Worcestershire Cover Online.qxp_Worcestershire 25/11/2015 12:43 Page 1 THE MIDLANDS ULTIMATE ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE ’ Whatwww.whatsonlive.co.uk sOnISSUE 360 DECEMBER 2015 MADONNA BACK IN BRUM more inside...

CLOTHES SHOW LIVE return of the region’s biggest fashion event

FAITHLESS legendary dance act play Barclaycard Arena

FILM COMEDY THEATRE LIVE MUSIC VISUAL ARTS EVENTS FOOD & DRINK & MUCH MORE! ARENA CROSS (FP).qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2015 11:33 Page 1 Contents December Region 1 .qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2015 14:43 Page 1

December 2015

Hairspray - hit musical comes to Brum for Christmas. Read our interview with Tony Maudsley, page 8

Fiona Allan talks about her Madonna Clothes Show Live career in the arts and passion for brings her Rebel Heart fashion extravaganza returns to dance... page 6 to the Midlands page 15 the NEC page 57

INSIDE: 4. News 15. Music 24. Comedy 27. Theatre 45. Film 53. Visual Arts 57. Days Out 65. Food

@whatsonbrum @whatsonwarwicks @whatsonworcs What’s On Magazine Warwickshire What’s On Magazine Worcestershire What’s On Magazine

Publishing + Online Editor-in-Chief: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 ’ Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 WhatsOn Editorial: Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 MAGAZINE GROUP Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Chris Eldon Lee, Heather Kincaid, Steve Adams, Helen Stallard, Clare Higgins, Offices: Wynner House, Tina Freeth Managing Director: Paul Oliver Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Graphic Designers: Lisa Wassell, Chris Atherton Bromsgrove St, Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 Birmingham B5 6RG This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is produced without the use of elemental chlorine. and 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. 13-14 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE 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. News December Region One.qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2015 16:19 Page 1

News A ROUND-UP OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Team GB to take on Japan at Barclaycard is to host Great Britain’s first- round tennis match in the 2016 Davis Cup. The tie takes place at the Barclaycard Arena from 4 to 6 March and sees the Aegon GB Davis Cup Team take on Japan. Commenting on the fixture, GB team captain Leon Smith said: “Birmingham is a city with a great sporting history that’s hosted some incredible Davis Cup ties in the past. Japan will be a tough contest but I’m sure the Birmingham fans will get right behind us and make as much noise as they can.”

Dance festival launches at the House of Lords DanceXchange and have launched the 2016 International Dance Festival Birmingham (IDFB) at a special reception at the House of Lords. Commenting on next year’s festival, Fiona Allan, Birmingham Hippodrome’s new chief execu- tive, said: “It’s an exciting time to have moved to the city of Birmingham and Birmingham Steel And Jelly launches Hippodrome, and I’m thrilled to be involved in my first International Dance Festival. Headlining performances at Birmingham Hippodrome include a mixed bill from Nederlands at Grand Central Dans Theater 2 (pictured above), Carlos Acosta’s classical farewell tour, Cloud Gate Dance A new menswear store has opened in Grand Theatre of Taiwan and Ballet British Columbia’s debut performance as part of IDFB. This stel- Central Birmingham. Steel And Jelly is a lar line-up, and more across the city, proves once again Birmingham attracts the very best in family business established in the city in international dance to the city.” 2004. Its collection offers everything from for- International Dance Festival Birmingham 2016 runs at various venues across the city from 1 mal tailoring to soft casuals and premium to 22 May. accessories. “The Steel And Jelly philosophy centres on scrupulous attention to detail,” explains the company’s owner, Nish Thakrar. Twenty five years of birth of her second child in August, Frankie “We’re passionate about embracing innova- said: “I’m thrilled to have been asked to join tive British design by creating a hybrid of the Disney On Ice... the 2016 tour. It will be great to get my danc- ing shoes back on and be part of the Strictly contemporary and the traditional. Each item An action-packed adventure celebrating family again. Roll on January!” is made with the modern-day gentleman in twenty-five years of Disney On Ice is coming mind, threading the past through to the pres- to the Midlands next year. ent.” Disney On Ice Presents Silver Anniversary Celebration invites audiences to enjoy ‘the Celebrating fifty years of ultimate sightseeing holiday’. It features Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy, and Asian programming Donald and Daisy Duck as they visit the Fifty years of Asian programming on the magical worlds of The Lion King, The Little BBC is being celebrated at The Drum in Mermaid and Peter Pan. Birmingham this month. Disney On Ice Presents Silver Anniversary A special comedy night at the Aston venue Celebration visits Birmingham’s Genting on Friday 11 December is hosted by BBC Arena from 6 to 10 April. Asian Network’s Breakfast Show presenter, Tommy Sandhu. Guz Khan, Shaista Aziz, Aditi Mittal and newcomer Tez Ilyas are the mirth-makers charged with the challenge of One-woman show to make its Additions to Strictly’s providing a memorably side-splitting debut in Birmingham star-studded line-up evening. Georgia May Foote, Ainsley Harriott and Birmingham Theatre School graduate Natalie Anita Rani are to join Strictly Come Cutler’s interest in feminist theatre has Dancing’s Live Tour next year. Launching at inspired her to write a one-woman show - the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham from and she’ll be performing a preview of it this 22 to 24 January, the show is hosted by month. Great British Bake Off’s Mel Giedroyc. Not Yet Suffragette takes a look at modern- Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood and day feminism and alternative ways of viewing Bruno Tonioli are the judges. marriage, baby showers, motherhood and The Saturdays’ Frankie Bridge will also join men. The show previews at Birmingham’s the line-up after being unable to make last mac on 5 December. year’s tour. Of her involvement following the

4 www.whatsonlive.co.uk News December Region One.qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2015 16:19 Page 2

Cocktails for kids at the RST The Royal Shakespeare Company has launched three new children’s mocktails inspired by its festive family show, Wendy & Peter Pan. The ‘Tinkertini’ is based on Peter Pan’s mis- chievous fairy sidekick, Tink. The pink drink, a mix of raspberry sherbet and apple juice, comes complete with edible glitter stars. There’s also a pirate-style ‘Dastardly Daiquiri’, containing edible buried treasure in the bottom of the glass. The third mock- tail is the ‘Neverland Sunrise’, a layered fruit juice drink. Commenting on the new range, Sara Aspley, RSC Head of Commercial Services, said: “We hope our brand new mocktails will offer children an exciting flavour of Neverland.”

Belgrade Theatre announces new season EastEnders favourites Kat and Alfie Moon are heading for the Coventry Belgrade Theatre next year. Jessie Wallace and Shane Richie, who play the popular pair in the hit BBC TV soap, will be appearing on stage together for the very first time when they star at the venue in Peter James’ hit thriller, The Perfect Murder. Regional showcase for Jessie and Shane headline a truly eclectic spring season at the Belgrade. Other highlights include Strictly Come Dancing stars Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace in Latin dance spec- regional artists tacular The Last Tango, a celebration of South Asian arts in Bring On The Bollywood, the polit- Forty-three artists from five regional art ical thriller The Dishonoured and Ishy Din’s World War One epic, Wipers. schools are set to exhibit new work at four There’s plenty of theatrical fun lined up for families to enjoy too, with Gangsta Granny, The leading galleries as part of New Art West Giant’s Loo Roll and Pongo’s Party - featuring the voice of CBeebies’ Justin Fletcher - all tak- Midlands 2016. ing their turn on the Belgrade stage. A launch vehicle for emerging artists, New For more information and to book tickets, visit belgrade.co.uk Art is a Turning Point West Midlands initiative. It will next year use Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, mac, Prestigious award for Midlands theme park Wolverhampton Art Gallery and Coventry’s Drayton Manor Theme Park has enjoyed a major success at the prestigious Enjoy Herbert Gallery & Museum to display the Staffordshire Tourism Awards. new work, which includes paintings, photo- The much-loved visitor attraction scooped half a dozen gongs at a special lunch ceremony in graphs, sculptures, videos and conceptual its Tower Suite last month. The theme park won in the categories of Best Tourism Event of the pieces. Year (for the launch of its £2.5million Thomas Land expansion) and Access For All. It also The artists selected to display their work - picked up a silver award and was commended in two further categories. five of whom will win cash prizes of £1,000 - Colin Bryan, the theme park’s CEO, accepted a special Outstanding Contribution Award on have all graduated from one of the West behalf of himself and his parents. The award was in recognition of all that the Bryan family has Midlands’ art schools in the last five years. done for Staffordshire during the sixty-five years since Drayton Manor first opened its doors. Wendy Law, Director of Turning Point West Midlands, commented: “There’s a diverse range of talent and work coming out of art Choir offers a triple dose of festive cheer... schools and universities in the West IN BRIEF Birmingham Bach Choir is marking Christmas with three festive Midlands. New Art West Midlands provides appearances, all of which are in aid of charity. an important opportunity at a crucial point A touch of France at The popular choir is performing at St Peter’s Church in in the careers of these artists, enabling Kitchen Garden Cafe Harborne, Birmingham, on 5 December as part of Singing For them to have their work displayed in highly A quartet with strong Syrians, a nationwide initiative helping to support people respected galleries and to be seen and Midlands connections whose lives have been torn apart by the ongoing conflict in enjoyed by a wide public.” and a Parisian vocalist their country. are performing at Christmas Carols At QEHB, meanwhile (Queen Elizabeth Birmingham’s Kitchen Hospital Birmingham,15 December), finds choir members Garden Café on 13 joined by the Midlands’ Military Choir. Proceeds from the event December. Montparnasse will go to the QEHB Charity fund to support injured service per- features Worcester-based sonnel. double bass player Paul The choir is also performing Nine Lessons And Carols at St Smith and Warwickshire's Paul’s in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter on 20 December. Robin Payne on drums. Monies raised from the service will be donated to doctors work- Céline Dommart provides ing in Aleppo, Syria. the French influence, with “Our Christmas appearances are always firm favourites with acoustic guitarist Cris audiences, especially Nine Lessons And Carols, which is Tolley completing the always well attended,” says Birmingham Bach Choir’s Chair, foursome. Sarah Platt. “At a time of horrific conflict in the wider world, we’re also proud to offer our support to both the QEHB Charity’s military patients’ fund and the Singing For Syrians ini- tiative. We hope our appearances result in much-needed dona- Image credit Jakki Carey tions for both causes.”

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 5 Fiona Allen feature.qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2015 20:11 Page 1

Fiona Allan What’s On in conversation with Birmingham Hippodrome’s new Chief Executive...

6 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Fiona Allen feature.qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2015 20:11 Page 2

Held in high regard for her work at two of the UK’s top producing houses - Cardiff’s Millen- nium Centre and Curve in Leicester - Australian-born Fiona Allan recently became Birmingham Hippodrome’s first female Chief Executive. Fiona recently took time out from her busy schedule to talk to What’s On about her career in the arts, the role of women in theatre and her passion for dance. Oh, and she even revealed her guilty pleasure...

There’s been a significant rise in the num- Was it your profession that brought you to regularly here at the Hippodrome who I know ber of women taking top positions in the- the UK? will be open to conversations about us having atre, although not as many as might be I was working at the time as the chief execu- co-producing relationships. I think we’re a big hoped for. Why do you think this is? tive of the Sydney Film Festival, which is the enough player in this market to actually make We’re playing catch up with other countries in biggest event of its kind in Australia and a some of the artistic decisions and not just sit terms of the balance in top roles in the arts. major tourism moment for Sydney. I’d been in back and wait for work to come to us. You’ll find there are a lot more top roles in the role for a couple of years but was really producing theatres - but as far as presenting missing working in the performing arts. I’d Is that how you see your role? theatres go, I think I’m still the only female previously been with the Sydney Opera I certainly see my role as exploring those op- chief executive of a major theatre, and it really House, and I missed the tension of live per- tions, testing our own attitude to risk and find- is about time that changed. I don’t know why formance and the experience of dealing with ing circumstances where that makes sense. it’s the case, but I do believe that, to some ex- performers. I love dance, I missed it and tent, there’s an ‘old boys club’ mentality. It’s thought, ‘It’s time for an adventure’. So I put The Curve was very brave - they took those hard to penetrate that network and find a way my CV out there in the UK and I was ap- risks and it paid off… through it. pointed Artistic Director of the Wales Millen- Yes, but the Curve was always subsidised to nium Centre, where I spent seven years. do it. The Curve’s raison d'être is as a produc- How does the situation compare to Aus- ing theatre and that’s why the Arts Council tralia? Your passion for dance is well docu- gives it money - in order to create new pro- I’ve been here eleven years now, but my rec- mented. How do you foresee that tying in ductions. The Hippodrome is in a unique po- ollection of Australia was that there was more with your role at the Hippodrome? sition by not receiving subsidy from public parity at the top in the culture sector. I remem- It was one of the things that really drew me to bodies. The theatre doesn’t receive money ber attending my first meeting here in the UK, the role. Not only the theatre’s connections to from Birmingham City Council or the Arts where the only other woman in the room was resident companies BRB and DanceXchange, Council of (although we work closely the person taking the minutes. I remember but also the Hippodrome’s own commitment with them on projects). That puts the pressure thinking it really odd - but what was even to programming dance and co-producing the on us to make our own books balance. more troubling was that it was only when I International Dance Festival. It just seemed There’s a wonderful freedom that comes with pointed it out to them that they realised. To like a really good fit for me. that, but it does mean less ability to take risks them, at that time, it was the norm. In my sometimes. early years in the UK, I was continually sur- How do you see the theatre’s relationship prised that having parity between the sexes with dance moving forward? Do you worry about the impact of those de- wasn’t seen as an issue. Even two years ago, I’m interested to explore the Hippodrome’s mands on your own creativity? I was interviewed by an all-male interview role in the creation of new dance and working No, I actually think it means you have to be committee to go on to a board in Leicester. with other companies in and around Birming- more creative. I’m really committed to audi- They asked what I would bring to the board. I ham, supporting younger artists and people ence development. I think there are still av- said diversity, as you clearly don’t have much coming through. I’d also like to look at how enues along which we can explore the female representation. The Australia I remem- we programme and build audience for inter- balance of the programming that the Hippo- ber was a bit more progressive than that. national dance. It’s still a challenge, but, be- drome does - especially looking at how to There would never have been an interview lieve me, the Hippodrome do it much better connect to audiences we’re currently not panel of all men. than most venues across the country. The reaching. That will open up an opportunity for theatre has consistently higher audiences, more creativity. What do you think should be done to bring but there are still seats that can be filled - and about a much-needed change? I’m evangelistic about dance. I think that if Do you like most genres of theatre? I hope that as women get more of these jobs people are exposed to it, they’ll find it’s not so Yeah, pretty much anything. I’ll give almost it’s seen as a realistic aspiration for young foreign and scary - it’s just a great and enter- anything a go. women, so that they can see it’s actually pos- taining thing to go and watch, with beautiful I’m a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to sible. And that, in its own right, shows people dancing along to beautiful music. Peo- musicals - I like older musicals. I think West younger women that they should stick at it ple get a bit tongue-tied trying to attach Side Story is my favourite musical of all time. and work themselves up the food chain. I re- meaning to everything they’re seeing when it ally believe in mentoring and supporting peo- should really be about enjoying the moment. I So is there any kind of show you’d never ple on the way up. I’ve done that for a can walk through a contemporary art gallery go to? number of people who’ve worked alongside and enjoy it without having to understand Heavy metal music and tribute bands. They me, but that was regardless of their sex. what it all is. It’s about just enjoying the expe- really aren’t my cup of tea. I also struggle with We’re in a city like Birmingham and we rience. stand-up comedy. I know that probably should also be talking about youth and cul- I’m interested in looking at how the Hippo- makes me sound like I’m lacking a sense of tural diversity. I’d like to see more of both of drome can work with other major venues that humour, but, for me, it’s the expectation that those in cultural bodies. I don’t think that the present dance - places like Sadlers Wells, The kills it. You walk into somewhere expecting everyday face of Birmingham that I see on the Lowry, Wales Millennium Centre or Edinburgh someone to be really, really funny and that streets is reflected in the Hippodrome staff Festival Theatre who, like us, are doing well in you’ll have the best night ever. It’s very diffi- and audience, so there’s plenty of room for bringing in audiences for dance. I’d look at cult for someone to live up to that. Comedy is improvement there. how we could collaborate and create new never my first choice, let’s put it that way. dance that’s very audience accessible and Why choose a career in the arts? that appeals to a much broader audience. Finally, what’s your guilty pleasure? I was a musician in my initial trainings. I left Watching The Apprentice - and I do like to high school and did a degree in music. I was The Curve is very well established as a watch Coronation Street. I’m a member of a clarinetist, played with some contemporary producing venue, for which you should what we define as Corrie Club, which consists ensembles and orchestras and taught music. take a good amount of credit. How do you of a group of my friends who’re all over the Then I had this revelationary moment that it intend to transfer your skills to the Hippo- place. We tweet as we watch. We tweet each was no longer what I wanted to do. What I’d drome? others comments, live editorial of Coronation wanted to do for a very long time was work in I’m interested to explore how the theatre Street. That’s a bit sad, isn’t it?... arts management, but there was no such could have more of a role for new work or thing in Australia at the time. It was when I creating revivals of old musicals. There are Read our full interview with Fiona Allan online was about twenty-five that the very first good models out there with the Music and at whatsonlive.co.uk course started in Australia. I got into the first Lyrics Consortium, but there are also some intake and that changed my life. producing partners who we work with quite

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 7 From with Love.qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2015 14:50 Page 1 From Benidorm Best known for playing their respective roles of Kenneth and Liam in popular ITV1 sitcom Benidorm, Tony Maudsley and Adam Gillen this month arrive in the Midlands to star in two of the region’s biggest festive productions. Tony dons high heels and even higher hair as Edna Turnblad in a new touring production of Hairspray The Musical at Birmingham’s New Alexandra Theatre, while Adam heads for Neverland in Ella Hickson’s adaptation of Wendy And Peter Pan at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. What’s On recently met up with the boys from Benidorm to find out more...

Down in Baltimore... Which elements of your personality are you going to bring to the show? Edna is a larger-than-life character. What To Edna? Loyalty, I think. She's very loyal to excites you most about playing her, Tony? her family, and I am to mine. She's caring, What I didn't want to do was create a ‘tribute she stands up for what's right, and I think Edna’. I wanted to take her as far away from we're quite similar like that. She doesn't like a panto dame as I possibly could, so I took people being singled out and nor do I. I can't the character back to the bare bones and bear that. thought, 'Why is she like that? Why hasn't she left her house in so many years?’ Did it ever feel daunting to be following in I thought it'd be quite sad to be like that, but I the footsteps of Brian Conley and Michael needed to understand the journey of her get- Ball? ting to love herself again. Getting it right was Absolutely. They've both done it to great ac- a challenge, as I didn't want to be a cheap claim, haven't they? I didn't want to be crap laugh. I wanted people to love her, feel sorry and get slagged off for being the worst Edna for her and understand where she’s going. ever, so there was a pressure. Hairspray has its own fans who follow the show around, so Did you have any initial reservations? you really do want to get it right for them as Touring at my age isn’t the same as touring well as for yourself. when you're twenty, and this is a lengthy tour. I'm sort of taking a lot of responsibility as the Your repertoire features some very serious head of the company. On my other tour I was roles, do you have a preference? a chorus boy and had a brilliant time. Now It was my dad who said, 'Why don't you do there's a certain amount of responsibility that some comedy?'. I told him I didn't really get comes with the role. I'm leading a young to pick; things just came along. I was doing company who I’m sure will tempt me to stray some really serious, heavy French plays in at some point. I said to Claire Sweeney that I , and my agent said there was an au- feel like we're their nan and granddad. For dition for Benidorm. I dashed across London a lot of the company this is their first in my lunch hour and rushed in for my gig, so on the first night, when we Benidorm audition. I literally had ten minutes heard the roar from the audience, it to do it, and when I ran in, I was out of breath was their first time. When they’re and feeling hot. The people who auditioned moved, I’m moved - you get flash- me said the reason I got it was because I was backs to your first show, which complaining about the heat. I think we all get can be overwhelming. seen because of what box we're in. At the minute I'm definitely in a comedy box. I don't How are you managing your get to do much serious stuff - although I did heels? get to do Ordinary Lives last year, which was The heels aren’t as bad as I quite a heavy programme; a hard drama. I'm thought they’d be. They're happy, though - I'm working and I'm enjoying about three inches, so it it. could've been worse. That said, with the big What’s in the pipeline post-Hairspray? wig and me being six Hopefully more Benidorm, and then there’s foot four even before the possibility of a transfer of Hairspray. Tak- heels, I could end up ing it into London would be lovely, and that's being just under what we're all hoping for. It's been a while - it seven foot. My favourite finished in 2006, so there's a whole new gen- pair of shoes that Edna eration waiting.”made. And actually, wears are her flat slippers - but if I had my way, she’d be wearing trainers! Hairspray The Musical shows at New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, from And the makeup? Mon 14 December to Sat 2 January I just sit back and think of England while some woman comes in and does it for me. I wouldn't have a clue. I'd look a mess, like a Wendy & Peter Pan shows at Royal Shake- prostitute. So I'm lucky that somebody speare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon until comes in and does all that for me. Sun 31 January

8 www.whatsonlive.co.uk From Benidorm with Love.qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2015 14:50 Page 2

feature With Lov e... Meanwhile in Neverland... You’re very well known for playing Liam in Is this the first time you’ve performed in Benidorm. Has it been difficult to shake theatre through the festive period? What attracted you to Wendy And Peter out that rather wet character and be taken I can’t think of a play I’ve done that’s run over Pan, Adam? seriously? Christmas, so this will be a new experience. I I suppose the prospect of flying, but I don’t I haven’t had too much trouble, but think it’ll be really fun. We’re performing on get to do that unfortunately. I’ve always loved Benidorm’s been my first experience of Christmas Eve, so that will be a pretty special Peter Pan’s story. It’s always been my something being watched in a major way. I one - very magical - and then again on Box- favourite Disney production and is something think maybe it’s a bit too early to say that, but ing Day. You’ve got to work off your Christ- that I remember from my childhood. I really it’s always a bit of a thing when actors play a mas dinner! love Jonathan’s version of it. He’s got a really character in a TV show that people watch. It’s brilliant imagination and a wonderful flair for bound to have people forming a view of you, Your Benidorm sidekick Tony Maudsley is the magical, which is really exciting. but I’ve had lots of variety in my career so far. performing in Hairspray in Birmingham I’ve been lucky to do things like Soliders At over Christmas. Will you have a chance to It’s said that the show is closely based on War and Prisoners’ Wives. get together? the 2013 production of the same name. I really hope so, but we’ll both be on stage at What’s changed? Has Liam affected your personal life in any the same time, I’d imagine. It’s bigger - everything is just more wondrous way? and elaborate. It just seems more epic. I’m Now and again, but thankfully it’s never Have you seen Tony in a dress and heels not saying the first one wasn’t, but it’s always abuse. People are very friendly, and it doesn’t before? good to build on a very solid platform, and happen all the time. It happens more in Of course, many, many times. He’s never out that’s what Jonathan’s doing. Benidorm when I’m doing the show. Every- of them - it’s ridiculous! You can’t get him out one goes a bit crazy because, to them, of those sequins, he’s just obsessed... Tell us about Martin, the character you you’re just the person on the telly and not a play... human being with another life. It’s quite hard He’s the cabin boy on the pirate ship, but to shake off, and people act like you’re in he’s out of place in every way possible. He The Beatles out there, which is ridiculous. suffers from allergies. He has terrible Luckily, because I appear quite soft in the hayfever and doesn’t really fit into pirate life. show, people tend to be very gentle with me, He’s struggling to find his way through it, which I do appreciate. which is quite fun for me as an actor. I guess he’s more of a lost boy than a pirate, but he’s Your career spans TV and stage. Do you ended up being a working boy for Hook, have a preference? Smee and the gang. He’s not having a great I like both of them because they’re both act- time with it. ing, pretending and creating a world, which is exciting. I like the challenge of being more Is there a little bit of a love interest there? expansive on the stage, really stretching your Later on. I don’t want to ruin it for audiences, legs and spreading your wings. Then again, but someone magical comes into view. It’s a I like being tiny and intimate on telly. I like nice character journey. It’s also good that I them both for different reasons. get the privilege of being on the pirate ship but not being all piratey. Of the characters you’ve portrayed, which has required you to dig deepest Is that love interest a little flying charac- into yourself? ter? Prisoners’ Wives was quite tough. I’m not Yes, it’s Tinkerbell, which is wonderful. It’s an an unpleasant person, but the character unlikely pairing but seems to work. was awful to his mother and that wasn’t very nice. I found that particularly difficult Wendy And Peter Pan sees you making because, at the time, I was splitting my your RSC debut. How does it feel to be time between filming in Sheffield and living stepping out on such a prestigious stage? in Manchester with my mum. I would have It’s a real privilege, and it’s something I’ve to snap out of the role when I got home to wanted to be involved with. Such great work my mum. I had to remember I wasn’t in and all the best people in the industry work prison and she wasn’t smuggling drugs for there. On every level, it’s a brilliant, creative, me. Everything was alright and Corrie powerful machine, which it’s really exciting to would be on in a minute, so let’s just relax. be a part of. Did you always aspire to be an actor? If you were presented with the opportunity Yeah, I think I discovered what I wanted to to return to Stratford and perform again do when I was fourteen or fifteen. I knew it with the RSC in any of Shakespeare’s was where I felt happiest because I could works, which play or character would you control the attention coming my way, and choose? that was quite a satisfying thing to do. There are so many great, weird and wonder- Since then, I just got the bug. Some of my ful creations in the repertoire that I’d love to very good friends went off to RADA (Royal have a go at. One day, when I’m a little bit Academy of Dramatic Art) at eighteen, and I older, I’d like to play Richard III. knew I wanted to do that too. Luckily I got in. Going on all of these adventures with these fictional people is a real privilege. It’s a really exciting adventure to have. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 9 The Lost Gift.qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2015 15:08 Page 1 The Lost Gift.qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2015 15:08 Page 2

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Winter magic Dawn breaks in the enchanted forest the day before the Winter Festival, and everyone is excited for the big day ahead. But all is not well in this wintry woodland - a gift has gone missing, and it’s up to you, the audience, to find it! That’s the premise of The Lost Gift, Highly Sprung Theatre Company’s new, interactive production, showing this month at Coventry’s Warwick Arts Centre. Heather Kincaid recently met up with Highly Sprung’s Sarah Worth (pictured above) to find out more...

This Christmas, Warwick Arts Centre pres- might be. Luckily, he'll have a team of audi- urgency” to the story. There's a lot to be done ents a festive family show with a difference, ence members on hand to help! before the Festival bells start chiming - and, inviting audiences to journey through a world As they embark on their quest to recover the as participants soon discover, Squall isn't the of wonder and intrigue in The Lost Gift, an lost gift, audiences will pass through six sep- only one with a problem to resolve. Along the immersive production created by Coventry- arate rooms inside the venue’s Mead Gallery, way, there'll be opportunities to meet three based company Highly Sprung. each transformed into a fantastic setting with more characters: an explorer who's got him- “This isn't your typical kind of performance,” the help of costume and design group Vortex self into a sticky situation, a spirit in charge of says Sarah Worth, Director of Highly Sprung. Creates. the decorating, and the Social Network Oper- “We really wanted to style this as an alterna- “Vortex have played a really influential part in ator, who's feeling overwhelmed by the tide of tive to the traditional Christmas experience, how the narrative has developed,” says communication flooding in at this time of so we're shying away from things like meet- Worth. “We've tried to design something year. ing Father Christmas and his elves.” that's not completely realistic, because we In total, the journey should take around fifty A primarily physical theatre company, Highly want our audience to use their imaginations minutes to complete, culminating in the Win- Sprung specialises in developing innovative rather than doing all the work for them. It's ter Festival celebrations themselves. Highly and exciting new work for children and young very suggestive - a lot of it's done through Sprung hopes that the uniqueness of this people. Running alongside The Gruffalo's lighting effects. One of the rooms is in the production will entertain and inspire curiosity Child this winter, The Lost Gift will cater for a sky, and it's full of these big, fluffy clouds and in big kids and little ones alike - but just like slightly older audience - though Worth hopes birds' nests, all done in a very stylised way. their characters, they've still got lots left to do that kids of all ages will find something to It's quite cartoon-like, with a bit of a quality of before the main event. enjoy. children's drawings.” “We haven't presented the show to any chil- “Because The Gruffalo's Child is for younger Adding to this otherworldly feel are sound ef- dren yet, but we’ve been testing out the story kids, what we had in mind mainly was chil- fects and music composed especially for the on our own children. There was one point dren aged four-plus, but I do genuinely think show by Tom Haines. where we'd done part of the narrative and that this is a show that can be enjoyed by “Each room has its own unique sound, but didn't really know where it was going to go people of any age. Younger children will we know that they aren't completely sound- from there, but the kids were dying to know enjoy the sense of magic and being trans- proof, so you might get a sense of anticipa- what happened next, which is always encour- ported into different environments, and there tion because you hear what's coming in the aging! I think it will continue to evolve until should be enough in it for adults to appreci- next room. We've tried to develop an overall the end of the run, because a lot will come ate, too - especially some of the jokes.” soundscape, with the cracking of ice and the out of the audience reactions as we go The adventure begins with an encounter with blowing of the wind creating a very wintry along.” a winter spirit called Squall, tasked with cre- feel. There's also a bit of a traditional Christ- Don't miss your chance to be part of the ating and wrapping presents for people to ex- mas touch with the ringing of the bells and a magic in a story that can't start without you. change, so that everyone can get involved in clarinet that keeps popping up, so it all fits to- The Lost Gift shows at Warwick Arts all-important sharing. Trouble is, there's one gether nicely.” Centre, Coventry from Saturday 12 present missing from his list. He's sure he Also present throughout the show is the to Friday 31 December. wrapped it, but he's got no idea where it sound of ticking clocks, lending a “sense of

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Faithless Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Wed 2 December Faithless’ work defies easy classification. Interna- tionally acclaimed and consistently popular in clubland, they produce a kind of music that ranges from insidious dance to swirling chill-out with a heart of darkness. The legendary dance act are playing this special Barclaycard Arena show - one of only four UK dates - to tie in with the release of their twentieth anniversary remix compilation, Faithless 2.0.

