JADEEWEN EX-SUGABABE IN BEN ELTON MUSICAL INTERVIEW INSIDE... DEXTERS Recover band rock Indie Sugarmill The at PROMISE EASTERN brings day Japan Stoke to Orient the JACK stops Comedy of King Midlands the in off MARCH 2014 MARCH ISSUE 339 339 ISSUE sOn ’ .co.uk

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www. STAFFORDSHIRE What THE MIDLANDS ESSENTIAL ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE ENTERTAINMENT ESSENTIAL MIDLANDS THE Staffordshire Cover - March_cover 24/02/2014 14:30 Page 1 Page 14:30 24/02/2014 - March_cover Cover Staffordshire STAFFORDSHIRE WHAT’S ON ISSUE 339 MARCH 2014 PART OF MIDLANDS WHAT’S ON MAGAZINE GROUP PUBLICATIONS @WHATSONSTAFFS WWW.WHATSONLIVE.CO.UK Crewe Lyceum (OBC) Staffs - Feb_Layout 1 27/01/2014 18:31 Page 1 Contents- Region Two - March_Layout 1 24/02/2014 13:16 Page 1

March 2014

Editor: Davina Evans INSIDE: [email protected] 01743 281708 Editorial Assistants: Brian O’Faolain [email protected] in Rod Stewart musical 01743 281701 interview p6 Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Sales & Marketing: Jon Cartwright [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704

Subscriptions: Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Singin’ In The Rain Managing Director: Maxwell Caulfield stars... Paul Oliver [email protected] interview p6 01743 281711 Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan [email protected] 01743 281710

Graphic Designers: Lisa Wassell Chris Atherton Accounts Administrator Julia Perry King of Comedy - Jack Whitehall back in , preview page 22 [email protected] 01743 281717 Website Development: Jim Pallett TO GET THE VERY Charlie F. Contributors: p4 drama explores the effects Graham Bostock: Theatre LATEST LISTING News James Cameron-Wilson: of wartime injury p10 Film; Anita Champaneri: INFORMATION, Eating Out; Music p13 Alev Dervish: Music VISIT: Eva Easthope, Kate whatsonlive.co.uk Evans, Jessica Aston, Comedy p22 Patsy Moss, Jack Rolfe, INCLUDING Jan Watts, Reggie White BOOKING ONLINE Theatre p25 Head Office: 13-14 Abbey Foregate, The Midlands’ most Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE comprehensive p40 Tel: 01743 281777 entertainment website Dance e-mail: [email protected] Follow us on... Film/DVD p43 This publication is Visual Arts p53 printed on paper from a sustainable source and is March 2014 produced without the use Birmingham p57 of elemental chlorine. @whatsonbrum Events MTWTFSS We endorse the recycling Warwickshire 1 2 of our magazine and @whatsonwarwicks p65 would encourage you to Eating Out 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 pass it on to others to Worcester read when you have @whatsonworcs 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 finished with it. facebook.com/whatsonlive 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 What’sOn 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless MAGAZINE GROUP otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any 31 means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. News March region two_Layout 1 24/02/2014 15:59 Page 1

News A ROUND-UP OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Celebrating the Black Country Dudley’s Council has announced that a new Black Country Day will take place on 14 July. Plans to celebrate the occasion with a festi- val of activities are well under way, with local musician Garry Sawers (Black Country Gaz) tasked with leading the community involve- ment. Celebrations are planned over two weekends from 6 July, with live music, com- edy, food & drink and arts & crafts events taking centre-stage in various parts of the region. Garry is currently asking anyone who might be interested in getting involved to get in touch. Musicians, artists, street entertain- ers, jugglers, stilt-walkers, fire-eaters, poets and dancers all have a part to play in what should be a memorable first event, so if you’re one of the above - or affiliated to a business, charity, community group or enter- tainment venue that would like to take part - visit www.blackcountryfestival.co.uk for more Cape Town Opera brings Show Boat to Brum information. Following a much-acclaimed production of Porgy & Bess at Birmingham Hippodrome in 2012, Cape Town Opera is returning to the venue this July with a new version of Show Boat. Based on Edna Ferber's novel of the same name, Show Boat is one of America’s oldest musi- cals. Premiered on Broadway in 1927, it tells the story of the old American south by following the lives of performers, stagehands and dock workers on the Cotton Blossom, a Mississippi River Show Boat. After kicking off its four-date UK tour at the Hippodrome from 2 to 5 July, the show then visits The Lowry, Salford, from 8 to 12 July; Wales Millennium Centre, , 22 to 26 July; and ’s Bord Gais Energy Theatre, 29 July to 2 August. Commenting on Cape Town Opera’s return to Birmingham, Stuart Griffiths, Chief Executive of Birmingham Hippodrome, said: “We’re very excited to be opening the first ever UK tour of Black Country Gaz Cape Town Opera’s Show Boat here at the Hippodrome in July. This is part of the theatre’s ongoing ambition to bring the city the best in international performance from the finest com- Bikers invited to get their panies across the world. It’s another hugely busy and exciting year for us, with visits by inter- national companies in the spring for our Dance Festival, from St Petersburg’s Mariinsky motors running... Opera in the autumn for The Ring Cycle, and now, with this return visit after their great suc- More than two thousand bikers are this cess with Porgy & Bess, Cape Town Opera performing once again in Birmingham.” Spring expected to take part in a twenty- three-mile ride-out from Meole Brace in Shrewsbury to the RAF Museum Cosford, as Art showcase for South Jersey Boys out on tour part of the 2014 Bike4Life Fest. Shropshire One of the West End’s most successful The 27 April event is taking place in support musicals embarks on its first ever UK tour of two local charities - the Midlands Air A brand new event is taking place in South later this year, stopping off at two Midlands Ambulance and the Royal Air Force Shropshire this Spring. The Shropshire Hills venues along the way. The multi-award-win- Museum. Organised in collaboration with the Art Week is aimed at encouraging artists and ning Jersey Boys uses a documentary-style Safer Roads Partnership and West Mercia makers to open their studios to the general format to present the story of Frankie Valli Police, this year’s event is supported by public, and to exhibit work which showcases And The Four Seasons, and features numer- radio station Planet Rock, which also hosts the area’s landscape and wildlife. ous iconic hits, including Sherry, Big Girls the live music stage. The event takes place at various yet-to-be- Don’t Cry and My Eyes Adored You. The Promising plenty to entertain non-bikers, disclosed venues from 31 May to 8 June. Jersey Boys shows at the Regent Theatre, Bike4Life Fest features trade stands, bike We’ll keep you posted... Stoke-on-Trent, from Tuesday 28 October to dealers and arena displays. Saturday 8 November, and at the New Seeking poets in Lichfield... Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, from Tuesday 9 December to Saturday 3 January. The Lichfield Poets, a group formed in 2006 Tickets for both dates are now on sale. for likeminded wordsmiths, is inviting fellow poets to submit entries for a new competi- tion. Poems can be on any topic and in any style. They should be in English (or English dialect) and not have been published or accepted for publication elsewhere, includ- ing online publications. Since its formation, the Lichfield Poets group has contributed to the Lichfield Mysteries, the Lichfield Festival, and performed at the Lichfield Garrick. For further information on details, rules, reg- ulations and information, email [email protected]

4 www.whatsonlive.co.uk News March region two_Layout 1 24/02/2014 15:59 Page 2

Birmingham gallery takes art into the Black Country Arts Council England has awarded Birmingham’s Ikon Gallery £210,000 to enable it to take art into the Black Country - by boat! Part of a three-year programme, Black Country Voyages will see Ikon’s Slow Boat travel along the region’s industrial canal routes - from Smethwick to Stourbridge, Sedgley to West Bromwich and Birchills to Aldridge. Along the way, the boat will host various art-led activities, including workshops and performances. Those lucky enough to encounter Slow Boat on its journey will be invited to get involved by contributing thoughts and ideas, and in so doing may influence the development of the programme. The funding has been awarded as part of Arts Council England’s £45million Strategic Touring programme.

Ed Vere Theatre to sponsor local football team Festival of stories coming to Ironbridge museums this Easter A celebration of children’s literature takes place at two of Ironbridge Gorge’s museums this Lichfield’s Garrick Theatre has announced a Easter. The Ironbridge Pop Up - a free one-day event - aims to bring ‘children and families new partnership with Lichfield City Football together to enjoy and participate in stories by creating a magical event where play, experi- Club. The sponsorship deal, which initially ment, creativity and collaboration are celebrated’. lasts a year, will see the theatre provide Fantasy author Sarwat Chadda’s Marvel Comics-inspired interpretations of classic myths will brand new kits for the club’s under-fourteen be told through roaming performances and monster puppets, while novelist Julia Golding’s team, and is just one of a number of local Arthurian Pavillion will feature medieval gameshows, knights, minstrels, and the legendary youth projects with which the Garrick is Round Table. Mr Big illustrator Ed Vere’s ’50s-era jazz joint, meanwhile, comprises a cabaret involved. line-up, wacky cocktails and compulsory dressing up. The Ironbridge Pop Up takes place at Enginuity and Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron on 19 Epic Encounters with Brecht April. in Birmingham The works of German poet and playwright IN BRIEF Zeppelin raids on Wolverhampton Bertolt Brecht form the basis of a diverse pro- commemorated in new opera gramme of events taking place at Unique treat for A brand new opera created especially for Wolverhampton is to be Birmingham’s Repertory Theatre this month. Shropshire music staged at the city’s Grand Theatre this month. Curated by playwright Mark Ravenhill, Epic lovers Commemorating the 1916 air raids over the city which resulted in Encounters fuses theatre, politics and science the deaths of thirty-five civilians, Zeppelin Dreams is the result of a Johann Sebastian to offer ‘a feast of inspiring theatre, stimulating collaboration between numerous bodies - English Touring Opera, Bach’s complete organ debate and hands-on activities for all ages’. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton Music Education works are to be show- Central to the programme are performances Hub, Light House Media Centre, University of Wolverhampton’s cased at Shrewsbury’s on the main stage of Brecht’s A Life Of Performing Arts Department and local historians and staff from St Chad’s Church this Galileo, The Threepenny Opera and The Tipton Library. Spring. Organist and Mother, while a Young REP production of The Assisted by a £10,000 First World War: Then And Now grant from the church’s Assistant Caucasian Chalk Circle shows at The Door. the Heritage Lottery Fund, the opera is very much a community Director of Music Other highlights include Star Gazing, a project, with disabled adults from the Discoverers Theatre Richard Walker will Language Alive production that promises a Company, percussion group Azaad Dhol, and one hundred-and- perform the seventeen fun and interactive show for seven to eleven- fifty children from local schools also involved. Bach recitals on year-olds (8 March); Have Your Say, which Zeppelin Dreams shows at Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre on 20 Tuesdays, Fridays and encourages audiences to think about how & 21 March. they’d change the world (15 March); Ask Me occasionally Sundays More About Brecht - a theatrical reconstruc- between 2 May and 13 tion of the conversations between Hanns June, in so doing pre- Eisler and Hans Bunge (22 March); Eisler senting a full fourteen Shorts, providing a chance to watch rare short hours of ‘the finest films with original Hanns Eisler scores per- organ music’. formed live by Birmingham Conservatoire Richard previously musicians (22 March, The Door); and O Moon held the position of Of Alabama, which reunites stars of stage and Director of Music at screen Walter van Dyk and Liza Sadovy in a Harrow School, and celebratory compilation of Kurt Weil’s most has also facilitated popular works (22 March, The Studio). recitals in Germany For full listings of Epic Encounters events, visit and the US, as well as www.birmingham-rep.co.uk. across the UK. Students from Aldersley High School

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 5 Jade Ewen feature Region Two_Layout 1 24/02/2014 11:04 Page 1

Jade Ewen Ex-Sugababe out on the road in Ben Elton musical...

Jade Ewen’s vocal talents first came to the nation’s attention in 2009, when she achieved fifth place in the . The same year she confirmed herself as a bonafide pop artist by joining one of the UK’s most successful girl bands, replacing in The . Years before her big break, and having trained at the Sylvia Young Theatre School, Jade made her West End debut in Disney’s The Lion King, at the tender age of twelve. With being her first love, she’s delighted to be making a return to to play Dee Dee in Ben Elton’s Rod Stewart - The Musical. What’s On caught up with her to find out more...

Tell us about your character in Tonight’s certain vulnerability. I don’t want to give too that I’ve seen, and I take inspiration from a The Night, Jade... much away, but by the end of the show few characters that I’ve seen in film and on Dee Dee is a really aggressive, fiery things have certainly changed around for TV, but then there’s always the worry that character who’s full of zest. There’s a bit of her. you might be playing it too big. In theatre, a love interest going on, but Rocky, the there’s always that compromise of making it character she’s in love with, doesn’t love Is playing a feisty character something natural while at the same time making it big her. So there’s a bit in the show where she that comes quite easily? enough on stage to convince the audience. expresses how she feels and reveals a Yes and no. I like to copy and mimic things

6 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Jade Ewen feature Region Two_Layout 1 24/02/2014 11:04 Page 2

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Do you get a lot of artistic freedom to With the West End, is there a particular want is to be on stage, and you get to do play around with the character? role that’s up there on your list? that almost every night of the week when Our director obviously has ideas, but she Elphaba would be amazing. Wicked is a you’re in a musical. If you’re in a band, you tries to encourage us to go with our great show. I love the songs, and everybody get to do it, but it’s more seasoned. You instincts. We try and tune in and go with likes to fly... may be recording for however many that, but, generally speaking, it’s a months, then there may be a couple of balanced, fifty/fifty relationship. What about an months of live performances, and then it’s musical... back to the studio or promoting. I think, as And what iconic Rod Stewart songs do I would love to, definitely. I’ve never asked an artist, the thing you crave most is to be you get to sing? or hinted, because I think it might be a little up there performing on a stage. What Am I Going To Do and First Cut Is The bit awkward. We’ll have to see - maybe I’ll Deepest, which is the favourite. That comes invite him along to the show... Do you foresee The Sugababes ever at the moment when Dee Dee is at her most getting back together in the future? vulnerable. Are you still in touch? There are no definite plans to get back He’s not the easiest person to keep in touch together. That said, I can’t say it’s over. At Were you a fan of Rod’s music prior to with because he doesn’t have a mobile the moment we’re all busy doing our own being involved in Tonight’s The Night? phone. You have to kind of physically bump individual projects. I had no idea how much Rod Stewart music into Andrew; you can’t just call him on his I actually knew. Obviously, a lot of it was mobile or send him a text. You’ve mentioned working on your debut before my time, so it wasn’t as if I album. How would you describe this? consciously grew up listening to it, but You’re touring with Tonight’s The Night It’s very soulful and sometimes quite being involved in this, I’ve realised that it’s until April. What’s in the diary after that? emotional. Putting it together has been a everywhere. It’s in adverts, in the There are a few things in the pipeline, but I sort of healing process, because there have background of things, on the radio or have to await confirmation before I can tell. been a lot of emotional things that I’ve gone whatever. I now realise I knew most of the One of those will hopefully be theatre. Also, through. I’ve discovered things about words to these songs, I just didn’t realise I’ll carry on recording solo material for my myself, and I’ve grown as a person. I guess they were Rod’s. What’s really interesting is debut album. I’m doing bits for that at the I’d summarise it as a soulful and healing that everyone, it doesn’t matter which moment, but it’s proving to be a little chapter of my life. This has been the first generation you’re from, kind of knows a difficult juggling different hats - switching time I’ve been able to express myself Rod Stewart song. A real Rod favourite of from writing to recording to theatre - and without having all the pressure and mine - which I don’t sing in the show - is also finding time to sleep! restrictions which have gone before. It’s This Old Heart Of Mine. It’s a really lovely been a reminder of why I came into the song. Are you quite disciplined in terms of how music business in the first place. you allocate your time? Tonight’s The Night has been described I’m finding this tour a really good As a singer, who inspires you most? as ‘sexy’. Can you expand on that? experience for me, because it’s the first time I’ve got a few, but I really love Stevie Because it’s meant to have a rock’n’roll/gig I’ve really had to organise myself and take Wonder. His storytelling is amazing, and the feel, I guess there’s a natural bit of sex and care of my own accommodation and all that fact that he’s blind, and my dad’s blind, grit that comes through. There are a few sort of stuff. All of that’s normally dealt with means it feels like there’s a real connection. love interests, but I wouldn’t say it’s overly by your management. At times it’s been a raunchy. It’s not like you need a certificate bit overwhelming, but I’m finding now that Finally, what’s your ultimate goal as a to come and watch it. I’ve got a system in place which I’ll apply to performer? every aspect of my life in future. It’s I definitely want to do more theatre, and I’d Are there any similarities between this definitely about finding a balance and, love to go over to America and see what’s and We Will Rock You? luckily for me, it’s only in theatre. When I’m out there. They seem to love the Brits, and I guess the only similarity is that it’s well- recording, it’s just a case of turning up. The I’d certainly like to investigate new known songs incorporated into a musical. rest is for somebody else to juggle. territories. I guess, basically, I’d like to As far as the storyline goes, it’s definitely achieve world domination... very different. Also, as a cast, I’d hope that What’s been the biggest learning-curve we come at this completely differently. for you in going on tour with this show? Some of the group haven’t seen We Will For some reason I’m always thrown in at the Rock You, so have been able to come at deep end. It happened with Eurovision, this fresh and uninfluenced. I like to think performing live in front of one hundred-and- that we bring our own identity and put our twenty-two million people. That whole own mark on it. experience was very intense. Then it happened again joining the band. The Most people will know you as one third Sugababes were obviously a massive band of the Sugababes, as well as for your before I was in the group, and then it was Eurovision entry, but is it true that dealing with press, learning eight albums- theatre’s your first love? worth of songs and going out on tour - Absolutely! I did theatre before anything again very intense. With Splash, I couldn’t else. I went to Sylvia’s (Sylvia Young swim, so I literally had to dive in at the deep Theatre School) and I’ve always been as end. I think I have a habit in life of just equally focused on acting and dancing as I getting stuck in and then worrying about the have singing. Singing was the avenue that rest once I’m in. If I worried too much about got me out there, but a big part of me, as a things and questioned my ability, I’d never performer, has come from theatre. do anything. Once I’ve agreed to do something, I often look back and think, “oh, So is theatre where you see your future? what have I done?”, by which time it’s too I think so. I don’t want it to be just one or late and I’ve just got to get on with it. the other, because I love music, I love performing and I love being on stage. I want Ex Sugababe bandmate is my future to involve both recording and, also out on tour, with the stage version of hopefully, performing on the West End Happy Days. Are you supportive of each stage. And one day on Broadway too - that other’s post-band solo projects? would be amazing. Definitely! I’m glad that Heidi’s experiencing Tonight’s The Night: The Rod Stewart Musical it as well. I know she’s a massive fan of theatre, but she’s never had the opportunity shows at Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent to do it before. If you’re a performer, all you from Mon 24 to Sat 29 March

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 7 Maxwell Caulfield interview R2_Layout 1 24/02/2014 09:35 Page 1

It has the scale of a Hollywood production, “ and to deliver anything else would be false advertising.”

Maxwell Caulfield on getting a soaking in the Midlands...

A star of stage and screen, Maxwell Caulfield is probably best known for his TV work, including 1980s US dramas Dynasty and The Colbys. On this side of the Atlantic, he’s appeared as a series regular in both Casualty and, more recently, Emmerdale. Married to John Mills’ daughter Juliet, Maxwell is currently playing some of the country’s major venues, starring as theatre boss RF Simpson in a critically acclaimed new version of Singin’ In The Rain. What’s On recently caught up with him in to find out more...

What gives Singin’ In The Rain the wow know how she can feign that strained voice for Has the show been pared down prior to factor? as many weeks as she has. She’s a marvel. being taken on tour? Well, it delivers on every level. It has this No, not at all. We’ve actually been told that the deservedly famous score and some great hit On a personal level, what’s the appeal for show has been souped-up a bit, because tunes. It’s a simple story, but rather irresistible. you of performing in the show? we’re playing such big houses. That’s why it It’s got humour, romance, spectacular I get to play the big cheese. I enjoy preening takes us a couple of days to get into each dancing, and then, to top it all off, we have around in these fabulous suits. Hand-selecting venue. The boys - the crew - have to these amazing rain effects. The musical really the girls for my chorus line is a bonus. The practically build a swimming pool at each new is ‘lights, camera, sound’. The light show is boys are pretty easy on the eye too. We have location. It has the scale of a Hollywood terrific - and we have a screen projector, so a very good-looking company but, kidding production, and to deliver anything else would you get to go to the movies when you come apart, touring around the British Isles is a real be false advertising. We have twelve thousand to this show! The show also has Faye Tozer in kick. The variety out on the road makes it a lot gallons of water cascading down on our all her glory, sounding like a scolded cat for more appealing than staying put in the West hapless hero’s head. Well, he’s not really two hours. She’s a great sport, and I don’t End. hapless, as he manages to get the girl, but I’m

8 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Maxwell Caulfield interview R2_Layout 1 24/02/2014 09:35 Page 2

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glad it’s not me who’s getting the nightly Do you see a real difference in the way in a natural soap actress, but she had a style soaking. which live theatre is received in the States, which was very convincing. as opposed to here in the UK? Surely there’s a health and safety issue? No, not really. The thing about the Brits is Is appearing in soaps something you see Has anyone ever got hurt? they’re so enthusiastic. When they like yourself returning to, or do you see your We’ve had a couple of backstage issues that something, boy do they let you know about future predominantly on the stage? the audience haven’t been aware of. One time, it! There was a reason why Beatlemania took There are times when I think this is what I at Cardiff’s Millennium Centre, someone forgot off in this country! We’re known for being so should’ve been doing all along - more to turn the taps off, and suddenly we had a very reserved, and maybe we don’t leap to theatre. Then maybe I would have developed minor flooding. All I can say is that it was our feet at every curtain-call, as they do on into a finer actor. That’s one of the things rather swamp-like backstage! We had to take Broadway. Over there, they seem to give that’s good about going out there eight times an extended intermission. Fortunately, there everything a standing ovation, regardless. It a week - you really do get to hone your craft. were some young Welsh choristers in the maybe takes a little bit more to impress the And particularly with comedy; it’s a very house who kept the audience entertained with British, with their incredibly high standards. subtle art, and they often say it’s harder. Christmas carols while buckets and mops, and Testament to the success of British theatre is Dramatic actors are a dime a dozen. That anything else to hand, was deployed to clear that Broadway is grabbing everything coming said, the work being exhibited by the likes of the deluge of water. out of the West End which is of high calibre. Michael Fassbender, Leonardo DiCaprio, In fact, the West End is reviving American Christian Bale and Matthew McConaughey - Expectations are high. Is there anything shows and then exporting them back to the in fact, it’s a fifty/fifty split between American that’s proving a particular challenge? Yanks. When the Brits do enjoy something and British actors - is really raising the bar on On a very personal level, missing my missus is and leap to their feet, you know you’ve film performance. Their dedication and work a challenge. She looks in, and comes and delivered - and those are the responses we’re is just startling. spends as much time with me as she can, but getting with Singin’ In The Rain. We’re not she’s got her own life and I can’t expect her to getting to kick half as much water as we’d Is it true you started out as a Go-Go schlep around. We love being in each other’s like at the patrons on the first few rows! dancer? pockets, and we’ve toured together too, but It wasn’t like I was a Go-Go dancer. I got she’s too great a talent to be sitting around Your base is in the States. Do you notice plucked from obscurity and very briefly waiting for me. The other great challenge, as big changes every time you return to the appeared in the West End with other nubile with any long run, is sustaining a performance UK? types. It was a means to an end, the aim of - but then again, everyone’s job is repetitive by I mostly see changes when I’m in ; which was to get my Equity card in a hurry. I nature. the architecture which is springing up around was done with that very quickly. In fact, I Canary Wharf is staggering. It’s so futuristic, seem to remember getting into a stage fight Is it true that you’d never seen the film and the Brits, rightly so, have always credited with one of my fellow cast members. It was a version in its entirety prior to being involved themselves as being on the cutting-edge. bit like a scene from Women In Love. in the stage production? Everyone thinks America is very innovative, That’s very true - although I’m a little loathe to but it’s the British who’re leading the way in And do you have an all-time favourite admit it, as it shows a certain ignorance of many ways. musical? Hollywood law. I honestly didn’t even know it The Chorus Line. When I was about was set in the world of Hollywood! I’d seen the So would you ever consider moving back seventeen, I worked as a dresser at the Royal famous dance sequence. I’m a come-lately to to the UK? Ballet - I was determined, by hook or by the undeniable talents of Gene Kelly. I didn’t I’ve not ruled it out. It’s very easy to spin your crook, to get into the business. Opposite us realise his great personal charisma. I had other wheels in Hollywood. The whole country was the Drury Lane Theatre, where The screen idols when I was younger - but then flocks to the West Coast and the end of the Chorus Line was showing. Every night I again, I’m a come-lately to the whole musical rainbow to make their dreams come true. It’s would go over to the theatre to watch the last theatre scene. I didn’t do Chicago, my first a very crowded environment. This is very fifteen minutes of the show. I was drawn to it professional musical theatre performance, until much a youth-driven industry and I ain’t like a magnet; the whole thrill of musical almost ten years ago, but once you enter that getting any younger. The Brits appreciate theatre was like being under a spell. world, you realise it’s a joyous environment. their venerable actors. It’s not full of neurotic actors, it’s more like the Have you ever turned down a role and aforementioned smiley showgirls and great So is age more of an issue in the States later regretted it? band members/musicians. They’re all a great than here in the UK? I’m sure there must be a couple - but like breed. We’re all entertainers at the end of the Definitely! Helen Mirren is extraordinary, and most actors, I’m not in a position to pick and day, and we’re there to take people out of she’s the only person over sixty who’s choose. Early on, when I had a three-picture themselves for two-and-a-half hours. With allowed to be a sex symbol in America. It deal at Paramount, which in the end only today’s crazy pace, it’s great to take the takes a British woman to do it. America’s so lasted for one picture - 2 - there were audience back to a different time, when committed to turning over the soil, whereas a couple of opportunities where I blinked. In communication was really very different. We’re over here there’s a wider range of outlets for hindsight, I was foolish to do that. If I’d had almost like dinosaurs up there, with the idea of actors, like radio theatre, which is still very any sense, I would’ve got another film in the transitioning from a silent picture to a talking viable in this country. On the West Coast can before Grease 2, so that all my chips one. you’re kind of committed to working in front weren’t in the same basket. of the camera. In other words, you can Do you see your future involving more deprive yourself of the opportunity to tread Will you take some time out to visit musical theatre? the boards. If you’re based in the UK, and Birmingham’s landmarks when you’re in I hope so, if I’m not too late. By ‘too late’ I you’re lucky to be part of this business, you the city? mean age-wise, in respect to some of the can transition between the various media and Hopefully. I like to visit museums and get a great musical theatre roles. Since Chicago, I’ve do it all within a single year. sense of the history. That’s the beauty of developed the pace quickly, and played performing in a show in an evening; you get George in La Cage Aux Folles. I enjoyed that You’ve become a familiar face on many TV time off to see and do things in the day. experience immensely. soaps, both here and across the pond. Is it right to assume that’s a genre you feel Finally, have you got any plans for after Have you toured with much musical theatre very comfortable with? Singin’ In The Rain? in the States? I’ve done soaps because that’s where I’ve Goodness, I’m just hoping to get to the end I had a brief stint playing Billy Flynn in Chicago been asked to work. I actually think that in of the tour. Hopefully I won’t get topped, soap on Broadway. It would’ve been longer, but Emmerdale, my style of performing didn’t opera-style! there was a wretched stagehand strike which necessarily work. It worked in a larger-than- interrupted the show. Also, they tend to rotate life situation like Dynasty, but with Singin’ In The Rain shows at the role of Billy Flynn a lot more frequently in Emmerdale, I consistently felt out of place. Birmingham Hippodrome the States. Amanda Donohoe had it down to an art. I’m from Tues 18 March to Sat 5 April not suggesting for one minute that Amanda is Read the full interview online at www.whatsonlive.co.uk

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Very, very funny, very, “ very touching, and I think everybody should see it Joanna Lumley ”

The Two Worlds Of Charlie F.

First performed in January 2012, Owen Sheers’ dark and affecting comedy has been widely praised for the way it explores the effects of wartime injury. Presented by wounded, injured and sick ex-service personnel, the production is the result of a partnership between the Masterclass Trust, the Royal British Legion and Defence Recovery Capability. What’s On takes a look at the origins of this unique production and the people involved...

The Two Worlds Of performed just twice at the Theatre Royal, idea of becoming involved to injured Origins Charlie F was the Haymarket. This was the first time that the personnel. Alice next approached brainchild of Alice Drive, Ministry of Defence (MOD) had used theatre documentary-maker Chris Tarrell, who, in the then Masterclass Creative Producer and for a recovery project. Alice recalls: “At that turn, made a documentary called The now the Executive Producer of this new tour. stage we didn’t have a theatre, we didn’t Theatre Of War, focusing on the making of In December 2010, Alice met a surgeon have any money and we didn’t have anyone the theatre process. Alas, every single based at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth to be in it, so I started off by approaching channel turned Chris down on the pretence hospital who in turn introduced her to some our partners. “First of all the Theatre Royal that they were ‘militaried-out.’ Determined to of the military patients on the ward. One of Haymarket came on board and allowed us be heard, Chris emailed Alan Yentob, the the patients summed up the position of access to use the theatre. I then approached BBC Creative Director, and said: “I stake my many when he said, “When you become the Royal British Legion, who agreed to add reputation on this. You have to come and injured, you become incredibly vulnerable. theatre to its welfare programme. Not only see rehearsals.” Alan went along and You lose your sense of self and you lose did they support what we were doing, but commissioned the programme to open his your identity, but fundamentally you lose agreed to fund it. I then went to the MOD, BBC One Imagine series. Since then it’s your voice.” and in particular the Defence Recovery been shown twice on the BBC and has been It was with this knowledge that Alice decided Capability - this is the part of the military that nominated for a Grearson Documentary to create the first theatre recovery project for looks after the recovery of wounded soliders. Award. wounded, injured and sick service They agreed to come on board to the extent The Two Worlds Of Charlie F was first personnel. The initial goal was to bring that David Richards, who was the head of performed to a live audience as part of two together thirty WIS - that’s wounded, injured, the Defence Staff, became a patron.” charity fundraising evenings at the Theatre sick - and write a new play based on their Realising the enormity of the task of selling Royal, Haymarket, in January 2012. experiences. They, in turn, would perform theatre as being ‘cool’, Alice enlisted the the piece, which back then was going to be help of actor Ray Winstone, who sold the

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feature...

Alice Driver describes Charlie Fowler as being almost like a tour guide. “He takes the audience on a journey where they’re immersed into the world of the military. They get to meet all of the characters and find out why they joined up and how they were recruited. They go out on operation in Afghanistan and get injured. What Charlie F... goes on to do - which so many plays don’t - is say what it’s like after injury and the impact that it has. It’s a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, and audiences will laugh and will cry. The Royal Legion funded the recovery project - and now, in turn, Charlie F. is raising funds for the Legion’s Poppy Appeal. Monies raised will go into a legacy theatre project to help local soldiers, their families and communities, on a regional basis.

Afghanistan as a medic in J coy, 42 cdo rm. I am so excited to be part of the Canadian I have discovered the hard way that I might and U.K. tour. I can’t wait for more people to have the strongest and most supportive hear our story. family in the universe. I have seven parents - four mothers and three fathers - five sisters, three brothers, countless cousins, uncles and aunts, and the most beautiful wife in the world (and let’s not forgot the corps and friends). I hope that this play can honour the struggle that they endured, and maybe help others understand the battles they have won and continue to win.

Marine Cassidy Little I was born in Ottawa, but consider myself to be raised in Newfoundland. It was there, at a young age, that I discovered the joy of Gareth Crabbe performing. It all started with piano, which I hated until I realised it was an icebreaker I always wanted to be someone with an with girls. A teacher pointed me in the right action-packed job. So to stay true to my direction when she suggested that class dreams of being a soldier, an astronaut or clowns normally do well on stage. With that Indiana Jones, I began some research. I in mind I scored my first role as an elf for quickly discovered that being an Christmas Eve and started having a go at Maurillia Simpson archaeologist was pretty boring stuff; it lacked dancing (thought it would be an icebreaker whips! I then found out that you needed a with the girls). Later, when I moved in with It was my dream to be a soldier from the age very high IQ to work for NASA, but then, my father and stepmother in St. Louis, of seven. I was born in Trinidad and Tobago aged only 18, I found my true calling - as a Missouri, I went to a school called the and brought up by a normal family in the city soldier. You may hear people saying that I Central Visual and Performance High School. of San Fernando. Whilst getting ready for only joined up for the boots and the free I had high hopes, thinking it would be school, I told my mum, “one day I will be a clothes. Well, they are telling the truth. I love something like Fame, but in fact it was just a soldier and live where the Queen lives.” free clothes. tad more ghetto. It was here that I took my Today, years later, here I am living my dream I had left school at 16 and had a plethora of performance art a lot more seriously. I began and serving the Queen where she lives. I unsuitable jobs for a young man with the dancing every day, studying Shakespeare, haven’t worked in the performing arts before, world at his feet! I guess I shall tell you the and I even joined a gospel choir (serious!). I other than growing up singing with my best and worst of the bunch: working in a managed to secure myself a scholarship for sisters and doing Christmas pageants. I am jewellers (best), spraying tenpin bowling dancing at Lindenwood University and, glad that I am a part of this project because shoes (worst). despite a small medical setback, I managed of what it stands for and the message it I have never worked in the theatre before, I to dance with the Mid American Dance holds. For me, it means that someone out have never had the chance until now. I was Company. That fun was short-lived as I there will hear my story and know about my approached and asked if I was interested in ended up moving back to Canada for journey as a soldier after surviving the working on The Bravo 22 project and told it medical reasons. After jumping around for a horrors of deployment, returning safely to was right up my street - possibly because while, I was eventually approached by my family and friends at home and abroad, then people think I’m a lunatic and will try anything stepfather, who must have thought I was waking up to continue your dream with pride once so I signed up. pretty funny, as he offered me a plane ticket and accomplishment, all to have it taken I have had such an amazing time mainly due to his house in England, provided I gave away in the twinkle of an eye. to the hard work from the people behind the stand-up comedy a try. I did, and I don’t This project has greatly influenced my future scenes. I have met new and great friends. think I was particularly funny (got booed off by making clear to me what extended Getting up, showered and ready to get to stage a bunch of times). As a result of a bet, support I have. Being a soldier in the Armed rehearsals in the morning is a privilege. I ended up joining the Marines (and if you Forces is so out of this world that words want to hear about that you’ll have to buy me evade me. The Two Worlds Of Charlie F. shows at a beer sometime). The experience I’ve had provided by those A long and happy career was what I was that have dedicated their time, professional Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, looking forward to when it was traumatically skills and gifts to share with us soldiers on from Wed 26 to Sat 29 March; Malvern taken away from me on my second tour of this project has been AWESOME. Theatre from Mon 31 March to Sat 5 April

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The Toy Hearts Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Thurs 27 March Birmingham’s English Bluegrass and Western Swing band The Toy Hearts comprises Stewart Johnson, his daughters Sophia and Hannah, and two non-family members. Sophia and Hannah lead from the front, bringing an English perspective to American music, while dad Stewart’s contribution ensures the band keeps one foot firmly placed in the traditional camp. This Shropshire gig comes in support of their new EP, Flyin’ Too High.

Goldfrapp Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Wed 26 March The unique sound of Goldfrapp returns to the Mid- Tinie Tempah lands following the Autumn 2013 release of the Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, Tues 25 - Wed 26 March duo’s latest album, the ten-track Tales Of Us. Ali- Having started out by releasing music independently on his label, Disturbing London, son Goldfrapp and Will Gregory established the Tinie was spotted playing at Wireless in July 2009 and signed up to Parlophone three band in 2000 and have released six albums in total, months later. His first album Disc-Overy debuted at Number One in the UK in 2010 and with Tales Of Us having been generally well re- 2011 saw win two for Best British Breakthrough Act and Best British ceived by the critics. Well known for their willing- Single. Pass Out, Frisky, Written In The Stars and ET are just a few of the chart successes ness to explore various musical styles, Goldfrapp’s that have turned him into a music megastar. Due to popular demand, an extra Wolver- sound has, at different points, incorporated trip- hamapton date has been added to his UK tour which is following the release of his new hop, electronic, synthpop, glam rock and folk album Demonstration. music. Their impulse to experiment is hardly sur- prising, given the wide range of music which has influenced them. Will cites Ennio Morricone as his Fall Out Boy main inspiration, while Alison has revealed that National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, Sun 16 March movies such as Roman Polanski's Cul-de-sac, cult 1973 film The Wicker Man, and the James Bond Following a sell-out US arena tour last year, Fall Out Boy are back in the UK for seven franchise have all helped mould her as a musician. dates. Showcasing the Save Rock And Roll tour, the multi-platinum Grammy Award-win- ning four-piece have earned themselves a new fanbase with fifth studio album and lead single My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up), which made the UK top Jack Savoretti five. Keen to start a new project after a five-year hiatus, their return was called ‘a rather The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton, Mon 31 March stunning renaissance’ by Rolling Stone magazine. The Pretty Reckless and New Politics Inheriting his brooding good looks from his mother support. - a Polish-German model - and his Italian father, Jack Savoretti is blessed with a husky and hugely captivating voice. Releasing third album Before The Storm in 2012, he’s called his previous works ‘my education and my college years’, owing to the difficulty he had in reaching a sufficiently wide au- dience. Having supported Jake Bugg, Gabrielle Aplin and Bruce Springsteen last year, Jack’s here stepping out for one of seven dates on a headlin- ing tour to support new EP Sweet Hurt.

