The Midlands Essential Entertainment Guide

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sOn ’ MAGAZINE GROUP 3128 - 2053 ISSN What preview inside preview preview inside preview Riverdance celebrates twenty twenty celebrates foot-tapping years foot-tapping Lenny Henry Lenny stars in Rudy’s Rare Rudy’s in stars Records at The REP The at Records

THEMEMORY RETURNS CATSBACK BRUMIN ISSUE 345 ISSUE 2014 SEPTEMBER £1.80 .co.uk .co.uk

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www. THE THE DEFINITIVE LISTINGS GUIDE INCLUDING BIRMINGHAM WOLVERHAMPTON WALSALL DUDLEY COVENTRY STRATFORD WORCESTER REDDITCH MALVERN SHREWSBURY TELFORD STAFFORD STOKE

brings high-energy comedy to the city... city... the to comedy high-energy brings THE MIDLANDS ESSENTIAL ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE ENTERTAINMENT ESSENTIAL MIDLANDS THE Midlands Cover - Sept.qxp_Layout 1 28/08/2014 16:38 Page 1 Page 16:38 28/08/2014 1 - Sept.qxp_Layout Cover Midlands MIDLANDS WHAT’S ON ISSUE 345 SEPTEMBER 2014 PART OF MIDLANDS WHAT’S ON MAGAZINE GROUP PUBLICATIONS @WHATSONBRUM WWW.WHATSONLIVE.CO.UK grand_whatson FP Sept:Layout 1 27/08/2014 12:22 Page 1 GreatGreat Theatre Theatre at thetheGrand!Grand!

TUES 16 SEPT WED 17 SEPT FRI 19 - SAT 20 SEPT

Jane McDonald The Singer of Your Song

TUES 14 - SAT 18 OCT TUES 21 OCT - SAT 1 NOV TUES 4 - SAT 8 NOV

A TOURING CONSORTIUM THEATRE COMPANY AND ROYAL & DERNGATE NORTHAMPTON PRODUCTION

An amateur performance in association with MusicScope

ALSO BOOKING TUES 11 - SAT 15 NOV TUES 18 - SAT 22 NOV MON 24 - SAT 29 NOV SAT 22 MARCH LESLEY JOSEPH HOT FLUSH ...... SUN 30 MARCH THE SOLID SILVER 60s SHOW ...... SUN 6 APRIL THE FAAABULOUS CERI DUPREE SHOW ...... SUN 13 APRIL BEYOND THE BARRICADE ...... MON 14 - TUES 15 APRIL TAP FACTORY ...... FRI 18 APRIL THAT’LL BE THE DAY ...... SAT 19 APRIL THE CHUCKLE BROTHERS’ SPACE ODDITY ...... TUES 29 APRIL - SAT 3 MAY THEBased on PLAY J.M. Barrie’s THAT original GOES play With permissionWRONG from Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children This amateur production is given by special arrangement with Joesf Weinberger

Box Office 01902 42 92 12 BOOK ONLINE AT www.grandtheatre.co.uk Contents September.qxp_Layout 1 29/08/2014 10:41 Page 1

September 2014

Editor: Davina Evans INSIDE: [email protected] 01743 281708 Editorial Assistants: Rudy’s Rare Records Brian O’Faolain [email protected] Lenny Henry brings new 01743 281701 comedy to The REP p25 Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Sales & Marketing: Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704

Subscriptions: Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Managing Director: Paul Oliver [email protected] Propaganda Swing 01743 281711 singers, swastikas and jazz Publisher and CEO: at The Belgrade Martin Monahan p6 [email protected] 01743 281710

Graphic Designers: Lisa Wassell Chris Atherton Accounts Administrator Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 Website Development: Cats The Musical - the memory returns... preview page 25 Jim Pallett Contributors: Graham Bostock: Theatre James Cameron-Wilson: TO GET THE VERY Lee Evans Film; Alev Dervish: Music p4 brings Monsters to Brum Eva Easthope, Kate LATEST LISTING News Evans, Jessica Aston, preview p21 Patsy Moss, Jack Rolfe, INFORMATION, Jan Watts, Reggie White, Music p11 Simon Carter, Anita VISIT: Champaneri whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy p21 INCLUDING Head Office: BOOKING ONLINE 13-14 Abbey Foregate, Theatre p25 Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE Tel: 01743 281777 The Midlands’ most e-mail: [email protected] comprehensive p37 entertainment website Dance

Follow us on... Film/DVD p39 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is Festivals p47 produced without the use September 2014 of elemental chlorine. Birmingham Visual Arts p51 We endorse the recycling @whatsonbrum M TW T F S S of our magazine and Warwickshire would encourage you to 1234567 @whatsonwarwicks p55 pass it on to others to Events 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 read when you have Worcester finished with it. @whatsonworcs Eating Out p65 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 ’ 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 WhatsOn 29 30 MAGAZINE GROUP 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 September.qxp_Layout 1 29/08/2014 11:39 Page 1

News A ROUND-UP OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Exciting line-up for comedy festival Performances by top comedians and an impressive programme of special events awaits visitors to next month’s Birmingham Comedy Festival. The ten-day event, which takes place at numerous city venues, will feature comedian/author Mark Watson, Irish funnyman Tommy Tiernan, rising star James Acaster and comedian/actor Doc Brown, as well as some of the region’s finest home- grown talent, including Andy Robinson, Mrs Barbara Nice and Old Joint Stock favourites Foghorn Improv. A revival of the cult radio series The Goon Show, utilising two scripts penned by Spike Milligan, also features, as does the Birmingham Comedy Festival Breaking Talent Award, screenings of classic Laurel And Hardy films, and an exhibition by artist Steve Lilly. Check out the festival’s full listings at www.bhamcomfest.co.uk New gallery dedicated to Staffordshire Hoard A new space dedicated to the fascinating story of the Staffordshire Hoard is to open at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery in October. Featuring hands-on displays and hundreds of pieces from the Hoard, the new gallery will allow visitors to learn more about the treasure, its history, and the ongoing conservation techniques used to unlock its secrets today. Youngsters visiting the gallery will have access to microscopes and the unusual tools that a conservator uses to work with precious objects. Traditional games, dressing-up opportunities and storytelling take place in the site’s Mead Hall, offering an insight into Anglo-Saxon England and the living conditions of a seventh century lord and warriors. Commenting on the new gallery, Ellen McAdam, Director of Birmingham Museums, said: “The Tommy Tiernan Staffordshire Hoard is one of Birmingham’s most popular collections, and this new gallery will give visitors an even greater access to this unique find. Last year alone, over one hundred thousand people from across the world came to see the Hoard at the museum, and we look Birmingham Town Hall is the forward to welcoming many more visitors in the years to come.” place for major new project A collaboration between Birmingham video already confirmed to appear include The designer Matthew J Watkins and Mercury Anniversary season offers 58’s Blues Band (23 September), The Grey Prize folk artists Sam Lee and Becky & plenty of laughs... Goose Blues Band (30 September) and Rachel Unthank takes place at Birmingham Warwick Arts Centre turns forty this year and People’s Republic Of Mercia (7 October). Town Hall this month. Commemorating the is celebrating with a packed programme of Visit www. theasylumvenue.co.uk for further First World War, A Time And Place sees ‘big names, big ideas and big nights out’. information Sam, Becky and Rachel perform as part of Comedians visiting the venue during the an eleven-strong line-up, and is a collabora- anniversary season include Dawn French, tive presentation by sounduk, Barbican and John Cleese, Noel Fielding, Mark Watson, Actor voices support for Opera North in partnership with Birmingham Katherine Ryan, Ross Noble, Bridget Christie Town Hall. The show features an original and Dave Gorman. Musical highlights, mean- mac birmingham repertoire from the era, presented alongside while, come courtesy of Classical Brit Award- Acclaimed actor and mac birmingham sup- new material influenced by personal stories, winner Russell Watson and chart-topping porter Adrian Lester has voiced his support and arrangements to the First World War Indie rock band British for the venue’s planned weekend of creative poetry of Rupert Brooke, Wilfred Owen and Sea Power. The venue’s activities this month. mac’s Open Weekend Ivor Gurney. A Time And Place: Musical theatre programming fea- (6 - 7 September) has been made possible Meditations On The First World War makes tures highly rated ensem- by the generous players of People’s its debut at Birmingham Town Hall on 17 ble Forced Entertainment, Postcode Lottery, and will enable visitors to September, ahead of performances at who’ll be celebrating their participate in an array of free events and London’s Barbican and Leeds’ Howard thirtieth birthday by per- taster sessions. Lester, who spent his forma- Assembly Room. forming the UK premiere tive years involved with Birmingham Youth of The Last Adventures. Theatre and the Children’s Opera Company, recently spoke about his great Tuesday is Bluesday... memories of the centre A new event showcasing the best of the and the dedicated peo- region’s blues bands launches this month at ple who work there, stat- The Asylum 2 in Birmingham’s Hockley dis- ing: “I know I wouldn’t trict. Taking inspiration from the heady days be where I am today of the city’s Henry’s Blues House, Nothing without the opportunities But The Blues will provide a performance and confidence that mac Sam Lee with Becky and Rachel Unthank platform for today’s local bluesmen. Acts offered me.”

4 www.whatsonlive.co.uk News September.qxp_Layout 1 29/08/2014 11:39 Page 2

Southside to showcase international video art An exhibition of international video art is to be showcased in Birmingham’s Southside district in November. Presented by Hippodrome Plus in partnership with the city’s Ikon Gallery, About Town (13 to 16 November) will feature a variety of night screenings by artists from the UK and abroad. A combination of large-scale installations will transform Gallan Car Park on Hurst Street into a large indoor landscape, complete with moving imagery and ambient sound. Birmingham Hippodrome’s foyer areas, staircases and landings, meanwhile, will become home to works by Adel Abdessemed and Kelly Mark. Also featuring as part of About Town are Beat Streuli’s New Street (2013), Gillian Wearing’s Broad Street (2000), Oliver Beer’s film Pay And Display (2011) and Cornelia Parker’s As The World Tipped by Wired Aerial Theatre which performed as part of Birmingham’s 4Squares Weekender in 2013 Chomskian Abstract (2007). Photo credit: Mark McNulty Arts organisations commission culture survey A major online survey to assess what culture means to people in their everyday lives takes place on 25 October. Entitled 24 Hour Culture, the survey aims to discover how people experience arts and culture in the West Midlands, with participants from across the region encour- aged to fill in a short questionnaire and divulge what cultural activities they’ve taken part in during the twenty-four-hour period leading up to completing the survey. The survey has been commissioned by twenty-two of the West Midlands’ leading arts organisations, including the Royal Shakespeare Company, Birmingham Hippodrome, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre. It’s hoped that the findings will inform arts poli-

Beat Streuli’s New Street (2013) cy in forthcoming years, both by the organisations themselves and by local authority and gov- ernment. Joanna Reid, Director at Belgrade Theatre, said of the initiative: “We have an amazing diversity of cultural life here in the West Midlands. Our hope is that the 24 Hour Cultural Stage performance brings Survey will help people to value the part that arts and culture already plays in their life, rather like how the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch Survey has made many people appreciate the bird war poetry to life life in their gardens. We hope that by valuing arts and culture, they will want to protect it and A new stage production is set to give a participate more in it.” The survey’s findings will be analysed by experts from the Royal fresh voice to war poetry from the last cen- Shakespeare Company’s Audience Insight team, and will be made public before the end of tury. A partnership between Midland 2014. Creative Projects and Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre, The Hundred Years’ War is based on Bloodaxe Books’ similarly titled antholo- IN BRIEF CBSO announces season of gy of poetry, published earlier this year and artist debuts and UK premieres edited by Neil Astley. Representing voices The Russians of varying nations and creeds, the piece - are coming The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra is kicking off its which comprises forty poems performed by 2014-15 Symphony Hall concert season with a series of artist three actors - moves away from traditional The Central Band of debuts and UK premieres. recitation in favour of a more performance- the Belarus Armed The CBSO opens its new season with performances of all nine of based approach, bringing the poems to life. Forces will be march- Beethoven’s symphonies, presented by the orchestra during the The Hundred Years’ War opens at ing into the Midlands course of a single week and conducted by acclaimed Music Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre on 31 October region later this year, Director Andris Nelsons. before commencing a UK tour. performing at In a special tenth anniversary celebration, CBSO Youth Orchestra Redditch’s Palace alumnus Ben Gernon conducts the Youth Orchestra’s superb Theatre on 24 young players in Holst's The Planets. He will also present a pow- November ahead of erful new work; a poignant homage New creative learning taking part in the to the First World War. centre for Worcester Birmingham In December, the CBSO presents a International Tattoo at A new complex equipped with modern facil- UK premiere by James MacMillan, the city’s National ities and the latest technology is to open as one of the country’s most successful Indoor Arena (29 to 30 part of Heart of Worcester College. The new living composers. His St Luke November). The band creative learning centre in Worcester City Passion, co-commissioned for the is appearing in a Centre will become home to both the col- fortieth anniversary of the CBSO music and dance lege’s Art & Design and Hair & Beauty stu- Chorus, will see the composer him- extravaganza entitled dents. The new facilities are being opened self conducting the famous chorus- Russian Spectacular, on Saturday 27 September, when a special es. The CBSO then rounds off 2014 which also features event will feature interactive activities, a with a host of festive-season treats special guest soloists celebrity guest, competitions and freebies.. for all the family. For more informa- from The Bolshoi and tion and to book visit Andris Nelsons Dancers from The cbso.co.uk/concerts. Belarussian National Folk Dance Academy. Join the debate... Differing issues surrounding immigration are to be explored in a free public event at the Birmingham REP on 24 September. Expert speakers will discuss what it means to be British, how the British identity has been constructed historically, culturally and nationally, and whether it matters for different communities to maintain and promote their own cultural identity.

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 5 Peter Arnott Interview.qxp_Layout 1 28/08/2014 16:56 Page 1

Jazz, to me, is all about life, “ improvisation and freedom; all of the things that Nazism isn’t”

Picture of Jonny Bower as Charly Schwedler Peter Arnott Peter Arnott talks about bringing Nazi Germany to the Belgrade stage

Since his professional debut in 1985 with White Rose, Scottish playwright Peter Arnott has enjoyed finding ‘the little story inside the big one’. Peter’s latest work, Propaganda Swing, sees him doing just this. Bringing together the playwright’s fascination with Nazi Germany and his love of jazz music, the play explains how jazz came to play a major role in the Nazi propaganda machine. What’s On recently caught up with Peter to find out more...

First and foremost, Peter, how would you done and who did it. I was particularly verses of jazz standards which they could describe Propaganda Swing? interested to discover there was a CD at the broadcast, principally to Britain, during the It’s a love story. With Nazis. Another way back of the book which included tracks by Phoney War. They accompanied Lord Haw would be ‘what the people in Cabaret did ‘Charly And His Orchestra’. It turned out that Haw’s broadcasts and were sort of like his next’. Basically, it’s the story of a group of Charly And His Orchestra were this really backing band. The idea of these people musicians and comedians in Berlin in 1939, very good German/American-styled jazz knowing that what they’re doing has been at the beginning of the war. They’re the main band who played in Berlin, but who weren’t forbidden by them all this time was, in my characters. There’s also an American allowed to play jazz under the Nazis mind, like making a deal with the Devil - but journalist called Bill who’s in love with a because it was a forbidden culture. As far as instead of getting knowledge, they get to singer called LaLa. It’s their love story in lots the Nazis were concerned, jazz was a play jazz. All of us, in one way or another, of ways; a story of this man who’s in Berlin conspiracy by the Jews using Black people have to make a living. We all have to make reporting the beginning of the war, and of to corrupt white women. According to them, deals with whoever has the power and the these people - cabaret singers and a jazz the saxophone was the instrument of the money, and that’s what these guys had to do band - who get mixed up in propaganda. devil because it was both woodwind and - although their particular circumstances brass. They absolutely loathed jazz. So I were a bit more dramatic. Who or what inspired you to write it? thought, there’s a very strange paragraph to I was reviewing books for the Glasgow the story here, about these people who’re So the concept is something that’s been Herald almost twenty years ago, and one of told they’re not to play this music but who’re on your agenda for quite some time... the books I read was about German then allowed to do so for propaganda Yeah, I’m a stubborn writer and I hold onto propaganda radio during the war; how it was purposes. They began by doing these something until someone pays me money 6 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Peter Arnott Interview.qxp_Layout 1 28/08/2014 16:56 Page 2

interview...

for it. It’s a very particular subject and needs of light and smoke. Really what we’re doing each other. Not just in cultural and political a very particular scale. is telling a story that’s impossible to tell on terms, but also in terms of their attitude the stage. It’s like a big movie that’s being towards the way life is. It’s quite hard-edged What do you consider to be the most done like a radio play. So hopefully the and we don’t pull any punches with the fascinating fact you unearthed when doing audience will be imagining some of what’s racism. It’s all there, and I think maybe your research? really going on. It’s not like a traditional people are going to be a little shocked by it. It’s probably to do with the song, Lili stage play at all. What I wanted to try and do was say, here’s Marleen, which was probably the single the jazz - and do that as well as we can - biggest hit of the war and which I deal with Do you know what became of Charly And and here’s the Nazi ideology. I wanted to put towards the very end of the play. The song His Orchestra after the war? the two concepts on stage and let people was recorded by this band in 1938, and was I don’t know what happened to Charly, but think about it. a big hit with the German soldiers. The Nazis the band went on to be very successful. And, disapproved of the song because they of course, Lala Andersen was one of the Do you have a pre-conceived idea of who thought it was sentimental; they didn’t like biggest singers in central Europe after the Propaganda Swing might appeal to? that it was about a soldier who didn’t want to war. I have no influence and I really don’t know. I die for the Fatherland but who instead want to look at this slice of history without wanted to be at home with his girlfriend, who In terms of challenges, how does this any pretence that it’s not scary, that it’s not was a barracks prostitute. compare with your previous works? difficult. I don’t think you do anybody any The Nazis thought it was deeply degenerate Well, it’s quite big. It’s unusual these days for favours by sugar-coating things. and wrong, so they banned the song. But a playwright to get a chance to work with a the Germans loved it, because it made them company of, I think, twelve people on stage. As a writer, you cover many disciplines, think of home. It was played on German I do quite a lot of youth theatre, and the writing for screen, TV and stage. Which forces radio in the desert in North Africa in beauty of that is you can have any size of do you prefer? 1940/’41 and, of course, the British heard it cast you want, because they’re doing it for I think the theatre is the one which allows because they listened to German forces the love of it, as opposed to wages. Theatre you the most scope. There’s no money in it, radio; it became a hit on both sides. It’s is having quite a tough time at the moment, but what I like about it is that it works in a almost like the famous singing of Silent Night so it’s fantastic to have the opportunity to very particular way. It’s a very democratic art between the trenches in World War One. work on this scale - and to work on form. On TV or in the movies, the camera When the British took Tobruk in Libya during something where the music is so integral to tells you where to look and the music tells the desert campaign, they found a whole the whole thing. That’s a big challenge, and you how to feel. Theatre can’t work that way. load of records, and one of those that they I’m glad it’s not mine. All I have to do is write It can’t have that Pavlovian dog-conditioned took was Lili Marlene. It later became this down the words. It’s up to Hamish Glenn and response going on, which an awful lot of film huge international hit, with Marlene Dietrich Hilary Brooks to put together a cast and and television does. recording it in the States and Lale Andersen company who’re both strong enough I enjoy everything about the theatre, recording it in fourteen different languages. musicians and strong actors. We’re talking especially the fact that it doesn’t have to be The strange paradox is that the music of this jazz, so it has to be good. The ambition for performed in a specific theatre space. I’ve band, although they were terribly the show is that it’ll be good to listen to. It’ll just done a forty-five-minute monologue with compromised in what they were doing, in a be good music as well as an entertaining - an actress who I’ve worked with many times strange way transcended the conflict. That, and hopefully moving - story. It’s a challenge, before, which is a show that’s performed to for me, was almost the most unsettling but I have great confidence in Hamish and audiences in pubs. She just sits down and thought - that in a way what they do is Hilary. starts talking. It’s a complete opposite to terribly wrong, but in a strange way it also Propaganda Swing, which has the ambitions turns out to be right. It’s quite a small Has handing your work over to someone of a big show. It has a large cast and will element of the story, but as a single fact it’s else ever proved a difficult process? relate to audiences in a particular way. The probably the one I like most. I’m used to it by now. My job is to provide Belgrade is a big space, and that affects the skeleton of a performance; I think you how it’s directed and how it’s done. But Much of your work has an historical have to have a very straightforward and ‘un- equally theatrical is one person sitting down focus... precious’ attitude to your own work. You’re next to another and talking to them. It’s I love researching, mainly because it’s fun. I there to serve the actors who, in turn, are equally about theatre; it’s about audiences find it congenial. I was employed for a while there to serve the audience; that’s the being active participants in the event. The in the National Archive of Scotland, where objective of your work. You make sure the audience responds to the material here, my time was spent digging into Victorian story that you tell is a good story, because both the songs and some of the things that manuscripts and things about Darwin. I loved you want to be a good person who comes they’re going to come across. For example, doing that. As a writer, I find it quite hard to into the room with something that you there’s a stand-up comedy routine which is come up with original stories; I like to ‘find’ genuinely find interesting. based entirely on jokes which were stories. I think I have a knack of finding the performed in Berlin at that time - anti-Nazi, little story inside the big one. This is the third As far as the repertoire of music is anti-authoritarian jokes. The comedian who’s story set in World War Two that I’ve written - concerned, is that your choice? telling these jokes knows he’s committing and there’s no bigger story than World War Partly it’s chosen from Charly And His suicide live on stage. He knows the Gestapo Two. I like the idea of these enormous issues Orchestra, who had their own repertoire in are listening, but nonetheless he’s saying to and important conflicts, but of it all coming real life, some of which we’ve reproduced. the audience ‘don’t laugh, don’t laugh, down to the choice of which song you play We do You’re Driving Me Crazy, which we re- because if you laugh you’ll be guilty and on the radio - the enormity of World War Two write to be about Churchill. We also include they’ll get you too’. That kind of immediate coming down to how you choose your lots of standards from the time, like Makin’ relationship with an audience is what you playlist. I like the idea of the very, very small Whoopee and Thanks For The Memory. I’m can do in theatre and can’t do anywhere and the very, very big happening at the same a great fan of music of that period, so it’s else. time. been fun putting it all together. There are certainly lots of layers to How does having a live band on stage fit You’ve got both your passion for jazz the show. in with the narrative? music and your fascination with Nazi We hope so. We’re wanting that everyone Because it’s all about radio broadcast, the Germany covered. Which of the two had has a rich and strange experience, and whole thing is more or less set in a radio the greatest influence in driving comes along at least twice. studio. The band will be on stage the whole Propaganda Swing to the stage? time and will provide some incidental music, What really got me was the paradox. On the as well as actually doing the jazz band one hand, here’s the jazz; on the other numbers. It will be a very rich experience hand, here’s this vile ideology. Jazz, to me, Propaganda Swing shows at the Belgrade and there’ll be lots of sound effects. There’s is all about life, improvisation and freedom; Theatre, Coventry, from Saturday 13 to an air raid, for example, so we’re going to do all of the things that Nazism isn’t. You can’t Saturday 27 September. that with sound effects and a certain amount think of two things that are more opposite to

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 7 Christopher Luscome feature.qxp_Layout 1 28/08/2014 16:52 Page 1

Images taken on location at Charlecote Park

If you’d have asked me to choose two plays, these are the two that I “ would probably have chosen. ” Christopher Luscombe on directing his ‘favourite comedies’ for the RSC...

Having started out as an actor with Cambridge Footlights, Christopher Luscombe’s career as a director came about by accident when he took charge of The Shakespeare Review while working at the RSC in the 1990s. Subsequent directing credits include The History Boys, Monty Python’s Spamalot and The Rocky Horror Show. Now back in Stratford, Christopher is directing his two favourite Shakespeare comedies - Love’s Labour’s Lost and Much Ado About Nothing - as part of the RSC’s 2014/15 season, and has set the plays around the time of the First World War. What’s On recently caught up with him to find out what audiences can expect... What is it about Love’s Labour’s Lost and going off to endure some sort of hardship. It’s it’s the centenary of the First World War, we Much Ado About Nothing that makes them not entirely clear what it is but it’s almost as if just thought it was a very good way to mark so well suited to being set around the time they have to test themselves before the that milestone, and to put them either side. of the First World War, Christopher? women will allow them to come back and It’s great for me because I think It’s a terrific idea because both of the plays marry them. That’s often seen as being ‘going Shakespeare’s comedy generally works very deal with love. In Love’s Labour’s Lost, the off to war’ and enduring the ensuing horrors. well in an ordered society. He had such a young couples who’re getting together decide Often, Love’s Labour’s Lost is set before the strong sense of hierarchy and class. If you do to separate at the end of the play and not to war, Much Ado immediately after, and leads them ‘more modern’, it gets a bit tricky, but in commit to each other. They go their separate them to pick up the romances that they left that ordered world of Edwardian society, it ways, and there’s an idea that the men are behind. The plays work this way, and because works perfectly.

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Both plays take place on an estate, an Much Ado, just with a different title. One of RSC repertoire. We then took it to the English stately home based on Charlecote the pluses for me - and for the actors, I think Barbican and the West End, and suddenly I Park in Warwickshire. In what way have - is that it makes it feel special and different, was a director. It all happened by accident, you used the location to contrast the two because it’s a new way of looking at a very really. I thought it was just an elaboration and plays, and to contrast the times at which familiar play. went back to being an actor when it was they’re set? over. But I missed the directing and realised I decided to put them in Warwickshire You’re quoted as saying the two plays will it was something that I really wanted to do, because I was quite keen that the audiences take audiences on ‘quite a journey’. What so much so that I found a play by Noel in Stratford would have a connection. I went will they discover and experience en Coward and managed to get Penelope Keith along and visited Charlecote and thought it route? involved. Suddenly, I was directing a play in was just perfect. It’s an Elizabethan house The passage of time for a start - and if they the West End, and one thing led to another. but was remodelled extensively in the see Christmas Truce as well, they’ll see pre- It was like having a new obsession. Having nineteenth century. Although it has a sense war, war and post-war and all that implies, loved acting so much, I’d suddenly found a of architecture to do with Shakespeare’s own and how society changed. That’s one side, new vocation. time - a lot of the house is still Elizabethan, but I think there’s also the emotional journey like the famous Gate House - it’s conceivable of following the love story of these Do you ever get the urge to return to that an Edwardian family could live in it; and characters. When we put the two plays acting? indeed they did. So it’s a sort of twentieth together now, it does feel like an epic love Very occasionally, I do. I do a little bit of century house in some ways. I liked the idea story, where love is deferred at the end of the acting every now and again if something that houses don’t change over the years. If first play and then won at the end of the comes up that fits in with my schedule; like you visit Charlecote now, it looks as it did second. That feels like quite an art. when I did The Iron Lady, the film with Meryl two hundred years ago. Of course, the Streep. I had a little part in that which just people who live in it move on and the You’re working with a single group of happened to be filming on a day that I was fashions change, their taste in music actors across both plays. What are the free. If something amazing like that comes changes, but the actual fabric of the house benefits of doing so? up, then I’m really thrilled to do it. I get so stays the same. So the location for both I think audiences like seeing actors taking on much of a kick out of directing that my urge productions remains the same. We go to different challenges. There will be a real joy to create something is satisfied. And I do different rooms in the house for the different in that, because the characters in both of the manage to do a bit of showing off when I’m plays, but some of the locations are exactly plays are very different. Some actors are directing. If the actors laugh at my jokes, I the same. The people in them are to do with playing the hero in one and the baddy in the feel I’ve got it out of my system. There’s the time they’re living in, so Love’s Labour’s other, and are having to find different things quite a lot of performing in being a director, Lost is very 1914, pre-war, whereas Much in them themselves. Another advantage is because you’re having to lead the rehearsal Ado is 1918, moving into the ’20s. Rag time that, having looked at the first play, when we room and galvanise them all the time. I had come in, syncopation had come in, and moved into the second we all knew each sometimes feel that’s a bit of a performance it was a more modern world. Fashions did other, so there was a shorthand between us. in a way, and I’m the sure the actors would change dramatically through that very short We’ve become very close as a group and it agree if they talked to you about my period of the war. So they feel quite different. no longer feels like we’re new to each other. directing. Also, I’m setting Love’s Labour’s Lost in the This cast will also re-emerge in The summer, because it’s such an idyllic play Christmas Truce, so they’re having that As a director, your CV features Monty about the perfection of young love; experience too. I think that’s very rewarding Python’s Spamalot, which is back on the everything feels perfect. It just feels right that for them. road next year. Did the Pythons’ there’s lovely blue sky and lovely green involvement make it quite a different play fields. The First World War finished in You’ve directed Shakespeare before. What in terms of restrictions? November of 1918, so we’re setting Much are the main challenges in presenting a Not really. I deal with Eric Idle and he’s great. Ado at the Christmas of that year, when the Shakespearean comedy as opposed to, He’s very trusting, and once he got to know men come back from war. So it’s a very say, one of his tragedies or histories? me and felt comfortable with me, he gave me different feel - very chilly. I think it’s to make it genuinely funny for an a lot of control. He knows that I love the audience. The language is four hundred material and that I’m doing it all in the spirit There’s a connection there with the RSC’s years old and it’s a difficult language; there’s of Python. He’s very helpful. I often see him festive play for 2014, The Christmas no getting around that. It’s my job to lift it off or email him about material and stuff, but in Truce... the page and make it fresh and funny. I’m general he lets me get on with it. He’s a very Absolutely! That was another reason for trying to honour the accuracy of what good collaborator for me, and it’s an setting it in Warwickshire, because that play Shakespeare wrote but also bring a amazing experience to work on that piece will be about the Warwickshire regiment and freshness to it and make it live. I think that’s with the connection and involvement of the local people, so I felt it would be nice to tie it the challenge, but when you’ve got great writer. There are so many things which one all together. I think most local people will actors and you’ve got time to really explore does as a director where the playwright is no instantly recognise that it’s set at the National it, I think it’s possible. There’s a lot of really longer with us. Trust property just down the road. It’s a funny material in these plays. It’s about beautiful building and it will be a beautiful showcasing that material without If you could choose one play to direct, set. compromising the emotional truth because, what would it be and why? particularly with Much Ado, they’re very I think this might be it. This is exactly what I Was it a difficult decision to change Much psychologically complex characters, so want to be doing. It’s a dream to come back Ado’s title to Love’s Labour’s Won, and sometimes it feels like quite a serious play as to the RSC and to be doing two of my what do you think are the pros and cons well as a funny one. In both these plays, favourite comedies. It was an amazing offer of doing so? Shakespeare sets up brilliant situational and I said to Greg at the time, if you’d have It’s a very interesting experiment, because comedy. Playing the situation strongly, that’s asked me to choose two plays, these are the there are very plausible theories that that was the key to it. two that I would probably have chosen. Also, an alternative title for the play in I’ve been in both of the plays at the RSC, so Shakespeare’s time. There’s evidence that On a personal level, you made the switch it felt like I was returning to them. So more of he wrote a play called Love’s Labour’s Won, from acting to directing. How did that the same, please. and it’s quite possible it was Much Ado. come about? So I really like the idea that we’re going to I suppose it was really to do with the RSC. I test it out and see whether it does feel like a was with the company as an actor for seven Christopher Luscombe directs Love’s companion piece to Love’s Labour’s Lost. I years in the 1990s. While I was there, I put Labour’s Lost and Love’s Labour’s Won at think there are disadvantages, inasmuch as together a show called The Shakespeare the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford- ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ is such a well- Review, which we did for charity on a Sunday upon-Avon from Tues 23 September until Sat known title and everyone loves it. I’m a bit night in the Swan Theatre. I put it together, 14 March. Read the full interview with concerned that people will think ‘what’s this? so thought I might as well direct it. It sort of Christopher online at whatsonlive.co.uk I’ve never heard of this play before’. But it is grew and grew and became a part of the

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Ani DiFranco The Glee Club, Birmingham, Wed 17 September Whether it’s been abortion rights, gay visibility or any number of causes in between, Ani DiFranco has never been slow to lend both her voice and name to a broad range of social movements. The guitarist, poet and songwriter’s status as a feminist icon is assured, as is her popularity as a musician. Her twenty-plus albums have seen her engage with a wide range of genres, including punk, funk, hip-hop and jazz, but it’s for her folk rock and alternative rock music that she’s best known and most admired.

