Birmingham Cover Online.Qxp Birmingham Cover 26/02/2016 14:03 Page 1

Birmingham Cover Online.qxp_Birmingham Cover 26/02/2016 14:03 Page 1

Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands Birmingham ’ Whatwww.whatsonlive.co.uk sOnISSUE 363 MARCH 2016 BARBARA NICE’S EASTER FUNNYAT THE GLEE

inside:

Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide

Mary Poppins Magic and madness as West End musical flies into Birmingham Hippodrome grand_whatson FP MAR:Layout 1 18/02/2016 16:50 Page 1

Great Theatre at the Grand!

MON 11 - SAT 16 APR SUN 17 APR MON 18 - WED 20 APR PASHA KOVALEV IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU

THE NEW STAGE SHOW FOR 2015/16 DERREN BROWN MIRACLE

THU 21 APR FRI 22 APR SAT 23 APR AND FINALLY... PHIL COLLINS

An Evening With Des O’connor

SUN 24 APR TUE 26 - SAT 30 APR MON 2 - SAT 7 MAY

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Box Office 01902 42 92 12 Book online at www.grandtheatre.co.uk Contents March Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 12:46 Page 2

March 2016

Contents

Mary Poppins - West End musical flies into the Midlands. Read the feature page 19

Trainspotting Natty Barbara Nice the list

sex, drugs and audience Release The Fear at the funny and full of Easter promise your 16-page participation at mac O2 Academy at The Glee Club week-by-week listings guide page 8 page 14 page 22 page 51

inside:

4. First Word 11. Food 14. Music 22. Comedy 26. Theatre 36. Film 42. Visual Arts 44. Events

@whatsonbrum fb.com/whatsonbirmingham Birmingham What’s On Magazine Birmingham What’s On Magazine

Editorial Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 ’ Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 WhatsOn Matt Rothwell [email protected] 01743 281719 MAGAZINE GROUP Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Ryan Humphreys [email protected] 01743 281722 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Heather Kincaid, Helen Stallard, Katherine Ewing 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 March Birmingham Only.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 12:47 Page 1

First Word

Photography event showcases Brum as a key UK destination A brand new photographic event is being launched in the Midlands this month. Capture Birmingham provides members of the general public with the chance to celebrate the world of photography through a series of exhibitions, photo walks and workshops. The new initiative is run by the team behind The Photography Show - which takes place at the NEC at the same time - and aims to position the city as a key UK destination for photography. The event is designed to appeal to anybody interested in photography, from seasoned professionals through to people who simply like looking at and appreciating inspiring images. Any organisations or individuals hosting a related event in or around Birmingham during the weekend can submit their details to capturebirmingham.org and become part of the Capture Birmingham programme. The event takes place at various venues across the city on 19 & 20 March.

Banged up in the Library of Brum The Drum appoints new writer in residence Birmingham intercultural arts centre The Drum has appointed playwright, producer and director Tennexa Freeman as its writer and producer in residence. Tennexa, who began writ- The Library of Birmingham is this month offering visitors ing at the age of 15, tak- the chance to find out what it’s like to be banged up in ing a break to complete a Festival celebrates the prison. Between Tuesday 1 and Saturday 12 March, the degree in international ‘Irish spirit’ Centenary Square venue will host a replica cell, built to business management at government regulations and housing two ‘prisoners’. the Telford School of Birmingham’s ever-popular St Patrick’s Day Visitors can either observe the prisoners through the win- Business, has enjoyed Parade is once again taking place in Digbeth dow or enter the cell to chat with them - asking questions previous theatrical suc- this month (Sunday 13 March). about their lives, their sentences, and how prison affects cesses with the plays The theme of this year’s procession, ‘The them. Although the two prisoners are performers, both are Babymothers and Irish phoenix rising from the flames of dias- former inmates who’ve served time in Her Majesty’s pris- Bashment Housewives. pora’, will celebrate ‘the famous Irish spirit, ons. She’s currently working heritage and journey throughout the years’. Commenting on the Go To Jail project, Saul Hewish, who on various projects which Funding for the parade, which no longer works for Rideout, a co-developer of the initiative, said: will be released through- receives financial support from Birmingham “Unless you've actually ‘served time at Her Majesty’s pleas- out the year. City Council, is being raised via an official ure’, it’s hard to imagine what life is really like for those launch party, taking place at the Macdonald incarcerated in our over-crowded prisons. Go To Jail allows Burlington on Friday 4 March. The evening people to see the reality, and hear real stories from those includes a two-course meal and live enter- who've served sentences.” tainment from The Holy Show band. Go To Jail is open in the Library of Birmingham from For tickets to the fundraiser, visit stpatricks- Tuesday 1 to Saturday 12 March (closed Mon and Sun) birmingham.com/product/launch-party-tick- between 11am and 4pm at The Gallery (Floor 3). Admission ets is free and no appointment necessary.

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Entertainment news from around the region

Award-winning Arts Council funding brings show stops off at Cosmic Birds to The Old Rep International Dance Festival

An award-winning show about A major exhibition by renowned Japanese artist Muslim-American women is visiting Shun Ito will be on display at this year’s Birmingham as part of a UK tour. International Dance Festival Birmingham - Dirty Pakistani Lingerie, which inter- thanks to a £38,500 investment from Arts weaves the stories of six Muslim- American females aged between Council England. six and 65, is being performed at The exhibition, entitled Cosmic Birds and com- the city’s Old Rep theatre by prising 20 mechanical sculptures, will be avail- Aizzah Fatima, who also wrote the able to view at the city’s disused 1930s show. Municipal Bank building, from Tuesday 3 to Commenting on the production, Friday 20 May. Aizzah said: “I felt as if I was sur- rounded by all these amazing The sculptures will be exhibited alongside a women who had remarkable sto- new installation entitled CELLS. The new com- ries to tell, and who just happened mission, created especially for the festival, will to be Pakistani Americans. There’s be made in Birmingham by the artist. a human side to the experience of A new performance piece, inspired by the being a Muslim American woman sculptures and combining contemporary music that’s completely missing in the and dance, will also be produced. media, completely missing in the types of characters we see on tele- International Dance Festival Birmingham takes vision and in film and theatre.” place at various venues throughout the city Dirty Pakistani Lingerie will be per- from 1 to 22 May. formed on 2 March at The Old Rep - alongside works in development from West Midlands theatremakers - as part of the venue’s New Work Nights programme. The evening has been designed to City Of Colours returns bigger and showcase work by female writers Shh! It’s a and theatremakers in the lead up secret... brighter for 2016 to International Women’s Day 2016. The highly acclaimed A festival which transforms the Digbeth area of Birmingham into a Birmingham Opera colourful outdoor art gallery is making a welcome return in sum- Company is this month mer 2016 - thanks to a £35,000 investment from Arts Council presenting a new version England. of Henry Purcell’s Dido & City Of Colours first took place in 2014, attracting more than 8,500 Aeneas, the only com- people. The 2016 version of the event is adding music stages, b plete opera written by the boys, spoken word performances, and dance, music and photog- composer during his raphy workshops into its mix. short lifetime. Commenting on the recently acquired funding, City of Colours’ The production - which managing director, Becci Wright, said: “We’re absolutely delighted features baritone Eric to have been successful with our application to the Arts Council - Greene and mezzo sopra- without it, the event just wouldn’t be possible. no Chrystal E Williams “The festival provides an incredible opportunity for the city’s Team GB takes (both pictured below) artists and performers to showcase their work, while giving alongside 100-plus volun- younger people a chance to participate and learn new skills. on Japan teer actors, dancers and “City of Colours is about bringing different cultures from across the city together, in one big weekend celebration of urban culture Birmingham is this month hosting chorus members - is Great Britain’s first-round tennis being performed from 18 and the arts. The event is also important for Digbeth, as it sup- match in the 2016 Davis Cup. to 23 March at a currently ports regeneration, with increased footfall to the area and lots of The tie takes place at the top secret Birmingham beautiful artwork on display to the public all year round.” Barclaycard Arena from 4 to 6 location. Keep an eye on City Of Colours takes place in Birmingham’s Digbeth area on March and sees the Aegon GB Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 June. Davis Cup Team take on Japan. birminghamopera.org.uk Commenting on the fixture, GB to find out more... team captain Leon Smith said: Tickets can be booked via “Birmingham is a city with a great the website or by ringing sporting history that’s hosted some 0121 246 6634. incredible Davis Cup ties in the past. Japan will be a tough con- test, but I’m sure the Birmingham fans will get right behind us and make as much noise as they can.”

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First Word

All shook up! Award-winning musical heads to Brum You’re ’avin a laugh! A Tony Award-winning West End musical is set to leave What’s On’s new column Midlands audiences ‘all shook up’ when it visits looks at the comedy cir- Birmingham this autumn. cuit from the perspective Inspired by real events, Million Dollar Quartet tells the of a local comic... story of how Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley were brought together for an Sausage rolls, traffic alerts impromptu jam session in Memphis in 1956. and the M6! There's more to The show includes more than 20 legendary rock’n’roll comedy than the glamour of hits, including Blue Suede Shoes, Hound Dog, I Walk applause and encores, The Line and Great Balls Of Fire. y’know... The production runs at Birmingham Hippodrome from Each week, hundreds of Monday 24 to Saturday 29 October. comedians set out across the country in cars and on trains to stand on stages and entertain their audiences. From CBSO appoints Small Heath to Scunthorpe, BMAG to host Arts they live for one thing - to new Director Council Collection make you laugh! But before the glitz and Lithuanian conductor Birmingham Museums Trust has been glamour of 30-day tours and Mirga Gražinyt -Tyla has awarded £600,000 to bring to the Champagne baths (I can been appointedė Music Midlands the Arts Council Collection, only imagine!) comes the Director of the City of the UK’s most widely seen collection seemingly endless grind of Birmingham Symphony of modern and contemporary art. writing and perfecting mate- Orchestra (CBSO). The grant will allow the Trust to host rial to comedy club stan- Gražinyt -Tyla will take over and curate new exhibitions from the dard. theė post from Andris Collection over the next three years. Clubs such as The Glee host Nelsons in September for an Commenting on the news, the four different comedians initial three-year period. Director of Birmingham Museums Trust, Dr Ellen McAdam, said: each weekend - unsung She made her debut with “This is an enormously prestigious programme and a great coup for heroes of the comedy world. the CBSO in July 2015. Birmingham Museums. We look forward to showcasing Arts Council And make no mistake, every Commenting on her Collection’s outstanding contemporary art alongside Birmingham’s comedian you’ve ever heard appointment, she said: “I own internationally important collections.” of - from rising star Joe felt so at ease working with Birmingham Museums Trust is one of only four National Partners for Lycett to long-in-the-tooth the Orchestra at the CBSO the Collection. Lee Evans - has paid their Centre and at Symphony The exhibitions will include eight new commissions, produced as part dues on the comedy circuit. Hall, and I can't wait to get of the Collection’s 70th anniversary programme. Stars of TV they may be, but started and to call these that doesn't stop them from venues my homes too. I am making the occasional wel- also very excited about Nick Sharratt lined up to appear at come return to the club cir- working with the CBSO fam- cuit where it all began... ily, including its brilliant Bournville Children’s Bookfest Throughout the year, The choirs led by Simon Halsey, Birmingham’s only children’s book festival makes a welcome return Glee welcomes back special and getting involved with its next month. ‘mystery guest performers’, extensive learning and par- This year’s Bournville BookFest features more than 80 events taking well-known comedians ticipation programme, both place in 13 different venues across the city. who’re busily honing new locally and further afield. I Festival contributors include bestselling authors Nick Sharratt (Shark material to TV and arena believe we will be a great In The Park), Jeremy Strong (My Brother’s Famous Bottom) and Korky standard. team and really look for- Paul (Winnie The Witch). Crime writer Sophie Hannah (The So visit The Glee and expect ward to making music Monogram Murders) shares her secrets for successful plotting, while the unexpected - you never together.” one of the masterminds behind the original Dr Who series explains know who might pop in! Gražinyt -Tyla’s artistic how to write TV scripts. There’s also a selection of free events for chil- plans with theė CBSO range dren with special needs. Commenting on the event, festival director by Adam Jaremko from Mozart and Haydn to and founder Sarah Mullen said: “Bournville BookFest 2016 is going to 20th century classics and be full of fresh ideas, laughter, music and fun. We have something for Joe Lycett works by living composers. everyone, from musical story sing-alongs for babies to Gangsta Full details of the CBSO’s Granny drama workshops and poetry rap for older children. 2016-17 concert season will “Bournville BookFest 2016 is a wonderful chance to get excited about be announced in April 2016. storytelling in every form.” The festival takes place at venues across the city from 18 to 20 March. Tickets are on sale at bournvillebookfest.com

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whatsonlive.co.uk 7 Trainspotting DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 15:38 Page 1

FEATURE SEX, DRUGS AND AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

a daring new production of Trainspotting bursts into Birmingham

Twenty years after Irvine Welsh's here, participants - can expect to just 70 minutes, it gets straight to cult classic, Trainspotting, made enter into a 10-minute rave, with the point, cutting out the final heist its big-screen debut, Kings Head glowsticks handed out in place of sub-plot, among other elements. and In Your Face Theatre are re- tickets. As the story unfolds, they'll “There was one very nice restaurant viving the edgy stage adaptation be absorbed into its scenes, playing scene in the movie and the book that pre-dates the movie by two a crucial role in the telling of the with a character called Alison years. But this is much more than tale. which we were sad to lose,” says just a rehash of the hedonistic “The audience are part of the show Greg, “but I think we've got it down story you know and love: in- - it couldn't exist without them,” to the perfect journey now. It keeps stead, In Your Face are living up continues Adam. “At any time, they the audience's attention and fin- to their name with a full-on, im- play numerous characters, provide ishes at just the right time, and any- mersive and daring production challenges, take part in a bit of thing else would probably take touring round unconventional crowd-surfing, and get splattered away from it.” UK locations. Supported by mac with bodily fluids.” Birmingham and definitely not Behind all the fun there's a serious for the faint-hearted, the show Not real ones, we hope(!), but those message: this isn't the sort of show drops in to Digbeth from 24 who know the story will already be to sugar-coat any pills. The drop- March. thinking of certain moments - ping of the original, outlandish What’s On recently spoke to di- Spud's bedsheets, for example, and ending places greater emphasis on rectors Adam Spreadbury-Maher the infamous toilet scene. Better the tough reality the characters (Kings Head) and Greg Esplin (In choose your clothing wisely then: face, with Renton and Sick Boy Your Face) to find out more. there'll be no hiding on the back given the chance to go clean in the row here, since the show won't be aftermath of their friend Tommy's “Some people like to sit in a theatre appearing in a conventional theatre death. In this way, the directors and feel safe somewhere they could setting. In Brum, performances will hope to present a positive message fall asleep, but that isn't what this take place in Digbeth's Rainbow that will resonate with young peo- show is,” says Adam. “It's not for Venues as part of mac Birming- ple today. the kind of person who likes to drop ham's ‘mac in the city’ programme. into a Bill Kenwright tour of a musi- “Maybe drugs of choice change,” cal that's been on for 10 years. This “Taking the show to a new venue is ventures Adam. “There are a lot is for the kind of person who goes to so exciting for us. Normally, I more synthesised drugs on the mar- live gigs and arthouse films, who wouldn't go out with a touring ket now - but patterns of addiction likes to trail-blaze and be involved show, I'd just put an assistant on it, are the same, and people still re- in something genuinely new and in- but with this, we have to adapt to lapse and OD even after recovery, so teresting - someone who wants to the environment we find ourselves I think the story is timeless. We feel something in their gut and in in, so there's an opportunity to re- wanted to tell it in a way that cap- their heart. That's why we're so ex- make the show in a bespoke way for tured the hedonism and the love af- cited about bringing it to Birming- every single location.” fair this motley crew of people had ham and having this partnership Another key difference from stan- with heroin in the ’80s, but also to with mac, because they have that dard stage shows is that this pro- show that there’s a way to stop.” kind of audience.” duction breezes through the plot in If the slightest whiff of moralising Audiences - or perhaps more aptly a little over an hour. Condensed to 8 whatsonlive.co.ukwww.whatsonlive.co.uk Trainspotting DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 18:24 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

makes you nervous, it's worth noting behind after the show to thank the “That's what makes this such a spe- that Irvine Welsh himself has given whole cast, because her son is going cial piece of theatre - it reaches out the show his unreserved approval - a through the exact same thing, and into so many areas,” says Adam. quote from the writer claiming that it she said that everyone needs to see “You've got film and music and liter- shocked even him has been widely it,” says Greg. ature and theatre. It's beautifully used as part of the show's publicity. balanced.” In addition to co-directing, Greg also “He's been so supportive off his own plays the part of Tommy, making this Greg agrees: “It's sort of a meeting of back,” says Greg. “He's always on a unique and exciting collaboration the movie and the novel, so it's got Twitter and Facebook, doing every- that blends together two very differ- all the favourite scenes that everyone thing he can. We invited him along It’s sort of a ent approaches. The production wants to see, but it's not a glorifica- but we didn't know exactly when he meeting of began as an In Your Face project, tion of drugs. We're not dancing was coming, and when he did, he until Greg turned to Adam for his around the subject.” stayed behind to speak to everyone the movie help in developing it further. ‘‘ “Though there is something about and he couldn't have been a nicer and the “Adam's a much more experienced the style of the play that does cele- guy.” novel, so director than myself, and he's sort of brate that period in the ’80s,” Adam “He said himself that he'd put it away, it’s got all grabbed it by the scruff of the neck interjects. “When everyone starts but we've kind of reintroduced it to the and reshaped it,” he explains. “I taking E, the first hit is so much fun,

him as well,” adds Adam. “I think it mostly let him lead, but if there's like any drug experience, but eventu- must be quite exciting for a writer to favourite anything we need to discuss, we'll ally things come crashing down. It is see that something they wrote 20 scenes that get together after a show.” a gritty production: there's needle

years ago can still be changing the use and sexual violence and fecal everyone “I think Greg's strength is that he's lives of young people. That tells you matter and babies dying. It does an actor as well,” says Adam. “I that it's a different class of art.” wants to what it says on the tin: it is trainspot- come from a more text-based back- ‘‘ ting, no doubt about it. Welsh isn't the only person to have of- see, but it’s ground, having only ever been a di- fered unexpected support. So far, the not a glori- rector, so I'm learning a lot about an show's audiences have been more var- fication of actor's process. It means we have an ied than you might imagine, ranging the drugs. outside perspective and an inside from curious youngsters with no prior view as well, which is really valu- Trainspotting shows at knowledge of the story, to the biggest able.” The Rainbow Venues, Digbeth, from Trainspotting fans, and even parents For this pair, fusion is the name of 23 March until 2 April, with a 16+ age with their own grown-up children. restriction. the game: as well as joining together Expect full frontal nudity, strobe light- “We've found a lot of parents want to their distinct directing styles, they ing, strong language, drug/needle use bring their kids, I guess because they also pride themselves on the genre- and scenes of a violent and sexual na- want them to learn from the mistakes bending nature of their production. ture. of their generation - to say, look, it It may be fun, but it doesn't flinch starts good, but it ends really badly,” from portraying anything dark or Tickets are available from the mac Birmingham box office on says Adam. gruesome, and its creative team cer- 0121 446 3232 tainly aren't afraid of making bold “In Edinburgh, we had a mother stay decisions.

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Food

It’s a deal! MasterChef winner joins Inaugural foodie awards for Brum

forces with Debenhams A new event celebrating Birmingham’s food and drink scene is set to launch in the summer. A MasterChef winner is set to Chi Kitchen. I love that they The inaugural Birmingham Food, Drink & Hospitality Awards cer- bring a taste of Malaysia to the share my approach to food and emony - taking place at Edgbaston Stadium on Monday 6 June - is heart of Birmingham. dining, which is serving fresh being organised by the team behind the Birmingham Awards, in Ping Coombes, who won the ingredients in a warm and invit- partnership with Delicious PR. popular TV show in 2014, has ing environment. Asian cuisine Commenting on the new event, Delicious PR’s MD, Anita signed a partnership deal with is obviously my favourite type of Champaneri, said: “Brum has already raised the bar high, and Pan-Asian restaurant Chi food - it can be simple yet so with so many diverse and unique offerings, competition will be Kitchen. flavoursome and delicious. I fierce. I’m sure the knives will come out as the battle commences Ping will be creating her own have lots of new ideas, so I can’t to be crowned winner of each category.” menu for the Debenhams-based wait to get started.” For further information and to nominate a restaurant, bar, pub, Bullring eatery. To book a table at Chi Kitchen hotel or individual, visit www.thebfdhawards.co.uk Commenting on her new deal, Birmingham, visit Ping said: “I am very proud to http://www.chikitchen.co.uk announce my involvement with

REVIEW: Simpsons, Edgbaston with sweet carrot and sharp passion fruit. Fresh, sophisticated and flawless The stand-out dish for me was the pre-dessert, a tiny pot of refreshing citrus jelly topped with a lemongrass cream, citrus sorbet and little meringue kiss- es, brought to the table by the chef who made it. It preceded the final event, a chocolate tart topped with aerated chocolate - posh Aero, in other words - and a soufflé studded with rice pudding and rhubarb. The chefs are making happy food - we were given pick-and-mix to take away; candy-striped bags of homemade marshmallow, fudge and jellies. Fine-dining restaurants can often try a little too hard, making it impossible to relax, but not here. The sommelier loves his subject, and our waitress gig- Every so often, if you’re lucky, a space that sits happily within A deep-fried ball of pork confit gled with delight as she offered food experience can pep you up, the Grade II listed Victorian came atop what can only be our desserts; who knew that restore your wellbeing and take building. Think Danish design described as piggy popcorn: airy pudding could bring such joy? you beyond the day-to-day. with beautifully crafted white flavour explosions that I may Simpsons is fresh, sophisticated, Simpsons, the Edgbaston-locat- oak tables and hand-blown never recover from (in a good flawless. Helen Stallard ed, Michelin-starred stalwart, glass; there’s even a tree in the way). The tapenade bread twist managed that with spades on dining room. The restaurant is was so exquisitely honed that I Food: n n n n n our visit. fresh and contemporary without wanted to applaud. Crispy duck Service: n n n n n From the moment we stepped a hint of stuffiness - the epitome egg with cep and truffle was a Ambience: n n n n n through the door, we were of modern luxury. feat of engineering: a perfectly Overall value n n n n n embraced into a cocoon of hos- But obviously we’re here for the liquid yolk perched atop a pool OVERALL n n n n n pitality by attentive but unobtru- food - and what food it is, full of of mushroomy cream, spilling its sive staff, all of whom exuded technical skill and lightness of contents to create an oozy, rich, joy and genuine pride in their touch. You can choose from the savoury sauce... Simpsons Restaurant, work. They’re part of something a la carte menu (£55 for three And so it continued: next up was 20 Highfield Rd, special - and it shows. courses) or, like we did, the lobster with citrus fruit ‘caviar’ Edgbaston Simpsons has recently had an eight-course tasting menu (£85 a (actually tapioca) followed by Birmingham, extensive refurbishment. The head) with flight of wines (£65 a duck with toasted grains, the B15 3DU Tel: 0121 454 3434 result is an airy, modern dining head). Be prepared for a treat. dense but tender meat offset whatsonlive.co.uk 11 FOOD March - Region Brum - Brian.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 14:55 Page 3