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BRAIN YEATES ASSOCIATES PROUDLY PRESENTS... Stand Up & Rock

# # # FEATURING # # # JASPER CARROTT THE BEV BEVAN BAND TREVOR BURTON GEOFF TURTON JOY STRACHAN-BRAIN

SEPTEMBER 2014

Tue 16th Sept - Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton - 01902 429212 Fri 19th & Sat 20th Sept - Concordia Theatre, Hinckley - 01455 615005 Tue 23rd - Fri 26th Sept - Arts Complex, Solihull - 0121 704 6962 OCTOBER 2014

Thurs 16th Oct - Town Hall, Dudley - 01384 812812 Wed 19th March - Arts Complex, Solihull - 0121 704 6962 Fri 17th Oct - Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury - 01684 295074 Thur 27th March - Huntingdon Hall, Worcester - 01905 611 427 Tues 21st Oct - Town Hall, Birmingham - 0121 345 0600 Fri 28th March - Garrick Theatre, Lichfield - 01543 412121 Thurs 23rd - Sat 25th Oct - Palace Theatre, Redditch - 01527 65203 Fri 11th Apr - Palace Theatre, Redditch - 01527 65203 Sun 26th Oct - Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury - 01743 281281 Thurs 30th & Fri 31st Oct - Town Hall, Sutton Coldfield - 0121 464 8990 NOVEMBER 2014

Sat 1st Nov Civic Theatre, Bedworth 02476 376707 Tues 11th - Sat 15th Nov Garrick Theatre, Lichfield 01543 412121 Mon 17th Nov Playhouse, Nottingham 01159 419419 ...truly

a night to BEV TONY PHIL TREVOR remember. BEVAN KELSEY TREE BURTON

Hits include - G Blackberry Way G Flowers In The Rain G Fire Brigade G I Can Hear The Grass Grow G California Man G Do Ya GNight Of Fear G Brontosaurus

Fri 28th March - Marr’s Barr, Worcester - 01905 613336 Fri 11th April - The Roadhouse, Birmingham - 0121 246 2273 Thur 15th May - The Musician, Leicester - 01162 510080 Fri 23rd May - The Crown Hotel, Nantwich - 01270 625283 Thur 5th June - Robin 2, Bilston, Wolverhampton - 01902 401211

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Music PREVIEWS

Dexters The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent, Sat 22 March East London indie rock band Dexters have toured with The Enemy and supported The View and Glasvegas. Influenced by The Clash, The Jam and The La’s, the five boys grew up together, a fact which has helped them produce both an impressive tightness of sound and a real feeling of fun. Majoring in high-energy guitar anthems, they burst onto the scene with Recover, a single infused with Strokes influences. The 7” vinyl sold out - a positive sign ahead of the pending release of their debut album.

Jason Derulo National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, Sat 22 March Scoring the hit of his life with Talk Dirty, which made it to number one in the UK and New Polar Bear Zealand, Jason Derulo returns with an eight-date tour, his biggest ever in the UK and Ireland. Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, Thurs 27 March A talented writer, Jason penned every song on new album Tattoos - including Vertigo, his col- laboration with girlfriend Jordin Sparks. Recently revealing a secret skill on Instagram - the Defying convention, Polar Bear is an experi- ability to tap dance - he’ll here be singing songs from his three-album back-catalogue, and is mental jazz group led by Rising Star-nomi- supported by Conor Maynard. nated drummer Seb Roachford. Hitting the big time in 2005 when they received a Mer- cury Music Prize nomination for Held On The Tips Of Fingers - a crossover of jazz, funk, Caravan Vin Garbutt dance music, free jazz, electronica and drum The Robin, Bilston, Fri 7 March Lichfield Guildhall, Staffordshire, Sat 8 March & bass - they’re now back with new album In Peddling an enigmatic blend of psychedelic Vin Garbutt is a talented man. To begin with, Each And Every One, their first recording rock and jazz, Caravan emerged from the he’s one of the finest folk singers on the cir- since 2010. This King’s Heath show is one of 1960s progressive scene to become major cuit, with an idiosyncratic guitar style, great ten UK dates for the group. players in the 1970s Canterbury rock move- songs and an incredible, soaring voice. He’s ment. Even so, many feel they’ve never been also one of the funniest performers you’re given the credit they deserve, but then that’s likely to see (comedians included), reducing probably due to their lack of UK album chart audiences to hilarity with his surreal, Geordie- success - 1975’s Cunning Stunts was their accented ramblings, before hitting them with best effort, peaking at number fifty. The group yet another moving ballad or cheery jig. Oh, have taken various breaks since first disband- and as if all ing in 1978, but will next year celebrate the that's not twentieth anniversary of their most recent ref- enough, his tin ormation. whistle-playing's something to be- Backstreet Boys & hold too! Vin is highly rec- LG Arena, Birmingham, Wed 26 March ommended, but Azealia Banks The Backstreet Boys' back-catalogue in- be warned - he's cludes two of the most successful albums of O2 Academy, Birmingham, Thurs 27 March one of the folk all time, each boasting in excess of twenty circuit’s biggest Harlem-born bisexual singer Azealia Banks is million sales. In total, the fellas have notched draws, and certainly one feisty young rapper, having up more than one hundred-and-thirty million tends to sell out. waged feuds with a long list of fellow musi- album sales - making them the best-selling cians, including Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga and boy band in history - and are responsible for Lily Allen. Bursting onto the scene in 2008, hits like Quit Playing Games (With My Heart), The Stranglers when she adopted the pseudonym ‘Miss As Long As You Love Me and I Want It That O2 Academy, Birmingham, Sat 22 March; Bank$’ and began releasing her music Way. This latest tour sees them hitting the The Assembly, Leamington Spa, through MySpace, Azealia’s career really road with All Saints, whose early-career suc- Tues 11 March took off three years later when she topped cess included nine top ten singles (five of Formed forty years ago, The Stranglers were NME’s Cool List. A third-place finish in the which went to number one), two multi-plat- major players in the instigation of the UK BBC’s Sound Of 2012 competition provided inum albums, two gold albums and ten mil- punk rock scene, although later-career en- her with plenty more gratefully received expo- lion-plus record sales worldwide. deavours have seen them explore a variety of sure. She’s certainly no shrinking violet, and musical styles, including new wave, art rock, thinks nothing of peppering her song lyrics gothic rock and pop. with a selection of profanities - her debut sin- Mainstream success came their way courtesy gle, 212, saw her using the C-word more than of 1982 single Golden Brown, with other no- ten times. In fairness to her, she did try to put table hits including No More Heroes, a more acceptable spin on things by explain- Peaches, Always The Sun and Skin Deep. ing that “to be c...y is to be feminine and to With twenty-three UK top-forty singles and be, like, aware of yourself’. seventeen top-forty albums to their name, She appears in Birmingham in support of her there’ll certainly be plenty of great music to debut album, Broke With Expensive Taste. enjoy in this fortieth anniversary gig.

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LICHFIELD GUILDHALL MARCH Sat 1st Mar, 8pm Gigspanner Tickets: £14.00

Fri 7th Mar, 8pm Rock Night featuring: Stubblemelt, Mezzotonic and The Impendium Tickets: £6.00, Under 16: £4

Sat 8th Mar, 8pm Vin Garbutt Tickets: £14.00

Thurs 20th Mar, 7.30pm Stonnall Village Hall Steve Knightley Tickets: £16.00

Sat 29th Mar, 8pm The Phil Beer Band Tickets: £16.00 APRIL

Sun 6th Apr, 8pm Fay Hield and the THE EASY WAY TO Hurricane Party BOOK Tickets: £14.00 Fri 18th Apr, 8pm YOUR TICKETS The Lucy Ward Band ONLINE Tickets: £16.00 Sat 26th Apr, 8pm King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys Tickets: £16.00

whatsonlive.co.uk MAY

Sat 3rd May, 8pm Fred Zeppelin The most comprehensive what’s on listings website Tickets: £10.00

for Birmingham and the West Midlands For a programme or further information contact: Donegal House, Bore Street, Lichfield. WS13 6LU BOX OFFICE 01543 262223 www.lichfieldarts.org.uk You can now book on-line www.lichfieldarts.org.uk

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JOE MCELDERRY The GIG REVIEWS LISTINGS Place, Oakengates, Music Music Telford SOLID SOUL The Jam House, Birmingham For further reviews, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk For full listing information on gigs, THE DUBLIN LEGENDS including times and dates, Birmingham Town Hall visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk CROWBAR The Sug- Depeche Mode armill, Stoke-on-Trent RHAPSODY QUEEN The- LG Arena, Birmingham atre Severn, Shrews- Depeche Mode brought their Delta Machine show to Birmingham’s LG SAT 1 MAR TUE 4 MAR bury Arena for the one and only UK date on their European winter tour. In a GREEN HAZE & LINK 182 career spanning over thirty years, the band have garnered a reputa- MIKE AND THE MECHAN- THE CHANTEL MCGREGOR The Roadhouse, Birm- ingham tion for electric live performances. They also have a large back-cata- ICS & SADIE AND THE BAND The Robin, Bil- HOTHEADS SO CALLED ENEMY, logue to raid, so expectations were certainly high. Symphony ston Hall, Birmingham FAIRPORT CONVENTION CRASH CALLS, HIDDEN Kicking off with Welcome To My World and Angel, both from their most THE SEX PISTOLS EXPERI- Birmingham Town Hall SKIES & COLD OCEAN recent release, Delta Machine, lead singer Dave Gahan enticed us into ENCE The Roadhouse, CYPHER 16 & 61 INCH O2 LIES O2 Academy, a dark and tantalising realm with his strong vocals and seductive Birmingham Academy, Birmingham Birmingham THE SUPREMES Birch- DISCLOSURE O2 Acad- THOMAS J SPEIGHT The moves. The band were complemented on stage by Christian Eigner, Glee Club, Birmingham whose sharp and powerful drums gave extra weight to the synth meadow, Brosley, emy, Birmingham Shropshire EAGULLS Hare & HOSPITALITY The Rain- basslines. The piano accompaniment of Peter Gordano came into its BLACK STONE CHERRY Hounds, Birmingham bow Venues, B’ham own when Martin Gore took his turn in the spotlight, presenting haunt- Wulfrun Hall, Wolver- TEMPLES The Institute, THE ROBIN NOLAN TRIO ing renditions of Slow, Not Tonight and (later, during the encore) hampton Birmingham Theatre On The Steps, Bridgnorth Shake The Disease. THE COUNTERFEIT UP4 THE DOWNSTROKE STONES STUBBLEMELT, MEZZO- The bulk of the set took in classic mid-’80s to early-’90s albums Music Lichfield Gar- The Jam House, Birm- rick, Staffordshire ingham TONIC & IMPENDIUM For The Masses, Songs Of Faith And Devotion and Violator, with the KEEP IT CASH The Robin, Lichfield Guildhall, tracks Behind The Wheel and Personal Jesus being my favourites. It Bilston WED 5 MAR Staffordshire was great to hear Martin’s lead guitar coming to the fore, giving the DRUM & BASS AWARDS SAT 8 MAR show a rockier edge. Just Can’t Get Enough, I Feel You and Never Let 2014 The Institute, SHAKATAK The Jam Me Down were encores that topped off an exhilarating experience. Birmingham House, Birmingham GROOVE ARMADA DJ SET MIKE PETERS O2 Acad- SOLID SOUL The Jam Ted Finlay IIII The Rainbow Venues, emy, Birmingham House, Birmingham Birmingham BLACKBERRY SMOKE WHALEBONE Birch- ROY ORBISON AND Wulfrun Hall, Wolver- meadow, Broseley, Suzanne Vega FRIENDS Theatre Sev- hampton Shropshire ern, Shrewsbury CHRIS WOOD The Red WILDFLOWERS The Sun- Symphony Hall, Birmingham TALON - THE BEST OF EA- Lion Folk Club, Birm- flower Lounge, B’ham With a black top hat lending her an air of mystique, New York singer- GLES Solihull Arts ingham SIMON & GARFUNKEL: THROUGH THE YEARS songwriter Suzanne Vega announced her comeback in style with a Complex THE MARTIN HARLEY MOTOWN SOUL SPECTAC- Dovehouse Theatre, phenomenal opening performance of my favourite track, 1985’s Mar- BAND The Robin, Bil- ULAR The Place, Oaken- ston Solihull lene On The Wall. Vega swiftly struck up a great rapport with her audi- gates, Telford, ANAIS MITCHELL The SHAE, ROBIN SOLEIMANI, ence, while her sheer musical brilliance ensured that I barely Shropshire Glee Club, Birmingham NICOLA JAYNE, ALEX registered the absence of a backing band (she was accompanied PETER KNIGHT’S STRAIGHT LINES, HEY TWEEDIE & NARN The GIGSPANNER Lichfield VANITY & THE POET THE Sugarmill, Stoke-on- solely by guitarist Jerry Leonard, resulting in the creation of an inti- Trent mate ‘unplugged’ vibe). Her flawless delivery of Luka, and the title- Guildhall, Staffordshire PEOPLE Hare & Hounds, LUKE WYLDE AND THE Birmingham BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB track of her Grammy-nominated second album, Solitude Standing, JAPES O2 Academy, THE TENORS Lichfield O2 Academy, B’ham were well-received, but there was a heavy focus on promoting her first Birmingham Garrick, Staffordshire SWINGING 60S PARTY new album in seven years, Tales From The Realm Of The Queen Of WITH CUPID’S INSPIRA- Pentacles. The album’s beautiful vignettes strived to connect the mate- SUN 2 MAR TION Nailcote Hall, THU 6 MAR Berkswell rial world with the beyond, and Vega’s inimitable knack of infusing THE RAT PACK VEGAS BLACK COUNTRY METAL magic into the mundane made me feel privileged to be sharing her ex- THE MEATLOAF STORY SPECTACULAR Stratford FEST The Slade Rooms, traordinary, folk-inspired vision. New Alexandra Theatre, Wolverhampton Civic Hall Birmingham Her distinctive vocals still possessed that crystal , soaring on THE ELVIS YEARS STOMP & HOLLER The- Wolver- DAR WILLIAMS Henry heavenly tracks Jacob And The Angel and Horizon (There Is A Road), hampton Grand The- ater On The Steps, Tudor House, Shrews- Bridgnorth the more exuberant Crack In The Wall, and a genius sampling of 50 atre bury 5 SECONDS OF SUMMER WHITESNAKE, DEEP PUR- Cents Candy Shop on the catchy Don’t Uncork What You Can’t Con- VIRGIL & THE ACCELERA- PLE & DEF LEPPARD The The Institute, B’ham TORS The Robin, Bilston tain. I Never Wear White was just pure fun. Older mainstream classics, JUMP THE SHARK The Robin, Bilston The Queen And The Soldier, Rosemary, and her most commercially SALSA CELTICA MOTORKILL AND STONE- Robin, Bilston Birmingam Town Hall successful song, Tom’s Diner, emphasised her highly literate brand of GEORGE EZRA Hare & BROKEN Route 44, Birm- GET THE BLESSING Hare ingham storytelling. The new album ably illustrates what a continually evolving Hounds, Birmingham & Hounds, Birmingham DUNCAN CHISHOLM MID-DAY MANTRA - and uniquely talented artist Vega is. Her remarkable longevity is no The- BROTHER & BONES O2 atre Severn, Shrews- BENARES TO BIRMING- surprise. Welcome back, Suzanne. Academy, Birmingham HAM Symphony Hall, bury BOY JUMPS SHIP Hare & Malaka Chowdhury IIII JACK HARRIS The Hive, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham CREAM TOURS The Insti- Shrewsbury FAULKNER The Jam HATS OFF TO LED ZEPPE- tute, Birmingham House, Birmingham LIN O2 Academy, Birm- UNDER THE COVERS Irish Rizzle Kicks PARADISE 9, TANG & THE Centre, Birmingham ingham ROZ BRUCE INFUSION O2 Academy, Birmingham JOHN LENNON MCCUL- THE NOTEBENDERS The The Roadhouse, LAGH Hare & Hounds, Drum, Birmingham From the moment British hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks took to the stage, I Birmingham QUEEN ALIVE The Road- could sense we were in for a great show. When they kicked off with Birmingham GHOULS, ENQUIRY & RO- FRI 7 MAR house, Birmingham That’s Classic, it became clear my instincts were right. The two Rizzle MANS The Flapper, ANGEL HAZE O2 Acad- Kicks frontmen, Jordan Stephens and Harley Alexander-Sule, were full Birmingham emy, Birmingham THE SENSATIONAL 60S of energy from the get go, urging the mostly twentysomething crowd VIN GARBUTT Lichfield EXPERIENCE New Guildhall, Staffordshire to really get involved with the show. As expected, the duo played their MON 3 MAR Alexandra Theatre, most popular hits, including Lost Generation, Skip To The Good Bit Birmingham SUN 9 MAR ME FIRST & THE GIMME THE JOHNNY CASH ROAD- and Mama Do The Hump, as well as their favourite tracks from their GIMMES O2 Academy, SHOW Solihull Arts LA VILLA STRANGITO most recent album, Roaring 20s. The two boys didn’t once Birmingham The Complex Robin, Bilston stand still during the show, and were backed by an equally energetic DIANA JONES Hare & CARAVAN The Robin, DAR WILLIAMS Hare & Hounds, Birmingham five-piece band and DJ. When some confusion about which song was Bilston Hounds, Birmingham R5 The Institute, to be played next resulted in a humourous argument between the gui- GOLDIE Hare & Hounds, ALL TIME LOW O2 Acad- Birmingham tar player and Stephens, the crowd lapped it up, as they did the whole Birmingham emy, Birmingham NICK MULVEY The Glee performance. The boys ended the gig with their much-loved debut sin- VELVET TEXAS CANNON- THE ENGLISH BEAT O2 Club, Birmingham BALL, THE MIGHTY gle, Down With The Trumpets. THE CARRIVICK SISTERS Academy, Birmingham YOUNG & THE KALEIDO- FOOD FIGHTERZ The Ryan Humphreys IIII Kitchen Garden Cafe, SCOPES Hare & Roadhouse, B’ham Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham

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phony Hall, B’ham FALL OUT BOY National Music LISTINGS Indoor Arena, B’ham TORD GUSTAVSEN EN- SEMBLE Arena Theatre, For full listing information on gigs, Wolverhampton including times and dates, PHIL BATES TRIO The visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Robin, Bilston SCOTT MATTHEWS Henry Tudor House, Shrews- Lichfield Guildhall, bury MON 10 MAR Staffordshire STU LARSEN The Flap- THE DOORS EXPERIENCE per, Birmingham CHVRCHES The Institute, Route 44, Birmingham MARIKA HACKMAN Hare Birmingham RUTH ANGELL & SID PEA- & Hounds, Birmingham CAMEL Birmingham COCK BAND Symphony THE BORN AGAIN BEATLES Town Hall Hall, Birmingham The Roadhouse, B’ham MR APPOLLO The Cres- GOD IS AN ASTRONAUT cent Theatre, B’ham O2 Academy, B’ham AS ELEPHANTS ARE Hare MON 17 MAR & Hounds, Birmingham GRAHAM BONNET’S TUE 11 MAR JEF LEPPARD The Road- CATCH THE RAINBOW The house, Birmingham TOM HILL AND ZZ BOP Robin, Bilston SALOPIA, DAN BECKETT, The Jam House, B’ham CLANNAD & MARY BLACK SPOOKY WAGONS, DANIEL LISSIE The Institute, Symphony Hall, B’ham KIRK & MIKEY MARKS O2 Birmingham WALSALL JAZZ ORCHES- Claire Teal - Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Academy, Birmingham RODRIGUEZ Symphony TRA Forest Arts Centre, TORD GUSTAVSEN QUAR- 911 The Institute, B’ham Centre, Birmingham ROBIN BECK & HOUSE OF Hall, Birmingham Walsall TET CBSO Centre, Birm- THE OVERTONES Sym- HANK WANGFORD Lud- LORDS The Robin, Bil- LADY MAISERY Kitchen TOM PAXTON & JANIS IAN ingham phony Hall, B’ham low Assembly Rooms, ston Garden Cafe, B’ham Birmingham Town Hall DRAKE National Indoor South Shropshire DAUGHTRY O2 Academy, BREED 77 The Institute, LET IT BE New Alexandra Arena, Birmingham ARABELLA SPROT QUAR- Birmingham Birmingham SAT 15 MAR Theatre, Birmingham ZEPPELIN DREAMS TET Symphony Hall, THE RADIOPHONIC WORK- POLAR The Slade THE COAL PORTERS MR SCRUFF Hare & Wolverhampton Grand Birmingham SHOP Birmingham Town Rooms, Wolverhampton Kitchen Garden Cafe, Hounds, Birmingham Theatre Hall THE TELESCREEN Hare & Birmingham THE AUSTRALIAN PINK MONSTER TRUCK & Hounds, Birmingham BLACK JACK DAVEY Irish SAT 22 MAR FLLOYD SHOW National Centre, Birmingham SCORPION CHILD O2 TUE 25 MAR WED 12 MAR Indoor Arena, B’ham Academy, Birmingham THE SUBTERRANEANS ELLEN ALLIEN The Rain- GABRIELLE Birmingham The Jam House, B’ham TINIE TEMPAH Civic Hall, bow, Birmingham TUE 18 MAR Town Hall JAMES HOLROYD Hare & Wolverhampton MICHAEL BUBLE National GRAND MAGUS The JUST GROOVE BAND The Hounds, Birmingham LLOYD COLE Artrix, Indoor Arena, B’ham SPIERS AND BODEN Wul- Slade Rooms, Wolver- Jam House, B’ham NATIVES O2 Academy, Bromsgrove ARCHITECTS The Insti- fun Hall, Wolverhamp- hampton KATHRYN WILLIAMS Birmingham MAGNUM The Robin, Bil- tute, Birmingham ton ONEDUB Hare & Henry Tudor House, JEAN TOUISSANT The ston GOSPEL CENTRAL The TOVEY BROTHERS The Hounds, Birmingham Shrewsbury Hive, Shrewsbury INTERPOL, TEMPLES, Jam House, B’ham Jam House, B’ham ANDY MCKEE Birming- THE MISERS Hare & RUMOURS OF FLEET- ROYAL BLOOD & CIRCA SAM CARTER TRIO The HIGH TYDE, THE ASSIST, ham Town Hall Hounds, Birmingham WOOD MAC Birmingham WAVES O2 Academy, Red Lion Folk Club, ATLAS, DEMMA The UNFORGETTABLE Crewe JUNGLE Hare & Hounds, Town Hall Birmingham Birmingham Roadhouse, B’ham Lyceum Birmingham ONLY REAL Sunflower I AM GIANT The Slade THE COAL PORTERS New ONE REPUBLIC O2 Acad- WE ARE SCIENTISTS The STEVE KNIGHTLEY Lich- Lounge, Birmingham Rooms, Wolverhampton Vic Theatre, Newcastle- emy, Birmingham Institute, Birmingham field Guildhall TYKETTO Wulfrun Hall, under-Lyme GREGORY PORTER Birm- SIMON GOODALL PER- JONATHAN SILK QUINTET Wolverhampton VOODOO SIX The Slade ingham Town Hall WED 26 MAR FORMS CLIFF RICHARD The Yardbird Jazz Club, SOULSHAKE The Yard- Rooms, Wolverhampton CLASSIC LEGENDS OF SONGBOOK The Cres- Birmingham bird Jazz Club, B’ham THREE STEP MANOEUVRE ROCK & FOLK - THE TINIE TEMPAH Civic Hall, cent Theatre, B’ham THE STRANGLERS O2 FUNKY ORGAN TRIO The STRAWBS, CURVED AIR & Wolverhampton BAD MANNERS The Academy, Birmingham Yardbird Jazz Club, WISHBONE ASH Theatre FRI 21 MAR THE BACKSTREET BOYS Robin, Bilston JASON DERULO National Birmingham Severn, Shrewsbury LG Arena, Birmingham RUTHIE HENSHALL DRAKE National Indoor Indoor Arena, B’ham THE ACOUSTIC STRAWBS CHELSEA GRIN The Slade JOHNNY FOREIGNER The Stafford Gatehouse Arena, Birmingham The Red Lion Folk Club, THU 13 MAR Rooms, Wolverhampton ZEPPELIN DREAMS Flapper, Birmingham Theatre Birmingham THE PASADENA ROOF OR- STEEL PANTHER Civic Wolverhampton Grand JERSEY 4 The Robin, Bil- RECKLESS HEART The WED 19 MAR CHESTRA Alington Hall, Hall, Wolverhampton Theatre ston Robin, Bilston FRANZ FERDINAND O2 Shrewsbury School THE ZZ TOPS The Road- HARRY MANX The Robin, JAMES SAYER BAND The THE SELECTER O2 Acad- Academy, Birmingham TRAGEDY The Robin, Bil- house, Birmingham Bilston Jam House, B’ham emy, Birmingham STEVE KNIGHTLEY Wem ston BONAFIDE The Institute, THE QUIK BEATS The Jam NURVRAX JAM The Yard- YBY TRIO The Yardbird Town Hall, Shropshire SALSA CELTICA Theatre Birmingham House, Birmingham bird Jazz Club, B’ham Jazz Club, Birmingham THE DUALERS The Robin, Severn, Shrewsbury LOVATS, ATLAS, THE LOVE/HATE The Slade GOLDFRAPP Symphony MICHAEL BUBLE National Bilston DEXTERS The Sugarmill, SCRIBERS & LARANJA Rooms, Wolverhampton Hall, Birmingham Indoor Arena, B’ham WHITE NOISE THEORY Stoke-on-Trent Hare & Hounds, B’ham BELINDA O’HOOLEY & THE WEBB SISTERS The EAGLES BORN VULTURES, The Sugarmill, Stoke- MONSTER JAW & JOOLZ JOHNNY NORMAL - HEIDI TIDOW The Red Glee Club, Birmingham THEIR SOULS FOR GOLD, on-Trent DENBY The Slade AMONG THE ECHOES & Lion Folk Club, B’ham EMILY MACQUIRE Kitchen THIS MEMORY & WHERE THE SUBTERRANEANS Rooms, Wolverhampton SINESTAR EURASIANEYES THE ANSWER The Sug- Garden Cafe, B’ham I’M BOUND O2 Academy, The Jam House, B’ham REUBEN ARCHER’S PER- The Flapper, B’ham armill, Stoke-on-Trent STORY BOOKS Hare & Birmingham ENDORPHINMACHINE - SONAL SIN Newhampton THE ABBEY ROAD EXPERI- SUZI & THE BACKBEATS Hounds, Birmingham LUKE CONCANNON & PRINCE TRIBUTE The Arts Centre, Wolver- ENCE Theatre On The The Actress & Bishop, JIMMY DAVIS Hare & Roadhouse, B’ham hampton Steps, Bridgnorth, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham STIFF LITTLE FINGERS THE NOTORIOUS BROTH- THU 27 MAR Shropshire THE MIDNIGHT BEAST The MOOD INDIGO The Jam Wulfrun Hall, Wolver- ERS Route 44, B’ham DIRTY LITTLE LIES The Institute, Birmingham DEL CAMINO The Jam House, Birmingham hampton Actress & Bishop, House, Birmingham METRONOMY The Insti- Birmingham SUN 23 MAR AZEALIA BANKS O2 FRI 14 MAR THU 20 MAR tute, Birmingham SOLIWORK The Institute, Academy, Birmingham CHIMAIRA The Slade THE FOUR TOPS AND THE Birmingham KODALINE O2 Academy, POLAR BEAR Hare & DETROIT SOUL The Jam Rooms, Wolverhampton TEMPTATIONS National CLARE TEAL Theatre Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham House, Birmingham CARA DILLON Theatre Indoor Arena, B’ham Severn, Shrewsbury OBZIDIAN, STRANGER IN REBECCA FERGUSON Sym FRED ZEPPELIN & DIZZY Severn, Shrewsbury DAN CROLL The Institute, ELVIS NIGHT The River DEATH, THIS MEMORY & phony Hall, B’ham LIZZY The Robin, Bilston THE MERSEY BEATLES Birmingham Rooms, Stourbridge ENRAPTURED The Road- SAINT RAYMOND The In- MAXIMO PARK The Insti- Stafford Gatehouse JIMMY BUCKLEY Theatre ARRIVAL UK The Place, house, Birmingham stitute, Birmingham tute, Birmingham Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Oakengates, Telford OYSTERBAND The Robin, THE TOY HEARTS Theatre MILES KANE Wulfrun THE WILL POUND BAND UGLY DUCKLING Hare & FULLY LOADED Route 44, Bilston Severn, Shrewsbury Hall, Wolverhampton The Edge Arts Centre, Hounds, Birmingham Birmingham THE MANFREDS Stafford DAN WHITEHOUSE Sym- SLAM CARTEL The Slade Much Wenlock, South HEARTBREAKER & MISS- SHE’KOYOKH Symphony Gatehouse Theatre phony Hall, B’ham Rooms, Wolverhampton Shropshire LED The Roadhouse, Hall, Birmingham RED FANG The Institute, MR SCRUFF Hare & LOVEABLE ROGUES The Birmingham RADIO CHARMERS O2 Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham Institute, Birmingham FRI 28 MAR Academy, Birmingham THE WANTED LG Arena, ELLA EYRE The Institute, BANKS The Institute, Birmingham MON 24 MAR STUART MCCALLUM Ikon Birmingham Birmingham SUN 16 MAR RUMOURS OF FLEET- Gallery, Birmingham KEITH BALL AND THE THE OLD DANCE SCHOOL WOOD MAC Theatre Sev- RUSSELL WATSON Sym- THE X FACTOR TOUR LG KENNY BALL JAZZMEN mac - Midlands Arts DMS IN CONCERT Sym- ern, Shrewsbury phony Hall, B’ham Arena, Birmingham

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MILES HUNT & ERICA Venues, Birmingham NOCKTAILS The Slade- SAT 29 MAR JIGSAW SOUND CHOIR Music Venues Box Office Rooms, Wolverhampton Ludlow Assembly KATE RUSBY Crewe Rooms, South Shrop- THE X FACTOR TOUR Birmingham THE YARDBIRD Staffordshire Lyceum Chance to catch up with shire 0121 212 2524 HERMAN’S HERMITS Tam- this year’s finalists, in- IVOR & LYNN’S CLASSIC 02 ACADEMY FOXLOWE ARTS CENTRE, LEEK 0121 622 8250 01538 386112 worth Assembly cluding Sam Bailey, ROCK DISCO Route 44, Black Country Rooms, Staffordshire Luke Friend & Sam Birmingham THE ACTRESS & BISHOP LICHFIELD GUILDHALL 0121 236 7426 CIVIC HALL, WOLVERHAMPTON 01543 262223 HIGHER ON MAIDEN The Callahan at the LG VALOUS O2 Academy, 0870 320 7000 ADRIAN BOULT HALL Roadhouse, B’ham Arena, B’ham Birmingham THE SUGARMILL, HANLEY 0121 331 5901 DUDLEY CONCERT HALL STOKE-ON-TRENT HOWLER The Institute, ROCKABILLY ALL DAYER 01384 815577 THE ASYLUM 01159 454 593 Birmingham Irish Centre, B’ham FOREST ARTS CENTRE WIN TICKETS !!! 0121 233 1109 TAMWORTH ASSEMBLY ROOMS B’SPOKE The Jam INTO THE SHADOWS 0845 111 2898 What’s On has joined THE BARBER INSTITUTE 01827 709618 House, Birmingham Prince Of Wales Centre, 0121 414 7333 NEWHAMPTON ARTS CENTRE JACK BRUCE BIG BLUES with organisers of this Cannock 01902 572090 VICTORIA HALL, HANLEY year’s X Factor Live BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL 0870 060 6649 BAND The Robin, Bilston ONLY HUMAN The Slade 0121 780 3333 ROBIN 2, BILSTON KATY B The Institute, Tour to offer readers Rooms, Wolverhampton 01902 401211 STAFFORD GATEHOUSE the chance to win a CBSO CENTRE 01785 254653 Birmingham 0121 780 3333 SLADE ROOMS ABC Symphony Hall, pair of tickets to the WOLVERHAMPTON SUN 30 MAR FLAPPER 0121 236 2421 0870 320 7000 Warwickshire Birmingham event on 29 March. ELIO PACE The Robin, STOURBRIDGE TOWN HALL THE ASSEMBLY, LEAMINGTON RUTHIE HENSHALL The- Visit www.whatson- Bilston 0871 472 0400 01384 812812 01926 311311 atre Severn, Shrews- live.co.uk for details THE SOLID SILVER 60S HARE & HOUNDS WULFRUN HALL, THE KASBAH, COVENTRY bury 0121 444 2081 SHOW Wolverhampton WOLVERHAMPTON 024 7655 4473 MANRAN Theatre Sev- 0870 320 7000 Grand Theatre INSTITUTE NAILCOTE HALL, ern, Shrewsbury HUSTLE! XIII Hare & 0121 643 0428 GLENN MILLER ORCHES- BERKSWELL FIVE FINGER DEATH Hounds, Birmingham Shropshire TRA Theatre Severn, IRISH CENTRE 02476 46 6174 PUNCH O2 Academy, UNDER AFRICAN SKIES 0121 622 2314 Shrewsbury BIRCHMEADOW, BROSELEY STRATFORD CIVIC HALL Birmingham Crewe Lyceum THE JAM HOUSE 01952 882210 RAYMOND FROGGATT The 01789 207100 THE MOVE Marr’s Bar, THAT’LL BE THE DAY The- 0121 200 3030 THE BUTTERMARKET, Slade Rooms, Wolver- THE TIN MUSIC & ARTS, Worcester atre Severn, Shrews- THE KITCHEN GARDEN CAFE SHREWSBURY hampton COVENTRY WINSTON’S BIG BROTHER bury 0121 443 4725 01743 355055 0247 655 9958 BIPOLAR SUNSHINE The O2 Academy, B’ham SOULED OUT 2 FUNK The LG ARENA THE EDGE ARTS CENTRE, BULL-RIFF STAMPEDE, Roadhouse, B’ham Institute, Birmingham 0844 338 8000 MUCH WENLOCK Worcestershire CHARLIE LANDSBOROUGH 01952 728911 REIGN OF FURY, SEPREVA- BIG COUNTRY The Robin, NIA ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE HENRY TUDOR HOUSE TION, INTERNAL CONFLICT Bilston Prince Of Wales Centre, 0844 338 8000 01527 577330 Cannock SHREWSBURY & ABADDEN Scruffy Mur- RUNRIG Symphony Hall, THE RAINBOW 01743 361666 HUNTINGDON HALL / SWAN 0121 772 8174 THEATRE 01905 611427 phys, Birmingham Birmingham THE HIVE, SHREWSBURY MARTIN TROTMAN AND AGAINST THE WHEEL The MON 31 MAR RED LION FOLK CLUB 01743 234970 MARR’S BAR, WORCESTER 0121472 4253 01905 613336 THE JUST GROOVE BAND Actress & Bishop, LUDLOW ASSEMBLY ROOMS Symphony Hall, Birmingham ALL OUR YESTERDAYS THE ROADHOUSE 01584 878141 THE RIVER ROOMS, Solihull Arts Complex 0121 459 5660 Birmingham BLAKE Lichfield Garrick, THEATRE SEVERN, STOURBRIDGE THE BUSBY BABES Fleet Staffordshire JACK SAVORETTI The ROUTE 44 SHREWSBURY 01743 281281 01384 397177 0121 708 0108 Street Kitchen, B’ham THE PHIL BEER BAND Slade Rooms, Wolver- THE PLACE, OAKENGATES, THE DOLL MECHANIC, Lichfield Guildhall hampton SYMPHONY HALL TELFORD 01952 382382 0121 780 3333 For additional information BLUE NATION & SWEET DOM KENNEDY The Insti- WEM TOWN HALL HEAVEN’S BASEMENT O2 and to find out What’s On LILY Route 44, B’ham tute, Birmingham THE VICTORIA 01939 232299 Academy, Birmingham 0121 633 9439 at these venues. FOUR TET The Rainbow Visit: www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Stratford Civic Hall Stoke Victoria Hall Sunday 2nd March Saturday 31st May 01789 207 100 0844 871 7649 For full details on all shows visit www.ratpack.biz

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PREVIEWS Tamsin Waley-Cohen Classical Music Stratford Civic Hall, Stratford-upon-Avon, Tues 11 March; Birmingham Town Hall, Wed 19 March Described by as a per- former of ‘fearless intensity’, Tamsin Waley-Cohen is an acclaimed violinist who’s much in demand. As well as per- forming with some of the world’s most reputable orchestras, Tamsin is also a sought-after recitalist, the founder of the Honeymead Ensemble, and an Associate Artist with the Stratford-based Orchestra of the Swan - with whom she’s performing in both of these concerts. Bringing a touch of Eastern promise to the Midlands, and under the baton of David Curtis, Tamsin performs a programme of pieces by Vien- nese masters whose work has been inspired by Turkish music. Boccherini’s Symphony No11, Mozart’s Violin Concerto No.5, Turkish Rondo for violin and orches- tra in B flat, and Haydn’s Symphony No 22, The Philosopher, all feature.

