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Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands Shropshire ’ Whatwww.whatsonlive.co.uk sISSUE On 365 MAY 2016 EDDIE IZZARD IN THE MIDLANDS
inside:
Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide
Three live and rather furious females take to the stage for an orgy of middle aged mayhem.. The Overtones (FP- June 16).qxp_Layout 1 09/05/2016 14:55 Page 1 Contents May Region Shropshire/Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 17:29 Page 1
May 2016
Contents
Hairspray - What’s On Readers’ Award-winner back in the Midlands page 34
Theo Jackson Jonny Awsum Red By Night the list
critically acclaimed jazz musical comic joins ‘em after hours entertainment at your 16-page musician at Lichfield Garrick at Henry Tudor House Black Country Living Museum week-by-week listings guide page 28 page 28 page 45 page 51
inside:
4. First Word 11. Food 14. Music 26. Comedy 30. Theatre 38. Film 42. Visual Arts 45. Events
@whatsonwolves @whatsonstaffs @whatsonshrops Wolverhampton What’s On Magazine Staffordshire What’s On Magazine Shropshire What’s On Magazine
Editorial Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 ’ Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 Whats On Matt Rothwell [email protected] 01743 281719 MAGAZINE GROUP Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Ryan Humphreys [email protected] 01743 281722 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Heather Kincaid, Adam Jaremko, David Vincent Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is produced without the use of elemental chlorine. We endorse the recycling of our magazine and would encourage you to pass it on to others to read when you have finished with it. All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. FIRST WORD May Wolves/Shrops/Staffs Only.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 17:28 Page 1
First Word
Blockbuster exhibition makes its Wolverhampton debut Wolverhampton Art Gallery will this summer host the pres- tigious Wildlife Photographer Of The Year exhibition for the very first time. The 51st show of its kind, the exhibition is visiting the Midlands courtesy of London’s Natural History Museum. Commenting on the event, Mark Blackstock, head of Visitor Economy, said: “This is a blockbuster show which is on an international tour that will be seen by millions of people across six continents. We are delighted to welcome it to Wolverhampton for the first time. I have no doubt it will attract many visitors, and I would urge people to make sure they book tickets so as not to miss out.” The 51st Wildlife Photographer Of The Year exhibition shows at the gallery from 23 July until 18 September.
Irish connections at Holy moley! Seasonal Cbeebies Mid Wales festival Alexandra Burke returns magic in Lichfield to Wolverhampton Grand Alexandra Burke is to return to Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre next year. The one-time X Factor winner will play Deloris Van Cartier in Craig Revel Horwood’s Sister Act, which shows at the theatre from 27 February to 4 March 2017. Commenting on the news, Alexandra said: “I’m over the moon to be given the oppor- tunity to play the wonderful Deloris in Sister Act. It’s such an iconic role and a part I’ve always wanted to play. I love tour- ing the UK and I’m thrilled to be working with Craig and his amazing creative team. harpist Siobhan Armstrong who’ll be performing at I can’t wait to get started!” Gregynog Festival
The wealth of cultural connections Cbeebies favourite Rebecca Keatley is set to between Ireland and Wales is the theme bring some fairy magic to Lichfield this of next month’s Gregynog Festival. Christmas when she stars as Princess Launched in 1933, the annual event this Moonbeam in the Garrick Theatre’s pan- year features concerts, drama, poetry, tomime version of Sleeping Beauty. film, talks and exhibitions on the theme Rebecca will be joined in the show by local of Eire. The festival is taking the Irish lad Sam Rabone, who’ll be playing the theme in recognition of the 100th Dame. anniversary of the Easter Rising. Its pro- “I’m over the moon to be appearing at the gramme features performances by lead- Garrick,” says Sam. “Lichfield is only a ing Irish musicians and international stone’s throw away from my home town of artists who specialise in performing Irish Sutton Coldfield. The people of Lichfield repertoire, as well as contributions from should prepare themselves to see a show Irish historians. with more laughter than ever before!” The Gregynog Festival takes place from Sleeping Beauty runs at the Garrick from 1 to 16 to 26 June at venues throughout Mid 31 December. For more information, visit, Wales. lichfieldgarrick.com or call the box office on 01543 412121.
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Entertainment news from around the region
Celebrating Roald Dahl in Tamworth
The 100th anniversary of children’s author Roald Dahl’s birth is being celebrated in Tamworth this sum- mer with an outdoor production of one of his best-loved stories. Award-winning open-air theatre company Illyria will perform Danny, The Champion Of The World in Dosthill Park, Tamworth, on Saturday 2 July. Tickets are available online at tamworthartsandevents.co.uk, in person from Tamworth Tourist Information Centre in Corporation A cornucopia of creativity on offer at Artsfest Street or by calling the Box Office The University of Wolverhampton’s Artsfest event is returning for a second year. on 01827 709618. A celebration of the creative and cultural arts, the festival features workshops, masterclasses, live music, theatre and dance productions, along with a whole host of other attractions. Events take place at a variety of venues, including galleries, theatres, halls, pubs and churches. A soulful Place “Whether you want to be hands-on and get stuck in or relax and admire the work of others, there’s in Telford something for everyone,” says Artsfest manager Neil Reading. “We’ve got sessions to suit every budget - including loads of free and family events, as well as exclusive Artsfest discounts.” American soul Artsfest runs from Monday 2 May to Friday 24 June. To check out what’s on offer, visit legend wlv.ac.uk/artsfest Alexander O’Neal is coming to Shropshire. The Mississippi- Stefan Knapp’s Shropshire date for award-winning show born superstar will appear in con- works to show cert at Oakengates Theatre, An award-winning show which is soon to be performed in the Houses Telford, on Friday 16 September. at the Big Arts of Parliament is visiting Shrewsbury late this month. O’Neal’s best-known hits include Show Performance poet Luke Wright’s What I Learned From Johnny Bevan Criticize, Saturday Love, Hearsay has received a four-star rating from The Guardian and is described as Shrewsbury’s Big Arts and If You Were Here Tonight. ‘a story of shattered friendship, class ceilings, and the hollow reality Tickets can be booked online at Show will return for a of the New Labour dream’. theplacetelford.com, by calling the third year in the sum- Luke will be supported on the night box office on 01952 382382, or in mer. by Lisa Blower, writer-in-residence at person at the theatre or Once again taking place Shrewsbury Museum, who’ll be read- Southwater One in Telford Town at the Greenhous West Centre. ing extracts from her new novel, Mid Showground (from Sitting Ducks. There will also be 1 to 3 July), the event’s music from local DJ Hayden T. aim is to provide a The production is brought at the University gig for showcase for a wide Wightman Theatre on Saturday 24 Public Image Ltd variety of artists. The May by Chairhousepresents. Tickets family-friendly event Fans of John Rotten Lydon’s costing £14 are available online via Public Image Ltd (PiL) can catch will include over 150 thewightman.co.uk up with their heroes by travelling to exhibitors, numerous Glyndwr University’s William Aston workshops and talks by Hall in Wrexham this month the artists, a real ale (Thursday 26 May). The band are bar, eateries, poetry and visiting the venue as part of a UK live music. Aldo Zilli announced for Foodies Festival and Europe summer tour. They’re also stopping off at Warwick Organisers have secured Award-winning celebrity chef and restauranteur Aldo Zilli is set to be a University’s Copper Rooms (on a selection of artworks star attraction at Birmingham’s forthcoming Foodies Festival. Tuesday the 24th). by renowned enamelist Aldo, who specialises in Italian, vegetarian and seafood cuisine, will and 1960s pop artist take his place at the Cannon Hill Park event next month, heading a Stefan Knapp. A friend line-up of celebrity chefs that also features Great British Bake Off 2015 of The Big Arts Show, winner Nadiya Jamir Hussain. Knapp’s widow Cathy Other attractions at the three-day festival include an artisan producers currently runs the Mid market, craft beer masterclasses, a kids cookery theatre, a vintage Wales Arts Centre in cider tent and, for those with an adventurous nature and cast-iron Caersws near Newtown. stomach, a jungle bug eating challenge. The Birmingham Foodies Festival takes place in Cannon Hill Park from 3 to 5 June. whatsonlive.co.uk 5 Whats On Readers Awards WINNERS MM.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 19:02 Page 1
Readers’ What’sOn Awards 2016 You've been voting in your thousands - literally OVER 25,000 VOTES CAST - in our first ever What's On Readers' Awards! And, the WINNERS are:
The organisers of Moseley Folk Festival Barbara Nice Graham Callister Chris Sudworth
THEATRE: Best Touring Play CLASSICAL (inc Opera): Best Midlands Comedian WINNER: Curious Incident Of The Dog Best Production WINNER: Barbara Nice In The Night-Time WINNER: CBSO at Symphony Hall 1st RUNNER-UP: Andy White 1st RUNNER-UP: East Is East 1st RUNNER-UP: WNO - Sweeney Todd Best Midlands Music Venue THEATRE: Best Touring Musical (Large: 1000+ capacity) Best Midlands Arts/Cultural WINNER: Hairspray WINNER: Symphony Hall Festival 1st RUNNER-UP: The Bodyguard 1st RUNNER-UP: Barclaycard Arena WINNER: Birmingham Weekender THEATRE: Best Home-Produced 1st RUNNER-UP: Best Midlands Music Venue Show In The Midlands Birmingham Comedy Festival (Medium: 500 - 1000 capacity) WINNER: The Lion, The Witch WINNER: The Robin - Bilston Best Midlands Theatre/Arts Venue & The Wardrobe - The REP 1st RUNNER-UP: (Large: 1000+ capacity) 1st RUNNER-UP: Warwick Arts Centre - Coventry Wendy & Peter Pan - RSC WINNER: Birmingham Hippodrome 1st RUNNER-UP: Birmingham Rep Best Midlands Music Festival THEATRE: Best Pantomime In The WINNER: Moseley Folk Festival Midlands 2015/16 1st RUNNER-UP: WINNER: Aladdin - Birmingham Shrewsbury Folk Festival Hippodrome 1st RUNNER-UP: Peter Pan - Best Midlands Live Band Wolverhampton Grand Theatre WINNER: The Twang Rob Macpherson from 1st RUNNER-UP: Rainbreakers THEATRE: Best Midlands Amateur Birmingham Hippodrome Dramatic/Operatic Group Best Midlands Exhibition Best Midlands Theatre/Arts Venue WINNER: West Bromwich Operatic (Medium: 500-1000 capacity) WINNER: Staffordshire Hoard - BMAG Society (WBOS) 1st RUNNER-UP: WINNER: mac - Birmingham 1st RUNNER-UP: Pop Art - Wolverhampton Art Gallery Bournville Musical Theatre Company 1st RUNNER-UP: Lichfield Garrick Best Birmingham Art Gallery/ DANCE: Best Production Best Independent Cinema Exhibition Venue WINNER: WINNER: BRB’s - The Nutcracker WINNER: Birmingham Museum and Electric Cinema - Birmingham 1st RUNNER-UP: Matthew Bourne’s Art Gallery 1st RUNNER-UP: Edward Scissorhands 1st RUNNER-UP: IKON Gallery mac - Birmingham
6 whatsonlive.co.uk Whats On Readers Awards WINNERS MM.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 19:02 Page 2
WINNERS ANNOUNCED! #artsmatters #culturematters
Best Midlands Art Gallery/ 1st RUNNER-UP: Moseley Folk Best Sporting Event Exhibition Venue (outside Festival WINNER: The Rugby World Cup Birmingham) 1st RUNNER-UP: WINNER: Wolverhampton Art Gallery Best Midlands' Food Festival Aegon Classic Tennis 1st RUNNER-UP: New Art Gallery - WINNER: Birmingham Ind Food Fair Walsall 1st RUNNER-UP: Best Midlands Nightclub Ludlow Food Festival WINNER: Rainbow Venues in Digbeth Best Midlands' Visitor Attraction 1st RUNNER-UP: The Nightingale - WINNER: Black Country Living Best Midlands Street Food Event Birmingham Museum WINNER: Digbeth Dining Club - Midlands Entertainment 1st RUNNER-UP: Severn Valley Birmingham Personality of the Year Award Railway 1st RUNNER-UP: mac Food Market - Birmingham WINNER: Citizen Khan (Adil Ray) Best Midlands Outdoor Event 1st RUNNER-UP: Beverley Knight WINNER: The Big Hoot - Birmingham Best Midlands Street Food Vendor 1st RUNNER-UP: Frankfurt Christmas WINNER: Brum Yum Yum Market - B’ham 1st RUNNER-UP: Best Midlands Indoor Event Bournville Waffle Company
WINNER: BBC Good Food Show Best Midlands Retail Shopping 1st RUNNER-UP: MCM Comic Con Centre
Best Family-friendly/Community WINNER: Bullring - Birmingham Festival 1st RUNNER-UP: Citizen Khan with Lauren Foster WINNER: Birmingham Weekender Grand Central - Birmingham
Best Regional Theatre/Arts Venue (Small - under 500 capacity)
Birmingham Black Country Shropshire Staffordshire Warwickshire Worcestershire
1st RUNNER-UP: WINNER: WINNER: WINNER: WINNER: WINNER: The Crescent Theatre Arena Theatre, W’ton The Hive, Shrewsbury Stafford Gatehouse Albany Theatre, C’try Artrix, Bromsgrove WINNER: The Old Rep 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: Stourbridge Town Hall Theatre on the Steps l Brewhouse Arts l l l Criterion Theatre l l l Evesham Arts Centre Best Regional Live Music Venue (Small - under 500 capacity)
Birmingham Black Country Shropshire Staffordshire Warwickshire Worcestershire
WINNER: WINNER: WINNER: Henry Tudor WINNER: WINNER: The Tin WINNER: Huntingdon Hare & Hounds The Slade Rooms House, Shrewsbury The Sugarmill, Stoke Music & Arts, C’try Hall, Worcester 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: The Glee Club Newhampton Arts l l l Walker Theatre at Tamworth Assembly l l Leamington Lamp, l l Artrix, Bromsgrove Centre Theatre Severn Rooms Leamington Spa Best Regional Visitor Attraction
Birmingham Black Country Shropshire Staffordshire Warwickshire Worcestershire
WINNER: Birmingham WINNER: Black WINNER: Ironbridge WINNER: Drayton Manor WINNER: Coventry WINNER: Museum & Art Gallery Country Living Museum Gorge Museums 1st RUNNER-UP: Transport Museum Croome Park 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: National Memorial l l l 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: Cadbury World Dudley Zoo Attingham Park Arboretum Warwick Castle Severn Valley Railway Best Independent Regional Restaurant
Birmingham Black Country Shropshire Staffordshire Warwickshire Worcestershire
WINNER: WINNER: The WINNER: WINNER: The Swan WINNER: WINNER: The Royal Purnells Summerhouse, Dudley The King and Thai with Two Necks Tailors, Warwick Oak, Evesham 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: 1st RUNNER-UP: Sabai Sabai Indigo Restaurant The Hundred House The Orange Tree Greyhound Inn The Black Star
whatsonlive.co.uk 7 Priscilla DPS.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 17:26 Page 1
FEATURE
PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT Heather Kincaid climbs aboard Priscilla’s battered old tour bus to find out what it’s like to be a member of the hit musical’s cast...
Back for its second UK road trip, smash-hit mu- sical Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert visits Wolverhampton Grand this month with a bril- liant new cast on board. Starring as the show's loveable leading ‘gender illusionist’ Tick (aka Mitzi Mitosis) is Blue's Duncan James, who gets by with a little help from Simon Green and Adam Bailey as his friends and co-performers, Bernadette and Adam (aka Felicia). A zany, off-the-wall and outrageously camp ad- venture through the Australian outback, Priscilla first won over audiences on screen with Stephan Elliott's 1994 movie starring Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce and Terence Stamp. It was- n't till 11 years later that it made its first stage outing, showing, appropriately enough, at Syd- ney's Star City casino. The story remains essen- tially the same on stage: at its heart is the conflict between absentee father Tick's desire to see his six-year-old son, and his anxiety over what the boy will make of his drag queen dad. “I think one of the main reasons I took this part is that I really related to Tick,” says James. “I have a daughter and I've been through some- thing similar with my own sexuality, so the script really resonated with me. I really wanted to put my own spin on it and play it from a truth- ful point of view, so I feel very lucky that I got the opportunity to do it.” When Tick's estranged wife Marion (Naomi Slights) invites him out to Alice Springs to meet his son Benji (Oliver Butler/Christopher Dixon), he opts to bring along his performer pals - partly for moral support, and partly to help him put on the best show possible at Marion's casino. Enter the elegant transsexual artiste Bernadette and the hyperactive young Adam/Felicia, with a laugh like Tom Hulce's Amadeus and a sex drive on a Frank-n-Furter scale. “Felicia is very boisterous and very silly, and maybe a bit obnoxious,” says Bailey. “She likes to have fun with people, sometimes at their ex- pense, but I think if I'm doing it right, she should be a bit loveable as well. She's just a bit of a puppy dog.” “Bernadette has had a very successful career at the Les Girls drag club, which is actually a real place in Sydney, but she's now retired,” Green
8 whatsonlive.co.uk Priscilla DPS.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 17:26 Page 2
explains. “She's based on a real person that along with a basque and heels, so you Add to this wacky wardrobe a giant lipstick, called Carlotta, who was one of the first peo- have to strengthen your body in a different two mirror balls, a coffin, a Kylie doll and ple in Australia to have a sex change. She's a way to anything you've done before.” some sensational lighting by Nick Richings, big star in her own right, and nowadays she “I suffer with back problems and I get sciatica and you've got yourself a stylish set-up fit for does a lot of speaking out on political mat- down my left leg, so the heels have been really a queen. Of course, that's before we even get ters.” tough for me,” says James. “There was a hairy onto the light-up, faux fur-lined bus herself. Also along for the ride is Philip Childs as moment the week before the show opened in As tough as performing in the show may be, Bob, the knight with shining car parts who August when I was rushed to hospital because surrounded by all this, it'd take a tight-lipped arrives to rescue the broken-down bus. But I couldn't move. It turned out I had a slipped sort not to be swept up in the jubilant camp- Priscilla's not the only lady his mechanic's disc, and I had to have an epidural to get me ness of it all. touch could be good for: having fled his de- walking again. But those injections are won- “I think the best thing about this production manding wife Cynthia (played with aplomb derful things, and everything's been great is that the audience can tell how much fun by Julie Yammanee), Bob might also have the since, touch wood! I think once you get used to we have,” says Bailey. “We all get on really know-how to fix Bernadette's aching heart. doing something repetitively, your body adapts well, and I think that comes through in the Then of course, there are the showstopping and gets strength in different ways, so now I performances. The show is absolutely crazy singers Lisa-Marie Holmes, Laura Mansell feel a lot more comfortable and confident and I'm tired every day, but it's so rewarding and Catherine Mort as the fabulous flying doing it.” and really worth it.” Divas, as well as a whole ensemble cast sup- As if getting used to wearing the outfits wasn't More importantly, there's meaning to the porting the show, including Wolverhamp- enough, they've also had to learn to throw madness. Behind the glitter, feathers and ton's own Richard Astbury, whose previous them on and pull them off in a hurry for the mascara is a message of tolerance, friendship Grand performances include Coricopat in show's lightning-fast costume changes. and love. Once a bold story bravely promot- Cats. “Behind the scenes is like another show in it- ing acceptance, Priscilla now stands as a tes- “It's always fun to go home and see friends self,” James continues. “Sometimes, we've got timony to how far we've come in recent and family, and for them to see you in a new to go from being dressed as a man to being in years. It's hard to overstate the cultural shifts show,” says Astbury. “I've been watching full drag make-up, wig and everything in less we've witnessed since 1994 with regards to pantomimes at the Grand since I was about than 30 seconds. Sometimes, as with anything, LGBT rights, but nevertheless, Priscilla's cele- six years old, and then I was in MusCom, the there'll be a malfunction, but I guess that's just bration of individuality continues to resonate musical comedy company. I've also got live theatre!” with audiences today, some of whom might friends who work there, so I know the theatre see in its characters' triumph a reflection of “I've got fifteen costume changes in the show,” very well, but it's been a while since I per- real-world victories for the LGBT community. Green explains. “It's just endless! We travel formed there, although I only live in Birming- with four people in our wardrobe department, “When the film first came out, I remember it ham.” one of whom is my dresser, and then in each being quite out there and edgy,” says Green, Famed for its spectacular visuals, Priscilla town we have local dressers join as well.” “but of course, you look at it now and it isn't features upwards of 500 amazing outfits, any more. I also saw the show when it “It's almost choreographed, in a sense,” adds ranging from bright green cupcake costumes opened in the West End, and I think a lot has Bailey, “so you have to put your arm in one complete with light-up candle hats, to mop- changed even since then. I'm amazed at how place and your leg in another while people haired cheerleading uniforms and dark, Dis- accepting audiences are nowadays. I think dress you.” ney villain-esque attire donned for a this story really stirs up something profound flamboyant funeral. But as any showgirl Meanwhile, others in the ensemble prefer to in them. Some nights it's an absolute riot! knows, looking your best can come at a cost: work out their own ways of managing the I've never before done anything that's so ob- it's not easy being beautiful. changes. viously given so much pleasure to an audi- “The headdresses are the hardest thing,” “I like to find my own rhythm in each venue, ence.” says Astbury. “At one point, I'm dressed as an so I do everything myself now,” says Astbury. emu with a two foot headdress on, and it's so “The drag make-up is the hardest aspect of it - long that if you tilt your head it carries the you're gluing your eyebrows down and con- touring the face as well as doing eyeshadow weight with you, so your neck muscles are al- Priscilla Queen Of The Desert shows at and mascara. It takes me about 45 minutes to ways tensing. As you can imagine, the chore- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, do it.” ography's quite difficult when you're wearing Mon 2 to Sat 7 May 2016
whatsonlive.co.uk 9 FOOD new May - SHROPS/STAFFS/WOLVES - Brian.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 17:25 Page 1 FOOD new May - SHROPS/STAFFS/WOLVES - Brian.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 17:25 Page 2
Food
Food festival announces celebrity line-up...
Shrewsbury’s picturesque Quarry Park is Stephen Terry will be among the experts set to be visited by up to 30,000 people sharing their knowledge. The festival will next month when it hosts the town’s also welcome some of Wales’ Michelin- fourth annual food festival (25 & 26 June). starred chefs, who’ll be going head to The event’s 2016 line-up boasts celebrity head with their English rivals in a series chefs, more than 200 artisan producers - of cookery demonstrations. including 20 hot food vendors - live music Further information is available at and free activities for kids to enjoy. shrewsburyfoodfestival.co.uk, on Twitter The award-winning Anand George (pic- @shrewsfoodfest or on Facebook. tured) and Great British Menu favourite
REVIEW: Bravaccios, Wolverhampton in a separate jug, allowing me to add as suited. Service and food to boast about at Bravaccios... My partner had the veal (£18.90), recommended by Veronica, perfectly cooked in a masala sauce and served with herby potatoes and seasonal vegetables. The portions for both the starters and mains were generous, but we could still squeeze in a pud- ding. I tucked into the Amaretto Cheesecake, a creamy, home- made offering (£3.90) which I would highly recommend. My partner had the Dolce Di Panettone (Italian Bread & Butter pudding, £3.90) an extremely light dessert served with lovely runny custard and peppered with chocolate drops. It’s also worth mentioning that all ingredients are locally sourced - another good reason to give Bravaccios a try. We left the restaurant extremely impressed with everything we’d sampled, and also with the excellent, attentive staff. A It’s hard to believe it’s been to go to the bar, which made for Although I thoroughly enjoyed return visit is definitely on the nearly five years since a really relaxing start to the my starter, the ribs really were cards, maybe to try the Sunday Wolverhampton football legend evening. We enjoyed a glass of the show-stopper. The meat was lunch menu, which also looked Steve Bull opened Bravaccios Pinot Grigio and a bottle of succulent and fell off the bone. extremely yummy! Janet Price restaurant, situated in the heart Peroni while we contemplated The main course arrived 10 min- of Tettenhall High Street. The our food options. utes after the starters. I’d chosen Food: n n n n n contemporary Italian is still a Shown to our table, I selected the Half Gressingham Duck, Service: n n n n n popular destination, and the the Gamba Prawns in garlic and served on a bed of mash with Ambience: n n n n n Saturday night we visited was chilli with ciabatta bread season vegetables and apricot Overall value n n n n n certainly no exception, the (£8.50). The prawns, perfectly gravy (£16.90). I was expecting OVERALL n n n n n restaurant filling up early. cooked, had been well marinat- the duck to be served pink, as We were welcomed by restau- ed in the sauce. The warm bread this seems to be the fashion, but rant manager Veronica, who provided the perfect finish to was pleasantly surprised when it Bravaccios, gave us the option of going this excellent starter. My partner arrived well cooked in a more 4 Upper Green, straight to our table or first chose the Pork Ribs, which had traditional style - although still Wolverhampton, enjoying a drink in the bar while been barbecued and smothered extremely tender. The apricot WV6 8QQ we perused the menu. We opted in a sweet chilli glaze (£7.50). gravy was rich, sweet and came Tel: 01902 756052
whatsonlive.co.uk 11 FOOD new May - SHROPS/STAFFS/WOLVES - Brian.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 17:25 Page 3 3 OF SHREWSBURY’S BEST RESTAURANTS AND BARS
all located opposite the historic and beautiful Shrewsbury Abbey!