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Food

New venue for pie man Birmingham street food vendor Pietanic has launched a kitchen resi- dency at the city’s Sunflower Lounge. Pietanic owner Jay Jones is serving up his handmade gourmet pies at the live music venue from Tuesdays to Saturdays. The new menu also features a range of snacks and sharers, including a frazzles scotch egg and a A gourmet journey around Resorts World charcuterie board. For more information, visit As the latest addition to ciously simple appetiser of and cream served with rich www.pietanic.co.uk/ Birmingham’s growing leisure ‘sweet and sour French fries’ - fruit compote - is worth a visit offering, Resorts World prides green beans lightly fried in alone. For a dessert with It’s all about the gin... itself on providing ‘an unri- tempura batter - to the exquis- added punch, try the Fragole valled choice of shopping, itely presented flame-grilled E Fragolino at £5, a delicious The UK’s biggest gin festival is com- dining and entertainment, all chicken skewer with Asian mix of fresh strawberry pieces ing to the Midlands this autumn. under one roof’. chimichurri, grilled to topped with sparkling Italian Gin Festival Birmingham will offer First stop on the evening’s absolute perfection on the red wine. visitors the opportunity to sample culinary tour was The World open charcoal. For a show- Rounding off the evening was over 100 different varieties of gin, Bar, to sample a selection of stopping main course packed a visit to The Sky Bar, a venue learn about the history of ‘Britain's its globally sourced cask craft full of authentic Thai flavour, nothing short of show-stop- favourite spirit’, meet industry and IPA ales. The venue is I recommend the ‘Whole ping in every aspect. With experts and enjoy live music.“We poised somewhere between Grilled Gilt Head Bream in effortlessly stylish interiors, absolutely love gin,” says Jym Harris, upmarket brew house and Banana Leaf with Ginger and an outdoor terrace boasting who founded the festival with his inner-city gastro-pub. Ale Lime’ - a speciality ‘from the incredible views of the wife, Marie, “so we started these connoisseurs and amateur Pacific Rim’ - beautifully ten- Birmingham skyline, an unri- events because we thought other peo- drinkers alike are sure to der, fragrant, oozing fresh- valled drinks menu and a ple would want the same as us. We’ve appreciate its relaxed yet ness and, at £22, not at all highly skilled team of expert been overwhelmed by the positive sophisticated surroundings, unreasonable. mixologists on hand to talk reception, and it’s been fantastic to not to mention its impressive Special mention must also go you through the signature Wu see so many people rediscover this and carefully thought-out to the chef’s unique variation Xing five elements cocktails amazing drink.” For more informa- pairing of ales with a selec- on the classic Pad Thai, a menu, this is a venue truly tion, visit www.ginfestival.com tion of tempting tapas-style fiery concoction of glass rice worthy of a world city. For the ‘beer foods’ (including rose- noodles, Asian string vegeta- ultimate five-star dining expe- mary popcorn, jalapeno pret- bles, Tofu and shrimp pieces. rience, try the Chef’s Table zel pieces, waffle dogs and A perfect stop-off point for nine-course taster menu at nachos with Brooklyn fondue, after-work drinks, a romantic £65 per head. to name but a few). If you’re evening for two or a light Whether it’s a pre-gig drink struggling to make a decision, lunch with friends, Bottega sampling one of The World I’d recommend the Seasonal Prosecco Bar is a must for Bar’s 40-strong artisan craft Beers tasting menu, priced at lovers of authentic ales, a post-work Prosecco at £20 for six bottles - a fun and Mediterranean street food. Bottega served with Venetian- relatively inexpensive way to Boasting an extensive choice inspired tapas, or a special- sample a selection of interna- of Venetian-inspired anti- occasion dinner at Robata, tionally sourced beers, many pasti, sharing platters and enjoying one of their mouth- of which cannot be found on sweet treats alongside a watering Pan-Asian inspired Vegan delight... the high street. bespoke menu of premium grills, Resorts World offers the For a sophisticated dining Prosecco, wines and signature ultimate ‘all-in-one’ solution Birmingham’s second Vegan Beer & experience with added flare, I liquors, what sets Bottega for affordable fine dining with Food Festival will take place in the wholeheartedly recommend a apart from the average high an international flavour. As summer. The event made its debut visit to The Robata Bar & Grill. street chain is its carefully the first complex of its kind to last year at the Gunmakers Arms pub Perfectly positioned to make considered pairing of food open in the UK, this as yet in Bath Street and will return to the the most of the stunning lake- and drink, which - in tradi- hidden gem in Birmingham’s venue on 15 & 16 July. The festival’s side setting, and stylishly fur- tional Italian style - is best culinary crown is deserving of selection of vegan beers will include nished to a minimalist brief, enjoyed together. With pair- the success that’s sure to brews made by Halesowen’s Angel the venue takes its name from ings starting from just £8, it’s come its way, bringing with it Ales & Fixed Wheel Brewery, the Japanese ‘robatayaki’ also surprisingly affordable a welcome taste of Las Vegas Stourbridge’s Green Duck Brewing cooking method of slow- given its location. The Italian glamour and cosmopolitan Company and Walsall’s Beowulf grilling over hot charcoal. cheese plate with honey and sophistication to the UK’s sec- Brewing Company. Hockley’s Two Described as ‘a fusion of sorrento walnuts comes high- ond city. Towers Brewery, which reopened the European, Australasian and ly recommended at £8, whilst Katherine Ewing Gunmakers Arms last year, will also Pan-Asian cuisine’, sample the panna cotta with biscotti - contribute an ale. dishes ranged from the deli- a delectable infusion vanilla whatsonlive.co.uk 13 Music - March - Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 12:48 Page 1

Gigs

Adele Genting Arena, Birmingham, Tues 29 - Wed 30 March & Fri 1 - Sat 2 April Adele's soulful sound has captivated audiences worldwide. Her debut album, 19, was released in 2008 and is certified seven times platinum in the UK and double platinum in the US. Her second offering, 21, saw her spend longer at number one than any other female artist in the history of both the UK and US album charts. It was also the fourth best-selling album of all time in the UK. Arguably one of the music industry’s most iconic stars, Adele has a hugely impressive 88 awards under her belt, including BRITs, Golden Globes and Grammys. She’s also produced six UK top 10 singles, including Bond movie theme Skyfall, Someone Like You and Rolling In The Deep. The global superstar is now back with a third studio album, 25, and her first tour in four years.

Gwyneth Herbert Emmy The Great The Glee Club, Birmingham, Fri 18 March O2 Institute, Birmingham, Sat 19 March Hong Kong-born acoustic guitar singer Emma-Lee Moss became a well-respected musician on the folk circuit following collaborations with Lightspeed Champion and Fyfe Dangerfield, and festival appearances at Glastonbury, Latitude and Green Man. She released debut album First Love in 2009, ranking at number seven on the New York Times’ Albums Of The Year list. Second album Virtue, fuelled by the last- minute breakdown of an engagement, followed three years later... This current tour comes in support of Moss’ third album, Second Love, Award-winning composer and lyricist released on the 11th of the month.

Gwyneth Herbert is well known for her strik-

ingly original performances. Initially hailed

for her interpretation of jazz and swing stan dards, she’s now a well-established composi Natty tion and music theatre writer. O2 Academy, Birmingham, Wed 16 March Based in North London, singer-songwriter Herbert recently spent a month in Kenya col Natty is best known for his top 20 debut album, Man Like I, which was released back lecting lullabies, sharing songs in shanty- in 2008. town schools and staging large, multi-tribe After a seven-year wait, he’s now making a return with highly anticipated second album storytelling happenings under the Mombasa Release The Fear, released on his independent record label Vibes And Pressure. This stars. new future-roots concept album promises to She visits the Glee as part of her current tour. take its listeners on a journey through love, redemption, self-identity and unity. 14 whatsonlive.co.uk Music - March - Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 12:48 Page 2

Gig previews from around the region

Clint Mansell Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Wed 23 March

Best known for his collaborations with director Darren Aronofsky, acclaimed British composer Clint Keston Cobblers Club wholesome grittiness of traditional folk’. Mansell has scored soundtracks for Having recently supported folk legends numerous films - including Black Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, Wed 9 March Bellowhead on their farewell tour, they now Swan, Requiem For A Dream and The Folk quintet Keston Cobblers Club released embark on a headline tour of their own, in Fountain - and will here perform a debut album One, For Words back in 2012. support of new album Wildfire. selection of his most familiar works. They produce a distinctive and unique Signed copies are available to buy from their His band, pianist Carly Paradis and sound which derives from ‘a desire to create website, www.kestoncobblers.club, while Sonus Quartet also contribute. contemporary, catchy music fused with the stocks last.

Roving Crows Stiff Little Fingers Peter Hook & The Light Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 26 March The Robin, Bilston, Tues 1 March The Copper Rooms, Coventry, Fri 4 March Roving Crows are a Celtic folk fusion band based in Worcestershire and This punk rock group from Belfast haven’t This English rock band were formed in 2010 Herefordshire. had the smoothest of careers. They started by former Joy Division and New Order Since forming in 2009, they’ve out as a schoolboy band called Highway bassist Peter Hook. Hook is joined by Jack released three full-length albums, Star, doing rock covers until they discovered Bates on bass, David Potts on guitar, Andy including Bacchanalia (2012) and punk. After six years and four albums, they Poole on keyboards and Paul Kehoe on Deliberate Distractions (2013). split up, reforming five years later in 1987. drums. They’ve also won numerous awards Lead singer Jake Burns is the only member The band here perform New Order’s third along the way, including Best Folk to have been with the band throughout. and fourth albums - Low Life and Act at Exposure Awards 2011 and Despite major personnel changes, 2014 saw Brotherhood - as well as an opening set of Band Of The Year in the Fatea Music the release of their 10th studio album, No Joy Division material. Awards 2014. Going Back. Expect a fast-paced, high-energy performance from this talented four- piece.

Janet Jackson Barclaycard Arena, Wed 30 March Now here’s a woman who needs no introduction. The sister of late pop legend Michael Jackson, Janet is best known for her sexually provocative records and elaborate stage shows, as well as for multiple television and movie roles spanning the last 30 years. She visits Birmingham with her Unbreakable World Tour.

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Classical Music

Frontiers Festival Angela Hewitt Birmingham Conservatoire, The Barber Institute, Birmingham, Fri 4 - Fri 18 March Wed 9 March “The Frontiers Festival is all about the Angela Hewitt was only three years of age when new and the inventive,” explains Artistic she began her piano studies, giving her first pub- Director and Birmingham Conservatoire lic performance just one year later. It seems fair to graduate Rosie Clements. “It’s about mix- assume this early-years ivory tinkling was a posi- ing up some of the great creative forces in tive experience both for her audience and for current contemporary music with fasci- Angela herself, given the enthusiasm with which nating and stimulating emerging talent she’s since developed her truly phenomenal drawn from the Conservatoire’s classical, piano-playing talent. jazz and composition students. The Although born in Canada, she’s been a UK resi- Teaser Day on Sunday the 6th is a great dent for 30 years and travels extensively, appear- introduction to the festival, and there are ing with major orchestras throughout Europe, the many other events across the two weeks Americas and Asia. to challenge and excite.” This intimate Barber concert, presented as part of Rosie’s certainly right about that. the venue’s Piano Festival, includes renditions of Highlights of this brand new event - a Schubert’s Moments musicaux, D780, Beethoven’s two-week celebration of creative, experi- Sonata No. 17 in D minor, Op. 31, No. 2, ‘Tempest’, mental and boundary-pushing new music and Haydn’s Fantasia in C, Hob. XVII:4, Op. 58. - are certainly not difficult to find. Guest artist Gavin Bryars stages a performance of some of his rarer works, composer, vocalist and songwriter Anna Palmer presents Treading Water - a col- University Women’s Choir Ex Cathedra: laboration of music, movement and visual art that celebrates the ‘gothic wonder’ And Birmingham Easter with Bach of Moseley Road Swimming Baths - and University Singers St Philip’s Cathedral, Birmingham, pianist and composer Hans Koller (pic- Sat 19 March; Symphony Hall, tured below) premieres a new commis- Bramall Music Building, Birmingham Birmingham, Fri 25 March University, Sat 12 March sion which draws together the worlds of contemporary classical and jazz music. Liturgical choral music is the order of the Other highlights include a solo drum con- day in this Simon Halsey-conducted concert cert, a collaborative Sufi-inspired project, that brings together two award-winning a performance by jazz master Stan choirs. Alongside Howells’ Magnificat and Sulzmann with the Birmingham Nunc Dimittis ‘Collegium Regale’ and Fauré’s Conservatoire Jazz Orchestra, and an ini- Requiem, the choirs also perform Vaughan tiative which brings together classical and Williams’ Five Mystical Songs, a setting of jazz musicians in a work combining com- four poems by 17th century Welsh-born position, improvisation and chance ele- English poet and Anglican priest George ments. Herbert. Third year student Matthew Hayden is the baritone soloist for the piece.

A favourite at Eastertide, Bach’s St John Passion, a re-telling of Christ’s betrayal and death, continues to be one of classical music’s most pro- found experiences. The work is here performed by the Ex Cathedra Consort and Baroque Orchestra under the direction of conductor Jeffrey Skidmore. And Skidmore picks up the baton again later in the week as Ex Cathedra present a Good Friday performance of Bach’s St Matthew Passion, widely considered to be among the most powerful and moving of sacred works.

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whatsonlive.co.uk 17 BHAM LGBT (Are you Positive) F/P.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 18:07 Page 1 Mary Poppins DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 12:59 Page 2

FEATURE by Heather Kincaid

Mary Poppins “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun” Magic and madness as Mary Poppins flies into Birmingham Hippodrome

It's over 50 years since Walt Disney's take on PL Travers’ classic story of a magical nanny first captured the hearts of families around the world. Now firmly ce- mented in popular imagination, Mary Poppins has won over generations with her spoonfuls of sugar, magic umbrella and bottomless carpet bag. But as anyone who's seen the film Saving Mr Banks will know, the creator of the iconic character was rather less than impressed with Disney's saccharine-sweet adaptation of her stories. Her vision of Mary Poppins was as a much more hard- nosed figure, fighting to win round the kind of materially spoilt but under-nur- tured trouble-makers that most of us will recognise - a far cry from the misunder- stood angels in the movie. Embarking on a new UK tour for 2016 that stops off at Birmingham Hippodrome in the spring, Cameron Mackintosh's acclaimed stage production aims to strike a balance between the two. “I think the show is a mixture of the film and the PL Travers books,” explains Zizi Strallen, who will follow in her big sister Scarlett's footsteps by playing the title role. “Anyone who's read them will know that in the books, Mary Poppins is a stricter nanny, more of a disciplinarian, and the kids are really badly behaved by comparison. I'm quite feisty at the beginning, and then I start to soften towards the end.” Nevertheless, this isn't to suggest that Julian Fellowes' reworking of the story is in any way downbeat. Though partly inspired by the real-life figures which are a dark blot on many childhoods, Mr Banks’ own monstrous nanny, Miss Andrew, is more pantomime vil- lain than genuine horror. Moreover, there's perhaps a greater satisfaction to be derived from the Banks family's resolution of genuine problems. Mary Poppins’ triumph here is to draw out courage and kindness from very vulnerable people, not only preventing unfortunate adults from inflicting their mis- ery on their children, but encouraging them to see their kids as offering a clean slate - an opportunity to find happiness themselves. Continued overleaf... whatsonlive.co.uk 19 Mary Poppins DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 14:42 Page 3

FEATURE

‘‘ If you say it loud enough, you'll always sound

“My mum read the books to me and my sis- chines. Those who know a little about the There's masses of stuff to be shifted, from ters when we were younger,” says Strallen, show might already have heard whispers of the two-ton nursery, 25 flying elements and “so I was always very aware of that side of its spectacular finale. For those who 58 motors used to suspend the set and the story, and I think it gives the show a re- haven't, we'll refrain from spoiling any- equipment, right down to carefully organ- ally good journey.” thing, but suffice to say there's flying in- ised make-up sets and multiple chimney Worcester-born Maria Garrett, who’s per- volved... brushes. Most of this will be transported in forming in the ensemble cast, agrees: “I feel “The Saturday matinees are my favourite,” 18 trailers, each 45ft long. Electrical equip- like the film focuses more on Mary and Bert, says Garrett, “because that's when all the ment, including smoke machines, haze ma- whereas the musical takes you on this jour- kids come with their mums and their dads, chines, foggers, followspots and 97 moving ney with the family, and really shows the and you can just see their faces light up lights, takes up two of these alone. Since importance of how George and Winifred when they see Mary flying - it's so magical!” much of it runs on rechargeable batteries, Banks come together as a family unit at the “It feels amazing,” adds Strallen, “and the it's down to the electrics department to end.” audience just love it because it's so well make sure everything is always fully charged. There's no sense of throwing the baby out done. Because I have so much to do in the with the bathwater either: this is a show- show, it's actually quite a nice little rest for “This is the biggest touring show in Eu- stopping, super-sized musical retaining all me when I get to fly, and we have a brilliant rope,” says White, “so moving it is such a the Sherman Bros' irresistible tunes, along team that makes me feel very safe.” military operation. Everything is labelled with the odd addition here and there. As Mary Poppins’ production manager, Neil beyond belief.” Strallen's favourite is the poignant Feed The White, explains, the most important person This is, of course, before we've even come to Birds, while Garrett prefers the energy of Su- travelling with a show on this scale is the wigs and costumes. According to White, the percalifragilisticexpialidocius (‘Supercal’ health and safety advisor, who performs three washing machines and four tumble for short): “It's really exhilarating,” she checks after every performance, including dryers that tour with the production get says, “especially when we do the reprise be- between matinee and evening shows. Atten- through roughly as much laundry in a week cause all the audience tends to clap along tion to detail in every aspect of the produc- as does an average family household in a and join in.” tion is key to ensuring things are year. Each day, two people arrive at 8am to Then there's the larger-than-life look of the “practically perfect in every way”, inspiring start on washing and ironing, and members film, beautifully reimagined for the stage a sense of wonder in big kids and little ones through elaborate sets and some truly spec- alike. tacular effects. Intricately hand-painted “Everything looks as good up close as it backdrops have the charming, sketchy qual- does out front,” White continues. “Cameron ity of storybook illustrations, as though the Mackintosh is a whirlwind when he visits: action has burst into life directly from the he can spot a moustache out of place or a page. The Banks’ three-dimensional home light that isn't quite right. A member of the is pulled out, spun around and opens up to creative team watches every show and reveal different rooms at the front and back; writes a report of it, so that standards never the upper floor nursery and the bank are slip. It really keeps you on your toes!” separate sets entirely. In Jolly Holiday, a In the two or three days before opening at a drab black-and-white palette suddenly ex- new venue, a huge crew of 100-plus people plodes into colour, while numerous chim- works around the clock in two shifts to get neys fill the stage for Chim Chim Cher-ee, everything ship-shape and ready for action. each with their own individual smoke ma-

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precocious, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! ” of the wardrobe department will spend hours tender age of nine, is excited about getting to from 8am until about 11pm, leaving just darning stockings. Clean costumes are stored grips with the dancing. enough time to get a bit of sleep in before in an extensive ‘Quick Change Village’, where “I used to come to the Hippodrome every Sat- they're up and doing it all over again. every character has their own section with urday because I was a Junior Associate of “It's not a show where anyone has an easy three sets of each of their outfits. Of course, Birmingham Royal Ballet,” she explains. “It's ride,” says White. “It's exhausting, but every some of these, such as the chimney sweep great to be doing this show because I've time you do a show like this, everyone is re- costumes, never stay clean for very long - a known the choreography of people like ally proud to get people in to see it.” special spray called Dirty Down is used to get Matthew Bourne and Stephen Mear for years, As Mary herself would suggest, all you have things grubby without causing lasting dam- so it's exciting to finally be performing their to do is, “find the fun and - snap! - the job's a age. work.” game”. Luckily, there are plenty of people to “You spend so much time getting things A stepping up of the dance moves for Mary share the pressure, and by all accounts, over clean and then a lot of it has to be deliber- and Bert is just one of the many changes that the course of the full year they spend to- ately dirtied up again!” White laughs. have taken place since Mary Poppins’ last gether, the whole team ends up pretty close. For such an energetic show, getting the tour, so even if you've seen the show before, “Unlike when you just do a show in London, clothes right is essential: they must be flexi- there should still be some surprises this time on a touring production we're like a second ble enough for dancing and able to withstand round. family,” says White. “You get to know how a lot of wear and tear, as well as always look- everyone works. In a lot of touring shows, the “It never stops evolving,” says White. ing fantastic. ensemble casts are cut down, so you might “Cameron's not just about money - he's about have about eight people on stage. In this, Strallen is particularly pleased with hers: making great theatre. The audience is getting there are 30. People in Birmingham are es- “They've all been made for me, which is a return on every penny they pay to see it, sentially getting a West End show without lovely because everything fits me really well. and it's such a nice thing in this industry having to pay a ridiculous price to go to Lon- I do have to wear a corset and a bustle under- when you know you're not short-changing don and see it.” neath my skirt because it's all very traditional anyone.” and true to the Edwardian period, but my For Garrett, the trip back up to Birmingham In addition to the main cast, there are two clothes are comfortable enough that I can is likely to spark a few fond memories of her understudies for every adult role (the parts of move and dance and fly and slide up a ban- time both as an audience member and as a Jane and Michael are each shared between nister in them. It's a joy to wear them.” budding performer. seven to eight young actors), as well as six For Strallen, who’s a fully trained dancer swings (understudies who prepare several “It’s fun getting to travel round the UK doing with experience of working on the likes of roles) on hand to fill in any gaps in the en- what I love, but the Hippodrome's so special Matthew Bourne's Car Man, there'll be even semble. Each swing has 19 sets of costumes, because that's where it all started for me. We more dancing than in previous runs of the shoes and hats, ready to jump into any scene used to go to the old-fashioned sweet shop show. at short notice. just across the road from the theatre to “Zizi is such a strong dancer that they've in- choose our favourite sweets every Saturday “A production like this couldn't function creased all the choreography for Mary,” says after ballet, so I'll definitely be going back without the swings,” says White. “Their White. “Matt [Lee, who plays Bert] is brilliant there!” brains are just amazing - they know all the too. It's things like this that keep it really parts.” fresh.” It's hard to exaggerate the huge demands a Garrett, who trained at Harlequin Stage production like this places on every member Mary Poppins shows at Birmingham School and played a small part in BRB's of the cast and crew. Even after the 72-hour Hippodrome from Wednesday 9 March Giselle at Birmingham Hippodrome at the set-ups, on matinee days, they'll be working until Saturday 23 April.

