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SHAZIA MIRZA PLAYS Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands WARWICK ARTS CENTRE COVENTRY&WARWICKSHIRE WHAT’S MAY ON 2018

Coventry & Warwickshire ISSUE 389 MAY 2018 ’ WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD On warwickshirewhatson.co.uk

inside: PARTOF WHAT’S ON MEDIA GROUP Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide

MOUNTAINS... theatre to tantalise the tastebuds at the Belgrade WTE:@WHATSONWARWICKSTWITTER:

MARMOZETS Knowing What You Know Now at Coventry’s Kasbah FACEBOOK:@WHATSONWARWICKSHIRE

GET 40% OFF admission to the National Sea Life Centre! Voucher inside... WARWICKSHIREWHATSON.CO.UK (IFC) Warwickshire.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 18:41 Page 1 Contents May Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 15:04 Page 2

May 2018

Contents

Under the sea - discover ‘what lies beneath’ at the region’s National Sea Life Centre - feature page 28

Fleabag Sari Schorr OperaUpClose the list

Maddie Rice on stepping into A Force Of Nature from present a contemporary staging Your 16-page Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s shoes... across the pond... of Mozart’s final masterpiece... week-by-week listings guide feature page 8 page 17 page 24 page 51 inside:

4. First Word 11. Food 17. Music 20. Comedy 22. Theatre 36. Film 38. Visual Arts 43. Events

fb.com/whatsonwarwickshire fb.com/whatsonworcestershire @whatsonwarwicks @whatsonworcs Warwickshire What’s On Magazine Worcestershire What’s On Magazine Warwickshire What’s On Magazine Worcestershire What’s On Magazine

Managing Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 What’sOn Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 MEDIA GROUP Ellie Hutchings [email protected] 01743 281722 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Katherine Ewing, Jenny Ell, Lauren Cole, Steve Adams, Jack Rolfe, Elly Yates-Roberts, Daisy Sparkle, Carol Lovatt, Steve Taylor, Chris Eldon Lee Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is produced without the use of elemental chlorine. We endorse the recycling of our magazine and would encourage you to pass it on to others to read when you have finished with it. All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. First Word Warwickshire May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 17:42 Page 1

Entertainment news from around the region

Mountains of food in In-Sook Chappell’s new play Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre is this month presenting a new play telling the extraordinary story of the women behind famous Manchester restaurant Sweet Mandarin. Written by award-winning playwright In-Sook Chap- pell, Mountains - The Dreams Of Lily Kwok shows at the venue from Wednes- day 30 May to Sat 2 June. To find out more, visit belgrade.co.uk

Art on show both indoors The popular two- Conservatoire’s opening day community and outdoors at Croome event takes place in festival now under way The first two in a series of outdoor sculpture Sutton Park on Sat- Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s opening and indoor art exhibitions are currently on urday 30 June and festival is now under way. display within The Walled Gardens at Sunday 1 July. A 15 month-long event, the festival features Croome Court in Worcestershire. To purchase tickets, performances by, among many others, Sir One of the exhibitions comprises outdoor ring 0121 296 9543 Lenny Henry, Julian Lloyd Webber, Peter sculptures created by artists Simon Probyn or visit townhallsut- Donohoe, Nitin Sawhney and Jennifer Wal- and Diccon Dadey; the other is a celebration toncoldfield.co.uk she. The event’s programme also includes of the local Worcestershire landscape, as cap- the Flatpack Film Festival and the Super- tured by photographer Shirley Jones. sonic Festival. For more information, visit For more information about these and up- A pint of foaming science bcu.ac.uk/opening-festival coming exhibitions, visit croomewalledgar- please, landlord... dens.com Public science festival Pint Of Science is coming to Coventry for the first time this year, with experts from the universities of Warwick and Coventry talking about their research work in a selection of pubs and venues around the city. The event takes place from Monday 14 to Wednesday 16 May. More information is available at pintofscience.co.uk Replica LIVE! returns to Coventry Cathedral Ruins A live music show featuring tributes to Queen and Fleetwood Mac is returning to Coventry CBSO to perform outdoor Cathedral Ruins this month (Friday 11 May). fiesta programme The Replica LIVE! line-up also includes spe- cialist live karaoke band Rockaoke, who’ll The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra not only be performing themselves but also will perform an ‘outdoor fiesta’ programme offering audience members the chance to when they headline Sutton Coldfield’s 2018 take to the stage and belt out some numbers. Concerts In The Park celebration, with more For more information or to book tickets, visit performers set to be announced in the com- bit.do/Replica2018Coventry ing weeks. 4 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Warwickshire May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 17:42 Page 2

First Word

Gareth Malone kicks off UK tour at Warwick Arts... BAFTA-winning TV choirmaster Gareth Malone is visiting Coven- try’s Warwick Arts Centre on Sunday 27 May. Gareth will be joined by close harmony singers The Swingles to present a show combining ‘the feelgood, singalong sessions for which he’s known, with spectacular performances from some of the very best vo- calists in the business’. To book tickets, call 024 7652 4524 or visit warwickartscentre.co.uk

Les Misérables heading back to the Midlands region The phenomenal Les Misérables is making a welcome return to Birmingham Hippodrome next year. Cameron Mackintosh’s hit musical, based on the novel by Victor Hugo and written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, will visit the Hurst Street venue from 2 April to 11 May. The part of Jean Valjean will be played by Killian Donnelly, who is currently starring in the role in the West End production. Coventry woman Les Mis has been seen by over 120 million people worldwide in 45 countries and 22 languages. in GB’s special The epic show features a raft of now-classic songs, including I Dreamed A Dream, On My Own, Stars, Bring Him Home, Do You Hear The People Sing?, One Day More, Empty Chairs At Empty Tables and Olympics team Master Of The House. Tickets for the show’s Hippodrome performances are on general sale from 21 A Coventry woman has beaten June and can be purchased by calling 0844 338 5000 or visiting birminghamhippodrome.com hundreds of other entrants to represent Great Britain at the Special Olympics World Sum- mer Games. Happy 90th Popular women’s cycling event pays a visit Gymnastic gold medallist Emily The Coventry to Warwickshire for the third time Crilly, 21, is one of six people se- Savoy Opera Soci- The OVO Energy Women’s Tour cycling event will next month visit Warwick- lected to represent her country ety is next month at gymnastics during next year’s shire for a third time (Friday 15 June). celebrating its games, which take place in Abu Starting in Market Square, Atherstone, the third stage of the race will weave 90th birthday by Dhabi in March. its way through the county on a 151k route that ends in Leamington Spa - mak- presenting a semi- ing the Warwickshire leg of the event the longest of the 2018 race. staged concert ver- Last year, the race was a huge success throughout the whole county, with an sion of Gilbert & estimated 95,000 spectators lining the streets. A total of 312,000 people Sullivan’s The watched coverage of the event Mikado. on ITV4, and it was broadcast in The performance more than 100 countries, includ- will take place on ing every country in Europe for Saturday 9 June at the first time. the Warwick Road For further information about United Reformed the Warwickshire stage of the Church in Coven- tour, including a detailed map of try. Tickets can be the route it will be taking, visit purchased by ring- warwickshire.gov.uk/womens- ing 07581 012773. tour. whatsonlive.co.uk 5 First Word Warwickshire May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 17:43 Page 3

First Word

One for the ladies at Microscopic Warwick Racecourse magic from local Race-goers are being spurred on ‘to dress to artist Willard impress’ at this month’s Warwick Race- A Midlands artist who’s be- course’s Ladies Night, one of the region’s so- come internationally cial highlights of the year (Saturday 12 May). renowned for his micro- Commenting on the event, Andre Klein, Gen- scopic sculptures has created eral Manager of Warwick Racecourse, said: a beautiful ballerina for his “Ladies Night is one of our most popular fix- latest work. tures of the season and is a great chance to Dr Willard Wigan’s Tiny experience the fun and fashion of a day at the Dancer was made using races. We’re delighted to be launching two miniature handmade tools new competitions with some fantastic prizes, and the artist’s own eye- which we hope will encourage even more lashes, attached to an ladies - and gents - to enter into the spirit of acupuncture needle and the occasion whilst enjoying quality racing.” used as a paintbrush. For more information about Ladies Night, The sculpture will eventually visit warwickracecourse.co.uk be auctioned to raise funds for young ballet students, particularly those who need financial assistance in order Czech classics to Getting into Mischief at RSC festival to realise their dance dreams. be showcased at The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Mischief Festival makes a wel- Leamington Festival come return this month. Blockbuster The popular event, being held at The Other Place in Stratford-upon- movie in concert Avon from 31 May to 23 June, features two new plays exploring global questions of truth, corruption and freedom - #WeAreArrested and Blockbuster movie The Day Of The Living. Hunger Games is being For more information about the festival’s line-up and to book tickets, screened at Birmingham's call 01789 403493 or visit rsc.org.uk Symphony Hall this summer, complete with live musical accompaniment from a full symphony orchestra. The hit film, which stars Jen- Leading Czech musicians have nifer Lawrence and Woody been invited to perform some of Harrelson, will be screened their country’s greatest chamber in HD on Sunday 15 July. works at this year’s Leamington For more information, visit Festival, to mark the centenary thsh.co.uk of the founding of the Republic of Czechoslovakia. Taking place The fun hots up at for the 29th time, the five-day festival (various venues, 4 - 8 Eastnor Castle May) features compositions by, Promising to heat up the among others, Dvorak, Janacek, bank holiday weekend, East- Martinu and Smetana. For more nor Castle’s seventh annual information and to book tickets, Chilli Festival showcases an call 01926 334418 or visit roy- image from last year’s festival image from last year’s festival abundance of spiced-up en- alspacentreandtown hall.co.uk tertainment for all the family to enjoy. Taking place at the Hereford- Timeless classics on display at Ragley shire visitor attraction on Warwickshire’s Ragley Hall is hosting the ever-popular Motor Show Sunday 6 and Monday 7 May, on Sunday 27 & Monday 28 May. the ever-popular event fea- Featuring 600 vintage and classic cars, American, kit & custom, mo- tures live music, bars, hot torcycles and commercial vehicles, the show also includes club, trade food, a children’s cookery and autojumble stands, live arena entertainment and vintage rides school, a chilli-eating com- for children to enjoy. petition and cookery demon- For more information, visit classicmotorshows.co.uk strations. 6 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Warwickshire May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 17:43 Page 4 Fleabag.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 15:02 Page 1

Fleabag award-winning show treads a clever line between theatre and stand-up

8 whatsonlive.co.uk Fleabag.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 15:03 Page 2

by Stephen Taylor

Maddie Rice talks about stepping into Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s shoes...

While many people will be familiar with like the audience is the other character. Academy Award-winning movie Shirley Fleabag as one of the edgiest television Valentine was originally written as a “It’s almost like doing a play and not comedies of recent years, it was as a stage monologue, Rice has encountered Australian knowing who the other actor is until the day play that it first established its credentials, audience members who were unaware that of the performance. It’s incredibly exciting making an award-winning debut at the the original production of Fleabag didn’t because it makes every show really different. Edinburgh Fringe in 2013. contain multiple characters. It means I could do it for ages and wouldn’t Whether on stage or the small screen, Phoebe get bored of it.” “There were a few people who’ve seen the TV Waller-Bridge, who wrote the original show who asked me, ‘What part are you One aspect of the character in Fleabag is her monologue and played the lead role, has playing?’ and I’m like, ‘Oh, it’s just me’. And loose interpretation of morality. Rice has become synonymous with the show. So when this is the great thing about this show, noticed that this personality trait has Maddie Rice was asked to take over the part because at one time there was a kind of generated mixed responses from audiences. for the touring production of the play, one preconception about one-woman shows that might have thought it would’ve been a “Because Fleabag the character is really they were a bit preachy or a bit serious, but daunting prospect. honest, brave and unconcerned about what’s recently there’s been a whole new wave of considered crude or too much information, I amazing one-woman shows that are so “When I was auditioning for it, I remember remember when I first did it, some audiences exciting. I think shows like Fleabag make it saying, ‘Well, this isn’t intimidating at all,’ were maybe slightly more judgmental of really exciting to see one person taking you recalls Rice with a strong hint of irony. certain behaviour and some audiences were through this whole story in a big world.” “I’d seen Phoebe do it, loved her in it and onside. It changes every time, because she The character in Fleabag constantly seems to was a massive fan of the play. Phoebe being does a lot of things that aren’t really straddle the line between tragedy and in the room while I auditioned was actually considered to be polite or morally okay to do, comedy - and it’s this conflict that Rice really good, because she’s so affable, and one so I think sometimes you can feel vulnerable believes is key to the success of the play. of her massive qualities is that she made me because you’re getting a reaction back from feel really comfortable and was really the audience that’s like, ‘What have you “Fleabag treads a really clever line between supportive. done?’ or ‘You can’t say that’. theatre and stand-up because it’s confessional and there are so many jokes, but “Obviously there’s a huge amount of pressure “I think the structure of the way the play is a lot of the jokes are hiding something more following someone absolutely phenomenally written is so clever that it means I’m never tragic from the audience - and that kind of talented, but I’ve got all the support there, left too vulnerable, but because I have to structure is really clever. Everyone’s ready to and I’m really chuffed to play such an connect with parts of myself - as an actor, to listen and is feeling excited because of the amazing role. I think focusing on that means play this role - that are quite vulnerable, humour, and then, towards the end, they’re that I’m enjoying it more than feeling the that’s quite difficult.” listening to the tragedy and the truth. pressure.” Anyone who’s seen Fleabag on stage or TV “The show is a window into a young Fleabag follows the lead character as she will be aware that the play’s eponymous woman’s mind, who’s struggling to deal with faces up to the pressure of dealing with heroine is quite prepared to push the living in a metropolitan city, coping with modern life in London. A number of tragic boundaries of humour to the limit, and this recent tragedies. She’s doing that by using events lead to a series of promiscuous honesty has resulted in a wide range of humour and sex and shocking people, to encounters that are described in graphic audience responses. hide from the true struggles that she’s going detail on stage - a task that could’ve proved “There are laughs of recognition because through. So audiences can expect a really to be quite a challenge. Rice admitted that they’re like, ‘Oh, I’ve done that,’ or ‘I know funny hour of truthful and sometimes she was a little apprehensive at first. someone who’s done that’, or people laugh at disturbing storytelling, and to hear things “I remember feeling very, very nervous about things that Fleabag says or does that are that they’ve probably never heard on stage the audience reaction, because it’s a very really taboo, that you shouldn’t do in a play. before.” different thing doing the play in rehearsal to People love the naughtiness of that.” doing it in front of an audience. It’s written as In the same way that some theatregoers are Fleabag shows at Warwick Arts Centre, a confessional monologue, so it feels a bit surprised to discover that the stage version of Coventry, from Tues 8 to Sat 12 May.

whatsonlive.co.uk 9 Food May Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 15:01 Page 1 Food May Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 15:01 Page 2

Food

it even gave me a knowing wink as she tucked into its delicate flesh, accompanied by ratte potatoes, more sprouting broccoli and some crunchy samphire that added to both the flavour and texture of a really great dish. At this point, I should acknowl- edge that we both came close to choosing burgers for our main course, particularly after seeing so many fellow diners doing just that. The Cajun buttermilk chicken burger seemed espe- cially popular, but my eyes were drawn to the halloumi burger with caramelised onions and smashed avocado, a fabulous- sounding combination we con- templated during a breather before dessert. When we got there, my partner’s baked lemon & rhubarb tart was ‘tart’ in more ways than one (though all good) but marred - REVIEW: salsa and cider butter sauce. Al- for her - by the pistachios that The Star & Garter though prepared correctly, I’d decorated it. She doesn’t like Friendly service, a winning ambience have preferred a little less scal- nuts, so simply pushed them to and good-quality food and drink lop, as I don’t care much for the one side, but it’s poor form not to coral section that some restau- mention their inclusion on the rants leave out. menu given the increasing preva- Conveniently located on the out- on offer plays a huge part too, of lence of nut allergies. skirts of Leamington town centre course - the pub’s Sunday roasts My partner’s choice of asparagus - where you can still find free on- are renowned, while drink op- with poached egg and hol- There was no such issue with my street parking - the Star & Garter tions include a wide range of landaise sauce on a bed of malted parfait, a lovely, smooth is one of the town’s most popular beers (including Greene King’s smoked salmon was a fabulous ice cream-style dessert with hid- pubs - and with good reason. very agreeable East Coast IPA) concoction that looked and den chunks of cookie dough and tasted every bit as good as it crunchy topping that rounded off Like other Warwickshire estab- and extensive wine, gin and sounded on the specials board. the evening in fine style. By this lishments in the Peach family - cocktail lists. There’s even a time, the bar area was a little The Almanack (Kenilworth), ‘wine of the month’ (on this oc- I considered choosing the rack of quieter - the drinking crowd per- Rose & Crown (Warwick) and casion, El Coto, a lovely white lamb from the same board as my haps making tracks for the town One Elm (Stratford-upon-Avon) - rioja, cleverly advertised by leav- main dish, but instead opted for centre - and the ideal place for a there’s a really nice feel about ing a tagged bottle on the table) rump, served with glazed ribs, nightcap… if only my car hadn’t the place - and if anything, it en- that my partner chose and thor- sweet potato croquettes and been in one of those free parking joys the best layout of the four. oughly enjoyed. sprouting broccoli - another com- spaces. Steve Adams Refurbished at the end of 2015, it We also enjoyed the warm mini bination that looked as good as it features a mix of cosy booths, bloomer with garlic butter that sounded. The lamb was perfect - sofas and tables wrapped around came while we waited for our beautiful and pink inside a Food: nnnnn a busy bar, with the eating area starters, but it was so moreish we slightly crusty exterior - and Service: nnnnn removed enough to afford a little had to push it away for fear of made for a lovely dish, even Ambience: nnnnn privacy without any loss of atmo- spoiling our appetites. though the croquettes were per- Overall value nnnnn haps a little too creamy and the sphere. Mercifully we didn’t have to en- OVERALL nnnnn ribs a little too fatty to earn full The friendly service also con- dure the temptation for long, as marks. tributes to the vibe, and is no our first course soon arrived, in The Star & Garter doubt one of the reasons the S&G the shape of pan-fried scallops Meanwhile my partner was tuck- 4-6 Warwick Street Leamington Spa has developed such a loyal fol- for me and asparagus for my ing into butterflied sea bass, but only after I’d asked her to turn CV32 5LL lowing. partner. My dish came with a Tel: 01926 359960 the plate round so I didn’t have The quality of the food and drink zesty spring onion and chilli the fish staring up at me. I think whatsonlive.co.uk 11 Romeo & Juliet DPS1.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 17:41 Page 1 romeo & juliet Contemporary setting for the world’s most famous love story...

I think we have

“ responsibility in theatre to be gender-equal and show“ more black and ethnic minorities on stage.

12 whatsonlive.co.uk Romeo & Juliet DPS1.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 17:41 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

Local lad Bally Gill has hit the big time, starring as Romeo in the RSC’s current production of Romeo And Juliet. What’s On caught up with the Coventry-born actor to find out more...

Everyone knows the tragic tale of Romeo And works like Macbeth. It’s really interesting to “I think we have responsibility in theatre to Juliet, the most famous love story of all time: see how he developed and became more be gender-equal and show more black and love at first sight turns from passion to political and clever in his works.” ethnic minorities on stage. It’s very telling of murder and, finally, suicide. this generation that there’s a massive change The RSC production of Romeo And Juliet in theatre, and it’s becoming more diverse. The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) keeps very tightly to Shakespeare’s original There is, however, a certain stereotypical debuted their new production of the script, with only a few minor alterations, but demographic that’s seen coming to the Shakespeare classic last month, and bagging is contemporary in terms of style of set and theatre, particularly to Shakespeare. It’s his first RSC lead role (as Romeo) is local lad costume. But don’t think flashy guns and important that we break down these walls Bally Gill, born and bred in Coventry. garish Hawaiian shirts, like Baz Luhrmann’s and stereotypes, to get more people to come famous film version starring Leonardo “I went to a school that didn’t really have a and watch what we do. I think we need to DiCaprio (which Bally was shown in drama department,” says Bally, “and I didn’t invite people in, because it can be secondary school). It’s far grittier than that. really have a love of Shakespeare growing up intimidating to walk into a theatre. If I wasn’t - until I went to drama school and realised “I did watch Baz Luhrmann’s version in in theatre, I think I would find it very hard to how brilliant he was. I was always told, if you school. If you look solely at Romeo, and come to the RSC and watch a play. Also, in can do the classics - if you can do Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance, he was a terms of theatre ticket prices, it’s expensive. Shakespeare - you can do anything in drama Hollywood star and a heartthrob, so was We just do whatever we can to help make because of its range of emotions and playing a very different Romeo. I had that theatre affordable and open for all.” situations. It’s just brilliant writing. I think version in my head, but when I went to It’s planned that Romeo And Juliet will tour Shakespeare is surprisingly accessible audition, I discovered a very different Romeo, the UK in 2019, after its initial residences at because you can say it in your own accent one who was more lethal and dark - he kills the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford- and it’s fine - it’s for you. Hopefully at the two people! I think with the RSC production, upon-Avon and the Barbican in London. RSC we can get more diverse age groups and there’s a link to what’s happening in the UK Bally is uncertain about what the future people of all backgrounds interested in now in terms of freedom of expression, holds for him, but is certainly enjoying Shakespeare.” particularly for younger people feeling immersing himself in the job at hand. ostracised by the older generations. We’re Bally believes more can be done to widen the taking it in a more urban direction, in a “I always used to think about the future, but demographic in terms of audiences for Verona-London alternative universe. There right now I’m really enjoying playing Romeo Shakespeare plays. Part of the problem, he are no guns, we’re using knives instead, and and being at the RSC. I have a long time to says, are misconceptions about how certainly no phones, so that mix makes it think about what the next step will be. I accessible Shakespeare’s work is, due to the very interesting. All these emotions that are really love just being given the ball of the RSC density of the language. running rampant through this world give it a and being able to run with it. Then, if “We did Coriolanus last year, and the text is very different style, which I don’t think has nothing happens after, nothing happens! I’ve so political, so it can be so dense - very right- been done before by the RSC. People ask me had this experience and it’s honestly mind- wing views against very left-wing views. So if it’s traditional dress, and I say, ‘No! You blowing. I never thought it would happen, for an audience, it can be quite challenging. wouldn’t get all these different people from and I’m embracing all of it and learning as It’s interesting to consider which of his works different backgrounds all in doublet and much as I can from everyone and anyone keep getting done over and over again. With hose’. I mean, I’d love to be in that dress, but who’s willing to help me. I can take that Romeo And Juliet, for instance, I think he we’re not doing that version. We aren’t doing wherever I go next.” was writing it for everyone; not just for kings a posh-sounding version either; we all keep or academics, but for me. He’s writing from our own accents. Yeah, very much like how his heart in his early career, which really London is a melting pot for everyone - we’re Romeo And Juliet shows at the Royal translates. I’ve done a couple of his plays keeping that sort of essence.” Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon- now, and I’m in Macbeth at the moment too, In keeping with the melting-pot concept, Avon, until Friday 21 September so I can really see how the use of his Bally believes that more should be done to language and his style has changed in later ensure diversity in the theatre. whatsonlive.co.uk 13 Festivals MAY-2.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 18:20 Page 1 Festivals MAY-2.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 18:20 Page 2

Festivals

Birmingham Pride of Be You. Tickets are available from birm- Staffs Fest inghampride.com. Birmingham Gay Village, Sat 26 - Sun 27 May Lower Drayton Farm, Staffordshire, Birmingham Pride attracts more than 2018 line-up includes: Courtney Act (pic- Fri 25 - Sun 27 May 50,000 visitors per year and boasts a diverse tured), Beth Ditto, Jake Shears, Rudimental Beginning as a small-scale blues festival in array of activities and entertainment, in- (pictured), Jax Jones, Stefflon Don, Howard Stafford, this ‘great-value-for-money’ event cluding music, cabaret, dance and a hugely Jones, Gorgon City, Louisa, Kim Petras, has expanded year on year to encompass an popular carnival parade. This year's two- Mnek, Louisa Redknapp, Twiggy, Tiara exciting array of rock, reggae, soul and day celebration is based around the theme Thunderpussy and Miss Penny. blues acts. In addition to enjoying live, loud and local music, visitors can take a stroll through the nearby woods, enjoy a guided tour of the farm on Farmer Ray's tractor trailer, and vote for the winner of the Star of Staffs competition, open to budding musicians aged 14 to 18. All tickets include free onsite camping, but rooms are also available in the farmhouse B&B for those who prefer their indoor comforts. 2018 line-up includes: The Rock Dogs, Cold Flame, The Gabbidon Band, Voodoo Stone, Slyder, Shallow Boys, The Sick Notes, Bloke, Pistol Pete Wearn, Pig-Man & The Rubber Band, Ged Wilson, Judy Emeline, Bobby KP Woods and The Spirit Drummers.

