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MARTINE MCCUTCHEON - Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands INTERVIEW INSIDE... SHROPSHIREWHAT’S APRIL ON 2018 Shropshire ISSUE 388 APRIL 2018 ’ WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD On shropshirewhatson.co.uk

PARTOF WHAT’S ON MEDIA GROUP inside:

Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide

ZERVAS & PEPPER wild tales and harmonies at Henry Tudor House TWITTER:@WHATSONSHROPS

moreBARMY Horrible BRITAIN Histories at The Place in Oakengates FACEBOOK:@WHATSONSHROPSHIRE

TELFORD IS 50! A very happy birthday to Shropshire’s newest town... SHROPSHIREWHATSON.CO.UK (IFC) Shropshire.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2018 10:18 Page 1 Contents April Wolves_Shrops_Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2018 10:45 Page 2

April 2018

Contents

Turn Of The Screw - new staging of Henry James’ gothic classic at the Grand on page 28

Martine McCutcheon Tiff Stevenson Wicked the list

the Love Actually star talks acclaimed comedian drops a hit musical returns to cast its your 16-page music, motherhood and soaps bombshell in Wolverhampton spell over Midlands audiences week-by-week listings guide feature page 8 page 20 feature page 22 page 51 inside:

4. First Word 11. Food 17. Music 20. Comedy 24. Theatre 35. Film 40. Visual Arts 43. Events

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

Managing Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 What’sOn Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 MEDIA GROUP Ellie Hutchings [email protected] 01743 281706 Ryan Humphreys [email protected] 01743 281722 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Heather Kincaid, Katherine Ewing, Jenny Ell, Lauren Cole, Steve Adams, Jack Rolfe, Elly Yates-Roberts, Daisy Sparkle, Carol Lovatt, Steve Taylor, Chris Eldon Lee Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is produced without the use of elemental chlorine. We endorse the recycling of our magazine and would encourage you to pass it on to others to read when you have finished with it. All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. First Word Wolverhampton April 16-3.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2018 12:01 Page 1

Entertainment news from around the region

Wolverhampton theatre announces a Grand programme of shows A brand new season of West End musicals, gripping dramas, dynamic dance works and one-off concerts has gone on sale at Wolver- hampton Grand Theatre. Highlights of the programme include the re- turn of smash-hit musical The Bodyguard, a major new production of Doctor Dolittle The Musical, Belinda Lang and Oliver Cotton in Duet For One, Doreen Tipton’s brand new live show, Doreen’s Big Top, the National Theatre presenting their production of Macbeth and appearances by Joe Pasquale and Russell Watson... For further information and to book tickets, visit grandtheatre.co.uk or call the box office on 01902 429212.

Festival welcomes Jellyfish invasion at the The comedy challenge provides local busi- ness comedy first-timers with the opportu- international cartoonists National Sea Life Centre nity to try their hand at performing in front of The International Cartoon Festi- A brand new permanent exhibition at Birm- a live audience. val makes a welcome return on Saturday 21 ingham’s National Sea Life Centre has Tickets and further details are available at April. opened in time for Easter. standupchallenge.co.uk/wolverhampton This year’s get-together features workshops, Jelly Invaders features five different jellyfish talks, exhibitions, a trail around the town species from across the world - from the and demonstrations by 30 international car- bizarre freshwater upside-down jellyfish to Shropshire’s Atlantic toonists. For more information, visit shrews- the glittering ‘sea nettle’ variety from the Ladies in brand new show burycartoonfestival.wordpress.com Indo-Pacific. After 60 days at sea, Shropshire's 'Atlantic Commenting on the new , curator ladies' have finally completed their record- Jonny Rudd said: “Jellyfish are actually older breaking row across the ocean. than dinosaurs, as it’s believed they first They’ve been relating their stories in exclu- swam in our oceans some 500 million years sive detail to Chris Eldon Lee (author of Sil- ago. With more than 350 different species, houette and Ursula Queen Of The Jungle). there’s a lot to uncover!” Chris’ in-depth musical play about their ad- For further information or to pre-book tick- ventures is to be premièred at the Wightman ets, visit sealife.co.uk/birmingham. Theatre in Shrewsbury from 26 to 29 Septem- A Christmas wind in the ber. Tickets for the show are on sale now. willows at the New Vic... Staffordshire’s New Vic Theatre will stage a brand new adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind In The Willows for Christmas 2018. Adapted by New Vic Artistic Director Theresa Heskins, the show will run from Saturday 17 November to Saturday 26 January 2019. Commenting on the announcement, Theresa said: “The wit and charm of Kenneth Gra- hame’s novel is such a delight. No matter Stand up and be laughed how many times I read it, it makes me chuckle. And Toad’s zest for adventure I’ve at in comedy challenge found utterly irresistible!” The Wolverhampton Stand-up Comedy Chal- For more details about the production and to lenge is returning on Thursday 26 April as book tickets, call 01782 717962 or visit part of the Black Country Business Festival newvictheatre.org.uk. (23 April - 4 May).

4 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Wolverhampton April 16-3.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2018 12:01 Page 2

First Word

After-hours fun in the Black Country The Black Country Living Mu- seum is next month opening its doors after hours, to provide ‘an atmospheric evening of indus- trial demonstrations, good food, living history and more’. Visitors to the Red By Night evening will be invited to step inside period houses and shops to discover how Black Country folk used to live. The event also features street entertainment and the chance to try the museum’s 1930s-style fish and chips! Festival seeks young musicians for its Launchpad stage Red By Night takes place on Sat- Shrewsbury Folk Festival has put out a call for young musicians to showcase their talents at this urday 19 May. For more informa- year’s event. tion, visit bclm.com or call 0121 Sponsored by What’s On Media Group, the festival’s Launchpad initiative is looking for solo perform- 520 8054. ers and groups aged 16 to 26, who live in Shropshire, Mid Wales or the , to pitch for one of the places available to perform on stage. Each of the successful candidates will be expected to per- form a 30-minute acoustic set at least three times over the festival (24 to 27 August). The selected musicians will receive a free ticket to the festival, on-site camping and a contribution to travel expenses. The first Launchpad event took place at last year’s festival and was a big success. “Festival-goers re- ally enjoyed watching the acts,” says director Sandra Surtees. “For many of the performers, it was the first time they’d ever had the opportunity to take part in an event like ours. We’re inviting applica- tions from any performers in the folk, roots or acoustic genre who’d like to take part this year.” To apply, send a short biography, links to performances (Soundcloud, YouTube etc) and your contact details to [email protected] before 31 May. Only selected performers will be contacted. Let there be light in Gorge Colour fun run Food celebrated at ‘field to fork’ festival The iconic Iron Bridge at the Shropshire World Heritage Site at Hawkstone Shropshire’s is hosting a celebration of food of is set to be this month. illuminated all year round as The Field To Fork Festival, taking place in Newport on Saturday 28 part of ’s 50th anniver- April, features ‘a host of entertainment to inspire, educate and enjoy’. sary celebrations. The event includes live music courtesy of Dirty Rockin’ Scoundrels, The illumination of the bridge is Woo Town Hillbillies, Bouncing Betty, The Reverie and Groove Dyna- an initiative that Telford & mite. Kids entertainment includes soft archery, a school of coding, an Wrekin Council has been work- ing on for some time. exotic zoo, crafts, soft play and performances from Professor Panic. Commenting on the news, A farmers market, ‘tasty’ street food, machinery displays and an edu- cation area also feature. Councillor Rae Evans, cabinet Hawkstone Park is host- For more information, visit fieldtoforkfestival.com member with responsibility for ing a special three-kilo- tourism, said: “We want a light- metre Colour Run on ing scheme that will really en- hance the Iron Bridge and its Saturday 1 September. status as one of the UK’s top The event is a fundraiser heritage attractions, and that for Hope House, a charity will really help to showcase to for children who’re af- the world what we have here in fected by conditions so the borough.” serious that it’s not ex- pected they will live be- yond early adulthood. For more information about how to contribute and participate, visit hawkstoneparkfollies.co. uk whatsonlive.co.uk 5 Readers' Awards Wolves/Shrops/Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2018 12:32 Page 1

Readers’ What’sOn Awards WINNERS announced... With over 50,000 votes cast in the What’s OnReaders’ Awards 2018 - we are delighted to announce your winners...

Midlands Large Theatre Best Kids Show Best Dance Production WINNER Gangsta Granny WINNER Birmingham Royal Ballet’s RUNNER-UP The Snowman The Nutcracker RUNNER-UP Matthew Bourne’s Best Festive Show The Red Shoes WINNER A Christmas Carol - The RSC Best Classical Production RUNNER-UP The Lion, The Witch and inc Opera The Wardrobe - Crescent Theatre WINNER CBSO Spectacular Classics Best Pantomime RUNNER-UP Birmingham Bach Choir: In The Midlands 2017/18 Handel’s Messiah

WINNER Birmingham Hippodrome Best Orchestra/Choir RUNNER-UP Wolverhampton Grand WINNER Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra Best Touring Musical RUNNER-UP CBSO WINNER Jersey Boys RUNNER-UP Billy Elliot Best Midlands Arts/ Cultural Festival Best Touring Play WINNER The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time RUNNER-UP Shirley Valentine WINNER Jack and The Beanstalk - Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Best Touring Company RUNNER-UP Cinderella - Birmingham Hippodrome Best Panto Dame WINNER Ian Adams - Jack and The Beanstalk at Wolverhampton Grand WINNER Birmingham Weekender Theatre RUNNER-UP Fuse Festival RUNNER-UP Sam Rabone - Aladdin at Lichfield Garrick Theatre Best Exhibition Best Amateur WINNER Wildlife Photographer of the WINNER The Fizzogs Dramatic/Operatic Group Year 2017 - Wolverhampton Art Gallery RUNNER-UP Quentin Blake: Inside RUNNER-UP Motionhouse WINNER West Bromwich Operatic Stories - Compton Verney Art Gallery Society (WBOS) Best Home-Produced Show RUNNER-UP Mad Cow Productions In The Midlands Best Independent Cinema WINNER Nativity! The Musical - Best Amateur Production WINNER Electric Cinema - Birmingham Birmingham Repertory Theatre WINNER Hairspray - Get Your Wigle On RUNNER-UP Light House Media Centre RUNNER-UP Alice in Wonderland - RUNNER-UP Present Laughter - Mad - Wolverhampton The Old Rep Cow Productions 6 whatsonlive.co.uk Readers' Awards Wolves/Shrops/Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2018 12:32 Page 2

Readers’ Awards

Best Midlands Live Band Best Midlands Street Food Vendor WINNER UB40 WINNER The Meat Shack RUNNER-UP Black Sabbath RUNNER-UP Bournville Waffle Co. Best Midlands Retail Best Midlands Comedian Shopping Centre WINNER Joe Lycett WINNER Bullring, Birmingham RUNNER-UP Greg Davies RUNNER-UP Grand Central, Birmingham Best Midlands Comedy Night Best Midlands Chef WINNER Comedy Carousel at The Glee Club, Birmingham Best Midlands Music Venue RUNNER-UP Funhouse Comedy WINNER Symphony Hall, Birmingham RUNNER-UP Genting Arena, Birmingham Best Midlands Food Festival WINNER Lichfield Food Festival Best Midlands Music Festival RUNNER-UP Food Festival WINNER Lichfield Festival RUNNER-UP Shrewsbury Folk Festival Midlands Entertainment Personality of the Year Award Best Midlands Musician WINNER Julie Walters WINNER Laura Mvula RUNNER-UP Doreen Tipton RUNNER-UP Scott Matthews WINNER Glynn Purnell (Purnell’s, Bham) RUNNER-UP Adam Stokes (B’ham)

and the winners in your region...

Wolverhampton & Staffordshire Best Visitor Attraction WINNER Ironbridge Gorge Museums Black Country Best Arts/Theatre Venue Best Event Best Arts/Theatre Venue WINNER Lichfield Garrick WINNER Shrewsbury Flower Show WINNER Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Best Live Music Venue Best Festival WINNER Victoria Hall, Stoke Best Live Music Venue WINNER Shrewsbury Food Festival WINNER Wolverhampton Civic Hall Best Visitor Attraction Best Gallery/Exhibition Venue WINNER Lichfield Cathedral Best Visitor Attraction WINNER Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery WINNER Black Country Living Museum Best Event Best Independent Restaurant in Shrewsbury WINNER The Cathedral Illuminated Best Event WINNER The Peach Tree at Lichfield Cathedral WINNER Artsfest, Wolverhampton Best Independent Restaurant in Telford Best Festival Best Gallery/Exhibition Venue WINNER Hundred House Restaurant WINNER Lichfield Food Festival WINNER Wolverhampton Museum Best Independent Restaurant in & Art Gallery Best Independent Cafe/Coffee Shop North Shropshire WINNER The Apple Tree, Barton Marina Best Independent Restaurant WINNER The New Inn, WINNER Mad O'Rourkes Pie Factory, Tipton Best Independent Restaurant in Best Independent Cafe/Coffee Shop Shropshire South Shropshire WINNER The Old School Tea Rooms, WINNER The Kings Head, Best Arts/Theatre Venue Essington WINNER Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Best Independent Cafe/Coffee Shop WINNER Crystal’s Cupcakes, Telford Best Live Music Venue WINNER Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury Best Retail Store WINNER Battlefield 1403 Farm Shop

whatsonlive.co.uk 7 Martine McCutcheon DPS.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2018 10:36 Page 1

Martine

McCutcheontalks music, motherhood and soaps...

8 whatsonlive.co.uk Martine McCutcheon DPS.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2018 10:37 Page 2

Having found fame as Tiffany in EastEnders, Martine McCutcheon released her platinum-selling debut solo album - and number one single - back in 1999. This month, the Love Actually star visits the Midlands following the release of Lost And Found - her first album in 15 years. Lauren Foster caught up with Martine ahead of her tour...

You’re bringing your new tour to various own little way, but I just want to do my thing which you might only have one line or Midlands venues. What can audiences because I love it. I do it because it’s part of something. I love the process of filming a expect from your show? who I am, and if people buy into that, lovely. soap, and I’ve got such amazing memories. It’s an intimate night with me on a music and The only thing is, it’s such a different time What are you looking forward to the most conversational level. It’ll basically be talking now. Soap was so exciting then, and such a about being back on tour? through the years, what inspired me to make big thing in people’s lives because there was the different choices that I made along the I’m a real people person, and I love feeding no reality TV - I just don’t know whether way, which songs have got a reputation for off the atmosphere of people; the public have people feel as attached to soaps as they used being one thing but in fact meant something so much good will for me. When I’ve been the to. I don’t know if it would be like going back else, and just a real insight into me, my life critics’ star one minute and their least to uni or going back to school but with none and my music over the years. I’ve got an favourite person the next, the only thing of the same people there. It would feel weird. acoustic band, and it’s very much about the that’s stayed constant is the public, who I Who have you most enjoyed working music and my journey. It’s something I’m very much feel part of - I feel like a very with? really excited to do; I’ve never done anything normal person who does a very unusual job. like it before. So it’s lovely to feed off the energy of the The person I loved working with most in my people I meet. They make me feel a million TV career would probably be Barbara You co-wrote a host of songs off new dollars. Windsor. She’s an amazing teacher and she album Lost And Found with your has your back. She chooses her friends husband. Was working together always on Aside from your music career, you’re best within the industry very carefully, but when the cards? known for playing Tiffany in EastEnders she’s got your back, she’s so loyal. She was and Natalie in Love Actually. Do acting I was concentrating on wanting to be a mum, so ‘pro me’ that I adored her and still do. I’d roles still interest you? and that was my main focus, so I never say in movies, it’s got to be Hugh Grant thought it would happen when it did. Yeah. I did a movie last year with Alan Davies because he championed and believed in me. Because I’d grown up in the public eye, I called The Bromley Boys - it’s out for cinema In music it would be Andrea Bocelli - he was needed time out to take stock. He told me to release later this year. It’s set in the early spinetingling to be on stage with; I had write all my thoughts down during this time, ’70s; Alan is playing the dad of a young boy goosebumps all over. I felt like I was going to and I did. Then it became more musical, and and I’m playing the mum. He falls in love burst into tears on stage because I was so I’d hear stuff that he was doing, love it and with football, he’s very lonely, doesn’t really emotional. He’s just a real star! want to do a song. The album was never have any friends, and it’s about how he How is motherhood treating you? meant to be for public consumption. The establishes a little life for himself through the music was just to help me get through a most rubbish football club ever - Bromley. It’s It’s amazing! It’s been the best thing that’s difficult time and also to celebrate when I felt a really sweet story. ever happened to me. I love the fact that like I was ready to go and grab life again. It children help you rediscover a zest for life, an only took off because he played it to Do you prefer acting or singing? innocence and an excitement for everyday somebody in the industry and they said they For me, it’s all linked. I feel like I’m a things. Just the love - the love is just out of knew a label that would want to sign it. It storyteller, and whether that’s through music this world. I always knew I wanted it, so I feel was quite scary to think that all these or acting, I’m happy just to be that person. It very grateful to have it. personal things were going to be out there - sounds a bit cheesy, but I’ve always felt that What does the future hold for Martine but at the same time, what’s lovely is that I’m there to help people switch off from their McCutcheon? people have since got in touch and made the everyday lives. I feel like that’s my purpose in songs their own, through their own this lifetime, and if that’s through five I just want to keep doing what I love. experiences. minutes of song or a couple of hours of a Hopefully doing what I love makes people movie, then great, my job is done. happy and will touch people in some way. And it’s your first album in 15 years.. That’s all I want to do in my lifetime. Yeah, and I didn’t think there’d even be one - Would working in soap again interest you? what a lovely surprise! I thought I’d be Yeah, I think that soap is the hardest thing focusing on TV work, and maybe the music I’ve ever done. You don’t have the luxury of Martine McCutcheon performs at Theatre side of things might have gone for me. I’m 41, time or a big budget, but it’s quite nice to just Severn, Shrewsbury, on Sat 14 April; and it’s very much a young person’s game - get on with it. When you’re doing movies or The Core, Solihull, on Wed 18 April; Regal unless you’re the Rolling Stones or dramas, you’re sat in a Winnebago for hours Cinema, Evesham, on Wed 16 May and something. It’s hard to stay relevant in your on end, just waiting for the next scene, in Palace Theatre, Redditch, on Thurs 17 May

whatsonlive.co.uk 9 Food April Wolves_Shrops_Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2018 17:10 Page 1 Food April Wolves_Shrops_Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2018 17:10 Page 2

Food

A tad more than ‘suitably full’, we decided that we’d probably have to give dessert a miss. Fif- teen minutes later, after having given our food chance to settle, we changed our minds, opting to share some coconut ice cream and croquantes - meringue and ice cream balls coated in crunchy nuts. The flavour of the latter wasn’t dissimilar to a Ferrero Rocher (which could never be a bad thing). The ice cream was the perfect contrast to the salty food devoured beforehand. Alongside the main menu, The Queen’s Cantonese has a more traditional Chinese menu which includes such delicacies as mari- nated spicy pigs stomach, chicken feet, a wide selection of steamed dim sum and fish dishes. However, we weren’t aware of this until after we’d REVIEW: The Queen’s Cantonese Restaurant eaten. Being quite adventurous Exceptional Chinese cuisine at Wolverhampton favourite diners, we would’ve been keen to try out some of the venue’s more Family-run business The Queen’s The easy part was the soup. Not without a doubt, the most deli- traditional dishes. That said, ev- Cantonese Restaurant is one of wanting to break with tradition, I cious prawn toast that either of erything we did consume was the most popular eateries in ordered chicken & sweetcorn - us had ever had the pleasure of absolutely fantastic, so we were Wolverhampton, with nearly 30 my partner, sweet & sour. As ex- eating, the platter proved to be a in no way disappointed. years’ experience in serving tra- pected, they were both exem- truly fantastic starter. Every ele- Karl and his team played a big ditional Cantonese dishes in a re- plary. I find with sweet & sour ment was stunning. The mussels part in ensuring our Queen’s laxing environment. soup that it can vary hugely in were meaty, the scallops cooked Cantonese experience was as Situated in the city centre, just a taste and quality from place to to perfection and of a decent successful as it was. Friendly and stone’s throw away from the place. The Queen’s Cantonese size, and the squid, soft and ever knowledgable, they welcomed us train station and Wolverhampton has got it absolutely spot on. so tasty. Forever greedy, we also into their restaurant with open Grand Theatre, the restaurant Both myself and my partner ordered a portion of steamed arms and couldn’t have done works on a simple principle: agreed that it was the nicest one pork dumplings, which were, un- more for us during our time source the finest ingredients and we’d ever had. surprisingly, fantastic. there. The food was exceptional, have them cooked by the best Amongst the starters were the Moving on to the main course, and I certainly wouldn’t think chefs. usual suspects: aromatic duck we selected sizzling fillet of beef twice about paying the restau- Having heard nothing but glow- pancakes, pork yuk-shung and and chicken in oyster sauce and rant a second visit the next time ing reviews, and being huge fans crispy fried spring rolls and rain- fried spicy squid stuffed with I’m in Wolverhampton. of Chinese cuisine, my partner bow chicken, stuffed crab’s claw minced prawns, accompanied by Lauren Foster and I were beyond excited to be with minced prawns and grilled a side of chicken chow mein and making our Queen’s Cantonese satay king prawns. Wanting to egg fried rice. The beef and Food: nnnnn debut. try as much as possible, we chicken were cooked to perfec- Service: nnnnn opted for the mixed seafood plat- tion. Soft to the bite and show- Ambience: nnnnn On arrival, we were warmly ter combination. casing a beautiful flavour, it was Overall value nnnnn greeted by restaurant manager another dish to shout about. The OVERALL nnnnn Karl Chan and shown to our Chopsticks at the ready, we seafood offering was, again, very table. We ordered two pints of hastily tucked into the mouthwa- tasty, and something I’ve never The Queen’s Cantonese lager and eagerly perused the de- tering plate of food before us. before ordered from a Chinese 41 Queen Street licious-sounding menu. Knowing Comprising scallops served in a restaurant. Packed full of flavour Wolverhampton that we would enjoy and devour soy broth, the largest mussels and showcasing just the right WV1 3JW every single thing available, it I’ve ever seen, crispy squid amount of heat, it’s certainly Tel: 01902 713399 was quite a challenge deciding served with sweet chilli sauce, something that I'd order again. which dishes to order. soft coated prawn balls and, whatsonlive.co.uk 11 Peach Tree - Afternoon Teas April Ad.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2018 17:17 Page 1

THE PEACH TREE & HAVANA REPUBLIC Afternoon Teas ... Served everyday!

TO BOOK CALL 01743 355055 www.thepeachtree.co.uk 18-21 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, Shropshire. SY2 6AE Food April Wolves_Shrops_Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2018 17:10 Page 4

Food

Sweet days ahead for Lichfield’s dessert fans A popular Midlands eatery chain is to open a branch in Lichfield. Little Dessert Shop, which has outlets across the West Midlands, is all set to open a new store on the city's Bore Street. The menu includes crepes, milkshakes, sundaes, smoothies, waffles, brownies and bakes. Birmingham theatre offers a Wicked menu! To mark the return to the venue of award-winning musical Wicked, Birmingham Hippodrome Head Chef Mel has created a specially themed menu for visitors to enjoy. Mel’s green menu features asparagus wrapped in Parma ham, devilled whitebait with charred lime and a torn mozzarella salad with basil oil, and a special Elphaburger, featuring a unique charcoal sesame bun, avocado salsa and more. Wicked runs at Birmingham Shrewsbury restaurant given refurbishment and rebrand Hippodrome from Wednesday 4 to Sunday 29 April. Shrewsbury restaurant The Porter House has reopened as Darwin’s Kitchen. Having undergone both a refurb and a rebrand, the venue’s menu features kitchen sharing platters, open sandwiches, small plates ‘from the vegetable patch, the sea and the land’, chef’s Wolverhampton set for plates and a from-the-grill section. Highlights include Welsh black fillet steak with mushroom its first cocktail festival duxelle and garlic butter, tempura of cavelo nero with tomato and chilli jam, salt & pepper squid with crispy gnocchi, wild garlic and lemon aioli, and sticky pomegranate belly pork with creamed Wolverhampton is set to host its first- potatoes, rainbow chard, black cabbage and spiced granola. ever cocktail festival this summer. Darwin’s Kitchen also boasts four boutique rooms, including one luxurious suite and three Due to take place on Saturday 4 & superior double rooms. Sunday 5 August, the event will feature a menu of more than 1,000 cocktails created by award-winning mixologists, a selection of street food and cocktail Ironbridge Gorge venue to host its first street food festival masterclasses. One of Ironbridge Gorge’s most The venue is yet to be announced. popular museums is to host its first street food festival next month. Taking place in the Engine Shop at Enginuity on Saturday 5 May, Feast will showcase a wide selection of tasty street food, local craft beer and prosecco, all provided by a variety of pop-up vendors. There will also be hands-on activities and entertainment for both adults and children to enjoy, with music provided by local acoustic groups. Admission to Feast is £1 per person, with free admission for children under 16 when accompanied by an adult. For further information, visit ironbridge.org.uk

whatsonlive.co.uk 13 Telford Is 50.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2018 10:43 Page 1

TELFORD IS 50! On the 29th of November 2018, Telford will be Telford Town Park comes to life with a full have your own kite - there’ll be a quantity 50. The date marks a milestone in the range of activities and entertainment. available to borrow and an opportunity to ongoing development of the Shropshire Attractions at the free-to-attend event make your own. town, as both a visitor destination and a include St George and his dragon, jousting There’s enormous fun to be had on 15 July, place to live. knights, a mini circus tent, archery & outdoor courtesy of the Carnival of Giants. sports, a bouncy castle village, a vintage And as with all good 50th birthday Celebrating people, places, heritage and the funfair, a dog show... and camel racing! celebrations, the party will not be confined to town’s ‘bright future’, this colourful event Telford’s scientific, technical, engineering just one date. The council has been busy honours both famous and unsung ‘giants’ of and manufacturing strengths will also be in programming a series of events to bring Telford’s past and present with a colourful evidence, as will a food and craft offering together the community and attract visitors parade. The route leads from Addenbrooke (although visitors are more than welcome to from further afield. House on Ironmasters Way through to Telford take along a picnic). Town Park. Named after one of Shropshire’s most famous On 12 and 13 May, Telford’s celebrations sons - civil engineer Thomas Telford - and Continuing the outdoor theme, August sees a reach for the skies at the Telford Balloon and known throughout the world as the number of big names perform in a 1,000- Kite Fiesta. Weather permitting, the event birthplace of industry, Telford continues to seater big top tent in the QEII arena. will see an array of balloons floating above make its mark as a place of innovation, Shows announced so far include Russell the borough at various intervals throughout invention and technology. The town’s rich Watson (on the 4th), Scheherezade and 1001 the two days. When not in the air, some of heritage, numerous achievements and Nights (5th), Sounds Of The ’60s (6th), the balloons will be tethered in QEII Fields In promising future will all be celebrated in Supersonic ’70s Show (7th), Dara O’Briain Trust Town Park for all to admire. Telford50. (8th), Boyzlife (10th), Al Murray (11th), S During the evening of Saturday the 12th, 10 lit Club, 5ive and East 17 (15th), (16th) From festivals and carnivals to community balloons will take to the sky, casting a ‘night and Doreen’s Best Naughty Bits (17th). get-togethers and festive activities, there’ll be glow’ over the town - again, weather plenty of events with which people can permitting. For full details of all events featuring in become involved. The festival also invites kite enthusiasts to join The Midlands Kite Flyers at the Rugby Telford’s birthday celebrations, visit Spring Into Park kicks off the celebrations on Club, where they’ll be running huge telford50.co.uk 22 April, the day before St George’s Day, when professional kites. Don’t worry if you don’t

Also happening as part of Telford50...

