDS MODEL ENGINEERING EXHIBI- RIP IT UP: THE 70S Join Olympic Sat 19 Oct, The Albany Theatre, spoken-word artist Amerah Saleh, TION champion Louis Smith, Rachel Showcasing hundreds of mod- Coventry BBC Radio regular Chris Redmond els and also featuring workshops and Stevens (S Club 7), Melody Thornton and 'champion of the oral tradition' THE TRUE HISTORIE OF MR WILLIAM (Pussycat Dolls) and Lee Ryan (Blue) lectures, Thurs 17 - Sun 20 Oct, War- SHAKESPEARE Brand new satirical Rachel Rose Reid, Fri 18 Oct, War- wickshire Event Centre, Leamington for ‘a groovy evening of singing and wick Arts Centre, Coventry farce that takes aim at ‘culture’s dancing’, Sat 19 Oct, Symphony Hall, Spa greatest prize and those who yearn Birmingham IMAGINE LIVING BETTER With guest CHANGE FESTIVAL Performers and after it’, Fri 18 - Sun 20 Oct, Old Joint speakers Agamemnon Otero, Sue speakers imagine, play and explore, Stock Theatre, Birmingham JULIA BARDSLEY: AN APIAN PARADOX Riddlestone, Paul Allen and Tina Two female ‘bee-ings’ remix symbol- Fri 18 - Sun 20 Oct, Warwick Arts INTO THE BREACH Mark Carey’s heart- Evans, Sat 19 Oct, Warwick Arts Cen- Centre, Coventry ist poet Maurice Maeterlinck’s classic tre, Coventry warming drama of love, war and odd natural history text, The Life Of The ALCESTER FOOD FESTIVAL Wide range jobs, Sat 19 Oct, Loft Theatre Com- Bee, to a soundtrack of Earth’s drone OUT OF THE ASHES: AN EVENING WITH of food and drink from local produc- pany, Leamington Spa music, Sun 20 Oct, Midlands Arts BOYCOTT & AGGERS Brand new show ers for visitors to enjoy, Sat 19 Oct, Centre, Birmingham featuring two of cricket’s finest - Test Alcester, Redditch Match Special’s Jonathan Agnew and ALEXANDRA BACHZETSIS, PRIVATE: recently knighted former England COVENTRY TRANSPORT MUSEUM BREAK- WEAR A MASK WHEN YOU TALK TO ME batsman Geoffrey Boycott, Sun 20 FAST CLUB Chance for visitors to Kids Shows Unsolicited report on how gender Oct, Symphony Hall, Birmingham check out a range of vehicles, Sat 19 and sexual desire ‘are fabricated Oct, Coventry Transport Museum DISNEY ON ICE CELEBRATES 100 YEARS IMAGINE EATING BETTER With guest through the ritualisation repetition of THE HAUNTED CASTLE With ‘wondrous OF MAGIC Grab your Mickey ears and bodily gestures within the neoliberal speakers Sheila Dillon, Pam get your skates on! Wed 16 - Sun 20 Warhurst, Kimberley Bell and Lopa witches, Horrible Histories and fear- regime’, Sun 20 Oct, Midlands Arts some attractions’, experience War- Oct, Arena Birmingham Centre, Birmingham Saxena, Sun 20 Oct, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry wick Castle’s ‘best ever haunted MONSTERSAURUS Energetic show full castle event’, Sat 19 Oct - Sun 3 Nov, of ‘thrills, spills, magic and mayhem’, WHAT WILL WE TELL OUR GRANDKIDS Warwick Castle Sat 19 Oct, The Old Rep Theatre, Some of the UK's ‘most compelling Birmingham Talks / comedians’ journey into the not-too- SPOOKY SPECTACULAR Featuring Hal- distant future and imagine some of loween decorations with illuminated, SOONCHILD Live music, songs, 3D & themed scarecrows and hundreds of shadow puppetry combine in this the ‘awkward, confronting, absurd, Spoken Word confusing and hilarious conversa- pumpkins, Sat 19 Oct - Sun 3 Nov, Arctic adventure for younger audi- West Midland Safari and Leisure NADIYA HUSSAIN: FINDING MY VOICE tions we will be having with our ences, Sun 20 Oct, Warwick Arts Park, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster Centre, Coventry The TV presenter, cook and best- grandkids’, Sun 20 Oct, Warwick Arts selling