Bearded Theory Cheltenham Jazz Festival Slam Dunk Festival Catton Park, South Derbyshire, Various venues arounds Cheltenham, NEC, Birmingham, Mon 28 May Thurs 24 - Sun 27 May Wed 2 - Mon 7 May Showcasing the best in contemporary emo, Taking place in the grounds of Catton Hall in punk and ska, this three-stop touring festi- the heart of the National Forest, the 10-year- val returns to Birmingham’s NEC for the old Bearded Theory has been rapidly gain- third time since its move from Wolverhamp- ing a reputation as one of the UK's best ton. Linked to the Leeds-based club nights independent festivals. Ever expanding to and indie record label of the same name, meet demand, the award-winning event fea- Slam Dunk takes place over the May bank tures fantastic acts spread across six stages - holiday weekend and boasts more than 40 including a dance tent, a cinema and a com- acts across multiple stages. DJ sets, exclu- edy & cabaret area - as well as a superb Chil- sive signings and a riotous afterparty also dren's Village, top-notch facilities and an feature. award-winning bar with affordably priced 2018 line-up includes: Good Charlotte, drinks. Jimmy Eat World, Pvris (pictured), Frank 2018 line-up includes: Robert Plant & The Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Taking Back Sun- Sensational Space Shifters (pictured), Jimmy day, Sleeping With Sirens, State Champs, Cliff, Blossoms, Sleaford Mods, Jake Bugg, Creeper, Every Time I Die, The Skints, Four With 20,000-plus music fans attending the Jesus & Mary Chain, Fun Lovin Criminals, Year Strong, Thursday and Zebrahead. The Coral, Milburn and Gentleman’s Dub event each year, Cheltenham has become Club. one of the country’s best-loved jazz festivals. Showcasing its trademark mix of international icons, up-and-coming artists and unique performances, the festival includes Jamie Cullum and Moira Stuart among its le- gion of fans. 2018 line-up includes: Randy Crawford, Beth Hart, Caro Emerald (pictured), Chris- tian McBride Big Band, Kamasi Washington, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Portico Quartet, Imelda May, China Moses, Gilles Peterson & Jordan Rakei and Corinne Bailey Rae.

whatsonlive.co.uk 15 GIGS May Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 17:49 Page 1 GIGS May Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 17:49 Page 2

Gigs

David Rodigan Leamington Assembly, Sun 6 May For over four decades David Rodigan has been the top dog in the bass-heavy world of Britain’s reggae and dancehall events. Having found his love and passion for Ja- maican music at a young age, he was DJing at youth clubs and school dances from the age of 15, and has played on UK radio stations and at festivals and venues across the world ever since. He visits Leamington this month with his 40th Anniversary DJ tour.

The Waterboys ber throughout the band's history, they return to Warwick Arts Centre in support of Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sun 13 May critically acclaimed double album Out Of All Having explored a number of different styles This Blue, which entered the UK album since their inception in 1983, The Waterboys charts at number eight, their highest posi- mainly mix Celtic folk with rock & roll. tion since 1993. Led by Mike Scott, the only constant mem- Sari Schorr Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, Fri 4 May Brooklyn blues-rock musician Sari Schorr’s The Turbans Marmozets debut album, A Force Of Nature, was pro- The Tin Music And Arts, Coventry, Kasbah, Coventry, Thurs 10 May duced by Mike Vernon, whose credits include Thurs 3 May Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie and Eric Clap- The Turbans aim to ‘bring music to the peo- ton, to name but a few. ple, young and old alike, mixing vibrant The record reached the number one spot in spontaneity and authenticity with multi- the UK and was the highest new entry on the genre instrumental and vocal excellence’. UK Official Jazz & Blues album charts. The band’s members have gathered from See Sari in the Midlands this month as part of countries including Turkey, Bulgaria, Israel, her 2018 tour. Iran, Greece and England, performing in concerts and festivals around the UK, across Europe and beyond. Comprising two sets of siblings - the MacIn- tyres (Becca, Sam and drummer Josh) and the Bottomleys (lead guitarist Jack and Clare Teal bassist Will) - Marmozets exploded onto the Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 25 May music scene following the release of debut Award-winning jazz vocalist and Radio Two album The Weird And Wonderful Mar- presenter Clare Teal brings ‘a celebration of mozets, an offering praised by, among oth- popular music from the golden age of song’ ers, Q magazine, NME and the Guardian. to Bromsgrove this month. The record went on to win Kerrang’s coveted The brand new show sees Clare and her trio Album Of The Year award. of musicians pay homage to the Great Amer- Now heralded as one of the most important ican Song Book, performing numbers by, bands on the British rock scene, the quintet among others, Cole Porter, Rodgers & Hart, visit Coventry in support of their second Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. album, Knowing What You Know Now.

whatsonlive.co.uk 17 Lee Mead DPS.qxp_Layout 1 30/04/2018 10:49 Page 1 Lee Mead DPS.qxp_Layout 1 30/04/2018 10:50 Page 2

LeeJames Rampton talks to Lee MeadMead about his new album Lee Mead – 10 Year Anniversary and his tour Lee Mead – 10 Years – The Anniversary Tour.

Looking back on the last decade, how What will the show “Lee Mead – 10 Years – Now you’re starring in Holby City. How did would you encapsulate it? The Anniversary Tour” consist of? you land that role? I’m very happy with the way my career has I’ll be doing more than 20 songs. I really I was a guest in an episode of Casualty, gone. I don’t feel that I have had to believe in giving people their money’s worth. playing Harry, a schoolteacher. Afterwards I compromise along the way. I’ve been I’ll be doing the songs that have had an got a handwritten letter from Oliver Kent, the approached a few times to do reality TV and I impact on me over the last 10 years - for executive producer. He wrote, “We were so love watching some of those shows, but I’m instance, I’ll be performing Maria from West impressed with what you did. You were such not sure I would do very well on something Side Story which is one of, if not the, greatest a gentleman on set. We’ll keep our eye on like I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! The musical ever written. I thought it would be you.” I thought, “Yeah, you hear that all the idea of eating crocodile testicles is not on my really nice to perform my own take on that time.” But two years later, the producers agenda! Touch wood, I like to think that over particular song. asked, “Could you come and audition? We the last 10 years I’ve made the right career have a character called Lofty who we think choices. might be up your street.” Within two weeks, I You also have a new album out - tell us was in Cardiff filming my first scene with about the songs you have chosen on your Derek Thompson. He’s a lovely guy and has When you won the role of Joseph on the new album? become a close friend. TV show Any Dream Will Do, how did you Amongst the tracks are Dancing Through The opportunity to move over to Holby which feel? Life from Wicked, Hushabye Mountain from is filmed close to London has been fantastic Weird things go through your head when Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Close Every Door as it allows me to spend more time with my Graham Norton says, “The winner is…” I was from Joseph, Bring Him Home from Les daughter Betsy. I see my life as a pyramid, thinking, “If I don’t win this, I don’t care Miserables, and As Long As You’re Mine, a and Betsy is at the top of that. I’m fortunate because I’ve had the most wonderful duet with Rachel Tucker from Wicked. I loved in that I have a very busy career. It’s great to experience.” Then Graham said, “3 million working on the album. have work, but if ever I feel I’m not getting people have voted.” the balance right, I check myself and get Are you looking forward to reconnecting back to the idea of the pyramid. Betsy always Did it feel like fate that you won Any with your very loyal fans on tour? comes first. Dream Will Do? Absolutely. Every singer needs that support. Yes. If I may say so, it did feel like it was my If you’re lucky enough to have it, then it’s time. Everything came together. Joseph was fantastic. People come to see me from LA, Lee Mead brings his 10 Years - The the first show I’d seen. It was my favourite Norway, Holland. There are about 400 of Anniversary Tour to Malvern Theatres, show and had always been part of my life. I them who are hard-core fans. They come lots Worcester on Sunday 20th May and Palace simply love performing it. of times to every show I am in. Theatre, Redditch on Sunday 28th October. Classical MayWarwickshire_Worcestershire.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 15:02 Page 1

Classical

Joseph Calleja and the CBSO Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Fri 25 May Malta’s superstar tenor, Joseph Calleja (pictured), has been attracting compar- isons with the young Luciano Pavarotti and boasts an impressive fanbase, a good number of whom will no doubt be making the journey to Symphony Hall for this mouthwatering concert. Alongside the ever-wonderful City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Calleja performs a programme featuring pieces by, among others, Verdi, Massenet and Puccini. Andrew Greenwood conducts.

English Symphony Orchestra Swan Theatre, Worcester, Fri 4 May The Worcestershire-based English Symphony Orchestra here team up with actors from the Worcester Repertory Company and dancers from Academy Theatre Arts for a concert that features two much-loved works. The Soldier’s Tale is Stravinsky’s witty and poignant setting of the famous Faust legend, in which a hapless young soldier trades his violin to the devil... Copland’s masterful Appalachian Spring, meanwhile, tells the story of a young couple in small-town America preparing to embark on a new life together. The composition is widely considered to be America’s greatest and most beloved piece of classical music.

Orchestra of the Swan: Roderick Williams Michael Collins & Italian Sunshine & Iain Burnside Piatti String Quartet Malvern Theatre, Wed 9 May Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa, Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa, Tues 8 May Mon 7 May As well as being held in high regard for their championing of new music, having Leading clarinettist Michael Collins is here presented more than 70 world premieres, joined by the highly regarded Piatti Quar- the Stratford-based Orchestra of the Swan tet (pictured), playing Leamington as part are also much admired for their perfor- of the town’s annual music festival week- mances of works by such legendary com- end. posers as Berlioz, Brahms, Mozart, Strauss, The programme features works by Czech Schumann and Vaughan Williams. composers Reicha and Schulhoff, as well This latest concert sees them presenting as pieces by two greatly admired British ‘colours and atmospheres of Italy’. composers of the early 20th century - They are joined for the evening by French Frank Bridge and Sir Arthur Bliss. pianist Bernard d’Ascoli (pictured), who will be performing the intensely lyrical Mozart Piano Concerto no21. Leading singer of English song Roderick Williams (pictured) teams up with pianist Iain Burnside for a concert in which he pays homage to British composers who lost their lives in the Great War, including the Leam- ington-born William Denis Browne. Williams also completes his Schubert Pro- ject, having already sung Winterreise and Die schöne Mullerin in Leamington Music concerts.

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Comedy

Simon Evans The Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-on-Trent, Thurs 10 May; The Glee Club, Birmingham, Tues 22 May The late Caroline Aherne considered Simon Evans ‘an absolutely brilliant comedian’ - and judging by the popularity of his shows over the last few years, hers was by no means a lone voice in the wilderness. Best known from shows such as The News Quiz, The Unbelievable Truth and Armando Iannucci's Charm Offensive, Evans is un- doubtedly one of the most exciting and dis- tinctive talents to emerge from the UK comedy circuit in recent times.

Chris Ramsey Dudley Town Hall, Fri 18 May; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Wed 23 May; Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Fri 25 May As well as being a highly rated stand-up on the UK comedy circuit, Geordie boy and one- time Newcastle United supporter Chris (he can’t be bothered supporting them anymore) Suzi Ruffell has also developed an impressive telly career, appearing on shows including 8 Out Of 10 Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sun 20 May Cats and South Shields-set sitcom Hebburn. Gags include: "My venue for the Edinburgh Gay, quirky and delightfully self-deprecat- Festival is a portacabin; it's literally a portacabin! I'm a Geordie, in a portacabin. I was ing, Suzi Ruffell is making good progress in going to call the show Auf Wiedersehen Pet Live". the challenging world of stand-up comedy. Presenting an unquestionably likeable per- sona, she imbues her act with an impressive Phill Jupitus dynamism - although critics point out that Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sat 12 May; she’d probably benefit from developing a Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Sun 13 May ‘unique selling point’. As well as being a co- Well known for the unusual spelling of his Christian median, Suzi’s also a writer, contributing to name, his memorable surname (an anglicised version of shows including 8 Out Of 10 Cats, The Last the original surname Šeputis) and his impressively Leg and Stand Up For The Week. padded physique, Phill Jupitus is an actor, performance Away from comedy, she lists her ‘likes’ as poet, cartoonist and podcaster as well as a stand-up co- ‘cooking’ and ‘those cats with no hair’. median. Phill was also a team captain on BBC Two's long-running music quiz Never Mind The Buz- zcocks, his other work includes television’s QI and BBC Radio Four's I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue. He describes his latest touring show, Ju- plicity, as ‘containing adult themes and situations, but delivered childishly’.

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The Indians Are Coming Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Mon 14 May This touring show features some of India’s most accomplished comedians, with the Chuckle Singhs (pictured) acting as hosts for the night. Performers include Jay Sodagar, who describes his act as “social conscience comedy”, and Rahul Kohli, an up-and-coming Geordie Asian who combines fierce political satire with surreal storytelling.

Shazia Mirza clude: “My parents really want me to get mar- ried. But Muslim men don't want to marry me Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 11 May; because... I speak”, and “My dad said if I Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 26 May went out with a black man, he'd burn me. Alfie Moore Shazia Mirza is one of the UK’s most creative Which would be good, because then I'd be female comedians - and she’s a Brummie too! Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, Sat 5 May black too”. Muslim Shazia’s not averse to treading a deli- Not to everyone’s taste, obviously, but then Staunch Sheffield socialist Alfie Moore is a cate line when it comes to her material. Her which comedian ever could be? master raconteur and a very funny man. post-9/11 joke, “My name's Shazia Mirza - at Her latest stand-up offering is With Love He’s also a serving police officer. Indeed, least, that's what it says on my pilot's li- From St Tropez, a show which takes a look at referencing his two careers, his website ad- cence”, marked her out as a comedian happy lies and truth, nudity and the periodic table, vises that ‘if you would like to see Alfie live’, to balance on the very precipice of acceptable and the merits or otherwise of daring to wear your options are either to ‘catch him at one humour. ‘more than dental floss on a French beach’... of his gigs’ or ‘drive to Scunthorpe and park Other examples of her style and content in- on a double yellow line’. Alfie made it to week five of ITV’s Show Me The Funny back in 2011, and is a much-in-demand after-din- ner speaker. Jokes include: "I'm in a same- Michael McIntyre sex marriage... the sex is always the same." Arena Birmingham, Thurs 10 - Sun 13 May For some, the very sight of Michael McIntyre is enough to make their blood pressure soar. For others - included among whom are those who ensure his tours are always a sell-out - he's one of the funniest comedians of the modern era. Like him or hate him, there's certainly no getting away from McIntyre - and with DVDs of his stand-up shows having sold in excess of three million copies, it's fair to assume he'll be popping up all over the place for many a year to come. He’s here making a Midlands stop off with his Big World Tour.

whatsonlive.co.uk 21 An Officer & Gentleman DPS.qxp_Layout 1 30/04/2018 11:10 Page 1 An Officer & Gentleman DPS.qxp_Layout 1 30/04/2018 11:10 Page 2

an officer & a gentleman

The iconic 1982 Richard Gere movie An Officer And A Gentleman has been turned into a touring musical. We speak to Jonny Fines, who gets to don that legendary white suit in the drama-packed production hitting Birmingham this very month...

What was the first musical you saw? Was that quite a nervewracking Were you already aware of the story of An My dad was a teacher and took his school to experience for you? Officer And A Gentleman? see Jason Donovan in Joseph And The Oh god, yeah! I went to the School of Acting I knew the iconic theme. I knew of the white Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I think I for three years, and they train you for uniform and he sweeps the girl off her feet, tagged along and saw that. I think it was in auditions and to get a job, but you never and I think I’d seen a Friends episode where Leicester at DeMontfort Hall. expect it to happen so quickly. I was really they referenced it. I didn’t know the story, lucky, as it was one of the first auditions I though. I actually workshopped the musical Was theatre a big part of your childhood? went to. Then I went back for a few recalls about two years ago when they first thought My parents are both quite musical, plus I’ve and finally ended up getting the phone call. of it. Before the workshop started, I watched got a sister who’s in the industry. We always There’s nothing that can prepare you for the the film and can absolutely understand why did acting and singing lessons, and my sister realisation that something you love doing is it’s such a cult movie. danced too. It all kind of went from there, actually your job now! It was also quite really. When I was about 10, they saw nervewracking being thrown in with a lot of Can you tell us a bit about your character, something in the paper for Oliver! at the town experienced actors. It was quite daunting for Zack? hall in Loughborough, which is where I’m a lad of 21 who’d not done it before. Zack is fascinating. He’s got a lot of pent-up from, and I went and auditioned for it. I got frustration that he’s held down for a long the part and that’s where it all started. After Did it teach you things you hadn’t learned time. He’s got a fractured relationship with that, it was the only option for me. at acting school? his father - they don’t really get on - and his Oh yeah - 100% more. I’m sure any actor will mother died when he was very young. I think What was your first professional acting tell you that you learn on the job. I most he’s been repressing all of these feelings for a job? certainly learned a lot more in a short long time and goes to join the army. That’s The UK tour of The Sound Of Music in around amount of time. I think college can prepare what he wants to do; he wants to fly jets. 2010, which, weirdly, Jason Donovan ended you for the auditions but not for the industry. That’s when he meets Paula, and it’s the first up doing as well. You learn thick and fast with it. time he’s ever connected with a woman on An Officer & Gentleman DPS.qxp_Layout 1 30/04/2018 11:10 Page 3

that kind of level. It makes him feel things talked about it all and spent a lot of time might make life a little difficult,icult, bbutut iit’st’s jjustust he’s never felt before, and feeling those discussing how we feel comfortable in the something we have to adaptpt tto.o. MMyy ppartnerartner emotions is strange for him. He starts as a bit part, and what we feel is the right way to go and the baby will come to fivefive oorr ssixix vvenues,enues, of a loose character but becomes stronger with it. It’s quite an intimate time in and I can commute a few aass wwell.ell. TThat’shat’s nniceice throughout the journey. rehearsals. When you spend that amount of for them, too - that they cann ggetet ooutut ooff tthehe time with someone, you just become house and come to some niceice pplaces.laces. Was it a challenge to relate to him? comfortable together. It’s such a strange Everyone experiences hardships in their thing. We had to do a photoshoot just after What challenges have youu oovercomevercome iinn lives; his were pretty individual. It’s always we’d met for the first time. You meet and they your career? hard approaching a completely new say, “Right, you’re in love”, and that’s weird. The industry as a whole is a ddifficultifficult pplace.lace. character that’s got such a detailed past - so Being open in that kind of environment is There are so many young ppeopleeople wwhoho wwantant ttoo yeah, I did find it quite difficult. Luckily, key, and Emma most definitely is. We went do it for a living, but it’s hardard ttoo ggetet iinto.nto. FForor we’ve got a wicked crew around us to help for it from day one and said that if something instance, there’s no job security.curity. Onncece oonene with all that. They take the time to help us didn’t feel right, we’d address it there and contract finishes, you mightht nnotot ggetet aanother.nother. bed it in and think about where we need to then. It’s been amazing, and she’s so great in The most difficult thing is ttryingrying ttoo mmaintainaintain go. The script for the musical is written by the part too. a career that is constant. That’shat’s ssomethingomething Douglas Day Stewart, who wrote the original that you’re never prepared ffor.or. I rrememberemember screenplay for the film. He’s been here for the There are a lot of fantastic ’80s hits in the when I got my first job, I thoughthought I wwasas ssetet fforor entire process and always helps out when production. Which is your favourite? life and I’d just keep fallingg iintonto wwork.ork. I needed. The part of Zack was originally about Toy Soldiers and Family Man, probably the thought it would get easierr aandnd eeasier,asier, bbutut iit’st’s himself, so it was really helpful to have him least well known ones in the entire show! The not the case. You’ve really ggotot ttoo wwantant iitt aandnd there to give you the right answer. arrangements that George Dyer has done are keep working on your technique, and never amazing. They have a bit of a darker twist so let that drop. Being constantly employed is How does the story in the musical differ that they fit in with the narrative. certainly a challenge. You’ve always got to from the film? learn new skills. There are slight changes, small adaptations Why should people come to see An Officer but nothing big. If you know the story of the And A Gentleman? Looking ahead, are there any particular film, it follows a very similar path. People It’s a brilliant night out. The story is brilliant. roles that you’d like to play? want to see their favourite movie on stage, so It’s a tried-and-tested Oscar-winning film, I like creating new roles. Sure, it’s brilliant we try to give them the story that they want to and I’ve not met anybody yet who hasn’t said when you go into a production that’s been see. So yeah, there are slight differences but what a great night they’ve had. I think if you running for a long time, but for me, creating nothing major. go to the theatre to enjoy yourself, it’s a new character - whether on TV or in the difficult not to enjoy this show. It’s got theatre - is what I like to do. So I think Have you worked with any of the cast drama, with rock hits, happiness and anything new is great. As long as I’m before? sadness. It ticks pretty much every box for a creating, I’m happy. Yes, I’ve worked with quite a few of them good night out; there’s nothing else quite like previously. George Ioannides and Keisha it. Atwell I’ve worked with on Grease and Annie in the West End, which has just finished. I’ve Do you enjoy touring? An Officer And A Gentleman The Musical worked with the production team a lot too: It’s interesting. I’ve toured and worked in shows at Birmingham Hippodrome from Nikolai Foster the director, George Dyer, places across the country quite a few times. Tuesday 15 until Saturday 19 May, and Sarah Travis the musical supervisor. It’s nice to have a residency, but it’s also nice then at Nottingham Theatre Royal from to see the world, or, specifically, England. Monday 23 until Saturday 28 July. How have you and Emma Williams There are so many places I’m looking forward Visit officerandagentlemanmusical.com managed to capture the romance in the to returning to, Birmingham being one of to book tickets. musical? them. They’re just great cities. If you’re not Emma is so open and such a lovely person, as working there, you might not get to see them well as a brilliant actor. It’s been so easy. We all. I have a four-week-old little girl, which An Officer & Gentleman DPS.qxp_Layout 1 30/04/2018 11:10 Page 4 GET YOUR COPY

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Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

An Officer And A Gentleman The Musical set of fans. Boasting unforgettable 1980s anthems including Girls Just Want To Have Fun, Livin’ On A Prayer, Heart Of Glass, Material Girl Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 15 - Sat 19 May and The Final Countdown, the show world premiered recently at Le- An Officer And A Gentleman was the movie that really made a star of icester’s Curve theatre, and has proved so popular with audiences Richard Gere. Thirty-six years after the film hit the big screen, this that an extra matinee performance has been added to its run at the high-energy musical version promises to win the movie a whole new Hippodrome.

Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde Our Country’s Good Goldilock, Stock & Three Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, The REP, Birmingham, Smoking Bears Tues 1 - Sat 5 May Wed 23 May - Sat 2 June The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Doctor Jekyll is not himself! Robert Louis Wed 23 - Fri 25 May Stevenson’s classic gothic novella tells the This well-reviewed alternative comedy takes tale of a brilliant but obsessive scientist the much-loved fairytale about a blonde whose sadistic alter-ego wreaks havoc across girl’s run-in with a family of bears and adds Victorian London. in a liberal dose of inspiration from Guy This dark, twisted tale of love, redemption Ritchie’s 1990s gangster movie, Lock, Stock and the seductive power of evil stars And Two Smoking Barrels. Quadrophenia and one-time EastEnders Blending songs and in-jokes with rude’n’racy favourite Phil Daniels as the man of science humour, the show finds silver-tongued hero- struggling to control his evil other-self... ine Goldilock on the run from a pack of bears and a far-from-happy gangster. Expect multiple plot threads and plenty of Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company cockney chit-chat... here team up with Ramps On The Moon - a consortium dedicated to integrating disabled and non-disabled performers and practition- ers - to present a show about Australia's first theatrical production. In the late 18th century, a group of convicts and a young officer in a prison colony rehearse and perform a play, despite the very real possibility that their leading lady may soon be hanged...

