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Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands ISSUE 375 MARCH 2017

LAURA WHITMORE Worcestershire AT THE BELGRADE ’

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

inside:

Yourth 16-pageelist week by week listings guide Belgrade (FP- March 2017).qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 09:42 Page 1 Contents March Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 11:34 Page 2

March 2017

Contents

Swingamajig - the Midlands most distinctive music festival returns to Digbeth feature on page 28

Robert Fonseca Laura Whitmore Cinderella the list

Cuban jazz pianist at joins Shane Ritchie in Not Dead Vienna Festival Ballet on tour Your 16-page Warwick Arts Centre Enough at The Belgrade with classic fairytale week-by-week listings guide page 17 page 24 page 33 page 51

inside:

4. First Word 11. Food 17. Music 20. Comedy 22. Theatre 36. Film 40. Visual Arts 43. Events

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Managing Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 ’ Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 Whats On Matt Rothwell [email protected] 01743 281719 Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 MAGAZINE GROUP Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Ryan Humphreys [email protected] 01743 281722 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Rhian Atherton [email protected] 01743 281726 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Heather Kincaid, David Vincent, Katherine Ewing, Lauren Cox Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is produced without the use of elemental chlorine. We endorse the recycling of our magazine and would encourage you to pass it on to others to read when you have finished with it. All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. FIRST WORD February Warwickshire.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 11:35 Page 1

First Word

Top female artists set to star at Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2017 This year’s Cheltenham Jazz Festival will feature star turns from top female vocalists Laura Mvula, Mica Paris, Earl, Camilla George and Meshell Ndegeocello, to name but a few. The well-established annual event returns next month to present a programme that brings together classic and contemporary jazz, blues, soul and pop with a range of world premieres, festival commissions and unique collaborations. Other performers making a welcome contri- bution to the event include Gregory Porter, Ben Folds, Jamie Cullum, Rick Wakeman Jack Savoretti, Will Young and Paul Carrack. The festival is hosted in a tented village in Cheltenham’s Montpellier Gardens and takes place from 26 April to 1 May. For more information and to book tickets, visit cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz

Gold accolade for popular Lifelong learning at Wilder’s legendary film, is being presented by Leicester’s Curve theatre and will star Ria Warwickshire destination British Motor Museum Jones as faded silent-screen goddess Norma Warwickshire gallery and park Compton Desmond. Welsh singer Ria was Glenn Verney can proudly declare itself one of the Close’s West End understudy in the role last best visitor destinations in England after year, receiving rave reviews and standing receiving a prestigious Gold award from the ovations when she country’s official tourist board. took over the part The VisitEngland accolades are allocated after the Hollywood through a scoring system based on an annu- star had fallen ill. al assessment, with Gold being given only to Sunset Boulevard top-scoring attractions. runs at the “We are now accredited as being as good as The British Motor Museum has launched a Hippodrome from we say we are!” says Compton Verney’s series of motoring-related workshops as part Monday 13 to delighted Front of House Manager, Emily of its on-going lifelong learning programme. Saturday 18 Ria Jones Medcraft. “The assessor looked at every part The workshops will enable participants to November. of the visitor journey, from marketing, exhi- learn valuable skills in photography, draw- bitions and interpretation to the admissions ing and classic car ownership. process, welcome, cleanliness and also our Among the sessions available are Cars Female performers on the retail and catering offer.” Through The Lens (18 March) - offering hints Rise in Coventry show Compton Verney will now receive an official and tips on taking the ‘perfect photograph’ certificate confirming its new status and will of a car - and Lights, Camera...Cars (19 Some of the Midlands’ brightest young be able to display the scheme’s logo on its March), providing the opportunity to develop female performers are starring in a brand website, comptonverney.org.uk. photography skills and experiment with new production on the Coventry Belgrade lighting. Theatre’s B2 stage this month. For more information about these and other Aged from nine to 25, the all-female cast are workshops, visit britishmotormuseum.co.uk appearing in Rise, a play which explores what it’s like to be a young woman growing up in the 21st century. The production runs from Monday 13 to Sunset Boulevard set to Saturday 18 March. Tickets are free but with return to Birmingham a request for donations to support the work of the Belgrade Community & Education Andrew Lloyd Webber’s award-winning Company. Seats are unreserved but must be musical Sunset Boulevard is returning to the booked through the box office on 024 7655 Birmingham Hippodrome in the autumn. 3055 or via belgrade.co.uk The Tony Award winner, based on Billy 4 whatsonlive.co.uk FIRST WORD February Warwickshire.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 11:35 Page 2

Entertainment news from around the region

Festival winner inspired by Asian folklore A story inspired by Asian folklore has won this year’s Stratford-upon- Avon Literary Festival & Salariya Book Company Prize. The winning tale, submitted by Camille Whitcher (pictured below), a 2016 graduate of the Cambridge School of Arts Illustration MA, was based on the Far Eastern folk legend of the Moon Rabbit. “It was my mother who told me about the Otsukimi (moon-viewing) festival,” explains Camille. “The fes- tival honours the autumn moon, and people ‘offer’ food to the moon. She wasn’t sure about whether this involved any rabbits, but as a rabbit lover myself, I had to put them into my story!” Camille’s prize for winning the com- petition, which was open to debut writers and illustrators, includes having her book published later this Slam Dunk favourites return for a record fourth year year by Salariya imprint Scribblers, a £5,000 advance against royalties Slam Dunk Festival favourites Zebrahead are making a record-breaking return to the event. The from Salariya and advice from a American punk-rap party outfit’s 2017 appearance will mean they’ve performed at the festival for leading illustration agent. more consecutive years than any other band. “We’re damn excited to be coming back for the fourth straight year,” says Zebrahead’s Ben Osmundson. “It’s the one festival where everyone feels like family and friends, and we can't wait to have a drink with all of you!” Slam Dunk Festival takes place at the Genting Arena and NEC on 27 May. For tickets, visit thetick- etfactory.com or call 0844 33 88 222.

Blood cancer Kenilworth Arts Festival organisers charity in new launch crowdfunding campaign campaign Organisers of Kenilworth Arts Festival have launched a crowdfund- launch ing campaign to help finance this year’s event. The 2017 edition of the festival runs from 17 to 23 September and will Blood cancer charity see musicians, poets and writers appearing at a selection of venues Cure Leukaemia has across the town. launched a campaign Last year’s inaugural event attracted more than 5,000 people, with to raise £1million to organisers eager to ensure this year’s festival is bigger and better. Birmingham actor fully fund the £3.5mil- Commenting on the campaign, Chairperson Lewis Smith said: lion expansion of bags role in new “Crowdfunding is a great chance to be a part of the festival and to Birmingham’s Centre Indo-British movie receive some exclusive rewards in the process. There are plenty of for Clinical A young Birmingham actor is to other ways to get involved, too. We’d love to hear from businesses Haematology (CCH). appear in an international movie interested in sponsorship opportunities, new volunteers and, of CCH is one of the inspired by Shakespeare’s Titus course, artists and performers.” Andronicus. world’s leading centres The Kenilworth Arts Festival crowdfunding campaign runs until 12 Twenty-one-year-old Antonio Aakeel for the development of March. To find out more, visit kenilworthartsfestival.co.uk is the only British actor in the Indo- new drug and trans- British co-production The Hungry, a plant treatments for film that was given the green light last year as part of the 400th patients with blood anniversary commemorations of cancers. The RSC making Mischief in Stratford Shakespeare’s death. To find out more about The Royal Shakespeare Company is once again holding its Mischief “The film is every bit a the ways in which Shakespearean epic,” says Antonio, Festival this spring. donations can be The popular event is being hosted at the Company’s ‘creative engine “and what a great way to commemo- made, visit rate his legacy. We’re all very proud room’, The Other Place, and features a double-bill of new plays of the movie, and India has been the cureleukaemia.co.uk alongside a range of events and works-in-progress. perfect setting to translate this story The festival runs from 24 May to 17 June. A second Mischief Festival for a contemporary audience.” will be held in the autumn. To find out more, visit rsc.org.uk whatsonlive.co.uk 5 FIRST WORD February Warwickshire.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 11:35 Page 3

First Word

Birmingham Legoland given the green light Birmingham’s council has given the go-ahead to a plan- ning application to establish a Legoland Discovery Centre at the city’s Barclaycard Arena. The new venue will include a 4D cinema, numerous rides and several interactive Lego- themed attractions. City council planning officers year. Commenting on the news, Camper Calling’s Britpop bands headline believe the discovery centre Shelley Bond said: “Last year exceeded all our will ‘reinforce and promote Warwickshire festival expectations and was a staggering success. We’re Birmingham's role as a centre A family-friendly festival at Ragley Hall in therefore determined to make 2017 even better. We for tourism, culture and Warwickshire will be headlined by two of the already know that there’s going to be a fantastic events’. biggest bands from the 1990s Britpop era. party atmosphere and a great weekend of live music Liverpool indie rockers Cast and rock legends Reef for the whole family - so see you down the front!” will top-bill Camper Calling, a summertime music Camper Calling takes place at Ragley Hall from 25 to Theatre hosts and entertainment extravaganza which debuted last 27 August. dance workshop for the over-50s The hugely talented Richard Alston Dance Company is A day out for Taking on The Enemy in Coventry holding a dance workshop for the over-50s at Malvern Thomas the A new exhibition celebrating Coventry band The Enemy has opened at Theatre on Wednesday 1 the city’s Music Museum. Tank Engine’s March. The workshop takes Tracing the 10-year history of the trio, Live And Die, A Celebrating Of The fans place from 10.30am to 4.30pm. Enemy features their stage set - includ- Tickets cost £24 per person Fans of Thomas the Tank ing amps and instruments - an Enemy and include the dance work- Engine can enjoy a day out jukebox and a series of unique and shop and a seat in the theatre with their hero this month unseen photographs of the band. for the company’s evening (4 & 5 March). The exhibition coincides with The performance. Vintage Trains is celebrating Enemy being added to the museum’s its 50th anniversary by run- Coventry Music Wall Of Fame and shows ning a steam-hauled rail at the venue until November. Cirque’s tales of tour from Birmingham the forest, told in Snow Hill Station to the city... Oxfordshire's Railway Centre, where an action- Three new businesses take up residence packed programme of fami- ly-friendly fun with Thomas in Coventry creative hub Fargo Village and his friends awaits. More than two years after its official launch, Coventry’s Fargo Village The day’s entertainment continues to grow and develop, with three new businesses having recent- includes the chance to meet ly taken up residence. Sir Topham’s mischievous Art studio Spray Station, vegan food shop The Green Unicorn and dessert sidekicks Rusty & Dusty, vendor Choc’n’Roll are the latest to find a home at the Far Gosford Street balloon modelling with creative hub. Twistina and Twistopher, All three start-ups received advice from Coventry & Warwickshire The world famous Cirque du and the opportunity to Chamber of Commerce business advisor Wendy Brown. Soleil make a welcome return enjoy Thomas story read- Said Wendy: “Fargo to Birmingham this month. ings in the Imagination Village is a fantastic The Québec-based entertain- Station. space and perfect for ment company are visiting the these new businesses, city’s Genting Arena with their with whom it’s been a signature production Varekai: pleasure to work over Tales Of The Forest, a spectac- the past few months. ular show that reimagines the They’ve done bril- fate of Icarus, who, in Greek liantly so far, and I mythology, perished after fly- wish them the best of ing too close to the sun. luck in the future.” The production shows at the Genting from Wednesday 1 to Sunday 5 March.

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FEATURE

The Road To Huntsville

Stephanie Ridings’ one-woman show explores the subject of finding love on Death Row...

How far would you go to find the man of been incarcerated as it is writing to going to Texas to be with someone!” your dreams? Coming to Warwick Arts someone who's going to be executed, But despite not joining the ranks of the Centre this month, Stephanie Ridings' The which doesn't happen in this country.” women who find love through letter- Road to Huntsville explores the Ridings set about researching - digging writing, Ridings did eventually find the fascinating phenomenon of women around in blogs and internet forums, funding to travel out to Texas and visit the falling in love with the men they write to watching films and reading books to find Huntsville prison after which the show is on death row. You might think a out more. What she discovered surprised named. Opened in 1849, Huntsville is whirlwind romance based purely on her; once these women found their prison both the oldest state prison in Texas and letters to a prisoner sounds a little far- pen pals, it wasn't all that hard to home to America's busiest execution fetched, but according to Ridings, at least, understand how quickly they might fall, chamber. She and her videographer it's more common than you might think... even if they hadn't initially set out looking weren't able to get too close to the facility “There are a lot of websites where you can for love. For all the modern wonders of (you can see them skirting around the find someone to write to,” she says, “and instant communication, these are lonely perimeter in a series of video blogs on her you can be very specific - about sexuality, times for many people. In a world of YouTube channel), but they did get the gender, what they're in prison for, how constant distraction, the appeal of “an chance to speak to former prison warden long they're gonna be in prison - it's all old-fashioned courtship with pen and Jim Willett, who oversaw 89 executions catered for. Some of them actually get paper” is easy to see, particularly when over the course of his career. married, though there's no actual physical you're corresponding with someone “He was a really great guy - really funny contact - it's all done by proxy or through offering you their absolute and undivided and lovely, and you couldn't have asked the bulletproof glass.” attention. for a nicer person. But, I don't know, West Midlands-based writer and The wealth of information available both something about him just made you feel performer Ridings first took interest in the online and elsewhere meant that Ridings like he was damaged by his experience. It subject after coming across a television was able to start work on her show wasn't just doing all those executions and documentary. Instantly hooked, she was without ever making contact with any of having to take that home with him, but as drawn to look deeper into the lives and these long-distance lovers. Of course, the warden, he also lived right outside the experiences of these women, and what it there were ethical considerations to factor walls of the prison, and his house was on was that might lead them to pursue such in as well. the other side of the death house, so he'd unconventional relationships - brought his kids up that close to it.” “It didn't feel right to just crash into particularly the British women writing to somebody's life and then disappear once The pair also made some time to take a men in American prisons. I'd made the show. There are real look around the town more generally, and “The thing that really interested me was concerns about exploiting people for get a feel for the attitudes of local people the fact that they're three or four things like this. And there was nothing towards what happens in their thousand miles away, and that question of that I couldn't find out from what was neighbourhood. Huntsville is a small city whether you can actually be in love with already in the public domain, so I didn't in the east of Texas with a population of someone just through letters. Also, it isn't see what the purpose of that would be. just under 40,000. A quarter of that so much about writing to a man who's Also, I didn't want to end up actually population is made up of people behind

8 whatsonlive.co.uk Stephanie Ridings DPS.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 11:34 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

bars, and the majority of the other interested and what happens after each the only time she's taken on hard-hitting residents are employed by the Texas incident, and how my other half subject matter. Her last play at The REP, Department of Criminal Justice, leading to responds. In Edinburgh, people really Unknown Male, explored the effects of a Huntsville being labelled as a ‘company wanted to know how much of it was true, train-track suicide on the driver. More town’. but we like to leave audiences to make recently, she's been working on a project their own minds up.” called Dylan's Parents, which deals with “People in that part of Texas are very the aftermath of a horrific crime from the conservative in their beliefs. We were It's not the first time Ridings has created perspective of the perpetrator's family. quite cautious about telling people why and performed a solo show - her previous we were there, so we only referred to the piece, Me, Mum & Dusty Springfield, Originally from Liverpool, Ridings has prison quite generically, but even the toured to rave reviews - but in recent years now lived in the West Midlands for six receptionist at our hotel was like, 'If you she's focused more on writing plays for years, having first moved in when her behave like a dog, you get put down like a other people to perform. This medium partner started work at Warwick Arts dog'. And that was very much the sort of seemed to suit the story better, but wasn't Centre. Since then, she's quickly made a attitude among the people we spoke to. without its perils. Such an intense and name for herself in the local arts and We were having dinner on the last night soul-searching show is bound to make theatre scene, being accepted onto The and there was a man there who thought huge demands on any performer, REP's inaugural Foundry programme, as that the UK was overrun by the Taliban particularly when they're up on stage well as Writing West Midlands' Room 204 and that we were all living in constant alone. scheme. fear. Of course, we were very typically “It just felt like this was a more interesting “Moving here was one of the best things British and polite about telling him that it way to present the story - it wasn't enough I've ever done for my career. After we was nothing like that, but there’s a real just to write a play about a woman who came to the area I felt like things sort of narrow-mindedness there. It was falls in love with a man on death row. In progressed much better, and I've been pretty strange, but it was a really great the early days it was difficult, and I took meeting really great friends and experience.” measures to make sure it wasn't affecting colleagues in the arts. Everyone's very Presented as a confessional-style solo me in my life - I suppose that's just about welcoming and there's a really nice feel. performance, the show blends detail of how you warm up and warm down at the Also there's always something going on Ridings' real experiences with a beginning and end of the show. I think the somewhere, and there's something for fictionalised narrative. Since the dividing rest of the team were quite worried that it everyone, whether it's big commercial line between the two is never made would affect me a lot, because there's a lot theatre or something more tailored, so I explicit, the show has elicited a variety of of my real life in there, and there are some can't champion the West Midlands responses from critics and audiences quite tricky things that I talk about which enough.” based on what they assume to be true and did actually happen. But at the same time, invented. I think there's something quite liberating about it. You just have to be mindful to “I speak directly to the audience, and it's The Road To Huntsville shows at take care of yourself.” almost like I'm sort of reliving it in that Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, on moment, so it goes through how I get Experience probably helps. It's also not Monday 6 and Tuesday 7 March

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Food

of a South American classic. My partner’s choice of Lomo Saltado (a Peruvian-inspired steak dish influenced by Chinese culture) was likewise a master- class in authentic flavour, even though at times the bold combi- nation of soy sauce, fresh herbs and red wine proved a little too much for the untested palate. For the ultimate ‘fiesta on a plate’, keep an eye out for the fixed-price menu, a handpicked selection of house favourites priced at a not-unreasonable £24.50 and just perfect for shar- ing! Rounding off our evening with a White Chocolate and Mojito Cheesecake (£4.25) served with fruit coulis, I confess that step- ping out onto the cold English (£5.25), it was clear from the high street proved something of REVIEW: Bodega Cantina & Bar, Worcester very first bite what set this chain a shock to the system - a testa- apart from its nearest high-street A ray of South American sunshine ment, no doubt, to the venue’s competitors. Bursting with full- unmistakable warmth and brightens Worcester’s food scene bodied flavour, generously uniquely relaxed atmosphere. loaded with toppings yet at the There was just enough time to As a much-loved fixture of in soy sauce and red wine) and same time deliciously light to sneak in one last cocktail - an Birmingham’s restaurant scene, grilled swordfish with fresh the taste, the intense flavour of intriguing blend of Tequila, Bodega Cantina & Bar has long mango and Mexican red rice. the chilli (by far one of the best Lime, Pomegranate and been delighting diners with its Add to this a carefully prepared examples I’ve tasted on the high Prosecco - before heading back easy-going yet utterly authentic menu of signature cocktails street!) was complemented per- to reality! approach to contemporary South made with rum, pisco, tequila, fectly by the zestiness of the avo- American street food. cachaça and vodka, alongside cado and tomato salsa. Shaking (and stirring) up the UK bar scene (one cocktail at a With branches now open in an extensive choice of South Entering into the spirit of my time), Bodega is the ray of South Worcester and Leicester, and American wines, bottled beers surroundings, my accompanying American sunshine Worcester’s with a fourth set to open in and spirits, and you have all the choice of Brum Runner cocktail - newly revitalised high street has Derby in March, this humble ingredients of a winning brand. an intoxicating blend of been crying out for. Quirky in high-street chain shows no signs Arriving at the Worcestershire Appleton Signature Rum mixed style, relaxed in atmosphere and of slowing down any time soon. branch - located just a stone’s with Banana and Blackcurrant instilled with the authentic spirit Part of the ever-quirky throw from Worcester Foregate Liquor, Pineapple, Lime Juice of Latin American street culture, Bitters‘n’Twisted restaurant Street station, within walking and Molasses - likewise proved a Bodega’s intimate surroundings, group (whose sister venues distance of the city centre - I was deliciously refreshing (if potent!) delightfully offbeat street decor, include Birmingham success sto- instantly transported from my palate-cleanser. inventive approach to traditional ries Island Bar, The Jekyll And historic English surroundings to Moving on to the main course, tapas dishes and expertly con- Hyde and The New Inn, the beating heart of contempo- my dish of Moqueca de piexe - a ceived cocktail menu make it a Harborne), Bodega’s extensive rary Mexico, Peru or Argentina. flavourful combination of fish, highly desirable addition to any menu brings together street food Exposed brickwork, shabby-chic peppers and onion in a coconut high street. Katherine Ewing influences from across the South fixtures, café-style seating, milk sauce - was every bit the American continent. Mexican-inspired wall art and a Brazilian delight. Poised some- Food: n n n n n Hand-picked by the restaurant’s vibrant colour palette of terra- where between a seafood Service: n n n n n intrepid team of seasoned trav- cotta, teal and lime imbued the gumbo, Italian fish stew and Ambience: n n n n n ellers, popular tapas dishes such venue with an authenticity and Cullen Skink, chunks of only the Overall value n n n n n as filled Burritos, Quesadillas, easy-going charm akin to any freshest salmon, seabass and OVERALL n n n n n Empanades and stuffed continental tapas bar or down- prawn found their perfect part- jalapenos sit happily alongside a town cantina. nership in the rich and velvety mouthwatering menu of regional Opting for the tried-and-tested coconut broth, punctuated with Bodega Cantina & Bar specialities, including the starter of House Nachos filled every mouthful by the subtle 14 Foregate St Brazilian-inspired Xim Xim with Bodega Homemade Chilli heat of fresh chillies, garlic and Worcester (chicken and prawns in peanut and topped with Mozzarella, green pepper. Add to this a rus- WR1 1DB butter sauce), Peruvian classic Cheddar, Sour Cream, Chives, tic slice or two of cheese bread Tel: 01905 22200 Lomo Saltado (steak marinated Salsa Fresco and Guacamole and you have all the ingredients

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Food

Coventry Beer Festival Bake Off winner makes welcome return Candice Brown to The 2017 edition of the Coventry Beer visit Birmingham’s Festival is taking place this month. The popular event has been running annual summer since the 1970s and this year features in excess of 80 beers, as well as Foodies Festival numerous ciders and perries. Great British Bake Off 2016 winner Taking place at Coventry Rugby Candice Brown is to appear at this sum- Club’s Butts Park Arena, the festival mer’s Birmingham Foodies Festival. is being held on 17 & 18 March. The former PE teacher will be joined by Admission costs vary depending on fellow Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussein, the time of day you attend and ‘burlesque baker’ Charlotte White and whether or not you’re a member of chocolatier Fiona Sciotti. CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale). Other attractions at the three-day event include a range of street food, an artisan producers market, a vintage tea tent, A taste of Asia in Captain Morgan’s pirate ship, chilli and bug-eating competitions, and live music Worcester’s revamped on the Unsigned Music Awards Stage. Cathedral Square The 2017 event will have a special focus Two acclaimed Asian restaurants on healthy living and ‘growing your have made a long-term commitment own’. to Worcester's revitalised Cathedral The Birmingham Foodies Festival takes Square. place in Cannon Hill Park from 23 to 25 Yo! Sushi and Kung Fu have both put June. pen to paper on 15-year leases to operate out of the £20million retail development. The Asian eateries will take their Wednesday night declared ‘pie night’ at Stratford eatery place in the Square alongside Ask, Stratford-upon-Avon eatery The One Elm has declared Wednesday night ‘pie night’. All Bar One, Byron Hamburgers, Cosy The popular gastropub is urging lovers of ‘traditional fare’ to sample its new midweek menu - four Club and Miller & Carter steakhouse. savoury pies served with seasonal greens and lashings of gravy, and one sweet pie served with At the time of going to print, two custard, cream or ice cream. units in the development remain Commenting on the new initiative, head chef Andy available to rent. Lock said: “Think classic steak-and-ale pie made with caramelised beef and a dark, rich gravy laced with stout, or a satisfying shepherd’s pie packed with Food for thought at minced lamb and sweet tomatoes, topped with cheesy mash. Just be sure to leave room afterwards for a delec- Wasps Rugby Club... table pear-and-blackberry pie with creamy custard!” Coventry’s Wasps Rugby Club is put- As well as Wednesday Pie Night, The One Elm has also ting what they hope will be a mouth- introduced new sharing roasts on Sundays. watering offer on the table for the For more information, visit oneelmstratford.co.uk 2017/18 season. Following the recent success of the club’s STEAK. restaurant as a match- by-match offering, Wasps have now Champagne High Tea is the Mother of all decided to make available a seasonal Sunday offers at RSC’s main theatre membership for the popular eatery. Not all of Shakespeare’s characters were good to their mothers - Commenting on the decision, the think of Hamlet’s bitter condemnation of Gertrude - but the world club’s Corporate Ambassador, Hugo famous Stratford-upon-Avon theatre company that bears the play- Southwell, said: “The exclusive wright’s name is certainly ticking all the right boxes this nature of the VIP experience - Mothering Sunday. Directors’ Box seating and pre and The Royal Shakespeare Company is laying on a Champagne High post-match commentary from Wasps’ Tea in the Circle Bar of its main theatre on Sunday 26 March, high-profile stars - makes this an allowing patrons to eat, drink and hopefully be merry while enjoy- incredible offering.” ing stunning views across the river Avon. The special high tea is STEAK. will also remain available on also available without Champagne. a match-by-match basis. If Sunday lunch is more to your taste this Mother’s Day, the the- For more information 0247 6786410 or atre’s Rooftop Restaurant is the place to head for. To book, visit email [email protected]. rsc.org.uk/your-visit/eating-and-drinking or call 01789 403449.

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food, glorious food...

Food festivals are becoming as much a staple of the British summer as Pimms, strawberries and Wimbledon. We all love eating alfresco (don’t we?), so what better way to sample locally grown produce and freshly made dishes than by attending one or more of the many food festivals taking place across the Midlands in the coming months...

