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Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands Worcestershire ’ Whatwww.whatsonlive.co.uk s OnISSUE 365 MAY 2016 EDDIE IZZARD IN THE MIDLANDS

inside:

theYourlist 16-page week by week listings guide

The WORLD PREMIÉRE of Evelyn Waugh’s classic novel Class ART.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 17:42 Page 1 Contents May Warwickshire/Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 16:34 Page 1

May 2016

Contents

Rehearsal For Murder - classic whodunnit at The Belgrade page 32

YolanDa Brown Oz Clarke Katherine Ryan the list

premier saxophonist brings wine critic performs with Canadian funny lady at Your 16-page Reggae Love Songs to town Armonico Consort in Warwick Birmingham Town Hall week-by-week listings guide page 15 page 16 page 28 page 51

inside:

4. First Word 11. Food 14. Music 26. Comedy 30. Theatre 38. Film 42. Visual Arts 45. Events

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

Editorial Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 ’ Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 Whats On Matt Rothwell [email protected] 01743 281719 MAGAZINE GROUP Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Ryan Humphreys [email protected] 01743 281722 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Heather Kincaid, Adam Jaremko, Kathryn Ewing, David Vincent, Steve Adams Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is produced without the use of elemental chlorine. We endorse the recycling of our magazine and would encourage you to pass it on to others to read when you have finished with it. All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. FIRST WORD May Worcs/Warwick Only.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 16:38 Page 1

First Word

Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes amongst Hippodrome highlights

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

Aldo Zilli announced for Little Shop Of An exciting line-up awaits Foodies Festival Horrors for at the Ricoh Arena Rhydian

Welsh baritone Rhydian Roberts is to star in Little Shop Of Horrors when it tours to Birmingham and Coventry in the autumn. Rhydian, who’s sold in excess of one million albums worldwide since appearing on The X Factor in 2007, will take the role of sadistic dentist Orin Scrivello, the character memorably played by Steve Martin in the 1986 film version. The show runs at the New Alexandra Theatre from Tuesday 27 September to Chase & Status, Fleur East, Tom Odell and Award-winning celebrity chef and restauranteur Aldo Zilli Saturday 1 October and Kaiser Chiefs are among the high-profile per- is set to be a star attraction at Birmingham’s forthcoming The Belgrade, Coventry formers appearing at MTV’s two-day festival Foodies Festival. from Wed 26 to Sat 29 in Coventry over the Spring bank holiday Aldo, who specialises in Italian, vegetarian and seafood October. weekend. cuisine, will take his place at the Cannon Hill Park event MTV Crashes Coventry will also feature, next month, heading a line-up of celebrity chefs that also among other artists, The Chainsmokers, features Great British Bake Off 2015 winner Nadiya Jamir Wilkinson and Pete Tong. Hussain. Commenting on his appearance at the festi- Other attractions at the three-day festival include an arti- val, BBC Radio One DJ Tong said: “Sharing a san producers market, craft beer masterclasses, a kids stage with some of the most exciting up-and- cookery theatre, a vintage cider tent and, for those with an comers in electronic music is going to be adventurous nature and cast-iron stomach, a jungle bug incredible, so bring it on!” eating challenge. MTV Crashes Coventry takes place at the The Birmingham Foodies Festival takes place in Cannon city’s Ricoh Arena on 27 & 28 May. For fur- Hill Park from 3 to 5 June. ther information, visit, mtv.co.uk/mtv-crashes-coventry.

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Entertainment news from around the region

Will wannabe Mel B set to spice up the surgeons make festive season the cut? It will definitely be a case of ‘mirror, mirror on the Midlands-based wannabe sur- wall, who’s the Spiciest one of all?’ at geons are being given the chance Birmingham’s Barclaycard Arena this Christmas, to work in a real operating theatre when Spice Girl Mel B stars as the Scary Queen in this summer. Snow White. The anatomy dissection tour Melanie Brown - aka Scary Spice - will headline the Operating Theatre Live is heading to Birmingham in August, and is production, which is being promoted as ‘the aimed at children and young peo- world’s biggest panto’. ple between the ages of 14 and 17 Mel will be joined by Big Brother favourite Rylan who want to pursue careers in Clarke-Neal as her henchman, Paddy McGuinness health and medicine. as Muddles and Strictly Come Dancing's Vincent The students will work in groups to and Flavia as the mysterious spirits in the mirror. dissect a real GI tract (stomach & intestines), a heart, a set of lungs, The show will also boast a giant castle, ‘amazing’ a head and brain sample and a special effects, 24ft-high fountains and impressive real leg and bone. displays of aerial acrobatics. Operating Theatre Live runs from The production runs at the Barclaycard Arena from 10 to 12 August in Sutton 19 to 22 December. For more information and to Coldfield. Visit, operatingtheatre- buy tickets, visit, barclaycardarena.co.uk/whats- live.co.uk/tour.html for more information. on/worlds-biggest-pantomime

Motoring fun New raceday in Warwick for half term Warwick Racecourse is launching a brand new festival. The Warwick May Racing Carnival links together three meetings and includes a raceday designed to celebrate the town. The Proudly Warwick Raceday, held on the evening of Saturday 7 May, is sand- wiched between the two other meetings included in the carnival - the Milestone for Wonderful Warwick Family Raceday on Bank Holiday Monday (2 May) music museum and the Think Pink Warwick Ladies Day on the 18th of the month. Andre Klein, General Manager at Warwick Racecourse, says one of the The Coventry Music Museum has main aims of the carnival is to foster strong links between the race- recently welcomed its 10,000th vis- course and the town. “We’re delighted to be launching this new sport- itor. The milestone follows hot on ing celebration,” says Andre. “There’s a lot of work to do to raise the the heels of the museum’s success Youngsters have the profile of the racecourse and explain what we’re trying to do within in the Coventry Telegraph People's chance to learn about the local community, and this is what the Warwick May Racing Choice Awards, in which it was the art of animation - Carnival is all about.” voted Best Family Attraction and with a motoring twist! - Best Independent Venue. “It's an amazing milestone reach- at the British Motor ing 10,000 visitors,” says museum Museum in Gaydon, Midlands jazz festivals team up director Pete Chambers. “The reali- Warwickshire, this half- ty is that it’s every one of those term holiday (30 May - 3 The Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival has teamed up with Solihull amazing visitors who have put us June). Business Improvement District (BID) to become the Birmingham and where we are, along with our spon- Children can start by sors Heritage Lottery and, of Solihull Jazz & Blues Festival. course, our amazing team and creating a storyboard Commenting on the development, Melanie Palmer, Executive Director board.” and then build a model of Solihull BID, said: “From our experience in running our own annu- car to appear in a short al Solihull Jazz Festival, we realised that there’s a huge appetite for stop motion film. jazz in and around Solihull. I believe that the time is now right to The museum’s anima- engage with the long-established Birmingham event to produce a festi- tion workshops have a val that will have a far greater footprint than would two separate festi- limited number of vals.” spaces and, subject to The Birmingham and Solihull availability, are book- Jazz & Blues Festival takes place able on arrival. For from 15 to 24 July. The event more information, visit includes around 150 perform- www.britishmotormuse- ances presented in 60 venues, um.co.uk or call 01926 almost all of which will be free Pete Chambers (left) with Peter Drew 641188. to attend.

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Classical Music

Martinu Quartet Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa, Mon 2 May Formed in 1976 by students of the Prague Conservatoire, the Martin Quartet present programmes of work whichů combine music by legendary composers with neg- lected works and world premieres. They here perform alongside baritone Simon Wallfisch and cellist Gemma Rosefield in the final concert of this year’s Leamington Music Festival. The evening’s programme is as follows: Mozart - Divertimento in D K136; Mendelssohn - Capriccio; Sylvie Bodorova - Terezin Ghetto Requiem; Schubert - Quintet in C D956. Karl Jenkins: Requiem Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sat 7 May “Karl Jenkins,” says opera and concert star Bryn Terfel, “produces always impeccable writing for a multitude of voices and instruments. I wish I had his talent to compose tunes but am proud to consider myself as one who adores to sing them.” Terfel is far from alone in his admiration of the 72-year-old Welshman. A recent exhaustive survey revealed that Sir Karl is the most-performed living composer in the world. Indeed, his best-known work, The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace, has been performed over 1,500 times in 20 different countries. He returns to Birmingham this month to conduct another of his most admired pieces, his Requiem, alongside his 1995 composition Palladio and his 2014 Cantata for St Luke, The Healer. Blake Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 27 May Old school friends Ollie Baines, Stephen Armonico Consort Orchestra Of The Bowman and Humphrey Berney have certainly carved out a profitable career for Warwick Castle, Tues 17 May Swan With Tamsin themselves since reuniting as adults on Founded by organist and conductor Whaley-Cohen Facebook. Recording their first album Christopher Monks in 2001, Armonico Consort within six months of becoming reac- use authentic baroque period instruments and quainted with one another, the British regularly perform with some of the best solo harmony trio have since enjoyed success musicians in the world. in both the classical and pop charts, as This cabaret-style presentation at Warwick well as becoming familiar faces via all Castle sees them teaming up with writer, wine manner of television programmes. critic, broadcaster and one-time singer Oz This latest show is being described by the Clarke (pictured below) to investigate the spu- boys as ‘the ultimate celebration of rious links between wine from across the world movies and musicals’. It features music and the music of the baroque. by, among others, Hanz Zimmer, Ennio Morricone, Leonard Bernstein, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Leonard Cohen and The Beach Boys. Malvern Theatre, Wed 25 May Acclaimed violinist Tamsin Waley- Cohen (pictured above) once again joins forces with the Stratford-based Orchestra Of The Swan, for whom she is an associate artist. Described by The Guardian as a performer of ‘fear- less intensity’, Tamsin here plays Mendelssohn’s Incidental Music to A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Violin Concerto in E minor, and Vaughan Williams’ Violin Concerto. David Curtis conducts.

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FEATURE Ishy Din

Former cab driver Ishy Din talks to What’s On about his new play, Wipers, which tells the World War One story of the first Indian soldier to be awarded a Victoria Cross medal...

The 31st of October 1914: Indian soldiers from the 129th regiment, the Duke of Connaught's Own Baluchis, are overrun by Germans in the Hollebeke area of Ypres, Belgium. For 10 hours, 26-year- old Khudadad Khan holds back the enemy troops, continuing to fight almost single-handedly as his comrades fall around him. Finally incapacitated by his wounds, Khan is left for dead by the Germans, but somehow manages to crawl back behind Allied lines and lives to tell the tale. This incredible effort buys enough time for reinforcements to be deployed, and Khan becomes the first Indian soldier to be awarded a Vic- toria Cross medal. As the World War One centenary com- memorations continue, a new play by Ishy Din aims to shed light on the often overlooked contributions made by Khan and other South Asian volunteer soldiers. Directed by Curve Leicester's Suba Das, Wipers takes its title from the name given to Ypres by British troops, and will run at Coventry's Belgrade Theatre from 12 to 21 May. What's On spoke to Ishy Din to find out more. “A couple of years ago, I was commissioned by Leicester Curve to write a play highlighting the contribution of South Asian soldiers in World War One,” explains Din. “I wasn't given any particular remit beyond that, but one of the Even though it's set in 1914, first things that came up when I started

I think there's a universality researching was this chap called Khu-

‘‘ dadad Khan. I found out that he's actually quite revered, especially in Pakistan about the characters - we and amongst fellow soldiers.” can still connect‘‘ with them Situated in the Chakwal District, Khan's former home in Dab is now part of mod- emotionally, and that's ern Pakistan, and a statue of him can be seen at the Pakistan Army Museum in timeless. Rawalpindi. But the huge respect for Khan both at home and elsewhere presented Din with something of a challenge. “I felt like I'd be doing him a disservice if I put him right at the centre of the play. You need to add texture to your characters and I wasn't very comfortable making things up about him, so 8 whatsonlive.co.uk Ishy Din DPS AW.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 17:47 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

the play actually follows four of his the characters - we can still connect see how my work translates onto dif- colleagues who’ve been ordered to with them emotionally, and that's ferent stages, so it'll be great to come secure a barn while he's out fighting. timeless.” in and check out the building. My There's an officer called Thomas, One advantage Din had in imagining work is nearly done now, so by then who’s quite young and inexperi- that world was a family history of I'll be able to just sit back and - I enced, and then there are three sol- military service, as well as past expe- don't know if ‘enjoy’ is the right word diers from India called Sadiq, Adi rience of writing about soldiers. His - but to experience it, anyway!” and Ayub. Essentially, over the 2013 short film, Our Lad, concerned a Since first entering a short story into course of those 10 hours they realise young man and his struggles to fit in, a competition with Radio Five Live, that they'll have to work together in both with his colleagues in the army, Din has come a long way in his writ- order to survive, and they learn that and with his family at home. ing career. At the time, he was work- heroism comes in many forms.” “I don't know of any family that ing as a cab driver in his hometown The cut-down history of the First served in the First World War, but my of Middlesborough, absorbing stories World War that most children learn dad was in the army, and I have great from his passengers. Today, his am- in schools today barely touches on uncles and grandfathers who were in bitious upcoming projects include an the support provided by interna- the British Indian Army during the original legal drama, a feature film, tional soldiers from across the British Second World War, before partition and a pilot for a show called Mid- Empire. Though Khan and others and independence,” he said. night Dreams that's been commis- were honoured with medals, knowl- sioned by the BBC. As things move forward, Din contin- edge of their deeds may not have ues to work closely with the produc- “It's still early days and there's lots of been widespread even at the time, tion team, helping to take the play development to be done, so I'm re- since different regiments tended to from page to stage. luctant to say too much at this stage, operate separately. For Din, research- but it's exciting to be able to base “It's been a very collaborative ing the history has been eye-open- those projects in my world, in Asian process. I get emails from designers ing. communities in the north.” and all sorts of people letting me “The really interesting thing was re- know what's happening with differ- He'll also be writing a script for the alising how little I knew, and by ex- ent aspects of the show, and I'll be first season of an upcoming Channel tension, how little everyone knows part of the rehearsals too. A few of Four series called The ABC, created about the contribution made by the actors we got in to do workshops by East Is East writer Ayub Khan Din. these men. I found out that the dif- during the drafting process were peo- Set in Lancashire's Arnold Braith- ferent army regiments were actually ple who were already on my radar, waite College, the show will follow very distinct entities, so even though and some of those guys just seemed new headteacher Emma Hussein as the Indian Army had mostly British to inhabit the characters I'd written she rises to the challenges of running officers, it had its own methods that completely, which was brilliant.” a multicultural school. were adopted and adapted from In- “At the moment, I'm only contracted dian traditions.” Once it's finished, Din is also hoping to catch the play at the various ven- to write one episode, but of course From his award-winning 2012 play ues that it will visit on its tour. Coin- I'd like to write all of them!” Din Snookered to his standalone Channel cidentally, his previous work laughs. “Unfortunately, that's not my Four comedy Doughnuts, most of includes a short film directed by decision, but Channel Four certainly Din's previous work has been set in Dawn Walton for Eclipse, whose pro- have high hopes for the series and the present day, so writing a histori- duction of American classic A Raisin want it to be something that returns cal piece has been a new experience In The Sun is also showing as part of for several seasons, so hopefully for him. the Belgrade's Hidden Histories sea- there'll be more further down the “In the writing world, there's this son, alongside Wipers and Liz Myt- line.” long-standing idea that you should ton's Red Snapper. write what you know, and so most of “Dawn's absolutely fantastic and my previous work has been about she's doing some great stuff, so I'm contemporary British Asian life, but really glad to be part of this season it's been really interesting to write with her. Hopefully we'll get to meet about a different world and a differ- Wipers shows at the Belgrade up at the Belgrade at some point. I've Theatre, Coventry from ent time. Even though it's set in 1914, never been there before, but I like to Thursday 12 to Saturday 21 May. I think there's a universality about