Madonna Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Wed 16 December Not surprisingly named by Time as one of the most powerful women of the past century, Madonna Louise Ciccone has been recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the The Jack Tars best-selling female recording artist of all time, having sold in excess of a staggering three hundred million records worldwide. What’s more, in 2008, Billboard ranked her second The Robin, Bilston, Wed 2 December only to The Beatles when it came to record sales. Her hits are plentiful, from Like A Virgin Captain Sensible (The Damned), Slim Jim Phan- and Papa Don't Preach to Hung Up and 4 Minutes. And given her penchant for courting tom (Stray Cats), Chris Cheney (The Living End) controversy as well as making chart-topping music, it’s fair to assume there’s plenty of life and Mike Peters (The Alarm) are in no doubt about in the old dog yet. what they’re aiming to achieve as The Jack Tars. The talented rock’n’rollers describe themselves as ‘a band of brothers reincarnated from the souls of dead men’ who’re ‘destined to plunder the treas- ures of their collective past to create a new syn- ergy of rock and roll forged from the bones of punk, rockabilly and modern alternative rock.’ It’s always good to have an ambition in life...

Caro Emerald Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Mon 7 - Tues 8 December Since the release of her 2010 multi-platinum debut album, Deleted Scenes From The Cutting Room Floor, Caro Emerald has fashioned her own niche - a polished fusion of pop, jazz and swing. Her sec- ond album, The Shocking Miss Emerald (2013), entered the Official UK Albums Chart at number one and sold over two-and-a-half million records. Emerald is currently working on her third album, set to be released this winter. The first single - Quicksand - was released in April.

Guy Garvey O2 Academy, Birmingham, Thurs 3 December Guy Garvey, after twenty-plus years with his ‘brothers’ in Elbow, is setting out alone for the first time. Or, to quote him directly, he’s been “graciously afforded some time to pur- sue something I’ve wanted to do for ages”. “It’s the first time I’ve done something on my own,” says Guy, “and there’s a double- edged sword thing to it, but you can’t be frightened if you want to create. That’s why the album is called Courting The Squall - it’s that violent wind before the storm. It could be a disaster, but you have to go at it and see what comes out. I wanted to embrace it totally. The title track is very personal lyrically and I’m putting myself on the cover for exactly the same reasons.”

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Music PREVIEWS José González O2 Institute, Birmingham, Mon 14 December José Gabriel González is a Swedish indie folk singer-songwriter and guitarist from Gothen- burg who’s best known for his 2003 single, Heartbeats. Famously remixed by The Knife, the song came from Gonzalez’s first solo album, Veneer, which reached number seven in the UK charts and sold over four hundred- and-thirty thousand copies. His current tour is in support of third album Vestiges & Claws, which was released earlier this year. As José sees it, the record is his personal “zoomed-out eye on humanity”. It’s an at- tempt, he says, “at encouraging us to under- stand ourselves and to make the best of the one life we know we have - after birth and be- fore death.”

BBC Music Awards Genting Arena, Birmingham, Thurs 10 December BBC One, Radio One and Radio Two here come together with some of the biggest UK and international artists to celebrate the best in popular music from the last twelve months. The event includes performances from Ellie Goulding, Rod Stewart, Hozier, Jess Glynne (pic- tured), Little Mix, Mumford & Sons, Jack Garratt, OMI and One Direction, with further acts still to be announced. Awards on the night include British Artist of the Year, International Artist of the Year and Song of the Year, plus a special award for a BBC Introducing artist. A brand new award - Live Per- formance of the Year - will be given to the band or artist that’s delivered the stand-out live moment of 2015. Chris Evans and Fearne Cotton host. Lianne Las Havas O2 Institute, Birmingham, Fri 4 December Bad Manners The Courteeners Lianne Las Havas made a huge break- The Assembly, Leamington Spa, Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, through back in 2012 with the release of Thurs 17 December Thurs 3 December debut album Is Your Love Big Enough?, which peaked at number four in the UK Al- Long in the tooth they may be, but English 2 The last eighteen months has unquestionably bums Chart. It went on to win album of the Tone ska wizards Bad Manners still com- been indie rock band The Courteeners most year at iTunes and also picked up Barclay- mand a significant following around the successful period since their inception in card Mercury Prize and Ivor Novello Best globe. 2006. Not only have they bagged themselves Album nominations. Very much a novelty act - courtesy of the on- a top-three album position with fourth studio In 2014 Prince played a gig in her living room stage antics of bald-headed frontman Buster offering Concrete Love (in August 2014), in London and also chose her to perform with Bloodvessel - they spent the early 1980s they’ve also enjoyed headline slots at Read- him as featured vocalist on an episode of vying for chart posi- ing and Leeds and primetime appearances at Saturday Night Live. Need we say more? tions with fellow ska Glastonbury, Isle Of Wight, T In The Park and This current UK tour comes in support of new revival bands Mad- V Festival. album Blood, which was released in July this ness, The Specials This Midlands show has been given a venue year. and The Selecter. upgrade due to the high demand for tickets. Hit albums include Expect a lively performance from the boys. Gosh It's... Bad Man- ners, Loonee Tunes! and Ska’n’B.

The Spook School The Tin, Coventry, Fri 4 December Comprising Nye Todd and Adam Todd on guitar, Anna Cory on bass and Niall McCam- ley on drums, The Spook School take their inspiration from post-punk-pop band Buz- zcocks, Lou Reed’s Transformer and the films of Buster Keaton. Expect a ’60s pop sound from this talented four-piece. Jamie Knight & Hazel O’Connor The Manuka Band Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, Sat 19 Decem- The Glee Club, Birmingham, Sun 6 December ber; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Mon 21 December Coventry-born Hazel O’Connor was cata- Jamie Knight & The Manuka Band return to pulted to fame in hit Brit movie Breaking the Midlands this year by popular demand to Glass, for which she also sang the sound- perform ‘another evening of Christmas hits, track. Her performance kickstarted a career the best swing, a groove of soul, classic pop which has subsequently seen her enjoy and lively rock’n’roll’. plenty more chart and screen success. This tight band know how to make music re- O’Connor’s current tour comes in celebration ally come alive, so expect a truly memorable of Breaking Glass’ thirty-fifth anniversary. night.

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Coventry STRANGER IN DEATH & Mary's Church, Warwick THE BACKBEAT BEATLES LISTINGS JEAN GENIE The Road- ELECTRIC CAKE SALAD DEMOB HAPPY Hare & Albany Theatre, Coven- Music house, Birmingham The Marr's Bar, Worces- Hounds, Birmingham try JOSEPH CAPRIATI The ter JAMES BAY RADIO X SOLID SOUL The Jam For full listing information on gigs, Rainbow Venues, Birm- SIMON FOWLER No1 ROAD TRIP WITH CHRIS House, Birmingham including times and dates, ingham Shakespeare Street, MOYLES O2 Academy, SPACE The Slade URBAN SOUL FAMILY Stratford-upon-Avon Birmingham Rooms, Wolverhamp- visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Symphony Hall, B’ham LOGAN D, MAJISTRATE, JAMES YORKSTON ton BLUE NOTES, THE SHER- SUB ZERO, NICKY BLACK- Kitchen Garden Cafe, ANNE REID Malvern The- BET, WILDE & STATEThe MARKET, GUV, PLEASURE, Birmingham atres, Worcestershire deTUE 1 DEC KAGOULE The Sunflower Rainbow Venues, Birm- ALPHA AND MORE O2 In- ANDY WILLIAMS CHRIST- GO WEST FEATURING Lounge, Birmingham ingham stitute, Birmingham MAS SPECTACULAR STAR- PETER COX & RICHARD RONNIE SPECTOR Birm- ZOE RAHMAN TRIO Arena STAHLSARG, SHADOW ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN RING THE OSMONDS DRUMMIE The Robin, ingham Town Hall Theatre, Wolverhamp- FLAG & CACODAEMONIC AND BUZZCOCKS Ricoh Malvern Theatres, Bilston TROUBLEMAKER - OLLY ton Scruffy Murphys, Birm- Arena, Coventry Worcestershire CAROLS THAT COUNT MURS TRIBUTE The JOHN OTWAY Hare & ingham THE FACE OF RUIN, THE Robin, Bilston Hounds, Birmingham MIGHTY WRAITH, WED 9 DEC TREMONTI, MAN THE AUTUMN RUIN, LOST AT STUART MCCALLUM Hare RUSTLUNG & SIGNS OF MIGHTY, THE RAVEN AGE SAT 5 DEC THE SUBTERRANEANS HOME, PORTWAY & & Hounds, Birmingham FIRE Scruffy Murphys, & WEARING SCARS O2 The Jam House, B’ham NEVER HILL O2 Institute, FAULKNER The Jam KILL THE ROMANTIC O2 Birmingham Institute, Birmingham FISH Birmingham Town Birmingham House, Birmingham Academy, Birmingham THE OVERTONES Sym- Hall MOTIONLESS IN WHITE ANDY ALLO The Rainbow ROCKET The Jam SUN 6 DEC phony Hall, B’ham GNARWOLVES The Rain- The Asylum, B’ham Venues, Birmingham House, Birmingham GORDON HENDRINKS AS GARETH MALONE Sym- bow Venues, B’ham TAX THE HEAT, LEOGUN & THE MOUSE OUTFIT The FALLS, ENQUIRY, BEAR- ELVIS Artrix, Broms- phony Hall, B’ham MIKE SANCHEZ The COLD FIELDS The Rain- Oobleck, Birmingham FOOT BEWARE, CAL grove HAZEL O'CONNOR The Robin, Bilston bow Venues, B’ham FAULKNER The Jam BANDA, RIGHT HAND LEFT MARIANNE FAITHFULL Glee Club, Birmingham ASH Wulfrun Hall, JACK GARRATT O2 Insti- House, Birmingham HAND, ORCHARDS, PILES Ricoh Arena, Coventry MATT BERRY & THE MAY- Wolverhampton tute, Birmingham THE ZOE GREEN BAND OF CLOTHES & GEORGE THAT'S LIFE Nailcote POLES O2 Institute, THE TWILIGHT SAD O2 FAULKNER The Jam The Roadhouse, B’ham GADD The Flapper, Hall, Berkswell, War- Birmingham Academy, Birmingham House, Birmingham Birmingham wickshire ROY WOOD ROCKMAS MARTIN CARTHY The DIVIDED HEAVEN The MOSTLY MOTOWN SATUR- 80'S EXPERIENCE CHRIST- FRI 4 DEC 2015 Barclaycard Red Lion Folk Club, Marr’s Bar, Worcester DAY WITH BEN DRUM- MAS PARTY Nailcote Arena, Birmingham Birmingham MARRY WATERSON & DURAN DURAN Genting MOND, TOM MASON & Hall, Berkswell, War- ROY AYERS The Robin, BELPHEGOR The Slade DAVID A JAYCOCK Arena, Birmingham MAZZY Night Owl, Birm- wickshire Bilston Rooms, Wolverhamp- Kitchen Garden Cafe, NORTHERN SOUL FRIDAY ingham FRED ZEPPELIN Route WRECKLESS ERIC The ton Birmingham WITH MATT BLACKMORE, WATERLOO Artrix, 44, Birmingham Marr's Bar, Worcester BLACK TONGUE The SHE MAKES WAR The SOUL TIME STEVE & Bromsgrove FLEETWOOD BAC The ALABAMA 3 The Rainbow Venues, Birm- Sunflower Lounge, LLOYD DAVIS Night Owl, THE DEAD DAISIES The Roadhouse, B’ham Oobleck, Birmingham ingham Birmingham Birmingham Slade Rooms, Wolver- EUREKA JAZZ QUARTET MARTYN JOSEPH Hare & MAXI JAZZ & THE E-TYPE FOZZY, NONPOINT & LEVELLERS Civic Hall, hampton Blue Piano Restaurant Hounds, Birmingham BOYS O2 Institute, Birm- SUMO CYCO The Rain- Wolverhampton STATUS QUO Barclaycard And Bar, Birmingham OUR WORLD BELOW, ingham bow Venues, B’ham THE CARNIVAL BAND Ar- Arena, Birmingham CHRIS BEAHAN Blue ERADIKATOR, SWAMP MITCH PERRIN' ATLANTIC trix, Bromsgrove THE SPITFIRES The As- Piano Restaurant And MONKEY, MOLOTOV QUARTET No1 Shake- THE ZOMBIES O2 Insti- sembly, Leamington Bar, Birmingham WED 2 DEC SOULS, KONCEPT AND speare Street, Stratford tute, Birmingham Spa ETON MESSY The Rain- MORE The Roadhouse, ELECTRIC SIX O2 Acad- LIANNE LA HAVAS O2 In- PEARL JAM U.K. O2 bow Venues, B’ham Birmingham THU 10 DEC emy, Birmingham stitute, Birmingham Academy, Birmingham KICK UP THE 80'S The DECLAN NERNEY Irish FAITHLESS Barclaycard ROCKET The Jam SCOUTING FOR GIRLS O2 River Rooms, Stour- Centre, Birmingham THE SUBTERRANEANS Arena, Birmingham House, Birmingham Academy, Birmingham bridge CANARD DU JOUR The Jam House, Birm- SONIC GUN PRESENT RUMOURS OF FLEET- UNIVERSITY CHOIR AND QUILL Huntingdon Hall, Kitchen Garden Cafe, ingham CHASTITY Hare & WOOD MAC Malvern SYMPHONIC BRASS Bra- Worcester Birmingham UK SUBS The Rainbow Hounds, Birmingham Theatres, Worcester- mall Music Building, SPACEHOPPERS Katie THE PEOPLE'S ORCHES- Venues, Birmingham KODALINE O2 Academy, shire Birmingham Fitzgerald's, Stour- TRA: SOMETHING MAGI- HALF MAN HALF BISCUIT Birmingham THE SEARCHERS CHRIST- NOTHING MORE O2 Insti- bridge CAL Malvern Theatres, The Robin, Bilston THE ROVING CROWS The MAS SPECIAL Hunting- tute, Birmingham SAM COOMBES TRIO Worcestershire BBC MUSIC AWARDS FEA- Red Lion Folk Club, don Hall, Worcester TYRANNOSAURUS NEBU- Symphony Hall, B’ham ST. AGNES FOUNTAINThe TURING ELLIE GOULDING, Birmingham THE REMI HARRIS PROJ- LOUS, CHEMICAL MOJO, NORTHERN SOUL FRIDAY Roses Theatre, Tewkes- HOZIER, JESS GLYNNE, BUGZY MALONE O2 Insti- ECT mac, Birmingham ALMOST EASY, HOUND & WITH NEIL RUSHTON, bury LITTLE MIX, MUMFORD & tute, Birmingham FROM THE JAM The INCLOSURE The Rain- JOSH PYE & SHAUN ANDREW SOUTER, THE SONS, OMI, ONE DIREC- FOOD FEATURING IAIN Robin, Bilston bow Venues, B’ham PARKER Night Owl, FLOWERS OF DESPAIR & TION & JACK GARRATT BALLAMY & THOMAS NEW BLUES FOR PIANO SUPREME QUEEN The Birmingham DAVID LEACH Hare & Genting Arena, B’ham STRONEN mac, B’ham The Barber Institute, Robin, Bilston KODE9 & QUARTZ BURIAL Hounds, Birmingham KINDRED THE FAMILY THE JACK TARS The Birmingham RANG A TANG Nailcote SOUL Hare & Hounds, SET Hare & Hounds, Robin, Bilston MAMMA MIA PARTY WITH Hall, Berkswell, War- Birmingham Birmingham THE AMAZONS The Sun- BOOTLEG ABBA Nailcote wickshire MON 7 DEC SPITTING FEATHERS, ANY TROUBLE Hare & flower Lounge, B’ham Hall, Berkswell, War- MOTOWN PARTY WITH Hounds, Birmingham DJANGO DJANGO O2 In- MOTH HONEY, THE SHURA The Oobleck, wickshire THE BROTHERS OF SOUL ROY ORBISON & FRIENDS stitute, Birmingham SCRUBS & LUCY SHAW Birmingham ADDISON GROOVE Hare & Nailcote Hall, Berkswell, The Roses Theatre, CARO EMERALD Sym- The Roadhouse, Birm- SUPERFOOD O2 Institute, Hounds, Birmingham Warwickshire Tewkesbury phony Hall, B’ham ingham Birmingham SSEX PISTOLSS, CODE 46 THROUGH THE DECADES 80S EXPERIENCE Nail- TYGER OF PAN TANGThe BURNING NATION & ELST BIG BRAVE The Rainbow & THE DREGS Route 44, Warwick Arts Centre, cote Hall, Berkswell, Robin, Bilston PIZARRO O2 Academy, Venues, Birmingham Birmingham Coventry Warwickshire DORJE The Rainbow Birmingham CHRISTMAS CROONERS THE IAN SILK DUO FEA- REBEL REBEL (DAVID Venues, Birmingham CJ RAMONE O2 Acad- The Roses Theatre, TURING SAM ROGERS BOWIE) & JULIE GUNN NATALIE BROWNCres- emy, Birmingham SAT 12 DEC Tewkesbury Blue Piano Restaurant Route 44, Birmingham cent Theatre, B’ham MIKE SANCHEZ Hunting- SILENT SCREAMS, THE And Bar, Birmingham THE TERRAPINS The SOLID SOUL The Jam THE KAOS, KILKOVEC & don Hall, Worcester BROWNING, CAPTURE THE CRITICAL SOUNDS FEA- Roadhouse, B’ham House, Birmingham BLACK VELVET The Flap- FRED SKIDMORE TRIO CROWN & WALKING WITH TURING MEFJUS, ENEI, CARNIFEX, WITHIN THE TIM BURGESS Night Owl, per, Birmingham Katie Fitzgerald's, STRANGERS The Rain- KASRA & MANTMAST The RUINS, FALLUJAH & Stourbridge Birmingham bow Venues, B’ham Rainbow Venues, Birm- BORIS THE BLADE The JOHN KIRKPATRICKWem KICK UP THE 80'S The EZIO Kitchen Garden ingham Rainbow Venues, Birm- TUE 8 DEC Town Hall, Shropshire River Rooms, Stour- Cafe, Birmingham SPACEMAN & BASKET O2 ingham bridge Academy, Birmingham HOT SINCE 82, HEIDI & CARO EMERALD Sym- LOWER THAN ATLANTIS TOPLOADER The Assem- ANJA SCHNEIDER The phony Hall, B’ham FRI 11 DEC O2 Institute, B’ham THU 3 DEC Rainbow Venues, Birm- THE STORY SO FAR The bly, Leamington Spa THE DOORS ALIVE O2 THE SMYTHS O2 Acad- ingham Asylum, Birmingham ORANGE GOBLIN The THE BONNEVILLES The Academy, Birmingham emy, Birmingham TQD TOUR FEATURING THE SUBTERRANEANS Slade Rooms, Wolver- Assembly, Leamington STEREOPHONICS Genting DEF LEPPARD & WHITES- ROYAL T, DJ Q, FLAVA D The Jam House, Birm- hampton Spa Arena, Birmingham NAKE Genting Arena, AND MORE ingham WE CAME AS ROMANS O2 THE SURRENDERS, DIRTY The Rainbow THE BOOTLEG BEATLES Birmingham Venues, Birmingham THE YORK WAITS CHRIST- Academy, Birmingham JANE, THE PELOTONS & Civic Hall, Wolverhamp- THE BEAT The Slade T.REXTASY Huntingdon MAS CONCERT Royal THE PRODIGY & PUBLIC THE EXHAILERS The ton Rooms, Wolverhamp- Hall, Worcester Spa Centre, Leaming- ENEMY Barclaycard Flapper, Birmingham THE DARKNESS O2 ton THE FATHER TEDS Irish ton Spa Arena, Birmingham KEITH THOMPSON BAND Academy, Birmingham THE SINATRA 100TH Centre, Birmingham THE ALBION CHRISTMAS NAZARETH The Robin, The Marr's Bar, Worces- CLUTCH Wulfrun Hall, BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION THE MEHARIS Katie BAND mac, Birmingham Bilston ter Wolverhampton SHOW The Assembly, Fitzgerald's, Stour- THE RUTLES The Robin, GUY GARVEY O2 Acad- THE SPOOK SCHOOL The SIKTH O2 Academy, Leamington Spa bridge Bilston emy, Birmingham Tin Music And Arts, Birmingham TEWKESBURY TOWN MASSIVE HEAD TRAUMA, THE YORK WAITS St BAND The Roses The- 18 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Music December Region One .qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2015 15:04 Page 6