Cafe Bar & Restaurant Ramen Noodle Bar Bar & Restaurant www.thepeachtree.co.uk www.momonoki.co.uk www.havanarepublic.co.uk
ALL OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! 18-21 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury. SY2 6AE. Tel: 01743 355055 FOOD new May - SHROPS/STAFFS/WOLVES - Brian.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 17:25 Page 4
Food
Regional winners Shropshire farm celebrate launches inaugural Three of the region’s most popular bake off... eateries are celebrating (well, we like to think they will be!) after winning The first ever Apley Farm Bake Off takes our What’s On Readers’ Awards ‘best place on 2 May. Midlands restaurants’ titles. The Bank Holiday Monday event is being Broseley’s The King & Thai bagged held at the farm’s shop in Shifnal and fea- the Shropshire award, tures a host of family-friendly activities for Wolverhampton pub The Summer visitors to enjoy. House came out on top in the Black Apley Estate owner Lady Hamilton has Country, and Blackbrook hostelry The invited six Shropshire chefs to the bake off Swan With Two Necks claimed the to host demonstrations and masterclasses. honours in Staffordshire. A hearty They include Chris Burt, from Shrewsbury- well done to them all! based restaurants The Peach Tree and Momo·No·Ki, and award-winning Suree Coates from the King & Thai in Broseley. The baking competition has three cate- gories - cakes, sweet tarts and savoury tarts - and is open to all. Find out how to enter by visiting apleyfarmshop.co.uk
Live Music - April & May
Sat 23rd April, 9pm Sat 7th May, 9pm OK MICHAELA BROTHERS WYLDE ...... Sun 30th April, 9pm SYNERGY Sat 14th May, 9pm OK BROTHERS
LUNCH GRILL NIGHT PIZZA NIGHT EVERY SUNDAY EVERY OUR 2 COURSES EVERY ALL OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! WEDNESDAY FAMOUS FOR THURSDAY Includes one FREE SUNDAY £10 complimentary 2 FOR 1 ROAST MON - SAT drink per couple ON PIZZA 12 - 9pm Victoria Quay, Victoria Avenue, Shrewsbury, SY1 1HH Tel: 01743 233244 www.visitriverbank.co.uk
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Gigs
Manic Street Preachers Genting Arena, Birmingham, Sat 14 May Nearly 30 years of producing high-quality material has seen the Manics claim their place in the upper echelons of British rock. After hitting the big time with a cover of Suicide Is Painless in the early ’90s, they sur- vived the disappearance of band member Richey James to go on and enjoy mega suc- cess with A Design For Life, from the album Everything Must Go. The record was certified triple platinum in the UK and went on to sell over a million copies and bag multiple Brit awards. They here return to Birmingham to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Everything Must Go, playing two sets on the night - the album in full followed by rarities and curios, greatest hits and a few brand new songs. Rock band The Editors provide support.
Gilmore & Roberts Anastacia Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury, Sun 1 May Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Tues 3 May Best known for her singles Left Outside Alone and I’m Outta Love, Anastacia has released five albums and sold over 30 million copies worldwide. The Ultimate Collection sees the American singer return to Sony Music, the label that was instrumental in cata- pulting her to global superstardom. “I feel so blessed and humbled to be experiencing this exciting next chapter of my life,” she says. “The idea for my Ultimate Collection is to include some- thing for everyone. I’m eternally grateful to be reunited with Sony, the record label that made all of this possible from day Katriona Gilmore and Jamie Roberts joined one. Fifteen years later, I’m back, I’m home and I couldn’t be happier.” Beverley Knight forces in 2006. They have since released The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton, Thurs 26 May three albums, toured with Fairport Recording artist, radio presenter and musical Convention and been nominated three times theatre actress Beverley Knight MBE is this year celebrating the 21st anniversary of her debut album, The B-Funk. at the BBC Radio Two Folk Awards. Playing Wolverhampton-born Knight has played the city's Civic Hall on every tour she’s undertak- contemporary folk, they combine original en - but when the venue announced it was closing for refurbishment in 2016, she’d ini- songwriting with astounding lap-tapping tially feared she would have to miss out on a home town gig for the first time ever. guitar, fiery fiddle and trademark harmonies, “I'm so glad we could make this happen,” says Beverley. “Being able to do a club gig in in the process creating a powerful wall of Wolves is fantastic. My home town is so spe- cial to me, I couldn't miss out on playing sound. there. I can't wait!” 14 whatsonlive.co.uk Music - May - Shrops/Staffs/Wolves.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 17:27 Page 2
Gig previews from around the region
Theo Jackson Lichfield Garrick, Wed 11 May
Jazz musician Theo Jackson’s 2015 debut album, Shoeless And The Girl, was a major hit with the critics and The Coral Paul Molloy, formerly of The Zutons. saw him likened to, amongst others, Best known for their singles Dreaming Of The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 20 May Stevie Wonder and Nick Drake. You, In The Morning, Pass It On and Don’t Alongside his performing and After a five-year hiatus, The Coral released Think You’re The First, the influential five- recording, Jackson also gives talks their eighth studio album, Distance piece visit Stoke a week before their headline and presents workshops at festivals Inbetween, earlier this year. Their return sees performance at Liverpool Sound City. in both the UK and New Zealand, as the band joined by Coral newbie, guitarist well as at secondary schools and universities.
Laura Mvula James Ian Siegal & Jumbo O2 Institute, Birmingham, Sat 21 May Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Fri 20 May Mathus Tour Birmingham-born soul singer-song- The Robin, Bilson, Tues 31 May writer Laura Mvula captivated audi- Eight-time British Blues Awards winner Ian ences back in 2013 with debut album Siegal here teams up with multi-instrumen- Sing To The Moon. Influenced by the talist Jimbo Mathus for a night of roots, likes of Nina Simone, Jill Scott and blues, folk and americana. The duo are also Erykah Badu, Mvula’s latest single, releasing a 21-track album recorded during Overcome, features the legendary their debut tour. Nile Rodgers. It’s taken from her new album, The Dreaming Room, which is set for release on 17 June.
Ian Siegal & Jumbo Mathus UB40
English rock band James originally signed to UB40 ft. Ali Campbell, the iconic Factory Records in 1982. They have Astro and Mickey since gone on to produce a string of massive hit singles, including Sit Down, Come Home, Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Sun 1 May She’s A Star and Born Of Frustration. Now, 34 Since reforming in 2013, the trio of Ali years on, they’re touring in support of their Campbell, Astro and Mickey have been at the 14th album, Girl At The End Of The World, top of their game. Recent highlights include which they claim to be their best yet. their 2014 world tour, a huge show in Las Italian-English solo acoustic singer Jack Vegas, and critical acclaim for their new Savoretti supports. material in 2014’s Silhouette.
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Classical Music
Chanteuse Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Wed 11 May This Midlands-based female vocal group are happy to turn their talents to all man- ner of musical challenges, presenting everything from intricate chamber pieces to show-stopping smash hits. And their reputation is growing fast too, with 2015 having seen them perform their first ever international concert series in Belfort, France.
Il Divo Genting Arena, Birmingham, Sat 7 May Crossover favourites Il Divo were X Factor guru Simon Cowell's attempt to take opera to the masses, albeit pop-opera. They pres- ent a romantic and timeless repertoire which has seen them garner a worldwide fanbase since bursting onto the scene more than a decade ago. The fellas return English Touring Opera to Birmingham this month in support of Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Mon 9 - Tues 10 May their seventh studio album, Amor & English Touring Opera's spring season is packed with iconic characters that have stood the Pasion. test of time. Mozart’s Don Giovanni finds a Spanish nobleman and seducer of women unleashing vengeance from beyond the grave after his actions lead to murder. Christoph Willibald Gluck’s Iphigénie en Tauride, meanwhile, presents a stark yet beautiful account of the meeting of Agamemnon’s children in the aftermath of the Trojan War. Expect vampire-like villains, human sacrifice and divine intervention...
Papagena - Acappella Whittington Music Wem Town Hall, North Shropshire, Fri 20 May Festival Female vocalists Pagagena explore music Whittington Church, Nr Oswestry, from medieval times to the present day, along North Shropshire, Tues 17 - Sun 22 May, the way performing traditional folk, women's working songs and more-classical pieces. Funded in part by Arts Council Shakespeare Odes Launched at London's National Portrait England, the fourth Whittington Hereford Cathedral, Fri 6 May; St Peter’s Gallery in 2012, the a cappella quintet also Music Festival features 16 internation- Collegiate Church, Wolverhampton, write and arrange their own material, as well al musicians presenting six concerts Sat 7 May in the Shropshire village’s parish as commissioning new work from an eclectic This latest Ex Cathedra presentation sees church. While previous years have range of composers. the talented early music ensemble turning seen the festival focus exclusively on its attention to Shakespeare, in a concert the works of Brahms, Schubert and performed in recognition of the 400th Mendelssohn, 2016’s event celebrates anniversary of the bard’s death. the music of Mozart. Presented in partnership with the The programme features the following Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, the compositions by the composer: Shakespeare Institute and in association Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the 20 in D minor, arranged for Piano with concert features a staged, period-instru- String Quartet K 466; Quartet for ment performance of actor David Garrick’s Piano and Strings in G minor K 478; 1769 Shakespeare Ode, with music by Concerto for Piano No 12 in A (piano Thomas Arne (Rule Britannia). quintet version) K 414; Quartet for The evening also includes a new Ode, writ- Piano and Strings No 2 in E flat K 493. ten by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, which has been composed for Ex Cathedra and a ‘broken consort’ of instruments by Sally Beamish.
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Let's Dance: IDFB 2016 At A Glance
From ballet to Bollywood, hip-hop to lindy- to Massingham, “in a very hop and kathak to acrobatics, since 2008, choreographic way”. His work International Dance Festival Birmingham has will also serve as the basis for a been rapidly gaining a reputation as one of live event featuring a dance per- the UK's most important dance events, firmly formance by Kei Miyata and experi- cementing its place in the city's cultural cal- mental music by Ex Easter Island Head. endar. “I've always seen dance as a very collabora- Characterised by a multitude of street per- tive art form, and I like breaking down barri- formances, solo shows, genre-crossing col- ers to dance, especially through our work laborations, interactive workshops and com- with circus,” said Massingham. munity projects, the fifth IDFB has attracted Cosmic Birds ties in nicely with a subtle, outdoor work some of the dance world's biggest stars, as underlying theme for the festival - the inter- which is free, well as showcasing home-grown talent and play between man and machine - which and we've got expanding its reach across Birmingham and comes to the fore during “Live Nights”, four things like Put into the wider West Midlands region. evening extravaganzas bringing multiple acts Your Foot Down in “I think there's been a desire to see together in Centenary Square. Ideal for those the Bullring which Birmingham start to challenge London as a with limited free time, Live Nights promise is a day of youth and place for dance, where artists want to live “the complete festival experience in one community dance and and make work,” said David Massingham, place”, with Massingham's The Machine people in training showing off their skills IDFB Co-Artistic Director and Chief Executive Show serving as the spectacular centrepiece. and entertaining shoppers, which I think is a of DanceXchange. “There's an enormous “The outdoor works like RIDE and Phone really good thing for the shopping experi- amount of great space for dance here, and a Box that we're sending out on tours of the ence too. Even if people just dip their toes in big appetite for showing diverse work from city will all come into the centre during Live once, I think that's great.” around the world, so over the last few years, Nights so people can see a lot of them in one Whatever your interests, there's certainly we've started getting messages from people go. We wanted to create an exciting night- plenty to look forward to, but for those who all the time asking to be part of it.” time atmosphere and make this something aren't sure what to check out first, here are One big change for 2016 is the introduction people want to come and join in with, so some of our top picks to give a flavour of of a “Festival Hub” at the old Municipal Bank we've done things like bringing in Digbeth what's on offer. on Broad Street. Conveniently located next to Dining Club to provide food and drink.” Find out what else David Massingham has to Centenary Square, where much of the out- Like DanceXchange, IDFB is guided by a pas- say about this year’s festival at door action takes place, the disused bank sion for accessibility and inclusiveness as whatsonlive.co.uk provides plenty of room for a café, perform- well as excellence. By developing such a ances, socialising and even an art exhibition wide-ranging programme, Massingham and called Cosmic Birds. the festival team hope to reach diverse audi- Visual art might seem an odd inclusion, but ences and encourage as many people as pos- International Dance Festival it fits in with IDFB's wider blurring of the sible to get involved. Birmingham takes place at various city line between dance and other creative pur- “When we set out in 2008 with the first festi- centre locations from Sun 1 t0 Sun 22 May. suits. A former dancer who switched careers val, I wanted to try to provide something for Check out our highlights on page 22. following an injury, Shun Ito creates metal everyone instead of having the same few For further information and full festival listings, visit idfb.co.uk and light sculptures which move, according people come to everything. We've got all the
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Political Mother Heather Kincaid explores Hofesh Shechter’s critically acclaimed work which returns to the Midlands as part of International Dance Festival Birmingham 2016
Part rock concert, part brutal satire and part cinematic spectacle, Hofesh Shechter's first full-length dance production premiered at the 2010 Brighton Festival to extraordinary acclaim. A year later, the show was reworked as Political Mother: The Choreographer's Cut for an inter- national tour, with sell-out shows held in rock venues around the world - an achievement vir- tually unprecedented in contemporary dance. This May, thanks to the International Dance Festival team, lucky Birmingham audiences will have the chance to experience the groundbreak- ing style and raw, youthful energy of Political Mother on two separate dates at Birmingham REP. “Hofesh and I have worked together on and off for a long time,” says David Massingham, IDFB's Co-Artistic Director. “When we approached the company about putting on Political Mother for IDFB, they said that they weren't going to be touring it any more, but I convinced them to put it on one last time, and now Hofesh is actually going to be performing in it.” “It feels exciting and absolutely right to bring Political Mother home to Birmingham,” says Shechter. “I spent part of the rehearsal period for this show working in the studios at DanceXchange, and although we have since toured it throughout the world, this is our first time to perform it to audiences in Birmingham.” Long recognised as one of the most important
and original artists currently working in con-
Hofesh is one of temporary dance, Shechter has been seen by critics as blazing a trail to open up the medium ‘‘the most exciting ‘‘ to a wider audience, stripping it of any per- artists to emerge ceived pretension and propelling it into the mainstream. Nowhere is this more true than in in recent years the brazenly anti-authoritarian and musically David Massingham intense Political Mother, whose innovative cho- reography is inspired as much by news footage and everyday life as it is by established forms and structures.
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Born in the notoriously fraught city of what happens.” Since the gritty and provocative In Your Jerusalem before moving to the UK, where His experimental style isn't limited to chore- Rooms set his career skyrocketing in 2006/7, conflict with the Middle East seems almost ography. Following a period working with Shechter has gone on to produce work for perpetual, it's perhaps no surprise that leading Israeli dance company Batsheva, the Royal Ballet and a Broadway revival of Shechter's work would have a strongly politi- Shechter moved to Paris to study music and Fiddler On The Roof, as well as choreograph- cal bent. play drums for a rock band called The ing the ‘Maxxie's Dance’ sequence for “Everything I've experienced has left a mark Human Beings. Today, he frequently acts as Channel Four's Skins and creating several on my work, and a lot of that experience has both composer and choreographer for his shows with his self-titled dance company, been about conflict, about struggling to shows, relying on a few trusted collaborators formed in 2008. Yet Political Mother remains make sense of things,” he said in a 2009 to help him realise his visions. He describes one of his most powerful and successful Guardian interview. the development of Political Mother as “a pieces to date. It's hard to imagine a show very complex and to some extent random better suited to IDFB, given the festival’s cel- Growing up in Israel, Shechter developed an process”, where composition and choreogra- ebration of diversity and innovation and its early interest in folk dance, joining a local phy are inextricably intertwined, though he commitment to “breaking down barriers to group before going on to train at the does remember what began the creative jour- dance”, something for which Political Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. ney for the show. Mother has itself been praised. This early passion remains a key influence on his work, both formally and philosophi- “I have an idea - a drum loop that drives us “I think there's a growing group of people in cally. A statement displayed in lights during forward, that keeps a train of rhythm that this city who want to see something a little Political Mother reads, “Where there is pres- carries us down the rabbit hole. My first bit unusual,” says Massingham. “I think sure there is folk dance”. It might be under- instinct is to steal a groove from a Peter Birmingham really wants to be that kind of stood as a kind of ethos for his work: like its Gabriel song - so I do. Yaron (Engler, musical international and European city, and I think musical equivalent, folk dance can be seen collaborator) and I are sitting in the working our festival reflects that.” as in some way inherently political, a kind of room recording it on what is left from my old Both IDFB and Birmingham REP are thrilled counter-culture to more elitist or industry- drum kit. It sounds rough. This miserable to be supporting Shechter's work at the festi- controlled art forms. recording grew into what now sounds like val. 'the end of the world'. Peter himself wouldn't Nevertheless, it's the contrasts and juxtaposi- “Political Mother,” says Birmingham REP's know it was inspired by him, and the way it tions that make Shechter's work truly radi- Artistic Director Roxana Silbert, “is a typical- sounds now I'm not sure he'd want to.” cal, bringing together these traditional folk ly bold, raw, intense piece accompanied by The end result is even further from this start- elements with visceral images inspired by pulsating live music in a heady collision of ing point: Political Mother is as varied and films and by real conflict, along with the contemporary dance meets rock gig. dramatic musically as it is visually. The drum kinds of furious, thrashing sounds and Birmingham audiences are in for a real loop Shechter describes is layered up with movements you'd be more likely to encounter treat.” “magical, haunting viola sounds” from Nell at a rock concert than in a dance production. Massingham agrees: “Hofesh is one of the Catchpole, as well as with his own vocals, Piercing lighting creates stark shadows as most exciting artists to emerge in recent sung with an old Egyptian string band in one scene cuts to another in quickfire succes- years and has made much of his work here in mind, “cigarettes hanging from their lips sion. Among the things you'll witness in this Birmingham, so it’s fantastic to see Political while playing and with a glass of arak within show is a ritual samurai suicide, a dictator's Mother performed at IDFB, after sell-out sea- reach.” In the final production, the heavy incoherent ranting, and the weary move- sons all over the world - it’s a real coup for metal fury of roaring guitars and pounding ments of what appear to be a group of pris- the festival and the city.” military drums mingle with gentle, baroque- oners. style chamber music and even melancholy “When I come to do a piece, I don't come klezmer sounds. It's a mad-sounding melting with an answer,” says Shechter. “I hope to pot, but if the overwhelmingly positive awaken interesting connections for myself. I response is anything to judge by, there's cer- want to try to create all these different tainly method in it. Hofesh Shechter’s Political Mother will show worlds, then edit between them and see at The REP, Birmingham, Fri 13 to Sat 14 May whatsonlive.co.uk 21 Dance May Shropshire etc.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 17:27 Page 5
Centenary Square LIVE NIGHTS Free Performances, Live Music, Circus and Dance plus award-winning street food from Digbeth Dining Club
The Machine Show Corey Baker: Phone Box ZoieLogic Dance Centenary Square, Birmingham, Multiple locations,plus Centenary Square, Theatre: Ride Wed 11 - Sat 14 May Birmingham (check website for details), Sun 1 - Sat 14 May Multiple locations plus Centenary Square, Age Guidance 12+ Birmingham (check website for details), A power-driven dance and circus spectacular In this nostalgic yet exhilarating 20-minute Sat 7 - Sat 14 May set against a wall of sound, The Machine show, Birmingham-based Corey Baker brings Show is the must-see to life the iconic British phone box with centrepiece of IDFB incredible acrobatic feats and a wacky digi- 2016. This 40-minute tal soundtrack. show features an impressive line-up of 13 international per- formers including Melanie Lomoff, Salah Benlemqawansaa and Aakash Odedra, as well as live music ZoieLogic presents an innovative and visual- from French ly arresting outdoor work exploring the electro/rock dance nature of travelling and the relationship group Rinôçérôse. between man and machine. Thrown together on a strange journey in a customised Ford Orion named Stanley, three strangers soon Motionhouse: Torque discover that the 80s car may have a life of Centenary Square, Birmingham, its own... Fri 13 - Sat 14 May For further information, visit idfb.co.uk Dancers and JCB diggers work together in this breathtaking demonstration of strength and agility.
More IDFB 2016 highlights...
The Ricochet Project: UK Premiere Hemabharathy Palani / Smoke And Mirrors Ballet BC: Bill / 16+ A Subhash Viman: Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Room / Solo Echo Trikonanga & Twine / Tues 17 - Wed 18 May Morphed Age Guidance: 14+ (contains nudity) Birmingham Hippodrome, Fri 20 - Sat 21 May A cutting-edge company consisting of 17 per- The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome, Winner of a Total Theatre Award for Best Sat 21 May. Age Guidance 12+ formers, Ballet British Columbia is commit- Circus at Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2015. ted to innovation in contemporary dance. This 75-minute double-bill combines tradi- Combining poetic acrobatics, contemporary Since 2009, Ballet BC has developed an excit- tional Indian dance with contemporary influ- dance, contortion and high-flying circus ing repertoire of new work by acclaimed ences. Award-winning dancer and choreog- feats, Smoke And Canadian and international choreographers. rapher Hemabharathy Palani blends Mirrors scrutinises Their first IDFB performance will consist of Bharatanatyam with contemporary dance the state of America three pieces: Sharon Eyal's Bill, Crystal Pite's and ballet in Trikonanga & Twine. and the pursuit of Solo Echo and Artistic Director Emily Meanwhile, British dancer Subhash Viman happiness in the Molnar's 16+ A Room. presents Morphed, an examination of our modern world. indefinitely morphing identities in a glob- Delicate metaphor alised world. A prom- and jaw-dropping ising new talent spectacle are seam- inspired by hip-hop, lessly woven urban and contempo- together against a rary styles, Viman has minimalist set in worked with top this poignant, hour- Bollywood choreogra- long production by phers as well as train- award-winning US ing in classical Indian company Ricochet. dance.
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Dance More dance previews from around the region
Balletboyz: Life Lichfield Garrick, Sat 28 May An all-male company of 10 incredible dancers, the fresh and inventive Balletboyz return to Lichfield with a brand new show co-produced by Sadler's Wells in association with Artsdepot. Taking a powerful and sometimes provocative look at life and death, the production features two new commissions by Pontus Lidberg and Javier de Frutos, as well as an original score written for an ensemble of nine musicians.
Tribhangi Dance Theatre: Sukuma mac, Birmingham, Sun 8 May, Motionhouse & No Fit State: Block Albany Theatre, Coventry, Mon 9 May mac, Birmingham, Fri 27 - Sat 28 May
Hailing from Johannesburg, Dance, circus skills and physical theatre collide in this unique collaboration between leading South Africa, the award-winning UK companies Motionhouse and NoFit State Circus. Tribhangi Dance Theatre brings Twenty oversized blocks are deconstructed and reformed into an infinite variety of shapes its dynamic dance fusion to the and structures for the performers to explore, move and play with, reflecting on the diversity, Midlands in ‘a show like no challenges and contradictions of life in the city. other’. Combining the grace and Directed by Kevin Finnan and Paul Evans, the event is supported by mac Birmingham. elegance of Classical Indian Bharatanatyam with the intense physicality of African dance styles, Sukuma promises to be Riverdance Birmingham Royal Ballet an exhilarating, high-energy Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, experience for audiences of all Fri 6 - Sat 7 May Tues 17 - Wed 18 May ages. Showcasing the range and beauty of its widely renowned work, Birmingham Royal Ballet returns to Theatre Severn with a selec- tion of new and familiar pieces, themed around Shakespeare's writing to coincide with the 400th anniversary of his death. Famous pas de deux excerpts from well- loved ballets such as Romeo And Juliet, The Dream and The Taming Of The Shrew are performed alongside José Limón's The Moor's Pavane - a single-act adaptation of Othello - and Jessica Lang's one-act ballet Wink, a new work inspired by Shakespeare's sonnets. Riverdance needs no introduction: experi- Live accompaniment is provided by the enced live in the UK by over 2.9 million peo- acclaimed Royal Ballet Sinfonia. ple and watched on television by more than two billion viewers worldwide, the interna- tional phenomenon has lost none of its magic over the course of 1000-plus perform- ances. Composed by Bill Whelan, produced by Moya Doherty and directed by John McColgan, the current tour has been described as ‘an unmissable chance’ for UK audiences to reconnect with this stand-out show.