English Touring Opera - The Magic Flute and Paul Bunyan Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Mon 17 - Tues 18 March English Touring Opera (ETO) returns to the region to present two very different productions. First is a revival of Liam Steel’s critically acclaimed 2009 version of Mozart’s final masterpiece, The Magic Flute. Sung in English, the opera tours with a live orchestra under the baton of con- ductors Michael Rosewell and James Southall. Also in the programme is a version of Benjamin Britten’s least-performed opera, Paul Bunyan, on which he collaborated with the poet WH Auden. This ETO production marks the first time the 1941 work has toured England. The main character of Bunyan - a mythical lumberjack and one of the most famous figures in North American folklore - is an off-stage role that’s here per- formed by Golden Globe Award-winning actor Damien Lewis. English Touring Opera travels to more regions and plays more venues than any other English opera company, presenting as many as one hundred-and-ten performances every year. The company’s stated aim is to make opera accessible to everyone. It achieves this not only via its varied repertoire of professional productions but also through an ambitious outreach pro- gramme that comprises an average of one hundred-and-seventy workshops and performances each year, ranging from full-scale community operas to intimate presentations in care facilities.

Julian And Jiaxin Lloyd Northern Chamber Orchestra Holy Trinity Church, Oswestry, North Webber: A Tale Of Two Cellos Shropshire, Fri 28 March Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock, Thurs 13 March Under the direction of Nicholas Ward, Northern Chamber Orchestra (NCO) is Celebrated cellist Julian Lloyd Webber’s held in high regard for presenting a diverse impressive repertoire features premieres of no programme of works which highlight both fewer than sixty works for cellos. He’s also col- its versatility and virtuosity. Here joined by laborated with some of the world’s most Jennifer Pike, the orchestra presents renowned musicians, including Lord Yehudi Mendelssohn’s String Symphony No.1, Menuhin, Lorin Maazel, Stephan Grappelli and Bruch’s Violin Concerto No1 in G minor, Sir Elton John. This latest much-anticipated David Ellis’ September Threnody and concert sees Lloyd Webber team up with wife Haydn’s Symphony No83 in G minor La and fellow cellist Jiaxin to present duets for two Poule. A former student at Chetham’s cellos with piano. The evening’s programme School of Music, one-time BBC Young features works from across the classical spec- Musician of the Year Jennifer has a long trum, including pieces by Vivaldi, Arvo Part, association with the NCO, having first Dvorak, Bach, Rachmaninov, Saint-Saens and Pavel Haas Quartet appeared with them at the tender age of Schumann. Birmingham Town Hall, Sun 23 March twelve. Taking its name from the acclaimed Czech composer, the Pavel Haas Quartet formed in 2002, won the prestigious Paolo Borciani competition in 2005, and is now widely regarded as one of the great chamber ensembles of modern times. Regularly per- forming at some of the world’s most rep- utable concert halls, the Prague-based group this month performs the second con- cert in its Town Hall residency, presenting a programme of three central European clas- sics: Haydn’s String Quartet in D, Op 76, No5; Dvorak’s String Quartet No 10 in E flat, Slavonic; and Brahms’ String Quartet No 2 in A minor. 20 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Classical March Region Two _Layout 1 24/02/2014 09:34 Page 2

PERFORMANCE PLAT- (piano), Tue 25 Mar, JIGSAW SOUND CHOIR Sat 29 Mar, Elgar Con- LISTINGS FORM - THOMAS RIEBL Symphony Hall, B’ham Sat 29 Mar, Ludlow cert Hall, Bramhall Classical Programme includes GERGELY BOGANYI Pro- Assembly Rooms, Music Building, B’ham works by J.S Bach, gramme includes works South Shropshire LAST NIGHT OF THE For full listing information on classical Rudolf Jungwirth & by Liszt, Bartok & BIRMINGHAM JUNIOR SPRING PROMS Sun 30 concerts, including times and dates, Schubert, Tue 18 Mar, Schumann, Tue 25 Mar, CONSERVATOIRE END OF Mar, Symphony Hall, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Adrian Boult Hall, Birm- Adrian Boult Hall, Birm- TERM CONCERT Sat 29 Birmingham ingham ingham Mar, Adrian Boult Hall, GLENN MILLER ORCHES- BRAZILLIAN BAROQUE: A ing the UK premiere of CAMERON CARPENTER IN THE ENGLISH CONCERT Birmingham TRA Sun 30 Mar, The- MUSICAL ELDORADO Fea- Jonathan Harvey’s CONCERT Programme Programme includes BIRMINGHAM BACH atre Severn, Shrews- turing Ex Cathedra Vajra, Fri 7 Mar, The includes works by J S works by Telemann, CHOIR: SONGS OF THE bury Choir and Baroque Barber Institute, B’ham Bach & Vaughan CPE Bach & JS Bach, LAMB Sat 29 Mar, The THOMAS TROTTER - C.P.E Orchestra, Sat 1 Mar, RECITAL WITH TIM HARP- Williams, Wed 19 Mar, Wed 26 Mar, The Bar- Oratory, Birmingham BACH 300TH ANNIVER- Birmingham Town Hall ER Fri 7 Mar, Birming- Symphony Hall, B’ham ber Institute, Birming- MOZART’S REQUIEM WITH SARY CONCERT Mon 31 PIANO RECITAL BY LLYR ham Cathedral TAMSIN WALEY-COHEN ham BIRMINGHAM CHORAL Mar, Birmingham Town WILLIAMS Programme SHOSTAKOVICH’S FIFTH PERFORMS MOZART’S KING’S MEN CONCERT UNION Programme Hall includes works by Featuring Michael Seal TURKISH CONCERTO Wed Capella singing by includes works by Mozart, Beethoven, and Paul Rissman, Sat 19 Mar, Birmingham choral scholars of Mendelssohn & Mozart, Schubert, Schumann, 8 Mar, Symphony Hall, Town Hall King’s College, Cam- Chopin - Polonaise Birmingham MELODIAS ESPANOLAS bridge, Thurs 27 Mar, Fantasie Op.61; LA BOHEME Ellen Kent Featuring Iuno Connolly Birmingham Cathedral Mazurkas - Szy- Opera present Puccini's (soprano), Theodora NORTHERN CHAMBER Classical Box Office manowski, Sat 1 Mar, romantic opera. Sung Raftis (soprano), Daniel ORCHESTRA WITH JEN- Alington Hall, Shrews- in Italian with English Bovey (guitar) and NIFER PIKE Programme ADRIAN BOULT HALL, B’HAM CBSO CENTRE, bury School surtitles, Sat 8 Mar, Julian Vickers (guitar), includes works by 0121 331 5901 BIRMINGHAM CBSO FAMILY CONCERT - New Alexandra Theatre, Thurs 20 Mar, Sympho- Mendelssohn, Bruch & ALINGTON HALL, 0121 780 3333 CARNIVAL OF ANIMALS Birmingham ny Hall, Birmingham Haydn, Fri 28 Mar, Holy SHREWSBURY LICHFIELD GARRICK Featuring Michael Seal, ASHLEY FRIPP: ANNEES ALEXANDER PANFILOV Trinity Church, Shrews- 01743 280500 01543 412121 Nikky Smedley and DE PELERINAGE Pro- Programme includes bury BARBER INSTITUTE, LUDLOW ASSEMBLY ROOMS, CBSO Young Voices, gramme includes works works by Debussy & BENJAMIN BAKER & CAR- BIRMINGHAM SOUTH SHROPSHIRE Sun 2 Mar, Symphony by Haydn, Thomas Rachmaninov, Fri 21 OLE PRESLAND Pro- 0121 414 7333 01584 878141 Hall, Birmingham Ades and Liszt, Tue 11 Mar, The Barber Insti- gramme includes works VIENNA TONKUNSTLER March, Birmingham tute, Birmingham by Strauss & Heinrich BIRMINGHAM NEW ALEXANDRA THEATRE ORCHESTRA AND JOHN Town Hall LA BOHEME Ellen Kent Ernst, Fri 28 Mar, The CONSERVATOIRE BIRMINGHAM LIL PLAY BEETHOVEN CBSO PLAYERS Pro- Opera present Puccini's Barber Institute, Birm- 0121 331 5901/2 0844 871 3011 Featuring Andres Oroz- gramme includes works romantic opera. Sung ingham BIRMINGHAM & MIDLAND REGENT THEATRE, STOKE- co-Estrada and John by Haydn & Mozart, in Italian with English REQUIEM Performed by INSTITUTE ON-TRENT Lill, Sun 2 Mar, Sym- Wed 12 Mar, CBSO surtitles, Fri 21 Mar, the Birmingham Con- 0121 236 3591 0844 871 7627 phony Hall, B’ham Centre, Birmingham Regent Theatre, Stoke- servatoire Repertoire BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME STAFFORD GATEHOUSE RISING STARS: JANOS CBSO RACHMANINOV’S on-Trent Orchestra and Birming- 0844 3385000 THEATRE BALAZS JR Programme SECOND SYMPHONY Fea- ENGLISH CHAMBER ham Conservatoire 01785 254 653 includes works by turing Mikhail ORCHESTRA Fri 21 Mar, Chorus Soloists. Pro- BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL Beethoven, Chopin, Tatarnikov and Peter Victoria Hall, Stoke-on- gramme includes works 0121 780 3333 SYMPHONY HALL, Mendelssohn & Liszt, Donohoe. Programme Trent by Faure & Mozart, Fri BRAMALL CONCERT HALL, BIRMINGHAM Sun 2 Mar, Birmingham includes works by Mus- AIDA Presented by Ellen 28 Mar, Adrian Boult BIRMINGHAM 0121 780 3333 Town Hall sorgsky, Dohnayi & Kent and Amphitheatre Hall, Birmingham 0121 414 3344 CARMEN Russian State Rachmaninov, Wed 12 - Productions, Sat 22 BLAKE Sat 29 Mar, Lich- Ballet & Opera House Thurs 13 Mar, Sympho- Mar, Regent Theatre, field Garrick present Bizet's passion- ny Hall, Birmingham Stoke-on-Trent ate opera, Sun 2 Mar, A TALE OF TWO CELLOS FRON MALE VOICE CHOIR Stafford Gatehouse Thurs 13 Mar, Prince Of Sat 22 Mar, St Chad’s Theatre Wales Centre, Cannock Church, Shrewsbury CARDUCCI STRING QUAR- BIRMINGHAM SMALL BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONIC TET Sun 2 Mar, Maid- ENSEMBLE SERIES - WINDS Featuring Keith ment Hall, Shrewsbury SPOTLIGHT ON HARP Allen (conductor), Han- School Thurs 13 Mar, Birming- nah Marcinowicz (saxo- PERFORMANCE PLAT- ham Conservatoire phone) & the Solihull FORM Featuring Isabel SAN FRANCISCO SYM- Youth Wind Orchestra, Villanueva (viola) & Ste- PHONY AND MICHAEL Sat 22 Mar, CBSO Cen- fan Stroissnig (piano). TILSON THOMAS Pro- tre, Birmingham Programme includes gramme includes works THE LONDON CONCER- works by Schumann, by Ives (arr Brant), TANTE CHAMBER ENSEM- Britten & Brahms, Tue 4 John Adams & Berlioz, BLE Present Vivaldi’s Mar, Adrian Boult Hall, Fri 14 Mar, Symphony Four Seasons by Can- Birmingham Hall, Birmingham dlelight, Sat 22 Mar, LA TRAVIATA Welsh FEELIN’ BLUE - BEAUFORT Birmingham Cathedral National Opera present ENSEMBLE Fri 14 Mar, PAVEL HASS QUARTET Verdi's tragic opera. Adrian Boult Hall, Birm- Sun 23 Mar, Birming- Linda Richardson, ingham ham Town Hall Leonardo Capalbo & CHETHAM’S SCHOOL OF THE ARMED MAN A Mass Alan Opie star, Tue 4 - MUSIC Programme for Peace by Karl Jenk- Sat 8 Mar, Birmingham comprises Messiaen’s ins performed by Shif- Hippodrome quartet for clarinet, vio- nal Chorale and The MANON LESCAUT Welsh lin, cello & piano, Fri 14 Shropshire Chamber National Opera present Mar, The Barber Insti- Orchestra, Sun 23 Mar, Mariusz Trelinski’s con- tute, Birmingham The Edge Arts Centre, temporary production MUSIC FOR LUNCH Much Wenlock, South of Puccini's tale of RECITAL WITH MICHAEL Shropshire obsession and self- STODDART Fri 14 Mar, A FEAST OF GILBERT & destruction, Wed 5 Mar Birmingham Cathedral SULLIVAN A concert - Fri 7 Mar, Birmingham PAUL BUNYAN Presented recapturing the fun and Hippodrome by English Touring magic of the original BOULEVARD SOLITUDE Opera, Mon 17 - Tue 18 D'Oyly Carte Opera Thurs 6 Mar, Birming- Mar, Wolverhampton Company, Sun 23 Mar, ham Hippodrome Grand Theatre Lichfield Garrick CBSO RACHMANINOV’S LUNCHTIME ORGAN CON- SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA SECOND PIANO CONCER- CERT WITH THOMAS Programme includes TO Featuring Michael TROTTER Programme works by Liley, Elgar & Seal and Gabriela Mon- includes works by Han- Vaughan Williams, Sun tero, Thurs 6 Mar, Sym- del, Martin, Elgar & 23 Mar, Elgar Concert phony Hall, B’ham Reubke, Mon 17 Mar, Hall, Bramhall Music POULENC’S DIALOGUES Birmingham Town Hall Building, Birmingham DES CARMELITES Thur 6 BRASS THROUGH THE SIR ROGER NORRINGTON - Sat 8 Mar, Birming- AGES Harry Jepson CONDUCTS MOZART Fea- ham Conservatoire presents various brass turing Zurich Chamber NEW MUSIC ENSEMBLE works from across all Orchestra, Sir Roger Featuring music periods, Mon 17 Mar, Norrington (conductor) inspired by Asia, includ- Birmingham Cathedral and Jonathan Biss

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Andrew Lawrence Comedy Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Fri 7 March; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Thurs 20 March; The Glee Club, Box Office Birmingham Weds 2 April He's not a particularly well known or much- ALEXANDRA THEATRE, BIRMINGHAM lauded funnyman, but 0844 871 3011 Andrew Lawrence ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE nonetheless knows 01527 577330 what he's doing when BEDWORTH CIVIC HALL it comes to splitting 02476 376707 sides and tickling ribs. BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL 0121 780 3333 He's appeared on THE DRUM, BIRMINGHAM Michael McIntyre’s 0121 333 2444 Comedy Roadshow, DUDLEY CONCERT HALL and has been nomi- 01384 815 577 nated both for GLEE CLUB, BIRMINGHAM 0871 4720400 and HIGHLIGHT, BIRMINGHAM, awards. 0844 844 0044 HUNTINGDON HALL, WORCESTER, 01905 611427 FOXLOWE ARTS CENTRE, Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury, LEEK, STAFFS Weds 12 March 01538 386112 Joe Lycett may have been described as a fella KITCHEN GARDEN CAFE, whose act blends a little of Larry Grayson and a BIRMINGHAM 0121 443 4725 dash of Julian Clary with a large helping of LG ARENA, BIRMINGHAM Kenneth Williams, but he’s nonetheless very 0844 338 8000 much his own man. Joe comes from the well- Jack Whitehall LUDLOW ASSEMBLY established British tradition of camp comedi- ROOMS National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, Fri 14 March ans, and presents a somewhat risque act that 01584 878141 ably showcases both A fella who’s had no trouble whatsoever getting his boat race on the MAC, BIRMINGHAM goggle-box, Jack Whitehall’s highly animated style of delivery is 0121 446 3232 his natural charisma PALACE THEATRE, and impressive developing all the time - as is his repertoire of material, which regu- REDDITCH capacity for mischief- larly includes such subject matter as his father’s shameless 01527 65203 making. Gags include, attempts to get quoted in his show, his comical schooldays and the THE PUBLIC, WEST experience of being caught snorting coke by the News Of The BROMWICH "What do we want!? 0121 533 7161 World. Jokes include: “If my dad could see me up here now, he'd More research into a DRUMMONDS BAR, cure for ADHD! When be very impressed. But you know, I'm sure wherever my dad is now, WORCESTER do we want it!? Let's he would be looking down on us. He's not dead, just very conde- 01905 28190 scending.” RICOH ARENA, COVENTRY play swingball!" 0844 873 6565 THE ROSES THEATRE TEWKESBURY Rich Hall 01684 295074 Hal Cruttenden The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Weds 5 March; The Glee Club, ROYAL SPA CENTRE, The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton, Thurs 20 Birmingham, Weds 12 March; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South LEAMINGTON SPA March; The Place, Telford, Weds 30 April; Royal Shropshire, Thurs 24 April; Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, 01926 334418 Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Fri 30 May; Sat 10 May STAFFORD GATEHOUSE Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, Thurs 16 October THEATRE His official biography somewhat less than modestly describes 01785 254653 Given that he’s so much more than ‘just anoth- American funnyman Rich Hall as ‘a grouchy, deadpan, comic SOLIHULL ARTS COMPLEX er stand-up’, Hal Cruttenden must’ve been genius’. It also explains that he 0121 704 6962 delighted when the Daily Telegraph wrote of ‘quit his job as a hurricane- THE SLADE ROOMS, WOLVERHAMPTON him, ‘He’s naturally funny, but he’s evolving namer for the United States 0870 320 7000 here into something more challenging and meteorological service’ more THE GEORGE HOTEL, provocative than some jolly-faced follower in than two decades ago - since BURSLEM, STAFFS the footsteps of Michael McIntyre’. Alongside which time, it’s fair to say, the 07763301081 sun has been smiling rather TAMWORTH ASSEMBLY his comedy, Hal’s also an oft-seen actor, having ROOMS appeared in TV shows such as EastEnders and warmly on the hugely talented 01827 709618 Kavanagh QC, and on film in Mrs Virginian. With much of his THEATRE SEVERN, Dalloway and The Madness Of comedy centring on making fun SHREWSBURY 01743 281281 King George. As a laughter-mer- of life across the pond in his VICTORIA HALL, HANLEY, chant, he places great empha- , Rich is perhaps best STOKE-ON-TRENT sis on cleverly constructed known for his creation of Otis 0844 871 7649 punchlines, and is always Lee Crenshaw, a bourbon-swill- WARWICK ARTS CENTRE happy to ridicule himself in ing redneck jailbird from 02476 524524 Tennessee whose many wives WEST BROMWICH TOWN the name of comedy. To HALL sum up, the man’s not only have all been named Brenda. 0121 596 4429 funny, he’s becoming funnier... Rich’s jokes include: “A hotel WULFRUN HALL, Not bad for a fella whose come- mini-bar allows you to see into WOLVERHAMPTON 0870 320 7000 dy break came writing traffic the future and find out what a reports for the BBC! can of Pepsi will cost in 2020”.

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& MRS BARBARA NICE Place, Oakengates JOHNATHAN MAYOR & MATT BANKS & GARY Tues 11 Mar, The Light Theatre, Telford LUKE TOULSON Sat 22 COLMAN Fri 28 Mar, Comedy LISTINGS House Media Centre, JO CAULFIELD Thurs 20 Mar, Highlight Comedy National Brewery Wolverhampton Mar, Royal Spa Centre, Club, Birmingham Centre, Burton upon For full listing information on comedy JOE LYCETT, IAN SMITH, Leamington Spa ANDY WILKINSON, Trent JOHN KEARNS AND KEVIN MCCARTHY, JOHN DOMINIC WOODWARD, DAVE FULTON, CRAIG gigs including times and dates visit FOTHERGILL, JUNIOR GARETH RICHARDS & HILL, STEVE GRIBBIN & www.whatsonlive.co.uk Weds 12 Mar, Henry SIMPSON & LEE EVANS MARC LUCERO Sat 22 PETE OTWAY Fri 28 Mar, Tudor House, Thurs 20 - Fri 21 Mar, Mar, Coventry The Glee Club, B’ham MARLON DAVIS, ANDY & LOU CONRAN Thurs 6 Shrewsbury The Glee Club, B’ham Showcase Cinema CARL DONNELLY Fri 28 ASKINS, MIKE BUBBINS & Mar, Foxlowe Arts Weds 12 COMEDY CLUB Fri 21 PARTICK MONAHAN, Mar, The Glee Club, LEE EVANS Sat 1 Mar, Centre, Leek, Mar, New Alexandra Mar, Hereford TAMER KATTAN, MO THE Birmingham The Glee Club, B’ham Staffordshire Theatre, Birmingham Courtyard Theatre COMEDIAN & IMRAN MARTIN MOR, TANYALEE ADAM BLOOM, CHRIS MARK NELSON, ROGER LAURENCE CLARK Weds STAND-UP STAIRS YUSUF Sun 23 Mar, The DAVIS, DAMIAN CLARK & CAIRNS, MAT REED & MONKHOUSE & ANDY 12 Mar, mac, B’ham COMEDY SHOW Fri 21 Glee Club, Birmingham DAVE TWENTYMAN Fri 28 GARETH BERLINER Sat 1 ROBINSON Thurs 6 Mar ANNETTE FAGON, IVY Mar, The Palace DAVID BADDIEL Sun 23 - Sat 29 Mar, Highlight Mar, The Highlight The Glee Club, B’ham DEXTROSE, ROSIE WILBY Theatre, Redditch Mar, Theatre Severn, Comedy Club, B’ham Club, Birmingham Fri 7 - & MAUREEN YOUNGER DAVID HADINGHAM, Shrewsbury BARNSTORMERS COMEDY KEN DODD Sat 1 Mar, Sun 9 Mar, Warwick Weds 12 Mar, The RICHARD MORTON, WAYNE ROLLINS, MO THE NIGHT Sat 29 Mar, Artrix, Dudley Town Hall Arts Centre, Coventry Kitchen Garden Cafe, JOHNATHAN MAYOR & COMEDIAN, AURIE STYLA Bromsgrove RUSSELL KANE Sat 1 ANDREW LAWRENCE Fri 7 Birmingham PAUL MCCAFFREY Fri 21 & KANE BROWN Sun 23 LINDA HARGREAVES Sat Mar, Stafford Mar, Stafford RICH HALL Wes 12 Mar, Mar, Highlight Comedy Mar, The Glee Club, 29 Mar, Old Joint Stock Gatehouse Theatre Gatehouse Theatre The Glee Club, Club, Birmingham Birmingham Theatre, Birmingham GYLES BRANDRETH Sat 1 SEAN HUGHES Fri 7 Mar, Birmingham Fri 21 Weds 26 DAVE FULTON, CRAIG Mar, Huntingdon Hall, mac, Birmingham WITTANK Weds 12 Mar, - Sat 22 Mar, LG Arena, Mar, Royal Spa Centre, HILL, STEVE GRIBBIN & Worcester MALCOLM STENT Fri 7 Warwick Arts Centre, Birmingham Leamington Spa GEORGE ZACH Sat 29 - Mar, The Palace Coventry SARAH MILLICAN Fri 21 - Weds 26 Mar, The Glee Club, INCIDENTALLY Sat 1 Mar, Theatre, Redditch ROBIN INCE Thurs 13 Sun 23 Mar, Symphony Mar, Artrix, Bromsgrove Birmingham Evesham Arts Centre, JOEL DOMMETT Fri 7 Mar, The Station Pub, Hall, Birmingham BILLY PEARCE Weds 26 HOWARD READ, SIMON Evesham Mar, The Slade Rooms, Sutton Coldfield COURTLAUGHING Mar, Crewe Lyceum BLIGH, DAVE GIBSON & JOHN LYNN, RICHARD Wolverhampton ROB BECKETT Thurs 13 KEVIN MCCARTHY, JOHN Thurs JACK CAMPBELL Sat 29 MORTON, ANDY ASKINS & DAVID BADDIEL Fri 7 Mar, Mar, Royal Spa Centre, FOTHERGILL, JUNIOR 27 Mar, De Montfort Mar, Coventry SAM GORE Sat 1 Mar, Warwick Arts Centre, Leamington Spa SIMPSON & COMIC TBC Hall, Leicester Showcase Cinema Coventry Showcase Coventry TOM WRIGGLESWORTH Sat 22 Mar, The Glee STAND UP COMEDY MILES JUPP Sun 30 Mar, Cinema DOMINIC WOODWARD, Thurs 13 Mar, Warwick Club, Birmingham SHOWCASE Thurs 27 Theatre Severn, SILKY, KEVIN DEWSBURY SULLY O'SULLIVAN, MATT Arts Centre, Coventry Sat 22 Mar, Mar, mac, Birmingham Shrewsbury & DAMION LARKIN MC. REES & ALAN DONEGAN ANDY ROBINSON, Bedworth Civic Hall ROBIN INCE Thurs 27 Mon Sat 1 Mar, The Slade Fri 7 Mar, The George ANDREW RYAN & ROB JO CAULFIELD Sat 22 Mar, The Glee Club, 31 Mar, The Place, Rooms, W’hampton Hotel, Burslem, Stafford DEERING Thurs 13 Mar, Mar, Huntingdon Hall, Birmingham Oakengate Theatre, ANDREW LAWRENCE MARK NELSON, ROGER The Glee Club, Worcester DAVE FULTON, CRAIG Telford Sun 2 Mar, Warwick MONKHOUSE, DAN Birmingham Sat HILL, STEVE GRIBBIN & MILES JUPP Mon 31 Arts Centre, Coventry NIGHTINGALE & JORDAN ALAN CARR Thurs 13 - 22 Mar, The Edge Arts COMIC TBC Thurs 27 Mar, Stafford SHOULD I STAY OR BROOKES Fri 7 Mar, The Fri 14 Mar, The Edge Centre, Much Wenlock, Mar, The Glee Club, Gatehouse Theatre SHOULD I GO Sun 2 Mar, Glee Club, Birmingham Arts Centre, Much South Shropshire Birmingham ANDY KIRKPATRICK Mon Drummonds Bar, BENNETT ARRON, Wenlock, South DAVID HADINGHAM, MATT PRICE, MARTIN 31 Mar, Town Hall, Worcester STEPHEN GRANT, Shropshire RICHARD MORTON, EVANS, TREV TOKABI, Birmingham GARY DELANEY Sun 2 BRENDAN DEMPSEY & JACK WHITEHALL Fri 14 Mar, Arena Theatre, JOE ROWENTREE Fri 7 - Mar, NIA, Birmingham Wolverhampton Sat 8 Mar, Highlight BILLY PEARCE Fri 14 Mar, JENNY ECLAIR Sun 2 Comedy Club, B’ham Royal Spa Centre, Mar, Warwick Arts Fri 7 Mar, Leamington Spa Centre, Coventry Royal Spa Centre, KERRY GODLIMAN Fri 14 BARNSTORMERS COMEDY Leamington Spa Mar, The Glee Club, NIGHT Tues 4 Mar, Royal NINA BENJAMIN, JUNIOR Birmingham Spa Centre, SIMPSON, KANE BROWN CAREY MARX, JOHNNY Leamington Spa & JOHN SIMMIT Fri 7 CANDON, ZOE LYONS & LIAM WILLIAMS Tues 4 Mar, The Drum, B’ham BILLY KIRKWOOD Fri 14 - Mar, The Slade Rooms, CARL DONNELLY Sat 8 Sat 15 Mar, Highlight THE EASY WAY TO Wolverhampton Mar, Stafford Comedy Club, B’ham ROB BECKETT Weds 5 Gatehouse Theatre STUART MITCHELL, ROB Mar, Theatre Severn, LEE HURST Sat 8 Mar, ROUSE, ANDREW RYAN & Shrewsbury Solihull Arts Complex, ROB DEERING Fri 14 - Sat BOOK RICH HALL Weds 5 Mar, Solihull 15 Mar, The Glee Club, The Roses Theatre, GARY DELANEY Sat 8 Birmingham Tewkesbury Mar, Royal Spa Centre, COMEDY IN THE MET Sat DALISO CHAPONDA, THE Leamington Spa 15 Mar, Stafford YOUR TICKETS NOISE NEXT DOOR AND MARK NELSON, ROGER Gatehouse Theatre MATT RICHARDSON MONKHOUSE, DAN FOGHORN IMPROV Sat 15 Weds 5 Mar, Bramall NIGHTINGALE & RYAN Mar, mac, Birmingham CLEVER PETER Sat 15 ONLINE Music Building, B’ham CULL Sat 8 Mar, The RUSSELL BRAND Thurs 6 Glee Club, Birmingham Mar, Royal Spa Centre, Mar, Warwick Arts BRENDAN DEMPSEY, Leamington Spa Centre, Coventry COLIN OWENS, YIANNI ZOE LYONS, TOM PRICE, JAMES BEAUMONT, AGISILAOU & KATE LUCAS FIN TAYLOR & DANNY PATRICK DRAPER, Sat 8 Mar, Coventry O'BRIEN Sat 15 Mar, RICHARD JAY, ALEX Showcase Cinema, Coventry Showcase HOYLE, BECKY BRUNNING, Coventry Cinema, Coventry EMILY ROSE & JONNY RUBY WAX Sat 8 Mar, MILES JUPP Mon 17 GREATREX Thurs 6 Mar, Birmingham Town Hall Mar, Artrix, Bromsgrove Evesham Arts Centre, JIMMY CARR Sat 8 Mar, ROB DEERING, ANDY Evesham The Place, Oakengates ROBINSON, KAREN Thurs 6 Theatre, Telford BAYLEY & MRS BARBARA Mar, The Slade Rooms, ROUGH WORKS New NICE Tues 18 Mar, Artrix, Wolverhampton material night, Sun 9 Bromsgrove whatsonlive.co.uk HIYA AND HIGHER - WITH Mar, The Glee Club, ED BYRNE Weds 19 Mar, MRS BARBRA NICE Thurs Birmingham Crewe Lyceum 6 Mar, Niorthampton Sun 9 ROB BECKETT Weds 19 Arts Centre, Mar, The Glee Club, Mar, The Glee Club, Wolverhampton Birmingham Birmingham STEPHEN GRANT, ROB THE LAUGHTER CREWE ANDREW LAWRENCE The most comprehensive what’s on listings website DEERING, SEAN Sun 9 Mar, Crewe Thurs 20 Mar, Artrix, for Birmingham and the West Midlands HEGGARTY & SALLY-ANN Lyceum Bromsgrove HAYWARD. Thurs 6 Mar, WITTANK Sun 9 Mar, HAL CRUTTENDEN Thurs The George Hotel, The Slade Rooms, 20 Mar, The Slade Lichfield Wolverhampton Rooms, W’hampton DALISO CHAPONDA, ROB ROB DEERING, SUSAN ROY CHUBBY BROWN ROUSE, PETE PHILLIPSON MURRAY, MATT HOLLINS Thurs 20 Mar, The

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Singin’ In The Rain Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 18 March - Sat 5 April The 1952 Gene Kelly film version of Singin’ In The Rain remains a Broadway Melody. jewel in the Hollywood crown, while Tommy Steele and Paul Nicholas Maxwell Caulfield and Faye Tozer star in this latest incarnation of the have both enjoyed reasonably recent success with a revival stage stage show, which visits the Midlands direct from the West End. production. As well as the title song, the musical also showcases the Read the interview with Maxwell Caulfield on page 8 unforgettable Good Morning, Make ’em Laugh, Moses Supposes and

Seven Brides For Seven Brothers Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Mon 31 March - Sat 5 April; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 5 - Sat 10 May The story of seven macho, wild west kinda guys each huntin’ out a li’l lady fer hisself is best known, of course, in its 1954 MGM movie incarnation, star- ring the boom-voiced Howard Keel. And just like the film, the stage version features smash-hit songs such as Wonderful Wonderful Day, Spring Spring Spring, Goin’ Courtin’ and Sobbin’ Women. This brand new touring production features Sam Attwater as Adam and Helena Blackman as Milly. Read Malaka Chowdhury’s review on page 37 WIN Tonight’s The Night: The Rod Stewart Musical TICKETS whatsonlive.co.uk until Sat 1 March, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham; to enter Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 24 - Sat 29 March Ben Elton’s show, inspired by the music of legendary Scottish rocker Rod Stewart, has earned plenty of plaudits since debuting in the West End in 2003. And as with all such endeavours, the storyline’s far less important than the music for which the pro- duction offers a vehicle. But, for the record, this one tells the story of a tongue-tied young man who trades his soul for that of Mr Stewart’s in a desperate attempt to win the hand of the girl he loves. Maggie May, Baby Jane, Hot Legs and Sailing are among the timeless classics that ensure the evening moves along at a brisk ol’ pace. Former Sugababe and 2009 Eurovision finalist Jade Ewan stars as Dee Dee. Read the interview with Jade on page 6

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Theatre PREVIEWS Fiddler On The Roof Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 11 - Sat 15 March Starsky And Hutch star Paul Michael Glaser top-bills in this hit musical. Set in Tsarist Russia in 1905, the story of Fid- dler On The Roof centres on the character of Tevye, the father of five daughters, and his desperate attempts to maintain his family and religious traditions even as outside influ- ences encroach ever more profoundly upon their lives. First produced for the stage in 1964, Fiddler is best known from its 1971 movie incarna- tion starring Topol in the title role. Hit songs include Matchmaker, Matchmaker and the hugely famous If I Were A Rich Man. Fame The Musical Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, Mon 3 - Sat 8 March; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 28 April - Sat 3 May; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Mon 2 - Sat 7 June The original mega-hit film and its spin-off TV series are now both so old that their once-nimble dancers might soon be reaching for zimmer frames! By contrast, Fame The Musical continues to get up a sweat on a regular basis. And as high- octane, choreographed-to-the-rafters stage musicals go, it hits the Midlands this month with a reputation second to none. Set in New York’s legendary High School For The Performing Arts, the show focuses on the highs and lows of the students who’re desperately seeking success, and offers a dazzling Disney On Ice: WIN evening of foot-tapping music and breathtaking dance. Re-envisioned songs include Let’s Play Worlds Of Fantasy TICKETS A Love Scene and the title hit itself. whatsonlive.co.uk LG Arena, Birmingham, to enter Thurs 13 - Sun 16 March Get your skates on for of Disney’s The Memory Of Water Bertolt Brecht Season ever-popular ice spectacular, complete with New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, The REP, Birmingham high-energy music, glittering sets and dramat- Fri 7 - Sat 22 March ic choreography. This particular theatrical Childhood conflicts re-emerge, memories extravaganza brings together characters from collide, and the secrets of three separate Sat 15 March four favourite Disney stories - CARS, The Little lives are revealed in Shelagh Stephenson’s The Mother Mermaid, Disney Fairies and Toy Story - and Olivier Award-winning play. Bossy big-sister This early Brecht work is one of his most is sure to enchant children of all ages, even Teresa, over-achieving Mary and attention- explicitly revolutionary plays, and focuses on the grown-up ones! seeking Catherine are siblings with little his- the journey of Pelagea Vlassova as she bat- tory of getting along. And when they return tles to protect her son from imprisonment, in to the family home on the Yorkshire coast, it the process becoming the soon becomes evident that even more tur- strong-willed figurehead for moil is on the cards... the war against the corrupt ruling classes. The produc- tion features local perform- Hedda Gabler ers and a community choir. Stafford Gatehouse, Sat 22 March Had the initial response to Hedda Gabler, The Threepenny Opera when premiered in 1891, been anything to go by, the play would’ve sunk without trace Thurs 27 March - Sat 12 April soon afterwards. But Norwegian playwright When Polly Peachum marries Macheath, her Henrik Ibsen’s brilliantly crafted work had far father is less than impressed and hatches a Sing Something Simple too much going for it to be lampooned by a plot to arrest his ne’er-do-well son-in-law. But less-than-enthusiastic critical reaction. Now the law is fickle, and there’s every chance Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Tues 25 - Wed 26 March; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, considered to be a classic of realism, nine- Macheath won’t hang - particularly as the Sat 29 March teenth century theatre and world drama, it Chief of Police, Tiger Brown, is an old army tells the story of a woman so unhappy in her comrade! Features The Ballad Of Mac The This brand new play is presented by Dark marriage that she finds herself driven to dia- Knife. Horse, a theatre company which trains learn- bolical ends in a desperate attempt to dis- ing-disabled actors at the highest vocational cover some purpose in her life. level. The show focuses on the character of Icarus Theatre Collective is the ensemble Spencer Parkin, a young man who’s tired of The Caucasian Chalk Circle behind this latest version. living in the shadows of the better singers Sat 29 March who surround him, from his power ballad- The Caucasian Chalk Circle is considered to belting mom to his popstar-in-the-making be one of Brecht's greatest plays. Set in the brother. Craving the spotlight, Spencer heat of civil war, it tells of the sacrifice made heads out on his own quest for musical fame by a peasant girl to pro- and, inspired by his late granddad - the leg- tect an abandoned endary session singer Gerry Parkin - eventu- baby. But when peace is ally finds himself at the . finally restored, the This clever, bittersweet comedy features live boy’s parents turn up to music and digital projection by Tony Award claim him... Presented singer Mic Pool. by The Young REP.