BIRMINGHAM VIVA! VEGAN FESTIVAL With over 150 Colmore Row, Birmingham HAMPER LLANGOLLEN 2017 Voted by the Telegraph stalls, talks throughout the day, cookery demos THE GREAT BRITISH FOOD FESTIVAL Artisan food mar- national newspaper as one of the top 10 food festi- and lots of other activities, Sat 15 April, Macdonald ket, food challenges and competitions, live music, vals in the UK, Sat 14 - Sun 15 October, Llangollen Burlington Hotel, Birmingham children’s entertainment, foodie demonstrations Pavilion EASTNOR CHILLI FESTIVAL Now in its sixth year, with and so much more, Sat 8 - Sun 9 July, Kelmarsh all things chilli to try and buy, Sun 30 April - Mon 1 Hall, Northampton Fancy something stronger? May, Eastnor Castle COSFORD FOOD FESTIVAL COSFORD FOOD FESTIVAL LUDLOW FOOD FESTIVAL (SPRING) Proving that Lud- Featuring a tasty line-up of over 80 local producers low doesn’t do things by halves, the Spring Festival and serving up ‘the very best food and drink the THE RUM FESTIVAL Featuring over 100 different rums is a celebration of all things British, packing a Midlands has to offer’, Sat 22 - Sun 23 July, RAF from around the globe, live entertainment, food slightly different punch to its older counterpart, Sat Museum Cosford and giveaways, Fri 10 - Sat 11 Mar, The Bond Com- plex, Birmingham 13 - Sun 14 May, Ludlow Castle KENILWORTH FOOD FESTIVAL Hosting the region’s THE GREAT BRITISH FOOD FESTIVAL Artisan food mar- very best food and drink vendors, with over 40 COVENTRY BEER FESTIVAL Over 80 real ales, ciders ket, food challenges and competitions, live music, stalls selling tasty goodies to savour on-site or to and perries, Fri 17 - Sat 18 March, Coventry Rugby children’s entertainment, foodie demonstrations take home, Sun 30 July, Abbey Fields, Kenilworth Football Ground and so much more, Sat 27 - Mon 29 May, Weston WORCESTER FOODIE FESTIVAL Following the great STOURBRIDGE GIN FESTIVAL Over 80 gins will be Park, Staffordshire success of last year’s event, the festival returns available, sourced from all over the British Isles and WARWICK FOOD FESTIVAL Back for the third year and ‘bigger and better’, with over 70 stalls offering deli- beyond, with a wide range of mixers and fruits to celebrating all things local to Warwick, Sun 28 May, cious food and drink from local businesses, Sat 5 - match, Thurs 6 - Sun 9 April, Green Duck Beer Co., Market Square, Warwick Sun 6 August, Worcester Stourbridge THE GREAT MALVERN FOOD FESTIVAL Over 60 stalls of LICHFIELD FOOD FESTIVAL Following the roaring suc- HILLTOP FARM BEER AND CIDER FESTIVAL The family- locally produced food, drink and crafts. The BBC’s cess of last year's edition, the Three Spires Shop- friendly festival returns for a fourth year, celebrating Cooking Food Theatre features demonstrations, ping Centre once again plays host to ‘a fantastic the Midlands’ finest beers, ciders and locally talks and displays, Mon 29 May, Great Malvern Pri- weekend of edible delights’, Sat 26 - Mon 28 Au- sourced food, Fri 2 - Sun 4 June, Hilltop Farm, ory gust, Lichfield Town Centre Leamington Spa, Warwickshire ASPARAFEST Celebrating all things asparagus and NANTWICH FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL Boasting over BIRMINGHAM RUM FESTIVAL After a sellout first year, featuring a winning combination of music, food, fun 200 traders spread between two indoor gourmet the festival returns with rum sampling, cocktail activities and attractions, Fri 2 - Sun 4 June, Ash- market halls, and street food vendors from across mixology, live music and street food, Sat 1 July, down Farm, Evesham the globe, Fri 1 - Sun 3 September, Nantwich Town The Cuban Embassy, Birmingham BBC GOOD FOOD SHOW SUMMER Bringing the best Centre BIRMINGHAM COFFEE FESTIVAL Sat 1 - Sun 2 July, food, drink and culinary experts from the BBC to TELFOOD FEASTIVAL More than 130 of the region’s The Custard Factory, Birmingham Birmingham, Thurs 15 - Sun 18 June, NEC, Birm- best food, drink and craft producers descend on BIRMINGHAM WHISKY FESTIVAL A chance to sample ingham Telford’s Southwater development for a second the best of Scottish homegrown whiskies and DROITWICH SPA FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL With approx- year, Sat 2 - Sun 3 September, QEII Arena, Telford, those from all over the world, Sat 25 November, imately 100 producers hailing from Droitwich and Shropshire The Council House, Birmingham within a 30-mile radius, Sat 17 June, The Lido Park, ROYAL LEAMINGTON SPA FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL Droitwich Spa Now in its 10th year, the festival yet again features ELLESMERE FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL Showcasing im- an action-packed programme, Sat 9 - Sun 10 Sep- pressive varieties of top-quality produce from local tember, Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington and regional producers, suppliers and restaurants, MOLD FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL Recognised as one Sat 17 - Sun 18 June, Ellesmere, Shropshire of the best and most successful festivals in Wales, SHREWSBURY FOOD FESTIVAL Returning for another Mold attracts more than 13,000 visitors and 120 year, Shrewsbury Food Festival features hundreds food and drink producers every year, Sat 16 - Sun of artisan food, drink and craft producers showcas- 17 September, Mold, Wales ing Shropshire’s fine food and drink, Sat 24 - Sun STONE FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL The festival has 25 June, The Quarry Park, Shrewsbury grown from humble beginnings in the town’s Geor- COLMORE FOOD FESTIVAL Bringing the finest hospi- gian High Street to become one of the Midlands’ tality venues of the Colmore Business District to- biggest and busiest food festivals, Fri 6 - Sun 8 Oc- gether for one weekend, Fri 30 June - Sat 1 July, tober, Westbridge Park, Stone, Staffordshire Royal Leamington Spa Food & Drink Festival

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Gigs Gig previews from around the region

White Lies The Empire, Coventry, Fri 10 March

London band White Lies features core members Harry McVeigh, Charles Cave and Jack Lawrence- Brown. Following the release of three top- five albums - To Lose My Life... (2009), Ritual (2011) and Big TV (2013) - the trio were temporarily without a label after a bout of record company reorganisation. Rather than Fatherson 2016, and have undertaken this current headline European tour after supporting re-sign straight away, they decided to The Assembly, Leamington Spa, start work on their most recent Thurs 9 March Augustines last winter. “It’s always strange, especially when you’ve album, Friends, under their own Glaswegian three-piece Fatherson have steam. already released an album,” guitarist and made plenty of waves on the music scene vocalist Ross Leighton tells The Student “We’d been signed since we were 18,” since their inception in 2010, along the way says frontman McVeigh. “We’re all 28 Pocket Guide. “People will come see you releasing debut album I Am An Island in because they wanna hear the songs they now. Not having a label was liberat- 2013 and playing support slots for ing. We could write what we wanted, know. If you go see a band under a new Frightened Rabbit, Twin Atlantic and Enter album cycle and they sort of play 60 percent pick our own studio and choose who Shikari. to work with. We could use what new and 40 percent old tunes, ya know peo- They released their second album, Open ple are like, ‘this is rubbish’ - so we’re trying we’d learned along the way, and if Book, to great critical acclaim in summer another label liked our new songs, to keep them to a minimum.” they could sign us. It was like mak- ing a debut album again.” Roberto Fonseca Jo Harman Craig David Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 11 March Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 31 March Fri 24 March Jo Harman’s star is most definitely in Best known for hits such as 7 Days, I’m the ascendant at the moment. Walking Away and Re-Rewind with Artful Having been described in some quar- Dodger, Craig David has sold over 15 million ters as the UK’s finest female soul albums, achieved 16 top-ten hits and blues singer, she’s scored hits with reached multi-platinum status in more than both debut album Dirt On My Tongue 20 countries. See him in Birmingham as part and its follow-up, Jo Harman And of his Following My Intuition arena tour, his Company - Live At The Royal Albert biggest in the UK for 15 years. Hall. The bluesy chanteuse and her band visit Artrix in support of her much- Cuban jazz pianist Roberto Fonseca first The Weeknd anticipated second album, People made a splash in the music world at the ten- We Become. Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, der age of 15, when he appeared at Havana’s Mon 13 March International Jazz Festival following a nomi- Grammy Award-winning and multi-plat- nation for best Latin Jazz album. inum-selling music artist The Weeknd Following his graduation from Havana’s released three nine-track mixtapes to great Superior Institute of Art, Fonseca became acclaim in 2011 - House Of Balloons, Rubén González’s replacement in the Thursday and Echoes Of Silence. A compila- famous Buena Vista Social Club, going on to tion album, Trilogy, followed in 2012, accompany Ibrahim Ferrer on multiple released under both Republic Records and worldwide tours. his own label, OX. Roberto here performs with his usual quar- He’s visiting Birmingham as part of his first tet of drums, bass and percussion, plus a ever world tour, Starboy: Legend Of The three-part horn section and singer. Fall. For the complete gig guide visit whatsonlive.co.uk 17 Classical Warwickshire March.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 11:33 Page 1

Classical Music

Orchestra Of The Swan: The English Genius Stratford Artshouse, Stratford-upon-Avon, Tues 14 March As well as being held in high regard for their championing of new music, having presented more than 70 world premieres, the Stratford-based Orchestra of the Swan are also much admired for their perform- ances of works by a wide range of leg- endary composers. For this latest concert, they turn their attention to the ‘best of British’, present- ing works by Holst, Purcell, Tippett and Walton. Performances of Elgar’s self-confessed favourite work, Serenade For Strings, and one of Britten’s early orchestral works, Simple Symphony, round off the evening in suitably celebratory style.

Retorica Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 10 March Philippa Mo and Harriet Mackenzie start- Brodsky String Quartet ed playing together seven years ago after Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa, Fri 24 March meeting at the Royal Academy of Music. It This hugely admired quartet has performed more than 2,000 concerts and released in was while studying there that they discov- excess of 50 recordings since its formation in 1972. During the course of its 45-year history, ered they had a shared passion for both Brodsky has collaborated with numerous high-profile artists, not least among whom are contemporary music and the rarely heard Elvis Costello and Bjork. The quartet has also gained a reputation for its ongoing educa- repertoire for two violins. tional work, presenting children’s shows designed to engage youngsters with a wide range “Harriet and Philippa are both exception- of classical music. al violinists,” says one of Retorica’s col- Their Leamington programme features: Schubert’s Quartettsatz in C minor, D.703; laborators, composer David Matthews. Webern’s Six Bagatelles; Zemlinsky String Quartet No4 Op25; and Schubert’s String “Together they have an instinctive rapport Quartet No14 in D minor D810 Death And The Maiden. which makes them one of the most excit- ing duos around.” Matthews’ 2001 composition, Eight Duos Gala Piano All-Nighter Armonico Consort: Op79, kickstarts Retorica’s Bromsgrove performance. Birmingham Town Hall, St Matthew Passion The programme also features Moeran’s Fri 3 - Sat 4 March Warwick Arts Sonata for 2 Violins (1930), John McCabe’s Comprising 12 hours of piano music, this Centre, Coventry, Spielend (2003) and Rawsthorne’s Theme Birmingham Conservatoire event fea- Sun 26 March; Malvern Theatre, And Variations (1938). tures contributions from, among others, Worcestershire, Alistair McGowan, Peter Donohoe, Dr Tues 28 March Anna Scott, Antony Hewitt and ‘a mys- Founded by organ- tery special guest’. The evening kicks off ist and conductor with Hungarian virtuoso pianist Gergely Christopher Monks Bogányi performing Chopin's Nocturnes. in 2001, Armonico Proceedings are brought to a close on the are one of the Saturday morning with a performance of largest organisa- Messiaen’s Dieu Parmi Nous on the tions of their kind in the UK. famous Town Using authentic period instruments, the Hall Organ. baroque consort regularly perform with The event begins some of the best solo musicians in the at 7.30pm on world. Friday the 3rd These latest concerts see them joined by and finishes at internationally acclaimed tenor Ian 7.30am on the Bostridge (pictured), as they perform Bach's morning of the famous masterpiece of classical sacred 4th. music.

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Comedy

Natalie Cutler: Not Yet Suffragette Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sun 19 March; mac, Birmingham, Thurs 23 March The tampon tax, public breast-feeding, marriage, child birth and the gender pay gap are among the subjects being given a thorough airing by Natalie Cutler in her one-woman show - an hour’s-worth of performance that brings together comedy, music, dance and political incorrectness. “It’s a show about how far we’ve not come and the reasons why,” explains Natalie. “Women are still being asked the same questions and told the same things - ‘How come you’re not married? How come you don’t have a baby? You should dress like this, don’t dress like that’. They’re all the same issues that were there 100 years ago. But there are plenty of people in the world trying to address inequality - my show doesn’t pretend to have any answers, it simply takes a look at where we’ve travelled over the last century. “I’m very much a satirical comedian and believe in the old adage of ‘first make an audience laugh, then make them think’. With this show, it was very important to me that I included material on subjects that weren’t commonly known about. For instance, I have a whole section based around the fact that there are currently 17 women serving life sentences in El Salvador because of miscarriage. Abortion is illegal in the country, and miscarriage is considered to be abortion and the woman’s fault.” So is Natalie welcoming of men in her audience? “Absolutely. It’s feminist comedy, but I don’t spend the hour bashing men. A lot of guys who see the show don’t get it. And why would they? They don’t have the issues. The ones who do respond to it tend to be younger, and a lot of them absolutely see where I’m coming from.”

Six of the best...

Russell Stuart Tom Allen & Howard Goldsmith Suzi Ruffell Genting Arena, Henry Tudor House, Edge Arts Centre, Birmingham, Shrewsbury, Much Wenlock, Fri 17 - Sat 18 March Thurs 9 March Fri 17 March; Brewhouse Arts According to his “Whether cheering Centre, Burton-on- mother, reveals up a distressed child, Trent, Sat 18 March Russell Howard, his helping prevent a Two talented comedi- comic style calls to riot, or genuinely ans for the price of mind a child telling saving another one is the deal on people about his day at the zoo. human's actual life, I’m excellent in a crisis,” offer here, with Tom and Suzi each taking an And in fairness, Mrs H’s assessment is a pret- says Stuart Goldsmith. “When the chips hour of the show and performing their ty accurate one. aren't down, however, it's a very different Edinburgh Fringe routines. Well known for the BBC Three TV series story.” Allen is a master of camp comedy. Often Russell Howard's Good News, the Bristol- Goldsmith says this sixth solo show is about likened in style to legendary raconteurs born funnyman is here making a return to ‘embracing anxiety, conquering indecision Kenneth Williams and Frankie Howard, he the live stage for the first time in three years, and getting tasered’. It focuses on the also doffs his comedian’s cap in the direction taking on the challenge of his biggest global always-rich subject matter of being middle- of McIntyre and Izzard. This latest show is tour to date. aged, the experience of parenting and the his eighth solo offering and derives much of Gags include: “Have people always been this challenges of leaving the city for a life in the its material from experiences which hap- angry? I've got a funny idea that before the countryside. pened in his childhood... internet, people were just writing ‘f*** you’ His jokes include: “My friend Kim is on every Ruffell looks back to her own formative years and attaching it to pigeons,” and “I lost my single dating website. She refers to them all for her inspiration too. Gay, quirky and virginity under a bridge. I was having sex as the ‘husband directory’, but behind her delightfully self-deprecating, she’s certainly with this poor girl and I was trying my best, back we call it the Screwfix catalogue.” making good progress in the world of stand- but I was like Scotland at a World Cup - just up comedy, presenting an unquestionably pleased to be there.” likeable persona as she waxes lyrical about her mother’s fashion sense and her father’s ‘dodgy’ jobs. 20 whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy March.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 11:17 Page 2

Comedy previews from around the region

Count Arthur Strong: The Sound Of Mucus Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Wed 8 March; Malvern Theatres, Fri 24 March After years of success on BBC Radio Four and at the Edinburgh Fringe, Count Arthur Strong - or ‘the Count’, as he’s otherwise known - finally made it onto the nation’s television screens in 2013, starring in a sitcom that was co-written by the character’s creator, Steve Delaney, and the man behind Father Ted, Graham Linehan. A third series of the show is due to be screened this month. “Isn't it wonderful,” says Arthur, “that you can just turn on the telly after a hard day at the abattoir and there I am, smiling back at you, in my own programme again and again.” If you’ve not yet enjoyed a live performance by the Doncaster-born doyen of light entertainment, this tour is an excellent opportunity to do so. Entitled The Sound Of Mucus, the new show pays tribute to one of the best musicals Arthur can remember. Not that the former variety star is blessed with much of a memory, mind you. And as for his battery of befuddlements and propensity for mirthful malapropisms - well let’s just say that they provide exceptionally effective starting points for some truly top-grade comedy. “With each live show I’ve done, I’ve found out a little bit more about Arthur,” explains Steve Delaney in talking about the character he created. “If I watch footage from the early days, he looks like the bones of some- thing, but he’s definitely continued to develop, and that’s very important. Simply reproducing what I’ve done before would neither be as much fun nor as interesting.”

Tony Law: Jasper Carrott and Hal Royal Spa Centre, Alistair McGowan Cruttenden Leamington Spa, Thurs 16 March Belgrade Theatre, Mon 13 - Thurs 16 March; The Bramall, The Place, Oakengates, Telford, 25 - 27 March Birmingham, Zany alternative Thurs 16 March Midlands laughter legends Jasper and comedy is Canadian Given that he’s so Alistair are stopping off at plenty of the funnyman Tony much more than ‘just region’s theatres and comedy venues during Law's stock-in-trade, another stand-up’, the course of their long-running tour. a fact which means Hal Cruttenden Jasper’s been plying his trade for many a his audience is guar- must’ve been delight- decade now, with career highs including anteed an evening of truly off-the-wall, ed when the Daily Telegraph wrote of him: numerous television series and a chartbust- boundary-defying stand-up. ‘He’s naturally funny, but he’s evolving into ing mid-’70s hit with hugely amusing song So if you like your comedians to be touched something more challenging and provocative Funky Moped. with genius while at the same time prone to than some jolly-faced follower in the foot- Worcestershire-born Alistair has followed in meander off-topic with gag-laden dialogues, steps of Michael McIntyre’. the footsteps of Mike Yarwood and Phil Cool Tony is definitely the fella for you. Alongside his comedy, Hal’s also an oft-seen to become one of the country’s most revered If, on the other hand, surreal comedy really actor, having appeared in TV shows includ- impressionists. He’s also worked extensively isn’t your thing, you may well be hard- ing EastEnders and Kavanagh QC, and on in the theatre, appearing in shows including pressed to get into the spirit of the evening. film in Mrs Dalloway and The Madness Of Little Shop Of Horrors, for which he received Previous shows have seen Tony chat to his King George. an Olivier Award nomination. audience about a lizard-moose who can see As a comic, he places great emphasis on the future, and channel the spirit of a late cleverly constructed punchlines, and is and little-known comedian whose act always happy to ridicule himself in the name involved him impersonating RAF fly-pasts. of comedy. Quite what Mr Law will choose to focus on Hal is here joined by fellow funnymen Alan during his Leamington show is anyone’s Hudson and compere-for-the-evening Paddy guess. Lennox. He’s appearing at the Bramall as part of the venue’s monthly comedy night.

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Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Billy Elliot ing the Midlands as part of its first ever UK tour. “Billy Elliot tells two different stories about trying to overcome adver- Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 7 March - Sat 29 April sity,” says Scott Garnham, who plays Billy's older brother and local Based on the hit movie of the same name, Billy Elliot is set in the strike ringleader, Tony. “One is about a little boy trying to escape his north east of England against the backdrop of the historic 1980s min- environment, the other is about the strike. And where one succeeds, ers' strike. the other fails spectacularly. Billy wants to be a dancer but feels that he must keep his ambition “When we take the show to places near mining communities, I feel secret, to avoid the disapproval of his struggling family... like they really get what we're trying to say with our story. In The award-winning show - it’s bagged 10 Tonys and five Olivier Sunderland, you could see fully-grown men crying in the audience Awards - features the iconic music of Sir Elton John and is here visit- when we talked about how there'd be no pits left in 10 years’ time.”

The Commitments Pink Mist Oyster Boy New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, The REP, Birmingham, Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sun 12 March; The Old Mon 13 - Sat 18 March Thurs 23 - Sat 25 March Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Fri 24 March Roddy Doyle’s smash-hit musical adaptation Pink Mist is a military term for the blood All-female physical-theatre company Haste of his own bestselling novel follows on from spray that hangs in the air following an are the award-winning creatives behind this the Bafta-bagging movie version that attack by a sniper or the explosion of a road- bittersweet tale about the trials of love. chalked up a huge international success way side bomb. It’s a dramatic title for an equally Blending physical storytelling, clowning, live back in the early 1990s. dramatic work of theatre, originally written singing, dancing and puppetry, the show As with book and film, the stage show finds by Owen Sheers for radio broadcast. tells the story of Italian ice-cream seller Jim, working-class music fan Jimmy Rabbitte Arthur, Hads and Taff played at war with a his whirlwind 1950s romance with Alice, and inspiring an unlikely bunch of amateur youthful enthusiasm when in the school the way in which their lives are turned musicians and friends to become the finest playground - but now, barely out of their upside-down by the arrival of their first soul band Dublin has ever produced. teens and posted to Afghanistan, they find child, a boy born with a head that’s shaped Along the way, the band treats the audience that the realities of conflict are an altogether like an oyster to more than 20 gold-star soul classics, different experience... shell. including: Night Train; Try A Little Inspired by 30 interviews with returned ser- Running for Tenderness; River Deep, Mountain High; In vicemen, Pink Mist reflects on the physical approximately The Midnight Hour; Papa Was A Rolling and psychological aftershocks of war - and 60 minutes, the Stone; Mustang Sally; and I Heard It Through the price paid not only by the soldiers them- show is suitable The Grapevine. selves but also by the families they leave for audience The cast is headed by Kevin Kennedy, best behind. members aged known for playing the character of Curly The production visits Birmingham following eight-plus. Watts in Coronation Street. an acclaimed run at Bristol Old Vic.

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FEATURE

Going Greek

Jodie Prenger talks about playing Shirley Valentine in a new version of Willy Russell’s iconic play...

Ever fallen so in love with a foreign country that you've been tempted to stay forever? In Willy Russell's much-loved story, Shirley Valentine, a middle-aged housewife swaps her humdrum life in Liverpool for paradise on the sunny shores of Greece after a friend unexpectedly invites her out on holiday. The 1989 film version starring Pauline Collins has firmly established a place in the nation's hearts, but slightly less well known and widely seen is the original stage version that inspired it. Unusually for Russell, the stage show takes the form of a long monologue, where a solo performer recounts Shirley's entire journey in character. Thirty years after the show made its stage debut, I'd Do Anything star Jodie Prenger brings it back to life at Birmingham's New Alexandra Theatre this month. “As a character, I'd put Shirley Valentine right up there with icons,” says Prenger. “When Willy Russell created her, I think she became the heart of every woman around the UK, so it's an absolute joy to play a role like this. And also she's so brave - I think it's extraordinary to have the strength to leave everything she knows behind. It sounds like a bit of a cliché, but she really does 'discover herself'. I think it's quite an endearing quality for someone to question what their life has been and what they've done with it, and she really does that.”

whatsonlive.co.uk Shirley Valentine DPS.qxp_Layout 1 21/02/2017 12:25 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

Like many, Prenger had her first Educating Rita) also remains a hands-on unsatisfying job, will be able to encounter with Shirley through the film member of the team, and director Glen understand Shirley's gnawing frustrations adaptation. Though the character and Walford has the benefit of just as much and desire for an escape. Not wanting to story are much the same in either experience with the show as does the return from a favourite holiday is medium, the way it's told makes a huge writer, having both commissioned and probably also something that most of us difference, especially for the actor leading directed the original stage production. can identify with. the production. “It was originally written as a play. Glen “I think we've also all had jobs where we “I've never seen it on stage before, which I Walford commissioned Willy to write a go in nine-to-five and we'd all much think is a good thing, but of course I've musical, and he turned up with this one- rather be sat on the beach drinking wine seen the film, and I'm always quite woman play which has become really by the sea. I remember when we went to shocked when people say they haven't. embedded in the history of theatre - so no the Maldives - we were on a private island, On stage, the vision and the story and the pressure for me! Willy's been really which was lovely, and it was definitely premise is all taken up by one person, so involved in this production, but then the hard to drag me back then. So I think you have to really be there in the moment. show is his baby. And it's the same with there's a bit of Shirley Valentine in every You can't just sit on a chair and tell the Glen. They're both very proud of it, and single person out there. Or at least I hope story - you have to make sure the I'm very proud to get to hold it - I feel like there is, because she's just glorious, she audience can see all these scenes and the I'm holding it with my mittens on, really is.” parts of Shirley's journey playing out.” protecting it. I think it's so admirable As well as starring in Tell Me On A when the people who’ve created these Luckily, Prenger has plenty of experience Sunday, Spamalot and Calamity Jane at shows stay part of them for so long, and I to draw on here, having previously the New Alex, Prenger also recently think that's what keeps them special and appeared in Tell Me On A Sunday, which appeared as Fairy Bow Bells in keeps the strength in them year after showed at the New Alex in April 2016. But Birmingham Hippodrome's Christmas year.” in this particular case, she says, it's the panto, Dick Whittington. And she's nature of the character and the scale of Decades after the story was written, looking forward to returning to the city. her journey of self-discovery that allows attitudes to marriage, relationships and Coming back to a familiar place with a the show to easily fill the space in larger women generally have changed a great few friendly faces to call on helps break venues, despite its one-woman cast. deal, and Shirley's pre-holiday life spent up the loneliness of touring solo. talking to the walls and cooking egg and “I think it goes back to Shirley Valentine “I always love going to Birmingham - the chips for an unappreciative husband are being this big, iconic role. She's got a shopping's great and it's got a real kind of probably far less typical today than they huge, epic story to tell and goes on a real buzz about it, which is always nice, once were. Nevertheless, thinks Prenger, adventure, and that makes you want to especially when you're going somewhere she's still as easy to identify with as ever. listen to her. She's a great explorer who on your own. I've done quite a lot of gets to live out her dream. She says herself “The thing is, when you watch it, she shows in the city, and it was lovely to hear that she's a mother, she's a wife, she's never actually hates Joe. I think they do the reaction about Shirley Valentine while Shirley Valentine, and the way that she still love each other, and that's why I was doing the panto at the Hippodrome says it makes you feel like Shirley they've stayed together for so long, even if over Christmas. And it'll be nice to meet Valentine could be Super Woman.” they don't always say it. They've just up with some people I know there started drifting apart, haven't they? I because I do sometimes get lonely doing a Of course, although she takes the think we've all experienced relationships one-woman show, so I'm more than limelight up on stage, Prenger isn't going like that - where someone does things that grateful to anyone who pops over for a to be entirely unsupported. There's also get on your bloody nerves and sometimes chat.” plenty of help to be had from the crew they drive you mad, but deep down you and creative team, including designer love 'em and you just get on with it. You Amy Yardley. see echoes of that throughout history - it's Shirley Valentine shows at the New “I don't want to give too much away but just something that goes on and on.” Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Mon the set really is extraordinary. It's got a And it's not just relationships either; there 6 - Sat 11 March; Belgrade Theatre, kind of nostalgic quality, especially when are plenty of other ways of getting stuck Coventry, Tues 6 - Sat 10 June; Theatre she ventures out to Greece - it's really in a rut. Anyone who's ever found Severn, Shrewsbury, Mon 10 - Sat 15 beautiful and picturesque.” themselves in any sort of dead-end July Creator Willy Russell (Blood Brothers, situation, whether in love or simply in an

whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre March.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 11:18 Page 2

Shobana Jeyasingh Dance: Material Men redux

Fri 3 & Mon 27 & Sat 4 Mar Tue 28 Mar £15 £16

m¡longa The power and beauty of Argentinean tango.

Tue 16 - Tue 7 Mar - Fri 26 & Sat 20 May Sat 29 Apr Sat 27 May From £17 From £25 From £15

Coppélia

Mon 29 May Tue 6 - Tue 13 - - S at 3 Jun Sat 10 Jun Sat 17 Jun From £15 From £17 From £16

Jon Richardson - The Old Man Joel Dommett - Live 2017 Thu 4 May £20.50 Sat 6 May £18.50

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Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

One Love: The Bob Marley Musical The REP, Birmingham, Fri 10 March - Sat 15 April This new musical about the legendary Bob Marley is here receiving its UK premiere. Focusing on the period of the musician’s life that saw him propelled from rising reggae star to global icon, the show features Marley’s greatest hits, including No Woman No Cry, Exodus and Jamming, all of which are performed live by the cast. “Birmingham is a natural place for the show’s UK premiere,” says Marley’s daugh- ter, Cedella. “With its mix of cultures, it’s a city where my father performed to audiences that were captivated by his presence. “I have no doubt that telling the story through music to a new generation in Birmingham will be part of his continuing legacy.”