atre, Tewkesbury Kitchen Garden Cafe, house, Birmingham SET), DAVE HUTCHINSON BLACK WIDOWS, COL- Hare & Hounds, B’ham DON BROCO Wulfrun Birmingham CHASING DEER O2 Acad- & JOSH PYE Night Owl, ORADO LOUNGE, SUPER- Hall, Wolverhampton CHRISTMAS WITH THE emy, Birmingham Birmingham NAUT, THE NEW SAT 26 DEC NETSKY O2 Institute, NEALES Birmingham THE ANDY WILLIAMS STONE BROKEN The SUBTERRANEANS & INDE- Birmingham Town Hall CHRISTMAS Civic Hall, Slade Rooms, Wolver- CENT ASSULT The Rain- LIMEHOUSE LIZZY The METROPOLITAN BRASS MAHALIA, UNDERGROUND Wolverhampton hampton bow Venues, B’ham Robin, Bilston QUINTET Symphony EMPIRE, LOOSE LIPS, SETH LAKEMAN Malvern DIRTY OLD FOLKERS Hare BELSHAZZAR’S FEAST THAT'S LIFE Nailcote Hall, Birmingham ROBYN GORDON & LUCY Theatres, Worcester & Hounds, Birmingham The Fleece Inn, nr. Eve- Hall, Berkswell SINATRA CENTENARY SHAW The Rainbow SLADE FEATURING DAVE RHINO & THE RANTERS sham, Worcestershire CAPTIAL GROOVE The Symphony Hall, B’ham Venues, Birmingham HILL AND DON POWELL Hare & Hounds, B’ham Jam House, B’ham TALON - THE BEST OF EA- PHIL CAMPBELL O2 The Robin, Bilston MON 21 DEC IVOR & LYNN'S CLASSIC GLES The Robin, Bilston Academy, Birmingham THE WONDER STUFF O2 SAT 19 DEC ROCK DISCO Route 44, THE SOUL SURVIVORS Academy, Birmingham UB40 AND STEEL PULSE Birmingham Nailcote Hall, Berkswell, MON 14 DEC THE BIRMINGHAM MALE DETROIT SOUL The Jam O2 Academy, B’ham STEVE LAWLER, SKREAM, Warwickshire CHOIR, SPIRIT OF CHRIST- House, Birmingham CHRIS BEVINGTON & DETLEF, ADAM SHELTON GILLES PETERSON Hare JOSE GONZALEZ O2 Insti- MAS Birmingham Town KYTV FESTIVAL WITH FRIENDS AND REBECCA AND MORE The Rainbow & Hounds, Birmingham tute, Birmingham Hall NEDS ATOMIC DUSTBIN, DOWNES & HER BAND Venues, Birmingham FULLY LOADED Route 44, ONLY MEN ALOUD Birm- HEART & SOUL PARTY THE WEDDING PRESENT, The Robin, Bilston THE FULL SHA BANG Irish Birmingham ingham Town Hall WITH HARRY CAMBRIDGE THE PRIMITIVES & EAT CHRISTMAS CAROL SIN- Centre, Birmingham MENTALLICA The Road- THE BEAT BROTHERS The Nailcote Hall, Berkswell, The Civic Hal, Wolver- GALONG Symphony Hall, THE BON JOVI EXPERI- house, Birmingham Jam House, B’ham Warwickshire hampton Birmingham ENCE The River Rooms, WARWOUND, INDECENT JAMIE CONNOLLY Cres- BAD MANNERS The As- THE SUPERSKAS The ROD STEWART TRIBUTE Stourbridge ASSAULT & SICKPIG The cent Theatre, B’ham sembly, Leamington Slade Rooms, Wolver- WITH GARRY PEASE Nail- SOUNDS OF THE SIXTIES Rainbow Venues, Birm- GILBY CLARKE The Spa hampton cote Hall, Berkswell, The Roadhouse, B’ham ingham Robin, Bilston PIANO MAN - THE MUSIC ALEXANDER O'NEAL - 30 Warwickshire ROB PERRENS, CHRIS NINA KRAVIZ, BODDIKA & THE UKULELE ORCHESTRA OF BILLY JOEL Hunting- YEARS OF SOUL Birming- JAMIE KNIGHT & THE WISE AND MAZZY Night ADAM SHELTON The OF GREAT BRITAIN Sym- don Hall, Worcester ham Town Hall MANUKA BAND Artrix, Owl, Birmingham Rainbow Venues, Birm- phony Hall, Birmingham BIG JIM & BLACK CAT KATE RUSBY Malvern Bromsgrove ingham CHIC BONBONS PRESENT BONE Katie Fitzgerald's, Theatres, Worcester ROD STEWART TRIBUTE SUN 27 DEC DEFECTED IN THE HOUSE AN EVENING OF BUR- ELO AGAIN The Robin, NIGHT Irish Centre, Stourbridge TRIBUTE TO JOHNNY FEATURING NOIR, RIVA LESQUE & CABARET The LOUISE JAMES No1 Bilston Birmingham CASH - KEEP IT CASH The STARR & SAM DIVINE The Glee Club, Birmingham Shakespeare St, Strat- THE TWANG O2 Acad- THE ULTIMATE ROCK Robin, Bilston Rainbow Venues, Birm- A CHRISTMAS CELEBRA- ford emy, Birmingham PARTY: GIN ANNIE BAND WEST COAST EAGLES The ingham TION BOURNVILLE GRAD- THE DYLAN PROJECT CHRISTMAS WITH ALED The River Rooms, Roadhouse, B’ham DRUM GOT SOUL The UATES CHOIR Kitchen JONES Symphony Hall, Stourbridge Hare & Hounds, B’ham GORDON HENDRICKS IS Drum, Birmingham Garden Cafe, B’ham JEFFREY LEWIS & LOS Birmingham GOSPEL CENTRAL The ELVIS The River Rooms, GROAN, GENERAL, TEN DOE PAORO O2 Acad- BOLTS The Flapper, THE BENIDORM STYLIS- Jam House, B’ham Stourbridge FOOT WIZARD & THORUN emy, Birmingham Birmingham TICS The Drum, B’ham DORCH The Slade Scruffy Murphys, Birm- THE SHIMMER BAND Kas- BUDDY HOLLY & THE SPACE Kasbah, Coven- TUE 22 DEC Rooms, Wolverhampton ingham bah, Coventry CRICKETERS The Roses try URBAN INTRO The Jam LITTLE JIMMY Irish Cen- PAT BRESLIN Irish Cen- Theatre, Tewkesbury JARZINO Nailcote Hall, House, Birmingham tre, Birmingham tre, Birmingham BLACK STAR RIDERS Wul- Berkswell, Warwickshire TUE 15 DEC OLLY MURS & BRUNO TREVOR BURTON Katie frun Hall, Wolverhamp- MARKS BROTHERS Nail- MARS PARTY WITH ROB- MON 28 DEC Fitzgerald's, Stour- ton cote Hall, Berkswell, THE BEAT BROTHERS The BIE GLENN Nailcote Hall, bridge Warwickshire Jam House, B’ham Berkswell, Warwickshire DIRTY DC - TRIBUTE TO AC TEXAN PEACOCKS No1 BBC BIG BAND CHRIST- SIMPLY RED Genting FRI 18 DEC A BRIEF HISTORY OF / DC The Robin, Bilston Shakespeare Street, MAS CONCERT Warwick Arena, Birmingham CHRISTMAS Huntingdon SUPREME QUEEN The Stratford-upon-Avon SHED SEVEN O2 Acad- Arts Centre, Coventry BLITZ 31 The Road- Hall, Worcester River Rooms, Stour- THAT'LL BE THE DAY - THE emy, Birmingham THE STONES The Road- house, Birmingham FURY The Marr's Bar, bridge CHRISTMAS PARTY Birm- PRIEST UNLEASED, MS- house, Birmingham THE MELLSTOCK BAND Worcester ingham Town Hall FITZ & ABSOLUTION The HYENA, HIDDEN SKIES Royal Spa Centre, MICHAEL BUBLE - KAI TUE 29 DEC VAULT OF EAGLES, SOEUR, Asylum, Birmingham AND WOOD & NAILS The Leamington Spa MCKENZIE The River DOWNARD & THEO The MAXIMO PARK O2 Insti- DEFINITELY MIGHTBE, GHOST O2 Institute, Rainbow Venues, Birm- Rooms, Stourbridge Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham tute, Birmingham ingham ADORED & HAPPY MON- DETROIT SOUL Birmingham THE BOOTLEG BEATLES The Jam A SOULFUL CHRISTMAS DAZE The Robin, Bilston House, Birmingham WED 23 DEC THE CHARLATANS O2 Symphony Hall, B’ham Albany Theatre, Coven- THE SOUND OF MUSICALS THE COUNTERFEIT EA- Academy, Birmingham FRANKIE VALLI AND THE try URBAN INTRO The Jam Symphony Hall, B’ham GLES Dovehouse The- NINE DART FINISH, SU- FOUR SEASONS The House, Birmingham TREVOR BURTON CHRIST- atre, Solihull JAMIE KNIGHT & THE PERFICIALS & REASIDE Robin, Bilston SGT. PEPPER'S ONLY DART MAS SHOW WITH RICKY KICK UP THE 80'S The MANUKA BAND Hunting- The Flapper, B’ham BOARD BAND CHRISTMAS COOL AND THE IN CROWD Robin, Bilston don Hall, Worcester ELIZA AND THE BEAR Kas- WED 16 DEC SHOW Artrix, Broms- The Roadhouse, B’ham THE KRYSTALETTES Nail- THE FULL SHA BANG Irish bah, Coventry grove cote Hall, Berkswell, Centre, Birmingham MADONNA Barclaycard FRED ZEPPELIN The WED 30 DEC Warwickshire STARVIN RASCALS Katie Arena, Birmingham Robin, Bilston SUN 13 DEC THE BOOZE BROTHERS Fitzgerald's, Stour- THE FRANK AND ELLA THE ARISTOCRATS O2 In- MOTOWN LEGENDS PARTY Nailcote Hall, Berkswell, bridge SHOW Warwick Arts TEWKESBURY TOWN stitute, Birmingham WITH SOUL LEGEND Nail- Warwickshire Centre, Coventry BAND The Roses The- THE RED LEMONS The THE WEEKEND ANTHEMS cote Hall, Berkswell, STOP STOP & WILDSIDE THE SOUL SURVIVORS atre, Tewkesbury Jam House, B’ham The River Rooms, Warwickshire RIOT Route 44, B’ham The Robin, Bilston SIMPLY RED Genting THE URBAN VOODOO MA- Stourbridge NATHAN JONES, JESS HELLS BELLS The Road- THE VERY BEST OF JAMES Arena, Birmingham CHINE The Robin, Bil- COCOON FEATURING SVEN SILK, IAN MARREY & house, Birmingham BOND Symphony Hall, SAM’S TOWN The Marr’s ston VATH, SUBB-AN & MORE EMPTY CAN Katie THE ROY FORBES Trio Birmingham Bar, Worcester JAWS Hare & Hounds, The Rainbow Venues, Fitzgerald's, Stour- Blue Piano Restaurant DIRTBOX DISCO, THE MOSTLY AUTUMN The As- Birmingham Birmingham bridge And Bar, Birmingham BRANDONS & THE OBNOX- sembly, Leamington SLAVES O2 Institute, ADAM ADAM, VIC MUL- DIRTY OLD FOLKERS THE BIG CHRIS BARBER IOUS The Rainbow Ven- Spa Birmingham LAN, DAVE MOLLOY & Kitchen Garden Cafe, BAND Huntingdon Hall, ues, Birmingham THE SELECTER O2 Acad- GERRY COLVIN BAND No1 JASON BANNER Night Birmingham Worcester SKABUCKS The Road- emy, Birmingham Shakespeare Street, Owl, Birmingham WHITE CHRISTMAS Sym- GEKO O2 Institute, Birm- house, Birmingham THE BURNING HELL The Stratford-upon-Avon SCREAMING QUAYS, SPIT- phony Hall, Birmingham ingham DEL CAMINO The Jam Rainbow Venues, Birm- NELLY O2 Academy, TING FEATHERS, RAVENS YOUNG CULTURE SOUND UNDER THE COVERS Irish House, Birmingham ingham Birmingham & ELISON The Flapper, & MAZZY Night Owl, Centre, Birmingham JOHN COOPER CLARKE SO THIS IS CHRISTMAS Birmingham Birmingham FIRES THAT DIVIDE Katie Wulfrun Hall, Wolver- Birmingham Town Hall SUNSHINE FRISBEE THU 31 DEC THE MAD JOCKS & ENG- Fitzgerald's, Stour- hampton SUN 20 DEC LASERBEAM Hare & T.REXTASY The Robin, SILVER LISHMEN Red Lion Folk bridge ROY WOOD ROCK & ROLL Hounds, Birmingham Bilston BAND Evesham Arts Club, Birmingham BEYOND THE BARRICADE BAND The Robin, Bilston THE PODS The River THE SUBTERRANEANS Centre, Worcestershire THE MELLSTOCK BAND Malvern Theatres, HANS RAJ HANS Civic Rooms, Stourbridge The Jam House, B’ham LUNA ROSSA The Robin, Royal Spa Centre, Worcestershire Hall, Wolverhampton MOTOWN PARTY WITH Bilston Leamington Spa THE OFFICIAL RECEIVERS CLOUDBUSTING The THU 24 DEC THE BROTHERS OF SOUL RAE SREMMURD O2 Insti- BAND The Marr's Bar, Roadhouse, B’ham Nailcote Hall, Berkswell, tute, Birmingham THU 17 DEC Worcester THE UPBEAT BEATLES The DIRTY OLD FOLKERS Warwickshire IAN MCNABB Hare & ONE STOP BOOGIE The Robin, Bilston THE RED LEMONS The Kitchen Garden Cafe, JOHN BEAR'S ROCK DISCO Hounds, Birmingham River Rooms, Stour- MICHELLE FRENCH Nail- Jam House, B’ham Birmingham PARTY Route 44, B’ham LIVE BURLESQUE - bridge cote Hall, Berkswell, JOOLS HOLLAND AND HIS GWYN ASHTON The THE HAIR ROCK EXPERI- CABARAMA The Glee NOTEBENDERS Sym- Warwickshire RHYTHM AND BLUES OR- Marr's Bar, Worcester ENCE The Roadhouse, Club, Birmingham phony Hall, Birmingham STRAIGHT ACES Katie CHESTRA Symphony DURAN (DURAN DURAN) Birmingham T R DALLAS Irish Centre, NORTHERN SOUL FRIDAY Fitzgerald's, Stour- Hall, Birmingham The River Rooms, Birmingham WITH CHRIS GEDDS bridge SLADE UK The Road- Stourbridge CHANSON & GYPSY JAZZ (BELLE & SEBASTIAN DJ MISTY’S BIG ADVENTURE For full music listings in the West Midlands, visit. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 19 Howard Skempton Davina .qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2015 14:59 Page 1

20 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Howard Skempton Davina .qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2015 14:59 Page 2

feature Howard Skempton World premiere in Birmingham

A composer, pianist and accordionist, Howard Skempton teaches composition at the Birmingham Conservatoire. He also writes for the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group. Howard’s latest work, which is being performed by BCMG this month, is a setting of Coleridge's epic poem, The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner. Heather Kincaid caught up with him to find out more...

Among the Midlands' most prolific com- might use the full text! What I eventually write for them, I can imagine the players and posers, Howard Skempton is best known for opted for was something in the middle. It's their personalities as well as the instruments.” his stripped-back, melodic and often short about two thirds of the poem, and probably Skempton's long-term relationship with works. Yet his latest commission - a setting of won't be much more than thirty-five minutes.” BCMG and the Birmingham Conservatoire Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poetic master- The Rime will be performed by Williams and makes him well-placed to offer a view of cre- piece, The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner - has members of the Birmingham Contemporary ative arts in the city. His is an optimistic per- taken Skempton in a rather different direction, Music Group alongside an assortment of new spective, observing the “sense that we can requiring him to find a new way of working, and established works by a very different do anything” which emerges from Birming- “beyond the comfort zone of a well-estab- composer, Dominic Muldowney. ham's unique combination of practicality and lished technique”. “Dominic is a composer I admire enor- free experimentation. “I can resist anything but a challenge,” mously,” says Skempton, “and one I think is “I have very interesting colleagues and stu- Skempton laughs, speaking of his composi- not properly appreciated in this country. He dents at the conservatoire with a wide range tion, which premieres at the CBSO Centre was Director of Music at the National Theatre, of styles and outlooks - probably wider than this month. “I think some composers are very and he has a very accessible, cabaret style you would find in London. Birmingham is clear on what they do and don't do, but I see which is essentially theatrical, but also very right in the heart of England, and there's a it as an adventure. You're exploring, and intelligent and original. The Rime is a more sense that it can look everywhere for inspira- you're properly equipped, but the territory is theatrical piece, but my music has always tion. But it's also small enough not to take unknown and you're discovering new things.” been very different. I write these little pieces anything for granted. What is encouraged at Like the Mariner's troubled voyage, Skemp- that tend to be lyrical and understated. I like the Conservatoire and what you find in Birm- ton's journey from concept to finished piece to think they draw the listener in, but there's a ingham generally is independence and an has been a long one, with twists and turns reticence and a quietness as well as a brevity entrepreneurial approach. There's a feeling and difficulties along the way. The commis- which I think is quite distinctive.” that even if the funds aren't there and times sion came about following a concert that Tying together the composers' contrasting are difficult, we'll still find a way to make Skempton and his friend, Maurice Millward, styles is a common inspiration: all the pieces things work, like with BCMG's sound invest- had both attended. So impressed was Mill- in this concert are settings of poetry de- ment scheme, which is a very early example ward with the baritone singer, Roderick scribed as “evocative” and “quintessentially of crowd-sourcing that goes back to the early Williams, that he immediately contacted English”. Joining the Rime on the programme ’90s. It's that sort of ingenuity which I think is Skempton to request a new piece for him to are Muldowney's settings of Shakespeare, one of Birmingham's great strengths.” perform. Edward Thomas, Auden and Betjeman, as “The biggest challenge with setting the Rime well as a new setting of AE Housman's is the scale of it, the way it just rolls on in this Smooth Between Sea And Land. irresistible, inexorable way,” Skempton ex- “There's a sort of flexibility and subtlety to plains. “Another problem is that it's already poems in the English language, a bit like the very musical, and everybody knows it so well weather and the landscape. Roderick as a spoken text that it's hard for a composer Williams is a wonderful actor as well as a to add anything new. I saw it as my first re- great singer, so I have no doubt that the dif- sponsibility to make it dramatic, to grip the ferent styles will complement each other and audience in the same way that a spoken per- the evening as a whole will make sense.” formance would, so I've had to work very As well as wanting to provide a “worthy vehi- hard on the rhythm and pace of the piece to cle” for Williams, Skempton also had specific capture something of that energy.” musicians in mind when writing the piece. Having settled on such a lengthy poem, the The small ensemble performing the Rime will first task was to decide how much of it to set. include two violins, a viola, cello, piano, horn Photo Credit: Clive Barda Millward selected some favourite verses and and double bass, the last of which was presented Skempton with a cut-down version added by Skempton to bring “weight” to the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group at about a third of the full length. sound, suggesting the impenetrable depths (BCMG) presents The Rime Of The Ancient “My plan for a long time was to set the whole of the sea. Mariner at the CBSO Centre, Birmingham, poem, but although it's a shame to have to “I've been writing for BCMG for almost twenty on Friday 4 December, alongside settings cut it, it would’ve been too long. I think Mau- years now, and the musicians are like a band of English poetry by Dominic Muldowney, rice was quite alarmed at the thought that I - they all know each other very well. When I who is also the concert’s conductor.

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Classical Music PREVIEWS CBSO Festive Favourites With Alan Titchmarsh Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Fri 18, Sun 20 & Mon 21 December Alan Titchmarsh hosts this always-popular concert, which sees the City Of Birming- ham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) pre- senting an evening of classic carols and seasonal stories. Members of the audience are invited to get into the festive spirit by joining the CBSO’s famous choruses in a Christmas singalong. Simon Halsey con- ducts.

Birmingham Symphony Hall Christmas Festival Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sat 12 December - Sat 2 January Even if Birmingham’s Symphony Hall isn’t literally decked with boughs of holly this festive sea- son, the popular venue is certainly offering its patrons plenty by way of yuletide cheer in the run-up to Christmas. Aled Jones stops by on the 19th to host ‘a wonderful concert of music and carols’, there’s a Christmas Carol Singalong to warm up the vocal chords on the 21st, and the opportunity to experience all the magic of Carols By Candlelight on the 22nd. White Christmas, ‘a nostalgic Ex Cathedra show of all-time favourite festive songs and carols’, takes place on the 23rd, while Christmas St Chad’s Church, Shrewsbury, Tues 1 Eve Classics features an impressive contribution from the majestic Symphony Hall organ. December; St Peter’s Collegiate Church, Wolverhampton, Wed 2 December; Birm- ingham Town Hall, Sun 6 December; Birm- ingham Cathedral, Mon 7 December; St John’s Church, Hagley, Birmingham, Tues Midlands Hospital Choir: 8 December; Hereford Cathedral, Wed 16 Carols That Count December; St Paul’s Church, Birmingham, Fri 18, Sat 19, Mon 21 & Tues 22 December Birmingham Town Hall, Fri 11 December What better way to get into the Christmas This annual presentation of popular spirit than by enjoying an evening with one music and carols offers a perfect of the country’s finest choral music ensem- opportunity to get into the Christmas bles? spirit. Under the directorship of its founder, Jef- The choir has a new Musical Director frey Skidmore, Ex Cathedra is this month this year - James Llewelyn Jones of making a significant contribution to Mid- Canoldir fame - and here presents a lands-based classical music lovers’ sense concert featuring contributions from of festive cheer... organist Julian Wilkins, soprano The choir’s atmospheric Christmas Music Menna Cazel Davies and the Gemini By Candlelight evenings blend seasonal Brass ensemble. favourites from around the globe and across the ages with a variety of read- ings... The ensemble also performs Bach’s Christ- City Of Birmingham mas Oratorio, a work widely considered to Choir: Handel’s Messiah be the most confident and optimistic state- ment of Christian belief in the choral reper- Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Fri 12 December toire... And Ex Cathedra is also taking part in The City of Birmingham Choir’s Santa Lucia, a traditional Swedish service December performance of Handel’s of carols and readings organised by the magnificent choral masterpiece is a Swedish Chamber of Commerce. well-established element of the Mid- lands’ festive music scene. In a Armonico Consort Christmas nutshell - and as the choir Malvern Theatre, Great Malvern, Sat 5 December; itself describes it - the work ‘com- Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sun 20 December presses the Old Testament prophe- Sir Willard White this month joins the Midlands-based, sies of Jesus’ life into two-and-a-half period instrument-playing Armonico Consort to pres- hours and sets it ent Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. to timeless and And the Jamaican-born opera star is certainly looking sublime music’. forward to the experience: “Singing with period instru- As re-tellings of ments feels softer and fragile,” says Sir Willard. “Para- the Christmas doxically, there is a profound invitation to listen differ- story go, this is ently. And more care needs to be taken with the vocal definitely one presentation which I, as a singer, need to make.” worth hearing. Read our interview with Sir Willard online at: whatsonlive.co.uk 22 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Classical December.qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2015 14:40 Page 2

Birmingham Town Hall Birmingham Orchestra Of The Swan LISTINGS ORCHESTRA OF THE CHRISTMAS CAROL SIN- Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon, Classical SWAN: A CHRISTMAS GALONG Featuring the Sat 12 December CONCERT WITH ORCHES- London Concert TRA AND CHAMBER CHOIR Orchestra & London The Stratford-based Orchestra Of The Swan For full listing information on classical Featuring the music of Concert Chorus, Mon may well be held in high regard for champi- concerts, including times and dates, Fauré, Rutter, Corelli, 21 Dec, Symphony oning new music - they received great visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Huw Watkins and many Hall, Birmingham acclaim for their collaborations with Indie other seasonal EX CATHEDRA - CHRIST- favourites, Sat 12 Dec, MAS MUSIC BY CANDLE- band James and Steve Harley & Cockney ORCHESTRA OF THE CHRISTMAS ORATORIO Stratford ArtsHouse LIGHT Mon 21- Tues 22 Rebel - but they’re just as comfortable pre- SWAN: A SCANDINAVIAN Featuring Jeffrey Skid- CHRISTMAS WITH THE Dec, St Paul's Church, senting a traditional programme, as they SERENADE Programme more (conductor), Katie SALVATION ARMY Sun 13 Birmingham prove with this yuletide offering. includes works by Tretheway & Amy Wood Dec, Symphony Hall, MOZART FESTIVAL CHO- Grieg, Sibelius & Dvo- (soprano), Sun 6 Dec, The concert includes: Once In Royal David’s Birmingham RUS: CAROLS BY CANDLE- rak, Tues 1 Dec, Strat- Birmingham Town Hall BIRMINGHAM PHILHAR- City, Poulenc’s Organ Concerto, Huw LIGHT Also featuring the ford ArtsHouse, Strat- GARETH MALONE Join MONIC ORCHESTRA: LON- Mozart Festival Chorus Watkins’ Christmas Carol and Come All Ye ford-upon-Avon the nation’s favourite DON SYMPHONY Pro- in full period costume, Faithful/Hark The Herald. Suzzie Vango and CBSO - BEETHOVEN'S choirmaster and his gramme includes works Tues 22 Dec, Sympho- David Curtis (pictured) conduct. EROICA Programme choir Voices for an all by Rossini, Nielsen & ny Hall, Birmingham includes works by Rim- new show, Sun 6 Dec, Vaughan Williams, Sun ARMONICO CONSORT: sky-Korsakov, Scriabin Symphony Hall, B’ham 13 Dec, Bramall Music CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT & Beethoven, Wed 2 - UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK Building, Birmingham Tues 22 Dec, Collegiate Thurs 3 Dec, Sympho- SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA LUNCHTIME CHRISTMAS Church of St Mary, War- ny Hall, Birmingham & CHORUS: BRITISH POP- MUSIC with the choir of wick CHRISTMAS CLASSICS ULAR CLASSICS Pro- St John's College, WHITE CHRISTMAS Fea- WITH BLAKE Thurs 3 gramme includes works Cambridge, Mon 14 turing the London Con- Dec, Malvern Theatres, by Britten, Holst & Dec, Symphony Hall, cert Orchestra, Capital Worcestershire Elgar, Sun 6 Dec, War- Birmingham Voices Choir, Jacinta AMICI CANTANTES Fri 4 wick Arts Centre, BIRMINGHAM BACH Whyte & Tim Howar, Dec, Royal Spa Centre, Coventry CHOIR: CHRISTMAS CAR- Wed 23 Dec, Sympho- Leamington Spa THE PEOPLE’S ORCHES- OLS AT QEHB Carols & ny Hall, Birmingham CITY OF BIRMINGHAM TRA: SOMETHING MAGI- festive favourites in aid CHRISTMAS EVE CLAS- CHOIR - HANDEL’S MESSI- CAL Family festival fun of injured service per- SICS WITH THE LONDON AH Fri 4 Dec, Sympho- with clips from all-time sonnel, Tues 15 Dec, CONCERT ORCHESTRA ny Hall, Birmingham animated favourites, The Atrium, Queen Eliz- Also featuring Birming- CHAMBER CHOIRS AND accompanied by live abeth Hospital, B’ham ham Choral Union, Birmingham Philharmonic UNIVERSITY CAMERATA music, Sun 6 Dec, THE MELLSTOCK BAND Four Oaks Cluster Programme includes Malvern Theatre, Christmas music in Choir, James Edwards Orchestra works by Tallis, Harvey, Worcestershire English tradition, from (tenor) & Julian Wilkins Bramall Music Building, Birmingham, Bennet, Mendelssohn, (4.30pm) carols to revels, Tues (organ), Thurs 24 Dec, Sun 13 December Rheinberger & Faure, UNIVERSITY MUSIC SOCI- 15 - Wed 16 Dec, Lord Symphony Hall, B’ham Fri 4 Dec, Bramall ETY PHILHARMONIC Leycester Hospital, LONDON CONCERT Founded in 1941, Birmingham Philharmonic Music Building, B’ham ORCHESTRA Programme Warwick ORCHESTRA: Orchestra typically perform between twelve BCMG: THE RIME OF THE includes works by ANDRE RIEU Wed 16 TCHAIKOVSKY SPECTACU- and fifteen concerts each year in the city ANCIENT MARINER Fea- Brahms, Haydn & Dec, Genting Arena, LAR Featuring Noriko turing works by two Sibelius. Daniele Rosi- Birmingham Ogawa (piano) & Toby and surrounding area. outstanding British na conducts. Sun 6 This latest presentation features Vaughan CBSO FEAT. BAIBE SKRIDE Purser (conductor), composers (see feature Dec, Bramall Music (VIOLIN) Programme Sun 27 Dec, Symphony Williams’ A London Symphony. The work on page 21), Fri 4 Dec, Building, Birmingham includes works by Rim- Hall, Birmingham was described by the composer’s friend, CBSO Centre, B’ham SING CAROLS WITH THE sky-Korsakov, MOZART FESTIVAL George Butterworth, as “an idyll of grey ROYAL NORTHERN SINFO- CITY ORGANIST Featur- Tchaikovsky & Sibelius, ORCHESTRA: THE FOUR NIA Programme ing Thomas Trotter & Wed 16 Dec, Sympho- SEASONS BY CANDLE- skies and secluded byways - an aspect of includes works by Metropolitan Brass. London quite as familiar as any other: the ny Hall, Birmingham LIGHT Featuring David Prokofiev, Barber, Jeremy Nicholas pres- THE BIRMINGHAM Juritz (director/violin) & feeling of the music is remote, mystical”. Mozart & Rodrigo, Fri 4 ents, Mon 7 Dec, Birm- CANOLDIR MALE CHOIR: Mary Bevan (soprano), The programme also features Nielsen’s Clar- Dec, Warwick Arts Cen- ingham Town Hall SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS Mon 28 Dec, Sympho- inet Concerto and Rossini’s Semiramide tre, Coventry THE YORK WAITS: THE Thurs 17 Dec, Birming- ny Hall, Birmingham CBSO NOTELETS: CHRIST- Overture. HIGH FEAST OF YULE ham Town Hall LONDON CONCERT MAS Featuring CBSO Ancient music for the EX CATHEDRA - CHRIST- ORCHESTRA: LAST NIGHT Wind Ensemble & festive season, Tues 8 MAS MUSIC BY CANDLE- OF THE CHRISTMAS Andre Rieu Catherine Arlidge (pre- Dec, St Mary’s Church, LIGHT Featuring Alexan- PROMS Programme senter), Fri 4 & Sat 5 Warwick der Mason (organ), Fri includes works by Genting Arena, Birmingham, Dec, CBSO Centre, EX CATHEDRA - CHRIST- 18 - Sat 19 Dec, St Humperdinck, Ravel, Wed 16 December Birmingham MAS MUSIC BY CANDLE- Paul's Church, B’ham Sousa, Tchaikovsky, BPSO PROMS NIGHT LIGHT Tues 8 Dec, St Often referred to as the King of Waltz, Dutch EX CATHEDRA - ANGELS Puccini, Denza, Bizet & SPECTACULAR Sat 5 John’s Church, Hagley, STARS & KINGS Special violinist Andre Rieu is the highest-charting Mascagni, Mon 28 Dec, Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham selection of seasonal Symphony Hall, Birm- classical instrumentalist of all time. He’s also Birmingham PASCAL AND AMI ROGÉ readings and choral ingham the creator of the waltz-playing Johann ACADEMIA MUSICA Programme includes music, Sat 19 Dec, St LONDON CONCERT Strauss Orchestra, for whom he conducts ORCHESTRA: 19TH CEN- works by Fauré, Paul's Church, Birming- ORCHESTRA: THE SOUND TURY MUSIC Sat 5 Dec, Debussy, Schubert, ham (4pm) OF MUSICALS Featuring using his violin bow, mimicking the famous Great Malvern Priory, Mozart & Dvorák, Wed characteristics of Strauss himself. CHRISTMAS WITH ALED Summer Strallen, Kerry Worcestershire 9 Dec, The Barber Insti- JONES Featuring a host Ellis, Tim Howar & Gra- Rieu won the hearts of the British public in ARMONICO CONSORT; tute, Birmingham of festive favourites, Sat ham Bickley. Richard 2009 with the release of his album, Forever CHRISTMAS ORATORIO HELSINKI PHILHARMONIC 19 Dec, Symphony Balcombe conducts, Vienna, which reached number one in the Featuring William Tow- ORCHESTRA Programme Hall, Birmingham Tues 29 Dec, Sympho- ers (Countertenor), comprises various ARMONICO CONSORT; ny Hall, Birmingham classical charts and number two in the pop Nathan Vale (Tenor) & works by Sibelius, charts. CHRISTMAS ORATORIO LONDON CONCERT Sir Willard White Thurs 10 Dec, Sympho- Featuring William Tow- ORCHESTRA: THE VERY His concerts are well known for inspiring (Bass), Sat 5 Dec, ny Hall, Birmingham ers (Countertenor), BEST OF JAMES BOND audience members to leave their seats and Malvern Theatre, ARMONICA CONSORT Nathan Vale (Tenor) & Featuring Louise Dear- dance in the aisles, an activity which counts Worcestershire DOES CHRISTMAS Thurs Sir Willard White man & Ricardo Afonso UNIVERSITY CHORUS & as something of a phenomenon at a classi- 10 Dec, Holy Trinity (Bass), Sun 20 Dec, (guest singers). Clive SYMPHONIC BRASS Pro- Church, Coventry cal music gig! Warwick Arts Centre, Dunstall conducts, Wed gramme includes works AMY HARMAN AND TOM Coventry 30 Dec, Symphony by Vaughan Williams, POSTER Programme BIRMINGHAM BACH Hall, Birmingham Rutter & Purcell, Sat 5 includes works by JS CHOIR: NINE LESSONS & LONDON CONCERT Dec, Bramall Music Bach, Elgar, Saint- CAROLS Traditional ORCHESTRA: NEW YEAR'S Building, Birmingham Saens, Reynaldo Hahn Christmas service, Sun EVE GALA Featuring BIRMINGHAM BACH & Dutilleux, Fri 11 Dec, 20 Dec, St Paul’s Ilona Domnich (sopra- CHOIR: SINGING FOR SYR- The Barber Institute, Church, Jewellery no), James Edwards IANS Seasonal music & Birmingham Quarter, Birmingham (tenor) & Alexander readings as part of a MIDLANDS HOSPITALS’ CENTRE STAGE: A PALM Sitkovetsky (violin). UK-wide initiative, Sat 5 CHOIR Conducted by COURT CHRISTMAS PARTY Anthony Inglis con- Dec, St Peter’s Church, James Llewelyn Jones, Featuring the Berkley ducts, Thurs 31 Dec, Harborne, Birmingham & raising funds for CLIC Salon Ensemble, Mon Symphony Hall, B’ham EX CATHEDRA: BACH Sargent, Fri 11 Dec, 21 Dec, CBSO Centre,

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Upfront Comedy Comedy The Drum, Birmingham, Friday 4 December Laughter lovers attending this yuletide offering Box Office will be hoping that a Christmas crackerful of BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL comedy capers awaits them - and with slick- 0844 338 5000 and-smooth Real McCoy stars Jefferson & BLUE ORANGE THEATRE, Whitfield headlining, their wish may well come BIRMINGHAM true. Double acts are relatively rare on the com- 0121 212 2643 BRAMALL MUSIC edy circuit nowadays, so the boys are offering BUILDING, BIRMINGHAM something intriguing even before they pump 0121 342 0495 out a punchline. They’re not to everyone’s CIVIC HALL, taste, mind, in the past being accused of ped- WOLVERHAMPTON 0870 320 7000 dling material that’s tired, worn-out and lazy. THE COURTYARD, But then suffering the slings and arrows of out- HEREFORD 01432 340555 rageous reviewers is pretty much par for the COVENTRY SHOWCASE, course in the rough, tough world of stand-up 0871 220 1000 comedy. THE DRUM, BIRMINGHAM 0121 333 2444 Annette Fagon and Jason Patterson also fea- THE GLEE CLUB, ture on the evening’s comedy bill. BIRMINGHAM 0871 472 0400 JONGLEURS COMEDY CLUB, BIRMINGHAM 0870 011 1960 KATIE FITZGERALD’S, STOURBRIDGE 01384 374410 KITCHEN GARDEN CAFE, BIRMINGHAM 0121 443 4725 MAC, BIRMINGHAM 0121 446 3232 PALACE THEATRE, REDDITCH 01527 65203 ROSES THEATRE, Lee Nelson TEWKESBURY The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, 01684 295074 Thursday 10 December Paddy McGuinness STATION , Lee Nelson is the hugely popular creation of SUTTON COLDFIELD Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Thursday 10 Dec; 0121 362 4961 former medical doctor Simon Brodkin. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton Sat 12 December STRATFORD ARTSHOUSE After years of wearing cheap bling and drinking 01789 207 100 Best known as Peter Kay's sidekick in hugely popular TV shows Stella like it's going out of fashion, Nelson is STOURBRIDGE TOWN HALL now moving up in the world, with Brodkin Phoenix Nights and Max And Paddy's Road To Nowhere, Paddy 01384 812960 deciding to ‘suit and boot’ the character for this McGuinness is widely considered to be one of the UK's brightest SYMPHONY HALL, BIRMINGHAM latest tour. comedy talents. This latest tour sees him reflecting on his role as the father of two- 0121 345 0600 Lee is joined in the show by various other WARWICKS ARTS CENTRE, Brodkin alter-egos, including pitch-invading year-old twins. COVENTRY Premier League footballer Jason Bent, bigoted “I’ll be sharing several stories about becoming a first-time dad,” 024 7652 4524 pastor Daniel Doolay and unhinged club rep Paddy recently told Northern Life Magazine. “If you’re a parent, a lot WULFRUN HALL, of the things I’ll be talking about you’ll be able to relate to. If not, WOLVERHAMPTON Chris Young from Kicking Off In Kavos. 0870 320 7000 then I’ll probably scare you off!” Andy Parsons Stratford Artshouse, Saturday 5 December; Barbara Nice’s Birmingham Town Hall, Thursday 10 December Countdown To Christmas With complimentary reviews (sort of) including mac, Birmingham, such observations as 'what he lacks in hair, Friday 18 & Sunday 20 December Parsons more than makes up for in originality', Everybody’s favourite Kings Heath Andy Parsons is a sharp and topical comedian housewife here makes a welcome who's well-known from TV shows such as return, lighting up the festive season BBC's Mock The Week and Live At The Apollo. like a great big flashing Christmas tree. As well as containing more jokes than you’d find in an oversized yuletide gag- bag (does such a thing actually exist?), Barbara’s festive shows usually feature a Christmas tombola and raffle, no shortage of mince pies, and even the odd special guest or two. And we have no reason whatsoever to imagine that this year’s offering will be any different!