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Food

REVIEW: Casa Med, Bromsgrove Harissa Chicken with spinach and sweet cherry tomatoes Flavours of the Med and an abundance of charm... (which alone was worth our visit!). With the stakes well and truly raised, it all rested on the Patatas Ailoli (£4.45). We weren’t disappointed. Fluffy on the inside with a lightly spiced outer skin and served with a deliciously rich garlic mayonnaise, these potatoes really were too good to share! For the perfect fiesta with friends, Casa Med also offers a 12-to-14-dish Party Menu priced at a not-unreasonable £17.50 per head for 9 to 14 diners, and £22.50 per head for 15 to 24 diners. Ideal for sharing and the perfect choice for any celebration. With the prospect of an early- morning start prompting us to head for home, it was time to catch the last train back to reali- ty. Such was the unique ambi- The experience of eating tapas is From the moment I stepped off (drizzled with a light extra virgin ence of Casa Med that leaving all about sharing, socialising the high street and onto the cob- olive oil and accompanied by a via the tree-lined avenue felt and checking in with that famil- bled promenade, I was trans- side order of Gordal, Manzilla akin to being on a holiday that iar desire to escape to sun- ported away from day-to-day and Black olives), our choice of had come to an end all too soon. drenched foreign shores. Best drudgery. Sheltered by surround- dips included the classic Greek Warm, welcoming and intimate enjoyed across a leisurely few ing pine trees, dressed with olive Tzatziki and the Moroccan- in style, Casa Med’s abundant hours and over a glass or two of plants, overlaid with line upon inspired Zaalouk - a moreish charm is matched by a genuine good wine, Britain’s love affair line of fairy lights and boasting concoction of roasted aubergine, passion for food and a willing- with the no-frills finger food has rustic beams and quirky old- cumin, paprika, coriander and ness to let fresh produce speak blossomed these last few years - world charm, there was some- tomatoes. Both were priced at a for itself. This was tapas as it’s and with high street chains thing altogether enchanting reasonable £2.75 each. meant to be experienced - quick to claim tapas as their about this place, from the earth- After supping on a leisurely enjoyed in a relaxed atmos- own, the nation’s appetite for enware pots and tapas bowls glass of the Bodegas Borsao phere, cooked to perfection and novelty cuisine shows no sign of right through to the vintage Maccabeo - a light and refresh- boasting the unmistakable abating. So when a tapas restau- poster prints of old Madrid that ing Spanish chardonnay with flavours of the Med. rant like Casa Med comes along, decorated the white-washed hints of peach and lemon - it Bromsgrove’s best-kept secret is it makes me want to crack open walls. was time to get serious. From the out and, like its food, is well the sangria in celebration! In keeping with the restaurant’s East Mediterranean, Charmoula worth sharing... Located at the heart of relaxed ethos, Casa Med’s menu Chicken skewers cooked in Cinco estrellas! Katherine Ewing Bromsgrove, just a short walk is extensive as opposed to over- lemon, paprika and fresh corian- from the train station, this whelming. Bringing together der (£6.95) provided a zesty and Food: delightful addition to the high Spanish staples such as refreshing complement to the n n n n n Service: street is already making waves Abondigas (handmade meat- rich, sweet notes of the hand- n n n n n Ambience: within the Worcestershire busi- balls), Patatas Bravas (fried made meatballs in sherry sauce - n n n n n Overall value ness community. And, judging potato with smoky tomato sauce) cooked to perfection and oozing n n n n n OVERALL from my experience there, it isn’t and Gambas el Diablo (prawns flavour. From the South n n n n n hard to see why. cooked in white wine and chilli) Mediterranean, the Cod Loin in Tucked away like some delicious with the best of Greek meze and Serrano Ham (£7.95) was very secret waiting to be discovered, Moroccan-inspired cuisine, this much the surprise hit of the Casa Med Tapas Casa Med is every bit the authen- was a Mediterranean adventure evening. The cod was tender yet 89a High Street tic ‘tapas experience’ - small but in its broadest sense. firm in texture, complemented Bromsgrove Worcestershire perfectly formed, exuding Taking the advice of our friendly beautifully by the subtle smoki- B61 8AQ warmth and imbued with the waitress and opting for a hand- ness of the pork and matched true spirit of the Mediterranean. made flatbread starter at £3.75 only by the waitress’s choice of

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Food

Dining at the cathedral Nutrilicious delights MPW unveils new dining concept at The Cube Birmingham's Digbeth Dining Club is at Staffordshire spa this month heading to Coventry - and TV chef and best-selling author Sally Bee more particularly to the city’s cathe- has opened a ‘healthy but indulgent’ restau- dral. rant at Staffordshire’s Hoar Cross Hall Spa The award-winning street food event, Hotel. which takes place in the Digbeth area Sally survived three heart attacks in a week of Birmingham every Friday, has at the age of 36. Since that time, she’s fol- already expanded into other loca- lowed a ‘delicious and achievable’ healthy tions, including Wolverhampton. eating plan, which is reflected in the menu Marco Pierre White will this month launch a It visits Coventry Cathedral on 8 May. for her new restaurant, Sally Bee’s new ‘ultra-casual’ dining concept at The “Coventry is a city that we’ve always Nutrilicious. Cube in Birmingham. seen in our long-term plan of show- “I’ve always stood by the philosophy that Bardolino Pizzeria Bellini & Espresso bar casing our mixture of street food and the key to life is balance,” says Sally. “I’ve will feature an all-day express menu of fun,” says Dining Club co-founder worked with Hoar Cross authentic Italian food, coffees and Bellinis. Jack Brabant. “Working in partner- Hall Spa Hotel over the last Commenting on his new venture, Marco ship with the cathedral, we feel we year to develop a menu said: “Bardolino represents affordable, have an iconic spot to do just this. It that is nutritionally bal- friendly and casual dining with recognisable promises to be a great day out for all anced, wonderfully flavour- family favourites and classic Italian dishes. ages and we look forward to feeding some and uncompromis- “Bardolino is a restaurant concept created everyone who comes down.” ingly good, and I’m enor- for both discerning diners and aspirational mously excited to share it families alike. After all, pasta is a child’s with everyone.” favourite food.”

open 12 - late mediterranean tapas Happy Hour 4pm - 7pm tues - fri 89a High Street, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B61 8AQ 01527 878242 / www.casamedtapas.co.uk

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Gigs

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

Hot 8 Brass Band Anastacia The Copper Rooms, Coventry, Sat 21 May Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Tues 3 May Best known for her singles Left Outside Alone and I’m Outta Love, Anastacia has released five albums and sold over 30 million copies worldwide. The Ultimate Collection sees the American singer return to Sony Music, the label that was instrumental in cata- pulting her to global superstardom. “I feel so blessed and humbled to be experiencing this exciting next chapter of my life,” she says. “The idea for my Ultimate Collection is to include something for everyone. I’m eternally grateful to be reunited with Sony, the record label Transcending genres and trends, Hot 8’s that made all of this possible from day one. Fifteen years later, I’m back, I’m rocking sound and indomitable energy are home and I couldn’t be happier.” Tom Robinson renowned across the world. The New Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sun 15 May Orleans-based collective have performed Singer, songwriter and broadcaster Tom Robinson was a vocal supporter of Rock with a wide range of artists, including Against Racism and LGBT rights in the late 1970s, enjoying chart success with Glad To Lauryn Hill and Mos Def, and released three Be Gay, 2-4-6-8 Motorway and Up Against albums: Rock With The Hot 8, Tombstone The Wall. His broadcasting career has seen him win and The Life And Times Of The Hot 8 Brass two gold Sony Academy Radio Awards. He’s Band. The latter was nominated for a also hosted programmes on BBC Radios One, Two, Three, Four, Four Extra, Five Live and Grammy in 2013. Six Music - where he currently presents three The band are real favourites on the festival shows a week. Last year he returned to the recording studio circuit and regularly appear on the bill at with award-winning producer and multi- Glastonbury and BoomTown. instrumentalist Gerry Diver to make his first new album in almost 20 years.

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Gig previews from around the region

James Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Fri 20 May

English rock band James originally signed to the iconic Factory Records in 1982. They have since gone on to produce a string of massive hit singles, her own right, she’s also toured in support including Sit Down, Come Home, She’s YolanDa Brown of The Temptations and Errol Brown, and A Star and Born Of Frustration. Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 7 May collaborated with artists including Julian Now, 34 years on, they’re touring in Marley, Soweto Kinch and as part of Jools support of their 14th album, Girl At Regarded as the premier female saxophonist Holland’s Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. The End Of The World, which they in the UK, YolanDa’s debut album - April She visits Warwick Arts Centre on her claim to be their best yet. Showers, May Flowers - reached number Reggae Love Songs Tour, accompanied by Italian-English solo acoustic singer one on the iTunes and Amazon jazz charts. Mica Paris. Jack Savoretti supports. As well as performing across the world in

Laura Mvula O2 Institute, Birmingham, Sat 21 May Cate Le Bon Travis The Glee Club, Birmingham, Sun 22 May O2 Academy, Birmingham, Thurs 12 May Welsh singer-songwriter Cate Le Bon appears at Birmingham’s Glee Club this month in support of her fourth album, Crab Day, which was released last month. “Crab Day was lovingly formed in the mouth of the Pacific Ocean, as it quietly mocked us with its magnitude,” says Cate. “It’s the sound of the ‘accidentally on purpose’ coming together of the right people at precisely the right time in an environment that fur- nished and fuelled the abandonment we felt effortlessly. It’s a coalition of inescapable feelings and fabricated nonsense, each propping the other up. Crab Day is an old holiday. Crab Day is a new holiday. Crab Day Rock four-piece Travis have accumulated isn’t a holiday at all.” two number one LPs, five top ten singles, two Brit Awards and more than eight million record sales across their illustrious career. Birmingham-born soul singer-song- They’ve released eight studio albums since writer Laura Mvula captivated audi- their inception in 1990, including Good ences back in 2013 with debut album Feeling (1997), 12 Memories (2003) and Sing To The Moon. Influenced by the Where You Stand (2013). likes of Nina Simone, Jill Scott and After a quiet few years, the band behind hit Erykah Badu, Mvula’s latest single, singles Why Does It Always Rain On Me and Overcome, features the legendary Nile Flowers In The Window are back on the Rodgers. It’s taken from her new road in support of their highly anticipated album, The Dreaming Room, which is new album, Everything At Once, released at set for release on 17 June. the end of April on their own label, Red Telephone Box.

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Classical Music

16 whatsonlive.co.uk Classical Warwicks/Worc May.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 16:37 Page 2 International Dance F/P.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 20:39 Page 1 Dance May Brum/Warwickshire.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 16:15 Page 2

Let's Dance: IDFB 2016 At A Glance

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

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

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

and original artists currently working in con-

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

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

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

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

More IDFB 2016 highlights...

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

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Dance More dance previews from around the region

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

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

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

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FEATURE by Lauren Foster

Slam dunk Festival

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

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

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Festivals

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

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

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Comedy

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

Four of the best...

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

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

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

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Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

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

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

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Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

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

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

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Do something different, see something new

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

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

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

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

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

Thu 16 - Sat 18 Jun The Taming of the Shrew

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

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

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

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

For full theatre listings, visit whatsonlive.co.uk

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

INTERVIEW

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

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

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

by Lauren Foster

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

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

Film

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

CRITIC’S CHOICE

Film highlights released in May...

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

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

Film releases in May

CRITIC’S CHOICE

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

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

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

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

Film

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

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

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

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

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

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

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To enter all competitions go to whatsonlive.co.uk also follow us on Twitter for more great competitions whatsonlive.co.uk 41 Visual Arts May.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 16:28 Page 1

Visual Arts

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

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

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

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

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

Events

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

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

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more events from around the region

Events

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

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

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more events from around the region

Events

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

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

whatsonlive.co.uk 49 The List Cover May Birmingham ONLY.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 17:44 Page 1 The List Cover May Region 2.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 18:17 Page 2

Your week to week listings guide May 2016 thelist PoliticalMother at The REP Theatre, Birmingham -Fri 13 -Sat 14 May

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

What’s On Sun 1 to Sun 8 May Mon 9 to Sun 15 May Mon 16 to Sun 22 May Mon 23 to Tues 31 May

Coventry Cathedral Dining Club The Rocky Horror Show at Busted at Genting Arena, Jools Holland & His Rhythm & Blues Sun 8 May Malvern Theatres Birmingham Orchestra at Warwick Arts Centre Mon 9 - Sat 14 May Fri 20 May Wed 25 May

whatsonlive.co.uk 51 The List 1-8 May - Warwicks & Worc.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 18:12 Page 1