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Theatre PREVIEWS Blood Brothers Crewe Lyceum Theatre, Mon 3 - Sat 8 March In amongst so many dross-by-numbers musicals, Blood Brothers stands out as real class. Filled with all of Willy Russell’s usual astute observations about the British class system, it’s probably better described as a play with music. The story of twins separated at birth, who spend their lives in contrasting social circumstances but are inextricably drawn together, it has none of the trite and patronising sentimentality that typifies a lot of Russell’s work, but is, in fact, incredibly mov- ing - and funny. If you haven't seen it before, check it out. If you have, you'll no doubt be going to see it again anyway! Maureen Nolan stars... Hot Flush Lichfield Garrick, Thurs 6 - Sat 8 March; New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Thurs 13 March; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Wed 19 March; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Sat 22 March; The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford, Wed 2 April; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Sat 26 April Advertised as being 'more fun than joining the gym and cheaper than botox', this touring musical focuses on the ups and downs of four ordinary women - Myra, Sylvia, Helen and Jes- sica - who get together at the same bar at the same time every week to discuss the lives they’re living and the men they’re loving or loathing. Midlands favourite Lesley Joseph, fresh from her return to TV screens in the rejuvenated sitcom Birds Of A Feather, takes top billing. Read the online interview with Lesley Joseph at www.whatsonlive.co.uk

51 Shades Of Maggie Carnival; and Emma Lloyd Sproson, suffra- gette and Wolverhampton's first female coun- Birdsong The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford, Tues cillor... The Sisteren is the latest offering from The REP, Birmingham, Mon 17 - Sat 22 March 4 March; Prince of Wales Centre, Cannock, Fri 7 March; Lichfield Garrick, Tues 8 - highly rated theatre company Gazebo, Sebastian Faulks’ bestselling epic novel is Thurs 10 April whose previous works include Rivers To set both before and during the Great War, Cross, Jamaica 50 and Sorry! No Coloureds, and follows the fortunes of the young Described as ‘the perfect girly night out’, 51 No Irish, No Dogs. Stephen Wraysford as he embarks on a pas- Shades Of Maggie is (not surprisingly, given sionate and dangerous affair with the beauti- its title) a spoof show based on the best- ful Isabelle Azaire. This stage version has selling Fifty Shades Of Grey trilogy of novels. garnered plenty of praise since premiering in Maggie Muff (yep, that’s her name) is on the the West End in 2010, with a screening on lookout for love, and thinks she might just BBC1 bringing it to wider public attention. have found it in the shape of the handsome and hunky Mr Big. Problem is, Mr B’s not without the odd sexual kink or two, a fact which could well mean the loveable Mag- gie’s bitten off plenty more than she can chew!

The Husbands WIN Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 4 March; TICKETS whatsonlive.co.uk Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Wed 5 to enter March; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Fri 7 March A joint theatrical endeavour between Kali and Henry IV Parts I and II Pentabus, this brand new play by Sharmila Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon- Chauhan takes place against a backdrop of Avon, Tues 18 March - Sat 6 September (part modern rural India. With two husbands I), Fri 28 March - Sat 6 September (part II) already, Aya is set to marry a third. In the Shakespeare’s famous epic offers up some The Sisteren society from which she comes, there are rela- of his most beautifully drawn characters, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Wed 12 - tively few women - so taking more than one including Mistress Quickly, Pistol, Justice Thurs 13 March; The Heritage Centre, husband is nothing unusual. But on the very Shallow and irrepressible comic knight Sir Wolverhampton, Fri 14 March; The Drum, day that she’s set to marry for a third time, a John Falstaff. With England in turmoil, the Birmingham, Fri 21 March stranger arrives on the scene - one who king’s position weak and the Prince of Wales Powerful drama here combines with sharp threatens to challenge the belief system by under the corrupting influence of Falstaff, humour in a play that’s been described as which Aya and her husbands are leading civil war is inevitable... ‘compelling, funny and moving’. In her hour their lives... Described as ‘an explosive new This new RSC pro- of need, a woman finds that help is very play about love, jealousy duction sees the com- much at hand - and that it comes in the form and a woman’s right to pany’s Associate of three extraordinary players in the fight for choose’, The Husbands Artist Antony Sher women's rights: Mary Wollstonecraft, consid- promises to be both an (pictured) returning to ered to be the founder of modern feminism; exuberant and challenging the fold to star as the Claudia Jones, a Black nationalist thought by work of contemporary the- larger-than-life Fal- many to be the mother of the Notting Hill atre. staff.

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THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF children, Tue 4 - Wed 5 LISTINGS BRIXTON Lavern Archer’s Mar, Theatre Severn, Theatre new comedy, packed with Shrewsbury explosive characters, each LA TRAVIATA Welsh Nation- For full listing information on theatre attempting to be the most al Opera present Verdi's productions, including times and dates, successful, unique and tragic tale. Linda Richard- visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk fabulous individual they son, Leonardo Capalbo & can be, Sat 1 - Sun 2 Mar, Alan Opie star, Tue 4 - Sat The Drum, Birmingham 8 Mar, Birmingham Hippo- Birmingham Repertory SERGEANT MUSGRAVES drome From Theatre and Told By An DANCE The Crescent The- THE HUSBANDS Sharmila Idiot present a disturbing CALL SAT 1 MAR atre present their version Chauhan's play about love, FOR YOUR homage to Saturday morn- of John Arden's 1959 clas- jealousy and a woman's AN EVENING OF BROCHURE ing TV, until Sat 15 Mar, TODAY LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN sic, set in a northern town right to choose, Wed 5 BURLESQUE The REP, Birmingham in the grip of a miners' Mar, Arena Theatre, GATEHOUSE THEATRE Presented by Nonentities, BRING UP THE BODIES Mike strike, Sat 1 - Sat 8 Mar, Wolverhampton until Sat 1 Mar, The Rose Poulton's new dramatisa- Fri 7 March Theatre, Kidderminster Crescent Theatre, Birming- IMAGICIAN Featuring Jamie tion of Hilary Mantel's Man Allan, one of the greatest Come and experience Britain’s biggest burlesque extravaganza – TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT: THE ham we dare you! Arriving direct from London’s West End, a fresh cast Booker Prize-winning inventors of modern ROD STEWART MUSICAL novel, until Sat 29 Mar, of burlesque all-stars are unveiled for 2014. It’s the slickest, Smash-hit West End musi- magic, who’s devised illu- wickedly wittiest cabaret spectacular of the year! The Swan Theatre, Strat- Week Commencing sions which have stunned cal comedy inspired by ford-upon-Avon the songs of the man him- MON 3 MAR audiences across the WOLF HALL Mike Poulton's globe, Thurs 6 Mar, The- self, until Sat 1 Mar, New dramatisation of Hilary Alexandra Theatre, Birm- ANDY ROUSE: WILD ABOUT atre Severn, Shrewsbury Mantel's Man Booker FOR THEIR OWN GOOD 18+ ingham ANIMALS Mon 3 Mar, The- Prize-winning novel, until Untied Artists fuse pup- LOOT Joe Orton’s black atre Severn, Shrewsbury 8pm, £21/£19.50 concs Sat 29 Mar, petry with new writing and comedy, until Sat 1 Mar, The Swan Theatre, Strat- BLINK Soho Theatre and Highbury Theatre Centre, Nabokov present a dys- documentary material in ford-upon-Avon an award-winning show CARL DONNELLY Sutton Coldfield KEN DODD Sat 1 Mar, Dud- functional love story which THE MET STUDIO DOGS DON'T DO BALLET Little brings together two shy which centres on the only ley Town Hall certain thing in life - death! Sat 8 March Angel Theatre bring to life THE MAN WHO LIKED ORDER individuals, Mon 3 - Wed 5 the story of the small dog Mar, The REP, Birmingham Thurs 6 Mar, mac - Mid- 2013 Edinburgh Comedy Award Drama by Mike Richard- lands Arts Centre, Birming- Nominee Carl Donnelly brings with a big personality and KIDNAPPED Sell A Door his critically acclaimed sell-out son, Sat 1 Mar, Palace ham even bigger dreams Theatre, Redditch Theatre Company present Edinburgh show to Stafford. As A FLY IN THE OINTMENT The seen on Mock The Week, Rus- through puppetry, ballet GILES BRANDRETH: LOOKING an imaginative re-telling of music and 'dazzling' come- Limelight Players present sell Howard’s Good News and FOR HAPPINESS Sat 1 Mar, Robert Louis Stevenson's Dave’s One Night Stand. 8pm, £12 dy, until Sat 1 Mar, Arena classic story, Mon 3 - Wed Derek Benfield's classic Huntingdon Hall, Worces- farce, Thurs 6 - Fri 7 Mar, Theatre, Wolverhampton ter 5 Mar, New Alexandra The- AN INTIMATE EVENING THE PERFECT MURDER Les atre, Birmingham Dovehouse Theatre, Birm- LIVE MET BROADCAST - ingham WITH RUTHIE HENSHALL Dennis and Clare Goose BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY GATEHOUSE THEATRE PRINCE IGOR The Edge Arts HOT FLUSH New musical star in a stage version of Centre, Much Wenlock, STORY Award-winning Peter James' best-selling musical, Mon 3 - Sat 8 featuring Matt Slack and Sat 15 March South Shropshire Lesley Joseph, Thurs 6 - crime thriller, until Sat 1 SPLOSH! A production for Mar, Regent Theatre, A unique opportunity to spend Mar, Belgrade Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Sat 8 Mar, Lichfield Garrick an intimate evening with one of young children which EMMA the world’s best loved and most Coventry BLOOD BROTHERS Willy Sutton Arts Theatre fuses dance, music and present Martin Millar and captivating performers. Ruthie ETERNAL LOVE English puppetry, Sat 1 Mar, The Russell's musical, set in and her band will take you on a Touring Theatre presents his native Liverpool, Mon 3 Doon Mackichan's adapta- journey through her extraordi- REP, Birmingham nary career and a chance to the Shakespeare's Globe - Sat 8 Mar, Crewe Lyceum tion of the Jane Austen TIERNAN DOUIEB Brand new classic, Thurs 6 - Sat 8 hear Ruthie’s story in her own production of Howard FAME - THE MUSICAL Hit words. family comedy show, Sat 1 Mar, Old Joint Stock The- 7.30pm, £20/£18 concs Brenton's spellbinding tale, Mar, Lichfield Garrick West Ender on tour, Mon 3 until Sat 1 Mar, Wolver- - Sat 8 Mar, Wolverhamp- atre, Birmingham TEN THOUSAND MILLION MACBETH hampton Grand Theatre ton Grand Theatre Presented by THE MANFREDS LOVE STORIES Improvisation Blue Orange Arts, Thurs 6 GATEHOUSE THEATRE WENDY AND PETER PAN Ella workshop and perform- THE HUSBANDS Sharmila Hickson's new version of Chauhan's play about love, - Sat 15 Mar, The Blue Thurs 20 March ance, Sat 1 Mar, The Blue Orange Theatre, Birming- JM Barrie's classic tale of jealousy and a woman's The Manfreds, with ‘one in the middle’ Paul Jones, will be per- Orange Theatre, Birming- ham the boy who never grows ham right to choose, Tue 4 Mar, forming many of their biggest hits including 5-4-3-2-1 and Do up, until Sun 2 Mar, Royal THE HUSBANDS Sharmila Wah Diddy, along with a mix of solo hits and jazz and rhythm ‘n’ PINOCCHIO Breaking Cycles Theatre Severn, Shrews- blues renditions for which they are famous. Shakespeare Theatre, bury Chauhan's play about love, & Z-arts promise a 'fast- jealousy and a woman's Stratford-upon-Avon paced, funny and magical POWER GAMES Altered Skin THE LIFE OF GALILEO Bertolt blend character-driven right to choose, Fri 7 Mar, show for all the family', Sat Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Brecht's play explores the 1 Mar, mac - Midlands Arts physical theatre with con- struggle between scientific temporary and South South Shropshire Centre, Birmingham AN EVENING OF BURLESQUE discovery and religious SHERLOCK HOLMES THE Asian dance to explore the fundamentalism, until Sat forces that shape our des- Fri 7 Mar, Stafford Gate- LAST ACT An exploration of house Theatre 8 Mar, The REP, Birming- the complex and unique tiny, Tue 4 Mar, Arena The- THE JOKER & THE WHITE 7.30pm, £19.50/£17.50 concs ham atre, Wolverhampton intellect of the world's FEATHER Owen Lewis’ AN AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY greatest fictional detective, 51 SHADES OF MAGGIE LARK Northern Broadsides Portable Theatre Company HEDDA GABLER Sat 1 Mar, Stafford Gate- Spoof play based on the GATEHOUSE THEATRE present Deborah McAn- bestselling 50 Shades Of present a double-bill of house Theatre one-act plays, Fri 7 Mar, drew’s moving drama, THE JOKER & THE WHITE Grey trilogy, Tue 4 Mar, Sat 22 March poised at the tipping point The Place, Oakengates The Lion Hotel, Shrews- FEATHER Owen Lewis’ bury Hedda Gabler, one of the most between peace and war, Portable Theatre Company Theatre, Telford notorious heroes in theatre, ONLY FOOLS & BOYCIE An saw her time as a single girl until Sat 11 Mar, New Vic present a double-bill of PEPPA PIG'S BIG SPLASH All- Theatre, Newcastle-under- intimate evening with actor run out. Now she is driven to one-act plays, Sat 1 Mar, singing, all-dancing adven- diabolical ends trying to discov- Lyme John Challis, Fri 7 Mar, Hales Club, Hales, Shrop- ture, full of songs, games er her purpose in life as she 11+ NEVER TRY THIS AT HOME and muddy puddles for Lichfield Garrick finds the world closing in on her. shire 51 SHADES OF MAGGIE Spoof play based on the 7.30pm, £15/£12 concs bestselling 50 Shades Of Grey trilogy, Fri 7 Mar, OTHELLO GATEHOUSE THEATRE Prince of Wales Centre, Cannock Mon 24 Mar THE MEMORY OF WATER Othello’s world will be brought Shelagh Stephenson’s vividly to life as a live string award-winning comedy quartet and stunning ensemble cast combine with some of liter- looks at families and child- ature’s most vibrant language hood memory, Fri 7 - Sat and characters. A dangerous 22 Mar, New Vic Theatre, tale of ambition, jealousy and 11+ love will unfurl as Shake- Newcastle-under-Lyme speare’s classic tale of decep- STARGAZING Language tion hurtles to its dramatic con- 7.30pm, 15/£12 concs Alive presents an interac- clusion. tive experience that explains Galileo's theories of planetary motion, Sat 8 Mar, The REP, Birmingham BOOKONLINE ONLY FOOLS AND... BOYCIE An intimate evening with Box Office 01785 254653 Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent actor John Challis, Sat 8 www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk

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Fri 28th March DOWN TO EARTH: AN EVENING WITH MONTY DON 7.30pm. Tickets: £17.50, £16.50 concs

Wed 2nd April HOT FLUSH STARRING LESLEY JOSEPH, MATT SLACK 7.30pm. Tickets: £21

Thurs 3rd April THE ELO EXPERIENCE: THE MR BLUE SKY TOUR 7.30pm. Tickets: £19

Fri 4th April LIVE/WIRE: THE AC/DC SHOW 7.30pm. Tickets: £16

Sat 12th April THE SOUND OF PHILADELPHIA AND MOTOWN 7.30pm. Tickets: £18, £16.50 concs

Tue 15th April MIKE MCGEAR MCCARTNEY SEX, DRUGS & ROCK 'N' ROLL (I WISH!) 7.30pm. Tickets: £16

Thu 24th April ICONIC LIVE 7.30pm. Tickets: £20, £17 concs, £15 child

Fri 25th April MATT CARDLE 7.30pm. Tickets: £21

Wed 30th April HAL CRUTTENDEN: THE TOUGH LUVVIE TOUR 8pm. Tickets: £15, £13 concs

TWC GP 00570

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together for the first Circus Of Horrors - The Place, Oakengates Theatre; Victoria Hall, Hanley, time at the Met in Stoke-on-Trent; New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Theatre LISTINGS Massenet’s sublime adaptation of Goethe’s For full listing information on theatre revolutionary and tragic productions, including times and romance, Sat 15 Mar, dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry; The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wen- Mar, Arena Theatre, connect to the dead, lock, South Shropshire Wolverhampton Thurs 13 Mar, Theatre LITTLE RED HEN Lan- HIGH VIS Robert Cohen Severn, Shrewsbury guage Alive present an presents a one-man HOT FLUSH New musical interactive version of tragicomedy about a featuring Matt Slack the well-loved children's traffic warden under and Lesley Joseph, story, with puppetry, siege, Sat 8 Mar, Lich- Thurs 13 Mar, New games - and lovely field Garrick Alexandra Theatre, fresh bread!, Sat 15 KNOW ONE’S FOOL Mas- Birmingham Mar, The REP, Birming- ter Fool Jonathan Kay THE ANATOMY OF MELAN- ham presents an evening of CHOLY Stan's Cafe bring THE JOKER & THE WHITE improvisation, fooling ‘the world's most FEATHER Owen Lewis’ and spectacular per- extraordinary self-help Portable Theatre Com- formance, Sat 8 Mar, manual' to the stage, pany present a double- OPERA Amateur produc- Youth Theatre present O MOON OF ALABAMA The Edge, Birmingham Thurs 13 - Sat 15 Mar, bill of one-act plays, Sat tion presented by Lich- Shakespeare's comical Kurt Weill cabaret night, City Centre Lichfield Garrick 15 Mar, SpArC Theatre, field Garrick Youth The- and heartwarming play, Sat 22 Mar, The REP, WE WILL ROCK YOU Lud- Bishops Castle, Shrop- atre, Tues 18 - Sat 22 Thurs 20 - Sat 22 Mar, Birmingham Week Commencing low College Students shire Mar, Lichfield Garrick Crescent Theatre, Birm- HEDDA GABLER Icarus present an amateur THE MOTHER Mark SINGIN' IN THE RAIN ingham Theatre Collective pres- MON 10 MAR production of Ben Ravenhill's adaptation Chichester Festival The- THE QUIET COMPERE ent Christopher Hamp- Elton's futuristic musi- of Bertholt Brecht's ear- atre production of the TOUR OF THE NORTH Ten ton’s translation of Hen- BOYBAND THE MUSICAL cal, Thurs 13 - Sat 15 liest and most explicitly much-acclaimed musi- poets, on for ten min- rik Ibsen’s classic tale, Get Your Wigle On Mar, Ludlow Assembly revolutionary play, Sat cal. Maxwell Caulfield & utes each with The Sat 22 Mar, Stafford present Peter Quilter's Rooms, South Shrop- 15 Mar, The REP, Birm- Faye Tozer star, Tue 18 Quiet Compere of Man- Gatehouse Theatre contemporary musical, shire ingham Mar - Sat 5 Apr, chester, Fri 21 Mar, mac WAR HORSE National featuring songs from DISNEY ON ICE PRESENTS AN INSPECTOR CALLS JB Birmingham Hippo- - Midlands Arts Centre, Theatre Live screening, One Direction, Take WORLDS OF FANTASY Priestly's classic thriller, drome Birmingham Sat 22 Mar, Ludlow That, Westlife, The Family adventure which Sat 15 - Sat 22 Mar, HENRY IV PART I Sir THE SISTEREN Gazebo Assembly Rooms, Wanted, Boyzone and takes audiences on a Crescent Theatre, Birm- Antony Sher plays infa- Theatre present a funny South Shropshire N-Sync, Mon 10 - Tue journey to four magical ingham mous comic knight Fal- and moving new play A NIGHT IN THE WEST 11 Mar, Theatre Severn, destinations, including staff in Shakespeare’s which follows three END Presented by Cur- Shrewsbury the auto-racing terrain Week Commencing history play. Jasper Brit- women fighting for their tain Call Productions, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF A of Cars, Andy's bed- ton and Alex Hassell rights, Fri 21 Mar, The Sun 23 Mar, Crewe new production of one room from Toy Story 3, MON 17 MAR also star, Tues 18 Mar - Drum, Birmingham Lyceum of the world’s favourite the undersea world of Sat 6 Sep, Royal THE RECRUITING OFFICER BIG RED BATH Half Moon musicals, starring Paul Ariel, and Tinker Bell's SALLY MORGAN An Shakespeare Theatre, Shrewsbury Youth The- & Full House Theatre Michael Glaser and home in Pixie Hollow, evening of psychic Stratford-upon-Avon atre present George fuse music, song and directed and choreo- Thurs 13 - Sun 16 Mar, entertainment, Mon 17 HOT FLUSH New musical Farquhar's 'delightful humorous characters in graphed by Craig Revel LG Arena, Birmingham Mar, Theatre Severn, featuring Matt Slack romp', set in Shrews- a tale for two-to-five- Horwood, Tue 11 - Sat THE CIRCUS OF HORRORS Shrewsbury and Lesley Joseph, bury at the beginning of year-olds, Sun 23 Mar, 15 Mar, Birmingham LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT BIRDSONG An epic tale Wed 19 Mar, Theatre the eighteenth century, mac - Midlands Arts Hippodrome Featuring sword swal- of love and war set Severn, Shrewsbury Fri 21 - Sat 22 Mar, The- Centre, Birmingham GREASE Presented by lowers, daredevil bal- both before and during IN PRAISE OF ELEPHANTS atre Severn, Shrews- A FEAST OF GILBERT & Wolverhampton Musical ancing acts, hair hang- the Great War, Mon 17 - Farnham Maltings The- bury SULLIVAN A concert Comedy Company, Tue ers, demon dwarfs, a Sat 22 Mar, The REP, atre present a celebra- WHAT BECAME OF THE recapturing the fun and 11 - Sat 15 Mar, Wolver- pickled person and Birmingham tion of the greatest ani- RED SHOES An imagina- magic of the original hampton Grand Theatre astounding aerial acts, LET IT BE The Beatles mal on the planet in a tive one-woman show D'Oyly Carte Opera SWEENEY TODD Walsall Fri 14 Mar, Victoria Hall, musical, Mon 17 - Sat play full of surprises, using original music, Company, Sun 23 Mar, Operatic Society pres- Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent 22 Mar, New Alexandra live, music - and bis- movement and dance. Lichfield Garrick ent an amateur produc- BROADWAY DIVAS Fri 14 Theatre, Birmingham cuits!, Wed 19 Mar, Suitable for families GREAT EXPECTATIONS tion of the musical Mar Crewe Lyceum GMTG SPRING SHOWCASE Newhampton Arts Cen- with children aged Holdsworth Drama thriller set in Victorian NICHOLAS NICKLEBY Ger- 2014 Featuring a collec- tre, Wolverhampton three-plus, Sat 22 Mar, present Nick Ormerod London, Tues 11 - Sat ald Dickens, the great, tion of musical theatre THE SLEEPING BEAUTY Crewe Lyceum and Declan Donnellan's 15 Mar, Lichfield Gar- great grandson of greats, Tues 18 Mar, Royal Opera House ASK ME MORE ABOUT version of Charles Dick- rick Charles, presents his mac - Midlands Arts Live screening, Wed 19 BRECHT Theatrical ens' classic tale, Sun 23 THE SISTEREN Gazebo personal version of the Centre, Birmingham Mar, Wem Town Hall, reconstruction of con- - Mon 24 Mar, Crescent Theatre present a funny Victorian author’s DIRTY DUSTING Heart- North Shropshire versations between Theatre, Birmingham and moving new play famous novel - and warming comedy star- HIS DARK MATERIALS Hanns Eisler and Hans which follows three plays all the characters ring Crissy Rock, PART I Presented by Bunge, translated and Week Commencing women each fighting himself!, Fri 14 Mar, Dolores Porretta Brown, Birmingham Ormiston performed by Sabine for their rights, Wed 12 Tamworth Assembly Leah Bell and Jason Academy, Wed 19 - Fri Berendse & Paul MON 24 MAR - Thurs 13 Mar, Arena Rooms Jones, Tue 18 Mar, 21 Mar, The Old Rep, Clements, Sat 22 Mar, Theatre, Wolverhamp- ONLY FOOLS & BOYCIE An Crewe Lyceum Birmingham The REP, Birmingham OTHELLO Icarus Theatre ton intimate evening with FIRST ENCOUNTER: TAM- DANIEL BYE: HOW TO THE TELL TALE HEART Lit- Collective present FIDDLER ON THE ROOF actor John Challis, Fri ING OF THE SHREW A OCCUPY AN OIL RIG Play- tle Earthquake present Shakespeare’s tragedy Amateur production 14 Mar, Stafford Gate- perfect introduction to ful and provocative Edgar Allan Poe's edge- of scandal, intrigue, lust presented by Shrews- house Theatre Shakespeare for any- show about protest, of-the-seat thriller, Sat and vengeance, Mon bury Amateur Operatic TABLETOP GAMES one aged eight and Thurs 20 Mar, mac - 22 Mar, Lichfield Gar- 24 Mar, Stafford Gate- Society, Wed 12 - Sat Thought-provoking play over, Tue 18 Mar, New Midlands Arts Centre, rick house Theatre 15 Mar, Theatre Severn, which questions Vic Theatre, Newcastle- Birmingham HOT FLUSH New musical AN EVENING WITH PAM Shrewsbury whether religion is under-Lyme MORBID CURIOSITIES featuring Matt Slack AYRES Mon 24 Mar, The- CIRCUS OF HORRORS: killing faith, Fri 14 - Sat WHAT THE LADYBIRD Don’t Go Into The Cel- and Lesley Joseph, Sat atre Severn, Shrews- LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT 15 Mar, Old Joint Stock HEARD Stage adaptation lar Theatre Company 22 Mar, Wolverhampton bury Featuring sword swal- Theatre, Birmingham of Julia Donaldson’s present a chilling new Grand Theatre RIVER MONSTERS: FACE lowers, daredevil bal- CIRCUS OF HORRORS: much-loved story for theatre show which EISLER SHORTS Chance TO FACE WITH JEREMY ancing acts, hair hang- LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT children, Tue 18 - Wed blends original stories to witness rare short WADE Join the presen- ers, demon dwarfs, a Featuring sword swal- 19 Mar, Regent Theatre, and new adaptations of films, with their original ter of global-hit TV pickled person and lowers, daredevil bal- Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent Poe, Stevenson & Hanns Eisler scores series River Monsters astounding aerial acts, ancing acts, hair hang- EGUSI SOUP Menagerie Conan Doyle, Thurs 20 performed live by Birm- for an evening of mys- Thurs 13 Mar, The ers, demon dwarfs, a and Theatre Royal Bury Mar, Library of Birming- ingham Conservatoire tery, mayhem and mon- Place, Oakengates The- pickled person and St Edmunds present ham musicians. Presented ster wrangling, Mon 24 atre, Telford astounding aerial acts, Janice Okoh's fast and HIS DARK MATERIALS by Flatpack Film Festi- Mar, Tamworth Assem- PENNY DREADFUL: HOW Sat 15 Mar, New furious drama about PART II Presented by val, Sat 22 Mar, The bly Rooms TO BE IMMORTAL Origi- Alexandra Theatre, inter-generational and Birmingham Ormiston REP, Birmingham TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT: nal new play which Birmingham cross-cultural relation- Academy, Thurs 20 - Fri NAUKAR WOTI DA 2014 THE ROD STEWART MUSI- fuses true tales, live WERTHER Two of ships, Tue 18 - Sat 22 21 Mar, The Old Rep, Punjabiwood comedy CAL Smash-hit West music, '50s science and opera’s greatest artists Mar, The REP, Birming- Birmingham play from Matribhoomi End musical comedy nano-puppetry to - Jonas Kaufmann and ham A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S Theatre, Sat 22 Mar, inspired by the songs explore our need to Elina Garanca - appear THE PHANTOM OF THE DREAM The Crescent The Drum, Birmingham of the man himself,

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duction, which explores Arena, Birmingham combining music from killing faith, Sat 29 Mar, LISTINGS the nature of flying, WANTED Riverside Per- the ’50s, ’60s & ’70s Artrix, Bromsgrove Theatre falling, and the relation- forming Arts fuse with wacky comedy THE CAUCASIAN CHALK ship between the two, humour, metaphor, routines, Sat 29 Mar, CIRCLE The Young REP For full listing information on theatre Thurs 27 Mar, mac - music and real-life sto- Theatre Severn, presents a new produc- productions, including times and Midlands Arts Centre, ries in an engaging, Shrewsbury tion of Brecht’s epic dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Birmingham episodic show that GOING DARK BY HATTIE play, Sat 29 Mar, The FOGHORN IMPROV: MADE challenges our thinking TAYLOR Sound & Fury REP, Birmingham UP MAYHEM Thurs 27 about what it means to use their innovative the- WAR HORSE National 26 Mar, Old Joint Stock Mar, Old Joint Stock fit in, to belong and to atre vocabulary of Theatre Live screening, Mon 24 - Sat 29 Mar, Theatre, Birmingham Theatre, Birmingham be wanted, Fri 28 - Sat immersive surround- Sun 30 Mar, Ludlow Regent Theatre, Hanley, ANON Welsh National LUCY WORSLEY: A VERY 29 Mar, mac - Midlands sound design, total Assembly Rooms, Stoke-on-Trent Opera fuse live sound- BRITISH MURDER Histori- Arts Centre, B’ham blackout and imagina- South Shropshire DREAMBOATS AND PETTI- scapes and contempo- an and Chief Curator LOVE ON THE DOLE tive lighting to reawak- DYLAN THOMAS: RETURN COATS: THE MUSICAL rary theatre in a live for the charity Historic Ronald Gow's stage en our wonder at the JOURNEY Bob King- Featuring songs from screening of a ground- Palaces, Dr Lucy Wors- adaptation of Walter cosmos - and to reveal dom's portrayal of Roy Orbison, The breaking new opera ley, here explores Greenwood's powerful how one man’s vision Wales' famous play- Shadows, Eddie written by Paralympic Britain's obsession with novel depicts Lan- becomes illuminated by wright as he toured Cochran, Billy Fury, Games opening cere- cold-blooded murders, cashire life during the darkness, Sat 29 Mar, America towards the Chuck Berry and many mony composer Errol- detection and punish- Great Depression, Fri mac - Midlands Arts end of his life, Mon 31 more, Mon 24 - Sat 29 lyn Wallen, Wed 26 Mar, ments, Thurs 27 Mar, 28 Mar - Sat 5 Apr, Hall Centre, Birmingham Mar, New Vic Theatre, Mar, New Alexandra mac - Midlands Arts Ludlow Assembly Green Little Theatre, SING SOMETHING SIMPLE Newcastle-under-Lyme Theatre, Birmingham Centre, Birmingham Rooms, South Shrop- Birmingham Dark Horse Theatre SEVEN BRIDES FOR FASCINATING AIDA Star- THE TWO WORLDS OF shire PUNISHMENT WITHOUT Company present SEVEN BROTHERS Star- ring Dillie Keane, Liza CHARLIE F Wed 26 - Sat AROUND THE WORLD REVENGE Meredith Vanessa Brooks’ bitter- ring Sam Attwater & Pulman & Adele Ander- 29 Mar, Wolverhampton WITH GILBERT AND SUL- Oakes’ translation of sweet comedy, Sat 29 Helena Blackman, Mon son, Tue 25 Mar, The- Grand Theatre LIVAN Thurs 27 - Fri 28 Lope de Vega's dark Mar, Theatre Severn, 31 Mar - Sat 5 Apr, atre Severn, Shrews- BETRAYAL Harold Pin- Mar, The Norbury The- and thrilling drama, per- Shrewsbury Wolverhampton Grand bury ter’s comment on love atre, Droitwich formed at The Belgrade SPOKEN ENCOUNTERS Theatre ANON Welsh National and relationships, Wed OUR HOUSE Birmingham as part of the theatre's Evening of performance THE TWO WORLDS OF Opera fuse live sound- 26 - Sat 29 Mar, Ormiston Academy Spanish Golden Age poetry by Beat Freaks CHARLIE F A new play scapes and contempo- Malvern Theatre Musical Theatre present Season, Fri 28 Mar - & Burn After Reading. by Owen Sheers that rary theatre in a live HOBSON’S CHOICE Tim Firth's acclaimed Sat 19 Apr, Belgrade Presented by Apple & provides a soldier’s screening of a ground- Harold Brighouse’s musical, with music and Theatre, Coventry Snakes, Sat 29 Mar, view of service, injury breaking new opera classic northern come- lyrics by Madness, HENRY IV PART II The The REP, Birmingham, and recovery, Mon 31 written by Paralympic dy, Wed 26 Mar - Sat Thurs 27 - Sat 29 Mar, third installment in HEROES AND VILLAINS Mar - Sat 5 Apr, Games opening cere- 12 Apr, New Vic The- Crescent Theatre, Birm- Shakespeare’s history Encore Theatre Acade- Malvern Theatres mony composer Errol- atre, Newcastle-under- ingham play, exploring loyalty, my present an amateur LET IT BE The Beatles lyn Wallen, Tues 25 Lyme TEECHERS John God- betrayal and the experi- revue celebrating musi- musical, Mon 31 Mar - Mar, Newhampton Arts A LADY OF LITTLE SENSE ber’s much-acclaimed ence of growing old. Sir cal theatre’s classic Sat 5 Apr, Regent The- Centre, Wolverhampton Big-hearted romantic schoolroom comedy, Antony Sher stars... Fri heroes and villains, Sat atre, Stoke-on-Trent SING SOMETHING SIMPLE comedy which cele- Thurs 27 - Sat 29 Mar, 28 Mar - Sat 6 Sep, 29 Mar, The Norbury DREAMBOATS AND PETTI- Dark Horse present the brates the power of Swan Theatre, Worces- Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Droitwich COATS Rock’n’roll musi- story of Spencer Parkin love, presented at The ter Theatre, Stratford-upon- TABLETOP GAMES cal featuring some of - the boy who can't Belgrade as part of the THE THREEPENNY OPERA Avon Thought-provoking play the greatest songs from sing... Tue 25 - Wed 26 theatre's Spanish Gold- A collaboration THAT'LL BE THE DAY which questions the era, Mon 31 Mar - Mar, Arena Theatre, en Age Season, Wed between Birmingham Rock’n’Roll spectacular whether religion is Sat 5 Apr, Malvern The- Wolverhampton 26 Mar - Thurs 17 Apr, Repertory Theatre MACBETH Geg present Belgrade Theatre, Company, Nottingham Shakespeare’s bloodi- Coventry Playhouse Theatre est play, Tues 25 - Wed A BLACK COUNTRY NIGHT Company, Graeae The- 26 Mar, Palace Theatre, OUT The cream of Black atre Company, New VIENNA FESTIVAL BALLET presents Redditch Country entertainment Wolsey Theatre & ETERNAL LOVE English comes together again Ipswich And West York- Touring Theatre pres- to raise the roof with shire Playhouse, Thurs ents the Shakespeare's laughter, Thurs 27 Mar, 27 Mar - Sat 12 Apr, Globe production of Huntingdon Hall, The REP, Birmingham Howard Brenton's spell- Worcester DON GIL OF THE GREEN binding tale, Tues 25 - AN AUDIENCE WITH COLIN BREECHES Sean Sat 29 Mar, Malvern FRY Thurs 27 Mar, O'Brien's new transla- Theatre Prince Of Wales Centre, tion of Tirso de Molina's Swan Lake THE SORCERER Birming- Cannock exuberant comedy ham Savoyards present RAGBONES Tom Dale Sun 16th March, 2pm & 5pm blends mistaken identi- Artrix, Bromsgrove 01527 577330 one of Gilbert & Sulli- Company presents an ty, role-reversal, ghosts, van’s lesser known interactive dance piece and green trousers. Wed 26th March, 7.30pm operas, Tues 25 - Sat for children, exploring Presented as part of Civic Hall, Bedworth 02476 376707 29 Mar, The Old Rep, the concept of a digital The Belgrade's Spanish Birmingham funhouse that’s able to Golden Age Season, Fri 28th March, 7.30pm OLIVER! Amateur pro- warp and shift the per- Thurs 27 Mar - Sat 19 William Aston Hall, Wrexham 01978 293293 duction presented by ceptions of reality, Apr, Belgrade Theatre, Thurs 22nd - Sat 24th May, 7.30pm Coleshill Operatic Soci- Thurs 27 Mar, Warwick Coventry ety, Tue 25 - Sat 29 Mar, Arts Centre, Coventry THE DON BLACK SONG- Lichfield Garrick 01543 412121 Solihull Arts Complex SALLY MORGAN: PSYCHIC BOOK: FROM HACKNEY TO A VOYAGE AROUND MY SALLY ON THE ROAD HOLLYWOOD Celebrating FATHER The Lichfield Thurs 27 Mar, Crewe and telling the story of Players present an Lyceum Theatre the life and career of amateur production of AN EVENING WITH DEREK Oscar winner Don John Mortimer's humor- ACORAH Thurs 27 Mar, Black, and featuring ous play, Tues 25 - Sat Lichfield Garrick music from both stage 29 Mar, Lichfield Gar- A BLACK COUNTRY NIGHT and screen, Fri 28 Mar, rick OUT An evening of Malvern Theatre Cinderella STEEL MAGNOLIAS laughter and song with DOWN TO EARTH: AN Robert Harlings drama, Dandy, Giggetty, Ian EVENING WITH MONTY set in an American 'Sludge’ Lees, Peter DON Hear Monty's sto- beauty shop, Tues 25 - Lee and Jonny Cole, ries about his travels Sat 29 Mar, Highbury Thurs 27 Mar, Hunting- and visits to gardens all Theatre Centre, Sutton don Hall, Worcester over the world, Fri 28 Coldfield MIDDAY VARIETY Coven- Mar, The Place, Oaken- AN EVENING WITH DAVID try’s finest variety show, gates Theatre, Telford SEDARIS Wed 26 Mar, with live music and a A BLACK COUNTRY NIGHT The Assembly, Leam- star line-up, Thurs 27 OUT The cream of Black Easter Monday 21st April, 5pm, Arts Centre, Evesham 01386 446944 ington Spa Mar, Belgrade Theatre, Country entertainment MAD(E) IN HADES Three Coventry comes together again Wed 23rd April, 7.30pm, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury 01743 281281 retellings of the myth of THE FALLING SONG to raise the roof with Heracles, based on Award-winning dance laughter, Fri 28 Mar, Fri 2nd May, 7.30pm, Rose Theatre, Tewkesbury 01684 295074 Euripides' tale of theatre company Junk Lichfield Garrick domestic murder and Ensemble presents its THE X FACTOR LIVE 2014 demented dogs, Wed critically acclaimed pro- Fri 28 - Sat 29 Mar, LG www.viennafestivalballet.com