GET SNAPPED! TURNING JAPANESE WALK THIS WAY! Photographer Brian Homer Telford Sakura Festival brings An annual event on the Telford and his team are looking to a touch of Japan to the town’s calendar, the Ironbridge Gorge capture local residents for an Maxell Cherry Garden on 21 Walking Festival features 53 archive of ‘Telford people in April. walks over nine days in and 2018’. A ticketed event, this evening around the famous World The team will install pop-up festival (5pm- 9pm) sees the Heritage site. photo booths at various gardens illuminated with Catering for all abilities, walks venues across the town. lanterns and coloured lights. range from short ones of two Willing participants will be Japanesque Duo and the Taiko and four miles to all-day treks. invited to press the trigger to West Drummers provide the All walks are free. However, take their own portrait. Each event’s music. pre-booking is essential as participant will get an instant Origami demonstrations, numbers are limited. print copy of their photo to silhouette cutting and a range For more information, visit take away, and images will of Japanese street food also ironbridgewalking.co.uk later feature in a final feature. exhibition. Locations, dates and times are available at telford50.co.uk

14 whatsonlive.co.uk Telford Is 50.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2018 10:43 Page 2

A big happy birthday to Shropshire’s newest town...

#Telford50

BRANCH OUT FAMILY RAVE WWII WEEKEND

Featuring live music, rides and This critically acclaimed, Set against the backdrop of the a selection of food, Branches award-winning family event Ironbridge Gorge, this annual In The Park’s aim is to reach (The Place, Oakengates, 27 event uses civilian, Allied and out and raise awareness of May) sees rave legend Glenn Axis re-enactors to recreate mental health and addiction- Aston in charge of the decks. the experience of life during recovery issues. The gig also features a World War Two, on both the Taking place from 11am to 6pm multisensory dancefloor, a home front and in occupied on 6 May, Branches will have glitter cannon, bubbles, giant Europe. stalls with service providers in bouncy balloons and the Programming for the Dale End attendance, allowing the famous parachute dance. Park event includes a talk by public to find out more about Aside from joining in with the Rusty Firmin on the Iranian the services available in action on the dancefloor, Embassy Siege (Friday 25 May) . young visitors can busy and a Grand 194os Dance on There will also be arts & craft themselves with themed Saturday the 26th. tables for children, and mental crafts, a giant colouring mural For further details, visit health first-aid tents for people and a creative playdough area. ironbridgeww2weekend.co.uk in need of support.

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16 whatsonlive.co.uk GIGS April Wolves_Shrops_Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2018 10:38 Page 2

Gigs

Dan Owen Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Wed 11 April Local lad Dan Owen returns to Theatre Sev- ern this month for a special event in support of Mayor of Shrewsbury Jane Mackenzie's charity, Shropshire Recovery Partnership. "I'm thrilled that Dan’s chosen to support my charity,” says Jane, “helping people living in Shrewsbury to recover and turn their lives around. We’re all immensely proud of Dan, and I'm delighted that Theatre Severn is sup- porting us to showcase his incredible talent in this way."

Miranda Sykes and bassist of Show Of Hands is touring as she started out: one woman with one bass Lichfield Guildhall, Fri 27 April and one guitar. After a career spanning more than 20 years, Sykes will be playing songs from new album leading folk musician Miranda Sykes is re- Borrowed Places when she makes a wel- turning to her roots. The acclaimed singer come return to the Guildhall this month.

The Dead Daisies Alex Ohm Zervas & Pepper The Robin, Bilston, Mon 9 April Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton, Fri 6 April Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury, The Dead Daisies are an Australian-Ameri- Wed 11 April can rock band and musical collective Having gigged across the world with former Touring with their six-piece band, singer- formed in 2012 in Sydney and Los Angeles. band The Lines - and played support slots songwriters Zervas & Pepper return to Henry Influenced by 1970s and early ’80s hard for the likes of Ian Brown, The Charlatans Tudor House this month to showcase their rock, their sound recalls The Faces, Bad and Peter Doherty - singer-songwriter Alex latest offering, Wilderland. Company and Foreigner, comprising bluesy Ohm has become a renowned name on the Written in the rocky mountains of Colorado, riffs, muscular vocals and powerful local music scene. expect wild tales, soaring harmonies, open melodies. His single, Through The Storm, taken from tunings and psychedelic leanings from this Since exploding onto the scene, they’ve his debut EP - At First A Drop, Then A Flood phenomenally talented duo. taken the music world by storm, releasing - became the soundtrack for the John Lewis three albums to date and touring with some promotional video for their flagship Birm- of the biggest names in rock, including ZZ ingham store last year. Top, Aerosmith, Lynyrd Skynyrd and KISS.

Ferocious Dog The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent, Thurs 5 April Ferocious Dog are a full-on six-piece band who encompass folk infused with rock, reg- gae and Celtic vibrations. Popular for their high-octane live performances, their songs are deeply personal and connect with audi- ences across both the UK and Europe. whatsonlive.co.uk 17 Classical March Shrops_Staffs_Wolves.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2018 10:39 Page 1

Classical

Ensemble 360 New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, Mon 30 April With a fast-growing reputation for their ability to engage with different audiences and age groups, Ensemble 360’s musi- cians share the belief that concerts should be informal, friendly, relaxed and, where possible, performed ‘in the round’. Their latest New Vic performance sees them presenting a programme that fea- tures works by Brahms and Schoenberg.

CBSO: Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Thurs 26 - Sat 28 April Young British conductor Nicholas Collon (pictured) is the man with the baton for this pre- sentation of Shostakovich’s musical epic - a piece described by the Soviet authorities at the European Union time as ‘an optimistic tragedy’. Works by Ravel - Oiseaux Tristes and Alborada del gracioso Chamber Orchestra - and Benjamin Britten - Les Illuminations - complete an imaginative programme. Collon and the orchestra are joined for the concert by soprano Sophie Bevan. St Alkmund’s Church, Shrewsbury, Sun 15 April Boasting some of the continent’s finest Ilker Arcayürek CBSO Friends young professional players, EUCO is very much a musical ambassador for the Euro- Schumann And Schubert Festival Drayton Centre, , pean Union. North Shropshire, Fri 13 April Birmingham Town Hall, Sun 15 April Since its formation in 1981, the orchestra ‘An afternoon of really compelling music- has toured extensively, both across Eu- making’ is how the publicity for this show rope and further afield. Along the way reads - and it’s a description that’s likely to they’ve performed with a wealth of distin- be right on the button. guished classical artists, including Nicola Ilker Arcayürek, the tenor who made such Benedetti, Julian Lloyd Webber and Alina an enormous splash at the 2015 Cardiff Ibragimova. Singer of the World competition, here dis- This Shropshire Music Trust concert sees plays his phenomenal talent by performing EUCO joined by trumpeter Crispian Steele works by ’s two greatest-ever ro- Perkins (pictured) for a programme fea- mantic songwriters. turing Purcell, Haydn, Respighi and He’s joined on piano by the ever-impressive Mozart Hartmut Höll.

Current and previous section principals of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orches- tra here come together to present an evening of high-quality musicmaking. Pieces by Hungarian composers Rosza, Ko- daly and Dohnanyi all feature in the pro- gramme, as does the darkest yet possibly best loved of Beethoven's early string trios. Zoe Beyers (pictured) plays violin and is joined by Adam Romer on viola and Richard Jenkinson on cello.

18 whatsonlive.co.uk Classical March Shrops_Staffs_Wolves.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2018 10:39 Page 2 Jake Shears DPS.qxp_Layout 1 28/03/2018 14:38 Page 1

JAKEtalkstalks BirminghamBirmingham Pride,Pr ide,SHEARS hishis newnew memoirmemoir andand goinggoing iitt alonealone Jake Shears DPS.qxp_Layout 1 28/03/2018 14:38 Page 2

Best known as lead singer of millennium pop group Scissor Sisters, Jake Shears is now going it alone. A headliner at next month’s Birmingham Pride, Jake recently took time out of his busy schedule to talk to What’s On about collaborations, making his Broadway debut, writing his memoir and why he’s so excited to be performing songs from his new album in front of Midlands audiences...

What does it mean to you to be performing beginning. I’m hoping me being back will anything like it before. I did a play a couple of as one of the headliners at this year’s conjure up a lot of good memories for people, years ago in Los Angeles, but I’m not an actor. Birmingham Pride, Jake? and that makes me happy in a very specific Well, I wasn’t an actor; I am now. The thought way. of it all was so frightening but at the same For me to be able to perform at Pride with a time exciting. I like to put myself in situations full band is really exciting, as it’s something I Who would you cite as your all-time that make me a little bit uncomfortable, and I don’t get to do very often. The majority of biggest musical influence? like to be in a little bit over my head, as I was Pride events aren’t equipped to hold a whole I would have to say Bowie, just because I when we began rehearsals. There were band - they’re usually PA gigs, which means started to listen to him at such a young age. moments where I was like, I don’t know if I’m people perform with just a mic to a pre- My first fantasy about performing came about going to be able to do this. I wasn't quite sure recorded track. This is one of the first Prides while listening to his music. He’s still my if it was within my capabilities. It’s turned out at which I’ve played. I’ve done City Mardi main inspiration, and I always go back to to be one of the joys of my life. I’ve now been Gras, but that was DJing, and I did a him. My number two would have to be Paul doing the show for three months, and it’s performance with Courtney Act, but it was Williams - he’s a songwriter who did the something I will never forget. It’s given me a more of a dance performance. What’s also Bugsy Malone movie. His musical style has new kind of confidence, and I’ve learned so exciting is I’ll be performing my new stuff. So always been a massive influence on what I do. much from all the people around me. I’ve far I’ve just done one concert in with realised that not only can I do this but I this material, so I’m looking forward to Of all the artists you’ve collaborated with - actually love doing it. The process has given playing new music to people who haven’t either in a performing or writing capacity - me a lot of insight into musical writing. I’ve heard it. And I love Pride season - it’s a blast! who’s been the most memorable? written a couple of scores. I love writing I’m honoured to be able to do it in musicals, and this is something I now want to Birmingham - it’s going to be a lot of fun. There are so many. I think getting to write with Bryan Ferry and then going to London continue doing. I've learned a lot from being What can audiences expect from your solo and recording with Roxy Music was massive. on the other side, and being inside a great performance? I am a huge Roxy Music fan and a huge fan of musical. It’s been an amazing experience, Bryan Ferry’s, so to get to watch his process, and I'm going to be really sad without it in my You know, I just do my thing. I’m still finding and to watch the band’s process, was life, for a while at least... my footing with this new stuff and with being something I will never forget. I’ve had lots of a solo performer. The gigs I’ve done so far Prior to Kinky Boots, we’d not heard from experiences of great collaborations, but that have been an absolute blast; it’s been so you in a while. What had you been up to? was one where I was like, “How did this even much fun. At first I was kind of nervous. The happen?” For a couple of years, I was just searching first couple of times I performed, I was like, around. I wrote a book, which is soon to be “Wow, this is so weird, to do this without At what age did you realise your future lay released in the UK, and my album is done and Scissors - like, where’s Ana?”, but I got the in performing? mastered - in the can, as they say. I recorded it hang of it real quick, and I think people are in New Orleans, in Kentucky, and I reckon it’s going to be very entertained. I was 22, and it was around the time that the Scissors were a three-piece. Comfortably one of the best things I’ve ever made. I On a scale of one to 10, how flamboyant Numb had been released and was getting wanted to hide away and get some really good will your performance be? plenty of airplay. I was at Sonar in Barcelona, work done. I didn’t want to re-emerge until I and one of my favourite DJs, Tiga, played one had some really good stuff to show for it. I am Oh, a 10. I’m excited to dress up again - it’s of the songs from the single. I remember that really, really proud of all of the stuff I’ve been a while since I’ve donned the sequins. night having this full sensation of knowing gotten done in the last couple of years. I’ve Who are you most looking forward to this was going to be my life - this was the path worked really, really hard on it. I’m so seeing at Birmingham Pride? I was on; one I was excited to be on. Before excited, and it’s surreal to now be sharing it then, I was just kind of throwing things at a with the world. I think this album is going to Beth Ditto is going to be there too, isn’t she? wall. There was a time when I thought I was blow people away. I’m hoping people are That’s going to be fucking awesome. It’s going to be a horror novelist, and it wasn’t really going to love it. always been my dream to do something with until we put out our first music that I realised her. We got to play with Beth at a Your memoir, Boys Keep Swinging, is a there was a lot of potential in what we were Lovebox Festival; I love her so much. I think candid account of fame, success, music, doing. she and I would make a great pair, playing sex and sexuality. What was the most back to back. I’ve always wanted to go on tour You recently made your Broadway debut challenging aspect when writing this? with her - a co-headline with me and Beth as Charlie Price in the acclaimed musical Just getting through the hard parts and doing Ditto would be a fucking sicko tour. Kinky Boots. How did that come about, some form of self-examination whilst I was and what new skills have you had to learn What do you enjoy most about performing writing it. Also, the realisation of the for the role? in the UK? memories which are lost. There’s so much I They called me up and asked if I was remember and so much that I don’t, and It’s awesome to play the UK. We have a interested - and of course I was. I was also that’s a kind of sad feeling. The hardest part history, and it feels like UK audiences have really scared because I’ve not really done was that first draft - just spitting it out. You been with me (The Scissors) since the know it’s garbage and you have to keep Jake Shears DPS.qxp_Layout 1 28/03/2018 14:38 Page 3

writing it, even though you know it’s just a cute little pizza places where you could hang plate at the moment. I think this is what I’m mess. That was definitely the hardest part. out and spend a whole evening drinking wine doing now, and I think when people hear this Once I’d finished a big chunk, say 350 pages, I without breaking the bank. There were so album, they’ll understand why. It definitely could go back to the beginning and then many amazing people around. Downtown feels the start of a new chapter for me. Maybe really start writing it. That was a lot more fun. was pretty vibrant, and it was interesting some day we’ll do something, but at the because when I got here, Rudy Giuliani was moment, I don’t necessarily feel like I’ve got You came out to your parents at the age of mayor and everybody was grousing about anything to say through that filter. We had a 15. Reflecting on that time, what advice how he was cleaning up the city. They were great run and we had a lot of fun. We had a would your 39-year-old self offer to a 15- all talking about ‘how the city was over’, but I solid 10 years and made a lot of great year-old Jake Shears? didn’t think that was necessarily the case. memories. I think writing the book was sort of I probably would’ve waited. I came out at The city is so different now. Manhattan itself a good way for me to put a cap on it for now, school before I came out to my parents, and if has become so commercialised, and it’s and move forward. I’m ready to do my own I’d known the sort of heat I would get, I prohibitive to live here for a lot of people. thing now. probably would’ve waited a couple of years. Everything is very expensive, and so a lot of Finally, where do you see yourself as a When young people come to me and ask for stuff has moved over to Brooklyn - a lot of the performer in 10 years’ time? coming-out advice, I kind of grill them a little nightlife at least. I haven’t really been able to bit on where they’re living, what their parents partake in the nightlife since I’ve been here I love having multiple projects going on. I are like, what their school environment is because I’ve been doing the show, and those want to keep writing. I’m going to turn my like. I often tell kids to sit on it for a second two don’t really go hand in hand. It was an hand to fiction for a while, and see where that because I think not every environment is a exciting time in New York, and it seemed as takes me. I’m going to write another musical, perfect one to come out in. Coming out at though the possibilities were endless. I felt a and I want to keep making albums. So I hope school when I was 15 was not the most kind of freedom I hadn’t felt anywhere else. in 10 years’ time there’s a handful of Jake brilliant of ideas, I have to say. So I would’ve Shears’ albums, a couple of shows and God You hit 40 later this year. How do you plan told myself to wait a minute. But I did it, and knows what else. I like to stay busy. to celebrate? it kind of shaped who I am now, so I don't regret it. I’m going to do a big party. I haven’t had a big birthday party in a long time. I plan on being Next year marks the 20th anniversary of in New Orleans and having all my friends your arrival in New York. Tell us about over for a huge party. Jake performs at Birmingham Pride on your first impressions of the Big Apple? Sunday 27 May. He’ll also be chatting You released your first single in five years about his memoir, Boys Keep Swinging, at It was so overwhelming. I couldn’t sleep at with the Scissor Sisters in 2017, five years Birmingham Town Hall on Sat 5 May. night because I was just so excited. It seemed after your last gig as a band. Are there any there was just so much possibility, and it was plans to re-form? just fun. There was so much to do. You could get by without a lot of money - there were No, I don’t think so. I’ve got too much on my Alexandra Theatre F/P Pride 2018.qxp_Layout 1 06/04/2018 16:45 Page 1 Comedy April 2018.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2018 14:13 Page 1

Comedy

Tez IIlyas MAC, Birmingham, Tues 24 April “You’ve got to be self-aware if you want to Count Arthur Strong be a successful comedian,” says Blackburn Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Fri 13 April; funnyman Tez Illyas. “It’s really important Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Wed 23 May; that you discover what works for you and Artrix, Bromsgrove, Thurs 31 May; Malvern then hone that. Trying to be somebody Theatres, Sat 16 June; New Alexandra The- atre, Birmingham, Sun 17 June you’re not just doesn’t work.” Tez’s jokes include: “I love being British. If “With each live show I’ve done, I’ve you’re not British, you’re missing out, be- found out a little bit more about Arthur,” cause there are so explains Steve Delaney, in talking about many benefits to the character he created. “If I watch being British. Lit- footage from the early days, he looks like erally. There are so the bones of something, but he’s defi- many benefits. nitely continued to develop, and that’s Just learn how to very important. Simply reproducing what fill out a form, and I’ve done before would neither be as it’s brilliant. I much fun nor as interesting.” don’t call them benefits, obvi- ously, I call them reparations, but nevertheless they’re great.”

Iliza Shlesinger The Glee Club, Birmingham, Wed 18 April “Women want to be treated as equals, and Tiff Stevenson we want feminism to be a thing, but it’s re- Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Tues ally difficult when every woman makes the 24 April; The Slade Rooms, Wolver- same point about her vagina, over and hampton, Sun 29 April over,” said American comedian Iliza She may not be the most inventive Shlesinger in a recent and hugely controver- of comedians, but 2011 Show Me sial interview with US online magazine The Funny contestant Tiff Steven- Deadline Hollywood. “I think I’m the only son more than makes up for a lack woman out there that has a joke about of imagination with her charming World War Two in my set. I think ‘shock personality and engaging style of value’ works well for women, but beyond delivery. She’s been described as ‘a that, there’s no substance. I want to see breathing version of Heat maga- what else there is with such complex, smart zine’, is appealingly self-disparag- creatures. That’s why women like Tina Fey ing and ensures that her audience do well. It’s smart, and men can laugh at it never has to wait too long for a too. I consider myself one of those comics, punchline. and quite frankly, I’m appalled by what’s ex- An example of her style of humour pected of women, and what women offer in is as follows: “You can tell how response to that.” good a medical person is in bed de- pending on which area of medicine they work in. The paramedics obvi- ously like a quick ‘get in and out’, the GPs cover a lot of areas but don’t really know what’s going on, and the surgeons like to go in there, rummage around, mess things up and then leave something behind that shouldn’t have been there.”

20 whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy April 2018.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2018 14:13 Page 2

Patrick Monahan The George Hotel, Lichfield, Thurs 5 April; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 28 April Half-Iranian, half-Irish standup comic Patrick Monahan is no slouch when it comes to bringing up the subject of his own ethnicity on stage - after all, he’s got a qual- ity gag about spending all of his holidays in customs, and he’s not afraid to use it! “I guess I like to think that maybe I’m break- ing down stereotypes,” explains Patrick, who’s eager to make it clear that his comedy isn’t just political. “The comedians I most admire are the ones who can play to every- body. I think it’s important to look for posi- tive stuff in life. Focusing on the bad stuff all the time would mean that the only peo- ple who’d come to my shows would be the ones who thought the end of the world was nigh!”

Russell Peters Arena Birmingham, Tues 24 April Having been responsible for the highest ever class and cultural stereotypes, and often attendances at a comedy show in , the refers to his own life experiences growing up , Lebanon, South in an Indian family. Africa, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Jokes include: “Every group is racist. White Malaysia and his home country of , folks will see a group of Indian people and it’s fair to say Russell Peters has got more they’re like, ‘Look at all those brown people, than a couple of lame gags stuffed up his they’re probably all very happy together.’ comedy sleeve. One of the highest earners on Then you get in that group and like, ‘Hey, you the US laughter circuit, Peters uses observa- from ? I’m from India. What part? No, tional humour to highlight racial, ethnic, not that part. Go to hell, you dirty bastard.’ John Robins Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Wed 4 April; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Wed 25 April Lou Conran Honesty, charm and lightning-quick improv- Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Sat 7 April isation are among the qualities John Robins ‘Imagine visiting your favourite friend/aunty/spin- brings to the party whenever he hits the ster/woman of independent means,’ urges the road with a brand new tour. publicity for Lou Conran’s touring show. ‘She's a This latest live show, The Darkness Of touch eccentric and always “alright”. Until last Robins, should certainly be one worth year, when it wasn’t alright and it all went a bit catching, having bagged the coveted Edin- wrong. With lessons learned, a bit of self-discov- burgh Comedy Award at the 2017 festival. ery and some painful yet funny situations, this is a story about life and, ultimately, death. But in a positive, uplifting sort of way...’ Lou’s latest show, I Love Lou C, tells the real story of her experiences with baby loss. By her own ad- mission, it’s not the most obvious subject around which to base a comedy show, but she’s keen to ‘lift the taboo and open the discussion on a sub- ject that the majority of us still struggle to deal with’. Although she’s faced her fair share of criticism for seemingly making light of her baby’s death, her show received rave reviews at last summer’s Edin- burgh Festival, with critics hailing it a work of groundbreaking standup.

whatsonlive.co.uk 21 Wicked DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2018 14:12 Page 1

22 whatsonlive.co.uk Wicked DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2018 14:12 Page 2

by Jenny Ell

Return to Oz Hit musical Wicked - telling the story of how The Wizard Of Oz’s Wicked Witch of the West turned bad - makes a welcome return to Birmingham this month. What’s On caught up with Michael McCabe, the man who originally brought the show to the UK...