author considers her roles as Centre, Coventry FESTIVAL OF THE DEAD Create some THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR Fea- mother, Muslim, working woman and spooktacular crafts as part of the turing four of Eric Carle’s much-loved IMAGINE FEELING BETTER Guest speak- celebrity, Tues 15 Oct, Birmingham venue’s Festival of the Dead celebra- children’s stories, Sun 20 Oct, Eve- ers include cosmologist, planetary Town Hall healer, futurist and author Dr Jude tions, Sat 19 Oct - Sun 3 Nov, Herbert sham Arts Centre Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry KATE TEMPEST Wed 16 Oct, O2 Insti- Currivan, Sun 20 Oct, Warwick Arts THE BIRD SHOW The Last Baguette tute, Birmingham Centre, Coventry present a ‘flap-tastic’ family comedy featuring live music, puppetry and a AN EVENING WITH MICHAEL PALIN: plethora of silly bird jokes... Sun 20 NORTH KOREA Monty Python stalwart Oct, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry and intrepid globetrotter Michael Events Palin offers a glimpse of life inside the notoriously secretive Democratic THE MOTORHOME AND CARAVAN SHOW People’s Republic of Korea, Wed 16 Be one of the first people to see the Dance Oct, Birmingham Town Hall new and exclusive leisure vehicle launches from major manufacturers, CARLA KOVACH - AUTHOR EVENT: A DADA MASILO: GISELLE South Africa’s Tues 15 - Sun 20 Oct, NEC, B’ham internationally renowned choreogra- NIGHT OF CRIME AND THRILLER Read- CAR PHOTOGRAPHY INTRODUCTION pher, Dada Masilo, presents her ‘fear- ings of the latest crime offerings by SKETCHING AND PAINTING CARS - AU- WORKSHOP Relaxed one-day work- less’ reimagining of the classic ballet, bestselling authors Sheryl Browne, TUMN WORKSHOP The basic tech- shop designed to develop partici- Tues 15 - Wed 16 Oct, Birmingham Sue Watson and Carla Kovach, fol- niques of painting cars and auto pants’ skills with camera or Hippodrome lowed by a Q&A and book signing, memorabilia in pencil or watercolour, smartphone, Sun 20 Oct, British Thurs 17 Oct, The Hive, Worcester including practical hints and tips, Motor Museum, Gaydon whatsonlive.co.uk 61 The List Warwickshire 21 - 31 October.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2019 10:33 Page 1

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thelist Monday 21 - Thursday 31 October Ravel & Dvorak, Wed 30 Oct, Sym- Classical phony Hall, Birmingham A CELEBRATION OF THE MUSIC FROM TENEBRAE: PATH OF MIRACLES GAME OF THRONES... Special orchestral Programme comprises Joby Talbot’s concert, Thurs 31 Oct, Symphony Path of Miracles. Nigel Short directs, Hall, Birmingham Wed 23 Oct, The Barber Institute, Birmingham HALLOWEEN SILENT MOVIE SPECIAL: THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME Featuring CBSO: BRUCH’S VIOLIN CONCERTO Fea- Nigel Ogden on organ, Thurs 31 Oct, turing Fabien Gabel (conductor) & Si- Birmingham Town Hall mone Lamsma (violin). Programme includes works by Wagner, Bruch & FLANDERS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Bruckner, Thurs 24 Oct, Symphony Featuring Spanish Conductor José Hall, Birmingham Luis Gomez & guitarist Miloš Karadagli . Programme includes ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: O ALBION works by ćRossini, Rodrigo, Villa Harriet - Albany Theatre, Coventry Featuring David Le Page (director) & Lobos, De Falla & Bizet, Thurs 31 Oct, Victoria Brawn (oboe). Programme in- Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry ALONG THE AVON Thurs JOHN COGHLAN’S QUO cludes works by J.S Bach, Thomas Gigs 24 Oct, Number 8 Sat 26 Oct, The Marr’s