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Comedy

Bridget Christie Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Thurs 17 March; mac, Birmingham, Tues 22 March; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Thurs 28 April Bridget Christie describes herself as ‘a female person’ and ‘the only stand-up to have been billed alongside both Lionel Blair and Naomi Wolf’. Married to fellow laughter merchant Stewart Lee since 2006, Bridget’s gags include: “Every vagina is a unique snowflake... made of gam- mon”, and “Feminism isn’t a fad. It’s not like Angry Birds. Although it does involve a lot of angry birds. Bad example.” Bridget’s latest touring show promises to answer a wide range of intriguing questions, including why she’s been sending her stained underpants to George Osborne at Her Majesty’s Treasury every month. She’ll also be explaining the difference between Eddie Izzard and Caitlyn Jenner... So as you can see, missing this show just isn’t an option.

Six of the best...

Katherine Carl Romesh Ranganathan Ryan Donnelly Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Fri 11 March; Evesham Arts Centre, Sat 16 April; Warwick Warwick Arts The Glee Club, Arts Centre, Coventry, Wed 27 April; Artrix, Centre, Coventry, Birmingham, Thurs Bromsgrove, Sun 22 May Tues 3 March; The 10 - Sat 11 March Place, Oakengates, With his support slots having included one Telford, Thurs 10 Launching himself for Ricky Gervais, it’s fair to say former March; Birmingham onto an unsuspect- Town Hall, Fri 20 Maths teacher Romesh Ranganathan has ing comedy circuit May made a significant impact since bursting in 2004, Carl onto the comedy circuit in 2010. The 2013 Having experi- Donnelly’s made winner of the prestigious Leicester Mercury enced motherhood, divorce and MTV, award- his name via numerous festivals and plenty New Act Award, Romesh has also become a winning Canadian funny lady Katherine of contributions to all manner of radio familiar face on TV, with credits including Ryan is well placed indeed to take a wry look shows. At his best when portraying himself Mock The Week, Live At The Apollo, Russell at those aspects of life that make people as a bit of a hapless idiot, Carl’s as happy as Howard’s Good News and a regular slot on angry and bitter. the proverbial sandboy chatting about all Channel Four’s Stand Up For The Week. Alongside her comedy career, Katherine also manner of subjects, from encounters with It’s all a far cry from his previous career in a takes occasional acting roles - the part of intimidating yahoos on a train to the rather Crawley classroom. "In the early days I George in Channel Four’s Campus and more personal business of accidentally soil- would be performing to eight people in a Merc’s assistant in Episodes feature among ing himself. her more recent engagements. pub and my sixth formers would turn up,” She visits the Midlands this month with her Romesh recalled recently in an interview new show, Kathbum. with Crawley News. “I couldn't help but Check out page 65 for EXCLUSIVE think, 'Oh God, this isn't going to end well’. Friday night deals at The Glee Club It undermined my authority to tell the students off the next day, because it must’ve been hilarious for them to see me die on stage and think 'I'm just going to heckle him now'!”

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Barbara Nice’s Easter Funny The Glee Club, Birmingham, Wed 23 March “Our Easter Funny promises to be a night of much laughter,” says Janice Connolly, whose alter-ego is comedy creation Barbara Nice. “I’m delighted that the very talented Angela Barnes, Rachel Parris and Rob Deering will be joining Barbara for these Easter-themed antics.” Barbara’s Easter Funny is a comedy fundraiser for Birmingham-based charity Women & Theatre. The company delivers performances, projects and workshops for a variety of target groups, including looked-after young people, young carers, mental health service users and older adults in residential settings. “The evening is an opportunity for us to fundraise for Women & Theatre,” says Janice, the charity’s artistic director. “The funds will ensure we’re able to continue working with a range of people to understand what matters to them, and with them to create theatre and comedy that reflects their lives.”

Nathan Chris Gein’s Caton Purchase Family Bramall Music Lichfield Garrick, Giftshop Building, Sat 5 March Birmingham Warwick Arts University, “A while ago, I was Centre, Coventry, Thurs 31 March Wed 16 March; starting to experi- mac, Birmingham, Chortle’s Student ment with slightly Fri 15 April Comic Of The Year darker comedy,” This three-strong 2005 and an explains Chris sketch group, Edinburgh Fringe Purchase, a finalist comprising two boys and one girl, is one of regular, the charismatic Nathan Caton is a in the Best Midlands Comedian category of the newer kids on the comedy block, scoring man with plenty of good material and some this year’s What’s On Readers’ Awards. “I high marks at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe sharp storytelling skills. sent out a couple of jokes into the ether, not Festival. “I did a gig recently where I got booed off really hoping for anything back but just see- Kath, Jim and Ed’s material ranges from stage for saying that I live at home with my ing what everyone thought of my new direc- being very funny to not funny at all. parents,” explains Nathan, in joke-telling tion. The response was phenomenal. It made Thankfully, though, the majority of their mode. “I walked out and said: ‘Hello. My me feel incredible. I was talking about stuff I offerings are in the former category rather name's Nathan Caton. I'll tell you a bit about believed in and people loved it.” than the latter. myself. I still live at home with my family...’ Chris’ change of direction coincides with the As the group’s name suggests (‘Gein’ was the And as soon as I said it, the whole audience tour of his first ever solo offering, Distant - a surname of a notorious US serial killer and went, “Booooo!”. I gotta tell you, that's the show about getting closer to people and body snatcher), their material is of a dark last time I do a charity gig for an orphan- making new friends... and definitely adult nature, but is presented age!” Away from the wonderful world of comedy, with more than enough silliness to ensure it Chris cites his ambitions as (1) swimming feels neither oppressive nor uncomfortable. with dolphins and (2) being able to go to Alton Towers without having to sit in a specially constructed chair designed to embar- rass larger people.

For more comedy listings visit whatsonlive.co.uk 23 The Puppini Sisters Shortened.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 13:01 Page 1 The Puppini Sisters Shortened.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 18:17 Page 2

FEATURE by David Vincent

Sisters are doing it for themselves As close harmony trio The Puppini Sisters release their new album, Marcella Puppini talks DIY and her year-long New Year's Resolution challenge...

We're only a few weeks into 2016, yet Mar- The Puppini Sisters’ update of Andrews Sis- fully take control of their career. cella Puppini is already wondering if her ters-styled ’40s harmonies has been wowing “Who’s the most passionate about The Pup- New Year's Resolution was perhaps a little audiences for over a decade. The trio have pini Sisters? Us three! Record companies too ambitious. an eye on nostalgic ‘Golden Age of Holly- have bottom lines, and if you don’t sell mil- wood’ glamour and a foot in the London “I set myself a fashion challenge - my 365 lions of copies in the first week, they’re onto burlesque, cabaret and performance art Outfit Challenge,” says the glamorous the next release, so we decided that we scene. Their slick and swingin' take on such singer. wanted to be the record company and set up standards as Jeepers Creepers, Diamonds Millionaire Records. Although she trained in fashion as well as Are A Girl's Best Friend and In The Mood, music, working from home all day, the along with the odd contemporary number - “It’s almost a full-time job, there’s so much temptation to skip the lip gloss and reach such as Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights, The to do every day. Apart from the promotion, for well-worn yet comfortable scruffs was Smiths' Panic and Beyonce's Crazy In Love - there are all the things that fans buy.” Mar- getting too great. has attracted a fan base that includes Prince cella is here referring to the 'pledges' the trio Charles, Cyndi Lauper and Michael Bublé. offer in return for funding. “If I don’t go out all day, although I’d not say In fact, King of the Crooners Bublé was so I’m sitting around in my pyjamas, I certainly impressed with the girls' 2010 Christmas “One of the things we offered was sing-a- don’t bother with what I’m wearing, which With... album that he famously whisked grams, so we’d have to meet up for a day to gets me down. When we were recording our them over to LA to guest on his own 2011 write and record those. It was a lot of work, new album, I thought about what I was Christmas record and later his ITV1 festive but I’m surprised how much I loved it. wearing more, and I liked that. This 365 special. There’s been nothing better. We wrote a Challenge is making me much happier work- song and made a film for one pledger’s wife, ing - it’s a nice feeling.” The Puppini's fifth record, The High Life, is and when she saw it... Wow! It was written released on 5 March and features Marcella, with her husband, he gave us all the The challenge Marcella has set herself is to Kate Mullins and ‘newcomer’ Emma Smith prompts, and she was so moved. She’d told wear a new outfit every day over the coming (who joined in 2012) in fine voice. him she’d gotten to an age where no-one year - all 365 days, without exception (we would ever consider writing a song for her... didn’t like to point out to her that it’s a leap It’s been over four years since The Sisters’ so he did. It was beautiful. You see the joy! year!). She’ll document her progress with a last long-player. Marcella states that part of Priceless!” daily blog post and selfie. the unintentionally lengthy gap between albums has been down to the threesome kick- “It’s a proper, full-on challenge. So far, I’ve starting their own record label, and paying used all the stuff in my wardrobe, so I’m for the entire process via online crowdfund- The Puppini Sisters play Warwick Arts working through stuff I’ve not worn in ages. ing platform PledgeMusic. Though it means Centre, Coventry, on Tues 15 March I’ve already realised that there aren’t going she's now spending more time at home, to be enough clothes, so I’ve started cus- holed up in her office, Marcella reckons it tomising things.” was the perfect move, allowing the trio to whatsonlive.co.uk 25 Theatre March.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 13:02 Page 1

Theatre

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Wed 30 March - Sat 9 April; Birmingham Hippodrome, Wed 7 - Sun 18 September Everybody's favourite flying car makes a welcome return to the Midlands this month, complete with ‘sensational’ sets, ‘stunning’ special effects, the Sherman Brothers’ memorable score and a high-energy cast headed by Jason Manford, Michelle Collins and comedian Phill Jupitus. When eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts (Manford) creates an amazing flying car, he takes his family to the fictional country of Vulgaria. But all is not well in the European barony, where the sinister Baron Bomburst has decided to make children illegal... Truly Scrumptious, Toot Sweets, Hushabye Mountain and the Oscar-nominated title song feature among the show’s best-known musical numbers.

Goodnight Mister Tom The Government A Passion For New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Inspector Birmingham Tues 15 - Sat 19 March The REP, Birmingham, Sat 19 - Sat 26 March Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 15 - Fri 25 March When news reaches them that a government inspector is set to visit, the bureaucrats in a The Old Joint Stock Theatre Company once small Russian town are sent into a blind again present their promenade retelling of panic. And why wouldn’t they be? After all, the Passion Story, set in modern-day the town’s hospital is a health hazard, its Birmingham and spanning numerous build- school a war zone and its soldiers lacking ings and various streets in the city centre. trousers to march in... The show has met with positive reviews in Nikolai Gogol’s biting moral satire is here previous years, the young ensemble widely presented by Birmingham Repertory Theatre hailed for their ambition, creativity and com- in association with Ramps On The Moon, a mitment. Earlier presentations drew gentle ground-breaking touring project committed criticism for being a little overlong, so it will to disability arts provision in the UK. be interesting to see how the show’s evolved. Set during the dark and dangerous build up to the Second World War - and based on the Marvellous Imaginary 1981 novel of the same title by Michelle Magorian - Goodnight Mister Tom follows the Menagerie story of evacuee William Beech. Crewe Lyceum, Wed 2 March; Lichfield Relocated to the idyllic English countryside, Garrick, Fri 18 March; Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Thurs 24 March the young boy builds a remarkable and moving friendship with an elderly recluse named The Edinburgh Spotlight was well impressed Tom Oakley. with Les Enfants Terribles’ Marvellous Life suddenly seems perfect for William - Imaginary Menagerie when it performed at until, that is, he receives a summons from the city’s Fringe festival. The popular website his abusive mother to return home to described it as the show which Roald Dahl London... and Tim Burton would’ve produced had they A tale of two broken souls at very different ever met one another and decided to open a ends of the age scale, Goodnight Mister Tom travelling circus! Les Enfants Terribles have is here presented by Chichester Festival previously enjoyed stage success with the Theatre. The production is an Oliver Award equally clever shows Alice Underground and winner. Captain Flinn And The Pirate Dinosaurs. They here present a combination of vaude- ville, circus, puppets, dance, music and magic that seems sure to delight.

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Theatre previews from around the region

WIN! TICKETS To enter, visit whatsonlive.co.uk The Jewellery Quarter At War Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, Sat 12 - Sat 19 March Blue Orange’s Youth Theatre here present a production that promises to be every bit as educational as it is imaginative. The show comprises a number of devised works of drama, presented at various locations around the Jewellery Quarter and based on the experiences of local people during the Great War. The presentation is supported by Birmingham City Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Hamlet A masterpiece of world theatre, Shakespeare’s famous play is a challenging Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon- piece to perform. The lead role is one of the Avon, Sat 12 March - Sat 13 August largest ever written, and it's a brave actor Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark, is struggling indeed who undertakes the necessary plunge to come to terms with his life. Faced with the into his own psyche. So good luck on this ghost of his murdered father, he must also particular occasion to Paapa Essiedu... ‘Safe’ What Is The grapple with the indecently hasty remarriage Additional casting includes Cucumber’s Cyril State Of Your of his widowed mother to his conniving Nri as Polonius and James Cooney as Empire uncle... Rosencrantz. Malvern Theatre, Worcestershire, Fri 18 March This emotionally charged piece sees five male performers inhab- Tinned Goods This Land it the world of the 1930s con- mac, Birmingham, Fri 18 March; Artrix, Bromfield, Nr Ludlow, South Shropshire, Wed struction workers who built the Bromsgrove, Sat 19 March; Lichfield Garrick, 9 March; All Stretton Village Hall, South Empire State Building. Pitting Thurs 31 March Shropshire, Thurs 10 March; Snailbeach masculinity against fragility and Village Hall, Shropshire, Thurs 11 March; SpArC Theatre, Bishops Castle, Shropshire, hailed for its punchy choreo- Fri 12 March; Talbot Theatre, Whitchurch, graphic language, the show is Shropshire, Wed 16 March; Foxlowe Arts presented by the highly Centre, Staffordshire, Thurs 17 March; Worcester Arts Workshop, Sat 19 March acclaimed ZoieLogic Dance Theatre. Producing quality theatre about the contemporary rural world is the stated mission of Shropshire-based company Pentabus. They here join forces with Salisbury Playhouse to present a new play by Siân Owen that explores concerns about the process of frack- The hugely accomplished Tea And Tenacity ing. contemplate politics, picket lines and princi- “Fracking is a controversial issue which is ples in their latest offering, which takes as its happening right now across the UK and all subject matter the national miners’ strike of over the world,” says the play’s director, Jo 30 years ago. Presented by an all-female cast, Newman. “This Land is going to be touring to the production focuses on Sue and Rachel, places where the prospect of fracking is a two women whose friendship has been pro- reality. We’re heading towards some scary foundly compromised by the miners’ walk and challenging times in the continued out. As the pressure mounts, the women find search for power. We more than ever need to themselves engaged in a desperate battle to be alert to what’s happening, and question- save not only their relationships but also ing, for ourselves, what is right.” their very way of life...

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Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Shen Yun Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sat 5 - Sun 6 March The New York Times described this show as ‘5,000 years of Chinese music and dance in one night’. As evenings of theatrical entertainment go, sounds like a pretty good deal. Based in New York, Shen Yun is a not-for- profit organisation dedicated to reviving authentic Chinese culture. And they certainly do that here, with a show that’s been enjoyed by millions of people across the globe. Expect ethnic and folk dancers, ‘brave generals, heavenly maidens, mischie- vous monks’ and plenty more besides. Heck, there’s even a contribution from a flying pig!

Don Quixote Thomas Beckett at Canterbury Cathedral. Red Snapper The work is best known to modern audi- Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon- ences for its spectacularly bawdy charms, Avon, until Sat 21 May Sat 5 - Sun 19 March and features more than its fair share of refer- Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra’s novel is one ences to willies, bottoms and bodily func- of the Spanish Golden Age’s most influential tions. Presented by Blast From The Past. works of literature, inspiring, among others stories, The Three Musketeers and The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn. Fake It 'til You Make It His sanity compromised by his love of chival- Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, ric romances, a nobleman decides to adopt Thurs 17 - Sat 19 March; mac, Birmingham, the name of Don Quixote, take up the sword, Wed 23 - Thurs 24 March recruit a simple farmer named Sancho Panza ‘Brutally honest’ and ‘powerfully as his squire, and revive the chivalric code. heartbreaking’ feature among reviewers’ To say that things don’t go quite according to assessments of this well-received Edinburgh plan would be an understatement... Fringe First winner. A show described by creator Bryony Kimmings as being about ‘the wonders of the human brain, being in love and what it takes to be a real man’, Fake It ’til You Make It takes a look at the issue of clinical depression. The show’s been made by Bryony in collaboration with her partner, The first full production to come out of the Tim, who suffers from the condition himself. Belgrade Theatre’s Critical Mass playwriting project, Red Snapper is set in Jamaica in 1962 - a Jamaica where personal and political ten- sions simmer against a backdrop of mass emigration and unrest. Cuba’s communist leader, Fidel Castro, is set to pay a visit - but nobody’s quite sure how he’ll be received. As the wives of five council- The Canterbury Tales lors prepare a welcome meal for Castro, long- Solihull Arts Complex, Thurs 24 March held resentments threaten to turn the occasion into an unmitigated disaster... One of English literature's most famous Mona Lisa star Cathy Tyson heads the all- works, Geoffrey Chaucer's legendary epic female cast in this debut offering from prom- was written at the end of the 14th century. It ising new playwright Liz Mytton. presents a series of cautionary tales suppos- edly recounted by a group of pilgrims as they travel together to the shrine of Saint

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A new look for Spring 2016

Wed 9 Mar - Mon 25 - Tue 24 - Sat 23 Apr Sat 30 Apr Sat 28 May From £25 From £13.50 From £20

Thu 16 - Sat 18 Jun The Taming of the Shrew

Wed 22 - Sat 25 Jun Mon30 May Thu 16 - Tue 28 Jun- -Sat 4 Jun Shakespeare Sat 25 Jun Sat 3 Sep From £20 Triple Bill From £10 From £28

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

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

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

0844 338 5000 birminghamhippodrome.com Calls cost 4.5p per min. plus access charge. 5% transaction charge applies excluding cash sales in person. Theatre March.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 13:03 Page 5

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Kiss Me The Tailor Of Inverness Quickstep The REP, Birmingham, Thurs 3 - Sat 5 March New Vic Theatre, It’s reasonable to assume writer and performer Newcastle-under-Lyme, Fri 4 - Sat 19 March Matthew Zajac has at some point needed to purchase a sturdier mantlepiece, given the amount of The New Vic has collaborated silverware this compelling work of theatre has with Oldham Coliseum Theatre received over the last few years. to produce this brand new Debuting in 2008, The Tailor Of Inverness has offering from Amanda scored a massive success internationally, playing Whittington, whose previous to tens of thousands of people in no fewer than 10 successes include The Thrill Of countries. Telling the story of Matthew’s search Love and Be My Baby. for his Polish father, the play is here making its Set in the ultra-competitive English debut, and has been described as ‘a pow- world of ballroom dancing, the erful allegory for all victims of war’. play focuses on the lives, loves and sorrows of a handful of performers competing in the national championships in Of Mice And Men is about what’s happened to the north since the Blackpool. They’re all desper- miners’ strike. There have been a lot of plays ate to achieve their dreams - Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, about the strike per se but nothing about what Tues 8 - Sat 12 March but it isn’t long before the reali- happened next. When the television cameras ties of life away from the ball- George and Lennie are drifters who only have went away, it was almost like, ‘well you’ve had room begin to take their toll... each other and their shared search for the your moment’s coverage, now get on with your The New Vic’s artistic director, American Dream to sustain them. George is the lives’. So this is a very vitriolic play about what’s Theresa Heskins, is the woman sharp little guy who looks out for Lennie. happened to the north since the strike ended 30 at the helm of this thought-pro- Lennie, meanwhile, is his big-hearted compan- years ago.” voking new show. ion who, unaware of his own strength, seems unable to keep out of trouble. Finding work on a ranch in California, they plan Transports Lysistrata to stay long enough to buy a little place of their Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 15 March own - but their arrival triggers a tragic chain of Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, events that threatens to destroy the very dream Furthering its already impressive reputation for Tues 1 March; Arena Theatre, addressing serious material in a lighthearted Wolverhampton, Tues 15 - that unites them... Wed 16 March; The This returning version of the John Steinbeck and thought-provoking way, Pipeline Theatre Brewhouse Arts Centre, classic stars Dudley Sutton in the role of Candy. here presents a story inspired by the Burton-upon-Trent, Fri 18 Kindertransport refugees of the Second World March War. The production jumps between the ’40s and Actors of Dionysus here the late 1970s, when a spiky 15-year-old’s arrival continue with their avowed in a foster home leads to a devastating collision intention to ‘put flesh on the of revelations. bones of ancient Greek drama’ by presenting an absurdist version of Aristophanes’ comic Tell Me On A Sunday masterpiece. Lichfield Garrick, Thurs 3 - Sat 5 March; Lysistrata is a woman on a mis- Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Sun 20 March sion. She intends to end the Peloponnesian War by encour- One of the minor constellations in Andrew Lloyd aging the women of Greece to Webber’s firmament of shows, Tell Me On A join her in withholding sexual Sunday has some real gems hidden in its score, privileges from their husbands the most memorable among which is the plain- and lovers - until such time as tive Take That Look Off Your Face. Charting the the menfolk negotiate a peace. course of an optimistic Needless to say, Lysistrata’s English girl as she arrives in plan isn’t one that the men of Shafted New York seeking love and Greece are happy to accept success, the show combines New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under Lyme, lying down... British wit with American Wed 30 March - Sat 2 April sass, running a gamut of My writing has become much more angry, a kind emotions in the process. of amphicentric vision of how we are,” says John Godber in talking about his latest play. “Shafted

For full theatre listings, visit whatsonlive.co.uk

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Theatre Kids shows this month...