Despite a staggering 110,000 people having Michael greatly hoped that UK audiences original tour and in the West End - whereas seen Wicked The Musical when it last visited would feel the same way about Wicked as he Amy Ross, playing Elphaba, is brand new to Birmingham back in 2014, there’s clearly still did, and his gamble in bringing the show to us.” a hunger in the city and wider Midlands these shores has most definitely paid off. But As with any show, running a tour and a region for a show that’s won over 100 major did he anticipate the success Wicked has London production simultaneously is a awards. And so, to the delight of many, it achieved in the UK? “No, not in one’s wildest challenge - but there are definite returns to the Hippodrome this month for a dreams! It wasn’t until audiences started advantages... “The tour has ended up being a three-week run. watching the show that I realised their roadshow for the London production. It feeds reaction was exactly the same as mine. Since last visiting Brum, the production has the interest enormously and, inevitably, People make an incredibly emotional been transported nearly 12,000 miles in 13 marketing a show all over the country has led connection to Wicked. The roar of the articulated lorries by road, air and sea, people to London.” audiences is still the thing that I find so delighting regional audiences across the UK. A staggering 8.5 million people - across meaningful after 12 years of doing this. I still The London production, meanwhile, almost 5,000 performances - have so far seen stand at the back and listen to the way they continues to pull in the crowds too, and has Wicked in the capital, making it the seventh react. It’s extraordinary.” been playing at the Apollo Victoria Theatre longest-running show currently playing in for 12 years. Wicked is a show to which people return time the West End. and again, but also one that continues to Wicked The Musical is essentially a prequel to And with the equivalent of one-tenth of the attract new audiences. “No long-running The Wizard Of Oz, focusing on what made the entire population of Birmingham catching production could do what it does without Wicked Witch of the West bad. The legendary the last tour, it’s obvious why Michael is people coming back more than once. I think Judy Garland film will be 80 years old in 2019, happy to be bringing the show back to the there’s something about Wicked that people yet the musical is very much ‘in the present’. city. “The Hippodrome is truly one of the want to share in; the emotion that they feel “When I saw the show on Broadway, it felt at most beautiful theatres in the country. with others. It’s an experience that people the time - and remains - so fresh and Because it’s so alive with resident companies, find unforgettable.” contemporary,” says producer Michael you feel like you’re a part of something very McCabe, the man who brought Wicked to the So will the new touring version of the show much more than just a theatre building. UK. “It’s very much a modern musical, in that differ in any way from the one that visited Birmingham is such a huge city - you’re its cleverness is so much based on the Birmingham back in 2014? “It’s the same benefiting from so many different types of characters that you know and are familiar production, with all of the same high people and age groups. The support for with, but everything that happens to them is production values. This was a commitment theatre in Birmingham is very humbling.” new. we made right from the beginning; that it wouldn’t be a cut-down version of the show.” “The idea that you can take this beloved story There is, however, a new cast... and turn it on its head just seems so “With each new cast comes new levels, layers intriguing. There’s such a fascination with the and interpretations. We’re very, very lucky Wicked The Musical shows at whole idea of prequels, where you find out that we keep finding extraordinary people. Birmingham Hippodrome from what decisions led the characters to be who Helen (Woolf), who is Glinda, has been with Wednesday 4 to Saturday 28 April they become. I found that so engaging.” us in various guises for some time - in the

whatsonlive.co.uk 23 Theatre April Davina.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2018 14:17 Page 1

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Fat Friends The Musical Just like the TV show, the production focuses on a group of pals who’re keen to drop some pounds and get into shape. New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 3 - Sat 7 April Appearing alongside Freddie is the winner of BBC One’s I’d Do Any- He’s best known, of course, for bowling out the Aussies, but former thing talent show, Jodie Prenger, X Factor success story Sam Bailey, cricket star Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff is here hoping to bowl Atomic Kitten’s Natasha Hamilton, Emmerdale star Natalie Anderson over a whole new audience as he makes his stage debut in the theatri- and legend Kevin Kennedy. cal version of Fay Mellor’s hit television series. An evening of high-energy feelgood fun seems a guarantee.

Trump - The Musical! The King Lear Romeo And Juliet Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Wed 25 April Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon- Fri 27 - Sun 29 April Avon, Sat 21 April - Fri 21 September Having previously presented Boris The Musi- Widely regarded as Shakespeare’s fifth cal!, it would seem that the highly rated tragedy, this story of a forbidden and secret Blowfish Theatre are choosing to specialise love tends to fair less well critically than the in shows about modern-day political figures rest of the playwright’s high-profile works. who sport ludicrous blond hairstyles. A satir- Nonetheless, its popularity is ensured by its ical, songtastic extravaganza (so say Blowfish timeless themes and its regular appearance themselves), Trump - The Musical! finds ‘the as a study text on the national curriculum. power-crazed narcissist’ hoping to get re- This latest version of the play is ‘set in a elected in 2020. Expect ‘raucous’ comedy, world very like our own’. original music and ‘one truly awful wig’...

Potent, accessible theatre is the name of the game when Shifting Sands take to the stage. The critically acclaimed ensemble here blend physical theatre, clowning and vibrant story- telling to recount the tale of Shakespeare’s fa- mous tragedy, albeit with the significant difference that this version is set in a . When landlord Mr Lear demands to know which of his daughters loves him the most, he unleashes a tidal wave of frustration and jealousy that will change his life forever...

24 whatsonlive.co.uk B.Hipp. Apr. RIGHT HAND FP 2018.qxp_Layout 1 20/03/2018 16:39 Page 1

Unforgettable performance, powered by you 0844 338 5000* birminghamhippodrome.com *Calls cost 4.5p per min plus access charge. Where applicable, a 5% transaction charge may apply excluding cash sales in person.

Tue 1 - Tue 15 - Mon 21 - Sat 12 May Sat 19 May Sat 26 May From £19.50 From £23 From £18

Birmingham International Dance Festival 2018 presents

Elements of Freestyle ISH Dance Collective

Tue 29 May Mon 4 - Thu 14 Jun - Sat 2 Jun Sat 9 Jun £15 From £15 From £17

WedWe 20 - Tue 26 - Tue 3 Jul - Polarity & Proximity SSatat 23 Jun Sat 30 Jun Sat 8 Sep FromFrom £10 From £16 From £30

Tue 11 - Wed 10 Oct Wed 19 Dec Sat 15 Sep - Sat 3 Nov - Sun 27 Jan From £12 From £29.50 From £16 Theatre April Davina.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2018 14:19 Page 3

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Brighton Rock struction after murdering a rival gang member in the seaside town of Brighton - and who then marries the waitress who witnessed the inci- The REP, Birmingham, Tues 10 - Sat 14 April dent in order to keep her quiet. This new adaptation of the famous Graham Greene novel tells the The show has been written by Bryony Lavery and is a co-production story of Pinkie, a razor-wielding teenager who spirals towards self-de- from Pilot Theatre and York Theatre Royal.

Are You Being Served? by the loss of their children and their Private Lives inability to have more, and a lot of what Prince Of Wales Centre, , happens is them both trying to make each Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Thurs 19 - Fri 20 April Thurs 19 - Sat 21 April other feel better about that absence of a Ambient Night Productions here provide a future.” Written in 1930, Private Lives is one of Noel trip down memory lane for fans of the long- Coward’s sharpest comedies. It tells of a running BBC TV comedy series of the same divorced couple - Amanda and Elyot - who title. The show is one of the newest in a now- meet each other again on their second significant line of television sitcoms to be honeymoons in Deauville, and begin to adapted for the stage, following in the laugh- consider dumping their new loves to try and ter trail of other top-rated telly favourites rekindle their relationship... Typically replete such as Birds Of A Feather, Dad’s Army and with devastating one-liners, Private Lives is a Porridge. cynical portrayal of married life, infidelity, selfishness and insecurity, and is here presented by London Classic Theatre. Macbeth Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon- A Streetcar Named Desire Avon, until Tues 18 September Malvern Theatres, Tues 10 - Sat 14 April “For me, Macbeth is scenes from a marriage as much as it’s about a traitor,” says Tennessee Williams’ absorbing story is best Christopher Eccleston, who takes the title known, of course, from the 1951 movie star- role in this latest version of Shakespeare’s ring Vivien Leigh and Marlon Brando. blood-spattered tragedy. “The relationship Pride, jealousy and lust are on a collision between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth is key. course when the fragile and fading Blanche It’s a deep, romantic love, and even in their DuBois visits her sister, Stella. While there, madness, right up to the end, the most she finds herself tormented by her brutish important person in either of their worlds is brother-in-law, Stanley Kowalski. As tensions each other. I think they’ve been devastated mount, Blanche soon finds her life beginning to fall apart around her...

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Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Turn Of The Screw for Susan Hill’s The Woman In Black. A young governess hired to care for two children at a remote country Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 10 - Sat 14 April estate begins experiencing eerie visions of a man and woman wan- Written by Tim Luscombe, this is a stylish stage adaptation of Henry dering through the house - and soon becomes convinced that the James’ gothic classic, the story that provided the original inspiration youngsters in her charge are aware of the ghostly presence too...

This Restless State Beautiful: The Carole 12 Million Volts Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Sat 7 April King Musical Lichfield Garrick, Sat 28 April Obligations to the past, present and future Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, “Expect holograms… sort of,” say award-win- are contemplated, as a single performer takes Tues 24 - Sat 28 April ning theatre company The Outbound Project the audience on ‘an imaginative and soni- of their latest production. “And pigeons with cally rich journey spanning three time peri- lasers coming out of their eyes… pretty much. ods’. A highly personal examination of Oh, and more lighting tricks than we ever family, nationhood and belonging, the show thought we would get into one show!” has been inspired by a collection of inter- It’s clear, then, that if an evening of innova- views with young Europeans. tive stage performance is a floater of your boat, you need look no further than 12 Mil- lion Volts. Aside from the above-mentioned theatrical magic, the show tells the story of Nikola Tesla - the world’s smartest man (at least according to Einstein). “But there are al- ways three sides to every story,” say The Out- bound Project. “One person’s side, the other Touring to the Midlands on the back of person’s side - and the truth...” Olivier Award-winning West End success, Beautiful boasts a playlist of Carole King’s most famous songs. Bronté Barbé takes the title role in a show that features, among other famous numbers, You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman, Take Good Care Of My Baby, You’ve Got A Friend, So Far Away and Locomotion.

28 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre April Davina.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2018 14:19 Page 6 Ceri Dupree DPS.qxp_Layout 1 28/03/2018 14:42 Page 1 Ceri Dupree DPS.qxp_Layout 1 28/03/2018 14:42 Page 2

THE FAAAAAAABULOUS CERI DUPREE Having played Ugly Sister Voluptua in Birmingham Hippodrome’s Christmas pantomime version of Cinderella, female impersonator extraordinaire Ceri Dupree this month returns to the venue with his one-man, 21-woman show, featuring impersonations of some of the world’s most iconic divas...

From Camilla Parker Bowles and Cilla Black, What’s been the most memorable venue If you could travel back to any showbiz to screen icons of Hollywood and pop you’ve performed in? era, which would it be? princesses old and new, Ceri’s inimitable There have been lots, but I would have to say It would have to be the 1970s because that’s delivery, energy and style bring together Athens in . I performed to 2,000 people when showbusiness was really out there. We hilarious comedy, fantastic showmanship in a nightclub there. They wanted me to do only had three channels on the television, and more than a sprinkling of Las Vegas-style the singer Nana Mouskouri, who’s a real icon and there was no such thing as Twitter or glitz and glamour! As Ceri says, “If it’s worth in Greece. I was sending her up in a very Facebook. You had variety, you had a lot more doing, it’s worth overdoing!” tongue-in-cheek way, but I thought to myself, people who would go to the theatre. You had We caught up with him to discover more if I do this here, they’ll kill me, as she’s so summer seasons that ran for 20 to 24 weeks. It about the fabulous females past and present revered! was a great time to be performing! I didn’t who feature in his latest lavish stage Anyway, we put her into the show start until 1982/83, but I would’ve loved to offering… (somewhere in the middle, so as not to draw have been around in the heyday of the big too much attention) and it went down an cabaret clubs and large-scale variety Who first inspired you to go into absolute storm, - so much so that the entertainment. Oh, and there was also glam showbusiness? following night I opened the show as Nana! rock in the 1970s! Well, when I was a little boy, I had three idols The more I sent her up, the more they Who’s currently on your wish list to - Stanley Baxter, Dick Emery and Danny La laughed! impersonate? Rue - and I loved them all. I suppose it was Do you have a favourite female in your through my parents taking me to pantomimes The one I’m working on at the moment is Cilla repertoire? from an early age that I started to think, I Black. I did her years and years ago, but then want to do that one day. I wanted to be a I have lots. Interestingly, the audience of course she sadly died, and I didn’t want to costume designer too, but I’m wearing the favourites are often not my favourites. I like put her back in the repertoire straight away as costumes now. Actually, I still design them, the old stars, like Mae West, Bette Davies and it would’ve been in bad taste. Time has but I get to wear them as well! Marlene Dietrich. I suppose the more current moved on enough now for us to do an ones are people like Joan Collins, Cher, Bette affectionate send-up or a tongue-in-cheek You’re well known for being one of the Midler and Lady Gaga. tribute, as I like to think of it. It’s very difficult UK’s leading female impersonators. How The audience favourites tend to be Tina these days to find the stars to do. Our does that differ to ‘drag’ in your eyes? Turner, and - believe it or not television now is full of reality shows. My pet I always say I’m a female impersonator - Camilla Parker Bowles. She’s like the Wicked hate is the term ‘reality TV star’; you’re not a because I’m first and foremost an Queen in pantomime. They all start booing star. Shirley Bassey’s a star! Tom Jones is a impressionist. I don’t have a ‘character’, like when she enters the stage. Audiences love to star! Why would I want to impersonate Paul O’Grady or Barry Humphreys – I hate her, I suppose. someone like Gemma Collins?! Having said all impersonate internationally recognised And, you wouldn’t necessarily expect it, but I that, I would love to do someone like Paloma female artists, soap stars, comediennes and still do Gladys Pugh from Hi-De-Hi and Faith, as she’s amazing, so watch this space! famous personalities across the board. I’ve audiences lap it up. Even younger audience impersonated Lily Savage, I’ve impersonated members who wouldn’t necessarily remember Dame Edna, don’t get me wrong, but as part her still seem to find it funny! The Faaaaaaabulous Ceri Dupree Show of a repertoire of impersonations! That’s the visits Birmingham Hippodrome on Fri 27 & fundamental difference. Sat 28 April. For tickets, call 0844 338 5000 or visit birminghamhippodrome.com Theatre April Davina.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2018 16:41 Page 7

Theatre

The Twisted Tale Of The Sagas Of Noggin Ready Steady Lift Off! Hansel And Gretel The Nog Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Mon 2 - Sat 7 April Birmingham Hippodrome, Wed 4 - Sun 8 April; MAC, Birmingham, Wed 4 - Thurs 5 April Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Wed 11 - Thurs 12 April; Malvern Theatres, Tues 17 - Wed 18 April Now here’s one for the grandparents as well as the kids! The Viking story of Noggin The This imaginative take on the famous Brothers Nog comes from the same children’s televi- Grimm tale is produced by Birmingham Hip- sion stable as Bagpuss, The Clangers and Ivor podrome with participants from BecauseWe- The Engine, and first delighted TV-watching CanCanCan, who work closely with the youngsters back in the late 1950s. theatre to support emerging performers with This new stage version is presented by Third learning disabilities. With live music, ‘ hilari- Party Productions and is suitable for children ous performance and a mesmerising design’ aged four-plus. all featuring, expect to be told the famous story of two children’s journey deep into the Youngsters here get the chance to join the forest - but not quite as you know it... Creative Learning Team to explore a selection You’ve Got Dragons of space-related activities designed by the Artrix, Bromsgrove, Wed 11 April; Arena The- University of Warwick’s Physics department. atre, Wolverhampton, Sat 14 April The show offers kids the chance to find out This intergenerational show, featuring cre- what it’s like to work in space and learn how ative captioning, interwoven BSL and audio to make a rocket out of a film canister. And if description, takes a look at what a young those two assignments aren’t enough to keep child can do if they have ‘a bad case of the them busy, they can always make a scale dragons’ - namely, unhappy dreams, a swirly model of the solar system using playdough! tummy and a feeling of being prickly. Taking Flight theatre company is the ensem- ble behind this new stage adaptation of the Horrible Histories: popular book by Kathryn Cave. More Barmy Britain Peppa Pig’s Adventure The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Milkshake! Live Tour Sun 22 - Mon 23 April; Belgrade Theatre, Sat 7 - Sun 8 April; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on- Coventry, Wed 30 May - Sat 2 June Trent, Wed 6 - Thurs 7 June Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock, Tues 3 April; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, If you’ve taken your little ones to any of the Fri 6 April previous Peppa Pig stage shows - and en- If your kids love Channel Five’s Milkshake!, joyed the experience of watching them hav- then they’re sure to enjoy this high-energy ing a fantastic time - you’ll already know that live version. Milkshake! favourites Little this latest production is well worth catching. Princess and Scruff, Noddy and Tessie Bear, Peppa’s getting ready for an exciting camping Roary and Big Chris, Fifi and Bumble and B1 trip into the woods. But no adventure would & B2 - the Bananas In Pyjamas - have all hit be worth having without brother George and the road for a tour that’s promising to bring her school friends, including Pedro Pony, to life all the familiar magic from the hugely Suzy Sheep and Gerald Giraffe... popular television series.

Easter Bunny’s Eggs Factor Dear Zoo If you love the Horrible Histories series - and Lichfield Garrick, Tues 3 - Wed 4 April; why the heck wouldn’t you?! - then Barmy Artrix, Bromsgrove, Mon 2 April; The Old Rep, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Fri 6 - Sat 7 April Britain is a show well worth catching. Along- Birmingham, Wed 4 April; Mitchell Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent; Belgrade Theatre, Coven- First published in 1982, Rod Campbell’s lift- side providing answers to such searching try, Fri 13 - Sat 14 April the-flap book has delighted generations of questions as ‘what would happen if a Viking If your youngsters have previously enjoyed children and accumulated in excess of eight moved in next door?’ and ‘would you stand Marty MacDonald’s Farm and Santa’s Christ- million sales worldwide. This first-ever stage and deliver to dastardly Dick Turpin?’, the mas Wish, they’ll be pleased to know that version of the show also invites its audience to escape the this ‘most chocolatey Easter show ever’ story features clutches of Burke & Hare, move to the groove comes from the very same team. child-friendly with the partying Queen Victoria and prepare Suitable for children aged two to seven, the puppets, music to do battle in the First World War. production features plenty of songs and a and lots of audi- In short, and as its publicity says, it’s ‘a truly post-show ‘meet, greet and treat’ with the ence participa- horrible history of Britain - with all the nasty Easter Bunny himself. tion. bits left in!’

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Theatre previews for younger audiences from around the region

Morgan & West: Tiddler And Other Captain Flinn And The More Magic For Kids Terrific Tales Pirate Dinosaurs 2: The Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Sun 8 April; Num- Birmingham Town Hall, Magic Cutlass ber 8, Pershore, Wed 11 April; Ludlow Assem- Fri 30 March - Tues 3 April MAC, Birmingham, Fri 13 April bly Rooms, South Shropshire, Thurs 12 April; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sat 26 May Award-winning children’s ensemble Les Pe- Whether you’re five or 105, a lover of brain- tits Theatre here present an action-packed se- busting illusion or a fan of good old-fash- quel adventure that sees Flinn’s kidnapped ioned tomfoolery, this brand new show is friends being forced to hunt for the Magic definitely the one for you, according to its Cutlass by the tyrannical Mr T-Rex. presenters. A time-travelling Victorian magic Cue the ever-heroic captain, and a dangerous duo, Morgan & West promise to ‘unload an- rescue mission that could well see his tim- other boxful of bafflement and impossibility bers being comprehensively shivered... where magic and silliness abound’.

Freckle Productions here bring together a host of colourful characters from four books by Gruffalo creators Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Live music and puppetry are combined in a show that promises to take its audience under the sea, out on the farm and into the jungle.

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Dance previews from around the region Dance

Michael Clark Company The REP, Birmingham, Tues 24 April Hailed as British dance’s true iconoclast, Michael Clark here presents ‘to a simple, rock’n’roll...song’, a triple bill of works, per- formed by ‘a company of fearless and other- worldly dancers’, that made such an impression when first performed at the Barbi- can in 2016 that it earned an Olivier Award nomination. The evening’s performance begins with a re- flection on Erik Satie and his influence on Clark's mentors past and present. This is then followed with a show of high-en- ergy choreography presented to the punk rock of Patti Smith's landmark album, Horses. An ‘iridescent tribute to David Bowie’ rounds off a production that further benefits from Charles Atlas's ‘scintillating’ lighting design, featuring a stage adaptation of his multi- channel video installation, Painting By Num- bers.

The Little Mermaid Albany Theatre, Coventry, Thurs 19 April; The Core Theatre, Solihull, Wed 30 May; Palace Theatre, Redditch, Sat 2 June The always-good-value Ballet Theatre UK are the company behind this imaginative retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s fa- mous tale. Exploring the nature of longing, how mak- ing choices can have lasting consequences, and how goodness can be rewarded in the most unexpected of ways, the story finds the Little Mermaid falling head over tail for a human prince and deciding to give up everything in order to win his love. The show is a Ballet Theatre UK world pre- miere.

Remembering Fred About The Elephant MAC, Birmingham, Sun 29 April Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sat 21 April; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Wed 25 April; The subject of fake news is very much on the William Aston Hall, Wrexham, Thurs 26 April agenda in this playful and thought-provoking Strictly Come Dancing’s Aljaz and Janette UK premiere from two bright new talents. are the high-energy performers here paying Questioning how people negotiate manipu- tribute to the one and only Fred Astaire. lated information to arrive at the truth, and With more than 50,000 people having asking how they address issues that they’d watched this hit show last year, there’s lit- rather not face, About The Elephant is per- tle wonder it’s back on the road in 2018, formed by two BBC Young Dancer 2015 stars - complete with classic songs written by kathak artist Vidya Patel and contemporary George & Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin and dancer Connor Scott. Cole Porter. The dance routines and staging The duo are accompanied by composer, pro- are new too, as is the inclusion of numer- ducer and multi-instrumentalist Shammi ous interviews with the man himself. Pithia, who will be performing original live Top hats and white ties are optional! music during the show. whatsonlive.co.uk 33 Love & Chai DPS.qxp_Layout 1 28/03/2018 14:35 Page 1 Love & Chai DPS.qxp_Layout 1 28/03/2018 14:35 Page 2

by Stephen Taylor

WHEN RANI MET RAJ A classic French farce is given the Bollywood treatment in Nigel Planer’s new touring show, The Game Of Love & Chai. What’s On caught up with the play’s director, Jatinder Verma...

Mention farce to many people and what might Confused? You won’t be, according to Verma. music and the songs in the text. What I find spring to mind is an image of Brian Rix with “The premise is, ‘Okay, I want to disguise interesting is that in the plays of Moliere and his trousers around his ankles, as doors fly myself to find out if the person I’m going to Marivaux there tends to be an interlude, and open and slam shut all around him, on the marry is genuine’. Then you add to that in a completely different way, we’ve got those stage of the Whitehall Theatre in the 1950s premise another one, which is that the interludes in our version too. The meeting of and ‘60s. person who they’re supposed to be getting one pair of lovers is all done through music, In the 1970s, Fawlty Towers elevated farce to married to has exactly the same idea!” because they love singing, so it’s very much character-driven.” an art form, while Benny Hill’s rather As the events unfold in front of a British implausible popularity in the United States Asian family backdrop, Verma sees many Of course, Planer’s popularity on TV, the was based on elements of the genre that were parallels with modern society: “In an Asian West End stage, the big screen and even in incorporated into his routines. By the ’80s, setting, it gets closer to the heart of Marivaux. the pop charts was always likely to raise the farce had become a staple ingredient of TV In the 18th century, marriage was a business, production’s profile: “It has obviously meant comedy, with the anarchic sitcom, The Young and the jeopardy that a woman faced was that there’s been a greater amount of Ones, drawing heavily from the tradition to that her entire possessions would be given publicity, which is all very good, but from my create some of TV’s most hilarious moments. over to the man. point of view, I think the best thing is that Some of the show’s most farcical scenes “That’s not that far away from the modern Nigel is such a trouper. He comes to see featured Neil, the long-haired hippie notion of marriage - certainly amongst shows, he’s been in rehearsals, he’s very character played by Nigel Planer, so it’s rather Asians. The stakes for women are much prepared to move things around, and is very fitting that his new play, The Game Of Love & greater once you put it in this sort of setting. supportive. He has a number of ‘groupies’ Chai, is an adaptation of Pierre de Marivaux’s It seemed to make more sense that she’s so who like The Young Ones, and that’s great - a 1730 comedy farce, Le Jeu de l’amour et du determined to see if the person actually loves number of them have come to see the show.” hazard - albeit relocated to a modern culture her, rather than loves the fact that she’s rich So what can audiences expect to experience far away from its original Parisian setting. and she’s educated.” when The Game Of Love & Chai rolls into The Tara Arts production of the play shows at According to Verma, the play “makes no Coventry? “It’s a comedy, so they should the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, this month, apology about falling in love, which is very expect to have a number of laughs. It’s and Jatinder Verma, co-founder of the much a part of Bollywood films”. beautifully designed and it’s got some great company and the play’s director, is pleased to song & dance routines. It’s all about how Planer’s enthusiasm for Bollywood, arguably have collaborated with Planer. “This is Nigel’s tricky the game of love is, so in many ways India’s most famous contribution to pop version of the classic French farce, and it’s it’s a complete and wonderful antidote to the culture, is not overlooked on stage: “I think been a delight working with him. I think he’s current doom and gloom of austerity, Brexit what’s great is that Bollywood is quite up done a very, very good job in terms of and all that. Things are bad enough, but at front and in your face. For Nigel, the comedy adapting it to an Asian setting.” least for a couple of hours in the theatre, we that he likes is also in your face, so it seems can think of something else.” The strapline for The Game Of Love & Chai is to me that there’s a connection between the When Rani Met Raj - yet this only reveals part two.” of the plot. In true farce tradition, before they In the best tradition of Bollywood movies, meet and without each other’s knowledge, The Game Of Love & Chai shows at the The Game Of Love & Chai contains its fair Rani swaps places with Sita, her cousin, while Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, from Tuesday share of tunes. “This was the other joy of Raj makes a switch with Nitin, his driver. 24 to Saturday 28 April Nigel’s script, that he’d incorporated the Shrewsbury Folk Festival @shrewsburyfolk E ICK TS T 24.25.26.27 august 2018 NOW! O E Richard Thompson N L Electric Trio S A Ceilidh Bands Concerts STEELEYE SPAN Morris Teams Workshops P@nde onium! TURIN BRAKES mChildren’s Festival Jon Boden & The refolkus Remnant Kings for 11-17 year olds Great Campsite SHOW OF HANDS Singarounds and Sessions Real Ale and Cocktail Bars Daoirí Farrell Trio Caterers Craft Fair Gretchen Peters Dance Acts: || BLOWZABELLA Daoirí Farrell Trio Peter Knight’s Gigspanner Big Band || BEDLAM || COMMITTEE BAND The Fitzgeralds Shooglenifty with Dhun Dhora Skerryvore Guo Yue & Joji Hirota with members of London Taiko Drummers || VERTICAL EXPRESSION The Mighty Doonans Fisherman’s Friends Rusty Shackle || KIRKOPHANY || OUT OF HAND Peter Knight and John Spiers Johnny Coppin and Phil Beer State of the Union Brooks Williams Trio with special guests O’Hooley and Tidow Megson Blowzabella Mankala Callers: Jo Freya, Phil Bassendale The Wilson Family Midnight Skyracer Yola Carter Band Nick Walden plus many more! see website for latest… John Kirkpatrick www.shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk

SSF 2018 - 210mm wide x 275mm high.indd 1 23/03/2018 09:33 Film April.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2018 16:12 Page 2

Film

EDITOR’S CHOICE

expensive film ever made. Following Avengers Assemble and Avengers: Infinity War CERT tbc Starring Robert Downey Jr, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Avengers: Age Of Ultron, the ultimate crime-fighting team is faced Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chris Pratt with stopping the heinous goal of Thanos (Josh Brolin) to bend uni- Directed by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo (USA) versal reality to his will, thus ending all life as we know it. To help The cast that is listed above is just the tip of the iceberg of this mas- thwart Thanos’s plans, Iron Man and Thor (Chris Hemsworth) reach sive, massive movie. One source put the budget of the two-part Marvel out to Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista) and epic at $1billion, but we refuse to believe this, just as we refuse to be- Gamora (Zoe Saldana) from the Guardians Of The Galaxy franchise for lieve the reported $200million that Robert Downey Jr is being paid to a bit of extra muscle. You might have to book your tickets now. reprise his role as Iron Man. But we do suspect that this is the most Released Fri 27 April

Film highlights released in April...

