Wolverhampton & Black Country Cover November 2018 .qxp_Wolverhampton & Black Country Cover 22/10/2018 12:04 Page 1 DAVE GORMAN STANDS UP AT Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands ALDERSLEY LEISURE VILLAGE WOLVERHAMPTON & BLACK COUNTRY WHAT’S ON NOVEMBER 2018 2018 NOVEMBER ON WHAT’S COUNTRY BLACK & WOLVERHAMPTON Wolverhampton & Black Country ISSUE 395 NOVEMBER 2018 ’ WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD On wolverhamptonwhatson.co.uk inside: PART OF WHAT’S ON MEDIA GROUP GROUP MEDIA ON WHAT’S OF PART Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide DRACULA Bram Stoker’s gothic horror at the Wolverhampton Grand TWITTER: @WHATSONWOLVES @WHATSONWOLVES TWITTER: HEADLAND Elizabeth Magill exhibition at Walsall’s New Art Gallery FACEBOOK: @WHATSONWOLVERHAMPTON FACEBOOK: @WHATSONWOLVERHAMPTON SANTA BABY Festive Gift Fair WOLVERHAMPTONWHATSON.CO.UK returns to the NEC Arena Theatre New F/P November 2018.qxp_Layout 1 19/10/2018 10:07 Page 1 Friday 2nd November at 7pm & Wednesday 7th November at 1pm and 7pm Thursday 8th November at 7.30pm Saturday 3rd November at 2pm and 7pm DRAMA DRAMA DRAMA STARCROSS YOUTH THEATRE NOT NOW COLLECTIVE VAMOS THEATRE PRIVATE PEACEFUL DAD-MAN: THE BATH FINDING JOY TIME WARRIOR Tickets £7 Tickets £12, £10 conc. Tickets £12, £10 conc. Saturday 10th November at 11am and 2pm Tuesday 13th November at 7.30pm & Thursday 15th November at 7.30pm Wednesday 14th November at 1pm and 7.30pm DRAMA DRAMA DRAMA DOTTED LINE THEATREE AND VOLCANO THEATRE BENT ARCHITECT THEATRE POLYGLOT ARTS MACBETH - WOMEN OF AKTION STORIES ON A STRING DIRECTOR'S CUT Tickets £5 Tickets £12, £10 Matinee & conc. Tickets £12, £10 conc. Saturday 17th November at 7.30pm Thursday 22nd November at 7.30pm Thursday 29th November - Saturday 1st December at 7.30pm, Friday matinee at 1pm DANCE DRAMA DRAMA JAIVANT PATEL DANCE ART WITH HEART BLACKEYED THEATRE COMPANY DIWALI UTSAV - DECLARATION THE SIGN OF FOUR BY SITARON KE SANG SHERLOCK HOLMES Tickets £12, £10 conc. Tickets £12, £10 conc. Tickets £12, £10 Matinee & conc. Contents November Wolves/Shrops/Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 22/10/2018 18:52 Page 2 November 2018 Contents Calendar Girls - Gary Barlow & Tim Firth’s musical comedy comes to the Midlands... feature on page 8 Seth Lakeman Jen Brister Dracula the list treads The Well Worn Path at acclaimed comedian visits the something to sink your teeth Your 16-page the Slade Rooms Midlands with new tour into at Wolverhampton Grand week-by-week listings guide page 15 page 21 page 24 page 51 inside: 4. First Word 11. Food 15. Music 20. Comedy 22. Theatre 39. Film 45. Visual Arts 47. Events @whatsonwolves @whatsonstaffs @whatsonshrops Wolverhampton What’s On Magazine Staffordshire What’s On Magazine Shropshire What’s On Magazine Managing Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 What’sOn Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 MEDIA GROUP Lauren Cole [email protected] 01743 281706 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Katherine Ewing, Jenny Ell, Steve Adams, Jack Rolfe, Elly Yates-Roberts, Daisy Sparkle, Steve Taylor, Chris Eldon Lee Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is produced without the use of elemental chlorine. We endorse the recycling of our magazine and would encourage you to pass it on to others to read when you have finished with it. All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. First Word Wolverhampton November.qxp_Layout 1 22/10/2018 16:02 Page 1 Entertainment news from around the region A Grand extension for Wolverhampton theatre A planning application is to be submitted by Wolverhampton Grand Theatre to expand its premises in the city centre. Keith Williams Architects have drawn up plans to build a pop-up theatre next door to the venue, on the site of the former post of- fice building. Commenting on the news: Grand Theatre CEO and Artistic Director Adrian Jackson said: “There is a vision to make Lichfield Street the arts hub of Wolverhampton city centre, and although the theatre already con- tributes massively to the local economy, there is so much more we can achieve in the com- munity, for education and cultural enrich- ment.” Wolverhampton to host vote. Drama company set to Commenting on the success, the New Vic’s prestigious art show Managing Director, Fiona Wallace, said: ‘cry God for Harry’... Wolverhampton has been selected as one of “We’re passionate about