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Tue 4 Mar 7:30pm, THEATRE SEVERN SHREWSBURY www.theatresevern.co.uk 01743 281 281

Wed 5 Mar 7:30pm, ARENA THEATRE WOLVERHAMPTON www.arenatheatre.info 01902 321 321

Thu 6 Mar 7:30pm, ROSES THEATRE TEWKESBURY www.rosestheatre.org 01684 295 074

Fri 7 Mar 7:30pm, LUDLOW ASSEMBLY ROOMS www.ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk 01584 878 141

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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 Swan Lake Birmingham Hippodrome Everyone should see this masterpiece of dazzling dance, which Matthew Bourne, the genius behind the production, refers to as ‘contemporary dance/theatre’ rather than ballet. Tchaikovsky’s music is so familiar, yet the interpretation still so new. It’s unbelievable that this production first found its wings eighteen years ago. It was revolu- tionary then, and it still is today. Swan Lake with male swans? Oh yes - and with the raw, powerful energy of their performance, we know these swans are real creatures. We must also acknowl- edge the fantastic contribution of the female cast Seven Brides For Seven Brothers members, who actually constitute a third of the New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham company. Coventry-born Andrew Monaghan Based on the smash-hit 1954 Hollywood musical of the same title and the short story delights as the Prince, with Jonathan Olliver as the The Sobbin’ Women, this classic tale has stood the test of time and remains a crowd- charismatic Swan. This production takes the audi- pleasing favourite. Alex Hammond would’ve stolen the show as Adam, the confident ence on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, embrac- leader of the rambunctious Pontipee brothers, had his performance not been matched ing both humour and tragedy, and boasts not only by that of Helena Blackman, who played his steely bride Milly. On being whisked back a fabulous set but also exquisite costumes, to Adam’s secluded Oregon mountain home, Milly discovers that ‘wedded bliss’ designed by Lez Brotherston. equals ‘becoming housekeeper to his slovenly siblings’. Cue much hilarity, as her A standing ovation from the whole of the audience valiant attempt to teach the brothers civilised manners in lively number Goin’ Courtin’ rounded off the evening in appropriate style. leads to a meeting with the local women and numerous abductions-cum-betrothals! Catch it when you can - you’re in for a treat. Social Dance was easily the highlight of the entire show, which did wear on at times, Jan Watts IIIII and the talented young cast displayed keen athleticism during some inventively chore- ographed routines. Indeed, these sequences brimmed with tremendous energy, leav- ing the bizarre plot feeling like little more than an afterthought. I must confess to being somewhat underwhelmed by the lacklustre songs, though one number belted out with genuine passion was Hammond’s powerful Where Were You? The second half, during which the abductees adjusted to mountain life and Adam and Milly separated, was stultifying, never regaining the momentum of the first half. At least the two leads’ reunion and final wedding extravaganza delivered a feelgood ending. A classic musical, but not for this modern woman. Malaka Chowdhury I I I

Theatre Box Office

Hofesh Shechter: Sun Birmingham GRAND THEATRE, Warwickshire 01902 429212 Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry ALEXANDRA THEATRE BEDWORTH CIVIC HALL 0844 871 3011 NEWHAMPTON ARTS CENTRE 024 7637 6707 Sun marks the much-anticipated return of Israeli- 01902 572090 BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME BELGRADE THEATRE, COVENTRY born choreographer Hofesh Shechter - and what a 0844 338 5000 OLDBURY REP, OLDBURY 024 7655 3055 0121 552 2761 return it is! Living up to all expectations, it’s a work BIRMINGHAM REP BRIDGE HOUSE THEATRE, WARWICK boasting everything you’d expect from Shechter, 0121 236 4455 Shropshire 01926 776438 and plenty more besides. THE BLUE ORANGE THEATRE THE DREAM FACTORY THE BELFREY, WELLINGTON 0121 212 2643 01926 419555 As the auditorium is plunged into darkness - a reg- 01952 222277 CRESCENT THEATRE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE ular feature of Sun - Shechter personally addresses THE EDGE, MUCH WENLOCK 0121 643 5858 THEATRE, STRATFORD-UPON-AVON his audience, reassuring them that everything’s 01952 728911 DOVEHOUSE THEATRE 0844 800 1110 ‘going to be just fine’. Seventy minutes of chaos THE HIVE, SHREWSBURY 0121 706 7139 ROYAL SPA CENTRE then ensues, via an eclectic mix of movement, 01743 234970 THE DRUM 0121 333 2444 LEAMINGTON 01926 334418 LUDLOW ASSEMBLY music and laughter. WARWICK ARTS CENTRE, COVENTRY HALL GREEN LITTLE THEATRE ROOMS 01584 878141 But don’t be mistaken; Sun is no comedy. Instead, 0121 707 1874 02476 524524 the piece introduces episodes of violence and war THE PLACE, OAKENGATES, TELFORD MAC 0121 446 3232 01952 382382 interrupted with scenes of grazing sheep and pry- Worcestershire MIXING BOWL THEATRE THEATRE SEVERN, SHREWSBURY ing wolves, all of which serve as a constant 0121 224 7545 01743 281281 ARTRIX ARTS CENTRE, BROMSGROVE 01527 577330 reminder of the dangers that lurk in everyday life. OLD JOINT STOCK THEATRE WEM TOWN HALL Some of the movements make a nod in the direc- 0121 200 0946 01939 232299 THE HIVE tion of a more classical style, imitating port de bras OLD REP 0121 245 4455 01905 822866 (another regular feature of the choreographer’s SOLIHULL ARTS COMPLEX Staffordshire HUNTINGDON HALL, WORCESTER 01905 611427 work), box steps and Charlestons. It’s in the build 0121 704 6962 LICHFIELD GARRICK 01543 412121 MALVERN THEATRE up of the chaos that we see Shechter at his best - 01684 892277 Black Country NEW VIC 01782 717962 the familiarity of intricate stepping patterns, NORBURY THEATRE, DROITWICH ARENA THEATRE PRINCE OF WALES grounded and heavy movement. A high-level of 01905 770154 WOLVERHAMPTON CENTRE, CANNOCK sound compliments what we see and feel, while 01902 321321 01543 578762 PALACE THEATRE REDDITCH 01527 65203 Shechter’s ability to build drama with his creations BLOXWICH THEATRE REGENT THEATRE, STOKE - both visual and aural - generates a real air of dis- 01922 653183 0870 060 6649 ROSE THEATRE, 01562 743745 comfort. This is a somewhat beautiful work, albeit a DUDLEY CONCERT HALL RUGELEY ROSE THEATRE very complex one, and Shechter delivers on pretty 01384 812812 01889 584036 SWAN THEATRE, WORCESTER 01905 611427 much every level. The only thing missing, his live FOREST ARTS CENTRE, WALSALL STAFFORD GATEHOUSE 01785 254653 orchestra, would really have pushed the piece over 01922 654555 STOKE REPERTORY THEATRE that edge. Jamie Ryan IIII 01782 209784 www.whatsonlive.co.uk 37 Theatre March region one_Layout 1 24/02/2014 14:27 Page 15

COMING SOON TO THEATRE SEVERN

THURSDAY 6 MARCH 2014 NICHOLAS RIVER MONSTERS NICKLEBY face to face 7.30pm 7.30pm Performed by 7.30pm ‘Charles Dickens’ great grandson iMAGICIAN Gerald Dickens A One Man Show 14 March March March 14 24 14 March March 14 Tickets £14 Tickets £14 Tickets THE EVOLUTION OF MAGIC (£12) £16 Tickets With Jeremy Wade

Jamie Allan is one of the greatest inno- vators of modern magic and has devised HERMAN’S HERMITS illusions that have stunned audiences

across the globe. 7.30pm

11am & 2pm & 11am DOUG ALLAN 'Beautiful, Artistic' Andrew Marr In the Company of Giants

Wildlife Cameraman 1 April 1 One of the most sucessful groups world-wide (£12) £16 Tickets 28 March March 28 Tickets £17.50 Tickets FRIDAY 21 MARCH 2014 18+ 18+ 7.30pm 11am & 2pm & 11am 7.30pm CARA DILLON ROY CHUBBY BROWN WITH SUPPORT FROM Tickets £21 Tickets

Tickets £21 Tickets ReturnsCBeebies with favouritehis bluest double show actyest! 13 April 13 April 11 Returns with his bluest show yest! (£10) £12 Tickets WINTER MOUNTAIN April 11 Book Online www.tamworthassemblyrooms.co.uk "Cara Dillon is one of Ire- Box Office: 01827 709618 land’s truly great singers" Guardian

Coronation Street, Tamworth, Staffs, B79 7DN

SUNDAY 23 MARCH 2014

Fame: our society is obsessed with it – but who will talk honestly about what it’s really like? THE EASY WAY TO David Baddiel, in his first full show for fifteen years, does. BOOK YOUR TICKETS FRIDAY 28 MARCH 2014 ONLINE AN EVENING WITH RUTHIE HENSHALL Musical Theatre’s Leading Lady and her Band whatsonlive.co.uk

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO VIEW MORE The most comprehensive what’s on listings website SHOWS! for Birmingham and the West Midlands

Frankwell Quay, Box Office 01743 281 281 Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Book Online www.theatresevern.co.uk SY3 8FT

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Theatre WEST END Casting confirmed for Shakespeare In Love Tom Bateman and Lucy Briggs-Owen are to play star-crossed lovers William Shakespeare and Viola de Lesseps in the much-anticipated stage version of 1998 film Shakespeare In Love. Bateman’s stage credits include The Duchess Of Malfi at the Old Vic and Much Ado About Nothing at Wyndham’s Theatre, while Briggs-Owen has appeared in produc- tions of Boris Godunov, The Orphan Of Zhao and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Based on Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard’s Academy Award-winning screenplay, this major new version is brought to the stage by Lee Hall, the man behind multi-award-win- ning musical Billy Elliot. Shakespeare In Love opens at the Noel Cow- ard Theatre on 23 July.

Director, Sean F Goold unveils two new plays at the Almeida Theatre Great Gatsby star Carey Mulligan to make her West End debut Almeida Theatre’s new Artistic Director A brand new production of David Hare’s Sky- old flame Tom Sergeant, here played by Bill Rupert Goold has announced he’s to direct light is to open at Wyndham’s Theatre in Nighy. As they attempt to rekindle their for- the world premiere of a controversial new June. mer feelings for one another, Sergeant and ‘future history play’ about the early reign of The passionate drama received much Hollis engage in an evening of brutal debate Prince Charles. King Charles III explores not acclaim when it premiered at the National in - one that’s dangerously compromised by only the people underneath the crown and 1995, going on to win the Oliver Award for their opposing ideologies and mutual lust. the unwritten rules of Britain’s democracy, but best new play. Having since been resurrect- Matthew Beard, who starred alongside Mulli- also the conscience of the country’s most ed both in the West End and on Broadway, gan in the 2009 coming-of-age film An Edu- famous family. this latest revival sees Inside Llewellyn cation, makes his West End debut as Tom’s The production runs at the Almeida from 3 Davies and Great Gatsby actress Carey Mulli- son. April to 31 May, and is the first of two new gan make her West End debut, playing Directed by Stephen Daldry and featuring plays programmed at the venue by Goold. schoolteacher Kyra Hollis. designs by Bob Crowley, Skylight starts its The second, Anne Washburn’s Mr Burns, Set in present-day London, Skylight is a two-month run at Wyndham’s on 18 June. shows at the theatre from 5 June to 19 July. three-hander in which Hollis is reunited with

booking until 8 Mar Shakespeare’s Globe Vaudeville Theatre, 3 Gielgud Theatre, book- WEST END LISTINGS: 2014 Theatre, 17 May - 24 Apr - 2 Aug 2014 ing until 7 June 2014 THRILLER LIVE Aug 2014 KING LEAR DUCK HOUSE LES MISÉRABLES MUSICALS Lyric Theatre, booking DOCTOR SCROGGY’S WAR Olivier National Theatre, Vaudeville Theatre, Queen's Theatre, book- until 28 Sept 2014 BILLY ELLIOT – ing until 25 Oct 2014 Shakespeare’s Globe booking until 28 May booking until 29 Mar THE MUSICAL WE WILL ROCK YOU Theatre, from 12 Sept 2014 2014 LION KING Victoria Palace Theatre, Dominion Theatre, 2014 Lyceum Theatre, book- OTHER DESERT CITIES KNIGHTS OF THE booking until 16 May booking until 5 Apr ing until 28 Sept 2014 FATAL ATTRACTION Old Vic Theatre, 13 Mar BURNING PESTLE 2015 2014 Haymarket Theatre - 24 May 2014 Old Vic Theatre, 20 Feb MAMMA MIA! Novello BODYGUARD Adelphi WICKED Royal, 11 Mar - 21 Jun - 30 Mar 2014 Theatre, booking until Apollo Victoria Theatre, Theatre, booking until 2014 TWELFTH KNIGHT 25 Oct 2014 booking until 25 Apr COMEDY 30 Aug 2014 GHOST STORIES RE-IMAGINED MATILDA THE MUSICAL 2015 39 STEPS Criterion The- BOOK OF MORMON Cambridge Theatre, Arts Theatre, booking atre, booking until 18 Open Air Theatre, Prince Of Wales The- booking until 21 Dec until 24 May 2014 Oct 2014 Regent’s Park, atre, booking until 28 DRAMA 2014 HANDBAGGED 21 Jun - 12 July 2014 June 2014 ANTONY & CLEOPATRA BLITHE SPIRIT MISS SAIGON CHARLIE AND THE Prince Edward Theatre, CHOCOLATE FACTORY - Fatal Attraction - Haymarket Theatre Royal 3 May - 25 Oct 2014 THE MUSICAL Drury Lane Royal, ONCE booking until 30 May Phoenix Theatre, 13 2015 Mar - 4 July 2015 COMMITMENTS PAJAMA GAME Victoria Palace Theatre, Shaftesbury Theatre, 1 booking until 14 Sept May - 13 Sep 2014 2014 PHANTOM OF THE OPERA DIRTY ROTTEN Her Majesty's Theatre, SCOUNDRELS booking until 25 Oct Savoy Theatre, 10 Mar 2014 - 29 Nov 2014 PORGY AND BESS FROM HERE TO ETERNITY Open Air Theatre, Shaftesbury Theatre, Regents Park, 17 Jul - booking until 29 Mar 23 Aug 2014 2014 STEPHEN WARD I CAN’T SING! THE Aldwych Theatre, book- X FACTOR MUSICAL ing until 31 May 2014 London Palladium The- STOMP atre, booking until 25 Ambassadors Theatre, Oct 2014 booking until 21 Dec JERSEY BOYS 2014 Piccadilly Theatre, 14 TELL ME ON A SUNDAY Mar - 25 Oct 2014 Duchess Theatre,

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 39 Dance March_Layout 1 24/02/2014 11:10 Page 1 Dance

Mana Solihull Arts Complex, Tues 4 March; Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Fri 7 March; No.8 Pershore, Worcestershire, Fri 14 March; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 28 March Presented by Birmingham-based ACE dance and music, Mana is described as a ‘thought-provoking’ double-bill that blends Afro-fusion move- ment styles, martial arts techniques, and an essence of flamenco and ballet. Set to ‘a stunning backdrop’ of commissioned music and cutting- edge lighting design, the performance promises ‘a journey so powerful it will send shivers down the spine’. The two featured pieces include Spanish choreographer José Agudo’s A Thousand Shepherds - a celebration of discipline and dedication inspired by tradition - and South African choreographer, Vincent Mantsoe’s Mana (the same name as the double-bill), which evokes ‘the spirit and earthy ambience of African dance and traditions’. Founded in 1996, ACE dance and music combine African and Caribbean movement aesthetics with contemporary techniques to create high quality, innovative performance work.

Candoco Dance Company Love&Sex Aka Per-mission Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, The Drum, Birmingham, Fri 28 March Tues 4 - Wed 5 March This hard-hitting new dance show is delivered by Somerset-based State Of Founded in 1991 by Celeste Dandeker and Adam Emergency. Described as a journey in two parts, Love&Sex starts with the expectation Benjamin, Candoco Dance Company comprises dis- of a girls’ night out, and invites audiences to question their own behaviour and that of abled and non-disabled dancers who present a others. In part two, choreographer Alesandra Seutin has created a world of love and diverse repertoire of contemporary works. During its hope amidst the negative pressures of modern life. twenty-three-year history, the ensemble’s produc- Founded in 1986, at a time of political unrest both in the UK and globally, State Of tions have received plenty of critical praise, The Emergency was named after the mid-1980s dictate imposed by the apartheid govern- Observer describing them as ‘delicious and very ment in South Africa. funny’, and The Stage as ‘utterly cool’. This Warwick date, which sees Candoco present a triple-bill of works, showcases a new, full-company presentation by the award-winning Thomas Hauert. The choreog- rapher’s piece challenges dancers’ habitual ways of moving, and features ‘patterns of swirling, pushing, jittering and side-stepping in and out of formations, shifting and changing like a flock of birds.’ A restaging of Trisha Brown’s signature work Set And Reset/Reset, performed to Laurie Anderson’s score, also fea- tures, as does Two For C from award-winning chore- ographer Javier de Frutos.

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SWAN LAKE Vienna Mar, Malvern Theatre James Wilton Dance - mac, Midlands Arts Centre, LISTINGS Festival Ballet present GISELLE The Russian Birmingham Dance one of the best-known State Ballet & Orchestra love stories, Sun 16 of Siberia present the For full listing information on dance, Mar, Artrix, Bromsgrove heart-rending tale of including times and dates, visit THE SLEEPING BEAUTY love, treachery and for- www.whatsonlive.co.uk Royal Opera House giveness from beyond Live screening, Wed 19 the grave, Mon 24 Mar, Mar, The Edge Arts Wolverhampton Grand AN EVENING OF DIRTY vive, Wed 5 Mar, mac - Centre, Much Wenlock, Theatre DANCING Midlands Arts Centre, A tribute show South Shropshire SWAN LAKE The Russian Birmingham featuring great songs & Ludlow Assembly State Ballet & Orchestra MANA Fri 7 Mar, Arena and memorable danc- Rooms, South of Siberia present the Theatre, Birmingham ing, Sat 1 Mar, The Shropshire greatest romantic ballet AN EVENING OF Swan Theatre SWAN LAKE Moscow of all time, Tue 25 Mar, BURLESQUE Britain’s Worcester City Ballet present their Wolverhampton Grand EMBRACED BURLESQUE biggest burlesque interpretation of the Theatre spectacular, Fri 7 Mar, Evening of cabaret, world-famous ballet, SWAN LAKE Presented Stafford Gatehouse music, comedy and Thurs 20 Mar, Crewe by Vienna Festival Theatre burlesque..., Sat 1 Mar, Lyceum Ballet, Wed 26 Mar, ANTON DU BEKE Best Newhampton Arts THE LITTLE MERMAID Bedworth Civic Hall known for starring in Arena Theatre, from the Bolshoi Theatre Centre, Wolverhampton World premiere, pre- THE FALLING SONG Junk ESSENCE OF IRELAND BBC1’s Strictly Come Wolverhampton Moscow, Sun 30 Mar, sented by Ballet Ensemble push physi- Dancing, Anton Du BOLSHOI: THE GOLDEN Malvern Theatres Exploration of Irish Theatre UK, Sat 22 Mar, cality to the extreme in Beke is back with a AGE LIVE HD Broadcast myths through narra- Bridge House Theatre, a performance which stunning new show, Sat tion, Irish music and Warwick explores the dangerous 8 - Sun 9 Mar, Irish dancing, Sun 2 SLEEPING BEAUTY The relationship between Symphony Hall, Mar, Theatre Severn, Russian State Ballet of flying and falling, Thurs Birmingham Dance Box Office Shrewsbury Siberia present the 27 Mar, mac - Midlands MANA SWAN LAKE Presented A production of classic story of love and Arts Centre, B’ham by Moscow Ballet La African dance and innocence, mystery and MANA Fri 28 Mar, Artrix, ARENA THEATRE, NEW ALEXANDRA THEATRE, Classique Thurs 13 - Fri Shaman traditions. magic, set to Bromsgrove WOLVERHAMPTON BIRMINGHAM 14 Mar, Belgrade 01902 321321 0121 230 9082 Presented by ACE Tchaikovsky’s sublime LOVE & SEX AKA PER- Theatre, Coventry dance and music, Tue 4 score, Sun 23 Mar, MISSION State Of ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE ROYAL SPA CENTRE, IT’S SHOWTIME 2014 Mar, Solihull Arts Wolverhampton Grand Emergency present 01527 577330 LEAMINGTON SPA Presented by Ami Complex Theatre their brand new, hard- BIRMINGHAM 01926 334418 Ashton Dance CANDOCO DANCE A NIGHT IN THE WEST hitting dance theatre HIPPODROME SOLIHULL ARTS COMPLEX COMPANY TRIPLE BILL Company, Wed 12 - END Presented by show, Fri 28 Mar, The 0844 338 5000 0121 704 6962 Tue 4 - Wed 5 Mar, Thurs 13 Mar, Bedworth Yvonne’s School of Drum, Birmingham DOVEHOUSE THEATRE STAFFORD GATEHOUSE Civic Hall Warwick Arts Centre, Dance and Curtain Call HOLI: A CELEBRATION OF 0121 706 7139 THEATRE GISELLE Moscow Ballet Coventry Productions, Sun 23 COLOUR Jai Jashn 01785 254653 JAMES WILTON DANCE: La Classique present LICHFIELD GARRICK Mar, Crewe Lyceum Dance and Arena 01543 412121 THEATRE SEVERN, LAST MAN STANDING the most romantic of Theatre Theatre present an SHREWSBURY James Wilton's first full- classical ballets, Thurs LUDLOW ASSEMBLY ROOMS, ESSENCE OF IRELAND evening of music and SHROPSHIRE 01743 281281 13 - Sat 15 Mar, length work, which Sun 23 Mar, The Roses dance which celebrates 01584 873229 Belgrade Theatre, WARWICK ARTS CENTRE, explores ‘threats to life’ Theatre, Tewkesbury India's rich and diverse and man's desire to sur- Coventry MAC, BIRMINGHAM COVENTRY PASHA & KATYA Sun 23 culture, Sat 29 Mar, 0121 446 3232 02476 524524

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

From FRI 14 MAR

Grace Of Monaco CERT tbc Starring Nicole Kidman, Tim Roth, Frank Langella, Parker Posey, Milo Ventimiglia, Derek Jacobi, Paz Vega, TOP 5 Robert Lindsay Directed by Olivier Dahan (USA/Monaco/France/Belgium/Italy) As of Monaco has been chosen to open this year’s Cannes Film Festival, one hopes that it will FILM BOX OFFICE receive a warmer reception than last year’s Diana. The latter, which starred Nicole’s friend Naomi Watts as Princess Diana, was given an unwarranted critical mauling - it was obviously too fragile a subject for a film. Here, Olivier Dahan’s biography deals with the marital crisis of the former Grace Kelly, who went from being The Lego Movie (U) Hollywood royalty to bona fide European sovereignty. Tim Roth, a fine actor, seems an odd choice to play 1 Prince Rainier III, but then Dahan did help to earn Marion Cotillard an Oscar for playing Edith Piaf (in La Vie En Rose). The Monuments 2 Men (12a) Captain America: RoboCop (12a) The Winter Solider CERT tbc 3 Starring Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Robert Redford, Samuel L. Jackson, Mr Peabody Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Cobie Smulders, Hayley Atwell, Dominic Cooper 4 And Sherman (U) Directed by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo (USA) The Wolf Of At the end of Captain America: The First Wall Street (18) Avenger (2011), CP - aka Steve Rogers - 5 found himself transported from the Second World War to present-day America. As if adjusting to and climate change weren’t enough, CP now finds himself pitted against a ruthless Soviet assassin, the Winter Soldier, who happens to have been CP’s old friend of yore (aka James ‘Bucky’ Barnes). But, luckily for CP, he now has the help of the From Black Widow (Johansson) and the Falcon FRI 28 (Mackie). But are they enough to save the MAR future of the planet? Shown in both 3D and the IMAX format.

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FilmNEW RELEASES

Released from Fri 7 Mar

The Grand Budapest Hotel CERT 12a (100 mins) Starring Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray Abraham, Edward Norton, Mathieu Amalric, Saoirse Ronan, Adrien Brody, Jude Law, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson Directed by Wes Anderson (UK/Germany) For those who like their entertainment a little mannered and askew, then Wes Anderson is their man. Following the cult euphoria that greeted his The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, The Darjeeling Limited and Moonrise Kingdom, Anderson now brings us an original story about a concierge in an imaginary European country. Ralph Fiennes plays the porter of the epony- mous establishment (in the Republic of Zubrowka) and his adventures prove to be pre- dictably unconventional. Paranoia CERT 12 (102 mins) 300: Rise Of An Empire Starring Liam Hemsworth, Gary Oldman, CERT 15 (102mins) Amber Heard, Harrison Ford, Lucas Till, Starring Sullivan Stapleton, Eva Green, Embeth Davidtz, Richard Dreyfuss Lena Headey, Hans Matheson, Rodrigo Directed by Robert Luketic (USA) Santoro, David Wenham Although shot in the summer of 2012, Paranoia Directed by Noam Murro (USA/Bulgaria) is only being released now - rushed into cine- Seven years ago Zack Snyder’s sword-and- mas in the silly season - sandal epic 300 made Gerard Butler a major after a tsunami of hos- star. Now we have the sequel in which the tile reviews in the US. A Australian actor Sullivan Stapleton (Animal story of corporate greed Kingdom) plays the Greek general and skulduggery, it’s Themistokles who defends his people from based on the novel by invading Persian forces led by Xerxes Joseph Finder and has (Santoro). Expect lots of fighting. In 3D and a cast to die for. Pity. (in some cinemas) IMAX.

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Escape From Planet Earth CERT U (89 mins) With the voices of Brendan Fraser, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rob Corddry, William Shatner, Craig Robinson, Jessica Alba, Ricky Gervais Directed by Cal Brunker (Canada/USA) Scorch Supernova (Fraser) is a heroic astro- naut from the Planet Baab and gets an SOS call from Earth - aka the Dark Planet. But it’s a trap and Scorch is captured and tranquilized by the dastardly General Shanker (Shatner) and taken to Area 51 where the army hotshot keeps a variety of aliens… The American reviews were not kind. In 3D

Released from Weds 12 Mar From FRI 21 MAR Need For Speed CERT 12a (130 mins) Starring Aaron Paul, Dominic Cooper, Scott CERT 12a (96 mins) CERT 15 (100 mins) Mescudi, Imogen Poots, Ramon Rodriguez, The Rocket About Last Night Michael Keaton, Dakota Johnson Starring Sitthiphon Disamoe, Loungnam Starring Kevin Hart, Michael Ealy, Regina Directed by Scott Waugh (USA) Kaosainam, Suthep Po-ngam, Sumrit Warin Hall, Joy Bryant, Paula Patton, Christopher Directed by Kim Mordaunt McDonald Directed by Steve Pink (USA) Yet another film based on a video game, this (Australia/Thailand/Laos) is yet another story about a man - a speed A remake of the 1986 romcom that starred racer, no less - who is wrongly imprisoned. Considering the country’s extraordinary Rob Lowe and Demi Moore, this version has There are also the familiar ingredients of a topography and political and cultural legacy, changed the colour of the characters and frame-up and then revenge. Mr Paul, of it is astonishing that Laos has not served as switched the locale from Chicago to Los course, is most famous for playing Jesse the backdrop for a major film until now. Angeles. But it’s still about the complications Pinkman in the cult TV series Breaking Bad. Marking the feature directorial debut of the of love, from the first bloom through to a time In 3D. Australian documentarian (and former actor) of reconciliation. And like the first film, it’s a Kim Mordaunt, The Rocket explores the dis- rough adaptation of David Mamet’s 1974 play placement of a rural Lao community as a Sexual Perversity In Chicago. new dam is constructed. The central charac- ter is Ahlo, a ten-year-old boy believed to bring bad luck wherever he goes. Veronica Mars CERT tbc Nonetheless, Ahlo is filled with a sense of Starring Kristen Bell, Jason Dohring, Krysten adventure and mischief as befits a boy of his Ritter, Ryan Hansen, Francis Capra age. And even with his home and family in Directed by Rob Thomas (USA) tatters, Ahlo resolves to build a rocket (of the Nine years after the TV series ended, the fea- firework variety) to prove his worth… ture film version of Veronica Mars arrives, with Working with non-professional actors and Kristen Bell reprising her role as the former shooting on the hoof in amongst the gor- teenage sleuth. Although reluctant to return to geous jungle her hometown of Neptune, California, Veronica scenery, Mordaunt goes there to investigate a murder to clear her has created a old boyfriend’s name. The Zero Theorem CERT 15 (106 mins) bewitching fable Starring Christoph Waltz, Mélanie Thierry, that is at once David Thewlis, Lucas Hedges, Matt Damon, magical, heart- Released from Fri 21 Mar Tilda Swinton breaking, earthy, Directed by Terry Gilliam (UK/Romania) relevant and Prior to the Monty Python team getting back breathtakingly A Long Way Down CERT 15 (96 mins) together again, its American member managed beautiful - one of Starring Pierce Brosnan, Toni Collette, Aaron to direct one of his increasingly rare and the most distinc- Paul, Imogen Poots, Rosamund Pike, Sam unconventional movies. This one is a science tive and unusual Neill, Tuppence Middleton fiction fantasy films you are likely Directed by Pascal Chaumeil (UK) about a com- to see all year. Johnny Depp bought the rights to Nick puter hacker Hornby’s 2005 novel before it was even pub- (Waltz) looking lished, but has taken a back seat on this all- for the mean- Under The Skin CERT 15 (108 mins) British production. It’s the story of four people ing of life. Of Starring Scarlett Johansson, Antonia who decide to commit suicide by jumping off a course, it’s all Campbell-Hughes, Paul Brannigan tall building in London on New Year’s Eve. The Directed by Jonathan Glazer (UK) there in the twist is that they’re all strangers and each char- algebra, From the director of Sexy Beast and Birth, this acter’s attempt to end his life in solitude is except that science fiction thriller stars Scarlett Johansson ruined by the appearance of the other. Knowing Life keeps on as an alien who preys on hitchhikers in Hornby, there’ll be quite a lot of humour in getting in the Scotland. Apparently, you’ll either love it or hate amongst the soul searching. way… it.

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Starred Up CERT 18 (106 mins) Starring Jack O'Connell, Ben Mendelsohn, , Sam Spruell Directed by David Mackenzie (UK) Written by the former prison therapist Jonathan Asser, Starred Up is the story of a teenage inmate (O’Connell) who, because of his predilection for violence, is moved from a young offender’s institution to an adult jail. There, he not only encounters an unconven- tional therapist (Friend) but his own father (Mendelsohn). Expect some pretty strong vio- lence (and language).

From WEDS The Unknown Known CERT tbc 28 MAR Directed by Errol Morris (USA) With films like The Thin Blue Line and The Fog Of War under his belt, Errol Morris has proved Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Orange Prize- winning novel set during the Nigerian-Biafran Muppets Most Wanted himself to be one of the pre-eminent documen- CERT U (113 mins) tary filmmakers working today. Here, he turns War of 1967-1970. While Adichie and the director Bandele are Nigerian, the two leads Starring Ricky Gervais, Ty Burrell, Tina Fey, his attention to Donald Rumsfeld, the former Tom Hiddleston, Zach Galifianakis, Kermit, US Secretary of Defence. And, yes, the 2003 are played by the London-born Thandie Miss Piggy, The Great Gonzo invasion of Iraq will be under discussion. Newton and Chiwetel Ejiofor, as Olanna and Directed by James Bobin (USA) her lover Odenigbo. While they are both very Following the unexpected critical and com- good, Bandele (a prominent novelist and mercial success of The Muppets (2011), playwright) is unable to draw convincing per- Yves Saint Laurent CERT 15 (106mins) Kermit & co. are back for more songs and formances from the rest of his cast and the Starring Pierre Niney, Guillaume Gallienne, adventures. This time the gang are on tour in film, at best, is workmanlike. And, spanning Charlotte Lebon, Laura Smet Europe (London, Berlin, Madrid) and find Directed by Jalil Lespert (France) most of the 1960s, it fails to find a cohesive themselves involved in an international crime narrative, although under the guidance of With a title like this, you can expect a good racket headed by Kermit’s double. deal of fashion. Indeed, this is a biog of the cinematographer John de Borman it does Frenchman once described as the most influ- look terrific. power of detail and he draws the viewer into ential fashion designer of the latter part of the his sun-dappled, off-kilter scenario with cine- twentieth century. However, Lespert’s film matic finesse. The humour is there, but it’s tackles more than the catwalks and explores the humour that arises out of life, not a fabri- Saint Laurent’s long-term friendship, love cated line of dialogue. The production values affair and business partnership with Pierre are ace and the central performances of Bergé. Amazingly, this is the fifth film to have Winslet and Josh Brolin are pitch perfect: been made about Saint Laurent. Winslet at once con- fused, fragile and protective of her son; Brolin strong, warm and vigilant. If the film never entire- ly sheds its novelis- tic genesis, it is nonetheless an Labor Day CERT 12a (111 mins) engrossing, gripping Starring Kate Winslet, Josh Brolin, Tobey and moving tale. Maguire, Gattlin Griffith, Clark Gregg, Brooke Smith Directed by Jason Reitman (USA) Released from Fri 28 Mar The films of Jason Reitman (Juno, Up In The Air, Young Adult) tend to be about the jour- neys taken by a single character - usually with a good deal of humour. Labor Day, The Legend Of Hercules Half Of A Yellow Sun CERT 12a (99 mins) CERT 15 (111 mins) adapted from the novel by Joyce Maynard, is different in that it is about a family. One might Starring Kellan Lutz, Gaia Weiss, Scott Starring Thandie Newton, Chiwetel Ejiofor, even accuse it of Norman Rockwell-esque Adkins, Roxanne McKee Anika Noni Rose, Joseph Mawle, John Directed by Renny Harlin (USA) Boyega Directed by Biyi Bandele (Nigeria/UK) aspirations of Americana, but then this is no ordinary family. Kate Winslet’s Adele Wheeler K.Lutz played Emmet Cullen in the Twilight It is perhaps ironic that great African parts is suffering from a degenerative psychologi- saga and here gets to flex his pecs as Greek are so often played by the English. Winnie cal disorder, her thirteen-year-old son Hank mythology’s great hunk. Unfortunately, the film Mandela has been played by the London- (Griffith) is taking on the responsibilities of was a massive flop in the US, augmented by born Sophie Okonedo and Naomie Harris, the house and Mr Wheeler has run off with excoriating reviews. Let’s hope that the August Nelson Mandela by Idris Elba, and (wince) another woman. Then a killer forces his way release Hercules - with Dwayne Johnson as the Muhammad Ahmad by Laurence Olivier (in into their home… Reitman appreciates the eponymous hunk - is a better proposition. Khartoum). Now comes the adaptation of www.whatsonlive.co.uk 47 Film March 2014 for website_Layout 1 25/02/2014 08:51 Page 7