22 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre May Davina 2.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 12:31 Page 2 Amelia Lily DPS.qxp_Layout 1 30/04/2018 10:50 Page 1 Amelia Lily DPS.qxp_Layout 1 30/04/2018 10:50 Page 2

FEELING GREEN

Amelia Lily joins the cast of the smash-hit musical Shrek

What do you hope to bring to the role of How does it feel to be joining the tour of quite honest, I don’t know how I’m going to Princess Fiona? Shrek the Musical? do that without laughing on stage, so that’s definitely one of my favourite songs. I love So many incredible females have taken on Shrek is such an upbeat and energetic show the whole soundtrack and I think it’s very the role and have put their own stamp on it and I’m really looking forward to it because rare to love every song equally. and I’d love to do the same. I’m quite young, it’s so iconic. Shrek is famous all around the only being 23, so I definitely want to bring a world and to step into a role like Princess young essence to the part and just have fun Fiona is just amazing. It’s a dream come true Why should everyone come and see Shrek with it. for me and I think I’m going to have such a the Musical? laugh on stage. We’ve got an incredible cast and I feel so What do you think the musical offers that lucky to be working with them and the the film doesn’t? Was a stage career something you ever director, Nigel Harman. It’s a great company envisaged after your success on the X with so much talent and so much joy as well. You really feel like you’re a part of the stage Factor? This is such a big show and for me, it’s a production. The beauty of Shrek is that it’s dream come true. I can’t wait to get on the suitable for anyone of any age but when you Before I entered the X Factor, I was looking to road and have the best time. go and watch something live, you feel more go to drama school so a stage career was involved and, as an audience member, it’s so always on the cards. The fact that the X important to feel like you’re a part of the Factor happened was a blessing in disguise Do you have any other projects in the show. as it got my foot in the door and gave me so pipeline? many opportunities. Now, to be able to go down the route that I always planned has just Shrek is taking up most of my time from now You’ve been on tour as both a musical been incredible. This is my fourth musical until the end of the year. No doubt I’ll start a theatre performer and as a solo artist, and I’m very grateful I was able to do both Christmas panto at the end of the year but what do you most and least enjoy about music and musical theatre. this is definitely my main priority right now. touring? My least favourite part is travelling! How would you describe the show to What drew you to the part of Princess Travelling tires you out and when you’re someone who hasn’t seen Shrek on stage Fiona? doing eight shows a week, the last thing you before? want to be is tired. Saying that, I find touring What I love about Princess Fiona is that she really exciting because you get to see all If you want to go to the theatre and leave is not your average princess. She wears the these different places around the country. with a smile on your face and have a blast all iconic green dress but still has this tomboy the way through, then this is the show for element to her character which I relate to. I you. You don’t even have to be a Shrek fan - remember watching Shrek for the first time If you could play any other character in it’s an amazing piece of theatre, and I’ve and loving her unpredictable nature. Shrek is the show, who would you want to play? never heard a soundtrack like it. It’s one of not your average fairytale yet it’s set in this fairytale land with lots of famous fairytale It would have to be Donkey. When I was my favourite musical theatre soundtracks characters. I would definitely say I’m like younger, he was always my favourite in the and it appeals to all ages. Fiona in many ways and I can’t wait to wear a film, with Eddie Murphy bringing so much princess frock every night AND burp on humour to the character. I’ve been quoting What’s your favourite moment or song in stage! his scenes since I was a little girl so it would the show and why? definitely have to be him. I’ve known Marcus for years who’s playing Donkey on the tour, The first time I heard ‘I Think I Got You Beat’ Amelia Lily stars as Princess Fiona in I’ll have to ask him one day if he wants to I couldn’t stop laughing because Princess Shrek The Musical, which will be at the swap roles one evening! Fiona and Shrek have a burping and farting Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent from competition. I was in hysterics and, to be Wednesday 2nd - Sunday 13th May Theatre May Davina 2.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 12:31 Page 3

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Crazy For You dancers and people who want to ‘do the show right here’, will be won over by the hit musical’s tongue-in-cheek charm. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 8 - Sat 12 May Based on George and Ira Gershwin’s original Girl Crazy, the show’s Just because Crazy For You plays to the old-fashioned strengths of the masterful score features some real all-time greats, including I’ve Got great American musicals doesn’t mean that it’s a tired, dated period Rhythm, Embraceable You and Nice Work If You Can Get It. piece. Quite the opposite, in fact. Indeed, even audiences with a Tom Chambers and Claire Sweeney star. painful aversion to hearty women in gingham dresses, grinning tap

The Magic Flute The Damned United The Complete Works Of Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Sat 12 May Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sun 20 May; Shakespeare (Abridged) Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Mon 21 May; The Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon- Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Fri 11 Trent, Thurs 7 June May; Albany Theatre, Coventry, Fri 8 June; The Old Rep, Birminghham, Tues 24 - Sat 28 July A brilliant turn from Michael Sheen as Brian Now if you feel you really should pay heed to Clough in the film version of David Peace’s the works of the world's greatest ever play- clever novel was somewhat undermined by wright but just don't fancy hour upon hour the curious decision to cast chubby-looking spent listening to some terribly earnest actors actors as Leeds United’s legendary foot- thee-ing and thou-ing in your general direc- ballers. tion, then this is the show for you! Red Ladder Theatre Company, producing this All of Shakey's 37 plays are covered in the touring stage adaptation in association with blink of an eye, allowing you not only to be- West Yorkshire Playhouse, will be hoping to come very learned very quickly, but also to avoid any such unwelcome distractions. get down the pub in time for last orders! Clough famously hated Leeds United, and Leeds United famously hated Clough. So the decision in the summer of 1974 to make him Love, Bombs And Apples Mozart's final masterpiece tells the story of their manager was not only a curious one but also doomed to failure. This is the story of his Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, two young lovers who, on a perilous journey Mon 21 - Tues 22 May through a mysterious land of sorcerers and 44 days in charge... Award-winning playwright Hassan magic, find themselves being assisted by a Abdulrazzak’s new one-man comic play curious cosmic character who dresses as a focuses on four men from different parts of bird... The production is being presented by the world, all of whom are experiencing a the award-winning OperaUpClose, a talented moment of revelation in their lives... ensemble who’ve been garnering plaudits The show scored a big hit at last year’s like they’re going out of fashion since bag- Edinburgh Festival, and visits the Midlands ging a coveted Olivier Award back in 2011. as part of a UK tour. 24 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre May Davina 2.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 12:31 Page 4 ART DPS.qxp_Layout 1 30/04/2018 10:51 Page 1

A WORK OF ART Diane Parkes chats to Denis Lawson ahead of Art arriving at the Birmingham Hippodrome ART DPS.qxp_Layout 1 30/04/2018 10:51 Page 2

The play Art was a huge hit in the late 1990s “Art very engrossing. It’s not a long play, it’s Birmingham but I’ve never been on stage into 2000. Written by Yasmina Reza and first about an hour and 20 minutes, but for actors there so I’m looking forward to coming,” he performed in France, it was translated by it’s really very intense and full-on but also says. Christopher Hampton and opened on very funny. It just draws you right in because “We get this constantly when we tour – we London’s West End in 1996 to huge acclaim the writing is so good.” walk into these fantastic theatres we’ve not and a string of awards. Denis, first saw Art on the West End in the been into before. It’s part of the interest in It features three men who have been friends 1990s when the roles were played by Albert doing this, to walk into a new space every for 25 years but whose friendship is suddenly Finney, Tom Courtenay and Ken Stott. week – I’m really enjoying it.” rocked by one piece of art. When Serge buys “I saw the play when it was first done and I The national tour began in February and Art a huge white canvas, he expects Marc and thought it was wonderful then,” says Denis. comes to Birmingham Hippodrome on May Yvan to share his appreciation but is shocked “It never occurred to me that I might be in it 21-26. to discover they don’t like it. though. But that’s what I love about this “The response so far on the tour has been So much so that what begins as a discussion career, things come at you from left field and wonderful,” Denis says “One of the pleasures over a painting soon descends into a full-on then you think ‘yes, I really want to do this’. of this play is that audiences really respond argument in which all the hurts and slights of “I had never actually sat down and read the to it. It’s so funny we always get a really their decades of friendship bubble to the play but when they asked me to do it I read it strong reaction. Every night it’s my character surface. and I realised it was such a beautiful piece of who starts the play and I just can’t wait to get It’s been nearly 20 years since Art last came writing. For me, it always stems from the going - it’s like getting onto a fast moving to Birmingham but it’s now on tour again script itself so it felt like a natural thing to do. train.” with a cast featuring Nigel Havers as Serge, Saying yes was a very easy decision to “I hadn’t been on stage for a few years now Denis Lawson as Marc and Stephen make.” and I’m very pleased to be back on. And I’ve Tompkinson as Yvan. Denis was also pleased to be working always had a thing about comedy. It was And Denis is the first to admit that although alongside Nigel Havers and Stephen comedy which first drew me to want to be an he loves the play he’s not so sure the Tompkinson. actor – it was entertainers and comedians. So character of Marc is very loveable. my favourite stage experience is comedy. “I knew Nigel Havers and Stephen “Marc is a pain in the neck,” laughs Denis Tomkinson and have a lot of regard for them “To get up in front of 800 or 1,200 people and before trying to explain his character’s both. I’ve worked with them both in the past make them laugh a lot for an hour and a half behaviour. “Marc is quite highly strung, I – Stephen and I did a piece called Lucky Jim is so satisfying. It is also quite hard though, I feel, a bit neurotic, intelligent and a little bit on television and Nigel and I worked briefly think comedy is the hardest thing to do out there. together on something called Brian Pern because you have to concentrate so hard on about an ageing rock band. In fact Nigel and I keeping the timings and also keeping it “But first of all, we have to remember that it’s have gigged together – he was on keyboards realistic.” originally a French play so the characters are and I was on bass!” French and Parisians. Marc thinks of himself With a work of modern painting being the as an intellectual and in France that is a very Nigel toured with the show in 2000 when he catalyst in Reza’s play, the conversation turns particular thing with so-called intellectuals played Serge to Barry Foster’s Marc and to Denis’s response to art. held in very high regard. So Marc has this Roger Lloyd Pack’s Yvan. “I have bought original art and sculpture thing about himself as an intellectual and “Nigel has done this play more than anyone although nothing to the expense of this he’s very particular. else in the world I think,” laughs Denis. “And particular work of art which is huge. I do “The play is very much about the that’s a tribute to the play. He just loves doing have one big slightly abstract piece which I’m relationship these men have, this 25-year it. And I understand that. It’s a blast to do, very fond of,” says Denis. “Personally I quite friendship, and because his great friend it’s so satisfying.” like modern art. I go to a lot of different Serge buys a work of art which Marc exhibitions which I enjoy a lot. I’m very Seventy-year-old Denis first began his acting disapproves of, they have this massive crisis drawn to the Impressionists and onwards career in 1969 and has played countless of their friendship.” from there.” varied roles from Shakespeare to Star Wars And the differences in their characters over the ensuing decades. Taking the part of But Denis says his response to art might emerges as the drama progresses X-wing pilot Wedge Antilles, he was in the differ from his character’s. three films of the original Star Wars trilogy “It’s interesting that this is a play about male “If one of my friends had paid a lot of money and has appeared in television shows friendship written by a woman,” Denis for a painting I would certainly say it was including Robin Hood, Hornblower, observes. “In terms of the context of the play fantastic!” he laughs. “I would be very nice Marchlands, New Tricks and Bleak House. their relationship feels very real. about it because what does it matter to me? But despite a long career in theatre, I’m not going to go into someone else’s house “It’s a very natural piece in a lot of ways. I television and film, the spring tour of Art is and say ‘that’s awful, what have you done?’ I mean how do we all view things? We all view the first time Denis has been on stage in would never do what Marc does.” objects or so-called works of art in different Birmingham. ways. From movies and plays to sculpture and art, we have different views on it “I’ve worked in Birmingham a lot with Pebble Art plays Birmingham Hippodrome from depending on who we are. That’s part of Mill. I did a few television programmes in Monday 21st until Saturday 26th May. being human. Birmingham and I’m very fond of Theatre May Davina 2.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 12:31 Page 5

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Thoroughly Modern Millie arrives in New York from Kansas in search of wealth, excitement and a man to marry. Deciding to stay at the Hotel Priscilla, she meets its Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 22 - Sat 26 May; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 26 - Sat 30 June proprietor, the eccentric Mrs Meers, before embarking on a series of riotous and not altogether planned adventures, all of which are pleas- Emmerdale and Strictly favourite Hayley Tamaddon stars in this latest ingly punctuated by dazzling musical numbers and stunning dance stage version of the hit 1967 film. Set in Manhattan during the Roaring routines. ’20s, the show tells the story of Millie Dillmount, a young woman who

Monty Python’s Spamalot nuns and ferocious Frenchmen, not to men- tor Lucy Bailey once again takes up the reins, tion a mainly new score co-written by Idle this time to present a little-known work by Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 15 - Sat 19 May that includes Life Of Brian classic Always Agatha Christie and Frank Vosper. Look On The Bright Side Of Life. A whirlwind romance sees Cecily Harrington recklessly abandoning her old life to settle in the remote and blissful surroundings of a Hound Of The country cottage. But this being an Agatha Baskervilles Christie story, all is not quite as it seems... Stafford Gatehouse, Tues 15 - Sat 19 May Edges of your seats for this one, ladies and gentleman, and brace yourself for a typically Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes is Christie ‘twist in the tail’. one of literature’s most enduring characters, The Hound Of The Baskervilles his most famous adventure. Yet no matter how many actors don the deerstalker and solve the mystery of the monstrous moorland beast, the story remains a popular choice for both stage and screen adaptation. This award-winning rip-off of classic 1975 This latest version offers another always-wel- movie Monty Python And The Holy Grail con- come opportunity to return to the lonely tinues to delight Python fans across the wasteland of the desolate moors... globe. Telling the tale of King Arthur and his hapless Knights of the Round Table as they head out on a quest for the elusive Holy Love From A Stranger Grail, the show is written by Python legend New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Eric Idle and bagged the Tony Award for best Tues 15 - Sat 19 May new musical back in 2005. With highly acclaimed versions of Gaslight Expect misfit knights, killer rabbits, dancing and Dial M For Murder under her belt, direc-

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Theatre for younger audiences

What The Ladybird Heard Pinocchio Dinosaur World Live Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Wed 23 - Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, Birmingham Town Hall, Sat 19 - Sun 20 May Thurs 24 May; Birmingham Hippodrome, Sat 26 May - Sat 9 June The Place In The Park, Telford, Shropshire, Tues 12 - Wed 13 June Tues 7 - Wed 7 August The legendary tale of the wooden boy with a This stage adaptation of the book by Julia disappointing propensity for telling porky Not surprisingly being advertised as a ‘dino- Donaldson and Lydia Monks finds Hefty pies - to the detriment of his fast-growing mite’ adventure, Dinosaur World Live pro- Hugh and Lanky Len attempting to steal the proboscis - is here presented by Blue Orange vides audience members with the chance to farmer’s prize cow. But the pair soon find out Arts. Toymaker Geppetto wants a son, and is meet a host of impressive creatures - includ- that the best-laid plans of mice and crafty granted his dearest wish by the Blue Fairy ing, of course, every child's favourite flesh- robbers can sometimes be undone by the (well, kind of!) in the form of Pinocchio. eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex. tiniest and quietest of creatures - in this par- Problem is, Pinocchio is a magic boy puppet ticular case, one very small ladybird... without any strings. To become a real boy, he must show kindness, bravery, loyalty and honesty - all of which is easier said than done when all he really wants to do is have fun with his friends...

Mr Silly Pancake And The Land Of Cake & Biscuits MAC, Birmingham, Sat 26 - Sun 27 May The title says it all: Mr Silly Pancake pays a visit to the Land of Cake & Biscuits. And your youngsters are invited to join him. Original music and puppetry are combined in Ready Steady Whatever a show that sees our hero and his young au- The Weather Sarah & Duck’s dience visiting Jelly Fields, Marshmallow Big Top Birthday Castle and Milkshake River. Birmingham Hippodrome, Sat 30 June Let’s just hope the sugar police aren’t visiting Award-winning theatre company M6 are the Swan Theatre, Worcester, Sun 13 May; The Old MAC over the weekend! talented people behind this humorous and Rep, Birmingham, Mon 14 - Tues 15 May highly visual production for the very young. Young fans of BAFTA award-winning CBee- A 2016 Off West End Theatre Awards winner, bies programme Sarah & Duck are sure to cry the show focuses on the little man and fowl (geddit?) if you fail to take them along to woman who inhabit ‘a weather house that this live version of the show. sits on a quiet wall’, along the way asking the Puppetry, storytelling and music are imagi- question, what would happen if they magi- natively combined as seven-year-old Sarah cally came to life? and her somewhat manic companion set out on another adventure. This one sees them planning a birthday party for Scarf Lady, ably Horrible Histories: assisted in their endeavours by fabulous friends The Ribbon Sisters, The Shallots, More Barmy Britain Flamingo & John and Umbrella. Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Hoot Owl: Wed 30 May - Sat 2 June Master Of Disguise If you love the Horrible Histories series - and A Heart At Sea why the heck wouldn’t you?! - then the Barmy Stourbridge Town Hall, Sat 12 May Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Britain shows are well worth catching. Wed 23 - Sat 26 May Yet another kids’ theatre company that un- Alongside providing answers to such search- Original songs, ‘stunning’ visuals, echoing derstands the merit of combining original ing questions as ‘what would happen if a soundscapes, tiny boats, performing pup- songs with colourful puppets, Proon Produc- Viking moved in next door?’ and ‘would you pets, salty sea captains and great big beards tions here tell the twit-twooingly splendid stand and deliver to dastardly Dick Turpin?’, are all combined to excellent effect in this tale of a hoot owl who fancies himself a mas- the shows also invite their audience to escape whale of a tale from the ever-impressive Half ter of disguise, using clever camouflage to the clutches of Burke & Hare, move to the A String theatre company. conceal his real identity from the tiny ani- groove with the partying Queen Victoria and Running for 50 minutes and suitable for mals he plans to greedily gobble up. prepare to do battle in the Great War. youngsters aged seven and older, the show The only problem is, there’s a possibility he’s In short, and as their publicity says, they are tells the story of a boy who bottles up his not quite as clever as he thinks he is... truly horrible histories of Britain - ‘with all heart and throws it into the sea... Suitable for children aged four-plus. the nasty bits left in!’

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UNDER THE SEA

Discover what lies beneath the water’s surface at Birmingham’s National Sea Life Centre

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by Jenny Ell

Merlin Entertainment owns some of the cost is an optional one - a behind-the-scenes them for their food. biggest and best attractions the UK has to tour that’s well worth the money for the extra Other National Sea Life Centre highlights offer, including Thorpe Park Resort, Shrek’s sights you’re shown and the expert include the 4D cinema, the zebra shark in Adventure! London, Alton Towers, knowledge provided by a tour guide. Shark Lagoon, the Clownfish Kingdom Chessington World of Adventure and There’s so much for the whole family to tunnel - a favourite with children who like Legoland Windsor, to name but a few. enjoy. People are advised to book their tickets Disney’s Finding Nemo - and the UK’s only It also owns Birmingham’s National Sea Life in advance (particularly during weekends tropical Ocean Tunnel, featuring darting Centre, which opened in 1996. and school holidays) and to allow at least sharks, gliding rays and rescued turtles. two hours to get the most out of the Located near the city’s Brindleyplace, the There’s so much that goes into the upkeep of attraction. venue houses more than 2,000 species from the centre. Every fortnight, a fresh batch of around the world and contains a one million Visitors can venture through the UK’s only sea water is brought up from the South Coast, litre ocean tank! Money is regularly invested fully transparent 360-degree underwater and every three months, a new shipment of in the attraction, the aim being to add at least tunnel, along the way enjoying views of 40- seaweed arrives. The cleaning and one new exhibit annually. But doing so is a year-old Molokai the Giant Sea Turtle and a maintenance of the tanks happens tall order. In 2014 the venue acquired the Bowmouth Guitar Shark, an attention- sporadically during visiting hours. Likewise, popular Penguin Ice Adventure. Costing seeking diva called Beyonc-ray! there are allotted feeding times during the £2million to build, the exhibit is home to 18 day, so if you want to see the inhabitants The centre dedicates a lot of time and hard Gentoo penguins. Last year’s new addition dining, plan your visit with this in mind. work to its Breed, Rescue And Protect was Octopus Hideout, featuring Beverley, the The centre also has a soft play area for conservation project. This includes running venue’s resident Giant Pacific Octopus. children to enjoy. programmes to help sustain endangered Exciting new exhibits for 2018 include the species, nursing sick creatures back to health Curator Jonny Rudd has been at the centre for interactive Piranha Tunnel and Jelly before returning them to the wild, and just under a year and has a great many plans Invaders. The latter features a variety of campaigning to protect the marine for the venue. Although most of these remain breeds from across the world, including the environment from exploitation or under wraps. Watch this space for news of moon jellyfish, the fascinating upside-down destruction. There’s currently a tank in the more exciting developments! jellyfish and the ghost-like Atlantic sea Jelly Invaders area which houses nothing nettles. other than a number of plastic bags. This is to highlight just how much these bags can Both new areas are included within the For more information and to book tickets, look like jellyfish, and the danger they can general admission fee. The only additional visit visitsealife.com/birmingham cause to underwater creatures who mistake

SAVE 40% ON ENTRY TO THE NATIONAL SEA LIFE CENTRE - SEE PAGE 64 FOR DETAILS

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Dance previews from around the region Dance

Windrush: Movement Of The People MAC, Birmingham, Fri 4 - Sat 5 May “This is an uplifting dance production that’s not only enjoyable,” says Sharon Watson, artistic director of Phoenix Dance Theatre, “but will shine a light on an important era of the history of black people here in the UK. It highlights both the struggles and good times the Jamaican community experienced during those early years.” Phoenix’s contemporary dance piece celebrates the 70th anniversary of the arrival of the UK’s first Caribbean migrants, transported to the country on board the SS Empire Windrush. Presented against an uplifting soundtrack of calypso, jazz, blues, gospel and reggae, the piece is a lively celebration of the rise of multi- cultural Britain... The evening also includes performances of Calyx, by Sandrine Monin, and Shadows, by Christopher Bruce OBE.

Jasmin Vardimon Company: JV2 Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Wed 2 May Founded in 1997, the Jasmin Vardimon Com- pany tour both nationally and internationally, performing at theatres throughout the UK, across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the United States. The company combine physical theatre and quirky characteri- sation with innovative technologies, text and (of course) dance, to create widely accessible, socially relevant art. This new triple bill sees work by the award-winning Vardimon presented alongside pieces by two highly rated emerging choreographers, Yunkyung Song and André Rebelo.

Palmyra Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Balletboyz: Fourteen Days Tues 8 - Wed 9 May Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Wed 9 May; The horrors of the conflict in Syria take centre Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Mon 14 May stage in this thought-provoking new work by Balletboyz is a company of male dancers who Bertrand Lesca and Nasi Voutsas. The pair have previously toured with Eurohouse, a combine muscle with grace to present a dis- playful and highly acclaimed satire on the Eu- tinctive style that fuses energetic dance with ropean Union. music and film. Moving gracefully from the humour of that This latest touring show features works cre- earlier work to the tragic subject matter of ated in the space of just 14 days by choreogra- this latest offering, the duo explore the notion phers including Javier de Frutos and Craig of revenge and the politics of destruction. Revel Horwood. The show also features the Along the way, they invite their audience ‘to Russell Maliphant-choreographed Fallen, a step back from the news and look at what lies work that won the National Dance Award for beneath - and beyond - civilisation’. Best Modern Choreography in 2013. whatsonlive.co.uk 31 FINAL BIDF 4 page feature.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 16:26 Page 1 Get Dancing! with Birmingham International Dance Festival

Artistic Director Lucie Mirkova tells all...