The Virgin Marias The Hypocrite Not Dead Enough The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Sat 4 March Fri 31 March - Sat 29 April Mon 27 March - Sat 1 April Birmingham School of Acting graduate EastEnders’ Shane Richie and Strictly Come Nathalie Bazán’s revenge play is inspired by Dancing’s Laura Whitmore (pictured) spear- the true story of sisters Delfina and Maria de head this new stage adaptation of Peter Jesús González, brothel owners who, in mur- James’s ingenious novel. With more than 17 dering the prostitutes they recruited, became million copies of his books sold worldwide, the most infamous sibling serial killers in James’s reputation as a talented crime-fic- history. The production is presented by Lying tion author was further enhanced last year Lips, a theatre company which Nathalie when he received the coveted Diamond established in 2014. Suitable for audience Dagger, crime writing’s highest honour. members aged 14-plus, the show contains This latest stage adaptation of the novelist’s full nudity, smoking of herbal or e-cigarettes, work sees Detective Superintendent Roy stroboscopic lighting effects and violent Grace digging deep into a chilling murder scenes. Quite a night out, then... Award-winning playwright Richard Bean - case - and quickly finding out that not every- he of One Man, Two Guvnors fame - is the thing is quite as it seems to be... impressive talent behind this ‘riotous new Olivier Award winner Ian Talbot directs. Wonderwoman: comedy’, here being co-produced by the The Naked Truth Royal Shakespeare Company and Hull Truck Theatre. Set in the spring of 1842, its central mac, Birmingham, Fri 17 March character is the governor of Hull, Sir John “How do we discuss sex in front of the sand- Hotham, a man charged by Parliament with pit, write a thriller inside a playpen and the task of denying King Charles I entry into arrange a hot date whilst playing Lego?” ask the city. Croatian artists and long-term Birmingham “The reason the play is called The residents Tina Hofman and Kristina Gavran. Hypocrite,” explains Richard, “is that Sir “To work or not to work? That is the ques- John told some people that he was for tion. Our ambition didn’t disappear when we Parliament, and others that he supported the had kids. It is ever-present, and often in con- king. He was tasked by Parliament with flict. Can we soothe our babies and our securing Hull’s arsenal but later turned to ambition?...” the king's side, refusing to supply the Tina and Kristina present Wonderwoman via Parliamentarian Thomas Fairfax with pow- Notnow Collective, a company they co- der and munitions.” founded in order to contemplate the subjects The production stars Game Of Thrones’ Mark of family, parenthood and work-home bal- Addy (pictured) as Sir John and longtime tel- ance in a ‘challenging, highly visual and evision favourite Caroline Quentin as his immersive way’. wife, Lady Sarah Hotham.

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FEATURE

“Nobody is gonna rain on my parade” Natasha J Barnes talks about starring in Funny Girl on tour

What's the use of being a sensation if you never get the opportunity to show it? In Jule Styne and Isobel Lennart's iconic 1963 musical, Funny Girl, the unconventional Fanny Brice makes it big against the odds, thanks to a winning combination of hard work, determination and a lucky break. She's not the only one. When leading lady Sheridan Smith was forced to take time out from performing in the show's West End run last year, understudy Natasha Barnes was called upon at short notice to step up to the plate. Audiences who'd booked tickets in the hope of seeing Smith went in sceptical - Sheridan's shoes are undeniably hard to fill - but almost every one of them came out converted. As Fanny Brice would have it, Barnes was just an untried bagel on a plate full of onion rolls - all it took for people to be blown away by her was for someone to give her a chance. “I've understudied for a few things before, and for whatever reason you don't always get to play the part,” says Barnes. “So just having the opportunity to go on is amazing, but even though I'd done all the work in the rehearsals, I'm not sure how prepared I actually was. On the first night, I was just surprised I got through it, and then when everyone stood at the end, it was one of the best moments of my life. It was what I've wanted ever since I was little, and to see that people were really enjoying it was really special. I'm still grateful for it now.” The reviews were gushing, declaring her in no uncertain terms as good as Smith, and heralding her as a bright new star in the musical theatre firmament. So well did her performances go down that as the production embarks on a UK-wide tour in

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by Heather Kincaid

2017, Smith and Barnes will share the role larger than life. She's a very strong that's been a shock. There's the between them, alternating performances woman, a real fireball and quite ahead of enormously demanding schedule, too. at different venues. To some extent, the her time. She's also very funny and really Fortunately, the West End run has left pair each make the role their own, but wears her heart on her sleeve. She doesn't Barnes much better prepared for this whomever they see leading the show, hide anything. So it's all about trying to be year's tour, furnishing her with the audiences are guaranteed a real treat. as open and as full of light as you can be.” wisdom and experience to ensure she doesn't burn out when she hits the road. “I think my take really came out of the That aside, in many ways the part might West End run. When I first started out, I have been tailor-made for Barnes. The “It's a bit like driving a car, when you're did quite a close representation of what parallels between her own and Fanny's learning how to make the engine run as Sheridan did, until over time the journeys to success have not escaped smoothly as possible so that you don't character sort of became mine. The tour is comment so far. It's also a fantastic part stall it or blow it out or overheat it by just a chance for both of us to bring what for an emerging talent in terms of putting it through too much. After the first we did in London to the rest of the showcasing great range, with Fanny night, when I woke up the next morning, I country, while still keeping it fresh and growing steadily older and wiser as the felt like I'd been hit by a bus! I was so making sure it's just as special as the first play progresses. The story covers several tired and couldn't imagine how I was time round.” years of Brice's life, from her teens going to do it for eight shows a week - through to her thirties, with Barnes falling that's something you have to learn to Of course, Smith's isn't the only right in the middle of the range. manage quite quickly. But I think you performance Barnes has had to live up to. have to do a few shows, get it wrong a few For many, the show will be forever “I did worry about it a bit at first, whether times, maybe work a bit too hard or be a associated with Barbra Streisand, who or not I could play someone older than bit under-energised until you can get to originally played the part both on stage me. But it's a really well-fleshed-out part, that sweet spot where you can give it 110% and screen. It's partly this, thinks Barnes, and you do get a sense of moving through but not exhaust yourself so much that you that's kept directors from taking it up time with her - it's something that can't do it the next day. I mean, on a again for decades - prior to last year's run, happens very naturally with each song. matinee day you're singing nearly 28 it had been an incredible 50 years since The show picks up with the older Fanny songs, which is huge for anybody, so it's Funny Girl last showed in the West End. sitting at her dressing table, and then just about pacing yourself and treating it shoots back to show her at age 15. And “When you have somebody as iconic as like a marathon rather than a sprint.” luckily, from that point on, it’s straight Streisand, you really have to find the right through until the end of the show, so This will be the young performer's first person to follow them. I think Sheridan is there's not too much jumping around in time touring, and she's certainly looking one of the greatest female comedians of time. I have to say that the first 20 minutes forward to the fresh sights and new our generation, so it was very much her of the show are a bit of a sprint because experiences her visits to the Midlands and work that was the starting point for this when she's younger, you have to be much elsewhere will bring. production. But it’s interesting that it's more energetic and use your body a lot.” made a comeback now, because it’s being “I've never done the living-out-of-a- referenced in a lot of things, and also it's a For Barnes, who can remember singing suitcase thing before. I'm actually really time when you have all sorts of people, songs from the show at the age of six or looking forward to being on the road like Amy Schumer, really getting their seven, Funny Girl has been the because I get very into my work. I think moment to celebrate the funny in being opportunity of a lifetime, and something it's a lot easier to get fully inside a show or female. I think it's great that as actresses for which she feels she's been preparing a role when you don't have the we have more opportunities now to take for almost as long as she can remember. distractions of everyday life around you. centre stage and play roles that are a bit But also I'm looking forward to seeing a “I think I first watched the film with my silly.” bit of my country, especially Scotland and nan on a Sunday afternoon. At the time, I all the places I haven't been to, including Then there's the fact that the story is semi- was really young, and all I thought then Stoke. I keep looking up things to do - it biographical, inspired by the true story of was, 'God, that lady's got a good voice'. feels a little bit like being Alice in the real-life theatrical gamechanger Fanny The film and the show do have some Wonderland.” Brice who, in the early 20th century, had differences, though - a lot of the book was to fight against preconceptions of what a rewritten, and they've worked quite female performer should and shouldn't closely with the estate of Fanny Brice and Funny Girl - starring Natasha J Barnes - be. the original writers. I think it feels a lot shows at the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on- more modern now - it snaps along at quite “She's a funny old character to play Trent, from 28 March to 1 April, and at a fast pace, whereas the film was quite because she was a real person. You don't the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre long.” want to do an impression but there are from 24 to 29 July. certain things you have to honour in the Naturally, being lauded as the next big It visits Birmingham Hippodrome from performance - like she was known for thing in musicals has taken some getting 8 to 13 May, with Sheridan Smith in the really big facial expressions and for being used to, and it's not just the publicity lead role of Fanny Brice

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Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 28 March - Sat 1 April X Factor winner Joe McElderry takes the title role in a show that marked Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s arrival in the world of musical theatre. Fun, frothy and offering great entertainment for anybody who fancies the kind of night out that lets you leave your brain at home, it tells the story of a young man (Joseph) who sees the future in dreams. When he tells his 11 brothers that he’s had a dream in which he’s seen them all bowing down to him, his siblings are far from impressed - and they’re even less happy with Joseph when their dad gives him a coat of many colours... Terrific energy from an ensemble cast, spec- tacular sets and excellent music make for a great night out.

Ghost The Thing That Came Beryl Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, From Over There New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Mon 20 - Sat 25 March Fri 3 - Sat 18 March Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Fri 17 March Five times world pursuit champion, 13 times This is a new stage version of the award-win- Visual gags, verbal wit, giant puppetry, slimy national pursuit champion and twice road- ning film starring Patrick Swayzee, Demi fungus and parasitic space worms are all racing world champion, unsung sporting leg- Moore and Whoopi Goldberg. For those not present and correct in a show that features end Beryl Burton was a truly remarkable in the know, it tells the story of a ghost three actors in 15 roles and takes its inspira- woman, bagging cycling title after cycling named Sam who, caught between this world tion from numerous 1950s horror movies. title while at the same time managing to be and the next, desperately attempts to com- As legendary adventurers Scott and both a wife and a mother. municate with his girlfriend Molly and warn Amundsen begin their 1912 race across Maxine Peake’s critically acclaimed play cel- her that she’s in mortal danger from his mur- Antarctica, hapless explorer Captain ebrates the achievements of this record- derer. Reginald Cranston accidentally lands on the breaking performer, a woman who, during A timeless tale about the power of love that wrong side of the continent. To add to his her all-too-short lifetime, was awarded both beautifully blends the genres of romance and troubles, he soon finds himself investigating an OBE and an MBE. comedy, Ghost features The Righteous the crash-site of a meteor - unaware of the Brothers’ Unchained Melody and numerous danger that awaits not just himself and his songs co-written by Eurythmics’ Dave team but the whole of the planet... Stewart. This 75-minute show is presented by the criti- Happy Hour The show stars Carolyn Maitland as Molly, cally acclaimed Gonzo Moose, a company The Old Rep, Birmingham, Wed 1 March Jacqui Dubois as Oda Mai Brown, Sam which specialises in producing ‘rip-roaring Ferriday as Carl and Andy Moss as Sam. comedy adventures’. Tmesis Theatre’s impressively choreo- graphed stagework explores the modern-day obsession with being happy, contemplating Invincible the question of whether people’s emotions Lichfield Garrick, Tues 21 - Sat 25 March can be bought and sold like commodities. On Level Three of the Happiness This Alan Ayckbourn-style comedy from the Corporation, the workers must achieve their highly rated Torben Betts presents a sharp- quota of smiley faces before lunchtime. edged take on one of British theatre’s most Failure to do so will see floor supervisor well-trodden yet rewarding driving forces - Adam taking a one-way trip to Level 20... the country’s long-established class system. A commission from Liverpool’s Unity With the recession biting hard, Emily and Theatre, Tmesis’s Oliver decide to downsize, relocating them- new production selves and their bourgeois London lifestyle to combines the a small town in the north of England. company’s trade- When the newly arrived couple invite their mark physicality working-class neighbours Dawn and Alan with comedy, round for a drink, an evening of extreme music and text. social awkwardness ensues...

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theatre for younger audiences...

Mr Bloom’s Nursery Live! The First Hippo On The Moon White

Mr Bloom’s Nursery Live! a seriously, er, raptor-ous response from its Petits theatre company, whose previous young audience. After all, they’ve branded stage successes have included Captain Flinn Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Mon 20 - Tues Jurassic Adventures ‘the most exciting family And The Pirate Dinosaurs and Adventures In 21 March; Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Wed 22 March; New Alexandra Theatre, show since time began’, so the weight of Wonderland. Expect a ‘fantastical’ adventure Birmingham, Wed 19 April expectation is already as heavy as a tyran- featuring puppetry, music, mayhem and a This first ever live touring show reflects the nosaur. giant space race to the moon... growing popularity of CBeebies’ hit televi- Set on a magical island where anything sion series. might happen, the show features a ‘fun Ben Faulks takes the role of the title charac- script’, impressively sized dinosaurs aplenty Gangsta Granny ter, a friendly gardener who invites young and the occasional moment of mild peril. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, children to visit his allotment, feed his trusty Wed 22 - Sun 26 March machine - the Compostarium - and get to The ever-popular Birmingham Stage know the Veggies, his puppet vegetables. Chicken Licken Company make a welcome return with their There are plenty of songs to enjoy too, Lichfield Garrick, Sat 11 March critically acclaimed adaptation of David including This Is My Allotment, Meet The Dynamic New Animation (DNA) have been Walliams’ best-selling book. Veggies and The Compo Song, as well as the touring this show for more than a decade - Ben’s no lover of Friday nights - and why chance to help Mr Bloom prepare his allot- evidence, were any needed, of its enduring would he be? After all, Friday night means ment for a royal visit. popularity with generations of children. having to stay at Granny’s house, where he’s The one-person production uses shadow and not only bored senseless but also has to eat rod puppetry to present a trilogy of classic an unholy trinity of cabbage dishes - cab- WOW! Said The Owl tales from Ladybird books - Chicken Licken, bage soup, cabbage pie and cabbage cake. mac, Birmingham, Sat 11 - Sun 12 March The Little Red Hen and The Fox And The But experiences can sometimes be deceptive, The long-in-the-tooth Little Angel Theatre Hen. Starting out as a baking demonstration, and Ben soon finds out that there’s way company is the ensemble behind this stage the show rapidly evolves into the story of a more to his boring old Granny than ever he’d adaptation of the acclaimed children’s book growing chick and her encounters with a imagined... by award-winning author Tim Hopgood. hungry fox. Little Angel have been delighting and excit- “We present visually stimulating, accessible ing children’s imaginations since 1961, so are and entertaining performances,” explain White extremely well-versed in the business of cap- DNA. “We want to encourage audiences of Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, tivating young audiences with inspiring sto- all ages to live happier, healthier and more Sat 11 - Mon 13 March ries and innovative theatre. They place pup- productive lives, to do so with a strong sense Scottish theatre company Catherine Wheels petry at the heart of pretty much everything of wellbeing and empowerment, and to have garnered an impressive reputation for they do, and Wow! Said The Owl is certainly actively participate in all aspects of society.” the innovative quality of their children’s no exception to that rarely broken rule. shows - and this seven-year-old offering For anybody not in the know, Hopgood’s makes it easy to see why. story focuses on the efforts of a little owl to The First Hippo Cotton and Wrinkle are two friends whose stay awake and see what daylight brings. On The Moon relationship tugs its forelock in the direction But will the warm pink glow of dawn and the of Estragon and Vladimir, the famous tramps myriad colours of a stunning rainbow be Malvern Theatre, Mon 6 - Tues 7 March; from Samuel Beckett’s Waiting For Godot. able to match the beauty of the nighttime Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Sat 25 - Sun 26 March; mac, Birmingham, And also in keeping with Godot, the play has stars?... Tues 18 April; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, an absurdist quality that makes it both The show is suitable for children aged two to Thurs 1 - Sun 4 June absorbing and memorable. five. David Walliams is fast developing a Roald The friends live in an orderly world full of Dahl-style reputation for the quality of his birdsong and birdhouses, where everything children’s stories. Indeed, the Britain’s Got is white. But when the colour red makes an Jurassic Adventures Talent judge has had his books translated unexpected appearance, Cotton and Wrinkle The Place, Oakengates, Shropshire, into 40-plus languages, selling more than are faced with the very real prospect of need- Sun 19 March four million copies in the UK alone. This new ing to embrace change... It’s fair to say that World On Stage, the com- adaptation of his explosively funny space A quirky introduction to the magic of colour pany behind this lively production for chil- adventure for children aged three and older and the concept of transformation, White is dren aged three and older, will be hoping for is being presented by the award-winning Les suitable for children aged two to four.

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FEATURE

GETTING INTO THE SWING OF THINGS The Midlands' most distinctive music festival returns to Digbeth next month, bringing a contemporary twist to the sounds of the 1920s...

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by Heather Kincaid

Once a year for one day only, a spectacular celebration of vintage culture descends onto the streets of Digbeth in a riot of sound and colour. Set against the fading Victorian grandeur of Birmingham's industrial heartland, Swingamajig may well be the Midlands' most distinctive music festival, where the fin de siècle collides head-on with the fabulous ’50s and futuristic electronic sounds. Amid old factories, warehouses and railway arches, you'll find swing bands and strobe lights, burlesque and drum’n’bass, frock coats and funky beats, gypsy jazz and jungle DJs, spread out across seven different stages all decked out in deliciously decadent style. From the outside, this curious fusion of musical sounds and styles might seem mysterious - it's not immediately obvious continues. “Maybe on first glance you the latest changes including the how all these different ingredients ended might think you have to be part of a relocation and rather intriguing up in a pot together. So how can 'scene' to come, but you don't at all - you transformation of the ‘rough and ready’ Swingamajig best be described? With just have to enjoy doing something a little Arch Stage into the Cave Of Curiosities (at seven wildly contrasting stages and more bit different. I think of all the events we the moment, details of this than seventy acts from across the play, Swingamajig has got the friendliest transformation are still ‘top secret’). spectrum of music and performance, it's crowd, and I'm not just saying that There's also the brand new Swingamajig not easy - even for founders, curators and because it's our event! Everyone's so Bazaar, an eclectic 'market meets funfair' Birmingham-based music sensation lovely that if you lose your friends you'll which is accessible separately from the Electric Swing Circus. have five more within seconds. My parents festival site, meaning you won't need to come and have a great time and they're buy a ticket to pop down and do some “It's something we've been talking about well into their 60s, but you'll also get 18- shopping before the show begins mid- quite a lot as a team,” says ESC's effusive year-olds coming straight out of college. afternoon. guitarist Tom Hyland. “There isn't really a It’s inclusive - as long as you come to have “The Swingamajig Bazaar is a combined single word that can link a 16-piece swing a good time, you’re in safe hands.” band to a jungle DJ, yet the people that go craft vintage market, and that will open in to Swingamajig definitely get the Launched in 2013, the festival was the morning. We've also got Digbeth connection. The festival is a mixture of originally born out of ESC's speakeasy- Dining Club doing the food. I'm a bit of a vintage and remix, but it's also cabaret - I inspired Hot Club de Swing nights at The foodie myself, so we do take food very think that's the important thing. It's the Hare & Hounds in King's Heath. As those seriously - it's all locally sourced, ethically big colours and the performance and the regular events increasingly sold out, produced, pretty top-notch quality. In the extravagance that are really important to Hyland and his bandmates soon realised afternoon, we've got Circus MASH coming us.” there was scope to scale the idea up down to do some aerial games, there'll be considerably. balloon modelling for the kids, and we This unique showbiz aesthetic and may even be organising a Scalextric race. I “It started as an electro-swing street party, attitude of hedonistic decadence define think often when I've had the most fun at but it's much broader than that now. It's a Swingamajig, and thanks in part to the events, it's been thanks to the stuff in chance for people to dress up, go wild and physical accessibility of its central between the main performances, so we do all sorts of things, whether it's music or location, the variety, eclecticism and like to have treasure hunts and lots of dance classes or cabaret.” eccentricity of the event is mirrored in the little silly things and extras to help to composition of its audience. Four years after making its debut, animate the space.” “It's a very broad demographic,” he Swingamajig continues to expand, with

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testament to the commitment of Hyland and his team. Swingamajig isn’t the only thing Hyland has kept busy with - Electric Swing Circus are known for their hectic live schedule ‘‘It's amazing, it really is - I get to and are just coming off the heels of their sophomore release, It Flew By. run a festival, and when you see “We've spent two years writing and recording it, so it's been a bit of a labour three or four thousand people of love. We're predominantly a live band, but when you take the same songs you've all having fun and exploring, been performing and record them in a studio, they can often sound a bit lifeless. that's brilliant! That's the problem we've been up against, so we've been experimenting with lots of different techniques to try to work out how to translate that energy we have on stage onto a recording. I think we recorded our single Empires about four There’s also the addition of an afterparty UK Number One. And then there's loads of times in the end, but we're really happy in the nearby Spotlight Venues to keep very strong cabaret this year - we've” got with the results now. I think it's been a big things moving until the early hours. Joe Black, Betsy Rose, Vicky Butterfly, step forward for us, and it's been very well Missy Malone. These are all top-level, received so far.” “Swingamajig has stayed open until 6am international performers.” in the past, but this year we’ve decided to In addition to managing the festival, change things up a bit and instead host an Other music acts confirmed so far include writing their own material and touring as afterparty from 2am down the road at electronic DJ duo The Freestylers, ‘cheeky a band, the group also somehow find time Spotlight. If you’re the type who likes to gypsy party’ group Mr Tea And The to produce music on their own Ragtime party till the sun comes up, that’s Minions, jazz-bass fusion act C@ in the record label. definitely gonna be the place to be! H@, rockabilly band Sharna Mae And The Birmingham’s own City Of Colours will be Mayhems, the Jim Wynn Swing Orchestra, “It’s really difficult, but we keep working curating one of the stages, we’ll be and of course Electric Swing Circus very hard. I don't take time off - I'm in the curating another and we might even have themselves. office during the week and then out on a third.” the road at the weekend, and there are “It helps being in a live touring band rehearsals as well. But if you're doing The music is just another reason to want when programming the festival because what you love, you don't mind. And it's to experience the event in all its off-the- as a starting point we often pick the acts amazing, it really is - I get to run a festival, wall, colourfully chaotic glory. This year's that we've seen out and about on the and when you see three or four thousand headline acts include genre-blending road. There's a strong community of people all having fun and exploring, dance duo and returning Swingamajig musicians, DJs and performers, and it’s that's brilliant!” favourites The Correspondents, as well as great to be able to get together every year festival newcomers Sam And The Womp, for Swingamajig Festival. We also get sent whose single Bom Bom topped the UK tons of demos and videos throughout the charts in 2012. year; we listen to them all - we’re always Swingamajig takes place in Digbeth on the lookout for fresh new talent.” “We've only just announced the first part Triangle, Birmingham, on Sunday 30 of the line-up. The Correspondents are Tempted yet? If you’re planning on April from 2pm one of my favourite acts - they put on a heading over to enjoy some music and great stage show with fantastic energy. It's soak up the atmosphere, you’re advised to also a really big thing for us to have an act book ahead. The festival often sells out, like Sam And The Womp, who’ve had a with its continued success being a

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Dance Dance previews from around the region

Rosie Kay Dance Company: MK Ultra The REP, Birmingham, Fri 17 - Sat 18 March A world premiere, this DanceXchange-pre- sented work is the latest offering from Rosie Kay’s highly regarded local ensem- ble. The piece has been inspired by ‘the bizarre realm of pop culture, mind-control con- spiracies and Illuminati imagery’. Commenting on the show, artistic director Rosie said: “MK Ultra is the result of three years of intense research which has taken me through the world of surveillance, state police, torture and brainwashing, through to pop culture, mainstream media and celebrity breakdowns, all the way back to politics and a comment on the post-cultur- ism state we are now in. “At a time when everything is fake, or at least we don’t trust what’s real anymore, MK Ultra looks at what this world really feels like, and what effect it’s having on us, whether we know it or not.”