Hetty Feather at The Rep Up, Up And Away at Warwick Arts Centre Peppa Pig’s Surprise at Malvern Theatres

Hetty Feather Tracy Beaker Gets Real The Old Woman, The The REP, Birmingham, Tues 8 - Sat 12 March Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Buffalo And The Lion Of Tues 29 - Wed 30 March Manding “She’s very naughty, very difficult but full of Jacqueline Wilson’s most famous character spirit,” says author Jacqueline Wilson of her Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, here makes a welcome return to the Thurs 10 March character Hetty Feather. A child of the Midlands in a musical written by the BAFTA- Victorian era, Hetty was left at the Foundling nominated Mary Morris. The show finds 15- Having played to great acclaim at the Hay Hospital when she was a baby and has year-old Tracy wondering whether her mom’s Literature Festival and the RSC in Stratford- grown up to have a famously short fuse... reappearance in her life may finally bring to upon-Avon, this story of West African king- Featuring all the best-loved characters from an end her days of being passed around like ship and battle is here making a sure-to-be- the hugely popular books - including the a parcel. But if there’s one thing Tracy’s welcome return to the Midlands. frightening Matron ‘Stinking’ Bottomly - this hard-knock existence has taught her, it’s that Telling the tale of the birth of Sundiata Keita, well-reviewed touring show is suitable for nothing in life can be taken for granted... visionary leader of the great Malian empire, children aged seven and older. it brings together much-admired storyteller Jan Blake, West African musicians Kouame The Remarkable Tale Peppa Pig’s Surprise and Raymond Sereba, and a range of musical Malvern Theatre, Wed 23 - Thurs 24 March instruments that includes Nordic flutes, Of Oliver Twist djembe drums and the extraordinary dodo If you’ve taken your little ones to any of the Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Wed 9 March; mouth bow. previous Peppa Pig stage shows - and mac, Birmingham, Thurs 10 March The show is presented by the highly rated enjoyed the experience of watching them Adverse Chamber, specialists in the presen- Based on Charles Dickens’ famous novel, having a fantastic time - you’ll already know tation of ‘epic stories told by countless voices this Red Earth production tells the story of a that this latest production is well worth over hundreds of years’, and is suitable for raggedy orphan boy as he discovers the dif- catching. audience members aged 14 and older. ference between the darkness of the under- “It hardly seems like seven years since we world and the love and warmth of the upper started on the first Peppa Pig Live stage classes in Victorian London. Along the way, show,” observes the show’s writer and direc- he encounters many of Dickens’ most colour- tor, Richard Lewis. “It’s been an incredible Handa’s Hen ful characters, not least among whom are Mr experience seeing the children’s reactions, Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton, Bumble, The Artful Dodger, Bill Sykes, Nancy not only in the UK but throughout the world. Wed 9 March and, of course, everyone’s favourite pick- It just confirms that Peppa really is a global With a running time of just 35 minutes and a pocketing wrong-doer, the conniving and phenomenon.” cast of 55 hand-created puppets, this brand sinister Fagin. new offering from the supremely talented Presented in the style of Victorian music The Boy Who Bit Picasso Little Angel Theatre is ideal for youngsters hall, complete with speciality acts and vari- aged between two and six. ety entertainments, the show is suitable for Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sun 20 March The play’s been adapted from the book by children aged six and older. Play-clothes are very much the order of the Eileen Browne and finds Handa and her day with this show - it’s fair to say things friend, Akeyo, looking for Grandma’s black Rainbow Magic Live: could get decidedly messy! hen. Problem is, the hen is nowhere to be Saving Fairyland An interactive theatre production for chil- found - although there’s certainly no short- dren aged four and older, The Boy Who Bit age of other creatures making their presence Solihull Arts Complex, Mon 14 March Picasso tells the story of how a young lad felt, including fluttery butterflies, stripy mice and lurking lizards... If your children have enjoyed any of Rainbow became friends with one of the greatest Magic’s 130 Rainbow Fairies books, they’re artists who ever lived. Along the way, the sure to be delighted by this associated musi- show offers audience members the chance to cal. Best pals Rachel and Kirsty take centre get really hands-on by making their own art - stage in the show, enjoying plenty of fun and hence the play-clothes recommendation! adventures as they help their fairy friends hunt for magical moonstones and tackle naughty goblins. For full theatre listings, visit whatsonlive.co.uk

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For more theatre previews visit whatsonlive.co.uk 33 Jackie The Musical DPS MM.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 12:57 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

with Jackie The Musical, we're looking back “I think that even though girls were asking at a slightly earlier, younger era, so there's a the same questions in the ’60s, they weren't lot of disco and a much fresher look.” quite so obsessed with love and fashion as Phillips' choreography will be set to the they became in the ’70s. In the ’60s, there likes of Puppy Love, Tiger Feet and I Love To were many homes that didn't have tele- Love - ‘blast from the past’ chart-toppers phones, but by the ’70s, everyone had one. the ’70s weren’t guaranteed to make a certain generation of That meant that a boy could actually call viewers misty-eyed with nostalgia. “It's a you, even though your parents would proba- without their bly be standing in the hallway listening in to non-stop ’70s music fest!” she exclaims. ‘‘own social and the conversation! So I think that's part of It's not only the trends of the time that have why the magazine really took off then.” influenced her choices in creating routines technological for the production. Phillips has also taken Naturally, this is a show primarily for and inspiration directly from the unique features about the women who will enjoy getting upheavals, and of Jackie magazine itself. right back to where they started from and looking back fondly on reflections of their Jackie’s genera- “I'm older than the Jackie readers, but I al- life, but it's not all about turning back the ways loved their photo and drawn picture hands of time or harking back to golden tion witnessed stories with speech bubbles. I was fasci- years. This is just as much a show about nated by those, and I've always wanted to many cultural holding your head up, finding the confi- find a way to use speech bubbles in a musi- dence to express yourself, realising we've cal, so I'm delighted that I've been given changes that

only just begun and looking forward to an- that opportunity at long last.” other day as it is about that sweet and inno- might have Adrift in a new age of social media, mobile cent time. Phillips certainly believes that

phones, internet dating and tech-savvy there's enough in this colourful, feel-good come as a teens, our protagonist yearns for the relative production to make just about anyone want innocence and simplicity of her youth. to get up and boogie. surprise to those “Nowadays, relationships are available at “My daughters, who are 25 and 36, have al- of their parents’ ‘‘ the touch of a button,” says Phillips. “If you ready peeped in on rehearsals and they want to speak to a boy, you can look him up can't wait to see it now! It's not just for and grandpar- on your phone, find out all about him and women, either - I think there's enough in it send him a message. It appears to be so for men to enjoy too.” ents’ time. much simpler, but does it actually make life any easier? I'm not sure. It's just faster.” For all that, of course, the ’70s weren't with- Jackie The Musical boogies on down at: out their own social and technological up- Belgrade Theatre, Coventry heavals, and Jackie's generation witnessed from Tues 15 to Sat 19 March; New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham many cultural changes that might have from Tues 24 to Sat 28 May & come as a surprise to those of their parents' Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent and grandparents' time. from Tues 31 to Sat 4 June. whatsonlive.co.uk 35 Film March - GROUP.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 12:56 Page 1

Film

CRITIC’S CHOICE Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice CERT 12a Starring Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, Jeremy Irons, Holly Hunter, Gal Gadot, Michael Shannon Directed by Zack Snyder (USA) It’s what we’ve been waiting for now for aeons: the showdown between The Caped Crusader and The Man of Steel. Ben Affleck may not have been everybody’s choice for the role of the former, but he does have the chiselled chin and stature. And he’s even taller than Henry Cavill (just don’t mention Daredevil). Anyway, Batman decides to pick a spat with Superman and while the super- heroes are having their argy-bargy, Lex Luthor sees an opportunity to unleash his ultimate secret weapon on Metropolis: Doomsday. Thank God, then, for Wonder Woman… For those who care, the budget reached $200 million. Released Fri 25 March Film highlights released in March...

London Has Fallen The Other Side Of CERT 15 (125 mins) The Door CERT 15 (125 mins) Starring Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Starring Sarah Wayne Callies, Jeremy Sisto, Freeman, Alon Moni Aboutboul, Angela Javier Botet, Sofia Rosinsky Bassett, Robert Forster, Melissa Leo, Radha Mitchell Directed by Johannes Roberts (UK/India) Directed by Babak Najafi (USA/UK/Bulgaria) However much one loves someone, be they a The last time Secret Service agent Mike partner, a parent or a child, one should let Banning (Butler) had his work cut out for them rest once they have passed on. him, he was saving the White House from the However, grieving mother Maria (Wayne clutches of North Korean terrorists. That was Callies) believes she has a right to say good- in Antoine Fuqua’s ludicrous, extremely vio- bye to her late young son, and so unlocks a lent and guiltily thrilling Olympus Has portal that she should have well left alone... Fallen. Now, as world leaders gather in The Choice CERT 15 (125 mins) Expect some extreme bloody imagery. London for the funeral of the British prime Starring Benjamin Walker, Teresa Palmer, Released Fri 4 March minister (not David Cameron), Banning has Maggie Grace, Alexandra Daddario, Tom Welling, Tom Wilkinson to thwart a mass assassination plot. Directed by Ross Katz (USA) Released Thurs 3 March Nicholas Sparks adaptations are now as common as awards ceremonies and this one, based on Sparks’ 2007 novel of the same name, is the simple story of two neighbours falling for each other. Yet nothing is that straightforward in love and outside events do conspire to rock the boat. And in case you were interested, Teresa Palmer played the female lead in last month’s Point Break. Released Fri 4 March

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Film releases in March

CRITIC’S CHOICE

Truth CERT 15 (125 mins) Starring Cate Blanchett, Robert Redford, Topher Grace, Elisabeth Moss, Dennis Quaid, Bruce Greenwood, Stacy Keach Directed by James Vanderbilt (USA/Australia) Based on the so-called Killian Documents controversy (aka Rathergate), this top-tier political docudrama packs an impressive cast. Cate Blanchett plays the CBS news producer Mary Mapes, on whose memoir - Truth And Duty: The Press, The President And The Privilege Of Power - the film is based. Robert Redford plays the legendary anchorman Dan Rather. Released Fri 4 March

Clooney is back on board, following his Hail, Caesar! CERT 12a (106 mins) turns in the filmmakers’ O Brother, Starring Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Where Art Thou? and Intolerable Cruelty. Ralph Fiennes, Jonah Hill, Scarlett Johansson, Frances McDormand, Tilda Brolin himself starred in the Coens’ No Swinton, Channing Tatum, Christopher Country For Old Men, while Frances Lambert McDormand - who plays a film editor - is Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen (USA) married to Joel Coen. When a Hollywood star in 1950s’ The film in which Clooney’s hungover Hollywood is kidnapped, a ‘fixer’ (Josh matinee idol stars is called Hail, Caesar! Brolin) is called in to solve the problem. Released Fri 4 March The third instalment in the Coen brothers’ so-called ‘Numbskull Trilogy,’ George

The Divergent Series: The Ones Below CERT PG (95 mins) Allegiant CERT 12a Starring Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Jeff Starring Clémence Poésy, David Morrissey, Daniels, Octavia Spencer, Ray Stevenson, Zoë Stephen Campbell Moore, Laura Birn, Kravitz, Miles Teller, Naomi Watts Deborah Findlay Directed by Robert Schwentke (USA) Directed by David Farr (UK) Young adult dystopia continues apace with A wealthy couple, Kate and Justin, are this, the third edition in the film series based expecting the birth of their first child when on Veronica Roth’s literary trilogy. Now, the they befriend the new occupants in the deviant and rebellious Beatrice 'Tris' Prior apartment below. As it happens, the new (Woodley) aims to escape the walls that con- couple are also expecting, although their fine her and her friends in a mad, futuristic take on parenthood would appear to be dia- Chicago. What they find will blow their metrically opposed to Kate and Justin’s. And minds... But it’s not all over yet, as the film- Kung Fu Panda 3 so a new tension enters all their lives... makers have decided to divide Roth’s final The debutant writer-director David Farr pre- CERT PG (95 mins) viously scripted the TV series Spooks. book into two movies. We wonder where they Featuring the voices of Jack Black, J. K. got that idea from. Simmons, Bryan Cranston, Dustin Hoffman, Released Fri 11 March Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Jean-Claude Van Released Thurs 10 March Damme, Seth Rogen Directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson and Alessandro Carloni (USA/China) When the kung fu master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) retires, he insists that Po (Jack Black) takes his place, an eventuality that does not go smoothly. Meanwhile, Po finds that he also has to combat a far more supernatural threat... Of course, it’s anything but po-faced. In 3D. Released Fri 11 March

whatsonlive.co.uk 37 Film March - GROUP.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 12:56 Page 3 Film March - GROUP.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 12:56 Page 4

Film

Anomalisa CERT 15 (90 mins) Risen CERT 12a (107 mins) High-Rise CERT 15 (119 mins) Featuring the voices of David Thewlis, Jennifer Starring Joseph Fiennes, Tom Felton, Starring Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons, Sienna Jason Leigh, Tom Noonan Peter Firth, Cliff Curtis, Leonor Watling Miller, Luke Evans, Elisabeth Moss, James Directed by Charlie Kaufman and Duke Directed by Kevin Reynolds (USA) Purefoy Directed by Ben Wheatley (UK) Johnson (USA) The risen in question is none other The director Ben Wheatley has garnered con- David Thewlis provides the voice of a self- than Jesus of Nazareth, and it befalls siderable acclaim following his films Down help author who views everybody as identi- the Roman centurion Clavius (Joseph Terrace, Kill List and A Field In England. cal until meeting a highly original woman in Fiennes) to investigate the rumours Here, he untangles an eco-system preserved a Cincinnati hotel. A stop-motion cartoon surrounding his resurrection. The in a luxury London tower block, where a based on Charlie Kaufman’s 2005 play of the director Kevin Reynolds previously young doctor (Hiddleston) moves to the 25th same name, Anomalisa has been getting rave brought us Robin Hood: Prince Of floor to discover fierce dissent between the reviews ever since it premiered at the Thieves, so one might be wary of residents. Based on the 1975 novel by JG Telluride Film Festival last September. expecting enormous historical accura- Ballard. Kaufman, of course, has always delved into cy. It’s described as a mystery thriller. Released Fri 18 March the surreal, having scripted the wildly Released Fri 18 March inspired Being John Malkovich and Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind. Released Fri 11 March Rock The Kasbah CERT 12a (107 mins) Starring Bill Murray, Kate Hudson, Zooey Deschanel, Danny McBride, Scott Caan, Bruce Willis Directed by Barry Levinson (USA) Loosely adapted from the 2009 documentary Afghan Star, this is the story of a music manager My Big Fat Greek severely down on Wedding 2 CERT tbc his luck. Then, when Richie Lanz (Bill Starring Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Lainie The Witch CERT PG (95 mins) Murray) finds himself in Kabul without Kazan, Michael Constantine, Andrea Martin a penny or his passport, he encounters Directed by Kirk Jones (USA) Starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie, Harvey Scrimshaw a young Afghan girl with an amazing The original 2002 comedy was not only a Directed by Robert Eggers (Canada/USA) voice. The next step is getting her into hugely surprising hit but it went on to spawn the Afghan version of American Idol... a slew of My Big Fats. Here, though, is the Set in the 1630s, The Witch is an award-win- From the director of Rain Man and very first sequel in which the profoundly ning Canadian horror film that would appear Good Morning, Vietnam. married Toula (writer and star Nia Vardalos) to be something of an original. Living on the and her gorgeous husband (Corbett) are edge of the New England wilderness, a Released Fri 18 March experiencing marital issues. Meanwhile, Puritan family battles with the loss of their there’s another Greek wedding around the infant son when darker forces start to emerge corner which is even bigger and fatter than from them thar woods. Preceding the Salem 10 Cloverfield Lane the first one. Well, it would be, wouldn’t it? Witch trials, the film’s events are said to be CERT tbc pretty damned authentic. Released Fri 25 March Starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Released Fri 11 March Goodman, John Gallagher Jr Directed by Dan Trachtenberg (USA) Zootropolis CERT PG (108 mins) No sooner have we recovered from The Boy CERT 15 (97 mins) Lenny Abrahamson’s remarkable Featuring the voices of Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Shakira, Idris Elba, J.K. Starring Lauren Cohan, Rupert Evans, Jim Room, than this claustrophobic thriller Simmons, Octavia Spencer Norton, Diana Hardcastle drops us into the same scenario. Directed by Byron Howard, Rich Moore and Directed by William Brent Bell A woman (Winstead) wakes up from a Jared Bush (USA) (China/USA/Canada) car accident to find herself trapped in Disney’s 55th ‘official’ animated feature film, We don’t get many Chinese-American- a stranger's basement. He tells her that Zootropolis is set in an anthropomorphic Canadian horror films, so this may be differ- he’s saved her from a global chemical metropolis, obviously. Here, the leading ent from the rest. Here, a young American attack that has left the earth’s surface characters are a red fox who’s a con artist nanny (Cohan) moves in with an English uninhabitable... (Bateman) and a rabbit who’s a rookie cop family to look after their son, only to discov- The good news is that co-scripter (Goodwin). Together, they team up to try and er that he is a life-sized doll. Maybe. A sequel Damien Chazelle previously brought us uncover a conspiracy. Idris Elba is the voice is already in the works (called The Boy 2). Whiplash (2014). of a cape buffalo, obviously. Released Fri 18 March Released Fri 18 March Released Fri 25 March

whatsonlive.co.uk 39 Arts & Science NEW MM.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 12:52 Page 1

FEATURE

Memory and Forgetting: University of Birmingham Art and Science Festival

Themed around the act of remembering more for active research and collabora- these, he created one-minute sound ex- itself, this year's University of Birming- tions within fields of science, and periences, which were given to the sub- ham Art and Science Festival looks set there's a greater awareness and accept- jects to access whenever they were to be a memorable one. With a diverse ance of its value.” feeling low. array of concerts, screenings, perform- These Large Hadron-like collisions be- “We found that this not only had a ances, exhibitions, workshops, talks tween diverse fields of research have massive positive effect on them, but and lectures on offer, the week-long resulted in the development of some also that it helped their families, both festival offers something to excite the fascinating ideas. In “Silent Signal”, in terms of leaving a legacy and bridg- curiosity of just about anyone. Best of Vivid Projects presents a series of ani- ing a gap at a time when conversation all, the vast majority of events are com- mations exploring the human body, is hard. When you see someone at a pletely free to attend. created by six artists and six leading hospice, day in, day out, you often end Highlights for 2016 include a talk from biomedical scientists. A performance up not talking about what's important Professor Alice Roberts on her recent from contemporary dancers Mairi and just discussing mundane things BBC series, The Celts, discussions Pardalakiand and Fanny Travaglino like medication, so this became a way around commemoration inspired by called “The Neutrino Passoire” ex- for people to share emotions.” last year's World War One centenary, plores the phenomenon of neutrino os- Since then, he's been exploring other and exhibitions and events drawing on cillations and the unconscious passing potential applications for the project in Birmingham's own past and commu- of these particles through the human schools and elsewhere. Workshop at- nity heritage. body. Meanwhile, in “Art that Tickles tendees will each be given a “memory What makes this festival so special, the Brain”, Professor Jane Raymond of atlas”, which, with guidance, they'll however, is its bringing together of sci- the School of Psychology leads an in- use to select memories and relate them ence and art on an equal footing. Music teractive session at The Barber Institute to specific sounds. Then sounds will meets medicine and dark matter meets revealing the activity that occurs in the then be collated in a “Phonic Memory dance in this multi-disciplinary cele- brain when we encounter works of art. Garden”, where visitors will be able to bration of innovation and experimenta- Then, of course, there's Wiggan's own hear their own memories as well as tion. It's more than just a case of work, which explores the links between those of others, which may, in turn, different events being programmed sound, memory and wellbeing. trigger new connections. side by side: there's an emphasis on “Life Echo started when I discovered “I think it's really important, not just meaningful connections between the that my wife had triple negative breast for people who are ill but for people arts and sciences through new and ex- cancer, which obviously had a massive from all walks of life. Things like de- citing collaborations. impact on our lives. I became aware of mentia are on the rise, but also a lot of “It's an amazing festival, because how much I was relying on recalling people are insecure about their future, there's no other event that touches on good memories to get me through this and this helps them to allow their past so many elements of art and science in traumatic period, and I started to be moulded by positive experiences. this way,” said sound artist Justin Wig- analysing those memories. As a sound It's a different way for people to use gan, who will be running an interactive artist, I was curious about the connec- their memories – not in a nostalgic workshop at the festival as part of an tion between sound and memory, and way, but in a very purposeful, meaning- ongoing project called Life Echo. “Art wanted to investigate that further.” ful way that contributes to wellbeing and science have always gone hand in It wasn't long before Wiggan realised and social interaction.” hand, but I think in the past art has that his research might be able to im- often been pushed into the background pact positively on other people's lives The University of Birmingham Art and while its older brother science has as well; thus, he embarked on a resi- Science Festival takes place from taken the lead, partly because some dency at the John Taylor Hospice, inter- Monday 14 to Sunday 20 March. people just see art as just entertain- viewing patients and selecting five A full brochure is accessible at birming- ment. I think now artists are pushing strong memories from each. From ham.ac.uk/events/arts-and-science

40 whatsonlive.co.uk NEC 2016 Spring A4:Layout 1 17/02/2016 15:25 Page 1

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Visual Arts

Shakespeare In Art: Tempests, Tyrants And Tragedy Compton Verney, Warwickshire, Sat 19 March - Sun 19 June Organised in association with the RSC as part of this year's 400th anniversary celebrations, this unique, multi-media experience combines iconic visual representations of Shakespeare's plays with specially commis- sioned audio accompaniments. Through recorded excerpts, RSC actors bring to life the scenes depicted in classic paintings, displayed alongside more recent responses to the texts in photography and film. Art and theatre enthusiasts alike can explore Shakespeare's enduring appeal to artists through the ages, from Singer Sargent, Fuseli, Watts, Romneyi and the Pre-Raphaelites to Tom Hunter and other contemporary artists.

Willard Wigan MBE: Birmingham People Endangered And Extinct Micro sculptures And Change In The Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford, Sat 12 March - Sun 8 May The Light House Media Centre, Inner City Wolverhampton, Sun 13 March - Mon 2 May Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, After hosting her hugely popular Mon 14 - Thurs 31 March Reincarnated Rubbish exhibition in 2014, Shire Hall Gallery invites Val Hunt to return Shedding a light on the people and with more creative transformations of house- places of Birmingham's past, these hold waste. Themed around the issue of ani- free, joint exhibitions at BMAG offer a mal extinction and human impact on deli- fascinating glimpse into the changes cate ecosystems, this new exhibition sees the city has witnessed over the years, drinks cans and plastic bags, among other as portrayed in a variety of media. items, sculpted into an assortment of colour- Focusing on the 20th and 21st cen- ful creatures, each representing a species Wednesfield-born sculptor Willard Wigan turies, Birmingham People explores now lost or on the verge of dying out. returns to the Black Country for a special the representation of ordinary resi- homecoming exhibition at Wolverhampton's dents of the city through a range of oil Light House Media Centre, launching in paintings, photographs, film and March with a VIP celebration of the region's sculpture. Meanwhile, Change In The cultural and sporting achievements. Inner City highlights the evolution of Known for his minute works which are dis- the urban landscape since the Second played and viewed through microscopes, World War, with a focus on the four Wigan has gained a huge international fol- central wards of Nechells, Soho, lowing. In tribute to his home region, his lat- Aston and Ladywood. Material from est work is a micro sculpture of another local the museum's art and history collec- legend, Noddy Holder, reflecting his belief tions is displayed alongside architec- that Black Country boasts incredible beauty tural models, including one of the and creativity that its modesty often fails to Aston Expressway in 1967. highlight.