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by Patsy Moss

The sixth Birmingham International Dance and beyond, the festival aims to show chore- gramme of exciting acts, activities and work- Festival (BIDF) takes place next month, and ographic practice at its best, pushing the shops suitable for any age with food and for 24 days will be doing its best to get the boundaries of dance as a contemporary art drink provided by local foodie favourites and people of the city up and dancing. form. So what does Lucie think is the most live music each evening from Hare & Hounds A programme of theatre performances will be adventurous aspect of this year’s program- of Kings Heath. The programme kicks off on supported by extensive outdoor activities - ming? 1 June with the first visit to the city of the in- the majority of which are free - spilling out “New Creation, by Cecilia Bengolea & Flo- credible Morning Gloryville with their high- onto Victoria Square and other city locations. rentina Holzinger, which hasn’t premiered energy empowering morning sober rave yet.” suitable for everyone. “We want to open up new and surprising Described as a ‘collaborative experimenta- ways for the people of the Midlands to experi- An event on the scale of Birmingham Interna- tion, reflecting on the interface of nature and ence dance,” says Lucie Mirkova, Artistic Di- tional Dance Festival doesn’t happen without the artifice of the human body’, New Creation rector at DanceXchange - the Birmingham support from numerous partners. New addi- is a brave move for the festival, but one -based dance house which produces the festi- tions to the partner programme for 2018 are which Lucie is confident will pay off. “We val. Colmore Business District, as Festival Square know the artists previous work. Although Sponsor, and West Midlands Railway, who’ve Well versed in every aspect of dance, this is they aren’t too well known in the UK, they are jumped on board as Official Travel Partner. Lucie’s first festival in this role, having previ- internationally so it’s very exciting.” ously worked as Executive Producer for the “I think it’s great that these big organisations Alongside UK star choreographers like company. Having “danced before I could see dance as a way to promote Birmingham Wayne McGregor (Atomos at New Alexandra walk”, Lucie’s passion for the art form shines as a destination, driving more people to visit Theatre, 1 & 2 June), audiences will enjoy a through. “It’s part of my life. Dance is an our vibrant city.” programme of work from numerous interna- amazing experience. It gives you the freedom tional artists. These include at The Patrick Birmingham is increasingly recognised as a to express yourself in so many ways...’ Studios an immersive virtual reality experi- city that’s good at delivering outdoor festivals Originally from Prague, Lucie founded a com- ence VR_1 from Company Gilles Jobin & Ar- which is very appealing for partners to be munity dance company before studying tanim (Switzerland); Guide, a dreamy audio part of.” choreography at the Academy of Performing visual experience by Vera Ondrasikova & Col- Before BIDF 2018 has even got off the ground, Arts in Prague, going to work as a producer lective (Czech Republic) which fuses the past Lucie is giving thought to the next festival for dance company DOT504. Moving to the with the present; and at Midlands Arts Centre and beyond. “You’re always thinking about UK in 2010, Lucie pursued her love of dance Only Bones, a display of physical buffoonery future programming and making connec- from another angle, undertaking an MA in from the Kallo Collective (Finland/New tions. It’s surprising how long it takes to ne- Arts Management & Policy before moving to Zealand). gotiate those big gigs. I’m already in Birmingham. Challenging preconceived ideas about what conversation for 2020 and 2022, to tie in with With Lucie at the helm and her ‘partner in dance is, the programme also features perfor- the Commonwealth Games. I’m talking to crime’ Paul Russ, the festival’s Associate mances that people might not normally asso- people about work that combines sports with Artistic Director , programming for this year’s ciate with a dance festival. Take ISH Dance dance.” festival sees a shift towards a more interna- Collective, for example. The Dutch company For now, though, it’s all about 2018 and mak- tional outdoor content, and more opportuni- brings Elements of Freestyle. ing sure that everything runs smoothly. Fin- ties for people to take part. Dominating Birmingham Hippodrome’s main gers crossed, then, that all goes well in terms “We wanted to open up the dialogue between stage on 14 June will be four skating ramps of the one thing that festival organisers can’t national and international practices, and which will be constructed and deconstructed influence - the British weather. BIDF is the perfect place to make this hap- in numerous formations while performers pen. demonstrate their skills in breakdance, inline skating, skateboarding, freerunning, BMX, What’s also very exciting is the Midlands and freestyle basketball. Birmingham International Dance Festival made programme, new commissions and “It’s a culture,” says Lucie. “It’s about break- takes place in the venues, streets and presentations created by artists living and ing barriers and realising that dance can be squares across Birmingham from 1 to 24 working in the Midlands. This is about how many things.” June. A programme of outdoor activities we bring local artists together and nurture will take place at Victoria Square from 1 to For 10 days Victoria Square in the heart of the their talents.” 10 June. Visit bidf.co.uk for details city will be transformed to create a fresh and Drawing audiences from across the Midlands vibrant festival vibe, with a wonderful pro-

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birmingham international dance Festival highlights...

IN THEATRES Elements of Freestyle - ISH Dance Collective Thurs 14 June, Birmingham Hippodrome Challenging the notion of what can be presented on a traditional stage, on 14 June ISH Dance Collective will bring vert ramps and extreme sports to the stage of Birmingham Hippodrome in Elements of Freestyle. A UK premiere, the show will feature a dynamic fu- sion of live music, dance and theatre with break dance, inline skating, free running, skateboarding, BMX and freestyle basketball. Age 8+

Morning Gloryville - part mass party, is a city premiere in col- Fri 1 June, Victoria Square laboration with firm favourites from the local music scene and a big headline DJ, to Opening the Festival Square on 1 June is be announced soon. Morning Gloryville, the original morning Suitable for all ages. ravers. The event, part exercise craze, and

Atomos - Face In & Let’s Talk About Dis - VR_1 - Cie Gilles Jobin & Artanim Company Wayne McGregor Candoco Dance Company Fri 1 to Mon 4 June, The Patrick Studio Fri 1 & Sat 2 June, New Alexandra Theatre Wed 13 & Thurs 14 June, MAC, Birmingham A fun, unforgettable, immersive Virtual Real- Atomising bodies, movement, film, sound ity experience. Ideal to share with friends and light morph into miniature shards of in- and family. Tracked by an optical motion tense sensation in a cutting-edge work by capture system, five participants at the same contemporary choreographer Wayne McGre- time become their own avatar, physically gor. Ten incredible dancers perform McGre- moving in a virtual environment, meeting gor’s unique style - sculptural, rigorous, five virtual dancers. jarring and hauntingly beautiful. Age 8+ 3D glasses are available to watch part of this cutting-edge show. Age 8+

Renowned contemporary dance company of disabled and non-disabled performers, Can- doco presents a brand new double bill of dramatic and powerful choreography. Yasmeen Godder's new work, Face In, is loud, vibrant and intoxicating whilst Hetain Patel, the artist behind the TED Talk ‘Who am I? Think Again”, gets you thinking about political cor- rectness in his playful and charming piece Let’s Talk About Dis. Age 10+

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OUTDOORS The Midlands Made commissions will take over Victoria Square from 4-8 June, a new strand for BIDF 2018, with new commissions created by artists living and working in the Midlands including Andy Ingamells, Rebecca Randall and Mickael Marso Riviere. Age All (check individual shows for age guidance)

Victoria Festival Square with a lightness of expression and highly arresting and visually stunning perfor- Victoria Square in the heart of the city is mances from the funny and original AIR transformed for ten incredible days creating which sees four dancers perform dressed in a fresh and vibrant festival vibe right on inflatable latex suits to Simple Cypher’s your doorstep. Expect the best outdoor na- Roll Up, Roll Up which combines hip hop tional and international talent, constantly and circus. challenging perceptions and dance forms

Family weekend at MAC, Birmingham, ON TOUR AND UNUSUAL SPACES Origami – Satchie Noro and Silvain Ohl - Sat 16 & Sun 17 June Fri 22 & Sun 24 June, location tbc DeepSpace - James Batchelor and Collabo- Enjoy a host of performances and activities Watch out for the spectacular Origami, an el- rators Fri 22 & Sat 23 June, Quantum egant large-scale performance which will be for all the family at Midlands Arts Centre on Exhibition Space, The Works 16 and 17 June. TPO bring two amazing shows wowing audiences at outdoor locations for the youngest dance fans including the around the city between 22 to 24 June. magical interactive theatre experience Kindur Satchie Noro and Silvain Ohl, were inspired which sees the audience take on the role of by the ancient art of Japanese paper folding sheep and Mini bringing everyday situations to transform a 40-foot shipping container to life through dance. The weekend also fea- into a shape-shifting performance space. tures work by Rosie Kay Dance Company, Age 5+ 2Faced Dance Company and Candoco Dance Company. From Age 2+ (check individual shows for age guidance)

Combining dance, sound and installation, Deepspace is a mesmerising, intimate performance that examines our curiosity for the unknown. Playing at the intersection of art and science, the body is taken to the extremities of remoteness and proximity, connectedness and isolation, certainty and uncertainty. This is an immersive work where the audience moves through the space with the dancers. Age 8+ For all Birmingham International Dance Festival listings visit www.bidf.co.uk

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Film

Deadpool 2 CERT tbc Starring Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Morena Baccarin, Julian Dennison, Zazie Beetz, TJ Miller Directed by David Leitch (USA) Nobody expected the original Deadpool (2016) to be such a huge success, but the self-knowing, violent and witty superhero movie accumulated an international gross of more than $783million. Ryan Reynolds returns as the irreverent Wade Wilson, the disfig- ured mercenary who recovered from cancer to become a mock- ing, sarcastic, self-healing crime- fighter. Here, Wade - aka Deadpool - rounds up a posse of mutants to combat the time-travelling cybernetic badass ‘Cable’ (Josh Brolin). Brolin, who plays the despotic Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War, has already signed up to play Cable in a further three Deadpool sequels. Let’s hope the first film’s fondness for British cultural references con- tinues unabated. Released Tues 15 May EDITOR’S CHOICE

Film highlights released in May...

I Feel Pretty CERT 12a (110 mins) Lean On Pete CERT 15 (112 mins) Starring Amy Schumer, Michelle Williams, Starring Charlie Plummer, Chloë Sevigny, Emily Ratajkowski, Rory Scovel, Aidy Bryant, Travis Fimmel, Steve Buscemi, Steve Zahn Naomi Campbell Directed by Abby Kohn and Directed by Andrew Haigh (UK) Marc Silverstein (USA) Shot in Oregon, this British drama stars Char- Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and, fol- lie Plummer as a restless fifteen-year-old who lowing a fall, Renee Barrett (Schumer) be- befriends the eponymous racehorse and de- lieves she is a stunner. Thus transformed, cides to rescue him from the slaughterhouse. Renee sets out on a new path of confidence Adapted from the novel by the alt-Country and self-belief. Interesting premise. guitarist Willy Vlautin. Released Fri 4 May Released Fri 4 May Tully CERT 15 (96 mins) Starring Charlize Theron, Mackenzie Davis, Mark Duplass, Ron Livingston Directed by Jason Reitman (USA) From Diablo Cody, the Oscar-winning writer of Juno, Young Adult and Ricki And The Flash, this promises much. Tully (Mackenzie Davis, from Blade Runner 2049) is a ‘night nanny’ who helps out the hard-pressed Marlo (Theron), mother of three. She is a gift from Marlo’s brother… Expect a lot of laughs, and some tears. Released Fri 4 May Film May - ONLINE.qxp_Layout 1 30/04/2018 11:34 Page 3

Film highlights released in May...

On Chesil Beach CERT 15 (110 mins) Starring Saoirse Ronan, Billy Howle, Emily Watson, Anne-Marie Duff, Samuel West, Adrian Scarborough Directed by Dominic Cooke (UK) When Florence and Edward fall in love during the summer of 1962, neither are prepared for the impact on their liaison that the sexual revolution will have. From the 2007 Booker-nominated novel by Ian McEwan. Released Fri 18 May

Redoubtable CERT 15 (108 mins) Starring Louis Garrel, Stacy Martin, Bérénice Bejo, Grégory Gadebois, Micha Lescot, Jean-Pierre Mocky Directed by Michel Hazanavicius (France/Myanmar/Italy) From the director of the Oscar-winning The and searches for a more profound way to ex- Artist (2011) comes another film exploring the press his political angst. Thus, the director rich canvas of cinema. Here, Hazanavicius fo- becomes cruel, selfish, insensitive, sour and cuses on the French filmmaker Jean-Luc Go- ungracious - in short, an existential carica- dard (Garrel), and in particular on his liaison ture. Stacy Martin is delightful as his young with the actress Anne Wiazemsky (Martin), gamine wife and there are some amusing, on whose memoir the film is based. meta moments, but not enough to relieve the Initially as playful and free with the grammar ultimate monotony of this strangely petulant of cinema as Godard’s own work, Re- character assassination. doubtable soon descends into domestic te- Released Fri 11 May CRITIC’S CHOICE dium as Godard renounces his earlier work

How To Talk To Girls At Parties CERT 15 (103 mins) Starring Elle Fanning, Alex Sharp, Nicole Kid- man, Ruth Wilson, Matt Lucas, Stephen Camp- bell Moore Directed by John Cameron Mitchell (UK/USA) An alien tourist, Zan (Fanning) finds herself stuck in the most dangerous place in the universe: Croydon in south London. Nicole Kid- man plays the punk party animal ‘Queen Boadicea’. Based on the 2006 short story by Neil Gaiman. Life Of The Party Released Fri 11 May Sherlock Gnomes CERT U (86 mins) CERT 12a (105 mins) With the voices of James McAvoy, Emily Blunt, Starring Melissa McCarthy, Gillian Jacobs, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mary J Blige, Johnny Depp, Maya Rudolph, Julie Bowen, Jacki Weaver Michael Caine, Maggie Smith Directed by Ben Falcone (USA) Directed by John Stevenson (UK/USA) When her husband dumps her, Deanna (Mc- When certain garden ornaments go missing, Carthy) decides to go back to college and Gnomeo and Juliet turn to the eponymous ends up in her own daughter’s class. College, sleuth to help track down the culprit. Deanna realises, is wasted on the young… A sequel to Gnomeo & Juliet (2011), the car- The producer-director is Ben Falcone, hus- toon is the first fully animated feature from band of Melissa McCarthy, with whom he co- Paramount Animation. The American re- wrote the screenplay. views were not charitable, though. In 3D. Released Fri 11 May Released Fri 11 May Film May - ONLINE.qxp_Layout 1 30/04/2018 11:34 Page 4

Film

Entebbe CERT 12a (107 mins) Submergence CERT tbc Starring Rosamund Pike, Daniel Brühl, Eddie Starring James McAvoy, Alicia Vikander, Ha- Marsan, Ben Schnetzer, Lior Ashkenazi, Denis keemshady Mohamed, Alexander Siddig, Alex Ménochet Directed by José Padilha (UK/USA) Hafner, Charlotte Rampling Rosamund Pike and Daniel Brühl take up Directed by Wim Wenders (USA/France/Spain) arms to hijack the Air France Flight 139 from Two lovers find themselves in different parts Athens to Uganda in the fourth film to chron- of the world following a romantic Christmas icle the historic hostage crisis. Eddie Marsan together. As Danielle prepares to explore the co-stars as Shimon Peres under the direction ocean floor in a submersible, James is barri- of José Padilha (Elite Squad, RoboCop, etc). caded into a small room in Africa by jihadist fighters. Based on the novel by J.M. Ledgard. Released Fri 11 May Released Fri 18 May

Solo: A Star Wars Story Starring Alden Ehrenreich, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, Thandie Newton, Paul Bettany Directed by Ron Howard (USA) The milking machine of Lucasfilm Ltd contin- ues apace with this stand-alone instalment of the Star Wars saga. Alden Ehrenreich plays Han Solo as a young man, long before he joined the Rebellion and met Luke Skywalker Breaking InCERT 15 (88 mins) and Princess Leia. The London-born Emilia Starring Gabrielle Union, Seth Carr, Ajiona Clarke plays Qi'ra, Han’s romantic interest, Alexus, Christa Miller, Billy Burke following in the footsteps of fellow English Directed by James McTeigue (USA) roses Daisy Ridley and Felicity Jones. In 3D. Moving into her late father’s Malibu mansion Released Thurs 24 May with her two children, Shaun Russell (Gabrielle Union) becomes the unwitting tar- get of four career burglars. But you really shouldn’t mess with Shaun… From the direc- The Breadwinner tor of V for Vendetta. CERT 12a (93 mins) Released Fri 11 May With the voices of Saara Chaudry, Soma Bhatia, Noorin Gulamgaus Directed by Nora Twomey (Canada/Ireland/Luxembourg) Based on the children’s novel by Deborah CERT 15 (93 mins) The Cured Ellis, this Oscar-nominated cartoon features Starring Ellen Page, Sam Keeley, Tom Vaughan- Parvana, a young girl living in Kabul, Lawlor Directed by David Freyne (Ireland/France) Afghanistan, under control of the Taliban. In order to provide for her family, she disguises After the zombie apocalypse, a miracle anti- herself as a boy and sustains herself with the dote has rendered the cannibalistic harmless fantastical stories she invents. Executive pro- – or, at least, most of them. But the former duced by Angelina Jolie. zombies are finding it hard to re-adjust to normal life, particularly due to the pressures Released Fri 25 May of prejudice and their own disturbing memo- ries… The US reviews have been highly favourable. Show Dogs CERT PG (92 mins) Released Fri 11 May Starring Will Arnett, Natasha Lyonne, with the voices of Ludacris, Jordin Sparks, Stanley Tucci, Alan Cumming Directed by Raja Gosnell (USA) Max is a Rottweiler who values his machismo reputation. But he’s a police dog and when he’s ordered to go undercover as a tarted-up show dog, he has to suffer the consequences. From the director of Scooby-Doo and The Smurfs. Released Fri 25 May Visual Arts May 1.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 12:29 Page 1

Visual Arts previews from around the region

John Piper Mead Gallery, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Tues 1 May - Thurs 21 June Official war artist during the Second World War, John Piper visited Coventry the day after the Blitz to make a series of drawings of the ravaged city, in particular of the cathedral and other gutted churches. He returned to Coventry in the 1950s, when he was commissioned, along with Patrick Reyntiens, to design a huge stained glass window for the city’s new cathedral. Given these strong connections to Coventry, it’s entirely welcome but not at all surprising that this Tate Liverpool show - the first major exhibition of Piper’s work since 2003 - is visiting Warwick Arts Centre. The display also includes a number of the artist’s idyllic images of pre-war rural Britain and a selection of his post-war romantic landscapes.

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Visual Arts

Miss Black And Beautiful MAC, Birmingham, until Sun 1 July An exhibition of photographs taken by the late Raphael Albert, Miss Black And Beautiful docu- ments numerous black British beauty pageants organised by Albert from the late 1960s onwards. The pageants were a celebration of the 1970s’ ‘Black is beautiful’ aesthetic, the most notable among them being the annual Miss West Indies In Great Britain contest.

Mad King / Fat Knight ration from the rehearsal room and onstage performances to create a visual ac- PACCAR Room, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, count of his experiences as an actor. Sat 19 May - Sun 23 September Featuring more than 40 pieces - bringing Wideley regarded as one of the finest stage together large-scale oil paintings with actors of his generation, Sir Antony Sher drawings and doodles - the exhibition of- has also made a considerable impact as an fers an insight into Sher’s preparation for artist - and now, for the first time ever, the two of his most memorable roles: King RSC is hosting an exhibition of his work. Lear and Sir John Falstaff. The Cape Town-born Sher has taken inspi-

Men Of The Docks Barber Institute, Birmingham, until Sun 9 September Despite his significant standing in the US, early 20th century painter George Bellows remains a relatively unknown artist here in the UK - a perhaps unsur- prising fact given that there are only two of his paintings in British public collections. One of them, Nude, Miss Bentham, is a 1906 artwork acquired by the Barber in 2015. The other, Men Of The Docks, painted six years afterwards and hailed for its radical urban subject matter, is currently on loan to the Bar- ber from the National Gallery. The two paintings will hang side by side during Men Of The Docks’ stay in Birmingham

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by Ellie Hutchings

DIPPY THE ROCK STAR!

The Natural History Museum’s iconic will be focusing on the idea of birds as living Lukas. “Generations of people have seen him Diplodocus cast - fondly known as Dippy - is dinosaurs - as Lukas Large, curator of Natural and they always remember him.” currently on tour, and as of 26 May he’ll be on Science at Birmingham Museums Trust, “It’s like Dippy is a rock star,” Gurminder display at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery explains: “We’ll be looking at the evolution adds, “and the people of Birmingham are so (BMAG) for the second leg of his road trip. of birds from their dinosaur ancestors into excited to see him.” the animals that we see today, and Tickets to see Dippy are completely free, and Since his time at the Natural History encouraging people to look at birds in a there are extensive additional activities Museum, Dippy’s had a makeover. Those different way, to get out into nature and taking place during his stay too, including who’re familiar with the Diplodocus may engage with wildlife.” group sleepovers, curator-led tours and even notice a few changes, the most notable being an opportunity to ‘dine with Dippy’. Thanks to funds from Friends of Birmingham his new hands. “The Diplodocus that Dippy Anticipation of his arrival is building around Museums, BMAG was able to carry out the is cast from didn’t actually have hands when Birmingham, with more than 76,000 tickets necessary conservation work on its bird it was found,” explains Lukas, “so examples already booked. collection, which hasn’t been out on display had to be used from a different skeleton. But for about 20 years. The birds will now be since digging up more Diplodocus skeletons, “People just love dinosaurs,” says Gurminder meeting their ‘distant cousin’ Dippy. we now know what Dippy’s real hands Kenth, manager at Birmingham Museum & would’ve looked like.” Art Gallery. “They’re so fascinating; they’re So it looks like BMAG is fulfilling the Natural impressive to look at, and there’s just so History Museum’s precedent in encouraging And this isn’t the first time that changes have much to learn from them.” visitors to explore nature, and drawing been made to Dippy since his installation in attention to an array of biodiversity. “That’s the Natural History Museum. Previously, his Some visitors may remember the much-loved what’s so great about Dippy’s tour,” adds tail used to lie flat on the ground; now it’s papier-mâché T-Rex that used to be on Gurminder. “Each venue is able to put their raised, to reflect how a Diplodocus would display at the museum. With that in mind, own stamp on the exhibition. There’ll be have used it to balance. “The Natural History Gurminder was keen to make sure that different interpretations and different Museum used to keep spare parts when Birmingham was a stop-off destination on storylines using Dippy, so there’ll be a lot of Dippy’s tail was on the ground, because Dippy’s tour. learning throughout the whole tour, which I pieces kept disappearing,” Lukas reveals. Not only have BMAG had to meet the Natural think is really exciting.” With Dippy being such an impressive History Museum’s credentials to secure But with Dippy’s stay at BMAG coinciding installation wherever he’s displayed, it’s Dippy’s visit, getting him into the exhibition with the May half term and the summer hardly surprising that visitors want to take a space will be a significant task. At an holidays, there’s limited opportunity for souvenir home with them. So what does impressive 21.3 metres long, 4.3 metres wide school trips and events. For this reason, the Birmingham have on offer for its Dippy- and 4.25 metres high, Dippy is expected to museum will be focusing on family adoring public? “We’re selling a Diplodocus take nine days to install, with help from the programmes throughout Dippy’s time at the pin badge online, and quite a few of those Natural History Museum’s own technical venue. Visitors will have the opportunity to have already gone,” says Gurminder. team. It may sound like quite a feat, but with experience what it’s like to be a “There’s also the Dippy cuddly toy, which is everything having run smoothly in Dorset palaeontologist in the giant sand pit, or in high demand at Dorset, and we can’t wait (the first stop on Dippy’s tour), Gurminder enjoy fun activities in the Dippy Family to get our hands on that!” doesn’t have any concerns. In fact, she’s Room. confident that Dippy will look better at BMAG than he ever has before. “Here at But it’s not all just for kids. Lukas himself Birmingham we differ from the Natural will be giving tours of the exhibition, and Dippy visits Birmingham Museum & Art History Museum and Dorset County Museum there’ll be additional talks from Gallery from 26 May to 9 September. in that we have a low roof, so I think Dippy paleontologists Professor Richard Butler and Tickets and more info is available at will look much bigger and very impressive in Dean Lomax. birminghammuseums.org.uk/bmag/what our space.” s-on/dippy-on-tour-a-natural-history- So what is it about Dippy that makes him so adventure But Dippy certainly won’t be on his own in iconic? “He’s been at the Natural History Birmingham. The exhibition in the Gas Hall Museum for over a hundred years,” explains whatsonlive.co.uk 41 Events May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 12:27 Page 1

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Events previews from around the region Events

The Handmade Fair Ragley Hall, Warwickshire, Fri 11 - Sun 13 May Kirstie Allsopp’s Handmade Fair makes a welcome return to Warwickshire after its hugely successful Ragley Hall debut last spring. Bringing together Britain’s best handmade products, crafts supplies and artisan foods, the show also takes place at Hampton Court Palace, where it’s already enjoyed four highly successful years. Visitors to the Ragley show can learn how to make something for themselves or upcycle a piece they already own. The show’s attractions include the shopping villages, which are ‘full to the brim’ with handmade products of the highest quality and an impressive range of tools and materials. There’s also the Super Theatre, skills workshops and light creative sessions to enjoy, all hosted by some of the UK’s most renowned experts.

The Baby Show This Morning Live NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 17 - Sun 20 May NEC, Birmingham, Fri 18 - Sun 20 May Inspired by ITV1’s This Morning programme and returning for a second year, this four-day lifestyle show features appearances by Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby (pictured), the presenters of the popular daytime television series. The event boasts numerous lifestyle elements, including fashion & style, food & drink, home, gardening, pets, beauty, and health & wellbeing. Commenting on the show, ITV’s Daytime Managing Director, Emma Gormley, said: “With our fantastic presenting talent and the wonderful mix of content that we'll be taking on the road, this event promises to delight fans of the show across the country.”

Sleep-deprived new parents would do well to call on their reserves of energy and get along to this popular show. Widely considered to be the UK’s leading pregnancy and parenting event, The Baby Show brings together leading retailers and brands, includes one-to- one demonstrations and provides the opportunity to ‘touch, feel and compare’ items, enabling shoppers to make an informed decision about their purchases. The show also comes complete with a host of facilities to help you have a hassle-free day. Oh, and on the Saturday there’s a special live screening of Harry and Meghan tying the knot, meaning you can combine baby shopping with royal wedding watching! We’re fairly sure that if your baby could talk, they’d advise you to attend...

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Events previews from around the region Events

Queen Victoria’s Elizabethan Pageant Birthday Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire, Sun 6 & Mon 7 May Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge, Shropshire, Queen Elizabeth I herself (not to be Sat 26 & Sun 27 May confused with our current queen, While our current Queen is cele- of course) will apparently be in at- brating her 92nd birthday, the good tendance at this event. And why folk of Blists Hill are putting out the devil wouldn’t she be, given the bunting in honour of another that it’s being advertised as ‘the ul- long-reigning monarch. timate party palace, featuring a This year’s birthday bash for Queen feast of entertainment fit for the Victoria features a special parade Virgin Queen’! (taking place on both days) and the Highlights include a colourful pro- chance for visitors to try their hand cession, impressive horsemanship, at a range of fun activities using falconry displays and storytelling Victorian techniques - candle dip- sessions. ping in the goods shed, anyone? A trip to the pub to toast Her Majesty and a tasty portion of traditional fish & chips should ensure you’re splendidly replete as well as delightfully entertained.

