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Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands ISSUE 374 FEBRUARY 2017

TONY O’MALLEY AT Shropshire HENRY TUDOR HOUSE ’

WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD On shropshirewhatson.co.uk

inside:

Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide Walsall College - January '17.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 16:39 Page 1 Contents February Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 15:58 Page 2

February 2017

Contents

Sister Act - Alexandra Burke stars in truly divine comedy at Wolverhampton Grand page 24

Paul Carrack Justin Moorhouse New Art West Mids the list

talks fame, collaborations and adult-themed entertainment at showcasing emerging artists Your 16-page keeping it in the family Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn from across the region week-by-week listings guide Interview page 18 page 21 page 40 page 51

inside:

4. First Word 11. Food 14. Music 20. Comedy 22. Theatre 37. Film 40. Visual Arts 45. Events

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

Managing Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 ’ Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 Whats On Matt Rothwell [email protected] 01743 281719 Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 MAGAZINE GROUP Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Ryan Humphreys [email protected] 01743 281722 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Rhian Atherton [email protected] 01743 281726 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Heather Kincaid, David Vincent, Katherine Ewing, Lauren Cox 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 February shropshire.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 15:59 Page 1

First Word

Darwin’s legacy explored in Magnum Photos’ new Shrewsbury exhibition Shrewsbury’s most famous son, the 19th century natu- ralist and geologist Charles Darwin, is the inspiration behind a special exhibition being presented on the streets of the Shropshire town this month. Evolution Explored has been curated by world-famous photography agency Magnum Photos, an international co-operative owned by its photographer members. Magnum has approximately one million photographs in both print and transparency in a physical library, with more than 500,000 images available online. Commenting on Evolution Explored, the agency’s Emily Graham said: “We’re delighted to be collaborat- ing on this outdoor exhibition, looking at Magnum's archive through the prism of evolution. As Magnum moves into its 70th year, the exhibition will display powerful historic and contemporary photographs exploring Darwin's legacy in modern society.” The new exhibition is launched on 9 February to coincide with Darwin Day, and will be available to view at St Mary’s Church and in The Square until 23 April. Photo credit: LON2153 Tiananmen Square, Beijing, CHINA. 1989.© Stuart Franklin/Magnum Photos

The Fizzogs go Stateside Tamworth gets jamming and meet-and-greet sessions. Standard tickets start at £39.95 (+£2.56 fee) to help youngsters and include the opportunity to watch A free project Mayweather's interview live on stage, Vegas- designed to help themed entertainment and the use of on-site young musicians bars. develop their song- writing, musician- ship, performance Valentine’s Day magic and promoting skills comes to The Potteries has been launched in Britain’s Got Talent star Jamie Raven is set to Tamworth. make Valentine’s Day a ‘magic’ experience Tamworth Jam is aimed at 12 to 19-year-olds for audiences at Stoke-on-Trent’s Regent who love to ‘jam’ but aren’t sure how to Theatre on Tuesday 14 February. make the leap from their bedrooms into the The popular magician, whose online videos limelight. have been viewed over 100 million times, vis- The six-month initiative comprises a series of its the Potteries as part of a UK tour that’s weekly workshops presented by a team of Black Country comedy act The Fizzogs are been extended ‘by popular demand’. highly experienced and professional men- hoping to take America by storm this sum- To book tickets, visit atgtickets.com tors. Participants will then be able to put mer. their new skills to the test by performing at The popular trio of Sue Hawkins, Deb locations throughout Tamworth town centre Nicholls and Jacky Fellows will head to New and in a variety of unusual spaces. York with their Dancing Grannies routine, which has been seen by more than 300 million people on social media. Speaking to the Stourbridge News, Deb said: Boxing legend Floyd “We aim to flash mob in New York this sum- Mayweather at the ICC mer, as the Americans keep asking when we’re coming over. It'll cost an arm and a leg Five-division world champion boxer Floyd to get there, so we’re looking for sponsor- Mayweather is the main attraction at a Las ship.” Vegas-themed ball at Birmingham’s ICC on The Fizzogs are currently touring their latest Saturday 4 March. show, Suck It And See, to venues across the Widely considered to be one of the greatest Midlands. For tickets and more information, boxers of all time and undefeated as a pro- visit thefizzogs.com. fessional, Mayweather will take part in Q&A

4 whatsonlive.co.uk FIRST WORD February shropshire.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 15:59 Page 2

Entertainment news from around the region

Timbersports Natasha J Barnes to star in are go... new version of Funny Girl An elite lumberjack sports competi- A critically acclaimed new version of hit musical tion is next month hosting a ‘taster Funny Girl is visiting the Regent Theatre in weekend’ at Shropshire’s Harper Adams University (Saturday 18 and Stoke-on-Trent next month. Sunday 19 March). Telling the story of Broadway star and comedian STIHL Timbersports is looking for Fanny Brice, the show features West End leading people who might have the neces- lady Natasha J Barnes and recording artist sary skill to take part in a British Darius Campbell. Championship event. Funny Girl was written over 50 years ago and After completing an initial assess- ment, each taster-weekend attendee debuted on Broadway in 1963. The show made a will receive expert training from the global star of Barbra Streisand and boasts the current British professional team in iconic songs People and Don’t Rain On My three rookie disciplines: Stock Saw, Parade. Single Buck and Underhand Chop. The touring production visits the Regent from The most promising participants Tuesday 28 March to Saturday 1 April. It returns will then be invited to receive further training. to the Midlands in the summer, stopping off at Anyone wishing to take part in the the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Monday taster weekend must submit an 24 to Saturday 29 July. entry form, which is available online at stihl.co.uk/newcomers. For more information, visit stihl.co.uk/timbersports. Applications will be accepted until 5 February. Places are limited Moomins at Shrewsbury arts venue and no entries or spectators will be permitted on the day. Shrewsbury venue The Hive is hosting a must-attend event for all fans of the Moomins on Friday 10 March. The popular arts centre will host two screenings of the 2014 animated feature film, Moomins On The Riviera. After each screening there will be a Q&A session with the movie’s director, Leslie Stewart, and co-director and producer Hanna Hemilä. The first screening and Q&A, at 1.30pm, is aimed at film profes- sionals and students; the second, at 4.30pm, is for families and Moomins fans. Tickets can be purchased from hiveonline.org.uk New Vic in Young Director scheme Independent art RSC invites theatre groups to The New Vic Theatre has launched a scheme which will allow eight aspir- gallery makes perform in the great outdoors ing directors to engage with the funds appeal The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is offering amateur and venue’s shows through workshops, professional theatre groups, schools and colleges the opportu- work shadowing and mentoring. Wolverhampton’s inde- The Newcastle-under-Lyme theatre pendent Asylum Art Gallery nity to put on a play in its open-air performance space this has joined forces with the country’s has launched an appeal to summer. leading training scheme for aspiring raise £6,000 towards its Located on the banks of the River Avon in Stratford, The Dell is directors - the Regional Theatre a ‘venue’ in which groups can either perform an established Young Director Scheme (RTYDS) - to costs. The gallery offers a free piece of work or create a new one inspired by Shakespeare or provide an Introduction To Directing his contemporaries. programme. space for artists to exhibit The scheme will run over five weeks their work, and since open- Commenting on the opportunity, RSC Events & Exhibitions between February and March. ing in 2014 has held 45 free Officer Nicola Salmon said: “The Dell is a great platform for Commenting on the initiative, Sue exhibitions. It has also amateur theatre companies, community groups, schools, uni- Emmas, RTYDS Artistic Director, played a central role in the versities and professional theatre companies to perform to an said: “Through Introduction To development of the audience of all ages. Audiences love the free productions that Directing and three-month place- companies bring to The Dell, and enjoy the unique atmosphere ments, RTYDS creates pathways for Westside Artists’ Quarter talented directors from under-repre- concept, designed to pro- that comes from plays being performed outside by the River sented backgrounds to learn their vide a supportive frame- Avon during the summer months.” craft, build networks and take the work for the city’s artistic Two performance slots are available on Saturdays and Sundays first step towards a career as a pro- community... Anybody at The Dell between Saturday 3 June and Sunday 27 August. fessional theatre director. interested in contributing Anybody interested in mounting a production should fill in an “Directors should be reflective of the application form, which can be downloaded from the RSC’s diversity of our towns and cities, to Asylum’s appeal should and RTYDS is working towards mak- visit justgiving.com/crowd- website at: rsc.org.uk/thedell. ing this a reality.” funding/WestSideAQ The closing date for applications is Monday 6 March.

whatsonlive.co.uk 5 FIRST WORD February shropshire.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 15:59 Page 3

First Word

Wicked flies back to the Oswestry TIC on Birmingham Hippodrome the lookout for Wicked is returning to the Midlands next year. volunteers The West End and Broadway musical phenome- An Oswestry group is looking non, telling the untold story of the Witches of Oz, for volunteers to help run the will show at Birmingham Hippodrome from Mile End tourist information Wednesday 4 to Sunday 29 April. centre. The group, which is Commenting on the news, Executive Producer asking people to donate half a Michael McCabe said: “We were overwhelmed by day of their time once a the incredible response from audiences and critics month, is hopeful that a suffi- alike when we first brought Wicked to Birmingham cient number of volunteers in 2014, and it’s extraordinary to think that over will come forward to mean 110,000 people came and saw us. The whole team that the centre can stay open at the Birmingham Hippodrome showed such eight hours a day, seven days tremendous enthusiasm and support, and we’re all a week. For more information, really delighted to be returning to this truly mag- call 01691 610952. nificent venue in 2018.” Tickets for Wicked’s return to the Hippodrome go on sale next month, on Tuesday 21 March. For more information about the show, visit Home-produced WickedTheMusical.co.uk at the Grand... Wolverhampton Grand Theatre has announced that the first major show to be produced in-house at the venue Line-up Potteries museum receives £300,000 of for more than 40 years will be announced for funding from Arts Council England Brassed Off. Adapted by Paul Allen from the screenplay by Staffordshire Stoke-on-Trent’s tourist economy has received a £300,000 boost from Mark Herman, the play tells Arts Council England. festival the story of Grimley Colliery The investment will allow local arts and cultural organisations to team Band’s attempts to play in the up with partners in order to attract more visitors to the city. Folk-rock legends Fairport National Brass Band Commenting on the award, Peter Knott, Midlands Area Director for Arts Convention are celebrating Competition at the Royal Council England, said: “This investment presents a really exciting oppor- their 50th anniversary with Albert Hall, even as the local tunity to put art, culture and creativity at the heart of plans to bring both an appearance at pit faces closure. domestic and international tourists to Stoke. Over the coming years, we Staffordshire’s Acoustic The new production shows at hope to see these new partnerships and a joined-up approach encourag- Festival Of Britain, taking the Grand from Wednesday 23 ing growth in the local visitor economy.” place at Uttoxeter August to Sunday 3 Racecourse from 2 to 4 June. September. Tickets are now The popular band will be on sale and can be purchased joined at the three-day by calling 01902 429212 or vis- event by, among others: Tamworth attraction welcomes new ride iting grandtheatre.co.uk. Martin Turner (founding member of Wishbone Ash); Drayton Manor Park in Staffordshire is launching a brand new ride in its chart-topping three-piece Thomas Land attraction. Hoosiers; pioneering folk- James And The Red Balloon, which opens on Saturday 1 April, will be Plenty on offer at punk band The Men They joining 20 other rides and attractions based on the popular series of LGBT festival Couldn’t Hang; and 1980s books. The £250,000 ride takes visitors to the lofty heights of 1.5 metres This month’s National synth-pop star Howard and has a maximum speed of 5.5 RPM. Festival Of LGBT History fea- Jones. Thomas Land was launched in 2008 and recently underwent a £2.5mil- tures a number of The 2017 festival also fea- lion expansion. Shrewsbury-hosted events. tures a late-night blues bar, Commenting on the attraction’s new addition, Drayton Manor Park’s Taking place across the week- afternoon comedy in the Managing Director, William Bryan, said: “This is another exciting step in end of 17 to 19 February, the live lounge, the ever-popu- Thomas Land’s progression. We’re always looking for new ways to excite festival includes talks by lar ukulele workshops event and entertain our visitors, and James And prominent authors (including and an extended children’s The Red Balloon seemed the perfect addi- Diana Souhami), youth group area. tion. It’s the ideal ride for the whole family performances, films, exhibi- For further details, visit to enjoy and will act as a great stepping tions and taster presentations acousticfestival.co.uk. stone for those little ones looking for their next thrilling experience.” looking at various aspects of LGBT history. . To book tickets or for more information about the venue, visit draytonmanor.co.uk For more information, visit or call 0844 472 1950. shrewsburylgbthistory.org.uk

6 whatsonlive.co.uk FIRST WORD February shropshire.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 15:59 Page 4 Shobna Gulati DPS.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 16:01 Page 1

FEATURE

Shobna Gulati Ex-Corrie favourite talks about starring in Anita And Me at the Wolverhampton Grand

In the 20 years since Meera Syal's semi- autobiographical portrait of life in the Black Country in the 1970s first appeared in print, it's become something of a contemporary classic, spawning a popular film adaptation and even, much to Syal's own bemusement, becoming a GCSE set text. In 2015, Anita And Me made its stage debut at Birmingham REP; now the theatre’s artistic director, Roxana Silbert, is bringing the much-loved story back home to the Midlands with a run at the Wolverhampton Grand. Starring in the show as mother to the teenage protagonist Meena (the ‘Me’ of the title) is Shobna Gulati, best known for her long-running role as Sunita Alahan in Coronation Street, as well as for her regular appearances on Loose Women. Taking over the role of Daljit from Ayesha Dharker, Gulati is very much looking forward to returning to the city and the theatre. “I love Wolverhampton,” she says. “I've got quite a special relationship with it, actually. When I was a dancer I used to work for Sampad, so I went round schools in Cannock, Wolverhampton and Birmingham teaching creative dance using Indian Classical dance as a basis. I was also here for 16 weeks to do panto - in those days the Grand's was the longest-running panto in the country.” Gulati describes her character Daljit as a loving but often quietly disapproving mother who, like many parents, has a “sticky relationship” with her daughter. “I think Daljit sees a lot of herself in Meena, and is perhaps still holding onto her own

8 whatsonlive.co.uk Shobna Gulati DPS.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 16:01 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

childhood through her, but obviously as a read of it. There's a great bit in the play is still ongoing, leaving her running teenager Meena wants to explore things where Daljit's having a go at Meena about between Leicester and Wolverhampton in for herself. Daljit knows that she had a that - you know, Cathy and Clare, what do the middle of the day. It sounds like hard good upbringing back at home and she they know? All they know about is work, but she shrugs it off. struggles to understand why that same boyfriends, and it's not important. All of “I'm a bit of a boring old person now upbringing isn't working for Meena in a this - family and community - is what's because I'm just getting up, going to work, different place. She never loses her important.” going to another work, going home to temper, she's just frustrated and can't Things have changed considerably since bed, and then getting up and doing it all understand why Meena has to fight so 1972, but there's also plenty that's stayed again! In my youth I'd have done the often when she and her husband give her the same. Perhaps more pertinently, same, but then I'd also have gone out for a all the love and support in the world.” thinks Gulati, there are aspects of Britain drink afterwards. I probably wouldn't Meera Syal remains closely involved with in 2017 which seem to have more in have slept! But I can't burn the candle at the retelling of her story, and the common with the culture of the 1970s both ends anymore...” opportunity to finally work with her - as than with life in the intervening decades. Though it's something she's come to well as with award-winning playwright “From a historical point of view, the story relatively late in her career, musical Tanika Gupta - was a major factor in examines the movement of people into theatre is a natural choice for Gulati, who Gulati's decision to join the cast. small communities and how those has always sung at home and started “Meera and I have always sort of missed communities responded. You've got these dance classes at the tender age of seven. each other on the way. We've known of areas where economically things are One of her first jobs after leaving each other but we've never been able to tough for everyone, and the thing to Coronation Street was on the UK tour of work together because our schedules have blame always seemed to be whoever was Mamma Mia!, which she says was a bit never quite matched up. I think the things considered an outsider. When I was like coming “full circle”. that people like Meera have achieved are growing up, I was constantly reminded of “In Western culture we often tend to put just amazing - they've put their heads how different I was, and for a while I things in boxes - you either sing or dance above the parapet and just kept going thought that things were moving on, but I or act or play music - whereas in Indian despite the struggles of being 'other' in think we've actually gone slightly Classical dance you do all those things. this community we all live in. And backwards now. We've gone back to It's expressive, so you learn to act as well because it's semi-autobiographical, in a people feeling suspicious of people from as how to dance technically and to way, I get to play Meera's mum, so it's a other places, and as a grown-up adult I'm accompany, so it's a more holistic way of real honour.” once again reminded of how different I looking at performance. When my mum am, even though I was born and raised Despite not having read the book or seen came to see Mamma Mia!, she said, 'This here.” the film before, Gulati immediately is what you've always wanted to do, right identified with the characters, finding Fortunately, there are movements for from when you were a little girl.'” elements of the story that chimed with her positive change, and this very production So with such a varied career behind her, own experiences of growing up in an aims to be part of that, promoting what's next for Shobna Gulati? Is there immigrant family in industrial Oldham. engagement and interaction between anything still left to tick off the list? “Well, communities. “I am going to be playing my mum! Maybe I've been making my way for the last 31 that's a cop-out, but Meera and I are “Anita And Me is part of the legacy of a years, and I think I've done most things at around the same age, and I can see a lot group called the Touring Consortium, who some point, but do you know... I've never of my relationship with my mother when I go into theatres that don't necessarily actually been a lead. So if there was was a teenager in this story. In fact, it's have that engagement with the wider something that would be suitable for even more like my mum's relationship diverse community. Hopefully this play someone of my age, I'd love to do that. I'd with my big sister. I was the youngest girl will be a good way of beginning a process love to play Cleopatra in Anthony And in my family, but when my sister was for people who perhaps aren't quite so Cleopatra. I feel like I'm ready for that growing up, my mum and dad were in culturally engaged, and helping to turn now.” England bringing up a young girl for the the wheel forwards again.” first time. Some places have further to go than “My sisters always used to read Jackie others. Gulati has loved her time Anita And Me shows at magazine, and although it was more performing in Grease at Leicester's Curve Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre from Smash Hits by the time I was a teenager, I Theatre, describing it as a place where Tuesday 14 to Saturday 18 February do remember slipping their copies of “diversity permeates”. As rehearsals for Jackie under my pillow at night to have a Anita And Me commence, that production

whatsonlive.co.uk 9 FOOD February- SHROPS_STAFFS_WOLVES.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 16:50 Page 1 FOOD February- SHROPS_STAFFS_WOLVES.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 16:50 Page 2

Food

Historic North Staffordshire pub set for kitchen and dining area expansion The owners of North Staffordshire's historic Speaking to the Stoke Sentinel about the expan- Grade II-listed Stafford Arms pub are to extend sion, Assistant Manager Dan Trueman said: its kitchen and create space for an extra 30 din- "Expanding the kitchen will make the business ers. more efficient. We’re hoping to bring the capaci- General manager Jason Lightfoot has revealed ty of the restaurant up to about 120 diners.” that the 17th century Bagnall venue’s forthcom- everywhere but at the moment there aren't that ing development will also include an outdoor many locals apart from in the bar. A lot of peo- patio where regulars can enjoy a drink in the ple don't even know Bagnall exists. Hopefully summer. it'll be onwards and upwards from here!"

REVIEW: Sir Jack’s Restaurant, Wolverhampton of the deal on offer. For dessert we shared the bitter To start, I opted for the seared chocolate sorbet, served with Wolverhampton Wanderers aiming for scallops, served with pineapple, honeycomb and rhubarb success off the pitch as well as on fennel, sesame tuille and black espuma, and the caramel mille garlic. It was an intriguing and feuille. The chocolate sorbet was unusual flavour combination the highlight of the evening for which unfortunately just didn’t me. The dish was bursting with work for me. The scallops were very welcome and complementa- cooked nicely - however, there ry flavours and the honeycomb were only two of them, and they pieces were stunning. were very small. I would have My partner’s highlight was the liked to have seen a couple more mille feuille, which was served for the £7 price tag, or even an with banana, mango, coffee and increase in the size of the two peanut. that were on my plate. The restaurant’s welcoming and The sesame tuille was delicious knowledgeable manager and definitely the highlight of informed us that the menu is the dish. changing in early February and My partner opted for the truffle will include, among other new risotto, which was served with dishes, wood pigeon and king textures of hard Italian cheese prawns. and purple basil. The flavour Overall, the food wasn’t any- was lovely and creamy but only thing to shout out about in com- showcased a very subtle hint of parison to other restaurants of a truffle. The rice was slightly similar stature, but the attentive underdone. and friendly service made for an For my main course, I opted for enjoyable evening nevertheless. the duo of pork, which com- Lauren Foster prised braised cheek, tenderloin (served pink), charred carrot Food: n n n n n puree, kale and dauphinoise. Service: n n n n n Both pork elements were cooked Ambience: n n n n n beautifully. The other elements Overall value n n n n n Sir Jack’s is situated in the heart evening once a month which of the dish complemented the OVERALL n n n n n of Wolverhampton Wanderers enables diners to feast on meat perfectly, resulting in a Football Club’s Molineux flavours from around the world. tasty main course. Stadium, occupying a central, Each course is served with com- My partner opted for 8oz pican- pitch-facing position in the Billy plementary wines and liqueurs. ha beef steak, which was served Sir Jack’s Restaurant Wright Stand. On arrival, we were politely with chestnut mushrooms, toma- Wolverhampton Wanderers It holds 60 covers and can be shown over to our table and to and chips. It arrived medium Football Club, hired out for private parties. It informed that, until April, diners rare, as requested. It wasn’t the Molineux Stadium, Waterloo Road, also boasts a private suite, can enjoy two courses each and best steak we’d ever tasted, but accommodating up to 20 people, a bottle of wine for £20 per per- Wolverhampton, certainly did the job. The chips WV1 4QR which can be hired at no extra son. Unfortunately we were driv- were cooked well and the side of Tel: 0871 222 2225 cost. ing, so steered clear of the wine béarnaise we added was deli- The restaurant hosts a gourmet and chose not to take advantage cious.

whatsonlive.co.uk 11 FOOD February- SHROPS_STAFFS_WOLVES.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 16:50 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 February- SHROPS_STAFFS_WOLVES.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 16:50 Page 4

Food

Shrewsbury to get its third specialist Japanese restaurant A specialist Japanese eatery is set to enhance Shrewsbury’s already impressive restaurant scene. The site on which the new venue will open is owned by Mike Matthews, who is also the proprietor of the near- by Prince Rupert Hotel. “Shrewsbury has enjoyed consider- able growth in its nighttime and hos- pitality economy in recent years,” says Mike, “and when we decided to let the site, we secured a tenant very quickly.” A Peach of a treat for your Valentine The new addition will be the town’s third Japanese eatery, following in the Popular Shrewsbury restaurant The Peach Tree crispy scallops. footsteps of the well-established is offering two courses for £22.95 or three Booking is essential and a non-refundable Momo-No-Ki venue and Umai. courses for £27.95 to diners who visit on Friday deposit of £10 per head is required to confirm It’s anticipated that the restaurant will 10, Saturday 11 or Tuesday 14 February, as part diners’ reservations. create at least 10 full and part-time of a Valentine’s Day promotion. To book, visit thepeachtree.co.uk or call 01743 jobs. Dishes featured on the menu include slow- 355055. braised lamb shank, grilled wild salmon and

ALL OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!

whatsonlive.co.uk 13 Music - February - Wolves_Shrops & Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 15:59 Page 1

Gigs

Black Sabbath Genting Arena, Birmingham, 2 & 4 February Nearly five decades ago - and created by a young Birmingham band - heavy metal was born. Black Sabbath helped define the genre they pioneered with releases such as their self-titled debut album (1970), Paranoid (also 1970) and Master Of Reality (1971). Following the break-up of their previous band, Mythology, in 1968, guitarist Tony Iommi and drummer Bill Ward decided to form a heavy blues rock band in Aston. They enlisted bassist Geezer Butler and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne, who had played together in a band called Rare Breed. Over the years, Black Sabbath have sur- vived a number of line-up changes. The current version of the band features Osbourne, Iommi and Geezer, who this month bring their Farewell Tour back to the place where it all began.

Pet Shop Boys Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Fri 24 February Having formed in London in 1981, English electronic pop duo Pet Shop Boys features Neil Tennant (main vocals, keyboards, occasional guitar) and Chris Lowe (keyboards, occasional vocals). Not only are they listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the most successful duo in UK music history, they’ve also bagged three Brit Awards, six Grammy nominations and, since 1985, 42 Top 30 singles and 22 Top 10 hits in the UK Singles Chart, including four number ones. This month sees the pair return to Birmingham to perform a set that features songs from their acclaimed new Tony O’Malley & Kings Of Leon album, Super, and classic hits and Ross Stanley album tracks from the past 30 years. Genting Arena, Birmingham, Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury, Mon 20 February Sun 19 February It’s a family affair for Kings Of Leon. Singer, songwriter and keyboardist Tony Comprising three brothers and a cousin, the O’Malley (pictured) and award-winning jazz Nashville-based quartet’s early-career sound hammond organist Ross Stanley here present brought together Southern rock and blues a night of soul, funk and jazz, played in their influences. Their music has gradually devel- own distinctive style. oped through the years to include a variety of O'Malley was the keyboardist for Arrival, genres and a more alternative, arena rock whose hits include Friends and I Will sound. Survive. Whilst a member of 10CC, he record- They’ve released seven albums since their ed with Bob Dylan on the singer’s Desire inception in the year 2000, five of them album. reaching number one in the UK Album Stanley started playing piano at the age of Charts. four and has performed with jazz stars The band return to the Midlands to promote including Will Vinson, Dennis Rollings, Guy their latest album, Walls. Barker and Joel Frahm.

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Gig previews from around the region

Sophie Ellis-Bextor O2 Institute, Birmingham, Fri 17 February

Murder On The Dancefloor singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s latest release, Familia, marks a critically acclaimed Spring King Peter Darlington, James Green and Andy change in her musical direction, Morton then came on board and Spring King showcasing her newfound lyrical The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 17 February launched their career with a first EP in April and musical maturity. 2015. Described by Ellis-Bextor as “the bol- This Manchester-based indie group is the The release received incredible radio sup- shier, more extrovert little sister” of brainchild of production virtuoso Tarek port, with the track City being the first ever previous release Wanderlust, Familia Musa, who began the project by ripping out play on Apple Music’s Beats1 radio show was introduced by the Radio Two A- a disused bathroom in his house. with Zane Lowe. List track Come With Us, which became an instant disco-pop anthem. She here visits Birmingham as part of The Blockheads an 11-date tour of the UK. Dreadzone The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton, The Robin, Bilston, Friday 24 February Sat 11 February The Blockheads formed in 1977 to promote Inni K and Ian Dury's album, New Boots And Panties, on the first Stiff Records tour of the UK. Jess Morgan The band are now fronted by one of the late The Hive, Shrewsbury, Sun 5 Dury’s best friends, Blockheads vocalist and February; Stafford Gatehouse, Mon 6 February wordsmith Derek ‘The Draw’. See them perform old favourites such as Hit Since the 2015 release of her Me With Your Rhythm Stick - as well as new acclaimed debut album, The King material - as part of their 40th anniversary Has Two Horse’s Ears, Irish singer tour. and mult-instrumentalist Inni K (pictured) has been wowing audiences with her fresh indie-folk sound. Presenting an eclectic fusion of dub, reggae, She’s here joined by singer-song- techno, folk and rock music, Dreadzone writer Jess Morgan, who’s inspired by formed in 1993, during their early years arists such as Billy Bragg and Nanci employing backing vocalists who included Griffith. Melanie Blatt, Denise van Outen and Alison Goldfrapp. Their follow-up release, 1994’s Second Light, was championed by the legendary John Kaiser Chiefs Peel, who cited it as one of his favourite Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, albums of all time. Sat 25 February This month sees Dreadzone releasing their Fronted by the charismatic Ricky Wilson, eighth studio offering, Dread Times, their indie rock five-piece Kaiser Chiefs formed in third release on their own Dubwiser label. Leeds in the year 2000. The album showcases the band’s old skool Their trademark sound has delivered hits dread sound whilst also digging deeper into such as Oh My God, Ruby and I Predict A their dub and reggae roots. Riot, to name a few and has helped to estab- It’s described as ‘an eclectic rolling journey lish them as one of the leading bands of that recalls elements from an illustrious 23- their generation. year history while always looking ahead to Read the interview with band member the next phase.’ Simon Rix online at whatsonlive.co.uk

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Classical Music

City Of London Sinfonia Allington Hall, Shrewsbury School, Fri 17 February With its mission to ‘create dynamic, engaging and outstanding musical experiences for people of all ages and backgrounds’, the City Of London Sinfonia this month touches down in Shrewsbury to perform as part of Shropshire Music Trust’s 2016/17 season. The concert sees the ensemble exploring the work of ‘the devil’s own instrument’ - the violin - along the way presenting a selection of Baroque virtuoso items, British and Appalachian folk fiddling and impas- sioned tango from Argentina. The programme includes works by Vivaldi, Grainger, Piazzolla, Locatelli and Copland. The evening is brought to a An Audience With Lesley Garrett close with a performance of Autumn from The Place, Oakengates, Shropshire, Tues 21 February Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. Award-winning folk fiddler Henry Webster Although many would claim that she’s been displaced as Britain’s best-loved soprano by and the highly rated banjo player Dan Welsh wonder Katherine Jenkins, Lesley Garrett retains an army of appreciative fans and Walsh join in the fun. continues to produce superlative performances. These latest Midlands appearances by the West End star follow the well-established ‘audience with’ format, combining song with plenty of reminiscences and not a little lightheart- ed chat.