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KEN DODD Sun 13 Dec, LISTINGS Civic Hall, Comedy Wolverhampton ADAM HESS Mon 14 Dec, Warwick Arts For full listing information on comedy Centre, Coventry gigs including times and dates visit LOUDEEMY SOUP www.whatsonlive.co.uk COMEDY NIGHT Mon 14 Dec, The Blue Orange DANIEL SLOSS Wed 2 QUINCY, SY THOMAS, Theatre, Birmingham Dec, Warwick Arts SEAN PERCIVAL & RYAN NICK PAGE, RICHARD Centre, Coventry MCDONNELL Sat 5 Dec, MORTON, CURTIS JOHN FOTHERGILL, VERY Coventry Showcase WALKER & WAYNE SPECIAL GUEST & COMIC ROUGH WORKS Sun 6 DEAKIN Tues 15 - Wed TBC Wed 2 Dec, The Dec, The Glee Club, 16 Dec, Jongleurs Glee Club, Birmingham Birmingham Comedy Club, JOE LYCETT, PATRICK JOE LYCETT Sun 6 Dec, Birmingham MONAHAN & ADAM ROWE Warwick Arts Centre, TOM STADE Wed 16 Thurs 3 Dec, Bramall Coventry Dec, Wulfrun Hall, Music Building, B’ham TIFF STEVENSON & Wolverhampton STAND UP COMEDY GARETH RICHARDS Wed ANDY ROBINSON, MIKE SHOWCASE Thurs 3 Dec, 9 Dec, Warwick Arts WILMOT, SOL BERNSTIEN mac, Birmingham Centre, Coventry & COMIC TBC Wed 16 STEWART FRANCIS SUZI RUFFELL, PAUL Dec, The Glee Club, Thurs 3 Dec, MCCAFFREY & COMIC Birmingham Suzi Ruffell Symphony Hall, B’ham TBC Wed 9 Dec, The MR B: THE GENTLEMAN The Glee Club, Birmingham, Wednesday 9 - Sunday 13 December KUM-N-AVALOFF COMEDY Glee Club, Birmingham RHYMER Wed 16 Dec, The delightfully self-deprecating Suzi Ruffell is making good NIGHT ANNETTE FAGON, MANDY mac, Birmingham Thurs 3 Dec, progress in the challenging world of stand-up comedy. Presenting Stourbridge Town Hall MUDEN & MAUREEN NICK PAGE, RICHARD MICKEY SHARMA, NICK YOUNGER Wed 9 Dec, MORTON, BARRY DODDS an unquestionably likeable persona, she imbues her act with an PAGE, CRAIG MURRAY & Kitchen Garden Cafe, & TOBY HADOKE Thurs impressive dynamism - although critics point out that she’d prob- BARRY CASTAGNOLA Birmingham 17 Dec, Jongleurs ably benefit from developing a ‘unique selling point’. Thurs 3 - Sat 5 Dec, PADDY MCGUINNESS Comedy Club, Away from comedy, she lists her ‘likes’ as ‘cooking’ and ‘those Birmingham Jongleurs Comedy Thurs 10 Dec, Warwick cats with no hair’. Club, Birmingham Arts Centre, Coventry GEOFF NORCOTT, ANDY JEN BRISTER, PETE ANDY PARSONS Thurs 10 ROBINSON, MIKE WILMOT Suzi’s joined for these special Glee Club Christmas party shows FIRMAN, JOHN Dec, Birmingham Town & SOL BERNSTEIN Thurs by fellow purveyors of mirth Paul McCaffrey, Andy Askins and FOTHERGILL & VERY Hall 17 - Fri 18 Dec, The Jarlath Regan. SPECIAL GUEST Thurs 3 - RICHARD NORTON, Glee Club, Birmingham Sat 5 Dec, The Glee MANDY KNIGHT, QUINCY ROY CHUBBY BROWN Fri Club, Birmingham & DAVID LONGLEY Thurs 18 Dec, Civic Hall, Birmingham COMICS TBC Sun 27 Club, Birmingham ADAM HESS Fri 4 Dec 10 Dec, Jongleurs Wolverhampton DARREN HARRIOT Dec, Station Pub, PAUL MCCAFFREY, ANDY Warwick Arts Centre, Comedy Club, B’ham JOSH WIDDICOMBE Fri 18 & COMIC TBC Sun 27 Sutton Coldfield ROBINSON, MICKEY D & Coventry LEE NELSON Thurs 10 Dec, Wulfrun Hall, Dec, The Glee Club, COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH COMIC TBC Thurs 31 JAMES ACASTER Fri 4 Dec, The Roses Wolverhampton Birmingham ANDY ROBINSON, IAN Dec, The Glee Club, Dec, The Glee Club, Theatre, Tewkesbury BARBARA NICE'S TOM WRIGGLESWORTH, COPPINGER & COMIC TBC Birmingham Birmingham SUZI RUFFELL, PAUL CHRISTMAS CRACKER Fri MASAI GRAHAM & Wed 30 Dec, The Glee ANNETTE FAGON, MCCAFFREY, ANDY 18 Dec, mac, B’ham JEFFERSON AND ASKINS & JARLATH STUDIO ROOM - LATE WHITFIELD & JASON REGAN Thurs 10 - Sat SHOW WITH GEOFF PATTERSON Fri 4 Dec, 12 Dec, The Glee Club, NORCOTT, ANDY The Drum, Birmingham Birmingham ROBINSON, MIKE WILMOT, JO ENRIGHT, JON SUZI RUFFELL, PAUL SOL BERNSTEIN & DAVE WAGSTAFFE & ROB MCCAFFERY, ANDY TWENTYMAN Fri 18 Dec, COLEMAN Fri 4 Dec, ASKINS & COMIC TBC The Glee Club, B’ham Katie Fitzgerald's, Fri 11 Dec, The Glee PETE JOHANSSON, Stourbridge Club, Birmingham RICHARD MORTON, NOEL FIELDING Sat 5 KEVIN BRIDGES Fri 11 - BARRY DODDS & TOBY Dec, Civic Hall, Sat 12 Dec, Warwick HADOKE Fri 18 - Sat 19 Wolverhampton Arts Centre, Coventry Dec, Jongleurs STAND UP COMEDY STUDIO ROOM - LATE Comedy Club, SHOWCASE Sat 5 Dec, SHOW WITH JARLATH Birmingham mac, Birmingham REGAN, SEAN PERCIVAL, MARK COOPER-JONES, STUDIO ROOM - LATE PAUL MCCAFFERY & STEVE BUGEJA, KIERAN SHOW WITH PETE ANDY ASKINS Fri 11 - BOYD Fri 18 - Sat 19 FIRMAN, JOHN Sat 12 Dec, The Glee Dec, The Courtyard, FOTHERGILL & COMICS Club, Birmingham Hereford TBC Sat 5 Dec, The RICHARD NORTON, GEOFF NORCOTT, ANDY Glee Club, Birmingham MANDY KNIGHT, PETE ROBINSON, MIKE WILMOT, JOSH WIDDICOMBE Sat 5 JOHANSSON & NICK PAGE SOL BERNSTEIN & COMIC Dec, Warwick Arts Fri 11 - Sat 12 Dec, TBC Sat 19 Dec, The Centre, Coventry Jongleurs Comedy Glee Club, Birmingham ANDY PARSONS Sat 5 Club, Birmingham STUDIO ROOM - LATE Dec, Stratford PADDY MCGUINNESS Sat SHOW COMIC TBC Sat 19 Artshouse 12 Dec, Civic Hall, Dec, The Glee Club, Wolverhampton Birmingham CHRISTMAS COMEDY AT JAMES REDMOND, SIMON EDITOR’S MANFORD'S COMICS TBC BLIGH, NOEL JAMES & CHOICE Sat 12 Dec, Players LUKE GRAVES Sat 19 Bar, Birmingham Dec, Coventry COMEDIANS AND STUDIO ROOM - EARLY Showcase CAROLS Festive come- SHOW COMIC TBC Sat 12 DOREEN'S CHRISTMAS dy featuring Tony Dec, The Glee Club, CRACKER Sat 19 Dec, Vino, Ava Vidal, Birmingham mac, Birmingham Duncan Oakley, Craig SHIP OF FOOLS WITH MC THE LATE NIGHT WITH Deeley & Noel James. ALAN SEAMAN Sat 12 BOABBY ROASTER Sat 19 Presented by Dec, Palace Theatre, Dec, mac, Birmingham Laughing sole, the Redditch STUDIO ROOM - EARLY unique setting of MARCEL LUCONT, NICK SHOW COMIC TBC Sat 19 Birmingham PAGE & BEN VAN DER Dec, The Glee Club, Cathedral offers an VALDE & RUSSELL HICKS Birmingham alternative way to get Sat 12 Dec, Coventry BARBARA NICE'S your laughs in the Showcase CHRISTMAS CRACKER build up to Christmas, STUDIO ROOM - SUNDAY Sun 20 Dec, mac, Sun 6 Dec, FUN WITH SUZI RUFFELL Birmingham Birmingham & COMIC TBC Sun 13 TOADALLY FREE COMEDY! Cathedral Dec, The Glee Club, Mon 21 Dec, The Blue Birmingham Orange Theatre,

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Winter/Spring A new look for a New Year

Fri 27 Nov - Sat 19 Dec - Sun 13 Dec Sun 31 Jan From £19 From £14

Wed 17 - Sat 20 Feb Ashton Double Bill Wed 24 - Sat 27 Feb Romeo & Juliet

Tue 9 - Wed 17 - Wed 9 Mar - Sat 13 Feb Sat 27 Feb Sat 23 Apr From £18.50 From £10 From £25

International Dance Festival Birmingham Nederlands Carlos Acosta Cloud Gate Dance Dans Theater 2 Theatre of Taiwan

Tue 10 & Wed11May From £15

Ballet British Columbia

Tue 3 & Fri 6 & Fri 20 & Wed 4 May Sat 7 May Sat 21 May From £15 From £15 From £15 Mon 25 - Sat 30 Apr IDFB is an award winning biennial festival produced by DanceXchange in partnership with Birmingham Hippodrome, From £13.50 funded by Arts Council England and Birmingham City Council.

0844 338 5000 birminghamhippodrome.com Calls cost 4.5p/min plus access charge. 5% transaction charge applies excluding cash sales in person. Theatre December Region One.qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2015 15:15 Page 2 Theatre

WIN

TICKETS

whatsonlive.co.uk to enter

Aladdin Birmingham Hippodrome, Sat 19 December - Sun 31 January Marti Pellow here makes his pantomime debut - and will no doubt be Wet Wet Wet frontman Marti is certainly looking forward to his first helped to settle right in by the guiding hand of panto veteran Julian experience of starring in pantomime: “Panto is a rite of passage. I Clary. think the British embrace it because we see it for what it is and Former Joseph star Lee Mead, meanwhile, takes on the role of understand it for what it is. We get it. Everything’s amped up, every- Aladdin, while Matt Slack and Andrew Ryan play Wishee Washee thing’s larger than life, there’s nothing subtle about it. It’s very family- and Widow Twankey respectively. orientated but it also spans generations.” Stunning 3D effects and a Santa’s sackworth of quality comedy - And on this particular occasion, it also comes complete with Julian both mainstay ingredients in the Hippodrome’s winning recipe for Clary. “Now there’s a man who’ll put a smile on your face!” says pantomime fun - are also present and correct in 2015’s blockbuster Marti, who’s also responsible for the show’s score. offering. Read the full interview with Marti online at whatsonlive.co.uk

- S Wendy And Peter Pan

Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, until Sun 31 January JM Barrie’s timeless tale of daring heroics, everlasting child- hood, dastardly pirates and lost children is here reimagined by director Ella Hickson, who takes her characters on a transformative journey beyond the sheltered landscapes of the Edwardian nursery. In a swashbuckling family adven- ture, she hurls them headlong into a Neverland of their own imagining, where shadows lurk around every corner, battles are fought and won, happy thoughts are rediscovered, and heroines (as well as heroes) are made. Read our interview with Adam Gillen, who stars as ‘Lost Boy’ Martin, on page 8.

The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe The REP, Birmingham, until Sat 16 January

This much-loved tale from the pen of CS Lewis is rightly regarded as an all- time classic of children's literature. It sees the lion-god Aslan coming to the aid of three youngsters who’ve accidentally stumbled into his mystical world of Narnia. Commenting on the show, The Rep’s Artistic Director, Roxana Silbert, says: “The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe is a classic story that touches young and old, and this vivid stage adaptation will bring a little bit of magic to the win- birminghamhippodrome.com ter season. C www.whatsonlive.co.uk 27 Theatre December Region One.qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2015 15:15 Page 3 Theatre December Region One.qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2015 15:15 Page 4

Theatre PREVIEWS Beauty And The Beast Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, until Sat 9 January Ian Lauchlan makes a welcome return to the Belgrade pantomime, this time to take on the role of Dame Clarabelle Crumble. This year’s offering is being described by the theatre as ‘an enchanting tale of heroic adventure, true love, messy mayhem and festive frivolity which promises to be the most beautiful and beastly yet’. Sounds like the sort of experience it’s well worth sending yourself to Coventry for - if you don’t already live there, of course... WIN TICKETS whatsonlive.co.uk Hairspray to enter New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 14 December - Sat 2 January This new production of the smash-hit musical comedy stars Freya Sutton, Tony Maudsley, Peter Duncan and Claire Sweeney. Set in 1962 and boasting a jukebox-worth of ’60s-style dance music and 'downtown' rhythm and blues, Hairspray tells the story of a chubby teenager who enjoys an overnight rise to star- dom when she earns the chance to appear on a local TV dance show... The London production of Hairspray has been nominated for a record-setting eleven Lau- rence Olivier Awards, winning in three categories, including Best New Musical. Peter Pan Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, ‘amazing’ 3D effects, Bollywood and street until Sat 2 January Jack And The Beanstalk dancers and it’s easy to see why producer Second star to the right and straight on till Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Jon Conway reckons he’s offering a truly morning - that's the way to Neverland. Sat 5 December - Sat 2 January; Palace The- unique festive experience. atre, Redditch, Mon 7 December - Sun 3 Jan- Fly away with the boy who wouldn't grow up uary “Forget the traditional pantomime,” Jon to a magical island filled with adventure. urges, “this year, we’re mixing things up. It’s Jack and his mom are hard-up and have no Meet a real fairy, mermaids, Wendy and the fantastic to be able to create a show without choice but to take their cow to market to lost boys. Oh, and beware the ever-so- the restrictions of the conventional theatres. raise some much-needed cash. However, wicked Captain Hook. And don’t forget to lis- Not only have we introduced the largest ever Jack being Jack, he decides to trade her in ten out for the ‘tick tock tick’ of a very hungry pantomime staging and set, our cast of per- (the cow, that is, not his mom!) for a handful crocodile. Instructions, instructions! formers rival even some of the largest West of magic beans, which then grow into a real End shows. I can guarantee no one will have ogre of a beanstalk... seen a pantomime like this ever before!”... Jack And The Beanstalk is one of the UK’s With its comical Ugly Sisters, metamorpho- best-loved pantos - so it’s appropriate sising pumpkin, matchmaking fairy godmoth- indeed that our hero is tossing his magic er, drop-dead-gorgeous Prince Charming, beans in the direction of not one but two super-cute mice and fits-one-foot-only glass Midlands venues this Christmas. slipper, Cinderella can justifiably lay claim to The fine young fellow gets climbing, then being the most popular of all pantomimes. chopping, his beanstalk at both the Royal And the Barclaycard Arena production isn’t Spa Centre in Leamington and the Palace the only incarnation of this legendary fairy- Theatre in Redditch. tale delighting Midlands audiences this Fingers crossed the vanquished ogre doesn’t Christmas... land on you... The Roses Theatre Tewkesbury’s version is directed by Ben Crocker, who also helmed Dick Whittington the venue’s previous two panto offerings - Cinderella Beauty And the Beast last year and Jack And Artrix, Bromsgrove, The Beanstalk in 2013. So if you enjoyed Sun 13 - Sun 20 December Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, until Sat 2 Janu- ary; Stratford Artshouse, Stratford-upon- either or both of those productions, book The story of a young man who heads for Avon, Sat 19 - Sun 27 December; Sutton your tickets for this year’s festive offering London in search of fame and fortune is one Coldfield Town Hall, Wed 16 - Sun 20 Decem- asap. of the most popular of all pantomimes, not ber; Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Sun 20 Cinderella is this year also putting some least because of the top adventures with - Thurs 24 December elbow grease into scrubbing the stage at which the happy-go-lucky Dick finds himself As pantomimes go, the Barclaycard Arena both Stratford Artshouse and Sutton Cold- involved. production of Cinderella is a whopper. As is field Town Hall. With the dastardly King Rat putting in an its castle - standing at an impressive height appearance, and heady romance with the of fifty feet. delightful Alice also on the cards for our And the show boasts a mighty fine cast of eponymous hero, this is a show that looks panto favourites too. Bradley Walsh stars as set to be packed to its the ever-loveable Buttons, Paul O’Grady festive rafters with promises all kinds of mystical magic as the action, comedy and Fairy Godfather, and children’s TV favourites lashings of fun. Dick and Dom ensure the laughter count’s as Presented by All & high as a beanstalk (oops, wrong panto!). Sundry. Throw in aerial acrobatics, gospel choirs,

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Theatre PREVIEWS The Nativity St Paul’s Church, The Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham, Wed 9 - Fri 11 December “The Nativity 2015 is a brand new nativity play in the centuries-established tradition of Mystery Plays,” explains Frank Bramwell of The People’s Theatre Of The Quarter, the company behind this festive offering. “We will be bringing a contemporary feel to this tradi- tional story, whilst staying true to its tradition- al values.” Chief among The People’s Theatre Of The Quarter’s numerous ambitions is to make Birmingham’s St Paul's Church ‘a place where there’s a presentation of plays and spoken word which is both accessible and engaging’. “For us,” says Frank, “this is particularly exciting. Our style of performance has long been about focusing just on words and per- formers, and this is something that finds a deep accord with the 'simple' beauty within St Paul's Church.” Cinderella: A Fairytale mac, Birmingham, Thurs 3 - Sat 9 January Tobacco Factory Theatres and Travelling Light Theatre Company’s brilliantly quirky take on this best-loved of fairytales visits the Midlands on the back of hugely successful runs at two London venues. A 2013 Olivier Award nominee and a 2014 Off West End Award winner, the show is suitable for children aged six and older.

lows the young Clara as she’s swept up in a fantasy of soldiers, giant rats, snow fairies, Treasure Island magic and mystery, before finally being Theatre, Birmingham, transformed into a beautiful ballerina. until Sun 3 January A magical, must-see show for little princess- Scott Ritchie & BOA present an original es everywhere. adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's clas- We’re Going On A Bear Hunt sic tale. Birmingham Town Hall, When salty old seadog Billy Bones brings his Tues 22 December - Wed 13 January papers to the Admiral Benbow Inn, he draws This delightful adaptation of Michael Rosen young Jim Hawkins into the adventure of a and Helen Oxenbury’s popular picture book lifetime - one which will see him not only set- follows a family as they head out on an ting sail in search of buried treasure, but also intrepid quest to find a bear. spending time in the company of a one- Catchy songs, interactive scenes and plenty legged pirate with murder in mind... of hands-on adventure are combined with swishy swashy grass and oozy, squelchy mud in a show that seems certain to keep youngsters well and truly entertained. Doreen’s Christmas Cracker mac, Birmingham, Sat 19 December; Roses Theatre, Kidderminster, Mon 21 - Tues 22 December In February 2012, Doreen’s Story - a five- minute mockumentary written by playwright David Tristram - went viral on the internet. The video, which satirised benefit scroungers, starred actress Gill Jordan as Black Country-born Doreen. A Christmas Carol This new production sees Tristram’s now- Old Joint Stock Theatre, Tues 15 - Wed 23 December infamous character taking a look back over The Nutcracker ‘an eventful year’, and offers audiences yet For anybody tired of the commercialism of Birmingham Hippodrome, another opportunity to enjoy an evening in Christmas in the twenty-first century, delving until Sun 13 December the company of a truly remarkable comic into the delightful world of Charles Dickens Sir Peter Wright’s enchanting version of this creation. should offer the perfect antidote. firm festive favourite returns to the Hippo- Of all his festive stories, A Christmas Carol drome this month, courtesy of Birmingham reigns supreme. The covetous sinning of the Royal Ballet. miserly Scrooge, the eternal hope offered by Created in 1990 as a thank you to Birming- Tiny Tim, and the ghostly visions of redemp- ham for its support of the company following tion all combine to give the tale an olde- its move to the Midlands from London’s world charm that offers a welcome festive Sadler Wells, Wright’s production is seen by haven from the stresses and strains of the many as the finest interpretation of technological age. Tchaikovsky’s magnificent and mesmerising The show is presented by local pub-theatre score. In true Christmas spirit, the story fol- company Maverick, which is this year cele- brating its twenty-first anniversary.

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BROMSGROVE’S THEATRE, CINEMA, DECEMBER LIVE MUSIC AND COMEDY VENUE 2015

Sun 13th – Tues 15th & Weds 16th & Sun 27th Mon 21st December Thurs 17th – Sun 20th December December JAMIE KNIGHT & DICK WHITTINGTON THE NUTCRACKER THE MANUKA BAND ROYAL BALLET SCREENINGS TRADITIONAL PANTO FROM FESTIVE HITS, SWING & ALL & SUNDRY CLASSIC SOUL

Tues 22nd December Weds 23rd December Thurs 31st December JANE EYRE SGT PEPPER’S NEW YEAR’S EVE NATIONAL THEATRE ONLY DART BOARD PARTY SCREENING BAND WITH SOUL TRADER SUPERB BEATLES TRIBUTE

FORTHCOMING CINEMA: 45 Years (15) // Polar Express (U) // Brave (PG) // Steve Jobs (15) // Flushed Away (PG) // Spectre (12A) Brooklyn (12A) // The Lady In The Van (12A) // Burnt (15) // Bridge Of Spies (12A) // Carol (15)

FORTHCOMING SCREENINGS: The Mikado (ENO Live) // The Nutcracker (Royal Ballet) // Of Mice And Men (NT Live) // La Traviata (ROH Live) Jane Eyre (NT Live) // Les Liaisons Dangereuses (NT Live) //// As You Like It (NT Live) // The Magic

Download the Artrix brochure on www.artrix.co.uk www.artrix.co.uk or phone 01527 577330 Artrix, Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove B60 1PQ Free parking on-site

32 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre December Region One.qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2015 19:37 Page 8 Xtraordinary Xmas Alternative Christmas Shows in Birmingham and Beyond

Think Christmas is all cringey pop anthems, family obligations, stressful shopping trips and happy little elves? Oh no it isn't! For those more likely to be gnashing their teeth than wiping a tear at this season's sentimental TV ads, our round-up of alternative festive fare in and around Birmingham offers plenty of choice to cater for tastes ranging from the ‘Bah Humbug’ to the XXXmas, proving that Christmas isn't just for the kids.