Adès, Vaughan Williams & Thea Mus- PAVEL HAAS QUARTET Programme in- Community Arts Cen- Bar, Worcester grave, Fri 25 Oct, Number 8, Pershore cludes works by Cekovska, Schulhoff, tre, Worcestershire Smetana & Janacek, Thurs 31 Oct, KIEFER SUTHERLAND THE ROY ORBISON DAS RHEINGOLD Tarnhelm Opera pre- Malvern Theatres Mon 21 Oct, O2 Insti- THE WORLD FAMOUS STORY Sat 26 Oct, The sent a new semi-staged production, tute, Birmingham ELVIS SHOW Thurs 24 - Roses Theatre, sung in the original German with En- THE SKINTS & BEDOUIN Fri 25 Oct, The Core Tewkesbury glish surtitles, Fri 25 Oct, Worcester SOUNDCLASH Mon 21 Theatre, Solihull HEELS OF HELL Sun 27 Cathedral Comedy Oct, O2 Academy, THE FUTURE SOUND OF Oct, O2 Academy, UGNIUS PAULIUKONIS PIANO CONCERT Birmingham COVENTRY - LAUNCH Birmingham Programme includes works by Haydn, BEN ELTON Tues 22 Oct, Birmingham Town Hall CHRIS DE BURGH Mon WEEKEND Fri 25 Oct, GUY CHAMBERS Sun 27 Chopin, & Debussy, Fri 25 Oct, Eve- 21 Oct, Symphony The Tin Music And Oct, The Swan The- sham Arts Centre BEN ELTON Wed 23 Oct, Warwick Arts Arts, Canal Basin, Hall, Birmingham atre, Stratford-upon- EX CATHEDRA: RACHMANINOFF’S VES- Centre, Coventry Coventry A BOOGIE WIT DA Avon PERS Featuring Jeffrey Skidmore (con- BEN PHILLIPS Wed 23 Oct, O2 HOODIE Tues 22 Oct, THE BAR-STEWARD BOWIE: A ROCK & SYM- ductor), Martha McLorinan (mezzo Academy, Birmingham SONS OF VAL DOONICAN O2 Academy, B’ham PHONIC SPECTACULAR soprano) and Jeremy Budd (tenor), ELLIE TAYLOR Fri 25 Oct, Palace The- Thurs 24 Oct, Artrix, BEN SOMERS STRING Sun 27 Oct, Warwick Sun 27 Oct, Birmingham Town Hall Bromsgrove atre, Redditch Arts Centre, Coventry BAND Tues 22 Oct, The ALDWYN VOICES Also featuring Bromp- ADAM BLOOM PLUS COMEDY CAROUSEL Tin Music And Arts, CARAVAN Fri 25 Oct, IDLE CROOKS & EN- ton String Quartet & Peter Sutton Huntingdon Hall, WITH ANDY ROBINSON & COMIC TBC Canal Basin, Coventry GLISHMEN Mon 28 Oct, (reader), Sun 27 Oct, Great Hall, Thurs 24 Oct, The Glee Club, B’ham Worcester The Tin Music And Malvern College THE FALLEN STATE Tues JIMEOIN Fri 25 Oct, Malvern Theatres 22 Oct, O2 Academy, LIFE OF AGONY Fri 25 Arts, Canal Basin, LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH Birmingham Oct, O2 Institute, Birm- Coventry WAYNE MARSHALL Programme in- ADAM BLOOM, JASON PATTERSON, TOM TOAL & COMIC TBC ingham THE LEGENDS OF AMERI- cludes works by Wayne Marshall, Fri 25 - Sat 26 Oct, MIKE PETERS Wed 23 The Glee Club, Birmingham Oct, Artrix, Broms- PURPLE ZEPPELIN Fri 25 CAN COUNTRY Mon 28 George C Baker and Franz Schmidt, grove Oct, Artrix, Broms- Oct, The Core, Solihull Mon 28 Oct, Symphony Hall, B’ham JONATHAN PIE Sat 26 Oct, Warwick grove Arts Centre, Coventry CONOR MAYNARD Wed OF MONSTERS AND MEN MARTIN ROSCOE & PETER DONOHOE 23 Oct, O2 Institute, CHER Sat 26 Oct, Mon 28 Oct, O2 PIANO CONCERT Programme includes MATT PARKER Sat 26 Oct, The REP, Birmingham Arena Birmingham Academy, Birmingham works by Stravinsky, Debussy, Mozart, Birmingham Saint-Saens & Rachmaninov, Wed 30 A TRIBUTE TO ARIANA THE DRIFTERS Tues 29 RHYS JAMES Sat 26 Oct, Royal Spa BEN PHILLIPS LIVE TOUR Oct, The Barber Institute, Birmingham Wed 23 Oct, O2 AND JOJO SWIA Sat 26 Oct, Swan Theatre, Centre, Leamington Spa Academy, Birmingham Oct, Palace Theatre, Worcester CBSO: DVORAK’S SEVENTH Featuring CARL DONELLY & MATT ROSS Sat 26 Anja Bihlmaier (conductor) & Renaud Redditch MARRY WATERSON & Oct, The Glee Club, Birmingham VASILIS XENOPULOS Capuçon (violin). Programme in- AND FINALLY PHIL EMILY BARKER Tues 29 DEXTERITY QUARTET cludes works by