CBSO: Holst’s Juan Diego Florez The Planets In Recital Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Symphony Hall, Wed 8 February Birmingham, Gustav Holst’s seven-movement orches- Tues 21 February tral suite - each movement of which is Forty-three-year- BBC Philharmonic named after a planet in the solar system old Cuban heart- throb Juan Diego Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, - is one of the most famous and familiar Fri 10 February works of classical music ever written, Flórez is widely Residing at the Corporation's Manchester particularly the Mars and Jupiter move- acclaimed as one home of Media City in Salford Quays, the ments. Earth is excluded from the work, of the greatest bel BBC Philharmonic is no stranger to Stoke, the concept of the suite being astrologi- canto tenors ever regularly presenting Victoria Hall concert- cal rather than astronomical, while to have lived. goers with works from its impressive Pluto’s discovery was still some years Thirty years ago, repertoire. away at the time Holst was writing his achieving such a This latest concert sees conductor Jamie masterpiece. The composer was still alive phenomenal sta- Phillips being joined by soloist Adam when the ninth planet became known to tus seemed a Walker for a programme that features scientists in 1930, but he opted out of world away for the teenage Juan, a 14-year- Haydn’s Symphony 100 (Military), writing an additional movement, believ- old lover of pop music who played guitar Mozart’s Flute Concerto No 1 and ing that The Planets had already cast too and wrote Paul McCartney-style tunes. “I Sibelius’s Symphony No 1. significant a shadow over the rest of his didn’t begin voice lessons until I was 17,” he work. says. “I wanted to travel and enjoy a good This City of Birmingham Symphony level of music education, but it wasn’t me Orchestra performance of the suite is who wanted to be an opera singer. I was accompanied by S vitri, another work by led.” Holst which tells anā ancient Indian tale Solo recitals by Juan, such as this one at of a love that proves stronger than death. Symphony Hall, are rare events indeed; The concert is part of Symphony Hall’s they offer his fans the chance to enjoy the Spirit Of England series - a season of pre- magnificence of his voice in a truly intimate sentations celebrating some of the coun- atmosphere. Vincenzo Scalera accompanies try’s best-known composers and featur- the great man on piano as he performs ing a wide selection of memorable works by, among others, Rossini, Mozart, music. Puccini and Verdi. whatsonlive.co.uk 17 Paul Carrack DPS.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 11:47 Page 1

FEATURE

Paul Carrack talks fame, collaborations and keeping it in the family...

He's performed around the world with the and then I get a treat, like going out on Beginning with little experience of the likes of Eric Clapton, Roger Waters and tour with Eric (Clapton), which has wider business back in the days before Ringo Starr; had major hits with Squeeze, allowed me to play all over the world with social media had started to facilitate Roxy Music and Mike + The Mechanics; some amazing musicians. But you couldn't promotion was a bold step, but over the done session work for The Pretenders and have planned it. It's just hard work and years, Carrack UK has steadily gained The Smiths; and had his songs recorded getting on with the job.” traction, with successive albums working by Eagles, Diana Ross and more. Yet their way into the charts. Now divorced from obligations to the big- despite being one of the most revered name bands he's spent half his career “I think it was a really smart move, and musicians and best-loved singers in the performing with, these days Carrack I'm not particularly noted for my smart biz, Paul Carrack is also among the most operates as his own mini-industry, doing moves! I've really enjoyed it but it has unassuming chaps you'll meet, brushing almost all of the instrumentation on his been difficult. When I did the first one, I off his astonishing list of achievements solo records as well as producing them didn't have a clue how labels worked, but with a Yorkshire down-to-earthness that under his own label, Carrack UK - often I'd had some not-so-great experiences 40-odd years in London have done only calling on his bandmates when it's with major record labels as a solo artist, nothing to undermine. time to hit the road. and I could sense there was a shift in how In a sense, it's not surprising. That ‘golden the business was working - that things “Every time I do an album this way, I voice’ which you'll definitely have heard were contracting. I was lucky that my good always say I'll never do it again. It just on tracks like Squeeze's Tempted and Mike friend Peter Van Hooke had a little more takes too long! But I've got a little studio at + The Mechanics’ Over My Shoulder has experience of how the nuts and bolts of it home, and when I start out making an never brought him household-name fitted together, and he was very helpful in album, I don't usually have much to go on status. But then, this is a man who's much getting it going. What's interesting now is - I'll just have a few bits and bobs on my more comfortable in his own household, that it seems to be a model that a lot of phone or something like that, and then I'll jamming in his studio with his son. people are following.” start developing it. Nevertheless, over the years, he's Bonding time with Jack, who plays deservedly built up a loyal following, and “I married a London girl, so I've been here percussion in the band and on the albums, if you're lucky enough to catch him on most of my life now, but I'm originally has also been an advantage of going it stage in Stoke or Birmingham this year, from Sheffield, and the rest of my band alone. “He's a chip off the old block! I've you can expect to experience something still lives there - the only one knocking got four kids and all of the others have got truly special. around is my son, Jack. But I've been in proper jobs, but he's a bit like me. He lots of bands and helped lots of people out “I never wanted to be super famous,” hated school and we used to worry about over the years. I'm quite happy now just Carrack explains. “I can't think of it, but he's been touring with us for the doing my own thing.” anything worse, to be honest - other than last four or five years, so he's part of the being poor and skint, which I'm not either! Since setting up his self-titled label in the furniture now, and it's been great - he's This is a really good place to be - I've got late ’90s, Carrack has independently really blossomed.” my own little niche going, and every now produced a total of 18 solo albums.

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by Heather Kincaid

Released in January 2016, Carrack's latest Elsewhere, Carrack is keeping his fingers “The whole project was well underway by album, Soul Shadows, reached number 25 in other pies. As well as continuing as Eric the time I came in. I was kind of surprised in the UK album charts as well as taking Clapton's keyboardist, he's also recently they'd chosen the song, but they felt it was the number one spot in the Amazon soul been gigging with Clapton bandmate Andy the perfect message for what they're charts. Almost all the tracks are original Fairweather Low and long-term about, which is, if you've got anything to numbers by Carrack himself, but collaborator and fellow undersung say to someone, say it now while you still exceptions include a cover of the Alfred industry stalwart Nick Lowe (with whom can. And it was great - they really enjoyed Braggs & Deadric Malone song, Share Your he wrote the Diana Ross hit, Battlefield). themselves and got a bit of media Love With Me. The song has been covered Last year, a mini-tour for the trio included attention, including a couple of TV spots. by various artists, including Aretha a set at Shrewsbury Folk Festival. It was the number one selling CD over Franklin, Van Morrison and The Band, Christmas, and though they obviously “I love singing harmonies, and I've always though it's with the Bobby Bland original now take downloads into consideration had this idea at the back of my mind that that Carrack's version has the most in for the charts, I think as far as the hospices I'd like to get together with those guys. I common. were concerned it was a big success, had a gig at the London Palladium the year because it did a lot to raise their profile, There's also Bet Your Life, a melancholy before last, and the three of us decided to which then helps them in their other ballad about a compulsive gambler, with do four acoustic songs in the middle of the fundraising activities.” lyrics penned by old friend and former set. We had such fun rehearsing it, and Squeeze bandmate Chris Difford. In an when we did the show, it went down a There is talk of a new Paul Carrack solo album comprised mainly of love songs, it storm, so we started doing a bit of album being in the works, but with the mightn't be the cheeriest choice, but recording at my place too. We did an 2017 tour kicking off in early February, it according to Carrack, it's one that always album's-worth of stuff and then almost could be a few more months before it's goes down well in his live sets. forgot about it, but apparently there’s some ready for release. interest from quite a major record label, so “The song's just kept growing, and it's one “I've got about six or seven songs but it's it might even see the light of day!” where the band gets to stretch out a bit at not quite enough for an album yet, and the end. We've got a great lead guitarist More recently, he recorded a charity with the tour, I'm not sure when I'll get to and sax player and it gives them a chance Christmas single with the London Hospices finish it, but hopefully we'll be putting out to show off.” Choir, a 300-strong group of patients, staff something later this year.”.” and families from 17 different hospices Though he's already been touring the who came together to mark the 125th album during the year gone by, 2017 will anniversary of the Royal Trinity Hospice. mark Carrack's biggest solo tour to date, When Mike + The Mechanics hit The Living Paul Carrack plays Victoria Hall, Stoke- taking in major UK venues as well as a Years was chosen for the project, producer on-Trent, on Friday 17 February and series of international stops, with solo James Hawkins invited Carrack to sing it Symphony Hall, Birmingham, on acoustic support from singer-songwriter with them. Friday 17 and Saturday 18 March. Sarah Munro.

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Comedy

Josie Long Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Wed 15 February; The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham, Fri 17 February Josie Long’s award-winning comedian pal, Nish Kumar, has referred to her as ‘the David Bowie of stand-up’, a descrip- tion he’s used on account of the 34-year- old comic’s impressive capacity for reinventing herself. London-born Long admits she likes to change her way of doing things every now and again, and is currently engaged in the business of bringing a big dose of positivity to a post-Brexit nation. Josie’s very much a political animal, but recognises that banging on too much about politics is a near-certain way to alienate an audience. Hence the enthusiastic Remainer’s decision to focus on the bright side of life in this critically acclaimed touring show. Jokes include: “When I was a kid, I asked my mum what a couple was and she said, ‘Oh, two or three’. And she wonders why her marriage didn’t work out...”

Six of the best...

Sean Lock John Jen Brister Birmingham Shuttleworth Artrix, Bromsgrove, Hippodrome, Thurs 23 - Fri 24 Mon 27 - Tues Birmingham Town February 28 February Hall, Sun 12 February; Stratford Artshouse, Rising star Jen Brister Although Sean Lock Stratford-upon-Avon, is best known from Fri 24 February says it’s her mother who’s to blame for the Channel Four Midlands-based her overwhelming panel game 8 Out Of lovers of light come- need “to seek valida- 10 Cats, on which he dy and understated tion from a roomful appeared as a team but up-to-the-minute of people in varying degrees of inebriation”. captain for 10 years, he's also picked up the fashions here get the opportunity to enjoy an When Jen was young, she reveals on her odd gong or two for his stand-up, so a night allegedly ‘final’ evening in the company of website, her mum would encourage her to do in his company is always a surefire bet for a Sheffield’s raconteur par excellence. impressions in front of adults. big barrel of laughs. The pigeon-fancying Shuttleworth is the cre- “All the while, my mum is watching me and He’s visiting Birmingham this month with his ation of actor Graham Fellows - a one-time beaming with pride,” recalls Jen. “‘Jennifer,’ latest touring show, Keep It Light. chartbuster with 1970s hit Jilted John - and she’d say, ‘you could be the next Meryl Jokes include: “So what if Jesus turned water has been making his presence felt on the UK Streep!’ ‘Really, mum?’ ‘Oh yes, every actor into wine? I turned a whole student loan into comedy circuit for more than 30 years. starts with impressions! Just look at Dustin Vodka once. Your move, Jesus...” and “I’m in Topics for Shuttleworth’s consideration in Hoffman. Tootsie is a very good film. He did therapy at the moment. I don’t need it, obvi- this farewell offering include the rise in pop- an impression of a woman and his career ously, but I got all these psychiatrist gift ularity of hi-viz protective wear, the suitabili- took off!’ ‘I think he was famous before vouchers for Christmas which my family ty of the plastic lid on takeaway coffee cups, Tootsie, mum.’ ‘I don’t think so - I think he clubbed together for. What I wanted was a and the excitement he felt when sucking his put on a dress and, poof!, he was famous. crossbow...” first mint. You know... maybe if you wore a dress sometimes, Jennifer, you could get famous too...’ “At this stage in my career, I’m willing to try anything, so thanks, mum!”

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Justin Moorhouse Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Fri 10 February; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sun 19 February Justin Moorhouse is a naturally and seriously funny stand-up - which isn’t something that can be said about every comedian who picks up a mic and fires off an evening’s-worth of material. Audience members catching his act for the first time will find themselves in the company of a seasoned pro who knows exactly how to work a crowd. Although his accent and style of delivery call to mind Peter Kay (no bad thing), Moorhouse is very much his own man, presenting an evening of well-honed, hugely enjoyable, adult-themed entertainment. Jokes include: “The women you see on Jeremy Kyle are so big they have to get their leggings on prescrip- tion.”

Tanyalee Richard Andy Davis Gadd Zaltzman The Bramall, Warwick Arts Centre, The Slade Rooms, Birmingham, Thurs Coventry, Sun 19 Wolverhampton, 16 February February Fri 24 February Tanyalee Davis is a It says much about Sporting a hairstyle three foot six inches Richard Gadd’s tal- that makes him look tall comedian who’s ent that he was able like Art Garfunkel on happy to make refer- to score a big success acid, Andrew ence to her height as at last summer’s Zaltzman is best a starting point for her comedy. “Sometimes Edinburgh Fringe with a stand-up show he’d known for performing comedy routines with a kid sees me,” she explains, “and says, felt compelled to write as a result of experi- a decidedly political bent. ‘Wow, what happened to you? Did you get encing a sexual assault. A regular collaborator with John Oliver, into an accident?’ And I say, ‘Hell, no, I just Managing to generate humour from so dark a Zaltzman’s work with the Birmingham-born didn’t eat my vegetables when I was your starting point is no mean feat, and speaks funnyman includes radio shows Political age, you little shit!’” volumes for the progress Gadd feels he’s Animal and The Department, and satirical Canadian-born Tanyalee, who describes her- made since the incident changed his life five podcast The Bugle. self as “the Ferrari of comedy - low to the years ago. Jokes include, “Politicians are like God. No ground and kinda racy”, has been peddling “I’m the man playing football twice a week one believes in them, they haven't done any- her hugely successful brand of humour for with my football pals,” he explained to the thing for ages, and they give jobs to their over 20 years. Guardian. “I thought of myself as a man, and immediate family.” “A good majority of my act is about my life I felt like that was taken from me, and I’m Another gag is: “Sperms are communists; and me,” she explains. “Maybe it's from a lit- ashamed of that now. But I felt like that was well, Stalinists really - only one of them gets tle person's perspective, but I don't feel it's the story I wanted and I needed to tell with to achieve anything and millions of them die hokey midget shit anymore. It's not just this show.” for nothing.” generic; it's really relevant to me and the sit- uations I've gotten into.”

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Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Thoroughly Modern Millie New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 13 - Sat 18 February Michelle Collins and Joanne Clifton star in this latest stage version of the hit 1967 film. Set in Manhattan during the Roaring ’20s, the show tells the story of Millie Dillmount, a young woman who arrives in New York from Kansas in search of wealth, excitement and a man to marry. Deciding to stay at the Hotel Priscilla, she meets its proprietor, the eccentric Mrs Meers, before embarking on a series of riotous and not altogether planned adventures, all of which are pleasingly punctuated by dazzling musical numbers and stunning dance routines.

Amédée couple in real life. And there’s little doubt rd’ named Margaret, where Detective Dawn that their romantic relationship lends their Taylor is determined that justice will triumph The REP, Birmingham, over dirty dealing. Fri 24 February - Sat 11 March improv work a very particular and impressively easygoing chemistry. Scenes of nudity and violence make the sug- Colleen and Jason are appearing in gested rating for this show 16-plus. Birmingham this month for one night only - and will be keen to quickly work out what kind of audience they’re performing to... The Goon Show “Different cities have different styles of The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, improv,” explains Jason. “For instance, in Wed 8 - Fri 10 February; mac, Birmingham, Chicago, we're almost expected to do a one- Sat 11 February; Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury, Sun 12 February act play for which we don’t know our lines. There are some cities where you sense pretty With fans down the decades having included quickly that the audience has never seen a The Beatles, Monty Python and Prince long-form improv show and so don’t know Charles, there’s little doubting the impact Playwright, director and comedian Sean how to react to it. By contrast, in cities with which 1950s radio comedy programme The Foley, whose previous stage productions theatres, longform improv’s easier because Goon Show has had on British culture and include The Play What I Wrote and The people are familiar with seeing plays so are humour. Ladykillers, is the man behind this new more patient. It gives you more room to take Featuring Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers, Harry adaptation of Eugene Ionesco’s 1954 work. risks.” Secombe and, for a couple of series in the A leading figure in French avant-garde the- early ’50s, Michael Bentine, the show ran for atre, Ionesco is best known for his absurdist nine years, each half-hour episode providing plays, many of which reflect on the insignifi- a zany mixture of puns, catchphrases, cance of human existence. Wolf Meat bizarre sound effects and utterly ludicrous Amédée, his first full-length offering, fea- Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, characters. tures a frustrated playwright and his switch- Sat 18 February Birmingham Comedy Festival and Fred board-operator wife. Struggling to make ends Blending macabre humour and theatrical Theatre here present 21st century audiences meet in a dilapidated London apartment anarchy with a healthy sense of the ridicu- with the opportunity to enjoy two classic (Foley’s adaptation switches the action from lous is the name of the game for Wildheart & Goon Show radio scripts live on stage: The Paris), the couple are becoming ever more Lyric, a theatre company founded six years House Of Teeth and The Jet-Propelled Guided concerned about the problem in their other ago by a group of friends ‘in a dusty pub Naafi were both originally broadcast in 1956. room - a corpse that’s causing mushrooms to function room’. sprout all over the apartment... The ensemble’s currently touring production Roxana Silbert directs this Birmingham scored a sell-out success at the Brighton Repertory Theatre Company production. Fringe in 2015, earning praise for its seriously fast-paced storytelling, clever physical comedy, and refreshing disregard for the invisible Dummy ‘fourth wall’ that usually separates perform- The Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, ers from audience. Sat 18 February For those who like to know that their evening As well as being performance partners, Los of comedy comes complete with an accompa- Angeles-based improv duo Colleen Doyle nying storyline, Wolf Meat takes place in the and Jason Shotts - aka Dummy - are also a drugs den of a Gangsta Granny-style ‘druglo-

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Wed 15 - Fri 3 & Sat 25 Feb Sat 4 Mar From £16 £15

Shobana Jeyasingh Dance: Material Men redux

Mon 27 & Tue 16 - Tue 7 Mar - Tue 28 Mar Sat 20 May Sat 29 Apr £16 From £17 From £25

m¡longa The power and beauty of Argentinean tango.

Fri 26 & Mon 29 May Tue 6 - Sat 27 May - S at 3 Jun Sat 10 Jun From £15 From £15 From £17

Sean Lock - Keep It Light Jon Richardson - The Old Man Joel Dommett - Live 2017 Mon 27 & Tue 28 Feb £25 Thu 4 May £20.50 Sat 6 May £18.50

Everyone’s Welcome 0844 338 5000 birminghamhippodrome.com Calls cost 4.5p per min plus access charge. 5% transaction charge applies excluding cash sales in person. Theatre february.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 14:15 Page 3

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Sister Act Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, Mon 27 February - Sat 4 March; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 8 - Sat 13 May Based on the hit Whoopi Goldberg movie, this stage musical, directed and choreo- graphed by Craig Revel Horwood, sees Alexandra Burke taking the Goldberg role of Reno lounge singer Deloris Van Cartier. After seeing her gangster boyfriend kill an employee, Deloris is placed on a witness protection programme and hidden in a con- vent, where she takes over the rehearsals of the in-house choir of nuns. Thanks to her musical expertise, the choir become a huge success and church attendances go through the roof. But in giving the church a new lease of life, Deloris may inadvertently have jeopardised her own safety... A fun-filled spectacular of a show with a real feelgood factor, this is a truly divine comedy that’s well worth worshipping.

California Scheming all,” explains Frank about his new show. Northanger Abbey “The opening lyrics of my song, Finding Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Sat 11 February Wonderland, are ‘We move too fast; we miss Lichfield Garrick, Mon 13 - Wed 15 February Writer, director and performer Clare so much’. And it’s true - there’s a Jane Austen’s classic satire is here adapted Ferguson-Walker has earned plenty of praise Wonderland in all of our lives if we could by highly rated playwright Tim Luscombe. It for this spoken-word set, a presentation only take a breath and notice it. In this par- tells the story of the bookish Catherine described as ‘a poetic narrative about a life- ticular adventure, Alice has to rescue her Morland, a 17-year-old girl whose love of a long fascination with America’. own child, and in doing so, she rediscovers ‘horrid’ novel helps fuel her imagination When a family take a trip to California, they the child within herself.” when she visits Northanger Abbey. The home find themselves not only exposed to the Wendi Peters, Dave Willetts and Kerry Ellis of her beloved, the one-time church is a gaudy excesses of life in Los Angeles, but star. place in which Catherine soon finds fact and also to the sobering realisation that all that fiction colliding... glitters is not necessarily gold... Luscombe’s adaptation has met with plenty This ultimately uplifting cautionary tale is 60 of positive reviews during the course of its minutes in length and is performed without UK tour, and promises an evening of rollick- an interval. ing fun for all fans of Austen’s novels. Casting includes Emma Ballantine, Eva Feiler, Jonathan Hansler, Harry Livingstone, Wonderland Joe Parker, Annabelle Terry, Hilary Tones and Joseph Tweedale. New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 6 - Sat 11 February; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 10 - Sat 15 July It was during the lifetime of the book’s Cyrano author, Lewis Carroll, that the wacky world New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, of Alice's Adventures In Wonderland first Fri 3 - Sat 25 February made it onto the stage; in 1886, to be precise. Edmond Rostand’s famous French play, writ- A mere 17 years later, the topsy-turvy story ten in 1897, recounts the story of Cyrano de and its cast of colourful characters were Bergerac, a poet and soldier who’s desperate being interpreted through the exciting new to win the love of his brilliant and beautiful medium of film. cousin, the Lady Roxane. Cyrano’s best One of the latest companies to join the long efforts to do so, however, are somewhat com- and noble tradition of reinventing Alice visits plicated by the fact that he’s got a nose that’s the Midlands this month. It’s being led by as big as the Eiffel Tower (that’s obviously an Broadway composer Frank Wildhorn, whose exaggeration for effect, but you get the idea). work on shows like Jekyll & Hyde, Northern Broadsides and the New Vic Victor/Victoria and Bonnie & Clyde has Theatre join forces to present this swash- earned him international acclaim. buckling tale of unrequited love. “It starts with the idea of the child within us

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Theatre

The Full Monty Gaz’s,” explains Gary. “He’s feeling worth- less because he doesn’t have a job and might Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Mon 6 - Sat 11 February lose his son. His sole aim is to continue to see his boy, so he gets the guys together to When six men lose their jobs at the local make some money.” steelworks, they find that dignity, hope and So how does Gary feel about getting naked self-belief are suddenly in short supply. at the end of the show? “It was quite a Until, that is, they take the plunge and strange experience initially,” he smiles, “but become male strippers... it’s obviously a major part of the story. You Ex-EastEnder Gary Lucy takes the lead role have to make sure that you never fall out of Gaz in a show that features the music of with the lighting guy, mind, as he’s the one Donna Summer, Hot Chocolate and Tom who makes sure the audience get blinded by Jones. the spotlights at the end and so don’t see too “This may be a comedy, but the stories run- much!” ning through it are really strong, particularly

In The Motherhood who’s no great lover of pronouncing her der norms in productions like her gender- aitches. But will Eliza prove a ‘challenge too reversed Sleeping Beauty, her Wendy-centred mac, Birmingham, Mon 6 February; Artrix, far’ for the proper-speakin’ professor, or can Peter Pan, and a highly acclaimed adapta- Bromsgrove, Fri 10 February; Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Thurs 16 February & Albany he manage to teach her enough to pass her tion of Jane Eyre. Theatre, Coventry, Sat 18 February off as a Duchess at the forthcoming “Gelsomina can certainly be seen as a vic- Ambassador’s Garden Party? tim,” admits Sally, “but I'm determined that Based on Ovid’s Metamorphoses X, we find her ‘action’, if you like. The relation- Pygmalion debuted in 1914 and is widely ship between Zampano and Gelsomina is an considered to be one of the greatest plays of abusive one, certainly, but Gelsomina does- the 20th century. This innovative new stag- n't just lie down and take it - she confronts ing - using video and sound technology to him and questions and provokes all the way contemplate the issues of class identity and through the story. Like Jane Eyre, she's con- social mobility in modern Britain - is a co- stantly looking for a better life and striving to production by Headlong, Nuffield Theatre discover her potential, but circumstances and West Yorkshire Playhouse. make that very difficult for her.”

La Strada Narvik Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Wed 15 - In the delightful village in which they live, Sat 11 - Sat 18 February; The REP, Thurs 16 February; mac, Birmingham, Nita and Bonnie run the PTA with brutal effi- Birmingham, Mon 8 - Sat 13 May Sat 18 February ciency. Savvy city type Jacs is looking to The story of a Liverpudlian man and a make an impression and wants to get Norwegian woman who are ‘pulled together involved - but on Nita and Bonnie’s watch, and torn apart by war, as the events of one joining the committee is no easy task... summer cause ripples across an ocean of “It was really important to me to write this time’, Narvik started life as a 10-minute pres- play because I want to celebrate mums,” entation. It was co-produced by Hannah says Hayley Pepler, who began work on In Tyrrell Pinder from Box Of Tricks, the compa- The Motherhood four years ago, when she ny now touring the show, and award-win- was a participant in Birmingham Repertory ning playwright and musician Lizzie Theatre’s Write Away scheme for emerging Nunnery. playwrights. “I want to draw attention to the “We were really thrilled and surprised by the incredible job women are doing every day to intense and positive response of the audi- raise the next generation in the face of enor- ence,” explains Lizzie, in talking about that mous competing pressures about how we do A brand new stage adaptation of Federico initial 10-minute version, “It felt like we’d hit it.” Fellini’s 1954 movie masterpiece, La Strada on a really compelling central story. At that follows the journey of Gelsomina, a young point, we knew our central character Jim, we Pygmalion woman who’s effectively sold by her mother knew it was a play about the disruption of to a brutal and hard-drinking street per- war and memory, we knew it was, on some Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, former named Zampano. level, a romance. Beyond that, we wanted to Tues 28 February - Fri 3 March When the ill-matched pair come across an tell a story about Norway, about the Arctic, George Bernard Shaw's classic offering tells itinerant circus, Gelsomina finds herself and an unconventional journey through the story of Professor Henry Higgins, an arro- faced with a stark choice that will decide the World War Two. gant expert in phonetics who reckons he course of her future... “I hope our Midlands audiences will find could teach any woman to speak properly. La Strada is being helmed by Sally Cookson, Narvik to be a really lively, thrilling experi- Enter, Eliza Dolittle - a young flower-seller a director known for openly challenging gen- ence. I can’t wait!”

26 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre february.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 14:15 Page 6

theatre for younger audiences...