WINTER FUNK age of one thousand (viewers are advised to mate setting, each specially selected by your Santa goes to Bollywood for a dance extrav- watch their necks for Vlad's attempts at ‘audi- host, Stage Door Johnny, to ‘set pulses rac- aganza, presented by students of Shiamak ence participation’). By introducing a human ing and tongues wagging’. Prepare for Davar's Indo-Jazz style. This unique fusion cast member, the vampires hope to put an delights and surprises by the Santa's sleigh- genre combines elements of modern and end to their frustrations by enacting a trans- load. contemporary dance with a strong ballet formation that will mirror the unhappy Beast's Old Joint Stock, Birmingham, grounding, performance-based visuals and - but will they pull it off? Wed 9 December jazz technique, taught to the latest Bolly- Conceived by Walker as a “darker counter- wood songs. Performers of all ages will point to the Belgrade's main house show” (a demonstrate their skills in this ‘spiritually more traditional take on Beauty And The CHRISTMAS CABARET uplifting’ showcase, guaranteed to bring a Beast), Vampomime is perfect for office par- Going all-out with its grown-up shows this new energy to the season. Fancy taking part ties or anyone looking for a night away from Christmas, the Birmingham REP presents one day? Classes run in Birmingham and the kids. Plus, at only an hour long, it leaves two evenings of glorious indulgence, with a Coventry, so it's easy to get involved. plenty of time for post-show drinks - just sumptuous festive feast in the Marmalade Birmingham Town Hall, make sure you're not one of them... restaurant followed by a brilliant cabaret Sun 29 November Read our interview with Nick Walker at show. Decorate your own tabletop Christmas whatsonlive.co.uk tree before tucking in to a tasty three-course meal and enjoying the performance, then BARBARA NICE: COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Sat 5 December - Sat 2 January spend the evening sipping cocktails or Created by Janice Connolly of Phoenix mulled cider and strutting your stuff on the Nights fame, Mrs Barbara Nice is Stockport's dance floor, where the REP's own DJ will favourite housewife and mother of five. Her ERIC’S CHRISTMAS PARTY keep the party alive till 1am. ‘selection box of fun and frolics’ at the Old Eric’s been invited to a special Christmas Joint Stock promises to be life-affirming yet Party at Hanley’s top 60s nightspot, The The REP, Birmingham, Thurs 10 & Fri 18 December original, with no two Barbara Nice perform- Place. He’s never heard of it but, when he ances ever the same. Visit finds out that the guest list includes Pete mrsbarbaranice.co.uk to find out more about Townsend of The Who, Brian Poole of The DIRTY GROTTO (18+) her or to hear tunes from her ’70s punk band Tremeloes, Sandie Shaw, Keith Richards of A festive launch for the REP's new monthly days. The Rolling Stones, and other 60s pop icons Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, he can’t wait to go. Cabaret XXL nights, Dirty Grotto aims to Fri 4 - Sat 5 December Join Eric and his multi-talented band of please with an ‘unruly antidote to the season actors and musicians for a night of non-stop of enforced merriment and indulgence’. Each night boasts ‘a unique and fabulously funny VAMPOMIME comedy, inspired mayhem, and some of the greatest music of the 1960s. line-up’ as well as its own optional dress Finding a Christmas night out code, from Ancient Roman-inspired festivities that doesn't suck can be a New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Mon 30 November - Sat 12 December in the Brumalia special, to naff jumpers for real pain in the neck, but The Christmas Gusset, and black tie and ball Talking Birds' Nick Walker gowns for The Unholy And The Ivy: Shut may just have nailed it. TARANTARA! TARANTARA! Your Dirty Grotto. Vampomime follows an Willing participants can win prizes for their undead theatre compa- Telling the tale of the tempestuous partner- ship between Victorian stage legends Gilbert costumes, bid for gifts in nightly auctions, or ny's best efforts to put on take a seat on Mother Christmas' grubby a panto - Beauty And and Sullivan, Tarantara! Tarantara! is an origi- nal play by Ian Taylor, performed by a small knee to tell her what they really want for The Beast, to be precise. Christmas. So come along, grab a drink from But the life of a thesp company ‘in the spirit of pantomime’. Featur- ing songs and excerpts from iconic G&S the Sweet Pussy Bar and prepare for an isn't easy for a vampire: evening of tinseled titillation! Find out more unable to tour, enduring operettas as well as other famous figures from the era, the play documents the highs about what to expect from each Dirty Grotto the stage lighting's night on the REP's website. painful glare and trying to and lows of their careers and private lives, The REP, Birmingham, rein in ‘upstart, tear-away’ nodding to Mike Leigh's hit film Topsy Turvy, which featured an appearance from Criterion Thurs 10 - Sat 19 vampires barely over the December patron Ron Cooke as Savoy Theatre owner Richard D'Oyly Carte. Criterion Theatre, Coventry, Sat 5 - Sat 12 December

THE FESTIVE FOOTSIE CLUB Set against the backdrop of the Old Joint Stock's Grade II listed grandeur, The Footsie Club returns for a seasonal special this December, adding a dose of seductive decadence to the Christmas festivities. Femmes fatales, offbeat humour and ‘extraordinary performances’ come up close and personal in the theatre's inti-

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Theatre LISTINGS For full listing information on theatre productions, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Commencing TUES 1 DEC

GUYS AND DOLLS The award-winning Sophie Thompson and David Haig here headline a high- energy cast alongside Jamie Parker, until Sat 5 Dec, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham THE WIZARD OF OZ Popular musical telling how a young girl from Kansas has to make her way home from the magical land of Oz, until Sat 5 Dec, The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster ERIC'S CHRISTMAS PARTY Join Eric and his multi-tal- ented band of actors & musicians for an evening of non-stop comedy, inspired mayhem and great music from the 1960s, until Sat 12 Dec, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme THE NUTCRACKER - BRB A wonderful way to get into the Christmas spirit, until Sun 13 Dec, Birmingham Hippodrome The Gruffalo’s Child - Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry CINDERELLA Ben Crocker directs the much-loved rags-to-riches story, until Sat 2 Jan, Roses Theatre, THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE CS Lewis' ROBIN HOOD & MARIAN Theresa Heskins' staging of Tewkesbury timeless classic - a perfect festive treat, until Sat 16 the well-known Sherwood Forest adventure, featur- TREASURE ISLAND Scott Ritchie & BOA present an Jan, The REP, Birmingham ing on-stage magic and original music, until Sun 31 original adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's LOVE FOR LOVE Selina Cadell makes her RSC direc- Jan, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme classic tale, until Sun 3 Jan, The Old Rep Theatre, torial debut with Congreve's restoration comedy, MR. POPPER'S PENGUINS Brand new family musical Birmingham where love for love is stronger than love for money, brought to the stage by the producers of We're DICK WHITTINGTON Presented by the Worcester until Fri 22 Jan, The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon- Going On A Bear Hunt & The Tiger Who Came For Repertory Company, until Sun 3 Jan, Swan The- Avon Tea, Tues 1 Dec, Malvern Theatres atre, Worcester QUEEN ANNE Helen Edmundson's gripping new play A CHRISTMAS CAROL Box Clever Theatre present a THE GRUFFALO'S CHILD Tall Stories Theatre Company exploring the little-known story of a monarch brand new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ festive present Julia Donaldson & Alex Scheffler's award- caught between friendship and duty. Natalie Abra- tale, Tues 1 Dec, Brewhouse Theatre, Burton-upon- winning sequel, until Sun 3 Jan, Warwick Arts Cen- hami directs, until Sat 23 Jan, The Swan Theatre, Trent tre, Coventry Stratford-upon-Avon THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS A ghoulish BEAUTY AND THE BEAST An enchanting tale of heroic WENDY AND PETER PAN Join Wendy, Peter, Tink and showcase of work from The Roses Youth Theatre & adventure, true love, messy mayhem and festive fri- Captain Hook in Ella Hickson's acclaimed re-telling Youth Dance performers, Tues 1 Dec, Roses The- volity which promises to be the most beautiful and of JM Barrie's classic children's story, until Sun 31 atre, Tewkesbury beastly yet!, until Sat 9 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Jan, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon- WHITE CHRISTMAS South Staffs Musical Theatre Coventry Avon Company present an amateur staging of Irving

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Stourbridge Town Hall MARGE & JULES Spiritual enlightenment meets the Theatre LISTINGS darker stories of life as two women confess all, talk- ing faith, life, after-life, semantics, erotics, and the For full listing information on theatre men they love, Sat 5 Dec, The Dream Factory, War- wick productions, including times and THE UNBUILT ROOM Performance-game exploring dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk how places create memories... and how memories create places, Sat 5 Dec, mac, Birmingham Berlin's romantic comedy, Tues 1 - Sat 5 Dec, WE THIS WAY New interactive performance commis- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre sioned by and developed at Battersea Arts Centre, CONFIRMATION This Fringe First award winner uses Sat 5 Dec, mac, Birmingham ‘an honourable dialogue with political extremism’ to AN EVENING WITH NOEL FIELDING Expect a magical highlight the way in which people tend only to see mix of Noel's unique brand of stand-up comedy, the evidence that proves them right, Tues 1 - Sat 5 live animation and music. Some of Fielding's best- Dec, The REP, Birmingham known TV characters (such as The Moon and Fan- YVETTE Presented by Dogpole Drama Company, tasy Man) also feature, Sat 5 Dec, Civic Hall, Wed 2 Dec, Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolver- Wolverhampton hampton GRIMM TALES The Company pres- THE CONSTANT WIFE Birmingham School of Acting ent a brand new and immersive storytelling experi- presents its version of Somerset Maugham’s capti- ence by Carol Ann Duffy, adapted from the Broth- vating comedy of marriage & manners, Wed 2 - Sat ers Grimm, Sat 5 - Sat 19 Dec, Crescent Theatre, 5 Dec, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Birmingham DICK WHITTINGTON Evolution Pantomimes return ALADDIN Action-packed family pantomime, Sat 5 - with this all-time festive favourite, Wed 2 Dec - Sun Sat 19 Dec, Sutton Arts Theatre, Birmingham 10 Jan, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Brand new version of this ogre of a panto, Sat 5 - Sun 27 Dec, Bedworth The Singular Exploits Of Sherlock Holmes - YVETTE Presented by Dogpole Drama Company, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Thurs 3 Dec, SpArC, Bishops Castle, South Shrop- Civic Hall VAMPOMIME Nick Walker’s fangtastic yuletide treat - shire Mon 7 Dec, Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock with added bite, Sat 5 Dec - Sat 2 Jan, Belgrade CINDERELLA: A FAIRYTALE Live storytelling and quirky GANGSTA GRANNY Birmingham Stage Company Theatre, Coventry visual styling come together in this unique re-telling bring a production of ' best-selling JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Ian Adams returns as Lich- of the classic fairytale of reversed fortunes, Thurs 3 book to the stage, Mon 7 - Sat 12 Dec, New field’s favourite panto dame, Sat 5 Dec- Sun 3 Jan, Dec - Sat 9 Jan, mac, Birmingham Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Lichfield Garrick THE SINGING RINGING TREE Krazy Kat Theatre pres- THE LION, THE WITCH & THE WARDROBE Mon 7 - Sat PETER PAN First Family Entertainment returns for ent a fast and funny family show featuring visual 12 Dec, Number 8 Community Arts Centre, Per- another sparkling panto adventure. Jonathan storytelling, puppetry and plenty of humour, shore Wilkes & Christian Patterson star, Sat 5 Dec - Sun 3 Fri 4 - Sat 5 Dec, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Christmas pantomime Jan, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent BARBARA NICE COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS Join local starring Vernie Bennett and Lloyd Daniels, Mon 7 CINDERELLA Classic festive family entertainment, housewife Mrs Barbara Nice for a ‘seasonal selec- Dec - Sun 3 Jan, Palace Theatre, Redditch Sun 6 Dec, Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhamp- tion box’ of fun & frolics, Fri 4 - Sat 5 Dec, Old Joint ACT COLLECTION Collection of highlights from ton Stock Theatre, Birmingham Arena's Collaborative Theatremakers development BRIEF ENCOUNTER Emma Rice's adaptation of Noel project, a local initiative aimed at engaging local Coward's haunting love story, Fri 4 - Sat 12 Dec, Week Commencing MON 7 DEC theatremakers across a wide range of disciplines, The Bear Pit Theatre - The United Reformed Tue 8 Dec, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton Church, Stratford-upon-Avon THE LEGEND OF KING ARTHUR Presented by the ever- CHRISTMAS CONCERT Cannock Chase High School CINDERELLA Ballet Cymru present a choreographed zany Oddsocks, Tues 8 Dec, Ludlow Assembly production of the much-loved fairytale, Sat 5 Dec, presents an evening of music, drama and dance,

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Theatre LISTINGS

For full listing information on theatre productions, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Rooms, South Shropshire SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS Find out who’s the fairest one of all in this fun festive offering, Tue 8 Dec - Sun 3 Jan, The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford, Shropshire THE FOOTSIE CLUB Evening of burlesque, variety & cabaret, Wed 9 Dec, The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham (JACOB) MARLEY & ME Heart of Worcestershire Col- lege Performing Arts Students present a re-telling of Charles Dickens’ classic festive tale, Wed 9 - Thurs 10 Dec, Artrix, Bromsgrove NOISES OFF Michael Frayn's award-winning ‘play Figs In Wigs, Dirty Grotto - The REP, Birmingham within a play’ is brought to life by the Tower Play- ers, Thurs 10 - Fri 11 Dec, Prince Of Wales Centre, OH, YES IT IS! Improvised Christmas panto featuring BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Fame Factory return with Cannock games and dames, all made up from audience their family-friendly production of a classic tale, DIRTY GROTTO Ten nights of alternative festive enter- suggestions on the night, Fri 11 - Sat 12 Dec, The Sun 13 Dec, Gregynog Hall, Nr Welshpool, Powys tainment featuring explicit content, with strong lan- Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham SANTA'S CHRISTMAS CRACKER Join Dotty the Elf and guage, nudity and scenes of a sexual nature. Strict- LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD Fun-packed traditional pan- Pompom the Penguin for a song-filled and interac- ly over-eighteens only, Thurs 10 - Sat 19 Dec, The tomime for all the family, directed by Dean Taylor tive visit to Santa’s home, Sun 13 - Mon 14 Dec, REP, Birmingham and Roy Palmer, Fri 11 - Sat 19 Dec, Hall Green Lit- Palace Theatre, Redditch JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Magical panto featuring tle Theatre, Birmingham CHRISTMAS BY CANDLELIGHT Festive entertainment catchy songs, funky dancing, groan-worthy jokes & ALADDIN Traditional family pantomime, written by hosted by the OJS's resident Musical Theatre Com- plenty of audience participation, Thurs 10 - Sun 20 and starring Malcolm Stent, Fri 11 Dec - Sun 3 Jan, pany. Free event raising money for Macmillan Can- Dec, Forest Arts Centre, Walsall Solihull Arts Complex cer Research, Sun 13 - Sun 20 Dec, Old Joint SANTA’S RUSTY ROBOT Iain Lauchlan’s festive show JACK AND THE BEANSTALK THE ROCK'N'ROLL PANTO Stock Theatre, Birmingham for younger audiences, packed with songs, fun and Unique festive experience featuring a ‘storming DICK WHITTINGTON A traditional family pantomime plenty of festive cheer, Thurs 10 - Thurs 24 Dec, line-up of classic rock’n’roll hits played live on presented by All & Sundry, Sun 13 - Sun 20 Dec, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry stage’, Fri 11 Dec - Sun 10 Jan, Stafford Gatehouse Artrix, Bromsgrove PETER PAN A magical show for all the family featur- Theatre ing Coronation Street’s Mark Moraghan as Captain SANTA’S NEW SLEIGH Festive fun for young children Hook, CBBC’s Hannah-Jane Fox as Mrs Darling & as Sprocket and Dibs attempt to solve the mystery Week Commencing MON 14 DEC Jessica Punch as Peter Pan, Thurs 10 Dec - Sun 3 surrounding Santa’s missing sleigh, Sat 12 - Thurs Jan, Malvern Theatres 24 Dec, Lichfield Garrick ANNE REID: I LOVE TO SING The star of Last Tango In PETER PAN Starring the Chuckle Brothers and John HAIRSPRAY THE MUSICAL New production of the Halifax presents an evening of songs and stories, Altman, Sat 12 Dec - Sun 24 Jan, Wolverhampton smash-hit musical comedy. Starring Freya Sutton, music and memories... Fri 11 Dec, Malvern Theatre, Grand Theatre Tony Maudsley, Peter Duncan and Claire Sweeney, Worcestershire Mon 14 Dec - Sat 2 Jan, New Alexandra Theatre,

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

Family ticket to Ice Skate Family tickets to We're Going Tickets to Ex Cathedra - Birmingham On A Bear Hunt Christmas Music By Candlelight

Closes Friday 4 December Closes Friday 11 December Closes Friday 11 December Tickets to Vampomime Family ticket to Cinderella Tickets to Macbeth

Closes Monday 30 November Closes Friday 11 December Closes Tuesday 19 January Tickets to Canadian Circus Tickets to Shen Yun Tickets to Tattoo Freeze

Closes Thursday 10 December Closes Friday 26 February Closes Friday 22 January Tickets to Chinese New Year Tickets to The Rocky Horror Tickets to The Monster Energy Extravaganza Show Arenacross Tour

Closes Friday 22 January Closes Monday 18 January Closes Friday 15 January Family Ticket to Aladdin Tickets to The Sound Of Music Tickets to Insomnia 56

Closes Thursday 7 January Closes Tuesday 12 January Closes Friday 4 December

To enter all competitions go to www.whatsonlive.co.uk http://whatsonlive.co.uk/birm-also followmuseum-and-art-gallery/san- us on Twitter for more great competitions ingham/event/birmingham- tas-grotto/210105#details 40 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre December Region One.qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2015 15:17 Page 16

The Drum, Birmingham DOREEN’S CHRISTMAS CRACKER David Tristram’s Theatre LISTINGS comic creation, Doreen, reflects on the past year, Sat 19 Dec, mac, Birmingham For full listing information on theatre I’VE SEEN SANTA Magical new show especially for three-to-seven-year-olds, Sat 19 - Thurs 24 Dec, productions, including times and Solihull Arts Complex dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk CINDERELLA Magical festive fairytale presented by Polka Dot Pantomimes, Sat 19 - Sun 27 Dec, Strat- Birmingham ford ArtsHouse, Stratford-upon-Avon THE TWITS Malvern Theatre Players present an ama- CINDERELLA A popular classic pantomime presented teur production of Roald Dahl’s revolting tale, Mon by PMA Productions, Sat 19 - Tue 29 Dec, Prince 14 Dec - Sun 3 Jan, The Coach House, Malvern Of Wales Centre, Cannock Theatre PETER PAN Take a magical trip to Neverland with the CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENT Tue 15 - Fri 18 Dec Darling children, Sat 19 Dec - Sat 2 Jan, The Blue The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster Orange Theatre, Birmingham A CHRISTMAS CAROL Maverick Theatre present ALADDIN Starring Marti Pellow, Julian Clary, Lee Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas story, Tues 15 - Mead, Matt Slack and Andrew Ryan, Sat 19 Dec - Wed 23 Dec, The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birming- Sun 31 Jan, Birmingham Hippodrome ham MISTLETOE & MUSICALS Theatre1 and friends prom- WHAT THE DICKENS?! Foghorn Improv take audi- ises a feast of songs from contemporary musicals, ences on a journey to find love and fortune, Thurs washed down with Christmas favourites, Sun 20 17 Dec, Bramall Hall, Birmingham University Dec, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre White Christmas - Wolverhampton Grand Theatre THE SINGULAR EXPLOITS OF SHERLOCK HOLMES Don’t A CHRISTMAS CAROL Clive Francis recreates the first Go Into The Cellar present a one-man homage to ever public reading of Dickens’ most famous work, active screening of the much-loved film, Tues 22 the world’s greatest detective, Thurs 17 Dec, which made its debut at Town Hall in December Dec, Stourbridge Town Hall Stafford Gatehouse Theatre 1853, Sun 20 Dec, Birmingham Town Hall SANTA IN LOVE The People’s Theatre present a fun- THE THREE MUSKETEERS Playbox Theatre present a A CHRISTMAS WASSAIL A festive feast of carols and filled family musical complete with games, giggles swashbuckling seventeenth-century adventure fus- songs, comedy and spoken word, Sun 20 - Tue 22 and favourite festive songs, Tues 22 - Thurs 24 Dec, ing romance, treachery, cunning plots and deceit, Dec, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Thurs 17 Dec - Sun 3 Jan, The Dream Factory, War- CINDERELLA Featuring a star-studded cast, including WE'RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT Sally Cookson’s fun- wick Bradley Walsh and Paul O'Grady, Sun 20 - Thurs 24 filled staging of Michael Rosen’s award-winning DID WE MENTION THE FREE MINCE PIES? Join The Dec, Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham book, Tue 22 Dec - Wed 13 Jan, Birmingham Town Bear Pit for festive fun at their annual comedic con- DEAR SANTA Stage version of Rod Campbell’s clas- Hall cert, Fri 18 Dec, The Bear Pit Theatre - The United sic children’s book, filled with music, laughter and TRES TRES CABARET CHRISTMAS Sun 27 Dec, Stafford Reformed Church, Stratford-upon-Avon plenty of audience participation, Sun 20 - Sat 26 Gatehouse Theatre SANTA IN LOVE The People’s Theatre present a fun- Dec, (except Christmas day), Theatre Severn, CINDERELLA Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan, Albany The- filled family musical complete with games, giggles Shrewsbury atre, Coventry and favourite festive songs, Fri 18 Dec, The Brew- house Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent ED DOOLAN: CHRISTMAS SHOW Join BBC WM’s Ed Week Commencing MON 21 DEC Week Commencing MON 28 DEC Doolan for an evening of music, comedy, guests and plenty of surprises, Fri 18 Dec, Symphony Hall, DOREEN’S CHRISTMAS CRACKER David Tristram’s THE GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD Join Sinbad the Birmingham comic creation, Doreen, reflects on the past year, Sailor and his twit of a brother, Binbag, as they set FIND ME Young Drum Drama Academy present Mon 21 - Tues 22 Dec, The Rose Theatre, Kidder- sail on a dangerous and thrilling journey, Tues 29 Olwen Wymark’s play, which seeks to investigate minster Dec, Artrix, Bromsgrove the personality of a troubled young girl, Sat 19 Dec, SING-A-LONG-A FROZEN Join Elsa & Anna in an inter-

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Theatre REVIEWS

Below are reviews of theatre/dance productions we checked out last month. For further theatre reviews, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk A Murder Is Announced Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury We’re in the drawing room of Little Paddocks, in the charming village of Chipping Cleghorn, in the autumn of 1950. The house guests are studying a notice at the bottom of the personal column which states that, ‘A murder will take place on Friday October 29, at Little Paddocks, at 6.30pm’. “We’ll laugh about this in the morning,” the house guests conclude - but Miss Marple is more interest- ed in posing the question, “Who’s going to be the victim?” The tweedy sleuth is played in this Middle Ground Theatre Company production by Judy Cornwell; Love For Love Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon broad of beam, with matching tan hat, shoes and gloves. Christie has given her a watching role in this Bawdy, bonkers and brilliant, Selina Cadell's take on William Congreve's Restoration story, and Cornwell plays her in a quiet, retiring, lis- classic Love For Love offers a fresh, dynamic glimpse into a lamentably neglected era tening manner - at least until the final showdown. of British stage history. The star of the show is Diane Fletcher, who plays Opting for a stylised vision of the late seventeenth century, Cadell emphasises contem- weekend hostess Letitia Blacklock. It is she who porary resonances, highlighting how the period's irreverent humour helped shape our gives pace and purpose to proceedings in a per- tastes today. We're promised satire in the prologue, and it's delivered by the bucket- formance so pivotal that you rather hope it’s not her load, with mockery of London manners and astrology, as well as jokes about Westmin- who ends up getting the bullet. ster that might have been written yesterday. Christie also treats us to a string of tricky clues to Unlike earlier Renaissance comedies, originally performed by all-male companies, which we must pay attention - a freshly oiled door, a Love For Love makes the presence of its female cast members felt, reflecting a time of vase of wilted violets and a faulty table lamp. increased permissiveness when women on stage were still an exciting novelty. To an But audiences love the familiar security of it all, and extent, the women steal this story: Angelica obviously dupes her male admirers, but the opportunity to pit their wits against such a perhaps more surprising than this is the refreshing frankness about female sexuality, clever author. And, as theatre managers love full and the gleeful celebration of women's mischief-making. houses, no one goes away disappointed. Rosalind Ebbutt's costumes draw parallels with our own time, dispensing with some of But I never did work out why the murder was the more elaborate period elements to emphasise colour and silhouettes. announced in advance... Chris Eldon Lee n n n Though twisted into a very twenty-first century side plait, Miss Prue's eye-catching pink hair suggests a flavour of the periwigs of the day, while the breeches and stockings A Murder Is Announced returns to the region to are replaced by plainer trousers and vivid tights and socks. play Lichfield Garrick from 23 - 27 February Also strikingly modern is the play's self-consciousness. Cadell exaggerates the inher- ent theatricality and breaking of the fourth wall with framing scenes that see cast and crew rushing to get ready, messing things up and larking about with the audience The Glass Menagerie before the play begins. The cast carry it off with aplomb: it's hard to single out stars among so much comic Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry talent, but the interplay between character double acts like Scandal and Tattle, Sir Determined for it not to be seen as too autobio- Sampson and Foresight, Mrs Frail and Mrs Foresight and, of course, the languid graphical, Tennessee Williams described The Glass Valentine and no-nonsense Angelica, is an utter delight. Menagerie as a “memory play” lacking authenticity Outrageously funny and uproarious good fun, this is laugh-out-loud English comedy at that could be “presented with unusual freedom of its finest. Heather Kincaid n n n n n convention”. Love For Love continues to show at The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, until Director Ellen McDougall takes the playwright at his Fri 22 January. word for this new production. A joint affair between rising theatre company Headlong, West Yorkshire Playhouse and Everyman, there’s no indi- cation of its time period, and the action takes place Dara O’Briain Birmingham Hippodrome on a bare stage that’s little more than a black box. As host of the hugely successful Mock The Week, The Apprentice You’re Fired and The sparse surroundings mean there’s even greater Star Gazing Live, Dara O’Briain is one of the most recognisable faces on British TV. focus on the dialogue and performances. The four- Last month saw the charismatic, fast-talking and very, very funny comic bring new live strong cast truly shine in the spotlight, wonderfully show Crowd Tickler to Birmingham for three consecutive evenings. capturing the tragic-comic dynamic of a family in Although being a huge fan of Dara on television, I was yet to see him perform a stand- crisis. up routine - either on TV or in the flesh - so I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. And while the story might be bleak, the performanc- That said, you don’t become the biggest-selling comedian at the Edinburgh Fringe Fes- es are anything but. tival without having a well-polished act and some equally impressive material, so I had Greta Scacchi is wonderfully manic as histrionic a strong inkling I was in for a real treat. mother Amanda. Tom Mothersdale is even better as The show’s first half leaned heavily on his badinage with the audience. He cleverly the laconic son and narrator. Erin Doherty as crip- used his fans’ suggestions to create a murder scene for a box-set drama. This resulted pled (emotionally more than physically) daughter in a ridiculous storyline - death by dildo attack - which he then proceeded to act out. Laura and Eric Kofi Abrefa as the long-awaited Dara’s topics for discussion included Birmingham’s notorious ‘pissy stairs’ and the ‘gentleman caller’ provide convincing support, refurbished New Street Station. He suggested that pop group Daft Punk came up with adding even more heart to the heartbreak. the design for the latter, and compared the advertising board to Sauron’s eye. This was For all the playwright’s arguments to the contrary, a brilliant touch that had the crowd in stitches. The Glass Menagerie is an emotionally ‘authentic’ The second half was every bit as side-splitting as the first. His routines were really play - and while it might have aged a little, it classy, showcasing both his wit and intelligence. remains a powerful reflection on the human condi- Dara held his extremely welcoming and hugely enthusiastic Birmingham audience in tion. the palm of his hand for a full two hours. Appropriately for a play based on memory, Head- I wholeheartedly recommend going to see him the next time he’s in town. No matter long’s production is definitely one that will linger. what your age, background or gender, I can guarantee you won’t leave disappointed. Steve Adams n n n n Lauren Foster n n n n n

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Released from Tues 1 Dec Christmas With The Coopers CERT 12a (107 mins) Starring Alan Arkin, John Goodman, Ed Helms, Diane Keaton, Anthony Mackie, Amanda Seyfried, Marisa Tomei, Olivia Wilde Directed by Jessie Nelson (USA) This sentimental comedy is unlikely to replace It’s A Wonderful Life in our festive hearts but it’s got a jolly good cast. The director Jessie Nelson was previously responsible for the tear-jerking Corrina, Corrina and I Am Sam and here points her camera at a typical American Christmas in which a lot can - and does - go wrong.

EDITOR’S CHOICE Star Wars: The Force Awakens CERT tbc Starring Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, Max Von Sydow Directed by J.J. Abrams (USA) Christmas With The Coopers “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…” Are we excited yet? In a year chock-a- block with blockbusters, this could be the mother of them all. Flaunting a budget of Sunset Song CERT 15 (133 mins) $200million, the seventh Star Wars epic takes up where Return Of The Jedi left off, al- beit with a thirty-year gap. Our new protagonist is Finn (John Boyega), a First Order Starring Agyness Deyn, Peter Mullan, Kevin Guthrie, stormtrooper who has redeemed himself and takes up the lightsabre from Luke Sky- Hugh Ross, Jack Greenlees Directed by Terence Davies (UK/Luxembourg) walker. The good news is that JJ Abrams is at the helm, a techno-savvy geek who is also a fan and who successfully re-booted the Star Trek franchise with Star Trek (2009). Many consider Terence Davies to be one of our But first he must overcome the poor press that greeted the last three SW films (1999- finest directors, so a new film of his is always 2005). Will he pull it off? John Williams, now eighty-three, returns to write the score. In something of an event. Here he’s taken Lewis 3D and IMAX. Released Thurs 17 December Grassic Gibbon's classic 1932 novel and shot it in Scotland, New Zealand and Luxembourg. The su- permodel Agyness Deyn plays Chris Guthrie, a farmer’s daughter who comes of age in the years immediately prior to the First World War.

Sunset Song EDITOR’S CHOICE The Honourable Rebel Victor Frankenstein CERT 12a (110 mins) Starring Daniel Radcliffe, James McAvoy, Jessica Brown Findlay, Andrew Scott, Charles CERT PG (97 mins) Dance, Mark Gatiss Directed by Paul McGuigan (USA) Starring Dorothea Myer-Bennett, Daniel Donskoy, Last year’s I, Frankenstein seems so long ago… This version goes back to the begin- Laurence Kennedy Directed by Mike Fraser (UK) nings of the legend first envisioned by Mary Shelley in her 1818 novel. Here, the tale is Set during the Second World War, The Honourable told from the perspective of lab assistant Igor (Radcliffe), who teams up with the ambi- Rebel follows the real-life adventures of one Eliza- tious medical student of the title (McAvoy) in a quest to create artificial life. Of course, beth Montagu (Myer-Bennett). An actress, writer Ms Shelley never wrote about a lab flunky or a character called Igor. The hunchbacked and musician – and ‘film dialogue director’ – Mon- lab assistant was established by Universal Pictures in 1944 with their horror film House tagu turned her hand to espionage following a nar- Of Frankenstein - but he was, interestingly, called Daniel. row escape from the Gestapo. Narrated by Diana Released Thurs 3 December Rigg. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 45 Film - Dec.qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2015 14:47 Page 3

FilmNEW RELEASES

Krampus CERT 15 (98 mins) Starring Adam Scott, Toni Collette, David Koechner, Allison Tolman, Conchata Ferrell Directed by Michael Dougherty (USA) The director of this festive horror film de- scribes his eponymous boogie man as the shadow of Santa Claus, a mischievous being whose role is to terrorise naughty chil- dren. The director also explains that the tone of his film is both scary and sentimental. Like our least favourite aunt.