Bizet, Chausson, BARNSTORMERS COMEDY NIGHT Sat 26 Wed 23 Oct, Stratford COLLINS Sat 26 Oct, Oct, Hare & Hounds, Oct, Artrix, Bromsgrove Playhouse The Core Theatre, Birmingham Solihull SQUEEZE PLUS SPECIAL LISA STANSFIELD Tues GUESTS HEAVEN 17 THE SELECTER Sat 26 29 Oct, Symphony Wed 23 Oct, Sym- Oct, O2 Institute, Birm- Hall, Birmingham phony Hall, B’ham ingham MARK LOCKHEART - TALON Wed 23 Oct, HARRIET Sat 26 Oct, Al- DAYS ON EARTH Wed 30 The Core, Solihull bany Theatre, Coven- Oct, Symphony Hall, try Birmingham SONS OF PITCHES: AROUND THE WORLD BARBARA DICKSON & BIG BIG TRAIN IN CON- Wed 23 Oct, Birming- RAB NOAKES Sat 26 CERT Wed 30 Oct, ham Town Hall Oct, Artrix, Broms- Birmingham Town Hall grove THE PITMEN POETS THE UNTHANKS Thurs Thurs 24 Oct, Hunting- LEGENDS OF FOLK AND 31 Oct, Huntingdon don Hall, Worcester ROCK Sat 26 Oct, Bel- Hall, Worcester grade Theatre, Coven- CHARLES ESTEN Thurs HENGE Thurs 31 Oct, try 24 Oct, O2 Institute, Hare & Hounds, Birm- Birmingham REFUSED + THRICE Sat ingham 26 Oct, O2 Academy, LAMB Thurs 24 Oct, Jonathan Pie - Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Birmingham O2 Academy, B’ham whatsonlive.co.uk 63 The List Warwickshire 21 - 31 October.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2019 10:33 Page 3

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thelist Monday 21 - Thursday 31 October BARBARA NICE'S COMEDY PLAYGROUND podrome Sun 27 Oct, The Glee Club, B’ham PAUL ZERDIN'S PUPPET PARTY Brand SINDHU VEE Mon 28 Oct, The Glee new UK tour featuring the acclaimed Club, Birmingham ventriloquist and his ever-dysfunc- SOFIE HAGEN Wed 30 Oct, Artrix, tional puppet family, Sat 26 Oct, The Bromsgrove Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham CRAIG MURRAY, TOM TAYLOR & COMEDY DRACULA: ONE BLOODY FANG AFTER AN- CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs OTHER Bram Stoker’s immortal horror 31 Oct, The Glee Club, Birmingham story is given an affectionate lam- pooning in this physical, riotous com- JIM DAVIDSON Thurs 31 Oct - Fri 1 edy, Sat 26 Oct, Stratford Playhouse, Nov, Evesham Arts Centre Stratford-upon-Avon WHERE IS MRS CHRISTIE? Liz Grand stars in a one-woman show exploring the series of events which sparked Theatre one of the biggest and most exten- THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN Based on sive police hunts in history, Sat 26 Horrible Histories: Awful Egyptians - Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Paula Hawkins’ bestselling novel and Oct, The Coach House, Malvern times of showbiz icon Sammy Davis Egypt, Wed 23 - Sat 26 Oct, Belgrade starring Samantha Womack, Mon 21 VESTA Worcester Repertory Company Jnr, Wed 30 Oct, Albany Theatre, Theatre, Coventry - Sat 26 Oct, Malvern Theatres present a one-woman show about Coventry THE NIGHT WATCH Stage adaptation of the life & music of Vesta Tilley, Sun HORRIBLE HISTORIES - TERRIBLE TU- a novel by Tipping The Velvet author 27 Oct, Coach House Theatre, SEEKING ISOLDE New family show de- DORS From the horrible Henries to the Sarah Waters, Mon 21 - Sat 26 Oct, Malvern scribed as ‘Horrible Histories meets end of evil Elizabeth, hear the leg- the world’s geekiest Indiana Jones’, ends (and the lies!) about the tortur- Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry VOLGOGRAD/COVENTRY - TWIN CITIES Wed 30 Oct, Artrix, Bromsgrove ing Tudors, Wed 23 - Sat 26 Oct, DORIAN Contemporary retelling of Music & dance celebration of Coven- Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Oscar Wilde’s Dorian Gray, Wed 23 try’s 75 years spent twinned with