Shark In The Park! Heaven Eyes Jack Frost

Shark In The Park! marriage begins when the mercurial figure of Adventures Of The Owl And The Pussycat Peter Pan arrives in her nursery one night... will be sailing into the spotlight, to bring mac, Birmingham, Sun 5 February Local theatre company Split Mask here pres- more nonsense to Coventry.” Nick Sharratt has illustrated over 250 books, ent their version of Ella Hickson’s play, an around one-sixth of which have been his adaptation of the JM Barrie classic that own. One of these is the hugely successful showed at the Royal Shakespeare Company a Shark In The Park!, a children’s story about a few Christmases ago. Michael Morpurgo’s young lad named Timothy who goes to his King Arthur local park to try out his new telescope. While The Core Theatre, Solihull, Tues 21 February there, he thinks he spots a shark - and not Jack Frost The award-winning Story Pocket Theatre just on one occasion either, but several times The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Shropshire, here presents its touring adaptation of War in several places! Sat 25 February Horse author Michael Morpurgo’s 2008 novel The popularity of the book prompted Jack Frost’s rather unwanted ability to freeze about the legend of King Arthur. Sharratt to write and illustrate two follow- everything with which he comes into contact One of the UK’s leading theatre companies ups - Shark In The Dark! and Shark In The may well be wreaking havoc in the village, for younger audiences, the Guildford-based Park On A Windy Day!. but that doesn’t stop a small girl from reach- ensemble, of which Morpurgo is patron, All three stories are featured in this brand ing out to him with an offer of greatly need- bring both classic and original children's sto- new stage show from the highly rated ed friendship... ries to the stage. This latest offering sees a Nonsense Room theatre company. This much-loved Nordic legend about a tra- drowning boy being rescued by a mysterious The production is being performed three ditionally sprite-like character - and the icy figure who claims to be Arthur Pendragon. times during the afternoon and is suitable impact which he has on everything that he As the old man recounts his tales, the young- for children aged two-plus. touches - is here reimagined by the talented ster is transported back to the heady days of theatricals of Moon On A Stick. The Norfolk- Camelot, the Round Table, Merlin, Excalibur, based company bring to life this chilly little Lancelot and Guinevere - a mythical time of Heaven Eyes tale via an engaging mixture of puppetry, magic, heroism, love and betrayal. Old Rep, Birmingham, Thurs 16 February music and playful storytelling, presenting a Blending physical theatre and imaginative lively production that’s suitable for young- This Théâtre Sans Frontières production of storytelling to create a fast-moving family sters aged three-plus. David Almond's play has garnered plenty of adventure, the production is suitable for praise on its travels over the last few months. children aged seven and older. It tells the story of three teenagers who run away from an orphanage and sail down the The Quite Remarkable River Tyne on a makeshift raft. In the course Adventures Of The Owl of their journey they encounter two some- And The Pussycat what curious characters. One is an enigmatic old man known as Grampa; the other, a Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Sat 18 February - Sat 4 March strange Swedish girl called Heaven Eyes. Both end up playing a significant role in the A musical adaptation of a book written by teenagers’ lives, as the three friends attempt Monty Python star Eric Idle, The Quite to find their way in an increasingly confus- Remarkable Adventures Of The Owl And The ing world. Pussycat is inspired by the famous Edward The show is suitable for audience members Lear poem. The story sees its two main char- aged nine and older. acters, the owl and the pussycat of the title, heading out on a mission to save the world. In the process they must defeat the dastardly Wendy And Peter Pan Firelord, his imaginary dragon, Pyron, and his henchmen, Flicker and Brimstone. Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock, Thurs 16 - Fri 17 February “I love the Belgrade Theatre,” says Idle. “It’s where we first performed Monty Python live Faced with the crippling loss of her younger on stage in January 1970 for three sold-out brother Tom, and convinced that his shadow midnight shows. It’s very close to where we still haunts her window, Wendy’s heroic opened my play, Pass The Butler, in 1982, quest to salvage what remains of her parents’ Michael Morpurgo’s King Arthur and it’s totally where The Quite Remarkable whatsonlive.co.uk 27 Billy Elliot DPS.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 11:46 Page 1

FEATURE

Billy Elliot West End phenomenon pirrouettes into Birmingham Hippodrome

On 3 March 1985, the longest industrial believes that they're going to win.” could see fully grown men crying in the strike in British history was finally audience when we talked about how It's this confidence in solidarity that brought to an exhausted end. For 12 there'll be no pits left in 10 years’ time.” makes the play's final revelation so utterly months, thousands of miners across the devastating. By the time we get to the end Amazingly, over a decade after the country had refused to work, in protest of the story, Tony is explaining to Billy musical made its stage debut, the current against the planned closure of UK that while he goes off to complete his tour marks the first time it has moved out collieries. Over the course of the year, the dance training, everyone he knows in of the West End to visit the areas whose dispute became increasingly bitter, with Easington and beyond will soon be history it concerns. frequent outbreaks of violence and unemployed. families struggling to keep themselves “We were so nervous before we went to financially afloat. But despite its At the centre of Billy Elliot is the simple Sunderland, but it was the most amazing unprecedented scale, the strike ultimately tale of a little boy chasing his dream, and experience, a real career highlight. Even failed - a historic outcome seen by many since the film first appeared in 2000, it's though this is their story, it hasn't been as signalling the end of an era. been widely credited with helping to back there since they filmed the movie change attitudes towards dance, giving more than 15 years ago. We actually went Set against this backdrop of hundreds of boys access to a previously to the Easington Town Hall, where a lot of confrontation, abject poverty and dashed unthought-of world and driving up our show is set, and met some of the hope is the story of Billy Elliot - a young standards for male dancers throughout people, and it's amazing the effect it still boy with an unexpected talent for ballet the industry. has there - even now there's still places whose family is at the heart of the conflict where the people who broke the strike in County Durham. But there's another, arguably even more can't go. Then, on the opening night, we poignant, side to the story, one that’s Coming to Birmingham Hippodrome next had the Easington Colliery Brass Band concerned with the transition from an age month as part of its first ever UK tour, the playing outside the theatre, which was a of nationalised industry and community smash-hit stage musical shows how really nice, heartfelt moment.” solidarity into Margaret Thatcher's vision Billy's abilities offer him a lifeline out of of an individualistic world in which Far from seeming frivolous, in many ways the world he's been born into. Sadly, the “There is no such thing as society”. the musical version has an even greater, rest of his family and community are not more immediate impact than the film. On so lucky. “There are sort of two different stories stage, the clashes between miners and about trying to overcome adversity,” “It's easy to look back on it all now and police are brought vividly to life. Garnham explains, “one about a little boy feel like you know the outcome, but when trying to escape his environment, and one “There are similarities obviously, but you're doing this show, it's important not about the strike. And where one succeeds, we're not trying to put the film on stage. to look at it in the past tense,” says Scott the other fails spectacularly. When we go This is very much its own thing. I think Garnham, who plays Billy's older brother to places near mining communities, I feel particularly the story of me and my dad is and local strike ringleader Tony. “No like they really get what we're trying to much more prominent in the musical. union strike had ever lost like this before, say with our story. In Sunderland, you Also, whereas in the film Billy is the only so when Tony goes out there, he really

28 whatsonlive.co.uk Billy Elliot DPS.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 11:46 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

character who dances, in the musical, it's dream ballet, where Billy literally soars passionate, and that tends to come out in all about showing a distinction between above the sadness of the world around anger. But even though he and Billy seem the ways in which different characters him, in a gorgeous duet with his older very different, I think that actually, if you move. So the choreography for the self, as played by Luke Cinque-White. look a bit deeper, there are a lot of policemen and the miners has got its own similarities between them.” Yet even this can be seen as part of the language if you like, which is in contrast bigger picture of social change over the For Garnham and the rest of the cast, the to the very heightened choreography for last few decades. The growing acceptance affection is unfeigned. Since the show Billy.” of unconventional characters like Billy began its tour a year ago, the five boys Although it's stylised, the violence is and Michael hints at the burgeoning sharing the demanding title role - Adam viscerally felt, the child's perspective culture of individual expression and Abbou, Emile Gooding, Matthew Lyons, instilling a sense of real fear. At times, the liberal social values that the ’80s ushered Haydn May and Lewis Smallman - have rioting surrounds Mrs Wilkinson's ballet in. In different times, perhaps Tony and grown a lot, both as performers and as classes, threatening to crash down on the his father would not only have been more people. safe space that Billy has found for accepting of Billy's choices, but even “When we started our rehearsals, some of himself. Elsewhere, armour-clad officers better equipped to deal with their own them were quite timid, and although stomp towards him with riot shields and frustrations. they're all fantastically talented, they truncheons raised, seeming to embody “Sometimes people watching the show each excelled at different things. Now it's the oppressive atmosphere that's forget that it was such a different time in virtually impossible to say who's the constantly threatening to push him over 1984,” says Garnham, “and that this little better dancer or singer or whatever, and the edge. boy saying he wants to go off and be a they're all really confident and able to All this isn't to dismiss the show's more ballet dancer would be like saying you hold their own in conversations. The straightforward pleasures. When Billy want to go off into space and live with the amount of discipline that's required for performs at his audition before an aliens now. I think there was one review the role is incredible - I can't think of any unreadable panel (a role in which the that described Tony as the villain of the other musical with a part like this. But I audience is cast through clever staging), piece, and I felt a bit like they hadn't do feel like we're all one big family and we we share wholeheartedly in his father's really understood, whereas when you go all look after each other, from the kids to tearful pride and wonder. Meanwhile, to Sunderland or somewhere like that, the oldest cast members.” Billy's less-than-eager foray into they understand that there are no villains crossdressing with his fearlessly - other than maybe Margaret Thatcher! flamboyant best friend, Michael, is both “On the surface Tony isn't the nicest heartwarming and hilarious - the dancing brother to Billy, but I think it comes out of dresses, flashing lights and sparkly Billy Elliot shows at Birmingham a place of actually really caring. He does backdrops in Expressing Yourself provide Hippodrome from Tuesday 7 March to love Billy, but he's quite hot-headed and one of the show's most spectacular Saturday 29 April rash, and maybe not as in touch with his moments. And then there's the beautiful emotions as men are able to be now. He's

whatsonlive.co.uk 29 One Love DPS.qxp_Layout 1 24/01/2017 11:05 Page 1

FEATURE

ONE LOVE New Bob Marley musical makes its UK debut in Birmingham

On 3 December 1976, two days before performing in Kingston's Smile Jamaica concert, Bob Marley, his wife and his manager were wounded in an assassination attempt by unknown gunmen who invaded Marley's home. The attack prompted the singer to leave the country before the end of the year, spending a month in the Bahamas before heading for England. It was here that, over the next two years, he would record the albums Exodus and Kaya, featuring iconic singles such as One Love, Jamming and Is This Love. Set against a backdrop of violence and corruption in Jamaica and wider Cold War conflict across the world, this period of self- imposed exile serves as the basis for Kwame Kwei-Armah's One Love: The Bob Marley Musical, making its UK debut at Birmingham REP next month. Speaking to us from Centre Stage in Baltimore, where he’s currently artistic director, the acclaimed British playwright, actor and director told us more about the show. “The story actually starts about 10 years ago,” Kwei-Armah recalls, “when I was approached by Island Records to write a piece using Bob Marley's music but not his story. So I wrote that, it did the rounds, and everyone said, 'That's great, but where's Bob?' So about two-and-a-half years ago, they contacted me again with the rights to use his life story. I chose as my starting point the years between 1976 and ’78 because I wanted to look at the hero's journey - what made him the great man that he was, not just because of his music but because of his choices in life.” A pacifist who actively cultivated a politically neutral public profile and frequently spoke out against the bloodshed in his country, Marley nevertheless found One Love DPS.qxp_Layout 1 24/01/2017 11:05 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

himself embroiled in both domestic and my own personal poet laureate.” of the most prominent and respected international conflict, targeted by those voices in black British theatre. Now he’s Years later, however, Kwei-Armah is still who saw him as a supporter of Michael taken his stories overseas - it's about five- discovering new things about his hero as Manley's socialist government. At the and-a-half years since he became resident he digs deep into the details of Marley's time, Western anxiety over the ‘red tide’ of in the US after taking up his post at Center fascinating life. communism was still running high, and Stage. the government's agenda was viewed with “One of the things I didn't really know “I think we're looking at a beautiful time suspicion by many at home as well as before was that he was a very quiet man. in America for new writing, both in abroad. And of course we know that he was television and in theatre. It's a kind of deeply religious, but I think just quite how Thanks to Marlon James' Man Booker golden moment, so I'm really pleased to dedicated he was to his faith was an Prize-winning novel, A Brief History Of be in America as an artistic director whilst interesting thing for me to learn. I was Seven Killings, interest in Marley's the quality of the work is so good also surprised by how many people in relationship with this period of Jamaican structurally and politically.” Jamaica really relied on him. He was like history has recently been rekindled, but an industry, and not just musically. I Both Kwei-Armah and Marley's daughter, what's unique about this show is how mean, there were actually people lining Cedella, are thrilled to be bringing the closely Kwei-Armah has worked with the up at his house, waiting to be given show to Birmingham, which the latter Marley family and record label, providing money. That was quite a humbling thing describes as a “natural place for its UK him with unprecedented access to the to read.” premiere” thanks to its “great mix of personal stories behind the public cultures”. In particular, she says, she's persona. Writing the story is one thing; attempting looking forward to introducing her to adequately represent such an iconic “It's been wonderful but also pretty father's story to a new generation, some of figure live on stage is quite another, and daunting. I spoke to many people in Bob whom weren't yet born during his in some respects, the weight of Marley’s life and tried to use a lot of lifetime. Arguably, the mythology of expectation on singer and musician dialogue how they described it. I sent Marley has rather overtaken the man Mitchell Brunings, who plays the lead, is drafts of the script to the family. Luckily, behind it. These days, his image has even greater than that on the writer and they've been very helpful - all the become ubiquitous, plastered across a director of the show. criticism has been very constructive. dazzling array of merchandise and They've allowed me to adapt the story and “Casting is always the hardest part of any increasingly disconnected from who he take artistic licence where I've needed, to show, and I think we were quite fortunate was and what he stood for. But Kwei- change things to make the story work.” that I came across Mitchell on the Armah maintains that Marley is as internet. This is his first time acting, so it's important now as he’s ever been, and that Kwei-Armah is now an ardent and long- been really interesting helping him as long as people come to see the show, term admirer of Marley's work, but develop the skills to carry a character like they won't fail to be moved by his music interestingly, this hasn't always been the this, but when he sings - you just close and his message. case. As a teenager, he was more your eyes and think of Bob...” interested in soul music, reggae being “Wherever I've travelled in the world, I more to his sister's tastes. Under its original title, Marley, the show don't think I've landed on any continent premiered in 2015 at Baltimore's Center where I haven't seen some young person “It was partly just sibling rivalry, but Stage theatre. But though it was popular wearing a Bob Marley t-shirt, and I think though it sounds like madness now, it was and warmly received in the US, the his image and his lyrics are still political. actually a big thing at the time. In the version coming to Birmingham this year He is the voice of the oppressed and the black community when I was a child, you will be dramatically different. downtrodden. I think people will see that made a choice at about 12 years old this isn't just a story about a vintage star - whether you were going to be into reggae “I would say there have been fundamental it's about a man who stood for something or American soul. If you liked reggae, that changes. We've used that first production and whose music made a difference to meant that you were rooted and cultured, to learn lessons and have taken the time people's lives. And I think that, between and if you liked soul that meant you to tell a much deeper and more complex our Brexit Britain and our Trump America, weren't really culturally conscious. It story.” that's something that we really need.” wasn't until I was about 19 that I heard Redemption Song, for what must have Following the huge success of plays like been about the 1500th time, but for me, it Elmina's Kitchen and Fix Up (both directed by Angus Jackson), exploring the was really like the first time. At that One Love: The Bob Marley Musical lives of immigrant communities in the UK, moment, I just understood what he was shows at The REP, Birmingham, from the London-born writer soon became one saying, and from there he grew to become Friday 10 March to Saturday 8 April. Angus Jackson DPS.qxp_Layout 1 24/01/2017 11:07 Page 1

FEATURE

ANGUS JACKSON adds contemporary styling to Shakespeare’s Ancient Rome

The 30th of June 2016: Just days after the Of the four plays, Jackson (whose up against the confident, smooth-talking EU referendum, Boris Johnson shocked the previous RSC credits include opportunism of Mark Antony. Where nation by announcing that he would not Oppenheimer and Don Quixote) will Antony wins over the mob through appeal be standing for leadership of his party. In a direct the first and last of the season, with to emotion, loyalty and sheer strength of speech, he described this as “a time not to Iqbal Khan (Othello, Much Ado About personality, Brutus makes the fatal fight against the tide of history but to take Nothing) heading up Antony And mistake of assuming that good intentions that tide at the flood and sail on to Cleopatra, and Blanche McIntyre (Two will be sufficient to make his case. It's a fortune.” Lifted almost verbatim from Noble Kinsmen) leading Titus pertinent predicament to our own Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, the quote Andronicus. Though it's neither the first tumultuous times, where polls mislead hints tantalisingly at a story of betrayal Shakespeare wrote nor the first in terms of and every argument is laden with highly and power play going on behind the scenes chronological setting, Julius Caesar charged language. of the EU debate. It was an astonishing seemed like the obvious choice to start the “Rhetoric is the most brilliant thing to talk week in British history, but perhaps what is season - beginning, aptly enough, around about with this play, especially right after even more remarkable is the fact that it the Ides of March. Trump takes over from Obama. We've just could be understood and interpreted “Interestingly when we go to London we had the most extraordinary rhetorician as through a reference to a 400-year-old play will actually be opening with Coriolanus, President of America, and if you compare telling the story of 2000-year-old events. so there they'll be in chronological order, the way he speaks to the way Trump Currently scrutinising Julius Caesar and its but I rather like what we're doing in speaks, it's really interesting. I might also meaning for modern audiences is Angus Stratford. I thought it would be a good argue that the Brexit debate was swayed Jackson, director of the RSC's forthcoming idea to open with my own production of enormously by rhetoric, and that only Rome season. This year, with the help of Julius Caesar, and we wanted to tie that after the vote did people really start two other directors, Jackson is in charge of together with Antony And Cleopatra, so filtering through the facts.” staging all four of Shakespeare's Roman we're opening with this big, epic story Ironically, in attempting to secure his plays, alongside a series of talks about across those two plays; and then to do the beloved republic from the threat of their contemporary relevance, and an next one (Titus Andronicus) further in the dictatorship, Brutus ends up creating a exhibition of political cartoons from the future made sense. That's going to be power vacuum which is filled by exactly last 200 years that have used Shakespeare really exciting and bloody, and then, the kind of absolute government that he as a basis for satire. when we've laid waste to this empire, we feared - a story we've seen playing out go back to the beginning (in Coriolanus) “I think it's extraordinary that these truths again and again throughout the ages, and show you how it started with the best run through history like the lettering most recently in Middle Eastern states. of intentions, before personalities and through a stick of rock,” says Jackson. The fate of the country hangs in the ambitions got in the way.” “They resonate across the ages: every time balance, and Brutus' catastrophic failure anybody says, 'Et tu, Brute?' we know what Personal ambition, rabble rousing and ushers in a new era for Rome: here the they mean, and every overly powerful populist uprising are at the heart of Julius Republic ends and the Empire begins. individual is viewed through the lens of Caesar's thrilling political plot, which Today, Classical history is rarely taught in- Caesar.” throws the conflicted idealism of Brutus Angus Jackson DPS.qxp_Layout 1 24/01/2017 11:07 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

Photo: Catherine Ashmore

depth in schools, and it's common to treat all we go back and do Coriolanus in really sort of homecoming. the Roman era as a single, easily deep period, where they're slugging out in “It's funny - I just saw Simon Russell digestible unit, forgetting that it actually the mud with broadswords and it's all Beale playing Prospero in The Tempest, covers a period of about 1000 years. To about how much muscle you've got.” and I can remember seeing him in Nick put that in context, it's about as long as a Cutting edge music from the likes of Laura Hytner's production when I can't have unified English (let alone British) Mvula and Mira Calix will help to open up been much older than 12. My parents kingdom has existed today – so the the characters' emotional and imaginative always brought me when I was a kid, and Romans of Coriolanus would have had worlds to contemporary audiences. as soon as I got my driving licence, I about as much in common with the would just go off by myself and see any Romans of Titus Andronicus as 21st- “If HBO and Netflix have taught us number of shows in Stratford, so I feel century Brits have with the Anglo-Saxons. anything, it's that you can get people incredibly comfortable there.” With the help of designer Robert Innes really interested in historical figures if you Hopkins, Jackson hopes to emphasise that shine the light on the people and what “I think when you're putting on rolling on of centuries between the plays. they thought and felt. Having a moment of Shakespeare, if you're too reverent to do emotion supported by something you anything new with it, you end up with “We thought we'd start with a kind of might hear at the Mercury Awards today something that can come over a bit modern version of Rome, the idea being to immediately tells the audience that these academic, which has its own validity, but give them an environment that will look to are people that think like they do.” I'm big on narrative and dramaturgy and our eye now as it would have looked to making things fresh and interesting. As a them at the time. So it's got all the pillars Following the phenomenal success of last new writing director, you treat the play and the steps and the togas, but rather year's Shakespeare 400 anniversary like it's just been written, and I think than having cumbersome, heritage celebrations, the Roman season was that's the best way to approach any play - clothing and weapons, we've got people conceived by RSC Artistic Director Greg Shakespeare, Marlowe, Beckett or tearing around in garments they can wear Doran partly as a way of marking 2000 Brecht.” in a very practical way. Then in Antony years since the death of Ovid. In a sense, and Cleopatra, that very modern-seeming Ovid's Metamorphoses were to world comes into collision with the Shakespeare as Shakespeare's stories are The RSC's Rome season at the Royal beautiful, rich, ancient society of Egypt. to us: in the same way as Boris Johnson Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon- can describe post-Brexit machinations “By the time we get to Titus, which is Avon, commences with Julius Caesar, using Julius Caesar, so the tortured hundreds of years and hundreds of which shows from 3 March to 9 Lavinia in Titus Andronicus turns to the emperors later, it will all be in modern September. The season then continues story of Philomel to explain the horrors dress, with things like severed heads in with Antony And Cleopatra, 11 March - she endures. Tesco carrier bags. That fits in beautifully 7 September, and Titus Andronicus, 23 with the overarching season, because it's Though best known for directing new June – 2 September. like this empire has evolved and decayed writing (including plays by Kwame Kwei- Dates for Coriolanus are yet to be and become more complex and cruel, and Armah), for Jackson, who grew up in announced. it's difficult to know who's really in Birmingham, working at the RSC is like a charge. Then after we've laid waste to it Dance February New.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 14:56 Page 1

30 whatsonlive.co.uk Dance February New.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 14:56 Page 2

Dance Dance previews from around the region

The Red Shoes Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 7 - Sat 11 February & Wed 19 - Sat 22 July Widely regarded as the greatest dance film ever made, The Red Shoes is inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairytale about a pair of enchanted shoes that force their wearer to dance until she dies. The film’s story centres on young ballerina and star in the making Vicky Page. When Vicky falls for the ballet company's charismatic composer, Julian Craster, the jealous Lermontov forces her to choose between love and her career, knowing full well that for Vicky, dancing is as much a necessity as living. In a sumptuous new adaptation visiting Birmingham this month, and returning in July, Matthew Bourne reinvents the movie’s story live on stage. “We have several little ballets in the piece,” reveals Matthew. “There's a beach ballet, which creates a link to the actual beach when they visit Monte Carlo. We also have what we call the 'Good vs Evil' ballet, which reflects the atmosphere of what's going on in the story at that point. That's based on a famously barefoot ballet Frederick Ashton did called Dante's Sonata. We also do a bit of Les Sylphides, and then there's a big, grand, glamorous, waltzy ballet near the beginning to represent the world Vicky wants to be a part of. “So it's almost like watching a bit of dance history - you can see all the refer- ences.”

James Wilton Dance: Leviathan mac, Birmingham, Fri 24 February Be careful what you fish for... Award-winning choreographer James Wilton here re-imagines the seminal novel, Moby Dick. Wilton takes on the lead role of Captain Ahab, a man hell-bent on capturing the legendary white whale of the title, and brilliantly leads a troupe of highly talented dancers through the increasingly choppy waters of Herman Melville’s epic story. Wilton’s choreography is always distinctive, his productions powered by an energy the audience can almost reach out and touch. Leviathan is widely considered to be the choreographer’s best and most finely tuned work to date. In short, this is one whale of a tale that no self- respecting dance enthusiast can afford to miss...

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Dance Dance previews from around the region

Stepmother/Stepfather DanceXchange, The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome, Thurs 16 - Fri 17 February Award-winning director and choreographer Arthur Pita dances over to the dark side with this latest double bill, produced in collaboration with HeadSpaceDance. In the first piece, familiar fairytale characters including Snow White and Hansel & Gretel find themselves being pursued by ‘a force of monstrous and abusive stepmothers’. The second dancework, meanwhile, entices the audience into ‘a hellish world of incest and murder’. The grisly tale it recounts is inspired by the Country Death Song, a folk- punk track from the second album of long- established cult American band Violent Femmes.

National Dance some impressive theatrical hits across the Coppelia decades, most famously an all-male version Company Wales of Swan Lake. But before he really hit the big Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 7 February & Malvern Theatre, Mon 13 February Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 21 February time, Matthew enjoyed numerous quieter successes with a number of highly innova- Since its formation in 1981, the Russian State tive danceworks, some of which are featured Ballet of Siberia has built a fine reputation in this celebratory show. for its delivery of world-renowned classics. The programme, here presented by Bourne’s This month sees the company returning to New Adventures company, varies from per- Wolverhampton to present a show that formance to performance and is drawn from brings together Leo Delibes’ dazzling score four pieces: The Infernal Galop, Town And with some truly breathtaking choreography. Country, Spitfire and Watch With Mother. When Dr Coppelius’s mannequin, Coppelia, is left on the workshop balcony, she causes quite a stir - not only in the heart of the red- This is National Dance Company Wales’ first blooded Franz but also in the mind of his visit to Theatre Severn for five long years. jealous fiancee, Swanilda, who foolishly mis- As if to make up for lost time, the talented takes Coppelia for a flesh-and-blood rival... ensemble is presenting not one but three brand new pieces to its Shropshire audience... Profundis is a provocative piece Richard Alston Dance accompanied by whimsical wordplay and an Malvern Theatre, Tues 28 February - exotic soundtrack. Wed 1 March Tuplet, meanwhile, is described by the company as ‘a witty and high-octane exploration A choreographer who’s very much at the of the simple notion of rhythm’. forefront of contemporary dance in the UK, The triple bill is completed by The Green Cinderella Richard Alston takes inspiration directly House, an imaginative work in which, on a from the music he uses. Birmingham Hippodrome, twisted TV set, characters discover ‘the fine Wed 15 - Sat 25 February This month sees his highly rated company line between fantasy and reality’. returning to the Created seven years ago, Birmingham Royal Midlands to perform Ballet’s highly regarded version of Cinderella a programme which Matthew Bourne’s Early is a beautiful and majestic work. includes two dances Adventures The company’s director, David Bintley, pulls to piano pieces that together the various elements of the classic originate from com- Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, fairytale with some impressively articulate Thurs 16 - Sat 18 February pletely different storytelling. worlds. Both are Given the number of awards he’s won since The show’s choreography is dramatic and brand new works, by bursting onto the dance scene way back in bold, its grand waltzes featuring among a Alston and Martin the mid-1980s, Matthew Bourne is a man host of truly magical moments. Lawrance, and are with a need for a seriously big mantelpiece, Fans of the piece will undoubtedly be happy accompanied live on if not a dedicated trophy room. to revisit it, newcomers delighted by what stage by pianist Jason Backed by the talented members of his com- they discover. Ridgway. pany, choreographer Bourne has scored whatsonlive.co.uk 33 Film Feb GROUP.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 14:08 Page 1

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Film

Moonlight CERT 15 tbc Starring Trevante Rhodes, André Holland, Janelle Monáe, Ashton Sanders, Jharrel Jerome, Naomie Harris, Mahershala Ali Directed by Barry Jenkins (USA) You don’t come across a film like Moonlight very often. Not only does it exhibit a very distinctive directorial style but a narrative that matches it for originality. Set on the mean streets of Miami, the film focuses on one individual, Chiron. Chiron doesn’t speak much but digests the world around him - which is not a nice place. His mother is a crack-smoking prostitute, his saviour a drug dealer and his best friend somebody he shouldn’t really trust… Director Barry Jenkins divides his film into three parts, each revealing a different aspect of our protagonist, titled ‘Little,’ ‘Chiron’ and ‘Black.’ As such, it is a ficti- tious biography of a black man and how he comes to be who he is. Here there are good people who do bad things and bad people who do good things. The performances are excellent across the board, although as Chiron’s mother - as much a victim as her son - Naomie Harris is terrific. On the evidence here, it’s hard to believe the actress ever played Miss Moneypenny. The film itself won the Golden Globe for best drama. Released Fri 17 February CRITIC’S CHOICE

Film highlights released in February...