Blondie O2 Academy, Birmingham, Sat 13 September Sometimes style can outweigh substance - but in the case of Blondie, somebody got the measurements just about right. At the height of the band’s fame in the late-1970s, ex- Playboy bunnygirl and male adolescent fantasy Debbie Harry was the ultimate trendset- ter. Her chiselled features and punk-chick style made her the perfect cover girl, her Steve Howe disinterested expression the equally perfect image for a disaffected generation. Indeed, The Assembly, Leamington Spa, Fri 19 September so high was Harry’s profile that it was easy to forget guitarist Chris Stein, drummer Clem The prolific Steve Howe released his first solo Burke and keyboardist Jimmy Destri were also in the band. Breaking up in 1982, Blondie album back in 1975, since which time he’s cut a reformed fifteen years later and followed their golden-era string of hits - including Call Me, further twenty-three. That’s a lot of albums - partic- Atomic and The Tide Is High - with the 1999 single Maria, which stormed to the UK num- ularly when your day job is performing as guitarist ber one spot exactly twenty years after Heart Of Glass had become their first British chart- and backing vocalist for progressive rock group topper. Earlier this year winning NME’s Godlike Genius award, the band appear in Yes! Throw in membership, at one time or another, Birmingham in support of their latest album, Ghosts Of Download. of The Syndicats, Bodast, Tomorrow, Asia and GTR, and it’s clear to see that Steve’s not a man to slow down and smell the roses. Ms. Lauryn Hill O2 Academy, Birmingham, Tues 23 September Breaking new ground as part of The Fugees, Lauryn Hill recorded her one and only seminal album, The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill, in 1998, selling eight million copies in the US The Martin Barre Band alone. She’s since gone on to raise six children with Rohan Marley, son of Damian, and The Robin, Bilston, Thurs 4 September served jail time for tax evasion in 2013. Now, following the sell-out success of two London shows, she plays Birmingham and Manchester on this short tour, her second UK showing “This year sees us touring in many new territories,” in five years. says Martin Barre, “showcasing our new live album, Order Of Play.” The Martin Barre Band is now in its fourth year, and is keeping its sixty-seven-year-old Brummie front- man gainfully employed while his other band, Jethro Tull, take ‘a long break from touring’. Martin first played with the legendary rockers forty- five years ago, and has featured on every Jethro Tull album since that time. Alongside his work with Tull, his claims to fame include collaborating with Paul McCartney and Phil Collins, and sharing a stage with the legendary Jimmi Hendrix, Fleet- wood Mac, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. Martin’s band will here be playing ‘classic’ music from the Tull catalogue.

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‘MICHAEL BUBLE’ Sat 13th SEPT TRIBUTE with JAMIE FLANAGAN A mesmerising tribute show to one of the best jazz, swing, pop artists £32.50

Fri 26th SEPT THE ‘SOUL MEN’!!! Dance the night away with non-stop movie hits with our sensational duo £32.50 ELVIS TRIBUTE Fri 10th OCT by KEVIN PAUL ‘The King’ is back by popular demand. Breath-taking Elvis Vegas Show £32.50 SPECIAL OCCASIONS AND ANNUAL EVENTS ‘THE LEGENDS’ Fri 19th SEPT PARTY with ABSOLUTE LEGENDS A tribute to four of the greatest Icons: Elton John, Tom Jones, Bryan Adams & Robbie Williams £37.50 AUTUMN Sat 4th OCT SOUL PARTY with The Soul Survivors & Mel Day 60’s & 70’s non-stop classic hits £37.50 PINK BALL AT SatOCT 18th THE HALL with Brothers Of Soul Charity Ball raising funds for breast cancer £49.50

NOW BOOKING Download the brochure from our website TICKET PRICES INCLUDE 4 COURSE MEAL WE WILL CATER FOR ANY SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS BY PRIOR ARRANGMENT

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Music PREVIEWS The Delegators Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, Thurs 4 September The Delegators are often compared to The Supremes - and it’s easy to see why the South London ensemble are being hailed as a modern-day incarnation of the legendary 1960s group. Lead vocalist Janet Kumah is a powerful onstage presence with a voice that commands attention, whilst the five-piece all- male band behind her generate a sound that incorporates rocksteady, ska and early reggae. Regulars at festivals such as Glaston- bury, they here perform songs from their latest album, All Aboard.

Vance Joy The Institute, Birmingham, Sun 28 September Vance Joy is James Keogh, an Australian singer-songwriter who eschewed his promising football career to make it as a musician. Providing the soundtrack to summer for thousands of students across the world, Vance Joy’s hit, Riptide, is the perfect introduction to his upbeat indie style. This success has earned him a UK tour and a debut album to boot, with Dream Your Life Away set for release this very month. Recording in a tree house, Keogh’s worked Sam Sweeney with Ryan Hadlock of The Lumineers to put together this eagerly awaited record. Ezra Vine mac, Birmingham, Sat 13 September supports. Sam Sweeney takes a break from fiddle-playing for Bellowhead to present a multimedia show about a violin he bought in Oxford in The Magic Numbers Violet Cities 2009. It turned out the instrument, despite The Institute, Birmingham, Kasbah, Coventry, Mon 8 September Tues 16 September looking new, had been made in 1915 by a Led by vocalist James Lewis, Violet Cities is a luthler and some-time music hall performer This double brother-and-sister act were four-piece band from Leicester who play orig- named Richard Spencer Howard. But the vio- everywhere back in 2005, when their soft, inal indie pop music. Performing with energy lin hadn’t been finished - the Great War was sunshine-infused sound chimed well with the and professionalism, the band formed a year raging, Howard was conscripted and died indie pop revival. A Mercury Prize nomination ago and have already been played on the BBC as part of Introducing. Recently winning two years later in the battle of Messines and a host of festival appearances soon fol- a competition to play at the Leicester Music Ridge. So the part-made violin passed to his lowed, and their harmonies helped make them a huge success. But two albums later, Festival alongside Tinie Tempah and Katy B, daughter, who kept it until her death, when it they were a big hit with the twenty thousand- was auctioned off and bought by luthler with a third, Alias, just released, it’s inevitable that they’ve changed direction somewhat, strong crowd, spreading the word by taking Roger Claridge in 2007... Sam here collabo- to the audience to hand out copies of their now returning with a harder, rockier sound. rates with award-winning storyteller Hugh single. Lupton, Bellowhead bandmate Paul Sartin Stating in an interview that they feel ‘like a and acclaimed concertina player Rob Har- brand new band’, they’ll be playing both old bron to recount the tale of a violin that took hits and new at this Institute gig. nearly one hundred years to complete. Alt-J Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, Mon 22 September Winners of the British Mercury Prize in 2012, Alt-J seemingly came from nowhere to shake up the music scene with their cerebral sound. Forming at Leeds University, they later moved to Cambridge to hone their craft before signing with Infectious Records in late 2011. With songs such as Breezeblocks, Tes- sellate and Bloodflood making waves on the Sleepy Sun scene, they insist they’re completely ‘normal’, The Oobleck, Birmingham, Sun 28 Sept The Saturdays despite their challenging lyrics and disdain Sleepy Sun’s sound has been described as a for the limelight. See them on this eight-date National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, blend of space-rock, Americana and ’60s Mon 15 September UK tour, taking place in support of their soon- folk-rock, the band scoring a couple of major to-be-released second album, This Is All hits with 2008 debut album Embrace and The Saturdays are unstoppable! With three Yours. children between them, two fashion ranges 2010 follow-up Fever. But it hasn’t all been and numerous endorsements for everything plain-sailing for the California-originated rock- from hair removal products to deodorant and ers, with singer Rachel Fannan quitting the even the Nintendo 3DS game Nintendogs + group in less-than-amicable circumstances, Cats, it’s a wonder they find any time to per- claiming the rest of the band were “a very dif- form. Having sold over five million records, ficult group of young men" with "no experi- the five-piece all-girl group are out on tour ence working with women". Fannan was with Greatest Hits Live. They’ve reassured sorely missed on third album Spine Hits, fans that they’re not yet ready to hang up widely considered to be the band’s weakest their high heels, and are back in the studio offering, but this year’s Maui Tears marks a later this year to work on their fifth album. definite return to form. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 13 Music Sept Region One.qxp_Layout 1 29/08/2014 09:39 Page 5

THIS AUTUMN

Early Music in St Mary’s Church WARWICK

Tuesday 7 October, 7.30pm K’antu Ensemble Joined by RSC actor Clifford Rose to celebrate Shakespeare’s 450th with readings and songs and dances by Byrd, Dowland, Johnson, Morley, Playford, Praetorius & Anon

Tuesday 4 November, 7.30pm The Dufay Collective Cancionero with singer Clara Sanabras in Music from the Courts of Ferdinand and Isabella of Castile and Aragon 1470-1520

Tuesday 9 December, 7.30pm Stile Antico Clemens non Papa Christmas Mass German and Flemish Christmas Music by Praetorius, Eccard, Handl, Hassler and Lassus String Quartets in Royal Pump Rooms LEAMINGTON

Friday 10 October, 7.30pm Allegri String Quartet Haydn Quartet in D Op 1 No 3 Strauss Quartet in D Op 2 Beethoven Quartet in Eb Op 127

Thursday 13 November, 7.30pm Takács String Quartet Haydn Quartet in Bb Op 64 No 3 Mozart Quartet in C K465 Dissonance Beethoven Quartet in Bb Op 130 Friday 28 November, 7.30pm Zemlinsky String Quartet Beethoven Quartet in F Op 18 No 1 Zemlinsky Quartet No 3 Dvorak Quartet in G Op 106 And For Something Different Thursday 20 November, 7.30pm Victoria House, Leamington Spa Vickers Bovey Guitar Duo Spanish Music, Tapas & Wine Wed 17 & Thur 18 Dec, 7.30pm Lord Leycester Hospital, Warwick The Mellstock Band The Christmas Hearth A seasonal mix of jovial songs, dance music and hearty carols To Book Call 01926 334418 www.royalspacentreandtownhall.co.uk

For the full Winter programme visit www.leamingtonmusic.org

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emy, Birmingham MYSTERY The Robin, Music LISTINGS Bilston RED BIRD SKY Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birming- For full listing information on gigs, ham including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk TUE 9 SEP PEARL JEM O2 Acad- emy, Birmingham KING ROCKER Route 44, KENT DUCHAINE The Jam MON 1 SEP Birmingham House, Birmingham THE STRAY BIRDS KAZABIAN The Oobleck, KODIAK JACK The Road- Stafford Gatehouse Birmingham house, Birmingham Theatre DETECTIVE, SCREAMING ROB HERON & THE TEA CRYPTOPSY, DISGORGE & QUAYS, HOLLOW PEOPLE PAD ORCHESTRA Kitchen JUNGLE ROT The Robin, & ELLIE DOWEN O2 Garden Cafe, B’ham Bilston Academy, Birmingham THE GHOST OF A SABER WED 10 SEP TOOTH TIGER Hare & SAT 6 SEP GOSPEL CENTRAL The Hounds, Birmingham G2 - DEFINITIVE GENESIS Jam House, B’ham The Robin, Bilston THREE STEP MANOEUVRE Electric Swing Circus - Hare & Hounds, Birmingham TUE 2 SEP ED RUSH Hare & FUNKY ORGAN TRIO The JESSY LANZA Hare & Hounds, Birmingham Yardbird Jazz Club, Hounds, Birmingham SURFIN' USA Theatre Birmingham PLAYLOUNGE & KINGS OF TUE 16 SEP AN ACOUSTIC EVENING FREDDIE GIBBS The Insti- Severn, Shrewsbury NIK KERSHAW Theatre CATS Hare & Hounds, WITH ANDY CAIRNS The tute, Birmingham THINK FLOYD New Severn, Shrewsbury Birmingham Slade Rooms, Wolver- BILLY MITCHELL AND RAY TAZ TAYLOR BANDThe Alexandra Theatre, MIKE TRAMP The Robin, THE BUDDY PRESLEY hampton LAIDLAW: THE LINDIS- Robin, Bilston Birmingham Bilston SHOW Tamworth Assem- BEVERLEY CRAVEN mac - FARNE STORY UP4 THE DOWNSTROKE LABOUR OF LOVE - UB40 bly Rooms The Midlands Arts Centre, Robin, Bilston The Jam House, B’ham TRIBUTE The River THU 11 SEP SWEDE DREAMZ - ABBA Birmingham Rooms, Stourbridge TRIBUTE NIGHT The THAT'LL BE THE DAY SHAWN KLUSH - ELVIS WED 3 AUG THE 162ND BRITISH OPEN STACKRIDGE The Robin, Great Barr Hotel, Birm- Crewe Lyceum WORLD TOUR Civic Hall, BRASS BAND CHAMPI- Bilston ingham THE MAGIC NUMBERS Wolverhampton DANNY BRYANT The ONSHIPS Symphony ROACHFORD The Jam SOUL LEGENDS Wolver- The Institute, B’ham- SYD ARTHUR The Sun- Robin, Bilston Hall, Birmingham House, Birmingham hampton Grand Theatre JASPER CARROT'S STAND flower Lounge, B’ham ROLAND GIFT Hare & XVII The Slade Rooms, THE HOUGHTON WEAVERS AC/DC TRIBUTE - HELLS UP AND ROCK Wolver- BLAST BEAT The Road- Hounds, Birmingham Wolverhampton Lichfield Garrick BELLS The Roadhouse, hampton Grand Theatre house, Birmingham JULES RENDELL Kitchen THE OLDEST HOUSE The TONY BENNETT Sym- Birmingham MARTIN STEPHENSON THE DIRTY OLD FOLKERS Garden Cafe, B’ham Actress & Bishop, Birm- phony Hall, Birming- BENEATH THE REMAINS Hare & Hounds, B’ham The Actress & Bishop, ingham ham O2 Academy, B’ham RICHARD DURRANT Hare Birmingham THU 4 SEP STRAIGHTEN OUT - AS IT IS & LIKE TORCHES THE DECADES BAND The & Hounds, Birmingham STRANGLERS TRIBUTE O2 Academy, Birming- River Rooms, Stour- THE RAY BUTCHER TRIO FRI 19 SEP THE MARTIN BARRE BAND The Roadhouse, Birm- ham bridge The Jam House, Birm- The Robin, Bilston ingham PATRICK DUFF Hare & LEO APPLEYARD QUINTET ingham TRU GROOVE The Jam MARTHA REEVES & THE BENJAMIN BOOKER O2 Hounds, Birmingham The Hive, Shrewsbury KRIS DREVER WITH EA- House, Birmingham VANDELLAS The Jam Academy, Birmingham DURAN: THE TRIBUTE The SAM SWEENEY'S FIDDLE MONN COYNE Kitchen DEFINITELY MIGHTBE O2 House, Birmingham BARE JOHN, HOPE Roadhouse, B’ham mac - Midlands Arts Garden Cafe, B’ham Academy, Birmingham ANDREW COMBS TRIO STREET, THE BAD FLOW- Centre, Birmingham CHAS AND DAVE Wulfrun WITH MATT MCCLOSKEY ERS, DUKE RED LIGHT, FRI 12 SEP LUKE WYLDE & THE WED 17 SEP Hall, Wolverhampton Hare & Hounds, B’ham THE NICS, SOUR SCARLET JAPES The Slade JILTED GENERATIONThe THE DELEGATORS Hare & & PLASTIC FACTORY O2 SOLID SOUL The Jam Rooms, W’hampton SAM LEE AND MEMBERS Roadhouse, B’ham Hounds, Birmingham Academy, Birmingham House, Birmingham TALONS The Flapper, OF THE UNTHANKS Birm- GLORY DAYS - BRUCE CONSTANTINE, AR- RE-COVERED Irish Cen- FALLING RED The Asy- Birmingham ingham Town Hall SPRINGSTEEN TRIBUTE MONIGHT, CAPTAIN HORI- tre, Birmingham lum, Birmingham DANGEROUS GIRLS RE- JANE MCDONALD IN CON- The Robin, Bilston ZON & VALOUS The DIRTY MONEY NO.5 The RUTS DC, EVIL BLIZZARD UNITED Hare & Hounds, CERT Wolverhampton TALON - THE BEST OF EA- Roadhouse, B’ham Sugarmill, Stoke-on- & BLACKBOMBERS Hare Birmingham Grand Theatre GLES Birmingham Town Trent & Hounds, Birmingham PICKERING WHITE The JASPER CARROT'S STAND Hall FRI 5 SEP THE NOTORIOUS BROTH- THE SIMON AND GAR- Sugarmill, Stoke-on- UP AND ROCK Crewe MARTHA REEVES & THE ERS Route 44, Birming- FUNKEL STORY Crewe Trent Lyceum VANDELLAS The Butter- ROCKET The Jam ham Lyceum REVEREND RONNIE & THE NATHAN CARTER The market, Shrewsbury House, Birmingham ALEX RAINSFORD The THE WEDDING PRESENT SKA COMMUNION Route Place, Oakengates The- THE BURNING HELL Hare VIVA SANTANA The Sunflower Lounge, The River Rooms, 44, Birmingham atre, Shropshire & Hounds, Birmingham Robin, Bilston Birmingham Stourbridge ROSE REDD The Sun- THE DOWLING POOLE The AC/DC UK Lichfield Gar- LISA STANSFIELD Sym- PSYENCE & ELEC- ROY ORBISON AND flower Lounge, B’ham Asylum, Birmingham rick phony Hall, B’ham TROSHOCK THERAPY FRIENDS The Place, BLONDIE O2 Academy, DOUG MACLEOD The Jam THE BOHEMIANS - A COLD OCEAN LIES, MIS- Gladstone Pottery Mu- Oakengates Theatre Birmingham House, Birmingham NIGHT OF QUEEN Tam- TERNOTHING, PHUSSY seum, Staffordshire THE SUPERSKAS The THE CARPET CRAWLERS worth Assembly Rooms AND THE USUAL SUS- Robin, Bilston SUN 14 SEP Lichfield Garrick OLLIE HUGHES AS ROBBIE PECTS Lichfield Garrick SUN 7 SEP COASTS The Institute, ROGER CHAPMAN & THE WILLIAMS The River JOE MCELDERRY Theatre Birmingham THE SIMON AND GAR- SHORTLIST The Robin, Rooms, Stourbridge Severn, Shrewsbury ABBA REUNION Crewe THE STARS FROM THE FUNKEL STORY The Bilston MAMMA MIA! Sabrina SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO Lyceum COMMITMENTS Lichfield Robin, Bilston IGUDESMAN & JOO: BIG Boat, Shrewsbury Hare & Hounds, B’ham ART GARFUNKEL New Garrick THE PSYCHEDELIC WAR- NIGHTMARE MUSIC Sym- ELECTRIC BOYS The HATS OFF TO LED ZEPPE- Alexandra Theatre, A VISION OF ELVIS Victo- LORDS The River phony Hall, B’ham Slade Rooms, Wolver- LIN Lichfield Garrick Birmingham ria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent Rooms, Stourbridge ANI DIFRANCO The Glee hampton SOUL JUNCTION The BRASS BAND GALA CON- FUNKNIGHT FEATURING CASH (JOHNNY CASH Club, Birmingham MODERN BASEBALL The Roadhouse, B’ham CERT Symphony Hall, INCOGNITO, JAMES TAY- TRIBUTE) The Road- SALLY BARKER The Edge Asylum, Birmingham THE SOUL SURVIVORS Birmingham LOR QUARTET & ROTUNDA house, Birmingham Arts Centre, Much Wen- INTO THE SHADOWS The River Rooms, JOE BROWN Lichfield OF WONDER Birmingham CHRIS WOOD Lichfield lock, South Shropshire Newhampton Arts Cen- Stourbridge Garrick Town Hall Guildhall BEARTOOTH O2 Acad- tre, Wolverhampton THE DANSETTE DAYS SISTER SHOTGUN, ROBIN STEVE TROMANS' AXIS THE STONES Hare & emy, Birmingham JULIET KELLY SPELL- Crescent Theatre, Birm- TAYLOR, MALLEN & STONE POINT B’ham Town Hall Hounds, Birmingham BOUND STORIES Sym- ingham BROKEN The Robin, Bil- THE PARADE The Actress RED SHOES Kitchen Gar- THU 18 SEP phony Hall, B’ham CLOUDBUSTING - A TRIB- ston & Bishop, Birmingham den Cafe, Birmingham BEAU TRAP The Actress UTE TO KATE BUSH Hare HOUSE OF HATS, BETH GENERATIONS The Sug- LITTLE JIMMY Irish Cen- THE REAL THING The & Bishop, Birmingham & Hounds, Birmingham PRIOR & FIDDLES SMITH armill, Stoke-on-Trent tre, Birmingham Jam House, B’ham JEFFERSON HAMER AND TREDEGAR TOWN BAND Henry Tudor House, DIZZY LIZZY Route 44, JONNY COLE The Glee KRISTIN ANDREASSEN Adrian Boult Hall, Birm- Shrewsbury Birmingham MON 15 SEP Club, Birmingham Stafford Gatehouse ingham GREY WOLF Kitchen Gar- MARTIN STEPHENSON THE PERSONAS The Sug- WINSTON'S BIG BROTHER den Cafe, Birmingham SAT 13 SEP THE SATURDAYS National Henry Tudor House, armill, Stoke-on-Trent The Actress & Bishop, Indoor Arena, B’ham Shrewsbury BOX O SNAKES Route 44, Birmingham MON 8 SEP SOLID SOUL The Jam GRUFF RHYS The Glee MILES AND ERICA The Birmingham CASINO The Asylum, House, Birmingham Club, Birmingham River Rooms, Stour- ELECTRIC SWING CIRCUS Birmingham JOE BROWN Lichfield DIRTY DC The Robin, Bil- bridge Hare & Hounds, B’ham THE REBELLION The Sug- Garrick ston BROTHERS GROOVE The GUTI The Rainbow Ven- armill, Stoke-on-Trent JESUS JONES O2 Acad- Robin, Bilston ues, Birmingham