42 whatsonlive.co.uk Visual Arts March.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 13:07 Page 2

Design And Desire: The Great Exhibition of 1851 Taylor Wessing Coalbrookdale Gallery, Ironbridge, Shropshire, Mon 21 March - Fri 24 February 2017 Photographic Portrait Bringing together objects, prints and paintings from the Elton Collection, this free Prize presentation aims to revive the excitement and intrigue of The Great Exhibition, The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, the world's first international show of manufactured products. Stoke-on-Trent, Sat 27 February - Held in the futuristic glass and iron setting of Hyde Park's Crystal Palace in 1851, Sun 5 June the ground-breaking show was the ultimate embodiment of Victorian ingenuity, This loan exhibition from the National combining art, science and engineering and capturing imaginations across Portrait Gallery showcases award-win- boundaries of class and culture. After its closure, many of its exhibits became part ning photographic portraits from last of the collection of the year's Taylor Wessing competition, a South Kensington Museum prestigious annual event celebrating (later the V&A). By examin- the best in contemporary portrait pho- ing the creation of the exhi- tography from around the world. The bition, its social and eco- 2015 entries range from informal pic- nomic impact, and the pub- tures of family and friends, to reveal- lic response at the time, ing images of well-known figures such Design And Desire offers as Benedict Cumberbatch and Barack visitors an insight into how Obama. it might have felt to witness this incredible spectacle 165 years ago.

For more visual arts listings visit whatsonlive.co.uk 43 Events March.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 18:21 Page 1

Events

International Crafts And Hobby Fair NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 17 - Sun 20 March Cake International is this year linking up with three other well- established NEC shows for the very first time. The popular sugarcraft, cake decorating and baking show joins forces with Fashion & Embroidery, Sewing For Pleasure and Hobbycrafts. Highlights of the 2016 event include demonstrations by Daniel Diéguez, who specialises in 3D, wedding and celebration cakes and chocolate sculpture. Daniel returns to Cake International having won a gold medal at last year’s show. Fashion & Embroidery enthusiasts, meanwhile, are sure to be impressed by the chance to check out skilfully made costumes from the 2015 film version of Far From The Madding Crowd, starring Carey Mulligan. Sewing For Pleasure is also turning to the arts for its inspiration, presenting a life-sized knitted and crocheted creation depicting three scenes from The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe. And be sure to visit the Hobbycrafts element of the show, which KIDS welcomes back TV stars Julie Peasgood and Wendy Turner. The GO * Crafty Beggars In The House favourites will be helping visitors FREE make simple sock teddies and delightful desk hogs. *Children under 16 go FREE when accompanied by a parent/guardian

Yonex All England Open White Water Active Edible Garden Show Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, Badminton Championship Chapel Street, Llangollen, Wales Fri 11 - Sun 13 March If you’re bursting with energy and fancy a new adventure, this well- regarded outdoor-activity provider is well worth a look. Kayaking whitewater rapids, ‘descending into the mysterious green gorges of Wales’, 90-foot abseil- ing experiences and whitewater rafting are just some of the adrenaline-pump- ing experiences available to enjoy. The company also caters for stag and hen weekends, offering a range of options designed to meet most needs, from peaceful ‘pamper days’ to The Edible Garden Show here returns to the pumped-up adventures in the great Midlands for the first time since 2013. outdoors. Now in its sixth year, the event brings together a wide range of experts and exhibitors to offer visitors an insight into how to get the very best out of their garden or window box. “Although we’ve had two good years in Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Tues 8 - Sun 13 March London, a large proportion of our audience remains our loyal following from This month sees a host of world-class bad- Stoneleigh,” says the event’s director, minton players descend on Birmingham to Geraldine Reeve. “Last year’s post-show compete not only for the coveted Yonex title research clearly illustrated that nearly half itself but also for Rio 2016 Olympic qualifica- of our audience wanted the show to return tion points. to the Midlands. Now in its 106th year, Yonex is one of bad- “With the changes we’ve made this year, minton’s five ‘majors’, as well as being the adding more interactive features as well as sport’s oldest and most prestigious competi- entertainment for the whole family, we tion. This year’s highlights include husband- know we’ve got a winning formula. By and-wife team Chris and Gabby Adcock Quote “What’s On” to receive returning to Stoneleigh, we’re able to bring attempting to win their first ever Yonex All 10% discount when booking back the popular animal marquee, as well England title. as offering a great food festival.”

44 whatsonlive.co.uk Events March.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 12:54 Page 2

whatsonlive.co.uk 45 Events March.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 14:07 Page 3

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

46 whatsonlive.co.uk Events March.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 12:54 Page 4

more events from around the region

Events

Easter half term Fun at Cadbury World Cadbury World, Bournville, Sat 19 March - Sun 17 April A wealth of Easter fun awaits visitors to Cadbury World this month, with an egg hunt, a chance to meet a host of colourful Cadbury characters and the opportunity to enjoy live family entertainment adding to the usual fare on offer. A great day out for adults and children alike, Cadbury World comprises various zones which take visitors through the origins of the cocoa bean and the history of the Cadbury brand. A trip on board the magical Cadabra is a surefire hit with younger visitors, as is the 4D cine- Egg Dancing at Blists Hill ma experience - complete with the Blists Hill, Ironbridge, Shropshire, ing to avoid the eggs placed along their route. chance to ride the Crunchie roller- Fri 25 March - Sun 10 April After they’ve demonstrated how to do it - or coaster and dive into liquid Join the residents of Blists Hill Victorian maybe how not to do it! - it’s time for any Cadbury Dairy Milk. Town this month for a spot of sure-to-be-fun have-a-go visitors to ‘go blind and get danc- And, of course, there are always Easter egg dancing. Watch the residents ing’! the free samples to enjoy... dance blindfolded across the streets, attempt- Enginuity Workshops Easter half term activities Practical Classics Enginuity Museum, Ironbridge, Shropshire, at Coventry Transport Restoration Show Fri 25 March - Sun 10 April Museum NEC, Birmingham, Sat 5 - Sun 6 March These Easter holiday drop-in work- Coventry Transport Museum, Midlands Classic Car enthusiasts can really shops provide participants with Sat 26 March - Sun 10 April immerse themselves in their passion at this the chance to design colourful Coventry Transport Museum’s latest interac- specialist event. spring-loaded creatures and see tive exhibition, a celebration of the city’s link Showcasing in excess of 700 magnificent how far they can jump. Visitors with tractors, has been mounted to coincide motors, the show also boasts live demos, can also make and experiment with the 70th anniversary of the first tractor expert tutorials, workshops, celebrity semi- with a catapult to compare how far off the line at the Massey Ferguson Banner nars and 350 exhibitors selling a wide range it can launch a ‘missile’. The work- Lane plant. of popular products. shops take place each day (see As you’d expect - and particularly during the Other attractions include the Spring’s largest above dates) between 10.30am and Easter holidays - it’s a family-friendly experi- indoor autojumble, a ‘cars for sale’ area, 3.45pm, with activities varying ence, offering visitors the chance to learn all Silverstone auctions, the Practical Classics from day to day and some addi- about tractor technology. Artist Jim Morris is Live Stage and the UK’s biggest collection of tional costs applying. on hand too, showing youngsters how to use barn find displays. recycled card and tactile materials to make a model tractor. His workshop is suitable for children aged four and older. And speaking of workshops, there’s a tractor- free one to enjoy in the Transport Museum’s MiC Lab, with children aged four-plus being given the chance to ‘experience the power of veg’ by making it light up!

whatsonlive.co.uk 47 Events March.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 12:54 Page 5

more events from around the region

Events

Insomnia 57 Birmingham NEC, Birmingham, Botanical Fri 25 - Mon 28 March Gardens at Easter The UK’s biggest gaming festival has Edgbaston, Birmingham, recently relocated to Birmingham’s Mon 28 March - Fri 1 April NEC, having outgrown its previous Alongside its usual attractions of home at the Ricoh Arena in exotic glasshouses and beautiful Coventry. lawns, Birmingham’s Botanical Insomnia Gaming Festival is a 24- Gardens is this month offering hour event ‘combining all the best plenty of Easter-themed family bits of video-gaming’, with the show entertainment. Highlights offering visitors the chance to play include an egg trail through the an impressive selection of both new gardens - with a prize awaiting and vintage games. They can also intrepid participants - the chance watch their favourite online to have a photo taken with the YouTube and Twitch stars as they Easter Bunny, and plenty of fam- participate in live Q&A sessions and ily entertainment courtesy of the interactive activities. ever-popular Bibbledy Bob.

Acorn Academy numerous displays, which take visitors on a MCM Comic Con The Potteries Museum and Art NEC, Birmingham, Sat 19 - Sun 20 March journey from Saxon to Victorian times. Items Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent, from the world famous Staffordshire Hoard Sat 19 March American actress Lindsay Wagner became are also available to view. one of Hollywood’s hottest properties in the Beatrix Potter’s magical world of 1970s when she starred as the bionically- animals is brought to life in this enhanced Jaime Sommers in hit television special event celebrating the series The Bionic Woman. Gandeys Circus 150th anniversary of the author’s Lindsay is one of numerous celebrities (Red Old Sainsbury’s Site, Ryecroft, Newcastle- birth. Professor Bramble the Dwarf’s Robert Llewellyn’s another) who’re under-Lyme, Fri 11 - Sun 20 March; Lighwoods Badger and headmistress Miss Park, Smethwick, Fri 25 March - Sun 10 April making guest appearances at this well-estab- Nutella Nutkins’ impressive lished show. The event brings together a Boasting a long tradition of presenting acces- show-and-tell collection makes broad scope of popular-culture categories sible big-top entertainment for the whole for a fun game of ‘animal, veg- including movies, gaming, comics, anime, family to enjoy, Gandeys is this month visit- etable or mineral’ - an ideal way television shows, gadgets, clothing and toys. ing the region with a brand new production. to introduce youngsters to the Your Circus Awakens is being described as a wonders of natural history. show that uses modern-age technology ‘to Children can also enjoy the expe- bring its audience a truly intergalactic experi- rience of holding real animals Easter at Tamworth Castle ence’. and discovering facts about their Tamworth, Staffordshire, “You can expect all the usual high-octane habitats and behaviour. Mon 28 March - Fri 8 April thrills and world-class performances,” says Entertainment and education is the package Gandey’s, “but this time with a space-tacular being offered to families visiting Tamworth theme from a circus far, far away.” Castle this Easter. Highlights include belly-busting trio Most importantly (given the fact it’s a holiday Equivokee, fast-paced bolas act the Torres from school!) is the entertainment element of Brothers, high-speed juggler Gordon the visit, which comes in the form of an Marquez, Star Wars ewok Trevor Jones as Easter egg hunt. Peanuts the Clown, and the ‘breathtaking Ruby, the castle’s dragon, has hidden her neon skills’ of the intriguingly named Lazer eggs from the dastardly dragon hunter (cue Girl. panto-style booing and hissing). Problem is, she’s been a bit too clever for her own good and can’t quite remember where she’s put them. As you can imagine, any assistance visiting families can offer her will be greatly appreciated - although Ruby herself won’t be around, as she’ll be way too busy searching for her missing eggs... As for the educational element of a day out at See thelist for all your the venue, that’s provided by enjoying a walk events listings around the castle and checking out its

48 whatsonlive.co.uk Events March.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 12:55 Page 6

To enter all competitions go to whatsonlive.co.uk

Win!

A Big Boy Beanbag worth £159 Tickets to Horrible Histories Ticket to Disney On Ice Silver Groovy Greeks Anniversary Celebration

Closes Monday 7 March Closes Friday 11 March Closes Tuesday 29 March Tickets to Hannah Wants Tickets to The Perfect Murder Tickets to Slam Dunk Festival

Closes Friday 11 March Closes Monday 21 March Closes Friday 20 May Tickets to Wipers Tickets to Jackie The Musical Tickets to Of Mice and Men

Closes Thursday 5 May Closes Tuesday 8 March Closes Tuesday 1 March Tickets to The All-Star Family Passport Ticket to Tickets to The Government Stand-up Tour Ironbridge Gorge Museums Inspector

Closes Monday 4 April Closes Monday 21 March Closes Monday 14 March Tickets to Get Carter Tickets to Goodnight Mister Tom Tickets to Hamlet

Closes Monday 14 March Closes Monday 7 March Closes Thursday 24 March

To enter all competitions go to whatsonlive.co.uk also follow us on Twitter for more great competitions whatsonlive.co.uk 49 The List Cover March Birmingham ONLY.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 15:08 Page 1 The List Cover March Birmingham ONLY.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 15:08 Page 2

Your week to week listings guide March 2016 thelist LittleMix at Genting Arena, Birmingham -Friday 18 March

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

What’s On Tues 1 to Sun 6 March Mon 7 to Sun 13 March Mon 14 to Sun 20 March Mon 21 to Sun 27 March Mon 28 to Thur 31 March

Foxes at O2 Institute Hetty Feather at The REP International Crafts & Suzi Ruffell at Jongleurs Janet Jackson at Thurs 3 March Tues 8 - Sat 12 March Hobby Fair at NEC Comedy Club Barclaycard Arena Thur 17 - Sun 20 March Sat 26 March Wed 30 March

whatsonlive.co.uk 51 The List 1-6 March - BIRMINGHAM ONLY VERSION MM.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 15:09 Page 1

thelist Monday 29 February - Sunday 6 March THROUGHOUT MARCH NEW! SHIRLEY BONAS ARBSA ALL Visual Arts SEASONS ALL WEATHERS Exhibition of work reflecting Shirley’s love of the Birmingham Museum & Wyre Forest and the local country- Art Gallery side, Mon 14 Mar - Sat 14 May. NEW! JANETTE SUMMERFIELD RBSA NEW ART WEST MIDLANDS 2016 Variations On A Theme - how an Exhibition of works by graduates image can be interpreted in several from various West Midlands art ways through the use of different schools, until Sun 15 May and until media, scale and focus, Mon 21 Mar Sun 10 Apr. Also showing at mac, - Sat 21 May. Birmingham, Wolverhampton Art Gallery & Herbert Art Gallery, The Barber Institute Foxes at o2 Academy in Birmingham on 3 March Coventry INHERITING ROME Exhibition using WENDY RAMSHAW’S ROOM OF DREAMS money to explore and question our Institute Complex Installation made up of many parts, deep-seated familiarity with the Gigs FEARLESS VAMPIRE JAMIE WOON Sat 5 Mar, from small jewels in frames to large, Roman Empire’s imagery, until Sun KILLERS Thurs 3 Mar, O2 Institute freestanding furniture, until Sun 22 24 Apr. O2 Academy CARL SINCLAIR DUO Tue BILL RYDER-JONES Sat 5 May. CHANCE, ORDER, CHANGE: ABSTRACT 1 Mar, The Jam House SYLOSIS & DECAPITATED Mar, The Sunflower BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM & ART GALLERY PAINTINGS 1939 - 1989 A great oppor- Thurs 3 Mar, O2 Lounge IN 130 YEARS The story of the tunity to enjoy abstract art at its THE CULT Tue 1 Mar O2 Academy DR FEELGOOD AND EDDIE Museum & Art Gallery, told via a spe- purest, until Sun 8 May. Institute WEDNESDAY 13 Thurs 3 & THE HOT RODS Sat 5 cial anniversary exhibition, until Thurs PRESTIGE & POWER Artists, writers, Mar, The Oobleck Mar, Solihull Arts 1 Sept politicians and royalty are the sub- WHITE Thurs 3 Mar, The Complex FITTING IN AND GETTING ALONG jects in this display of works by Rainbow Venues SCREAMING DEAD Sat 5 Exhibition exploring the life stories of Rubens, Van Dyck and Charles Le Mar, The Oobleck members of the Birmingham Polish Brun, until Sun 15 May. THE OFFICIAL RECEIVERS Thurs 3 Mar, The Jam THE RESCUE BLUES Sat community, until Wed 23 Mar. INTO THE WOODS Featuring stylistically House 5 Mar, The Flapper BIRMINGHAM PEOPLE AND CHANGE IN diverse works by distinguished artists THE INNER-CITY Exploring the ways in including Jacob van Ruisdael, OCOTILLO: SONGS FROM OVERDRIVE Sat 5 Mar, which ordinary Brummie folk have Theodore Rousseau & Samuel THE CITY AND THE Hare & Hounds been represented in art during the Palmer, until Sun 12 June. DESERT Thurs 3 Mar STEVE IGNORANT'S SLICE 20th and 21st centuries, until Thurs Kitchen Garden Cafe OF LIFE Sat 5 Mar, The 31 Mar. Newman Brothers Coffin Works, Birmingham GUNNRUNNER Thurs 3 Rainbow Venues MEAT LOAF GREATEST Mar, The Robin, Bilston THE UB40 EXPERIENCE IIkon Gallery WHAT REMAINS Mixed media exhibi- HITS TOUR Tue 1 Mar, YONAKA Thurs 3 Mar, Sat 5 Mar, The JANET MENDELSOHN - VARNA ROAD tion by Maureen Cooper, until 28 Apr New Alexandra Theatre The Sunflower Lounge Roadhouse Exhibition featuring original prints from Mendelsohn’s archive of over Eastside Projects YOUTH CLUB Tue 1 Mar THE DRIFTERS Fri 4 Mar, FLEETWOOD BAC Sat 5 3,000 photographs taken predomi- RICHARD WOODS: DUCK WEAVE A The Sunflower Lounge New Alexandra Theatre Mar, The Robin, Bilston nantly in the Balsall Heath area of development of a 1000-year-old LOCUST HONEY Tue 1 THEORY OF A DEADMAN DISARM GOLIATH / THE Birmingham, until Sun 3 Apr. building technology recently redis- Mar, Kitchen Garden Fri 4 Mar, O2 Academy MIGHTY WRAITH / Cafe DINH Q LÊ Video installation, organ- covered by Woods, until Sat 9 Apr. MYJO Fri 4 Mar, HIDDEN Sat 5 Mar, Scruffy Murphys ised in collaboration with Artangel, BOM (B’ham Open Media) HACKTIVIST Tue 1 Mar, Solihull Arts Complex until Sun 3 Apr. The Rainbow Venues. THE BEAT BROTHERS FAIRPORT CONVENTION LIVE R&D: EXHIBITION & CO-WORKING Fri KELLY MARK: 108 LYTON AVE Opposite STIFF LITTLE FINGERS 4 - Sat 5 Mar, The Jam Sun 6 Mar, Birmingham Changing display showcasing but asymmetrical roles performed by Tue 1 Mar, The Robin, House Town Hall Fellows’ ‘works in progress’ and the artist for a split-screen projection, Bilston LADY LESHURR Sun 6 highlighting BOM’s plans for the year THE DAVID REES- until Sun 3 Apr. Mar, O2 Academy ahead, until Sat 19 Mar. OTAVA YO Wed 2 Mar, WILLIAMS TRIO Fri 4 Parkside Gallery, BCU mac Mar, The Barber Centrala Gallery, Digbeth THE RIFLES Wed 2 Mar, Institute FLOCKOMANIA 2 A solo exhibition and JIND ICH ŠTREIT: SOVINEC O2 Institute installation by Zoe Robertson featur- CATAPULT CLUB FEAT. THE Photography exhibition documenting ing a display of wearable sculpture, ř CATAPULT CLUB FEAT. NEW BLACKS Fri 4 Mar, rural Czech life, until Wed 30 Mar. until Fri 1 Apr. MYTH CITY Wed 2 Mar, O2 Academy O2 Academy BORROWED IDENTITY Fri RBSA Gallery Article Gallery, School of Art, Birmingham City University CROOKS Wed 2 Mar, 4 Mar, Hare & Hounds ROB HAND RBSA On the Edge - A col- NEW! THIS FRONTIER SO FAMILIAR, SO The Asylum BREEZE Fri 4 Mar, O2 lection of pit-fired and raku pieces, STRANGE James Irwin, Laura ORPHAN COLOURS Wed Institute including a range of jewellery, until O'Connor, Jack Marder & 2 Mar, Hare & Hounds SEEDY SONICS PRESENTS Sat 2 Apr. Christopher Liam Oakes, Thurs 3 MASAI BLUES Wed 2 BLONDE Fri 4 Mar, The ECO-CRAFT EXHIBITION Showcasing Mar - Fri 8 Apr. Mar, The Jam House Rainbow Venues designer makers with an ethical THE TREMBLING approach to craft-making, until Sat 7 The Drum ELEANOR MCEVOY Wed THE BROS. LANDRETH 2 Mar, Kitchen Garden WILBURYS Fri 4 Mar, May. NEW! WOMEN IN ART LAUNCH In cele- Sun 6 Mar, The Cafe The Roadhouse BIRMINGHAM ART CIRCLE EXHIBITION bration of International Women’s Oobleck THE BLOCKHEADS Fri 4 Featuring a group of professional Week, The Drum hosts a selection of SUNJAY / THE ED GEATER Sun 6 Mar, Mar, The Robin, Bilston artists who exhibit at the RBSA each works by female visual artists from BUSHBURYS Wed 2 Mar, The Sunflower Lounge The Red Lion Folk Club year, until Sat 5 Mar. the West Midlands, Thu 10 Mar. THE SENSATIONAL 60S ADY SULEIMAN Sun 6 EXPERIENCE Sat 5 Mar, DAVID TEDHAM ARBSA Series of KEITH JAMES SOLIDAIR Mar, Hare & Hounds Vivid Projects, Digbeth CONCERT Wed 2 Mar, New Alexandra Theatre abstract paintings by artist David ALASDAIR ROBERTS Sun NEW! SILENT SIGNAL Six artists work- The Robin, Bilston Tedham, until Sat 12 Mar. SLEEPING WITH SIRENS 6 Mar, Kitchen Garden ing with animation, together with six Sat 5 Mar, O2 MARGARET FAIRHEAD RBSA Margaret THE ELO EXPERIENCE Cafe leading biomedical scientists, create Academy has drawn inspiration from the Thurs 3 Mar, New experimental animated artworks JOHNNY HATES JAZZ Sun canals near the gallery to produce a Alexandra Theatre DR FEELGOOD AND EDDIE exploring new ways of thinking about 6 Mar, The Robin, series of machine-stitched urban AND THE HOT RODS Sat the human body. 18 Mar - 23 April. FOXES Thurs 3 Mar, O2 Bilston landscapes, until Sat 19 Mar. 5 Mar, Solihull Arts 52 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 1-6 March - BIRMINGHAM ONLY VERSION MM.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 15:09 Page 2