A Quiet Place CERT tbc Death Wish CERT 15 (107 mins) Starring Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Noah Starring Bruce Willis, Vincent D'Onofrio, Elisa- Jupe, Millicent Simmonds beth Shue, Dean Norris, Kimberly Elise Directed by John Krasinski (USA) Directed by Eli Roth Silence is truly a virtue in this chiller in When the wife and daughter of a Chicago sur- which a nuclear family live in a remote out- geon (Willis) are brutally attacked in their post in fear of their lives. An unknown men- own home, the latter decides to take the law ace has materialised, a predator that hunts into his own hands. Soon, he gets a taste for by sound. For the record, Krasinski, the film’s vengeance and his deeds become a media star and director, is the real-life husband of sensation. Based on the 1974 film of the same Emily Blunt. The Hurricane Heist name that starred Charles Bronson. Released Thurs 5 April CERT 12a (103 mins) Released Fri 6 April Starring Toby Kebbell, Maggie Grace, Ryan Kwanten, Melissa Bolona, Ralph Ineson, Ben Cross Directed by Rob Cohen (USA) Recently, a number of films have ex- ploited the dramatic vagaries of climate change. And there have been a goodly number of heist thrillers, too. This action- drama combines the two genres, in which a gang of hackers attempt to break into a Treasury facility under cover of a hurri- cane. Released Fri 6 April

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Film highlights released in April...

Let The Sunshine In CERT 15 (123 mins) Starring Juliette Binoche, Gérard Depardieu, Josiane Balasko, Xavier Beauvois, Philippe Katerine, Bruno Podalydès, Valeria Bruni Tedeschi Directed by Claire Denis () In essence a romantic comedy, Claire Denis’s acclaimed film is considerably more besides. There is romance, and humour, but this story of a Parisian divorcee (Binoche) looking for a second chance at love is full of poignant ob- servation and joie de vivre. The critics positively swooned over it when it played at Cannes last year. EDITOR’S CHOICE Released Fri 20 April

120 Beats Per Minute ‘Heathers meets American Psycho’. Wonderstruck In his last film before his death, Anton CERT 15 (143 mins) Yelchin plays the drug dealer Tim. CERT PG (116 mins) Starring Nahuel Pérez Biscayart, Arnaud Val- Starring Oakes Fegley, Julianne Moore, ois, Adèle Haenel Released Fri 6 April Michelle Williams, Millicent Simmonds, Tom Directed by Robin Campillo (France) Noonan Directed by Todd Haynes (USA) Set in Paris during the 1990s and based on Based on the novel the filmmaker’s own experience, this drama by Brian Selznick, takes us back to the dark days of the Aids epi- the film marks the re- demic. In particular, the film focuses on the union of Julianne activist outfit ACT UP and its attempt to com- Moore and director bat the French government’s inertia. Todd Haynes, who Winner of the Grand Prix at last year’s previously worked to- Cannes shindig, as well as winner of the gether on Safe (1995) and Far From Home French Oscar for best film. (2002). Released Fri 6 April Released Fri 6 April

Love, Simon CERT 12a (112 mins) Starring Nick Robinson, Josh Duhamel, Jen- Ghost Stories CERT 15 (98 mins) nifer Garner, Katherine Langford, Alexandra Starring Andy Nyman, Paul Whitehouse, Alex Shipp Directed by Greg Berlanti (USA) Lawther, Martin Freeman, Nicholas Burns Simon Spier (Robinson) has his hands full. Directed by Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson (UK) He’s not only desperate to find out the iden- tity of the anonymous classmate he’s fallen in love with online, but of the blackmailer who’s threatening to ‘out’ him to the entire school. Based on the novel Simon vs The Homo Sapi- ens Agenda (2015) by Becky Albertalli. Released Fri 6 April Thoroughbreds CERT 15 (93 mins) Starring Olivia Cooke, Anya Taylor-Joy, Anton Adapted by Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson Yelchin, Paul Sparks, Francie Swift Directed by Cory Finley (USA) from their own play, this three-part chiller is already causing shock waves among horror Amanda and Lily are the thoroughbreds in fans. Nyman recreates his original role as question, a couple of blue bloods from Con- professional sceptic Phillip Goodwin, whose necticut. Reunited after a breakdown in their whole belief system is shaken by a trio of un- friendship, the girls embark on a hideous solved cases concerning the occult. plan, prompting IndieWire to dub the film, Released Fri 6 April

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Film

Rampage CERT 12a (107 mins) Starring Dwayne Johnson, Naomie Harris, Malin Åkerman, Joe Manganiello, Jake Lacy, Jeffrey Dean Morgan Directed by Brad Peyton (USA) Loosely based on the video game, this Planet Of The Apes clone stars The Rock as the muscu- lar primatologist Davis Okoye. A clandestine genetic experiment transforms Davis’s pet gorilla into a giant, rag- ing beast, while transmogrifying other crea- tures, too. Expect some CGI. Released Fri 13 April

The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society CERT tbc Truth Or DareCERT tbc Starring Lily James, Michiel Huisman, Glen ing the Nazi occupation onto paper. Starring Lucy Hale, Tyler Posey, Violett Beane, Powell, Jessica Brown Findlay, Katherine The film is based on the 2008 bestselling Nolan Gerard Funk, Hayden Szeto Parkinson, Matthew Goode, Tom Courtenay, Directed by Jeff Wadlow (USA) Penelope Wilton novel of the same name by Mary Ann Shaffer Directed by Mike Newell (UK/USA) and Annie Barrows, which was inspired by A group of young friends embarks on the tit- real events. As a director, Mike Newell has a ular game when ‘something’ starts punishing The title is a bit of a mouthful, but that didn’t pretty good track record, including such ti- those who refuse to fulfil a dare - or who tell stop a certain Exotic Marigold Hotel from at- tles as Dance With A Stranger, Enchanted a lie. From the writer-director of Kick-Ass 2, tracting a huge audience. Here, a writer (Lily April, Four Weddings And A Funeral and which is a good thing. James) forms a close correspondence with the inhabitants of Guernsey in the Channel Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire. Released Fri 13 April Islands, while putting their experiences dur- Released Fri 20 April

Tully CERT 15 (96 mins) Starring Charlize Theron, Mackenzie Davis, Mark Duplass, Ron Livingston Directed by Jason Reitman (USA) From Diablo Cody, the Oscar-winning writer of Juno, Young Adult and Ricki And The Flash, this promises much. Tully (Mackenzie Davis, from Blade Runner 2049) is a ‘’night nanny’ who helps out the hard-pressed Marlo (Theron), mother of three. Funny Cow CERT 15 (103 mins) She is a gift from Marlo’s brother… Starring Maxine Peake, Paddy Considine, Tony Expect a lot of laughs, and some tears. Pitts, Alun Armstrong, Stephen Graham, John Bishop Directed by Adrian Shergold (UK) Released Fri 20 April Stand-up comedy has provided fertile material for such films as Lenny, Every Day CERT 12a (97 mins) The King Of Comedy and Starring Angourie Rice, Justice Smith, Debby Punchline, with Tom Ryan, Maria Bello, Owen Teague Directed by Michael Sucsy (USA) Hanks. But Funny Cow is set in the working men’s It’s not easy, but 16-year-old Rhiannon (Rice) clubs of northern Eng- manages to fall in love with the same person land and the protagonist every day, although that ‘soul’ keeps popping is a woman (Maxine Peake). She’s certainly up in different bodies. Based on the romantic got plenty of raw material to work from. And fantasy novel by David Levithan. there are songs, too. Released Fri 20 April Released Fri 20 April whatsonlive.co.uk 37 Some Mothers Do ’Ave ’Em .qxp_Layout 1 28/03/2018 14:53 Page 1

SOME MOTHERS DO AVE EM Some Mothers Do ’Ave ’Em .qxp_Layout 1 28/03/2018 14:53 Page 2

Some Mothers Do ’Ave ’Em, the ’70s sitcom which made Michael Crawford and Michele Dotrice household names, has now been carefully recreated for the stage, with comedy star Joe Pasquale starring as the accident-prone Frank Spencer and Sarah Earnshaw as his long-suf- fering wife, Betty. What’s On caught up with writer and director Guy Unsworth to find out more, ahead of the show stopping off in the Midlands next month...

Working together on Spamalot in the West years discussing what we shouldn’t be Mrs Fisher, Frank’s disapproving mother-in- End two years ago, Guy Unsworth recalls how laughing at. Watching something that makes law, Moray Treadwell as Mr Luscombe, David actor and comedian Joe Pasquale blew up an us laugh and feel warm is a reaction to that, I Shaw-Parker as Father O’Hara and Chris Kiely electric fan in a bid to mend it. Inadvertently think.” as Desmond. Playing Frank’s long-suffering creating a moment that was straight out of wife, Betty, is Joe’s Spamalot co-star Sarah And with Joe playing the hapless Frank, it Some Mothers (a BANG! followed by the Earnshaw. “Box office ratings at panto time seems that laughter is guaranteed. “I loved smell of singed hair and a look of electrified show us that family entertainment is working with Joe on Spamalot. He’s just a bewilderment on Joe’s face), the idea for Joe popular, so I’m glad we’re doing something fantastic spirit in a room; such a hard worker to play Frank in a stage version was born, that everyone can enjoy together. We live in a and great natural comedian, but also a and Guy and Joe joined forces to drive the divided world in many ways, and theatre is a technician. He, I’m glad to say, likes working project forwards. chance for different groups of people to come with me too. I wouldn’t do this without him.” together and experience something at the Writing the script was a particular privilege So will Joe’s Frank be a carbon copy of same time. With Netflix and TV ‘on demand’, for Guy, who, after studying Industrial Michael Crawford’s original character? we never really sit down and watch Economics at the University of Nottingham, something together. I love that electric won the Directors Guild of Great Britain “Michael was brilliant; iconic. It’s difficult to feeling you get when a theatre is full and the award for Best New Director. Following imagine another Frank Spencer, so it needed show is about to start.” postgraduate training and the mentorship of somebody who was really going to make leading theatre directors on numerous Frank their own. Joe is perfect. Interestingly, Guy laughs at the suggestion that he could productions in the West End and at the Royal the role of Frank was originally offered to write more ’70s sitcoms as stage shows - Shakespeare Company, he is now regarded as Norman Wisdom before Michael Crawford. Terry And June The Musical, perhaps? one of theatre’s brightest young talents. A Norman was 57 at the time, so while Joe is “Not quite yet! These shows take a long time huge fan of British comedy and with an older than Michael, he’s not as old as to develop. We said early on that we wanted encyclopaedic knowledge of the subject, Guy Norman was when he was considered for the time to get Some Mothers right, and it really says that he had clear ideas about the Some part.” has been a labour of love. We are devoted to Mothers stage play from the outset. With an impressive and diverse CV, what it.” “I was very keen that it shouldn’t just be a re- other ambitions might Guy be harbouring? “I With tickets shifting faster than Frank run of old episodes, so it’s based on a grew up in Southport, Lancashire, and I was Spencer on roller skates, the mood music particular point in Frank’s life, when Betty lucky to have a popular theatre close to suggests the show will amass new devotees was trying to tell him she’s pregnant. I knew home. I don’t come from a politics at every performance of every date of the six- it had to be something written specifically for background or an English literature month national tour. “People should come the stage - something that would work in a background, but from a love of theatre and, because it’s a great celebration of that period theatre. What we have now is quite a specifically, watching theatre. It doesn’t of time for all the family. It’s got some great traditional British farce, with surprises. It is matter what; Shakespeare or a brand new ’70s music in it and is simply a feelgood, two hours in real time, set one evening when comedy, it’s about the quality for me. funny and nostalgic trip to the theatre with a they’re expecting people for dinner. Chaos Entertainment has developed a slightly really great cast.” ensues!” negative connotation in recent years, but it used to be a treat, and that’s what I feel it Agreeing that there seems to have been a should be - a great night out.” developing trend for theatrical comedies in Some Mothers Do ’Ave ’Em shows at recent times, Guy explains why that might Certainly Some Mothers sounds like it ticks Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Tues be. “We’ve spent a lot of time in the last few that box. Joining Joe will be Susie Blake as 15 to Sat 19 May. Beyond Windrush DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2018 14:14 Page 1

FROM A SMALL ISLAND Andrew Jackson’s exhibition marks 70 years since Windrush

38 whatsonlive.co.uk Beyond Windrush DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2018 14:14 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

On 22 June 1948, HMT Empire Windrush thought about the fact that I hadn’t seriously parents, but when I came back and told them docked at Tilbury, bringing with her 492 documented or recorded their stories. about it, I realised that my experiences were Jamaican passengers, the first in a whole new starting to override and erase their own. “I became interested in the ways in which wave of migrants to make the journey from Thinking about how those stories had shifting geography impacts upon the one tiny island nation to another, attracted by sustained them over the years, it felt strange psychology of the individual. I think for many new citizenship rights conferred on Britain’s coming back and telling them that it wasn’t migrants like my mum, on some level, it’s former colonial subjects. like that any more, like I was loosening their almost as though they’ve never landed. grip on the space.” Seventy years on, those who made that long They’re always somewhere out at sea.” sea crossing are now woven into the fabric of But it’s not just the journey of that generation Given its visible presence and historical British cultural life, along with their children, ‘slipping away’ that Jackson seeks to importance for both Britain and Jamaica, it’s grandchildren and even great-grandchildren. document. The story of From A Small Island no surprise that the sea features prominently Yet far from being resolved, the questions is an intergenerational one, exploring how in Jackson’s photographs, serving as a potent around race, identity and nationality that attitudes and perceptions both change and metaphor for isolation, change and yearning they grappled with continue to be a focus for stay the same. for something out of reach. At the same time, intense and often heated debate today. however, many of the images also firmly “For much of my youth, I guess the myths In From A Small Island, a new exhibition anchor their human subjects on the land. around Jamaica had sustained me too. commissioned by MAC Birmingham to Growing up, I think perhaps I didn’t feel “One of the mottos of Jamaica is that it’s the coincide with this year’s Windrush entirely British or really wanted here. At Land of Wood and Water, so there are anniversary, Birmingham-born photographer school, people would say I was Jamaican or elements of that within the work. I was also Andrew Jackson uses his own family’s West Indian or Afro-Caribbean - I was never thinking about the reasons why black people experiences as a starting point to explore the just British. So mentally, you retreat to that were brought there in the first place - they subject of migration. Between visits to place, maybe as a place of safety. came over the sea as well as leaving by it, and Jamaica and the US, Jackson found time to they were brought to work the land, so the “But of course, when I actually went out to tell us more about the show, ahead of its human body is placed in direct connection to Jamaica, people started telling me I was opening in May. the landscape in my work.” English. My nickname there was English - “We’re at a pivotal time in Britain where in which of course I am. So even as a second- That complex link between people and place the last few years, migration has been ever- generation migrant, I can feel something of not only begs the question of what happens present on the political scene, clouding the that dislocation my parents felt.” to a person when connections are cut, but Leave vote, among other things,” he says. “I also of what happens to the place they leave Moreover, in today’s increasingly globalised like to see this exhibition as opening a behind. and super-connected world, it’s a feeling that window for discussion. I’d seen lots of work more and more people may be able to identify about migration before, but it always seemed “I began to wonder what effect that with. to be presented as a problematic, short-term generation leaving might have had on thing. There was hardly anything about what Jamaica - if there was a brain-drain and all “Whether you’re going from Jamaica to happens to migrants when they stay in a the brightest and youngest people left. I think Britain or just moving down from Scotland to country as they age and get older.” for my parents, it’s a place stuck in time - one a new job in London, you’re effectively that in many ways ceased to exist for them leaving one space where you have one Despite its weighty and politically charged when they left. My mum never went back, she defined identity and moving to another space themes, the project was initially borne out of never saw her brother and father again, never to create a new one. Ultimately, I guess it’s something at once more personal and more attended any funerals. Of course, like all about exploring the nature of belonging, and universal. families, we have our own folklore that’s been why it matters to us.” “Growing up I’d heard a lot of stories about passed down, so part of me wanted to go and Jamaica, but when you’re a kid, you kind of check the veracity of those stories.” mentally switch-off: ‘Oh no, not that story Unsurprisingly, when Jackson visited Jamaica again!’ But as you get older, you suddenly From A Small Island runs from Saturday 5 for the first time, in 2017, what he saw there become more aware that your parents aren’t May until Sunday 8 July as part of MAC didn’t quite match up to what his parents had going to be around forever. Birmingham’s Beyond Windrush season. described. Admission is free from 11am to 5pm “Whenever I bought new equipment I’d “What’s interesting is that I initially saw Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holidays. always used my family as amateur models, going to Jamaica as a way of connecting to my but it wasn’t until my dad got very ill that I

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Visual Arts previews from around the region

Rie Nakajima: Cyclic Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, until Sun 3 June “I work and communicate with architectural environments, and there is always something new to discover with sounds and objects,” says experimental artist Rie Nakajima. “ I would like to make this exhibition flexible and open, with the potential to change and transform at any moment.” A Japanese artist working with installations and performances that generate sound, Nakajima produces pieces using a combination of kinetic devices, musical instruments and found objects. This Ikon exhibition consists entirely of new work and includes a number of performances in collaboration with other artists.

Birmingham @WHATSONBRUM Wolverhampton @WHATSONWOLVES Shropshire @WHATSONSHROPS staffordshire @WHATSONSTAFFS Worcestershire @WHATSONWORCS warwickshire @WHATSONWARWICKS

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Visual Arts

Created In Conflict: British Soldier Art From The Crimean War To Today Compton Verney, Warwickshire, until Sun 10 June Produced in partnership with the National Army Museum, and aiming to challenge percep- tions about war and behaviour, Created In Con- flict showcases the of artwork made by British Armed Forces personnel. In the process, the exhibition contemplates subjects such as patriotism, loyalty and the treatment of veter- ans. The show features loans from the V&A, the Imperial War Museum and the Museum of Mili- tary Medicine.

Deeper In The Pyramid Grand Union, Birmingham, until Sat 21 April

Vanley Burke: Photographing Birmingham Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, until Sun 1 Juiy “I’m delighted that this collection has right that the people represented in the im- found a permanent home with Birming- ages and their families can appreciate ham Museums,” says Vanley Burke, in them for many years to come. In fact, I feel talking about his exhibition of photos doc- like the photos belong to the people of umenting 40 years of African Caribbean Birmingham, as so many people feel con- experience in the city. “The photos reflect nected to the stories and experiences doc- an important era of migration and settle- umented in them. I’m very pleased they ment in Birmingham, and it feels only will now be part of the city’s collection.”

Consequence Of War 1918 - 2018 Lichfield Cathedral, Mon 16 April - Sun 24 June This major exhibition contemplates Melanie Jackson’s expansive new work fea- themes of war and peace throughout art tures animation, sculpture, a filmed perfor- and history. mance and a publication in a graphic-novel Featuring work by internationally format. The artist’s publicity for Deeper In renowned artists including Henry Moore, The Pyramid describes the piece as taking Paul Nash, Graham Sutherland and Henri its viewers ‘on a journey of lactic abstrac- Gaudier-Brzeska, the collection explores tions, through the webs of bio-invasion and the impact of World War One, focusing on collective fantasy that interconnect various the immediate aftermath of the conflict life forms through milk, its technologies and and the quest for long-lasting peace over representations.” the subsequent century. Melanie’s previous works have included Other exhibits on show include original large gateway sculpture, bespoke street fur- work by the Cathedral's artist-in-resi- niture and integrated art with landscape. dence, Peter Walker, items from the Above: Henry Moore: Mother and Child 1949 Her pieces are produced in many materials, Staffordshire Regiment Museum, Military bronze (LH 269b) Photo: Michael Muller Repro- among them glass, fabricated and cast met- Valour awards duced by permission of The Henry Moore als, real and pre-cast stone and timber. and trench art. Foundation’

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Easter events from around the region Events

Traditional Victorian Easter Activities Blists Hill, Ironbridge, Shropshire Fri 30 Mar - Sun 15 April Never let it be said that Ironbridge’s famous Victorian town doesn’t get into the spirit of Easter! The venue’s holiday fun kickstarts on Sunday 1 and Mon- day 2 April when visitors can watch the unusual Victo- rian Easter pastime of egg dancing and join in the traditional parade. There’s plenty to do in the two weeks that follow as well. Entertainment on offer includes the chance to watch chicks’ eggs hatch and chocolate eggs being made, and the opportunity to print a poster using a Victorian print- ing press. A bunny hunt around the town and a trail to solve an Easter anagram further add to the fun.

Family fun at Birmingham Museums Easter Fun Days Severn Valley Railways, Bewdley, until Sun 15 April Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, Aston Hall, Sarehole Mill, Blakesley Hall & Museum Of The Jewellery Quarter Birmingham Museums are offering families ‘a jam-packed schedule of delights and surprises’ this Easter holiday. Visitors to Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery can uncover a treasure trove of history, courtesy of a range of object-handling sessions. There’s a visit from the Easter Dinosaur to enjoy at science museum Thinktank, and an opportunity ‘to get lost in Wonderland’ thanks to a fairytale takeover at Aston Hall. And that’s not all. Visitors to Sarehole Mill can enjoy an Easter trail or a spring- themed craft activity, while Blakesley Hall is holding workshops designed to ‘unleash your inner Easter artist’. A family-friendly guided tour of the Smith & Pepper jewellery factory provides visitors with the opportunity to delve deeper into the history of the Jewellery Quarter. It’s full steam ahead for family fun on the Severn Val- ley Railway this school holiday. Attractions include the chance to find the Easter chicks hidden around the Engine House. There’s also an introduction to kids origami, Easter card making and colouring-in, and the opportunity to enjoy Easter afternoon tea for two. Easter weekend itself sees Ron- nie Crackers making balloon animals and Dippy The Clown holding circus-tricks workshops.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Mon 2 - Fri 6 April There’s plenty to see and do at Birmingham’s Botani- cal Gardens during the Easter holiday, with popular clown Bibbledy Bob and the Easter Bunny both on hand to crank up the fun. Activities to enjoy include drop-in arts & craft ses- sions, face-painting and a chocolate workshop. Visi- tors can also meet a variety of interesting animals, including the corn snake, a giant land snail, a panther chameleon, a gargoyle gecko and a bearded dragon.