Sonia Sabri Company: Vienna Festival Ballet: Material Men: Redux Virago Cinderella Birmingham Hippodrome, Mon 27 - Tues 28 March mac, Birmingham, Sat 11 March; Arena Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues 7 March; Theatre, Wolverhampton, Wed 29 March The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford, Wed Innovative choreographer Shobana 8 March; Bedworth Civic Hall, Thurs 30 Jeyasingh here combines powerful dance “We’ve always tried to create something March; Evesham Arts Centre, Mon 17 April; which is groundbreaking and pioneering,” Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sun 23 April and potent imagery to explore the shared says Sonia Sabri. “I feel proud to say that history and personal stories of virtuoso we’ve presented something that’s very new dancers Sooraj Subramaniam and Shailesh and very different. We’ve been at the fore- Bahoran. front of creating new ideas, and that’s exact- “Material Men has two stories which con- ly what we intend to continue doing.” nect,” explains Shobana to Sabri’s belief in the need to push the bound- londondance.com. “One is the story of aries of dance is reflected in this dance-digi- indentured labour, whereby well over a mil- tal solo production, an exploration of the lion Indians were transported to replace the perceptions and misconceptions surround- emancipated slaves and generally supply ing the subject of female body image. cheap labour for the colonial planters of tea, The dancer’s unique ‘urban kathak’ lan- rubber and sugar. The other is the story of guage is here brought together with motion- With its comical Ugly Sisters, matchmaking two young men whose history lies in colo- triggered digital art and a sound score com- fairy godmother, drop-dead gorgeous Prince nial migration but who journey towards each bining spoken word and music, creating a Charming, super-cute mice and fits-one-foot- other despite differing techniques of hip-hop show which Sabri describes as “uncompro- only glass slipper, Cinderella can justifiably and Bharatha Natyam.” mising, thought-provoking and humorous”. lay claim to being the most popular of all The work features a commissioned score by fairytales. Its rich subject matter certainly acclaimed proved to be fertile ground for the brilliance Australian com- of Gioachino Rossini, whose early 19th cen- poser Elena Kats- tury take on the story is widely considered to Chernin, per- be one of his greatest operatic achievements. formed live on This particular celebration of the piece is stage by the long- brought to the stage by Vienna Festival established Smith Ballet, for whom the music has been special- Quartet. It also ly arranged. includes an evoca- Featuring a talented array of young dancers, tive film featuring the company typically spends eight months historic texts and of the year performing works from its exten- archive photo- sive repertoire in venues across the UK. graphic material. whatsonlive.co.uk 33 Dance Sampled DPS.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 11:16 Page 1

FEATURE

DANCE: SAMPLED Birmingham Hippodrome Chief Executive Fiona Allan talks about introducing dance to new audiences

Think dance isn't for you? Think again. If stomps, pirouettes, shimmies, shuffles has received some Arts Council money to you've shaken off your curiosity and shied and waltzes into Birmingham this month. help get things off the ground, away from physical performance in the commissioning, experimenting with new “The idea is for people to have a really past, Birmingham Hippodrome's Dance: ideas and paying for artists to tour. What's great-value first-time encounter with Sampled programme offers you the on offer at the Hippodrome, however, dance,” she explains. “It's only £15 for chance to discover everything you ever won't be identical to versions of the show adults and even less for children, so it's wanted to know about live dance shows elsewhere. Teaming up with other venues probably the best-value show you can see but were too afraid to find out first hand. and sharing international acts helps to at the Hippodrome all year. If you don't limit the cost of bringing them into the Originally developed by Sadler's Wells as think you like dance, or if you've not come country, but other aspects of the a kind of appetiser for the season ahead, across much dance before, you get the programme will be specially tailored to the project has now been rolled out to chance to see a whole range of different Birmingham audiences. partner-venues Birmingham Hippodrome styles all at once.” and the Lowry in Salford as a way of “It has some common elements with It's no accident that the trio of theatres developing new audiences for dance what's going on at Sadler's Wells and at who have partnered up are probably the across the country. Hippodrome Chief the Lowry, like the tango artists and also leading exponents of live dance in the UK. Executive and self-professed dance Iron Skulls, who are a sort of crazy Unusually for a largely commercial evangelist Fiona Allan told us more about Catalan hip-hop crew from Barcelona. I've theatre like the Hippodrome, the project what to expect when the show tangos, seen a bit of their show already, and they

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by Heather Kincaid

are completely anarchic - they have such worry - you're not alone. Even ardent was a person I'd never heard of, but the an amazing energy that I think they're enthusiasts like Allan had to start place was just filled with teenagers when going to be a fantastic finale to the somewhere. But as Dance: Sampled aims he arrived. We also did our first hip-hop programme. But then the British acts are to demonstrate, taking the initial plunge festival with Break Mission last year. I more specific to the venue. So obviously can change your perception of the think we had about 5,000 people coming here we've got Birmingham Royal Ballet, medium forever. in for that, and that audience looked and then the other big name that we have completely different to a typical panto “I grew up loving theatre because I liked exclusively in Birmingham is the Aakash audience. Or even just recently, we had having a story, and I felt safer with that. Odedra Company. Aakash is a really some children's craft activities in the That's probably why the most popular brilliant kathak choreographer who was Patrick Centre for Chinese New Year, and dance shows are the big ballets like Swan born in Birmingham and is best known as the people who came through on that day Lake and Cinderella, which have a a solo artist, but we've actually really looked like the people of fairytale story that everyone can follow commissioned him to do some work for Birmingham, and particularly of this quite easily. I think people get a bit put off other dancers because we want to see how neighbourhood.” by dance where there’s no narrative we can help him develop as a because they're worried that they won't This isn't the first time the Hippodrome choreographer. So he's going to be understand it. But quite often, it doesn't has hosted a Dance: Sampled show. Last creating a new piece with some dancers need to mean anything or to be any more year, the event made its Birmingham from Istanbul, and I'm really interested to than a celebration of the human body and debut as part of IDFB 2016. The show was see how that turns out.” music and the wonderful things that these well-received, if a little overshadowed by In addition to this, an extra pre- athletes can do. There are other art forms the huge number of events taking place performance showcase will see a huge like circus where you don't need it to have throughout the festival. As such, this year, array of local groups and dancers fill the a beginning, a middle and an end, so I there are high hopes it will prove bigger, foyers with short excerpts and interactive think it's just a case of getting people to better and more popular than before. sessions. Better still, this part of the event relax into it a bit and to have the courage “The response from the audience that is completely free and open to anyone, and the confidence to just enjoy it for came was incredible! We had people with or without a ticket for the main what it is.” saying that they'd never realised dance event. Changing attitudes towards dance is just was so cool - and for me, that's all you “It's going to be like a sort of dance part of Allan's wider goals to improve need really. But because we had five or six festival that takes over the building, with diversity and develop new audiences, an other dance performances taking place lots going on all at once, and we're hoping ambition that she’s made a focus since here for the festival, I think perhaps it was that it will work on two levels: it's great taking up her position at the theatre in difficult for us to give it our singular added value for the people who've already October 2015. And while demonstrable attention and to attract as big an audience bought a ticket, but it's also a chance for successes so far are something the as we'd have liked. This year, we've been anyone who isn't seeing the show to come Hippodrome should be proud of, as far as able to put a lot more of our energy and in, explore and try things out. Up in the she's concerned, there's still some way to resources into it.” restaurant on Level Three we'll be having go. It's not just audiences who've been hip-hop battles, on Level One there'll be a “I think we're only really at the start of the enthusiastic either - the response from stick dance demonstration, and the foyer journey, and we've got so much more to dancers looking to participate has been on Level Two is going to be set up with do in that regard. One of the big fantastic. Allan hopes that in the future Xbox dance games. challenges is that our theatre programme there'll be more opportunities for local “It's also a chance for us to work with is booked years in advance, so when I companies to join the main-stage local companies and young people that arrived here the bulk of the shows had programme. But above all else, Dance: we’re partners with or that we want to already been programmed up to 2019, Sampled is a chance to highlight the huge work with, and to showcase them to a which means it's very hard to find the diversity of styles and shows available at broader audience. So for example, we've room in our main programme to be the theatre throughout the year. And with worked with Break Mission, a local street- putting on things that might have a such a wide array of acts appearing (not dance outfit, on the B-Side Festival, and broader or different audience appeal. But to mention things to join in with yourself), they'll be doing a hip-hop show on the we are trying to find every slot that we can you're virtually guaranteed to find stalls level. We've also got Aced Up, which to experiment a bit. something here to suit your tastes. is a national portfolio company, doing an “Last year, we had Dan TDM, who is a excerpt, and Adam Rutherford will be YouTuber who specialises in Minecraft. bringing his youth dance company.” He came in one day and did some Dance: Sampled takes place at If you've found the idea of watching a demonstrations, and it sold out almost Birmingham Hippodrome on Friday 3 dance show daunting in the past, don't instantly. I'm not his demographic so this and Saturday 4 March

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Win! To enter all competitions go to whatsonlive.co.uk

Tickets to RAF Cosford Air Show Tickets to Blood Brothers Tickets to Olly Murs

Closes Monday 5 June Closes Wednesday 1 March Closes Friday 17 March

Tickets to Snow In Midsummer Tickets to Miniatura Tickets to ICHF events

Closes Tuesday 7 March Closes Thursday 9 March Closes Friday 10 March

Tickets to Superheroes at the Tickets to The Ugly Duckling & Tickets to The Diary of a Symphony Other Stories Hounslow Girl

Closes Monday 6 March Closes Wednesday 22 March Closes Friday 17 March

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Closes Monday 6 March Closes Monday 27 March Closes Friday 24 March To enter all competitions go to whatsonlive.co.uk also follow us on Twitter & Facebook for more great competitions

36 whatsonlive.co.uk Film - March 2017.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 11:20 Page 2

Film

Beauty And The Beast CERT PG tbc Starring Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Kevin Kline, Josh Gad, Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Ian McKellen, Emma Thompson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw Directed by Bill Condon (USA) In the tradition of Maleficent and Cinderella, Disney have turned another of their cartoon classics into a live-action showpiece. This one will feature songs from the 1991 film (including Be Our Guest and the title number), as well as new material penned by Tim Rice and the original composer Alan Menken. The story, in case you’ve forgotten, is of a beautiful young woman (Watson) who is taken prisoner by a Beast (Stevens) who can only shed his grotesque appearance when he is loved for who he is. Not to be confused with the French film of the same name (starring Léa Seydoux) that was released in the UK last November. In 3D. Released Fri 17 March CRITIC’S CHOICE

Film highlights released in March...

Logan CERT 15 - tbc Starring Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Richard E Grant, Boyd Holbrook, Stephen Merchant Directed by James Mangold (USA) This could be interesting: a film set on the Mexican border in the near future. Hugh Jackman is back as Wolverine and is nursing an ailing Professor X (Patrick Stewart) when a young mutant turns up with dark forces in pursuit. Released Fri 3 March

Trespass Against Us CERT 15 (100 mins) Starring Michael Fassbender, Brendan Gleeson, Lyndsey Marshal, Killian Scott, Rory Fist Fight CERT 15 (91 mins) Kinnear, Sean Harris Directed by Adam Smith (UK/USA) Starring Ice Cube, Charlie Day, Tracy Morgan, Jillian Bell, Christina Hendricks, Dennis Michael Fassbender is Chad Cutler, an Irish Haysbert Directed by Richie Keen (USA) ne'er-do-well trapped in a cycle of crime that Boys will be boys - or in this case, school is a way of life for his extended family. Then, teachers. When one teacher gets a colleague against his father’s wishes, Chad looks for a fired, the latter challenges him to an after- way out… Adam Smith previously directed school fisticuffs. A loose remake of the little- the concert film Don’t Think (2012) featuring known teen comedy Three O'Clock High The Chemical Brothers, the electronica duo (1987). who supply the music here. Released Fri 3 March Released Fri 3 March whatsonlive.co.uk 37 Film - March 2017.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 11:20 Page 3

Film

Viceroy’s House CERT 12a (106 mins) Starring Hugh Bonneville, Gillian Anderson, Manish Dayal, Huma Qureshi, Michael Gambon, Om Puri Directed by Gurinder Chadha (UK/India) With Hugh Bonneville top-billed as Lord Mountbatten, this is a sort of Upstairs, Downstairs set during the Partition of India. Beneath him, in the Viceroy’s House, a mul- titude of Hindu, Muslim and Sikh servants toil away as the storm clouds gather. Released Fri 3 March

CRITIC’S CHOICE

or are in awe. All this changes when Elle CERT 18 (131 mins) Michèle is raped in her own home by an Starring Isabelle Huppert, Laurent Lafitte, unknown assailant in a ski mask. She Anne Consigny, Charles Berling, Virginie Efira Directed by Paul Verhoeven refuses to report the incident to the (France/Germany/Belgium) police and sets about planning her own For her role as the head of a successful unique brand of retribution. video game company, Isabelle Huppert Winner of the Golden Globe for best for- was nominated for her first Oscar, after a eign language film, Elle is directed by total of 120 films. She is Michèle Leblanc, Paul Verhoeven, best known for the con- who feels detached from her son and is troversial Basic Instinct and Showgirls. resentful of her mother, while in the Released Fri 10 March workplace her colleagues either fear her

Kong: Skull Island CERT 12a tbc The Time Of Their Lives Starring Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L Jackson, CERT tbc John Goodman, Brie Larson, Jing Tian, Toby Starring Joan Collins, Pauline Collins, Franco Kebbell Nero, Ronald Pickup, Siân Reeves, Joely Directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts (USA) Richardson Directed by Roger Goldby (UK) A sequel to Peter Jackson’s reboot of the King Another comedy aimed at the grey pound Kong story, Skull Island follows a 1970s’ with a cast sprung fighting from their moth- expedition into the uncharted terrain of a balls. Joan Collins plays a former movie star Pacific island. There resides our favourite who decides to break out of her London giant gorilla as well as creatures never seen retirement home in order to attend the funer- on the big screen before… In 3D. al of her ex-husband on the French island of Released Fri 10 March Île de Ré. Incidentally, Ms Collins is now 83. Released Fri 10 March

Rules Don’t Apply CERT 12a (127 mins) Starring Warren Beatty, Lily Collins, Alden Ehrenreich, Annette Bening, Matthew Broderick, Candice Bergen Directed by Warren Beatty (USA) Howard Hughes (Beatty) applies strict rules to his staff: nobody in his employ is allowed to dally with an actress. But then Hughes’ driver Frank (Ehrenreich) meets the gorgeous Baptist virgin Marla Mabrey (Collins) who is on the brink of appearing in the movies… Released Fri 10 March

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Film releases in March

The Salesman Power Rangers Ghost In The Shell CERT tbc CERT 12a (124 mins) CERT tbc Starring Scarlett Starring Shahab Starring Dacre Montgomery, Naomi Johansson, Michael Pitt, Hosseini, Taraneh Scott, RJ Cyler, Becky G, Bryan Pilou Asbæk, Chin Han, Alidoosti Directed by Cranston, Elizabeth Banks Juliette Binoche, Takeshi Asghar Farhadi Directed by Dean Israelite (USA) Kitano (Iran/France) Directed by Rupert A reboot of the Power Rangers fran- Sanders (USA) Nominated for an chise (which began as a TV series), the Oscar for best foreign Like Cinderella and film follows a group of high school stu- language film, The Salesman is the story of a Beauty And The Beast, dents that, imbued with superhuman couple whose lives take a downturn when Ghost In The Shell is a live-action adaptation powers, sets off to save the world. It all they move into a new apartment. An unex- of a cartoon, itself based on the manga sounds terribly original. pected visitor to the flat turns out to be look- comic. Here, Scarlett Johansson plays a ing for a prostitute… From the director of the Released Fri 24 March counter-cyberterrorist known as The Major, highly acclaimed About Elly, A Separation who happens to be a cyborg. It’s her job to and The Past. pinpoint and bring down a diabolical com- puter hacker. Great cast. Released Fri 17 March Released Fri 31 March Get Out CERT 12a tbc Smurfs: The Lost Village Starring Daniel Kaluuya, CERT PG Allison Williams, With the voices of Demi Catherine Keener, Lovato, Mandy Patinkin, Bradley Whitford, Caleb Jack McBrayer, Julia Landry Jones Roberts Directed by Jordan Peele Life CERT tbc Directed by Kelly Asbury (USA) (USA) Starring Jake Time to get out, indeed. Gyllenhaal, The Smurfs are back, When a black man visits his white girl- Rebecca Ferguson, you’ll be glad to hear. friend’s family estate in Alabama, he discov- Ryan Reynolds, Hiroyuki Sanada This time Smurfette and ers that a number of black residents there Directed by Daniel her friends embark on a journey through the have gone missing. Strangely, this violent Espinosa (USA/UK) Forbidden Forest to find the biggest secret in horror film marks the directorial debut of the Not to be confused with the Robert Smurf history. Wow. From the director of comedian Jordan Peele. Pattinson film of 2015 or the Eddie Shrek 2 and Gnomeo & Juliet. Expect some Released Fri 17 March Murphy comedy of 1999 of the same saucy humour. In 3D. name, this is a thriller that looks at the Released Fri 31 March discovery of life on Mars. A crew CHiPs CERT 15 (101 mins) aboard the International Space Station Starring Dax Shepard, Michael Peña, Vincent encounter an alien organism from a Free Fire CERT 15 (91 mins) D'Onofrio, Adam Brody, Kristen Bell space probe and are alarmed by its Starring Brie Larson, Cillian Murphy, Jack Directed by Dax Shepard (USA) capacity to grow… Reynor, Armie Hammer, Sharlto Copley, Sam Here’s a novel idea: a movie based on a TV Riley Directed by Ben Wheatley (UK) Released Fri 24 March series. ‘ChiPs’ are California Highway patrol It’s 1978 in Boston and two rival gangs arrive officers and Jon Baker (Shepard) and Ponch in a warehouse for an arms transaction and Poncherello (Peña) find their paths muddied The Lost City Of Z all hell breaks loose. The name to note here when they come across a brutal ex-cop who’s is that of the film’s writer-director Ben CERT 15 (141 mins) moved into large-scale car theft. The original Wheatley, who’s going from strength to series starred Larry Wilcox and Erik Estrada Starring Charlie strength with such titles as Kill List, Hunnam, Robert and ran from 1977 to 1983. Pattinson, Sienna Sightseers and High Rise. Expect some pretty Released Fri 24 March Miller, Tom Holland, strong violence. Angus Macfadyen Directed by James Released Fri 31 March Gray (USA) Based on the eponymous book by James Grann, this historical drama follows the quest of Colonel Percy Fawcett (Hunnam) to find a lost civili- sation in the Amazon. Set during 1925, the film was shot in Santa Marta, Colombia, and received very favourable reviews from the critics. Released Fri 24 March

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Visual Arts

Jean Painlevé Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, Wed 15 March - Sun 4 June Twentieth century French filmmaker, scien- tist and inventor Jean Painlevé was a man with a fiercely burning desire to be creative. Having studied biology at the Sorbonne, he embarked on a career producing a body of film work that would become known as ‘sci- entific-poetic cinema’. His movies, focusing on subjects as diverse as astronomy and pigeons, not only explored science in a serious way but also boasted a surrealist-inspired quality that rendered them unclassifiable. Painlevé was best known for his marine-life movies, endowing ocean-based creatures such as sea horses and skeleton shrimps with a selection of human traits. This first ever solo exhibition of the filmmak- er’s work, presenting a number of seminal movies alongside a selection of photographs and jewellery, effectively exemplifies Painlevé’s lifelong desire to make science accessible.

David Cox And His Brennand-Wood, whose 40-year career is cel- their form. In so doing, she prompts the ebrated in this new exhibition. viewer to respond in a new and perhaps sur- Contemporaries Michael’s recent work boasts what he prising way to everyday items with which Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum, describes as “an almost hallucinogenic qual- they’re already familiar. until Sat 3 June ity”, drawing the viewer into a different The contribution world. The pieces perfectly evidence the of Birmingham- artist’s interest in abstraction. “I like to see Magnum Photos: born landscape what can be done optically with rhythm and artist David Cox to colour,” explains Michael. “But it’s impor- Evolution Explored the great age of tant that the abstraction isn’t just about play- The Square & St Mary’s Church, Shrewsbury, British water- ing with pattern. It has to have a meaning.” until Sun 23 April colour painting is explored in this brand new Alongside a number of retrospective pieces, Shrewsbury’s most famous son, the 19th cen- show. the exhibition also features nine new, spe- tury naturalist and geologist Charles Darwin, Bringing together the painter’s work with cially commissioned works, via which is the inspiration behind this special exhibi- pieces by better-known contemporaries Michael explores the ‘seeds’ of his own cre- tion, which has been curated by world- Turner and Constable, the exhibition draws ativity. famous photography agency Magnum heavily on the museum’s extensive collection A short film featuring the artist in his studio Photos. of Cox paintings. documents his making of some of the new “The exhibition looks at Magnum's archive New work by recent graduates is presented pieces. through the prism of evolution,” says the alongside the exhibition as part of New Art agency’s Emily Graham. “As Magnum moves West Midlands 2017 (see opposite page). into its 70th year, the exhibition will display The pieces are accompanied by a selection of Tumbleweed powerful historic and contemporary photo- works from the Worcester City collection graphs exploring Darwin's legacy in modern which have been acquired through the The Barber Institute, Birmingham, until Sun 4 June society.” Contemporary Art Society. New Art West Midlands 2016 entrant Hannah Honeywill here presents a work in response to the Barber’s collection. Michael Brennand-Wood: Her new sculpture takes as its starting point Seeds Of Memory the intricately ornamented and gilded his- Wolverhampton Art Gallery, toric picture frames that surround many of Sat 11 March - Sun 7 May the venue’s paintings. Eye-catching, wall-hung, part-sculpture, A rising star on the UK art scene whose work part-textile pieces are the speciality of inter- has been heavily influenced by ideas and nationally renowned textile artist Michael concepts within queer theory, Honeywill takes objects that already exist and alters 40 whatsonlive.co.uk Visual Arts March (2).qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 11:21 Page 2

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

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Events

International Craft & Hobby Fair shows catwalk show, meet a multitude of fabrics, threads and textile groups, societies and artists - all on hand to share their expertise - NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 16 - Sun 19 March (except for Cake and brush up on their techniques via numerous free workshops and International, Fri 17 - Sun 19 March) demonstrations. Cake International is this year once again linking up with three other Sewing For Pleasure is another show promising visitors the opportu- well-established NEC shows. nity to refine their craft by attending hands-on workshops. The popu- The popular sugarcraft, cake decorating and baking show joins forces lar event is this year being marketed as ‘the ultimate stitchers’ para- with Fashion & Embroidery, Sewing For Pleasure and Hobbycrafts. dise’ and also includes a collection of costumes from Tom Hooper’s Highlights of the 2017 Cake International event include a display of four-time Oscar-winning film, The King’s Speech. entries from the world’s biggest cake competition, industry experts And be sure to visit the Hobbycrafts element of the show too. The revealing the newest ‘cake art’ trends, and a selection of stalls selling event features the Birmingham heat of the Nation’s Fastest Knitter must-have baking and sugarcraft essentials. competition, a dedicated miniatures and dollhouse area, and a Fashion & Embroidery enthusiasts, meanwhile, can enjoy a special chance for children to have a go at making some sand art.

MCM Comic Con Birmingham NEC, Birmingham, Sat 18 - Sun 19 March Cult-television fans attending this month’s MCM (Movies, Comics & Media) Comic Con event can get their collars felt by 1970s TV tecs Starsky & Hutch, otherwise known as actors Paul Michael Glaser and David Soul. The crimefighting duo are joined by Antonio Fargas, who played streetwise informant Huggy Bear in the iconic cop series, and will be signing autographs and posing for pictures with fans. Soul, Michael Glaser and Fargas will be in attendance on both days of the show. In addition to this holy trinity of guests and numerous other well-known names, the show’s line-up features indie writers and artists filling the Comic Village, robot wars, a Steampunk Emporium with workshops and talks, a KidsZone, eSports competitions, panel discus- sions, a costume-repair desk and the Cosplay Masquerade finale. “The Midlands holds a special place in our hearts,” says MCM Expo Group CEO Bryan Cooney. “Our company is based here, and we plan on providing an awesome show for the region's enthusiastic audience of sci-fi, comic book and film fans.”

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more events from around the region

Crufts NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 9 - Sun 12 March

The highlight of the events calen- dar for dog lovers everywhere, Crufts offers the opportunity to partake in the world’s greatest canine get-together. With more than 22,000 dogs competing for the Best In Show title, a packed arena programme, celebrations of dog heroes who’ve made a differ- ence and more than 400 trade stands around which to browse, this is an event that the whole YONEX All England Open Badminton Championships family can enjoy. In fact, it's fair to say that dog lovers would have to Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Tues 7 - Sun 12 March be, er, barking mad not to attend... A host of badminton’s Rio Olympics stars tion include reigning and six-time champion descend on Birmingham this month to com- Lin Dan and world number one Lee Chong pete for the coveted Yonex title. Wei. Wenlock Olympian Now in its 107th year, Yonex is one of the The pair’s last Birmingham encounter took sport’s five ‘majors’, as well as being its oldest place in the 2012 final, from which Chong Wei Live Arts Festival and most prestigious competition. was forced to withdraw with a shoulder injury. The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, Sat 11 - Sun 12 and Sat Players to watch out for at the 2017 competi- 18 - Sun 19 March

Celebrate Mothers’ Day Amazing Brain at Blists Hill Victorian Town Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry Wed 8 March Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge, Shropshire, Sun 26 March The wonders of the human brain are explained Mum is definitely the word at Blists Hill on the and celebrated by scientists from the last Sunday of the month, when the popular University of Warwick during this fascinating Shropshire visitor attraction hosts a Victorian- four-hour event. style Mother’s Day event. Amazing Brain is taking place as part of the second annual Museums & Wellbeing Week, Admission to the venue is free throughout the An event that will be celebrating an initiative set up by a consortium of muse- day for all mums who’re accompanied by its 40th anniversary in a couple of ums to raise awareness of the work they do in another full-paying adult. years’ time, this popular arts festi- the area of health. The Blists Hill line-up of Mothering Sunday val features competitive classes in Commenting on the project, Helen Chatterjee, attractions includes a family trail around the dance, music and speech & drama chair and co-founder of the consortium, the town and two ‘make your own floral rosette’ for children and young people National Alliance For Museums, Health & drop-in workshops. Visitors can also explore aged 18 and under. Wellbeing, said: “The museums sector is mak- the venue’s shops and cottages, buy a slice of It was inspired by the Wenlock ing an important contribution to public health traditional Simnel Cake from the bakery or Olympian Games, an event first through new programmes targeting a host of colour-in a Victorian-style Mother’s Day card. held in 1850 and a forerunner of health & social care service users. It’s impor- A decadent the modern Olympics. The Games tant to convey this to commissioners and other Victorian High are still held in Much Wenlock health & social care professionals, as well as Tea is also avail- every summer. more widely to policy makers, so that we can able at an extra The winners of each arts festival ensure museums are recognised as a vital com- cost but needs category will receive a Wenlock munity asset.” to be pre- Olympian medal as a reward for booked. their success.

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more events from around the region

Shakespeare Week Shakespeare’s Family Homes, Stratford-upon-Avon, Mon 20 - Sun 26 March A weekend of special events on Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th rounds off this seven-day national cele- bration of Stratford’s leg- endary bard. Taking place annually and designed to give Arts & Science Festival 2017 an investigation into how music helps people primary school children ‘a make sense of the world around them, and a cele- Various Birmingham locations, bration of mechanical engineer James Watt, a key great first encounter’ with Mon 13 - Sun 19 March Shakespeare, the event figure in the Industrial Revolution who lived in Comprising a diverse array of concerts, screenings, includes plenty of hands-on Birmingham for a significant part of his life. performances, exhibitions, workshops, talks and family activities to enjoy. Commenting on the event, the festival’s Laura lectures, the University of Birmingham’s annual Highlights include mask-mak- Milner said: “This is our biggest year yet, and we’re festival offers something to excite the curiosity of ing and pop-up puppet-mak- venturing off campus and into the city for many of just about anyone. ing workshops, the chance our events. We’re delighted to be working with the Highlights for 2017 include Dr Alice Roberts for kids to make their own likes of mac Birmingham, Grand Union, explaining how trees can help scientists to unpick Tudor instrument, and per- Birmingham Open Media, Ikon Gallery and the the secrets of archaeological sites, a programme of formances by a number of Electric Cinema as we celebrate research and col- screenings and talks devoted to Homer’s Odyssey, visiting dance troupes. laboration in Birmingham.”

Birmingham Twitter advert@WHATSONBRUM in blue Wolverhampton @WHATSONWOLVES Shropshire @WHATSONSHROPS staffordshire @WHATSONSTAFFS Worcestershire @WHATSONWORCS warwickshire @WHATSONWARWICKS

whatsonlive.co.uk 47 Birmingham Botanical Gardens DPS.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 17:35 Page 1

FEATURE

AN OASIS OF CALM IN THE CITY Heather Kincaid explores the delights of Birmingham Botanical Gardens

48 whatsonlive.co.uk Birmingham Botanical Gardens DPS.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 17:35 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

Nestled away behind steel, concrete and and tables chart plants' journeys from amazed by the rainbow colours of the roaring traffic in the busy heart of tropics to tabletops, forests to fridges and Himalayan monal and magnificent Birmingham, there's a lush oasis of calm far-off soils to spice racks and macaw, and follow the quick, darting that you might well have never noticed. supermarket shelves. Elsewhere, you can movements of chattering finches. Near the Featuring four large glasshouses with an follow the evolutionary timeline of plants, educational Growing Schools Garden, air of Victorian grandeur, lively animal from early single-celled bacteria through meanwhile, you can get up close and inhabitants and interactive children's algae, moss and lichen to curling ferns personal with strutting peacocks and areas set in 15 acres of landscaped and finally the complex species that we noisy chickens. Keep an eye out and you greenery, Birmingham Botanical Gardens see today. might even be lucky enough to spot some is the perfect place to escape the noise amazing native wildlife, ranging from Look out for special Easter-themed events and bustle of the city without the need to beautiful butterflies to woodpeckers. coming up over the school holidays, when trek out to the countryside. kids will not only have the chance to take Kids need to burn off some steam? The Going straight into the glasshouses, you'll part in craft activities and an Easter Children's Playground's got you covered. instantly find yourself in the hot, humid bonnet parade, but also to find out all You'll find it right near the picturesque climate of plants from the South American about the cocoa plants used to make the Teulon Cottage gardens and a trio of and Indonesian rainforests - perfect for tasty chocolate for their Easter eggs. historical gardens, laid out in Roman, warming up from Britain's chilly winter Medieval and Tudor styles. As you leave the glasshouses, you can weather. In this Tropical habitat, you'll stop off at the café for a refreshing drink On the other hand, if you're looking for discover a dazzlingly diverse array of or a bite to eat, but if the weather's good some chill-out time for yourself, you can species, ranging from the tasty to the outside, why not pack a picnic and enjoy take a moment to relax to the soothing toxic, from the Giant Reed and the big- it on the rolling lawns, surrounded by sounds of running waterfalls at the based Elephant's Foot to the small but proud pines, leafy shrubs and spectacular Memory Pool, or disappear down mighty Dwarf Cavendish banana. Moving giant redwoods. sheltered paths to find secluded, tranquil on through the equally rich Sub-Tropical seating at the heart of the Bamboo Maze. house will lead you into the temperate Over the summer, you'll also be able to Mediterranean area, a real feast for the step back in time with classic Austen and Whether you're looking for a breath of senses. Upon entering, you'll be Brönte stories, brought to life through fresh air, a quick getaway from the daily immediately hit by a heady floral open-air performances in the Garden's grind, or a fun family day out with fragrance in a room awash with the vivid natural amphitheatre. And on fine days, activities for the kids, Birmingham colours of bright, beautiful blooms. you might even get to catch an outdoor Botanical Gardens has plenty for everyone Finally, in the Arid section, you'll film screening. to discover. encounter huge, prickly cacti and sturdy succulents, tough enough to withstand Don't forget to stop and say hello to the harsh conditions of the Central Casper the friendly cockatoo, and to look The Gardens are open every day American desert. in on his lovebird neighbours near the (excluding Christmas Day and Boxing glasshouses and café. But these can't Day) from 10am to 5pm, extending to Along the way, there are opportunities to quite claim the title of the Garden's most 6pm or 7pm in the summer. learn about how plants are used in our spectacular birds. Over at the Lawn Tickets cost £7.50 for adults, £5.25 for day-to-day lives. Ever wondered where the Aviary, you'll see brilliant flashes of blue children and concessions, and £22 for a ingredients for your snacks, soaps or even in the fabulous feathers of azure-winged family of two adults and up to three stationery come from? Information signs magpies, spreo starlings and tragopan, be concessions.