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DESPERADO - THE VERY LISTINGS BEST OF THE EAGLES Music Theatre On The Steps, Bridgnorth HONEYBLOOD Hare & For full listing information on gigs, Hounds, Birmingham including times and dates, DJ YODA Hare & visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Hounds, Birmingham MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS Prince Of Hounds, Birmingham Wales Centre, Cannock THE GLAMOPHONES SAT 20 SEP The Chase, Staffs Jam House, B’ham TRU GROOVE The Jam IVOR & LYNN'S CLASSIC House, Birmingham WED 24 SEP ROCK NIGHT Route 44, THE COUNTERFEIT Birmingham STONES The Robin, Bil- ALEXANDER O'NEAL The MADBALL, BREAKING ston Jam House, B’ham POINT & COLDBURN The LIVEWIRE - TRIBUTE TO MOTOWN'S GREATEST Oobleck, Birmingham AC/DC The Slade HITS - HOW SWEET IT IS OLD’S COOL The Ludlow Rooms, Wolverhampton Lichfield Garrick Brewery, Shropshire UK FOO FIGHTERS O2 MY SWEET PATOOTIE The Academy, Birmingham Red Lion Folk Club, SAT 27 SEP THE ILLEGAL EAGLES Birmingham THE SUBTERRANEANS THE BAY CITY ROLLERS Crewe Lyceum The Jam House, B’ham THE MOONS Hare & Crewe Lyceum DESPERADO - THE VERY Hounds, Birmingham MAGIC & LOSS - THE BEST OF THE EAGLES MUSIC OF LOU REED The Horrors, The Institute, Birmingham THE MERCY Tamworth The Theatre On The Steps, Assembly Rooms Robin, Bilston Bridgnorth PANUFNIK CENTENARY ston Wolverhampton CARRIE ELKIN UNITED RHYTHMS The BROOKS WILLIAMS Birch- Kitchen THE URBAN VOODOO MA- THIS WILD LIFE The Asy- Drum, Birmingham Symphony Hall, B’ham meadow, Broseley Garden Cafe, B’ham ME VS HERO CHINE O2 Academy, lum, Birmingham CRAFT SPELLS KICK UP THE 80'S The O2 Acad- THE BUSBY BABES The The Sun- Birmingham ANDREA BALENCY & NLF3 River Rooms, Stour- emy, Birmingham Robin, Bilston flower Lounge, B’ham TOSELAND The Slade Hare & Hounds, B’ham bridge THE PIERCES The Glee QUADROPHENIA NIGHT IVOR & LYNN'S CLASSIC Rooms, Wolverhampton JULY TALK The Institute, THE WALL OF FLOYD Wul- Club, Birmingham FEATURING THE AT- ROCK DISCO Route 44, VIN GARBUTT Kitchen Birmingham frun Hall, W’rhampton LANTICS AND DJ DREW Birmingham Garden Cafe, B’ham JESS KLEIN Kitchen Gar- JAWS The Oobleck, THU 25 SEP STANSALL (THE SPE- STAKEOUT O2 Academy, SOUTHERN The Sun- den Cafe, Birmingham Birmingham CIALS) O2 Academy, Birmingham DEL CAMINO The Jam flower Lounge, B’ham MAX JURY The Sun- MYTH CITY LULO REINHARDT mac - Birmingham The Actress House, Birmingham SLEEPY SUN The flower Lounge, B’ham Midlands Arts Centre, BITE SIZE BROADWAY & Bishop, Birmingham THAT'LL BE THE DAY The- Oobleck, Birmingham TROOPS OF MAFEKING Birmingham Lichfield Garrick atre Severn, Shrews- EZRA VINE The Institute, HI-ON MAIDEN The GUNS VS ROSES The TUE 30 SEP The Sugarmill, Stoke- bury Birmingham Roadhouse, B‘ham Roadhouse, B’ham on-Trent, Staffs THE FORIEGN EXCHANGE SYPHOR, SINATE & LE- VO FLETCHER AND RIC THE FRAY O2 Academy, WHEATUS The River SANDERS Symphony Hare & Hounds, B’ham MON 29 SEP Rooms, Stourbridge GION OF WOLVES Scruffy DIESEL PARK WEST The Birmingham Hall, Birmingham DRAGONFORCE The Insti- THE PHANTOM BAND Murphys, Birmingham River Rooms, Stour- SALVATORE LEONE HIGHTOWER, SAVANNAH tute, Birmingham THE HORRORS The Insti- Hare & Hounds, B’ham The & REASIDE The Actress bridge tute Birmingham JAKE ISAAC Hare & Sunflower Lounge, NIK KERSHAW The MOTOWN SOUL SPECTAC- & Bishop, Birmingham ULAR WITH THE LOVE THE 1975 Civic Hall, Hounds, Birmingham Birmingham IAN STOREY Ludlow As- Robin, Bilston ANATHEMA The Slade SUPREMES The Place, sembly Rooms, Shrop- Oakengates Theatre, shire Rooms, Wolverhampton KING KRAB The Road- Telford, Shropshire INCARCERATE The Sug- STEVE CRADOCK The Music Venues Box Office Across The Midlands armill, Stoke-on-Trent house, Birmingham KING 810 O2 Academy, Slade Rooms, Wolver- QUOMOTION Route 44, hampton Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham THE YARDBIRD Staffordshire WATSKY The Institute, SUPREME QUEEN The 0121 212 2524 River Rooms, Stour- 02 ACADEMY FOXLOWE ARTS CENTRE, LEEK SUN 21 SEP Birmingham 0121 622 8250 01538 386112 WOMAN'S HOUR Hare & bridge Black Country AMONG THE ECHOES, VILE THE ACTRESS & BISHOP LICHFIELD GUILDHALL SHOWADDYWADDY Birm- Hounds, Birmingham 0121 236 7426 CIVIC HALL, WOLVERHAMPTON 01543 262223 ELECTRODES, ANALOG 0870 320 7000 ingham Town Hall CIGDEM ASLAN mac - ADRIAN BOULT HALL ANGEL & KIRA The Ac- THE SUGARMILL, HANLEY BRIGHOUSE & RASTRICK Midlands Arts Centre, 0121 331 5901 DUDLEY CONCERT HALL STOKE-ON-TRENT tress & Bishop, B’ham 01384 815577 BAND Theatre Severn, Birmingham THE ASYLUM 01159 454 593 CHAMPION MC'S AND FOREST ARTS CENTRE Shrewsbury ROB LYNCH The Sug- 0121 233 1109 TAMWORTH ASSEMBLY ROOMS LOVERS ROCK FEATURING 0845 111 2898 OTWAY & BARRETT The armill, Stoke-on-Trent THE BARBER INSTITUTE 01827 709618 Robin, Bilston ASHESTOANGELS, IN GENERAL LEVI, TOP CAT, 0121 414 7333 NEWHAMPTON ARTS CENTRE 01902 572090 VICTORIA HALL, HANLEY KAZ HAWKINS Lichfield DANTE'S ECLIPSE, THE TIPPA IRIE AND MORE The BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL 0870 060 6649 ACID BALLET, THE DEAD Drum, Birmingham 0121 780 3333 ROBIN 2, BILSTON Guildhall 01902 401211 STAFFORD GATEHOUSE CHRIS CLEVERLEY XIII & ALMOST EASY O2 BEN MARWOOD The CBSO CENTRE 01785 254653 SLADE ROOMS Kitchen Garden Cafe, Academy, Birmingham Flapper, Birmingham 0121 780 3333 MARSHALL JEFFERSON & WOLVERHAMPTON Birmingham ROD AND THE FACEZ FLAPPER 0121 236 2421 0870 320 7000 Warwickshire MAURICE FULTON Hare & Route 44, Birmingham THE GLEE CLUB STOURBRIDGE TOWN HALL THE ASSEMBLY, LEAMINGTON MON 22 SEP THE JACARANDAS The Hounds, Birmingham 0871 472 0400 01384 812812 01926 311311 GRANT NICHOLAS The In- Sunflower Lounge, HARE & HOUNDS WULFRUN HALL, THE KASBAH, COVENTRY JOE MCELDERRY Lich- Birmingham stitute, Birmingham 0121 444 2081 WOLVERHAMPTON 024 7655 4473 KOBRA AND THE LOTUS 0870 320 7000 field Garrick THE INSTITUTE NAILCOTE HALL, DARLIA The Institute, FRI 26 SEP The Sugarmill, Stoke- 0121 643 0428 BERKSWELL Birmingham on-Trent IRISH CENTRE Shropshire 02476 46 6174 WAYNE HUSSEY The THE SUBTERRANEANS THE SCOPYONS Route 44 0121 622 2314 BIRCHMEADOW, BROSELEY STRATFORD CIVIC HALL Robin, Bilston The Jam House, B’ham CHICKS DIG JERKS The THE JAM HOUSE 01952 882210 01789 207100 ALT-J Civic Hall, Wolver- FIRES THAT DIVIDE The Oobleck, Birmingham 0121 200 3030 THE BUTTERMARKET, THE TIN MUSIC & ARTS, hampton Actress & Bishop, Birm- THE KITCHEN GARDEN CAFE SHREWSBURY COVENTRY FAMY The Sunflower ingham SUN 28 SEP 0121 443 4725 01743 355055 0247 655 9958 Lounge, Birmingham THE ULTIMATE EAGLES LG ARENA THE EDGE ARTS CENTRE, The Robin, Bilston 0844 338 8000 MUCH WENLOCK Worcestershire GOSSLING Hare & VANCE JOY The Institute, 01952 728911 Hounds, Birmingham JAMES TAYLOR LG Birmingham NIA ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE 0844 338 8000 HENRY TUDOR HOUSE 01527 577330 LISBEE STAINTON Kitchen Arena, Birmingham ROXX TO RUIN The Road- SHREWSBURY Garden Cafe, B’ham JOEL GION The Institute, house, Birmingham THE RAINBOW 01743 361666 HUNTINGDON HALL / SWAN 0121 772 8174 THEATRE 01905 611427 Birmingham HATS OFF TO LED ZEPPE- THE HIVE, SHREWSBURY TUE 23 SEP DRAGONFORCE The Sug- LIN O2 Academy, RED LION FOLK CLUB 01743 234970 MARR’S BAR, WORCESTER 0121472 4253 01905 613336 armill, Stoke-on-Trent B’ham LUDLOW ASSEMBLY ROOMS ALBERT LEE & HOGAN'S THE BORN AGAIN BEATLES THE SEARCHERS Prince THE ROADHOUSE 01584 878141 THE RIVER ROOMS, 0121 246 2273 HEROES The Robin, Bil- The Roadhouse, B’ham Of Wales Centre, Can- THEATRE SEVERN, STOURBRIDGE ston THE CARPET CRAWLERS nock Chase ROUTE 44 SHREWSBURY 01743 281281 01384 397177 0121 708 0108 SHARON CORR The Glee Stafford Gatehouse MICHAEL NESMITH Birm- THE PLACE, OAKENGATES, Club, Birmingham Theatre SYMPHONY HALL TELFORD 01952 382382 ingham Town Hall 0121 780 3333 For additional information LAURYN HILL O2 Acad- BACK TO BROADWAY The- FRAGILE FEATURING WEM TOWN HALL and to find out What’s On THE VICTORIA emy, Birmingham atre Severn, Shrews- 01939 232299 at these venues. CLAIRE HAMILL - TRIBUTE 0121 633 9439 THE DUNWELLS Hare & bury TO YES The Robin, Bil- Visit: www.whatsonlive.co.uk

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Classical Music PREVIEWS Birmingham Bach Choir: Unfinished Remembering Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sat 13 September Commemorating the 1914 outbreak of the First World War, Paul Spicer’s Unfinished Remembering is a new choral symphony, written especially for Birmingham Bach Choir to perform with full orchestra, semi- chorus and soloists. Spicer’s work both opens and closes this special evening of remembrance, which also features Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem - a plea for peace, com- posed in 1936 amid growing fears of a new war. Spicer’s second featured work is A Shared Singing, with libretto by Euan Tait. A song of hope dedicated to the British Legion, it sees the composer and choir joined by the Orchestra of the Swan, the Midlands Military Community Choir, soprano Johane Ansell and baritone William Dazeley.

CBSO: Beethoven’s Symphony Cycle Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Tues 16, Thurs 18, Fri 20 & Sat 21 September This month sees Andris Nelsons kick off his final season as CBSO Music Director with his critically acclaimed cycle of Beethoven symphonies. Last performed in Birmingham during the Orchestra’s 2012/13 season, the cycle sees all nine symphonies staged during four performances. Symphony No 1 (dedicated to an early patron of the composer), Symphony No 2 (written in four movements when Beethoven’s deafness was becoming more pronounced) and Symphony No 3, Eroica (a work expressing the classical style of eighteenth century composi- tions), all come together in the performance on the 16th. Symphony No 4 - considered to be one of Beethoven’s lighter offerings and recalling the work of Haydn - and Symphony No 5, one of his most played pieces, are performed on the afternoon of the 18th. The third concert (20 Sept) comprises Symphony No 6, Pastoral (written in five movements and inspired by the composer’s love of nature), and Symphony No 7 (described by Wagner as ‘the apotheosis of dance’). A final concert on 21 September brings together Beethoven’s shortest symphony (referred to by the composer as ‘my little symphony in F’) with his final symphony (No 9). The Sir Willard White: From latter sees the orchestra joined by soprano Annette Dasch, mezzo-soprano Lioba Braun, tenor Mozart To The Musicals Ben Johnson, bass Vuyani Mlinde and the CBSO Chorus. Malvern Theatre, Sat 13 September Boasting an illustrious career that’s seen him perform at some of the world’s most prestigious venues, bass-baritone Sir Willard White is regarded as one of opera’s most versatile stars. Having trained at New York’s Juilliard School, Willard made his operatic debut in 1974 with the New York Opera. He’s since made regular appearances at Covent Garden’s Royal Opera House, and has given acclaimed performances with English National Opera, Glyn- debourne and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Currently President of the Royal Northern College of Music, Willard this month returns to the Midlands to present an eclectic repertoire that features arias from Mozart’s Don Giovanni alongside music by Copland, Bernstein, Richard Rogers and others.

Orchestra Of The Swan Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sat 13 September; Stratford Artshouse, Stratford-upon-Avon, Fri 19 September Held in high regard for championing new music, the Stratford-based Orchestra of the Swan received much acclaim for its collaboration with Indie band James in 2011, and then for its team-up with Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel the following year. This month the orchestra precedes its official 2014/15 season with two special Midlands performances. Unfinished Remembering (see elsewhere on this page) sees the ensemble perform alongside Birmingham Bach Choir and the Birmingham Consort in the premiere of Paul Spicer’s new choral symphony. The following week, the orchestra dons its fundraising hat in aid of Stratford’s new Cancer and Eye Hospital, playing a repertoire of works by Handel, Mozart, Bach and Pachelbel under the baton of Artistic Director David Curtis. 18 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Classical Sept Region One.qxp_Layout 1 29/08/2014 15:11 Page 2

Hall, Birmingham WRAGGE LAWRENCE GRA- LISTINGS CBSO BEETHOVEN WEEK: HAM & CO CONCERT Classical THE CHORAL SYMPHONY Music from around the Programme includes world, Thurs 25 Sept, For full listing information on classical Beethoven’s Sym- Birmingham Cathedral concerts, including times and dates, phonies No 8 and 9, LYNDON JENKINS: MAINLY visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Sun 21 Sept, Sympho- FOR PLEASURE A special ny Hall, Birmingham concert to celebrate the LUNCHTIME ORGAN CON- LUNCHTIME ORGAN CON- ALDWYN VOICES life of THSH’s Music CERT FEATURING PETER CERT FEATURING BEN (AUTUMN IN MALVERN) Advisor, Lyndon Jenk- DYKE Mon 1 Sept, CHEWTER Mon 15 Sept, Programme includes ins, Thurs 25 Sept, Coventry Cathedral Coventry Cathedral Commemoration I - Son Birmingham Town Hall TREDEGAR TOWN BAND CBSO BEETHOVEN WEEK: String Quartet & The MUSIC FOR LUNCH IN CONCERT Fri 5 Sept, THE EROICA Programme Path To Peace - RECITAL WITH JONATHAN Adrian Boult Hall, Birm- includes; Beethoven - Siegfried Sassoon & ALLSOP Fri 26 Sept, ingham Symphony No 1, No 2 Malvern, Choral music Birmingham Cathedral BOURNVILLE STRING and No 3, Tue 16 Sept by William Byrd, John THOMAS TROTTER: CON- ORCHESTRA Programme Symphony Hall, B’ham Blitherman, Thomas CERT FOR ORGANFEST features works by CBSO BEETHOVEN WEEK: Tomkins, Hulbert Parry, Programme includes Mozart, Britten, Webern THE FIFTH SYMPHONY Edward Elgar, John Ire- works by Mendelssohn, & Beethoven, Sat 6 Programme to include; land, William Walton Stimpson, Thalben-Ball, Sept, The Barber Insti- Beethoven’s Sym- and String Quartet - Jonathan Dove & Elgar, tute, Birmingham phonies No 4 and 5, Edward Elgar, Opus 83, Sat 27 Sept, Birming- ORGAN PROM Sat 6 Thurs 18 September, Sun 21 Sept, Great ham Town Hall Sept, Victoria Hall, Han- Symphony Hall, B’ham Malvern Priory- A PROM FOR ALL WITH ley, Stoke-on-Trent THE SIXTEEN: THE VOICE LUNCHTIME ORGAN CON- THE ST MICHAEL’S LUNCHTIME ORGAN CON- OF THE TURTLE Featur- CERT FEATURING TOM SINGERS Featuring Paul CERT FEATURING BYRAM- ing a programme of CORNS, Mon 22 Sept, Leddington Wright & Nicola Benedetti - Stafford Gatehouse WIGFIELD Mon 8 Sept, music by English com- Coventry Cathedral Kerry Beaumont (con- Coventry Cathedral posers. Thurs 18 Sept, THE COULL QUARTET Pro- ductor), the Coventry BIRMINGHAM BACH St Chad’s Church, gramme includes works Cathedral Orchestra & CHOIR: UNFINISHED Shrewsbury by Mozart, Beethoven & the Coventry Cathedral Classical Box Office REMEMBERING Sat 13 A FUNDRAISER CONCERT Smetana, Wed 24 Sept, Choristers, Sat 27 Sept, Sept, Symphony Hall, WITH ORCHESTRA OF THE Evesham Arts Centre Coventry Cathedral ADRIAN BOULT COVENTRY ST MARY’S Birmingham SWAN Featuring works CBSO: PANUFNIK CENTE- DORIC STRING QUARTET HALL CATHEDRAL CHURCH, WILLARD WHITE: FROM by Handel, Mozart, NARY 0121 331 5901 02476 521200 WARWICK Programme Programme includes 01926 403940 MOZART TO MUSICALS, Bach and Pachelbel. In includes works by works by Haydn, Ades THE BARBER EVESHAM ARTS Sat 13 Sept, Malvern aid of Stratford's new Stravinsky, Beethoven, INSTITUTE, CENTRE STRATFORD ARTS & Beethoven, Sat 27 BIRMINGHAM 01386 446944 HOUSE Theatres cancer and eye hospi- Panufnik & Wagner, Sept, Henderson Hall, 0121 414 7333 HENDERSON 01789 207100 CHANDOS SYMPHONY tal, Fri 19 Sept, Strat- Wed 24 Sept, Sympho- Moor Park, Ludlow, ORCHESTRA THE YOUNG ford Arts House BIRMINGHAM HALL, LUDLOW SYMPHONY HALL, ny Hall, Birmingham South Shropshire TOWN HALL 01584 878141 BIRMINGHAM MUSICIAN SHOWCASE. CBSO BEETHOVEN WEEK: RODERICK WILLIAMS AND LUNCHTIME ORGAN CON- 0121 780 3333 0121 780 3333 Featuring Michael Lloyd THE PASTORAL Pro- MALVERN THE- SUSIE ALLAN Featuring CERT FEATURING KERRY BIRMINGHAM ATRES VICTORIA HALL, (conductor) and Toby gramme includes Britten songs and BEAUMONT Mon 29 CATHEDRAL 01684 892277 STOKE-ON-TRENT Hughes (double bass), Beethoven’s Sym- proverbs of William Sept, Coventry Cathe- 0121 262 1840 0844 871 7649 Sun 14 Sept, Malvern phonies No 6 & 7, Sat Blake, Thurs 25 Sept, dral Theatres 20 Sept, Symphony Malvern Theatres For additional information Visit: www.whatsonlive.co.uk

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Romesh Ranganathan Comedy Players Bar, Birmingham, Sat 6 & Sat 13 September Box Office With his support slots having included one for ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE Ricky Gervais, it’s fair to say former Maths 01527 577330 teacher Romesh Ranganathan has made a sig- BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL nificant impact since bursting onto the comedy 0121 780 3333 circuit in 2010. The 2013 winner of the presti- CIVIC HALL, gious Leicester Mercury New Act Award, WOLVERHAMPTON Romesh has also become a familiar face on TV, 0870 320 7000 with credits including COURTYARD THEATRE, Mock The Week, Live HEREFORD 01432 340555 At The Apollo, Russell THE DRUM, BIRMINGHAM Howard’s Good News 0121 333 2444 and a regular slot on DRUMMONDS BAR, Channel Four’s Stand WORCESTER Up For The Week. It’s 01905 28190 THE EDGE ARTS CENTRE, all a far cry from his MUCH WENLOCK previous career in a 01952 728911 Crawley classroom... EVESHAM ARTS CENTRE, WORCESTERSHIRE 01386 446944 Omid Djalili FOXLOWE ARTS CENTRE, LEEK, STAFFS Stratford Artshouse, Sat 20 September; 01538 386112 Huntington Hall, Worcester, Sat 27 September THE GEORGE HOTEL, A fella who's been referred to as 'the thinking BURSLEM, STAFFS 07763301081 person's Iranian comedian', the multi-award- THE GLEE CLUB, winning Omid Djalili is probably one of the most Lee Evans BIRMINGHAM subversive funnymen currently doing the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, Weds 17 - Sun 21 September 0871 4720400 rounds on the UK HIGHLIGHT, BIRMINGHAM, comedy circuit. An With a career behind him that’s almost as long as a Ronnie Corbett 0844 844 0044 actor as well as a joke, the sweaty fellow is nowadays one of the UK's best-established HUNTINGDON HALL, comedians. Evans was initially hailed as the new Norman Wisdom, WORCESTER, comedian, Omid has 01905 611427 presenting a style of buffoonish slapstick humour that recalled a trodden the boards in KITCHEN GARDEN CAFE, versions of The more innocent age. With time, however, he's proved himself to be BIRMINGHAM Shawshank much more than just a one-trick pony, but has also managed to 0121 443 4725 retain the zany, high-energy delivery that originally endeared him to LUDLOW ASSEMBLY Redemption and Joe ROOMS Orton's acclaimed the UK's comedy-loving audience. 01584 878141 comedy, What The MAC, BIRMINGHAM Butler Saw. 0121 446 3232 OAKENGATES THEATRE, TELFORD 01952 382382 The Axis Of Awesome PALACE THEATRE, REDDITCH Glee Club, Birmingham, Tues 16 September 01527 65203 The Axis Of Awesome’s name is a play on PLAYERS BAR, President George W Bush’s ‘axis of evil’ phrase, BIRMINGHAM 0121 643 6871 and very much sets the tone for the group’s THE ROSES THEATRE slick combination of music, comedy and paro- TEWKESBURY dy. Aussie funnymen Jordan Raskopoulos, Lee 01684 295074 Naimo and Benny Davis formed the act in 2006, ROYAL SPA CENTRE, LEAMINGTON SPA having been heavily involved in improvisational 01926 334418 theatre at the University of Sydney, and caught SHOWCASE, COVENTRY, a big break the following year when they 0871 220 1000 released a number of rap parodies lampooning THE SLADE ROOMS, WOLVERHAMPTON the Australian Federal Election. “We leave men 0870 320 7000 laughing and women gasping (and also laugh- SOLIHULL ARTS COMPLEX ing),” they say of themselves. “Before long September Slam feat. Stephen K Amos 0121 704 6962 you’ll be laughing and/or gasping too, depend- The Drum, Birmingham, Sat 5 September STAFFORD GATEHOUSE ing on your gender.” THEATRE "I used to do a joke where I said I'd have to wait for Lenny Henry to 01785 254653 die before I could get on television," says Stephen K Amos, referring THEATRE SEVERN, to his belief that big breaks for Black comedians have been few and SHREWSBURY far between. Whatever the truth, there's little question that Stephen - 01743 281281 who headlines this show - is very much basking in the televisual lime- WARWICK ARTS CENTRE 02476 524524 light nowadays. His success is no surprise, mind, given the quality of WULFRUN HALL, his material and his effortless ability to strike all the right chords with WOLVERHAMPTON his ever-appreciative audience. 0870 320 7000 Comedy podcaster Felicity Ethnic and award-winning newcomer Fumnbi Omotayo also appear on the bill.

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22 For more comedy listings, visit, www.whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy Sept Region One.qxp_Layout 1 28/08/2014 16:55 Page 4

Sept, Station Pub, LEE EVANS Wed 17 - MADDOCKS & CHRIS Birmingham LISTINGS Sutton Coldfield Sun 21 Sept, National MCCAUSLAND Sat 20 MIKE WILKINSON, JEFF Comedy DOC BROWN & COMEDY Indoor Arena, B’ham Sept, Coventry INNOCENT, KIERAN CAROUSEL WITH ANDY JOHN BISHOP Thurs 18 Showcase LAWLESS & COMIC TBC ROBINSON Thurs 11 Sept, Wulfrun Hall, OMID DJALILI Sat 20 Sat 27 Sept, Highlight For full listing information on comedy Sept, The Glee Club, Wolverhampton Sept, Stratford Comedy Club, gigs including times and dates visit Birmingham IAIN STIRLING, THE NOISE Artshouse, Stratford- Birmingham www.whatsonlive.co.uk DOC BROWN PLUS THREE NEXT DOOR & COMEDY upon-Avon SHORT & GIRLIE SHOW, COMICS TBC Fri 12 - Sat CAROUSEL WITH ANDY BRIDGET CHRISTIE Tues HANNAH BRACKENBURY, 13 Sept, The Glee ROBINSON Thurs 18 23 Sept, Artrix, LARA A KING & MAUREEN BRIGHT CLUB COMEDY Highlight Comedy Club, Birmingham Sept, The Glee Club, Bromsgrove YOUNGER Fri 26 Sept, NIGHT HOSTED BY MRS Club, Birmingham LEE MACK Fri 12 Sept, Birmingham MICHAEL MCINTYRE - Memorial Hall, Kings BARBARA NICE Mon 1 JETHRO Fri 5 Sept, Symphony Hall, IAIN STIRLING, THE NOISE WORK IN PROGRESS Heath, Birmingham Sept, The REP, B’ham Stratford Artshouse, Birmingham NEXT DOOR, PIERRE Tues 23 Sept, Roses OMID DJALILI Sat 27 WILL FRANKEN & AARON Stratford-upon-Avon BRYAN LACEY, MICK HOLLINS & HOLLY WALSH Theatre, Tewkesbury Sept, Huntingdon Hall, TWITCHEN Mon 1 Sept, STEPHEN K AMOS & JOHN FERRY, JESSICA Fri 19 - Sat 20 Sept, JOHN BISHOP Tues 23 Worcester Old Joint Stock Pub, SIMMIT Fri 5 Sept, The FOSTEKEW & PHILBERTO The Glee Club, B’ham Sept, De Montfort Hall, JO CAULFIELD Sat 27 Birmingham Drum, Birmingham Fri 12 - Sat 13 Sept, STAND-UP STAIRS Leicester Sept, Artrix, TIG NOTARO Tues 2 DAVE JOHNS, ROMESH Highlight Comedy COMEDY SHOW Fri 19 PAUL ZERDIN Thurs 25 Bromsgrove Sept, Birmingham Town RANGANATHAN, JOE Club, Birmingham Sept, Palace Theatre, Sept, Palace Theatre, JIM DAVIDSON Sat 27 Hall BLOOR & COMIC TBC Sat ROY CHUBBY BROWN Sat Redditch Redditch Sept, Malvern Theatres JASON JOHN WHITEHEAD, 6 Sept, Players Bar, 13 Sept, New HARDEEP SINGH KOHLI ANDREW LAWRENCE JOJO SMITH, ERICH JOEL DOMMETT & Birmingham Alexandra Theatre, Fri 19 Sept, mac, Thurs 25 Sept, MCELROY, NICK DIXON & COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH CHRISTIAN STEEL, JOHN Birmingham Birmingham Evesham Arts Centre DAVE FULTON Sat 27 ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 4 NEWTON, NICK DIXON & DON MACLEAN Sat 13 LEE MACK Fri 19 Sept - IAN MOORE, ADAM Sept, Players Bar, Sept, The Glee Club, ADAM STAUNTON Sat 6 Sept, Palace Theatre, Mon 22 Sept, De BLOOM & COMEDY Birmingham B’ham Sept, Coventry Redditch Montfort Hall, Leicester CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ALISTAIR BARRIE, SIMON JASON JOHN WHITEHEAD, Showcase TOM STADE Sat 13 Sept, WINDSOR, CHRIS ROBINSON Thurs 25 FEILDER, MICKEY JOEL DOMMETT, NICK LEE MACK Mon 8 - Wed Civic Hall, W’hampton MCCAUSLAND, TEZ ILYAS, Sept, The Glee Club, SHARMA & RUSSELL DIXON & CHARLIE BAKER 10 Sept, Symphony ROMESH RANGANATHAN, FELICITY WARD Fri 19 - Birmingham HICKS Sat 27 Sept, Fri 5 - Sat 6 Sept, The Hall, Birmimgham ANDY ASKINS, ROGER Sat 20 Sept, Highlight IAN MOORE, ADAM Coventry Showcase Glee Club, Birimingham CELIA PACQUOLA, VIV MONKHOUSE & COMIC Comedy Club, B’ham BLOOM, GEORGE EGG & THE LAUGHING SOLE - CHRIS NORTON-WALKER, GEE & MAUREEN TBC Sat 13 Sept, JOE AVATI Sat 20 Sept, JOE BOR Fri 26 - Sat 27 COMEDY CLUB FOR KIDS JON MURFIN, MASS YOUNGER Wed 10 Sept, Players Bar, Bridge House Theatre, Sept, The Glee Club, Sun 28 Sept, mac, NOKHAS, ROB C, DAVE Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham Warwick Birmingham Birmingham CHAWNER, NICK CLARKE Birmingham PAUL MYREHAUG, CRAIG RUBY WAX Sat 20 Sept, DANNY BHOY Fri 26 RICHARD BLACKWOOD, & JAKE LAMBERT Thurs HARDEEP SINGH KOHLI MURRAY, JULIAN DEANE, Royal Spa Centre, Sept, mac, Birmingham SLIM, RUDI LICKWOOD & 4 Sept, Evesham Arts Thurs 11 Sept, Artrix, CHRIS PURCHASE Sat 13 Leamington Spa ROBERT NEWMAN Fri 26 JOHN SIMMIT Sun 28 Centre Bromsgrove Sept, Coventry TOM WRIGGLESWORTH, Sept, Royal Spa Sept, The Glee Club, MILTON JONES - WORK IN TOM STADE Thurs 11 Showcase TIFFANY STEPHENSON, Centre, Leamington Birmingham PROGRESS Thurs 4 Sept, Huntingdon Hall, MILTON JONES, PAUL PAUL TONKINS & JOHN Spa MARK STEEL Mon 29 Sept, Solihull Arts Worcester ZERDIN Sun 14 Sept, FOTHERGILL Sat 20 MIKE WILKINSON, JEFF Sept, Hereford Complex ANDREW LAWRENCE The Glee Club, B’ham Sept, Players Bar, INNOCENT, DR GEORGE Courtyard Theatre RO CAMPBELL, DANA Thurs 11 Sept, The PETE FIRMAN Wed 17 Birmingham RYEGOLD & COMIC TBC JASON MANFORD Mon ALEXANDER, CHRISTIAN Roses Theatre, Sept, Palace Theatre, SPENCER BROWN, JOHN Fri 26 Sept, Highlight 29 Sept, Palace REILLY & ERIC LAMPAERT Tewkesbury Redditch MANN, ARCHIE Comedy Club, Theatre, Redditch Fri 5 - Sat 6 Sept, GARY DELANEY Thurs 11

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WIN TICKETS whatsonlive.co.uk to enter

Rudy’s Rare Records The REP, Birmingham, Thurs 4 - Sat 20 September Dudley-born laughter merchant Lenny Henry here returns to the Mid- years, but this is my first straight acting role in the city and the first lands to star in the stage version of the popular BBC Radio Four time I’ve been on stage at The REP,” says the former Tiswas and New series. A touching comedy set in an old Birmingham reggae record Faces star. “Growing up in Dudley, I would come into Birmingham shop at risk of redevelopment, Rudy’s Rare Records was co-created every Saturday to hang out in a record shop not too dissimilar to by Henry, who also starred in the original radio version. Rudy’s, so it’s a play that’s very close to my heart." “I’ve performed comedy gigs many times in Birmingham over the Read our interview with Lenny at whatsonlive.co.uk

Avenue Q New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 16 - Sat 20 September Described by The Times as ‘the best musical of the decade’, the Tony Award-winning Avenue Q focuses on subjects such as dating, racism, being gay and finding your purpose in life. At the centre of the story is Princeton, a bright-eyed college graduate with a tiny bank balance who's easily distracted by a busty blonde and a plethora of weird and wonderful friends... The show contains themes of an adult nature and is probably not suited to those who’re easily offended.