thelist Friday 1 - Sunday 8 May Hounds, Birmingham May, Hare & Hounds, THROUGHOUT MAY Gigs BENJAMIN FRANCIS Birmingham LEFTWICH Thurs 5 May, SEVENTH CIRCLE Sat 7 KORABRA BY GAVIN JANTJES Dramatic The Rainbow Venues, May, The Marr’s Bar, paintings by Gavin Jantjes, on dis- MAGNUM Sun 1 May, Visual Arts Birmingham Worcester play as part of a collaboration with O2 Institute, B’ham RAT BOY Thurs 5 May, YOLANDA BROWN & the Black Artists & Modernism proj- TONY KEARNEY Sun 1 Artrix, Bromsgrove O2 Institute, B’ham MICA PARIS Sat 7 May, ect, until Sun 21 August. May, Irish Centre, Warwick Arts Centre, DAVID CONSTANTINE: URBAN SHADOWS CECILY BROWN Brown’s Be Nice To Birmingham SENSATION - A SHOW - 5PM & EVERYTHING AFTER David is a FEATURING THE MUSIC Coventry The Big Blue Sea is shown alongside FULL 100 2016! contemporary abstract/portrait OF THE WHO Thurs 5 THE FUREYS Sat 7 May, a display of work by Edgar Degas. FEATURING TARRUS painter from Worcestershire. His new May, Belgrade Theatre, Palace Theatre, On loan from a private collector, until RILEY Sun 1 May, O2 body of work focuses on the re- Sun 19 June Coventry Redditch emergence of the bearded man in Academy, Birmingham GRAYSON PERRY: THE VANITY OF SMALL MAHALIA Thurs 5 May, CLOUDBUSTING - THE popular culture, Wed 27 Apr - Sun 22 MICHAEL BOLTON Sun 1 DIFFERENCES Series of six large-scale The Glee Club, MUSIC OF KATE BUSH May May, Symphony Hall, tapestries by Turner Prize-winning Birmingham Sat 7 May, Huntington NEW HEART OF WORCESTERSHIRE Birmingham artist Grayson Perry, exploring the BOY JUMPS SHIP Thurs Hall, Worcester COLLEGE ART & DESIGN STUDENTS END ANDROMEDA XV – British fascination with taste and 5 May, O2 Academy, BRANTLEY GILBERT Sat 7 OF YEAR SHOW Work on display MAYDAY WARNING Sun 1 class, until Sun 3 July Birmingham May, O2 Institute, includes fine art, graphic design, May, O2 Institute, MAKING A MASTERPIECE Exploring the Birmingham photography, video, interior design, Birmingham THE BOXER REBELLION creative process undertaken by artist furniture and product design, fash- Thurs 5 May, Hare & THE DIRTY NIL & WACO Graham Sutherland to design the UB40 Sun 1 May, ion, textiles, ceramics and sculpture, Hounds, Birmingham Sat 7 May, The monumental tapestry which hangs Barclaycard Arena, Wed 25 - Thurs 26 May FLIGHT 15 Fri 6 May, O2 Sunflower Lounge, behind the altar of Coventry Birmingham Academy, Birmingham Birmingham Cathedral, until Sun 3 July, Herbert JOE GODDARD Sun 1 Birmingham Museum & ESKIMO DANCE Sat 7 Art Gallery Art Gallery & Museum May, Hare & Hounds, AN EVENING WITH THE DUBLIN LEGENDS Fri 6 May, O2 Academy, NEW COVENTRY OPEN 2016 The ninth Birmingham NEW ART WEST MIDLANDS 2016 May, Birmingham Town Birmingham Coventry Open for West Midlands DO NOT SLEEP FEATUR- Exhibition of works by graduates Hall THE BILLY JOEL and Warwickshire artists, displaying ING PACO OSUNA Sun 1 from various West Midlands art SONGBOOK Sat 7 May, work in a wide range of media, Sat May, The Rainbow WUSSY Fri 6 May, HAre schools, until Sun 15 May. Also Artrix, Bromsgrove showing at Wolverhampton Art 14 May - Sun 12 June Venues, Birmingham & Hounds, Birmingham THE 'BEATLEMANIA' Gallery & Herbert Art Gallery, OTOBOKE BEAVER Mon 2 THESE SMITHS Fri 6 The Hive, Worcester PARTY Sat 7 May, Coventry May, The Tin Music May, The River Rooms, TRANSLATING THREE DIMENSIONS INTO Nailcote Hall, BIRMINGHAM QUR’AN One of the earli- And Arts, Coventry Stourbridge TWO Exhibition of drawings and Berkswell, est surviving copies of the Islamic VOULEZ-VOUS Fri 6 May, paintings by Angela Landels, until MARK LANEGAN Mon 2 Warwickshire holy book, on display, until Wed 3 May, The Glee Club, Palace Theatre, Wed 4 May 80'S MANIA Sat 7 May, Aug. Birmingham Redditch Belgrade Theatre, BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM & ART GALLERY Leamington Spa Art Gallery & WHITECLIFF Mon 2 May, MICHAEL KNOWLES AND Coventry IN 130 YEARS The story of the Museum The Sunflower Lounge, THE STDS Fri 6 May, GERRY COLVIN BAND Sat Museum & Art Gallery, told via a spe- SIMON LEWTY: THE SIGNIFICANCE OF Birmingham The Marr's Bar, cial anniversary exhibition, until Worcester 7 May, Palace Theatre, WRITING Exhibition including early CHRIS CORNELL Mon 2 Thurs 1 Sept Redditch works by Lewty, dating back to the May, Symphony Hall, AURELIO VOLTAIRE + LETHAL BIZZLE Sat 7 NEW TURNING TO SEE: FROM VAN DYCK 1970s, alongside his recent work, Fri Birmingham AMONG THE ECHOES Fri TO LUCIAN FREUD Van Dyck's last self- 29 Apr - Sun 10 July, Leamington 6 May, O2 Institute, May, O2 Institute, ANASTACIA Tues 3 May, portrait, curated by West Midlands- Spa Art Gallery & Museum Birmingham Birmingham Symphony Hall, B’ham born and internationally renowned YOUNG PILGRIMS, RICKY COOL AND THE IN Rugby Art Gallery & Museum THE BLUETONES Tues 3 artist John Stezaker, Sat 28 May - FOFOULAH & JACT Fri 6 CROWD Sat 7 May, The May, O2 Institute, Sun 4 Sept WHEN YOU FALL INTO A TRANCE New May, Hare & Hounds, Fold, Worcester Birmingham film work by internationally Birmingham IDESTORY + STILETTO Compton Verney Gallery, acclaimed artist Emily Wardill, until MICHAEL CHAPMAN Tues TEDDY THOMPSON & FARM + NOISE REVOLT Warwick Sat 11 June. 3 May, Kitchen Garden KELLY JONES Fri 6 May, + YOUTH WITHIN Sun 8 SHAKESPEARE IN ART: TEMPESTS, Cafe, Birmingham Warwick Arts Centre, May, The Sunflower TYRANTS AND TRAGEDY Exhibition Warwick Arts Centre,Coventry DANNI NICHOLLS Wed 4 Coventry Lounge, Birmingham reimagining Shakespeare’s works NEW ANOTHER MINIMALISM A May, Kitchen Garden PALEHORSE Sun 8 May, through a unique series of multi- Fruitmarket Gallery touring exhibition THE ICICLE WORKS Fri 6 Cafe, Birmingham Hare & Hounds, media encounters, until Sun 19 June. curated by Melissa E Feldman. The May, O2 Academy, FIELD HARMONICS Wed Birmingham Birmingham BOYDELL'S VISION Exhibition tracing artists use materials including glass, 4 May, Hare & Hounds, THE DREAMERS Sun 8 the history of John Boydell’s famous mirrors and coloured lights to alter YES Fri 6 May, Birmingham May, The Roses Shakespeare Gallery, which opened the viewer’s perception of space and Symphony Hall, B’ham NINA NESBITT Wed 4 Theatre, Tewkesbury in 1789 on London’s Pall Mall, until time, Thurs 5 May - Sat 25 June THE SIMON AND May, O2 Institute, Sun 19 June. GARFUNKEL STORY Fri 6 CHAMELEONS VOX + Worcester City Museum & Art Birmingham EVIL BLIZZARD Sun 8 Gallery May, Belgrade Theatre, Forge Mill Needle Museum, TINASHE Wed 4 May, Coventry May, O2 Institute, Redditch THIS GREEN EARTH Malvern-based O2 Institute, B’ham Birmingham artist Bridget Macdonald’s land- KLASSIDE Fri 6 May, O2 NEW! TANGENT TEXTILES: WARRIORS NGOD Wed 4 May, O2 BIG BOY BLOATER Sun 8 scapes, exhibited alongside works Institute, Birmingham Exhibition inspired by warriors from Academy, Birmingham May, The Glee Club, the ancient world, until Sun 5 June by great historic painters Claude BUDDY HOLLY'S WINTER Birmingham Lorrain, Samuel Palmer and Peter JONNY & THE BAPTISTS: DANCE PARTY Fri 6 May, Herbert Art Gallery & Paul Rubens, until Sat 25 June THE END IS NIGH Wed 4 Bedworth Civic Hall DOMINIC KIRWAN Sun 8 Museum, Coventry May, mac, Birmingham May, Evesham Arts DIVIDED LOYALTIES Exhibition explor- THE UPBEAT BEATLES Fri Centre, Worcestershire DEGAS' DANCERS Edgar Degas’ ing Worcestershire’s heroes and THE MAGIC OF THE 6 May, The Core, famous painting, Two Dancers On A rebels, until Sat 29 Oct. BEATLES Wed 4 May, Solihull SYMPHONIC FLOYD FEA- Belgrade Theatre, TURING THE EN SUITE Stage, is displayed alongside three VOULEZ VOUS Evening other works by the artist, until Sun 19 Other VISUAL ARTS Coventry ELECTRIC BAND Sun 8 of non-stop Abba hits, May, Symphony Hall, June. EMBROIDERERS GUILD EXHIBITION - PURPLE SHADES EP Fri 6 May, Palace Birmingham COURTAULDS IN COVENTRY Selection BROWN AT BERRINGTON Hand-crafted LAUNCH Thurs 5 May, Theatre, Redditch textiles inspired by Capability The Marr's Bar, CHRIS WOOD Sun 8 of items from the Herbert’s collection PILGRIMAGE FEAT. Brown's landscape design, which is Stourbridge May, Kitchen Garden relating to the Courtaulds company FOFOULAH, JACT & Berrington's parkland, until Sun 6 Cafe, Birmingham and its links with Coventry, until Sun WORLDSERVICE PROJECT YOUNG PILGRIMS Fri 6 19 June. Nov, Berrington Hall, Nr Leominster Thurs 5 May, Hare &

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Friday 1 - Sunday 8 May

CBSO PLAYERS: VAUGHAN WILLIAMS FUNMBI OMOTAYO, ANDREW RYAN, DAVE ent a compelling political thriller Classical Music PHANTASY QUINTET Fri 6 May, CBSO JOHNS & GARY LITTLE Sat 7 May, The about surviving in a world of deceit Centre, Birmingham Glee Club, Birmingham and violence, Wed 4 - Sat 7 May, IL DIVO Sat 7 May, Genting Arena, MARK WATSON Sat 7 May, Warwick Belgrade Theatre, Coventry LEAMINGTON MUSIC FESTIVAL WEEKEND Birmingham Arts Centre, Coventry BREATHE FOR ME Martin O’Brien con- Fri 29 April - Tues 3 May, Royal siders the nature of the regulated Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa KARL JENKINS REQUIEM Karl Jenkins CURTIS WALKER, SINCK, MELANIE GAYLE conducts his highly acclaimed and & JOHN SIMMIT chronically ill body, Thurs 5 May, MARTINU PIANO TRIO Featuring Pavel popular Requiem alongside Palladio Sun 8 May, mac, Birmingham Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Safarik (violin), Jaroslav Matejka & The Healer. Lucy Knight (soprano), A BLACK COUNTRY NIGHT OUT Starring (cello) & Petr Jirikovsky (piano). CRAIG CAMPBELL Sun 8 May, Warwick Håkan Vramsmo (baritone), Clive Jonny Cole, Dandy, The Fizzogs & Programme includes works by Arts Centre, Coventry Bell shakuhachi & Zands Duggan The Ronaldos, Thurs 5 May, The Haydn, Suk, Martinu & Dvorak, Sun (percussion), also feature, Sat 7 May, Core, Solihull 1 May, Royal Pump Rooms, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Leamington Spa A NIGHT OF DIRTY DANCING Described CANOLDIR: 50 GLORIOUS YEARS as the ultimate tribute show, Thurs 5 CELEBRITY RECITAL WITH SIR JAMES Theatre Celebrating 50 glorious years of May, Palace Theatre, Redditch AND LADY JEANNE GALWAY music making, Canoldir will here be Programme includes works by EMMA Hotbuckle Theatre Company joined by the Make Choirs of DON QUIXOTE James Fenton's staging Gaubert, Chaminade, Harty, Gossec, present a staging of Jane Austen’s Bridgend, Cardiff Arms Park, Dunvant of Cervantes' comic novel - a work Marais, Kreisler & Morlacchi, Sun 1 ‘most perfect’ novel, Thurs 5 May, & Pontarddulais, Sat 7 May, regarded as one of the foundation May, Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury Birmingham Town Hall stones of modern fiction, until Sat 21 GUARNERI PIANO TRIO Featuring May, The Swan Theatre, Stratford- WOODY SEZ: THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF BIRMINGHAM CITADEL BAND OF THE Cenek Pavlik (violin), Marek Jirie upon-Avon WOODY GUTHRIE Soul-stirring hit musi- SALVATION ARMY GALA CONCERT 2016 (cello) & Ivan Klansky (piano). cal capturing the heart and spirit of Sat 7 May, Adrian Boult Hall, DOCTOR FAUSTUS Maria Aberg returns Programme includes works by America's original folk hero, Woody Birmingham to the RSC to direct Marlowe’s noto- Janacek, Martinu, Smetana, Dvorak rious take of vanity, greed & damna- Guthrie, Thurs 5 May, Malvern & Suk, Sun 1 May, Royal Pump tion, until Thurs 4 Aug, The Swan Theatres Rooms, Leamington Spa Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon UNDER MILK WOOD Guy Masterson BENEDICT MASON PORTRAIT Sun 1 Comedy Gigs CYMBELINE Melly Still directs presents a one-man interpretation of May, CBSO Centre, Birmingham Shakespeare’s rarely performed Dylan Thomas’ timeless masterpiece, Fri 6 May, Swan Theatre, Worcester ENSEMBLE 360 Programme includes romance, until Fri 12 Aug, Royal JARRED CHRISTMAS, TONY LAW works by Beethoven, Fucik, Martinu, Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford- SONGS OF HOLLYWOOD Starring BETHANY BLACK, RICH WILSON, JAMES Sylvie Bodorova & Janacek, Mon 2 upon-Avon Fascinating Aida’s Lisa Pullman, ANDERSON & COMIC TBC Sun 1 May, May, Royal Pump Rooms, Joseph Atkins & The Stardust The Glee Club, Birmingham THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Leamington Spa Blue Orange Arts presents its version Ensemble, Fri 6 May, Malvern CITIZEN KHAN Mon 2 May, Warwick Theatre MARTINU STRING QUARTET Featuring of Oscar Wilde's classic comedy of Arts Centre, Coventry Petr Jirikovsky (piano), Mon 2 May, manners, Thurs 28 April - Sat 7 May, ROB AUTON: THE WATER SHOW A com- Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington BILL BAILEY Tues 3 - Thurs 5 May, The Blue Orange Theatre, edy/theatre/talking show about water, Spa, Leamington Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Birmingham written and performed by the award- winning Rob Auton, Fri 6 May, MARTINU STRING QUARTET WITH SIMON MOCK THE FLOCK Wed 4 May, BAD JEWS Joshua Harman's Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry WALLFISCH (Baritone) and Gemma The Mockingbird, Birmingham renowned play, set in a Manhattan Rosefield (Cello). Programme CRAIG CAMPBELL Wed 4 May, apartment on the evening of a family MR B THE GENTLEMAN RHYMER Mr B includes works by Mozart, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester funeral, Mon 2 - Sat 7 May, New continues his ongoing quest to Mendelssohn, Sylvie Bodorova & Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham reconnect hip-hop with manners and GARY DELANEY, PETE FIRMAN, JARRED Schubert, Tues 3 May, Holy Trinity bring the Queen’s English to CHRISTMAS & SEAN HUGHES Wed 4 BEST OF BE FESTIVAL Showcase of BE Church, Leamington Spa Festival’s favourite European theatre, Birmingham, Fri 6 - Sat 7 May, Old May, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham FINAL YEAR RECITALISTS Featuring dance and circus performances, FOIL, ARMS AND HOG Thurs 5 May, Matthew Hayden (baritone), Jacob Tues 3 May, Warwick Arts Centre, MARGARET THATCHER: QUEEN OF SOHO Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa Dorell (voice), Lydia Haynes (sopra- Coventry Fri 6 - Sat 7 May, mac, Birmingham no) & David Woods (tenor), Tues 3 MANILLA ROAD COMEDY Thurs 5 May, SALLY MORGAN - CALL ME PSYCHIC WEEKEND ROCKSTARS Theatre meets May, The Bramall, Birmingham The Victoria, Birmingham Sally Morgan is back with a brand gig in Middle Child’s unapologetic SOUND AFFAIRS: THE TEMPEST Telling GARY LITTLE, FUNMBI OMOTAYO & COM- new show, Tues 3 May, Palace telling of three young lives living for the story of Shakespeare’s play of EDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Theatre, Redditch the weekend, Fri 6 - Sat 7 May, The magic and theatrical illusion, through Thurs 5 May, The Glee Club, CONNECTIONS 500 In collaboration REP, Birmingham musical settings from the baroque to Birmingham with the National Theatre, 13 youth GOD OF CARNAGE Yasmina Reza's the contemporary, this new produc- RUSSELL KANE Thurs 5 May, Warwick theatres from across the country visit award-winning black comedy sees tion from Sound Affairs marks the Arts Centre, Coventry The REP to present a selection of two sets of parents meeting up to 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s LEE NELSON, MATT REED & COMIC TBC plays to celebrate the 21st year of deal with the unruly behaviour of death, Wed 4 May, Malvern Theatres 5 May, The Comedy Loft, B’ham the National Theatre’s Connections their respective children, Fri 6 - Sat THOMAS TROTTER IN RECITAL Festival. Each group stages one of 14 May, The Bear Pit Theatre - The LOVDEV BARPAGA, BILLY MCGUIRE, 12 plays commissioned by the United Reformed Church, Stratford- Programme includes works by Bach, THOMAS RACKHAM, SALLY FIRTH, BEN Mozart, Widor, Dove, MacMillan, National Theatre since 1995, Tues 3 - upon-Avon CLOVER, JOSH PUGH, LUCAS JOLSON & Sat 7 May, The REP, Birmingham Dukas & Liszt, Wed 4 May, MATTHEW BAYLISS Fri 6 May, THE IMPROV MUSICAL Music Theatre Symphony Hall, Birmingham Evesham Arts Centre THE FATHER Kenneth Cranham repris- Warwick present a show based on es his role in Florian Zeller’s the premise of - yep, you guessed it - CBSO VAUGHAN WILLIAMS’ FIFTH DAVE JOHNS, ANDREW RYAN, GARY Featuring John Wilson (Conductor), acclaimed play, Tues 3 - Sat 7 May, improvisation, Sat 7 May, Warwick LITTLE & FUNMBI OMOTAYO Fri 6 May, The REP, Birmingham Arts Centre, Coventry Alice Coote – Mezzo soprano) The Glee Club, Birmingham Programme includes works by Bax, JUNGLE BOOK Rudyard Kipling’s clas- MTW: THE IMPROV MUSICAL 2016 Elgar & Vaughan Williams, Thurs 5 SIMON EVANS Fri 6 May, The Glee sic tale is here re-imagined with Promising an evening of unforget- May, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Club, Birmingham street-dance, circus and spoken table improvised fun, Sat 7 May, ROB AUTON Fri 6 May, Warwick Arts FINAL YEAR RECITALISTS word, Tues 3 - Sat 7 May, Malvern Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Featuring Centre, Coventry Karis Ong (piano), Christopher Theatre, Worcestershire NELSON: THE SAILOR’S STORY On New Percival (piano) & Usha Aron (piano), CHRISTIAN O'CONNELL Fri 6 May, Artrix, THE WIZARD OF OZ Amateur produc- Year's Eve 200 years later, Nelson Thurs 5 May, The Bramall, Bromsgrove tion of the RSC's version of the surveys the world from his column in Birmingham MATT REED, JARLATH REGAN, STEVE much-loved family musical, based on Trafalgar Square with a wry and DI XIAO: MOON, WATER AND DANCE BUGEJA & BRENDON BURNS Fri 6 - Sat Frank Baum's novel, The Wonderful observant eye, shooing pigeons and Programme includes works by Ravel, 7 May, The Comedy Loft, Wizard Of Oz, Wed 4 - Sat 7 May, insulting tourists. Below him, a Guang Ren, Debussy, Jianzhong Birmingham Albany Theatre, Coventry homeless Falklands veteran shivers Wang, Yiqiang Sun & Liszt, Fri 6 May, GORDON SOUTHERN, JOE BROMEHEAD THE DISHONOURED Kali Theatre pres- in the cold, Sat 7 May, Swan Theatre, The Barber Institute, Birmingham Sat 7 May, Coventry Showcase Worcester whatsonlive.co.uk 53 The List 1-8 May - Warwicks & Worc.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 18:12 Page 3