Donington Historic Festival Donington Park, Fri 4 - Sun 6 May Donington Historic Festival is firmly established as a major fix- ture on the international historic Makers Central racing calendar. Featuring hundreds of world-class racing cars, NEC, Birmingham, Sat 5 - Sun 6 May huge numbers of classic car club This brand new event for the maker displays and a wealth of off-track community brings together entertainment, the three-day crafters, inventors, hobbyists and event is this month taking place artists. In attendance at the show for the eighth year. will be maker stars from YouTube and social media, while visitors can also watch some top-class demonstrations, try their hand at Shakespeare Family Homes making, purchase tools and equip- Shakespeare’s Family Homes, Stratford-upon-Avon, ment, and check out a range of Sat 26 May - Sun 3 June beautifully handcrafted goods. There’s a fun programme of activities to enjoy at Shakespeare's family homes this half term. Visitors to Shakespeare's Birthplace can be drawn by a caricature artist (but with a Tudor twist!), while anybody attending Shakespeare's New Place can pass judgement on some of the bard's most famous characters, deciding whether they’re a supervillain or a hero. Drop in at Hall's Croft if you fancy becoming a fairy or a sprite, while Anne Hathaway's Cottage is the place to head for if you’d enjoy making a bird feeder from recycled materials in the family activity tent. Mary Arden's Farm, meanwhile, is hosting Woolly Week, allowing visitors to try their hand at spinning wool and making a Tudor braid to take home.

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Events previews from around the region Events

Shropshire County Agricultural Show Greenhous West Mid Showground, Shrewsbury, Sat 26 May An event that first took place in the late 19th century, the Shropshire County Agricultural Show is an annual celebration of the local rural community, highlighting the role it plays in people’s daily lives. At- tracting thousands of visitors each year, the show boasts a wide selection of local produce and a range of live entertainment and music. Castle Quest Tamworth Castle, Staffordshire, Mon 28 May - Fri 1 June Shropshire Kids Festival The Quarry Park, Shrewsbury, Sat 19 & Sun 20 May If you’re a family of riddle-solvers ‘Education through fun’ lies at the heart of this missed’ foam parties. who enjoy have-a-go challenges, high-energy festival, with plenty of arts & crafts Donkey rides, active storytelling, a chance to Tamworth’s Castle Quest is defi- events and workshops allowing children to get check out solar activity with the Shropshire nitely an event for you. Questers hands-on while they learn. Astronomical Society, and a sure-to-be-popular test their wits to unravel puzzles Other popular attractions include ‘a battalion of family circus - providing the opportunity to from the clues presented, then use inflatables’ for youngsters to bounce around on, juggle, stilt-walk and unicycle - further add to a the knowledge they acquire to fin- a monster obstacle course and some ‘not to be weekend of top fun. ish the game. But that’s not the end of the challenge. The ultimate trial comes afterwards - namely, to walk the Quest grid blindfolded! Ludlow Spring Festival Ludlow Castle, Shropshire, The Staffordshire Sat 12 & Sun 13 May County Show Now in its 10th year, this popular festival ably Staffordshire County Showground, illustrates why Ludlow is one of the country’s Wed 30 & Thurs 31 May most reputable foodie towns. Staffordshire’s annual two-day The two-day event features more than 200 county show makes a welcome beers alongside an array of food stalls, with return, complete with its usual vendors offering delectable delights ranging eclectic mix of attractions and from artisan flours to charcuterie, award-win- entertainment. ning cakes, gourmet sausage rolls and local The main-ring programme of cheeses. Telford Balloon and events features displays from the The Marches Transport Festival and a wealth Kite Fiesta JCB Dancing Diggers, the of musical entertainment complete the week- Telford Town Park, Sat 12 & Sun 13 May Rockwood Dog Display Team and end’s programme of attractions. Weather permitting, a host of hot-air balloons young farmers floats. will take to the skies at this month’s Telford Bal- Highlights elsewhere at the loon & Kite Fiesta. Showground include falconry, And Telford residents should be particularly vig- horse shoeing, donkey rides and ilant on the Saturday night, when a number of sheepdog and duck displays. balloons will be transformed into beautiful floating lanterns to create a special 'night glow'. Acrobatic aerial displays with stunt kites and large-scale kites also feature at this year’s event. Balloon flights courtesy of Virgin will be available over the weekend. They are also offering discounted vouchers to purchase with TELFORD50 code until 31 May. Flights can be taken any time during the next 18 months.

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Events previews from around the region Events

Georgian House Party Aston Hall, Birmingham, Sat 12 May Visitors to this event are being invited to ‘party like a Georgian’, as Aston Hall celebrates its 400th anniversary. Highlights include ‘exciting’ sword fight duels, the chance to learn the art of fan flirting, an opportunity to experience what went on in coffee houses and an insight into the secret messages a beauty patch could convey.

Malvern Spring Festival Fascinating stats connected to the show include the fact that the festival site is the size of a stag- Three Counties Showground, Malvern, gering 40 football pitches, while on average vis- Thurs 10 - Sun 13 May itors consume around 18,000 cups of tea and One of the venue’s first major shows of the year, 6,000 pieces of cake every year. the RHS Malvern Spring Festival is described as So if all that strolling around leaves you need- ‘opening the door to the summer season’. ing a breather, it’s safe to assume the festival’s Visitors can enjoy a walk around the show gar- light refreshments are well worth sampling - so dens, gain inspiration from exhibitors in the many thousands of tea drinkers and cake eaters floral marquee and access hints and tips via a surely can’t be wrong! range of talks and demonstrations. First World War Activities RAF Museum, Cosford, Red By Night Sat 26 May - Sun 3 June Black Country Living Museum, Half-term highlights at Cosford Dudley, Sat 19 May museum include a range of World War One-related activities. The Black Country Living Museum this month As well as the chance to gain an in- opens its doors after hours, to provide ‘an atmo- sight into the life of an RAF pilot spheric evening of industrial demonstrations, during the Great War, visitors can good food, living history and more’. take part in drop-in virtual-reality Visitors to the Red By Night evening will be in- sessions, viewing the content of a vited to step inside period houses and shops to World War One aircraft. discover how Black Country folk used to live. There’s also a ‘spot the slang’ trail The event also features street entertainment and to follow, highlighting the wartime the chance to try the museum’s 1930s-style fish use of slang by service personnel and chips! from different countries and back- The Coventry grounds. Steampunk Carnival Coventry Transport Museum, Sat 19 - Sun 20 May A subgenre of science fantasy that reimagines modern technology powered by 19th century steam, steampunk is all the rage nowadays. So why not get along to this three-day event and find out what all the fuss is about. There’s plenty of live entertainment to enjoy, including performances by the splendidly named Ichabod Steam And His Animatronic Band. Shopaholics, meanwhile, are sure to find something to their liking in the steampunk market. whatsonlive.co.uk 49 The List Cover May Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 15:04 Page 1 The Magic Flute DPS.qxp_Layout 1 30/04/2018 11:12 Page 1 The Magic Flute DPS.qxp_Layout 1 30/04/2018 11:12 Page 2

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ThisThis isis CCarmen,armen, tthehe OOlivierlivier AAward-winningward-winning drdraawnwn ttoo tthehe fflickeringlickering neonsneons ofof thethe night,night, stillstill a high-qualityhigh-quality interpretationinterpretation ofof a cclassiclassic OOperaUpCloseperaUpClose nnowow ttakeake oonn TheThe MagicMagic FluteFlute attractedattracted llikeike a mmothoth ttoo tthehe llifeife ooff tthehe rrichich byby a hugelyhugely acclaimedacclaimed companycompany – oonene tthathat iinn aann iinnovativennovative nnewew pproductionroduction hheadedeaded fforor aandnd ffamous.amous. IInn tthehe ooriginal,riginal, TTaminoamino ffindsinds aaimsims ttoo rremainemain ffaithfulaithful ttoo tthehe ccomposer’somposer’s tthehe BBelgradeelgrade TTheatreheatre nnextext mmonth.onth. ttruerue lloveove aatt tthehe eendnd ooff hhisis qquest.uest. InIn ourour ooriginalriginal vvision,ision, wwhilehile aatt tthehe ssameame timetime RRunningunning iinn CCoventryoventry fforor oonene nnightight oonly,nly tthishis vversion,ersion, hhee rrealisesealises itit wwasas therethere allall along,along, hehe oofferingffering eestablishedstablished aaudiencesudiences a ddifferentifferent innovative reworking of Mozart’s much-loved just needed to think he’d lost it to realise how way of looking at the work. flight of fancy uses new orchestration with much it meant to him in the first place.” electronic & urban sounds, stylish design There could hardly be a better time to bring a “People who know the opera really well and a poetic new libretto by Glyn Maxwell show like this to Coventry. Recently named as already have a very particular experience. bring the story firmly up-to-date. Ahead of its UK’s next City of Culture in 2021, the city’s You can hear them recognising references arrival on Saturday 12 May, director Valentina whole campaign for the title hinged upon its and being tickled by the innovations we’ve Ceschi tells us more about what to expect youthfulness, creativity and diversity – all made in our new version. It’s like a spot the from the production… very much in keeping with the OperaUpClose difference puzzle for them – they feel “Its youthful energy is exhilarating!” she ethos. complicit in the process somehow, and it exclaims. “For me it was all about harnessing If you’re unsure about opera or classical becomes a fun game.” this energy and bringing it to today’s music, this is a company that prides itself on In fact, as Ceschi herself argues, in some audience. We did an early R&D with some the accessibility of its productions. Aiming to ways, there’s a greater “authenticity” to this singers from a group of young people from provide an entry point for even total opera production than there is to some more high- Soho Young Company. It was important for newcomers, the company revitalise profile operas nowadays. For one thing, the me that this version of ours appealed to the established classics to create visceral mischievousness of her direction and new generation.” theatrical experiences that feel relevant to Maxwell’s writing are very much in keeping First staged at London’s Soho Theatre, the contemporary audiences from all walks of with the irreverent spirit of a composer well production shifts between states of confused life. Just take Valentina herself as an known for his colourful personality. For reality and disturbed dreams, recasting the example. another, opera hasn’t always been the way hero, Tamino, as a young man dazzled by the “I don’t have any formal music training,” she we tend to imagine it today. world of the rich and famous. Invited behind confesses. “I read music but not very well. I “I got involved with [OperaUpClose] a few the velvet rope at London’s “most exclusive” mostly rely on what I hear. I’ve grown up years ago when I worked on reviving La nightclub, The Queen of the Night, he has with a love and understanding of music from Boheme. This production made me fall in little time for beggars, paparazzi, or even his my family for which I am very grateful, but love with the company. It was in a tiny girlfriend, Pamina. our big thing as a family was musicals like theatre above a pub and part of it was even At the end of the night, following a blazing Guys and Dolls and Singin in the Rain.” performed in the pub itself during the row, the couple head to bed, only to relive the “I approach directing opera in very much the interval. events and encounters of the evening in same way as directing theatre, making sure “I loved the intimacy and the impact the dreams made extraordinary by the lateness the storytelling is clear and the audience music and the singing can have when you are of the hour, their befuddled senses, and of have a good time. There are more limitations up close. Opera really started in much course, a touch of magic. in opera but those restrictions can be smaller spaces than the big opera houses, so “I always thought the story in the original strengths and opportunities for invention there is also an authenticity to what we do. was problematic,” says Ceschi. “I don’t think and fun. I’ve learnt that the music, much like We aren’t as radical as people think.” I’ve seen one version where I understood the the text of a play, usually has all the answers plot or thought the characters’ journeys you need. So when in doubt, go back to what really made sense. Setting it in a dream (or the music is telling you.” various people’s dreams) meant we didn’t “I would say, like Shakespeare, if done well, The Magic Flute is at the Belgrade Theatre have to solve all the problems in the original, opera is no different to any other genre, and for one night only on Saturday 12 May. but it solved a few and freed us up to have a after that short shock of, ‘Gosh, it’s people Tickets are available to book now by bit of fun. singing instead of talking!’ it feels very calling the box office on 024 7655 3055, or by visiting www.belgrade.co.uk, where “In our version, just like in the original, there normal. I’d also say if you like musicals you’ll prices are even cheaper are forces of ‘good’ and ‘evil’ that play upon probably like opera.” The List Cover May Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 15:05 Page 2

YourYour wweek-eek- bby-weeky-week llistingsistings gguideuide MayMay 22018018 thelist

Rita Ora at O2 Academy, Birmingham - Wednesday 16 May

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

What’s On Tues 1 to Sun 6 May Mon 7 to Sun 13 May Mon 14 to Sun 20 May Mon 21 to Thurs 31 May

Eastnor Chilli Festival at A Brave Face at Midlands Air Festival at War Of The Roses Live at Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire The Roses, Tewkesbury Ragley Hall, Warwickshire Warwick Castle Sun 6 - Mon 7 May Thurs 10 May Fri 18 - Sun 20 May Sat 26 May - Sun 3 June

whatsonlive.co.uk 51 The List Warwicks/Worcs Tues 1 - Sun 6 May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 17:52 Page 1

thelist THROUGHOUT MAY Gigs The Herbert Art Gallery & ALL OUR YESTERDAYS Museum Mon 30 Apr - Tues 1 Visual Arts May, The Core The- NEW ART WEST MIDLANDS Mixed- atre, Solihull media exhibition including painting, Artrix, Bromsgrove DALEY & ETTA BOND sculpture, digital and sound installa- Tues 1 May, Hare & INVISIBLE: A NEW LOOK AT M.E. Exhibi- tions, assemblage, photography & Hounds, Birmingham tion of art and verse by Anne Nicholls prints by 28 selected artists, all of which aims to enlighten cynics about whom are recent graduates from the LUKE DANIELS Tues 1 the effects of Chronic Fatigue Syn- region’s six university art schools, May, The Roses The- drome, until Sun 20 May until Sun 13 May atre, Tewkesbury NEW MIKE CROCKETT: A PAINTER'S VIEW COVENTRY ARCHIVES: COVENTRY LIFE IN YO LA TENGO Tues 1 OF THE WORLD A retired fingerprint ex- THE 1960S Explore the Swinging 60s May, Birmingham pert who took up painting two years through photographs, newspapers, Town Hall ago, Mike will be showcasing his theatre, music and cinema, until Fri 1 NOEL GALLAGHER'S landscapes and seascapes, Wed 23 June HIGH FLYING BIRDS Tues May - Sun 17 June POP! BRITISH & AMERICAN ART 1960 - 1 May, Arena B’ham Birmingham Museum & 1975 Explore how art found its POP! A HAWK AND A HACK- Art Gallery in this transatlantic showcase of the SAW Wed 2 May, The movement’s most iconic artists, until Tin Music And Arts, THE PAST IS NOW: BIRMINGHAM AND Sun 3 June Canal Basin, Coventry Eddi Reader - Artrix, Bromsgrove THE BRITISH EMPIRE Exhibition chal- AN EVENING WITH PUD- lenging the typical colonial narrative Worcester tre, Leamington Spa The Hive, Worcester DLES PITY PARTY used to present the history of the Wed 2 NOTES ON COMEDY IN DELIAPHONIC Sat 5 British Empire, until Sun 24 June HEATHER & IVAN MORISON SCULPTURES May, O2 Institute, Heather and Ivan were ‘artists in resi- Birmingham AID OF CANCER RE- May, The Tin Music VANLEY BURKE: PHOTOGRAPHING BIRM- SEARCH Fri 4 May, The And Arts, Canal Basin, dence’ at The Hive and University of HER'S, PIZZAGIRL & INGHAM (1968 - 2011) Exhibition show- Core Theatre, Solihull Coventry Worcester in 2017, until Sun 1 July CHARTREUSE ing how Burke has documented the Wed 2 ELISHA ESQUIVEL WITH VACATIONS AND FEET poignant and everyday moments of May, Hare & Hounds, JONATHAN THORNE Fri 4 Sat 5 May, Kasbah, life in Birmingham. Burke’s pho- Worcester City Museum & Art Birmingham May, The Tin Music Coventry tographs capture scenes of child- Gallery WILL POUND’S THROUGH And Arts, Canal Basin, hood, crowds, community and faith, BENJAMIN WILLIAMS LEADER: BLEST BY THE SEASONS - THE THE DUALERS Sat 5 Coventry power and protest, as well as portray- THE SUNS OF HOME Exhibition explor- MUSIC OF MORRIS AND May, The Empire, ing influential men and women of our ing the significance of landscape FOLK DANCE Wed 2 SINNER BOY Fri 4 May, Coventry time, until Sun 1 July painting during World War One, when May, The Fleece Inn, Route 44, Birmingham BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - the British countryside became a FAITH IN BIRMINGHAM, Exploring how Bretforton, Nr Eve- LEGEND - LEGENDS OF THE BOSS UK Sat 5 symbol of hope and national identity different faiths have influenced and sham ROCK Fri 4 May, The May, The Assembly, at a time of crisis, until Sat 2 June shaped the city, until Sun 3 Feb 2019 ALL OUR YESTERDAYS River Rooms, Stour- Leamington Spa THE WAR TO END ALL WARS bridge NEW DIPPY ON TOUR: A NATURAL HIS- Exhibition Wed 2 May, Palace SWEDE DREAMZ Sat 5 exploring how our future was TORY ADVENTURE The Natural History Theatre, Redditch THE VAMPS Fri 4 May, May, The River Rooms, changed forever by the First World Museum’s famous Diplodocus, TEEDRA MOSES Thurs 3 Genting Arena, B’ham Stourbridge War, until Sat 10 Nov known as Dippy, is taking a road trip May, Hare & Hounds, LAURENCE JONES Fri 4 WHITNEY - QUEEN OF to Birmingham. This is a free ticketed Birmingham May, The Assembly, THE NIGHT Sat 5 May, event, but advanced booking is Other VISUAL ARTS LE CLUB FONDUE Thurs Leamington Spa The Core Theatre, strongly advised, Sat 26 May - Sun 9 LOVE AS A REVOLUTION Inspired by the 3 May, Hare & THE OFFICIAL RECEIVERS Solihull Sept stories and characters of Shake- Hounds, Birmingham Fri 4 May, The Marr's RODIGAN - 40TH AN- speare's Romeo And Juliet, seven THE TURBANS Thurs 3 Bar, Worcester NIVERSARY TOUR Sun 6 key moments in history are portrayed Forge Mill Needle Museum, May, The Tin Music May, The Assembly, as murals, showing how taking a KATIESFEST 2018 Fri 4 - Redditch And Arts, Canal Basin, Leamington Spa stand can lead to groundbreaking Sun 6 May, Katie NEW IN PRINT Exhibition showing fab- Coventry change, until Mon 7 May, Royal Fitzgerald's, Stour- MOTOWN'S GREATEST ric artists working at the cutting edge Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford- FISCHER-Z Thurs 3 May, bridge HITS - HOW SWEET IT IS of quilt making, Fri 25 May - Sun 8 upon-Avon O2 Academy, B’ham U2 BABY - TRIBUTE TO Sun 6 May, New July Alexandra Theatre, MEXRRISSEY - MEXICO U2 Sat 5 May, The RAVILIOUS & CO: THE PATTERN OF Birmingham FRIENDSHIP. ENGLISH ARTIST DESIGN- GOES MORRISSEY Thurs Marr's Bar, Worcester Leamington Spa Art Gallery & CASPIAN Sun 6 May, Museum ERS 1922-1942 Exhibition of work by 3 May, O2 Institute, THE MOTOWN PARTY the prolific artist & designer Eric Rav- Birmingham WITH MOTOWN COLLEC- The Flapper, B’ham NEW UNLOCKED! BEHIND THE SCENES AT ilious (1903-1942), mounted along- EDDI READER Thurs 3 TIVE - THE GODFATHERS ANDY C Sun 6 May, THE ART GALLERY & MUSEUM Exhibi- side pieces by some of his May, Artrix, Broms- OF SOUL Sat 5 May, Kasbah, Coventry tion shining a spotlight on objects contemporaries, until Sun 10 June, grove Nailcote Hall, Berk- MAETLOAF & THE NEVER and artworks in the museum’s collec- Compton Verney Gallery, Warwick swell tion, Fri 27 Apr - Sun 15 July BRAINSTORM Thurs 3 NEVERLAND EXPRESS NEVILLE STAPLE - THE ORIGINAL RUDE May, O2 Academy, WHITNEY Sat 5 May, Al- Sun 6 May, The River Rugby Art Gallery & Museum BOY The exhibition hopes to show Birmingham bany Theatre, Coven- Rooms, Stourbridge many aspects of a man who has try ERIC BIBB Thurs 3 May, WE ARE SCIENTISTS Sun ABOUT FACE: THE RUGBY COLLECTION done so much for Coventry music, Birmingham Town Hall SHREYA GHOSHAL Sat 5 6 May, O2 Institute, 2018 The 2018 theme is portraits, but also so much for other artists, May, Symphony Hall, Birmingham telling the story of some of the artists BEN SMITH Thurs 3 until Sun 2 Dec, Coventry Music Mu- Birmingham within the Rugby collection, with help seum May, Katie Fitzgerald's, FULL 100 2018! WITH from loans from the National Portrait Stourbridge FAITH: THE GEORGE TARRUS RILEY Sun 6 MICHAEL LEGACY Sat 5 May, O2 Academy, Gallery and The Lowry, until Sat 16 SARI SCHORR Fri 4 May, May, Royal Spa Cen- Birmingham June Huntingdon Hall, 52 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwicks/Worcs Tues 1 - Sun 6 May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 17:52 Page 2