Coming soon! Birmingham Botanical Gardens is to host Jurassic Kingdom: Where Dinosaurs Come To Life from 20 May to 4 June. This event will feature more than 30 animatronic life-sized dinosaurs - including an 18 metre-long Tryannosaurus Rex - lurking across the gardens.

whatsonlive.co.uk 49 The List Cover March Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 13:51 Page 1 The List Cover March Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 21/02/2017 09:43 Page 2

Your week to week listings guide March 2017

thelist TechnicolorTuesMarchAmazing - The25 Theatres AndSat Malvern Joseph - at 21Dreamcoat

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

What’s On Wed 1 to Sun 5 March Mon 6 to Sun 12 March Mon 13 to Sun 19 March Mon 20 to Fri 31 March

Peter Kay’s Dance For Life at Stand Up For Women at Artrix, Ben Haenow at The Assembly, The Great British Dog Walk at Ricoh Arena, Coventry Bromsgrove Leamington Spa Croome Park, Worcester Fri 3 - Sat 4 March Wed 8 March Fri 17 March Sat 25 March

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thelist Wednesday 1 - Sunday 5 March HEAVY BEAT BRASS Worcestershire THROUGHOUT MARCH Gigs BAND Fri 3 Mar, Hare & KAST OFF KINKS Sat 4 Hounds, Birmingham Mar, The Assembly, BLIND LEMON Fri 3 Mar, Leamington Spa The Hive, Worcester BLUE OCTOBER Wed 1 Drummonds Bar, Visual Arts INTERNATIONAL IMAGES FOR SCIENCE Mar, O2 Institute, KING KING Sat 4 Mar, Worcester Showcasing 100 of the best photo- Birmingham The Robin, Bilston graphic images of science. From BOB DRAKE, NATURE Artrix, Bromsgrove SCORPZ Wed 1 Mar, THE FATHER TEDS Sat 4 professional researchers and pho- CENTRE & KATEGOES Fri NEW TAKE 13: WOMEN CELEBRATING Hare & Hounds, B’ham Mar, Irish Centre, tographers to dedicated amateurs 3 Mar, Ort Cafe, B’ham Birmingham COLOUR Thirteen women artists and young scientists trying to cap- TALL SHIPS Wed 1 Mar, TRANSMISSION (JOY BEE GEES FEVER Sat 4 explore and experiment with colour ture science for the first time, until Hare & Hounds, B’ham in their work, Wed 1 - Sun 26 Mar DIVISION TRIBUTE) & Mar, The Roses Wed 22 Mar HANNAH JOHNSON AND RAMONED Fri 3 Mar, Theatre, Tewkesbury NEW JOHN TEDSTONE: CHRONOPHOBIA THE BROKEN HEARTS The Roadhouse, The animals in John’s work live in a Warwick Arts Centre,Coventry Wed 1 Mar, The Jam Birmingham HAZEL O'CONNOR Sat 4 world void of human existence, Wed House, Birmingham Mar, Belgrade Theatre, SUBODH GUPTA - FROM FAR AWAY 29 Mar - Sun 23 Apr TRASH TALK Fri 3 Mar, Coventry UNCLE MOON CALLS A major exhibition BOREALIS SAXOPHONE The Flapper, B’ham QUARTET Wed 1 Mar, SWAMPMEAT FAMILY by one of India’s foremost contem- DECADE Fri 3 Mar, The Birmingham Museum & Royal Spa Centre, BAND Sat 4 Mar, The porary artists, until Sat 11 Mar Asylum, Birmingham Art Gallery Leamington Spa Night Owl, Birmingham DE LA SOUL Fri 3 Mar, CONNECTED HISTORIES: MUSLIMS IN Worcester City Museum & Art ANNISOKAY, GRIEVER & A BARRY STEELE AS ROY O2 Institute, B’ham THE FIRST WORLD WAR A new exhibi- Gallery PROMISE TO FORGET ORBISON Sat 4 Mar, tion which explores the untold stories TRU GROOVE Fri 3 - Sat Bedworth Civic Hall ENQUIRING MINDS Featuring drawings Wed 1 Mar, The of more than 400,000 Muslim sol- 4 Mar, The Jam House, by naturalist John Gould, land and Flapper, Birmingham THE JOHNNY CASH diers in the First World War, until Sun Birmingham cityscape watercolours by HH Lines CHRIS WOOD Wed 1 ROADSHOW Sat 4 Mar, 5 Mar and local artefacts discovered by Mar, Kitchen Garden MIKE STEWART The Swan Theatre, BIRMINGHAM PEOPLE AND CHANGE IN famous archaeologist Pitt Rivers, Cafe, Birmingham LAWRENCE Fri 3 Mar, Worcester THE INNER-CITY Birmingham People Dovehouse Theatre, until Sat 11 Nov JIM CAUSLEY Wed 1 MAETLOAF & THE NEVER explores the ways in which ordinary Olton Mar, The Red Lion Folk NEVERLAND EXPRESS Brummie folk have been represented Other VISUAL ARTS Club, Birmingham SUPREME QUEEN Fri 3 Sat 4 Mar, The River in art during the 20th and 21st cen- Mar, The Swan Rooms, Stourbridge CINDY WILLIAMS Cindy is a WEDNESDAY 13 Wed 1 turies. Change In The Inner-City Theatre, Worcester focuses on the four inner-city wards Worcestershire-based pastel artist Mar, The Slade Rooms, THE SUPERSONIC 70’S of Ladywood - Nechells, Soho, Aston who mostly draws her inspiration Wolverhampton THE CHRIS BARBER BIG SHOW Sat 4 Mar, BAND Fri 3 Mar, Palace Evesham Arts Centre and Ladywood, until Fri 31 Mar from 1920s and ’30s silent-film divas, ELBOW Wed 1 - Thurs 2 Theatre, Redditch until Mon 6 Mar, Evesham Arts Mar, O2 Academy, MOTOWN DIVA’S SHOW Compton Verney Gallery, Centre Birmingham ROY ORBISON & THE WITH THE DREAMETTES SCULPTING THE MUSEUM TRAVELLING WILBURYS Sat 4 Mar, Nailcote Warwick Sculptor LADY LESHURR Thurs 2 Fri 3 Mar, Belgrade Hall, Berkswell, NEW CREATING THE COUNTRYSIDE 1600- Michael Shaw’s dynamic contempo- Mar, O2 Institute, rary sculpture, designed to put a Theatre, Coventry Warwickshire 2017 A major new exhibition Birmingham smile on the face, until Sat 25 Mar, THE SENSATIONAL 60'S STARMAN - DAVID BOWIE that explores our relationship with MISHKIN FITZGERALD Rugby Art Gallery & Museum EXPERIENCE A MUSICAL CELEBRATION the countryside, Sat 18 Mar - Sun 18 Thurs 2 Mar, The OUR SPORTING LIFE Fri 3 Mar, New Sat 4 Mar, Albany June Taking a look Marr's Bar, Worcester back at clubs and individuals who’ve Alexandra Theatre, Theatre, Coventry NEW PORTRAIT MINIATURES Over 40 POLAR, GIANTS, TO THE taken part in sports in the Borough. Birmingham MARRY WATERSON & miniature paintings from the Dumas WIND & MY ONLY Thurs The exhibition includes trophies, LEGEND OF A BAND Fri 3 DAVID A JAYCOCK Sat 4 Egerton Trust Collection, Sat 18 Mar 2 Mar, The Flapper, photographs, medals and pro- Mar, The Roses Mar, The Tin Music - Sun 17 Dec Birmingham grammes from the Social History Theatre, Tewkesbury And Arts, Warwickshire Collection, until Sat 25 Mar, Rugby LOOSE ENDS Thurs 2 LET'S TWIST AGAIN Fri 3 TOOTHLESS Sat 4 Mar, Forge Mill Needle Museum, Art Gallery & Museum Mar, The Jam House, Redditch Mar, The Core Theatre, O2 Institute, B’ham RONNIE WOOD EXHIBITION Exhibition of Birmingham NEW STITCH MAGIC An exhibition by Solihull KEHLANI Sat 4 Mar, O2 artwork by Rolling Stones star LAUREL ARNELL-CULLEN the Forge Mill Embroidery & Textile BLACK CELEBRATION Fri Institute, Birmingham Ronnie Wood, comprising some of Thurs 2 Mar, Ort Cafe, Group, who use a variety of tradition- 3 Mar, The River the most sought-after limited editions Birmingham WRONG JOVI (BON JOVI al and modern textile techniques to Rooms, Stourbridge TRIBUTE) Sat 4 Mar, published in his artistic career to TRAGEDY: A METAL explore their favourite scenes from MAGIC DOOR Fri 3 Mar, The Marr's Bar, date, Sat 25 Feb - Tues 7 Mar, TRIBUTE TO THE BEE around the world, Wed 8 Mar - Sun 2 Cheltenham Gallery, Castle Fine Art Lab 11, Birmingham Worcester Apr GEES & BEYOND Thurs 2 NEW DRAW NEW MISCHIEF Exhibition Mar, The Robin, Bilston WHITNEY HOUSTON LIVE SURF'S UP: SMILE Sat 4 EXPERIENCE Mar, Artrix, exploring 250 years of Shakespeare THE JIVE ACES Thurs 2 Herbert Art Gallery & FT. NYA KING Fri 3 Mar, Bromsgrove and political cartoons, Sat 25 Feb - Mar, The Core Theatre, Museum, Coventry Artrix, Bromsgrove Fri 15 Sept, Royal Shakespeare Solihull TIA MCGRAFF Sun 5 FACE TO FACE: PORTRAITS THROUGH Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon WOOD AND NAILS Fri 3 Mar, The Marr's Bar, TIME Explore a centuries-old fascina- JIM CAUSLEY Thurs 2 NEW RAY HILL Ray's current body of Mar, The Sunflower Worcester tion with capturing our own image. Mar, Huntingdon Hall, work is inspired by the natural world. Lounge, Birmingham Featuring paintings, photographs, Worcester JIMI MACK Sun 5 Mar, The vibrant images explore the rela- IDA NIELSEN Fri 3 Mar, The Tin Music And sculptures and interactive activities, T.REXTASY Thurs 2 Mar, tionship between a real and height- Pizza Express Live, Arts, Warwickshire ened landscape, Tues 7 Mar - Mon 8 Belgrade Theatre, until Sun 4 June Birmingham LEVERET Sun 5 Mar, May, Evesham Arts Centre Coventry DEEKLINE Fri 3 Mar, The Fleece Inn, Leamington Spa Art Gallery & TWIN WILD Thurs 2 Mar, Museum NEW NORTHERN LIGHT BY BOB BARKER Hare & Hounds, Evesham Exhibition of hand-signed limited edi- Hare & Hounds, B’ham Birmingham PAT JORDAN & FINIAN'S JOURNEY THROUGH JAPAN Marjorie tions and original paintings, Sat 11 - THE ELO EXPERIENCE HOSTILE Sat 4 Mar, O2 RAINBOW Sun 5 Mar, Bell (1890-1962) travelled around Tues 28 Mar, Stratford Gallery, Castle Thurs 2 Mar, New Institute, B’ham Irish Centre, B’ham Japan with her mother and cousin. Galleries Alexandra Theatre, During their two-month journey, they LASHARVU Sat 4 Mar, WITH CONFIDENCE Sun NEW HATCHED! Recent picture book Birmingham took photographs and wrote a diary. Pizza Express Live, 5 Mar, The Asylum, publications from the University of GOLDSANDS Fri 3 Mar, This record of their visit is displayed Birmingham Birmingham alongside items from the gallery’s Worcester Illustration staff team, Mon O2 Academy, B’ham BUDDY HOLLY A LEGEND MAN & THE ECHO Sun 5 collection of Japanese objects, prints 27 Mar - Wed 26 Apr, The Hive PROPAGANDA Fri 3 Mar, REBORN Sat 4 Mar, Mar, The Sunflower and ceramics, until Sun 2 Apr Worcester O2 Academy, B’ham Number 8 Community Lounge, Birmingham VANT Fri 3 Mar, O2 Arts Centre, Pershore, Institute, Birmingham 52 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 1 - 5 March - WARWICK/WORCS ONLY VERSION .qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 12:51 Page 2

Wednesday 1 - Sunday 5 March

John Wilston (conductor), Sarah Classical Music Fox (Elsie Maynard), Heather Shipp (Phoebe), Benjamin Hulett (Colonel Fairfax), Simon Butteriss (Jack CBSO: BRITISH CLASSICS Featuring Point) and Sir Thomas Allen John Wilson (conductor) & (Sergeant Meryll), Sat 4 Mar, Roderick Williams (baritone). Symphony Hall, Birmingham Programme includes works by THE MIDLAND SINFONIA: A LOVE Walton, Elgar, Wood, Farnon, STORY THROUGH MUSIC Programme Coates, Ireland, German & Vaughan comprises works by Schumann & Williams, Wed 1 Mar, Symphony Brahms, Sat 4 Mar, St Laurence's Hall, Birmingham Church, Alvechurch, Worcestershire A VIENNESE STRAUSS GALA Wed 1 OLIVER KNUSSEN CONDUCTS GRIME Mar, Core Theatre, Solihull BCMG premiere Helen Grime's BOREALIS SAXOPHONE QUARTET Piano Concert alongside works by Programme includes works by Carter, Boulez and Maxwell Davies, Gershwin, Bach & Barber, Wed 1 Sun 5 Mar, CBSO Centre, Mar, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Birmingham Spa COULL QUARTET: GRAND PASSIONS Featuring Simon Callaghan (piano). Programme includes works by Mozart, Prokofiev & Brahms, Thurs Comedy Gigs 2 Mar, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry KUM-N-AVALOFF COMEDY NIGHT Thurs Present Laughter 2 Mar, Stourbridge Town Hall The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Fri 3 - Sat 11 March CRAIG HILL, LIAM PICKFORD & DIANE SPENCER Fri 3 Mar, Jongleurs Womaniser, idol and suavely sophisticated theatrical Gary Essendine Comedy Club, Birmingham lives in a world of hopeful actors, star-struck teenagers and adoring JOHN ROBERTSON, PHIL LUCAS Fri 3 fans. His antics and casual love affairs require the most delicate han- Mar, Katie Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge dling by his manager and secretary, and although he pretends to be GARY DELANEY Fri 3 Mar, Huntingdon harassed to the brink of a nervous breakdown, he secretly welcomes Hall, Worcester the adulation... KIERAN HODGSON Fri 3 Mar, Royal Spa With characteristic skill and affection, Noel Coward presents a world Centre, Leamington Spa FRENCH HORN RECITAL WITH JAVIER of style and glamour with which he was hugely familiar. RACHEL PARRIS Fri 3 Mar, Artrix, BONET Also featuring Joanne Sealey Bromsgrove (piano). Programme includes works by Schubert, Brotons, Dukas, PAUL MCCAFFREY, JOSH HOWIE, PETE Schumann, Sarasate, Piazzola & OTWAY & COMIC TBC Fri 3 Mar, The AMÉDÉE British playwright, director Monti, Thurs 2 Mar, Birmingham Comedy Loft, Birmingham Theatre and comedian Sean Foley (The Play What I Wrote,The Ladykillers) brings Conservatoire GEORGE EGG Fri 3 Mar, The Core Eugene Ionesco's surreal comedy to THE CHRIS BARBER BIG BAND Fri 3 Theatre, Solihull WAITING FOR GODOT Presented by life in his sharp and finely tuned new Mar, Palace Theatre, Redditch RAW COMEDY Fri 3 Mar, Evesham Arts Different Animal, Tues 28 Feb - Thurs adaptation. Josie Lawrence and Centre, Worcestershire OLIVER KNUSSEN CONDUCTS GRIME 2 Mar, Lichfield Garrick Trevor Cox star, Roxana Silbert ROB DEERING, KEITH FARNAN, LAURA directs... Tues 28 Feb - Sat 11 Mar, BCMG premiere Helen Grime's PYGMALION Radical new co-produc- LEXX & COMIC TBC Sat 4 Mar, The The REP, Birmingham Piano Concert alongside works by tion exploring one of the most cele- Glee Club, Birmingham Carter, Boulez and Maxwell Davies, brated comedies of the 20th century, SNOW IN MIDSUMMER A contemporary Fri 3 Mar, CBSO Centre, B’ham CRAIG HILL, LIAM PICKFORD & DIANE Tues 28 Feb - Fri 3 Mar, Warwick Arts re-imagining of one of the most GALA PIANO ALL-NIGHTER 12 hours of SPENCER Sat 4 Mar, Jongleurs Centre, Coventry famous classical Chinese dramas, Comedy Club, Birmingham until Sat 25 Mar, The Swan Theatre, Piano Music, featuring Simon THE QUITE REMARKABLE ADVENTURES Stratford-upon-Avon Callow, Alistair McGowan, Gergely CROFT AND PEARCE Sat 4 Mar, Artrix, OF THE OWL & THE PUSSYCAT A chaot- Boganyi, Peter Donohoe, Dr. Anna Bromsgrove ic new musical which follows the Owl VAMPIRE'S ROCK: THE GHOST TRAIN Steve Steinman returns as Barron Scott, Antony Hewitt and many JON RICHARDSON Sat 4 Mar, Malvern and the Pussycat on their mission to Von Rockula in an all-new saga, Wed more... Fri 3 - Sat 4 Mar, Theatres save the world and defeat the das- Birmingham Town Hall tardly Firelord, his imaginary dragon, 1 Mar, New Alexandra Theatre, PAUL MCCAFFREY, JOSH HOWIE, PETE Pyronm, and his henchmen, Flicker Birmingham BEL CANTO: THE SONGS OF DONIZETTI OTWAY & COMIC TBC Sat 4 - Fri 3 Mar, and Brimstone, until Sat 4 Mar, HAPPY HOUR New-work night hosted & BELLINI Featuring Sarah-Jane The Comedy Loft, Birmingham Brandon (soprano), Stephanie Belgrade Theatre, Coventry by Tmesis Theatre, one of the UK's STUART GOLDSMITH Sun 5 Mar, The Marshall (mezzo-soprano) & Gary THE WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION leading physical theatre companies, Glee Club, Birmingham Matthewman (piano). Programme The Crescent Theatre Company Wed 1 Mar, The Old Rep Theatre, includes works by Donizetti & IAIN STIRLING Sun 5 Mar, Warwick presents its version of Agatha Birmingham Bellini, Fri 3 Mar, The Barber Arts Centre, Coventry Christie’s most celebrated courtroom MESS Set in a bathroom, Mess shows Institute, Birmingham drama, Sat 25 Feb - Sat 4 Mar, a week in the life of Emily through Crescent Theatre, Birmingham the lens of her most personable and AIDA Presented by Ellen Kent and intimate moments, Wed 1 - Sat 4 Amphitheatre Productions, Sat 4 MACBETH The Nonentities present an Mar, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Mar, New Alexandra Theatre, amateur staging of Shakespeare’s Birmingham bloodiest play, Mon 27 Feb - Sat 4 Mar, The Rose Theatre, HANDEL’S MESSIAH Presented by The Kidderminster Elgar Chorale & featuring Baroque SISTER ACT THE MUSICAL Orchestra Pavillion Ensemble’, Sat Alexandra Burke takes the lead in Craig Revel 4 Mar, Pershore Abbey Horwood’s staging of the smash-hit YEOMAN OF THE GUARD Presented by musical comedy, Mon 27 Feb - Sat 4 the City of Birmingham Symphony Mar, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Orchestra and featuring the GASLIGHT Mon 27 Feb - Sat 4 Mar, University of Birmingham Voices, Malvern Theatres

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March 2017

Wednesday 8th March Thursday 9th March Friday 10th March STAND-UP FOR THE EULOGY OF STORIES TO TELL IN WOMEN TOBY PEACH THE MIDDLE OF THE WITH JO ENRIGHT, ELEANOR ‘A CHARMING CELEBRATION NIGHT TIERNAN, LINDSEY SANTORO OF SURVIVAL’ BIRMINGHAM REP & MAUREEN YOUNGER PRODUCTION

Sunday 12th March Friday 24th March Wednesday 29th March OYSTER BOY DOREEN’S GRAND JULIAN LLOYD HASTE THEATRE’S NIGHT OUT WEBBER’S BITTERSWEET TALE ONE OF THE LAST DATES BIRMINGHAM FOR THIS SHOW CONSERVATOIRE SHOWCASE

COMING SOON: Vamos Theatre’s The Best Thing, Rachel Parris, Whitney Houston Live Experience, Surf’s Up, Croft & Pearce, Ziggy Stardust (PG), Retorica, Fizzog, PerKelt, Meet Fred, Verve Dance, Barnstormers Comedy, Natalie Cutler, Dr Phil Hammond, Stephen Bailey, Kit Holmes, Noise Next Door, Jive Talkin’, Albert Lee, Geoff Norcott, Jo Harman, Emily Maguire, Rob Rouse….

Join our Mailing List and receive our weekly e-flyer @artrixarts with up-to-date information about upcoming shows or download our latest brochure @artrix arts centre www.artrix.co.uk or phone 01527 577330 Artrix, Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove, B60 1GN Free parking on-site

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thelist Wednesday 1 - Sunday 5 March I AM BEAST Sparkle & Dark fuse life- upon-Avon THE LEGO MOVIE (U) sized puppetry and live music in this MITOS MAHSURI: CHAINS OF THE PAST Film Animation/Adventure. Artrix, award-winning exploration of the Warwick Malaysian Student Bromsgrove, Sat 4 Mar power of grief and childish imagina- Association present the story of two LA LA LAND (12a) Drama/Musical. tion, Thurs 2 Mar, The Roses siblings and their attempt to reverse INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Starring Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone. Theatre, Tewkesbury a curse imposed on seven genera- Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 3 - tions of their family, Sat 4 Mar, 20TH CENTURY WOMEN (15) Sat 4 Mar; The Electric Cinema, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Comedy/Drama. Starring Elle Birmingham, Sat 4 - Sun 5 Mar TIATA FAHODZI: GOOD DOG A piece of Fanning, Alia Shawkat. The Roses DRIVE (18) Drama/Crime. Starring theatre which chronicles growing up Theatre, Tewkesbury, until Wed 1 Mar Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan. Blue in a multicultural community, and the TONI ERDMANN (15) Comedy/Drama. Orange Theatre, Birmingham, Sun 5 everyday injustices that drive people Starring Peter Simonischek, Sandra Mar to take back control, Sat 4 Mar, mac, Hüller. Warwick Arts Centre, Birmingham Coventry, until Wed 1 Mar; mac, BATS IN THE BELFRY Swan Theatre Birmingham, until Thurs 2 Mar; Amateur Company present a per- Malvern theatres, Sun 5 - Thurs 9 formance suitable for young audi- Mar Events THE GRUMBLEWEEDS LAUGHTER SHOW ences, Sat 4 Mar, Swan Theatre, LION (PG) Drama. Starring Dev Patel, Worcester Thurs 2 Mar, The Swan Theatre, Nicole Kidman. Malvern Theatres, CIRQUE DU SOLEIL VAREKAI - TALES OF Worcester THE FIZZOGS: THE SUCK IT AND SEE until Thurs 2 Mar THE FOREST Wed 1 - Sun 5 Mar, THE BEST THING A Swinging 60s story TOUR Sat 4 Mar, The Core Theatre, JACKIE (15) Biography/Drama. Genting Arena, Birmingham Solihull of unconditional love from the UK's Starring Natalie Portman, Peter WORLD BOOK DAY: THE VERY HUNGRY leading full-mask theatre company, AIDA Ellen Kent and Amphitheatre Sarsgaard. Warwick Arts Centre, CATERPILLA R A special day of story- Vamos, Thurs 2 Mar, Artrix, Productions present a new interpre- Coventry, Sat 4 Mar telling, craft activities and movement Bromsgrove tation of Verdi’s classic opera. Olga LOVING (12a) Biography/Drama. workshops, Thurs 2 Mar, Herbert Art Perrier, Alyona Kistenyova & Liza Starring Ruth Negga, Joel Edgerton. Gallery, Coventry Kadelnik star, Sat 4 Mar, New Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, until Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham HEDGELAYING Have you ever wanted Thurs 2 Mar; mac, Birmingham, Fri 3 to learn how to lay a hedge? THE VIRGIN MARIAS Lying Lips Theatre - Sun 5 Mar Whether it’s your garden hedge, an Company present a revenge play, MOONLIGHT (15) Drama. Starring unruly hedge on your smallholding, written by Nathalie Bazán and pre- Mahershala Ali, Shariff Earp. The or a skill you would just like to learn, sented in Jacobean English, Sat 4 Electric Cinema, Birmingham, until this course is an ideal place to start, Mar, The Crescent Theatre, Thurs 2 Mar Fri 3 Mar, Avoncroft Museum, Birmingham HIDDEN FIGURES (PG) Bromsgrove Drama/Biography. Starring Taraji P. WHAT CAREER LIVE? WHAT UNIVERSITY Henson, Octavia Spencer. The LIVE? An essential event for 15 to 19- A MACHINE THEY'RE SECRETLY BUILDING Electric Cinema, Birmingham, until year-olds, to help them decide what Thurs 2 Mar Proto-type Theater vent their frustra- Dance to do after leaving school - whether tion at the insidious machine of sur- HACKSAW RIDGE (15) Drama/History. it’s an apprenticeship, school-leaver veillance, Thurs 2 - Fri 3 Mar, mac, Starring Andrew Garfield, Sam programme or university after A Levels, Fri 3 - Sat 4 Mar, NEC, Birmingham DANCE SAMPLED Showcase of various Worthington. The Electric Cinema, Birmingham, until Thurs 2 Mar Birmingham PA/NG New night celebrating the best dance styles, from the sexiest tango PETER KAY'S DANCE FOR LIFE in local emerging artists and span- to the hottest hip-hop, a classy taste MANCHESTER BY THE SEA (15) Drama. Peter Kay ning music, live art, performance and of ballet, plus some gripping kathak Starring Casey Affleck, Michelle brings his three-hour dance-athons digital art. Playwright, poet & screen- and mind-blowing contemporary. Full Williams. The Electric Cinema, to Coventry, with all profits going to writer Sabrina Mahfouz headlines, line-up to be confirmed... Fri 3 - Sat 4 Birmingham, until Thurs 2 Mar Cancer Research UK, Fri 3 - Sat 4 Mar, Ricoh Arena, Coventry Thurs 2 - Fri 3 Mar, mac, Birmingham Mar, Birmingham Hippodrome FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THE NATIONAL WEDDING SHOW AS YOU LIKE IT Amateur production THEM (12a) Adventure/Fantasy. Fri 3 - presented by the Swan Youth Starring Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Sun 5 Mar, NEC, Birmingham Theatre, Thurs 2 - Sat 4 Mar, Swan Miller. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Wed 1 Mar BRIT ASIA TV WORLD MUSIC AWARDS Theatre, Worcester ARRIVAL (12a) Drama/Sci-Fi. Starring Featuring the best of both British- HILDA AND THE SPECTRUM Surrealist Talks Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner. The Asian and international music, includ- play which follows the meeting and Electric Cinema, Birmingham, Thurs ing R&B, Grime, Bhangra and Bollywood, Sat 4 Mar, Barclaycard relationship between two otherworld- JOE SWIFT - A MAN ABOUT THE GARDEN 2 Mar Arena, Birmingham ly outsiders, told through mime, TV presenter Joe Swift digs deep NERUDA (15) Biography/Crime. clowning and improvisation, Fri 3 into his own past, explaining how he Starring Gael García Bernal, Luis FLOYD MAYWEATHER'S LAS VEGAS BALL Mar, Old Joint Stock Theatre, B’ham moved on from a rock’n’roll youth to Gnecco. Warwick Arts Centre, Sat 4 Mar, International Convention PSYCHIC SALLY Evening of medi- become one of the country’s top gar- Coventry, Thurs 2 Mar Centre (ICC), Birmingham den designers, Wed 1 Mar, Royal umship, Fri 3 Mar, Royal Spa Centre, BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL DRUM & BASS AWARDS 2017 Now in its Spa Centre, Leamington Spa Leamington Spa WORLD TOUR Malvern Theatres, until 11th year, Sat 4 Mar, Donington Park HANCOCK’S HALF HOUR: ONE MAN, AN EVENING WITH LEVISON WOOD The Thurs 2 - Fri 3 Mar Racing Circuit, Derby bestselling author, photographer and MANY VOICES James Hurn voices the A UNITED KINGDOM (12a) ELIZABETHAN LIVING HISTORY EVENT TV presenter shares stories about his entire cast of three classic episodes Adventure/Fantasy. Starring David The house is brought to life with re- experiences and exploits as a mod- of Hancock’s Half Hour, Fri 3 Mar, Oyelowo, Rosamund Pike. Artrix, enactments of Elizabethan life, com- ern-day explorer, Thurs 2 Mar, Royal The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Bromsgrove, Fri 3 Mar plete with costumes, music and Spa Centre, Leamington Spa dancing, Sat 4 - Sun 5 Mar, JULIUS CAESAR Angus Jackson FENCES (12a) Drama. Starring Denzel DR PHIL HAMMOND - DR PHIL’S HEALTH Harvington Hall, Kidderminster directs Shakespeare’s epic and Washington, Viola Davis. mac, REVOLUTION An evening in which to thrilling tragedy as the politics of spin Birmingham, Fri 3 - Sun 5 Mar; THOMAS AND FRIENDS WEEKEND ‘laugh, love, shout and reclaim our and betrayal turn bloody and brutal, Malvern Theatres, Fri 3 - Thurs 9 Mar Thomas and friends invite you to join Fri 3 Mar - Sat 9 Sep, Royal NHS’, Sat 4 Mar, Huntingdon Hall, them on their magical weekends, Sat TINKER BELL & THE LEGEND OF THE Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford- Worcester 4 - Sun 5 Mar, Drayton Manor Theme NEVERBEAST (U) Animation/Adventure. upon-Avon Park, Staffordshire mac, Birmingham, Sat 4 Mar PRESENT LAUGHTER Associate artist THE IMPERIAL COMMERCIALS LONE STAR (15) Crime/Mystery. Vanessa Comer directs Noel VOLKSWAGEN DONINGTON RALLY The Starring Chris Cooper, Elizabeth Coward's classic comedy, Fri 3 - Sat circuit is transformed into a giant Peña. Includes illustrated talk. 11 Mar, The Bear Pit Theatre - The stage, Sun 5 Mar, Donington Park Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 4 United Reformed Church, Stratford- Racing Circuit, Derby Mar