thelist Friday 1 - Sunday 8 May DON QUIXOTE Part of the RSC’s brought together with contemporary NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: WALLED GARDEN Britain's largest Unwrapped Season, in which mem- flair, Sun 8 May, mac, Birmingham walled garden opens its doors again. Released from Fri 6 May, showing at bers of the acting company demon- With new paths and planting selected cinemas. strate some of the skills that go into schemes, there are restored green- making a production, Sat 7 May, BAD NEIGHBOURS 2 (tbc) houses, vibrant border planting, a Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Talks EVOLUTION (15) blooming rose garden and working vegetable plots, Sun 1 May - Sun 30 WOODY SEZ: THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS (PG) WOODY GUTHRIE Oct, Croome Park, Worcester Soul-stirring hit musi- I SAW THE LIGHT (15) cal capturing the heart and spirit of PATRICK LAMBERT Talk - Martinu in his TRADITIONAL MAY DAY Maypole danc- America's original folk hero, Woody time and the recorded legacy, Sun 1 KNIGHT OF CUPS (15) ing, folk music, country crafts and May, Royal Pump Rooms, Guthrie, Sun 8 May, New Alexandra ROBINSON CRUSOE (PG) ‘The Battle of the Green Man’, Mon 2 Leamington Spa May, Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove Theatre, Birmingham THESE FINAL HOURS (15) THE KING IS DEAD: ROYAL DEATH AND WARWICK MAY RACING CARNIVAL Mon SUCCESSION UNDER THE TUDORS Talk 2 May, Warwick Racecourse by renowned historian David Starkey, Dance Sat 7 May, Royal Spa Centre, PATRONS, PLACES AND LANDSCAPE Leamington Spa Events DESIGN WALK Join Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown expert Richard SWAN LAKE One of the best-known Wheeler on a walk around Croome’s STRATFORD LITERARY FESTIVAL contin- parkland, Tues 3 May, Croome Park, love stories, performed by the ever- ues until 14 Apr - Sun 1 May, Worcester popular Vienna Festival Ballet, Sun 1 Stratford Town Centre May, Artrix, Bromsgrove Film CAFE SCIENTIFIQUE: THE FUTURE OF EYE ROLLER BOOGIE Enjoy an evening of CARE A talk from Professor Shehzad NEDERLANDS DANS THEATER Tues 3 - INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: roller skating and a cheesy disco, A Naroo from the School of Life and Wed 4 May, Birmingham Sun 1 May, Fargo Village, Coventry Hippodrome SPOTLIGHT (15) In 2001, scandals of Health Sciences at Aston University, abuse and molestation by priests BIRMINGHAM BUS TOURS 2016 Sun 1 COMPAGNIE PHILIPPE SAIRE: BLACK OUT Tues 3 May, Thinktank at Millennium reached a new height when a group May, Birmingham City Centre Point, Birmingham Thousands of black granulated frag- of Boston Globe reporters exposed ARCHERY LESSONS WITH REALLY RURAL ments transform the dancers’ world widespread corruption within the EARLY YEARS: POPULAR TRACTOR An Archery GB-qualified instructor into a moving, pictorial composition Catholic Church, shaking the system STORIES An opportunity for children shows how to shoot a 'Recurve Bow', that jars as it shifts in response to the to its core. Stars Mark Ruffalo & aged between one and four and their Sun 1 May, Croome Park, Worcester light, sound and movement. Tues 3 - Michael Keaton. Fri 29 Apr - Mon 2 families to explore the tractor exhibi- Wed 4 May DanceXchange, The May, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry INTERNATIONAL DAWN CHORUS Catch tion using action-packed stories and Patrick Centre, Birmingham the early morning chorus on an Makaton signs, Wed 4 May, Coventry VICTORIA (15) Hippodrome Four young Berliners RSPB-led walk around the garden, Transport Museum meet Victoria, a young Spanish BRIDGING THE VOID Experimental Sun 1 May, Castle Bromwich Hall TALES FROM HISTORY: THE LUNAR woman newly moved to Berlin, out- Gardens, Birmingham Dance present a new film/dance pro- side a club, and romance kicks in. SOCIETY AND SOHO HOUSE To cele- duction featuring a dramatic move- They stumble through the night, DRIVE & DINE - STRATFORD FESTIVAL OF brate the 250th anniversary of the ment vocabulary performed by three drinking, dancing, flirting, until they MOTORING Drive & Dine is back for a Lunar Society, Soho House Manager dancers. Wed 4 May mac, B’ham are forced to commit a crime and second year, offering classic car Samina Kosar gives a talk at Waterstones as part of their Tales DETOX Intense, energetic and events spiral out of control. Stars owners a variety of exclusive excur- From History season, Thurs 5 May, thought-provoking production by Laia Costa & Frederick Lau. Fri 29 sions throughout the summer, Sun 1 Soho House, Birmingham Pagrav Dance Company, Thurs 5 Apr - Tues 3 May, Warwick Arts May, Coventry Transport Museum May, The Drum, Birmingham Centre, Coventry MARVELLOUS MAY DAY Celebrate 50 HANDSWORTH HERITAGE WALK Check out fine Georgian and Victorian archi- TRIBHANGI DANCE THEATRE IN SUKUMA HAIL, CAESAR! (12a) When a years of the County Museum with a tecture, a convent designed by An exhilarating dance experience Hollywood star in 1950s’ Hollywood traditional May Day festival, including Augustus Pugin, a church that was combining the grace of Indian classi- (George Clooney) is kidnapped, a maypole dancing, stalls, children's built nearly one millennium ago, Sat cal Bharatanatyam with the strong ‘fixer’ (Josh Brolin) is called in to activities, traditional entertainment 7 May, Soho House, Birmingham physicality of African dance, brought solve the problem. Tues 3 - Fri 6 May, and a chance to meet the Green together with contemporary flair. Fri 6 Artrix, Bromsgrove Man, Sun 1 - Mon 2 May, VE TEA DANCE Immerse yourself and Worcestershire County Museum, celebrate in true 1940s style. Watch May, Artrix, Bromsgrove EDDIE THE EAGLE (PG) With lashings of Worcester the professionals dance, have a go ECLIPSE & JINX 103 A double bill comedy, this is the true story of yourself and then enjoy some deli- showcasing choreographic works Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards, a young NATIONAL KIT CAR MOTOR SHOW Sun 1 cious rations of tea and cake, Sat 7 that beautifully complement one Englishman who was determined to - Mon 2 May, Stoneleigh Park, May, Upton House & Gardens, another, Fri 6 - Sat 7 May, become an Olympic skier - against Warwickshire Warwickshire DanceXchange, The Patrick Centre, improbable odds. Stars Taron EASTNOR CHILLI FESTIVAL Now in its Birmingham Egerton & Hugh Jackman. Fri 6 - fifth year. All things chilli to try and WARWICK MAY RACING CARNIVAL Sat 7 May, Warwick Racecourse CARLOS ACOSTA Carlos Acosta pres- Tues 12 May, Roses Theatre, buy! Live music, bars, hot food, chil- ents his final classical ballet pro- Tewkesbury; Fri 6 - Wed 11 May, dren’s cookery school, a chilli-eating THE KINGMAKER'S MEDIAEVAL BANQUET gramme. With an incredible cast of Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa competition and cookery demonstra- It’s the year 1471 and you have been dancers from Cuba, he performs tions, Sun 1 - Mon 2 May, Eastnor summoned to dine with the infamous excerpts from his favourite ballet Castle Deer Park, Herefordshire Earl of Warwick for an unforgettable repertoire. Fri 6 - Sat 7 May GLORIOUS GARDENS Expect crafts, evening of eating, drinking and Birmingham Hippodrome demonstrations, games and expert medieval revelry, Sat 7 May, Warwick Castle ZOIELOGIC DANCE THEATRE: RIDE World advice from Witley’s gardening team, premiere of an outdoor dance theatre Sun 1 - Mon 2 May, Witley Court, CADBURY CHARACTER WEEKEND Pose Worcestershire work exploring the nature of travel- for photographs alongside Freddo, ling. Commissioned and co-pro- PIRATE WEEKEND Pirates invade Caramel Bunny and friends as they duced by DanceXchange for IDFB Cadbury World for a weekend of meet and greet visitors, Sat 7 - Sun 8 2016 and co-commissioned by swashbuckling fun, Sun 1 - Mon 2 May, Cadbury World, Bournville Gulbenkian, Kent and Dance Village May, Cadbury World, Bournville VICTORY AFTERNOON TEA Enjoy 1940s in Bristol Harbour Festival. Sat 7 May, HORSEPOWER Two days of manes, music while tea is being served with Ward End Park, Birmingham reins and automobiles, Sun 1 - Mon cream scones, an assortment of PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN An afternoon of 2 May, Kenilworth Castle sandwiches and a selection of traditional cakes, Sat 7 - Sun 8 May, spectacular free dance performances PENGUIN WEEK Learn all about the Upton House & Gardens, in a range of styles. Sat 7 May The penguin leader Alf and his pals. Plus, Warwickshire Bullring Shopping Centre, get involved in numerous activities to Birmingham celebrate World Penguin Day on the AJ BELL NATIONAL BADMINTON LEAGUE TRIBANGHI DANCE THEATRE: SUKUMA 25th, Sun 1 - Mon 2 May, National Sun 8 May, Barclaycard Arena, High-energy fusion of Indian classical Sea Life Centre, Birmingham Birmingham Bharatanatyam and African dance,

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May 2016 BROMSGROVE’S THEATRE, CINEMA, LIVE MUSIC AND COMEDY VENUE

Wednesday 4th May Saturday 7th May Friday 13th May GREG FOOT THE BILLY JOEL THE FAIR RAIN AS SEEN ON BLUE PETER & SONGBOOK PROMOTING THE NEW YOUTUBE’S BRIT LAB WITH ELIO PACE & HIS BAND ALBUM BEHIND THE GLASS Friday 6th May, 7:30pm Show of Hands ‘Long Way Home’ Tour 2016 Featuring material from the new studio album alongside their trademark, anthemic, acoustic classics.

“One of the great English bands “– Peter Gabriel.

Sunday 15th May Friday 27th May Saturday 28th May

TOM ROBINSON BLAKE DREAMING OF Friday 13th May, 8pm INTIMATE ACOUSTIC SONGS OF STAGE & SCREEN KATE EVENING STUNNING TRIBUTE TO Shazia Mirza KATE BUSH ‘The Kardashians Made Me Do It’ Recently seen on The Joanthan Ross Show. Revered, applauded, loved and reviled Shazia Mirza is an award-winning comedian and columnist. With several TV appearances, her laconic one-liners represent something quite unique in modern comedy.