Tuesday 1 to Sunday 6 May

Rooms, Leamington Spa directs John Webster's tale of re- Theatre, Coventry Classical Music GUARNERI PIANO TRIO Programme in- venge, which asks how anyone can THE DRILL cludes works by Smetana, Suk, Mart- Award-winning multimedia SIR SIMON RATTLE & THE LONDON SYM- survive in a world where masculinity inû & Dvorak, Sat 5 May, Royal Pump theatre-makers Breach consider anxi- PHONY ORCHESTRA: MAHLER’S NINTH has become toxic, until Fri 3 Aug, Rooms, Leamington Spa eties around security and terrorism, Tues 1 May, Symphony Hall, B’ham Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Wed 2 - Sat 5 May, The REP, B’ham BRUCKNER ORCHESTRA LINZ Featuring Stratford-upon-Avon ANTIGONE EMERGING DIRECTORS: FOREST Markus Poschner (conductor), Pro- MACBETH The Young Rep presents its LABYRINTH Featuring Veronika Shakespeare’s psychologi- gramme includes works by Bruckner version of Sophocles' tragedy, which Tabakova (director & producer), Rox- cal thriller marks Christopher Eccle- & Mozart, Sun 6 May, Symphony centres on fractured relationships and anne Korda & Rosemary Wilkes (so- ston’s RSC debut and Niamh Hall, Birmingham a city in turmoil, Wed 2 - Sat 5 May, pranos), Maja Pluta & Anna-Maria Cusack’s return to the company, until The REP, Birmingham Olsson (violins), Kate Allsop JANA VONÁŠKOVA-NOVÁKOVÁ (VIOLIN) & Tues 18 Sept, Royal Shakespeare MONOGAMY Janie Dee stars in Torben (recorder) & Weining Pi (MyoSpat MARTIN KASIK (PIANO) Programme in- Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon ROMEO AND JULIET Betts’ ‘searing, sharp, state-of-the-na- armband), Tues 1 May, Royal Birm- cludes works by Smetana, Schulhoff, Shakespeare's tion comedy’, Wed 2 - Sat 5 May, ingham Conservatoire Dvorak & Suk, Sun 6 May, Royal most famous story of love at first sight Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa Malvern Theatres SIBELIUS' SECOND Featuring the City of explodes with intense passion in a DYLAN THOMAS: CLOWN IN THE MOON Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, ENSEMBLE 360 Programme includes contemporary production with heart- A dramatic portrait of the poet's Edward Gardner (conductor) & Baiba works by Reicha, Janá ek, Kabelá , breaking consequences. Erica Why- chaotic, frequently hilarious and all- Skride (violin). Programme includes Schulhoff, Smetana & Masrtinu,č Sunč man directs, until Fri 21 Sept, too-brief life, Thurs 3 May, The Core works by Strauss, Prokofiev & 6 May, Royal Pump Rooms, Leaming- Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Theatre, Solihull Sibelius, Wed 2 - Thurs 3 May, Sym- ton Spa Stratford-upon-Avon THE THRILL OF LOVE THE DREAMBOYS phony Hall, Birmingham The Crescent Action-packed show, Thurs 3 May, Royal Spa Centre, ASTARIA STRING QUARTET – LIKE THIS? Theatre Company presents its ver- Leamington Spa LIKE THAT! Thurs 3 May, Huntingdon sion of Amanda Whittington's heart- THE HIRED MAN Hall, Worcester wrenching play, which looks at the life Coventry's Night Pro- and times of Ruth Ellis, the last ject Theatre presents its version of A CHORAL EXPLOSION An exciting pro- Comedy woman to be hanged in Britain, Sat Howard Goodall's award-winning mu- gramme of sacred and secular choral JASPER CARROTT'S - STAND UP AND 28 April - Sat 5 May, Crescent The- sical, Thurs 3 - Sat 5 May, pops with Coventry Cathedral Cho- ROCK! Wed 2 - Fri 4 May, Stratford atre, Birmingham Albany Theatre, Coventry rus, Thurs 3 May, Coventry Cathedral Artshouse, Stratford-upon-Avon LAST RESORT THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER 2Magpies Theatre pre- Fun, THE ENGLISH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA - SIMON MUNNERY Thurs 3 May, Royal sent a multi-sensory performance songs and audience participation in a THE SOLDIER'S TALE & APPALACHIAN Spa Centre, Leamington Spa about the detention of terror suspects theatre production for younger audi- SPRING Programme includes works ROB ROUSE, STEVE GRIBBIN & COMIC at Guantanamo Bay, Mon 30 Apr - ences, Sat 5 May, Swan Theatre, by Stravinsky & Copland, Fri 4 May, TBC Thurs 3 May, The Glee Club, Sat 5 May, Warwick Arts Centre, Worcester The Swan Theatre, Worcester NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH Birmingham Coventry The Nonenti- SIR LENNY HENRY: PETER AND THE ONE WOMAN SEX AND THE CITY IVO GRAHAM Fri 4 May, The Glee Club, A parties present an amateur staging of WOLF Sir Lenny Henry narrates the Birmingham ody on love, friendship and shoes, Alan Ayckbourn’s character comedy, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Tues 1 May, The Swan Theatre, Sat 5 - Sat 12 May, Rugby Theatre opening concert. Christopher Hould- NOTES ON COMEDY IN AID OF CANCER RESEARCH Fri 4 May, The Core The- Worcester ing conducts. Programme includes YVETTE works by Bernstein, Copland, atre, Solihull China Plate present a one- Prokofiev, Elfman & Williams, Fri 4 ROB ROUSE, STEVE GRIBBIN, MICKEY woman show based on a true story May, Royal Birmingham Conserva- SHARMA & RADU ISAC Fri 4 May, The about a stolen childhood and growing Kids Show toire Glee Club, Birmingham up with a secret, Tues 1 May, MAC, Birmingham LITTLE MERMAID THE CIRCUS SENSA- PRAŽÁK STRING QUARTET WITH IVAN SHAPPI KHORSANDI Sat 5 May, Dudley LEARNED FRIENDS TION KLÁNSKY (PIANO) Programme includes Town Hall Ginny Davis' court- Metta Theatre fuse circus skills room drama, which delves behind the works by Suk, Smetana & Dvorak, Fri DANNY BAKER Sat 5 May, Warwick Arts and song in a triumphant tale of love scenes of the trial of a high-profile 4 May, Royal Pump Rooms, Leam- Centre, Coventry overcoming all, Tues 1 - Sat 5 May, ington Spa football manager, Tues 1 May, Bridge Malvern Theatres ROB ROUSE, STEVE GRIBBIN, MICKEY House Theatre, Warwick LEAMINGTON MUSIC FESTIVAL WEEKEND SHARMA & COMIC TBC Sat 5 May, The DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE Phil Daniels The 2018 Festival Weekend marks Glee Club, Birmingham the centenary of the founding of takes the lead in this staging of Czechoslovakia and the end of World SOL BERNSTEIN, DARREN WALSH, GOR- Robert Louis Stevenson's classic War One. Czech artists invited in- DON SOUTHERN & JAMES ALDERSON gothic thriller, Tues 1 - Sat 5 May, Dance clude the Prazak String Quartet, the Sat 5 May, The Comedy Loft, Birm- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre ENCORE: A 3RD YEAR PERFORMING ARTS ingham THE BAND SHOWCASE Guarneri Piano Trio, Ivan Klansky, Tim Firth’s new musical, The 17 strong cast per- CURTIS WALKER, BABATUNDE & NADZ Jana Novakova and Martin Kasik and featuring the music of Take That, form a range of diverse dance works, Sat 5 May, MAC, Birmingham in the final concert, Roderick Williams Tues 1 - Sat 12 May, Birmingham including Elite Syncopations, chore- will sing Schwanengesang as he JEREMY HARDY Sat 5 May, Evesham Hippodrome ographed by Sir Kenneth MacMillan completes his Schubert Project, Fri 4 TOM AND BUNNY Arts Centre As 2018 falls to a with the music of Scott Joplin, Tues 1 - Tues 8 May, Royal Pump Rooms, MARK STEEL Sun 6 May, Warwick Arts zombie apocalypse, Tom and Bunny May, MAC, Birmingham Leamington Spa WINDRUSH: MOVEMENT OF THE PEOPLE Centre, Coventry begin their perilous journey to York- ORCHESTRA OF ST JOHN: BEETHOVEN 9 shire in quest of sanctuary and a Phoenix Dance present a new con- Featuring Charlotte Moseley (violin), proper cup of tea, Wed 2 May, temporary dance piece which focuses Richard Jenkinson (conductor), The Civic, Stourport-on-Severn on the story of some of the first Ja- Claire Prewer (soprano), Jane STAND UP & ROCK Stand-up and music maican people who came to Britain, Stevenson (mezzo), Wilhelm The- Theatre with Jasper Carrott & Bev Bevan, Fri 4 - Sat 5 May, MAC, Birmingham unissen (tenor) & David Coulson ASIAN SPRING DANCE EXTRAVAGANZA Wed 2 - Fri 4 May, Stratford (bass). Programme includes works THE FANTASTIC FOLLIES OF MRS RICH Artshouse, Stratford-upon-Avon by Elgar & Beethoven, Sat 5 May, Sampad’s popular showcase features Mary Pix's comedy of manners, com- GREAT EXPECTATIONS Worcester Cathedral Olivier Award- Kathak and Bharatanatyam dance, bining mischief-making and a mind- winning actress Nichola McAuliffe Sun 6 May, Royal Birmingham Con- PRAŽAK STRING QUARTET Programme bending plot, until Thurs 14 June, The stars as Miss Havisham in a new servatoire includes works by Suk, Smetana & Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon staging of Charles Dickens' classic Dvorak, Sat 5 May, Royal Pump THE DUCHESS OF MALFI Maria Aberg story, Wed 2 - Sat 5 May, Belgrade whatsonlive.co.uk 53 The List Warwicks/Worcs Tues 1 - Sun 6 May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 17:52 Page 3

thelist Tuesday 1 to Sunday 6 May READY PLAYER ONE (12a) Action/Sci-Fi. Talks Starring Hannah John-Kamen, Ben Mendelsohn. Mockingbird Cinema, AN EVENING WITH 'EDDIE THE EAGLE' ED- Birmingham, until Thurs 3 May WARDS Fundraising talk in aid of Age DEMAIN (PG) Drama. Starring Eugénie UK Solihull, Thurs 3 May, The Core Beaudry, Serge Houde. Foreign lan- Theatre, Solihull guage, subtitled. Malvern Theatres, Tues 1 & Thurs 3 May A FANTASTIC WOMAN (15) Drama. Star- ring Daniela Vega, Francisco Reyes. Film Foreign language, subtitled. Warwick INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Arts Centre, Coventry, Tues 1 - Thurs 3 May THE SQUARE (15) Comedy/Drama. THE THIRD MURDER (15) Drama/Mys- Starring Claes Bang, Elisabeth Moss. tery. Starring Masaharu Fukuyama, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Kôji Yakusho. Foreign language, sub- until Wed 2 May; Roses Theatre, titled. Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tewkesbury, Wed 2 - Thurs 3 May Tues 1 - Thurs 3 May ISLE OF DOGS (PG) Animation/Adven- Eastnor Chilli Festival - Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire MARK FELT: THE MAN WHO BROUGHT ture. With the voices of Bryan DOWN THE WHITE HOUSE (12a) Cranston, Yoko Ono. Roses Theatre, Phoenix, Dante Pereira-Olson. Drama/Biography. Starring Liam Nee- Tewkesbury, until Wed 2 May Malvern Theatres, Tues 1 & Thurs 3 Events son, Diane Lane. Warwick Arts Cen- May SWEET COUNTRY (15) Crime/Drama. tre, Coventry, Tues 1 - Thurs 3 May STEALTH - FINDERS KEEPERS! Put your THE SHAPE OF WATER (15) Drama/Fan- Starring Bryan Brown, Matt Day. criminal minds together to pull off FINDING YOUR FEET (12a) tasy. Starring Sally Hawkins, Octavia Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, until Birmingham's biggest heist, Wed 2 - Comedy/Drama. Starring Joanna Spencer. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Tues 1 - Thurs 3 May Thurs 3 May, Centrala, Birmingham Lumley, Celia Imrie. Warwick Arts Wed 2 & Fri 4th May WONDERSTRUCK (PG) Family/Mystery. Centre, Coventry, Tues 1 & Thurs 3 BOUNDARY WALK Series of guided THE MERCY (12a) Biography/Drama. Starring Julianne Moore, Michelle May walks around the park's boundaries, Williams. Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Starring Rachel Weisz, Colin Firth. YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE (15) Fri 4 May, Charlecote Park, Warwick until Thurs 3 May No8, Pershore, Tues 1 & Sat 5 May Mystery/Thriller. Starring Joaquin SUPERNATURAL OFFICIAL CONVENTION COAST & SEA (U) No8, Pershore, Thurs Meet the stars from the show, includ- 3 & Wed 9 May ing Jensen Ackles and Jared FRETTIN' (tbc) Comedy. Starring Padalecki, Fri 4 - Sun 6 May, NEC, Richard Shields, Craig Spencer. Birmingham Abbey Theatre, Nuneaton, Fri 4 May JEWELLERY QUARTER HERITAGE WALK WALK LIKE A PANTHER (12a) Comedy. Sat 5 May, Museum of the Jewellery Starring Stephen Graham, Jason Fle- Quarter, Birmingham myng. No8, Pershore, Fri 4 & Tues 8 SHAKESPEARE FOR ALL! Join experts May from the Shakespeare Birthplace JOURNEYMAN (15) Drama. Starring Trust as they read through Shake- Paddy Considine, Jodie Whittaker. speare’s Complete Works, Sat 5 May, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Stratford-upon-Avon Library and In- Fri 4 - Sun 6 May formation Centre,Stratford-upon-Avon COCO (U) Animation/Adventure. With the voices of Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal. Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 5 - Mon 7 May DUCK DUCK GOOSE (PG) Animation/Ad- venture. With the voices of Jim Gaffi- gan, Zendaya. Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sat 5 - Mon 7 May MAKERS CENTRAL A brand new event bringing together thousands of mak- TOMB RAIDER (12A) Action/Adventure. ers, Sat 5 - Sun 6 May, NEC, B’ham Starring Alicia Vikander, Hannah John-Kamen. Roses Theatre, SWASHBUCKLING PIRATES A weekend Tewkesbury, Sat 5 - Mon 7 May of pirate activities, Sat 5 - Mon 7 May, Cadbury World, Birmingham FUNNY COW (15) Comedy/Drama. Starring Maxine Peake, Paddy Consi- GREAT WESTERN TAKEOVER King Ed- dine. Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sat ward II makes its last appearance on 5 - Wed 9 May the railway during the May Bank Holi- day, Sat 5 - Mon 7 May, Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Worcestershire NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: MAY DAY ACTIVITIES Giant garden Released from Fri 4 May, showing at games, sack racing, egg & spoon selected cinemas racing, a crafts workshop and much ANON (tbc) more, Sun 6 - Mon 7 May, Hampton I FEEL PRETTY (12a) Court Castle, Leominster LEAN ON PETE (15) EASTNOR CHILLIFEST Live music, bars, hot food, children’s cookery school, a MARY AND THE WITCH'S FLOWER (U) chilli-eating competition and cookery TULLY (15) demonstrations, Sun 6 - Mon 7 May, Eastnor Castle, Ledbury 54 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwicks/Worcs Tues 1 - Sun 6 May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 17:52 Page 4

Monday 7 to Sunday 13 May

GIMME SHELTER May, The Assembly, Gigs REFUGEE FUNDRAISER Leamington Spa Classical Music Comedy Thurs 10 May, Palace JESS SILK - ALBUM MARTIN KASÍK (PIANO) Programme in- THE COMEDY HUT Tues 8 May, The Theatre, Redditch LAUNCH Fri 11 May, NF - PERCEPTION cludes works by Janácek, Smetana, Civic, Stourport THE FUREYS Fri 11 May, Katie Fitzgerald's, WORLD TOUR Mon 7 Dvorak, Schulhoff, Fiser & Slavickÿ, The Core Theatre, Stourbridge TIM VINE Tues 8 May, Warwick Arts May, O2 Institute, Mon 7 May, Royal Spa Centre, Leam- Solihull Centre, Coventry Birmingham THE STYLE COUNCIL- ington Spa THE JONI MITCHELL LORS Sat 12 May, The JOHN FOTHERGILL, HENRY PARKER, ANNA BURCH Mon 7 MICHAEL COLLINS (CLARINET) & PIATTI SONGBOOK Fri 11 May, Assembly, Leamington CAREY MARX & STEVE SHANYASKI Wed May, Hare & Hounds, STRING QUARTET Programme includes Huntingdon Hall, Spa 9 May, The Glee Club, Birmingham Birmingham works by Reicha, Schulhoff, Bridge & Worcester LEE NELSON Wed 9 May, Palace The- JOHN WHEELER Mon 7 THE BEEGEES SATURDAY Bliss, Mon 7 May, Royal Pump atre, Redditch May, The Glee Club, BEYOND FAITH (GEORGE NIGHT FEVER PARTY Sat Rooms, Leamington Spa MICHAEL) 12 May, Nailcote Hall, Birmingham Fri 11 May, MIDDAY MUSIC; EMILY SUN (VIOLIN) MICHAEL MCINTYRE Thurs 10 - Sun 13 The Civic, Stourport, Berkswell May, Arena Birmingham CHRISTY MOORE Tues 8 Also featuring Jennifer Hughes Stourport-on-Severn May, Symphony Hall, THE SMALL FAKERS Sat (piano). Programme includes works ADAM KAY Thurs 10 May, Warwick Arts Birmingham NADINE COYLE Fri 11 12 May, Artrix, Broms- by Mozart, Fauré & Igor Frolov, Tues Centre, Coventry May, O2 Institute, grove RADIATOR HOSPITAL 8 May, Royal Birmingham Conserva- KEITH FARNAN, COMEDY CAROUSEL Birmingham Tues 8 May, Hare & INK. Sat 12 May, The toire WITH ANDY ROBINSON & COMIC TBC Hounds, Birmingham OHM FROM OHM Fri 11 Flapper, Birmingham JACK MCNEILL (CLARINET), DAVID LE Thurs 10 May, The Glee Club, B’ham May, The Tin Music GANG OF YOUTHS Wed FOREVER EAGLES Sat PAGE (VIOLIN) & VIV MCLEAN (PIANO) SHAZIA MIRZA Fri 11 May, Warwick And Arts, Canal Basin, 9 May, O2 Institute, 12 May, The Roses Programme includes works by Bliss, Arts Centre, Coventry Coventry York Bowen, Elgar, Debussy & Birmingham Theatre, Tewkesbury SUZI RUFFELL & ANGELA BARNES Fri 11 DAVID BROWN AND ELIO Stravinsky, Tues 8 May, Royal Pump HANS THEESSINK AND SET ’EM UP JOE Sat 12 May, The Glee Club, Birmingham PACE PERFORMS THE Rooms, Leamington Spa BROOKS WILLIAMS Wed May, Number 8 Com- KEITH FARNAN, BEC HILL, DANNY BILLY JOEL SONGBOOK RODERICK WILLIAMS (BARITONE) & IAIN 9 May, The Core The- munity Arts Centre, MCLOUGHLIN & MARKUS BIRDMAN Fri Fri 11 May, Artrix, BURNSIDE (PIANO) Programme in- atre, Solihull Worcestershire 11 - Sat 12 May, The Glee Club, Birm- Bromsgrove cludes work by Browne, Farrar, But- BROTHERS OSBORNE ELECTRIC 80S Sat 12 ingham LADYSMITH BLACK terworth & Schubert, Tues 8 May, Wed 9 May, O2 May, The River MAMBAZO Fri 11 May, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa ELEANOR CONWAY Sat 12 May, Artrix, Academy, Birmingham Rooms, Stourbridge Bromsgrove Warwick Arts Centre, CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- THE MODERN MARY CHAPIN CARPEN- Coventry CHESTRA: BARTÓK'S PIANO CONCERTO ROGER MONKHOUSE, BOBBY MAIR, STRANGERS Sat 12 TER Wed 9 May, Birm- Featuring Kazushi Ono (conductor - BARRY CASTAGNOLA & LAURA LEXX Sat THE TESKEY BROTHERS May, Kasbah, Coven- ingham Town Hall pictured below) & Jean-Efflam 12 May, The Comedy Loft, B’ham Fri 11 May, The Sun- try SHOW OF HANDS DUO flower Lounge, B’ham Bavouzet (piano), Wed 9 May, Sym- Thurs 10 May, Strat- BLEEDING HEARTS Sat phony Hall, Birmingham BAREFOOTIN' WITH JOSH ford Artshouse, Strat- 12 May, Katie Fitzger- PYE, DAVE LE MODERNE, ford-upon-Avon, ald's, Stourbridge ADAM ADAM Fri 11 THE LOVED AND LOST May, The Night Owl, SIMON GOODALL & THE Theatre Thurs 10 May, The BOURNE AGAIN SHAD- Birmingham PALMYRA Marr's Bar, Worcester OWS Sat 12 May, Hunt- Exploration of revenge, the FEET AND NEW YORK ingdon Hall, Worcester DON MCLEAN Thurs 10 TOURISTS Fri 11 May, politics of destruction and what we May, Symphony Hall, Kasbah, Coventry JUNGLE Sat 12 May, consider to be barbaric, Tues 8 - Wed Birmingham O2 Institute, B’ham 9 May, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry THE EVERLY BROTHERS CRAZY FOR YOU MARMOZETS Thurs 10 & FRIENDS TRIBUTE THE SOUTHMARTINS Sat Tom Chambers, Claire May, Kasbah, Coven- SHOW Fri 11 May, The 12 May, The Empire, Sweeney and Charlotte Wakefield try Swan Theatre, Coventry star in a new touring production of the hit musical, Tues 8 - Sat 12 May, LAURENCE JONES Thurs Worcester JASPER IN THE COM- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre 10 May, Hare & DEFINITELY MIGHTBE & PANY OF OTHERS Sat 12 AVENUE Q Hounds, Birmingham ADORED Fri 11 May, May, The Marr's Bar, Amateur staging presented Worcester by Lichfield Operatic Society, Tues 8 - NICKELBACK Thurs 10 The River Rooms, Sat 12 May, Lichfield Garrick May, Genting Arena, Stourbridge WALK RIGHT BACK - THE FLEABAG ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: ITALIAN SUN- Birmingham EDDI READER Fri 11 STORY OF THE EVERLY DryWrite and Soho Theatre BROTHERS Sun 13 May, SHINE Programme Includes works by present the stage version of Phoebe The Roses Theatre, Rossini, Mozart & Mendelssohn, Wed Waller-Bridge’s cult hit, Tues 8 - Sat Tewkesbury 9 May, Malvern Theatres 12 May, Warwick Arts Centre, THE OPERA BOYS Thurs 10 May, The Coventry CATRIN FINCH & SECKOU PYAR ACTUALLY KEITA Sun 13 May, Core Theatre, Solihull A sparkling new com- Birmingham Town Hall LUCA LUCIANO (CLARINET) & YUKIKO edy by Sukh Ojla, Tues 8 - Sat 12 OSEDO (PIANO) - LUNCHTIME CONCERT May, The REP, Birmingham HANNAH JAMES – JIG- CRIMES UNDER THE SUN DOLL Sun 13 May, The Programme incudes works by Schu- Comedy Fleece Inn, Bretforton, mann, Debussy & Luca Luciano, Fri thriller featuring four actors playing Nr Evesham 11 May, The Barber Institute, Univer- multiple ‘outrageous’ characters, Wed sity of Birmingham 9 May, Artrix, Bromsgrove THE CARPENTERS STORY ONE WOMAN SEX AND THE CITY Sun 13 May, New MADAMA BUTTERFLY Opera and Ballet A par- Alexandra Theatre, International present Puccini's heart- ody on love, friendship and shoes, Birmingham breaking and dramatic story. Korean Wed 9 May, The Core Theatre, Soli- soprano Maria HeeJung Kim and in- THE WATERBOYS Sun hull ternational soprano Alyona Kisteny- AIDA 13 May, Warwick Arts Coventry Youth Operatic Group ova star, Sun 13 May, Malvern Centre, Coventry present Elton John & Tim Rice’s Tony Nickelback - Genting Arena, Birmingham Theatres Award-winning musical, Wed 9 - Sat whatsonlive.co.uk 55 The List Warwicks/Worcs Tues 1 - Sun 6 May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 17:52 Page 5

thelist ONE WOMAN SEX AND THE CITY DAVID GIBB: CLIMB THAT TREE 12 May, Albany Theatre, Coventry A par- Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford- Musical HELLO LA VOIX An evening with the ody on love, friendship and shoes, upon-Avon journey through the imagination, in Thurs 10 May, Artrix, Bromsgrove THE 39 STEPS which bears live in the cupboard larger-than-life star from Absolutely THE WEDDING RECEPTION Amateur staging of John Fabulous The Movie, Thurs 10 May, Immersive Buchan's fast-paced whodunnit, Fri under the stairs, wolves are roaming Crescent Theatre, Birmingham experience from the team behind 11 - Sat 19 May, The Bear Pit Theatre the corridors at school, and trips to MUGENKYO TAIKO DRUMMERS Fawlty Towers The Dining Experi- - The United Reformed Church, Strat- the moon are a regular occurrence, Sun 13 May, Warwick Arts Centre, Experience the power of thundering ence, Thurs 10 - Fri 11 May, The ford-upon-Avon REP, Birmingham THE MAGIC FLUTE Coventry rhythms on huge taiko drums in a OUR HOUSE OperaUpClose re-in- MADAMA BUTTERFLY ‘spellbinding’ display of sheer energy, Youth Onstage present an vent Mozart's classic with a new pro- Opera & Ballet In- Thurs 10 May, Belgrade Theatre, amateur staging of the Tim Firth musi- duction featuring Glyn Maxwell's ternational present Puccini's heart- Coventry cal set to the songs of Madness. mischievous poetry, Sat 12 May, Bel- breaking and dramatic story, Sun 13 A BRAVE FACE May, Malvern Theatres Vamos Theatre brings Thurs 10 - Sat 12 May, The Old Rep grade Theatre, Coventry Theatre, Birmingham THE STRING QUARTET'S GUIDE TO SEX its wordless full-mask style to a story ACÉLÉRÉ AND ANXIETY about the effect of post-traumatic Circolombia sing, rock and New production from stress, an unseen and often unrecog- rap their way through an evening of one of Europe's most exciting theatre nised injury of war, Thurs 10 May, circus stunts, acrobatics, crazy tricks, directors, Calixto Bieito, Sat 12 - Sat Kids Show The Roses, Tewkesbury flips and aerial work, Sat 10 Mar - 19 May, The REP, Birmingham Sun 13 May, Clough Hall Park, THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWAL- Stoke-on-Trent LOWED A FLY EVENING OF MEDIUMSHIP WITH NIKKI One of the world’s best- KITT loved nursery rhymes, brought to life Fri 11 May, MAC, Birmingham with singalong songs and colourful THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM characters, Thurs 10 - Fri 11 May, SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) Malvern Theatres The Na- HOOT OWL tional Production Company presents Inventive show for children a fast-paced romp through the bard's featuring original songs, colourful 37 plays, Fri 11 May, Royal Spa Cen- puppets, animation and rapid cos- tre, Leamington Spa tume change, Sat 12 May, Stour- STRIPP’D & FOURPLAY bridge Town Hall Two new plays SARAH AND DUCK'S BIG TOP BIRTHDAY which explore the subject of identity, Fri 11 May, The Other Place, Royal Brand new stage show featuring