FROM FRI 11 DEC ChemSex CERT 18 (81 mins) Directed by William Fairman Released Fri 11 Dec By The Sea CERT 15 tbc and Max Gogarty (UK) Starring Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Mélanie Laurent, Niels Arestrup, Melvil Poupaud, We’re not just talking Viagra here. Chemsex The Forbidden Room Richard Bohringer is the term used to describe the use of drugs Directed by Angelina Jolie (USA) in a sexual context. It’s a phenomenon that CERT 12a (119 mins) Written and directed by Angelina Jolie Pitt has particularly blighted the gay community, Starring Roy Dupuis, Clara Furey, Louis (as she is billed on the poster), this roman- as young men become increasingly depend- Negin, Udo Kier, Mathieu Amalric, Geraldine Chaplin Directed by Guy Maddin tic drama was filmed in Malta. Set in the ent on chemically fuelled group sex sessions and Evan Johnson (Canada) 1970s, it follows a husband and wife as which, apparently, can go on for days. This they reconsider their romantic options, British documentary uncovers some of the Let’s put it like this: the crew of a submarine only to be drawn into the colourful lives of secrets. trapped under water for months discovers a mysterious woodsman in their midst. It tran- the inhabitants of a seaside town. While spires that he is in search of someone called this has been tipped to be Angelina’s last Margot, a forest dweller kidnapped by wolf- screen appearance, rumours are circulat- men. Having said that, the actual narrative of ing that she is actually in line to star in Salt Guy Maddin and Evan John’s experimental 2 and Maleficent 2. film is the least im- portant thing. It has been described as “deceptively an- Swung CERT 18 (85 mins) thropological” and Starring Elena Anaya, Owen McDonnell, Eliza- is a jumble of beth McGovern Directed by Colin Kennedy (UK)) episodes that, in their manufacture, A romantic drama set in the ‘swinging represent the ad- scene,’ Colin Kennedy’s Swung explores the vances of cinema, repercussions of casual carnality. Owen Mc- The Night Before CERT 15 (101 mins) but unfolded back- Donnell plays an unemployed man suffering Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, wards to the silent from penile dysfunction whose girlfriend Anthony Mackie, Lizzy Caplan, Jillian Bell, era. For art house (Anaya), a journalist, embarks on a story Michael Shannon aficionados only. about underground Bacchanalian activities. Directed by Jonathan Levine (USA) Their relationship quickly shifts into another …Christmas, of course. Here, a trio of old gear… Expect some pretty strong sex scenes. friends continue their raunchy tradition of Hector CERT 15 (87 mins) raising hell on Christmas Eve – as it might Starring Peter Mullan, Keith Allen, Gina be their last chance. Isaac (Seth Rogen) is McKee, Stephen Tompkinson, Sarah Sole- about to become a father and Chris (An- mani, Ewan Stewart Ice And The Sky CERT U (89 mins) thony Mackie) is now famous, so things ain’t Directed by Jake Gavin (UK) Directed by Luc Jacquet (France) what they used to be. Expect some gross- Hector has made the motorway rest stops of out comedy. Britain his home. These homogeneous Luc Jacquet won a deserved Oscar for his palaces serve his anonymity well, where he documentary March of the Penguins (2005). can eat, wash and Selected to close think in peace. But this year’s Cannes his once-comfort- festival, his Ice and able past is catching the Sky follows the up with him... If one work of the French is to spend time at a glaciologist Claude Moto or Welcome Lorius who was the Break, Peter Mullan first to draw atten- is as good a com- tion to the threat of panion as any. global warming.

46 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Film - Dec.qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2015 14:47 Page 4

Grandma CERT 15 (79 mins) Starring Lily Tomlin, Julia Garner, Marcia Gay Harden, Judy Greer, Laverne Cox, Sam Elliott Directed by Paul Weitz (USA) Lily Tomlin’s first starring role in a film for twenty-seven years, Grandma is drumming up some serious Oscar buzz (but first Tom- lin will have to outshine both Jennifer Lawrence and Saoirse Ronan). She plays Elle Reid, a broke and grieving lesbian poet who receives an unexpected visit from her eighteen-year-old pregnant granddaughter (Garner). With neither of them able to cough up the money for an abortion, they head off on the road together looking for the dosh…

FROM SAT 26 DEC Released from Fri 18 Dec In The Heart Of The Sea CERT 12a (122 mins) Starring Chris Hemsworth, Benjamin Walker, Cillian Murphy, Tom Holland, Ben Whishaw, Brendan Gleeson, Frank Dillane Directed by Ron Howard (USA) Sisters CERT 15 tbc Based on the eponymous non-fiction work by Nathaniel Philbrick, which won the 2000 Na- Starring Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Maya tional Book Award, this promises to do for whales what Jaws did for sharks. In the winter of Rudolph, John Leguizamo, Ike Barinholtz, 1820, the New England whaling ship, , was targeted by a mammoth sperm whale James Brolin, Dianne Wiest with vengeance on its mind. It’s a gruelling ordeal for the whalers, who are stranded thou- Directed by Jason Moore (USA) sands of miles from home. If you’re thinking ‘Moby Dick,’ you’d be right – Herman Melville Not to be confused with the Irving Berlin based his legendary novel on the incident. song (“There were never such devoted sis- ters…”), this is a comedy from the director of the original Pitch Perfect. Here, two sis- ters, as diverse as chalk and cheddar, de- cide to throw one last party at their childhood home, which their parents are about to sell. And you know what parties are like in American movies... The film was writ- ten especially for Fey and Poehler (who look nothing alike), who are best friends in real life.

Snoopy And Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie CERT U (93 mins) Featuring the voices of Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, John Leguizamo, Ike Barin- holtz, James Brolin, Dianne Wiest Directed by Steve Martino (USA) Charles M Schulz's beloved characters are back on screen for the first time in thirty-five years – and for the first time with the benefit of computer animation. This time Charlie Brown has a crush on a new girl in town – ‘the Little Red-Haired Girl’ – but must delve for new reserves of self-confidence to ap- proach her. Meanwhile, Snoopy embarks on a novel about his alter-ego, the Flying Ace. FROM This is the fifth full-length Peanuts film. In SAT 26 3D. DEC Daddy’s Home CERT 12a (96 mins) Starring Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Linda Cardellini, Hannibal Buress, Paul Scheer, Thomas Haden Church Directed by Sean Anders (USA) The last time Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg teamed up was in The Other Guys (2010), which clocked up almost $120million in the US (although it did less well in ‘foreign’ territo- ries). Here, the guys are pitted against each other as Dad and Step-Dad, with Ferrell as Brad Taggart, the well-meaning, mild-mannered and straight-laced stepfather struggling to win the affections of his wife’s two kids. Then the biological father turns up (Wahlberg), the polar opposite of Brad... Sean Anders previously directed the Adam Sandler vehicle That’s My Boy, as well as Horrible Bosses 2.

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 47 Film A-Z December.qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2015 14:49 Page 1

Carol 15 John Everett Millais. The Inna Vision Film School La Famille Belier 12a A-Z LISTINGS Carol Aird (Cate resultant affaire de cœur Night For the Béliers, their six- Film Blanchett) is a 1950s’ has been the subject of A series of shorts made teen-year-old daughter New York socialite with an much speculation, several by filmmakers with lived Paula is a vital member of All films are currently on general release adoring husband and a films, a few plays and an experiences of mental their eccentric clan. As the unless otherwise stated. For full listing young daughter, but who opera. This one is health. This mix of docu- only non-deaf member of information, including times and dates, nonetheless catches the scripted by none other mentaries, animations the family, she acts as than Emma Thompson. visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk romantic attention of and narratives addresses their ears and mouth. Therese Belivet (Rooney Dakota Fanning & Emma the stigma and triumphs Family life is thrown into Mara), a department store Thompson also star. of Africans and disarray, however, when Brave features Merida, an 45 Years 15 clerk. Expect Oscar nomi- Showing at Forest Arts Caribbeans with mental Paula discovers an un- aspiring archer and im- Kate and Geoff Mercer nations (at least). Based Centre, Walsall, Thurs health problems. Show- tapped gift for singing. petuous daughter of roy- (Charlotte Rampling & on Patricia Highsmith's 17 Dec ing at The Drum, Birm- Showing at The Court- alty. Merida makes a Tom Courtenay) are plan- 1952 semi-autobiographi- ingham, Thurs 3 Dec yard, Hereford, Mon14 - reckless choice that un- Focus 15 ning their forty-fifth wed- cal novel The Price Of Tues 15 & Thurs 17 Dec leashes unintended peril Will Smith plays Nicky ding anniversary when an Salt. Showing at mac, Inside Out U and forces her to spring Spurgeon, a conman who unexpected discovery Birmingham, Fri 11 - Largely set inside the The Life Of Riley 12a into action to set things adopts a young woman threatens to torpedo the Wed 23 Dec brain of an eleven-year- French comedy drama celebration, not to men- right. With the voices of to do his bidding, but then old girl, the film’s five pro- about a group of friends in tion the couple’s mar- Kelly Macdonald & Billy gets flutters in his heart… tagonists are the an amateur dramatic pro- riage. Both Ms Rampling Connolly. Showing at Ar- Carol The woman in question is emotions that dominate duction who discover that and Mr Courtenay won trix, Bromsgrove, Wed played by Margot Robbie, her actions: Joy, Fear, one of their friends is ter- best acting gongs at this 30 Dec she who got Leonardo Di- Anger, Disgust and Sad- minally ill. Showing at year’s Berlin Film Festival. Caprio all hot and both- ness, each given its own The Hive, Shrewsbury, Bridge Of Spies 12a Showing at Artrix, ered in The Wolf Of Wall voice. But there’s more to Shropshire, Wed 9 Dec This is the story of the Bromsgrove, Tues 1 - Street. Showing at Forest this set-up than meets the 1960 U2 incident, when Wed 2 & Fri 4 Dec; Arts Centre, Walsall, Fri mind, as Joy and Sad- Macbeth 15 an American spy plane Stourbridge Town Hall, 4 Dec ness get lost! Featuring A Scottish thane lusts for was shot down by the Mon 7 Dec; Warwick the voices of Amy Poehler power and, thanks to the Russians. Stars Tom The Good Dinosaur U Arts Centre, Coventry, & Phyllis Smith. Showing goading of his flaky wife Hanks & Mark Rylance. Not all dinosaurs are Mon 7 - Thurs 10 Dec Crimson Peak 15 at Warwick Arts Centre, and some premonitions, Showing at Warwick Arts human-chewing veloci- It sounds like something a Coventry, Mon 21 - Tues embarks on a path of Centre, Coventry, Fri 18 raptors. This one is a A Christmas Star U Brontë might have written 22 Dec considerable tragedy and - Thurs 24 Dec; Old young Apatosaurus who, Noelle O’Hanlon and her but is actually the product much blood-letting. Stars Market Hall, Shrews- having lost his father, then friends live in a quiet and of Guillermo del Toro, the Irrational Man 12a Michael Fassbender & bury, Shropshire, Fri 18 - loses his way after knock- peaceful village in Ireland. Mexican master of fan- Here, Joaquin Phoenix Marion Cotillard. Words Thurs 31 Dec; mac, ing himself out on a rock. However, their tranquil tasy. Here, Mia plays an alcoholic, uncon- by William Shakespeare. Birmingham, Sat 26 - He then befriends a country life is threatened Wasikowska (who once ventional philosophy pro- Showing at Wem Town Thurs 31 Dec human cave boy, whom when Pat McKerrod sets played Jane Eyre on film) fessor who embarks on Hall, North Shropshire, his eyes on their home for he calls ‘Spot’. Showing an irrational act in order to Tues 1 - Wed 2 dec; Burnt 12a marries Sir Thomas his new planned develop- at Old Market Hall, salvage his ego. Devotees Royal Spa Centre, Top chef Adam Jones Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston), ment. What Pat doesn’t Shrewsbury, Shropshire, of Nietzsche may also get Leamington Spa, Thurs (Bradley Cooper) burnt and moves to his crum- know is that Noelle is no Fri 18 - Thurs 31 Dec; a kick out of Woody’s 10 - Sun 13 Dec; Artrix, his bridges behind him bling mansion in the north ordinary little girl. Born mac, Birmingham, Mon world view. Stars Jamie Bromsgrove, Sun 27 when he let his arrogance of nineteenth century under a Christmas Star, 28 - Wed 30 Dec Blackley & Joaquin Dec and irresponsible lifestyle England (). she has a unique and Phoenix. Showing at The get in the way of his culi- There, she discovers that Hotel Transylvania 2 PG special gift that means Courtyard, Hereford, nary genius. Now he’s her new sister-in-law (Jes- You can’t escape Adam she can perform big mira- Tues 1 - Thurs 3 Dec fighting to win a third sica Chastain) is bent on Sandler these days - or cles. Stars Rob James- Michelin star for a Paris protecting the ominous cartoons. Here, Count Collier & Suranne Jones. The Lady In The Van 12a restaurant. But first he secrets of the house… Dracula (Sandler) at- Showing at Festival Film version of Alan Ben- must rediscover his inner Showing at mac, Birm- tempts to fine-tune the Drayton Centre, Market nett’s acclaimed play mojo in London. What’s ingham, until Thurs 3 blood-sucking skills of his Drayton, Shropshire, which was inspired by the not to like? Food. Bradley Dec; The Courtyard, half-human grandson, Mon 21 - Tues 22 Dec true story of a homeless Cooper. Sienna Miller… Hereford, Sun 20 - Wed Dennis. Featuring the woman who moved into a Alive U Showing at Warwick Arts 23 voices of Sandler & Andy Bedford van in the drive of Centre, Coventry, Sat 19 Samberg. Showing at Macbeth In this documentary, five The Dressmaker 12a Bennett’s Camden home. & Mon 21 - Wed 23 Dec The Courtyard, Here- HIV-positive gay men One thing’s for sure, Kate The film looks destined for spend a week preparing ford, Sun 20 Dec - Wed BAFTA glory with Dame Man from U.N.C.L.E. 12a Brooklyn 12a Winslet’s latest starring for their first solo para- 23 Dec; Ludlow Assem- Maggie Smith in the lead See DVD section opposite Saoirse Ronan plays Eilis vehicle won’t be for every- chute jump. The cama- bly Rooms, South role. Alex Jennings co- for more information. Stars Lacey, a girl from County one. Adapted from Ros- raderie inspired by the Shropshire, Tues 29 - stars. Showing at The Henry Cavill, Armie Ham- Wexford, who emigrates alie Ham's 2000 Gothic rigorous training and Wed 30 Dec Courtyard, Hereford, mer & Alicia Vikander. to Brooklyn in the 1950s, novel, it’s a madcap affair team-building exercises Tues 1 - Thurs 3 Dec; Showing at Royal Spa where she finds what it about rival dressmakers in The Hunger Games: encourages the men to mac, Birmingham, Fri 4 - Centre, Leamington means to be Irish. Ms the Australian Outback of Mockingjay - Part 2 12a share their feelings about Thurs 17 Dec; Warwick Spa, Tues 15 Dec Ronan got rave reviews at 1951. Judy Davis & Liam It’s all-out war as Katniss being seropositive: their Arts Centre, Coventry, the Toronto Film Festival Hemsworth also star. Everdeen rallies her loyal reactions to finding out, Fri 4 - Thurs 10 & Sat 26 The Martian 15 and looks like a new fron- Showing at Warwick Arts supporters to take down their thoughts about on- - Thurs 31 Dec; Wem During a manned mission trunner for an Oscar nom- Centre, Coventry, Fri 11 the despotic Capitol. The going treatments, and the Town Hall, North Shrop- to Mars, Astronaut Mark ination. Showing at - Thurs 17 & Mon 28 - fourth - and final - instal- ways they negotiate rela- shire, Fri 11, Tues 15 - Watney (Matt Damon) is Warwick Arts Centre, Wed 30 Dec; The Court- ment in the phenomenal tionships with men who Wed 16 Dec; Ludlow presumed dead after a Coventry, until Tues 1 yard, Hereford, Sun 13 - adaptation of Suzanne are not positive. Showing Assembly Rooms, South fierce storm and left be- Dec; Old Market Hall, Tues 15 & Thurs 17 Dec Collins’ best-selling trilogy. at The Hive, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Fri 11 - hind by his crew. But Wat- Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Jennifer Lawrence stars. Shropshire, Tues 1 Dec Effie Gray 12a Thurs 17 Dec; The ney has survived and Fri 4 - Thurs 10 Dec; Showing at Ludlow As- Back in the 1850s, ‘Effie,’ Roses Theatre, Tewkes- finds himself stranded The Roses Theatre, sembly Rooms, South Brave PG the wife of the eminent art bury, Sun 27 & Tues 29 and alone on the hostile Tewkesbury, Mon 21 & Shropshire, Sat 19 & Set in Scotland in a critic John Ruskin, met the Dec planet. With only meagre Wed 23 Dec Tues 22 Dec rugged and mythical time, Pre-Raphaelite painter supplies, he must draw

FOREST ARTS CENTRE, WAL- ODEON TELFORD ODEON TAMWORTH Worcestershire CINEMA Box Office SALL 01922 645 555 0871 224 4007 0871 224 4007 ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE OMH SHREWSBURY 01527 577330 Shropshire 01743 281281 Warwickshire Birmingham SHOWCASE 0871 220 1000 MALVERN THEATRE VUE CINEMA Star City 08712 CINEWORLD, SHREWSBURY WEM TOWN HALL ODEON COVENTRY 0845 287 2146 CINEWORLD Broad St, B’ham 0871 200 2000 01939 232299 0871 224 4007 240 240 THE NORBURY THEATRE, 0871 200 2000 THE EDGE ARTS CENTRE, Staffordshire ODEON NUNEATON DROITWICH SPA CINEWORLD Solihull Black Country MUCH WENLOCK 0871 224 4007 08444 777 1000 0871 200 2000 CINEWORLD W’HAMPTON 01952 728 911 CINEWORLD, BURTON-UPON- SHOWCASE, COVENTRY TRENT 0871 200 2000 WAREHOUSE, ELECTRIC, B’ham 0871 200 2000 FESTIVAL DRAYTON CENTRE, 0871 220 1000 0121 643 7879 THE STAFFORD CINEMA, KIDDERMINSTER LIGHT HOUSE MEDIA CEN- MARKET DRAYTON VUE, LEAMINGTON SPA 01562 747773 EMPIRE 0871 471 4714 TRE, W’HAMPTON 01902 01630 654 444 STAFFORD 08712 240 240 716055 0207 438 9580 VUE, WORCESTER MILLENNIUM POINT THE HIVE, SHREWSBURY PICTURE HOUSE, STRAT- 0871 224 0240 0121 202 2222 ODEON MERRY HILL, DUD- 01743 234 970 FOXLOWE ARTS CENTRE, FORD-UPON-AVON 0871 902 THE ROSE’S THEATRE, MAC 0121 446 3232 LEY 0871 22 44007 LUDLOW ASSEMBLY ROOMS LEEK 01538 386 112 5741 SHOWCASE, DUDLEY 01584 878 141 STOKE FILM THEATRE, 01782 TEWKESBURY ODEON 0871 224 4007 WARWICK ARTS CENTRE 01684 295 074 0871 220 1000 411188 COVENTRY 02476 524524 REEL Quinton 0121 421 5316 MAJESTIC, BRIDGNORTH 01746 761815

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upon his ingenuity, wit pretation. In this version, Garrett Hedlund.Show- Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Hall, Shrewsbury, Shrop- Ludlow Assembly and spirit to subsist and Holmes is retired and suf- ing at Warwick Arts Cen- Fri 11 - Thurs 17 Dec shire, until Thurs 3 Dec; Rooms, South Shrop- find a way to signal to fering from dementia but tre, Coventry, Mon 21 - Warwick Arts Centre, shire, Sun 6 - Mon 7 & Earth that he’s alive. Jes- still resolved to solve a Thurs 24 & Mon 28 - Sicario15 Coventry, Fri 11 - Thurs Wed 9 - Thurs 10 Dec; sica Chastain & Kristen fifty-year-old case. Based Wed 30 Dec; Wem Town An idealistic FBI agent 17 Dec; mac, Birming- The Roses Theatre, Wiig star.Showing at on the 2005 novel A Slight Hall, North Shropshire, (Emily Blunt) is enlisted to ham, Fri 18 - Thurs 24 Tewkesbury, Mon 14, Ludlow Assembly Trick Of The Mind by Mon 21 - Wed 23 Dec; track down a nameless Dec; The Roses The- Wed 18 & Fri 18 Dec Rooms,South Shrop- Mitch Cullin. Ian McKellen Ludlow Assembly drug lord operating on the atre, Tewkesbury, Sat 19, shire Tues 1 - Wed 2 & Laura Linney star. Rooms, South Shrop- US-Mexican border. Beni- Tues 22 & Sat 26 Dec; cio del Toro & Josh Brolin Dec Showing at Stourbridge shire, Wed 23 & Mon 28 Ludlow Assembly Suffragette Town Hall, Mon 21 Dec Dec; The Courtyard, also star.Showing at The Rooms, South Shrop- MinionsPG Hereford, Sat 26 - Wed Roses Theatre, Tewkes- shire, Sun 27 - Wed 30 The irritating little yellow 30 Dec bury, Thurs 3 Dec; Festi- Dec helpmates of the Despica- val Drayton Centre, ble Gru now have a movie Polar ExpressU Market Drayton, Fri 18 Steve Jobs15 to themselves. Having de- The film adaptation of the Dec Danny Boyle’s biopic of stroyed all the masters well-loved children's book the volatile and brilliant co- they’d previously served about a young boy's jour- founder of Apple Inc, star- (including Genghis Khan, ney to the North Pole on a ring Michael Fassbender Napoleon and Dracula), magical steam train, and Kate Winslet.Show- the minions set off to find where he meets Father ing at Warwick Arts Cen- someone equally evil to Christmas. With the tre, Coventry, until Sun 6 assist. So they attend a vil- voices of Tom Hanks & Dec; The Roses The- Taxi Tehran 15 lain’s convention and Mr Holmes Josh Eli.Showing at Ar- atre, Tewkesbury, Mon Following The Circle latch on to Scarlet Overkill The Muppets Christmas trix, Bromsgrove, Mon 28 & Wed 30 Dec; Artrix, (2000) and Crimson (Sandra Bullock), who’s CarolPG 21 Dec Bromsgrove, Wed 30 Gold (2003), Jafar planning to take over the The Muppet characters Dec Panahi was banned The Program 15 world.Showing at Stour- tell their version of the Sicario from making any more bridge Town Hall, Tues classic tale.Showing at If nothing else, Lance Suffragette12a films for twenty years 22 Dec The Hive, Shrewsbury, Armstrong was a terrific Spectre 12a The opener for this year’s (and from leaving Iran). Shropshire, Fri 4 Dec; inspirational speaker. Whilst the newly ap- London Film Festival, Suf- So he shot this drama in Miss You Already12a Royal Spa centre, Leam- He could look you pointed ‘M’ continues fragette focuses on the the back of a taxi while Toni Collette and Drew ington Spa, Thurs 17 straight in the eye and his ongoing battle with working women who driving around Tehran, Barrymore play lifelong Dec convince you he was political forces to keep fought for equal rights for recording his passen- mates whose friendship is telling the truth. Arm- the secret service above their sex in the early part gers’ confidential com- tested when one gets Pan PG strong not only con- water, a cryptic mes- of the twentieth century. ments and opinions. pregnant and the other Like its protagonist, the tracted stage three sage reveals ghosts Starting off in 1912, the Winner of the Golden gets cancer. Filmed in story of Peter Pan will metastatic testicular from James Bond’s film takes a fictitious wife Bear (best film) at this London and West York- never grow up. This edi- cancer, he also beat it - past. It becomes clear and mother, Maud Watts year’s Berlin Film Festi- shire.Showing at The tion reverts to Peter’s be- and then went on to win that a menacing organi- (Carey Mulligan), and val. Stars Jafar Panahi Courtyard, Hereford, Sat ginnings and explores the ‘Tour’ seven consec- sation named SPECTRE charts her involvement and Hana Saeidi. Show- 5 - Wed 9 Dec how he became the air- utive times. Stars Ben is at the bottom of the with key figures in the ing at Warwick Arts Cen- borne child that we all Foster and Chris O'- threat, and 007 is soon movement. Also starring Mr HolmesPG tre, Coventry, Wed 2 - know and love. The direc- Dowd. Showing at mac, embroiled in a globe- Helena Bonham Carter & thurs 3 Dec; mac, Birm- Just when you think tor, Joe Wright, previously Birmingham, until Tues 1 trotting mission to solve Brendan Gleeson Show-. they’ve tried every angle ingham, until Thurs 3 brought us Pride & Preju- Dec; The Roses The- its mystery. Daniel Craig ing at Stoke Film The- Dec on Sherlock Holmes, dice and Atonement. atre, Tewkesbury, Wed 9 and Léa Seydoux star. atre, Stoke-on-Trent, along comes a new inter- Stars Hugh Jackman & Dec; Old Market Hall, Showing at Old Market Tues 1 & Thurs 3 Dec;

DVD NEW RELEASES The Gift 15 Pixels 12a Simon and Robyn are a You’re not going to be- happily married couple lieve this, but the world is whose lives are turned under attack. This time, around with the arrival of aliens have taken excep- a friend from Simon’s tion to a time capsule past. The unwanted visi- sent into outer space - tor insists on bringing the and in particular to video- couple gifts, but their feeds of classic arcade meaning is not entirely games, which they inter- welcome... Stars Jason pret as a declaration of Bateman and Rebecca war. So, in keeping with Hall. the games, the aliens Released 7 Dec launch models - based on Pac-Man and it’s ilk - for their various assaults. Stars Adam Sandler and Kevin James. Released 7 Dec

Paper Towns 12a The story of the search for lead character The Bad Education Quentin’s next-door Movie 15 neighbour and first love, Alfie Wickers, the worst Margot, who loved mys- teacher ever to grace the teries so much that she British educational estab- became one. The Lon- lishment, decides to take don-born supermodel his class on a school trip Cara Delevingne plays to after they’ve her. Also stars Nat Wolff. finished their GCSEs. Released 7 Dec Inevitably, mayhem en- sues. The Man from U.N.C.L.E. 12a Released 14 Dec Most cinemagoers will be too young to remember Robert Vaughn and David McCallum as Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin, but they were jolly cool secret agents back in the 1960s. Guy Ritchie’s large-screen adaptation returns to the Cold War of the Swinging ’60s and has attracted a very sexy cast. Here, Solo and Kuryakin team up to stop a criminal organisation from swamping the globe with nuclear weapons. It may be a Hollywood movie, but the subject is as English as James Bond. And, incidentally, U.N.C.L.E. stands for the United Network Command for Law and Enforcement. We knew you’d want to know. Stars Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer and Alicia Vikander. Released 7 December

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 49 Christmas Gifts DPS.qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2015 19:23 Page 1 ‘Tis the Season The festive season at What’s On Magazine is always a busy time of year, with the team working tirelessly to provide readers with information about what’s happening where in the run-up to, and during, the Christmas holiday. Despite our busy schedule, we’ve taken a couple of minutes to find the latest and greatest gifts available this year...

Something to treasure Betsy Benn Favourite Place Map Framed Print, £130.00, www.johnlewis.com

For the collectors Corgi Originals Chitty Chitty Bang Bang model, www.rewind-vintage-toys.com

For fun around the dinner

Christmas tableChallenges by FromLucy, £9.95, www.notonthehighstreet.com

Somewhere to keep the booze Reindeer Wine Rack by Array Collection, £23.00, www.notonthehighstreet.com

Gift wrapping with a difference Chipp’d Christmas Tree To keep the children occupied Video Stickers, Addictaball, from £7.99, £6.95, John Lewis www.firebox.com

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feature

Be part of the story Perfect for the party season Personalised Classic Novels, Yves Saint Laurent Kiss and £16.99, www.firebox.com Love Colour Collection, £284.00, www.selfridges.com

A well deserved break Purva Karma Four Hand Massage at the Belfry Club & Spa, £259 per person for a total of 120 mins, www.thebelfry.com

For the gym bunnies Fitbit Charge HR + Activity Wristband, £119.00, www.very.co.uk The ultimate classic Monopoly Birmingham Edi- tion, £24.99, www.toysrus.co.uk

To capture the memories For the foodies Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 Bundle Cheese Baker with Cabernet (available in pink, white, blue Wine Jelly Chutney, £14.00, and yellow), £69.99, Argos Next

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52 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Visual Arts December Region 1 .qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2015 19:43 Page 2 Visual Arts

The Age Of Innocence The Barber Institute, Birmingham, until Sun 10 January Works by notable artists such as Castiglione, Adriaen van Ostade, William Hogarth and John Brett are featured in this exploration of the evolv- ing imagery of children and childhood. The display has been curated to complement the gallery’s current Flinck In Focus exhibition and includes stylistically diverse prints and drawings selected from the Barber’s collection.