Cats Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 9 - Sat 27 September A spectacular and captivating adaptation of TS Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book Of Practical Cats, this Andrew Lloyd Webber production has been performed in over three hundred cities in more than twenty countries around the world. It's also widely considered to be the show that redefined the modern musical, paving the way for a seemingly relentless stream of blockbuster hits. All in all, then, one helluva theatrical experience... www.whatsonlive.co.uk 25 Theatre - September.qxp_Layout 1 29/08/2014 10:43 Page 3 Theatre - September.qxp_Layout 1 29/08/2014 10:43 Page 4

Theatre PREVIEWS First Do No Harm Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, Fri 12 - Sat 13 September Described as a performance which ‘examines a forgotten corner of history, encouraging discussion on the future of our health and welfare system’, Tea And Tenacity’s First Do No Harm turns the spotlight on the character of Harold Leggett, who, on the brink of World War One, arrives in a small Fens back- water with his suffragist wife Maud to practise as the first 'Panel' doctor. But Harold soon discovers there’s more than a little hostility towards their ideologies, with events quickly escalating into catastrophe... WIN TICKETS whatsonlive.co.uk Propaganda Swing to enter Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Sat 13 - Sat 27 September Billed as a show about ‘Singers, Swastikas and All That Jazz!’, Propaganda Swing focuses on the efforts of Nazi Propaganda Ministry official Karl ‘Charly’ Schwedler to use the power of jazz for the benefit of Fascism. The Belgrade is proudly advertising the production as the must-see show of its autumn season, and it’s easy to understand why, with a captivating tale Open All Hours of World War Two intrigue being played out against a backdrop of Big Band swagger, as presented live on stage by a talented swing band. Go see. Solihull Arts Complex, Check out the interview with Propaganda Swing’s writer Peter Arnott on page 6. Wed 10 - Fri 12 September Roy Clarke’s BBC TV series about the comic misadventures of shopkeeper Albert Ark- The Kite Runner focuses on the character of Atticus Finch, a wright and put-upon errand boy Granville - The REP, Birmingham, middle-aged lawyer who’s appointed to as played by Ronnie Barker and David Jason Mon 22 September - Sat 4 October defend a black man accused of raping a - is the latest in a now-significant line of telly young white woman. Viewed through the This stage version of Khaled Hosseini’s inter- sitcoms to be adapted for the theatre. This inquiring eyes of Finch’s daughter, Lee’s national bestselling novel and film has stage version has been specially commis- novel explores the way in which the girl’s enjoyed some excellent reviews since pre- sioned to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of childhood innocence is undermined by her miering last year. Taking its audience on a the series’ television premiere, and brings realisation that the American Deep South is journey across time and continents, it together memorable moments from over awash with racial hatred and social division. twenty classic episodes. encompasses both the traumas of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 and the horrors of 9/11 some twenty-two years later. At its heartland, though, is the story of the friendship that exists between two youngsters - Amir, a well-to-do Pashtun boy, and Hassan, a Hazara who’s the son of Amir's father's servant. The boys spend their days happy in one another’s company and kite flying together - until, that is, their friendship is devastated and their lives shattered by a dis- WIN play of shameful cowardice on Amir’s part... TICKETS whatsonlive.co.uk to enter Our Kylie’s Havin’ A Bab Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Ha Ha Hood Fri 26 - Sat 27 September Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Stripped Down Theatre are good to their Thurs 18 September; Palace Theatre, Red- ditch, Fri 19 September; New Alexandra The- name with this latest presentation, which atre, Birmingham, Thurs 30 October ‘lays bare’ the altogether challenging busi- After enjoying great success with previous ness of having a family. Ha Ha productions, Ben Langley and the WIN If you’re already a mom or dad, the show will team are out on the road with another in the TICKETS probably induce within you a pang of nostal- whatsonlive.co.uk gia for the bygone experiences of pre-parent- series - and this time their spotlight falls on to enter one of the Midlands’ most legendary charac- hood. If, on the other hand, you’ve yet to ters. This latest Ha Ha offering recounts a take the plunge, you may leave the show splendid tale of swashbuckling derring-do To Kill A Mockingbird feeling ever so slightly more nervous than Malvern Theatre, Mon 29 September - Sat 4 within the realms of Nottingham’s Sherwood before. October; New Alexandra Theatre, Birming- Covering pretty much everything from the Forest - but on this particular occasion, the ham, Tues 25 - Sat 29 November awkward night of conception through expen- heroic outlaw Robin Hood is just as con- This new version of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer sive gadgets, gizmos, buggies and all-impor- cerned with the laughter count as he is with Prize-winning novel visits the Midlands direct tant scans to that final moment of childbirth, robbing from the rich to give to the poor. from the West End, and is being presented Our Kylie's Havin' A Bab is next month fol- Su Pollard and Cannon & Ball star. by the highly rated Regent’s Park Theatre. lowed by Stripped Down Theatre’s sequel The story is set in the Great Depression and presentation, Is That It Our Kylie?.

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Theatre PREVIEWS Chinn And Chapman’s Blockbuster The Musical New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 23 - Sat 27 September The storyline of this show sees Mickey Block sent back in time after being told he can turn his life around by performing two selfless deeds - but it’s the music of legendary songwriting team Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman that’s the real oxygen of this all-action production. Chinn and Chapman churned out chartbuster after chartbuster back in the 1970s and ’80s, with Sweet, Suzi Quatro, Smokie, Tina Turner and Mud all featuring on the long list of high-profile artists to have benefitted from the duo’s collective ear for a hit sound. So if songs like Tiger Feet, Mickey, Living Next Door To Alice, Some Girls and Can The Can give you a warm, nostalgic feeling deep inside, then this is a night out at the theatre you’ll definitely want to catch. Much-loved star of stage and screen Paul Nicholas takes top billing alongside former Dirty Dancing Emmerdale actress Suzanne Shaw. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 23 September - Sat 11 October Seen by millions across the globe, Eleanor Bergstein's worldwide smash-hit musical tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny, two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds who come together for what will prove to be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives. Hit numbers include Hungry Eyes, Hey Baby, Do You Love Me? and I’ve Had The Time Of My Life. If you've not seen the show before, it's well worth checking out - its celebrity fans include Sir Ian McKellen, Dame Judy Dench, Emma Forbes, Naomi Campbell, Alan Shearer, Graham Norton and Joanna Lumley, to name but a few. So if you enjoy the show, you'll certainly be in exalted company! WIN TICKETS whatsonlive.co.uk black combat officer to serve in the British to enter army. Oraine Johnson and Waterloo Road War Horse actor Kaine Barr star in this latest play from Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Blind Hamlet the pen of Pamela Cole-Hudson, whose pre- Wed 24 September - Sat 11 October mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, vious works include Sorry! No Coloureds, No Described as ‘the theatrical event of the Wed 24 September Irish, No Dogs and Jamaica 50. decade’ when it opened in the London West Iranian writer Nassim Soleimanpour is best End, War Horse has continued to garner known for the play White Rabbit, Red Rabbit, great praise in the ensuing years. Based on which has been presented around the world Michael Morpurgo’s hugely popular 1982 in no fewer than fifteen languages. This latest novel, it tells the story of a young man thought-provoking work finds the playwright named Albert whose horse, Joey, is sold to confronting the slow loss of his sight and the the cavalry and shipped to France at the fact that he’s never read Hamlet. With beginning of the First World War. Joey’s sub- tragedy looming, ‘he chooses to play with sequent adventures lead to him finding him- the truth and fiction, chance and fate’... self alone in a no-man's land - but Albert is in The production is here presented by Actors no mood to give up on his beloved compan- Touring Company, winner of a 2013 Fringe ion, and sets out to find him and take him First Award with The Events, which was also home to Devon... voted Best Play Of 2013 by critics in The The production has been widely praised for Guardian. its effective use of lifesize horse puppets, and has picked up numerous coveted Billy The Kid: awards since premiering in 2007, including His Life In Music an Olivier Award and five Tony Awards. It’s not been to everybody’s liking, however, with AE Harris, Birmingham, Fri 12 September; Shopfront Theatre, Coventry, Sat 13 Septem- several of its critics feeling that, while the plot ber; Bedworth Civic Hall, Mon 15 September worked effectively as a children’s book, it For two ageing cowboys without much to lacked sufficient substance to carry an brag about, making the claim that they once evening of theatre, particularly one endeav- knew legendary outlaw, gunman, gambler ouring to present the atrocities of war. and rustler Billy The Kid - even though they didn’t - offers the best chance they’ll ever have of achieving the fame and notoriety they crave... This lively Hallowed Turf fusion of music, theatre and comedy was first Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues 30 September; Arena Theatre, Wolver- presented at the hampton, Fri 3 - Sat 4 October; Solihull Arts Brighton Fringe in 2013, Complex, Thurs 23 October and is co-written by and One of innumerable theatre productions this co-stars Rex Horan, best year commemorating the hundredth anniver- known as a member of sary of World War One, The Hallowed Turf multi-award-winning jazz tells the story of Walter Tull, Britain’s second band The Neil Cowley black professional footballer and the first Trio. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 29 Theatre - September.qxp_Layout 1 29/08/2014 10:43 Page 7

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

THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF Week Commencing VERONA: RSC SCREENING Shakespeare’s exuber- MON 1 SEP ant romantic comedy, Wed 3 Sept, Artrix, THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF Bromsgrove; mac - VERONA Full staging of Midlands Arts Centre, Shakespeare’s exuber- Birmingham ant romantic comedy TWELFTH NIGHT Liver- until Thurs 4 Sept, pool's PurpleCoat Pro- Royal Shakespeare ductions present their Theatre, Stratford-upon- award-winning take on AvonHENRY IV PARTS I & Shakespeare's bitter- II RSC Associate Artist sweet comedy, Wed 3 Antony Sher returns to Sept, Crescent Theatre, the Company to play Birmingham the infamous comic MEDEA A National The- knight Falstaff, until Sat atre Live screening of 6 Sept, Royal Shake- Euripides' powerful speare Theatre, Strat- tragedy, Thurs 4 Sept, ford-upon-Avon Artrix, Bromsgrove The White Devil - Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon THE 39 STEPS until Sat 6 GROUNDED Gate The- Sept, The Blue Orange atre's production of specific comedy which ton Welshpool Town Hall, Cowley Trio) and Theatre, Birmingham George Brant's gripping sees audience mem- BARRY NORMAN’S FILM Powys writer/performer Chris WICKED Hit West End new play, which targets bers waited upon by QUIZ NIGHT Questions, BILLY THE KID: HIS LIFE IN Johnston, Mon 15 Sept, musical flies into our assumptions about Basil, Sybil & Manuel, prizes and anecdotes MUSIC Fusion of theatre, Bedworth Arts Centre Brum... until Sat 6 Sept, war, family, and what it Tue 9 - Sun 14 Sept, from the country’s music and comedy fea- HIGH TALES FROM THE Birmingham Hippo- is to be a woman, The REP, Birmingham ‘favourite film buff’ and turing re-enactments of MP3 Young People from drome Thurs 4 - Sat 6 Sept, CATS New production of his daughter, Saman- moments from cowboy award-winning 20 Sto- THE ROARING GIRL Jo The REP, Birmingham Andrew Lloyd Webber's tha, Fri 12 Sept, Strat- history, written by and ries High tell each Davies directs Lisa Dil- WAITING FOR GODOT smash-hit musical, Tue ford Artshouse starring musician Rex other’s true stories lon as the dynamic, Samuel Beckett’s 9 - Sat 27 Sept, Birm- RUBBLE AND MARRIAGE Horan (Neil Cowley straight from their MP3 cross-dressing heroine ground-breaking play, ingham Hippodrome Central Youth Theatre Trio) and writer/per- players. As they hear in a new version of Thurs 4 - Sat 6 Sept, BRITISH SCIENCE FESTI- present a double bill of former Chris Johnston, the words in head- Thomas Middleton & Bridge House Theatre, VAL: CHRONICLES OF works by Arzhang Sat 13 Sept, Shop Front phones, the performers Thomas Dekker's Warwick MEMORY FORETOLD - Pezhman & Nikolai Theatre, Coventry deliver line for line to Jacobean comedy, until RUDY'S RARE RECORDS REMEMBER THE GOOD Gogol (stage adapta- THE PLAY’S THE THING the audience what they Tue 30 Sept, The Swan Lenny Henry stars in TIMES Award-winning tion by Tom Parry), Fri Central Youth Theatre are hearing - live, Mon Theatre, Stratford-upon- the world premiere of theatre company Jugu- 12 Sept, Arena Theatre, present Joseph Twil- 15 - Tue 16 Sept, mac - Avon Danny Robins' comedy, lar present a darkly Wolverhampton ley’s exploration of the Midlands Arts Centre, ARDEN OF FAVERSHAM based on the success- comic play about the BILLY THE KID: HIS LIFE less-than-glamourous Birmingham Polly Findlay makes her ful Radio 4 series, disastrous conse- IN MUSIC Fusion of the- world of Black Country LOTTY'S WAR Giuliano RSC debut, directing Thurs 4 - Sat 20 Sept, quences of ‘forgetting’ atre, music and come- theatre, Sat 13 Sept, Crispini's thriller set in this darkly comic thriller The REP, Birmingham in relationships, Wed 10 dy featuring re-enact- Arena Theatre, Wolver- enemy occupied Chan- which focuses on a BEN NORRIS: THE HITCH- Sept, mac - Midlands ments of moments from hampton nel Islands during husband, wife and lover HIKER’S GUIDE TO THE Arts Centre, Birming- cowboy history, written LORD OF THE FLIES The WWII. A mesmerising who find themselves FAMILY UK All-Stars ham by and starring musi- Crescent Theatre Com- story of passion, locked within a deadly Poetry Slam Champion OPEN ALL HOURS Open cian Rex Horan (Neil pany present Nigel courage & sacrifice, game, until Thurs 2 Ben Norris presents a All Hours Productions Cowley Trio) and Williams' stage version Mon 15 - Sat 20 Sept, Oct, The Swan Theatre, work-in-progress per- presents its critically writer/performer Chris of William Golding's Malvern Theatres Stratford-upon-Avon formance of his debut acclaimed stage adap- Johnston, Fri 12 Sept, dystopian novel, Sat 13 BIG DADDY VS GIANT THE WHITE DEVIL Maria one-man theatre show, tation of the hugely AE Harris, Birmingham - Sat 20 Sept, Crescent HAYSTACKS The Foundry Aberg directs a new Sat 6 Sept, mac - Mid- popular BBC television FIRST DO NO HARM Tea Theatre, Birmingham Group present a come- production of John lands Arts Centre, Birm- series... Wed 10 - Fri 12 And Tenacity present PROPAGANDA SWING Bel- dy about two iconic fig- Webster's violent ingham Sept, Solihull Arts Com- Hilary Spiers' drama, grade Theatre & Not- ures from the world of tragedy, considered by DEAD GUILTY All & plex which examines a for- tingham Playhouse wrestling, Tue 16 Sept, many to be one of the Sundry present their THE RUSSIAN DOCTOR gotten corner of history, present the true story of Artrix, Bromsgrove great works of version of Richard Har- World premiere of encouraging discussion German jazz musician, DEREK ACORAH: THE Jacobean theatre, until ris’ thriller, Sat 6 - Sun Andrew Dawson's the- on the future of our Karl 'Charly' Schwedler, ETERNAL SPIRITS TOUR Sat 29 Nov, The Swan 7 Sept, Artrix, Broms- atrical response to health & welfare sys- and his mission to keep Tue 16 Sept, Solihull Theatre, Stratford-upon- grove Anton Chekhov's self- tem, Fri 12 - Sat 13 big band music alive in Arts Complex Avon imposed exile to the Sept, The Blue Orange 1930s Berlin, Sat 13 - NOT I/FOOTBALLS/ROCKA- TELL ME ABOUT YOUR EX Week Commencing remote Tsarist penal Theatre, Birmingham Sat 27 Sept, Belgrade BY Lisa Dwan performs 2 Brand new theatrical colony of Sakhalin SOMEWHERE ELSE A play Theatre, Coventry a triple bill of works by experience where the MON 8 SEP Island, Wed 10 - Sat 13 written by Gari Jones, BILLY THE KID: HIS LIFE IN Samuel Beckett, Tue 16 audience is the author! Sept, The REP, B’ham Fri 12 - Sat 13 Sep, mac MUSIC Fusion of theatre, - Sat 20 Sept, The REP, Funny, scary, sad and BRITISH SCIENCE FESTI- THE 39 STEPS Amateur - Midlands Arts Centre, music and comedy fea- Birmingham uplifting, this is a play VAL: HELA A powerful production presented Birmingham turing re-enactments of AVENUE Q Tony Award- DEAD GUILTY for everyone who’s performance by Iron by The Norbury Play- All & moments from cowboy winning musical that been in love - or still is, Oxide spans race and ers, Wed 10 - Sat 13 Sundry present their history, written by and centres on a group of Tue 2 - Sat 6 Sept, Old poverty in 1950s Ameri- Sept, Norbury Theatre, version of Richard Har- starring musician Rex loveable yet hopeless Joint Stock Theatre, ca to current ethical Droitwich, Worcs ris’ thriller, Fri 12 - Sat Horan (Neil Cowley characters on a down- BLESS 'EM ALL Birmingham debates about who Nostalgia 13 Sept, Palace The- Trio) and writer/per- town New York street, THE ADDAMS FAMILY owns our DNA, Mon 8 show. Thurs 11 Sept, atre, Redditch former Chris Johnston, Tue 16 - Sat 20 Sept, SIGHTLINES New musical comedy Sept, mac - Midlands New Alexandra Theatre, Central Sun 14 Sept, Boars New Alexandra Theatre, presented by Wolver- Arts Centre, Birming- Birmingham Youth Theatre present Head, Kidderminster Birmingham THE SECRETS OF STONEY hampton Youth Music ham Tash Dummelow’s three JOSEPH AND THE AMAZ- LIGHTHOUSE AND THE short children’s stories, ING TECHNICOLOR Theatre, Tues 2- Sat 6 BRITISH SCIENCE FESTI- Week Commencing Sept, Arena Theatre, VAL: A CURE FOR AGEING THRILL OF LOVE Wolver- celebrating the many DREAMCOAT Tim Rice Wolverhampton A performance about hampton’s Central types of creativity, Sat MON 15 SEP and Andrew Lloyd AN EVENING WITH TONY being young and fool- Youth Theatre present a 13 Sept, Arena Theatre, Webber’s hit musical, JACKLIN A Q&A session ish, and becoming old double bill of work by Wolverhampton BILLY THE KID: HIS LIFE Tue 16 - Sat 20 Sept, THE FIGHT GAME & THE and a meet'n'greet with and wise, Tues 9 Sept, Laura Sambrooks & IN MUSIC Fusion of the- Regent Theatre, Stoke- HUMAN ROCKET the former British Open mac - Midlands Arts Amanda Whittington, Shrop- atre, music and come- on-Trent champion. Hosted by Centre, Birmingham Thurs 11 Sept, Arena shire-based Owen dy featuring re-enact- ADRIAN’S WALL New Willie Thorn, Wed 3 FAULTY TOWERS: THE Theatre, Wolverhamp- Lewis Portable Theatre ments of moments from comedy from Malvern Sept, Solihull Arts Com- DINING EXPERIENCE A ton Company presents a cowboy history, written Theatre’s own Writer-in- AN AUDIENCE WITH COLIN plex fully immersive, highly double-bill of one-act by and starring musi- Residence, Nick Wilkes, FRY improvised and site- Fri 12 Sept, Wul- plays, Sat 13 Sept, The cian Rex Horan (Neil Wed 17 - Sat 20 Sept, frun Hall, Wolverhamp- Assembly Room, Forum Theatre, Malvern www.whatsonlive.co.uk 31 Theatre - September.qxp_Layout 1 29/08/2014 10:43 Page 9

VISIT OUR BROMSGROVE’S THEATRE, CINEMA, SEPTEMBER WEBSITE TO 2014 VIEW MORE LIVE MUSIC AND COMEDY VENUE SHOWS! Thursday 11th Sunday 14th Wednesday 17th September September September Frankwell Quay, HARDEEP SINGH STEVE HOWE 20,000 DAYS ON Box Office 01743 281 281 Shrewsbury, Shropshire, KOHLI SOLO TOUR FROM THE EARTH (15) GUITARIST FROM YES Book Online www.theatresevern.co.uk SY3 8FT TOP COMEDIAN ASKS SCREENING OF NICK CAVE ‘HARDEEP IS YOUR LOVE’ FILM & CONCERT FRIDAY 12 SEPTEMBER

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The new stage hit from ,FORTHCOMING CINEMA: Hector & The Search For Happiness (15) thethe bestbest sellingselling authorauthor Of Horses & Men (15) // Boyhood (15) // Bright Days Ahead (15) Peter James. This highly enter- Begin Again (15) // Mood Indigo (12A) // The Grand Seduction (12A) tainingtaining darkdark comedycomedy thrillerthriller hashas beenbeen acclaimedacclaimed by audiences and critics The new Artrix brochure is available to download on www.artrix.co.uk around the country. For bookings & full details log onto www.artrix.co.uk or phone 01527 577330 MON 22-WED 24 SEPT WED 24 SEPT Artrix, Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove B60 1PQ Free parking on-site

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theatre and comedy in a celebration of ‘the Theatre LISTINGS clown across history’, Mon 22 Sept - Sat 4 For full listing information on theatre Oct, The Dream Facto- productions, including times and dates, ry, Warwick visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk CHINN AND CHAPMAN'S BLOCKBUSTER THE MUSI- CAL Paul Nicholas stars THE 39 STEPS Amateur audience members as Crazy Max in the production presented which promises to sur- world premiere of a by The Norbury Play- prise, engage and stir major new British musi- ers, Wed 17 - Sat 20 both the imagination cal featuring the chart- Sept, Norbury Theatre, and the emotions, Sat busting hits of leg- Droitwich, Worcs 20 Sept, Old Joint endary songwriting THAT'LL BE THE DAY Stock Theatre, Birming- team Nicky Chinn and Rock'n'roll spectacular ham Mike Chapman, Tue 23 combining music from JACK AND THE - Sat 27 Sept, New the 50s, 60s & 70s with BEANSTALK Lyngo The- Alexandra Theatre, wacky comedy rou- atre presents its version Birmingham tines, Thurs 18 Sept, of the classic fairytale, HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUNITA Bedworth Civic Hall Sat 20 September, The Rifco Arts present a MIDDAY VARIETY Coven- REP, Birmingham new comedy-drama try’s finest variety show, OPEN ALL HOURS Criti- about family life, Tue 23 with live music and a cally acclaimed stage - Sat 27 Sept, Arena variety line-up, Thurs 18 version of the hugely Theatre, Wolverhamp- Sept, Belgrade Theatre, popular BBC television ton Coventry series, Sat 20 - Sun 21 THREE MEN IN A BOAT ANTONIA FRASER: WORDS Sept, Lichfield Garrick The Original Theatre Talk focusing on the MY BOY JACK Presented Company and the The- Gunpowder Plot and by the Crescent The- atre Royal Bury St Perilous Question, Fri atre Company, Sat 20 - Edmunds present Ha Ha Hood - Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa; Palace Theatre, Redditch & New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham 19 Sept, Artrix, Broms- Sat 27 Sept, Crescent Jerome K Jerome’s grove Theatre, Birmingham classic tale of boating THE STORY GARDEN MEDEA A National The- young people for UK’s top male glamour A PASSION FOR OPERA A misadventure, Tues 23 - young people which show, Thurs 25 Sept, tour of the operatic and Active storytelling ses- atre Live screening of Sat 27 Sept, Malvern sions where children Euripides' powerful explores how casual Royal Spa Centre, musical theatre world, Theatre viral actions can have Leamington Spa Sat 27 Sept, Palace from four to eight and tragedy, Sun 21 Sept, DIRTY DANCING Eleanor their parents/carers can mac - Midlands Arts serious real-life conse- CARMEN Mid Wales Theatre, Redditch Bergstein's smash-hit quences Wed 24 Sept, Opera present a new ONE WOMAN IN HER TIME get involved in telling Centre, Birmingham West End musical tells Shakespeare's stories OLD MACDONALD HAD A The REP, Birmingham version of Bizet’s much- Laughter, tears and the classic love story of THAT'LL BE THE DAY loved tale of love, loss, powerful poetry in a in a fun and lively way, FARM Presented by Baby and Johnny, Tue Sat 20 Sept, Royal People's Theatre Com- Rock'n'roll spectacular betrayal & jealousy, performance based on 23 Sept - Sat 11 Oct, combining music from Thurs 25 Sept, The a young woman’s Shakespeare Theatre, pany, Sun 21 Sept, Wolverhampton Grand Stratford-upon-Avon Royal Spa Centre, the 50s, 60s & 70s with Roses, Tewkesbury impulsive decision to Theatre wacky comedy rou- FOGHORN IMPROV: THE try an intensive medita- MAGIC RUSS COMEDY Leamington Spa LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST SHOW FEAT. DAVE THE tines, Wed 24 Sept, SHERLOCK TOMES Step tion retreat, Sun 28 Christopher Luscombe Palace Theatre, Red- into Baker Street for an Sept, mac - Midlands WONDER DOG Sat 20 directs a new produc- Sept, Palace Theatre, Week Commencing ditch evening of improvised Arts Centre, Birming- tion of Shakespeare's THE ELEPHANT MAN sleuthing, Thurs 25 ham Redditch MON 22 SEP sparkling comedy, Tue BROADWAY DIVAS Con- Tread The Boards The- Sept, Old Joint Stock 23 Sept - Sat 14 March, atre Company present Theatre, Birmingham cert-style performance THE KITE RUNNER Haunt- Royal Shakespeare Week Commencing featuring hits from the ing tale of friendship an intimate look into PAUL ZERDIN: NO Theatre, Stratford-upon- the life of a truly inspira- STRINGS The master MON 29 SEP musicals, Sat 20 Sept, which spans cultures Avon Palace Theatre, Red- and continents while tional figure, Wed 24 - ventriloquist returns BLIND HAMLET Actors Sun 28 Sept, The Attic with a brand new show MICHAEL PORTILLO - ditch following one man's Touring Company pres- CHILDREN’S THEATRE journey to confront his Theatre, Coventry featuring much-loved LIFE: A GAME OF TWO ent an innovative piece WAR HORSE Acclaimed sponge characters, HALVES Mon 29 Sept, Short play performed past and find redemp- of game-theatre where by adults especially for tion, Mon 22 Sept - Sat West End drama based stand-up and ‘wicked’ Artrix, Bromsgrove audiences can help on the novel by Michael audience participation, THE WEST END EXPERI- children, Sat 20 Sept, 4 Oct, The REP, Birm- shape the course of the Norbury Theatre, ingham Morpurgo, Wed 24 Sept Thurs 25 Sept, Palace ENCE: A SHOWCASE OF evening, Wed 24 Sept, - Sat 11 Oct, Regent Theatre, Redditch THE MUSICALS New Droitwich, Worcs WONDERIA Playbox The- mac - Midlands Arts TWO DEGREES An inti- atre present a multidis- Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent CERI DUPREE: FIT FOR A musical revue show Centre, Birmingham THE DREAMBOYS The QUEEN New show cele- featuring artists from mate and interactive ciplinary production TWEET TWEET A play by experience for twelve fusing circus, dance, Dreamboys are the brating the female London's West End, impersonator’s thirty Mon 29 Sept, Belgrade years on stage, Thurs Theatre, Coventry 25 Sept, Old Rep, Birm- TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD ingham Christopher Sergel's TAKE AWAY THE LADY stage version of Harper The Phoenix Players Lee's classic tale - present Jimmie Chinn’s direct from the West ‘finely tuned murder End, Mon 29 Sept - Sat mystery’, Thurs 25 - Sat 4 Oct, Malvern Theatres 27 Sept, Stratford Art- MICHAEL PALIN: TRAVEL- house LING TO WORK Brand OUR KYLIE’S HAVIN’ A new two-part stage BAB Stripped Down show which looks back Theatre present the at twenty-five years of second in the ‘Our exploring the world and Kylie’ trilogy of comedy nearly fifty years in plays’, Fri 26 - Sat 27 radio, television, books Sept, Old Joint Stock and films, Tue 30 Sept, Theatre, Birmingham New Alexandra Theatre, ENCHANTED BURLESQUE Birmingham Panache comedy, bur- THE HALLOWED TURF lesque, variety and Gazebo Theatre pres- lashings of glitters, Sat ent a powerful and 27 Sept, The Old Rep heartbreaking new play Theatre, Birmingham which shares the true FIRST DO NO HARM Tea story of Walter Tull, the And Tenacity Theatre first black combat offi- Company present cer to serve in the Hilary Spiers’ powerful British army in the First play, which dramatises World War, Tues 30 a forgotten corner of Sept, Roses Theatre, history, Sat 27 Sept, Tewkesbury Artrix, Bromsgrove Paul Zerdin: No Strings - Palace Theatre, Redditch & Lichfield Garrick

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Theatre REVIEWS

Below are reviews of theatre productions we checked out last month. For further theatre reviews, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time Reviewed at The Gielgud Theatre, London, ahead of it showing at the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, and Wolverhampton Grand Theatre in February. Mark Haddon’s groundbreaking book was an unlikely novel with an even less likely leading lad. What at first appeared to be a naïve narrative soon revealed itself to be the personal testimony of a fifteen-year-old boy with Aspergers syndrome. The central character, Christopher, is shocked to find his neighbour’s dog has been skewered to her lawn with a garden fork. His uniquely logical mind is baffled by the incident and he sets out to solve the murder... The Gruffalo Birmingham Town Hall Literary reviewers hailed the book’s unusualness, It’s not summer in Birmingham without one of Julia Donaldson’s delightful tales being and declared its detailed exposition of an Asperg- brought to life at the city’s Town Hall. And surely one of the best of the adaptations is ers mind to be unfilmable. A stage adaptation was that of the multi-million-selling children’s classic, The Gruffalo - brilliantly adapted for unthinkable. But in the modern theatre, the the stage by award-winning theatre company Tall Stories. unthinkable has a habit of happening, and the Tall Stories’ storytelling approach doesn’t rely on flamboyant costume but instead National Theatre took the challenge to playwright uses actors as storytellers, so that children are aware of the tale being told before Simon Stephens. Together they came up with one them. So via just a trio of performers, some basic costumes and a minimal set, young- of the most remarkable productions in the whole sters and their families were transported to the Deep Dark Wood, to join the mouse on history of the South Bank. his journey to meet the fox, the snake, the owl and, of course, the elusive Gruffalo. Christopher is a very special character to play and, In this magical show, the fox becomes a ska-loving Cockney wideboy, sending chil- in the performance I saw, his ‘separateness’ was dren squealing with laughter; the owl is a ditzy pilot, donning goggles; the snake is a beautifully handled by a rather gawky, finger-twist- salsa-loving, sequined dancer who uses hypnosis to try and lure the mouse to his log- ing Abram Rooney. I hope he tours, because his pile house. But the gutsy mouse outwits them all, with the help of the very willing chil- understanding of an Aspergers mind is acutely per- dren, who revel in some well-directed audience participation. ceptive. And youngsters were on the edge of their seats for the much-anticipated arrival of The And there is love in the play too; the irrational, Gruffalo himself, bounding on stage complete with his all-important purple prickles unmanageable love of Christopher’s exasperated and death-defying roar. parents, and the cool, caring, professional love of Julia Donaldson fans will absolutely adore this imaginative retelling of the much-loved his teacher, Siobhan. Narrating the play, she is his book, complete with talented cast, catchy songs and well-constructed characters. guardian angel; his still small centre of certainty - Fiona McCartney n n n n and the relationship between the wonderfully wise teacher and the seriously struggling student is deeply affirming. It's Siobhan who effectively cre- Theatre Box Office ates the show we see by suggesting Christopher’s diary be turned into a school play. And every so Birmingham NEWHAMPTON ARTS CENTRE Warwickshire often the elastic of the imagination is wittily 01902 572090 snapped back to this underlying, practical concept. ALEXANDRA THEATRE BEDWORTH CIVIC HALL 0844 871 3011 OLDBURY REP, OLDBURY 024 7637 6707 Not only has the National Theatre achieved the 0121 552 2761 BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME BELGRADE THEATRE, COVENTRY unthinkable; it has done so in triumph. 0844 338 5000 Shropshire 024 7655 3055 The book has been translated into forty-four lan- BIRMINGHAM REP BRIDGE HOUSE THEATRE, WARWICK THE BELFREY, WELLINGTON guages and the play seen by over two hundred 0121 236 4455 01926 776438 01952 222277 thousand people so far. It opens on Broadway this THE BLUE ORANGE THEATRE THE DREAM FACTORY THE EDGE, MUCH WENLOCK 0121 212 2643 01926 419555 autumn and arrives in the Midlands next year. 01952 728911 CRESCENT THEATRE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE I urge you to see it. And if you do, take my advice THE HIVE, SHREWSBURY 0121 643 5858 THEATRE, STRATFORD-UPON-AVON and stay seated when you think it’s all over. 01743 234970 DOVEHOUSE THEATRE 0844 800 1110 Chris Eldon Lee LUDLOW ASSEMBLY n n n n n 0121 706 7139 ROYAL SPA CENTRE ROOMS 01584 878141 THE DRUM 0121 333 2444 LEAMINGTON 01926 334418 THE PLACE, OAKENGATES, TELFORD WARWICK ARTS CENTRE, COVENTRY HALL GREEN LITTLE 01952 382382 THEATRE 02476 524524 THEATRE SEVERN, 0121 707 1874 SHREWSBURY MAC 0121 446 3232 01743 281281 Worcestershire OLD JOINT STOCK THEATRE WEM TOWN HALL ARTRIX ARTS CENTRE, 0121 200 0946 01939 232299 BROMSGROVE OLD REP 0121 245 4455 01527 577330 SOLIHULL ARTS COMPLEX Staffordshire THE HIVE 01905 822866 0121 704 6962 LICHFIELD GARRICK 01543 412121 HUNTINGDON HALL, WORCESTER 01905 611427 Black Country NEW VIC 01782 717962 MALVERN THEATRE ARENA THEATRE PRINCE OF WALES 01684 892277 WOLVERHAMPTON CENTRE, CANNOCK 01902 321321 01543 578762 NORBURY THEATRE, DROITWICH 01905 770154 BLOXWICH THEATRE REGENT THEATRE, STOKE 01922 653183 0870 060 6649 PALACE THEATRE REDDITCH 01527 65203 DUDLEY CONCERT HALL RUGELEY ROSE THEATRE 01384 812812 01889 584036 ROSE THEATRE, 01562 743745 FOREST ARTS CENTRE, WALSALL STAFFORD GATEHOUSE 01785 254653 01922 654555 SWAN THEATRE, STOKE REPERTORY THEATRE WORCESTER GRAND THEATRE, 01782 209784 01902 429212 01905 611427

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Theatre WEST END

Celebrating twenty-five-years of Miss Saigon A twenty-fifth anniversary gala performance of Boublil & Schön- berg’s award-winning Miss Saigon will this month see members of the original company take to the stage alongside the show’s current cast. Tickets for the 22 September Prince Edward Theatre gala are now on sale at 1989 prices, ranging from £13.50 to £22.50. The original production of Miss Saigon opened at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane a quarter-century ago and ran for a decade. The show has since been seen by over forty million people worldwide. A new production of the musical opened to great critical acclaim at the Prince Edward Theatre in May this year. With record advance bookings, it’s received an audience response which is said to be ‘just as rapturous as the original’. The gala performance will be recorded by BBC Radio and broadcast in its entirety on Sunday 28 September. Lyndsay to join Lindsay at Playhouse Theatre Shrek: The Musical actor Nigel Lindsay and The West Wing’s Richard Schiff are to join Lindsay Lohan when she makes her West End debut in David Mamet’s Speed-the-Plow at the Playhouse Theatre this month. The duo play high-powered producers Bobby Gould and Charlie Fox in Mamet’s satirical dissection of Holly- wood’s movie industry, with Lohan playing their temporary secre- tary, Karen. The American actress has said she feels ‘very lucky and excited and nervous’ about making her West End debut, adding: "There's a different standard to it here. It seems more prestigious. It seems a bit more serious, and that's something that I really want to experience.” Speed-the-Plow opens at the Playhouse Theatre on 24 September and runs until 29 November.