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Monday 7 to Sunday 13 May

characters from the BAFTA Award- winning CBeebies show, Sun 13 May, Film The Swan, Theatre, Worcester INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: THE GREATEST SHOWMAN (PG) Musical. Starring Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron. Dance This showing is a sing-a-long. Electric Cinema, Birmingham, Mon 7 May B-SIDE HIP-HOP FESTIVAL 2018 Week- MY GENERATION (12A) Documentary. end takeover of dance and rap bat- Starring Michael Caine, David Bailey. tles, live music, workshops & graffiti in Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues 8 - the streets around the Hippodrome. Wed 9 May Lots will be free, with some ticketed THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, and some paid-for events too, Wed 9 MISSOURI (15) Mystery/Thriller. Star- - Sun 13 May, Birmingham Hippo- ring Frances McDormand, Woody drome RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT - WITH IAN Harrelson. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Tues 8 WAITE & OTI MABUSE & Fri 11 May A night of Latin & 120 BPM (15) Drama. Starring Nahuel ballroom numbers, delivered with Ian Pérez Biscayart, Arnaud Valois. For- & Oti’s trademark high intensity, Sun eign language, subtitled. Roses The- 13 May, Royal Spa Centre, Leaming- atre, Tewkesbury, Wed 9 - Fri 11 May ton Spa MARJORIE PRIME (12A) Drama/Mys- tery. Starring Stephanie Andujar, Hana Colley. No8, Pershore, Fri 11 & 14 May NOTHING LIKE A DAME (U) Documen- tary. Starring Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Joan Plowright. Roses The- atre, Tewkesbury, Fri 11 - Tues 15 May B-Side Hip-Hop Festival 2018 COCO (U) Animation/Adventure. With Birmingham Hippodrome, Wed 9 - Sun 13 May the voices of Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal. Roses Theatre, Birmingham Hippodrome’s free annual festival celebrating all Tewkesbury, Sat 12 May things hip-hop makes a welcome return. PADDINGTON 2 (PG) Animation/Adven- Now in its third year, B-SIDE Hip-Hop Festival features outdoor ture. Starring Ben Whishaw, Hugh performances, pop-up dance events, interactive talks, live graffiti Grant. Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, art and a programme of high-energy workshops. For more informa- Sat 12 May tion, visit birminghamhippodrome.com/bside and GHOST STORIES (15) Drama/Horror. facebook.com/bside2018 TRANSLUCENT DANCE COMPANY: SUM- Starring Alex Lawther, Martin Free- MIT 18 Showcase of the very best in man. No8, Pershore, Sat 12 May; Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, youth dance from across Worcester- MAY DAY! Morris dancing, maypole A CLOSER LOOK - EVENING HOUSE Sat 12 - Mon 14 May shire, Sun 13 May, Artrix, Bromsgrove dancing, games and more, Mon 7 TOURS 2018 Sat 12 May, Packwood May, Sarehole Mill, Birmingham House, Warwickshire NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS Grab a may- TELFORD BALLOON AND KITE FIESTA Ac- Released from Fri 11 May, showing at pole ribbon and join the traditional robatic aerial displays with stunt kites selected cinemas dancers, Mon 7 May, Black Country and large-scale kites, Sat 12 - Sun 13 Talks Living Museum, Dudley May, Telford Town Park, Shropshire BREAKING IN (15) MIDLANDS FOOTBALL LEGENDS LIVE! GEOLOGY WALK FOR GEO WEEK Join the GAYDON LAND ROVER SHOW Celebrat- ENTEBBE (12a) Five Midlands football legends talk amateur geologists from the War- ing 70 years of the iconic Land Rover HOW TO TALK TO GIRLS AT PARTIES (15) about their careers - including Ron wickshire Geology Conservation marque, with a huge range of models Atkinson, Paul Merson and Peter LIFE OF THE PARTY (12a) Group for a walk around the grounds, on display, from 1948 to the present Thurs 10 May, Upton House & Gar- day, Sat 12 - Sun 13 May, British Withe, Mon 7 May, New Alexandra REDOUBTABLE (15) Theatre, Birmingham dens, Nr Banbury Motor Museum, Gaydon LIFE OF THE PARTY (12a) 40 YEARS OF THE ANTIQUES ROADSHOW THE HANDMADE FAIR A ‘perfect day ALTHORP FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL REDOUBTABLE (15) Join Marc Allum as he brings his in- out’ for craft lovers, Fri 11 - Sun 13 Featuring over 100 exhibitors, Sat 12 sider stories to the stage, Wed 9 May, SHERLOCK GNOMES (U) May, Ragley Hall, Alcester - Sun 13 May, Althorp House, Northampton Evesham Arts Centre THE CURED (15) BODYPOWER EXPO 2018 Fitness event, BRIGHT SMOKE Poetry night bringing inspiring and motivating 90,000-plus NATIONAL VINTAGE COMMUNICATIONS together writing and performance, health & fitness enthusiasts, Fri 11 - FAIR Specialising in early technology Thurs 10 May, The Other Place, Sun 13 May, NEC, Birmingham and featuring thousands of rare and Stratford-upon-Avon BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS Sat 12 collectable items, Sun 13 May, War- MONOLOGUESLAM MASTERCLASS 2018 Events May, Birmingham Hippodrome wickshire Exhibition Centre, Leaming- ton Spa Workshop analysing how to perform a TUDOR HAND FASTING FESTIVAL Learn 400 YEARS OF ASTON HALL: GEORGIAN STOURPORT STEAMPUNK & VINTAGE monologue, Sat 12 May, The REP, about the Tudor pre-wedding tradi- HOUSE PARTY Witness sword fight SPECTACULAR Costume and gadget Birmingham tion, Mon 7 May, Mary Arden's Farm, duels, learn the art of fan flirting, ex- NARCOS - CAPTURING PABLO AND THE displays, tea duelling and a vintage Stratford-upon-Avon perience what went on in coffee CALI CARTEL houses, and find out what secret fashion show, Sun 13 May, The Civic, Meet the men who were MARVELLOUS MAY DAY A day of family messages a beauty patch can tell Stourport the inspiration behind hit Netflix TV fun, Mon 7 May, Worcestershire you, Sat 12 May, Aston Hall, B’ham series NARCOS, Sat 12 May, O2 County Museum, Kidderminster Academy, Birmingham whatsonlive.co.uk 57 The List Warwicks/Worcs Mon 14 - Sun 20 May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 17:47 Page 1

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thelist Monday 14 - Sunday 20 May Incredibles, Harry Potter, Frozen, Pi- Gigs Classical rates of the Caribbean, Star Wars, The Lion King, Wallace and Gromit, NORA FISCHER Mon 14 Mary Poppins & The Hobbit, Sun 20 May, Birmingham Music May, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Town Hall LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH THE BLUETONES Mon 14 THOMAS TROTTER Programme in- May, O2 Institute, cludes works by Handel, J.C Pe- Birmingham pusch, W. Russell, A. Hollins & H. ALBERT LEE Mon 14 Mulet, Mon 14 May, Birmingham Comedy Town Hall May, Artrix, Broms- THE CHUCKLE SINGHS, JAY SODAGAR & grove ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: RAHUL KOHLI Mon 14 May, Belgrade FOREIGNER Tues 15 BEETHOVEN'S TRIPLE CONCERTO Fea- Theatre, Coventry turing Hagai Shaham (violin), Arnon May, Symphony Hall, LEE NELSON Wed 16 May, The Old Erez (piano), Raphael Wallfisch Birmingham Rep Theatre, Birmingham (cello) & David Curtis (conductor). IMAR Tues 15 May, The Programme comprises Beethoven’s ROGER MONKHOUSE, COMEDY Fleece Inn, Bretforton, Coriolan Overture, Op.62; Triple CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON & Nr Evesham Concerto in C major, Op.56 & COMIC TBC Thurs 17 May, The Glee RITCHIE PARRISH Mendelssohn’s Symphony no4 in A Club, Birmingham RITCHIE Tues 15 May, major, Op.90 'Italian', Tues 15 May, GEORGE EGG Fri 18 May, The Core Huntingdon Hall, Stratford Artshouse Theatre, Solihull Worcester CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- DALISO CHAPONDA Fri 18 May, Birm- STRING EXPLOSION Tues CHESTRA: MARVELLOUS MOZART Fea- ingham Town Hall 15 May, Warwick Arts turing Reinhard Goebel (conductor) Rita Ora - O2 Academy, Birmingham GLENN WOOL Fri 18 May, The Glee Centre, Coventry & Mirijam Contzen (violin). Pro- Club, Birmingham BARRENCE WHITFIELD & Fri 18 May, The As- TOUR 2018 Sat 19 May, gramme comprises J.C.Bach’s THE SAVAGES Tues 15 sembly, Leamington The Empire, Coventry Amadis de Gaule: Suite, 20’; PHIL BUTLER, ANIL DESAI, JON PERSON May, O2 Academy, Spa THE TOTAL STONE ROSES Mozart’s Violin Concerto in D major, & GEORGE ZACH Fri 18 May, Abbey Birmingham JOHN OTWAY & THE BIG Sat 19 May, Kasbah, K.271a, 29’ & Symphony No. 36 in C Theatre, Nuneaton Major (Linz), 28’; Mozart Idomeneo: RITA ORA Wed 16 May, BAND Fri 18 May, Artrix, Coventry ROGER MONKHOUSE, RUDI LICKWOOD, ballet music, 10’, Wed 16 May, Sym- O2 Academy, B’ham Bromsgrove ULTRA 90S Sat 19 May, PAUL MYREHAUG & MARK SIMMONS Fri phony Hall, Birmingham 18 - Sat 19 May, The Glee Club, THE MICHAEL JACKSON LEGEND - THE MUSIC OF The River Rooms, FLANDERS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Birmingham HISTORY SHOW Wed 16 BOB MARLEY Fri 18 Stourbridge Featuring Pavel Kolesnikov (piano). STUART GOLDSMITH May, Palace Theatre, May, Palace Theatre, JUST FLOYD Sat 19 Sat 19 May, War- Programme includes works by Dvo- Redditch Redditch May, Route 44, Birm- wick Arts Centre, Coventry rak, Beethoven, Sibelius & Grieg, CATAPULT CLUB FEAT. ingham JOE BOR Sat 19 May, Palace Theatre, JOSH T. PEARSON Wed Wed 16 May, Warwick Arts Centre, ROOKIE Fri 18 May, O2 Redditch 16 May, The Glee ROY ORBISON & THE Coventry Club, Birmingham Academy, Birmingham TRAVELLING WILBURYS ROB ROUSE, TOM TOAL, TUDUR OWEN & COULL QUARTET - EASTERN PROMISES THE UPSIDERS Fri 18 Sat 19 May, Artrix, CAIMH MCDONNELL Sat 19 May, The SARA COLMAN Wed 16 Featuring Roger Coull, Philip Gall- May, The Tin Music Bromsgrove Comedy Loft, Birmingham May, Symphony Hall, away, Jonathan Barritt & Nicholas And Arts, Canal Basin, Birmingham NEARLY DAN Sat 19 Roberts, Thurs 17 May, Warwick Arts BARNSTORMERS COMEDY NIGHT Sat 19 Coventry May, Artrix, Bromsgrove NILS LOFGREN Wed 16 May, The Assembly, Centre, Coventry AN EVENING WITH MARK Leamington Spa May, Birmingham THE MIDLAND SINFONIA: FLUTE AND SUZI RUFFELL Sun 20 May, Warwick STANWAY - EX-MAGNUM Town Hall STONE BROKEN Sat 19 HARP CLASSICS Programme includes Arts Centre, Coventry Fri 18 May, Hunting- May, O2 Institute, works by JS Bach, Bax, Debussy, FEET & CYMBELINE Wed don Hall, Worcester 16 May, The Sunflower Birmingham Schubert, Rossini and more... Fri 18 Lounge, Birmingham TASHA LEAPER AS THE SEARCHERS IN CON- May, St. Laurence Church, MADONNA Fri 18 May, CERT Sat 19 May, Alvechurch, Worcestershire NINA NESBITT Wed 16 The Swan Theatre, May, O2 Institute, Palace Theatre, Red- CBSO CENTRE STAGE: MOZART’S HORN Theatre Worcester ditch Birmingham QUINTET Featuring Michael Kidd NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH JOHN COGHLAN'S QUO (horn), Charlotte Skinner (violin), The Nonenti- SYLVAIN DARRIFOURCQ HEAVEN 17 AND THE Fri 18 May, The Marr's Catherine Bower & Amy Thomas (vi- ties present an amateur staging of WITH TONY MALABY AND LIGHTNING SEEDS Sat Bar, Worcester olas) & Catherine Ardagh-Walter Alan Ayckbourn’s character comedy, RICHARD BONNET Wed 19 May, Uttoxeter (cello). Programme includes works Mon 14 - Sat 19 May, The Rose The- 16 May, MAC, B’ham WHITNEY - QUEEN OF Racecourse THE NIGHT Fri 18 May, by Beethoven & Mozart, Fri 18 May, atre, Kidderminster MACHINE HEAD Thurs MOTHERSHIP - LED ZEP- STONES IN HIS POCKETS The Assembly, Leam- CBSO Centre, Birmingham Amateur stag- 17 May, O2 Academy, PELIN TRIBUTE Sun 20 ington Spa ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: BACH TO ing of Marie Jones’ award-winning Birmingham May, The Glee Club, YES PLEASE! Sat 19 Birmingham THE FUTURE Featuring Diane Clark play, Mon 14 - Sat 19 May, Talisman WRECKLESS ERIC Thurs May, Huntingdon Hall, (flute); Victoria Brawn (oboe); Hugh Theatre, Kenilworth 17 May, The Marr's TY Sun 20 May, Hare & HALF A SIXPENCE Worcester Davies (trumpet); David Le Page (vi- Solihull Theatre Bar, Worcester Hounds, Birmingham olin) & David Curtis (conductor ). Pro- Company present an amateur stag- LED HENDRIX Sat 19 BLACK COUNTRY MAGIC: A KIND OF gramme includes works by Bach, ing of the much-loved musical, Tues May, The Marr's Bar, RADIO'S OMMA N CHAIN QUEEN Thurs 17 May, Rutter, Vivaldi & Respighi, Fri 18 May, 15 - Sat 19 May, The Core Theatre, Worcester AND BLUES SHOW Sun The Roses Theatre, Number 8 Community Arts Centre, Solihull Tewkesbury GEORGIA MAY Sat 19 20 May, Katie Fitzger- Worcestershire AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN May, Hare & Hounds ald's, Stourbridge LABOUR OF LOVE - UB40 CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- Nikolai Foster's musical staging of Keresley, Coventry SCOTT MATTHEWS Sun TRIBUTE Fri 18 May, CHESTRA: FAMILY FILM FAVOURITES the Oscar-winning film starring DILJIT DOSANJH Sat 19 20 May, St Paul's The River Rooms, Featuring Holly Mathieson (conduc- Richard Gere. Soundtrack includes May, Arena B’ham Church, Birmingham Stourbridge tor) & Catherine Arlidge (presenter). Up Where We Belong, Girls Just Programme includes music from The GENESIS VISIBLE TOUCH TOM CLARKE - ACOUSTIC Want To Have Fun & Material Girl, whatsonlive.co.uk 59 The List Warwicks/Worcs Mon 14 - Sun 20 May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 17:48 Page 3

May 2018 www.artrix.co.uk

Thursday 3rd May Thursday 10th May Friday 11th May EDDI READER ONE WOMAN SEX THE BILLY JOEL & THE CITY SONGBOOK SINGER-SONGWRITER A PARODY OF LOVE, WITH ELIO PACE & RETURNS TO ARTRIX FRIENDSHIP & SHOES DAVID BROWN

Saturday 12th May Friday 18th May Friday 25th May THE SMALL FAKERS JOHN OTWAY CLARE TEAL FABULOUS TRIBUTE TO ROCK N ROLL’S CLARE AND HER TRIO THE SMALL FACES GREATEST FAILURE PRESENT ‘SWING’S THE THING’

COMING SOON: Crimes Under The Sun, Ange Hardy, Eleanor Conway, Albert Lee, A Doll’s House, Traveling Wilburys Experience, Barnstormers Comedy, The Damned United, Shazia Mirza, Count Arthur Strong, Fleetwood Bac, Absolute Bowie, Dan Snow, Lipstick On Your Collar, Quill, Classic Clapton, The Quo Experience, Surf’s Up, Jacqui Dankworth, Cara Dillon, Treorchy Male Choir, Ladyboys Of Bangkok, Led Hendrix,Kast Off Kinks, Desperado Dean Friedman...

Free parking on-site Join our Mailing List and receive our weekly e-flyer withup-to-date information about upcoming showsor download our latest brochure @artrixarts @artrix arts centre Artrix, Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove, B60 1GN Box Office: 01527 577330 60 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwicks/Worcs Mon 14 - Sun 20 May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 17:48 Page 4

thelist Monday 14 - Sunday 20 May Tues 15 - Sat 19 May, Birmingham Malvern Theatres Hippodrome HELLO LA VOIX LOVE FROM A STRANGER An evening with the Brand new larger-than-life star from Absolutely production of Agatha Christie’s rarely Fabulous The Movie, Sat 19 May, Al- seen thriller, Tues 15 - Sat 19 May, bany Theatre, Coventry New Alexandra Theatre, B’ham VERTIGO SOME MOTHERS DO 'AVE 'EM Birmingham Institute of The- Joe atre Arts present a showcase of musi- Pasquale stars as the hapless Frank cal theatre, Sat 19 - Sun 20 May, Spencer and Sarah Earnshaw as his The Blue Orange Theatre, B’ham THE DAMNED UNITED long-suffering wife, Betty, in the stage Adaptation of version of the hit 1970s sitcom, Tues David Peace’s ingenious novel about 15 - Sat 19 May, Wolverhampton legendary football manager Brian Grand Theatre THIS HOUSE Clough, Sun 20 May, Artrix, Broms- Timely, moving and often grove amusing insight into the workings of British politics, Tues 15 - Sat 19 May, Malvern Theatres THE MASTERS OF THE HOUSE: SING THE MUSICALS Journey through the world Kids Shows of musical theatre in a show per- SARAH AND DUCK'S BIG TOP BIRTHDAY formed by the 'cream of the West End', Wed 16 May, Belgrade Theatre, Brand new stage show featuring Coventry characters from the BAFTA Award- A DOLL'S HOUSE winning CBeebies show, Mon 14 - Midlands Air Festival - Ragley Hall, Warwickshire New adaptation of Tues 15 May, The Old Rep Theatre, Henrik Ibsen’s classic tale, presented Birmingham by Theatrical Niche Ltd, Thurs 17 DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE through the toughest of times, Interactive new May, Artrix, Bromsgrove Thurs 17 May, Royal Spa Centre, Events FORBIDDEN NIGHTS show for all the family, Sat 19 - Sun Leamington Spa Featuring acro- 20 May, Birmingham Town Hall SPRING DIESEL FESTIVAL Featuring her- bats, fire acts, aerial artists and circus itage and mainline diesels, Thurs 17 - performers, Thurs 17 May, The Civic, Sat 19 May, Severn Valley Railway, Stourport-on-Severn Bewdley, Worcestershire CASTAWAYS Mandala Theatre Com- Dance Film THIS MORNING LIVE Live version of the pany explore the stories of three INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: This Morning TV show, Thurs 17 - teenagers born on the same day, in BALLETBOYZ - FOURTEEN DAYS Sun 20 May, NEC, Birmingham the same town, but with very different Ballet- ISLE OF DOGS (PG) Animation/Adven- THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS Fri 18 backgrounds, Thurs 17 - Fri 18 May, Boyz are back with four brand new ture. With the voices of Bryan May, Genting Arena, Birmingham Belgrade Theatre, Coventry works and the return of an audience Cranston, Yoko Ono. Roses Theatre, TRUTH BIG BANG VW festival featuring drag New show which looks at the favourite, Mon 14 May, Wolverhamp- Tewkesbury, Mon 14 May ton Grand Theatre racing with monster trucks and much once-simple notion of truth in the SWAN LAKE A WOMAN’S LIFE (12a) Drama. Starring more, Fri 18 - Sun 20 May, Santa Pod messy modern age of fake news, Vienna Festival Ballet pre- Judith Chemla, Jean-Pierre Dar- Raceway, Northants Thurs 17 - Sat 19 May, The REP, sents its version of one of the world’s roussin. Foreign language, subtitled. LIVE LIT CELEBRATION & PRIZE OPEN Birmingham best-known love stories, set to No8, Pershore, Thurs 17 May SHEN YUN Tchaikovsky’s memorable score, Wed MIC In aid of St Paul's Hostel, Worces- Featuring one of the world’s THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, 16 May, Royal Spa Centre, Leaming- ter, Sat 19 May, Park's Cafe, Droitwich oldest art forms - classical Chinese MISSOURI (15) Mystery/Thriller. Star- ton Spa RED BY NIGHT Skilled craftsmen and dance, Thurs 17 - Sat 19 May, Inter- ring Frances McDormand, Woody TRANSITIONS DANCE COMPANY live demonstrations bring the reality national Convention Centre (ICC), Three Harrelson. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 18 of ‘black by day, red by night’ to life, Birmingham choreographers, fourteen dancers, May RICH STOKES: I'M NOT FINE one extraordinary show, Fri 18 May, Sat 19 May, Black Country Living Mu- One-man MARY MAGDALENE (12a) Drama. Star- Albany Theatre, Coventry seum, Dudley musical tackling the subjects of anxi- ring Rooney Mara, Joaquin Phoenix. PASHA KOVALEV'S THE MAGIC OF HOLLY- MIDLANDS AIR FESTIVAL Air display, ety, masculinity, parenthood and WOOD No8, Pershore, Sat 19 & Mon 21 May Lights, Camera... Ballroom. with classic WWI & II fighters, high- sewage through the medium of com- THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO Pasha Kovalev (from BBC TV's energy aerobatics, classic jets, flying edy, songs and storytelling, Fri 18 PEEL PIE SOCIETY (12a) Drama/History. Strictly Come Dancing) returns with a circus, parachutes, helicopters and May, MAC, Birmingham Starring Lily James, Matthew Goode. GLORIOUS! THE TRUE STORY OF FLO- brand new show packed with se- gyrocopter. There will also be a full Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, RENCE FOSTER JENKINS quins, glitz and glamour, Sun 20 May, hot-air balloon festival, with up to 50 The true story Sun 20 - Wed 23 May; Roses The- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre balloons, Fri 18 - Sun 20 May, Ragley of New York heiress Florence Foster atre, Tewkesbury, Sun 20 - Thurs 24 Hall, Warwickshire Jenkins, who obsessively pursued May her ambition of becoming a great THE COVENTRY STEAMPUNK CARNIVAL singer despite the fact that she could- Steampunk-themed live entertain- n’t sing a note, Fri 18 - Sat 19 May, Talks NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: ment and music, Sat 19 - Sun 20 May, Coventry Transport Museum Swan Theatre, Worcester Released from Tues 15 May, showing JUST AN ORDINARY LAWYER SUICIDE NOTES... THE SPOKEN WORDS The story at selected cinemas BRITISH TARANTULA SOCIETY EXHIBI- OF CHRISTOPHER BRETT BAILEY TION Bringing together spiders, in- of Tunji Sowande, the first (part-time) A differ- DEADPOOL 2 (tbc) ent-every-night shouting & reading sects and bugs galore, Sun 20 May, Black judge in Britain, Sat 19 May, Released from Fri 18 May, showing at show featuring stories, poems and Warwickshire Exhibition Centre, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry selected cinemas POSTING LETTERS TO THE MOON black humour, Mon 14 May, Warwick Leamington Spa A por- Arts Centre, Coventry ON CHESIL BEACH (15) MIXED TRACTION DAY Enjoy a ride on a trait of life during the early 1940s, fea- KATIE PIPER - WHAT'S IN MY HEAD turing readings of wartime letters Katie SUBMERGENCE (15) number of steam and diesel trains between actress Celia Johnson (Brief embarks on her debut theatre tour, to operating along the line, Sun 20 May, Encounter) and her explorer/writer share what she’s learned and what Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, husband, Peter Fleming, Sat 19 May, helped her remain positive even Worcestershire whatsonlive.co.uk 61 The List Warwicks/Worcs Mon 21 - Thurs 31 May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 17:45 Page 1