Salon Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, until Wed 23 December All works on display in this new contemporary art exhibition are available for purchase. The show provides visitors with the chance to invest in recently produced work by con- temporary artists from the West Midlands and beyond. Prices start at £60. The exhibition features an impressive selection of paintings, prints, sculptures, books, photographs and drawings.

A Big Bang: The Origins Of The Pop Art Collection, Part 2 Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Sat 5 Dec - August 2016 Andy Warhol’s legendary 1968 Campbells Soup Can and the iconic maquette of a statue of King Kong - originally commissioned in 1972 for dis- play in Birmingham’s Bull Ring - take pride of place in this sure-to-be-popular exhibition of Pop Art. Attracting musicians, celebrities and leading fig- ures of the day, the Pop Art movement of the 1960s and ’70s was inspired by mass con- sumerism and popular culture. It continues to exert an influence even in today’s art world. Commenting on the exhibition, councillor John Reynolds, cabinet member for Economy, said: “A Big Bang explains why Wolverhampton Art Gallery is home to one of the largest and most significant collections of Pop Art outside London. These works are in regular demand by other gal- leries and travel as far afield as Europe and Indelible Marks: The Dresden Project America. We’re fortunate that back in the 1960s, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry, until Sun 7 February ’70s and up to the early 1980s, curators had the The twinned cities of Coventry and Dresden are honoured in this series of prints, pre- foresight to acquire these artworks at a time when sented to mark the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Coventry Blitz and the seventieth they were still considered to be new and contro- anniversary of the Dresden bombings. versial. Thankfully, they found a home in The exhibition features historical archive materials alongside a presentation of the artist Wolverhampton Art Gallery. Over more recent Monica Petzal’s own wartime experiences. These included moving from Dresden with decades, the gallery has been able to build on her family following the rise of National Socialism and its anti-Jewish policies. this core collection and acquire other Pop works The Herbert’s hosting of the exhibition coincides with the presentation at Coventry which further add to its significance.” Cathedral of a site-specific artwork created by Petzal.

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VisualArts PREVIEWS VisualArts LISTINGS

For full listing information on Visual Art Further exhibitions exhibitions, including times and dates, visit whatsonlive.co.uk

StART OF TIME AND THE RAILWAY BY ROBERT DAVIES A film RBSA Gallery, Birmingham, about the railway line between Birmingham and Wed 30 December - Sat 6 February Aberystwyth, filmed by Robert Davies from the dri- ver's cab of the train, recorded weekly over twelve This always greatly anticipated event in the months, until Sat 5 Dec, Wolverhampton Art Gallery RBSA calendar provides an opportunity for DENNIS MINCHIN RBSA Solo work featuring a series art enthusiasts to purchase original, high- of still lives in oil, until Sat 5 Dec, RBSA Gallery, quality pieces for £200 or less. Birmingham Featuring contemporary art by members and DISPLAY SHOW One in a series of group exhibitions associates, the exhibition ably demonstrates and productions which have been designed ‘to the society’s commitment to the mission of effect change upon the existing condition of providing ‘art for everyone’. Eastside Projects’, until Sat 12 Dec, Eastside Projects, Birmingham FLORE NOVE-JOSSERAND ‘CITY GROWTH BLUES’ A space created by artist Nove-Josserand, displaying a number of architectural hoardings through draw- ing, painting, photographing and constructing, until Sat 12 Dec, Eastside Projects, Birmingham CHINESE COLLECTION RE-DISPLAY Consisting of over one hundred objects spanning over three thousand years, until Sun 13 Dec, Compton Verney Gallery, Terms Of Engagement - The Barber Institute, Birmingham Warwickshire KERN BABY BY FAYE CLARIDGE An enigmatic new MEDICATE 2015 Contemporary collection exploring exhibition by artist Faye Claridge which takes on the physical, societal and psychological effects of the form of an exaggerated sculptural emblem of disease on people, as well as the values and prac- folklore, until Sun 13 Dec, Compton Verney Gallery, tices of medical science, until Sun 17 Jan, Warwickshire Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum JUNE RIDGWAY ARBSA A collection of new ceramic TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT Portraits from the University work, identifiable via the artist’s distinctive use of of Birmingham, including works by Jacob Epstein, soft colour against lines of black, until Sat 19 Dec, Tom Phillips, Humphrey Ocean and Jennifer RBSA Gallery, Birmingham McRae, until Sun 17 Jan, The Barber Institute, MISSING POST OFFICE UK Birmingham branch of Birmingham Missing Post Office UK by Japanese artist Saya WAR GAMES An interactive exhibition that examines Periodic Tales: The Art Of Kubota, until Wed 23 Dec, Ikon Gallery, the role of war in childhood play and strategic The Elements Birmingham games from the 1800s to the present day, until Sun BIRMINGHAM URBAN SKETCHERS GROUP A selection of 17 Jan, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry Compton Verney, Warwickshire, until Sun 13 December sketches showing the wide diversity of interpreta- MATHÉ SHEPHEARD ARBSA A semi-abstract approach tions that artists put on the same subject. All sub- that explores a variety of landscapes, including Historic and contemporary works by jects are taken from views in and around skies, mountains, water, contours and textures, until Eduardo Paolozzi, Antony Gormley, Cornelia Birmingham, until Thurs 24 Dec, Harborne Art Sat 23 Jan, RBSA Gallery, B’ham Parker and David Nash all feature in this fas- Gallery, Birmingham THE CLIVE BEARDSMORE GIFT The 2015 interventions cinating exhibition, which takes a look at the MADE BY MAKERS DOZEN An eclectic mix of original into the Garman Ryan Collection is a selection from way in which artists have explored the rich arts and contemporary crafts by thirteen profession- a substantial gift of artworks donated to the gallery cultural symbolism of the elements featured al local artists and designer-makers, until Fri 25 until Sun 24 Jan, The New Art Gallery, Walsall Dec, Wolverhampton Art Gallery in the periodic table. EPSTEIN'S ROCK DRILL I TRANSFORMED BY WAR Rock BIRMINGHAM PEOPLE AND CHANGE IN THE INNER-CITY Drill was destroyed by Epstein at the end of 1915 Display exploring the way in which ordinary and reformed into the truncated Torso In Metal from Birmingham people have been represented in art Rock Drill, until Sun 24 Jan, The New Art Gallery, during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, until Jacques Nimki: Seen/Unseen Walsall Thurs 31 Dec, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, ALEX DROZD: SMETHWICK GALTON BRIDGE/PORTRAIT OF until Sun 17 January 20TH CENTURY BRITISH STUDIO CERAMICS A display of A STATION Photographic exhibition of the landscape This is the culmination of a year-long project seventy-eight pieces of studio ceramics made by surrounding Smethwick Galton Bridge railway sta- twenty-nine potters working in England and Wales tion, until Sun 24 Jan, mac, Birmingham which has seen Jacques Nimki in residence during the twentieth century, until Thurs 31 Dec, at Ikon. Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery FLINCK IN FOCUS Marking the four hundredth During his time at the gallery, Nimki has used anniversary of Govert Flinck’s birth, this exhibition NICKLIN UNSEEN An outdoor photographic exhibition explores the under-appreciated artist, until Sun 24 weeds and wild flowers to examine how ‘the showing a changing Birmingham in the 1950s & unseen’ affects what people expect to find ’60s, until Thurs 31 Dec, Snow Hill Square, within any environ- Birmingham ment at any given MADE @ THE CONE CHRISTMAS SHOWCASE until Sat 2 time. Jan, Red House Glass Cone, Stourbridge His exploration has LYNNE SAWYER & KATHERINE WATSON: CONTEMPORARY included studying the ART/NATURAL LANDSCAPES until Sun 3 Jan, Artrix, quality of light Bromsgrove appearing and disap- CRAFTED FOR YOU Annual exhibition of some of the pearing on a variety best craftmakers in the Midlands, until Sat 9 Jan, Worcester City Museum & Art Gallery of surfaces. He’s also MADE AT MAC: PHOTOGRAPHY A showcase of work contemplated the from two Kate Green-led courses, until Sun 10 Jan, boundaries which mac Birmingham exist between public A TOUCH OF TEXTURE CRAFT EXHIBITION Exhibition of and private space, jewellery made using alternative materials, includ- especially with ing leather, felt, cotton, wool, silk and velvet, until respect to the gallery Sat 16 Jan, RBSA Gallery, Birmingham environment itself. THIS IS NOT A JOKE Exhibition that looks at how con- Nimki’s research has temporary artists use different facets of humour in included a series of their work, until Sat 16 Jan, Wolverhampton Art workshops and tours Gallery with Ikon visitors, FIONA BANNER - SCROLL DOWN AND KEEP SCROLLING Comprising a wide variety of text pieces, drawings, staff, patrons and sculptures and films, until Sun 17 Jan, Ikon Gallery, local office workers. Birmingham Nicklin Unseen - Snow Hill Square, Birmingham

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Jan, The Barber Institute, Birmingham Enchanted Dreams - Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery CASTING A FORTUNE: FROM CABINETS TO COFFINS EXHIBITION Exploring the history of Newman Brothers, from its Victorian beginnings making cab- inet fittings to its rebirth in the 1960s as a company connected to the royal household, until Fri 29 Jan, Newman Brothers Coffin Works, Birmingham ANTONIO ROBERTS First solo exhibition, until Fri 29 Jan, BOM (Birmingham Open Media) SOCIETY OF ARTISTS The sixty-eighth annual exhibi- tion of the Worcester Society of Artists, until Sat 30 Jan, Worcester City Museum & Art Gallery SOUND MATTERS; EXPLORING CRAFT AND SOUND A Craft Council touring exhibition - seven contempo- rary works from a range of creative disciplines, until Sat 6 Feb, Wolverhampton Art Gallery 75 YEARS: JOHN PIPER AND GUSTAV MEZGER John Piper's iconic paintings of the ruins of Coventry Cathedral on the morning after the Blitz and a newly commissioned work from Gustav Metzger which explores the bombing of Coventry and the German city of Munster in the Second World War, until Sun 7 Feb, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry OLD WIVES’ TALES: MIGRATION JOURNEYS OF BANGLADESHI WOMEN TO THE UK Photographic exhi- bition which gives a unique insight into the lives of young Bangladeshi women who came to Birmingham between the 1960s and 1980s, until Sun 7 Feb, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery ENCHANTED DREAMS The first ever exhibition to be dedicated to Pre-Raphaelite artist Edward Robert made up of many parts, from small jewels in RBSA members and associates, most of which are Hughes, until Sun 21 Feb, Birmingham Museum & frames to large, freestanding furniture, until Sun 22 for sale, Thurs 3 - Thurs 24 Dec, RBSA Gallery, Art Gallery May, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery Birmingham WOLVERHAMPTON SOCIETY OF ARTISTS Biennial exhi- MADE AT MAC AT HEART OF ENGLAND TRUST HOSPITALS ANDREW KINMONT ARBSA Andrew's experiences of bition with a diverse range of styles, mediums and Touring exhibition by various mac students, until Fri working in the landscape are reflected in his body subject matter, until Sat 27 Feb, Wolverhampton Art 29 July, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope and of work, Mon 7 Dec - Sun 7 Feb, RBSA Gallery, Gallery Solihull Hospitals Birmingham INHERITING ROME Exhibition which uses money to BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM & ART GALLERY IN 130 YEARS explore and question our deep-seated familiarity JOAN SHARMA ARBSA A celebration of mothers, The story of the Museum & Art Gallery, told via a babies and mothers-to-be. Sculptures in stone and with the Roman Empire’s imagery, until Sun 24 Apr, special anniversary exhibition, until Thurs 1 Sept wood, Mon 21 Dec - Sat 20 Feb, RBSA Gallery, The Barber Institute, Birmingham 2016, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery Birmingham WENDY RAMSHAW’S ROOM OF DREAMS An installation MEMBERS AND ASSOCIATES EXHIBITION Work by

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Clothes Show Live NEC, Birmingham, Fri 4 - Tues 8 December A hot ticket for fashionistas everywhere, Clothes Show Live regularly attracts a plethora of well-known celebrities from the worlds of music and TV - and this year is no exception. Radio One presenters Gemma Cairney and Alice Levine both contribute, as does Made In Chelsea star Jamie Laing. British singer-songwriter Rae Morris, pop sensation Charli XCX and exciting young music talent Ella Eyre will all be performing. In addition to showcasing wares from hundreds of leading fashion and beauty brands, the five-day event features non-stop catwalk shows in the AlcatelOnetouch Fashion Theatre. New for 2015 are exclusive trend presentations, hosted by a celebrity stylist and giving visitors insights into which fashions are the must-haves for the autumn-winter season.

Insomnia 56 NEC, Birmingham, Fri 11 - Mon 14 December The UK’s biggest gaming festival has this year relocated to Birmingham’s NEC, having outgrown its previous home at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry. Insomnia Gaming Festival is a twenty-four-hour event ‘combin- ing all the best bits of video-gaming’. The show offers visitors the chance to play an impressive selec- tion of both new and vintage games, and to watch their favourite online YouTube and Twitch stars as they participate in live Q&A sessions and interactive activities. Special guests include the Diamond Minecart, Kwebbelkop, Jelly, the Gaming Lemon and Master OV.

Edwardian Christmas Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham, Every weekend between Sat 5 - Sun 20 December Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is offering visitors the chance to sample all things Edwardian this Christmas. The city-centre venue is decking its rooms with turn-of-the-century-inspired decorations, providing traditional festive fare in its Edwardian tearoom and hosting an exhibition showcasing the Pre-Raphaelite art of ER Hughes.

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Events PREVIEWS Asian Bride Live NEC, Birmingham, Sat 12 - Sun 13 December Asian Bride Live here returns for a second Birmingham show in 2015 - and not only has it expanded to a two-day event, it’s also tak- ing place in a bigger location. “The NEC is a great venue that offers us the flexibility to grow,” says Asian Bride Live’s Event Director, Waleed Jahangir. “Whilst we continue to have a fantastic relationship with the ICC, we have reached our capacity there, so the next natural step is to move to a big- ger venue.” Waleed is expecting visitor num- bers to exceed the three thousand, five hun- dred mark for a show that’s promising to be ‘the ultimate wedding shopping experience’. Highlight of the event is sure to be a three- times-a-day show presenting the latest designs from leading Asian fashion bou- tiques. Commenting on the event, Jenny Wright, NEC Business Development Ice Skate Birmingham Executive for Exhibitions, said. “We’re very Centenary Square, Birmingham, until Sun 10 January much looking forward to welcoming Asian Ice Skate Birmingham makes a welcome return to the city centre this festive season. As Bride Live to the NEC. Visitors should expect usual located in front of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, the popular visitor attraction a truly exciting and engaging event.” can hold up to three hundred people in one session. Younger or inexperienced skating enthusiasts can keep upright by using special Penguin Skating aids, which can be booked online and in advance. The rink is once again overlooked by the Observation Wheel, offering passengers superb views of surrounding Birmingham landmarks.

on a horse-drawn cart, experience some fes- tive-style entertainment - including a mini- Festive fun at Alton Towers pantomime and a singalong with carol Alton Towers Resort, Staffordshire, singers - and partake in a spot of Christmas Sat 12 - Sun 13 and Fri 18 - Wed 23 shopping in the museum’s retail outlet. December And just in case all that’s not enough to Alton Towers Resort isn’t just for Christmas, ensure your youngsters are happily enter- y’know - although if you do happen to fancy tained, Father Christmas himself - together a yuletide getaway, it may well be the place Christmas in Space with his reindeer - will be on hand to hear to head for this festive season. Thinktank Museum, Birmingham, some last-minute gift requests. A Santa’s Sleepover in one of the popular every weekend between visitor attraction’s Christmas-themed hotels For further details visit http://www.birming- comes complete with a pantomime version hammuseums.org.uk/thinktank of Cinderella, a visit to Santa’s hideaway Birmingham’s popular science museum is Christmas at Avoncroft grotto and entrance to the theme park, not to taking its Christmas inspiration from British Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove, mention breakfast and a traditional astronaut Tim Peake this month. Tues 1 - Sun 20 December Christmas lunch. Each weekend in the run-up to Christmas, Avoncroft is this month offering visitors the Visitors popping along just for a day out are Thinktank will be exploring what the festive chance to ‘savour the atmosphere of well catered for too. Alongside the venue’s season will be like for Tim, who’ll be taking a Christmases past’, courtesy of its fascinating combination of rides in CBeebies Land, rocket up to the International Space Station, exhibition of beautifully decorated historic Mutiny Bay and Cloud Cuckoo Land, there’s to start six months in orbit, on 15 December buildings. also the chance to check out the Elves (Tim’s actual blast off will be shown live on a The popular Worcestershire visitor attraction Emporium, where Santa’s little helpers are large screen). is also presenting numerous re-created busily assisting the man himself and his Meanwhile, in the Planetarium, a special scenes illustrating how people from all walks good lady wife with preparations for show explores the real astronomy behind the of life might have spent their festive season - Christmas. Christmas star and investigates what other from a well-to-do family in a medieval town cosmological events might have been hap- house to a character in a cell block ‘who’s pening in the night skies two thousand years indulged in rather too much of the Christmas Illuminating Shakespeare ago. And speaking of heavenly bodies seen spirit’. Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Stratford-upon- in the night skies, Father Christmas himself The presence (from Thursday to Sunday) of Avon, until Sat 19 December will be flying into the venue from 21 to 23 a decidedly jocular fellow dressed all in red This brand new, interactive light show, December, offering youngsters the chance to and sporting a big white beard is sure to beamed on to the walls of Shakespeare’s make any last-minute gift requests and giv- make the experience all the more magical for Birthplace, offers spectators the chance to ing them a present to take away too. younger members of the family... catch a ‘glimpse’ of the legendary Stratford playwright during his childhood. “We were really interested in the idea of Blists Hill Shakespeare as a child and the incredible imagination he must’ve had in order to paint Victorian Christmas such magical pictures with words,” says Rob Blists Hill, Ironbridge, Fri 5 - Sat 6 December Vale, creative director at Illuminos, the digital and Fri 12 - Sat 13 December projection artists responsible for the presen- Plenty of Victorian festive cheer is on offer at tation. “It’s as if all those plays and sonnets Shropshire’s Blists Hill museum this month, were in the mind of this boy, waiting to pour as residents busy themselves with prepara- out in later life. We also wanted to link that tions for Christmas. directly to an audience, and to the idea of a Visitors to the award-winning site can enjoy childlike wonder we hopefully all still have”. seasonal music from bands and choirs, ride www.whatsonlive.co.uk 59 Events December Region 1 .qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2015 21:00 Page 5

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Coventry Father Christmas at Croome Park, Worcester THE MAGICAL CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE Tue 1 - Thurs 24 Dec, Beckett's Farm, Wythall WINTER WONDERLAND See the theme park magically transformed into a Winter Wonderland, Tues 1 - Thurs 24 Dec, Twinlakes Family Theme Park, Melton Mowbray, SANTA SAFARI A themed Discovery Trail area with Santa's Grotto in addition to access to the four-mile drive through safari and African Village. New for this year is Land Of The Living Dinosaurs, until Thurs 24 Dec, West Midland Safari and Leisure Park, Bewdley ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS KINGDOM A real-life nativity and a Festive Friends puppet show, until Thurs 24 Dec, Hatton Adventure World, Warwick CAR RALLIES AT COSFORD until Thurs 31 Dec, RAF Cosford, Shropshire BLACK WIDOW SPIDER Visit the Butterfly Farm's resident black widow spider, hun- dreds of spectacular butterflies, insects & reptiles, Tues 1 - Thurs 31 Dec, Stratford Santa comes to the Midlands... Butterfly Farm CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS Experience a Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose Georgian-inspired Christmas, Tue 1 Dec - and a cherubic-faced Santa Claus taking Christmas gift orders 2015 - Sun 3 Jan 2016, Croome Park, from wide-eyed youngsters in his magical grotto. Yep, it’s that very Worcester special time of year again, when your children’s list of hoped-for DRIFT WHAT YA BRUNG Chance to practise drifting in safe and legal conditions on some presents leaves you stunned, staggered, stymied and reaching for of the Pod's thirty acres of open tarmac, the sherry. Our advice is to let Santa take the strain. where there are beginners, intermediate and Here’s a list of dates and places where the big red fellow can be advanced tracks open at the same time each found ho-ho-ho-ing in his fabulous festive grotto... DWYB day, Wed 2 Dec, Santa Pod Raceway, Northants SANTA’S MAGICAL GROTTO All proceeds from Backs CHRISTMAS HOUSE TOURS Followed by a the grotto go to Harry Moseley’s charity, SANTA'S GROTTO Fri 4 - Thu 24 Dec, Heart of three-course festive supper, Wed 2 - Fri 11 Help Harry Help Others, until Thurs 24 Dec, England Conference & Events Centre, Dec, Baddesley Clinton, Warwick House of Fraser, Birmingham Coventry DONKEY SANCTUARY Meet the wonderful team IGLOO Santa lands in Bullring with an SANTA'S GROTTO Sat 5 - Sun 6 Dec & Sat 19 of donkeys and discover their unique charac- immersive 360 digital experience, until - Sun 20 Dec, Birmingham Botanical ters, Thurs 3 Dec, The Fort Shopping Park, Thurs 24 Dec, The Bullring Shopping Gardens Fort Centre, Birmingham FATHER CHRISTMAS AT COURT 15 Take a tour MURDER MYSTERY DINNER AND CHRISTMAS SANTA'S GROTTO AND ELF SCHOOL Become a of the traditionally decorated houses, then PARTY DISCO Fri 4 Dec, Highbury Hall, fully fledged elf to help Santa prepare for meet the man himself, Sat 5 & 12 Dec, Birmingham his busiest time of year, until Thurs 24 Dec, Birmingham Back to Backs GRAND UNION CHRISTMAS PARTY An evening of INTU Merry Hill, Dudley SANTA AT THE MUSEUM Open in the mini DJs, tipples and dances, Fri 4 Dec, Grand FATHER CHRISTMAS AT AVONCROFT MUSEUM museum between 10.30am & 12.30pm; Union, Birmingham Thurs 3 - Sun 20 Dec, Avoncroft Museum, 1.30pm & 4.30pm, Sat 5 Dec - Sun 20 Dec, CHRISTMAS WREATH MAKING Fri 4 Dec, Bromsgrove Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery Kenilworth Castle FATHER CHRISTMAS BY CANDLELIGHT Take a VISIT FATHER CHRISTMAS Sat 5 - Sun 6 Dec; CHRISTMAS BLACKOUT ON THE UPTON FRONT tour of the traditionally decorated houses, Sat 12 - Sun 13 Dec & Sat 19 - Sun 20 Enter into the spirit of a 1940s Christmas, Fri Fri 4 & Sat 5 Dec, Birmingham Back To Dec, Croome Park, Worcester 4 Dec, Upton House & Gardens, Warwickshire CHRISTMAS WREATH MAKING Fri 4 Dec, Witley Court, Worcestershire ILLUMINATING SHAKESPEARE An immersive TEA WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS Fri 4 - Sun 6 Events LISTINGS glimpse into Shakespeare's early life through Dec, Upton House & Gardens, Warwickshire a magical, interactive illumination, until Sat THE CLOTHES SHOW 2015 The UK's biggest For full listing information on Events, 19 Dec, Shakespeare's Birthplace, Stratford- fashion and beauty event, Fri 4 - Tue 8 Dec, upon-Avon including times and dates, visit NEC, Birmingham GEORGIAN CHRISTMAS WEEKENDS until Sun 20 www.whatsonlive.co.uk BREWERY & COUNTRY PUB TOUR Go Cotswolds Dec, Berrington Hall, offers scheduled and chartered day trips to ’TIS THE SEASON... Walk around the beautifully the Cotswolds from Stratford-upon-Avon, Sat From TUES 1 DEC lit grounds and visit traditionally decorated 5 Dec 2015 - Sat 30 Jan 2016, Alcester, buildings, each with its own Christmas story, Warwickshire Tues 1 - Sun 20 Dec, Avoncroft Museum, JACOBEAN CHRISTMAS Sat 5 Dec, , CHRISTMAS WORKSHOPS FOR ADULTS Make a Bromsgrove Birmingham rag wreath, felt tree decoration or a tradition- CHRISTMAS TRAIL until 3 Jan, Croome Park, CCA CLASSIC CAR SALE Sat 5 Dec, al wreath, or maybe try all three, Tue 1, Wed Worcester Warwickshire Exhibition Centre 2 & Fri 4 Dec, Croome Park, Worcester BIRMINGHAM FRANKFURT CHRISTMAS MARKET NEEDLECRAFT FAIR Sat 5 Dec, National MOTORCYCLE LIVE The best products, bikes & until Tue 22 Dec, Birmingham City Centre Motorcycle Museum, Solihull services from leading companies across the CHRISTMAS AT WARWICK CASTLE Meet Santa PAPERCRAFT FAIR Sat 5 Dec, National globe, Tue 1 - Sun 6 Dec, NEC, Birmingham Claus and enjoy a range of festive events at Motorcycle Museum, Solihull CHRISTMAS AT COUGHTON Tue 1 - Sun 6 Dec, the castle, until Wed 23 Dec, Warwick Castle CHRISTMAS AT WINTERBOURNE With traditional Coughton Court, Warwickshire FESTIVE FUN AT BRANDON MARSH A Christmas- decorations, carol singers, magic lantern FESTIVE FEASTS A Christmas feast in the themed wildlife and sensory walk, with a glit- shows and an expanded craft stalls area, Sat Great Hall, Tue 1 - Fri 18 Dec, St. Mary's tery art and craft session, Tue 1 - Tues 22 5 Dec, Winterbourne House & Garden, Guildhall, Coventry Dec, Brandon Marsh Nature Centre, Birmingham

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Events LISTINGS

For full listing information on Events, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk