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FEATURE by Lauren Foster
Slam dunk Festival
Showcasing the best in contemporary emo, punk and ska, the three-stop touring Slamdunk Festival this year moves its Midlands date from Wolverhampton to the NEC. Associated with the Leeds-based club nights and indie record label of the same name, Slam Dunk Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, meaning that attendees in 2016 can expect to experience the biggest and best Slam Dunk party to date. Over 50 artists will play across seven stages, alongside DJ sets, exclusive signings and a riotous afterparty to round things off. 2016 Line-up Includes: Panic! at the Disco, Of Mice & Men, New Found Glory, Mallory Knox, Yellowcard, Shikari Sounds System, Mayday Parade, The King Blues and The Story So Far What creator Ben Ray has to say about Slam dunk...
Slam Dunk Festival celebrates its 10th Slam Dunk Festival won Best Festival at anniversary this year. Take us through the Kerrang! Awards in both 2014 and the journey from its inception... 2015. Did you ever imagine the event It started in 2006, when I needed a large would be so successful? venue to put on Fall Out Boy in the city of No, not at all. It started almost as an acci- Leeds. I ended up using the large Millen- dent - I never set out to create a festival. The nium Square - and as it was a Saturday, I event has grown at a good, slow rate. It turned it into an all-day event and called it a wouldn’t have been such a success if we’d festival! It’s then just grown over the last 10 tried too much, too quickly. years - and we’ve added more stages and more venues as it’s done so. That’s in- Who are you most looking forward to creased the audience size from a couple of seeing play at this year’s event? thousand to nearly 40,000. We first added a As it’s the 10th anniversary, it was important Midlands event, in Wolverhampton, in 2013. to book a line-up that represented the 10 After three successful years there, we’ve years. I think we’ve done that, so I’m look- moved to Birmingham’s NEC for 2016. ing forward to re-living some great memo- Pictured - Ben Ray, Director of Slam Dunk and Todd ries as well as discovering new artists. ‘Jd’ Malloy, Live Music Co-ordinator You’ve stated the 2016 event is going to be the best party you’ve ever thrown. It must be a real bonus that Panic! At The this was particularly evident? What’s going to make this year better Disco’s only UK dates this year are for Back in 2010, the last time New Found Glory than the previous nine? Slam Dunk. How did booking them come played, they and a load of other bands in- Its simply much bigger than before. The NEC about? vaded the stage during the set of alternative is a great venue, and we’ll also be throwing I knew they were planning to tour Europe girl band The Millionaires. It was pretty a big after-party in conjunction with Birm- around the time of the event, as I’ve always chaotic, so I hope they don’t do that again! ingham-based promoter Uprawr. Taking done their shows in Leeds, so I offered them place in one of the Pavilions at the NEC, it the slot. What’s the most unusual thing you’ve will be the biggest rock club night the Mid- ever come across on an artist’s rider? lands has ever seen. Are there any moments, good or bad, A framed picture of Cuba Gooding Jr. from previous years that are particularly The festival is usually held at Wolver- memorable? What are your hopes for the festival in hampton’s Civic Hall but has relocated Nothing sticks out because there have been the future? for the time being due to the venue’s re- so many of both! It’s really fun and really Just to keep getting bigger and better! furbishment. Is the plan to move back to stressful at the same time. Wolverhampton when the Civic reopens? We will look at the options. It will ultimately Generally speaking, rock bands have a come down to the size of the acts we have reputation for being rebellious. Are there Slamdunk Festival is at the NEC, on. any moments from previous years where Birmingham on Sun 29 May
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Festivals
Imagined Isle Folk Festival Birmingham Town Hall, Thurs 12 - Mon 16 May Celebrating the vibrancy and diversity of Britain's contemporary folk scene, Town Hall's Imagined Isle Festival showcases some of the country's most accomplished and acclaimed traditional musicians alongside exciting local and emerging talent. Ranging from intimate performances from Eric Bibb and Declan O'Rourke to larger scale, multi- act events like Future Folk and fascinating retrospectives like Way To Blue: The Songs Of Nick Drake, Imagined Isle promises to be an unforgettable few days with something to capture the imagination of just about any- one. Events are individually listed and can be booked separately, allowing you to pick and choose shows for yourself. Line-up includes: Kate Rusby, Eric Bibb, Emily Portman (pictured) & The Coracle Band, False Lights, Josienne Clarke & Ben Walker, Luke Jackson, The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain and Way to Blue: The Songs of Nick Drake
Birmingham Pride Swingamajig Bearded Theory Gay Village, Birmingham, Sat 28 - Sun 29 May The Rainbow Venues, Digbeth, Catton Hall, Derbyshire, Sun 1 May Thurs 26 - Sun 29 May Marking its 20th outing in 2016, this year's Returning to Birmingham for the Taking place in the grounds of Catton Hall in Birmingham Pride takes A Generation Of the heart of the National Forest, the multi- Pride as its theme, celebrating the pivotal, fourth year, Swingamajig is a unique festival which invites Electro Swing award-winning Bearded Theory has been hard-won achievements of the LGBT commu- rapidly gaining a reputation as one of the nity over the course of the last two decades. lovers and vintage connoisseurs to take to the streets and party in style. UK's best independent festivals. Ever Legal changes to the age of consent, mar- expanding to meet demand, the festival riage and adoption rights, the right to serve Bringing the ‘sounds and styles of the 1920s up to date with a modern twist’, takes place during the May bank holiday in the military and to change one's official weekend, with fantastic acts spread across gender are among the milestones passed in this year’s event features festival cre- ators and organisers Electric Swing six stages, including a dance tent, a cinema recent years. On a local level, too, the event and a comedy & cabaret area in addition to will highlight the growth of Birmingham's Circus and headliners Balkan Beat Box. the main Pallet and Woodland stages. But it's own gay scene into one of the most popular not only the convenient location and top- in the country, with over 15 vibrant bars and Line-up also includes: JFB, The quality performers that make it popular: clubs in the Gay Village as well as one of the Destroyers, The Tootsie Rollers, Bearded Theory also features a free, award- UK's first LGBT health and wellbeing centres. Father Funk, Aries, Stenchman, Jim winning Children's Village (along with Today, Birmingham Pride attracts over Wynn Swing Orchestra, C@ In The affordably priced tickets for kids), an award- 50,000 visitors per year, boasting a diverse H@, The Carny Villains, Jack Rabbit winning bar selling drinks at typical pub tar- array of activities and entertainment includ- Slim, Swingrowers, Gypsys Of iffs, permission to bring your own drinks, ing music, cabaret, dance and, of course, the Bohemia, Cafe Manouche, Swing and even award-shortlisted loos! hugely popular Carnival Parade. It's come a Dance, Jon Udry, Tankus The Henge, long way from its humble 1990s roots outside Kitty Bang Bangs, Rubyyy Jones, Eliza Line-up includes: Levellers, Killing Joke, the Nightingale Club. DeLite, Equador Wizard and many Terrorvision, Reverend and the Makers, Public Image Ltd, Billy Bragg, Wilko Line-up includes: Erasure's Andy Bell, Katy more also feature amongst this year's line-up. Johnson, Squeeze, Arrested Development, B, Lawson, DJ Fresh, Lisa Stansfield, Fleur Turin Brakes, Jack Savoretti and Stiff Little East, Marvin Humes, MNEK, Blonde, Liberty Fingers X, Imani, Dakota, Vengaboys, Ms Dynamite and Lucy Spraggan
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Comedy
Katherine Ryan Birmingham Town Hall, Fri 20 May Having experienced mother- hood, divorce and MTV, award- winning Canadian funny lady Katherine Ryan is well placed indeed to take a wry look at those aspects of life that make people angry and bitter. Alongside her comedy career, Katherine also takes occasional acting roles - the part of George in Channel Four’s Campus, and Merc’s assistant in Episodes, feature among her more recent engagements. She visits the Midlands this month with her show, Kathbum.
Four of the best...
Squidboy Dan Jonny mac, Birmingam, Thomas Awsum Fri 13 May The Glee Club, Henry Tudor House, Rubber-faced New Birmingham, Shrewsbury, Zealand funnyman Fri 13 - Sat 14 May Wed 4 May Trygve (pro- Dan Thomas’s dad ‘If you can’t beat nounced ‘trig-vee’) was a big fan of ’em, join ’em’ Wakenshaw hasn’t Tony Hancock - seems to have been had much time to and was deter- the perspective spend in his new mined to ensure taken by musical London home - he’s been way too busy tour- his son developed an appreciation of the comic Jonny Awsum. Having served as a bar- ing this hugely successful show since it Birmingham-born funnyman too. man at London’s Chuckle Club for eight long caused a stir at Edinburgh in 2013. “Hancock’s hangdog misery-guts quality is years, Jonny decided it was high time he put Treadmills, bags of crisps, a lion, a dog, a something I’ve tried to capture onstage as down the pint glasses and picked up the girlfriend and ‘the romance of Jacques Brel’ well as in my everyday life,” the Cardiff- microphone himself. are all present and correct during a truly silly based comedian recently told Buzzmag. “I Now a regular on the UK comedy circuit, he’s and surreal 60 minutes of high-energy mad- got started in comedy because I was told that also been the warm-up artist for ITV1 ness. it was a super-glamorous and quick way of lunchtime series Loose Women and featured making easy money. And the other night, as in Cravendale's hugely popular ‘cats with I sat in my knackered 12-years-old Ford thumbs’ advertising campaign, viewed more Fiesta after a gig, eating a chicken chow than a million times on YouTube. mein with my bare hands, I realised how true that was.”
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Eddie Izzard: Force Majeure 333 mac, Birmingham, Mon 23 May Not many comedians make it to God-like status through stand-up alone. Jerry Seinfeld had a TV show, while Saturday Night Live alumni like Steve Martin and Bill Murray used the movies to make it big. Only performers like Bill Hicks, Jackie Mason and Lenny Bruce managed it through stage work alone - but you can definitely add Eddie Izzard to that list. Eddie’s worked a live crowd for more years than he proba- bly cares to remember, building his reputation with mate- rial based around skewed logic and surreal tangents. Of late it’s been his endeavours for Sport Relief which have seen him in the headlines, completing 27 gruelling marathons in as many days. For this latest visit to Birmingham, he’s presenting a reloaded version of the three-year-old Force Majeure show he’s been performing across the world in four different languages, three of which - English, French and German - will be in evidence on the night. Critics have stopped short of hailing the show classic Izzard, but there’s plenty of off- the-wall material for his fans to enjoy. Brexit supporters may think twice about attending, mind - he’s performing the show in support of the Stronger In Europe campaign.
Max And Just The Julian Ivan Tonic Clary: Warwick Arts The Comedy Loft, The Joy Of Centre, Coventry, Birmingham, Wed 25 May Thurs 5 May Mincing Theatre Severm, “After a killer-awe- Lee Nelson tops the Shrewsbury, Sun 1 some Edinburgh bill at this special May; Stafford Festival and kick- launch night for Gatehouse Theatre, Thurs 26 May ass Soho Theatre Birmingham’s run,” say Max and brand new comedy Julian Clary’s win- Ivan, “we’re pleased to be heading out on club. ning line in ‘saucy postcard’ humour and our first ever UK tour. So come along if you Just The Tonic began in Nottingham over 20 innuendo disguises an intelligent sarcasm fancy a whole heap of skits and sketches fol- years ago and has now taken over the that digs fun at both himself and his audi- lowed by an hour-long epic tale.” Jongleurs sites in Birmingham, Reading, ence. A perennial favourite in the stand-up Character comedy duo Max Olesker and Ivan Watford and London. Past performers at the comedy world, his forays into TV haven’t Gonzalez have enjoyed plenty of positive club have included Ricky Gervais, Matt always been as successful - a long-ago gag at reviews for their latest show, which finds Lucas, Al Murray, Bill Bailey and Stewart the expense of Norman Lamont saw him them introducing their audience to the odd- Lee. blacklisted by television producers for some ball - and soon-to-be-doomed - community Already lined up for Birmingham gigs are considerable time. of the godforsaken Sudley-on-Sea. Reginald D Hunter, Adam Bloom, Glenn Julian’s here making a welcome return to the “We aren’t judgmental,” the boys add, “so if Wool, Ivan Brackenbury and Paul Sinha. Midlands with his latest touring show, an you’re the kind of person who prefers to Watch this space for details about when each offering which his website promises will be enjoy comedy whilst sat in your pants, you’re of them is performing... ‘a masterclass in camp comedy’. very welcome to do so at our live gig.”
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Theatre Theatre previews from around the region
King Lear WIN! TICKETS To enter, visit whatsonlive.co.uk The REP, Birmingham, Tues 19 - Sat 28 May “Our version of King Lear is set in more or less the same period of prehistory as the play,” says former Rising Damp star Don Warrington, who takes the title role. “We haven't moved it, so it's quite a primitive set- ting. I've seen some of the costume designs, and they're rather medieval-looking.” One of Shakespeare's most iconic roles, Lear has been played by illustrious actors includ- ing Orson Welles, James Earl Jones, Laurence Olivier and Ian McKellen. Big shoes indeed for Don to fill... “I've seen three performances that were pret- ty remarkable,” he says. “One was Paul Schofield's, which I've only seen on film. I also saw Eric Porter in the theatre many years ago and, more recently, I saw Simon Russell Beale. It's all extra pressure, but bring it on! I try to wear it as lightly as I can and just get on with doing the play.” Read the full interview with Don Warrington online at whatsonlive.co.uk
The Father Joseph And The Amazing certainly achieving its aims with this latest theatrical offering, imaginatively unfolding The REP, Birmingham, Tues 3 - Sat 7 May Technicolor Dreamcoat the story of a young girl raised by the crea- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, tures residing in a dense mangrove forest. Tues 17 - Sat 21 May But when conflict X Factor winner Joe McElderry takes the lead between man and in this Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice show beast threatens to which tells the story of a boy driven into devour her home, slavery by his calculating brothers, who’re she finds herself all envious of his coat of many colours. unexpectedly cho- Joseph’s ability to predict the future from his sen by Allah to dreams, however, ultimately frees him and embark on a quest, wins him a place among the highest in the the outcome of land... This long-time hit show is an ensem- which could change ble triumph, with terrific energy put in by all the forest forever... There’s plenty of humour in this highly concerned. praised offering from French playwright Spectacular sets Florian Zeller, but that doesn’t mean it’s an and excellent music Tina T’urner: easy or always comfortable ride. Kenneth complete the experi- Cranham stars as 80-year-old Andre, a man ence, which pro- Tea Lady & Friends whose life is becoming ever more challeng- vides everything Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, ing as he struggles with the onset of demen- you’d expect of a Thurs 26 May tia. Rice /Lloyd Webber Tracey Collins describes herself as a musical collaboration, for character comedian. Her award-winning Alice In Wonderland better or worse. show, meanwhile, has been called a remark- able tour de force, and her alter-ego title Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, character a deliciously funny cross between Sat 28 May - Sat 11 June Daughter Of The Forest Mrs Overall and Beyonce. The show plays This timeless classic tells the magical story Birmingham following a sell-out debut run at of a little girl called Alice, who falls down a The Drum, Birmingham, Sun 29 May the Edinburgh Festival and hit performances rabbit hole and discovers the world of Theatre company Komola Collective is clear at Bestival and Latitude festivals. Tracey Wonderland - an enchanted and sometimes about its intentions - to revisit history, chal- advises that the evening will feature not only scary place populated with nonsensical and lenge social taboos, unearth myths, question ‘hit songs, off-the-wall characters and quick amusing characters such as the White accepted beliefs and look at the world changes’ but also ‘simply the best tea in Rabbit, the Mad Hatter and the March Hare. through women’s eyes. And the company is town’... What’s not to like? Presented by Blue Orange Arts.
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Theatre Theatre previews from around the region
The Sound Of Music Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 24 - Sat 28 May; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 31 May - Sat 11 June; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 4 - Sat 8 October One of the most popular family musicals of all time, Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound Of Music is best known from its mid- 1960s film version starring Julie Andrews. It tells the story of the Von Trapp family’s World War Two flight across the mountains of Austria, and features hit songs like Edelweiss, My Favourite Things, Do-Re-Mi, Climb Ev’ry Mountain, The Lonely Goatherd, So Long, Farewell and, of course, the title track itself. Lucy O’Byrne (The Voice) plays the lead role of Maria.
Margaret Thatcher: for numerous TV detective series, included east’. “Laila Majnu is one of the oldest love among which are Columbo and Murder, She stories but has rarely been told in the west,” Queen Of Soho Wrote. explains Pravesh Kumar, the artistic director mac, Birmingham, Fri 6 - Sat 7 May Robert Daws, Amy Robbins, Robert Duncan, of Rifco, the company behind this brand new This critically acclaimed show has been Ben Nealon and Susan Penhaligon star in contemporary musical. “The story has trav- described as ‘a delightful odyssey of gay this twisted tale of ‘murder most foul’, in elled across borders and generations rights, the ’80s and disco’. Taking place on which a playwright not only determines to through music and verse and is a natural the eve of the vote on controversial anti-gay prove his fiancee’s death was no accident musical. I wanted to share this beautiful tale clause, Section 28, it finds the prime minister but also to unmask her killer... and look at the timeless themes of love and lost in London’s decadent Soho, where she honour in today’s multicultural Britain.” accidentally becomes a cabaret superstar... Rifco’s previous theatrical offerings include The production sees performer and co-writer award-winning musical Britain’s Got Matt Tedford pulling on the tights to play Bhangra. Maggie. Read our interview with Matt online at whatsonlive.co.uk The Alchemist Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Thurs 26 May - Sat 6 August Ben Johnson’s The Alchemist was Laila: The Musical described by poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, as having one of the Tues 10 - Sat 14 May three most perfect plots in literature. It’s also widely considered to be Johnson’s finest work. Rehearsal For Murder When an outbreak of Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, the Plague forces the Mon 9 - Sat 14 May; Theatre Severn, gentleman Lovewit to flee London, his butler Shrewsbury, Mon 27 June - Sat 2 July Jeremy is left in sole charge of the house. The Agatha Christie Theatre Company take a Jeremy uses the premises - not to mention break from presenting grizzly whodunnits by his association with a conman and a prosti- the legendary Queen of Crime to present tute - to set up a series of elaborate scams. instead a grizzly whodunnit by two near-leg- A bittersweet tale of star-crossed lovers that But can the man now calling himself Captain endary American screenwriters. originated in seventh century Persia, Laila Face really get away with claiming he can Richard Levinson and William Link, the writ- Majnu was once described by British poet turn tin into bankable gold?... Polly Findlay ing team behind this show, are best known Lord Byron as ‘the Romeo And Juliet of the (pictured) directs.
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Do something different, see something new
Thu 9 & Sat 11 Jun Cavalleria rusticana & Pagliacci Mascagni & Leoncavallo
Tue 24 - Mon30 May Fri 10 Jun Thu 9 - Sat 28 May -Sat 4 Jun In Parenthesis Sat 11 Jun From £20 From £20 Iain Bell From £16.50
Nederlands Carlos Acosta Cloud Gate Dance Dance: Sampled Ballet BC Theatre of Taiwan Sold
Tue 3 & Thu 5 - Tue 10 & Tue 17 & Fri 20 & Wed 4 May Sat 7 May Wed11May Wed18May Sat 21 May From £15 From £15 From £15 £15 £15
Produced by DanceXchange in partnership with Birmingham Hippodrome, funded by Arts Council England and Birmingham City Council.
Thu 16 - Sat 18 Jun The Taming of the Shrew
Wed 22 - Sat 25 Jun Thu 16 - Tue 28 Jun - Wed 7 - Shakespeare Sat 25 Jun Sat 3 Sep Sun 18 Sep Triple Bill From £10 From £28 From £23.50
0844 338 5000 birminghamhippodrome.com Calls cost 4.5p per min plus access charge. 5% transaction charge applies excluding cash sales in person. Theatre May .qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 20:45 Page 5
Theatre Theatre previews from around the region
The Very Hairspray The Musical WHAT’S ON READERS’ AWARD WINNER! Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Magic Flute Mon 9 - Sat 14 May Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Freya Sutton, Claire Sweeney, ex-Blue Peter pre- Tues 24 - Wed 25 May senter Peter Duncan and former X Factor ‘Beautiful’ puppets, ‘magical’ favourite Brenda Edwards star in this touring transformations and an inno- version of the Tony Award-winning show. Set in vative use of sign language are 1962, it boasts a jukebox-worth of ’60s-style here combined by the highly dance music and 'downtown' rhythm and blues. rated Krazy Kat theatre compa- At its heart is the story of Tracy Turnblad ny, an ensemble well versed in (Sutton), a chubby teenager who enjoys an the business of visual story- overnight rise to stardom when she earns the telling. The 50-minute show chance to appear on a local TV dance show... has been created for children aged between three and seven and is loosely based on Mozart’s famous opera, The Magic Flute. Graeme Of Thrones Joan Lichfield Garrick, Thurs 12 May; mac, Birmingham, Wed 11 - Thurs 12 May; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 24 May Lichfield Garrick, Fri 13 May; Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton upon Trent, Fri 6 May Drag Idol champion Lucy Jane Parkinson - aka LoUis CYfer - here fuses lyrical new writing with drag king cabaret to present an imaginative retelling of the story of Joan of Arc. “The show’s about Joan’s journey,” explains Lucy Jane, “about her belief that St Catherine has visited her and is leading her into battle. Made In Then there’s her decision Dagenham to look more like a guy. Wolverhampton Grand This original and unauthorised parody of hit TV From being just a regular Theatre, Tues 24 - Sat 28 May series Game Of Thrones has been created by a person, she suddenly has a new-found West Bromwich Operatic team of top comedy writers. Described as ‘a strength when she Society make a welcome return rollercoaster ride of beheadings, incest and war’, decides to incorporate to the Grand with their brand it stops off in the Midlands direct from a sold- her masculinity into her new version of the hit West End out run in the West End. life.” musical comedy. Based on true facts, the show tells the story of the 1968 Ford sewing Grumpy Old Women: Talent machinists strike at the Ford Fifty Shades Of Beige Dagenham plant. The female New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Fri 13 - Sat 14 May; Fri 20 May - Sat 4 June workers’ decision to walk out Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sun 22 May; New in protest against sexual and Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Fri 10 June; Although best known as a comedian, the late financial discrimination led to Lichfield Garrick, Wed 6 July Victoria Wood’s initial success came as a play- the introduction of the Equal If you’ve seen the TV series, you’ll already know wright when, way back in 1978, she penned this Pay Act of 1970. how this show works. Celebrity ladies of a cer- lighthearted offering, in so doing bagging her- tain age come together and wax lyrical on all self the first of numerous BAFTA nominations. manner of subjects salient to being middle-aged Set in a run-down nightclub, it follows the for- women in the 21st century. Jenny Eclair, Susie tunes of wannabe star Julie as she makes her bid Blake and Kate Robbins are the purveyors of for fame and fortune by entering a talent con- mirth taking to the stage on this particular occa- test. With frumpy best friend Maureen in tow, sion. Subjects for their consideration include the Julie finds herself suddenly plunged into the art of 'grumpy grooming', the joy of large pants, backstage world of ukulele-wielding pensioners, middle-aged drinking, voluntary euthanasia ver- hapless magicians and predatory comperes with sus retirement and how to customise an unwant- wandering hands... ed pole-dancing kit...
For full theatre listings, visit whatsonlive.co.uk
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Citizen Khan DPS.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 20:20 Page 1
INTERVIEW
Adil Ray The man behind Citizen Khan talks about his What’s On Readers’ Award win and Mr Khan’s plans for Hollywood...
ways a challenge doing stuff like this be- cause you just never know with comedy - you write it and you hope. You’ve just got to put the effort in, I think. We’ve done a few little try-outs. We did something the other day at mac - Midlands Arts Centre - in front of just 80 people. We’re going to try and do a couple more of those before we do the first date. Just put the work in, that’s the chal- lenge - make sure you concentrate and work hard at it.