whatsonlive.co.uk 55 The List 6 - 12 March - Warwicks/Worc ONLY VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 12:52 Page 1

56 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 6 - 12 March - Warwicks/Worc ONLY VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 12:52 Page 2

thelist Monday 6 - Sunday 12 March COLOSSUS WITH: THE THE FALLEN STATE Fri 10 LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA: Gigs BROKEN OAK DUET + Mar, O2 Institute, Classical SUPERHEROES AT SYMPHONY HALL An BLACK BOXES Thurs 9 Birmingham afternoon of music celebrating the Mar, The Marr's Bar, UNIVERSITY BRASS BAND iconic scores from your favourite HIGHLY SUSPECT Mon 6 Music Worcester & SAX CHOIR Fri 10 Mar, Superheroes, Sun 12 Mar, Mar, O2 Academy, PIANO WIRE Thurs 9 The Bramall, B’ham Symphony Hall, Birmingham Birmingham Mar, The Tin Music 80'S INVASION TOUR PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA THE SESHEN Mon 6 Mar, LOUIS LORTIE CELEBRITY RECITAL And Arts, Coventry 2017 Fri 10 Mar, Featuring Daniele Rosina (conduc- Hare & Hounds, B’ham Programme comprises George LUCY SPRAGGAN Thurs Malvern Theatres, Benjamin's Shadowlines & 6 tor). Programme includes works by DUTCH UNCLES Mon 6 9 Mar, O2 Institute, Worcester Canonic Preludes plus Chopin's 24 Schoenberg, Mussorgsky, Boris Mar, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham VENKMAN, DELTA Preludes Op.28, Tues 7 Mar, Godunov & Prokofiev, Sun 12 Mar, Birmingham THE DOLLY PARTON AUTUMN, REPEAT OF Birmingham Conservatoire The Bramall, Birmingham University ELLA - CELEBRATING 100 STORY Thurs 9 Mar, LAST WEEK Sat 11 Mar, CBSO: WHEN IN ROME Presented by YEARS Mon 6 Mar, The Swan Theatre, Hare & Hounds, the City Of Birmingham Symphony Crescent Theatre, Worcester Birmingham Orchestra and featuring Daniele Birmingham FATHERSON Thurs 9 TEEDRA MOSES Sat 11 Rustioni (conductor) & Francesca LANY Mon 6 Mar, O2 Mar, The Assembly, Mar, O2 Institute, Dego (violin). Programme includes Comedy Gigs Institute, Birmingham Leamington Spa Birmingham works by Wagner, Wolf-Ferrari, PRESS TO MECO Mon 6 SKERRYVORE Thurs 9 LAO CHE Sat 11 Mar, O2 Respighi & Mendelssohn, Wed 8 MITCH BENN Wed 8 Mar, The Roses Mar, The Sunflower Mar, Huntingdon Hall, Institute, Birmingham Mar, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Theatre, Tewkesbury Lounge, Birmingham Worcester BANG ON THE EAR Sat BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE: LE JO ENRIGHT, LINDSEY SANTORO & JOSEFIN ÖHRN & THE EVAROSE Thurs 9 Mar, 11 Mar, Irish Centre, NOZZE DI FIGARO BY WOLFGANG MAUREEN YOUNGER Wed 8 Mar, Artrix, LIBERATION Tues 7 Mar, O2 Academy, B’ham Birmingham AMADEUS MOZART Featuring Fraser Bromsgrove Hare & Hounds, B’ham JOE DOLMAN Thurs 9 THE WEST END JERSEY Goulding (conductor) & Michael STEWART LEE Wed 8 Mar, Malvern BILL LAURANCE Tues 7 Mar, The Sunflower BOYS Sat 11 Mar, Barry (director), Thurs 9 - Sat 11 Theatres Mar, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Mar, The Glee Club, Lounge, Birmingham Nailcote Hall, CARL DONNELLY, TOM LUCY, CHRISTIAN Birmingham ARGLE BARGLE Fri 10 Warwickshire ACADEMY OF ANCIENT MUSIC SCHULTE-LOH & PAUL THORNE Fri 10 THE WYZE GUYZ Tues 7 Mar, O2 Academy, THE REAL PEOPLE Sat 11 FEATURING JORDI SAVALL Mar, The Glee Club, Birmingham Mar, The Jam House, Birmingham, Mar, The Rainbow (VIOL/DIRECTOR) Programme JIMMY CARR Fri 10 Mar, Warwick Arts Birmingham includes works by Lully, Marais, PROPAGANDA Fri 10 Venues, Birmingham Centre, Coventry Handel & Rameau, Thurs 9 Mar, US THE DUO Wed 8 Mar, Mar, O2 Academy THE ELO ENCOUNTER Symphony Hall, Birmingham ADAM BLOOM, JUNIOR SIMPSON, LAURA O2 Academy, B’ham Birmingham Sat 11 Mar, The LEXX & COMIC TBC Fri 10 Mar, The JULY TALK Wed 8 Mar, NORMAN JAY Fri 10 Mar, Roadhouse, B’ham LA BOHÈME French Soprano Olga Comedy Loft, Birmingham Perrier & acclaimed Ecaterina Danu Hare & Hounds, B’ham Hare & Hounds, B’ham THE 80'S PROJECT Sat CARL DONNELLY, TOM LUCY, CHRISTIAN star in this Ellen Kent produced ver- BARE KNUCKLE PARADE 11 Mar, The River SCHULTE-LOH & PAUL THORNE Sat 11 THE JERSEYS, OH WHAT sion of Puccini’s romantic opera, Wed 8 Mar, Hare & A NITE Rooms, Stourbridge Mar, The Glee Club, Birmingham Fri 10 Mar, Thurs 9 Mar, Malvern Theatres Hounds, Birmingham Albany Theatre, SAM BAILEY Sat 11 Mar, LOU CONRAN, QUINCY, SCOTT GIBSON EMERSON STRING QUARTET EMMA BALLANTINE Wed Coventry Malvern Theatres, Featuring Sat 11 Mar, Jongleurs Comedy Club, Eugene Drucker & Philip Setzer 8 Mar, Kitchen Garden J J GALWAY Fri 10 Mar, Worcester Birmingham (violins), Lawrence Dutton (viola) & Cafe, Birmingham Irish Centre, B’ham WHOLE LOTTA LED Sat Paul Watkins (cello). Programme HANNAH SILVESTER, CRAIG DEELEY Sat DAYGLO ABORTIONS 11 Mar, The Assembly, Wed FOO 5IGHTERS Fri 10 includes works by Dvorak, 11 Mar, mac, Birmingham 8 Mar, The Rainbow Leamington Spa Mar, The Roadhouse, Shostakovich & Beethoven, Thurs 9 ADAM BLOOM, JUNIOR SIMPSON, LAURA Venues, Birmingham Birmingham VINNY PECULIAR Sat 11 Mar, Malvern Theatres LEXX & COMIC TBC Sat 11 Mar, The GOSPEL CENTRAL Wed 8 Mar, The Marr's Bar, Comedy Loft, Birmingham SAM COOMES Fri 10 AIDA Presented by Ellen Kent and Mar, The Jam House, Worcester Mar, The Tin Music Amphitheatre Productions, Fri 10 KOJO, AXEL BLAKE, SLIM & KANE Birmingham DRAGSTER, VOODOO And Arts, Warwickshire Mar, Malvern Theatres BROWN Sun 12 Mar, The Glee Club, THE PIGEON DETECTIVES THE OFFICIAL RECEIVERS KINGS, DEMON SMILES, Birmingham WASTED LIFE & FACE UP CHETHAM'S SCHOOL OF MUSIC Wed 8 Mar, O2 BAND Fri 10 Mar, The AL MURRAY Sun 12 Mar, Warwick Arts Sat 11 Mar, The Featuring Julius Jonusas (cello), Institute, Birmingham Marr's Bar, Worcester Centre, Coventry Flapper, Birmingham Amber Jordan (saxophone), MAWKIN Wed 8 Mar, FRED ZEPPELIN - Gemma Riley (trombone) & Martyn SUSAN CALMAN Sun 12 Mar, Warwick GOJIRA Sat 11 Mar, O2 The Red Lion Folk TRIBUTE BAND TO LED Parkes (accompanist), Fri 10 Mar, Arts Centre, Coventry Club, Birmingham Academy, Birmingham ZEPPELIN Fri 10 Mar, The Barber Institute, Birmingham TINARIWEN Wed 8 Mar, The River Rooms, UNIVERSITY WIND BAND: RAINER HERSCH: COMEDY MEETS THE The Glee Club, B’ham Stourbridge BEST OF BRITISH Sat 11 ORCHESTRA Programme includes LOWER THAN ATLANTIS Mar, The Bramall, Birmingham works by Rossini, Beethoven, Fri 10 Mar, O2 Mozart, Strauss, Verdi & Vivaldi, Fri Theatre Academy, Birmingham PERKELT Sat 11 Mar, 10 Mar, Symphony Hall, B’ham THE FALLEN STATE Fri 10 Artrix, Bromsgrove RETORICA Programme includes THE FIRST HIPPO ON THE MOON Mar, O2 Institute, ROBERTO FONSECA Sat works by William Croft, David Staging of David Walliams’ space Birmingham 11 Mar, Warwick Arts Matthews, Moeran, John McCabe & adventure for children, Mon 6 - Tues Centre, Coventry PETER HOOK & THE Rawsthorne, Fri 10 Mar, Artrix, 7 Mar, Malvern Theatres LIGHT Fri 10 Mar, The TEN FÉ Sun 12 Mar, Bromsgrove THE ROAD TO HUNTSVILLE An explo- Assembly, Leamington Hare & Hounds, ration of unconventional love, state BIRMINGHAM BACH CHOIR: ST MARK Spa Birmingham homicide and challenging precon- PASSION Featuring Paul Spicer ceptions, written and performed by CHALI 2NA Thurs 9 Mar, ROXY MAGIC Fri 10 Mar, BONAFIDE Sun 12 Mar, (director), Elizabeth Cragg (sopra- Stephanie Ridings. Suitable for ages Hare & Hounds, B’ham The Roses Theatre, O2 Academy, B’ham no), Simon Ponsford (coun- Twekesbury 16-plus, Mon 6 - Tues 7 Mar, DAN REED NETWORK tertenor), Thomas Hobbs PROSE Thurs 9 Mar, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Hare & Hounds, B’ham WHITE LIES Fri 10 Mar, Sun 12 Mar, The Robin, (Evangelist), Jeremy Budd (tenor) & The Empire, Coventry Bilston Henry Neill (baritone), Sat 11 Mar, BLOOD BROTHERS Award-winning WAYNE DILKS AS show written by Willy Russell and GLASS ANIMALS Fri 10 80'S INVASION TOUR LIchfield Cathedral GEORGE MICHAEL Thurs telling the story of twins who, sepa- Mar, O2 Institute, 2017 Sun 12 Mar, 9 Mar, The River NIGEL KENNEDY & FRIENDS rated at birth, grow up on opposite Birmingham Birmingham Town Hall Rooms, Special gala celebration show fea- sides of the track, Mon 6 - Sat 11 Stourbridge THE BEACH BOYS STORY THINK FLOYD Sun 12 turing world-renowned violinist Mar, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Fri 10 Mar, Huntingdon Mar, The Roses Nigel Kennedy, Sat 11 Mar, THE TASK IN HAND + SHIRLEY VALENTINE Jodie Prenger Hall, Worcester Theatre, Tewkesbury Symphony Hall, Birmingham SURPRISE ATTACKS: HEY takes the lead in Willy Russell’s whatsonlive.co.uk 57 The List 6 - 12 March - Warwicks/Worc ONLY VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 12:52 Page 3 The List 6 - 12 March - Warwicks/Worc ONLY VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 12:52 Page 4

thelist Monday 6 - Sunday 12 March heart-warming comedy, Mon 6 - Sat Mozart’s quintessential opera, Thurs Starring David Bowie. mac, 11 Mar, New Alexandra Theatre, 9 - Sat 11 Mar, The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 7 Mar; Warwick Birmingham Birmingham Dance Arts Centre, Coventry, Tues 7 Mar; LADIES’ DAY Amateur staging of KISS ME KATE Kidderminster Operatic Artrix, Bromsgrove, Tues 7 Mar Amanda Whittington’s up-to-the- Society present an amateur staging CINDERELLA Vienna Festival Ballet ALL ABOUT EVE (U) Drama. Starring minute comedy, Mon 6 - Sat 11 Mar, of Cole Porter’s classic musical, present a combination of pure classi- Bette Davis, Anne Baxter. Albany Talisman Theatre, Coventry Thurs 9 - Sat 18 Mar, The Rose cal dancing and a touch of pan- Theatre, Coventry, Thurs 9 Mar Theatre, Kidderminster tomime, Tues 7 Mar, The Roses THE WINTER'S TALE Cheek By Jowl Theatre, Tewkesbury JOY (12a) Drama. Starring Jennifer present Shakespeare's tale of a delu- AIDA Ellen Kent and Amphitheatre Lawrence, Robert De Niro. Albany sional and paranoid king who tears Productions present a new interpre- AFRICARMEN BY TAVAZIVA An entan- Theatre, Coventry, Thurs 9 Mar his family apart, Tues 7 - Sat 11 Mar, tation of Verdi’s classic opera. Olga gled story of desire, deceit and cor- Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Perrier, Alyona Kistenyova and Liza ruption unfolds in an African town- ship where military corruption is rife. CHESS Knowle Musical Society pres- Kadelnik star, Fri 10 Mar, Malvern Theatres Carmen defiantly ignores all warn- NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: ent an amateur production of Tim ings to pursue a better life, but Rice’s politically-driven musical. STORIES TO TELL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE tragedy follows her like a shadow in Music score comes from Abba’s NIGHT Storytelling with a difference, the hot sun, Thurs 9 Mar, Released from Fri 10 March, showing Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, presented via a live, late-night radio DanceXchange, The Patrick Centre, at selected cinemas Tues 7 - Sat 11 Mar, The Core, show for those who aren’t asleep. Birmingham Hippodrome Solihull Instead of records, the DJ spins sto- CAT FIGHT (15) ries that exist between dusk and GISELLE Ballet Theatre UK present a DANCER (12a) BETTY BLUE EYES Walsall Operatic tragically romantic tale of love, Society present an amateur produc- morning, Fri 10 Mar, Artrix, ELLE (18) Bromsgrove deception and the afterlife, Fri 10 tion of the popular musical comedy, Mar, Swan Theatre, Worcester KONG: SKULL ISLAND (12a) based on Alan Bennett’s A Private DANCING BEAR, DANCING BEAR Award- RULES DON’T APPLY (tbc) Function, Tues 7 - Sat 11 Mar, winning company Gameshow pres- GISELLE Ballet Theatre UK present a Lichfield Garrick ent a story about men and women tragically romantic tale of love, THE CHAMBER (tbc) deception and the afterlife, Sat 11 BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL Smash-hit and how they relate to each other, Fri THE LOVE WITCH (tbc) 10 Mar, mac, Birmingham Mar, Albany Theatre, Coventry musical based on the Oscar-nominat- THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES (tbc) ed movie of the same name and fea- TALES AND TONIC Opportunity to pre- VIRAGO Sonia Sabri Company pres- turing a timeless score by Elton view some of the work-in-progress ent a dance-digital solo production John, Tues 7 Mar - Sat 29 Apr, shows being produced by The REP's exploring the light vs dark and real vs Birmingham Hippodrome brightest new talent, Fri 10 Mar - Fri 7 fairytale versions of female existence, Sat 11 Mar, mac, Birmingham INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY DOUBLE Apr, The REP, Birmingham Events BILL Two works from Midlands writers ONE LOVE: THE BOB MARLEY MUSICAL BELIEVE - CAPELLA ACADEMY OF DANCE for International Women’s Day 2017: Premiere of a new musical focusing A journey through a world of imagi- Save Our School Dinners... Jamie! - on a defining period in the life and nation, showing how, with self-belief AWAKEN THE ARTS Exploring the exhi- a new comedy-drama about a gang career of Bob Marley, Fri 10 Mar - Sat and hard work, you can transform bition Face To Face, the session con- of dinner ladies - and Moorville 8 Apr, The REP, Birmingham your dreams into reality, Sun 12 - siders works by Thomas Mon 13 Mar Albany Theatre, Gainsborough, John Bratby and Theatre’s Lite - a multimedia stage THE SOOTY SHOW Brand new show, Coventry Paula Rego, Tues 7 Mar, Herbert Art production exploring themes of iden- Sat 11 Mar, The Roses Theatre, Gallery, Coventry tity, self-image and skin lightening Tewkesbury through a young black woman’s YONEX ALL ENGLAND OPEN BADMINTON THE FIZZOGS: THE SUCK IT AND SEE eyes, Wed 8 Mar, The Old Rep, CHAMPIONSHIPS 2017 Tues 7 - Sun 12 TOUR Sat 11 Mar, Artrix, Bromsgrove Birmingham Mar, Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham THE CLUB New comedy by Ruaraidh MAY-WE-GO-ROUND? The Hiccup Talks AMAZING BRAIN Spend some time Murray, described as Phoenix Nights Project present a show for anyone with brain scientists from the meets The Sopranos, Sat 11 Mar, who’s been in love, or who’s even FOUR CENTURIES BOOK TALK Talk cov- University of Warwick and find out Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham lusted from afar, Wed 8 - Thurs 9 ering four centuries of books from more about your amazing brain, Wed Mar, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry WOW! SAID THE OWL Little Angel the Lucy family collection. Find out 8 Mar, Herbert Art Gallery, Coventry Theatre invites audiences to explore THE VISIT Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s clas- why Charlecote has one of the best CRUFTS The world’s most famous the world of colours with a curious lit- sic play explores how greed, corrup- libraries in the Trust, Wed 8 Mar, dog show, Thurs 9 - Sun 12 Mar, tle owl who’s determined to stay tion and fate become dramatically Charlecote Park, Warwickshire NEC, Birmingham intertwined, Wed 8 - Fri 10 Mar, awake to see what daylight brings, HERBERT LATES: SECRET GALLERY Bridge House Theatre, Warwick Sat 11 - Sun 12 Mar, mac, B’ham WALLS AND STUDENT ART AUCTION WHITE The award-winning Catherine UTOPIA LTD Atswood Bank Operatic Local street artists take part in a Wheels Theatre Company present a Society present an amateur staging friendly drawing competition. playful, highly visual show for very of Gilbert & Sullivan’s opera, Wed 8 - Film Presided over by Swifty, the MC for young audiences, Sat 11 - Mon 13 Sat 11 Mar, Palace Theatre, Redditch the evening, and with a soundtrack Mar, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL All-singing, INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: provided by DJ Akeel, Fri 10 Mar, all-dancing musical starring Cheryl ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA Iqbal Khan Herbert Art Gallery, Coventry returns to the RSC to direct Ferguson, Maureen Nolan, Rebecca THE RUM FESTIVAL Featuring over 100 Shakespeare’s tragedy of love and Wheatley & Ruth Berkeley, Thurs 9 LES MISÉRABLES (12) Drama/Musical. different rums from around the globe, power, Sat 11 Mar - Thurs 7 Sept, Mar, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Starring Hugh Jackman, Russell live entertainment, food and give- Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Crowe. Abbey Theatre, Nuneaton, THE EULOGY OF TOBY PEACH Inspiring aways, Fri 10 - Sat 11 Mar, The Bond Stratford-upon-Avon Mon 6 Mar exploration of modern science and Complex, Birmingham DARE DEVIL RIDES TO JARAMA the human body, Thurs 9 Mar, Artrix, A UNITED KINGDOM (12a) FESTIVAL OF THE DEAD Carnival-esque Townsend Productions present a Bromsgrove Adventure/Fantasy. Starring David pageantry, giant skull processions, new play commissioned by the Oyelowo, Rosamund Pike. Artrix, acrobats, dancers, decorative art & LABELS Worklight Theatre's award- International Brigades Memorial Bromsgrove, Mon 6 - Fri 10 Mar costumes, Sat 11 Mar, The Rainbow winning show, exploring the issues of Trust, Sun 12 Mar, mac, Birmingham mixed heritage and immigration, JACKIE (15) Biography/Drama. Venues, Birmingham VOICES OF EXPERIENCE A ‘compelling’ Thurs 9 Mar, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Starring Natalie Portman, Peter CHEESE & CHUTNEY Sat 11 - Sun 12 afternoon giving voice to regional Birmingham Sarsgaard. Warwick Arts Centre, Mon Mar, Fargo Village, Coventry creative writing talents, presented to 6 - Wed 8 Mar; The Roses Theatre, LA BOHEME French soprano Olga mark International Women’s Day, Tewkesbury, Mon 6 - Thurs 9 Mar WEDDING FAYRE Sun 12 Mar, Heart of Perrier stars as Musetta in a tradition- Sun 12 Mar, mac, Birmingham England Conference & Events ally staged version of Puccini’s clas- THEIR FINEST (15) Comedy/Drama. Centre, Coventry sic tale of Parisian love and loss, OYSTER BOY Haste Theatre present a Starring Gemma Arterton, Sam ST. PATRICK'S PARADE BIRMINGHAM Thurs 9 Mar, Malvern Theatres bittersweet tale about the trials of Claflin. Malvern Theatres, Tues 7 Mar love and what it means to be ‘other’, This year’s theme is Irish Dancing, ZIGGY STARDUST & THE SPIDERS FROM LE NOZZE DI FIGARO Birmingham Sun 12 Mar, Artrix, Bromsgrove Sun 12 Mar, Digbeth, Birmingham Conservatoire presents its version of MARS (PG) Documentary/Music.