Friday 20th May, 7:30pm Sherry Babys FORTHCOMING CINEMA: Jersey Boys Tribute Show Hail, Caesar! (12A) // Eddie The Eagle (PG) // Labyrinth (U) // Trumbo (15) // Youth (U) // Zootropolis (PG) Oh What A Night! - The Sherry Babys present their tribute to Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, the subject of the top FORTHCOMING SCREENINGS: Worldwide musical - The Jersey Boys. Frankenstein (Royal Ballet Live) // A View From The Bridge (NT Live) // The Audience (NT LIve) // Hamlet (RSC) Romeo & Juliet (Kenneth Branagh) // Andre Rieu’s Maastricht Concert // Cymbeline (RSC) // King Lear (RSC)

Download the Artrix brochure on www.artrix.co.uk @artrixarts www.artrix.co.uk or phone 01527 577330 @artrix arts centre Artrix, Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove B60 1PQ Free parking on-site

5th May - 7.30pm 6th May - 7.30pm A NIGHT OF VOULEZ-VOUS DIRTY DANCING 25th ANNIVERSARY TOUR Tickets £20.50* & £19.50* (disc) Tickets £20.50*

7th May - 7.30pm 12th May - 7.30pm THE FUREYS THE STONES

LEGENDARY EUROPE’S IRISH BAND NO 1 TRIBUTE

Tickets £18.50* Tickets £19.50*

13th May - 2.00pm 14 May - 7.30pm 90 GLORIOUS MENOPAUSE YEARS THE MUSICAL In celebration of the A celebration of Women Queen’s Birthday and “The Change” Tickets £15.00* Tickets £22.00* & £14.00*

15th May - 5.00pm 26th & 27th May -7.30pm THE GLENN PASHA MILLER ORCHESTRA “IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU” Tickets £19.00* & £18.00* (disc) Tickets £24.50*

whatsonlive.co.uk 55 The List 9 - 15 May - Warwicks & Worcs Only VERSION FINAL.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 19:23 Page 1

thelist Monday 9 - Sun 15 May Symphony Hall, Hall, Birmingham Gigs Birmingham WITHOUT FLIGHT Sat 14 Classical Music Comedy Gigs TRAVIS Thurs 12 May, May, The Marr's Bar, O2 Academy, B’ham Worcester ELESSAR Mon 9 May, RISING STARS: TRIO CATCH Featuring LOUDEEMY SOUP COMEDY NIGHT Mon 9 The Rainbow Venues, QUI Thurs 12 May, Hare PAT BRESLIN Sat 14 Boglárka Pecze (clarinet), Eva May The Blue Orange Theatre, , Birmingham & Hounds, Birmingham May, Irish Centre, Boesch (cello) & Sun-Young Nam Birmingham Birmingham (piano), Mon 9 May, Birmingham ISAAC GRACIE Mon 9 REND COLLECTIVE Thurs CHEEKY MONKEY COMEDY Tues 10 Town Hall May, Hare & Hounds, 12 May, O2 Institute, ANDY BLACK Sat 14 May, The Dark Horse, Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham May, O2 Institute, PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA Featuring MOCK THE FLOCK Wed 11 May Birmingham Edward Gardner (conductor) & SKATERS Mon 9 May, THE STONES Thurs 12 The Mockingbird, Birmingham Valeriy Sokolov (violin). Programme The Rainbow Venues, May, Palace Theatre, THE MEMBRANES Sat 14 includes works by Sibelius & Elgar, MARK OLVER, PAUL MCCAFFREY & Birmingham Redditch May, The Flapper, Tues 10 May, Warwick Arts Centre, COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY EMILY PORTMAN & THE Birmingham ELVIS COSTELLO Mon 9 Coventry ROBINSON Thurs 12 May, The Glee May, Warwick Arts CORACLE BAND Fri 13 IN DISMAY + HOPE FOR Club, Birmingham IGOR LEVIT (PIANO) Programme com- Centre, Coventry May, Birmingham Town RETURN + VICTORY CARL HUTCHINSON Thurs 12 May, Hall LANE + SILO 18 Sat 14 prises Beethoven’s Sonata No 17 Op TRIO CATCH Mon 9 May, 31 No 2 & Frederic Rzewski’s The Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa MAGIC: A KIND OF QUEEN May, Slade Rooms, Birmingham Town Hall People United Will Never Be DAVE TWENTYMAN, ALAN HUDSON, Fri 13 May, The Roses Wolverhampton CLIVE GREGSON Mon 9 Defeated, Tues 10 May, Birmingham STEVE DAY & STEVE N ALLEN Fri 13 Theatre, Tewkesbury MARTIN TURNER Sat 14 May, Kitchen Garden Town Hall May, Abbey Theatre, Nuneaton MANOS PA'ARRIBA May, Huntington Hall, Cafe, Birmingham Fri CITY OF SOUNDS: TWO TRIOS Featuring TRYGVE WAKENSHAW: SQUIDBOY 13 May, Hare & Worcester PAUL YOUNG Tues 10 Ben Muirhead & Billy Weir as one act Fri 13 May, mac, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham MANIC STREET May, The Assembly, alongside The Birmingham PREACHERS Sat 14 May, DAN THOMAS, DANE BAPTISTE, PAUL Leamington Spa OATHBREAKER Fri 13 Conservatoire Trio which comprises MCCAFFREY & COMIC TBC Fri 13 May, May, The Rainbow Genting Arena, B’ham Jiafeng Chen (violin), Jiaxin Lloyd SHOOK TWINS Tues 10 The Glee Club, Birmingham Venues, Birmingham SUPERFICIALS Sat 14 Webber (cello), Di Xiao (piano) pre- May, Kitchen Garden May, O2 Academy, senting music by Bach, Debussy, SHAZIA MIRZA Fri 13 May, Stratford Cafe, Birmingham FRAN THE MAN Fri 13 Artshouse, Stratford-upon-Avon May, Irish Centre, Birmingham Paganini & Mendelssohn, Tues 10 FAIRPORT CONVENTION Birmingham THE STRAIGHT ACES Sat May, Recital Hall, Birmingham Tues 10 May, 14 May, Katie Conservatoire Huntingdon Hall, THE HARTS + SALAD Fitzgerald's, ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: Worcester DAYS + SHOOT THE SYMPHONY + THE REAL Stourbridge SCANDINAVIAN SERENADE Featuring IGOR LEVIT Tues 10 COOL Fri 13 May, O2 THE BIG O & THE David Le Page (violin) & David Curtis May, Birmingham Town Institute, Birmingham WILBURYS TRIBUTE (conductor). Programme includes Hall works by Grieg, Sibelius & Dvorak, SNOWPOET Fri 13 May, SHOW Sat 14 May, DAVE O’HIGGINS Wed 11 Wed 11 May, Birmingham Town Hall The Glee Club, B’ham Artrix, Bromsgrove May, Stratford CBSO: BEN-HUR LIVE Carl Davis con- CRIME & PUNISHMENT MUMBO JUMBO Sat 14 Artshouse, Stratford- ducts the CBSO Orchestra in live Fri 13 May, The May, Artrix, upon-Avon score to accompany the 1925 silent Flapper, Birmingham Bromsgrove COLUM SANDS Wed 11 movie, Fri 13 May, Symphony Hall, JOCELYN BROWN & May, The Red Lion Folk ARMY OF BONES Fri 13 Birmingham DIANE SPENCER, KEVIN MCCARTHY, IAN May, The Asylum, KENNY THOMAS Sat 14 Club, Birmingham RECYCLAGE MUSICAL Featuring COGNITO & DARIUS DAVIES Birmingham May, O2 Academy, CHASTITY BELT Wed 11 Birmingham Richard Sutcliffe (viola) & Sofie Fri 13 - Sat 14 May, The Comedy May, Hare & Hounds, THE FAIR RAIN Fri 13 Vanherie (harpsichord). Programme Loft, Birmingham FUTURE FOLK FEATURING Birmingham May, Artrix, includes works by Marin Marais, FALSE LIGHTS, JOSIENNE PADDY LENNOX, MATT GREEN Sat 14 Bromsgrove Antoine Forqueray, Louis de Caix JASON DONOVAN TEN CLARKE & BEN WALKER May, Coventry Showcase d’Hervelois and Jean-Baptiste GOOD REASONS & UB40 - LABOUR OF LOVE AND LUKE JACKSON Sun Barrière, Fri 13 May, The Barber PAUL MCCAFFREY, MARK OLVER, DAN GREATEST HITS TOUR Fri 13 - Sat 14 May, 15 May, Birmingham Institute, Birmingham THOMAS & DANE BAPTISTE Sat 14 May, Wed 11 May, The River Rooms, Town Hall The Glee Club, Birmingham Symphony Hall, B’ham Stourbridge STRATFORD CONCERT BAND SPRING SEAN WILSON Sun 15 CONCERT Sat 14 May, Stratford SHAZIA MIRZA Sat 14 May, mac, SATIVA & SODEN Thurs DENNIS SEATON'S SOUL May, Irish Centre, Artshouse Birmingham 12 May, The Marr's Bar, & MOTOWN SHOW Fri 13 Birmingham HAL CRUTTENDEN Sat 14 May, The Old Worcester May, Nailcote Hall, TEWKESBURY CHORAL SOCIETY: MIKE PETERS PRESENTS Berkswell, SOUNDS OF THE SEA Conducted by by Rep Theatre, Birmingham DANNI G Thurs 12 May, THE ALARM Sun 15 Warwickshire John Holloway. Programme compris- Katie Fitzgerald's, May, O2 Academy, es Edward Elgar’s Sea Pictures & Stourbridge SPACEHOPPERS Fri 13 Birmingham May, Katie Fitzgerald's, Ralph Vaughan Williams’ A Sea MIKE STEWART Stourbridge RICKY COOL AND THE IN Symphony, Sat 14 May, The Roses Theatre LAWRENCE Thurs 12 CROWD Sun 15 May, Theatre, Tewkesbury May, Dovehouse THE SESSIONS - A live The Brasshouse, MOSCOW STATE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA MURDER ON THE NILE Adapted from Theatre, Solihull re-staging of The Birmingham Beatles at Abbey Road Programme includes works by one of Agatha Christie's favourite THE HEAVY Thurs 12 Studios Fri 13 May, FRANKLY SINATRA Sun Stephen Johnson, Rachmaninov & novels and presented by the Malvern May, O2 Academy, Barclaycard Arena, 15 May, New Alexandra Shostakovich, Sat 14 May, Theatre Players, Mon 9 - Sat 14 May, Birmingham Birmingham Theatre, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Birmingham Malvern Theatres FREE REIGN Thurs 12 THE SUMMER SET Fri 13 TOM ROBINSON Sun 15 REHEARSAL FOR MURDER Bill May, The Roadhouse, May, The Asylum, May, Artrix, Kenwright presents a new production Birmingham Birmingham Bromsgrove of an all-time classic thriller, Mon 9 - BUDDY HOLLY & THE Sat 14 May, Belgrade Theatre, ANDY JORDAN Fri 13 THE UKULELE CRICKETERS Thurs 12 Coventry May, O2 Institute, ORCHESTRA OF GREAT May, The Swan Birmingham BRITAIN Sun 15 May, THE GLASS MENAGERIE Mon 9 - Sat 14 Theatre, Worcester Birmingham Town Hall May, The Rose Theatre, JOHN OTWAY Fri 13 May, CBSO: A GREAT BRITISH SUMMER IMAGINED ISLE FOLK THE GLENN MILLER Kidderminster The Marr's Bar, Featuring Julian Wilkins (conductor) FESTIVAL Thurs 12 - ORCHESTRA Sun 15 THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW Starring Worcestern & the CBSO Children’s Chorus. Tom Mon 16 May, May, Palace Theatre, Diana Vickers as Janet, Ben Freeman Redmond presents, Sun 15 May, Birmingham Town Hall KATE RUSBY Sat 14 May, Redditch as Brad and Paul Cattermole as Birmingham Town Hall Symphony Hall, Birmingham WAY TO BLUE: THE FRANCES Sun 15 May, Eddie/Dr Scott, Mon 9 - Sat 14 May, THE GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA Sun 15 SONGS OF NICK DRAKE DECLAN O'ROURKE Sat The Glee Club, Malvern Theatres May, Palace Theatre, Redditch Thurs 12 May, 14 May, Symphony Birmingham MURDER ON THE NILE The Coach

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whatsonlive.co.uk 57 The List 9 - 15 May - Warwicks & Worcs Only VERSION FINAL.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 19:23 Page 3