Gold CERT tbc Starring Matthew McConaughey, Édgar Ramírez, Bryce Dallas Howard, Corey Stoll, Toby Kebbell, Craig T. Nelson Directed by Stephen Gaghan (USA) When the Canadian company Bre-X Minerals announced that it was sitting on a huge gold reserve in the jungles of Borneo, its stock price rocketed. So a luckless businessman and a geologist team up to go a-hunting. Released Fri 3 February

Resident Evil: The Final Chapter T2 Trainspotting CERT tbc CERT 15 (106 mins) Starring Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Starring Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, Shawn Jonny Lee Miller, Robert Carlyle, Kelly Roberts, Ruby Rose, Iain Glen Macdonald Directed by Danny Boyle (UK) Directed by Paul WS Anderson Danny Boyle made his name with (UK/USA/Germany/Canada/France/Australia) Trainspotting back in 1996 and since then Alice (Jovovich) would appear to be one of has gone from strength to strength. Here he the last humans alive on earth, so has her unites the original cast with a script adapted work cut out for her in her battle against the from Irvine Welsh’s Porno, which sees the armies of the undead. old miscreants reunited in Scotland just as The sixth and supposedly final instalment in Begbie (Robert Carlyle) has been released the franchise based on the video game. In from prison. Choose your future. Choose life. 3D. Now Showing Released Fri 3 February

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Film

Loving CERT 12a (123 mins) Starring Joel Edgerton, Ruth Negga, Nick Kroll, Michael Shannon, Marton Csokas Directed by Jeff Nichols (USA) Another true-life drama about the horrors of racism in the American South, Nichols’ understated film focuses on Richard and Mildred Loving, a couple who had the audac- ity to share a bed. Even though they were legally married, Richard was white and Mildred was black and in Virginia that meant prison. Joel Edgerton, who can apparently play anything, blends chameleon-like into Richard, a socially awkward bricklayer who CRITIC’S CHOICE sees no harm in marrying the most beautiful woman in his small community. As Mildred, Toni Erdmann sweet time, creating a small, slightly musty world which, in spite of every- Ruth Negga - an Irish-Ethiopian actress - CERT 15 (162 mins) commands every scene she’s in, growing thing, feels entirely plausible. Yet as we Starring Peter Simonischek, Sandra Hüller, follow the life of this odd, old man, the from a shy and timid wallflower into the Trystan Pütter, Lucy Russell public voice of her family’s cause. Directed by Maren Ade (Germany/Austria) spectre of the bizarre hovers at the door throughout the film’s 162 minutes. And Released Fri 3 February Winner of innumerable awards and a because the events are so thoroughly Bafta and Golden Globe nominee for best unpredictable, Ade manages to hold the foreign language film, Toni Erdmann is rapt attention of her audience – without an unusual beast. Indeed, Maren Ade’s ever betraying the credibility of her sce- third feature pulls off a number of tricks. nario. Consequently, the viewer is at a Opening in a nondescript suburb of loss whether to sob or to roar with laugh- Germany, her film tells of a lonely ter. In short, Ade pulls off an extraordi- divorcee (Simonischek) in the autumnal nary balancing act, producing a surreal years of his life. Without so much as a black comedy rooted in real life. note of music or a caption or a whisper of exposition, Ade spins her tale in her own Released Fri 3 February

Rings CERT 15 (102 mins) Fifty Shades Darker CERT tbc Starring Matilda Lutz, Alex Roe, Johnny Starring Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Galecki, Vincent D’Onofrio Kim Basinger, Luke Grimes, Hugh Dancy Directed by F Javier Gutiérrez (USA) Directed by James Foley (USA) When Julia (Lutz) watches that damned A sequel to you-know-what, FSD follows video, she discovers a new horrifying truth: Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey as they there is another movie within the movie… re-draw the boundaries of their relationship. A sequel to The Ring and The Ring Two, Then Christian’s past threatens to rock the which were themselves remakes of the boat. Expect quite a bit of coupling. Japanese original (1998). Released Fri 10 February Released Fri 3 February

Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk CERT 15 (113 mins) Starring Kristen Stewart, Vin Diesel, Garrett Hedlund, Steve Martin, Joe Alwyn, Chris Tucker Directed by Ang Lee (USA/UK/China) We’re unlikely to encounter a more improba- ble cast all year. Based on the novel by Ben Fountain, Ang Lee’s latest film follows Billy Lynn as he attends a victory parade in his native Georgia. However, flashbacks to Iraq reveal a story at odds with the ticker-tape heroism. Released Fri 10 February

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Film releases in February

Fences CERT 12a (139 mins) The Lego Batman The Founder CERT 15 (115 mins) Starring Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Movie CERT U (104 mins) Starring Michael Keaton, Laura Dern, Nick Stephen McKinley Henderson, Jovan Adepo, Offerman, John Carroll Lynch, Patrick Wilson Russell Hornsby, Mykelti Williamson With the voices of Will Arnett, Zach Directed by John Lee Hancock (USA) Directed by Denzel Washington (USA) Galifianakis, Michael Cera, Rosario Dawson, Ralph Fiennes Directed by A likely Oscar contender, Fences marks Chris McKay (USA) Denzel Washington’s third directorial outing, A spin-off of The Lego Movie, this com- an adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer puter-animated comic fantasy this time Prize-winning play of 1983. Denzel plays Troy focuses on The Caped Crusader and Maxson, a refuse collector on the street and the young boy he’s adopted. It’s emo- paterfamilias and alpha male in his own tional. home. In the back yard, where he’s building Released Fri 10 February a fence - purportedly to keep out death and to keep in what belongs him to him - Troy In recent years, Michael Keaton has become recounts tales of his youth, his plans for the something of a heavyweight in acting circles. future and his anger with the white man’s Here he plays the businessman Ray Kroc world. As the film is set in Pittsburgh in the who, in 1961, bought a hamburger chain 1950s, its patois may at first be tricky for the from two brothers and made it his own. The modern ear, but stay with it and the drama siblings were called Mac and Dick seeps out, gradually tightening its grip on McDonald. the throat. Released Fri 17 February Released Fri 10 February The Space Between Us The Great Wall CERT tbc CERT 12a (103 mins) Starring Gary Oldman, Asa Butterfield, Starring Matt Damon, Jing Tian, Pedro Pascal, Carla Gugino, Britt Robertson, BD Willem Dafoe, Andy Lau Wong, Janet Montgomery Directed by Zhang Yimou (USA/China) Directed by Peter Chelsom (USA) In spite of its ominous title, this historical There is a lot of space between fantasy is actually about the Great Wall of Gardner Elliot (Butterfield) and Earth, China. At least, the construction is a major as he was the first human to be born player in an epic featuring Matt Damon as a on Mars. He is now returning to the European mercenary, nomadic bandits, planet of his parents and sees our Chinese soldiers and a horde of monsters. world like nobody before… Great prem- In 3D. ise - from the director of Hear My Song and Shall We Dance? Released Fri 17 February 20th Century Women Released Fri 10 February CERT 15 (118 mins) Starring Annette Bening, Elle Fanning, Greta Hidden Figures Gerwig, Lucas Jade Zumann, Billy Crudup Sula, Haley Lu Richardson, Betty Buckley CERT PG (127 mins) Directed by Mike Mills (USA) Starring Taraji P Henson, Octavia In the late 1970s, three different women in Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kevin Costner, Southern California undergo separate experi- Kirsten Dunst Directed by Theodore Melfi (USA) ences involving love and freedom. The director, Mike Mills, previously brought The title - taken from the non-fiction us Thumbsucker (2005) and the Oscar-win- work by Margot Lee Shetterly - not only refers to the mathematical data used to ning Beginners (2010). Patriots Day CERT 15 (133 mins) launch NASA’s Project Mercury in 1962, Released Fri 10 February but to the team of African-American Starring of Mark Wahlberg, John women who provided it. The US Goodman, JK Simmons, reviews were rhapsodic. Michelle Monaghan, Kevin Bacon Directed by Released Fri 17 February Peter Berg (USA) An account of the 2013 Boston Marathon bomb- ing, Patriots Day reunites Mark Wahlberg and director Peter Berg, who previously collaborated on Deepwater Horizon, about another true-life catastrophe. Released Thurs 23 February

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Visual Arts

New Art West Midlands Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, mac, Birmingham, Worcester City Art Gallery & Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Sat 18 February - Sun 14 May Thirty-one artists from six regional art schools this month exhibit new work at four leading galleries as part of New Art West Midlands 2017. A launch vehicle for emerging artists, New Art West Midlands is using Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, mac Birmingham, Wolverhampton Art Gallery and Coventry’s Herbert Gallery & Museum to display the new work, which includes painting, installa- tion, sculpture, photography, video, animation and digital artworks. Highlights of the show include Yazmin Boyle’s three-metre-long metal sculptures. The sculptures are made of industrial steel strap overlaid with a feminine lace print and formed into three-dimensional funnels and circles. Amy Inston’s film, meanwhile, brings together images of Hollywood glamour and the American Dream with footage of the real domestic life of her working-class Birmingham family. Many of the works on show take themes connected to science and biology, while numerous other pieces focus on the subjects of globalisation, migration and belonging. The exhibition is the first initiative of the rebranded New Art West Midlands network, formerly known as Turning Point West Midlands.

Francis Bacon: Face To Face: Idris Khan: A World Within Two Figures In A Room Portraits Through Time New Art Gallery, Walsall, Fri 3 February - Sun 7 May The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Birmingham, The Herbert Museum & Art Gallery, Coventry, Fri 10 February - Sun 26 March Fri 3 February - Sun 4 June Given that Idris Works by Matisse, Degas and Michelangelo This fascinating exhibition brings together Khan grew up in have all been suggested as sources for this works loaned from numerous sources, Walsall, the New 1959 painting by Francis Bacon. On loan including the Arts Council Collection and the Art Gallery is a par- from the University of East Anglia, Two National Portrait Gallery. Featuring snap- ticularly appropri- Figures In A Room is considered to be one of shots of ordinary people as well as portraits ate venue in which the artist’s finest works. Painted when Bacon of Henry VIII, Marilyn Monroe, David Bowie to mount a major was around the age of 50, it features two and Princess Diana, Face To Face explores survey of his work. naked figures, widely assumed to be male the centuries-old fascination with capturing Khan’s densely lay- lovers. Not surprisingly given its subject mat- one’s own image. The display includes works ered pieces - photo- ter, the painting raised many an eyebrow. It by Andy Warhol graphs, paintings, was considered both daring and provocative and Thomas sculptures, moving in the conservative days of the late 1950s, a Gainsborough, images and instal- time when homosexual acts in private and comprises lations - are inspired by numerous cultural between men were still illegal in the UK. paintings, photo- sources, including literature, history, art, graphs, sculptures music and religion. and interactive The exhibition features two new layered activities. glass paintings, as well as a sculpture which will be on show in the UK for the first time. Nelson Mandela, 1962 ©University of Dundee, The Peto Collection

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The Royal Photographic (10 - 19 March), is the inspiration for a series of school workshops running at the venue, Society International during which children can investigate the Images For Science theme of ‘hidden in plain sight’. Exhibition The workshops offer interactive opportunities for youngsters to investigate forensics, The Hive, Worcester, Wed 8 February - Wed 22 March pollen and sound waves, guided by University of Worcester staff and students. Selecting the best 100 photographic images Commenting on the RPS show, Anne for this exhibition can’t have been an easy Hannaford, Director of Arts & Culture at the task, given that a staggering 2,500 pictures University, said: “We’re thrilled to once again were submitted for consideration. Despite be hosting the exhibition at The Hive, partic- having their work cut out, the judging panel ularly during British Science Week. Bringing of four have done an admirable job, selecting science and art together through photogra- photographs which perfectly meet the exhibi- phy sparks curiosity in young people and tion criterion - to be visually appealing but helps them explore and view STEM (science, also have a science story to tell. technology, engineering & mathematics) sub- The included artworks range from highly jects with interest and enthusiasm.” technical images taken with expensive equip- In addition to the RPS exhibition, two small- ment, through to photographs shot on smart- er Hive displays showcase the photography phones. of Mike Hallett and David James, academics Having opened at The Crystal in London, the at the University who are also fellows of the exhibition is visiting Worcester this month as RPS. part of a UK-wide tour. Its stop-off at The Hive, coinciding with British Science Week

Draw New Mischief Hand And Mind Beyond The Door: Paccar Room, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Grand Union, Birmingham, Fri 3 February - The Koestler Exhibition Stratford-upon-Avon, Sat 25 February - Fri 15 Sat 25 March September For The West Midlands Connections between the realms of speech mac, Birmingham, until Sun 26 March This free exhibition celebrates more than two and gesture are tested in this multimedia Charitable scheme the Koestler Trust has centuries of political cartoons inspired by exhibition, curated by Vanessa Boni and fea- been rewarding artistic achievement in the Shakespeare. turing painting, sculpture, choreography and criminal justice sector for more than 50 Presented to coincide with the RSC’s forth- performance. The included pieces, produced years. This new exhibition features a selec- coming season of Rome-themed plays, Draw by five artists, seek to alter viewers’ perception of entries from the 2016 Koestler Awards New Mischief showcases historical works tions of the communicative synthesis of spo- competition. Presenting artwork, audio and from key political moments in time. ken language and creative writing from prisons, secure hospi- Featured contemporary cartoons include physical gesture, in tals and young offender institutions in the Peter Schrank’s 2015 depiction of Ed so doing unsettling West Midlands, the show encourages viewers Miliband and Nicola Sturgeon as the star- political, personal to re-evaluate ex-offenders and consider the crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet, and Morten and theoretical positive contributions they can make to soci- Morland’s April 2016 cartoon of David channels of com- ety. Cameron as Hamlet, gazing at Boris munication. Johnson’s skull. The show is curated by young people from The RSC has also commissioned five cartoon- Walsall Youth Service. ists to create brand new works. The cartoon- ists will use Shakespeare’s Rome plays to Just Move Exhibition respond to political events which occur dur- The Works, Birmingham, Fri 3 February ing the period that the exhibition is on show. Local artist David Roman has been a busy The RSC’s Rome season features productions man. For this first solo exhibition, he under- of Julius Caesar, Antony & Cleopatra, Titus took a project which saw him produce, in the Andronicus and Coriolanus. space of 350 days, the same number of watercolour paintings, the shared theme of which was human movement. “My project is about celebrating the amazing and fascinating super-machine that is the human body,” says David. “Each one of the paintings tells a unique story about different people on their own journeys of self-expression.”

For more visual arts listings, visit whatsonlive.co.uk 39 Comic Con DPS.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 14:09 Page 1

FEATURE

mcm comic con Cartoon characters, supernatural creatures, cosplay crowds - the MCM Comic Con is a world unto itself. What’s On checks out a phenomenon that has its roots firmly planted in the Midlands region...

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by Heather Kincaid

There can be few in the UK today who While young people make up a large part Said MCM Expo Group CEO Bryan Cooney: haven't witnessed the stunning spectacle of the audience, it's by no means “The Midlands holds a special place in of crowds of cosplayers descending on fan exclusive - there are fans to be found of all our hearts. As it is, after all, where our conventions, at least on screen if not in ages and generations, from those who company is based, we plan on providing person. grew up in the sci-fi heyday of the 1960s, an awesome show for the region's to the children of the digital revolution of enthusiastic audience of sci-fi, comic Over the last few years, the popularity of today. book and film fans. We’ve welcomed a such events has soared, with large-scale host of great special guests to our London shows attracting eye-watering Look closely and you might even spot Midlands comic cons over the years; this attendance figures in excess of 133,000. whole families wearing matching time round we already have Game Of costumes. It's something that's It's perhaps surprising then that the Thrones’ Ian McElhinney (Ser Barristan encouraged. At both MCM Birmingham biggest company in the business is based Selmy) and Red Dwarf’s Chris Barrie and MCM Midlands in Telford, kids under here in the Midlands, running three local (Rimmer).” 10 go free after priority entry ends at 11am. conventions annually in addition to Even if you enter feeling cynical, the In addition to these and other fantastic shows across the country from its offices overwhelming dedication, warmth, guests still to be announced, those in Daventry, Northamptonshire. enthusiasm and inclusivity of the fans is planning a trip to the forthcoming shows Now firmly cemented in the cultural irresistible, whether you're dressed as in Telford and Birmingham can expect to calendars of countless die-hard fans who Deadpool or a Disney princess. see indie writers and artists filling the visit every year, the hugely successful Comic Village, robot wars, a Steampunk But it wasn't always so. The MCM story MCM (Movies, Comics & Media) group Emporium with workshops and talks, a dates right back to 2001, in those quiet continues to grow, extending its reach KidsZone, eSports competitions, panel days of geekdom before Spider-Man had beyond UK borders into Ireland, Belgium discussions, changing areas, a costume kicked off a superhero movie revolution, and Germany. Whether or not you're a repair desk and of course the Cosplay before Russell T Davies had revived Doctor regular visitor, if you've ever had the Masquerade finale, all included in the Who, before comics had reached out to chance to attend an MCM Comic Con, it's price of a ticket. mainstream readership, and well before not hard to understand the appeal. the cosplay phenomenon had really taken Regular stallholders like Amazing Cake Incongruously nestled behind the off in the UK. Some small-scale Co, Manga Entertainment, Genki Gear, business-like facades of conference and conventions and specialised gatherings CeX and Tokyo Toys (who recently set up exhibition centres, every MCM convention already existed, but it was SciFi Shows' a permanent shop in Birmingham) also is a world unto itself, where cartoon Paul Miley and Wolf Events' Bryan Cooney return, alongside a host of other local and characters spring to life and supernatural who were the first to hatch a plan to bring national businesses. creatures freely roam, where stalls something akin to the all-encompassing And as an extra incentive to stop by in swelled with merchandise and unique fan American fan events to Britain, also partly Telford, costume-clad visitors will be creations stretch as far as the eye can see, inspired by the NEC's nostalgic eligible for 50% off ice-skating at the and where video and tabletop gaming Memorabilia show, which would later be Telford Ice Rink! become serious competitive sports. subsumed into MCM Birmingham (in 2005). Like an old-fashioned festival of misrule, everything is upside-down. While Thanks to a happy confluence of Hollywood stars become ordinary people, circumstances that saw attitudes change sitting and talking amongst their fans, towards previously sidelined interests, MCM Comic Con Midlands is held at ordinary folks get their chance to enjoy conventions are now such big business Telford International on Saturday the limelight, taking to the stage to that independents are constantly 11 February. perform in painstakingly handmade cropping up. But 16 years and multiple MCM Comic Con Birmingham takes costumes to heartfelt and hard-earned shows later, MCM's remain the biggest place at the NEC on Saturday 18 to applause, even winning accolades and and most popular in Britain, unrivalled in Sunday 19 March. prizes for their endeavours. attendance outside London.

whatsonlive.co.uk 41 Events February Davina.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 14:11 Page 1

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Events

Race Retro and Markku Alén, who’ll be getting back behind the wheel for a ‘clash of the titans’. Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, Fri 24 - Sun 26 February Now in its 15th year, Race Retro showcases every motorsport disci- The presence of motorsport legend Tom Kristensen is one of the pline, including formula and circuit racing, rallying, hill climbs, tour- • undoubted highlights of this month’s historic motorsport show. ing cars, motorcycling, sports and GT cars. Kristensen won Le Mans at his first attempt in 1997 and has tri- The show also offers visitors the chance to purchase parts, spares, umphed in the event a record nine times, six of his victories taking helmets and clothing, as well as new racing or rally cars in a special place in consecutive years. auction. Tom is joined at this year’s show by Finnish rally legends Ari Vatanen

Birth Of Flight Müller Indoor Ironbridge Gorge Museums, Grand Prix Shropshire, Sat 18 - Sun 26 February Birmingham Ironbridge Gorge Museums is celebrat- Barclaycard Arena, ing the birth of flight during the half- Birmingham, Sat 18 February term holiday, presenting a range of Indoor Grand Prix Birmingham themed family activities at some of its 2017 brings together many of most popular attractions. the country’s top athletes to Visitors can discover the fun of flying compete in track and field at the Enginuity design & technology events. centre, building and launching a Six Rio Olympic champions pneumatic rocket at twice-daily drop- have been confirmed for the in workshops. meeting, including four-time There are falconry displays and kite- Olympic champion Mo Farah. making opportunities to enjoy at Blists The recordbreaking Laura Muir Hill Victorian Town, while people pay- is also competing, attempting ing a visit to the Jackfield Tile Museum to smash Kelly Holmes’ British can decorate tiles with images of a record over 1,000 metres. hot-air balloon, flying saucer, aero- And in what promises to be a plane or other flying ‘machine’. spectacular clash, Britain's top Across the river, the Coalport China female sprinter, Dina Asher- Museum gets in on the act too, provid- Smith, will face double ing visitors with the chance to sculpt Olympic champion Elaine their own flying creature. Thompson over 60 metres.

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more events from around the region

On The Move Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, Sat 18 - Sun 26 February An exploration of the region’s transport heritage is the highlight of the Black Country Living Museum’s half-term holiday line- up of entertainment. As well as its celebration of all things ‘on the move’, the popular venue also offers visitors the chance to try out some traditional street games and experience a trip ‘into the thick’, sampling life in an 1850s-style coal mine.

Llangollen Mind Caravan, Camping & advice and a packed programme of events Body Spirit Festival and entertainment. Featured fun includes Llangollen Pavilion, North Wales, Motorhome Show cookery demonstrations, bushcraft work- Sun 5 February NEC, Birmingham, Tues 21 - Sun 26 February shops, an adventure assault course, a mobile At a time when world events are Attracting huge crowds and promising to be climbing mountain, an artificial caving zone regularly adding an extra level of ‘bigger and better than ever’, the Caravan, and a dog agility arena. anxiety to the stresses and strains Camping & Motorhome Show features over Television presenter and adventurer Ben Fogle of everyday life, the chance to 350 exhibitors. heads the show’s celebrity line-up, which also access some spiritual nourishment As well as exploring all the latest products, includes Kate Humble, Julia Bradbury, four- at this one-day event will prove the show also offers buying tips, holiday time Welsh National Surfing Champion Jo hugely appealing to a good many Dennison and Barney Harwood. people. The show features more than 60 stalls offering: alternative therapies; psychic one-to-one Airfix Make And Take Brick Week readings; complementary healing; RAF Cosford Museum, Mon 20 - Fri 24 February British Motor Museum, Gaydon, mediumship, tarot and angel Sat 18 - Sun 26 February cards; well-being and beauty prod- A week of automotive-themed brick-building ucts; ethical cosmetics; crystals, challenges is on offer this half term at the incense, fair-trade gifts and alter- British Motor Museum - including the chance native crafts. to help build a lifesize Mini out of Lego bricks. There are free workshops available Visitors will be able to complete their own too, as well as a range of vegetari- brick section, afterwards handing it over to an and vegan food to enjoy in the professional model builders to assemble into Pavilion restaurant. the lifesize model. The event also includes the 25-Brick Challenge, providing competitively minded motor enthu- Chinese New Year siasts with the opportunity to build a British car. A Mini-related museum trail and a dedi- Of The Rooster cated foam-brick area for the under-fives also The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent, feature. Sun 5 February Traditional dragon and lion dances, firecrackers, magic, acrobats and folk dancing all feature This annual family-friendly event is this year in this Chinese New Year celebra- providing visitors with the chance to build a tion. Visitors with a leaning 1:72 Spitfire, Mitsubishi Zero, Albatros and towards craft-based activities can Sopwith Pup. For families with younger chil- scratch their creative itch by get- dren, there’s a wooden biplane to assemble ting to grips with Chinese paint- and decorate together. Modelling skills aren’t ing, writing and origami. required in order to take part, as staff will be Theatrical endeavours include per- on hand to provide assistance. The museum is formances from local Chinese offering all participants a 10% discount on Sunday school children and an model kits from the souvenir shop. extract of Cantonese Opera performed in full cultural costume.

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more events from around the region

The 50+ Show NEC, Birmingham, Fri 17 - Sat 18 February If you’re old enough to remember the Glam Rock era, the three-day week and plenty of things that went before, you’re the right age to get yourself along to this event. This year’s 50+ Show focuses on the four key topics of hobbies & crafts, finance & money, health and travel. Along the way it provides no shortage of evidence that life beyond that first half century can offer plenty in terms of adventure, while also recognising that there may be the occasional challenge to overcome. So if you’d like to discover the secrets of good mental health, find out about special-interest holidays, contemplate taking up cake decorating, or fancy exploring genealogy, this is the show for you.

Hot Rods And Kool Castle Quest with various characters, each with a Kustoms unique word to share. Problem is, though, Tamworth Castle, Mon 20 - Sun 26 February they’ll only share that word if a task is Coventry Transport Museum, until Sun 14 May An event developed from numerous com- completed or a riddle solved... Retro racers abound at a show that urges you puter-game concepts, Castle Quest has On conclusion of the Quest, participants to fire up your engines and take a trip down been designed with teenagers very much take ‘the ultimate challenge’ - to walk the memory lane. Featuring hot rods from across in mind. As Questers make their way Quest grid blindfolded, testing the success the UK and icons from both the American around the castle, they come into contact of their problem-solving skills. and British custom car scene, this exhibition of vintage vehicles comes complete with an interactive family area. Hands-on experiences include the chance to customise a real car bonnet using pin-striping techniques, February Half Term prose or poetry inspired by the history of race cars down a ramp with loop-the-loops Activities at the RSC the RSC, Shakespeare and theatre; and a and celebrate on a special winner’s podium. behind-the-scenes look at how theatrical Various RSC venues, Stratford-upon-Avon, bruises, cuts and scars are created. Mon 20 - Fri 24 February The line-up also features a Storytime The Royal Shakespeare Company is offer- adventure, an afternoon of free craft activi- I’m An Arley Adventurer, ing so much by way of activities to enjoy ties, the chance to create a masked per- Get Me Out Of Here! this half-term holiday that it might make formance and learn the art of stage com- Arley Arboretum, nr Bewdley, sense to spend the whole week in bat, and an opportunity to get to grips Mon 20 - Fri 24 February Stratford! with the story and themes of Julius Caesar. Keeping kids captivated with creepy-crawly Highlights of the RSC’s family-friendly pro- Oh, and you can even learn how to deco- capers is Arley Arboretum’s sworn intention gramme include: the chance for children rate cupcakes, courtesy of the RSC’s mag- this half-term holiday. at different ages to create their very own nificently talented pastry chef. If ever a Little ones can explore the venue’s brand shortened version of Julius Caesar; a spe- legendary theatre company had all the new ‘adventurer bug trail’ and check out the cial workshop in which kids can write half-term bases covered... mystery boxes found en route. There are crawlies hiding inside each box, but only plastic ones, to ensure the experience is suitable for youngsters of all ages. The venue’s specialist ‘bug man’ will be putting in a daily appearance too (from midday to 2pm), bringing along with him lots of mini beasts as well as numerous other animals, including snakes, tarantulas, lizards, an owl and a pygmy hedgehog. Arley activities for children who’d prefer to steer clear of all things creepy crawly include a special maze, an adventure playground and the dinosaur, fairy and pre-school Woodland Animal Trail.