Firstly, congratulations on winning Best What motivated you to create a live show Entertainment Personality in our What’s - a relatively unusual move for a televi- On Readers’ Awards. How does it feel to sion comedy? have won such an accolade?! In a way, yes it is. In years gone by, you’d Thank you very much. It’s for Citizen Khan, never do it, but recently, with things like Mrs and I think Mr Khan would be absolutely de- Brown’s Boys going live, I think there’s the lighted. He’d think it’s only right that he possibility that it can happen. I just thought should win the award - it’s just one award it would be a nice thing to do. away from getting an MBE, I think, so he’s delighted. Why do you think Citizen Khan has proved to be so popular? What have you found most challenging I think it’s a universal story. Of course, we’ve about transferring the world of Citizen got a strong USP - that it’s a Pakistani Mus- Khan from the TV studio to the stage? lim family - so it kind of stands out in that I think in a way it’s always challenging, sense. I think the success is because it con- whatever we’re doing, whether we’re writing nects and relates to lots of people. Despite the sitcom or doing the live show. In a way, the fact the family’s Pakistani, you know though, it feels like an organic progression your White British public can watch it and because the show is filmed in front of a live go ‘I connect with that, he’s a little bit like studio audience, so we’re already sort of a my dad’ or ‘I was a little bit like Alia - the live show. Some of the best bits, I find, are in daughter - when I was growing up’. That’s between the scenes, when we have to move actually quite a lovely feeling, the fact that sets and cameras around. So in character as we can connect with this family even though Mr Khan, I sort of interact and play around they’re Pakistani Muslims. The show sells with the audience a lot, so we’re actually well abroad now - we’re doing well in places taking bits like that and creating a live show like Russia, Bulgaria, India and South Africa in which Khan will speak to the audience, - and I think that’s the reason why. I think get involved, get to the cheap seats. If you’re people just connect with the family. And it’s coming to the Genting Arena and you’re in quite warm, you know. I think the format is the cheap seats in the top block, he will designed to feel warm and give you a nice come and get you. It’ll be great fun. He’ll feeling. I think when you watch this kind of also do stuff like that somewhere like War- comedy, you grow to love it and develop a wick Arts Centre - which is a lovely, intimate real affection for it. venue - and that’ll be great as well. So it’s al- 36 whatsonlive.co.uk Citizen Khan DPS.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 20:20 Page 2
by Lauren Foster
Citizen Khan hasn’t been universally What’s your perspective on the subject of city as long as we’re a city that we’re proud popular with Muslim viewers. How do comedy boundaries? Do you think there of. And that’s the thing we need to be more you respond to suggestions that it’s dis- are/should be any no-go areas for come- of. Whoever we are, whatever we are, we respectful in the way it depicts Islam? dians in terms of the subject matter they should be immensely proud, and I think I think there certainly was that in Series refer to in their material? we’ve finally started to accept that. We’ve One. We had a few complaints and people No, not at all. For me, you can make a joke stopped rubbishing ourselves, which I think would say that perhaps it was mocking the about absolutely anything as long as the in- we’re very good at in Birmingham. faith, but I think a lot of those people have tention is right. I’ll give you an example. Be- since realised that it’s not intending to do tween friends, we all say the worst things. There’s obviously plenty of mileage left that. It’s just a comedy. If anything, it’s uni- We can be very politically incorrect, we can in the Citizen Khan character, but what versalising and humanising a community, give each other the worst insults ever. We do you have planned for an encore - or and essentially it’s just there to make us know that, because we’re friends and be- won’t you mind if, a bit like Steve laugh. I think that’s more the case now. I cause we’ve got a relationship with one an- Coogan, you remain inextricably linked don’t hear people complaining any more. Of other, the intention is to make each other to one character for the rest of your course you can spend an afternoon on twit- laugh, to have a bit of fun, not to make any- career? ter and you’ll find somebody who wants to body feel bad or offend anyone. The same It’s a good question. Do I put him to sleep make negative comments - I think that’s par can happen in any joke, in any comedy - you for a while and bring somebody else out? for the course and you’ve just got to accept just have to show your intention. With Mr People do that, but I feel like we’re onto it. Comedy is so subjective. I sit with my co- Khan, for example, in the end I think he something with Citizen Khan. I love it, and writers - who’re absolutely brilliant writers - does wear his heart on his sleeve and he’s we feel very lucky to have a fifth series com- and debate comedy, and they’ll like some- vulnerable, so we kind of excuse him for ing up, so why not let it run and run? We’re thing that I don’t like and I’ll like something being slightly obnoxious and rude and of- thinking of possible film ideas at the mo- that they don’t like. fensive at times. ment, so there are no plans to put him to sleep just yet. Hopefully, if the audience What were your motivations for deciding You’re Birmingham-bred and still live love it and the BBC still commission it, we’ll to follow a career in comedy? there. How has the city changed during see plenty more of Citizen Khan. Growing up, I was a big fan of comedy - it your lifetime, and have the changes been for the better or worse? made me laugh! I remember when I was And finally, you have plans to tackle Hol- very young watching Not The 9 O’Clock For the better. It’s a fantastically diverse city. lywood, so what can we expect from Citi- News and loving Rowan Atkinson. I thought I used to take an hour-long bus ride into zen Khan in future months? he was just brilliant. Me and my dad were school, and it was a classic experience be- It’s very, very early days. This film idea just massive fans of Fawlty Towers and Only cause I’d see so much of Birmingham and exists in my head and in my lounge at the Fools And Horses. Also watching sitcoms realise just how diverse we were as a city. moment. I’m writing a story idea and I’m with my mum on a Friday night was great. We’re even more diverse now. You walk being very ambitious. I think it could be a We’d sit there with fish and chips on our through the city centre and it looks fantas- movie for Citizen Khan fans, but it could plate, watching Cheers. I loved the show, tic. Birmingham is a microcosm of what also be very funny simply to have a movie whereas my mum just fancied Ted Danson! Britain is going to be in many years to come. with a Muslim character at the centre of it. My family were like lots of other families - You can come to Birmingham and adapt to It’s certainly something I’d like to do. We’ll we had our fair share of problems. It wasn’t that Brummie lifestyle, and I think that’s take it one step at a time - studios and other always plain sailing, but when a comedy fantastic. I kind of started to fall out with producing directors agree with me, so time was on, we’d all sit down and have a laugh Birmingham a few years ago. I felt like we will tell, I guess. together. Comedy can be so powerful in that were getting caught up in whether we way, and I just wanted to be a part of it. wanted to be the second city, whether we should compete with Manchester, whether Citizen Khan plays Warwick Arts Centre, we should compete with London. I don’t Coventry, Mon 2 May and Genting Arena, care whether we’re the second, fifth or sixth Birmingham, Friday 6 May
whatsonlive.co.uk 37 Film May - GROUP.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 16:27 Page 1
Film
X-Men: Apocalypse CERT tbc Starring James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Oscar Isaac, Nicholas Hoult, Rose Byrne, Tye Sheridan, Sophie Turner, Kodi Smit-McPhee Directed by Bryan Singer (USA) The ninth instalment in the X-Men series, Apocalypse features the eponymous mutant (Isaac) with a dastardly plan up his sleeve. Having hibernated for thousands of years, he emerges to find a world that he is not entire- ly happy with. So, recruiting a disillusioned Magneto (Fassbender) and other disgruntled mutants, he sets about ridding the planet of mankind. It’s up to the telepathic Professor X (McAvoy), the shape-shifting Mystique (Lawrence) and other more level-headed mutants to stop him. Of course, it will be an uphill struggle. In 3D. Released Wed 18 May
CRITIC’S CHOICE
Film highlights released in May...
Florence Foster Jenkins Knight Of Cups CERT 15 (118 mins) CERT PG (110 mins) Starring Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Natalie Starring Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant, Simon Portman, Brian Dennehy, Antonio Banderas, Helberg, Nina Arianda, Rebecca Ferguson Wes Bentley, Freida Pinto, Cherry Jones Directed by Stephen Frears (UK/USA) Directed by Marc Abraham (USA) Florence Foster Jenkins was a New York Terrence Malick used to be a director that heiress and socialite and, as a child, a prodi- critics and film buffs scraped and bowed to. gy on the piano. However, her real passion However, his recent, and more frequent, was as an operatic soprano and because of offerings have left many baffled, if not infuri- her connections, she got to sing places oth- ated. His latest is a modern, experimental ers could but dream of. Her lack of rhythm, drama inspired by various ancient texts in pitch and tone, though, did not appear to be which a Hollywood screenwriter (Bale) a problem to her. Very much a true story, I Saw The Light attempts to find the meaning of life. The film Jenkins’ tale was loosely adapted into a is divided into eight chapters, seven of which French film, Marguerite, which was only CERT 15 (124 mins) are named after tarot cards. Of course, some released here in March. You just can’t keep a Starring Tom Hiddleston, Elizabeth Olsen, might find it all terribly profound. Cherry Jones, Bradley Whitford, Maddie bad singer down… Hasson Released Fri 6 May Released Fri 6 May Directed by Marc Abraham (USA) The biographies are coming thick and fast at the moment. Here, the London- born Tom Hiddleston takes on the man- tle of the legendary Country and blues singer Hank Williams, from whose famous gospel song the film takes its title. Williams’ life was tragically short- lived, but his influence was consider- able, as is his musical legacy. Released Fri 6 May
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Film releases in May
CRITIC’S CHOICE
Bad Neighbours 2 CERT tbc Starring Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, Rose Byrne, Chloë Grace Moretz, Dave Franco, Ike Barinholtz, Selena Gomez Directed by Nicholas Stoller (USA) Just when you thought there couldn’t be another sequel this year… Just kidding. Here, Mac and Kelly (Rogen and Byrne) are expect- ing their second child and have come to some sort of understanding with their for- merly raucous neighbour Teddy (Efron). Then the sorority sisters of Kappa Kappa Nu move in next door and all hell is let loose. Time for Teddy to step up to the plate, then. Released Fri 6 May
the double star wattage of Clooney and Money Monster CERT tbc Roberts - she plays the director of the Starring George Clooney, Julia Roberts, show - the actor to look out for is Jack Jack O'Connell, Dominic West, Caitriona Balfe, Giancarlo Esposito O’Connell. The Derby-born thesp came Directed by Jodie Foster (USA) out of nowhere in 2014 when he played three completely different starring roles ‘Money Monster’ is the name of a TV in Starred Up, ’71 and Unbroken. And show that gives its viewers useful tips on with Jodie Foster wielding the mega- how to manage their finances. However, phone, this could prove to be cinematic when Kyle Budwell (O’Connell) loses all gold. his dosh on a bad tip from the show’s host, Lee Guest (Clooney), he decides to Released Fri 27 May take him hostage – live on-air. Besides
Angry Birds CERT PG tbc Everybody Wants Some! With the voices of Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, CERT 15 (117 mins) Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Kate Starring Blake Jenner, Zoey Deutch, Ryan McKinnon, Sean Penn Guzman, Tyler Hoechlin Directed by Fergal Reilly and Clay Kaytis Directed by Richard Linklater (USA) (USA/Finland) On their last weekend before the start of Based on the video game of the same name school, a group of college baseball players (a favourite of David Cameron’s), this cartoon test the waters of unsupervised adulthood. If from Sony Pictures Imageworks attempts to the concept of this comedy fails to get your get to the bottom of all that avian indigna- juices flowing, remember that Richard tion. Set on an idyllic island populated by Linklater’s last film, Boyhood, was nominat- flightless birds, the film suggests that some ed for six Oscars (and won the BAFTA for green pigs may have something to do with it. best film). In 3D. Released Fri 13 May Released Fri 13 May The Darkness CERT tbc Starring Kevin Bacon, Radha Mitchell, David Mazouz, Lucy Fry Directed by Greg Mclean (USA) With his Australian horror films Wolf Creek and Rogue, the Aussie filmmaker Greg Mclean established himself as a master of the genre. Here, he helms his first American film, the story of a family who, returning from a trip to the Grand Canyon, appear to have brought a supernatural presence back with them. Apparently based on real events. Released Fri 13 May
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Film
Green Room CERT 18 (95 mins) Sing Street Alice Through CERT 12a (106 mins) Starring Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots, Joe The Looking Glass CERT PG tbc Cole, Callum Turner, Mark Webber, Patrick Starring Lucy Boynton, Maria Doyle Stewart Directed by Jeremy Saulnier (USA) Kennedy, Aidan Gillen, Jack Reynor Starring Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Mia Directed by John Carney Wasikowska, Rhys Ifans, Helena Bonham The green room is where the heavy metal (Ireland/USA/UK) Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen band The Ain’t Rights finds itself trapped Directed by James Bobin (USA) John Carney after a gig goes awry. Actually, there was started out as Like Superman and Marty McFly (and oth- nothing wrong with the group’s perform- bassist for the ers), Alice is forced to travel back in time in ance, they just happened to witness some- Irish rock band order to alter the outcome of events. You see, thing they really, really shouldn’t have. The Frames, when she returns to Underland she finds the Desperate to make some real cash, the band directed some of Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp) in a terrible state agreed to sing for a crowd of neo-Nazi types their music and decides to dabble in a bit of quantum at a venue tucked away in the Oregon wood- videos and went physics. But would Lewis Carroll approve? land. That’s desperation for you… The writer- on to helm the Michael Sheen supplies the voice of the director Jeremy Saulnier is a smarter genre critically acclaimed feature films Once White Rabbit and the late Alan Rickman is filmmaker than most, employing a narrative and Begin Again. He keeps to the the Blue Caterpillar. shorthand that cuts to the chase without los- theme of music here with this simple Released Fri 27 May ing any humour or character interest. His love story in which a boy starts up a film also makes for extremely intense view- band in order to impress a girl. Bono ing, with special kudos going to the make-up himself collaborated on the sound- and special effects department. It’s certainly track. not recommended to those of a more sensi- tive disposition. Released Fri 20 May Released Fri 13 May A Hologram For The King CERT 12a (98 mins) Starring Tom Hanks, Alexander Black, Sarita Choudhury, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Ben Whishaw, Tom Skerritt Directed by Tom Tykwer (USA/Germany) Business has not been going well for Alan Clay (Tom Hanks). So the sales- Love & Friendship man heads to Saudi Arabia to pitch his latest idea to an Arab king building a CERT U (93 mins) massive new complex in the desert. Starring Kate Beckinsale, Chloë Sevigny, Based on the 2012 novel by Dave Xavier Samuel, Stephen Fry, Emma Greenwell, James Fleet Our Kind Of Traitor Eggers. Directed by Whit Stillman (USA/Ireland) CERT 15 (95 mins) Released Fri 20 May Considering the popularity of Jane Austen, Starring Ewan McGregor, Stellan Skarsgård, it’s extraordinary that nobody’s made a film Damian Lewis, Naomie Harris of her 1794 novel Lady Susan till now. Kate Directed by Susanna White (UK) The Silent Storm Beckinsale - who starred in the same direc- The latest adaptation of a John le Carré CERT 15 (95 mins) tor’s The Last Days Of Disco (1998) - plays novel, this spy thriller sees a British couple Lady Susan Vernon who, while staying at a on holiday who find themselves befriended Starring Andrea Riseborough, Damian massive estate, sets about finding a suitable Lewis, Ross Anderson, Kate Dickie, by a Russian oligarch. However, Dima John Sessions husband for her daughter. Of course, she (Skarsgård) has an ulterior motive for his Directed by Corinna McFarlane (UK) wouldn’t mind an eligible man for herself… amiability and soon the couple’s holiday in Set on a remote Released Fri 27 May the sun turns into a game of shadows. Scottish island prior to Released Fri 13 May the Second World War, The Silent Storm marks the solo directorial debut of McFarlane. It’s a passionate tale, the story of a hot-head- ed minister (Lewis) and his nature-lov- ing wife (Riseborough) who are joined by a Glaswegian delinquent bequeathed to them by a charity. The newcomer may be a curse, or perhaps a blessing… Released Fri 20 May
40 whatsonlive.co.uk Competitions May 2016.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 19:06 Page 2
To enter all competitions go to whatsonlive.co.uk
Win!
Tickets to Tom Jones The Tickets to Superbike Tickets to Save The Last Musical World Championship Dance For Me
Closes Monday 23 May Closes Friday 20 May Closes Monday 9 May VIP Tickes To Foodies Festival Tickets to The Sound Of Music Tickets to Slam Dunk Festival
Closes Friday 27 May Closes Monday 23 May Closes Friday 20 May Tickets to Wipers in Coventry Tickets to Jackie The Musical Tickets to Footloose
Closes Thursday 5 May Closes Monday 16 May Closes Monday 27 June Tickets to Blists Hill Victorian Tickets to Clowning Around at Tickets to The Chris and Pui Town the BCLM Show
Closes Monday 6 June Closes Wednesday 18 May Closes Friday 8 July Tickets to American Idiot Tickets to Shadowlands Tickets to King Lear at The REP
Closes Tuesday 3 May Closes Friday 27 May Closes Monday 16 May
To enter all competitions go to whatsonlive.co.uk also follow us on Twitter for more great competitions whatsonlive.co.uk 41 Visual Arts May.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 16:28 Page 1
Visual Arts
Turning To See: From Van Dyck to Lucian Freud Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Sat 28 May - Sun 4 September The first ever to be curated by internationally renowned, West Midlands-born artist John Stezaker, this striking, free exhibition takes Sir Anthony van Dyck's last self-portrait as a starting point to explore the idea of physical and metaphorical turning in portraiture. From Rembrandt and Rossetti to Picasso and Bomberg, Turning To See showcases major loans from the National Portrait Gallery alongside highlights from Birmingham's col- lection, creating a spectacle of turning that mirrors the way the viewer moves around the space. Fragile, rarely displayed works such as Burne-Jones' sketches for the Pygmalion series also feature, as well as new collages by Stezaker himself.
Buried Treasures: Taking its name from the subtitle of an auto- Land, Sea And Air biography by Stoke-born Anthea Turner, Uncovering Hoards New Art Gallery, Walsall, Fools Rush In reflects on the premature cre- Fri 27 May - Sun 4 September The Barber Institute, Birmingham, ation of legacies, and how the proliferation Fri 6 May - Sun 26 February of such texts undermines their value and dis- Displaying artefacts from no fewer than 48 tinction. Unwanted and second-hand books, coin hoards, including the British Dorchester often bought as token gifts, are dissected and and Appleford Hoards, this historical exhibi- reduced to only their embossed spines. By tion sheds light on Roman, Byzantine and painting and applying printmaking ink to Turkman worlds. Examining buried treasures these, artist Leigh Clarke removes any sense can yield exciting revelations about wealth, of hierarchy between the famous personali- power and trade networks in the ancient ties whose names they bear. world, as well as prompting questions about For his project at Airspace, Clarke will work their burial and rediscovery. with students on the BA Fine Art course at A series of lectures runs alongside the exhi- Staffordshire University to locate and collect bition, delving deeper into its themes and Spanning a period of more than 40 years, the every autobiography in the city's charity the questions it poses. diverse works collected in this exhibition are shops, which will serve as the material for linked through the use of maps as a common the exhibition. To counter these glossy inspiration. Frank Bowling, Tiffany Chung, celebrity stories, six local writers have also Agnes Denes, Shilpa Gupta, Tania Kovats been commissioned to ghost-author a limited and Cornelia Parker explore both the physi- edition of autobiographies about local cal geography that maps set out to represent, heroes. and the more complex personal and political meanings they contain through themes of conflict, resistance, negotiation and power as well as notions of home and identity.
Fools Rush In Airspace Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent, until Sat 28 May This solo print exhibition takes autobiogra- phy as its subject, exploring the growth of celebrity culture, mass-produced books and fabricated life stories.
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Another Shun Ito: Cosmic Birds Minimalism Festival Hub, The Municipal Bank, Birmingham, Mon 2 - Fri 20 May Mead Gallery, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Japanese artist Shun Ito explores gravity, movement and light Thurs 5 May - Sat 25 June through a series of mesmerising kinetic sculptures in this free, Curated by Melissa E family-friendly exhibition, organised as part of the Feldman, this free touring International Dance Festival Birmingham 2016. Drawing on his exhibition brings together physical experiences as a dancer, the artist captures the beauty work by contemporary of natural falling and spinning motions with intricate mechani- artists from around the world, linked through their cal creations, including the dramatic installation Cells, a giant emphasis on light and space. Building on the ground- mobile made up of over 200 rotating steel rings and 30 light breaking work of Californian artists like Robert Irwin, bulbs created in residency in Birmingham. Larry Bell and Maria Nordman in the 1960s and ’70s, a younger generation now continues to experiment with minimalistic, site-specific and experiential designs, using materials such as mirrors, glass and coloured lights to alter perceptions of space and time. Another Minimalism is the first exhibition to connect the California Light And Space movement with new work by artists including Tacita Dean, Olafur Eliasson, Spencer Finch, Uta Bart, Sarah Braman, Sam Falls, Jeppe Hein, Ann Veronica Janssens and James Welling.
For more visual arts listings visit whatsonlive.co.uk 43 Events May 1.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 16:24 Page 1 Events May 1.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 16:24 Page 2
Events
Museums At Night Various locations across the Midlands, Wed 11 - Sat 14 May This biannual event sees museums all over the UK throwing open their doors after hours, allowing visitors to explore the coun- try’s rich and diverse culture in a different light. The evening events also provide the opportunity for real enthusiasts to indulge their particular interest in an atmosphere that’s calm and relaxing - not always possi- ble during normal opening hours. A total of ten museums across the West Midlands are taking part in the event. Featured attractions include twilight tours in spooky cellars, pottery workshops and crafts, a film screening of Shakespeare, and a medieval experience. For more information or to run an event, visit museumsatnight.org.uk
Red By Night Roaring Twenties Compton Verney Compton Verney, Warwickshire, Fri 13 May Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum, Sat 14 May Sat 14 May A Museums At Night event offering vis- itors the chance to return to the jazz- drenched days of the early 20th centu- ry, The Roaring Twenties brings togeth- er comedy sketches from local show group the Cubbington Players and music of the era from the Gershwin Gang. Attending dressed in the style of the 1920s isn’t compulsory but is cer- tainly encouraged. For those who’d rather not do so but who’d nonetheless like to enter into the spirit of the occa- sion, there’s a photo booth in which visitors can kit themselves out in vin- Flying sparks, clanging hammers and rising tage costume from the era. smoke are the order of the day - or rather, the night - at this special Black Country Living Compton Verney is opening its current dis- Museum event. plays, Shakespeare In Art and Boydell’s The Dudley visitor attraction’s annual Night Vision, for evening perusal as part of its At The Museum celebration this year brings Museums At Night event. Experts from The to life the history of the region via a package Shakespeare Birthplace Trust will be on of entertainment that includes soundscapes, hand to inform visitors about the plays theatre performances, light shows, poetry, which feature in the exhibitions. music and storytelling. There are fire jugglers Other attractions on the night include a talk on hand too, while inquisitive visitors can on how Shakespeare’s plays influenced also descend into an underground mine and Elizabethan thinking about the subject of check out a full-scale replica of the ‘emotion’, and a screening of Peter Hall’s Newcomen Engine, the world’s very first suc- 1968 movie version of A Midsummer Night’s cessful steam engine. Dream, filmed entirely at Compton Verney Plenty of traditional food and drink should and starring Helen Mirren, David Warner, ensure the rumbling of stomachs isn’t added Diana Rigg and Judi Dench. to the museum’s cacophony of industrial sounds.
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more events from around the region
Events
Queen Victoria’s Birthday Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge, Shropshire, Sat 28 May - Sun 5 June While our current Queen is cele- brating her 90th birthday, the good folk of Blists Hill are putting out the bunting in honour of another long-reigning monarch. This year’s birthday bash for Queen Victoria features poetry readings and short stories, candle- dipping workshops, school house lessons and the chance to ride on a horse-drawn bus. There’s also a self-led trail to enjoy, providing visitors with the opportunity to discover more about Victoria and The Baby Show the British Empire. NEC, Birmingham, Fri 13 - Sun 15 May to ‘touch, feel and compare’ items, enabling Take note that Sunday the 29th is shoppers to make an informed decision about an extra special day, with added Sleep-deprived new parents would do well to their purchases. The show also offers free attractions including a Punch & call on their reserves of energy and get along advice on topics such as sleeping, breastfeed- Judy show, street games, live enter- to this popular show. Widely considered to be ing and weaning, and comes complete with a tainment and a ‘patriotic parade’. the UK’s leading pregnancy and parenting host of facilities to help you have a hassle- event, the Baby Show brings together leading free day. retailers and brands, includes one-to-one We’re fairly sure that if your baby could talk, demonstrations and provides the opportunity they’d advise you to attend...