Vol- THIS TIME Ockham's Razor's new Oct, Midlands Arts Centre, B’ham gograd, Sun 27 Oct, Albany Theatre, show fuses circus, physical theatre, I BELIEVE IN UNICORNS Intimate show narrative storytelling & original music set in a library full of books that hold CHICAGO NAODS present an amateur Coventry to explore time, age and the tales we more than stories within their pages... staging of Kander & Ebb’s musical, THE BEATLES: HORNSEY ROAD WITH tell ourselves... Wed 30 - Thurs 31 Thurs 24 Oct, Albany Theatre, Coven- Wed 23 - Sat 26 Oct, Abbey Theatre, MARK LEWISOHN Fast-moving illus- Oct, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry try Nuneaton trated history of the Fab Four, Mon 28 HANGMEN Amateur staging of Martin MESSY Zoo Co present a ‘magical PRIME TIME Three monologues by Oct, The Alexandra Theatre, B’ham McDonagh’s award-winning dark and visual story complete with origi- three different playwrights exploring LES MUSICALS Concert production comedy, Wed 30 Oct - Sat 9 Nov, Loft nal music, puppets, tap dancing and the wide-ranging experiences of featuring classics from Les Miserable, Theatre Company, Leamington Spa even a trip to the moon!’ Fri 25 Oct - women of retirement age. Janice Phantom, Blood Brothers & more... Sat 2 Nov, Belgrade Theatre, Coven- Connolly stars, Wed 23 - Sat 26 Oct, Jonathan Ansell & Jai McDowall star, PRIVATE PEACEFUL National Produc- try The REP, Birmingham Tues 29 Oct, The Alexandra Theatre, tion Company’s staging of Michael Morpurgo’s wartime tale, Thurs 31 COMEDY FOR KIDS. HOW DOES THIS POL- NEVILLE’S ISLAND Amateur staging of Birmingham Oct, Albany Theatre, Coventry ITICS THING WORK THEN? ‘Fun and in- Tim Firth’s comedy, Wed 23 - Sat 26 BLACK MEN WALKING The first story formative’ show for young audiences, Oct, Swan Theatre, Worcester from Revolution Mix - an Eclipse DRACULA: THE BLOODY TRUTH Comedy revealing the true story of the famous Sat 26 Oct, The REP, Birmingham THE SECOND BEST BED Critically ac- movement spearheading the largest count, Thurs 31 Oct, Swan Theatre, PROFESSOR PEPPERPOT - THE FAMILY claimed one-woman play set on the ever national delivery of new Black Worcester FUN MAGIC SHOW Magic, balloons & evening of Shakespeare’s funeral, British stories, Tues 29 - Thurs 31 slapstick fun, Sat 26 Oct, Palace The- Thurs 24 Oct, Coach House Theatre, Oct, Midlands Arts Centre, B’ham IT'S TRUE, IT'S TRUE, IT'S TRUE Re-stag- atre, Redditch Malvern MY BEAUTIFUL LAUNDERETTE Stage ing of the 1612 trial of Agostino Tassi for the rape of baroque painter THE PIRATE CRUNCHER Swashbuckling AUSTENTATIOUS Improvised comedy in adaptation of Hanif Kureishi's iconic Artemisia Gentileschi, Thurs 31 Oct - tale of greed punished and ingenuity which a cast of the country's quickest movie, Tues 29 Oct - Sat 2 Nov, Bel- Fri 1 Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, rewarded, Sat 26 - Sun 27 Oct, Mid- performers conjure up a brand new grade Theatre, Coventry Coventry lands Arts Centre, Birmingham 'lost' Jane Austen novel based on NATIVITY! THE MUSICAL Debbie Isitt’s nothing more than a title suggested feelgood musical, based on the WE'RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT Michael by the audience, Thurs 24 - Fri 25 much-loved film of the same name, Rosen’s beloved book is brought to Oct, The Old Rep Theatre, B’ham Tues 29 Oct - Sat 2 Nov, Wolver- life with beautiful puppets and origi- Kids Shows nal music, Sat 26 Oct - Sun 3 Nov, JESUS MY BOY One-man play telling hampton Grand Theatre Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham the story of Jesus