Monday 29 February - Sunday 6 March

CBSO POULENC’S GLORIA Featuring ZOE LYONS, GEOFF NORCOTT, KEVIN Rourke’s new translation of the ulti- Classical Music Nicholas Collon (Conductor), Sophie MCCARTHY & TOM LUCY Fri 4 - Sat 5 mate feelgood opera, Tue 1 & Fri 4 Bevan (Soprano) & CBSO Chorus. Mar, The Glee Club Mar Birmingham Hippodrome Programme includes works by THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO Welsh NOBUKO IMAI AND ROBERT MARKHAM Tchaikovsky, Berlioz & Stravinsky, Sat National Opera present Mozart’s Featuring Nobuko Imai (viola) and 5 Mar, Symphony Hall, Birmingham great comic work, Wed 2 Mar, Robert Markham (piano). Programme BENNY GOODMAN & GLENN MILLER AT Birmingham Hippodrome includes works by Bach, Brahms, CARNEGIE HALL 1939 Featuring the NEW WORKS NIGHTS: INTERNATIONAL Beethoven & Kreisler, Tues 1 Mar, Goodman-Miller Tribute Orchestra & Birmingham Conservatoire WOMANS DAY New night showcasing Peter Long (director), Sat 5 Mar, work by women writers & the- VLADIMIR ASHKENAZY CONDUCTS Bramall Music Building, Birmingham atremakers in the lead up to RACHMANINOV’S SYMPHONY NO 3 SUNDAY CLASSICS Presenting a range International Women's Day 2016, Featuring Philharmonia Orchestra, of young stars of the future from the Wed 2 Mar, The Old Rep Theatre Vladimir Ashkenazy (conductor) & classical world, ranging from opera CHRISTIAN O'CONNELL Sat 5 Mar, mac Vikingur Olafsson (piano). HORRIBLE HISTORIES: GROOVY GREEKS singers to violinists to harpists at the TOMMY TIERNAN Sun 6 Mar, The Glee From savage Sparta to angry Athens, Programme includes works by very start of their careers, Sun 6 Mar, Club Rachmaninov, Liszt and discover the truth about growing up The Spotted Dog, Digbeth, in Greece, Wed 2 - Sat 5 Mar, Rachmaninov, Tues 1 Mar, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Birmingham Wolverhampton Grand Theatre BIRMINGHAM FESTIVAL OF CBSO THE FIREBIRD Featuring CONTEMPORARY MUSIC FOR ALL Theatre Nicholas Collon (conductor) and CONCERT Concludes with a concert Leonard Elschenbroich (cello). featuring all of the weekend’s partici- Programme includes works by THE 39 STEPS Fiery Angel present pating musicians, Sun 6 Mar, CBSO Alfred Hitchcock's classic spy thriller, Tchaikovsky, Berlioz and Stravinsky, Centre, Birmingham Thurs 3 Mar, Symphony Hall, B’ham Mon 29 Feb - Sat 5 Mar, The REP A ROYAL CELEBRATION A programme BIRMINGHAM PHILHARMONIC ORCHES- A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM: A PLAY of music played at the past regal TRA Also featuring the City of FOR THE NATION A co-production occassions. Programme includes Birmingham Choir, Birmingham between the Royal Shakespeare University Chorus, children’s choirs Company and amateur theatre com- Music for Royal Fireworks, The LADY CONNIE AND THE SUFFRAGETTES Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, & soloists. Michael Lloyd conducts. panies across the UK, until Sat 5 Programme comprises Mahler’s Mar, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Classwork Theatre present Ros Trumpet Voluntary and many more. Connelly's play, which explores Lady Performed by a chamber orchestra, Symphony of a Thousand, Sun 6 Stratford-upon-Avon Mar, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Constance Lytton's unique role in the string quartet, singer, & performers DOCTOR FAUSTUS Maria Aberg returns Suffragette Movement, from priv- on harp and organ, Thurs 3 Mar, to the RSC to direct Marlowe's notori- iledged 'useless spinster' to heroric Birmingham Conservatoire ous tale of vanity, greed and damna- icon. The tale is drawn from CBSO CENTRE STAGE: SHAKESPEARE tion, until Thurs 4 Aug, The Swan Constance's own writings in her let- Featuring Jane Wright & Charlotte Comedy Gigs Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon ters, diaries and book, Thurs 3 Mar, Skinner (violins), Catherine Bower Solihull Arts Complex (viola) and Catherine Ardagh-Walter TIM CLARK, JOHN SIMMIT, ANDY STED- PHANTOM & THE MUSICALS Barry (cello). A unique programme cele- MAN & CALLY BEATON Tues 1 Mar, Walker's Smackee return with musi- brating the Bard’s birthday: The Dark Horse, Moseley cal numbers from the West End and Shakespeare’s words & stories illus- MOCK THE FLOCK COMEDY Wed 2 Mar, Broadway, Thurs 3 Mar, Solihull Arts trated with theatrical chamber music, The Mockingbird Theatre, Digbeth, Complex Fri 4 Mar, Symphony Hall, Birmingham TOM STADE Wed 2 Mar, The Glee Club FIGARO GETS A DIVORCE Welsh National Opera present a new opera ALEXANDER ULLMAN PIANO CONCERT BETHANY BLACK Thurs 3 Mar, The Victoria described as part comedy, part politi- Programme includes works by cal thriller, Thurs 3 Mar, Birmingham Haydn, Ravel & Liszt, Fri 4 Mar, The ZOE LYONS, GEOFF NORCOTT & COMEDY Hippodrome Barber Institute, Birmingham CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs DON QUIXOTE James Fenton's staging 3 Mar, The Glee Club of Cervantes' comic novel - a work THE SINGULAR EXPLOITS OF SHERLOCK FANFARE AND LOVE SONGS regarded as one of the foundation HOLMES Don’t Go Into The Cellar Featuring Ian Porhouse (conductor), LEO MUHAMMAD, MARLON DAVIS & stones of modern fiction. Rufus presents a one-man homage to the Birmingham Conservatoire Brass TREVOR DWER LYNCH & JOHN SIMMIT Hound stars, until Sat 21 May, The world’s greatest detective, Thurs 3 - Band and David Morton (guest cor- Fri 4 Mar, The Drum Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Fri 4 Mar, Old Joint Stock Theatre, net soloist). Programme includes STUART GOLDSMITH Fri 4 Mar, The Read our interview with Rufus online Birmingham works by Gavin Higgins, William Glee Club at whatsonlive.co.uk Himes, John Larsson, Fumiko THE TAILOR OF INVERNESS Dogstar Miyachi & Jacob Larsen, Fri 4 Mar, JOE BOR & PHILBERTO Fri 4 - Sat 5 THE BARBER OF SEVILLE Welsh Theatre Company present Matthew Birmingham Conservatoire Mar, Jongleurs Comedy Club National Opera presents Kelly Zajac's moving story of displacement

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thelist Monday 29 February - Sunday 6 March and survival in war-torn Europe, Thurs 3 - Sat 5 Mar, The REP Film HORRIBLE HISTORIES: INCREDIBLE INVADERS Brand new show from the INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Horrible Histories team. This time round, it's the ruthless ways of the BONE TOMAHAWK (15) When a group Romans which come under scrutiny, of cannibal savages kidnap settlers Thurs 3 - Sat 5 Mar, Wolverhampton from the small American town of Grand Theatre Bright Hope, an unlikely team of gun- slingers, led by Sheriff Franklin Hunt, sets out to bring them home. But their enemy is more ruthless than anyone could have imagined. Stars Kurt Russell & Patrick Wilson. Until Wed 2 Mar, The Electric Cinema, Birmingham TRIPLE 9 (15) A crew of dirty cops find themselves in an impossible situation when they're blackmailed by the Russian mob to execute a dangerous IRELAND'S CALL Inspired by true bank heist. Stars Chiwetel Ejiofor & events and spanning three decades, Kate Winslet. Until Thurs 3 Mar, The Electric Cinema, Birmingham Ireland’s Call follows the extraordi- Davis Cup at Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham on 4-6 March nary journey of the strong-headed 3 1/2 MINUTES, TEN BULLETS (15) Sean Dempsey, who, at the end of Exploring the murder of black Weimar Republic. Stars Peter Lorre. Commonwealth Welterweight titles World War Two, leaves behind his teenager Jordan Davis, after he The film will be preceded by a 20 against Bradley Skeete, Sat 5 Mar, childhood sweetheart and beloved engaged in a verbal dispute with minute introduction from B-Film aca- Genting Arena, Birmingham homeland in search of a better life in Michael Dunn, a white middle-aged demic Elysran Griffiths beginning at GHOST TOURS OF ASTON HALL An New York, Fri 4 Mar, Belgrade man about the volume of the music 12pm. Sun 6 Mar, The Electric immersive evening ghost tour of one Theatre, Coventry coming from his car. Michael Dunn Cinema, Birmingham of Britain’s most haunted buildings, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE Paula K fired 10 bullets into the car of Sat 5 Mar, Aston Hall, Birmingham unarmed teenagers and then fled, Parker’s captivating adaptation pre- NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: THE BURLESQUE BALL UK TOUR - THE leaving Jordan Davis dead. There will sented by Holdsworth Drama, Fri 4 - ULTIMATE DRESS UP DANCE PARTY be a Q&A after the showing. Thurs 3 Released Fri 4 March, showing at Sat 5 Mar, Crescent Theatre Chaz Royal, producer of the world's Mar, The Drum, Birmingham selected cinemas. largest burlesque events brings an all THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO Welsh THE ASSASSIN (12a) Set during the LONDON HAS FALLEN (15) new touring extravaganza this Spring National Opera present Mozart’s Tang Dynasty in the 9th century and THE CHOICE (12a) for the UK's burgeoning Burlesque great comic work, Sat 5 Mar, tells a story adapted from a contem- night life, Sat 5 Mar, O2 Academy, Birmingham Hippodrome GOODNIGHT MOMMY (tbc) porary legend; about Nie (Shu Qi), Birmingham who – having been abducted as a HAIL, CAESAR! (tbc) HERE BE MONSTERS Action-packed PRACTICAL CLASSICS RESTORATION child and inducted into the world of new musical fusing ‘magical story- THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR (15) SHOW Discover everything for your martial arts – is forced to choose telling, original music and thrills TIME OUT OF MIND (15) project from barn find to concours at between love and duty when she galore’, Sat 5 Mar, The Old Rep this popular show for DIY car enthu- returns to the land of her birth. Wed TRUTH (15) Theatre siasts, Sat 5 - Sun 6 Mar, NEC, 2 Mar, The Electric Cinema, See Film section for previews on p40 Birmingham Birmingham; CADBURY CHARACTER WEEKEND SNDTRK: PI (15) Max is a genius math- Pose for photographs alongisde ematician who's built a supercomput- Freddo, Caramel Bunny and friends er at home that provides something Events as they meet and greet visitors, Sat 5 that can be understood as a key for - Sun 6 Mar, Cadbury World, understanding all existence. WINTER HERITAGE TOURS OF ASTON Bournville, Birmingham Representatives both from a Hasidic HALL Hear all about the fascinating cabalistic sect and high-powered history of Aston Hall, one of the last Wall Street firm hear of that secret Jacobean houses to be built in and attempt to seduce him. Fri 4 Mar, Britain, Tues 1 - Thurs 24 Mar, Aston mac, Birmingham Hall, Birmingham RED SNAPPER Debut play by Liz MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO (U) Charts the WINTER HERITAGE TOURS OF Mytton which, set in Jamaica in adventures of two young sisters who BLAKESLEY HALL Experience one of 1962, centres on five women swim- befriend a forest sprite named Totoro Birmingham’s finest timber framed ming against the tide. Cathy Tyson who lives in the ancient tree in wood- buildings and get a unique insight heads the all-female cast, Sat 5 - Sat lands next to their new house in the into the aspirations of the Tudor 19 Mar, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry country. Sat 5 Mar, mac, Birmingham classes who lived and worked there, THE CIRCUS OF HORRORS: CARNEVIL on Wednesdays and Thursdays, until The show that stormed into the finals Thurs 24 Mar, Blakesley Hall, of Britain's Got Talent and is now a Birmingham THOMAS & FRIENDS WEEKENDS West End smash is back to mark its WINTER HERITAGE TOURS OF SAREHOLE Thomas and all his friends invite you 21st anniversary, Sun 6 Mar, New MILL Taking place on a Wednesday to join them for a weekend of full on Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham and Thursday, explore the idyllic fun for all the family, Sat 5 - Sun 6 childhood haunt of J.R.R Tolkien, Mar, Drayton Manor Theme Park, until Thurs 24 Mar, Sarehole Mill, Tamworth, Staffordshire Birmingham MOTHERING SUNDAY Treat your Mum Dance NATIONAL WEDDING SHOW Fri 4 - Sun to a relaxing day at the beautiful 6 Mar, NEC, Birmingham Birmingham Botanical Gardens – perfect as Spring starts to arrive, Sun MAPDANCE 2016 Tenth anniversary DAVIS CUP BY BNP PARIBAS FIRST 6 Mar, Birmingham Botanical performance featuring new commis- FRITZ LANG'S M (PG) Made two years ROUND GREAT BRITAIN VS JAPAN Fri 4 - Gardens sions and reconstructions from before Hitler came to power, Fritz Sun 6 Mar, Barclaycard Arena, BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL RECORD renowed international contemporary Lang’s first sound film is a great psy- Birmingham FAIR Sun 6 Mar, National Motorcycle choreographers, as well as emerging chological thriller, a trenchant treatise A NIGHT OF CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING - Museum, Solihull new talents, Thurs 3 Mar, on crime and justice and a vivid por- EGGINGTON V SKEETE Sam Eggington The Old Rep Theatre trait of the rapidly disintegrating defends his British and whatsonlive.co.uk 55 The List 7-13 March - Birmingham Only VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 15:11 Page 1

thelist Monday 7 - Sunday 13 March CBSO SYMPHONIC DISCO SPECTACULAR Classical Music Featuring Stephen Bell (conductor), Annie Skates (vocalist), Hazel Fernandes (vocalist), Lance Ellington MUSICA CALLADA/ MUSIC OF SILENCE (vocalist) & Andrew Playfoot (vocal- The magical music of the Spanish ist). Programme includes songs such composer Federico Mompou forms as Blame It On The Boogie, I Will the basis of this musical journey and Survive & Disco Inferno, Fri 11 Mar, search for silence. Classical, jazz and Symphony Hall, Birmingham improvisation in a continuous pro- GILDAS QUARTET AND JACK MCNEILL gram full of surprises feature along- (CLARINET) Programme includes side a commission by Dutch com- works by David Bruce & Penderecki, poser Oene van Geel, Mon 7 Mar, Fri 11 Mar, The Barber Institute, Birmingham Town Hall Birmingham BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE BBC PHILHARMONIC Featuring John TRUMPETS ENSEMBLE Also featuring Stogårds (conductor) & Martin Jo Yee Lau (piano) and 2-YOU Roscoe (piano). Programme includes Turin Brakes at The Glee Club in Birmingham on 8 March Percussion Duo. Programme works by Elgar, Beethoven & includes works by Calvert, Kapustin, Sibelius, Fri 11 Mar, Bramall Music O2 Academy PAUL YOUNG Fri 11 Mar, Tatum, Ivan Trevino and Avner Building, Birmingham THE CORAL Thurs 10 The Robin, Bilston Dorman, Mon 7 Mar, Birmingham Gigs OSLO PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Mar, O2 Institute ULTIMATE GENESIS Sat Conservatoire Featuring Vasily Peterenko (conduc- 12 Mar, O2 Academy THOMAS TROTTER ORGAN RECITAL Mon RUDIMENTAL Mon 7 MAN MADE Thurs 10 tor) & Simon Trpc˘eski (piano). 7 Mar, Birmingham Town Hall Mar, O2Academy Mar, Oobleck LEGENDS OF LEGENDS Programme includes works by Grieg, 1-EYE REGGAE REVIEW 2016 Sat 12 Mar, The BRENTANO QUARTET Programme Rachmaninov & Mahler, Sat 12 Mar, Thurs 10 Mar, The Jam Drum includes works by Bach, Shostakovic Symphony Hall, Birmingham & Dvorak, Tues 8 Mar, Birmingham House THE STRANGLERS Sat 12 ORCHESTRAS, ENSEMBLES AND Town Hall PRICE & GENDERS Thurs Mar, O2 Academy CHAMBER MUSIC: JUNIOR DEPARTMENT 10 Mar, Kitchen Garden PETER DONOHOE PLAYS SHOSTAKOVICH CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT Soloists Cafe Following last season’s astonishing and Chamber Ensembles from the performance of the Shostakovich FRAGILE FEATURING Junior Conservatoire, Sat 12 Mar, piano concerto no 2, Peter is back to CLAIRE HAMILL Birmingham Conservatoire Thurs 10 perform the first concerto, comple- RE-GENESIS Mon 7 Mar, UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S CHOIR AND Mar, The Robin, Bilston mented by one of Mozart’s earlier The Robin, Bilston BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY SINGERS MODEL AEROPLANES piano concertos. Tchaikovsky’s TURIN BRAKES Tue 8 Featuring Simon Halsey (conductor) Thurs 10 Mar, The Andante Cantabile adds a gentler Mar, The Glee Club and Matthew Hayden (baritone). Sunflower Lounge Russian flavour, Tues 8 Mar, Stratford Programme includes works by MATT CORBY Tue 8 Mar, Artshouse, Stratford-upon-Avon and RUMOURS OF DJ ALPHA'S BIRTHDAY Vaughan Williams, Howells & Fauré, O2 Institute Wed 9 March, Birmingham Town Hall FLEETWOOD MAC Fri 11 BASH 2016 Sat 12 Mar, Sat 12 Mar, Bramall Music Building, ALMA GUITAR QUARTET Mar, Birmingham Town O2 Institute ALMA GUITAR QUARTET: FEAST Birmingham Tue 8 Mar, Birmingham Hall Programme includes premières of ANDREW WEATHERALL BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONIC BRASS Conservatoire works by Blanka Stachelek, Ignatius JOSEF SALVAT Fri 11 Sat 12 Mar, Hare & Featuring Stephen Roberts (conduc- Sokol, Dani Bianco Albert and Ryan SUNDARA KARMA Tue 8 Mar, O2 Academy Hounds tor), Sun 13 Mar, The Barber Mar, The Rainbow Probert, Tues 8 Mar, Birmingham KATHRYN ROBERTS AND CREAM BIRMINGHAM Sat Institute, Birmingham Venues Conservatoire SEAN LAKEMAN Fri 11 12 Mar, The Rainbow GRAND ORGAN GALA An afternoon of PERFORMANCE PLATFORM: IDIL BIRET RACHEL NEWTON Tue 8 Mar, The Glee Club Venues popular music including Saint-Saëns’ (PIANO) A special concert and public Mar, Hare & Hounds magnificent Symphony No. 3 QE2 - THE VERY BEST OF masterclass with the legendary per- BRYAN CORBETT ‘Organ’, Sun 13 Mar, Symphony Hall, QUEEN Sat 12 Mar, The former, Tues 8 Mar, Birmingham QUARTET Tue 8 Mar, Birmingham Roadhouse Conservatoire The Jam House TYKETTO Sat 12 Mar, SHOSTAKOVICH'S FIFTEENTH Featuring FINDLAY NAPIER Tue 8 The Robin, Bilston the City of Birmingham Symphony Mar, Kitchen Garden NATHAN CARTER Sun 13 Orchestra, Alpesh Chauhan (conduc- Cafe Comedy Gigs Mar, Birmingham Town tor) & Eduardo Vassallo (cello). REFLECTION OF SILENCE Hall Programme includes works by Wed 9 Mar, mac NICK PAGE Mon 7 Mar, Old Joint REEF Fri 11 Mar, O2 MAD DOG MCREA Sun 13 Borodin, Osvaldo Golijov and Stock Pub KESTON COBBLERS CLUB Institute Mar, The Rainbow Shostakovich, Wed 9 Mar, Symphony Wed 9 Mar, Hare & Hall, Birmingham SHAZIA MIRZA, DANA ALEXANDER, ALICE SOLID SOUL Fri 11 - Sat Venues Hounds FRICK & MAUREEN YOUNGER Wed 9 12 Mar, The Jam CROABH RUA Sun 13 ANGELA HEWITT Programme includes Mar, Kitchen Garden Cafe CC SMUGGLERS Wed 9 House Mar, Kitchen Garden works by Schubert, Beethoven, Mar, The Oobleck Haydn, Scarlatti, Albéniz and Falla, MOCK THE FLOCK COMEDY Wed 9 Mar, THE FEELING Fri 11 Mar, Cafe Wed 9 Mar, The Barber Institute, The Mockingbird Theatre, Digbeth GOSPEL CENTRAL Wed 9 O2 Academy STAND UP & SHOUT - DIO Birmingham Mar, Jam House CARL DONNELLY, STEVE GRIBBIN & FRANKIE & THE TRIBUTE DAY Sun 13 CRIES, BELLS, CHANTS AND WHISPERS COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY RINGO DEATHSTARR Wed HEADSTRINGS Fri 11 Mar, The Roadhouse Featuring Birmingham Conservatoire ROBINSON Thurs 10 Mar, The Glee 9 Mar, The Sunflower Mar, The Rainbow RUSS BALLARD Sun 13 Saxophone Ensemble, Thurs 10 Mar, Club Lounge Venues Mar, The Robin, Bilston Birmingham Conservatoire LAPSLEY Wed 9 Mar, ALEX RAINSFORD Fri 11 LOUISE DISTRAS Sun 13 OPERA TRIPLE BILL Featuring scenes O2 Institute Mar, The Sunflower Mar, The Sunflower from three well-loved operas: Riders Lounge FICKLE FRIENDS Wed 9 Lounge to the Sea (1932) by Vaughan Mar, The Rainbow GWENNO Fri 11 Mar, Williams, Savitri (1916) by Gustav Venues Hare & Hounds Holst and L'Enfant et les Sortileges DAN REED NETWORK SHADOW CITY PRESENTS (1925) by Ravel, Thurs 10 - Sat 12 Wed 9 Mar, The Robin, TOM TRAGO Fri 11 Mar, Mar, Birmingham Conservatoire Bilston Rainbow Venues MOZART, SCHUMANN AND BRUCH PAUL HEATON & JACQUI 02:31 PRESENTS Featuring Oliver Janes (Clarinet), ABBOT Thurs 10 Mar, GORGON CITY Fri 11 Adam Romer (Viola), Robert O2 Academy Mar, Rainbow Venues Markham (Piano), Thurs 10 Mar, CBSO Centre, Birmingham DAKESIS Thurs 10 Mar, LOS PACAMINOS FEAT