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Easter events from around the region Events

Egg-citing Easter Operation Earth Activities Thinktank Science Museum, Birmingham, Mon 2 - Fri 13 April Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, until Sun 15 April The Black Country Living Museum has good form when it comes to ensuring the Easter hols are an exciting time for visit- ing families, and this year is no exception. Youngsters and their grown-ups can take the Bunny's Trail - in the process explor- ing the venue’s canalside village and solv- ing clues to find a prize - participate in traditional egg rolling competitions, and test their balance in an egg-and-spoon race. There’s also the chance to learn about Easter traditions in the home, sample a freshly baked hot cross bun and get in- volved in all manner of traditional street games. A trip 'into the thick' to sample life in an 1850s coal mine, the chance to expe- rience a Victorian school lesson and the Described by its organisers as ‘the opportunity to savour some traditionally ultimate interactive experience’, cooked fish & chips complete the venue’s Operation Earth is an exploration Easter holiday entertainment package. of environmental science, provid- ing youngsters with plenty of infor- mation about how they can help to keep the planet healthy. Activities include an indoor nature Royal Eggstravaganza survey, air analysis and a micro- Easter Treasure Hunt scopic look at ‘the world around Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire, until Mon 2 April us’. Eastnor Castle’s ever-popular Easter egg hunt Children can also get creative with makes a welcome return, with participating a themed craft and borrow one of families challenged to follow the map and solve the event’s fun-filled backpacks, the clues to work out which famous Royal Wed- specially designed for youngsters ding couples the bunnies are dressed up as. aged between three and seven. Other attractions to enjoy at the venue include the Knight’s Maze, a junior obstacle course, an Cadbury Easter adventure playground, a new rope swing route, Egg Hunts a treetop walkway and a woodland play area. Various National Trust sites, until Mon 2 April Who better to organise an Easter Burton’s Children’s egg hunt (or several) than those Easter Festival lovely people at Cadbury? The Various venues, Burton-upon-Trent, chocolate-making Birmingham until Wed 11 April company are this Easter coordinat- “Back for our third year and bigger and bet- ing more than 250 hunts at Na- ter than before, this year’s event is all about tional Trust properties across the big tops, bunting and making memories!” UK. say the organisers of Burton’s Children’s And there’s plenty more for fami- Easter Festival. “We’re bringing some of the lies to enjoy on their fun-filled day best circus performers to the town, as well out, with many of the venues offer- as lots of fun activities to make, see and do.” ing ‘games and craft activities ga- The popular event this year includes an lore’. Easter egg trail, cinema screenings of Lego What’s more, all participants will Movie and The Goonies, a host of workshops be rewarded with a sure-to-be-deli- to enjoy, and the chance to meet & greet the cious Cadbury treat at the end of Red Power Ranger. each completed hunt. whatsonlive.co.uk 45 Events April.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2018 15:26 Page 5

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Events previews from around the region Events

Kidtropolis NEC, Birmingham, Fri 6 - Sun 8 April Listening, learning, engaging and exploring is very much the name of the game at Kidtropolis. The three-day event features favourite children’s characters, much-loved brands, ‘exciting entertainment and a host of amazing activities’. My Little Pony favourite Twilight Sparkle is on hand to meet & greet visitors, while fans of Nickelodeon’s smash-hit series The Thundermans are sure to be delighted by the fact that series star Kira Kosarin is putting in an appearance. Also in attendance is the Julia Donaldson/Alex Scheffler creations of Stick Man and the Gruffalo. A jungle slide, ferris wheel bouncer, roller disco and Legoland discovery centre further add to the fun.

The Man Engine Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge, Sat 14 April The largest mechanical puppet ever constructed in Britain visits Blists Hill Victorian Town this month. The Man Engine crawls at 4m high and ‘transforms’ to stand at 11.2m high, powered by Volvo’s L220 wheeled-loader. The team behind the Man Engine have created a be- spoke visual, theatrical and aural experience for the Blists Hill stop-off, highlighting the area’s status as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.

St George’s Day Celebration Tamworth Castle, Sat 21 April Tamworth Castle goes medieval to cel- Out in the open air, meanwhile, ebrate the patron saint of England, there’s the chance to test your archery presenting a day of entertainment that skills, enjoy the spectacle of a joust, includes a selection of living history explore a medieval encampment, ex- experiences. perience the special atmosphere cre- Visitors can have a go at doing the ated by an array of talented street laundry, learn about medieval entertainers and encourage your weaponry and armour, or try out some youngsters to busy themselves with traditional games with the castle’s numerous children’s activities. Lady Freville.

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Events previews from around the region Events

Shakespeare’s Birthday Celebrations Stratford-upon-Avon, Fri 20 - Sun 22 April Stratford-upon-Avon is providing plenty by way of entertainment to celebrate what would’ve been its most famous son’s 454th birthday this month. Taking centre stage is a parade through the streets of the town, with community festivities and street entertainment in evidence across Stratford throughout the day. For more detailed information about what’s happening during the weekend, visit shakespear- escelebrations.com

Fast & Furious Live ating in order to bring Fast & Furious Live to the global stage. With this mix of extraordinary Arena Birmingham, Fri 20 - Sun 22 April stunts, special effects, cutting-edge 3D-projec- “It’s been years in the making,” says Rowland tion mapping - as well as drivers pushing their French, creative director & executive producer own limits - every performance will create an of Fast & Furious Live, the arena tour based on unforgettable experience for the live audience. the hit movie franchise. “We are beyond excited Twenty-three cities across 14 countries is just to finally show fellow fans what we’ve been cre- the beginning for Fast & Furious Live.”

STEMtastic Weston Park Horse Trials Explorers Weston Park, Shropshire, Sat 7 - Sun 8 April Coventry Transport Museum, Wed 18 April “For many riders, Weston Park will be their last outing before Badminton, so we have high hopes New to the Transport Museum’s for April 2018,” says Janet Plant, one of the or- programme of events, STEMtastic ganisers of this 40th anniversary event. “As Explorers aims to introduce the usual the April dates will include advanced, in- world of science, technology, engi- termediate and novice sections. neering and maths (STEM) in a fun “We will also be hosting the European Team Pre- way. The sessions are led by a liminary Trial for both the Pony Championships member of the venue’s learning and the under 18 and under 21 Championships, team, who will guide participating so there’ll be plenty of chances to see the rising children through different STEM- stars of the future.” AutoScience Activities related themes using a blend of British Motor Museum, Gaydon, Warwickshire, song, stories and experiments. Tues 3 - Sun 15 April The science of the automobile comes under the spotlight in a series of fun activities at the British Motor Museum this month. Visitors can follow the AutoScience Secret Mis- sion Trail around the museum, join one of the family tours and meet the venue’s very own ‘mad scientist’. A 25-minute live show provides inspiration for youngsters who fancy putting their design skills to the test in the AutoScience Technics work- shops. whatsonlive.co.uk 49 The List Cover April Birmingham .qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2018 13:51 Page 1 Sting (option 2) DPS.qxp_Layout 1 28/03/2018 14:30 Page 1

THE LAST SHIP Superstar Sting’s first musical, The Last Ship, visits Birmingham this month. What’s On caught up with him to find out more about a show that’s based around a subject particularly close to his heart... Sting (option 2) DPS.qxp_Layout 1 28/03/2018 14:30 Page 2

by Lauren Foster

In 2011, it was confirmed that Grammy identity because the work they do is being Due to be released on 20 April, Sting has Award-winning musician Gordon Sumner, taken away. That’s the serious side of it. It’s produced an album with Jamaican music better known by his stage name of Sting, was also a love story, it has some big production icon Shaggy that reflects the duo’s mutual working on his first musical. numbers and it’s an entertaining evening. It’s love of Jamaica. “Everyone loves Shaggy, and emotional and serious.” it’s just a surprise. For me, the most Now, in 2018, that musical, entitled The Last important element in music is surprise. He Ship, is setting sail on a UK theatre tour. The musical is a constant work in progress, and I met and did a reggae record together, despite having been brought to the stage Initially inspired by his 1991 album, The Soul which no one was expecting.” countless times. “For me, art is never Cages, and his own childhood experiences, finished. You’re always tinkering with it, While a Shaggy collaboration is indeed a The Last Ship tells the story of how a close- always changing your mind about things - so surprise, what isn’t a surprise is to find that knit community deals with the closure of the I will keep tinkering as long as I can, until The Police will not be reforming any time Swan Hunter shipyard and the demise of the they lock me out. That’s what I do. soon. “Everything we set out to achieve, we shipbuilding industry in . achieved tenfold. You can’t step on the same “Since Broadway, it’s become more political “I was born literally within spitting distance river twice. That’s just an exercise in because it’s more specific about the actual of the shipyard,” says Sting. “I thought that’s nostalgia, and I'm not terribly nostalgic - I'm politics of the time. On Broadway we kind of where I’d end up because all my family living now. I’m curious about now and what’s glossed over that a little more. The story is a worked there and all of my neighbours going to happen tomorrow. But going back? little simpler, there are fewer strands - I think worked there - but I didn’t want that; I I've been there.” it was probably too complicated on Broadway wanted to leave. I escaped and became a - but I’m very happy with the way it’s musician, but at some point in my life I had developed. to come back, like a salmon who has to go The Last Ship stops off at the New back to the spawning ground to figure out “The Last Ship is a thank you to the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, from who he is.” community that formed me; it’s a way of Monday 16 to Saturday 21 April paying an emotional debt to the people who Receiving two Tony nominations for Best brought me up. The characters are either Original Score and Best Orchestrations, The people who existed or composites of people Last Ship features some of Sting’s best-loved who existed, or people who I knew or people songs: Island Of Souls, All This Time and who I've just made up but who’re drawn from When We Dance. Despite being set in reality. People have asked if it’s biographical Newcastle, the show premiered in Chicago in for me. There are elements of my own life in the summer of 2014, and then moved to the there, but it’s certainly not my story. There Neil Simon Theatre on Broadway. are elements of my own journey.” “When most plays start out, you think, ‘Well, Being the principle songwriter, lead singer if it ever gets to Broadway, it will be a and bassist for new wave rock band The miracle’, so I just started there and worked Police from 1977 to 1986, as well as boasting backwards! I live in New York, I knew a an immensely successful and ongoing solo producer who liked the idea of the story, and career, Sting is certainly no stranger to the theatre was just down the road from songwriting. “I’ve always been interested in where I live. But then I thought it deserved to writing narrative songs, songs that tell a be seen where it comes from, and that’s the story, and this is just a larger canvas. The north of England.” difficulty is that each song has to advance the The ensemble cast is led by Coronation story. You can’t have a static song, and that’s Street, West End and Broadway star Richard a very hard discipline. Every song has to Fleeshman as Gideon. Charlie Hardwick, best fight for its life - every line, every word. known for her role as Val Pollard in It’s very demanding, very exacting, but Emmerdale, plays Peggy, Joe McGann (Elf I’ve had more fun doing this than The Musical and The Upper Hand) is Jackie almost anything else I've done in and Frances McNamee, who recently starred my life. There has also been some in Big Fish in the West End, takes on the role interest from some very, very of Meg. influential filmmakers, whose names will remain anonymous…” “I’ve got a fabulous cast of northern actors who understand it in their bones, and it’s an So would he be keen to embark on a emotional rollercoaster ride. I think the second musical adventure? “I can’t imagine play’s themes will resonate with people in anything would be as personal as this, but the north of England because it’s really about having got my feet wet, as it were, I'd the industry and the closing of factories and probably have another go at it. But you know, coal mines and shipyards and what happens I have this other job where I make records to communities when they’re robbed of their and sing for money.” The List Cover April Wolves_Shrops_Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2018 11:16 Page 2

YourYour wweek-eek- bby-weeky-week llistingsistings gguideuide

AprilApril 20182018 thelist Evita at Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury - Tuesday 3 - Saturday 7 April 7 Saturday - 3 Tuesday - Shrewsbury Severn, Theatre at Evita

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 April Mon 9 to Sun 15 April Mon 16 to Sun 22 April Mon 23 to Mon 30 April

Très, Très Cabaret at Stafford Get Geocaching at David Baddiel at Hazel O’Connor & Cormac De Gatehouse Theatre Attingham Park, Shrewsbury Dudley Town Hall Barra at The Robin, Bilston Fri 6 April Wed 11 April Thurs 19 April Tues 24 April

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thelist THROUGHOUT APRIL Visual Arts metalwork, Sat 14 Apr - Sat 26 May Wolverhampton Art Gallery New Art Gallery - Walsall DIASPORA PAVILION Showcasing the work of 19 artists whose practices re- ARTISTS IN FOCUS Each of the themed spond to the concept of diaspora collection rooms features multiple during the 57th Venice Biennale at works from a single contemporary Palazzo Pisani a Santa Marina in artist, alongside highlights from the Venice, until Sun 29 Apr renowned Garman Ryan Collection, until Sun 2 Dec CLANGERS, BAGPUSS & CO. V&A Mu- seum of Childhood exhibition cele- CORNELIA PARKER: THIRTY PIECES OF brating classic kids’ TV shows, SILVER (2015) Cornelia has here re-ap- including Bagpuss, The Clangers, propriated a group of found glass Pogles’ Wood, Noggin The Nog and From The Jam - The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury photographic negatives of antique sil- Ivor The Engine, until Sun 29 Apr verware, continuing her interest in SPRING SOUNDS Thurs WALK LIKE A MAN Fri 6 objects and their histories, the mate- Other VISUAL ARTS Gigs 5 Apr, The Hive Apr, William Aston rial of silver and the medium of pho- Shrewsbury Hall, Wrexham tography, until Sun 2 Dec IMAGINING THE CRUCIFIXION The first THE TIN TINS RE-UNION GROHLFEST WITH FOOD THE ILLEGAL EAGLES Sat part of a two-year creative journey Sun 1 Apr, Hare & FIGHTERZ AND NOVANA 7 Apr, Victoria Hall, Newcastle Borough Museum by artist-in-residence Peter Walker, Hounds, Birmingham who explores a contemporary inter- Thurs 5 Apr, The Stoke-on-Trent & Art Gallery CLIMAX BLUES BAND pretation of Christ's journey to the Robin, Bilston THE VERVE EXPERIENCE OPEN ART AND CRAFT EXHIBITION Art- Sun 1 Apr, Lichfield Cross, until Mon 2 Apr, Lichfield FEROCIOUS DOG Thurs 5 Sat 7 Apr, O2 work from both professional and non- Guildhall Cathedral Apr, The Sugarmill, Academy, Birmingham professional artists is on display. THE BON JOVI EXPERI- CONTEMPORARY PRINTMAKERS 2018 Stoke-on-Trent YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND Prizes will be presented to selected ENCE Sun 1 Apr, The Works by Liz Somerville, Angie THE FALLEN STATE Sat 7 Apr, Stafford artists, and visitors will get to vote for River Rooms, Stour- Lewin, Angela Harding and many Thurs 5 Apr, O2 Gatehouse Theatre their favourite piece of artwork, until bridge Sun 22 Apr others. Also included in the exhibition Academy, Birmingham HARRY STYLES Sat 7 DEFINITELY MIGHT BE & are ceramics by Rachel Smith, until GREGORY PORTER Thurs Apr, Genting Arena, ADORED Sun 1 Apr, The Potteries Museum & Art Sat 28 Apr, Twenty Twenty Gallery, 5 - Fri 6 Apr, Sym- Birmingham Ludlow Robin, Bilston Gallery - Stoke-On-Trent phony Hall, B’ham REAL DIAMOND 2018 Sat ENCOUNTERS EXHIBITION Exhibition BEN SMITH Sun 1 Apr, NEW CREATIVE RAGE Exhibition featur- FROM THE JAM Fri 6 7 Apr, Prince Of Wales featuring the results of a unique pro- Katie Fitzgerald's, ing paintings, photographs, prints Apr, The Buttermarket, Centre, Cannock ject in which Shropshire artists and Stourbridge and ceramics by members of the pro- Shrewsbury REBEL REBEL Sat 7 Apr, poets were paired up to create TAMWORTH VOICES Tues gressive LGBTQ artistic community, EN VOGUE Fri 6 Apr, O2 Route 44, Birmingham pieces in response to each other's 3 Apr, Tamworth As- Sat 28 Apr - Sun 2 Sept Institute, Birmingham work, until Sat 28 Apr, VAN Gallery, sembly Rooms THE VACCINES Sat 7 Shrewsbury SUBVERT #101 Fri 6 Apr, O2 Academy, PHILIPPA HANNA Tues 3 Qube Gallery, Apr, The Buttermarket, Birmingham NEW 40 YEARS An exhibition repre- Apr, O2 Academy, NEW OSWESTRY HERITAGE COMICS Shrewsbury senting 40 years of painting by Ron Birmingham MERCURY - THE ULTI- Qube have teamed up with archaeol- Satterthwaite, Sat 7 Apr - Sat 7 July, THEE HYPNOTICS & MATE QUEEN TRIBUTE FINBAR FUREY Tues 3 ogist and comic illustrator John Himley Hall & Park, Dudley BLACK BOMBERS Fri 6 Sat 7 Apr, Lichfield Apr, The Glee Club, Swogger to produce a series of her- Apr, Hare & Hounds, Garrick itage comics, featured weekly in the NEW A WILDLIFE WANDER ROUND THE Birmingham WORLD Paintings by David Spencer Birmingham MAYOR'S ROCK FEST Advertiser newspaper. The exhibition NO AGE Tues 3 Apr, focused on his interest in wildlife, Sat CHER VS P!NK Fri 6 Apr, 2018 WITH VOODOO features artwork created during the Hare & Hounds, Birm- 7 Apr - Sat 7 July, Himley Hall & Park, The River Rooms, SIOUX Sat 7 Apr, The project, Thurs 12 Apr - Mon 14 May ingham Dudley Stourbridge Slade Rooms, Wolver- SAM SMITH Tues 3 & NEW DE FERRERS ACADEMY: LYRICALLY KEVIN ROWLAND Fri 6 hampton Shrewsbury Museum & Art Wed 4 Apr, Genting SPEAKING Exhibition by students from Apr, Hare & Hounds, DRAPER AND MAN WITH- Gallery Arena, Birmingham the DeFerrers Academy in Burton Birmingham OUT COUNTRY Sat 7 LEGO - BRICK HISTORY Walk through who have used music as a source of SUN RA ARKESTRA Wed Apr, The Sugarmill, history in bricks, as Lego enthusiast MEGADETH UK & inspiration for their photography, 4 Apr, Birmingham Stoke-on-Trent Warren Elsmore returns with his tour- SHAMTERA Fri 6 Apr, Tues 10 Apr - Sat 19 May, The Brew- Town Hall ing exhibition, until Sun 15 Apr Eleven, Sandyford, THE SOUTH Sat 7 Apr, house Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent ROMAIN VIRGO Wed 4 Stoke-on-Trent William Aston Hall, Apr, O2 Institute, Birm- NEW CONSEQUENCE OF WAR Exhibition CLARE TEAL Fri 6 Apr, Wrexham ingham Weston Park, exploring the immediate aftermath of Lichfield Garrick MACKLEMORE Sun 8 NEW INTERNATIONAL WATERCOLOUR World War One and the quest for THE HOLLIES Wed 4 ALEX OHM Fri 6 Apr, Apr, O2 Academy, MASTERS EXHIBITION: DAVID POXON peace that followed. Includes works Apr, Regent Theatre, Newhampton Arts Birmingham WITH SPECIAL GUESTS The world’s by Henry Moore and Paul Nash, pre- Stoke-on-Trent sented alongside Great War artefacts Centre, Wolverhamp- Sun 8 leading watercolour masters come to BLACK MAGIC - THE LIT- and contemporary footage, Mon 16 ton Apr, O2 Institute, Birm- England for the first time, for a TLE MIX SHOW Wed 4 Apr - Sun 24 June, LIchfield Cathe- LET'S HANG ON - THE ingham unique, contemporary exhibition, Sat Apr, Brierley Hill Civic dral MUSIC OF FRANKI VALI & & ABU 28 Apr - Thurs 31 May Hall, Dudley NEW CURATING DEVELOPMENT Exhibi- THE FOUR SEASONS. Fri MUHAMMED SUFI EMBRACE Thurs 5 Apr, tion of art by Filipino migrant workers 6 Apr, Stafford Gate- QUWWALI Sun 8 Apr, The Willow Art Gallery, O2 Institute, B’ham house Theatre Birmingham Town Hall Oswestry in London and , Wed 25 Apr - Wed 6 June, Keele University, POP DIVAS LIVE Thurs 5 AC/DC EXPERIENCE Fri 6 MAGENTA Sun 8 Apr, NEW SPRING OPEN EXHIBITION 2018 Ex- Staffordshire Apr, Prince Of Wales Apr, The Slade Rooms, The Robin, Bilston hibition of print, mixed-media and Centre, Cannock Wolverhampton

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Sunday 1 to Sunday 8 April

LUKAS KIRKBY, PHIL CARR & PHIL ELLIS Classical Music Thurs 5 Apr, Foxlowe Arts Centre, Staffordshire THE OPERA BOYS Fri 6 Apr, Prince Of KUM-N-AVALOFF COMEDY NIGHT Thurs Wales Centre, Cannock 5 Apr, Stourbridge Town Hall LOU SANDERS, JAMIE HUTCHINSON & JOSH PUGH Fri 6 Apr, Cherry Reds Cafe-Bar, Birmingham IMRAN YUSUF, DANNY POSTHILL & SY THOMAS Fri 6 Apr, Katie Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge LOU CONRAN Sat 7 Apr, Stafford Gate- house Theatre FOIL, ARMS AND HOG Sat 7 Apr, Birm- ingham Town Hall ARCHIE MADDOCKS, GAVIN WEBSTER, THE LUDLOW ENGLISH SONG WEEKEND EMMANUEL SONUBI & ANDREW O'NEILL Fri 6 - Sun 8 Apr, various locations, Sat 7 Apr, The Comedy Loft, B’ham Ludlow, South Shropshire ROFL! COMEDY CLUB Sat 7 Apr, The NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA OF GREAT Old Post Office, Stoke-On-Trent BRITAIN - UNLEASHED Featuring Kwamé Ryan (conductor) & Karen Gillingham (director). Programme in- cludes works by Mason Bates, Bern- Evita - Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury stein, John Williams & James Newton Theatre cheats for a night of trickery, Mon 2 - OUTRAGE Uncanny Theatre present a Howard, Sat 7 Apr, Symphony Hall, Tues 3 Apr, Regent Theatre, Stoke- highly visual, interactive response to Birmingham PANTOMANIA A Telford pantomime about Telford and made in Telford by on-Trent a world where the most offensive Telford people, until Thurs 5 Apr, FAT FRIENDS THE MUSICAL Stage ver- seem to set the agenda, Fri 6 Apr, The Place, Oakengates Theatre, sion of Kay Mellor’s award-winning MAC, Birmingham Telford, Shropshire TV show. Jodie Prenger, Sam Bailey, THIS IS MARGARET A story of demen- DNA The Young REP presents its ver- Natasha Hamilton, Kevin Kennedy & tia, family and memories, Fri 6 Apr, Comedy sion of Dennis Kelly’s explosive look Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff star, Tues 3 - Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton KANE BROWN, SLIM, PRINCE ABDI & JU- at group mentality, until Sat 7 Apr, Sat 7 Apr, New Alexandra Theatre, TRES, TRES CABARET Stafford's very NIOR BOOKER Sun 1 Apr, The Glee The REP, Birmingham Birmingham own burlesque and cabaret night. A Club, Birmingham LEXICON The UK’s leading contempo- EVIT Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Strictly over-18s only, Fri 6 Apr, THE COMEDY HUT Tues 3 Apr, The rary circus company return to New- Rice’s smash-hit musical, Tues 3 - Sat Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Civic, Stourport castle-under-Lyme to present the 7 Apr, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury MILKSHAKE! LIVE All-singing, all-danc- JOE LYCETT Thurs 5 Apr, Stafford world premiere of their brand new SOUTH PACIFIC LTC Youth present an ing stage show for children based on Gatehouse Theatre show, until Sat 21 Apr, New Vic The- amateur staging of Rodgers and the Channel Four programme, Fri 6 atre, Newcastle-under-Lyme Hammerstein’s award-winning musi- Apr, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent THE FANTASTIC FOLLIES OF MRS RICH cal, Tues 3 - Sat 7 Apr, The Brew- THE WICKED WIZARD OF FIZZOG Fiz- Mary Pix's comedy of manners, com- house Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent zog’s Froggatts and Cotterills charac- bining mischief-making and a mind- CHIP SHOP CHIPS Theatrical perfor- ters return with a parody of Wicked bending plot, until Thurs 14 Jun, The mance exploring love at different and The Wizard Of Oz, Fri 6 Apr, For- Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon ages and celebrating the nation’s est Arts Centre, Walsall THE DUCHESS OF MALFI Maria Aberg favourite food, Wed 4 Apr, Newhamp- POLICE COPS IN SPACE Join the award- directs John Webster's tale of re- ton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton winning Pretend Men as they present venge, which asks how anyone can SERVICE! THE LIVE SITCOM Fast-paced, an ’80s 'low-fi sci-fi' that’s set in ‘the survive in a world where masculinity foul-mouthed, relentless comedy set most dangerous place on Earth’... has become toxic, until Fri 3 Aug, in the restaurant of a four-star hotel, Space, Fri 6 - Sat 7 Apr, Old Joint Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Strat- Wed 4 - Thurs 5 Apr, Old Joint Stock Stock Theatre, Birmingham ford-upon-Avon Theatre, Birmingham CHIP SHOP CHIPS Theatrical perfor- MACBETH Shakespeare’s psychologi- HARD TIMES Northern Broadsides pre- mance exploring love at different cal thriller marks Christopher Eccle- sent a new adaptation of Charles ages and celebrating the nation’s ston’s RSC debut and Niamh Dickens’ novel, Wed 4 - Sat 14 Apr, favourite food, Fri 6 - Sat 7 Apr, The Cusack’s return to the company, until New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under- Wightman, Shrewsbury Tues 18 Sept, Royal Shakespeare Lyme WILDVIXEN'S BURLESQUE Hall of Fame Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon WICKED Award-winning musical Legends Extravaganza, Sat 7 Apr, STONES IN HIS POCKETS The Crescent telling the untold story of an unlikely Crescent Theatre, Birmingham KIRI PRITCHARD MCLEAN Thurs 5 Apr, Theatre Company presents its ver- but profound friendship between two THIS RESTLESS STATE Fuel Theatre MAC, Birmingham sion of Marie Jones' poignant tragi- young women, Wed 4 - Sun 29 Apr, present a highly personal examina- comedy, Sat 31 Mar - Sat 7 Apr, Birmingham Hippodrome DOREEN: RISE OF THE YAM-YAM Thurs 5 tion of family life, nationhood and be- Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Apr, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre DOREEN: RISE OF THE YAM YAM Join the longing, inspired by interviews with CIRQUE DU HILARIOUS Starring Clive comedy queen of the Black Country young Europeans, Sat 7 Apr, Arena ANGELA BARNES, PATRICK MONAHAN, Webb and Danny Adams - winners of as she challenges Darwin with her Theatre, Wolverhampton FREDDIE FARRELL & LAURA LEXX Thurs the Ken Dodd Comedy Award and very own Theory of Evolution, Thurs 5 Apr, The George Hotel, Lichfield LES MISERABLES Get Your Wigle On CFA Best Comedy Award, Sun 1 Apr, 5 Apr, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Teen Musical Theatre Group presents JOHN MOLONEY, JENNY COLLIER & COM- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre THE BEE PROJECT Show filled with its version of the award-winning musi- EDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON CHAMPIONS OF MAGIC Join an award- movement, glitter and friendship, cal, Sat 7 - Sun 8 Apr, Theatre Sev- Thurs 5 Apr, The Glee Club, B’ham winning team of liers, swindlers and Thurs 5 Apr, Arena Theatre, Wolver- ern, Shrewsbury JAMIE SUTHERLAND, KAREN BAYLEY, hampton whatsonlive.co.uk 53 The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs Sun 1 - Sun 8 April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2018 16:21 Page 3