through the eyes of SIX THE MUSICAL From Tudor queens THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR Fea- Joseph, Fri 25 Oct, Coach House to pop princesses, the six wives of turing four of Eric Carle’s much-loved ZOG & THE GRUFFALO - FILM WITH LIVE Theatre, Malvern Henry VIII finally take to the mic to tell children’s stories, Tues 22 Oct, Al- ORCHESTRA World premiere concert bany Theatre, Coventry performance of two of Julia Donald- A CELEBRATION OF HISTORY, MUSIC & their tales... Tues 29 Oct - Sun 3 Nov, son & Axel Scheffler's much-loved POETRY Evening of eclectic entertain- Malvern Theatres UP UP AND AWAY Highly Sprung fuse works. Terry Davies conducts René ment. Part of Black History Month, Fri THE STRANGE CASE OF DR JEKYLL & MR theatre, aerial dance & innovative de- Aubry's inspired scores, Sun 27 Oct, 25 Oct, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry HYDE Award-winning one-man show sign to tell a story about individuality, uniqueness and diversity, Wed 23 Symphony Hall, Birmingham THE GREATEST SHOWENCH Hollywood based on the famous novella by Oct, The Old Rep, Birmingham CAPTAIN FLINN & THE PIRATE DI- has The Greatest Showman, The Robert Louis Stevenson, Wed 30 Oct, NOSAURS 2: THE MAGIC CUTLASS Real- Black Country has The Greatest Artrix, Bromsgrove PEPPA PIG’S BEST DAY EVER Featuring life pirate adventure for children aged Showench! Fizzog return with their PEACE AT LAST Children’s theatre ‘songs, games and laughter’ - a must three-plus, Sun 27 Oct, Royal Spa latest production... Fri 25 - Sat 26 based on the picture book by Jill for Peppa Pig fans everywhere, Wed Centre, Leamington Spa Oct, The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster Murphy, Wed 30 Oct, Swan Theatre, 23 - Thurs 24 Oct, The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWAL- CIRCUS 1903 Unique show featuring Worcester LOWED A FLY Theatre for younger au- life-sized elephants created by pup- DANNY JOHN-JULES: I’VE GOTTA BE ME HORRIBLE HISTORIES - AWFUL EGYP- diences fusing sing-along songs with peteers from War Horse and ‘jaw- Join the Red Dwarf & Strictly star as TIANS From the fascinating Pharaohs colourful animal characters and fam- dropping’ acts from across the globe, he embarks on an all-singing, all- to the power of the Pyramids, dis- ily fun, Tues 29 Oct, The Roses The- Fri 25 - Wed 30 Oct, Birmingham Hip- dancing journey through the life and cover foul facts about death and decay with the meanest mummies in atre, Tewkesbury whatsonlive.co.uk 65 The List Warwickshire 21 - 31 October.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2019 10:33 Page 5

thelist Monday 21 - Thursday 31 October H2GLO: A UV PUPPET ADVENTURE Dive RAMBERT2 - MIXED BILL New creations the past make themselves known, Fri Nov, Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley into a ‘magical’ under-the-sea UV ex- combining technical virtuosity with 25 - Sat 26 Oct, Kenilworth Castle SPOOKY KENILWORTH CASTLE WITH perience, as Finn & Twinkle take you raw energy, Wed 30 - Thurs 31 Oct, DESTINATION STAR TREK BIRMINGHAM CREEPY CRITTERS A ‘ghoulishly good on a journey through the ocean in Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippo- Boldly go where no one has gone be- day out’, with wicked crafts and a search of hidden treasure, Wed 30 drome fore at Europe’s Official Star Trek Halloween quest around the castle, Oct, The Civic, Stourport SNOW WHITE Vienna Festival Ballet convention, Fri 25 - Sun 27 Oct, NEC, Sat 26 Oct - Sun 3 Nov, Kenilworth present the famous Brothers Grimm Birmingham Castle