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March 24, 7:30pm April 1, 7:30pm AND FINALLY… THE SIMON AND PHIL COLLINS GARFUNKEL STORY

Tickets £20.00* Tickets £19.00* & £18.00*(disc)

April 2, 7:30pm April 9, 3pm & 7:30pm LEE NELSON: BEAUTY AND SUITED AND THE BEAST BOOTED Tickets £16.00* (disc) Tickets £21.00* £14.50* & £54.00*(family)

April 14, 7:30pm April 28, 7:30pm TALON – TAP FACTORY THE BEST OF THE EAGLES Tickets £23.00* (disc) Tickets £21* & £22.00*

April 29, 7:30pm April 30, 7:30pm

SHOWADDYWADDY DEBRA STEPHENSON NIGHT OF ONE HUNDRED VOICES Tickets £20* Tickets £15*

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thelist Monday 7 - Sunday 13 March THE WITCH (tbc) Talks See Film section for previews CAITLIN MORAN "MORANTHOLOGY" In conversation, to coincide with the publication of Moranifesto, Wed 9 Mar, Birmingham Town Hall Events JAMES MARTIN - PLATES, MATES AND AUTOMOBILES Join the celebrated THE YONEX ALL ENGLAND OPEN chef and TV personality for his very BADMINTON CHAMPIONSHIPS One of first UK tour, Thurs 10 Mar, the oldest and most prestigious open Symphony Hall, Birmingham badminton tournaments in the world RAY MEARS - TALES OF ENDURANCE - which brings together the world's top STORIES TO INSPIRE Through carefully ten players from each discipline to selected stories, Ray explores what compete for the coveted title, Tues 8 makes a survivor, Sat 12 Mar, - Sun 13 Mar, Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham Town Hall Birmingham CRUFTS 2016 The world’s biggest and best dog event, Crufts is a fun family day, full of unforgettable dog shows, the best in dog shopping and hun- Mary Poppins at Birmingham Hippodrome from 9 March to 23 April Film dreds of canines for you to meet, Thurs 10 - Sun 13 Mar, NEC, ANDREW O'NEILL, GEOFF NORCOTT, TWIST Red Earth Theatre present INDEPENDENT CINEMAS: JESSICA FOSTEKEW & BARRY DODDS Fri Charles Dickens' classic tale in the Birmingham 11 Mar, Jongleurs Comedy Club style of Victorian music hall, with THE EDIBLE GARDEN SHOW AND GOOD CARL DONNELLY, STEVE GRIBBIN, INEL speciality acts and variety entertain- REEL WOMEN (tbc) A programme of LIFE LIVE Perfect for anyone interest- TOMLINSON & FREDDIE FARRELL Fri 11 ments, Thurs 10 Mar, mac short films produced and directed by ed in growing their own produce, cul- - Sat 12 Mar, The Glee Club TELL ME ON A SUNDAY Jodie Prenger Birmingham based female filmmak- tivating their urban spaces, raising ers. The films address a range of dif- JENNY ECLAIR Sun 13 Mar, The Old stars in Andrew Lloyd Webber and livestock, keeping bees or brewing ferent themes from women's rights & Rep Theatre Don Black’s one-woman musical, their own, Fri 11 - Sun 13 Mar, which charts the misadventures of a dementia in the Caribbean communi- Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire MARK WATSON Sun 13 Mar, The Glee young English girl in New York in the ty, to the role of women in reggae Club FAMILY WORKSHOPS Sat 12 Mar, heady days of the 1980s, Thurs 10 music industry. Taking part in discus- Eastside Projects, Birmingham Mar, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry sions after the showing will be filmmakers Sima Gonsai, Yaz Alexander FRIEND'S BOOK FAIR All proceeds Leonie Smith and Sandra Carter of raised go towards the Botanical Theatre Body Symphony. Tues 8 Mar, The Gardens, helping with the upkeep Drum, Birmingham and maintenance of the gardens, Sat 12 Mar, Birmingham Botanical THRILLER LIVE A musical celebration HE NAMED ME MALALA (PG) Winner of Gardens featuring the hit songs of Michael the Nobel Peace Prize at 17 and and The Jackson 5, Mon 7 - Sat 12 probably one of the most famous THE SOOTY SHOW: SOOTY IN SPACE Mar, New Alexandra Theatre teenagers in the world, Malala Join Sooty, Sweep and Soo in a spectacular stage adventure on the SWEET CHARITY Knowle Musical Yousafzai was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman for championing amazing space station, complete Society present an amateur version with Sooty's Turbo Rocket, Sat 12 - of the popular musical, which fea- girls' education in Pakistan and is the extraordinary subject of this com- Sun 13 Mar, Cadbury World, tures big standards such as Big Bournville, Birmingham Spender, If They Could See Me Now pelling documentary by director and The Rhythm Of Life, Mon 7 - Sat Davis Guggenheim. Wed 9 Mar, The SPRING CRAFT FAIR 2016 Featuring 12 Mar, Solihull Arts Complex Drum, Birmingham local craftspeople showcasing a selection of one-off gifts, Sat 12 - FROM BROADWAY TO HOLLYWOOD: Sun 13 Mar, Coventry Transport ROBERT HABERMANN The story of how NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Museum successful Broadway shows were Released Fri 11 March, showing at ASTON EXPERIENCE TOURS taken to Hollywood and turned into BATFAN Join James Wilson-Taylor for selected cinemas. both great and not-so-great A chance to get hands-on with stand-up, sketches and songs direct DIVERGENT SERIES: THE ALLEGIANT Hollywood musicals, Tue 8 Mar, objects from the past to touch and from Gotham City, Thurs 10 - Fri 11 (tbc) smell, Sun 13 Mar, Aston Hall, Solihull Arts Complex Mar, The Mockingbird ANOMALISA (15) Birmingham RUDDIGORE Gilbert & Sullivan's farci- TWO Jim Carwright's witty play cal tale of lost love, revenge and FIFTY SHADES OF BLACK (15) MIDLAND CLOCK AND WATCH FAIR Sun exploring the gaiety and underlying 13 Mar, National Motorcycle ghostly ancestors that come to life, THE HERE AFTER (15) melancholia of English pub life, Museum, Solihull Tue 8 - Sat 12 Mar, The Old Rep Thurs 10 - Sat 12 Mar, Old Joint KUNG FU PANDA 3 (PG) FLAT BREAD MAKING AT SAREHOLE MILL Theatre Stock Theatre NEXT TO HER (15) HETTY FEATHER Learn to make dough, see the Mill in Jacqueline Wilson's FIRST STAGES: TADPOLES MD Theatre tale of the plucky Hetty Feather is THE ONES BELOW (15) action and create and bake your own Company present an highly visual, delicious flat bread, Sun 13 Mar, here brought to life by award-winning TRADERS (tbc) energetic show featuring the voice of Sarehole Mill, Birmingham script writer Emma Reeves and Sue Johnston OBE as Mission Olivier Award-nominated director Control. Recommended for children Sally Cookson. Suitable for children aged five-plus, Sat 12 Mar, The REP aged seven-plus, Tue 8 - Sat 12 Mar, The REP WOMEN & THEATRE: THEATRES OF CONSCIENCE Interactive theatre OF MICE AND MEN Roxana Silbert exploring the subject of conscien- directs John Steinbeck's classic tious objectors in World War One, story. Dudley Sutton stars as Candy, Sat 12 - Sun 13 Mar, mac Tue 8 - Sat 12 Mar, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre HAMLET Simon Godwin directs Paapa Essiedu as Hamlet in Shakespeare's MARY POPPINS The supercalifragilistic searing tragedy. Cucumber actor international hit arrives in Brum as Cyril Nri stars as Polonius. Sat 12 part of a UK tour, Wed 9 Mar - Sat 23 Mar - Sat 13 Aug, Royal Apr, Birmingham Hippodrome Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford- Read our feature on page 19 upon-Avon The Yonex All England Open Badminton Championships at Barclaycard Arena THE REMARKABLE TALE OF OLIVER whatsonlive.co.uk 59 The List 14-20 March - Birmingham ONLY VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 15:17 Page 1

thelist Monday 14 - Sunday 20 March Barshai, Bach & James MacMillan, Classical Music Sun 20 Mar, Birmingham Town Hall SEVEN LAST WORDS FROM THE CROSS Part of Birmingham International BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE CHAMBER Concert Season, Sun 20 Mar, CHOIR Featuring Paul Spicer (conduc- Birmingham Town Hall tor). Programme includes the works of Howells, Joubert and Parry, Mon ORCHESTRAL WEEKENDER Featuring 14 Mar, Birmingham Conservatoire Daniele Rosina (conductor) and Richard Jenkinson (cello). FUMIKO MICHAYI & KATE HALSALL Programme includes works by Programme includes works by Kerry Takemitsu, Barber, Oliver, Frost & Andrews, Leo Chadburn, Duncan Mussorgsky, Sun 20 Mar, Bramall MacLeod, Naomi Pinnock, Gavin Music Building, Birmingham Bryars, Laurence Crane and Fumiko, Tues 15 Mar, Birmingham Conservatoire ON MEMORY: RECITAL AND Comedy Gigs CONVERSATION Featuring Joseph Roachford at The Glee Club in Birmingham on 16 March Houston (piano) and Michael Zev LOUDEEMY SOUP COMEDY NIGHT Mon Institute TONY MORTIMER Sat 19 Gordon (composer), Tues 15 Mar, Bramall Music Building, Birmingham 14 Mar, The Blue Orange Theatre SCOTT BRADLEE & Mar, O2 Academy Gigs CHEEKY COMEDY AT THE DARK HORSE POSTMODERN JUKEBOX CALLUM SMART (VIOLIN) AND RICHARD HANNAH WANTS WHAT Tues 15 Mar, The Dark Horse, Fri 18 Mar, O2 HANNAH WANTS Sat 19 UTTLEY (PIANO) Programme includes JAMES MORRISON Mon Moseley Academy Mar, The Rainbow works by Mozart, Poulenc, Bach & R. 14 Mar, Symphony Hall Strauss, Wed 16 Mar, The Barber RICHARD HERRING Tues 15 Mar JASON DONOVAN: TEN Venues DEFEATER Mon 14 Mar, Institute, Birmingham The Glee Club GOOD REASONS & PETER ANDRE Sat 19 O2 Academy GREATEST HITS Tour Fri Mar, Symphony Hall RECORDER FUTURES Programme FRANKIE BALLARD Mon 18 Mar, Symphony Hall includes works by Arvo Pärt and 14 Mar, O2 Institute Gavin Bryars, Wed 16 Mar, STEREO MC'S Fri 18 Mar, Birmingham Conservatoire YVES LAMBERT TRIO O2 Institute Mon 14 Mar, Kitchen FRANCESCO PIEMONTESI Wed 16 Mar, PATSY CLINE & FRIENDS Garden Cafe Birmingham Town Hall A tribute act to Patsy CHRISTINA MARTIN Mon Cline, Hank Williams CBSO ELGAR’S SECOND Featuring 14 Mar, Robin, Bilston and Jim Reeves, Fri 18 Edward Gardner (conductor) & OH WONDER Tue 15 Mar, Mar, Solihull Arts Lawrence Power (viola). Programme O2 Institute Complex includes works by Walton and Elgar, Thurs 17 Mar, Symphony Hall. TOMMY FLEMMING Tue MODERN MINDS AND 15 Mar, Solihull Arts FAITH Fri 18 Mar, O2 THALLEIN Programme includes the MOCK THE FLOCK COMEDY Wed 16 Mar, Complex Institute works of Joe Cutler, Sean Clancy, Ed The Mockingbird Theatre, Digbeth Bennett, Howard Skempton, Michael THE SUBTERRANEANS Fri GARY DELANEY Thurs 17 Mar, Station TOSELAND Tue 15 Mar, Wolters, Sam Taylor, Fumiko Miyachi 18 - Sat 19 Mar, The Pub, Sutton Coldfield O2 Academy & Yannis Kyriakides, Fri 18 Mar, Jam House STEVE TROMANS' AXIS Birmingham Conservatoire JARLETH REGAN, MIKE WILMOT & POINT Tue 15 Mar, The GWYNETH HERBERT Fri COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY EMMY THE GREAT Sat 19 CHAMBERS CHOIRS AND BRASS BAND Jam House 18 Mar, The Glee Club ROBINSON Thurs 17 Mar, The Glee Mar, O2 Institute Featuring Stuart Birnie (brass band Club BLAZE BAYLEY Tue 15 DOLLY PARTON TRIBUTE director), Jack Apperley and James SHANTY Sat 19 Mar, Mar, The Roadhouse Fri 18 Mar, The Belfry Naylor choir (conductors). THE NOISE NEXT DOOR Thurs 17 Mar Sutton Coldfield The Oobleck The Glee Club ROACHFORD Wed 16 Programme includes works by PIXEL FIX Sat 19 Mar, Mar, The Glee Club A BEG YUH TRY OUT YUH Condon, Parry, Landino, Monteverdi JARLETH REGAN, MIKE WILMOT, JORDAN LEF FOOT Fri 18 Mar, The Sunflower Lounge & Peter Graham, Fri 18 Mar, Bramall BROOKES & ANGELA BARNES Fri 18 Mar, STRIKING MATCHES Wed The Drum BLUE ORCHIDS Sat 19 Music Building, Birmingham The Glee Club 16 Mar O2 Institute University THE MACHINE RAGES ON Mar, The Flapper RUDI LICKWOOD, TOM WRIGGLESWORTH, THE SEARCHERS Wed 16 Fri 18 Mar, The Flapper LOBSTER SHACK Sat 19 ORCHESTRAL WEEKENDER Featuring TOM GLOVER & SCOTT AGNEW Fri 18 Mar, Solihull Arts Daniele Rosina (conductor) and Lucy Mar, Jongleurs Comedy Club, HANKKS Fri 18 Mar, O2 Mar Hare & Hounds Complex Haggerwood-Bullen (violin). Institute MICK FLANNERY Sat 19 JOE LYCETT Sun 20 Mar, The Glee NATTY Wed 16 Mar, O2 Programmes includes works by Mar Kitchen Garden Club Academy ACDC UK Fri 18 Mar, Mascagni, Puccini, Bizet and The Roadhouse Cafe DEAD PREZ Wed 16 Mar, Beethoven, Sat 19 Mar, Bramall Music HOT RED CHILI PEPPERS The Oobleck 'ROCK TIL YOU DROP' Building, Birmingham University FEATURING GUNS OR Sat 19 Mar, The TOM WALKER TRIO Wed BIRMINGHAM FESTIVAL CHORAL SOCIE- Theatre ROSES + MOTLEY CRUE Roadhouse 16 Mar, The Jam TY: HANDEL AND HIS LONDON CONTEM- UK + SUBHUMAN RACE THE THREE DEGREES Sat PORARIES Featuring Patrick Larley House MARY POPPINS (SKID ROW) Fri 18 Mar, 19 Mar, Robin, Bilston (conductor) & vocalists from the The supercalifragilistic BOB FOX Wed 16 Mar, international hit arrives in Brum as The Robin, Bilston CAMBION Sat 19 Mar, Birmingham Conservatoire, Sat 19 The Red Lion Folk Club part of a UK tour, Wed 9 Mar - Sat 23 80'S INVASION Fri 18 Scruffy Murphys Mar, Ladywood Arc, St John’s & St HOLY WAVE, THE TERROR Peter’s Church, Darnley Rd, Apr, Birmingham Hippodrome Mar, Birmingham Town MARIAH CAREY Sun 20 WATTS & LIZARDS Thurs Birmingham RAINBOW MAGIC LIVE - SAVING Hall Mar, Barclaycard Arena 17 Mar, The Sunflower FAIRYLAND The popular children's THE ROCKET DOLLS / EX CATHEDRA: BACH ST JOHN PASSION Lounge JOEY CAPE Sun 20 Mar, books come to life in a brand new WEAK13 / THIS ELEGANT Sat 19 Mar, Birmingham Cathedral O2 Academy musical. Best friends Rachel and THE SHOWHAWK DUO CHAOS / WRAPPED IN ORCHESTRAS, ENSEMBLES AND ASHLEY HUTCHINGS Sun Kirsty help their fairy friends hunt for Thurs 17 Mar, The PLASTIC Fri 18 Mar, CHAMBER MUSIC: JUNIOR DEPARTMENT 20 Mar, Kitchen Garden magical moonstones and tackle Oobleck Scruffy Murphys CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT Soloists and Cafe naughty goblins, Mon 14 Mar, Solihull TRAAMS Thurs 17 Mar, JOE BONAMASSA Sat 19 Chamber Ensembles from the Junior Arts Complex Hare & Hounds Mar, Barclaycard Arena PETE BODDIS BAND + Conservatoire, Sat 19 Mar, FREEWHEELIN' BAND Sun JACKIE THE MUSICAL Brand new 'fun FLASH - A TRIBUTE TO Birmingham Conservatoire THE NEIGHBOURHOOD 20 Mar, Robin, Bilston and feisty' musical featuring original QUEEN Thurs 17 Mar, Sat 19 Mar O2 Institute BRITTEN SINFONIA Featuring the Britten choreography by Arlene Phillips, Tue The Robin, Bilston TIGERCLUB Sun 20 Mar, Sinfonia chorus & Eamonn Dougan THE WONDER STUFF Sat 15 - Sat 19 Mar, Belgrade Theatre, The Sunflower Lounge (conductor). Programme includes DIIV Thurs 17 Mar, O2 19 Mar, O2 Academy Coventry works by Byrd, Shostakovich arr.

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

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Gary Delaney The Dreamers Saturday 12th March, 8:00pm Thursday 24th March, 7:30pm

Jo Lycett: That’s The Liza Pullman Sings Way, A-Ha A-Ha Hollywood Friday 8th April, 8:00pm Friday 15th April, 7:30pm Shakespeare bronze: Judy Methuen

Season 2016

Richard Baker Quintet Wednesday 23rd March, 8:00pm Bards Night Geoff Eagles Friday 22nd April Wednesday 13th April, 8:00pm

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thelist Monday 14 - Sunday 20 March FAME Amateur production presented Maiden as she dances into the by the Wolverhampton Musical human world, Sun 20 Mar, Comedy Company, Tue 15 - Sat 19 Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Mar, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre IPHIGENIA IN SPLOTT Sherman Cymru presents Gary Owen’s powerful Talks drama, which, inspired by the enduring Greek myth, sheds light on the high price people pay for society’s AN AUDIENCE WITH TONY IOMMI shortcomings, Tue 15 - Sat 19 Mar, Widely renowned as one of the The REP world’s finest guitarists, Iommi, one GOODNIGHT MISTER TOM The award- of the founding members of the icon- winning Chichester Festival Theatre ic Black Sabbath, will be in conversa- production of Michelle Magorian's tion with his friend, and well known uplifting tale, Tue 15 - Sat 19 Mar, TV sports presenter, Gary Newbon, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Sat 19 Mar, Birmingham Town Hall A PASSION FOR BIRMINGHAM Following its success in 2014, this immersive promenade production returns on a Cake International; Hobbycrafts Show; Fashion & Embroidery; and Sewing For larger scale and presents a contem- Film Pleasure Show - 4 shows for the price of 1 - at the nec, Birmingham 17-20 March porary take on the life and death of Jesus Christ, Tue 15 - Fri 25 Mar, umentary celebrates the trans-cultur- Mar, NEC, Birmingham INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: al career of Singapore-born, New Old Joint Stock Theatre CAKE INTERNATIONAL York-based pianist Margaret Leng BLACK SHACK ALLEY (tbc) A Martinican Part of ICHF event, Fri 18 - Sun 20 DNA/THE RED HELICOPTER A double Tan. Hailed by The New Yorker as film based on the semi-autobio- Mar, NEC, Birmingham. See page 44 bill presented by the Crescent Youth "the diva of avant-garde pianism", Theatre, Wed 16 - Sat 19 Mar, graphical novel 'Rue Cases-Nègres' for additional info on all ICHF events (1950) by Joseph Zobel. Dr Louise Tan was the world's first professional Crescent Theatre BOURNVILLE BOOKFEST Authors, Hardwick has agreed to host a ques- toy pianist and has been a preemi- poets, illustrators, storytellers, actors, THE BEST THING Vamos Theatre pres- tion and answer session following nent performer of John Cage’s music journalists, cartoonists, historians, ent a fully masked performance of a the screening to share insights from for the last three decades. Sat 19 dancers and performers will be Swinging ’60s story of unconditional her recent research trips to Mar, mac, Birmingham inspiring youngsters to read, write love, Thurs 17 - Fri 18 Mar, mac Martinique for an AHRC-funded proj- TRASH: VHS ONE DAY FESTIVAL (18) A and get passionate about stories, Fri ect on Zobel. Wed 16 Mar, mac, day of exploitation movies in VHS 18 - Sun 20 Mar, various locations in Birmingham format showing rare VHS in its origi- Bournville, Library of Birmingham & nal format on the big screen. Drinks AKOUNAK TEDALAT TAHA TAZOUGHAI other city centre locations (tbc) A revolutionary story of guitars, offers in the bar all day, VHS stalls EASTER RAG RUG WREATH WORKSHOP motorcycles, cell phones, and the and five movies showing through the Learn about the craft and techniques music of a new generation. Wed 16 day. Sat 19 Mar, Mockingbird which will help you create a wreath Mar, mac, Birmingham Theatre, B’ham for all occasions, Sat 19 Mar, DATONG: THE GREAT SOCIETY (tbc) Birmingham Back to Backs Hailed as a masterpiece, Datong: NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: THE MUD YARD A muddy obstacle The Great Society focuses on mod- Released Fri 18 Feb, showing at course for the whole family to enjoy, ern China's first major utopian selected cinemas. Sat 19 Mar, Drayton Manor Theme philosopher and earliest constitution- 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE (tbc) Park, Tamworth, Staffordshire THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK al reformer, Kang Youwei (Liu Kai-chi) PROFESSOR MCGINTY TIME TRAVELS Birmingham Ormiston Academy and his pioneering feminist daughter THE BOY (15) ADVENTURES Join time-traveller presents its version of the popular Kang Tongbi (Lindzay Chan). HIGH-RISE (tbc) Professor McGinty as he takes you musical comedy of seduction and Evans Chan will introduce the film KAPOOR AND SONS (tbc) back to the Victorian times. This is the supernatural, Thurs 17 - Sat 19 and Dr Shirley Ye of the Department no ordinary history lesson – the Mar, The Old Rep Theatre of History at University of MARGUERITE (15) wacky professor is guaranteed to Birmingham will host a post-screen- NORM OF THE NORTH (U) TINNED GOODS Tea & Tenacity present ing discussion. Thurs 17 Mar, mac, make you split your sides laughing, a pacey drama which explores the Birmingham THE PEARL BUTTON (tbc) Sat 19 Mar, Selly Manor, Birmingham strength of friendship under the BLACK SKIN, WHITE MASK (tbc) RISEN (12a) MCM BIRMINGHAM COMIC CON strain of politics, picket lines and Numerous celebrities make guest principles, Fri 18 Mar, mac Exploring the life and work of the ROCK THE KASBAH (tbc) appearances at this well-established psychoanalytic theorist and activist See Film section for previews on p40 AN EVENING OF DIRTY DANCING: THE Frantz Fanon who was born in show, which brings together a broad TRIBUTE SHOW The original concert Martinique, educated in Paris and scope of popular-culture categories celebration of the iconic music from worked in Algeria. The documentary including movies, gaming, comics, the award-winning soundtrack to examines Fanons theories of identity Events anime, television shows, gadgets, Dirty Dancing, Sat 19 Mar, Solihull and race, and traces his involvement clothing and toys, Sat 19 - Sun 20 Arts Complex in the anti-colonial struggle in Algeria Mar, NEC, Birmingham UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM ARTS AND THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR Roxana and throughout the world. The CADBURY CHARACTER WEEKEND Pose SCIENCE FESTIVAL Mon 14 - Sun 20 Silbert directs Gogol's satirical mas- screening will be followed by a Q&A. for photographs alongisde Freddo, Mar, The University of Birmingham. terpiece, Sat 19 - Sat 26 Mar, The Thurs 17 Mar, The Drum, Caramel Bunny and friends as they Read our feature on page 40 REP Birmingham meet and greet visitors, Sat 19 - Sun TO LIV(E) (tbc) Evan Chan’s widely THE BIG BANG UK YOUNG SCIENTISTS & 20 Mar, Cadbury World, Bournville, acclaimed directorial debut is ENGINEERS FAIR The largest celebra- Birmingham tion of science, technology, engineer- inspired by Norwegian actress, Liv CAPTURE BIRMINGHAM Sat 19 - Sun Dance ing and maths (STEM) for young Ullmann’s, visit to Hong Kong in 20 Mar, Birmingham City Centre 1990, where she decried the forced people in the UK, Wed 16 Mar, THE PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW The UK’s BRENDAN COLE - A NIGHT TO deportation of Vietnamese refugees. NEC, Birmingham largest event for people with a pas- REMEMBER Brand new show from the Evans Chan will introduce the film FASHION & EMBROIDERY SHOW sion for photography, Sat 19 - Tues Strictly star that brings together ‘ball- and Hermann Aubié, PhD Candidate Part of ICHF event, Thurs 17 - Sun 20 22 Mar, NEC, Birmingham room magic and Latin excitement', in the Centre for East Asian Studies Mar, NEC, Birmingham Sun 20 Mar, Symphony Hall WRITE ON! at the University of Turku, Finland, HOBBY CRAFTS SHOW Celebrate the region’s up and coming young writers for an THE SNOW MAIDEN Based on a tradi- will host a discussion after the film. Part of ICHF event, Thurs 17 - Sun 20 event featuring new poetry, prose tional folk tale set in the snow-cov- Fri 18 Mar, mac, Birmingham Mar, NEC, Birmingham ered landscape of rural Russia, this and performance-writing, Sun 20 SORCERESS OF THE NEW PIANO) (tbc) SEWING FOR PLEASURE SHOW seasonal sparkler follows the Snow Mar, Selly Manor, Birmingham Ten years in the making, Chan's doc- Part of ICHF event, Thurs 17 - Sun 20