celebrate his memory Garner. Showing at mac, Hannah Arendt 12a Wolverhampton, until A-Z LISTINGS before they scatter his Birmingham, Sat 1 - Thurs While reporting on the Thurs 6 Mar Film ashes in the garden. Stars 2 Mar Nazi war crime trial of Kiss The Water PG Emma Garden, Anna Adolf Eichmann, Hannah False Trail 15 A portrait of the extraordi- All films are currently on general release Mottram. Showing at mac, Arendt became When Erik’s boss orders nary, eccentric Megan unless otherwise stated. For full listing Birmingham, Mon 17 - embroiled in controversy him back to his home Boyd, who lived a hermit’s Thurs 20 Mar when she tried to under- information, including times and dates, town to solve a brutal existence in the Scottish stand how such an ordi- visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Blancanieves 12a murder, he hesitantly Highlands, where she nary person could be part A black and white silent film returns, the thought of became the world’s most of something so evil. Tewkesbury, Weds 19 Mar retelling Snow White and going back stirring up celebrated maker of 12 Years A Slave 15 Showing at The Edge Arts Based on the autobiogra- set in 1920s Seville. unpleasant memories. salmon fishing flies. The Armstrong Lie 15 Centre, Much Wenlock, phy of Soloman Northup, Showing at Foxlowe Arts And what at first appears Showing at Ludlow The extraordinary story of Mon 31 Mar who was kidnapped and Centre, Leek, Tues 25 Mar to be a simple murder Assembly Rooms, South the Tour de France cham- sold into slavery in 1841. soon proves to be some- Her 12a Shropshire, Thurs 6 Mar; pion Lance Armstrong, his Blue Jasmine 12a Stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and thing much more compli- In the not-too-distant Stoke Film Theatre, Thurs fight with testicular and New York socialite Jasmine Michael Fassbender. cated. Showing at future, Theo, who’s going 13 Mar brain cancer, his astonish- Francis has got a major Showing at Old Market Foxlowe Arts Centre, through a divorce, down- ing comeback and then case of the blues. She’s Le Weekend 12a Hall, Shrewsbury, until Sat Leek, Tues 4 Mar loads a voice-activated his terrible shame. also forced to move in with A couple take a trip to 1 Mar; Ludlow Assembly operating system. Showing at mac, her sister when her mar- Fill The Void U Paris to rejuvenate their Rooms, South Shropshire, Choosing a female identi- Birmingham, Sat 1 - Mon riage to a rich businessman Set in the highly orthodox marriage. While there, Sat 1 - Tues 4 Mar; Wem ty for his new programme, 3 Mar self-destructs. Stars Alec world of the Haredi they bump into an old Town Hall, North he finds himself becoming Baldwin and Cate Jewish. Shira is an eight- friend who acts as a cata- Shropshire, Tues 4th & totally reliant on ‘Her’. Blanchett. Showing at The een-year-old girl looking lyst for things to come. Thurs 6 Mar; Roses Stars Joaquin Phoenix Edge Arts Centre, Much forward to marriage when, Jim Broadbent and Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sun and the voice of Scarlett Wenlock, Mon 3 Mar out of the blue, her older Lindsay Duncan star. 9 - Mon 17 Mar; Stoke Johansson. Showing at sister dies. So, in keeping Showing at The Edge Arts Film Theatre, Fri 14 - Warwick Arts Centre, The Book Thief 12a with tradition, she’s forced Centre, Much Wenlock, Sat 15 Mar; The WATCH Coventry, Sun 2 Mar; mac, A young girl sent to to marry her late sister’s Mon 10 Mar Festival Drayton Birmingham, Fri14 - Thurs live with a foster family husband… Showing at Centre, Fri 21 - Sat 20 Mar THE FILM in World War Two Hereford Courtyard The Life Of Pi PG 22, Mon 24 - Tues Germany learns to The story of a sixteen- Theatre, Mon 24 - Weds The Innocents 12a 25 Mar read with encourage- year-old Indian boy 26 Mar Based on the novella The TRAILERS AT ment from Max, a stranded on a lifeboat in 1395 Days Without Turn Of The Screw, by Jewish refugee who Fires Were Started U the Pacific with a Bengal Red tbc whatsonlive.co.uk Henry James, this 1961 they’re hiding under the Tells of the London fire- tiger, a spotted hyena, a A woman makes her way psychological thriller stairs. Showing at Wem service battling in the Blitz. zebra and an orangutan. through an eerily quiet city. returns to the big screen. Town Hall, Tues 11 & Showing at The Hive, Showing at The Norbury At every crossing she Deborah Kerr stars as a Thurs 13 Mar; Old Market Shrewsbury, Fri 7 Mar Theatre, Droitwich Spa, stops. Should she wait or governess who becomes The Artist 15 Theatre, Shrewsbury, until Weds 19 Mar should she run? Should convinced that the chil- It’s 1927, and George Thurs 13 Mar; mac, Frozen PG she wait for others or take dren in her care are pos- Valentin is a silent movie Birmingham, Fri 21 - Thurs Loosely based on Hans Lift To The Scaffold PG the risk on her own? The sessed. Showing at megastar whose fame is 27 Mar Christian Andersen’s The One of the seminal city is Sarajevo, and the Ludlow Assembly Rooms, threatened by the advent Snow Queen, in which French films of the 1950s. route the woman takes South Shropshire, Thurs of the ‘talkies’. Dismissing Captain Phillips 12a the kingdom of Arendelle A handsome veteran of became known as Sniper 20 Mar this technological Tom Hanks plays the is turned into an eternal the Indo-China and Alley during the siege of the eponymous captain, who winter by the Princess Algerian Wars and his advance as a fad, he Inside Llewyn Davis 15 city endured by its citizens was abducted by Somali Elsa. Showing at Malvern lover plan the murder of stubbornly ploughs on Set in Greenwich Village, for 1395 days between pirates in 2009. Showing Theatres, Sat 1 - Sun 2 her arms-manufacturer with a big budget silent New York, in 1961, and 1992 and 1996. Stars at The Edge Arts Centre, Mar husband. Stars Maurice epic. Showing at Warwick loosely based on the Maribel Verdú. Showing at Much Wenlock, Mon 24 Ronet, Jeanne Moreau. Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat memoir of folk singer mac, Birmingham, Sat 22 Mar The Great Flood U Film score by Miles Davis. 1 Mar Dave Van Ronk. Stars Mar A documentary built up Showing at mac, Oscar Isaac. Directed by August: Osage County Cinema Paradiso 15 from hours of archive Birmingham, Tues 4 - All Is Lost 12a the Coen brothers. 15 Salvatore, now a success- footage filmed in 1927, Thurs 6 Mar A story of survival, when Showing at Wem Town Adapted from the 2007 ful film director, returns when the Mississippi’s the craft of a lone sailor Hall, North Shropshire, play by Tracy Letts, this is home for the funeral of banks broke in one hun- Lore 15 takes on water after a col- Mon 3 - Weds 5 Mar; a black comedy set in an Alfredo, his old friend who dred-and-forty-five differ- In Nazi Germany during lision with a shipping con- Artrix, Bromsgrove, Mon 3 Oklahoma household was projectionist at the ent places and forced the dying days of World tainer. Robert Redford & Fri 14 Mar; Stoke Film where a crisis reunites the local cinema throughout thousands of people from War Two, five destitute sib- stars. Showing at Ludlow Theatre, Fri 7 - Sat 8 Mar; women in the family. his childhood. Soon, their homes. And, like lings must travel 900km to Assembly Rooms, South Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Meryl Streep and Julia memories of his first love Hurricane Katrina, it’s a their grandmother's home Shropshire, Sat 8 - Mon South Shropshire, from Fri Roberts star. Showing at affair and all the highs and natural disaster that after their Nazi parents are 10 Mar 28 Mar mac, Birmingham, Fri 14 - lows that shaped his life throws man-made arrested by Allied Forces. come flooding back. inequality into sharp relief. Showing at The Hive, American Hustle 15 Tues 18 Mar; Roses The Invisible Woman Showing at Roses Showing at mac, Shrewsbury, Fri 21 Mar Christian Bale plays Irving Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sat 12a Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sun Birmingham, Weds 26 Rosenfeld, a 1970s con- 29 Mar - Tues 01 Apr The film focuses on 16 Mar Mar Mandela: Long Walk To man coerced into helping Back To The Garden Dickens’ extra-marital rela- Freedom 12a the FBI ensnare a cadre tionship with Ellen ‘Nelly’ 12a The Dallas Buyers Club The Great Gatsby 12a The late anti-apartheid of corrupt politicians. Ternan. Stars Ralph It’s a year since the death 15 Baz Luhrmann’s produc- activist Nelson Mandela Based on real events. Fiennes and Felicity of an inspirational theatre Based on a lengthy article tion of the famous F Scott has been played by sev- Showing at The Festival Jones. Showing at director, and his widow is in the Dallas Morning Fitzgerald novel stars eral actors, but this is the Drayton Centre, Fri 7 & Warwick Arts Centre, struggling to come to terms News, this is a true story Leonardo De Caprio and first film to be based on Mon 8 Mar; Ludlow Coventry, Sun 2 Mar; with her loss. So a group of about a homophobic Carey Mulligan. Showing Mandela’s autobiography. Assembly Rooms, South Artrix, Bromsgrove, Mon 3 close friends come to rodeo jock who contracts at Forest Arts Centre, Stars Idris Elba. Showing Shropshire, Mon 17 - Tues & Fri 14 Mar; Light House spend , to Aids. Starring Matthew Walsall, Thurs 20 Mar at Roses Theatre, 18 Mar; Roses Theatre, Media Centre, offer their support and to McConaughey, Jennifer Tewkesbury, Sun 2 - Tues

WALSALL 01922 645 555 ODEON TELFORD ODEON TAMWORTH Worcestershire 0871 224 4007 0871 224 4007 CINEMA Box Office ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE Shropshire OMH SHREWSBURY 01527 577330 01743 281281 Warwickshire Birmingham SHOWCASE 0871 220 1000 CINEWORLD, SHREWSBURY MALVERN THEATRE VUE CINEMA Star City 08712 0871 200 2000 WEM TOWN HALL ODEON COVENTRY 0845 287 2146 CINEWORLD Broad St, B’ham 01939 232299 0871 224 4007 240 240 THE EDGE ARTS CENTRE, THE NORBURY THEATRE, 0871 200 2000 MUCH WENLOCK Staffordshire ODEON NUNEATON DROITWICH SPA CINEWORLD Solihull Black Country 01952 728 911 0871 224 4007 08444 777 1000 0871 200 2000 CINEWORLD W’HAMPTON CINEWORLD, BURTON-UPON- SHOWCASE, COVENTRY FESTIVAL DRAYTON CENTRE, TRENT 0871 200 2000 WAREHOUSE, ELECTRIC, B’ham 0871 200 2000 MARKET DRAYTON 0871 220 1000 KIDDERMINSTER THE STAFFORD CINEMA, 0121 643 7879 LIGHT HOUSE MEDIA CEN- 01630 654 444 VUE, LEAMINGTON SPA 01562 747773 STAFFORD EMPIRE 0871 471 4714 TRE, W’HAMPTON 01902 THE HIVE, SHREWSBURY 08712 240 240 VUE, WORCESTER 0207 438 9580 MILLENNIUM POINT 716055 01743 234 970 PICTURE HOUSE, 0871 224 0240 0121 202 2222 ODEON MERRY HILL, LUDLOW ASSEMBLY ROOMS FOXLOWE ARTS CENTRE, STRATFORD-UPON-AVON THE ROSE’S THEATRE, DUDLEY 0871 22 44007 LEEK 01538 386 112 MAC 0121 446 3232 01584 878 141 0871 902 5741 TEWKESBURY STOKE FILM THEATRE, 01782 ODEON 0871 224 4007 SHOWCASE, DUDLEY MAJESTIC, BRIDGNORTH WARWICK ARTS CENTRE 01684 295 074 0871 220 1000 411188 COVENTRY 02476 524524 REEL Quinton 0121 421 5316 01746 761815 FOREST ARTS CENTRE, Film March 2014 for website_Layout 1 25/02/2014 08:51 Page 8

2 - Mon 10 Mar; Ludlow ride to Earth on a passing Showing at Ludlow Stiller, is the ultimate Showing at Roses restore order. Voiced by Assembly Rooms, South comet.Showing at Roses Assembly Rooms, South dreamer, who embarks on Theatre, Tewkesbury, Mon David Jason and Michael Shropshire, Sun 23 - Mon Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sat Shropshire, Tues 4 - Wes extravagant adventures 24 - Tues 25 Mar Hordern, among others. 24 Mar 22 Mar 5 Mar inside his own head. Showing at mac, Showing at Roses Up U Birmingham, Sat 8 Mar The Madness Of King The Night Of The Philomena12a Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sun This charming and visual- George12a Hunter12 Dame Judi Dench plays 2 - Mon 3 Mar; Hereford ly stunning family film fol- The Wolf Of Wall Street The story of King George The story of a religious Philomena Lee, an elderly Courtyard Theatre, Mon lows grumpy old widower 18 III of England's slide into fanatic who marries a woman who decides to 17 - Weds 19 Mar Carl as he and his house Over its three-hour running insanity and its resulting gullible widow whose search for the son taken travel to Venezuela with time, there’s so much bad effects on both his family young children are reluc- from her when she was Stranger By The Lake the help of thousands of behaviour, so much profan- and the government of tant to tell him where their just a teenager. Also stars 18 balloons.Showing at ity, so much cocaine and the time. Stars Nigel ‘real daddy’ hid ten thou- Steve Coogan.Showing Alain Guiraudie’s atmos- Warwick Arts hookers and parties that it’s Hawthorne and Helen sand dollars he’d stolen in at Stourbridge Town Hall, pheric thriller is set at a Centre,Coventry, Sat 15 like The Hangover that Mirren.Showing at Stoke a robbery. Stars Robert Mon 3 Mar; Foxlowe Arts beautiful lakeside spot in Mar swallowed Wall Street. Film Theatre, Tues 11 Mar Mitchum and Shelly Centre, Leek, Tues 18 southern France, fre- Leonardo DiCaprio stars. Winters. Showing at mac, Mar; Hereford Courtyard quented by men sun- Walking With Showing at Ludlow The Missing Picture12a Birmingham, Fri 7 - Sat 8 Theatre, from Sun 30 Mar bathing in the summer DinosaursU Assembly Rooms, South Rithy Panh uses clay fig- Mar; Hereford Courtyard heat and seeking out State-of-the-art computer Shropshire, Tues 25 - ures, archival footage and Theatre, Thurs 27 Mar The Railway Man15 anonymous casual animation and real-life Weds 26 Mar; Roses narration to recreate the Based on the autobiogra- encounters in the nearby backgrounds are used to Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sat atrocities Cambodia's Only Lovers Left Alive phy of Eric Lomax who, woods. Franck bears wit- tell the story of three 22 - Tues 25; Hereford Khmer Rouge committed 15 as a POW for the ness to a murder and, as dinosaurs from infancy to Courtyard Theatre, from Fri between 1975 and 1979. A reclusive, centuries-old Japanese, helped build a silent witness, must adulthood.Showing at 28 Mar Showing at Stoke Film vampire rock star is find- the Thai-Burma Railway. choose between his pas- Roses Theatre, Theatre, Tues 11 Mar ing it hard to keep up with Colin Firth and Nicole sion and his moral integri- Tewkesbury, Sat 15 Mar The World’s End15 modern technology. In Kidman star.Showing at ty. Showing at mac, Having failed with a pub The Monuments Men fact, it’s all getting so Malvern theatres, until What Maisie Knew15 crawl twenty years previ- 12a Birmingham, Sun 9 - Seven-year-old Maisie much that he decides to Thurs 6th Mar; Stoke Film Thurs 13 Mar ously, five childhood friends Based on the book by take his own life… Stars Theatre, Thurs 6 Mar; finds herself used as a meet up in order to re- Robert M Edsel, this is the Tom Hiddleston, Tilda Wem Town Hall, North Sunshine On LeithPG bargaining tool as her par- attempt their alcoholic feat. true story of a group of art Swinton.Showing at mac, Shropshire, Weds 26 - A musical following the ents part and try to start But before they reach The historians and curators Birmingham, Fri 21 - Weds Thurs 27 Mar story of two soldiers from new lives with new lovers. World’s End alehouse, they who’re conscripted to infil- 26 Mar Afghanistan who have to Julianne Moore and realise that the planet has trate Nazi Germany in Rush PG adjust to civilian life in Alexander Skarsgård star. been invaded by aliens order to track down The Patience Stone15 The film charts the rivalry Edinburgh.Showing at Showing at Foxlowe Arts Stars Simon Pegg. invaluable works of art. Somewhere in an between Formula One Stourbridge Town Hall, Fri Centre, Leek, Tues 11 Mar Showing at Forest Arts Showing at The Light unnamed Middle Eastern racers James Hunt and 7 Mar Centre, Walsall, Fri 7 Mar House Media Centre, country, a loyal, thirty- Niki Lauda as they com- The Wind In The Wolverhampton, until something wife faithfully pete for the 1976 World Teenage12a WillowsU Zero de ConduitePG Thurs 6 Mar; mac, sits watch over her vege- Championship. Chris Teenagers didn’t exist A stop-motion animation Director Jean Vigo’s tale of Birmingham, Fri 7 - Thurs tative husband, who’s all Hemsworth and Daniel much before the 1950s. version of Kenneth an uprising in a French 13 Mar but been forgotten by his Brühl star.Showing at The Or did they? This kaleido- Grahame's classic chil- boarding school.Showing fellow Jihadists. Over Edge Arts Centre, Much scopic collage of rare dren's book. The Wild at The Hive, Shrewsbury, The Moon ManU time, she gathers the Wenlock, Mon 17 Mar archive footage, diary Wood is disturbed by Fri 7 Mar Meet the man in the courage to tell him all of entries and Super 8 recre- Toad's latest eccentric moon, whose solitary the things she remained The Secret Life Of ations follows their evolu- scheme, and it's up to existence comes to an silent about during their Walter MittyPG tion during the first half of Mole, Ratty and Badger to end when he hitches a ten years of marriage. Mitty, played by Ben the twentieth century. For full listings visit: www.whatsonlive.co.uk

DVD NEW RELEASES Ender’s Game 12a The Counsellor 18 Our planet has been invad- Michael Fassbender ed. Again. In anticipation of plays the counsellor of the a follow-up attack, ‘The title, a lawyer whose International Fleet’ decides greed leads him into deep to train children for battles water when he teams up in the future. Stars Asa with a drug trafficker and Butterfield and Harrison attempts to smuggle $20 Ford. Based on the novel million-worth of cocaine by Orson Scott Card. across the Mexican bor- Released 10 March der. Released 17 March Jeune & Jolie 18 That’s ‘Young & Beautiful’ in English. The drama focuses on a year in the life of a seventeen-year- old French prostitute. Stars Marine Vacth. Released 24 March Dom Hemingway 15 Drinking Buddies 15 Kate and Luke work in a Homefront 12a was penned by Steve Fill The Void U small brewery in Chicago. Jason Statham plays a Coogan and Jeff Pope, and With films like Eyes Wide Oldboy 18 While they both have signif- former DEA agent who won the Best Screenplay Open, Lemon Tree and Here, Josh Brolin (No icant others, they love their moves his family to a Award at Venice. Judi Waltz With Bashir, Israel is Country For Old Men, time together and are actu- quiet town to escape his Dench plays the epony- proving to be a leader in Gangster Squad) plays ally rather perfect for each violent past, only to find mous heroine, while world cinema. This one is the detainee with retribu- other. Stars Olivia Wilde the place is ruled by a Coogan plays journalist set in the highly orthodox tion on his mind. Expect and Jake Johnson. meth drug lord. Also stars Martin Sixsmith. world of the Haredi Jewish some strong adult con- Released 10 March James Franco and Released 24 March community in Tel Aviv. Shira tent. Winona Ryder. Mendelman is an eighteen- Released 31 March Released 31 March year-old girl looking forward Dom Hemingway is a safe- to her marriage when, out cracker who’s just spent of the blue, her older sister the last twelve years in Philomena 12a dies in childbirth. So, in prison. Now he’s out - and Philomena Lee is an elderly keeping with the levirate tra- wants his reward for keep- woman who decides to dition, she’s forced to marry ing his mouth shut. Stars search for the son taken her late sister’s husband. Jude Law. from her when she was just Stars Hadas Yaron and Released 24 March a teenager. The script, Chaim Sharir. inspired by a true story, Released 24 March Frontiers Feature PO_Layout 1 24/02/2014 18:36 Page 1

Two worlds collide... bringing Downtown New York to Birmingham

Birmingham will be filled with the sounds of Birmingham’s own vibrant music scene, with its Downtown New York this month, when Frontiers strong young voices and bold new work, adds Festival hits venues across the city. Presented to the programme. Visitors can expect by Birmingham Conservatoire and Third Ear, performances taking in everything from jazz to Frontiers looks to the collaborative and do-it- post-punk, with experimental new sounds and your-own-way traditions of New York, and to the cutting-edge technology. Plus there’s sounds, ideas and iconic moments from that performance art, exhibitions, performance city which have fuelled music culture. poetry, workshops, talks and film screenings.

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Frontiers Festival Producer Ed McKeon has had a career spanning two decades, presenting over 200 events and commissioning 100 new musical works during that time. He is also a lecturer and broadcaster. What’s On recently caught up with Ed to ask him about his favourite picks for Frontiers Festival:

What can we expect in Frontiers Festival? So what do you mean by ‘Downtown New York’? Frontiers Festival is an invitation to lose yourself ‘Downtown New York’ is the term given to the in a parallel world - but it isn’t the fantasy New musical and artistic scene which began in New York of yellow cabs, Times Square and Sinatra’s York in the 1960s. Artists began to use non- ‘city that never sleeps’. traditional venues, such as lofts The Downtown that Frontiers offers is an and industrial spaces, to make and perform experience of being more alive, super-alert, experimental music and art. The rule book was torn astonished by sounds, performance, poetry, up; it was a case of ‘anything goes’. film and visual music that has changed your world. The musicians, artists and poets who What’s the link between Downtown New York make these experiences have done it their own and contemporary Birmingham? way, creating paths into new realities that we’re Even though much of this work is thirty or forty invited to follow. In Frontiers, you’ll find work years old, it’s hugely relevant today. Dig a little that seeks the ‘extra’ in the ‘ordinary’, offering beneath the surface of the culture around us and experiences that are joyful, hilarious, ecstatic, you’ll find a network of connections to the energy, surreal and generous. ideas and ingenuity of the Downtown New York scene. Ed’s top five highlights...

Pauline Oliveros: Decibel performing Quartetto Telematico works by Robert Ashley Parkside Studio, Millennium Point, Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham Tues 1 April, 7 - 8pm Conservatoire, Fri 4 April, 7.30pm - 9.30pm Pioneering American composer Pauline Robert Ashley is a key member of the Oliveros directs a real-time improvised Downtown scene. His life’s work is here performance linking musicians in California, honoured in a special ceremony at the New York and Montreal using superfast Adrian Boult Hall. Resident ensemble broadband. Leading the event from Decibel performs his Outcome Inevitable Birmingham, this will be the first global and Hidden Similarities, presented alongside telematic concert attempted by the works by composer in the UK. Now aged eighty-one, Apartment House: Birmingham Oliveros is a Songs For Drella Conservatoire legendary figure composers Ed Studio Theatre, Library of Birmingham in contemporary Sun 30 March, 7.30pm - 9.30pm, £10/£7 Bennett, Joe American music. Cutler, Michael Her career spans This is a rare performance of numbers from Wolters, some fifty years of Songs For Drella, Lou Reed and John Cale’s Andrew boundary-breaking 1990 tribute to Andy Warhol. It’s performed by Hamilton and musicmaking, Leo Chadburn and Apartment House, one of Damien Harron. working as a the most exciting groups in Europe who composer, writer create memorable performances of new, and campaigner. improvised and experimental music. Carl Stone: Fujiken Ikon Gallery, Wed 2 April, 9pm - 10pm This is the UK Première of Carl’s new work. A pioneer of live computer music, Carl has been dubbed ‘the king of sampling’. Fujiken is a blend of field recordings made in Southeast Asia, including meandering on the Chao Praya River in Bangkok, a fire outbreak in Phnom Pehn and college sports practice in Toyota City Japan. Carl’s presentation is the culmination of Festival In A Day, a whole day filled with film and performance

Elliot Sharp’s Foliage And SCORE Elliot Sharp’s Foliage: Recital Hall, Birmingham Conservatoire, Thurs 3 April, 9pm - 10pm SCORE - Trace That Sound: Spotlight Exhibition Area, Library of Birmingham, Sat 22 March - Sat 5 April, 8am - 8pm (Mon - Fri), 9am - 5pm (Sat), 11am - 4pm (Sun) Elliott’s Sharp’s Foliage is an extraordinary graphic score which is interpreted differently with each performance. It’s here presented in a big band style, with a stellar line-up from the Conservatoire’s jazz department and special guests. You can see the score itself in SCORE, an exhibition of graphic scores at the Library of Birmingham, which is well worth a visit.

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PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE Laurie Waste Paper The Young Steve Reich’s Thallein Anderson’s As If Opera Company Composers Electric Performs Works Saturday 22 March, presents Bastien Project Showcase Counterpoint By Brown, 12noon und Bastienne by Friday 28 March, Sunday 30 March, Feldman & Cage 7.45pm-9pm 6-7pm CENTENARY SQUARE, James Oldham Monday 31 March, FREE TO ATTEND 7-8pm Tues 25 March and RECITAL HALL: BIRMINGHAM RECITAL HALL: BIRMINGHAM NO BOOKING NECESSARY CONSERVATOIRE, CONSERVATOIRE, PARADISE Wed 26 March, RECITAL HALL: BIRMINGHAM TICKETS: £6 / £4 / PLACE, B3 3HG Sarah Farmer responds to and 7.30-8.30pm CONSERVATOIRE, PARADISE FREE (UNDER 16s) TICKETS: £5 (£3) re-imagines Laurie Anderson’s PLACE, B3 3HG As:If, playing her violin whilst THE RAINBOW WAREHOUSE, wearing ice skates frozen into Thirteen young composers Steve Reich’s minimalist TICKETS: £10 (£7) 160 DIGBETH HIGH STREET, blocks of ice. showcase their work, from composition Electric B12 0LD group song-writing with Jack Counterpoint has inspired The Three works all explicitly TICKETS: £8 (£5) McNeill to composing music for Orb and many others. Here it inspired by the work of visual short animations and writing will be performed by solo guitar artists, performed by the Thallein ensemble. PERFORMANCE Picture a quaint Classical opera music for professional with a mix of classical, steel (Mozart’s Bastien und Bastienne musicians. string and electric bass tracks, Ryan Probert: to be precise, written 250 years devised by Matthew O’Malley. Thirty-Six Views ago when Mozart was just PERFORMANCE twelve) that has been dragged TALK of Mount Fuji carelessly through time, picking PERFORMANCE European Première up various references and Henry Hills Morton Feldman’s Saturday 22 March, influences along the way. Then Songs For Drella Workshop 12-1pm prepare yourself for a thorough Sunday 30 March, The Swallows Of and at times brutal reworking of Friday 28 March it. This is 21st century theatre at 7.30pm-9.30pm Salangan BY THE 3RD FLOOR GALLERY: 7:30pm-9pm LIBRARY OF BIRMINGHAM, its best. STUDIO THEATRE: LIBRARY Monday 31 March, CENTENARY SQUARE, B1 2ND EASTSIDE PROJECTS, 86 OF BIRMINGHAM 8.30-8.40pm FREE TO ATTEND PERFORMANCE HEATH MILL LANE, B9 4A TICKETS: £10 / £7 NO BOOKING NECESSARY TICEKTS: £4 (£2) ADRIAN BOULT HALL: Hot Potato Regarded as one of the most BIRMINGHAM The Vickers-Bovey Guitar Duo A long-time resident of New exciting groups in Europe, perform the popular work by Wednesday 26 March CONSERVATOIRE, PARADISE York's East Village, Henry Hills Apartment House together with Birmingham Conservatoire 7-8pm discusses his connections to Leo Chadburn will perform PLACE, B3 3HG composer Ryan Probert, and ‘survival’ of the downtown numbers from Songs for Drella, inspired by conscious and Howard Skempton conducts NEW LECTURE THEATRE: art scenes in New York in the Lou Reed and John Cale's 1990 unconscious memory. players from BCMG and ‘80s alongside some of his tribute to Andy Warhol, BIRMINGHAM Thallein Ensemble, and alongside works by Phill CONSERVATOIRE, PARADISE videos, including the rarely seen members of Via Nova, in the Niblock, Alvin Lucier, Chadburn Naked City Series (Gotham, European première of Morton PLACE, B3 3HG - £4 TICKETS himself, and songs by the late EXHIBITION Igneous Ejaculation, & Osaka Feldman’s The Swallows of AVAILABLE ON THE DOOR great Arthur Russell and by the Bondage). Salangan (1960), a work for SCORE – Trace Velvet Underground. Robert Nettleship and his chorus and orchestra. That Sound ensemble Hot Potato, present a Saturday 22 March – set of striking contemporary PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE music infused with a strong PERFORMANCE Saturday 5 April flavour of jazz. Hans Koller European Première 8am - 8pm (Mon – Quartet featuring Robert Ashley’s David Lang’s Fri) 9am - 5pm (Sat) PERFORMANCE Maneuvers for The Passing 11am - 4pm (Sun) John O’Gallagher Spectrum Saturday 29 March Small Hands Measures SPOTLIGHT EXHIBITION AREA: Thursday 27 March 8-9.45pm Monday 31 March, Monday 31 March, LIBRARY OF BIRMINGHAM - 7.30-9.30pm 3-4pm 9.15-10pm FREE ADMISSION CBSO Centre, Berkley NEW LECTURE THEATRE: Street, B1 2LF - RECITAL HALL: BIRMINGHAM ADRIAN BOULT HALL: Sock puppets, playing cards, telephone doodles… This BIRMINGHAM TICKETS: £15 CONSERVATOIRE, PARADISE BIRMINGHAM exhibition is a snapshot of the CONSERVATOIRE, PARADISE plus transaction fee* PLACE, B3 3HG CONSERVATOIRE, PARADISE incredible variety of musical PLACE, B3 3HG. FREE TICKETS: £10 (£7) PLACE, B3 3HG The great jazz pianist and scores that have emerged since ADMISSION – NO BOOKING TICKETS: £10 (£7) for both events the 1950s. Featuring artists from composer Hans Koller is joined NECESSARY Maneuvers For Small Hands is Janet Boulton to Wadada Leo by saxophonist John one of Ashley’s first major Birmingham Contemporary Smith, Christian Marclay to O’Gallagher, fast becoming a works, a wild and at times This programme of choral and Music Group perform the Claudia Molitor and Gavin key figure on the New York theatrical compendium of chamber music demonstrates acclaimed work of David Lang. Bryars, and precedents from scene, and is a member of radical music from the ‘60s the broad spectrum of music ancient Egypt and the Middle drummer Jeff Williams’ New performed for the first time in being written and performed at Ages. York Quartet. The quartet is over 40 years by Dutch pianist Birmingham Conservatoire, and completed by Percy Pursglove, Reinier van Houdt. PERFORMANCE features both new works and a Jazzlines Fellow supported by Conservatoire classics. the Jerwood Charitable Pauline Oliveros PERFORMANCE Foundation, on bass. TALK with special Beat it! READING Pauline Oliveros guests Percussionists PERFORMANCE Beats and In conversation with Tuesday 1 April, led by Maraca2 Five Encores to Birmingham – Frances Morgan 7-8pm Monday 24 March, Dynamic Motion 5-6pm Poets and the City (The Wire) RECITAL HALL: BIRMINGHAM Sunday 30 March CONSERVATOIRE, PARADISE Friday 28 March, Monday 31 March, MOOR STREET STATION 5.30-7.30pm 12.15-1.15pm PLACE, B3 3HG FREE TO ATTEND – 5-6.15pm TICKETS: £10 (£8) NO BOOKING NECESSARY CAFÉ MEZZANINE: LIBRARY RECITAL HALL: BIRMINGHAM HERITAGE LEARNING SPACE: CONSERVATOIRE, PARADISE LIBRARY OF BIRMINGHAM, Pauline Oliveros is interested in OF BIRMINGHAM, the 'super human' qualities of Birmingham Conservatoire FREE ADMISSION - PLACE, B1 3HG CENTENARY SQUARE, B1 2ND Percussion Ensemble Maraca2 TICKETS: £5 (£3) which we're all capable, explores the pulsating NO BOOKING NECESSARY Free admission – no especially our ability to be attuned to the world when minimalist rhythms of Downtown Dynamic young pianist Vicky The Institute of Creative and booking necessary enhanced by technology. Here New York from the bustling Bonham presents a programme Critical Writing brings Beat she presents a solo accordion environment of Moor Street of music by two wild men of poetry into dialogue with Pauline Oliveros has been performance with special Station. American music together with Birmingham for a meditation on exploring the potential for guests. new commissions from the city and the poetry of city listening and technology for the Birmingham Conservatoire life. Enjoy readings of the Beats past 60 years to reveal to us our composers. - Ginsberg, Kerouac, Burroughs innermost humanity. She is and Corso - alongside poets of interviewed by Deputy Editor of the city Luke Kennard, Bohdan The Wire, Frances Morgan. Piasecki and Louis MacNeice.

For more information on Frontiers Festival visit: www.frontiersmusic.org

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PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE Howard UK Première Thirty Minutes Decibel performs PERFORMANCE Philip Glass Skempton with Carl Stone: On The Subject (UK Première) Tuesday 1 April, Via Nova Fujiken Of Soap Operas 7.30pm-10pm Wednesday 2 April Wednesday 2 April, Friday 4 April, Rhys Chatham: 2.30-3pm 9pm-10pm 3-4.15pm A Secret Rose IKON GALLERY, 1 OOZELLS STREET, B1 2HS RECITAL HALL: BIRMINGHAM IKON GALLERY, 1 OOZELLS RECITAL HALL: BIRMINGHAM For 100 Guitars TICKETS: £12 (£8) CONSERVATOIRE, PARADISE STREET, B1 2HS CONSERVATOIRE, PARADISE Saturday 7 June, PLACE, B3 3HG TICKETS: £10 (£7) PLACE, B3 3HG 7-8.15pm Ensemble in Residence for Frontiers Festival, critically- TICKETS: £4 Carl Stone is one of the TICKETS: £5 (£3) acclaimed group Decibel gives pioneers of live computer AVAILABLE IN THE DOOR TOWN HALL, VICTORIA a rare performance of Philip Contemporary vocal ensemble music, hailed by the Village SQUARE, B3 3DQ Glass’ ground-breaking early Via Nova, with Howard Voice as "the king of sampling". Seán Clancy’s Thirty Minutes TICKETS: £15 minimal compositions. Skempton and conducted by Composed in Tokyo, Fujiken of Music on the Subject of blends field recordings made PLUS TRANSACTION FEE Daniel Galbreath, present two Soap Operas, Andrew through Southeast Asia works exploring our Hamilton’s Friendly Place and relationship to language; (Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia No Wave pioneer Rhys Howard Skempton’s Selection PERFORMANCE Oliveros’ Sound Patterns, and Japan) with appropriated Chatham, section leaders winner of the Gaudeamus music from street cassettes, of Accordion solos. David Daniell, Seth Olinsky, and Pauline Oliveros: International Composers Award processed and resynthesized. Toby Summerfield, in 1962, and She Was a Visitor PERFORMANCE and Birmingham-based rhythm Deep Listening® section Laurence Hunt of Pram from Ashley’s 1967 opera That CEREMONY Morning Thing. and bassist Sebastiano Meditation PERFORMANCE Dessaney are joined by 100 Wednesday 2 April, Decibel perform guitarists perform his works by Robert mesmerizing piece, A Secret 9.30-11am PERFORMANCE Elliott Sharpe’s Rose, in the magnificent setting Ashley and of Town Hall. A truly awe- IKON GALLERY, 1 OOZELLS Decibel Foliage Thursday 3 April, inspiring and unifying once-in- STREET, B1 2HS Wednesday 2 April Birmingham a-lifetime event. 9-10pm TICKETS: £15 (£10) 4.30-5.30pm Conservatoire RECITAL HALL: BIRMINGHAM Pauline Oliveros leads a Deep Composers PERFORMANCE Listening event at Ikon Gallery, RECITAL HALL: BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE, PARADISE in an event that will expand CONSERVATOIRE, PARADISE PLACE, B3 3HG Friday 4 April, Warren Smith your consciousness while also PLACE, B3 3HG 7.30-9.30pm TICKETS: £12 (£8) Thursday 5 June, being a lot of fun! TICKETS: £4 The first big-band performance ADRIAN BOULT HALL: 8-10pm of Elliott Sharpe’s classic work The Frontiers Festival Resident BIRMINGHAM Ensemble presents a Foliage in the UK, performed THE HARE AND HOUNDS, PERFORMANCE by a stellar line up from CONSERVATOIRE, PARADISE programme of works by Birmingham Conservatoire’s 106 HIGH STREET, KINGS World Première Birmingham Conservatoire PLACE, B3 3HG Jazz Department including HEATH, B14 7JZ students alongside music by TICKETS: £9 (£7) The Elysian Jazzlines Fellow Percy TICKETS: £10 (£7) young New York composers Pursglove, Grammy award Robert Ashley is awarded an Quartet, Tristan Perich, Anna Clyne and winner Jean Toussaint, Graham Missy Mazzoli. Honorary Doctorate of Music In the company of Thurston Sibly (tuba), the Conservatoire’s Moore (Sonic Youth), Dominic Nuntempa, James Head of Jazz Jeremy Price, by Birmingham City University and Birmingham Conservatoire. Lash, Pat Thomas, Alex Ward, BBC Big Band Drummer and players from Birmingham Dooley and 42 winner Andrew Bain, and To commemorate this important PERFORMANCE Conservatoire, Warren Smith pianist for Stan Sulzmann Liam occasion the festival’s Resident electronic artists demonstrates why he is Noble. Ensemble, Decibel, present Noszferatu deserving of his reputation as a Wednesday 2 April, Ashley’s Outcome Inevitable Wednesday 2 April, and Hidden Similarities master percussionist and 12.15pm-1.20pm alongside works by drummer, and why such a 6pm-7pm PERFORMANCE Conservatoire composers Ed ‘who’s who’ list of musicians RECITAL HALL: BIRMINGHAM Bennett, Joe Cutler, Michael across such a vast range of RECITAL HALL: BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE Automatic Writing Wolters, Andrew Hamilton and genres have chosen to work CONSERVATOIRE Damien Harron. with him. Together, this stellar TICKETS: £12 (£8) TICKETS: £10 (£7) Composed by line up present music that moves from big band jazz to The Elysian Quartet and 42 Noszferatu work across a wide Robert Ashley the frontiers of improvised electronic artists work together PERFORMANCE sound. to give the world première of range of genres including Thursday 3 April, contemporary classical, jazz, 7-8pm Robert Ashley’s mind-blowing Musical Marathon PERFORMANCE String Quartet Describing The tango, pop, experimental music and theatre. Today they perform #2: The Monkathon Motion of Large Real Bodies, STUDIO THEATRE: LIBRARY (World Première) alongside the European new works from Birmingham Conservatoire, with plenty of OF BIRMINGHAM, Monday 2 – première of Elliott Sharp’s CENTENARY SQUARE, B1 2ND David Lang: stunning double quartet room for improvisation. Thursday 5 June Occam’s Razor and Meredith TICKETS: £12 (£8) Crowd Out Monk’s Stringsongs. The UK première of Robert VARIOUS VENUES Sunday 8 June PERFORMANCE Ashley’s Automatic Writing, written in 1979, performed by Birmingham Conservatoire’s 2.30-3.30pm UK Première Jazz Department proudly PERFORMANCE New York’s radical performance and 4.30-5.30pm company Object Collection on presents Birmingham’s first Elliot Sharp: ever Monkathon – a celebration Andy Ingamells a stage strewn with television MILLENNIUM POINT, CURZON Momentum monitors, video cameras, and of the music of American jazz Wednesday 2 April dim pools of slowly shifting giant Thelonious Monk. Monk’s STREET, B4 7XG 1.30-2.30pm Anomoly light. entire back catalogue, all 70 of FREE TO ATTEND – ADVANCE his compositions, will be BOOKING NECESSARY Wednesday 2 April performed in venues across the ARENA FOYER: BIRMINGHAM city, and in a variety of 7.30-8.15pm PERFORMANCE Birmingham Contemporary CONSERVATOIRE, PARADISE interpretations over the course Music Group lead 1000 people PLACE, B3 3HG RECITAL HALL: BIRMINGHAM of four days. in an all-singing, all-shouting £4 – individual event ticket CONSERVATOIRE, PARADISE Terry Riley’s In C super group as a fitting finale. Tickets available on the door Friday 4 April This will be the world première PLACE, B3 3HG performance of Lang’s new TICKETS: £10 (£7) 12:15-1:15pm piece Crowd Out, and one of Andy Ingamells returns to the largest vocal events that the Birmingham for a repeat Elliott Sharp is a stunning BOOK ROTUNDA: LIBRARY city has ever seen! performance of his celebrated musician and composer, and Piano Recital. Watch, listen and OF BIRMINGHAM, when it comes to his CENTENARY SQUARE, B1 2ND keep your distance, as he compelling work on the electro- battles with himself, his piano, acoustic guitar, he is regarded FREE TO ATTEND red paint and his assistant, as one of the best there is. The NO BOOKING NECESSARY playing as best he can as the remarkable solo-performance Legend has it that composer music stutters to its sticky piece Momentum Anomaly Terry Riley was on a bus in San conclusion. illustrates Sharp’s technical Francisco when the idea came command of his guitar and his to him for one of the most ability to exploit it in remarkable important and influential pieces ways. of the 20th century. This performance is led by Northern Irish band-leader Sid Peacock Look out for the official with musicians from his Surge Orchestra, Thallein Ensemble Frontiers Festival programme and special guest Christopher available from Monday 10 March Hobbs.