Ludlow Spring Festival Open Cockpits Evenings Ludlow Castle & Grounds, South Shropshire, RAF Cosford, Wolverhampton, Sat 14 - Sun 15 May Fri 13 - Sat 14 May This annual festival ably illustrates why Now here’s an opportunity no aviation fan Ludlow is one of the country’s most rep- will want to miss. The Royal Air Force Drive-In Movie utable foodie towns. The two-day event fea- Museum Cosford’s Open Cockpits Evenings tures more than 200 beers (from more than 50 offer 300 visitors per night the rare opportu- Telford Shopping Centre, Shropshire, Mon 30 May local brewers) and an array of food stalls, nity to step inside some of the world’s most with vendors offering delectable delights iconic aircraft - including two research jets Telford Shopping Centre ‘goes ranging from artisan flours to charcuterie, which have never before been opened to the American’ this May bank holiday award-winning cakes, gourmet sausage rolls public. when it hosts three drive-in and local cheeses. “Events like this make a visit to RAF Cosford movies in its Red Oak car park - A hugely popular element of the festival is extra special,” says the museum’s event man- Despicable Me 2 (from 2pm), Dirty the talks and demonstrations - this year ager, Abi Betteridge. “It’s a unique opportuni- Dancing (from 5.30pm) and Star including interactive sessions with chef Steve ty to have access inside military aircraft. To Wars: The Force Awakens (from Lyons - while for younger visitors, there’s the make sure visitors get the most out of the 8.30pm). Movie fans can relax in chance to get ‘hands on’ in special cookery event, we have a fantastic team of volunteers the comfort of their own vehicle to classes. on hand to answer any questions they may enjoy the films, tuning in their car have. We’ve also added two new aircraft to radio to hear the soundtrack the list, along with some that haven’t been through the car speakers. open for a number of years - so there’s some- Food and drink is available to pur- thing new and exciting for any returning visi- chase on the day, but viewers are tors to enjoy.” encouraged to bring along a picnic The Open Cockpits Evenings are part of the if they prefer. Europe-wide Museums At Night initiative, which sees hundreds of museums, galleries, libraries, archives and heritage sites opening their doors to the public for special after- hours events.
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more events from around the region
Events
Ultimate Smash Race, Rock ’n’ Down Ride Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Santapod Raceway, Sun 8 May Northampton, Sat 21 - Sun 22 May Ten hours of top-class bad- minton is the mouthwatering This is the first ever Race, prospect awaiting fans of the Rock’n’Ride event - and if its sport at this National Badminton action-packed programme of League season-two finale event. entertainment is anything to go Quickfire badminton action, by, it surely won’t be the last. Powerplays, time-outs and sud- Highlights include two-seater den-death tie-breaks should dragster rides, Podzilla monster ensure there’s no let up in the truck displays, stunt bikes and tension as the league's top four shows, a display of classic race teams go head to head to be bikes, a FireForce jet car, a crowned champions. round of the Straightliners Drag Racing Championships, mini monster truck rides for kids, Run What Ya Brung, a wheelie competition and live music from AC/DC tribute act Live/Wire. Motul FIM Superbike market for the event, where visitors can both Time to get your motor running, try and buy the selection of chilli-infused we think... World Championship delights on offer - including chocolate, bread, Donington Park, Derby, Fri 27 - Sun 29 May cakes, vodka, cocktails and chutney. There’s also a selection of specialist hot food suppli- The National Kit This is the prestigious World Superbike ers on hand, selling authentic Asian curries Championship’s only UK round - and Car Motor Show and a variety of other spicy foods. Donington Park’s premier event of the year. Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire Other attractions include a chilli-eating com- As well as a World Superbike race on both the Sun 1 - Mon 2 May petition, contributions from local chefs, a Saturday and Sunday, the event also features Hundreds of trade stands, live children’s cookery school, a puppet show and World Supersport and Superstock 1000 cham- action displays and more than live music. pionships, and races from the Ducati 4,000 cars - from the unusual to TriOptions Cup, European Junior Cup and the the exotic - feature among the National Superstock 600 and 1000. Tudor Weekend highlights at this unique event. Other attractions include live music on the The two-day get-together also Friday and Saturday evenings, an exclusive Blakesley Hall, Birmingham, offers the opportunity for visi- Sun 29 - Mon 30 May ‘rider Q&A session’ (for campers only) and tors to take a trip in an impres- children’s entertainment in the form of foot- Visitors to Blakesley Hall get the chance to sive Dakar 4x4 around the site’s ball, bouncy castles and mascot appearances. participate in Tudor games and dancing or try massive off-road course. The their hand at writing with a quill pen at this chance to enjoy ‘the drift of your family-friendly event. Tudor reenactors enter- life’, courtesy of the show’s tain and educate throughout the weekend, Slalom Experience, is another presenting battle scenes from Shakespeare's sure-to-be-popular attraction. Henry V, performing a short play first staged in 1575, and demonstrating a range of sure-to- be-impressive sword-fighting techniques. Tudor-style cooking is also on the agenda, while a number of Tudor ladies will be show- ing off their impressive textile skills. Sounds like a step back in time that could be well worth taking...
Eastnor Chilli Festival Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire, Sun 1 - Mon 2 May Promising to heat up the bank holiday week- end, Eastnor’s fifth annual Chilli Festival showcases an abundance of spiced-up enter- See for all your tainment for all the family to enjoy. The castle thelist courtyard will be transformed into a chilli events listings
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Your week to week listings guide April 2016 thelist Josephand The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre -Tues 17 May -Sat 21 May
Music I Comedy I Theatre I Dance I Film I Events I Visual Arts I and more!
What’s On Sun 1 to Sun 8 May Mon 9 to Sun 15 May Mon 16 to Sun 22 May Mon 23 to Tues 31 May
British Sign Language Film Grumpy Old Women - Fifty Billy Ocean at Victoria Hall, Public Image Ltd at William Festival at Black Country Living Shades of Beige at Stafford Stoke-on-Trent Aston Hall, Wrexham Museum, Dudley Gatehouse Theatre Wed 18 May Thurs 26 May Tues 3 - Sat 7 May Fri 13 - Sun 15 May
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thelist Friday 1 - Sunday 8 May BAND Wed 4 May, THE TREATMENT Fri 6 THROUGHOUT MAY Gigs Foxlowe Arts Centre, May, The Slade Leek, Staffs Rooms, W’hampton Shrewsbury Museum & Art HATTIE BRIGGS Thurs 5 KLASSIDE Fri 6 May, O2 MAGNUM Sun 1 May, Visual Arts Gallery May, Kitchen Garden Institute, Birmingham VALHALLA - LIFE AND DEATH IN VIKING O2 Institute, B’ham Cafe, Birmingham DUETS FOR DJANGO Fri 6 THE SITUATION’S BIG AirSpace Gallery, BRITAIN until Sun 5 June. WORLDSERVICE PROJECT May, Lichfield Garrick MAY BIRTHDAY Sun 1 Stoke-on-Trent TREASURES: THE LITERATURE AND Thurs 5 May, Hare & May, Foxlowe Arts FROM THE JAM Fri 6 LANDSCAPE OF MARY WEBB’S Hounds, Birmingham FOOLS RUSH IN - LEIGH CLARKE A solo Centre, Leek, Staffs May, The Robin, Bilston print exhibition exploring ‘the autobi- SHROPSHIRE until Sun 5 June. BENJAMIN FRANCIS FULL 100 2016! PILGRIMAGE FEAT. ography’, until Sat 28 May. LEFTWICH Thurs 5 May, VAN Gallery, Shrewsbury FEATURING TARRUS FOFOULAH, JACT & The Rainbow Venues, YOUNG PILGRIMS Fri 6 LOST IN SPACE Exhibition of work by RILEY Sun 1 May, O2 Dudley Museum & Art Gallery Birmingham May, Hare & Hounds, Peter Williams, until Sat 30 Apr. Academy, Birmingham RAT BOY Thurs 5 May, Birmingham VICTORIAN ART Pictures dating from MICHAEL BOLTON Sun 1 O2 Institute, B’ham the reign of the second longest-serv- The Willow Art Gallery, May, Symphony Hall, THE TREATMENT + THE ing British monarch, until Sat 25 Oswestry Birmingham MAHALIA Thurs 5 May, AMORETTES + SPECIAL June. The Glee Club, B’ham GUESTS Sat 7 May, The NEW BORDERLAND VISUAL ARTS ANDROMEDA XV – Sugarmill, Stoke-on- EXHIBITION Exhibition of work by MAYDAY WARNING Sun 1 BOY JUMPS SHIP Thurs Museum of Cannock Chase Trent members of the BVA, in a broad May, O2 Institute, 5 May, O2 Academy, NEW CHRIS HOLLOWAY: A TRANSPORT spectrum of art forms, Sat 28 May - Birmingham Birmingham NIBBS & EDDY Sat 7 OF DELIGHT Exhibition featuring oil Sat 25 June May, Havana Republic, GILMORE & ROBERTS THE BOXER REBELLION paintings of passenger and freight Shrewsbury transport from the early 19th century Sun 1 May, Henry Tudor Thurs 5 May, Hare & Wolverhampton Art Gallery STEVE GIBBONS SINGS to the present day, by West House, Shrewsbury Hounds, Birmingham BOB DYLAN Sat 7 May, Bromwich-born artist Chris Holloway, HOTEL DIARIES Hotel Diaries charts UB40 Sun 1 May, ANDY FAIRWEATHER LOW Ludlow Assembly Sat 30 Apr - Sun 19 June the ‘War on Terror’ era of Bush and Barclaycard Arena, AND THE LOW RIDERS Rooms, South Blair through a series of video Birmingham Thu 5 May, New Vic New Art Gallery - Walsall recordings until Sat 7 May. Theatre, Newcastle- Shropshire JOE GODDARD Sun 1 under-Lyme DAN DONNELLY & BEN RECENT ACQUISITIONS PART 1: PEOPLE BIG CERAMICS: DISCOVER CLAY ON A May, Hare & Hounds, PALEY Sat 7 May, AND ARTISTIC CONNECTIONS MONUMENTAL SCALE until Sat 28 May. Birmingham CREEDENCE CLEARWATER Premiering two works by Frank REVIEWED Thurs 5 May, Lichfield Guildhall NEW ART WEST MIDLANDS 2016 MARK LANEGAN Mon 2 Auerbach and also showcasing The The Robin, Bilston DANNY DARCY Sat 7 Exhibition of works by graduates May, The Glee Club, Garman Ryan Shroud, by May, Irish Centre, from various West Midlands art Birmingham THE GURUS + JUDAS + Birmingham-based artist Sarah schools, until Sat 14 May. SPECIAL GUESTS + Birmingham CHRIS CORNELL Mon 2 Taylor Silverwood, until Sat 16 July RIVIERA Fri 6 May, The BRANTLEY GILBERT Sat 7 THE HOUSE IS STILL NAMED AFTER HIM May, Symphony Hall, NEW LAND, SEA AND AIR Artists Sugarmill, Stoke-on- May, O2 Institute, BY ANDREA HANNON Hannon creates Birmingham include Frank Bowling, Tiffany surreal two-dimensional and three- Trent Birmingham DANIEL CHAMPAGNE Chung, Agnes Denes, Tania Kovats dimensional works, until Sat 14 May. FLIGHT 15 Fri 6 May, O2 ESKIMO DANCE Sat 7 Tues 3 May, The Robin, and Cornelia Parker, Fri 27 May - Academy, Birmingham May, O2 Academy, Sun 4 Sept A BIG BANG - THE ORIGINS OF THE POP Bilston ART COLLECTION, PART 2 Andy AN EVENING WITH THE Birmingham ANASTACIA Tues 3 May, Warhol’s legendary 1968 Campbells DUBLIN LEGENDS Fri 6 LETHAL BIZZLE Sat 7 Newcastle Borough Museum Symphony Hall, B’ham & Art Gallery Soup Can and the iconic maquette May, Birmingham Town May, O2 Institute, THE BLUETONES Tues 3 Hall Birmingham PEOPLE'S PRIZE WINNER 2015 - ERIC of a statue of King Kong - originally commissioned in 1972 for display in May, O2 Institute, HOOD Work by last year's People's CLAIRE JONES Fri 6 May, MAMA - GENESIS Sat 7 Birmingham’s Bull Ring - take pride Birmingham Prize winner Eric Hood, as voted for Theatre Severn, May, Theatre On The of place in this popular exhibition of by visitors to the Open Art & Craft MICHAEL CHAPMAN Tues Shrewsbury Steps, Bridgnorth, Pop Art, until Sat 13 Aug 3 May, Kitchen Garden Exhibition, until Sun 5 June. WUSSY Fri 6 May, Hare Shropshire Cafe, Birmingham DAVID WARD: IN A LANDSCAPE & Hounds, Birmingham SCOTT MATTHEWS Sat 7 Potteries Museum & Art Exhibition of photographs, film and JEZ LOWE & THE BAD AURELIO VOLTAIRE + May, Newhampton Arts Gallery - Stoke-On-Trent sculpture, Fri 29 April - Sat 9 July PENNIES Wed 4 May, AMONG THE ECHOES Fri Centre, Wolverhampton The Red Lion Folk TAYLOR WESSING PHOTOGRAPHIC POR- BLACK ART IN FOCUS A celebration of 6 May, O2 Institute, JAKE & ELWOOD Sat 7 Club, Birmingham TRAIT PRIZE 2015 until Sun 5 June. work by black British contemporary Birmingham May, The Robin, Bilston artists, Sat 28 May - Sat 9 July DANNI NICHOLLS Wed 4 ANGLO-SAXON KINGDOM OF MERCIA CLAIRE SHAW Fri 6 May, IDESTORY + STILETTO May, Kitchen Garden Featuring pieces from the Havana Republic, FARM + NOISE REVOLT Other VISUAL ARTS Cafe, Birmingham Staffordshire Hoard, until Sat 1 Oct. Shrewsbury + YOUTH WITHIN Sun 8 DESIGN AND DESIRE: THE GREAT LINKS TO A LANDSCAPE Featuring FIELD HARMONICS Wed May, The Sunflower EXHIBITION OF 1851 Objects and YOUNG PILGRIMS, unusual reminders of how the local 4 May, Hare & Hounds, Lounge, Birmingham images, including prints and paint- FOFOULAH & JACT Fri 6 landscape’s been formed and influ- Birmingham ings from the Elton Collection, telling May, Hare & Hounds, PALEHORSE Sun 8 May, enced, until Mon 30 May NINA NESBITT Wed 4 the story of how the Great Exhibition Birmingham Hare & Hounds, May, O2 Institute, BEATRIX'S ANIMALS Celebration of the became one of the most influential MARK RADCLIFFE'S Birmingham Birmingham 150th anniversary of the birth of and renowned events of the 19th GALLEON BLAST Fri 6 CHAMELEONS VOX + Beatrix Potter, until Sat 24 Sept. century, until Fri 24 Feb 2017, TEDDY THOMPSON & May, Foxlowe Arts EVIL BLIZZARD Sun 8 Coalbrookdale Gallery, Telford, KELLY JONES Wed 4 Centre, Leek, Staffs May, O2 Institute, Qube Gallery, Oswestry May, The Glee Club, Shropshire DUET FOR DJANGO Fri 6 Birmingham NEW WAITING FOR THE DECORATOR A Birmingham NEW EASEL CLUB EXHIBITION May, Lichfield Garrick BIG BOY BLOATER Sun 8 collaborative exhibition by three West Exhibition of work by the Easel Club. TINASHE Wed 4 May, May, The Glee Club, Midlands-based artists (Frank THE ICICLE WORKS Fri 6 Many of the artists are members of O2 Institute, B’ham Birmingham Edmunds, Kevin Hawker and David May, O2 Academy, the Royal Society of Birmingham NGOD Wed 4 May, O2 Irish) featuring a mixture of bronzes, Birmingham SYMPHONIC FLOYD FEA- Artists, Sat 7 May - Sun 19 June, Academy, Birmingham large, free-standing ceramic pieces YES Fri 6 May, TURING THE EN SUITE Red House Glass Cone and paintings, Thurs 12 May - Fri 10 JONNY & THE BAPTISTS Symphony Hall, B’ham ELECTRIC BAND Sun 8 AROUND THE WORLD WITH MASKS An Wed 4 May, mac, B’ham May, Symphony Hall, June DAN WALSH Fri 6 May, exhibition of masks from around the Birmingham 9BACH Wed 4 May, Stafford Gatehouse Shire Hall Gallery - Stafford world, from early African examples to Hare & Hounds, B’ham Theatre CHRIS WOOD Sun 8 ENDANGERED AND EXTINCT Selection contemporary British makers, until May, Kitchen Garden SI CRANSTOUN WITH HIS MAMA - GENESIS Fri 6 of sculptures by award-winning recy- Sun 26 June, Bantock House & Park, Cafe, Birmingham BAND Wed 4 May, The May, Theatre On The cling artist Val Hunt, until Tues 10 Wolverhampton Robin, Bilston Steps, Bridgnorth, KARNATAKA Sun 8 May, May. The Robin, Bilston THE ARTHUR DOHERTY Shropshire
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Friday 1 - Sunday 8 May
CANOLDIR: 50 GLORIOUS YEARS PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT CITIZEN KHAN Fri 6 May, Genting Classical Music Celebrating 50 glorious years of Arena, Birmingham Duncan James takes the lead as Tick music making, Canoldir will here be in a touring production of the feel- joined by the Make Choirs of MATT REED, JARLATH REGAN, STEVE good international musical based on CELEBRITY RECITAL WITH SIR JAMES Bridgend, Cardiff Arms Park, Dunvant BUGEJA & BRENDON BURNS Fri 6 - Sat the smash-hit movie of the same AND LADY JEANNE GALWAY & Pontarddulais, Sat 7 May, 7 May, The Comedy Loft, name, Mon 2 - Sat 7 May, Programme includes works by Birmingham Town Hall Birmingham Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Gaubert, Chaminade, Harty, Gossec, EX CATHEDRA: SHAKESPEARE ODES A FUNMBI OMOTAYO, ANDREW RYAN, DAVE BAD JEWS Joshua Harman's Marais, Kreisler & Morlacchi, Sun 1 staged, period-instrument perform- JOHNS & GARY LITTLE Sat 7 May, The renowned play, set in a Manhattan May, Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham ance of the Garrick Ode, Sat 7 May, Glee Club, Birmingham apartment on the evening of a family BENEDICT MASON PORTRAIT Sun 1 St Peter’s Church, Wolverhampton CURTIS WALKER, SINCK, MELANIE GAYLE funeral, Mon 2 - Sat 7 May, New May, CBSO Centre, Birmingham BIRMINGHAM CITADEL BAND OF THE & JOHN SIMMIT Sun 8 May, mac, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham FINAL YEAR RECITALISTS Featuring SALVATION ARMY GALA CONCERT 2016 Birmingham WOODY SEZ: THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF Matthew Hayden (baritone), Jacob Sat 7 May, Adrian Boult Hall, WOODY GUTHRIE Soul-stirring hit musi- Dorell (voice), Lydia Haynes (sopra- Birmingham cal capturing the heart and spirit of no) & David Woods (tenor), Tues 3 CARDUCCI STRING QUARTET Featuring America's original folk hero, Woody May, The Bramall, Birmingham Simon Callaghan (piano). Theatre Guthrie, Tues 3 - Wed 4 May, Theatre THOMAS TROTTER IN RECITAL Programme includes works by Severn, Shrewsbury Programme includes works by Bach, Beethoven, Dvorak & Schubert, Sun DIANA OF DOBSON’S Ciceley EVITA Presented by Brownhills Mozart, Widor, Dove, MacMillan, 8 May, Concord College, Acton Hamilton’s rags-to-riches story, set in Musical Theatre Company, Tues 3 - Dukas & Liszt, Wed 4 May, Burnell, Shropshire the unseen world of overworked, Sat 7 May, Lichfield Garrick Symphony Hall, Birmingham underpaid ‘shop girls’, until Sat 14 CONNECTIONS 500 In collaboration CBSO VAUGHAN WILLIAMS’ FIFTH May, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle- with the National Theatre, 13 youth Featuring John Wilson (Conductor), under-Lyme theatres from across the country visit Alice Coote – Mezzo soprano) Comedy Gigs DON QUIXOTE James Fenton's staging The REP to present a selection of Programme includes works by Bax, of Cervantes' comic novel - a work plays to celebrate the 21st year of Elgar & Vaughan Williams, Thurs 5 JARRED CHRISTMAS, TONY LAW regarded as one of the foundation the National Theatre’s Connections May, Symphony Hall, Birmingham FEATURING BETHANY BLACK, RICH stones of modern fiction, until Sat 21 Festival. Each group stages one of FINAL YEAR RECITALISTS Featuring WILSON, JAMES ANDERSON & COMIC May, The Swan Theatre, Stratford- 12 plays commissioned by the Karis Ong (piano), Christopher TBC Sun 1 May, The Glee Club, upon-Avon National Theatre since 1995, Tues 3 - Percival (piano) & Usha Aron (piano), Birmingham DOCTOR FAUSTUS Maria Aberg returns Sat 7 May, The REP, Birmingham Thurs 5 May, The Bramall, B’ham JULIAN CLARY Sun 1 May, Theatre to the RSC to direct Marlowe’s noto- THE FATHER Kenneth Cranham repris- SENIOR CITIZENS ORCHESTRA Thurs 5 Severn, Shrewsbury rious take of vanity, greed & damna- es his role in Florian Zeller’s May, Forest Arts Centre, Walsall tion, until Thurs 4 Aug, The Swan acclaimed play, Tues 3 - Sat 7 May, JONNY AWSUM, DAVE FULTON Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon The REP, Birmingham DI XIAO: MOON, WATER AND DANCE & MARK OLVER Wed 4 May, Programme includes works by Ravel, Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury CYMBELINE Melly Still directs SWEENEY TODD The Arcadians pres- Guang Ren, Debussy, Jianzhong Shakespeare’s rarely performed ent the story of the Demon Barber of MOCK THE FLOCK Wed 4 May, Wang, Yiqiang Sun & Liszt, Fri 6 May, romance, until Fri 12 Aug, Royal Fleet Street, Tues 3 - Sat 7 May, The Mockingbird, Birmingham The Barber Institute, Birmingham Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford- Crescent Theatre, Birmingham MANILLA ROAD COMEDY Thurs 5 May, upon-Avon CBSO PLAYERS: VAUGHAN WILLIAMS LA BOHEME Swansea City Opera The Victoria, Birmingham PHANTASY QUINTET Fri 6 May, CBSO ANNE OF GREEN GABLES Redhead present Puccini’s shimmering con- Centre, Birmingham GARY LITTLE, FUNMBI OMOTAYO & COM- Reach present a staging of LM coction of soaring vocal lines and EDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Montgomery's 1908 novel - a classic lush orchestral melodies, Wed 4 May, EX CATHEDRA: SHAKESPEARE ODES A Thurs 5 May, The Glee Club, B’ham coming-of-age story, Thurs 28 Apr - Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury staged, period-instrument perform- Sun 1 May, Theatre On The Steps, ance of the Garrick Ode, Fri 6 May, ANDREW BIRD, BRENDAN RILEY, TOM AMBER TOPAZ: STORM IN A D CUP One- Bridgnorth, Shropshire Hereford Cathedral LITTLE, TOM KING & LOU CONRAN woman comedy show from one of Thurs 5 May, Foxlowe Arts Centre, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST the UK's brightest burlesque and IL DIVO Sat 7 May, Genting Arena, Leek, Staffs Blue Orange Arts presents its version cabaret stars, Thurs 5 May, Old Joint Birmingham LEE NELSON, MATT REED & COMIC TBC of Oscar Wilde's classic comedy of Stock Theatre, Birmingham KARL JENKINS REQUIEM Karl Jenkins 5 May, The Comedy Loft, manners, Thurs 28 April - Sat 7 May, ARABIAN NIGHTS... AND DAYS! Shifting conducts his highly acclaimed and Birmingham The Blue Orange Theatre, Sands present an imaginative adap- popular Requiem alongside Palladio Birmingham tation of a classic tale, Thurs 5 May, & The Healer. Lucy Knight (soprano), DAVE JOHNS, ANDREW RYAN, GARY EMMA Hotbuckle Theatre Company Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Håkan Vramsmo (baritone), Clive LITTLE & FUNMBI OMOTAYO Fri 6 May, present a staging of Jane Austen’s Bell shakuhachi & Zands Duggan The Glee Club, Birmingham KINDLY LEAVE THE STAGE Fun, may- ‘most perfect’ novel, Sun 1 May, (percussion), also feature, Sat 7 May, SIMON EVANS Fri 6 May hem and thespian mischief, a come- Wem Town Hall, North Shropshire Symphony Hall, Birmingham The Glee Club, Birmingham dy by John Chapman, Thurs 5 May, Lichfield Garrick