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thelist Monday 21 - Sunday 27 March SUZI RUFFELL, COLIN COLE, INEL Classical Music TOMLINSON & BRENDAN RILEY Fri 25 - Sat 26 Mar, Jongleurs Comedy Club AURIE STYLA Sun 27 March, The Glee THOMAS TROTTER & MICHAEL Club BROADWAY ORGAN CONCERT Mon 21 Mar, Symphony Hall, Birmingham UNIVERSITY WIND BAND AND SAXOPHONE CHOIR Featuring Lee Theatre Chapman and Harry Hextall (wind band conductors), Edgar Divver and Gerry Brazell (saxophone choir con- ANGER MANAGEMENT New work ductors), Sarah Carbis and Hannah devised by the Young Rep and Coutts (saxophone duo). Programme directed by Tom Saunders, Mon 21 - Tue 22 Mar, The REP The Vamps at Genting Arena in Birmingham on 25 and 26 March includes works by Philip Sparke, Martin Ellerby, John Adams and HORRIBLE HISTORIES: GROOVY GREEKS NICHOLAS KRGOVICH THE VAMPS Fri 25 - Sat Jacob de Hann, Thurs 24 Mar, From savage Sparta to angry Athens, Wed 23 Mar, Hare & 26 Mar, Genting Arena Bramall Music Building, Birmingham discover the truth about growing up Gigs in Greece, Tue 22 - Sat 26 Mar, Hounds B'SPOKE Fri 25 - Sat 26 EX CATHEDRA: GOOD FRIDAY ST New Alexandra Theatre LUCAS D & THE GROOVE Mar, The Jam House MATTHEW PASSION Featuring Ex ELLIE GOULDING Mon 21 Cathedra Choir, City of Birmingham HORRIBLE HISTORIES: INCREDIBLE GHETTO Wed 23 Mar, ALESSIA CARA Fri 25 Mar, Barclaycard Arena Symphony Orchestra, Jeffrey INVADERS Brand new show from the The Jam House Mar, O2 Institute Skidmore (conductor), Andrew Horrible Histories team. This time MARRAKESH EXPRESS SHOPPING Fri 25 Mar, Tortise (Evangelist) & James round it's the ruthless ways of the Wed 23 Mar, Kitchen The Rainbow Venues. Rutherford (Jesus). Fri 25 Mar, Romans which come under scrutiny, Garden Caf BLACK ROSE CADILLAC / Symphony Hall, Birmingham Tue 22 - Sat 26 Mar, New Alexandra JULIE FELIX Wed 23 FLEER Fri 25 Mar, The BIRMINGHAM COMMUNITY GOSPEL Theatre Mar, The Red Lion Folk Flapper, Birmingham CHOIR Sat 26 Mar, The Drum A RAISIN IN THE SUN Lorraine Club JAKE AND ELWOOD - Hansberry’s ground-breaking drama, PHOENIX RISING Wed 23 which offers a gripping portrayal of BLUES BROS TRIBUTE Fri Mar, The Robin, Bilston 25 Mar, Roadhouse working-class life on the cusp of the civil rights era, Tues 22 - Sat 26 Mar, CLINT MANSELL Wed 23 KICK UP THE 80'S Fri 25 Comedy Gigs Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Mar, Symphony Hall Mar, The Robin, Bilston GET CARTER A dark and stylish new MIKE SANCHEZ Thurs 24 TRIAXIS / IMMNESION Fri TOADALLY FREE COMEDY! Mon 21 Mar, adaptation of the classic Newcastle- THE 1975 Tue 22 Mar, Mar, The Jam House 25 Mar, Scruffy The Blue Orange Theatre, B’ham noir thriller, Tues 22 - Sat 26 Mar, Barclaycard Arena DISCIPLES Thurs 24 Murphys BRIDGET CHRISTIE Tues 22 Mar, mac, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry MARTIN HARLEY & Mar, The Rainbow SHANE FILAN Sat 26 Birmingham BRYONY KIMMINGS AND TIM GRAYBURN: DANIEL KIMBRO Tue 22 Venues Mar, Symphony Hall BARBARA NICE, ROB DEERING, ANGELA FAKE IT ’TIL YOU MAKE IT An Mar, Artrix, Bromsgrove QUILL Thurs 24 Mar, BARNES & RACHEL PARRIS Wed 23 Mar Edinburgh Fringe First winner, Solihull Arts Complex The Glee Club TRACER PLUS FEDERAL Bryony Kimmings' new work features CHARM Tue 22 Mar, O2 KANO Thurs 24 Mar, O2 ‘music, stupid dancing, onstage Institute Institute arguments, real-life stories, tears and HALF MOON Run Tue 22 MUSHROOMHEAD & truths’. The show explores the won- Mar, O2 Institute AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE ders and pitfalls of the human brain, SKINNY LIVING Tue 22 Thurs 24 Mar, O2 being in love and what it takes to be Mar, The Sunflower Academy a 'real man', Wed 23 - Thurs 24 Mar, mac, Birmingham Lounge JOHNNY FOREIGNER THE MUSIC SOCIETY'S Thurs 24 Mar, Actress MADE IN THE MIDLANDS From choco- BIG BAND Tue 22 Mar, & Bishop late and jewellery to Cluedo and much more, Young REP groups from Bramall Music Building, BOO HEWERDINE Thurs HRHAOR FESTIVAL TOUR all over the region examine the out- Birmingham University 24 Mar, Kitchen Garden Featuring The standing objects, industry and ideas Cafe Quireboys, Faster DIAT Tue 22 Mar, Hare that originated here in the Midlands, Pussycat, Bonafide, MOCK THE FLOCK COMEDY Wed 23 & Hounds ENGLISH DOGS Thurs 24 Wed 23 - Thurs 24 Mar, The REP, The Texas Flood, Mar, The Mockingbird Theatre, ALEXANDRA JAYNE Tue Mar, The Rainbow Birmingham Venues Thirteen Stars and Digbeth 22 Mar, The Jam TRAINSPOTTING A co-production from Skam, Sat 26 Mar, O2 RAY PEACOCK Thurs 24 Mar, The Old House FERRYMAN + CANCEL King's Head Theatre, In Your Face Academy, Birmingham Rep Theatre EMMA STEVENS Tue 22 TOMORROW + THE Theatre Company & mac LEFT FOR RED Sat 26 Mar, The Robin, Bilston GUARDIAN Thurs 24 JOHN GORDILLO, THE RAYMOND & MR Birmingham, featuring full frontal Mar, The Roadhouse Mar, O2 Academy TIMPKINS REVIEW, & COMEDY VON HERTZEN BROTHERS nudity, strong language and scenes REFUSED Sat 26 Mar, CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs Wed 23 Mar, The ALL-STAR AMERICAN of a violent & sexual nature, Wed 23 O2 Institute 24 Mar, The Glee Club Oobleck LEGENDS LIVE Thurs 24 Mar - Sat 2 Apr, mac, Birmingham Mar, The Robin, Bilston GIN ANNIE BAND Sat 26 Read our feature on Trainspotting on LAETITIA SADIER / Mar, The Robin, Bilston page 8 The 1975 at Barclaycard Arena, 22 March SMIF 'N' WESSUN Sun 27 Mar, The Oobleck AND ALSO THE TREES Sun 27 Mar, The Flapper QUINPHONIC FESTIVAL 2 Sun 27 Mar, The Roadhouse JOHN ROBINS Fri 25 Mar, The Glee DISSIDENT PROPHET Sun Club, Birmingham 27 Mar, Kitchen Garden Cafe JOHN GORDILLO, THE RAYMOND & MR TIMPKINS REVUE, CLINT EDWARDS & MORPHEUS RISING + COMIC TBC Fri 25 - Sat 26 Mar, The BLACK ROSE Sun 27 Glee Club, Birmingham Mar, The Robin, Bilston

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Monday 21 - Sunday 27 March

THE CANTERBURY TALES Six of the Banderas & Rodrigo Santoro. Thurs best-loved tales, told in a variety of 24 Mar, the Drum styles. Taking visual inspiration from medieval mystery plays, the three- man cast use drama, verse, physical NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: theatre and song to bring Chaucer's Released Fri 25 March, showing at characters to life. Telling colourful selected cinemas. tales of strange situations, it's not an BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF academic take on literature but a JUSTICE (tbc) fast, furious, funny and occasionally IONA (15) filthy one!, Thurs 24 Mar, Solihull Arts Complex MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 2 (tbc) MIDDAY VARIETY Featuring swing SPEED SISTERS (tbc) standards from Matt Ford and come- THE CLUB (tbc) dy input from Leo Shavers, Thurs 24 WELCOME TO ME (tbc) Mar, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry ZOOTROPOLIS (tbc) THE CIRCUS OF HORRORS: CARNEVIL The show that stormed into the finals See Film section for previews on p38 of Britain's Got Talent and is now a West End smash is back to mark its 21st anniversary, Sat 26 Mar, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Events HAIRY MACLARY & FRIENDS Lynley Dodd's popular characters are BAKE AND MAKE - STUART BAKING brought to the stage in a family pro- Advance your skills in Stuart 17th duction fusing music, singing and century baking and learn how to storytelling, Sun 27 - Mon 28 Mar, make herb bread and shape it into mac rolls in a variety of ways. Use local ingredients to make a honey cake and lavender biscuits, Mon 21 Mar, Moseley Old Hall, Wolverhampton INSOMNIA57 The UK’s biggest gaming festival, Fri 25 - Mon 28 Mar, NEC, Birmingham EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA Featuring an egg-citing egg hunt challenge, egg-scellent Easter bonnet competitions and a chance to find handmade Easter eggs at the World's Biggest CADBURY EASTER EGG HUNT 2016 Cadbury Shop, Fri 25 - Mon 28 Mar, Family Easter Egg Hunt around the grounds, with a chocolate egg prize Cadbury World, Bournville, and take home activities, Fri 25 - Mon 28 Mar, Baddesley Clinton, Solihull; Birmingham Berrington Hall, Leominster; Birmingham Back to Backs; Carding Mill Valley A GRAND OPERETTA GALA Featuring a & The Shropshire Hills, Craven Arms; Charlecote Park, Warwickshire; Croft full orchestra, rediscover firm MISSING MASCOT - EASTER WEEKEND Castle, Leominster; Packwood House, Solihull; Sunnycroft, Shropshire; favourites from The Mikado, The TRAIL Percy the Penguin, an RAF air- Upton House & Gardens, Warwickshire; Wightwick Manor, Wolverhampton; Gondoliers, The Merry Widow and man’s flying mascot, has disap- Moseley Old Hall, Wolverhampton many more, Wed 30 Mar, peared from his display case in Wolverhampton Grand Theatre search of a “cooler” home. Visit Cosford this Bank Holiday weekend CADBURY EASTER EGG HUNT 2016 SCENES TOUR Join the knowledgeable and take part in the hunt for the Hunt around the grounds, with a guides who’ll give you a glimpse into missing mascot, Fri 25 - Mon 28 Mar, chocolate egg prize and take home life upstairs and downstairs in a Dance RAF Cosford, Wolverhampton activities, Sat 26 - Mon 28 Mar, working 21st century stately home, HIPPITY HOPPITY HURRAY! Chick out Moseley Old Hall, Wolverhampton Sun 27 Mar, Weston Park, Shropshire SLEEPING BEAUTY Russian State Ballet the fantastic Easter activities and EASTER EGG HUNT Follow the Egg Trail AROC ALFA ROMEO SPECIAL DISPLAY presents its version of the classic make a cracking Easter card, a rock- throughout the Gardens, to win a Sun 27 Mar, Coventry Transport story of love and innocence, mystery ing chick and play lots of fun games. prize at the end, Sun 27 Mar, Museum and magic. Set to Tchaikovsky's sub- Plus take part in the egg hunt, Fri 25 Birmingham Botanical Gardens MOTORFEST Sun 27 - Mon 28 Mar, lime score, Mon 21 Mar, Mar - Fri 1 Apr, Selly Manor, B’ham UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS: BEHIND THE Weston Park, Shropshire Wolverhampton Grand Theatre EGG-CITING EASTER ACTIVITIES Hop on SWAN LAKE The Russian State Ballet over to the canalside village where a & Opera House perform cracking programme of Easter fun is Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, the story ready and waiting, Fri 25 Mar - Sun (EST 86) SINGLE? of a princess who’s turned into a 10 Apr, Black Country Living THE DINNER CLUB swan by a terrible curse, Tue 22 Mar, Museum, Dudley FOR THE MORE DISCERNING UNATTACHED PERSON Wolverhampton Grand Theatre EGG DANCING Watch the townsfolk dance across the street without stepping on eggs that are carefully placed along their route, Fri 25 Mar - Film Sun 10 Apr, Blists Hill, Ironbridge, Shropshire INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: EASTER FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT Enjoy THE BLACK PANTHERS: VANGUARD OF live shows from the resident magi- THE REVOLUTION (15) In 2010, the cians, ventriloquists and more, with FRIDAY 8 APRIL eyes of the world turned to Chile, giggles and games for the whole at Grosvenor Pulford Hotel and Spa, family, Fri 25 Mar - Sun 17 Apr, Wrexham Road,Pulford, Chester, CH4 9DG £70.00 where 33 miners had been buried Booked for 100 alive. Over 69 days, an international Cadbury World, Bournville, B’ham 7.30 for 8pm - Pre-dinner drink, 3 course meal with team worked tirelessly to rescue the GHOST TOURS OF ASTON HALL An ACCOMODATION trapped men. This tense thriller wine, coffee and dancing till late (disco) ALSO AVAILABLE immersive evening ghost tour of one (01244) 677030 weekdays or 548816 eve/weekends BOOK THROUGH depicts the courage of both the min- of Britain’s most haunted buildings, THE DINNER CLUB ers and their families. Stars Antonio Sat 26 Mar, Aston Hall, Birmingham www.thedinnerclubuk.com

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thelist Mon 28 March - Sun 3 April Joint Theatre HAY FEVER The Crescent Theatre Company present Noel Coward's comedy of manners, Wed 30 Mar - Thurs 7 Apr, Crescent Theatre IRELAND'S CALL Inspired by true events and spanning three decades, Ireland’s Call follows the extraordinary journey of the strong-headed Sean Dempsey, who, at the end of World War Two, leaves behind his childhood sweetheart and beloved homeland in search of a better life in New York, Thurs 31 Mar, MYSTERY MOVIES Wolverhampton Grand Theatre EVERY TUESDAY, 8.00PM

Tellison at The Sunflower Lounge in Birmingham on 31 March

Mar, O2 Institute TELLISON & MUNCIE Gigs ROOM 94 Wed 30 Mar, GIRLS Thurs 31 Mar, O2 Academy The Sunflower Lounge THE MANFREDS Thurs DISTRICT 97 + DAVE ALEXANDER O'NEAL Wed 31 Mar, Solihull Arts TINNED GOODS Tea & Tenacity present KERZNER BAND featuring 30 Mar, The Jam Complex a pacy drama which explores the special guest Durga House strength of friendship under the McBroom (Pink Floyd) LOWRI EVANS Wed 30 KIRAN LEONARD Thurs strain of politics, picket lines and + more! Mon 28 Mar, Mar, Kitchen Garden 31 Mar, Hare & Hounds principles, Thurs 31 Mar, Lichfield The Robin, Bilston Cafe ALTERED SKY Thurs 31 Garrick ADELE Tue 29 - Wed 30 NAI HARVEST Wed 30 Mar, The Rainbow STONES IN HIS POCKETS Two actors Mar, Genting Arena Mar, The Rainbow Venues play a vast array of eccentric and lov- Venues OTWAY/BARRETT: THE MADDY PRIOR IN able characters in Marie Jones’ FINAL STRAW Featuring CONCERT WITH GILES PURSO Wed 30 Mar, award-winning comedy, Thurs 31 John Otway & Wild LEWIN AND HANNAH The Sunflower Lounge Mar - Sat 2 Apr, Belgrade Theatre, JAMES Tue 29 Mar, The Willy Barrett, Thurs 31 NOTHING BUT THIEVES Coventry Robin, Bilston Mar, The Robin, Bilston Thurs 31 Mar, O2 JANET JACKSON Wed 30 Institute STELLA ROBERTS Thurs Mar, Barclaycard Arena 31 Mar, Bramall Music DEL CAMINO Thurs 31 Building Events SUNSET SONS Wed 30 Mar, The Jam House

EASTER HALF TERM FUN Award-winning clown and children’s entertainer PHIL NICHOL & COMIC TBC Thurs 31 Bibbledy Bob, with music, fun and Mar, Station Pub games on the lawn, Mon 28 Mar - Fri Classical Music ANDY ROBINSON, JARRED CHRISTMAS & 1 Apr, Birmingham Botanical Thu 10th & Fri 11th JEN BRISTER Thurs 31 Mar, The Glee Gardens March 7.00PM • £11 COLLABRO Tues 29 - Wed 30 Mar, Club EGG HUNT Ruby the Castle Dragon has hidden her eggs from the dastardly dragon hunter. She has been Theatre very clever and disguised them, but now she cannot find them! Visitors will be invited to help locate Ruby’s HEARTBEAT ITV's popular Sunday eggs, Mon 28 Mar - Fri 8 Apr, A DAY OF VINTAGE AND evening police drama makes its Tamworth Castle, Staffordshire RARE MOVIES IN VHS stage debut. Set in rural Yorkshire in EASTER ACTIVITIES Tues 29 Mar - Fri 1 the 1960s, Heartbeat on stage fea- Apr, RAF Cosford, Wolverhampton FORMAT tures a brand new script, video SAT 19 MARCH Symphony Hall, Birmingham footage and a 'clever set', Mon 28 - EGGOSAURUS Have fun with arts and Sat 2 Apr, New Alexandra Theatre crafts and make your own scary DOORS 12.00PM CBSO MAHLER'S TENTH Featuring dinosaur nest, complete with hatch- Nicholas Collon (conductor) & the A GRAND OPERETTA GALA Featuring a ing dinosaur babies, Thurs 31 Mar, £10 CBSO Youth Chorus. Programme full orchestra, rediscover firm PLUS BOOKING FEE Bantock House & Park, includes works by Webern, Brahms favourites from The Mikado, The Wolverhampton and Mahler, Thurs 31 Mar, Symphony Gondoliers, The Merry Widow and Hall many more, Wed 30 Mar, THE GADGET SHOW LIVE The UK’s Wolverhampton Grand Theatre largest consumer technology exhibition, Thurs 31 Mar - Sun 3 Apr, NEC THE PERFECT MURDER Shane Richie and Jessie Wallace star together on Comedy Gigs stage for the very first time in an acclaimed staging of Peter James’ MOCK THE FLOCK COMEDY Wed 30 best-selling thriller, Tues 29 Mar - Sat Mar, The Mockingbird Theatre, 2 April, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Digbeth BEETHOVEN IN STALINGRAD New play NATHAN CATON, SOFIE HAGEN & CRAIG based on letters that were confiscat- MURRAY Thurs 31 Mar, Bramall Music ed and hidden away by the Nazi Building regime, Wed 30 - Thurs 31 Mar, Old

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