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52 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Visual Arts March Region Two_Layout 1 24/02/2014 14:36 Page 2 Visual Arts

Paperology Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford, Sat 15 March - Sun 11 May Graduating from the University of Wolverhampton in 2005 with a first class BA (Hons) degree in Fine Art Printmaking, Staffordshire-based artist Naomi Greaves produces contemporary curiosities from found objects, antique papers and print. Inspired by natural history museum collections, Naomi’s work features botanical and ento- mology themes. This partic- ular exhibition showcases an array of her jewellery, prints and sculptures, all of which are for sale.

New Art West Midlands Grand Union, Birmingham, until Sat 15 March; The Barber Institute, Birmingham, until Sun 27 April; Wolverhampton Art Gallery, until Sat 10 May; Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, until Sun 18 May A major Turning Point West Midlands initiative, New Art West Midlands provides a showcase for BP Portrait Award 2013 the work of twenty-four artists, all of whom have Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Sat 1 March - Sat 14 June graduated from one of the region’s undergraduate The BP Portrait Award is the world’s most prestigious portrait competition - 2013's con- or post-graduate fine art degree courses within test saw nearly two thousand artists from seventy-seven countries competing for the top the past three years. Demonstrating the depth of prize. Submissions were presented in a variety of contemporary styles, and ranged from the region’s artistic talent across a variety of informal and personal studies of friends and family to revealing portraits of famous faces media, works by past students at Birmingham City - including those of Alistair Campbell, Frida Kahlo and Emeli Sande. University, Coventry University, Staffordshire This Wolverhampton showcase features the Award’s winning entry - Pieter by Susanne University and the University of Wolverhampton du Toit - and Second Prize-winner The Uncertain Time (pictured above), by Coventry- this month go on show at four of the region’s based artist John Devane. most prestigious galleries. New Art West Midlands also provides five artist prize-winners with an opportunity to undertake exhibitions, residencies or projects at other 40 Years Of regional galleries and venues, including New Art Women Artists Gallery Walsall, mac Birmingham, the Library of New Art Gallery, Walsall, Birmingham, Airspace Gallery in Stoke and A3 8 March - Sun 29 June Project Space in Digbeth. The strong females of the Lucy Hutchinson: Blonde Garman Epstein family and their large circle of female friends feature in this major exhibition, which celebrates the forti- eth anniversary of the Garman Ryan Collection. Opening on International Women’s Day, 40 Years Of Women Artists exam- ines what defines ‘women’s art’, and what sets it apart from the work of male artists. Artists whose work fea- tures include Dorothea Wight, Elizabeth Frink, Eileen Cooper, Linder, Paula Rego, Helen Chadwick, Kitty Garman, Rita Donagh, Anya Gallaccio, Gillian Wearing, Tracey Emin, Jane and Louise Wilson, Spartacus Chetwynd and Linder, She’s too much for my mirror 1979/2008, Laura Lancaster. giclée and collage, Courtesy the artist

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

Great Expectations EARTH FLIGHT EXHIBITION THE BETTER PLACE TO Red House Glass Cone, Stourbridge, A wide range of media SHOP: THE STORY OF Sat 15 March - Sun 18 May is here used to explore BEATTIES Featuring cata- artists’ interpretations logued material relating A brief to illustrate the spark of inspiration and responses to the to Wolverhampton’s from which creativity emerges is at the core theme of flight, until Sat famous department of this new sculptural exhibition at Red 1 Mar, Willow Gallery, store, until Sat 29 Mar, House Glass Cone. Oswestry, North Wolverhampton City Featuring three international exponents of Shropshire Archives creating with glass - Charlotte Hughes-Martin RIGHTS OF SPRING RAW CRAFT: FINE THINK- Jamal Penjweny: Sadam Is Here - Ikon Gallery Exhibition of works by ING IN CONTEMPORARY from England, Sharon McJannet from the Jas Davidson & Tony FURNITURE Showcase of cessful pop stars, Techniques course, led USA and Michelle Lewin from Canada - Great Meadows, until Sat 1 imaginative contempo- Robbie Williams, until by artist-tutor Helen Expectations comprises new sculptural Mar, Willow Gallery, rary furniture by seven Sun 6 Apr, The Potteries Tarr, until Sun 4 May, pieces which showcase the evolution from Oswestry, North designers characterised Museum, Stoke-on- mac - Midlands Arts inspiration to creation. Shropshire by careful use of materi- Trent Centre, Birmingham DOROTHEA WIGHT & als and a problem-solv- STUDIO PRINTS A DAY’S WORK ing approach to mak- MARC BALAKJIAN Exhibition featuring the Insight into some of the ing, until Sat 29 Mar, Exhibition celebrating work of artists and print- large manufacturing Bilston Craft Gallery the duo’s contribution makers Dorothea Wight companies which once to British printmaking, PHOTOREALISM: 50 and Marc Balakjian, made their home in the until Sun 2 March, The YEARS OF HYPERREALIS- until Tues 15 Apr, New Black Country, until New Art Gallery, Walsall TIC PAINTING The first Art Gallery, Walsall Mon 5 May, Bantock ARTIST ROOMS: RICHARD large-scale retrospec- DAVID TREMLETT EXHIBI- House & Park, LONG Sculptures, maps tive of its kind in TION Large-scale, site- Wolverhampton and text works inspired Europe, until Sun 30 specific wall drawings SPRING SHOWCASE Mar, Birmingham by Long’s time spent of geometric arrange- Featuring an eclectic Museum & Art Gallery walking in the land- ments, abstract compo- mix of ceramics, tex- scape, until Sun 2 Mar, CHIHARU SHIOTA: DIA- sitions of arcs, circles, tiles, homewares & deli- Potteries Museum & Art LOGUES Two new site- trapezoids and line, cate paper jewellery, Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent specific installations until Mon 21 April, Ikon until Sat 10 May, Bilston JUNCTION 5 Exhibition of and a selection of draw- Gallery, Birmingham Craft Gallery Bill Drummond: contemporary art by ings and films which JAMAL PENJWENY GRAYSON PERRY: THE five local artists with aim to embrace the Exhibition comprising VANITY OF SMALL DIF- viewer and challenge The 25 Paintings varying techniques and twelve images of Iraqi FERENCES Exhibition their perspective of the artistic approaches, people holding a lifesize charting the story of Eastside Projects, Birmingham, immediate environment, until Sat 8 Mar, picture of Saddam class mobility while Sat 15 March - Sat 14 June until Sun 30 Mar, The Wolverhampton Art Hussain in front of their examining the influence New Art Gallery, Walsall Probably best known as co-founder of ’80s Gallery own, until Mon 21 Apr, of social class on aes- pop group KLF, Bill Drummond is also highly AT PASSION’S EDGE Sid WALK ON Touring exhibi- Ikon Gallery, thetic taste, until Sun 11 regarded as both a writer and artist. This Turner’s exploration, in tion which explores the Birmingham May, Birmingham unique exhibition marks the beginning of a sculpture and imagery, universal act of taking a INSPIRING ART 7 Museum & Art Gallery of the Latin verb walk, until Sun 30 Mar, Showcase of children’s FAMILY CIRCLES ten-year journey which, starting off beneath mac - Midlands Arts ‘devoid’, until Sat 8 Mar, art from local primary & Featuring contributions Spaghetti Junction, will see Drummond tour Centre, Birmingham Bilston Craft Gallery secondary schools, from some of the great- twelve cities across the world. Residing in THE CONTEMPORARY NIKHIL CHOPRA: SPACE until Sun 27 Apr, The est masters in miniature each city for three months, he will work on PORTRAIT: SELF AND OTH- ODDITY Personal histo- Potteries Museum & Art portraiture, until Mon 26 various strands of his practice. These may ERS Exhibition which ries and India's colonial Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent May, The Barber include - but are not restricted to - making explores the different past are explored using DAVID ROWAN: THE DARK Institute, Birmingham performance, painting artistic ways in which RIVER A body of work ART IN NATURE Featuring beds on streets from wood, extending the and photography, until the human form is which navigates the a selection of works soup line around the globe, or giving per- Sat 5 Apr, depicted, until Sun 9 course of Birmingham’s taken from the muse- formance lectures. An exhibition in each of Wolverhampton Art Mar, Shire Hall Gallery, River Rea. This exhibi- um’s permanent art col- Gallery the visited cities will signpost, reflect and Stafford tion forms part of lection, until Sun 1 document what Drummond is doing in any STAFFORDSHIRE LAND- MELTING POT CRAFT Flatpack Festival, June, The Potteries place at any given time, and will be repre- SCAPE Exhibition by EXHIBITION Showcasing Birmingham’s annual Museum & Art Gallery, sented by text painted in acrylic on canvas. Lisa Henderson which the diverse and eclectic film jamboree which Stoke-on-Trent cultural influences pres- takes place in the city Bill began producing The 25 Paintings in explores the landforms A BIG BANG: THE ORIGINS of the County of ent within the British from 20 to 30 March, OF POP ART COLLECTION 2001, and anticipates completing the set in craft scene, until Sat 5 Staffordshire through until Sun 27 Apr, mac - The first in a two-part Apr, RBSA, Birmingham 2025. rich colours, textures Midlands Arts Centre, display exploring some and patterns, until Sun MARGARET FAIRHEAD Birmingham of the biggest names in 9 Mar, Shire Hall RBSA A series of DEVIL’S IN THE DETAIL the Pop Art industry, Ikon Icons: John Salt Gallery, Stafford stitched pieces inspired Large-scale prints and until Sat 21 June, by observations of flow- reproductions of Wolverhampton Art Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, until Mon 21 April ALEX ROBINSON-SUTHER- LAND: THE STORY SO FAR ers from her garden, engravings which Gallery Playing a pivotal role in Ikon’s fiftieth anniver- Uplifting and inspiring until Sat 5 Apr, RBSA champion the skill and FOR THE RECORD Gallery, Birmingham sary celebrations, Ikon Icons sees the return abstract works, thought- craftsmanship of the Exploring themes of Victorian trade cata- of five British artists who’ve made a major provoking pieces that CHRIS CLINTON, DEAD preservation and automatically engage MEDIA Birmingham- logue engraver, until contribution to the gallery’s exhibition pro- recording in the work of the viewer and encour- based artist Chris Wed 30 Apr, Enginuity, female artists, until Sun gramme over the past five decades. age active involvement Clinton uses familiar Ironbridge, Shropshire 29 June, Birmingham Birmingham-born John Salt, the first artist in art, until Sun 9 Mar, objects and reclaimed CHROMA COLLECTIVE Museum & Art Gallery The Drum, Birmingham ever to exhibit at Ikon when it opened in materials to create art- Exhibition featuring ARTISTS’ STUDIO: SARAH 1965, kicks off the series, with the display of MELANIE EZRA EXHIBI- works which refer to works from four con- TAYLOR SILVERWOOD contemporary popular TION until Mon 10 Mar, temporary jewellers with Exhibition from his early-career paintings, prints and sculp- culture and our disre- Gallery3, The Gateway, a shared goal of raising Birmingham-based tures reflecting ‘a pop sensibility, a subtle gard for out-of-date Shrewsbury awareness of the craft artist Sarah Taylor media, until Sun 6 Apr, sense of humour and an abiding interest in within Birmingham’s Silverwood, whose GEORGE GROSZ: THE BIG The New Art Gallery, cars’. Jewellery Quarter, until practice is grounded in NO Exhibition of works Walsall Sun 4 May, Museum of Two years after making his Ikon debut, Salt produced by one of ‘the drawing, narrative and PORTRAIT OF A POTTER- the Jewellery Quarter, landscape, until Sun 20 moved to the States, where he engaged with greatest satirical artists Birmingham the artistic discipline of Photorealism. of the twentieth centu- IES POPSTAR A selection July, New Art Gallery, ry’, until Sun 16 Mar, of objects and memora- MADE AT MAC: FROM THE Walsall Many of Salt’s Photorealism works from this bilia to celebrate the for- INSIDE Featuring art time are on show at Birmingham Museum & The New Art Gallery, THE ROGER PILKINGTON Walsall tieth birthday of one of works from the GLASS COLLECTION the world’s most suc- Art Gallery until the end of March. Introduction To Art Exhibition which shows 54 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Visual Arts March Region Two_Layout 1 24/02/2014 14:36 Page 4

landscapes that chal- Hunt’s creative recy- lenge the viewer to look cling, Sat 15 Mar - Sun Museums & Art Galleries VisualArts LISTINGS more closely at their 11 May, Shire Hall relationship with the Gallery, Stafford RED HOUSE GLASS CONE For full listing information on Visual Art habitat, Mon 3 - Sat 22 Birmingham FRIENDS’ EXHIBITION 01384 812750 ARTIFEX Sutton Coldfield exhibitions, including times and dates, Mar, New Vic Theatre, Friends of the RBSA Newcastle-under-Lyme 0121 323 3776 WOLVERHAMPTON ART visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk show off their talent in a GALLERY 01902 552055 40 YEARS OF WOMEN range of media, Wed 19 BARBER INSTITUTE 0121 414 7333 ARTISTS The strong - Sat 29 Mar, RBSA, the development of Wolverhampton while BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM & Shropshire English drinking glass- bringing together works female characters in the Birmingham ART GALLERY 0121 303 BEAR STEPS GALLERY, es from the late-seven- by local artists from the Garman Epstein family ANDREW MATHESON 2834 SHREWSBURY teenth to the late-nine- and their circle of museum’s collection, RBSA Solo show featur- THE BURROWS GALLERY, 01743 344994 teenth century, until Sun until Wed 31 Dec, friends are captured in ing a display of forms in this exhibition of works THE CUSTARD FACTORY TWENTY TWENTY GALLERY, 10 Aug, Broadfield Wolverhampton Art porcelain, experiment- 0121 224 7344 House Glass Museum, Gallery from the gallery's ing with barium glaze, MUCH WENLOCK Permanent Collection, CASTLE GALLERIES 01952 727952 Dudley CRAFTSENSE Featuring Mon 24 Mar - Sat 17 0121 633 0015 Sat 8 Mar - Sun 29 Jun, May, RBSA, THE WILLOW GALLERY, BACK TO FRONT: 40 PER- over one hundred of the GRAND UNION The New Art Gallery, Birmingham OSWESTRY MANENT COLLECTION world-renowned Bilston Walsall 0121 643 9079 01691 657575 GEMS Exhibition which enamels which show- FRED PHILLIPS: RECOL- PAT LANDON RBSA Solo IKON GALLERY celebrates the fortieth case the links between LECTIONS Mon 24 Mar - 0121 248 0708 anniversary of the eighteenth century local show which focuses on Sat 5 Apr, New Vic Staffordshire gallery’s Garman Ryan industry and contempo- a year of travelling, as Theatre, Newcastle- NUMBER NINE THE GALLERY THE POTTERIES MUSEUM & 0121 643 9099 collection, until Sat 16 rary craft, until Wed 31 experienced by the under-Lyme ART GALLERY 01782 232323 Nov, New Art Gallery, Dec, Bilston Craft artist, Mon 10 Mar - Sat MARY CUNNAH & MAGGIE RBSA GALLERY SHIRE HALL GALLERY Walsall Gallery 3 May, RBSA, HUMPHRY EXHIBITION 0121 2364353 STAFFORD 01785 278345 Birmingham THREE WHITE WALLS FAITH AND FORTUNE MARY HERBERT EXHIBI- Selling exhibition of STAFFORDSHIRE MUSEUM, GALLERY SHUGBOROUGH Exhibition exploring the TION Selling exhibition LEARNING TEAM SHOW- recent works, Sat 29 0121 643 0078 01889 881388 early histories of two of comprising realist ani- CASE Exhibition of work Mar - Mon 28 Apr, The the world’s great reli- mal drawings and paint- from the WAVE learning Granary, Weston Park, gions, until Sun 30 Nov, ings using pastel and team during 2013/14, Staffordshire Black Country Warwickshire Sat 15 Mar - Sat 12 Apr, BANTOCK HOUSE The Barber Institute, painting techniques, Sat BIRMINGHAM WATER- COMPTON VERNEY GALLERY Wolverhampton Art WOLVERHAMPTON Birmingham 1 - Thurs 27 Mar, The COLOUR SOCIETY’S EXHI- 01926 645500 Gallery 01902 552195 THE JEWELLERY QUARTER Granary, Weston Park, BITION Mon 31 Mar - Sat HERBERT ART GALLERY Staffordshire JOHN RIDOUT: A LIFE IN 12 Apr, RBSA, BILSTON CRAFT GALLERY DURING THE FIRST 01902 552507 COVENTRY 02476 832386 WORLD WAR Exhibition SENSING SCULPTURE PAINTING Retrospective Birmingham BROADFIELD HOUSE GLASS MEAD GALLERY WARWICK of artefacts, images and Featuring new sculp- exhibition of paintings FOUND EXHIBITION 02476 524524 which catalogue MUSEUM, DUDLEY oral histories relating to tures alongside old Second group exhibi- 01384 812745 ROYAL PUMP ROOMS the recruitment of sol- favourites, Sun 2 Mar - changes in the tion held at the gallery DUDLEY MUSEUM & ART 01926 742700 diers from the Jewellery Wed 31 Dec, Midlands over scores of by Quatrefoil artists GALLERY Quarter, until Sun 14 Wolverhampton Art years, Sat 15 Mar - Sat Jacqueline Calladine, 01384 815575 Dec, Museum of the Gallery 12 Apr, Wolverhampton Annette Lucas ARBSA Worcestershire Art Gallery LIGHT HOUSE MEDIA CENTRE WORCESTER CITY ART Jewellery Quarter, PHIL GIBSON: WILD and Stephanie Redfern Birmingham RE-INCARNATED RUBBISH RBSA, Mon 31 Mar - WOLVERHAMPTON GALLERY 01905 25371 PLACES Detailed paint- 01902 716055 TRACED Permanent exhi- ings and drawings in Retrospective exhibition Sat 12 Apr, RBSA, which encompasses the Birmingham THE NEW ART GALLERY Visit whatsonlive.co.uk bition tracing the suc- various media depicting WALSALL 01922 654400 for venue website details cess of art & design in wildlife and rugged whole spectrum of Val

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STITCHCRAFT BEADING PAPERCRAFTS FASHION Thurs 20 - Sun 23 March Open 9.30am - 5.30pm (Sun 5pm) NEC, Birmingham OVER 300 EXHIBITORS! KIDS SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE: GO N N N FREE Les Misérables Papercrafts & Beading Patchwork & Quilting * Costumes N Exquisite Palenstinian N FREE Workshops, N Catwalk Fashion Embroidery Collection Talks & Shows N Knitting & Stitching Demonstrations N N The Giant Textile N The Sewing Club Jewellery Making Books Display & Beading

 Buy tickets on-line www.ichfevents.co.uk SAVE or phone Ticket Hotline 01425 277988 Tickets: Adults £10 in advance, £12 on the door £2 OFF EACH ADULT AND SENIOR TICKET ORDERED Seniors £9 in advance, £11 on the door BY 5PM MON 17TH MARCH 2014 *Children under 16 FREE if acc by parent Events March Region Two_Layout 1 24/02/2014 12:49 Page 2

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(c) Badmintonphoto.com Yonex All England Badminton Championships National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, Tues 4 - Sun 9 March One of the oldest and most prestigious open badminton tournaments Hoping to make their mark at the 2014 event are Chris and Gabby in the world returns to the Midlands this month. The event, which Adcock. Currently fifth in the world rankings, the couple aim to brings together the top ten international players from each discipline become England’s first All England champions since Nathan to compete for the coveted title, is being advertised as 'fast-paced Robertson and Gail Emms won the mixed doubles title back in 2005. sporting action at its best'. O Handmade And Vintage  Wedding Fair Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Sat 16 March Featuring handmade and vintage products for couples who dream of a bespoke wedding, this special event in the unique setting of Wolverhampton Art Gallery offers something just that little bit different for brides-to-be. The fair comprises numerous stalls - set up within Costumes the gallery spaces - and showcases hand- made jewellery, wedding photography and Embroidery Collection personalised gifts. The event also features a Shows trail of vintage and antique wedding dresses, a fashion show of gowns and haridressing demonstrations. Books Display International Craft And Hobby Fair NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 20 - Sun 23 March  Britain’s biggest and best event of its kind brings together three distinct shows - Sewing For Pleasure, Hobbycrafts, and Fashion, Embroidery & Stitch - with more than three hundred exhibitors on hand to showcase the latest trends and offer visitors plenty of expert advice. Presenting the stitching world’s latest supplies, ideas and innovations, Sewing For Pleasure features numerous hands-on activities, one of which, the Sewing Club, sees author Laura Strutt running mini-workshops for beginners. In addition to the usual displays and associated materials for sale, Fashion Embroidery & Stitch this year provides an added attraction in the form of a display of costumes worn by the likes of Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe in the film version of Les Miserables. The award-winning Hobbycrafts, meanwhile, offers numerous Mini Make & Take sessions, where visitors are encouraged to ‘get crafty’ using the wealth of materials on offer.

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Events PREVIEWS A Taste Of Japan The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent, Sat 22 March Bringing a slice of the Orient to Stoke-on- Trent, A Taste Of Japan celebrates the open- ing of the museum’s latest exhibition, Japanese Cloisonné: The Seven Treasures. The event features a packed programme of themed activities throughout the day, includ- ing traditional and contemporary Japanese music and dance, and a series of Taiko drumming demonstrations and workshops. For budding florists, sessions in Ikebana - the art of Japanese flower arranging - are on offer for an additional fee. For historians, the event offers a chance to discover the way of life of an eighteenth century Samurai Warrior, while foodies can try their hand at making their very own sushi. The National Homebuilding And Renovating Show NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 27 - Sun 30 March Whether you’re looking to build a new home from scratch or considering a home renovation project (regardless of size), a visit to the National Homebuilding And Renovating Show is sure to prove a good starting point. Aimed at the self-builder, the 2014 event features a host of new attractions - such as the Energy Saving Home and Sustainable Homes Show - and plenty of familiar features, including the Advice Centre, Ask The Experts, numerous specialist exhibitors and the chance to peruse hundreds of niche products.

featured during the day include clay pigeon Victorian Household Hints The Big Bang Fair shooting, dog agility, equine and vintage dis- Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge, NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 13 - Sun 16 March plays, a treasure hunt, a hog roast, super- Shropshire, Sat 29 - Sun 30 March zorbs and face painting. Walford’s latest This new addition to Blists Hill’s program- Recognised as the UK’s largest celebration addition, the Fullwood Merlin milking of science, technology, engineering and ming finds resident housekeeper Mrs Clack machine, is on display in the site’s brand setting aside time in her busy schedule to maths for young people, The Big Bang Fair new Herringbone milking parlour. brings together leading business and indus- provide plenty of hints and tips about how to try experts for four action-packed days of cure various common ailments. Whether theatre shows, interactive workshops and you’re looking to treat a cold or maybe find exhibits. Highlights of the 2014 event include relief from painful corns and bunions, Mrs Gastronaut Extreme, with TV presenter Clack is apparently the person you need to Stefan Gates promising ‘an explosive, stom- speak to. Boasting a wealth of knowledge, ach-churning journey into the science of she can also advise on getting soot stains your lunch’. There’s also Greg Foot’s new out of carpets and making your silver shine. show Kaboom!, which explores the science Mrs Clack will be available for two sessions behind the explosions that shape our mod- each day, and will be sited opposite the ern world. CSI workshops, meanwhile, offer town’s printers (weather permitting) or inside visitors the chance to try their hand at being the goods shed. a real-life forensic scientist, while The Big Bang Fair Family Fun Day (Saturday and Sunday only) features plenty of fun activities to keep children of all ages entertained. Oswestry Literary Festival Various locations throughout Oswestry, North Shropshire, Fri 14 - Mon 24 March A wealth of illustrious writers, novelists, jour- nalists and broadcasters take part in this month’s fifth Oswestry LitFest. Big names making a contribution include Sunday Times bestselling writer and documentary filmmak- er Jon Ronson, former BBC Foreign Correspondent Martin Bell OBE, bestselling romantic fiction author Carole Matthews and leading crime fiction writer Aline Templeton, Crufts creator of popular Scottish female detective NEC, Birmingham, DI Marjorie Thurs 6 - Sun 9 March Fleming. The flag- The world’s most prestigious dog show Spring Lambing Day ship event of this returns to the Midlands this month, promis- Walford Campus of Walford and North year’s festival is the ing ‘a fantastic day out for all the family’. Shropshire College, North Shropshire, inaugural Wilfred It’s anticipated that this year’s event will see Sun 16 March Owen Lecture, approximately twenty-two thousand dogs A popular event on the Walford Campus cal- given in honour of from a total of forty-five endar, Spring Lambing Day enables visitors the World War One countries heading to the to see the latest newborns up close and per- poet who inspired LG Arena to compete in sonal. The venue is also home to numerous Festival Director the various canine com- other species of animals, including alpacas, John Waine to petitions programmed meerkats and chinchillas, ensuring the lambs found the LitFest in over the four days. don’t get all the attention! Other attractions 2010.

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astronomical society of ‘Orrible Murder - Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent the 1920s is uncovered Events LISTINGS in this talk from Stuart Williams... Tues 4 Mar, For full listing information on Events, Walsall Museum including times and dates, visit ECHOES OF ALL OUR PASTS Paul Quigley www.whatsonlive.co.uk from the Black Country Echoes project talks Theatre, Birmingham about celebrating the from THE BIRMINGHAM communities built ALTERNATIVE & SAT 1 MAR around Black Country BURLESQUE FAIR Sat 1 manufacturing, Tues 4 Mar, The Rainbow Mar, Bantock House INTERNATIONAL FASHION Venues, Birmingham Museum, WEEK until Sat 1 Mar, FARMER'S MARKET Wolverhampton The Council House, Featuring local food, TUESDAY TOUR Discover Birmingham drink, craft and pro- more about Blakesley THE NATIONAL WEDDING duce, Sat 1 Mar, Hall and Yardley, Tues 4 SHOW Hints, tips and The Discovery Centre, Mar, Blakesley Hall, ideas galore for the Big Shropshire Birmingham Day, until Sun 2 Mar, HISTORY SEEKERS TALK AND WALK Offering Week Commencing ARTIST TALK: BEN JOHN- THE YONEX ALL ENGLAND NEC, Birmingham Discover fascinating a chance to learn more SON Accompanying the OPEN BADMINTON Birmingham facts about history and about one of MON 10 MAR gallery’s Photorealism CHAMPIONSHIPS One of BORDERLINES FILM FES- hear the amazing sto- Birmingham’s hidden exhibition, Sat 15 Mar, the oldest and most TIVAL until Sun 16 Mar, ries about local people gems, Sat 8 Mar, Birmingham Museum & prestigious open bad- various locations and events from the Weoley Castle, TILE DECORATING WORK- Art Gallery minton tournaments in throughout the past using real histori- Birmingham SHOP Drop-in workshop BEAUTIFUL GHOSTS & the world, Tue 4 - Sun 9 Marches cal documents at the ‘ORRIBLE MURDER Gasp where visitors can relax BIZARRE TALES TOUR A Mar, National Indoor ROMAN COOKERY City Archives, Sat 1 with horror at the mur- while creating their very night of wine and music Arena, Birmingham WORKSHOP Find out Mar, Wolverhampton derous career of own masterpiece to with Beck Sian & WHAT IS IT? Expert more about authentic City Archives William Palmer, the take home, Tues 11 Jonathan Kershaw, Sat advice on the identifica- cooking techniques, GALLERY TOUR Informal Rugeley Poisoner, in an Mar, Jackfield Tile 15 Mar, Powis Castle, tion and care of ceram- ingredients and recipes tour of the gallery to interactive theatre Museum, Ironbridge, Nr Welshpool, Powys ics, art, and local and of , and help find out more about the event. Visitors also get Shropshire GHOST HUNT With para- natural history, Wed 5 to create your own history of the building the chance to meet Mr ART WALK Amble up to normal events compa- Mar, The Potteries Roman dishes, until and Wolverhampton’s James Berry, the the Old Yardley Village ny Eerie Evenings, Sat Museum & Art Gallery, Wed 19 Mar, Wroxeter renowned collections, Victorian hangman, Sat before returning to 15 Mar, Dudley Castle Stoke-on-Trent Roman City Sat 1 Mar, 8 Mar, The Potteries Blakesley for a collage- STORY HOARD Creative WINTER GUIDED TOUR PAINTING THE Wolverhampton Art Museum & Art Gallery, making workshop, Tues writing workshops Wed 5 Mar, Aston Hall, TOWNHOUSE An exclu- Gallery Stoke-on-Trent 11 Mar, Blakesley Hall, based on the Birmingham sive workshop explor- PANCAKE FUN Mix up MIDLANDS FISHING Warwickshire Staffordshire Hoard, CRUFTS 2014 The ing the painting tech- your batter and the SHOW Now in its third PARK CHECK Join the facilitated by writer world's largest dog niques used in catering team will cook year, the Midlands ranger for an early Helen Cross, Sat 15 show returns, with Wroxeter Roman you some pancakes Fishing Show features morning walk which Mar, Birmingham activities for the whole Townhouse, until Thurs before you add your talks, demonstrations & provides a great insight Museum & Art Gallery family to enjoy, Thurs 6 20 Mar, Wroxeter choice of filling, Sat 1 - celebrity appearances, into the workings of the WRITER NETWORKING - Sun 9 Mar, NEC, Roman City, Shropshire Sun 2 Mar, Erdigg, Sat 8 - Sun 9 Mar, estate, Tues 11 Mar, MORNING: ASIAN WRIT- Birmingham CULTURE VULTURE: Wrexham Ricoh Arena, Coventry Charlecote Park, ERS IN THE WEST MID- WINTER GUIDED TOUR Fri SCRIPT-READING WORK- HERITAGE WEEKEND LIVING HISTORY WEEK- Warwickshire LANDS Join Writing 7 Mar, Sarehole Mill, SHOPS Learn and per- Guided walks which END Featuring the GUY DAY’S HINTS & TIPS: West Midlands and Birmingham form the works of some showcase the rich his- 5/60th Royal American SHELLFISH Lesson in Sampad for a free CARIBBEAN BEACH PARTY of the greatest and tory of Bournville (Rifles), Napoleonic drill how to prepare shell- morning of discussion WEEKEND Fri 7 - Sat 8 most iconic writers of Village, Sat 1 - Sun 2 displays, weapons, fish, together with and networking for Mar, Alton Towers our time. Just turn up Mar, Cadbury World, demonstrations & talks, recipes and ideas for emerging and estab- Resort, Staffordshire and get involved! Every Birmingham Sat 8 - Sun 9 Mar, classic accompani- lished writers from the BOWMAN ANTIQUE FAIR Tuesday until 25 Mar, OUTBREAK SPRING FESTI- Whittington Castle, Nr ments, Tues 11 - Wed Asian community, Sat Featuring up to four Library of Birmingham VAL Sat 1 - Sun 2 Mar, Oswestry, North 12 Mar, Weston Park, 15 Mar, Wolverhampton hundred stands selling ARTY PARTY Fortnightly Ricoh Arena, Coventry Shropshire Staffordshire Art Gallery antiques, curios, vin- art club for 8-to-14- THOMAS LAND WEEKEND THOMAS LAND WEEKEND WINTER GUIDED TOUR WENLOCK OLYMPIAN LIVE tage, retro and collecta- year-olds, Sat 1 Mar, Sat 1 - Sun 2 Mar, Sat 8 - Sun 9 Mar, Wed 12 Mar, Aston ARTS FESTIVAL Sat 15 - bles, Fri 7 - Sun 9 Mar, The Potteries Museum Drayton Manor Theme Drayton Manor Theme Hall, Birmingham Sun 16 Mar, William Stafford Bingley Hall, & Art Gallery, Stoke-on- Park, Tamworth, Staffs Park, Tamworth, Staffs THE BIG BANG UK YOUNG Brookes School, Much Stafford Trent PANCAKE FLIPPING CHARACTER WEEKEND SCIENTIST & ENGINEERS Wenlock, South ANDREW DEE - BLACK OR BROOCH MAKING Watch the ladies of Celebrate Cadbury's FAIR The UK’s largest Shropshire WHITE TOUR An evening WORKSHOP WITH Blists Hill Victorian most colourful charac- celebration of science, THE SOOTY SHOW Brand of mediumship, Sat 8 MELANIE TOMLINSON Sat Town as they take part ters with an unmissable technology, engineer- new exclusive live show Mar, Solihull Arts 1 Mar, Walsall Leather in the annual pancake- weekend starring ing and maths for for Cadbury World. Join Complex Museum flipping contest, Sat 1 - Caramel Bunny, Freddo young people, Thurs 13 Sooty as he tries out BASKET WEAVING WORK- BIRMINGHAM COMMUNI- Tue 4 Mar, Blists Hill, and more! Sat 8 - Sun - Sun 16 Mar, NEC, his latest inventions on SHOP Sat 8 Mar, TY HERITAGE DAY Sat 1 Ironbridge, Shropshire 9 Mar, Cadbury World, Birmingham Sweep and Soo, Sat 15 Shropshire Wildlife Mar, Library of DISCOVER YOUR FAMILY Birmingham WINTER GUIDED TOUR Fri - Sun 16 Mar, Cadbury Trust, Abbey Foregate, Birmingham HISTORY Maggie WILLOW WEAVING WORK- 14 Mar, Sarehole Mill, World, Birmingham Shrewsbury STORY HOARD Creative Loughran, an expert in SHOPS Sun 9 Mar, Birmingham BRITISH ALPACA SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL writing workshops British and Irish geneal- Weoley Castle, SPRING PHOTO WALK NATIONAL SHOW Trade WOMEN’S DAY A morn- based on the ogy, offers advice and Birmingham Includes lunch, Fri 14 stands, auctions, com- ing exploring works Staffordshire Hoard, practical tips on how to THE LAUGHTER CREWE Mar, Stokesay Castle, petitions and more... from the Art Gallery's facilitated by writer discover more about Comedy and curry South Shropshire Sat 15 - Sun 16 Mar, collection which reflect Helen Cross, Sat 1 Mar, your ancestors, Sat 2 night, Sun 9 Mar, THE ORIGINS OF MIDDLE The International the theme of Women In Birmingham Museum & Mar, Birmingham Back Crewe Lyceum EARTH Take part in a Centre, Telford, Art, Sat 8 Mar, Art Gallery to Backs. ULTIMATE DUBS UK 2014 guided walk and dis- Shropshire STAINED GLASS DAY Wolverhampton Art The UK's largest Indoor cover the childhood THE MIDLANDS GARDEN WORKSHOP Facilitated Gallery Week Commencing VAG enthusiasts event, playground of JRR RAILWAY SHOW Sat 15 - by designer & maker TOURISM & ATTRACTIONS bringing VW, Audi, Seat Tolkien, Fri 14 Mar, Sun 16 Mar, Paul Floyd, Sat 1 Mar, MON 3 MAR SHOW Sat 8 Mar, and Skoda show cars Sarehole Mill, Warwickshire Exhibition Ruskin Glass Centre, Enginuity, Ironbridge, from all over Europe Birmingham Centre Stourbridge Shropshire together under one BIG TIME AMERICAN CLASSIC COMMERCIAL SILVER DECORATIVE PEN- PUNJABI WOLVES KING TILE DECORATING WORK- roof, Sun 9 Mar, Telford WRESTLING An explo- ENTHUSIAST SHOW Sat DANTS & CHARMS WORK- OF THE RING Sat 1 Mar SHOP Drop-in workshop International Centre, sive evening of topline 15 - Sun 16 Mar, Three SHOP Sat 8 Mar, Bilston Civic Hall, where visitors can relax Shropshire action for all the family Counties Showground, Craft Gallery Wolverhampton while creating their very MEDIEVAL WALK Sun 9 to enjoy! Sat 15 Mar, Malvern STORY HOARD Creative DRUM & BASS AWARDS own masterpiece to Mar, Attingham Park, Victoria Hall, Hanley, THOMAS LAND WEEKEND writing workshops Sat 1 Mar, The Institute, take home, Tues 4 Mar, Shrewsbury Stoke-on-Trent Sat 15 - Sun 16 Mar, based on the Birmingham Jackfield Tile Museum, ANTIQUE & COLLECTORS ARTY PARTY Fortnightly Drayton Manor Theme Staffordshire Hoard, TEN THOUSAND MILLION Ironbridge, Shropshire FAIR Sun 9 Mar, Three art club for 8-to-14- Park, Tamworth, Staffs facilitated by writer LOVE STORIES PUBLIC TALK: SOME WAL- Counties Showground, year-olds, Sat 15 Mar, AVONCROFT THROUGH Helen Cross, Sat 8 Mar, Improvisation workshop SALL ASTRONOMERS IN Malvern The Potteries Museum THE AGES Featuring Birmingham Museum & and performance, Sat 1 HISTORY A lost Walsall & Art Gallery, Stoke-on- Roman, Viking, Tudor & Mar, The Blue Orange Art Gallery Victorian re-enactors, www.whatsonlive.co.uk 61 Events March Region Two_Layout 1 24/02/2014 12:49 Page 7