story, Thurs 31 Oct, The Roses The- HALLOWEEN 2019 Featuring spooky SPOOKY WITLEY COURT WITH CREEPY atre, Tewkesbury day and night events, Fri 25 Oct - CRITTERS A ‘ghoulishly good day out’, Cabaret Sun 3 Nov, Tudor World, Stratford- with wicked crafts and a Halloween MIDDAY VARIETY: THOSE WERE THE upon-Avon quest around the grounds, Sat 26 DAYS Featuring Andy Eastwood, Pete Oct - Sun 3 Nov, Witley Court, Great Lindup, Maggie O’Hara and special Talks / Witley guest Lonnie Donegan Jnr, Mon 21 HALF TERM AT SHAKESPEARE'S FAMILY Oct, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Spoken Word HOMES A whole week of hands-on ac- CIRCUS OF HORRORS Twenty-fifth an- tivities, Sat 26 Oct - Sun 3 Nov, GREG MINNAAR: SIZE MATTERS Join the niversary tour, Tues 22 Oct, Artrix, Shakespeare's Birthplace, Stratford- world champion mountain bike rider Bromsgrove Upon-Avon as he recounts the story of his incred- ible racing career, Tues 22 Oct, NICK SHARRATT'S DRAWALONG Join ac- Malvern Theatres claimed children’s writer and illustra- tor Nick for a fun drawing session, GREG MINNAAR: SIZE MATTERS Thurs Tues 29 Oct, Artrix, Bromsgrove 24 Oct, Royal Spa Centre, Leaming- ton Spa HARTLEBURY HALLOWEEN Featuring family craft activities including mak- ONLY FOOLS AND BOYCIE An evening ing spooky clay boggarts and fire- with actor John Challis, best known work art, Tues 29 Oct, Hartlebury for starring as Boycie in BBC TV’s CAGE WARRIORS 109 The leading and Castle, Kidderminster long-running sitcom, Only Fools And longest-running mixed martial arts Horses, Thurs 24 Oct, Palace The- promotion in Europe, Sat 26 Oct, Re- TO BIND A WITCH! ACTIVITY SESSIONS A BLACK COUNTRY NIGHT OUT Variety atre, Redditch sorts World Arena, Birmingham Find out about the witch craze of the 17th century and make your own show featuring comedy act Dandy, a DAVID GOWER: ON THE FRONT FOOT An FLAME & THUNDER Action-packed day witch bottle and poppets to ward off tribute to Black Country comedienne evening of ‘cricket goodness’ from for all the family featuring motorsport witches and spirits, Tues 29 Oct - Fri Dolly Allen from Emma Rollason the legendary former England cricket stunts and drag racing, Sat 26 Oct, 1 Nov, The Commandery, Worcester (from The Fizzogs) and music from captain and batsman, Sat 26 Oct, Al- Santa Pod Raceway, Wellingborough ukulele maestro Joe Thomas, Wed bany Theatre, Coventry THE ROCKY HORROR MONSTER BALL FRIGHT NIGHTS Brace yourself for 23 - Thurs 24 Oct, The Rose Theatre, gruesome goings-on and creepy IN CONVERSATION WITH MARGARET AT- ‘Characters, costumes and outra- Kidderminster characters! Wed 30 - Thurs 31 Oct, WOOD Join the bestselling author as geousness to perfectly replicate the Kenilworth Castle A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S SCREAM Featur- she discusses her career and new original show’, Sat 26 Oct, West Mid- ing burlesque, vintage singing, novel, The Testaments - the sequel to land Safari and Leisure Park, Bewd- MEET THE WITCHFINDER: HALLOWEEN dance, boylesque, magic, contror- The Handmaid's Tale, Mon 28 Oct, ley, Nr Kidderminster FAMILY TOUR Take a trip round the tion, sideshow & more... Thurs 24 Symphony Hall, Birmingham DIVE 2019 The UK's biggest event for hall, but stay alert for vampires, trolls, Oct, The Welcombe Hotel, Stratford- scuba divers and snorkellers, Sat 26 - fairies, goblins and ghosts, Thurs 31 upon-Avon Sun 27 Oct, NEC, Birmingham Oct, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham THE DREAMBOYS The UK’s most fa- HALLOWEEN TRICK OR TREAT FRIGHT HALLOWEEN TRICK OR TREAT FRIGHT