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Readers’ Awards

Award FINALISTS in each category announced! VOTE for your WINNER! Readers’ What’s On Awards Yes, you VOTED in your thousands in the first round of nominations in the What’s On Readers’ Awards - over 10,000 votes across the West Midlands region! Now it’s time for you to VOTE once more to choose your ultimate WINNER in each category! Here are the award shortlist finalists:

THEATRE: Midlands Large Theatre THEATRE: Best Home Produced THEATRE: Best Amateur l Birmingham Hippodrome Show In The Midlands Dramatic/Operatic Group l New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham l Bring On The Bollywood - l Bilston Operatic Company l Regent Theatre, Hanley Belgrade Theatre, Coventry l Bournville Musical Theatre Company l Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford l Gangsta Granny - l Get Your Wigle On l The REP, Birmingham Birmingham Stage Company l Old Joint Stock Musical Theatre Co. l Wolverhampton Grand Theatre l Hamlet - Royal Shakespeare l West Bromwich Operatic Society Company (WBOS) THEATRE: Midlands Arts Centre l Singin’ In The Rain - The New Vic l Wolverhampton Musical Comedy l Foxlowe Arts Centre, Stoke l The Exorcist - The REP Company (MUSCOM) l mac, Birmingham l The Wind In The Willows - l Newhampton Arts Centre, The Old Rep, Birmingham THEATRE: Best Amateur Wolverhampton Production l The Hive, Shrewsbury THEATRE: Best Pantomime In The l American Idiot - Old Joint Stock l Warwick Arts Centre Midlands 2016/17 Musical Theatre Company l Aladdin - Grand Theatre W’hampton l Fame - Wolverhampton Musical THEATRE: Best Touring Musical l Cinderella - Regent Theatre, Hanley Comedy Company (MUSCOM) l Blood Brothers l Cinderella - Theatre Severn l Jekyll & Hyde - Bournville Musical l Dirty Dancing l Dick Whittington - Birmingham Theatre Company l Hairspray Hippodrome l Legally Blonde - Stourbridge Amateur l Mamma Mia! l Dick Whittington - Belgrade Theatre Operatic Society l Mary Poppins l Sleeping Beauty - Lichfield Garrick l Made in Dagenham - West Bromwich l The Jersey Boys Operatic Society (WBOS) THEATRE: Best Kids Show l Our House - The Madness Musical - THEATRE: Best Touring Play l Disney On Ice presents Frozen Bilston Operatic Company l Gangsta Granny l Gangsta Granny l Of Mice & Men l Room On The Broom DANCE: Best Production l Shawshank Redemption l The Bear l Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater l The Full Monty l The Snowman l BRB - The Nutcracker l The Woman In Black l We’re Going On A Bear Hunt l Life: Balletboyz VOTE today atwhatsonlive.co.uk

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#culturematters #artsmatters

l Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty COMEDY: Best Midlands Best Midlands Live Band l Snow White - Vienna Festival Ballet Comedian l Electric Swing Circus l Barbara Nice l Ned’s Atomic Dustbin CLASSICAL (inc Opera): l Greg Davies l Peace Best Production l Jay Islaam l Stephen Duffy & The Lilac Time l Birmingham Opera Company - l Joe Lycett l The Twang Dido ‘n’ Aeneas l Jonny Cole l English Touring Opera - Don Giovanni Best Midlands Chef l HMS Pinafore - Sasha Regan COMEDY: Best Midlands l Adam Stokes (Adams, Birmingham) l WNO - Kiss Me Kate Comedy Break-through l Brad Carter (Carters of Moseley) l WNO - Sweeney Todd l Josh Pugh l Glynn Purnell (Purnell’s, Birmingham) l Masai Graham l Luke Tipping (Simpsons, Birmingham) CLASSICAL: l Sarah Johnson l Richard Turner (Turners, Birmingham) Best Orchestra/Choir l Stu Woodings l Birmingham Bach Choir l Tom Christian Best Midlands Food Festival l Birmingham Contemporary Music l Great British Food Festival - Group (BCMG) COMEDY: Best Midlands Shugborough l Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra Comedy Night l Foodies Festival Birmingham l Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra l Blue Giraffe - Wolverhampton l Lichfield Food Festival l City Of Birmingham Symphony l CAN Comedy l Ludlow Food Festival Orchestra (CBSO) l Comedy 42 - Lichfield Garrick l Shrewsbury Food Festival l Comedy Carousel at The Glee Club, ARTS: Best Midlands Arts/Cultural Birmingham Best Midlands Street Food Vendor Festival l Comedy at Henry Tudor House, l Andy Low ‘n’ Slow l Artsfest Wolverhampton Shrewsbury l Baked in Brick l Birmingham Literature Festival l Just The Tonic - Birmingham l Buddha Belly l Birmingham Comedy Festival l Bournville Waffle Company l Flatpack Festival Best Midlands Music Venue l Vegan Grindhouse l Godiva Festival (Large: 1000+ capacity) l The Meat Shack l International Dance Festival B’ham l Barclaycard Arena - Birmingham l Genting Arena - Birmingham Best Midlands Retail ARTS: Best Exhibition l O2 Academy - Birmingham Shopping Centre l All The World’s A Stage - l Symphony Hall - Birmingham l Bullring - Birmingham Barber Institute l Victoria Hall - Hanley l Grand Central - Birmingham l Craft Open West Midlands l Mailbox - Birmingham l Grayson Perry: The Vanity of Small Best Midlands Music Festival l Mell Square Shopping Centre - Differences - Herbert Art Gallery l Birmingham & Solihull Jazz Festival Solihull l Inspire 16 - Birmingham Museum & l Lichfield Arts’ Fuse Festival l Merry Hill - Brierley Hill Art Gallery l Moseley Folk Festival l Telford Shopping Centre l Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2016 l Shrewsbury Folk Festival - Wolverhampton Art Gallery l Slam Dunk Festival Midlands Entertainment Personality of the Year Award Best Independent Cinema Best Midlands Musician l Adil Ray (Citizen Khan) l Electric Cinema - Birmingham l Dan Owen l Beverley Knight l Light House Media Centre - l Laura Mvula l Doreen Tipton Wolverhampton l Libby Gilksman l Julie Walters l mac - Birmingham l Scott Matthews l Lenny Henry l Old Market Hall - Shrewsbury l Soweto Kinch l Red Carpet Cinema - Burton

and choose your WINNER!

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What’s On FINALISTS in each REGION

BIRMINGHAM BLACK COUNTRY WARWICKSHIRE WORCESTERSHIRE STAFFORDSHIRE SHROPSHIRE

Best Arts/Theatre Best Arts/Theatre Best Arts/Theatre Best Arts/Theatre Best Arts/Theatre Best Arts/Theatre Venue Venue Venue Venue Venue Venue l Artrix, Bromsgrove l Lichfield Garrick l Theatre Severn l The Crescent l Arena Theatre l Albany Theatre, Dudley Concert Hall Coventry l Evesham Arts Centre l New Vic Theatre, l The Hive, Shrewsbury l mac Birmingham l l Forest Arts Centre l Belgrade Theatre, l Huntingdon Hall, Newcastle-under-Lyme l The Place, Telford l New Alexandra l Grand Theatre Coventry Worcester l Prince of Wales l The Wightman, l Old Joint Stock l Newhampton Arts l Royal Shakespeare l Malvern Theatres Centre, Cannock Shrewsbury l The Old Rep Centre Theatre, Stratford l Swan Theatre, l Regent Theatre, l Theatre On The Steps l The REP l Royal Spa Centre, Worcester Stoke-on-Trent Leamington Spa l Stafford Gatehouse Best Music Venue Best Music Venue Best Music Venue l The Criterion Theatre, Best Music Venue Theatre l Walker Theatre l The Glee Club, l Dudley Concert Hall Coventry l Drummonds Bar, l Havana Republic, l Katie Fitzgeralds l Warwick Arts Centre, l Hare & Hounds Worcester Best Music Venue Shrewsbury l The Civic Hall Coventry l The Jam House Huntingdon Hall, l Henry Tudor House, l The Robin 2 l l Lichfield Guildhall l mac, Worcester Shrewsbury l The Slade Rooms l Prince of Wales l The Roadhouse, Best Music Venue l The Boar's Head, Centre, Cannock l The Buttermarket, Best Visitor l The Assembly, Kidderminster l Victoria Hall, Hanley Shrewsbury Best Festival Leamington Spa l The Iron Road, l Tamworth Assembly l The Hive, Shrewsbury Attraction l The Copper Rooms, Evesham Rooms l Birmingham Comedy The Marr's Bar, l Black Country Living Coventry l l The Sugarmill, Stoke Best Festival l Birmingham & Solihull Museum l The Kasbah, Coventry Worcester l Farmer Phil’s Festival Jazz & Blues l Dudley Canal & l Tin Music & Arts, Best Festival l Ludlow Food Festival l MADE Birmingham Tunnel Trust Coventry Best Festival l Big Feast, Stoke-On- l Haydn Festival l Moseley Folk l Dudley Zoo l Warwick Arts Centre Asparafest, Nr l Trent l Shrewsbury Folk l Mostly Jazz, Funk & l RAF Cosford Museum Evesham Stafford Arts Festival Festival Soul l Wightwick Manor Best Festival l l Bromsgrove Folk l Shrewsbury Food l Wolverhampton l Lichfield Arts' Fuse l Godiva Festival l Malvern Food Festival Festival Festival Racecourse l Worcester Music Fest Best Visitor l Leamington Food and l Great British Food Attraction Drink Festival l Upton Upon Severn Festival - Shugborough Best Visitor Best Event l Lunar Festival Jazz Festival l Lichfield Festival l Birmingham Botanical Stratford River Festival Attraction l 1940s Evening - Black l Gardens Country Living Museum l Warwick Folk Festival Best Visitor l Attingham Park Best Visitor l British Ironworks l Birmingham Museum l Artsfest W’hampton Attraction Centre, Oswestry & Art Gallery l Cosford Air Show Best Visitor Attraction l Avoncroft,Bromsgrove l Cadbury World l Dudley Beer Festival l Alton Towers l Dana Prison Tours Attraction l Elgar’s Birthplace, l Sealife Centre l Go Wild Week at l Drayton Manor Theme l Ironbridge Museums l British Motor Museum Worcester l The Jewellery Quarter Dudley Zoo Park l Severn Valley Railway, l Coventry Transport l Hanbury Hall and Thinktank l Lichfield Cathedral Bridgnorth l Museum Gardens Best Gallery/ l Monkey Forest l Shrewsbury Castle l Kenilworth Castle l Severn Valley Railway, l National Memorial Best Outdoor Exhibition Venue l Shakespeare’s Bewdley Arboretum Best Event l Bilston Craft Gallery Birthplace Trust l West Mid Safari Park Event l Tamworth Castle l 1940s Evening at l Dudley Museum & Art l Warwick Castle l Birmingham Ice Rink Gallery Blists Hill Best Independent The Big Busk in Centenary Square l Light House Media Best Event Best Event l l Birmingham Pride Centre Restaurant l Lichfield Lumiere l MCM Comic Con l Art In The Park, Frankfurt Christmas l Lichfield Proms in Midlands, Telford l l New Art Gallery, Leamington Spa l Banners Café & Beacon Park l Shrewsbury Flower Market Walsall Brick Wonders, Restaurant, Bromsgrove l Show l Magical Lantern l Wolverhampton Herbert Art Gallery l Casa Med Tapas, l Scarefest at Alton Museum & Art Gallery Towers l Tattoo Freeze Festival l Coventry Sky Ride Bromsgrove l Summer in Southside l Godiva Festival l Saffron’s Bistro, l St. George's Day at Best Independent l Making Mischief - Worcester Tamworth Castle Best Gallery/ Best Indoor Event RSC l The Olive Branch, l The Enchanted Exhibition Venue Restaurant Chandelier at Central Worcester l Bear Steps Art l BBC Good Food l Indigo Restaurant, Forest Park Best Gallery/ l The Royal Oak, Gallery, Shrewsbury Show Wolverhampton Evesham l Coalbrookdale Brick Live (LEGO) l Mad O’Rourkes Pie Exhibition Venue l Best Nightclub Gallery, Ironbridge Factory, Dudley l Compton Verney l Clothes Show Live Best Independent l Bunker 13, Stoke Penn Tandoori, Coventry Music l Shrewsbury Museum l Grand Designs l l Couture, Stafford Wolverhampton Museum Café l & Art Gallery l MCM Comic Con l Kuda, Tamworth Van, The Market Hall, l The Old Glasshouse, l Herbert Art Gallery l Coffee No.1, Pershore l l Pink, Stoke Shrewsbury Dudley l Leamington Spa Art l G&Tea, Worcester l Silks, Cannock Best Gallery/ l The Summerhouse, Gallery & Museum l Lorita's Bakehouse, l Willow Gallery, Oswestry Exhibition Venue Dudley l Mead Gallery Bromsgrove Mac & Jac's Cafe-Deli, Best Independent The Barber Institute l l Worcester Café Best Shropshire l Birmingham Museum Best Independent Best Independent l Word Of Mouth, & Art Gallery l 15 On The Corner, Nightclub Cafe Restaurant Evesham Lichfield l The Buttermarket, l Birmingham Open l Cafe Cappella, Dudley l Cheals of Henley, l Damn Fine Cafe, l C:21, Shrewsbury Media l Cozy Coffee, Dudley Henley-in-Arden Best Nightclub Lichfield l Club Crush, Telford l Ikon l Gluttons For l Greyhound Inn, l 57 Monkeys, l Little Green Frog Inferno, Shrewsbury l mac Nourishment, l Coventry Bromsgrove Cafe, Lichfield Pussycats Night Club, l Thinktank The Brook Coffee l l l La Coppola, The Food Room, House, Wolverhampton l Marilyn's Nightclub, l Telford Leamington Spa Evesham l The Lounge of l The Old School Tea l Restaurant 23, l The Flag, Worcester Lichfield Rooms, Wolverhampton Leamington Spa l The Velvet Lounge, l Whitmore Tearooms, l The Cross, Kenilworth l Tramps, Worcester Newcastle-under-Lyme VISIT whatsonlive.co.uk FOR A LIST OF ALL THE AWARD CATEGORIES AND FINALISTS IN EACH REGION VOTE today at whatsonlive.co.uk 50 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Cover February Wolves/Shrops/Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 16:48 Page 2

Your week to week listings guide February 2017 thelist

The Full Monty at Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury - Mon 6 - Sat 11 February11 Sat - 6 Mon - Shrewsbury Severn, Theatre at MontyFull The

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

What’s On Wed 1 to Sun 5 February Mon 6 to Sun 12 February Mon 13 to Sun 19 February Mon 20 to Tues 28 February

Chinese New Year of the Union J at The Sugarmill, The Classic Dirt Bike Show at Sister Act at Wolverhampton Rooster at The Potteries Stoke-on-Trent Telford International Centre Grand Theatre Museum & Art Gallery, Hanley Thurs 9 February Sat 18 - Sun 19 February Mon 27 February - Sun 5 February Sat 4 March

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thelist Wednesday 1 - Sunday 5 February THROUGHOUT FEBRUARY life in an exhibition featuring 30 Visual Arts pieces of extraordinary automata, Sat 18 Feb - Sun 21 May Bilston Craft Gallery BOWLS, BUCKETS AND BEDSTEADS - Other VISUAL ARTS BILSTON INDUSTRIES BETWEEN THE QUBE CREATIVE GROUP GALLERY A col- WARS The period between the wars lection of works created by many of is often remembered for economic those who attended art classes over depression, but Bilston industries the past year, until Tues 7 Feb, Qube large and small kept producing the Gallery, Oswestry goods. Featuring products from firms REBUILDING UTTOXETER: ITS MUSEUM such as Beldray, Sankey and AND ITS PEOPLE Artist Jennifer Collier Phoenix Glass, until Sun 26 Mar uses paper copies of historical documents based on the life of Francis New Art Gallery - Walsall Redfern to inspire various artworks, NEW ANDREW GILLESPIE: ANTI-SCRAPE until Sat 11 Feb, The Brewhouse Arts Andrew has created a new constella- Centre, Burton-upon-Trent tion of objects; an urban drift of SCENES OF WEM Two local art groups Half Man Half Biscuit - The Robin materials and allusions to everyday present a group exhibition of work Theatre, Birmingham VOODOO VEGAS experience, Fri 3 Feb - Sun 23 Apr inspired by Wem and the surround- Sat 4 KINGS OV LEON Fri 3 Feb, Eleven, NEW SCENES OF WALSALL Many ing areas, until Thurs 23 Feb, Wem Gigs Feb, The Roadhouse, Sandyford, Stoke-on- scenes of Walsall have been collect- Town Hall Birmingham Trent ed since the establishment of DESIGN AND DESIRE: THE GREAT RAY COOPER Wed 1 SWEDE DREAMZ Sat 4 Walsall’s public art collection in EXHIBITION OF 1851 Objects and Feb, The Red Lion Folk THE LEGENDS OF Feb, The River Rooms, 1892. To help celebrate the images, including prints and paint- Club, Birmingham AMERICAN COUNTRY Fri Permanent Collection’s 125th birth- ings from the Elton Collection, tell 3 Feb, The Place, Stourbridge BARBARA DICKSON Wed day, a range of these are here on the story of how the Great Exhibition Oakengates Theatre, BLACK SABBATH Sat 4 1 Feb, Birmingham display, from a lithograph of Walsall became one of the most influential Telford, Shropshire Feb, Genting Arena, Town Hall High Street in 1845 to contemporary and renowned events of the 19th FREE AT LAST Fri 3 Feb, Birmingham KNOXVILLE HIGHWAY photographs, Sat 18 Feb - Sun 16 century, until Fri 24 Feb, Route 44, Birmingham KALEO Sat 4 Feb, O2 Wed 1 Feb, The Jam July Coalbrookdale Gallery, Telford Institute, Birmingham House, Birmingham DONNY OSMOND Fri 3 CHINESE OPERA PUPPETS The exhibi- Feb, Genting Arena, G2 DEFINITIVE GENESIS THE LEGENDS OF Potteries Museum & Art tion looks at the opera string pup- Birmingham Sat 4 Feb, The Robin, Gallery - Stoke-On-Trent pets from the southern region, AMERICAN COUNTRY THEM HEAVY PEOPLE - Bilston including Hong Kong, which can be Wed 1 Feb, Prince Of NEW ARNOLD BENNETT: IN LIFE AND ART KATE BUSH TRIBUTE Fri 3 MONTPARNASSE Sat 4 traced back as far as 1190, until Fri Wales Centre, Cannock Dipping into the museum’s world- Feb, Lichfield Garrick Feb, mac, Birmingham class Arnold Bennett collections of 31 Mar, Bantock House & Park, TOM WALKER TRIO Wed artworks, personal possessions and Wolverhampton 1 Feb, The Sunflower WHITNEY - QUEEN OF THE CLAUSE Sat 4 Feb, THE NIGHT Fri 3 Feb, O2 Academy, B’ham clothing, photographs, documents WINTER EXHIBITION Featuring regular Lounge, Birmingham Theatre Severn, and ephemera, this exhibition cre- exhibitors alongside some new LIVE DEAD 69 Wed 1 PETER AND THE TEST Shrewsbury ates new perspectives on the man names. Included are stained glass Feb, The Robin, Bilston TUBE BABIES, and his life, Sat 18 Feb - Sun 2 July HERMITAGE GREEN Fri 3 SUCKERPUNCH, THE from Tamsin Abbott, flower studies KATHRYN WILLIAMS & Feb, O2 Academy, NERKS & THE YOUTH from David Stoves and sculpture ANTHONY KERR Wed 1 Birmingham WITHIN Sat 4 Feb, The Shire Hall Gallery - Stafford from Tania Mosse, until Spring 2017, Feb, Kitchen Garden Silk Top Hat Gallery, Ludlow Flapper, Birmingham STAFFORDSHIRE: ARTISTS & PLACES A Cafe, Birmingham CHRIS BEVINGTON AND FRIENDS Fri 3 Feb, SARAH COLLINS AND fascinating selection of work, includ- NEW OW BIST Showcasing some of HALF MAN HALF BISCUIT Eleven, Sandyford, KEEP THE FAITH Sat 4 ing photographs by Kate Mellor and the works produced so far, as well as Thurs 2 Feb, The Stoke-on-Trent Feb, The Place, Rick Barks, paintings by Robert Perry a selection of photos from some of Robin, Bilston and Catherine Brennand and textiles the classes, Fri 10 - Mon 27 Feb, INTO THE HURRICANE Fri Oakengates Theatre, MENACE BEACH Thurs 2 by Rachel Grant, until Sun 26 Feb Qube Gallery, Oswestry 3 Feb, The Flapper, Telford, Shropshire Feb, Hare & Hounds, NEW COMIC CON MIDLANDS Birmingham MIKEY PLUS SUPPORT Explore a Birmingham Shrewsbury Museum & Art Comic Village packed with artists THE FALLEN STATE Fri 3 FROM SAINT LEONARD’S BLACK SABBATH Thurs 2 Gallery and writers, enjoy colourful costumes Feb, Newhampton Arts HORSES & JOSEPH Feb, Genting Arena, NEW RHYME AROUND THE WORLD in the Cosplay Masquerade and Centre, Wolverhampton HICKLIN Sat 4 Feb, The meet special guests from the worlds Birmingham Sunflower Lounge, Featuring artwork by best-loved, GROUPER Fri 3 - Sat 4 of TV and film, Sat 11 Feb, Telford THE ROY ORBISON STORY Birmingham best-selling and acclaimed illustra- Feb, The Jam House, International Centre Thurs 2 Feb, Theatre tors, including; Robert Ingpen, Birmingham SAUL ROSE & JAMES Shirley Hughes, Axel Scheffler, Emily NEW ALAN FERNIHOUGH A local artist Severn, Shrewsbury DELARRE Sun 5 Feb, KEITH JAMES: THE Gravett, Mini Grey, Jessica Ahlberg, whose paintings of local scenes SEAWAY Thurs 2 Feb, Kitchen Garden Cafe, SONGS OF LEONARD and Polly Dunbar, Sat 18 Feb - Sun 7 takes us back to the 1960s and O2 Academy, B’ham Birmingham COHEN Sat 4 Feb, May beyond. Alan also specialises in HEALTHY JUNKIES Thurs Ludlow Assembly KARNATAKA Sun 5 Feb, hyper-realistic pencil drawings, Fri 17 2 Feb, The Flapper, Rooms, South The Robin, Bilston Feb - Sat 18 Mar, The Brewhouse VAN Gallery, Shrewsbury Birmingham Shropshire BLACK PEAKS Sun 5 Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent NEW STREET GALLERY MIXED MEDIA THE DEEP PURPLE GOODNIGHT LENIN Sat 4 Feb, O2 Academy, NEW HMP DOVEGATE Exhibition of Showcase of members’ work, includ- FAMILY TREE Fri 3 Feb, Feb, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham work produced in the art and ceram- ing painting, textiles, ceramics, The Robin, Bilston Birmingham INNI K AND JESS ic classes by the prisoners as part of enamelling, digital art and sculpture, MORGAN Sun 5 Feb, their education, Fri 17 Feb - Sat 18 THE WONDER YEARS Fri STEVE CLAYTON AND THE Sat 4 - Sat 25 Feb The Hive, Shrewsbury Mar, The Brewhouse Arts Centre, 3 Feb, O2 Institute, 44S Sat 4 Feb, Lichfield NEW TOM CRAIG & PAUL Burton-upon-Trent Birmingham Guildhall CLASSIC ROCK SHOW JANCZYKOWSKI Exhibition of photo- DEFINITELY MIGHTBE & Sun 5 Feb, Theatre graphs, paintings and sculpture, NEW THREE COUNTIES OPEN THE SMITHS LTD Sat 4 ADORED Fri 3 Feb, The Severn, Shrewsbury Mon 6 - Sat 18 Feb PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION 2017 Feb, Newhampton Arts Images by talented photographers River Rooms, Centre, Wolverhampton HATTIE BRIGGS TRIO Sun Stourbridge Wolverhampton Art Gallery from Staffordshire, Cheshire and NATHAN CARTER Sat 4 5 Feb, Henry Tudor Shropshire, Wed 22 Feb - Wed 29 ABBA MANIA Fri 3 Feb, Feb, New Alexandra House, Shrewsbury NEW A CURIOUS TURN Moving Mar, Keele University New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham mechanical sculpture is brought to

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Wednesday 1 - Sunday 5 February

(conductor) & Tommy Pearson (pre- GAVIN WEBSTER, LARRY DEAN, MARK MARY SHELLEY The Crescent Theatre Classical Music senter), Fri 3 Feb, Symphony Hall, NELSON & DARRELL MARTIN Fri 3 - Sat Company presents Helen Birmingham 4 Feb, The Comedy Loft, Edmundson’s compelling drama PIANISTS FROM CHETHAM’S SCHOOL OF Birmingham about the life of one of the world’s BEETHOVEN’S FIFTH Featuring Mirga MUSIC Fri 3 Feb, St Chad’s Church, SHAZIA MIRZA Sat 4 Feb, Theatre On most famous writers of Gothic fiction, Gražinyt -Tyla (conductor), Francesco Shrewsbury The Steps, Bridgnorth, Shropshire. until Sat 11 Feb, The Crescent Piemontesi (piano) & the City of Theatre, Birmingham Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. EX CATHEDRA: PURCELL DIDO & AENEAS ROFL COMEDY CLUB Sat 4 Feb, The CHEKHOV'S SHORTS European Arts Programme includes works by Featuring Greg Skidmore (Aeneas), Old Post Office, Burton-upon-Trent present an entertaining collection of Haydn, Mozart & Beethoven, Sun 29 Angela Hicks (Belinda), Martha JUNIOR JESTERS #7 Sun 5 Feb, one-act farces by Anton Chekhov, Jan - Thurs 2 Feb, Symphony Hall, McLorinan (Sorceress), Amy Wood Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, including The Evils Of Tobacco, The Birmingham (First Witch), Elizabeth Adams Shropshire (Second Witch) & Jeremy Budd Dimwit, The Bear, Swan Song and (Sailor), Sun 5 Feb, Birmingham ANDRE VINCENT, JAY FOREMAN, JASPER The Proposal, Wed 1 Feb, Theatre Town Hall CROMWELL JONES & KAREN BAILEY Severn, Shrewsbury Sun 5 Feb, Theatre Severn, ROUND THE HORNE Based on the vin- THERE WILL BE BLOOD: LIVE Featuring Shrewsbury, Shropshire the London Contemporary Orchestra, tage BBC radio comedy sketch Hugh Brunt (conductor), Cynthia DAVID O'DOHERTY Sun 5 - Mon 6 Feb, show, Wed 1 Feb, New Alexandra Millar (Ondes Martenot), Galya The Glee Club, Birmingham Theatre, Birmingham Bisengalieva (violin) & Oliver Coates DAD’S ARMY The Lichfield Players (cello), Sun 5 Feb, Symphony Hall, present an amateur performance of Birmingham the classic comedy, Wed 1 - Sat 4 Feb, Lichfield Garrick Theatre THAT'LL BE THE DAY Featuring a new THE LORD LIEUTENANT OF line-up of classic gold hits from the SHROPSHIRE'S CHARITY CONCERT LADY CHATTERLEY'S LOVER New stag- ’50s through to the ’70s, Thurs 2 Featuring the Band & Bugles of the Comedy Gigs ing of DH Lawrence's most famous Feb, The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Rifle Regiment & singer Iona Fisher, novel, until Fri 3 Feb, The Blue Telford Wed 1 Feb, Theatre Severn, Orange Theatre, Birmingham MORBID CURIOSITIES Don't Go Into Shrewsbury TOM WRIGGLESWORTH, ALLYSON JUNE SMITH & MARK OLVER Wed 1 Feb, BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY The Cellar present a portmanteu of THE ROYAL LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury, Award-winning musical, until Sat 4 vintage blood-curdlers, featuring all- ORCHESTRA Featuring Vasily Petrenko Shropshire Feb, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre new adaptations of The Yellow (conductor) & Daniil Trifonov (piano). Wallpaper, The Old Nurse's Story and JOSH HOWIE Thurs 2 Feb, The Glee EVITA Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Programme includes works by John Charrington's Wedding, Thurs 2 Club, Birmingham Rice's third major collaboration Stravinsky, Rachmaninov & opened to rave reviews way back in Feb, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Prokofiev, Wed 1 Feb, Symphony GARY LITTLE, DAVE FULTON & COMEDY the late 1970s, and has since gar- Birmingham Hall, Birmingham CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON nered a reputation as one of the WRECKING BALL Funny, surreal and Thurs 2 Feb, The Glee Club, B’ham SENIOR CITIZENS ORCHESTRA Thurs 2 greatest musicals ever to grace West unsettling new play which explores Feb, Forest Arts Centre, Walsall ANDREW BIRD, ADAM KAY, WAYNE End and Broadway stages, until Sat how the subtle abuses of power LIEBESLIEDER Featuring Elouise BEESE & JAMES SHERWOOD Thurs 2 4 Feb, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on- shape our relationships, Thurs 2 - Waterhouse (mezzo-soprano), Elise Feb, The George Hotel, Lichfield Trent Sat 4 Feb, The REP, Birmingham Fairley (soprano), Richard James THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN Based on DAME NATURE - THE MAGNIFICENT (tenor), Andrew Randall (bass), Chaucer's The Knight's Tale, The Two BEARDED LADY An evening of stories Bernard Tann & Petrina Phua Noble Kinsmen is attributed to John and characters for audiences who (accompanists) & James Gribble Fletcher & William Shakespeare and don’t like to judge a woman by her (reader), Thurs 2 Feb, Birmingham is best described as a tragicomedy beard, Fri 3 Feb, Old Joint Stock Conservatoire exploring the intoxication and Theatre, Birmingham PIANO QUINTETS WITH CEDRIC strangeness of love, until Tues 7 Feb, CYRANO Swashbuckling tale of unre- TIBERGHIEN Also featuring Emmet The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon- quited love, set in the golden age of Byrne (oboe); Oliver Janes (clarinet), Avon musketeers, Fri 3 - Sat 25 Feb, New Michael Kidd (horn) & Margaret THE SEVEN ACTS OF MERCY Anders Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme Cookhorn (bassoon), Programme Lustgarten’s visceral new play, which CHECK-IN Grand Arena Youth Theatre includes works by Mozart & confronts the dangerous necessity of presents a devisive piece which Beethoven, Fri 3 Feb, CBSO Centre, compassion, in a world where it is in explores what happens when the Birmingham short supply. Directed by RSC MARK MAIER, SCOTT BENNETT, CHE online and physical worlds collide, PIANO RECITAL WITH PETER DONOHOE Deputy Artistic Director Erica Sat 4 Feb, Arena Theatre, BURNLEY, ROGER SWIFT & JAMES COOK Whyman, until Fri 10 Feb, The Swan Programme includes works by Thurs 2 Feb, Foxlowe Arts Centre, Wolverhampton Chopin, Scriabin, Schumann & Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Leek, Staffs THE TOMMY COOPER SHOW Daniel Schubert, Fri 3 Feb, Alington Hall, THE ROVER Aphra Behn's anarchic Taylor’s portrayal of the showbusi- Shrewsbury School KUM-N-AVALOFF COMEDY NIGHT Thurs restoration comedy, rich with seduc- 2 Feb, Stourbridge Town Hall ness legend, Sat 4 Feb, Theatre tion, intrigue and danger, set in the Severn, Shrewsbury JONATHAN PIE Fri 3 Feb, Stafford topsy-turvy world of the carnival, until Gatehouse Theatre Sat 11 Feb, The Swan Theatre, THE FIZZOGS SUCK IT AND SEE TOUR Stratford-upon-Avon Sat 4 Feb, The Rose Theatre, IAN STIRLING Fri 3 Feb, The Glee Kidderminster Club, Birmingham LOVE New play from Alexander Zeldin, written through a devising LADY CHATTERLEY'S LOVER Blue ROB AUTON Fri 3 Feb, Theatre Orange Arts present a new staging of Severn, Shrewsbury, Shropshire process in which the audience are invited to bear witness to an intimate DH Lawrence's most famous novel, IMRAN YUSUF, GEORGE RIGDEN & story of ‘family love for our times’, Sat 4 Feb, Lichfield Garrick DAMIAN KINGSLEY Fri 3 Feb, Katie until Sat 11 Feb, The REP, B’ham Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge FRANKENSTEIN The Crescent Theatre AURIE STYLA, QUINCY, KEVIN J & Company presents a staging of May ULRICH HEINEN LUNCHTIME CONCERT ROADMAN DAVID Fri 3 Feb, mac, Shelley’s gothic tale, until Sat 11 Programme comprises B’ham Feb, The Crescent Theatre, B’ham Stockhausen's Tierkeis (Zodiac) & JS DAVE FULTON, GARY LITTLE, JENNY WHAT'S IN A NAME? Nigel Harman & Bach's Suite No. 6 in D. BWV1012, COLLIER & CHARLIE BAKER Fri 3 - Sat Fri 3 Feb, The Barber Institute, B’ham Sarah Hadland star in the premiere 4 Feb, The Glee Club, Birmingham of Jeremy Sams' stage adaptation of JOHN WILLIAMS AT THE OSCARS FREDDIE FARRELL, SALLY-ANNE the French film and stage sensation, Featuring the City of Birmingham HAYWARD & TOPPING AND BUTCH Fri 3 Le Prenom, until Sat 11 Feb, The Symphony Orchestra, Michael Seal - Sat 4 Feb, Jongleurs, Birmingham REP, Birmingham