thelist THE NILE HILTON INCIDENT (15) and National Drag Racing. Plus all Kids Shows Dance Drama/Thriller. Starring Fares, Mari things powerful off track including Malek. Foreign language, subtitled. Monster Trucks, Stunt Displays and MILKSHAKE! LIVE All-singing, all-danc- BALLET CENTRAL Featuring a mixed Stoke Film Theatre, Thurs 5 Apr more, until Sun 1 Apr, Santa Pod ing stage show for children based on bill from ‘world-renowned choreogra- COCO (U) Animation/Adventure. With Raceway, Wellingborough the Channel Four programme, Tues 3 phers’, Fri 6 Apr, Crescent Theatre, the voices of Anthony Gonzalez, Gael CADBURY EASTER EGG HUNTS All partic- Apr, Prince of Wales Centre, Cannock Birmingham García Bernal. MAC, Birmingham, ipants will be rewarded with a sure- DEAR ZOO Rod Campbell’s children’s Thurs 5 - Sun 8 Apr to-be-delicious Cadbury treat at the book is brought to life in a new stage PADDINGTON 2 (PG) Animation/Adven- end of each completed hunt, until show featuring puppetry, original ture. Starring Ben Whishaw, Hugh Mon 2 Apr, Wightwick Manor, Wolver- music and plenty of audience partici- Grant. Forest Arts Centre, Walsall, Fri hampton, Carding Mill Valley & The pation, Tues 3 - Wed 4 Apr, Lichfield Film 6 Apr Shropshire Hills, , At- Garrick tingham Park, Shrewsbury INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: HOW I ENDED THIS SUMMER (12) EASTER BUNNY'S EGGS FACTOR Family Drama. Starring Grigoriy Dobrygin, MCE INSURANCE BRITISH SUPERBIKE show for two-to-seven-year-olds, THE SHAPE OF WATER (15) Drama/Fan- Sergey Puskepalis. Foreign lan- CHAMPIONSHIP The 2018 British Su- packed with fun, songs, laughter and tasy. Starring Sally Hawkins, Octavia guage, subtitled. The Hive, Shrews- perbike Championship kicks off at lots of audience participation. Audi- Spencer. Light House Media Centre, bury, Fri 6 Apr Donington Park this Easter weekend ence members also get the chance Wolverhampton, until Tues 3 Apr; as home hero Leon Haslam gears up to meet the Easter Bunny and bag Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South BLACK PANTHER (12A) Adventure/Sci- to take on arch rival Shane 'Shakey' themselves an Easter treat, Wed 4 Shropshire, until Wed 4 Apr Fi. Starring Chadwick Boseman, Byrne who begins his title defence, Michael B. . Light House Apr, The Old Rep Theatre, B’ham LADY BIRD (15) Comedy/Drama. Star- until Mon 2 Apr, Donington Park Rac- Media Centre, Wolverhampton, Fri 6 - THE SAGAS OF NOGGIN THE NOG Oliver ring Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf. ing Circuit, Derby Sun 8 Apr Postgate’s iconic creation is brought Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, until LAMBING LIVE EASTER WEEKEND See to the stage in a new piece of theatre Thurs 5 Apr; Stoke Film Theatre, Tues SWEET COUNTRY (15) Crime/Drama. the new-born Jacob and Hebridean for children, Wed 4 - Thurs 5 Apr, 3 Apr; Festival Drayton Centre, Mar- Starring Bryan Brown, Matt Day. lambs and learn all about them from MAC, Birmingham ket Drayton, North Shropshire, Fri 6 MAC, Birmingham, Fri 6 - Mon 9 Apr the resident farmer, until Mon 2 Apr, THE LITTLE MERMAID Get Your Wigle Apr THE DIVINE ORDER (15) Trentham Gardens, Stoke-on-Trent On present an amateur staging of EARLY MAN (PG) Animation/Adventure. Comedy/Drama. Starring Marie Le- BRINGING THE PIT TO LIFE Highlighting Disney’s underwater adventure, Wed With the voices of Tom Hiddleston, unenberger, Maximillian Simonis- the newly restored Racecourse Col- 4 - Thurs 5 Apr, Theatre Severn, Eddie Redmayne. Light House Media chek. Foreign language, subtitled. liery which tells the important story of Shrewsbury Centre, Wolverhampton, until Thurs 5 MAC, Birmingham, Fri 6 - Tues 10 Apr coal mining at the heart of industriali- MONSTERSAURUS Energetic show for Apr; Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, WONDER WHEEL (12a) Drama. Starring sation in the Black Country, until Mon younger audiences packed with until Wed 4 Apr; Festival Drayton Justin Timberlake, Juno Temple. War- 2 Apr, Black Country Living Museum, thrills, spills, magic, mayhem, original Centre, Market Drayton, North Shrop- wick Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 6 - Dudley shire, Tues 3 Apr; Town Hall, music and plenty of audience partici- Tues 10 Apr; Old Market Hall, INSOMNIA62 A four-day event ‘com- North Shropshire, Sat 7 Apr pation, Wed 4 - Thurs 5 Apr, Shrewsbury, Fri 6 - Thurs 12 Apr bining all the best bits of video-gam- Stafford Gatehouse Theatre PETER RABBIT (PG) Animation/Adven- A WRINKLE IN TIME (PG) Family/Fan- ing’ and offering enthusiasts the HANSEL & GRETEL The award-winning ture. With the voices of James Cor- tasy. Starring Storm Reid, Oprah Win- chance to play an impressive selec- Metro-Boulod-Dodo bring their cre- den, Fayssal Bazzi. MAC, frey. Light House Media Centre, tion of both new and vintage games, ative flair and quirky humour to the Birmingham, until Thurs 5 April; Light Wolverhampton, Fri 6 - Thurs 12 Apr until Mon 2 Apr, NEC, Birmingham House Media Centre, Wolverhamp- classic Grimm Brothers fairytale, Wed THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA With daily ton, Fri 6 - Thurs 12 Apr; Old Market 4 - Sun 8 Apr, The Patrick Centre, MISSOURI (15) Mystery/Thriller. Star- bonnet competitions plus an Easter Hall, Shrewsbury, Fri 6 - Sat 14 Apr Birmingham Hippodrome ring Frances McDormand, Woody egg hunt around the venue, until Mon THE OWL WHO WAS AFRAID OF THE A FANTASTIC WOMAN (15) Drama. Star- Harrelson. Light House Media Cen- 2 Apr, Cadbury World, Birmingham ring Daniela Vega, Francisco Reyes. DARK Encouraging children to be tre, Wolverhampton, Fri 6 - Thurs 12 BURTON CHILDREN'S EASTER FESTIVAL Foreign language, subtitled. Light conquerors! ‘Guaranteed to raise Apr A brand new family festival for Bur- House Media Centre, Wolverhamp- smiles and calm the biggest fears’, ton-upon-Trent delivered by East ton, until Thurs 5 Apr Sat 7 Apr, MAC, Birmingham Staffordshire Borough Council’s Cul- FINDING YOUR FEET (12a) tural Services, the Children’s Easter PEPPA PIG’S ADVENTURE Brand new NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: live children’s show packed with ad- Comedy/Drama. Starring Joanna Festival will see a whole host of venture, games, laughs and live Lumley, Celia Imrie. Festival Drayton Released from Fri 6 April, showing at events for children of all ages and music, Sat 7 - Sun 8 Apr, Wolver- Centre, Market Drayton, North Shrop- selected cinemas their families, until Wed 4 Apr, The shire, Tues 3 Apr; Stoke Film Theatre, hampton Grand Theatre 120 BEATS PER MINUTE (15) Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon- Fri 6 - Sat 7 Apr Trent MORGAN & WEST'S - MORE MAGIC FOR A QUIET PLACE (tbc) KIDS Fusion of brain-busting illusion GOD’S OWN COUNTRY (15) Drama/Ro- EASTER HALF TERM Easter family fun DEATH WISH (18) and good old-fashioned tomfoolery, mance. Starring Josh O'Connor, Alec including a trail around the grounds where magic and silliness are the Secareanu. Stafford Gatehouse The- GHOST STORIES (15) and craft activities for children, until atre, Tues 3 April order of the day, Sun 8 Apr, Stafford LOVE, SIMON (12a) Sun 8 Apr, Sarehole Mill, Hall Green, DESPICABLE ME 3 (U) Animation/Ac- Birmingham Gatehouse Theatre THE HURRICANE HEIST (12a) tion. With the voices of Steve Carell, EASTER FUN ON THE FARM Meet the GRANDAD’S ISLAND Benji Davies’s THOROUGHBREDS (15) award-winning book is brought magi- Kristen Wiig. Forest Arts Centre, Wal- Easter bunny, join a fun Easter egg cally and sensitively to life with songs sall, Wed 4 Apr WONDERSTRUCK (PG) quiz trail, take part in egg & spoon and laughter, Sun 8 Apr, MAC, B’ham MONSTER FAMILY (PG) Animation/Com- races and create springtime crafts down on the farm this Easter holiday, EASTER BUNNY'S EGGS FACTOR Family edy. With the voices of Emily Watson, until Wed 11 Apr, Lower Drayton show for two-to-seven-year-olds, Jason Isaacs. Ludlow Assembly Farm, Nr Penkridge packed with fun, songs, laughter and Rooms, South Shropshire, Wed 4 - lots of audience participation. Audi- Thurs 5 Apr Events EGG HUNT Join in this fun hunt but THE EMOJI MOVIE (U) Animation/Ac- don’t forget to record the egg loca- ence members also get the chance FESTIVAL OF POWER An action packed tion. With the voices of T.J. Miller, tions on the quiz sheet – as you will to meet the Easter Bunny and bag Easter weekend of family Drag Rac- James Corden. Forest Arts Centre, hand in the sheet to receive a small themselves an Easter treat, Sun 8 ing entertainment including Top Fuel Walsall, Thurs 5 Apr prize, until Wed 11 Apr, Tamworth Apr, Mitchell Arts Centre, Hanley, Dragsters, Nitro Funny Cars, Jet Cars Stoke-on-Trent Castle 54 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs Sun 1 - Sun 8 April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2018 16:21 Page 4

Sunday 1 to Sunday 8 April

EASTER EGG HUNT An eggsciting 100 YEARS OF THE RAF FESTIVAL Cele- Easter egg hunt around the museum brate the foundation of the RAF in its - find all the letters and win a prize, centenary year with nostalgic activi- until Sat 14 Apr, Museum of the Jew- ties for the whole family to enjoy, Sun ellery Quarter, Birmingham 1 - Mon 2 Apr, RAF Cosford, Nr EGG-CITING EASTER ACTIVITIES Hop on Wolverhampton over to find a cracking programme of TRADITIONAL VICTORIAN EASTER ACTIVI- Easter fun ready and waiting, until TIES Entertainment on offer includes Sun 15 Apr, Black Country Living Mu- the chance to watch chicks’ eggs seum, Dudley hatch and chocolate eggs being EASTER AT WARWICK CASTLE Celebrate made, and the opportunity to print a the 950th anniversary of William the poster using a Victorian printing Conqueror’s motte and bailey castle press, Sun 1 - Sun 15 Apr, Blists Hill, on the site, until Sun 15 Apr, Warwick Ironbridge, Shropshire Castle EASTER HOLIDAYS AT BOTANICAL GAR- EASTER DINO EGG HUNT The Easter DENS A variety of fun activities to get Bunny doesn't visit Thinktank, but the involved with across the Easter holi- Easter Dinosaur does and they have days including arts and crafts, an left large Dino eggs hidden around Easter Bonnet Parade and chocolate the museum, until Sun 15 Apr, Think- workshop, Mon 2 - Fri 6 Apr, Birming- tank Science Museum, Birmingham ham Botanical Gardens EASTER HOLIDAY FAMILY FUN Enjoy two OPERATION EARTH SHOW Weekdays exclusive stage shows on your visit during Easter, take part in Operation this Easter, until Sun 15 Apr, Cadbury Earth, an exciting new family show Shropshire Scale Model Show - RAF Cosford, Nr Wolverhampton World, Birmingham exploring the amazing stories and science of the environment, Mon 2 - 4 - Thurs 5 Apr, Dudley Canal and parents, grandparents and carers to EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA Eggstrordi- Fri 13 Apr, Thinktank Science Mu- Tunnel Trust, Dudley make fun filled memories, Fri 6 - Sun nary games and fun at Easter time in- seum, Birmingham WILD TIMES: BACK TO NATURE Join 8 Apr, NEC, Birmingham cluding the Great Egg Hunt and lamb WildLife Survival School for an hour GO CANOEING! Take a turn on the man- feeding, until Sun 15 Apr, Park Hall THE BIG TREE CLIMB Join The Great of fun around the campfire and hand- made river behind the Mansion in a Farm, Oswestry, North Shropshire Big Tree Climbing Company who'll be on hand beside the mansion to show craft something to take home, Thurs canoe seeing the gardens from a SPRINGTIME AT SHUGBOROUGH Make you how to safely climb (with har- 5 Apr, Attingham Park, Shrewsbury new perspective, Sat 7 Apr, Shugbor- the most of the spring season with nesses) one of our oak trees. Enjoy LITTLE TREKKERS A fun and informa- ough Historic Working Estate, nature inspired activities and trails, in- the view of the grounds from above tive spring walk for all the family led Staffordshire cluding Explorers' Map, full of 50 and then zip line back down from the by the expert ranger guides, Thurs 5 BEHIND CLOSED DOORS - A DRAMATIC, Things fun, and canoeing sessions canopy, Tues 3 - Wed 4 Apr, Shug- Apr, Carding Mill Valley & The Shrop- COSTUMED EVENING TOUR OF ATTING- on the River Sow, until Sun 15 Apr, borough Historic Working Estate, shire Hills, Church Stretton, Shrop- HAM Let Lord Berwick take you back Shugborough Historic Working Es- Staffordshire shire in time for an exciting private tour of tate, Stafford CLAY CHICKS WORKSHOPS Drop-in FAMILY FUN DAY Take a family friendly the stunning ground floor of Atting- EGG-CELLENT EASTER AT DRAYTON workshops where visitors can make a guided tour of the Smith & Pepper ham Mansion, Sat 7 Apr, Attingham MANOR PARK Heart-stopping roller- clay chick and decorate with feathers jewellery factory and then enjoy a fun Park, Shrewsbury coasters in the main park and tod- to take home, Tues 3 - Thurs 5 Apr, craft activity in the Education Space, HSCC HISTORIC CAR CHAMPIONSHIP dler-friendly rides in Europe’s only The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Thurs 5 Apr, Museum of the Jewellery The Historic Sports Car Club arrive at Thomas Land are among the attrac- Stoke-on-Trent Quarter, Birmingham Donington Park this weekend trans- tions to enjoy at Drayton Manor porting the circuit back in time for two Theme Park this Easter, until Sun 15 EASTER CRAFT ACTIVITIES This Easter EAGLES AT EASTER An array of birds of days of classic and historic racing, Apr, Drayton Manor Theme Park, school holidays why not join in with prey including Hawks, Buzzards, Fal- Sat 7 - Sun 8 Apr, Donington Park Tamworth some fun Easter themed craft activi- cons, Owls and a Bald Eagle, along ties at Blakesley Hall on a Tuesday with their handlers will be on site all Racing Circuit, Derby ASTON IN WONDERLAND: A FAIRY TALE and Thursday, Tues 3 - Thurs 12 Apr, day to meet with visitors, Thurs 5 Apr, OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND The return of TAKEOVER Meet lots of your favourite Blakesley Hall, Birmingham RAF Cosford our popular model railway exhibition, story book characters including Alice, alongside opportunities for you to the Hatter, and the angry Queen as THE ADVENTURES OF MRS TIGGY-WIN- TREE CLIMBING WITH THE BIG TREE peep behind the scenes, Sat 7 - Sun you explore this spectacular building, KLE TRAIL Relive the magical story CLIMBING COMPANY Once you're kitted 8 Apr, Severn Valley Railway, Bewd- Sun 1 Apr, Aston Hall, Birmingham and reconnect with nature as Croft out, you'll get an opportunity to see starts to spring to life, Tues 3 - Sun 15 the 1,200 acre estate from a different ley, Nr Kidderminster EASTER SUNDAY AT BOTANICAL GAR- Apr, Croft Castle, Nr Leominster perspective, Thurs 5 - Fri 6 Apr, Erd- FALCONRY DISPLAYS AT TRENTHAM Her- DENS Celebrate Easter Sunday at the dig Hall, Wrexham itage Falconry will be at Trentham this Birmingham Botanical Gardens for a FEATHERS AND FLIGHT TRAIL Families Easter Holidays showing off these day packed full of fun, Sun 1 Apr, will need to be eagle-eyed as they ANTIQUES FOR EVERYONE SPRING FAIR magnificent birds, answering your Birmingham Botanical Gardens pass through the hangars in search The largest vetted art, antiques and of the answers to six tricky aircraft interiors fair outside of London, bring- questions and performing static bird MOTORFEST This popular and hugely and bird themed questions, Tues 3 - ing together over 160 specialist deal- displays, Sat 7 - Sun 8 Apr, Trentham well attended fixture on the classic Sun 15 Apr, RAF Cosford, Nr Wolver- ers showcasing over 30,000 pieces Gardens, Stoke-on-Trent vehicle calendar will welcome classic hampton including furniture, ceramics, jew- PCA SAXON CLASSIC The very first PCA cars, motorcycles, military 4x4s, per- ellery, paintings, sculptures, bronzes bodybuilding event of the 2018 body- formance cars, classic commercials, GET GEOCACHING Explore Attingham and more, Thurs 5 - Sun 8 Apr, NEC, building calendar, Sun 8 Apr, Lichfield tractors and stationary engines, Sun as you hunt for hidden geocaches Birmingham Garrick 1 Apr, Weston Park, Staffs around the grounds, Wed 4 Apr, At- tingham Park, Shrewsbury TUNNEL TEDS A day to bring your furry SHROPSHIRE SCALE MODEL SHOW MEDIEVAL MERRIMENT The hall will be friend along for a ted-tastic day of Thousands of modelling fans from filled with Medieval music and danc- LITTLE SKIPPERS - EASTER FUN Get bear-themed fun on and around the across the country will descend on ing, talented re-enactors will demon- crafty to create a flower for the spring canal, Fri 6 Apr, Dudley Canal and the RAF Museum Cosford for the an- strate the arts of archery and cookery garden, make yourself some bunny Tunnel Trust nual Shropshire Modellers' Show, in the Middle Ages, Sun 1 - Mon 2 ears then put on your explorer’s pith Sun 8 Apr, RAF Cosford, Nr Wolver- Apr, Harvington Hall, Kidderminster helmet and binoculars to tackle the KIDTROPOLIS Kidtropolis a place for Easter Egg themed wildlife hunt, Wed children to play and have fun and for hampton whatsonlive.co.uk 55 The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 9-15 April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2018 11:15 Page 1

thelist 3 GENERATIONS OF SKA ham Town Hall ALUN COCHRANE Thurs 12 Apr, The- Gigs Fri 13 Apr, O2 NEW ORLEANS HEAT Sat Classical atre Severn, Shrewsbury Academy, Birmingham 14 Apr, Ludlow As- JARRED CHRISTMAS, THE NOISE NEXT NIGHT RIOTS Mon 9 BAD MANNERS Fri 13 sembly Rooms, South Music DOOR & COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH Apr, O2 Academy, Apr, The Robin, Bilston Shropshire ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 12 Apr, The Birmingham LES MCKEOWN'S BAY NASHVILLE Sat 14 Apr, DANIEL MOULT ORGAN CONCERT Pro- Glee Club, Birmingham grame includes works by Handel, ROY ORBISON IN CITY ROLLERS Fri 13 Genting Arena, Birm- TONY LAW Fri 13 Apr, The Glee Club, Mozart, Liszt, Whitlock, J.Van Oort- DREAMS Mon 9 Apr, Apr, Stafford Gate- ingham Birmingham merssen & Wammes, Mon 9 Apr, Genting Arena, B’ham house Theatre GEIN'S FAMILY GIFTSHOP MARILLION Sat 14 Apr, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Fri 13 Apr, MYRKUR Mon 9 Apr, ROXY MUSIQUE Sat 14 Symphony Hall, Birm- MAC, Birmingham CONVINO Music from the courts of Hare & Hounds, Birm- Apr, The Place, Oak- ingham SIMON CLAYTON, JARRED CHRISTMAS, Europe featuring Catriona McDermid ingham engates Theatre, BIGFOOT Sat 14 Apr, THE NOISE NEXT DOOR & LAURA LEXX Telford (bassoon), Katie Cowling NERINA PALLOT Mon 9 The Slade Rooms, (oboe/recorder) & Johann Löfving Fri 13 Apr, The Glee Club, B’ham Apr, The Glee Club, THE KITCHEN COLLEC- Wolverhampton (theorbo), Mon 9 Apr, The Lion CARL HUTCHINSON Fri 13 Apr, Stafford Birmingham TIVE Sat 14 Apr, MARTINE MCCUTCHEON Hotel, Shrewsbury Gatehouse Theatre Newhampton Arts THE LOWEST PAIR Mon Sat 14 Apr, Theatre SIMON EVANS 14 Apr, The Edge Arts Centre, W’hampton LINES/REDGRAVE/MCCARTHY TRIO Fea- 9 Apr, Stafford Gate- Severn, Shrewsbury turing Timothy Lines (clarinet), Rose Centre, , South house Theatre JANIS JOPLIN & LABOUR OF LOVE - UB40 Redgrave (viola) & Eliza McCarthy Shropshire FRIENDS IN THE WOOD- PEACE Mon 9 Apr, The TRIBUTE Sat 14 Apr, (piano). Programme includes new JARRED CHRISTMAS, SIMON CLAYTON, STOCK EXPERIENCE Sat Sunflower Lounge, Dudley Brewhouse works by James Abel, Luke Harri- LAURA LEXX & COMIC TBC Sat 14 Apr, 14 Apr, Theatre On Birmingham Blues Club son, Millicent James, Henryk The Glee Club, Birmingham The Steps, Bridgnorth Golden, Ka Kwok, Oliver Mack and ASTON MERRYGOLD LIONS OF DISSENT Sat GUZ KHAN, STEPHEN BAILEY, KIRI GIRLS ROCK! FESTIVAL Kailan Barton-Porte, Wed 11 Apr, Tues 10 Apr, O2 Insti- 14 Apr, The Sunflower PRITCHARD-MCLEAN & ALISTAIR Sat 14 Apr, Eleven, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire tute, Birmingham Lounge, Birmingham WILLIAMS Sat 14 Apr, The Comedy Sandyford, Stoke-on- RUDOLF BUCHBINDER: SCHUMANN Fea- JCM Tues 10 Apr, The ARCADE FIRE Sun 15 Loft, Birmingham Trent turing the City of Birmingham Sym- Robin, Bilston Apr, Genting Arena, CARL HUTCHINSON Sat 14 Apr, The- DARREN (808 STATE), DJ phony Orchestra, Mirga Birmingham atre Severn, Shrewsbury JETHRO TULL 50TH AN- NIPPER AND ROBBIE Gražinyt -Tyla (conductor), Rudolf ANDREW W.K. Sun 15 NIVERSARY TOUR Tues AVERY Sat 14 Apr, Hare Buchbinderė (piano). Programme in- ROFL! COMEDY CLUB Sat 14 Apr, The 10 Apr, Symphony & Hounds, Birming- Apr, O2 Institute, Birm- cludes works by Wagner, Schumann Old Post Office, Stoke-On-Trent ingham Hall, Birmingham ham & Beethoven, Thurs 12 Apr, Sym- ALUN COCHRANE Sun 15 Apr, The ZERVAS AND PEPPER THE JULIAN SIEGAL SEYES Sun 15 Apr, The phony Hall, Birmingham Glee Club, Birmingham Wed 11 Apr, Henry QUINTET' Sat 14 Apr, Robin, Bilston CBSO FRIENDS Featuring Zoe Beyers Tudor House, Shrews- The Hive, Shrewsbury RAYMOND FROGGATT (violin), Adam Romer (viola) & bury THE MGM MUSICALS Sun 15 Apr, The Slade Richard Jenkinson (cello). Pro- THE LOST WILL AND Sat 14 Apr, Theatre Rooms, Wolverhamp- gramme includes works by TESTAMENT OF JAKE Severn, Shrewsbury ton Beethoven, Rosza, Kodaly, Theatre THAKRAY Wed 11 Apr, SPEAK, BROTHER Sun Dohnanyi, Fri 13 Apr, Festival Dray- THE COUNTERFEIT NOEL & GERTIE The story of a 54 year The Robin, Bilston 15 Apr, Hare & ton Centre, Market Drayton, North STONES Sat 14 Apr, friendship between Noel Coward Hounds, Birmingham Shropshire DAN OWEN Wed 11 Apr, The Robin, Bilston and Gertrude Lawrence, Mon 9 - Sat Theatre Severn, ROYAL BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE MERCURY - THE ULTI- THE WHITNEY HOUSTON 14 Apr, The Oldbury Rep Shrewsbury SHOW Sun 15 Apr, WIND ORCHESTRA Featuring Keith MATE QUEEN TRIBUTE Brion (conductor). Programme com- VAMPIRE’S ROCK: THE GHOST TRAIN KIM WILDE: HERE COME Symphony Hall, Birm- Sat 14 Apr, Victoria prises works by Sousa, Fri 13 Apr, Steve Steinman ramps up the vamp THE ALIENS TOUR Wed ingham Hall, Stoke-on-Trent Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in this sequel show, Tues 10 Apr, 11 Apr, William Aston ELKIE BROOKS: PEARLS HEATHER SMALL Sun 15 New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Hall, Wrexham Apr, William Aston EUROPEAN UNION CHAMBER ORCHES- GREATEST HITS TOUR TRA Featuring Crispian Steele TURN OF THE SCREW Henry James' JASPER CARROT'S Hall, Wrexham Sat 14 Apr, Birming- Perkins (trumpet). Programme in- classic ghost story, Tues 10 - Sat 14 STAND UP AND ROCK cludes works by Purcell, Respighi, Apr, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Wed 11 - Sat 14 Apr, Haydn, Annd Disley-Simpson & Lichfield Garrick MACBETH The National Production Mozart, Sun 15 Apr, St Alkmund’s Company presents its version of A BRIEF HISTORY OF Church, Shrewsbury Shakespeare's famous bloodfest, MUSIC Thurs 12 Apr, PRO YOUTH PHILHARMONIA Inaugural Tues 10 - Sat 14 Apr, The Old Rep Stafford Gatehouse concert, Sun 15 Apr, Victoria Hall, Theatre, Birmingham Theatre Stoke-on-Trent BRIGHTON ROCK Pilot Theatre and A 60S NIGHT OUT Thurs ILKER ARCAYIÜREK: SCHUMANN AND York Theatre Royal bring the dark 12 Apr, Theatre Sev- SHUBERT Also featuring Hartmut Höll underworld of Graham Greene's ern, Shrewsbury (piano). Programme includes works classic novel to the stage in this new AYANNA WITTER-JOHN- by Schumann & Schubert, Sun 15 adaptation by acclaimed writer Bry- SON Thurs 12 Apr, Apr, Birmingham Town Hall ony Lavery, Tues 10 - Sat 14 Apr, The Symphony Hall, Birm- REP, Birmingham ingham LOVEHARD: TALES FROM THE ELSE- GUNS OR ROSES Fri 13 WHERE Double act Lovehard present Apr, Eleven, Sandy- their brand new show, Wed 11 Apr, ford, Stoke on Trent Comedy Old Joint Stock Theatre, B’ham JANIS JOPLIN & T J HIGGS PSYCHIC MEDIUM SHOW ALUN COCHRANE Wed 11 Apr, Stafford FRIENDS IN THE WOOD- Wed 11 Apr, The Place, Oakengates Gatehouse Theatre STOCK EXPERIENCE Fri Theatre, Telford, Shropshire MILTON JONES Thurs 12 Apr, The 13 Apr, Theatre On LEAVING Immersive experience which The Steps, Bridgnorth Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford Heather Small - William Aston Hall, Wrexham promises to change the way in