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thelist Monday 13 - Sunday 19 March Birmingham GENTLEMAN'S DUB CLUB Programme includes works by Gigs ALL TIME LOW Thurs 16 Sat 18 Mar, Hare & Classical Music Whitacre, Monteverdi, Tavener, Mar, O2 Academy, Hounds, Birmingham Spiritual arr. Whalum & Britten, Fri 17 Birmingham BAND OF THE BRIGADE LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH Mar, The Barber Institute, B’ham PEANESS Mon 13 Mar, OF GURKHAS Sat 18 THOMAS TROTTER Featuring the TANGO WITH THE QUINTENTO JUAN VAS- The Sunflower JOHN DENTON'S Mar, Bedworth Civic Birmingham Conservatoire Chamber SALLO Featuring Diego Vassallo (vio- Lounge, Birmingham MIDNIGHT BAND Thurs 16 Mar, Huntingdon Hall Choir & Paul Spicer (conductor). lin), Catherine Vassallo (viola), THE WEEKND Mon 13 Hall, Worcester PAUL CARRACK Fri 17 - Programme includes works by Eduardo Vassallo (cello), Danny Mar, Barclaycard Dvorak & Walton, Mon 13 Mar, Vassallo (double bass) & John SURFER BLOOD Thurs Sat 18 Mar, Symphony Arena, Birmingham Birmingham Town Hall Turville (piano), Fri 17 Mar, CBSO 16 Mar, The Rainbow Hall, Birmingham HIGH TYDE Tues 14 Centre, Birmingham Venues, Birmingham THE CRACKED ACTORS MONDAY SHOWCASE: BRIDGE Featuring Mar, Hare & Hounds, Matthew Johnstone (viola) & Eden THE VIRGINMARYS Sat 18 Mar, The Marr's G4 IN CONCERT Fri 17 Mar, Birmingham Walker (piano). Programme includes Thurs 16 Mar, O2 Bar, Worcester Birmingham Town Hall NATHAN GRISDALE Tues works by Hindemith & Bridge, Mon Institute, Birmingham BLACK STAR RIDERS Sat BIRMINGHAM GAY SYMPHONY 14 Mar, O2 Academy, 13 Mar, Birmingham Conservatoire 18 Mar, O2 Institute, ORCHESTRA Sat 18 Mar, St Paul's Birmingham DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT Thurs 16 Mar, Birmingham ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: THE ENGLISH Church, Birmingham BANG TANGO Tues 14 O2 Institute, B’ham LEVERET IN CONCERT GENIUS Featuring David Curtis (con- UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM CHORUS & Mar, The Slade Sat 18 Mar, ductor). Programme includes works SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Featuring Rooms, CILLA & THE SHADES OF by Holst & Vaughan Williams,Tues 14 THE 60S Bubbenhall Village Daniele Rosina (orchestral director) & Wolverhampton Thurs 16 Mar Mar, Stratford Artshouse The Roses Theatre, Hall, Warwickshire Julian Wilkins (chorus director). THE BROOK STREET Tewkesbury JARZINO Sat 18 Mar, JENNIFER PIKE CELEBRITY RECITAL Programme includes works by BAND Tues 14 Mar, St Programme includes works by Sibelius, Ginestera & Haydn, Sat 18 JUNIOR Thurs 16 Mar, Nailcote Hall, Mary's Church, Mozart, Syzmanowski, Vaughan Mar, Birmingham Town Hall The Sunflower Berkswell, Warwicks Warwick Williams & Wieniawski, Tues 14 Mar, Lounge, Birmingham THE STRANGLERS Sat CHAMBER CHOIRS AND UNIVERSITY EMPTY LUNGS WITH: Birmingham Conservatoire 18 Mar, O2 Academy, CAMERATA Featuring Alexander THE HARTS + MORE TBA PROPAGANDA Fri 17 Birmingham HALLE ORCHESTRA Featuring Sir Mark Creamer and Matthew Brady Tues 14 Mar, The Mar, O2 Academy, Elder (conductor) & Gerard (Camerata conductors); Bradley Gill Marr's Bar, Worcester Birmingham HANNAH WANTS Sat 18 Mar, The Rainbow McBurney (creative director). Actors & Sidney Brass (Chamber Choir con- CAITLIN KOCH Tues 14 MONSTER TRUCK Fri 17 Venues, Birmingham to be announced. Programme com- ductors). Programme includes works Mar, The Roadhouse, Mar, O2 Institute, prises Beyond The Score: Elgar's by Mendelssohn, Bruckner, Birmingham Birmingham THE WURZELS Sat 18 Enigma Variations, Tues 14 Mar, Esenvalds, Durufle, Monteverdi, Ola Mar, The Assembly, STIFF LITTLE FINGERS RHINO AND THE Symphony Hall, Birmingham Gjeilo, Whitacre, Parry & Tippett, Sun RANTERS Fri 17 Mar, Leamington Spa Tues 14 Mar, The NICKI KENNED (SOPRANO), SIMON DES- 19 Mar, The Bramall, University of Hare & Hounds, THE SEARCHERS IN Robin, Birmingham BRULAIS (TRUMPET) & THE BROOK Birmingham Birmingham CONCERT Sat 18 Mar, LAURA MARLING Tues STREET BAND Programme includes ENSEMBLE 360 Programme includes Palace Theatre, 14 Mar, O2 Institute, SARAH JANE MORRIS works by Telemann, Bach & Handel, works by Mozart & Beethoven, Sun Redditch Birmingham WITH ANTONIO Tues 14 Mar, St Mary’s Church, 19 Mar, Royal Spa Centre, FORCIONE Fri 17 Mar, SEVEN DRUNKEN CANAAN SMITH Wed 15 Warwick Leamington Spa St Paul's Church, NIGHTS: THE STORY OF Mar, O2 Institute, Birmingham THE DUBLINERS Sat 18 RHAPSODY ON A THEME OF PAGANINI BEASTDOME: KELP ROAD Birmingham Featuring the City of Birmingham A sea-themed concert in the immer- FOLLOW NATIVES Fri 17 Mar, Belgrade Theatre, HAZEL O'CONNOR Wed Symphony Orchestra, Robert Trevino sive environment of the Dome Room, Mar, O2 Academy, Coventry 15 Mar, The Robin, (conductor) & Stephen Hough to complement the Kelp Road sound Birmingham DAVE HAUSE AND THE Bilston (piano). Programme includes works system in the Bramall foyer, Sun 19 SCOTT BRADLEE & MERMAIDS Sat 18 Mar, JULIE FELIX Wed 15 by Rachmaninov, Bartok & Mar, The Bramall, University of POSTMODERN JUKEBOX O2 Academy, B’ham Mar, The Red Lion Shostakovich, Thurs 16 Mar, Birmingham Fri 17 Mar, O2 THE RECORD COMPANY Folk Club, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Birmingham SINGALONG WITH THE CBSO Academy, Birmingham Sat 18 Mar, THE FUREYS Wed 15 OPERA BOYS An evening of vocal har- Featuring the City of Birmingham THE SEX PISSED DOLLS O2 Institute, B’ham Mar, The Core mony featuring some of the West Symphony Orchestra, the CBSO Fri 17 Mar, The River HVMM Sat 18 Mar, The Theatre, Solihull End’s leading men, Fri 17 Mar, Chorus & Simon Halsey (conductor). Rooms, Stourbridge Sunflower Lounge, Palace Theatre, Redditch Programme comprises MARTIN TURNER EX STATE CHAMPS Fri 17 Birmingham Mendelssohn's Elijah (highlights), 60', WISHBONE ASH Wed 15 CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY Mar, O2 Institute, DEVILSKIN & SUMO Sun 19 Mar, Symphony Hall, B’ham Mar, St Paul's Church, ORCHESTRA Programme comprises Birmingham CYCO Sun 19 Mar, O2 Birmingham Strauss' Don Juan, Rachmaninov's AND FINALLY... PHIL Academy, Birmingham EZIO Wed 15 Mar, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini & COLLINS Fri 17 Mar, SIENNA SKIES, HIGH Kitchen Garden Cafe, Shostakovich's Symphony No.5., Fri Stratford Artshouse, HOPES, I & THE Birmingham 17 Mar, Warwick Arts Centre, Stratford-upon-Avon DREAMER Sun 19 Mar, Coventry Comedy Gigs THE WAILERS Wed 15 HOWARD JONES Fri 17 The Flapper, B’ham Mar, O2 Academy, BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE Mar, Artrix, MATT WOOSEY WITH: Birmingham SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Featuring JASPER CARROTT & ALISTAIR MCGOWAN Bromsgrove CHEWIE Sun 19 Mar, James Southall (conductor) & Tues 14 - Thurs 16 Mar, Belgrade CHARLIE WORSHAM BEN HAENOW Fri 17 The Marr's Bar, Nicholas Morris (organ). Programme Theatre, Coventry Wed 15 Mar, O2 Mar, The Assembly, Worcester includes works by Paul Norman, Academy, Birmingham JERRY 'THE KING' LAWLER Wed 15 Mar, Leamington Spa GEORGIE FAME Sun 19 Poulenc & Schubert, Fri 17 Mar, The Glee Club, Birmingham EMP!RE Wed 15 Mar, DEBORAH BONHAM Fri Mar, Artrix, Birmingham Town Hall The Sunflower SHAPPI KHORSANDI Wed 15 Mar, 17 Mar, Huntingdon Bromsgrove Lounge, Birmingham LUNCHTIME CONCERT: HAYDN & Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Hall, Worcester THE FUREYS Sun 19 MENDELSSOHN Featuring Hun-sik Lee, ALASDAIR ROBERTS TONY LAW Thurs 16 Mar, Royal Spa PLINI Fri 17 Mar, O2 Mar, The Roses Ming Yung, Ellie Chapman, Angela TRIO Wed 15 Mar, Centre, Leamington Spa Academy, Birmingham Theatre, Tewkesbury Monge-Alvarez, Clarke Luigi Alonzi, Warwick Arts Centre, HAL CRUTTENDEN, ALAN HUDSON & KIOKO MEGSON'S FAMILY FOLK Jing Ming, Yisong Yang & Alice Coventry Fri 17 Mar, O2 PADDY LENNOX Thurs 16 Mar, The Institute, Birmingham SHOW Sun 19 Mar, Cheer. Programme comprises DODIE Thurs 16 Mar, mac, Birmingham Haydn's String Quartet Op.76 No.4 & Bramall, University of Birmingham MONEY FOR NOTHING O2 Academy, B’ham Mendelssohn's String Quartet Op.13, SEAN MCLOUGHLIN Thurs 16 Mar, mac, Fri17 Mar, Belgrade IRA (POLISH BAND) Sun CROWBAR Thurs 16 Fri 17 Mar, Birmingham Museum And Birmingham Theatre, Coventry 19 Mar, O2 Institute, Mar, O2 Institute, Birmingham Art Gallery LEE NELSON Thurs 16 Mar, Palace JUMP THE SHARK Sat Birmingham BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY SINGERS Theatre, Redditch 18 Mar, O2 Academy, JULIAN SIEGEL Sun 19 CURVED AIR Thurs 16 Featuring Julian Wilkins (conductor). Birmingham Mar, Birmingham Town MIKE GUNN, JONNY AWSUM, STEVE Mar, St Paul's Church, Hall 60 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 13 - 19 March - Warwicks/Worcs ONLY VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 12:50 Page 2

Monday 13 - Sunday 19 March

SHANYASKI & KAREN BAYLEY Thurs 16 run in the West End, Tues 14 - Sat 18 a show about friendship, being a JOE SWIFT - A MAN ABOUT THE GARDEN Mar, The Core Theatre, Solihull Mar, Malvern Theatres woman and asking for help... Sat 18 TV presenter Joe Swift digs deep JARRED CHRISTMAS, PAUL MCCAFFERY, THE GONDOLIERS Birmingham Mar, mac, Birmingham into his own past, explaining how he STEVE GRIBBIN & MIKE WILMOT Fri 17 Savoyards present one of Gilbert & SAMMY AND THE SNOW LEOPARD moved on from a rock’n’roll youth to Mar, The Glee Club, Birmingham Sullivan’s best-known works, Tues 14 Travelling Light Theatre Company become one of the country’s top gar- - Sat 18 Mar, The Old Rep, B’ham present a high-energy show involving den designers, Sat 18 Mar, DILLIE KEANE Fri 17 Mar, Warwick Arts Huntingdon Hall, Worcester Centre, Coventry DANNY BAKER: CRADLE TO THE STAGE stuffed animals, evil neighbours and Danny presents a show featuring school projects, Sun 19 Mar, Bridge RUSSELL HOWARD Fri 17 - Sat 18 Mar, House Theatre, Warwick Genting Arena, Birmingham anecdotes, games involving sausages, and his impressive six THE CHIMPANZEES OF HAPPYTOWN TONY LAW Fri 17 Mar, The Glee Club, octave range, Wed 15 Mar, Polly Ives and Ensemble 360 tell the Birmingham Birmingham Town Hall story of Chutney the chimp, as he Events ANDREW BIRD, CHARLIE BAKER, MATT BLUE STOCKINGS The Crescent Youth and his beautiful tree help to spread REED & SOL BERNSTEIN Fri 17 Mar, Theatre present Jessica Swale’s colour and happiness throughout the UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM'S ARTS & The Comedy Loft, Birmingham drama, charting the harrowing strug- town, Sun 19 Mar, Royal Spa Centre, SCIENCE FESTIVAL This year taking the LEE NELSON Fri 17 Mar, The Roses gles of a small group of women at Leamington Spa theme of ‘land and water', Mon 13 - Theatre, Tewkesbury Girton College, Cambridge, the first Sun 19 Mar, The University of JARRED CHRISTMAS, PAUL MCCAFFERY, college in Britain to admit women, Birmingham STEVE GRIBBIN & MIKE WILMOT Sat 18 Wed 15 - Sat 18 Mar, The Crescent THE BIG BANG UK YOUNG SCIENTISTS & Mar, The Glee Club, Birmingham Theatre, Birmingham ENGINEERS FAIR The UK’s largest cel- JOJO SUTHERLAND, ALISTAIR BARRIE & BLOOD WEDDING Birmingham School Dance ebration of science, technology, MARK SIMMONS Sat 18 Mar, Jongleurs Of Acting present Federico García engineering and maths (STEM) for Comedy Club, Birmingham Lorca’s surrealist, blood-soaked VERVE 2017 Four distinct dance works young people, Wed 15 - Sat 18 Mar, story of doomed love and isolation, choreographed by international NEC, Birmingham ANDREW BIRD, CHARLIE BAKER & MATT Wed 15 - Sat 18 Mar, The Crescent artists James Cousins, Carlos Pons BTCC SEASON LAUNCH Check out the REED & SOL BERNSTEIN Sat 18 Mar, Theatre, Birmingham Guerra, Leila McMillan and Matthias The Comedy Loft, Birmingham new cars, drivers, teams and liveries MIDDAY VARIETY: BOB BROLLEY & Sperling, Thurs 16 Mar, Artrix, in action, Thurs 16 Mar, Donington BARNSTORMERS COMEDY NIGHT Sat 18 FRIENDS - A TASTE OF IRELAND Bromsgrove Park Racing Circuit, Derby Mar, Artrix, Bromsgrove Versatile entertainer Bob returns with MK ULTRA The latest work from the BIG COMFY BOOK SHOP PRESENTS: JO CAULFIELD Sun 19 Mar, Stratford Irish, Country and traditional singa- highly acclaimed Rosie Kay Dance RETRO GAMES NIGHT WITH Artshouse longs, Thurs 16 Mar, Belgrade Company, a ‘supercharged mash-up ENTERTAINMENT BROS Monthly retro ASHLEY BLAKER Sun 19 Mar, The Glee Theatre, Coventry of thrilling dance, music & imagery’, game night featuring the classics Club. Birmingham THE MAGIC FLUTE Great Witley Fri 17 - Sat 18 Mar, Birmingham Rep from Sega, Nintendo and more, NATALIE ANN CUTLER Sun 19 Mar, Operatic Society (GWOS) present Thurs 16 Mar, Fargo Village, Artrix, Bromsgrove Mozart’s penultimate opera, Thurs 16 Coventry - Sat 18 Mar, Swan Theatre, SEWING FOR PLEASURE AND FASHION Worcester EMBROIDERY Thurs 16 - Sun 19 Mar, ORDINARY DAYS Adam Gwon's origi- Talks NEC, Birmingham nal musical about growing up and HOBBYCRAFTS All the latest supplies Theatre enjoying the view, told through a PETER ALLIS: A QUESTION OF GOLF A and cutting-edge ideas in the world series of intricately connected songs light-hearted evening with the leg- of creativity, Thurs 16 - Sun 19 Mar, and vignettes, Thurs 16 - Sun 19 Mar, endary golfer, followed by a Q&A NEC, Birmingham RISE The Belgrade Young Company Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham session, Mon 13 Mar, The Core present a brand new show with an CAKE INTERNATIONAL The sugarcraft, MUSICALS DISCOVERED II Presented Theatre, Solihull cake decorating & baking show, all-female cast which celebrates what by the Night Project Theatre it's like to be a young woman grow- AN EVENING WITH AN IMMIGRANT Thurs 16 - Sun 19 Mar, NEC, B’ham Ensemble, Fri 17 Mar, Blue Orange Written and performed by award-win- ing up in the 21st century, Mon 13 - Theatre, Birmingham SHOOT FESTIVAL Three new compa- Sat 18 Mar, Belgrade Theatre, ning poet Inua Ellams, Mon 13 - Tues nies take over the Belgrade's B2 Coventry KEIN APPLAUS FÜR SCHEISSE A portrait 14 Mar, Warwick Arts Centre, space for an event that celebrates of a generation, fusing dance, trashy Coventry THE COMMITMENTS Coventry & Warwickshire's most tal- Feelgood celebra- pop, theatre, rollerskating, acrobatics tion of soul, direct from the West MARY BERRY EVERYDAY Join Mary as ented emerging artists, Fri 17 Mar, and love. Presented by Fierce, Fri 17 she talks informally about her life and Belgrade Theatre, Coventry End. Kevin Kennedy stars, Mon 13 - Mar, mac, Birmingham Sat 18 Mar, New Alexandra Theatre, her new book. The event also SPRING STEAM GALA Get up close to Birmingham THE THING THAT CAME FROM OVER includes a Q&A with the ‘icon of an array of steam locomotives, then THERE Critically acclaimed Gonzo homecooking’ at the end of the MEET FRED jump on board and venture back in Hijink Theatre tell the Moose present a ‘rip-roaring comedy show, Thurs 16 Mar, Birmingham story of Fred, a regular guy who just time, Fri 17 - Sun 19 Mar, Severn adventure’, Fri 17 Mar, Arena Town Hall Valley Railway, Kidderminster wants to get on in life. The only prob- Theatre, Wolverhampton lem is that Fred is a puppet, and MICK BLACKER Mick presents the ANTIQUE AND COLLECTORS FAIR BY that’s where his dependency issues THRIVE A contemporary play devel- philosophical science of mediumship FIELD DOG FAIRS Sat 18 - Sun 19 Mar, start..., Tues 14 Mar, Artrix, oped in collaboration with psycholo- in a modern and engaging way, British Motor Museum, Gaydon Bromsgrove gists and inspired by true stories of Thurs 16 Mar, Bedworth Civic Hall young people, Fri 17 Mar, Bridge MCM BIRMINGHAM COMIC CON Sat 18 - HOME WHAT'S WHAT WITH JAMES WATT? The A tale of unexpected friendship House Theatre, Warwick Sun 19 Mar, NEC, Birmingham explored via a multi-sensory story of year 2019 will mark the 200th WONDERWOMAN Notnow Collective anniversary of the death, in THE PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW The UK’s discovery, Tues 14 - Wed 15 Mar, largest event for people with a pas- mac, Birmingham present a show that looks into family, Birmingham, of inventor, industrialist, parenthood and work-home subjects engineer and artist James Watt. This sion for photography, Sat 18 - Tues BEN & HOLLY’S LITTLE KINGDOM From in a challenging, visual and immer- is one of several events over the next 21 Mar, NEC, Birmingham the makers of Peppa Pig comes this sive way, Fri 17 Mar, mac, B’ham few years which explore the man and METHOD IN THE MADNESS: BAFTA award-winning television ani- DON'T DRIBBLE ON THE DRAGON Based his legacy, Thurs 16 Mar, Soho UNDERSTANDING OURSELVES THEN & mation, live on stage!, Tues 14 - Wed House, Birmingham NOW Exploring the subject of medi- 15 Mar, Malvern Theatres on the new book by Steven Lee, with magic designed by the late Paul JOE CALZAGHE The former boxing cine in the life of William ALL SHOOK UP Wolverhampton Daniels, Fri 17 - Sat 18 Mar, Malvern champ talks about his career, in what Shakespeare’s son-in-law, the physi- Musical Comedy Company present a Theatres promises to be a knockout evening, cian John Hall, Sat 18 Mar - Sun 31 new twist on Shakespeare's Twelfth Fri 17 Mar, Bedworth Civic Hall Dec, Hall's Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon Night, featuring the songs of Elvis MEL HARVEY AND FRIENDS Evening of musical and magical mayhem, Sat AMERICAN FICTION SPECIAL EVENT LIGHTS, CAMERA, CARS Workshop tips Presley, Tues 14 - Sat 18 Mar, on how to take the perfect photo- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre 18 Mar, The Bear Pit Theatre - The WITH GEORGE SAUNDERS The National United Reformed Church, Stratford- Book Award-shortlisted US writer cel- graph of your car, Sun 19 Mar, British NELL GWYNN Jessica Swale’s Oliver upon-Avon ebrates the publication of his debut Motor Museum, Gaydon Award-winning comedy embarks on SCARY SH*T Rhiannon Faith presents novel, Lincoln In The Bardo, Sat 18 its first UK tour, direct from a sell-out Mar, The REP, Birmingham

whatsonlive.co.uk 61 The List 20 - 26 March - Warwicks/Worcs ONLY VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 12:53 Page 1

thelist Monday 20 - Sunday 26 March And Arts, Coventry THE BLUE NOTES Sat 25 Gigs OLLY MURS Thurs 23 - Mar, The Actress & Classical Music Comedy Gigs Sat 25 Mar, Genting Bishop, Birmingham Arena, Birmingham 1977 - THE YEAR PUNK UNIVERSITY CAMERATA Featuring SONIC BOOM SIX Mon TOADALLY FREE COMEDY! Mon 20 Mar, EXPLODED Sat 25 Mar, Daniel Mahoney & James Naylor 20 Mar, O2 Academy, LLOYD COLE Thurs 23 The Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham Mar, The Assembly, The Robin, Bilston (conductors). Programme includes Birmingham, FAT PENGUIN COMEDY Wed 22 Mar, The Leamington Spa U2 BABY Sat 25 Mar, works by Rameau, Victoria, Elgar & PRIDES Mon 20 Mar, Laurisden, Mon 20 Mar, The Barber Patrick Kavanagh, Moseley, B’ham THE ARKYARD SESSIONS The Marr's Bar, The Flapper, B’’ham Institute, Birmingham TOM STADE, JOHN FOTHERGILL, IAN Thurs 23 Mar, The Worcester LUKE DANIELS - STONE & ELLIOT STEEL Fri 24 Mar, The Asylum, Birmingham MAD4BRIT Sat 25 Mar, PERFORMANCE PLATFORM: RENATA REVOLVE & ROTATE: THE KONYICSKA (PIANO) Programme Glee Club, Birmingham SOEUR Thurs 23 Mar, The Roadhouse, POLYPHON CHRONICLES includes works by Handel-Liszt, GARY DELANEY Fri 24 Mar, Evesham The Marr's Bar, Birmingham Mon 20 Mar, Kitchen Schubert & Chopin, Tues 21 Mar, Arts Centre Worcester HEART & SOUL PARTY Garden Cafe, B’ham Birmingham Conservatoire WITH HARRY COUNT ARTHUR STRONG Fri 24 Mar, THE EARLY NOVEMBER FINAL YEAR JAZZ CAMBRIDGE Sat 25 Mar, JOHN IRELAND AND THE PIANO Malvern Theatres Tues 21 Mar, O2 RECITALISTS Thurs 23 Nailcote Hall, Featuring Eric McElroy. Programme Institute, Birmingham Mar, The Bramall, DIANE SPENCER, CHRISTIAN REILLY, JIM Birmingham Warwickshire includes Ireland's London Pieces, SMALLMAN & GARRETT MILLERICK Fri 24 THE STRAWBS Tues 21 STAR OF THE SEA Sat 25 Ballade of London Nights, Earth's Mar, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham Mar, Huntingdon Hall, PROPAGANDA Fri 24 Call & Sarnia, Tues 21 Mar, Mar, Irish Centre, STEPHEN BAILEY Fri 24 Mar, Artrix, Worcester Mar, O2 Academy, Birmingham Conservatoire Birmingham Birmingham Bromsgrove YOU WIN AGAIN - THE JUST CALL ME GOD The Final Speech JAMES MASLOW Fri 24 KILLERSTREAM Sat 25 CHRIS RAMSEY Fri 24 Mar, The Roses STORY OF THE BEE GEES of a Dictator featuring John Mar, O2 Institute, Mar, The River Rooms, Theatre, Tewkesbury Tues 21 - Sat 25 Mar Malcovich (actor), Sophie von Kessel Birmingham Stourbridge Malvern Theatres (actress), Martin Haselbock (organ & TOM STADE, JOHN FOTHERGILL, IAN CAPTAIN HORIZON Sat CLUB DRIVE Tues 21 MALLORY KNOX Fri 24 musical concept), Franz STONE & ELLIOT STEEL Sat 25 Mar, The 25 Mar, O2 Academy, Mar, The Sunflower Mar, O2 Institute, Glee Club, Birmingham Birmingham Danksagmüller (live electronics) & Lounge, Birmingham Birmingham Michael Sturminger (writer & direc- MANDY KNIGHT, JOHN MOLONEY Sat 25 BLUE ZOO & AGENTS OF SUICIDE SILENCE Wed ED GEATER Fri 24 Mar, tor). Programme includes additional Mar, Jongleurs Comedy Club, B’ham EVOLUTION Sat 25 Mar, 22 Mar, O2 Academy, Hare & Hounds, works by Bach, Franck, Widor, RUSSELL KANE Sat 25 Mar, Huntingdon The Flapper, B’ham Birmingham Birmingham Messiaen & Ligeti, Tues 21 Mar, hall, Worcester HAKEN Sat 25 Mar, O2 Symphony Hall, Birmingham CLOUD NOTHINGS Wed CHRIS PAYNE, DJ RUSTY THE NOISE NEXT DOOR Sat 25 Mar, Academy, B’ham 22 Mar, Hare & EGAN, SCARLET RENATA KONYICSKA PIANO RECITAL Artrix, Bromsgrove FANTASTIC & TEN:TEN KIT HOLMES Sat 25 Hounds, Birmingham Programme includes works by DIANE SPENCER, CHRISTIAN REILLY, JIM Fri 24 Mar, The Mar, Artrix, BATTLE BEAST Wed 22 Handel-Liszt, Schubert & Chopin, SMALLMAN & GARRETT MILLERICK Sat Flapper, Birmingham Bromsgrove Mar, The Slade Tues 21 Mar, Birmingham 25 Mar, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham Rooms, SKLAMBERG & THE TOM HINGLEY Sat 25 Conservatoire Wolverhampton SHEPHERDS Fri 24 Mar, Mar, The Empire, I FAGIOLINI: FLAMING HEART mac, Birmingham Coventry WARPAINT Wed 22 Mar, Comprising a programme to cele- O2 Institute, B’ham B'SPOKE Fri 24 - Sat 25 FRANK CARTER AND THE brate Monteverdi’s unique expressive Mar, The Jam House, RATTLESNAKES Sat 25 genius, Wed 22 Mar, The Barber ALEXANDRA JAYNE Wed Theatre Birmingham Mar, The Asylum, Institute, University of Birmingham 22 Mar, The Jam JAMES ARTHUR Fri 24 Birmingham House, Birmingham ANDRE RIEU Wed 22 Mar, Genting JON RONSON'S PSYCHOPATH NIGHT Join Mar, O2 Academy, MAD DOG MCREA Sat 25 THE JAMES BROTHERS Arena, Birmingham Ronson as he recounts the funny, terri- Birmingham Mar, The Rainbow Wed 22 Mar, The Red FRONTIERS: RECORDER FUTURES fying and compelling events that led to Venues, Birmingham Lion Folk Club, AC/DC UK Fri 24 Mar, Featuring members of the his bestselling book, The Psychopath Birmingham The Roadhouse, A R RAHMAN Sat 25 Conservatoire Recorder Department, Test, Mon 20 Mar, The REP, B’ham Birmingham Mar, Barclaycard SEVEN DRUNKEN Thurs 23 Mar, Birmingham MR BLOOM’S NURSERY LIVE! Interactive Arena, Birmingham NIGHTS: THE STORY OF BOAT TO ROW Fri 24 Conservatoire show to entertain parents and tiddlers THE DUBLINERS Wed 22 Mar, mac, Birmingham MARTI PELLOW Sat 25 RODRIGO'S GUITAR CONCERTO alike, Mon 20 - Tues 21 Mar, Mar, New Alexandra URBAN FOLK QUARTET Mar, Birmingham Town Featuring Josep Pons (conductor) & Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Hall Theatre, Birmingham Fri 24 Mar, Huntingdon Canizares (guitar). Programme GHOST Brand new production, based JAMES GIRLING’S Hall, Worcester LIMEHOUSE LIZZY Sat includes works by Turina, Rodrigo, on the Academy Award-winning movie ARTEPHIS Wed 22 Mar, PATSY CLINE & FRIENDS 25 Mar, The Assembly, Falla & Ravel, Thurs 23 Mar, starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore Stratford Artshouse, Fri 24 Mar, Palace Leamington Spa Symphony Hall, Birmingham & Whoopi Goldberg. The show stars Stratford-upon-Avon Theatre, Redditch THE WEST END JERSEYS UNIVERSITY WOMAN'S CHOIR Carolyn Maitland as Molly, Jacqui Dubois as Oda Mai Brown, Sam KOJO FUNDS Wed 22 GIN ANNIE BAND Fri 24 Sat 25 Mar, Palace Featuring Simon Carrington (conduc- Ferriday as Carl and Andy Moss as Mar, O2 Institute, Mar, The River Rooms, Theatre, Redditch tor) Programme includes works by Sam, Mon 20 - Sat 25 Mar, Regent Birmingham Stourbridge POPPY FIELDS 2017 Sun Cozzolani, Verdi & Gardner, Fri 24 Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent ALSARAH & THE ORANMORE Fri 24 Mar, 26 Mar, The Mar, The Barber Institute, B’ham JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOUR NUBATONES Thurs 23 Irish Centre, B’ham Roadhouse, B’ham BRODSKY STRING QUARTET Programme Mar, Hare & Hounds, DREAMCOAT Starring Joe McElderry, THEM HEAVY PEOPLE - JIVE TALKIN' Sun 26 includes works by Schubert, Webern Birmingham Tues 21 - Sat 25 Mar, Malvern Theatres KATE BUSH TRIBUTE Fri Mar, Artrix, & Zemlinsky, Fri 24 Mar, Royal Pump ACORN ANTIQUES THE MUSICAL Coleshill SINKANE Thurs 23 Mar, 24 Mar, The Marr's Bar, Bromsgrove Rooms, Leamington Spa Operatic Society present an amateur Hare & Hounds, Worcester JARROD DICKENSON WORCESTER FESTIVAL CHORAL SOCIETY: production of Victoria Wood’s comedy Birmingham Sun 26 Mar, The Glee CRAIG DAVID Fri 24 Mar, BRAHMS REQUIEM Sat 25 Mar, musical, Tues 21 - Sat 25 Mar, The Club, Birmingham GRAHAM CUNNINGTON, Barclaycard Arena, Worcester Cathedral Core Theatre, Solihull PAUL JAMROZY, GNOD & Birmingham PATSY CLINE & FRIENDS BIRMINGHAM PHILHARMONIC INVINCIBLE Torben Betts’ abrasive com- MUTATE Thurs 23 Mar, Sun 26 Mar, Bedworth JAZZY B Fri 24 Mar, ORCHESTRA Featuring Michael Lloyd edy about the class divide, Tues 21 - The Flapper, B’ham Civic Hall Hare & Hounds, (conductor) & Alison Roddy (sopra- Sat 25 Mar, Lichfield Garrick TASITA D'MOUR - A Birmingham SAMPHA Sun 26 Mar, no).Programme includes works by TRIBUTE TO TINA THAT’LL BE THE DAY A musical romp SWAMP DONKEY Fri 24 O2 Institute, B’ham Mozart, Brahms, Haydn & Mahler, TURNER Thurs 23 Mar, through the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, with Mar, The Asylum, DANTEVILLES Sun 26 Sun 26 Mar, The Bramall, University The Jam House, comedy thrown in for good measure, Birmingham Mar, The Sunflower of Birmingham Birmingham Wed 22 - Thurs 23 Mar, The Roses, RUSSIAN CIRCLES Sat Lounge, Birmingham Kidderminster VALIA CALDA Thurs 23 25 Mar, O2 Institute, Mar, The Tin Music THE GHOST TRAIN Arnold Ridley’s com- Birmingham edy chiller, Wed 22 - Thurs 23 Mar, 62 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 20 - 26 March - Warwicks/Worcs ONLY VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 12:53 Page 2