mous male strip show, Fri 25 Oct, Events NIGHTS A night of macabre goings-on NIGHTS Join in with a night of Bedworth Civic Hall macabre goings-on by touring the WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? Join as groups of visitors tour the darkest darkest depths of the museum, Thurs THE PARANORMALIST RETURNS An published authors of romantic and depths of the museum on a hunt for 31 Oct, Avoncroft Museum, Stoke evening with Clinton Baptiste, the emotion-led fiction Alison May and treats - but watch out for tricks... Sat Heath, Bromsgrove hapless clairvoyant, medium and Janet Gover to discuss the shifts in 26 - Sun 27 Oct, Avoncroft Museum, psychic from Peter Kay’s Phoenix trends and challenges in the ro- Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove LITTLE SHADOW OF HORRORS Shadow Nights, Sat 26 Oct, Huntingdon Hall, mance publishing industry, Mon 21 SPOOKY ROOT HOUSE TRAIL The Gar- puppet-making workshop - recreate Worcester Oct, The Hive, Worcester dens get their annual Halloween Audrey II, the man-eating plant in The Little Shop Of Horrors, Thurs 31 Oct, MINI MOTORISTS Under-fives activity makeover, Sat 26 - Thurs 31 Oct, Malvern Theatres morning. Discover through play the Spetchley Park Gardens Dance world's largest collection of historic PUMPKIN SPOOKTACULAR Expect GHOST SEARCH Ghost walk around the British cars, Mon 21 Oct, British ghosts, ghouls, cobwebs and pump- castle, with vigils conducted in reput- EMANUEL GAT YOOO!!! New hip-hop-in- Motor Museum, Gaydon kins, Sat 26 - Thurs 31 Oct, Hatton edly haunted rooms, Thurs 31 Oct, spired piece for all ages, Tues 22 - Tamworth Castle BEHIND THE SCENES FAMILY STORE Adventure World, Warwick Thurs 24 Oct, Patrick Studio, Birming- TOUR Join the museum's curator for a DAY OF THE DEAD FAMILY BONFIRE & ham Hippodrome HOME AND HIBERNATE - OCTOBER HALF- talk and tour, along the way encoun- TERM FAMILY TRAIL Take a look at the FIREWORKS The first event of its kind STAGING SCHIELE Shobana Jeyasingh tering objects from the skeletal col- different types of homes made at at Umberslade, Thurs 31 Oct, Umber- Dance present a new work inspired lection and a mummified cat, Wed 23 Croome both by people and wildlife, slade Farm Park, Tanworth-In-Arden by Austrian artist Egon Schiele, Wed - Thurs 31 Oct, Herbert Art Gallery & Sat 26 Oct - Sun 3 Nov, Croome SIMPLY CHRISTMAS - THE CRAFTY 23 Oct, The Roses Theatre, Tewkes- Museum, Coventry Park, Worcester CHRISTMAS SHOW ‘Extravaganza’ of bury ‘THE BRIEFCASE OF MINERAL APPLICA- FAMILY FUN DAYS - HALLOWEEN 2019 exclusive ranges, including glass, THE WIZARD OF OZ Ballet Theatre UK TION’ WORKSHOP Innovative project Enjoy a spooky outdoor trail with jewellery, art, candles, ceramics and present a choreographed version of L providing visitors with the chance to take-home activities, Sat 26 Oct - Sun clothing, Thurs 31 Oct - Sun 3 Nov, Frank Baum’s classic tale, Wed 30 learn about minerals through hands- 3 Nov, Packwood House, Solihull NEC, Birmingham Oct, The Core Theatre, Solihull on experiences, Thurs 24 Oct, THE WIZARD EXPRESS The Wizard Ex- THE CREATIVE CRAFT SHOW Wide-rang- Coventry Transport Museum SWAN LAKE Presented by Russian press returns to take young witches ing show for knitters, stitchers, hob- State Ballet, Wed 30 Oct, Palace The- FRIGHT NIGHTS As the castle gates and wizards on ‘a magical journey to byists and crafters, Thurs 31 Oct - atre, Redditch creak open, creepy characters from Wizard School’, Sat 26 Oct - Sun 3 Sun 3 Nov, NEC, Birmingham

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