MISCHIEVOUS ELF Watch out for the cheeky elf doing the rounds at The Fort, Sat 5 Dec, The Fort Shopping Park, Fort Dunlop EXCALIBUR COMPUTER FAIR Packed with com- puter goods at trade prices, Sat 5 Dec, National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull CANDLELIT CHRISTMAS NIGHT Sat 5 Dec, Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove MURDER MYSTERY DINNER EXPERIENCES Fri 4 - Sat 5 Dec, Shugborough Historic Working Estate, Warwickshire CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR Sat 5 Dec, Birmingham Botanical Gardens UK DRONE SHOW Featuring the latest aerial and terrestrial drone technology, Sat 5 - Sun 6 Dec, NEC, Birmingham BRUNCH WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS & HOUSE Victorian Christmas at Blists Hill, Ironbridge, Shropshire VISIT Sat 5 - Sun 6 Dec, Upton House & Gardens, Warwickshire Art Gallery Warwickshire STAR WARS PADAWAN TRAINING AT SELFRIDGES ASTON HALL’S BRACEBRIDGE CHRISTMAS TOURS BRUNCH WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS & HOUSE Aspiring Padawans train with a Jedi Master, Visit the house that inspired Washington VISIT Meet Father Christmas and visit the Sat 5 - Sun 6 Dec, The Bullring Shopping Irving’s famous novel, Bracebridge Hall, Tue Wartime Christmas experience in the house, Centre 8 - Thurs 10 Dec, Aston Hall, Birmingham Sat 12 - Sun 13 Dec, Upton House & GROW AND EXPLORE OUTDOORS Gardens, Warwickshire CHRISTMAS AT TWYCROSS Lights and decora- A session for tions, a festive adventure trail, Christmas children under five, exploring the gardens CHRISTMAS AT TWYCROSS Featuring a festive music and choirs, Sat 5 - Sun 6 Dec, through different activities, Wed 9 Dec, adventure trail, Christmas music and choirs, Twycross Zoo, Warwickshire Highbury Hall, Birmingham Sat 12 - Sun 13 Dec, Twycross Zoo, FLORAL WORKSHOP AND FESTIVE CREAM TEA Warwickshire WARTIME CHRISTMAS FAYRE Sat 5 - Sun 6 Thurs 10 Dec, Anne Hathaway's Cottage & Dec, Upton House & Gardens, Warwickshire CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS CRAFTS Sat 12 - Sun Gardens, Stratford-upon-Avon 13 Dec, Croome Park, Worcester CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION WEEKENDS Featuring URBAN PRESENTS: ASTRAL GYPSY’S COMIC Cadbury World’s Christmas pantomime The LADIES KENNEL ASSOCIATION Championship MOVIE NIGHT Sleeping Beauty, Sat 5 - Sun 6 Dec, Cadbury Film night for comic fans, Thurs Dog Show, Sat 12 - Sun 13 Dec, NEC, 10 Dec, Fargo Village, Coventry World, Bournville Birmingham AGA CHRISTMAS COOKING FOR VICTORY A WARWICKSHIRE CHRISTMAS FAIR 2015 UPTON HOUSE CHRISTMAS MARKET Sat 5 - Sun Demonstration of festive recipes based on 6 Dec, Upton House & Gardens, Sat 12 - Sun 13 Dec, Packwood House, wartime AGA recipes, Thurs 10 Dec, Upton Warwickshire Solihull House & Gardens, Warwickshire PREPARING FOR A MEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS WITH CHRISTMAS AT THE CASTLE Festive fun for all THE EVENTMASTERS CHRISTMAS RACEDAY THE SIR JOHN SAVILE HOUSEHOLD the family, Sat 12 - Sun 13 Dec, Kenilworth An afternoon of racing and festive celebra- Sat 5 - Sun 6 Dec, Brockhampton Estate, Castle, Warwickshire tions, Thurs 10 Dec, Warwick Racecourse Herefordshire SANTA STEAM SPECIALS A train journey to HERITAGE SKILLS COURSE - CHRISTMAS KNITS Arley to meet Father Christmas in his grotto, ORCHARD ELVES TRAIL Sat 5 - Sun 6 Dec, Jenniffer Taylor, from the Great British Brockhampton Estate, Herefordshire Sat 12 - Sun 13 Dec, Severn Valley Railway, Sewing Bee, leads a Christmas knits work- Kidderminster CHRISTMAS MARKET Sat 5 - Sun 6 Dec, shop inspired by the good, old-fashioned Croome Park, Worcester TUDOR CHRISTMAS Sat 12 - Sun 13 Dec, ‘make do and mend’ spirit, Thurs 10 Dec, , Birmingham CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS CRAFTS Sat 5 - Sun 6 Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove Dec, Croome Park, Worcester CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION WEEKENDS Featuring DIGBETH CHRISTMAS HAMPER The Old Crown Cadbury World’s Christmas pantomime The VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS WEEKEND Sat 5 - Sun 6 does Christmas!, Thurs 10 Dec, The Old Sleeping Beauty, Sat 12 - Sun 13 Dec, Dec, Blists Hill, lronbridge, Shropshire Crown, Digbeth, Birmingham Cadbury World, Bournville VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS Celebrating Charles CHRISTMAS BLACKOUT ON THE UPTON FRONT A WINTER LESS ORDINARY Dickens' love of Shakespeare, Sat 5 Dec Showcasing a wide Enter into the spirit of a 1940s Christmas, Fri range of independent art, music, fashion, 2015 - Wed 6 Jan 2016, Anne Hathaway's 11 Dec, Upton House & Gardens, crafts, performance and food, Sat 12 - Mon Cottage & Gardens, Stratford-upon-Avon Warwickshire 14 Dec, Digbeth, Birmingham WWI, CHRISTMAS AND THE TRUCE A display CHRISTMAS ROLLER BOOGIE Enjoy an evening showing the contrast between Christmas MERRY FISHMAS AND MERLIN’S MAGIC WAND roller skating, cheesy disco and Christmas spent at home or on the battlefield during the WINTER PARTY! Underwater Christmas trees tunes, Fri 11 Dec, Fargo Village, Coventry Great War, Sat 5 Dec 2015 - Wed 6 Jan and a chance to meet the man himself in an MURDER MYSTERY DINNER AND CHRISTMAS 2016, Hall's Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon Antarctic grotto, Sat 12 - Wed 23 Dec, PARTY DISCO Fri 11 Dec, Highbury Hall, National Sea Life Centre, Birmingham 17TH CENTURY CHRISTMAS Act out your own Birmingham mummers' play and create a ghost story as THE LOST GIFT Coventry-based physical the- TEA WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS Fri 11 - Sun 13 you follow the Christmas trail around Harvard atre company Highly Sprung present a new Dec, Upton House & Gardens, Warwickshire House, Sat 5 Dec 2015 - Wed 6 Jan 2016, interactive adventure for children aged four- INSOMNIA 56 Harvard House & The Museum of British The UK’s biggest gaming festi- plus, Sat 12 - Thurs 31 Dec, Warwick Arts val, Fri 11 - Mon 14 Dec, NEC, Birmingham Pewter, Stratford-upon-Avon Centre FATHER CHRISTMAS AT COURT 15 Take a tour of SPECIAL CHRISTMAS OPENING WITH FATHER SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS A great family event, the traditionally decorated houses, then meet Sun 6 Dec, Hill Close Gardens, Warwick CHRISTMAS Sun 13 Dec, Harvington Hall, the man himself, Sat 12 Dec, Birmingham Kidderminster COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS FEST A day of local Back to Backs music, choirs, school activities and festive TRADITIONAL FAMILY CHRISTMAS CARVERY WITH ASIAN BRIDE LIVE treats, Sun 6 Dec, Fargo Village, Coventry Two day bridal extravagan- A VISIT FROM SANTA Sun 13 Dec, Highbury za, Sat 12 - Sun 13 Dec, NEC, Birmingham Hall, Birmingham Week Commencing MON 7 DEC VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS WEEKEND Sat 12 - Sun 13 Dec, Blists Hill, Ironbridge, Shropshire Week Commencing MON 14 DEC STAFFORDSHIRE HOARD & CONSERVATION TOUR CHRISTMAS WASSAIL Christmas stories and Behind-the-scenes tour of the Conservation carols from Birmingham Crescent Theatre, VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS Mon 14 Dec, Studio, Tue 8 Dec, Birmingham Museum And Sat 12 - Sun 13 Dec, Coughton Court, Chedhams Yard, Stratford-upon-Avon

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 63 Events December Region 1 .qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2015 21:00 Page 9

Fargo Village, Coventry Events LISTINGS CAROLS AT NIGHT Sat 19 Dec, Avoncroft Week Commencing MON 21 DEC Museum, Bromsgrove FESTIVE CRAFT Glittery make-and-take craft For full listing information on Events, EXCALIBUR COMPUTER FAIR Sat 19 Dec, National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull activities suitable for children aged between including times and dates, visit four and eleven, Mon 21 Dec, Artrix, www.whatsonlive.co.uk CAROLS AT WARWICK CASTLE Led by the choir of St Mary’s and Royal Spa Brass, Sat 19 Bromsgrove CHRISTMAS TOURS AND MAGIC LANTERN SHOW Dec, Warwick Castle TERRIFIC TISSUE PRINTS Create beautiful and See how the Victorians celebrated Christmas CHRISTMAS IN THE HOME Sat 19 - Sun 20 Dec, professional artworks on mini canvases, Mon with a festive magic lantern show, Mon 14 - Black Country Living Museum, Dudley 21 - Wed 23 Dec, Herbert Art Gallery & Tue 15 Dec, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS CRAFTS Sat 19 - Sun Museum, Coventry HOME FOR CHRISTMAS What do we mean by 20 Dec, Croome Park, Worcester A TUDOR CHRISTMAS Thurs 24 Dec, home? A powerful word, evoking strong CHRISTMAS STORYTELLING IN THE HOUSE Sat Shakespeare's Birthplace, Stratford-upon- images and emotions, particularly at this 19 - Sun 20 Dec, Croome Park, Worcester Avon time of year, Tue 15 Dec, Herbert Art Gallery CAROL CONCERT Sat 19 Dec, Croome Park, SANTA STEAM SPECIALS A train journey to & Museum, Coventry Worcester Arley to meet Father Christmas in his grotto, DR HALL - THE PHYSICIAN Discover how Dr 17TH CENTURY CHRISTMAS Sat 19 - Sun 20 Thurs 24 Dec, Severn Valley Railway, Hall treated his patients with his successful Dec, Moseley Old Hall, Birmingham Kidderminster herbal cures for digestive problems, scurvy CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION WEEKENDS Featuring FESTIVE SEASON SERVICE Sat 26 Dec 2015 - and hiccups, Tue 15 Dec, Hall's Croft, Cadbury World’s Christmas pantomime The Sun 3 Jan 2016, Severn Valley Railway, Stratford-upon-Avon Sleeping Beauty, Sat 19 - Sun 20 Dec, Kidderminster DRIFT WHAT YA BRUNG Chance to practise Cadbury World, Bournville, Birmingham TOY COLLECTORS' FAIR Sun 27 Dec, NEC, drifting in safe and legal conditions on some BROCKHAMPTON BY CANDLELIGHT Sat 19 - Sun Birmingham of the Pod's thirty acres of open tarmac, 20 Dec, Brockhampton Estate, Herefordshire MAGICAL CHRISTMAS Including a screening of where there are beginners, intermediate and SANTA STEAM SPECIALS A train journey to The Polar Express in 4D and a chance to advanced tracks open at the same time each Arley to meet Father Christmas in his grotto, meet Santa’s reindeers, Sun 27 - Thurs 31 DWYB day, Wed 16 Dec, Santa Pod Sat 19 - Sun 20 Dec, Severn Valley Railway, Dec, Drayton Manor Theme Park, Tamworth Raceway, Northants Kidderminster CHRISTMAS TOURS AND POMANDER MAKING BRUNCH WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS & HOUSE Week Commencing MON 28 DEC Wed 16 Dec, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham VISIT Sat 19 - Mon 21 Dec, Upton House & COLOUR & CRAFT Get creative this Christmas CHRISTMAS DINNER AND CAROL SERVICE Gardens, Warwickshire and explore the self-guided activity space, Wed 16 Dec, Highbury Hall, Birmingham SANTA HUNTS A fun-filled search for Santa Tue 29 - Thurs 31 Dec, Herbert Art Gallery & CHRISTMAS BLACKOUT ON THE UPTON FRONT alongside the museum’s costumed guides, Museum, Coventry Enter into the spirit of a 1940s Christmas, Fri Sat 19 - Thu 24 Dec, Black Country Living NEW YEAR'S EVE RACEDAY Thurs 31 Dec, 18 Dec, Upton House & Gardens, Museum, Dudley Warwick Racecourse Warwickshire VICTORIAN GHOST STORIES AT CHRISTMAS Sun TWISTED BARREL PRESENT: NEW YEAR’S EVE TEA WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS Fri 18 - Mon 21 20 Dec, Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove CELEBRATION Thurs 31 Dec 2015 - Fri 1 Jan Dec, Upton House & Gardens, Warwickshire CAROLS AT THE MOATED MANOR HOUSE Sun 20 2016, Fargo Village, Coventry ARTISAN FOOD & CRAFT MARKET Sat 19 Dec, Dec, Brockhampton Estate, Herefordshire

64 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Eating Out December.qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2015 14:45 Page 1 Eating Out Pop-up Loves... You just can’t keep a good restaurant down... The award-winning Loves, which closed its doors in Birmingham earlier this year, is expected to relo- cate to Warwickshire in late Autumn 2016. Unable to wait for the re-opening, husband-and-wife own- ers Steve and Claire Love have organised an exclusive pop-up restaurant event on 11 and 12 December. For one weekend, Loves will take over Hall’s Croft, one of the iconic Shakespeare houses in Stratford- upon-Avon. Guests will be treated to a private tour of the house and a glass of sparkling wine before settling down to a five-course dinner with wines. The fine-dining event offers different menus on each of the two nights - so you may find it difficult to choose which evening to attend! Tickets for the event are priced at £100 - and as they’re limited to thirty guests per evening, you’d better book your seat at the table asap! To book, call 07870 650195 or email [email protected].

Perfect, grown-up dining... Shots (£3.95), Indian Nizami Dum Biryani REVIEW street food which we (£14.95), which blew us Photo credit: Shakespeare Birthplace Trust ordered with the Grey away. The rice was per- Ganesha is a new bou- Goose accompaniment fectly cooked, the blend of Midlands restaurant of the Year tique restaurant located in (an extra £3.50). We were spices - along with mint Popular Birmingham steakhouse Anderson’s Bar & Sutton Coldfield. Its decor presented with six crisp, and rose water - was Grill has been named Midlands Restaurant of the is warm and inviting, with flying saucer-like puffed divine. Year by Food Awards England following a public subtle hues of gold and treats filled with spiced To finish, we shared the vote. Anderson’s prides itself on serving locally brown. potato cubes and chick- Ganesha Dessert sourced, rare-breed beef. The eatery can be found The North Indian menu peas. Spooning on the Selection (£14.95). This on Mary Ann Street in the Jewellery Quarter. has been carefully select- aromatic green sauce, we consisted of the ed to include traditional ate each piece in one gulp Dark’n’Deadly Gateau, fare such as Rogan Josh - hence the name Shots. Tiramisu, Sticky Toffee (£12.95) alongside lesser They were light and Pudding and - the best of known dishes. The vege- flavoursome. the lot - Gajar Ka Halwa, a tarian selection was also In contrast, my partner classic Indian dessert of good. had Kasondi Ka Jhinga grated carrots, milk and On arrival, I ordered a (£14.95), jumbo prawns pistachios. Pornstar Martini (£8.95), marinated in honey and Ganesha is perfect for an expertly made by a mustard. Although meaty, intimate romantic evening bowtie-wearing mixologist they were slightly dry. Our or a grown-up outing with who set alight a sugar final starter was the friends. We will definitely cube atop a passion fruit Haryali Tikka (£7.95) - go again. Tina Freeth Bill’s comes to Birmingham raft. My dining companion amazingly tender pieces One of the nation’s favourite chain restaurants, ordered a Mojito (£7.95). of chicken in mint, spinach Food: n n n n n Bill’s, is all set to open new doors in Birmingham’s Later, we had a bottle of and chilli marinade. Service: n n n n n Bullring. Expected to launch on 7 December, Bill’s Montepulcano (£16.00). For mains, I had the Ambience: n n n n n serves an eclectic menu of snacks, main courses The international wine Raarah Gosht (£13.95), Overall value n n n n n and desserts. The selection was impressively tender lamb pieces in a OVERALL n n n n n restaurant is open displayed in a floor-to-ceil- wonderful keema curry. It Ganesha, from 8am to 11pm ing cabinet. For those was the best curry I’ve 52 Thornhill Road, Monday to Friday and wanting pure luxury, Moet ever had. My partner had Birmingham, 9am to10.30pm at the was readily available. the tasty Jhinga Khada B74 3EH weekend, so there’s Manager Mukesh Driver Masala (£14.95), prawns Tel: 0121 572 2516 plenty of opportunity was eager to recommend cooked in onion and to try it out for your- the signature dishes. One tomato gravy. The show self. of these was Golgape stopper, however, was the Bill’s Manchester www.whatsonlive.co.uk 65 Eating Out December.qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2015 17:38 Page 2

1661 LISTINGS METRO BAR & GRILL 73 Restaurant Cornwall St, B3 2DF 0121 200 1911 For full listing information on restau- MINT Yew Tree Retail rants, including opening times and Park, Stoney Lane type of cuisine, visit: www.whatson- Yardley, B25 8YP 0121 789 8908 live.co.uk MOUNT FUJI The Bullring, B5 4BH 0121 633 9853 Solihull, B91 3GS 0121 Birmingham 704 0749 NUVO BAR 11 Brindley Place, B1 2LP 0121 631 CHUNG YING 1600 24 CARAT BISTRO 27 16-18 Wrottersley Street, OPUS 54 Cornwall St, Warstone Lane, B5 4RT 0121 622 5669 Birmingham, B18 6JQ B3 2DE 0121 200 2323 CHUNG YING CENTRAL 126 0121 236 0519 THE ORIENTAL The Colmore Row, B3 3AP AALTO RESTAURANT Hotel Mailbox, 128-130 0121 400 0888 Wharfside St, B1 1RQ La Tour, Albert Street, Tapas Revolution, Grand Central, Birmingham CHUNG YING GARDEN 17 0121 633 9988 Birmingham, B5 5JT Bright Street, B1 1BL LE BISTRO PIERRE Swans BINDLES BAR & BRASSERIE 0121 718 8000 Thorpe St, B5 4AT PEACHY KEENS 1741 THE VAULTS Newhall Nest, Bridgford, Stratford 55 Sidbury, WR1 2HU 0121 666 6622 Coventry Road, B26 AIR RESTAURANT LG Place, Newhall Hill, upon Avon, CV37 7LT 01905 611120 Arena, Bickenhill Rd CIELO 6 Oozells Square, 1DS 0121 764 5519 B1 3JH 0121 212 9837 01789 264804 BRAMBLINGS Hither Green 0844 338 0333 , B1 2JB PENNY BLACKS WAGAMAMA Brindley MALLORY COURT Harbury Lane, Redditch, B98 9BE BALCONY BRASSERIE 0121 632 6882 The Mailbox, 132-134 Place, Birmingham, B1 Lane, Leamington Spa, 01527 406600 Selfridges on 4, The COAST TO COAST 9 Wharfside St, B1 1XL CV33 9QB, 01926 330214 BRIDGE INN Plough Road, Bullring, B5 4BP Brindleyplace, Broad 0121 632 1460 WATERS ON THE SQUARE Street, B1 2HJ Chad Square, Hawthorne MATRICARDIS 97 High St, Droitwich, WR9 7NQ BANK 4 Brindleyplace, PICCOLINO Henley in Arden, B95 5AT COTE The Mailbox, Rd, Edgbaston, B15 3TQ 01905 345874 B1 2JB 0121 633 4466 9 Brindleyplace, B1 2HS 01564 792735 B1 1RX 0121 631 1587 0121 634 3055 CHADDESLEY RESTAURANT BAR ESTILO 10-114 MERCHANTS Swan Street, CUCINA RUSTICA 24 PITCHER & PIANO Brockencote Hall Hotel, Wharfside St, The Warwickshire Warwick, CV34 4BJ Kidderminster, DY10 4PY Mailbox, B1 1RF 0121 Ludgate Hill, B3 1DX Brindleyplace, B1 2HP 01926 403833 01562 777876 643 3443 0121 233 2277 0121 643 0214 7 SQUARE 7 Old Square, NUMBER SIX Castle Street, EASTZEAST 167 Broad POPPY RED Arcadian THE CHASE INN Chase Rd, BARAJEE 265 Broad Warwick, CV34 4RA Warwick, CV34 4BP Street, Birmingham, B15 Centre, Birmingham, B5 Upper Colwall, Malvern, Street, B1 2DS 0121 643 01926 411 755 01926 497663 6699 1AY, 0121 643 4808 4TD 0121 687 1200 WR13 6DQ 01684 NO. 9 CHURCH STREET ONE ELM 1 Guild St, 540276 BELLA ITALIA 102 New EDMUNDS 6 Brindley PURNELL’S 55 Cornwall Stratford upon Avon, Stratford-Upon-Avon, CHESTERS 51 New St, Street, B2 4HQ 0121 place, B1 2JB 0121 633 St, B3 2DH 0121 212 Warwickshire, CV37 6HB CV37 6QZ 01789 404919 Worcester, WR1 2DL 643 1548 4944 9799 01789 415522 PREZZO 1-3 High St, 01905 611638 BERLIOZ Burlington FIESTA DEL ASADO 229 PURNELL’S BISTO 11 AGRA PLACE 12 Abbey Warwick, CV34 4AP CROWN & SANDYS Arcade, New St, B2 4JQ Hagley Road, Newhall Street, B3 3NY, Green, Nuneaton, CV11 01926 475867 Main Rd, Ombersley, 0121 633 1737 Birmingham, B16 9RP 0121 2000 1588 5DR 024 7635 0515 0121 445 9331 RESTAURANT 23 34 WR9 0EW 01905 62025 BLUE GINGER 32 Poplar, RAJDOOT TANDOORI 78 - THE ALMANACK Abbey Hamilton Terrace, Holly EWE AND LAMB Hanbury Rd, Kings Heath, B14 FLEET STREET KITCHEN 79 George St, B31 1PY End North, Kenilworth, 7AD 0121 444 0999 Fleet Street, Islington 0121 236 1116 Walk, Leamington Spa, Road, Bromsgrove, B60 CV8 1QJ 01926 353637 CV32 4LY 01926 422422 BLUE MANGO Regency Gates, B3 1JH 0121 236 THE RECTORY 50-54 St 4DN 01527 871 929 0100 AUBERGINE 32 Smith St, RISTORANTE DA VINCI 50 THE FIG TREE 99 Church Wharf, Broad St, B1 2DS Paul’s Sq, B3 1QS Warwick, CV34 4HS ITIHAAS 18 Fleet St, B3 Earlsdon Street, Coventry, Street, Gt Malvern, WR14 0121 633 4422 0121 605 1001 01926 400 086 1JL 0121 212 3383 CV5 6EJ 024 7671 3554 2AE 01684 569909 BLUE PIANO RESTAURANT RED PEPPERS 117 THE BELL Alderminster, JAMIE’S ITALIAN Middle ROBBIE’S RESTAURANT 74 FUSION BRASSERIE AND BAR 24-26 Harborne Wharfside St, B1 1RF Stratford-upon-Avon, Smith Street, CV34 4HU Hawbridge, Stoulton, Rd, B15 3AA 0121 454 Mall, Bullring Shopping 0121 643 4202 CV37 8NY 01926 400470 Worcester, WR7 4RJ 6877 Centre, B5 4BE SAN CARLO 4 Temple St, 01789 450414 0121 270 3610 ROOFTOP RESTAURANT 01905 840647 BUONISSIMO 1 Albany B2 5BN 0121 633 0251 BLUE BISTRO 21 Spon St, JIMMY SPICES Regency @ The RST, Waterside, THE INN AT STONEHALL Rd, Harborne, B17 9JX SHIMLA PINKS 215 Broad Coventry, CV1 3BA 024 Wharf, Broad St, B1 2DS Stratford-upon-Avon, Stonehall Common, 0121 426 2444 St, B15 1AY 0121 633 7622 9274 0121 643 2111 CV37 6BB 01789 403449 Worcester, WR5 3QG CAFE OPUS 1 Oozells 0366 CARLUCCIOS 13 Waterside, LAS IGUANAS Arcadian SAFFRON GOLD Market St, 01905820462 Square, Brindleyplace, SIMPSONS, 20 Highfield Stratford-Upon-Avon, Centre, Hurst St, B5 4TD Westgate House, B1 2HS 0121 248 3226 Rd, Edgbaston, B13 CV37 6BA 01789 267424 KING CHARLES II King 0121 622 4466 Warwick, CV34 4DE Charles House, New St, CAFE SAFFRON 3DU 0121 454 3434 CATALAN 6 Jury St , LASAN 3-4 Dakota 01926 402061 Worcester, WR1 2D Wolverhampton Road, THE SLUG AND LETTUCE, Warwick, CV34 4EW Oldbury, B69 4RR Buildings, James St, St THE SAXON MILL 01905 22449 Brindley Place, 01926 498 930 0121 552 1752 Paul’s Square, B3 1SD Coventry Rd, Guys Cliffe, L’AMUSE BOUCHE 51 Birmingham, B1 2HL THE CHURCH STREET CARLUCCIO’S The Water’s 0121 212 3664 Warwick, CV34 5YN Graham Rd, Malvern, 0121 633 3049 TOWNHOUSE 16 Church Edge, Brindleyplace, THE LOFT LOUNGE 01926 492 255 WR14 2HU 01684 STRADA 109-111 Street, Stratford-upon- B1 2HP 0121 633 9262 143 Bromsgrove St, TAILORS 22 Market Place, 572427 Wharfside St, The Avon, CV37 6HB 01789 B5 6RG 0121 622 2444 Warwick, CV34 4SL CENTENARY BAR & Mailbox, B1 1XL 262222 LE BRASSERIE 5 Lower BRASSERIE Broad Street, THE LOST & FOUND 0121 643 7279 01926 410590 Mill Street, 8 Bennetts Hill, B2 5RS COOMBE ABBEY Brinklow Kidderminster, DY11 B1 2EP 0121 245 2080 TGI FRIDAYS 180 Hagley THE TREVELYAN Warwick 0121 643 9293 Road, Coventry, CV3 2AB 6UU 01562 744976 CHI BAR & GRILL 61 Road, Edgbaston, B16 024 7645 0450 Rd, Stratford-upon-Avon, Newhall Street, B3 3RB LOVES The Glasshouse, 9NY 0121 454 1930 CV37 ONR 01789 295252 MAEKONG THAI 12 Browning St, B16 8FL CROSSED KHUKRIS GURKHA Worcester Road, 0121 233 3150 THAI EDGE 7 Oozells Sq, THE VINE INN 86 - 88 West 0121 454 5151 115 Abbey Street, Bromsgrove, B61 7AE CHIMICHANGA 41 Mill Lane B1 2HL 0121 643 3993 Nuneaton, CV11 5BX 024 St, Warwick, CV34 6AW MECHU 47 - 59 Summer 01527 578888 Arcade, Touchwood, TURTLE BAY 81-91 John 7634 4488 07873 219005 Row, B3 1JJ 0121 212 MASSALLA LOUNGE 35 EDWARD MOON 9 Chapel WARWICK SPICE 24 Smith Broad St, Worcester, Street, Stratford-upon- Street, CV34 4HS 01926 Avon, CV37 6EP 01789 491736 WR1 3NH 01905 267069 ZIZZI 85-87 Regent 729955 EGO 29 The Square, Square House, Parade, MUG HOUSE Claines Lane, Worcester, WR3 (EST 86) Kenilworth, CV8 1EF Leamington Spa, CV32 THE DINNER CLUB 01926 864463 4NL 01926 432532 7RN 01905 456649 A RECIPE FOR FINE FOOD AND GOOD COMPANY THE ENCORE Bridge Street, ON THE ROCKS 44 Stratford upon Avon, Worcestershire Worcester Road, CV37 6AB 01789 269462 Bromsgrove, B61 7AE SINGLE? FINEST CATCH B’ham Rd, ANAKARALI 47 The 01527 882412 Henley in Arden, B95 Tythings, Worcester, WR1 PARADISE BALTI 7 Lower For the more discerning 5QR 01564 793783 1JT 01905 21412 Mill Street, Kidderminster, FIVE RIVERS 20-22 Victoria ANGEL CHEF 1 Angel St, unattached person, age 40+ DY11 6UU 01562 60479 Terrace, Leamington Spa, Worcester, WR1 3QT CV31 3AB 01926 431999 01905 731131 PORTWAY ITALIAN, Events weekly include dining out, dinner dances, black tie Alcester Rd, Redditch, HIGH PAVEMENT BAR & DIN- ANUPAM 85 Church B48 7HT 01564 824794 balls, theatre, parties, weekends away and holidays abroad. ING 3 High Street, CV34 Street, Malvern, WR14 4AP 01926 494725 2AE 01684 573814 ROSADOS’S 2 Finstall Rd, Aston Fields, HELP OUT MILL Heather NOT A DATING AGENCY BACCHUS 44 Worcester Bromsgrove, B60 2DZ Rd, Shakerstone, Road, Bromsgrove, B61 01527 889948 (Day) (Eve/W-end) Nuneaton, CV13 0BT 0TA 01527 877557 01244 677030 /01244 548816 01530 260666 SAFFRON BISTRO 15 New BENEDICTOS 34 Sidbury, St, Worcester, WR1 2DP INDIA RED 25 Abbey Worcester, WR1 2HZ 01905 610505 Street, Nuneaton, CV11 01905 21444 www.thedinnerclubuk.com 5BX 024 7634 2090 66 www.whatsonlive.co.uk p67 (IBC) R1.qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2015 14:36 Page 1

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READ THE REVIEWS ONLINE whatsonlive.co.uk grand_whatson FP DEC:Layout 1 20/11/2015 14:10 Page 1 Great Theatre at the Grand!

TUES 1 - SAT 5 DEC SAT 12 DEC 2015 - SUN 24 JAN FRI 29 JAN

SOUTH STAFFS MUSICAL THEATRE COMPANY PROUDLY PRESENTS

BASED UPON THE PARAMOUNT PICTURES FILM WRITTEN FOR THE SCREEN BY MORMAN KRASNA, NORMAN PANAMA AND MELVIN FRANK MUSIC AND LYRICS BY IRVING BERLIN BOOK BY DAVID IVES AND PAUL BLAKE ORIGINAL STAGE PRODUCTION BY ARRANGEMENT WITH R&H THEATRICALS EUROPE

SAT 30 JAN SUN 31 JAN TUES 2 - SAT 6 FEB

The National Theatre Production

J.B. Priestly’s Classic Thriller

Directed by Stephen Daldry

chris farlowe steve ellis (the voice of love affair) the fortunes new amen corner union gapuk alan mosca from freddie and the Dreamers

SUN 21 FEB WED 2 - SAT 5 MARCH TUE 15 - SAT 19 MARCH

Music by STEVEN MARGOSHES Lyrics by JAQUES LEVY Book by JOSE FERNADEZ Based on a concept by David DeSilva (Title song “Fame” written by Dean Pitchford and Michael Gore)

This amateur production is presented by arrangement with JOSEF WEINBERGER LTD. ON BEHALF OF MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL OF NEW YORK

Follow us on @WolvesGrand Like us on Facebook: Wolverhampton Grand

Box Office 01902 42 92 12 BOOK ONLINE AT www.grandtheatre.co.uk