whatsonlive.co.uk 53 The List 1 - 5 Feb - Wolves/Shrops & Staffs NEW.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 16:03 Page 3

WHAT’S ON AT THEATRE SEVERN...

SAT 11 FEB TUE 14 FEB IAIN STIRLING BARBARA ONWARDS! DICKSON The voice of ITV2’s Love Multi-million selling Island and Scotland’s hottest recording artist Barbara comedy newcomer, explores Dickson returns with her the function and perception accomplished band to of twentysomethings within perform a range of material. today’s society.

SAT 18 FEB TUE 21 FEB

NDCWales’s Artistic Director Caroline Finn takes us on a nostalgic journey. On this twisted TV set, characters Returning after sold-out discover the very dates in 2014 and 2015 to fine line between perform classic hits including fantasy and Sherry, Walk Like A Man, reality. With and Big Girls Don’t Cry. post-show talk.

SUN 19 FEB FRI 24 FEB

JUSTIN Soul Man? Natural Woman? This feel good MOORHOUSE show revives the songs you PEOPLE AND FEELINGS love by Earth Wind & Fire, From Live at the Apollo, Barry White, Michael Phoenix Nights and Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Fighting Talk. James Brown, Tina Turner and more.

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BOX OFFICE 01743 281 281 BOOK ONLINE WWW.THEATRESEVERN.CO.UK THEATRE SEVERN, FRANKWELL QUAY, SHREWSBURY SY3 8FT

54 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 1 - 5 Feb - Wolves/Shrops & Staffs NEW.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 16:03 Page 4

Wednesday 1 - Sunday 5 February

theSHARK IN THE PARK! Alist fin-tastic family Drama/Romance. Starring Michael musical, from the creative team Fassbender & Alicia Vikander. Old behind The Hairy Maclary Show, in Market Hall, Shrewsbury, until Thurs which audiences can see all of Nick 2 Feb Sharratt's Shark In The Park! stories THE BIRTH OF A NATION (15) performed live on stage, Sun 5 Feb, Biography/Drama. Starring Nate mac, Birmingham Parker & Armie Hammer. Old Market THE JUNGLE BOOK Oddsocks bring Hall, Shrewsbury, until Thurs 2 Feb their inimitable humour to Rudyard CITIZENFOUR (15) Documentary. Kipling’s empowering story, Sun 5 Starring Edward Snowden. Foxlowe Feb, The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Arts Centre, Leek, Staffs, Wed 1 Feb Shropshire THE EAGLE HUNTRESS (U) Documentary. Starring Aisholpan Nurgaiv & Daisy Ridley. Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Wed 1 Feb Dance THE MUSIC OF STRANGERS (U) Documentary/Music. Starring Yo-Yo SCATTERED Motionhouse Dance Ma & Kinan Azmeh. Ludlow Theatre fuse physical dance theatre, Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, mesmerising aerial imagery and film Wed 1 Feb graphics to explore our relationship LIFE, ANIMATED (PG) Documentary. with water in all its forms, Tues 31 Starring Jonathan Freeman & Gilbert The Jungle Book Jan - Fri 3 Feb, The Old Rep Theatre, Gottfried. Stoke Film Theatre, Thurs Birmingham 2 Feb The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford, Sun 5 February; Lichfield Garrick, Sat 25 February COLLATERAL BEAUTY (12a) Drama. Starring Will Smith & Edward Norton. Although zany funsters Oddsocks are probably best known for their Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South humorous takes on the works of William Shakespeare, they occasion- Shropshire, Fri 3 Feb ally like to shake things up a bit by looking for their inspiration else- SULLY (12a) Biography/Drama. where. This is one such occasion. Starring Tom Hanks & Aaron Eckhart. Wem Town Hall, North Shropshire, Made universally popular by the classic Walt Disney movie, Rudyard Thurs 2 Feb; Stoke Film Theatre, Fri Kipling’s Jungle Book tells the story of a young boy named Mowgli 3 - Sat 4 Feb who’s been raised in the jungle by a family of wolves. His friends, LION (PG) Drama. Starring Rooney Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther, are determined to save Mara, Nicole Kidman & Dev Patel. him from the evil intentions of Shere Khan the tiger. THE NUTCRACKER The Russian State mac, Birmingham, Fri 3 - Thurs 9 Feb But keeping Mowgli safe is no walk in the jungle, as his two furry Ballet Of Siberia presents one of the ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY (12a) pals soon find out... most famous fantasy ballets of all Adventure/Sci-Fi. Starring Felicity time... Sun 5 Feb, Wolverhampton Jones & Diego Lunat. Wem Town Grand Theatre Hall, North Shropshire, Fri 3 - Sat 4, Tues 7 & Thurs 8 Feb SPACE EXPLORERS Drop in to this SILENCE (15) Drama/History. Starring Events space-themed craft activity and have Andrew Garfield & Liam Neeson. Old a go at making and testing a stomp Market Hall, Shrewsbury, Fri 3 - rocket, Sat 4 - Sun 5 Feb, Attingham Thurs 9 Feb ALICE TRAIL Can you solve the clues Park, Shrewsbury on this Alice In Wonderland trail and A MONSTER CALLS (12a) FAMILY STARGAZING AND MOONWATCH find the special plates hidden around Drama/Fantasy. Starring Sigourney Join Shropshire Astronomical Society the museum?, Wed 1 - Tues 28 Feb, Weaver & Felicity Jones. Old Market for an evening of stargazing and Gladstone Pottery Museum, Stoke- Hall, Shrewsbury, Fri 3 - Thurs 9 Feb moonwatching. Suitable for all the on-Trent THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE (U) family, Sat 4 - Sun 5 Feb, Attingham HOW TO TELL A BEDTIME STORY As part Animation/Action. With the voices of Park, Shrewsbury of National Storytelling Week, this fun Jason Sudeikis & Josh Gad. mac, WEM TOWN HALL WEDDING FAYRE Sun workshop for parents, grandparents Birmingham, Sat 4 Feb 5 Feb, Wem Town Hall, North and carers is packed full of ideas to Shropshire GHOSTS (15) Adventure/Drama. use with children, Thurs 2 Feb, Starring Zhan Yu, Tao Li & Ai Qin Lin. Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, ANTIQUE FAIR Sun 5 Feb, Bantock Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, Craven Arms, South Shropshire House & Park, Wolverhampton Sun 5 Feb BOWMAN ANTIQUES The best selection CHINESE NEW YEAR OF THE ROOSTER SWAN LAKE Presented by St 42ND STREET (U) Comedy/Musical. of antiques, curios, vintage, retro and This colourful and vibrant festival Petersburg Ballet Theatre, Sun 5 - Starring Ruby Keeler & Ginger collectables in the West Midlands. includes traditional dragon and lion Mon 6 Feb, Regent Theatre, Stoke- Rogers. The Electric Cinema, Up to 400 stalls, Fri 3 - Sun 5 Feb, dances, firecrackers, magic, acrobats on-Trent Birmingham, Sun 5 Feb Staffordshire County Showground and Chinese folk dancing, Sun 5 Feb, The Potteries Museum & Art THE PASS (15) Drama. Starring Russell CRAFTPLAY SATURDAYS Create, make Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent Tovey & Arinze Kene. Old Market and play in Craftplay's weekend ses- Hall, Shrewsbury, Sun 5 Feb sions, Sat 4 Feb, Bilston Craft Film Gallery, Wolverhampton INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: SPECIALIST TALK: THE LIFE AND WORKS OF SIMEON SOLOMON This new talk for Released from Fri 3 Feb, showing at 2017 provides a detailed look at the selected cinemas T2 TRAINSPOTTING (tbc) exclusive collection of Simeon Drama/Comedy. Starring Ewan GOLD (tbc) Solomon's paintings, Sat 4 Feb, McGregor, Kelly Macdonald. LOVING (12a) Wightwick Manor, Wolverhampton Mockingbird Cinema, Birmingham, RESIDENT EVIL: THE FINAL CHAPTER SPRING WEEKEND CONSERVATION until Thurs 2 Feb; Light House Media (15) TOURS Find out about the special Centre, Wolverhampton, until Thurs 2 conservation work the team have RINGS (15) Feb been doing over the winter, Sat 4 - THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS (12) TONI ERDMANN (15) Sun 5 Feb, Chirk Castle, nr Wrexham

whatsonlive.co.uk 55 The List 6 - 12 Feb - Wolves/Shrops & Staffs NEW.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 16:04 Page 1

Monday 6 - Sunday 12 February

thelistRooms, Feb, Route 44, B’ham Gigs Wolverhampton MICHAELA WYLDE Sat Classical Comedy Gigs CABBAGE Thurs 9 Feb, 11 Feb, Havana Hare & Hounds, Republic Bar and INNI K AND JESS Birmingham Restaurant, Music FAT PENGUIN COMEDY Wed 8 Feb, MORGAN Mon 6 Feb, Shrewsbury The Patrick Kavanagh, Birmingham Stafford Gatehouse ANTHRAX Thurs 9 Feb, NOBUKO IMAI (VIOLA) IN CONCERT Also DEBRA-JANE APPELBY, MAUREEN Theatre O2 Institute, B’ham OACEIS & THE JAM DR featuring Robert Markham (piano). Sat 11 Feb, The YOUNGER PLUS COMIC TBC Wed 8 MACKA B AND THE HIGH VALLEY Thurs 9 Programme comprises Brahms' E Roadhouse, B‘ham Feb, Kitchen Garden Cafe, ROOTS RAGGA BAND Feb, O2 Institute, minor Sonata for Cello & Piano (arr Birmingham Mon 6 Feb, The Robin, Birmingham SUNDARA KARMA Sat 11 viola) & Franck's Sonata for Viola & JEN BRISTER, SCOTT GIBSON & Bilston TRANSATLANTIC Feb, The Rainbow Piano, Tues 7 Feb, Birmingham Venues, Birmingham Conservatoire COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY CHELSEA GRIN Tues 7 SESSIONS Thurs 9 Feb, ROBINSON Thurs 9 Feb, The Glee Feb, O2 Institute, Symphony Hall, THREE BLIND MICE Sat HOLST'S THE PLANETS Featuring the Club, Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham 11 Feb, Katie City of Birmingham Symphony Fitzgerald's, Orchestra, the CBSO Youth Chorus ANDY WATSON, ROGER SWIFT, DAVE HOWIE PAYNE Tues 7 THE GRUFFS Thurs 9 Stourbridge & Nicholas Collon (conductor), Wed POLLARD & DAVE BRYON Feb, The Rainbow Feb, The Sunflower 8 Feb, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Thurs 9 Feb, The Brewhouse Arts Venues, Birmingham Lounge, Birmingham THE MODFATHERS Sat 11 Centre, Burton-upon-Trent Feb, The Robin, Bilston CBSO CENTRE STAGE: BACH & HANDEL GRINGO STAR Tues 7 WORRY DOLLS Thurs 9 Featuring Veronika Klirova (flute), SUSAN MURRAY & GARETH BERLINER Feb, The Sunflower Feb, The Edge Arts STONE BROKEN Sat 11 Rainer Gibbons (oboe), Richard Fri 10 Feb, Wolverhampton Grand Lounge, Birmingham Centre, Much Wenlock, Feb, Route 44, Theatre South Shropshire Birmingham Jenkinson (cello) & Martin Perkins NORTH SEA GAS Tues 7 (continuo). Programme includes ROFL COMEDY CLUB Fri 10 Feb, The Feb, Kitchen Garden THE GODFATHERS Fri 10 BACK TO BACHARACH works by Bach & Handel, Thurs 9 Old Post Office, Burton-upon-Trent Cafe, Birmingham Feb, Hare & Hounds, Sat 11 Feb, The Place, Feb, CBSO Centre, Birmingham Birmingham Oakengates Theatre, JAMES REDMOND, SEAN PERCIVAL & GOSPEL CENTRAL Wed 8 Telford, Shropshire LA BOHEME OperaUpClose present COMIC TBC Fri 10 Feb, Jongleurs, Feb, The Jam House, THE BOSS & BRYAN Robert Norton-Hale's new English Birmingham Birmingham ADAMS EXPERIENCE Fri NOUGHTY NINETIES Sat version of Puccini's tale of two cou- 10 Feb, The Robin, 11 Feb, The River TOM WRIGGLESWORTH, ANDY UNION J Wed 8 Feb, O2 ples which powerfully evidences the Bilston Rooms, Stourbridge ROBINSON SCOTT GIBSON & JEN Academy, Birmingham fact that love may not necessarily BRISTER Fri, 10 - Sat 11 Feb, The UK GUNS N' ROSES Fri STRANGE BONES AND always conquer all, Thurs 9 Feb - PHIL BEER Wed 8 Feb, Glee Club, Birmingham 10 Feb, The River BLACKWATERS Sat 11 Sat 11 Feb, mac, Birmingham The Red Lion Folk Rooms, Stourbridge Feb, The Sugarmill, DANA ALEXANDER, MANDY KNIGHT, Club, Birmingham ANGELA HEWITT PLAYS BACH Fri 10 JONNY AWSUM & ADAM STAUNTON HANNAH & BRIAN Fri 10 Stoke-on-Trent Feb, Birmingham Town Hall PHOENIX RISING Wed 8 Fri 10 - Sat 11 Feb, The Comedy Feb, Havana Republic MIKE GARRY Sat 11 Feb, The Robin, Bilston Loft, Birmingham Bar and Restaurant, Feb, The Wightman YOU WIN AGAIN - THE Shrewsbury Theatre, Shrewsbury MATT FORDE Sat 11 Feb, The Old STORY OF THE BEE GEES Rep Theatre, Birmingham INHEAVEN PLUS FREAK FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS In words and music, Fri 10 Feb, The Sat 11 Feb, IAN STIRLING Sat 11 Feb, Theatre Wed 8 Feb, Regent Sugarmill, Stoke-on- Birmingham Town Hall Severn, Shrewsbury, Shropshire Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Trent THE JOKERS Sat 11 Feb, JAMES REDMOND, SEAN PERCIVAL & GEORGE MONBIOT AND BREAK STUFF Fri 10 Eleven, Sandyford, DAVID WHITNEY Sat 11 Feb, EWAN MCLENNAN Wed 8 Feb, The Asylum, Stoke-on-Trent Jongleurs, Birmingham Feb, mac, Birmingham Birmingham ENDEAVOUR, PULVERISE, ROFL COMEDY CLUB Sat 11 Feb, STEVE KNIGHTLEY Wed VOODOO SIOUX Fri 10 GENESIS ARC & SECRETS The Old Post Office, Burton-upon- 8 Feb, Theatre Severn, BBC PHILHARMONIC Featuring Jamie Feb, Route 44, OF MARIANA Sat 11 Trent Shrewsbury Phillips (conductor) & Adam Walker Birmingham Feb, The Flapper, (soloist). Programme includes works ROSS NOBLE Sun 12 Feb, Theatre TOM GRENNAN + SOTO & VANADINE Fri 10 Birmingham by Haydn, Mozart & Sibelius, Fri 10 Severn, Shrewsbury, Shropshire CUCKOOLANDER Wed 8 Feb, The Slade Rooms, DAN SHAKE Sat 11 Feb, Feb, Victoria Hall, Hanley, Stoke-on- Feb, The Sunflower Wolverhampton Hare & Hounds, B’ham Trent Lounge, Birmingham FOOR Fri 10 Feb, The JULIAN COPE Sun 12 NEW MUSIC ENSEMBLE Featuring THE BREW & PISTON Rainbow Venues, Feb, The Glee Club, Daniel Rosina (director). Programme Wed 8 Feb, The Slade Birmingham Birmingham includes works by David Önaç, Rooms, Fumiko Miyachi & Sebastiano Wolverhampton CULT FICTION & IRON 2 BROOKS WILLIAMS Sun MAIDEN Fri 10 Feb, The 12 Feb, Kitchen Dessanay, Fri 10 Feb, The Barber BOXED IN Wed 8 Feb, Roadhouse, B’ham Garden Cafe, B’ham Institute, Birmingham Hare & Hounds, FRIDAY NIGHT CLASSICS The CBSO Birmingham LEKAN BABALOLA’S KATE NASH Sun 12 Feb, SACRED FUNK Fri 10 O2 Institute, B’ham perform Cole Porter: Let's Do It, fea- PILL Wed 8 Feb, Hare Feb, Symphony Hall, turing Roderick Dunk (conductor) & & Hounds, Birmingham TALON...THE ACOUSTIC Anna O'Byrne, Caroline Sheen, Birmingham COLLECTION Sun 12 JOHN SHUTTLEWORTH Sun 12 Feb, THE BLUES BAND David Thaxton & Scott Davies DREADZONE Sat 11 Feb, Feb, Theatre Severn, Birmingham Town Hall Featuring Paul Jones, (vocalists), Fri 10 Feb, Symphony The Slade Rooms, Shrewsbury Tom McGuinness, Hall, Birmingham Wolverhampton Dave Kelly, Rob ALTERED BRIDGE Sun 12 BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONIC BRASS Townsend & Gary AMBER RUN Sat 11 Feb, Feb, The Roadhouse, Featuring Stephen Roberts (direc- Fletcher, Thurs 9 Feb, O2 Institute, B’ham Birmingham tor), Sun 12 Feb, The Barber Theatre New Vic Theatre, BLUE NATION Sat 11 Institute, Birmingham Newcastle-under-Lyme TIM & TOM'S SYMPHONIC ADVENTURE BIANCA DEL RIO: NOT TODAY SATAN KENT DUCHAINE Thurs 9 Family Concert presented by the Season Six winner of RuPaul’s Drag Feb, Katie Fitzgerald's, City of Birmingham Symphony Race, the self-professed ‘clown in a Stourbridge Orchestra and featuring Timothy gown’ brings her new stand-up UNION J Thurs 9 Feb, Redmond (conductor) & Tom show to the UK, Mon 6 Feb, The Sugarmill, Stoke- Redmond (presenter). Programme Symphony Hall, Birmingham on-Trent includes works by Mozart, Wagner, Rossini, Williams & Hindson, Sun 12 IN THE MOTHERHOOD New play by NATTY Thurs 9 Feb, Feb, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Hayley Pepper which journeys into Hare & Hounds, B’ham the world of competitive parenting, INHEAVEN PLUS FREAK Mon 6 Feb, mac, Birmingham Thurs 9 Feb, The Slade THE FULL MONTY Sheffield Theatres Union J - The Sugarmill 56 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 6 - 12 Feb - Wolves/Shrops & Staffs NEW.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 16:04 Page 2

Monday 6 - Sunday 12 February

present a staged version of Simon ing the fact that love may not neces- Beaufoy's award-winning film, Mon 6 sarily always conquer all, Thurs 9 - Sat 11 Feb, Theatre Severn, Sat - 11 Feb, mac, Birmingham Shrewsbury STORIES TO TELL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WONDERLAND Wendi Peters, Dave NIGHT Storytelling with a difference, Willetts & Kerry Ellis star in Frank presented as a live, late-night radio Wildhorn’s musical adaptation of show for those who aren't asleep. Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures In Instead of records, the DJ spins sto- Wonderland and Through The ries that exist between dusk and Looking Glass, Mon 6 - Sat 11 Feb, morning. Thurs 9 - Sat 18 Feb, The New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham REP, Birmingham ENTERTAINING ANGELS Amateur pro- SPACE WARS - THE PANTO FIGHTS BACK! duction of Richard Everett’s very Thurs 9 - Sat 11 Feb, Buildwas English comedy, Tues 7 - Sat 11 Feb, Village Hall, Ironbridge, Shropshire Stoke Repertory Theatre, Stoke-on- HER Compelling story of a 15-year- Trent old London girl who inexplicably YOU WIN AGAIN The Story of the Bee finds that conflict has made her an Gees in words and music, Wed 8 alien in her own country, Fri 10 Feb, Feb, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Newhampton Arts Centre, SOME GUYS HAVE ALL THE LUCK: THE Wolverhampton ROD STEWART STORY New theatrical STAN D BY ME A celebration of Ben E production celebrating the career of King and The Drifters, Fri 10 Feb, one of rocks greatest icons, Rod Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Stewart – from street busker through SHE Arena Collaborative Chinese New Year Extravaganza - Wolverhampton Grand Theatre to international superstar! Wed 8 Theatremakers present a drama Feb, Wolverhamtpon Grand Theatre Wolverhampton Grand Theatre COLLATERAL BEAUTY (12a) Drama. which explores what drives us to vio- Starring Will Smith & Edward Norton. FICTION Fuel Theatre present an THE GOON SHOW Birmingham lence when a woman with a dark Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South immersive theatrical experience Comedy Festival and Fred Theatre potential is pushed too far, Fri 10 Shropshire, Mon 6 - Tues 7 Feb which takes place in total darkness Feb, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton present a rare chance to see two classic Spike Milligan radio scripts SILENCE (15) Drama/History. Starring and explores the areas where sleep BEN & HOLLY’S LITTLE KINGDOM on stage, complete with live sound Andrew Garfield & Liam Neeson. and wakefulness meet, Thurs 9 Feb, Musical adventure for young audi- Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton effects and jazz band, Sun 12 Feb, mac, Birmingham, Sun 12 - Thurs 16 ences, featuring games, songs and Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury Feb laughter, Fri 10 - Sat 11 Feb, Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton THE GUIDE TO BEING SINGLE Musical comedy about unlucky-in-love twentysomethings who conclude that the solution to their relationship prob- Dance lems is to stay single... Due to some of the content, this show is recom- SWAN LAKE The Russian State Ballet mended for those over the age of 14, Of Siberia presents its version of the Fri 10 - Sun 12 Feb, Old Joint Stock greatest romantic ballet of all time, Theatre, Birmingham brought to life by Tchaikovsky’s haunting and unforgettable score, HALFWAY TO PARADISE - THE BILLY THE GOON SHOW Birmingham Mon 6 Feb, Wolverhampton Grand FURY STORY Musical which charts the Comedy Festival and Fred Theatre Theatre HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE (12a) present a rare chance to see two Adventure/Comedy. Starring Sam rise to fame of a shy young boy from COPPELIA The Russian State Ballet Of classic Spike Milligan radio scripts Neill & Julian Dennison. Foxlowe Arts Liverpool who became one of Siberia presents the story of the doll- on stage, complete with live sound Centre, Leek, Staffs, Tues 7 Feb Britain's best-loved rock stars. maker Coppelius, whose greatest Timeless hits featured in the show desire is to make a doll with a soul, FRANCOFONIA (12a) include I Will, Jealousy, It's Only Tues 7 Feb, Wolverhampton Grand Documentary/Drama. Starring Louis- Make Believe and, of course, Theatre Do de Lencquesaing & Benjamin Halfway To Paradise, Thurs 9 Feb, Utzerath. Foreign language, subtitles. TELFORD DANCE SHOW Bringing Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South together young talent from various Shropshire, Thurs 9 Feb URSULA Tom Mansfield directs dance schools across the region, Howard Barker’s play, which ‘drives a Tues 7 - Wed 8 Feb, The Place, A SPARKLE OF LIFE (tbc) Drama. dagger into the meeting points of the Oakengates Theatre, Shropshire Starring Kazuko Yoshiyuki & Akira sacred and the profane, the body Takarada. Foreign language, subti- THE RED SHOES Tues 7 - Sat 11 Feb, and the soul’, Thurs 9 - Sat 11 Feb, tles. mac, Birmingham, Fri 10 Feb George Cadbury Hall, University of Birmingham Hippodrome FIFTY SHADES DARKER (18) Birmingham effects and jazz band, Sat 11 Feb, Drama/Romance. Starring Dakota THE FIZZOGS’ SUCK IT AND SEE TOUR mac, Birmingham Johnson & Jamie Dornan. The CALIFORNIA SCHEMING One woman’s Electric Cinema, Birmingham, from poetic narrative about a lifelong fasci- Film Fri 10 Feb nation with America, Sat 11 Feb, INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: A MONSTER CALLS (12a) Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Drama/Fantasy. Starring Sigourney DANCING ABOUT ARCHITECTURE New Weaver & Felicity Jones. Festival play by Kay Wootton which centres BRIDGET JONES'S BABY (15) Drayton Centre, Market Drayton, around a woman and her closest Comedy/Romance. Starring Renée Shropshire, Fri 10 Feb friends as they struggle to figure out Zellweger & Colin Firth. Stourbridge the difference between what they Town Hall, Mon 6 Feb need, what they want, and what they CALAMITY JANE (U) Comedy/Musical. get, Sat 11 Feb, Arena Theatre, Starring Doris Day & Howard Keel. Thurs 9 - Sat 11 Feb, Theatre On The Wolverhampton Wem Town Hall, North Shropshire, Steps, Bridgnorth, Shropshire CHINESE NEW YEAR EXTRAVAGANZA Mon 6 Feb LA BOHEME OperaUpClose present Showcase of Chinese performing PRECIOUS BANE (PG) Drama/History. Robert Norton-Hale's new English arts, featuring ‘the cheerful spirit of Starring John Bowe & Janet McTeer. version of Puccini's magnificent tale the auspicious Lion Dance and awe- Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, of two couples, powerfully evidenc- inspiring contortion’, Sun 12 Feb, South Shropshire, Mon 6 Feb