Nigel Lindsay Lindsay Lohan Richard Schiff

No more Perfect Nonsense in the West End It’s been announced that Olivier Award-winning comedy Jeeves And Wooster In Perfect Nonsense is to finish its West End run earlier than planned. The show, currently starring John Gordon Sinclair and James Lance, had been taking bookings until next January but will now end on 20 September. It will begin a UK tour a few days later in Guildford. Of their decision to cut short its London run, producers Mark Goucher and Mark Rubenstein said they felt it was best to close the West End show ‘on a high’ until they could ‘find a cast to match the three brilliant Jeeves and Woosters that we’ve had the honour to present’. They added that they were looking forward to taking the production out on tour. Alas, there are no current plans to bring the show to the Midlands...

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 35 Dance September.qxp_Layout 1 29/08/2014 15:08 Page 1 Dance September.qxp_Layout 1 29/08/2014 15:08 Page 2 Dance

Riverdance National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, Tuesday 23 - Thursday 25 September When a show’s been seen by millions of people across thousands of performances on no fewer than four continents, it’s fair to say it’s one mother of a hit! Such are the statistics behind the mesmerising Riverdance, Michael Flatley’s breathtaking dance extravaganza that’s been wowing audiences around the globe for a staggering two decades. Riverdance started out as a seven-minute interval piece at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994. Within a couple of years, it had become the brand new craze, not only bringing traditional dance to a contemporary audience but also inspiring slick’n’sexy spin-off shows such as Spirit Of The Dance and Lord Of The Dance. If it’s been a while since you last sampled its delights or, perish the thought, you’ve never before witnessed its magnificence, these twentieth anniversary shows offer an opportunity not to be missed.

Inala Beauty And The Beast Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Tues 30 Birmingham Hippodrome, September; Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Tues 30 September - Sat 4 October Thurs 30 October Although not universally acclaimed When a group of talented musicians find their when first performed in 2003, David way into the public consciousness via a baked Bintley’s gothic fairytale has since beans advert, it says a lot about both the state of become recognised as an intelligent the world and the power of advertising. Such was ballet of monumental beauty. the case with South African singers Ladysmith Phllip Prowse’s storybook set of Black Mambazo. forests and castles helps create a Still, don’t be fooled - Ladysmith had been breathtaking atmosphere, while the around a long time before they provided that two lead roles offer plenty of oppor- memorable Heinz soundtrack, having recorded tunity for the principal dancers to over forty albums and sold over six million explore a relationship that’s both records worldwide. They’re also much in evi- rich in tenderness and laden with dence on Paul Simon’s Graceland album, using threat. Add to the mix two outra- their Zulu harmonies and unique sound to pro- geously haughty sisters, a grumpy vide some unusual and interesting additions to grandmother who’s been described his music. as ‘worthy of Roald Dahl’ and a sup- This latest presentation sees them collaborating porting cast of delightfully engaging with multi-award-winning choreographer Mark animals, and you’ve got a show that Baldwin and nine world-class dancers - including has all the necessary ingredients talent from the Royal Ballet - to present a live sto- with which to cast a profound and rytelling experience that embraces an exhilarating powerful spell. fusion of South African and Western cultures.

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

RHYTHM OF THE DANCE AN EVENING OF Featuring thirty BURLESQUE Tantalising, dancers, a traditional camp and colourful, full Irish band and the Fri 12 Sept, New 'dashing' Young Irish Alexandra Theatre, Tenors, Sat 6 Sept, Birmingham Regent Theatre, Stoke- JALEO FLAMENCO on-Trent Andalusian dance, THE POWER OF song & guitar, Sun 14 COMPASSION Eight Sept, Theatre Severn, Tibetan monks present Shrewsbury a moving and inspira- THE SLEEPING BEAUTY tional insight into the Presented by English world of sacred music Youth Ballet, Fri 19 - and monastic dance, Sat 20 Sept, from the contemplative, Wolverhampton Grand Inala - Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry mesmerising chant of Theatre JALEO FLAMENCO Sat 27 Sept, mac - BRB's Artistic Director, INALA A zulu ballet fea- JORDON SCHOOL OF Buddhist texts to Andalusian dance, Midlands Arts Centre, David Bintley, Tue 30 turing dancers from DANCE & PERFORMING majestic, brocade-cos- song & guitar, Birmingham Sept - Sat 4 Oct, Royal Ballet & Rambert, ARTS: ELECTRIFY tumed masked dances, Sun 21 Sun 21 Sept, Ludlow BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Birmingham Tue 30 Sept, Warwick Sat 6 Sept, mac - Sept, mac - Midlands Assembly Rooms, Choreographed by Hippodrome Arts Centre, Coventry Midlands Arts Centre, Arts Centre, South Shropshire Birmingham Birmingham RIVERDANCE 2014 Tue Dance Box Office 23 - Thurs 25 Sept, National Indoor Arena, Birmingham ARENA THEATRE, LUDLOW ASSEMBLY SOLIHULL ARTS COMPLEX THE BLACK ALBUM Avant WOLVERHAMPTON ROOMS, SHROPSHIRE 0121 704 6962 01584 873229 Garde Dance present a 01902 321321 STAFFORD GATEHOUSE triple bill of works com- ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE MAC, BIRMINGHAM THEATRE prising three distinctly 01527 577330 0121 446 3232 01785 254653 different hip-hop chore- BIRMINGHAM NEW ALEXANDRA THEATRE, THEATRE SEVERN, ographies, Thurs 25 - HIPPODROME BIRMINGHAM SHREWSBURY Fri 26 Sept, The Patrick 0844 338 5000 0121 230 9082 01743 281281 Centre, Birmingham DOVEHOUSE THEATRE ROYAL SPA CENTRE, WARWICK ARTS CENTRE, Hippodrome 0121 706 7139 LEAMINGTON SPA COVENTRY JALEO FLAMENCO LICHFIELD GARRICK 01926 334418 02476 524524 Andalusian dance, 01543 412121 The Power of Compassion - mac, Birmingham song & guitar. For full venue information visit: www.whatsonlive.co.uk

38 For full dance listings, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Film - Sept.qxp_Layout 1 28/08/2014 17:20 Page 1

Film TO WATCH THE LATEST MOVIE TRAILERS, VISIT: www.whatsonlive.co.uk

From FRI 5 SEPT

The Hundred Foot Journey CERT PG (112 mins) Starring Helen Mirren, Om Puri, Manish Dayal, Charlotte Le Bon Directed by Lasse Hallström (USA) TOP 5 Produced by Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey, this is the much anticipated adaptation of the 2010 novel by Richard C Morais. Although set across a mere hundred feet of boulevard in Midi-Pyrénées, in France, the FILM BOX OFFICE tale encapsulates the extremes of global culture today. When Hassan Kadam (Manish Dayal) and his family are displaced from their native India, they set up a new restaurant in the South of France. However, Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren), the proprietress of a traditional French restaurant down the street, is determined to give the new upstarts hell. The screenplay is by Steven Knight, who previously scripted Dirty Pretty Things, The Inbetweeners 2 Eastern Promises and Locke, while the director Lasse Hallström has brought us The Cider House Rules, 1 (15) Salmon Fishing In The Yemen and, significantly, the French-set adaptation of Joanne Harris’s Chocolat. Oscar buzz is already humming. Guardians Of 2 The Galaxy (12a)

The Expendables 3 3 (12a) How To TrainYour 4 Dragon 2 (12a)

Dawn Of The Planet 5 Of The Apes (12a)

FROM FRI 19 SEPT

Serena CERT tbc Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Rhys Ifans, Sean Harris, Toby Jones, Sam Reid, David Dencik, Ana Ularu Directed by Susanne Bier (USA/Czech Republic) The last time that Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper played a couple, they ensnared an Oscar nomination apiece, for Silver Linings Playbook, for which Ms Lawrence walked off with the main prize. Here, Cooper plays George Pemberton, a tycoon who moves from Boston to Depression-Era North Carolina to build a tim- ber empire. Initially met with hostility by the locals, his wife, Serena (Lawrence), soon proves that she can hold her own, hunting rattlesnakes and keeping the men in line. But then a secret from George’s past threat- ens to undermine their union... Susanne Bier previously directed the award-winning Open Hearts, After The Wedding and Love Is All You Need, while her 2011 thriller In A Better World won the Oscar for best foreign language film. Serena is based on the 2008 novel by Ron Rash. The Inbetweeners 2 www.whatsonlive.co.uk 39 Film - Sept.qxp_Layout 1 28/08/2014 17:20 Page 2

FilmNEW RELEASES Released from Fri 5 September Before I Go to Sleep CERT 15 (92 mins) Starring Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Anne-Marie Duff, Dean-Charles Chap- man Directed by Rowan Joffé (UK/USA) Christine Lucas (Nicole Kidman) has antero- grade amnesia, which means that every time she wakes up she’s forgotten everything from the day before. So she starts a journal, a daily record that begins to unearth some frightening truths. Based on the 2011 novel by SJ Watson. From WED 3 SEPT They Came Together CERT 15 (81 mins) CERT 15 (99 mins) CERT 15 (94 mins) Starring Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler, Cobie Smul- Life Of Crime Sex Tape ders, Christopher Meloni, Max Greenfield, Bill Starring Jennifer Aniston, Mos Def, Isla Starring Cameron Diaz, Jason Segal, Rob Hader Directed by David Wain (USA) Fisher, Will Forte, Tim Robbins, John Hawkes Corddry, Ellie Kemper, Rob Lowe Directed by Daniel Schechter (USA) Directed by Jake Kasdan (USA) With a title like this, it’s a wonder Judd Apatow When the wife of a Having directed Cameron Diaz and Jason wasn’t involved. But this is actually a parody of wealthy man is kid- Segal in the surprisingly funny Bad the romantic napped, the hus- Teacher (2011), Jake Kasdan now teams comedy and band decides he them in another carnal romp. This time apparently Paul doesn’t want to pay they play a married couple whose private Rudd and Amy the ransom... sex tape ends up in cyber space. Very Poehler knock Based on the novel sporting of Rob Lowe to appear in a sup- sparks off each by Elmore Leonard. porting role. other.

For full film listings, showings and booking links visit: whatsonlive.co.uk

View the latest trailers on line

40 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Film - Sept.qxp_Layout 1 28/08/2014 17:20 Page 3

Released from Fri 12 September A Most Wanted Man CERT 15 (112 mins) Starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rachel McAdams, Willem Dafoe, Robin Wright, Daniel Brühl, Nina Hoss Directed by Anton Corbijn (UK/USA/Germany) The photographer Anton Corbijn has proved himself to be a first-class filmmaker (cf. Control, The American) and would seem a good choice to direct this adaptation of John le Carré's 2008 novel. And it’s bang up-to-date, set in the world of the war on terror and featuring a half- Chechen, half-Russian Muslim who turns up in Hamburg with a claim to a huge fortune. Good cast, too.

Boxtrolls CERT PG (97 mins) From Featuring the voice of Isaac Hempstead- FRI 19 Wright, Ben Kingsley, Elle Fanning, Toni Col- SEPT lette, Jared Harris, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost Directed by Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi (USA) From the company (Laika) that brought us Released from Fri 19 September Magic In The Moonlight Coraline and ParaNorman, this is the story of an CERT 12a (98 mins) orphan boy (Egg) who is brought up by subter- Starring Eileen Atkins, Colin Firth, Marcia ranean trash collectors. Brought to life using Gay Harden, Simon McBurney, Emma The Riot Club CERT tbc stop-motion animation, the film is based on the Stone, Jackie Weaver Directed by Woody Starring Max Irons, Sam Claflin, Douglas Allen (USA) heavily illustrated children’s novel Here Be Mon- Booth, Holliday Grainger, Freddie Fox, Natalie sters! by Alan Snow. In 3D. Dormer, Jessica Brown Findlay, Sam Reid Set in the 1920s on the French Riviera, Directed by Lone Scherfig (UK) Woody Allen's latest - his forty-third film as writer-director - features Colin Firth as Stanley, For Riot Club read the Bullingdon Club, the Ox- a curmudgeonly illusionist. Stanley is then ford University establishment known for its ram- asked to help unmask a clairvoyant (Emma bunctious rituals and elaborate banquets. Stone) who has managed to dupe a rich Adapted by Laura Wade from her own play American family on the Côte d'Azur. Posh and helmed by Lone Scherfig, the Danish director who brought us An Education and One Day. Grand Piano CERT 15 (90 mins) Starring Elijah Wood, John Cusack, Tamsin Egerton, Kerry Bishé, Alex Winter Directed by Eugenio Mira (Spain) When a pianist (Wood) struck with stage fright decides to make Pride CERT 15 (120 mins) a comeback in Chicago, he be- Starring Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Dominic West, Paddy Considine, Andrew Scott, comes the atten- George MacKay tion of a sniper. Directed by Matthew Warchus (UK) The deal is that if Based on actual events, this is the story of how he plays one a group of LGBT activists attempted to raise wrong note, the money to help families affected by the 1984 sniper will kill miners' strike. This should appeal to those who him... lapped up Made In Dagenham and its ilk. Ex- Think Like A Man Too pect strong language and Welsh accents. CERT 12a (106mins) Starring Meagan Good, Regina Hall, Taraji P. A Walk Among The Tombstones Henson, Gabrielle Union, Kevin Hart CERT tbc Directed by Tim Story (USA) Starring Liam Neeson, Dan Stevens, Boyd Think Like A Man (2012), based on Steve Har- Holbrook, Sebastian Roché vey's book Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man, Directed by Scott Frank (USA) grossed over $100million worldwide, so a se- It sounds like a Western but it’s actually a crime quel was inevitable. Here, drama based on the the various couples from novel by Lawrence Block. the first comedy convene When his wife is kid- for a wedding in Las napped, a New York drug Vegas and, also inevitably, tsar (Dan Stevens) hires a nothing goes to plan. former cop (Liam Nee- son) to get her back... www.whatsonlive.co.uk 41 Film - Sept.qxp_Layout 1 28/08/2014 17:20 Page 4 Film - Sept.qxp_Layout 1 28/08/2014 17:20 Page 5

Released from Fri 26 September

Get On Up CERT 12a (139 mins) Starring Chadwick Boseman, Nelsan Ellis, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Dan Aykroyd Directed by Tate Taylor (USA) Tate Taylor directed the Oscar-winning The Help (2011), so it’s reasonable to expect great things from this biography of James Brown. Brown, of course, was the Godfather of Soul, and Get On Up chronicles his rise from poverty to celebrity. The script is co-written by Jez Butterworth, he who penned the award-winning play Jerusalem.

Maps To The Stars CERT 18 (112 mins) Starring Julianne Moore, Mia Wasikowska, From John Cusack , Robert Pattinson, Olivia FRI 26 Williams, Sarah Gadon Directed by David Cronenberg (Canada/USA) SEPT The world of Hollywood is excavated with typical voyeuristic precision by David Cronenberg, a director not known for pulling his punches. For her role as an ageing, unhinged movie star, The Good Lie CERT 12a (110 mins) What We Did On Our Holiday Julianne Moore won the best actress award at Starring Reese Witherspoon, Corey Stoll, CERT 12a (95 mins) Sarah Baker, Maria Howell Cannes this year. Directed by Philippe Falardeau (USA) Starring Rosamund Pike, David Tennant, Ben Miller, Amelia Bullmore, Billy Connolly, Based on true events, this is the story of a Celia Imrie brassy American woman (Witherspoon) who as- Directed by Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin sists in the relocation of four young Sudanese When Abi (Pike) and Doug (Tennant) are in- refugees. Corey Stoll, the male lead, previously vited to the Scottish Highlands for the birth- played Ernest Hemingway in Woody Allen’s day of Doug’s father (Billy Connolly), they Midnight In Paris. are determined to keep their impending di- vorce a secret. But Abi and Doug take along their three children, and you know what children are like… A comedy from the creators of TV’s Outnumbered.

This Is Where I Leave You The Equaliser CERT tbc CERT 15 (103 mins) Starring Denzel Washington, Marton Csokas, Starring Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Adam Chloë Grace Moretz, David Harbour, Bill Pull- Driver, Rose Byrne, Corey Stoll, Kathryn man, Melissa Leo Hahn, Jane Fonda Directed by Antoine Fuqua (USA) Directed by Shawn Levy (USA) One may not immediately associate Denzel Based on the 2009 novel by Jonathan Tropper, Washington with Edward Woodward, but the this is the comedic story of four siblings who re- former is recreating the role that the Croydon- turn to their childhood home following the death CERT tbc born actor made his own on TV in the late- Human Capital of their father. Sounds like August: Osage 1980s. Here, Robert McCall (Denzel), an Starring Fabrizio Bentivoglio, Matilde Gioli, County - with a Yiddish makeover. Valeria Bruni Tedeschi ex-black ops commando, has been relocated to Directed by Paolo Virzì (Italy) Boston and comes out of retirement to help a teenage girl (Moretz) in the clutches of a gang Two families whose respective lives would’ve of Russian gangsters. been far simpler had they been kept apart don’t get so lucky. Instead, a road accident draws them together in ways that compromise the very foundation-stones of their existence. Adapted from Stephen Amidon’s novel, director Paolo Virzi’s character-driven movie shifts the action from moneyed Connecticut to Italy’s wealthy north, and focuses on the uncomfort- ably intertwined lives of the Bernaschis - a family of elegant capitalists - and the Ossolas - a brood of struggling middle-classers. The title of the movie, by the way, is a formal legal term, designating an accident victim’s net worth in terms of compensation claims. Just so you know. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 43 Film - Sept.qxp_Layout 1 28/08/2014 17:20 Page 6

corruption it sometimes Oscar Grant III was shot at Birmingham, Fri 12 - Thurs Thurs 11 Sept; Courtyard fosters. Stars Orsen Wells. point blank range by a po- 18 Sept; Ludlow Assem- Theatre, Hereford, Fri 12 - FilmA-Z LISTINGS Showing at Edge Arts Cen- lice officer while being re- bly Rooms, South Shrop- Thurs 18 Sept; Roses The- tre, Much Wenlock, Mon strained by another. The shire, Fri 26 & Mon 29 atre, Tewkesbury, Fri 19 All films are currently on general release 15 Sept mobile phone footage has Sept; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sept unless otherwise stated. For full listing been seen by millions of Tues 30 Sept The Congress 15 The Love Punch 15 information, including times and dates, people. This drama traces The story of an ageing Oscar’s last twenty-four The House Of Magic U The story of two divorcees visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Hollywood beauty (Robin hours. Michael B Jordan Thunder, an abandoned who, after reuniting at a Wright) who can no longer & Melonie Diaz star. cat seeking shelter from a wedding, decide to team The 100 Year Old Man lows him from the age of get work due to her repu- Showing at Courtyard The- storm, stumbles into the up to retrieve the retire- Who Climbed Out Of six to eighteen. Stars Patri- tation for being ‘difficult.’ atre, Hereford, Mon 15 - strangest house, owned ment money stolen from The Window And cia Arquette, Ellar So, in order to continue Weds 17 Sept by an old magician. When them. Pierce Brosnan & Disappeared 15 Coltrane. Showing at Fes- her career, she sells the the magician falls ill, his Emma Thompson star. Allan Karlsson is bored to tival drayton Centre, Mar- rights to her ‘digital The Galapagos Affair: nephew sees a chance to Showing at Stourbridge tears in his old folks’ ket Drayton, Shropshire, image.’ Stars Robin Satan Came To Eden cash in by selling the Town Hall, Mon 15 Sept home, so on his one hun- Fri 5 - Sat 6 & Mon 8 Sept; Wright. Showing at Light tbc house, Thunder enlists The Lunchbox PG dredth birthday he climbs Courtyard Theatre, Here- House Media Centre, A documentary of the the help of the magician's Middle-class housewife Ila out of his window and em- ford, Sat 6 - Tues 9 Sept Wolverhampton, until true-life story of the eccen- assistants to protect his is trying once again to barks on a most unlikely Thurs 4 Sept; Courtyard tric human wildlife that first new home. With the Bright Days Ahead 12a add some spice to her adventure. Robert Theatre, Hereford, Tues 23 settled in the Galapagos voices of Cinda Adams, Caroline, a sixty-year-old marriage, this time Gustafsson & Iwar Wiklan- - Thurs 25 Sept Islands in the 1930s, ex- Grant George. Showing at retired dentist, is given a through her cooking. She der star. Showing at Roses pecting a utopian garden Courtyard Theatre, Here- trial membership for an Cycling With Molière 15 hopes that a new recipe Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues of Eden. But as bohemian ford, Sat 6 - Sun 7 Sept activity centre for old peo- A misanthropic actor has will arouse some kind of 2 Sept lifestyles and a free love ple. After finding the turned his back on the ethos give way to person- Jersey Boys 15 reaction from her neglect- Arthur And Mike 15 courses dull and the com- stage. Then the grumpy ality clashes and Darwin- Before The Beatles, the ful husband. She pre- This is the story of a for- pany grating, Caroline thesp is approached by ian impulses, people most popular rock band pares a special lunchbox mer professional golfer gets chatting to the hand- another actor to make a begin to disappear and of all time was The Four to be delivered to him at who fakes his own death some IT teacher Julien comeback in a production an intriguing murder-mys- Seasons. The Broadway work, but, unbeknownst in order to escape a life of with whom she starts a se- of Moliere’s The Misan- tery unfolds. Showing at musical that chronicled to her, it’s mistakenly de- failure. Then, in his new in- cret affair. Fanny Ardant & thrope. Unfortunately, it’s Roses Theatre, Tewkes- their amazing career and livered to another office carnation as Arthur New- Laurent Lafitte star. Show- not the leading part… bury, Sun 28 Sept won four Tony awards has worker. Irrfan Khan & Nim- man, he encounters a ing at Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fabrice Luchin & Lambert been brought to the big rat Kaur star. Showing at woman who is also fleeing Sun 21 - Mon 22 Sept Wilson star. Showing at The Grand Budapest screen by Clint Eastwood. Edge Arts Centre, Much her old identity. Showing at Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Hotel 12a Stars John Lloyd Young. Wenlock, South Shrop- Roses Theatre, Tewkes- South Shropshire, Fri 5 & The adventures of the leg- Showing at Old Market shire, Mon 22 Sept bury, Tues 9 - Weds 10 Mon 8 Sept endary concierge Gus- Hall, Shrewsbury, until Mood Indigo 12a Sept tave H. Played here by Thurs 4 Sept; Roses The- Fading Gigolo 15 Ralph Fiennes, Gustave H atre, Tewkesbury, Mon 1 - Set in a charmingly sur- Begin Again 15 WATCH Comedy drama about is a wonderful comic char- Sat 6 Sept real Paris, wealthy bache- Keira Knightley plays a couple of friends acter, an articulate, manip- lor Colin spends his time a singer-songwriter THE FILM who set up a gigolo ulative and brazen fellow Joe 15 developing a cocktail- who moves to New business to help the who abuses his position Joe is a no-nonsense su- making piano. When he York with her lonely women of with startling zeal. Ac- pervisor of a crew of lum- learns that his best friend boyfriend, only to be TRAILERS AT New York. Stars cused of murder and berjacks who finds work has a new American girl- cheated on by him. Woody Allen, John chased all over the shop, for a troubled teenager. As friend, our lonely hero at- She then meets Dan whatsonlive.co.uk Turturro Showing at the fellow never loses his Joe takes him under his tends a friend's party in (Mark Ruffalo), a disillu- Courtyard Theatre, Here- nerve. Showing at Edge wing, he discovers that hopes of falling in love sioned music executive… ford, Mon 1 - Weds 3 Sept Arts Centre, Much Wen- Gary lives under the himself. Showing at Court- Showing at Royal Spa tyranny of a drunk and yard Theatre, Hereford, Finding Fela 15 lock, Shropshire, Mon 8 Centre, Leamington Spa, abusive father, and soon Sat 13 - Thurs 18 Sept; Ar- A compelling portrait of Sept Fri 12 - Sun 14 Sept; Court- Captain Phillips 12a finds himself torn between trix, Bromsgrove, Weds the late, great Fela Kuti, yard Theatre, Hereford, Fri Tom Hanks plays the Grand Central 15 his fierce protective in- 24- Thurs 25 Sept Nigeria’s answer to Bob 12 - Thurs 18 Sept; Artrix, eponymous Captain The story of a decontami- stincts and his need to Marley. Showing at mac, Mr Morgan’s Last Love Bromsgrove, Fri 12 - Fri 19 Richard Phillips, who was nation sub-contractor at a avoid the violence of his Birmingham, Fri 5 - Thurs 12a Sept abducted by Somali pi- nuclear power plant in the past. Stars Nicolas Cage. rates in 2009. It’s a tale 11 Sept; Courtyard The- lower valley of the Rhone, Showing at Warwick Arts Michael Caine stars as re- The Book Thief 12a ripped straight from the atre, Hereford, Weds 24 - Grand Central deals with Centre, Coventry, Mon 1 - tired philosophy professor A young girl sent to live headlines, based on the Thurs 25 Sept the everyday problem of Thurs 4 Sept; Royal Spa Matthew Morgan, who, living in Paris, ‘takes up’ with with a foster family in book by Captain Phillips Finding Vivian Maier radiation contamination Centre, Leamington Spa, World War Two Germany a French dance instructor. himself in collaboration 12a and stars two of France’s Thurs 18 Sept learns to read, with en- Showing at Roses The- with Stephan Talty. Show- The story of a mysterious hottest young performers: couragement from Max, a Lilting 15 atre, Tewkesbury, Mon 15 ing at Forest Arts Centre, nanny who secretly took Tahar Rahim & Léa Sey- Jewish refugee who Junn is a Cambodian-Chi- - Tues 16 Sept; Courtyard Walsall, Fri 12 Sept over one hundred thou- doux. Showing at Court- they’re hiding under the nese woman who lives in Theatre, Hereford, Fri 19 - sand photographs which yard Theatre, Mon 22 - stairs. Showing at Stour- Cinema Paradiso 12a London who cannot Thurs 25 Sept were hidden and then dis- Tues 23 Sept; Roses The- bridge Town Hall, Mon 1 A middle-aged man’s re- speak English and is to- covered decades later. Vi- atre, Tewkesbury, Weds 24 Sept flection on his past, in par- Sept tally dependent on her ticular the Sicilian cinema vian Maier’s strange and son to understand the Boyhood 15 (and its projectionist) that riveting life and art are re- The Grand Seduction community in which she This is one film that lives formed his dreams. Stars vealed through never-be- 12a lives. Then he dies unex- up to its title. Started in the Philippe Noiret. Showing fore-seen photographs, The story of a remote fish- pectedly, severing her summer of 2002, the at The Hive, Shrewsbury, films, and interviews ing village that has to en- links with the outside drama continued produc- Fri 12 Sept Showing at mac, Birming- snare a doctor in order to world…Stars Ben tion through to October ham, Weds 3 - Thurs 4 land a factory contract Whishaw, Cheng Pei Pei. 2013, having shot for a Citizen Kane U Sept and thus stabilise the local Showing at Ludlow As- few weeks every year in- A fascinating portrait of Fruitvale Station 15 economy. Stars Brendan sembly rooms, South between. The film is the America's love of power On New Year’s Eve 2008, Gleeson. Showing at mac, Shropshire, Weds 10 - story of Mason Jr and fol- and materialism and the