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thelist Friday 1 - Sunday 8 May BUGSY MALONE Birmingham Youth that jars as it shifts in response to the IRONBRIDGE GORGE WALKING FESTIVAL grounds, Sun 1 - Mon 2 May, Manor Onstage present an amateur produc- light, sound and movement. Tues 3 - Now in its 11th year, offering nine House Museum, West Bromwich tion based on the popular 1976 Wed 4 May DanceXchange, B’ham days of free, varied and rewarding PENGUIN WEEK Learn all about the gangster movie of the same name, BRIDGING THE VOID Experimental walks in and around Telford’s stun- penguin leader Alf and his pals. Plus, Thurs 5 - Fri 6 May, Old Rep Theatre, Dance present a new film/dance pro- ning Ironbridge Gorge, where the get involved in numerous activities to Birmingham duction featuring a dramatic move- Industrial Revolution began over 300 celebrate World Penguin Day on the JOAN An earthy story of courage, ment vocabulary performed by three years ago, Sat 30 April - Sun 8 May, 25th, Sun 1 - Mon 2 May, National conviction, hope, survival and love, dancers, Wed 4 May, mac, Ironbridge, Shropshire Sea Life Centre, Birmingham performed by Drag Idol champion Birmingham BIRMINGHAM BUS TOURS 2016 Sun 1 STORYTELLING WITH RUBY The story- Lucy Jane Parkinson, aka LoUIS DETOX Intense, energetic and May, Birmingham City Centre teller will be in residence on Bank CYfer, Fri 6 May, Brewhouse Arts thought-provoking production by ANGLO-SAXON PEG WARRIORS Prepare Holiday Monday, Mon 2 May, Centre, Burton-upon-Trent Pagrav Dance Company, Thurs 5 for battle and make an Anglo-Saxon Tamworth Castle, Staffordshire MR B THE GENTLEMAN RHYMER Mr B May, The Drum, Birmingham warrior, Sun 1 May, The Potteries PRISON EXPERIENCE Mon 2 May, The continues his ongoing quest to ECLIPSE & JINX 103 A double bill Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on- Dana Prison, Shrewsbury reconnect hip-hop with manners and showcasing choreographic works Trent bring the Queen’s English to CAFE SCIENTIFIQUE: THE FUTURE OF EYE that beautifully complement one ANGLO-SAXON STAFFORDSHIRE DAY To CARE A talk from Professor Shehzad Birmingham, Fri 6 - Sat 7 May, Old another, Fri 6 - Sat 7 May, celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham A Naroo from the School of Life and DanceXchange, Birmingham the creation of the county of Health Sciences at Aston University, MARGARET THATCHER: QUEEN OF SOHO RIVERDANCE Fri 6 - Sat 7 May, Regent Staffordshire, the museum takes you Tues 3 May, Thinktank at Millennium Fri 6 - Sat 7 May, mac, Birmingham Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent back to the dark and distant days of Point, Birmingham WEEKEND ROCKSTARS Theatre meets the Anglo-Saxons, Sun 1 May, The CARLOS ACOSTA Carlos Acosta pres- Potteries Museum & Art Gallery BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE FILM FESTIVAL gig in Middle Child’s unapologetic ents his final classical ballet pro- BCLM celebrates Deaf Awareness telling of three young lives living for gramme. With an incredible cast of MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS Join the resi- Week, hosting a series of specialist the weekend, Fri 6 - Sat 7 May, The dancers from Cuba, he performs dents of Blists Hill Victorian Town on films suitable for deaf and hard-of- REP, Birmingham excerpts from his favourite ballet May Day as they mark the occasion hearing audiences, Tues 3 - Sat 7 with fun and merriment, Sun 1 May, TO MEET OSCAR WILDE Norman repertoire. Fri 6 - Sat 7 May May, Black Country Living Museum, Blists Hill, Ironbridge, Shropshire Holland’s fascinating play in which Birmingham Hippodrome Dudley Oscar Wilde gives a dissertation on ZOIELOGIC DANCE THEATRE: RIDE World FLORALIA FESTIVAL Be inspired by GARDEN TOURS Explore the garden on his colourful life, Fri 6 - Sat 14 May, premiere of an outdoor dance theatre flower arrangements through the a tour every Wednesday in May and Hall Green Little Theatre, B’ham work exploring the nature of travel- ages, displayed in the graceful sur- June, Wed 4 May - Thurs 30 June, roundings of the ground floor rooms, ROY HUDD’S VERY OWN MUSIC HALL ling. Commissioned and co-pro- Moseley Old Hall, Wolverhampton Sun 1 - Mon 2 May, Wightwick Join Roy for a sparkling evening of duced by DanceXchange for IDFB Manor, Wolverhampton NATIONAL DOG SHOW Organised by songs and stories from his extraordi- 2016 and co-commissioned by the Birmingham Dog Show Society, nary career, Sat 7 May, Festival Gulbenkian, Kent and Dance Village EASTNOR CHILLI FESTIVAL Now in its Thurs 5 - Sun 8 May, Stafford Bingley Drayton Centre, Market Drayton, in Bristol Harbour Festival. Sat 7 May fifth year. All things chilli to try and Hall Shropshire Ward End Park, Birmingham buy! Live music, bars, hot food, chil- dren’s cookery school, a chilli-eating HANDSWORTH HERITAGE WALK Check DON QUIXOTE Part of the RSC’s TRIBHANGI DANCE THEATRE IN SUKUMA competition and cookery demonstra- out fine Georgian and Victorian archi- Unwrapped Season, in which mem- An exhilarating dance experience tions, Sun 1 - Mon 2 May, Eastnor tecture, a convent designed by bers of the acting company demon- combining the grace of Indian classi- Castle Deer Park, Herefordshire Augustus Pugin, a church that was strate some of the skills that go into cal Bharatanatyam with the strong built nearly one millennium ago, Sat making a production, Sat 7 May, physicality of African dance, brought THE 2016 NATIONAL FALCONRY & 7 May, Soho House, Birmingham Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon together with contemporary flair. Sat RAPTOR FAIR A two-day family-fun weekend which includes flying dis- MINDFULNESS AND NATURE PRIVATE LIVES Amateur production of 7 May, The Market Theatre, Ledbury plays and, by popular demand,the CONNECTEDNESS COURSE Learn how Noel Coward's celebrated drama, Sat PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN An afternoon of return of Ian Griffiths, professional to utilise mindfulness to connect with 7 - Sat 14 May, Oldbury Rep - Barlow spectacular free dance performances dog trainer, Sun 1 - Mon 2 May, nature, Sat 7 May, Shropshire Hills Theatre, Oldbury in a range of styles. Sat 7 May The Chetwynd Park, Newport, Shropshire Discovery Centre, Craven Arms GOD OF CARNAGE The Crescent Bullring Shopping Centre, B’ham MAY DAY REVELS Fun and games, with INTRODUCTION TO JEWELLERY MAKING Theatre Company present Noel TRIBANGHI DANCE THEATRE: SUKUMA maypole dancing and other activities, This is a Heritage Skills Daytime Coward's comedy of manners, Sat 7 High-energy fusion of Indian classical Sun 1 - Mon 2 May, Harvington Hall, Course, Sat 7 May, Black Country - Sat 14 May, Crescent Theatre, Bharatanatyam and African dance, Kidderminster Living Museum, Dudley Birmingham brought together with contemporary BEST OF BRITISH FAMILY FUN WEEKEND MURDER MYSTERY DINNER WOODY SEZ: THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF flair, Sun 8 May, mac, Birmingham Celebrating all things British. From EXPERIENCES Performed by the WOODY GUTHRIE Soul-stirring hit musi- music to food to meeting historical Creative Arts Theatre Company, Sat cal capturing the heart and spirit of characters from England, Ireland, 7 May, Shugborough Historic America's original folk hero, Woody Scotland and Wales, there’s some- Working Estate, Staffordshire Guthrie, Sun 8 May, New Alexandra Film thing for all the family to enjoy, Sun 1 CADBURY CHARACTER WEEKEND Pose Theatre, Birmingham - Mon 2 May, Tutbury Castle, Burton- for photographs alongside Freddo, INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: upon-Trent Caramel Bunny and friends as they meet and greet visitors, Sat 7 - Sun 8 New Films On General Release SPRING PLANT FAIR Whether you’re a green-fingered professional or just May, Cadbury World, Bournville, Dance Released Fri 6 May, showing at like to potter in the garden, there’s a 1940'S WEEKEND Fabulous music and selected cinemas wide selection of top-quality nurs- magical memories, Sat 7 - Sun 8 PASHA: IT’S ALL ABOUT THE YOU The BAD NEIGHBOURS 2 (tbc) eries in attendance, Sun 1 - Mon 2 May, Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens, Strictly star hits the road once again EVOLUTION (15) May, Weston Park, Shropshire Birmingham with a brand new show in which he'll TUG BOAT GATHERING Tug boats from BIKE4LIFE FEST 2016 Bike4Life Fest be joined by spectacular dancers FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS (PG) near and far make a rare appearance returns, with over 3,000 bikers and and guests, including Anya Garnis I SAW THE LIGHT (15) at the museum as they manoeuvre enthusiasts expected at the biggest Tues 3 May, Theatre Severn, KNIGHT OF CUPS (15) their way along the canal arm, Sun 1 biking event in the Midlands, Sun 8 Shrewsbury ROBINSON CRUSOE (PG) - Mon 2 May, Black Country Living May, RAF Cosford, Wolverhampton NEDERLANDS DANS THEATER 2 Tues 3 - Museum, Dudley THESE FINAL HOURS (15) AJ BELL NATIONAL BADMINTON LEAGUE Wed 4 May Birmingham Hippodrome PIRATE WEEKEND Pirates invade Sun 8 May, Barclaycard Arena, COMPAGNIE PHILIPPE SAIRE: BLACK OUT Cadbury World for a weekend of Birmingham Somewhere between dance, per- swashbuckling fun, Sun 1 - Mon 2 WHAT THE TREES SAW Listen to tales formance and graphic art, Black Out May, Cadbury World, Bournville of the trees in the Dingle, some over is a strong and intimate experience. Events MEDIEVAL RE-ENACTMENT WEEKEND 1000 years old, Sun 8 May, Thousands of black granulated frag- The manor house museums wel- Dudmaston Estate, Bridgnorth ments transform the dancers’ world A DAY AT THE LAKE Sat 30 Apr - Mon 2 come the Buckinghams Retinue, who into a moving, pictorial composition May, Rudyard Lake, Staffordshire will be setting up camp in the
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thelist Monday 9 - Sun 15 May TRAVIS Thurs 12 May, Stafford Gatehouse Sat 14 May, Victoria Hall, Stoke-on- Gigs O2 Academy, B’ham Theatre Classical Music Trent QUI Thurs 12 May, Hare KATE RUSBY Sat 14 May, MOSCOW STATE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Programme includes works by & Hounds, Birmingham Birmingham Town Hall RISING STARS: TRIO CATCH Featuring ELESSAR Mon 9 May, Stephen Johnson, Rachmaninov & REND COLLECTIVE Thurs DECLAN O'ROURKE Sat Boglárka Pecze (clarinet), Eva The Rainbow Venues, Shostakovich, Sat 14 May, 12 May, O2 Institute, 14 May, Symphony Boesch (cello) & Sun-Young Nam Birmingham Symphony Hall, Birmingham Birmingham Hall, Birmingham (piano), Mon 9 May, Birmingham ISAAC GRACIE Mon 9 CBSO: A GREAT BRITISH SUMMER ABSOLUTE BLONDIE PAT BRESLIN Sat 14 May, Town Hall May, Hare & Hounds, Featuring Julian Wilkins (conductor) Thurs 12 May, The Irish Centre, B’ham IPHIGENIE EN TAURIDE English Touring Birmingham & the CBSO Children’s Chorus. Tom Robin, Bilston Opera presents a 'heart-wrenching' SKATERS Mon 9 May, ANDY BLACK Sat 14 May, Redmond presents, Sun 15 May, masterpiece based on a famous The Rainbow Venues, LOUIS BERRY Fri 13 O2 Institute, B’ham Symphony Hall, Birmingham story from Greek myth, Mon 9 May, Birmingham May, The Sugarmill, THE MEMBRANES Sat 14 Stoke-on-Trent Wolverhampton Grand Theatre JOSIENNE CLARKE & BEN May, The Flapper, WALKER Mon 9 May, PETE BROWN'S GRASS Birmingham DON GIOVANNi English Touring Opera presents its version of Mozart's 'most Stafford Gatehouse CUTTERS Fri 13 May, IN DISMAY + HOPE FOR Theatre Stafford Gatehouse RETURN + VICTORY engrossing' opera, Tues 10 May, Theatre Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Comedy Gigs TRIO CATCH Mon 9 May, LANE + SIL O 18 Sat 14 Birmingham Town Hall EMILY PORTMAN & THE May, Slade Rooms, IGOR LEVIT (PIANO) Programme com- CORACLE BAND Fri 13 Wolverhampton prises Beethoven’s Sonata No 17 Op BARRY CRYER & COLIN SELL Mon 9 CLIVE GREGSON Mon 9 May, Birmingham Town 31 No 2 & Frederic Rzewski’s The May, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle- May, Kitchen Garden BEANS ON TOAST Sat 14 Hall People United Will Never Be under-Lyme, Staffs Cafe, Birmingham May, The Station, MANOS PA'ARRIBA Fri 13 Cannock Defeated, Tues 10 May, Birmingham LOUDEEMY SOUP COMEDY NIGHT Mon CORKY LAING Mon 9 Town Hall 9 May, The Blue Orange Theatre, May, Hare & Hounds, MANIC STREET May, The Robin, Bilston Birmingham Birmingham PREACHERS Sat 14 May, CITY OF SOUNDS: TWO TRIOS Featuring SHOOK TWINS Tues 10 OATHBREAKER Fri 13 Genting Arena, B’ham Ben Muirhead & Billy Weir as one act CHEEKY MONKEY COMEDY Tues 10 May, Kitchen Garden May, The Rainbow alongside The Birmingham May, The Dark Horse, Birmingham Cafe, Birmingham SUPERFICIALS Sat 14 Conservatoire Trio which comprises Venues, Birmingham May, O2 Academy, MOCK THE FLOCK Wed 11 May IGOR LEVIT Tues 10 Jiafeng Chen (violin), Jiaxin Lloyd DAN PAGE Fri 13 May, Birmingham The Mockingbird, Birmingham May, Birmingham Town Webber (cello), Di Xiao (piano) pre- Havana Republic, ALISTAIR BARRIE Thurs 12 May Hall CAMERON FORREST Sat senting music by Bach, Debussy, Shrewsbury 14 May, Havana Paganini & Mendelssohn, Tues 10 Station Pub, Sutton Coldfield ALL OUR YESTERDAYS FRAN THE MAN Fri 13 Republic, Shrewsbury May, Recital Hall, Birmingham Tues 10 May, Dudley MARK OLVER, PAUL MCCAFFREY & May, Irish Centre, Conservatoire Town Hall JOCELYN BROWN & COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY Birmingham KENNY THOMAS Sat 14 CHANTEUSE 2016 Leading female ROBINSON Thurs 12 May, The Glee THE REFORM CLUB Tues THE HARTS + SALAD May, O2 Academy, vocal group from the West Midlands, Club, Birmingham 10 May, The Robin, DAYS + SHOOT THE Birmingham Bilston Wed 11 May, Stafford Gatehouse TRYGVE WAKENSHAW: SQUIDBOY SYMPHONY + THE REAL THE SMITHS LTD Sat 14 Theatre Fri 13 May, mac, Birmingham COLUM SANDS Wed 11 COOL Fri 13 May, O2 May, The Roadhouse, ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: DAN THOMAS, DANE BAPTISTE, PAUL May, The Red Lion Folk Institute, Birmingham Birmingham Club, Birmingham SCANDINAVIAN SERENADE Featuring MCCAFFREY & COMIC TBC Fri 13 May, SNOWPOET Fri 13 May, ALIVE & KICKING David Le Page (violin) & David Curtis The Glee Club, Birmingham CHASTITY BELT Wed 11 The Glee Club, B’ham (Simple Minds tribute) (conductor). Programme includes DIANE SPENCER, KEVIN MCCARTHY, IAN May, Hare & Hounds, CRIME & PUNISHMENT Sat 14 May, works by Grieg, Sibelius & Dvorak, Birmingham COGNITO & DARIUS DAVIES Fri 13 May, The Newhampton Arts Wed 11 May, Birmingham Town Hall Fri 13 - Sat 14 May, The Comedy THEO JACKSON Wed 11 Flapper, Birmingham Centre, Wolverhampton CBSO: BEN-HUR LIVE Carl Davis con- Loft, Birmingham May, Lichfield Garrick ARMY OF BONES Fri 13 ROCK 4 SPON 5 Sat 14 ducts the CBSO Orchestra in live PAUL MCCAFFREY, MARK OLVER, DAN A CELEBRATION OF JOHN May, The Asylum, May, The Robin, Bilston score to accompany the 1925 silent THOMAS & DANE BAPTISTE Sat 14 DENVER Wed 11 May, Birmingham FUTURE FOLK FEATURING movie, Fri 13 May, Symphony Hall, May, The Glee Club, Birmingham Wolverhampton Grand UB40 - LABOUR OF LOVE FALSE LIGHTS, JOSIENNE Birmingham Theatre SHAZIA MIRZA Sat 14 May, mac, Fri 13 - Sat 14 May, CLARKE & BEN WALKER RECYCLAGE MUSICAL Featuring Birmingham JASON DONOVAN TEN The River Rooms, AND LUKE JACKSON Sun Richard Sutcliffe (viola) & Sofie GOOD REASONS & Stourbridge 15 May, Birmingham Vanherie (harpsichord). Programme HAL CRUTTENDEN Sat 14 May, The GREATEST HITS TOUR Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham BILLY OCEAN Fri 13 May Town Hall includes works by Marin Marais, Wed 11 May, Wolverhampton Grand TRANSVIOLET Sun 15 Antoine Forqueray, Louis de Caix LOL COMEDY CLUB- MC DAMION LARKIN Symphony Hall, B’ham Theatre May, Hare & Hounds, d’Hervelois and Jean-Baptiste Sat 14 May, Regent Theatre, Stoke- SAM CARTER TRIO Wed Barrière, Fri 13 May, The Barber on-Trent THE SESSIONS - A live Birmingham 11 May, Theatre Institute, Birmingham re-staging of The MIKE PETERS PRESENTS ENGLISH COMEDIAN OF THE YEAR Severn, Shrewsbury Beatles at Abbey Road THE ALARM Sun 15 HALLE ORCHESTRA GALA FINALE COMPETITION TEN COMEDIANS & DREAM TICKET Thurs 12 Studios Fri 13 May, May, O2 Academy, Featuring Sir Mark Elder (conductor), COMPERE SPIKY- MIKE Sun 15 May, May, Stafford Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham Garry Hoffman (soloist). Programme Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek, Staffs comprises works by Dvorak, Fri 13 Gatehouse Theatre Birmingham BUDDY HOLLY & THE May, Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent THE BAR STOOL ANDY JORDAN Fri 13 CRICKETERS Sun 15 PREACHERS Thurs 12 May, O2 Institute, B’ham May, Stafford May, Slade Rooms, ELO AGAIN Electric Light Gatehouse Theatre Wolverhampton Orchestra tribute show NICK HARPER Sun 15 Theatre BARBARA DIXON Thurs Fri 13 May, Lichfield May, Henry Tudor 12 May, Foxlowe Arts Garrick House, Shrewsbury SWEET CHARITY Amateur production Centre, Leek, Staffs LIVEWIRE - TRIBUTE TO FRANCES Sun 15 May, presented by The Arts Centre THE HEAVY Thurs 12 AC/DC Fri 13 May, The The Glee Club, B’ham Telford’s senior youth theatre, Mon 9 May, O2 Academy, Slade Rooms, THE UKULELE - Thurs 12 May, The Place, Birmingham Wolverhampton ORCHESTRA OF GREAT Oakengates Theatre, Telford, Shropshire IMAGINED ISLE FOLK ONE NIGHT OF ELVIS Fri BRITAIN Sun 15 May, FESTIVAL Thurs 12 - 13 May, The Robin, Birmingham Town Hall LUDLOW ORCHESTRA: NORDIC HAIRSPRAY THE MUSICAL Brand new Mon 16 May, Bilston MUGENKYO TAIKO MASTERPIECES Programme includes production of the smash-hit musical Birmingham Town Hall FRISCO Sat 14 May, The DRUMMERS Sun 15 works by Grieg, Nielsen & Sibelius, comedy, starring Freya Sutton in the WAY TO BLUE: THE Sugarmill, Stoke-on- May, Lichfield Garrick Sat 14 May, Ludlow Assembly title role of Tracy Turnblad. Matt SONGS OF NICK DRAKE Rooms, South Shropshire Rixon stars as Tracy’s mother Edna, Trent OYE SANTANA Sun 15 Thurs 12 May, Mon 9 - Sat 14 May, Regent Theatre, BOB FOX Sat 14 May, May, The Robin, Bilston ORGAN PROM WITH JONATHAN SCOTT Symphony Hall, B’ham Stoke-on-Trent 56 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 9 - 15 May - Wolves/Shrops/Staffs Only VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 18:23 Page 2
Sunday 22nd May DOMINIC KIRWAN Time: 7.30pm
Friday 10th June GENESIS CONNECTED Time: 7.30pm
Saturday 18th June LEGEND OF A BAND Time: 7.30pm
Tuesday 21st June 90 GLORIOUS YEARS Time: 2.00pm
Friday 24th June SUMMER DREAMING Time: 7.30pm
Wednesday 29th June MACBETH Time: 7.30pm
Friday 1st July SOME GUYS HAVE ALL THE LUCK Time: 7.30pm
Thursday 7th July RHYTHM OF THE DANCE Time: 7.30pm
Friday 28th July THE GIANT’S LOO ROLL Time: 2.00pm
TWC GP 01045