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Friday 10th February ALL STAR SUPERSLAM WRESTLING 2017 Time: 7.30pm

Saturday 18th February THE BON JOVI EXPERIENCE Time: 7.30pm

Saturday 25th February JACK FROST Time: 3.00pm 3+

Wednesday 1st March CILLA AND THE SHADES OF THE 60’S Time: 7.30pm

Friday 3rd March THE CLONE ROSES WITH SAVANNAH 18+ Time: 7.30pm

Wednesday 8th March VIENNA FESTIVAL BALLET'S CINDERELLA Time: 7.00pm

Friday 10th March THE SUCK IT AND SEE TOUR Time: 7.30pm 14+

Saturday 11th March YOU WIN AGAIN - THE STORY OF THE BEE GEES Time: 7.30pm

Thursday 16th March

DANNY BAKER 14+ CRADLE TO THE STAGE Time: 7.30pm

TWC GP 01053

58 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 6 - 12 Feb - Wolves/Shrops & Staffs NEW.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 16:04 Page 4

thePASSENGERS (12a) listto engage with industry experts Adventure/Drama. Starring on the latest renewable-energy Jennifer Lawrence & Chris Pratt. opportunities, Wed 8 - Thurs 9 Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Feb, Telford International Centre, Shropshire, Fri 10 - Sun 12 Feb Shropshire DENIAL (12a) Biography/Drama. WIZARDS ASSEMBLE - THE BIRM- Starring Rachel Weisz & Tom INGHAM PUB CRAWL Dress up in Wilkinson. mac, Birmingham, Fri your best Harry Potter attire for a SPRING 2017 10 - Thurs 16 Feb pub crawl around some of the MANCHESTER BY THE SEA (15) city’s best venues, Fri 10 Feb, various venues across 3 February, 8pm Drama. Starring Casey Affleck & Aynsley Lister Kyle Chandler. Old Market Hall, Birmingham City Centre Shrewsbury, Fri 10 - Thurs 16 FRIDAY TWILIGHT - A MURDER Tickets: £10 (Adv), £12 (OTD) Feb MOST ROYAL A night of romance, LADY & THE TRAMP (U) intrigue and murder at the court Animation/Adventure. With the of Charles II, Fri 10 Feb, The 9 February, 7.30pm Funhouse Comedy Club voices of Barbara Luddy & Larry Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Roberts. mac, Birmingham, Sat Stoke-on-Trent 11 Feb BONE CHINA FLOWERMAKING Tickets: £8 (Adv), £10 (OTD) SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE (PG) WORKSHOP Join the expert flower- maker and make your own to Drama/Romance. Starring Tom 15 February, 7.15pm Hanks & Meg Ryan. mac, take home, Sat 11 Feb, Gladstone Pottery Museum, LEE NELSON - WORK IN Birmingham, Sat 11 Feb PROGRESS TOUR Stoke-on-Trent THE WIZARD OF OZ (U) Tickets: £15 Adventure/Fantasy. Starring Judy MCM COMIC CON MIDLANDS Garland & Frank Morgan. The Featuring eSports competitions, Electric Cinema, Birmingham, a ‘comic village’ packed with 21 - 25 February, 7.30pm 6.30pm Wed, 2.30pm Thu & Sat Mat Sat 11 - Sun 12 Feb artists and writers, colourful costumes in the Cosplay Burton Amateur Stage Entertainers JACK AND THE BEANSTALK SOME LIKE IT HOT (12) Masquerade and special guests Comedy/Romance. Starring from the worlds of TV and film, Tickets: £12, £11 (Conc) £40 (Family of 4 = 2+2) Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis. Sat 11 Feb, Telford International mac, Birmingham, Sun 12 Feb Centre, Shropshire SPRING WEEKEND CONSERVATION 2 March, 7.30pm Michael George’s TOURS Find out about the special London Varieties conservation work the team have NEW FILMS ON GENERAL Tickets: £14, £13.50 (Conc) RELEASE: been doing over the winter, Sat 11 - Sun 12 Feb, Chirk Castle, nr Released from Fri 10 Feb, show- Wrexham ing at selected cinemas 8 March, 7.30pm BRITISH FLY FAIR INTERNATIONAL European Arts Company 20TH CENTURY WOMEN (15) Featuring over 80 individual Chekov Shorts BILLY LYNN'S LONG HALFTIME WALK exhibitors and the largest selec- Tickets: £10, £8 (Conc), £5 (Student) (15) tion of fly tying materials at any FENCES (12a) UK show, Sat 11 - Sun 12 Feb, Staffordshire County 16 March, 7.30pm FIFTY SHADES DARKER (tbc) Showground Thank You For the Music Presents THE SPACE BETWEEN US (tbc) The Ultimate Tribute to CHARLOTTE'S WEB HALF-TERM Abba THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE (tbc) TRAIL Step back in time to the 1950s with this themed outdoor Tickets: £20 trail, Sat 11 - Sun 19 Feb, Croft Castle, nr Leominster 18 March, 8pm PIRATE AND PRINCESS WEEK Tom Allen & Suzi Ruffell Events Featuring a treasure hunt, Hit the Road CBeebies character meet-and- greets and a host of pirate and Tickets: £12, £10 (conc) CRAFTPLAY EXPLORERS Discover, princess activities, Sat 11 - Sun play and create with your child. 26 Feb, Alton Towers, Staffs For children up to the age of five, 4 & 5 April, 7pm Tues 7 Feb, Bilston Craft Gallery, Theatre Ad Infinitum: Wolverhampton Bucket List PROFESSOR EDWARD GREGSON Tickets: £12 plus ‘bring a friend for free’ LECTURE AND WORKSHOP World- renowned British composer Professor Edward Gregson talks 7 April 7pm about his iconic works for brass At Burton Town Hall Bee Gees Fever band and conducts selected extracts with the Conservatoire Tickets: £18 (Adv), £20 (OTD) Brass Band, Tues 7 Feb, St Paul's Church, Birmingham Box ofﬁce: MIND BODY SPIRIT FESTIVAL LLANGOLLEN More than 60 stalls 01283 508100 offering alternative therapies, psychic one-to-one readings, BOOK ONLINE AT complementary healing, medi- www.brewhouse.co.uk umship and more, Tues 7 Feb, TOY COLLECTORS FAIR Explore 550 Brewhouse Arts Centre, Royal International Pavilion, stands filled with all kinds of for- Union Street, Burton-upon-Trent, Llangollen sale collectables from the UK’s Staffordshire DE14 1AA ENERGY NOW EXPO 2017 Bringing leading dealers, Sun 12 Feb, together farmers, landowners NEC, Birmingham and other rural business owners

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Monday 13 - Sunday 19 February

thelistBirmingham Feb, The Place, Genting Arena, Birmingham HIDDEN CHARMS + THE Oakengates Theatre, Gigs Classical Music RH COMEDY Thurs 16 Feb, The BAY RAYS Thurs 16 Telford, Shropshire Roadhouse, Birmingham Feb, Hare & Hounds, WORD OF MOTH Fri 17 BLOOD & REALITY SLAP Birmingham Feb, Arena Theatre, THOMAS TROTTER LUNCHTIME ORGAN TANYALEE DAVIS, CHRIS MARTIN, JAMES Mon 13 Feb, The CONCERT Programme includes works DOWDESWELL Thurs 16 Feb, The LOYLE CARNER Thurs Wolverhampton Rainbow Venues, by J.S Bach, C.P.E Bach, Ginastera, Bramall, Birmingham Birmingham 16 Feb, O2 Institute, THE KILLERZ Sat 18 Schumann & Liszt, Mon 13 Feb, ANDREW BIRD, JOHN MOLONEY & Birmingham Feb, The Roadhouse, Birmingham Town Hall LADYHAWKE Mon 13 COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY SAM JACKSON & THE Birmingham Feb, O2 Institute, MARIAM BATSASHVILI IN RECITAL ROBINSON Thurs 16 Feb, The Glee STRUGGLES, ED GEATER, QUADROPHENIA NIGHT Birmingham Programme includes works by Club, Birmingham DAME & HOSANNAH Featuring The Atlantics Bach/Busoni, Händel/Liszt & Mikel MILES JUPP Fri 17 Feb, Theatre Thurs 16 Feb, Hare & and DJ Drew Stansall Urquiza, Mon 13 Feb, Birmingham Severn, Shrewsbury Hounds, Birmingham (The Specials), Sat 18 Town Hall BON GIOVI Fri 17 Feb, Feb, O2 Academy, Birmingham GAMELAN ENSEMBLE Annual Dome con- The Robin, Bilston cert featuring traditional music of THE RED LEMONS Fri 17 IVOR & LYN'S CLASSIC Indonesia, Mon 13 Feb, The Bramall, - Sat 18 Feb, The Jam ROCK DISCO Sat 18 Birmingham House, Birmingham Feb, Route 44, Birmingham STEVEN OSBORNE: RACHMANINOV SOPHIE ELLIS BEXTOR Featuring Alexander Vedernikov (con- Fri 17 Feb, O2 THE BOSS UK Sat 18 ductor), Steven Osborne (piano) & the Institute, Birmingham Feb, The Sugarmill, City of Birmingham Symphony Stoke-on-Trent Orchestra. Programme includes works CATHOLIC ACTION Mon IN THE CARDS Fri 17 WHITESNAKE UK Sat 18 by Rachmaninov & Tchaikovsky, Wed 13 Feb, The Sunflower Feb, Eleven, Feb, Eleven, 15 - Thurs 16 Feb, Symphony Hall, Lounge, Birmingham Sandyford, Stoke-on- Trent Sandyford, Stoke-on- Birmingham LEWIS & LEIGH Mon 13 Trent DAN SPIRRETT NONET: OF MICE AND MEN Feb, Kitchen Garden PAUL CARRACK Fri 17 NIBBS & EDDY Sat 18 Featuring Dan Spirrett Cafe, Birmingham Feb, Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent Feb, Havana Republic (saxophone/compositions), Josh TERRORSAURS, KINGS Bar and Restaurant, Schofield (alto saxophone), Vittorio JONATHAN PIE Fri 17 Feb, Birmingham OF HONG KONG, HANZO BARRY STEELE AS ROY Shrewsbury Mura (baritone saxophone & bass clar- Town Hall & X-RAY CAT TRIO Tues ORBISON Fri 17 Feb, ELKIE BROOKS Sat 18 inet, Alex Stride (trumpet/flugelhorn), JOSIE LONG Fri 17 Feb, The Old Rep 14 Feb, The Flapper, Stafford Gatehouse Feb, Birmingham David Sear (trombone), Daniel Theatre, Birmingham Birmingham Theatre Kemshell (guitar), Jacky Naylor Town Hall JAMES COOK, JOHNNY CANDON & SALLY- CASH (PAYIN' RESPECT (piano), Sam Ingvorsen (double bass) TRIVIUM Tues 14 Feb, ANNE HEYWARD Fri 17 Feb, Jongleurs, TO THE MAN IN BLACK) BUSTED Sat 18 Feb, & Gwilym Jones (drums), Thurs 16 O2 Institute, B’ham Birmingham Fri 17 Feb, O2 O2 Academy, B’ham Feb, Birmingham Conservatoire BARBARA DICKSON Tues AHIR SHAH & BILAL ZAFAR Fri 17 Feb, Academy, Birmingham PERSEPHASSA Featuring directors Nick 14 Feb, Theatre The Glee Club, Birmingham Severn, Shrewsbury THE MACHINE RAGES ON Petrella & Adrian Spillett & percussion- Fri 17 Feb, The ists from CBSO & Birmingham DANA ALEXANDER, ANDREW BIRD, SEAN ALPINES Tues 14 Feb, Roadhouse, B‘ham Conservatoire. Programme comprises PERCIVAL & JOHN MOLONEY Fri 17 - Sat Hare & Hounds, Steve Reich's Music for Mallet 18 Feb, The Glee Club, Birmingham Birmingham SIGALA Fri 17 Feb, O2 Institute, Birmingham Instruments, Voices & Organ plus LLOYD GRIFFITH, SEAN MEO, ANDREW LITTLE COMETS Wed 15 Iannis Xenakis' Persephassa, Fri 17 RYAN & GEOFF BOYZ Fri 17 - Sat 18 JESSARAE Fri 17 Feb, Feb, O2 Institute, Feb, Birmingham Conservatoire Feb, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham Birmingham O2 Institute, B’ham ULTIMATE 40 - UB40 CITY OF LONDON SINFONIA: THE DEVIL’S DALISO CHAPONDA, MARVYN DICKINSON, SPRING KING Fri 17 TRIBUTE Sat 18 Feb, COLIN BLUNSTONE & VIOLIN Programme includes works by GEORGE RIGDEN, DAMION LARKIN & Feb, The Sugarmill, The River Rooms, BAND Wed 15 Feb, The Vivaldi, Grainger, Piazolla, Locatelli, COMIC TBC Sat 18 Feb, Regent Stoke-on-Trent Stourbridge Robin, Bilston Copland, Nocturne & Vivaldi, Fri 17 Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent LEANN RIMES Fri 17 LET'S HANG ON Sat 18 THE BIG WOLF BAND Feb, Alington Hall, Shrewsbury School MARK WATSON, JOE LYCETT, JONNY COLE Feb, Symphony Hall, Feb, Theatre Severn, Wed 15 Feb, The Jam ODYSSEUS PIANO TRIO Featuring Sara & WAYNE BEESE Sat 18 Feb, Birmingham Shrewsbury House, Birmingham Trickey (violin), Gregor Riddell (cello) Brierley Hill Civic Hall THE HUT PEOPLE Fri 17 TEGAN AND SARA Sat THE SHERLOCKS Wed & Clare Hammond (piano). JAMES COOK, JOHNNY CANDON & Feb, Wem Town Hall, 18 Feb, O2 Institute, 15 Feb, The Sugarmill, Programme includes works by Haydn THANYIA MOORE Sat 18 Feb, North Shropshire Birmingham Stoke-on-Trent & Beethoven, Fri 17 Feb, The Barber Jongleurs, Birmingham THE BON JOVI Institute, Birmingham THE CLASSIC ROCK BREABACH Fri 17 Feb, EXPERIENCE Sat 18 ROFL COMEDY CLUB Sat 18 Feb, The SHOW - THE A-Z OF Theatre Severn, FLUTE CHOIR & CLARINET CHOIR Feb, The Place, Old Post Office, Burton-upon-Trent ROCK Wed 15 Feb, Shrewsbury Featuring Alex Chantrell (flute choir Oakengates Theatre, JUSTIN MOORHOUSE Sun 19 Feb, Birmingham Town Hall conductor) & Natasha Sofia (clarinet Telford choir conductor), Sun 19 Feb, The Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, THE FROE Wed 15 Feb, RED DIRT SKINNERS Sat Barber Institute, Birmingham Shropshire The Red Lion Folk 18 Feb, Birchmeadow SEAN MCLOUGHLIN Sun 19 Feb, The Club, Birmingham Centre, Broseley, Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton RUMOURS OF Shropshire THE CHUCKLE SINGHS, DON BISWAS, FLEETWOOD MAC Wed MIC LOWRY Sun 19 HYDE PANASER, SINDHU VEE & INDER 15 Feb, Theatre Feb, O2 Institute, MANOCHA Sun 19 Feb, The Glee Club, Severn, Shrewsbury Comedy Gigs DAVE BUSBY Fri 17 Feb, Birmingham Birmingham FAIRPORT CONVENTION Havana Republic Bar ARTFUL DODGER Sun Wed 15 Feb, The TOM STADE, JAVIER JARQUIN, MICKEY and Restaurant, 19 Feb, Hare & Place, Oakengates SHARMA & LAURA LEXX Tues 14 Feb, Shrewsbury Hounds, Birmingham Theatre, Telford The Glee Club, Birmingham THE PINK FLOYD SHOW AJ TRACEY Sun 19 Feb, FOUR YEAR STRONG ROSS NOBLE Wed 15 Feb, Stafford Fri 17 Feb, Theatre On O2 Institute, B’ham Theatre Thurs 16 Feb, O2 The Steps, Bridgnorth, Gatehouse Theatre Academy, Birmingham South Shropshire TONY O'MALLEY Sun 19 LEE NELSON Wed 15 Feb, The Feb, Henry Tudor NORTHANGER ABBEY Tim Luscombe’s WILLE AND THE BANDITS DREAMS OF FLEETWOOD Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon- House, Shrewsbury staging of Jane Austen’s Gothic paro- Thurs 16 Feb, The MAC Trent Fri 17 Feb, The dy, Mon 13 - Wed 15 Feb, Lichfield Robin, Bilston River Rooms, PALM READER & TOY CHEEKY MONKEY COMEDY Wed 15 Feb, MOUNTAINS Sun 19 Garrick THE SHERLOCKS Thurs Stourbridge The Dark Horse, Moseley, B’ham Feb, The Flapper, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE Joanne 16 Feb, O2 Institute, THE RAT PACK JACK WHITEHALL Fri 17 Birmingham Thurs 16 Feb, Clifton & Michelle Collins star in a new

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Monday 13 - Sunday 19 February

thestaging of the Tony Award-winninglist of JM Barrie’s classic tale, Thurs 16 - musical, which in turn is based on Fri 17 Feb, Prince of Wales Centre, the 1967 film of the same name, Mon Cannock 13 - Sat 18 Feb, New Alexandra JANE ENGLISH: 20B Part autobiogra- Theatre, Birmingham phy, part oral history, 20B is a mov- JAMIE RAVEN LIVE An evening with ing exploration of what home and ‘one of the most viewed magicians in community really mean, and how it the world’, Tues 14 Feb, Regent feels when these things are lost, Fri Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent 17 Feb, mac, Birmingham MACBETH Fred Theatre brings WILDE WITHOUT THE BOY Gerrard Shakespeare's tragedy of greed, lust Logan performs a dramatisation of and betrayal to life in a new and inti- De Profundis, Oscar Wilde's letter to mate production, Tues 14 - Wed 15 his lover, Lord Alfred Douglas, written Feb, mac, Birmingham from his prison cell in Reading Gaol, WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S LONG LOST Fri 17 Feb, Old Joint Stock Theatre, FIRST PLAY (ABRIDGED) The Reduced Birmingham Shakespeare Company present a FRANKENSTEIN Blackeyed Theatre celebration of our cultural heritage - present a brand new version of Mary as seen through the eyes of three Shelley’s Gothic horror, Fri 17 - Sat trainer-wearing Americans, Tues 14 - 18 Feb, Lichfield Garrick Wed 15 Feb, The REP, Birmingham ROMEO & JULIET Youth Theatre pro- ANITA AND ME Dinnerladies actress duction of the greatest love story Shobna Gulati stars in Tanika Gupta's ever told, Fri 17 - Sat 25 Feb, Hall staging of Meera Syal’s much-loved Green Little Theatre, Birmingham novel, Tues 14 - Sat 18 Feb, ALICE IN WONDERLAND Immersion Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Theatre present a ‘larger-than-life’ BRB Cinderella - Birmingham Hippodrome THE BEST THING A Swinging ’60s story musical for younger audiences, Sat of unconditional love, presented by 18 Feb, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Biography/Drama. Starring Julie leading full-mask theatre company WOLF MEAT Wildheart & Lyric bring Dance Andrews & Christopher Plummer. Vamos, Wed 15 Feb, Arena Theatre, their absurdist humour and com- Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Wolverhampton pelling storytelling to an irreverent CINDERELLA Birmingham Royal Ballet Shropshire, Tues 14 Feb THE TEMPEST: FIRST ENCOUNTERS The world of dirty deals and mistaken present David Bintley's enchanting WEST SIDE STORY (PG) RSC presents an edited version of its identity, Sat 18 Feb, Old Joint Stock fairytale, with breathtaking designs Drama/Musical. Starring Natalie festive play, an ideal first experience Theatre, Birmingham by John Mcfarlane, designer of the Wood & George Chakiris. Ludlow of Shakespeare for anyone aged NARVIK A new play with songs which company's famous Nutcracker pro- Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, eight and older, Wed 15 Feb, New tells the story of a Liverpudlian man duction. Wed 15 - Sat 25 Feb, Tues 14 Feb Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme and a Norwegian woman who are Birmingham Hippodrome WHEN HARRY MET SALLY (15) NARVIK A new play with songs which ‘pulled together and torn apart by Comedy/Romance. Starring Billy tells the story of a Liverpudlian man war, as the events of one summer Crystal & Meg Ryan. mac, and a Norwegian woman who are cause ripples across an ocean of Birmingham, Tues 14 Feb ‘pulled together and torn apart by time’, Sat 18 Feb, mac, Birmingham COLLATERAL BEAUTY (12a) Drama. war, as the events of one summer DUMMY A two-person comedy improv Film Starring Will Smith & Edward Norton. cause ripples across an ocean of show featuring Colleen Doyle and Festival Drayton Centre, Market time’, Wed 15 - Thurs 16 Feb, Jason Shotts, Sat 18 Feb, Blue BALLERINA (U) Animation/Adventure. Drayton, Shropshire, Fri 17 Feb Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Orange Theatre, Birmingham Featuring the voices of Elle Fanning GOLD (tbc) Drama/Thriller. Starring THE FIZZOGS’ SUCK IT AND SEE TOUR & Dane DeHaan. Wem Town Hall, Matthew McConaughey & Edgar Sat 18 Feb, Stafford Gatehouse North Shropshire, Sat 18 & Tues 21 Ramírez. mac, Birmingham, Fri 17 - Theatre Feb Thurs 23 Feb SO YOU THINK YOU KNOW ABOUT... SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS (U) Family. JACKIE (15) Biography/Drama. DINOSAURS? Ben Garrod (the TV sci- Starring Kelly Macdonald & Andrew Starring Natalie Portman & Peter entist in Attenborough And The Giant Scott. Edge Arts Centre, Much Sarsgaard. Old Market Hall, Fri 17 - Dinosaur) uses TV film footage and Wenlock, South Shropshire, Mon 13 Thurs 23 Feb photos of his own palaeontological Feb THE GOONIES (12) Adventure/Comedy. dinosaur digs to explain ‘everything LIFE, ANIMATED (PG) Documentary. Starring Sean Astin & Josh Brolin. you ever wanted to know about Starring Jonathan Freeman & Gilbert mac, Birmingham, Sat 18 Feb dinosaurs - and more’... Sat 18 Feb, Birmingham Town Hall DANCING ABOUT ARCHITECTURE New STAND BY ME A celebration of Ben E play by Kay Wootton which centres King and The Drifters, Sun 19 Feb, Gottfried. Ludlow Assembly Rooms, LA LA LAND (12a) Drama/Musical. around a woman and her closest New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham South Shropshire, Mon 13 & Wed 15 Starring Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone. friends as they struggle to figure out SO YOU THINK YOU KNOW ABOUT... Feb Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South the difference between what they DINOSAURS? Ben Garrod (the TV sci- SOUTH PACIFIC (U) Musical/Romance. Shropshire, Sat 18, Sun 19, Tues 21 need, what they want, and what they entist in Attenborough And The Giant Starring Mitzi Gaynor, Rossano & Thurs 23 Feb get, Thurs 16 Feb, Old Joint Stock Dinosaur) uses TV film footage and Brazzi. mac, Birmingham, Tues 14 MOANA (PG) Animation/Adventure. Theatre, Birmingham photos of his own palaeontological Feb Featuring the voices of Auli'i HEAVEN EYES Theatre Sans Frontieres dinosaur digs to explain ‘everything BRIEF ENCOUNTER (PG) Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson. Wem present a staging of David Almond’s you ever wanted to know about Drama/Romance. Starring Celia Town Hall, North Shropshire, Sat 18 gritty story about young people try- dinosaurs - and more’... Sun 19 Feb, Johnson, Trevor Howard. Old Market & Mon 20 Feb; Old Market Hall, ing to find their way in the world, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Hall, Shrewsbury, Tues 14 Feb Shrewsbury, Sat 18 - Sat 25 Feb Thurs 16 Feb, The Old Rep, ONCE UPON A PILLOW FIGHT CASABLANCA (U) Drama/Romance. FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF (12a) Birmingham Contemporary circus company Starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Comedy. Starring Matthew Broderick, IN THE MOTHERHOOD New play by Upswing and Stratford Circus Arts Bergman. Wem Town Hall, North Alan Ruck. mac, Birmingham, Sun 19 Hayley Pepper which journeys into Centre present a playful and interac- Shropshire, Tues 14 Feb Feb the world of competitive parenting, tive pop-up acrobatic performance, Thurs 16 Feb, Arena Theatre, Sun 19 Feb, The Potteries Museum & PEGGY GUGGENHEIM – ART ADDICT (15) CELL 211 (18) Drama/Thriller. Starring Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent Documentary/Biography. Starring Luis Tosar, Alberto Ammann. Foreign Peggy Guggenheim. Foxlowe Arts language, subtitles. Blue Orange WENDY & PETER PAN Split Mask Centre, Leek, Staffs, Tues 14 Feb Theatre, Birmingham, Sun 19 Feb Theatre present a modern adaptation THE SOUND OF MUSIC (U) LA GRANDE ILLUSION (U) Drama/War.