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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Mrs Brown’s Boys D’- off-beat film weaves to- The Police Officer’s Coventry, until Thurs 4 novel. Emma Thompson & Thurs 18 Sept Movie12a gether interlinking stories Wife tbc Sept; mac, Birmingham, & Tom Hanks star.Show- Two Days, One Night15 Mrs Brown’s fruit & veg stall based around different A young couple lead a Fri 5 Sept; Ludlow Assem- ing at The Norbury The- Sandra has one week to is threatened by develop- horses. Ingvar Eggert Sig- modest provincial exis- bly Rooms, South Shrop- atre, Droitwich Spa, Weds convince her workmates ers, so she enlists the help urdsson & Charlotte Bøv- tence with their small shire, Fri 12 - Sat 13 Sept; 10 Sept to give up their bonuses of a troupe of blind Ninja as- ing star.Showing at Artrix, daughter. The husband is Roses Theatre, Tewkes- She Monkeys12a so that she can keep her sassins and a barrister with Bromsgrove, Sun 7 - Mon a policeman. The wife bury, Mon 29 - Tues 30 When Emma meets Cas- job. Marion Cotillard & Tourette’s Syndrome. Bren- 8 Sept stays at home and cares Sept sandra, they initiate a rela- Fabrizio Rongione star. dan O’Carroll & Eilish O’- for their little girl. This One Direction - Where The Railway Man15 tionship filled with physical Showing at mac, Birming- Carroll star.Showing at seemingly ordinary family We Are Tour - Concert Based on the autobiogra- and psychological chal- ham, Fri 5 - Thurs 11 Sept; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, live a frugal life. It is also a Film phy of Eric Lomax who, lenges with Emma doing Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Mon 1 - life of increasing violence, Recorded in Milan’s iconic as a POW for the Japan- whatever it takes to mas- South Shropshire, Mon Tues 2 Sept; Roses The- measured by the dark San Siro stadium, this ese, helped build the Thai- ter the rules of the game. 22 - Tues 23 Sept; Court- atre, Tewkesbury, Mon 8 - bruises of the police offi- must for One Direction Burma Railway. Colin Firth Mathilda Paradeiser & yard Theatre, Hereford, Tues 9 Sept cer’s wife. Alexandra fans features fifteen min- and Nicole Kidman star. Linda Molin star.Showing Mon 29 - Tues 30 Sept Finder & David Zimmer- Mystery Roadtbc utes of backstage footage Showing at Forest Arts at mac, Birmingham, schied.Showing at mac, Wakolda12a Detective Joe Swan is a and exclusive interviews. Centre, Walsall, Thurs 25 Thurs 25 Sept Birmingham, Mon 15 - Set in Patagonia 1960, native Australian tasked to Showing at Festival Dray- Sept Tues 16 Sept Sin City 2: A Dame To this true story follows a investigate the murder of ton Centre, Market Dray- The Rover15 Kill For15 family who’re befriended an Aboriginal girl in his old ton, Shropshire, Sat 11 - Polyester15 With society in decline, The much-anticipated se- by a charismatic German home town; but his career Sun 12 Sept; Light House John Water’s cult classic the rule of law has disinte- quel based on Frank man, who they welcome choices have distanced Media Centre, Wolver- stars Divine as a subur- grated and life is cheap. Miller’s graphic novels. into their home and their him from the Aboriginal hampton, Sat 11 - Sun 12 ban housewife whose Hardened loner Eric (Guy The town’s most hard- hearts, little knowing that community, and the white Sept world falls apart when her Pearce) travels the deso- boiled citizens cross paths he’s notorious war crimi- folks don’t trust him either. pornographer husband Planes 2: Fire And Res- late and dangerous Aus- with some of its more re- nal Joseph Mengele. Aaron Penderson stars. admits he's serially un- cue U Dusty tralian outback. When a viled inhabitants. Jessica Showing at mac, Birming- Showing at Ludlow As- faithful to her, her daugh- Crophopper (voiced by brutal gang of thieves Alba & Powers Booth star. ham, Tues 2 - Thurs 4 sembly Rooms, South ter gets pregnant, and her Dane Cook) returns for steal his car and only re- Showing at Light House Sept; Ludlow Assembly Shropshire, Weds 24 - son is suspected of being more aerial adventures, al- maining possession, they Media Centre, Wolver- rooms, South Shropshire, Thurs 25 Sept the foot-fetishist who's though when his engine is leave behind the hampton, until Thurs 4 Mon 15 - Thurs 18 Sept; been breaking local damaged he realises that wounded Rey (Robert Sept Roses Theatre, Tewkes- Night Will Fall15 women's feet. Tab Hunter A documentary exploring he may never race again. Pattinson) in their wake. bury, Mon 22 Sept also stars.Showing at Tracks12a the Allied forces liberation Showing at Courtyard The- Forcing Rey to help track mac, Birmingham, Sat 20 Director John Curran Walking On Sunshine of the Nazi concentration atre, Hereford, until Sun 7 the gang, Eric gives & Tues 23 Sept brings to screen the 1980 12a camps in 1944-45. Their Sept; Roses Theatre, chase.Showing at mac, memoir of Robyn David- After a whirlwind ro- terrible discoveries were Tewkesbury, Sat 6 Sept A Promise12a Birmingham, Sat 13, Weds son, which chronicles her mance, Maddie is prepar- recorded by army and The protege of a wealthy 17 - Thurs 18 Sept Point Blank15 one thousand, seven hun- ing for her dream newsreel cameramen, re- industrialist is sent abroad An adrenaline-fuelled ac- Saving Mr BanksPG dred-mile trek across the wedding to gorgeous Ital- vealing for the first time the when it becomes appar- tion thriller about a man on Biog of PL Travers, the au- Australian Outback with ian Raf. But, unbeknownst full horror of what had ent that he’s fallen in love the run, desperately trying thor of Mary Poppins, just a dog, four camels to her, Raf is an ex-holiday happened.Showing at with the industrialist’s wife. to save his pregnant, kid- Saving Mr Banks is di- and the National Geo- flame of her sister's and mac, Birmingham, Sun 21 But before he goes, she napped wife in a race vided between Travers’ graphic photographer the love of her life.Show- - Mon 21 Sept makes him a promise. Re- against time. Gilles Lel- early years in Australia Rick Smolan. Mia ing at Courtyard Theatre, becca Hall & Alan Rick- louche stars.Showing at and the later negotiations Wasikowska stars.Show- Hereford, Fri 5 - Thurs 11 Of Horses And Men15 man star. Showing at The Hive, Shrewsbury, Fri with Disney to make a film ing at Wem Town Hall, Sept Set against the stunning Warwick Arts Centre, landscapes of Iceland, this 26 Sept of her popular children’s North Shropshire, Tues 16

DVD NEW RELEASES Plastic 15 After Earth 12a Based on real events, After Earth has been laid this comedy thriller fo- waste by cataclysmic cuses on a group of stu- events, a father and son dents whose credit card find themselves back on fraud lands them in hot the planet, which is a water with a ruthless very changed place, a crime boss who gives millennium after events them two weeks to raise forced humanity to es- £2million. Stars Ed cape. Stars Will Smith. Speleers and Andy Allen. Released 15 September Released 8 September Pompeii 12a It’s 79AD and former slave Milo is now a gladi- ator and in love with Cas- sia, who is betrothed to the corrupt senator. And then all hell breaks loose when Mount Vesuvius erupts. Stars Kit Harring- ton. Blue Ruin 15 Released 15 September Dwight Evans is an out- sider whose quiet life is Bad Neighbors 15 ing aunt. But after she The Wind Rises PG Of Horses And Men 12a disturbed when, seeking Here, the deal is that meets her husband's al- Hayao Miyazaki is one of Set against the land- vengeance, he proves family man Seth luring friend, Laurent, the leading talents in ani- scapes of Iceland, this off- himself an amateur as- Rogen (with new-born she embarks on an illicit mation today, having won beat film weaves together sassin and ends up in a baby girl) moves next affair that leads to tragic countless awards and stories based around dif- fight to protect his es- door to a frat house consequences. Based even an Oscar (for his ferent horses. Directed by tranged family. Stars run by the unruly, on the novel by Emile peerless 2001 fantasy Benedikt Erlingsson. Macon Blair. beer-swigging Zac Zole and starring Eliza- Spirited Away). Here, he’s Released 29 September Released 8 September Efron. Expect some beth Olsen. adapted his own manga Jimmy’s Hall 12a pretty strong lan- Released 29 September comic, a fictionalised bi- Barry Ward plays the guage, nudity and ography of the aircraft de- real-life political activist ‘crude sex references’. signer Jiro Horikoshi. Jimmy Gralton, who be- Released 8 September The Wind Rises was the comes the only Irishman highest grossing Japan- ever to be deported from ese film in Japan last year Ireland. This is the story In Secret 15 and earned Miyazaki an- of the dance hall he built. Set in 1860s Paris, other Oscar nomination Also stars Simone Kirby Therese Raquin is this year. and is directed by Ken trapped into a loveless Released 29 September Loach. marriage to her sickly Released 29 September cousin by her domineer-

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Zoo Project Donington Park, Fri 12 - Sun 14 September With its very own culture, the Zoo Project takes place deep within the forest at Donington Park and brings a whole new dimension to the festival experience. In addition to live acts across eighteen stages - this year’s line-up includes Groove Armada, Steve Lawler and Acid Mondays - Zoo Project also features a roaming team of party animals providing a programme of alternative, improvised entertainment. Attractions include mischie- vous monkeys climbing up trees and taking refuge in bushes, an eccentric Witch Doctor and his mysterious Fire Birds and Voodoo Princesses, and a twelve-foot King Kong. Styling and body-painting areas, high-energy artists, creative costumes and circus-style acts also form part of this unique presentation. Remember, ‘There’s no Zoo without YOU!’ Shed Seven Shrewsbury Fields Forever West Midlands Showground, Shrewsbury, Tinie Tempah Fri 12 - Sun 14 September Multi-award-winning hip-hop artist Tinie Tempah takes top billing at this latest festival to grace Shrewsbury’s West Mid Showground. Growing in popularity and stature, Shrewsbury Fields sees over one hundred acts - including legends from indie rock, punk, alternative and the electronic live music scene - programmed alongside some of the country’s freshest new talent. An uber-cool comedy line-up, a silent disco, pop-up parties and a funfair further add to the festival’s appeal. Multiple arenas feature across the site, with the main stage hosting The Cribs, Shed Seven, Chloe Howl, John Power, Superfood, Ghetts and Etta Bond. Sunday’s comedy angle comes courtesy of Russell Kane, Lee Nelson, Justin Moorehouse, Ivan Brackenbury, Ninia Benjamin and Micky D. Shrewsbury’s very own Blues Boy Dan, Just Josh and Stressful Tony provide the entertainment on the site’s acoustic stage. Festival LISTINGS

For full listing information on Festivals, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk

FESTIVAL NO.6 Featuring Ben UFO, Fri 12 - Sun 14 Pet Shop Boys, Beck, Sept, Donington Park, London Grammar, Bonobo Derbyshire & Martha and the SHREWSBURY FIELDS FOR- Vandellas, Fri 5 - Sun 7 EVER FESTIVAL Featuring Sept, Portmeirion, North Tinie Tempah, The Cribs, Wales Shed Seven, Superfood, ONBOARD THE CRAFT FESTI- New York Tourists & Blues VAL Featuring Pre-Mad, Boy Dan Own, Fri 12 - Sun Harvey Bainbridge, 14 Sept, West Midland Leatherat, Underground Showground, Shrewsbury Zero & Flutatious, Fri 5 - BROMYARD FOLK FESTIVAL Sat 6 Sept, Stoke Prior Featuring Oysterband, Vin Country Club, Bromsgrove Garbutt, The Old Dance WHITWELL FESTIVAL OF School & Whapweasel, Fri MUSIC Featuring Doctor 12 - Sun 14 Sept, Various Oysterband and the Medics, James locations around Warner Prophecies, Bromyard Dirtbox Disco & I Set The SNODFEST Featuring Sea On Fire, Fri 5 - Sun 7 Skewwhiff, Shatter Effect, Bromyard Folk Festival Sept, Community Centre, Ronin & Crazy 88s, Sat 13 Various locations, Bromyard, Fri 12 - Sun 14 September Whitwell, Derbyshire Sept, The Park, Described as the best ‘folk festival/cultural event in the Welsh Border area’, Bromyard OAKFEST Featuring Bad Worcestershire Folk provides over one hundred-and-seventy hours of traditional music, song and Manners, From The Jam & The Troggs, Sat 6 Sept, dance within a single weekend. Oysterband (Friday), We Banjo 3 (Saturday) and Vin Hartshill Park, Telford, Garbutt (Sunday) share top billing, with performances from Kathryn Roberts and Sean Shropshire Lakeman, The Old Dance School, Les Barker and Blackbeard’s Tea Party also featuring. ZOO PROJECT Featuring Add into the mix a plethora of ceilidhs, dance displays and various off-site events - Groove Armada, Mr Scruff, including a torchlit Morris procession - and you’ve got yourself the makings of yet Ten Walls, Steve Lawler & Bad Manners another fine folk festival.

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Food Festivals

Birmingham Independent Food Fair Millennium Place, Birmingham, Sat 13 September The latest addition to Birmingham’s culinary calendar, the Independent Food Fair presents a rich taste of the city’s vast gastronomic offering, with more than forty producers, restaurants, drinks merchants and street food vendors showcasing their wares. Thai Edge, Le Truc Cafe, Min Min Noodle Bar and Epi Restaurant will be handing out samples of their cuisine, while event sponsor Don Diego Bar de Tapas is operating a pop-up restaurant specialising in authentic Spanish pael- la, tapas and churros. Organised by local food guide Dine Birmingham, the one-day event features culinary delights from Greece, Poland and Indonesia, while wood-fired The Great British Food Festival pizzas, handmade chocolates and gluten-free Ragley Hall, Warwickshire, Sat 13 - Sun 14 September confectionary is complemented by a craft beer Warwickshire’s Ragley Estate provides a perfect backdrop for this month’s Great British bar, cocktails from Bitters’n’Twisted - the company Food Festival (GBFF). A must for the region’s foodies, the two-day event features over behind Island Bar and Bodega - and a wine & eighty local producers, celebrity and local chef demos, cookery lessons, talks and live spirits section sponsored by Langley’s Gin. music. For those wishing to show off their baking skills, the festival hosts a Cake Off competition with three distinct categories - Victoria Sponge, Chocolate Delicious and Signature Bake. Free admission to the festival is available for all entrants, and there’s a Abergavenny Food Festival ‘fantastic foodie prize’ for the winner. For those feeling brave enough, GBFF offers vari- Various locations, Abergavenny, ous Men Vs Food Challenges for both men and women throughout the weekend. So if Sat 20 - Sun 21 September you think you can sink a foot of chilli sausage, beef it up with half-pound burgers, keep Still riding high after being declared Best Event In your cool with suicide sauce or down a pint of cider, then pop along and have a go. You Wales at the National Tourism Awards For Wales never know, a Man V Food Champion t-shirt could be yours... in 2013, Abergavenny Food Festival has set its bar pretty high in 2014. Celebrity chef/food writer Hugh Fearnley- Ludlow Food Festival Whittingstall opens the event and will then be in Various locations, Ludlow, Shropshire, Fri 12 - Sun 14 September conversation with journalist Joanna Blythman, Now in its twentieth year, the Ludlow Food Festival regularly delights huge crowds. This talking about his latest book, River Cottage Light year’s event certainly promises to carry on that tradition, with attractions including more And Easy - Healthy Recipes For Every Day. than one hundred-and-eighty artisan food producers, top chefs and an abundance of Also featuring in the event’s line-up of chefs and demonstrations and activities catering for all ages. food experts are Incredible Spice Men Cyrus Shropshire celebrity chef Marcus Bean this year takes on the responsibility of organis- Todiwala and Tony Singh, C4’s Simply Italian ing Top Chef Friday. Previously co-ordinated by Will Holland, the event features some of hosts The Chiappa Sisters, top pastry chef Claire the UK’s most talented cooks, with Marcus keeping their identity under wraps until near- Clark and wine expert Jancis Robinson. er the time. A rolling programme of demonstrations in the A festival is always a good platform on which to launch a new book, and county entre- market hall, a children’s food academy at the cas- preneur Sam Gray does that very thing with Doing It In Wellies, the story of her journey tle (sponsored by from boardroom to smallholding. Organic Centre Meanwhile, Claire Bosi, founder of the town’s Michelin- Wales), and starred Hibiscus restaurant, invites younger audiences numerous street to share in her joy of creating with Gastronomical!, an food (and non- illustrated cookery book for children. food) traders Last but not least, Marcus Bean showcases his ‘must- ensure visitors of have’ cookbook, Chicken: New Classics. all ages have Regular attractions - including a kids’ area with cookery plenty to sink their lessons, a quiz and a pudding tasting - take place with- teeth into at this in the castle grounds, while the always-popular year’s festival. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall sausage, ale and bread trails and a Sunday producers market take place out in the wider town. Marcus Bean Other food events coming up in the Midands... Royal Leamington Spa Food And Drink Festival Royal Pump Rooms Gardens, Leamington Spa, Sat 6 - Sun 7 September GIN FESTIVAL Debut event VAL The heat is on to find for novices & enthusiasts, eighteen people to brave it A mouthwatering line-up of entertainment awaits visitors to the biggest festival on the Sat 6 - Sun 7 Sept, The out and eat the hottest Leamington events calendar. Ready Steady Cook chef Brian Turner CBE is joined by a Bond Company, chilli, Fri 19 - Sat 20 Sept, plethora of local food and drink aficionados at the Live Kitchen in the Royal Pump Birmingham Brindleyplace, Birmingham Room Gardens. The popular television cook will also be drawing on his expertise to TESCO WINE FAIR Bringing BIRMINGHAM OKTOBERFEST hundreds of quality wines German beer, food, music judge the festival’s inaugural Aubrey Allen Home Cook Of The Year competition. and thousands of wine & fun, Wed 15 - Sun 19 Michelin-starred chef and local food hero Andreas fans together under one Oct, Cannon Hill Nature Antona joins Brian on the judging panel. roof, Sat 6 - Sun 7 Sept, Park, Birmingham Other gastronomic highlights over the two days include NEC, Birmingham VEGAN FEST Talks, demos the hugely popular Taste Trail, the Star & Garter BBQ ATTINGHAM PARK FOOD FAIR & live entertainment, Sat Area - featuring beer and food pairing, breadmaking, Annual event to tantalise 25 Oct, Civic Hall, your tastebuds, showcas- Wolverhampton butchery and BBQ demonstrations - and a Make & ing what’s on offer from BBC GOOD FOOD SHOW WIN- Bake Kids Cookery School. Non-food-related entertain- local food traders, Sat 6 - TER Feat top tips from a ment comes in the shape of live music in the band- Sun 7 Sept, Attingham host of celebrity chefs, stand and a Stagecoach Theatre Arts School show Park, Shrewsbury Thurs 27 - Sun 30 Nov, inspired by the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. BIRMINGHAM CHILLI FESTI- NEC, Birmingham

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British Folk Art Compton Verney, Warwickshire, Sat 27 September - Sun 14 December This first ever major survey of British folk art features over one hundred-and-fifty paintings, sculptures, textiles and objects, all of which have been drawn together from collections across the country. The exhibition seeks to explore the threshold between art and artefact, and to challenge per- ceptions of ’high art’. Featured works include rus- tic leather Toby jugs, a larger-than-lifesize thatched figure of King Alfred, maritime embroi- dery by fisherman John Craske, and an intricately designed pin cushion made by wounded soldiers during the Crimean war.

Lee Bul Exhibition Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, People Of India: Photographs By Jason Scott Tilley Wed 10 September - Sun 9 November Herbert Museum & Art Gallery, Coventry, Fri 26 September - Sun 11 January Lee Bul’s preoccupation with gender politics and Coventry-based photographer Jason Scott Tilley’s striking contemporary street portraits idealism - brilliantly expressed through mod- lie at the heart of this thought-provoking exhibition, which invites viewers to compare the ernism, science fiction and the development of ways in which a moment or memory is captured. Tilley’s black-and-white studies were technology - has led to her being hailed one of taken between 1999 and 2009, as he travelled across India, and are just one of three the most important artists of her generation. series of photographs on display here. The second collection was taken by Tilley's This first UK solo exhibition of her visually com- Anglo-Indian grandfather, Bert Scott, and captures defining moments in British-Indian pelling work comprises early drawings, photo- history. The exhibition also shows work from seminal nineteenth century photographic graphs, video and sculptural pieces. It also undertaking The People Of India, a visual documentation created by the British govern- includes a new commission - a suspended sculp- ment in an effort to better understand and therefore control the Indian population under ture dripping with an excess of crystalline shapes British rule. and glass beads which references the exponential growth and unsustainability of the modern world. Sound And Silence Exhibition Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Sat 13 September - Sat 13 December Presenting such relatively unusual ideas as a contemplation area and a ‘tree’, where visitors can leave prayers and comments, Sound And Silence explores the experience of prayer and contemplation among Birmingham’s six major faith groups; Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikh Dharam. The exhibition includes displays of objects related to different prayer, alongside personal stories, original film and photography. “Sound And Silence is one of the first exhibitions of its kind to explore prayer and contemplation from a multi-faith approach,” says Richard Statham, Community Engagement Manager at Birmingham Museums Trust. “We’re very proud to be able to present this exhibition to citizens of Birmingham and visitors to the city.” www.whatsonlive.co.uk 51 Visual Arts September New.qxp_Layout 1 28/08/2014 16:58 Page 3

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

Voices Of War ILLUSTRATE A showcase ing the success of art & of work by local artists design in The Library of Birmingham, comprising differing Wolverhampton, and Mon 29 September - Wed 31 December styles of illustration, bringing together works The experiences of men at the Front, the until Mon 1 Sept, The by local artists from the impact of war on children and families, the Drum, Birmingham museum’s collection, until Sat 20 Sept, contribution of black and Asian soldiers, and HERE AND NOW: OPEN SUBMISSION EXHIBITION Wolverhampton Art the role of women on the Home Front are until Sat 6 Sept, Solihull Gallery among the themes explored in this enlighten- Arts Complex SHARIF WAKED - CHIC ing World War One exhibition. The Library’s COME CREATE Exhibition POINT: FASHION FOR rich archive, photography and special collec- to inspire visitors to ISRAELI CHECKPOINTS tions have yielded plenty of fascinating mate- explore and demon- Exhibition documenting strate their creativity the ‘thousands of rial connected to the moments in which Great War, with other through displays, hands-on interactives Palestinians are daily subjects under the and fun activities, until forced to nude them- microscope including Sun 7 Sept, Thinktank, selves in the face of 100 Days: The Rwandan Genocide Twenty Years Later Birmingham’s indus- Birmingham interrogation and humil- iation, as they attempt Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry trial support for the EIGHT CENTURIES OF HIS- to move through the war effort, and TORY Exhibition looking ALBEL SINGH: PHOTOS OF Nov, New Art Gallery, intricate and constantly WINTERBOURNE Walsall debates around patri- at the life and times of expanding network of the Earls of Dudley, Showcasing Albel’s DEALING WITH DREAMS: otism and pacifism in Israeli checkpoints’, favourite photographs, who lived at Himley until Sat 20 Sept, THE GARMAN RYAN COL- the city. Voices Of Hall, until Sun 7 Sept, taken in the gardens at LECTION 40TH ANNIVER- Wolverhampton Art Winterbourne, until Tues War is complemented Himley Hall & Park, Gallery SARY Exhibition which by a programme of Dudley 14 Oct, Winterbourne tells the story of the MARVELLOUS MACHINES: House & Gardens, Garman Ryan collec- talks and events, 40 YEARS OF WATCHING THE WONDERFUL WORLD Birmingham tion, from its conception online resources and PAINT DRY Featuring the OF ROWLAND EMETT The work of fine artist, car- A RIVER RUNS THROUGH to the present day, with an accompanying largest ever display of IT Works on paper from previously unseen book. toonist and comedy Emett’s work, telling the writer Geoff Tristram, the Barber’s collection, archive material and art- story of the innovator’s until Sun 26 Oct, The works, until Sun 16 Nov, until Sun 7 Sept, life in Birmingham, until Himley Park & Hall, Barber Institute, The New Art Gallery, Sun 21 Sept, Birmingham Walsall Dudley Birmingham Museum & The Making Of Mordor ARTIST ROOMS: ROBERT Art Gallery STRANGE WAYS: CRASH BRIAN YALE: FIRST TEST DUMMIES Multi-dis- WORLD WAR BATTLEFIELD Wolverhampton Art Gallery, THERRIEN Exhibition IS THIS A DAGGER? AN ciplinary practice PAINTINGS until Sat 29 Sat 20 September - Sat 17 January from the American artist EXPLORATION OF RSC steered by Elena Nov, Wolverhampton Art renowned for his monu- PROPS Although it’s the various images from JRR until Sun 21 Cassidy-Smith, Harmeet Gallery mental sculptures which Sep, Royal Tolkien’s sketchbooks which are this exhibi- transform everyday Chagger-Khan and FAITH AND FORTUNE Shakespeare Theatre, Helen Grundy, until Sun tion’s real pull, The Making Of Mordor also objects into fantastical Stratford-upon-Avon Exploring the early his- features works by a selection of other twenti- installations, until Sun 7 26 Oct, New Art Gallery, tories of two of the LASTING IMPRESSIONS Walsall eth century writers and artists, all of whom, Sept, mac - Midlands world’s great religions, Arts Centre, Third in a collaborative like The Lord Of The Rings author, were influ- SENSATIONAL CLAY until until Sun 30 Nov, The Birmingham series with the National Sat 1 Nov, Worcester Barber Institute, enced in their work by the industrial power- Portrait Gallery, MARKO MÄETAMM City Art Gallery & Birmingham house of the West Midlands. London, until Sun 28 Installation by Museum THE JEWELLERY QUARTER Works by Turner Prize nominee Richard Sept, The Barber acclaimed Estonian Institute, Birmingham TOM, FRANK AND MAY DURING THE FIRST Billingham, photographer Brian Griffin and artist Marko Maetamm, Original material, uni- WORLD WAR until Sun DARK AGE WARWICK & until Tues 9 Sept, forms, handling activi- 14 Dec, Museum of the internationally acclaimed installation artist THE WARRIOR QUEEN Olafur Eliasson all feature in a presentation Fletcher’s Walk, ties and a short film Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham Exhibition about the life that also includes archive film. which demonstrates the Birmingham & times of Aethelflaed, role played by the FANCY PANTS Warwick’s very own FROM AMMUNITION TO Glamorous gowns, Merry family during ART: TRENCH ART FROM Olafur Eliasson, The Forked Forest Path, 1998, installa- ‘Warrior Queen’, until World War One, until tion (c) Olafur Eliasson, courtesy Towner, Eastbourne party pieces and ‘fash- THE FIRST WORLD WAR Sun 28 Sept, St Mary’s Sun 2 Nov, Blakesley ion on a ration’ feature Church, Warwick Display featuring deco- in this celebration of Hall, Birmingham rated shell cases, style from the 1920s CONVERSATIONS A dis- SYMMETRY IN SCULP- carved sections of pro- through to the Second play which spans four TURE Focusing on the peller and rifle car- World War, until Sat 13 centuries of printmak- recent work of one of tridges, created by ser- Sept, Worcester City ing and features works the UK’s most exciting vicemen, civilians and Museum & Art Gallery by Rembrandt, Goya, British Asian artists, prisoners of war from Cezanne & Picasso, SECRET GARDEN CRAFT Zarah Hussain, until over twenty countries, until Sun 5 Oct, The Sun 2 Nov, Birmingham until Sun 14 Dec, EXHIBITION Collection of Barber Institute, jewellery, textiles & Museum & Art Gallery Compton Verney, Birmingham Warwickshire ceramics exploring LETTERS HOME USHA KHOSLA RBSA fairytales & narratives, Exhibition exploring dif- STATIC: STILL LIFE RECON- until Sat 13 Sept, Featuring handmade ferent elements of let- SIDERED until Wed 31 RBSA, Birmingham textural ceramics, ters written during the Dec, Birmingham described by Usha as First World War, until Museum & Art Gallery NOEMIE GOUDAL: THE ‘3D paintings’, inspired Sun 2 Nov, Bantock SENSING SCULPTURE GEOMETRIC DETERMINA- by the Canadian House & Park, Featuring new sculp- TION OF THE SUNRISE Rockies and Australia, Wolverhampton tures alongside old Noemie’s first solo exhi- until Sat 11 Oct, RBSA, favourites, until Wed 31 bition featuring new Birmingham TRUE TO LIFE? NEW PHO- examples of the kind of TOGRAPHY FROM THE Dec, Wolverhampton GILLIAN WEARING: WE work for which she’s MIDDLE EAST until Sun 2 Art Gallery ARE HERE New single- become well known, Nov, Birmingham THE GREAT WAR: COVEN- screen video work until Sun 14 Sept, The Museum & Art Gallery TRY’S STORY Exhibition which sees the artist New Art Gallery, Walsall marking the outbreak of return to the area in BACK TO FRONT: 40 PER- World War One which THE ART OF MARY WOR- and around Sandwell MANENT COLLECTION focuses on the experi- RALL & SUSAN DAVIES where she grew up, GEMS Exhibition which ences of Coventry peo- until Sat 20 Sept, until Sun 12 Oct, The celebrates the fortieth ple during the conflict, Harborne Art Gallery, New Art Gallery, Walsall anniversary of the Birmingham gallery’s Garman Ryan until Sun 1 Feb, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, TRACED Exhibition trac collection, until Sat 16