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thelist Monday 9 - Sun 15 May THE MOUSETRAP Touring production JOAN An earthy story of courage, picking up the theme of Edwardian of Agatha Christie's famous thriller - conviction, hope, survival and love, Literature as the house opens until the longest running show in the his- performed by Drag Idol champion 8pm, Thurs 12 May, Winterbourne tory of British theatre. Louise Lucy Jane Parkinson, aka LoUIS House & Garden, Birmingham Jameson (Doctor Who, EastEnders, CYfer, Fri 13 May, Lichfield Garrick A LITERARY LOCK-IN: ALL-NIGHT Doc Martin) stars as Mrs Boyle, Mon EAST END CABARET Raucous and CREATIVE WORKSHOP AT THE 9 - Sat 14 May, Theatre Severn, risque musical comedy show from LOCKSMITH’S HOUSE Have a write Shrewsbury the award-winning cult comedy duo, night on the latch, unlocking your THE GLASS MENAGERIE Mon 9 - Sat 14 Sat 14 May, Old Joint Stock Theatre, creative side with the Black Country May, The Rose Theatre, Birmingham Living Museum’s poet-in-residence, Kidderminster WILD! BY EVAN PLACEY A one-person Dave Reeves, Fri 13 May, Black CENTURY SONG Volcano Theatre pres- show that unravels the story of a Country Living Museum, Dudley ent a unique show inspired in part wayward yet fragile and misunder- OPEN COCKPITS EVENING Aviation fans by Virginia Woolf’s Orlando and stood boy with an untamed imagina- have the chance to climb on board a Alice Walker’s In Search Of Our tion, Sat 14 May, Lichfield Garrick selection of historic aircraft and sit in Mothers’ Garden, Tues 10 May, mac, THE MAGIC DOORS Bombastic present the pilot’s seat, Fri 13 - Sat 14 May, Birmingham a humorous, fantastical theatrical RAF Cosford, Wolverhampton PIPPIN University of Wolverhampton production for young people which BODYPOWER EXPO 2016 Fri 13 - Sun Musical Theatre present an amateur combines dance & animation, Sat 14 15 May, NEC, Birmingham production of the 2013 Tony award- May, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury THE BABY SHOW The UK’s leading winning musical spectacular, Tues PUPPETRY OF THE PENIS Non-sexual pregnancy and parenting event 10 - Wed 11 May, Arena Theatre, show that features full-frontal male returns to the NEC. Whether you’re Wolverhampton nudity. Suitable for adults only! Sat expecting or have recently had a AMERICAN IDIOT X Factor finalist 14 May, Wolverhampton Grand baby, you’ll find everything you need Amelia Lily and musical theatre star Theatre at the show, Fri 13 - Sun 15 May, NEC, Birmingham Aaron Sidwell star in Green Day's GYLES BRANDRETH - WORD POWER! explosive, award-winning Broadway Sat 14 May, Lichfield Garrick HANDICRAFT WEEKEND Craft makers musical, Tues 10 - Sat 14 May, New are offered the chance to focus on GRUMPY OLD WOMEN Jenny Eclair, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham the hand-made parts of the collec- Susie Blake & Kate Robbins take to tion at Sunnycroft; from lace to KIKI LOVECHILD: SHEETS Brand new the stage for an orgy of middle-aged embroidery, Fri 13 - Sun 15 May, clown show for grown-ups, about mayhem, Sat 14 - Sun 15 May, Sunnycroft, Telford, Wellington the end of the world, Wed 11 May, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Old Joint Stock Theatre, B’ham MAGICAL LANDS AND ENCHANTED MADE UP Heart-warming play about PLACES Experience Selly Manor as SPIKE MILLIGAN'S PUCKOON Based on friendship and the faces we show never before as it’s transformed into the book by Spike Milligan, this the world, Sat 14 - Sat 21 May, The magical kingdoms from classic sto- comic masterpiece is an irreverent REP, Birmingham and hilarious story which takes the ries and fairytales, Sat 14 May, Selly mick, celebrates the absurd, and FRANKLY SINATRA Stephen Triffitr Manor, Birmingham brings the swing, the swagger and paints a picture of a simple life that MUSEUMS AT NIGHT Enginuity opens the velvet vocals of Frank Sinatra to borders on the ridiculous, Wed 11 its doors for a free family event, Sat the stage, Sun 15 May, New May, Stourbridge Town Hall 14 May, Enginuity Museum, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham JOAN An earthy story of courage, Ironbridge, Shropshire conviction, hope, survival and love, BAMMA 25 Presented by David Haye performed by Drag Idol champion and Andy Shepherd and broadcast Lucy Jane Parkinson, aka LoUIS around the world, BAMMA returns to CYfer, Wed 11 - Thurs 12 May, mac, the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham Film Birmingham, Sat 14 May, THE SORCERER AND TRIAL BY JURY Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham Tinkers Farm Opera present a NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: RED BY NIGHT Experience the indus- Gilbert & Sullivan double bill, Wed Released Fri 13 May, showing at trial might of the Black Country as 11 - Sat 14 May, Crescent Theatre, selected cinemas skilled craftsmen, live demonstra- Birmingham tions and hard-hitting street theatre ANGRY BIRDS (tbc) STAGE DOOR JOHNNY OBJETS TROUVES bring the reality of ‘black by day, red CABIN FEVER (tbc) The host of the Old Joint Stock's by night’ to life, Sat 14 May, Black Footsie Club brings his solo show to THE DARNKESS (tbc) Country Living Museum, Dudley the cabaret festival, Thurs 12 May, EVERYBODY WANTS SOME (15) IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE WOODS Old Joint Stock Theatre, TODAY... GREEN ROOM (18) Gather around the firepit to Birmingham taste nettle soup and bake your own KILL COMMAND (15) GRAEME OF THRONES An original and dampers, Sat 14 - Sun 15 May, un-authorised parody on the interna- OUR KIND OF TRAITOR (15) Moseley Old Hall, Wolverhampton tional phenomenon that is Game Of CABIN FEVER (tbc) THE BASIL BRUSH SHOW Join Basil Thrones, Thurs 12 May, Lichfield Brush and Mr Stephen for a Garrick Booming Bonkers Bash as they take JO BLACK Evening of song, stories & you on a journey of laughs, silliness nonsensical behaviour from the gin- and song, Sat 14 - Sun 15 May, drinking cabaret darling, Fri 13 May, Events Cadbury World, Bournville Old Joint Stock Theatre, LUDLOW FOOD SPRING FESTIVAL Sat Birmingham 14 - Sun 15 May, Ludlow Town WINTERBOURNE CENTRE FOR MAD ABOUT THE MUSICALS The West Centre, Shropshire HORTICULTURE OPEN DAY With sample End comes to Telford in a show cel- classes, practical activities and tours BIRMINGHAM BUS TOURS 2016 Sat 14 - ebrating the best of musical theatre. of the facilities, this is a great oppor- Sun 15 May, Birmingham City Gareth Gates and Michael Courtney tunity to find out what the centre can Centre star, Fri 13 May, The Place, offer to get your horticultural career MISTER MAKER Sat 14 May - Sun 12 Oakengates, Telford, Shropshire off the ground, Tues 10 May, June, National Sea Life Centre, CLUB CAIRO Fusion of live music, Winterbourne House & Garden, Birmingham dance & theatre, bringing audiences Birmingham a super-sensory experience steeped MUSEUMS AT NIGHT The Writing West in Arabian tradition, Fri 13 May, mac, Midlands young writers’ group are Birmingham 58 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 9 - 15 May - Wolves/Shrops/Staffs Only VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 18:23 Page 4
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thelist Monday 16 - Sunday 22 May THE BORN AGAIN Thurs 19 May, The Alfred, Burton- BEATLES Fri 20 May, Classical Music upon-Trent Lichfield Guildhall REGINALD D HUNTER, ADAM BLOOM, THE UPBEAT BEATLES Fri STEVE HARRIS & DARRELL MARTIN MATTHEW SCOTT CLARINET C0NCERT: 20 May, The Place, Thurs 19 May, The Comedy Loft, FROM BACH TO TODAY Mon 16 May, Oakengates Theatre, Birmingham The Lion Hotel, Shrewsbury Telford, Shropshire BOBBY MAIR, JULIAN DEANE & COMEDY WHITTINGTON INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER BUSTED Fri 20 May, CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs MUSIC FESTIVAL Six day festival dedi- Genting Arena, B’ham 19 May, The Glee Club, Birmingham cated to the chamber music of THE OASIS EXPERIENCE Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Tues17 - ROB BECKETT Thurs 19 May, The WEEKENDER Fri 20 - Sat Sun 22 May, Oswestry Town Centre, Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon- Jess Morgan Trio, Henry Tudor House, 21 May, The North Shropshire Trent Shrewsbury, Sun 22 May Roadhouse, B’ham ACADEMY OF ANCIENT MUSIC: VIVALDI IVO GRAHAM, DAVID FULTON & ANDREW AMY WADGE & PETE IN DRESDEN Programme comprises RYAN Thurs 19 May, Bramall Music FAIRPORT CONVENTION RILEY Sat 21 May, The works J S Bach, Vivaldi & Telemann, Building, Birmingham Thurs 19 May, Foxlowe Gigs Brewhouse Arts Wed 18 May, The Barber Institute, STEPHEN GRANT, TOM GLOVER & Arts Centre, Staffs Centre, Burton-upon- Birmingham TIERNAN DOUIEB Fri 20 May, Lichfield RORY MCLEOD & THE Trent ERIC BIBB Mon 16 May, DANIEL HOPE WITH THE Garrick FAMILIAR STRANGERS Birmingham Town Hall PAUL HENSHAW Sat 21 KAMMERORCHESTER BASEL Programme RICH WILSON, PETER BRUSH & JOHN Thurs 19 May, Hare & May, Havana Republic, STEVE TURNER Mon 16 includes works by Vivaldi, Mozart, RYAN Fri 20 May, Molineux Stadium, Hounds, Birmingham Shrewsbury May, Kitchen Garden Mendelssohn, Pärt, El-Khoury & Wolverhampton RURA Thurs 19 May, Cafe, Birmingham DILJIT DOSANJH Sat 21 Bach, Wed 18 May, Birmingham Town MARK STEEL Fri 20 May, Stafford Theatre Severn, May, Barclaycard Hall SEPTEMBER GIRLS Tues Gatehouse Theatre Shrewsbury Arena, Birmingham 17 May, O2 Academy, CBSO BECOME OCEAN Featuring DAMIAN CLARK, JOJO SMITH, JULIAN SIMON MCBRIDE Thurs Birmingham DAUGHTRY Sat 21 May, Ludovic Morlot (Conductor) & Steven DEANE & BOBBY MAIR Fri 20 May, The 19 May, The Robin, O2 Academy, B’ham Osborne (Piano) Programme includes Glee Club, Birmingham BRIAN WILSON Tues17 Bilston works by Sibelius, Ravel & John May, Symphony Hall, SPACE Sat 21 May, O2 KATHERINE RYAN Fri 20 May, THE YOUNG Fri 20 May, Luther Adams, Thurs 19 May, Birmingham Academy, Birmingham Birmingham Town Hall O2 Academy, B’ham Symphony Hall, Birmingham CALAN Tues17 May, LAURA MVULA Sat 21 SIMON BLIGH, MICKEY BARTLETT, DAVE MOTOWN AND SOUL PAPAGENA A unique and eclectic musi- mac, Birmingham May, O2 Institute, LONGLEY & WAYNE DEAKIN NIGHT WITH DJ PAUL cal cocktail of medieval, classical, B’ham Fri 20 - Sat 21 May, The Comedy Loft, EAGULLS Tues17 May, KELLY Fri 20 May, Irish folk, jazz and more contemporary Birmingham Hare & Hounds, B’ham Centre, Birmingham REMI HARRIS Sat 21 items, Fri 20 May, Wem Town Hall, May, The Hive, North Shropshire JOJO SMITH, BOBBY MAIR & DAMIAN KIERAN GOSS Tues17 HEIDI BROWNE Fri 20 Shrewsbury CLARK & JULIAN DEANE Sat 21 May May, Kitchen Garden May, Havana Republic, CBSO CENTRE STAGE: SHOSTAKOVICH’S Cafe, Birmingham Shrewsbury TOUNDRA Sat 21 May, PIANO QUINTET Featuring Steven The Glee Club, Birmingham O2 Institute, B’ham JEREMY HARDY BELSHAZZAR'S FEAST HENRY WU Fri 20 May, Osbourne (piano), Zoe Beyers & Jane Sat 21 May, The Old Wed 18 May, The Red Hare & Hounds, B’ham STONE BROKEN Sat 21 Wright (violin), Adam Romer (viola) & Rep Theatre, Birmingham Lion Folk Club, B’ham May, The Slade Richard Jenkinson (cello), Fri 20 May, JUNIOR JESTERS FEATURING HARRIET IDEAL CLUB Fri 20 May, Rooms, W’hampton CBSO Centre, Birmingham DYER, CHRIS CAIRNS & DAN LANDSCAPES Wed 18 O2 Institute, B’ham HI-JINX CEILIDH BAND BIRMINGHAM CONTEMPORARY MUSIC NIGHTINGALE Sun 22 May, Theatre May, The Rainbow FAIRPORT CONVENTION Venues, Birmingham Sat 21 May, Ludlow GROUP Featuring Daniel Galbreath Severn, Shrewsbury Fri 20 May, The Robin, Assembly Rooms, (conductor), Ulrich Heinen (cello), TOM ROBINSON Wed 18 IAN COGNITO, ROB COLEMAN, JESSICA Bilston South Shropshire Malcolm Wilson (piano) & the Viva May, The Robin, Bilston FOSTEKEW & DAN NIGHTINGALE THE HOSTS Fri 20 May, HICKMAN AND CASSIDY Nova Chamber Choir, Fri 20 May, Sun 22 May, Theatre Severn, KEN VANDERMARK + The Flapper, B’ham Sat 21 May, Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham Shrewsbury NATE WOOLEY DUO Wed THE SMYTHS Fri 20 May, Birchmeadow Centre, LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA GRAND 18 May, mac, B’ham O2 Academy, Broseley, Shropshire OPERA GALA Celebrating 25 Years of DAN REED & DANNY Birmingham JOSH GROBAN Sat 21 Symphony Hall Featuring: Andrew VAUGHN Wed 18 May, SONGWRITER SESSIONS May, Symphony Hall, Greenwood (conductor), Claire Rutter Theatre Hare & Hounds, B’ham @ THE GALLERY WITH Birmingham (soprano), Justine Gringyte (mezzo- EMMA POLLOCK Wed 18 soprano), Peter Auty (tenor & Ashley GARY OÂ DEA & ALEX THE BON JOVI DEBUT: AN EVENING OF NEW MUSICAL May, O2 Academy, Holland (baritone), Fri 20 May, VANN Fri 20 May, EXPERIENCE Sat 21 THEATRE Level 4 students present Birmingham Symphony Hall, Birmingham Wolverhampton Art May, The Sugarmill, songs by West Midlands composers THE GRIMETHORPE COLLIERY BAND HEATHER PEACE Wed 18 Gallery Stoke-on-Trent Sat and lyricists and female writers from May, The Glee Club, 21 May, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre around the country in collaboration METAL 2 THE MASSES KING KING Sat 21 May, Birmingham CITY OF SOUNDS: MOZART’S CORONA- with Musical Theatre West Midlands, Fri 20 May, Slade Birmingham Town Hall BILLY OCEAN Wed 18 Rooms, W’hampton TION MASS Featuring Patrick Larley Mon 16 - Tues 17 May, Arena Theatre, JESS MORGAN TRIO Sun May, Victoria Hall, (conductor), Elouise Waterhouse, Wolverhampton OUT OF TIME MOD 22 May, Henry Tudor Stoke-on-Trent WEEKENDER Fri 20 - Alistair Donoghue, Rob Tilson & SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME A nostal- House, Shrewsbury Lucinda Scott, Sun 22 May, Adrian SCOOPS Wed 18 May, Sun 22 May, gic feelgood journey which transports CHARLIE PUTH Sun 22 Boult Hall, Birmingham Hare & Hounds, B’ham Newhampton Arts audiences back to the early 1960s, Centre, W’hampton May, O2 Institute, Mon 16 - Sat 21 May, New Alexandra DANIEL KEMISH (FULL Birmingham Theatre, Birmingham BAND) + SUPPORTS CHRIS HELME Fri 20 GRAHAM NASH Sun 22 Wed 18 May, The May, Theatre Severn, THE DIARY OF A HOUNSLOW GIRL A May, Birmingham Town Comedy Gigs Roadhouse, B’ham Shrewsbury comic story of dreams, aspirations Hall and coming of age, Tues 17 May, The LADY SINGS THE BLUES JOHN MILNER’S DOMINIC KIRWAN Sun TOADALLY FREE COMEDY! Mon 16 May, Drum, Birmingham Thurs 19 May, Stafford MOORLANDS BIG BAND 22 May, The Place, The Blue Orange Theatre, Gatehouse Theatre Fri 20 May, Foxlowe JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING Arts Centre, Leek, Oakengates Theatre, Birmingham TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT X Factor THE JAM DRC + THE Staffs Telford, Shropshire CHEEKY MONKEY COMEDY Tues 17 winner Joe McElderry dons the covet- NATURAL EMOTIONS BY THE RIVERS Sun 22 May, The Dark Horse, Birmingham ed coat in Tim Rice and Andrew Thurs 19 May, The THE CORAL Fri 20 May, May, O2 Academy, Lloyd Webber's sparkling family musi- Roadhouse, B’ham The Sugarmill, Stoke- MOCK THE FLOCK Wed 18 May, on-Trent Birmingham The Mockingbird, Birmingham cal, Tues 17 - Sat 21 May, SACRED QAWWALI: Wolverhampton Grand Theatre CATE LE BON Sun 22 SOUNDS OF SPRITUALITY JAMES Fri 20 May, TOM GLOVER, DEMITRIS DEECH, SARA May, The Glee Club, INVINCIBLE The Original Theatre Thurs 19 May, mac, Barclaycard Arena, MASON, MATT HOBBS, BEN BRIGGS, Birmingham Company and The Theatre Royal Birmingham Birmingham ANDY ZAP, JAKE HOWIE & SPIKY MIKE
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thelist Monday 16 - Sunday 22 May Bury St Edmunds present a brand 21 May, The REP, Birmingham Sat 21 May Birmingham Hippodrome books and paintings, Tues 17 May, new production of Torben Betts' THE STORY OF FRED & GINGER Award- FANTASY IN DANCE The Latham Attingham Park, Shrewsbury, smash-hit comedy, Tues 17 - Sat 21 winning singer Robert Habermann School of Dance’s students - aged Shropshire May, The REP, Birmingham sings the songs and tells the story of between three and 18 - take to the RAINBOW FILM FESTIVAL To mark this NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH Alan Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers, Sat 21 stage. Fri 20 - Sat 21 May Palace year’s International Day Against Ayckbourn’s suburban comedy, Tues May, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Theatre, Redditch Homophobia, Biphobia and 17 - Sat 21 May, Stafford Gatehouse GRUMPY OLD WOMEN Jenny Eclair, PINOCCHIO Ballet Theatre UK present Transphobia (IDAHOT), Shropshire Theatre Susie Blake & Kate Robbins take to a choreographed staging of the clas- Rainbow Film Festival is screening GIRLS WITH BALLS Off The Fence the stage for an orgy of middle-aged sic family tale, Sat 21 May, Crescent the documentary This Is Gay Theatre present a new play which, mayhem, Sun 22 May, Theatre Theatre, Birmingham Propaganda: LGBT Rights & The War inspired by true events, takes a bold Severn, Shrewsbury In Ukraine, Tues 17 May, The THE SNOW QUEEN AND THE JOURNEY Gateway, Shrewsbury look at the development of women's WONDERWOMAN: THE NAKED TRUTH THROUGH AFRICA Showcase of classi- football in the UK, Wed 18 May, Notnow Collective address family, cal ballet, modern, tap and jazz, pre- EXPLORE AVONCROFT: THE FLORA & Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton parenthood and work-home subjects sented by the Lucy Evans Academy, FAUNA OF AVONCROFT MUSEUM A MY DEAREST GIRLS: THE LETTERS BOOK in a challenging, highly visual and Sat 21 - Sun 22 May, Arena Theatre, guided tour around the museum, Warm and witty storytelling combin- immersive way, Sun 22 - Tues 24 Wolverhampton including its ponds, orchard and ing character, live music and a touch May, mac, Birmingham wildflower meadow, Thurs 19 May, of cabaret, Wed 18 May, Bridgnorth Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove, Library, Shropshire Worcestershire SCOTTISH FALSETTO SOCK PUPPET CARIBBEAN SUPPER EVENING Enjoy THEATRE: SHAKESPEARE ‘Earth's funni- Dance Film feasting on a buffet menu that draws est footwear’ return with a brand new its inspiration from Caribbean cui- show of songs, sketches, socks and sine, Fri 20 May, Shropshire Hills DANCE: SAMPLED A selection of differ- INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Discovery Centre, Craven Arms violence, taking on The Bard Of Avon ent dance styles, all in one night, himself. Howl at their Hamlet, roar at performed by some of the world’s SECOND WIND (12a) Focused on keep- MURDER MYSTERY EVENING A horrific their Romeo And Juliet, and peer into best dancers - Company Wayne ing the dark reasons for his disap- homicide is committed and your job their Coriolanus, Thurs 19 May, Old McGregor, Birmingham Royal Ballet, pearance a secret, Dexter presents is to hunt down the culprit, Fri 20 Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham BBC Young Dancer finalist Vidya to his wife a last-chance ultimatum: May, Britannia Stadium, Stoke-on- Trent THE NAKED TRUTH Faye Tozer (Steps) Patel, world tango champions Five days of marital bliss in return for & Vikki Michelle (‘Allo, ‘Allo!) star in German Cornejo and Gisela Gallessi his signature on the divorce papers. WHITCHURCH WALKING FESTIVAL Fri 20 Dave Simpson’s pole-dancing come- from Buenos Aires, and Sidi Larbi Reluctant wife Josie agrees, but gets - Sun 22 May, Whitchurch Heritage dy, Thurs 19 - Sat 21 May, Theatre Cherkaoui’s Faun, Tues 17 - Wed 18 more than she bargained for... Stars Centre, Shropshire Severn, Shrewsbury May, Birmingham Hippodrome Emma Jeng & Joshua Bailey. Tues 17 May, This film will be followed by MEDIEVAL BANQUET A medieval three- KING LEAR Don Warrington stars in a Q & A session with the cast, crew, course banquet, with music and Shakespeare’s brutal portrait of one and the director. Mon 16 May, Light entertainment from The Grinnigogs, man’s unwinding sanity, Thurs 19 - House Media Centre, Fri 20 - Sat 21 May, West Midland Sat 28 May, The REP, Birmingham Wolverhampton Safari and Leisure Park, Worcestershire MISS LEADING LADIES Ria Jones and THE DANISH GIRL (15) Eddie Ceri Dupree star in a celebration of Redmayne plays the transgender ORIGINAL VINTAGE CLOTHING EXPERIENCE some of the greatest grand dames of pioneer Lili Elbe, who started her life A fun, informative and hands-on day for anyone with an stage and screen, adding their own as the (male) artist Einar Magnus interest in vintage clothing and fash- unique family twist, Fri 20 May, Andreas Wegener. Redmayne and ion, Sat 21 May, Black Country Living Dudley Town Hall Alicia Vikander - the latter as Lili’s Museum, Dudley FOREVER IN BLUE JEANS Singers, wife, the illustrator Gerda Wegener - THE BRITISH SUGARCRAFT GUILD dancers and musicians present the THE RICOCHET PROJECT: SMOKE & both won an Oscar for their perform- INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION Featuring best in Country music and MIRRORS Poetic acrobatics, contem- ances. Tues 17 May, Foxlowe Arts competitions, display areas, work- Rock’n’Roll, Fri 20 May, Festival porary dance, contortion and high- Centre, Leek, Staffs shops and more, Sat 21 - Sun 22 Drayton Centre, Market Drayton, flying feats combine in an exhilarat- THE CHRONICLE OF A SUMMER The May, Telford International Centre, North Shropshire ing examination of the current state provocative, eternal question “Are Shropshire FORBIDDEN NIGHTS New all-male vari- of America in the pursuit of happi- you happy?” is put to a wide range ety show with full theatre production ness, Tues 17 - Wed 18 May, of interviewees in Paris in the sum- AZTEC WEEKEND Travel 1,000 years and explosive choreography, Fri 20 Crescent Theatre, Birmingham mer of 1960. The results are fascinat- back in time to the Aztec jungle. Explore the origins of the cocoa May, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET Showcase ing, shocking and absorbing. bean and uncover the mysteries of TRIBUTE ACTS TheatreState present a With live music accompaniment by Foreign language with subtitles. Wed Emperor Montezuma, Sat 21 - Sun boldly honest exploration of the acclaimed Royal Ballet Sinfonia, 18 May, The Hive, Shrewsbury 22 May, Cadbury World, Bournville father/daughter relationships, Fri 20 BRB here present a programme of May, mac, Birmingham works comprising Jessica Lang’s NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: BIRMINGHAM BUS TOURS 2016 Sat 21 - Wink, The Moor’s Pavane and Sun 22 May, Birmingham City Centre EMMA Hotbuckle Theatre Company Released Fri 20 May, showing at excerpts from Romeo And Juliet, The FOLLY THE FOX HUNT Treasure hunt for present a staging of Jane Austen’s selected cinemas. ‘most perfect’ novel, Fri 20 May, Dream and The Taming Of The children, Sat 21 - Sun 22 May, Leintwardine Community Centre, Shrew, Tues 17 - Wed 18 May, THE CALL UP (tbc) Hawkstone Park & Follies, Craven Arms, South Shropshire Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury THE DAUGHTER (15) Shrewsbury TALENT Victoria Wood’s award-win- SANDHYA & SANGACHHADHWAM A HOLOGRAM FOR A KING (tbc) ANTIQUE FAIR Sat 21 - Sun 22 May, Double bill of Indian dance, Thurs 19 Staffordshire County Showground, ning 1978 comedy immerses audi- THE SILENT STORM (15) ences in the backstage world of May, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Stafford SING STREET (15) ukulele-wielding pensioners, hapless GISELLE - VIENNA FESTIVAL BALLET A LLANGOLLEN MIND BODY SPIRIT magicians and predatory comperes tale of innocence, love, betrayal and IVAN’S CHILDHOOD (12a) FESTIVAL Stalls offering alternative with wandering hands, Fri 20 May - madness, Thurs 19 - Sat 21 May, JOURNEY TO THE SHORE (tbc) therapies, psychic readings, medi- Sat 4 Jun, New Vic Theatre, Lichfield Garrick umship and much more, Sun 22 Newcastle-under-Lyme HOLD TIGHT Showcase of various May, Royal International Pavilion, WESTERN? Comedy meets theatre, dance and musical theatre disci- Llangollen meets jazz-fusion. A fast, physical plines from Steelworks students, BIG FISH LITTLE FISH FAMILY RAVE Sun and farcical show presented by Thurs 19 - Sat 21 May, Regent Events 22 May, The Rainbow Venues, Sleeping Trees, Sat 21 May, Lichfield Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Digbeth, Birmingham Garrick BALLET BC Ballet British Columbia is a ATTINGHAM RE-DISCOVERED TOUR: ANTIQUE & VINTAGE FAIR Antique and FIRST STAGES: HANSEL & GRETEL The unique creation-based company of READING INTO RUIN Follow the second collectable and vintage stall, Sun 22 Play House Theatre present a 17 dancers under the leadership of Lord Berwick's descent into debt May, Maws Craft Centre, Telford, reworking of a children’s classic, Sat Artistic Director Emily Molnar. Fri 20 - through his excessive spending on Shropshire
62 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 16 - 22 May- Wolves/Staffs/Shrops ONLY VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 18:22 Page 4
SAT 30 APRIL FRI 10 JUNE 7.30PM 7.00PM SUGGS T.REXTASY My Life Story in Words Marc Bolan, with his and Music. Madness band T.Rex, was one of frontman takes to the the most flamboyant stage in a hilarious, yet and charismatic stars of £28.50 - £31.35 moving, one man tour £17.50 - £19.25 the original glam rock de force.