thelist Monday 9 - Sun 15 May House Theatre present a staging of Thurs 12 May, Roses Theatre, Handsworth Park, Birmingham; MUSEUMS AT NIGHT: BAT WALK A guid- Agatha Christie’s classic whodunnit, Tewkesbury Thurs 12 May, Bournville College, ed evening walk around Avoncroft’s Mon 9 - Sat 14 May, Malvern Theatre THAT’LL BE THE DAY A musical romp Birmingham; Fri 13 - Sat 14 May, grounds to see the nighttime wildlife, CENTURY SONG Volcano Theatre pres- through the youthful days of Centenary Square, Birmingham Fri 13 May, Avoncroft Museum, ent a unique show inspired in part by Rock’n’Roll in the ’50s, on through CLOUD GATE DANCE THEATRE OF Bromsgrove Virginia Woolf’s Orlando and Alice the Swinging ’60s and into the taste- TAIWAN: SONGS OF THE WANDERERS JAY RAYNER - MY DINING HELL Walker’s In Search Of Our Mothers’ free days of the 1970s, Thurs 12 Part of IDFB 2016, Tues 10 - Wed 11 Restaurant critic Jay Rayner reads Garden, Tues 10 May, mac, May, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington May, Birmingham Hippodrome accounts of the most excruciating Birmingham Spa TAMSIN FITZGERALD: CUBES Part of nights out he's ever had and looks at HELEN Actors of Dionysis present a WIPERS October 1914, Ypres, IDFB 2016, Wed 11 - Sat 14 May, the worst reviews he’s ever received, powerful contemporary take on the Belgium. The British forces, bol- Centenary Square, Birmingham Fri 13 May, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa myth of Helen of Troy, Tues 10 - Wed stered by significant numbers of vol- THE MACHINE SHOW Part of IDFB 11 May, Malvern Theatre unteer soldiers from across the 2016, Wed 11 - Sat 14 May, BODYPOWER EXPO 2016 Fri 13 - Sun LAILA: THE MUSICAL Rifco Arts, the Empire, have suffered huge casual- Centenary Square, Birmingham 15 May, NEC, Birmingham ties in one of the first bloody battles creators behind the award-winning KEI MIYATA: IN A LANDSCAPE Part of THE BABY SHOW The UK’s leading Britain's Got Bhangra, present a con- of the Great War, Thurs 12 - Sat 21 pregnancy and parenting event May, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry IDFB 2016, Thurs 12 - Sat 14 May, temporary musical inspired by Municipal Bank, Birmingham returns to the NEC. Whether you’re Romeo And Juliet, Tues 10 - Sat 14 CLUB CAIRO Fusion of live music, expecting or have recently had a May, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry dance & theatre, bringing audiences MOTIONHOUSE TORQUE Part of IDFB baby, you’ll find everything you need a super-sensory experience steeped 2016, Fri 13 - Sat 14 May, Centenary at the show, Fri 13 - Sun 15 May, SOUTH PACIFIC This popular musical Square, Birmingham presented by Solihull Theatre in Arabian tradition, Fri 13 May, mac, NEC, Birmingham Company is an unusual love story Birmingham VERTEDANCE, JIRI HAVELKA & THE MIDLANDS HOME AND GARDEN SHOW set against the backdrop of a cruel EASTEND CABARET Raucous and CLARINET FACTORY: CORRECTION Part Fri 13 - Sun 15 May, Ragley Hall, war. Contains much-loved songs risque musical comedy show from of IDFB 2016, Fri 13 - Sat 14 May, Alcester, Warwickshire DanceXchange, Birmingha such as I'm Gonna Wash That Man the award-winning cult comedy duo, EVENING HOUSE TOURS 2016 Sat 14 Right Outta My Hair and the famous- Sat 14 May, Old Joint Stock Theatre, ELEMENTS: ELOQUENT DANCE ACADEMY May, Packwood House, Solihull ly finger-wagging Happy Talk! Tues Birmingham Showcase of work featuring various THE CAREERS AND APPRENTICESHIP 10 - Sat 14 May, The Core Theatre, MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL Linda dance styles, all relating to the ele- Solihull ments. Fri 13 - Sat 14 May, Albany SHOW Sat 14 May, Millennium Point & Nolan, Rebecca Wheatley (Casualty) Eastside Park, Birmingham LAILA: THE MUSICAL New contempo- and Cheryl Fergison (EastEnders) Theatre, Coventry rary musical retelling the greatest star in a brand new musical parody AUDIENCE WITH IAN WAITE & NATALIE KENILWORTH SIEGE An after-hours tour love story from the east, Tues 10 - featuring a host of one-liners about LOWE Dance showcase from the of medieval Kenilworth Castle. Learn Sat 14 May, Belgrade Theatre, hot flushes, memory loss and pop Strictly Come Dancing favourites, Sat about the great siege of 1266 - one of the longest and hardest-fought Coventry classics, Sat 14 May, Palace Theatre, 14 May, Royal Spa Centre, battles in English history, Sat 14 May, Redditch Leamington Spa AMERICAN IDIOT X Factor finalist Kenilworth Castle Amelia Lily and musical theatre star THE RAILWAY CHILDREN Image Musical TRACTOR FOLK Aaron Sidwell star in Green Day's Theatre presents a new adaptation of Live acoustic musical performances from leading regional explosive, award-winning Broadway E Nesbit’s classic tale, Sat 14 May, folk artists, Sat 14 May, Coventry musical, Tues 10 - Sat 14 May, New Swan Theatre, Worcester Transport Museum Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham KIERAN HODGSON: LANCE Comedy Film MUSEUMS AT NIGHT: THE ROARING KIKI LOVECHILD: SHEETS Brand new show about teenage cycling, sullied TWENTIES A 1920s-themed night of clown show for grown-ups, about the dreams & migrating from the north, NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: drama and music. Part of Museums end of the world, Wed 11 May, Old Sat 14 May, Royal Spa Centre, At Night, Sat 14 May, Leamington Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham Leamington Spa Released Fri 13 May, showing at selected cinemas. Spa Art Gallery & Museum SPIKE MILLIGAN'S PUCKOON Based on MADE UP Heart-warming play about ANGRY BIRDS (tbc) THE WEAVER'S HOUSE OPEN DAY Step the book by Spike Milligan, this friendship and the faces we show the back in time to Coventry’s medieval comic masterpiece is an irreverent world, Sat 14 - Sat 21 May, The REP, CABIN FEVER (tbc) past at the Weaver’s House, Sat 14 and hilarious story which takes the Birmingham THE DARNKESS (tbc) May, The Weavers House, Coventry mick, celebrates the absurd, and FRANKLY SINATRA Stephen Triffitr EVERYBODY WANTS SOME (15) BAMMA 25 Presented by David Haye paints a picture of a simple life that brings the swing, the swagger and GREEN ROOM (18) and Andy Shepherd and broadcast borders on the ridiculous, Wed 11 the velvet vocals of Frank Sinatra to around the world, BAMMA returns to May, Stourbridge Town Hall the stage, Sun 15 May, New KILL COMMAND (15) the Barclaycard Arena in JOAN An earthy story of courage, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham OUR KIND OF TRAITOR (15) Birmingham, Sat 14 May, conviction, hope, survival and love, CABIN FEVER (tbc) Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham performed by Drag Idol champion Lucy Jane Parkinson, aka LoUIS CARS & COFFEE BREAKFAST CLUB An CYfer, Wed 11 - Thurs 12 May, mac, Dance See Film section for previews on p39 opportunity for classic car and Birmingham motorcycle owners to show off their vehicles in front of the prestigious THE WEDDING SINGER Heart Of TRIBHANGI DANCE THEATRE IN SUKUMA Coventry Transport Museum, Sat 14 Worcestershire College Performing An exhilarating dance experience May, Coventry Transport Museum Arts present an amateur version of combining the grace of Indian classi- SLOT CAR FESTIVAL 2016 Showcasing the musical comedy, based on the cal Bharatanatyam with the strong Events the world of Scalextric, Sat 14 - Sun 1985 film of the same name, Wed 11 physicality of African dance, brought 15 May, British Motor Museum, - Thurs 12 May, Artrix, Bromsgrove together with contemporary flair. Mon THE SAVOY OPERAS IN BRITISH Gaydon, Warwickshire EURYDICE Warwick University Drama 9 May Albany Theatre, Coventry MUSICAL HISTORY Guest speaker Society present Sarah Ruhl’s con- NATIONAL MILLS WEEKEND 2016 Sat 14 COMPANY WANG RAMIREZ: MONCHICHI Roberta Morrell, former principal of temporary reimagining of the Greek - Sun 15 May, Churchill Forge Mill, Part of IDFB 2016, Tues 10 May D'Oyly Carte Opera, Tues 10 May, myth of Eurydice and Orpheus, Worcestershire DanceXchange, The Patrick Centre, The Elgar Birthplace Museum, exploring romantic and parental loss Birmingham Worcester UK SLOT CAR FESTIVAL A weekend as well as loss of the self, Wed 11 - showcasing the world of Scalextric, ARACALADANZA: MOKO DANCE Part of Sat 14 May, Warwick Arts Centre, WORKSHOP: FELT MAKING Master the Sat 14 - Sun 15 May, British Motor IDFB 2016, Tues 10 May The REP, Coventry basic techniques and produce your Museum, Gaydon, Warwickshire Birmingham very own finished items in felt, using STAGE DOOR JOHNNY OBJETS TROUVES alpaca wool, Tues 10 May, Avoncroft VW DAY Sun 15 May, Avoncroft The host of the Old Joint Stock's VUELOS (FLIGHTS) Part of IDFB 2016, Museum, Bromsgrove, Museum, Bromsgrove Footsie Club brings his solo show to Tues 10 May, The REP, Birmingham Worcestershire NATIONAL VINTAGE COMMUNICATIONS the cabaret festival, Thurs 12 May, ZOIELOGIC DANCE THEATRE: RIDE FAIR Sun 15 May, Warwickshire Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham Part of IDFB 2016, Tues 10 May, EARLY YEARS: GO MESSY Farmyard- inspired messy play time, Wed 11 Exhibition Centre, Leamington Spa I AM JOAN A hopeful comedy about a Queen Elizabeth Hospital, May, Coventry Transport Museum woman in recovery from trauma, Birmingham; Wed 11 May, 58 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 9 - 15 May - Warwicks & Worcs Only VERSION FINAL.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 19:23 Page 4

whatsonlive.co.uk 59 The List 16 - 22 May - Worcs & Warwicks ONLY VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 19:25 Page 1

thelist Monday 16 - Sunday 22 May DILJIT DOSANJH Sat 21 May, Barclaycard Arena, Classical Music Birmingham DAUGHTRY Sat 21 May, O2 ARMONICO CONSORT & BAROQUE Academy, Birmingham PLAYERS: OZ & ARMONICO DRINK TO SPACE Sat 21 May, O2 MUSIC Featuring Christopher Monks Academy, Birmingham (director), Eloise Irving (soprano), LAURA MVULA Sat 21 May, William Towers (countertenor) & Oz O2 Institute, Birmingham Clarke (narrator) Programme includes works by Bach, Purcell and Vivaldi, THE HOT 8 BRASS BAND Sat Tues 17 May, Warwick Castle 21 May, The Copper Rooms, Coventry ACADEMY OF ANCIENT MUSIC: VIVALDI IN DRESDEN Programme comprises works TOUNDRA Sat 21 May, O2 J S Bach, Vivaldi & Telemann, Wed 18 Institute, Birmingham May, The Barber Institute, Birmingham THE 'TAKE THAT' DANIEL HOPE WITH THE SPECTACULAR WITH KAMMERORCHESTER BASEL Programme 'TAKE@THAT Sat 21 May, includes works by Vivaldi, Mozart, Nailcote Hall, Berkswell, Mendelssohn, Pärt, El-Khoury & Bach, Warwickshire Wed 18 May, Birmingham Town Hall ONE STOP BOOGIE Sat 21 COULL QUARTET: WAVES AND WANDERERS May, The River Rooms, Programme includes works by Haydn, The Blockheads, The Assembly, Leamington Spa, Sat 21 May Stourbridge Britten & Schubert, Thurs 19 May, Coventry IDEAL CLUB Fri 20 May, O2 THE BLOCKHEADS Sat 21 Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry May, The Assembly, Gigs SCOOPS Wed 18 May, Institute, B’ham CBSO BECOME OCEAN Featuring Ludovic Leamington Spa Hare & Hounds, B’ham THE HOSTS Fri 20 May, The Morlot (Conductor) & Steven Osborne DANIEL KEMISH (FULL Flapper, B’ham JOSH GROBAN Sat 21 May, (Piano) Programme includes works by ERIC BIBB Mon 16 May, Symphony Hall, BAND) + SUPPORTS Wed DORJE Fri 20 May, The Sibelius, Ravel & John Luther Adams, Birmingham Town Hall Birmingham 18 May, The Roadhouse, Assembly, Leamington Thurs 19 May, Symphony Hall, STEVE TURNER Mon 16 Birmingham Spa THE FORTUNES - PAST & Birmingham May, Kitchen Garden PRESENT Sat 21 May, THE JAM DRC + THE THE SMYTHS Fri 20 May, CBSO CENTRE STAGE: SHOSTAKOVICH’S Cafe, Birmingham Artrix, Bromsgrove NATURAL EMOTIONS Thurs O2 Academy, B’ham PIANO QUINTET Featuring Steven LONELY THE BRAVE Tues 17 19 May, The Roadhouse, KING KING Sat 21 May, Osbourne (piano), Zoe Beyers & Jane May, The Assembly, BON GIOVI Fri 20 May, Birmingham Birmingham Town Hall Wright (violin), Adam Romer (viola) & Leamington Spa Roses Theatre, Richard Jenkinson (cello), Fri 20 May, SACRED QAWWALI: SOUNDS RY X Sun 22 May, Tewkesbury CBSO Centre, Birmingham SEPTEMBER GIRLS Tues 17 Warwick Arts Centre, OF SPRITUALITY Thurs 19 YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND: THE May, O2 Academy, Coventry BIRMINGHAM CONTEMPORARY MUSIC May, mac, Birmingham MUSIC OF JAMES TAYLOR Birmingham GROUP Featuring Daniel Galbreath (con- GREN BARTLEY Thurs 19 AND CAROLE KING Fri 20 LAUREN RAY Sun 22 May, BRIAN WILSON Tues 17 ductor), Ulrich Heinen (cello), Malcolm May, Katie Fitzgerald's, May, Artrix, Bromsgrove Kitchen Garden Cafe, May, Symphony Hall, Wilson (piano) & the Viva Nova Stourbridge Birmingham Birmingham THE PHONICS Fri 20 May, Chamber Choir, Fri 20 May, Adrian NICK DEWHURST Thurs 19 The River Rooms, PAUL KELLY Sun 22 May, Boult Hall, Birmingham CALAN Tues 17 May, mac, May, Bramall Music Stourbridge Irish Centre, Birmingham Birmingham LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA GRAND Building, Birmingham THE FEZZ Fri 20 May, The BABY STRANGE & WHITE OPERA GALA Celebrating 25 Years of FORT HOPE Tues 17 May, LET'S HANG ON THE MUSIC Marr's Bar, Worcester Sun 22 May, The Symphony Hall Featuring: Andrew The Asylum, Birmingham Sunflower Lounge, OF FRANKIE VALLI & THE JAMES Fri 20 May, Greenwood (conductor), Claire Rutter EAGULLS Tues 17 May, Birmingham FOUR SEASONS Thurs 19 Barclaycard Arena (soprano), Justine Gringyte (mezzo- Hare & Hounds, May, Bedworth Civic Hall GILMORE & ROBERTS Sun soprano), Peter Auty (tenor & Ashley BUSTED Fri 20 May, Birmingham 22 May, The Fleece Inn, Holland (baritone), Fri 20 May, PEATBOG FAERIES Thurs 19 Genting Arena, EVERYBODY LOOKS FAMOUS Evesham Symphony Hall, Birmingham May, Huntingdon Hall, Birmingham Tues 17 May, The Worcester CHARLIE PUTH Sun 22 ENGLISH STRING ORCHESTRA Directed THE OASIS EXPERIENCE Rainbow Venues, May, O2 Institute, from the violin by Michael Bochmann & RORY MCLEOD & THE WEEKENDER Fri 20 - Sat Birmingham Birmingham featuring Eleanor Cooke - violin. FAMILIAR STRANGERS 21May, The Roadhouse, KIERAN GOSS Tues 17 May, Programme includes works by Vivaldi, Thurs 19 May, Hare & B’ham GRAHAM NASH Sun 22 Telemann, JS Bach, Sibelius, Carl Kitchen Garden Cafe, Hounds, Birmingham May, Birmingham Town TALON – THE BEST OF Jenkins, Elgar & Copland, Sun 22 May, Birmingham Hall WHITNEY - QUEEN OF THE EAGLES Fri 20 - Sat 21 BELSHAZZAR'S FEAST Wed The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury NIGHT Thurs 19 May, May, Swan Theatre, BY THE RIVERS Sun 22 18 May, The Red Lion CITY OF SOUNDS: MOZART’S CORONATION Belgrade Theatre, Worcester May, O2 Academy, MASS Featuring Patrick Larley (conduc- Folk Club, Birmingham Coventry Birmingham TREVOR BURTON Sat 21 tor), Elouise Waterhouse, Alistair LANDSCAPES Wed 18 May, LIMEHOUSE LIZZY Thurs 19 May, Katie Fitzgerald's, CATE LE BON Sun 22 May, Donoghue, Rob Tilson & Lucinda Scott, The Rainbow Venues, May, The Marr's Bar, Stourbridge The Glee Club, Sun 22 May, Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham Worcester Birmingham Birmingham KEN VANDERMARK + NATE SHERRY BABYS - JERSEY King King, Birmingham Town Hall, Sat 21 May WOOLEY DUO Wed 18 May, BOYS TRIBUTE SHOW Fri 20 mac, Birmingham May, Stratford Artshouse DAN REED & DANNY CUT GLASS KINGS Fri 20 Comedy Gigs VAUGHN Wed 18 May, May, Katie Fitzgerald's, Hare & Hounds, B’ham Stourbridge TOADALLY FREE COMEDY! Mon 16 May, EMMA POLLOCK Wed 18 THE YOUNG Fri 20 May, O2 The Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham May, O2 Academy, Academy, Birmingham CHEEKY MONKEY COMEDY Tues 17 May, Birmingham MOTOWN AND SOUL NIGHT The Dark Horse, Birmingham HEATHER PEACE Wed 18 WITH DJ PAUL KELLY Fri 20 MOCK THE FLOCK Wed 18 May, May, The Glee Club, May, Irish Centre, The Mockingbird, Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham RUSSELL KANE Wed 18 May, KILLER QUEEN (QUEEN HENRY WU Fri 20 May, Palace Theatre, Redditch TRUBUTE) Wed 18 May, Hare & Hounds, B’ham Belgrade Theatre, REGINALD D HUNTER, ADAM BLOOM, STEVE