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Railway, Fri 21 - Sun 23 Mar, Severn Valley Events LISTINGS Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster For full listing information on Events, LEATHER IPAD/TABLET including times and dates, visit CASE WORKSHOP FOR www.whatsonlive.co.uk ADULTS with The Identity Store, Sat 22 Sat 15 - Sun 16 Mar, Mar, Bantock House Mar, Walsall Leather Avoncroft Museum, Museum, Museum Bromsgrove Wolverhampton MGCC T-REGISTER YVON BONENFANT: VOLUNTEER OPEN DAY REBUILD 2014 Sat 22 ULUZUZULALIA Pop along for a cuppa Mar, Heritage Motor Pronounced OO-LOO- and a chat, and get Centre, Gaydon, ZOO-ZOO-LAY-LIA, this information regarding Warwickshire is a vivacious and inter- volunteer roles and SATURDAY NIGHT active voice playground opportunities at the SPECIAL Run What Ya for families to enjoy castle, Tues 18 Mar, Brung till late. Track together. The Tongue Powis Castle, Nr open from 9am to 8pm, Wizards: Queen Victor Welshpool, Powys with evening entertain- the Fabulous, and GHOST WALK The origi- ment and camping, Sat Tile Decorating Workshop - Jackfield Tile Museum, Ironbridge, Shropshire 22 Mar, Santa Pod Volumia the Librarian, nal Dudley Ghost Tour, and mono printing SHOP Drop-in workshop ership, Sat 29 Mar, will help you to explore starting and finishing at Raceway, Northampton MYTHS & MYSTERIES methods, and have a where visitors can relax Heritage Motor Centre, two worlds: Squeak the town’s most haunt- go at creating their very while creating their very Gaydon, Warwickshire and Speak, Sat 15 - ed buildings, Wed 19 WALK Sat 22 Mar, Shugborough Estate, own species of butter- own masterpiece to MIDLANDS WHISKY FES- Tue 18 Mar, mac - Mar, Station Hotel, fly, Sat 22 Mar, Shire take home, Tues 25 TIVAL Sat 29 Mar, Midlands Arts Centre, Dudley Staffordshire TOUR OF THE LIBRARY OF Hall Gallery, Stafford Mar, Jackfield Tile Stourbridge Town Hall Birmingham ART WORKSHOP Thurs SCIENCE WEEKEND Sat Museum, Ironbridge, HARMONY SINGING ST PATRICK’S DAY 20 Mar, Witley Court, CULTURES EXHIBITION Led by one of the 22 - Sun 23 Mar, Shropshire WORKSHOP WITH HELEN PARADE Sun 16 Mar, Worcestershire Cadbury World, WILLIAM MORRIS & THE YEOMANS Sat 29 Mar, Digbeth, Birmingham VALUATION DAY: FINE ART library’s Collections curators, Sat 22 Mar, Birmingham KELMSCOTT PRESS Trinity Centre, Meole INTERNATIONAL JAGUAR & ANTIQUES Hosted by THOMAS LAND WEEKEND Chance to view the Brace, Shrewsbury SPARES DAY Featuring Fieldings Auctioneers, Library of Birmingham SPRING GIFT MAKING Sat 22 - Sun 23 Mar, site’s collection of IRONBRIDGE ARCHAEOLO- over two hundred stalls Thurs 20 Mar, Bantock Drayton Manor Theme books, made by GY WORKSHOP Providing from all over the UK, House Museum, WORKSHOPS Put your creative skills to good Park, Tamworth, Staffs William Morris’ private a basic level of training Sun 16 Mar, Stoneleigh Wolverhampton COSTUME COLLECTION printing press, as part in a variety of subjects, Park, Warwickshire SHARE YOUR MEMORIES use and create a themed tile to take WEEKEND Explore the of a talk on Morris’ life, Sat 29 Mar, The Long CARRIAGEWAY WALK & OF THE 1960S Handle castle’s period rooms Tues 25 Mar, Wightwick Warehouse, WORK CLUB Discover objects from the period home, Sat 22 - Sun 23 Mar, Jackfield Tile and learn about Manor, Wolverhampton Coalbrookdale the hidden history and and share your memo- Victorian fashion. The AN EVENING WITH DAVID RUN WHAT YA BRUNG archeology of the old ries with museum staff Museum, Ironbridge, Shropshire weekend also offers an SEDARIS Following three The chance to take carriageways in in this special hands-on opportunity to learn sell-out runs in London your car or motorcycle Fishpool Valley, Sun 16 session, Thurs 20 Mar, SNIPPETS OF SHAKE- SPEARE Mini-scenes about some of the and two sell-out out on the famous Mar, Croft Castle, Walsall Museum site’s costumes not Edinburgh Fringe quarter-mile dragstrip Leominster MARTIAL DANCE & MUSIC from Shakespeare, enacted at various normally on display, Sat Festival stints, David and test its perform- TOY COLLECTORS FAIR Two-hour show cele- 22 - Sun 23 Mar, Sedaris embarks on his ance limits in a safe Sun 16 Mar, Three brating the artistry of times of the day, Mon 17 - Wed 19 Mar, Tamworth Castle first ever UK tour, Wed and legal environment Counties Showground, sixteenth century THE FAST SHOW The 26 Mar, The Assembly, Sat 29 Mar, Santa Pod Malvern Japanese swordsman Moseley Old Hall, Wolverhampton season-opening show Leamington Spa Raceway, Northampton Miyamoto Musashi, for all performance and DRIFT WHAT YA BRUNG RAG RUG WORKSHOP Thurs 20 Mar, mac - SPRINGTIME IN SMESTOW Week Commencing Join the rangers in dis- modified car enthusi- Chance to practice With specialist Jessie Midlands Arts Centre, asts. FWD drag series, drifting in safe and Lindon, Sat 29 Mar, MON 17 MAR Birmingham covering the delights of springtime on the RWYB, show‘n’shine, legal conditions on Birmingham Back to SEWING FOR PLEASURE... stunt shows, traders, some of the Pod's thirty Backs Incorporating reserve, Thurs 20 Mar, Smestow Valley, car clubs and a heated acres of open tarmac, VICTORIAN HOUSEHOLD SNIPPETS OF SHAKE- Hobbycrafts and nightclub on the where there are begin- HINTS A new addition to SPEARE Mini-scenes Fashion Embroidery & Wolverhampton BATTLEFIELD ARCHAEOL- Saturday night all fea- ners, intermediate and the Blists Hill calendar, from Shakespeare, Stitch, Thurs 20 - Sun ture, Sun 23 Mar, Santa advanced tracks open this event offers visitors enacted at various 23 Mar, NEC, OGY OF THE ENGLISH CIVIL WAR Thurs 20 Mar, Pod Raceway, at the same time each an opportunity to pick times of the day, Mon Birmingham Northampton DWYB day, Wed 26 up some good old- 17 - Wed 19 Mar, FLATPACK FILM FESTIVAL The Commandery, Worcestershire BUILDING CONSERVATION Mar, Santa Pod fashioned housekeep- Moseley Old Hall, Cinematic extravaganza DAYS Sat 22 - Sun 23 Raceway, Northampton ing tips, Sat 29 - Sun Wolverhampton fusing new talent, for- VINTAGE TEA PARTY Sat 22 Mar, Bantock House Mar, Avoncroft BRIGHTWELLS PERFORM- 30 Mar, Blists Hill HERBERT ILLUMINATION: gotten classics and live Museum, Bromsgrove ANCE HORSE AND PONY Victorian Town, CURATOR TALK Join music, Thurs 20 - Sun Museum, Wolverhampton WEDDING FAYRE Sun 23 SALE Wed 26 Mar, Ironbridge Victoria Osborne as 30 Mar, various loca- Mar, Ludlow Castle, Three Counties GO OVER THE TOP ABSEIL she explores selected tions throughout HANDMADE & VINTAGE WEDDING FAYRE Sat 22 South Shropshire Showground, Malvern Sat 29 - Sun 30 Mar, St works within the Birmingham AWAKEN YOUR SENSES: WINTER GUIDED TOUR Mary’s Church, Exposed exhibition SPRING PHOTO WALK Mar, Wolverhampton Art Gallery BROMSGROVE MIND Wed 26 Mar, Aston Dogpole, Shrewsbury from a curatorial per- Includes lunch, Fri 21 BODY SOUL EVENT One- Hall, Birmingham MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND spective, Tue 18 Mar, Mar, Goodrich Castle FRIENDS OF WOLVER- HAMPTON CITY ARCHIVES day event featuring HEAD GARDENER SPRING Each visiting mum will Herbert Art Gallery & ART WORKSHOP Fri 21 over thirty exhibitors TOUR Thurs 27 Mar, be treated to a minia- Museum, Coventry Mar Stokesay Castle, MEETING Duncan Nimmo talks about showcasing a diverse Witley Court, ture box of Cadbury TUESDAY TOUR: FOOD & South Shropshire range of complimentary Worcestershire chocolates, Sat 29 - DRINK IN TUDOR TIMES WINTER GUIDED TOUR Fri inter-war suburbia in Wolverhampton, Sat 22 therapies and healing, EARLY YEARS PLAY DAYS Sun 30 Mar, Cadbury Tues 18 Mar, Blakesley 21 Mar, Sarehole Mill, Sun 23 Mar, Providing an opportuni- World, Birmingham Hall, Birmingham Birmingham Mar, Wolverhampton City Archives Bromsgrove Hilton ty for children aged MOTHERING WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT IN 18TH LOCAL HISTORY TALK: Hotel between one and three Sat 29 - Sun 30 Mar, CENTURY BIRMINGHAM A HIDDEN HISTORIES A talk THE GREAT HISTORIC BAKE OFF Make ginger- GREAT MALVERN SPRING to explore and investi- Hanbury Hall & gallery talk with Applied by Councillor Claire INTERNATIONAL MILITARY gate through sensory Gardens, Droitwich Art curator Sylvia Darke and Dr Paul bread from Mary Wise’s 18th century recipe CONVENTION Sun 23 play, Thurs 27 - Fri 28 Spa, Worcestershire Crawley, Tues 18 Mar, Darke about the first Mar, Three Counties Mar, Herbert Art Gallery STRAIGHTLINERS Bike- Birmingham Museum & female doctors in book in historic sur- roundings, Sat 22 Mar, Showground, Malvern & Museum, Coventry only RWYB, including Art Gallery Wolverhampton, and WINTER GUIDED TOUR Fri Round One of the TILE DECORATING WORK- the patients, places and St John’s Museum, Warwickshire Week Commencing 28 Mar, Sarehole Mill, Straightliners SHOP Drop-in workshop institutions they Birmingham Championship, Sun 30 where visitors can relax would’ve visited, Fri 21 A TASTE OF JAPAN MON 24 MAR Featuring an abun- THE X FACTOR LIVE 14 Mar, Santa Pod while creating their very Mar, Wolverhampton Fri 28 March - Sat 29 Raceway, Northampton own masterpiece to Art Gallery dance of themed activi- ties, demonstrations & Mar, LG Arena, MOTHER’S DAY STEAM take home, Tues 18 SPRING STEAM GALA WALSALL DANCE FESTI- Birmingham CREAM LAND CRUISE Mar, Jackfield Tile Three-day event for performances, Sat 22 Mar, The Potteries VAL Showcase of work JUNE FIELD - PSYCHIC TRAIN Sun 30 Mar, Museum, Ironbridge, steam enthusiasts fea- from local schools, col- Sat 29 Mar, Huntingdon Foxfield Steam Railway, Shropshire turing visiting locomo- Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent leges and community Hall, Worcester Stoke-on-Trent MEET ME AT BANTOCK tives, including the groups, Mon 24 Mar, CLASSIC VIRGINS An MOTHER’S DAY LUNCH IN Regular conversation 1638 Hawksworth PRINTMAKING WITH NAOMI GREAVES Taster Forest Arts Centre, active and informative THE HOUSE Sun 30 Mar, club for people aged Pannier tank from the Walsall day for people contem- Weston Park, Staffs fifty and over, Tues 18 Kent & East Sussex workshop where partici- pants can explore lino TILE DECORATING WORK- plating classic car own-

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Friday 28 March 2014 International Convention Centre Birmingham A glittering night of action-packed entertainment including a special guest star

Tickets inclusive of 3 course meal, live entertainment and disco Dress code: Smart lounge suits, black tie, ball gowns and frocks!

SAVE £100 PER TABLE WHEN YOU BOOK & PAY BEFORE 28 FEB! BOOK ONLINE NOW AT www.prideball.co.uk or CALL RYAN HUMPHREYS ON 01743 281722 Save or email: [email protected] £££’s This is THE LGBT party of the year! ‘Early Bird’ Tickets & Tables - book your table now! UNTIL 28 FEB! THE UK’S BIGGEST LGBT BALL Eating Out March Region two_Layout 1 24/02/2014 17:45 Page 2 Eating Out A taste of Asia comes to The Cube A restaurant and cocktail bar selling authentic Indian cuisine opens at top Birmingham leisure venue The Cube next month. The Master And Margarita will join numerous highly rated restau- rants already housed in The Cube, including Marco Pierre White Steakhouse, Brazilian chur- rascaria Rodizio Rico, and recently-opened burg- er and shrimp restaurant Bun & Bowl.

New lease of life for Ludlow’s esteemed deli... A South Shropshire delicatessen which was once a well-established part of Ludlow’s highly praised A lunchtime treat in Shrewsbury food scene is to be given a new lease of life. The venue, previously called Deli On The Square, REVIEW was small but full of bean crush and a big dol- was recently purchased by husband-and-wife flavour, a perfect start to lop of tartare sauce. The team Henry and Hannah Mackley, who hope to my lunchtime feast. fish was cooked to perfec- Heading out for lunch in have Ludlow’s latest food enterprise fully opera- My friend, who was even tion, the hand-cut chips a Shrewsbury is no easy tional within a few months. Renamed Harp Lane, more keen than me to try perfect accompaniment. task. With so many restau- the Mackleys’ new venture will provide an array Porter House, went for the Considering our meals rants to choose from in of delights for customers to purchase and take crispy mozzarella, served were part of a lunchtime such a small town, finding home. It will also feature a small, casual dining with a sweet red pepper meal-deal menu, I was the perfect place takes room, situated above the shop and serving relish and a rocket and expecting reduced-size plenty of trial and error. homemade food. pecorino salad. Polishing portions for the main My friend and I were look- off the dish quickly, she courses. However, both ing for somewhere quick indicated with a long and dishes were standard-size, Shropshire Chef makes her mark and easy, but without audible “Mmm” that it had served as if you were compromising on quality. positively oozed with ordering from the a la A much-acclaimed Shropshire chef recently We decided to stop by flavour. carte menu. At just £12 for showed off her culinary prowess in the British Porter House on St Mary’s Onto the main course. My two courses or £15 for Culinary Federation’s prestigious Chef Of The Street, a place we’d only friend was eager to try the three, Porter House’s Year semi-finals. Suree Coates, from Broseley’s ever been to before for 4oz handmade British Midweek Madness menu The King And Thai restaurant, was one of eight- drinks in the evening. beefburger, served with certainly offered great een semi-finalists, and came up against some The restaurant, owned by dry cured bacon, cheddar, value for money. They can stiff opposition at the event. Her selection of Thai the team behind the near- baby gem and a healthy expect my custom again spicy razor clam with by Mytton & Mermaid, has smattering of mustard very soon. spicy salad, Asian just received an expansive mayo. The dish was Ryan Humphreys pork broth and refurbishment, and with it, accompanied by fries and mango & passion fruit a new menu. Porter House homemade coleslaw. The Food: IIII cheesecake proved a offers a midweek daytime burger, towering high, Service: IIII real hit, and she was set menu between 12pm both looked and smelled Ambience: IIII only two points away and 7pm, and it was from fantastic. My friend, who’s IIIII from reaching the Overall value here that we both ordered renowned for her enor- IIII final. Not to be OVERALL our lunches. mous appetite, enjoyed deterred, Suree is I opted for the Maryland every mouthful. Porter House already making plans crabcakes, which were In true British style, I 15 St Mary’s Street for next year’s compe- beautifully presented and decided on Boston beer- Shrewsbury tition, in which she served with chipoltle may- battered fish’n’chips. The Shropshire hopes to “apply her onnaise and a fresh red cod came served with a SY1 1EQ learnings” and win the pepper salad. The dish beautiful pea and broad coveted title. Suree Coates

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THE BLUE BRICK 7EQ 01902 700 253 5DL 01952 882004 01691 670970 LISTINGS Broad Gauge Way, THE WOODMAN Claverley, THE KNIGHTON HOTEL ZIZZI RISORANTE 39-40 Restaurant Wolverhampton WV1 Wolverhampton WV5 Broad Street, Knighton, High Street, Shrewsbury 1AA 01902 875301 7DG 01746 710 553 Powys LD7 1BL 01547 SY1 1SF 01743 353232 For full listing information on restau- BRAVACCIOUS 4 Upper 520530 rants, including opening times and Green, Wolverhampton LA BÉCASSE 17 Corve St, WV6 8QQ 01902 Shropshire Ludlow, SY8 1DA 01584 Staffordshire type of cuisine, visit: www.whatson- 756052 AFTAB 25 High St, 872 325 NO 5 Gaol Mews, Stafford live.co.uk CAFE CHAMPAGNE 253- Ironbridge TF8 7AD LA DOLCE VITA 35 Hills ST16 3AN 01785 22 9900 255 Bilston Road, Lane, Shrewsbury SY1 LOVES The Glasshouse, 01952 432055 95 HIGH GREEN Cannock. Wolverhampton WV2 1QU 01743 249126 Browning St, B16 8FL 2JN 01902 458024 ALBRIGHT HUSSEY WS11 1BH 01543 Birmingham 0121 454 5151 Ellesmere Rd, LA LANTERNA The Old 573905 CASA CASITA Upper Shrewsbury, SY4 3AF Vestry, St Julian's AALTO RESTAURANT Hotel MECHU 47 - 59 Summer 1709 THE BASSERIE 3-5 Gornal, Dudley. DY3 01939 290 523 Church, Shrewsbury La Tour, Albert Street, Row, B3 1JJ 0121 212 1UP 01902 676754 Lombard St, Lichfield. BISTRO JACQUES 77/77a SY1 1UH 01743 233552 WS13 6DP 01543 Birmingham B5 5JT 1661 CATELLANI’S 6 School St, Mardol, Shrewsbury SY1 LION & PHEASANT 50 257986 0121 718 8000 METRO BAR & GRILL 73 Wolverhampton, WV1 Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury 1PZ 01743 272586 BELLA ITALIA 20 Greengate AIR RESTAURANT LG Cornwall St B3 2DF 4LR 01902 428928 SY1 1XJ 01743 770345 BUFFALO STEAK HOUSE St, Stafford, ST16 2HS Arena, Bickenhill Rd, 0121 200 1911 CINNAMON COURT Bentley 125 Frankwell, THE LION QUAYS Moreton, 01785 211968 0844 338 0333 MINT Yew Tree Retail Mill Way, Walsall WS2 Shrewsbury SY3 8JX Oswestry SY11 3EN BANK 4 Brindleyplace, Park, Stoney Lane 0BP 0121 568 6664 CHANDLERS Corn 01743 537523 01691 684300 Exchange, Conduit St, B1 2JB 0121 633 4466 Yardley, B25 8YP THE COWSHED Clive 0121 789 8908 BUTLERS Park St, Shifnal, LOCH FYNE Talbot House, Lichfield, WS13 6JU BAR ESTILO 10-114 Farm Clive Rd, Market Street, MOUNT FUJI The Bullring, TF11 9BA 01952 01543 416688 Wharfside St, The Pattingham, WV6 7EN Shrewsbury SY1 1LG Mailbox, B1 1RF 0121 B5 4BH 0121 633 9853 01902 701888 460662 THE CORNER HOUSE 01743 277140 Second Avenue,Burton- 643 3443 OPUS 54 Cornwall St, THE CROOKED HOUSE CASA NARANJO Barracks LUDLOW KITCHEN On-Trent DE14 2WF BARAJEE 265 Broad B3 2DE 0121 200 2323 Coppice Hill, Himley DY3 Passage, Wyle Cop, Bromfield, Ludlow, SY2 01283 542321 Street, B1 2DS 0121 643 THE ORIENTAL The 4DA 01384 238583 Shrewsbury SY1 01743 588165 2JR 01584 856020 CURRY KUTEER 31 6699 Mailbox, 128-130 THE DITCH 1 Town Hill, THE MALTHOUSE The Greengate Street, Stafford BELLA ITALIA 102 New Wharfside St, B1 1RQ Walsall, WS1 2EU CASA RUIZ 45 High Wharfage, Ironbridge ST16 2HY Street, B2 4HQ 0121 0121 633 9988 01922 643215 Street, Bridgnorth, WV16 4DX 01746 218 084 TF8 7NH 01902 433712 01785 253279 643 1548 PEACHYKEENS 1741 DON SALVO 25 Darlington MORGANS 1 Bellstone, ESSENCE OF THE ORIENT BLUE MANGO Regency Coventry Road, B26 Street, Wolverhampton CHEZ MAW Best Western 27 Broad Eye, Stafford Wharf, Broad St, B1 2DS 1DS 0121 764 5519 WV1 4HW 01902 712819 Valley Hotel, Buildwas Shrewsbury SY1 1HU 0121 633 4422 PENNY BLACKS Rd, Ironbridge, TF8 7DW 01743 239114 ST16 2QB 01785 DUNSLEY HALL Dunsley 229988 BLUE PIANO RESTAURANT The Mailbox, 132-134 Rd, Kinver, DY7 6LU 01952 432247 MR UNDERHILLS Dinham FOUR SEASONS Swinfen AND BAR 24-26 Harborne Wharfside St, B1 1XL 01384 877077 THE COTTAGE Tern Hill, Weir, Ludlow Shropshire Hall Lichfield, WS14 Rd, B15 3AA 0121 454 0121 632 1460 Market Drayton TF9 3PX SY8 1EH 01584 874431 FARADAYS The 9RE 01543 481494 6877 PICCOLINO Waterfront, Brierley Hill, 01630 638984 THE MYTTON & MERMAID THE GREEN ROOM Castle BUONISSIMO 1 Albany 9 Brindleyplace B1 2HS Dudley, DY5 1UR CROMWELLS 11 Dogpole, Atcham, Shrewsbury, Dyke, Lichfield WS13 Rd, Harborne, B17 9JX 0121 634 3055 01384 482 882 Shrewsbury SY1 1EN SY5 6QG 01743 761220 6HR 01543 412121 0121 426 2444 PITCHER & PIANO FIVE RIVERS Vicarage 01743 361440 THE OLD ORLETON INN INDIAN VILLAGE CAFE OPUS 1 Oozells Brindleyplace, B1 2HP Place, Walsall WS1 3NA DA VINCI’S 26 High St, Holyhead Rd, Wellington, 8 Lombard St, Lichfield. Square, Brindleyplace, 0121 643 0214 01922 646164 Ironbridge, TF8 7AD TF1 2HA 01952 255011 WS13 6DR 01543 B1 2HS 0121 248 3226 POPPY RED Arcadian 01952 432250 FOUR STONES Adam’s THE OLD RECTORY HOTEL & 253415 CARLUCCIO’S The Water’s Centre, Birmingham B5 Hill,Clint, Stourbridge, DORRINGTON OLD HALL RESTAURANT Lowe Hill INDICA Virage Park, Edge, Brindleyplace 4TD 0121 687 1200 DY9 9PS 01562 883260 PERSIAN CUISINE Main Road, Wem, Shropshire Cannock. WS11 0HN B1 2HP 0121 633 9262 PURNELL’S 55 Cornwall Road, Dorrington, FRANZLS 151 Milcote Rd, SY4 5UA 01939 233233 08712 070417 CENTENARY BAR & St, B3 2DH 0121 212 Smethwick, B67 5BN Shropshire SY5 7JD THE PEACH TREE 21 Abbey LA DOLCE VITA 19 Stafford 9799 0121 429 7920 01743 719100 BRASSERIE Broad Street, Foregate, St, Stone ST15 8QW PURNELL’SBISTOR & GIN- DRAPERS 10 St Mary’s St B1 2EP 0121 245 2080 FRENCH CONNECTION Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE 01785 817 985 CHUNG YING GER’S BAR 11 Newhall 3 Coventry St, Shrewsbury, SY1 1DZ 01743 355055 Street, B3 3NY, 0121 Stourbridge DY8 1EP 01743 344679 THE LODGE 24 16-18 Wrottersley Street, THE PLUME OF FEATHERS Birmingham Road, 2000 1588 01384 390940 THE FEATHERS Brockton, B5 4RT 0121 622 5669 Harley, Shrewsbury SY5 Shenstone. WS14 0LQ Much Wenlock TF13 CHUNG YING GARDEN 17 THE RECTORY 50-54 St FRENCH HEN Bromsgrove 6LP 01743 727360 01543 483334 Thorpe St, B5 4AT Paul’s Sq, B3 1QS Rd, Clent, Stourbridge 6JR 01746 785202 0121 605 1001 DY9 9PY 01562 883040 PORTER HOUSE 15 St MALABAR 1-2 Water 0121 666 6622 FENNELS 8 Market Place, Mary’s St, Shrewsbury, Street, Stafford, ST16 GOLDEN MOMENTS 2-3 CIELO 6 Oozells Square, RED PEPPERS 117 Shifnall TF11 9AZ SY1 1EQ 01743 358870 2AG 01785 227 500/600 Wharfside St, B1 1RF Ablewell St, Walsall WS1 01952 463020 Brindleyplace, B1 2JB THE POUND AT LEEBOT- MARLOES 13 London 0121 643 4202 2EQ 01922 640363 THE FOX INN 46 High St, 0121 632 6882 WOOD Leebotwood, Nr Road, Newcastle under SAN CARLO 4 Temple St, LE BRASSERIE 5 Lower Much Wenlock TF13 COAST TO COAST 9 Church Stretton SY6 6ND Lyme, ST4 1LQ 01782 B2 5BN 0121 633 0251 Mill Street, 6AD 01952 727292 Brindleyplace, Broad Kidderminster. DY11 01694 751477 661983 SHIMLA PINKS 215 Broad FRANK CAFE BAR 129 Street, B1 2HJ 6UU 01562 744976 RENAISSANCE, 29a THE MILL 1 Mill St, Stone, St, B15 1AY 0121 633 Frankwell, Shrewsbury COTE The Mailbox, MADE IN THAI Darlington Princess St, Shrewsbury, ST15 8BA 01785 0366 SY3 8JX 01743 354422 B1 1RX 0121 631 1587 St, Wolverhampton WV1 SY11LW 01743 354289 818456 CUCINA RUSTICA 24 SIMPSONS, 20 Highfield 4HW 01902 312512 THE GOLDEN CROSS 14 THE NAVIGATION INN Rd, Edgbaston B13 3DU ROMOLO Victoria Avenue, Ludgate Hill, B3 1DX PARADISE BALTI 7 Lower Princess St, Shrewsbury, Newport Road, Gnosall, 0121 454 3434 SY1 1LP 01743 362507 shrewsbury SY1 1HH 0121 233 2277 Mill Street, Kidderminster 01743 233244 Stafford ST20 0BN THE SLUG AND LETTUCE, DY11 6UU 01562 60479 GRANARY BAR & GRILL 01785 822327 DEL VILLAGGIO SARACENS Shrewsbury Unit 528, Middle Mall, Brindley Place, THE PIE FACTORY 50 Hurst Weston Park, Weston- OLD VICARAGE 2 Main St, Birmingham B1 2HL under-Lizard, Nr Shifnal, Rd, SY4 4AG 01939 The Bullring. B5 4BE Lane, Tipton DY4 9AB 210877 Branston, Burton, DE14 0121 643 1400 0121 633 3049 0121 557 1402 TF11 8LE 01952 3EX 01283 533222 SEBASTIANS 45 Willow St, EDMUNDS 6 Brindley STRADA 109-111 RED FORT Fold St, 852107 PASTICHE BISTRO Oswestry SY11 1AQ 1 - 2 Mill place, B1 2JB 0121 633 Wharfside St, The Wolverhampton, WV1 THE GLUTTON CLUB 165- Street, Stafford, ST16 01691 655444 4944 Mailbox B1 1XL 4LP 01902 424440 167 Frankwell, 2AJ 01782 263 737 0121 643 7279 SHALIMAR 23 Abbey FLEET STREET KITCHEN RISTORANTE ROMAGNA 4 Shrewsbury SY3 8LG THE PEAR TREE Swinfen, Foregate, Shrewsbury Fleet Street, Islington THAI EDGE 7 Oozells Sq, Upper Green, Tettenhall, 01743 361672 Nr. Lichfield, WS14 9QR Gates, B3 1JH 0121 236 B1 2HL 0121 643 3993 Wolverhampton WV6 HADLEY PARK HOUSE SY2 6AE 01743 366658 01543 481807 8QQ 01902 756052 0100 WAGAMAMA Brindley Hadley Park, Telford TF1 SHERAZ 79 Wyle Cop, PORTOFINO 38-40 Marsh ITIHAAS 18 Fleet St, B3 Place, birmingham B1 SAFFRON Wolverhampton 6QJ 01952 677269 Shrewsbury SY1 1UT St Stoke-On-Trent, ST1 1JL 0121 212 3383 Road, Oldbury B69 4RR THE HAYWARDS at The 01743 242321 1JD 01782 209444 0121 552 1752 JAMIE’S ITALIAN Middle Black Country Lion Hotel, Wyle Cop, THE SILVERTON the Old THE RED ROOM 7 Mall, Bullring Shopping SIMON’S 520 Chester Rd, Shrewsbury SY1 1UY Dairy, 9-10 Frankwell, Newcastle Road, Centre, B5 4BE Aldridge, Walsall, WS9 01743 353107 Shrewsbury SY3 8JY Congleton CW12 4HN ARBOUR LIGHTS 127-128 0PU 0121 580 9293 0121 270 3610 Lichfield Street, Walsall HENRY TUDOR HOUSE 01743 248000 01260 297871 SPICES Hollywell Rd, JIMMY SPICES Regency WS1 1SY 01922 613361 Barracks Passage TIN TINS Wellington Road, THORNBURY HALL, RASOI Wednesbury. WS10 7PA Wharf, Broad St, B1 2DS Shrewsbury SY1 1XA Telford TF2 8AJ BANKS BISTRO Chapel 0121 502 0720 Lockwood Rd, Kingsley 0121 643 2111 Ash, Wolverhampton 01743 361666 01952 608688 Holt, Stafford ST10 2DH THE SPRINGHILL LAS IGUANAS WV1 4EP 01902 238433 HILL VALLEY HOTEL TRAITORS GATE Castle St, 01538 750831 Arcadian Warstones Rd, Penn, Centre, Hurst St, B5 4TD BELLA 82 Chapel Ash, Tarporley Road, Water Lane, Shrewsbury WOLSELEY ARMS Wolverhampton WV4 Whitchurch SY13 4HA 0121 622 4466 Wolverhampton. 01902 4LB 01902 342530 SY1 2BX 01743 249152 Wolseley Bridge, Stafford 0844 879 9049 ST17 0XS LASAN 3-4 Dakota 427555 THE SUMMERHOUSE 92 THE WALLS Welsh Walls, THE INN AT GRINSHILL 01889 883179 Buildings, James St, St BENGAL FUSION 174 High Gospel End Rd, Dudley Oswestry SY11 1AW Paul’s Square, B3 1SD St, Lye, Stourbridge DY9 The High Street, DY3 4AN 01902 676 Grinshill, Shrewsbury, 0121 212 3664 8LN. 01384 891111 102 SY4 3BL 01939 220410 THE LOFT LOUNGE BILASH 2 Cheapside, THORNESCROFT For full Restaurant listings 143 Bromsgrove St, KING & THAI Avenue Rd, Wolverhampton, WV1 Bridgnorth Rd, visit: www.whatsonlive.co.uk B5 6RG 0121 622 2444 1TU 01902 427762 Wolverhampton, WV6 Broseley, Telford TF12

66 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Peach Tree (FP-Mar)_Layout 1 24/02/2014 09:16 Page 1

Mother’s Day Sunday 30th March 2014

2 Course £16.50 3 Course £19.50

Treat your mum to a delicious Mother’s Day Sunday Lunch at The Peach Tree.

Served from 12noon - throughout the day. Reservations strongly advised 01743 355055 18-21 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE. grand_whatson FP March_Layout 1 24/02/2014 09:16 Page 1 Great Theatre at the Grand!

MON 3 - SAT 8 MARCH TUES 11 - SAT 15 MARCH MON 17 - TUES 18 MARCH

BILL KENWRIGHT PRESENTS

PAUL BUNYAN BRITTEN THE MAGIC FLUTE MOZART

“AS GOOD AND MAD AS OPERA GETS.” OBSERVER

IT’S BACK -AND IT’S GONNA LIVE FOREVER!

THU 20 - FRI 21 MARCH WED 26 - SAT 29 MARCH MON 31 MARCH - SAT 5 APRIL

##### A BRAND NEW RE-STAGED VERSION OF THE CLASSIC AMERICAN ‘AN EVENING OF RARE, RAW POWER’ FRONTIER DANCE MUSICAL! THE INDEPENDENT

Book by Directed and Choreographed by and DAVID S. LANDAY PATTI COLOMBO LAWRENCE KASHANew Songs by Music by Lyrics by and JOEL HIRSCHORN GENE DE PAUL JOHNNY MERCER AL KASHA

TUES 8 - SAT 12 APRIL ALSO BOOKING WED 23 - SUN 27 APRIL SAT 22 MARCH LESLEY JOSEPH HOT FLUSH ...... SUN 30 MARCH THE SOLID SILVER 60s SHOW ...... SUN 6 APRIL Adapted by THE FAAABULOUS Paul Allen CERI DUPREE SHOW Based on the ...... Screenplay by SUN 13 APRIL BEYOND THE BARRICADE Mark Herman ...... Directed by MON 14 - TUES 15 APRIL Damian Cruden TAP FACTORY Designed by ...... Dawn Allsop FRI 18 APRIL THAT’LL BE THE DAY Starring ...... John McArdle SAT 19 APRIL THE CHUCKLE BROTHERS’ SPACE ODDITY ‘IT IS A STORY FULL OF BELLY ...... TUES 29 APRIL - SAT 3 MAY LAUGHS, FULL OF HUMAN SPIRIT’ THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG THE INDEPENDENT

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