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NEW SEASON NOW ON SALE! SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

BROMANCE NORTHANGER ABBEY FRANKENSTEIN SAT 11 FEB, 7.30pm MON 13 - WED 15 FEB FRI 17 & SAT 18 FEB, 7.30pm 7.30pm, Wed Mat: 2.30pm

DON’T DRIBBLE ON THE DRAGON PETER ALLISS DING DONG MURDER ME ON HIGH! THUR 23 FEB, 2.30pm TUES 14 MAR, 7.30pm FRI 17 & SAT 18 MAR, 7.30pm

INVINCIBLE THE TIGER WHO CAME FOR TEA RORY BREMNER TUE 21 - SAT 25 MAR WED 10 MAY, 1.30pm & 4.30pm WED 24 MAY, 7.30pm 7.30pm, Thurs & Sat Mat: 2.30pm THURS 11 MAY, 10.30am & 1.30pm CHECH OUT OUR WEBSITE FOR FURTHER DETAILS,TO BOOK TICKETS AND TO VIEW THE FULL SEASON BROCHURE ONLINE! The List 13 - 19 February - Shropshire ONLY VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 16:06 Page 4

Monday 13 - Sunday 19 February

theStarring Jean Gabin list& Dita Parlo. Interview the suspects and try to The Electric Cinema, Birmingham, solve this ‘most perplexing mystery’ Sun 19 Feb whilst enjoying delicious food in the magnificent surroundings of Aston Hall, Sat 18 Feb, Aston Hall, B’ham AN EVENING WITH FRANK BRUNO NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Including a four-course dinner, come- Released from Fri 17 Feb, showing at dian, singer and live entertainment, selected cinemas Sat 18 Feb, The H Suite - Edgbaston, THE FOUNDER (12a) Birmingham THE GREAT WALL (12a) BIRMINGHAM INDOOR GRAND PRIX 2017 Featuring heroes of the Rio HIDDEN FIGURES (PG) Olympics, Sat 18 Feb, Barclaycard JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 (tbc) Arena, Birmingham MOONLIGHT (tbc)

Events

CRAFTPLAY EXPLORERS Discover, play and create with your child. For children up to the age of five, Tues 14 Flight Workshops - Enginuity, Shropshire Feb, Bilston Craft Gallery, fairy or an elfin picture, Sat 18 - Sun Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Wolverhampton THE CLASSIC DIRT BIKE SHOW Explore 26 Feb, Biddulph Grange Garden, Stoke-on-Trent several halls packed with traders, TODDLER THURSDAY Learn, play and Staffordshire explore in sessions for under-fives display bikes and more, Sat 18 - Sun SPONGE Dance company Turned On and their parents or carers, Thurs 16 19 Feb, Telford International Centre, NELL GWYN: MORE THAN A MISTRESS? Its Head takes children on a creative Feb, Gladstone Pottery Museum, Shropshire Join costume historian and dress- journey featuring lots of family inter- maker Meridith Towne as she action, Sun 19 Feb, mac, B’ham Stoke-on-Trent WILDERNESS SURVIVAL SKILLS Learn explores the fascinating life of Nell to build dens and light fires in the DUBFREEZE The first major VAG event VERVE POETRY FESTIVAL Birmingham’s Gwyn, Charles II’s favourite and most wilderness, Sat 18 - Sun 19 Feb, of the VW calendar, Sun 19 Feb, first festival of poetry and spoken famous mistress, Sun 19 Feb, The word, Thurs 16 - Sun 19 Feb, Trentham Estate, Stoke-on-Trent Stafford Bingley Hall Birmingham City Centre SNOWDROP TIME Enjoy a walk SNOWDROPS OF SHROPSHIRE A talk by through the Dingle and spot the earli- Eddie Roberts, a local galanthophile est signs of spring, Sat 18 - Sun 19 (a snowdrop expert), Fri 17 Feb, Feb, Dudmaston Estate, Bridgnorth, Sunnycroft, Wellington, Shropshire South Shropshire WIZARDS ASSEMBLE - THE BIRMINGHAM ANATOMY LAB LIVE Anatomist Samuel PUB CRAWL Dress up in your best Piri performs a dissection procedure Harry Potter attire for a pub crawl to showcase healthy and diseased around some of the city’s best ven- internal organs, Sat 18 - Sun 19 Feb, ues, Fri 17 Feb, various venues Cuttle Bridge Inn, Birmingham across Birmingham City Centre WASSAILING AND CAMPFIRE COOKING THE NATIONAL FRANCHISE EXHIBITION It’s time to wake up the new orchard, Showcasing a huge range of national so join in wassail each day at 2pm franchise opportunities for anyone and toast marshmallows over the looking to run their own business, Fri campfire, Sat 18 - Fri 24 Feb, 17 - Sat 18 Feb, NEC, B’ham Moseley Old Hall, Wolverhampton THE 50+ SHOW Show focusing on EXPLORE BELOW STAIRS Explore the four key topics: hobbies & crafts; servants' world, Sat 18 - Sun 26 Feb, health; finance & money; travel, Fri Attingham Park, Shrewsbury 17 - Sat 18 Feb, NEC, Birmingham MAKE AND FLY A KITE Drop-in activity, CRAFTPLAY SATURDAY FAMILY STAY- complete with flight-themed trail AND-PLAYS Create, explore and play around the town, Sat 18 - Sun 26 along with your child using unusual Feb, Blists Hill Victorian Town, materials. For children up to the age Ironbridge, Shropshire of seven, Sat 18 Feb, Bilston Craft FEBRUARY HALF TERM AT DRAYTON Gallery, Wolverhampton MANOR Visit Thomas Land, the 15- STUNTFEST 2017 An afternoon of acre zoo and much more, Sat 18 - ‘awesome’ stunts and displays for all Sun 26 Feb, Drayton Manor Theme the family, featuring some of the top Park, Staffordshire UK stunt drivers and riders, Sat 18 ON THE MOVE Explore the region’s Feb, Santa Pod Raceway, Northants rich transport heritage, from horse VICTORIAN MURDER-MYSTERY DINNER power to land speed records, Sat 18 - Sun 26 Feb, Black Country Living Museum, Dudley FLIGHT WORKSHOPS Build a pneumatic rocket from craft materials and find out more about flight, Sat 18 - Sun 26 Feb, Enginuity Museum, Ironbridge, Shropshire ENCHANTED FOREST WEEK Wear your best elfin hat or fairy wings and follow the Woodland Walk trail. Use your fairy magic to make some enchanted forest crafts, a Victorian

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thelist Monday 20 - Tuesday 28 February House, Shrewsbury a celebration of 50 includes works by Scarlatti, Sofia, Gigs TELEMAN Thurs 23 years of Motown, Sat Classical Music Gubaidulini, JS Bach & Arvo Pärt, Mon Feb, The Rainbow 25 Feb, The Robin, 27 Feb, The Lion Hotel, Shrewsbury Venues, Birmingham Bilston ELSABÉ RAATH IN CONCERT Also featur- BAND OF HORSES Mon HARMONIE BAND KAISER CHIEFS Sat 25 Featuring Geddy ing Robert Markham (piano). 20 Feb, O2 Institute, DAVE SHARP Thurs 23 Feb, Barclaycard Stringer & Joshua Monks (conduc- Programme includes works by Birmingham Feb, Katie Fitzgerald's, tors), Mon 20 Feb, The Bramall, Stourbridge Arena, Birmingham Brahms, Hindemith & Enescu, Tues 28 KINGS OF LEON Mon 20 Birmingham PINEGROVE Sat 25 Feb, Feb, Birmingham Conservatoire Feb, Genting Arena, DAVE MASON'S TRAFFIC JUAN DIEGO FLÓREZ The Rainbow Venues, Featuring Juan Birmingham JAM Thurs 23 Feb, Diego Flórez (tenor) & Vincenzo Theatre Severn, Birmingham CELTIC FIDDLE FESTIVAL Scalera (piano). Programme includes Shrewsbury ETERNAL FEAR Sat 25 featuring Kevin Burke, works by Rossini, Mozart, Puccini, Feb, O2 Academy, Mon 20 Feb, New Vic KARL BLAU Thurs 23 Massenet & Verdi, Tues 21 Feb, Birmingham Comedy Gigs Theatre, Newcastle- Feb, Hare & Hounds, Symphony Hall, Birmingham under-Lyme Birmingham CAMERON FORREST Sat 25 Feb, Havana TOADALLY FREE COMEDY! Mon 20 Feb, PAIGEY CAKEY Mon 20 PET SHOP BOYS Fri 24 Republic Bar and The Blue Orange Theatre, B’ham Feb, O2 Academy, Feb, Barclaycard Restaurant, Birmingham Arena, Birmingham FAT PENGUIN COMEDY Wed 22 Feb, Shrewsbury The Patrick Kavanagh, Birmingham FUFANU Mon 20 Feb, BRIT FLOYD Pink Floyd MIC RIGHTEOUS Sat 25 The Flapper, B’ham tribute show, Fri 24 RUDI LICKWOOD, IAN SMITH & COMEDY Feb, Symphony Hall, Feb, O2 Academy, CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON STEPHEN FEARING Mon Birmingham Birmingham Thurs 23 Feb, The Glee Club, B’ham 20 Feb, Stafford BOXSTOCK - CIGAR BOX Gatehouse Theatre ME FIRST & THE GIMME RICHARD HERRING Thurs 23 Feb, The GIMMES Fri 24 Feb, O2 GUITAR FESTIVAL Sat 25 Old Rep, Birmingham VNV NATION Mon 20 Feb, The Slade Institute, Birmingham ANDY ZALTZMAN Fri 24 Feb, The Slade Feb, The Asylum, Rooms, Rooms, Wolverhampton Birmingham THE SCOPYONS Fri 24 Wolverhampton Feb, The Roadhouse, AN AUDIENCE WITH LESLEY GARRETT KENT DUCHAINE Tues INGRID DAHLE & DAVID JORDAN Fri 24 Birmingham THE ORANGE CIRCUS Tues 21 Feb, The Place, Oakengates 21 Feb, The Jam Feb, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre BAND Sat 25 Feb, Theatre, Telford House, Birmingham THE X FACTOR LIVE Lichfield Guildhall ROB DEERING, DALISO CHAPONDA, NICK TOUR 2017 Fri 24 Feb, ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: MOZART DEAF HAVANA Tues 21 PAGE & WAYNE BEESE Fri 24 Feb, The Genting Arena, JOE & ASHANTI Sat 25 MEETS JOANNA LEE Featuring Victoria Feb, O2 Institute, Lamp Tavern, Dudley Birmingham Feb, O2 Academy, Brawn (harp), Sally Harrop (clarinet), Birmingham Birmingham THE NOISE NEXT DOOR, GEOFF NORCOTT, THE BLOCKHEADS Fri 24 Phillip Brookes (bassoon), Frances TONSTARTSSBANDHT KANE BROWN & COMIC TBC Fri 24 Feb, Feb, The Robin, SIMMERDOWN LOUNGE Moore-Bridger (horn) & David Curtis Tues 21 Feb, Hare & The Comedy Loft, B’ham Bilston Sat 25 Feb, Hare & (conductor). Programme includes Hounds, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham works by Mozart, Joanna Lee & RUDI LICKWOOD, IAN SMITH, JONNY KNOXVILLE HIGHWAY Fri THRILLER LIVE Tues 21 Haydn, Wed 22 Feb, Birmingham PELHAM & COMIC TBC Fri 24 - Sat 25 24 Feb, Forest Arts JIM MORAY Sat 25 Feb, - Sat 25 Feb, Town Hall Feb, The Glee Club, Birmingham Centre, Walsall The Hive, Shrewsbury Wolverhampton Grand MICKEY SHARMA, MARK NELSON & MICKY THE BORN AGAIN THE HEATH QUARTET Programme Theatre DAN PAGE Fri 24 Feb, includes works by Hayd, Bartok & BARTLETT Fri 24 - Sat 25 Feb, Havana Republic Bar BEATLES Sun 26 Feb, PETE KENT Wed 22 Mendelssohn, Wed 22 Feb, The Jongleurs, Birmingham and Restaurant, Hare & Hounds, Feb, The Robin, Barber Institute, Birmingham ROGER SWIFT, PHIL PAGGETT, HARV Shrewsbury Birmingham Bilston CBSO PRE-CONCERT SHOWCASE: SOLO HAWKINS, MOSES ALI KHAN, LOVDEV IDEAL CLUB Fri 24 Feb, OYE SANTANA Sun 26 TOUCHÉ AMORÉ Wed 22 PIANO Featuring Pascal Pascalev & BARPAGA & MASAI GRAHAM Sat 25 Feb, The Sunflower Feb, The Robin, Feb, O2 Academy, Andrey Ivanov. Programme includes mac, Birmingham Lounge, Birmingham Bilston Birmingham works by Scriabin (Pascalev) & ROFL COMEDY CLUB Sat 25 Feb, The SUM 41 Fri 24 Feb, O2 ANDY FAIRWEATHER Brahms (Ivanov), Wed 22 Feb, WILD NOTHING Wed 22 Old Post Office, Burton-upon-Trent Academy, Birmingham LOW AND THE LOW Symphony Hall, Birmingham Feb, Hare & Hounds, RIDERS Sun 26 Feb, COMEDY IN THE MET Sat 25 Feb, Birmingham BARBARA DICKSON Fri Stafford Gatehouse BEETHOVEN AND SCHUMANN Featuring Stafford Gatehouse Theatre 24 Feb, Lichfield Aleksandar Markovi(conductor), WILCOX: HULSE - Theatre THE LAUGHING SOLE COMEDY FOR KIDS Garrick Hisako Kawamura (piano) & the City of BREEZE & WILSON Wed BOWIE EXPERIENCE Sun Sun 26 Feb, mac, Birmingham SOUL LEGENDS Fri 24 Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. 22 Feb, The Red Lion 26 Feb, Theatre KEN DODD Sun 26 Feb, Prince Of Feb, Theatre Severn, Programme includes works by Folk Club, Birmingham Severn, Shrewsbury Wales Centre, Cannock Shrewsbury Janácek, Beethoven & Schumann, DRAKE Wed 22 - Thurs ONE NIGHT IN Wed 22 Feb, Symphony Hall, B’ham JACK WHITEHALL Sun 26 Feb, 23 Feb, Barclaycard MIKE & THE MECHANICS NASHVILLE Sun 26 PETER DONOHOE PLAYS CHOPIN Thurs 23 Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham Arena, Birmigham Sat 25 Feb, Symphony Feb, New Alexandra Feb, The Bramall, The University of SEAN LOCK Mon 27 - Tues 28 Feb, Hall, Birmingham Theatre, Birmingham IAN PARKER & HIS BAND Birmingham Birmingham Hippodrome Thurs 23 Feb, The KEVIN ROWLAND DJ SET SIOBHAN MILLER Sun LELAND CHEN AND JOHN LENEHAN ROB BECKETT Tues 28 Feb, Theatre Robin, Bilston WITH THE ATLANTIC 26 Feb, Hare & PLAYERS Sat 25 - Sun Programme comprises the Beethoven Severn, Shrewsbury, Shropshire HOPSIN Thurs 23 Feb, Hounds, Birmingham 26 Feb, Hare & Kreutzer Sonata and the violin sonata O2 Institute, B’ham Hounds, Birmingham ANGEL Sun 26 Feb, O2 of César Franck, Sat 25 Feb, Ludlow THE GRAHAMS Thurs 23 Academy, Birmingham Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire REACH OUT TO MOTOWN Feb, Henry Tudor JIM MORAY Sun 26 CBSO YOUTH ORCHESTRA: VAUGHAN Feb, Kitchen Garden WILLIAMS' SECOND Featuring Jamie Cafe, Birmingham Phillips (conductor), Steven Osborne RUMOURS OF (piano) & the CBSO Youth Orchestra. FLEETWOOD MAC Mon Programme includes works by Kidane, 27 Feb, Birmingham Britten & Vaughan Williams, Sun 26 Town Hall Feb, Symphony Hall, Birmingham MIKE AND THE LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH MECHANICS Mon 27 THOMAS TROTTER Programme includes Feb, Victoria Hall, works by D. Buxtehude, J.S Bach, Stoke-on-Trent Hindemith, Judith Weir & Dukas, Mon 27 Feb, Symphony Hall, Birmingham RYAN HAMILTON Tues 28 Feb, Hare & BARTOSZ GLOWACKI (CLASSICAL ACCOR- Hounds, Birmingham DIAN) & ROBERT LUFT (ELECTRIC GUITAR): The Grahams - Henry Tudor House WHEN WORLDS COLLID. Programme

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tion presented by the Viv Kelly Youth Theatre Theatre Group, Thurs 23 - Sat 25 Feb, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury CLOSER Staging of Patrick Marber's MORGAN & WEST'S UTTERLY SPIFFING exploration of modern relationships. SPECTACULAR MAGIC SHOW FOR KIDS Age guidance is 16-plus, due to AND CHILDISH GROWN-UPS Fun for all scenes of a sexual nature and strong as Morgan & West mix brainbusting language, Thurs 23 - Sat 25 Feb, Old illusion and good old-fashioned tom- Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham foolery, Mon 20 Feb, mac, B’ham DAVID WALLIAMS’ THE FIRST HIPPO ON BORN OFFENDERS The Young REP THE MOON Les Petits present ‘a fan- Seniors imagine a world were you tastical adventure’ featuring pup- can be criminal from birth, and where petry, music, mayhem and a giant the only thing you've done wrong is space race to the moon... Fri 24 Feb, be born, Mon 20 - Tues 21 Feb, The Stourbridge Town Hall REP, Birmingham CIRCUS OF HORRORS - THE NEVER-END- CIRQUE BERSERK! An evening of thrills ING NIGHTMARE An amalgamation of and skills, combining contemporary bizarre, brave and beautiful acts, cirque-style artistry with adrenaline- woven into an Alice In Horrorland- fuelled stunt action. Featuring over type story, driven by a mainly original 30 jugglers, acrobats, aerialists, soundscape and performed with a dancers, drummers and death-defy- forked tongue firmly in each cheek! ing stuntmen, Mon 20 - Sun 26 Feb, Fri 24 Feb, The Place, Oakengates The REP, Birmingham Theatre, Shropshire A JUDGEMENT IN STONE A brand new SO YOU THINK YOU KNOW ABOUT... staging of Ruth Rendell's classic DINOSAURS? Ben Garrod (the TV sci- thriller, Mon 20 - Sat 25 Feb, New entist in Attenborough And The Giant Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Dinosaur) uses TV film footage and Morgan & West - mac, Birmingham & Stafford Gatehouse Theatre OLIVER! Amateur production present- photos of his own palaeontological ed by M3 Studios, Tues 21 - Thurs 23 dinosaur digs to explain ‘everything amateur staging of Shakespeare’s tunes and sparkly costumes, Fri 24 Feb, Prince of Wales Centre, you ever wanted to know about bloodiest play, Mon 27 Feb - Sat 4 Feb, Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent Cannock dinosaurs - and more’... Fri 24 Feb, Mar, Rose Theatre, Kidderminster THRILLER LIVE Musical celebration Stafford Gatehouse Theatre featuring the hit songs of Michael AMÉDÉE British playwright, director and The Jackson 5, Tues 21 - Sat 25 and comedian Sean Foley (The Play Feb, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre What I Wrote, The Ladykillers) brings Film Eugene Ionesco's surreal comedy to Dance life in a new adaptation. Roxana INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Silbert directs... Fri 24 Feb - Sat 11 NATIONAL DANCE COMPANY WALES A Mar, The REP, Birmingham FINDING DORY (U) triple bill of new work: Profundis, Animation/Adventure. With the voices JACK FROST Jack Frost is brought to Tuplet and The Green House, Tues of Ellen DeGeneres & Albert Brooks. life through puppetry, live music and 21 Feb, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Artrix, Bromsgrove, Mon 20 Feb; ‘enchanting storytelling’, Sat 25 Feb, JAMES WILTON DANCE: LEVIATHAN A Mitchell Arts Centre, Hanley, Stoke- The Place, Oakengates Theatre, cast of seven use choreographer on-Trent, Wed 22 Feb Shropshire James Wilton's trademark blend of MOANA (PG) Animation/Adventure. MY NAME IS... & THIS IS NOT LONDON athletic dance, martial arts, capoeira Featuring the voices of Auli'i Cravalho Double bill of new writing. The sto- and partner work to re-imagine & Dwayne Johnson. Festival Drayton ries of refugees across the world are Herman Melville's seminal novel, Centre, Market Drayton, Shropshire, reimagined, and the concept of Moby Dick, Fri 24 Feb, mac, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Amateur pro- Mon 20 - Tues 21 Feb; Ludlow social security questioned, Sat 25 Birmingham duction presented by MD Amdrams, Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Feb, mac, Birmingham Wed 22 - Sat 25 Feb, Festival ANTON & ERIN Brand new show Mon 20 - Wed 22 Feb Drayton Centre, Market Drayton, WOBBLY WORDS One-man play by the blending smart choreography, sassy North Shropshire renowned education department at the New Vic Theatre. This perform- ALL THE LITTLE LIGHTS Award-winning ance is suitable for children aged 3- new play telling the story of three plus, Sat 25 Feb, Darwin Shopping girls slipping through the cracks in Centre, Shrewsbury at 10.30am & society, Wed 22 - Sat 25 Feb, The The Hive, Shrewsbury at 1.30pm REP, Birmingham THE JUNGLE BOOK Oddsocks bring MORGAN & WEST'S UTTERLY SPIFFING their inimitable humour to Rudyard SPECTACULAR MAGIC SHOW FOR KIDS Kipling’s empowering story, Sat 25 AND CHILDISH GROWN-UPS Fun for all Feb, Lichfield Garrick as Morgan & West mix brainbusting illusion and good old-fashioned tom- THE WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION foolery, Thurs 23 Feb, Stafford The Crescent Theatre Company Gatehouse Theatre presents its version of Agatha Christie’s most celebrated courtroom CHRISTIAN LEE: POP! Magic, mirth and drama, Sat 25 Feb - Sat 4 Mar, The mayhem with the Britain's Got Talent Crescent Theatre, Birmingham 2016 semi-finalist, who's been described as ‘Mr Bean meets Charlie I TOLD MY MUM I WAS GOING ON AN Chaplin’, Thurs 23 Feb, mac, R.E. TRIP A 20 Stories High and Birmingham Contact co-production about young women and abortion, Mon 27 Feb, SOME GUYS HAVE ALL THE LUCK: THE mac, Birmingham ROD STEWART STORY New theatrical production celebrating the career of SISTER ACT Alexandra Burke takes the one of rocks greatest icons, Rod lead in Craig Revel Horwood’s stag- Stewart – from street busker through ing of the much-acclaimed musical to international superstar! Thur 23 comedy, Mon 27 Feb - Sat 4 Mar, Feb, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Wolverhampton Grand Theatre SINGIN' IN THE RAIN Amateur produc- MACBETH The Nonentities present an Anton & Erin - Victoria Hall, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent

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theTHE GIRL ON THE TRAINlist (15) MUM’S LIST (12) Starring Emma Suárez & Adriana Feb, Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton- Drama. Starring Rafe Drama/Mystery. Starring Emily Blunt Spall & Emilia Fox. mac, Ugarte. Foreign language, subtitles. upon-Trent & Haley Bennett. Stourbridge Town Birmingham, Tues 21 & Thurs 23 Feb Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek, Staffs, GET GEOCACHING Explore Attingham Hall, Mon 20 Feb ME BEFORE YOU (12) Drama/Romance. Tues 28 Feb as you hunt for hidden geocaches JASON BOURNE (12a) Action/Thriller. Starring Emilia Clarke & Sam Claflin. around the grounds, Wed 22 Feb, Starring Matt Damon & Tommy Lee Forest Arts Centre,Walsall, Thurs 23 NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Attingham Park, Shrewsbury Jones. Edge Arts Centre, Much Feb STORYTELLING AT BLAKESLEY HALL Wenlock, South Shropshire, Mon 20 Released from Fri 24 Feb, showing at TOP CAT BEGINS (U) Animation/Family. selected cinemas Storytelling for three to eight-year- Feb With the voices of Jason Harris & olds. Join in with A Squash And A MANCHESTER BY THE SEA (15) Drama. Ben Diskin. mac, Birmingham, Thurs HACKSAW RIDGE (tbc) Squeeze, a fun-filled rhyming tale by Starring Casey Affleck & Kyle 23 Feb DENIAL (12a) the author of The Gruffalo, Wed 22 Chandler. Ludlow Assembly Rooms, KUNG FU PANDA 3 (PG) RULES DON’T APPLY (tbc) Feb, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham South Shropshire, Mon 20, Wed 22, Animation/Action. With the voices of SING (U) THE V-BOMBERS AND AIRFIX - KITS AND Fri 24 & Sat 25 Feb Jack Black & Angelina Jolie. mac, THE COLD WAR Airfix researcher THE WHITE KING (12a) LITTLE MEN (15) Drama/Family. Birmingham, Fri 24 Feb Simon Owen gives a free talk on the Starring Greg Kinnear & Jennifer PASSENGERS (12a) Adventure/Drama. different ways the V-bombers, kitted Ehle. Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek, Starring Jennifer Lawrence & Chris by Airfix, were developed, and how Staffs, Tues 21 Feb Pratt. Wem Town Hall, North Cold War aircraft have shaped the BALLERINA (U) Animation/Adventure. Shropshire, Fri 24 & Tues 28 Feb brand and the world, Wed 22 Feb, RAF Cosford, Shropshire Featuring the voices of Elle Fanning LION (PG) Drama. Starring Rooney Events & Dane DeHaan. Festival Drayton Mara, Nicole Kidman & Dev Patel. BIRD WATCHING FOR BEGINNERS: Centre, Market Drayton, Shropshire, Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, Fri 24 - GETTING READY FOR SPRING Find out Tues 21 Feb; Ludlow Assembly what to look and listen out for in Tues 28 Feb FEBRUARY HALF-TERM FUN Including Rooms, South Shropshire, Thurs 23 - springtime, and how to identify differ- arts and crafts, bug hunting and Sat 25 Feb HELL OR HIGH WATER (15) ent bird species, Wed 22 Feb, story trails, Mon 20 - Fri 24 Feb, Crime/Drama. Starring Ben Foster & Carding Mill Valley & The Shropshire CALAMITY JANE (U) Comedy/Musical. Chris Pine. Edge Arts Centre, Much Birmingham Botanical Gardens Starring Doris Day & Howard Keel. Hills Wenlock, South Shropshire, Mon 27 MAKE A GLIDER IN ENGINUITY’S FAB LAB Mitchell Arts Centre, Hanley, Stoke- HALF-TERM CRAFT: ANIMAL MASKS Feb Create gliders from plastic using the on-Trent, Tues 21 Feb WORKSHOP Create your own animal 3D printer and vinyl cutter to make A MONSTER CALLS (12a) masks as part of Blakesley Hall's ani- THE JUNGLE BOOK (PG) stick-on decals, Mon 20 - Fri 24 Feb, Drama/Fantasy. Starring Sigourney mal-themed half term, Thurs 23 Feb, Adventure/Drama. Starring Neel Enginuity Museum, Ironbridge, Weaver & Felicity Jones. Ludlow Blakesley Hall, Birmingham Sethi, with the voices of Bill Murray & Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Shropshire Ben Kingsley. mac, Birmingham, WIZARDS ASSEMBLE - THE BIRMINGHAM Mon 27 Feb AIRFIX MAKE AND TAKE Featuring mod- Tues 21 - Wed 22 Feb PUB CRAWL Dress up in your best els both for seasoned model makers JULIETA (15) Drama/Romance. Harry Potter attire for a pub crawl and those new to Airfix, Mon 20 - Fri around some of the city’s best ven- 24 Feb, RAF Cosford, Shropshire ues, Fri 24 Feb, various venues CASTLE QUEST Featuring a series of across Birmingham City Centre characters and clues, Mon 20 - Sun CREATIVE BADGES WORKSHOP Make 26 Feb, Tamworth Castle your own badges using the museum HALF-TERM CRAFT: ANIMAL POM POMS badge-making machine, Fri 24 Feb, WORKSHOP Learn how to make pom Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, poms and turn them into animals, Birmingham Tues 21 Feb, Blakesley Hall, 999 EMERGENCY DAY Does your Birmingham youngster love playing pretend BUILD A BIRD BOX WORKSHOP Give police? Are they a fan of Fireman nature a helping hand and make a Sam? Emergency vehicles will be on bird house for our feathered friends, display outside the museum, with Tues 21 Feb, Attingham Park, hands-on activities taking place Shrewsbury throughout the day, Fri 24 Feb, Soho ALL THAT GLITTERS KIDS WORKSHOP House, Birmingham Make your own treasured piece of RACE RETRO Diverse motorsport event jewellery from old junk and recycled featuring ‘stunning displays, high- materials, Tues 21 Feb, Museum of octane live action’ and the chance to the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham drive a classic car around a specially FLIGHT THEMES DROP-IN CERAMIC designed route, Fri 24 - Sun 26 Feb, WORKSHOPS Sculpt a flying creature Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth from air-drying clay, Tues 21 - Thurs BACKSTAGE TOUR: FAMILY Discover the 23 Feb, Coalport China Museum, nr rarely seen backstage areas of the Ironbridge, Shropshire theatre, as The REP invites you to be FEBRUARY HALF-TERM ACTIVITIES Take an audience member, a set builder, a a 45-minute heritage boat trip and prosthetics maker or an assistant get creative with the wintry weather- stage manager, Sat 25 Feb, The REP, themed craft activities, Tues 21 - Fri Birmingham 24 Feb, Dudley Canal Tunnel and ODYSSEIA THE PARASAUROLOPHUS Limestone Mines Meet Captain Jon Voyage and his HALF-TERM POTTERY PAINTING Paint a beautiful dinosaur, Odysseia the piece of pottery to take home, Tues Parasaurolophus. Help the captain 21 - Sat 25 Feb, Gladstone Pottery as he attempts to return Odysseia to Museum, Stoke-on-Trent the land that time forgot, Sat 25 Feb, The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, CARAVAN, CAMPING AND MOTORHOME Stoke-on-Trent SHOW 2017 Featuring tents and com- pact campervans, luxurious THE GUITAR SHOW Perfect for guitar motorhomes and caravans, Tues 21 - enthusiasts, with live performers on Sun 26 Feb, NEC, Birmingham stage and a wide range of exhibitors in attendance, Sat 25 - Sun 26 Feb, STOP MOTION WORKSHOP - MYSTICAL New Bingley Hall, Birmingham BEASTS Make mystical and magical beasts from scratch and use them to create a stop animation film, Wed 22 66 whatsonlive.co.uk Walsall College - January '17.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 16:37 Page 1 Peach Tree (FP- February 2017).qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 09:46 Page 1