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Monday 16 - Sunday 22 May

tion presented by Coleshill Operatic Double bill of Indian dance, Thurs 19 Society, Tues 17 - Sat 21 May, The May, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Core Theatre, Solihull 32 RUE VANDENBRANDEN Mesmerising SCOTTISH FALSETTO SOCK PUPPET cinematic set design and jaw-drop- THEATRE: SHAKESPEARE ‘Earth's funni- ping physicality combine to create est footwear’ return with a brand new an unforgettable piece of dance the- show of songs, sketches, socks and atre that plunges spectators into a violence, taking on The Bard Of Avon foreboding universe of cold, wind himself. Howl at their Hamlet, roar at and ice, Thurs 19 - Fri 20 May, their Romeo And Juliet, and peer into Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry their Coriolanus, Thurs 19 May, Old BALLET BC Ballet British Columbia is a Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham unique creation-based company of WHOLE LOTTA SHAKIN’ Thurs 19 May, 17 dancers under the leadership of The Swan Theatre, Worcester Artistic Director Emily Molnar. Fri 20 - GAMES AND THRONES Playbox present Sat 21 May, Birmingham an epic new work for Shakespeare’s Hippodrome 400th anniversary which tells the story of 50 years of bloody English history, Thurs 19 - Sat 21 May, The Dream Factory, Warwick KING LEAR Don Warrington stars in Shakespeare’s brutal portrait of one 32 Rue Vandenbranden, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Thurs 19 - Fri 20 May man’s unwinding sanity, Thurs 19 - Sat 28 May, The REP, Birmingham HARRIS & DARRELL MARTIN FORBIDDEN NIGHTS New all-male vari- Thurs 19 May, The Comedy Loft, Theatre ety show with full theatre production Birmingham and explosive choreography, Fri 20 May, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham BOBBY MAIR, JULIAN DEANE & COMEDY SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME A nos- CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON talgic feelgood journey which trans- TRIBUTE ACTS TheatreState present a Thurs 19 May, The Glee Club, ports audiences back to the early boldly honest exploration of Birmingham 1960s, Mon 16 - Sat 21 May, New father/daughter relationships, Fri 20 IVO GRAHAM, DAVID FULTON & ANDREW Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham May, mac, Birmingham FANTASY IN DANCE The Latham RYAN Thurs 19 May, Bramall Music THE DIARY OF A HOUNSLOW GIRL A ROBIN HOOD & HIS MERRY PERSONS School of Dance’s students - aged Building, Birmingham comic story of dreams, aspirations (OR THE ART OF COMPROMISE) Musical between three and 18 - take to the DAMIAN CLARK, JOJO SMITH, JULIAN and coming of age, Tues 17 May, featuring songs based on those by stage. Fri 20 - Sat 21 May, Palace DEANE & BOBBY MAIR Fri 20 May, The The Drum, Birmingham Gilbert & Sullivan (and Offenbach), with shades of Blackadder and Theatre, Redditch Glee Club, Birmingham TRAVELS WITH MY AUNT Four actors Monty Python. Presented by PINOCCHIO Ballet Theatre UK present KATHERINE RYAN Fri 20 May, take on over 20 characters in this Worcester Gilbert & Sullivan Society, a choreographed staging of the clas- Birmingham Town Hall madcap dash around the world with Fri 20 - Sat 21 May, Norbury Theatre, sic family tale, Sat 21 May, Crescent Henry Pulling, Tues 17 - Sat 21 May, SIMON BLIGH, MICKEY BARTLETT, DAVE Droitwich Theatre, Birmingham Malvern Theatres LONGLEY & WAYNE DEAKIN Fri 20 - Sat LEARNED FRIENDS Startling revelations JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING 21 May, The Comedy Loft, B’ham threaten relationships, careers and TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT X Factor NICK REVELL, CARLY SMALLMAN the true course of justice in Ginny winner Joe McElderry dons the cov- Sat 21 May, Coventry Showcase Davis’ courtroom drama, Sun 22 eted coat in Tim Rice and Andrew JOJO SMITH, BOBBY MAIR & DAMIAN May, Old Shire Hall, Warwick Lloyd Webber's sparkling family CLARK & JULIAN DEANE Sat 21 May musical, Tues 17 - Sat 21 May, WONDERWOMAN: THE NAKED TRUTH The Glee Club, Birmingham Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Notnow Collective address family, SHIP OF FOOLS WITH COMPERE ALAN parenthood and work-home subjects SEAMAN Sat 21 May, Palace Theatre, in a challenging, highly visual and Redditch immersive way, Sun 22 - Tues 24 BARNSTORMERS COMEDY NIGHT May, mac, Birmingham LINE-UP TBC Sat 21 May, Artrix, Bromsgrove ROB BECKETT Sat 21 May, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa JEREMY HARDY Sat 21 May, The Old Dance Rep Theatre, Birmingham ROMESH RANGANATHAN Sun 22 May, DANCE: SAMPLED A selection of differ- Artrix, Bromsgrove ent dance styles, all in one night, performed by some of the world’s best dancers - Company Wayne Film McGregor, Birmingham Royal Ballet, BBC Young Dancer finalist Vidya INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Patel, world tango champions SUITABLE FOR SHOP WORK Worcester German Cornejo and Gisela Gallessi ANOMALISA (15) David Thewlis pro- Repertory Theatre Company present from Buenos Aires, and Sidi Larbi vides the voice of a self-help author the world premiere of Chris Jaeger’s Cherkaoui’s Faun. Tues 17 - Wed 18 who views everybody as identical brand new play about four young May Birmingham Hippodrome until meeting a highly original woman people leaving school to face the in a Cincinnati hotel. A stop-motion world, Tues 17 - Sat 21 May, Swan THE RICOCHET PROJECT: SMOKE & cartoon based on Charlie Kaufman’s Theatre, Worcester MIRRORS Poetic acrobatics, contem- 2005 play of the same name. Tues porary dance, contortion and high- INVINCIBLE The Original Theatre 17 May, Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury flying feats combine in an exhilarat- Company and The Theatre Royal ing examination of the current state DHEEPAN (15) Arguably the most high- Bury St Edmunds present a brand of America in the pursuit of happi- ly acclaimed director working in new production of Torben Betts' ness, Tues 17 - Wed 18 May, French cinema today, Jacques smash-hit comedy, Tues 17 - Sat 21 Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Audiard invariably delivers credible May, The REP, Birmingham and pertinent dramas that explore SANDHYA & SANGACHHADHWAM THE WIZARD OF OZ Amateur produc- the world we live in. Here, he focuses

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thelist Monday 16 - Sunday 22 May NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: thing from the world of motorcycles, Sat 21 - Sun 22 May, Santa Pod Released Fri 20 May, showing at Raceway, Northants selected cinemas. DOWN UNDER LIVE Sat 21 - Sun 22 THE CALL UP (tbc) May, National Motorcycle Museum, THE DAUGHTER (15) Solihull A HOLOGRAM FOR A KING (tbc) AZTEC WEEKEND Travel 1,000 years THE SILENT STORM (15) back in time to the Aztec jungle. Explore the origins of the cocoa SING STREET (15) bean and uncover the mysteries of IVAN’S CHILDHOOD (12a) Emperor Montezuma, Sat 21 - Sun JOURNEY TO THE SHORE (tbc) 22 May, Cadbury World, Bournville BIG BRUM OPEN TOP BUZ SIGHTSEEING TOUR Beginning at the commercial heart of the city at the end of Events Colmore Row, Victoria Square, this popular tour includes the city’s major buildings of architectural interest EARLY YEARS: POPULAR TRACTOR including St Philip’s and St Chad’s STORIES An opportunity for children Cathedrals, the Victoria Law Courts, aged between one and four and their the Town Hall, the Council House, families to explore the tractor exhibi- Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery tion using action-packed stories and and Library, Sat 21 - Sun 22 May, Makaton signs, Wed 18 May, Birmingham City Centre Coventry Transport Museum PHOENIX SPRINT TRIATHLON Sun 22 Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave, The Rainbow Venues, Digbeth, Sun 22 May PARKLAND BIRD WALK WITH IAN KING May, Ragley Hall, Warwickshire Join the Assistant Ranger on a walk on Dheepan, a Tamil Tiger fighter this British drama stars Dame Helen around the park and listen to the HANGING BASKETS WORKSHOP Create who flees to Paris for political asylum as a colonel forced to weigh up the morning bird song, Wed 18 May, and take home your very own hang- with a fake identity. Winner of the consequences of a drone strike in Croome Park, Worcestershire ing basket, Sun 22 May, Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens, Birmingham Palm d’Or at last year’s Cannes festi- Kenya. The target is a group of ter- WARWICK MAY RACING CARNIVAL Wed val. Stars Antonythasan Jesuthasan. rorists planning a major suicide 18 May, Warwick Racecourse BIG FISH LITTLE FISH FAMILY RAVE Sun Foreign language with subtitles. attack, but then a nine-year-old girl is 22 May, The Rainbow Venues, EXPLORE AVONCROFT: THE FLORA & Thurs 19 May, Roses Theatre, seen entering the kill zone. Stars Digbeth, Birmingham Tewkesbury Helen Mirren & Aaron Paul. Fri 20 - FAUNA OF AVONCROFT MUSEUM A PIZZA MAKING AT SAREHOLE MILL Join Mon 23 May, Royal Spa Centre, guided tour around the museum, TRUMBO (15) In 1947, Dalton Trumbo the millers at Sarehole Mill for a fun Leamington Spa; Sat 21 & Tues 24 including its ponds, orchard and (Bryan Cranston) was Hollywood's and informal baking class. Learn to May, Festival Drayton Centre, Market wildflower meadow, Thurs 19 May, top screenwriter - until he and other make dough, see the mill in action Drayton; Sat 21 - Wed 25 May, Roses Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove, artists were jailed and blacklisted for and create and bake your own deli- Theatre, Tewkesbury Worcestershire their political beliefs. Directed by Jay cious pizza, Sun 22 May, Sarehole MEDIEVAL BANQUET A medieval three- Roach, the film recounts how Dalton Mill, Birmingham used words and wit to win two course banquet, with music and THE BRITISH TARANTULA SOCIETY Academy Awards and expose the entertainment from The Grinnigogs, EXHIBITION Sun 22 May, Warwickshire absurdity and injustice of the black- Fri 20 - Sat 21 May, West Midland Exhibition Centre, Leamington Spa list. Also stars Helen Mirren. Fri 20 - Safari and Leisure Park, Thurs 26 May, Artrix, Bromsgrove Worcestershire BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS - CELLAR Go below the stairs to the cellars THE LION KING (U) A young lion prince WALK WITH PRIDE: FROM GUNS TO underneath the court, Sun 22 May, is cast out of his pride by his cruel GRAFFITI A five-mile walk through historic Aston, Digbeth and Witley Court, Worcestershire uncle, who claims he killed his father. Highgate, Fri 20 - Mon 30 May, While the uncle rules with an iron fist, BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS - SERVICE Birmingham LGBT Centre the prince grows up beyond the AREA & STABLE YARD Exploring the savanna. But when his past comes to PORSCHE CLUB GB Sat 21 May, stable yard, where the downstairs haunt him, the prince must decide Coventry Transport Museum staff lived and worked in Witley’s heyday, Sun 22 May, Witley Court, his fate. Sat 21 May, Warwick Arts VICTORIAN MUSIC Sat 21 May, Worcestershire Centre, Coventry Chedhams Yard, Stratford-upon-Avon BEAUTYUK 2016 Sun 22 - Mon 23 May, EYE IN THE SKY (15) Striding across RACE, ROCK 'N' RIDE Brand new and NEC, Birmingham the same moral minefield as last on two wheels, a weekend filled to year’s Good Kill with Ethan Hawke, the brim with anything and every-

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whatsonlive.co.uk 63 The List 23 - 31 May - Warwicks & Worcs ONLY VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 19:26 Page 1