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Monday 9 - Sunday 15 April

which we think about young people Les Petits returns to the high seas tank Science Museum, Birmingham made river behind the Mansion in a in care and beyond, Wed 11 - Sat 14 with its highly anticipated sequel, EASTER HOLIDAY FAMILY FUN Enjoy two canoe seeing the gardens from a Apr, The REP, Birmingham based on the award-winning book by exclusive stage shows on your visit new perspective, Thurs 12 Apr, Shug- THE DRESSING ROOM New comedy Giles Andreae and Russell Ayto, Fri this Easter, until Sun 15 Apr, Cadbury borough Historic Working Estate, from Bobby Ball - who also stars, 13 Apr, MAC, Birmingham World, Birmingham Stafford alongside Tommy Cannon, Stu Fran- THE TWISTED TALE OF HANSEL AND GRE- EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA Eggstrordi- WILD TIMES: BACK TO NATURE Join cis and Johnnie Casson star, Thurs TEL The award-winning Metro-Boulot- nary games and fun at Easter time in- WildLife Survival School for an hour 12 Apr, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Dodo join forces with Open Theatre cluding the Great Egg Hunt and lamb of fun around the campfire and hand- TRACEY COLLINS: WORK IN PROGRESS Company to bring their 'creative flair feeding, until Sun 15 Apr, Park Hall craft something to take home, Thurs The award-winning Tracey Collins and quirky sense of humour' to the Farm, Oswestry 12 Apr, Attingham Park, Shrewsbury famous fairytale from the Brothers (Tina T'urner Tea Lady) invites audi- SPRINGTIME AT SHUGBOROUGH Make LITTLE TREKKERS A fun and informa- ences to meet cabaret comedy char- Grimm, Sat 14 Apr, Forest Arts Cen- tive spring walk for all the family led tre, Walsall the most of the spring season with acters including Young nature inspired activities and trails, in- by the expert ranger guides, Thurs 12 Whippersnapper, Audrey Heartburn THE AMAZING BUBBLE MAN Featuring cluding Explorers' Map, full of 50 Apr, Carding Mill Valley & The Shrop- and Barber Streisand, Thurs 12 Apr, the Amazing Bubble Man and all Things fun, and canoeing sessions shire Hills, Church Stretton, Shrop- Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham manner of, er, bubbles! Sat 14 Apr, on the River Sow, until Sun 15 Apr, shire THE RESISTABLE RISE OF ARTURO UI Birmingham Town Hall Shugborough Historic Working Es- FAMILY FUN DAY Take a family friendly Newman University present Bertolt YOU’VE GOT DRAGONS Taking Flight tate, Staffordshire guided tour of the Smith & Pepper Brecht's parable of the rise of Hitler, Theatre present a touching explo- EGG-CELLENT EASTER AT DRAYTON jewellery factory and then enjoy a fun Thurs 12 - Fri 13 Apr, Crescent The- ration of the dragons we all face, Sat MANOR PARK Heart-stopping roller- craft activity in the Education Space, atre, Birmingham 14 Apr, Arena Theatre, Wolverhamp- coasters in the main park and tod- Thurs 12 Apr, Museum of the Jew- STAGE DOOR JOHNNY: LESS MISERABLE ton dler-friendly rides in Europe’s only ellery Quarter, Birmingham Enjoy an evening of standards from THE NOSE THAT NOBODY PICKED Thomas Land are among the attrac- EAGLES AT EASTER An array of birds of the world of musical theatre, ‘lovingly Mountains of mucus, toe-tapping tions to enjoy at Drayton Manor prey including Hawks, Buzzards, Fal- shredded, ripped off and potentially tunes and two nostrils full of magic Theme Park this Easter, until Sun 15 cons, Owls and a Bald Eagle, along ruined for good!’ Fri 13 Apr, Old Joint are the order of the day in this stage Apr, Drayton Manor Theme Park, with their handlers will be on site all Stock Theatre, Birmingham adaptation of David Parkin’s much- Tamworth day to meet with visitors, Thurs 12 THE TIME MACHINE Rebecca Vaughan loved book, Sun 15 Apr, MAC, B’ham SURGERY, MEDICINE AND MAGIC IN Apr, RAF Cosford presents Elton Townend Jones’ radi- ANGLO SAXON ENGLAND Choose a bat- VOICES OF WOMEN IN THE GREAT WAR cal new interpretation of the HG Wells tle wound or malady to take to the AND ITS AFTERMATH An exciting con- classic, in which a Victorian time trav- Wise Woman and see what she ference organised by the Women’s eller transcends the ages - from the would prescribe as a cure... Mon 9 History Network Midlands Region, ex- fall of man to the end of the world, Dance Apr, The Potteries Museum & Art ploring women’s experiences during Sat 14 Apr, Stafford Gatehouse The- Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent the war and in the years that fol- GIOVANNI PERNICE BORN TO WIN Join atre GO CANOEING! Take a turn on the man- lowed, Fri 13 - Sat 14 Apr, Black the Strictly star for an evening of Country Living Museum, Dudley PALS Dark, poignant comedy follow- ‘glitzy costumes and amazing rou- made river behind the Mansion in a ing the story of two innocent and en- tines’, Sun 15 Apr, The Place, Oaken- canoe seeing the gardens from a ARCHERY AT TRENTHAM GARDENS Try thusiastic men who volunteer their gates Theatre, Telford, Shropshire new perspective, Tues 10 Apr, Shug- your hand at a spot of archery this services to Britain after Kitchener's borough Historic Working Estate, Easter Holiday - the experts will be on call for a New Army, Sat 14 Apr, Old Stafford hand to give you tips and advice at Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham these taster sessions, Fri 13 - Sun 15 THE FAAAAAAABULOUS CERI DUPREE Apr, Trentham Gardens, Stoke-on- SHOW Female impersonator Ceri pre- Events Trent sents a brand new show, complete MAKE A WOODEN BUNNY WORKSHOP with costumes, routines, jokes and EASTER FUN ON THE FARM Meet the Get into the spirit of spring and create songs, Sat 14 Apr, Mitchell Arts Cen- Easter bunny, join a fun Easter egg a bunny decoration for your home or tre, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent quiz trail, take part in egg & spoon garden at the Make a wooden bunny races and create springtime crafts workshops, Sat 14 Apr, Attingham down on the farm this Easter holiday, Park, Shrewsbury until Wed 11 Apr, Lower Drayton TUNES FROM THE TRENCHES Step Farm, Nr Penkridge aboard the special electric trip boats EGG HUNT Join in this fun hunt but which will transport you deep into the Kids Shows don’t forget to record the egg loca- OZZY OWL PUPPET WORKSHOP Drop-in underground tunnels of Dudley to the tions on the quiz sheet – as you will event where young visitors are invited magnificent Singing Cavern for an JUSTIN’S BAND Join Justin and his hand in the sheet to receive a small to have-a-go making a flapping split hour of musical entertainment, Sat 14 friends on a musical journey, singing prize, until Wed 11 Apr, Tamworth pin Ozzy Owl puppet inspired by the Apr, Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust lots of songs and learning about mu- Castle museum’s slipware owl, Tues 10 - sical instruments along the way, Tues Wed 11 Apr, The Potteries Museum & THE MAN ENGINE The largest mechani- EASTER EGG HUNT 10 Apr, Birmingham Town Hall An eggsciting Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent cal puppet ever constructed in Britain Easter egg hunt around the museum will be paying a visit to Blists Hill Vic- LIBRARY LION Children’s story featur- - find all the letters and win a prize, LITTLE SKIPPERS - EASTER FUN Get torian Town, Sat 14 Apr, Blists Hill, ing songs, laughter and lots of inter- until Sat 14 Apr, Museum of the Jew- crafty to create a flower for the spring Ironbridge, Shropshire active learning games, Tues 10 - ellery Quarter, Birmingham garden, make yourself some bunny Thurs 12 Apr, MAC, Birmingham ears then put on your explorer’s pith THE FAST SHOW The first performance EGG-CITING EASTER ACTIVITIES Hop on and modified car event on the calen- MORGAN & WEST: MORE MAGIC FOR helmet and binoculars to tackle the over to find a cracking programme of dar, Sun 15 Apr, Santa Pod Raceway, KIDS Easter Egg themed wildlife hunt, Tues Join the time-travelling musi- Easter fun ready and waiting, until Wellingborough cians as they return to the stage with 10 - Thurs 12 Apr, Dudley Canal and Sun 15 Apr, Black Country Living Mu- Tunnel Trust WILDFAMILIES DISCOVER Join Stafford- a show full of crazy capers for the seum, Dudley young, old and everyone in between, GET GEOCACHING Explore Attingham shire Wildlife Trust in the Natural His- EASTER DINO EGG HUNT Thurs 12 Apr, Ludlow Assembly The Easter as you hunt for hidden geocaches tory Gallery to find our more about Rooms, South Shropshire Bunny doesn't visit Thinktank, but the around the grounds, Wed 11 Apr, At- local wildlife, Sun 15 Apr, The Potter- Easter Dinosaur does and they have ies Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on- CAPTAIN FLINN AND THE PIRATE DI- tingham Park, Shrewsbury left large Dino eggs hidden around Trent NOSAURS - THE MAGIC CUTLASS the museum, until Sun 15 Apr, Think- GO CANOEING! Take a turn on the man- whatsonlive.co.uk 57 The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 16-22 April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2018 10:58 Page 1

APRIL/MAY HIGHLIGHTS

3-4 APR

Sunday 15 April, 3.00pm DEAR ZOO GIOVANNI PERNICE £14.00

6 APR

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4 MAY Thursday 13 May, 7.30pm THE KEEP IT COUNTRY SHOW

AN EVENING WITH PAUL GAMBACCINI

£25.50 Wednesday 9 May, 7.30pm AN AUDIENCE WITH SIMON KING 24 MAY

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58 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 16-22 April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2018 10:58 Page 2

thelist Monday 16 - Sunday 22 April 19 Apr, MAC, B’ham ingham Gigs SNOWPOET Thurs 19 COASTS Sat 21 Apr, O2 Classical Comedy Apr, Hare & Hounds, Academy, Birmingham GOAT GIRL Mon 16 Apr, ILIZA SHLESINGER Wed 18 Apr, The Birmingham Hare & Hounds, Birm- MAJOR TOMS & DJ Music Glee Club, Birmingham THE QUO EXPERIENCE Fri GROOVE CAT Sat 21 Apr, ingham DAVE FULTON, SUSIE MCCABE & COM- 20 Apr, The Place, Newhampton Arts LONDON BRIDGE TRIO Featuring David TAYLOR BENNETT Mon EDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Oakengates Theatre, Centre, Wolverhamp- Adams (violin), Kate Gould (cello) & 16 Apr, O2 Academy, Thurs 19 Apr, The Glee Club, B’ham Telford ton Daniel Tong (piano). Programme in- Birmingham cludes works by Fanny Mendelssohn ROBIN INCE Fri 20 Apr, MAC, B’ham ULTIMATE COLDPLAY Fri TAX THE HEAT Sat 21 PHIL VASSAR Mon 16 & Schumann, Tues 17 Apr, Royal 20 Apr, The River Apr, The Flapper, Birm- DAVE FULTON, SUSIE MCCABE, DAN Apr, The Robin, Bilston Birmingham Conservatoire Rooms, Stourbridge ingham THOMAS & ANDRE VINCENT Fri 20 - Sat AQUILO Mon 16 Apr, O2 SAINT-SAËNS' ORGAN SYMPHONY Fea- 21 Apr, The Glee Club, Birmingham LOTTO BOYZZ Fri 20 Apr, RACHEL NEWTON Sat 21 turing the City of Birmingham Sym- Institute, Birmingham ROBIN INCE Sat 21 Apr, Arena The- O2 Institute, B’ham Apr, The Hive, Shrews- phony Orchestra, Harish Shankar THE HOMESICK Mon 16 atre, Wolverhampton SOME ENCHANTED bury (conductor), Boris Giltburg (piano) & Apr, The Sunflower EVENING Fri 20 Apr, Darius Battiwalla (organ). Pro- Lounge, Birmingham Crescent Theatre, gramme includes works by Ravel, DUA LIPA Tues 17 Apr, Birmingham Prokofiev & Saint-Saëns, Wed 18 Genting Arena, Birm- AIDAN O'ROURKE & KIT Apr, Symphony Hall, Birmingham ingham DOWNES Fri 20 Apr, ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: DEBUSSY THE WHITE BUFFALO Theatre Severn, AND RODRIGO Featuring Andrew Grif- Tues 17 Apr, O2 Insti- Shrewsbury fiths (conductor) & Pedro H. da Silva tute, Birmingham ALEXANDER O'NEAL Fri (guitar). Programme includes works TRIVIUM Tues 17 Apr, 20 Apr, Birmingham by Debussy, Rodrigo & Bizet, Wed O2 Academy, B’ham 18 Apr, Birmingham Town Hall Town Hall MADDY PRIOR WITH LISA STANSFIELD Tues DUETS FOR DJANGO Fri GILES LEWIN AND HAN- CAMERATA CHOIR Featuring Tuan Yi NICO YEARWOOD, NICK PAGE, LUKE 17 Apr, Symphony 20 Apr, Lichfield Gar- NAH JAMES Sat 21 Apr, Koh, King Chan & Darrel Chan (con- TOULSON & COMIC TBC Sat 21 Apr, Hall, Birmingham rick Lichfield Guildhall ductors). Programme includes works The Comedy Loft, Birmingham by Arvo Part, Rachmaninov, Schu- CASEY Wed 18 Apr, The JONNY AWSUM, CHRISTOPHER LOBSTER SHACK Fri 20 T.REXTASY Sat 21 Apr, bert, Bruckner, Tallis & Weelkes, Asylum, Birmingham Apr, Hare & Hounds, The Robin, Bilston MACARTHUR-BOYD, PAT CAHILL & Thurs 19 Apr, Royal Birmingham DAMION LARKIN Sat 21 Apr, Regent LIGHTYEAR, LOBSTER & Birmingham INTO THE SHADOWS Sat Conservatoire Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent BLACK MARKET BEAT DAN REED Fri 20 Apr, 21 Apr, Theatre On PETER DONOHOE: MOZART PIANO CYCLE Wed 18 Apr, The Flap- ROFL! COMEDY CLUB Sat 21 Apr, The Eleven, Sandyford, The Steps, Bridgnorth, RECITAL Thurs 19 Apr, Royal Birming- per, Birmingham Old Post Office, Stoke-On-Trent Stoke-on-Trent Shropshire ham Conservatoire GRANT LEE PHILLIPS ISAAC GRACIE Fri 20 VALOUS, WHORE NO SEVERN JESTERS #58 Sun 22 Apr, Wed 18 Apr, Hare & Apr, O2 Institute, Birm- MORE, THE LOVED... Sat Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Hounds, Birmingham ingham 21 Apr, The Slade DEAN FRIEDMAN'S 40TH INTO THE SHADOWS Fri Rooms, Wolverhamp- ANNIVERSARY Wed 18 20 Apr, Theatre On ton Apr, The Robin, Bilston The Steps, Bridgnorth, KIM WILDE: HERE COME SAVAGE MESSIAH Wed South Shropshire THE ALIENS TOUR Sat Theatre 18 Apr, O2 Academy, MALLORY KNOX Fri 20 21 Apr, Birmingham ON THE TRACK University of Wolver- Birmingham Apr, The Sugarmill, Town Hall hampton Musical Theatre students THE STREETS Thurs 19 Stoke-on-Trent Sun 22 present an original musical mystery SHREWSBURY SCHOOL MUSICIANS IN Apr, O2 Academy, Apr, O2 Institute, Birm- thriller set in the 1930s, Mon 16 Apr, THE COMMANDMENTS CONCERT Fri 20 Apr, St Chad’s Birmingham ingham Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton Sat 21 Apr, The River Church, Shrewsbury THE HERBALISER Thurs Rooms, Stourbridge LUCY DACUS Sun 22 THE LAST SHIP UK premiere of Sting's SCHUBERT’S TROUT QUINTET Featuring 19 Apr, Mama Roux's, Apr, Hare & Hounds, personal, political and passionate WANNABE - THE SPICE Robert Markham (piano), Jonathan Birmingham GIRLS SHOW Sat 21 Birmingham musical - an epic tale of community, Martindale (violin), Christopher Yates hope and a great act of collective de- BERNARD ALLISON, Apr, The Place, Oaken- MYSTERY, PRESTO BAL- (viola), Kate Setterfield (cello) & An- fiance, Mon 16 - Sat 21 Apr, New VANJA SKY & MIKE ZITO gates Theatre, Telford LET & MIDNIGHT SUN thony Alcock (double-bass). Pro- Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Thurs 19 Apr, The SEVEN DRUNKEN NIGHTS Sun 22 Apr, The Robin, gramme includes works by Bridge & Robin, Bilston Sat 21 Apr, Lichfield Bilston Schubert, Fri 20 Apr, CBSO Centre, BLOOD BROTHERS Willy Russell’s award-winning musical, Mon 16 - Sat JOAN AS POLICE Garrick BANGLA NEW YEAR: PO- Birmingham 21 Apr. Wolverhampton Grand The- WOMAN: DAMNED DEVO- HELA BOISHAKH Sun 22 LOST HORIZONS Sat 21 SALISBURY CONCERT BAND Sat 21 Apr, atre TION TOUR Thurs 19 Apr, O2 Institute, Birm- Apr, Birmingham Town Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Ludlow, Apr, Birmingham Town ingham Hall South Shropshire A NEED TO KILL University of Wolver- Hall FM Sun 22 Apr, The hampton Musical Theatre students THE MELVIN HANCOX BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS’ SYMPHONY present an original murder-mystery HAWKLORDS Thurs 19 River Rooms, Stour- BAND Sat 21 Apr, Route ORCHESTRA Featuring Michael Seal set in the 1930s, Tues 17 Apr, Arena Apr, Eleven, Sandy- bridge 44, Birmingham (conductor) & Richard Harwood Theatre, Wolverhampton ford, Stoke-on-Trent THE BIG BAND Sun 22 (soloist). Programme includes works DIRTY DC Sat 21 Apr, ALL SHOOK UP Musical theatre SUBMOTION ORCHESTRA Apr, Prince Of Wales by Dvorak, Berlioz & Sibelius, Sat 21 Eleven, Sandyford, Stafford present a performance in- Thurs 19 Apr, Hare & Centre, Cannock & Sun 22 Apr, The Bramall, B’ham Stoke on Trent spired by and featuring the songs of Hounds, Birmingham WINTER WILSON Sat 21 RHINO'S REVENGE Sun THE ENGLISH PREMIERE OF DEWI SANT Elvis Presley, Tues 17 - Sat 21 Apr, UGLY KID JOE Thurs 19 Apr, Birchmeadow 22 Apr, Eleven, Sandy- BY KARL JENKINS James Lewis con- Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Apr, O2 Institute, Birm- ford, Stoke-on-Trent ducts his Birmingham choirs - Birm- Centre, , MRS WARREN’S PROFESSION Stoke ingham Shropshire REJJIE SNOW Sun 22 ingham Canoldir Male Choir, Midlands Hospitals’ Choir and Rep Players present an amateur KATHRYN ROBERTS AND FAITH EVANS Sat 21 Apr, O2 Institute, Birm- Phoenix Singers Birmingham, Sun staging of George Bernard Shaw’s SEAN LAKEMAN Thurs Apr, O2 Institute, Birm- ingham 22 Apr, Symphony Hall, Birmingham play, Tues 17 - Sat 21 Apr, Stoke whatsonlive.co.uk 59 The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 16-22 April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2018 10:58 Page 3

3rd - 7th April, 7.30pm 2.30pmm Sat Mat LTC Youth South Pacific Tickets: £12, £10 conc.

10 April - 19 May De Ferrers Academy: Lyrically Speaking

Free Exhibition

21st April, 2pm & 7pm The All-England Theatre Festival: Quarter Finals Tickets: £8 or 2 for £14

25 April, 8pm Jeremy Hardy Live

Tickets:TiTickets:ckets: ££12, 1£142, ££1010 SSatat MMtt

26th April, 7.30pm Chris Ronald

Tickets: £8, £10 otd

2nd May, 7.30pm Once upon a Wednesday Jan Blake - Old Women

Tickets: £6, £8 otd

10th May, 8pm Simon Evans: Genius

Tickets: £14

7th June, 7.30pm Red Ladder Thatre NOW Damned United BOOKING

Tickets: £12, £10 conc.