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IN PICTURES Exhibition Artists, Sat 20 Sept - Open Show, Sat 20 Prize-winning artist which brings together Sat 18 Oct, Worcester Sept - Sat 6 Dec, Susan Philipsz, which VisualArts LISTINGS the work of five docu- City Museum & Art Eastside Projects, promises to fill the menters of the post-war Gallery Birmingham gallery with the sounds For full listing information on Visual Art era in the Black RAFAL ZAR EXHIBITION SUSAN PHILIPSZ - BRO- of instruments dam- exhibitions, including times and dates, Country, Mon 1 Sept - Showcase of new paint- KEN ENSEMBLE: WAR aged in World War I, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Fri 31 Oct, Light House ings by Sandwell-based DAMAGED MUSICAL Sat 20 Sept - Sat 6 Dec, Media Centre, Polish artist Rafal Zar, INSTRUMENTS (BRASS Eastside Projects, Wolverhampton Birmingham Coventry between 1914 and who was awarded the SECTION) New site-spe- GRAHAM WILSON: WATER- 2014 ESP Members cific work from Turner POP EUROPE! until Sat 7 1918, using personal objects, medals & COLOURS Featuring Feb, Wolverhampton Art works ranging from tra- Gallery memorabilia, until Sun 26 July, Birmingham ditional landscapes Museums & Art Galleries 100 DAYS: THE RWANDAN Museum & Art Gallery through to cartoon illus- GENOCIDE TWENTY YEARS trations of times gone Birmingham BROADFIELD HOUSE GLASS Staffordshire LATER A display of pho- A RIVER RUNS THROUGH by, Wed 3 - Sun 28 MUSEUM, DUDLEY ARTIFEX Sutton Coldfield NEWCASTLE BOROUGH tographic, digital and IT Works on paper from Sept, Artrix, 01384 812745 the Barber’s Collection, 0121 323 3776 MUSEUM & ART GALLERY installation works from a Bromsgrove DUDLEY MUSEUM & ART BARBER INSTITUTE 01782 232323 selection of internation- until Sun 26 Oct, The GALLERY MARCIA FARQUHAR: 0121 414 7333 THE POTTERIES MUSEUM & al contemporary artists, Barber Institute, 01384 815575 Birmingham LARGER THAN LIFE Sat 6 BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM & ART GALLERY, STOKE-ON- to give voice to the Sept - Fri 7 Nov, Grand LIGHT HOUSE MEDIA CENTRE TRENT 01782 232323 women who lived SIMON REDGRAVE’S ART GALLERY Union, Birmingham 0121 303 2834 WOLVERHAMPTON SHIRE HALL GALLERY through the conflict, HIRED HANDS: PORTRAITS 01902 716055 STAFFORD 01785 278345 until Thurs 30 Apr, FROM THE WORKPLACE YINKA SHONIBARE The CASTLE GALLERIES fourth in a series of five 0121 248 8484 THE NEW ART GALLERY STAFFORDSHIRE MUSEUM, Herbert Art Gallery & Pop-up exhibition com- WALSALL 01922 654400 SHUGBOROUGH Museum, Coventry prising period photogra- exhibitions presented in GRAND UNION RED HOUSE GLASS CONE 01889 881388 phy from Nick Hedges Ikon’s Tower Room as 0121 643 9079 THE JEWELLERY QUARTER part of the gallery’s 01384 812750 DURING THE FIRST and John Bulmer which IKON GALLERY tells the stories of peo- birthday celebrations, 0121 248 0708 WOLVERHAMPTON ART Warwickshire WORLD WAR Exhibition Wed 10 Sept - Sun 9 GALLERY 01902 552055 of artefacts, images and ple who laboured NUMBER NINE THE GALLERY COMPTON VERNEY GALLERY together every day Nov, Ikon Gallery, 0121 643 9099 01926 645500 oral histories relating to Birmingham the recruitment of sol- throughout their work- RBSA GALLERY Shropshire HERBERT ART GALLERY diers from the Jewellery ing lives, Mon 1 Sept - KEEP UP: NEW WORK BY 0121 2364353 BEAR STEPS GALLERY, COVENTRY 02476 832386 Quarter, until Sat 27 Wed 1 Oct, JACQUELINE DONACHIE STRYX GALLERY, DIGBETH SHREWSBURY MEAD GALLERY WARWICK June, The Jewellery Wolverhampton Art Exhibition featuring [email protected] 01743 344994 02476 524524 Gallery Quarter, Birmingham Weight, an installation THREE WHITE WALLS SHREWSBURY MUSEUM & ROYAL PUMP ROOMS CHUBB An exhibition from the Glasgow- GALLERY ART GALLERY 01926 742700 SOLDIERS STORIES: based artist which focusing on former 0121 200 3328 01743 258885 RUGBY MUSEUM & ART BIRMINGHAM AND THE crosses sculpture, employees of Chubb TWENTY TWENTY GALLERY, GALLERY 01788 533201 ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE drawings and photo- REGIMENT 1914 - 1918 and Sons Ltd, showcas- Black Country MUCH WENLOCK ing the group’s person- graphs, Fri 12 Sept - 01952 727952 Exhibition which com- Sun 16 Nov, Royal BANTOCK HOUSE Worcestershire memorates the cente- al experiences of the THE WILLOW GALLERY, Pump Rooms, WOLVERHAMPTON WORCESTER CITY ART nary of the First World lock and safe works, 01902 552195 OSWESTRY Mon 1 Sept - Fri 31 Oct, Leamington Spa GALLERY 01905 25371 War and recounts the BILSTON CRAFT GALLERY 01691 657575 experiences of Light House Media SOCIETY OF ARTISTS 67th 01902 552507 Centre, Wolverhampton annual exhibition of the Birmingham men who Visit whatsonlive.co.uk for venue website details served in the regiment BLACK COUNTRY ECHOES: Worcester Society of

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British Science Festival Various locations, Birmingham, Saturday 6 - Thursday 11 September Workshops, hands-on exhibitions, science shows, discussions about a chance to learn about the archaeology, geology and geography of the latest scientific breakthroughs, quizzes, science-based comedy Ironbridge Gorge. Arts-based attractions, meanwhile, include Forty and drama and even science buskers on the streets all feature in this Years Of Star Wars, a cosmic filmmaking exploration, and the Festival year’s British Science Festival. Highlights of the event include an Of The Spoken Nerd, an event which sees a mathematician, Ancient People Of The Midlands walk, an Applied Geology Of Kinver songstress, sketch comedian and stand-up present a show that’s Edge outing (offering the chance to discover Triassic sandstones that jam-packed with science demos, numerical delights and, er, ballads! were deposited around two hundred-and-fifty million years ago), and Billy Smart’s Circus Stratford Racecourse, Stratford-upon-Avon, Tues 16 - Sun 21 September Founded in 1946 by its namesake, Billy Smart’s Circus soon became a household name with its regular TV appearances and tours. Back on the road for 2014, and with Billy’s granddaughter Yasmine at the helm, the circus promises a real family spectacle, with award-winning artistes from around the world coming together in a fast-moving and visually thrilling two-hour show. Expect great entertainment from Australia’s Flying Aces, Russia’s ten-handed Assadulin Troupe, Romanian acrobatic trio The Extreme Brothers, Italian clown Jonny Bogino and French foot juggler Germaine Delbosq. Sky Ride Coventry Coventry City Centre, Sunday 21 September “We want more people to enjoy riding a bike,” says Sky Ride ambassador Sir Chris Hoy. “That’s why Sky and British Cycling have teamed up to bring you Sky Ride. We’ve made it easier than ever to get out on your bike and spend quality time with your family and friends.” Coventry’s Sky Ride event offers people the chance to enjoy stunt rider displays, jump onto a giant air bag (if they feel brave enough!) and cycle the traffic-free ring road on a 5.5km circuit. “Sky Rides close towns and cities for big bike events so you can ride safely on traffic-free streets,” adds Sir Chris. “With a huge festival atmosphere and loads to do, they’re great fun and a great way to get on your bike.” www.whatsonlive.co.uk 55 Events - September Region One New.qxp_Layout 1 29/08/2014 13:28 Page 3

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Events PREVIEWS Cycle Show NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 25 - Sunday 28 September With cycling’s profile in the UK at an all-time high, this hugely popular show looks set to improve on its record attendance of 2013. Boasting a bumper crop of 2015 bikes and products, the show also features freestyle MTB dirt jumping with Monster's Sam Pilgrim, elite cyclocross racing, a 'devil takes the hindmost' four-man roller-race, and a BMX spine ramp comp. The premium road bike track makes a welcome return, along with three other test tracks.

mac Open Weekend mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Sat 6 - Sun 7 September Having opened over half a century ago, mac (Midland Arts Centre) is nowadays one of Birmingham’s best-known arts destinations, running a wide range of courses throughout the year. This sure-to-be-popular open weekend provides visitors with the opportunity to find out exactly what the venue has to offer, with baby toddler and craft sessions, and Zumba, yoga and capoeira classes all available to sample. For those who’re interested in artistic performance, drama and comedy stand-up classes are also taking place during the course of the weekend, which also sees New Art West Midlands and mac resident artist Anna Smith unveil Black Country Night a brand new installation piece entitled Swing. Black Country Living History Museum, Dudley, Sat 13 September The Black Country Living Museum here fol- Competition, with Ben Fogle and C4 Word Up! lows up its Black Country Weekend with its Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick, rabbit show jump- Library of Birmingham, Tues 30 September first ever Black Country Night. The brand ing, duck herding and a chance to get ‘up new event features a range of entertainment close and personal’ to a menagerie of ani- A special event for young people and adults from across the region, including plenty of mals. featuring bestselling writer and poet shenanigans from Stourbridge favourites Benjamin Zephaniah in conversation with Fizzog and performances from local internet Steve Camden is the highlight of this day- sensation The Empty Can, who rose to long event. Taking place throughout the prominence with their evocative song, I Vow library, Word Up! is a celebration of books, To Thee Black Country. The event also pro- the joy of reading and the Library of vides the chance to sample some typical Birmingham’s first birthday, and brings Black Country fare, including the museum’s together activities, performances, music, tasty tapas, featuring scratchings, pork pies, poetry and plenty of ‘reading-related fun’. rabbit stew and faggots, all of which can then be washed down with a pint or two of Peaky Blinders ale. In short, this could very well prove to be an absolutely, er, bostin night out. Italian Weekend Compton Verney, Warwickshire, Sat 13 - Sun 14 September An appreciation of the desirability and influence of Italian art lies at the heart of this special weekend, taking place as part of Compton Verney’s September celebration of ‘all things Italian’. Highlights of the weekend include the chance to enjoy Rat Pack-style UK National Drum Fair music with Me And My Shadow, and Italian WIN Cocks Moors Woods Leisure Centre, TICKETS Baroque music with Cabinet Of Curiosities. Birmingham, Sat 27 - Sun 28 September whatsonlive.co.uk Visitors with an impulse to be more ‘hands to enter on’ can make their own 3D replica of them- Promoted and managed by drummers for selves and their family or friends. drummers, this annual event is taking place National Pet Show for a twelfth time and this year includes over NEC, Birmingham, sixty stalls selling custom Sat 20 - Sun 21 September and vintage drums, cym- Building on the success of its London event, bals and accessories. the National Pet Show this month extends its The show also features reach and makes its Birmingham debut. free workshops, clinics Divided into key zones - Discover Dogs, and drum sheds, and Discover Cats, Discover Small Furries, pays special tribute to Discover Ponies and Discover Animals - to Ringo Starr, fifty years make it easier for people to find their way after The Beatles per- around, this two-day show also showcases formed on The Ed an abundance of stand-out attractions. Sullivan Show and con- These include the Superdog Live quered America.

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play project for under- sevens. Free but book- Events LISTINGS ing recommended, Sat 6 Sept, Bilston Craft For full listing information on Events, Gallery including times and dates, visit WORLD WAR WEEKEND Nostalgia with music, www.whatsonlive.co.uk stalls, displays, activities and fun for all the Sun 7 Sept, Severn family, Sat 6 - Sun 7 from Valley Railway, Bewdley Sept, Bantock House DIGBETH FIRST FRIDAY: MON 1 SEP Museum, AWAY FROM ALL SUNS Wolverhampton EXPERIMENTAL MUSIC SHROPSHIRE TRUCK NATURE EXHIBITION PROJECT Giant Axe take SHOW Trade stands, Interactive exhibition for over the gallery to per- exhibitions & stalls, the holidays, until Sat form a live and impro- parade of trucks and 13 Sept, vised audio visual much more... Sat 6 - Red House Glass reworking of Jindrich Sun 7 Sept, Oswestry Cone, Stourbridge Polak's pioneering 1963 Showground, North GUIDED TOUR With film, Ikarie XB 1, Fri 5 Shropshire Heritage Manager Jane Sept, Eastside Projects, GUILDEX A popular McArdle, Mon 1 Sept, Birmingham event for model railway Birmingham Cathedral SUPERBIKE enthusiasts, featuring STAFFORDSHIRE HOARD CHAMPIONSHIP Fri 5 - specialist trade sales, CONSERVATION STUDIO Sun 7 Sept, Donington demonstrations, mod- TOUR An exclusive tour Park els and layouts, Sat 6 - of the Staffordshire MUCH WENLOCK WALK- Sun 7 Sept, Telford Hoard to find out about ING FESTIVAL Featuring International Centre, the latest developments a range of walks over Shropshire and go behind the four days, Fri 5 - Mon 8 TESCO WINE FAIR scenes to meet the Sept, Much Wenlock, Opportunity to compare experts. Advance book- South Shropshire and contrast a variety Knight School - Blakesley Hall, Birmingham ing essential!, Tue 2 SPECIALIST TALK: Sept, Birmingham of different types and WOMEN ARTISTS OF THE Sept, Sarehole Mill, ativity, Fri 12 Sept, clothing, crafts and Museum And Art styles of wines, with PRE-RAPHAELITES Join Birmingham Birmingham Cathedral handmade gifts for Gallery experts on hand to offer the house steward for a TRANSTAR CLASSIC CAR WWI MAGIC LANTERN sale, Sat 13 Sept, HONDA MOTORCYCLE advice, Sat 6 - Sun 7 relaxed tour following a SHOW Sun 7 Sept, SHOW AND POETRY Belgrade Theatre, EXPERIENCE Tue 2 Sept, Sept, NEC, Birmingham walking tour of the col- Himley Hall, Dudley READINGS Pre-booking Coventry Donington Park SOOTY'S WACKY lection, Sat 6 Sept, DAVELEE ANTIQUE & COL- essential! Sat 13 Sept, A CLOSER LOOK: EVENING LUNCHTIME TALK: WORKSHOP Taking time Wightwick Manor & LECTORS FAIR Monthly Blakesley Hall, HOUSE TOUR Chance to LETTERS HOME Tue 2 out from his CITV show Gardens, event, Sun 7 Sept, Birmingham see the house at night Sept, Bantock House & to visit Birmingham, Wolverhampton Newhampton Arts LUNAR CONNECTIONS and discover the histo- Park, Wolverhampton Sooty is joined at CLASSIC VIRGINS Centre, Wolverhampton WALK AND TALK Free ry of the collection with CRAFTPLAY EXPLORERS Cadbury World by EXPERIENCE DAY A day ROTARY COUNTRY MUSIC event as part of the site’s Conservation Tue 2 Sept, Bilston friends Soo and designed to encourage FESTIVAL Charity event Heritage Open Days, & Engagement Craft Gallery Sweep, Sat 6 - Sun 7 and support potential where visitors can show Sat 13 Sept, Soho Manager, Jane Birdsall, VIVA ITALIA! Enjoy the Sept, Cadbury World, British classic car own- off their line dancing House, Birmingham Sat 13 Sept, Packwood essence of Italy Birmingham ers, Sat 6 Sept, skills, Sun 7 Sept, PIKES AND MUSKETS! House, Solihull through art, music, WORLD WAR WEEKEND Heritage Motor Centre, Birmingham Botanical Experience the English EVENING SCENIC gallery tours and Sat 6 - Sun 7 Sept, Gaydon, Warwickshire Gardens Civil War with a living SPECIALS A scenic Italian-inspired food Bantock House & Park, LADIES EVENING A glam- history re-enactment, evening ride with the and drink, Tue 2 - Sun Wolverhampton ourous evening at the complete with musket added option of tradi- 28 Sept, Compton ON THE BUSES Featuring Week Commencing races, Sat 6 Sept, fire, Sat 13 Sept, Aston tional fish and chip Verney, Warwickshire a superb display of his- Wolverhampton MON 8 SEP Hall, Birmingham supper, Sat 13 Sept, PRO RACER TEST & TUNE toric vehicles from all Racecourse HERITAGE OPEN WEEK- Severn Valley Railway, DAY Wed 3 Sept, Santa parts of the country, THE SHERIFF’S RIDE AT END Discover the histo- Bewdley Pod Raceway, Sun 7 Sept, Severn LICHFIELD CITY Historic SALLY MORGAN: PSYCHIC ry of Birmingham VINTAGE RETRO FAIR Northampton Valley Railway, Bewdley ride around the rural SALLY ON THE ROAD Tue Cathedral at this spe- Unique and original BOULTON'S BIRTHDAY CLASSIC VEHICLE SHOW city boundary. Riders 9 Sept, New Alexandra cialist event, which also clothes, accessories, BASH Celebrate Motorcycles to buses, must register in Theatre, Birmingham features stained glass- homeware, jewellery Matthew Boulton’s cars to trucks. advance of the day, Sat RUN IN THE PARK Tue 9 making activities and crafts for sale, Sat 286th birthday in style, Hundreds of classic 6 Sept, Lichfield City Sept, Donington Park inspired by the cathe- 13 Sept, St Thomas' with talks, storytelling vehicles on display, Centre CRAFTPLAY EXPLORERS dral’s Burne-Jones Church Hall, and children's crafts Sun 7 Sept, Himley Hall BIG MOTOR SHOW Tue 9 Sept, Bilston stained glass windows, Stourbridge throughout the day, & Park, Dudley A weekend of motoring Craft Gallery Sat 13 Sept, VIKING FAMILY FUN Wed 3 Sept, Soho WINDMILL SAILING madness arrives in OUTDOOR TRADE SHOW Birmingham Cathedral Enjoy fancy dress, craft House, Birmingham Weather permitting, Stoke, Sat 6 Sept, Tues 9 - Thurs 11 Sept, CENTENARY OF WEST stalls, glass making BAT WALK An introduc- specially trained volun- Britannia Stadium, Stoneleigh Park, BROMWICH BUSES Sat and more, Sat 13 Sept, tory talk by the site's teers sail Avoncroft’s Stoke-on-Trent Warwickshire 13 Sept, Black Country Broadfield House Glass bat expert, followed by windmill, Sun 7 Sept, KNIGHT SCHOOL Chance A FAMILY CONCERN: THE Living Museum, Dudley Museum, Dudley a walk around the ruins Avoncroft Museum, to learn the art of sword JEWELLERY QUARTER AT BLACK COUNTRY NIGHT CHARACTER WEEKEND with a bat detector to Bromsgrove fighting and combat WAR First World War Featuring musicians, Get snapped with some see what you can find, UNIVERSITY OF skills, Sat 6 Sept, drama performances at comedians and per- of Cadbury's most Wed 3 Sept, Weoley BIRMINGHAM Blakesley Hall the Smith & Pepper formers, Sat 13 Sept, colourful characters, Castle, Birmingham COMMUNITY DAY Sun 7 Birmingham Factory. Booking Black Country Living including Caramel ARTFORUM GOLD CLUB Sept, Winterbourne VINTAGE VEHICLES AND essential! Tues 9 - Sat Museum, Dudley Bunny, Freddo, Creme Art club for young peo- House & Garden, VIEWS Swallow Doretti 13 Sept, Museum of the HERITAGE OPEN DAY Egg and Mr Cadbury's ple aged 14-25, Wed 3 Birmingham sports cars celebrate Jewellery Quarter, GOES GREEN Featuring a Parrot, Sat 13 - Sun 14 Sept, Wolverhampton CASTLE BROMWICH their 60th anniversary, Birmingham plethora of locally pro- Sept, Cadbury World, Art Gallery HOLISTIC & SPIRITUAL Sat 6 Sept, Aldridge HONDA MOTORCYCLE duced food as well as Birmingham HERITAGE RAMBLE EVENT Featuring com- Airport, Walsall EXPERIENCE Wed 10 the return of the BRITISH GT & BRITISH F3 Explore the landscape, plementary therapies CRAZY SCIENCE AT SOHO Sept, Donington Park Bourneville Bake Off, CHAMPIONSHIPS Sat 13 - wildlife and ecology of and healing, retail Sat 6 Sept, Soho TALK, TOUR & TEA: Sat 13 Sept, Selly Sun 14 Sept, Warwick, Thurs 4 Sept, stands, professional House, Birmingham TRENCH ART FROM THE Manor, Birmingham Donington Park Priory Park, Warwick psychics and more, YOUNG ARTISTS Learn FIRST WORLD WAR Dr COVENTRY TRANSPORT MIKE THE KNIGHT ABSTRACT ART Art Sun 7 Sept, Arden Hall, how to draw, create Steven Parissien in MUSEUM CLASSIC CAR Chivalrous activities, a appreciation workshop West Bromwich paintings and make conversation with pri- BREAKFAST CLUB Sat 13 multitude of medieval led by experienced BIG BRUM OPEN TOP BUZ sculptures, Sat 6 Sept, vate collector James Sept, Coventry missions and a chance teacher & practitioner TOUR Sun 7 Sept, Aston Wolverhampton Art Gordon-Cuming, dis- Transport Museum to meet Mike himself, Sue Lewis-Blake, Thurs Hall, Birmingham Gallery cussing his astonishing YOUNG ARTISTS Learn Sat 13 - Sun 14 Sept, 4 Sept, Ragley Hall, BOOKSALE & FREE ENTRY GALLERY TOUR An infor- collection of First World how to draw, create Warwick Castle Warwickshire Check out the wide mal tour of the gallery War folk objects, Thurs paintings and make INTERNATIONAL N GAUGE FIA/FIM EUROPEAN selection of books on Sat 6 Sept, 11 Sept, Compton sculptures, Sat 13 Sept, SHOW Major two-day CHAMPIONSHIPS - THE offer and watch on as Wolverhampton Art Verney Gallery, Wolverhampton Art show featuring a full FINALS Thurs 4 - Sun 7 millers display their Gallery Warwickshire Gallery range of modern Sept, Santa Pod skills at grinding wheat CRAFTPLAY SESSIONS CRAFTSPACE IN:SITE VINTAGE CLOTHING & image, steam, conti- Raceway, Northampton and producing Award-winning creative Graduate festival of cre- CRAFT FAYRE Vintage nental and American BEER FESTIVAL Thurs 4 - Sarehole flour, Sun 7

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Birmingham Chilli Festival - Brindleyplace, Birmingham Events LISTINGS For full listing information on Events, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk

layouts, together with and test its perform- society displays and ance limits in a safe demonstrations, Sat 13 and legal environment, - Sun 14 Sept, Sun 14 Sept, Santa Warwickshire Exhibition Pod Raceway, Centre Northampton HERITAGE OPEN DAYS FARM FUN DAY An Opportunity to visit opportunity to meet Blakesley for free, Sat some cuddly creatures 13 - Sun 14 Sept, and enjoy some other Blakesley Hall, rural activities, includ- Birmingham ing children's crafts, THE GREAT BRITISH FOOD farmyard songs and FESTIVAL Sat 13 - Sun performances, and 14 Sept, Ragley Hall, encounters with sheep, Warwickshire goats, a calf, rabbits RAILWAY MODELLING and chickens, Sun 14 EXHIBITION Brand new Sept, Forge Mill Needle event for railway enthu- Museum, Redditch siasts, featuring over OPEN DAY 2014 Browse House, Birmingham TOUR: BIRMINGHAM Bewdley, Nr GT & FORMULA CAR 100 exhibitors, interac- vintage stalls, buy a JAGUAR X300 DAY Sun WOMEN AND THE FIRST Kidderminster RACES Sat 20 - Sun 21 tive demonstrations record, fly a kite, 14 Sept, Coventry WORLD WAR Led by his- NATIONAL DRESSAGE Sept, Donington Park and a variety of working explore backstage and Transport Museum tory curator, Jo-Ann CHAMPIONSHIPS Thurs THE NATIONAL FINALS layouts, Sat 13 - Sun 14 discover how theatre is NORTHANTS MORRIS Curtis, Tues 16 Sept, 18 - Sun 21 Sept, MSA British Drag Sept, Ricoh Arena, made... Activities and MINOR OWNERS CLUB Birmingham Museum & Stoneleigh Park, Racing Championship Coventry entertainment for all Sun 14 Sept, Coventry Art Gallery Warwickshire for Pro Mods and other BEHIND THE SCENES ages, Sun 14 Sept, The Transport Museum CRAFTPLAY EXPLORERS PEAK PERFORMANCE supporting classes TOURS Forming part of REP, Birmingham 1940S ROOM: OPEN DAY Tue 16 Sept, Bantock TEST & TUNE DAY RWYB trackside, plus an the national Heritage HUNTERS AND FARMERS: Sun 14 Sept, Bantock House & Park, with maximum track American Car Nationals Open Days initiative, PREHISTORIC House & Park, Wolverhampton time for serious enthu- Static Display of USA Sat 13 - Sun 14 Sept, BIRMINGHAM Wolverhampton MEET ME @ BANTOCK siasts. Car clubs, per- vehicles, Sat 20 - Sun Shakespeare Birthplace Dr Mike Hodder talks WEOLEY CASTLE FESTI- Regular conversation formance specialists 21 Sept, Santa Pod Trust, Stratford-upon- about a fascinating VAL Popular local com- club for people aged and individuals all wel- Raceway, Northampton Avon period of Birmingham's munity event, Sun 14 fifty and over offering a come, Fri 19 Sept, MIKE THE KNIGHT BPM - DJ SHOW The history as part of the Sept, Birmingham chance to relax and Santa Pod Raceway, Chivalrous activities, a world’s largest event Hall’s Second Sunday Museum & Art Gallery enjoy a chat about the Northampton multitude of medieval dedicated to DJing, Talks, Sun 14 Sept, topic of the month, sup- BAT NIGHT Fri 19 Sept, missions and a chance electronic music pro- Blakesley Hall, Week Commencing ported by objects from Sarehole Mill, to meet Mike himself, duction and club cul- Birmingham MON 15 SEP the handling and remi- Birmingham Sat 20 - Sun 21 Sept, ture, Sat 13 - Mon 15 CIRCUS ACADEMY: WHEEL niscence collections, ART SPEAKING Free Warwick Castle Sept, NEC, Birmingham AROUND THE WARE- Tue 16 Sept, Bantock audio-described tour of MIDLAND GAME FAIR RETRO TRUCK SHOW HOUSE See the profes- House & Park, a Vikings Guide To An event for those inter- Featuring trucks from sionals show off their OTTER WEEK Themed Wolverhampton Deadly Dragons, with ested in country pur- 1965 to 1995, trade skills on the German events and fundraising DRESSING THE QUEEN Cressida Cowell. An suits, including world- stands and displays, Wheel, learn how to activities to raise aware- See history brought to event for people with class clay pigeon food stands and a chil- unicycle or hula hoop, ness (and funds) for an life and meet visual impairment, Fri shooting, gundog com- dren’s fun area. There and see the finale from otter conservation proj- Kenilworth's authenti- 19 Sept, petitions, falconry dis- will also be a model CircusMASH, Sun 14 ect with the Canal & cally costumed Queen Wolverhampton Art plays, ferret racing, fine show inside the muse- Sept, Museums River Trust, Mon 15 - Elizabeth I. Every Gallery arts, rural crafts, and um, Sun 14 Sept, Collection Centre, Sun 21 Sept, The month, visitors have the LOCAL HISTORY TALK: hundreds of trade Heritage Motor Centre, Birmingham National Sea Life opportunity to watch THE MUSIC MAN Fri 19 stands, Sat 20 - Sun 21 Gaydon, Warwickshire BAKING BREAD Sun 14 Centre, Birmingham 'Elizabeth' being Sept, Wolverhampton Sept, Weston Park, RUN WHAT YA BRUNG Sept, Sarehole Mill, DEREK ACORAH: THE dressed, from under- Art Gallery Staffordshire The chance to take Birmingham ETERNAL SPIRITS TOUR garments to the finish- BIRMINGHAM CHILLI AZTEC WEEKEND Explore your car or motorcycle ROOFTOP TOURS A Tue 16 Sept, Solihull ing touches, Wed 17 FESTIVAL Featuring the origins of the cocoa out on the famous Heritage Open Day, Arts Complex Sept, Kenilworth Castle, cooking demonstra- bean and take part in quarter-mile dragstrip Sun 14 Sept, Soho CURATORIAL GALLERY Warwickshire tions, live music and numerous themed RAMBLE AND ROAST stalls selling chilli-relat- crafts inspired by the Enjoy a two-hour walked produce, Fri 19 - Sat Aztec tribe, Sat 20 - ing tour of the estate, 20 Sept, Brindleyplace, Sun 21 Sept, Cadbury Wed 17 Sept, Birmingham World, Birmingham Charlecote Park, OPEN COCKPITS EVENING MINIATURA - THE Warwickshire An annual event which INTERNATIONAL DOLLS' ARTFORUM GOLD CLUB allows visitors the HOUSE MODELLING Art club for young peo- chance to get up close SHOW Miniatura is a ple aged 14-25, Wed 17 and personal to the highly specialised visi- Sept, Wolverhampton workings of a wide tor attraction event Art Gallery range of the museum’s established in 1983 and TALK, TOUR & TEA: ART aircraft. Enthusiasts entirely dedicated to OF CHINA Join Annelise young and old will be the amazing hobby of Hone, Collections able to get a feel for domestic modelling in Manager, and Morgan what it was like to fly 1/12th and related Jones, Collections these much-loved scales. The 'one-inch- Volunteer who spe- machines, as well as to-the-foot' scale, as it’s cialises in Chinese his- gain out-of-hours always been known, is tory, art and language, access to the museum, now complemented by to explore Compton's Sat 20 Sept, RAF other related scales. If fascinating collection, Cosford, Nr you’ve ever thought recognised as one of Wolverhampton that dolls' houses are the best of its kind in CRAFTPLAY EXPLORERS only toys for children, Europe, Thurs 18 Sept, Sat 20 Sept, Bilston think again! Sat 20 - Compton Verney Craft Gallery Sun 21 Sept, NEC, Gallery, Warwickshire BLACK COUNTRY ECHOES Birmingham AUTUMN STEAM GALA FESTIVAL LAUNCH DAY THE BIRMINGHAM CRUISE Featuring an impressive Sat 20 Sept, SHOW 2014 Providing line-up of iconic loco- Wolverhampton Art inspiration and advice, motives. A great day Gallery the Cruise Show pro- out for steam enthusi- MOSAIC IN A DAY vides an opportunity to asts, Thurs 18 Sept, WORKSHOP Sat 20 Sept, meet with all the major Aztec Weekend, Cadbury World, Birmingham Severn Valley Railway, Bilston Craft Gallery and specialist cruise