thelist Monday 23 - Tues 31 May BLAKE - SONGS FROM ENTS TROJAN FAT PENGUIN COMEDY Wed 25 May, Gigs STAGE & SCREEN Fri 27 SOUNDSYSTEM 'DEX 'N' Classical Music The Patrick Kavanagh, Birmingham May, Artrix, FX' Sat 28 May, Hare & Bromsgrove Hounds, Birmingham MOCK THE FLOCK Wed 25 May MOTHERS, GLOBELAMP & LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH The Mockingbird, Birmingham THE DARKHORSE Fri 27 THE ECLIPSE Sat 28 HOOPLA BLUE Mon 23 THOMAS TROTTER Programme May, The Marr's Bar, May, The Empire, MARK NELSON, COMEDY CAROUSEL May, Hare & Hounds, includes works by W. Harris, JS Worcester Coventry WITH ANDY ROBINSON PLUS COMIC TBC Birmingham Bach, Messiaen, A. Hollins & J Thurs 26 May, The Glee Club, KATIESFEST 2016 Fri 27 - THE LEGENDS OF REGGAE CATE CODY TRIO Tues 24 Ireland, Mon 23 May, Birmingham Birmingham Sun 29 May, Katie FESTIVAL 2016 Sat 28 May, The Roses Town Hall Fitzgerald's, May, O2 Academy, ANDREW BIRD, ALLYSON JUNE SMITH, Theatre, Tewkesbury SIR ANDRIS SCHIFF WITH THE CHAMBER Stourbridge Birmingham CIAMH MCDONNELL & CHRIS TURNER PUBLIC IMAGE LTD Tues ORCHESTRA OF EUROPE Programme Fri 27 May, The Comedy Loft, BOOGIE NIGHTS LIVE FIRE RED EMPRESS Sat 24 May, The Copper comprises Mendelssohn’s Piano Birmingham WITH ABBA TRIBUTE & DJ 28 May, O2 Academy, Concerto No2 in D minor, Hebrides Rooms, Coventry SUZI RUFFELL, ALEX BOARDMAN, MARK ROB Fri 27 May, Irish Birmingham Overture & Piano Concerto No 1 in G G-EAZY Tues 24 May, NELSON & CHRIS MCCAUSLAND Fri 27 Centre, Birmingham DIZZY LIZZY Sat 28 May, minor, Mon 23 May, Symphony Hall, O2 Institute, B’ham May, The Glee Club, Birmingham DR FEELGOOD + EDDIE & The Roadhouse, Birmingham ONE AND ONLY ANDREW BIRD, ALLYSON JUNE SMITH, THE HOT RODS Fri 27 Birmingham ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN WITH TAMSIN DIRECTION Tues 24 May, CIAMH MCDONNELL & COMIC TBC Sat May, The Robin, Bilston DREAMING OF KATE - WALEY-COHEN Featuring David Curtis Belgrade Theatre, 28 May, The Comedy Loft, WHITE LUNG Fri 27 May, KATE BUSH EXPERIENCE (conductor). Programme includes Coventry Birmingham The Flapper, B’ham Sat 28 May, Artrix, works by Vaughan Williams & SLOW CLUB Tuse 24 CHRIS MCCAUSLAND, JAMES ALDERSON FETTY WAP Fri 27 May, Bromsgrove Mendelssohn, Wed 25 May, Malvern May, Warwick Arts Sat 28 May, Coventry Showcase O2 Institute, ALEXANDER O'NEAL Sat Theatres Centre, Coventry Birmingham 28 May, The Assembly, CBSO TCHAIKOVSKY’S FIFTH Featuring SUZI RUFFELL, MARK NELSON, ALEX OWINY SIGOMA BAND BOARDMAN & CHRIS MCCAUSLAND CHE CHESTERMAN PLUS Leamington Spa Alexander Vedernikov (conductor) & Tues 24 May, Hare & Sat 28 May, The Glee Club, 4TH IMPACT Fri 27 May, ANNETTE GREGORY Tasmin Little (violin). Programme Hounds, Birmingham Birmingham Bedworth Civic Hall SINGS & CELEBRATES includes works by Glazunov & D IET CIG Wed 25 May, Tchaikovsky, Wed 25 - Thurs 26 MTV CRASHES COVENTRY ELLA FITZGERALD Hare & Hounds, May, Symphony Hall, Birmingham FEATURING KAISER SONGBOOK Sat 28 May, Birmingham CHIEFS, TOM ODELL, Palace Theatre, EX CATHEDRA: IN A STRANGE LAND Theatre LUKE CONCANNON Wed SIGALA, FLEUR EAST & Redditch Programme includes works by 25 May, Kitchen CHASE & STATUS Fri 27 - GERRY CROSS THE William Byrd, Gesualdo, Lobo & Garden Cafe, B’ham Sat 28 May, Ricoh MERSEY Sat 28 May, Tallis, Thurs 26 May, Adrian Boult THE SOUND OF MUSIC New production Hall, Birmingham of the timeless family musical. Lucy HOMESHAKE Wed 25 Arena, Coventry The Core Theatre, O'Byrne, from BBC One's The Voice, May, Hare & Hounds, Solihull BLAKE Re-inspired by the classic trio 'OLLY MURS & BRUNO plays Maria. Gray O'Brien stars as Birmingham MARS' WITH ROBBIE FLARES PARTY BAND Sat harmonies of The Three Tenors, The Bee Gees and Boyz-II-Men, the 3 Captain Von Trapp, Tues 24 - Sat 28 NIGHT BEATS Wed 25 GLENN Fri 27 May, 28 May, The River Brit-Award-winners perform exclusive May, Birmingham Hippodrome May, The Rainbow Nailcote Hall, Rooms, Stourbridge songs from their fifth studio album, JACKIE THE MUSICAL Brand new ‘fun & Venues, Birmingham Berkswell, THE BOOTLEG SHADOWS Warwickshire released UK-wide this autumn, Fri 27 feisty’ musical featuring original cho- BARLUATH Wed 25 May, Sat 28 May, Palace May, Artrix, Bromsgrove reography by Arlene Phillips. Janey The Red Lion Folk THE BEE GEES STORY - Theatre, Redditch MILOS KARADAGLIC IN RECITAL Dibley, Graham Bickley, Nicholas Club, Birmingham NIGHTS ON BROADWAY INTIMATE EVENING WITH Bailey & Mike James star, Tues 24 - Fri 27 May, Malvern Featuring an eclectic programme of PENTATONIX Wed 25 MAVERICK SABRE Sun Sat 28 May, New Alexandra Theatre, Cube works ranging from Bach to The May, O2 Academy, 29 May, The Assembly, Beatles, Fri 27 May, Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham THE NEIL DIAMOND Leamington Spa Town Hall ROY HUDD’S VERY OWN MUSIC HALL STORY Fri 27 May, JOOLS HOLLAND & HIS BC CAMPLIGHT Sun 29 BBC PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Join Roy for a sparkling evening of Dovehouse Theatre, RHYTHM & BLUES May, Hare & Hounds, songs and stories from his extraordi- Solihull Featuring Ben Gernon (conductor) & ORCHESTRA Wed 25 Birmingham Kathryn Rudge (mezzo soprano). nary career, Wed 25 May, Malvern May, Warwick Arts GORDON LIGHTFOOT Fri FAIRPORT CONVENTION Programme includes works by Theatres Centre, Coventry 27 May, Symphony Sun 29 May, Albany Mendelssohn, Elgar & Beethoven, HALFWAY TO PARADISE Musical chart- Hall, Birmingham MORTIIS + SERAPH SIN Theatre, Coventry Sat 28 May, Malvern Theatres ing the rise to fame of Billy Fury, a + DEADFILMSTAR Thurs FELL OUT BOY Fri 27 MAGCON Sun 29 May, FINAL YEAR RECITALISTS Line-up tbc, shy young boy from Liverpool who 26 May, O2 Institute, May, Kasbah, Coventry O2 Institute, B’ham Tues 31 May, The Bramall, became one of Britain's best-loved Birmingham THE NEIL DIAMOND Birmingham rock stars. Timeless hits featured in MAGNUM Mon 30 May, the show include I Will, Jealousy, It's SAMM HENSHAW Thurs STORY Fri 27 May, The Assembly, Only Make Believe and, of course, 26 May, Hare & Dovehouse Theatre, Leamington Spa Halfway To Paradise, Wed 25 May, Hounds, Birmingham Solihull LEEROY STAGGER Mon Belgrade Theatre, Coventry LUKAS GRAHAM Thurs SHOWADDYWADDY Fri 30 May, Kitchen OPERA FOR THE UNKNOWN WOMAN 26 May, O2 Institute, 27 May, Roses Theatre, Comedy Gigs Garden Cafe, B’ham Melanie Wilson & Fuel present a bold Birmingham Tewkesbury BONNIE RAITT Mon 30 re-imagining of the operatic form, WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN DRESSED TO KILL - THE May, Symphony Hall, EDDIE IZZARD Mon 23 May, mac, weaving together theatre, contempo- - CARPENTERS TRIBUTE TRIBUTE TO KISS Fri 27 Birmingham Birmingham rary classical music, electronics and Thurs 26 May, The May, The River Rooms, HANDS LIKE HOUSES + I CHEEKY MONKEY COMEDY Tues 24 film, Wed 25 - Thurs 26 May, Core Theatre, Solihull Stourbridge THE MIGHTY + DEAD! May, The Dark Horse, Birmingham Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry IN THIS MOMENT Thurs SEAFRET + SPECIAL +THE GOSPEL YOUTH MAX AND IVAN Wed 25 May, Warwick TINA T’URNER: TEA LADY & FRIENDS 26 May, O2 Institute, GUESTS Fri 27 May, Ort Tues 31 May, O2 Arts Centre, Coventry Join musical character comedian Birmingham Cage, Birmingham Institute, B’ham Tracey Collins for a high-octane THE PRIMITIVES Thurs MORETALLICA Sat 28 THE HUNNA Tues 31 May, evening of hit songs, off-the-wall 26 May, Hare & May, The Marr's Bar, Hare & Hounds, B’ham characters, quick changes and the Hounds, Birmingham Worcester best tea in town, Thurs 26 May, Old HAUS Tues 31 May, The Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham TIA MCGRAFF Thurs 26 WENDY JAMES Sat 28 Sunflower Lounge, May, The Marr's Bar, May, Kasbah, Coventry Birmingham HAIR PEACE Victoria Melody uses her Worcester CIARAN CLIFFORD & THE boundless energy to take audiences JOEL SAVOY, JESSE LEGE from the temples of India to the THE PASADENA ROOF HIGH DRIVES Sat 28 AND CAJUN COUNTRY shopping malls of Russia, Thurs 26 ORCHESTRA Fri 27 May, May, Irish Centre, REVIVAL Tues 31 May, May, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Number 8 Community Birmingham Kitchen Garden Cafe, Arts Centre, Pershore YOUNG CULTURE PRES- Birmingham

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whatsonlive.co.uk 65 The List 23 - 31 May - Warwicks & Worcs ONLY VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 19:26 Page 3

thelist Monday 23 - Tues 31 May MOTIONHOUSE & NO FIT CIRCUS: BLOCK Gallery, Stratford-upon-Avon Exciting new collaboration which FROM THE FIRE Studio ceramics from showcases what happens when the Midland Potters Association, Sat dance and circus collide, Fri 27 - Sat 28 May - Sun 5 Jun, Selly Manor, 28 May, mac, Birmingham Birmingham CELTIC FEET Internationally acclaimed SHAKESPEARE OUTDOOR GAMES Play in show featuring exhilarating Irish the park and discover new games dance accompanied by the Lisa such as Pinecone Skittles & Knuckle Murphy Irish Band. Sat 28 May, Bones, Sat 28 May - Sun 5 Jun, Albany Theatre, Coventry Cats The Musical, Birmingham Hippodrome, Mon 30 May - Sat 4 June Compton Verney Gallery, Stratford- upon-Avon UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM THEATRE Theatre, Birmingham DIG FOR VICTORY TRAIL Explore the MRES: LITTLE MISSES Four individuals GYLES BRANDRETH - WORD POWER! Sat gardens and learn more about the reflect on incidents which have 28 May, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester Dig For Victory campaign, Sat 28 changed their lives forever, Thurs 26 Film May - Sun 5 Jun, Upton House & BANGARANG Keith Shebada stars in a May, mac, Birmingham Gardens, Warwickshire fiery comedy set in Princess Street, MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL Linda downtown Kingston, Sun 29 May, NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: RHINO WEEK Celebrating all things Nolan, Rebecca Wheatley (Casualty) New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Released Fri 27 May, showing at rhino, and raising funds for rhino and Cheryl Fergison (EastEnders) conservation, Sat 28 May - Sun 5 THE CURIOUS ADVENTURES OF PINOC- selected cinemas. star in a brand new musical parody Jun, West Midland Safari and Leisure CHIO Lyngo Theatre bring one of the CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR (tbc) featuring a host of one-liners about Park, Worcestershire hot flushes, memory loss and pop best-known children’s classics to life, DEMOLATION (15) GAYDON FESTIVAL OF TRANSPORT classics, Thurs 26 May, Malvern Sun 29 May, Artrix, Bromsgrove SON OF SAUL (tbc) Hundreds of vehicles take part in this Theatre DAUGHTER OF THE FOREST Komola See Film section for previews on p38 great family show, Sun 29 May, Collective present a play based on a LA BOHEME Swansea City Opera British Motor Museum, Gaydon, traditional Bangladeshi tale about the present Puccini’s shimmering con- Warwickshire coction of soaring vocal lines and impact of manmade disasters on the CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW Including up to lush orchestral melodies, Thurs 26 surrounding wildlife and its local Events 600 vintage and classic cars, May, The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury people, Sun 29 May, The Drum, Birmingham American, kit & custom, motorcycles THE QUIET HOUSE Gareth Farr’s highly and commercial vehicles, Sun 29 - CATS Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record- EARLY YEARS: GO MESSY Farmyard- anticipated new play explores fertility Mon 30 May, Ragley Hall, breaking musical returns, direct from inspired messy play time, Wed 25 and the taboo that surrounds it, Warwickshire May, Coventry Transport Museum Thurs 26 May - Sat 4 Jun, The REP, the London Palladium, Mon 30 May - AN ELIZABETHAN DAY OUT A celebra- Birmingham Sat 4 Jun, Birmingham Hippodrome AN EVENING WITH JACQUELINE WILSON tion of the golden age of Queen THE GIANT’S LOO ROLL Bouncy musi- Thurs 26 May, Birmingham Town Hall THE ALCHEMIST Polly Findlay directs Elizabeth I, Sun 29 - Mon 30 May, cal adaptation of Nicholas Allan’s Ben Jonson's comedy about human GARDEN TOURS Discover the fabulous Kenilworth Castle folly, Thurs 26 May - Sat 6 Aug, The much-loved book, Tues 31 May, flora and fauna at Witley with one of ELIZABETHAN LIVING HISTORY EVENT Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury the expert gardeners, Fri 27 May, The house is brought to life with re- BRIDESHEAD REVISITED English Witley Court, Worcestershire EAST END CABARET Raucous and enactments of Elizabethan life, cos- Touring Theatre and York Theatre risque musical comedy show, Fri 27 KERBSIDE KITCHEN Ten different street tumes, music and dancing, Sun 29 - Royal present the world premiere of May, Old Joint Stock Theatre, B’ham food trucks & stalls, plus an ever- Mon 30 May, Harvington Hall, Evelyn Waugh’s classic novel, Tue 31 changing selection of craft beers, GOING VIRAL Storytelling, playful com- Worcestershire May - Sat 4 Jun, Malvern Theatres ciders, wines and cocktails, Fri 27 edy and performance lecture from A VERY VICTORIAN DAY OUT Take a trip SHADOWLANDS Stephen Boxer, Tony May, Fargo Village, Coventry Daniel Bye, Fri 27 May, Warwick Arts back to Witley's Victorian heyday, Slattery & Amanda Ryan star in a Centre, Coventry FIA/FIM MAIN EVENT 2016 Santa Pod’s Sun 29 - Mon 30 May, Witley Court, stage version of William Nicholson's flagship Drag Racing event, featuring MUSICALS, MOVIES AND MAGICAL Worcestershire TV drama and subsequent film of the over 250 of Europe’s finest teams, Fri MEMORIES Fri 27 - Sat 28 May, The BUSHCRAFT DAY Learn den-making same name, Tue 31 May - Sat 4 Jun, 27 - Mon 30 May, Santa Pod Swan Theatre, Worcester skills, how to build a fire safely and The REP, Birmingham Raceway, Northants MISSION IMPUDSEYBLE Britain’s how to read a compass, Mon 30 MAY HALF TERM TRACTOR FACTORY newest secret agent is off the leash May, Croome Park, Pershore, Show off your knowledge of tractors as the Britain’s Got Talent champions Worcestershire and use recycled card and tactile take to the stage, Fri 27 - Sat 28 May, SPRING BANK HOLIDAY A traditional Dance materials to make a model, Sat 28 Malvern Theatre family fun day featuring animal tales, May, Coventry Transport Museum YETIS DEMON DIVE BAR Evening of Mon 30 May, Avoncroft Museum, PASHA: IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU The TWISTED BARREL BREWERY TOURS naughty songs and hilarious charac- Bromsgrove, Worcestershire Strictly star hits the road once again 2016 Meet the team behind Twisted ters from the London Cabaret award- LET'S ROCK! Join in the Building with a brand new show in which he'll Barrel Ale on this exclusive tour, winners, Sat 28 May, Old Joint Stock Stones Roadshow and revel in the be joined by spectacular dancers learn how the brewing process Theatre, Birmingham rock and stone activities. Make your and guests, including Anya Garnis, works and sample the ales and food, own clay dinosaurs and snake FERTILITY FEST Bringing together 20 Tues 24 - Wed 25 May, The Core, Sat 28 May, Fargo Village, Coventry of the country’s leading writers, visu- Solihull mobiles, meet Vernon the life-sized HOLD A SCARY BEAST PLUS CRAFTS Be Velociraptor and follow the building al artists, theatre makers, film direc- NEW WORK NIGHTS: DANCE Featuring brave and hold a cockroach, spider stones trail, Mon 30 May, tors and composers for a day of per- headline act Sonia Sabri Dance or snake, Sat 28 May, Croome Park, Worcestershire County Museum, formance, discussion and debate on Company, as well as developing Worcestershire Worcester one of the most important scientific work from other West Midlands UGLY BUG BINGO TRAIL Discover what and societal developments of mod- dancers and choreographers, Thurs PARKLAND BIRD WALK WITH IAN KING bugs are lurking in the undergrowth ern times, Sat 28 May, The REP, 26 May, Old Rep, Birmingham Join the Assistant Ranger on a walk Birmingham at Croome and mark off each one. A around the park and listen to the PASHA: IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU The full house means Bingo and a prize, DINOSAUR ZOO Bringing a plethora of morning bird song, Tues 31 May, Strictly star hits the road once again Sat 28 May, Croome Park, prehistoric creatures to the stage, Croome Park, Pershore, Worcs with a brand new show in which he'll Worcestershire this unique experience enables audi- be joined by spectacular dancers MONARCH MASK MAKING Make a mask FAMILY WORKSHOP: HAMLET Sat 28 ences ‘to interact with lifelike and guests, including Anya Garnis of one of the famous Tudor kings or May, Clore Learning Centre, dinosaurs in an engaging live show’, Thurs 26 - Fri 27 May, Palace queens to take home with you, Tues Stratford-upon-Avon Sat 28 - Sun 29 May, Warwick Arts Theatre, Redditch 31 May, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham Centre, Coventry DESIGN YOUR OWN THEATRE SET Get THE LAST TANGO New choreographed SPRING HALF TERM Animal-themed crafty by creating your own mini-the- ALICE IN WONDERLAND Blue Orange show from Strictly stars Vincent activities suitable for children aged atre set in a box. Imagine, design Arts presents its version of Lewis Simone & Flavia Cacase. Thu 26 - between five and 12, Tues 31 May - and make a stage, background and Carroll's classic tale, Sat 28 May - Sat 28 May Belgrade Theatre, Thu 2 Jun, Avoncroft Museum, actors for a Shakespearean play, Sat Sat 11 Jun, The Blue Orange Coventry Bromsgrove, Worcestershire 28 May - Fri 3 Jun, Compton Verney 66 whatsonlive.co.uk Donnington Park (FP- May 16).qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 17:36 Page 1 Birmingham Conservatoire (FP- May 16).qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 17:37 Page 1