ensuring everyone Shropshire Drama Company (SDC) is cele- four cities to host the biggest touring exhibi- enjoys their visits to the New Vic, and this brating its 60th anniversary by presenting a tion of contemporary art in the UK. award is recognition of our hardworking staff production of Henry V, a play which they first Hayward Gallery Touring’s British Art Show 9 and volunteers, who strive to ensure our visi- performed 20 years ago. will stop off at Wolverhampton Art Gallery tors have the best experience possible.” Commenting on the forthcoming show, SDC and University of Wolverhampton School of spokesperson Neville Street said: “In addi- Art from February to May 2021. tion to the group of talented new people on The exhibition showcases a new generation board, some of the actors from 1998 are in the of British artists and is acknowledged as one forthcoming production. We hope that the of the country’s most important recurrent generous audiences we have received since displays of contemporary art. 1958 will continue to attend our productions for many more years to come.” SDC perform Henry V at Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn from Wednesday 7 to Satur- day 10 November. Spring in your step at popular walking festival The team behind the annual Ironbridge Gorge Walking Festival have launched their long-walks programme for the 2019 event. The popular festival, running from 4 to 12 May, features more than 50 free walks over nine days, including a number of themed walks ranging in length from two to 21 miles. New Vic crowned most To reserve a place or request a copy of the welcoming theatre programme, contact the Ironbridge Visitor Staffordshire’s New Vic Theatre has been Information Centre by email at tic@iron- named the West Midlands’ Most Welcoming bridge.org.uk or call 01952 433 424. Theatre 2018 in the UK Theatre Awards. For more details about the walks, visit iron- The ‘most welcoming’ category is the only bridgewalking.co.uk or email info@iron- award that’s decided via an entirely public bridgewalking.co.uk. 4 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Wolverhampton November.qxp_Layout 1 22/10/2018 16:02 Page 2 First Word Line-up revealed for Let’s Rock Shrewsbury 2019 Popular one-day retro festival Let's Rock Shrewsbury will make a welcome return to the town next summer, complete with a high-profile line-up of performers. Contributors already con- firmed for 2019 include disco divas Sister Sledge (pictured), the Thompson Twins' Tom Bailey, American songstress Belinda Carlisle, Roland Gift of Fine Young Cannibals, Kim Appleby (of Mel & Kim), Ches- Matthew Bourne to bring Romeo & Juliet to the Midlands ney Hawkes, Betty Boo, Matthew Bourne’s new production of Romeo And Juliet is coming to the Midlands as part of a UK Johnny Hates Jazz, Jaki Gra- tour. The show will see the title roles being played by six rising stars of Bourne’s dance company, ham, Captain Sensible and New Adventures, and two new dancers making their professional debuts. Sonia. Commenting on the production, Matthew said: “Romeo And Juliet will be a celebration of youthful A mystery headliner will be energy, talent and creativity both on and off-stage. As we enter our fourth decade as a company, I’m announced in December. For finding the development of young talent ever more important and fulfilling. I look forward to being more information and to book refreshed and inspired by what this team of young artists will bring to Shakespeare’s classic tale of tickets, visit letsrockshrews- tragic conflict and young love.” bury.com Matthew Bourne’s Romeo And Juliet will show at Birmingham Hippodrome from Tuesday 10 to Saturday 14 September. Robert De Record year of charity fundraising for Niro’s waiting Shrewsbury’s annual folk festival Fancy Visitors to this year’s Shrewsbury Folk Festival helped to raise a spending an record amount of cash for the event’s long-term charity partner. evening in Hope House, which supports children with life-limiting illnesses and the company their families, received more than £7,000 from this year’s four-day of one of the event, including a donation in excess of £2,000 from the festival’s or- It’s all about the world’s most ganisers. legendary Commenting on the news, Vanessa Thomas, the Major Gifts Manager swing at Telford actors? for Hope House, said: “We are so thrilled to continue our partnership theatre If so, you’ll be interested to with the festival.