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thelist Monday 21 - Thursday 31 May THE COURTBETWEENERS May, The Marr's Bar, Gigs Fri 25 May, The River Worcester Classical Comedy Rooms, Stourbridge THE KING OF POP Sat 26 TOMMY EMMANUEL SIMON EVANS Tues 22 May, The Glee CATAPULT CLUB FEAT. May, Artrix, Broms- Mon 21 May, Birming- Club, Birmingham LONDON BLACK Fri 25 grove Music ham Town Hall PAUL CHOWDHRY Wed 23 May, Palace May, O2 Academy, THE BEAT, BUZZCOCKS, BEETHOVEN'S TRIPLE CONCERTO Fea- SAM EVIAN Mon 21 Theatre, Redditch Birmingham THE SELECTER & STIFF turing Hagai Shaham (violin), Arnon May, Hare & Hounds, THE WEDDING PRESENT - LITTLE FINGERS Sun 27 Erez (piano), Raphael Wallfisch TIM KEY Wed 23 May, Warwick Arts Birmingham "TOMMY" 30TH ANNIVER- May, Genting Arena, (cello) & David Curtis (conductor). Centre, Coventry Programme comprises Beethoven’s GAZ COOMBES Mon 21 SARY TOUR Fri 25 May, Birmingham ALLYSON SMITH, COMEDY CAROUSEL Coriolan Overture, Op.62 & Triple May, O2 Institute, O2 Academy, B’ham WITH ANDY ROBINSON & COMIC TBC SURIE - EUROVISION UN- Concerto in C major, Op.56 plus Birmingham Thurs 24 May, The Glee Club, B’ham MOROCCO DAVE & DIG- PLUGGED Sun 27 May, Mendelssohn’s Symphony No4 in A CLOUDBUSTING - A TRIB- GERY Fri 25 May, The Palace Theatre, Red- major, Op.90 'Italian', Wed 23 May, JEREMY HARDY Thurs 24 May, Hunt- UTE TO KATE BUSH Tues Tin Music And Arts, ditch Birmingham Town Hall ingdon Hall, Worcester 22 May, Artrix, Broms- Canal Basin, Coventry 5IVE, S CLUB, GARETH LARRY DEAN Fri 25 May, The Glee grove CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- HOSPITALITY Fri 25 GATES, N-TRANCE, PLAT- CHESTRA: PROKOFIEV AND BERNSTEIN Club, Birmingham AN EVENING WITH SI- May, The Assembly, INUM AND SWEET FE- Featuring Ludovic Morlot (conductor) ALLYSON SMITH, ELLIOT STEEL, MONE FELICE Tues 22 Leamington Spa MALE ATTITUDE Sun 27 & Tasmin Little (violin). Programme TANYALEE DAVIS & COMIC TBC Fri 25 - May, Hare & Hounds, WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN May, Kasbah, Coventry includes works by Stravinsky, Bern- Sat 26 May, The Glee Club, B’ham Birmingham Fri 25 May, The Core ANNUAL BRETFORTON stein & Prokofiev, Thurs 24 May, LEE NELSON Fri 25 May, Evesham Arts DIRE STRAITS UK Wed Theatre, Solihull SILVER BAND ASPARA- Symphony Hall, Birmingham Centre 23 May, The Glee GRETCHEN PETERS Fri GUS AUCTION Sun 27 EUFEMIA STRING QUARTET Thurs 24 Club, Birmingham May, The Fleece Inn, SHAZIA MIRZA Sat 26 May, Artrix, 25 May, Birmingham May, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Bromsgrove JOOLS HOLLAND AND Bretforton, Nr Eve- Town Hall OZ & ARMONICO DRINK AGAIN! Featur- HIS RHYTHM AND BLUES sham NICK DOODY, DAVE LONGLEY, FUNMBI ROXY MAGIC Fri 25 May, ing the Armonico Consort & wine ORCHESTRA Wed 23 OMOTAYO & ANDREW ROBINSON Sat 26 Huntingdon Hall, WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN critic Oz Clarke (narrator), Eloise Irv- May, Warwick Arts May, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham Worcester - CARPENTERS Sun 27 ing (soprano), William Towers (coun- Centre, Coventry May, Wolverhampton IMPROV COMEDY WITH BOX OF FROGS THE DMA'S Fri 25 May, tertenor) & Christopher Monks SARAH JANE MORRIS Grand Theatre Sun 27 May, The Glee Club, B’ham O2 Institute, B’ham (director), Thurs 24 May, Old Gram- WITH ANTONIO FOR- DREAMS OF FLEETWOOD mer School, Coventry ELF LYONS Thurs 31 May, Warwick CIONE Thurs 24 May, THE HUNNA Fri 25 May, MAC Sun 27 May, The OZ & ARMONICO DRINK AGAIN! Featur- Arts Centre, Coventry Warwick Arts Centre, O2 Academy, B’ham River Rooms, Stour- ing the Armonico Consort & wine NICK DOODY, JIMMY MCGHIE & COMEDY Coventry JOE BROUGHTON’S CON- bridge critic Oz Clarke (narrator), Eloise Irv- CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON THE UP-BEAT BEATLES SERVATOIRE FOLK EN- INK Mon 28 May, Kas- ing (soprano), William Towers (coun- Thurs 31 May, The Glee Club, B’ham Thurs 24 May, Lichfield SEMBLE Sat 26 May, bah, Coventry tertenor) & Christopher Monks Garrick Huntingdon Hall, (director), Fri 25 May, The Old Court Worcester SLAM DUNK FESTIVAL THE HARCOURT PLAYERS Mon 28 May, NEC, House, Warwick Thurs 24 May, The SENSATIONAL 70S V Birmingham L’ERACLITO AMOROSO Featuring Mark Marr's Bar, Worcester INTO THE 80S Sat 26 Chambers (counter tenor), Jamie May, The River Rooms, THE MAGIC NUMBERS Theatre YORUBA WOMEN'S Savan (cornetto), Paula Chateauneuf Stourbridge Mon 28 May, Hare & LOVE, BOMBS AND APPLES CHOIR Thurs 24 May, Hounds, Birmingham (theorbo/guitar) & Steven Devine Hassan Ad- MAC, Birmingham THE MICHAEL JACKSON (harpsichord/organ). Programme in- dulrazzak's one-man play about four HISTORY SHOW Sat 26 BROOKE CANDY Tues 29 cludes works by Ferrari, Merula & PEACE Thurs 24 May, men who are each experiencing a May, The Core The- May, The Glee Club, Strozzi, Fri 25 May, The Barber Insti- O2 Academy, B’ham Birmingham moment of revelation, Mon 21 - Tues atre, Solihull tute, University of Birmingham 22 May, Warwick Arts Centre, Coven- COCO AND THE BUTTER- DISCO DIVA PARTY WITH THE BONNEVILLES Wed JOSEPH CALLEJA AND THE CBSO Also try FIELDS Thurs 24 May, LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL TAMEKA JACKSON AS 30 May, The Assembly, featuring Andrew Greenwood (con- Smash- O2 Academy, B’ham DIANA ROSS Sat 26 Leamington Spa ductor). Programme includes works hit musical starring Lucie Jones, Rita CAROL KING'S TAPESTRY May, Nailcote Hall, THE SHADES Thurs 31 by Verdi, Massenet, Bizet, Cilea, Simons and Bill Ward, Mon 21 - Sat THE CONCERT Thurs 24 Berkswell May, O2 Academy, Puccini & Offenbach d’Hoffmann, Fri 26 May, New Alexandra Theatre, May, Albany Theatre, ECHO AND THE BUNNY- Birmingham 25 May, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Birmingham Coventry SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE FINAL CURTAIN MEN Sat 26 May, Sym- FRANKIE AND THE WITCH BENJAMIN GROSVENOR & FRIENDS: ANDY RICHARDS Thurs phony Hall, B’ham FINGERS & SUPER- BRAHMS AND SCHUBERT. Featuring Liza Goddard & Robert Powell star, 24 May, Katie Fitzger- GEORGIA BURGESS Sat HOOCH Thurs 31 May, Hyeyoon Park (violin), Brett Dean Mon 21 - Sat 26 May, Malvern The- ald's, Stourbridge The Tin Music And (viola), Kian Soltani (cello) & Leon atres 26 May, O2 Institute, ART JAPANESE BREAKFAST Birmingham Arts, Coventry Bosch (double bass), Sat 26 May Nigel Havers, Denis Lawson and Thurs 24 May, Hare & Birmingham Town Hall GERD JANSON, ALEXAN- BLUESMAN MIKE FRAN- Stephen Tompkinson star in the Hounds, Birmingham DER NUT & BYRON THE CIS Thurs 31 May, The ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN Featuring award-winning comedy, Mon 21 - Sat JIZZY PEARL/LOVE/HATE Marr's Bar, Worcester Julian Lloyd Webber (conductor) & 26 May, Birmingham Hippodrome AQUARIUS Sat 26 May, DELIVERED DOZEN - A MINERS' TALE Fri 25 May, The Asy- Hare & Hounds, Birm- KENT DUCHAINE Thurs Jian Wang & Jiaxin Lloyd Webber lum, Birmingham ingham 31 May, Katie Fitzger- (cellos). Programme includes works The true story of the Nine Locks Or- by Elgar, Haydn & Vivaldi, Mon 28 BRYAN ADAMS Fri 25 ald's, Stourbridge deal - a mining disaster in the Black FATMAN ALLEY Sat 26 May, Royal Birmingham Conserva- May, Genting Arena, Country in 1869, Tues 22 May, May, Katie Fitzgerald's, THE SONGS OF TOM toire Birmingham Stourbridge LEHRER Thurs 31 May, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE CLARE TEAL AND HER Huntingdon Hall, Hayley ENEMO J Sat 26 May, CHESTRA: FAURÉ'S REQUIEM Featuring TRIO Fri 25 May, Artrix, Worcester Tamaddon takes the lead in the Tony O2 Academy, B’ham Mirga Gražinyt -Tyla (conductor), Bromsgrove FOLK IN THE FOYER: Award-winning musical based on the NILS LOFGREN Sat 26 CBSO Chorus ė& CBSO Children's 1967 film of the same name, Tues 22 BEN FOLDS & A PIANO STEVE ASHLEY Thurs 31 May, Malvern Theatres Chorus. Programme includes works - Sat 26 May, Regent Theatre, Fri 25 May, Warwick May, Evesham Arts BOURBON ALLEY Sat 26 by Boulanger & Fauré, Thurs 31 May, Stoke-on-Trent Arts Centre, Coventry Centre Symphony Hall, Birmingham GOLDILOCK, STOCK & THREE SMOKING whatsonlive.co.uk 63 The List Warwicks/Worcs Mon 21 - Thurs 31 May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 17:45 Page 3

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BEARS Original alternative comedy, piano playing with text, movement, Wed 23 - Fri 25 May, Old Joint Stock games and virtuosity, Sat 26 May, Theatre, Birmingham Royal Birmingham Conservatoire MURDER AT CHECKMATE MANOR URINETOWN THE MUSICAL Ama- Presented teur staging presented by Phoenix by the Crescent Theatre Company, Players, Wed 23 - Sat 26 May, The Sat 26 May - Sat 2 June, Crescent Bear Pit Theatre - The United Re- Theatre, Birmingham formed Church, Stratford-upon-Avon PINOCCHIO A HEART AT SEA Carlo Collodi's much-loved Half A String present children's tale, Sat 26 May - Sat 2 an epic musical folk tale about a boy June, The Blue Orange Theatre, who bottles up his heart and throws it Birmingham LOST AND FOUND into the sea, Wed 23 - Sat 26 May, Oliver Jeffers’ best- Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry DARK CORNERS selling picture book for children is New storytelling per- brought to life on stage using pup- formance from Polarbear (aka spoken petry, song and music, Sun 27 May, word artist Steven Camden) about Evesham Arts Centre how the decisions we're scared to GINGER JOHNSON: GLAMOROUS GRAN AND OTHER TALL STORIES make can come back to haunt us, A lively col- Wed 23 - Sat 26 May, The REP, Birm- lection of original children’s stories in- ingham OUR COUNTRY'S GOOD spired by the lives of LGBTQIA+ True story of a people, Sun 27 May, Symphony Hall, group of convicts and a young officer Birmingham who rehearse and perform Australia's JOHN HEGLEY: ALL HAIL THE SNAIL Poet Sir Antony Sher stars as King Lear at Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon first theatrical production, Wed 23 John Hegley takes his audience on a May - Sat 2 June, The REP, B’ham KING LEAR humorous journey through his living Return of Gregory Doran's library of poems, songs, stories and in!’, Wed 30 May - Sat 2 June, acclaimed production, starring Antony animal drawings, Tues 29 May, MAC, Kids Shows Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Sher, Wed 23 May - Sat 9 June, Birmingham MY DAD THE MAGICIAN DISORDER: CLOUD BUSTING Inventive show Royal Shakespeare Theatre, 84 CHARING CROSS ROAD Stefanie Artrix Youth for children featuring handmade Stratford-upon-Avon Theatre Company present a theatrical MICHAEL BRANDON: OFF RAMPS Powers stars in the stage version of magic tricks, live music, cassette The Helene Hanff’s bestselling book, Tues staging of Malorie Blackman’s chil- players, DJ skills, audience interac- Dempsey And Makepeace star lifts 29 May - Sat 2 June, Wolverhampton dren’s novel of the same name, Tues tion and a rabbit called Horace, Thurs the lid on a half-century of showbiz Grand Theatre 22 May, Artrix, Bromsgrove 31 May, MAC, Birmingham STOMP ONE GIANT LEAP OUTCOME EVENT personalities, including De Niro, Pa- Smash-hit production, combin- Phys- cino, Tony Curtis, Kim Novak and ing dance, comedy and music, in ical performance exploring maths and Michael’s ex-wife, Bionic Woman star which familiar objects - dustbin lids, science in the curriculum, Tues 22 Lindsay Wagner, Thurs 24 May, plastic bags and newspapers - are May, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Malvern Theatres WHAT THE LADYBIRD HEARD Dance A BRAVE FACE used to create a universal language, Join the Vamos Theatre brings Tues 29 May - Sat 2 June, Birming- woolly sheep, the hairy hog, the fat PASHA KOVALEV'S THE MAGIC OF HOLLY- its wordless full-mask style to a story ham Hippodrome red hen and the dainty dog in this mu- WOOD about the effect of post-traumatic FRANKENSTEIN 1899 sical adaptation of Julia Donaldson & Lights, Camera... Ballroom. Don’t Go Into The Pasha Kovalev (from BBC TV's stress, an unseen and often unrecog- Cellar present a reimagining of Mary Lydia Monks' colourful farmyard ad- nised injury of war, Thurs 24 - Fri 25 venture, Wed 23 - Thurs 24 May, Strictly Come Dancing) returns with a Shelley’s Gothic horror story, Wed 30 brand new show packed with se- May, The Swan Theatre, Worcester May, The Civic, Stourport-on-Severn Wolverhampton Grand Theatre THE LEFTOVERS JOHN FILLMORE FLYING VISIT THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWAL- quins, glitz and glamour, Tues 22 Contemporary comic LOWED A FLY May, The Core Theatre, Solihull musical exploring the pitfalls of artistic The writer and star of the award-win- One of the world’s best- THE LITTLE MERMAID interpretation and the melody of grief, ning BBC radio programme brings his loved nursery rhymes, brought to life Ballet Theatre Thurs 24 - Sat 26 May, Belgrade The- brand new live show to the stage, with singalong songs and colourful UK revive their critically acclaimed atre, Coventry characters, Sat 26 May, The Swan retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s ANNIE Wed 30 May, New Alexandra Theatre, Amateur staging presented by Birmingham Theatre, Worcester famous tale, Thurs 24 May, The Civic, MOUNTAINS: THE DREAMS OF LILY KWOK FIRST STAGES - TOM THUMB Stourport-on-Severn Coventry Musical Theatre Society, Lyngo THE LITTLE MERMAID Thurs 24 - Sun 27 May, Belgrade New play by award-winning writer In- Theatre presents an innovative piece Ballet Theatre Theatre, Coventry of theatre for younger audiences - UK revive their critically acclaimed THE JEFF ASTLE STORY Sofko Chappell, telling the story of Celebration of the woman behind famous Manch- performed entirely on and under a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s the life of the West Brom footballing ester restaurant Sweet Mandarin, kitchen table, Sat 26 May, The REP, famous tale, Tues 29 May, The Birmingham Roses, Kidderminster hero. All proceeds go to the Jeff Astle Wed 30 May - Sat 2 June, Belgrade MR SILLY PANCAKE AND THE LAND OF PASHA KOVALEV'S THE MAGIC OF HOLLY- Foundation, Thurs 24 - Sun 27 May, Theatre, Coventry CAKE AND BISCUITS WOOD Crescent Theatre, Birmingham CONCUBINE Knees & Toes Lights, Camera... Ballroom. JAMES PHELAN: TRICKSTER Amhara Spence's one- Nephew of woman show exploring womanhood, Theatre fuse original music & pup- Pasha Kovalev (from BBC TV's the late Paul Daniels, James presents sexuality and faith, Thurs 31 May - petry to transport young audiences to Strictly Come Dancing) returns with a his magical prank show, Fri 25 May, Sat 2 June, The REP, Birmingham the land of Cake And Biscuits, Sat 26 brand new show packed with se- Palace Theatre, Redditch HORMONES - Sun 27 May, MAC, Birmingham quins, glitz and glamour, Thurs 31 THE IMPROV MUSICAL New play by Elizabeth OLD MACDONALD AND THE THREE PIGS May, Bedworth Civic Hall Musical Theatre Plant exploring what it means to be PLUS... Warwick promise a night of ‘hilarity, young in the 21st century, Thurs 31 Colourful interactive show for musical madness and excitement’ as May - Sat 2 June, Warwick Arts Cen- younger audiences which weaves to- six cast members create and perform tre, Coventry gether two popular children’s nursery an hour-long musical before your very MISCHIEF FESTIVAL rhymes, Tues 29 May, Artrix, Broms- Double bill of new grove Talks eyes, Fri 25 May, Warwick Arts Cen- plays exploring global questions of HORRIBLE HISTORIES - MORE BEST OF tre, Coventry DAN AND PHIL: INTERACTIVE INTRO- CATALOGUE D’EMOJIS truth, freedom and corruption, Thurs BARMY BRITAIN VERTS Interdisciplinary 31 May - Sat 23 June, The Other ‘A truly horrible history Join the internet-dwelling nerds music theatre event fusing traditional Place, Stratford-upon-Avon of Britain - with all the nasty bits left for an interactive experience of rants, whatsonlive.co.uk 65 The List Warwicks/Worcs Mon 21 - Thurs 31 May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 17:45 Page 5

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ture. With the voices of James Cor- roasts, battles, stories and surprises, den, Fayssal Bazzi. Artrix, Broms- Tues 22 May, Symphony Hall, grove, Sat 26 & Wed 30 May Birmingham AN EVENING WITH WOCKET WOY & THE WASTED (tbc) Drama. Starring George PWODUCER Welton, Paul Mackenzie. Abbey The- Join internet sensations atre, Nuneaton, Sun 27 May Mattie Batchelor and Marc Goldstein as they talk the audience through DUCK DUCK GOOSE (PG) Animation/Ad- some of their classic Saturday morn- venture. With the voices of Jim Gaffi- ing Facebook videos, Sat 26 May, gan, Zendaya. Royal Spa Centre, The Albany Theatre, Coventry Leamington Spa, Sun 27 - Thurs 31 MCKELLEN: PLAYING THE PART LIVE May

Celebrate one of Britain's true icons EDIE (tbc) Drama. Starring Sheila Han- during his birthday weekend. Hosted cock, Kevin Guthrie. No8, Pershore, by Graham Norton and broadcast to Tues 29 May cinemas nationwide from London's DARKEST HOUR (PG) BFI Southbank, Sun 27 May, Biography/Drama. Starring Gary Old- MAC, Birmingham & Malvern The- man, Lily James. Artrix, Bromsgrove, atres Wed 30 May PATRICIA ROUTLEDGE: FACING THE MUSIC Patricia Routledge in conver- NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: sation with writer and broadcaster Ed- War Of The Roses - Warwick Castle ward Seckerson, Sun 27 May, Released from Thurs 24 May, show- Lichfield Garrick ing at selected cinemas MEDIEVAL BANQUET Sat 26 May, War- FARGO DOG SHOW Mon 28 May, FarGo HENRY BLOFELD - 78 RETIRED The SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY (tbc) wick Castle Village, Coventry golden voice of cricket shares un- heard anecdotes from on and off the Released from Fri 25 May, showing at MEDIEVAL VILLAGE & BIRDS OF PREY OPERATION EARTH SHOW New family pitch, Sun 27 May, MAC, Birmingham selected cinemas FLYING SPECTACULAR Step back in show exploring ‘the amazing stories SHOW DOGS (PG) time as Hampton Court Castle hosts and science of the environment’, Mon WORLD CUP ROADSHOW the Border Levy, Sat 26 - Mon 28 28 May - Fri 1 June, Thinktank Sci- Two icons of THE BREADWINNER (12a) English football - Teddy Sheringham May, Hampton Court Castle, Leomin- ence Museum, Birmingham THE LITTLE VAMPIRE (U) & Paul Merson - talk about their ca- ster reers in the game, Thurs 31 May, MAY HALF TERM FUN Enjoy a fun pro- Palace Theatre, Redditch gramme of activities at Shake- AN AUDIENCE WITH KATE HUMBLE speare's family homes, Sat 26 - Mon Thurs 31 May, Royal Spa Centre, 28 May, across all Shakespeare's Leamington Spa Events Birthplace Trust sites, Stratford-Upon- Avon PANORAMA TOWER OPEN DAY Enjoy 360-degree views from the balcony of WARS OF THE ROSES LIVE Epic new the Panorama Tower, Tues 22 May, live-action show, Sat 26 May - Sun 3 Film Croome Park, Worcester June, Warwick Castle INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: LET'S ANIMATE PRESENTS AWESOME AN- WITSUN WEEK HALF TERM Craft activi- CASTLE QUEST Mon 28 May - Fri 1 IMATORS An intermediate course de- ties and trails around the grounds, June, Tamworth Castle, Staffs BOMBSHELL: THE HEDY LAMARR STORY signed to help animators learn about Sat 26 May - Sun 3 June, Sarehole PIRATE WEEK Mon 28 May - Sun 3 (12A) Documentary. Starring Diane the techniques and skills of animat- Mill, Birmingham June, Selly Manor, Bournville, B’ham Kruger, Nino Amareno. Roses The- ing, Fri 25 May, FarGo Village, Coven- PIRATE FESTIVAL Arrive dressed as a atre, Tewkesbury, Tues 22 - Thurs 24 try pirate for a swashbuckling day, Sat HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES 2018 Drama May games and practical activities, Tues DUNGEON LATES ‘Scary storytelling’ is 26 May - Sun 3 June, Hatton Adven- 29 - Wed 30 May, Belgrade Theatre, CUSTODY (12A) Drama. Starring Léa combined with ‘wicked humour and ture World, Warwick Coventry Drucker, Denis Ménochet. Foreign manic theatrics’ in this adults-only en- THE MOTOR SHOW Featuring up to 600 language, subtitled. Roses Theatre, tertainment, blending special effects vintage and classic cars, American, Tewkesbury, Wed 23 - Thurs 24 May with live performance art, Fri 25 May, kit & custom, motorcycles and com- ISLE OF DOGS (PG) Animation/Adven- Warwick Castle mercial vehicles, plus club stands, ture. With the voices of Bryan STOURPORT GIN JAMBOREE An oppor- trade and autojumble stands, Sun 27 Cranston, Yoko Ono. No8, Pershore, tunity to sample more than 100 gins, May, Ragley Hall, Warwickshire Thurs 24 May Fri 25 May, Civic Hall, Stourport- BUBBLE DISCO Featuring a DJ, danc- HUMAN FLOW (12A) Documentary. upon-Severn ing, glow sticks, games and bubbles, No8, Pershore, Fri 25 May IAN BURRELL: THE GLOBAL AMBAS- Sun 27 May, Artrix, Bromsgrove WINCHESTER (15) Biography/Fantasy. SADOR FOR RUM Learn all you need to OAK APPLE DAY CELEBRATIONS Tradi- Starring Helen Mirren, Sarah Snook. know about the tropical tipple, while tional celebration of the 1660 restora- Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 25 & Wed 30 sampling a selection of world-class tion of the monarchy, Sun 27 - Mon MAY HALF TERM CRAFTS Animal- May varieties, Sat 26 May, MAC, B’ham 28 May, The Commandery, Worcester themed craft activities, Tues 29 - SWEET COUNTRY (15) Crime/Drama. MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL Sun 27 - Mon 28 Thurs 31 May, Blakesley Hall, B’ham Starring Bryan Brown, Matt Day. No8, May, Kenilworth Castle ANIMAL MANIA Mobile zoo including Pershore, Sat 26 May ELIZABETHAN LIVING HISTORY EVENT lizards, snakes, chinchillas, hedge- MARY & THE WITCH'S FLOWER (U) Ani- Reenactors and historians transport hogs, giant bunnies, tortoises, creepy mation/Adventure. With the voices of visitors back in time to the Tudor Age, crawlies and much more, Wed 30 Hana Sugisaki, Ryûnosuke Kamiki. Sun 27 - Mon 28 May, Harvington May, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham Foreign language, subtitled. Warwick Hall, Kidderminster PICTURE THIS! FAMILY DRAWING TOUR Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 26 - Mon CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL Victorian games Have a go at drawing challenges, 28 May and activities for all, Sun 27 - Mon 28 Wed 30 - Thurs 31 May, Aston Hall, PETER RABBIT (PG) Animation/Adven- May, Witley Court, Great Witley Birmingham

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