9th June, 7.30pm Patsy Cline NOW & Friends BOOKING Tickets: £17.50

Box office: 01283 508100 BOOK ONLINE AT www.brewhouse.co.uk Brewhouse Arts Centre Union Street, Burton-upon-Trent Staffordshire DE14 1AA

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Monday 16 - Sunday 22 April

Repertory Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Stratford-upon-Avon THIS HOUSE Critically acclaimed play OLIVER SAMUELS & VOLIER MAFFY providing an often amusing insight JOHNSON IN FRENEMY Family comedy into the workings of British politics, exploring the most testing of friend- Tues 17 - Sat 21 Apr, The REP, B’ham ships, Sun 22 Apr, New Alexandra THE GLASS MENAGERIE Brand new ver- Theatre, Birmingham sion of Tennessee Williams’ famous ‘memory play’, Tues 17 - Sat 28 Apr, The Wightman, Shrewsbury THE TOWN THE GREAT WAR BUILT - WW1 PROJECT Stafford Gatehouse Youth Kids Shows Theatre present a devised piece, TWINKLE, TWINKLE, LITTLE STARS Wed 18 - Fri 20 Apr, Stafford Gate- Stage 2 presents a staging of Ger- house Theatre vase Phinn's sequel to the much-ac- GYPSY QUEEN The story of 'Gorgeous claimed A Wayne In A Manager, Wed George' O’Connell, a bare-knuckle 18 - Sat 21 Apr, Crescent Theatre, fighter and traveller whose foray into Birmingham the world of professional boxing puts THERE WAS AN OLD WOMAN WHO SWAL- him on a collision course with his LOWED A FLY The People’s Theatre roots, his identity and his greatest present a new young persons pan- fear... Wed 18 - Sat 21 Apr, Old Joint tomime, Sun 22 Apr, MAC, B’ham Stock Theatre, Birmingham HORRIBLE HISTORIES Education and Blood Brothers - Wolverhampton Grand Theatre EDUCATING RITA Willy Russell’s classic entertainment combine as favourite comedy, Wed 18 Apr - Sat 5 May characters from ‘our barmy past’ take YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE (15) wines and the odd gin, Fri 20 - Sat 21 New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under- to the stage, Sun 22 - Mon 23 Apr, Mystery/Thriller. Starring Joaquin Apr, Middleport Pottery, Burslem, Lyme The Place, Oakengates, Telford Phoenix, Dante Pereira-Olson. Stoke Stoke-on-Trent DAVID BADDIEL - MY FAMILY: NOT THE Film Theatre, Fri 20 - Sat 21 Apr ST. GEORGE'S DAY To celebrate the pa- SITCOM Much-acclaimed show about I, TONYA (15) Biography/Comedy. tron saint of England, the Castle is memory, ageing, infidelity, dysfunc- Starring Margot Robbie, Allison Jan- holding a truly Medieval experience, tional relatives, moral policing on so- ney. Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Sat 21 Apr, Tamworth Castle cial media, golf and gay cats, Thurs Shropshire, Fri 20 Apr; No8, Per- TELFORD SAKURA FESTIVAL As part of 19 Apr, Dudley Town Hall Talks shore, Sat 21 Apr the Telford 50th anniversary celebra- ARE YOU BEING SERVED Ambient Night THE GREAT GAMBO: THE PROFESSOR OF THE ICE KING (12a) Documentary. tions, the Friends of Telford Town Productions present a new staging of POP Paul Gambaccini reveals how a MAC, Birmingham, Fri 20 - Mon 23 Park are bringing a taste of Japan to the popular sitcom, Thurs 19 - Fri 20 boy from the Bronx wound up as the Apr Telford, Sat 21 Apr, Telford Town Park, Apr, Prince Of Wales Centre, Can- UK’s Professor of Pop, Wed 18 Apr, ISLE OF DOGS (12a) Animation/Adven- Shropshire nock Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury ture. With the voices of Bryan SHREWSBURY CARTOON FESTIVAL THE FULL MONTY Mad Cows Produc- SHEILA’S M.H.S MENTAL HEALTH SHOW Cranston, Yoko Ono. Light House Unique outdoor event which attracts tions present an amateur staging of Humorous show explaining why life’s Media Centre, Wolverhampton, Fri 20 an army of professional cartoonists the Tony Award-winning musical, too serious to be taken seriously, Sat - Thurs 26 Apr from all over the UK and abroad. The Thurs 19 - Sat 21 Apr, Theatre Sev- 21 Apr, Lichfield Garrick 120 BPM (BEATS PER MINUTE) (15) festival also features cartoon work- ern, Shrewsbury Drama. Starring Nahuel Pérez Bisca- shops for aspiring cartoonists and ex- SWING WITH LAUGHTER British enter- yart, Arnaud Valois. Light House hibitions of themed cartoons, Sat 21 tainers Jimmy Tarbuck OBE and Media Centre, Wolverhampton, Fri 20 Apr, The Square, Shrewsbury Kenny Lynch OBE swap their golf - Thurs 26 Apr AVIATION EDUCATION CONFERENCE This clubs for a night of comedy and Film brand new conference will see youth music in the company of talented INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: and education experts join forces to friends, Fri 20 Apr, Victoria Hall, NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: inspire the next generation, Sat 21 Stoke-on-Trent BREATHE (12a) Biography/Drama. Star- Released from Fri 20 April, showing Apr, RAF Cosford, Nr Wolverhampton SKIN DEEP THE MUSICAL Musical revue ring Andrew Garfield, Claire Foy. at selected cinemas SPRING INTO THE PARK Celebrate St about body image, diets, the gym, Stourbridge Town Hall, Mon 16 Apr FUNNY COW (15) Georges Day in style with a host of selfies, Botox and nip’n’tucks, Fri 20 THE SQUARE (15) Comedy/Drama. LET THE SUNSHINE IN (15) magical activities and entertainment, Apr, Mitchell Arts Centre, Hanley, Starring Claes Bang, Elisabeth Moss. Sun 22 Apr, Telford Town Park, THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO Stoke-on-Trent Stoke Film Theatre, Tues 17 Apr Shropshrie PEEL PIE SOCIETY (tbc) MY DAD WROTE A PORNO LIVE The REBECCA (PG) Drama/Mystery. Starring ST GEORGE’S DAY CELEBRATIONS A day TULLY (tbc) team behind the smash-hit ‘cultural Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine. full of medieval re-enactment, chil- phenomenon’ take to the road, Fri 20 Mitchell Arts Centre, Burton-upon- dren’s entertainers, face painting and Apr, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Trent, Staffs, Tues 17 Apr crafts, Sun 22 Apr, Dudley Zoological Gardens SOME ENCHANTED EVENING The Arcadi- SWEET COUNTRY (15) Crime/Drama. ans present a fully staged, all- Starring Bryan Brown, Matt Day. SMOKED Many moons ago, George singing, all-dancing concert featuring Stoke Film Theatre, Thurs 19 Apr Events slayed a huge angry dragon, became many of musical theatre’s best- a hero and a knight, then found a THE COMMUNE (12) Drama. Starring TRANSPORT DRIVING EXPERIENCE known numbers, Fri 20 - Sat 21 Apr, lonely orphaned egg! Realising his Ulrich Thomsen, Fares Fares. Foreign EVENING As the museum closes for Crescent Theatre, Birmingham terrible mistake, Saint George put language, subtitled. The Hive, the day it’s time to get behind the down his sword and devoted his life SING-A-LONG THE GREATEST SHOWMAN Shrewsbury, Fri 20 Apr wheel, you'll have the place to your- Sat 21 Apr, Theatre Severn, Shrews- self to discover the quirks of driving to raising the parentless baby. Meet THE NILE HILTON INCIDENT (15) bury the museum's vintage cars, Thurs 19 them both as we celebrate St Drama/Thriller. Starring Fares, Mari Apr, Black Country Living Museum, George’s Day at the museum, Sun 22 ROMEO AND JULIET Contemporary pro- Malek. Foreign language, subtitled. Dudley Apr, The Potteries Museum & Art duction of Shakespeare's famous Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Gallery, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent love story, Sat 21 Apr - Fri 21 Sept, Shropshire, Fri 20 Apr MIDDLEPORT POTTERY’S BEER FESTIVAL Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Returning with more beer, cider,

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thelist Monday 23 - Monday 30 April SHARON NEEDLES Thurs ton Centre, Market Gigs 26 Apr, O2 Institute, Drayton, Shropshire Classical Comedy Birmingham COMMON PEOPLE Sat 28 BARENAKED LADIES ED BYRNE Tues 24 Apr, Lichfield Gar- CHRIS RONALD Thurs 26 Apr, The River Rooms, Mon 23 Apr, O2 Insti- rick Apr, The Brewhouse Stourbridge Music tute, Birmingham Arts Centre, Burton- CLAIRE-LOUISE ROSSI STEPHEN HOUGH PIANO CONCERT Pre- JON BODEN Mon 23 Apr, upon-Trent Sat 28 Apr, Hare & eminent British pianist Stephen New Vic Theatre, New- MORETALLICA Thurs 26 Hounds, Birmingham Hough returns to the Barber Institute castle-under-Lyme Apr, The Robin, Bilston for a special performance that TALON – THE ACOUSTIC launches the programme for the SENSATION Thurs 26 COLLECTION: IN THE 2018 Birmingham International Piano Apr, Theatre On The RAW 2018 Sat 28 Apr, Festival. Programme includes works Steps, Bridgnorth, Theatre Severn, by Debussy, Chopin & Beethoven, South Shropshire Shrewsbury Wed 25 Apr, The Barber Institute, THE MARLEY EXPERI- JOHNNY 2 BAD Sat 28 Birmingham RUSSELL PETERS Tues 24 Apr, Arena ENCE Fri 27 Apr, The Apr, The Robin, Bilston SIMON TRPCESKI - SCHEHERAZADE Pro- Birmingham Edge Arts Centre, UK GUNS N' ROSES Sat gramme includes works by Grieg, Much Wenlock, South 28 Apr, The Slade Mendelssohn & Rimsky-Korsakov TEZ ILYAS Tues 24 Apr, MAC, B’ham Shropshire Rooms, W’hampton (arr. Paul Gibson), Wed 25 Apr, Birm- JEREMY HARDY Wed 25 Apr, The PLAN B Fri 27 Apr, O2 PETER KNIGHT'S ingham Town Hall Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton- THE GRANDMOTHERS OF Academy, Birmingham GIGSPANNER BIG BAND SHOSTAKOVICH'S TENTH Featuring upon-Trent INVENTION Mon 23 Apr, SIMPLY FUSION Fri 27 Sun 29 Apr, Theatre Nicholas Collon (conductor) & So- MICK FERRY, JOJO SMITH & COMEDY The Robin, Bilston Apr, The Brewhouse Severn, Shrewsbury phie Bevan (soprano). Programme CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON WILL HEARD Tues 24 Arts Centre, Burton- EMMA MCGANN Sun 29 includes works by Ravel, Britten & Thurs 26 Apr, The Glee Club, B’ham Apr, O2 Institute, Birm- upon-Trent Apr, O2 Academy, Shostakovich, Thurs 26 Apr, Sym- RICK KIESEWETTER, BRETT GOLDSTEIN ingham INTO THE SHADOWS Fri Birmingham phony Hall, Birmingham & CHRIS PURCHASE Fri 27 Apr, Wolver- CHASING DRAGONS & 27 Apr, Forest Arts SARAH MUNRO Sun 29 BRAHMS’ PIANO QUINTET Featuring hampton Grand Theatre THEIA Tues 24 Apr, Centre, Walsall Apr, Hare & Hounds, Robert Markham (piano), Kate MICK FERRY, JOJO SMITH, GEORGE Eleven, Sandyford, MIRANDA SYKES Fri 27 Birmingham Suthers & Moritz Pfister (violins), LEWIS & EMMANUEL SONUBI Fri 27 - Stoke-on-Trent Adam Römer (viola), Hetty Snell Apr, Lichfield Guildhall TRISTAN MACKAY Sun Sat 28 Apr, The Glee Club, B’ham ANDY IRVINE Tues 24 (cello), Fri 27 Apr, CBSO Centre, GILBERT O'SULLIVAN Fri 29 Apr, Henry Tudor CHRIS WASHINGTON, IAN COGNITO, JEN Apr, Black Park Birmingham 27 Apr, Birmingham House, Shrewsbury BRISTER & KANE BROWN Sat 28 Apr, Chapel, Chirk, Clwyd Town Hall SHOSTAKOVICH'S TENTH Featuring The Comedy Loft, Birmingham HAZEL O’CONNOR & Nicholas Collon (conductor) & So- MANIC STREET PREACH- ROFL! COMEDY CLUB Sat 28 Apr, The CORMAC DE BARRA Tues phie Bevan (soprano). Programme ERS Fri 27 Apr, Arena Old Post Office, Stoke-On-Trent 24 Apr, The Robin, Bil- includes works by Ravel, Britten & Birmingham ston Shostakovich Sat 28 Apr, Symphony ROUGH WORKS Sun 29 Apr, The Glee IVORY WAVE Fri 27 Apr, Hall, Birmingham Club, Birmingham AKALA Tues 24 Apr, O2 O2 Academy, B’ham Academy, Birmingham BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONIC WINDS DIANE SHAW Fri 27 Apr, CHARITY CONCERT Sat 28 Apr, St GILBERT O'SULLIVAN The Robin, Bilston John’s Church, Hagley, Birmingham Tues 24 Apr, Prince Of Wales Centre, Can- WHITE TYGER Fri 27 THE LUDLOW ORCHESTRA & LUDLOW nock Apr, The River Rooms, CHORAL SOCIETY Featuring Claire Theatre Stourbridge BRYAN FERRY Sun 29 Tocknell & Thomas Payne, Sat 28 YOUTH CLUB Tues 24 THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT Apr, Symphony Hall, Apr, St Laurences Church, Ludlow, Apr, Hare & Hounds, TALON...THE ACOUSTIC BOA Year 13 Acting Pathway present Birmingham South Shropshire Birmingham COLLECTION Fri 27 Apr, a poignant courtroom drama, Mon Lichfield Garrick LA VILLA STRANGIATO - CARDUCCI STRING QUARTET Pro- 23 - Tues 24 Apr, The Old Rep The- DANIEL O'DONNELL Tues THE SPIRIT OF RUSH gramme includes works by Haydn, atre, Birmingham 24 Apr, Symphony THE CLAUSE Fri 27 Apr, Sun 29 Apr, The Robin, Bartok & Brahms, Sun 29 April, The Hall, Birmingham O2 Institute, B’ham NAVAJOS Joe White’s lively and Bilston Lion Hotel, Shrewsbury poignant story about ‘Us and them’, WAYWARD SONS Tues DAN SHAKE & HENRY THE KING IS BACK Sun Mon 23 - Thurs 26 Apr, The REP, 24 Apr, The Slade WU Fri 27 Apr, Hare & 29 Apr, Arena B’ham Birmingham Rooms, W’hampton Hounds, Birmingham GILBERT O'SULLIVAN BEAUTIFUL - THE CAROLE KING MUSI- BRIAN KENNEDY Wed 25 THE HOLLIES Fri 27 Apr, Sun 29 Apr, Theatre CAL Bronte Barbe takes the lead in Apr, The Robin, Bilston Symphony Hall, Birm- ingham Severn, Shrewsbury the hit show about King’s remarkable ADAM FRENCH Wed 25 WEAPON UK Sun 29 rise to stardom, Tues 24 - Sat 28 Apr, Apr, Hare & Hounds, LEE MEAD Fri 27 Apr, Apr, Eleven, Sandy- Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Birmingham Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury ford, Stoke-on-Trent PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT Ama- BOB BROLLY Wed 25 SKINDRED Sun 29 Apr, teur staging presented by West Apr, Prince Of Wales SOMEONE LIKE YOU Sat O2 Institute, B’ham Bromwich Operatic Society, Tues 24 Centre, Cannock 28 Apr, Theatre Sev- - Sat 28 Apr, Wolverhampton Grand ern, Shrewsbury MICHAEL ENGLISH AND OF MICE & MEN Wed 25 Theatre BRENDAN SHINE Sun 29 ROYAL BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE Apr, O2 Institute, Birm- NETHERHALL Sat 28 Apr, Birmingham Town PRESENTS: THE BIRMINGHAM PHILHAR- LEGALLY BLONDE Bournville Musical ingham Apr, O2 Academy, MONIC CONCERTO COMPETITION Fea- Theatre Company present an ama- Birmingham Hall THE LOW ANTHEM Wed turing Michael Lloyd (conductor), teur staging of the award-winning ro- G3 Mon 30 Apr, Sym- 25 Apr, The Glee Club, BLOOD RED SAINTS Sat Sun 29 Apr, Royal Birmingham Con- mantic comedy, Tues 24 - Sat 28 Apr, phony Hall, B’ham Birmingham 28 Apr, Eleven, Sandy- servatoire Crescent Theatre, Birmingham ford, Stoke on Trent FREYA RIDINGS Mon 30 SAM BROOKES Thurs 26 ENSEMBLE 360 Programme includes THE KING LEAR Shifting Sands fuse Apr, The Glee Club, Apr, Henry Tudor GO NOW! THE MUSIC OF works by Reicha, Schulhoff, Kabelac, physical theatre, clowning and story- Birmingham House, Shrewsbury THE MOODY BLUES Sat Martinu & Janacek, Mon 30 Apr New telling, as one of Shakespeare’s 28 Apr, Festival Dray- Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme most famous characters takes whatsonlive.co.uk 63 The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 23-30 April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2018 10:41 Page 3 The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 23-30 April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2018 10:41 Page 4

Monday 23 - Monday 30 April

charge of a pub, Wed 25 April, Arena Sixty-minute theatrical cabaret featur- Theatre, Birmingham ing music originally performed by MY DAD WROTE A PORNO LIVE Wed 25 Amy Winehouse, Nina Simone, Apr, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Martha Wainwright, The Popes, The Pretenders and more... Thurs 26 Apr, LA TRAVIATA Ellen Kent’s staging of MAC, Birmingham Verdi’s love story, Wed 25 Apr, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham SERIOUSLY DEAD Crissy Rock, Frazer Hines, Paul Dunn, Billy Pearce and ANNIE WARBUCKS Thomas Meehan’s Leah Bell star in a brand new musical musical continuing the much-loved comedy set during an ordinary day in story of Annie, Wed 25 - Sat 28 Apr, the quiet town of Olwinskirk, Thurs 26 Mitchell Arts Centre, Hanley, Stoke- Apr, Prince Of Wales Centre, Can- on-Trent nock A BRAVE FACE Vamos Theatre brings MADAMA BUTTERFLY Ellen Kent pre- its trademark wordless, full-mask sent Puccini’s heart-breaking story of style to a story about war-induced a beautiful Japanese girl who falls in post-traumatic stress, Wed 25 - Thurs love with an American naval lieu- 26 Apr, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury tenant, Thurs 26 Apr, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham LORD OF THE FLIES BOA Year 13 Act- ing Pathway presents a staging of William Golding’s dystopian novel, Thurs 26 - Fri 27 Apr, The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham The Faaaaaaabulous Ceri Dupree - Birmingham Hippodrome ENTANGLEMENT! AN ENTROPIC TALE Opera describing the mysteries of the ton, Shropshire SHOW Female impersonator Ceri pre- universe, Thurs 26 - Fri 27 Apr, Royal TARZANNE Interplay Theatre tell the sents a brand new show, complete Birmingham Conservatoire story of a young girl lost in the jungle with costumes, routines, jokes and HI-DE-HI! Amateur stage adaptation of as a toddler, Fri 27 Apr, Arena The- songs, Fri 27 - Sat 28 Apr, Birming- the popular TV series, Thurs 26 - Sat atre, Wolverhampton ham Hippodrome MOTHER'S RUIN: A CABARET ABOUT GIN 28 Apr, The Belfry Theatre, Welling- THE FAAAAAAABULOUS CERI DUPREE TRUMP - THE MUSICAL! Blowfish The-

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Monday 23 - Monday 30 April

atre present ‘an evening of raucous Wilmot, Jimmy Cricket and a whole comedy, original music and one truly host of variety acts, Sun 29 Apr, New awful wig’, Fri 27 - Sun 29 Apr, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham MR JOHN ROBERTSON: THE DARK ROOM (FOR ADULTS) Show inviting audiences to play as contestants in the world's first live-action text-based adventure Kids Shows game, Sat 28 Apr, MAC, Birmingham THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWAL- MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL All-singing, LOWED A FLY Theatre for younger au- all-dancing comedy about night diences and their families, complete sweats, hot flushes and memory loss, with a feast of singalong songs, Sat 28 Apr, New Alexandra Theatre, colourful animal characters and Birmingham heartwarming family fun, Sun 29 Apr, 12 MILLION VOLTS Award-winning the- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre atre company The Outbound Project present the story of the world’s smartest man... Sat 28 Apr, Lichfield Garrick MADE IN DAGENHAM - THE MUSICAL Dance Musical theatre based on the true STAFFORD GOTTA DANCE 2018 Wed 25 - story of the 1968 Ford Sewing Ma- Sat 28 Apr, Stafford Gatehouse The- chinists Strike, presented by TADLOP atre (Telford and District Light Operatic Mary Magdalene - on general release SINERGIA Players), Sat 28 - Sun 29 Apr, Dance production exploring The Place, Oakengates Theatre the inner feelings and emotions of its Oakengates, Telford creator and dancer, Manuel Liñán, Events one of Spain's most celebrated fla- Film THE THRILL OF LOVE The Crescent menco dancers, Thurs 26 Apr, INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: BIG BANG CAMPER & BUS SHOW Three Theatre Company present Amanda days of VW fun with great racing, The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hip- MARY MAGDALENE (12a) Drama. Star- Whittington's play about Ruth Ellis, music and entertainment at the home podrome ring Rooney Mara, Joaquin Phoenix. the last woman to be hanged in of European Drag Racing, Fri 27 - TEN Ace Dance And Music present a Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Britain, Sat 28 Apr - Sat 5 May, Cres- Sun 29 Apr, Santa Pod Raceway, powerful dance production inspired Shropshire, Mon 23 - Wed 25 Apr cent Theatre, Birmingham Wellingborough by global migration, Thurs 26 Apr, GOING IN STYLE (12) Comedy/Crime. THE HYPNOTIST: LIVE & OUTRAGEOUS! BIRMINGHAM LITERATURE FESTIVAL Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton Starring Michael Caine, Richie Mori- Featuring hypnotist Robert Temple, SPRING EDITION Weekend packed with GRANDE FINALE Hofesh Shecter Com- arty. Forest Arts Centre, Walsall, Tues Sun 29 Apr, Crescent Theatre, B’ham screenings, performances, debates pany present a bold and ambitious 24 Apr and author talks, Fri 27 - Sun 29 Apr, ICONS Aerial show featuring tricks and new piece featuring 10 dancers and LOVELESS (15) Drama. Starring various locations in and around Birm- dance routines, performed in tribute six musicians, Thurs 26 Apr, The REP, to musical icons past and present, Maryana Spivak, Aleksey Rozin. For- ingham city centre Birmingham eign language, subtitled. Stafford Sun 29 Apr, Mitchell Arts Centre, FIELD TO FORK FESTIVAL Celebration of GIOVANNI PERNICE - BORN TO WIN Join Gatehouse Theatre, Tues 24 Apr Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent all things food, featuring more than the Strictly star for an evening of A FANTASTIC WOMAN (15) Drama. Star- 80 food, drink and craft stalls, live BEYOND THE BARRICADE The UK’s ‘glitzy costumes and amazing rou- ring Daniela Vega, Francisco Reyes. music, kids entertainment, hands-on longest-running musical theatre con- tines’, Sat 28 Apr, Lichfield Garrick cert, featuring past prinicipal perform- Foreign language, subtitled. Ludlow experiences, displays and much ABOUT THE ELEPHANT ers from Les Miserables, Sun 29 Apr, Sampad join Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, more... Sat 28 April, Harper Adams Stafford Gatehouse Theatre forces with MAC to present the UK Tues 24 - Wed 25 Apr College, Newport, Telford premiere of a topical new perfor- THE MERCY (12a) Biography/Drama. DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR A VARIETY PERFORMANCE IN AID OF mance by rising stars of dance and Starring Rachel Weisz, Colin Firth. CHAMPIONSHIP The BTCC is back for MOLLY OLLY'S WISHES Starring Gary music, Sun 29 Apr, MAC, B’ham Wem Town Hall, North Shropshire, its 60th anniversary season, with Tues 24 & Thurs 26 Apr some of the closest and most excit- JOURNEYMAN (15) Drama/Mystery. ing racing you’ll see all year, Sat 28 - Starring Paddy Considine, Jodie Sun 29 Apr, Donington Park Racing Whittaker. Old Market Hall, Shrews- Circuit, Derby bury, Fri 27 - Mon 30 Apr PAW PATROL VISIT See Chase & Skye WONDERSTRUCK (PG) Family/Mystery. who will appear at regular intervals Starring Julianne Moore, Michelle throughout the day at The Engine Williams. Light House Media Centre, House, Sat 28 - Sun 29 Apr, Severn Wolverhampton, Fri 27 - Mon 30 Apr Valley Railway, Bewdley PATCHWORK BEAR WORKSHOP Make your own patchwork bear – use your own combination of colours, mix and NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: match patches, Sun 29 Apr, Middle- Released from Fri 27 April, showing port Pottery, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent at selected cinemas AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR (tbc) ISLE OF DOGS (tbc) READY PLAYER ONE (tbc) JOURNEYMAN (tbc)

Giovanni Pernice: Born To Win - Lichfield Garrick

whatsonlive.co.uk 66 We Love Parties.qxp_Layout 1 21/02/2018 20:21 Page 1 We love parties!

Here at The Peach Tree, Havana Republic, Spirit, Momo’s, and the new Treat Yourself - we’re all about making your event a very special occasion! So whether you’re looking at organising a special birthday party, kids party, anniversary etc - pop in and have a chat with us. Contact Lucy or Steve on 01743 355055

18-22 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, Shropshire. SY2 6AE www.thepeachtree.co.uk Lee Mead F/P April 2018.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2018 17:00 Page 1