OPENING TIMES FORTHCOMING EVENTS FRI 13 MAY SAT 18 JUNE 7.30PM 7.30PM GARDENS OPEN 11.00 am to 5.00 pm Sunday 22nd May (last entry 4.30 pm) PROFESSOR HUMO’S PUNCH & JUDY THE ALL STAR ABSOLUTE Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays, 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm performances STAND-UP TOUR BOWIE Bank Holidays and Fridays Wed 3rd & 24th August Presenting four heavy- 5 piece band faithfully throughout August KIDS’ GARDENING CLUB weight comics in the interpreting the music of (booking essential) biggest comedy tour of David Bowie with l Extensive ornamental gardens £20 - £22 the year. £12 - £13.20 uncanny accuracy. l Lakeside walk and picnic area Sunday 14th August l Children’s play areas and adventure den TEDDY BEARS’ PICNIC l Tea Room and Farm Animals in aid of the Wingate Centre THURS 26 MAY SAT 15 OCT Monday 29th August 7.00PM 7.00PM JAZZ IN THE GARDENS PUBLIC IMAGE AL MURRAY LTD. The Pub Landlord Widely regarded as one embarks on a common of the most innovative sense campaign to re- and influential bands of Great Britain in his brand £26.50 - £29.15 all time. £27.50 - £30.25 new show.
Please visit www.cholmondelycastle.com WREXHAM GLYNDWR UNIVERSITY, MOLD RD, LL11 2AW for amendments to opening days and information on these and other events or telephone 01829 720383. www.glyndwr.ac.uk/events CHOLMONDELEY CASTLE GARDENS, CHESHIRE SY14 8AH
Tuesday 24th May at 1pm Friday 27th May at 7.30pm Tuesday 31st May at 7.30pm Wednesday 25th May at 11am and 1pm Saturday 28th May at 7.30pm Wednesday 1st June at 7.30pm Krazy Kat Theatre Clare Summerskill Guy Masterson THE VERY RIGHTS OF UNDER MILK MAGIC FLUTE PASSAGE WOOD
All tickets are £5 Tickets are £10, £8 concessions Tickets are £10, £8 concessions
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thelist Monday 23 - Tues 31 May FIRE RED EMPRESS Sat COMEDY IN THE MET Sat 28 May 28 May, O2 Academy, Classical Music Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Birmingham SUZI RUFFELL, MARK NELSON, ALEX DIZZY LIZZY Sat 28 May, LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH BOARDMAN & CHRIS MCCAUSLAND The Roadhouse, THOMAS TROTTER Programme Sat 28 May, The Glee Club, Birmingham includes works by W. Harris, JS Birmingham TIMES SQUARE BAND Sat Bach, Messiaen, A. Hollins & J 28 May, Havana Ireland, Mon 23 May, Birmingham Republic, Shrewsbury Town Hall BRUCE ADAMS & ALAN SIR ANDRIS SCHIFF WITH THE CHAMBER BARNES 'THE WORLD OF ORCHESTRA OF EUROPE Programme Theatre CANNONBALL ADDERLEY' comprises Mendelssohn’s Piano Sat 28 May, Leasowes Concerto No2 in D minor, Hebrides THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW Starring Bank Farm, Overture & Piano Concerto No 1 in G Diana Vickers as Janet, Ben Freeman Shrewsbury minor, Mon 23 May, Symphony Hall, as Brad, Paul Cattermole as Eddie/Dr The Hunna, The Sugarmill, Mon 23 May AN EVENING WITH THE Birmingham Scott and Kristian Lavercombe as Riff DREAMERS Sat 28 May, CBSO TCHAIKOVSKY’S FIFTH Featuring Raff, Mon 23 - Sat 28 May, Regent 26 May, Hare & Prince Of Wales Hounds, Birmingham Alexander Vedernikov (conductor) & Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Gigs Centre, Cannock Tasmin Little (violin). Programme SALLY MORGAN - CALL ME PSYCHIC BOOGIE NIGHTS LIVE HATS OFF TO LED includes works by Glazunov & WITH ABBA TRIBUTE & DJ Sally Morgan is back with a brand THE HUNNA Mon 23 ZEPPELIN Sat 28 May, Tchaikovsky, Wed 25 - Thurs 26 ROB Fri 27 May, Irish new show, Tues 24 May, Lichfield May, The Sugarmill, Theatre On The Steps, May, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Centre, Birmingham Garrick Stoke-on-Trent Bridgnorth EX CATHEDRA: IN A STRANGE LAND GRAEME OF THRONES An original and DR FEELGOOD + EDDIE & PAT JORDAN & FINIAN'S Programme includes works by MOTHERS, GLOBELAMP & unauthorised parody of the interna- THE HOT RODS Fri 27 RAINBOW Sun 29 May, William Byrd, Gesualdo, Lobo & HOOPLA BLUE Mon 23 tional phenomenon that is Game Of May, The Robin, Bilston Irish Centre, B’ham Tallis, Thurs 26 May, Adrian Boult May, Hare & Hounds, Thrones, Tues 24 May, Theatre WHITE LUNG Fri 27 May, Hall, Birmingham Shrewsbury LA GUNS + OLIVER Severn, Shrewsbury The Flapper, B’ham DAWSON SAXO Sun 29 MILOS KARADAGLIC IN RECITAL BEN CAPLAN & THE NELSON: THE SAILOR’S STORY On New QUILL Fri 27 May, May, The Robin, Bilston Featuring an eclectic programme of CASUAL SMOKERS Tues Year's Eve 200 years later, Nelson Theatre Severn, works ranging from Bach to The 24 May, The Slade MONSTER CEILIDH BAND surveys the world from his column in Shrewsbury Beatles, Fri 27 May, Birmingham Rooms, W’hampton Sun 29 May, Kitchen Trafalgar Square with a wry and Town Hall G-EAZY Tues 24 May, THUNDERSTONE Fri 27 Garden Cafe, B’ham observant eye, shooing pigeons and O2 Institute, B’ham May, The Asylum, WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN insulting tourists. Below him, a Birmingham OWINY SIGOMA BAND - CARPENTERS TRIBUTE homeless Falklands veteran shivers Tues 24 May, Hare & FETTY WAP Fri 27 May, Sun 29 May, William in the cold, Tues 24 May, Theatre Hounds, Birmingham O2 Institute, B’ham Aston Hall, Wrexham Comedy Gigs Severn, Shrewsbury DIET CIG Wed 25 May, DEMON Fri 27 May, BC CAMPLIGHT Sun 29 MADE IN DAGENHAM West Bromwich Hare & Hounds, B’ham Foxlowe Arts Centre, May, Hare & Hounds, Operatic Society presents its version Leek, Staffs Birmingham EDDIE IZZARD Mon 23 May, mac, of the British musical comedy about LUKE CONCANNON Wed friendships, love and the importance GERRY CROSS THE MAGCON Sun 29 May, Birmingham 25 May, Kitchen of fighting for what’s right, Tues 24 - MERSEY Fri 27 May, O2 Institute, B’ham CHEEKY MONKEY COMEDY Tues 24 Garden Cafe, B’ham Sat 28 May, Wolverhampton Grand Prince Of Wales, May, The Dark Horse, Birmingham TIA MCGRAFF Wed 25 LEEROY STAGGER Mon Theatre Cannock 30 May, Kitchen ANDREW BIRD, BARRY DODDS, BEN May, The Robin, Bilston THE VERY MAGIC FLUTE Krazy Kat DAN PAGE Fri 27 May, Garden Cafe, B’ham BRIGGS, DAWN RIGBY & DAVE BRYON HOMESHAKE Wed 25 Theatre present a sparkling new Havana Republic, Wed 25 May, The Cock Inn, Burton- May, Hare & Hounds, BONNIE RAITT Mon 30 musical loosely based on Mozart's Shrewsbury upon-Trent Birmingham May, Symphony Hall, opera and featuring beautiful pup- GORDON LIGHTFOOT Fri Birmingham FAT PENGUIN COMEDY Wed 25 May, NIGHT BEATS Wed 25 pets, costumes and magical transfor- 27 May, Symphony HANDS LIKE HOUSES + I The Patrick Kavanagh, Birmingham mations. Suitable for children aged May, The Rainbow Hall, Birmingham Venues, Birmingham THE MIGHTY + DEAD! MOCK THE FLOCK Wed 25 May between three and seven and their HATS OFF TO LED +THE GOSPEL YOUTH The Mockingbird, Birmingham families, Tues 24 - Wed 25 May, BARLUATH Wed 25 May, ZEPPELIN (TRIBUTE Tues 31 May, O2 Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton The Red Lion Folk BOBBY DAVRO Wed 25 May, Theatre BAND) Fri 27 May, Institute, Birmingham Club, Birmingham Severn, Shrewsbury THE SOUND OF MUSIC New production Theatre On The Steps, THE HUNNA Tues 31 of the timeless family musical. Lucy PENTATONIX Wed 25 BILL BAILEY Wed 25 - Thurs 26 May, Bridgnorth, Shropshire May, Hare & Hounds, O'Byrne, from BBC One's The Voice, May, O2 Academy, Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent SEAFRET + SPECIAL B’ham plays Maria. Gray O'Brien stars as Birmingham MARK NELSON, COMEDY CAROUSEL Captain Von Trapp, Tues 24 - Sat 28 GUESTS Fri 27 May, Ort HAUS Tues 31 May, The COURTNEY PINE Wed 25 WITH ANDY ROBINSON PLUS COMIC TBC May, Birmingham Hippodrome Cage, Birmingham Sunflower Lounge, May, New Vic Theatre, Thurs 26 May, The Glee Club, BLACK DYKE BRASS Birmingham JACKIE THE MUSICAL Brand new ‘fun & Newcastle-under-Lyme Birmingham BAND Sat 28 May, WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN feisty’ musical featuring original cho- MORTIIS + SERAPH SIN JULIAN CLARY Thurs 26 May, Stafford Victoria Hall, Stoke-on- - CARPENTERS TRIBUTE reography by Arlene Phillips. Janey + DEADFILMSTAR Thurs Gatehouse Theatre, Stafford Dibley, Graham Bickley, Nicholas Trent Tues 31 May, 26 May, O2 Institute, Bailey & Mike James star, Tues 24 - CIARAN CLIFFORD & THE Wolverhampton Grand HAL CRUTTENDEN Thurs 26 May Birmingham Sat 28 May, New Alexandra Theatre, HIGH DRIVES Sat 28 Theatre Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury SAMM HENSHAW Thurs Birmingham May, Irish Centre, JUAN MARTIN Tues 31 IVAN BRACKENBURY, IAN D MONTFORT, 26 May, Hare & THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF ROALD Birmingham May, New Vic Theatre, TOM BINNS & CARL JONES Hounds, Birmingham DAHL Central Youth Theatre present a YOUNG CULTURE PRES- Newcastle-under-Lyme Thurs 26 May, The Brewhouse Arts LUKAS GRAHAM Thurs Centre, Burton-upon-Trent programme of Roald Dahl-inspired ENTS TROJAN JOEL SAVOY, JESSE LEGE 26 May, O2 Institute, performance work by young people SOUNDSYSTEM 'DEX 'N' AND CAJUN COUNTRY ANDREW BIRD, ALLYSON JUNE SMITH, Birmingham aged between 8 and 12, Wed 25 - FX' Sat 28 May, Hare & REVIVAL Tues 31 May, CIAMH MCDONNELL & CHRIS TURNER Hounds, Birmingham Fri 27 May, The Comedy Loft, B’ham Thurs 26 May, Newhampton Arts PUBLIC IMAGE LTD Thurs Kitchen Garden Cafe, Centre, Wolverhampton 26 May, William Aston BEYOND THE BARRICADE Birmingham SUZI RUFFELL, ALEX BOARDMAN, MARK Hall, Wrexham THE WOLVES OF WILLOUGHBY CHASE Sat 28 May, Stafford JOHN JONES AND THE NELSON & CHRIS MCCAUSLAND Fri 27 Gatehouse Theatre May, The Glee Club, Birmingham The Stafford Players present an ama- BEVERLEY KNIGHT Thurs RELUCTANT RAMBLERS teur staging of Joan Aiken’s chil- 26 May, The Slade THE LEGENDS OF REGGAE Tues 31 May, The ANDREW BIRD, ALLYSON JUNE SMITH, dren’s novel, Wed 25 - Fri 27 May, Rooms, W’hampton FESTIVAL 2016 Sat 28 Ludlow Brewery, South CIAMH MCDONNELL & COMIC TBC Sat Stafford Gatehouse Theatre THE PRIMITIVES Thurs May, O2 Academy, Shropshire 28 May, The Comedy Loft, B’ham Birmingham 64 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 23 - 31 May - Wolves/Shrops/Staffs VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 18:25 Page 2
MAY HIGHLIGHTS
THURS 12 MAY 7.30PM GRAEME OF THRONES COMING SOON... Direct from sold out shows in London's West End, Graeme takes you Friday 6th May, 8pm on his own unique jour- Milk presents: ney through the Seven Joan: Drag King Cabaret Kingdoms. £19.50 Pay What You Think It’s Worth FRI 13 MAY 7.45PM 14+ 10th - 14th May, 7.30pm JOAN 2.30pm Sat Matinee An earthy story of The Mellow Dramatics: Anything Goes courage, conviction, hope, survival and love, Tickets: £12, £10 Tue & Sat Mat this is Joan of Arc - quite possibly the worlds first drag king. Performed by Drag Idol Champion 19th May 8pm £12.50 LoUis CYfer. Rob Beckett The Mouth Of The South SAT 14 MAY Tickets: £14, £12 Concessions 11.00AM & 2.00PM WiLd! by Evan Placey 21th May 8pm A fantastic one person tHe mAdHoUSe: Amy Wadge & Pete Riley show that unravels the supported by Shamona story of a wayward yet fragile and misunder- Tickets: £15, £12 Advance stood boy who lives within his untamed £10 - £7 Child imagination. 24th & 25th May, 7pm Burton and South Derbyshire College: SAT 14 MAY Starlight Express! 8.00PM Tickets: £7, £5 Concessions GYLES BRANDRETH: WORD POWER! ‘No matter how elo- quently a dog may bark, 26th May, 7.30pm he cannot tell you that Funhouse Comedy Club his parents were poor but honest.' Only words can do that. Language is Tickets £8 £20 power. Words are magic.
SUN 15 MAY 27th May & 3rd June, 7.30pm 7.30PM Burton Musical Theatre MUGENKYO Company in the BAR TAIKO Tickets: £8 DRUMMERS The most successful tour- ing taiko drum group on 28th May, 8pm this continent, celebrat- ing their 22nd year on Aynsley Lister £22 the road.
Tickets: £10, £8 advance SAT 21 MAY 7.45PM WESTERN? 30th May, Every 30 minutes The show follows unlike- between 10am-11.30am & 1pm & 3.30pm ly hero Harry Sudds as a Dybwikdans: simple trip to the bank Toddler Room quickly descends into Tickets: £8 (per adult & child) the worst day of his life. Comedy Theatre meets jazz-fusion. £16 1st June, 8pm 2Magpies Theatre: Ventoux SAT 28 MAY 7.30PM Tickets: £10, £8 Concessions BALLETBOYZ - LIFE Featuring two new com- missions by Pontus Lidberg and Javier de Frutos the evening takes an elegant, powerful and sometimes provocative £21 - £14.50 Students look at life and death. Brewhouse Arts Centre, Union Street, Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire DE14 1AA BOX OFFICE: 01543 412 121 Box office: 01283 508100. www.lichfieldgarrick.com www.brewhouse.co.uk LICHFIELD GARRICK, CASTLE DYKE, LICHFIELD, STAFFS, WS13 6HR
whatsonlive.co.uk 65 The List 23 - 31 May - Wolves/Shrops/Staffs VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 18:25 Page 3
thelist Monday 23 - Tues 31 May TINA TURNER: TEA LADY & FRIENDS EMBRACED BURLESQUE stars Lucy O’Byrne (The Voice) in the Mon 30 May, Hawkstone Park & Join musical character comedian Wolverhampton’s ‘ultimate cabaret title role, Tues 31 May - Sat 11 June, Follies, Shrewsbury, Shropshire Tracey Collins for a high-octane extravaganza’, featuring live music, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury NIMROD TOURS Climb on board the evening of hit songs, off-the-wall comedy, burlesque and audience Nimrod and learn about its intelli- characters, quick changes and the participation. Over 18s only, Sat 28 gence-gathering role in the Royal Air best tea in town, Thurs 26 May, Old May, Newhampton Arts Centre, Force, Sat 28 May - Sun 5 June, RAF Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham Wolverhampton Dance Cosford, Shropshire THE QUIET HOUSE Gareth Farr’s highly BEYOND THE BARRICADE Two-hour MAKE YOUR OWN CLOCK AT ENGINUITY anticipated new play explores fertility show recreating original West End & NEW WORK NIGHTS: DANCE Featuring Step back in time and find out more and the taboo that surrounds it, Broadway musical songs, Sat 28 headline act Sonia Sabri Dance about the history of time-keeping. Thurs 26 May - Sat 4 Jun, The REP, May, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Company, as well as developing Decorate a clock with your own Birmingham THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS (THE MUSI- work from other West Midlands design and choice of colours to take TELL ME ON A SUNDAY Jodie Prenger CAL!) Satire in which one storyline dancers and choreographers, Thurs home, Sat 28 May - Sun 5 June, stars in Andrew Lloyd Webber & Don becomes five delightful musicals, Sat 26 May, Old Rep, Birmingham Enginuity Museum, Ironbridge, Black’s classic musical, Thurs 26 - 28 May - Sat 4 June, Crescent MOTIONHOUSE & NO FIT CIRCUS: BLOCK Shropshire Fri 27 May, Theatre Severn, Theatre, Birmingham Exciting new collaboration which CLOWNING AROUND Clown around this Shrewsbury ALICE IN WONDERLAND Blue Orange showcases what happens when half term in this carnival-themed MAUSOLEUM: TALES OF CHAOS AND Arts presents its version of Lewis dance and circus collide, Fri 27 - Sat event, Sat 28 May - Sun 5 June, CLAUSTROPHOBIA Explores the lives Carroll's classic tale, Sat 28 May - 28 May, mac, Birmingham Black Country Living Museum, Dudley and stories of refugees through a Sat 11 June, The Blue Orange BALLETBOYZ - LIFE Back with a brand HALF TERM FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT narrative of poetry. Presented by Theatre, Birmingham new show for 2016, co-produced by Join a host of children's entertainers Fired Up Theatre, Fri 27 - Sat 28 BANGARANG Keith Shebada stars in a Sadler's Wells in association with as they spread chocolatey joy May, Lichfield Garrick fiery comedy set in Princess Street, Artsdepot. Sat 28 May Lichfield throughout Cadbury World, Sat 28 GOLDILOCKS AND THE 3 BEARS A mix of downtown Kingston, Sun 29 May, Garrick May - Sun 5 June, Cadbury World, puppetry, music and mischievous New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Bournville moments for children aged two and CATS Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record- RHINO WEEK Celebrating all things older, Fri 27 May, Lichfield Garrick breaking musical returns, direct from rhino, and raising funds for rhino EAST END CABARET Raucous and the London Palladium, Mon 30 May - conservation, Sat 28 May - Sun 5 risque musical comedy show, Fri 27 Sat 4 June, Birmingham Hippodrome Film June, West Midland Safari and Leisure Park, Worcestershire May, Old Joint Stock Theatre, HAIRSPRAY Presented by Sutton Birmingham Coldfield Musical Theatre Company, NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: STOKESAY STORIES: THE CIVIL WAR RIGHTS OF PASSAGE Clare Tues 31 May - Sat 4 June, Lichfield Released Fri 29 April, showing at Stokesay is taken over by Civil War Summerskill's latest verbatim play Garrick selected cinemas. soldiers - sleeping, eating and preparing for battle in the castle looks at the harrowing and hopeful UNDER MILK WOOD Guy Masterson ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS grounds, Sun 29 - Mon 30 May, journeys of lesbian and gay asylum recreates all of Dylan Thomas' 69 (tbc) Stokesay Castle, Shropshire seekers in the UK, Fri 27 - Sat 28 characters in a one-man show which MONEY MONSTER (tbc) May, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton celebrates the Welsh playwright's ELIZABETHAN LIVING HISTORY EVENT YETIS DEMON DIVE BAR Evening of timeless masterpiece, Tues 31 May - THE FREE STATE OF JONES (tbc) The house is brought to life with re- naughty songs and hilarious charac- Wed 1 June, Arena Theatre, LOVE & FRIENDSHIP (U) enactments of Elizabethan life, cos- ters from the London Cabaret award- Wolverhampton tumes, music and dancing, Sun 29 - GRAY MATTERS (tbc) Mon 30 May, Harvington Hall, winners, Sat 28 May, Old Joint Stock SHADOWLANDS Stephen Boxer, Tony THE PRICE OF DESIRE (tbc) Kidderminster Theatre, Birmingham Slattery & Amanda Ryan star in a FERTILITY FEST Bringing together 20 stage version of William Nicholson's OPERATION TUTBURY CASTLE - 1940S of the country’s leading writers, visu- TV drama and subsequent film of the WEEKEND! Operation Tutbury sees al artists, theatre makers, film direc- same name, Tues 31 May - Sat 4 hundreds of enactors dressed in tors and composers for a day of per- June, The REP, Birmingham 1940s uniforms and civilian dress, Sun 29 - Mon 30 May, Tutbury formance, discussion and debate on JACKIE THE MUSICAL Brand new ‘fun Events Castle, Burton-upon-Trent one of the most important scientific & feisty’ musical featuring original WACKY RACES Races every day for and societal developments of mod- choreography by Arlene Phillips. SPRING FOOD & CRAFT FAYRE Over 60 adults and kids. Practise your bal- ern times, Sat 28 May, The REP, Janey Dibley, Graham Bickley, stalls featuring local produce, hand- ancing skills for the egg-and-spoon Birmingham Nicholas Bailey & Mike James star, made crafts, art and gifts, Sun 29 - race or try space hopper racing, Mon MISTER MAKER & THE SHAPES Tues 31 May - Sat 4 June, Regent Mon 30 May, Weston Park, 23 - Tues 31 May, Park Hall Farm, Interactive arty adventure for all the Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Shropshire Oswestry, Shropshire family, Sat 28 - Sun 29 May, Theatre THE SOUND OF MUSIC New production WHITSUN HOLIDAY FAMILY ACTIVITY THE NATIONAL - THE CARAVAN CLUB Severn, Shrewsbury of the timeless family musical which DAYS Trails, crafts and lots of fun, The National is an extra-special event Sun 29 May - Wed 1 June, this year, celebrating Her Majesty Dudmaston Estate, Bridgnorth, The Queen’s 90th birthday, Fri 27 - Shropshire Tues 31 May, Weston Park, Shropshire CLIMB LORD HILL'S COLUMN Mon 30 May, Shrewsbury Town Centre, FORGE EXPERIENCE DAY A hands-on Shropshire experience of Blacksmithing under the guidance of a locksmith demon- BANK HOLIDAY ANIMAL RACING The strator, Sat 28 May, Black Country Shugborough farm animals line up Living Museum, Dudley for a day of racing mayhem, Mon 30 May, Shugborough Historic Working ARCHERY Join Bowbrook Archers and Estate, Staffordshire try your hand on the archery range, Sat 28 May, Attingham Park, DRIVE IN MOVIE Mon 30 May, Telford Shrewsbury, Shropshire Town Centre, Shropshire MURDER MYSTERY DINNER BANK HOLIDAY HALF-TERM FUN EXPERIENCES Performed by the Activities include music, games, Creative Arts Theatre Company, Sat crafts and nature trails, Mon 30 May, 28 May, Shugborough Historic Birmingham Botanical Gardens Working Estate, Staffordshire CASTLE QUEST Collect items in order BIRMINGHAM BUS TOURS 2016 Sat 28 - to reach an ultimate goal and over- Sun 29 May, Birmingham City Centre come obstacles and challenges to do so, Mon 30 May - Sun 5 June, BANK HOLIDAY IN THE COUNTRYSIDE Tamworth Castle Spot the birds, search for nest boxes, look for Folly the Fox, Sat 28 - 66 whatsonlive.co.uk p67 (IBC) R2.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 17:38 Page 1
Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Eastgate Street, Stafford, ST16 2LT NEW SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
FRI 13 & SAT 14 MAY
THE NEW BUDDY HOLLY GRASSCUTTERS AND THE CRICKETERS FRI 13 MAY SUN 15 MAY
LADY SING MARK STEEL THE BLUES WHO DO YOU THINK I AM?
THURS 19 MAY FRI 20 MAY BEYOND THE BARRICADE
SAT 21 MAY SAT 28 MAY
View the full listings at www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk Box office 01785 619080 Birmingham Conservatoire (FP- May 16).qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2016 17:37 Page 1