Monday 20 - Sunday 26 March

Palace Theatre, Redditch DOREEN'S GRAND NIGHT OUT Doreen choreography, fabulous costumes AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS GOT HER HEAD returns with a brand new live show, and sets to present an inspiring take (U) Adventure/Comedy. Starring CHOPPED OFF Birmingham School Of Fri 24 Mar, Artrix, Bromsgrove on the classic fairytale, Thurs 23 - David Niven, Cantinflas. mac, Acting presents a ‘ferociously icono- Sat 25 Mar, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Sun 26 Mar clastic’ re-examination of Mary’s life, Birmingham told in 16th century Scots and BRENDAN COLE: ALL NIGHT LONG A NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Standard English, Wed 22 - Sat 25 brand new show for 2017. Brendan Mar, The Crescent Theatre, B’ham hosts another spectacular produc- tion, featuring his guest dancers, a LUCKY SODS St John’s Players pres- Released from Fri 24 Mar, showing at new leading lady and a 14-piece selected cinemas ent an amateur staging of John band and singers live on stage, Fri Godber’s black comedy, Wed 22 - 24 Mar, Symphony Hall, Birmingham AQUARIUS (15) Sat 25 Mar, Swan Theatre, Worcester HOLI: BASANT KE RANG Jaivant Patel CHIPS (15) COVENTRY GANG SHOW Wed 22 - Sat Dance & Arena Theatre present a LIFE (tbc) 25 Mar, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry singing and dance performance in POWER RANGERS (tbc) GANGSTA GRANNY Birmingham Stage THE DIARY OF A HOUNSLOW GIRL celebration of Holi, the Indian festival Company’s acclaimed production, Ambreen Razia's comic story of of colour, Sat 25 Mar, Arena Theatre, based on David Walliams' best-sell- dreams, aspirations and coming of Wolverhampton ing book, Wed 22 - Sun 26 Mar, age, Fri 24 - Sat 25 Mar, Belgrade Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Theatre, Coventry Events FRAME OF MIND Riverside Performing Arts presents a fast- paced sketch show mixing humour, news, music Talks SHAKESPEARE WEEK National annual and personal stories to explore celebration giving primary school issues of mental health, Fri 24 - Sat children a first encounter with FOUR CENTURIES BOOK TALK Talk cov- 25 Mar, mac, Birmingham Shakespeare, Mon 20 - Sun 26 Mar, ering four centuries of books from Shakespeare's Birthplace, Stratford- MACBETH The Roses Youth Theatre the Lucy family collection. Find out upon-Avon give a fresh perspective on why Charlecote has one of the best Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, Fri 24 libraries in the Trust, Wed 22 Mar, RAPTORS REVEALED - AN INTRODUCTION - Sat 25 Mar, The Roses, Charlecote Park, Warwick TO FALCONRY Exclusive opportunity to Kidderminster see, handle and fly traditional falcon- DR PHIL HAMMOND - DR PHIL’S HEALTH ry birds under personal guidance, ICONIC THE SHOW Steve Steinman’s SAVE OUR SCHOOL DINNERS... JAMIE! REVOLUTION An evening in which to Wed 22 Mar, Kenilworth Castle Paven Virk's new comedy-drama all-new show delivers the best of the ‘laugh, love, shout and reclaim our VICTORIAN MUSIC HALL EVENING about a group of dinner ladies, living best soundtracks from some of the NHS’, Thurs 23 Mar, Artrix, Step in the Midlands but from all over the coolest and most iconic movies of all Bromsgrove back in time at the first in a series of world, who aim to save the only time, Sat 25 Mar, New Alexandra nostalgic music hall evenings, Fri 24 school in their small community, one Theatre, Birmingham Mar, Blists Hill, Ironbridge, Shropshire dinner at a time…Thurs 23 Mar, PAUL CARROLL'S MUSIC HALL TAVERN Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Comedy family drag variety show THUNDERSPORT GB MOTORCYCLE JANE EYRE: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY featuring Paul Carroll as Mrs T, Sat RACES Presented by one of the coun- Rebecca Vaughan embodies 25 Mar, The Swan Theatre, try's leading organisers of thrilling Charlotte Bronte’s gothic subversion Worcester motorcycle races, Fri 24 - Sun 26 Mar, Donington Park Racing Circuit, of fairytale romance, Thurs 23 Mar, MOZART & SALIERI Rimsky-Korsakov’s Derby The Swan Theatre, Worcester rarely performed two-hander, sung in THE TEENAGE MARKET PINK MIST Owen Sheers' powerful English and accompanied by piano, Free platform story about three men deployed to Sat 25 Mar, Old Joint Stock Theatre, for young people to showcase their Afghanistan, Thurs 23 - Sat 25 Mar, Birmingham creative talents, Sat 25 Mar, Red House Glass Cone, Stourbridge The REP, Birmingham SCREEN TIME Helen Timmins’ drama, FIRST ENCOUNTERS WITH reflecting on the important things in THE BRITISH MOTOR INDUSTRY, WHAT IS THE ROAD AHEAD? SHAKESPEARE: THE TEMPEST Thurs 23 life, Sat 25 - Sun 26 Mar, The Rose Film Series of lectures - Sat 25 Mar, The Other Place, Theatre, Kidderminster by Britain’s motor industry experts, Sat 25 Mar, British Motor Museum, Stratford-upon-Avon CIRCUS OF HORRORS: THE NEVER END- INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Gaydon OYSTER BOY Haste Theatre present a ING NIGHTMARE Amalgamation of REVOLTING RHYMES A bittersweet tale of the trials of love ‘bizarre, brave and beautiful’ acts, all A phizz-whizzing woven into an Alice In Horrorland- day of gloriumptious music, story- and what it means to be Other, Fri 24 A STREET CAT NAMED BOB (12a) type story, driven by a mainly original telling and art, to celebrate Roald Mar, The Old joint Stock, Birmingham Comedy/Drama. Starring Luke soundscape and performed with a Dahl’s jumpsquiffling tales, Sat 25 Treadaway, Bob the Cat. Stourbridge THE FIZZOGS: THE SUCK IT AND SEE forked tongue firmly in each cheek!, Mar, The Barber Institute, B’ham TOUR Fri 24 Mar, Swan Theatre, Town Hall, Mon 20 Mar Sun 26 Mar, New Alexandra Theatre, THE GREAT BRITISH DOG WALK Raising Worcester A MONSTER CALLS (12a) Birmingham money for the charity Hearing Dogs, Adventure/Fantasy. Starring WATCHERS OF THE SKIES A secret and Sat 25 Mar, Croome Park, Sigourney Weaver, Felicity Jones. an odyssey, told through story, poet- Worcestershire Artrix, Bromsgrove, Mon 20 - Tues 21 ry, music and myth, Sun 26 Mar, Mar THOMAS AND FRIENDS WEEKEND mac, Birmingham Thomas and friends invite you to join RAMMSTEIN: PARIS (18) Documentary, them on their magical weekends, Sat Music. The Electric Cinema, 25 Mar, Drayton Manor Theme Park, Birmingham, Thurs 23 & Sun 26 Mar Staffordshire LA LA LAND (12a) Drama/Musical. MOTHER'S DAY MARKET Including after- Dance Starring Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone. noon tea with prosecco in the vin- Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 24 Mar tage-inspired tea room, Sat 25 - Sun A ROOM FOR ALL OUR TOMORROWS CERTAIN WOMEN (12a) Drama. Starring 26 Mar, Fargo Village, Coventry DOROTHY The multi-talented Sunny From Igor & Moreno And The Place Michelle Williams, Kristen Stewart. MOTHER’S DAY TEA PARTY - 100 YEARS Ormonde (Lilian Bellamy in The comes a duet about the secret lives mac, Birmingham, Fri 24 - Thurs 30 OF HATS Wear your best hat, enjoy Archers) gives a virtuoso perform- we all possess when we are close to Mar afternoon tea and take a whirlwind ance as the unstoppable Dorothy in others, Thurs 23 Mar, JOURNEY 2: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND trip through the history of the hat, this ‘hilarious play’ by Jane James, DanceXchange, The Patrick Centre, (PG) Action/Adventure. Starring Sun 26 Mar, Aston Hall, Birmingham Fri 24 Mar, The Bear Pit Theatre - The Birmingham Hippodrome Dwayne Johnson, Michael Caine. VIP RECORD FAIR Sun 26 Mar, Fargo United Reformed Church, Stratford- THE TWELVE DANCING PRINCESSES mac, Birmingham, Fri 24 - Thurs 30 Village, Coventry upon-Avon Midland Theatre Ballet fuse unique Mar

whatsonlive.co.uk 63 The List 27 - 31 March - Warwicks/Worcs VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 16:57 Page 1

SPRING 2017 HIGHLIGHTS

www.bridgehousetheatre.co.uk

17 MARCH, 6 & 8PM Suitable for ages: 14+ THRIVE

A visually stunning new production staged within a large set that surrounds the audience. Created especially for teenage audiences, Thrive takes on the challenging subject of trauma and beautifully portrays sensitive themes.

19 MARCH, 12PM & 3PM uitable for ages: 5+ SAMMY & THE SNOW LEOPARD

Sammy is 9 years old and likes animals. No…he LOVES animals. The prob- lem is his Mum won’t let him have any pets. But when his best friend Hokey Pokey tells him about the ‘Adopt a Snow Leopard’ programme, Sammy reck- ons he’s found a way to have a pet that doesn’t actually come to the house. Perfect! But then Sammy gets an unexpected gift – and finds himself on an adventure that quickly spirals out of control… 6 APRIL, 7.30PM Suitable for ages: 12+ VAMOS THEATRE PRESENTS: THE BEST THING It’s 1966. The record player’s on, her hair’s bobbed and eye-lashes curled: for seventeen year old Susan, life is an adventure waiting to begin. But what happens next turns everything upside down, and its repercussions will last for decades to come. This bitter-sweet story of mistaken morals and broken hearts, 45s and beehives, where sexual revolution proves a hard and rocky path to tread. Funny, heart-breaking and human.

11 APRIL, 2.30PM Suitable for ages: 3+ MONSTERSAURUS This brand new show from the creators of Aliens Love Underpants is monster- ously good! Follow the young inventor Monty as he creates a whole world of whacky inventions and incredible monsters, but he has a problem – now he has made them all, what is he going to do with them?! This energetic show full of thrills, spills, magic and mayhem will delight the whole family – with original music and plenty of audience participation!

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thelist Monday 27 - Friday 31 March Birmingham Classical Music RICHARD MCMAHON: PIANO RECITAL Programme includes works by Mozart & Chopin, Fri 31 Mar, LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH Huntingdon Hall, Worcester RAÚL PRIETO RAMÍREZ Programme includes works by Juan Maria CBSO: SPRING CLASSICS Thomas, Jesús Guridi & Julius Featuring the City of Birmingham Reubke, Mon 27 Mar, Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Julian Wilkins Town Hall (conductor), Anne-Marie Minhall (pre- senter) & the CBSO Children's ARMIDA QUARTET Programme includes Chorus. Programme includes works works by Haydn, Narko Nikodijevic & by Delius, Vivaldi, Coates, J. Strauss Beethoven, Mon 27 Mar, Birmingham II, Grainger, Vaughan Williams, Elgar, Town Hall Schumann, Copland & Beethoven, PERFORMANCE PLATFORM: ANDREW Fri 31 Mar, Symphony Hall, RANDALL (BARITONE) Programme Birmingham includes works by Andrew Downes, Ireland, Brahms & Schubert, Tues 28 Mar, Birmingham Conservatoire ARMONICO CONSORT: ST MATTHEW PASSION International star Ian Comedy Gigs Bostridge joins the finest period Montparnasse - The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon instrumentalists and singers of SIMON MUNNERY Thurs 30 Mar, Royal Armonico Consort to bring Bach's Spa Centre, Leamington Spa ROOK CRUTCHES Wed COLLECTIVE Fri 31 Mar masterpiece to life, Tues 28 Mar, Gigs 29 Mar, The Actress & - Sat 1 Apr, The Jam Malvern Theatres Bishop, Birmingham House, Birmingham ANDREW RANDALL Winner of the LEWIS WATSON Wed 29 THE JESUS & MARY THE DIRTY HIT TOUR Andrew Downes Performance Prize, Mar, O2 Institute, CHAIN Fri 31 Mar, O2 FEATURING: The Ashleyan Opera Prize, the John Birmingham Institute, Birmingham SUPERFOOD, PALE Ireland Prize and the Edward WAVES, KING NUN Mon STEVE TILSTON & JEZ STEVE 'N' SEAGULLS Fri Brookes English Song Prize, baritone 27 Mar, O2 Academy, LOWE Wed 29 Mar, The 31 Mar, O2 Academy, Andrew Randall performs in this spe- Birmingham Red Lion Folk Club, Birmingham cial lunchtime vocal programme, Birmingham HUNDREDTH, PATSY CLINE & FRIENDS Tues 18 Mar, Birmingham LANDSCAPES & SILENT NME AWARDS TOUR Fri 31 Mar, Stratford Conservatoire PLANET Mon 27 Mar, WITH BLOSSOMS Wed Artshouse, Stratford- JULIAN LLOYD WEBBER'S CLASSICAL NATALIE ANN CUTLER Thurs 30 Mar, The Flapper, B’ham 29 Mar, O2 Academy, upon-Avon SHOWCASE Also featuring Domonkos Birmingham mac, Birmingham SUPERFOOD Mon 27 RICKY COOL & THE IN Csabay (piano), Caroline Modiba FIN TAYLOR, MAT EWINS Fri 31 Mar, The Mar, O2 Academy, THE DUBLIN LEGENDS CROWD Fri 31 Mar, (soprano), Luke English (clarinet) & Glee Club, Birmingham Birmingham Wed 29 Mar, mac, Birmingham Yu-Mien Sun (violin), Wed 29 Mar, The Core Theatre, Artrix, Bromsgrove IVO GRAHAM, BOBBY MAIR, PIERRE SLAVES Mon 27 Mar, OLIVER DAWSON SAXON Solihull NOVELLIE Fri 31 Mar, The Glee Club, The Rainbow Venues, & SLADE UK Fri 31 Mar, Birmingham Birmingham GABBIDON Wed 29 The Roadhouse, Mar, The Jam House, Birmingham JOJO SMITH, EDD HEDGES & DAVID DOC BROWN Mon 27 Birmingham LONGLEY Fri 31 Mar, Jongleurs Mar, O2 Institute, ULTIMATE BOWIE Fri 31 Comedy Club, Birmingham Birmingham MIST Wed 29 Mar, O2 Mar, The Assembly, Institute, Birmingham Leamington Spa KEITH FARNAN, MIKE NEWALL, FUNMBI THE MOONLANDINGZ OMOTAYO & DARRELL MARTIN Fri 31 Mar, Tues 28 Mar, Hare & DAVE Thurs 30 Mar, O2 THE ACADEMIC Fri 31 The Comedy Loft, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham Institute, Birmingham Mar, Kasbah, Coventry SEAN MCLOUGHLIN Fri 31 Mar, Palace SONATA ARCTICA Tues THE RAMONAS Thurs 30 MONTPARNASSE Fri 31 Theatre, Redditch 28 Mar, The Slade Mar, Hare & Hounds, Mar, The Bear Pit Rooms, Birmingham Theatre - The United STAND UP COMEDY SHOWCASE Fri 31 Wolverhampton BINKER & MOSES Thurs Reformed Church, Mar, mac, Birmingham Stratford-upon-Avon BEETHOVEN'S EROICA Featuring the PETER KNIGHT'S 30 Mar, Hare & City of Birmingham Symphony GEOFF NORCOTT Fri 31 Mar, Artrix, GIGSPANNER Tues 28 Hounds, Birmingham SEVEN DRUNKEN Orchestra, Jamie Phillips (conductor) Bromsgrove Mar, The Bear Pit AT LAST THE ETTA NIGHTS: THE STORY OF & Toby Spence (tenor). Programme SHAZIA MIRZA Fri 31 Mar, The Swan THE DUBLINERS Theatre - The United JAMES STORY Thurs 30 Fri 31 includes works by Sibelius, Britten & Theatre, Worcester Mar, The Roses Reformed Church, Mar, The Assembly, Beethoven, Wed 29 Mar, Symphony Theatre, Tewkesbury Stratford-upon-Avon Leamington Spa Hall, Birmingham JO HARMAN Fri 31 Mar, THE ACOUSTIC BELINDA O'HOOLEY & TRIO AQUILON Programme comprises Artrix, Bromsgrove SESSIONS Tues 28 Mar, HEIDI TIDOW Thurs 30 works by Haydn, Faure & The Jam House, Mar, Evesham Arts THE BON JOVI Shostakovich, Wed 29 Mar, Evesham Theatre Birmingham Centre EXPERIENCE Fri 31 Mar, Arts Centre, Worcestershire SPOTTED DOG JAZZ Palace Theatre, DEL CAMINO Thurs 30 BEETHOVEN STRING QUARTETS MEMORY LANE A fastmoving roller- TUESDAYS Tues 28 Mar, Redditch Mar, The Jam House, Featuring Zoe Beyers & Jane Wright coaster of a journey through some of The Spotted Dog, Birmingham TOMMY FLEMING Fri 31 (violins), Adam Romer (viola) & the greatest songs of the ’50s, ’60s Birmingham MARTIN CARTHY Thurs Mar, The Core Richard Jenkinson (cello). and ’70s, and featuring one of the Theatre, Solihull ALBERT LEE Tues 28 30 Mar, Huntingdon Programme includes Beethoven's UK’s top comedians, Mon 27 - Tues 28 Mar, Artrix, Hall, Worcester SPILT MILK SOCIETY Fri String Quartet in B flat Op.130 & Mar, The Core Theatre, Solihull Bromsgrove AMY MACDONALD Thurs 31 Mar, The Sunflower Gross Fugue Op. 133, Thurs 30 Mar ULLA'S ODYSSEY OperaUpClose pres- JOHNNY FLYNN Tues 28 30 Mar, Symphony Lounge, Birmingham CBSO Centre, Birmingham ent a family-friendly show inspired by Mar, O2 Academy, Hall, Birmingham KARKOSA Fri 31 Mar, BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE BAROQUE Homer's Odyssey, Tues 28 - Thurs 30 Birmingham PROPAGANDA Fri 31 O2 Academy, ORCHESTRA Featuring Lucy Russell Mar, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry JOEY JORDISON'S VIMIC Mar, O2 Academy, Birmingham (director/baroque violin). Programme BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY Wed 29 Mar, O2 Birmingham includes works by Rameau, Award-winning musical, Tues 28 Mar - Academy, Birmingham DETROIT SOUL Telemann, Mozart, Purcell & Handel, Sat 1 Apr, New Alexandra Theatre, Thurs 30 Mar, St Philips Cathedral, Birmingham

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Monday 27 - Friday 31 March

theA PASSIONATE WOMANlistLiza Goddard from Egypt, Fri 31 Mar - Sat 1 Apr, takes the lead in Kay Mellor’s roman- Belgrade Theatre, Coventry tic comedy. Antony Eden, Hasan LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN Oscar Dixon and Russell Dixon also star, Wilde’s witty assault on prejudice Tues 28 Mar - Sat 1 Apr, Malvern and hypocrisy, Fri 31 Mar - Sat 8 Apr, Theatres Hall Green Little Theatre, B’ham NOT DEAD ENOUGH Shane Richie and WINNIE AND WILBUR New play by Laura Whitmore star in the world pre- Mike Kenny, based on the bestselling miere of Peter James' thrilling new picture books created by Valerie stage play, adapted from the third Thomas and Korky Paul, Fri 31 Mar - novel in the author's award-winning Sat 22 Apr, The REP, Birmingham Roy Grace series, Mon 27 Mar - Sat 1 April, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry THE BEST THING A Swinging 60s story of unconditional love from the UK's leading full-mask theatre company, Dance Vamos, Wed 29 Mar, mac, B’ham MEMORY LANE Wed 29 Mar, Palace MATERIAL MEN: REDUX A virtuoso Theatre, Redditch piece for two dazzling performers of A Passionate Woman - Malvern Theatre the Indian diaspora which explores DEATH IN HIGH HEALS Amateur staging rhythm and location, as dancers cre- of Richard Harris’s ‘clever thriller with ate new ways of belonging to each NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: a touch of class’, Wed 29 Mar - Sat 8 other and to the world around them, Events Apr, Priory Theatre, Kenilworth Mon 27 - Tues 28 Mar, Birmingham Released from Fri 31 Mar, showing at BARD HEADS Updated look at some Hippodrome selected cinemas SPRING WALK IN THE GARDEN Enjoy a well-loved characters from six of walk in the parkland with the garden FREE FIRE (tbc) Shakespeare's most popular plays & park manager, Wed 29 Mar, and imagining what might have hap- GHOST IN THE SHELL (tbc) Croome Park, Worcester pened next, Thurs 30 Mar, The Bear GRADUATION (15) SCI-FI CELEBRATES STAR TREK Garrett Pit Theatre - The United Reformed MAN DOWN (tbc) Wang, Claudia Christian and Alan Church, Stratford-upon-Avon Flyngare joined by authors James SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE (tbc) AN EVENING WITH PAM AYRES Thurs 30 Swallow and Una McCormack, Fri 31 Mar, The Core Theatre, Solihull Mar - Sun 2 Apr, Telford International MEET FRED Hijink Theatre tell the Centre, Shropshire story of Fred, a regular guy who just wants to get on in life. The only prob- lem is that Fred is a puppet, and PASHA KOVALEV: LET'S DANCE THE that’s where his dependency issues NIGHT AWAY Featuring the Strictly star start..., Thurs 30 Mar, The Roses, and special guest Anya Garnis, Tewkesbury Thurs 30 Mar, Palace Theatre, Redditch CINDERELLA BALLET The classic rags- to-riches fairytale, performed by Vienna Festival Ballet, Thurs 30 Mar, Bedworth Civic Hall TEN Midlands-based ACE dance troupe have reunited with choreogra- pher José Agudo for this thought- provoking production, which fuses contemporary dance with an essence of flamenco, kathak, martial arts and ballet, Thurs 30 Mar, DR JEKYLL & MR HYDE All & Sundry Malvern Theatres present David Edgar’s dramatic adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic horror story, Thurs 30 Mar - Sat 1 Apr, The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT EVEN TRYING Birmingham Ormiston Academy Year 13 Musical Theatre students present their ver- sion of Frank Loesser's satire, Thurs 30 Mar - Sat 1 Apr, The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham THE HYPOCRITE Riotous new comedy from writer Richard Bean (One Man, Two Guvnors), Fri 31 Mar - Sat 29 Apr, The Swan Theatre, Stratford- upon-Avon Film WALK OF SHAME Critically acclaimed standup debut about sex, sobriety, INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: sambuca and the modern addict that lies within us all, Fri 31 Mar, Old Joint LA LA LAND (12a) Drama/Musical. Stock Theatre, Birmingham Starring Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone. FROM EGYPT TO EIRE: 40TH Artrix, Bromsgrove, Mon 27 & Fri 31 ANNIVERSARY OF GAODHAL'S VISION Mar Music, dance and backdrop imagery PALE MOON (tbc) Drama. Starring Rie are combined to tell the story of the Miyazawa, Sosuke Ikematsu. mac, Milesian people and their journey Birmingham, Tues 28 Mar 66 whatsonlive.co.uk p67 (IBC) Worcestershire.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 09:53 Page 1 Swingamajig (FP- March 2017).qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 10:26 Page 1