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 61 Events - September Region One New.qxp_Layout 1 29/08/2014 13:28 Page 9

62 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Events - September Region One New.qxp_Layout 1 29/08/2014 13:28 Page 10

Fri 26 Sept, Birmingham Town Hall Events LISTINGS LOCAL PRODUCE MARKET The local produce mar- For full listing information on Events, ket at Brindleyplace including times and dates, visit makes a comeback, www.whatsonlive.co.uk with live music and demonstrations on how liners under one roof ages to cycle, Sun 21 to cook creatively, plus and find out what's new Sept, Coventry City a wide choice of fresh for 2015, Sat 20 - Sun Centre fruit and veg, cakes 21 Sept, NEC, and pastries, Fri 26 Sept, Brindleyplace, Birmingham Week Commencing AIRSOFT EXPO Brand Birmingham new exhibition created MON 22 SEP COLLAGRAPH PRINT to meet the demand of WORKSHOP Learn how the whole Airsoft com- to produce your own munity, Sat 20 - Sun 21 TILE DECORATING unique prints from Sept, Warwickshire WORKSHOPS Drop-in plates created from Exhibition Centre sessions where partici- mount card, under the CHEESE AND PICKLE pants use the tech- guidance of an experi- FESTIVAL Sat 20 - Sun nique known as tube enced tutor, Fri 26 Sept, 21 Sept, Coughton lining to decorate their Ragley Hall, Court, Warwickshire very own tile to take Warwickshire IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE home, Tue 23 Sept, SATURDAY NIGHT WOODS... Search the Jackfield Tile Museum, SPECIAL Run What Ya quiet corners of Ironbridge, Shropshire Brung till late. Track Moseley Old Hall to find DRIFT WHAT YA BRUNG open from 9am-8pm, the various minibeasts Chance to practise drift- with evening entertain- lurking there, Sat 20 - ing in safe and legal ment and camping, Sat Sun 21 Sept, Moseley conditions on some of 27 Sept, Santa Pod Old Hall, the Pod's thirty acres of Raceway, Northampton Wolverhampton open tarmac, where 1940S CABARET Period AMERICAN CIVIL WAR there are beginners, entertainment with WEEKEND Sat 20 - Sun intermediate and music & comedy, Sat 21 Sept, Avoncroft advanced tracks open 27 Sept, Bantock Museum, Bromsgrove at the same time each House Museum, THE NATIONAL PET SHOW DWYB day, Wed 24 Wolverhampton Promising a fun day out Sept, Santa Pod THE STAFFORDSHIRE for animal lovers, and Raceway, Northampton HOARD: BATTLEFIELD Apple Day - Avoncroft, Bromsgrove showcasing a plethora NATIONAL GARDEN SPOIL & HIGH ART IN of animals, pet dis- SCHEME DAY Tours EARLY ANGLO-SAXON 27 Sept, Upton House Northampton Birmingham plays, famous faces throughout the day, ENGLAND New insights, & Gardens, Stratford- THE LAUGHTER CREWE BLACK COUNTRY MOTOR- and excellent shopping, Wed 24 Sept, Upton from Chris Fern, the upon-Avon Comedy and curry BIKE GATHERING Sun 28 Sat 20 - Sun 21 Sept, House & Gardens, Nr Anglo-Saxon specialist, INTRODUCTION TO night, Sun 28 Sept, Sept, Red House Glass NEC, Birmingham Banbury leading the analysis of DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY Crewe Lyceum Cone, Stourbridge GAYDON AUTUMN DISCOVERING DEER the largest ever hoard FOR COMPACT CAMERAS 1940S ROOM: OPEN DAY CLASSIC BUS RUNNING CLASSIC, GAYDON FRINGE Offering an insight into of Anglo-Saxon gold, Sat 27 Sept, Sun 28 Sept, Bantock DAY Rally & running day & CREAM TEA RUN Sun the history of deer, Wed Sat 27 Sept, Potteries Birmingham Botanical House & Park, held by the Potteries 21 Sept, Heritage Motor 24 Sept, Charlecote Museum & Art Gallery, Gardens Wolverhampton Omnibus Preservation Centre, Gaydon, Park, Warwickshire Stoke-on-Trent BLACK COUNTRY VEHI- AUTUMN WEDDING FAIR Society, Sun 28 Sept, Warwickshire WEDDING OPEN EVENING RAG RUG WORKSHOP CLES SHOW Sat 27 Sept, Sun 28 Sept, Patshull Gladstone Potteries STONELEIGH CAR BOOT Thurs 25 Sept, Learn about the history Stone Square, Dudley Park, Pattingham, Museum, Stoke-on- Sun 21 Sept, Compton Verney of the craft with special- Town Centre Shropshire Trent Stoneleigh Park, Gallery, Warwickshire ist Jessie Lindon, Sat CAMRA’S 29TH NATIONAL APPLE DAY AND HONEY BELIEF AND SUPERSTI- Warwickshire IDC ACADEMY CHARITY 27 Sept, Birmingham BREWERIANA AUCTION FAIR Celebrate apples, TION Delve deeper into 1940S ROOM: OPEN DAY FASHION SHOW Thurs 25 Back to Backs Chance to bag yourself orchards and natures. the mysterious history Sun 21 Sept, Bantock Sept, Forge Mill Needle CREATIVE LEARNING a slice of brewing histo- Explore one of the most of folklore and customs House & Park, Museum, Redditch QUARTER Grand open- ry with over 150 auction unusual cider and perry with a fascinating tour Wolverhampton THE CYCLE SHOW The ing featuring interactive lots, including a orchards in and talk around the STUDLEY MIND BODY UK's biggest cycling activities, celebrity Marston’s snuff box Worcestershire and see venue, Sun 28 Sept, SPIRIT EVENT Featuring event, Thurs 25 - Sun guest appearances, and a bust of a 200-year-old horse- Blakesley Hall, complementary thera- 28 Sept, NEC, freebies and more, Sat Manchester’s JW Lees, drawn perry mill in Birmingham pies and healing, retail Birmingham 27 Sept, St Dunstan’s up for grabs, Sat 27 action, Sun 28 Sept, PEUGEOT 406 COUPE stands, talks and more, PRIDE OF BIRMINGHAM Building, Worcester Sept, Town Hall, Avoncroft Museum, CLUB Sun 28 Sept, Sun 21 Sept, Queen AWARDS Join Gaby AN INTRODUCTION TO Burton-upon-Trent Bromsgrove Coventry Transport Alexandra College, Roslin and a host of WICKER BASKETRY Join ALL ABOARD FOR AUTISM MAC FOOD MARKET Museum Birmingham celebrities as they pres- expert Jonathan Charity walking event, Indulge yourself with WEDDING FAYRE Free FALCONRY DAY Watch ent the first ever Pride Ridgeon and learn how Sat 27 Sept, Drayton tasty treats and special- entry, Sun 28 Sept, hawks and other birds Of Birmingham Awards. to weave a small-to- Manor Theme Park, ist goods at mac's Alton Castle, take flight over the cas- The evening celebrates medium-sized multi- Staffordshire monthly food market, Staffordshire tle ruins, Sun 21 Sept, the most courageous purpose basket. THUNDERSPORT GB Sun 28 Sept, mac - MX-5 OWNERS CLUB Weoley Castle, and inspiring people of Booking essential! Sat MOTORCYCLE RACES Sat Midlands Arts Centre, 20TH ANNIVERSARY Birmingham the region, and also 27 Sept, Selly Manor, 27 - Sun 28 Sept, Birmingham RALLY Sun 28 Sept, SKYRIDE COVENTRY A features a diverse pro- Birmingham Donington Park WOOD FAIR Celebrate Heritage Motor Centre, 5.5km traffic-free city gramme of live music GUIDED WALKS OF MALVERN AUTUMN SHOW the shift into autumn, Gaydon, Warwickshire route for people of all and comedy routines, HISTORIC EDGEHILL Sat A celebration of food, find out how the site's BIRMINGHAM countryside, gardening woods are managed CONSERVATOIRE STRING and nostalgia, Sat 27 - and see traditional DAY Sun 28 Sept, Sun 28 Sept, The Three craftsmen at work, Sun Birmingham Counties Showground, 28 Sept, Dudmaston Conservatoire Malvern Estate, Bridgnorth, SOOTY'S WACKY Shropshire Week Commencing WORKSHOP Fun-filled TOY COLLECTORS FAIR show brimming with Described as 'Britain's MON 29 SEP magic, music and biggest' event of its mess, Sat 27 - Sun 28 kind and featuring thou- Sept, Cadbury World, sands of for-sale col- AN EVENING WITH Birmingham lectables from the UK's MICHAEL PORTILLO Mon BMW SHOW BMW-only leading specialist deal- 29 Sept, Artrix, event with huge club ers, Sun 28 Sept, NEC, Bromsgrove displays, Run What Ya Birmingham FROM GELLI TO CANVAS: Brung, a classic and THE ORIGINS OF MIDDLE A THREE-DAY WORKSHOP modified show & shine EARTH WALK A guided WITH HILARY BEATTIE competition and loads walk exploring the sur- Mon 29 Sept - Wed 1 of off-track entertain- roundings that inspired Oct, Forge Mill Needle ment, Sun 28 Sept, JRR Tolkien, Sun 28 Museum, Redditch BMW Show, Santa Pod Raceway, Northampton Santa Pod Raceway, Sept, Sarehole Mill,

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All you need to do now is choose the regional edition you would like... Midlands What’s On Magazine; Birmingham What’s On; Worcestershire What’s On; Warwickshire What’s On; Eating Out September.qxp_Layout 1 29/08/2014 12:13 Page 1 Eating Out Something fishy in Brindleyplace... A one hundred-and-sixty-seater restaurant and cocktail bar has opened in Birmingham’s Brindleyplace. Promising the widest choice of fish in the city, Le Monde Fish Bar & Grill allows cus- tomers to choose their shellfish, fish, poultry and steaks from a special display and then watch their selected dishes being prepared and cooked in an open kitchen. Catering for both intimate din- ers and large parties, Le Monde also features an extensive bar area with an express menu, and a private area for events and meetings.

Francois’ farewell wine dinner at Hotel Du Vin Head Sommelier Francois Bourde is leaving the Hotel Du Vin this month, and will be bidding Ringing the Bell in Alderminster adieu with a Farewell Wine Dinner at the popular Birmingham venue on 19 September. Hosted by declaring it a triumph. and baked peanut butter, Sky Sports TV presenter Gary Newbon, the event REVIEW Our only grumble was that banana and chocolate will see Francois talking guests through a careful- the starters took a good cheesecake with million- ly chosen selection of his favourite wines from Located in the pretty vil- forty minutes to arrive, aire’s shortbread; £5.75 around the world. The evening menu includes an lage of Alderminster, just although the waiting staff each. Both delicious, if aperitif, canapés, a four-course dinner and five outside Stratford-upon- did keep us abreast of somewhat rich. My friend accompanying wines. Tickets are priced at £79 Avon, The Bell - originally things, and we never felt could only manage to eat per head. For further information and to book, an eighteenth century we’d been forgotten. half. I had no such prob- contact the Events team on 08447 364 250. coaching inn - is now a Mains (£12.25 to £24.95) lem! delightful pub and restau- include a varied selection In addition to the a la carte rant. On the night my din- of meat and fish dishes, menu we ate from, The Esteemed chef to open city’s ing partner and I visited, and one vegetarian Bell has a simple three- Independent Food Festival the place was buzzing. option. My lamb leg steak course offer which, at £18 Richard Turner, chef patron of the Michelin- Unclothed tables and mis- with oregano, honey and per person, is great value. starred Turner’s Restaurant, is to open matched chairs, with seat- mustard, served with Throw in a good wine list, Birmingham’s Independent Food Festival this ing both inside and out, Greek salad and sweet and the option to stop month. A mainstay of the city’s highly regarded create an informal and potato wedges (£15.95), over in one of nine bou- culinary landscape, Turner has appeared in the relaxing atmosphere. was certainly bursting with tique-style rooms, and The Michelin Guide every year since 2009, and has The menu is impressive. flavours, although I’d Bell is definitely worth also received glowing praise from the Sunday For starters (ranging from anticipated one piece of seeking out. Ding Dong! Times and the Good Food Guide. £4.50 to £8.25) I chose meat rather than lots of Jack Rolfe Commenting on the festival, which takes place at smoked salmon with a small pieces. My fellow Millennium Point on 13 September, Richard said: perfectly cooked potato diner plumped for maple Food: n n n n n “Things like Birmingham Independent Food Fair, and spinach frittata roast gressingham duck Service: n n n n n and the producers and (£7.25), suitably comple- breast, saffron fondant Ambience: n n n n n traders who are support- mented with lemon crème potato with pancetta Overall value n n n n n ing it, are what makes fraiche. My friend’s slow- sauerkraut, baby vegeta- OVERALL n n n n n this city great.” cooked belly of pork with bles and a griottine cherry The Bell As an added incentive, a cider barbecue glaze and vanilla bean jus Alderminster Richard will be inviting (£7.95) was full of flavour (£17.95). Sounds good, Stratford-upon-Avon Food Fair visitors to and very tender. He was doesn’t it? Tasted even Warwickshire experience the delights sceptical about the better apparently! CV37 8NY of his Harborne restau- accompanying rocket, To finish, it was chocolate 01789 450414 rant at a specially watermelon and chorizo, and Malibu crème brulee but soon polished it off, with coconut macaroon, reduced price. Richard Turner Paula Jones, Promise Dreams, Alex Boa, general manager and Lord Mayor of Wolverhampton, Cllr Michael Heap www.whatsonlive.co.uk 65 Eating Out September.qxp_Layout 1 29/08/2014 12:13 Page 2

0121 454 5151 THAI EDGE 7 Oozells Sq, 3RX 0121 709 2111 Lane, Redditch, B98 9BE Restaurant LISTINGS MECHU 47 - 59 Summer B1 2HL 0121 643 3993 LE BISTRO PIERRE Swans 01527 406600 Row, B3 1JJ 0121 212 TURTLE BAY 81-91 John Nest, Bridgford, Stratford BRIDGE INN Plough Road, 1661 Bright Street, B1 1BL upon Avon. CV37 7LT Droitwich WR9 7NQ For full listing information on restau- METRO BAR & GRILL 73 THE VAULTS Newhall 01789 264804 01905 345874 rants, including opening times and Cornwall St B3 2DF Place, Newhall Hill, MALLORY COURT Harbury BROWNS 24 Quay St, type of cuisine, visit: www.whatson- 0121 200 1911 B1 3JH 0121 212 9837 Lane, Leamington Spa, Worcester WR1 2JJ live.co.uk MINT Yew Tree Retail WAGAMAMA Brindley CV33 9QB, 01926 330214 01905 26263 Park, Stoney Lane Place, birmingham B1 MATRICARDIS 97 High St, CHADDESLEY RESTAURANT CHUNG YING GARDEN 17 Yardley, B25 8YP WATERS ON THE SQUARE Henley in Arden. B95 5AT Brockencote Hall Hotel, 0121 789 8908 Birmingham Thorpe St, B5 4AT Chad Square, Hawthorne 01564 792735 Kidderminster DY10 4PY 0121 666 6622 MOUNT FUJI The Bullring, Rd, Edgbaston, B15 3TQ MERCHANTS Swan Street, 01562 777876 B5 4BH 0121 633 9853 AALTO RESTAURANT Hotel CIELO 6 Oozells Square, Warwick CV34 4BJ 01926 THE CHASE INN Chase Rd, La Tour, Albert Street, Brindleyplace, B1 2JB NUVO BAR 11 Brindley 403833 Upper Colwall, Malvern. Birmingham B5 5JT 0121 632 6882 Place, B1 2LP 0121 631 Warwickshire NICOLINIS 14 The Parade, WR13 6DQ 01684 0121 718 8000 1600 Leamington Spa, CV32 540276 COAST TO COAST 9 7 SQUARE 7 Old Square, AIR RESTAURANT LG OPUS 54 Cornwall St, 4DW 01926 421620 CHESTERS 51 New St, Brindleyplace, Broad Warwick CV34 4RA Arena, Bickenhill Rd, B3 2DE 0121 200 2323 NUMBER SIX Castle Street, Worcester, WR1 2DL Street, B1 2HJ 01926 411 755 0844 338 0333 THE ORIENTAL The Warwick, CV34 4BP 01905 611638 COTE The Mailbox, NO. 9 CHURCH STREET BALCONY BRASSERIE Mailbox, 128-130 01926 497663 CROWN & SANDYS B1 1RX 0121 631 1587 Stratford upon Avon, Selfridges On4, The Wharfside St, B1 1RQ ONE ELM 1 Guild St, Main Rd, Ombersley, Bullring, B5 4BP CUCINA RUSTICA 24 0121 633 9988 Warwickshire CV37 6HB Ludgate Hill, B3 1DX Stratford-Upon-Avon, WR9 0EW 01905 62025 PEACHYKEENS 01789 415522 BANK 4 Brindleyplace, 0121 233 2277 1741 CV37 6QZ 01789 404919 EWE AND LAMB Hanbury B1 2JB 0121 633 4466 Coventry Road, B26 AGRA PLACE 12 Abbey DEL VILLAGGIO PREZZO 1-3 High St, Road, Bromsgrove B60 BAR ESTILO 10-114 1DS 0121 764 5519 Green, Nuneaton, CV11 Unit 528, Middle Mall, Warwick CV34 4AP 4DN 01527 871 929 Wharfside St, The PENNY BLACKS 5DR 024 7635 0515 The Bullring. B5 4BE 01926 475867 THE FIG TREE 99 Church Mailbox, B1 1RF 0121 The Mailbox, 132-134 0121 643 1400 THE ALMANAK Abbey End RESTAURANT 23 Street, Gt Malvern, WR14 643 3443 Wharfside St, B1 1XL North, Kenilworth, CV8 EDMUNDS 6 Brindley 34 Hamilton Terrace, Holly 2AE 01684 569909 BARAJEE 265 Broad 0121 632 1460 1QJ 01926 353 637 place, B1 2JB 0121 633 Walk Leamington Spa, FOUR SEASONS Street, B1 2DS 0121 643 PICCOLINO 61 4944 AUBERGINE 32 Smith St, CV32 4LY 01926 422422 Lowesmoor, Worcester 6699 9 Brindleyplace B1 2HS Warwick CV34 4HS FIESTA DEL ASADO 229 0121 634 3055 RISTORANTE DA VINCI 50 WR1 2RS 01905 27026 BELLA ITALIA 102 New 01926 400 086 Earlsdon Street, Coventry, Hagley Road, PITCHER & PIANO FUSION BRASSERIE Street, B2 4HQ 0121 THE ALMANACK Abbey CV5 6EJ 024 7671 3554 643 1548 Birmingham, B16 9RP Brindleyplace, B1 2HP Hawbridge, Stoulton, 0121 445 9331 End North, Kenilworth ROBBIE’S RESTAURANT 74 Worcester WR7 4RJ BERLIOZ Burlington 0121 643 0214 CV8 1QJ 01926 353637 Smith Street, CV34 4HU 01905 840647 Arcade, New St, B2 4JQ POPPY RED Arcadian BLUE BISTRO 21 Spon St, 01926 400470 0121 633 1737 Centre, Birmingham B5 THE INN AT STONEHALL Coventry, CV1 3BA 024 ROOFTOP RESTAURANT Stonehall Common, BLUE GINGER 32 Poplar, 4TD 0121 687 1200 7622 9274 PURNELL’S @ The RST, Waterside, Worcester, WR5 3QG Rd, Kings Heath, B14 55 Cornwall BROWNS Earl St, Coventry St, B3 2DH 0121 212 Stratford-upon-Avon, 01905820462 7AD 0121 444 0999 CV1 5RU 0247 622 1100 9799 CV37 6BB 01789 403449 KING CHARLES II King BLUE MANGO Regency CARLUCCIOS 13 Waterside, Wharf, Broad St, B1 2DS PURNELL’SBISTOR & GIN- SAFFRON GOLD Market St, Charles House, New St, Stratford-Upon-Avon Westgate House, Worcester WR1 2D 0121 633 4422 GER’S BAR 11 Newhall CV37 6BA Street, B3 3NY, 0121 Warwick CV34 4DE 01905 22449 BLUE PIANO RESTAURANT Fiesta Del Asado 01789 267424 01926 402061 AND BAR 24-26 Harborne 2000 1588 L’AMUSE BOUCHE 51 CASTLES 6 Castle Street, THE SAXON MILL Graham Rd, Malvern. Rd, B15 3AA 0121 454 FLEET STREET KITCHEN RAJDOOT TANDOORI 78 - CV34 4QU 01926 495421 6877 Fleet Street, Islington 79 George St, B31 1PY Coventry Rd, Guys Cliffe, WR14 2HU 01684 CATALAN 6 Jury St , Gates, B3 1JH 0121 236 0121 236 1116 Warwick CV34 5YN 572427 BUONISSIMO 1 Albany Warwick CV34 4EW 0100 01926 492 255 LANGTREYS 89a High St, Rd, Harborne, B17 9JX THE RECTORY 50-54 St 01926 498 930 0121 426 2444 ITIHAAS 18 Fleet St, B3 Paul’s Sq, B3 1QS SIGNATURES @ The Bromsgrove. B61 8AQ THE CHURCH STREET Belgrade Theatre, CAFE OPUS 1 Oozells 1JL 0121 212 3383 0121 605 1001 01527 878242 TOWNHOUSE 16 Church Coventry, CV1 1GS Square, Brindleyplace, JAMIE’S ITALIAN Middle RED PEPPERS 117 LITTLE VENICE 1 - 3 St Street, Stratford-upon- 02476 846762 B1 2HS 0121 248 3226 Mall, Bullring Shopping Wharfside St, B1 1RF Nicholas St, Worcester Avon CV37 6HB 01789 TAILORS 22 Market Place, WR1 1UW 01905 CARLUCCIO’S The Water’s Centre, B5 4BE 0121 643 4202 262222 Edge, Brindleyplace 0121 270 3610 SAN CARLO 4 Temple St, Warwick CV34 4SL 726126 COOMBE ABBEY Brinklow 01926 410590 B1 2HP 0121 633 9262 JIMMY SPICES Regency B2 5BN 0121 633 0251 LOTUS HOUSE 33 Road, Coventry, CV3 2AB THE TREVELYAN Warwick Ombersley St East, CENTENARY BAR & Wharf, Broad St, B1 2DS SHIMLA PINKS 215 Broad 024 7645 0450 BRASSERIE Broad Street, 0121 643 2111 St, B15 1AY 0121 633 Rd, Stratford-upon-Avon, Droitwich, WR9 8QX CROSSED KHUKRIS GURKHA CV37 ONR 01905 770079 B1 2EP 0121 245 2080 LAS IGUANAS Arcadian 0366 115 Abbey Street, 01789 295252 MAEKONG THAI 12 CHI BAR & GRILL 61 Centre, Hurst St, B5 4TD SIMPSONS, 20 Highfield Nuneaton, CV11 5BX 024 THE VINE INN Newhall Street, B3 3RB 0121 622 4466 Rd, Edgbaston B13 3DU 7634 4488 86 - 88 West Worcester Road, 0121 233 3150 LASAN 3-4 Dakota 0121 454 3434 St, Warwick CV34 6AW Bromsgrove B61 7AE EDWARD MOON 9 Chapel 07873 219005 01527 578888 CHIMICHANGA 41 Mill Lane Buildings, James St, St THE SLUG AND LETTUCE, Street, Stratford-upon- Arcade, Touchwood, Paul’s Square, B3 1SD Brindley Place, Avon, CV37 6EP 01789 WARWICK SPICE 24 Smith MASSALLA LOUNGE 35 Solihull, B91 3GS 0121 0121 212 3664 Birmingham B1 2HL 267069 Street, CV34 4HS 01926 Broad St, Worcester 491736 704 0749 THE LOFT LOUNGE 0121 633 3049 EGO 29 The Square, WR1 3NH 01905 CHUNG YING 143 Bromsgrove St, STRADA 109-111 Kenilworth, CV8 1EF ZIZZI 85-87 Regent 729955 16-18 Wrottersley Street, B5 6RG 0121 622 2444 Wharfside St, The 01926 864463 Square House, Parade, MUG HOUSE Claines B5 4RT 0121 622 5669 THE LOST & FOUND Mailbox B1 1XL THE ENCORE Leamington Spa CV 32 Lane, Worcester WR3 4NL 01926 432532 CHUNG YING CENTRAL 126 8 Bennetts Hill, B2 5RS 0121 643 7279 Bridge Street Stratford 7RN 01905 456649 Colmore Row, B3 3AP 0121 643 9293 TGI FRIDAYS 180 Hagley upon Avon CV37 6AB ON THE ROCKS 44 0121 400 0888 LOVES The Glasshouse, Road, Edgbaston, B16 01789 269462 Worcestershire Worcester Road, Browning St, B16 8FL 9NY 0121 454 1930 FINEST CATCH B’ham Rd, Bromsgrove, B61 7AE Henley in Arden. B95 ANAKARI 47 The Tythings, 01527 882412 5QR 01564 793783 Worcester. WR1 1JT PORTOFINO, 6 Worcester FIVE RIVERS 20-22 Victoria 01905 21412 Rd, Droitwich. WR9 8AD ANGEL CHEF 1 Angel St, 01905 794799 (EST 86) Terrace, THE DINNER CLUB SINGLE? Leamington Spa, CV31 Worcester WR1 3QT PORTWAY ITALIAN, A RECIPE FOR FINE FOOD AND GOOD COMPANY 3AB 01926 431999 01905 731131 Alcester Rd, Redditch. GEORGETOWN 23 Sheep ANUPAM 85 Church B48 7HT 01564 824794 For the more discerning St, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Street, Malvern. WR14 PUCCINI'S, 12 Friar St, unattached person, age 40+ CV37 6EF 01789 204445 2AE 01684 573814 Worcester WR12LZ GRANTS OF SHEEP ST 21-23 BACCHUS 44 Worcester 01905 27770 Events weekly include dining out, dinner dances, black tie balls, Sheep Street, Stratford- Road, Bromsgrove B61 RAJDOOT Cutnall Green, theatre, parties, weekends away and holidays abroad. upon-Avon, CV37 6EF 0TA 01527 877557 Droitwich. WR9 0PW 01789 290 008 BENEDICTOS 34 Sidbury, 01299 851000 NOT A DATING AGENCY HIGH PAVEMENT BAR & DIN- Worcester WR1 2HZ ROSADOS’S 2 Finstall Rd, ING 3 High Street, CV34 01905 21444 Aston Fields, 01244 677030 (Day) 01244 548816 (Eve/W-end) / 4AP 01926 494725 BINDLES BAR & BRASSERIE Bromsgrove. B60 2DZ HELP OUT MILL Heather 55 Sidbury, WR1 2HU 01527 889948 www.thedinnerclubuk.com Rd, Shakerstone, 01905 611120 SAFFRON BISTRO 15 New Nuneaton. CV13 0BT BRAMBLINGS Hither Green St, Worcester WR1 2DP 19 September 01530 260666 01905 610505 INDIA RED Grosvenor Pulford Hotel 25 Abbey BLACK Street, Nuneaton, CV11 & Wrexham Road, Nr 5BX 024 7634 2090 For full Restaurant listings WHITE BALL Chester CH4 9DG JIMMY SPICES 64-66 visit: www.whatsonlive.co.uk Station Rd, Solihull, B91 66 www.whatsonlive.co.uk p67 (IBC) R1.qxp_Layout 1 25/07/2014 14:06 Page 1

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